davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record., 1912-05-02
THE ANNUAL PROGRAM
Given at Mrs. J. ". RObinSODS' Home
Monday.

The annual officers day program
OF the Women's Club was given last
Monday at the home of Mrs. ]. w.
Robinson by the retiring officers of
the club, who were--Mrs. ]. W. Rob
inson, president; Mrs. ]. T. Ewing,
vice-president; Mrs. George Moore,
recording secretary, and Miss Sadie
Messenger. corresponding secretary.
At eleven o'clock an elaborate four
course breakfast was served. Mrs.
7. w. Robinson acted as toastmistress
and the roll call was responded TO
by quotations from various authors.
When the tables were cleared awav,
each lady performed some stunt.
Many very clever stories and stunts
were given and the day was pleasant
ly spent The officers for the ensu-
ing year are Miss Sadie Messenger,
president; Mrs Howard c. Richard
son, vice-president; Mrs. d. Lloyd
Johnson. recording secretary; Mrs.
William J. Melchers, corresponding
secretary.
Alma record., 1912-05-02

Last week County School Commits
sioner Potter was kept busy looking
after the wants of the fifty-hve appli-
cants for teachers certificates. There
was one lope applicant for a first
grade certificate, twenty-eight who
wanted second grade certificates and
twenty-six who were doing their
best TO obtain a third of the 55 who
took the examination prescribed. 40
per cent were men and 60 per cent
women. The increase in the number
Of male applicants is undoubtedly
occasioned by the increased salaries
being paid throughout the rural dis
sricts.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
INSTRUCT DELEGATES
For Woodrow WilSOn-ReSult Of Dem.
OCfatiC Convention at Ithaca.

The. Democrats of Gratiot county in
mass convention at Ithaca, Wednesday
afternoon, elected sixteen delegates to
attend the Democrat State Convention
at Bay City, May 10, and instructed the
delegation to support Woodrow Wilson.
The convention lasted most of the after
noon as result of one of the hottest
fights ever seen in Gratiot county con-
vention. The regular Democratic mach
inc of the county lead by c. M. Brown
of Ithaca, sought to send the delegates
to Bay City uninstructed. The regulars
Lost out by vote of 81 TO q. Archie
Mccall of Ithaca and Dewitt Vought of
Alma, lead the fight for Woodrow Will
son. Woodbridge Ferris of Big Rapids
was present, and at the close of the con-
vention addressed the Democrats in a
red hot speech in praise of Abraham
Lincoln aud Woodrow Wilson. Detailed
account of convention and speech wli be
printed next week.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
STATE OF MICHIGAN.
Before the Michigan Railroad Com
mission

Session of the Michigan Railroad
Commission held at its offices in the
City of Lansing, on the 26th day OF
April, A. D. 1912.
Present: Hon. c. L. Glasgow,
Chairman; Hon. c. w. Dickinson,
Hon. /. T. Hemans. Commissioners.
Tn the matter of increased Union Sta
tion facilities on the Pere Mar
quette and Ann Arbor Railroads,
At Alma. Gratiot County-X-316s.
Complaint having been made to the
Michigan Railroad Commission by
the Alma Board of Trade. alleging
insufficient union station facilities at
Alma, a station located in the Perc
Marquette and Ann Arbor Railroads,
and investigation thereon having been
conducted at Alma, by Commissioner
Dickinson, at which time represen-
tatives of the said Board of Trade
and City Council, OF Alma, as well as
representatives of the above described
Railroad Companies were heard in
relation to said complaint;
And the Michigan Railroad Com
mission, after carefully considering
the report Of said investigation, are
of/the opinion that the said COM
plant is just one, and have decided
that additional union station facilities
shall be provided for the accommo-
dation of the patrons of the Pere
Marquette and Ann Arbor Railroad,
at Alma;
Therefore, 1t is Hereby Ordered
That you. the said Pere Marquette
and Ann Arbor Railroad Companies.
on or before July 1st, A. D. 1912;
cause additional union station facil-
tiles to be provided at Alma, in ac-
cordance with plans which shall be
submitted to the Michigan Railroad
Commission for approval on or be-
fore May 10, A. D. 1912; the cost and
expense of said additional union sta
tion facilities to be according to the
terms of a private contract which
may be entered into between the
above described railroad companies
c. L. GLASGOW,
Chairman
G. w. DICKINSON,
Commissioner.
LAWTON T. HEMANS,
Commissioner.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
DEPOT FACILITIES
The State Railroad Commission Take
Action
PLANS TO Be SUBMITTED MAYO
Mayor J. M. MOntigal Notified of the Commit
tees Action

Messrs. c. L. Glasgow, G. w.
Dickinson and Lawton T. Hemans,
constituting the Michigan State r. X.
Commission, have notified the Ann
Arbor and Pere Marquette railroad
that Alma must have better depot
accommodations on or before July
1st, 1912. Plans for same, subject to
the commissions approval, must be
received on or before May 10 next.
Following is copy OF the certificate
made by w. N. Sweeney, secretary
Of the commission, as we'll as tram
script of the original order.
STATE OF MICHIGAN, Office of
the State Railroad Commissioners.
!, Willard N. Sweeney, Secretary
OF the Michigan Railroad Commits
sion,
Do Hereby Certify, That l have
compared the annexed copy of order
in re increased union passenger sta
tion facilities at Alma, Gratiot Coun-
~, with the original order, recorded
in Journal No. 4, and that it is true
and correct transcript therefrom, and
of the whole of such original
In Testimony Whereof, | have
hereunto set my hand and affixed the
seal of the Commission, at Lansing,
this 26th day of April, in the year of
our Lord one thousand nine hundred
twelve
WILLARD y. SWEENEY,
Secretary Michigan r. r. Commission.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
ALFALFA Club MEETS.

Michigan Agricultural College field
agent, A. r. Potts. will be in Alma,
Wednesday evening, May 9Th, and will
meet the Alfalfa Club at City Hall. at
7:30p D. m. On the Sth he will visit as
many club members as possible, and give
them any advise necessary regarding
seeding. At that time the bacteria
will be ready for distribution. All
members and those interested are in
vited TO attend.
c. F. Brown, Pres.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
anti SALOON LEAGUE SUNDAY

The representatives of the State Anti
Saloon League will present the work of
this organization from the pulpits of the
Baptist and Presbyterian Churches, next
Sunday Mr.. Pliny Marsh, sattorney of
the League, will speak in THE Baptist
church at the morning service, and the
Rev. G. w. Morrow, superintendent at
the Presbyterian church. In the evening
a union service will be held at the
Presbyterian church which will be ad-
dressed by Mr.. Morrow. The public is
cordially invited to all of these services.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL
Tablet Erected at Michigan Masonic
Home

A beautiful bronze memorial tab
let 27x22 inches in size and bearing
the following inscription has been
placed on the south wall of the lobby
of the Masonic Home
This Home is the gift OF Mr.. AM
mi w. Wright to the Masons of
Michigan. This tablet is erected by
the Masonic fraternity in grateful
appreciation of his munihcence.
Immediately above the tablet has
been placed a handsomely executed
ink drawing OF the donor, Mr. Ammi
w. Wright. The whole OF which
will serve for ages as reminder of
the generous hearted man who has
done so much for the city of his
adoption
Alma record., 1912-05-02
IN SPECIAL SESSION
City Council Sells Paving Bonds to
Toledo Trust Co.
Alma. Mich, April 27, 1912.


Special meeting of the Common
Council OF the city of Alma in Coun-
Gil rooms on the above date. The
Mayors call and copy of notice
served, on file in clerks office, with
affidavit of service
The Council was called to order
by the mayor, Hon. J. M. Montigel
Present Aids. Fuller, Goodspeed
Caple, Pulfrey. Cook, Kehn and Fra
ker.
There being quorum present the
Council was declared to be in ses-
sion.
Splitter. Rorick & Company OF To-
ledo, Ohio, submit the following
proposition to purchase the thirty
thousand ($30.OOO) dollars issue OF
the street paving and improvement
bonds voted by the electors of the
city of Nina at the election held in
said city January 22, 1912:
Alma, Mich, April &c. 1912.
To the Honorable Mayor and Coun-
Gil, Alma, Mich.
vi ROO,OOO i've W /tj
per cent street Improvement bonds OF
your city voted on the 22nd day OF
January, A. d. 1912. maturing $4,000
on July IS. 1913, $4,000 on July Is
1919. $4,000 on july IS, 1920, $4,000
on July Is. 1921, $4,000 on July Is
1929. $4,000 on July Is, 1923, $4,000
on July IS, 1924, $4,000 on July Is
1925 and $4,000 on July IS, 1926, in
tercst payable on January Is and July
Is of each year until paid, in denom-
nations of $1,000 each. dated April
I. 1912. with principal semi-annual
interest payable at the Splitter. Rorick
Trust and Savings Bank. Toledo
Ohio, we agree to pay you for all
OF said bonds when delivered 70 us al
Toledo. Ohio. the sum Of 1000
The voucher properly executed by
the city will be accepted in Toledo
without exchange. you to receive as
full payment for said issue of bonds
two certificates OF deposit on 'he
Splitter, Rorick Trust and Savings
Alma record., 1912-05-02
DEATH Of NRS.kE9!LAR
Funeral Held Last Saturday After.
noon at the Medlar Home.

After being in i'll hsalth for a mum
Der of years and seriously i'll since
last June Mrs. Melvin \. Medler
died at the Medler home on Park
avenue, Wednesday evening OF last
week. Mrs. Medler was one OF the
best known ladies in Alma as she had
lived in Alma her whole life except
for a few years in her infancy and
during twenty years of her life she
was employed in f. f. Pollasly dry
goods store Mrs. Medler was a
prominent member OF the Rebecca
Lodge and the Pythian Sisters.
Ida Coleman was born to John and
Lucy Coleman, March IA, 1870 at
Grafton, Ohio. At the age of two
years her people moved to Michigan
and later to Alma, where she later
attended the Alma public schools,
where she graduated at the age of
eighteen. Shortly after her gradua-
ton, Miss Coleman became employ
ed in +. Z. Pollasky's store and con-
tinued in the employ of Mr.. Pollas-
ky for twenty years. On March 6,
1905, she was married to NJ. A. Med
Ter. Mrs. Medier is survived by her
husband NJ A. Medler Her mother
Mrs Lucy Coleman, and three bro
theirs, Decatur Coleman, Alma, Ste
phen Coleman, Alma and George
Coleman, Detroit
The funeral was held Saturday af-
ternoon at the Medler home. Rev.
J. w. Priest officiated The Pythian
Sisters and the Rebeccas attended
the funeral in body. The interment
was made in Riverside cemetery.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
L.Q.O.E. Anniversary
Celebrated at North Star by GfatiOt
Co. Association Last Friday.
LEON c. sT|NCHCOMB SEC'Y
Two Numbered from Alma went by Special
Train Association Meets at Breckenridge
Next Year

About two hundred Odd Fellows
and Daughters of Rebecca went by
special train last Friday to North
Star where the ninety-third anniver-
sary of the founding of Odd Fellow
ship in North America was cele-
brated by the Gratiot county |. O.
0. F. Association. The train left
Alma at 900 a. m. arriving at North
Star at 11:3O. Large delegations
were taken IN at all the station.
a short business meeting was held
in the morning at which the officers
of the association were elected for
the coming year, and Breckenridge
was chosen for the meeting place OF
next year Q. G.. Failer of Brecken-
ridge was elected president for en-
suing year; Eugene Smith of North
Star, vice-president; Leon c. Stinch-
comb OF Alma, reelected secretary;
and Newton Burns OF St. Louis was
reelected treasurer. Dinner was
served at noon by the various church
societies and lodges of the village.
AT 80 there was parade, headed
by the Pompeii military band, Can
tons, Encampment and members of
the order. Following this the Alma
and Ithaca Cantons gave special
drills. After the parade the members
of the order retired to the lodge
rooms, where the Bannister lodge eX-
emplihed the second degree and the
Rising Star lodge the third degree.
The work Of both teams was elegant
" done. In another hall the ladies
gathered and the Assistance lodge of
St Louis worked the Rebecca de
gree The work of the ladies' team
was beautiful
In the evening a public assembly
was held The program included
music by the Pompeii band, an enter
tertainment by the North Star Dram
attic Club. and an address by Hon.
H. A. Thompson of WILLIAMSON.
One of the features of the day was
the music of the Pompeii band This
band is made up of eight ladies and
eight gentlemen. Many fine compli-
ments were heard for their work At
the close of the evenings entertain
ment, the special train brought the
different delegations back to their
homes.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
Notice to Paving Contractors

Sealed proposals addressed to
the City Clerk and endorsed, PRO
posals for constructing pavement"
will be received by the City Council
Of Alma, Gratiot County, Michigan,
until two o'clock p. m. of May 18th
1912, and then and there publicly
opened and read by the City Clerk,
for furnishing the necessary labor
and materials for paving and other
wise improving certain portions of
Superior Street from the Ann Arbor
Railroad to the Mill Race, and
State street from Superior street to
the Pere Marquette Railroad, ac-
cording to the plans and specifica-
tions therefor on file in the office
of the clerk.
Each bid must be accompanied
by a cash deposit or a certified
check on some solvent bank, pay
able to the order of the City Clerk
for an amount equal to ten (1O)
per cent of the aggregate amount
of the proposal, as guarantee that
if the proposal is accepted a con-
tract will be entered into and the
required bond will be furnished for
the performance of the work.
Plans and specifications can be
seen and forms of proposal obtained
at the office of the City Clerk or
the engineers, The Riggs e. Sher-
man Co., 613 Nasty Bldg, Toledo,
Ohio.
The Council reserves the right
to reject any or all bids.
By order of the Council.
d. w. ADAMS,
City Clerk.
Alma, Michigan, May l, 1912.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
St. JOHN PAVING BIDS
Prices Vary From $l.l7 to Sl.43 per
Square Yard.

The city OF St. Johns was one OF
the cities visited last fall by the
special paving committee appointed
by Mayor Montigel, and the commit
tees report included their findings in
that city. Last week. Monday even
ing. the City Council of St. Johns
opened bids for 1912 work, in speak.
ing of which the Clinton Co. Repub,
lican OF last week said:
"The work of tabulating the paving
bids has been completed by City En-
gineer Z. c. Hulse and were consid-
cred by the council at special meet
Alma record., 1912-05-02
POWER Of DYNAMITE.
Demonstrated at the Caple Farm
Last Monday
sTUMPS CLOWN FROM GROUND
Proved Of Great Value to Them

A dynamiting demonstration was
given last Monday afternoon at Wal
ter Caple's farm, southeast OF the
city, by T. ~ Allyn of Saginaw, who
is the representative and sales man
ager of Michigan for the Aetna Pow
der Company There were a large
, number OF farmers from the sur
rounding country present to witness
the exhibition Mr.. Allyn demon
strated the possibilities Of the powder
from all angles and taught those
present the secret of blowing
stump. roots and all, clear out
of the ground. In his demon
strating, he first placed an ordinary
charge under the center OF the stump
but not deep in the ground. The re-
suit was, as he explained, the split
ting of the stump through the CEN
ter with the roots still sticking in the
ground. The next charge was put
under the center about three feet
into the ground and the result this
time was the blowing roots and all
clear out of the ground. The pur-
pose OF placing the explosive deep
into the ground is to give it a chance
to spread and therefore get greater
lifting power The last stump to be
blown was a large one about six feet
in diameter After the explosion,
there was not a single root left in the
ground, so well did the powder do
its work
Mr.. Allyn is a man of seventeen
years experience in the business
His work consists largely OF demon
strating. taking him to all parts of
the country. He explained the many
uses the dynamite is being put to.
In the Everglades of Florida the
bitches for drainage are being blown
out with powder. The scheme is to
place the sticks about eighteen inches
apart in row. at a depth desired
for the ditch and at an angle of
forty-fve degrees. A heavy dis
charge in the center will discharge
the whole row and a ditch will be
blown out This can be done only
in swampy land or when the ground
is full Of water.
Another demonstration that Mr.
Allyn is making in this part of the
country is the use of the explosive
in setting out fruit trees. Wher-
ever the tree is to be set small
charge is placed in the ground and
the dirt so loosened that the hole
can easily be dug There are still
greater benefits to this scheme The
ground is loosened for radius of
twenty feet thus giving the tree roots
chance to spread and receive
greater nourishment, thus providing
more thrift for the tree and a greater
production of fruit Further than
this, the ground moles and all animal
life in the ground is killed by the
concuss;on. If there is a hard pan
in the sub-soil holding the moisture
near the surface a hole made in il
by the explosion will provide a suf-
fcient drainage, allowing the water
to go deeper into the ground to be
taken ZIP later by the roots in the
dry seasons. The feature of using
dynamite is in its infancy as the
method is comparatively new dis
covery to the fruit growers, How
ever, it is being used a great deal
Last week Mr.. Allyn helped set out
a hundred trees by this method on
DR. Morgan's fruit farm near Sag
inaw.
Alma record., 1912-05-02

The base ball team from the Mt
Pleasant Indian school passed through
Alma Saturday morning on their way
home from Big Rapids. The team
played the Ferris Institute aggrcga-
tion Friday and defeated the Ferris
boys by the score of to 4. The
Alma college team goes to Big Ra-
pids for two games tomorrow and
Saturday From the comparative
scores Of the Indians with the Insti-
tute and Alma. the college should
have a regular walk-a-way.
Alma record., 1912-05-02

Bank, Toledo, Ohio, without interest,
one payable July Is, 1912 for $4,000,
and the other payable August Is,
1912, for $2O,70O. Prior to our taking
up and paying for said bonds you are
to pass such bond resolution OIL pro-
ceedings as our attorneys may re-
quire, same TO be furnished you with
out charge for legal services We
will print and furnish blank bonds
free. Herewith we hand you certi-
fed check for 81 900. to 'be held by
you as a guarantee that we will carry
ont the terms of this bid; said check
10 be returned TO us when bonds are
delivered and paid for.
Respectfully submitted.
Splitter Rorick & Co by Ray NJ
Mann.
Alderman Cook offers the following
resolution and moves its adoption,
which motion was supported by Aid.
Pulfrey.
RESOLUTION.
Whereas, Sitter, Rorick & Com
pany of Toledo, Ohio, offers To buy
the $4,000 SO street paving and inn
provement bonds voted by the city
of Alma. January 22, 1912, maturing
$4,000 July Is, 1913, $4,000 July Is,
1919, $4,000 July Is, 1920, $4,000 July
Is. 1921. $4,000 July IS, 1922, $4,000
July IS, 1923, $4,000 July is, 1924,
$4,000 July IS. 1925, and $4,000 July
15. 1926. in denominations OF 81 900
each. dated April LIST, 1912, and agree
to pay therefore $31 900 net to the
city OF Alma as provided in their said
specification now before this Coun-
Gil. now, therefore,
BE it Resolved, BY the Common
Council OF the said city of Alma now
in session that we accept the PROPOSE
ton OF said Spitzer,& &Rorick & Com
pany to pay TO the said city of Alma
$31 900 net for the issue of said
$4,000 street paving and improve
ment bonds, the same to be subject
however to the resolution or proceed
ings mentioned in the proposition OF
said Splitter, Rorick & Company. to
be prepared and submitted by the at
tOrneys of said Splitter. Rorick &
Company, being acceptable TO the
Common Council of the said city of
Alma. and if not acceptable the $1,000
certified check deposited at this date
As evidence of good faith to be re-
turned to said Splitter, Rorick &
Company.
The above resolution was adopted
by the following yea and nay vote:
Yeas: Aids. Fuller. Goodspeed, Ca
pie. Pulfrey, Cook, Kehn.
Nay: Aid. Fraker.
On motion of Aid Pulfrey, sup
ported by Aid Caple, the Council ad-
journed TO Wednesday, May I, 1912,
at 80 p. m.
d. w. ADAMS. City Clerk
J. NJ. MONTIGEL, Mayor
Alma record., 1912-05-02
secretary.

The rooms for the City Dairy and
Breckenridge Creamery Co. formerly
occupied by the Wright House laun-
dry have been put into shape and
Max Ewers is busily engaged this
week in moving in. The place is one
of the most sanitary of its kind in
this section of the state. 1t is so
arranged that there will be different
rooms for receiving, washing and so
forth, thus making il a model of its
kind.
Alma record., 1912-05-02

Presbyterian Congregation Met Thurs.
day Evening". Trustees Reelected

The annual meeting of the Presby-
tefian church occurred last Thurs
day evening, April 25th, in the Pres
byterian church parlors. Prof A. P.
Cook, chairman of the Board OF Trus-
tees, called the meeting to order
The financial reports of the various
organizations of the church were
heard, and it was found that the
church was in a very satisfactory
financial condition Two trustees
were elected to succeed Messrs. f
II. Doaue and F. r Ellsworth. Both
gentlemen were reelected A mo-
tion was carried that the session Sc
cure as soon as possible pastor to
I'll the vacancy. In the meantime the
pulpit will be supplied each Sunday.
Alma record., 1912-05-02
MASONIC HONE BOARD
Arrived in Alma Yesterday Holding
Two Sessions To-day

The Michigan Masonic Home
, Board consisting OF James +. Dillon
of East Tawas. Roscoe Swift of
Adrian, Arthur Hume of Owosso, ].
" Thompson Of Lansing. l.. +.
Wood cf Niles and Mrs Clara c. FL
dredge Of Adrian. arrived in Alma
Wednesday and are in session today
at the Home transacting business
and dcvisino plans for the betterment
of this one OF the grandest institu-
tons in the state 81 Michigan.
Alma record., 1912-05-02

ing held Monday night Bids were
received on several kinds OF pave
ment - brick, Dolarway, asphaltic
concrete and various forms of ce-
men, pavement. The council and
city engineer have been giving the
matter careful thought and study for
several months, however, and believe
that a two-course cement pavement
reinforced with wire mesh and pro-
tected with the Baker armour plate
expansion joint, will give desired re-
suits at nominal cost. The COM
parative cost per square yard on that
kind of pavement as determined
from the several bids, is given below.
(These prices do not include the wire
mesh reinforcement mentioned above
as this item was not provided for
in the bidding blanks.)
Alma record., 1912-05-02
A Postal Card Will Bring You

A free sample copy of four different
magazines, and our special money
saving magazine offers. Address
TO-DAY'S MAGAZINE, Canton. o.
Alma record., 1912-05-02

r. J. Bush Of Mt Pleasant was a
business caller in the city last week
Alma record., 1912-05-02
No. Construction Co, Traverse

y
No Construction Co, Traverse
City ..........,...... silly
James A. Mckay, Clare. ...... 1.25
Andrew Geeck, Owosso....... 1904
Geo. a. Lowry, Saginaw. 49,. 1.39
J. II. Baker r.................. 1.43
Between the highest and lowest
bid there is a difference OF $3,9344O.
The two lowest bidders, the North
ern Construction Co, and James A.
Mckay, were asked to file a bid on
the extra charge for the wire mesh
reinforcement Both bidders have
done so The Northern Construction
Co. asks whatever the material costs
and 10 per cent above. Mckay has
offered To include the wire mesh re-
enforcement without extra charge.
Consequently as the proposition now
stands there is practically no diff
ference between the two lowest bid
ders, at least not over one or two
cents on the square yard. Members
of the council are doing some pretty
hard thinking and investigating and
will probably come TO a definite con-
clusion very soon.