davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gilpin observer., 1915-01-07

Observer-the family paper-s2.OO
Gilpin observer., 1915-01-07
A Business Proposition

Ina you ever
stop to think.
Mr.. Business
Man, that the
news Of your
business is As
mu III a part
of the local
events as 4
wedding or a
church fairf
T h e ladies'
are just as
Gilpin observer., 1915-01-07

1st pub Dec. "a, IA; last Feb. 25 Is
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
TO DEFEND THEMSELVES

In an address before the Chamber
of Commerce of Hartford, Conn.,,
Howard Elliott, president of the New
York, New Haven & Hartford Rail-
road Company, said in part:
Because of the dreadful European
war an unusual opportunity is pre-
scented to the United States and an
unusual burden placed upon the pop
ulation to try to carry on the business,
not only of New England and Of the
United States, but of the whole world.
Millions of men and millions of money
have been diverted from the ordinary
channels of the worlds life, with the
result that upon the millions of men
and the millions of money in the
United States, there is a world re-
sponsibility today-the responsibility
of doing all that can be done in reason
to save the world.
at is, therefore, of even greater i'm
portance than ever before for every
loyal man in the United States to
exercise such influence as he possesses
in the direction of reasonable business
practices, sound administration of rea-
sonable laws, to elect sane and we'll
poised men TO Congress and other
legislative assemblies and also to try
to have in administrative offices sem
sible, level-headed men who can deal
with the complicated problems that
are to confront us in the adjustment
of our great commercial affairs to the
new conditions imposed by the war.
"There are many good men in pub
lie life, but it is not unfair to say
that there is, perhaps, too large a
proportion of men who have not had
business training. The result has been
that some of the far-reaching and
complicated laws, under which bust
ness is now working, and under which
development must go on, have been
framed without sufficient study from
practical experience, knows the diff
culties of the situation.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
WAS BORN A SLAVE

The death of Booker T. Washington
removes the foremost representative
of the negro race in this generation.
What Fred Douglass stood for a gen.
Grafton ago, that Booker Washington
stood for in his own day. They were
very different. The older man came
out of slavery and stood for a militant
defense of equal rights. The young
er man, though born slave, was
freed while yet a child, and had no
bitter memories of personal servitude.
But he had memories of ignorance
and poverty, and a hard struggle to
secure an education, and he devoted
himself to the education and uplifting
of his race through industry.
He saw. what educated negroes of
the earlier generation could not see,
that the black man and the white man
of the South must learn to live to-
gether on terms Of personal friend
ship and mutual advantage, and he
gave himeslf to the cultivation of
friendly and helpful relations with the
white people of the South. He met
the Sights and injustices Of his race
with good nature and quiet sarcasm
rather than with bitted invective and
denunciation. "The two races are to
live here together" he would say, and
then would add, 81 say this because
we do not see any prospect that we
are going to leave" After the smile
had subsidized he would add, "We are
the only people who came to America
as the result of special invitation"
His practical experience in strug-
gle with poverty, his education at
Hampton secured by hard toll, his con-
structive genius, and his ability to
overlook smaller matters for the sake
of larger interests to be gained, made
him the foremost leader of his race in
the second generation after slavery.
Born a slave, he died the leader OF
rising race.
Every race has the right to be
Judged by the best products: The
negro race has right to be judged
not by the degenerate specimens OF the
worst that Reconstruction could pro-
duce, but by the best that it can &C
hieve. The negro race will ever have
occasion of pride and hope in the fact
that the single life Of Booker Wash,
ington, cut off before he reached
threescore, bridged the long chasm
between slavery and culture. Booker
Washington was born slave.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
High School Notes

A short Thanksgiving program will
be given in the high school Wednes-
lay morning at $3.50 o'clock.
Leon Forman and Ed. Malone Wis
tied high school Monday afternoon.
Miss Sue Fair visited the high
school Friday.
Quite number of patrons were
present for the convocation Friday af-
ternoon. The speaker was FIR. j. M.
Zindler of the Catholic church, who
spoke on What Young People Read"
He said that the tendency of the pre-
sent was to read for amusement, that
the fiction was the only class of books
in our Libraries, which have to be re-
bound. He emphasized the fact that
mental development can be gotten on
ly from books that make one think
and the value of contact with the
great minds which have produced our
classic literature.
The high school orchestra furnished
three selections.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
PAVEDWAY ROUTE WILL
NOT BE CHANGED

Commenting on the possibility of
another vote being taken to deter
mine the route Of the Pavedway, Gen.
Fred Green of Ionia, says: "There
isn't the slightest possibility that the
board Of directors will so stulify
themselves as to reopen this contro-
versy. No good can come of it. The
directors acted fairly, honestly and
intelligently, and there is no DISPOSE
ton on their part to reverse themsel-
ves."
In an article in the Grand Rapids
Press Gen. Green tells Of the advant-
ages Of the northern route, which has
been chosen, and remarks: "In the very
nature of things it cannot be expected
that this road, which is going to be
the very best and most modern high
way yet built in the state, should be
laid out through merely good farm
ing community, neither can villages of
the size of McCords, with a popula-
ton of 81, Alto 400, Elmdale 60,
GAINESVILLE $50, Lake Odessa 1922,
Woodbury. $50, Sunfield 1856 and Null
liken 312, expect to be among the
first places in the state connected with
this kind of highway"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
LAW MAKES 1T MANDATORY

Act No. 2S5, public acts OF Michi-
gan, provides that each Incorporated
village or city must provide at pub
lie expense a rest room or comfort
station. This is of vital interest and
should be enforced in every town. The
law reads:
Sec. /. ut shall be the duty of any
city in this state, and of the board of
trustees of any incorporated village to
cause to be constructed and maintain
ed in such village or city not less than
one public closet commonly known
and designated as a public conven-
fence station, in such place or places
as directed by the local board of
health. Such closets or public con-
venience stations shall have thereon
the proper signs and be so placed as
directed by the local board of health
as to be easily accessible from the
business district of such city or viii
1age, and shall be maintained in a
sanitary manner under the supervi-
sion of the local board of health. Suit
able and adequate accommodations
shall be afforded at sucn public con-
venience station, to the members of
both sexes"
This city has already complied with
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
Grammar Grades

Helen Acher is out of school with
tonsilitis.
The seventh and eighth grades will
have their Thanksgiving program to-
gether in the eighth grade room,
Wednesday afternoon.
The literary society Of the eighth
grade had their first meeting Tues
day evening. Only honorary men,
bers-those doing satisfactory work
in school.
The seventh and eighth grades
have organized a literary society.
Membership is based on scholarship,
a grade of G being required. The pur-
pose is to promote interest in the use
of correct English, better knowledge
of parliamentary law, information on
topics of the day, cooperation among
students, parents and teachers and
to develop the art of public speaking.
The meetings ere the second and
fourth week Of each school month.
Parents and friends are welcome to
attend the second meeting of each
month.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
NOVEMBER "a, 1916

About four hundred pupils enrolled
the first night at the Calumet free
night school.
Two new tpyewriters have been
placed in the Allegan commercial
room. (Belding recently added new
typewriters).
Governor Ferris assisted in award
ing Standard plates to four lonia
county schools.
The Iron River high school has been
admitted into the North Central As
ISOLATION of College and Secondary
Schools.
Hastings grammar grade students
to the number of $50 paraded in q
"Good Health Pageant" Banners fav-
oring cleaner personal habits and
more sanitary homes were carried.
Benton Harbor will open its first
free night school building, November
20. Advance enrolment exceeds the
100 mark.
About twenty Barry county stud
ents attending M. A. G. have organic
ed a Hastings Club" The main OBJ
ject of the club will be to aid new
Barry county students in getting
started and to bring all high school
students in closer touch with the col
lege.
Commissioner A. NJ Freeland of
Kent county, merits the distinction
for his having first secured the es-
tablishment of the savings bank sys-
TEN in the rural schools of the United
States. Mrs. Harriet f. Bowen, dir
ector of district No. 3, Paris, likewise
merits encomiums for having encour-
aged and secured the establishment of
the system in the school under her
supervision. This rural school was the
first in the United States to adopt
system of finance. c. A. Garfield of
the Board of Directors of the Grand
Rapids Savings Bank is furthering
the work. The entire township of
Paris has adopted the system and the
work will be carried to other town
ships.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
Ellis School Notes

The second grade are making illus
trated Thanksgiving booklets for lam
guage work.
The third grade children have made
fireplaces, clocks, chairs and cradles
for their Pilgrims home.
The Ellis school will give a short
Thanksgiving program Wednesday
afternoon.
The first grade children are making
illustrated A b c books for drawing
work.
Beulah Mcpherson and Geo. Cole
entered the first grade last week.
The first grade children are doing
spool knitting for manual training
work.
THIRD WARD NOTES
The third, fourth and fifth grades
will give their Thanksgiving pro-
grams, Wednesday afternoon.
Mrs. Broadhead visited the three
two grade Friday afternoon.
Freeman Lowden Of the fifth grade
is out of school on account of illness.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
FALLS SHORT OF AMERICA
FIRST

That slogan that President Wilson
tried to start, America First" is a
splendid one, and if applied in truth
and in fact every American citizen
would take off his hat in approval to
the slogan. But when we recall how
President Wilson used the party whip
to repeal that clause of the Panama
Canal Act which granted free toll to
American coastwise vessels, to favor
and at the demand of the English
Government, we can hardly figure out
it would be appropriate for his ad-
ministaration to use it. If "Ameri-
ca First" is to be used it should have
been used on the free passage of
American coastwise vessels through
the canal.
Another misnomer is the Tariff
bill. The effects of this legislation
fall far short of "America First" In
fact, it is, under normal conditions, a
feast for the foreigner, for it fur
nishes him a dumping ground for all
his cheap labor made products, strict
ly against the interest of the Ameri-
can workingmen.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
FORTY YEARS Of
Welded LIFE FOR
Mr.. AND MRS. MOORE
Continued from Page one)

Continued from Page One)
by Mr.. jerks of Fairplains, the COM
pany sat down to tables which fairly
groaned with food from vegetable
and animal kingdom, not to mention
all the good things which domestic
science has taught people to prepare.
Mr.. and Mrs. Moore were the re-
cipients of several beautiful and USE
full presents, and when the party dis
persed nothing but good luck and
prosperity were for the bride and
groom, who are so well and favorably
known here. The wishes of all were
that they might celebrate again in
forty years hence.
Other guests, besides those already
mentioned, were; Mrs. Glenn Sprague
and children, Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Brad
ley and family, Ray Hall and family,
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Antcliff of Or
leans, Mr.. and Mrs. Bidwell and son
of Otisco, Mr.. and Mrs. Dell jerks of
Fairplains and Mrs. w. r. Mead Of
Chicago. Mr.. Moore's aged mother,
Mrs. Elizabeth Treat, who is in her
sc year, was also present and no one
enjoyed the occasion better than she.
Four generations were present.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
EFFICIENCY IN BUSINESS

Every line of business, with the
possible exception of public affairs is
seeking expert service in order to
point out the weak spots and strength
en- them to prevent waste. Business
men see that in order to meet COM
petition and maintain the reputation
of their products that they have got
to do way with all superfuous frills
that increase the cost of operation
without producing any compensating
profits. The day has gone by when
business of any kind can be conduct
ed in a haphazard manner Every
stroke counts in modern competition
and these must be increased with the
increasing demands of business. 1t is
vitality necessary nowadays to know
exactly what it costs to manufacture
and dispose of a certain article and
if this knowledge is not possessed by
a concern it stands in poor way to
succeed. Business of any kind is no
longer conducted by guess work but
it is an exact science which must be
understood in order to yield profits.
Some concerns wonder why they are
falling behind financially while bust
ness is apparently brisk, but the visit
of an expert would soon prove what
the reason is. The cause of the de-
crease in profits is due to lost motion
in the plant and as soon as this is
eliminated the balance will again show
on the right side of the ledger. Bust
ness has already recognized the value
of an efficiency system and the time
is coming when the same idea will be
adopted in federal, state and city gov
erpmpnt
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
New Bridge to Be Built at Ada

People who go to Grand Rapids by
automobile are familiar with the
quaint old structure known as the
Ada bridge, with it's lattice covering
and with planks laid lengthwise, in
stead of in the usual manner. The
old landmark is soon to give way to a
more modern bridge, which will be
built diagonally across Grand river,
thus doing away with the sharp turn
necessary to reach the bridge from
the east side. Ada has come to look
upon the old relic as rare piece of
antiquity and the people there want
it left in position after the steel and
concrete structure has been complied.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
ROBERT BARRY
TAKEN BY DEATH:
WELL KNOWN HERE
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE
FRIDAY AT 200 p M, AT HOME
OF ED. INSLEY, SMYRNA

The death of Robert Barry, who
passed away Wednesday morning at
the city hospital, at 80 o'clock, was
great shock to his large circle of
friends in this community and espec-
tally to the people of Smyrna, where
he has lived for more than twenty
years. Mr.. Barry was taken sick only
a week ago. He was in this city on
Wednesday of last week, feeling un-
usually well, transacted business and
visited at the home of w. p. Hether-
ington. After arriving home he was
taken sick in the evening with acute
Indigestion and becoming rapidly
worse, DR.. Penton was called, and
found him suffering and in great pain.
A few hours later it was decided that
an operation should be performed and
on the advice of DR.. Richard Smith
of Grand Rapids, he was taken to the
hospital at once, where the operation
was performed Thursday morning. He
was given the best care and attention
possible by his physicians and nurse,
and Drs. Smith and VanDenburg of
Grand Rapids were also called in con-
sultation.
The deceased has been a resident Of
Smyrna for twenty-three years, COM
ing there to take charge of the plant
of the Spencer Electric Light and
Power company, when it was first
established. He was very carefsl and
painstaking in his business, always
looking after the workings of the
plant in a way that brought common
dation from the company, which has
by his untimely death, suffered Sc
we're loss.
Mr.. Barry, who was SO years old,
was born in Michigan and lived for
some time in Sebewa township, Ionia
county.
He leaves, besides his wife, one
daughter, Mrs. Ed. Insley of Smyrna,
and an adopted son, Marion Nash of
Lowell. An aged mother, Mrs. Olive
Winslow, three brothers, Garrett Bar
ry of Logansport, Ind, James Barry
Of West Sebewa, Richard Barry Of
Saranac, and two sisters, Mrs. George
Lanning and Mrs, Nettie Sherwood;
also, survive him.
He was record keeper for the
Smyrna lodge of Maccabees, and also
member of the Masonic fraternity
Of this city.
The funeral SERVE will be held at
the residence of Ed. Insley in Smyrna
at 200 o'clock p. m, Friday, with in
torment in the Sebewa cemetery, un-
der. the auspices Of the Masonic lodge.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
REV. R. B. EVATT
HASRES|GNED AS
EPISCOPAL RECTOR

Rev. Robert B. Evatt, priest miss
ionary, in charge of st. Paul's Mis-
sion at Greenville, and Holy Trinity
Mission at Bedding, has requested per-
mission of Bishop Mccormick, to re-
sign the charge of his work and has
received it.
His work will close on Sunday,
November %, after which he will
commence work in his new parish in
Pittsburgh Pa, where. he will be To-
Gated much more advantageously as
to finances and travelling facilities
than heretofore.
Mr.. Evatt will hold his last service
here Sunday and hopes to see all the
members and friends present.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
IONA ODDFELLOWS
OBSERVE ANNIVERSARY

Ionia lodge No. It's, /. o. o. F., was
host to house full on Monday night,
at the celebration in recognition of
the forty-fourth anniversary of the
lodge, the audience being composed
entirely of members of the order and
of the Rebekah degree, though, with
a number of visitors from other coun-
ty lodges present.
The festivities were opened with a
program of speeches, Judge Mont
gomery Webster presiding as the
POSTMASTER, he also extending the
lodges welcome, first to the Rebekahs,
then to the visiting brothers, and in
turn to the faithful regulars, and the
occasional attendants at lodge. The
speaker left no room for doubt as to
the pleasure of their presence.
The first speaker introduced was
the veteran Oren c. Wright, one of
the only two living charter members
of the lodge, and the only one actively
and loyalty a continuous member to
this date. He gave a concise and in
teresting statistical history of the
lodge, from which we excerpt the fol-
lowing facts:
Ionia lodge No. It's, I. o. o. F., was
AOtA3 ny Nj
Master Isaac Sides Of Detroit. The
brothers who made application for
charter were: T. A. Willett, j. H..
Horton, w. T. Kinsey, George Gun
drum, o. w. Babcock and c. l.. Smith.
The first officers were:
Noble Grand-T. A. Willett.
Secretary-C. L. Smith.
Vice Grand-C. l.. Smith.
Secretary-O. w. Babcock.
Treasurer. III. Horton.
There were more than 800 present,
members of the lodge and Rebekahs
and visitors from Palo, Saranac, Car
son City, Bedding and Freeport. The
evening was opened by program of
congratulatory tone participated in
by many and filled with good things
throughout. This was followed by a
serve-self supper after which there
was dancing with music by Harry
Morgan's orchestra. The program
of speeches and fun was delightful
and participated in with full earnest
ness by the large number there.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24

A good many of the teachers will
leave town for the Thanksgiving re-
cess. Most of them will go to their
homes: Miss Wright, Miss Kelley,
and Miss Willet, near Lyons; Miss
Sprague at Vermontville; Miss Gid
dings, Galesburg; Miss Grace, Kala-
mazoo; Miss Creaser, Alma, Miss
Downs, Romeo; Miss Heiser, Casno-
via; Miss Mount, Albion and Miss
De Witt at Spring Lake. Miss Nc
Donald will spend the vacation at
Kalamazoo and Centerville, Miss
NORM at Lowell and Grand Rapids;
Miss Ager at Lyons; Frances Bailey
at Greenville and Kalamazoo; N. c.
Nielsen at Portland and Kalamazoo;
A. J. Reed, at Portland and ]. A.
Langston at Hastings.
The following will remain in Beld-
ing: Mrs. Hopwood, Miss Guild, Miss
Bricker, Mrs. Ellery, Miss Heidley,
Miss Glass, Miss D,Anjou, Miss Ea-
ton and Miss Travis.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
THANK SEWING ENRICHES
AMERICAS LIFE

. Thanksgiving day is one of
the most gracious and hearten-
ing anniversaries in the Amer
! lean year. That a people should
be called by their president to
reckon the mercies and privil-
eyes received at the hands of
God is a most hallowed and
sanctifying ministry and most
! assuredly enriches and invigor-
ates the national life.
But Thanksgiving should not
. be confined to material bounty.
1t should extend its range and
. include the blessings found in
the broadening day of know
ledge and in lifting of all forms
of oppression from those who
. are bearing a needless yoke. 1t
should even go beyond the range
of patriotism and become cos
mopolitan as it contemporaries
the leaven of reedom and hu-
. mainly which is working in ev-
cry part Of the world.
Thanksgiving if this wide and
ennobling kind would surely
. send a thankful people into the
ways of unselfish and chivalrous
. service.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
Our Friend Martha Hanks

Kind friends and neighbors,
We have met here today,
To cheer lone traveller
On life's weary way.
If we are all happy,
Without any cranks,
| think we can cheer up
Our friend, Martha Hanks.
Yes, Martha was married,
Not early in life,
She was a good helper
And best Of wife.
And later in life
To add to their joys,
They had a nice family
One girl and two boys.
1t caused her great sorrow,
When he dear husband died,
And left her abandoned
On life's floating tide.
But she raised up her children
And raised them up right;
And now that they're grown up,
Look good in her sight.
If a neighbor is sick
And in need of good care,
If you will kindly step in,
You will find Martha there.
There is just one thing
| want understood,
Where folks are in trouble
She can't help but be good.
She married again
When older she'd grown
For you know it's not good
To be living alone.
She is contented and happy
A fond, loving wife
And Eli is enjoying
The best part of life.
They are gliding along
Towards life's journey end
They never will want for
A true loving friend.
And when they cross over
The unknown divide,
Let's hope they'll be happy
On the other side.
H. S. Forman, Nov. Is, 1915
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
NE|GHBORS AND
FR|EkDS GUESTS At
Eli HANKS HOME
CONTINUED from Page Onel

Continued from Page One)
voted true to life. The browning
culinary triumph, the birthday cake,
was furnished by Mrs. Christopher
Choate and proved a great success.
Games were played until threatening
skies made departure necessary. In
the rush of events the new bride and
groom present were, the writer
thinks, let off quite easily.
-Chas. Johnson.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
Special Paving Tax

City Treasurer Dell Rowley is en-,
gagged in the collection of the special
paving tax this week, from the prop
erty owners along the streets, where
the paving has been put down.
TAXPAYERS may pay one-ffth of the
assessment against them, or the
whole amount as they wish. The tax
is to be paid in five years and one
fifth payment at this time for the
first year.
The payments, he says, are coming
good some of them being paid In full'
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-11-24
Will Move News Stand

newsstand and business to Henry A.
Smiths store, recently vacated by
Thos Bracken. Mr.. Smith intends to
put in stock Of groceries there, also,
and Mr.. Kingsbury will assist him in
his work.