davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
MANY BUSINESS MEN
FAVOR ORGANIZATION
To BOOST BELDING

The suggestion tnat an Association
of Commerce or Board OF Trade be
formed in Belding composed Of those
citizens who want to get busy and
boost the town has met with much
favorable comment.
There are many reasons for the
formation of such an organization.
All of those reasons come under the
one general head that Belding should
make the most of her opportunities
and these opportunities are many.
There are no reasons against the idea.
The general opinion seems to be
that every person who is interested in
the welfare of Belding should be
member of the organization. 1t GER
tainly would be splendid TO have an
enthusiastic body of farmers, mer-
chants, manufacturers and citizens in
general each and every one pushing
hard and steadily for the best interests
of this city.
A meeting looking forward to an
definite organization will be held soon,
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
THE BIRTHDAYS OF
WASHINGTON AND
LINCOLN OBSERVED

The birthdays of Washington
and Lincoln were fittingly OBJ
served by the G.. A. II. and the w. r.
c. at the G.. a. II. hall last Saturday,
A bounteous dinner was served at
noon by the w. II. c.
After the dinner Major Frank r.
Chase introduced Bruce Allen, who
sang patriotic song and responded to
hearty encore. Mrs. l.. NJ. Berry
also sang and responded to encores.
The speakers of the day were
superintendent NJ. L. Osborne and
Rev. A. j. Blair. Mr.. Osborne spoke
on the subject Washington the Faith
er of His Country" He traced the
lives Of some of the leading characters
in history from their private achieve
ments to their rise in power. In each
instance he showed the personal
greed and ambition OF the men, He
then contrasted Washington with all
Of these, and showed that in all history
there had not been another man of
such unassuming, amiable stalwart
character as Washington.
Rev. Blair in his remarks portrayed
the attribute that went to make Lin
coin great character. He spoke, as
every man can speak, of Lincoln as
the Savior of his Country" and drew
out the points in him which were es-
sentially necessary to the saving of
a great commonwealth in time of dire
distress.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
REMAINS OF JAMES
A. SMITH BROUGHT
HERE FOR BURIAL

The community was surprised last
Thursday to hear of the sudden death
of James A. Smith, fifty-eight, in St.
Petersburg, Florida. He had been
seriously i'll for only a few hours.
James A. Smith was the only son of
Ansel and Matilda Smith. He was
born in Orleans, Michigan, March IA,
1857, and, with the exception of seven
years that were spent in Canada when
a little boy, has lived in Ionia county
and Cadillac all of his life. In 1878
he was married to Miss Alice Cusser,
with whom he lived thirty-ive years,
she going from this life in 1913.
In 1888 he moved to Cadillac where
he lived for nearly thirty years, NOV
ing back to Belding in 1912. He was
converted in 1859 and Joined the
Methodist church, and had lived an
earnest active Christian life,
About three years ago he developed
form of heart trouble which was
the cause of his death in St Peters
burg, Florida last Thursday morning
He leaves an aged mother, two sis
ters-Mrs. lola Chapple and Mrs.
Edith Osterhout-and three children.
The children are Mrs. Walter a. Saw
cry of Cadillac, Mrs. A. j. Warden and
Floyd C. Smith of Detroit. Mrs. Saw
cry who has been living in st. Peters
burg during the winter came home
with the body arriving here Sunday
evening
Funeral services were held at the
home of Mr.. Smiths mother on Pearl
street Monday afternoon at o'clock
Rev. r. S. McGregor officiating. In
terment was made in River Ridge
cemetery
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
WASHINGTON CLUB BANQUET WAS
BIC SOCIAL EVENT Of THE SEASON
THORNTON A. MILLS
GAVE FINE LECTURE

The dramatic Interpretation of In
the Vanguard given by Thornton An
thony Mills at the Congregational
church last Wednesday evening was
fully up to the high standard set by
Mr.. Mills in his morning hour lee
lures at the chautauqua Of last sum-
mer.
In the Vanguard is a peace drama
It's primary purpose is to set forth the
horrors of war and the purpose is
fully accomplished. The play cannot
escape the charge of savoring strong
ly of the drawing room atmosphere
but is is thought-compelling and any
thing that compels thought is always
welcome.
This city and every city needs such
lectures as that given by Mr.. Mills. 1t
would certainly be a wonderfully fine
thing for this community If not a
single week were allowed to pass with
out high grade lecture or musical
entertainment. The standard of the
community would be greatly raised
thereby.
The mems club of the Congrega-
tional church is TO be congratulated on
bringing Mr.. Mills to Belding.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
ANNUAL ROLL CALL
Of K Of P'S WAS HELD
TUESDAY EVENING
THE EVENT WAS CONSIDERED
MOST PLEASANT EVER
HELD

Belongs male citizens forgot stern
business and daily cares for a few
hours Tuesday evening and met in
liberal numbers at the knights of
Pythias hall to take part in making
the Annual Roll Call a success, and
it WAS a success in every particular.
From the time when ToastmasteT
Jerry Spaulding called the house TO
order until the last of the boys had
left the hall in the small hours of
the morning, everything went fine and
merriment had control.
AS was intimated i'm the invitations,
which announced the coming of the
roll call Jerry Spaulding vented his
farmer institute style upon his listen
ers with rare ability Following the
roll call of the members the program
Of the evening was started off with
bound by Earl French. He assumed
the responsibility of telling incidents
relating to and consequences resulting
from staying out Nights for Lodge
and Other Purposes" No one that
heard his talk doubts, but what he
spoke from experience.
When a. T.. Weter gave his rem
iniscences of Thirty Years Ago the
younger men present, as usual, when
pioneer events are narrated, were very
much interested. They had good old
times in those days i'm the opinion Of
Mr.. Weter.
When John Higgins gave THE Auc-
ton Sale" he carried the fellows al
most off their feet with merriment.
1t was thoroughly good a typical
farm auction was the theme OF the
entertainment and John could do
her up brown"
Elmer f. Fales was there and gave
Heart to Heart Talk in his usual
fatherly style. More such talks are
needed in all communities.
Music was rendered at intervals dur
ing the program by Rummler's orches-
ira and also by other local talent
william Skopec favored with selec-
tions on his concertina and Dallas Nc
Duffy whistled and played on the bells
One OF the special musical features
was the singing Of Earl b. Slawson of
Greenvillle.
Reports of the big annual session
would be incomplete without mention
ing the supper. The fine points OF the
feast were I'm charge of the Messrs.
Cusser and Unger. From chicken pie
TO salad IL was a rare feast
Beyond question the whole event
was the best roll call ever held by the
local Knights OF Pythias.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
PUBLIC LIBRARY
OPENED FRIDAY:
GOOD ATTENDANCE
ALMOST ONE THOUSAND BOOKS
WILL BE AVAILABLE TO
PUBLIC

An informal opening OF the library
rooms at the city hall was held last
Friday evening from seven to nine.
Upward OF one hundred people attend
ed the opening regardless Of the fact
that there were several counter meet
ings in the city on the same evening.
"A general social time was had and all
of the visitors were served with punch
and waters.
The library was really opened up to
the public Tuesday afternoon. Mrs
Mary Barnes the librarian, will be in
the rooms each week day except holi-
days and Sundays between the hours
OF 1880 and 500 and between 700
and 800 p. m. and any person desir
ing to use books in the library rooms
or take them to their homes, may do
so by signing the necessary applica-
ton blanks.
The library now contains about
seven and fifty books and about two
hundred more are promised. 1t is ex-
pected that within a few weeks at least
a thousand books may be found on
the shelves In selecting the list of
books with which to start the library
the board did not include any standard
books of poems. They felt that these
poems could be found in almost every
home and that in many places even
two or three copies Of the same book
could be found, and that they would
be donated to the library The library
will receive the regular quota of one
hundred books from the circulating
library, and these will be kept at the
rooms for distribution.
During the hours the library is
open all persons whose conduct and
conversation is consistent with quiet
and order, whether they are residents
of Belding or not, will have free use
of the library rooms.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
HARDWARE DEALERS GET
PRICES FROM JOBBERS

Fred +. Ireland who is -presi-
dent OF the Michigan Retail Hardware
association states that the value OF
cooperation is shown very forcibly in
the results obtained by members of
the association i'm getting low prices
from wholesalers.
At the recent hardware mems con-
vention in Saginaw II. A. Peterson OF
Chicago emphasized this fact in talk
on Getting the Price" Mr. Peterson
showed how the members OF the
Michigan Retail Hardware association
were getting low prices from whole
salers and were consequently able to
sell to the consumer at a lower figure
than they could otherwise do.
The Il. Frank Ireland store is able
to sell hardware and does sell it at a
remarkably low price. All this is due
to a great extent to the fact that the
cooperation of the retailers enables
them 10 put up a good strong front TO
the jobbers.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
F. E. JENKS AGENT FOR
THE KALAMAZOO SIL0

Floyd T.. jerks is the agent for the
Kalamazoo silo in this territory. He
was appointed agent in 1911, but prev
ious 60 that time the agency had been
handled i'm the family since 1899. Mr..
jerks lives in Grattan township, Kent
county, just over the Ionia county
line His address is Belding r. +. D..
No. II Mr.. jerks will be pleased TO
demonstrate the merits OF his silo to
everyone interested. on another page
OF the Banner you will find Mr..
jerks advertisement Of the Kalama-
zoo silo. Watch the advertisements
each week
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
Is WEDNESDAY MARCH 3

Next Wednesday, March 8 is prim-
airy election day. On that day will be
decided the question of nomination for
the office of county school commission
er. The race for this office on the
republican ticket has been spirited.
Harvey II. Lowrey, the present COM
missioner, Prin. j. Calvin Linebaugh
of the Orleans schools and Prin. Nc
Guinness of the Ionia schools are the
contestants.
The Office of county school commits
sioner is a very important one. 1t
behooves every eligible primary voter
to go to the polls next Wednesday and
register his choice.
In this city the regular voting places
at the time of the primary opportunity
will also be given voters to register
for the coming spring elections.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
BELDING men WILL FORM
MINING ORGANIZATION

w. w. Kersey of Joplin. Missouri
has been in the city in the interest Of
the organization which is being form
ed here TO develop a zinc and coppr
mine on his premises near Joplin. Con-
siderable interest is being manifested
among local men and the organiza-
ton is beins pushed. 1T is the ex-
pectation of the men, who are be-
coming interested, that the project will
be in operation and ore will be taken
from the vein within ninety days.
Fifty-one per cent Of the stock
in the organization will be held by
Belding men. The other forty-nine
will be held by Mr.. Kersey.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
INVITED GUESTS SPENT ROYAL
DAY AT HOTEL BELDING
VAUDEVILLE CLOSED
DAYS EVENTS WELL
New Officers Were Elected for
Coming Year; Splendid Toasts
Were Given

In the language of the Greenville
guests Belding citizens and Hotel
Belding done themselves proud" as
entertainers on the forty ninth an
niversary of the Washington Club
which was held here Monday. I'VE have
been kept busy every minute from the
time we arrived in the city this morn
ing" was the common exclamation Of
the visitors as they left the Empress
Theatre at six o'clock when the last
of the days entertainment features
had closed.
The days events were opened in the
parlors Of Hotel Belding at ten o'clock
when the Greenville members, and in
vited guests, were informally received
by their fellow members of Belding.
general get-acquainted air pervaded
the parlors until 1880 when President
II. j. Connell took the hatchet gavel
of the organization and raped for
order. The following program was
then given
Piano Duet-Miss Fred F. Ireland
and Miss Marguerite Lamb
Prayer ....... Rev. A. j. Blair
Music-W. b. Reed, Mrs. Earl
Wilson, Miss Marguerite Lamb.
and Clayton Knapp, Mrs. Fred
Ireland at the piano
Address of Welcome-Dr. J. +.
Smith
Response--E. w. Ranney.
Solo--Mrs. Lena Leonard Fuller.
Minutes OF last meeting.
Report of Goat Keeper-Fred F.
Ireland
Presidents Address-H. ]. Con-
nell
Installation of Officers-E w. Ran
ney president; DIR. j. III. Armstrong,
ce-presdent; Jud Smith, secretary
treasurer; =. ID. Edsall, goat keeper;
e. b. Lapham, installing officer.
1t would bring an injustice upon
the rest of the people appearing on
the program to say that any particular
part of the program was better than
another. They were all equally good.
Mention might be made. however, of
the singing OF Mrs. Fuller. Her clear
soprano voice was at its best and
everyone was enthusiastic over her
interpretations. She responded to a
most hearty applause with beautiful
encore.
Continued on Page %
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
ATTORNEY !. J. HUBBELL
INSTRUCTED TO ACT

At the council meeting last Friday
evening City Attorney/I. l.. Hubbell
was instructed to begin some action
to have the poles Of the Bell Telephone
company removed from Main street
preparatory TO paving.
A red signal light has been placed
just above the large street light at
the intersection of Main and Pleasant
streets. 1t will be used for signaling
the nightwatch or marshal in case
either of them is wanted at night. The
council tested its efficiency Friday
night and in less than ten minutes af-
ter it was turned on Nightwatchman
Platt reported at the council rooms to
see what was wanted.
The city and waterworks bills were
allowed and the council adjourned.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
D. f. BRACKET HAS
A SPLENDID NEW
STOCK OF SHOES

d. r. Bracket. who recently pur-
chased the shoe business of Guy r.
Alexander and added to Mr. AleXand-
ers stock his own large shoe stock
from Alma, has this week sold and
shipped to Chicago parties 700 pairs
Of shoes and thus cleaned up his stock
so that there is not single pair of
shoes i'm his store that is not right up
TO the minute in style and make.
Mr.. Bracket says he is going to
give TO the people Of Belding a chance
TO buy the very best shoes at prices
which are absolutely low.
Mr. Bracket is new conner in
Belding but he comes here with a
good record and is "A man whom Beld-
ing people will like TO do business with
with his brand new stock and his
willingness to please we bespeak for
him a good business.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24

The supreme court of Michigan has
very recently handed down a decision
that will affect hundreds of titles TO
land in this state, and Ionia is no
exception in this respect in the list of
Michigan counties.
To save the possibility of either he
ing deprived OF a home in case of The
death of the other. and in some cases
to fix the title so that attachments for
debts or for other reasons could not
be made, many Michigan husband
has given a deed conveying the farm
or home to himself and his wife joint
ly. 1t was the theory in the giving
of such a deed that it created an es-
tate of husband and wife in entirety
or joint tenancy. Such deeds were
given so that in case of the death Of
either the husband or the wife the
property decided would descend in its
entirety to the survivor, or in order
that while both were living it could
not be attached for any purpose.
The decision of the supreme court
referred TO in the case of Wright VS..
Knapp declares that a deed Of say
John Doe to John Doe and wife"
does not create an estate in entirety
or joint tenancy, so that in case eth
er shall die the other does not become
the sole owner Of the property decided.
The supreme court reiterates the
ablished principle of law that man
who owns property cannot deed that
property TO himself. Therefore the
court holds that John Does deed,
when he deeds 10 John Doe and wife,
does not create joint tenancy. The
court holds that the eXect of a deed
from John Doe to John Doe and wife
is to give his wife outright an undi-
vided one half interest in the property
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
Michigan Supreme Court Decision Affects
Hundreds of Ionia County Title Holders
Court Holds That Deed From Husband Husband and
Wife Does Not Create Joint Tenancy on
The Property Decided

decided, while he retains the other half.
Therefore Mrs. John Doe does not ac-
quire his half in case he dies, nor will
he succeed to her half in case she dies
first. According to the courts deci-
sion If John Doe dies first, Mrs Doe
will be the owner of one half the pro-
perty decided, while the other half Will
descend to the heirs of Mr.. Doe, just
as would any other real esate which he
might hold in his own name. 1t fol-
lows therefore that the giving Of such
deed does not exempt the property
decided to John Doe and wife from exc
cution or other processes by the cred
itors of either Mr.. and Mrs. Doe. Mr.
Does undivided half or that of his
wife is subject to the same legal pro-
cesses as If it had been originally deed
ed outright half TO her and half to her
husband. In a joint tenancy OF Mr..
and Mrs. John Doe, the individual
ownership of either cannot be deter
mined until one of them shall die for
that reason an attachment will not
hold. But the supreme courts deci-
sion declares that the giving Of a deed
by John Doe to John Doe and wife
does not create joint tenancy. but
simply gives outright an undivided
one half interest TO Mrs Doe while he
retains the other; and so either half is
subject to all legal processes.
Six of the eight judges concurred in
the decision. Two who dissented con-
tended that, as a man could not deed
to himself, John Doe decided to John
Doe and wife he by that act decided
outright all the property to Mrs. Doe.
But the majority opinion establishes
the law.
While John Doe cannot himself
create a joint tenancy in his property
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
FOOT BRIDGE ACROSS
THE RIVER COLLAPSED

A section of the foot bridge over the
river east of the depot collapsed Tues
day evening when party of workmen
from Belding-Hall company were re-
turning from their work. Several OF
the men got their feet wet, but no
one was injured.
The foot bridge is supported by
planks which extend out TO one side Of
the piling of the railroad bridge a
distance OF about six feet. Two of
these planks broke close up to the
piling and allowed the whole section
OF the foot bridge TO drop to the water
below.
The bridge is much used by work
men at the factories on the north side.
IL is possibly the most used by the
workmen of any bridge that crosses
the river.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
MRS. G. F. SMITH
GAVE INTERESTING
TALK ON THE FLAG

The Friday Exercises" at the high
school last week We're patriotic in ma
ture. A chorus of eighth grade girls
sang Van Dykes home coming song,
Where the Flag is Full of Stars. and
then Mrs. q. T.. Smith gave an excel
lent paper on the History of Our
Flag. Thep program closed with the
singing of the Star Spangled Banner by
the school.
Following is Mrs. Smiths paper in
part:
The first flag 10 float on American
soil was of course the Spanish stand
ard, borne by Columbus when he
landed on San Salvador on October 12,
1892. This was Of the familiar red and
yellow colors, blazoned with the Arms
of Isabelle Columbus personal ban
ner was white with a green cross.
The first English flag was planted in
1897 over Newfoundland by Sebastian
Cabot a wide variety of other
national banners waved over the new
world in the early days as each great
captain claimed territory for his liege
lord. The English standard was plant
ed at the Inflated Roanoke colony, at
Plymouth, jamestown and Philadel-
phia. The lilies of France waved over
Canada and the great lakes, and
Mississippi regions: other Spanish
flags were unfurled i'm Florida, Mexico
and California
The Swedish flag Aoated over Della
ware; the Dutch emblem over New
York and Long Island; the Russian
flag over Alaska.
The history and evolution of the
Stars and Stripes, the national flag of
the United States. shows gradual
development.
Historians and writer's seem TO vary
10 some extent i'm some of the par
ticulars Of the early history OF the
flag.
The evolution of our flag shows that
i'm the early part Of the 14th century
the flag of England bore simply the
red cross of ST. George on white
ground while the flag Of Scotland was
a white St. Andrews cross on blue
ground In 1903 England and Scot
land were united, and three years
later the two flags were combined to
form the kings colors 1t was the
red cross Of st. George that the May
flower flew at her masthead when she
brought her precious load of Pilgrims
To plymouth that cola winter OF lo@V.
In 1907 Great Britain adopted for
herself and her colonies a flag having
the main part OF ii red, and in its
upper corner the kings colors or
union flag which represented the
union OF England and Scotland. Since
that time this part OF the flag has
been called the union jack.
And now we come to the flag that
begins to show a resemblance to our
own familiar flag
In the trying time of the Revolu-
ton several flags of interesting ap-
pearance were made; all things were
i'm an unsettled condition. The def
ant Rattlesnake flag in 1915 was one.
The rattlesnake being in 3 pieces,
with the name Of a colony in each
piece, and the words, Don't Tread on
Me" The Pine tree flag served the
patriots Of Bunker Hill. One that was
carried at the battle of White Plains
bore the words, Liberty or Death"
on a white field over a sword crossed
with a staff bearing a liberty cap.
Continued on Page p
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-02-24
FRIENDS ASSIST IN
MAKING DAY MERRY

Sunday was the eighty-second birth
day anniversary Of Mrs. John Luck
living on Pleasant street. Sixteen Of
her relatives and friends met at her
home and helped her celebrate. A
sumptuous dinner was served. Mrs.
Luck received about forty post cards,
some pretty plants and other gifts.
She was very grateful for the atten-
tion. Those present were Mr.. and
Mrs James Parks and daughter Louisa
and Vaughn Lawson of Grand Rapids,
Mr.. and Mrs. James Gore and daugh-
ter Katherine. Levi Tuttle and son
Harry, Mrs. Emma Brown and son
Roy, Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Luck, Mrs.
Eta Riker and two sons Paul and
ROYAL