Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-01-26
PASTOR GAVE THIS
CITY HARD SLAM
IN STATE PAPER
RIDICULED ROADS LEADING IN
TO CITY-EVIDENTLY LOST
THE RIGHT ONE


One of the good pastors of Mich
igan writing in the Michigan Christ
ian Advocate of January is, 1916,
to take a good hard fling at Belding.
This disciple of the Nazarine wrote
under the caption "A Winter Auto
Trip" signed his article A. r. j., and
was supposed to hail from Albion.
His particular grudge was against the
roads and the signboards directing
traffic to this city. He came through
wet territory, however, which may
account for him not finding the desir
ed signs.
Here are some Of the lines from the
chesty pastors article:
"Our trip took us rorth through
Maple Grove and then off towards
Hastings, where we stopped for din
ner. But it was rather difficult work
to keep from going to Nashville, for
all through that section there were
attractive looking signs up calling the
attention of the traveller that GER
tain bank did business in Nashville.
five or six miles away. And we did
not know we were getting into Hast
ings until we saw the buildings made
familiar by a weeks stay at confer
ence time. Then we inquired the way
to Lowell and started off bravely over
ten miles of very good roads to Free
port. But what a time we did have
from there to Lowell and on to Beld-
ing. 1t was very evident that no
body wanted us to come there, and
everybody along the way was some
where else, but at home. They were
evidently in town buying Christmas
gifts, for while we stopped at near
ly every house for miles TO inquire the
way to Belding, all the information
we received was from barking watch
dogs, and that was not very definite
as to the location, but we understood
from the general attitude of the dogs,
that we were invited to drive on. But
at last we met man. How good he
did look. And we asked the route to
Belding; then we met woman and
inquired the way; then we found a
house some distance from the road,
where a lady was at home, and we
asked the way to Belding. Then we
found a little church, where they were
having Christmas exercises, and in
ouired the way to Bedding. During
all these hours of questioning we had
received a rich and varied assortment
of information. But not road was
marked nor was there crossing with
sign-board. No bank or merchant
was coaxing trade from the wayfarer.
How | wished some druggist was sell
ing Pinkington's Pink Pills for Pale
people. and had announced that his
store was 6, 5, A, 3, 2, | miles to
Belding. ! surely would have bought
a box as a present TO some one, out
Of mere gratitude. But after weary
miles Of unnecessary travel over very
poor roads, we finally saw the hidden
city. Now. while it is very difficult
to get into Belding, it is easy enough
TO get out, for the road to Greenville,
our destination, is plainly and clearly
marked.
Dear Mr.. Editor-Your excellent
paper is circulated largely through
rural Michigan. You may even have
a few subscribers in and around Beld-
ing. Will you please kindly ask them
to get some boards and mark the
roads around where they live, especi-
ally the cross roads so the wayfaring
man, though a fool, may read as he
runs? What an accommodation 1T
would be to the traveller.
That night it showed six inches.
Folks said: "Your car stays here all
winter" But | said, "Just wait until
Thursday, the day plan to start
back" It was beautiful crisp, clear
morning when at eight o'clock, we
babe them goodbye and were off for
home. The country between Belding
and Lowell, however, this time was
mon persona grata" and we headed
for Ionia. Then south to Nashville.
We knew we ought to go to that town
and take look at the bank. And we
did. Eight miles away we saw their
sign, and we drove right into town
without having to disturb dog or
cross question at single farm house.
Thank God for signboards.
1t might be some satisfaction to
Banner readers TO state that the pas
tor was answered in the next issue of
the Advocate, in words that were un-
doubtedly good for his turbulent di-
gestion and jaded nerves, by a local
pastor, who is sure Bedding is on the
map and told the Advocate readers so
too.
Beyond these facts Bedding might
profit by having suitable signboards
placed along more of the roads than
are now marked with them.