davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
STATE FIELD AGENT
GIVES SUMMARY OF
SEASON. S CROPS
SAYS LATE RAINS WOULD MA
TERIALLY HELP POTATOES.
CLOVER SEED PLENTIFUL.

The drought which prevailed over
the State during July continued
throughout August, except in few
localities, causing. a deterioration in
practically all crops. Threshing pro-
gressed rapidly under favorable con-
ditions, and oats and late hay were
harvested without material damage
from the elements. Flowing for fall
sown crops was we'll under way at
the close of the month notwithstand-
ing the extreme dryness of the soil.
Corn varies greatly in condition,
not only between different parts of
the State but in individual localities.
Some fields are very good, in thrifty
condition, and we'll cared; others have
ly cared; while the remainder will
make only a poor quality of ensilage.
Early sown oats and barley are
generally yielding well, and the grain
is of exceptionally good color; those
sown late give disappointing yields
and the grain is very light in weight.
There is a large acreage of buck
wheat, but the drought has greatly
shortened the prospective yield.
Beans and potatoes have suffered
the most severely. In some locali-
ties beans have practically no pods
and potatoes no tubers; in other dis
tricts, where showers have been more
frequent or good rains have occurred,
the outlook is much better; on the
whole, only about one-half the usual
yield of each crop is expected. I'M
mediate rains would cause improve
ment, especially in potatoes. The
condition of most truck crops is also
unsatisfactory.
Pastures have dried up to the ex-
tent that many farmers have been
compelled to feed their live stock
for many weeks; in some sections
they have been partially restored by
good showers. Both the acreage and
yield of hay was unusually large,
and the quality was uniformly excel
lent. There is also an unusually
large acreage of clover seed, which
promises satisfactory yield; and as
the fields are exceptionally free from
weeds, the seed should be of good
grade.
Apples, peaches, pears and grapes
give promise of a good yield, al
though the prospect, has been reduced
during the past month by the continu-
ed dry weather Melons did not set
as heavily as usual, but the yield is
satisfactory and the quality is excel
lent
Sugar beets have suffered consider
ably from drought and heat, especial
ly in certain counties; but good rains
in the near future would materially
increase the size of the beets, and
add greatly to the tonnage to be har-
vested.
Replies to an inquiry relative to the
number of stock hogs in the State in
dicates that there has been consid-
cradle decrease during the past year
and that the number is less than usual
on September l.
V. H. Church, Field Agent.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
JOKER IN CIGAR
SCARED OLD VETERAN

Stoel Smith was in the city last
Thursday shaking hands with old
friends. Mr.. Smith is an old resident
of this part of the county and a vet
eran of the Civil war. "Sto" likes
to visit with his friends and crack
jokes. He sauntered into Charles
Stout's restaurant to see friend and
while there one. of his old chums
treated him to cigar at the same
time giving the clerk a wink. The
clerk of course knew what the wink
meant and passed out a fine Havana
with a "joker" in it.
Mr.. Smith puffed away remarking
on its fine flavor when all of sud
den it combustifcated and threw
cigar ashes, filling and wrappers in
all directions about the street causing
him to side-step livilier than he used
to in the army.
A wire spring concealed in the
cigar had let go when about half
burned up. "Sto" was game, however,
and wouldn't let on that he was scar
ed, returned to Stout's and set up
genuine cigars to all the boys.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
CHICKERING FAMILY
HOlDTWElFTH REUNION

The twelfth annual reunion Of the
Chickering family was held at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. S. ID. Chicken
ing on Monday, September 4th. Sew
enty-four pople were in attendance.
Of these, ten were from Cleveland,
one from Quincy, two from Lansing,
six from Greenville, one from Grand
Rapids, ten from Belding and five
from Southeast Ionia. The rest of
the company were from the surround
ing neighborhood cf Orleans and Otis
co. The company included twenty
seven under fifteen years of age. OF
this number fifteen bear the name Of
Chickering.
The following officers were elected
President. Jessie M. Tubbs; first vice
president, Ernest f. Chickering; Sec
ond vice president, Will s. Bissell !;
secretary and treasurer, Mrs. VIM. H.
Chickering. "A. M. c.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
BEN COVERT DEAD
WAS IONA PIONEER

The funeral of Benjamin r. Covert
was held in Ionia at his late home
Sunday afternoon.
Benjamin r. Covert was born in
Penn Yam, New York, in 1882, and
would have been "a years old had he
lived until November 20. His early
boyhood was spent in the place of his
birth until 1845, when with his par
ents he came to Michigan and settled
in the township of Keene. Later a
few years of his life was spent in
Ohio where he was married to Miss
Isabella Benton. After a few years
they returned to Ionia, which has
since been his home. Mrs. Covert
died several years ago. Mr.. Covert
was for many years a supervisor, and
was loyal and progressive citizen,
as well as an esteemed and upright
friend of many. He is survived by
two children, Mrs. F. A. Stiven of
this city, Elmer Covert of Grand
Rapids; a brother, VIM. Covert, of
Belding; and one sister, Mrs. Melissa
Sparks of Grand Rapids. Relatives
from this city were in attendance at
the funeral.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
CARLETON CURR|E
DESCRIBES TRIP
THROUGH THE WEST
TELLS OF THE BEAUTIES OF
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL
PARK. ANIMALS TAME

The Banner is very fortunate this
week in being able to give its readers
an excellent letter written by Carle-
ton Currie from Los Angeles, Califor-
MIA. Carleton, who graduated from
the local high school last spring, in
company with his parents is making
an extended trip in the west. That
their Inany friends here might know
something Of the Grand things they
are seeing Mr.. CWrie has written us
the letter for publication. Here it is:
Los Angeles, California,
September 3, 1916.
The Belding Banner,
Belding, Mich,
Dear Sirs:
According to your request l will
describe part of our trip, choosing our
tour of, Yellowstone National park as
the most interesting subject. But let
me state now that words cannot de-
scribe its wonders or beauty.
Yellowstone National park with an
area of 3,348 square miles was set
aside by an act of Congress in 1872.
1t has an entrance on each side, the
northern one at Gardiner, Montana,
which is reached by the Northern
Pacific railway from Livingston in
the same state. The tour of the park
starts at Gardiner and regularly
takes five and one-half days. The
trip is made by coaches with four or
six horses, by three-seated surreys
and two horses, by auto, and on
horse back. The autos must be own
ed by those using them and have to
follow a very strict schedule as to
time of travelling, owing to the fact
that many of the horses are afraid.
1t is probable though, that automo-
biles will be used entirely in few
years. There are several companies
operating in the park under leases
from the government. Some of these
maintain permanent camps, some
move camp every day, and one en-
tertains the travellers at the hotels.
The cost of the trip varies from fifty
to thirty dollars per person including
board, lodging and transportation for
the five and one-half days. We tray-
eled in surrey carrying six per-
sons including the driver, who also
points out and describes the objects
of interest.
The principle part of the route is
rough circle called "the loop" which
is about in the middle Of the park
and ninety miles in circumference.
The rest of the route is the road join
ing the entrance and the loop.
The roads and bridges are con-
structed and maintained by the corps
of engineers of the army, are sprink-
led frequently along the route, and
are a surprise to the traveller, they
are so hard and smooth. The roads
are very crooked and wind through
forest most of the way for very near
lv all the park is covered with pine
timber and everything has been left
as natural as possible. There are
two different telephone lines that fol-
low the road most of the way.
Continued on Page Nine)
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
LANSING HOME is
DAMAGED BY FIRE.
FIRST IN MONTHS
TEAM MADE QUICK RUN-DE'
FECTIVE HOSE DELAYED
WORK OF FIREMEN.

The first fire in several months oc-
Cured last Thursday afternoon when
the roof was burned from the home
of Manley Lansing. The fire is sup
posed to have originated from the
chimney. Mrs. Lansing had started
a fire in the kitchen stove In prepar-
ation for ironing and preparing the
supper. Guy Smith, who chanced TO
be passing the house, discovered the
blaze and turned in the alarm.
The whistle had scarcely stopped
blowing when the fire team arrived
At the scene. Assertion of hose near
the burning dwelling was in poor re,
pair and when the water was turned
on il burst three different times. This
fact delayed the work OF extinguish-
inc the flames for several minutes.
The loss to the property is estimat-
ed at one hundred and fifty dollars
although the water damage may In
crease this figure. Mr.. Lansing, who
has been confined to his home and bed
FOR weeks, was carried to the home OF
z. w. Burt by firemen. The excite
ment accompanying the fire weaken
ed him considerably. Mrs. Burt, weak
because of her recent bereavement
was also. severely affected. While
sittin gon the porch she tainted and
was cared for by neighbors.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
ANNUAL FLOWER
AND VEGETABLE
SHOW IS SATURDAY
CHILDREN OF SCHOOLS WILL
EXHIBIT THEIR SUMMERS
WORK THEN.

The annual flower and vegetable
exhibit of the Belding city schools,
department of children's gardens, will
be held in the auditorium at the city
hall next Saturday, September 16.
All exhibits are to be in place before
ten o'clock Saturday morning. The
children are expected to get their ex-
hibits to the hall Friday afternoon
and in all events not later than Sat-
urday at nine o'clock. At ten O'Clock
the Judges will begin their work and
are expected to finish before noon.
The exhibit will be opened to the
public Saturday at one O'clock. Every
patron of the school and in fact every
citizen should take the few minutes
necessary to view the display. The
children have grown some choice
flowers and vegetables. The manual
training and domestic science depart
ments of the school have prepared
some very good specimens. Don't
forget the exhibit opens at one
o'clock. 1t will be held open in the
evening, to enable those who cannot
come during the day, to see what the
children have accomplished.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
EN- MERGENCYTIRE TUBE
TORE OFF IN UNIQUE WAY

w. l.. Cusser had an unusual acci-
dent with his automobile last Thurs
day evening. He was turning the
corner at Main and Bridge streets
when a young man, who was standing
on the sidewalk near the drinking
fountain at the southeast corner OF
the intersection, jumped from the walk,
ran behind the car and grabbed onto
the emergency tires at the rear of the
machine. Immediately there was an
escape of air from the tires, which
sounded to Mr.. Cusser as if one of
the rear tires was punctured.
Mr.. Cussed stopped the machine
and tried to hail the man, but he ran
up Bridge street and disappeared.
The man was finally located and
found to be Marshall King. He ex-
planned that he and some other fell
lows were having some fun with the
water at the drinking fountain and
that just before Cusser's machine ar
rived at the corner he had thrown
some water on one Of them. In his
effort to escape he ran behind the car
ard was seized with the IMPULSE To
Jump on the machine and get away
from the crowd. In doing this he tore
the tube of of the emergency tire
letting the air escape: il ga yrs.y4, I
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
MODERN LIGHTING FOR
ALL RURAL RESIDENTS

Rural residents and also city dwell
ers who desire a first-class lighting
and gas system Of their own to light
en- the burdens of household work,
are interested in the advertisements
bing run in the Banner by the Oxweld
Acetylene Company. This company
has been taking liberal space for
many issues and will continue to take
space in which to acquaint Banner
readers with the excellent merits of
the Oxweld system. All rural resi-
dents and home owners should read
these advertisements carefully.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
BUSINESS MEN PLAY
INDOOR BASE BALL

The first ball game of the local
Business Mems league was played on
the vacant lots east of the Banner Of
flee last Wednesday evening. The
business men from the south side of
Main street were pitted against those
of the north side of the street. Ted
Webster was the umpire and some
conflicting opinions are held as to his
absolute honesty in making decisions.
after ten-inning struggle the count
was finally given to the north side
men by score of 10 to 18.
The game was played with an in
door ball and bat, with. all indoor
rules applying to the game. 1t is the
plan of Secretary Gunsolus, under
whose management the event was
staged, to hold several similar meet
ings and have a general good time
before cold weather.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
REPUBLICANS HELD
co NvENT|0N IN
IONA TUESDAY
w. A. WILDER WAS CHOSEN
COUNTY SECRETARY; JUDGE
DAVIS is CHAIRMAN.

The Ionia County Republican con-
vention held in Ionia Tuesday was
conducted in a most harmonious and
efficient manner. Chairman X. p.
Smith called the convention to order
and asked that Secretary f. o. Ell
dred read the call. Chairman Smith
then announced that the committee
had selected Judge f. ID. M. Davis as
temporary chairman and he was call
ed to the chair.
In his remarks Mr.. Davis reviewed
briefly the activities Of the present
administration in it's work of the past
three and one-half years. He spoke
especially of its apparent and glar-
ing shortcomings and stated as his
belief that the present party had
failed in all its promises. He urged
that the convention firmly and en-
Enthusiastically declare for the elec-
ton of Charles Evans Hughes as
president and for Albert f. Sleeper
for governor He also urged united
effort to secure the election of the
candidates for all the minor offices
in state and nation.
Following Chairman Davis ad.
dress a request was made for nom-
ination for county secretary. Brin.
ton +. Hall nominated William A.
Wilder and his nomination was un-
animously approved. A. p. Loomis
was chosen to head the committee on
resolutions; Lorenzo Webber the
committee on credentials and Warden
o. Fuller the committee on perman-
ent organization and order of busi-
ness. AS all the precincts were not
fully represented each deficient pre-
cinct was permitted to fill the vacan-
cies in its delegation from the peo-
pie attending from their respective
precincts.
The committee on resolutions re-
affirmed the measures emphasized by
Chairman Davis in his address; pre-
dicted and placed as a goal toward
which to work at least a 1.500 ma
jority in Ionia county for Sleeper and
rousing vote for Fordney and
Townsend.
There being only twenty-five dele
gates to be elected to the state con-
vention and twenty-three precincts in
the county the precincts names were
placed in hat and one drawn out as
not being entitled to a delegate. Ber-
lin township was drawn out. Luther
+. Hall was chosen for Orleans
Frank r. Chase for Otisco; Ardie
Russ from Saranac; j. B. Arnwine
from Belding, first ward Brinton F.
Hall from the second and G.. f. Smith
from the third ward.
The temporary organization was
made permanent on the suggestion
Of the committee. Members of the
county committee from the northwest
part of the county were selected as
follows: Orleans, John York and +.
w. Johnson; Otisco, Frank R. Chase
ward. Robert PEBBLES and E. f. Hud-
son; second ward. ]. M. Langston and
F. F.. Conant; third ward, G.. F.
Smith and w. A. Wilder.
No other business came before the
convention and it was adjourned.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
RESIDENT
GIVEN BIRTHDAY
PARTY ON FRIDAY
MRS. JASPER S. GAGE OF IN
DIANAPOLIS AN HONORED
GUEST AT COOLEY HOME

Mrs. Jasper S. Gage Of indianapolis
who has been visiting here during the
summer, making her home with her
niece, Mrs. Melvin A. Cooley on
Front street will have occasion to
long remember her eighty-sixth birth
day, which occurred last Friday, Sep
tember 8th, when eighty of her rela-
tives and friends assembled there to
assist and enter into the enjoyments
and pleasures of the anniversary OF
the event.
On the spacious lawn under the
beautiful shade trees the tables were
spread at the dinner hour and were
loaded with the best viands the land
affords and that good cooks know
how to prepare. The house, the ta-
bles and the lawn were decorated
with flowers under the supervision of
Mrs. A. ID. jerks, who seemed to know
just how to arrange them that their
beauty might be fully appreciated.
Among the guests present were a
number of "Aunt Debby's" (as she
is familiarly known) old neighbors
and dear friends, which made the
coming together particularly pleasing
and interesting to her. There was
Mrs. Emiline r. Weter, whose nine
tieth birthday was recently celebrat-
ed; Mrs. Margaret Brooks, Mrs.
Cages sister of Ionia, aged SO years,
and Mrs. John Luck, "a years; Mrs.
l.. c. Fales of Grand Rapids; Mrs.
III. S. Andrews of Saranac; Mrs. Cad
ella Fiske and Mrs. Joe ID. Morse.
When all were seated at the tables
picture was taken of the group.
Mrs. Gage was seated at the head of
the table, with Mesdames Weter,
Luck and Morse at her right and
Mrs. Brooks, Andrews, Fiske and
Fales at her left, with the sunlight
shining on their whitened hair and
smiling faces, certainly no finer look
ing people ever -graced the head of a
table.
Among the company were her two
daughters, who came especially TO at
tend the gathering and greet their
mother on the happy occasion and
also to visit their childhood home.
They were Mrs. l.. c. Hamilton OF
Clarion, Iowa, and Mrs. L. w. Haven
of Minneapolis, MINI.
Other out-of-town guests were: Mr..
and Mrs. Chas. Harrington, Ovett
Harrington. Guy Harrington and
wives and Mrs. Yeomans and son of
Ronald, Mrs. w. L. Atwood Grand
Rapids, Mrs. Geo. Y. Reed, Detroit;
Miss Loretta Divine, Chicago; Mr..
and Mrs. Clair Weeks and daughter;
Mr. and Mrs. l.. M. Sagendorf and
Miss Davidson of GreenYlle; Mr.. and
Mrs. Talcott, Saranac, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Miller of Fairplains.
The honored guest was the recipient
of numerous gifts and postal card re-
membranes and many loving
thoughts and wishes were extended
for her future welfare and happiness.
Mrs. Gage is to be presented with one
of the pictures after it is enlarged,
as reminder of the summer of 1916.
and her visit in Belding.
For many years Mr.. and Mrs. Gage
and family were residents of Cook s
Corners and were very prominent in
the early history of the township of
Otisco and active in all of its social
and business interests.
Mrs. Gage expects to return home
to Indianapolis where she resides
with her son-in-law, and daughter,
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. McCotter, some
time this month.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
LECTURE COURSE WILL
START SEPTEMBER ,26

Tickets for the coming winter lee
ture course are now in the hands of
representative persons in all parts OF
the city and their sale will be pushed.
The opening number, Cappel's orches-
ira, will appear here Tuesday evening,
September 26 in the opera house.
An effort is being made by the COM
mittee in charge to place tickets in
the hands of everyone who is willing
to donate time to the work of selling
them. Further announcement of the
course will be made in the Banner
next week.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
MARTIN POST is
HEAVY FIRE LOSER
BUILDINGS BURN
FLAMES OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN
COMPLETELY DESTROYED
BARNS MONDAY NIGHT.

Fire was discovered in the barns
of Martin Post of Orleans, located on
the road between this city and Or
leans village Monday night and they
were totally destroyed together with
their contents, including three
horses.
Before the fire was discovered
by Morey Raby about twelve o'clock
he had driven his automobile to Don
Deans with passenger and when he
left to return home, saw the flames
breaking out of the barn. He I'M
mediately notified Mr.. Dean and
aroused Mr.. Post and family and Will
Post. They quickly went to the re-
lease the horses and save some Of
the contents if possible. They found
the whole inside of the barn on fire
and with great difficulty succeeded in
getting out two of the fine horses,
The best team and Mr.. Posts driving
horse were burned to death. The
flames spread so rapidly that no one
could get into the barns to save the
harness or farm implements stored
there. One wagon, however, was
saved from a shed.
Mr.. Posts loss which includes his
hay and unthreshed oats and wheat
some of it left over from last years
crop, is very heavy. The insurance
will not cover the loss. 1t was one
of the largest fires Orleans township
has had in years. While the barn
was burning many neighbors were
aroused and came to render assist
ance, but nothing could be done ex-
cept to keep the fire from spreading
to other buildings.
Mr.. Post is one of tho old and re-
spected farmers of the township for
whom much sympathy is expressed in
his loss.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
SALZMAN AND SONS
WILL MOVE WORkROOm

l.. Salzman & Sons, tailors who
came to Belding last winter and locat-
ed in the rooms over Chas. Stout's
lunch room, have leased the Theresa
Lapham building on West Main
street and will move their tailoring
establishment there. They are now
remodelling the interior of the build
ing to suit their needs. Removal to
the building will probably be made
within a week.
In the brief Gme the Salzmans
have been in Belding they have de-
veloped a substantial and constantly
growing trade. They have proved
themselves to be first-class tailors
and competent to handle the finest
class of work.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
BELDING MAS0NS AT
INSTRUCTION LODGE

Upward Of fifty Masons of Belding
lodge attended school of instruction
in Greenville Tuesday evening. Grat-
tan was represented by twenty and
Trufant by ten. Grand Lecturer
Frank o. Gilbert was present and af-
ter the exemplifcation of work in the
MN degree gave a short concise talk
10 the brothers. Worshipful Master
Cook of Belding was called upon and
gave a very nice talk. Worshipful
Master Davis and the master from
Trufant also talked
At the conclusion of the lodge work
the visitors were served to a lunch
in the dining rooms and enjoyed a
social hour. Much interest was
shown in the work by the local broth
ers and the brothers from Grattan.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
DIR. Spinney Improving

DR.. Andrew B. Spinney, who has
been confined to his bed by illness at
his sanitarium in Smyrna is reported
much improved and expects to be able
to resume business activities again.
He has given up travelling, having
cancelled all his dates some time
ago. There is probably no physician
in the United States who has travel
ed more miles or put in more strenu-
GUS work in the medical line than DR..
Spinney. He is past eighty years Of
age. s@ .emkf .ts-t r
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-09-13
Young Life Went Out

Vern II. Smith, the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Frank Smith, residing on Moul-
ton street, died Friday night at eight
o'clock. The boy, who was nine years
old, had been sick about four weeks
which began with measles and whoop-
ing cough and in spite of the treat
ment given by his physician and the
careful nursing by his parents, he
grew worse.
Vern was born in Grattan and when
the family moved to this city he at
tended the Ellis school and was par
ticularly bright scholar and loved by
his teachers and schoolmates.
The funeral was held Monday af-
ternoon at the house which was large
ly attended and many beautiful flow
ers were sent by the teachers and
pupils. Rev. III. S. Ellis of Oakfield
officiated. Mrs. f. E. Hudson sang
and the burial was made in the Otisco
cemetery.