davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
FLOYD BROWN WRITES
FROM WACO. TEXAS
Waco, Texas,
September 26. 1917


Dear Mother and All the Rest:
will answer your kind and well
come letter which | received some
time ago. 1t found me well and ro-
bust and / hope this reaches you and
finds you all the same.
/ received my Bible all o. K. and
was very glad to get it.. | ought to
have, written before this but grew
careless | guess. | am getting strong
er every day and "eat my head off. !"
We go on hikes and details and have
drills quite often. / have plenty of
practice digging bitches; also | wash
my own clothes, what do you think of
that? will be a jack of all trades
before | get out of the army. / don't
look for us to see actual service, still
we cannot tell, | hope not anyway.
We have bayonet practice and aiming
and sighting, but have not done any
shooting yet. We had a sham battle
a little while ago.
| am getting so / like Texas quite
well. 1t is healthier than Michigan,
| think-not so damp with a more
even climate.
Tell Mabel | said hello and tell her
to write to me. hope she gets along
good in school. What grade is she in
now?
The officers have orders not to let
more than twenty-five men go down.
town at once. After retreat / want
TO go downtown and will have to run
to get my application in. We are GO
ing to have three boxing bouts here
at the Y. M. c. A. tonight. We have
all kinds of, sports and games. We
all have to learn to box correctly so
when / get back home Twill be tough
buck, don't you think so?. / like
army life and am getting so that /
can walk long ways and go at
fast pace also. The average army
pace in 130 30-inch steps per minute,
so that is going some, if you don't be-
lieve it, try it. can't think of any
more to say at present, SO will close
with love, hoping to hear from all of
you soon. | remain your loving son,
Floyd F. Brown,
Headquarters CO., 126 Inf,
N. G. Camp Macarthur,
Waco Texas.
p. S.-You see we are up notch
now as we are headquarters COM
pany. What do you think of that?
Co. l. was the best company from
Grand Rapids.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
BELDING MEM Der is
HOSTESS TO EUREKA AID

Mrs. J. B. Luscombe, living on Put
ney street, entertained twenty mem
bers of the Southwest Eureka Ladies'
Aid at her home last Thursday. The
ladies came in their automobiles,
bringing we'll filled baskets of good
things. A sumptuous dinner was
served. Mrs. Luscombe Formerly liv-
ed in Eureka and was a member of
the aid from its formation. She liv-
ed on the one farm thirty-eight
years. The gathering of old friends
at her home gave her much pleasure.
Mr.. and Mrs. Luscombe moved to
Belding in the spring of 1916, and
have lived on Putney street ever
since.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
IRELAND DELIVERY CAR
STRUCK AN AUTO

Two cars were disabled Tuesday
evening at six o'clock when the de-
livery truck driven by Walter Ire
land collided with a car, owned by
Martin Arnold. The latter car was
standing in the street near Z. c..
Lloyd's store. 1t was raining and Mr..
Ireland reached forward, while driv-
ing,. to lower the windshield of the
machine. Ae he did so the car was
DETECTED and ran in the, parked car.
The Ireland car suffered broken
windshield, bent axles and bent rad,
ius rods. The one owned by Arnold
had running board and fender bent
and broken. Arnold was in the Fish
q Young market at the time of the
accident. ireland was making his
last delivery from the store.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
FRANCIS l. BAILEY EN-
J0YING CAMP y" WORK

Francis l.. Bailey, former princi-
pal of the departmental school here
and who is now Y. M. c. A. director
at Waco, Texas, writes to the Banner
that he is well pleased with the work.
He says in part: "The work here is
very agreeable. This is a fine coun-
try. There is plenty of cotton and
negroes. The people are very corr
dial The chance for service is great.
Will write you letter later"
Mr.. Bailey has been at the training
camp at Waco over a month and is
getting his work started in good
shape. The "Ys work at army camps
is a most essential one and one that
should be encouraged by every citi-
zen of the country. 4
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
MRS. BL0UGH PIONEER
OF kEENE Is DEAD

Mrs. Sarah Blough, one of the
pioneer residents of Keene township,
died at the old farm home Tuesday,
October at 1850 O'Clock, aged sew
enty-seven years. y.
The deceased was born in the state
of New York February II, 1910, and
removed to Michigan in an early day.
Mrs. Blough was highly esteemed
for her many good qualities and was
kind neighbor and friend to all in
the community.
The funeral will be held Friday af-
ternoon in the Easton church at two
o'clock.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
NOTED LECTURER
WILL SPEAK HERE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER l2
BEN r. yARDAMAN WILL TELL
PEOPLE HOW TO BETTER
THEIR COMMUNITY

Ben r. Vardaman, president of the
National Community Betterment as
sociation and associate editor of the
Merchants Trade Journal, has been
secured by the local board of COM
merce to give a free public lecture
in the opera house next week Fri
day evening. Mr.. Vardaman is be-
ing secured at considerable expense
by the local board. He is a mar
velous orator and has a knack of ex-
pressing himself in a way that ev-
cry shearer will remember.
Mr.. Vardaman's lecture will be one
to interest farmers and rural dwell
lers greatly. His lecture should be
attended by every person living with
in a driving radius of Belding. He
will have something to say that will
benefit every farmer many dollars.
His lecture will likewise be of benefit
to city dwellers.
Vardaman's lectures are vibrant
with life because he has made exhaus-
tive study of present day conditions.
He knows people-their problems,
needs, desires, ambitions and limita-
tions. He has a wonderful wealth OF
experience, study, and research, and
personifies rare combination of the
successful business man, scholar,
writer and speaker. He is man
sought everywhere as a speaker be-
fore boards of commerce, chautau-
qua audiences and all public gather
ings.
This will be a wonderful lecture
and the best of it is that not one pen
ny admission will be charged 1t is
free to everyone. Remember it is
Friday evening, October IL.
Vardaman will talk at the Central
school sometime during the day Fri
day.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
BEN L0NGAN Is
AT WACO. TEXAS
Waco, Texas,

Sept. %, II.
Dear Mother:
Arrived here all o. X. Thursday P.
M. about $3.50. We have certainly
some swell camp. All the Michigan
and Wisconsin troops are stationed
here. We are about miles from
Waco which is a town Of about 40,-
90 people. 1t is some town at that.
The weather is not as hot here as we
expected and they have frequent rains.
The thing that bothers us most is the
alkali in the water but we will get
used to it.
At the end of each Company street
we have a bathing house with shower
baths about 10 showers to a Company.
Our Companies are $50 strong now
but expect they will be made up to
$50 with drafted men. There are
electeric lights in each tent and water
piped ct each of the Company streets.
We are now the fighting brigade.
We were the Depot Brigade but they
changed and now Wisconsin is as we
are, better trained so we will go first.
Just oore my washing, had big line
full. We enjoyed our trip vecy much
and we stopped in every big town for
about an hour. We went through
Creek, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Chica-
60, Joliet, Bloomington, Springfield,
st. Louis, Parsons, Denison, Dallas,
Fort Worth and Waco. Stopping in
every town, got very dirty but there
was excitement all the way. Well
will close and go and get my hair cut.
Write soon, with love.
Ben Longsn.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
GREAT WHITE WAY
IN THIS PICTURE

"A Little Journey to Theatrical
New York" might well be the SUBJ
title of "The Easiest Way" Clara
Kimball Young's Selznick- Pictures
production of Eugene Walters drama.
One scene shows typical back-stage
assembling of forces for a musical
comedy, with the frank assessment Of
the chams Of various applicants for
places in the chorus. Another shows
a dress rehearsal of the piece. The
agencies where players apply for
positions are pictured true to life.
There are two scenes in restaurants
which are known as theatrical chang
OUTS" One of these is Rector's, long
a gathering place of the clans. The
other is Montmartre, named for the
section Of Paris where the night rev.
elry is gayest. incidentally, in
strong contrast, there are shown ty-
pical adventures of third-rate COM
pany playing one-night stands in the
west.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
IONA co. RED CROSS
HOLD ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Ionia
County Chapter of the American Red
Cross was held at the City Hall, Ionia,
Friday evening, September %, 1917.
In the absence of Chairman Fred
w. Green, Vice Chairman Mrs. James
Taylor presided over the meeting.
A general discussion of plans for
carrying on the work in Ionia county
followed, the great need for additional
funds was explained at length, and it
was decided to make the week begin
ming October IA, "Red Cross Week
for all of Ionia county, and to con-
duct a vigorous drive all over the
county for additional funds and men,
bers. 1t was decided to ask the pas
tor of each church in the county to
preach a special Red Cross Sermon on
Sunday, October Ia, and to arrange
for mass meetings, conferences, COM
munity dinners, etc, during that
week, in every part of the county, the
work to be planned and under the su-
pervision Of a special committee of
Eve or more members to be appointed
by the chairman.
A discussion of the needs of the
Red Cross brought forth the fact that
the entire activities of the Ionia
County Chapter are being carried on
gratis to the Red Cross, except for
rental of rooms, purchase of necessary
materials, supplies, etc. All the Off
GERS, directors and members are do
mating their time, their services, the
use of their automobiles, supplying
their own meals while out of the city
on Red Cross work, pay their travel
ing expenses themselves, and in every
way trying to make the Red Cross
funds go as far as possible.
The secretary and treasurers report
showed total receipts for the year
ending Sept. 20, 1917 to be $7,345.10
and total disbursements $5,542.49
which includes the amount sent to the
American National Red Cross, leav-
ing balance on hand of $1,802,61.
The receipts were as follows: From
Belding $602.79, Clarksville $500,
Hubbardston $3.50, Ionia S4,757.82,
Lake Odessa s329.10, Lyons 1880,
Muir $1,000, Orleans S111.74, Palo
$1,000, Pewamo $75.70, Portland
$225.00, Saranac $1,000, Smyrna
$29.05. The membership is 5,041, of
which the Belding branch has list
of 500 members.
Among the twenty-four new directs
ors elected from this part of the coun-
ty Henry j. Leonard for two years;
Miss Florence Washburn, two years;
Major Frank r. Chase, two years.
The date of the next annual meet
ing was changed to October 10, 1918.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
WILL GIVE BIG SHOW
Pythian Sisters Have Combined With
Them In Giving Home Talent
81 Production

Rehearsals are now going on for
the musical comedy-"The Elopers'
which is on at the opera house next
week. The X. Of p. of the country
are raising half million dollar war
fund and the local lodge take this
means of raising their share.
Frank A. Odgen, the director, put
the show on at lonia in July apd the
people at Ionia say it's the best show
ever staged there. 1t is different
from the ordinary home talent play
as it's real professional script. The
advertisement Of the show appears
in this issue.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
MISSIONARY TO CHINA
H. D|LO|NE LEAVES
FOR THE ORIENT

Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Dildine and
children, Mary and Glenn, left Mon
day on their return to China. His
father-in-law, Charles LaDow, ac-
companied the family TO Grand Rap
ids. They will visit relatives and
friends in Chicago for few days be-
fore leaving for San Francisco, where
they will take a steamer to Shanghi.
Mr.. Dildine has been a missionary
in China for the past ten years, hav-
ing been stationed at Yuang Chung
for six years and at Hang Wu for
four years. His new field of opera
tion is Tai An Flu to which place he
will proceed after leaving Shanghi,
and he expects the trip will take him
about six weeks to accomplish. Mr..
Dildine is the son of James Dildine
of Easton and began his education at
the Dildine school near Dildine Cor
ners, always having in mind the idea
of being a missionary and on com
pleting his education along those
lines the way opened up for him to
go abroad which he did after his mar
riage to Miss Maude LaDow.
They have two bright children,
born to them in China, under the
Skies of the Orient.
Mr.. Dildine has been on a two
years leave of absence and now goes
back to pursue his work with great
er ardor than before. He has a
splendid helpmate in the person of his
wife who is also enthusiastic in the
work. They recently received their
passports and anticipate no trouble
in arriving at their destination. Mr..
Dildine and his wife have had many
experience in their life among the
yellow race and it is interesting to
hear them talk of their life in that
far off country.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
WINDOW DECORATOR
RETURNS TO HOME CITY

M. A. Fassel, who was employed
by Fristoe & Divine as window dec
orator and salesman, quit his work
for the firm Saturday and returned
to his home in Hinsdale, Massachu-
sets. Fassel was with the local firm
for several months and was most
able man i'm the work. He was well
'versed in decorating and had received
the favorbale comments Of scores of
customers to the store.
The vacancy in the stores sales
force has not been filled.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
Birthday Party

Mrs. E. Z. Hudson entertained Fri
day from four to eight o'clock in hon
or of Miss Helen Hudson's sixteenth
birthday.
There were eight guests present.
Miss Edith Raymer, one of the local
teachers was among the number. The
girls came dressed as old ladies and
young children. Miss Raymer very
fittingly played, "Aunty" and a very
merry time was enjoyed. At SIX
o'clock a fine dinner was served. The
guests were very much in hopes that
Helen may have many more birthdays
and many more parties.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
Early Morning Marriage

The marriage of Mr.. Albert Wright
of Pine township, Montcalm county,
and Miss Fern Madison Of Grattan
Center occurred in the office of z. Z.
Lapham, the officiating magistrate,
Wednesday, October 3.
The ceremony was pronounced at
7:30 o'clock a. m, and the couple were
accompanied by her father, Frank G.
Madison, of Grattan, and Ernest
Wright, brother of the groom. Mr..
and Mrs. Wright left Immediately in
his auto for their farm home near
Stanton.
The bride has been well known
resident of Grattan and Mr.. Wright
is prominent young farmer Of Mont
calm county.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
RAY MCCONNELL CALLED
INTO ACTIVE SERVICE

Ray Mcconnell received telegram
from the national army headquarters
in Grand Rapids Monday, October
for active duty.
Ray enlisted some time ago and has
been anxiously awaiting the call He
will have a position in the cooking
department.
Mrs. Mcconnell accompanied him
to Grand Rapids Sunday.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

Sunday guests at the home of Mr..
and Mrs. J. Bowles were: Mr.. and
Mrs. s. A. Farrand, Miss Hazel Far
rand and Truman Farrand; Mr.. and
Mrs. Guy Robson and little son. all
of Blanchard; Mr.. and Mrs. Harrison
Pierce and Ed. Price of Fairplains;
Mr.. and Mrs. Lewis Tower and Law
renee Tower and Leland Tower Of
CORTLAND.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03
KNOWN ORLEANS !.
COUPLE MARRIED

Mr.. Roy Spaulding and Miss Hazel
Gardner, well known young people
of Orleans township, were married at
the Orleans M. +. parsonage Sat-
urday, Rev. r. V. Birdsall perform
ing the ceremony. They will live on
the farm of his father, Jerry Spauld-
ing.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

Fourteen members Of the Etude
club met at the home of Mrs. Skah-
en- Friday afternoon to bid farewell
to Pearl Mclean, one of their men,
bers, who will leave Belding in the
near future.
A short program was a feature of
the afternoon, given by Mary Enge-
mann, Pearl Mclean, Mary Deere,
Virginia Moore and Dorothy Conant,
A number of games were played
and refreshments were served.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

Mrs. Alice Stowell and Mrs. N. H
Mason. both of Albany, New York
arrived Saturday as the guest OF
their brother, 2. w. Gooding.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

Ren Barker is visiting friends
near Mecosta.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

Strong's cider mill will run Tues
day and Fridays. Those wishing
sweet cider see either Art Strong or
Herb Regan. 18-2w
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

q. T.. ;. Regular Meeting
Regular meeting of 0. f. s. will be
held Tuesday evening, October 9.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

Muriel Conklin had business a,
White Cloud Monday.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

AL. Webber left for Ionia Tuesday.
He has a job there with his team.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

James Johnston of Kiddville is Wis
ting relatives at Flint.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

Mrs. Frank Gumber was at Grand
Rapids Monday.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-03

An ideal newspaper and .
paper with ideals. It's for
and read By all classes.
The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1917-08-29
MRS. RUBLE ENTERTAINS
ROOK AND LOTUS CLUBS

Mrs. Chas. Ruble was the
charming hostess of the Rook
and Lotus Clubs at her pretty
home in Eastport Friday after
noon, Rook being the diversion.
The house was beautifully
decorated with potted plants
and garden flowers. M S S
Pauline Justus and her attrac-
tive Jhouse guest, Miss Grace
Moore of Jellico, graciously
presided over the punch bowl.
Delightful music was fur
nished by the Victrola during
the afternoon and the color
scheme of pink and white was
carried out in the dainty ice
course which was served at the
close of the afternoon.
twenty-five guests enjoyed
Mrs. Ruble's hospitality.
The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1917-08-29

dear old home and dear, kind
and loving parents"
Guy Gillespie was twenty
three years of age and was the
only son of Mr.. and Msr. j. P.
Gillespie. He leaves three
sisters, Mrs. S. o. Greenway of
Greene county, Mrs. L e n a
Griffin, who resides with her
parents, and Mrs. W. B. Nc
Nabb of the Dutch Bottoms.
He sailed from New Orleans
in November, 1916, and joined
t h e British Expeditionary
Force, having been mustered
into the English army at Bris-
tol, England. His parents have
received a number of letters
and all expressed the feeling
that he was doing his duty for
freedom. He felt that his own
country should help the allies
against German oppression.
The hard drilling which he
went through reduced his
weight, but from the picture
which we present above it is
evident that he was fit.
His friends in Newport and
Cooke county will be pleased
to know that he ranked well
with his company and that he
had the respect and esteem of
both officers and men.
The death of Guy Gillespie
brings the war a little closer
home and gives us taste of the
awfulness of it. Millions of
mothers are suffering the same
The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1917-08-29
GUY GILLESPIE VICTIM
OF A GERMAN BOMB

pangs now beinG borne by his
mother and doubtless millions
more will suffer the same. The
sympathy of all who know the
Gillespie family goes out to
them in unbounded measure,
and yet, beyond the dark cloud
is a silver ray. When this ter
rible thing is over they will
know they contributed their
share toward freedom, and that
their son bravely and nobly
gave his life that his country
men should enjoy the liberty
that all Americans like to
claim.
The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1917-08-29
The East Tennessee Baptist Convention

The East Tennessee Baptist
Association held it's 10th an
nual session with Antioch
church August 1925. The
majority of the 81 churches
were represented either with
messenger or letter. The re-
ports were good, the attend
ance was splendid, the fel-
lowship perfect, the hospital
ity of the community unsur-
passed.
The election of officers was
as follows: Rev. Will Weav-
err, Moderator, Rev. c. N.
Huff, Assistant Moderator,
Rev. J. w. O'Hara, Clerk and
Treasurer, S. R. McSween, AS
sociational Sunday School
Superintendent, John Weaver,
Keeper of Records.
Those visiting the associa-
ton from a distance were DR..
J. W. Gillon, Secretary State
Home Mission Board, DR.. A. R.
Bond, Editor Baptist and Re-
fiector, Rev. w. J. Stewart,
Secretary Baptist Orphans
Home, DR.. R. w. Weaver,
Secretary Baptist Educational
Board. All addressed the as
sociation in the interest of
their work. Many members
of the Nolachuckey and Sewer
Associations were present and
recognized.
The women had an interest
ing meeting in the school
house on Friday. Miss Buch-
anan, the superintendent of
woman's work in the State was
present and not only spoke to
the women, but spoke also to
the association in the interest
of woman's work.
The community extended
most gracious and cordial hos.
pitality. Each day the long
table was abundantly supplied
with good things and the door.
The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1917-08-29

Eighth row: George Free,
Mech; Charlie Norris, Frank
R. Cogdill, Cowper Hicks,
Jesse Sprouse, Swan c., Green,
Edward Hartsell and Fred
Barnett, Pvts.
Fifth row: Robert E. Parker,
Jesse Parton, Leonard Grooms,
Howard Black, William E.
Hance, Willie Hall, Arville
Hannah, James H. Gregg, Lloyd
Jones, Bert Chandler, Isaac A.
Costner, Garfield Stinnett, Ben
Rainwaters, Wilson w e b b,
Horace Raines, Wander C.
Rolen, Pvts.
Sixth row: Mathew Parks,
Leonard w. Turner, Ulius Bar
nett, Loss Taylor, Clyde Stin-
nett, Garfield Ramsey, Joe
Campbell Isaac Sutton. Everett
Black, Walter C. Barnes, Will
liam H. Barnes, John Benson,
Oscar Campbell, Thomas Seay,
Allen C. Large, Bruce Fine,
Leonard Mantooth, David d
Parker, Pvts.
Seventh row: George Kelly,
Clay Wood, Oscar Caldwell,
William B. Dorsey, Rufus Cost
ner, William N. Vess, Robert
M. Williamson, Oscar Hicks,
Walter Shelton, Geo. D. Giles,
Charlie Moore, Rufus Nor
wood, Hobart Maddron, Noah
Grooms, Howard West, Wilse
Campbell, Geo. Samples, Pvts.
The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1917-08-29

of all homes were open to en-
tertain the messengers and
visitors. 1t was a time of social
intercourse and good fellowship.
The next session of the asso-
citation will be held with the
Big Creek church, Del Rio.
Rev. J. M. Walters will preach
t h e annual sermon. Every
church should begin now to
plan to be represented then.
Every church ought to strive
to have a Missionary Society, a
good Sunday school, a good
prayer meeting, and make a
good report from every depart
ment of the church. It is only
by working at things continu-
ously that much can be done.
Cosby Academy got a good
hearing both Friday and Sat
urday. Prof. Williams was
present and spoke both days.
Mrs. Williams had prepared a
report for the woman's meet
ing, and it will appear in their
minutes, but it was so good it
was read also before the asso-
ciotion. Cosby Academy be-
gins with a much larger enroll
ment this yeaer than last.
Prof. Gentry was present
and made a great address in
the interest of Christian Edu-
cation, and for Carson and
Newman College. The Corner
Stone will be laid Sept. 18th
and Prof. Gentry installed
president the same time.
Special mention should be
made of the sermon of DIR. j.
w. Gillon on Friday on the
subject obedience of Christ
and our relation to same" 1t
was one of the greatest ever
delivered at the association and
left deep impression.
/ Those who remained away
missed much. Will you not
plan to 60 next year?