davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
PUBLIC SPEAKER
AR0USES INTEREST
IN LOCAL TALKS
REV. f. F. DE LONG, CONVERTED
CATHOLIC, THWARTED IN EF-
FORTS TO PROCURE HALLS

Rev. Frank De Long, is hold
in a series of meetings, which are
creating considerable discussion in
the city. He distributed bills and an
nounced his subject as "Romanism or
Professionalism. His first meeting was
held in Oddfellows hall Sunday after
noon, the hall being crowded. He
claims to be Baptist minister and
lecturer, having been at one time a
Roman Catholic priest and a MEM
Der of the Church of Rome for twen-
ty-five years.
Mr.. De Long stated the reason he
came to the Oddfellows hall was
the Hubbell hall, which he en-
gagged for a series of ten meetings,
was denied him, but in spite of that
fact he was here to give his lectures
and would do so. He said this was
a free country, where free speech and
free press was supposed to prevail
and claimed the protection of the
flag. Influences had been brought to
bear on the owners Of the hall to close
it against him, and he took occasion
to say he thought it was getting to be
serious proposition when one man
could say to another, "Close up your
place of business" and compel him
to do it.
Another meeting was held in the
evening, more largely attended than
in the afternoon. On account of
some misunderstanding between the
trustees of the Oddfellows hall,
where the meeting was to have been
held Monday evening, it was called
off because the contract under the
lease would not permit them to let it
for other than lodge purposes. The
large crowd which had gathered were
then invited to the home of f. T..
Slingerland in the first ward. An un-
fortunate incident occurred at this
time while the speaker was arranging
to accept the invitation. One of the
bystanders took exception to some of
Mr.. Belongs remarks and seized him
by the throat. His assailant was
quickly overpowered, however, after
which the crowd dispersed.
The speaker talked from the Sling
erland porch to an immense crowd,
in and outside of the house, with an
occasional interruption. Eggs were
thrown and epithets hurled. He took
it good naturedly and said he would
rather take his eggs on toast. One
lady was struck on the hand and an
other had her new coat badly smeared.
Tuesday nights meeting was held
at w. L. Lasky's on May street, at
which it is estimated a thousand
people were in attendance.
An afternoon meeting, for women
only, was held Wednesday at James
Gains, and public meeting in the
evening
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
FLOYD PUFFER NAMED
COM MMERCE BOARD SEC

At special meeting of the board
of directors. of the local board of COM
merce Monday Floyd Puffer was en-
gagged as secretary of the board to
succeed K. G. Gunsolus. Mr.. Puffer
left Tuesday morning for ten days
trip to points in Ohio. While there
he will Investigate several matters of
interest to the city. He will take
over the active work of the Office
about the middle of June.
Mr.. Puffer was for many years a
resident of Belding, but several years
ago went west where he secured his
education. He was married last fall
and since that time has lived in Beld-
ing. His appointment had been an
ticipated by the board members for
several weeks.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
FISHERMAN HAD POOR
LUCK AND GOOD LUCK

A. L. Karshner is usually fairly
lucky with a fishpole and line when
he goes after fish, but they did not
bite good 'at his bait on Decoration
Day. He went out to Haney lake at
four o'clock in the morning and with
about twenty other people fished all
day, catching only one measly blue
gill. Others around the lake had
about the same kind of luck, but
what made Karshner and all the other
fishermen feel like thirty cents"
was when Dorman Fred Knapp came
down there about nine o'clock in the
morning seated himself near an old
tree stump and began pulling them
in as fast as he could bait his hook.
He landed fourteen in about an hour,
one Of them being the largest bluegill
ever taken from the lake. Dorman
took his string and went home for a
fish fry for dinner leaving the other
sportsmen still trying to.get nibble
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
BURGLARS VISITED
ORLEANS; STORES
ENTERED; NO CLUE
(By Orleans Correspondent

The good people of Orleans upon
arising last Friday morning were
thrown into a state of excitement
when they learned that the four
stores had been burglarized.
AT Rasmussen's a piece was cut
from a pane of glass in the door and
the door unlocked from the inside.
The cash register was broken and
about seven dollars was taken.
At r. A. Patterson's they entered
by the back door and carried the cash
register, containing between nine and
ten dollars away with them.
A. l.. Sherwood's was entered
through a broken pane of glass in the
north door. Thety took five flash
lights and destroyed several more.
They also took sum of money from
Mrs. Sherwood's pocketbook, which
she had left down stairs.
At Frank Hill's they broke into the
west door and locked Mr.. Hill up
stairs. All he missed was his rain
coat and another coat he had left in
the store.
The back door of the bank was
open, but nothing had been disturbed.
Sheriff Lowrey and Under Sheriff
Hoppough were called but after a
careful search they found no clue.
Mr.. Patterson's cash register was
found Saturday night in Mrs. Hiley
Warmers backyard under a pile of
rubbish with some of the pennies still
in it.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
NOTED SINGER
WILL COME HERE
NEXT TUESDAY
HAROLD JARVIS, KNOWN FROM
COAST TO COAST, TO SING.
BIG ORCHESTRA

Harold Jarvis, the noted singer of
Detroit, will thrill the music lovers of
this community in his singing at the
Central M. T.. church next Tuesday
evening, June IL. He is known from
coast TO coast as one of the greatest
singers of the world and Belding is
indeed fortunate in securing him for
an engagement. Jarvis has appeared
in all the important cities of the Unit
ed States and always is greeted with
most enthusiastic audiences. Besides
his regular platform work Mr.. Jarvis
is famous as a Victor artist. His
clear voice has thus been heard in ev-
cry civilized country.
The management has provided for
plenty of seats for everyone. There
are no reserves and the admission
price, fifty and thirty-fve cents, is
within the reach of all. They are now
on sale or can be bought at the church
Tuesday. In addition to the singing
fine fourteen-piece orchestra will
give a program of music loved by ev-
eryone. Included in the orchestra will
be Joseph Guthan of Grand Rapids,
director; A. A. Biferno, Michigan's
foremost fiutist; l.. E. Ruckle, oboe
soloist of the Theodore Thomas or
chestra of Chicago; and Anthony Gu
than, violincello, of Powers theatre.
In speaking of Mr.. Jarvis work as
singer reporter to Windsor pap
er said
zone of the most remarkable re-
cords of a concert singer for this year
is that of Harold Jarvis, Detroit IS
famous tenor, who up to Saturday
last has filled 437 engagements. This
Sc oafh ,.nr
| that Mr.. Jarvis has made jumps of
two towns in one day and sometimes
singing at funerals an hour apart at
different ends of Detroit.
"At the present time Mr.. Jarvis is
arranging for a Western Canadian
tour to the Pacific, on which he will
start October 2. The tour will last
about two months.
"Upon being asked by The Record
as to how he retained his present good
voice after singing SO many years, he
said he never used liquor or tobaccos,
and took the best care of himself.
"'I have had many offers to go in
to opera and have had managers offer
/ to pay my own terms to get me on the
road, but to all of these | turned a
| deaf ear, preferring to follow my
church and concert work. like church
singing and am always at home in the
choir loft
"Mr. Jarvis has many warm friends
in Windsor, where his appearances
have always called for overflow
houses. Although residing in the
States, he is an ardent Canadian, be-
ing a native of Toronto, and a de-
scendant of United Empire Loyalist
stock, His singing Of ''The Death OF
Nelson" at many patriotic banquets
in this country has placed him upon
the threshold of friendship with all
who have heard him. Two weeks age
Mr. Jarvis sang to the greatest crowd
ever in attendance at a concert or
Belle Isle, over $4,000 people crowd
ing that popular place to hear him."
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
CHARITY BALL
I WAS A SUCCESSFUL
SOCIAL EVENT
NET RECEIPTS FOR BENEFIT OF
CITY HOSPITAL WAS OVER
TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS

The charity ball held at Millard hall.
last Tuesday evening, May 30, for
the city hospital, was big success.
Upward of two hundred dollars was
the net receipts from the event. The
hall was tastefully decorated with
flags and bunting. Ferns also were
used in the decorations. The decora-
tions were almost all donated for the
occasion. The lights were shed over
the room through Japanese lanterns.
Hale's eight-piece orchestra fur
nished the music for the evening and
in addition to the music for the
dances, a thirty-minute concert was
given by the boys.
At nine o'clock the grand march
started, led by Mr.. and Mrs. Fitzgib-
bons. 1t was a grand array and en-
tered into by almost the entire as
semblage. During the evening solo
dances were given by Mrs. Ethel Fitz-
gibbons, Miss Dorothy Brown and
Louise Wilson. Each one received
most hearty applause for the unusu-
ally graceful movement and the ease
with which they accomplished them.
Fruit punch was served to all COM
.ers by six young ladies. They were
Margaret Wilbur, Leila Greenop,
Ruth and Marion Edwards, Louise
Lambertson and Helen Lapham. A
number of people attended from
Greenville. Lansing, Grand Rapids,
Saranac, Lowell, st. Louis and Ionia.
The hospital committee feel very
grateful to everNane that assisted in
making the evefta success. ~ Dona-
tions were liberal and graciously Civ
en-. Without exception the kindly feel
ings shown were as thankfully receiv-
al bx, tba Comm ittaac
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
DECORATION DAY
PROGRAM IS GIVEN
UNUSUAL INTEREST
OVER TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY
SCHOOL CHILDREN ASSIST IN
DAYS OBSERVANCE

Decoration Day this year stands
out as an accomplishment in local OBJ
servance not equalled in many years.
Interest in the event was much high
er than in former years and the ideal
day added to the success of the event
also. The plans of the committee
were fully carried out, except that
the home guard unit did not appear in
the parade.
Over two hundred and fifty school
children, under the direction of their
teachers, met at the G.. A. R. hall at
nine o'clck and formed line of
march ahead of the patriotic orders.
1t was the largest showing of school
children ever present at a similar
gathering in Belding. Each child
carried flowers and many of them had
flags. All were alert to the spirit of
the day and added greatly to the sue
cess of the showing.
Led by the city band the line of
march, headed by the children were
succeeded in line by the Sons of Vet
Grams, the G. A. R., the Daughters of
Veterans and the w. r. c. The par
ade was to West Main street along
Broas. Thence the march was to
Bridge street, north on Bridge street
W IIlC IlNGI lflC
bers of the w. r. c. paid the usual
tribute to the soldiers, sailors and
marines buried at sea. Following this
service the line Of march was along
Bridge street to Washington street.
The line was then diverted toward the
Congregational church and when the
children arrived there, they formed in
open order and permitted the patri-
otic orders to file through and into the
church. The children were then dis
missed for the day.
At the conclusion of an interesting
program thesoldiers, sons, daughters
and w. r. C. were taken in automo-
biles provided by the courtesy of the
board of commerce members, to Riv-
er Ridge and the Belding cemeteries
for the exercises there. Dinner was
then served at the National Hotel and
following the dinner the orders were
taken to Otisco and Smyrna for SER
vices.
The large showing in each of the
four orders and the children of the
schools was commendable to the
spirit of patriotism, so long dormant
in Belding. 1t showed that when oc-
casion demanded the citizens of this
city could and would show their ap-
probation of living in the land of the
free.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
ANGRY BULL ATTACKS Il
NORTH kEENE FARMER
(By Keene CORRESPONDENT

When an angry bull charged down
upon him August Niche of North
Keene escaped fatal accident Friday
by procuring a boand and hitting the
angry animal across the eyes. Miche's
arms and shoulders were badly bruis-
ed before he obtained the board for
defense.
Niche was crossing the field of his
neighbor, Frank Ritterstorf, who lives
on the John King farm, when the
'yearling animal attacked him. He
was almost exhausted when the ami
NAL forced him to the vicinity of the
club, which saved his life. The blow
chanced to fall at just the right place
to daze the animal and allow the man
to escape.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
MEMS CLASS WAS
NICELY ENTERTAlNED

The mems class of the Church of
Christ were entertained at the home Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Harvey Simmons on
the Wheeler Pond farm Monday night.
They took their wives. along, which in
creased the number to twenty-eight.
Beside the social feature of the oc-
casion they made plans and laid out
work for the good of the church.
Before leaving light refreshments
were served and Mr.. and Mrs. Sim
mons were showered with compli-
ments for being excellent entertain
ers.
Harvey Currie took load over
from the city in his automobile and
Mr.. Simmons took couple of loads
in his rig.
Mr.. Simmons has leased the farm
for three years and he has already put
it in fine shape and is getting in a lot
of crops.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
New Baggageman at Station

Alfred Dorman is the new baggage
man at the Pere Marquette station,
taking the place Of Matt Jonas, who
has held the place for the past six or
eight months and handled the busi-
ness very efficiently. Matt concluded
to work the Jonas farm this season
and will get into active operation
there Immediately.
Mr.. Dorman is an old hand at the
business and takes to the work very
deftly. He filled the place here sew
eral years ago and later was in AL
ma and Greenville in the same line OF
work.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
r. SIDNEY WASHBURN
NOW AT GREAT LAKES

F. Sidney Washburn left Grand
Rapids last NThursday morning with
the naval militia reserves and is now
at the Paul Jones training camp at
Great Lakes, Illinois. He donned the
naval uniform Wednesday in Grand
Rapids and was given a few hours
leave of absence in the evening, COM
ing to Belding for a brief visit with
his parents and friends, and returning
to join his comrades to go into train
ing and any service they are called to
do.
Sidney is the son Of Fred A. Wash
burn, superintendent of the Richard
son Silk company, and was the first
of the Belding boys to offer his SER
vice to his country.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
Home From ST. PETERSBURG

Mrs. Laura Clemons arrived home
from st. Petersburg. Florida this
week. She and her brother, Captain
Porter of Grand Rapids spent the
winter there. On arriving in Grand
Rapids she remained a few days to
attend the wedding of her niece, who
was married to Mr.. Ernest Wyman Of
Brunswick, Ohio. Mrs. Clemons en-
joyed the trip and her stay in st.
Petersburg very much.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
WATERWORKS PARK
MADE LARGER BY GIFT

While in Belding this week, A. N.
Belding and his son, Fred, together
with Supt. III. j. Leonard and w. p.
Hetherington, looked over the water
works park and discussed its needs.
AS a result Mr.. Belding advised the
deciding to the city five acres more
land to be used for park purposes and
the papers were made by the Belding
Land and Improvement company. to
give the plot. The additional land is
situated Immediately east of the form
er plot and extends around to the
south. The addition will be cleared
of foreign matter under the direction
of Mr.. Leonard. 1t will add greatly
to the present park and is another
example of the excellent spirit shown
by Mr.. Belding toward his home city.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
Mrs. Harris Bolster Surprised

Mrs. Harry Wilson and children and
Mrs. Amos Bolster of Belding went
to Chadwick Friday to attend a sur
prise party given for Mrs. Harris
Bolster s birthday.
About twenty-five guests were pres
ent. The afternoon passed quickly.
About five o'clock refreshments were
served. All reported good time.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
CORNER STONE LAYING
MAY BE GREAT EVENT

A movement is on foot to have the
laying of the corner stone for the
Belding Memorial library given to the
city by A. N. Belding, featured with
appropriate exercises. If present
plans carry the event will be one Of
the most elaborate ever given here
here appreciate his excellent gift.
ize within a few days when more com
plete information may be given.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
REGISTRATION DAY
WAS SUCCESSFUL
HERE IN BELD|NG
TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY
TWO YOUNG MEN ENROLL TO
SERVE COUNTRY
NAM MOTH CROWD MET
IN PUBLIC MEETING
A. p. Johnson Was Principal Speak
er in Opera House. Home Guard
and Register Men Parade

Except for the drizzling rain every
thing connected with registration and
the demonstration accompanying the
day was most successful. The>men Of
registration age began to fill the
booths early in the day and before FIVE
O'Clock almost all of them had reg
isteredI At night a total of 282 had
signed their cards in the city. The
names OF all the young men are given
below.
At two o'clock parade was formed
headed by the band. Behind them
the members of the home guard were
placed under the direction of w. III.
Helm, who has been drilling them.
Immediately following the guard were
the young men who had registered
during the day. Each man was pro-
vided with khaki badge upon which
was printed in red the letters "U. s.
A." and in black the words, 81 Have
Registered" 81 Will Do My Bit"
These badges were pinned on the
mems coats by Red Cross girls sta
toned at each registration place. The
line of march was from Hotel Belding
west to Broas street, thence back east
to the Belrockton., Again retracing
the marchers came to the opera
house and while the band played to
one side the guard and registered men
marched into the building and took
seats in the front. Red Cross girls,
and students from the school, direct
ed by Miss Sisson, music instructor of
the schools, occupied the platform and
led in the singing of patriotic songs.
III. j. Leonard was chairman of the
meeting and in his Introductory re-
marks for A. p. Johnson, the principal
speaker, he spoke very highly of the
noble manhood this community was
privileged to offer to the country. He
characterized the German nation as
the most dreaded foe of the world and
urged the eXertion of the most ex-
treme measures in quelling the spirit
of destruction rampant under the
kaiser's leadership.
Mr.. Johnson in opening paid high
respect to the people of Belding and
the chairman of the meeting. He
spoke in the most eloquent manner
and held his audience without sound
through a forty-minute talk. A very
warm tribute was paid, by him to
President Woodrow Wilson and he as
serted with emphasis that 1--WE will
fulfill the trust placed In US by God
of liberating the nations from tyran-
ny. Other strong assertions in his
talk were GA nation cannot exist for
itself and by itself. This is a war
citizenship, not bounded by ocean nor
limited to lands or seas. Strange in
fiuences have crept into our govern
ment. The present conscription system
is no shame. 1t is no humiliation to
be asked to register for a, cause such
as we are fighting. The Germans
fear our unity, our millions and our
economic strength, not our guns.''
After Mr.. Johnson had finished
Chas. b. Kelsey was introduced and
spoke regarding the Liberty Bonds as
distinct from plain bonds. He urged
that every man, woman and child
should own bond as their respective
duties.
Following is the registration list
IN Pa1dinn.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06

Mrs. Orrin Beach Of Grand Rapids
was the guest of Mrs. Will Ward, re-
turning home Tuesday.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06

Miss Cora +. Guild, who is teach
ing school in Alma, spent Sunday
with Mr.. and Mrs. Hopwood.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
CITIZENS DISCUSS A
new FACTORY PROJECT

A meeting of the board of COM
merce was held in the city hall this
Wednesday afternoon to discuss the
possibility of securing a motor fac
tory for the city. John G. jenkins
and Arthur b. Johnson, who are ac-
lively interested in the Belding Foun-
dry were present and presented pro-
position whereby going concern
could be brought here. Nothing de-
finite was accomplished except a COM
mittee was appointed to investigate
the proposition at once and report.
If the project is carried 1T will be
necessary for some money TO be
raised locally and also secure build
ing for immediate operations.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
BELDING COUPLE
MARRIED AT IONA

The marriage of Mr.. Murle J. Pal
mer and Miss Sadie b. Reeves took
place in Ionia last Friday.
Mr.. Palmer is the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. George Palmer and he and his
bride viii make their home in this
city. He has position in the Office
of the Belding-Hall company.
The couple went to Ionia last Fri
day and the ceremony was performed
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. ]. +.
Hamilton by Rev. r. b. Chapman.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06

Mr.. and Mrs. A. E. Wilcox of
Aricelyn Minnesota, spent last week
with Mr. and Mrs. M. L.. Osterhout
and Mrs. Matilda Smith; also Mr.. and
Mrs. K. 4. Chapple. Mr.. Wilcox is
the son of Mrs. Pegg, who has been
spending the past few months with
her sister, Mrs. Matilda Smith.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
LYLE Seely Enlisted

Lyle Seeley, who left here several
weeks ago and went to Sayre, Okla
homa to see his father, returned to
Grand Rapids and enlisted. He is
now in training at the Great Lakes
He writes home to his mother that
he is getting to like military life
very much and proposes to go into the
service and assist Uncle Sam in main
tanning the honor Of the country.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06

Don't forget the benefit at the En-
press this week Thursday night, UNI
der the auspices Of the Hospital Guild.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
First Ward:

First Ward:
Glenn Fox.
Ben l.. Harrison.
Clyde Brown.
Jesse Altenburg.
Bert Hillard Taylor.
Edwy Webster.
Leo Delos Russell.
James Madison Farrar.
Leland r. Thompson.
Arthur Temple Waite.
Roy Abner Lypps.
Benjamin Parks.
Winfred Ernest Little.
Albert Norton Salzman.
Herman Hartley Salzman.
William Henry Sower.
Ora William jerks.
Harold Tuttle Brown.
Loyal Eugene Bunce.
Walter Ray Kidd
Ralph Slayton Kidd.
Thomas Richard Hack.
George s. Anthony.
Charles Howard Bashford.
Willis Henry Devault.
Frank John West.
John G.. Wilson.
Walter Harold Emory.
Robert Hal Burris.
Francis j. Wood, Jr.
Harley ID. Osburn.
Leon Arthur Johnson.
Lewis Eli Casner.
Harry Cecil Winans.
Roy Knight.
Harry Lewis Barber.
James Wesley Shippee.
Ray Oberlin.
Lauren Brady.
Edward Ronk.
Mark Henry Bailey.
Leo Belding Richmond.
Guy Leo Hubbard.
Robert Bernard Grow.
Wallie Thomas Helm.
Wellington j. Cameron.
Robert Ross Kelley.
J. Pierson Darling.
Myron Chadwick Moore.
Rem A. Barker.
Roland Lewis Leland.
William Leo Lasky.
Frank Carl Pretzel.
James Earl Richardson.
Myron Grover Virgins.
George Leo Everhart.
Alton l6n p;eS George Elliott
Walter McGregor.
Leo Milo Peterson.
Silas Clark. .e.
CONTINUED on Page Eight
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06

Does it pay to advertise? Ask the
Celrite mamie knows.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06

An ideal newspaper and .
paper with ideals. It's for
and read by all classes.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-06-06
TO T0zDvERTIsERs: !:

The circulation Books
Of the Banner are open to
Inspection at Any r ~