davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
PATRIOTIC MEETING
THURSDAY NIGHT
WAS BIG SUCCESS
JOHN c. KETCHAM, MASTER OF
STATE GRANGE. WAS SPEAK
Err. S1S,5O0 RAISED

The opera house held a large
crowd last Thursday night, called
there b ythe patriotic meeting in the
interests of the Liberty Loan and to
hear John G. Ketcham, master of the
State Grange, inthe excellent address
he made.
The rostrum decorations were fine
with the National colors, President
Wilson's picture occupying a promin-
ent place surmounting an American
eagle in the foreground, the whole
lending an air of inspiration TO patri-
otism, devotion and liberty.
The crowd assembled while the
BeIding band played number OF
patriotic selections. On the platform
with the speaker We're; Henry j..
Leonard, Rev. w. A. Bliss, w. l.. Gus
ser, Mayor f. +. Fales, Fred a.
Washburn, /. L. Hubbell, Brlnton r.
Hall, Samuel Waterman, and X How
ard Hail. the later acting as chair
man of the meeting.
Duncan Kerr was introduced and
in his clear rich voice, accompanied
bv A. ]. Rummler on the piano, sang,
"Mav God Be With Our Boys Keep
the Home Fires Burning and "A
Baby's Prayer at Twilight for the
Daddy Over There" Mr.. Kerr was
given hearty applause after the rem
dition of each song.
In introducing the speaker Mr.. Hall
paid compliment to the large audi
ence for their expression OF patriot
ism and of their evident interest by
the ir presence i'm the work OF win
Ming the war. He stated that our APP
portionment of the bonds to be rals--
ed by Ionia County was $4,000, and
Urged that we be not slackers, but
to meet the situation and assist IN
covering the amount of the Third Lib
erty Loan called for ,by the president
Mr.. Ketcham paid very high com.
pliment to the splendid audience and
especially for the patriotic decora-
tions, stating that at no place where
he had attended meeting had there
been so fine display. He also com,
plimented the Belding Grange and
considered their coming in body
personal one to him. The farmers ne
said are loyal and are getting penind
the big drive for Liberty Loan bonds
in fine shape. Mr.. Ketcham is a
forcnftT speaker and erfthused his
audience with his apt and eloquent
way of clinching his points. He made
it plain that the situation of our
country in the great struggle is OF
vital interest to every American and
that the people must subordinate all
political and religious differences TO
the one thought Of winning the war.
There should be no north, no south
every resource should be brought IN
to play for the one end. He said the
great need now was faith, food, fight
ers and finance.
At the close of his speech Mr.. Hall
and MIR. Hubbell called for subscrip--
tfons to the loan and in very short
time $1S,500 had been pledged. Many
of the bonds being taken by girls in
the silk mills and laoorers inthe fac
tories. The farmers, too, came to the
front with the business men and
manufacturers.
The amounts plesged b ythe loyal
men and women of this community
since the meeting have been generous
and more than sixty thousand dollars
is now reported.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
CARLETON STAlEY
WRITES FROM LONDON

Carlton Staley, son of c. l.. Staley,
a former resident lssre, has been with
the aviation department in England
for some time. He has written a
number of interesting letters to his
Portland relatives The following ex-
tracts are taken from a recent one:s
Everybody writes about the cold
weather back in the states. The
weather here has been ripping as
the English say. The weather has
been very moderate over the western
front.
"We are with a night flying squad
ron. 1t is primarily a home defense
squadron, but it trains pilots for
night bombing. Half of US are on one
night and off the next. l hope we
are not>a bombing squadron when we
go across to France. i was up to
London the first Of the.week on a 4S-
hour pass. There was an air raid on
when went in. The train stopped
just outside the city. / got off and
went in the rest of the way under
ground, in the tubes. / never saw
such jams in all my life. The people
all 60 down there during the air raids.
! was supposed to get into town at
500 in the evening, but it was 1890
before | arrived. Stayed at the Eagle
Hut Y, on the Strand. It's just like
home. Nice beds and meals, with
billiard tables and concerts. 1t was
sure a treat / talked with fellows
just back from the front, also fell
low who came over on the Tuscania.
l saw a good deal of the city. Was
by the kings palace, and the parlia-
ment building"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
.BL|MO|MG RAIN
AND MUD CAUSES
LOWELL ACCIDENT
ED. WILSON'S AUTOMOBILE, OC-
CUPIED BY j. nj. LANGSTON
AND PARENTS DAMAGED

Ed. III. Wilson suffered a damaged
automobile tire, a broken running
board and fender and jammed hub
cap last Wednesday as the result of
an accident near the village limits Of
Lowell. Mr.. Wilson with j. M. Lang
ston had driven to Hastings in the
morning, taking with them the lat
ter's brother and wife, who had been
in Belding during the sickness and
death Of Mrs. j. M. Langston. Re-
turning to Belding was Mr.. Lang
ston's aged parents, who were coming
here to keep the home intact until
permanent arrangements are made.
Wilson was driving out of Lowell
along the river where the bank is
high and is guarded by strong raih
ing. When about three blocks from
Main street he was struck a broad
side blow by a Ford car, owned and
driven by Robert B. Boylan, and APP
preaching at about twenty miles an
hour. Boylan was .riving onto the
main street from side street. AS
he neared the street intersection he
noticed a mudhole and turned out off,
side to miss it. As a result he struck
the Wilson car.
1t is probable that Boylan would
have plunged over the bank and into
the river had he not collided with the
Wilson car. The latter machine.
which is a Roe-six, was thrown
against the railing and a telephone
pole, which luckily stood directly be-
tween the road and the bank. Wilson
was driving at about eight miles an
hour and Immediately set his brakes
when he saw the Boylan car rounding
the corner. The binding rain pre-
vented either driver from seeing dis
tinctly. Boylan's car was damaged
to the extent of a battered lamp, run
ming board, fender and completely de-
molished front wheel and tire.
Boylan, who is Civil war veteran.
took the entire blame for the acci-
dent and offered to pay for all the
repairs to Wilson's car. 1t was nee
essary to return to garage for re<
pairs before coming on to Belding.
The elder Mr.. and Mrs. Langston
are in feeble health and the accident
excited them some. Neither of them
had ridden in an automobile for three
or four years.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
5TH DISTRICT w. C. T. U.
CONVENTION AT G. R.

The forty-fourth annual convention
of the fifth district Of Michigan viii
convene at Westminster Presbyter-
ian church on Island and LaGrave-sts.
Grand Rapids, Tuesday and Wednes-
day, April 80 and May /.
A splendid jubilee program has
been arranged and large delegation
is expected and arrangements made
for.
The session will begin at 9:15 Tues
day and it is hoped that all delegates
may be present at opening and stay
until the closing number.
The address of the convention will
be given Wednesday evening by Mrs.
+. L. Calkins; state president A
band will assist in the jubilation.
Patriotism, suffrage and victories will
be features of each meeting.
Send your delegates, dues and re-
ports.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
PAT MCCOY AT
THE NJ. E. CHURCH

Everything points to big meeting
and full house at the NJ. E. church
on Friday evening when Pat Mccoy
vill speak there under the auspices
OF the Knights of Pythias Lodge. Mr..
Mccoy is putting in good work help
ing to win the war. He spoke In
Manistee recently and the press of
that city says:
Mccoy won his hearerssbecause he
just talked-had something to say
and said it. Despite the horrors he
has lived through he has an unquench-
able fund of humor, which makes his
audience laugh at the plight of the
Tommies yet at the same time drives
home with telling effect the almost
unbelievable heroism shown under in
tense suffering when the allies stop
ped the Hun hordes in 1914 and 1915.
'He gave one of the most impress
sive and telling addresses on the war
and war conditions that Manistee has
heard or is likely TO hear. Nobody
could attend that talk and not know
what we are fighting for and against.
MCCOY had gone over as publicity
man for the British government for
the purpose of gathering information
about the atrocities perpetrated by
the Huns. What he saw was so hor-
rible that he dropped his publicity job
and volunteered to help put down
atrocities instead Of Just showing
them up. Now that he has been dis
abled, he is over here to put on that
publicity campaign that he interrupt
ed b yenlisting His helpless, dang
ling left arm is in itself proof of the
dirty work of the Boches, for it was
permanently crippled by an explosive
that civilized nations have agreed not
To llse in war"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
IS FIELD
WHERE WAR MUST
Be FINALLY WON
FOUR BUSINESS FIRMS OF
BELDING MAKE AN APPEAL
FOR ALL TO BUY BONDS

"This War Must Be Fought on Eu-
ropean Soil," is the strong live fact
treated this week in the large adver-
tisement of the +. j. Knapp Com
pany, Citizens Light Company, Spen-
GER Electric Light and Power Com
pany and the Belding Basket Com
pany. These four companies have
gladly contributed toward large
space to tell the hundreds of Banner
readers the dire necessity of buying
Liberty Bonds Of the Third issue. The
appeal from these firms is chuck full
of facts and should be read by every
Banner reader before he lays the
paper down.
No better evidence of ultimate vic
tory for the United States and our
Allies can be shown than the fact
that business firms of all kinds are
standing firmly behind the govern
ment by boosting the sale Of bonds
and other necessary things for carry
ing on the war. A united people in
the right will win. Buy your bond
now
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
Mary NJ. Sharks Dead

The remains of Mary M. Sparks
were brought here from Grand Rap
ids Sunday and the funeral was held
at the home of her son, VIM. Sparks,
Monday, with burial in the Marble
cemetery. Rev. p. r. Norton officiat-
ed.
Mrs. Sparks was ninety-four year
old and was born November 27, 1923
at Oakorchard Greek, New York
state. She was the daughter of
Benz. and Sabrina Covert, and was
one of fourteen children. The early
part Of her life was spent at Crooked
Lake, seven miles from Lake On
tario. When % years Of age she came
to Michigan with her parents. They
then settled in Ionia county. Keene
township.
In 1916 she was married to William
Sparks. and they settled in Keene.
The children are William N. Sparks,
Smyrna; Myron E. Sparks, Mrs. May
III. Carter, BENJAMIN G. Sparks,
Mercy f. Hare, Stephen b. Sparks,
Nettie M. Cannon, Ophelia 4. Stokes,
Peter ID. Sparks and Chauncey L.
Sparks.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
WHY THE WOMEN
ARE TO REGISTER
Ten Reasons Given For the Move
ment. Women of Belding Will
Register, April 27

That there may be a very clear un-
derstanding of the purposes of the
registration of women for war SER
vice, to be made by the Woman's Com
mittee michigan Division) Council of
National Defense, the following state
ment Of the objects of registration
has been given out by the Woman's
COMMITTEES:
/. To give every woman an oppor-
tunity to offer to her country such
service as she is best fitted to render.
2. To interpret to the government
the possibilities Of the woman power
8. To furnish accurate informa-
tion to the government of the capaci-
ties in which women are now serving,
whether in their own homes or in paid
pursuits, trades or professions.
4. To have in every community
lists of women carefully classified
who are willing to be called upon for
trained or unframed service to the
state or to the nation.
5. To ascertain which women are
available for service outside the
home; and which are not.
g.. To list the women who wish to
take training in order to give more
efficient service.
z. To be able to furnish women
for salaried positions, whether in gov
ernment service or not.
8. To be able to place women who
can volunteer their services in posi-
tions of usefulness IN many fields.
3. To have a registry Of the ca
pacities and training of women of the
country as the basis of the work of
the Woman's Committee of the Coun-
ell Of National Defense.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
TWO CITY PROPERTIES
SOLD THROUGH LITTLE

Andrew Johnson has purchased the
Clarence Hoyt property on South
Bridge-st. The deal was closed the
latter part of last week and Johnson
took immediate possession. Mr.. and
Mrs. Hoyt are comfortably located in
New Philadelphia, Ohio, having gone
there last fall.
George Showers of st. Louis has
purchased the N. White property on
North Bridge-st. White now lives
at New Lathrop. Showers formerly
lived here and contemplates residing
in the city again.
Both deals were consummated
through w. E. Little Of the real es-
tate department of Sandell's Bank.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
WILL CONKlIN
DIES IN LOWELL

Will Conklin died Friday at his
home in Lowell of pneumonia, after
an illness Of only week, aged forty
two years. He was the son of Mrs.
Miles Wood of 236 North Lewis-st.,
this city, and moved from Belding to
Lowell about three years ago. He
resided here for twelve years and
worked for the Belding-Hall Com
pany.
The remains will be brought here
Thursday, and the funeral will be
held at the Church of Christ Satur-
day at two o'clock p. M, in charge of
the Oddfellows of which order he
was member. Mr. Conklin was Also
a member of the Loyal Order of
Moose.
Besides his wife he leaves two sons,
Merle and Dale Conklin.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
Registration of Women and
Clean Up Week

Governor Sleeper has issued a
proclamation asking all women to
register. 1t is a war measure au-
thorized by the Federal Govern
ment and Mayors Fales wishes to
ask the hearty cteperation of all
the women of Belding. Registra-
tion begins Saturday, April 9th.
Mayor +. +. Fales has designat-
ed week Of April 10Th to May A
as Cleanup Week. Let every citi-
zen in Belding cooperate and re-
move all rubbish and in its stead
plant flowers or grass.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
REV. G. TATE
AT CONGO. CHURCH

Rev. j. G. Tate and wife of Port
land, Oregon, are the guests of her
sister, Mrs. Albert Cusser. They ex-
pect to remain here for visit of sew
eral weeks. Mr.. Tate is Congrega-
tional minister of that city and has
been connected with church work as a
pastor for number of years. He has
also given some time to the lecture
platform and his sermons and lectures
are of very high order.
While here Mr.. Tate has consented
to occupy the pulpit of the Congrega-
tional church each Sunday morning
and evening and win give his first
sermon next Sunday. On several oc-
casions he has preached to our peo-
pie and they will be very pleased to
hear him again.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
BACHELOR & BROWN
CLOSING OUT SALE

The stock aad -fxtuT<s. Of the Bat
chelor & Brown Grocery store are
now being sold at special closing out
prices. 1t is necessary to do this to
close the estate of the late George W.
Brown. Everything in the store is
being priced far below the, regular
price; many articles being listed at
less than the present wholesale prices.
1t will pay householders to purchase
thirty days supply of groceries and
standard goods offered at this sale.
The special prices begin tomorrow
(Thdrsday) and some OF the special
sale offesingr are quoted in large
advertisement on another page of the
Banner.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
CASH BUYERS UNION
OPENS GROCERY IN
SMITH PROPERTY
]. E. TUPPER is PRES, E. SHAW
LEY TREAS, AND J. f. SOUD-
ERS, SEC'Y. OF COMPANY

An organization known as the Cash
Buyers Union has been formed in
Belding and a grocery store has been
opened in the Henry Smith property
on North Bridge street. The new
business was opened Tuesday, al
though the initial stock has not yet
all arrived. Mr.. Smith will have
charge of the store and operate it for
the company. He will be open even
ings. The plan is cash and carry.
The company is organized under
the state law with j. r. Upper,
president; J. +. Souders, secretary
and Ernest Shawley treasurer. The
stockholders are numerous making it
really cooperative institution. On
another page of the Banner is the
stores announcement.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
Arbor Day Proclamation

of
of policy
of with
rhomes rschoo
this general that The need
Allies OF vegetables raised
little
rmatte
STEM RUST other
somein
Ma Garden
of
the sruction o
Lord thousand hundred and eighteen and the
Commonwealth the eightysecond
he
COLEMAN C. VAUGHAN,
o
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
DID YOU READ PAGE EIGHT
OF the LAST BANNER

Because of our deep loss and ber-
eavement at Mrs. Langston's death,
mention Of >the most excellent ap--
peal for Liberty Loan buying, of
George G.. Crawford was inadvertent-
ly left out of the Banner last week.
As a partial amend for this short
coming we wish to call the attention
of Banner readers to the large Lib
erty Bond advertisement paid for by
him in last weeks issue. 1t was on
page eight and was no doubt entire
fy read by everyone. Mr.. Crawford
is a patriot.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
LEND HIM A HAND
WILL YOU LEND YOURS

Will you "Lend Him Hand?v F.
H. Hudson, HI. A. Lamb and E. Z.
Hudson, three of the city's grocers,
are asking you this pointed question.
Your hand-my hand is needed to win
the victory so necessary to the ma
tons life. Besides being an appeal
the discussion of this question is edu-
cational to you. Find the appeal un-
der the above heading and read what
these three-grocers have to say about
lending a hand.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
Food Conseryation Exhibit

The Food Conservation' exhibit con-
Quoted In the Holmes block on West
Mails Main-st, ; tuesday afternoon r, and lived Wed
ed. Many Of the ladies of the city
carried pencils and paper and took
down the recipes for food products
shown. These recipes will be print
ed in the Banner next week.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24

Mrs. NJ. ]. Conklin Is not worrying
any now about having spending
money for next Christmas and some
besides to make her friends a
Christmas present if necessary.
Mrs. Conklin started a bank ac-
count in a Christmas club December
at one of the local banks, after read
ing an advertisement in the Banner
and she has added to the account by
systematic banking of small
amounts until she has to her credit
800.
Next Christmas week the amount
will come back to her with interest.
She believes she is the first to regis
ter on the books the full amount she
set out to bank and certainly is en-
titled to much credit fro her fore
sight and thrift.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
Boys Working Reserve
dr. Farmers:

Mr.. Farmer:
During the shortage of labor neces-
sary for carrying on. your farming
operations, your attention is called to
the u. S. Boys Working Reserve and
its readiness TO cooperate to supply
the demand.
If you are in need of such help
please fill out the following blank and
mail to Y. M. G. A. Secretary Lee
Hartwell, Ionia, Mich. M
Nafne 1890. ...S.. .....
township ...s-..... - $500. ......
Nearest Town. ...s......,...
Postoffice Address.
Nearest r. X. Station. ............ :.
| probably can use.
boy or boys, Is to 21 years of age,
whom l shall need.
date.
/ am willing to pay. ..... dollars
per week with board
In consideration Of the service they
are to render me, / shall be glad To-
cooperate with them in their efforts
to succeed and will be patient and
considerate of them. I realize that
their presence on my farm will be
indicative of the patriotism they pos
sess and therefor deserving of the
amount Of patriotic effort on my part
to build of them fine, outstanding citi-
zens eqipped for the mans job which
of necessity they must now shoulder.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24

M. l.. Willoughby improved the ap-
pearance of his jewelry store front
last week by replacing the old latter
ed awning with new one. The. ad-
dition is decided improvement. In
placing IL Mr.. Willoughby was re-
minded that canvas costs real money
now.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24

Arthur j. Reed left Saturday for
his home in Saranac for a brief visit
before going to Columbus (Ohio) bar
racks. Mr.. Reed is enlisting in the
ordnance department. He has been a
valuable teacher in the local schools
and will be greatly missed.
A farewell reception was given Mr..
Reed by the high school scholars and
a number of his friends in Millard
hall Monday night. Refreshments
were served and those who cared to
join in the merry dance did SO. The
occasion was pleasant one for all.
On one night last week the teachers
gave him a farewell at the second
ward school building, where he was
presented with fine wrist watch.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
BELDING BROS. & CO.
SUBSCRIBE $3.50. 900

Belding Bros. e. Co, of New York
have subscribed for s250,000 of the
Third Liberty Loan bonds. The sub
scription was made through the Silk
Association of America and is Credit
ed to the districts in which the COM
pany's mills are located. IL is ac-
curately ascertained that $4,000 of
this amount will be credited to the
local mills to apply on the quota for
Belding city.
This is another evidence Of the
spirit of Belding Bros. & Company to
always do things right.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24

All members of the victorie Re-
bekah Lodge No. 60 are requested to
meet at their hall Thursday evening,
April 25 at 1880 sharp.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24

The Ladies' Social Circle Will bold
baked goods sale in Skellenger's
store, Saturday afternoon, beginning
at one o'clock.--Adv.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24
Registration

The registration for women will
open Saturday, April 9th and con-
tinue to May 4th at the following
time and places: High school; second
ward, Ellis school, Cranmer's store
on north side; Chapman q Strunk's,
South Bridge-st., city hall and the
Ashfield, Belrockton and Richardson
boarding houses, for those residing
there.
Time: Saturdays from 9 a. m. to
5 d. m. at all places; through the
weeks, 3 to 5 p. m. at the school
houses; city hall. 1 to 2 p. M; Gran
mer's and Chapman & Strunk's, / to
s; boarding houses, $3.50 to 8 p. m.
Do not neglect to register; your gov
ernmcnt asks il of YOU =
See reasons why you should regis
ter and other articles on the subject
in this issue.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24

Mr.. and Mrs. Glenn Cooper are re-
joicing over the birth of q fine daugh-
ter, born Sunday, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Leon Christie also daughter, We'd
nesday morning.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-04-24

Mrs. Clarence Packard Is visiting
with relatives in Greenville today.
Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1918-01-03
NOT BARNES FROM
SLOAN SPRINGS
Two Brothers Here to Clear Up
Report that Either Was
Man Who Stole the
PhOnOgraph

Paul B. Barnes and his brother,
Lee Barnes, two young men who are
working in restaurants at Picher,
were in Baxter Sunday for the pur-
pose of establishing the fact that
neither of them is the man, who cal
led himself Lyman Harry Barnes, and
who stole a phonograph and en-
bezzled money from j. w. Grantham,
also to prove that the man who did
the crooked work does not live in ST.
loan Springs, Ark, and is not the son
of DR.. ]. F. Barnes Of that city. Paul
and Lee Barnes are the sons of DR..
Barnes. They have been in and
and around Baxter Springs for sever
al months and both bear clean re-
cords, and naturally disliked having
the stigma hanging over them that
the present rotoriety has caused.