davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1918-04-19
Give Your Little Ones
An Interest in the Future

hands bonds Of their government.
They will be for them inspiring eu.
dence that their fathers planned sac
ri6ced and invested for their sons
future. Liberty Bonds will mean
more to them than money. They
will make them proud of the fathers
who in Americas day of great need
proved themselves true American
patriots.
Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1918-04-19

For all information regarding
freight and passenger service call at
the ONCE Of the company, Lundburg
building. or phone 131 for same.
Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1918-04-19
To RENT

PARTLY FURNISHED cottage for
rent. so feet from pavement. also
unfurnished cottage on pavement.
IS per month. Inquire A. z voor-
hies. 92tf
Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1918-04-19
"0ver the Top"
By An American Soldier
Who Went
ARTHUR GUY EnPEY
Msshins Guam" Ss,eins IN F'ssss
SYNOPSIS.
Msshias Guam" svoins IN F'ssss

.ces,a.a. lsli. y A'sls' os' s-s-s'
Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1918-04-19

.ney are your hold on the future,
and America is fighting to make their
future safe. They are too little to
realize this now-but some day must
learn to reverence the traditions Of
America. the ideals Of America, the
great cause for which the men Of
their fathers day gave their lives.
Be ready then to put in their
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
MOST WILL RETURN
All Teachers in Schools Offered Bet
ter Contracts for Next Year.

While the list of teachers for the
public schools this coming year will
not be available for few weeks yet,
it is certain that most Of those who
have been teaching here this past
year will return again next year, con
tracts having been signed by most Of
the instructors.
While few of the teachers will
leave. there are still one or two who
are expected to return, who have not
yet signed up their contracts for the
coming year 1t is expected that
these one or two exceptions will have
their contracts turned in. signed, be-
fore many days have passed.
II is understood that each and ev-
cry one Of the teachers in the Alma
public schools has been offered con-
tract for the coming year which calls
for $4,000 more than the contract
of the present school year Good
work on the part Of the instructors
is one of the reasons for the boost
in salary for the coming year and an
oIhei - Vnt SldiIlllS snoIldBe VI
good instructors. Many of the in
structors in the schools of the state
have been young men who have been
caught in the draft and are now in
the army, or are liable for service un-
der the selective service laws. so that
there is no certainty that they would
be available in another year 1t has
resulted in an increased demand for
instructors which has bad much to
do with salary boosting, to a figure
more near comparable with the re-
suits which are expected to be achiev-
ed with the youngsters Of America,
whose future is really being moulded
by these instructors.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
BIG EDITION
Records Industrial Issue Will Appear
April 25.

The industrial issue of the Alma
Record will appear Thursday, April
25th, and if hard work will turn the
trick, this issue promises to be the
finest industrial issue on the city of
Alma which has ever come from the
presses of a newspaper
Every effort will be made to touch
every phase of the city's life, indus
trial, financial. social, etc.
The Alma Record of that week will
he much larger than usual, and will
contain number of extra pages, ex-
clusively devoted to the interests of
the city. Several thousand papers
will be printed that week, as the
Record believes that there will be a
great demand for extra papers. Or
ders for the industrial issue should
be placed early,
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
WIN IN ORATORY
AND OECALMAT|ON
High School Takes Both Ends of
Sub District Contest for the
First Time.

At the annual sub-district orator
ical and defamation contest held at
the local high school auditorium Fri
day night the representatives of AL
ma high school, in both of these con
tests won first honors and as a re-
suit VIII represent the sub district
at the district contests 70 be held in
the near future. Miss Helen Mason
won the contest for Alma high school
IN the oratorical contest and Miss
Madge Johnson woa the honors in
the defamation contest.
The other schools represented in
the sub-district contest were Ithaca.
Breckenridge and Elsie. In the dec
lamation contest Elsie won second
honors and Ithaca tucked away the
third place. In the oratorical con
test the Ithaca representative won the
second honors.
Miss Madge Johnson in her decla-
nation, "The Stricken South show
ed much natural ability and was cas-
lily the superior of the three other
contestants for the honor, there new
er being a doubt in the minds of the
audience as to the outcome.
Miss Helen Mason in her grafton.
THE Battle Line of Democracy" won
an unusual and also highly a crafty
ing victory, when she was awarded
every first from the Judges of the
contest, both in thought and in COM
position, and also in delivery.
This years sub-district contest IS
believed to be the first in which Alma
has won both the defamation and
oratorical contests. and judging from
the very evident superiority of the
Alma contestants. the local school
will make a strong bid for the honors
in both contests at the district con-
test.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
GRIFFIN, CONVICTED,
LET OFF EASILY
Placed on Probation by Judge
Brown but Must Make Good
on Sum EmbeZZled.

William G. Griffin, one time man
ager of the Alma Grain & Lumber
company Of this city, who was ar
rested last fall charged with embez-
element Of funds from this company
I'd was convicted on this charge less
than two weeks ago. was let down
easily by Judge Brown in circui;
court Thursday, and il is now up to
Griffin as TO whether or not he will
serve time.
1t is understood that Griffin will be
on probation for the next five years
and that he is required to pay back
to the Alma Grain 4 Lumber com
pany the sum of money which was
embezzled from the concern He is
also required, it is said, to pay the
costs of the trial
Judge Brown Of Saginaw presided
in this case for Circuit Judge f. J
Moinet, and gave the decision some
six days after Griffin had been found
guilty at the hands of a jury in circuit
court
Many people were rather surprised
that Griffin got off so easily, follow
ing his conviction on the charge
which had been made against him,
bat it is believed that the fact that
Griffin is now making good in Grand
Rapids, had much to do with the de-
cision Of the Judge, as did the family
of the defendant
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11

Red Cross Work in Schools is New
Feature

Persons who are not directly inter-
not be aware of the fact that teach
ers and pupils have made some con
tributions to the Red Cross and re-
lated war activities. The teachers
have heard the appeals and in addi-
tion to attending to the regular
school duties, have at no little sacri-
flee, given their time and efforts to
this worthy cause.
Among the contributions are Jun
Tor Red Cross membership fees
amounting to $l23.25. The high
school domestic art department has
made Sc wristlets, 759 congresses,
bandages and eye-wipes. The Athe.
ma society Of the high school has con-
tributed 10 sweaters, scarfs, $
wristlets, and 1000 gun-wipes. The
manual training department has made
1873 needles, and in addition the boys
have made 30 more for home pur-
poses
At the present time the superin-
tendent and teachers are vigorously
promoting the sale of thrift stamps
which has already reached large pro-
portions. Pupils from the third TO the
eighth grades inclusive are devoting
a portion of every Thursday after
noon TO sewing garments intended
for the Belgians
Melting pots have been placed in
the union school, the proceeds from
which will materially increase the
Red Cross fund. The Athena society
of the high schoo; presented on
Wednesday evening of this week,
Rosemary" the proceeds, amount
ing to $ were placed in the Red
Cross fund. Sometime in May, the
high school chorus will present "The
Nautical Knot" for tht benefit of the
Red Cross fund
Spring athletics, base ball and
track. in the high school have been
abolished in order that the boys may
devote more time to gardening and
agricultural pursuits. Brief speeches
have been made by superintendent
and principal in an endeavor to en-
list the boys services in this work.
The activities mentioned above in.
dicate what has been done, and what
is being done. New responsibilities
will be assumed by our schools with
spirit Of patriotic devotion as they
present themselves.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
WORKING RESERVE
Encouraging Reports are Coming in
From County on Boys Reserve

Encouraging reports are coming in
regarding the Boys Working Reserve
Breckenridge and Wheeler schools
report every eligible boy enrolled.
Mr.. Pullman Tayler held an enroll
ing meeting at Elwell last week and
the boys took their enrolling cards
and most of them have brought them
back and received their certificates
B. c. Hubble, enrolling officer for st
Louis is planning an enrolling meet
ing for next week.
Jotham Allen, who Is acting as en-
rolling officer for Alma and vicinity
is enrolling the Alma boys. He is
showing his interest in production
and faith in the boys to help by as
sisting some Of the other enrolling Of.
ficers with their boys.
Ithaca, Riverdale, North Star, Per.
rinton. and other points report boys
enrolling.
It is quite evident that Gratiot
county boys are realizing the need
for food and are lining up to do their
best to feed the Allies. In other
words they are patriotic.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
STARTS MONDAY
Epler Murder Case Set to Start Next
Monday in Circuit Court.

The Epler murder case which has
been hanging fire since the arrest of
Albert Eichorn of Ithaca, John F.
Brennan of Flint, and Inez Johnson
Of Alma. in December, charged with
completely in the death of Miss Bea-
trice Epler on the night of Septem
ber 4th, is due to start Monday in the
circuit court, unless the unforeseen
takes place.
The case of Eichorn will be the
first taken up. This case was up a
month ago, and at that time on the
representations of the attorneys for
the defense that some highly inn
portant witnesses were i'll, it was laid
over until April 18th. At the same
time a change of venue was denied
the defense.
IL is rumored that the attorneys in
the case are ready to start the trial
this coming week.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
SCHOOLS HAVING
THRIFT CAMPAIGN
Thousands of Thrift Stamps
Being Sold in Public Schools
This Week.
CAMPAIGN STARTED MONDAY
Union School Building Reported Thir
teen Hundred and Ninety Sales
of Stamps.

a Thrift Stamp campaign is being
earnestly waged in the Alma public
schools this week and it is expected
that before the week Is over that the
youngsters of Alma will have added
several hundred dollars to the great
sum which is being loaned to the gov
ernment in its efforts to down the
Hun terror.
So far this week the campaign has
been devoted TO the ward schools and
the lower grades, and a great major
ity Of the young children of the pub
lie schools have availed themselves
of the opportunity to purchase thrift
stamps, to aid their government and
also start the savings habit.
The campaign has been the out
growth of the work of the instruct
ors in the various grades, and in nu-
merous eases, with the parents of the
pupils who have urged them to avail
themselves of the opportunities which
thrift savings stamps offer
The thrift stamp campaign was
opened in the Alma high school this
morning, it being held up in the
high school because of the shortage
of thrift stamp cards, which were not
made available until today.
Fifty dollars worth of thrift stamps
taken to the high school today were
quickly taken up by the pupils and It
is very evident that a great many
more dollars worth of thrift stamps
will be used in the high school ere
the campaign is brought TO close.
No figures are available on which
to base an estimate of the total
amount which has so far been invest
ed in thrift stamps in the public
schools. but the Alma Record hopes
that in another week it will be able
to give the exact sales from the cam
paign.
Figures given out just as the Rec
ord was about to go to press show
that up to last night 1890 thrift
stamps have been sold already in the
union school, this being S34750 worth
of Uncle Sans stamps. and is just
part Of the message that the public
school students of Alma are sending
TO Kaiser Wilhelm.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
SCHOOL DISTRICT
ELECTION MONDAY
Voters Will BE Asked to Give
$4,000 for New Ward School
for the City of Alma.

A meeting of the voters Of the
school district has been called by the
school board to be held in the audi
torium of the high school Monday
evening, April 10. at which time the
voters legally entitled to vote on
such matters will be asked to vote to
raise $4,000 for the proposed new
ward school
The needs of such school have
been set up before the public time
and again during the course of the
year in the columns of the Alma Rec
ord, the great increases in the num-
ber Of pupils in the schools being the
vital factor which makes the new
school necessary.
Attention has not, however. been
directed very strongly to the fact
that the assembly room in the city
hall is being used as class room for
a couple OF lower grades, a place i'll
suited for the needs of a school, and
one where great deal more danger
must lurk for the little fellows, morn
ing, noon and night and at recess,
when their only play ground is the
street directly in front of the city
hall, where autos. trucks, and wag-
ons are constantly going in one di-
rection or the other The city coun-
ell has called attention to this fact
and has deplored the situation which
makes it necessary to use this room,
in the city hall, for school room.
The building which is being sought
by the school board is good, modern
fifeproof structure, which will be a
source OF pride to the citizens of AL
ma, and which at the same time will
be large enough to take care of the
school children of this rapidly growing
community, for some years to come,
before it will be found necessary to
build again, unless Alma has a still
greater boom than she has had during
the past few years.
The plans of the structure are on
display in the windows of Murphy 5
drug store. where those interested
in the matter, may view them and
gain good idea of the proposed new
structure.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
TOO MUCH SMITH.
Little Else Can be Found on Next
Alma City Council

Too much Smith, is what it looks
like when one casts his eye over the
list Of aldermen elected to serve the
city of Alma this coming year
Out of eight aldermen on the coun-
ell only three Of them will be Smiths.
First there is Mr.. Ezra l.. Smith, al
dcrman from the first ward. elected
for the first time, after having been
appointed to fill a vacancy last term.
Then we have with us, Mr.. Frank r.
Smith, alderman of the second ward,
truly democratic like the ward from
which he halls. Next in order comes
Mr.. A. r. Smith, alderman from the
third ward, like the other two Smiths.
elected to Office for the first time.
Judging from the looks Of things
the fourth ward was overlooked when
the Smiths were passed around II
has no Alderman Smith.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
MARRIED SATURDAY
Popular Alma Girl Weds Big Rap
ids Man Here Saturday.

Miss Bethel Cummings, well known
Alma young lady. was united in mar
riage Saturday afternoon at four o.
clock, at the home of her parents, on
Woodwork avenue, TO Mr. Arthur +
Price of Big Rapids.
The wedding was quiet affair, only
a very few intimate friends and the
relatives of the couple being present
when Rev. Duffy said the words which
united their lives.
They left on the 4:50 Pere Mar
quette train for Grand Rapids where
they We're guests of Mrs. Prices rel
atives over Sunday Monday they
went to Big Rapids. wnere they arc
now at home TO their numerous
friends.
Mrs. Price for the past few years
has been in the employ of Rowland
& Johnson. in the capacity of clerk
She has been highly efficient there
and greatly widened her already large
circle Of friends in this vicinity. She
is graduate Of the local high school
Mr.. Price two years ago was the
reporter and advertising man on the
Alma Record and is now engaged
with the Big Rapids Pioneer as an ad-
vertising man, where he is meeting
with marked success.
The Record joins their many friends
in extending congratulatiol or a
bright and prosperoG elture
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
WHO VOTES
Who May Vote on School Question
Monday Night.

Because of a large number Of in
quiries the school board has asked
that list of those qualified to vote
on the new school proposition Monday
night be given. The qualifications
follow:
A person must be . citizen of the
u. S., be twenty-one Years of age. and
a resident of the district for AT least
three months prior TO the time of
voting, and in addition they must be
owners Of real or personal property
assessed for school purposes in the
district; electors who own property
assessed for school taxes may vote
taxes.
Where husband and wife own prop
erty jointly. which is taxed for sch ool
purposes. both NAV votg u otherwise
qualified.
Purchasers Of land on contract. who
pay taxes on the land and live there
on may vote IL otherwise qualified
Soldiers and soldiers widows, ex-
empt from taxes cannot vote unless
parents or guardians Of children on
census list
Members of a corporation or stock
company are not considered individual
tax payers. Payment of dog tax is
not a qualification. The citizenship
of a wife is determined by the citizen
ship of husband. If he is not a cit
izen, she is not.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
PATRIOTIC MEETINGS
Numerous Patriotic Meetings Being
Held i'm County.

Patriotic meetings are being held
at various places over the county
Local men are giving talks on tbs
Third Liberty Loan, Production and
Conservation, Boys Working Reserve
and other patriotic subjects.
Thursday, March %, lothian Allen
and Blaine Curtis talked on produc-
ton and the Boys Working Reserve
at Elwell. sThe local church was well
filled and besides the talks short
program Of music provided by Elwell
people was enjoved by all.
Thursday, April 4th, Mr. Washburn
Prof. King. O. l.. Smith and Blaine
Curtis were out TO New Haven Center
Will Traub, local enrolling officer for
the Boys Working Reserve, acted as
chairman. Although some of the
farmers had begun their spring work
a goodly number came out
j. n. Mccall and Rev Roberts were
at Sumner Friday evening where they
talked to crowded house
VIM. Bahlke, Jotham Allen and J.
w Robinson were at Riverdale Satur-
day evening. The local band played
a number of pieces which helped col
lect the people in the hall w. +.
Swope, enrolling officer for the Boys
Working Reserve, acted as chairman.
Mr. Allen talked ON Production, Mr..
Bahlke on the Third Liberty Loan,
Mr.. Robinson reported on the cam
paign's progress .and Blaine Curtiss
explained the Boys Working Reserve
Forest Hill, Sickles North Star and
other points will be reached in this
way.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
TELEPHONE CO.
MERGER STOPPED
Injunction Served on Union and
Bell Telephone Companies
by Valley Company.
TO AFFECT THIS SECTION
Merger When Made Will Make One
System in Gratiot and Adjoining
Counties.

Plans of the Union Telephone com
pany and the Michigan State Tele-
phone company, as this portion of the
Bell system is known, to merge in
Gratiot and other central Michigan
counties has been indefinitely held up
and delayed by an injunction secured
by the Valley City Telephone COM
pany of Saginaw, the Independent
company operating in that city.
The plans of these two companies
have been going on for about two
years and it had been expected that
the proposition would be put through
within the next few wee:,s, when the
injunction was slapped up against
them and called a halt in the pro
ceedings, which will hold up the mer-
ger for time at least.
The Union and Bell interests had a
petition ready to file with the state
railroad commission seeking permis-
sion to exchange and purchase Ger
tain of NE exchanges and toll lines in
several of the central Michigan coun-
ties. The deal would have merged
the interests Of the two companies
through this district and made just
one telephone system.
1t is understood that the deal to be
made would transfer from the Bell
system to the Union, all of its ex-
changes in portions of Mecosta, lsa
bella, Montcalm, Gratiot, Saginaw,
Ionia, Clinton and Shiwassee counties
where the Union Telephone company
now operates. The deal would place
with the Union company approx
mately $500 telephone stations and
750 miles of toll lines. With this
addition the Union Telephone COM
pany would operate about $4,000 sta
tions and $500 miles of toll lines.
The Union company also desires TO
sell and exchange with the Bell COM
pany all of its exchanges, toll lines
and toll stations in Clare, Midland,
Bay and Genesee counties. The Bell
company would buy approximately
/. 800 telephone stations and 275 miles
of toll circuit The Union company
would pay to the Bell company Sl26,
600 in addition to the property which
il would turn over TO the Bell COM
pany for its property.
If the deal goes through eventually,
as is expected, subscribers on either
Bell or Union lines would be able to
get direct connection with all of the
lines operated by the two companies,
as well as any other lines in this
country or Canada.
Seen here the fore part Of the week
General Manager w. j Melchers Of
the Union Telephone company, stated
that, while the injunction had tied
matters up for the present, there was
little question but what it would final
ly be ironed out and the deal 20
through. He also stated that S22,-
900 switchboard has already been
purchased for the combined office
that the company will have in this
city when the deal goes through. He
also stated that much more material
had been purchased with the expecta-
tion that the deal would be closed
shortly as the injunction had not been
looked for.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11
POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT

wish 10 announce that | will be a
candidate on the Republican ticket
at the August primary election for
the nomination of Register of Deed
Thanking you in advance for your
support am
Sincerely yours,
37-2t. Bird j. Tucker.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11

Coming soon, Benjamin Chaplin IL
"The Son Of Democracy Idlehour.
adv.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11

"Huck and Tom" n; the Idlehour.
tonight. friday adv.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-04-11

Eat Victory Bread its good to
eat. 36-it-c. NJ.
The Seward gateway daily edition, and the Alaska weekly post., 1918-01-21

The train will leave on scheduled time tomorrow morning, g o'clock, for Mile g.