davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
CITY BIRTHS OF
THE YEAR EXCEED
DEATH OF PERIOD
MORE MALES THAN FEMALES
BORN, AND MORE FEMALES
HAVE DIED

The birth and death records of the
past year tell some interesting stor-
les. The records show that there
were twenty-five more births than
deaths during the years just closed, in
Belding. Seventy-eight births were
reported as compared with fifty-six
deaths. The year Of 1916 there were
eighty-six births and forty-nine
deaths.
Thirty-eight of the births during
the year 1917 were girls and forty OF
them boys. A majority of the births
were to parents having the first or
second child. The figures show that
the births are coming to small fam
lilies, but few of them occurring where
there was already three or more chill
dren.
In the death record it is revealed
that of the fifty-six, thirty were fe-
males and twenty-six males. Twenty
seven Of the deaths were persons over
sixty, one of them being ninety-six
Twelve ranged between thirty-five
and sixty and four between twenty
and thirty-five.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
FIRE DESTROYS
PORTION OF FISH
HOME ON PEARL ST.
BUILDING AND GOODS COVER
ED BY INSURANCE. FISHS
WILL LIVE THERE

Fire of an uncertain origin broke
out in the attic at the home of For
rest Fish on Pearl street about ten
o'clock Saturday morning and spread
all through the upper floor before it
was discovered by Mr.. Salzman, who
happened to be passing the residence.
The building was stripped of half its
roof before the flames were extin-
guished.
. Mrs. Fish was sweeping with an
electric sweeper at the time of the
fire and did not know her home was
ablaze until notified by Salzman.
Neighbors hurried to the scene and
succeeded in removing all the furni-
ture from the lower floor and one of
the upstairs rooms. The furniture in
the other upstairs rooms was not
saved.
The household goods were covered
by insurance in the Wagner agency,
and the building, owned by Will
Clarke, was covered in SandelPs IS
agency. Mr.. and Mrs. Fish tried to
find suitable house in which to
move, but were unable to do so. They
have now decided to remain in three
of the rooms, which were not so bad
ly damaged, waiting the repair Of the
burned portion.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
EDITH GLASS H0N0RED
BY LITERARY SOCIETY
One of Twenty-Six Students of Ypsi-
Ianti Normal Elected to Soci-
ETY. Membership

Edith Glass received the most well
come news from the State Normal col
lege at Ypsilanti Saturday that she
had been elected to membership in
The Stoics, we'll known literary
society Of the college.
In awarding the memberships the
directing body of the society request
the faculty of nominate students
whom they consider most worthy of
the recognition. The choice is based
upon standard of scholarship, interest
and helpfulness in general school af-
fairs, probable ability in teaching,
and active ability and initiative in
recitations. Since only twenty-six
students are selected each year to
membership the distinction comes as
an honor to Miss Glass. In the local
schools she was the valedictorian of
her class at. graduation, and the re-
cent honor slows Mat she is still pro-
crossing.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
SERVICE FLAG DEDICATED
AT CHURCH OF CHRIST

A beautiful service flag with five
stars, inhonor Of the boys who have
gone from the church to serve their
country. was dedicated at the Church
of Christ Sunday morning. The flag
was presented by the Mems Bible
class to the church and congregation.
The pastor gave a very interesting
and helpful sermon on "The Christian
Soldier" text Tim. 2: 3-"Thou
therefore endure hardships as good
soldier of Jesus Christ" Emphasis
was laid upon the qualifications of a
soldier. In this warfare he must en-
list, use the equipment provided, keep
his armor bright, attend the drills,
study the tactics, always ready for
duty, obedient to superior officers,
marches and fights with the main
army, wholly engaged no longer a
citizen but a soldier. For all such
there is promotion, a pension and a
reward. The pastor closed the dis
course with those words of Paul: 81
have fought good fight, ! have fin
ished the course, l have kept the
faith, whenceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness
which the Lord the righteous Judge
will give me in that day."
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
HUGO FALES LIKES
PAPER FROM HOME
PLENTY OF FOOD
HAS GOOD POSITION AS COM
PANY MECHANIC. EIGHTEEN
CARS TO REPAIR
December 8. 1917.

Dear Mother and Father:
Well here it is getting along to-
ward Christmas. Time don't pass so
slow after all. We are kept pretty
busy and that makes a person more
satisfied than to be left idle. | am
getting along fine and have been very
fortunate in receiving several pack
ages from home. | received the one
with the scarf, tobacco and cap at a
very opportune time. Was completely
out of tobacco then and put the scarf
and cap into play at once. Next came
the shoes, cigars and socks; then
came the humidor of Prince Albert.
Tobacco and cigars are the hardest
things to buy over here. There is
plenty of French tobacco but it is
so much different than American that
| can't go it. | wish you would thank
Fat" Underwood for the cigars.
opened them on Thanksgiving day
and sure did enjoy them.
Talk about Thanksgiving dinners,
we sure did have one. / will give you
the menu: Celery, Brussels sprouts,
apple sauce, pickles, roast turkey,
roast gosling, sage dressing, combina-
tion gravy, buttered potatoes, Logan
berry layer cake, plain cake, choco-
late pie, lemonade, coffee, milk, war
bread hard bread, butter and nuts.
After dinner ] went to bed for cou-
pie of hours to get over it.
/ am now company mechanic.
have eighteen cars to keep in shape
and have a nice workshop, lots of
tools and have charge of the repair
end of the cars. Sturgis left here to-
day.
You ask if / could get along with
my three blankets. | have six so
ought not to get very cold under all OF
those, besides we have two stoves and
plenty of wood. Things are not half
bad over here, in fact, they are much
better than you could imagine. We
get the New York Herald and the
London Daily Mail every day, so we
keep up on the news pretty we'll
Whenever you send a package put in
several Belding papers. had lot
of fun reading the one you put in the
last package. 1t is just talking with
everyone at home.
We have Y. M. c. A. with us all
the time. We have one at camp and
also one that moves with us on the
road. They have Ford fixed up for
that purpose. We think a whole lot
of the Y. NJ. C. A. They sure have
helped out our bunch and they do a
wonderful lot of work at the front.
Whenever you want to send any
thing, just fix up a little box about
12x6 or something about that size, no
larger, and send it by mail and / will
get it, Put in tobacco. Cigars, candy,
cake, cookies or anything of the sort
and it sure goes good. Any sweet
stuff is very good to send. Just use
your judgment as to what to send.
Will close and write again in a day
or so. Am feeling fine and getting
along all right. From your
Affectionate son,
sM Hugo.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
PEARL JENKS GOES TO
DENVER. COLORADO

Pearl jerks left this Wednesday
for Denver, Colorado to make his flu
ture' home. The special occasion of
his going was bad case of asthma.
and the climate there was recon-
mended for his health. He hopes to
recuperate within few days and ex-
poets to secure work on one of the
railroads there.
Before leaving Mr.. jerks disposed
of all his household goods and other
property. Mrs. jerks will remain in
Belding until he finds suitable en-
ployment and home. This will prob
ably require three or four weeks. She
expects to follow her husband at
least by the middle of February. I'm
til then she viii remain and live with
her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. J. f. Os-
worth.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
BL0DGETT HOME CHILD
Rem GIVEN FINE OUTING

Henry Friedly went to Grand Rap
ids Tuesday to accompany the chill
dren, who have been here from the
Blodgett Home for a weeks outing.
There were five of them, two of whom
have been entertained by Mr.. and
Mrs. Jesse Godfrey and three by Mr..
and Mrs. Henry Friedly.
The youngsters, who range in ages
from five to twelve years, are live
ly bunch, smart, active and well-be-
haved, but full of life and vim, and
since their going Mrs. Godfrey and
Mrs. Friedly are lonesome because
the house is so quiet until Hank" and
Jess" arrive. Two Of the children
were here last summer for few
days with Mrs. FriedIy.
The children are: Clarabel and
Catherine Stultz, Lula McGregor,
Margaret Carker and Ross Christy,
the latter is a brother of the baby
Mr.. and Mrs. Art Foss have adopted.
No better Christmas present could
have been given these little folks than
this Christmas week visit. They
went back to the home with new in
spirations and new visions of life.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
COUNTY AGENT TO
ATTEND COMMERCE
BOARD LUNCHEON
HI. b. BLANDFORD OF FREMONT
WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS
ASKED BY FARMERS

Farmers of this vicinity should
keep themselves informed about the
time Of II. b. Blandford's visit to
Belding. Mr.. Blandford is assistant
county agricultural agent leader of
the state and is county agent for
Newaygo county.
Arrangements have been made with
Mr.. Blandford to attend a luncheon
of the board Of commerce within the
next week or ten days. The tentative
date has been set for next Thursday
evening, January 10, but it may be
necessary to change the time. When
this versatile speaker comes to Beld-
ing he will have much to tell the
farmers of ways to increase crop
yields, conserve labor, etc. He will
be open to inquiries along any line
the farmers desire information and
in fact, will urge that farmers ask
him questions about things that are
now puzzling them.
Virtually the meeting will be sort
of farmers institute and should be
attended by every farmer, and his
sons. When the time of the meeting
has been determined an effort will be
made to spread the information to
everyone interested.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
JACK BUTLER GOES
INTO THE u. S. NAVY

Jack Butler left January for De-
troit where he will report having en-
listed in the navy and from there will
be sent to one of the naval training
camps.
After Judge Davis investigated the
case pending against Butler and Carl
Fack, he considered it best to give
the boys a chance to enlist and make
good. Butler accepted the situation
at once and was pleased with the
outcome, but Fack showed the Stacker
spirit and concluded to take what
ever the judge may see fit to give
him rather than be a soldier for
Uncle Sam.
Undoubtedly the Judge will not be
very lenicnt with him as he seems to
be the instigator of the trouble the
boys got into here.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
FORMER BELONG
LAWYER SELLS HIS
DAKOTA HOLDINGS

Harvey l.. VanBenschoten recently
disposed of his extensive land inter-
ests in the vicinity of Krem, North
Dakota, and will probably remain in
Michigan permanently. He has been
at his home in Portland several weeks.
Years ago Mr.. VanBenschoten took
up government lands in Mercer coun-
ty, others of the family following
suit. He acquired through his own
claims and through purchase and in
heritance a total of $50 acres of excel
lent farm lands. He was one of the
pioneers of Mercer county and did
much toward bringing settlers that
way. He was also instrumental in
getting a railroad within a few miles
of Krem, eight miles distant. He
held several Offices in the county and
state, while resident of North Da-
kota, at the same time looking after
his farming interests.
A few years ago he conceived the
idea of retiring but farm lands were
moving slowly and he had TO bide his
time. With prosperous conditions
among farmers as a result of war
prices it recently arrived and one of
the German settlers of Mercer coun-
ty now owns the entire estate.
The exact consideration is not
known, but as Mercer county farms
bring from SO Otto $35 per acre it is
presumed Mr.. VanBenschoten has
enough money out Of the deal so he
viii be able to keep warm this winter.
Previous to moving to North Dako-
tn Mr.. VanBenschoten practiced law
in Portland, Ionia and Belding. He
also continued to practice in the Da-
kota courts.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
CAMP GRANT SOLDIER
VISITS HOME FOLKS

Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. l.. Updike received
visit over Christmas from their son,
Wallace Updike, who is now with the
division headquarters at Camp Grant,
Rockford, Illinois.
Mr.. Updike left the farm here
about four years ago and went to Chi
cago where he left good position in
office work to anwer the call to SER
vice shortly after war was declared
and went to Camp Grant in the in
fantry. Recently he was transferred
TO division headquarters.
1t was some change from inside Of
flee work of four years in Chicago to
outdoor camp life for him, but the
change has put new life and vigor
into his veins and he looks well and
hearty and would like to get into a
mixup with the kaiser himself.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
ORLEANS MAN SIXTY
SIx-NEvER TRAVELLED
Has Lived All His Life ON Farm Set
tied BY His Parents. Never
Has Seen Lake Michigan

William Antcliff. who resides on
the old farm in Orleans township, a
mile east Of this city, has a record
unequalled possibly by any other man
in Michigan. He is sixty-six years
of age and has never eaten meal,
except once, in n hotel. He has new
er been to Grand Rapids, and never
saw Lake Michigan, or any other body
of water which he could not see
across. He still lives on the farm
where his parents settled when he
was two years old.
The circumstance Of Antcliff eat
ing a meal in hotel occurred at
Stanton a number of years ago. he
was out hunting in that vicinity and
found that he could not reach home.
Consequently he took lodging and
breakfast in the hostelry.
Mr.. Antcliff is hale and hearty.
He would rather be at home on the
farm than any place in the world.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
POTATOES. WITH OATS
AND RYE IN FLOUR
NJ. A. G. Department of Home Eco
ncmics Gives Recipes For
Saving Wheat

Recipes intended to show house
wives how they can save wheat flour
by using such things as rye flour, roll
ed oats, graham flour, mashed pota-
toes and corn meal in its stead have
been issued by the department of
home economies Of the Michigan
Agricultural college to help women of
the state in their thrift campaign.
1t is not necessary for the house
wife to learn any new-fangled recipe
for making bread. She can continue
using her favorite recipe and reduce
the amount of wheat -four she has
heretofore thought necessary by sim
ply substituting rye -four, rolled oats.
graham flour, mashed potatoes or
scalded corn meal for one-third or
cne-fourth of the wheat flour
A corn pone or hammock can be made
by mixing corn meal to rather thin
paste with boiling water or scalded
milk, adding salt, then spreading it in
a think layer and baking it until crisp.
This is most delicious to serve with
milk or soup as a substitute for
crackers.
Tasty pastry can be made by using
rye flour instead Of the white, no 9TH
er change in the recipe being neces-
sary.
If you have not as yet tried these
new recipes--which are really in many
cases revivals of old ones that have
been more or less neglected of late
you will find it real pleasure to taste
these delicacies, and incidentally help
Uncle Sam by lessening the drain up
on his already too meagre food
stores"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
ALUMNI BANQUET(
WAS SUCCESSFUL
EVENT OF THE YEAR
LARGE ATTENDANCE; EXCEL
LENT BANQUET; FINE TOASTS
GIVEN; NEW OFFICERS

~ The Belding Alumni association
held their annual meeting in the Con-
,gregational church Friday evening,
December %.
Mr.. and Mrs. Z. c. Lloyd and Mr..
and Mrs. Lee Cusser greeted each one
as they entered, after which he meIn-
sbers were lined by classes and march
ed to the dining room where the lad
les of the Sicial Circle had prepared
the feast. This may truly bs said TO
have been the most substantial feed
the alumni have ever had. Tie tables
were decorated with patriotic insig-
nia-big Red Crosses and kmerican
flags. The service was under the able
management of Mesdames Holmes
and Mclaughlin, who were assisted
by jolly band of Juniors, Who fairly
WED with each other to be bne hum
@dred per cent efficient.
After each and every one had eaten
more than they should, Vie-Presi-
.dent Earl Wilson introduced Miss
+. Grace Travis as ,toastmistresl. She
was very much at ease in tbs posi-
<tion particularly since her experience
swould privilege her to allow such "a
fdignified alumnus as Mrs Rena
(Chapple) Trull to cast "bonbs" at
the entire alumni
Following her toast Miss Carrie
Ranney served "CamoufiagB in
rhyme much to the merrimeni of the
crowd.
Last, but not least, Marion Steele
tried going "Over the Top"
Again, Vice President Wilsn cali
ed to order and Secretary (Pp Tenn
Ernest Rummler read last yelr's re-
port.
The following officers were lected
President, Lee Cusser; vice president,
Emma Luck Brown; secom vice
president, Helen Lapham; secretary,
Lila Mosher; treasurer, Mrs. Grace
Anderson Strunk. 1t was vted to
purchase a service flag and lave it
ready for commencement.
We all missed President Sidney
Washburn, but were pleased b have
Ernest Menkee from Camp custer,
present.
After one verse of "The Orawe and
the Black" Misses Velma and Selma
Little assisted by Miss Ola Litle gave
two delightful violin solos. Mrs.
Emma Luck Brown recited "lilling
a Mouse" in her characteristic man.
ner, calling forth so much APPLAUSE
she simply had to respond TO N en-
core. Grace Strunk thought i was
too early to adjourn so selected Lee
Cusser and Ernest Rummler tochose
sides and an old-fashioned spelldown
took place, using wartime wore and
foreign pronunciations. Of curse,
Mrs. Carrie Tallman Wilson pelled
the most if not the worst words
This concluded one of the most
pleasant get-togethers of the older
and younger members of dear Id B.
III. s. An Alumms.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
LOCAL MASONS ENJOY
WATCH NIGHT PARTY

Local Masons enjoyed a happy
evening at their club rooms Monday
night when a watch party was held.
The men began to arrive about eight
thirty and soon entered into hearty
amusement and general good time
gatherings. No program was given,
the occasion being decided informal
affair. They remained to see the ad-
vent of the New Year and to wish
each other many happy returns from
the coming 365 days.
Many of the members brought
guests for the evening.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
THE MEMO FAMILY
ARE ALL HAPPY

Cyril Memo, now of Ionia, spent
New Years day with the family of
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. Beach in Orleans,
who are giving his daughter, Daisy,
home. Since Mr.. Memo left Beld-
ing fifteen weeks ago he has had
steady employment with the Spafford
Manufacturing company in Ionia at
good wages and says he is feeling fine,
having been able to clear away all his
Indebtedness. Mr.. Memo is a man-of-
all-works for the company and can
fill into several positions when neces-
sary to help out in an emergency.
His son, Lewis, is with Anthony
Kohn of Otisco; Violet with r. A.
Slayton in Grattan; Thelma with Mr..
and Mrs. G. j. Church near Ionia, and
the baby, born when the mother died.
with Mr.. and Mrs. A. j. McCauley of
Lansing. Mr.. Memo says the children
are all well and happy and in love
with their homes and surroundings,
and that he is truly grateful for the
kindness and consideration shown him
by those who are caring for the chill
dren and to the people of Belding.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
KINSMAN'S HELD AN
NUAL FAMILY REUNION

The annual reunion of the Kins-
man family was held on Christmas
day with Mrs. Mary Kinsman, there
being eighteen present.
Those present from away were: Mr..
and Mrs. George Yost and daughters,
Jean and Marion from Detroit, and
Charles Kinsman Of Muskegon.
One of the big dinners for which
ed for preparing on such an occasion
was served and the event was one
which all enjoyed the fullest measure.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02

Christmas exercises were he'd on
December 25. A splendid prGram
was rendered and the younger cAsses
were remembered in the usual way.
Offering for the destitute Armenian
and Syrian funds-$27.0O
Mission boxes $13.35: birthday
offerings in the primary department
-$1.00. Total for missions-Sll 80.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
Watched old Year Out

The OddfeIlow sand Rebekahs held
a matchmaking Monday night and
about 100 were present in their hall
and everyone managed with games
and a fine program of song, music and
recitations to keep awake until the
clock struck twelve.
A luncheon was served and the
memoirs and their guests will always
remember the coming in of the year
1918.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-02
DORSEY BUSH lMPLI-
GATED IN ALMA MURDER

The last one of the four implicated
in the murder of Miss Beatrice Epler,
the seventeen-year-o girl, strangled
to death on the night of September
in Alma, according to the confession
of Mrs. Hiram ellison Of this city, has
been rounded up with the arrest of
Dorsey Bush, alias Dorsey Willis at
Camp Grant, Illinois, where he re-
Gently enlisted in the army. The
others accused are Albert Eichorn of
Ithaca, Inez johnson of Alma and Joe
+. Brennan of Flint. M
Bush, it is stated, was former
resident of this city, son of K. L.
Bush now residing in Greenville. He
was here short time last summer
previous to his going to Alma.
The Bushs worked for several years
for the Post Bros, on their farm in
Orleans.