davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

Mrs. ID. X. Goodman, aged rs years
for many years a well known and high
ly respected resident of this city died
at her home on South Front street on
Christmas day. Her funeral was held
from the residence on Sunday after
noon at o'clock, Rev. p. Ray Norton
officiating and burial was in Montcalm
cemetery by the side of her husband
and daughter who had preceded her
in death. She is survived by the fol-
lowing children, Mrs. Elmer Wise,
Mrs. Smith Stanton ard Mrs. Mary
Cronk of this place; Enos Goodman,
Of Flint; Mrs. Cora Carpenter, of
Ithaca; Earl Goodman, of Detroit; S.
ID. Goodman, of Greenville; and Mrs.
Della Jarvis, of Eau Claire, Wis, also
by host of friends who held her in
the highest esteem. Her obituary ap-
pears in another column.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
The Wonders Of America
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.

THE colossal statue of Liberty en-
tightening the world, the gift o.
the people OF France to the people OF
the United States. In commemoration
of the centennial of their national in.
dependence, stands on Bedloe's or Lib
erty Island In New York harbor and
was dedicated October 2S. 1886. II
has welcomed millions of people 10
our shores. and lt-bade farewell TO our
brave soldier boys when they sailed
away to save the land from whence
Il came
This statue is of bronze. l5l feet
high and rests upon a stone pedestal,
approximately 100 feet high. making
the total height of the entire structure
over 800 feet above the waters OF New
York bay. Its estimated weight Is 225
tons and the cost. including erection.
was about 100000.
The index finger of this gigantic
figure is feet long and 7is feet in
circumference at the second joint {:
the head Is ten feet thick the nose
AZ feet long and the mouth 3iz feet
wide. Forty persons can stand in the
head and the torch will accommodate
IL more. There are 154 steps I'm the
statue from the pedestal to~the head.
and the ladder In the raised right arm
contains "a rounds. The light In the
torch Is maintained by the United
States lighthouse service and Is visi-
BILE for many miles at sea.
The view that greets the eye from
tie top Is one OF the most marvellous
In all the world.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
The Still Small Voice

Postmaster Bricker had caller the
other day in the person of a young
lady who informed hra tnat she would
like to see him at the store later ch
that day and he had forgotten the in
cident when that afternoon the lady
again appeared and told him what her
name was and that number of years
ago she in company with another girl
had rented rooms of Mr. Bricker in
his Main street block and that they
had skipped out owing him one
months rent. She said that she did
not think much wrong about it at the
time but that short time ago she
received religion and that her con-
science told her that all was not well
nor would be until the old TENT bin
bad been squared up and wiped off the
slate. Mr.. Bricker looked up the ac-
count and the young lady paid the bill
and. was happy again.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
NATIONAL HOTEL
ANO BUSINESS
HAS new OWNERS
LOCAL HOTEL NAME WILL BE
CHANGED TO THAT WHICH
1T ORIGINALLY HAD

A deal was consumated last week
whereby Robert Moore purchased the
business, goodwill and furniture Of
the National Hotel of Van S. Lowry
who had owned and operated the hos
telry for several years past and made
of it one of the popular stopping
places for the travelling public and
also for many local residents who
found it convenient or desirable to
put up at hotel while in this city.
Mr.. Moore has long been identified
with the restaurant business here,
having for long time been proprietor
of the city restaurant, establishing
for that place an enviable reputation
as one of the best and most sanitary
establishments of its kind in the state
with a table service which wss hard
to excel. He will beyond a doubt
make good in the same way in the
hotel business.
The hotel was erected in 1895 and
was opened to the public the following
year, George Smith, who came here
from Greenville, being the proprietor,
saloon was run in connection with
the hotel, the bar being in the store
room now used by French Arnold as
a plumbing shop. The hotel expert
enced many changes in ownership and
also many changes in its name during
the many years which it has been in
operation, the more recent name being
the National. Mr.. Moore will give
the original name to the place and
from now on it will be known as the
Bricker Hotel, a name which Post
master Bricker gave it when he built
it.
Mr.. Moore is making some decided
improvements in the hotel by way of
additional furniture and other hotel
conveniences and promises that when
his present plans are carried out that
the place will be first class in every
respect. Associated with him, is Of
course, Mrs. Moore, who will have
much to do with the welfare and
homeliRe conveniences which guests
at the hotel will enjoy. They took
possession of the place on Christmas
day.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

The place which the Lake Odessa
branch of the Nestle's Food Company
occupies in the organization is shown
in the monthly report of November
just received by Superintendent Har-
ry M. Hougle.
The plant took in 1,200,564 pounds
of milk from the patrons among the
farmers. The gross amount paid to
the producers in November was S44,-
910.02.
The payroll for the month at the lo-
cal plant was $4,035.05. The total OF
the company's operation was $780,
655 pounds of milk at cost of ST.
265 ,94S.44.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Neya Coon Marries

The wedding which took place at
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Coon
on Monday evening, particularly in.
terested Neva, the only daughter of
these web known people, who have
dwelt in Belding a good many years.
Ainsworth o. Green, of Kalamazoo,
Mich, who is the fortunate gentleman
was born in Belding and the young
people have known each other from
childhood.
At the appointed time and in the
presence of relatives the ceremony
was performed by her pastor. Rev. w.
A. Bliss, who used the short form of
the Episcopal ring service.
After congratulations the company
sat down to an elegant dinner. They
left on the $40 train for a trip to
Detroit and will return to Kalamazoo
where they will be at home after Jan
uary ;, 1920. We join in with Mrs.
Green's many local friends in wishing
health, wealth and happiness for her
self and husband.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
LOCAL POST OFFICE
BREAKS ALL FORMER
CHRISTMAS RECORDS
EMPLOYEES DID THEMSELVES
PROUD" IN HANDLING BIG
CHRISTMAS MAIL

Postmaster w. f. Briker is mighty
proud of his Office force, and he may
be, for at the holiday season every
one of them exerted themselves and
made record that deserves praise
They cleared everything in the way
of mail from the postoffice on Christ
mas morning; they delivered every
package, letter and card except those
addressed to business firms whose
doors were closed
More mail was handled during this
holiday rush than ever before, and
the receipts show a really amazing
increase over former years.
Few people appreciate the excell-
ent service rendered the community by
our local employees of Uncle Sam, bu,
once in while we just have to notice
them, and give them generous amount
of well merited commendation.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

We are in receipt Of the following
letter from w. /. Benedict, a former
resident Of this city. butt now of Kala-
mazoo. We are unable to tell Mr..
Benedict whether the money is draw
ing interest or not and would be glad
for enlightenment on this matter.
However, we are of the opinion that
all oty funds draw interest. Mr..
Benedict's letter follows:
Kalamazoo, Mich, Dec "a, 1919.
Editor Banner-News:
You will notice by the published
reports of the city finances there are
about 100000 belonging to the School
Library,
Can you tell me if it is drawing
interest for the city now? If not,
why is it not is the possession of the
School Board? There it does draw
interest.
Yours truly, VIM. |. Benedict
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

years which Mr.. Washburn has been
connected with the business, it has
responded to his careful supervision
and been highly successful and one
which has been growing larger all the
time.
In connection with Mr.. Washburn's
residence here we might also say that
it has been 33 years next June that
he moved into the house which he now
occupies at the corner of Hanover and
Congress streets. Among the first
people whom he met here were III. J..
Leonard, F. f. Ranney, Mayor E. F..
Fales, o. F. Webster and others with
whom the warmest friendship has
always since existed.
Mr.. Washburn will be succeeded in
his position bv Vern r. Brown. for 20
years with the company and well
schooled in the silk business.
Mr.. Washburn is also president of
the Belding Building and Loan Assoc
iation and treasurer of the Belding-
Hall Co. He will continue in these
capacities and while not to be offici-
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

Miss Goldie r. VanDenBroeck, of
Stanton and Mr.. Floyd Clark, Of Bel
ding were united in marriage, We'd
nesday afternoon, December "a, 1919
at the M. E. church, by Rev. Mahen.
They were attended by Fay L. Clark,
brother of the groom and Miss Mil
dred McSorley, both of Belding. They
left Wednesday evening for Beldine
where they expect to spend a few
months at his home. They will make
their home near Lowell on her fathers
farm.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Catholic Christmas Services

An early morning mass which was
held in st. Joseph's Catholic church al
five o'clock wes attended by a large
rumter. of people and the special mu-
.ic by the chc:r was in Keo,ing with
the occasion ami was enjoyed. Az
fhc eight o'clock mass AT St. Mary's
church Miriam, the music was aug
mented and beautified by the addition
to the choir of Miss Hlida yacoby,
violinist. Many favorable and COM
plimentary remarks being heard re-
garding the violin accompaniment
The ten-thirty o'clock High mass was
held in this city and was also largely
attended and was followed by benedic-
tion Of the Blessed Sacrament
Large Christmas cribs, depicting
the scene at the birth of the Savior
in the cave-stabls at Bethlehem were
set up in both churches.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
THE CITY LAUNDRY
AGAIN HAS CHANGE
OF OWNERSHIP
FORMER PROPRIETOR COMES
BACK TO CONDUCT BUSINESS
IN WAY 1T SHOULD BE

The city laundry has again chang
ed hands, this time going from Mr..
and Mrs. Eli Lowden, the present pro-
prietors: to Don MacKercher and his
father-in-law, j. Z. Tinker, both of
Grand Rapids. The new firm which
will be known as MacKercher &
Tinker will take possession of the
business on Monday, January 5. Ow-
ing to the illness of Mr.. Eli Lowden
and the inability of the proprietors
to secure an experienced laundryman
to look after the business, it has of
course suffered and much work which
would have ordinarily found its way
to the local laundry was sent out of
the city.
Mr. MacKercher needs no introduc-
tion 10 the people of this place. On
December 20, 1918, he took possession
of the local laundry for the first time
and operated it until few months
ago When he sold it to the Lowdens.
He is thoroughly experienced laun-
dryman capable of producing the very
best in the laundry work and local
people will be glad to learn that he
in to operate the laundry again.
Mr.. MacKercher informs us that
the local laundry cannot be run at a
legitimate profit under the old sys-
tenn and that commencing Monday,
December 5, the date when the new
firm takes possession, all business will
be done on a strictly cash and carry
basis with absolutely no deviation
from the rule. The .old expensive
system of collecting and delivering
laundry will also bes discarded and il
will be up to patrons of the laundry
to bring the work there, call for il
and pay for it when they get it. Mr.
MacKercher said the picking up and
delivering system cost about $40 per
week to maintain and that it created
an overhead of too great a magnitude
for business like that of the local
laundry to carry and that he was con-
vinced he could not stand this heavy
expense again.
Mr.. MacKercher has an advertise
ment in this issue and he asks for the
laundry business of the city, assuring
the people that their work will be
done in first class shape and fully sat
isfactory. He says that if the people
of the city will patronize the laundry
under the new cash and carry system
he can give them a creditable and de-
sired service and that in no other way
than under the new plan can this be
had
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Not no Have Much Snow

William Wean, farmer living east
of the city was in the office yesterday
morning and passed out the glad news
that we were not going to have a
great deal of cold weather or very
much snow this winter, basing the
fast that a number of summer birds
are still with Us instead of hating
migrated to the southland last .all.
Mr.. Wean says he has noticed great
many red headed woodpeckers and
yellow hammers here and he has also
noticed in the past when they remain
s5fwith us that the winters had been
( little snow and fairly good warm
Weather.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
RET|RES AFTER
80 YEARS OF
REAL SERVICE
MADE FIissT SILK THREAD AND
STARTED INDUSTRY
HERE IN 1886

Fred A. Washburn for more than
SS years superintendent OF and at the
head Of the Richardson Silk Cos bus
mess in this city steps out of the ac-
tive service tonight, December 81 and
in the future will put in his tane in
more leisure way in looking after
other interests which he has here and
in the welfare of the city in general.
Mr.. Washburn came here 33 years
ago on November s last. The Rich
ardson mill was at that time partially
constructed and he saw to finishing it
and starting the industry, which in
later years proved to be one of the
city's main standbys During all the
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Church of Christ Notes

Our Christmas exercises and the
tree were a great success.
The primary Supt. Mrs. ]. c. Bal
lard and her assistant, Miss Joy
Curch. surely feel proud Of their little
people in that department of the Bible
school and the primaries did their
work well and was pleasing to the full
house that was present to greet them
Last Sunday we were made to re-
joice because of such fine congrega-
tions both morning and evening.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
An Ideal City


A city, sanitary, convenient, substan-
tial;
Where the houses of the rich and poor
are alike-comfortable and beauti-
full;
Where the streets are clean and the
sky line is clear as country air;
Where the architectural excellence of
its buildings adds beauty and dig
nifty to its streets;
Where parks and Fairgrounds are
within reach of every child;
Where living is pleasant, toll honor
able, and recreation PLENTIFUL;
Where capital is respected, but not
worshipped;
Where commerce in goods is great,
but no greater than the. interchange
Of ideas;
Where industry thrives and brings
prosperity alike to employer and
employee;
Where education and art have a place
in every home;
Where worth and not wealth gives
standing to men;
Where the power of character lifts
men to leadership;
Where interest in public affairs is a
test of citizenship and devotion to
the public veal is a-badge of honor;
Where government is always honest
and efficient and the principles of
democracy find their fullest and
truest expression;
Where the people Of all the earth can
come and be blended into one COM
munity life, and where each gener-
81 L.. "a L.
NIT to the next a.city greater, bet
ter and more beautiful than the
last.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

1 lily connected with the Richardson
company in the future he will always
retain his interest in the company's
welfare.
Mr.. Washburn has never let a move
ment pass which stood for the good
Of the community without getting
squarely behind it and helping in ev-
evy way possible. He is a 100 per-
cent American and his influence for
good has always been greatly felt,
especially during the many drives
and like matters during the great
war, when as in the past he shone
forth as leader among men.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

The regular annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Peoples Savings
bank of Belding, Michigan, for the
election of directors and the transac.
ton of such other business as may
properly come before the meeting, will
be held in it's banking rooms on Tues.
day, January 18th at 8 a. m. sharp.
I. Ambrose Spencer, Cashier.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Adventist Services

There will be no Sunday evening SER
vices at the G. A. r. hall during the
month of January as Evangelist B. F
Williams will attend the biennial ses-
sion of the Lake Union Conference OF
Seventhday Adventists TO be held at
Battle Greek, Mich, during the month.
The Sabbath school will be held al
416 Broas street, at 200 p. m. Friends
are cordially invited.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

Some of the installation dates have
been changed so as to have q Joint in-
stallation Of the G. A. r., the w. r. c..
and the Sons of Veterans and the
Daughters of Veterans. The date for
the joint installation has been set for
Friday evening, January 2. A picnic
supper will be had ct about s o'clock.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

Leon 3. Treat, Of <zlma and Miss
Elizabeth Sonntag, of Belding, were
united in marriage, December % at
the home of VIM. Treat, SIT James
street by Rev. w. A. Bliss, pastor of
the Baptist church. The abridged
Episcopal ring service was used.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Mrs. Catherine Hill Dead

AS we go to press we learn that
Mrs. Catherine Hill, widow of the late
Charles Hill, died this morning. Mrs.
Hill was a daughter of Levi Broas,
a pioneer settler Of this city and was
identified with the city's growth dur
ing practically her entire life.
Particulars next week.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

MISCELLANEOUS onoWer FOR Ne'a Coon
A few of the girl friends of Neva
Coon, Now Mrs. Ainsworth Green,
gave her delightful pre-nuptial
shower at her home on Friday night.
Those present were the Misses Edith
Glass, Kitty Lester, Halle and Helen
Gotta, Lila mosher and Mrs. Harold
Caldwell. Mrs. Green received many
beautiful and useful gifts as . token
of the high esteem in which she was
held.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
BROADER VIEWS
WILL HELP MAKE
AN IDEAL CITY
|. BOOSTER OF THAT TYPE
SENDS IN THE FOLLOWING
CONTRIBUTION

We are close to the beginning of a
new year, when people, as individuals
make new resolutions and a brave
start for better things.
Corporations and merchantile estab-
hshments take an inventory which
tells the tale of their success or fail
ure for the past year, and then pro-
ceed to lay their plans for the future
twelve months.
AS rule, municipalities are handl-
ed along different lines. The years
come and go much the same, with the
regularly constituted city government
performing its duties along usual
lines and the people in more or less
satisfied state of mind except at tax
time. Then the public usually realize
that it has real place in the gener-
al order of things.
Where does, Belding stand? Do
We feel that our accomplishments in
the past could show sufficient balance
on the profit side to entitle US to retire
from active service and pass the real
work on to the next generation. On
the other hand do we feel there is
much to be done and we should say
''let us be on our way?"
/ To some, nothing but new factories
seem to satisfy, not fully realizing it
takes money to get them. We admit
factories are fine and quite necessary,
but they overlook the great opportun-
tiles of life that are constantly with
us, the opportunities for personal
service, kind of service that brings
men and women out of a shell-like
existance into new and broader life
and makes them factor in the very
existance of their fellow-citizens.
Belding has many of the broad
gauge type but we need more of them
More men and more women who will
realize that Belding is just as good
as we ourselves make it, Men and
women who are big enough to over
look some of the faults of those
around them and to acknowledge some
of their own. Men and women, yes
and children too, who can bring home
to themselves the fact that God and
home are worth the fight, and the
latter means no more nor less than a
service for their fellow men and their
own town.
The last part of this article en-
titled can ideal City" was written by
Mayo Fesler for "The Rotarian" Read
it over, then read it again and the
more you read it the easier it will be
to check up where Belding stands and
what there is still to be accomplished.
The last part Of the last paragraph
should be re-read so that each and
everyone of us may realize the i'm
portance> Of our part in the accom-
plishment of program that means
a heritage to the next generation Of
city worth while.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

The club win meet in the Ccngre-
gational church dining room on jan
luary 8, 1920. The same arrangements
as were planned for the city hall win
hold good here. Bohemian dinner.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Rev. FIR. Kick Treats

Rev. FIR. Kick Treats Miriam Choir
On Sunday night the choir of st.
Mary's church at Miriam were enter
tanned to supper at the Rectory here
in Belding. Plenty of music and good
eats and a fine time was enjoyed by
all
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Peoples
Mutual Fire Insurance Company of
Ionia, Montcalm and Clinton counties
will be held at the City hall in the
city of Ionia, in Thursday, January
20, 1920, for the election Of q Presi-
dent, Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer, for Directors, and the
transaction of such other business
as may properly come before it. A
good attendance is desired.
Dec. 81. Wesley j. Stearns, Sec'y
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31
Spencer Cribb Gets Reward

Deputy sheriff Spencer Crib, of
Grand Ledge, got a worth while re-
ward last week when he located lot
of stolen loot in a cellar and returned
it to its rightful owners, who paid
over the 500 reward money which
they had offered for its return. The
loot consisted of grain and beans to
the value of S640 and was stolen from
the Grand Ledge elevator. Spencer
Crib is former resident of this city
and is a nephew of Mr.. and Mrs. FL
mer Cook, of the city hall.
Conscience is one policeman who
never sleeps on his job.
Next to deserving praise, the great
est privilege is to give it.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-12-31

1t is well to aim high, but be sure
your gun is loaded.