davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
Attention Maccabees.

There will be supper and installa-
tion of officers at the G.. A. r. hall
Wednesday night, Jan. 8. A delega-
tion Of members from Orleans, Smyr-
ma and Greenville are expected.
The following are We newly elected
officers:
Past commander. w. Bliss.
Commander-W. H.. Malone.
Lieut.. commander-Daniel f. Baty
r. X and F. K.,.A. M. Eaves.>
Chaplain-H. A. Lowe.
Physician-Dr. w. A. Dutt.
Sergeant-Harvey J. Currie.
Master-at-arms-Frank f Collier
1st M. of G.-Eli Phillips.
End M. of G.-Frank J. Engemann.
Sentinel-Frank Smith.
Picket-Henry c. Friedly.
By order of Com j. w. Bliss.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01

Mr.. ana MRS. .. D. Luscompe were
and euf ef the So1 ordnarv gfs or
age from their grandson, Floyd Green
who enlisted in the merchant marine
while living a, Seattle, and who is
now in the service on boats plying
between the port of Seattle and Alas
kan pcrts. The gifts Consisted of a
pair of fine Eskimo dogskin mocca-
sins, with fancy beadwork decorations
for Mr.. Luscombe and a splendid lit
tie wall pocket made out of some fine
fur also decorated with fancy bead
work. Mr. and Mrs. Lusccmbe think
a great deal Of the gifts.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR
APPRECIATES WORK
OF NEWSPAPERS
BESTOWS SPECIAL THANKS FOR
GOOD WORK DONE LOCALLY
LOCAL ADVERTISERS AID.

1t is very seldom that this paper is
given to footing its own horn about
the things which it is doing but the
following letter from the campaign
director of the Michigan Red Cross
Roll Call contains several facts which
we think would do no harm to be gen.
orally known, the greatest one Of
wrich we call your attention to is in
the second paragraph of the letter.
Then, too, we do not wish to over
look the matter of the loyal subscrib-
ers and the advertisers who have
done their share cf carrying and ex-
tending this work before the public,
through the support which they have
given the paper while at the same
time they have attended to one of
the main matters in connection with
the upkeep and growth of their busi-
ness. 1t is a fact that our business
men friends who fail or refuse to ad-
vertise through the columns of the
paper, do very little to help float just
such drives as this paper has patriot
ically supported ever since it was
started. Therefore, we say again
that the credit does not belong to US
alone, but in a large measure to the
business men and subscribers who
have made the success of the paper
so that it could dc its full patriotic
share in all the various drives.
The letter, which we think lot of,
is as follows:
"Mr. Ed. ID. Engemann, Editor Ban
ner-News, Belding, Michigan.
Dear Mr.. Engemann: May / ex-
press to you my appreciation for the
splendid cooperation you have given
the Red Cross Christmas Roll call in
your newspaper.
Too often the public looks upon
newspaper space as a natural per-
quisite of public movements, and fails
to understand that there is a definite
cost attached to every column which
must be borne by the publisher; that
every column so used is an actual
financial contribution to the cause.
Throughout the war, the press OF
Michigan generally, and yourself in
particular, have answered nobly tc
the call upon you, and in this final
campaign your efforts have made
possible Michigan's high standing in
the Red Cross Christmas Roll Call OF
1919.
With best Yuletide greetings anc
kind personal regards, | am, very
cordially yours,
Otto E. Sovereign,
Campaign Director"
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
cleaners Pay Dividend.

About 200 farmers in this vicinity
are receiving New Years presents
in the shape of checks which repre-
sent dividends on their stock in the
Cleaner Clearing House association
recently organized in this city. This
stock is paying a dividend of per
&C the year 1918 and the local
far, As receive a share in this divi-
dend covering the period that their
money has been paid in.
These checks and certificates OF
stock for each member are now in the
hands of the local banks for distri-
button, each farmer receiving his from
the bank>which originally held his
note
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
A Reprinted Article.

1t is very seldom that we reprint
an article, but in this weeks issue
you will find the news-article dealing
with the death of w. L Cusser, to-
gether with the editorial which we
wrote concerning it which appeared in
last weeks paper. We sold all the
extra copies which we run last week
and so many people wanted extra
copies that we have consented to re-
print the articles. There is also an
obituary in the items as they appear
in this paper, which is printed for the
first time.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01

business and community life came
out, it was a thunderbolt out of
clear sky 1t is quite safe to say
that no death in recent years has
caused more expressions of regret to
be heard nor more universal sadness
than has the death cf this popular
man.
Mr.. Cusser was 45 years of age and
had been connected with the Peoples
Savings bank ever since it started in
1898, fer many years as assistant
cashier and since 1909 as cashier.
Practically his entire life was spent
in this city, he having been born on
the old Cusser farm east of here. He
received his education in the local
schools and was graduated with the
class of 1891. He was of a genial
disposition and tc make his acquaint-
ance was to make new friend. He
was a son of Mr.. and Mrs. Albert
Cusser, who together with his wife
and two daughters, are left with the
community to mourn their great loss
His funeral was held Monday after
noon at o'clock, from the house, Rev.
j. w. Rookie, Of the Congregational
church officiating. Owing TO the ban
on public gatherings it was cf neces-
SlIy pllNdbC az vie HO0oC anu JIG iiiOA
tai remains of one cf Belding best
were laid to rest in Riverridge ceme-
try, the Masonic fraternity cf which
he was a member attending in a body
and conducting the services at the
grave where his body was committed.
Try as We. might to produce our
very best in the way of an eulogy for
Mr.. Cusser as a friend of the entire
community, we would fall far short of
paying him the tribute which man
like him is entitled to and therefor
the foregoing will have to suffice. We
mourn with the rest.
Obituary-W. Lee Cusser.
w. Lee Cusser was born on March
13, 1873, on the old Cusser farm just
north and east of the village of Or
leans and lived there until about seven
years of age, when he with his par
ents. moved to the present Cusser
farm two miles west of that place.
He attended the Green's district school
and the Belding High school, gradual
ing from the latter institution with
the class of 1891. He came to Beld-
ing and started his business career
with the Belding Savings bank, taking
position there at the time when
Chas. Hills was cashier. After the
RECIPES Savings Ddnk was organized
he became assistant cashier and in
1909 he became cashier, holding this
responsible position until the. time of
his death. ~
On June s, 1895, he was married to
Miss Dot Wright, of Greenville, and
one daughter, Miss Margaret Cusser,
was born to this union. Mrs Cusser
died on May Is, 1900.
On October 10, 1904 he was united
in marriage to Miss Elsie Evans and
one daughter, Miss Marian Cusser,
was born to this union. Both the
daughters and Mrs. Cusser are left to
mourn their loss.
He was a member of the Knights
of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen Of
America, The Elks, Belding Masonic
lodge, a Thirty-second degree Mason,
a member of the Shrine and also a
member Of local farmers clubs, in all
Of which he was~a rightly esteemed
member.
His death occurred on Saturday.
Confined on Page Four)
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
CITY RETAINS
SAME OLD FORM
OF GOVERNMENT
ATTORNEY GENERAL ADVISED
AGAINST NEWLY ELECTED
COMMISSIONERS TAKING
OFFICES.

The special meeting of the common
council which was held in the city
hall, Tuesday night, al which time the
mayor and six aldermen expected to
be mourners at their own funerals,
so far as their holding offices in the
administration of the city's affairs
and at which time it was thought that
there might be some fun, fireworks
and other incidents worth bringing
out in big headletters across the top
of this page, failed tc develope the
surprises expected ali, the old council,
Mayor Fales and his six aldermen,
were still on the job when the meeting
adjourned and undoubtedly will be for
one or two more meetings at least, If
not permanently.
Commissioners Dimmick, Hall
and Lambertson were present and
were ready to take their offices and
start in on the business if everything
was all right, but when City Attorney
Hubbell stated that he had talked with
Attorney General Groesbeck about A
o'clock and the latter had told him
that Attorney Fred l.. Warner of this
city had been in his office and filed a
petition asking that quo warranto
proceedings be instituted to keep the
newly elected commissioners from
taking office and that he, the attorney
general, thoussht il best that the COM
missioners do not take their offices
as yet, so instead of the cid council
dying, as would have been the case
had the commissioners been allowed
to take their offices, the old regime is
still with us and the chances are that
it will take them some time to decide
who will run this city from now on.
Until the question is definitely settled,
the cid form of government, with it's
mayor and six aldermen will have
charge of the city's business and
trings will not go to the dogs any
taken effect today
We were told by one of the men in
terested in testing out the case that
had the newly elected commissioners
taken their offices today, as they were
expected toSthat the old council was
determined to stick to the business
and run things as usual. This is
perhaps not the unanimous opinion of
the mayor and the aldermen, as some
Of them would have been glad to have
Quit Tuesday evening, but had they
] dcne so, the city would have been
placed in the rather unique position
of having two forms of government,
each with set of officials to attend
to business.
The Tuesday night special meeting
was a very agreeable affair anu there
was no inclination on the part Of the
commissioners elected to want to take
their seats until all question as TO the
validity of the new charter had been
satisfactorily and definitely settled
and they were supposed to take their
offices.
Another meeting will be held by the
old council Friday night. This will
be a regular meeting and further de-
velopments in the matter CT the city's
future government are expected.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
wilson Leaves Postoffice.

Sumner Wilson sprung a surprise
when he left his position in the local
postoffice and accepted the position as
assistant cashier in the Peoples Saw
ings bank, taking the position form
erly held by Ambrose Spencer, who
moved up a peg and is acting as cash
ier since the death of the late lament
ed Lee Cusser. Sumner has been with
the local postcffice force so long that
it seems almost as though they
would be unable to run things prop
erly for the government without him.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01

A vdry benutifpl wedding cere-
mony took place en- Christmas day at
high noon, at the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. George w Rhoades in Grattan
Center, when their daughter, Miss
Eleanor, was united in marriage to
Emil r. Slowinski of Ionia by Rev.
G.. c. Sheneman. After a wedding
trip to Detroit, the newly married
viii go to Ionia to make their home
A host of young friends wish them
long life and much joy in the new re-
lations.
Out Of town guests were Mr.. and
Mrs. Jerry Borners Of Grand Rapids,
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Beck Of Green
VILE and Mr.. and Mrs. Seymour Lyons
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
Miles Wood Dead.

Miles Wood, aged 72 years died in
his apartments in the Bricker block
on West Main street, Monday morn
ing at 5 o'clock, following an illness
of eight years, during which time
he had been a patient sufferer. His
funeral will be held this afternoon and
the remains will be shipped to Sheri-
dan Thursday morning, where they
will be inferred.
Mr.. Wood is a brother of Willis
Wood, an aged resident of the South
end of the city, who survives him. He
is also survived by his widow, who
has cared fer him most tenderly all
through his long illness and she has
the sympathy of the entire commun-
ity, the death Of her husband being
the third heavy blow to her in less
than eight months, her son and daugh-
ter, Mr.. and Mrs. Will. Conklin dying
q short time ago.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
Smarry Murderers Confess.

Charles and Edward Ward have
confessed that they, together with
Warren Utter of Lyons, killed John
Smarry, an Ionia recluse, on the
night of November 5, 1918. They
gave as their motive, robbery. They
will undoubtedly receive life or long
sentences in prison for the killing.
The two Ward brothers are brothers
of Mrs. William Hatton, who killed
her husband at their home Just north
of this city a few months ago, by
shooting him in the head.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
Patterson Has Sale.

Harold Patterson of New York ar
rived home to spend Christmas at the
home of his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. III.
Patterson and old ''Pat" felt so good
about it that he right up and reduced
the price of his famous salted pea
nuts way down to 20 cents per pound
fornthe special sale which he is going
to hold at his store. Look up Pat
terson's advertisement on page eight
Of this issue and.see what he offers to
do.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
Traffic Was Held Up.

When two box cars in a freight
train left the track near Smyrna the
afternoon before Christmas, it caused
a tie-up of traffic for about ten hours
and many a person who was hurrying
to get home to play Santa Claus on
Christmas eve, got there barely in
time to come in on the passing around
of the presents. Some ,lof the p. N.
trains were detoured aESuAd| au BY way
of Grand Ledge.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01
GreenviIle Pioneer Dies.

l.. Wells Sprague, aged 83 years,
of Greenville, a pioneer Of that place,
died Saturday evening at his home
following a gradual decline Incidental
to old age He was for many years
in the hardware business in Green
vile. He was prominent democrat,
a Mason and a veteran Of the Civil
war. He was also a member of the
Washington club.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01

On account Of the Flu and New
Years the elyb awiB be postponed one
week until Jan. 81. enWe will meet
With Mr.. and MfsnHerbeft Ross. smI
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01

There will be joint installation Of
officers Of Dan 8. Root post. G.. A. r.,
and .the w RaC. on Saturday, Ian. =
jPisnis dams 'FAl Be ,ssfesd sa'
The Washington herald., 1919-08-07
SARATOGA ENTRIES.

FIRST RACE Selling; for 3-year-olds and up;
s. furlongs Tie Desert. ll3; Binding Tie. IS
sam McMeekin 10; Poacher, rs; Nelsweep,
T5. Efficient 100: nellie Yorke, i0S, Arrah Go
On lis: Ballast, ll5.
SECOND RACE-COnditions; for 3yesr-ods;
mile. Clean Gone. lO7 Courcelles, IS; Thun-
derclap III: War Rocket. 100; War Kiss. lN;
Frugt0wn, liz: Mormon Elder. r2; Audacous,
IT,; Daydue. lN; Thunderstorm, III: Tailor
Maid l7; Bridesman, lG
THIRD RACE-The Pittsield Handicap: sell
ing; for 3-year-olds and up; l mile Wisest
Fool. 100: MonUmoy. lO7 COmme CT. ll2; Snan
Dragon, 10; Warsaw. lG7; Bridesman l06; Her
AID lO6: War Zone. ia; Camofeur, l06: Ma
honey. 1l2; SIippery Elm, III: Tetley. 100 Harry
BreivogeI lc2: Recount, lls; 'Hauberk, lis;
Raider l0s; Rose DOT, 49, Thistledon. 1O3;
African ARROW, ITO; L'Brrant. lis; Irish Kiss.
lT.
FOURTH RACE-The Alabama; for 3yearold
Rllies; u miles Milkmaid. IB; Vexatious, ia
Polka Dot l24: Jap, ia; Highland Light, ia.
FIFTH RACB-Claimng; for 3year-olds and
I'D: mile. Capt Hodge, 10; Thrills. 9s
Boxer. III: Tapageur. lG; Umbsla, 100; Romeo,
l05: St Queutin. ia: Lotery. l0S; Mary Belle,
10: Millrace, 10; MOneymaker; lOS; Kilkenny,
TO; Dimitri lis; Starter l08: Water War. fs
sRob Hcnsley ls GIeipner. Ill.
/. SIXTH RACE-For 2-ycar-old- maiden hlIies
81 furlongs. Flying Flower, IA; Lovers lane
ID ia; Rose Of Roses, ia; Cleopatra, III
Weary. ia; Brink, IA; My Boots, ia; La
Rablee. ia; His Choice. ia; Busy Signal. lli
Swirl. ia; Indiscretion ia; Princess Mary. ia
Bramble Bush, IA wateraneet, ia; Mile.
Vivian, III.
.ApDrentice allowance claimed
The Washington herald., 1919-08-07
MANY TRADES IN
MAJOR LEAGUES
Swaps Of Big Circuits
Would Shame David
Harum.

G"nd Old David Hsrun would have
smiled tOday II he had looked over
the l!Et Of ''zwaps" the major league
clubs have made since the stage was
cleared IN ADr1l for the bssebaH sea-
son Of 1919. The manager OF the big
teams seem to have caught the spirit
Of the shrewd Yankee boss" trader
this year. To date more than forty
transfers Of oan players have been
recorded in the National and Ameri-
can leagues.
few years back trading and trans
fers Of players during the playing
period were rare Maybe the war is re-
sponsibIe for Il. Some psycholorlst
might be able TO prove that war.
sweeping away the Superficial. has
laid bare the Yankee chara cter. And
no one likes a trade better than a
Yankee. whether the exchange Is for
"hosses." marbles. or words
Which all may be beside the ques-
tiOn. The point is that the big league
managers have turned David Ha-ums
this year Whether they all have
been as successful as Dave must be
judged by the final results.
Every major league club. with the
exception OF the Cincinnati Reds. has
at least one player on its roster
who was not on it when the baseball
season began.
The Washington herald., 1919-08-07
Sandlot Chatter.

At a meeting OF the War Depart
ment baseball club yesterday after
noon Manager Praether resigned and
W J. Robertson took over the man
aEership. The team will leave for
Newport News on Friday. August 16.
where they will engage the Camp
Stewart nine on Saturday and the
-hipyard team on Sunday.
When Tom Crooks CIorfeps won
thei~ game against the Torpedoes they
increased their lead to three games.
There has Heen some mighty good
crowds turn out to see the games on
the ElliDse Although it is amateur
ball. the contests staged are full Of
pep and fight. and that IS what the
crowd wants.
The proposed game between War
Risk and tho OId-Timers OF the Dis
trict does not seem. to be material
izinE very fast. A contest such as
this would prove very interesting to
the old boys and the young set as
well and would 90 far toward set
Ting the old question as to whether
they played better ball in the old
days than they do at present. I'm
agine seeing in the baseball score
once more Hunter to Hughes to Nc
Donald"
The representative team that the
Navy Ward will have in the post-sea-
son series will not he as strong as
expected owing to the recent ruling
OF the amateur officials that the win
ming team only be allowed to rep
resent the league. The former rule
provided that tn" representative of a
closed lea que could be picked team
from that circuit
The Washington herald., 1919-08-07
MAY DETHRONE
CAR JOHNSON
Action of Yanks' Owners
Only Forerunner to Get
Ban B. is Report.

From around the American
League circuit come rumbIings of
a movement to dethrono E. Ban
croft johnson. who since the
younger majors inception has been
its president and ruled with an
iron hand. Such wealthy business
men as Harry Frazer. Col Jacob
Rupert. Capt. Til Houston and sew
eral others who have invested mill
lions in the great national pastime
have been stunC severely by the
arrogance of the Car" and be-
lievc il time to eliminate him from
the game as far as the presidency
of the American League is concern
ed. reports declare.
The action of the owners Of the
New York club. Rupert and Hous-
ton. in going into the courts for
an injunction to restrain Johnson
from carrying out what they term
the unfair disciplinary measures
taken against Pitcher Carl Mays
recently traded to New York by
the Boston Red Sox. is only a fore
runner. it is said to what Big Ban
may expect
>
ago elected to the presidency Of the
American League for a term of 25
years at salary said to be S25.OOO
a year. From the inside comes the
information that Ban could be
forced to quit by the majority of
CIubOwners in the circuit getting
together and voting to reduce his
stipend to such a figure that he
would find 1t impossible to hold
the position. II was in this man
ncr. it can be remembered. that
Edward Barrow was got rid of by
the magnates OF the International
League.
The New York Club. the stronEes
link in the American League chain,
seems destined to go through with its
court injunction and johnson, at last
reports, was showing no signs Of re-
Ientiug in his stand.
The owner of the Yankees. it Is said.
feel that the disciplinary action in
cite the case Of Ty Cobb in 1912,
when the Detroit players went on a
strike because Of CObb'S suspension.
CObb's Offeuse was assuItinE a spec
rs'Or. and Mays that of throwing a
Ia ball at "rOoter."
The Cobb case was cleared up in
Two weeks. Cobb getting off with a
ten-days' suspension and a fine of 80.
In reinstatinc Cobb. Johnson de-
clared full protection would be afford
ed to all American Lea.ue players
against abuse or attack from specta-
tors. Mays, il is said. feels that such
protection was not afforded him and
that he has just grievance.
The Washington herald., 1919-08-07

New York, Aug. 6.-COlonels Rup-
pert and Huston. of the New York
American League club. promised
again to attend to the business Of
getting an injunction against Ban
johnson so Carl Mays can 90 to
work. The absence of application to
the Federal courts yesterday. it WIS
explained. was due to the fact that
attorneys for the club had not gath
cred all the necessary Information.
1t still is questionable by what
method the club will proceed against
johnson in it's fight to have the
suspension of Mays revoked but the
case has been placed in the hands
of two firms of attorneys who have
been instructed to push it with all
possible haste.
Rupert said today he expected
Nays to pitch within the next day
or so. Every day he is kept in
idleness is hurting our pennant
chances" he said. The race has
only eight more weeks to 90 on and We
need Mays now. We will try to get
a temporary injunction. pending a
permanent one to be procured later
After that we can take personal ac-
tion against Johnson. That can
wait"
! Col. Rupert also made public a
copy of telegram intended to show
that Manager Jennings. of the De-
troit Americans. had negotiated for
Mays services after the date on
which Mr.. Johnson declared Detroit
and other clubs had protested
against the Yankees acquisition of
Mays.
Hints from several quarters to the
effect that rival American Leaguo
clubs may refuse to play against
the Yankees if they play Mays were
received with interest. e=GbaIl
men point out that such threats
prove conclusively that the league
is divided against itself. There is
even talk of Ban Johnson resigning
unless he can disprove the charges
made by Col. Huston.