davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24

ploying nearly two thousand people,
pie, as he had seemed an integral
! part of the company since its in
ception in July of 1913, having been
during this time one of its largest
stockholders, as well as the executive
head of the concern for four years.
To Frank w. Ruggles must be Civ
en- credit for "a great part on the
growth of the Republic Motor Truck
Company Incorporated, which has
had such marvellous effect on the
growth and rapid development of
Alma, causing it to become the most
rapidly growing city in the state of
those which have not sapped their
growth from larger and more for
tunate nearby communities, such as
been the case with the smaller com
munities around Detroit. Due to the
Republic Alma has increased 1876
pper cent in ten years in population.
Mr.. Ruggles came to Alma from
the east shortly before the company
was first organized as the Alma
Truck Company, being a mechanic of
comparatively small means. How
ever, he had vision of the future
saw few years hence of his time
and saw the rapidly increasing favor
with which motor trucks were meet
ing.
With his vision he also had ideas
regarding the kind of truck that the
Sorld needed, and the Republic truck
came into being. The model was de-
veloped. In July of 1913 the Alma
Motor Truck company was organized
with capital of S25, 700, only a part
of which was paid in. About thirty
five men were on the payroll when
the company first started operations.
His faith was justified, as Republic
trucks met with immediate favor.
and success was assured.
In only 4 few short months it be-
came necessary to double the capital
OF the company, then it Jumped some
months later to a quarter of a mil |
lion dollars, and the name was
changed to the Republic Motor Truck |
Company. Soon after the capital
was again doubled, then jumped to a |
million dollars, and then beyond.
From a company employing thirty
five men seven years ago, the Re-
public Motor Truck Company Incor-
porated, has become a concern en-
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
Frank w. Ruggles Sells
Truck Company Holdings
Resigns as President and Director of Republic Motor
Company Inc, John N WHY'S Succeeding Him.
W|lLYS CONTROLS CONCERN
No Announcements as to the
Future Policy of Company
Have Yet Been Made.

Rumors, which had been going the
rounds, were given confirmation or
Monday when il was announced by
Ezra l.. Smith, attorney for the Re-
public Motor Truck Company Inc.
in an interview, that Frank W. Rug
giles, president of the company since
he succeeded Francis King in 1916,
had resigned, and that John N.
WHY'S of Toledo, who is president of
the Willys-O Overland, had been elect
ed as president of the great Alma
truck concern. Mr.. Ruggles also re-
signed as director of the company.
it was given out.
Still more important, however, was
the announcement that Mr. Ruggles,
originator of Republic trucks, and
one of moving spirit in the develop
ment of The Republic Motor Truck
Company Inc, had disposed of
large interests in the Alma COM
pany, the worlds greatest exclusive
truck factory, John N. WHY'S being
the purchaser of the Ruggles' in
terests. While no announcement was
made to this effect, it is probable
that the purchase of the Ruggles in
terests last week by WHY'S gives
the Toledo man the control of the
Alma company, as some months ago
he became very heavily interested in
The Republic Motor Truck Company
Incorporated, through the purchase
of large blocks of stock from former
stockholders, such as Charles G..
Rhodes, former secretary and treas
urer, T. A. Burt and others.
There is now considerable specula-
ton, of course, over the future pol
icy of the company, and there prom
ises to be some Speculation for a
short time at least, as Mr.. Smith
was unable at this time to make pub
lie the policy that will be followed in
the future, other than to say that
the company would probably adopt
policy of expansion. The manufac-
ture of the famous Republic trucks
will be continued of course.
1t is understood that at some near
future date Mr. Baxter, vice presi-
dent Of the company, is expected to
be here from the east, and at that
time it is probable that Mr.. Baxter
will make public the future policy of
the company, insofar as il effects
Alma and the surrounding country.
The fact that Mr.. Ruggles had
disposed of large holdings in the
Republic Motor Truck Company In
rorporated, which he had founded,
and nursed carefully, causing it to
grow from struggling infantile
to the largest company of
It's kind in the world in the space of
seven short years, came like a bomb /
out of the clear skies to Alma peo-
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24

Stars, including the heaviest hitters
on the team, were struck out by
rip" who allowed only five bingles
during the entire game. The star
HEAVIER did not extend himself except
when il was necessary, and such
cases found him invincible Holland
also pitched a fine brand of ball. al
lowing just seven hits and striking
out eight men. Three of the hits
came in the eighth inning when the
Republics counted both of their runs.
In the first inning the Stars got
men on second and third with one
down, but Hagerman turned them
back by striking out p. Hill and
Wesley, their heaviest clouters. In
the second a strike-out finished the
inning after Longware had tripled
with two men out. Two hits were
punched in the fourth by the Stars,
but Hill was nailed stealing third,
and the next two men were struck
out. From then on until a rally was
attempted in the ninth the Detroit
ers were not dangerous. In the ninth
Hewitt walked and Lyons single
put him on third. Lyons stole sec
ond. With second and third occu-
pied and none out the Republics
chances looked none too rosy. but
again struck out p. Hill.
Wesley grounded out and Gatewoed,
batting for G. Hill, was the four
teenth Victim to fan.
The Republics had several scoring
CONTINUED on page fcur)
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
MURPHY-DID-ITS
Famous Omaha Team Here For Two
Games Next Week.

The Murphy id-Its, one of the
fastest semi-professional teams west
of the Missippi river, will be an at
traction in Alma for two days next
week, appearing here Wednesday,
June 30, and Thursday, July, l.. This
Omaha, Neb., aggregation holds the
championship of greater Omaha, and
will stack up very favorably with the
finest teams that are to be found in
the west. 1t is said to be stronger
team than the one which appeared
here a year ago and defeated the Re
publcs.
With a stronger aggregation than
last year, the Truckers are expecting
to defeat the Murphys here this year
and il is certain that two real fast
games are in prospect for the fans.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
TELEPHONE COMPANY
HAVE STARTED WORK
Gang of Men Busy Rebuilding
Plant of Concern in
this City.

The work of rebuilding the out
side plant here of the Union Tele-
phone Company is under way, and
the superintendent of construction
who has charge of the fifteen men
who are engaged in this work here,
is in hopes that it will be completed
on November J, so that the wires
may be cut over at that time. 1t
may be from thirty to sixty days
after that though before the work is
completed.
The work promises to be a long
and slow process, as new wires are
to be strung all through the city,
except for the underground cable
service through the business district.
In addition to this new telephones
will be installed all over the city,
which will be smaller than those now
in use, telephone that will be adapt
able to the common battery system
which the Union Telephone Company
is installing in Alma. Two new
switchboards are to be installed over
Clapp's hardware store at cost of
$685. 900.
The work is designed to bring the
telephone service completely up to
the needs of this rapidly growing
community and to take care of the
growth that the city may enjoy dur
ing the coming years, without over
loading the system, as is now the
case. The cost of the new work will
be in the neighborhood of 100000.
and may possibly exceed that sum.
Some months ago $4,000 was appro-
priated by the company for the work
which was planned for Alma, but as
this was upon estimates of some
months ago it is very probable that
the present cost will exceed the pre-
vious estimates.
The common battery system which
the company will use in Alma very
closely approaches the automatic
system and will be great improve
ment over the system that Alma has
been using for years.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
SPLIT EVEN WITH
DETROIT STARS
Hagerman Won Brilliant Pitch.
ing Duel With Holland
in the Opener.
FIELDING WAS A FEATURE
Rabbit" Oakes Featured Contests
with Wonderful Catches in
Left Field.

An even split was the best for the
Republics in it's two games here
Thursday and Friday with the Detroit
All-Stars, these clashes marking the
first Of the series for the Michigan
championship. The first game was
highly brilliant pitchers battle be-
tween Hagerman and Holland. which
the Alma hurler won 2 to 0. The sec
ond game saw the Detroiters pound
Sherlow for 8 to 2 victory.
The heavy hitting Detroit clan was
pie for Ragerman, who was going in
fine shape. Fourteen of the All
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24

and today stands out as the largest
exclusive truck factory in the world.
Its rapid development during this
time must stand as one of the proud
achievements of American business.
During the first year that the COM
pany was in business "a trucks were
manufactured and sold. In 1914 Re-
publics began to demonstrate their
popularity, 376 being sold. In 1915
the number had jumped to almost
1000, and in 1916 the output was al
most four times as great as that of
the previous year. In 1917 the
growth of the demand for trucks
continued with this same rapidity.
During the war, the production of
the commercial truck was patriotic
ally curtailed, the company turning
its attention to the production of
hundreds Of war trucks for the gov
ernment, but it is now rapidly re-
suming its pre-war basis.
Of the original large stockholders
of the company, Francis King, the
first president of the concern, is the
only one who now remains connected
with the company, he having contin-
ued to retain his holdings in the COM
pany from the time of it's formation.
Like Mr.. Ruggles, he has been an i'm
portant factor in the development of
the enterprise.
Such is the history of the Rugples
founded company of which Alma
boasts. and which has made Alma
one of the most hustling little cities
of the state.
Just what Frank w. Ruggles will
do in the future, is something that
for the present at least, is left for
the public to speculate upon. Not
the slightest hint Of what Mr. Rug
giles expects TO do in the future has
crept into any announcements or in
terviews.
One thing is certain, however. and
that is that the business men and
ot~ers of the city, who have the vel
fare of Alma at heart, are entertain
ing an earnest hope that Mr.. Rug
giles will continue to reside in this
city, and that he will not retire. but
devote his seemingly untiring. ener-
getic spirit in other business affairs
in the community. for which. he has
done so much to build upon a firm
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
OBITUARY

Margaret Dunlap Friedrich was
born at Greenock, Scotland, May 2S,
1852, and died at her home on West
Superior street, Alma. Jure Is.
1920. In 1869 she was united in
marriage TO Robert Friedrich. whose
death occurred January IL, 1918. In
lsSsshe came 20 Aims, and since
that time had made this city her
home. She is survived by three
daughters, Anna, Margaret and Mrs.
d. .. Andrews, one son. Robert w.
one son-in-law, j. O. Andrews. and
three grandchildren. Nedra. Mar
garet and John Fredriok.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
CAMP MEETING

The Free Methodist tent and camp
meeting, which commenced on June
ls' and will continue until July 5, on
Grove avenue, south of plant three
of the Republic Motor Truck Com
pany Inc, is meeting with very sat
isfactory results, and is enjoying a
good attendance. H. A. Baldwin of
Warren, Ohio, and Erwin Weidman.
evangelists, are in charge of the serv-
ices under the direction of Rev. B.
F. Hiok, district elder of the Ionia
district, in which Alma is located.
Messi kawaba Of Japan. will be here
on July 4, and speak at the services.
Services are being held every even
ing at 500 o'clock, and every Sunday
at l1:00 a. m.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
COMING MONDAY

Members of the Alma Community
Council are requested by County
Chairman Crawford to be present at
meeting to be held in the offices
of the county organization in the
Wright Estate block Monday after
noon at 2:30, at which time Miss
Williams of Chicago. will be present
and give an address on the various
phases of the work for which the
council has been organized.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
FIRE THURSDAY

The Alma fire department was
called to the plant Of the Northern
Wheel company in the eastern part
of the city Thursday afternoon by a
small blaze. Prompt response to the
fire alarm made it possible to ev-
tingsish the blaze with only a very
small loss.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
SPECIAL SERMONS

Rev. Edward +. Shoufler, the new
pastor of the First Baptist church Of
this city, who came here from Paw
Paw, a few weeks ago, is now preach
ing series of Sunday morning SER
mons on Little Journeys with
Jesus The services begin promptly
at 1000 a. M, and the church and
the pastor extend hearty welcome
TO the public to attend these meet
inps.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
RESIGNS POSITION

William Simpson, for the past
three years superintendent of the
Alma Plant of the Michigan Sugar
company, has resigned his position,
and will leave the local plant within
the next few days. He has not fully
determined just what he will do in
the future, but is rather expecting
to go into similar work in Ohio in
the near future.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
FREE MOTION PICTURES

A rare treat for the young folks
and the grown-ups is promised for
this Friday by the Methodist Church
free community motion picture enter
tainmont. The picture is entitled.
"The Magic Toy Maker" With this
there will be good comedy. Every
body is cordially invited 300 D. m.
and S:15 .. m.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24
4 REAL CATCH

William Burgess, Rodney Burgess,
}. c. Gossett, Carl Walthers and
Frank Gross Returned the latter part
of last week from a fishing trip near
Milo. and brought back TO Alma,
what they believe is the finest string
Of trout ever brought into Alma. II
consisted Of 25 rainbows. none Of
which weighed as much as five
pounds.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24

New uniforms for the Republic
Trucks arrived this week. and will be
worn for the first time in games
when the Truckers invade Detroit
this week end for the next two games
for the state title with the Detroit
All Stars. Across the front of the
shirts are the words Republic
Trucks. Alma"
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24

Fest cardie, DeIaxe-77.tt.c
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-24

Buy the best. Buy DeLuxe.-77.x
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-24
Y. w. c. A. CALENDAR.

Monday-3 30 p m, Friendship Club,
Club Rooms; $50 D. M, Library Com
mittee, Club Rooms; 7.30 p. m, East
lake Girl Reserve Corps, Eastlake Church;
p. N, Whose Club Boy & Girl Party,
Club Rooms
Tuesday p m, Girl Reserve Corps
from School No 5, Club Rooms; D. M,
West End Reserve Corps, West End
Reading Rooms; p. m, Landlith Corps,
Club Rooms; 7.30 p. m, Ayita Club Boy
and Girl Party, Club Rooms, 7.45p. m,
Gymnasium Class, High School lower
gym.
Wednesdays p. m, Girl Reserve
Corps for High School Freshmen, Club
Rooms; p. m, Pocohontas Girl Reserve
Corps; 7 p. m, Mandolin Class, Club
Rooms; S p. m, Mandolin Club, Club
Rooms; p. m, Altiora Club, Wollaston
Hall.
Thursday-3.3O p. m, Good Fairy
Girl Reserve Corps, Club Rooms; 730
p. m, Industrial Girl Reserves, Club
Rooms;
Friday-3.30 p. m, Hiawatha Girl
Reserve Corps, Club Rooms; Z p. m,
Wapanachki Camp Fire, S04 Market
street; 80 p. m, Aloha Club, SEA Markc
street.
Saturday-3.3O D. M, Marshallton
Girl Reserves, Marshallton.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-24
PLAN To EST ABL|SH
VOCATIONAL BUREAU
Business and Professional Women S
Club to Give Dinner Wednes-
day; Address by Miss
Jackson.

The Business and Professional Women S
Club have as one of their cherished
plans that of establishing a vocational
bureau. and to this end are entertaining
Miss Florence jackson OF Boston, who is
Secretary of the Womens Educational
and Industrial Union, and an authority
on vocationa! training.
The local club will give dinner We'd
neSday, April IS, at 7.30, at Lambros, at
which Miss jackson will be the speaker.
In the afternoon of that day, between
the hours of $50 and $50, Miss Jackson
will hold conferences with members who
wish to consult her along vocational
lines. These conferences will be held in
the club headquarters at 7I3 West
street and will be arranged through tele-
phoning to the following people: Miss
Helen Hart, Americanization Office, tele-
phone 625; Mrs. Walter Plish, telephone
192O-O474, and Miss Emily Harrigan,
telephone 6494W.
Miss jackson is no novice at her job
but comes with a background of real
achievement and service. She Is regularly
employed to give advice as to vocatlons
to students ut Wellesley, Smith and Mt.
Holyoke Colleges. While here Miss
Jackson will likewise be the guest of
Dean Robinson at Delaware College.
The Business and Professional Women's s
Club working in conjunction with Della
ware College last spring and summer, were
able to establish university extension
classes in Wilmington, which have proven
a distinct addition to educational projects
in the city 1t is thought that perhaps
similar plan can be worked out In
forming a vocational bureau.
The club has issued special invitation
to members and interestedfnendst to meet
Miss Jackson at this dinner on the
2S. hoping that those women who are
interested in obtaining information along
vocational lines will come and be bene-
flied. Miss Jackson's knowledge is wide
and varied and embrace data concerning
the following vocations; actuarial work,
advertising, agriculture, art, banking
and finance, bookkeeping and accounting
civil service home economics, insurance,
interior decoration, journalism, literary
work, medicine, nursing, personnel
management, psychology, publicity work,
religious work (church, missionary, Y. w.
c.. Al scientific work, secretarial and
stenographic work, social work and
statistical work.
All who wish to attend the dinner are
asked to telephone to Miss Elinor Colby
of Holly Oak.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-24
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF
STATE SUNSHINE SOCIETY

The fourteenth annual convention OF
the Delaware Division of the Interna-
tional Sunshine Society will be held next
Thursday, April 20, in the Parish House
of st. Andrews Church, Sth and Orange
streets, from 10 a. IN. to till p. m.
The morning session opens at 1oo'clock
the presentation of credentials and regis
tration of delegates being prior to the
meeting. The reports of State officers ana
bi-cnnial election of officers VIII take
place III the morning, and reception OF
delegates and guests will be held at 1870,
followed by luncheon at p. m.
The afternoon session will open at Z
o'clock, during which there will be good
music, and an address by Mrs. A. ~
Warner, president of the Delaware state
Federation of Womon's Clubs. Dr.
keene also will speak. The reports OF the
various branches for the past year Will be
read by the following branch presidents:
Delaware Branch Mrs. Clarence Crossan
Coreopsis, Branch, Mrs. William Ste.
venson; Cynthia's Helpers, Mrs Mabel
Brown; Washington Heights, Mrs. Frank
s. Sparks; Alert, Mrs Edmond Wilson
New Era, Mrs. Garrett Jesserson Hart
Pollyanna, Mrs. W G. Jones; Frederick,
Mrs. Isaac Watson Belts; Alden, Milford
Mrs. H. l.. Bunstein.
The annual convention of the Inter.
national Sunshine Society this year will
be held in Boston, May 20, 21 and % and
delegates to the same will be elected at
this meeting
The Sunshine rllmmage sale will be held
May 10. Mrs. Stevenson wishes contrr-
buttons and cooperation.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-24
MERIT BADGES FOR GIRL SCOUTS.
Highest Ambition is 10 Become Golden
Faelet in Organization.

Every ambitious Girl Scout possesses n
Girl Scout hand book, which contains
every interesting detail Of the work which
she can do.
The highest ambition Of each Girl
Scout is to become a Golden Eaglet-to
earn the right to wear ii merit badges,
Upon attaining this honor, however, she
does not slack up" on her work, for her
motto is still "aim high, and she aspires
to even more merit badges, Of which Mt
present there are thirty-six.
To her, each badge means one more rung
on the ladder of scout success. 1t means
that she can thus he Of more service TO
her home, her community and to her
country, for these things, after all, count
for more than the insignia worn upon the
uniform
A scout must be OF second-class rank
before she is eligible for the proficiency
tests, Merit badges are issued only TO
those who show themselves capable of
living up to the scout program. These
badges are registered at headquarters
and issued from that place only.
The purpose of these tests is to keep
the scout busy and interested IN her work.
Upon the above stated conditions she may
try for any of the following proficiency
badges: Ambulance aViauon, hlrd study,
boatswain, child nurse, civics, clerk, cook,
cooking for invalid, cyclist, dairy, cleo
tricity, farmer, gardening, personal health,
public health, horsemanship, home nurs-
ing, housekeeping, interpreting, laundress,
craftsmanship, music, naturalist, needle
woman, pathfinder, pioneer, photography,
SCRIBE signaling. swimmer and telegraphy.
Each badge is significant Of its meaning
and adds much honor to the Girl Scout 5