davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Surprised Mr.. and Mrs. Ravell

A pleasant surprise was given Mr..
and Mrs. George Ravell, Friday eve
ming, January 30th at their home
by about so friends and neighbors,
to help Mrs. Ravell celebrate her
birthday anniversary.
A few hours were spent in visiting
and playing games, then refreshments
were served. Mrs. Ravell was present
ed with birthday cake covered with
candles, each candle representing a
year, and was made by Mrs. Ed. Dod-
son. Mr.. and Mrs. Ravell were pre-
sented with beautiful rug, as an ex-
preston of the good will of their
friends and reminder Of the happy
event.
In the near future Mr.. and Mrs.
George Ravell and family expect to
move to their cottage at Long Lake
for the summer.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
FUEL SITUATION
CONTINUES TO Be
SERIOUS MATTER
SEQ. BROWN OF BOARD OF CON-
MERGE GETS CARS OF
COAL FOR CITY

After the Banner-News published
its article last week in regard to the
local coal situation, the condition be-
came so accute that the Belding Hall
Co. and Belding Bros. & Co decided
immediate action was necessary if
people were to be kept from freezing
and factories running.
Sec. Brown of the Board of Conn.,
merce left Thursday morning with
instructions to go the limit in locating
cars already shipped or to get any
ones coal he could lay hands on. Mr.,
Brown found things even worse than
expected and reports the railroads es-
pecially the Pere Marquette in hard
shape for engines.
He says if anyone has a leaning
toward Government ownership OF
control they have only to take the
trip he did to be most thoroughly cur
ed. AS soon as it is known that
work is for the Government it takes
two men to cover one mans job, and
red tape without end.
Mr.. Brown only located three cars
coming via Toledo but was able tc
arrange for shipments of Indiana and
Illinois coal through Grand Rapids
and several cars of this have already
been received which greatly helps
the local situation. However, people
should be as economical as possible
until things clear up.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11

Those who have been presen are
delighted over the way in which the
meetings are conducted. The SER
vices are refined and intellectual and
none the less convincing because of
the absence of slang, which is so
fragrant in the services Of so many
evangelists at the present time. Rev.
Soyles has a thorough knowledge
of the Bible, Of people and of meth
ods in special services. so that he is
we'll fitted for evangelistic work. On
Thursday evening the subject will be
''1he God Shepherd" and on Friday
evening the subject will be "The Jour
hey of Life"
1t is hoped that large number Of
young people viii be present. There
vii be reserved seats for them. Next
Sunday there will be three services
morning, afternoon and evening.
In the afternoon at o'clock there
will be a meeting for everybody. II
will be an illustrated service, 40 pic
lures will be shown and the familiar
song Where is My Wandering Boy
iwl be sung.
Cottage prayer meetings will be
held at various homes beginning at
900 a. m. lasting half an hour.
There will be meeting of the boys
and girls on Tuesday and Friday af-
ternoon at p m.
A very cordial invitation is ex-
tended to the people of Belding tc
attend these V'setings.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Buried Wife at Luther

Charles j. Seeley, publisher OF the
Sayre, Oklahoma, Headlight, was in
the city circulating among his former
acquaintances and friends on Mon.
day. He was a former resident of
this citv and at one time owned and
edited the old Belding Star here, leav-
ing this city about thirteen years ago
and going to Sayre, Oklahoma, where
he published the Headlight: Mr.. See
ly was on his way home from Luther
this state, where he had taken the
remains of his wife, Lena M. Seely,
who died from pneumonia at their
home in Sayre, Sunday February 1,
having been sick but few days. Mr..
Seely is feeling doubly sad over his
wife's death as she had been of tre-
menduous assistance to him since the
loss of his newspaper plant by fire,
several weeks ago. 1t was because OF
her devotion to duty and while at her
post that Mrs. Seely was taken i'll
and died. N
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
PLAN FURTHER
BONUS FOR ALL
EXSERv|CE men
FORDNEY PROPOSES PAYING
WITH GOVERNMENT BONDS
AT "DOLLAR-A-DAY" RATE

According to reports from WASH
ington an additional bonus besides
the $50 which was given to all hon.
orably discharged soldiers will soon
be provided for by congress.
A score of bills have been intro
duced by congressman to aid the ex-
service men. Many of them are ut
terly impracticable. Obstacles in
the way of congress to pass some of
these bills are found by Congressman
Joseph w. Fordney, Of this district,
chairman of the ways and means COM
mittee.
Congressman Fordney. who con-
trolls the purse strings of the nation,
is unable to say upon exactly what
plan congress will finally determine.
Mr.. Fordney is very favorable toward
giving "the boys" another bonus. His
plan will eventually be made law by
virtue of his Craftsmanship of the
ways and means committee. Mr..
Fordney's idea is to pay the ex-ser-
vice men a dollar day from the day
they were mustered in till the day
they were mustered out. Figures
from the war department which were
compiled upon the request of Mr.
Fordney, estimated that under the
"dollar-a-day" plan it will cost the
government $1,211 ,505.000 to pay off
the ex-army men. For the men of
the Marine corps on "army duty" 1t
would cost $1S1 ,732,500. For tho
Marine corps onA"naval duty" it would
cost $24,311 ,000 After adding the
ambunt which would be paid to the
navy men, the total would be approx
imately $1,800,0 100000.
Mr.. Fordney must find a solution
to the problem of raising this huge
amount of money to pay off the sol
ders at the "pie counter" He sug-
gests that the boys be paid in gov
ernment bonds which will be due in
terms of 10, Is and 20 years. He
proposes to make these bonds bear
interest at 31s per cent and be ex-
empted from taxes. This would guar
antee the sale of the bonds to any
banker at par should the holder need
the money Immediately.
Mr.. Fordney also proposes to give
the nurses of the army the same bo-
nus as the men.
Figures in the hands of Mr.. Ford
ney tell that there are 100000 en-
titled to bonus from the forces OF
the army and Marine corps alone.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
LARGE
sum OF MONEY
TO BUILD SCHOOLS
VOTERS TO DECIDE MATTER OF
BONDING FOR $125.OOO AT
SPRING ELECTION

The board of education has finally
got approximate costs, etc., of the
proposed and highly necessary school
buildings for the second ward and
also to replace the one which burned
in the first ward some weeks ago.
The crowded conditions under which
classes are being held at present
point out the real urgent need of
new school buildings and the bond
issue should carry with a big ma
Njority in order that proper buildings
may be erected in which to hold
school.
The amount which the board has
decided as necessary to bond for is
$125,000 and this sum will erect a
suitable building in each of the first
and second wards so that classes can
again be held as before the destruc-
tion of the first ward building and
befort the school room conditions be-
came as crowded as they have been
during the past few years.
The board of education has the
matter in its proper form in an adver-
tisement in this issue of the Banner
News and it will be well for our read
ers to turn to page four and read
it. Then think the matter over and
imagine what might happen to your
child and other children if some ac-
cident, fire or other catastrophe
should happen while these innocent
little tots were being, taught in some
Of the improvised places in which
they are at present.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Marriage Is Announced

The Duluth Herald of Saturday.
January 81, carried the following an
nouncement.
announcement of the engagement
of her sister, Miss Adele Lawson, to
Harry L. George is made by Mrs.
Bruce Ter Bush, 1924 East Ninth
street. The wedding will take place
in June at the home of Miss Lawson's
mother, Mrs. N. o. Lawson, Geneva,
Ill.
Miss Lawson holds a prominent
place in Duluth's artist circle. She
has a charming soprano voice, is an
accomplished fiutist and is also a
pianoist of not. These accomplish
ments added very materially to the
young woman's charms. Her fiance
is the local representative of the
Massachusetts, Real Estate company.
He is secretary and member of the
board of directors of the Duluth Cur
ling clug, and he is also a member
of the Duluth Boat club swimming
team.
Mr.. George is a son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Carl A. George, formerly residents Of
this city. The family went up in
Minnesota about fifteen years ago and
have been coming money hand over
fist up there ever since.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
PLAYED Ball In Germany

Chas. Pfab, of Pittsburgh, Pa, ar
rived in the city Saturday afternoon,
enroute to Omaha, Neb., where he
has business to transact for Swift &
Co. with which firm he is now con.
nected. Charley says he put in nearly
three years in the army and about
twenty-five months in France and
Germany. He was in the front lines
for a long time. While in Germany
he played ball with the first and sec
ond division teams and he says he had
a lot of sport in this way. While in
Germany he also acted as interpreter
in the military court and had many
interesting experiences in this work.
He says he enjoyed his foreign SER
vice but that he was glad to get back
He~left Tuesday morning for Omaha.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Mrs. Frank Totten

The death Of Mrs. Frank Totten,
aged So years. for nearly 80 years
past a highly respected resident of
this city, took place at the family
home, Monday night at about 11:00
o'clock following an eight day illness
of pneumonia. Funeral services will
be held on Thursday afternoon at
two o'clock at the residence, Rev. H.
f Curch of the Church of Christ, Off
ciating and burial will be in River
ridge cemetery. Mrs. Totten is sur
vived by her husband and son, Lyle
NJ Totten.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
RENO, THE MAGICIAN,
DELIGHTED AUDIENCE
WITH HIS MYSTICISM
LYCEUM CAME TO A SUCCESS
Full CLOSE ON TUESDAY
NIGHT FEBRUARY 5

Old fellows as we'll as youngsters
caught their breath with delight as
Reno, the magician performed thrick
after trick each one fuller of witch
cry, seemingly, than the last. One
man said "Why, l never was so be-
fuddled in my life and when he was
finished | didn't know anything"
A few of the wonders that especi-
ally mystified were: producing bowls
drippingly full of water from no.
where but paper napkin, pulling
ducks and rabbits, very much alive,
from obviously empty hats, plucking
coin after coin from the air and from
the features of small boys, multi
plying the number of coins held in the
hands of a man in the audience, etc.
One could go on indefinitely, nam
ing the ways in which he fooled the
crowd.
Not the least ip importance to be
successive of his program was his
witty flow of talk, constantly ridicul-
ing himsef, his tricks and his audi
ence in a truly contagious manner.
The High school orchestra very ably
filled in the time from eight, which
is the regulation hour, until Mr.. Re-
no had his property set up and In
workable order.
No higher praise could be given
Mr.. Reno than to say that his pro-
gram was as successful in it's parti-
cular way as the Althea players, the
Dunbars. or Brooks Fletcher. Every
number ON the course had it's own
particular attraction, and although
all were unlike in their kind of enter
tainment they had one quality in
common, and that was, super excel
lency.
All of Belding hopes that the High
school will again bring Redpath
Lyceum course to our city next win
ter.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
A Proclamation

The week beginning February six
teenth next has been set apart as
Father and Son week and will be so
observed throughout the United
States.
/ am advised that last year Mich
igan led all the other states in the
observance of Father and Son week
more than forty thousand men and
boys participating in banquets and
other functions of the week.
1t seems to me wise thing to en-
courage any movement that will in
duce fathers and their boys to get
better acquainted with each other.
With better acquaintance will come
a certain growth of mutual confidence
and esteem, and nothing / can think
of will be better calculated to deepen
and enrich the home life of our state.
Therefore, /, Albert f Sleeper,
Governor of the state of Michigan,
do issue this my proclamation and
designate the week beginning Febru-
airy sixteenth, nineteen hundred and
twenty. Father and Son week; and |
request all fathers to interest them
selves in the events and activities
that will be arranged for this period.
(SeaD
Given under my hand and the great
seal of the state this tenth day of
February, in the year of our Lord
one thousand nine hundred and twenty
ard of the Commonwealth the eighty
fourth.
(Signed) Albert f. Sleeper,
By the Governor: Governor.
(Signed) Coleman c. Vaughn,
Secretary of state.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
BUSINESS
FARMING IS TO Be
TAUGHT At MAC.
NEW DEPARTMENT WILL MEET
DEMAND FOR THE GREAT
WORK OF MARKETING

The development of instruction
along the business side of farming has
been assured at the Michigan Agri-
cultural College by the appointment
this term of professor of Farm Eco
Monies, whose business it will be to
establish courses suited to the de-
mand for training in cooperation and
marketing.
Hale Tenant, for the last twO years
specialist in marketing with the
Extension division at M A. c., at East
Lansing, has received the appoint
ment to the new post and has already
taken up his duties. Mr.. Tenant
carries the title Associate Professor
of Farm Economies, and will cooper
ate with the general department of
economics at the college,
Through the organization of the
highly successful Michigan Potato
Growers Exchange, and other cooper
ative associations, Professor Ten.
nant has become widely known thru
out farming circles of the state. He
is graduate of the University of
Michigan. and a practical farmer.
having spent 15 years as successful
fruit grower in Berrien County.
In addition to taking over these
courses now given by the economies
department which bear upon agricul-
ture directly, Professor Tenant will
establish special work on various
phases of farm business. Marketing
organization and the formation of CO.
operative associations will be among
the things covered by the new depart
ment.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
UNITED STATES WAR
DEPARTMENT OFFERS
WORTH WHILE PRIZES
CHILDREN WHO WRITE ESSAYS
ON ARMY CAN SECURE
SPLENDID REWARDS

A free trip to the nations capital,
with gold, silver and bronze medals
for the three winners and loving cups
for the schools they represent, are
the plums to be picked by the school
children writing the best essays in the
national contest February 20, 1920, on
the subject: "What are tha benefits
of an enlistment in the u. s. Army ?"
In addition, Colonel Mccoy of Grand
Rapids, recruiting officer for Western
Michigan, will award loving cup
to the winner of the contest in this
district, no matter how he or she
stands in the final contest, and various
civic organizations are lining up to
provide still further prizes.
The contests will be held on Febru-
ary goth. Each school principal will
appoint board of three judges to Sc
lect one essay as the entry from his
school. This essay will be forwarded
not later than February 81 to Colonel
Mccoy, at Grand Rapids. A board of
three prominent men will be appointed
by Colonel Mccoy to act as judges,
and the entries from each school will
be turned over to them. One of these
essays will be selected as the best
and sent to Washington, and the writ
er will be awarded the loving cup by
Colonel Mccoy and still be in the
race for the national prizes and the
trip to Washington. Other awards
will be made in the Western Michigan
District for the next best essays.
Secretary of War, Baker, General
Peyton c. Marsh and General John j.
Pershing will be the final judges and
will announce the names of the three
winners on April 10th. Then on May
5th those three boys and girls, accom-
panied by their parents of guardians,
with all travelling and other expenses
paid to Washington and back, will
be presented with the medals and
cups by the Secretary of War. A gold
medal will be the first prize, silver
the second and bronze the third.
Although the contest is being con-
ducted ty the War Department, tAe
Comeback, official paper of Walter
Reed Hospital, obtained permission
- pdrc' use the prizes, so the school
children are rea"1 to compete fer
pr .ts provided ~ soldiers, manned
al VIZ tnded fightil for their protec-
ton.
The contest is open to the students
of all schools, except colleges and
universities, whether public, private,
sectarian or non-sectarian. The win
ners may be boy or girl, white or
colored or brown or red, American
born or foreign born.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
VIII Quit Farming

John /. Weeks, living west of the
city has decided to quit the old Farm
life and is going to- have an auction
and sell off his accumulation of
farming stuff. Mr.. Weeks was an
expert timber estimator and the
old company or whom he
worked before going to farming has
made him a splendid offer and one
which he can not very well turn down
and he is going back to the old job
where the money comes easier than
it does in farming and where dry
spells or excessive rainfalls will have
little effect, If any, on his income.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Huoo w FaIea Post

Hugo w. FaIes, Post
Don't forget the big dancing party
to be given February 13. Music by
Spaulding's orchestra.
Let's have good attendance at the
next regular meeting, Monday, Feb
ruary 16, at s o'clock. Many things
of Importance to be taken up by the
members.
Let's make our membership 100eS
for this year.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
A Want Ad Will Do 1t.
70 GIVE VALENTINE DANCE

Hale's Belding Orchestra will
give their big annual Valentine
Dance in the Hubbel hall this week
Saturday night. There will be
plenty of new features including
the Chicago Craze Keno, the
orchestra will be enlarged with the
addition of Bass Viol and a Clari-
net.
The price will be only 75c. Bring
all our friends and have real
time. Owing to so much sickness
this will be the last Saturday hight
dance until conditions improve.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Taken To Hnsnifal

w. Ernest Little, popular real es-
tate man of this city was taken to the
hospital this afternoon and we un-
derstand they are operating on him
at present. Mr.. Little is suffering
from an intestinal obstruction and
an operation is looked on as a case
of last resort to save his life.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Lent BEGINS "Wednesday

The Lenten season begins on next
Wednesday morning, February Is
and lasts through until Easter Sun
day, April 4. This period of time
will be marked at the beginning with
distribution Of ashes at st. Joseph's
Catholic church, next Wednesday
evening and by special Lenten ser
ing, throughout the season at the
same church.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Miles BigIer Hurt

Miles (Dad) Bigler fell on the ice
near the Red mill Tuesday morning
and was rendered unconscious by the
fall. He was removed to his home
on Birch street and DR.. M. M. Han
sen called to attend him. Mr.. Bigler
was unconscious for more than two
hours after the fall but at present is
reported as better. He is 86 years
old.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Obituary-Mrs. Fred Gals.

Mable G.. Gals born July q, 1883
at Sheridan. Michigan. Daughter Of
Ed. P. and Mary Collier.
Moved to Ionia at the age of seven
years. Came to Detroit, Michigan
and was married to Fred M. Gals
February 27. 1918 by the Rev. lottery.
Died at the family resident, 883
Lorain ave-, Deroit, Michigan, Feb.
1, 1920.
The deceased leaves to mourn their
loss, her husband, Fred NJ. Gals. two
step children, Elton of Niagara Falls,
N. Y. and Harold of Detroit, Mich,
Mrs. Mary Twiss of Grand Rapids and
her sister Daisv also of Grand Rap
ids. George Collier of Ionia and Rol-
and Collier of Phea, Penn.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11

New Columbia records now on sale.
Come on and play with me, by Bill
lie Murray. You .ain't heard nothing
yet, AL Jolsen.
Nobody Knows, Wonderful Pal,
Saxaphone.
Dardanella Fox Trot, Wild Fliwer
Waltz.
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles, Violin
solo.
Miller & Harris Furn. Co.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Charles Fuller

Charles Fuller, empoyed for some
time past as fireman at the Belding
Basket Co. plant, died Saturday morn
ing at the city hospital. from pneu-
monia. The remains were shipped,
on Monday morning to his old home
at Luther, where the funeral and
burial took place.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
DEATH CLAIMS
MANY THROUGH
: FLU EPIDEMIC
GRIM REAPER LEAVES MANY
SADDENED HOMES IN
HIS WAKE

Death has kept up it's record which
it started more than two weeks ago
at the time the flu epidemic spread
over the city and in its wake it has
left number of saddened, broken
homes, in several instances young
mothers having passed out. into the
great beyond, leaving number of
small children without the much
needed mothers care.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11

There will be special meeting on
Thursday evening, February IL, 1920.
All members are requested to be
present as. business of importance
must be taken care of.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
Meeting Postponed

The meeting of the Ladies Liter
airy Exchange club which was to have
been held at the home of Mrs. Rose
Lamb, on Thursday, February IL has
been, owing to sickness, postponed
for one week and will be held on
Thursday, February 10, at the Same
place.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-02-11
MARSHAL SAYS
SHOOTING IN CITY
MUST BE STOPPED
SEVERAL NARROW ESCAPES
HAVE BEEN RECORDED AS
RESULT OF PRACTICE

Shooting off small arms within the
limits of the city must stop, accord
ing to City Marshall James Meginley,
to whom number of complaints have
been made recently where persons
have narrowly missed being hit by
bullets as they sped wild after hav-
ing been fired at some target or 9TH
er objective and missed the mark.
In a number of instances the stray
shots have just missed doing bodily
harm to people who happened to be
passing or sitting near the path
chosen by the bullet in it's flight. In
other cases the bullets have battered
up against the side walls of buildings
and caused no more harm than giving
the occupants of the building a good
soaring. In the north part of the city
last week a man was sitting near a
table reading and a bullet crashed
through the. window. 1t passed close
to the citizens legs and imbedded
itself in the frame work of couch
standing in the room. The window
light was shattered as were also the
nerves of the members of the entire
family. Another incident has it that
a shot was heard and about the same
time a bullet flattene1 itself against
the side of the house.
Marshall Meginley calls attention
to the city ordinance which prohibits
the discharging of firearms within
the city. limits and says that VIOLA
tions of the ordinance have become SO
frequent and fragrant that the prac-
tice must be stopped and that there
fore he will take the first offender
caught and prosecute him to the full
extent of the law Mr.. Meginley
thinks the habit is carried on mostly
by small boys who have rifles of %
calibre and who are shooting targets
within the city limits, contrary to
law.