davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
WAS FIRST WHITE
CHILD BORN IN
0T|SC0 TOWNSHIP
MRS. ELIZA FALES CELEBRATES
S2ND BIRTHDAY ANNIVER-
SARY FRIDAY, APRIL 2

A pleasant time was had at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Merton Smith
East Liberty street, Friday, April 2
the occasion being the 82nd anniver-
sary of the birth of Mrs. Smiths
mother, Mrs. Eliza Fales, also moth
er of Mayor Elmer E. Fales, of this
city; Bruce Fales, of Hastings; Mrs.
w. L. Atwood and Mrs. w. C. Fill
kins, of Grand Rapids. Other guests
and relatives present were her broth
err, f. H Russell and wife, of Luther,
and ID. G. Jepson and family, Of Ionia
Mrs. Fales, besides having attained
the ripe old age of 81 years also
bears the distinction of having been
the first white child born in Otisco
township and the further distinction
that the first town meeting ever held
in Otisco township was held on the
day she was born. While she cannot
remember the event herself she heard
people talking about it a few years
later on and has never forgotten it.
Mrs. Fales is one of the county's
sturdy pioneers and has witnessed
a great change in local scenery and
methods since she first took UP her
residence here 80 years ago and her
legion Of friends hope she will be
able to reach many more of life's
milestones.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
0RLA BROWN TOOK
LEADING PLACE IN
US. ESSAY CONTEST
HIS WRITING WAS ONE OF FIF-
TY LEFT AFTER OTHERS
WERE ELIMINATED

Orla Brown, student in the 18th
grade of the local high school was
one of the writers in the Army Essay
contest which was held throughout
the nation recently and his essay took
first place among those written in
the local school and was one of the
fifty which were judged after others
in the western recruiting district had
been eliminated. Brown is a son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Brown, of 915
Martha sereet.
The essay which he wrote is as fol-
lows:
What are the benefits of service
in the United States Army?
Now that the war in Europe is
over. Uncle Sam is able to give men
more benefits in his new victory army
A first essential for a useful and
happy life is healthy, sound body.
Physical training is the first thing a
man receives in the army. This
course tends to straighten him up,
broaden his shoulders and chest,
strengthen his BODY and develop in
him the best possible physical con-
dition, which will enable him to per-
form his duties properly.
In manoevers of large bodies of
troops, he learns cooperation and
team work. Guard duty develops
confidence and courage.
He is given talks on health, train
ing, patriotism and loyalty, which
help make him a good, true, loyal
soldier and citizen.
By properly doing his duty, the
soldier forms a habit of strict. law
full obedience to his superiors. He
finds out what he can and cannot do
under certain orders, and learns self
control. There are valuable things
Continued on page eighty
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Enjoyable Surprise Party

The home of Mr.. and Mrs. ]. f.
Richardson of GA Charles street. was
the scene of birthday party, We'd
nesdav night. March 31st, the occa>
sion being the fifty-third birthday
anniversary of Mr. Richardson. Mr..
Richardson went to work as usual
and when he came home to his supper
found the lights out and party Of
friends gathered to help him cele-
brate. 1t was a complete surprise on
him and after spending the time in
visiting thew finished the evening by
partakine Of the fine supper prepar-
ed by Mrs. Richardson. Among the
rood things was birthday cake with
fifty-three candles. The lights were
turned ont and supper was eaten by
the light of these candles. Many
nresents were given Mr.. Richardson
the most precious one being a sofa
inflow with his picture on, and en-
broiderad bv his mother. when she
was eiehtv-five years old NAn lefk
with the expression of having had 3
very enjoyable time. Z
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
HEAVY SNOWFALL is RESPON-
SIBLE FOR LIGHT VOTE CAST
COOK WINS OVER STEERE

The vote at Mondays election was
one Of the lightest recorded in years
only about one-third of the voters
turning out to do their part in. saving
the country once more by casting
their ballots. This condition is at
tributed to the heavy fall of snow
which came on Sunday and which COW
cred the earth and made walking diff
ficult. Another thing which kept vo-
ters away was that there were too
many propositions to vote on alto
gether-there being thirteen ballots
for each voter. One was a presiden-
tial preference ballot, another was
a national committeeman ballot, then
came the regular city ballot with the
union ticket and ten amendments and
propositions concerning the city char
ter and the like.
y The men on the election boards
were satisfied with the light vote cast
as it took them until after midnight
to count the votes, as it was. The
first ward turned in their report at
little after midnight, the second
ward men, about 1:15 o'clock and the
third ward men, who had the heaviest
vote, shortly before three o'clock. Had
the vote been heavy it would have ta-
ken them until well into the forenoon
to get the ballots counted.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
ALL AMENDMENTS SAVE COM
MISSION GOVERNMENT CARRY

Surprise features in the voting
were the election of Bert Case for
constable in the first ward, by four
votes and Art Corey in the second
ward by one vote. A contest devel-
oped in the third ward when Elmer
L. Cook decided to run for constable
using slips, against DR.. T. H. Steere
who was the caucus nominee and
whose name appeared on the regular
ballot. Contrary to the general ex>
pectations Mr.. Cook developed the
necessary strength and was elected
In the presidential preference, Gen.
Leonard Wood carried the city with
Herbert Hoover running second. In
the national committeeman race on the
republican ticket many voters thought
they were voting for our local towns
man, Fred l.. Warner and marked a
cross before the name of ex-governor
Fred M. Warner. 1t had been plan
ned to give Hal H. Smith, a former
lonia County man, a fine compliment
tary vote from this city and the SIM
ilarity Of names spoiled this. AS it
was Fred M. Warner, of Pennington
ran ahead in the contest on the pop
ularity of Fred l.. Warner, of Belding
and beat Mr.. Smith here.
All amendments carried by SUBJ
stantial majorities save the advisory
vote as to whether or no the city
should change from the present al
dermanic form of government to a
commission or city manager form.
This lost by 80 votes.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Enjoyed Card Party

A very pleasant card party was
held at the home Of Mr.. and Mrs. John
F. Kern, Saturday evening Those
present were: Miss Idah X. Wright,
Mr.. and Mrs. d. Anderson, of Grand
Rapids, Mr.. and Mrs. Glen E. Morris,
Mr.. and Mrs. N. Davern, Harold Lud-
wick and lady friend, of Pewamo, Mn
and Mrs. George Reid of Greenville,
Mrs. Whitmore of Belding, Miss Rpth
E. Whitmore and Miss Bernice Miles
of Bay City. Progressive pedro was
played until late hour. The prizes
were won by Mr.. and Mrs. Glen Nor
ris, it being a very pretty hand paint
ed fruit dish. Boobie prize was won
by Harold Ludwick which was a cupie
doll.
Victrola music was enjoyed by the
young folks, with dancing. Refresh
ments were served at late hour. All
having spent very enjoyable even-
ing.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07

until such time as Mr.. Holmes will
have become well enough acquainted
with the work to take entire charge.
Mr.. Brown sent i'm his resignation
TO the board Of directors some time
ago 1t was ~ er accepLe1 fowevcr
and after a number of efforts to get
Mr.. Brown to change his mind in the
matter he finally agreed to remain
with the association provided an &C.
tive assistant would be engaged TO
take up the work with him. This
was agreed upon and Mr. II dimes was
secured
Harry VI Holmes is locai product
and Belding people ought to feel glad
to be able to roll up their sleeves
and pitch in to hehg1iim in furtherin2
the welfare of the city in every way
as proposed from time to time. He
is son of Mrs. Martha Holmes, of
East Congress street. He was born
and brought up in Belding and is a
graduate of the local high school,
being a member of the class of 1915.
He attended the University of
Michigan for two and one-half years,
taking up the study of medicine. The
entrance of the United States in the
wal dBdHiSI 0tIndiy lOuflu Hiit
there and he enlisted in the aviation
corps in January 1918. He attended
the officers training school and was
on the point of being commissioned
when the armistice was signed and
he was shortly honorably discharged.
He is a memebr of Hugo w. Fales
Post, American Legion.
After his discharge from the SER
vice, Mr.. Holmes took up a position
with Morley Bros, of Saginaw, and
it was while he was there that the
position of assistant secretary of the
local board of commerce was rendered
to and accepted by him.
Mr.. Holmes is a young man, well
thought of locally and we know him
to be full of life, vigor, pep and pride
for Belding and we wish him success
and assure him of our cooperation
In his new position.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Greenyille Water Safe

We recently commented on the pol
luted condition of the water supply
at Greenville. We based our article
on a report in the Greenville papers
and wrote accordingly-by, gosh, we
didn't wan to see any Beding folks
fill up on Greenville' wigglers by
drinking the water up there when
they could take a drink before leav-
ing home and wait for the next drink
until they got back here and we
wanted to warn them.
We now receive a marked copy of
the Daily Call which contains an art
icle to the effect that samples of the
water had been sent to Detroit, Ann
Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Lansing,
for testing and that it was found to
be the same as Ivory soar-100 per
cent. pure end with that so, any ore
can drink with impunity all the water
they want to while in Greenvillc.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
''A.Fr At THE
OPERA HOUSE
APRIL 8 AND 10
BIG EXTRAVAGANZA TO BE
PRODUCED FOR BENEFIT OF
BELDING HOSPITAL

Have you got your ticket for "Fi-
Fl of the Toy Shop" yet? If not you
had better get it and not only treat
yourself to the splendid staging of
the great musical Extravaganza but
also treat the Belding hospital to a
little of your support at the same
time. 1t is a sure thing that none of
us, outside of the board of lady man.
ayers, concern ourselves greatly over
the financial affairs at the. hospital
and when we are asked to dig down
for fifty cents for ticket to hos
to "shell out" at once.
The play is based on the supposi-
ton of beautiful doll in French
toy shop being endowed with life and
going on a rampage with other dolls
animals, etc, in the shop which had
also come to life. They have great
time and the local people who are to
take the parts in the staging of the
production are equal in acting to any
who have taken part in the play else
where, according to Miss Virginia
Karle, who is in charge of the work
here.
The cast Of characters is as fol-
lows:
Bonnie-Aileen Armstrong.
Fi-Fi-Elizabeth Raynor.
Loosey-Gala Penton.
Inkspot-Mary Baudrie.
Aurelia (Fairy)-Veva Vaudeville.
Aurelia Witch h)-Nellie Tucker.
n-Moon-Spencer Smith.
Tin-H -Heart-Earl Cowles.
Prince-Sylveste Dehn.
Capt. Barnacle-Roy Brown.
Sandman-Edgar Parney.
Dolls Head-Laura Andres
Boe Peep-Mrs. John Tebbel
Jap Doll-Irene Dorr.
Talking Doll-Mildred Shores.
Tackhammer-Alvin Storey.
>Clown-Keith Gildemeister.
Accompanists-Ma Covert.
Geraldine Spencer.
In addition to these there will be a
myriad of little witches, fairies and
others and it will do your heart and
the hospital good to see them. Get
your tickets early and attend either
one of the two nights, Friday or Sat-
urday. The price of admission is
only fifty cents and you will never
miss it. Besides you don't know what
time you may be taken to the hospi-
tal-accidents will happen and if you
should wake up and find yourself
there you would feel better If you
knew you had helped sustain it.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
SILK ROBBERS
MADE AWAY WITH
$4,000 OF LOOT
USED MOTOR TRUCK TO HAUL
GOODS AWAY FROM CAR
ON SIDETRACK

Silk robbers made a little extra
"velvet" once again when they
broke into a car loaded with silks
from the local mills, as it was stand
ing on the sidetrack at Elmdale, Fri
day a. m. and took out and got away
with somewhere in the neighborhood
of $4,000 worth of the product, us
ing a motor truck to haul the silk
away from the car.
The stolen goods consisted of both
mills and had been packed into eight
large cases and loaded into freight
car with other merchandise. The car
was picked up and taken out of tins
city, Wednesday afternoon by the
local freight and was placed on the
siding at Elmdale where it was to
be later on picked up by through
freight. The robbers had knowledge
of the movements of the car however
and broke into it some time after
midnight, Thursday and removed the
eight cases of silk, leaving the rest
of the merchandise untouched in the
car.
Light motor truck, tire tracks were
found but no knowledge was gained
as to the kind of truck used in the
robbery. 1t was thought to be the
work of Detroit or Chicago thieves
and that one of them had watched
the silk being loaded here in Belding.
obtained the car humber, ETC., and
made it an easy certainty to get it,
when it was sidetracked at Elmdale.
A clew was found later on in the day
at Clarksville where an empty ship
ping case was found. Indications
were that the robbers had headed
south from that point and were on
their way to either Detroit, Chicago
or Toledo.
Elmdale siding seems to be a fav-
ored spot with silk robbers for on
several occasions in years past SINH
lar thefts have been pulled off there.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
START SAVING
OF DAYLIGHT ON
MONDAY MORNING
TURN CLOCKS AHEAD 1 HOUR
WHEN YOU GO TO BED
SUNDAY NIGHT

When YOU go to bed-that is just
before YOU go to bed Sunday night
don't forget to turn the hands on the
clock ahead one hour or you will be
out of tune and out of time on Mon
day morning for at that time all To-
cal industries, business places and
the like will 90 on the new time, COM
monty called the daylight savings
plan and continue on it during the
summer months.
The daylight savings proposition is
an outgrowth of the war. 1t was
made a law during the war but this
summer so many towns and cities
will go back to its earlier time that
Relding people have been wanting to
return to it also, but the council
seemed to rather keep from taking
action on the matter. A petition IN
the nature Of vote was circulated
and the measure found overwhelming
favor among the people and this was
presented to the council Friday night
four of the aldermen voting In favor
of it and two favoring remaining on
the old time schedule, the same as
railroads and official time will be kept
on.
The action of the council set Tues
day, April 6, as the date to start IN
on the daylight savings plan, but
owing to the fact that it was not gen,
orally known, Sec. Brown of the
board of commerce got busy in the
matter and got everybody to agree
to postpone the starting date to Mon
day morning, April II.
Greenville, Ionia and practically
every city and town around Belding
are switching ober to new time and
unless YOU want to be behind time,
turn your clock ahead Sunday night
before you go to bed.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
EASTER SUNDAY WAS
ARECORD BREAKER

The chances are that local people
will not soon forget Easter Sunday,
1920 for the weather that day was
the worst of any experienced in a long
time and the storm which ragged was
fully as bad as any which We had dur
ing the past winter. Nearly foot
of snow fell during the day and great
drifts were piled up all over.
A number Of people state that it
was the first time in the past fifteen
years that it has showed on Easter
Sunday. That is undoubtedly true
as the weather both before and since
Easter Sunday has not been like any,
thing we have had during the past
Is years and we hope that we will not
have anything like it again in the
next 10.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
MYSTIC WORRIES TO DROP
EXTRA WAR RISK RATES

Secretary z. ID. Dow of the local
lodge of Mystic Workers Of the
World, says he has received notice
from headquarters to the effect that
the extra war risk rates put on
shortly after this country entered
the war would be discontinued with
this months assessment. He stated
that as yet he had received no notice
of a raise in rates such as this papei
made mention of some weeks ago. He
admitted however that it was likely
and that the melting had been held
for that purpose in Chicago at the
time we stated it had been held.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07

Very Pheasant AFTERNOON and
evening was enjoyed by the children
and grandchildren of Mrs. Mary A.
Godfrey at her home on Alderman
steret, Saturday, April 3rd, the occa-
sion being that of Mrs. Godfrey's
73rd birthday anniversary. Those
attending were: Mr.. and Mrs. Chas.
Godfrey, Mr.. and Mrs. Leland Godfrey
and daughters, Mr.. and Mrs. David
Hall and three children and Miss Cora
Godfrey A niece, Mrs. Evaline
Phelps, of Lowell and brother-in,
law and wife, Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene
Russell, of Luther, were also present.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Rantist Church News

Easter services at the Baptist
church were full of interest. The day
began with sunrise prayer meeting
at which 40 were present. Baptismal
service at the close. This was fol-
lowed by the young people distribut-
ing flowers to the sick and shutin. A
large congregation greeted the pas
tor at the morning service. The
singing by the choir was excellent
and greatly appreciated. At the com
munion service nine received the
right hand Of welcome. Fifteen have
been received into the church recent
ly and more TO follow.
The church was beautifully deco.
rated with flowers.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Birthday Party

Mrs. H. M. Purdy celebrated her
10th birthday, Mar. "a, in the usual
pleasing way, receiving greeting from
relatives and friends in numerous
ways such as beautiful flowers, letters
cards, birthday cakes and many other
gifts for which she is very thankful
to one and all, then on Wednesday
hast her children bnd grandchil-
rem and only sister and a few old
time friends Of Greenville came with
we'll filled lunch baskets and all en-
joyed jolly visit and sumptious din
ner in honor of both Mrs. Purdy's
and her son, Georges birthday.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07

Sunday school 10 a. m; Preaching
IL a. M; Young Peoples meeting 6
p. m. and Preaching at p. m.
Missionary meeting. Tuesday even
ing; Prayer meeting, Thursday even
ing: Bible study, Friday evening.
We report our success in taking the
subscription on our church budget
which we took March %. The appor-
tionment for our circuit was nearly
five thousand dollars and we went
over the top nearly a thousand dol
lars and raised by pledges nearly six
thousand dollars.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Adventist Church Notes

We were pleased for the splendid
attendance last Sabbath. Nine adults
wree baptized and twenty-five adults
were taken into church fellowship.
The Sabbath school is growing each
week. Were you present?
Next Sunday night Evangelist B.
F. Williams will speak at the Star
Theatre bldg. The subject will be:
Prophetic Visions of Our Day. This
lecture will be illustrated. All are
welcome.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Enlarges his business

Art Strong, proprietor Of the hotel
Belding barber shop has enlarged his
opening Of the hotel billiard parlor
and he has put in a number of new
tables which his customers are using
and pronounce them to be just the
right kind for the thorough enjoy
ment Of the facinating game.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Charity Bail at Greenville

A Charity ball for the benefit OF
the Greenville hospital will be given
in the Coliseum in Greenyille Tuesday
evening of next week. Fishers fam
GUS orchestra, with Charles Fisher
himself in charge will furnish the
music and a cordial invitation is ex-
tended to Belding people to attend
the ball. The bill will be $500 and
good time is assured to those who
attend
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Church of Christ Notes

The forenoon services last Sunday
were good, with six baptisms, but
OWL G to the storm in the evening
few were in attendance, so the ster-
eopticon views entitled "The story OF
the Cross" will be repeated next Sum-
day evening, April IL. You are COR
daily invited to attend.
John Wallenburg is leader of the
c. E. and gives special invitation
TO all to attend at $50.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
HOLMES STARTS
IN ON WORK OF
ASSISTANT SEC'Y
b. f. BROWN WILL REMAIN AS
SECRETARY AND DIRECT
ASSOCIATIONS ACTIVIES
Harry M. Holmes, of Saginaw ar
rived in the city last week and on

Thursday, Apr.
1, took up his
position of as
sistant to sec
retary Byron
+. Brown in
the local board
o f commerce
Office and from
now on the ac-
tivities of the
a S $ o C iation
will be largely
in the hands of
M r.. Holmes
with Mr.. By
ron Brown dir
oo4,x,n tbo x,,Orl,
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Fords Come Together

A Ford Sedan driving north from
Orleans containing Earl Emery, his
wife and mother and another lady
crashed into Ford touring car COM
ing west at the corner just north of
Orleans, Thursday night about
o'clock. Both machines were badly
damaged but none of the occupants
of either car were injured.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07

Roll call-Current Events.
Keeping Bees for Proft-Mark
Brown.
Reading-Theodore Blassen.
Soil Fertility-H. J. Wheater.
Parliamentary Drill. B. Strain,
Clarence Chickering, Ernest Chicken
ing. rf
Paper-Mrs. Nellie Ross.
Penny March.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Ernest Rummler Married

son of Mr.. and Mrs. E. Z. Rummler
of this city and Miss Mable Kopasky,
of Greenville, was solemnized Monday
morning at ST. Charles Catholic
church, Greenville, Rev. FIR. J. B. Illig
officiating. Bert and Oscar Rummler,
brothers of the groom, from this city
were present at the ceremony. The
happy young people will reside in
Grand Rapids where the groom has
good position. We extend hearty
congratulations.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
AntcIifRoss

The marriage of D. S. Antcliff, of
Orleans township and Miss Marie
Ross of this city took place at the
Baptist parsonage. Tuesday evening,
Rev. w. A. Bliss officiating. The coup
le were attended by Adelbert Rich
mond and Blanche Farrar.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07

At the annual meeting of the w. c.
t. U. the following officers were elect
ed: Pres, Mrs. Katie Cook; 1st Vice.
President, Mrs. Amelia Bliss; End
Vice President, Mrs. Ella Hamman,
Bird Vice President, Mrs. Martha
Wells; 4th Vice President Mrs. Agnes
Ballard; Rec. Sec, Mrs. Loyer; Cor.
Sec, Mrs. Minnie Friedly; Treas,
Mrs. Selma Porter, Supts., Evange-
listic, Mrs. Amelia Bliss; Flower Mis-
sion, Mrs. Lottie York; Sti., Mrs. Ly.
dia Pinkham; Legis.' and Petition,
Mrs. Minnie Friedly; Press, Mrs. M.
E. H. Coville; Parliamentary, Mrs.
Jessie Wilder.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07
Small Boy Lost Glove

Mrs. Art Brown found a dandy
gray leather glove the other day and
she sent it to this Office with the re-
Quest that we might find the owner.
The chances are that some boy is
looking for and wondering where his
glove has gone to. If he will come
to this Office and pay small price for
the notice he can have the glove.
The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-04-07

Born--To Mr.. and Mrs. Alvin Au-
bill'a nine pound daughter, this We'd
nesday evening. The young Miss
will be called Audrie Lorraine. ~