davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
DEATH RECALLS
OLD DAYS TO
FORMER RESIDENT
TRAVELLING MAN WAS FORMER
SCHOOL MATE OF THE LATE
FRANK l.. MOON

Henry Schreiner, travelling man
living at IL Grant St., Grand Rapids,
happened to read in the paper the
other day of the death of Frank l..
Moon and he recalled the fact that
he used to in his boyhood days, be
a schoolmate of Mr.. Moons.
This fact brought on other men,
ories and caused Mr.. Schreiner to
mentally live over some of the old
times and he wrote the following
letter, reminiscent of many years ago
to Walter Reeves:
,Petoskey, Mich, May Is, 21
w. l.. Reeves,
Dear God Friend and School
Mate.
With sorrow l recently read in the
daily papers about the death of our
old schoolmate and friend Frank L.
Moon. He was good boy in the old
historic Otisco Cooks Corners)
Union school and the community at
large lost a good man and citizen and
loyal American.
There are but few left at Cooks
Corners who attended the old historic
Osisco Cooks Corners) Union school.
Yourself, your brother Fred and wife,
Mrs. Hubbard, nee Alta Wilson, Mrs.
and Walter Fisk on the old Fisk farm
Mrs. Ado Gardner, nee Deyet Cole of
Smyrna. A. E. Weter, Jay Cooley,
Gerald Weeks and wife, nee Libby
Slawson, and Mrs. p. Curtis all of
Belding.
We are the old men and women
now and in our fathers and mothers
pioneer days we were the little bare
foot girls and boys.
Well L remember my first school
days at the age of six years, l could
not speak a word of English. The
first day was a beautiful spring day,
the second day was a bleak and dis
NAL day, one of those northeast rain
and sleet storms with a piercing wind.
NV parents instructions were for
me to go to school and stay till / saw
the rest come home, then to come
home. The teacher told the other
children that she could do nothing
with a young one like me and waved
her hands at me saying "shoo" try
ing to drive me home, but / could
not understand her.
The second day when school called
she gave me my dinner pail and my
primir, and taking me by the arm
led me TO the door saying "shoo" and
closed the door. IL Jnen commenced
to rain and sleet and when the recess
come the other children found me
drenched from the rain and covered
with ice. They took me in. My little
fingers were so cold and ached so |
could hardly let go of my dinner pail
and primir. My seat was on the
rostrum floor, and after some weeks
Frank l.. Moon and some other boys
fixed up a seat on the rostrum floor
for me out of an old discarded broken
seat.
Now what | want to illustrate is
that undriendliness is tragedy. Had
there been any other German speak
ing children like myself could you
have blamed us for segregating our
selves? Now we pass by foreigners
paying no attention to them and neg
lect to show them in a friendly way
our American ways They know no
other ways only the environment
they were educated and brought up
under, which is autocratic and not
democratic. They have known no
other form of government only the
Continued on page four)
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
FOUNDER or
PARENT.TEACHER'S
CLUBS TO SPEAK
TUESDAYS MEETING WILL BE
LAST OF SERIES DURING
THE SCHOOL YEAR

Supt. Fell, of the Holland schools,
will be the principal speaker at the
monthly meeting of the Parent Tea
cher Club which will be held in the
High school auditorium on Tuesday
evening, June Z. Mr.. Fell is the or
iginator and founder of the parent
teacher club idea and every person
having children attending the school
should hear him.
Rev. w. j. Rookie, chairman of the
program committee, has prepared the
following program for the evenings
entertainment:
Vocal solo, Clayton Knapp
Piano Solo, Miss Marion Cusser
Address, Supt Fell, of Holland
Quartette, Mr.. Clayton Knapp, Mrs.
Albert Salzman. Mrs. Clayton Knapp,
Mr.. Albert Salzman.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Fern Warner Dead

Miss Fern Warner, aged % years,
died at Wahjamega, Friday morning
and the remains were brought here
Saturday morning and placed in the
Wicks Fales undertaking parlors to
await the arrival of the deceased's
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Hilev Warner,
of Sterling, Colo. They arrived on
Sunday and the funeral was held
Monday afternoon at three o'clock,
from the Orleans NJ. E. church, Rev.
George f. Osborn officiating and
Surviving are her parents, Mr.. and
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
HIGH TEAM READY FOR
FIELD DAY ON JUNE 4

The cinder path men at the high
school are just about ready for the
County track meet at Ionia, Field Day
Saturday, June a. The boys have
been practicing hard more or elss on
their own individual spare time than
on any set practice hour The team
is very we'll balanced but the men
have been changed around quite lit
tie and some very good new material
has been added since last spring.
Three men will be qualified for each
team consists of the following ten
athletes: Skellenger, Hawley, Lam
bertson, Mehney, McNaughton, John
son. Chickering, Dehn, Dorr and Coon.
Every effort is being made to win this
years meet and add one more cham
pionship to the four already tucked
under the belt I,
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Grattan Grange Program

Thursday, June 9, the following
program will be given:
Song by Grange
Local Happenings, wise and other
wise, reported by Carol Smith, Os-
car Hall and Edith Rowland.
Recitation by Cecil Rowland
Music by Florence Oesuh
Discussion, "Women's Responsible
ity for Disarmament, by Mrs. Lester
Carpenter and Rev. II. S. Ellis.
Song by Molle Godfrey
Stunts for 10 minutes
Paper, "The Present Plight of the
Farmer-Its Bright Side", Mrs. Nor
man Burnes
Song by Marie and Elma Hull
Penny march.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
HUNDREDS THRONG
MIRIAM CHURCH At
40 HOURS DEVOTION
BEEN KEPT BY PEOPLE OF
THE SETTLEMENT

Crowds of people filled st. Marys
Catholic church at Miriam on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday during the SER
vices of their Forty Hours Devotion
and the Sunday morning and after
noon services were attended by
throngs such as had never before
taken part in any like affair in the
history of the little parish.
The services were opened Friday
morning with high mass and the
Blessed Sacrament was exposed, men,
bers of the parish being in attend
ance throughout the day. Rev. FIR.
Frederick Pregenzer, Redemptorist
of Grand Rapids, conducted the
services and delivered some powerful
sermons which were an inspiration to
the people.
Saturdays services were much the
same as those of the opening day.
If John Albert, big" Henry Krupp
Michael Jacoby or any of the other
first settlers of the district and who
assisted in establishing the church
at Miriam in the early 40's could
have witnessed the reception Of the
sacrament on Sunday morning, they
would have no need of doubling that
their faith had been kept by their
decendents, the church being crowded
and practically the entire congrega-
ton receiving communion.
The solemn closing took place at B
O'Clock Sunday afternoon and con-
sisted of sermon, prayers and
procession with benediction at three
places. Rev. Matthias Meier assisted
in the closing and the procession was
a grand showing Of the love and ven
Grafton which the people of Miriam
have for their God
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Our Baby

Baby dear We love you so
We truly hate to see you grow
Beyond the age of babyhood
To mans estate or womanhood.
Your eyes are deep as April skies
Your smile gift from paradise
The downy hair upon your head
Seems softer than the fairies bed
Your teeth are like the finest pearls
Your head abob with shining curls
That glisten when you beat the air
With dimpled hands so soft and fair.
Your little feet so waXen white
Are never still until at night
You're resting in your little bed
With angels guarding overhead.
We gaze upon you as you sleep
In great abandon soft and deep
With lashes soft upon your cheek
Of velvet softness, Oh, so sweet.
You make home a joy complete
With stronger love and patience sweet
With buster hands and nobler thought
Content and happiness are wrought.
When trouble comes and joy departs
Your baby fingers touch our hearts
And seem to bring JOY from heaven
As if some angel touch were given.
OH, baby dear We love you so
From shining head to dimpled toe
We truly hate to see you grow
Beyond the age the Angels know.
Mrs. Neil Gilmore,
Shiloh, Michigan.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Obituary-Mrs. Ira Johnson


Miss Theda Sloan was born at En-
trican, Mich, Oct. %, 1897 and died
Nav %, 1921. She lived with her
parents whilesa little girl but at her
fathers death she went to live with
her grandparents remaining with
them several years, until her mother
remarked, she then returned to her
mother and came to Belding.
On April %, 1916 she was married
to Ira ID. Johnson also of Belding and
to them were born three little girls,
Ethelyn, Eleanor and Margaret.
Theda was kind and loving moth
er and good wife and had large
circle Of friends, for to know her was
to love her. She endured with pa
tience her poor health and always
made the most of what life had in
store for her.
She leaves a husband and three
little girls, a mother, half sister, a
step-father, two grandfathers, a
grandmother and host of sorrowing
relatives and friends to mourn their
loss.
Oh, Blessed sleep that will not
break,
For tears nor prayers nor loves
sweet sake.
Oh, perfect rest that knows no pain,
No throb, no thrill, of heart or
brain.
Oh, life sublime beyond all speech,
That only the pure thru dying
reach;
God understands and his ways are
right
Bid his beloved a long goodnight.
Adyarfis>d unffera
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Mildred Ellis Dead

Mildred F. Ellis, aged "a years,
died at the home of Mrs. Ida Nichol-
son, near Rockford, Sunday at one
o'clock D. m. The remains were
brought to this city and taken to the
Miller and Harris funeral rooms and
the funeral was held on Wednesday
morning at ten o'clock from the
Church of Christ, Rev. II. E. Curch,
officiating and burial was in Otsco
cemetery by the side of her parents
who had proceeded her in death a
number of years ago.
Miss Ellis had been in i'll health for
a number of years, her condition at
several times in the recent past hav-
ing been considered critical. The last
attack came suddenly on Saturday
and her death followed less than a
day later.
Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Gladys
Dutt, of Lansing, and two brothers,
Byron and Carol of Detroit. She
was granddaughter of the late
ovid" Howe. well known old time
musician, who died year ago.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Garden Notes
By r. +. Loree
~ TT - A - II -

vi. ~. ~. Dtpk.
Make paintings of carrots, beets
and parsnips during June for winter
storage The roots are usually more
tender and of better quality than
those from the earlier paintings.
When raspberry plants appear to
be "sick" and there are no indications
of insect troubles the safest plan is
to dig out the diseased plants and
burn them.
For plant lice on roses and other
plants, use "Black Leaf 40" or some
other reliable brand Of nicotine sui
phate. Use l teaspoonful in quarts
of water and add a little soap to
make it spread better. When using
be sure that the insects are actually
hit with the mixture.
A good sprayer is almost a neces
sity in the garden. One of the KNAPP
sack type will be found very conven
lent and of sufficient capacity to do
all the necessary spraying in a large
garden.
Don't forget the Importance of
thinning vegetable crops if large in
dividual plants are desired. The fol-
lowing are the distances recommend
ed for spacing plants in row: Onions,
2inches; beets and carrots, inches;
parsnips, s inches; winter radishes,
6 inches; Lima beans, IL inches; head
lettuce, to IL inches. depending on
the variety. Thinning should always
be done early while the plants are
small to prevent the plants becoming
stunted as result of crowding.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Not Complaining Witness

Edna Smith was not the complain
ing witness against Floyd Piersen in
a case recently tried, according to
both Frank Smith, the girls father,
and Mr.. Piersen, the principal in the
case, In recent issue of this paper
we stated that Miss Smith was the
complaining witness. The records at
Ionia, from where we secured our
Information, evidently are wrong as
both Mr.. Piersen and Mr. Smith state
the complaining witness was another
girl.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Shame On Them

Some young lady who perhaps was
cut out for the burlesque stage ap-
peared on the streets Monday with
a ruffle around her waist which reach
ed nearly to her knees, and made a
public show of herself and disgraced
the city. If they keep getting much
shorter the Mayor will have to dele
gate someone to use a barrel stave
on some of the girls and send them
home with orders to put on their
skirts. This is no garden Of Eden.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Farewell Surprise for Miss Gliding.

The home Of NJ. A. Reed was the
scene of a successful surprise party
and shower for Miss Sara Gliding.
the popular and well beloved teacher
who is leaving here to attend Col
umbia college after teaching here six
years. About fifteen of Miss Giddings
friends came and brought many
beautiful gifts. The evening was
pleasantly spent in playing games,
after which refreshments were serv-
ed and the guests departed at late
hour all wishing Miss Gliding the
best of luck in her college work in
New York.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
An Appreciation

We wish to exphess our gratitude
and appreciation of the efforts and
assistance Of the Belding fire depart
ment, our neighbors, friends and
others for the great assistance given
us at the time of our fire of several
weeks ago.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carl Geiger and
family.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
NAT|ONS' DEAD
LIVED AGAIN ON
MEMORIAL DAY
G.. A. II. TO TURN OVER CHARGE
OF MEMORIAL DAY ACTTIY-
ITIES IN FUTURE

That the people of the city and
community have not forgotten their
dead was conclusively shown on Mon
day when the six patriotic orders,
together with the citizenry gathered
to do honor to those who had gone be-
fore.
The activities of the day were car
ried out precisely as outlined in these
columns last week, the assemblage
being at the G.. A. R. hall and march
ing in the following order, Marshal
of the day, Jeff Godfrey, led the par
ade, followed by the school children,
Wabasis Camp Fire Girls, Fred Hall
Canton of Ionia, Belding Band, Sons
of Veterans, the Grand old men of the
Grand Army of the Republic, with
Jake Wise as color bearer, American
Legion, with Lyle Totten color bear
er, Daughters of Veterans and the
Women's Relief Corp and Legion
Auxiliary.
The march was down Broas St. to
Main then to Bridge st. and then to
the river where the ritualistic water
service was held, Major Chase strew-
ing flowers on the water in memory
of the Civil War dead who rest in
watery graves and Com. O'Conner of
those who lost their lives in the late
war. Rev. Osborn also offered a pray
er.
The march was then resumed and
the program at the NJ. +. church was
as follows:
Selection by Belding Band.
Song by Young Peoples Choir
Address by Mayor Washburn
Solo by CLAYTON Knapp
Reading of Gen. John A. Logan's
order establishing Memorial Day for
all time, by Don Cook
Reading Lincoln's famous Gettys-
burg address, HI. f.. Curch.
Address by Com. Frank r. Chase
in which he stated that this was the
last time that the G.. A. r. would
take charge of the Memorial Day ex-
ercises and that the work would
hereafter fall to younger hands-the
Sons of Veterans and the American
Legion.
Address by Rev. Geo. A. Osborn
which the audience appreciated very
much. Rev. Osborn is a forceful
speaker and his talk as usual was ex-
ceptionally good.
Following the program at the
church Otisco cemetery was visited
then the procession Wended Its way 10
Smyrna, where the Lady Maccabees
served one of their splendid dinners.
Memorial services were then held
at Smyrna Cemetery and a program
by the school children under the
direction of the teacher, Miss Marion
Byrne was given. Belding (old) cem-
etery and River Ridge cemetery and
st. Joseph Catholic cemetery were
visited in turn and the gathering then
dispersed.
A delegation of the American Le-
gion was sent out to Green's cemetery
to place wreath on the grave of
Chas Chadwick
The day was exceptionally fine as
far as weather conditions were con-
cerned and it is safe to say that more
people were interested in the mem
orial services than at any other like
event ever held in this city.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Sells His Greenhouse

w. r. Olds has sold his Greenhouse
and business to Leland Thompson
down. Mr.. Ods put up the house
the business continuously ever since
and is ready to take a rest now. Mr..
Thompson will move and erect it to
his farm in the west part of the city
and run the greenhouse in connection
with his truck gardening.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Was Struck With Ball Club

While playing on the vacant lot
west of Loewe's tailor shop. Tuesday
evening, Jack Wright, who lives with
his grandmother, Mrs. Viola Nealon,
was struck on the head by ball club
in the hands of young Don McKercher
and was Knocked out. Don Cook at
the oil station heard the crack and
went over and picked the boy up and
he was given proper attention and
will suffer no i'll effects from the blow.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01

Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Hicks and chill
dren of Flint, returned home on Mon
day after visiting with his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Jason Hicks, for a
short time. Mrs. Hicks returned
home with them for a two weeks
visit while Jason will try his hand
at "batching" life for that period Of
time.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Aged Smyrna Resident Dead

Mrs. John Purdy, aged 20 years, a
long time resident of Smyrna, died
at her home Monday morning. Fun
eral services are being held this We'd
nesday afternoon and burial is to be
in Otisco cemetery. Surviving are
her husband and a son, Guy, who re-
sided at home.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Lady May A Winner

LADY May" Spicer's mare won in
the 13 pacing race at Grand Rapids
Memorial Day, making the first heat
in 2:06A. They will start her in the
races at Cleveland, Ohio, next week,
at the opening of the grand circuit
races
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
PARNELL

Mr.. and Mrs. Ross Bignell and chill
dren visited with her mother, Mrs,
Agustus Weeks, last Sunday. Mrs.
Joyce of Ashville, ~ c., is also home.
George Engemann and family of
Kalamazoo, were Sunday guests of
his sister, Mrs. Nugent Byrne.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Vaccinate Against Smallpox

City Physician A. f. Hollard says
that Smallpox is raging in other
cities. but Belding is so far free from
the disease. He says that the city
still has a quantity of vaccine on hand
which will be used in the free vac
cination of all those who present
themselves for that purpose.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Card Of Thanks

We wish to express our heartfelt
thanks to our many friends and
neighbors for the expressions of
kindness, sympathy and assistance
at the death of our daughter, Fern,
also for the beautiful flowers and
other favors at the funeral.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hiley Warner.
Mrs. Carleton Towne.
Margaret Warner.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Card of Thanks

Mrs. May Cooper who has been so
seriously i'll is improving and wishes
to thank her neighbors and friends
for their kindness to her during her
illness, also for the beautiful flowers
that have been brought in.
Mrs. May Cooper,
Mrs. Arthur Powell.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Rhodes Harrington

Last Thursday, May 26, 1921,at the
brides home, Miss Reva Harrington
was united in marriage. to Dewey
Rhodes, at 3 p. m, after which ice
cream and cake was served to the
guests and a pleasant afternoon fol-
lowed.
The attending parties were Harry
Ekkens and Alice Rhodes, sister of
the groom.
The bride and groom expect to re-
side in Belding.
II. f. Curch officiated.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
NJ. l.. BidwelI Dead

NJ. L. Bidwell, well known resident
of the Kiddville section of the country
died at his home north and west of
town Sunday afternoon after lin
gering illness. Funeral services are
being held this afternoon and burial
will be in Otisco cemetery.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Starts New Milk Route

Fayette Hoppough of Cooks Cor
ners on Monday started milk route
in this city. Mr.. Hoppough has a
fine lot of cows which produce the
lacteal fluid for the carrying on of the
business. He will make his delivery
in the evening instead of in the
morning.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Memorial Day Accident

A Ford touring car driven by Miss
Margaret Friedly crashed into a Max
well car parked on the east side of
Abe Friedman's store on the morning
of Memorial Day and drove the park
ed car up on the curb breaking
wheel and otherwise damaging the
machine. No one was injured.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Attend State Meeting

DR.. G. A Stanton returned the
latter part of last week from Bay
City where he had attended a meet
ing of the State Medical Society.
Over 800 members of the medical pro-
fession in the state attended and
some inspiring talks were heard.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01

Mr.. and Mrs. Will Filkins Of Grand
Rapids returned home this afternoon
after having visited at the homes of
Bruce and Elmer Fales and Mrs. Mer-
ton Smith, her brothers and sister.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Crattan Cleaners

The Grattan Cleaners will meet
with Companion Tom Bookey, on
Saturday June 4, in the evening.
Every member should attend.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
ROYAL Neighbors Attention

All members of the Royal Neigh
bors are requested to meet at the hall
at ten o'clock a. m. Sunday, June 5,
Congregational church.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01

Innings pitched by Lambertson 8,
by Coyle 6; Dalton, 2 Wheaton 2.
Base hits off Lambertson 6, Coyle z,
Dalton 3, Wheaton 10. Struck out by
Lambertson 0, Coyle dalton 3,Wheaa-
ton, 9. Stolen bases: Belding II,
Ionia 8. Passed ball Belding /, Ionia
5. Umpire Rice. Time of game,
4 30 D. m.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01

Mrs. Nollie Trail will hold an auc-
ton sale of her household goods at
her home on Saturday, June IL. Lou
Emmors will be the auctioneer.
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
RAH! BELONG
TAKES TIE GAME
FROM |ON|ANS
DEM S TRATE SUPERIORITY
OVER COUNTY SEATERS IN
GA Me AT PORTLAND

The tie between Ionia and Belding
in base ball was played off at Port
land Friday afternoon and Belding
came out on top. As a result Belding
plays for the County Championship
against the victor of the southern
division, which is understood to be
Lake Odessa, on Field Day.
Both teams started with sub pitch
ers but finally put in their live pitch
ers. At the end of the third inning
the game was called for over an hour
because of great rainstorm. Both
teams hit heavy and it was the errors
on Ionia's part and the good team
work of Belding that won the game
for the locals. So far this season Bel
ding has played nine games, won
seven and lost two. Belding has
piled up 80 runs to their opponents so.
The score by innings was as fol-
The Belding banner-news., 1921-06-01
Card of Thanks

We wish to express our sincerest
thanks and appreciation to all our
dear friends and neighbors for the
many acts of kindness rendered US
during our recent bereavement. Also
for the many beautiful floral offer
ings.
Ira Johnson and family and rel
atives,
Mr.. and Mrs. George Mumby and
family,
Mr.. and Mrs. ID. II. Sloan and
family,
Mr.. and Mrs. Clayton Baker.
Taxpayers Attention
Taxes are due and payable on We'd
nesday, June I, at the Office Of the
city clerk in the city hall.
Ci s. Hoover, City Treasurer.