davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
TRAVELLED FOR TWO
DAYS AND 40 MILES
TO REACH IONA
GOOD ROADS AND AUTOMOBILES
MAKE EARLY DAY TRIPS
SEEM TEDIOUS

George Phillips recently ran ac-
cross an old clipping taken from an
Ionia paper and which concerned
the death of William Russell, an
early Otisco pioneer. With the good
roads and the % or 80 minute trips
of today, the courage of the people
of primitive days in making the trip
to the county seat, looms noun. ain
Gus in size.
The article which Mr.. Phillips
handed us was as follows:
Mr.. Russell was born September
IL, 1913, in Maine, from whence his
parents moved to Courtland county,
S.sy New HSTk. ASg I. iii rip ctbS2fb There he lived
Il. Cook, John L.sMorse, c. +. Morse
and his brother, Amos ii. Russell, ne
emigrated to Otisco. In 1910 he was
united in marriage to Sarah ID. Broas
daughter of Charles Broas. The re-
suit of the union was SIX children.
Mr.. Russell being among the pro-
neers of this town, was closely iden-
tilted with the events of that early
day. Roads were then unknown In
this section, so the party came down
the Looking Glass river to Portland,
thence down the Grand to where
Lowell is now situated, at the mouth
of Flat river, where they LETT their
boats and proceeded on foot, follow
ing an old Indian trail fourteen
miles up Flat River to the place they
had selected to make their homes.
The whole party, consisting OF
thirteen persons, occupied one looe
cabin, fourteen feet square, unti
others could be built. True 1t was
little crowded, and at night 1t wa!
necessary to move the furniture ou
of doors that they might have room
for their beds. The nearest poin
from which supplies could be pro
cured was Ionia, distant now by goo'
roads only 16 miles, but then ther
! were no roads and the only way 7
transport their provisions was D
water. following the course of Gran
river to the mouth of the Flat, theme
: nm that stream to Otisco, altogethe
a distance of forty miles. But thes
hardy pioneers were not discourage
by what they called trifes. The
= dug out a huge canoe, thirty fee
long. and two men would take thi
/, and by polling and towing with roI
> would bring the necessities of IN
!. from Ionia. 1t is related by the ear
), settlers that the two Russells mac
6 the trip in two days and brought
a load of forty bushels of potato'
! and a barrel of flour. !,
Mr.. Russell came here before. Il
y land was in market and selected h
! farm on section Is under the pr
e emption law He has resided in tn
{ town since, with the exception
q; about two years, during which tin
ID he was engaged in building m
d and numbering in Montcalm count
\ He was mechanic and at an ear
At day worked at his trade, but of la
er years had given his attention entii
w to farming. He built the fii
frame barn put up in this town a
harvested from his farm the I'll
b. winter wheat ever sown here.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22

An item which will be of interes,
to our many readers who have not
as yet heard Of the change and
which was inadvertently left out of
our columns last week was the
change at the Model Market, when
Phil Young, who for a score or more
of years has catered to the wants
of the people of this city and vici-
nifty as one of the proprietors of
the Model Market, disposed of his
interest to VIM. r. Ward and the
firm name will now be Fish & Ward.
Mr.. Young has been in the meat
business in this city for about
% years. His first venture here be-
ing in partnership with Forest Fish
and this lasted about seven years.
He then left the city for a number
of years and about 16 years ago re.
turned and again entered into part
nership with Mr.. Fish and the con,
cern has continued until last week,
when Mr.. Young decided that he
would sell out. While we hope that
our good and genial friend Phil viii
strike luck wherever he decides to
settle, at the same time we express
the opinion of many people in this
when we say that it is with
regret that we learned of his quit
ting the local business field.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
SEVERE STORM
COVERS EARTH WITH
MANTLE OF ICE
AUTOS AND PEDESTRIANS FIND
1T TOUGH GOING. MANY
NEAR ACCIDENTS

One of the worst sleet and ice
storms which this district has ever
been visited hy arrived Tuesday and
this morning the ground was COW
cred with a coating of ice which
anything but pleasant. The sleet
began to fall Tuesday afternoon at
about three o'clock and shortly af-
terward it was decidedly unsafe to
venture out without calks on your
shoes. Automobiles slipped and
skidded and were very apt to go any
place but where the driver tried to
steer them.
Numerous wrecks were reported
from around the city and a number
of cars were counted this morning,
where their owners had deserted
them last night after smashing a
wheel or sustaining some other dam
age.
Ed. Bennett, a local real estate
man had business in Greenville at
about five o'clock and started for
that place. He arrived about $3.50
o'clock after one of the most peri
lous trips he ever undertook to make
Mr.. Bennett counted thirteen auto
mobiles in the ditch between this
city and Greenville. Some were be-
ing pulled out while others were
waiting for help to assist them out
of the place they had slipped into.
Report mas it that one of the busses
from Grand Rapids, when nearing
Bostwick lake, slipped and leaving
the road, headed for and came near
going into the lake before the driver
stopped the machine.
Train service has been somewhat
delayed and the electric light and
telephone companies are eXperienc-
ing the usual trouble caused from
the weight of heavy coating of ice
on the wires causing them to break.
The ice came so sudden that peo-
pie were not accustomed to it and
as result number of surprises
were received when pedestrians or
motorists started out. Walt Wilson
was somewhat surprised when his
buick left the street and headed for
the drinking fountain at the corner
of Pleasant and Congress streets.
Henry Friedly was somewhat sur
prised when he slipped and fell on
North Pleasant street. Eye wit.
nesses to Henry's fall state that the
thing happened so quickly tna' fnI1 nh
hat ,nee remaipssfd aiipEsf Hank IL th7h hit the ice GOV.
cred earth. Likewise, We editor was
considerably surprised when ms au
tomobile refused to go where tne
steering gear directed it and the oau
bus came to grief a moment iaeer
when it struck the curb and SMASH
ed a wheel. Lo,,
Local people who remember PACK
saw that this is the worst storm OF
its kind since 1908, when a similar
ice and sleet storm visited tins sec
tion
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
MRS. DORIAN RUSSELL
SPOKE TO |. [. E, C..

The Ladies Literary Exchange
club met at the home of Mrs. H. A
Lamb, Thursday, February 10th.
Each member was given the privi-
lege of inviting guest, so there
was a very large attendance. The
program for the day was in charge
of the fourth division.
The first number was a uuartette
composed of Mesdames Salzman.
Wagner, Knapp and Spencer, who
sang "A Hundred Years from Now.
and responded to an encore with
when We're Together.
Following this, Mrs. VIM. Ward.
Pres. Of the club, introduced the
speaker for the afternoon Mrs.
Dorian Russell of Grand Rapids.
who is the vice president Of the state
federation of Women's clubs. Mrs.
Russell, who is a pleasing speaker
and proved to be very easy to listen
to, gave a most interesting talk on
Citizenship" which was greatly en-
joyed by the members and their
guests. The program closed with a
piano sole by Miss Marian Cusser.
who played Chopin's Funeral
March. Miss Cusser responded to
an encore. Light refreshments were
served at the close of the program,
and everyone felt it had been an
afternoon well spent.
The next meeting of the club will
be held at the home of Mrs. Agnes
Ballard, Thursday, March End.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
MANY CALLED
TO CONSULT WITH
INCOME TAX MAN
INCREASED EXEMPTIONS AND
LOWER WAGES ACT IN FAV-
OR OF TAXPAYERS

Deputy Collector III. j. Webber
of the internal revenue office al
Grand Rapids, has been stationed at
Hotel Belding for the past three
days assisting local people who call
ed on him to make out their income
tax return reports properly and also
determining for lot of people whe,
ther or not they had to pay a tax
or make report.
Lower wages being paid than in
other years, together with shorter
working periods have cut down the
income of many people who in the
several years past, found themselves
eligible to pay a tax and this year
they are not oblidged to pay. The
greater exemption allowed married
people also is responsible for the de-
crease in the number of people who
will pay an income tax this year.
Among the people who called on
Deputy Webber, Monday, was a vet
eran of the Civil war. This man is
widower, is the practical supporter
of several grand children and whose
wages received for working in a To-
cal factory, run somewhat over the
81 900 exemption allowed widower
who is classed as single person.
The old gentleman had never both
cred himself great deal about an
income tax and was worried consid-
cradle after he heard that a penalty
might be applied to him on account
of the fact that he had never filed a
report of his income. The old vet
eran made complete confession,
telling all about himself, his war re,
cord, the death of his wife, his rela-
tion and interest to his unfortunate
grand children and vertiably threw
upon the mercy of the
court" so to speak. The deputy lis
tened to his story, told the old boy
that the law gave him the right to
fine him five or ten dollars, helped
him in the matter of filing his report
and sent the old vet on his way with
tears of gratitude streaming down
his cheeks.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Pretty Cold Morning

An observer reported that Friday
morning seemed to be too cold for
even the automobilist to be out, or
for any other motor vehicle This
that he could see no motor vehicle
as far as could be seen up and down
both streets. This according TO TINS
person was something that is almost
never seen these two streets as
both are the most travelled ways
in Belding. A travelling man also
reported that after making this city
for 10 years he never saw the
streets as deserted as they were FRI
day morning shortly before O'Clock
This man says that on arriving mere
that he saw no one except as .hes
"ducked" out to look at the ther
mometer and then to duck" baci
again. People will remember tina
Friday morning was pretty coi'
morning.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
COOPER APPEALS
HIS CASE To
CIRCUIT COURT
CONVICTED IN JUSTICE COURT
AND WILL CARRY CASE
TO HIGHER TRIBUNAL

Leon Cooper, local taxi driver, who
was found guilty in Justice Lap
hams court. Saturday morning OF
having driven an automobile while
under the influence of intoxicating
liquor has decided to appeal his case
to the Circuit court and will carry
it to the higher tribunal of justice
IN an effort to clear himself of the
charge. He has retained Fred L.
Warner as his attorney and will put
up fight to keep from going to Jail.
Cooper was willing to plead gull
ty to being intoxicated, but would
not admit lat he had operated the
automobi q while in that condition.
The evidence in the case, however,
tended to show that he had driver
and he was found guilty. Justice
Lapham in imposing sentence, fixed
Cooper's penalty at fine of $50 and
costs and ten days in the county
Jail at Ionia and in case the fine was
not paid at the end of the ten days
he was to serve another 20 days ad-
ditional /. is to ward off this jail
sentence that Cooper has secured a
lawyer and will put up a fight. He
is out on bonds furnished by Dell
Rowley.
Ed. Stevens, local roofing man,
who was found guilty of driving an
automobile while intoxicated, in
Justice Reeds court, Thursday, was
sentenced to serve 80 days in the
county jail at Ionia. He was taken
there that same day by Police Office
Cock
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Church of Christ Notes

Many enjoyed the work and twas
treat to have such men as John
w. Tyndall and Prof D. VI, ", Horrrs Set,,rs
day evening. They will return next
Saturday evening again for a
Gao D. m. service and you are
urged to attend. Prof. A. S. Johnson
of Bible college, Kimberling Heights
Tenn, says, "There is no, greater
evangelist among US than John Tyn-
dall". and surely there is no greater
Bible student. Try and hear him
he may not pass this way again
Thursday evening the c. E. will meet
for welfare work and pot luck sup
per at 5 o'clock and prayer servic.
at 1880. Sunday services as usual
10 a. m. communion and preaching
6 D. m. C. f. and p. m. preaching
An invitation to all to attend. Ladies
aid meets today with Mrs. Ida Han
sen.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
STATE POLICE Al.
LEGE LOCAL MAN
IS BOOT LEGCER
SEARCH OF HIS HOME DISCLOS-
ES 2 GALLONS. VAN AUCK-
EN- PURCHASED SOME

AS a result of raid made on the
home of AL. Warner, S23 Pleasant
street. Friday, state police acting
with local police officer Elmer E.
Cook, secured two gallons of liquor
and arrested Warner on a charge of
selling LIQUOR illegally, A man
named Carl Van Aucken swore to a
complaint charging that he had pur.
chased a quantity of liquor from
Warner and a search warrant was
issued with the result that two gal
Ions of booze were found.
Warner was arraigned before JUS
tice Reed, on a warrant sworn to by
E. d. Sullivan, of the Michigan State
Police and waving examination,
was bound over to the April term of
circuit court.
His case will come up for
trial April 10th. In the mean
time he is out on bail furnished by
j. DeVlieger. Officers have been for
some time certain that Warner was
furnishing booze to certain people
P6,Ti some time.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Congregational Church Activities


The pastors sermon Sunday MORN
ing was construction of his subject
OF the Prodigal son on which he
preached the week before and many
good thoughts and lessons were brot
out. At the afternoon service al
though the weather was threatening
a goodly number of the Masonic or
der was present and enjoyed a good
sermon from the text "This Com.
mandment l give unto you that we
love one another as I have loved
YOU. The Sunday school hour ar
ranged a fine program for Sunday
evening in keeping with Washington
and Lincoln day A fine set of picture
films of Lincoln have been received.
Special music has been provided for
and superintendent of schools, S. j.
Skinner will give a short address.
The meeting Is open to the public
The school registered $50
present, and tie was scored between
the cubs and tigers on the contest.
"The Builders, f. C. Lloyd's class,
about twenty-five of them, met for
the regular social gathering Mon
day night with Mr.. and Mrs. Louis
jerks, and together with a pot luck
supper a very interesting two hours
was spent. The social circle are meet
ing this week, Thursday with Mrs.
b. j. Storey, at Cooks Corners.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Had Grocery War

We watched with interest, Satur-
dav the efforts of two grocerymen
in this city to outdo the other fellow
in giving the people real bargains.
Sugar started in at ten pounds for
81 cents and bread was three loaves
for a quarter and by night one fell
low was selling bread for three
loaves for twenty cents and the 9TH
er store had sign out which tolo
that ten pounds of sugar coulo pe
had there for 49 cents. Just how
much money was made on these ar
ticles at these prices is con1ecturai
but is served to create a considerable
interest and drew lot of people tc
watch the battle.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Coming Euents

March 3-Senior class play "Mer-
chant of Venice Up-To-Date" at
Opera House. Ar
church by Belding band.
March 14-Lecture on Chiroprac-
tic M. E. Church, 8 o'clock.
March 17--Skovgaard, vlolinist.
April 6-Herbert Leon Cope, nu-
morist. - r. ~,
Bring in your otner oates ioi '"'
future. -,
April 14-High school carnival al
High school auditorium.
Oct. 17-1S-Home talent play a
Opera House, by Ladies Social Clr
Gle of Congregational church.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
FRESHMAN HELD
valentine PARTY

A Valentine day party was held by
the Freshmen class of the High
school. Friday evening at 800 o.
clock. The hall was decorated in the
Freshmen class colors, which are blue
and yellow The decorating OF the
hall was done by Miss Bonnie Briggs
Miss Thelma Wasnick, Pat. Maloney
and Paul Kimberley. At the opening
of the party, games were played
and all who attended the party VIII
agree that they seemed to just mt the
occasion. At 900 o'clock one of the
sponsors announced that pieces
Of hearts would be passed out and
in order to get their partner for
lunch they must find the one who
had the other part of their heart
This proved to be one of the big at
fractions of the evening, as every
body was hurrying to find their luncf
mariner. At 9:30 lunch was served
and during lunch there was the us
ual amount of joking and laughter
The lunch consisted of ice cream ant
waters. The refreshment committee
consisted of three Freshies, Trelli
Conant, Frederick Hoyt and Theressi
| Arnold.
After lunch was over, dancing tool
up the rest of the evening, musi
being furnished by Johnnie Wheel
er's high school orchestra. The dane
ing continued until about 1l:OO o
clock.
Miss Cady, Miss Whelan and MI
Deming acted as chaperons for tn
marty and it was conducted in yer
worthy manner. Every one who al
tended the party said that they ma
a fine time and would look forwar
to another one Like it in the near II
ture.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Dickson-Tuthill Nuptials

A very pretty home wedding took
place at the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
P. w. Tuthill, when their daughter,
Lorena Elizabeth was united IN
marriage to Leland S. Dickson, OF
Lowell at noon. Saturday, F'ebru-
ary the 18th, Rev. H. S. Ellis spoke
the words that united the happy
couple. Only the immediate rela'
tives of the bride and groom were
present. Mr.. and Mrs. Claude Conk'
lin attended the bride and groom
After a sumptuous dinner Mr.. anc
Mrs. Dickson left for an EXTENDED
trip 10 EdmorS Lakeview,. Green
Vile and Belding. They will be a
home to their many friends attel
April / at Lowell.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Fire Destroys Hoghouse

The fire department answered a
call to the home of Mel Smith, who
lives east of the city on the Hal
Smith farm, Saturday night, short
lv after eleven o'clock. The large
hog house had caught fire, presum'
ably from feed cooker in the build
ing and the burning building threat
ened the large barn on the place
which had already caught fire arounc
the caves when the local depart
ment arrived, prompt work on theii
part and with the chemical appara
tus saving the barn. The house ol
the farm burned about three year
ago
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
OLD DOBB|N KEEPS
STEPPING OUT IN
FAVOR OF AUTO
POPULAR OPINION THAT HORSE
is COMING BACK SEEMS
TO BE WRONG

The annual live stock estimates
based upon reports received from a
large number of leading farmers and
stock raisers representing every
county and practically every neigh
borhood in the state, indicate a fall
ing off during the past year in the
number Of each kind of live stock
except mules and dairy cows. The
price of each kind has also declined
although the average for horses and
mules shows a change of only three
dollars per head. According to the
joint report issued by Herman II.
Halliday, State Commissioner of
Agriculture and Verne H. Church,
agricultural statician, u. S. Bureau
of Markets and Crop Estimates, the
total value of live stock on the farms
of Michigan, January /, 1922 was
$137 ,906,000, as compared with
$16b,613,000 the revised valuation
for last year, decline of approx
mately II per cent. The decrease
from the high value point of Janu-
ary /, 1920 amounts to about AZ per
cent.
Horses: The number of horses in
Michigan steadily increased up to
Since that time there has been a
decline owing to the extended usage
OF automobiles, trucks and tractors
Many less colts are being raised.
The number of sires licensed by the
state is about 60 per cent less than
1t was five years ago. The estimated
number of horses of all ages on
farms is 594 600 with an average
value of $94 per head.
Mules: There are about 5000
mules in the state, the number not
changing materially from year to
year. The average value is $98 per
head.
Dairy Cows: Since the marked de,
cline in the price of farm crops, the
dairy industry shows relatively
greater profit. While the number
of dairy cows fell off considerably
during 1920, farmers have since in
creased their herds The estimate
is now placed at 967 900 or nearly as
many as shown by the Census on
January 1, 1920. The average val
ue is S53 per head as compared with
$40 enc year ago, and S96 two years
number on feed this year, and tnis
is partially reflected in the number
now on farms. The estimates in
dicate a total of $4,000 as compar-
ed with $4,000 one year ago. The
average value per head is S2l.8O;
last year it was $4,000 and two
years ago $41.60.
Sheen: The number of sheep is
1.115.O00 as compared with l,l6l,OOO
last year and 1,209,191 two. years
ago. Losses in feeding lambs and
the relatively low price of wool are
the contributing factors in the re-
duction of numbers. However there
has been some renewal of interest
in the industry during the last few
months due to higher prices OF
lambs and better demand for wool.
The average value per head or JAN
uary | was $500. On the same date
in 1921, it was $3.50; in 1920, $1l.7o
Swine: There has been a reduc-
ton of three per cent during the
last wear, the number on January ]
being 1.O51 900. The value per head
has dropped from $23.00 in 1920 tc
S14.3O in 1921 and to $11.30 in 1872
Rer orts indicate that breeding stocf
is in good demand and that farmer:
expect to carry larger number, OF
swine during the coming season thar
they did last year.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
KRUM'S H0LSTEEN
OFFICIALLY LISTED

Another cattle breeder from this
section has again been mentioned In
the latest bulletin OF the Holstein-
Friesian Assoc. of America, when
reports the milk and butter fat pro-
duction of cows under official super
vision.
John Krum, Lowell, Michigan has
one of his pure bred Holsteins cred
tied with twenty four pounds of but
ter in seven days. This COW Alta
dale Elaine, is reported as having
made at the age of three years ant
two months, record of 551.9 lbs. O.
milk and 1869 lbs Of butter fat
in seven days, equivalent to 24.5 lbs
Of butter.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Fire Causes Great Loss

Fire at the home Of Charles Cine
baugh. east of Ionia, Monday COM
pletely destroyed three large barns,
fye bouses and a COW and a calf, the
owners auto and several thousand
dollars worth of farm machinery.
The loss will exceed the insurance
by several thousand dollars, ABOUT
six hundred lambs which were
sheared on Friday were driven from
one of the barns before the nre n'
reached them, but more than o,ooo
mounds Of wool was lost.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Shot Marked Pigeon

Fred Whittenback, well kIV"I
farmer living west of the CITY, mas
been bothered for some time past
with a lot of pigeons eating ms
Grain from the grainery and one cay
last week he shot a number OF the
maurauding birds. Among them
was one which had leg band bear bear
mo the following: H. H. CO 1921
If anyone knows where the pro
came from it might be well to make
some effore to curb their flights, as
Mr.. Whittenback does not ike te
shoot the birds but at the same time
must protect his grain from being
stolen.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Won Second Place

Fred Thompson, local Chevrolet
dealer. has Just received notice that
he won second place in the list OF
dealers who sold the greater num-
her of cars during the month OF Jan,
nary. The Chevrolet people based
the award and the sales on the pop
ulation and per capita which, tneli
dealers have to work on and tn'
showing is a creditable one for MT
Thompson.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-02-22
Planning Band Concert

The Belding band boys VIII give
Itbe;r mid winter band concert IN
the M. e. church on the evening OF
Er;dav. March 10 and they are now
completing plans and the prograan, ala
which will be given that nlgnt. MlsS
Elizabeth Raynor will sing Noca,
solo and the Masonic Quartette VII
also appear in the concert with seS' "
eral numbers. Tickets Will soon ps
nlaced on sale.