davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
THIEVES BREAK
INTO STORE AND
HOLD Up WOMAN
FRIDAY NIGHT DEPREDATIONS
NET PERPETRATORS BOILED
HAM AND $3.50 IN CASH

The wave Of crime which has been
sweeping over the country sent a
few ripples into Belding last week,
Friday and when their little game
was over with local people who had
fallen prey the robbers took stock
of what they had taken and decided
that it does not always take large
city for crime and criminals TO -four
ish in.
Mrs. George Taylor was the first
to fall a victim to the thieves and
the three brave fellows who held up
and robbed Mrs. Taylor secured the
sum of $3.50 which she had in her
pockepbook. Mrs. Taylor was return
ing 70 her home on West May street,
Friday evening and when in front
of the Bakeman house on High street
she was met by three young fellows
who without talking a great deal,
took her pocket book away from her,
together with the $3.50 which it con-
tanned and left her to go on alone
and minus her money. The pocket
book was later on found on the bas-
ket factory premises. Three young
men who live in the Howe addition
were suspected of the crime and
questionea as it was thought that
they had been seen together in an
other part Of the city that same
evening, but upon be ng questioned
they apparently satisfied the officers
that they were not the parties who
pulled the job and were not arrested
The coal Office of Wilson & Co. was
broken into sometime before eight
o'clock Friday night and a desk door
pried open. Several other arti1ds
in the Office were molested i'm the
work of the thief but nothing was
discovered to be missing and it is
thought that the thief secured moth
ing there to reward his efforts.
Up at Fred Schlegel's meat mar.
ket on the north side the thieves got
their eyes on a fine boneless smokes
ham which Fred had laying on dis.
play in the window and with no fur.
ther ceremony than the desire tc
possess it, they kicked the front win.
dow in and reached in and took the
ham along with them. No clews
were left and it looks as if Fred was
| going to have one less ham to sci
and pay out the money for materia
and labor to fix up the window be.
! sides.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
Celebrated Golden Wedding

Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph G.. White, of
734 McClellen St., Flint Mich, cele-
brated their 50th wedding anniver-
sary, Wednesday, December 2S, 1921
The happy couple were re-un ted by
the Rev r. NJ Pierce of the Oak
Park NJ. +. church in the presence of
thirty-fve relatives and frienC $. The
couple were attended by Mrs. Mary
A. Godfrey sister of the groom and
her son. Chas. both of this city.
They were the only ones present who
attended the wedding fifty years ago
The other out of town guests were
Mrs. Chas. Godfrey, Miss Cora God
frey, Mrs. A. Gaffield. of Belding
Mrs Eveline Phelps, Mr.. and Mrs.
l.. Root of Lowell: and A. G. Col
frey, of Ashley, N. d. The house
was prettily decorated in white and
gold with yellow and white narcIssus
carrying out the color scheme in the
Ching room, at five p. m. a course
dinner was served. Mr.. and Mrs.
White were presented with a purse
of $50 Mrs. White will be remem-
bered as Adelia Godfrey, youngest
and only surv wing one of eight chill
dren Of the late Necomb Godfrey,
one of the early settlers of Vergen-
es Township, Kent county, where
their marriage was solemnized by
the Rev. Wilson Mosher, fifty years
ago. Mr. White was born and brot
up in the same town, his parents al
so being among the early settlers of
that town.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
LOCAL CHURCH
HAS SUCCESSFUL
PLEASANT YEAR
POPULAR PASTOR AND FLOCK
REVIEW IMPROVEMENTS OF
LAST TWELVE MONTHS

II. T.. Curch is the happy pastor of
a prosperous. hourishing congrega,
tion of disciples of Christ worship
ing in this city at corner of Bridge
and Center stress.
During the past year, in June, they
began planning to sshingle the south
side of the church, which was much
needed, thinking it might take two
or three years to complete the whole
roof, of so large a building, they
bought shingles, hired F. d Covert to
do the work and after he had the
south part done there were 5000
shingles left TO the good, the treas.
urer said let us double our sub
scriptions and shingle the rest of
the roof. This was done, then thru
the kindness of many, and here we
wish to thank all who helped in the
painting of the church, for surely
we appreciate it very much, we sue
ceeded in putting on two coats of
paint on the outsite which all agreed
is great improvement. After all
the above work being done we thot
our stained ceiling looked bad, so
having surplus of pledges, which
were all good, we &c dsAto re-deco-
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
Nate Rosenbaum Marries

Nate Rosenbaum, the popular shoe
dealer, came very nearly beng a
much married man even though he
had never been married before when
he went TO Ionia to get married last
week. Nate left here and went
down to Kalamazoo where he got the
lady in the case, Miss Sarah Lock.
holder, and then went over TO lonia
where MARI age license was secur.
ed and Justice John Nichol proceed
ed to tie the knot. The marriage
was fairly well over with when Nate
woke up to the fact that the cere-
mony was not just as he wanted it
and stopp ng the proceedings he no
titled the justice that both he and
his bride wished the ring service to
be used. The judge slapped on the
brakes ani brought up the ceremony
with a crash and went over across
the road to where he had placed his
book which contained the Episcopal
ring ceremony, after which the pro-
ceedings were again started and the
knot securedly tied and Mr.. and Mrs.
Nathan Rosenbaum returned to this
city, where they will make their flu
ture home and where the groom is
engaged in the shoe business. Here's
congratulations Nate, old boy, and
may all your troubles be little ones.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
Parent-Teachers Meeting

Tuesday evening, January 8, the
Parent Teachers club held another of
their enjoyable meetings. The pro-
gram was in charge of Mr.. and Mrs
Clydc Knapp and was as fellows
Piano duet, Mrs. Cook and Mrs.
Salzman; recitation, Margeta Steere;
Paper, Mrs. Eva Knapp; cooperation
between parents and teachers, which
is essential in obtaining best results
for mental efficiency; tulip dance,
Kathleen SIN TIL, Aleece Connell; re-
citation, Lucille Sutphen Our next
meeting is to be held January 9th
in the High school auditorium Prof
w. ID. Henderson has been obtained
to speak to the club. Plan to come
as he is well worth hearing.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04

with no indebtedness. Again we take
this opportunity to thank each IN
dividual of the church and those out
side the church, who have made IT
possible to accomplish this work.
The members are all loyal to the
work and they and pastor are work
ing together and <ire rendering "a
most helpful service.
Last evening, January 3rd, we held
our annual meeting. Supper at Z p.
m. and social hour, after which the
reports from the d fferent depart
ments show substantial growth
both spiritually and fina.lcially.
There have been IA new members
addei to the church and reports show
that we have raised about $4,000
with over $500 for benevolence. The
following officers were elected; Ell
ders, Edgar Berry, Levi Bussell and
David Warnock; Deacons, A. w.
Smith, Chas. Bush, E. o. Hildebrand
and George Force; Trustees, Chas.
Bush, e. gar Berry, and Mrs: j: {.
Ballard; Financial Sec, Winifred
Thompson; Treas, Jessie Smith; and
Church Clerk, Agnes Ballard; Mis-
sionary Sec, Clara Demorest; Plan
ist, JOY Curch; Assistant Pianist,
and Chor:ster, Mrs. Elsie Green. For
Bible school Supt. Levi Bussell; As
sistant Supt., Mrs. Edna Boyd; Sec,
Clara Demorest; Asst. Sec, Eta
Lynch; Treas, John Wallenburg
Librarian, Clifton Green;, Assistant,
Evelyn Ballard Home Dept, Mrs.
H. E Curch; b rthday Sec, Ina Da>
Wis; Missionary Sec, and Supt. of Pri-
mary Dept, Agnes Ballard; Assist
ant Supt., Primaries. Joy Curch ;
Supt. Craile Roll Dept, Miss Eve
lyn Ballard; Pianist, Florence
Wright; Assistant Pianist and Choir
ister, Mrs. Clifton Green.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
EDITOR PICKED
AS BEST CITIZEN
OF COMMUNITY
FORMER LOCAL EDITOR FORE
MOST AMONG PEOPLE OF HIS
ADOPTED WESTERN HOME

Under date Of Sunday, December
25, the Daily Oglahoman, published
at Oklahoma City, Okla, pays a big
tribute to Charles j. Seely, editor Of
the Sayre Headlight and for num-
ber of years editor of the Belding
Star Of this city.
In the article which is headed
"E; itor Picked AS Best Sayre Citi-
zen" the Oklahoman has the follow
ing to say.
Chas. J. Seely, editor of the Sayre
Headlight, was put in an embarrass-
ing tuation several months ago
because of his modesty.
Upon the request of The Daily
Oklahoman that the citizens of each
city in the state select their most
useful citizen, a mass meeting was
held and Seely selected as Sayre's
best booster and most outstanding
figure in the upbuilding of the COM
munity.
Seeiy is correspondent for The
Oklahoman in Sayre-and being
moo est, he didn't comply with the
request that a photo of the city's
most useful citizen be sent in with a
story on what he had done for the
community.
Last week a Sayre citizen who be-
'ieves that Seely deserves credit for
his boosting, secured a photo of
Seely and sent it in. And that's how
the story leaked out.
Seely's greatest service to the COM
munity is in giving it a newspaper
which is a credit to that community
this citizen says. Next in Importance
is Seely's road building ability. When
it seemed that the community would
never be able to build good roads into
Sayre, Seely devoted his energies to
getting the cooperation of the far
mers in building their own roads. To-
day, a stretch of road, long noted as
the worst in the county, is the best
in the western part of the state, thru
his efforts. Everyone in the Sayre
community calls the road "Seely's
short line"
To dig a little further into Seely's
ACTIVITY. Next Monday more than $50
of those in and about Sayre who are
not fortunate enough to have made
both ends meet this year, will be
treated To big Christmas dinner by
Seely. It's an annual affair, and
except for those. invited to the din
ner, few know of it.
Sayre citizens are proud of Seely
and his newspaper, which is equip
ped with the most modern mach merry
obtainable and housed in building
erected especially for it.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
FORMER LOCAL
MAN PURCHASES
DOCTORS PRACTICE
DIR. L. l.. PRICE, COMES BACK TO
BELDING To PRACTICE
IN OLD HOME TOWN

On January /, Dr. Earl l.. Price
took possession of the practice which
had been built up by Dr. +. ID. Har-
rison and the former Belding boy
who is a son of Mr.. and Mrs. VIM.
II. Price is now located in the old
Harrison office location over the post
office, where he will be pleased to
meet all the Offices former patrons
and also treat those of his old
friends and others who may need the
services of physician.
Dr. Price is a graduate of the To-
cal High school and is very we'll and
favorably known in this city. He
took up the study of osteopathy at
Des Moines Still college of Osteo-
pathy and graduated from the in
stitution in June 1919. During the
remainder of that year he took up a
post graduate course in the same in
stitution, after which he opened up
an office and practiced at Reed City.
He accepted an offer with DR.. Harr.s S
an osteopath, of Amarillo. Texas and
for time was with that leading os-
teopathic physician and surgeon, but
owing to the fact that his parents
health was very poor, he decided to
some time past has been considering
the opening of an office in this
city. The purchase of the well known
and established business of DR.. +.
d. Harrison resulted.
That some * ca of the skill and eX-
periepce which DR.. Price has gained
since leaving this city to take up the
study and fit himself to practice os-
teopathy may be gained by our read
ers, we herewith reprint the follow
ing extract from leading Texas
daily paper. The article is headed
Thyroid Gland Operation Attracts
Much Attention" and is dated Amar-
lilo, Texas, July 20:
Successful transportation of a
thyroid gland by DR.. NJ. B. Harris
and DR.. E. L. Price of this city, has
attracted attention in this city.
Little Miss Gennette Starker has
been returned TO her home from
Amarillo General hospital, where
she had novel construction opera
tion of transportation of thyroid
gland. This little girl has been TAX
my thyroid extract by mouth for the
last eight years, with but a fair
showing of success, but the trans
plantation OF DGS. Harris ana Price
gives promise of complete and well
rounded results.
The transplantated gland is from
healthy girl and has already at
tached itself to the native tissue and
begun its natural functioning. This
is new operation in Texas and has
attracted great deal of attention
among scientists and the laity as
well.
In retiring, Dr. Harr son wishes to
say the following regarding the
2 change:
Having decEed to retire from
practice, | am certainly much elated
by the opportunity of leaving a man
so we'll qualified as DR.. Price to take
my place in this busy little city and
now i take pleasure in introducing
to my old and also new patients of
Belding and surrounding community
and recommend you to his care.
have so much confidence in him that
! will be glad to stand by him.
I Very truly, DR.. +. ID. Harrison.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
Two Fires In Week

The fire department was called to
the home Of +. Mcdonald, on Mer-
rick avenue, Wednesday night about
$3.50 o'clock and by the time they
got there, the chimney which had
been burning out, had subsbled and
the department returned Tuesday
morning an awning on one Of the
windows on the west side Of City
Clerk Hoover's home at Liberty and
Pleasant streets caught fire from
some unknown cause and burned be-
fore the department got started. II
was short, quick fire and the
whistle had scarcely ceased blowing
before word was sent in that the de-
partment need not start as the fire
was out.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
Dies After Long Illness

Death came to Mrs. Peter Hansen,
aged 81 years, at her home in the
Leonard block on West Main street,
Monday night at 1885 O'Clock after
an illness which hal afflicted her
for about a year and which was sup
posed to have been caused by a cam
Ger. An operation was performed
some months ago in the hopes of
bettering her health and for a time
she rallied, only to drop back and
gradually grow worse until the suf-
ferings and pain ended in death.
Funeral services were held at the
Church Of Christ, this Wednesday
afternoon, Rev. II. f. Curch officiat-
ing in conjunction with the Royal
Neighbors and w. r. c. Burial was
in River RiCge cemetery. Surviving
is the husband Peter Hansen, a small
grand son, who made his home with
his grand mother, her mother, Mrs.
r. NJ Loomis, of Alma, a brother,
Albert Howard, of Ionia, a sister,
Mrs. Flo Campbell, Of Alma and
four daughters, Mrs. Floyd Morris,
of Cadillac. this state; Mrs. Frank
England, Rosedale, Miss; Miss An
ma Balcom, Toledo, Ohio; and Mrs.
Joe Dulbs, of. Cleveland, Ohio; also
a son, Chas. Balcom, of Hutchinson,
Kansas
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
PHELATHEA CLASS
Is A WINNER

The Philathea class of the NJ. +,
Sunday school of this city partici-
pated in Lesson discussion contest
for eight weeks beginning Octo-
Der 23rd. TIL contest was con-
Quoted by the David c. Cook Pub
fishing company, who publish the
quarterly called "The Young Lac les
Class" which is used by the Phi la
theas, the purpose of the contest be-
ing to test out the usableness OF
the class discussion questions pub
lished in connection with each les
son in the quarterly. The prizes Of
fered were as follows: Five first priz-
es of $4,000 each; See second prizes
of $25.00 each, and ten third prizes o.
$500 each. To secure prize re-
quired very consistent application to
the stu V and discussion of the Sun
day school lessons on the part Of the
members of the class, and very care
fu and painstaking work on the part
of the president, Miss Marjorie Con.
ner, and the special contest secrc-
tary, Miss Norma O'Dell, in keeping
proper records. They are all to be
highly congratulated.
During the contest the class grew
in numbers from about forty to six
ty-four, with an average attendance
for the eight weeks of twenty
On December 22nd the teacher,
Miss Edna Pine, received a check for
$4,000 from the Publishing Company
and the report of the judges showed
that out of two hundred and sixty
four classes participating, this class
stood second among those winning
the first prize. Great hilarity in
camp! 1t is the purpose of the class
to go on to better things.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
State Hghwy. Commissioner To Com,

State Highway Commissioner,
Frank F. Rogers, of Lansing, will be
the guest of the members of the To-
cal board Of commerce at a luncheon
to be given in the city hall on
Thursday, January ~ at which time
the question of diverting one of the
trunk lines slightly out of its way so
that it will pass through the main
part of the city will be taken up and
discussed The project has people
in favor of it and also has some OPP
posed to it and the chances are that
there will be considerable discussion
on the question.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
GOVT CROP REPORT
SHOWS DOWNWARD
TREND OF PRICES
BOTH FARM LABOR AND FARM
PRODUCTS SHOW BIG DIFFER
ENCE SINCE YEARS AGO

An increase OF nearly one million
acres or rye sown in the United
States, and a condition Of wheat in
Michigan seventeen per cent better
than the average for the United
States are the predominating fea-
lures Of the December crop report IS
sued today by Verne II. Church, Ag-
ricultural Statistlcian, U. S. Bureau
of Markets and Crop Estimates and
Herman H. Halliday, State Commits
sioner Of Agriculture. The report
was delayed in order that the revi-
sion of crop acreages for 1919, 1920
and 1921 in accordance with the in
formation furnished in the 1919 cen
sus could be completed by the United
States Crop Reporting Board. The
average farm price of leading crops
and the average wages paid, in COM
parison with one year ago, are in
cluded in the report.
WINTER WHEAT: The acreage
is five per cent greater than that
sown last year, and amounts 10 $685.
900. The weather mas been general
ly favorable throughout the tall and
early winter and, While much of the
crop was sown la,er than usual, 1t
has mace normal growth. The
condition is rated at 80 per cent,
three per cent above the ten-year
average and four per cent better than
on the same cate one year ago. Hes
sian fly is reported from number
of coun,ies but is not as widely dis
tributed as last year. The United
States acreage Is "A 293, 900 which is
slightly under the revised estimate
for last year. The condition for the
country as a whole is only rs per
cent, due to the extremely poor out
look in portions of Kansas, Ohlaho-
ma, Texas and other western states.
Rye. The acreage sown this year
is estimated to be 5000, or the
same as that of last year. While
some counties report an increased
acreage others show corresponding
decrease. The outlook is generally
good throughout the state and the
average of reports received from
correspondents is "a per cent, one
per cent better than last year and
TWO points above the ten year aver
age for December /.
There is a marked increase in the
acreage for the country as whole,
the gain beng estimated at 22.6 per
cent. This unusual change is due to
heaVy paintings IN the northwestern
or spring wheat states. The conoi-
tion for the United States is 922
per cent.
Fall Flowing. The percentage of
fall plowirg done is "a as compared
with q last year, weather conditions
being favorable for that work up TO
and even after December /, except
for brief intervals
Wages Of Male Farm Labor: Wag-
es paid to men hired by the month.
including board, averaged $34, as
compared with $50 in 1920. Without
board, they were $51 and $75, re-
spectively. Harvest labor, by the
day with board, dropped from $4.10
in 1920 to $3.50 in 1921; and from
$4.95 to $3.50 where board was not
included. Common day labor drop
ped from $3.50 with board to $500
and from S4.15 without board to
$3.50.
Average Farm Prices: The fol-
lowing were the average prices paid
for leading crops on December II.
1921 and December l, 1920 in Miehi-
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
Were Married Here

The marriage Of George III. Clark
of Ravenna and Miss Reva Benton,
of this. city was solemnized at the
NJ. f. parsonage at $3.50 o'clock on
Saturday afternoon, December 81.
Rev. George "A. Osborne officiated,
using the ring service and Myrle
Souls, of Grand Rapi's and Miss
Gayle Soules acted as witnesses. The
bride is a daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Ernest Benton, south of the city and
her many local friends join in ex-
tending her well wishes and long
and happy life.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
HUNDREDS PAY
LAST RESPECTS TO
DEPARTED CITIZEN
MASONIC FRATERNITY TURNS
OUT IN BODY AT FUNERAL
or THEIR BROTHER

The funeral service for Wendell Z.
Hetherington held at his late home
corner of Washington and Hanover
streets was very largely attended,
Friday morning, the last rites being
in charge of the Masonic fraternity
of which he was long time member
more than one hundred Of whom We're
present in a body from the Belding
, Grattan, Greenville and Ionia lodges
to pay the last tribute of respect tr
their deceased brother. The floral
offerings and set pieces from friends
business associates and fraternal or
ders were many and beautiful silent
testimonials of the esteem and con
sideration in which he was held. In
respectful honor, all business places
in the city were closed during t
funeral hour.
The Masonic quartette, composed
of Clayton Knapp, Rev. W. j. RookC
Ted Slater and Don Cook. sang,
Nearer My GOO to Thee" and
abide with Me" and Rev's. w A.
Bliss of the Baptist church and W.
]. Rookie of the Congregational
church read the devotionals, the re.
marks of the former taken from the
18th psalm and his eulogy of his
friend and neighbor, Mr. Hethering-
ton was very Appropriate. BY request
Mr.. Rookie read Gladstone's prayer.
Temporary burial of the remains
were made at the Greenvlle ceme-
terry in a vault, the use Of which was
tenCercd to Mrs. Hetherington by
friends Of the family and until the
completion Of the new mausoleum
here. when the body will be trans
ferred to its last resting place to
await its entrance into the Celestial
lodge above.
Byron Cook pronounced the ritu-
alstc ceremony at the tomb, assist
ed by Henry J. Leonard, Lloyd I'm
derwood and c. W. Wilson.
A number of the Ellls fraternity
from Ionia, of which he was n mem
Der were present.
The honorary besrers were: +. A.
Washburn, f. f. Fales. +. +. Hall,
II. ]. Leonard, Chas. NJ Wise, DR..
Stanton, Glenn Wortley, Geo. Wag-
ner, F. E. Ranney, Stewart Hayden,
John Lewis, Guy Hecox, +. c. Lloyd,
f. B. Lapham. DIR. Armstrong, Geo.
Crawford. DR.. Pinkham, H. A. Lamb
r. H. Hall, w. G. Spicer.
Active bearers: Ellis Ranney, w.
S. Lambertson, DR.. Smith, Byron
Brown, w. B. Reed, Edgar Stanton.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
old Resident Suffers Stroke

Alpheus Sparks, long time resi-
dent of Charles street and father of
Gambler, of the firm of Sparks and
s @ his boa TSesdsy SrGae O srnnSn parag
condition is reported as being bet
ter. Mr.. Sparks has lived in this city
for nearly forty years and has many
trends who will regret to learn that
he has been thus suffered
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
SpIendid Pictures At Empress

We want to publicly commend
Manager and Mrs. Frank Joslin for
the splendid pictures they show,
ed at the local theatre Sunday night.
For pure, wholesome entertainment
and ,coma v, they would be hard to
beat and if the pictures shown at all
theatres were on the same order "a
those shown at the Empress Sunday
evening, the public would have no
cause to complain. We want to con-
gratulate the management of the
excellence Of the pictures shown re-
Gently.
The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
Hauls Gravel For Church

John Wacha, living north of Kidd
vile, done the first work which looks
forward to more in the eventual
construction of the new st. Joseph
church at the corner of Liberty and
Bridge street when he delivered the
first load Of gravel on Friday of
last week. Work on the new church
will start in the spring. A plan of
the proposed new building will be
shown in this paper next week.