The Belding banner-news., October 02, 1918, Image 1

About The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973

Image provided by: Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library

                
ME
DING BMWER-NEWi
'Belding Digger and Better'
THIRTIETH YEAR, NO. 19.
BELDING, MICHIGAN, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 2, 1918.'
THREE CENTS THE COPY.
EEL
V
MAYOR GREEN
- VISITS BELOIIIG
WITH JAGKIE BAND
TREATS BELDING FOLKS TO A
VISIT FROM BIG HAND AFTER
PROGRAM WAS CHANGED.
Well, Belding had a visit from the
famous Great Lakes Jackie band just
the same even though Spanish influ
enza broke out among the band which
was scheduled to play at this city and
kept them from coming here and at
other places where they had been
scheduled for. . The band reached
here about 3:40 o'clock Monday after
noon coming in autos from Ionia,
where their, schedule had brought
them for a considerable portion of the
day. There were 30 of the boys and
they presented a fine sight with their
beautiful instruments and the music
which they dispensed was well worth
hearing and greatly pleased the peo
ple. 1 To Mayor Fred W. Green of Ionia,
must be given the credit of getting
the Jackie band to come here. The
band arrived at Ionia earlier in the
day and played there. Ionia had
many places where the boys could
have been taken but Mayor Green,
knowing that the cancellation of the
schedule cf the'band which was to be
here Tuesday night was a keen disap
pointment to local people, made up his
mind to bring the boys over to field
ing and give the people or as many
of them as he could on short notice,
the treat of having the. band play
here. He called up Secretary Byron
F. Brown of the board of commerce
and others here and the news' of the
band's visit was spread go that at the
time that 'they arrived, a crowd of
perhaps 2,000 people were on hand to
hear them. All of the silk mills and
factories were closed in rder that the
employes might turn out to the event.
B. F. Hall acted as chairman of the
meeting and he introduced ex-State
Senator W. W. Potter, who was with
the band and who talked to the gath
ering on the urgent need of buying
bonds to aid in. carrying on the war.
He was followed by ex-Congressman
Gerrit J. Diekema, well known here,
who gave a very good and patriotic
talk to the people along the same
lines as Mr. Potter, onltf that he took
up more time and dwelt on the indi
vidual duty of each person in buying
bonds. Mr. Diekema pointed out
several instances where great acts of
patriotism had been performed by
people in meagre means and said that
the man who could buy $500 in bonds
and who bought less than that was
not just what he ought to be. He
gloried in the unity which we hav in
""this nation and with no north, no
south, no protestant, no Catholic, but
a strong and unified nation, we would
not only, be able to go over the top
in subscribing this Fourth Liberty
; loan, but would be able to watch the
boys , go over the top over there in
the drive toward Berlin.
The speaking was done from the
steps at the west tower entrance of
the white mill and the band boys play,
ed several selections which brought
forth splendid applause from the
crowd. The band boys, who were
aboard a Pere Marquette train which
left Ionia about 5 o'clock, left here by
auto about 4:35 and were calculating
to catch the train at Ionia.
Mayor Green, the people of Belding
thank you most heartily for your
most thoughtful consideration of them
in the matter of bringing the Jackie
band to our city and w want you to
know that we appreciate your action
in this regard most heartily.
ITad Big Meeting.
There was a good big turn out at
the patriotic meeting held in the opera
house Tuesday night when Capt. J.
H. A. McLean of the 110th Canadian
regiment talked on the Fourth Liber
ty loan. The Red Cross chorus sang
several songs which greatly pleased
the audience and Duncan Kerr sang
several songs. Thirteen thousand
dollars was raised toward the loan
sales. This amount, added to the
amount raised by voluntary pledges,
leaves the city far short of its quota.
Notice, Water Users.
From now on there will be no more
statements showing the amount which
you are owing for water used within
the quarter, sent out. The elimina
tion of this useless practice will work
no hardship on anyone and will result
in material saving to the city.
F. E. Conant,
City Clerk.
Girls Want Positions.
There are several girls attending
school here who will be compelled to
quit if they don't find boarding and
working accommodations soon. Call
Supt. Skinner if you can help one of
these bright young ladies out in this
matter.
"Liberty Bell" Avey.
Just as the first rays of dawn were
kissing Old Glory on Oct. 1, 1918 a
little Red Cross nurse came to gladen
the heme of Mr. and Mrs. Elleson Av
ery, 217 E. Vincent street. Uoon
being introdticed to Dr." Stanton she
answered to the name of "Liberty
UeU". bhe tipped the beam at 9 1-2
pounds and all are doing fine.-
The Anvil Chorus.
Ed. Anthony is doing his" part' cf
the anvil cvhorug work now. He has
opened up the West Main street
blacksmith shop and being a veteran
blacksmith and registered horseshocr
is now ready for your business. Mr.
Anthony is a fine fellow to meet and
farmers, we Invito you to drop in
and get acquainted with him.
Notic f City Treasurer.
Ceme in and rav vour taxe p?77
4 per cent will oe added to all taxes
tid after Sept. 30 Oct. ID will
dj the last day f'.r the payment of
taxes. icempTiDeA date. Office
open every afternoon And" evening.
Yours reaper .iulivAn" - ' v
Wm. E. Fisher.
f Trjuur.r.
100 PER CENT PURCHASES
AT BELDING FOUNDRY CO.
The employes of the Belding Foun
dry Company went on record as a
patriotic lot of fellows early in the
campaign Saturday when the records
showed a 100 per cent sales at that
institution, every man had subscribed
for a bond of the Fourth Liberty loan.
No argument was needed or resorted
to in order to accomplish this but out
nf the entire force there was not a
man but who saw the need of the hour
with the nation and cominrr to its
rescue with all tho power that he
mil Id rnmmnnd. boucht n bond and
helped the boys that way. We doubt
if there are many concerns wno can
feel more pride in the display of their
100 per cent nags man can tne ueici
inrr Foundrv comnanv ever the flaer
which they fly us the result of the ac.
tion of their employes, when they vol
untarily made that mark on Saturday
morning.
LADIES LI
CLUB HOLDS ITS
REGULAR IB
FIRST MEETING IN NEW LI-
k BRARY -TELEGRAPH THANKS
TO A. N. BELDING.
The Ladies Literary Exchange
club held their first regular meeting
for the year in the new club room in
the city library.
The meeting was on the order oi a
dedication, this being their first meet
ing in the new club room. All who
have had the pleasure of being shown
through the new library, remember
well the beautiful club room on the
lower floor, which A. N. Belding so
ithoutrhfuQIv wanned and lunusnexi
for the comfort and convenience of
the women's clubs of our city.
To av that the L. L. E. C. was de
lighted is putting it mildly as each
and every member present raiectea
the sDirit of appreciation and all en
tered into the year's activities "with
a vim.
The meeting wag called to order by
the president, Mary L. Smith, with all
officers present. The usual business
was dispensed with. Under new bus
iness the chairman of the Kea iross
committee of the club. Velma M.
Ward, brought the work before the
club in an explanatory way asking
the cooperation of the club as a club.
The club then voted to adopt a
French orphan. The program in
charge of the president and expresi
dents of the club was: Original poem,
Greetings. Mnu Martha Wooding:
What the club meant to its members
in the early days, Mrs. Rose Lamb;
What the club means to its members
how Teresa Ranney.
The president and ex-presiaent men
entertained with a burlesque. The
impersonations were splendid and
caused much merriment.
At the close of the program the
blub voted to send Mr. Belding a tele.
gram thanking him for the beautiful
hew club room.
GREETINGS.
We are nearly all here,
You can readily see,
President and ex-presidents
Of the Li. Lj. u. u.
We've been wonderfully blessed
And so gratefully think
Of our line of residents
Without one broken link.
Only two of us absent
On this our "opening day
'Our. dear Mrs. Schlegal
And Pearl Pollock, ar away.
Wo surely do miss them,
Had hoped they'd be here,
But we know their hearts with us,
So we've nothing to fear.
Your presidents bring greetings,
du in pi eacuw auu past,
T T T TP r m.mttn..
iu uur t-tm xj. v. uitmuiiii,
The old members and last.
We welcome you all:
The old members and the new,
W are clad of the new members.
The old members have proved true.
Twenty-three years our club
Have been journeying together,
Whether the skies were fair
Or stormy was the weather.
We've taken many journeys
With our lessons to con.
We've crdssed the Mississippi
To far away Oregon.
In our own United States
We spent a whole club year,
And in studying other countries
Found nothing to compare.
Time forbids us to tell
Of the far distant lands,
Which were not overlooked
By our L. L. E. C. bands. -
Again we bring greetings to the new
And to our dear friends of yore:
We greet you and welcome you all
Through our new club room door.
No More Water Statements.
Elsewhere in the columns of this
paper appears a notice of tho city
clerk who is also clerk of the water
board, to the , effect that hereafter
there will bo no more water rent no
tices sent out. In other words when
you wish to pay your water bill you
will first have to go and find but how
much it is. The city clerk ays that
the practice of sending out state
ments to the users of water in the
city costs the city in the neighborhood
of $100 each year and that this
amount can just as well as not be
saved and put into thrift stamps, b
gosh.
Entertainment.
There will be a meeting of the Mo
thers' and Teachers Council club on
Tuesday evening, Oct. 8 at 8 p. zn.. at
f?"is schoolhouse with music and re-
Xi v .hments. .
V Bertha Mclfahon,
Secretary.
FAMILY QUARREL
. EIIDS 111 WIFE
L G
MRS. WM. HATTON SENDS .32
CALIBRE BULLET THROUGH
MAN'S HEAD MONDAY.
Mrs. Carrie Hatton, aged 47 years,
is lodged in the Mcntcalm county jail
at Stanton, Mich., on a charge of mur
der, following the shooting and kill
ing of Wm. Hatton, her husband,
early Monday morning at their farm
home two miles north of this city,
which followed a reopening of a quar
rel by Hatton which began several
days previous and which was caused,
so it is alleged by Hatton's being in
a semi-intoxicated condition for seme
time back.
Charles Scott, who was employed
by the Hattons as hired man, had
arisen and went out to the barn to do
the chores. Mr. and Mrs. Hatton had
also arisen and Mrs. Hatton had pre
pared breakfast, which Hatton was
evidently beginning to eat. when he
was shot. Mrs. Hatton claims that
her husband started in to quarrel and
that he struck her and knocked her
down, saying as he did so that he
would get the axe and fix her and she
claims that she procured a revolver,
to frighten him with and that it went
off, the bullet entering his right tem
ple and going straight through his
head, emerged from his left ternple.
Neither Scott, who was at the barn,
nor any of the neighbors heard the
shot. Two children, Elsie, aged 11
years and Billy, aged 6, were sleeping
in the house and were aroused by the
shot. Elsie ran to the home of
Smith Nichols, about 40 rods away
and summoned help saying that her pa
was lying still on the floor with some
blood by his head and her ma was on
the floor groaning. Scott coming in
from the Darn, found them this way.
John Raymond, a neighbor, ran to
the home of Floyd Bush and called
Deputy Sheriff Murray. Dr. Dutt and
Justice Lapham, who were soon on the
scene but owing to the fact that the
murder was committed in Montcalm
county, they notified the sheriff 's . of
fice at Stanton and Sheriff Ford and
Coroner John Reynolds came down
about noon and took charge of the
body, which they sent to Greenville.
They also arrested Mrs., Hatton on a
charge of murder and took her and
the two children, Elsie and Billy, to
Stanton.
The Hattons came here from Stan
ton about three years ago and for
some time had been living on the old
Murray farm owned by Nick Gottinjr.
Scott, the hired man, came also from
Stanton and just what his relations
with the family have been are conjec
tural. Neighbors seem to have a
rather good regard for Mrs. Hatton
and regard Hatton as a bad man.
Some of the neighbors think that the
trouble in the family was caused by
Scott's presence there and this seems
to be borne out by the statements of
Stanton people who knew the couple
for many years back. ,
Hatton, previous to May 1, when
the state went "dry" went to Grand
Rapids and brought back a supply of
whisky and he had been drinking
rather heavily of this for a time and
was about half intoxicated all "the
time for some time back.
Mrs. Hatton claims that she shot to
frighten and i the shooting was acci
dental and in self-defense. On the
other hand the bullet was from the
side, indicating that Hatton was not
advancing toward, nor going from
Mrs. Hatton. Only two overturned
chairs appeared as evidence of a
struggle which would lead one to be
lieve that there was not much of a
struggle. Some people who have
known the woman for a long time
claim that she has staged gun play
before and credited her with being
a good shot.
Mrs. Hatton was, prior to her mar
riage to Hatton. Carrie Ward, a vau
deville actress, traveling .with tent
shows, etc Her mother. Mrs. Han
nah Ward, resides at Ionia, ,
Coroner Reynolds, of Trufant, im
pannelled a jury composed of Smith
Nichols, James Antcliff. George Hag
adorn, Vern LaDow ana August (Bel
cher) Bakeman, who rendered a ver
dict that Hatton came to his death as
a result of a bullet from a revolver
in the hands of his wife, Carrie Hat
ton who shot in self defense.
Hatton's body laid where it fell,
from about 6 o clock, the time of the
shooting until after two in the after
noon. Mrs. Hatton's trial will be held at
Stanton, the crime having been com
mitted in Montcalm county.
Mrs. Bee Leach and Mrs. Floyd
Hartwell of Stanton are daughters of
the couple.
)
"HEARTS OF THR WORLD
NEXT MONDAY AND TUESDAY
AT THE EMPRESS THEATRE
''Hearts of the World", David W.
KJriffith's masterpiece of the present
.war. will be presented at the1 Empress
Hheater for two days, matinee and
evening performances, commencing
'Monday, Octobe 7. "Hearts of the
World" is the greatest picture yet
(produced, dealing with the present
war. ,
This picture has been acclaimVd,
'wherever shown, as the best story as
to love interest, the rnost touching
heart appeal ana the greatest exposi
tion of tne cruelty of the war and the
meanness of the powers that crush
to rule.
I Mr. Griffith went to France to vis
ualize tho war and the rack and ruin
'are not studio properties but actual
scenes and actual battles, as he wit
nessed them and had them produced
by the camera as historical matter
for future generations.
.'Hearte of the World" has been
running continuously in New York for
Vseveral months and in Chicago is at
iiib ueKinninjf ox uie sixin monm at
the same theater.
, Beats now selling for -the evening
Terf ormances on Monday arid Tuesday
rOct 7 and &.1 Two performances
uaiiy, afternoon and evening, zlake
frcur reservations early.
COOKS CORNERS HAS
14 STAR SERVICE FLAG
At the dedication of the community'
service flag Friday evening, F. L.
'Moon acted as chairman, calling the
meeting to cder. After singing of
the national songs and invocation by
Rev. H .S. Ellis, Major F. R. Chase
was called upon and gave a good
talk on our boys in the service, also
on the present Liberty loan.
Abby White and Irene Deitz placed
the starg 'on the flag as the names
were called, there being 14 in all:
Frank C. Hubfcard, Archie Gray, Wal.
lace Updyke, Clarence Green some
where in France, Robert Reeves, Glen
Burnie, Md.; Joseph Fisk, Lawrence
Bradford, Dallas, Texas, David Sower.
Orva Foss, who were at Long Island
last week and expect are now sailing,
Allen Kimberly. Vancouver. , Wash.,
Don White, Syracuse, N. Y., Ernest
Eggleston, George King, Camp Cus
ter, Harry Reeves, Moline, 111. After
placing the stars, Rev. Ellis gave a
very pleasing-address for his thoughts
were for the boys over there and the
lasting peace they are fighting for.
At the close a collection was taken
for the Red Cross which was $22.32.
PERMITS HOi'J HOT
FARM BUILDINGS
LUMBER FOR FARM . IMPROVE
MENTS UP TO $1,000 MAY BE
SOLD WITHOUT SECURING
uPERMITS.
Washington, D. C, Sept. 27. Reg
ional Retail Committee, cooperating
with National Retail Dealers' commit.
tee, secured a modification of Circular
No. 21, which circular prohibited all
new building of every description
without permit The modification
permits local dealers to sell up to $1,
000 for new construction without per
mit, this for farm purposes only.
The situation regarding building
operations that can be gone ahead
with without permits is this:
Farm buildings of any kind, costing
not in excess of $1,000. and renairs
of or extensions to existing building
either city or farm, costing not in
excess of $2,500 can be erected with
out permits, ana any kind of material
required for thir construction, in
cluding lumber, cement, hardware, or
any other material may be sold.
MANY ATTEND 7TH DIST.
CONVEHTjON OF W. R. C.
The annual convention of the 7th
district, composed of the Corps ' in
Ionia Clinton and Gratiot counties,
was held in Hubbardston Sept. 26.
The president of the Hubbardston
COIDS. Edith Bennett- called to order
'and introduced District President
Mary E. H. Coville of Belding, who
called the convention to order at
10:30 a. m. Department Counsel
lor Maud Holmes of Eaton Rapids,
and Past Dept. Inspector . Cora . V.
Perham of Ionia were present and
presented to the convention. '
There were1 80 members registered,
43 were voting delegates. ... The ad
dress of welcome was given by Hub
bardston corps: response by Mrs. Van
Horn, I'ortland. .
The convention will meet next year
in Alma. Officers elected for the
ensuing year: President, Mrs. Par
dee, of Alma; senior .vice, Mrs. Lil
lian Grast, Lyons; junior vice, Mrs.
Preston, Elsie; treasurer, Mrs. Wal
ker, Alma; chaplain, Mrs. Emmons,
Elsie; , secretary, to be apponfcedv
Delegate to national convention, Lois
Dougherty, Lyons; alternate, Mrs.
Van Horn, Portland.
Reports from all corps in tha.dis-
trict found them gaining in numbers
and busy working for the Red Cross,
sending contributions to the desti
tute and suffering, buying bonds,
thrift and war savings stamps doing
all they can in a truly patriotic wav
to win the war. A very interesting
report was given by the delegate to
the national convention, which was
held in Portland, Oregon, the week
of Sept. 19, 1918.
Hubbardston corns i noted for
their hearty, cordial welcomes and
royal entertainments. There were
135 guests seated at the well laden
tables and all served to a mo'st ex
cellent, well Hooverized dinner after
which we were treated to a fine pa
triotic program consisting of music,
singing and readings closing by all
singing "Star Spangled Banner." At
5:30 p. m., after a day well spent we
started for our homes by auto, vot
ing unanimously that the 25th "con
vention was one of the best and one
to be long remembered.
Florence A. Crawford,
Press Correspondent.
Gets Safely Across.
Thomas Bracken, of the Hotel Bel
ding, is in receipt of a card stating
that his son, Thomas jr., had safely
reached European soil.
Goes to Ann Arbor.
Ernest Rummler went to Ann Ar
bor Monday noon, wherehe will en
ter the student officers' training
school. Ernest has been working in
Detroit for some time past.
1
9 Some Questions
i Am I the . American I ought to
l be 7
l Am I the man the boys "over
mere ' minic i am i
I What are my reasons for notf
i buying a bond?
L AreHhose reasons good and suf-1
I ficient? v
i Why am I not boosting for the
i success of this loan? I
I Why should I wait until the?
i committee visits me with a re-7
i quest to buy? . .. ;l ?I
7 'm Why am I unpatriotic? r nt
J - Wher is th nearest bitf 4
NECESSARY
TELLS OF FINE
TRIP TO HOME III
GOLDEN WEST
MISS CLARA "MOULTON, JiOW A
RESIDENT OF PASADENA, CAL.
WRITES TO LOCAL FRIEND.
We are pleased to publish this week
a part of a letter which Miss Clara
Moulton, formerly and for many years
a resident of this city recently sent
to Miss Kate Lamb, who with her in
valid mother, lives at the home cf
John Rossman, just south of the city.
lhe letter is a splendid word-picture
of the trip and owing to the fact that
it is too long for complete insertion
in one issue of the paper, it will be
carried over until next week's issue
and continued in it.
Miss Moulton's letter is as follows:
Pasadena, Calif., August, 1918.
Friend Kate:
I am going to begin this letter but
I am net sure when I will finish it
This is certainly a wonderful country,
but think one would enjoy it much
better to land here along in January
some time as the contrast would be so
much greater We had some very hot
weather when we first arrived, but I
see from the papers that it was all
over the country the same Last
week most of the week was rather cool
and cloudy which was very unusual
for this place, so the natives all said,
had a slight shower one day.
There is scarcely a day that we do
not hear an aeroplane and of course
kid fashion I have to run out and look
also from some points in the city one
can see as many as eight balloons up
at one time over at the aviation field.
I have always thought in my own
mind, that cedars and evergreens
were grown in colder climates, but I
guess I was wrong as I wish you
might see some . of the giant pines
here, they also have wonderful cypres
hedges, which I do not care for much
in a city; they might be all right on
a ranch for a wind break. They have
over 200 different kinds of Eucalpti
trees, some have wonderful blossoms,
I have .seen the red ones in blossom
and it is a sight, they have what they
call the blue one, I have not seen the
blossom on these, do not know what it
is but the young trees have quite a
bluish tint from the distance. One
can hardly picture Fucshias growing
as high and large as small trees, ger.
aniums as high as the tops of the
windows and higher. The Bougan
Villa is a beautiful vine, grows very
thick and one can scarcely see the
leaves when it is in blossom, some
small bungalows are nearly covered
with it: it is one flaming mass of col
or: I do not know iust what you would
call it, but it looks to me like what
we used to call Magenta. The ole
anders are wonderful and as large as
good sized "cherry trees, many of
them. The roses are of 'course won
derful because there are .so -many of.
them and they blossom all. the year
around.- There is another tree, I do
not know as . I can spell these and I
have no dictionary at the present; it
is the Jackaranda, the leaves are
much like a fern and the blossoms are
large clusters of purple hlossoms and
each blossom looks' like a bluebell.
Than there is the Crepe myrtle which
has a. beautiful old rose blossom on.
To me the trees are wonderful for of
course our maples do not have much
of a blossom on and about all we have
are the fruit trees and once in a while
a loctus. The Ragged Robin rose
makes beautiful hedges. Then there
are what they call the Acacia trees;
they are black, yellow and blue; the
yellow are very fragrant:
We have not been on many walks as
yet, we are quite aways from down
town, it isn't I know, but sometimes it
seems nearly as far as it is out to your
house, of course we could take the car
but have to save a little now and then
so walk most of the time, and when
we have been down town and back
that is about all the walk we want for
one day. 1 We. did go one night up to
what they call Monks' Hill, it is quite
high and we get a wonderful view of
Pasadena, Altedena and the moun
tains. This is the place where they
go to have a sunrise prayer meeting
orT' Easter Sunday. The mountains
look near enough to reach out and
touch them at times but I guess I will
not attempt to walk to them for a
time at least as I think they are about
eight iiiiles away. If I should have
asthma and hayfever there is a line
about three or four blocks from here
that they call the Asthma line above
there jio one is supposed to have it.
We have not been to Los Angeles
but once as yet; we were taken over
one day to the Allied War exposition
but spent our time out there so did
not see much of the city. That even
.ing we stayed in and attended the
Michigan club meeting.
I will tell you a little, perhaps more
than you want, about our trip. I
have written about this same thing
to several people; I made copies; I
could not work my brain enough to
think the whole thing out so many
times and then it saved work. I
wrote a couple of friends in Belding
and asked them to pass it on to some
of my friends, then I wrote my broth,
er, George, and he sent itto Howard
somewhere in France. We had his
first letter from there, or rather his
folks did and sent it on to us.
We left Belding, as we planned, on
Thursday afternoon, the 18th of July,
stayed .all night in Grand Rapids and
left for Chicago the next morning. It
was a very dirty and hot ride to Chi
cago, we arrived there somewhere
along about 3:30 p. m., I should judge,
were transferred to the Union depot
by the Parmlee bus line; it certainly
looked queer to think of a company
using horses on a bus in this day and
generation but such was the case; we
went to see about getting a berth for
Denver, nothing doing. We then
went to the Morrison hotel; it was -a
very nice hotel ; we had a room on the
22nd floor, a lovely room with bath,
and everything in, some style for a
couple of country guys, even ice water
from- 'faucet in the wall, a nic desk
and' dtak lamp, and a nice light by
your bed go one could read ia bsd if
(Continued Next Vcc.) ,
CHRISTMAS TRADING TO
START IMMEDIATELY
Sec'Byrcn F. Brown received a let
ter from Sec. Lee H, Berqe of the
Grand Rapids chamber of commerce
confirming our statement in last
wetVc's. issue concerning ChriUtmaa
trading.
No merchant will be allowed to hire
more clerk help than at any- ordinary
time of the year. He will not be al
lowed to keep his store open longer
than the usual hours and will be com
pelled to take care of the Christmas
trade in those hours.
The government wants the people
of the nation to start their Christmas
shopping now and continue it through
the months of October, November
and December so as to help the mer
chants take cdre of the Christmas
trade in conformity with the wishes
of the government.
Do not mistake this as a suggestion
on the . part of the government; it is
a war ruling and will be strictly enforced.
SPANISH "FLU"
MAY BE SPREAD
BY GERMAN SPIES
DISEASE BREAKS OUT SIMUL
TANEOUSLY IN MANY PLACES
MANY DEATHS DUT TO IT.
Hubert M. Engemr.nn, one of the
editors of this paper, who has. been
stationed at Glen Burnie rifle range
for some months past and more re
cently placed in the United States Na
val hospital at Annapolis, Md., arriv
ed home unexpectedly on the evening
train up from Grand Rapids Friday
night. When asked why he had not
sent advance information 1 about his
coming. "Hub" said that he could not
do it owing-to the fact that he had
practically no advance information of
the matter himself until the hospital
authorities told him to clear out for
home. -
''Hub" says that he had been in the
hospital for the past. month and was
getting along nicely when the Spanish
influenza got to work among the ca
dets at the naval academy at Annapo.
lis, Md. When the first few cadets
who were taken with the disease came
down and were brought to the hos-
fiital, he was placed at doing some
ight work, such as carrying bedding,
etc., for making the sufferers comfort,
able. More kept on coming and fin
ally the hospital authorities had him
setting up tents to take carp of the
patients who by this time were more
numerous than the hospital could take
care of for lack of room.
There are about 2,100 cadets at the
Annapolis academy and the ambu
lance Drought over 65 of these the day
before Hub left there for home. Hub
said that the physicians at the hos
pital fearing that he would get the
disease, and not wishing him to run
the risk which he would have to in
case he should contract it, ordered
him out of the hospital for a period
of 14 days' and that he was thus given
a ten day sick leave with four days'
travel time. He left the hospital in
a hurry, leaving by a basement door
so that he would not come in contact
with the influenza, stricken cadtet
who were being brought in by- the
regular entrances.
Hub said that there was some talk
that the disease was spread by Ger
man agents or spies, but .was rather
inclined to discredit this himself, al
though he said that there was nothing
that the enemy would not stoop'to do.
He was of the opinion that the recent
cold snap which swept over practical,
ly all sections of the country, caught
the people really unprepared for it
and tharit is in fact very hard cases
of grippe, which when not attended
to at-the proper time, rapidly devel
ops into pneumonia and it is in this
way, according to his ideas, that the
death rate ha3 been as high as it has
been among the fellows who have been
taken sick with the disease.
Hub arrived home on Friday even
ing and on Sunday morning he be
came sick with the disease himself
and is now confined to his bed at the
home of his mother, Mrs. Lena Enge.
mann, 914 James street. He is in
hopes of being able to get up and
enjoy a part of the sick leave which
he ha3 got visiting with friends and
relatives around the city. Hub is
stationed at Glen Burnie, 'Md., when
able to attend to duty and
I this is the same place where his
brother Martin ana noDen jueevt-
are located. Arthur Dehn, another
local boy, is stationed at Annapolis,
Md., and when Hub left there for
home all of the boys were feeling
fine and he did not think that they
would get caught in the "flu" epi
demic. Nephew is Killed.
In writing to Thos. Bracken, Rev.
Fr. J. M. Zindler, of St. Joseph, says
that his nephew, Ed. Melcher. was
killed in action in France on Aug. 28.
Melcher was cited for bravery by
General Pershing on Aug; 10. He
was a corporal in a machine gun bat
talion. Arrived Safely Ore seas.
George Whitney writes his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Whitney, that he
has landed on the other side all right
and the first thing that he did was to
take a look around for the kaiser in
order to get a shot at him.
F. M. fluarterly Conference.
The first quarterly meeting for this
conference year will begin Friday
night in the Free Methodist church.
Meetings will be in charge of Rev. B.
T. Hicks, the district elder. A cor
dial invitation is extended to all.
J. F. Iulg, Pastor.
v About now the boy who only last
year felt honored to have the busi
ness men notice him, has become a
commissioned officer and bankers and
manefscturers are proud to be ?cn
with klru
SPLENDID LETTERS
FROM HOSE Gil
FELLOWSJER THERE
6T0RIES (TELL THAT MICHI
GAN'S REFUTATION WILL NOT
, FAIL BECAUSE OF BOYS.
Another list of
this week to de
light our readers
with and we know
they will cause joy
because the letters
are from boys who
have snatched just
time enough ott from duty to write a
letter back home to let everyone know
that they are still all o. k. and ready
'for the next'' trick which they hope
will be socn.
The first letter is from Lloyd Kelly,
a brother of Mrs. Ross Kelly of this
krity and son of Mrs. C. W. Todd, of
Greenville. Lloyd has many friends
here who will be glad to read his let
ter which is as follows:
France, Aug. 11, 1918.
Dear Mother and All:
Answered your letter a few days
hgo but this is Sunday night and I
have just time to drop you a few lines
before going to bed. I sure have
tot lots of letters in the last week
but have them all answered so thought
I would write you again. I got two
letters today, one from Claribel and
bne from Viola and they sent me lots
of clippings. I wrote to Claribel last
week the same time I did you and
(sent her a souvenir card and you one.
I put a French one and two cent piece
in Claribel's letter for Louis; suppose
lie will be glad to get something from
LFrance. Got a letter from Ross and
Besrsie. they sure had a nice trip
wth their car; wish I could have been
there to have gone with them because
I have never been to Will's or Musk
gon. They sent me a picture they
had taken at a lake on their trip.
. Well, the weather is fine over here.
ns nice ana warm in tne aay time ana
(cool at night; our camp is in a big
woods' and I sure get lots of sleep as
PRVT. LLOYD KELLEY.
long as the aeroplanes and big guns
don't make too much noice. We can
'hear guns shooting most of the time
tend can hear or see aeroplanes at all
(hours ot th day or night. The planes
are sure tniCK as ines nere ana 1
(have seen many German planes shot
down, have a few souvenirs off. of
them. There isn't much left of a
nlane after it hits the Ground.
rooay a tot 01 us went to a Dait
'game our Co. A played Co. E about
10 miles up the line; they took us
bp and back on the little railroad.
On our way back we saw an Ameri
can aviator shoot down a German
balloon; it was all on fire and was
febout 5 minutes going down.
' There is lots going on all the time;
we are building railroad all over the
front and some times we get so close
we have to work at night and sleep in
the day time. Lots of times w are
'lose enough to hear the German
machine guns but they can't see us.
Th Germans are sure getting their
belly full as you can see by the paper
and I hope it won't be long till we all
are on our wav back.
f One night about a week ago I was
over to the Y. M. C. A. across tho
Toad and it was about 10:30 at night.
We have a colored camp up the road
fend a lot of the colored fellows were
'down by the Y. All at once we
heard some guns start to shoot and
soow some German planes were ovzr
us. We all got out in the road to
fee what vas gaiii cn but it wai too
dark to ee much. In a few minutes
'we heard some American planes com
ing and the machine gun lire started.
It wasn't long till one of the German
planes dropped nine or ten bombs
just at the edge of our woods and you
ought to see those colored fellows
shake their, feet up the road for
camp. 1 was laughing at them and
trying to run for a,tree when my foot
got tangled up and I took a header in
'the grass. 'I got under the tree
'and stayed there until it was all over
'and got back to camp o. k. The next
morning we went over to see what
the bombs did. Some of the holes
were about 15 feet deep and 30 feet
across so ycu can see what they would
do if they had hit one of our barracks.
We have to take our gas masks ev
ery place wc go and half the time
Isleep with them around our neck.
'Haven't heard a gun shoot since sup-
?er so guess I will get a good night's
leep, so will close hoping this finds
you all well, as I am. Write soon.
As ever, your loving son, "
Lloyd.
Prvt. L S. Kelley,
Co. A, 21st Eng., A. E. F., via N. Y.
' The second letter is from Rollin
Donovan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Donovan of G rattan. Rollin is well
krorwn here and is with the medical
corps ' in France. His letter is as
tfoQovra: ,
(Ccnthcci cn Pc Crrca)
m 1 1 a. m 1 11