July 15, 2025: The visual layout and format of the portal has been updated for improved usability. Please let us know if you have any challenges while using it.
In 1871, Hastings Michigan became the temporary home of an infamous murder trial. After two previous trials in Manistee, MI and Kalamazoo, MI, A. M. George Vanderpool had a third trial held at the Barry County Courthouse.
During this trial, the Republican Banner went into daily publication to cover the proceedings.
Vanderpool was accused of killing Herbert Field after a business relationship turned sour in Manistee, MI.
Read through the papers published between August 15, 1871 and September 13, 1871 to learn all about this exciting event that brought Hastings, MI statewide attention.
The Hastings Public Library wishes to thank Smith Imaging of Rockford, MI for their work digitizing the Sun & News.
The Sun & News is one of the older newspapers in Barry County, MI. All copies held by the Hastings Public Library have been scanned to PDF for easy public access.
Available years cover 1981 - 2022.
Note some years are incomplete while others are missing. Some missing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 may be found in harcopies of The Reminder. The Library has these available upon request.
In 1871, Hastings Michigan became the temporary home of an infamous murder trial. After two previous trials in Manistee, MI and Kalamazoo, MI, A. M. George Vanderpool had a third trial held at the Barry County Courthouse.
During this trial, the Republican Banner went into daily publication to cover the proceedings.
Vanderpool was accused of killing Herbert Field after a business relationship turned sour in Manistee, MI.
Read through the papers published between August 15, 1871 and September 13, 1871 to learn all about this exciting event that brought Hastings, MI statewide attention.
Did you know one of Hastings Michigan's residents was a decorated World War II fighter pilot?
No? Well, explore this exhibit and learn about James P. Dibble.
Go through the Exhibit Pages on the left side of the screen for interesting details and highlights of his life, career and tragic death after being shot down in 1943.
Want to learn more?
Watch a video on YouTube about James and his family's search for the truth.
See items at the library that are not part of the digital collection, including:
Parts of James' plane recovered from the crash site.
Newspaper articles, including one published by Jim Dibble about his uncle and one from Colliers in 1943.
A carved coat of arms given to the Dibble family by the citizens of Padula, Italy.
The online collection is divided into the below sections:
The Hastings Public Library wishes to thank Smith Imaging of Rockford, MI for their work digitizing the Sun & News.
The Sun & News is one of the older newspapers in Barry County, MI. All copies held by the Hastings Public Library have been scanned to PDF for easy public access.
Available years cover 1981 - 2022.
Note some years are incomplete while others are missing. Some missing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 may be found in harcopies of The Reminder. The Library has these available upon request.
