Men walk to shore from the railroad ferry Sainte Marie (seen in the background), which has been halted by the thick ice. (Photograph courtesy of the St. Ignace Public Library) 115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, February 25, 1893

Last Sunday was the roughest day of the winter.

LaClare, the jeweler, left for the Snows Tuesday, on a tour of the camps.

Charley Franks, of the Mission House on Mackinac Island, was a caller to this office on Tuesday.

Mrs. Londraville now occupies a dwelling at the foot of Maloney street until her new home on Goudreau alley is repaired from a fire.

Washington's birthday was observed in the usual quiet way here. In the evening, the Literary Club gave an entertainment at LaSalle school, which was well attended.

On Monday last, a baby boy arrived at the house of John Beveridge, increasing his family to 15 children - eight boys and seven girls - all of whom are living and in robust health.

The dedication of the new M.E. church in Mackinaw City Sunday last was a success - the entire indebtedness being wiped out by subscriptions offered. It is a fine building and the pastor and congregation feel proud of it.

On Thursday last, Prosecuting Attorney James J. Brown, of St. Ignace, was nominated at the Judicial Convention held at Cheboygan by the Democracy of the district as a candidate for Circuit Court Judge of the 33rd Judicial District, composed of the counties of Cheboygan, Mackinac, Emmet, and Manitou.

90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace Enterprise Thursday, February 28, 1918

"What we must all do now since we have entered this war in real earnest is to put down the critics and 'beefers,' stick together in one class for one common cause, and bring not only Germany, but all the nations of the civilized world to the full realization that although as a nation we may be slow to anger, that we may hesitate in fighting and stand a lot of back talk in the cause of humanity, when it comes down to producing the goods, we are just the right size and of the right stuff to march thousands of boys in khaki down the main drag of Berlin, plant the Stars and Stripes upon the highest flagpole of the Kaiser's big war machine, and in union with our allies, sing out to the world and its free peoples the welcome tidings of victory for democracy's cause to the tune of the 'Star Spangled Banner.'" - extract from a letter from Clarence Eby of St. Ignace, stationed in the Army, to his sister.

The Chambers building on State street, occupied by the Pilson jewelry store on the first floor and the living apartments of Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Scott, above, was damaged by fire Saturday night. Damage to the building is estimated between $50 and $100.

Chas. Mulcrone was on Tuesday elected a director of the First National Bank to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Patrick E. Murray.

Ground glass was found in chocolate bars sold to soldiers in the Soo last week. The Germans are bringing the war nearer home every day.

Miss Obeshaw of Gros Cap has taken charge of the Hessel school in place of Edwin Lachance, who resigned.

Among the Snows [Les Cheneaux] draft men who will go to St. Ignace this week for examination are Chas. Pavlot, Edward Linderman, and Edwin Johnson.

50 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, February 27, 1958

For the second time in the history of LaSalle High School's participation in the District 2 band and orchestra festival, the band brought home a "First Division" rating. The festival this year was held in Petoskey and Traverse City and the high school band won a unanimous decision of highly superior all the way.

Rundle Hunter, noted chef, and his able assistants served more than 200 persons at the annual fish derby dinner at Loyola Hall [Brevort Lake] last Friday evening.

About 35 bottles of whiskey, four or five cartons of cigarettes, and a small electric motor were taken from Roof's Wigwam.

The Les Cheneaux Lions club at their last regular meeting accepted a new member into the club. Clifton A. Pratt, manager of Port Dolomite and the Cedarville Quarry, was accepted. Pratt was brought into the club by Connie Shoberg.

The Mackinac Straits Bridge commemorative stamp will go on first day sale on June 25.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, March 10, 1973

On Thursday, February 22, the LaSalle High School Library was presented with a collection of 100 Canadian books in English and in French to reflect Canada's two official languages.

Paced by Ed Lester's recordbreaking 42-point effort, the St. Ignace Saints put four excellent quarters of basketball together on their way to a 103-56 victory over the Rogers City Hurons. The previous record was held by Leo Donovan. The Saints are 13-0 in the conference. Petoskey is second with a 10-3 record.

Topical application of fluoride will again be offered to Mackinac County children during the spring and summer months, according to Luce-Mackinac Health Department.

Newton Township Notice - Gould City - To whom it may concern: Whereas the Township of Newton now requires better control of construction of area. Therefore be it resolved that beginning April 2, 1973, a building permit will be required in Newton Township for all construction with a total value of $500 or more. These permits to be applied for from Trustee Robert (James O'Neil) in Gould City. Signed: Newton Township Board, Kathleen Vogl, Clerk.

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, February 25, 1993

The Big Mac weekend snowmobile drag races at Paradise Lake February 20 and 21 drew a fair number of entries as winds whipped up the snow and temperatures stayed well below freezing.

Five residents of Mackinac Island were not to be denied an ice bridge this winter. At the first sign of solid ice across the Straits of Mackinac, Randy, Matt, Bam, and Heather Bazinau, and Donnie "Duck" Smith, trusted their luck, an ice pick, and the power of their snowmobiles to get them off Mackinac Island, or as Islanders lovingly say, "off the rock," Sunday, February 21.

Above average water levels in all of the Great Lakes have prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue a spring alert to shoreline residents of the lower three lakes.