115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, April 1, 1893

Wagons were used quite extensively during the past week.

It is Mackinac against Cheboygan for Circuit Judge.

Travel between here and the Island is becoming quite dangerous, even on foot.

Harry Burgess is an applicant for the Custom House office.

Saturday is registration day. All who have not voted before, or who have changed wards, must register today.

90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, April 4, 1918

Saturday morning, Mail Carrier Lasley made his last trip between this port and Mackinac Island, and in doing so he virtually took his life in his hands. The warm weather of the week previous had so weakened the ice that in places it was but three or four inches thick and rapidly wearing away by the undercurrent and the sun. Sunday the Chief Wawatam opened the channel to the Arnold dock at Mackinac Island, and Monday afternoon the Islander came over with the mail and a few passengers.

Richard Jones expects to be able to start operations at his mill on the 15th, although this has not as yet been definitely settled, owing to the transportation conditions. While quite a number of logs have come in and are banked at the mill, Mr. Jones wants to feel assured that the supply will be sufficient to keep the plant in operation continuously after starting up.

The first baseball game of the season will be played on the Third Ward grounds next Sunday afternoon, when A. Kaler's team will meet Daly's Railroaders. Game called at 1 sharp.

Residents on the shores of all the Great Lakes will be interested in the announcement that Charles F. Clyne, United States district attorney, has been called upon to bring suit to stop the Chicago sanitary drainage canal board from stealing water out of Lake Michigan.

Les Cheneaux: The first car of the summer was out Sunday, Robert P. Hamel darting about town in his little runabout. Probably by next Sunday the little fleet of Fords will be seen because the gasoline bug is beginning to get thawed out.

50 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 3, 1958

An appeal for funds to comprise the down payment for lights at Athletic Park was made at the Kiwanis club meeting last week.

Mrs. Pauline Wing of St. Ignace was installed as worthy high priestess of Northern Shrine No. 53, White Shrine of Jerusalem at special exercises held in the Masonic Temple, Sault Ste. Marie, March 29.

Advertising matter of St. Ignace taxidermist F.R. Vigeant, who established a business here in 1889, was found between the walls of The Yellow Front, a recently razed building that until 1901 housed the taxidermist, who then moved to the Soo. His brother, D.O. Vigeant, developed The Yellow Front as a curio store and operated there for years until retirement, when Leonard Goudreau operated the small store for several years.

A sure sign of spring is the first blasting of the fog siren at Mackinac Island life boat station. This past week, Chief Claude Albright and his crew of boys have been opening the control station.

The Brevort Resort restaurant is being remodeled inside and will soon be ready for opening.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 5, 1973

Making its earliest crossing in the last 25 years, the Arnold Transit Company's Mackinac Islander left the Island last Friday, March 30, at 8:30 a.m. and docked in St. Ignace about 9:10 a.m.

Barry Pierson bowled a perfect 300 game in league bowling Wednesday, March 28, at the Gateway Lanes in St. Ignace. Jim Bilbee, owner-manager of Gateway Lanes, says Barry's 300 game is the first perfect game recorded from the St. Ignace area in the history of the lanes.

The LaRocque Drug Store has been sold to a local pharmacist, Glenn Law Jr.

Gov. William G. Milliken said Wednesday the earliest opening in 20 years of shipping in the Great Lakes is "a welcome extra bonus for Michigan's economy."

In the spring election held Monday, April 2, on Mackinac Island, voters elected Clemens Gunn over Otto Emmons to the office of Mayor by a count of 241 for Gunn and 164 for Emmons, who was seeking his fourth term.

Mandy St. Onge has been chosen as 1973 Lilac Queen to reign during lilac time at Mackinac Island June 16 through 22.

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, April 1, 1993

Dozens of people, both Native American and Anglo, joined together March 26 to celebrate the dedication and grand opening of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Community Center on 3- Mile Road in Hessel.

DeTour's dream of its first boys basketball state championship and second trip to the title game in seven years fell victim to poor final period shooting, and Muskegon West Michigan Christian advanced with a 61-44 win over the Raiders.