Looking Back
Compiled by Ryan Schlehuber

The tanker J. Oswald Boyd was headed from a Whiting, Indiana, oil refinery for Detroit with 900,000 gallons of gasoline for Cities Service Company when it went aground in November 1936 on Simmons Reef in Lake Michigan, 13 miles southwest of Brevort on the north side of Beaver Island. The crew of 19 men was removed from the ship, but the owners abandoned the vessel. That winter, when ice formed on the lake, several local residents made their way to the ship to siphon its contents. They came in trucks, sleighs, cars, and tractors. The men in this picture have not been identified. Following an explosion during a siphoning operation January 1, 1937, The remains of the Boyd were eventually removed from the reef and taken to Sault Ste. Marie in June 1937. (Photographs courtesy of David Walker)

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, March 4, 1893

A. McKay, who employed a large gang of men all winter getting our cedar, is now a man of leisure, having completed his contract.

On New Year's Day, 1937, an explosion destroyed the Marold II while its crew was siphoning gasoline off the Boyd, killing Capt. H. L. Hill, his son, and three other crew members. The force of the explosion launched a portion of the Marold's hull onto the deck of the Boyd (shown here). The captain's body washed ashore in Green Bay the next year.

Miss Gretta Hoban arrived in the city on Wednesday evening last from Ozark, where she teaches school. She came down to attend a teachers' examination.

Rev. W.H. Law, of Hessel, is registered at the Hotel Du Pont in Philadelphia. He sends us an interesting letter for publication, which will appear next week.

"Bound by an Oath" is the name of the play to be given by the St. Ignace Dramatic Club in a few weeks. It is a well written play, and a large number of people are already awaiting the rendition.

The heavy snowstorm of the fore part of the week was the cause of much delay in the arrival and departure of trains in this section, the road being badly blocked between here and Marquette. The D.S.S.&A. are well equipped for such emergencies, however, and everything is again in good running order.

Now that hoop skirts are coming in, hammocks must go out. They won't work prettily together.

90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, March 7, 1918

Notwithstanding the fact that there were but two members in the third contingent drafted for the war from Mackinac county, there was a large crowd at the station to see them away and to wish them success and a safe return.

The Gateway City band was also there and rendered some of its liveliest airs. Wayne Boynton and George Cuppens were the two who left for Camp Greenleaf, Ga., where they will enter the U.S. Service.

Harold Earley of the Island was the guest of St. Ignace relatives Sunday.

Ford cars have boosted $90 in price, the universal car now being sold for $450.

D.C. Hiser of Hessel was in the city during the week, the guest of his daughter, Mrs. Sorenson.

J.W. Gilligan has a force of men engaged in logging his timber [Rexton].

Newton Gilbert, a resident of Pt. aux Chene, was attacked by a large lynx Friday afternoon near Moran.

Our Coast Guard station [Mackinac Island] opened for the season of 1918 March 1 at midnight.

Seth McGregor [Les Cheneaux] found it necessary to put on an extra team during the past week to help in taking care of the large amount of freight coming in, the other team being kept busy transporting men for Uncle Sam.

50 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, March 6, 1958

Vagrant dogs, unlicensed or running at large, will be impounded and disposed of, according to ordinance, according to a directive by the city council issued Monday night. Police Chief Terry Fenlon was ordered to hire a dog warden who would be paid $3 for each dog impounded for violation of the ordinance.

Two major railroads, the Pennsylvania and New York Central, have petitioned the Inter-State Commerce commission to cancel their agreement with the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic railway to operate the railroad car ferries at the Straits of Mackinac.

A bill increasing the size of the Mackinac Island State Park commission to seven members and authority to restore Fort DeBuade at St. Ignace passed the state senate last week Wednesday. The bill requires the seventh member of the present six-man commission to be a resident of Mackinaw City and will allow the commission to raise funds for the fort restoration, but said any funds would have to be released by the legislature before they could be used.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, March 8, 1973

As a result of a suit filed in Cuyahoga County Circuit Court in Ohio by the State of Ohio, which alleges Rex Humbard, television evangelist and owner of the many operations of the Cathedral of Tomorrow, Mackinac College of Mackinac Island has laid off most of its non-professional employees and the opening of the college for the second semester, originally scheduled for March 12, has been delayed. One-hundred-fifty college students were expected for the pre-school activities prior to the beginning of the second semester next Monday.

The City of St. Ignace will exchange mayors with Otsego, south of Grand Rapids, for "Michigan Week."

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, March 4, 1993

Mackinac Straits Hospital's move toward developing a rural health clinic appeared last week to have become snagged in negotiations with Burns Clinic, whose doctors are to run it. The hospital's board, based on the strong recommendation of Hospital Administrator Mary Tamlyn, voted February 24 to close the emergency room for the weekend. Burns Clinic doctors will also be asked not to admit anyone to the hospital.

The Mackinac Island Lakers boys basketball team completed the first undefeated season in their school's history February 26 and 27, defeating conference foe Hannahville 91-47 and 75-57, to also remain the only unbeaten team in the Upper Peninsula this season.