125 YEARS AGO

Celebrating Governor George Romney's signature on a bill to lower bridge fare from $3.75 to $1.50 (one way) are (from left) Representative Joe P. Swallow of Alpena, Senator Thomas Schweigert of Petoskey, Representative Bob Davis of St. Ignace, Representative Dominic Jacobetti of Negaunee, Representative Charles Varnum of Manistique, and Representative Dennis Cawthorne of Manistee. The new bridge fare went into effect January 1, 1969. Mr. Davis, who died last week, thought of the fare reduction as one of his crowning achievements while serving in the Michigan Legislature. Of the men in the photograph, only Mr. Swallow and Mr. Cawthorne are still alive. St. Ignace News

October 21, 1884 Hand-shaking has commenced.

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The three political meetings last week were very largely attended. Judge Brown and John Power handled their arguments in fine style, amusing and enlightening their hearers to no small degree. The public were disappointed that both gentlemen did not appear at Brown's Hall last evening, their professional duties in connection with the Wheeler trial preventing.

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When Schoolcraft County sends another trial here, we hope they won't send so many fascinating female witnesses. One of our county officers was so completely "mashed," that he was unable to turn out at band practice on one occasion.

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The heavy sea prevented the Lady May making a trip Sunday afternoon.

The steamer City of Cleveland did not arrive until after midnight Saturday.

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Nearly all the witnesses in the Wheeler trial left town yesterday.

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As we go to press Prosecuting Attorney Riggs is delivering his address. The case will go to the jury to-day, and it is expected to be disposed of some time tonight.

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The clothes belonging to the late Hubert Cascadden were received by his widow yesterday, being sent here by the Captain of the barge Agnes.

••• It is reported that a man named James Duggan, of Cheboygan, shot and killed a man and woman at Grand Marias, within the last few days.

•••

From Newberry: News has reached us that Grand Marias has been visited by a fire. The Duoan House and barn is destroyed. We also heard that one life was lost.

125 YEARS AGO

St. Ignace News

October 24, 1884

E. P. Foley has set the ball rolling towards early closing. In future his store will be closed each evening at eight o'clock, except Saturday, when it will be kept open till nine.

•••

We are pleased to learn that the report of a few days ago to the effect that two murders had been committed at Grand Marias is untrue. From a letter written on the 21st inst., we are able to furnish the following facts:

The Grand Marias House, barn, saloon, Mr. Elliott's dwelling and Dr. Snyder's store were burned down at 2:30 Sunday morning. The fire originated in the hotel barn, and is supposed to be the work of incendiary. Nearly all the furnishings was saved, but Dr. Snyder's stock, which was stored in his cellar, was consumed. The total loss is estimated at from $6,000 to $10,000; insurance not known. The charred remains of Peter Nester, the blacksmith, who was drunk Saturday night, was found among the ruins of the barn. Two cows and two hogs were also burned in the barn. There were about 50 persons in bet at the hotel when the fire broke out, all of whom escaped safely, with all their effects. The fire is a bad loss to our pleasant, thriving town.

During the fire John Duggan, the hotel proprietor, went to George Gamble's house entering just behind Gamble and fired two shots at his back, exclaiming, "You did it!" Fortunately neither of the shots took effect. Duggan pounded Gamble unmercifully over the head with the butt of his revolver. He is under arrest and is lodged in the lock-up.

Henry Gamble and Mr. Colson lose quite heavily on the burned buildings.

Judge Lynch has been talked of freely against the prisoner, and the lock-up is kept guarded.

The funeral of Nester, the blacksmith, took place on Sunday afternoon.

•••

Also from Grand Marias: While the propeller St. Marie was on her way to Sauble Point Sunday morning about 10 o'clock, with a little scow in tow, a deck hand belonging to Sault Ste. Marie was drowned. He got on the scow contrary to orders, and as it was swamping outside the harbor, he jumped out. He was a good swimmer, but his heavy clothes sank him. Body not yet recovered.

•••

The Soo Democrat says: "Newberry, in this county, wants the township (McMillan) to be set off, and Seney wants to take the county seat away from Manistique, in Schoolcraft county. These wants cause ear-burnings and wretchedness among those interested."

•••

Circuit Court: Judge Steere adjourned court on Wednesday evening, until Dec. 2.

In the case of the People vs. Sheeler, the jury rendered a verdict of manslaughter. The defense talk of taking the case to the Supreme Court

•••

A. J. Gennell, the nominee for fish inspector, says that his chances for election is better than any other man on the Republican county ticket. He has no opposition.

•••

Stellwagen & Kynoch have secured the contract for putting a galvanized iron roof on the engine room of the new planing mill being built by the Mackinaw Lumber Co. Also a contract for manufacturing 100 galvanized iron boxes for Chamber's Bro's to be used in their new fish freezing establishment. About 3,000 pounds of iron will be consumed on the two jobs, making the largest contracts for this kind of work ever made in this section. The work will be performed by their foreman, W. H. Wiley and two assistants.

•••

The St. Ignace News says that Jas. Duggan, of Cheboygan, shot a man and woman at Grand Marias, Lake Superior, last week. James is paralyzed, not having been nearer that place than Cheboygan in months. It was Jno. Duggan, of Grand Marias, who did the shooting, if any were done at all, and not our Jim, who is on his muscle and not on the shoot. - Cheboygan Democrat.

With reference to the above, the information as given was furnished us by a former resident of Cheboygan, on whom Mr. Duggan can have revenge when he goes over to see his girl, which he does occasionally. We did not think he would Ly-on such a serious matter.

•••

The New Hotel for Mackinac

In relation to the above we clip the following particulars from the Harbor Springs Independent: Mr. Caskey has secured a ninety-nine years lease of several acres of ground on the flat just west of the docks, at Mackinac Island, and will build thereon a fine hotel, the plans of which call for about $50,000.

It will be built in the shape of a hollow square with the open space in front, occupied with fountains etc., and will cover nearly two acres space.

There will be about 250 sleeping rooms, there will not be a dark room in the house, the peculiar construction giving each apartment a good view. There will be 966 feet of porch 12 feet wide, giving a magnificent promenade. The rooms will be handsomely and elegantly furnished, with hot and cold water and gas on every floor. Although the hotel will be first-class in every respect, the prices will be very reasonable.

Mr. Caskey will have a half interest in the hotel, and certain railroad and steamboat magnates will have a hand in the enterprise, and as Mr. Caskey will have 40 lots to dispose of worth $1,000 apiece, he has evidently struck a bonanza.

The lumber for the hotel will be got out here this winter, and all the door and window frames and everything of the kind which can be manufactured here, will be put together in Mr. Caskey's shops here this winter.

•••

The finest head of cabbage we ever saw, was brought to C. H. Wilber's store this week by Geo. L. Cheeseman. Mr. C. said he had hundreds like it in his garden. It weighs 16 pounds.

90 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace Enterprise

October 23, 1919

If there is anyone in Mackinac county who is not familiar with the object and aim of the drive that is being prosecuted this week, it is not the fault of the chairman of the county Roosevelt committee, E. H. Hotchkiss.

He has notified by personal letter all of the district chairmen as well as the superintendents of schools, commissioner of schools and others and brought the attention of everyone he could reach to the necessity of the county raising its quota of $300 for the proposed memorial to be erected and dedicated to the Great American, Theodore Roosevelt.

In line with the governor's proclamation, Mayor Walker has issued a proclamation calling upon the citizens of St. Ignace to co-operate with the people of the country in furthering by their contributions and efforts the undertaking. He joins in the suggestion that the people of St. Ignace observe, by means of public exercises in the schools and a general public assemblage in the evening of the 27th of October the anniversary of Roosevelt's birth.

County Officers

E. H. Hotchkiss, Chairman

Prentiss M. Brown, Vice- Chairman

E. J. Chatelle, Publicity Chairman.

J. E. Quinlan, Chairman of Schools.

Herbert A. Powers, Treasurer.

General Committee: Robert H. Benjamin, M. Hoban, F. H. Freeman, Peter J. Murray, C. W. Hecox, Wm. St. James, Charles Conner.

City and Township Chairman: Mackinac Island, M. G. Bailey; Mackinac Island Schools, E. J. Lechance; St. Ignace, Joseph L. McCheskey; St. Ignace Schools, G. H. Barr; Marquette twp, Robert Hillock; Clark twp, Henry P. Hossack; St. Ignace twp, Eugene Brown; Brevort twp, Conrad P. Becker; Moran township Gros Cap district, Elwin Cheeseman; Moran township Ozark district, Val D. Hemm; Hendricks township Rexton district, Wm. Wood; Hendricks township Fibron district, O. W Welch; Hudson twp, E. C. Strickler; Garfield twp, O. A. Walstad; Newton twp, T. R. Brawley; Portage twp, Andrew G. Storm; Bois Blanc twp, A. L. Todd.

•••

Having attained a large degree of success in "The Undying Flame" and "The Law of the Land" two very strong Paramount photodramas, Madame Petrova is now appearing in her third Paramount production, "Exile," an unusual story by Dolf Wyllarde, which is coming to the Grand theatre on Friday. Admission 17 and 28 cents.

••• The "scout car" sent out by the Blue Book company, publishers of the Blue Book automobile tourist guide, was in Marquette last Friday and Saturday incident to a complete tour of the upper peninsula for the purpose of making new road maps of Cloverland for publication in their 1920 issue of the Blue Book, says the Mining Journal. . . .

The party has covered all of the peninsula west of Marquette, and will go from here to Munising, Newberry, St. Ignace, and Sault Ste. Marie.

The Blue Book men highly commend the upper peninsula's roads and referred to this section as "one of the most attractive counties for tourists" they have traveled through. They also commented upon the need for summer hotels in the peninsula.

•••

The Prohibition Bill, deemed one of the most sweeping acts ever passed by Congress, was sent to the White House Monday by Atty-Gen. Palmer, who has been investigating its constitutionality. The plan is to have the bill remain at the White House until Oct. 28, when it becomes effective even without President Wilson's signature.

From Administration quarters there has been no intimation of a veto.

Under this law, on October 28, at the latest, it would become illegal to manufacture or sell liquor containing more than half of one per cent alcohol, or any patent medicine or other compounds fit for beverage purposes, containing more than that quantity of alcohol.

•••

The fact that work on paving State Street with concrete will start early next spring together with other improvements in view for the city has set the town agog, and there is a general feeling among the inhabitants that we are on the verge of an era of prosperity. At any rate all are looking forward to next year which is freely predicted will be one of the best from every viewpoint that St. Ignace has experienced in the last decade.

•••

Capt. Hiram Ames, one o the best known mariners on the Great Lakes, passed away at his home in Algonac on the 10th inst. at the age of 86 years. Capt. Ames will be remembered by many of the older residents of St. Ignace, having brought the steamer Algomah here in 1881 and sailed her between this port and Mackinaw City for three seasons. He was the last of four brothers, all masters of ships. His wife died about four years ago.

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An important deal is pending, the consummation of which both sides admit is but a question of a short time which will mean much to St. Ignace and pave the way for other things. It is the transfer of the McCann property at the corner of State and McCann streets, extending back to the railroad, known as the Bay View hotel property, a portion of which is now occupied by Joseph Smith. Capt. Alex Cunning and C. J. Mulcrone are the purchasers.

Capt. Cunning informed The Enterprise that it was his intention to at once after getting control of the property to begin the construction of a modern fire-proof garage which he hoped to have completed and ready for operation before the end of the year. He will also erect on the property a modern hotel which will be ready for the opening of next season.

The garage proper will face on McCann street and be erected near the rear o the lot. It will be 80x12 feet in size, which does not include the machine shop to be constructed in connection and adjoining.

The hotel will be built on the site of the present buildings now occupying the property, and will also face on McCann street in order to avoid the smoke and dirt from the railroad engines and trains, with an entrance on State street. The dining room is to be made a feature of the hotel, which will have its main entrance on McCann street with large plate glass windows along State street. It is proposed to operate the hotel on the European plan with the dining room open day and night throughout the summer season.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

and St. Ignace Enterprise

October 22, 1959

Six more homes are being offered for sale by the state highway department for removal from the inter-state by-pass right-of-way in St. Ignace.

Bids on the properties will be opened at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, in the project office of the department on state dock No. 1, St. Ignace.

Work on the by-pass designed to connect the Mackinac Bridge approach by a non-access super highway with the four-lane highway at Castle Rock is rapidly changing the appearance of the entire area.

Properties recently sold are now being razed or removed from the right-of-way. Sewer, water and electrical installations are being moved and installed to conform to the area re-arranged by the new highway.

•••

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kosty of St. Joseph have purchased the Massaway Coffee Shop on So. State St. and took over operation on Wednesday morning. The Kostys are no strangers to St. Ignace where many friends welcome them back. Mr. Kosty worked here for years on the state ferries.

•••

Nearly twice as many Michigan counties will receive snow removal funds this year, compared to a year ago, State Highway Commissioner John C. Mackie reports.

Mackinac county is among 43 counties to receive funds based upon the average snowfall last winter. Allocated her is $2,116.52, based upon an average snowfall of 78.48 inches.

Highest snowfall was in Keweenaw county, with 158.66 inches.

To qualify for snow removal funds there must have been at least 70 inches the previous winter.

•••

Gil Ziegler, Northern Michigan college senior, son of Mrs. Alice Becker of Grosse Pointe Park, a mathematics and economic major, member of the student council and Sigma Rho Epsilon fraternity and the Student Activities council, was a candidate for homecoming King at the Northern Michigan Eastern game last week end.

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In spite of the weather, Boy Scouts from Rudyard, St. Ignace, Pickford, DeTour, Kinross and Les Cheneaux took part in a field day at the Les Cheneaux Sportsman's club house and grounds on Oct. 11.

Trooper G. L. Bonno of the Michigan State Police held a group of 35 Scouts and Cub Scouts spellbound as he lectured on gun safety. The conservation department was represented by Clark O'Brien, who held the interest of the tomorrow hunters with added gun safety and the all important knowledge of what to do in the woods when lost.

Scoutmaster Tony Autore and Cub Scout District Representative Archie Dunn matched the boys in a tug-owar to get the boys ready for hot dogs and milk which were served. Scoutmaster Ed McNamara, Jr., of St. Ignace demonstrated the safe handling of axes and methods of cutting wood.

The event was sponsored by the Les Cheneaux Sportsman's club with Charles Wagner as the master of ceremonies.

•••

In a move to supplement a unique journalism fellowship program at the University of Michigan, Wesley H. Maurer, chairman of the department of journalism has purchased the Mackinac Island Town Crier.

The eight-page tabloid weekly newspaper prints 10 issues during the summer for the historical resort community.

Professor Maurer bought the paper from students Robert Weinbaum, a U-M law student and son of the publisher of Detroit's West Side Courier and Warrendale Courier; Gerald J. Prescott, another law student; and James G. Wills, a graduate student in social work. The three young men started the paper five years ago with the help of publisher Weinbaum.

The paper was operated last summer by two U-M journalism students, under Professor Maurer's direction as publisher.

The students are William E. Bradford and Earl C. Gottschalk.

The Town Crier, which has a circulation of 2,000, is printed by the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.

30 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

October 25, 1979

It was a usual off-day for the railroad ferry Chief Wawatam Thursday, October 18, while it was at its St. Ignace dock. No trips were scheduled across the Straits of Mackinac between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. Captain Roderick Graham was periodically working on reports and the crewmen were busily completing chores.

The significance of the day was only marked visually by two banners flying over the vessel, but every man on the Chief Wawatam and followers of the coal-burning ferry knew the importance of the day.

Thursday, October 18, 1979 marked the 68th anniversary since the icebreaking railroad ferry arrived at Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, concluding its maiden voyage from the shipyard in Toledo, Ohio, under Commander Louis R. Boynton.

The two banners flying over the Chief Wawatam last Thursday were the ship's flag with the name Chief Wawatam" on it and the Mackinac Transportation flag, former owners of the vessel, with the letters "M.T.CO" on it, that were on the ferry when it arrived on its maiden voyage.

The flags were flying things to watchman Gordon Trainor of St. Ignace, who has worked full-time since 1964. Several years ago Trainor found the flags while cleaning out a storage area on the boat. The former captain told Trainor to throw everything out, but when he asked the captain if he could keep the flags, the captain agreed. For this anniversary, Trainor had the flags cleaned.

•••

"Oh yes, we came together, Christopher Columbus and I," laughs Nellie (Mrs. Guy) Hamel of Grove Street, Cedarville, who celebrated her 85th birthday on Columbus Day, October 12.

Nellie Erskine Hamel started life in the small rural village of Allenville, just a "whistle stop" on the outskirts of St. Ignace.

Nellie was one of a happy family at the J. D. Erskine home which, for years, was the site of the village post office.

•••

Touch calling capabilities will be available in Cedarville in 1980 and automatic number identification equipment to replace most operator interruptions on long distance calls will be available to Cedarville, DeTour, Pickford, Rudyard, and Kinross next year, according to General Telephone Company,

With the touch calling equipment in Cedarville, customers will be able to install push-button phones.

The new automatic number identification will allow customers to dial long distance direct in most cases without having to identify their telephone number to the operator. The number will automatically register in the company's computers.