125 YEARS AGO

St. Ignace News

December 2, 1884

Looking

The ill-fated Alaska's yawl boat and anchor are at Mason's dock.

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The City of Cleveland bid this port adieu for the season last Sunday.

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The Messenger passed up to Manistique last evening, on her last trip for this season.

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The Cunningham brothers and Fayette Cusick arrived down from the Soo Sunday evening, to go to the Looking Back

woods for the winter.

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An accident occurred on the D. M. & M. R. R. near Sand River last Sunday, causing considerable damage to rolling stock and delay to trains, but fortunately injuring nobody. As the down train was near there a rail burst under the engine, which passed over safely, but the cars left the track. The up train went as far as the wreck, transferred passengers, etc., and returned to this city. All was right for yesterday's business.

••• The Detroit Times, which is now Back

the property of J. Lloyd Brezee, formerly of the Journal, is likely to get to the front, under his able management.

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As W. E. MacAdam alighted from the train last evening while it was crossing State street, his foot slipped and he fell, striking on one side of his face and marking it a little.

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From Fort Mackinac Thanksgiving day passed off very pleasantly in the fort. The turkey as usual graced our table which fairly groaned under the many good things provided for the occasion. Among the deserts were pies, cakes, apples, nuts ad cigars. In the evening a grand ball was given in the Post Library building by the Fort Mackinac Social Club, assisted by the ladies, to whom much credit is due for its great success. The following evening the opposite club in full array proceeded to Truscott's hall, able to indulge in terpsichorean pass-time. For a while every face wore a gloomy aspect. One thing was missing. Through some misunderstanding the boys refused to attend an oyster supper gotten up by the town ladies a short time ago, and now their time to retaliate had come and they availed themselves of the opportunity by remaining at home. This for a short time looked anything but promising indeed. But the boys soon rallied, and by many efforts succeeded in procuring a sufficient number of ladies to wile away the time until the wee sma' hours of morning warned them they must go. The boys declared this shall not be forgotten as it is now quite evident that from the day of their admission here a number of the town people have classed them as their inferiors, ere they formed the acquaintance of the soldiers. Parents called their sons and daughters together and warned them to beware of the boys in blue and their society. Hereafter the motto shall be "Depend on Self."

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The Cheboygan Democrat says that Dan McLeod, one of the most popular young men of that town, and is well known in this city "is looking for a wife," and adds, "applicants can call between the hours of 7 and 3. Go early and avoid the rush." If Dan came over here and made such an announcement he would be taken up "too quick."

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Because a merchant cannot afford to insert a full column advertisement in a newspaper is no reason why he should not advertise. All heavy advertisers began with small announcements. The great merchant princes like A. T. Stewart, spent at the beginning only small sums each year a certain per cent of their income. It is a mistake to suppose small advertisements are not seen. They are not only seen but as a rule are read by all who see them because their contents can be taken at a glance. Merchants who do not advertise should try the experiment, especially in the dull season. The public will not seek a business man. He must interest the public and make it seek him.

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From the November 28 edition: If certain young ladies of St. Ignace don't give a certain young man of this city a rest, he will have to call on the authorities for protection.

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Two young ladies called on us Saturday evening with reference to an item which appeared in our last, to say "that no young man would ever have to call on the authorities on their account," and wished to know if the item referred to them. We said "of course not," and they departed wishing they had never came.

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One of the late ventures in this city is Ryckmen's restaurant, in the stand formerly occupied by Joe Inglesby, opposite Wilber's drug store. The place has been refurnished throughout and the interior presents a very inviting appearance to the weary and hungry. A few rooms have been fitted up so that board can be had by the day or week. Lunch or meals at any hour.

125 YEARS AGO

St. Ignace News

December 5, 1884

Our streets are in a muddy condition.

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Under-Sheriff Monteith replevined some goods at the dock last night, which belonged to Tim Nestor, of Marquette, and which were detained here for freight charges. It appears that Mr. Nestor shipped the goods from some port on the steamer India paying the charges to Grand Marias. The India happened with an accident and another boat was engaged to land the goods at destination. Being afraid of getting froze in she did not do so, but landed the goods here and claimed freight charges to this port. Looking Back

Hence the action. Mr. Nester left for Seney with his goods this morning, where teams were waiting to take them to Grand Marias.

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W. H. Wiley, foreman for Stellwagen & Kynoch, finished putting on a galvanized iron roof on the Mackinaw Lumber Co.'s new planing mill last Wednesday evening and it is a first-class job.

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On Wednesday evening Angus J. Campbell closed a bargain with the Petoskey's for the purchase of the steamer Lady May. Consideration, $2,000. Early in the spring Mr. Campbell will have her placed in dry dock at Cheboygan and thoroughly over-hauled from stem to stern. As soon thereafter as possible he will run her on her old route between St. Ignace and the Island and hopes to receive a liberal patronage from the citizens of both places.

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We hear that Capt. Thomas F. and Bazile Petoskey, late owners of the steamer Lady May, will soon move to Minnesota, where they own some pine lands and go into the saw-mill business. We wish them success.

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The fashion papers go to considerable trouble to describe the various tints most in favor for ladies' costumes. A careful personal observation leads us to believe that almost any color so long as it is red, is allowable.

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The Remora started on her last trip up the shore for this season, yesterday morning. During the winter the Remora will run between Alpena an Harrisville.

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The Saugatuck left for Black River yesterday morning, which will probably be her last trip for this season.

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No oleomargarine or butterine sold at Johnson & Son's store. Neither do we keep adulterated groceries of any kind if we know it.

90 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace Enterprise

December 4, 1919

Saturday night's wind and snow storm was the most severe experienced in St. Ignace for several years. That the storm was general throughout Michigan and the west is indicated by the reports. In Detroit five lives were lost as a direct result of the storm and in Jackson one man was killed. Nearly all of the larger cities in the southern part of the state suffered big property losses by the gale, which swept the state at a 40 to 60-mile gait. The damage in the city was small. Some windows were blown in, threes felled and all of the railroad snow breaks were overturned. It was a fierce night and those who were caught out in the storm made their way with difficulty.

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Geo. A. Litchard, proprietor of the St. Ignace-Snows stage line, expects to make his first schedule trip of the season Friday of this week. He made the trip Tuesday and found the roads in fairly good condition. He has fitted up a covered "bus" for the run and offers every convenience and comfort obtainable for the overland trip.

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James W. Helme, named by the federal grand jury at Grand Rapids Saturday has having received money from Senator Truman H. Newberry' campaign committee, supposedly to support his candidacy for the Democratic senatorial nomination against Henry Ford, has issued a statement denying the charge. He opposed Mr. Ford at the Democratic primary, the statement says, to "fight the boss machine." After the primaries he supported Mr. Ford, personally paying for advertising urging the manufacturer's election to the senate, he says.

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Edward LaDuke, who has been wheeling on the Islander all during the season, suffered a break of his right leg just below the hop Saturday night. Taking advantage of the storm which laid his boat up in this port for the night, LaDuke started to visit his sister, Mrs. Jasper Massaway, in the Third ward. When in front of Richard McLaughlin's residence he slipped on the icy walk, with the result above noted. Drs. Darby and Webster attended the injured man and Monday night he was taken to the hospital at Petoskey for further treatment, accompanied by Mr. Massaway.

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Messrs. Dan Fogleonger and C. E. Madison were in the city over Sunday, leaving Monday for Rockview for the purpose of continuing work on their Meridian road contract. The took with them an outfit of sleighs and expect to place about 2,000 loads of gravel on the road this winter and to finish up the contract early next season. The labor conditions were the only barrier to the completion of the work this year.

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F. H. Hotchkiss has receive news of the death of Mrs. Charles E. Wells at their home in Racine Wis., which took place Tuesday, November 25. She had been unconscious for about three months, but had shown such signs of improvement that the family were just beginning to have some hopes for her recovery when she dropped off suddenly. The doctors claim that Mrs. Wells death was really caused from what is called "sleeping sickness," resulting from lagrippe. The deceased was for a number of years a resident of the it and prominent socially. Mr. Wells was postmaster here and also connected with the affairs of the Mackinaw Lumber Co.

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The night passenger train on the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic railroad will hereafter carry closed mail pounces for Duluth Marquette Mackinaw, and Detroit. Mail will be separated in postoffices at these points, and sent to its destination.

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A couple of mounted police spent several days in the city last week, and among other things endeavored to get a line on the Canadian vessel which anchored in the bay a while ago, the crew of which is said to have disposed of a quantity of liquor during their stay in town. What the police learned, if anything, was not disclosed and they were seen during the early morning hours Sunday riding slowly out of the city on their mounts, while the sleet and the storm was at its worse.

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Considerable ice has formed in the bight of the bay during the week and extends quite a distance from the shore.

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Geo. Watson of Pickford, one of the best known horsemen in the upper peninsula, and a general booster for everything pertaining to this section of the country, gives praise to the Allenville track of the Brevort Agricultural Association in a recent communication to "The Horsemen," which is published in the November number.

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There's one thing the radicals haven't learned yet and that is the right of personal liberty stops where the welfare of the community begins.

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From Allenville: George Litchard, the St. Ignace ice man, refuses to take contracts for filling Allenville ice houses this winter. He says an attempt was made by Allenville parties to cut the price on him last summer, and he's so sore that thinks he'll get even now.

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From Mackinac Island: Mrs. Emily Wood, widow of the late Edwin O. Woo, and for many years a cottager at the Island, died recently at her home in New York. The remains were taken to Flint for interment.

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From Brevort: All members of the herd large small and medium have reported to roll call and up to tonight, when the hunting season is closed, no casualties have been reported.

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From Brevort: The "seven boys" of the town have at last given up hopes of seeing the girl this winter. It is a sad case. Their only comfort now is the memory of the past and photographs. Brevort being an "all boy town" will never survive. It is doomed to the same fate as the deserted loggin' camp. Oh, girls girls my Kingdom for just a sight of one. (Cheer up boys, ice fishin' is near at hand.)

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From Brevort: Mr. Machenschki, the teacher of the school here, closed up business over Thanksgiving and journeyed off to eat turkey at home, Engadine up on the railroad.

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A deer without feet, probably burned off in the forest fires during the summer, was killed by hunters near Moran recently.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

and St. Ignace Enterprise

December 3, 1959

Preliminary figure from the conservation department's traffic surveys indicate that hunters will approach a pre-season kill estimate of 113,000 deer during Michigan's regular and special firearm seasons.

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Sgt. Burnett, commander of the St. Ignace post of the Michigan state police, this week issued a warning concerning children walking on the city streets.

"Supt. E. J. Ossmann called our attention to the fact that school children often use the streets to walk to and from school and enlisted our aid in warning them to be extra cautious at this time of year," explained Burnett.

"It seems that youngsters are careless and crowd near passing cars as well as sometimes snowball them," said the Sergeant. "Motorists have enough difficulty controlling their car on icy streets and should not have to encounter such dangerous practices. Youngsters sometimes 'hitch' onto passing cars, an extremely dangerous pastime."

Burnett said that Sheriff Leslie MacDonald, police chief Terry Fenlon and their officers will assist in controlling the situation. He urged parents to warn their children in this connection for their own safety.

•••

Judge Edward H. Fenlon of Petoskey presided at a session of Mackinac county circuit court here last week.

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The Bell Bros., ore carrier, went around in the Mackinac Island harbor inside the breakwater shortly after three o'clock yesterday morning. The Sundew was pulling on her during the morning.

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Fishermen have been having good luck catching perch off the Chief's dock.

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Justice John D. Voelker, author of "Anatomy of a Murder" and who will resign from the state supreme court on Jan. 1, enjoyed breakfast the day before Thanksgiving at the Homestead cafe in St. Ignace. Voelker lives in Ishpeming.

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Terminal Trucking, operated by Durwood Carmean, has added trucks which provide enclosure for freight, keeping it out of the weather during deliveries.

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Unaudited figures released by the bridge authority yesterday showed that November traffic was down 6 per cent . . . from November of last year. The count was 84,487 as against 89,860 in 1958.

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From Ferry Tales: Spike Siren, the Gros Cap hills favorite coyote hunter, was noticed window shopping in Moran. Spike, who has a milk route for a sideline in St. Ignace, says he can name you every home that has a biting dog. He also says, don't believe that story about a barking dog never bites. He relates that in the last incident the mongrel was barking with joy as it buried its fangs in him.

30 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

December 6, 1979

In a move to relieve congested parking along State Street in the downtown area during the winter months, the St. Ignace City Council passed a traffic control order to restrict parking to one hour at its December 3 meeting.

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Downhill skiing enthusiasts in the St. Ignace area may have some good news this winter with the possible purchase of land at Bryce's Hill on West U. S. 2 at Cheeseman Road, and reopening of a city ski hill there.

James Brown, Jr., Chairman of the City Recreation Committee, told the City Council at its December 3 meeting that an agreement to purchase the 16 acres from the heirs of the Bryce estate is near, and that work is progressing on the purchase of an additional 10-15 acres adjacent to that property.

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Visitors o the new icrebreakertug Biscayne Bay, docked at its St. Ignace slip since its arrival last Thursday, November 29, are coming away with superlatives.

Shiny stainless steel expanses in the mess hall, a bright, spotless engine room, and bunk rooms large enough to be livable were some of the praises the St. Ignace residents were singing after being welcomed aboard for tours of the new vessel.

The Biscayne Bay arrived at 8:12 a.m. so there weren't many down to greet it, but the U. S. Coast Guard Station officers had alerted wives of the ship's crew that it was arriving soon, so anticipating wives and children were on the dock. Some of the Coast Guardsmen were there, too, grabbing lines as the Biscayne made its first stop to its home port.

It was a 9,000-mile trip for some of the men aboard. The chief engineer Dave Power and two other crewmen have been on it since it was completed in the shipyard at Tacoma, Washington. For them, it was 30 days at sea. They mention watching dolphins sun themselves, and seeing whales and sea turtles. The two crewmen were Electricians Mate Chief Stan Gerhouser and Machinist's Technician First Class Don Geltmacher

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From Naubinway: West Mackinac gives a warm welcome to Ed Boissineau, who came her as manager of the Naubinway Branch Bank in the first week of November; a sort of celebration of his 45th birthday.

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From Moran: The store building is still there but shows neglect of repair after standing vacant for the past 23 yrs. It was Judge J. D. Erskine's place: the Judge passed away in May 1955 at the age of 89 and was followed in death eight moths later by his wife, the former Susan Corp.

The store handled groceries and clothing, and also was the site of the Allenville Post Office and a meeting place for the farmers in the area.

You did not ask for service when the Judge was in a card game with his cronies; you just helped yourself and paid him when the hand was over.

He purchased the store from the Martel Furnace Company at the turn of the century and rebuilt it with a long porch across the front. The post office closed in 157, when service was merged with the Moran Post Office.

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From Mackinac Island: Miss Catherine McNally, who observed her 88th birthday on Wednesday, November 28, says she is going to keep her hand in running her rooming house. "I want to keep active," she explains.

She talked to her sister, Mary Golden in Monroe, who is the oldest in the family of six, and is 90.

Just the two sisters are last in the family of three boys and three girls.

Their parents, Michael and Catherine McNally, were children of Irish families in the area he was born in St. Ignace and came to [Mackinac Island] when he bought out the McCrone meat market which was in the present Iroquois bike rental building across the street. The parents lived upstairs in that building until they built the home where Catherine lives and where she was born. Mrs. McNally was a Donnelly, whose mother was born in Ireland in County Mayo.

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A house belonging to Mrs. Mary McDonald, a Gould City landmark, was destroyed by fire November 5. The house had been in the McDonald family since it was built in 1900. Mrs. McDonald had left the house only a half hour before the fire started, and was on her way to St. Ignace to another home she has there. The origin of the fire is undetermined.

••• From Mackinaw City: President [Ron] Wallin informs that dredging for the "Welcome" dock has been completed an the Mackinac Island State Park Commission pans to launch the vessel in the spring.

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The red carpet treatment for Christmas shoppers in St. Ignace area is part of the "promotional game plan" of the area's retail merchants. . . .

Mackinac Island-Mackinaw City Day is December 15.

That's the day that part of the transportation cost to reach St. Ignace is paid by St. Ignace merchants. For Islanders, a $2 refund awaits them when they present a coupon given them at the boat dock. For those crossing the bridge, a $1.50 refund will be given by merchants for their bridge receipt.

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Salaries going back to 1975, totaling $17,500, were paid to the Mackinac County Commissioners in their last month's meeting.

The money represents the salary increases the commissioners set for themselves December 11, 1974, but suspended two months later, February 13, 1975 pending answer from the attorney general to whether their action had followed proper legal procedures.

The salary boosts that year was from $600 a year for each commissioner, except to the chairman, to $1,200 a year. For the chairman the increase was from $700 a year to $1,800 a year.

30 YEARS AGO

The Weekly Wave

December 6, 1979

Citizens turned out to support the development of a public access site on Park Avenue at a special meeting called by lark Township on Monday, December 3.

The township plans to develop the site for more convenient access by ice fishermen to the lake and for additional day parking. The public access is at the end of Park Avenue, at the entrance gate to the Woodland Park subdivision.

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Don and Joan Patrick have opened their new Wool N' Down Shop building in Cedarville, providing expanded display and sales space for the clothing store and creating a pleasant shopping atmosphere.

The new 40-foot by 60-foot building, across M-134 from the old Red Owl building, was built this fall by Frank Taylor, who is leasing to the Patricks.