125 YEARS AGO

St. Ignace News

December 9, 1884

C. H. Wilber is having his delivery sleigh repainted.

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No quorum at the council meeting last night. They will try it again this evening.

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Three drunken Englishmen became paralyzed at the dock Sunday evening and had to be wheeled aboard the Algomah on a truck.

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Editor H. S. Stevens, who was recently on the Free Press in this city for some time, took charge of the Manistique News last week and his first issue is a creditable one. The paper has been reduced to a more convenient size and looks better every way.

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On Friday, Judge Steere sentenced Henry Comstock to four years imprisonment at Jackson, for burglarizing the premises of Alderman Reagon. The sentence had the effect of restoring the power of speech to the prisoner and his insaneness vanished at the same time. He conversed quite freely with a number of persons, and remarked that he often felt like laughing when his sanity was questioned. He also said, in answer to a question, "that it was nobody's business why he pursued the course he did, that there was no law in the United States to force a man to speak if he didn't want to." It is generally believed that his sentence would have been less severe had he acted straight in the matter.

••• The following cases were laid over till the next term of circuit court: People vs. Geo. Werner, selling liquor without a license; People vs. Joseph Lafayve, assault with intent to kill, and the civil case of George A. Wilcox vs. Walter W. Skyes.

•••

Joe Juillerette's mail contract between here and Naubinway commenced to-day. Joe says the roads are very bad at present, but he will be able to make Black River the fist day. As soon as the roads become good again he will go through in one day.

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Three initiations at the Good Templars' lodge last Friday evening. This lodge is now in a very prosperous condition and has been the means of doing much good since its organization last June.

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Mr. Wood, wife and three children, of Black River, arrived here on Thursday morning, from a visit outside. They left here with Joe Juillerette at 7 o'clock Friday morning and arrived home at 5 o'clock the same evening. Taking into consideration that the distance is 45 miles, the roads in very bad condition and six persons in the rig, the little team of ponies made excellent time.

•••

An accident occurred at Epoufette Saturday evening, by which two of the inhabitants of that place narrowly escaped watery graves. During the day Paul Lavake and another man went to Black River in a fish boat to get their supplies of groceries and provisions for the winter. On their return they got within a few rods of the dock at Epoufette about 7 o'clock in the evening when a squall came up and capsized their boat. Their cries attracted the attention of some people on shore and the tug Kraemer was got ready as rapidly as possible and went to their rescue. When picked up, they had drifted out into the lake nearly two miles and were found clinging to a board that happened to be fastened to the bow of the boat, and were well nigh exhausted. The boat was under water and all their supplies were lost. The men feel their loss very keenly in the face of a long, dull winter.

•••

Martin Higginbotham while working on a roll-way at Seney, it gave way and a log scaling 40 feet rolled over him, injuring his spine. He was in luck, having a ticket for the Sanitarium, and was brought here this morning. He hails from traverse City. A great thing is this Sanitarium. _ Cheb. Dem.

•••

Capt. Ryerse's well is not 450 feet deep, with no sign of water. The drilling will be continued until something is struck other than earth and rock, and the Captain is not particular whether it be crude oil, salt, or mineral water.

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Ronald Rankin has abandoned the idea of going to Washington Territory for the present and is preparing to commence work on a new yacht which he is about closing a contract for building for a gentleman in the southern part of the state. We hope business will pile in on him in such quantities as to hold him here the remainder of his days. We cannot well spare such a good citizen from among us.

••• Two of the band boys went out to hunt up some of the absent members last evening and failed to come back. Prof. Lyons says that "courting" and "band practice" on the same evening will never work. He reports trouble with only two members from this cause.

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The schooner Six Brothers, Capt. Roddy, arrived here last night at 10 o'clock, bringing Thos. and John Murray from their fishing grounds. The captain found a little difficulty in reaching here on account of the light at St. Helena not being lit. He leaves for Beaver Island tomorrow morning.

125 YEARS AGO

St. Ignace News

December 12, 1884

Agrell made a picture at the merchandise dock yesterday morning, taking in the morning train as she was ready to start, the depot buildings and the steamer Algomah.

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The barbers at the Sault have agreed to keep their shops closed on Sunday's in future.

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Three young ladies took possession of the new rink at noon hour one day this week and has done considerable damage thereto. Mr. Campbell had managed to get ice made during the forenoon, which these girls walked over before it became solid, making indention’s with their boot heels to such an extent that his half day's work was a blank. They also got onto a hand sleigh that was in the rink and their united weights caused it to collapse. Angus was blessing the boys of the neighborhood in great shape until he found out who the mischief makers were, when he became meek as a mouse and said that he "wasn't a bit mad."

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Allenville Notes: Five charcoal kilns are being filled for burning, which will give employment to one dozen men for a time.

We have enough snow here for wood to be hauled out on sleighs now.

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On Wednesday Supt. Corbett and lineman John Stack tested the cable between here and Mackinaw City. They found that there is a leak in it somewhere and the necessary steps will shortly be taken to have it raised and repaired.

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Depot Notes: The fare from Mackinaw City to New Orleans and return, tickets good for 40 days from date of sale, $37.20

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The Algomah has been handling nearly all transfer freight on her dock. The straits bring too rough for scow transferring.

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Mr. C. Corbet, general superintendent of the W. U. Telegraph Co., is spending a few days in the city, looking after the defects in the Mackinac and Straits cables, also other business matters here. The straits cable will be underrun as soon as the weather moderates.

•••

A good record The Detroit & Cleveland Steam Navigation Co.'s steamers during the season of 1884 have made 662 single trips on Lake Erie and Lake Huron, between Detroit and Cleveland and Detroit and St. Ignace, covering 140,000 miles, without accident to steamers or passengers, and with hardly a delay of arrivals and departures on their schedule time.

90 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace Enterprise

December 11, 1919

The heavy fall of snow the first of the week has brought about an activity not possible under the condition of the roads during the past two weeks. The fall was sufficient to make good sleighing and farmers are taking advantage of it to bring their wood and produce to market. There is a wood famine in the city and the snow is expected to bring a relief, for it is said there is a large amount of fuel ready for hauling in the woods.

•••

Capt. Duncan McGregor returned home Tuesday after laying up his tug the Lotus, at Cheboygan for the winter. The last work of the Lotus was to tow the Derusha lighter and wrecking outfit to Muskegon, where Mr. Derusha has the contract for wrecking the sunken steamer City of Muskegon. Capt. McGregor says that Derusha stands to make a nice bunch of money on the contract as in his opinion the salvage will nearly pay the expenses of the job.

•••

The total number of deer to cross the straits during the season recently closed was 4,705. Another year's slaughter like the last will about wind up the sport in this peninsula.

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All local merchants report that there is greater activity than usual this year among holiday shoppers, and that many who never before did are doing their buying early. Must have read The Enterprise hint last week.

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As was expected, the ladies of the Methodist church fulfilled every anticipation at their annual supper given in the church parlors last Thursday evening. The meal was par excellence in every detail and was most beautifully served to a large crowd. About $200 was netted from the supper and bazaar given in connection.

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The outcome of the Mackinac county case tried before Judge Shepherd at Petoskey this week is being watched with interest by a number of other townships in not only this but other counties of the state. It is a suit brought by the township of Garfield against A. B. Kilse Lumber Co. for personal taxes of 1917, amounting to about $700. The taxes were assessed against logs and lumber at Gilchrist belonging to the Kilse Co. When the tax was spread the property is alleged to have been piled and banked in the township, but before the time for collection the company had shipped out the product and there was nothing left on which the township could seize. Messrs. D. J. O'Connell, Jas. McGraw, H. A. Westin, Harry English, and W. S. Felton, either present or former officials of the township., were in the city Monday enroute to Petoskey as witnesses in the case.

•••

Advertising of any ingredients for home brewing or distilling, or the possession or sale of these ingredients or utensils for making anything with a "kick" in it, is unlawful, according to a ruling of the Internal Revenue Department.

The ruling was made on a request for information as to the propriety of the literature of the Wholesale Home Brew Supply Co., of Detroit, which advertises: "You should worry! Make Your Own," and offers to supply a book of receipts for beer, whiskey, wine, etc..

•••

The dock force of the South Shore are anticipating a speedy return from their temporary quarters in the Mulcrone block to the dock offices, which are being remodeled to meet the requirement of the order of the state labor department.

A force of workmen are now on the job tearing out the partitions, putting in new windows, new floors, painting, cleaning and remodeling the offices in such a way that the office force will find their new home sanitary, comfortable and modern, a fact that will be appreciated after having so long labored under unfavorable conditions and surroundings.

The private office of Agent Labreche has also been enlarged, but Joe's smile is wide enough to light them up without the addition of more windows.

About the only man on the dock who has a legitimate kick coming, but who does not make it, saying that he is "tough and can stand it," is Nels Chatelle, in charge of the freight department. Nels' office consists of a plank nailed to the side of the wall in the freight shed, but he says he has the promise of a new one with a real desk and a box stove. He deserves it, and here's hoping the officials come through with their promises.

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The city has taken up the matter of doing its share of the work in the improvement of State Street next Spring. It will be remembered that the state department called the attention of the city officials to this matter in a communication a few days ago. The state will pave to a width of 20 feet ad put in the curbing, and it is up to the city to improve the balance of the roadway. It is estimated that the work of filling in with gravel on the business side of the street from the pave to the curb will cost approximately $5,000 and a proposition before the council is for the abutting property owners to pay 50 per cent of this amount, the balance to be placed on the general assessment roll. There are some places on the lake front that would also need to be billed in, and where this is done the same rules for payment will be assessed if it is finally decided the adopt the proposed plan.

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It was predicted yesterday that the coal strike would be called off during the day and that within a week the mines would again be running full blast. In the meantime the country is in the midst of a coal famine while a cold wave has hit the country and is causing great suffering.

The middle west is hardest hit and many residents are tearing down fences made from rails and outbuildings in order to obtain fuel from which to save them from actually freezing to death.

Thousands of men are out of employment by reason of the shortages of coal, and the county is on war restriction basis.

Hundreds of trains have been cut off, and freight of every description is moving slowly.

Prayers are being offered in the churches, petitioning Supreme aid in ending the strike and the sufferings of the people.

•••

Jimmy Brady went up another rung on the ladder to fame last week by knocking out Mickey Burns at Fort Clinton, O.

The St. Ignace lightweight champion was matched with Burns for a twelve round go, and won over his man in the seventh round. Burns, a Cleveland boy, has won several bouts over clever Ohio fighters. In his match with the "Michigan Flash" he put up a game fight, although clearly outclassed.

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It is a matter of congratulation on the part of the citizens of Mackinac that so far as the grand jury's indictments in the Newberry case is concerned no one from this county has been named as offending against the law. Our neighbors, Luce and Schoolcraft, furnished prominent citizens to appear and answer to charges in connection with the election of the senator.

•••

The Methodist Episcopal church, according to a statement from its managers, agree with the W. C. T. U. in a decision not to fight tobacco as it has fought liquor. . . .

At any rate, it would be unwise for any organization to attempt to banish tobacco so soon after the inauguration of liquor prohibition. There is much soreness left by that forcible reform. Progress toward a completely rational life must necessarily be slow. One reform at a time is about all the human race can stand.

•••

The last refuge of the inherent anarchy of childhood, the broad field of physical education is about to be grabbed up by Michigan's school system, graded and tested and put on the monthly report cards in precise percentages, in short, is about to become a "subject."

It won’t be long, if Floyd A. Rowe, state director of physical education, has his way before Willie will be saying to Jimmie on the way home from school at the end of the month: "I don't know whether I dast show this card to dad. I only got 60 in physical education." and Jimmie will reply, "I got 80; I didn't do very well on the 50-yard dash, but my jump brought my average up. If you don't do better next month you'll be in the B fifth again next year."

Director Rowe has an idea, and it has been endorsed by the teachers' meetings of both peninsulas and is going to find its way into the state's school system as fast as any idea can. His idea is that jumping is as important as geography for Young America, that physical education should be a fundamental of all education, and that physical development can be brought about through school training as easy as any other sort of development.

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John Wagley, a former resident of Mackinac Island, and one of the indicted men in the Newberry scandal, is spoken of by the Grand Rapids Press as one of the most picturesque men of those who are called to answer to the grand jury's charges. He left the Island a number of years ago to make his home at Cross Village. He is now a supervisor and takes a prominent part in Republican politics. He is charged with conspiracy and his bond was fixed at $500.

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From Brevort: Out at the side step where we throw the dishwater, the thermometer registered way below zero. And that ain’t all; the dish rag froze in solid.

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From Brevort: Kazlar Wolfe, the peddler and traveling department store slid into town Saturday with a bargain counter loaded for Christmas shoppers. Wolfe doesn't issue a catalogue but he does biz on the s.q. - merchandise guaranteed, your money back, etc., etc., and that's what makes his dollar socks endure at the heel.

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From Allenville: Mike Gustafson informs us that Mr. Springer of Brevort, he of the Smoke from the Cabin Chimney [the Brevort correspondent], will leave soon for Ohio. We will sure miss the "smoke" and wish for him a pleasant journey and a speedy return.

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From Allenville: A L. Litzner has received word that the machinery for his flour mill has been shipped. The mill will have a capacity of 24 barrels per day. It will be a fine thing for the farmers of this and surrounding townships and no doubt be a drawing card for trade to our village.

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From Epoufette: Mr. And Mrs. Prout moved into their new home last week.

Mr. Prout and crew have been very busy lately in breaking the ice in the bay in order to remove their gill nets.

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The local passenger train on the Soo Line has been temporarily discontinued on account of the coal situation, leaving only the flyer as a passenger accommodation.

••• Four branches for the sale of auto- in the Upper Peninsula, being at the Soo, Marquette, Escanaba and Houghton.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

and St. Ignace Enterprise

December 10, 1959

A Tuesday afternoon fire totally destroyed the Miswick Motel 18 miles west of St. Ignace on US-2 and near Brevort. Loss was estimated in the neighborhood of $50,000.

Fire chief Leonard St. Louis, who with his department, made the run in answer to the 1:45 p.m. alarm, said the owner of the motel told him that he had started a gas heater in Unit 10 of the 16-unit motel of frame construction and went about 400 feet from the mote. He looked out toward the motel later and saw it in flames. The motel is owned by James Miswick and his sister, Eugena.

The big blaze halted highway traffic as many motorists stopped to witness the scene.

•••

Members of the Youth Fellowship of the Methodist church will present to the public a program entitled "Let's 'Keep' Christmas," at the church auditorium at 8 o'clock next Sunday evening.

Lynda Nordstrom, president of the fellowship will present the welcome.

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Agreement on a settlement has been reached between the Bradley Transportation company and attorneys for families of 33 crewmen who lost their lives in the sinking of the freighter, Carl D. Bradley, which foundered in Lake Michigan Nov. 18, 1958.

The settlements total $1,250,000. Plaintiffs originally filed suits totaling about $7 million. Mrs. John Fogelsonger of St. Ignace is one of the persons widowed by the ship's sinking.

•••

The Ball Brothers, orr carrier, which went aground at Mackinac Island law week, was lightered and refloated early last Thursday morning. She was anchored off Bois Blanc to receive her lightered cargo before continuing on her way to South Chicago that afternoon. The Tomlinson fleet ship is expected to go to a shipyard for repairs.

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Just a year to a day since they moved into their new church, members of Zion Lutheran church will present a Christmas candlelight service next Sunday evening at 7:30.

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Judge Roland Beeck reports that during the deer season 25 hunters appeared in justice court and paid fines and costs totaling $947.90. Nine cases involved transportation of loaded guns, eight cases of shooting illegal deer, three of unlocked seals and three were bucks taken with short antlers.

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The Michigan Municipal Finance commission has approved general obligation bonds in the amount of $265,000 for new school construction by the school district of the City of Mackinac Island.

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Cable lights on the Mackinac Bridge were out a few nights. Workmen have been changing the lights to the Christmas colors, red, green, and amber for the Yule season.

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A local pottery shop on the outskirts of Hessel is receiving international attention as indicated by an order now in production for Hong Kong, China. This service for oriental dining includes tea bowls, rice bowls, salad plates, and tumblers. The table service is to be shipped to an American engineer now employed in China. He has been a frequent summer visitor in the Les Cheneaux. This dinnerware, which may be used within a stone's throw of an ancient Buddhist Temple, is created from the rough, red clay of the "clay county" (near Pickford) of Northern Michigan.

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From Les Cheneaux: Following our warm spell the temperatures here again dropped to below freezing and the ground is again covered with snow. Probabilities of a green Christmas are again set aside. Fishermen again ventured to the ice and catches are goo on the perch. Pike are being caught on hook and line.

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From Ferry Tales: A intensive cougar hunt was underway last weekend, just outside city limits. The animal was believed to have a very large tail, was spotted by Nate Snyder, hunting with James Howes and Harry Miles, all of St. Ignace. Later joining the party was Chief Conservation Officer Ray Walker and his hound dog, No Nod. Snyder claims one good shot at the big cat, but is not sure he scored a hit. Mr. Walker kept with the party to see that everything was kept legal. No Nod picked up the trail and took off bellowing the blues. The bellowing lasted only a few minutes, then all at once, no more sound out of No Nod. The party retreated to the east end of the sheep ranch to figure out just who was up the tree, the cat, or No Nod. The hunt is still underway at this writing, these sportsmen keeping shy of the tree until they figure out the situation. Whatever it is, No Nod is keeping his big yap closed for the time being.

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From Mackinac Island: Sport fans will be able to see lots of action on the basketball court at community hall on Monday evenings. Six teams have been organized and will complete in three games each Monday Game times are 6:45, 7:30 and 8:45.

Teams are named the Panthers, Wildcats, Tigers, Eagles, Phantoms and Beavers. Two more teams are needed in the league.

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From Mackinac Island: The community Christmas tree has been erected in the city park at the head of the Arnold Transit Co. dock. The project is supervised by the city, the Lions club and the fire department. Decorates were by the Garden club.

30 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

December 13, 1979

A fare increase from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island on airplanes from the St. Ignace airport is being considered by the Mackinac County Board of Commissioners and the Mackinac Island City Council.

Also under study; is a precise schedule of four or five rips a day rather than unscheduled trips across the three-mile stretch of water to the Island.

The individual charge for passengers now is $5.

•••

Icebreaking was a prime topic of conversation at the reception following the commissioning of the new Icebreaker-Tug Biscayne Bay on Saturday.

And some real experts in breaking paths through lakes ice to free boats trying to make their way where on hand to wish the new Captain of the Biscayne Bay, Lieutenant Stanley J. Norman, well in his new command.

Three men who have headed the crews of the Icebreaker Mackinaw, which has ruled the winter lakes for nearly 35 years, were in the crowd of Coast Guardsmen. The first was guest speaker, Admiral Edwin J. Roland, the first commander on the Mackinac who went on to become commandant of the whole Coast Guard in 1962 to 1966. Second was an area resident, captain Clifford MacLean of Island No. 8 in Cedarville, on the Mackinaw from 1954 to 1956, and the third was the present commander, Captain Gordon Hall.

•••

A millage election asking one and a half mills for two years for the Mackinac Straits Hospital has been scheduled by three of the hospital authority's four governmental units and is expected to be approved by the fourth.

The election will be Tuesday, February 5.

A present millage of .45 has been experienced as inadequate, and the additional millage has been called necessary to pull the hospital out of its financial difficulties. The millage would bring about $66,000 over the two years from the four county governmental units supporting the hospital.

On the committee are Larry Rubin, Art Kaminsky, Clyde Nelson, Shirley Bentgen, Edwina Nordstrom, Walter Stewart, board members, and John Tobin, hospital administrator.

•••

From Moran-Brevort (Sim Christensen): Speed limit of 25 miles per hour has been posted in East Lake according to Mayor Charley Valley. I did not know they had a traffic problem up there.

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From Moran-Brevort: I called up John Thibault the other morning and asked him if he had any items of news for me; he says it is too early in the day to be funny.

•••

An estimated 750 art patrons, local artists and neighboring visitors converged on the Pickford Township Hall on Friday and Saturday for the twoday Art Fair, according to Betty Casey, chairman.

•••

From Mackinac Island: Dennis Brodeur was to pick up his airplane last week as he readied for the winter. He likes to have the plane for emergencies as well as his own pleasure trips. He rents it every winter from the Phillips Flying Service. He as a snowmobile too, of course, for reaching the airport. He is planning his annual New Year's Eve party at the Mustang, with a buffet lunch planned.

•••

Beginning December 18, at 8 a.m., Mackinaw City telephone customers will be able to dial their own long distance, person to person, collect, credit card, and bill-to-third-number calls. Customers will dial "O" (operator), immediately followed by the area code, and telephone number in the distant city. An operator at the long distance center in Saginaw will come on the line long enough to get acceptance of a collect call, obtain credit card of bill-to-third numbers, or to get correct person on the line for a person-to-person call.

•••

One of the friendly faces that First National Bank of St. Ignace customers see across from the teller counter will be missing after this week when Elma Malnar retires after 14 years at the main branch in downtown St. Ignace.

•••

Charles Lilliquist of St. Ignace has been promoted to commander of the Straits Flotilla, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, replacing Louis Leveille, who was promoted to division vicecaptain.

30 YEARS AGO

The Weekly Wave

December 13, 1979

Gary and Elizabeth Howe, registered pharmacists living in Owosso, are purchasing Cedarville Drugs from Barbara Trefry. John and Barbara Trefy owned and operated the business in Cedarville until John's unexpected death earlier this fall.

•••

The primary motivation for the Pickford Grange is the attaining of an improved lifestyle for rural and small town dwellers, particularly those in the agricultural pursuits.

Pickford Grange officers and committees include: William Raynard, Grange master; Alex Cottle, overseer; Mrs. Orville Bawks, chaplain; Mrs. Male Wise, acting chaplain; Mrs. Hannah Graham, treasurer, Mrs. Alex Cottle, acting treasurer; Alan Raynard, secretary, and Janet Slater, lecturer (program chairman).

•••

From the vantage point in time of more than 80 years, Ed Dutcher weaves fascinating tales of his first venture into the Cedarville deer hunting syndrome in 1916.

Fresh from the lush Saginaw valley farmlands, Ed's first deer season was unsuccessful but the following year he bagged two doe (legal at that time), and the memorable event of his stay was attending the wedding of George and Pearl Dutcher.

Thus evolved the first chapter in a life long Cedarville residency. His pursuits included lumber camp labors for Dick White, his peers are remembered as Gordie Rudd, Bob Hamel, Bill White, Jack Anderson, and Fred Nordquist.

In the springtime, Ed remembers the Prentiss Bay Landing, with pulp being shipped from W.D. Hossack camps. He recalls the rosy glow and warmth of a shore bon fire and the night sounds of the forests.

The huge piles of pulp wood were finally loaded on the 35-foot tug, the Lindrup, skippered by the legendary Great Lakes navigator, Captain Russell Stevenson.