125 YEARS AGO

St. Ignace News

January 27, 1885

Preston & Dolan's Hall is moving slowly along State Street. It is now opposite the Snyder house.

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No quorum of the council again last evening, only Messrs. Warren, McKay, Burdette and the Mayor being present. We think that when our aldermen receive pay for their services at the board that they should be on hand and attend to business. Some time ago a certain alderman said he would not attend the meetings of the council unless he received pay for it. The board then fixed a certain sum to be paid each member per annum, and the prime mover in the matter, now that he does receive pay for attending, is the most dilatory about being on hand. That salary business should have been arranged so that aldermen would receive a certain sum for every meeting they attended, instead of paying men for services never rendered as at present.

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Our Masonic Lodge expects to be granted a charter by the Grand Lodge, which meets in Detroit on the 27th.

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Some slight delays have been caused on the ice road between here and Mackinaw City lately, but Jack Frost repaired it in good shape last night.

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Last night was the coldest we’ve had this winter. This morning at 4:30 the thermometer registered 34 below zero; at 7:30, 28 below, and at 8:30, 20 below.

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Editor Metcalf returned from Marquette Saturday evening and leaves for there again this week to take a position in the Mining Journal office. We wish him success.

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There was a crowd expected over from the Island Saturday evening to attend the rink. We understand they were disappointed in getting rigs, but will come another night.

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Three sparrows have been flying about the Campbell house the past week, coming to the kitchen door for what they eat and roost on one of the windows every night.

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Chief Engineer L.J. Monteith, of the St. Ignace Fire Department, hereby calls for a meeting of the citizens at the city hall next Thursday evening for the purpose of organizing a fire company.

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Isaac Stewart and Fred LaForce were up for examination yesterday, charged with trying to pass a bogus order on the Mackinaw Lumber Company one day last week. LaForce acknowledged writing the order, and gives as a reason for doing so, because "Stewart asked him to." Stewart says he got the order written because he wanted to raise some money and was advised to take that method by LaForce. The examination was adjourned until tomorrow morning.

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A humane blacksmith in Nevada has built a cart with the axles bent so that the horse is directly under it, sheltered from sun and wind. The driver sits in front, and other passengers sidewise on seats running lengthwise over the horse's back. There is, of course, a steering apparatus, and also an arrangement with a wide band under the horse, so that in going downhill that animal can be lifted bodily off his feet and given rest, while the whole outfit "coasts." The lifting machine comes into use if the horse tries to run away, as a turn of the crank leaves him working his legs in the air to no purpose whatever.

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A couple of Lennon & Harrold's teams coming from Mackinaw City yesterday experienced some difficulty in getting across. One driven by Mr. Knapp broke through, and were it not for the united efforts of four men, one of the horses would likely have been lost. Another driven by John Lehigh, with a load of hay, got on a cake of ice which began to sink, but were got off without any damage being done.

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Yesterday when the weather was 10 degrees below zero, we heard one of our businessmen telling a gentleman from outside that we were having our January thaw. The gentleman crossed the Straits again by the first stage.

125 YEARS AGO

St. Ignace News

January 30, 1885

A disastrous fire occurred here last night, reducing to ashes the warehouses of Perry Pearsons & Co. and Hargrave Bros & Co. . . . The fire was prevented from spreading by the prompt action of the hook and ladder company in pulling down the building adjoining the post office. The exact cause of the fire is not known, but is supposed to have originated from a defective chimney.

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A monster new tuba horn arrived at the express office yesterday for the Mackinac Island band. Professor Lyons took it over today.

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Much trouble is experienced by railroad men and operators by the wires of the old telephone company’s lines falling over the track and telegraph wires, interrupting business.

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A horse belonging to the Fort was lost through the ice on Monday coming from the Island to this city. A number of persons in the sleigh were badly frozen, among whom was the Reverend E. Magee.

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The examination of Stewart and LaForce last Wednesday, for forging the name of J.P. Haines on an order against the Mackinaw Lumber Company, resulted in both being bound over to the Circuit Court. The former is in jail, and the latter out on bail.

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One day this week a man named Henry Wood left Miller's Camp to walk to Seney, 16 miles, after his grip sack and then walk back. It appears that he almost completed this difficult task, for next morning his body was found frozen stiff, about half a mile from the camp and his grip half a mile further back. The deceased was a native of lower Canada. As he had friends in Cheboygan, the body was brought down here by train Wednesday evening and sent across the Straits to that place. It was not coffined, but covered with a blanket only.

85 YEARS AGO

St. Ignace Enterprise

January 29, 1925

The dove of peace seems firmly ensconced in the 1925 legislature. Bitterness that raged two years ago is replaced with earnest cooperation. For the first time within the memory of present legislators have committees, considering important bills, requested a governor to deliberate with them. This happened last week in the weight tax bill. The result is harmony all around.

The weight tax provides a 55- cent per cwt for passenger cars.

The gas tax provides a straight two-cent levy with rebates for fishermen, motorboat operators, farmer’s tractors not used on highways, dry cleaners, stationary gas engines, and such.

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Sunday night was the coldest of the winter, with the thermometer registering 22 degrees below zero. The weather continues to be cold, with an east wind blowing all day yesterday. Rising temperatures and snow are promised by the government's official observer.

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J.F. LaBreche, local agent for the South Shore Railway and Docks, has received a letter from A.A. Schaniz informing him that the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company's boats to be put in operation on the Detroit- Chicago run the coming season, from June 20 to September 10, would make St. Ignace a port of call, provided satisfactory arrangements could be made.

The fact that the line will become the carrier of hundreds of automobiles designed for this on other Upper Peninsula centers would make St. Ignace a desirable port from a business viewpoint.

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Moran Bay has again assumed the appearance of village of shanties, inhabited during the day by fishermen snatching for trout. There are half a hundred or more of these tarpaper houses located within a short distance of each other, and most of the fishermen are reporting good catches. Some of the more daring have their houses pitched right to the edge of open water, where they say they have better success. There are several buyers, and the prices are high, so that one does not have to make an extraordinary catch to make good wages.

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An Atlanta (Georgia) barber shop has equipped each of its 12 chairs with an individual telephone.

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The Lady Foresters, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Robert Daly, are making elaborate preparations to make their Valentine dancing party in Cloverland Hall the evening of February 12 the social event of the season. The hall will be decorated in an appropriate color scheme, with hearts predominating. Tickets have been placed at $1 per couple, with 50 cents for an extra lady.

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Wm. Johnson has been signed up to play with the Detroit Tigers the coming season, and ordered to report for duty at the spring training camp. Mr. Johnson is a Newberry product who has made a name for himself in Upper Peninsula baseball circles. He first began his career in high school. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Marines, where he gained valuable training and experience in the Marines baseball organization. Later, during his college life at the M. A. C., he secured recognition as an allaround athlete, particularly for his ability as a pitcher. Last season he was on the pitching staff of the Manistique team. Bobby Veach first became interested in Johnson and brought him to the attention of Mr. Nevins, who offered him a contract.

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George Litchard yesterday put a gang of men at work, clearing a portion of the bay for the annual harvest of ice. The fish houses at the Jones' slip will be the first to be filled.

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The consolidated school building at Rexton, accommodating children of Hendricks and Hudson townships, was burned to the ground at a late hour Monday night. All of the equipment, together with the fine library, was also destroyed. The origin of the fire has not been ascertained. Residents of the village passing between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. say that there were no indications of a fire in or near the building.

The building was insured for $20,000 with the E.H. Hotchkiss agency of this city, and at a special meeting of the board of education, it was decided to make plans for the rebuilding of the school at once.

The building was new, having been constructed last summer at a cost of $21,000. It was the finest rural school in the county and the price of all the residents of Hudson and Hendricks townships.

There are two buildings available in which school sessions will likely be held.

The teachers at Rexton are: Elizabeth Adatte, principal; Belle McLean, Betsy Miller, Belle McPhail, and Sylvia Holmbud.

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The public is easily pleased if you do what the public wishes.

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The sixth anniversary of the arrival of Warren, son of Mayor and Mrs. A.R. Highstone, into this mundane sphere will long have pleasant memories for both him and his 25 little boy friends who he entertained Monday afternoon in honor of the event.

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About the first week in February, two steel railway post office cars and four steel passenger cars, for use on Trains 1 and 2, between Marquette and St. Ignace, will be delivered to the South Shore. The passenger cars will include two smokers and two day coaches. They are of the most modern type of steel cars and have a passenger capacity of 80. When this equipment is added to the Marquette-St. Ignace trains, some of the cars now in use on that division will be put on the copper country trains.

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From Mackinac Island: The ice bridge to St. Ignace is now in fine condition, and our mail is being received regularly with James Doud, Jr. as the official carrier. "Jim" made his first trip over the route with dogs Thursday, but the next day went with a horse and rig, and Tuesday the venture was made with a team without mishap. The cold snap has stiffened up the ice to a thickness of from six to 10 inches all the way across.

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From Garnet: The cordwood cutters are sure piling up the wood. It is this exercise that enables some of our young men to rid themselves of their excess pep.

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Few citizens know anything about their city and county governments. That is the explanation for a lot of poor government.

••• From Allenville: Affairs at the Brevort Lake School are in a sad condition, it is reported, and it’s hard to tell just where the trouble lies. Things will soon come to a head, however, by all indications.

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From Ozark: Ethel Hough, the teacher, and some of the girls walked to Trout Lake Tuesday after school.

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From Searsville: James Wait, of the Gould City garage service, passed through our village with his brand new snowmobile last Saturday.

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From Brevort: The jammer to be used by Embury-Martin Lumber Company on its banking ground was hauled down to the beach Sunday. Hauling is expected to begin this week.

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From Brevort: The temperature registered 28 below zero Tuesday morning, but in spite of this, the fishermen were out before daylight. For some reason they seem to think it necessary to steal up on the trout in the dark. However, meager reports are forthcoming from station WCX. (White Shoals) as to their catches.

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James Ball, 89, pioneer resident of Mackinaw City and one of the oldest Masons in Michigan, was guest of honor by his Masonic friends on the occasion of his recent birthday. He has been a member of the Order for 62 years.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

and St. Ignace Enterprise

January 28, 1960

Three out-of-county men were appointed as circuit court commissioners to hear the condemnation proceedings in connection with 10 parcels of land located in the interstate bypass of St. Ignace.

Judge Edward H. Fenlon of Petoskey presided in circuit court here last Thursday, and named George Anderson of Cedarville, Harry Pechta of Moran, and Oliver Birge of Hessel to sit on the cases.

Properties involved include those owned by Clifford Davenport, Reuben Hunter, Robert Gertz, Walter Schmidt, and Ethel Jones and parcels listed as McEachern's cabins and the Siren property.

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Cub Scouts with their leaders, Mrs. Stephen Goudreau and Mrs. Robert Konle, visited The Republican News office last Wednesday afternoon and inspected the plant equipment while enjoying watching the production of the weekly newspaper. Cub Scouts in the group were Albert Sorenson, Marshall Bellville, James St. Louis, Gregory Wing, Kenny Laakko, Billy McNamee, Peter Pelon, Ed Nichols, Randy Tatrow, Gary Konle, Chuck Gallagher, Raymond Goudreau, Herbert Sorenson, Bob Gallagher, and Steve Goudreau.

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Adults who enjoy ice skating are invited to enjoy an "adult night" session at the athletic park rink Saturday night.

"It will be something of a family night, too," said Jack Ryerse of the recreation committee. "We will have adequate supervision, and youngsters younger than 16 years of age must be accompanied by their parents if they come to the rink."

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A proposal by Edison Sault Electric Company to abate water pollution on Mackinac Island won tentative approval of the State Water Resources Commission. The plan is to collect sewage and treat by dilution in deep water away from the Island. The Edison case was coupled with that of the Chippewa Hotel Company, which was not represented at the hearing Thursday, but had reported that it will abate its sewage discharge as soon as Edison Sault Electric Company provides adequate facilities. Action in the hotel case is deferred until February.

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Cloverland Electric Cooperative of Sault Ste. Marie has applied to the Army Engineers for permission to extend electric service in Les Cheneaux.

The request asks for a federal permit to construct an aerial electric crossing across Lake Huron at Hill Channel between Hill Island and Island No. 8, approximately two miles southeasterly from the post office in Cedarville.

Island No. 8 is the property of G.H. Hamel of Cedarville. The proposed high line will clear the water by 32 feet, minimum.

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From Mackinac Island: Donald Francis, Roger Horn, and Robert Sawyer left Friday for Detroit, where they are visiting Mrs. Katherine Francis. The boys plan on seeing the Wings-New York hockey game.

30 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

January 31, 1980

Construction of the half-million dollar Father Marquette Memorial Museum in St. Ignace is in its final stages, and the showplace of local history is expected to be ready for a mid or late May opening as planned.

Work on displays, artifacts, and a movie to present the history of the area and the mission of Father Marquette to visitors is progressing well.

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Hospital board members are looking with confidence to a "yes" vote Tuesday, February 5, for one and a half mills to continue operation of the Mackinac Straits Hospital and Medical Center.

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The icebreaker Biscayne Bay was out in the Straits Tuesday, aiding the Chief Wawatam through ice, and also giving a Girl Scout troop an hour's cruise. The troop is sponsored by the icebreaker's crew. The ship last week cruised on a get-acquainted trip of Straits waters.

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The St. Ignace Big Brothers program is now planning to begin the same program for young girls and single parent homes. The first step is to find Little Sisters and Big Sisters to match with them.

Straits Area Community Schools is offering two courses in the Engadine community. A property assessments workshop, beginning January 23 and continuing for eight weeks, will be taught by Clyde Nelson. This is free, and residents are welcome to attend even if they cannot be at all meetings. Here is a chance to learn how your taxes are assessed.

Mrs. McKinney of Germfask will teach an art class beginning January 30 and continuing for 17 weeks. The fee is $18.

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An invitational appearance at Houghton Lake's Tip-Up-Town Festival over the January 18-21 weekend prompted the participation of 12 air sledders representing the Les Cheneaux Air Sledders Club, founded here in 1977. The propeller-driven ice sleds are used widely at Les Cheneaux.

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Walter H. North, comptroller of the Mackinac Bridge and well known as a Master of Ceremonies and announcer, has been named "Citizen of the Month" by the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce. 30 YEARS AGO

The Weekly Wave

January 31, 1980

Pickford dairy farmer John Kronemeyer has been appointed by Governor William Milliken to serve on the State Agriculture Commission.

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Recommendations by state budget officials to close DeTour State Park will be "vehemently opposed" by State Representative Charles Varnum, RManistique, Varnum said last week.

The proposal to close the park was revealed last Monday, when State Budget Director Dr. Gerald Miller unveiled the Governor's 1980-81 budget. It is part of $187 million worth of cutbacks and reductions in Michigan's government to accommodate reduced revenues owing to lagging automobile sales and other recessionary effects.

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The Youth Conservation Corps will again employ youth to work on conservation projects throughout Michigan during 1980. Locations of area projects include St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie, and Bay Mills.

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For Toledo natives Azor and Betty Sheffield, the renovation of the historic four-room Hessel schoolhouse built in 1938 has progressed from a five-year project to a lifetime endeavor.

The Hessel school was built in 1938-39 and served as an annex to the Cedarville schools for grade school classes until 1959. What may be termed the Golden Age of small town schools, the curriculum boasted an active parent teacher group, 4-H classes, and hot lunch service.

From the vantage point of the late 20th century, it seems the Hessel scholars were blessed with the best of three worlds: small classes, academic challenge, and a friendly and intimate classroom environment