120 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace News

July 5, 1890

Commandant Smithy, of Fort Mackinac, was in the city last Wednesday afternoon.

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Lager beer retails at one cent a glass at Manistique, and tramps are rushing to the town from all directions.

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The new election law will come into effect at the general election to be held this year. It provides for secret voting. There will be no tickets to peddle about the polls, and the ballots can only be obtained inside the voting places. A voter can not carry tickets away with him without violation of the law.

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Another place where improvement is needed is on the mail route from St. Ignace to Houghton. There is but one man on this run and he has to work the mail not only for all towns along his run but also to throw it into pouches for points west of Nestoria. The great bulk of mail coming from the south to the iron and copper regions and going between the towns of those districts is more than one man can handle. Very often he has only the eight miles between Michigamme and Nestoria in which to throw all the mail and make up the pouches for points west of that point. This is simply an impossibility at times and annoying delays are the result. The St. Ignace-Houghton run should have another man and there should be mail cars put on the Duluth and Bessemer trains. - Mining Journal.

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The Philadelphia parties that got an option on the gypsum find at St. Ignace, for 10,000, began a few days ago to investigate with a diamond drill, and before they got far into the bowels of the earth the core which the drill brought up showed richly in copper. Now, they have suspended drilling and gone to sinking a shaft to find out what it all means. The option expires July 1, and the man who gave it, stands around in an ecstasy of suspense, hardly knowing whether he wants them to strike copper or not, for he wants to sell for $10,000 if they don't, and don't want to sell if they do. But if these speculators should strike a second Calumet and Hecla, or Anaconda mine, which turned out worth $10,000,000 to $20,000,000 and took advantage of their option to buy for $10,000, they would howl for a tariff of 2 cents a pound on copper and swear it was necessary to the development of the mine, just as the owners of the mines mentioned did, and 99-100ths of the profits would go into the pockets of fine or six men who have more now than they can ever spend. - Cheboygan Democrat.

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There is a subject under discussion in London that is of deep interest to women everywhere. It is the “no-mud” skirt, or the “sensible” skirt, as you prefer to call it. It has its advantages and its disadvantages. It keeps the skirt out of the mud, but it also makes a woman look shorter than she really is.

“It stands four inches off the ground,” said Mme. Goldschmidt, of London, the founder of the Patent Shapely Skirt Association of London. “As the matter now is a woman has to carry four pounds of mud on her skirts or six pounds of dress in her hand. This does away with both. It is designed especially for wet weather.

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That well-known amusement expert, “Gene” Sullivan, of Detroit, will spend the season at the Grand Hotel, Mackinac island, and has promised to devote his whole time and all varied talents to planning and executing entertainments for the islanders. Among the things already decided upon is a fox hunt, and hunts where the fox got away are expected at the island where, sooner or later, Raynard must swim or get caught.

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An extraordinary number of fires have occurred within the past few years in institutions committed to the care of nuns. It is supposed that women are less careful or less competent in their inspection as to the danger of fire, than men.

••• An exchange classifies the men who do a town more harm than good as follows: First, those who oppose improvements; second, those who run it down to strangers; third, those who mistrust public spirited men; fourth, those who show no hospitality to anyone; fifth, those who hate to see others make money; sixth, those who oppose every movement which does not originate with themselves; seventh, those who put on long faces when a stranger talks of locating in the town; eighth, those who oppose every public enterprise which does not appear to personally benefit themselves.

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A Frightful Accident: This afternoon about half-past 2 o'clock, a fine-looking, well-dressed gentleman was seen walking out on the ore dock with a cigar in his mouth, smoking quite leisurely. There was nothing strange in his manner, and the many people who saw him thought of nothing wrong until they saw him leap from the dock into the mighty waters beneath. The eye witnesses were awestruck and powerless to render him any assistance, and with feelings of deep sorrow and tears in their eyes they stood silently watching him as he struggled with the rushing waters, and was carried out into the lake, they noticed that he was still puffing away at one of the famous “Tansill's Punch” Cigar, Havana-filled, which he purchased of T. J. Cravens for only 5 cents.

80 YEARS AGO

The St. Ignace Enterprise

July 3, 1930

The board of Supervisors nearly beat their record last week when they finished their business of their semi-annual meeting in five days, adjourning Friday.

The equalization committee's report placing the value of the county at $7,788,730 was adopted. The city of St. Ignace was given a boost of $50,000, which makes $250,000 raise within the past two years. The city of Mackinac island, equalized at $1,680,300, carries the highest valuation of any county precinct with Hudson township the lowest with an equalized valuation of $208,700. About the only property of value in this once prosperous township, when it was the headquarters for large timber interests, with mills, etc., is the limestone quarry.

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The following was adopted [by the board of Supervisors]:

Whereas, It appears to this board that the present poor house is inadequate to house the poor of this county, necessitating the renting of a building in Hendricks township for the care of the excess poor, and also the renting of a building in said township for a children's home;

Resolved, That the poor committee of the board confer with the members of the poor board so that all county poor and dependent children may be housed and taken care of under one roof.

The poor commissioners and the members of the county poor committee in their report recommended that the county infirmary be enlarged to double its present capacity and that a separate wing be added for the detention of juvenile poor.

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While excavating in the yards of the Standard Oil Co. Third ward, for additional tanks this week, two skeletons were unearthed and several pieces of ancient ware were found. The places found give evidence of great age and are believed to have belonged to the earliest settlers in this region. One of the pieces is a copper kettle, now at Vigeant's curio store, and other pieces were also of copper. The skeletons found lead to the belief that the place was used as burying ground by the inhabitants, either French or Spanish origin. The find has created all kinds of conjectures as to the origin and habitation of the people who used these copper utensils and further investigations will be made.

•••

The storm of Sunday night caused a loss of Millions of dollars in the damage of farm crops and the destruction by lightning of numberless buildings. Ontario was the hardest hit, many American tourists visiting Canada being stranded along 500 miles of impassable roads.

There was little damage in the east end of Mackinac, although farmers in Marquette township report much damage to crops and garden truck.

At Newberry a loss of from $25,000 to $50,000 was sustained by the Horner Lumber Co. when three of the six dry kilns were destroyed by fire set by lightening.

D. L. McMillian, county agent of Chippewa reported that Chippewa farmers would lose thousands by the destruction of crops. Crops are under water and blighted. St. Ignace experienced one of the heaviest electrical storms during Monday night in recent years. The crashes of thunder and flashes of lightning kept many nervous residents awake for all hours. But little damage was done, however, the most serious being that of a cow killed by a flash.

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Again this year, as last year, old Fort Mackinac will echo with bugle calls and tramping feet, the salute of sunset gun, and commands shouted on the parade ground. For though the fort was evacuated by the United States government in 1895, it is to be garrisoned again. In July and August, Eagle Scouts of America, as a reward of good scoutship, will man the fort and instruct visitors in the picturesque history of the fort and the entire island.

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When Alex. Johnson, who resides on what is known as the Beveridge farm in the First ward went out to milk his cow Monday morning he found her lying dead. She had been struck by lightening during the severe electrical storm during the night.

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Attorney General Wilbur M. Brucker, Republican primary candidate for governor who is campaigning the upper peninsula, declared that the country above the straits could be promoted with better transportation facilities across the barrier between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, also that if a bridge is feasible it should be built.

He declared the prosperity of the counties above the Straits could best be promoted by making them readily accessible to tourists from Lower Michigan an from other states. Good highways are the first requisite, he said, and fast transportation across the water barrier also is necessary.

“If it is practicable to build a bridge between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City it should be built,” Mr. Brucker declared.

“We have heard some statements that it is practicable and some that it isn't. If I am elected governor, I mean to find out whether the project is feasible from an engineering standpoint by having a careful study made by competent men.”

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Rev. C. E. Morrison, Presbyterian missionary for this district, announces that a group rally will be held at the Curtis public park on Sunday, July 6th, beginning at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. The group rally will include Curtis, Gould City, Rexton, Santown and Walsh. Those attending are asked to bring their picnic baskets.

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Sheriff McCauley is looking for Enard A. McGregor, a laborer on the Rogers construction contract, who forged a check on a Clark bank for $276, endorsed by Bill McEver and cashed at the First National Bank. It looks as though McEver was stuck for the $276.

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Electric lights for Curtis and adjacent resorts seem probable. A meeting of business men and interested persons was held in the Club rooms in Ceilbeth Tavern at Blaney Monday night. Mr. Stanford of the Cleveland Clies (sic) [Probably Cleveland-Cliffs - Ed.] company presided, Curtis was well represented and there were others present from the other localities interested. Mr. Henry M. Stack of the Stack Lumber company was also present and offered to furnish poles at production cost for the enterprise. The Curtis people were very much pleased at the interest Mr. Stack displayed toward the lighting project and feel quite confident that Curtis and vicinity will no longer be left in the dark. - Manistique Pioneer.

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The Brotherhood of Railway Clerks National Bank, at Cincinnati, stock is owned by 120,000 members of the Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks Freight Handlers and Station Employees, was closed after $1,000,000 in deposits had been withdrawn following the resignation of two bank officials.

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From Cedarville: Harley Hagen of St. Ignace is again employed in the Hossack store for the summer, he and Robt. Hossack having charge of the delivery boat.

••• From Allenville: The brewers here have been cutting prices until the price is now ten cents a bottle, and that is a good price for it.

50 YEARS AGO

The Republican-News

and St. Ignace Enterprise

June 30, 1960

The Dutch cargo vessel, Geertje Buisman, was freed from nearby Vienna Shoals off the Straits of Mackinac after being aground six days and reached port in St. Ignace under her own power. She was moored at State Dock 2 for inspection of possible damages and left here that night.

State police report that she lost a 20-ft. life boat while in this vicinity.

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“This is the greatest period of social change in world history, declares Alvin D. Loving (Ed. D.) associate professor of education, Flint College of the University of Michigan.

“Time-honored misconceptions and stereotypes in the realm of race relations are fading away,” says Loving. “By 1980, probably 70 per cent of the things you will be using will be things which have not been invented at this time.

“Within 20 years atomic power will have become universal and there will be no such thing as backward nations or underprivileged citizens, he says. “In our different world of tomorrow there will be at least 20 new nations in the United Nations, mainly from Africa and Asia.”

Loving says he is concerned not about the geography of the world but about misconceptions concerning people.

“We still think of Hollanders as wearing wooden shoes and many books tell us that Africans are Zulus or Hottentots. So in our minds we see quaint little people and bush heathens. People everywhere are concerned about the tenets of democracy, but here in Flint where 87 per cent of the employment is by one corporation, the number of skilled Negro workers can be counted on the fingers of two hands and Negro secretarial staff members can be counted on one finger of one hand.

“We appear to attach little significance to the fact that our nonwhite population is increasing 50 per cent faster than the white, and that two-thirds of the world is nonwhite and non-Christian,” Loving says.

“Older Americans find it difficult to recognize the social change that has taken place since 1945, particularly on the American scene. Our young adults and youth through mass media are made fully aware of the present and future worlds, and they will be the ones who will make the difference between national suicide and survival.”

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Four Mackinac Island carriage operators faced another round in Ingham circuit court this week in efforts to get permission to operate their carriages in the Island's state park.

Bernard and Burton Gough, Garrett Chapman and O. J. Smith were asking the court to restrain the Island state park commission from enforcing its rules and regulations.

Those regulations were strengthened this week when Acting Gov. John B. Swainson signed a certificate putting new rules into immediate effect.

Carriage operators last month were denied an injunction to prevent the commission from interfering with the operators.

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From Les Cheneaux: A gala celebration here for the Fourth opens with the firemen's ball on Saturday at the Catholic hall in Cedarville. The queen will be crowned. A series of events opens at 10 a.m. Monday at the Alvin A. Hossack memorial field. At 1 p.m. the Topo Michigan outboard association will stage a series of boat races. The local water ski association will put on an exhibition after the races. Chicken barbecue and ox roast will be at the Sportsmen's club ground at 4 p.m. Evening activities include a street dance in Hessel.

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St. Ignace business people, in conference with college professors who evaluated a recent trade-area survey here, are formulating a program of sales events designed to better customer-store relations and provide added merchandising values at the same time.

Howard Sommers, retail consultant for Central Michigan university, Mt. Pleasant, led the discussion held recently.

He pointed out that St. Ignace and Mackinac county have “accomplished a lot since 1946-47 when the per capita sales tax was Looking Back

$18.47 and the state average was 50 per cent higher than that.” Sommers said that for 1958-59 the sales tax per capita reached $45.33 as against a state average of $38.16.

“The nine greatest increases during the decade were made in and near metropolitan areas,” Sommers continued. “However, of the ten top areas, six were tourist counties, indicating that the tourist business is a good potential. Of the entire upper peninsula, only three counties largely benefit from the tourist business - Mackinac, Schoolcraft and Delta counties.”

He showed that of all the business done in a year in Mackinac county, 50.9 per cent, more than half, is done in two months, July and August.

“Your tourist business can be expanded. The tourist will eclipse agriculture in providing income in Michigan and the state must recognize that the tourist is the only salvation for U.P. And northern lower peninsula counties. . .”

“We have to know what brings tourists here - 65 per cent just pass through, 18 per cent spend a few days. It is found by survey that 46 per cent come just because the highway is here, 20 per cent received recommendations from friends. Advertising accounted for 3.9 per cent, relatives for 3.3 per cent.

“Your advertising should be geared to interest people when they get here, with brochures and the like, it's the state's job to get them into the tourist areas.

“Now what do they want to do once they're here? Thirty-six per cent are sight-seeing, 26 per cent just want to relax, 23 per cent want fishing, 4 per cent visit relatives and only one per cent have some specific sports interest such as golf, swimming, etc. The bridge and Mackinac island attract 15 per cent.”

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Attempts to find oil or gas on Beaver Island are expected to begin next month by the McClure Oil Co. of Alma. Two thirds of the island are now under lease.

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“Great moments of history are being recreated as Fort Michilimackinac is being restored at Mackinaw City,” says Gov. G. Mennen Williams in his weekly news letter.

“Work on the project, sponsored by the Mackinac Island State Park commission, is being rushed for completion by the July 4 week end,” he continued.

“Probably no other spot has such an historically important past as the area around the Straits of Mackinac. The restoration of Fort Michilimackinac brings back another phase of history and adds to other world famous attractions in that area - the Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac island and the restored Fort Mackinac on the Island.

“The expenditures for the restoration of these forts - and they are modest - must be considered as investments which boost our tourist industry and enhance Michigan's economy.

“As an example, old Fort Mackinac, on the Island, has attracted tourists by the thousands. The first year after the restoration, receipts exceeded the $50,000 borrowed to do the work. In 1958, there were 118,263 paid admissions and last year this figure rose to 163,330. Fort Michilimackinac, I am confident, will have equal or greater success.”

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A spot of Port Charlotte, Florida, sunshine will be beaming down on Northern Michigan vacationers this summer, and will be on view in St. Ignace.

The Gordon Williamson Company of Dearborn has equipped a large house trailer with a complete story in films, slides, and other educational material, telling of all the fun of living in the sun the year 'round at Port Charlotte.

The “Sunshine Trailer” will be in St. Ignace Friday, July 1, . . . Cedarville July 3 and 4.

Cooperating in the presentations in the north is the well-known innkeeper, Cliff Gerdin, who runs Cedar Inn on the mainland of the Les Cheneaux islands during the summer.

Gerdin has been a member of the Florida Division sales force of the Gordon Williamson Company for sometime.