June 28, 2000

Herald news ... 100 years ago

By Emma Jane Muir
Special to the Herald
       - There is perhaps not another appointment in the Michigan conference that can show a more rapid and substantial growth than the M. E. church of this city. Starting with a few members and a small, unfinished building, it has steadily grown in both. It is a compliment to the enterprise, energy and confidence of all who had to do with its founding and completion.
      - Saturday last was Children's Day at Traverse Grange. A throng of happy children enjoyed a bountiful dinner after which a pretty program of recitations and singing was given. The day was in the charge of Mrs. J. G. Ramsdell.
      - Two exciting bicycle races will occur on the Fourth for cash prizes of $10, $6, $4 and $3. The four mile race will be from the corner of Front and Union Streets, west to Elmwood Avenue, south to Fourteenth Street, east to Union Street and north to the starting point. All entries should be made with Ralph Hastings.
      - A barn on the farm of William Pratt on the peninsula was burned to the ground Tuesday afternoon. The cause is said to be the smoking of two boys who had entered the building. The loss also included grain, hay and farm implements.
      - Two handsome companion houses will be erected for John G. and Anton F. Straub on the corner of Maple and Eighth Street. They will cost about $3,000 each. F. E. Moore has drawn the plans.
      - George Swift, of Interlochen, got the pay for his horse that was killed on the M. & N. E. R. R. He and his family have now gone to Midland.
      - "Father" Adaley celebrated his ninetieth birthday over the past week-end. He is unusually well and active for his age and is proud of the fact that he has not missed attending church and Sunday school a single Sunday in three years.
      - Baby Margaret Dumas won the go-cart by 106 votes at the lawn party given by the ladies of St. Francis church at E. H. Salisbury's Wayne Street grove. The second prize was captured by Baby Newton and won a fine pair of baby shoes donated by Frank Friedrich.
      - This office is indebted to F. M. Jewett for some of the largest strawberries of the season They are the Jessie, Glen Mary and Parker's Early varieties. Mrs. Ida Hazel has also brought in some beautiful roses, among them being a Gen. Jack which has an offshoot bearing delicate pink blossoms of another variety.
      - Lightning played several very unpleasant antics during the storm Tuesday evening and many dollars' worth of damage was done throughout the area. Several houses and barns were struck, about 200 fuses were burned out at the Michigan Telephone Co. and three horses were fund dead in the corner of a field on the Hallet farm.
      - A family reunion is being held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Thurtell. The children are pretty well scattered and the event will be a happy one.
      - Advice on deportment. Children's parties should be simple in character, Evening hours are not as healthful for the little folks as the afternoon hours.
      - Medical advice of a century ago. To treat dropsy, drink tar water twice a day. An infusion of juniper berries, roasted and made into a liquor like coffee, is also helpful.
      - Best buy of the week. Bicycle Clothing, Suits $3.50 - $7.50; Caps 25 cents, Hose 25 cents to 90 cents at Wilhelm Bros.