August 30, 2001

Herald news ... 100 years ago

By Emma Jane Muir
Special to the Herald
       - The Musselman Grocer Co. will open a branch wholesale soon in the city which means that Traverse City as a consuming and distributing market presents a field which offers good opportunities for such a business. Additionally, it means that there are advantageous freight rates and an efficient expedition of delivering goods.
      - C. M. Lechty has the contract to build a barn 18x26 for J. M. Blakeslee of Sixth Street. Construction is expected to begin within the next two weeks and completion of the structure will be accomplished before winter.
      - Thomas T. Bates has received a rare specimen of bat from L. J. Geiger of Westminster. It had a red body and black wings. There are very few of this particular species in this part of the country and it was a fine one.
      - Many of the property owners of the city are anticipating the ordinance recently suggested by the city council and are trimming their trees to a height above the walks which adds greatly to the convenience of the tall pedestrians and to the appearance of the properties, as well. Work has already begun in several neighborhoods.
      - There was a slump in the potato market Saturday. The highest price was 60 cents, the prevailing rate being from 50 to 55 cents a bushel. Local buyers have stated that the reason for this price drop is being pushed by heavy shipments from localities where the crop is especially good.
      - George P. Garrison, of the committee on fire and water, has started a systematic canvas of the business places of the city to learn the sentiment in regard to the purchase of another steam engine. He has found that such an idea has met with almost unanimous favor. H. S., of the Oval Dish Wood Co., offered to keep the engine connected with the steam from his factory, if such a purchase is contracted, and will also permit the use of the company's teams to take the engine where needed in case of fire.
      - The proposed electric line to Old Mission is meeting with popular endorsement and L. K. Gibbs, the prime mover in the project, has added $850 to the subscription list. There are many advantages to be derived from such a line and the prospect of raising the amount required by the city and the peninsula township are almost assured.
      - Mrs. Mary Martin, wife of John Martin, died at the family home Monday morning last. The deceased was thirty-eight years of age and had been a sufferer for a long time with consumption. The family are numbered among the pioneers of the county and the grief of her passing will be felt by many throughout a wide area.
      - Dan Round, formerly an employee of this paper, accompanied by Charles Main, arrived here yesterday after a long trip on their bicycles from Great Falls, Montana, a distance of 3,500 miles. The men camped along much of the way but were fortunate in securing their meals and lodging at several towns enroute. The journey took them three and a half months.
      - The extent and value of the Old Mission fruit industry may be fairly estimated by the number of crates being shipped from that point this season which has been 5,362 with the average price being one dollar a crate. There are yet quantities of peaches, apples, corn and potatoes that could be sold at much higher priced.
      - This office must ask all correspondents again, whether regular or not, to sign their names to all communications. The names will not be used, but must in every case be signed. No communications unsigned will be used.
      - Advice on deportment. The mere act of bowing does not suppose an intimate acquaintance. It is simply an outward expression of the politeness current in good society.
      - Medical advice of a century ago. To treat an earache, apply cloths four double and dipped in cold water, changing them when warm, for half an hour.
      - Best buy of the week. $1.00 Hammocks for 50 cents at Beadle's.