December 19, 2001

Herald news ... 100 years ago

By Emma Jane Muir
Special to the Herald
       - Two bold burglaries, probably committed by the same man, occurred recently on Washington Street and Ninth Street. Mrs. Thacker's loss consisted of about $27 in cash, a pair of opera glasses, silver watch, rings, trinkets and other articles. The items stolen at Frank Beitner's home were two suits of clothes, a satchel to put them in and $7 in cash. The thief left practically no clue as to his identity. Chief of Police Rennie believes he made good his escape on some train out of town.
      - An innovative Christmas exercise has been planned by the Congregational Sunday school at which the primary children will bring little gifts and place them in a large basket at the front of the hall. The gifts will be sent at once to two home missionary schools in remote parts of the upper peninsula. After the program presentation, Santa Claus will be welcomed with his sleigh and see that each pupil receives a nice box of candy.
      - F. E. Lahym & Co. have named their dray line the Columbia Transfer Co. Six fine new rigs are on the street with two for the Musselman Grocer Co. Business has been brisk and the outlook for next year indicates even greater growth.
      - Our correspondent at Interlochen reports that most of those who have been laid up with sore arms from being vaccinated are able be out again and that Archie McDonald, who has been under quarantine for the past four weeks is now released. Health officials have the new pest house nearly completed at that place and will be fitted out to receive any new patients.
      - C. E. Murray, who so successfully arranged the regatta on the bay last summer, is agitating for another next year which will be more elaborate. He proposes, and has already taken steps, toward holding a public entertainment in the opera houses to start a fund.
      - The local churches are all busy with Christmas plans. The Presbyterians will stage an afternoon celebration where games of all kinds and other forms of amusement will be provided for the Sunday school children. The First Methodist church will conduct special Christmas exercises Sunday which will occupy the entire day and will include an elaborate musical program. The Baptist Sunday school will present the cantata, "A Pleasant Time with Santa Claus," after which the children will be given a treat from a fireplace.
      - The present good sleighing promises a heavy Christmas trade in the city and the merchants have stocked up to handle the big rush. Of late years, it has not been often that we have had a "white" Christmas, but this year we are to have the real thing.
      - Up to now, logs have been moving very sluggishly, but with the last snowfall, the lumbermen are busy getting logs to the mills where hauling distance is short or to the railroads for shipping to the mills. Although the depth of snow is not great, it is sufficient to permit the hauling of reasonably good loads.
      - The next number of the High School Lecture & Music course will occur at the City Opera House Friday evening. Mr. W. J. Clark will present the lecture on the topic of liquid air, wireless telegraphy and other modern scientific wonders. A large crowd is expected.
      - Miss Grace VanSykle is assisting in the holiday department of Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co.'s store. The Christmas trade has been especially heavy and the managers have hired a number of temporary sales people to adequately serve their customers.
      - The local Elks held their last meeting in the old lodge rooms Thursday evening. Tonight the first meeting will be held in the new rooms in the Campbell block. The new home of the antlered gentlemen will be the finest in all northern Michigan with no pains having been spared by Hon. H. D. Campbell in seeing to all the fine details.
      - Advice on deportment. A gentleman should not suggest to a lady that the room is chilly or draw too close to the fire when making a call, unless it is a very cold day, and she invites him to do so.
      - Medical advice of a century ago. To treat sciatica, apply a mud made of powdered pitcoal and warm water.
      - Best buy of the week. Crocheted Christmas Slippers for men and ladies in all sizes. Cheaper than you can make them. $1.15 at The Boston Store.