Herald news ... 100 years ago

By Emma Jane Muir
Special to the Herald
- The residence of Judge J. G. Ramsdell caught fire Friday afternoon and there was grave doubt whether any of the building could be saved. Judge Ramsdell, who has been lying critically ill for some time, was hastily moved to the residence of Mrs. J. E. Greilick nearby. The upper part was all burned away but fortunately, the library and most of the contents of the dwelling were saved from the flames as neighbors hastened to assist in every possible way. Chief Rennie and his force made a fine fight with snow and water to save the rest of the building.
- Jeffrey Hickerson met with an accident in Victor Petertyl's wagon works last week Wednesday when a piece broke off the board he was sawing with a rip saw. The sight of his left eye was destroyed and it will likely be removed. Dr. Evans was called and dressed the wound.
- At the union missionary meeting a year ago, a collection of $10 was sent through the board to Miss Ellen M. Stone, the famous missionary who was captured by brigands in Macedonia. Since no acknowledgment was received, a letter of inquiry was sent to Miss Stone. Correspondence has been received from Miss Stone in which she assures the group that the money was received and sent to Kostcha, Turkey to assist in enlarging the Girls' Boarding School there.
- Mrs. Lizzie Bacon, of Kalkaska, died at the home of her father, Charles Newman of East Bay yesterday, age 28 years of tuberculosis of the lungs. Mrs. Bacon was visiting her father's home at the time of her death and had been there about a week. Deceased leaves one child.
- Robert Shepard and Jack Drew, two of Old Mission's popular young men, have joined their friends, Morry Tompkins and Charles Herbert at the Ferris Institute in Big Rapids. At this time, they have not indicated their curriculum of study.
- E. A. Dickinson, assisted by William Boutell, both of Bay City, are continuing to work looking for acreage for the raising of sugar beets in this area in the spring. They have secured about 70 acres and have learned that many other farmers are willing to sign contracts. Although some have the opinion that the locality is too far north for successful cultivation, farmers in La Grand, Oregon have reported excellent harvests averaging nineteen tons to the acre.
- Will Stiles has purchased a Wolverine gas engine from Frank Friedrich for a new fishing boat which he is having built. Thomas Stinton is planning to have a new boat built and has bought a similar engine.
- Frank Chickery and family on Union Street had a narrow escape from coal gas asphyxiation Tuesday night. All were made ill but are now out of danger. The incident should encourage homeowners and lodgers to examine heating systems for such leaks.
- Miss Ada I. Waters left the city this morning for Olivet where she will visit her brother, Wayne, for a time. Later, she will go on to Ann Arbor for a visit with old friends.
- J. R. Stillwell, the local manger of the W. W. Kimball Co. desires to express his thanks for the patronage accorded him for the year 1902. There has been a strong and steady growth, particularly in this area, from year to year, contributing to its prosperity.
- J. W. Jackson received a horse from Reed City Tuesday which he had purchased about a week ago and had it driven through. The roads were in such a condition that it required three days to make the trip and forced the driver to go around by way of Kalkaska.
- Advice on deportment. A mother's first care must be to teach her children self-respect and good manners.
- Medical advice of a century ago. To treat heartburn, chew five or six peppercorns a little, then swallow them.
- Best buy of the week. Watches, Rings, Silverware at half price. Restall, the Hustling Jeweler.