June 18, 2003
Herald news ... 100 years ago
By Emma Jane Muir
Special to the Herald
• Hon. Perry Hannah, last Saturday, officiated at the important ceremony of laying the cornerstone for what is to be the finest and costliest building in all northern Michigan, the Traverse City State Bank. A large presence of business men attended the observance which marked one of the crowning events in his long and successful career. The building will remain for many generations as a monument to the energy and industry of one whose life has passed here.
• Samuel K. Northam, a pioneer and one of the solid men of Traverse City, died Tuesday in his rooms at the Park Place Hotel of heart failure, in his 79th year. Although Mr. Northam's health was feeble, there was scarcely a day that he was not up and about. He was an upright business man and regarded with high esteem. He amassed a comfortable fortune and his purse was always open to those among his friends who were in distress. His survivors include a niece and a nephew.
• It is not too early to prepare for the Fourth of July. Every store and business house should be decorated suitably to make the city as bright as possible not merely to impress visitors, but to display that patriotic spirit inspired by the cause which gave reason for the celebration.
• Thomas Stevens caught his right arm in a saw at the Oval Wood Dish factory last week and had to have the arm amputated. He was taken from the doctor's office to his home in the ambulance as the effects of the chloroform rendered him unsteady.
• The mill at Mayfield did not run for several days last week due to insufficient help. The Junction shingle mill, run by Kennedy & Lary at the same place, was idle for the like reason.
• Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Swaverly, of this city, stopped at Barker Creek for a few calls Friday. They were on their way to Skegamog Point where they visited over the night.
• Henry King met with a very unfortunate accident Monday night while riding his wheel south on Cass Street. The front forks of the wheel broke and suddenly precipitated him to the ground. He was rendered unconscious and remained in this condition for nearly two hours before the efforts of the attending physician could restore him to sensibility. Friends had witnessed the accident and took him to his home from which they called for a doctor.
• An entertainment will be given in the Courtade schoolhouse by the pupils on Friday evening, June 25. Besides the program, ice cream and lemonade will be served and a "shadow social" will be one of the important features. All ladies are requested to bring a box.
• Mayor Santo has stated that few of the local draymen and hackmen have paid the required license and believe that the ordinance ought to be enforced. The chief of police has informed the mayor that nearly all of the draymen have been seen and he has given them until the first of July to pay up.
• The memory of the departed members of the Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs was fittingly honored Sunday afternoon in an impressive memorial service. The graves of the departed members of both orders had been decorated and it was noted that during the past 25 years of the existence of the local lodges, there have been but 12 deaths out of the large membership. A like comparison was made with the Rebekah organization.
• Fernwood is considerably worked up over another fire that was set. It is not known definitely, but two boys are under suspicion and may have been responsible for two or three of the others in the past month. This time, it was a brush pile near some houses by the corner of Cass and Fifteenth Streets. Frank Cluckey caught one of the young fellows, but when he loosened his hold to nab the other, both escaped. After a little detective work, Mr. Cluckey found them at a parry in Fernwood. Before the authorities could investigate, both had left town.
• Advice on deportment. While dining, children should be instructed not to whisper or glance around the table and giggle.
• Medical advice of a century ago. To treat a habitual cholic, wear a think, soft flannel on the part.
• Best buy of the week. Handsome Lace Curtains, 50 cents • $1.25 at The Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co.