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January 9, 1890 Miss Maggie Enos is home from the east to remain. ____________________________ C. R. Bellinger has wisely abandoned the idea of selling out and going west. His information from Washington convinces him that Charlevoix is preferable. ____________________________ Master Archie and Miss Mabel Buttars, of Port Austin, arrived in town January first to spend the winter with their aunt and uncle, Miss Esther and Hon. Archibald Buttars. ____________________________ New Year's night was the occasion of a very pleasant gathering at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Fox. The event was to jointly celebrate the 18th birthday of Master Bert A. Fox and Miss Florence M. Smith. There were about sixty guests present. Refreshments were served at eleven o'clock, and the evening was devoted to general and social enjoyment. A literary and musical program was provided which was participated in by Misses Phila and Mary Wood, Zilla Wunderlich, Luna Washburn, Winnie Bartholomew and Florence Smith. Bert was presented with an elegant shaving set, and Miss Florence with a beautiful pair of pearl mounted opera glasses and an ivory Japanese fan. All speak of the reception as a most enjoyable one. ____________________________ It is about time for us to hear something about C. & W. M. railroad matters. ____________________________ January 30, 1890 Nicholls got in 40,000 feet of logs yesterday. ____________________________ The Banjo Club is doing nicely under the direction of Prof. Hummel, of Petoskey. ____________________________ January 30, 1890 The Charlevoix High School Reading Club Entertainment. On Monday evening occurred the open meeting of the High School Reading Club at Bartholomew's Opera Hall. The following well selected program was presented to an interested and appreciative audience: Part 1. 1. "The Snow," Longfellow Concert by the Club. 2. "Come, O Come Away" Quartette 3. "Nell," Recitation Mary Wood 4. "Daniel in the Lion's Den," Recitation Maud Scott 5. "Bay Billy," Recitation Maggie Green 6. "Husband's Cooking," Recitation N. R. Washburn 7. "The First Quarrel," Recitation Cloie McCartney 8. "The Battle Flag of Shenandoah," Recitation Lilian Eaton 9. "Sewing on a Button," Recitation May Brown Part 2. 10. "A Victim of Charity," A Scene Philo Brown, Mamie See, Artie Kanagy, Ella Carr 11. "Summer Echoes," Duet Edith Mason, Artie Kanagy 12. "Jimmy Brown's Steam Chair," Recitation Josie Litzau 13. "An Order for a Picture," Recitation Luna E. Washburn 14. "The Pied Piper of Hamelin," Recitation Pearl Dartt 15. "African Pathos," Recitation Winnie Bartholomew 16. "The Union of the States," Recitation Eddie Widdifield All the parts were rendered in a manner showing skillful training and patient endeavor on the part of each. The proceeds which go to pay for furnishing the High School room of our elegant school building, were twelve dollars. ____________________________ January 30, 1890 Historical Society A very pleasant evening was spent by the Society at the home of Prof. and Mrs. H. M. Enos last Friday evening, more than the usual number being present. Program, piano solo, "Nocturne" by Chopin, Miss Maggie Enos; select reading "Mrs. Lew Wallace," Mrs. Oscar Upright; paper of the evening, "Character of the Early Settlers," Miss Alice Cochran; vocal duet, "Gently Sighs the Breeze," Miss Mamie See and Bertie Wood; Mrs. C. Y. Cook read a selection from Bill Nye's writings, and following this, a piano solo, "Whispering Winds," Miss Maggie Enos. After the report of the executive committee announcing the next place of meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Ainslie, and the paper on "Literature in Colonial Times," by Rev. Mr. Rood, Prof. Enos invited "the young and those who wished to become younger" to stay and play games. A large number accepted and had a right good time. ____________________________ March 13, 1890 Patsy Flanigan is home again and will soon fit out the Schr. Weaver. ____________________________ The result of the village election Monday was as follows: President, A. E. Mason; Trustees, John M. Ackert, John Burns, W. A. Smith; Clerk, H. S. Harsha; Treasurer, Frank E. Wood; Assessor, Henry C. Cooper; Street Commissioner, John Lamphear; Constable, James S. Martin. The Trustees who hold over are S. M. See and George Bates. John Burns was elected as a candidate on both tickets. ____________________________ Historical Society Last Friday evening quite a large number of members and friends gathered in the parlors of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Allen and were agreeably entertained by the following program: Violin solo "Hudson Waltz," Mr. Mills with Miss Cassie Allen as accompanist; select reading, humorous, Miss Josie Litzau; paper of the evening, "Growth of Religious Work," Rev. W. H. McCartney; violin solo, "Fifth Ave." by Dancea, F. A. Cochran; select reading, "The Convict's Christmas Eve," Mrs. H. M. Enos; vocal duet, "Music and Her Sister Song," Miss Buttars and Mrs. F. J. Meech. Next meeting to be held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. C. Y. Cook. Paper, "Important Inventions," Miss May Brown. ____________________________ May 1, 1890 In Early Days (1873) The spring of 1873 brought us a late opening. On the 19th of April the ice went out, but returned to vex us, and did not go out again until the 28th. But the winter had been a good one and A. Fox & Co., beached 10,700 cords of propeller wood with which to keep commerce moving the season of 1873. Local Commissioner Nettleton began early the work of securing a contract for the dredging of the lower channel. During the closing days of April, correspondence was yet in progress. May 1st, navigation opened with the arrival of the propellers Java, Colorado, and Montana. The old side-wheeler, Gen. Sheridan, arrived but could not get up the river. This old hulk afforded much amusement as well as alarm to people about the bay. From stem to stern post she is at all times ready to fall to pieces. In a sea way once wheel was always pawing the air, while her groans could be heard at the Beavers. The first of the month advices were received that Col. S. M. Mansfield, in charge of the harbors of this district, had received orders to make a survey of Pine River. The lower channel was again in bad shape, the scow Maple Leaf was only able to take out a hold full, and even then found bottom on a five foot draft. But relief was soon to come. On the 21st of June, Nat Stickney, of the East Saginaw contracting firm of Carkin, Stickney & Crane, arrived to look over the work, and left a bid. Among the marine notes of the month is one to the effects that D. S. Way purchased the schooner Emma for $500. On the 5th of July a harbor meeting was held and a contract let to close up the gap between the shore and the south pier, and the work was promptly done, with slabs, brush and stone. July 12th was another auspicious day in the marine history of the Pine Lake region. Up to this time the only means of travel up either branch of the lake was by small boat or the tugs and wood scows. On the above date the small propeller Annie arrived from Muskegon to run in Inland waters. She was owned by Capt. Wm. Mees, who acted as engineer, while his son, Capt. James Mees, run the forward end. She began running on Pine Lake and the Arm, alternating between the two branches, giving each two trips on their respective days. The Annie proved to be a great convenience to the public, and remained several seasons until larger and better boats forced her off the route. On the 26th of July another important event occurred. The tug Tempest arrived on that day with the Stickney dredge and the same day our people had the pleasure of seeing the machine in operation at the mouth of the river. She began digging a channel 60 feet wide and 11 feet deep, and on the 16th of August completed the contract, leaving a uniform depth of ten feet from Round Lake to Lake Michigan. On the same day of the arrival of the dredge, Co. Mansfield and his assistant, Mrs. Wells, arrived and began the survey leaving us assured that his report would be favorable, and that it would embrace a recommendation for a liberal appropriation. Col. Mansfield, during his assignment to this district continued to be a warm friend of Charlevoix Harbor. The successful and promising inauguration of the lower river improvement now naturally suggested further improvement of the upper channel. The axiom that no "fortress is stronger than its weakest point" was never more applicable to our present situation. Our harbor was now accessible to vessels of average draft, yet our 90 miles of inland coast, along which the wealth of nature was so bountifully spread, was practically out of our reach. Our Harbor Association transferred its work to the object of securing a depth in the upper river corresponding to that of the lower. To this work Charlevoix people bent their energy with no less zeal than they had so long exerted in the preliminary harbor work. On the day that the dredging was completed, the Maple Leaf arrived with a full cargo of merchandise, and took out a full cargo of 100,000 feet of hardwood lumber, with two feet of water under its keel. Another difficulty now presented itself, affecting our marine interests. The dredge had removed the bridge piles on both sides of the channel and it became apparent that a new bridge must be provided soon. The Board of Supervisors met on Friday, August 8th, and the matter was brought before it. A committee was appointed consisting of S. M. See, D. C. Nettleton and E. R. Robinson, to present plans and specifications at the October session. During the August session the Board appropriated $1,000 for the dredging of the upper channel, the amount being augmented by subscriptions amounting to $360. The contract was let to Carkin, Stickney & Crane, and the dredge began operations on the 23rd of the same month. In two weeks a ten foot channel was dug and suitably protected by slabs. At the October session of the Board of Supervisors, a proposition to erect an iron bridge, the county to pay one-half the cost and the township the other half, was voted down. Nov. 8th, the schooner Arab-the largest yet inside-took out a full cargo of lumber. December 13th petitions go to Washington, and January 19th, Representative Hubbell introduced a bill for an appropriation for Pine River. Again in February the bridge project was voted down by the Board of Supervisors. ____________________________ May 1, 1890 Odd Fellows' Anniversary On Saturday evening last, Round Lake Lodge of this place, celebrated the 71st anniversary of the order of Odd Fellowship, by a gathering at their hall. ____________________________ May 1, 1890 In Early Days (1876) As we creep down the years in our review of the marine history of this region, our material lessens, for two reasons: First, marine commerce has increased to such proportions that a comparatively full record would be too voluminous. Second, there is much material that loses interest as it approaches these times. The first boat in the spring of 1876 was the popular Portage, a "wild" boat, on May 1st. The first passage through the Straits was on that day-the propeller Oswegatchie of the North Transit Line. May 8th the marine column of this paper announced that the "steam" yacht M.W. Wright had arrived on Little Traverse Bay, and would run between Little Traverse and Petoskey. The late Capt. Louis Gebo was her Master. She ran there for some time, was bought by A. Chamberlain, of this place, and now lies in the bone yard in this harbor, her boiler and engine having just been removed to the site of a proposed factory in this village. June 6th, the river at its mouth had but 4 1/2 feet of water-a condition far worse than any yet recorded. This was a very hard season for marine and shipping interests. The out side dock was getting old, and with the fierce storms of winter and the moving ice of spring, sections of it would disappear from time to time making annual repairs necessary. Be we had, or thought we had, $10,000 standing to our credit at Washington, soon to be made available for our use. President Grant signed the river and harbor bill, but did it with the declamation that he would permit expenditure only at points "clearly National in importance." General opinion classed Charlevoix among those points excluded. The President's position was later modified to the extent of stipulating the expenditure of two-fifths of the amounts appropriated for certain points, Charlevoix included. This gave us $4,000, an amount of very little help in itself but gladly accepted, as the seal of the government adoption. On the 3rd of July, even the tug Commodore Nutt, drawing less than five feet could not get into Lake Michigan. On the 8th of October, Harrison Miller of this place was appointed Captain of the newly established Beaver Island Life-Saving Station. January 9, 1877 Co. Mansfield encourages us with the information that unexpected moneys in harbor appropriations does not revert to the treasury at the close of the fiscal year, as do funds in other departments. The historical Hayes-Tilden presidential context was then "on." Col. Mansfield wrote that as soon as the trouble was settled he was of the opinion that the whole amount appropriation would be made available for our harbor. Seaman's wages the season of 1877 were but $1.00 and $1.25 per day, raising to $1.75 in the fall. The presidential question was settled the first days of March, and President Hayes inaugurated. In May it is announced that the harbor policy of President Grant would be that of the new administration. Charlevoix was disgusted with "brevet" harbor appropriations. But our Congressman kept at work, and May 8th we were informed that the entire $10,000 was made available, and the advertising would at once be done. The old wooden bridge was yet in use, and it is recorded that Jos. M. Clark and S. S. Liscomb, both doing business near the bridge, were employed as bridge-tenders, at salaries of $15. per month each. May 26, there appeared in the Chicago Inter-Ocean, Detroit Post, and Milwaukee Sentinel advertisements for proposals for Charlevoix harbor work. The specifications called for the construction of two cribs 20 x 50 each, without superstructure, to be placed on the south side, and 25,000 cubic yards of dredging. July 1st the contract was let to Carkin, Stickney & Crane, the same firm having the previous state contract. They began the work at once, and July 10th, 4,000 yards had been dredged, and the timber out for the cribs. D. C. Nettleton was the first government inspector, but he was relieved by a regular inspector the last of July. Mansfield's report comes out and recommends $30,000 for Charlevoix. August 6th a public meeting is called to devise ways and means for the more permanent improvement of the upper cut, and August 14, C. S. & C. are employed to do six days dredging, but while in the act of moving to the cut, a telegram calls the machine to Cheboygan. The cribs are placed by Henry Morgan and A. M. Ross, and inspector Burke connects them with the shore by brush "dykes" or matresses. At the October session of the Board of Supervisors the bridge question came up with better success than had attended previous efforts. A resolution was adopted appropriating $3,500 for an iron bridge, providing the Township of Charlevoix appropriate half that amount in addition. February 12th a contract was let to the Smith Bridge Co., of Toledo for the construction of the present structure (the bridge of 1890). Navigation opened on March 24th in 1878. The river had 8 feet of water and we were in good shape. The Fountain City steamer arrived in the spring on April 13th. In May Stockman's new steamer arrived from Buffalo. She was the Gazelle, and John F. Mason as her part owner sailed her on the Charlevoix and South Arm route for many seasons. ____________________________ June 26, 1890 Street sprinkling contract was let to B. W. Miller for 2.90 per day. ____________________________ Capt. J. P. Partridge, of the tug Avery, has disposed of his home in Muskegon, and will remove his family here. ____________________________ About twenty-five years ago Amos Fox was engaged in merchantile business in Charlevoix, and for several years was the only dealer in Charlevoix County. For the past six years he has been out of business; but this week he opens again in the same building that he filled with goods for the first time twenty-one years ago the coming Fourth of July. The stock embraces a full line of groceries, crockery and glassware. Bert Fox and Alex Ross are behind the counters, ready to serve the public. ____________________________ July 10, 1890 On the 25th of June Master N. R. Washburn of the Senior Class in Charlevoix High School completed his fifth year of perfect and punctual attendance, having been neither absent nor tardy since the opening of the school year 1885. This is a record of which anyone may be proud. ____________________________ July 31, 1890 Detroit Journal: A 40 foot sea serpent with the regulation green eyes, horned nostrils and capacious mouth is reported to have been seen cavorting in the placid waters of Little Traverse Bay. Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Charlevoix people have all seen him, and their stories agree perfectly excepting as to size, reports varying from 40 to 700 feet in length. ____________________________ August 14, 1890 John Baker and wife and Mr. Elston sailed from New York for Europe on the 6th, by the Str. Majestic. ____________________________ A Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star will be instituted at Masonic Hall in this village, on Wednesday evening, August 27th. The Grand Patron of the Order is expected to be present. ____________________________ Andrew J. Blackbird who lectures at the Congregational Church Saturday evening, on the subject "The Early Settlement of America," will exhibit a Masonic apron which he claims is 400 years old, and was handed down to him by his ancestors. ____________________________ August 21, 1890 The census of Charlevoix County by township, comes as follow: Bay and Resort, 694; Bear Lake and Melrose, 618; Boyne Valley, 509; Charlevoix, 1,517; Chandler, Hudson and Springvale, 399; Evangeline, 719; Eveline, 923; Hayes, 692; Marion, 438; Norwood, 480; South Arm, 2,104; Wilson, 586; total, 9,979. ____________________________ Isaac Mills and wife, of Charlevoix, with his mother and sister from Canada, were visiting friends in Marion last week. ____________________________ August 28, 1890 Last Sunday morning at 3 o'clock, Frank Hines and Harrison Bedford left overland for Petoskey. They caught the 6 o'clock train north, breakfasted at 8 on Mackinac Island. They spent the day hoofing it about among the sights, and left at 5 P. M. across the straits in the evening where they hitched up and drove home and were ready for business on time Monday morning. ____________________________ Charles R. Bellinger, the pioneer jeweler, has vacated his Bridge street premises, and moved his stock to a back street-the building vacated by Smith, the tailor. This change does not mean that Charley is on the down hill track, as the bare statement might indicate, but that he is compelled to vacate his Bridge street store to give the contractor a chance to move it back to make room for a new building. It will be a brick front, 28 x 50, and will be pushed rapidly forward to completion. ____________________________ August 28, 1890 The G. A. R. Reunion at Boyne City a Memorable Event. The Charlevoix delegation to the County Soldiers and Sailors Association Encampment at Boyne City left soon after seven on the morning of the 20th, with the shriek of the fife and the rattle of the drum. On the way up Pine Lake all the songs in the old book were sung, and a few of the stories of the war were told, making the trip a very enjoyable one. We reached Boyne City about nine o'clock, and were marched to headquarters, where we received our badges, and then, until noon it was go-as-you-please. After dinner we had it again as we pleased when after a supper which equaled the dinner following a dress parade, the night opened with an excellent entertainment. A mock Court Martial was conducted the following morning. The afternoon was given over to speeches, and business. In the evening, Camp Fire, Band music and songs. Charlevoix was the place selected for the next encampment, and the officers chosen as follows: Sr. Commander, A. J. Stroud; Commander, M. J. Stockman; Adjutant, E. H. Green; Quartermaster, S. M. See; Officer of the Day, H. Berdan; Chaplain, W. H. McCartney; Aides de Camp, L. C. Madison, Wm. Mears, H. C. Grandy, John Jones and Geo. Cook. A vote of thanks was tendered to everybody, and the people of Boyne City in particular, and the Association adjourned with cheers for the Flag and for the ladies of Boyne City. ____________________________ September 4, 1890 A Masonic Event The Master Masons, of Charlevoix and quite a number from other points together with the "Masonic Ladies," made last Wednesday evening another mile-stone in the progress of Masonry in Charlevoix. Masonic Hall being too small for the crowd, Lewis Grand Opera House was secured by the committee and when Grand Patron, J. J. Decker, of the Masonic Adoptive Order of the Eastern Stars arrived in the evening, he found everything prepared for his reception. Eleven members of Petoskey Chapter O. E. S., arrived in the evening, and at 8 o'clock the Grand Officer instituted Charlevoix Chapter, with a membership of 74, which breaks the record in Michigan. At ten o'clock the curtain was raised disclosing two banquet tables the entire length of the stage, laden with viands and flowers. About 100 sat down to the feast, after which music was secured, and two hours were devoted to dancing. The Order of the Eastern Star is designated as Adoptive Masonry. To it are eligible the widows, wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters of Master Masons. The following are the officers elected: Worthy Matron, Mrs. Ida Emrey; Worthy Patron, A. E. Mason; Associate Matron, Miss Carrie Hilton; Conductress, Miss Florence Smith; Associate Conductress, Mrs. George Bates; Secretary, Miss Bertie McLeod; Treasurer, Mrs. F. G. Hines; Warden, Mrs. H. V. Rifenburg; Sentinel, Wm. Poole; Adah, Miss Lottie Mason; Ruth, Mrs. H. Bedford; Esther, Mrs. W. H. McCartney; Electa, Mrs. Anna Lobdell; Martha, Mrs. H. A. Carr. ____________________________ September 11, 1890 Master Forrest Wood celebrated his fifth birthday Monday by a party to the "kids." ____________________________ M. J. Stockman left Monday for Berea, Ohio, to attend a reunion of his old company, the 5th Independent Company of Ohio Sharpshooters. Morris was the only Michigan man in the command and was known by officers and men during the war, as "Mich." ____________________________ October 2, 1890 Last week Dr. Carlstein sold his Main street residence to Dr. LeFevre, who will occupy it at once. ____________________________ Yesterday the C. & W. M. R. R. Company filed at the County Seat the necessary papers for the extension of their road through Charlevoix county. ____________________________ October 9, 1890 The "Star of Bethlehem" is visible now and will be for about a week. It is said to be the same star that appeared over the birthplace of Christ. Everybody should see it, as it has not appeared for over two hundred years. The Star can be seen in the southern skies near the moon any time the fore part of the night. ____________________________ J. T. Hannah, son of Perry Hannah, of Traverse City, informed the reporter of a Grand Rapids paper one day last week, that this fall would wind up the pine cutting of Grand Traverse county. "There is but little pine in Grand Traverse county," he said, "and what there is will go to Cadillac. There is some more pine in the southern border of our county, but that will run over to Manistee." The pine mills of Traverse County will be made into hardwood mills. ____________________________ October 23, 1890 Charlevoix Chapter, O. E. S., has received its charter, and the Worthy Matron expects every Star Mason to be prompt at all meetings. ____________________________ November 6, 1890 H. Lee Iddings, formerly of this place, will return here the latter part of the week, to take up his permanent future residence. ____________________________ November 6, 1890 The Epwarth League will hold its monthly meeting at the M. E. parsonage next Tuesday evening. The following program will be given: Vocal Duet, Mamie See and Lillie Carpenter; Select reading, Pearl Dart; An Original Story, Chapter 1st, Mrs. Barnes; Guitar and Banjo Duet, Misses Florence Smith and Lovie Kissner; Recitation, Cloie McCartney; Select Reading, Archie Buttars; Report from the District Convention, Vernie Cook. ____________________________ December 18, 1890 Mrs. S. M. See and her daughter, Mamie, leave the first of next week for Canada for a few weeks visit with relatives. ____________________________ The young friends of Charley Nettleton, which means all the young folks, gathered at the residence of G. W. Miller, Saturday evening to convey to their going associate their farewell greetings. The evening was very pleasantly passed, and many tokens of regard left with the young gentleman. |