Actress Mabel Eaton
Grand Haven, Mich. February, 1894
2/1
Watch for the ground hog tomorrow.
There were a number of sleigh ride parties out last night.
The postal note will cease existence on and after July 1, 1894.
It was 28 years ago yesterday that General Lee was made general in chief of the Confederate armies.
Enos Stone had his four in hand out last night with a sleighing party about the city. That capable driver “Ern” Smith had charge of the party.
The secretary of the Y. M. C. Association has received a letter form D. P. Clark, architect of Bay City, inquiring into the project of the new building.
Everyone is a better citizen if they own a home. The worst enemies society has are those who own nothing, for they are always finding fault with those who have accumulated a little by their industry and economy. Own a home and then you will feel more interest in maintaining the peace and harmony of your town.—EX.
Rev. B. Christiansen arrived in the city with his family yesterday. Rev. Christiansen comes from Waterloo, Waterloo county, Ontario, and will take charge of the German Lutheran church in the township. He will preach his first sermon next Sunday and a cordial invitation is extended to all Germans to be present.
A sleighing party left for the Miller farm on Ferry St. last evening. A fine time was had, Mr. Sam King acting as host in a capable manner. The only thing to mar the pleasure of the evening was a collapse on the way to the farm, in which Fiddler Collins was nearly crushed to death, James Young narrowly escaped hanging and Frank Buxton’s dancing slippers were promiscuously mixed up with the lunch.
The new Court House was paid its first visit by a court house building committee yesterday, when the building committee of Ludington were here to inspect the new structure. The Ludington gentlemen were very much impressed with our Court House and could not find a fault in its construction. They were here to get pointers on the interior workmanship. Mason county’s new court house was started in May and is not yet plastered. Although started before, it will not be completed until long after ours. It is stated that the people of Ludington are not altogether satisfied with their building, and cost and everything compared it is far inferior to ours.
Death of Mrs. Geo. Hancock.
Mrs. Geo. Hancock died at her residence on Washington street at 6:45 last evening, aged 78 years and 7 months.
Mrs. Hancock was a native of England, where she married Mr. George Hancock in 1846, removing soon after to Corning, N. Y., later settling at Spring Lake, Mich., where they resided until about twelve years ago, since which time they have been honored residents of this city.
Her remains will be buried in Lake Forest cemetery tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock.
A kindlier heart than Mrs. Hancock’s never beat in human breast. What a precious memory it is that her life was filled with sweet souled piety and with such rare and tender filial affection. She leaves a husband, daughter and son to mourn her loss. Her life is ended, but we are all the better—the world is better—because she lived.
If the old saw is correct we will have six weeks more of winter as the ground hog saw his shadow today.
Sales of real estate in this county last month aggregated $88,000 and in this city $6,000. There is a loss of $29,000 in the sales in the county as compared with last year, and a gain of $4,000 in the city over last year.
The two sleighing parties which left for Muskegon yesterday afternoon report a pleasant time. Rev. J. J. VanZanten’s home corner of Amity and Spring streets, Muskegon, was the objective point, and was reached at about 6:30. Rev. and Mrs. VanZanten were taken by surprise while at supper. The evening was spent in an enjoyable manner and the party returned early this morning.
Mr. A. L. Jackson has taken the agency for the White Laundry of this city and will place a delivery wagon on the Spring Lake-Ferrysburg route for the benefit of customers in those towns. He is an accommodating young man and the public can rest assured if they place laundry orders in his charge they will be attended to. Mr. O. W. Meesinger will take orders in Spring Lake.
The Wilson tariff bill and the income tax bill passed in the House of Representatives yesterday.
Mrs. Harriet E. Friant is on the steamer Fuerst Bismarck on her way to the Mediterranean
On December 19 last the American Mirror and Glass Beveling Company of this city obtained a judgment for $570 against the Michigan Cabinet Company of Grand Rapids. A writ of fleri facias was issued and returned unsatisfied. Now the complainants asks that the individual stockholders be brought into court and examined under oath. They also ask for judgment against all who have subscribed for and fully paid for their stock.
A Jail Breaker.
John Stanton has chances of spending a term in Jackson prison. He was arrested about a week ago for drunkenness. At the jail he was searched and to the surprise of the officers no less than eighteen dangerous looking saws were found on his person. The saws were about eight inches long and were concealed underneath his underclothing. His term for drunkenness being up today, Stanton was at once re-arrested and taken before Justice Pagelson, on the charge of bringing tools of escape into a jail. He was bound over to circuit court and bail was fixed at $600.
Stanton has been arrested several times this winter on charges of drunkenness and served short terms in jail. He is a stranger here, presumably a tramp.
If present indications are true the fellow is in a bad fix. The tools he brought into the jail were probably to be the means of escape of some prisoner. Stanton in order to be arrested feigned drunkenness. His plans were frustrated by a careful search of prisoners, always made at the jail. With the saws he had upon him, Stanton of any other prisoner could have gained an opening to the outside of the jail in a very short time. It is a very fortunate thing that the saws were discovered as wholesale delivery of prisoners might have occurred ere this time, if he could have smuggled his tools inside.
If convicted, the extreme sentence which can be given Stanton is seventeen years in the penitentiary. It will be seen by this that it is no laughing matter which Stanton has got himself into.
Robt. Redeke is the owner of a valuable Gordon setter with a pedigree of blue blood.
It is understood that Mrs. David Hawkins who was shot by her husband in Robinson a week ago today has gone to Chicago with her brother Wm. Kefgen. Abe Ellsworth it is said will move back to his former home in Lake View, Montcalm Co., shortly.
The bicycle has other claims upon women than the mere pleasure it affords. Physicians are beginning to recommend it as the best kind of medicine for nervous troubles. Massage and other treatments are being regulated to the background, and bicycle riding is coming to the front as the best cure, says the New York Morning Journal.
Roosien Bros., are going out of business and for the next few days will be selling their stock at cost. Remember the place, corner 7th & Fulton Sts.
February 2, 1848, forty-six years ago yesterday the United States acquired California and other territory from Mexico, at total area of 614,489 square miles, and when New Mexico and Arizona are admitted the whole area will be under state governments.
There is a great difference of appearance of the stores in this city as compared with those in other towns. Here, most of the stores have two or three steps from the streets; while it is common for stores in nearly every town to be on level with the sidewalk.
Postmaster Baar, being asked if it was true that he proposed having a new post office outfit replied: “Yes. I desire to accommodate the patrons of this office in the best manner possible and have decided to give the people a new, modern, more convenient and enlarged equipment. A postmaster’s salary is adjusted according to the revenue of his office. The revenue is derived from the sale of stamps and the rental boxes. I believe with improved adequate facilities for transacting the business the postal money order business will increase and the box rates will be very materially increased. This change, I hope, will add to soon make ours a second instead of third-class office, besides having a post office fully becoming our city.
Mr. N. B. Glazier will celebrate his 84th birthday next Tuesday. He is one of Grand Haven’s oldest citizens and has led a life of many interesting episodes. A Green Mountain boy, he was born in the year 1810 in the town of Ferrisburg, Addison county, Vermont. The town which is located between Lake Chaplain and the Green Mountains is in one of the most picturesque regions of America; add also a region populated with patriots and Americans to the core. Mr. Glazier’s grandfather served in the war of the Revolution and was one of the participants, who in disguise of Indians boarded an English vessel in Boston harbor and emptied its cargo of tea into Boston Bay. It was one of the first hostile acts against Great Britain. All through the Revolution Mr. Glazier’s grandfather served and took part in the Battle of Lexington, where “the shot was heard around the world.” The father of Mr. Glazier served in the Seminole war of Florida and also a brother. When the Civil war broke out, Mr. Glazier joined the 17th New York Volunteers and also served in an engineering corps during the Rebellion. For twenty-five years he lived in New York City, engaging in the building of bridges and mills. Mr. Glazier is a in very good health and arises has done for years, at five every morning.
[A poem titled “The Edge of Doom” by Alice Cary is not included here, but can be seen in this issue on microfilm at the Loutit Library.]
This has been a very unfavorable winter to the average man who does not patronize the barbers in town and one cause why the barbers all seem to be doing so well. Last winter was a bad one for the barber. “See!” I’ll tell you why. In real cold weather these people who seldom patronize a barber shop wet their hair and go outdoors and let it freeze and break it off to the owner’s taste. “Economy is wealth.”
The Catholics will have a sleighing party this evening.
This cold snap has greatly strengthened chances of a good ice crop.
Akeley college has a gymnasium in connection, which is steadily being supplied with all the necessary apparatus. The “gym” is 34 feet wide, 44 feet long and 16 feet high.
An oil war between the Standard and Schofield companies at Zeeland has rendered the price of kerosene to 2 cents a gallon and farmers are coming twenty miles to secure a big supply.
Mr. D. A. Lane has handed the TRIBUNE a copy of the Grand Haven News of July 25, 1866. Among the business men of the city at that time as noted by the advertisements were: F. Kent & Co., tailors; S. Juistema, shoe dealer; C. B. Albee, shoe dealer; I. H. Sanford & Co., tailors; H. Brouwer & Bro., dry goods; Sheldon & Slayton, general store; A. Stegeman & Bro., general store; Frank H. White, groceries; S. Gale & Co. , drugs and groceries; Fred Becktal, meats; G. D. Sanford, stationary; Isaac Hunting, life insurance; H. Griffin & Co., drugs; A. VanderVeen, physician; Wm. Wallace, grocer; Ferry & Son, lumber; Hubbard & Miller, hardware; B. Vanderhoef was sheriff; Hermanus Doesberg, clerk and register; Geo. Flemming, county treasurer; Geo. Parks, probate judge and R. W. Duncan, prosecuting attorney at the time. On the first page of the paper is a speech by T. W. Ferry, then a member of Congress, made before the house on the lumber tariff.
Holland was lighted by electricity for the first time Saturday evening. Gasoline had previously been used.
Grand Haven factories employ a large number of Ferrysburg and Spring Lake residents.
The first motto of Michigan was, “The sprout at length becomes a tree.” Its fitness was striking. This cannot be better illustrated than by the standing of Michigan in the census at various decades. In 1840 we were the twenty-third; in 1850, the twentieth; in 1860, the sixteenth; in 1870, the thirteenth; in 1880, the ninth, which position we hold at present under the census of 1890.
Capt. John Lysaght, of the Grand Haven Live Saving crew, was in the city last week a guest of Capt. Woods. Lysaght has been in the life saving service for many years, and among other places has been stationed at Point Sable, Racine and Grand Haven. It was his crew at Racine that saved the large iron ore vessel, Howland, with three men on board. They took her to South Chicago keeping her up for 70 hours with hand pumps.—Muskegon News.
John Dillon played the leading role in “A Model Husband” at the Opera House last Saturday night. All in attendance were kept in convulsions of laughter over the predicaments the “model husband” and the rest of the cast entangled themselves. Of course everything ended well as it generally does in a play, and all were happy. The play was deserving of a better attendance as it is one of the best that has held the boards here this season.
Real estate men report that from present indications they will have plenty of sales in the spring.
The local political pot is not yet boiling but in another month it undoubtedly will be. Candidates for marshal are about the only ones making themselves heard. Our present marshal John Klaver and Wm. L. Andres and Andrew VanHoef are said to be candidates for the office.
Remarkable Coincidence.
While attending the Grand Lodge of masons at Saginaw a few weeks ago to which he was a delegate from the local lodge, Capt. Robert Finch chanced to meet at the lodge sessions, a Mr. Chas. Finch of Saginaw. Strangely enough Mr. Chas. Finch had only one eye. Still more strange, Mr. Chas. Finch lost his left eye at the same battle that Capt. Robert Finch of this city lost his right eye. It was the battle of North Anna River in Virginia in June 1864. Capt. Robert of this city was serving in the 1st Michigan sharpshooters and the Saginaw Mr. Finch was in the 93rd New York Regiment. They never knew each other’s existence till this meeting. It was a remarkable coincidence.
Two of the same name, fighting in the same battle and both losing an eye in the engagement. It is needless to say that the two exchanged notes and will undoubtedly keep track of each other.
Great as the D., G. H. & M. Ry. now is, it was started with a capital of only $1,200.
John McSherry formerly of Gus. Hubert’s shop and Henry Boyink will open a blacksmith shop on Fulton St.
The Sunday Grand Rapids Democrat has a facsimile of a 12½ cent note of wildcat denomination issued in Grand Haven in 1838.
The Grand Haven window in the state building at the World’s Fair will probably be framed and hung up in the council chambers a s a souvenir of the Columbian Exposition.
Sunday was the coldest day this winter. The mercury went down to six above zero in the early morning and it continued bitter cold all day, despite the fact that the sun shown brightly.
An exchange says that the men who founded the towns and cities of this country should have used more commonly the many beautiful Indian words in naming them. Of the states very few are of Indian derivations, Illinois, Iowa, Dakota and Ohio being about the only ones. Rivers have shared more fortunately. This is especially true of those in the eastern part of the country. The rivers emptying themselves into Chesapeake Bay from Maryland and Virginia commonly have Indian names with a peculiarly sharp, metallic ring to their syllables as Choptank, Pocomoke, Rappahannock, Plankstank, Nauticoke. The rivers flowing westward in Virginia and West Virginia, however, have softly musical names, as Kanawha, Ohio, Monongahela, Youghiogheny. The most musically named of all rivers, however, the Shenandoah, belongs to the Atlantic coast system as a tributary of the Potomac Our own county is named after one of the great tribes of American Indians and with the exception of Pottawatomie Bayou, named after a no less famous tribe, is about the only thing geographically, that we have of Indian derivation.
Wm. Thieleman has been cutting ice.
The court house carpeting and curtain contract has not yet been let.
John Ackley formerly of this city is now operating a saw mill near Cairo, Ill.
Wm. Thieleman is cutting ice for the Schlitz storage building on Water St.
Every evening there are more or less sleighing parties about the city or to neighboring towns.
The Evanston life saving crew had a narrow escape from drowning while at work on the Chicago water works intake pipes yesterday.
The steamer L. S. Payne sank in 10 feet of water in the harbor at St. Joseph Friday night. The ice cut a hole in her hull.
A new blacksmith shop, a hardware store and another grocery, it is said will be located in Grand Haven in the near future.
The clerk and porter of the Cutler House indulged in a three round set this morning; the clerk winning and taking the purse.
Indications point to warmer weather again. This makes the ice men dubious as the crop will be ruined by two days of spring like weather.
A citizen wants to know why it is that every two or three years the text books of the High School are changed for some other series; to the great additional expense to the students.
Since the supreme court’s recent decisions the tax title shark is happy. He is also buying up tax titles to choice bits of property. People who have permitted their taxes go by default had better watch out for him.—EX.
One of our Second ward aldermen neglects cleaning his sidewalk, and the neighbors and especially ladies are bitterly complaining. Why don’t you accommodate the public Mr. Alderman and keep your walk clean.
X.
The contract for the gas and electric fixtures for lighting the new court house has been let to the firm of White Mnfg. Co. of Chicago. Mr. Chas. Barron, who represented that firm, is the son of Mr. Chas. L. Barron, Sr., of the Grand Trunk R. R.
“Johnny” Verhoeks was released from jail late yesterday afternoon, bail having been furnished him. The bail, which amounted to $1500, was furnished by Solomon Verhoeks, father of the prisoner, and Wm. Thieleman. Henry Sickman is still in jail. His bail is also fixed at $1500. Both have been in jail since the 18th of December, on the early morning o which day they were arrested for burglarizing Roossien’s grocery store.
This warm weather is breaking up the sleighing, and wheels are beginning to take the place of runners.
There is some talk that Postmaster Baar would locate the postoffice, when he takes charge, in the store now occupied by Geo. W. Miller as a hardware establishment. Mr. Baar will probably not move the post office from its present location if the owners of the building make certain improvements.
The court house building committee finished their deliberations for this session today. Fred Engle of Muskegon was given the contract for supplying the new building with mantles. His bid was $689. The White Manufacturing Co. of Chicago were given the contact to put in the new light fixtures. Their bid was $1100.
EDITOR TRIBUNE: The short item in your valuable paper Saturday last, that many of the School Board in the state were adopting a more simple and practical way of teaching Arithmetic. This move is certainly in the right direction as many a parent in the city can bear witness. Many of us have been called on to help our young hopefuls out in their problems and answered oh yes we will help you, but when we come to look farther and investigate we find the examples puzzlers the like in a business career of forty years we have never been called on to solve and the children after us in their business life will never see the likes of again, and the wonder is to me is why our School Board have not long since discarded the Arithmetics in our schools and secured something that will be more useful and practical in a child’s after life. I surely rejoice that the light is dawning, and the day is coming, when my children will give me an example to do, to help them along that they are a help to them and not a downright injury. I have discovered some other things that will benefit our schools and will later call your attention to them. I shall however find no fault with our School Board or our teachers, as I fully believe they are all trying to do their duty faithfully.
Respectfully,
ONE WHO HAS BEEN PUZZLED.
Postmaster Baar will retain his real estate office.
Fred Pryal, a drunk, was sent to jail for ten days by Judge Pagelson this morning.
The court house flag staff needs a handsome new flag.
The poles have arrived for the new electric lights to be paced on the corner of Second and Columbus Sts., and on Wallace St. one block south of Pennoyer Ave.
A big field of ice lay off the harbor this morning, having been brought up here from off Michigan City by the prevailing southerly wind of the past few days. The Roanoke was detained for some time by the floe while making the harbor.
Our young townsman and attorney Peter J. Danhof, has, it is said, a strong chance of receiving the appointment of assistant district attorney.
John Kooiman and Peter Ball went rabbit hunting yesterday, taking along a ferret. The ferret bit Peter in the hand and that gentleman is now in great fear of blood poisoning setting in.
A few weeks ago a number of young people gathered together and formed a club which they call “The Ladies Literary Club.” The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. McComb; Vice President, Pearl Holmes; Secretary, Birdie Holmes; Treasurer, Blanche Doddington. They meet tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 at Mrs. McComb’s.
Early this morning a burglar or burglars attempted to enter the residence of John Kooiman on Fulton street. Mr. Kooiman awakened about one o’clock this morning and hearing a mysterious noise proceeded to investigate. The intruder was frightened away, as Mr. Kooiman looking out of the window, saw a man running and jump over the fence. Had Mr. Kooiman not awakened a burglary would probably have to be recorded today. The foot steps of the burglar were noticeably all around the house this morning.
Marshal Klaver during his tow years term of office has not had a single day off.
There were more tramps in town yesterday than at any other time since last summer. In all, the offices counted thirteen of the gentry.
What we want to do, as citizens of today, is, to bring the public into a keen realization of new rod laws. “Good Roads.”
Cook Indigo was knocked off a box car in the D., G. H. & M. yard yesterday and sprained his ankle badly. He was jumping on to trains at the time, and it is very fortunate that he was not more severely injured.
Postmaster Jacob Baar took charge of Grand Haven post office this afternoon, and will attend to that important position for the next four years, at least. Mr. Baar stated today that he has decided not to remove the office from the present location, but a number of changes will be made. The new post office outfit will not be here for a week or ten days yet, and the old outfit will be used until its arrival. Postmaster Baar has purchased Mr. Parish’s burglar proof safe which has been in the office for a number of years. Assistant Postmaster Chas. N. Dickenson will be retained by Mr. Baar for the present. The duties of the postmaster are by no means light, and besides being arduous; the postmaster is held responsible for every little short coming. As for instance parties expecting a letter or mail matter and not receiving it, generally blame the man in charge of the office for it. But it is safe to say that Mr. Baar will attend to the office to the best of his ability, and give the people a good administration.
Customs’ Report.
Through the kindness of deputy Customs Collector G. B. Parks, we publish the following annual report for Grand Haven customs district.
[This report can be seen on the Tribune microfilm at the Loutit Library.]
Recess in the forenoon has been abolished in most of the schools.
Other telephone companies are now springing up and starting to rival lines to the Bell system.
One of the possibilities of the near future is a new base ball nine with Capt. McCambridge at its head.
The court house committee had to consider the bids of sixteen firms for supplying the new building with mantels.
Speaking of the contract to supply mantels to the Ottawa county court houses the Muskegon News says: “Fred Engle, of this city, was one of the bidders and was the successful one. The contract price is private. The mantels will be of oak and of a very high finish. Mr. Engle says the court house is much smaller than the court house in this city but that the interior finish costs more than that of the court house here."
Perhaps it is not generally known but Harry Oaks is by far the best base ball player in this city. It is said that he once made a tour of England in one of Her Majesty’s the Queen’s star ball clubs.
A church in Fowlerville is lighted and smoked by twenty oil lamps, but when the agent of the village electric lighting company offered to put in a wire and give the church an arc light for the cost of the oil now used it would necessitate the running of the machinery on Sunday evening, and that was wicked.
The Y. M. C. A.
The Y. M. C. A. at its meeting Monday night selected the following committees:
Membership—C. N. Addison, H. Meyer, A. Juistema.
Reception—T. Knight, Peter Van Woerkom, E. Reynolds, C. Addison.
Religious—S. M. Wright, J. B. Estabrook, T. Knight, J. Luman, Al. Jackson.
Visiting—J. D. Duuresema, C. Addison, Wm. McKim, Josh Lehman, C. Dickinson.
The board of directors named the following committees:
Executive—Fred Albers, J. B. Estabrook, S. M. Wright, Mr. Peter Klaver.
Finance—J. Vaupell, N. I. Beaudry, R. Bouwer, J. Juistema, J. D. Duuresema.
Educational—J. B. Estabrook, E. Reynolds, C. N. Dickinson.
Auditing—N. I. Beaudry, P. Klaver, H. Albers, J. Vaupell.
Vacancies—H. Dornbos, H. Van Woerkom, A. Balgooyan.
A woman’s auxiliary was named as follows: Mrs. Orr, Mrs. A. Barden, Miss Kate Pellegrom, Miss Alice Bolt, Mrs. R. Finch, Mrs. McMillan, Miss Maggie Young, Mrs. S. M. Wright, Mrs. Haines, Miss J. Van Zanten, Miss Etta Groendal, Miss Maggie Van DenBosch, Miss Johanna Van DenBosch, Mrs Dr. Hofma, Mrs. Rev. DeBruyn, Miss Mabel Beaudry.
Ice, seven inches thick is being harvested at St. Joe.
The town clock has fallen into the habit of stopping lately.
In twenty years Canada has had but 116 divorces, while Kent County has had twice that amount in a single year.
The names of Mayor Bloecker, Sherman H. Boyce and Joseph Koeltz are mentioned as possible candidates for mayor this spring.
Dr. Philander Palmer well known as a practitioner in this city, but of late years a resident of southern Allegan county, will once more resume practice here.
Some of the fishermen and others are taking advantage of the little ice crop we have at present.
C. VanZylen has closed his feed store on Washington St., and it is reported will go out of business.
The display of cards in the store windows is an indication that St. Valentine’s Day is not far off.
The Grand Trunk ice houses here and at Eladen, Nichols and Fort Gratiot will be supplied with ice from Vicksburg.
Like all cities, Grand Haven has its districts known by local names, as for instance Beech Tree, Piety Hill, Dutchtown, the Swamp and the Sawdust.
As spring approaches there is every indication of a revival of business in this city. All ready a number of new places have opened up here and there will undoubtedly be a number more. Grand Haven’s prospects for 1894 are bright.
The proprietors of the Bee Hive Grocery, Messrs. Boer & Bolt, have secured a lease of the lot owned by S. Verhoeks, on Washington St., just west of Capt. Tremper’s home and nearly opposite their store. They will erect a building on the lot which will be used as a feed store and also a place for farmers to shelter their teams. In fact it will be a farmer’s emporium and the work of building it will soon commence. The proprietors of the Bee Hive are hustlers and are setting a good example.
The annual customs report as published yesterday shows that 375 vessels entered and 386 took clearance papers from here last year. The tonnage arriving amounted to 306,225 tons and clearing 307,288 tons. These figures do not include the Goodrich boats, the iron ore boats, or the vessels that obtain brick near Fruitport. The record of those vessels is kept at the original clearance port. If their tonnage was figured in, Grand Haven would undoubtedly be far ahead of any port in the district. As it is Manistee and Montague were the only ports that exceeded her last year.
Indoor base ball is becoming popular in this city and a number of games are played at a certain place in town every night. The devotees of the sport did not go by their “nom de plumes” they cannot be mistaken; as for instance ‘Tom,’ ‘Ham,’ and Arry.’ The theory of the game is that the man having the lowest score shall settle with the crowd in a manner laid down by the book of rules. The following were scores made in a scrub game last evening: Ball 6, Case 12, Tom 2, Ham 3, Red 20, J. K. 10. Scores will be provided the TRIBUNE through a private source every day.
A new quartette has been organized in the city composed of M. Sprick, S. VanZanten, G. Van Neitoven and Tony Bottje. They will soon be able to render some of their vocal music to the public. F. V. H.
The customs report shows that sailboats still do a large business at the ports of Manistee, Muskegon, Montague, Ludington, Frankfort, Charlevoix and Cheboygan.
The graduates from Akeley college this year will be, Edith M. Bunyes, Alice E. Ford. Lotta Hull, Edith L. Powers, Lillian W. Sanford and Katherine D. Wheaton.
The business men in the west down town blocks are pleased over the fact that Postmaster Baar will not move the post office from its present location. Such a move thy figure, would keep much trade from them, especially in the evenings.
The first presidential election in which Ottawa county voted was the election of 1840; Harrison, whig candidate versus VanBuren, democrat. VanBuren received 88 votes in this county and Harrison 81. In 1844 the county gave 42 to Clay and 116 to Polk. In 1848, 143 to Taylor, 269 to Case and 53 to VanBuren. In 1852, 363 to Scott, 756 to Pierce and 59 to Hale. In 1856, 1892 to Fremont and 998 to Buchanan. We gave Lincoln 1414 votes in 1860 and Steven Douglas, 1217. In 1864, General McClellan had a plurality in this county, receiving 1536 to Lincoln’s 1345 votes. Since that date the county’s vote has gone to the Republican candidates for president.
Freight on the D., G. H. & M. continues light.
The officers report lots of tramps around town the past few days.
The glass factory has shut down for a few days on account of a lack of glass.
Marshal Klaver last night arrested Wm. Shepherd a d. d. Shepherd was sent to jail for ten days by Judge Pagelson this morning.
Beginning next Sunday not a train will leave or arrive in the great city of Muskegon on Sundays. Consequently the Sawdust town papers are lamenting.
Alderman Joseph Koeltz wishes it stated that he will not be a candidate for Mayor, or for any other office.
Newspaper offices in Chicago are now connected by pneumatic tubes with telegraph offices and many messenger boys are dispensed with.
Chas. VanZanten will be assistant under Postmaster Jacob Baar, and is now dealing out mail in Grand Haven postoffice.
The old U. s. ship Kearsarge, which sunk the rebel gun boat Alabama, was wrecked February 3rd off the coast of Central America.
Work will probably commence today on the mantels Fred Engle is to furnish for the Ottawa County court house. They are to be manufactured in Chicago and will be shipped direct to Grand Haven. Twelve of them are to be set up and in working order in 60 days.
The question is asked why text books are changed every year or two or three years in the High School? There is a state law which provides that a text book adopted by a School Board shall not be changed within the period of five years except by a vote of the school district. Miss Smith, high school principal for 16 years, says she does not know of any case of the violation of this law. Text books are the teacher’s tools in the work of educating the pupil and those tools improve as do the mechanic’s tools; and hence it is best to change them from time to time, though in all cases it is done for the benefit of the pupil and best terms are secured, from the publisher making the change.
The county officers have purchased a new flag, in size 11 by 20 feet, for the court house flag staff. Clerk Turner sent for the flag Wednesday.
The Detroit News says: “The Diamond Match Co. controls three factories in Detroit. Its clear profits last year were $1,359,577, on and alleged capital of $9,000,000. It runs the match business the same way John D. Rockefeller conducted the Standard Oil Co. Its officers would deny the charge, but it is nevertheless true that whenever competition starts up the big company starts in to crush it. The monopoly’s agents ascertain the financial strength of the opposition as clearly as possible, estimate the force and weight of its capital, experience and business push and locate its field of operation.”
MR. EDITOR:—I see you mention candidates for all the wards but the 4th, the most important ward in the city. Now there are candidates for office up there as well as in other wards, but we propose to keep it to ourselves, but when the proper time comes we intend to nominate and elect a man for alderman that will stand on his own two feet and he has big ones too. Keep your eye on the 4th ward. She’s in it. THE IV.
Grand Haven has not had a fire in two months.
Nearly one-third of the people of the United States live in cities, according to the census of 1990.
Members of the South Haven life saving crew are building cottages for their families near the vicinity of the station.
A. Ellsworth the Robinson man, who was the principal cause of the tragedy in that town two weeks ago has moved back to Lake View.
Many applications are received for the position of Court House janitor.
Frank Hill, a tramp, was sent to jail for ten days by Justice Pagelson this morning.
The fish tug built for northern Lake Michigan parties by the Grand Haven Ship building Co. was launched this week.
The Chicago Tribune published Geo. McBride’s article, “My recollections of Shiloh” which appeared in January’s Blue and Gray.
Various theories are advanced as to the cause of the town clock stopping so often. Among them one theorist says it is because the clock tower shaking in windy weather.
The senior class of Grand Haven High School this year is composed as follows: Ethel Smead, Louise Pagelson, Frances Findley, Marian Stickney, Ada Blair, Geo. Stroebe, Marvin Turner, Stephen Brouwer, T. Kiel, Lawrence VandenBerg, Miner Leland and Herbert Cummings.
For several days a box of beautiful White Cochin roosters has been in the American Express office waiting for the owner to call for them. “Billy” Andres is sincerely praying that the party to whom they are addressed will soon call for the birds as his slumbers are broken about twenty times a night by vociferous “cockadoodeldoos.”
When the roller skating craze swept over the country with a wild furor a few years ago, Grand Haven with every city in the country was affected by the craze. The toboggan craze which also took the northern states by storm left its impress here. Neither of the baubles lasted long in Grand Haven. Tobogganing is no longer mentioned here and roller skating is in a state of desuetude.
I understand that somebody said that it would be a disgrace for the city to make a school house out of the old court house. It is no more a disgrace in doing that than it is for people to be getting older every year. In regard to being too low it has for a good many years been high enough for full grown people that wear plug hats and now its too low for children. That I don’t understand. It may be that people at that time were not so proud or big feeling. Now days there are a good many that put on more style than they are able to pay for and feel pleased about other people’s poverty. Is there any sense in that? Why no, the cheapest and easiest way is the best. One question I would like to ask, when people are talking through this paper they all the time stand behind the door. Why don’t they come out so anyone may know who is talking? Is it on account they are ashamed or what?
M. JOHNSON.
Speaking of Capt. Webb’s steamer Columbia, which was built here, the Grand Traverse Herald say: “The Columbia won a great reputation as an excursion boat last summer, and her work will be planned with a special reference to this the coming season, so that she can be obtained for excursions at any time.
A new splint machine has been placed in the match factory.
Such an eastern blizzard as we had today has not been experienced in a long time.
A skeleton found on the beach near St. Joseph, Mich., is supposed to be that of the captain or cook of the Havana, wrecked in 1887.
The money in circulation per capita in the United States is $25.66.
Jacob VanderVeen lost his hat in the gale last Friday night and has been unable to find it.
A hanging occurred in Pineville, Kentucky, last Friday. This is the same town where a number of Grand Haven capitalists have invested in lumber and coal.
The Roanoke left Milwaukee at eleven o’clock last night for this port but has not arrived yet this afternoon. It is thought that she turned back to Milwaukee and is safe out of the gale, which is terrific on the lake. At Chicago the wind velocity last night reached 60 miles. The Roanoke had as passengers a show troop that were to take the D., G. H. & M. train east.
Grand Haven does not fare as bad as Muskegon does on Sundays. The D., G. H. & M. Ry. have a train arriving and departing from here on that day while the Sawdust town does not get a train over its three roads.
The Y. M. C. A. of this city will send Tony Baker, John VandenBosch, Prof. J. B. Estabrook and J. J. Bolt as delegates to the Y. M. C. A. convention of Grand Rapids the latter end of this week.
There is a much smaller quantity of ice in Lake Michigan than is normal at this season of the year, and the present outlook is that there will be nothing to prevent an early opening of navigation unless it be a lack of business.
The Zeeland Expositor says of our candidates for marshal: “W. L. R. Andres and the present marshal, John Klaver, have already been named as candidates for marshal of the city. Andres is the noted wrestler, and Klaver, the distinguished horseman.”
It is said that one of the young boys who has been in attendance at our city schools was in December suspended from school for three months. If there is a rule that allows such suspension in our city school it should be annulled at once.
X.
This morning was one of the coldest of the winter.
Solomon Verhoeks is having his ice house filled today. The ice is seven inches thick.
Robert Johnston will go to Hotel de Keppel for six days and Peter Moore for seven days by order of Judge Pagelson.
“Red Kirby” has taken the contract to furnish Herman Luhm’s ice house with good seven inch ice. The ice is cut in the channel near the old Dutch wind mill.
The Bell telephone monopoly for fourteen years has earned 20 per cent annually and declared over 14 per cent in dividends. In other words, in fourteen years it has made nearly five times in profits the amount of the original capitalization.
Mr. Ed. Reehders who was injured some time ago at the Corn Planter works while loading refrigerators on a wagon, speaks in the highest terms of that company in the way they have treated him, paying his doctor bill and other expenses. Ed. Says he didn’t expect the company to be so generous with him, having only worked for them a short time.
Roanoke in the Blizzard.
All day yesterday the good ship Roanoke battled with the gale and the sea on Lake Michigan. For twenty-four hours she struggled manfully against a 70 mile wind and awful breakers. When she arrived in port safe last night at 11 o’clock she presented the appearance of some icy monster from the Arctic regions.
It was a weird sight this morning, the bright sun shining of the icy sides of the staunch vessel. She glistened and sparkled like the stalactites in the Mammoth Cave. The vessel’s side had a coating of ice several inches thick. Her deck was like the top of an iceberg and the wonder is, how her crew managed to get around outside of the cabins. Spray and great masses of sea in pouring over her decks had formed an icy covering two inches thick. Like a coat of mail her cabins were covered with ice. The pilot house windows were covered with the congealed spray and there must have been tons of it on the whole boat. Every rope that the spray could reach had a thickness of ice encircling it, twice its circumference. While the storm was in its fury yesterday it was precarious to step outside of the cabins.
The Roanoke left Milwaukee Sunday night at 11 o’clock for this port. She would have left three hours earlier but had an engagement to bring a theatrical troupe across the lake to make connections with the D., G. H. & M. train. The northeast gale sprang up and for almost twenty-four hours prevented the steamer from making any progress. If she had left Milwaukee at her regular time Sunday night she would have reached here safely enough. As it was, she was due about nine yesterday morning but it was not until nearly midnight last night that she reached here with a very thankful crew and a large number of badly frightened and very sea sick passengers. It was the first winter gale of any consequence that a D., G. H. & M. steamer had been out in this winter. Nearly all of the time, the Roanoke was in the middle of the lake keeping her nose to the hurricane.
Leonzo Bros.’ Grand New York Dramatic Co. were passengers on the Roanoke. They lauded Capt. Martin, the crew and the boat to the very skies, as some of them admitted that they never expected to see terra firms again.
One of the actors said: “It was and awful storm. Fact is, I have never seen anything in the line of a storm approach its fury; and I have traveled all over the country and across the sea. We left Milwaukee at 11 Sunday night. Last week we held the boards at the Standard Theatre in Milwaukee and having a week’s engagement at Kalamazoo, the management of the D., G. H. & M. Line had been urging us to come across the lake by his line. Arrangements were made and after the show Sunday night we took the Roanoke for Grand Haven. The next twenty hours are indescribable. We pitched, roiled, tossed, and often times we thought that the seas were pounding the boat in. We dared not stir from our cabin and had great difficulty in obtaining anything as it was hazardous to move around. The ladies of the company were very sick and it was a very gloomy crowd we were yesterday. I told my brother after two or three lurches, more heavy than ordinary, ‘we’re going John and nothing can prevent it.’ I honestly believed we were. The captain and crew proved themselves to be gentlemen and treated us with much consideration. As it is, we lost one night of our Kalamazoo engagement but will open tonight. Never will I forget this trip, no sir.”
A woman and little girl from Joliet, Ill., were passengers on their way east. Many times yesterday the little girl could be heard questioning her mother: “mamma do you think God will carry us to Grand Haven all right.”
One of the sources of anxiety on the boat was the fact that her coal supply was rapidly dwindling. If the storm had continued many more hours and the coal supply given out, the Roanoke would have undoubtedly been lost.
The Roanoke’s cargo of 700 tons was not injured in the least.
Some of the morning papers had double-headed articles expressing fear that the steamer Roanoke had gone down.
At times yesterday the screw wheel of the Roanoke was out of the water and the peculiar “Whirr whirr” added to the general pandemonium.
Last Saturday Julius Ott, my brother, who lives in Grand Haven township, came to this city. He purchased a few groceries and then spent the day until 10 o’clock at night drinking and playing in Chas. Hass’ saloon, known as the Farmer’s Home. When he started for home Saturday night he was so drunk that he did not know what he was doing, and left the team to find its way home as best it could. On Sunday morning he reached his home on foot and asked his wife if the team had not got there yet. She replied no. Then my brother left the house and all day Sunday, with his neighbors, searched for his team. He was so drunk the night before that he did not know where he had left is horses, or whether he had fallen off the wagon. All was blank to him. All Sunday night they searched and all day yesterday up to late in the afternoon, when the team was found in an oak grubs in Peach Plains. The faithful animals were nearly dead from exposure and the groceries still lay in the wagon untouched. For two days the animals had been out and part of the time the worst storm of the winter. Now who was to blame for all this? Suspicion points to the bartender or bartenders of the Farmer’s Home, who had filled my brother with their whiskey and at ten o’clock left the saloon and let his horses guide him. Supposing it had been very cold Saturday night, beyond doubt he and his team would have been frozen to death. Who would have been to blame for it, but the saloon keepers? Why is it that that they keep these farmers until every cent is drawn from them and then permit them to find their way home as best they can. The saloon keeper who will do that, is an unprincipled wretch.
HERMAN OTT.
Ice men are taking advantage of the present harvest.
A number of tramps were given lodging by the officers last night.
Carl Rhodes is again training the Grand Haven City Band.
The Wisconsin arrived this morning with a cargo of about 600 tons.
Alderman Gerst returned from Grand Haven yesterday where he saw the steamer Roanoke which was supposed to have been lost with all on board. He says it was the grandest sight of its kind he ever saw, the boat being covered with ice from stem to stern.—Muskegon News.
The committee having it in charge would like to see Grand Haven citizens present at the good roads meeting at Chas. Clark’s school house on Saturday.
An attempt was made to burglarize VanLopik & Co.’s grocery store last night or early this morning. When the store was opened this morning, evidences of an attempt to enter the store were discovered. Some one had started to cut a lower panel in the back door but for some reason had not completed the job. Evidently the thief was frightened away as it would have been no hard matter to effect an entrance and could have been done with a little more work. The job was similar to the one when P. VerDuin’s store was burglarized some weeks ago.
Joe Neusmer the Spring Lake man who was charged with being implicated with Mrs. Cooper of Muskegon in eloping last fall has just popped up in a new light. He has confessed to breaking a number of windows in a residence section of Muskegon and will be arrested.
MR. EDITOR:—In regard to the article your paper of the 12th inst. stated about the incident of Julius Ott and the loss of his team, I here wish to give a reply which is as follows: Mr. Julius Ott came to town to buy some provisions which was his business in town Saturday. He called in at my place sometimes during the afternoon, enjoyed himself and drank a few glasses of beer, the most of which were four, through the part of the day that he stayed, and was a sober man when he left my place which was about 5 p.m. This was the last I seen of him till sometime between 6 and 7 p m., when he came in and inquired if I did not hear where his team was. I told him “no” and then he left, did not ask for anything to drink, and was sober at that time. This was the last I seen of him Saturday evening. To what I have said thus far I have witness in the person of August Kraatz, concerning his calling for his team between 6 and 7 p.m. and his being a sober man then. Now, Mr. Editor, Ott stated that I filled is brother with whiskey and kept him there until 10 p.m. This is a dirty mean lie that Mr. Ott has stated. To prove that Julius Ott was not in my place after 7 p.m. at the latest, I have the following witness: Mr. Herman Doege, Mr. Joe Friese and Mr. Fred Klugas. Mr. Ott’s team was seen at the Holland depot at about 9 o’clock p.m. by Mr. August Kraatz. If Mr. Herman Ott is any kind of man at all, he would talk facts and truths, and not talk from his imaginations. Any man who will make up such a set of dirty lies, simply to try and hurt a man’s business, is, as most people call him, a hypocritical wretch who most people care not to recognize. Now, Mr. Herman Ott asks, who is to blame for all this? In the first place he says, that the bartender of bartenders of (The Farmer’s Home) filled him up with their whiskey which is a dirty lie, as Mr. J. Ott touched not one drop of whiskey at my place. It is true, I heard that the left town at 10 p.m. dead drunk, but am I or any place to blame for that? Any person who can prove that that which I have stated thus far, is not true, I shall give him a reward of $100.
CHARLES HASS,
Prop. Of Farmer’s Home.
MR. EDITOR:—in regard to the article in yesterday’s TRIBUNE pertaining to Julius Ott, I would like to ask how many farmers there are in Grand Haven township who oft times get in the same condition as Julius Ott was last Saturday. Also how many gallons of whiskey and beer they have carried home in the past ten years.
OBSERVER.
Actress Mabel
Eaton
An attraction par excellence will be seen at the Opera House on Saturday, Feb. 17th, in the appearance of Miss Mabel Eaton, heading a powerful company in that romantic drama, La Belle Russe. Miss Eaton comes from Detroit, where she filled a very successful engagement. Miss Eaton is best known through her connection with the leading stock companies of New York City, and was last season with Rose Coghlan’s Diplomacy Company. Miss Eaton is the talented young actress who played in the splendid out-of-door performances of “As You like It” at the World’s Fair last summer and won national fame. The story of Miss Belle Russe is replete with thrilling incidents. A large audience should greet this attraction. A neat two-colored souvenir program will be given to the ladies of the performance.
A horse cannot breathe through its mouth.
The snow brought out a number of sleighs today.
D. Vyn is getting out over a thousand cords of wood at the sag.
The state fish car left 6,000 brook trout to be planted at Holland.
A gang of fifty or more men are cutting ice at the pier.
The tug launched last week at the G. H. Ship Building Co., for northern parties has not yet been named.
Two rival feed stores signs glare at each other just across the C. & W. M. track on Washington St.
Miss Mabel Eaton
It is whispered about town that Mabel Eaton will present the ladies with an elegant souvenir program during her engagement here, and it is said to be a very artistic design in two colors, and contains a beautiful picture of this talented young lady.
Although Miss Mabel Eaton is very modest in her pretence as an actress, it is said very few show the ability and talent of the beautiful young lady.
Stereopticon
H. H. Ragan with his wonderful stereopticon at the Congregational church tonight.
Celebrate “Grand Haven Day” at the Columbia Exposition tonight at the Congregational church.
Take all of your family to the Columbia exposition at the Congregational church tonight. The children of the schools only require 25 cents to see the fair.
The two text books that were changed in the High School this year, astronomy and general history, had been in use for sixteen years.
In an article which appeared in the TRIBUNE a few days ago, the writer mentions the fact that a boy was suspended from the city schools for a term of three months. The writer further stated that if there is a rule suspending children it should be abolished. The TRIBUNE is informed that the lad referred to was suspended on good grounds and after much time he had been given to reform. In justice to the superintendent it should be stated that he did his duty in the case.
The ground hog prophecy looks as though it is coming true this year.
H. Potts returned from a trip to Hart–Shelby region this morning. Those towns are enjoying prosperity and plenty of business. What with peaches and potatoes the region promises to become one of the richest in Michigan. One potato raiser in Shelby has shipped eighty-three carloads this season.
I. H. Wise requests that the party who picked up a cane near the pier steps just before Christmas return it to him as he suffers from inflammatory rheumatism and needs it. The cane had a snake and dog head at handle and leather and lead ring at bottom.
George Hancock, the veteran fruit and celery grower of Grand Haven was in the city today, and for Hancock & Son contracted with A. Wisrengo, the wholesale grocer, to deliver at a price not stated, 1,000 cases of canned tomatoes, each case containing 24 cans, to be shipped here late September or early October. There will be two grades of 500 cases each. Mr. Hancock raised 18 acres of tomatoes last year on his Grand Haven farm, canned 42,000 cans at his canning factory there, and set out last year 800,000 celery plants. Mr. Hancock was the first to raise celery there for the general market, and sends large quantities to Texas, selling all of it readily in competition with the best sent from Kalamazoo. Mr. Hancock lost his wife by death about two weeks ago, mentioned at the time in The Chronicle and ahs the sympathy of numerous friends here and elsewhere in this sad bereavement.—Muskegon Chronicle.
Every small boy in the city is afflicted with stamp fever. All kinds of stamps are sought after and the seeker generally has a million stamps in view and also a mythical reward is that number is obtained.
The Cutler House ice houses are being filled.
Much ice is being cut on Spring Lake.
This cold weather gives a large amount of men employment in the ice business.
Lumber has arrived for the office which will be built in the electric plant building.
A Mr. Andre is now landlord of the Washington House, Mr. Langemseifen having gone to Chicago.
Chas. Haggerty, a vag, and Patrick Ryan, a d. d., were sent to jail for six and eight days respectively, by Judge Pagelson this morning.
A splint machine capable of turning out one hundred cases of splints a day, has been built at Henry Bloecker & Co.’s under the supervision of Edward Stokes for the Globe Match Co. The machine is well built and a great credit to the shop where it was turned out, it being the first machine of the kind they built.
When the police of Grand Rapids are baffled (which is nearly every crime that is committed there) they turn on the complaining witness and make a scape goat out of him.
A beautiful new flag was flown in the breeze from the new Court House tower this morning. The flag was purchased by the county officers and is 11 by 20 feet in size. “Old Glory” will float from the tower every favorable day.
Postmaster Baar knows the value of printer’s ink and is now, through the medium of the TRIBUNE, advertising all letters which remain unclaimed at the Postoffice. Of the letters advertised this week five have already been called for.
□ Did you attend the lecture by H. H. Ragan at the Congregational church last evening? If not you should have done so as it was one of the most pleasing entertainments given in this city in some time. The lecturer had the closest attention and the superb illustrations on the canvas, thrown from the stereopticon were described by Mr. Ragan in an eloquent and entertaining manner. The lecture began with the departure of Columbus and his three little caravels from Palos harbor, and closed with the grandest of views of the Columbia Exposition. All the great halls of art, manufacture, agriculture and electricity were thrown on the canvas. Beautiful views from the lagoons, the peristile, court of honor and the Ferris wheel were shown. Many of these were colored and tinted and grand beyond description, especially the night scenes in the World’s Fair grounds. It was and instructive lecture and will serve to bring back to the memory the real World’s Fair and lessons learned there in science, art and humanity.
…item in last night’s paper wherein appears the following: “The writer further stated if there is a rule suspending children it should be abolished.” I did not say anything of the kind, but did say that if there was any rule that gave the superintendent power to suspend for three months it ought to be annulled and so it had, but do not think any such rule exists. If it does exist as you say Mr. Editor please publish that rule for the benefit of your readers. This suspension is a down right outrage coming at the time that it did and the action of the superintendent ought to be rescinded at once. I know the boy and very well too. He is now fourteen years old and up until the last year has been a good boy and a bright one at that; but poor fellow, he has no mother to care and look after him now and the want of what your children and mine have, a faithful loving mother, is no doubt one of the reasons of his not walking close up to the school rules, and another is his father, who is one of our best citizens, is a sailor and in the summer time away from home most of the time. This winter he has been at home and has been trying to make the boy do what is right, for surly he, like the rest of us, wants his child to mind his teacher. After hard work he has just succeeded in getting the boy about straightened up. Personally I asked the boy and others to go after evergreens to trim our church, and surly had I thought I was doing him an unkindness would not have thought of it for one moment. The boy tells me for these two half days being out of school, he was sent to the superintendent’s office and when he told the superintendent why he was out, was told that that was no good reason and there and then suspended him from school for three months. His father went to the superintendent’s office and stated his case but got no satisfaction from him. Just at this time when his father was at home and could see to the boy and make him mind and was willing to help the superintendent and the teacher out, it does seem to me like a contemptible outrage to suspend this boy for three months, and if this boy’s future life is wrecked it will be traceable to this unreasonable punishment.
GEO. D. SANFORD.
Mabel Eaton, who appears here on Saturday evening in “La Belle Russe” is the fascinating young lady who appeared as Rosalind at the World’s Fair and the fan that Miss Eaton carries was presented to her at the reception of Miss Potter Palmer by the Princess Eulalia of Spain, who created such a stir in society at the World’s Fair city the past summer.
A big Holland colony will be settled in Newaygo county.
A carrier pigeon, almost exhausted, was picked up at Ottawa beach this week.
Wm. Thieleman’s horse narrowly escaped going through the ice at the pier yesterday.
In 1884 the Muskegon Booming Co. delivered 615,000,000 feet of logs. Only 112 million feet were handed last year.
Constable VanderMeiden of the Fourth ward is authority for the statement that spring is near at hand as black birds are putting in their appearance.
Ludington ordered the leveling of a sand hill to furnish work for the destitute and the street commissioner set his own team at work with his son as driver.
The Kirby tugs are idle temporarily and all the nets have been brought in. Hardly any of the fish tug fleet are doing any business.
Wm. Estes the auctioneer of this city seems to be in great demand and has recently conducted auctions as far away as Indiana.
At Rest.
At the home of her daughter Mrs. Geo. D. Sanford, Mrs. Jacob Stoner, age 79, passed to her final rest this morning. Death whom ever it takes or whomever it approaches is a sad visitant. When it is for vigorous youth we are shocked, and the visions of what might-have-been, rises before us, with ineffable sadness.
But when the call is for an old person, whose long years of life have been well spent, and who is ready and willing to go, we are not shocked; there is no what-might-have-been, to taunt us, and our senses of the fitness of things is not so much disturbed.
Thus, it was with Mrs. Stoner, she had long lived a long, noble Christian life, and seemed to have but one ambition,—the welfare of her children, whom she loved so dearly, and who all mourn her loss so sincerely.
Mrs. Stoner was the mother of ten children, only five of whom are now living, vis:—Mrs. Geo. D. Sanford of this city, Mrs. W. S. Gebhart of Mears; Mr. Isaac Stoner, Butte, Mon; Fred Stoner, Saginaw, and Dr. John J. Stoner, Marion, Ind.
Funeral Tuesday, 2 o’clock at the residence of Geo. D. Sanford.
M. GEO. D. SANFORD.
Dear Sir—I notice by last night’s TRIBUNE that your righteous indignation is stirred in behalf of whom you believe to be unjustly treated. But what the Editor can do for you I am unable to see.
You give to understand that your own action was the cause which led to the suspension of the boy. May I ask why then you interest enough to speak with the superintendent about the matter, but drag the boy and his misdemeanors before the public through the city newspaper?
You state in your letter that after the suspension, “his father went top the superintendent’s office but got no satisfaction.” In this you have been misled as the father, who has not spoken with me in regard to the matter since that time, will tell you.
The boy was persistent truant, besides giving continual trouble in the school room.
By the rules of the school the boy might and possibly ought to have been expelled from the school, and that, long before he was suspended for a limited time. His entrance at the expiration of that time will depend upon his conduct up to that date.
I will say to you that no five boys of the school have caused more trouble or consumed more of the time of the superintendent during the school year than this one.
I contend further that when any citizen makes the public effort which is made in this case to cast discredit on the management of the schools without the least private effort with the authorities of the school, he lays himself open to the charge of unfriendliness to an institution which ought to have the hardiest support of every citizen.
I have office hours from 8 to 9 o’clock a.m., at which time or any other time by appointment, I should be glad to explain to you or any citizen or patron of the school, the rules or workings of any of the school system. Yours cordially,
J. B. ESTABROOK.
"Class of Ninety-Four."
Grand Haven contains a High School,
"Tis known the whole state o'er,
The one thing that disgraces it
Is the "Class of Ninety-four."
There are a dozen members,
You would think there were forty more,
From the way they talk and chatter,
Such parrots you've never seen before.
They all are very learned indeed,
To judge by their conversation,
You'd think each one of them was to be
A great power in the nation.
Their records are the lowest of any,
They never come up to us.
And then they have published that
Their record is ninety-six plus.
They all were so very much grieved
To find the text books changed,
To publish all such grievances
They've with the printers arranged.
To give you a slight idea
Of what they aspire to be,
We'll give the names of some of them,
And the aims of two or three.
Among them you will find Squib, Pete,
Frank, Si Pekins, Kiel, Dolly,
They do not use their given names,
For those are far too holy.
Their names show well their characters,
But this fact needs no mention,
They've other qualities to which
We wish to call attention.
One is a "born politician"
And proud of his title, too,
And now that he has an office,
He'll scarcely talk to you.
One of its feminine members,
Alas! we are sorry to say,
Has pugilistic tendencies
And practices every day.
One boy would fain be a farmer,
For he is fond of cows,
He always wears one when at school,
That’s why he smiles and bows.
We have not space to describe them,
Yet we would have you know,
That when they leave the High School,
We'll be glad to have them go.
JR.
Miss Mabel Eaton and her company arrived this morning.
Shooting of Col.
Ellsworth
At one time while Chauncey Davis, the first mayor of Muskegon, was running a general store in that town, he had in his employ a young man who was detected in a serious irregularity. Mr. Davis did not turn the young men over to the law, but discharged him, bought him a good suit of clothes and gave him some kindly advice. The young man was surprised and promised to follow the good counsel. Later on the young man was heard from and his name became famous in history and story, for he lost his life at Alexandria, in the early days of the rebellion, in pulling down the bars of the Confederacy from a hotel and hoisting in their stead the stars and striped of the Union. He was none other than Colonel Ellsworth.
Farmers are warned to beware of strangers who go about painting patent medicine signs on barns and buildings. They ask the farmers to sign a certificate that the work has been properly done, and in a short time the “certificate” turns up at some bank as a promissory note.
According to the rules of the Grand Haven public school the superintendent has the power for sufficient cause to suspend a pupil at any time, but, when possible, the parent or guardian shall have received due warning. Pupils can be suspended for:
Persistent disobedience.
Insolence or violence to teachers.
Profanity.
Obscenity.
Bringing on the school grounds: Firearms, explosive materials, strong drinks, smoking materials, immoral books or prints.
Fighting.
Forging of parent’s or guardians name.
Truancy.
Enos Stone, The livery man, has three of his teams at work hauling ice.
Mabel Eaton was to have appeared at Muskegon tonight, but the engagement was cancelled.
Reports from the large cities show that the dread disease, small pox, is slowly spreading and it will be well for any community to take precautions against the malady.
An attempt is supposed to have been made to enter Mrs. Gerow’s store on Washington St. Saturday by unknown men for the purpose of burglary.
This country is inhabited by 18 million horses, 2 million mules, 16 million cows, 37 million oxen an other cattle, 45 million swine.
During six months of every year Jackson county rents a room where tramps are lodged at an expense not to exceed $100 a year.
Clara Morris
The lovers of the higher class of opera were treated to the best drama that has been given at the Opera House this season last Saturday night in La Belle Russe. Miss Mabel Eaton in the title role is an emotional actress of no mean ability and is becoming a rival of Clara Morris. The play commenced such attention from the audience that a pin could have been heard to drop at times. The audience in attendance was by no means as large as it should have been.
Are we going to have a big Fourth of July celebration this year? We ought to have the most pretentious in the history of Grand Haven.
The most curious city in the world is situated on Saginaw bay. It is without a name, but has a population of about 500 and consists of modern huts on wheels to the number of 150, which, when the fishing season arrives, are rolled on the ice in the bay.
In the tanning industry electricity is beginning to play an important part. The largest tannery in Switzerland will soon be reconstructed and enlarged for the purpose of adopting the process of electric tanning.
Mr. James Hancock left this morning for Indianapolis, where he will meet with the leading carnation growers of the United States at their annual meeting. Mr. Hancock loses no opportunity to learn what he can of the culture of his favorite flower and see specimens of the newest and best varieties yet introduced.
Mrs. H. P. Fitch the old lady who for a number of years has lived in rooms above Johnston’s store died this morning after a several days illness. She was 57 years of age and had been married three times and has two daughters living in the east. Deceased was born near the city of Buffalo and in her early years was a school teacher. She gained a livelihood here by sewing and vest making. Funeral at two o’clock tomorrow from Presbyterian church.
Today was one of the coldest days of the winter.
Neusmer the Muskegon window breaker will spend fifteen days in jail.
Heating fixtures will be placed in the front offices of the Court House.
Every visitor to the city who views our new Court House speaks in the highest possible terms of the structure, and wonder that so fine a building could be built at its costs.
The Court House building committee met yesterday and made another payment to the contractor. Mr. Ward has now received about $42,000 on his contract.
Greater Grand Haven, which town enthusiasts have in their mind’s eye, and which will undoubtedly come to pass, will embrace Spring Lake, Ferrysburg and all that country to the south of us known as Grand Haven township.
Capt. Wm. R. Loutit this afternoon let the contract to Mayor Ward of Flint to build a residence on his property, corner of Fourth and Washington Sts. Mr. Ward is the contractor who erected the Court House. He will build the house complete except furnishing the inside hardware, gas fixtures, art, glass and furnace. This is the first move in building for the year in this city. May it continue.
VICTORY!
Wiley Company Beaten
The good news was received this afternoon by telegram that the Michigan Supreme Court had decided the famous Wiley water works suit in favor of the city of Grand Haven. The news was received so suddenly and unexpectedly that our citizens could hardly realize it. The news spread like wild fire. Everybody felt jubilant and "good news! good news!" was the expression of all who heard of it.
The fact is, better news was never received in Grand Haven. During the years that the case has been hanging fire, a damper has been put on the city, its industries, and its citizens. One of the greatest drawbacks to the town was this everlasting suit.
The decision of the Michigan Supreme judges will mean a saving of $40,000 to $80,000 to Grand Haven, and every tax-payer, citizen, merchant, manufacturer and town enthusiast will sigh a sigh of relief. Our greatest hoo-doo has probably been settled forever.
The city's side of the case was presented to the Supreme Court by City Attorney W. I. Lille and Geo. A. Farr. Judge Howell of Detroit and Hon. Geo. W. McBride were on the Wiley company's side.
The Dispatch.
The following is the dispatch received by City Attorney Lillie at 2:10 this afternoon:
Hudson House, Lansing.
W. I. LILLIE:
Water works case reversed and decree ordered for complainants.
CHAS. L. HOPKINS.
One of the most jubilant men in Grand Haven this afternoon is alderman Jos. Koeltz. Of course his good nature is caused by the news from Lansing.
The Court House flag was hoisted when the news was received from Lansing this afternoon. The tall tower of the building looked like some war castle, and with the stars and stripes flying from its flag staff, surely suggests victory.
The Y. M. C. A. have decided to move from their present rooms above Gale’s grocery to the Akeley block, in the rooms formerly owned by the Grand Haven Herald.
Election of Officers.
The German Workingman’s Society elected officers last night as follows:
President—John Brandstetter.
Vice Pres.—Joseph Rue.
Recording Sec.—Michael Troeger.
Cor. Sec.—F. Swanteck.
Financial Sec.—Chas. Hass.
Treasurer—Wm. Thieleman.
Physician—Dr. A. VanderVeen.
Marshal—Wm. L. Andres.
Standard Bearers—Emil Kerch, Wm. Brauu.
Trustees—Fred Kramer, Fred Ritzloff, Cyrus Wise, Fred Klingas.
Now twenty-three years old, the society is in a flourishing condition.
Henry Bloecker, the retiring president of the society, has had the honor of holding that position seven times, and was one of the prime movers of its organization.
President Weston has received from Chairman John Boyd Thatcher the final report of the Michigan awards in the departments of manufactures, machinery and transportation. In the manufacturer’s department, Annie E. Macfie was awarded a medal for her game of art characters.
The TRIBUNE has received from the manufacturers of the Garland stoves and ranges a neat and handsome souvenir in the shape of a lead pencil made of that new and wonderful metal, aluminum. The pencil is a s light as wood and at the same time as strong as steel. Aluminum was quite costly when first discovered, but is gradually becoming cheaper, and should it ever become cheap enough there is no end to the uses to which it could be put to advantage; for bridges, armor plate, ships, etc., no better metal has been discovered, and while most clay contains aluminum, the principal cost is in its extraction from the clay. Many of the parts of the Garland stove are made of the metal.
The new revenue cutter being built at Buffalo to take the place of the Andy Johnson will be named the Calumet. The Calumet will not carry any guns, as it is only the sea going craft of the United States revenue marine service that are armed; they carry two light B. L. rifles. The crew will be supplied with small arms. The fleet of revenue cutters to which the Calumet will belong forms a little navy of itself. It was organized in 1790, when Hamilton was secretary of the treasury, for the purpose of enforcing the custom laws and the government harbor regulations, and its functions have remained practically unaltered for a century. It is under the control of the treasury department, except in time of war, when the president may transfer it to the navy department.
EDITOR TRIBUNE:
The frantic attempt of the Junior Class poet (whose name is known but which for the sake of her friends we will not mention.) to belittle the class of ’94 in Saturday’s TRIBUNE, has been viewed by us with much amusement. We are not accustomed to pay any attention to anything that the Juniors, envious of our reputation, they say, and we do not to establish a dangerous precedent now. But as the poet, in spite of the fact that she attended a meeting held in honor of George Washington the evening before, allowed a few statements to creep in which might do injustice to the class of ’94 among those who are not fully acquainted with its merits, we consider it our duty to ourselves to make a few corrections. Neither the Senior class or any member of it, was a party in the discussion which has recently appeared in the TRIBUNE relating to the changing of the books. The Senior average for the past month was 92½ while the Juniors was 82⅛. The Juniors are heartily welcome to any glory they may be able to find for themselves in comparing these records. And although the enthusiasm of the poet allowed her to make some other extravagant statements, we will let them pass. And it is our sincere wish that when we leave and the post of honor in the High School, now held by us, is transmitted to the class of ’95, their sterling merits will be as much appreciated by the class of ’96 as ours have been by themselves.
Respectfully,
CLASS OF ’94.
The Y. M. C. A. have received their seal as an association, from the Secretary of State’s office at Lansing.
Like the government building in Grand Rapids the new Court House can be known as “the red brick.”
The C. & W. M. employs 1702 men. The average wage paid is $51.86 monthly. The Grand Trunk has 4182 men in its employ.
The train arriving here at 6 last night over the D., G. H. & M. struck a rig in which were two farmers from Ionia. One of the horses was killed, but the men were not injured.
A hen party in which twelve young ladies took part was held at the home of Miss May Ball last evening. Miss Mattie Stuveling, the Central telephone girl, was awarded first prize for doing the funniest trick.
The county jail was inspected yesterday by Judge J. V. B. Goodrich, county agent Wm. Whipple; County poor commissioners, Wm. Angel, W. Diekema, Alex Noble. The jail is inspected every six months. Bedding and closets were reported to be in fair condition. Cells and halls as good as can be under circumstances. Considerable improvements were made in heating apparatus in last inspection. At present the jail has 18 prisoners, ten of whom are serving sentence. In the last six months 157 prisoners have been confined in the jail.
Nine Michigan men have received big offices in this presidential administration.
Only once during the winter did the temperature go as low as it did last night. The lowest record was eight above.
The new flag for the court house was badly torn while being taken down yesterday and will not be displayed for some time to come.
King, the spiritualistic medium, is again in Muskegon holding séances. His trial in Battle Creek for false pretense has not yet come off.
The supreme court yesterday declared the “jag cure” law of 1893 invalid which provided justices in their discretion could sentence disorderlies to take a course of treatment for the liquor habit.
As is customary on legal holidays, the TRIBUNE will not be issued tomorrow.
Grand Haven presents superb ground for manufacturing sites. We have a grand water front that half encircles the city from the piers to the marshes. Manufacturers and capitalists will not look for these advantages, but they should be presented to them. If the city is to advance we must put on a livelier gait and boom things.
Bloecker’s cannon was hauled down to the City Hall last night and arrangements were made to have a lively time in celebration of the victory of the City over the Wiley Company. But on account of the cold and blustering weather the celebration was postponed until tonight. If the weather is propitious this evening the city band will give a serenade and the big gun will boom.
One of the few reminders that this was once a saw mill town are the great barren sawdust tracts in the northern part of the city and along the river front. Especially is this the case between this city and Spring Lake. Where great saw mills once stood all is now as bare as the plains and instead of grass, all is one monotony of sawdust, edgings and spiles, built up from the ground along the river front, often ten feet deep. In the warm summer days these sawdust wastes are terribly hot and the roasting, sizzling heat can be seen rising from the ground. Not unlike the prairie these wastes often catch fire, and the Grand Haven fire department's worst enemy in the summer is the sawdust. Day after day they are called out to quelch an incipient blaze, started by a spark from a passing steamer or locomotive. The great tract where Buswell's mill formerly stood is the worst in this respect, and when the wind is fierce threatens destruction to the nearby buildings and bridges. Great clouds of smoke roll over these sawdust docks all through the summer. Sisson & Lilley's dock at Nortonville catches fire after the spring dampness leaves it, and burns more or less fiercely until the fall rains begin. It is one of these sawdust fires that the caused the destruction of nearly half of Spring Lake last spring. A spark from the old steamer Barrett set the sawdust dock on fire. No attention was paid to the blaze at first, but just eight hours afterwards a desolate scene presented itself. One of the great problems of Grand Haven and our neighboring village, Spring Lake, is how to prevent these fires. Unless constantly watched these towns are always menaced by the fire fiend.
The Water Works Case.
City Attorney Lillie expected the entire decision of the Supreme Court from Lansing this morning, but it did not come, and it is not yet positively known upon what grounds the case was reversed, in favor of the city.
It is claimed, though, how any one should know is a mystery, that the court declared that the council had no power to make the contract which the Wiley Co. claims. As it is, the case is won, and every citizen who hears the news of the reversal last night felt jubilant.
The Grand Haven Water Works, or the Wiley Co., as it is better known, erected a plant and laid their mains in this city about ten years ago. At present the works have about 350 water takers. The works has been a great bone of contention in city government ever since it has been in the city, and it will be a relief to know that the great legal war is ended.
Negotiations were entered into between the city and S. L. Wiley in regard to putting in a water system early in 1883. In October of that year the common council instructed the mayor and recorder to sign a contract in regard to the works. The company began to erect a plant and being granted several extensions of time and not being completed by Sept., 1884, the city council declared the agreement with the water company forfeited. But in November the works were completed. Things ran on until January 1885, when the works and power were tested. The proper committee of the council who viewed the test, declared that the works were in all respects inadequate to the city for the purpose contemplated. No further test was had and the city never accepted the work.
In 1887 the city began the extension of its own work. The Wiley Co attempted to prevent the extension and brought suit, and the case finally reached the United States Supreme Court and was dismissed a few months ago. It had first been heard in front of Judge Severns of Grand Rapids.
In the brief for the city presented in Supreme Court, was a passage declaring the city has claimed that it was not bound to take water from the Wiley Co. because the contract was not valid and because, if it had been valid, had not been performed according to terms.
In Mayor Cutler’s administration suit was brought between the city and the Wiley Co., and it has been followed up by the later administrations. Tried before Judge Jenkins, that jurist dealt the city a temporary defeat by dismissing the case. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court and the great amount of testimony another matter taken before that body for consideration cannot be conceived.
The case was heard in the State’s highest court last fall and after long weeks of suspense, it was not until yesterday that a decision was handed down, reversing the previous decision of Judge Jenkins.
What the Water Works Co., will do now can only be surmised The decision of the Michigan Supreme judges is final and no further appeal can be made.
The defense had for its attorney such an eminent lawyer as Judge A. Howell who was assisted by George McBride. W. I. Lillie as city attorney and Geo. A. Farr of counsel, looked after the city’s interest before Supreme Court, and events prove they did well.
It is said that $2,000,000 has been made out of a single brand of chewing gum. It is not all used by children and foolish women. Dentists often recommend chewing gum for the teeth, and physicians prescribe it sometimes as an aid to digestion, because it excites the activity of the salivary glands.
Who said there would be no ice this winter, hey?
The steamers Reid and Chicora are fast in the ice off St. Joe.
Grand Haven should make a strong bid for the 1895 state G. A. R. encampment. Ionia is after it.
Fred Jonker, H. Jonker and Fred Gronevelt bagged 36 rabbits in a rabbit hunt yesterday.
John Lyle was sent to jail for seven days and John Lee for six days for drunkenness by Justice Pagelson this morning.
The ice in the river is so thick that it could bear a person up, to walk across the river from the D. & M. dock.
A cement walk will be laid around Capt. Loutit’s property on Washington and Fourth Sts next spring. A. E. Brown of Muskegon has the contract.
The decision of the Supreme Court proves that the city government was wise in extending its own water system, and that the advocates of that plan used the best of judgment. On April 29, 1886 while Jos. O’Brien was Mayor, a resolution was brought up in council urging the city to extend its water works. At the next meeting, May 18, Mayor O’Brien vetoed the resolution. Ald. Safford moved to pass the aforesaid resolution, the veto of the Mayor to the contrary notwithstanding. The motion was defeated by the following vote: Ayes, Koeltz, Gallmeyer, Safford. Nays, Hoskins, McMillan, Jackson, DeSpelder. As will be seen by the vote, Ald. Koeltz, is the only man living in the city now, who was an alderman at that time, in favor of the measure. That gentleman is a councilman today and has been most of the years since “86.” During that time he has been an earnest advocate of city water extension and a co-laborer, with that end in view, with Ex-mayor Kirby. In 1887 the first money was expended in the extension, a sum of $10,000.
The G. A. R. ball at the Opera House last night closed the dance season for 1894. It was a fitting finale and one of the most popular dances of the year. The old :Vets” and their ladies proved to be as lively and as graceful as the hundreds of young people who tripped the light fantastic. The Opera House was beautifully decorated with flags and bunting. Corps and battle flags to the number of about thirty were also hung in the hall. The proceeds were gratifying and the ball was a success in every way.
Imported Birds from Germany.
Peter Kooiman has received a fine lot of Canary birds, such as German warblers, Saint Andresberg Rollers, Gold Finches, etc., etc., and can be bought at reasonable prices at his residence on Futon street.
The Roanoke is still in the ice about five miles from port. Two of the crew and three of the passengers waked ashore today. All on the boat are well and the vessel has plenty of fuel and provisions.
Fred Engle of this city, succeeded in closing a contract yesterday with Captain Loutit of Grand Haven for slating the roof of a handsome new residence to be erected in the Sand Hill City immediately and also for the copper work to be done on it. The residence is to be as fine as there is in Western Michigan and will be built of pressed brick and stone.—Muskegon News.
According to the report of the jail inspectors, 157 prisoners have been confined in the county jail in the past six months. The crimes for which they were imprisoned are enumerated as follows, drunk 108, disorderly 80, larceny 7, grand larceny 1, man slaughter 1, violation of game law 1, indecent exposure 1, illegal fishing 2, removing property held under contract 1, aiding prisoners to escape 1, insane 1, burglary 4, conveying saws into jail, assault and battery 3. Of this number all were males with the exception of one. Of the prisoners now in jail awaiting trail, Henry Sickman has been in 40 days, John Stanton 18 and F. Thompson 3.
A German daily paper is now published in Grand Rapids.
Speaking of Indian names in this vicinity the Montague Observer says, White Lake in its earliest days was known by the Indian name Webeshane-Bish, translated which means White Water. Our beautiful Nahant which will soon spring into renown now that the owners have consented to sell cottage grounds, is an Indian word meaning “at the point.”
A Challenge.
In behalf of Al Zimmerman of Chicago I challenge Billy Andres of this city for a match at wrestling, best 3 in 5. Two falls Greco Roman, 2 falls catch as catch can and toss for the odd style. If he accepts this I will meet him and fix all arrangements.
PETER HAGAN.
SUPREME COURT.
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The City of Grand Haven vs. The Grand Haven Water Works.
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Filed Feb. 20, 1894
Long, Jus.—The defendant is a corporation organized under the provisions of chapter 84 of How. Dis.
On April 1, 1883, the city of Grand Haven owned a small system of water works consisting of a pump house, pumps, wells and one-half to three-quarter miles of wooden piping. These works were inadequate for supplying the city and its inhabitants with water for fire and domestic purposes, and a more extensive system was thought to be needed, and on April 12, 1883, the following resolution was passed by the council, pursuant to the provisions of sec. 3110, chapt. 84, How. Sta:
[The remainder of this lengthy article containing the legal proceedings of the Grand Haven vs. Wiley Water Works (Grand Haven Water Works) can be seen in this issue on microfilm at the Loutit Library.]
If George Washington had lived he would have been 162 years old yesterday.
Magnificent displays of the aurora borealis were witnessed all over the country last night.
Prophet Foster says March will be a stormy month.
Postmaster Baar has had a storm shed built and placed in front of the post office.
A log train passed through here over the C. & W. M. the other day that consisted of nearly 40 cars.
A number of venturesome lads walked over the ice field to the Roanoke yesterday.
The decision of the Supreme Court in the water works case removes a great blight from Grand Haven.
The temperature this morning was colder than it was at any time last winter.
Fred Albers leads the services in the Y. M. C. A. tomorrow. His topic will be: “Gaining a World and Losing a Soul.”
Why not revive our Improvement Board of two summers ago and have some tall hustling done for Grand Haven.
Boys are siding down the hills along the lake shore with stave sleds.
The partition in the interior of the post office has been torn out and the new fixtures will be here shortly.
People awaking early this morning turned over this morning and took an extra cat nap and dreamed of Greenland’s icy mountains and Labrador’s frozen soil. Fact is, it was cold—bitter cold. The mercury in the thermometers started to run down last night and this morning some of the thermometers registered as low as six below zero. It was the coldest morning of the winter.
Last night, the wind, which has been from the west and northwest for over a week shifted to the northeast. And by eight o’clock the big ice field on this shore was in motion and broken up. The steamer Roanoke which has been fast in the ice for three days was released and arrived in this port about eleven o’clock. Capt. Honner also left for Milwaukee with the Wisconsin about that time. A number of the crew and passengers of the Roanoke walked ashore over the ice from the vessel yesterday. The journey was not a particularly dangerous one, but so rough that great care was required. The ice was piled up in all sorts of odd shapes, forming small mountains, valleys, rivers and gulches. All these had to be surmounted in the trip to the shore. During her imprisonment in the ice the Roanoke had a number of passengers including several ladies, also a freight cargo of 950 tons. The ice tug Thompson has been in port but made no effort to assist the Roanoke because it would have been of no avail in the closely packed ice.
Last night’s Detroit News said: “The Roanoke is stuck and is unable to get to Grand Rapids because of the ice.”
It will be a wonder if the carelessness shown by skaters will not result in a drowning accident. Yesterday a crowd of boys were seen to skate in the main channel and go as far down as the Goodrich docks. They were evidently playing a dangerous game of “stump.”
It is said that the Indians of Allendale Reservation in this county, always come home drunk after having been to Eastmanville. And it further remarked that there is only a drug store at that place where pure old “red eye” can be had. What can be the inference? Is that the way dry counties will run it?
An illustration in the patent inside of a number of weekly papers is what purports to be the steamer Roanoke in Lake Michigan, in the great storm of February 12. The vessel in the illustration has two spars, two stacks and resembles the Campania or Laconia more than she does the Roanoke.
It is becoming more a matter of doubt whether the old court house will ever be converted into a school building. There is a growing feeling that the expense of converting the building into a school would be nearly as much as an entirely new building would cost. Then too, the building would never be as good as a new building and would be in constant need of repairs.
It is said that $500,000 worth of ice has been contracted for in northern Michigan for shipment to southern Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
There are 119 sailing vessels owned in this customs district with a tonnage of 9057. Steam vessels number 176 with a tonnage of 23,244. There are also five canal boats in the district of 1048 tons. Total 300 vessels. Total tonnage 88,329. Customs districts that have more vessels registered are New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Boston, Buffalo, Huron, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Chicago, Puget Sound, Champlain, Perth Amboy and Waldoboro, Me.
We understand that Messrs. Harman and Barnes are going to build a hotel across the lake on what is known as the Savidge Park. This is a delightful place for a hotel, no more desirable a spot on the lake. It is the great resort for campers curing the resort season.
Ice is being cut in some places nearly ten inches thick.
The Antwerp Exposition will open in May.
The name “Ottawa” should be engraved over the Court House entrances.
Ed. Pennoyer is now sole proprietor of the roller skating rink in the Gray block, having purchased Wm. Wormer’s share.
As far as the eye can see, ice covers Lake Michigan. Most of it is newly formed ice but far out floating ice barges can be seen.
Sheriff Keppel left for Detroit today with Frank Thompson of Coopersville who was sentenced to three months in the Detroit House of Corrections for habitual drunkenness. Thompson had just finished a term in jail and returning to his old haunts got drunk again. His arrest followed and he was sentenced last Saturday.
The people of Ottawa county should insist that the city of Grand Haven move the city hall building off Court House square. Grand Haven is able and ought to attend to the matter immediately. Ottawa Co. did its share in ornamenting the city with one of the finest court houses in the state, and now the city is in duty bound to move the relic of by gone days off the Court House square, and give the people a chance to look at the county capital.—Zeeland Expositor.
Arrangements were made by telegraph last Saturday night between the management of the steamers Reid and Chicora of St. Joe and the big ice tug Thompson, of this port, for the latter to help the steamers out of the ice near Benton Harbor. The Thompson started for it s trip up the lake at 7 o’clock Saturday night and returned about the same hour last night, having performed its mission. Capt. Lyman had command of the ice breaker. A path was made for the imprisoned steamers at St. Joe harbor. The tugs Tramp and Sanford which had gone to the release of the steamers also became fast in the ice and the Thompson freed them.
Saturday night was almost as cold as that of Friday, the mercury going down to zero.
An old proverb says that the three last days of February are an indication of what the next three months will be.
The value of buttermilk is steadily growing in appreciation. A medical writer claims that it will sometimes cure the craving for alcohol, and that it has seemed to effect a cure in cases of Bright’s disease.
The steamers Reid and Chicora which were fast in the ice off Benton Harbor until released by the tug Thompson yesterday, were almost out of fuel and provisions and it is hard to imagine what might have happened if the Thompson had not put in her appearance.
Archbishop Ireland in a sermon at St. Paul yesterday in the cathedral of St. Paul, on “The Catholic Church in America,” said the church under the constitution had all the rights she desired and advised Catholics to ignore the enemies of the church. The opposition of any existing anti-Catholic party today would soon die out if it were not noticed.” Continuing the archbishop said: “Catholics belong to all parties, and it is well that this is the case. When American citizens vote, their basis of decision must be not the religion of a candidate, but his citizenship and his personal fitness for office. To put a man in office because he is a Catholic is wrong.”
Detroit and Ionia prisons got four boarders from this county, already this year.
The whale boat which visited this city last summer and from which the son of the manager drowned, is now on the Mississippi near New Orleans. It will return via the Mississippi and go up the Ohio.
A sister’s love and a woman’s courage was strikingly illustrated last Friday in the perilous journey of Mrs. Sabina C. Phillips from the ice bound Roanoke at Grand Haven across six miles of drifted and jagged ice to shore. Mrs. Phillips was on her way here from Milwaukee to attend her sister, Miss Lizzie Fallon, who was seriously ill.—Muskegon News.
James Hancock has returned from the National Carnation show at Indianapolis. He also attended the meeting of the Florist’s club in Chicago.
EDITOR TRIBUNE:—The city of Grand Haven is now starting out under new auspices. It has no contention. The great octopus has been removed, and we are on a smooth sailing sea, and if rightfully manned this beautiful city will have an era of prosperity that will be the envy of our sister cities. In the first place we must take a solemn obligation to never again encumber our fair city by foolishly going into untried schemes gotten up to swindle the unsuspecting. If some smooth tongued individual comes along and takes one of our city officials in tow and fills him up on cheap bug juice, and makes him believe that he is representing a water cleaner that will purify any water, even the Chicago river water, we must not buy it. The county barnyard, (I mean what is suppose to be the court house square,) is full of just such relics, and more are being added every year. We have arrived at an era where this smooth tongued individual should be given the go-by. When one of them comes along have our city recorder, (he might be made his salary that way,) take him out to the barnyard an show him the follies of past years and let him look over the books and see how extravagantly the money of our citizens has been expended on the aforesaid follies. What, for a few years ago a man furnished his team and driver, the city has, for the last several years, paid out more for the keep and repair of the horses, wagons and harness. This is one item, but I am sorry to say there are more. We must put a check on this damnable extravagance. We must demand of our officers a halt. Demand that they keep no help that hey can get along without. Demand they buy nothing that they buy nothing that they can get along without. And I believe that our municipality will have money to last instead of paying 10 per cent every year on $3,000 or $5,000 in order to carry us through till the taxes are paid.
ECONOMY.
Fine spring weather.
Big flocks of sea gulls sport on the ice in the river.
The late cold snap did not kill the fruit buds.
The thermometer went down to nine below zero in Spring Lake Saturday morning.
A fine oak stairway is being built from the bottom floor to the second story in the new court house.
Johnnie Mieras read a very able essay on “Grand Haven” to his class in the High School this morning.
The proper committee of the school board still has under advisement the matter of converting the old Court House into a school building.
T. A. Parish gave an instructive and scholarly paper on electricity, before the Woman’s Club on Saturday last. Mr. Parish surprised his friends with a thorough knowledge of electricity and its adaptability to the wants of the day. He knows more about the subtle force than his most intimate friends supposed. Where did you learn so much, and why haven’t you shown it before?
A gang of thieves or burglars seem to be plying their vocation in this city. A number of stores have been entered lately or attempts have been made to enter. One night last week Kooiman’s saloon was entered and some cigars stolen and also a quantity of whiskey, and change. The night watch discovered the door open, the thieves probably having a key.
Mr. Archie McIlhany, the piano tuner, will be in the city Wednesday. Leave orders at B. C. Mansfield’s.
An Arctic expedition with the north pole as its objective point has been quietly organized in Washington and in two weeks will start on its journey. Walter Wellman, who for some years has been a prominent newspaper correspondent there, is the projector and leader of the enterprise.
The Detroit papers say that the steamer Roanoke cannot get to Grand Rapids on account of the ice. They might have included “and also on account of thirty inches of solid earth.”—G. R. Press.
Thirty inches! Well, hardly, Mr. Marine Editor, of the Press, twelve feet would be nearer the mark. The Roanoke is not a Barrett or a Valley City.
Fatal Runaway Accident.
A terrible runaway accident occurred in the village of Spring Lake this morning, whereby Orrin McCluer received injuries which will undoubtedly result fatally. Orrin McCluer is a brother of Capt. Jay McCluer of Spring Lake.
He resides near Berlin in the village of Herrington and was returning to that town. McCluer drove a team and led behind his wagon two young horses. The rope by which he was leading them, he had very foolishly tied around his body. While still on the main street of the village, a barking dog frightened the horses. McCluer was unable to manage them and in the general stampede that followed he was pulled from the buggy.
The helpless man was dragged along the street his head and body pounding on the ground. Men at last succeeded in catching the horses, and McCluer was picked up and carried into Mulder’s store, limp and almost dead. His face and head were terribly bruised and cut. Blood was pouring from a score of ugly gashes. Dr. Brown attended the unfortunate man and dressed the wounds. Mr. McCluer is 76 years old and the nature of his injuries are such that his recovery is not probable.
MINNESOTA PINE LAND SCANDAL
REACHES THE COURTS.
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Nearly $150,000 Calimed.
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H. C. Akeley Lumber Co, of Minneapolis, a Defendant.
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Special telegram to the Chicago Inter Ocean.
St. Paul. Minn., Feb. 20.—The truth or falsity of the charges that certain big lumber companies of Minnesota and elsewhere have stolen 100,000,000 feet of pine timber from the school lands of this State will soon be known, as three suits were begun today aggregating nearly $150,000 and other suits will be begun as rapidly as the joint Legislative committees can prepare the complaints. The full amount expected to be recovered to the State is nearly $400,000. Two of the suits brought today, both against an Illinois corporation, were brought in St. Paul, and third is against a Minneapolis concern in Grand Rapids, Itasca County.
[This article can be seen in its entirety on microfilm at the Loutit Library.]
John T. Hiler Again.
The following interesting news appeared in yesterday’s Chicago Herlad under the heading “Meets, woes and weds in a day.” Bloomington, Ill., Feb. 25.—A particularly speedy marriage took pace in this city yesterday. The groom was John Hiler, who represents a Chicago music house, and the bride Grace Washburn, daughter of Mrs. Adrienne Washburn, of this city. Friday afternoon he met Miss Washburn for the first time. The meeting was by accident. It was a case of love at first sight. Hiler was invited to call that evening. He did so, and before he took his departure proposed marriage. The proposal was accepted and they were married next day at noon at the parsonage of the Second Presbyterian church. Hiler’s home is at Grand Haven, Mich.” John is a Grand Havenite and has given the city more or less notoriety by his escapades for several years. One of his propensities is to get into romantic scrapes and in the newspapers. This is his second marriage as far as known. His first wife secured a divorce from him and is now living near Kalamazoo.
Something over a year ago John became intimate with a pretty young woman in Toledo, Ohio. The flirtation was carried on until the enraged husband publicly horse whipped Hiler. The Detroit Sun and papers of that ilk made great stock of the affair and some of them pictured out the horse whipping. Hiler is a musician and a composer of no mean ability he claims. When here he stated that some of the big Opera companies were using his productions. John carried with him a pocket full of newspaper clippings commending his ability and telling about his many adventures. A Sheboygan, Wisconsin paper stated that John had left many aching hearts behind when he left that town.
John it seems became enamored of one of the society young ladies of that town and was on the verge of wedding, when something turned up, and the mask unveiled and John hastily left. The papers of that region, calling him a heart breaker, etc., etc.
The latest romance in Hiler’s life will cause no surprise in Grand Haven.
There are within the boundaries of Michigan 6,000 Indians, including 2,000 Indian school children.
Kingman, Kan., is a moral town. It is a misdemeanor, punished by both imprisonment and fine, for a resident to allow his chickens to trespass on his neighbor’s property; it is also unlawful for minors to be on the street after 8 o’clock in the evening unless a satisfactory excuse for their presence can be offered.
The Challenge Corn Planter factory is now running full force and employing about 250 men.
Chicago is threatened by a serious water famine because of ice in the lake.
The Wisconsin started for Milwaukee yesterday afternoon, but turned back on account of the ice; leaving again at 7 o’clock. The Roanoke arrived this morning with a good load and about 20 passengers.
Although the building prospects are not as good as they were at this season last year, still a number of fine residences will be put up the coming spring and summer. Capt. Loutit is to build a residence corner of Washington and Fourth streets, D. Baker will put up a house on Franklin street and Wm Mieras will also build a fine residence on that street.
Hard times in the North are nearly over.
The fog lifted at ten o’clock this morning giving us a bright, sunshiny, spring day.
Ice is going fast and a day or two of this weather will knock it out entirely.
A society known as the Hollanders Pioneer Society of the Grand River Valley will be organized at Grand Rapids.
Ellen Le Garde in “Cycling for Ladies” says: “One of the primary values of bicycling for young and older women is that it is not necessarily a severe exercise. Its measure of physical profit and enjoyment cannot be gauged by the rider’s own common sense.”
Grand Haven claims the best harbor on the east shore of Lake Michigan, the largest fisheries on the lakes, the healthiest climate in the U. S., manufacturing facilities unequalled, the only glass factory in Michigan, the second greatest celery region in the Union, a superb summer resort and plenty of room for more business places and manufacturing institutions.
Orrin McCluer who was so terribly injured in a runaway accident at Spring Lake yesterday is still alive, but there is very little hope for his permanent recovery. Mr. McCluer move to Spring Lake from Herrington a few days ago to make that village his home. His son has been telegraphed for.
There are only three men living in Grand Haven who served in the U.S. Navy during the Rebellion. They are O. J. Parker, Wm. VandenBerg and Ahira Scott. The late Capt. Webber also served in the navy. Mr. VandenBerg enlisted in the 1st Michigan Mechanics and Engineers, but upon the order to have all sailors by occupation go into the navy, he joined that branch of the service. He served on the U. S. vessel Chickasaw, one of the fleet operating in Mobile Bay.
The sea gulls were hovering over the river near Pearl street yesterday and their with spreading wings and graceful movements in the air and water were admired. The gulls apparently strayed from Lake Michigan. It is rare that they are seen here.—G. R. Press.
Our Water Supply.
Citizens are now wondering how our water works affairs will end. The city has defeated the Wiley Co. Will the defeat compel the works to shut down? The city’s well is capable of supplying all the household needs, but in case of fire would soon run dry and it would be necessary to go to the river. All know what the result would be if this became necessary. Refuse and filth from the river would be left in the mains and it would be weeks before the water would be fit for drinking purposes. This was the case last year and there were fears for a time, that the foul water would cause an epidemic. The most difficult phase in the local water problem is yet to be solved. A number of citizens are in favor of sinking another well near the present city pump house, which would give an ample supply of water for all purposes. Others are in favor of purchasing the Wiley plant or at least work in conjunction with those works. Still others believe that the only way Grand Haven can get good water would be to go to Lake Michigan. The campaign the coming spring will undoubtedly bring on this question.