Grand Traverse Herald Newspaper

Tidbits  of 1861 - 1868 - 1869

Traverse City, Grand Traverse, Michigan

Newaygo and Northport State Road--Hon Perry Hannah, the Commissioner of this road, returned Monday from a tour of Exploration and Examination on the line of the road.  The contractors are at work 40 miles North of Newaygo, and there is some hope of getting through to Traverse City next fall; at all events as far as Monroe's, fifteen miles south of us.  The Manistee will be bridged immediately.  The mosquitoes, gnats, and black flies are so troublesome in the woods, that it is difficult to get laborers during the hot summer months.

2 Aug 1861 Friday

Three Boys Drowned--Another heart-rending event occurred in our village on Monday last.  At noon that day, Sedgwick Stevens, a bright, intelligent lad of eleven years, the brother of Mrs. Oscar A Stevens of this place and son of Gen. Hester L. Stevens of Washington City, (formerly Representative in Congress from this District.) in company with two sons of Michael Green the man whose leg was recently broke in the saw mill of Hannah, Lay & Co., and who was sent to Chicago on the last trip of the Propeller to receive surgical aid, went to the Bay at the mouth of the Boardman River to bathe. 

No one saw them except a little son of James K. Gunton, and it was he who first gave the alarm.  At this place where they went into the water (confluence of the River with the Bay) there is a strong under-current, which, as they were inexperienced swimmers, must have drawn them under at once.  As they disappeared, the little son of Mr. Gunton ran to his father's house and gave the alarm. 

His father hastened to the spot, but the boys had sunk for the last time and it was impossible to ascertain their locality without a boat.  A canoe was procured at an Indian camp in the vicinity, but as it contained no oar or paddle, some time was unavoidably lost in propelling it to the scene of disaster with a piece of board. 

Mr. Gunton found the bodies lying on the bottom in about seven feet of water, and rescued them all as soon as possible, but every sign of life was gone.  When we reached the spot, Mr. Gunton, his mother-in-law, and several other persons were engaged in rubbing the bodies, and using all the restorative means within their knowledge and power; and their efforts were continued without debatement until Dr. Goodale, who was early on the ground, declared there was no hope.

An inquest was held on the bodies by Justice Goodale, and the jury
returned a verdict of accidental drowning.

No death records in Grand Traverse County or the webpage GenDis for any of the children

Aug 1861

 Brook Trout --Last Friday, Lewis Miller, Esq., came into our office and laid upon
our table a live brook trout, one of the genuine speckled fellows, which had just been taken out of the Boardman River, near the Gunton House, nineteen inches  long, and weighing nearly 3 pounds.  We dined that day.

1861... DATE NEEDED...Volunteers from Grand Traverse-

-Fifteen or twenty
of our best citizens have volunteered for the war within
the past 10 days, and have gone to fight the battles
of their country.  Five as stalwart and boble
hearted young men as ever shouldered a musket,
left here on Friday evening to join Captain Bustard's Chicao Light
Infantry.  Their names are -

Martin A. Hopper
Andrew McKillip
Isaac Winnie
James Nicholson
James Fitzpatrick

They had long been in the employ of Hannah,
Lay & CO.  here and on settling with them, Mr.
Hannah made each a ? ? ?,
and told them that if they were ever in distress, or in need of
foods, to draw on him at ? and their drafts would be honored.

Among ??  whose names we have not learned are
Wm E Sykes
Sheriff of the ? Samuel A. McClelland
E. ? B..
Lewis S..
Frank May
Aaron Page ? of Northport
O? Evans of Whitewater
Thomas Lee ? of Centerville


get the newspaper for the rest of this article.. see if it readable

1 Nov 1861 

Letter Arrives--The following extract of a private letter from William E. Sykes addressed to
Theron Bostwick, of this city -- dated Washington City, Oct 13 --

"There are about 400,000 men on both sides of the Potomac; we are ordered to keep our horses harnassed and saddled day and night, to be ready at a moment's warning; we heard heavy guns last night, and had orders to march across the river; but, before we had our cannon ready, the firing ceased, and the order was countermanded.  We remain in camp--expecting a call every moment."

Mr. Sykes was elected last fall Sheriff of this County; he enlisted in Company C, Chicago Light Artillery, commanded by Captain Bustud, of which Company he is now 2nd Lieutenant.  He has seen service before, and having an ardent desire for the liberty and welfare of his country, he is patronizing it again. If the Army of the Potomac was in a line, marching four abreast, and accompanied with wagons, ambulances and ammunitions trains, it would
extend one hundred and fifty miles.

17 Jan 1868

Horse Killed-- Perkins, of Long Lake, some time since, dug a well on his premises, and failing to get water, partially filled and covered the same.  On Saturday laat Mr. A. Adsit rode on horseback directly overly over the well.  The horse fell in and was killed, Mr. Adsit fortunately escaped without injury.

The Dedication:--The new Congregational Church was dedicated on Sunday last.  The day, though cold, was not unpleasant, and there was a large audience present.  The Sermon was preached by Rev. R. Hatch, the Pastor of the Church.  It was unanimous testimony of these present that was one of the very ablest sermon ever preached in Traverse City.  So well were they pleased with it that a copy was requested for this publication.  It will appear in the Herald next week.  (Article is on front page and page 2  of Jan 24th issue of Grand Traverse Herald)

Rev. L. Warren, of Elk Rapids, preached an acceptable discourse to a large audience in the evening.

At the close of the morning service the building committee, reported the entire cost of the church, as completed and furnished, at $5,723, of which amount $3,823 had been paid, leaving #1, ... to be provided for.  An appeal was made to the audience for help, and raised in $1,184 less then thirty minutes..  In view of what our citizens have done during the past summer this response was more than generous that the most sanguine had reason to expect.  We do not hesitate to say, that no place in the State, with a population no larger than Traverse City, ever did as much in one year, by way of church building, as our people have done during the past season.

Two neat, comfortable and commodious churches have been built.  One of them is free from debt, and the other only $700 in arrears.

24 Jan 1868

The snow is about two feet deep in the woods.  The weather has been quite mild for some time past.  There is not ice yet in the Bay and probably will be none unless we have colder weather that has generally prevailed so far.

Admitted: At the recent term of our Circuit Court, Fredrick Brow, of Traverse City and W. J. Young, of Benzonia, were examined and admitted to practice in the courts of this state.  Mr. Brown, during his brief residence among us, has impressed our citizens favorably.  Of Mr. Young we know nothing.  But he lives among honest people, which is a good indication.  Both passed creditable examinations.

Real Estate Sales-- Enoch Wait has sold forty acres of land, with little or no improvement, near Old Mission, to Mr. George Parmalee for $700.

John R. Starr has sold his farm of 120 acres, about two miles from Old Mission, to Mr. Drake Tompkins for $800.

Accident -- Homer Gore of Old Mission, while chopping a tree on Monday, of last week, was struck by a falling limb and rendered senseless.  When last heard from he was in critical condition.

31 Jan 1868-Pages in many newspapers are unreadable.

Died: At the Mansion House, Traverse City, January 24, 1968, Mr. Jacob Hess aged 64 years.  ?
Death record gives the death as: HESS, JACOB 01-24-1868
The Oakwood Cemetery headstone gives death date as 18Jan1867

Birthdate ? check source: 12Mar1804

7 Feb 1868

Sudden Death: We are pained to learn that Mrs. Henry H. Noble died very suddenly at Elk Rapids, on Tuesday the 4th inst.

No lady in all this region would be more generally or sadly missed, or more sincerely mourned.  The poor, the sick, and the suffering have lost a friend whose place will not soon be filled.  The bereaved family will have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.

Northport Harbor froze over on the night of the 26th inst.

Married February 2nd 1868 in the town of Kasson, by C. W. Williams, Esq., Mr. W. W. Weller to Miss Irena H. Palmer both of Almira, Michigan.

Died At Traverse City, Jan 29th, 1868, Louisa Maria, wife of S. Edwin Wait, aged 32 years, 6 months and 2 days.

Mrs. Wait was born at Lewisburgh, Preble County, Ohio, July 27th, 1835.  About thirteen years ago she removed to Old Mission, in this county, where she  was married April 8th, 1858.

October 29th, 1865 she united with the Congregational Church at Elk Rapids, where she continued until a little over a year since, when she removed to Traverse City.

Mrs. Wait's residence among us has been brief, but it has been long enough for her to make friends that sincerely mourn her loss.

A home is left desolate, a husband and two children-one an infant only a few months old-are bereft of the nearest and dearest, and most affectionate of earthly friends.  But they are not as those that mourn without home.  Let them find consolation in the thought that their loss is her gain.

Go to shine before his throne
Deck His mediatorial crown;
Go, His triumph to adorn.
Born of God--to God return

14 February 1868

Ice in Grand Traverse Bay--Ice had been gradually extending out from the shores of the Bay until the 9th inst., when it was frozen as far as the eye can reach.

The Ice Record for the past nine years, as we glean it from back volumes of the HERALD, is as follows:

In 1859, Bay froze out but four or five miles, ice went out March 12th
1860, froze Feb 17th, went out March 3rd
1861, froze Jan 22nd, went out March 20th
1862, froze Feb 15th, went out April 14th
1863, no ice
1864, froze Feb 16th, went out April 25th
     The ice broke up earlier but was kept in the Bay a long time by northerly  winds.
1865, froze Jan 17th, went out April 6th
1866, froze Jan 25th, went out April 20th
1867, froze Jan 29th, went out April 14th

Announcing:  Mr. Mis-quah-wah-bow-you is engaged to Mis-quah-wah-quet-o-qua, daughter of Ne be-nah-ah-nah-quot-way-be, the mighty hunter; Mr. Mah kah-da-wah-bo-yon to the dark eyed Miss Mah-kah-da-qua ; Mr. Ah-ne-ne-way-bo-yon to the belle of the forest Miss Ah-qua-wah-(???); and Mr. Kish-ke ne je-ka-jah shin to the ??? we-nauch Miss Ah qua-ke-che-won-o-qua.

The "game of life" is very like a game of cards--time deals, death cuts, and every body is waiting for the last trump.

28 February 1868

Mr. H. D. Campbell, of Silver Lake, informs us that Mr. Copley, of Wexford, raised six acres of wheat which averaged thirty-two bushels per acre.  Who says wheat growing doesn't pay.

Shoe Macs--H. R. Hulburd is selling them at eighty cents per pair.  We wouldn't be much surprised should he commence to give them away soon. (Typist note: Mr. Hulburd's  was a Grocery and Provisions store)

Assault with Intent to Kill-- on Saturday the 15th inst., one Lorenzo McPherson was brought before Justice Flanagin, of Banks Township, Antrim County, on the above charge.  The trail was concluded on Monday, the 17th, and was very largely attended.  The facts proved were that the said McPherson, with violent threats and oaths, had flourished an axe as if to strike Mr. Cyrenius Powers, Supervisor of Torch Lake Township.  McPherson gave bonds in the sum of $400 to appear at the next term of Circuit Court for Antrim County.

Boy Drowned at Elk Rapids--Thursday morning, the 20th inst., a Swiss lad, nine years of age, named Karl August Keiser, going to the river for water with a handsled and was-tub, slipped down the icy bank into the deep and rapid stream and was carried out into the eBay and under the ice before the alarm was given.  Only a younger brother of the boy witnessed the accident.  Most of the day was spent in an ineffectual search for the body, by cuttings holes through the ice dragging a net under it.  The tub was discovered several rods under the ice, but neither the sled nor the body of the boy were found.  The great thickness of the ice--about fifteen inches--rendered the search extremely difficult.

6 March 1868

School House Burned-Almost--On the morning of the 28th ult., the log school house on the farm of Mr. Davis, near Hoxie's Mills in East Bay Township, was discovered on fire.  The fire was in and under the floor and was extinguished with difficulty.  The floor was destroyed and some of the desks injured in being torn up to get at the fire.

Sudden Death at Northport--Hon. Orlando Moffatt died very suddenly at his residence at Northport on the 20th of February.  Our acquaintance with Mr. Moffatt commenced in 1849 when he was serving as a member of the House of Representative from Calhoun County.  We have known little of him since until we both found a home in Traverse country.

Mr. Moffatt was last spring elected Superintendent of Schools for Leelanaw Co., and was at the time of his decease, engaged in teaching the village school at Northport.

He was a man that secured the esteem and respect of all who knew him.  He will be greatly missed in the community where he resided.

MARRIED-On the 23rd ult., at the residence of C. H. Marsh, Esq., Silver Lake, by the Rev. A. P. Mead, of Jackson.  Mr. Richard Huffman, of Silver Lake, to Miss Olivia C. Marsh of Jackson.

At Peninsula, on Sunday evening, February 23rd at the house of the bride's father, by Curtis Fowler, Jr., Esq.  Mr. John Reed and Miss Nancy E. Warren.

DIED-At Northport, Leelanaw County, Michigan, February 20th, 1868.  Hon. Orlando Moffatt age 60 years.

13 March 1868

New Post Office --Another Post Office, to be called Cedar Run, has been established in the Township of Aalmira, and Mrs. Eliza Willoughby appointed Post Mistress

Real Estate Sales--Myron Chandler has sold forty acres of wild land to Mr. Montague for $500 and Mr. Christopher forty acres to Francis Wait for $150, both parcels are near Old Mission.

Death of Miss Hannah More-- Mr. Editor--Dear Sir, --it is well known to your readers that Miss Hannah More has been visiting with me since last summer.  She spent a Sabbath in Traverse, and talked to the Sunday School.  She has remained here hoping to leave in the spring, but some weeks since was attacked with illness, what the Doctor called "Congestion of the Stomach"-- She suffered much, and died on Monday, March 2nd.  Her funeral at my house was generally attended by all classes, and she was buried in Concord burying ground, on the east side of Carp Lake.

Miss More has been a missionary nearly 20 years of her life--the last nine years in Africa.  She was always full of active labors, and her loss will be mourned by many; but she felt to die was gain"  She longed to die and go home to rest, saying repeatedly 'To depart and be with Christ is far better;" from which words her funeral sermon was preached.

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord"

"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like His," but that we may so died God help us to live the life of the righteous.

Yours Truly, Geo Thompson, Leland, Michigan (Eagle please copy)

20 March 1868

GRAND CONCERT--There is to be a Concert of vocal and instrumental music at the Congregational Church on the evening of Wednesday the 25th inst., at 7 o'clock.  The proceeds of the Concert are to be applied to the purchase of an organ for the use of the Church.

Careful and thorough preparation is being made for this entertainment, and we are confident that all who attend will feel that the evening is well spent and their money well invested.

The people here have contributed liberally to the building of the two fine Churches, and we trust that liberality will continue till both houses are supplied with suitable organs.

Admittance 25 cents, reserved seats 50 cents.  Tickets can be had at Hubbell's Drugstore, at H. R. Hulburd's, and of C. A. Crawford at the store of Hannah, Lay & Co.

The Winter --The past winter has furnished an unusual number of stormy days, but only about two usual amount of snow.  The depth of snow varied in different localities from two and a half to three feet.  We know some have reported it deeper, but we are confident we state the case in accordance with the facts.  We had good sleighing for not less than one hundred days.

The weather was steadily, especially during the month of February, but we cannot learn that the mercury at any time went lower than fourteen below zero.

We believe the peach bids are uninjured, and that all fruits grown in this climate have come safely through the winter.  Can the people tow hundred miles south of us say this of their fruit trees.

At this time the snow, except in the woods, is mostly gone, and we are able to see how the wheat has fared.  We have taken some pains to inquire of farmers in reference to this matter, and are assured, from all quarters, that the fields area as green as when hidden from view by the snows of December.

The warm weather and copious rains of the past week had so softened and loosened the ice in the Bay, that the high south wind that sprung up early Tuesday morning stated it northward, and before night there lay before as a bright expanse of water stretching as far as the eye could reach.

The prospects now is for an unusually early opening of navigation.  We hope that either the Belle or the Burr??s will soon make her appearance here, as the business on the Bay & ? steamboat facilities at once.

The Alleghany Hannay, Lay & Co's Propeller, Alleghany, which last fall went into winter quarters here, is being overhauled preparatory to resuming her trips between Traverse City and Chicago.  A gang of men has been employed on her for some weeks past, and as usual in the Co.'s business a thorough job is being done.  We are assured that she will come out at the opening of navigation as good as new.

Monroe Center-- We are informed that Mr. M. S. Brownson has raised the frame of a hotel building at this place.  He expects to have it in running order in about six weeks.  The house is to be kept on strict temperance principles.

Died --In the township of Peninsula, March 5, 1868, Mrs. Eliza C. Wormer, daughter of Charles and Margaret Soper, age 19 years 11 months 21 days.

20 March 1868

In the town of Elmwood, March 24th, y C. W. William, Esq., Mr Benjamin Dyball, of Kasson, to Miss Mary Hewitt, of Elmwood, all of Leelanau County, Michigan.

March 26th, at the residence of Mr. Bitnor, by Rev. R. Hatch, Mr. Frances Campbell and Miss Julia Bitnor, both of Traverse City, Michigan.

27 March 1868

Lecture at the Scofield School House--The editor of the Herald will speak at the Scofield School House, in Whitewater, on the evening of Thursday, April 2nd at 7 o'clock P.M.  Subject: The New Constitution.  The public are invited to attend.

The Concert: The concert at the Congregational Church on Wednesday evening was a most complete success both artistically and financially.  The audience was the largest and happiest ever called together by any similar entertainment in this village.  For two full houses the ? in the exercises was kept up, and everybody was sorry when the end came.  The gross reciepts were seventy-five dollars.  The Choir, and all others interested in procuring an organ for the Church, return their sincere thanks for the liberal patronage bestowed.

Morgan Bates, Esq.--is one of the delegates appointed by the Stat Convention to attend the National Republican Convention at Chicago.

In The Ice:  Rev. Leroy Warren, on Monday last, was on his way from Antrim City to Elk Rapids on the ice of the Bay, and when about opposite Brownstown his horse broke through.  With the assistance of some men engaged in drawing wood near the beach Mr. W. succeeded in getting the horse out safely, but not without losing a part of the harness.

April 12th 1868

Accident-S. Rushmore, of Old Mission, of Old Mission, while on his way to this village on Friday last, was through from his wagon and had and arm broken, and was otherwise somewhat, though not seriously, injured.  He was able to return home on Sunday.

Messrs, Hannah, Lay & Co. started their Sawmill on Monday the 25 ult.  G. W. Bryant's Mill was started a few days previous.  Messrs. Mitchell & Mahan have been running their Mill at the head of East Bay for some week past.

Raspberry Plants--Mr. Archer, of Old Mission, advertises the improved black cap raspberry in this week's paper.  We know from experience that no fruit pays better then raspberry.  It bears bountiful crops every year of a delicious fruit as one could desire.  The people of this and adjoining counties ought to buy every one of Mr. A's plants this spring.  Tey could not make a better investment.  It is cheaper to raise these berries in the garden than to gather wild ones in the woods.

The Foundry-- Work is progressing on the new Foundry of Messrs. Broadfoot & Travis--The location chosen is on the Silver Lake road, some 30 rods south of the new bridge.  It is a little out of town now but will not long remain so.

Midland City, Houghton Lake and Grand Traverse Bay State Road-- O. L. Noble, Esq., writes us that his contract for building the Western Division of this road, extending from Traverse City to Houghton Lake, has been approved by State Commissioner, Curtis...

Mr. Wm. Wheatly, the actor and theatrical manager has sold out his interest in Nilo's Theatre to Jarrett & Palmer, his partners, for $100,000.  He intends to retire from business altogether.

15 May 1868

MARRIED-- At the residence of the bride's father, by Anthony D. Brady, Edq., on Thursday, Mayth 7th 1868, Josiah M. D. Ulrich, to Miss Emmaretta J. Shoares, all of Marion, Emmet County, Michigan.

22 May 1868

Miss Ada K. Sprague --has just returned with a complete stock of millinery goods which she is offering at prices that will doubtless prove satisfactory.

Elk Rapids Items-- We learn from the Eagle that Petre Lois?, a German in the employ of Messrs Dexter & Noble, Elk Rapids, attempted to commit  ? last Monday evening? by cutting his throat with a razor.  He succeeded in cutting a hole in his windpipe ... to reach the jugular vein.

note: newspaper to light to read

MARRIED--May 12th 1868, at the residence of the bride's father, in Old Mission, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, by Wm H. Franklin, Esq., Mr. Richard Fox, of Elk Rapids, Michigan to Miss Emily B. Swaney.

May 29, 1868

L. W. Hubbell & CO.-- have put up a first class soda fountain in their store.--All who love a pleasant, cooling, harmless beverage can now be accommodated at the Traverse City Drug Store.

Boardman Avenue--O. L. Noble, Esq., has the thanks of the residents on Boardman Avenue for removing the stumps from the same the whole width of the street, 100 feet, from Front street to Washington street.  His contract required the grubbing only 30 feet in the centre of the avenue.

DO>>>

From Northport--Boy Shot - A Sad Accident Occurred Here Saturday, Dec 12, P. M.  

A little boy aged 8 years son of Thomas Retford was shot by a playmate aged 9 years.
The accident occurred at the house of Mr. Retford.  The parents of the children were absent attending the wedding of an older son of Mr.  Retford.  The children were cousins.  A coroner's jury presided over by Justice Smith rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts.

Seeing as the boy was not named I did a bit of checking and found:

Robert age 12 b. MI; Lydia age 14 b. MI; Robert age 12 b. MI; Joseph age 8 b. MI; Sarah age 4 b. MI; ; ary age 2 b. MI; ; Thomas age 8/12 b. MI.; The 1880 has Thomas and Sarah A in Leelanaw county, with Joseph age 18; Sarah L. age 14 ; Mary E. age 12; Emily J. age 6' William H. age 8

Note: Although we find no one named Retford in Leelanau or Grand Traverse death records.. Thomas Retfod did buy land in Traverse City, 1st of May 1861 and he was here long enough to have all of his children here.  In, MHO, the child that drowned is probably Thomas age 8/12 as he appears to be the only one from the 1870 census not on the 1880 besides Robert and he could be living on his own at 22 same with Lydia. 

Dec 1869

Huldah A Hulburd - Dies Dec 1869--Huldah Adelaide Hulburd d. 2 1869 Dec 2pm
after a short illness.  Wife of E. W. and 41 years..  

Note:  death record says Hulda