From the Museum's Archives is a weekly section of local history columns written by the Manistee County Historical Museum.
The following news items are reprinted from the Manistee Daily News 100 years ago and are compiled by Teena Kracht from the newspaper archives of the Manistee County Historical Museum.
“Instant death resulted yesterday afternoon from electrocution of Albert Miehlke, Monroe Street, fireman at the American Woodenware factory, while working inside the boiler at the plant, which was shut down yesterday to allow some repair work to be done.
“The accident occurred at about 4 o’clock while Mr. Miehlke was replacing some bars in the grates of the boiler. An electric light cord had been extended into the boiler for lighting purposes and while handling one of the bars, Mr. Miehlke touched the socket, electrified by the wire in the button from which some of the rubber had been worn, causing the current to pass through his body ...
“Mr. Miehlke was 52 years old and had been a resident of Manistee since his boyhood, coming here at the age of 12 from Germany ...
“He is survived by a widow and three children ... also three brothers ... and four sisters ... .
“RUTLAND, Vt., Sept. 8. — Before a crowd of 30,000 assembled at the Rutland fair grounds yesterday afternoon a ‘flying circus’ staged with airplanes and balloons was turned into a tragedy, four participants meeting death. An airplane crashed from a height of 2,000 feet, carrying to their deaths the pilot, mechanician, and a passenger. A few hours later an aeronaut leaping from a balloon, 1,500 feet in the air, was killed when his parachute failed to open ... .
“BENZONIA, Sept.. 8. — Benzie county has a veteran of the civil war in the person of L. P. Judson of this village who recently won prizes both at Frankfort and Traverse City for being the most elderly man driving a Ford car in the Ford Day parades. He is 83 years of age and drove home from California last spring, it being his third drive to the coast and return with a Ford touring car.
See the full 100 Years Ago section at manisteenews.com
“ANNOUNCING Our Complete Line of IMPORTED JAPANESE AND CHINESE ART GOODS AND NOVELTIES. Unique artistic gifts for all occasions. Oriental Gift Shop. 426 River St..
“Even firemen’s homes are liable to catch afire, as was shown this morning at 10:05 when the fire department was called to the home at 291 First Ave., of Fred Bennett, a member of the fire department, to extinguish a blaze which had started in a bedroom.
“The fire is thought to have started from spontaneous combustion and before it could be checked had done about $100 damage to the walls and floor of the room ... .
“Nearly an inch of rain was added last night to what fell the previous night. As before, the rain was accompanied by a thunderstorm.
“One of the crashing bolts struck the home of Herman Vorphal, 231 Second avenue. It entered the chimney, tore through the stovepipe and stove and caused considerable confusion in the room. Members of the family who sat nearby were unharmed. The globe of a chandelier was removed from its fastenings by the bolt and was carried to the corner of another room without breaking.
“More rain tonight is forecasted.
“Here’s a good laugh for Manistee baseball fans.
“Cadillac Acmes and Frankfort, having won two games from each other this season, now are scheduled for a contest in Cadillac next Tuesday for ‘the championship of Northwestern Michigan.’
“Where do they get that stuff? Last time Manistee played Cadillac Acmes here on June 18, the visitors were decisively beaten 8 to 1. Since that date the Cadillac outfit has steadfastly refused any more games with Manistee, scouring the woods for inferior teams to bolster up their records.
“The Frankfort team has never been considered in the same class as Manistee’s diamond representatives, and during the season Manistee has defeated a number of teams which have trimmed Frankfort.
“The coming game at Cadillac may be for the championship of Cadillac and Frankfort, alright, but it doesn’t extend any farther. Traverse City Independents has as good, if not a better record, than Cadillac Acmes, and Manistee has a better record than either, by virtue of which it claims the independent championship of this section, and which it stands ready to defend against Cadillac or any other contender ... .
“Only 15 days until autumn arrives.
“A dance hall in a neighboring city advertises ‘ladies 10 cents, gentlemen 20 cents.’ That’s making a couple look like 30 cents.
“Nice showers we had after the rain.
“Many politicians may not be very broad-minded, but they are able to straddle tremendous distances.
“As Noah Heap puts it: There are two ways of judging a man–by what he stands for and by what he falls for.
“Gatherers of elderberries report big harvests. Elderberries are in larger demand now than in pre-Volstead days.
“We learn as the years pass. Air has always been free, but we couldn’t appreciate it until pneumatic tires were invented.
“We Saw–A boy who said he was glad school had opened because he was tired of having nothing to do. A pedestrian who gazed both ways before crossing River Street. A flapper who was not looking at herself in a mirror.
“Enjoy Books and Sept.ember together. These are the books you will find will be talked about so read them and be prepared. ‘THIS FREEDOM’ By A. S. M. Hutchinson, Author of ‘If Winter Comes.’ ‘THE SHADOW OF THE EAST’ By E. M. Hull, Author of ‘The Sheik.’ ‘CERTAIN PEOPLE OF IMPORTANCE’ By Kathleen Norris. ‘THE BREAKING POINT’ By Mary Roberts Rinehart, Needs no introduction. ‘THE GLIMPSES OF THE MOON’ By Edith Wharton, Author of ‘Age of Innocence.’ ‘THE COUNTRY BEYOND’ by James Oliver Curwood. LYMAN’S.
“ ... The News-Advocate believes that it is a newspaper produced in a plant which is a credit to the entire state ... The News-Advocate believes in its field; believes in its army of friends and believes in the future of the entire state of Michigan ...
“Pursuant to this progressiveness, this paper today makes an announcement of vital interest to every man, woman and child in the field covered by this paper ... a source of income in the next few weeks, for spare moments ...
“ ... with (the) gigantic Salesmanship Club as outlined in another section of this issue ... we hope to reach out and add many new friends and readers to (our) already large circulation.
“The only thing that is asked in return for these innumerable large rewards is that our people interest themselves in their spare moments during the next few weeks telling their friends about the progress made by this paper, and to interest them in becoming a part of this institution, which is here to further the better interests of the entire territory ...
“Every person is invited to enter this Salesmanship Club and share in this gift distribution ... When you become a participant in the Salesmanship Club you are assured of a prize ... It costs nothing to enter ... All you have to do is fill out the ENTRY BLANK which will be found elsewhere in this issue. You can then start gathering CLUB CREDITS right away ... The Salesmanship Club will last only a few weeks ... closing Saturday, Oct. 21st ... .
“Otto Hornkohl, well known resident of Filer City and chauffeur for Miss Martha Filer, this afternoon is recovering from an accident which for a time it was thought would cost his life. The accident resulted from a dive late yesterday afternoon at First Street Beach.
“Hornkohl and a number of friends had been swimming and diving from the breakwater at quite a distance from the shore. Later they moved inshore.
“Hornkohl dove into water that he thought was fairly deep. When he rose to the surface he called for help. It was believed then that he was only joking, but when he sank again the other swimmers rushed to his assistance ...
“The unfortunate swimmer, now unconscious, was then taken to Mercy hospital.
“Hornkohl was in a state of paralysis ... he was unconscious throughout the night ... an X-ray was taken. This disclosed no fractures.
“When Hornkohl recovered before noon he explained that he had struck his shoulder on the bottom in the dive. He is resting easier this afternoon.
“The Business Women’s club will resume its regular monthly meetings Monday evening, Sept.. 18, at which time a 6:30 luncheon will be given at the Hotel Chippewa ... each member being allowed to bring a guest. Mrs. Winnogene Scott and Miss Grace Dow will lead (a) discussion of the story (‘The Vehement Flame,’ by Margaret Deland) ... .
“A mass meeting of women will be held Monday night at 8 o’clock in the auditorium of the library for the purpose of discussing the primary election Tuesday. The meeting is to be held under the auspices of the Woman’s League and will be addressed by Judge F. H. Stone.
“PLANTS AND BULBS. Perennial plants, such as Peonies, Larkspurs, Columbines, Gaillarines, Coreopsis, Cone Flowers, Fox Gloves, Canterbury Bells, etc., should be planted in Sept.ember in order to give best results the next season. I have about 50 different varieties and my prices are reasonable. My Paper White Narcissus bulbs have arrived from Southern France and my Tulip and Hyacinth bulbs will arrive from Holland this month. Call and see my Flower Garden at 276 First avenue. Aug. Greve.
“Three unusual window displays are adding interest to downtown shopping.
“In the window of the Palace of Sweets is a large woodcut, a birds-eye view of Manistee 42 years ago ... interesting features of the picture are the former saw mills, sailing vessels and lumber barges.
“The display in the window of Mertens Drug company has aroused considerable comment and speculation. This is in the nature of a contest. A large card containing a couple dozen snapshots of prominent Manistee men informs the observer that a contest is being held to guess who the men are. The snap shots were taken at the Farmers-Merchants picnic, and the work of guessing is made difficult by the fact that only side and back views are shown.
“Three large Biettigheimer apples, the largest one of which weighs 22 ounces, are on exhibit in the window of the Lyman drug store. The fruit is from Lake View orchard.
“Owing to the heavy condition of the Sands park diamond, due to the rains of the past three days, the management of the Manistee Independents decided this afternoon that play there tomorrow would be impossible ... Manistee, therefore, will be without Sunday diamond diversion.
“Noah Little says: Many men who wouldn’t take a counterfeit nickel at face value are marrying artificial complexions.
“As Noah Heap says: Anybody can tell the truth, but it takes a smart man to tell it without making himself disagreeable.
“Many folk will not be much interested in the glory of autumnal foliage, but they are looking with anticipation to the flapjack season.
“It’s funny how all the candidates for office are so strongly for a reduction in costs and taxes prior to an election, and then forget all about it after the votes are counted.
“Mrs. Louis Hineline and son, Louis Jr., have been brought home by Mr. Hineline from Cadillac where they have been in the hospital since the auto accident last Sunday. Mrs. Hineline’s father, Peter Beay, who was also in the accident, will be brought home in a few days.
“Another inch of rain was added to the deluge of the past few days. In there (three –T. K.) days three and a half inches of rain fell.
“$5000–GIFT–$5000 Distribution. Four 1923 Automobiles, Hundreds of Dollars In Cash To Be Awarded By The Manistee News-Advocate. (Headline on full page of small print giving information and rules, including the following: — T. K.)
“Any white person who is over 14 years old, who is of good moral character and is a resident ... is eligible ... .
“The winners of the prizes will be decided by their total credits, said credits being represented by credit ballots issued on subscription payments, and from free coupons clipped from the paper ... .
“(Full page, illustrated, devoted to the campaign, concentrating on the prizes–T. K.) SALESMANSHIP CLUB Circulation Campaign ... What Kind Of A Salesman Are You? Everybody wins something! First Capital Prize 1923 MODEL STUDEBAKER TOURING CAR ... Second Capital Prize 1923 MODEL MAXWELL TOURING CAR ... District Prize OVERLAND TOURING CAR ... District Prize OVERLAND TOURING CAR ... 10% in cash (commission) to all active participants who do not win one of the regular prizes ... .
“Booming along on the wings of popularity, with the stamp of public approval and with great interest being taken by readers, The News-Advocate Salesmanship club is becoming a topic of conversation throughout the field covered by this paper ...
“In exchange for a little effort in spare moments–using time for collecting credits that ordinarily would be wasted time, The News-Advocate is offering this wonderful galaxy of gifts worth a small fortune. Isn’t that a mighty profitable way of ‘cashing in’ on spare moments? ... .
“At last the war of the elements is over. It took a good share of the week to decide who was supreme, the sun, the rain, the wind or the cold. Old Sol today beams in triumph, although the cold is still fighting a futile battle.
“The rain was in power for three dismal days, and that was enough. Occasionally the wind arose to assert itself, but it soon died down. On rising yesterday morning, the populace found the last of the rain buckets had been spilled over night. Then this morning it awoke again to find Jack Frost lining up his forces on the window sill.
“All signs of the vagaries of the weather were removed later in the morning when the sun sent down his warm rays in full force.
“Noah Little says: A balky horse takes no hints.
“There can be no universal peace while neighbors have phonographs.
“‘What has become of the old-fashioned family doctor?’ asks an editor. And, for that matter, what has become of the old-fashioned family?
“Wm T. Hatch, county agent, had his right hand and wrist badly bruised Saturday afternoon, when while cranking his Chevrolet touring car, the motor back-fired.
“Carl Lyle, one of the six young men responsible for sending in a false police alarm last week, was arraigned before Justice Greve Saturday night. He pleaded guilty and paid $1 and costs.
“Improvement of Otto Hornkohl, who was injured in a dive at the breakwater Friday, has been retarded by pneumonia setting in. His condition otherwise is about the same.
“Coincidentally with its Salesmanship club, The News-Advocate is pleased to announce that ... the wire news service will be increased soon by about 1,000 words daily, and ... some new features are to be added. Our aim is to continue to give our readers ... the biggest newspaper value for the price of their subscriptions.
“Light balloting during the morning characterized the primary in Manistee today ... .
“The silver lining theory is generally applied to other people’s clouds.
“As Noah Heap puts it: Man proposes, woman exposes.
“The open season for the brown derby is now at hand. Remember where she put it?
“A noticeable change at the Chippewa Hotel due to the chilly weather is the absence of guests from the veranda.
“If the voters today used half the care in picking a candidate for sheriff that they would in picking out a cantaloupe, possibly we’d have a couple of good ones to choose between in November.
“Morris G. Waal, Democrat. John Emil Nord, Republican.
“This in all probability will be the lineup for sheriff at the general election, as the result of the primaries yesterday in which seven candidates were seeking the office ... .
“‘S a funny thing, but some newspapers that hold out for truth in advertising continue to print the railroad timetables.
“Chas. S. Kressler, manager of the local gas company, left this morning for Muskegon to join other members of the Michigan Gas association who will hold their annual convention aboard the steamer Manitou. The boat will cruise for nearly a week in northern waters.
“As Noah Heap puts it: A man must wake up if he wants his dreams to come true.
“Now that the primary is over, let’s get down to business and make Manistee the best town of its size in the country.
“(Banner) RAIL SHOPMEN RETURNING TO WORK ... .
“Hovering near death for nearly a week, Otto C. Hornkohl, resident of Filer City, passed away last night at 6 o’clock in Mercy hospital as the result of a diving accident last Friday afternoon at the breakwater. He was 47 years old ...
“In the dive which caused his death, Mr. Hornkohl struck bottom and suffered paralysis of the spine ...
“After a night in which he was semi-conscious he rallied somewhat Saturday morning. His condition, however, was still dangerous. Complications set in Monday. From then on his recovery was doubtful ...
“His death removes a popular member of a wide circle of intimates, whose social relations have extended for years back, and his absence will be sorely felt.
“Mr. Hornkohl was a faithful employe of the late E. Golden Filer for 22 years. He was married 23 years ago to Miss Jennie Hansen of Manistee ...
“Besides his mother and widow, he is survived by two sons, Frank, at home, and Leon, a student at M. A. C ... .
“Interest in the educational department of the Manistee county fair to be held at the Onekama fair grounds Sept.. 26, 27, 28, and 29 is being created by County School Commissioner E. M. Gerred among the teachers of Manistee county.
“Mr. Gerred is asking the teachers to co-operate with the fair officials and send in exhibits ...
“At a meeting of the Free Bed Committee of the Federation of Women’s Clubs of Manistee ... the first annual report was submitted ...
“The committee has paid Mercy Hospital, according to their contract, $624, for which they have received the use of the bed for 365 days of actual occupation covering a period of one year and three months. During that time 25 cases ... have occupied the free bed, of which five have been children, seven men and 13 women. Of these 25 cases, four were maternity, 12 operative, eight medical and one a bath patient.
“The funds of the Free Bed Committee are now depleted to such an extent that they are obliged again to come before the public with a request for contributions in order that this worthy charity may continue to exist ... .
“There are some folks in this world who cannot work without talking. Most of them become barbers.
“Edward Bumke, who has been sailing on the lower lakes, returned to Manistee this morning to spend a few weeks with his parents before resuming his studies at the University of Michigan, where he will be a Junior this year.
“In times of prosperity prepare for strikes.
“Enrollment in the high school is 15 % greater than it was last year, when the enrollment was 15 % greater than the previous one. All classrooms are in use during all hours of the day.
“(Editorial) TWO VIEWS OF AUTUMN.
“The pessimist says that autumn is a time of melancholy. He finds that leaves begin to turn yellow and eventually to fall, that vegetation decays and a general melancholy feeling prevails that the end of all things has come. He sits around with the blues and remarks that such is life.
“The optimist rejoices at the crisp air of autumn, which puts new energy into his blood and muscles. He feels that he can get out and do things which were impossible during the heats of summer. He rejoices in the end of the growing season as the time when man’s labor comes to fruition. He looks at it as the season of satisfaction, when nature reaches her best and the world is glad for successful completion of another season’s toil.
“The people with melancholy natures find gloomy thoughts at all seasons, while those with hopeful temperaments find sunshine and good cheer in all.