Grand Haven, Mich. March, 1894
3/1
The Dake Engine Works started up again yesterday.
A Muskegon family was almost asphyxiated by coal gas.
Gen. Early the confederate general is dying.
Blondin who walked over Niagara on a tight rope is 70 years old and still walks the ropes.
During the year 1893 Game Warden Hampton convicted 108 parties for violating the game laws.
Bids will be received at the common council meeting this evening for tending the south channel bridge.
During the great gale of February 12 the ferry steamer Ann Arbor No. 2 crossed Lake Michigan from Frankfort to Kewaunee with a full complement of cars in five hours.
Gruschow electric signals have been placed on the Goodrich Line steamer City of Ludington by the International Signal Company.
The Detroit Journal says that Congress will appropriate $23,000 for harbor improvements at Grand Haven. St. Joe will get $20,000, Frankfort $10,000, Muskegon $30,000, Manistee, $1,000, Saugatuck $5,000.
Since the incorporation of the city the following men have occupied the mayoral chair: Geo. Parks, R. W. Duncan, Dwight Cutler, Henry Griffin, Wm. M. Ferry, jr, Major B. D. Safford, Healy C. Akeley, Samuel Tate, D. E. Rose, Geo. C. Stewart, Levi Scofield, T. W. Kirby, Joseph W. O’Brien and Henry Bloecker.
Orrin McCluer died in Spring Lake last night from the terrible injuries which he sustained in a runaway accident at Spring Lake last Tuesday.
Tom Rosie is reported to be ready to challenge any man of 140 pounds or under, to a wrestling match, mixed styles.
Ottawa Co. furnished the Union armies 1547 men during the war of Rebellion. Five Ottawa county men gave up their lives in the terrible Confederate prison of Andersonville. They were Albert DeGroot of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry, D. A. Markham of the 9th Cavalry, Hendricus Nyland of the 8th Inf., Albert Simmons of the 17th Inf., Nathan R. Tompkins of the 1st Sharpshooters.
Ice is again hindering navigation. The steamer Roanoke which left for Milwaukee last night could still be seen from this port this afternoon in ice nearly off Muskegon. The Wisconsin is also supposed to be in the ice somewhere on the lake.
A number of names have been mentioned in the TRIBUNE of possible candidates for the office of Mayor this spring. In naming Wm. H. Loutit for that position, I do not feel amiss in his ability to hold that office in a capable, painstaking and careful manner, and at the same time impart a vim and energy to our other councilmen. Mr. Loutit is a young man. He has had experience in business and is one of those pushing, go-ahead gentleman; a class of whom we should know more of in our municipal government. In naming Mr. Loutit, politics were not considered, nor should they be. Partisanship should not enter into our local affairs. What we want is are presentative men of foresight, good judgment and fairness, who will take hold of city affairs in a business way. Wm. H. Loutit possesses all these qualities.
CITIZEN.
March came in like a lamb.
Geo. Shippers announces that he is ready to meet Tom Rosie in a wrestling match.
It is possible that our furniture factory may soon be running. Elias Matter of Grand Rapids looked over the plant while here today.
Some one borrowed a twelve pound ham from the front of Ruet Wierenga’s meat market Wednesday night. Ruet has a two dollar bill awaiting the person who returns the meat.
The thief who has a desire to smoke good cigars and to fill up on whiskey at less than cost price, is also to be found at Grand Haven. He enters saloons by the front door with a skeleton key.—Free Press.
The past few days, ice fishing in the river has become quite an industry.
A large number from this city have been fishing for perch near Nortonville. More than fifty persons were noticed fishing near there yesterday.
John J. Mastenbroek fell through the ice in the river near Nortonville. He was saved by the cool headwork of J. and H. Fisher, who by means of planks pulled him out. John has had enough of ice fishing for a while.
A field of ice about eight miles in width stretches across the harbor. The ice is of that slushy heavy form, so hard to make headway through. The steamer Roanoke which left here for Milwaukee last Wednesday was this morning in the ice about two miles north of the harbor and appeared to be dangerously near the beach. From the top of the big hill across the river the view was a grand one. Away to the west was the great ice field. The blue water of the open lake, could be seen on the outer edge of the big field. The Wisconsin was almost direct west from the harbor. She was very indistinct in the distance and appeared to have made but little head-way into the ice, on her way to this port. In the ice field were stretches of open water, but not enough to enable the boats to get out of the grasp of the Ice King.
The smoke from the Roanoke could be seen rising over the lake shore hills today. That vessel was working backward and forward in an effort to find an opening to the outside of the ice.
The hulk of the “old Trader” which has been lying for years in the bend of the river, north of Kirby’s shipyard burned yesterday. For many years the old vessel has been rotting away there and was one of the conspicuous marks of the river. All that part of the stream has long been designated as “near the old Trader.” The old craft has a history perhaps if it were all known. She came out in the 50’s and was one of the first propellors on Lake Michigan, and for years plied in and out of Green Bay in the lumber trade. Her usefulness departed when age came on. The old craft was brought there and anchored forever on the edge of a Grand River marsh, and yesterday what was left, was destroyed by the fire fiend.
Gen. Jubal A. Early is dead.
A light will be placed on Saugatuck pier.
Suckers are being fished for through the ice at Grand Rapids.
Nearly 50 per cent of the factory workers of Michigan are idle.
Moving time and housecleaning time are near at time.
A citizen is in favor of placing our water works in charge of a water board, to be constituted of good practical men. Muskegon has such a board and in fact nearly all cities.
The Roanoke was not in sight in the ice field this morning and is supposed to have reached open water. The Wisconsin was still in the ice five or six miles out.
The fine spell of weather we are having makes outdoor life very pleasant.
“Annie Rooney” the Bee Hive delivery horse indulged in a runaway yesterday. No damage.
The Y. M. C. A. rooms in the Akeley block are being kalsomined and improved preparatory to being moved in by the association.
The “greater New York” question will now be voted on in November. Here is a pointer for Grand Haven and Ferrysburg.—Muskegon News.
The steamer Wisconsin arrived here at 1:15 this afternoon with a cargo of 950 tons, after being in the ice since last Thursday. The Roanoke got out of the ice last night and made for Milwaukee.
Excitement on Jackson Street.
Nearly the entire population of that part of the city near the Corn Planter factory was assembled on Jackson St. this forenoon. The excitement was caused by a run-away wife affair, and the parties interested were Mr. and Mrs. Beach of West Olive and Alexander Lalonde of this city.
Some weeks ago young Beach’s wife left her home in Olive and came to this city. She found her way to Lalonde’s home on Jackson St., near Seventh and was in his house all day yesterday and until this forenoon. Beach learned of his wife’s whereabouts and was here yesterday to get her. He claimed that Lalonde had the woman in his house and that she dared not dare to leave the place, because he had threatened to kill her if she did. Beach also was unable to get into the house. Not deterred in his object the young fellow camped on the trail of the couple and neighbors say that he stayed on the kitchen roof of the Lalonde house last night. What his object was is not known, unless he was afraid that his wife was going to elope.
Neighbors learned of the affair and this morning a great crowd gathered in front of the Lalonde house. The doors were locked but Beach was still on guard, walking back and forth in the yard. Once in a while Lalonde could be seen through the window.
Beach sent word to the officers and a bout half past ten, the marshal and sheriff arrived at the place. There was an immense crowd in the vicinity of the house.
The officers crawled through a rear window and just as they were doing so, Lalonde happened to pass through the room. He was quickly hustled through the window and Marshal Klaver quickly escorted him to jail. During the excitement the Beach woman jumped through a window on the opposite side of the house. A search was made for her, but it was nearly ten minutes before she was discovered hiding behind a wood pile I the yard. She accompanied the sheriff to jail, her husband walking with her arm in arm.
A sister of the Beach woman is married to a son of Lalonde, and this woman was also here today with Mr. Beach. Great crowds followed the prisoners to the caboose.
Lalonde who was taken to jail first, made a show of resistance and had to be hand cuffed.
The principal parties in the fracas do not bear the best of records. Lalonde has been in all manner of scrapes and has been arrested for rape and incest and other dirty crimes. He has the reputation of being a bad man. Just recently it is stated he served a ninety day sentence in Muskegon jail. He is a saw mill filer by occupation and has lived here and at Muskegon for a number of years
Mrs. Beach is a dissolute character of the sporting class.
Lalonde and Mrs. Beach were brought before Justice Pagelson this afternoon. The charge against them stated in the warrant, is for “licentiously associating and cohabitating with another.” The court room was packed with people when the prisoners arrived, but they were doomed to disappointment, as the examination was deferred until next Monday at 10 o’clock. Bail was fixed at $300 and the prisoners taken back to jail.
The rate of wind varies from five miles an hour—a light breeze—to 80 or 100 miles an hour—a hurricane. From 30 to 40 miles an hour is reckoned a high wind or gale; at 50 miles an hour it is called a storm.
The payment of taxes on the installment plan is advocated in some quarters. The piling up of great sums of money in the treasuries of the state, county and city long before it is needed is considered unnecessary and only putting a burden on the tax payer in compelling him to provide at one time the money which he could otherwise provide, say in two equal installments.—EX.
We here a good deal about the young men of Peach Plains and some married that carry revolvers, and some are so bold as to shoot hem off after dark, going to and coming from town. Before it is too late to say “I didn’t know it was loaded,” it would be well to keep the marshal’s eye on them, or these young fellows be made to know by friends that there is a fine for the same.
Had it not been for the planks that Mr. Constantine had for loading ice in the river yesterday, one of Grand Haven’s fishermen would have undoubtedly had a watery grave.
Prospects are that we will have another wrestling match.
The past few days the big ice field has been moving past here from the south.
The Goodrich steamers are being fitted out at Manitowoc. The City of Racine has had her boilers over hauled and repaired and new fire boxes put in her boilers. She also has received a Howden force draught device.
A Georgetown, Col., dispatch stated that a petition is being circulated there which calls upon the silver producing states to secede from the general government and join the republic of Mexico. Mayor Parker, whose name heads the petition, says it will be circulated in every mining camp in the West—EX.
Burglars entered Chas. Reghel’s saloon Saturday night and got away with about $8 in change, a few cigars a two bottles of whiskey. Entrance was affected through a back room window. A pane of glass was cut out, and the thief opened the latch on the top and pushed up the window. No clue to the guilty parties.
M. Dykhuis will begin hauling sand to the court house square this week.
The wind has been from the south all day and of a velocity very seldom equaled from that direction.
Ed. Brown a wrestler of Flint, Mich., has been here for a few days past trying to arrange a wrestling match to come off here.
H. Nyland, after six years service in the local militia, ahs severed his connection with the same. He held the office of First Sergeant. Phil. Rosbach will probably succeed him.
The West Robinson correspondent to the Courier-Journal has this to say of Miss Cora M. Goodenow, county commissioner of schools:
If the teachers’ certificates granted in this county next fall, do not show a higher standing than those of last fall, it will not be the fault of her commissioner, for all her Saturdays are spent in helping teachers to fit themselves to do better work in their schools. We heard a gentlemen say that in his opinion, no commissioner in Michigan is doing better work than ours is doing, and from other remarks of a similar character that we have heard from many other persons, we judge that Miss Goodenow’s indefatigable energy is being properly appreciated in this part of Ottawa county.
Miss Maud Peters of Grand Rapids will be at Gray’s Hall on Thursday, March 8th, to organize a class in dancing. In connection with the children’s class she will give instruction in desarte work. Children’s class from four to six o’clock, adult’s class from eight to half past ten. Terms thirty-five cents a lesson.
Deputy U. S. Marshal Donald was here today and conducted the sale of the schooner Wonder in front of the post office. The boat with her sails and fittings were sold to a Mr. Renwick, a resident of Pigeon Creek, for $85. The wonder went on the beach near Pigeon Creek in a terrific gale last November. She is still high and dry upon the shore where she went on.
Case dismissed.
Mrs. Flora Beach and Alex Lalonde who were arrested last Saturday forenoon for licentious cohabitation with one another had their case dismissed by Justice Pagelson this afternoon. The prisoners were brought up for examination this forenoon at 10 o’clock. The crowd that followed them to court filled the room to its cpapcity.
W. F. Lillie appeared as attorney for Lalonde and Geo. A. Farr for Mrs. Beach. Prosecutor Visscher appeared for the people. Sheriff Keppel said Marshal Klaver testified this forenoon of the arrest of the prisoners. After the testimony of R. Anderson and Henry Dornbos the prosecuting attorney moved to have the case dismissed which Judge Pagelson did at 3 o’clock this afternoon.
Mrs. Beach immediately left the court and walked rapidly down the street with her husband. From appearances the couple did not look as though they had passed through a domestic jar.
A Grand Haven firm secured the contract for curtaining the new Court House.
B. A. Ward is here from Michigan City looking after his plumbing contract at the court house.
One more week of weather like we have been having will open the Straits. Traverse Bay is now open.
The state commission car was here today on its way east. Fish were left here for C. E. Wyman to be planted in Crockery.
In three weeks the new county building will be completed, with the exception of the furnishings and fixtures, and it will be but a short time before occupied by county officers.
Joseph King the medium who will be tried at Battle Creek, for obtaining money under false pretenses, and who was detected at that place, is giving nightly séances in Berrien Co., to large gatherings.
GLORIOUS NEWS.
—
Both for Company and City.
The good news was received by the Challenge Corn Planter Co., yesterday from Washington, that the United States Supreme court had decided the case of the Belding Refrigerator Co. vs. the Challenge Corn Planter Co. in favor of the latter.
The victory was an important one as it involved great interests both of the company and the city as well.
Suit was begun by the Belding Co. some years ago. That company claimed that the Challenge Corn Planter Co. of this city had been infringed upon one of their patents in the manufacture of refrigerators. The suit was tried before Judge Severans of Grand Rapids district court and resulted in a victory for the Challenge Corn Planter Co. The Belding Co. afterwards appealed to the U. S. Supreme court and the case was heard by the Supreme judges come time ago. Again the bird of victory, this time final, perched upon the greatest of Grand Haven’s institutions.
What the result would have been if the case had been reversed in Washington, can be imagined.
President Sheldon was in his usual good humor only a bit more so today, because of the victory, and spoke jubilantly of the outcome of the case.
If defeated, the blow would have been a severe one to the company, as it would have prevented them from making or selling any more refrigerators. As nearly 300 men are employed in the factory, the people of Grand Haven can well rejoice with the company. If defeated the works would probably have been compelled to shut down.
It was a victory, as great if not greater to Grand Haven than the recent water works decision.
Our Mayors.
Following are the names of the gentlemen who have occupied the Mayoralty chair of Grand Haven and the years they were elected:
1867—Geo. Parks.
1868—Robt. W. Duncan
1869—Dwight Cutler.
1870—Dwight Cutler.
1871—Henry Griffin.
1872—Geo. E. Hubbard.
1873—Geo. E. Hubbard.
1874—John A. Leggatt.
1875—John A. Leggatt.
1876—Wm. M. Ferry.
1877—Geo. C. Stewart.
1878—Major B. D. Safford.
1879—Major B. D. Safford.
1880—Geo. E. Hubbard.
1881—Major B. D. Safford.
1882—Healy C. Akeley.
1883—Healy C. Akeley.
1884—Samuel W. Tate.
1885—Levi Scofield.
1886—Joseph W. O’Brien.
1887—Thos. W. Kirby.
1888—Thos. W. Kirby.
1889—Thos. W. Kirby.
1890—Dwight Cutler.
1891—Dwight Cutler.
1892—Thos. W. Kirby.
1893—Henry Bloecker.
The first city council, in the year 1867 was comprised as follows: Mayor, Geo. Parks; Recorder, C. T. Pagelson; Aldermen, 1st ward, Arend VanderVeen, James A. Rice; 2nd ward, J. W. Hopkins, Wm. Wallace; 3rd ward, Isaac H. Sanford, P. VanWeelden; 4th ward, H. S. Chubb, Herman Bosch.
The other officers of the city were: Marshal, Chas. J. Pfaff; City Attorney, Robt. W. Duncan; Street Commissioner, John Bolt; Harbor master, Capt. Hebert Squire.
As will be seen by the list of Mayors, Hon. D. Cutler and Capt. Kirby have each held the office four terms.
During the years from 1867 to the present time the office of recorder has been held by Wm. N. Angel and Chas. T. Pagelson more terms than any other Recorder. Mr. Angel is now officiating in that capacity and Mr. Pagelson is a Supervisor.
Mike Dwyer, or he is better known here, Tom Cannon, arrived in the city this afternoon to arrange a wrestling match with Brown, the Flint man.
G. VandenBosch & Co. gained a great victory over Grand Rapids and Chicago firms yesterday, by out bidding them for the contract of supplying shades for the new court house.
The voting places of 29 years ago in this city, were the fire engine house and Harmon Bosch’s boarding house, or the First, Second, Third and fourth wards respectively.
TO THE EDITORS OF COURIER-JOURNAL.
DEAR SIRS: —I see an article in last weeks issue of your paper in regard to the Indians of Allendale coming home drunk after having been in Eastmanville. Now the author of that article better be a little more careful and ascertain the fact in the case before rushing into print with them, for there is not one bit of truth in it, as there is no liquor sold here of any description, nor has there been for nearly three years, and further, the Indians of Allendale very seldom come here, in fact I have not seen any of them here this winter. Would be pleased to have Grand Rapids dailies copy this as well as the other article.
Eastmanville, Mich.
A READER OF THE JOURNAL.
They are still talking river dredging at Grand Rapids.
“Supreme courts appear very lenient with Grand Haven” said a citizen this morning speaking of the Challenge Corn Planter Co’s case.
The one great need of the agricultural regions of the United States is good wagon roads, this being in many sections connected intimately with the necessity of better drainage of the land. Within the last quarter of a century the country has been grid-ironed with steam lines, while the improvement of wagon roads has been systematically neglected, as if the latter were rendered inutile by the former. Never was there a greater mistake.—Chicago Tribune.
The ice is all out and the river has developed a very swift and muddy current.
The early harbinger of spring, the robin, is again making its appearance here on its return from the sunny south.
The Roanoke was detained by ice for a short time outside the harbor this morning and was brought in by the Thompson. The Roanoke ahd a cargo of 1050 tons.
Economy must be the watchword of our city government.
An Owosso manufacturing institution is seeking a location and is favorably impressed with Grand Haven. By a little encouragement the institution might be brought here. The more the merrier.
Dear Sir—Your letter was received, asking what the city would do in assisting you to establish your business here. Officially, I don't think the city can do anything, but I think the people of Grand Haven would give the land and build a suit-able plant and deed it to you in a few years, if it is worthy of it; the same as we did for the glass factory. Hope to here from you soon, I remain,
Resp. yours,
JOS KOELTZ,
Acting Mayor
Postmaster Baar’s new post office outfit will be put in place next Saturday night after the business of the day is over. The new outfit is as handsome as any post office has in Michigan and will be appreciated by our citizens. In every way it will be an improvement over the old and will look far more business like.
John Verhoeks who has been out of jail for some weeks on bail, was surrendered by his bondsman, Wm. Thieleman yesterday afternoon and is again in jail. He will probably not be bailed out again as the trial of himself and Henry Sickman for burglary will come off in circuit court next week.
Thos. Cannon of Grand Rapids and Ed. Brown of Flint yesterday signed articles of agreement for a wrestling match to come off in this city, March 21st. The match is to be straight catch as catch can, best three out of five falls. Two pints down will constitute a fall. Winner to take purse of $50 and the entire gate money. The articles call for $75 to be put up before March 11. Cannon is the wrestler whom Wm. Andres defeated in two matches last December. Brown is a solid built athlete with a local reputation as a wrestler. He will probably train in this city.
Wants a Location.
The following letter, addressed to the mayor of Grand Haven, was received this week:
Owasso, March 3, ’94.
To the Mayor of Grand Haven:
Dear Sir—We are looking for a location for a business and are favorably impressed with your city as offering many advantages for our business; viz; water communication and good railroad facilities. Ours is an old established business, principally the manufacture of wood and iron working machinery. We would like to know if your city would do anything to help establish a factory that would work from ten to twenty skilled mechanics. We have $10,000 worth of machinery and patterns. We would be pleased to here from you soon as we have several points of view.
Very Respectfully,
O. F. Webster.
Ald. Jos. Koeltz, who is acting mayor of the city replied today as follows:
Mr. O. F. Webster:
Dear Sir—your letter received, asking what the city would do in assisting you to establish your business here. Officially, I don’t think the city can do anything, but I think the people of Grand Haven would give the land and build a suitable plant and deed it to you in few years, if it is worthy of it; the same as we did for the glass factory. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain,
Resp. yours
Jos. Koeltz,
Acting Mayor.
Woman’s Club.
Very interesting programs have been given for the last two weeks at the club.
On Feb., 25th the ladies met at the laboratory of the High School and listened to an instructive talk with experiments on electricity by Prof. Estabrook, also an excellent paper on the telephone by Mr. T. A. Parish. March 3, the Club devoted the time to the “Game of Characters” by Mrs. Macfie. The members gave entertaining talks on the different characters. The program on History for March 10, is as follows:
Inventors and Inventions, Mrs. Lillie.
Discussion—Shall we annex Hawaii. Affirmative, Miss Alger.—Negative, Mrs. Hamel.
Battle Hymn of Republic by members.
Mayor Bloecker is in Chicago.
Will Byl was injured about the head by a bolt in the match factory Monday afternoon.
The local factories are gradually gaining their old ground and are all merrily at work.
John Juistema and G. A. Bottje are after the remaining rabbits they left in the woods after their last hunt.
The Standard Oil Co., have moved their local based quarters from near the C. & W. M. depot to a lot near the C. & W. M. switch in the southern part of the city. Hereafter the company will run a bulk car and fill their barrels in this city.
Arthur Stem of Cincinnati and Edward Taggart of the firm Taggart & Dennison of Grand Rapids were attorneys for the Challenge Corn Planter Co., in their recent infringement case in Supreme court. Poole & Brown of Chicago appeared for the Belding Co.
Every one of the great lakes has four general currents running from four to twelve miles a day.
From the top of the big hill across the river a grand view can be had of Grand Haven, Spring Lake and the country about us.
There is a law on the statute books of Michigan which will cost you from $500 to $1000 if you in any way adulterate maple syrup.
There is considerable talk of calling a public meeting of citizens in the near future to discuss city affairs. The city government will probably have some important questions to solve within the next year and some conclusion would probably be arrived at in such a meeting.
A Board of Trade or Improvement Association should be organized in this city. Such an institution should be permanent. Many times manufacturing concerns in search of sites write to the city officers. As the city has no power in such things, business of that kind could be turned over to the Board. At any rate we should have a live association here to promote and advertise the town advantages and facilities.
A horse driven by H. Gravenhorst ran away today demolishing the wagon.
The fleet of vessels that wintered here is being prepared for the opening of navigation and refitted for the coming season.
The C. & W. M. Ry., has built a spur from its switch in the southern part of the city to the new Standard Oil Co. shed, a distance of 250 feet.
The Bloomington, Ill. correspondent to the St. Louis Globe Democrat speaking of the lightning courtship of John T. Hiler and Miss Grace Washburn says that the couple met by accident in a grocery store and were married the next day.
The Young Men’s Christian Association of this city is now in possession of as fine rooms as could be wished for. The entire west side of Akeley Block, second floor, has been fitted up for their use. In all there are four rooms, a meeting room, correspondence room, game room and parlor, which overlooks Washington and Second St.
The G. H. Athletic club now has fifty members.
The following are the officers of the Grand Haven City Band: President, John VanWestrienen; Vice president and secretary, John VanDongen; Treasurer and manager, Martin Vyn.
It is the local papers which stands nearest of all to the home reader. It is interested in the things that he or she is interested in, the little occurrences which make up the every day life of the community. The births, marriages and deaths; the comings and going; the amusements, the entertainments, the enterprises, the hopes and ambitions of those here at home.—Ex.
There are at least 500 people in the city whose name are Van.
If a fire can be conquered Grand Haven’s fire department will do it.
A representative of the Kokomo Diamond Plate Glass Company was in the city Wednesday.
A number of Grand Haven sports paraded the streets with a tandem rig yesterday afternoon.
A dog with a tin can on the end of its tail can still cause quite a little excitement in this city.
Political button holing is now the order of the day and has become quite a feature here.
A large ocean swell which came up the Suielaw stood four feet high at Florence, Or., five miles up from the beach.
Hi Waters has been engineer on the D., G. H. & M. Ry., 89 years today. Mr. Waters has run in here continually since the days the road had its depot across the river.
Last night’s was the first fire Grand Haven has had in three months. Can any city its size equal that record?
Johannes Neusmer who created excitement by an alleged attempt to elope with Mrs. Kuiper has been sent to the Detroit House of Corrections for 90 days for breaking windows in Muskegon.
B. Zwaagman furnishes the Tribune with a list of names beginning with “Van” in Grand Haven, and there are nearly 50 different ones. These Vans alone would form a nucleus for a city.
A Hard Times social, and old fashioned spelling school, will be held in the Congregational church parlors next Monday evening. A prize will be given to the winner of the spelling contest and also the person best costumed to illustrate “hard times.” Persons wearing silks and other royal apparel will be liable to be fined five cents. Singing and speaking will be indulged in by a few of those too poor to contribute anything else to the success of the evening. This social is for the poor—none are barred. All will be made to feel at home.
The city road scraper should be worked more often than it is.
They’re After John.
The following dispatch appeared in the morning papers regarding John T. Hiler.
Chicago, March 8.—The police are looking for John T. Hiler of Grand Haven, Mich., and his bride. Mrs. Adrienne Washburn of Bloomington, who is his latest mother-in-law, incited the hunt by swearing out warrants for his arrest on the charge of bigotry and perjury. Two weeks ago Hiler accidentally met Miss Grace Washburn in a grocery store. Miss Washburn is a petite and handsome blonde, and Hiler pressed his acquaintance, calling upon her that evening and before leaving proposed marriage to her. He made the girl believe he was an exemplary young man and she gave her consent and they were married the following day at noon, less than twenty-four hours after their first meeting. Mrs. Washburn declared that Hiler has four or five other wives living. He is said to have married Nellie Wilkinson of Detroit, Mich. It is at least known that a marriage license was taken out. Afterward he married Jennie M. Graham of Decatur, Mich., who has just secured a divorce from him. It also said that Hiler was married to Miss Leticia Keller of Detroit, Mich. Hiler also fooled Miss Carrie Sax of Toledo, O., who afterward horsewhipped him. Hiler and his new wife are supposed to be in Chicago.
D. VerWy has been using the city scraper on Beech Tree St.
Blue birds and robins are coming around.
Three years ago this morning the old Second Reformed church of this city was destroyed by fire. It was on a Sunday morning and for a time there were grave fears that its sparks would destroy the Congregational church. Flames did start on the roof of that church but were quickly extinguished.
The firemen are of the opinion that “Bram” Fisher is a hoodoo of the worst type. During his two months absence in Cleveland we did not have a fire and now the first day after his return the department is called out. Wonder how long the spell will last?
Editor Tribune:—It seems to be the general impression that a valuable prize has been offered for the performance of whistling in the post office. That is not the case. No prized has been offered, and all those who seem bent upon winning are wasting time and talent in vain endeavor besides spoiling the patience of the public generally.
P. O. Clerk
It is stated that the Goodrich steamers will go into service, about the first of April.
Mr. E. J. Avery has lived in Grand Haven since June, 1845. He says the outlook for this city was never brighter.
The marine season opened at Chicago the sixth, by the arrival of the steamer Chicora from St. Joe. Marine insurance isn’t operative unto April 1st.
The Owosso firm that would like to secure a location in this city, are manufacturers of gauge lathes, carving machines, and cutting, boring and sewing machines.
Awnings are being put up.
Today is undoubtedly the warmest day of the year.
The pussy willow is starting to pop out.
Despite the earliness of the season frost is nearly all out of the ground.
Next Wednesday, being Day of Prayer, the grocery stores of the city will be closed.
Grand Haven is becoming more and more a church town as is evidenced by the fact that business places will close on Day of Prayer.
There is talk in Grand Haven of abolishing the office of city marshal and turning over the police department of the city to the sheriff and his deputies.—Detroit Journal.
The gross tonnage of Wm. H. Loutit’s new steamer Pentland is 827.45 and the net tonnage 617.78. The official number of the vessel is 150,656.
Circuit court convenes Monday and during the term the Verhoeks-Sickman burglary case will be tried. There is already much speculation as to the outcome and it will undoubtedly awaken much interest.
The Tribune is assured that Jerry Boynton’s railroad will soon be a fact. In Battle Creek recently $20,000 was subscribed in twenty minutes for the road and there is enthusiasm over the project in every town on the right of way. Mr. Boynton it is stated is figuring with the Grand Haven Ship Building Co., for the construction of a steamer to run in connection with the road between here and Milwaukee.
The pupils of Miss Laffin’s room held a debate yesterday. Subject: Are our wild Indians unjustly treated? The negative side was held down by the girls and the affirmative by the boys, the latter winning.
P. O. Notice.
On Sunday, tomorrow, the Post Office will be open from 9 to 10 a. m., remainder for the day the front door will be locked.
Drop your letters at the front door.
I have assigned the new boxes to present renters, trying to do justly and fairly, locating each as near the place of the old box as was possible. Keys and box numbers will be given to renters next Monday from money order window. Key deposit fund received from my predecessor will be applied upon your key deposit. Box rents remain the same. Lock boxes with one to three keys (locks no two alike) 50cts, with deposit 25cts, for each key. Call boxes 25cts per quarter, all in advance, as required by post office regulations.
Jacob Baar, P. M.
The following letter from John T. Hiler appeared in yesterday’s Chicago Herald:
Editor of the Herald:—I wish you to state to the public that I deny all charges of bigamy. I was married to a Miss Jennie M. Graham of Decatur, Mich., on Nov. 26, 1890. and received a divorce on the 1st of last April, and for the other one who I am accused of marrying I would like to have The Herald wire and publish the result. I told Grace all before I married her, so no one can part us now. I shall keep out of the way until the truth is known, so as to stop the notoriety as soon as possible. Will leave for the south this a. m. until the truth is known. Then I will join Grace, never to part with her again. Hoping all will turn out well, I remain the same, respectfully,
John T. Hiler.
111 South California avenue.
The office of the fish inspector was a somewhat important one a few years ago. The office is now extinct.
The Michigan fish commission car left 20,000 fish to be distributed in Muskegon streams.
The peach crop of the southern states has been killed.
Mr. George Uhler, the National president of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association paid the local association his annual visit yesterday. At a meting held in the lodge rooms last night Mr. Uhler made an address. The meeting was largely attended, besides the engineers, were present a number of lake captains. At the adjournment of the meeting, all in a body repaired to the Cutler, where a sumptuous repast had been prepared and a banquet given in honor of the National president. To say that all did themselves justice to the choice viands is speaking lightly and when the engineers had finished there was very little in sight on the table. President Uhler is now on the rounds of his annual inspection of lodges in the United States. At present the membership of the association is about 11,000, divided among 85 lodges. The local association has a membership of 35. John T. Farnham is president.
While navigation is practically open at near all the lake and river ports, it is as nearly closed throughout the state by reason of roads that are impassible. Exchanges report the depth of mud as something unprecedented.
Mr. Webster Replies.
Acting Mayor Koeltz has received the following reply from O. F. Webster of Owosso which explains itself.
Owasso, March 8th.
Jos. Koeltz, Esq: Dear Sir:
Yours of the 7th at hand and comments noted. We closed up our business last fall with the intention of going South to establish ourselves but owing to the financial cyclone which seemed to paralyze that section of the country we have concluded not to go, are looking around for something north of Mason and Dixon line.
Ours is an old established business the parties having spent a life time in the manufactory of machines and have their goods at work in all parts of the United States, Canada and some in Europe. We made one machine which was ordered from Copenhagen, Denmark last year. We have ten thousand dollars worth of machinery and patterns could be in operation is less than thirty days, if building was able to occupy. We would want to raise about $3,000 and would be willing to give security on machinery and plant, would not require all down and would agree to pay the amount back with interest in a reasonable length of time. We are receiving inquiries for our machines all the time and may not require all of the if business was good.
The less we borrow the better, for we would not have it to pay back.
Have you a good machine shop and foundry in your place?
We want a location where we could run such as one in connection with our business, as we have the necessary machinery for doing that class of work and it is necessary that we have a foundry to make our own castings.
We have several offers from different locations, but knowing your favorable location and good shipping facilities, we are favorably impressed with your City and think we would like to locate with you.
Enclosed I send you some few of the cuts of machines we make and have sold in all parts of the country. I send you a few of the cuts of the goods that we make which will give you a better idea of what they are. We are receiving inquiries for them all the time and it makes us anxious to get to work. Please save the cuts and return them to me when you have examined them. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain. Yours very truly,
O. F. Webster.
Winter green seekers throng the woods.
The sound of the resonant frog is already heard in the lowlands and marches.
The wind of Saturday night blew great quantities of sand on the sidewalks.
Perch and pickerel are being caught in the river and in a short time lake perch will begin to bite.
Visitors to the city remark at the number of green houses to be seen. If a census were taken of hot houses there would undoubtedly be several hundred in the city limits on the list.
A manufacturing concern from Owosso indicate strongly that they would like to locate here. Their wants should be examined into and if worthy, they should be brought here.
The woodsman’ axe has divested this section of its woods. Some fifteen years ago there was considerable forest around here. Cultivation has taken its place, and in another decade there will probably be no timber at all in this section.
Visitors to the post office yesterday morning found Postmaster Baar’s handsome office outfit in position. The throng that crowded the post office yesterday morning has never been equaled and the postmaster and office clerk were kept busy passing out mail. Today’s boxes are being rented and in a short time post office patrons will become accustomed to the new order of things.
The lake shore is lined with icebergs as far as the eye can see and about 300 yards in width. The bergs present many beautiful forms. Opposite Highland Park a natural ice bridge was noticed. It was beautifully arched, under which flowed open water. The bridge would hold a number of persons. The ice had also assumed the shape of fortifications in many places, guarding the bleak lake shore. Capt. John Walker opened the Highland Park season yesterday, renting row boats to a large number, who delighted themselves in the unique waterway.
Death of Mrs. Hubbard.
Mrs. Elvira Poole Hubbard died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Nellie G. Squier, aged 82 years. Mrs. Hubbard had been sick for some days and her death was not unexpected.
Deceased was born at Goshen, Mass., April 27, 1812 and was married March 13, 1832, coming to Grand Haven in February, 1858. She has been an honored resident of the city ever since, making her home for the last few years with her daughter, Mrs. Squier.
She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Walter Talbot of Phoenix, Arizona and Mrs. Nellie G. Squier of this city. The late Geo. E. Hubbard was a son of the deceased.
The funeral will occur from Mrs. Squier’s residence tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 o’clock.
Indian Joe paraded the streets Saturday night dressed in the garb of a typical Indian chief, to the amusement of the crowds.
Considerable timber is being cut by Van Doorne & DeGlopper's saw mill located near the C.&W.M.Ry., under the shadow of Rosey Mound. The mill is operated by two traction engines. The thick forests that once stood around it is being exterminated and cut into lumber, timber, ties and firewood by the mill.
For many moons the wind has not blown so strong as it did Saturday. The wind was from the south and blowing at the rate of 50 miles an hour. The southern zephyr brought with it hundreds of tiny grass-hoppers probably from the plains of Kansas or Nebraska. The insects were young ones, just sprouting out into healthy graineaters.
Nearly all the local fishing fleet left for the lake today to set their nets, after a long idleness.
In a few weeks general navigation will be open. Our winter fleet will be leaving and the regular Chicago and Milwaukee liners will be plying their routes. The passenger traffic this year, of course, will not be nearly as heavy as it was Columbian year.
The Standard Oil Co. have fixed up their property near the C. & W. M. switch in the southern part of the city in fine shape. A spur from the road runs to their building and a fence has been built around their quarters.
The minnow season has arrived.
C. M. Westover has been appointed postmaster of Fruitport, vice W. H. Stevenson resigned.
As spring approaches the poor sidewalk begins to put in its appearance.
Last Saturday was unprecedented warm day for this section for so early in the year. The mercury ranged well up in the 60’s, and it became really sultry.
The little steamer Sport of Grand Rapids inaugurated the season yesterday by making a trip of twenty miles down the river. Such trips will be made until the low water of summer.
There are many high bluffs around Grand Haven, but probably the one from which the finest view of the surrounding country can be obtained is Rosy Mound. Because of the extreme difficulty of access there are many who have not climbed it. But once on top, a grand panorama presents itself. Right at the foot of the hill is a forest, but the hill is far above the treetops. The blue waters of the Grand River and its bayous and all the vicinity to the north, east and south of us is outlined.
Twenty Dollars Reward.
The undersigned (a self appointed committee working for absolutely nothing and boarding ourselves) wish to say that we do not look for thanks for anything we have done, but think it only justice that we be not accused of stealing and then lying about it. A few statements:
1. No seats have been reserved before the play went on (as advertised each time.) Mr. Lane has favored no one by saving seats for them.
2. Seats have been reserved for Akeley Institute each time, for the reason that they are paying about $4 apiece for season tickets to other $2 apiece; and because it would be impossible to get 50 seats together in any other way. But they have taken a position that brought part of them quite to the front rows each time.
3. The new seats in the Opera House number but 144. Of the old arm chairs there are 164, or 308 in all. It is impossible, at least we have found it so, to put upwards of 250 season ticket holders into the same seats.
The undersigned conjointly with D. A. Lane offer twenty dollars reward to the person who, can prove any one of the above statements to be false.
To conclude: If the above statements are true, then we submit that all this talk about cheating and unfair or underhanded dealing should cease.
S.M. Wright.
George D. Turner.
Thos. A Parish.
Jas. Orr.
D. A. Lane.
Ladies and Gentlemen:—I am glad that nice weather has commenced. Soon you will hear hammer and saws work up new buildings and old ones repaired, other ones moved around and the old court house marched down hill on Jackson St. Whether it will or not, I don’t know, but I know if it does that it will raise up that end of the city, where it is all small buildings. Get this two story up on the foundation and a bell in the tower, people will feel like they are living in another town. And it is not so much expense as a good many think, and it can all be done without any disgrace to the city or anyone else. M. Johnson.
The tug Bloecker had 400 pounds of fish in her nets yesterday.
Hereafter county teachers examinations may be held in the supervisor’s room of the new court house.
Joseph Kibler has leased the Andres House on Water St., for a term of years and will take charge the first of May.
An effort it is said will be made to have James Robinson the well known Muskegon sport, dog and chicken fighter, to referee the wrestling match between Brown and Cannon.
For many years it has been a custom in the Netherlands to observe a day of prayer in the early spring for the purpose of invoking the blessing of God on the crops that were just springing into life. This custom will be observed in this city tomorrow. The grocery stores and many of the business places will be closed all day.
Mrs. Peterson’s boarding house on Washington St., is being painted.
The fishermen are preparing for a busy season.
Aloys Bilz was elected President of Spring Lake yesterday by a large majority over Sylvester S. Rideout.
Supervisor Simon Stuveling, whose house was burned last week, will build a residence on Lafayette St.
Nearly all the cases of this term of circuit court are being postponed until next term when they may be tried in the new Court House.
To whom it may concern—Why is it whenever merchants have a sale there is a certain merchant that always interferes. This same merchant has more special sales than the rest of the merchants in this city and never known other merchants to interfere, when he has a sale. He must be jealous.
THE SPRING LAKE ELECTION.
Spring Lake has witnessed many exciting election contests, but never one which was more closely contested than was the village election of yesterday.
[This article can be see in its entirety on the Tribune microfilm at the Loutit Library.]
Burglary Case Goes Over.
The celebrated Verhoeks - Sickman burglary case which has been a topic of discussion in this city for three months, will not be tried this term of court. Judge Padgham this morning granted the defense a stay until the August term of circuit court, the prisoners to be held in bonds of $1500 each.
W. I. Lillie, attorney for the prisoners, made a strong fight to have the case go over the term. Prosecutor Visscher as strenuously opposed him. The claim of the defense was that an important witness outside of the state, could not be present. His testimony the defense claimed was necessary for their side of the case. This witness is supposed to be Cornelius Donker now living in Duluth, Minn.
The opposing lawyers closed their arguments before Judge Padgham this morning. Prosecutor Visscher moved that the bail of the prisoners, now $1500 each, be increased to $2000 or $2500 each. He said that bail should be fixed at such a figure that the ends of justice might be met if the prisoners absconded. During the three months that they have been kept in the county jail the board of supervisors has authorized the employment of an extra watch at the jail, the prisoners considered dangerous. The prosecutor argued that to stay the case would put the county to a great expense in the employment of this guard in the five long months that intervenes between now and the August term.
W. I. Lillie spoke in behalf of the prisoners. He said they were born in Grand Haven and had lived here all their lives. One of them had led an upright life, had a family of five children, and had never been arrested up to his arrest last December. The other prisoner, referring to John Verhoeks, he admitted had been arrested before, “but, Mr. Lillie said, if the prosecutor thinks he got such a great cinch on these young Dutchmen, I can give him a square tip now, that he has not.” The prisoner’s attorney thought the bail as it now stands, sufficient; even too much, and to increase it would be exorbitant.
A thousand dollars would be sufficient bail in the case. Mr. Lillie said that if the prisoners should escape, he would guarantee their return for that sum. Further, the attorney remarked that the bail under which the prisoners are now held is far above what any other prisoner charged with burglary was ever held in before in Ottawa county.
Mr. Visscher misunderstood Mr. Lillie, thinking he meant for any charge, and stated that the “important witness,” whom the defense wanted, ahd once before held in bonds of $3000 for the crime of arson.
To which Mr. Lillie made remarks that he had been speedily acquitted.
The judge then passed upon the arguments of the two attorneys, and his decision conceded the point brought up by the defense. Judge Padgham thought the bail of $1500 as it now stood, sufficient, and bound the prisoners over to the August term of circuit court.
Willie Fisher claims the distinction of finding the first birds nest of the year. It was a sparrow’s and contained three eggs.
Grand Haven’s youngest alderman, Herman Nyland, promises to make his mark some day. Though only 28 years of age he is the leader in the city council, and his vigorous protests against measures to which he is opposed has aroused the enmity of other councilmen. Nevertheless, Nyland holds the fort, and in the war of words, which occurs at every meeting, he generally comes out ahead.—Detroit Journal.
In circuit court this morning Prosecuting Attorney Visscher moved that the case of the People vs. John Stanton, for bringing tools of escape into the county jail be nolle prossed. The prisoner was discharged but was re-arrested at the foot of the stairs by Deputy VanHoef. The charge against him is conveying 18 saws into the county jail for the purpose of releasing John Verhoeks and Henry Sickman then prisoners in the jail. Stanton was brought before Justice Pagelson and bound over to circuit court for trial.
Hiler Arrested.
John T. Hiler the notorious Grand Havenite was arrested in Chicago Sunday night charged with perjury and bigamy. The complainant is Mrs. Adriana Washburn of Bloomington, Ill., whose daughter he wedded.
The Chicago Inter Ocean says “Mrs. Washburn claims to have found that Hiler was not legally married to her daughter. The mother of the deceived girl swore out warrants for the arrest of Hiler, and Deputy Sheriff A. S. Slocum, of McLean county, came to Chicago a week ago with papers. Hiler learned that he was wanted by officers and kept in hiding. Leaving his wife in a room on the South Side, he said to his friends that he was going to Valparaiso, Ind., on business.
Detectives Quinn and Kipley, of the Central Station, were detailed to assist Slocum in finding Hiler. For nearly a week the officers watched the house in which the young woman was living for Hiler’s return. Last evening a messenger boy called at the house. Officer Quinn learned from him that he had carried a note addressed to Mrs. John Hiler. A short time later the young woman came out from the house and walked down the street, where the latter had engaged rooms. They had scarcely had time to enter when the officers stepped in and arrested Hiler.”
The base ball season is near at hand.
Jack Burke, a professional wrestler, is here from Chicago training Brown for his match with Tom Cannon.
If reports are true Editor David Cronip is really missing and it is said has disappeared with this subscription books as well. The local correspondent of the Detroit News says his hat was found back of the Goodrich Transportation Co., warehouses and there are fears that he has drowned.
W. C. Sheldon has been granted a patent on a latch.
A. J. Ward who built the Court House will not again be a candidate for Mayor of Flint.
The tug Miller was unable to find her nets this week, one gang having been left I the lake at the close of operations this winter.
There was considerable slush ice off the port this morning, delaying the steamer Roanoke for as short time and preventing the fish tugs going out.
When the life saving crews go into service at the lake ports this spring they will experiment with a new torch to be used to the life boat when launched in a storm at night.
The case of the people vs. John Stanton, for attempting to aid Henry Sickman and John Verhoeks to escape from the county jail, was concluded in circuit court yesterday. Among the witnesses were Verhoeks and Sickman, when testified that they had no conversation with Stanton, while in jail. The prosecution attempted to prove that Stanton was in a plot to release Verhoeks and Sickman. He was in jail when they were first arrested. Some days after being released he was again arrested for drunkenness . Luckily, he was examined, and 18 saws, a handle and a set screw were found hidden in his underclothing. After serving his sentence for drunkenness he was arrested for carrying saws into the jail. The case went to the jury shortly before six last night. The judge remained in waiting until after eleven. The jury being unable to agree, they were brought from the jury room and discharged. Of the twelve jurors all but one were for conviction. The one was a farmer from Wright township whose convictions could not be changed by the others. Stanton will probably be held until the august term of court for trail again.
John Stanton will undoubtedly have the distinction of being the last of the hundreds of criminals who have been tried in Ottawa county’s famous old Court House and Andrew VanHoef the distinction of arresting the last criminal tried there.
An Early Crime.
Probably the first and one of the most brutal crimes committed in this vicinity, was the Haskins murder, which occurred in 1845. Located on the north side of Spring Lake, probably opposite the present site of the Spring Lake Hotel, was a log cabin occupied by a man and his wife, named Haskins. Boarding wit them was a vicious mulatto known as “Nigger Dock.” Haskins suspected that this wife’s relations with the negro were improper and one day he remonstrated with them.
“Nigger Dock” became enraged and waiting until Haskin’s back was turned, stabbed him in the back with a butcher’s knife. Haskins ran out of the cabin, but being weak from loss of blood, soon fell helpless. The negro overtook him and held him until the woman arrived. She then held him while “Nigger Dock” literally cut his head from his body.
The latter part of the tragedy was witnessed by a band of Indians from a near by forest. They captured the murderers and bound and brought them to Grand Haven, which was then but a mere trading post. Shortly after her capture the woman suicided, but the negro was tried and went to prison for life and died in the penitentiary in the early 60’s.
Representative Bingham of Philadelphia will try to prevent Secretary Carlisle from carrying out his plan to have the government print its own postage stamps. He will urge that this policy of government competition with private enterprise is unjust.
John T. Hiler, who was recently arrested at Bloomington, Ill., on a charge of bigamy, was well known in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Saginaw and other Michigan towns. In Saginaw he shocked several ladies by asking them to marry him after only a few hour’s acquaintance. One young lady, Mill Elizabeth Blumke, thinking he was joking, accepted him in fun. Hiler got the license, but he did not get Miss Blumke, and when his frivolity became known he left town.—Detroit news.
John T. Hiler, arrested for bigamy by Sheriff Slocum, of McLean Co., at the instance of Mrs. Adriana Washburn of Bloomington, was taken to the latter place yesterday . Hiler, according to his own confession, has been a very much married and very much engaged young man, although he denies the charge of bigamy. He is about 28 years of age and claims to be a song writer by profession. He said yesterday that he had divorces from each of two women who claimed him as a husband but acknowledged that he had been engaged to Lititia Keller, and employee in McGraw’s shoe factory at Detroit, Mich., Carrie Sachs, daughter of the postmaster at Toledo, Ohio, and Nellie Wilkinson, of West Toledo, Ohio.—Chicago Inter Ocean.
A curious objection urged against road reform is the assertion that it is a movement simply for the benefit of riders and makers of bicycles. A narrow path answers every purpose of the riders of bicycles and it is far more reasonable to suppose that the bicyclers, composed as they are of intelligent, enterprising and public spirited men, have been peculiarly impressed with the horrible conditions of the roads in their trips through the country and that they have learned to appreciate the benefits that must come to the farmers in the cities, from improved public thoroughfares.—Rochester Democrat.
A number of young men on a wager the other night ran from Highland Park Hotel to Jacob VanderVeen’s drug store in less than eight minutes.
Muskrats are very plentiful in this vicinity.
Seats for the wrestling match are now at sale at Hutty’s.
The Tribune extends its thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ledger for the sample of wedding cake sent to this office.
Geo. Kennedy has resigned as surfman in the Grand Haven Life Saving Station and will remain in Detroit to finish his course in the Detroit Business University.
An inch or two of heavy wet snow covered the ground this morning, falling in the early hours. Snow no longer finds residence at this season of the year and by noon the fall had been materially diminished.
Jerry Boynton, president and promoter of the Central Michigan Ry., says that he has all the iron purchased for the road, and that work will be commenced as soon as the right of way has been secured.
I saw in the Tribune of Monday that Mr. A. Stap intended to shut his feed store Wednesday (Day of Prayer.) Instead his store was open until half past four yesterday, and was doing business all that time. Was that true Christian spirit?
H. Arkema.
An attempt at burglary is supposed to have been made at the residence of John Bryce last night. The family were all away during the evening and upon returning found unmistakable evidence of some one attempting to get in the house. The blinds of a front window were open and the window looked as though it had been raised.
The Haskin’s Tragedy.
I noticed in your issue of March 14 an account of the first brutal crime in this vicinity which the writer says was committed in 1845. Now why do not people state facts?
The Hawkins murder was committed upon the north side of Spring Lake opposite Monroe & Boyce saw mill, in a log house owned by “Nigger Dock” as you see call fit to call him, but whose real name was Dick Turpan.
Turpan and Haskins were having words while waiting for dinner. Turpan stabbed him in the breast leaving the knife in his breast.
Haskins ran out of the shed upon some plowed ground and fell, dying in a few moments; the only cut being in the breast.
The tragedy occurred in 1855 instead of 1845.
Turpan was sent to Jackson for life, and died I think in the 60’s.
Five weeks after Turpan’s sentence, Mrs. Haskins married a man by the name of Fox who was an ex-convict and became notorious in the burning of the Taylor Tannery at Grand Rapids in 51 or 52, he swearing that a man named Mills hired him to do the deed, which was taken with great allowance. Turpen was a shrewd pettifogger.
Many is the time I have listened to Turpen talk against such men as George and Wm. Parker and Henry Pennoyer and seldom got left and was one of the bight colored men of the times.
It was generally conceded that if you got into a bad scrape Turpen could help you out. Of course law was more elastic, than at the present day.
A. J. Emlaw.
Romantic John
Last night's Detroit Journal has a column and a half article on John T. Hiler, the most romantic individual Grand Haven ever produced. The article says:
"Hiler is as interesting character as was ever compelled to seek the shelter of detective headquarters. He is only 28 years old, but has been engaged to handsome girls all over the state of Michigan. It was when he came to Illinois and wooed and won a Bloomington girl in twenty-four hours that he got into trouble. The ballads that he wrote and sang in his deep bass voice appear to have been of more service to him in making love than antique titles and tumble down castles on the Rhine have been to many wife-seeking foreigners."
Hiler, it seems, has a penchant of becoming engaged to girls of higher-up families and dedicating songs to them, thus winning their love.
He was engaged once to the daughter of the Chief of Police of Saginaw and driven from the girl's home by her irate father, who presented a revolver dangerously close to John's head. At Detroit he was dangerously near to marriage, going so far as to get out a license to wed a certain Miss Keller. The wedding day was set and the important hour arrived, guests were seated in waiting at the home of the perspective bride. John never came, but sent a messenger informing Miss Keller that he had not yet received a divorce from his wife. The young lady wept and her friends cursed, and Hiler made himself scarce for awhile.
John declares himself innocent of bigamy and has no fear of going to Joliet. During his incarceration the following piece of poetry has been composed for him by Inspector Shea:
Come rest on this shirt-front, my Bloomington dear,
The coppers have nabbed me; I'm locked up down here;
Come quick to your Johnnie, for the charge is not true,
And do not forget to bring bondsmen with you.
President Cleveland will make a tour of the great lakes in May.
Wm. VanSchelven’s pony ran away yesterday, badly damaging the wagon.
The next time you indulge in horse racing “Doc” take a faster horse along than you had yesterday.
The largest vessel on the lakes was launched at Detroit yesterday. It was the Henry H. Brown, 362 ft. long and capable of carrying 4000 tons.
The Christian Reformed churches and the First Reformed church had a Day of Prayer services yesterday morning. The grocery stores and many of the business places conducted by Holland people were closed all day.
The little schooner Alice Royce was the first vessel outside of the regular line to clear from this port this year. She left today for Manistee. Another schooner was also seen skirting the shore bound north this morning.
The Traverse State Road which runs the length of Western Michigan, will be known in Holland as the state road hereafter.
Grand Haven claims that during the recent gales hundreds of young grasshoppers, presumably scooped up from the plains of Nebraska, were rained upon the town. Grand Haven’s claim department is becoming almost as unique as that of Miss Madeline Pollard, formerly of Kentucky.—G. R. Democrat.
Mr. J. Byl is building a wind mill on his land east of the Corn Planter works.
The Spring Lake brick yard will resume work as soon as all dang