Looking Back

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, April 16, 1892

The Gazelle steamed out of her winter quarters yesterday to go on the Island route.

In the Mackinac department of the St. Ignace Republican, Editor Ketehum says: "Whenever George T. Arnold goes away from Mackinac, he looks up a surprise to give us on his return. His latest is the best. He has purchased the Delta Transportation Company's interest and goodwill in the Soo Line of boats and will hereafter control the whole business himself. The propellor T.S. Faxton will go on the route as soon as navigation opens and about June 1st a boat will be put on to run with the Faxton. The name of the other boat we are not able to give, but she will be a speedy one. John McCarty will sail the Faxton as usual. We wish Mr. Arnold success in his new venture."

90 Years Ago The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 5, 1917

The steamer Islander of the Arnold Transit Company is expected to open navigation between Mackinac Island and St. Ignace sometime this week - today or tomorrow, perhaps. The steamer has been fitted out and is ready to go into commission as soon as the ice conditions will permit.

The opening of navigation to the Island will be a great relief both to the residents of Mackinac and St. Ignace. The Islander made her last trip on Sunday, January 13th, the earliest closing of the route in a number of years, and the opening will be one of the latest - nearly three months.

Capt. McCarty, on his arrival to St. Ignace from Mackinac Island Tuesday morning, told of the peculiar ice conditions. He says that the ice has candled until the bay is one complete mass of ice spikes from four to six inches in height. These spikes are sharp as needles, making the walking extremely hard and difficult. While he has seen candled ice on the bay every year since he can remember, he never saw the conditions quite the same as this spring.

Carrie Nation and her little hatchet of doings, of which filled columns of space in the newspapers a few years ago, was vividly recalled to Islanders by an episode here Saturday night. The "Carrie Nations" in this instance were Mrs. Nellie O'Leary and her daughter, Miss Frances O'Leary, residents of the Island.

It was about 7 o'clock Saturday evening when Mrs. and Miss O'Leary left their home and proceeded to the White Seal saloon of Wm. Sullivan. While the mother stood at the door of the saloon with an axe at her side, Miss O'Leary entered the place and, pushing her way through a crowd of men, threw a hammer, which she had concealed about her, at the big mirror back of the bar.

The hammer struck the lower left hand corner of the glass and shivered it to pieces. It also hit the electrical wires attached to the cash register and put the lights in the counter out of commission. The damage inflicted was about $125. She was ejected from the saloon and, with her mother, returned home.

Sunday night the two women, armed as before, went down town and made a demonstration in front of the Bogan drug store, but essayed no damage.

The two women were arrested by Sheriff Benjamin and they are now confined in the county jail awaiting an examination. Mrs. O'Leary has waged war on the Island saloons for a number of years, and it is alleged that she said that she would put them all out of business and also made her threat that the Grand Hotel would not open for business this season.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's address to Congress Monday night has stirred the country up to a pitch of patriotic enthusiasm such as has never before been witnessed in the United States. That a formal declaration of war with Germany is but a matter of a few hours is conceded.

Bonnie Doon, the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Lachance, has been taken by Dr. Dewey Hickey for the coming season. They occupied it last year.

Ensign Gerald Bogan, who was detailed to the naval training station at Great Lakes, Illinois, last October, was suddenly ordered to sea March 24. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Birmingham, a fast cruiser. Their whereabouts was not to be made public according to the strict rules now prevailing.

50 Years Ago The Republican-News &

St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 4, 1957

John Franks was elected mayor of Mackinac Island in Monday's nonpartisan election. He was opposed by George Trippe, "sticker" candidate. The official tally announced by the election board was 341 total votes cast. Franks 212, Trippe 28.

Although heavy ice fields still clog the Straits of Mackinac, construction resumed Monday on the Mackinac Bridge. Hoisting machinery to handle heavier truss spans was being transported. The spans, erected in sections at the old mill dock, will be floated to the center span, where they will be lifted into place.

First Arnold Transit Company boat from Mackinac Island this spring arrived with a capacity load of passengers about 4:45 p.m. last Friday, March 29. She docked at State Dock No. 1 without difficulty.

Mackinac Island life boat station opened Thursday with Round Island passage light testing its fog signal, a very welcome sign to Islanders this time of year.

35 Years Ago The Republican-News &

St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, April 6, 1972

City elections on Mackinac Island brought out 222 voters and registered 133 absentee ballots in the spring election Monday, April 3. Otto Emmons, the incumbent, was reelected mayor with a 185-163 win over Clemens Gunn.

For city clerk, incumbent Joann Bagbey won over Lenore Goodheart by a 190- 150 count.

The proposal governing snowmobiles on the Island passed with 162 voting yes and 116 against. The proposal allows snowmobiles to be operated on all city streets, roads, alleys, etc. under the jurisdiction of the city and rules and regulations on these streets will be set and enforced by the city.

The committee on Christmas in July will have an early April meeting, Chairman Mrs. John Bloswick announced. Please plan to attend and help with this worthy cause on July 25.

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, April 2, 1992

Margaret Doud, mayor for 17 years and most often unopposed for reelection, is challenged by local wedding service operator Larry Parel in one of Mackinac Island's most spirited city elections in memory next Monday, April 6.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Town Crier is seeking original prints or reprints of old photographs depicting areas in the Eastern Upper Peninsula to be scanned into the archives and for the Looking Back column. Photographs to be loaned or donated to the Michilimackinac Historical Society can also be dropped off at The St. Ignace News.