Looking Back

115 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Saturday, August 6, 1892

"Tug" Wilson of Chicago, formerly of Fort Mackinac, was a caller at the St. Ignace office Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning last, fire broke out on the steamer Remora at 4 o'clock and she burned to the water's edge in St. Ignace. The crew was discharged a week ago and she has been anchored in the bay since. The only persons on board were Capt. Vosburgh and the watchman, who barely escaped with their lives, both being badly burned about the face and hands. The origin of the fire is unknown. The loss is $12,000; insurance, $5,000.

90 Years Ago The St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, August 9, 1917

The war board for Mackinac county late yesterday afternoon completed the examination of those called in the first quota of 132 registered men.

While he will not be credited to Mackinac county's quota, to Fred Boucha will undoubtedly go the honor of being the first St. Ignace boy accepted in the draft for Uncle Sam's new army. Fred expressed no regret at being called on to fight for his country, in fact, was quite pleased that he would be given a chance to do his bit in defeating the war-mad kaiser and making the world a safe place to live in.

The allies have come to a full agreement as to the remodeling of the map of Europe after the war. The allies propose to restore Belgium, give the Alsace-Lorrain back to France, internationalize Constantinople, and lessen the governmental grip to Turkey. The Grecian boundary will be moved northward, while Greece will get some of the islands near her in the Mediterranean.

S.P. 505, submarine chaser, on her way from Chicago to the coast, met with an accident while coming down the straits. She caught fire in the galley, which spread to the engine room and damaged the engine. By the use of a chemical fire extinguisher, the crew succeeded in extinguishing the flames. She was taken in tow by a steam barge that was passing and towed to the Island, where she is awaiting the arrival of new parts to the engine so she can proceed on her journey.

The Mackinac Island branch of the Red Cross has arranged for a musical night at the Grand casino for Saturday evening, with a fine program.

Three birdmen of the Allied governments spend Sunday at the Island. The party consisted of Lieut. Col. L.N.B. Rees of the British Royal flying corps, Maj. Raffaelo Perfetti of the Italian aviation corps, and Capt. Henri Bouriff of the French's aviation service.

50 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, August 8, 1957

The St. Ignace Nighthawks defeated the Island Spartans 6- 2 last Sunday to take over first place in the Babe Ruth league, leaving the Spartans in second place.

Daisy Day will be held August 14 with Mrs. Raymond Chambers as chairman and Mrs. G. Mennen Williams honorary chairman. Daisy Day is the only tag day at Mackinac. It is to help defray the salary of our lay health nurse.

Harry Brindle and Lewis Bunker spent Sunday at Cheboygan, enjoying a day of fishing.

Frank Foster, tennis professional at Grand Hotel, who has conducted classes in St. Ignace this season, announced that a tennis tournament, men's singles and doubles, will open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 11.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, August 10, 1972

The 15th annual Mackinac Bridge walk is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. on Labor Day morning from the fare plaza and end 4.5 miles across the Straits in Mackinaw City. Also, during the afternoons of the Labor Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, St. Ignace will be the scene of "The Black Gown Tree," a dramatic musical presentation based on the life and explorations of Pere Marquette.

Catherine McNally held a family reunion this past week.

Staying at the Cloghaun at the time was Mrs. James Cameron, the former Ann Mary Golden. The occasion marks the first time that all five of the Golden children have been together at the Island in many years.

The annual Rummage Sale will be held on August 24.

Mr. and Mrs. John Dunsmuir of Toronto are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Jim McGreevy Sr. and Mrs. Agnes Shine.

Wayne Zwolinski was appointed Postmaster of Mackinac Island Post Office. He has been officer in charge since the resignation of Emerson Dufina. He is married to Joann Sawyer and has been an Island resident for eight years.

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, August 6, 1992

A unique cargo ship passed through Round Island Sunday evening, August 2, enroute eastbound. She was the Anita Smits from Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Green color, she is very interesting.

Mrs. Edward Pfeiffelman, who is employed in our local post office, is in Lansing taking two weeks of training with the postal department.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The St. Ignace News 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.