Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== PENTWATER NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1872 VOLUME II, NUMBER 94. - The schooner WINNIE WING, lately purchased by Messers. Nickerson & Col*** of this place, made his first visit to **** this week. Her rank is A 1., capacity 200 tons. She is in all respects best vessel we have ever seen in this place. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PENTWATER NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1872 VOLUME II, NUMBER 95. - The Traverse Bay Eagle says: "On Monday a Negro, while loading wood on board the ANNIE CRAIG, at Northport, wheeled his barrow from the dock onto the boat with such momentum that it broke through the opposite side, precipitating him into the bay. He rose to the surface once, when a rope was thrown to him; but he was probably injured by the fall, and sunk again immediately. At last accounts his remains had not been recovered. - On Saturday last, as the steamer JENISON was coming up Grand River, when passing through Willow Bend, near Nortonville, a little girl, 9 years old, fell from the guards of the boat into the stream. Her clothing sustained her from sinking for several moments, and in the meantime a boat was lowered from the steamer. After she had been in the water about five minutes she commenced sinking, and water rushed into her mouth, but, with wonderful presence of mind in one so young, she caught one corner of her cloak and crowded it into her mouth, preventing the water from strangling her. Soon after the boat arrived and saved her from a watery grave, to the great relief of her anxious parents. - Grand Rapids Democrat. COMMON COUNCIL Common Council met Tuesday, Nov. 5, pursuant to call of the President. Present, Gray, Herrington, Ratzel, Absent, Williams, Flagg. The following resolution was offered by Hodges: WHEREAS, It has come to the knowledge of this Board of Health of the village of Pentwater, that a certain sail vessel, called the BLACK HAWK, was ly- ing and being in Pentwater Harbor within the lim- its of said village of Pentwater, is infected with the disease of smallpox; and whereas, the Board of the township of Pentwater have given their con- sent that a quarantine ground be established in said township and outside of the limits of said village. Thereupon it is resolved by the Board of Health of said village of Pentwater that all that part of Pentwater Lake known as the Big Bayou be and the same is hereby established as a quarantine ground, and that said vessel be removed to said quarantine ground, there to remain for a period of forty days, unless permission to leave be sooner granted by this Board, and that all persons on board of said vessel be and are hereby prohibited from leaving said vessel during the time aforesaid and all persons whomsoever be prohibited from moving any of the goods and effects now on board of said vessel during the time aforesaid. On motion of Herrington, was adopted. Ayes, Hodges, Herrington, Ratzel. On motion of Ratzel, the President was appointed to see that a copy of the above resolution be furnished to the Capt. of the BLACK HAWK. On motion of Hodges, adjourned. - Another dredge will arrive at Pentwater and begin work on the harbor as soon as the weather will permit. - The dredge now at work has enlightened the South side of the Pentwater channel from the end of the government pier to within a few feet of the bluffs. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PENTWATER NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1872 VOLUME II, NUMBER 96. - During the gale on the 6th, a schooner was driven ashore at Grand Haven, and one at Black Lake. Names not learned. The latter is a complete wreck. - A second dredge arrived on Saturday and both have been kept at work during the week. The contractors desire to complete the work this fall if possible, and will do so if the weather is favorable, and the ***priation will do all that was expected. - ANOTHER WRECK - The engineer of the CITY OF TOLEDO reports a propeller wrecked between Pentwater and Sheboygan. On Monday, about twenty miles from the former place, they passed numerous pieces of the wreck, com- prising part of the *** stanchion, drag, and a grained door with a cir- cular top; but saw nothing from which the name of the lost propeller could be ascertained. - PROPELLER LOST - The propeller ANNIE LAURIE, owned by Chas. Mears, went down last week in Lake Huron, and only one person is reported to have been saved. The ANNIE LAURIE was loaded with wheat, and running from Chicago to Buffalo. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PENTWATER NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1872 VOLUME II, NUMBER 97. - THE MESSENGER IN THE STORM. - The Evening Wisconsin of Friday says: "The propeller MESSENGER arrived here at 10 o'clock this morning from Manistee. She left the latter port at 5:30 last evening, and en- countered the most terrible storm of the season. The wind blew a living gale from the west southwest, and the air was filled with snow and sleet, and the seas ran "mountain high." The gallant little propeller kept at it, however, making good progress, and reached the west shore between Sheboygan and Manitowoc at an early hour this morn- ing. The night was a trying one to those on board, but the splendid behaviour of the steamer allayed any fear of danger which may have existed at the start. Captain Cochrane remained at the wheel himself for hours. As the MESSENGER plunged into one after another of the heavy seas which she encountered, the water was thrown entirely over her, but the only damage sustained was the loss of the water tank, situated on the hurricane deck." - BODIES RECOVERED. - One Unknown - The others Supposed to be those of W. H. Straight, Lemars, Iowa, Henry Sparks, Cook of the Steamer LAC LA BELLE, and H. Freeman, of Bedford, Ohio. - On last Sunday the body of an unknown man was found on the beach of Lake Michigan about a half mile south of the government pier. The deceased was apparently about forty years of age, five feet ten inches in height, thick set, weighing from one hundred and sixty to one hun- dred and eighty pounds, black hair and whiskers tinged with gray. He was dressed in dark brown pantaloons and vest, - no coat, - with checkered hickory under shirt, white shirt, and leather gaiters. Nothing was found upon his person except a new black handled, three bladed knife, a lead pencil, and a piece of white metal watch chain, with bar attached, which had apparently been worn but a short time. An inquest was held on the body by Esq. Hartwick, and it was then interred in the new burying ground. On Monday another body was found on the beach near the north line of Oceana county, which from papers found in the pockets, appears to have been that of W. H. Straight of Lemars, Iowa. A number of memo- randa on which the above name repeatedly occurs, and also the picture of a young lady were found wrapped in a handbill, on which was printed the following card: BLODGET & FLINT DEALERS IN DRY GOODS, GROCERIES & PROVISIONS, CORN, FLOUR & FEED, LEMARS, IOWA His pocket book had apparently been opened, and only contained twenty cents in money when it was examined by the jurors. In the coat pocket the following letter was found addressed to W. H. Straight Lemars, Plymouth Co, Iowa. Postmarked, Vermontville, Mich., July 26. Vermontville, July 23, 1872. HARRISON: - I thought I would write to you this rainy day. You must excuse me for waiting so long, as I have been away from home. We are all well here and at work as usual. Wheat all cut, etc. You did not say whether you had taken up a homestead, or how far you were from timber or railroad. Please tell me how many went with you. Please give us a more full account of your home, and what you expect to do for building, etc. They are at work on the new railroad. I am still preaching here. Dell still bears a poor name, running about in Nashville with all old plugs. Rus and Herb are going up north soon to get them a 160 acres. You can get land there, good timber, sugar camp, and timber to build, and when you want work you can go in to the pine and get cash for labor. A Mr. Brook went from here and has got 160. There is no ague there, good water and plenty of fish. I expect to go up there in September if I can get money. I would like it if you were there. That lumber makes lots of money. Please write soon and let me know how you get along. You must excuse for this time, and when I hear from you I will write more. This from your father, hoping so to live on earth as to meet in Heaven. J. H. Straight. An inquest was held on the body by Esq. Hartwick on Monday after- noon, and it was then interred in the village cemetery. Esq. Hartwick immediately wrote to Rev. J. H. Straight, giving the sad particulars of the death of his son, who was probably on his way home on a visit, when death unexpectedly met him on the treacherous deep. Lemars is almost due west from Milwaukee, on the western line of Iowa, and Vermontville is on the Grand River Valley R.R., about twenty miles south of Ionia, so that the most direct course for him to take would have been via Milwaukee and Grand Haven, and it seems probable that he was one of the passengers on the ill-fated LAC LA BELLE. An inquest was held Nov. 16th, 1872, by A. R. Wheeler, Esq., at Little Point Au Sable, five miles north of the village of Benona, on the shore of Lake Michigan, on the body of a dead colored man, there lying on the beach of the lake, supposed to be the body of Henry Sparks, who is supposed to have been a cook on the steamer LAC LA BELLE, at the time she was lost off Racine last October, the 14th or 15th. His height was about 5 feet 2 inches. Had a broad, heavy silver ring on the little finger of the right hand, with initials marked on it, but too much worn to enable us to tell what they were. There was found in the side pocket of his coat two letters dated "Milwaukee, Oct. 13th, 1872." One was a letter of recommendation as a first class cook, from H. Hafemaster to F. Kaeifer, stating his name to be Henry Sparks. The other letter was from a person signing her name as Emma Sprague. No valuables were found upon his body. The verdict was in accordance with the above. Accidental drowning by the sinking of the steamer LAC LA BELLE, Oct. 14th or 15th, 1872. On the same day, before R. E. Cater, Esq., was taken an inquest on the body of H. Freeman, found on the beach the evening before. The coroner's jury found that he "came to his death by drowning." Deceased had on a cork life preserver, and the outfit of a traveling agent. Forty seven dollars in money and a gold watch were found on his person. By his memorandum book his residence was found to be Bedford, Ohio, and name as above. He was doubtless one of the five or six persons who were on the ill fated LAC LA BELLE when she went down. We learn from Mr. Bird that himself and Mr. Bunyea of this place, discovered the body of an unknown person on the beach of Lake Michigan last Friday evening, about half past ten o'clock. He was about 5 1/2 feet in height, dressed in dark colored clothes, with a cork life preserver around his waist. Subsequent search was made by the proper authorities the next morning, but they failed to find the body the second time. It is thought that these gentlemen mistook some object on which the life preserver had lodged, for the body of a man. - The schooner GERTRUDE went ashore at Ludington Wednesday night, while trying to make that Harbor. We learn that Messers. Underhill & Gray of this place, have a considerable quantity of goods on board. - The dredges are kept at work, notwithstanding the blustering weather. The work already accomplished has greatly improved the appearance of the channel, which will be put in good condition for the "transit line" during the winter. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PENTWATER NEWS PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1872 VOLUME II, NUMBER 98. - The schooner FLEA, owned by Lyman & Wright, went on the beach north of the pier, at Manistee, on Thursday of last week, and will prove a total loss. She was insured. It was thought that the cargo would be saved. - The MESSENGER got aground in Ludington channel, just abreast of the old slab piers, on Thursday of last week, and after several ineffectual attempts to plow her way through, at last succeeded with the assistance of the tug ALDRICH. - The schooner GERTRUDE, owned by E. D. Richmond & W. A. Rounds, which went on the beach at Ludington last week, was got off without serious damage to the vessel, and with cargo uninjured. The total damage will amount to about $400. The GERTRUDE goes to Milwaukee where she will be thoroughly repaired and will then return to Pentwater. - Mr. Hartwick has received a note from Rev. J. H. Straight, of Vermont- ville, father of W. H. Straight, whose corpse was found on the beach on the 16th. Mr. Straight says that deceased was the **** of a family of five, that he has not the means to come now and get the remains, but hopes to soon; requests that the grave be marked, and thanks those who gave the boy proper burial and furnished the information of the sad fate of his son. TERRIBLE MARINE DISASTER. --------- The Schooner SOUVENIR Lost with All Hands - The Scow MINNIE CORLETT Goes on the Beach. --------- The most terrible disaster that ever happened in this section, occurred on Wednesday morning last, the results of which have brough mourning to many families in this village, and sadness to the whole community. On Tuesday evening, the weather being pleasant, the SCHOONER SOUVENIR LEFT PORT with a cargo of 800,000 shingles, con- signed to Chicago, intending to make the west shore, the wind being in the south- west, and thence making her way up the lake. About the same time, the MINNIE CORLETT also left port, laden with lumber in the hold and square timber on deck, al- so destined for Chicago. About noon, on Wednesday, our citizens were greatly agi- tated by A TELEGRAM from Ludington, announcing that the SOUVENIR had gone ashore a short distance south of that harbor, that the crew were lost, and that a vessel thought to be the CORLETT, was on the beach near Lincoln, two miles north of Ludington. Mr. Sands, one of the owners of the SOUVENIR, at once left for the scene of the disaster, and the worst fears of the friends of those on board were confirmed by subsequent reports. About 11 P.M., Tuesday, the wind changed to the west and increased to A TERRIBLE GALE and later to the north-west and the weath- er turned suddenly bitterly cold, with a driving, blinding show storm, almost un- bearable on shore, and ten times more on the open lake. Of course the vessels were driven back on this shore. The SOUVENIR was discovered going on the outer bar about 9 A.M. the next morning, and sever- al citizens of Ludington went down to the beach. There was ONE MAN ON DECK but he was unable to make himself heard, and no one would venture to almost cer- tain destruction by attempting to go to the vessel in a boat. By signals, they made him understand that they wished him to tie a rope around his body, and let the other float ashore, when they would haul him in. He signified "No!" - either being unable to make the effort, or thinking it useless. Shortly before noon, Mr. Girard, the light house keeper at Ludington, made a successful trial to reach the vessel in a small boat, going alone, no one having the courage to accom- pany him. He found the man yet alive, but unconscious, and he continued to breathe but a few moments afterwards. He seemed to be THE LAST SURVIVOR as no sign of life was apparent on board, and no bodies visible, except possibly one near the wheel, but the sea breaking over the stern so fiercely that it was impossible to explore that part of the vessel, to ascer- tain certainly. The rigging and deck load were gone, and the spars had fallen aft, and still remained on deck. It is probable that most of the crew were SWEPT OVERBOARD before the vessel struck. The following are the names of the lost: Charles Craine, Captain. Frank Whitcomb, Mate. John Perry, Steward. Charles Dagle, Peter Hallene, Richard Moore, Thomas Thayer, seamen. The men all made their homes in Pent- water, and most of their friends lived here. Capt. Craine leaves a wife and two children. He was a good citizen, and a thorough sailor, and his loss will be deeply mourned in this community. He had lately pur- chased a quarter interest in the schooner SOUVENIR, and the vessel under his control had already cleared $4,400 since navigation opened this spring. The SOUVENIR was a favorite in this place, being of fine model, and staunch in every respect. She was owned by Sands & Max- well, Capt. Craine, and Mrs. Thos. Craine, and valued at $6,000. There was no in- surance. This was to be her last trip for the season, as it has probably proved to be for all time. Just before she left the dock, we spoke to the captain in regard to the present trip, and he seemed to be more than usually cheerful and sanguine in re- gard to his success, and promised us on his return a statement of the number of trips he had made during the season. The shingles belonged to Stillman Par- ker, and were worth $2,000. THE MINNIE CORLETT. The crew of the CORLETT were more suc- cessful, all reaching the shore alive, but with hands and feet frozen. We have not the full particulars, but as she was flat bottomed, she could be run over the outer bar, and very near the beach, giving those on board a much better chance for their lives. The vessel was owned by Nicker- son & Collister, who are both absent. She is reported to be going to pieces, and will undoubtedly be a total loss. She was worth about $4,000. The cargo was owned by S. A. Browne & Co., and was worth perhaps $1,000. Neither the vessel nor the cargo was insured. --------------------------------------- THE PROPELLER IRONSIDES, Tuesday morning collided with the schooner FLO- RETTA, lying near the stone dock, opposite the harbor. She struck the schooner near the fore-rigging, between two frames, cut- ting through the outside planking from plankshire to bilge, starting the deck beams and deck and also the ceiling. The schoon- er began to fill, but was promptly listed over, and in this way kept afloat until a steam pump could be put on board. After being pumped out she was towed to Wolf & Davidson's shipyard and placed in the dry dock. The accident was caused by the giving out of the steamer's bell wires, which prevented Captain Saveland from communicating with the engineer at the critical moment. - Mil. Wis. ------------------------------------------ PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE The Schooner "Home," of Manitowoc, Given Up For Lost, Safely Enters Pentwater Harbor. A most narrow and providential escape was vouchsafed, last Wednesday night, to the crew and owner of the schooner HOME, of Manitowoc, which cleared from Manis- tee last Sunday morning, loaded with lum- ber and a deck load of timber. She stood across to the west shore with an E. N. E. wind, bound for Milwaukee, and after a few hours came within about thirty miles of Sheboygan, when the wind shifted to S. W. and blew a gale, driving her back to this shore. A part of her deck load was thrown off about one o'clock Sunday night, and about 4 P.M. Monday Big Point Sauble was in sight. The wind now changed to W. N. W., and brought the vessel to leeward of Manitowoc light, on Monday night; but not being able to clear Two Rivers point, she was brought about, and again made for the east shore. The sea ran high, carrying away her head lights and covering her sail and rigging with ice, so that she was rendered almost unmanageable. At last, the crew were exhausted and gave themselves up for lost. It seems useless to attempt a description of their perils and sufferings, and suffice it to say that about nine o'clock Wednesday night, they saw Pere Marquette light, but being unable to enter, stood along the shore, and at last came into Pentwater harbor safely, about one o'clock yester- day morning. We are indebted to the owner, N. Vader, of Manitowoc, and Capt. Ole Hanson, for the above particulars. ===========================================================================