The Daily Telegram (Adrian Daily Telegram) has kindly allowed us to print some of their '100 Years Ago Today' columns for your viewing pleasure. Please keep in mine that this is the property of the Adrian Telegram and thus falls under U. S. copyright laws. I hope you enjoy reading things from the past.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published December 18, 1897
A commendable act of kindness was witnessed at Wesley's store. Two young children, a boy and a girl, were trudging along with some completed laundry they were delivering for their mother. As they passed Wesley's clothing store, a fine looking gentleman inquired about their lack of mittens. When he learned they had none, he promptly took the children into the store and purchased a pair for each. The indentity of the man is not known.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published December 8, 1897
The national croquet tournament is getting under way on the grounds of the O.J. Avery home on Church Street. No games have been played yet, but the experts are limbering up on the course. Singles and doubles matches will be played on two courses which have been laid out. Contestants have arrived from Coldwater, Ypsilanti, Kalamazoo, Rome, Jasper, and Monroe. Some battles royal are expected.
NOTE from Carol Stevens: I cannot imagine playing croquet in December in Michigan, cold and wet. Can you imagine the damage it must do to ones lawn in December? Tough little bugers weren't they?
Carol, you forgot to mention keeping an eye on your ball if the yard is full of snow. With the four to five inches we got today, that could make for one crazy game.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published November 27, 1897
William Guard, the obstreperous (NOTE: WHAT?????) hobo who wanted a ticket to hades at the Lake Shore depot some days ago, finished his jail sentence. As he was leaving the jail with fellow prisoner Nate Meyers, Nate complained that Guard had stolen one of four silver dollars from his vest pocket, when the vest had been hanging on a nail. Guard had no way of disposing of the tell-tale silver piece, and it was found on his person. In consequence, William went back to jail and Nate got his silver.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published November 21, 1897
A vicious looking man stepped up to the Lake Shore ticket window and told Hobart Mitchell to "Give me a ticket to he--." Mitchell ignored the fellow until he began to bother others at the depot. The man then threatened Mitchell with a big jack knife, saying he was looking for trouble. At this point, Mitchell did not hesitate but to call for the officers. Turnkey Haviland responded, but before he arrived the fellow was forcibly removed from the station house. He then wandered back in and took a seat.
When the officer arrived the stranger repeated his request for passage to the infernal regions, but offered no resistance when told to march to jail. He gave his name at the jail as William Guard.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published October 29, 1897
Simon Pure Frances Schlatter, the long-haired gent who has been claiming to be the great divine healer from Denver while conducting nightly seances for the crowds on North Main, is now behind bars of this city, charged with being a common drunk. He was arrested after enjoying a few slugs of whiskey, to cure a cold. he said, then making an exhibition of himself down at the Lake Shore depot. His "private secretary", a Mr. Martin, says Schlatter is considering a suit for $50,000 against the city for false imprisonment.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published October 21, 1897
In the Myers building, No 28, N. Main. is an exhibit of one of the greatest curiosities of the age. It is the mumified or mineralized remains of a Norwegian giant 9 1/2 feet tall, found on the spot in Rhode Island where it is supposed that old Viking nobles landed. This Norseland giant, it is claimed, is one of Lief Erickson's men, and was unearthed in Rhode Island in 1892. The mummy is held by scientific men to be one of the ancient explorers who came to America some 500 years before Columbus. It has been examined by the eminent specialist Dr. G. J. Brand ofDetroit, who has pronounced it to be genuine. Ladies and gentlemen may see if for 10 cents each, and the children may look for five cents.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published October 10, 1897
The 50th anniversary of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. John's congregation. Oct. 10, 1897, was a day of great joy for all members. According to a history read by the pastor, the Rev. J. Fackler, a number of German Lutherans moved to Adrian in 1847 and met in each others' homes. When the Rev. Hattestaedt of Monroe learned of this, he began coming to Adrian every four weeks to preach. The congregation was officially organized on Oct. 10, 1847, under the name Germany Evangelical Lutheran Church of Adrian. Charter members, who have all gone to their rest, were Fred Gippert, John Loeft1er, John Lenawee County Michiga 100 Years Ago Column file:IIICI/Datafile/html/LenaweeMI/-test.htm Schatzbergerk, Thomas Ramier, John Fluhrer, and Bernhard Billenstein.
St. John's Lutheran Church is celebrating their 150th anniversary this weekend, October 10, 11 and 12. They will even have a parade in Adrian on Saturday October 11 at Noon.
Congratulations to St. John's Lutheran Church of Adrian. Lenawee County, Michigan.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published October 5, 1897
The hooche-chooh dance has been shut down. thanks to the Good Citizenship League. Members of the group burst in on the city council meeting last night and demanded action. The mayor then ordered Marshall Henig to the scene. the former Dairy Kitchen. where the party had been doing great business at 10 cents a head. The young man in charge asked for another hour. but the marshall ordered them out. Thus. the guady pictures were folded up. the women put on respectable clothing again, and this morning they skipped out to some naughtier city. probably Jackson. Hudson or Chicago.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published August 23, 1897
Mr. N. Stevens, who resides one and one-half miles south-east of Palmyra, has discovered a haunted house in his locality. He reports that the ghost walks only on Sunday night. and that crowds gather to hear and see the apparition in its "wonders to perform". Its popular haunt seems to be the cellar. where a old cider barrel is supposed once to have been located. but it is now given out that the ghost walks best when fed on another brand of exhilerating exhurberance.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published July 31, 1897
A strange divorce case was decided in circuit court this morning. Helen Cole was granted a divorce from Wilson Cole, a man she thought long dead. They were married in Morenci in 1866 and he deserted her and their four children in 1875. By 1878, thinking he was dead, she married David Jackson of this city, and raised a second family of two daughters. Earlier this year she learned that Wilson Cole was living, so she consulted with Westerman & Westerman, attorneys, who advised her to seek a divorce. Judge Lane granted the decree.
100 Years Ago Today
Originally Published July 16, 1897
" A new law passed by the state legislature provides for an accurate record of all deaths, with cause, etc. The law, which goes into affect August 29, says that no body may be buried until the city clerk shall have issued a burial or removal permit. A death certificate shall also be obtained from the clerk and filled out by the attending physician, stating all the particulars as to the person's identify and family history. This means added work for the city clerk, but no compensation for the work will be provided by the state. "
Thanks Carol Stevens for submitting this interesting bit of Michigan History
http://migenweb.net/lenawee/yearsago1897.html - Lenawee County Michigan
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