THE MINING GAZETTE (under various names) of Houghton County, Michigan Copyright (c) 1999-2001 by Dick and June Ross. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. ____________________________________________________________________ 1877 May - August Issues - Some issues may be missing. ........denotes there was more to the article and the article with in is a shortened version. PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, May 3, 1877 A week ago today a party of men were rolling logs into Sturgeon River, when one of them, named Ed. GERALD, was struck by a log, which resulted in his death. Among the arrivals on the first trip of the Ivanhoe were Mr. J. R. GROUT, of the smelting works, Mr J. B. STURGIS and family of this place, Mr L. M. DICKENS and Capt. HOOPER, of Ontonagon. PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, May 10, 1877 Probate Order: Estate of William F. MILLER, deceased..............petition of Catherine MILLER, relict..................... Last Sunday a man named John OLENHEIMER, living at the Republic mine, Marquette county, ran five miles in 10 1/2 minutes. Mr Gray of Keweenaw county, is an active traveler. He left this point for below on Monday, April 2, and arrived here on his way back, Saturday, May 6. He was absent 31 days and visited New York, San Francisco, Virginia City, Nevada, Salt Lake, Deadwood, Black Hills, Detroit and Chicago. And what is wonderful, he says he "saw it all." PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, May 17, 1877 Among the list of patents granted by the department at Washington last week was one to D. D. HENDRICK, Calumet, for an improved ore washer. Last Monday John COUGHLIN, Franklin, discharged a fire arm at a rat, the ball of which glanced and shot and killed a little boy six years old, the son of Mr Benj. RILLSTONE. Married: A recent issue of the St Paul Minnesota Dispatch contained the following: The marriage ceremony of Miss Hattie I. DANFORTH, only child of Major and Mrs T. K. DANFORTH, of St Paul, and Mr T.. J. Miller, son of Hon. Eli R. MILLER, of Richland, Michigan was celebrated on the evening of the 8th inst., at the residence of the bride’s parents, No. 29 Mississippi Street. The ceremony was performed by Rev A.M. TORBET, the uncle of the bride, assisted by the Rev Henry GROSE. The happy couple departed for an extended trip through the East., after which they will take up their residence at Calumet, in northern Michigan, where Mr MILLER is engaged in business. PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE., June 7, 1877 Probate Court Matters: Estate Lillian E. WRIGHT, minor, Charles A. WRIGHT appointed guardian for same, upon her nomination. Estate: CASPER, George and Francis BRAND, minors, Guardian of same cited to appear and make return of his doings. Died: EDWARDS - On the 30th ult. Of consumption, Charles E. EDWARDS, son of the late Capt. R EDWARDS., of this place, aged 24 years and 8 days. The deceased was born at the old Albion location (now the Manhattan), and removed with his parents to Portage Lake in 1863. Charlie had many friends by whom his early decease will be much regretted. His remains were attended to their last resting place on Friday last by a large concourse of relatives and friends from both sides of the lake. PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, June 14, 1877 Obituary - SHEPARD - On Sat. June 9 at ?:30 A.M. the soul of Allen A. SHEPARD, M.D., left this for the spiritland. Dr SHEPARD was born in Rockville, Canada, June 20, 1835; studied theology at Belleville, Canada, 1861 and 1862, but feeble health induced him to give his attention to the study of medicine, which profession he chose instead of the ministry, graduating at Ann Arbor in spring of 1869, moving to the Quincy mine the fall of the same year, where till now he has remained - first as assistant, then as physician in chief.................loss to his family of a devoted husband, and affectionate father, a dutiful son, and a kind brother.......................... Probate order: Estate of William HARVEY, deceased.........petition of Grace HARVEY, relict....... Probate Order: Estate of Henry P. POTTER, deceased............................. PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, June 21, 1877 Mr Edwin EMMONS, formerly of Ontonagon, but now residing on the northshore, is credited with having found a fine looking silver-bearing belt east of Thunder Bay. A man named St. AMORE, who lives at Sturgeon river, left for his home last Friday in a small boat, since which time nothing has been seen or heard of him. His craft was found down the river a distance, which fact goes to strengthen the position that its occupant must have fallen overboard and drowned. Mr ST AMORE is well thought of among those who knew him, and his uncertain fate is terribly trying to his family and friends. Last Sunday, a young man named CAUGHLIN, employed in the Osceola mine barn was kicked in the stomach by a horse, and soon after died from the effects of the blow. He was buried on Tuesday afternoon. PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, July 5, 1877 Probate order: Estate of James CLIFF, deceased. Petition of John CLIFF, praying that Joseph CLIFF be appointed administrator.................. Estate of Allen A. SHEPARD. deceased petition of Eliza Jane SHEPARD, relict................ PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, July 12. 1877 Capt JONES has taken a tribute contract on the Isle Royale. His operations for the present will be confined to unwatering the mine and preparing to commence work at its south end. Ex-Gov. A. FELCH, of Ann Arbor, is now visiting his son-in-law in this place, Col. C.B. GRANT. Mr S. W. HILL, one of Lake Superior’s earliest mining men, is in the district. Last Saturday Barney HOFEN shot a bear on the Dodge mine that was a large one and if properly cornered would have no doubt fought before he yielded. The legendary achievements of Dick BAPTIST, the Chippewa Indian half-breed from Ontonagon who acted so nobly at the time the old steamer Independence went ashore of Whitefish Point are to be written up by a literary gentleman in Detroit, who will publish his "o’er true tale" in the Atlantic Monthly. PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, July 19, 1877 A Lake Superiorite cast bread upon the waters, and after many years it came back well buttered. At the battle of Lookout Mountain, Col. James BUCKMASTER of the 18th Louisiana confederate infantry, fell from his horse, badly wounded. Nat MILLER, who belonged to a Michigan regiment that was in the engagement, and who enlisted from Keweenaw county, hearing the moans of BUCKMASTER, ventured forth from the breastworks he was behind, crawled up to the maimed and wounded officer and soothed his pain so far as he could. The rebel colonel obtained the name of his benefactor. All remembrance of the occurrence had slipped from the mind of MILLER, and after the close of the war he was mustered out, and returning to this district, married and settled down near Eagle Harbor. The other day he received a letter from a law firm in Baton Rouge, La, informing him that James BUCKMASTER, of that city was dead, and in his will had left MILLER $2,500, reciting the reason for doing so, referring to MILLER as a noble- hearted man who saw a fellow soldier suffering and didn’t stop to inquire which side he belonged to before administering to his pain. Mr MILLER has sent on the necessary proof of his identity, and expects before long to be in possession of a snug little sum, the result of performing a trifling act of kindness. PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, July 26, 1877 Last Tuesday afternoon a team of horses belonging to Mr RUPPE, Hancock (illeg) violently to the ground Mr Joseph PESCHICH, who struck on his head, from the effects of which he died within a few hours. Mr Edwin EMMONS, a Lake Superior pioneer, now living on the northshore, is visiting this section. Mr Alex. SIBLEY, manager of the Silver Islet mine on the northshore and the Grand Portage at this point, was in town the other day. Married: INGALLS-THURSTON In this city, l7th instant, by the Rev G.S. DESHON, D. D., Lieutenant James W. INGALLS, U.S.A., to Harriet Elizabeth, daughter of Hon RR THURSTON, of this city. No cards - New London (Conn) Telegram. Probate Order: Estate of Charles E. EDWARDS, deceased. July 1877 Probate Order: Estate of Wm. HARVEY, deceased. 2 July 1877 PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE. Aug 2, 1877 The name of the Schoolcraft mine has been changed to that of Centennial. Owing to the low price of copper and depressed times, Capt. VIVIAN, Supt. Of the Franklin mine, has been instructed to discharge 50 miners Mr MILLER, telegraphic operator, has resigned his office and gone to Minnesota. The office here is now in charge of his late assistant, Mr Conn HARRINGTON. A new village, to be called "Calumet Village" has been surveyed and plotted on the land lying between the Mineral Range depot and the Torch Lake carriage road. Quite a number of buildings, have been lately created in the main street of the Red Jacket. Mr William ANDERSON has put up a large building, which is occupied as a boarding house. Mr Jerry D. LYNCH has just moved his billiard tables in his new building. Messrs. WERTIN & Son have lengthened their store about 30 ft., and Mr Edward RYAN is building a wing to his store about 25 feet wide and the full length of the store. The Burning of the Steamer "Ivanhoe": On Monday morning last a fire broke out on the Ivanhoe, while lying at her dock in this place, and before assistance arrived the flames gained such headway as resulted in the destruction of nearly her entire woodwork and inflicting great damage to the machinery of the vessel.......A portion of the crew, consisting of her commander, Capt. F.T. GONIN, Mr John DILLON, engineer; Wm. Fred. GETTLING, steward, John OLESON, James WELCH, A. BREES, H ECKMEYER, W. T. SCOTT, together with Mr Matt, MCCONNELL, conductor on the M. H. & O. R R, were aboard the boat and asleep at the time. The clerk and mate were ashore.... ............All escaped unharmed except Capt GONIN and the steward, both of whom were seriously maimed by fire. Fred GETTLING, the steward, was forced to crawl out of the window of his room and hang on to a fender, from which he was rescued......Capt GONIN was aroused by the watchman and attempted to get some of the others out......and had to crawl on his hands and knees through the flames.........to jump into the lake, from which he was rescued ..........Subsequently, James CREE and a man named NICHOLL, who were on the upper deck of the boat helping to put out the fire, received bruises from the falling of the smoke stack, and narrowly escaped being killed. NICHOLLS had his collar bone broken and got a severe cut on the head....... Portage Lake Mining Gazette, Aug 9,1877 Yesterday afternoon a boy named John SCHWARZ while swimming off the Hancock stamp mill dock, was drowned. At this writing his body has not been recovered. Portage Lake Mining Gazette, Aug 16, 1877 Obituary: On Saturday last, Andrew HATTICH died in this place after a short illness. Mr HATTICH was known as the "old German gunmaker." He came here in 1860, and up to the time of his death had carried on a sort of universal light mechanical business. He was a thorough mechanic, as many can attest who have had occasion to require his services in repairing and doing little jobs calling for great skill in their accomplishment. In a larger field, and other different circumstances, Mr HATTICH would have taken a leading position among the intelligent mechanical minds of the country. He was a great favorite, not only with his countrymen, but with all classes as well. On Sunday last he was buried, his remains being followed to the grave by the fire organizations of Portage Lake and a large number of friends........... The Calumet & Hecla mining company has, as requested by many of the people in its employ, started an aid fund for its employees. Joining the fund is not compulsory. Those who join pay 50 cents a month, and boys whose wages do not amount to $30 a month are only charged 25 cents, the company with its usual liberality giving to the aid fund monthly the like amount that may be collected from the men. In case of death or becoming blind or crippled from injuries received whilst working for the company, the sum of $500. to be paid; if only partially crippled the sum of $300. In case of sickness from accident or otherwise, $25. Per month, to be paid for eight months. The above are the rates for persons who contribute 50 cents a month; those who pay 30 cents only to receive half the above benefits. As the Doctor’s fee for married men is to be reduced from $1. A month to 50 cents, the men can belong to the aid fund without paying any more than they are paying now. Mr. J. DISTARNELL, of Lake Superior and other map fame, has written a paper, which he is distributing in pamphlet form, on interest, usuary and taxation, in which he claims that as a people we pay too much interest for money. Mr. Distarnell’s effort is full of statistics which show care in their compilation. The two channel approaches to Portage Lake have been considerably deepened and otherwise repaired. Boats find no difficulty in coming into this port. In addition to what has already been done, Mr PRYER, the superintendent of the Portage River Improvement company, is going to do some dredging outside of the piers at the Entry, which will be a gratuitous performance on the part of the corporation. At the time, we failed to announce the appointment of Mr R. H. BRELSFORD as custom house officer of this port, in place of O. W. ROBINSON, resigned. Steamboat and vessel officers having business with the custom house will find the office in the Mineral Range railroad station, Hancock. Eighteen years ago today the first mercantile house in Hancock commenced business. The Indians have a complete monopoly of the whortleberry picking in these parts. Came to the enclosure of John REAULT, living at Boot Jack, Schoolcraft township, two large bay horses, one light and one dark. The dark one has a white spot on his forehead. The owner can have them by proving property and paying charges. Probate Order: Estate of Francesca STOLL deceased....verified of Andrew STOLL......... Probate Order: Estate of Michael STROM.....verified of Katrina STROM praying that John STROM be appointed administrator............ Died: LAWTON - On the night of the 8th inst. At the Delaware mine, Keweenaw County, of cholera infastum, George HARRIS, son of Fannie L.H. and John LAWTON, aged 4 months and six days. Died: LLOYD - At L’Anse, Michigan, Thursday Aug 9, 1877, Mr Joseph LLOYD. of Bristol, England, father of Samuel and Joseph LLOYD of this district, aged 77 years. The Mining Gazette, August 23, 1877 Mr Pat SHEA’s building in the Red Jacket, which he intends occupying as a livery stable is now completed., but he does not purpose commencing business until the snow is on the ground. Last Sunday night a young man employed in the Hecla barn named John PARIS, while on his way home, was assaulted by a couple of men named respectively HARRINGTON and MCCARTHY. In the row he lost his watch. His assailants have been arrested and stand a good chance of being tried on the charge of highway robbery. The nomadic or Gypsy-like habits of miners were brought out on a trial in Virginia City, Nevada, a while ago, when Thomas HAWKINS testified that he arrived from Cornwall, England, two years ago, and since then he bad worked in mines in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Nova Scotia, Canada, Lake Superior, Colorado, California, Montana, Idaho and Nevada, and when arrested for hitting a man over the head with a bottle was on his way to Australia. The effects of the Portage Lake extract works, including real estate, building and machinery, were sold "by the law" last Saturday to Mr. EMORY of Hancock, for a mere song. Congress will be petitioned to pension the heroic Ned LA PETE, of White Fish Point, for his last and previous acts of daring in saving human life. The painful intelligence was received in this city last week announcing the death of Dr Branaschweiler, well known to many of our people. It occurred at Los Angeles, California, on the 27th of July The Doctor became a resident of Appleton about ten years ago, having come here from the Lake Superior country, where he had achieved considerable distinction, both as a physician and mining engineer The deceased leaves a wife and three children who are residents of the First Ward of this city. (from the Appleton, Wis, Post) Owing to a miscalculation in railroad time and a heavy fog, Governor Croswell and the members of the legislature of the State of Michigan, who were due here last evening at 8 o’clock, did not arrive until 8 this morning they were met by a committee of citizens from Houghton county, composed of Hon. S. D. NORTH, Senator OSBURN, Hon. J.A. HUBBELL, Mr Chas. E. HOLLAND, Mr T.L. CHADBOURNE, Mr J. H. CHANDLER, Mr T.J. BROWN, Mr E. H. TOWAR, W. H. CARR, and Thos. N. LEE. The honored guests of the district are now out at Calumet taking in the wonders of that section Married: GARDNER - EATON. At the residence of A.J. COREY, Esq.. Quincy, Aug 16, by the Rev. E. W. FLOWER, Joseph L GARDNER, and Miss lnez M. EATON. Died: THOMAS. At Hancock, Wednesday, Aug 22, Rutherford 3. Thomas, son of John H. Thomas, ages 7 months and 13 days. Funeral tomorrow (Friday) at 3 o’clock. Portage Lake Mining Gazette, Houghton, Lake Superior, Mich, August 30, 1877 The Aaroostook county (Me) Pioneer, in noticing the death of W. DELAVAN, a "deaf mute," in San Francisco, states that the man was neither deaf nor dumb, but represented himself as such. In 1858 he was at Presque Isle, as a mute artist, representing that he was sketching scenery for a panorama of Aroostook. He was made much of and was admitted to every house as a welcome guest, and consequently became the possessor of many family secrets. He ran off with a blacksmith’s daughter, to whom he had revealed the fact that he was an imposter, but the enraged father overtook them, and they went back. They were finally married, however, and he subsequently deserted his wife and ran away with another woman. He afterwards turned up in the Lake Superior copper mines as a deaf mute government detective. Carry the news to Mary. A man arrived on the mail boat last night, who comes up here to find his wife, Mary Jane APPLETON, from whom he has been separated for 24 years. The last time he saw her was on the dock in Liverpool, England, August 27, 1853, just prior to his embarking for America. He thinks his Mary is somewhere in this section. Mr Appleton is a respectable, well-preserved old man, and appears to have money. Mary, come forth, and fall sobbing on the breast of your long-lost husband. Mr Geo. W. SHEARS has disposed of his meat market at Torch Lake to Mr Jacob STONAKER. of this place, Mr STONAKER to enter on the business on the first prox. The Allouez school the coming year will be in charge of Mr. W.A. HOBBS, assisted by Miss Emily J. BENNETTS, Mr PHILLPS will preside over the school at the stamps. A grand prize wrestling was commenced at Messrs. WILCOX & STEPHEN' ring in Red Jacket on Saturday last. It is to be continued on Saturday next, when fine play may be expected. The following is a list of the names of the teachers appointed by the trustees of the Lake Linden school: Mr Wm. BATH, Principal; Miss L. NICHOLS, preceptress, and music teacher; Miss A. STEWART, J. JOHNS, N. DALEY, F. GUCK; The Rev. Mr MILLER returned to his home in Wisconsin on Monday last, from whence he will send an answer to the call he has received.... The pulpit in the Congregational church is to be filled for the present by the Rev. Mr TUTHILL, of Minnesota. As a buggy, occupied by Mrs Clark THOMAS and two of her proteges....was crossing railroad at the entrance to Red Jacket....was run into by a car occupied by a gang of men who had been repairing the road On Tuesday evening last Miller’s Hall was comfortably filled with people to listen to a concert given by Mrs RB SHELDEN, of this place..........Mrs SHELDEN was to make her first appearance in public since her return from Boston, where she had been for a year for the purpose of cultivating her naturally fine voice................. On Monday evening last, Prof. Paul BINNER read Shakespearean and other selections before a limited audience at the court house................ Mrs Hulda FOOTE, teacher of German and music brings with her from her former home testimonials of the highest character.................. Last Tuesday evening John DUPUIS and Antoine SWEITZERBACHER got into a..... row........... The following is the list of teachers for the coming year in the High school, Hancock: S.E. WHITNEY, James B. LOONEY, Miss E. STRINGER, Miss E.M STOUT. Miss M. CLOSE, Miss M. BEDELL, Miss B. MAHONEY. Music teacher, Mrs C. A. WRIGHT. Monsieur Victor ALABESTA, of Sault Ste. Marie, who is now visiting some friends in this section, has been in the employ of the Hudson Bay company for 61 years. He entered the service when he was 20, so that he is now 81 years old. Mr J. H. THOMAS. superintendent of the Mineral Range telegraph line, has resigned, and his place has been filled by the appointment of Mr Fred BAWDEN, who had charge of the Hancock office for some time. The birch bark fans made at the Indian settlement south of Grand Island are prized very highly in Chicago, and the demand for them has been very large. The idle ones around here who are anxious to work can find employment for two years on the Canadian Pacific railway, on the northshore, at two dollars per day. Mr John GIBSON, merchant tailor, Hancock, started for below last Monday on the steamer Pacific to purchase his fall stock of goods. Mr Geo. BARROWS, a former resident of this place, but now in the printing business in Little Rock, Ark. Is visiting his friends up here. Probate Order: 13 Aug 1877, in the village of L’Anse: In the matter of the estate of Joseph D. LLOYD, deceased......................... Probate Order: 13 Aug 1877. in Houghton, Estate of Francesca STOLL, deceased ...........hearing set......................... File contributed for use in Houghton Co. USGenWeb Archives by Dick and June Ross. plh 2001