THE MINING GAZETTE (under various names) of Houghton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999-2001 by Dick and June Ross. This copy contributed 
for use in the USGenWeb Archives.  

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1880 July - December Issues - Some issues may be missing. 
........denotes there was more to the article and the article 
with in is a shortened version. 

1880 July 1 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

NEWS ITEM - On Wednesday afternoon, Mr S.E. CHAVES of the Eureka Iron 
Works accidentally cut off his fingers due to placing his hand carlessly 
in the patterns knives


1880 July 8-PORTAGE LAKE MINING COMPANY, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

DIED - 1880 July 4 evening, Mrs Mary S. SALES of Ontonagon, Ontonagon 
County, of cancer of the stomach, at the home of Jay A. HUBBELL of 
Houghton, aged 45 years. She came here for medical treatment. Her 
remains were taken back to Ontonagon for burial.

MARRIED - 1880 July 1 at the residence of the bride’s father at Quincy 
mine, Mr John KNEEBONE and Miss Julina LEY.

DIED - Last Tuesday evening, a colored woman named Mrs Martha STEWART, 
a mother of a large family in Hancock, in a fit of despondency caused 
by domestic troubles with her 2nd husband, committed suicide in the 
presence of her children by jumping into Portage Lake. Her husband is 
accused of abusing her and is in jail.


1880 July 15 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

DIED - In Cawker City, Mitchell County, Kansas 1880 June - Georgette L., 
only child of Wm A. and Lucy W. REMFRY, aged 9 months and 20 days.

1880 July 22 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON , MICHIGAN 

DIED - 1880 July 13 at Torch Lake, James WILSON, infant son of H. D. and 
Ellen WILSON.

MARRIED - In Houghton, 1880 July 18 - James McQUILLEN of Lead City, Dakota 
and Miss Katie A. HOLLORAN of Houghton.


1880 July 29 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

NEWS ITEM- Mr William L. MARTIN , for many years a timberman at the 
Hecla mine, who on accont of sickness the doctor ordered him to take 
a sea voyage, went to CORNWALL, ENGLAND last summer and has now returned 
to Calumet. Unfortunately it did not help him For the last few months 
he has been paralyzed on his right side and on the roof of his tongue 
also. He will be buried on Sunday afternoon, at the Calumet cemetery.


1880 August 5 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN

NEWS ITEM - A fight took place between Mr TONKIN , the marshall of the 
village of Red Jacket and William ANDERSON, in which the marshall got a 
bad blow to the head and ANDERSON got the small bone of right arm broken, 
after being bitten on the nose and cheek by Mr TONKIN. The courts will 
settle the matter.


1880 August 12 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

MARRIED - At Lake Linden last week, Mr Edward DUMAS to Miss Eastevine 
DANIEL, both of Lake Linden


1880 August 19 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN

DIED - Yesterday afternoon as a party of men were busy timbering up a 
slope, in the Hecla mine, a piece of loose rock fell from the hanging 
and killed one man, James THOMAS , aged 52 years, a miner, born in 
CORNWALL, ENGLAND , on the spot. Two Italians, Antoine DONETTI and 
Joseph BENDORA, also were injured from the same rocks

DIED - Last Saturday night a Scandanavian named Benyon LAIS, who had 
just arrived in the district from the old country, on account of poverty 
and failure to find work, committed suicide by hanging himself from 
an elevated piece of lumber on the Hancock railroad dock.


1880 August 26 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

MARRIED - 1880 August 21 at Lake Linden, Mr William PETERS and Miss 
Annie DAVEY, both of Lake Linden

MARRIED - 1880 August 21 at Lake Linden - Mr Mr J. B. KNOPPLER of Fayette, 
Iowa and Miss Emma Louisa GUNDRY , youngest daughter of John GUNDRY of 
Lake Linden

DIED - 1880 August 19 In Houghton, Eneas WALDRON, aged 64 years, was an 
old pioneeer, having been a resident of Houghton for the last 29 years. 
He suffered with a lingering illness for several months. He was buried 
in Houghton on August 21.

NEWS ITEM - Albert BURNETT , carpenter at the Hancock mine, last Tuesday 
had his leg broken by a piece of timber falling on it.

DIED - A laborer Con SULLIVAN, came from New Jersey, and had been in town 
a few days, engaged in unloading coal from the schooner, MANITOWAC, last 
Saturday, while leaning over to adjust the bucket in the hold, he lost his 
balance and fell into the ship’s hold falling on his stomach and killed 
himself. He died Sunday.


1880 September 2 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE , HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

MARRIED - 1880 August 25 Wednesday evening at Hancock - Mr James F. HAMITZEE 
and Miss Emma F. NICHOLLS, both of Hancock.


1880 September 9 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

DIED - On Sunday afternoon a Finlander named Eric JOHNSON, living at the 
Osceola mine, he walked to Red Jacket to the house of a friend, John ANILA, 
to hang up his coat. ANILA felt a gun in the coat and took it out. He 
plucked the trigger a few times and it went off killing another Finlander 
named John JEMPSA , who was in the party. ANILA was arrested and Saturday 
the Prosecuting attorney will hear the jury’s evidence to see if a prosecution 
is warranted. He was fined $300.00 for a misdemeanor as the death was 
accidental but by firing the gun and killing a man he broke a law that 
was a misdemeanor.

PROBATE ORDER - In the estate of Henry KITTS, deceased, Tobias RODDA asked 
to be appointed administrator.

PROBATE ORDER - In the estate of William L. MARTIN, deceased, his will was 
posted with the court.

PROBATE ORDER - In the estate of Isaac BACKSTROM, deceased, it is ordered 
that all claimants present their claims to the court.

PROBATE ORDER - In the estate of James BEESLEY, deceased, Joseph VETTER, 
administrator requests that the court permit him to sell real estate of 
the estate.


1880 September 23 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

NEWS ITEM - Yesterday afternoon while with Mr E. T. WILLIAMS of L’Anse, 
Barraga County Mr S. F. SEAGAR of Lansing, Michigan were at Silver River 
near L’Anse, a gun in the hands of Mr WILLIAMS accidentally went off 
striking Mr WILLIAMS in the hip. The wound was not very serious and he 
will be out in a few days.

DIED - On June 1878, a Swede named John RENTUNA, who was living in Red 
Jacket, left home for his work at the Osceola mine, after working a short 
time he went home not feeling well. He walked towards home and stopped at 
a friends house in Swedetown and drank a glass of milk. From that time he 
was never seen since. Some 5 months before he worked in the Quincy mine 
and was hurt and as a result at times he was out of his mind. A diligent 
search was made for him and he could not be found. On last Saturday a Finn 
who had been gathering brush near the swamp between Red Jacket and the 
Osceola mine found a skeleton of a man. He reported it and the authorities 
decided it was Mr RENTUNA from the items in his clothes. It appears that 
he stood next to a strong tree and by sheer strength choked himself to 
death. The remains were buried last Saturday.

MARRIED - 1990 September 18 at the Hancock Congregational church parsonage, 
Mr P. T. BROWNLEE and Miss L. G. HILL, both of Phoenix mine, Keweenaw County.


1880 OCTOBER 7 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

PROBATE COURT - In the estate of Joseph G. OPIE, deceased , petition was 
filed for proving the will by his wife Mary Jane OPIE.

In the estate of Hilarius RUMBACH, deceased, petition filed for appointment 
of administrator
In the state of Edward ANDERSON, deceased, Sarah ANDERSON, his wife, 
appointed administrator.

MINOR PAUPER CHILDREN ADOPTED IN PROBATE COURT HEARINGS
Frank FISHER adopted by J. SMITH and name changed to SMITH
Henrietta KEEM adopted by H. KEISER and name changed to KEISER
Ida KEEM adopted by PEDELTY and name changed to PEDELTY


1880 October 14 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE , HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

MARRIED - 1880 October 7 at the residence of the bride at Dresden, Mr A. 
R RUCHEY of Houghton and Mrs Sarah RICKMAN of Calumet.

NEWS ITEM - Mr Stephen PENBERTHY, who has been below purchasing stock for
NAPPA and Company, returned on Tuesday last. While in Chicago, Illinois he 
and a friend, Mr D. W. SUTTER of Lake Linden , went for a drive. The horse 
ran into a cart and became frightened, and started at a gallop. Mr PENBERTHY 
jumped out and hurt himself slightly. Mr SUTTER stayed on and after 8 blocks 
stopped the horses.

NEWS ITEM - Three young girls about 10 years old were observed stealing 
some dry goods in NAPPA and Company’s store on Saturday. The clerk after 
identifying the culprits released them on their promise to return on Monday, 
which they did bringing with them some of the stolen goods. The proprietor 
of the store , after lecturing the youngsters on their wickedness, allowed 
them to depart on account of their youth.


1880 October 21 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

MARRIED - 1880 October 9 at the Atlantic mine, Mr John RICHARDS and Miss 
Elizabeth A. MITCHELL, both of Atlantic mine.

DIED -1880 October 14 - On Wednesday October 13, a Frenchman named BARRY, 
was passing William HARRIS’s warehouse in Lake Linden, just as a couple 
bags of feed slipped from their fastenings on the hoist. They fell on 
BARRY and injured him severly as he died the following day.

NEWS ITEM - Two miners were injured in the Franklin mine this week. They 
were Quin SHEA who had a leg broken by a piece of rock falling on him 
and Robert WILLIAMS, was totally maimed by an explosion that he thought 
was a dud.

1880 October 28 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

MARRIED - 1880 October 3 at Lake Linden, Sunday evening, Mr Afred CHANON 
and Mrs DORY, both of Lake Linden.

MARRIED - On Monday evening last, Mr Frank OSBORN, son of Dr OSBORN and Miss
Annie PAULL, daughter of Stephen PAULL, of Calumet; at Calumet. They will 
live in Louisville, Kentucky, where the groom holds the position of civil 
engineer in the Louisville Bridge company.

NEWS ITEM - Mr and Mrs Joseph LENTZE of Rambaultown recently had the ar 
rival of triplets, bringing their total number of children to 10. People 
are all ready bringing them clothing and other items to help them.

DIED - On Saturday last, a party of men were fixing some timbers in the 
Hecla mine underground , when the wall plate slipped and fell. It was 
4PM and one of the assistants, Antonio MEXICO, an Italian, was picking 
up the tools when the plate fell on him fracturing his skull. He died in 
the hospital the same day. He was buried in the Roman Catholic burial 
ground on Monday.

DIED - The funeral of Hugh McKINNON took place this morning. His death 
was due to internal injuries received by a fall. He was walking thru the 
woods between Hecla village and Calumet on Wednesday evening and he 
encountered some obstruction that made him fall on his stomach. He made 
it home but he died the next day. He leaves three motherless children.


1880 November 4 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

An advertisement in this paper states’ 500 MEN WANTED, 300 miners and 200 
laborers to work on the St Mary’s Fall Canal at Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. 
Steady work all winter.


1880 November 11 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

LEFT MY EMPLOY - Notice is hereby given that Julius JACOBSON is no longer 
my authorized agent and has no authority to collect any money due me or 
to contract any debts in my name. 1880 November 1 - Red Jacket signed by 
Mr D. E. AMOS.


1880 November 18 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN

MARRIED - 1880 November 16 At Lake Linden, Mr Joseph BEAUCHANE and Miss 
Clorise PERAULT.

DIED - 1880 November 12 - Eddie KLOCKNER of Quincy mine was searching 
tunnels of the mine and fell 600 feet to his death. His parents are Mr 
and Mrs Daniel KLOCKNER.


1880 December 2 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN      

NEWS ITEM - - John JOHANSON pleaded guilty, last Saturday afternoon to 
stealing, before Justice Finn in his Hancock court, of stealing $240.00 
from Andrew JOHNSON at John KAISLEY’s hotel in Hurontown. He was bound 
over for trial at the next circuit court.

DEATHS - Two CORNISH miners named Alfred BENNETTS, aged 30 years, born in
CORNWALL, and Richard BARKER , aged 17 years, son Wm and Mary of CORNWALL, 
ENGLAND, were killed in the Franklin mine last Tuesday by a premature
dynamite blast.

MARRIED - 1880 November 27, at Lake Linden, Mr William PARKS and Miss Jane 
HARRIS, youngest daughter of Wm B. HARRIS.


1880 December 9 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

PROBATE ORDER - In the estate of Annie M. JONES , deceased, John PHILLIPOS 
asked to be appointed administrator.

1880 December 16, PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

DIED - 1880 December 14 on Tuesday, in Houghton, Mr Charles MAJOR, aged 
64 years NEWS ITEM - Mr George PENHALL is improving fast and will be 
released from the hospital next week.


1880 December 23 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

MARRIED - 1880 December 11 at the Atlantic mine, Mr William Thomas 
WILLIAMS and Emily Ann CARLYON, both of Atlantic.


1880 December 30 - PORTAGE LAKE MINING GAZETTE, HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN 

DIED - 1880 December 21, John SAU ER, son of Peter SAUER about 19 years 
old, died at Valparaiso, Indiana where he had been attending the Business 
school there. He died of lung fever. The father was notified of the 
serious illbess but got to the school too late as the son had died. He 
brought the remains back to his Calumet home where the funeral service 
was held on Sunday afternoon. The burial was at the Calumet cemetery.


File contributed for use in Houghton Co. USGenWeb Archives by Dick and 
June Ross.

plh 2001