Saturday, September 20, 2008

Chief Milo Gage Hurt in mix-up

This story was published by the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, SEptember 21, 1908.

Chief Milo Gage(Chief of Police), is confined to his bed today, as the result of a fracas with Pete Furgeson, a stranger who drifted into town on the elecric car late Friday night. Pete, who had been drinking, said "bad words" in the presence of some ladies in front of the Epicure, and the chief put the "come along" on him, and started for jail, the prisoner resisting at every step. When they reached teh steps leading to the jail, the man braced himself against the railing and refused to go any further. Chief Gage stepped ahead of him, down one step, and attempted to persuade him by a gentle pressure of the "come along" to follow, which he did, but not in the way the chief liked. Letting go his hold on the railing, both men rolled down the steps, the chief hanging on to his prisoner, who received a black eye and several minor bruises.

Chief Gage was not so fortunate. He received a kick just above the knee on hhis right leg, that is causing him considerable pain. At first it was feared a bone was broken. Dr. H. B. Britton has been attending him.

"I will never ride on those elecric cars again," said Peter after ghe had been sentenced to 90 days in the Detroit house of coprrection by Justice Geo. Gunn. "Every time I ride on them I gets into trouble."

Pete had been in Jackson and had paid his fare through to Detroit but thought he would stop at Ypsilanti for a little stay, which was involuntarily prolonged.

"I've been to 'the house' a few times afore," said Pete in discussing his sentence, "but the Detroit fellows only makes you hit it from 10 to 15 days. You can bet if I ever have to go through this town again I'll go through on the flyer so I can't stop off"

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Ends his life by hanging

This story was published in the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Friday, September 18, 1908.

Despontent because of ill health and poverty, Lucas D. cole hanged himself in the barn at the rear of his home at 11 Adams Street. He is believed to have committed the deed Wednesday evening. His body was not found until last night when it was discovered by his son-in-law, Dee Sherwood.

Standing on a chair, the old man had thrown a chain over a beam, attached a rope, slipped the noose over his head and fastening it about his neck, deliberately kicked the chair from under his feet, ending his life by strangulation.

Mr. Cole was 69 years of age. Last winter while temporarily deranged he wandered away and suffered from exposure while scantily clad. He had held the contract for carrying the mail between the postoffice and the Michigan Central depot but lost it last spring on account of ill health. His case was a pathetic one. Abount the only comfort he took in life of late was fondling his little grandson.

Four childern survive him. Mrs. Sherwood, Mrs. Alice Bates, George B. Cole and Howard Cole of Luxemburg, Missouri.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Death claims Chester Yost

This story was published by the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, September 12, 1908.

Chester L. Yost, ex-mayor of Ypsilanti, expired suddenly at his home, 102 South Huron Street, at 4 o'clock this morning. He had been troubled qith neuralgia of the heart for the last year. His demise was due to heart failure.

Mr. Yost was at his office yesterday morning. He complained of not feeling well and Fred Swift in passing took him home in his buggy. He rested during athe afternoon and by evening appeared to be regaining his usual health. He was up and down during the night and early morning partally dressed and went down stairs to sit in his easly chair. It is believed he fell just as he was about to be seated. Mrs. McKinley who had stopped with Mrs. Yost for fear help might be needed during the night, heard him fall but he passed away as she reached his side.

Over exertion this week undoubtedly hastened Mr. Yost's end. His friends and relatives warned him from time to time to take better care of himself, but as he was naturally a stirring disposition he paid no heed to their suggestions. He and Mrs. Yost attended the state fair Tuesday. Wednesday he wasn't very well but thursday morning he took an early train for Pontiac where he arranged for the purchase of a carload of buggies, returning to the fair in the afternoon.

Mr. Yost did his full share to build up Ypsilanti. Houses and horses were his hobbies. He owned many of both. His custom was to buy houses, rebuild them into nice homes for himself and then not satisfied he would sell and but another house. At 10 o'clock Friday morning he said:

"I think I will build another house yet this fall. The one I have is too large."

Chester L. Yost was born in Waterloo, Seneca county, N. Y., March 10, 1838, and was a son of Wm. Yost a native of that place. He was educated in Waterloo, attending the Academy there until the age of 16.

In 1855 he came to Michigan, opened a harness shop here, then drifted into dealing in horses and carrriages. Shortly after this he bqecame intereested in flour miling at Flat Rock, and at one time controlled the Huron River mills. In 1881 he started the livery business, having one of the best livereries in the county. Auctioneering next engaged his attention, in which he wa very successful, especially in selling stock.

He was married to Miss Anna Vreeland, of Flat Rock, Mich., who survives him.

From 1884 to 1886 he was mayor of Ypsilanti and refused another nomination because of business interests.

Mr. Yost was one of the oldest members of Masonry in Ypsilanti and a member of the Royal Arcanum society. He was an earest worker in the Presbyterian church. He had been a delegate to several democratic, city, county and state convention at various times.

He leaves a widow, Mrs. C. L. Yost, and two sisters, Mrs (DR) Murdock of Northville and Mrs. W.J. Booth of Ann ARbor.