Friday, July 31, 2009

Orvill Mathias Killed Wednesday

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Record on Thursday, July 31, 1919.

Orville G. Mathias, aged 51 years, well known farmer, was instantly killed near Burrell switch, three miles east of Ypsilanti, Wednesday afternoon by an interurban car running east at a fast rate of speed. His body was hurried 60 feet in the air across the cement pavement that runs near his home, and was picked up by neighbors who saw the accident. The deceased was getting ready to thresh and had hitched up his team of horses to the wagon to come to Ypsilanti to get coal and groceries. He saw the car just as it rounded the curve, which is obstructed by a grape vine. He stood up in the wagon and started up the horses, but the car struck the wagon and broke it to pieces. The team of horses escaped with a few scratches. His wife, who was near the barn, heard the car whistle and warned her husband by screaming as loud as she could, but he failed to hear her in time. She exonerated the motorman from all blame, stating that he had whistled before he came to the curve. The wagon was thrown 100 feet down the track and the car ran approximately 80 rods before it was stopped. Deputy Sheriff Dick Elliott happened to be on the car and took charge of the body and notified the coroner. The deceased is survived by his wife.

Homer Willetts, motorman, and Dan McHargey had charge of the car.

Kidnaping note baffles officers

This story was published by the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Tuesday, July 30, 1929

Police and sheriff’s officers today found themselves practically at a standstill in their efforts to trace the author of a mysterious note tossed Monday afternoon from a passing automobile on the Saline Road west of Ypsilanti by a woman who indicated that she was being kidnapped.

The note printed in pencil in a manner which led officers to believe that it had been done under a handicap, possibly in concealment, such as beneath a coat or other garment to avoid detection, said: “Dear Girls: I am being kidnapped. Look for the number 64-109 (Michigan). My name is Patsy Rym.” The word “Mother” had originally been printed in the salutation, but the work “Girls” substituted. The paper on which the note was penciled was folded several times and on the outside was written in several places: “Look at this—please hurry.”

Theodore Clark, 15 year old son of Willis Clark, residing on the Saline Road, was working on an automobile at his home as a machine which he described as a closed car, passed going west and a woman’s arm appeared for a moment out of a window, dropping the note into the road. The youth and his sister, Dorothy, 13 rushed out to examine the paper and at once Deputy Sheriff Fred Babcock was called.

Patrolman Cay Rankin, also a deputy sheriff, telephoned officers at Clinton and Tipton to be on the lookout for the machine bearing the license number described, while Deputy Babcock went to the Clark home and obtained the note.

Records of the license bureau of the secretary of state’s office reveal that the license mentioned in the note was issued to a roadster owned by Wilfred LaSonde, 1340 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit, which conflicts with the Clark’s youth statement that the machine from which the note was thrown was a closed car, leading officers to believe that the plates had been transferred from one machine to the other as a protective measure by the kidnappers.

Another theory is tha the whole thing may be someone’s idea of a joke, although that belief is not being credited until further efforts are made to determine facts pertaining to the license plates. Detroit police, when informed of the matter, could furnish local officers with no information concerning reports fo missing persons, which might fit the case, and officers at Tipton and Clinton reported no signs of the machine passing.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Pittsfield Farmer Found with Head Blown Off

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Wednesday, July 28, 1909.

Ann Arbor, Mich., July 28—Godfrey S. Paul, forty-two years old, a prominent farmer of Pittsfield Township, Washtenaw county, has killed himself in his home, seven miles southeast of Ann Arbor.

His body was found standing erect, with the head almost entirely shot off, in his bedroom by his housekeeper at 3 o’clock. From appearances, he had placed the muzzle of a single barreled shotgun against his mouth and pressed the trigger with his foot.

Brooding over the death of his wife, who passed away six years ago, and pains from a nail scratch four weeks ago that, it is believed, affected his mind, are attributed as the cause.

Monday afternoon he was at the farm of his brother, Henry, helped him work and left for home, saying that he felt badly, but would held him again the next day. Tuesday morning he telephoned Henry he was going to Ann Arbor, and the two brothers planned to make the trip together.

Shortly before 3 0’clock Frank drove into his brother’s yard and asked the housekeeper to call him. She called several times, received no reply and started an investigation.

Coroner Johnson, who is a relative by marriage of the man, impaneled a jury. Four children ranging in age from seven to fifteen years are left.

During the morning Godfrey was about the house, though he complained of a severe headache. About half after two he said to his housekeeper “I am going to lie down till Henry comes, be sure and call me as soon as he gets here.”

Then Godfrey went to his room and about a quarter to three Henry came. After talking with the housekeeper who was in the yard for a minutes, it was proposed that she call Godfrey so that they might get an early start. After calling three or four times, without getting any response, she called Henry, and they went to the door. Opening it, they looked in upon an awful sight.

Six years ago Mr. Paul’s wife died and hardly had he recovered from that shock of that, when he scratched his hand on a wire nail and shortly afterward blood poisoning set in. This illness nearly cost him his life, in fact so ill was he that the doctors held out no hope for his recovery and several times it was reported that the was dead. But he recovered, except that frequently he suffered severe pains in his head that drove him almost frantic with the agony. It is thought they grew more and more severe and tha tat last they drove the man to the step he took yesterday.

Mr. Paul was one of the most prominent farmers in this section. He lived seven miles from Ann Arbor in Pittsfield township. He was related to many of the oldest German families in this county.

Four children, whose ages range from seven to fifteen, his immediate family survive him.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Michigan Central Worker killed by fast train

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, July 27, 1929.

Jack Platten, 25, a section worker on the Michigan Central Railroad, was killed instantly shortly after 8:30 this morning when he was struck by a fast westbound passenger train. The accident occurred directly in front of the Peninsular Paper Co. plant on the north side of the city.

Platten, who was not married, came to Ypsilanti last spring from his former home in Canada, according to acquaintances who arrived at the scene of the accident, and has made his home since that time with a married brother, Harold Platten, and his family on Newton St., not far from the place where the fatality occurred.

According to other members of the section crew and foreman, Platten was working on the west bound main line as the passenger, No. 17, on a fast run from New York to Chicago approached. An east bound freight train was passing on the other track as the passenger approached, and it is believed that the rumble of the heavy cars drowned the warning cries of other workmen and the signal of No. 17 as it bore down upon him.

Platten continued working tightening burrs on a switch, according to witnesses, until it was too late to jump from the path of the oncoming locomotive. He was thrown several feet to the right of the track, his entire face torn away so that he was totally unrecognizable. Teeth and portions of the man’s head and jaws were strewn along the track as police and Coroner Edwin C. Ganzhorn and a local undertaker arrived to take charge of the body.

The passenger train, in charge of Conductor William Chapin and Engineer W. Wallington, both of Detroit, stopped and backed up to the scene of the accident and remained until police arrived. Their statements bore out those of others to the effect that Platten continued working in spit of all attempts to warn him and that it was impossible to stop the train, which was gaining speed after passing through the city, in time to avoid hitting him. No. 17 is a through train that does not stop here.

Robert Blackmer, foreman of the crew of men with which Platten was working, said that Platten had been warned several times to be more careful of approaching trains and declared that he and several of the other workmen who saw Platten’s danger shouted warnings and ran toward him, unable to make him hear because of the passing freight. A similar statement was made by Lon Blackmer a brother of the other, who had charge of another crew working on a road crossing within a hundred yards of where Platten was struck.

Coroner Ganzhorn, who arrived from Ann Arbor shortly after the accident, viewed the body and questioned witnesses, following which he announced that no further inquest would be necessary.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Aeroplance club to be organized

This story was published by The Daily Ypsilanti Press on Thursday, July 24, 1919.

An aeroplane club was inaugurated in the city on Wednesday, under the title of the Ypsilanti Aero Club. Present plans include the purchase and maintenance of a plane in the city for commercial and advertising purposes.

This action is the result of the enthusiasm which was aroused by the presence of the two army planes from Selfridge Field and the commercial plans of the Thompson Aerial company, which visited Ypsilanti Wednesday to open the field recently established west of the city. A very large gathering was present during the afternoon and the exhibition of flying and the stunts performed in the air proved highly attractive and entertaining. The visitors arrived at about 12:30 and left at 5. The first event was the luncheon tendered the visitors at Staib’s cafĂ©, by the Board of Commerce. About 25 were present upon this occasion, which was strictly informal, no speeches being made. Everyone was in a hurry to get at the real business of the afternoon, the flying. Several citizens of Ypsilanti enjoyed the sensation of an ascent. Those who were the guests of the Thompson Company were Fred Gallup, James Warner, Rev. Berton Levering, L. O. Nye and Miss Mildred Chase who was given the delightful experience of a double loop in the air.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Old landmark at Denton lost by destructive fire

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, July22, 1929.

“Ted,” brindle bull dog which was adopted 12 years ago by the R. J. Merryfield family and which has watched their property since that time; Saturday at about 6:30 remained faithful to his charge dying in a fire which destroyed every building but the house on the William Suggitt farm near Denton.

The dog was safely outside the burning buildings but returned to the barn where he had been accustomed to stay and refused to be coaxed out.


Buildings which burned included the barn, tool shed, hen house, woodshed and corn crib. Seven tons of hay, the entire first cutting on the farm this year, was lost. A truck, harness, scales, corn binder, drag, and other smaller tools, were destroyed and a few chickens were also caught by the flames.

Nearly 100 neighbors aided in bringing the fire under control and in saving the house, from which they carried all the furniture. Efforts to save other buildings were soon found to be futile and all water was drained from the well to keep the house from burning.

The barn was a landmark in the community, having stood there for 70 years.

The fire is believed to have been started from a spark from the chimney of the house, carried to the woodshed where it ignited a pile of shingles.

Loss is estimated between $1,500 and $2,000.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Rig smashed by car; three women injured

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Wednesday, July 21, 1909.

Miraculously escaping the grim reaper, Death, by a hair’s breath, three young women Tuesday evening were thrown several yards when a rig in which they were riding, was struck by a Detroit, Jackson &Chicago interurban United States Express car at Harris’ crossing.

They are:

Miss Ruth Baushke, Ypsilanti, assistant in the Normal (EMU) gymnasium bead and shoulder badly bruised. Unable to be moved from the Reed farm on account of shock.

Miss Ethel Childs, 21, Ypsilanti, drawing teacher at Normal college, head and shoulder badly bruised. Taken to home on East Forest avenue.

Miss Leta Rains, 21, Detroit, guest of Miss Childs, foot wrenched and shoulder hurt. Taken to Miss Childs home.

The three girls were driving through the country and approached the tracks at about 7:15 p.m.

Miss Childs, who was driving the surrey, noticed the approach of the car when it was but 300 feet distant. She hit the horse with the whip, and the animal instead of jumping forward, stopped and the girls sat in the rig and watched the car bearing down upon them.

Miss Childs recovering quickly from her fright of the moment, again struck the horse and as he bounded across the tracks, the car struck the rear end of the surrey, smashing the rig into splinters and throwing the girls a distance of several yards.

That they were not killed instantly is considered miraculous.

The motorman stopped the car within fifty feet of where the rig had been struck.

It is said that Miss Childs was struck by the hoof of the horse which was making frantic efforts to free itself from the wreckage.

The three young ladies were removed to the Reed farm and a physician dressed the wounds of the party.

Miss Childs said this morning: “As I started across the tracks I noticed the car bearing down upon us and struck the horse with the whip, thinking that he would leap across the space. Instead he stopped short, and there we were, watching the car coming straight for us. One of the other girls screamed and I brought the whip down across the horses back The animal plunged forward as the ship cut him, but it was too late as the car struck the rear of the rig and tipped us all over in the ditch. I cannot realize that we were so near death.”

The similarity of the accident Tuesday evening with the Culver accident near Detroit last Thursday was spoken of by many.

An X-ray examination was made by doctors at the University hospital in Ann Arbor Tuesday relative to Mr. Culver’s injuries and it was found that his right jaw-bone was spilt from the last tooth or near the ear clear down to the center of the chin. He has been able to partake of nothing but liquid nourishment since the accident , and it is possible that he will never be able to eat solid food again, on account of the peculiar way in which the jaw was injured.

Mrs. Culver arose from bed Tuesday for the first time since she was taken to her home the day of the accident.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Swarm of Bees Again Ivade Peppiatt Home

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, July 20, 1929.

A large swarm of bees arrived at the Charles Pappiatt home, 121 N. Huron St. the last week in May and took possession of the space under the south cornice, where for over 20 years bees have lived and worked, storing hundreds of pounds of honey in the apartment.

This swarm began cleaning tht old comb out but for some reason changed their plans and are now manufacturing and storing honey in cards under the eaves on the outside of the building. There are about 13 large cards to which the bees are daily filling with honey as they build on.

All the bees there about a year ago died so the sound of buzzing was missed until the present swarm arrived.

The comb, covered thickly with the bees, would about fill a bushel basket. About eight years ago the bees entered the garret and worked and from their labors the Peppiatts secured over 20 pounds of delicious honey. During extreme hot weather several time the honey has dripped from the cornice and dishes were placed on the roof of the bow window and much pure, clear honey was obtained.

Occasionally the bees have swarmed but as there has been plenty of space the new swarms have remained at the home. One swarm took possession of a tree at the Savoy several years ago when a bee man was notified and hived the insects. When the lights are on evenings the bees occasionally enter the rooms. The present swarm, as cold weather approaches, will be hived to prevent their death when zero weather arrives.

Pleased at Return

Dr. E. S. George whose offices are facing the Peppiatt home declares he was pleased when the bees returned as they form a source of attraction and interest to his patients while he is giving them service.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Lightning hits interurban car during storm

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Friday, July 18, 1919.

Poor old D. J. & C, car No. 7297, the hoodoo of this division, lived up to her reputation for getting into mix-ups when after dodging lightning flashes and the heavy rainstorm Monday afternoon she finally ran squarely underneath one of the most severe flashes and came to a halt, her front vestibule all afire and her crw and passengers scrambling for the exits.

Poor old 7292 struck her last nemesis, or rather was struck by it, just after she had rounded the Trowbridge curve shortly before 4 o’clock Monday afternoon. And to think that after she had buffeted the cloudburst for several miles that she should finally have to succumb to such a simple thing as a lightning flash.

Fortunately for her sponsors, the damage was confined to the motorman’s vestibule where after burning everything I sight that could be burned, the car remained peacefully at rest until Motorman Stephen pulled up from the rear and escorted the crippled 7297 to a berth in the Ypsilanti barns.

Crews who are ill fated enough to have the handle Old 7297 are hoping that Monday’s disaster to the fastest car on the line will prove the old saying of “three times and out” for this is the third time in the past two years that she has figured in events of entirely her own doing.

A broken axle at Inkster sent her on a hurried call nearly into a neighboring house. That happened about two years ago. About three weeks ago Old 7297 suffered another broken axle at Dearborn and Monday’s freak event happened just after she had been discharged from the hospital and was feeling more like her old self again.

One thing about Old 7297, however, no matter what kind of escapade she undertakes, she never forgets the safety of her passengers as in all three accidents in which she has figured no one has been more seriously injured than receiving a good scare.

Friday, July 17, 2009

First National Bank Building

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Record on Thursday, July 17, 1919.

The Record believes that citizens generally are very much interested in building operations and especially those which pertain to their own city and town, and particularly those which will add to the attractiveness of the main traversed thoroughfares. While it is generally known that the first National bank is doing something in the building line, possibly few, if any, have taken the time or have had the opportunity of getting the information first hand as to what the building will be when completed or the furnishings and decorations. The Record this week is giving its readers this information and will also state the work is progressing rapidly under the direction and supervision of Mr. Thomas F. Ayling, superintendent of Hoggson Bros., contractors, of New York city.

Judging from the architect’s drawing on display at the First National bank building the work of modernizing and enlarging the banking quarters of the bank will be extensive. The plans and specifications call for a thorough remodeling, so that present needs of this constantly growing institution may be taken care of, to say nothing of future requirements incidental to attractive, up-to-date quarters.

The present home of the bank at the corner of Washington and Michigan Avenue will be entirely reconstructed, and additional space will be obtained by including the store adjoining the bank building on the east. This will result in quarters practically 50-feet wide by 80 feet in length. The basement of the present building, which has heretofore been used for storage purposes, will add an extra floor available for the bank’s activities. On this floor will be located the director’s room, a commodious meeting room for customers, and storage facilities. Locker and retiring rooms will also be installed in the basement for the use of the employees of the bank. An attractive feature will be a complete dining room and kitchen with all the comforts of home for the use of the employees.

The most notable change in the exterior will be the main entrance, which will be ornamental, with a heavy stone architrave, trimmed with deep stone parallel reveals, with a denticulate stone cornice of excellent symmetry surmounting it. The vestibule will be trimmed with a rich marble floor with a mosaic border. Double sets of doors will be a feature of the entrance.

The remodeled interior will reflect the dignity and air of solidity of the exterior architecture, and will be of ample size to accommodate the present needs of the bank as well as its future requirements. An abundance of light and air will be obtained through the immense windows which form the dominating features of the exterior treatment. A combination of rich Botticino marble wainscoting, plate glass and bronze all combine to produce an unusually attractive interior. The room has been scientifically planned with relation to the needs of the various departments and when completed will be fully equipped with modern time and labor saving devices so essential to present day banking business. The furniture and trim in the officers’ space and the private rooms will be of heavy, solid mahogany. Oak will be generally used in the rest of the rooms.

Realizing the growing importance of women in the industrial and financial world, the bank has thoughtfully provided for their feminine clientele a charming rest and retiring room, which will be decorated and trimmed in soft French gray enamel with a harmonizing color scheme. The furniture will be dainty and finished in French gray enamel with cretonne sections to give a pleasing tone to the room.

The new quarters will bespeak convenience of arrangement and equipment and will be a noteworthy addition to the civic development to Ypsilanti.

Worth visiting-Normal Gardens

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, July 17, 1909.

Possibly few beside college students know of the existence of the school gardens, which for several seasons have thriven back of the Normal science building. They are maintained that the students in subjects such as botany may have plants convenient for observation and experimentation.

The varied parterres are grouped about a central stone-rimmed pond, where gold fish and water-lilies find a congenial home. The flowers comprise pansies, nasturtiums, (of which twenty-seven different shades of color have been observed), poppies, both brilliant and delicate, cosmos, gay and stately hollyhocks, and larkspur in a purple cloud.

Not alone are there flowering plants, Sorghum, popcorn, Italian beans, Chinese soup beans, California beans, the flax with its dainty blue flower, alfalfa, barley, wheat, oats, corn of many kinds, also flourish here. Spearmint and the English peppermint add their pungent odor to the fainter one of the flowers. The onion and the carrot are not despised: potatoes and turnips are grown, and the variety of cabbages to be seen is a surprise to one not versed in garden.

One spot is called a nature garden, because it is entirely self-sown, and it has been extremely interesting and suggestive to observe which plants have most aggressively encroached upon this limited domain. At present, the garden is masterfully dominated by timothy and burdocks, though ragweed, mayweed, dandelions and clover are greatly in evidence. Beyond the grains are magpies, elms, pines, and catalpas growing, which when older will be transplanted for the adornment of the campus.

Several grades in the training school have little patches of ground which they themselves have cultivated, in that of the third grade, cotton and corn, oats and peanuts are impartially fostered, and one little girl confides that she intends to sell her peanuts and buy a doll carriage. The kindergarten have bachelor buttons, onions, carrots and popcorn to be proud of.

A very interesting denizen of these gardens is a little gopher, which in solitary state may be seen scampering about the paths.

The thrifty air of the gardens and the immaculateness of the paths in attributable to the unrelaxed care of the gardener, Mr. West, who makes also a capital conductor.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Any gambling?

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, July 12, 1909.

“Seben come a ‘leven.”

“Come on you bones.”

Completes were made to day to Justice George Gunn that gambling in the form of a “crap” game was going on in Second Avenue.

The person who made the report stated that one William Brown has been conducting the game in a barn in the rear of his home and that colored and white men make it a rendezvous every Saturday and Sunday.

It is said that large sum of money have been lost there but there has been no “kick” about a crooked game being run.

A letter was sent by the municipal justice to the alleged conductor of the gambling resort, notifying him to close up at once under penalty of a severe fine.

The city statute on gambling makes the penalty a heavy one, and Justice Gunn said this morning that he was determined to close up the place at once.

The great difficulty, it is said, in raiding a place such as Brown is alleged to have been running, is the fact that as soon as the police get within three of four blocks of the place to be entered, friends of the person wanted notify him and when the police appear, no one knows anything regarding “crap shooting.”

It is thought that the letter will be effective.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Chicken thieves busy

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Thursday, July 8, 1909.

Many complaints are being made at police headquarters about what appears to be a systematic raiding of local chicken coops by a hen roost robbing gang.

Whether the culprits are white or colored the victims are unable to say, but one fact they are sure of and that is they rob the roosts, with consummate skill. No clue is ever found to whom they might be.

The farm of C. W. Mansfield was visited Tuesday night and a number of his choicest white and brown leghorns were taken.

Mr. Mansfield is in the dark as to the identity of the thieves but he asserts that a return visit from them will find a warmer welcome.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Lumber stolen, truck robbed, in series of thefts

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Friday, July 6, 1934.

Local officers were asked to investigate a series of thefts Thursday.

State police in the evening recovered 150 radio tubes which had been stolen from a truck in transit early Thursday morning. The three cartons of tubes were found at the side of the highway on Michigan Ave. near the intersection of Haggerty Rd.

The depredation occurred early Thursday morning. The truck driver left Detroit at 2:40 a. m. for Jackson and did not discover that the covering over the load had been slit and the goods stolen, until he had reached his destination.

Eleven other cartons of tubes, a moving picture machine and several electric refrigerator parts which were taken at the same time were not recovered.

A representative from the Jackson manufacturing concern, to which the tubes were addressed, was at the local post this morning and claimed the property.

City police officers Thursday were asked to investigate theft of lumber valued at $400 from Walter B. Orr, 310 N. Grove St. The missing materials consist of 4x4’s, 2x4’s and 1x6’s used for construction of forms.

It had been piled against a metal garage at the rear of Moorman’s warehouse, Water St.

Mr. Orr informed officers that the lumber was removed Saturday morning.

Miss Dorothea Edwards, 119 College Pl., Thursday evening left her purse in a parked car near Congress St. and when she returned discovered that someone had opened and rifled it of $2.50 and a green fountain pen.

Officers have been asked to investigate.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Two jailed and fined for fight

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Wednesday, July 3, 1929.

Branding the promiscuous beating of persons as “serious business,” Justice Darwin Z. Curtiss today imposed a stiff sentence of 65 days in County jail and $25 costs on both Charles Long, 25, and Bert Goodman, 39, both of this city, who were charged with assault and battery by James Grinnage. They were given no alternative and were taken to Ann Arbor at once.

The alleged assault took place at the Grinnage home, 322 Chidester St., Grinnage charging that the two, with Theodore Baylis, whom police have been unable to locate since, appeared at the house and attacked him after he had refused to give them liquor. Grinnage was badly beaten, but the pair pleaded not guilty when arraigned Tuesday, changing their plea before Prosecutor Carl H. Sturberg today.

Francis Bushey, 15, and Floyd Haner, 16, charged in a complaint made by William E. Foy, city recreation director with stealing a pock book containing money from the clothing of William L. Foley, 312 Ferris St., while the latter was swimming in the Ypsilanti High School pool, were both bound over to circuit court and were taken to Ann Arbor by Prosecutor Stuhrberg, who expected both their cases might be disposed of this afternoon.

The boys admitted to police that they had taken the money $29.29 all but a small amount of which was found in their homes later, and told he prosecutor today that they did it because they “needed money to spend.” The Haner lad said that he wanted to buy some clothes. Both boys are members of large families.

Only recently the Haner boy was placed on probation by Judge George W. Sample in Circuit Court when he became involved with several other local youths in the robbery of the Elkskin Moccasin Co. plant.

Account book of 1825 in walls of ancient house

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, July 2, 1934.

A book which came to light quite recently reveals that back in 1825 the practice was already popular of taking an old account book and using it for a scrapbook. The lurid adventures of “The fatal marksman” were more arresting than the price of butter and the wage scale. This book was found in the walls of the Pettibone house recently acquired by Frank B. Wilson. The earliest decipherable date in the book is 1825, and it had lain between walls long enough for the color to change to a gray-brown-purple, for the leaves to curl and the edges to crumble. This moldy volume, six by eight, discloses that wages, entered a number of times, were $1.00 a day, a pair of shoes cost $2.50, a bushel of potatoes 58 cents.

The simple white farm house in which the book was found stands well back from the Whalen Road in Superior Township. Its gabled end is toward the road, and its turned-back eaves suggest venerable age. When on May 22, 1830, the house passed to Zalmon and Milton Pettibone, it had already been possessed by Daniel Richards, Jr, who took the land from the government. The house is believed to be at least 115 years old. Milton bought Zalmon out in 1831. At the death of Milton and Lyman, two bachelors, and their sister, Hannah, there were 260 acres in the farm, which went to 18 heirs. The farm has declined to 80 acres now. Lyman B. Pettibone and his wife, now living at 420 Campbell Ave., lived on the farm from 1882 to 1926.

Interest and even mystery are attached to the room at the rear of the house upstairs. Its floor boards are of whitewood 16 inches wide and so choice and desirable is this wood considered that a dealer offered to lay a hardwood floor in exchange for the whitewood lumber. Instead of a door knob the door has a delicate, graceful handle of brass. Right here is the mystery, a plastered-up closet. Curiously, one family lived in the house 44 years without ever surmising that this blind closet existed; but one has only to examine the house from the outside to realize that a certain space at the northwest corner of the second floor is unaccounted for. A six foot wide closet suddenly ends, and the wall is plastered up. What is within this walled-up area? Was a box, a trunk left negligently there when the passage was closed which could now possess some historic interest, or was it swept clean of every interesting souvenir?

Thursday, July 2, 2009

One drowning, cars damaged over week end

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, July 2, 1934.

One drowning and a (word missing) of automobile accidents occurred in Ypsilanti and vicinity over the weekend.

Jack Scott, 27 years old, 316 Monroe Ave. this city, lost his life Saturday evening when he dove off the railroad trestle a short distance east of Superior. Friends who were with him stated that he was a poor swimmer and it is believed that he was unable to out swim the current.

Assisted by Deputy Sheriff Richard Klavitter, Troopers Warren Hornibrook and Donald Hoadley recovered the body in about 20 feet of water after several hours of dragging with grappling hooks.

Scott was the father of two small children.

No one was injured in an accident Saturday night about 10 o’clock when a machine driven by August Markva, rout 3, Ypsilanti, went into the ditch on Wiard Rd. near the Wiard residence. According to Mr. Markva, he had the dim lights of his machine on at the time and ran into the ditch at a narrow point in the road.

Two machines were slightly damaged but their occupants were uninjured Sunday afternoon when a car driven by N. E. Teller, Lansing, collided with one operated by W. Keller, 439 Hawkins St., Ypsilanti. According to the report of state police who investigated the accident, Mr. Keller driving south on US-23 attempted to turn east onto Territorial Rd. when he collided with the Teller car which was traveling north on the main highway.

In an accident in the city, Sunday night at 10:30 automobiles driven by Joseph Markley, 7325 Wykes St. and E. M. Gray, 521 Forest Ave., both of Detroit, were damaged but no one was hurt.

The mishap occurred according to police report, when Mr. Markley ran into the rear of the Gray machine at the intersection of Michigan Ave. and Huron St. The report states that Mr. Markley stopped at the intersection to allow traffic to Cross on Huron St, and that Mr. Gray was unable to stop his car in time to avoid the accident. Both drivers were going east on Michigan Ave. The rear of the Markley machine and the front of the Gray car were damaged.

Dan T. Quirk received cuts about the face when the car which he was driving left the road east of the city and hit a tree. The accident occurred Sunday morning at 1:30. The front right fender was damaged.