A, McPherson, Well Known Grocer Dies After Long Illness

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, August 5, 1912. Alpheous McPherson of the grocery firm of McPherson & House died at his residence 46 East Cross Street Sunday, August 4, 1912. He had been seriously indisposed for a year and a half and though he had been about the store considerably, he had not been able to do very much business during this period. Mr. McPherson was born at St. Anne’s, Ontario, sixty-eight years ago, and for the last nineteen years of that time has resided in Ypsilanti and has been engaged in business here for seventeen years. His wife, a daughter, Mrs. Arthur E. House and a sister survive him. The funeral will be held from the residence at half after two o’clock on Wednesday afternoon.

Woman’s Spell Brings Drowning

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Wednesday, August 4, 1937. The body of Mrs. Hester Dukett, 2125 ST. Aubins St. Detroit, was recovered from the Huron River neat the Edison plant at Superior by Sheriff’s officers Tuesday afternoon shortly after they had received report of her drowning. Mrs. Dukett was on a fishing party with her son, Thornley Hester, who had gone to sleep. Others nearby said Mrs. Dukett, who is reported by her son as being “subject to spells” suddenly got up and walked straight into the river where she went under and was not seen again alive. County Coroner Dr. Edwin C. Ganzhorn ordered the body removed to Staffan Funeral Home.

Vats in Driveway recall bits of Early History

This story was published by the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, August 3, 1912. Bert G. Moorman has completed some changes in the driveway east of his feed mill on Congress Street (now Michigan Ave.) hill which recall a bit of local history. Probably most Ypsilanti people know that DeMosh’s livery stable just west of the bridge was formerly a tannery. It was on fact erected in 1859 by Crane, Littlefield & West. It was used for tannery purposes until 1881. Underneath Mr. Moorman’s driveway were two reserve vats, 12x20x15. These vats were filled by water from two of the numerous springs which abound along the Huron banks in that vicinity. The tan bark was deposited in the water to make the liquor to put the hides in. A driveway of planks was built above these vats, but they were constantly in need of repairs, and so Mr. Moorman decided to fill the vats up and make an end to it. At least 280 loads of dirt some from the bridge excavation have gone into these vats and it has been a matter of about six months time since the work was begun. There are eight vats still beneath the basement of the livery stables, which would measure probably 8x16 feet.