Tradition Ended by Death

Mrs. Martha J. Shankland was 80 years of age on July 29, 1913, when she went to bed that night. All seemed well at the house at 517 Cross Street, where she lived with her daughter Harriet. At about 2:30 in the morning Harriet looked into the room where her mother slept. She saw her was asleep and all was quiet. There was reason for concern, although there had been no signs of despair or grief that day. “Mrs. Shankland had been in feeble health for some time. Recently occurred the death of her brother, and since that time she has been moody and despondent. She has never been able to become accustomed to his absence,” noted The Daily Ypsilanti Press of Wednesday, July 30, 1913. The next morning Harriet missed her mother when she arose. There was no trace of her in the house, and none of her cloths were missing. It was thought she had wondered away, dressed only in her night gown. “A search was at once instituted, neighbors and friends with automobiles volunteering their services, and scouring the country and environs of Ypsilanti, while persons on foot attempted to find some trace of her in nearer spots,” reported the account. Oscar Snyder, employed by an ice company, was driving his wagon across the bridge near the Peninsular Paper mill, where peninsular Place Apartments are now, when he saw the body in the Huron River. He at once informed officials at the paper mill. John J. Haviland, an employee of the paper mill oversaw the recovery of the body from the river. Mrs. Shankland was dressed only in her heavy bath robe, shoes and night cloths. Ypsilanti Mayor Frank Norton identified the body as that of Mrs. Martha Shankland. “The body was taken to the undertaking establishment of Clark Brothers,” reported the account. The coroner decided that a post mortem would not be necessary. “She had brought a rope with her, and crossing the bridge, had tied one end around a little tree at the top of the great concrete abutment, and the other around her waist. Then it would seem she had leaped into the darkness toward the river. The rope broke, and she struck her head on a jagged rock, a blow that doubtless produced unconsciousness at once,” reported The Daily Ypsilanti Press. The funeral was set for the Friday of that week, with interment in the cemetery at Dixbore. The death of Mrs. Shankland turned a tradition into a living memory, noted The Daily Ypsilanti Press of Thursday, July 31, 1913. All her life at Ypsilanti, Mrs. Shankland conducted a boarding and rooming house for students at the Normal College, now Eastern Michigan University. The college had no dormitories then, so students rented rooms in houses in the city. “Innumerable men and women who came here for their few years—members of classes that graduated 30 and more years ago—have memories of the days they spent within her homelike dwelling, and it has been their custom when they returned to the city for reunions or at any other time, to call upon her, and revive old memories. Mrs. Shankland was a figure of college life years before many of the splendid modern buildings of the campus were more than dreams, or even conceived.”

Pugilist Lands in Court after Winning Fight

This story was published by The Daily Ypsilanti Press on Wednesday, June 13, 1923. Seeking satisfaction through pugilistic methods in not always satisfactory; at any rate, it landed Freemont Peterson in jail. This is the way it happened. Harry Hixon has a cleaning establishment on Huron Street and Freemont Peterson was one of his costumers, his name is no longer on the books. According to the story told the judge, Peterson left a suit there to be cleaned, and in the cleaning process it was burned, or in some manner other way ruined. Several times Peterson declares, he endeavored to have the loss adjusted but without success, and last evening when he went to the hixon place, he intended to get satisfaction if possible. Peterson declares that what he really received at the hands of Hixon was not at all satisfactory. In act, he charges that Hixon hit him in the jaw. In the fight that followed, it seems that Peterson proved to be the best man. Hixon’s father was summoned before the fight ended, and when he endeavored to interfere Peterson’s son objected and a second round, by two different members of the same two families was staged, in which the Petersons were again triumphant. But here the law stepped in. Freemont Peterson was escorted to the city jail where he spent the night, and this morning Harry Hixon signed a complaint against him charging assault and battery. The law acted quickly, Peterson being arraigned during the forenoon. He pleaded not guilty, on the grounds that Hixon struck the first blow and trail will take place tomorrow morning. So far no suit has resulted from the second bout. (The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty.)

River Banks Not To Be Used AS City’s Dumping Grounds

This story was published by The Daily Ypsilanti Press on Tuesday, June 5, 1923. Dumping of rubbish in vacant lots in the city is not to be conuntenanced by the city any longer. With the Centennial nearing, it is felt the more imperative that the city be cleaned up and at the meeting of the city council last evening it was voted that the dumping of rubbish along the river banks should be prohibited henceforth. Not only are the river banks barred as a dumping ground, but all city property is included in the general order, and the street commissioner is authorized to post notices to this effect. The using of vacant property, especially the river banks, as a dumping grounds, was felt to be disgraceful to the city. As Alderman Ableson expressed it, “If the old Indians who used to live here could see what we’ve done to the river banks, they’d scalp the whole bunch of us.” In addition to the action on the part of the city, a communication from residents of North River and Norris Streets, protesting the dumping of rubbish on vacant lots in that vicinity, was favorably considered. The communication was referred to the aldermen of the ward, with instructions to investigate and report back to the council. The city is not without a dumping grounds. The Norris Street pit can be used for the dumping of all rubbish, as the pit should be filled up anyway, Alderman Beck announced.

Arrest Burglar Entering Davis Store at Depot

This story was published by The Daily Ypsilanti Press on Monday, June 4, 1923. Steve Michaels is in the city jail today facing a charge of attempted burglary following his arrest Sunday night by Officers Lawrence, Vay and Morey. Two companions escaped. About 10:30 Sunday night residents in the vicinity of Cross and River Streets saw three men prowling around back of the D. L. Davis store and notified police. The officers were dispatched and caught Michaels in the garage back of the store. The two men who were with him made good their escape when they saw the officers coming. Michaels had with him a revolver, two sledge hammers, the heads of which were covered with tape to prevent any sound, a jimmy, gloves and a flash light. Police confiscated his tools. Michaels had entered the garage through a window. The garage is connected with the store, and he was about to force entry into the store when captured. Michaels and his two companions, one of whom is known to police, have been in town only a short time. Saturday they worked for the Scovill Lumber Company at odd jobs about the yards, and were seen about town Sunday. They did not have a car. Michaels, who is about 25 years old, and a Pole, has so far refused to give any information as to where he comes from or who his companions were. He will be arraigned before Justice Stadtmiller some time this afternoon.

Rapid Progress to Be Made On Funeral Chapel

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Tuesday, May 24, 1938. With the excavation on the Geer Funeral Home completed and the footings already poured construction is expected to proceed rapidly with the building scheduled for formal opening about January 1. Worden E. Geer is the owner of the new business. The home will be located on the former site of the First Baptist Church at the corner of Washington and Cross Streets. The building, which will face Washington St., has a total dimension of 75 feet, 8 inches by 63 feet with a driveway from Cross St. Space will be provided for parking. Exterior of both the Funeral Home and attached garage will be of face brick and a colonial design will be followed. The building will have a complete air-conditioning system. On the first floor is located the chapel with accommodations for 150 persons. From the chapel there is a convenient exit to the porte-cochere on the south. Adjacent to the chapel is the family room large enough for 40 people and which has a separate exit to the porte-cochere. Music will be provided by an electric recording organ. On the other side of the chapel is located the entrance lobby, reception room and office. Two slumber rooms are provided on the north side. Corridors provide access to the family room, also to the elevator, garage and storage room. From the Cross St. entrance there is a winding stairway to the second floor apartment consisting of living room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast nook, bath and three bedrooms. There is a fireplace in the living room on the south and a covered porch over the porte-cochere. Mr. and Mrs. Geer will make this their home. Sales Display Room, operating room and equipment room complete the second story. Included in the full basement will be a contagious slumber room with a full length glass door. This room is especially wired for automatic fumigation. There will also be a recreation room, caretaker’s room, utility room, fruit room and a large storage room. Mr. Geer is the son of Mrs. Vera Geer and is well known in Ypsilanti. He served his apprenticeship with Stevens and Bush, after which he attended the Cincinnati College of Embalming. Upon graduation and after passing the examination of the Michigan State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors Mr. Geer was associated with J. E. Moore & Co. of this city. There will be an attendant on duty 24 hours each day.

Pittsfield Has Grange Building

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, May 22, 1933. With the building filled to capacity, dedication exercises were held for the new Pittsfield Union Grange Hall, located on Saline Road, Sunday afternoon. The main speaker of the afternoon was C.H. Branble, Lansing, master of the Michigan State Grange, who told of the many activities carried on by the organization and praised the Pittsfield unit for its spirit of progressiveness. The first formal meeting in the new hall is to be held Wednesday evening.

Lightning Strikes Tree and House; Melts Wires

This story was published by The Daily Ypsilanti Press on Thursday, May 22, 1913. A large elm was struck by lightning and spit to the roots in the rear of the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Anderson on South Adams Street during yesterday’s storm. The current followed wires attached to the tree and a chimney, and entered the house, knocking some glass from a shelf and tearing off plaster in the upstairs room. Then the bolt knocked boards off the side of the house, and smoked paint on it. The wires, of which there were several, were completely melted by the lightning. Mrs. Anderson was in the kitchen but was not injured.