This story appeared in the Ypsilanti Daily Press of Saturday, March 21, 1908
An auction sale pavilion, calling for an investment of more than $4,000, will be erected this spring by Warren Lewis, the international live stock auctioneer, on his property at Babbitt street and Lincoln avenue. It will stand unique in the state of Michigan, although similar institutions have proved successful in other American cities.
The sale pavilion will be built adjoining the Michigan Central sidetrack which passes over Mr. Lewis’ property. This insures the best of shipping facilities for those who will send stock here to dispose of at auction and to buyers who may wish to ship out heir purchases.
The pavilion will be built with glass sides and wholly enclosed. The seats will be amphitheater style with a ring as in a circus where the stock will be in plain view of everyone when it is under the hammer. There will be na auctioneer’s stand and cashier’s desk. The sales will be conduced summer and winter and in order to make it thoroughly comfortable in cold weather, the pavilion will be equipped with a steam heating plant. There won’t be anything small or cheap about the whole affair. It is designed to be one of the auction centers of the country and a leading attraction of the city.
“I propose to pul off some of the big farm auction sales here too,” said Mr. Lewis. “It will be central and farmers can bring in everything they have to offer. But it is principally designed for the sale of horses and cattle.”
Mr. Lewis owns the property from North to Babbitt street, lying along Lincoln avenue and the Michigan Central railroad. On North street he has fitted up one of the finest equipped had luxurious homes in the city.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Whole family has narrow escape
This story appeared in The Ypsilanti Daily Press of Tuesday, March 10, 1908
Roy Dickson, wife and two children, aged 20 months and six months old respectively, had a narrow escape from drowning on Friday. They were driving from the residence of Chas. McIntyre, to there home on the Marion Merritt farm, when the accident occurred.
A creek, which is dry in summer time, had owing to the thaw, became a raging stream of water so high that it covered the road. Mr. Dickerson had driven over this road only a few hours previous, and found the water just a few inches deep and did not anticipate any danger. He had crossed a small bridge on his way back, when the water struck his buggy, and he with his family were swept into the stream and carried nearly 30 yards in water over their heads. Mrs. Dickerson had the baby in her arms and pluckily hung to thee child. The water was over her head, and as she came to the top a second time she grasped a fence and hung on.
Mr. Dickerson in the meantime, with the older child had effected a landing on the side opposite his wife.
Palmer Gridley saw their predicament and with help took them to the Fullington farm, where they were cared for. The baby was only revived after it had been worked over for an hour and a half.
The horse when rescued had only its nose sticking about the water.
Roy Dickson, wife and two children, aged 20 months and six months old respectively, had a narrow escape from drowning on Friday. They were driving from the residence of Chas. McIntyre, to there home on the Marion Merritt farm, when the accident occurred.
A creek, which is dry in summer time, had owing to the thaw, became a raging stream of water so high that it covered the road. Mr. Dickerson had driven over this road only a few hours previous, and found the water just a few inches deep and did not anticipate any danger. He had crossed a small bridge on his way back, when the water struck his buggy, and he with his family were swept into the stream and carried nearly 30 yards in water over their heads. Mrs. Dickerson had the baby in her arms and pluckily hung to thee child. The water was over her head, and as she came to the top a second time she grasped a fence and hung on.
Mr. Dickerson in the meantime, with the older child had effected a landing on the side opposite his wife.
Palmer Gridley saw their predicament and with help took them to the Fullington farm, where they were cared for. The baby was only revived after it had been worked over for an hour and a half.
The horse when rescued had only its nose sticking about the water.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Dynamite is savior
This story appeared in The Ypsilanti Record of Thursday, February 21, 1918.
The free use of dynamite in breaking up the ice pack which last Thursday night has choked Huron river from the Michigan avenue bridge south to a point some distance below the U. S. Pressed Steel plant, has undoubtedly saved thousands of dollars of property loss, to say nothing of inconvenience to residents along the river and to loss of time at the Pressed Steel plant and possibly the putting out of commission of the city water works plant and electric street lighting station.
A force of six men has been employed by the city daily since the ice pack and resulted flooding of the low sections along the river began, cutting trenches in the piled up ice fields and inserting and discharging dynamite. In all more than 400 sticks of explosives has been used, and to what good effect is seen in the wide expanse of river surface opened.
This timely action on the city's part did not prevent all damage, however. Such was the rush of floating ice and high waters last Thursday night that Water street was inundated and eleven families were driven from their homes in the night. Police calls were sent in and by 2 o'clock Friday chief of Police Cain and members of the police force had successed in taking the inmates of 11 homes to safety with a\the aid of boats.
The families driven from homes by the water were as follows:
Sheldon Granger, Thomas Barnum, H. Ross, Mrs. Josephine Alford, Frank Tuttle, Freemont Randail, Walter Russ, Robert Counsellor, Mrs. Wilmer Pressler, Mrs. Burrill and Lee Borch.
While the water had by Monday gone down several feet in the river and consequently drained the flooded district, residents of Water Street were still unable to return to their homes. Yards were piled high with cakes of ice and contents of the houses as far as the first floors were soaked. Thursday efforts were made by some of the occupants to build fires and dry out their homes, and by others to get conveyances at hand and move household goods elsewhere, but word came from Lowell where an Edison Co. dam is maintained, that the water was raising an inch an hour and a flood of even greater proportions that that of last Thursday night was predicted. Once more everybody was driven out from Water Street, and through Thursday night the houses were deserted. A sudden change in temperature caused the rain to cease and the river to freeze and the flood was temporarily averted.
Through the efforts of Mayor Brown a supply of dynamite was secured last Friday and a force of six men was secured last Friday from Shepherd ice house to handle it. The gang was to work below the Water Works station four of them sawing trenches and two planting and firing dynamite charges. Thus by Tuesday they had successed in opening the river from a point below the Pressed Steel Co. plant up stream to the gravel pit. Previous to this work the river had been frozen completely over and the floating ice from up-stream had been forced under water until the whole river bed was chocked.
Nor is the danger yet past. The thaws that must come are bound to produce a tremendous volume of water that must be carried off and if the ice is not kept out of the way floods are bound to result. Thus far Race street residents have not suffered. The water works and lighting station has been kept above water and the Pressed Steel Plant has been kept running. Still higher water in the near future is not impossible.
This is not the first time the Huron has caused damage by flooding. About 12 years ago unusually high water took out the Peninsular Paper Co.’s dam, the Knitting Mill dam and an Edison dam below. It also washed out the Forest avenue bridge and the East Cross street bridge.
The free use of dynamite in breaking up the ice pack which last Thursday night has choked Huron river from the Michigan avenue bridge south to a point some distance below the U. S. Pressed Steel plant, has undoubtedly saved thousands of dollars of property loss, to say nothing of inconvenience to residents along the river and to loss of time at the Pressed Steel plant and possibly the putting out of commission of the city water works plant and electric street lighting station.
A force of six men has been employed by the city daily since the ice pack and resulted flooding of the low sections along the river began, cutting trenches in the piled up ice fields and inserting and discharging dynamite. In all more than 400 sticks of explosives has been used, and to what good effect is seen in the wide expanse of river surface opened.
This timely action on the city's part did not prevent all damage, however. Such was the rush of floating ice and high waters last Thursday night that Water street was inundated and eleven families were driven from their homes in the night. Police calls were sent in and by 2 o'clock Friday chief of Police Cain and members of the police force had successed in taking the inmates of 11 homes to safety with a\the aid of boats.
The families driven from homes by the water were as follows:
Sheldon Granger, Thomas Barnum, H. Ross, Mrs. Josephine Alford, Frank Tuttle, Freemont Randail, Walter Russ, Robert Counsellor, Mrs. Wilmer Pressler, Mrs. Burrill and Lee Borch.
While the water had by Monday gone down several feet in the river and consequently drained the flooded district, residents of Water Street were still unable to return to their homes. Yards were piled high with cakes of ice and contents of the houses as far as the first floors were soaked. Thursday efforts were made by some of the occupants to build fires and dry out their homes, and by others to get conveyances at hand and move household goods elsewhere, but word came from Lowell where an Edison Co. dam is maintained, that the water was raising an inch an hour and a flood of even greater proportions that that of last Thursday night was predicted. Once more everybody was driven out from Water Street, and through Thursday night the houses were deserted. A sudden change in temperature caused the rain to cease and the river to freeze and the flood was temporarily averted.
Through the efforts of Mayor Brown a supply of dynamite was secured last Friday and a force of six men was secured last Friday from Shepherd ice house to handle it. The gang was to work below the Water Works station four of them sawing trenches and two planting and firing dynamite charges. Thus by Tuesday they had successed in opening the river from a point below the Pressed Steel Co. plant up stream to the gravel pit. Previous to this work the river had been frozen completely over and the floating ice from up-stream had been forced under water until the whole river bed was chocked.
Nor is the danger yet past. The thaws that must come are bound to produce a tremendous volume of water that must be carried off and if the ice is not kept out of the way floods are bound to result. Thus far Race street residents have not suffered. The water works and lighting station has been kept above water and the Pressed Steel Plant has been kept running. Still higher water in the near future is not impossible.
This is not the first time the Huron has caused damage by flooding. About 12 years ago unusually high water took out the Peninsular Paper Co.’s dam, the Knitting Mill dam and an Edison dam below. It also washed out the Forest avenue bridge and the East Cross street bridge.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Officers Pay visit
This story appeared in The Ypsilanti Record of Thursday, February 14, 1918.
Suspected of being in some way or other interested in the German government, Albert Hettich, residing at 430 North Hamilton street on Saturday was compelled to submit to a search of his home by representatives of the sheriff’s office, who called armed with a search warrant. The visit has aroused the indignation of Hettich and he declares the questioning of his loyalty to American an outrage.
Arthur D. Moore, of Ann Arbor, special deputy sheriff connected with the American Council of National Defense, came to Ypsilanti Saturday and appealed to Justice Stadtmiller for a search of Hettich’s home. The warrant was issued, authorizing a search for “books, papers or pamphlets” that might be derogatory to his loyalty to American.
Not until Wednesday morning was a return made on the warrant by Deputy Moore. In this return it was stated that a letter written by Mr. Hettich was found “displaying the typical Germanic hatred for the British policies.”
Mr. Hettich, and his wife who is now in Chicago, came to Ypsilanti several years ago, but what brought them here has never been clear in the mind of many. Mr. Hettich never seemed to have any definite occupation, while his wife’s sole activity seemed to be in connection with a semi-public restroom. Mrs. Hettich is said to be descended form near royalty in Hungary, and Mr. Hettich is said to have served in the German army as an officer, reaching the rank of captian before he retired.
Mrs. Hettich has many times explained their German relations, and has frequently emphasized her loyalty to the United States, but she oftentimes told of being the owner of a house in Berlin which was at one time the home of Count Zeppelin, of dirigible fame. This, it was claimed, was not the only property she possessed in Germany. She also owns property in Chicago, it is said.
Although believed to be a native born German, and still to be a subject of the fatherland. Mr. Hettich had not up to Wednesday noon, shown any disposition to appear before Chief of Police Cain and register with other German alien enemies, as required by the federal law. Four days were allowed last week and the first three days this week, in which registration could be made.
Failure to register, in case he is a native of Germany and has never completed his citizenship papers in the United States, will subject Mr. Hettich to arrest and internment for the period of the war.
Mr. Hettich is reported to have been very indignant at the search, and is said to have remarked before Deputy Moore’s return on the warrant was made, that the search was “without avail.” He is quoted as saying: “Nothing was found because there is nothing in my house that could not rightfully be in any American home.”
Speculation is rife as to the means of support of Mr. and Mrs. Hettich, since by the statement of Mrs. Hettich, all income from their foreign property was cut off when the war broke out.
Suspected of being in some way or other interested in the German government, Albert Hettich, residing at 430 North Hamilton street on Saturday was compelled to submit to a search of his home by representatives of the sheriff’s office, who called armed with a search warrant. The visit has aroused the indignation of Hettich and he declares the questioning of his loyalty to American an outrage.
Arthur D. Moore, of Ann Arbor, special deputy sheriff connected with the American Council of National Defense, came to Ypsilanti Saturday and appealed to Justice Stadtmiller for a search of Hettich’s home. The warrant was issued, authorizing a search for “books, papers or pamphlets” that might be derogatory to his loyalty to American.
Not until Wednesday morning was a return made on the warrant by Deputy Moore. In this return it was stated that a letter written by Mr. Hettich was found “displaying the typical Germanic hatred for the British policies.”
Mr. Hettich, and his wife who is now in Chicago, came to Ypsilanti several years ago, but what brought them here has never been clear in the mind of many. Mr. Hettich never seemed to have any definite occupation, while his wife’s sole activity seemed to be in connection with a semi-public restroom. Mrs. Hettich is said to be descended form near royalty in Hungary, and Mr. Hettich is said to have served in the German army as an officer, reaching the rank of captian before he retired.
Mrs. Hettich has many times explained their German relations, and has frequently emphasized her loyalty to the United States, but she oftentimes told of being the owner of a house in Berlin which was at one time the home of Count Zeppelin, of dirigible fame. This, it was claimed, was not the only property she possessed in Germany. She also owns property in Chicago, it is said.
Although believed to be a native born German, and still to be a subject of the fatherland. Mr. Hettich had not up to Wednesday noon, shown any disposition to appear before Chief of Police Cain and register with other German alien enemies, as required by the federal law. Four days were allowed last week and the first three days this week, in which registration could be made.
Failure to register, in case he is a native of Germany and has never completed his citizenship papers in the United States, will subject Mr. Hettich to arrest and internment for the period of the war.
Mr. Hettich is reported to have been very indignant at the search, and is said to have remarked before Deputy Moore’s return on the warrant was made, that the search was “without avail.” He is quoted as saying: “Nothing was found because there is nothing in my house that could not rightfully be in any American home.”
Speculation is rife as to the means of support of Mr. and Mrs. Hettich, since by the statement of Mrs. Hettich, all income from their foreign property was cut off when the war broke out.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Drinks acid to end his troubles
This story appeared in the Ypsilanti Daily Press of Tuesday, February 18, 1908.
“Your papa’s troubles are now over,” said William Johnson, of 310 Florence Avenue, to his four year old son at 8:30 this morning.
Mrs. Johnson, who was in the room turned, and saw her husband draining the contents of a glass.
“What have you done?” she cried.
“Here is your bottle,” he answered, throwing a bottle which had contained carbolic acid to her, and in a few seconds he was writhing in terrible agony on the floor. Dr. H. B. Britton was called, but Johnson died within 30 minutes after he had taken the poison.
“He had often said he would commit suicide, but I did not think he would do it,” said Mrs. Johnson.
The family have had bad luck during the past 18 months. Mr. Johnson, who was 47 years old, worked in Detroit for the American Car & Foundry Co., but was injured by a plank falling on him, a year ago last July. Since then he has been practically an invalid, and on Mrs. Johnson fell the task of providing for the needs of her sick husband and four children. She washed and worked in factories, until her strength was broken down. The day after New Year’s she was taken to Ann Arbor, where she underwent a serious operation, only returning home a couple of weeks ago.
“We always got along by working hard,” said Mrs. Johnson, “but this winter we have had to have help from the city. I am behind with my rent about $15, and if I can catch up with that, will be able to take care of my children.”
The family now consists of the widow and her four children: Alice aged 14; Bessie, 9; Henry, 6 and Carl 4. They are almost destitute circumstances.
“Your papa’s troubles are now over,” said William Johnson, of 310 Florence Avenue, to his four year old son at 8:30 this morning.
Mrs. Johnson, who was in the room turned, and saw her husband draining the contents of a glass.
“What have you done?” she cried.
“Here is your bottle,” he answered, throwing a bottle which had contained carbolic acid to her, and in a few seconds he was writhing in terrible agony on the floor. Dr. H. B. Britton was called, but Johnson died within 30 minutes after he had taken the poison.
“He had often said he would commit suicide, but I did not think he would do it,” said Mrs. Johnson.
The family have had bad luck during the past 18 months. Mr. Johnson, who was 47 years old, worked in Detroit for the American Car & Foundry Co., but was injured by a plank falling on him, a year ago last July. Since then he has been practically an invalid, and on Mrs. Johnson fell the task of providing for the needs of her sick husband and four children. She washed and worked in factories, until her strength was broken down. The day after New Year’s she was taken to Ann Arbor, where she underwent a serious operation, only returning home a couple of weeks ago.
“We always got along by working hard,” said Mrs. Johnson, “but this winter we have had to have help from the city. I am behind with my rent about $15, and if I can catch up with that, will be able to take care of my children.”
The family now consists of the widow and her four children: Alice aged 14; Bessie, 9; Henry, 6 and Carl 4. They are almost destitute circumstances.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Woodlawn Cemetery
Take Huron River Drive, go east past the Ypsilanti Township Civic Center and the National Guard Armory, and between Carton Avenue and Brown Drive, you will see a break in the trees. As you drive past, take a quick glance to your right. There you will see an open field, with a small wooden cross on the far side. This is the final resting place for about 150 persons, but there is no sign, no maker, only headstones to mark the graves. This is Woodlawn Cemetery, one of the abandoned cemeteries of Washtenaw County.
The Rev. Garther Roberson, of the Second Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, founded Woodlawn Cemetery in the early 1940’s, primarily for the parishioners of his church. The Rev. Roberson died in 1955, and the property passed to Estella Roberson and a Mrs. Booker Rhonenee. The two women soon after declared bankruptcy, as they were short of assets and since then both women have died. The Woodlawn Cemetery Association had failed to file the appropriate corporate papers and no money was set aside for perpetual care of the grounds. The last burial in Woodlawn may have been in 1965. There are no records of who is buried there, when they were buried or where in the cemetery they are buried. Today no one is sure who owns the property, and it has an assessed vale of zero. Ypsilanti Township has someone cut the grass a few times a year.
Today Woodlawn Cemetery is a snow-covered field, with the walls of a maintenance shed, its roof fallen in long ago, standing on the far edge of the grounds. A stack of used tires is on the ground nearby. The air is silent, but for the wind.
The Rev. Garther Roberson, of the Second Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, founded Woodlawn Cemetery in the early 1940’s, primarily for the parishioners of his church. The Rev. Roberson died in 1955, and the property passed to Estella Roberson and a Mrs. Booker Rhonenee. The two women soon after declared bankruptcy, as they were short of assets and since then both women have died. The Woodlawn Cemetery Association had failed to file the appropriate corporate papers and no money was set aside for perpetual care of the grounds. The last burial in Woodlawn may have been in 1965. There are no records of who is buried there, when they were buried or where in the cemetery they are buried. Today no one is sure who owns the property, and it has an assessed vale of zero. Ypsilanti Township has someone cut the grass a few times a year.
Today Woodlawn Cemetery is a snow-covered field, with the walls of a maintenance shed, its roof fallen in long ago, standing on the far edge of the grounds. A stack of used tires is on the ground nearby. The air is silent, but for the wind.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Mike Shaw
I did not know that Mike Shaw had died until I read the posting on Mark Maynard’s blog by Old East Cross. I had noticed his absences from the city’s streets, but failed to wonder why. I just counted myself lucky that he would not stop me on the street, and I would have to listen to him mumble on about his landlord or some other topic. Mike was one of the colorful persons Ypsilanti is known for. He wondered the streets of the city, counting the squirrels, and looking for the Starkweather fountain.
I first came know Mike at the Ypsilanti City Archives, when he came in to do research. He believed he was descended from the Shaw family, who were among the first to settle here. The truth is, he was not, his father came here in the 20th century. His belief, I think, was based on his finding the Shaw family graves at Highland Cemetery. He loved Highland, and often talked of getting a job there as a grounds keeper. It never came to be. The women who worked at the archives were both concerned for him and frighten by him. Mike was like a grandson to them, be it a very troubled one. Mike had gone to Vietnam, and, in a real sense, part of him never left. He suffered an injury to the head that left him disabled.
Mike took an interest in the Starkweather Fountain, missing since the 1930’s. He came to believe it was hidden by his landlord, Kircher, in the basement of the Thompson Block. Once a sharp dealer sold Mike the head of a statue, telling him it was part of the Starkweather Fountain. He spent his pension for a month on the item. He asked me to stop by his apartment to take a look at This was not something I really wanted to do. The head, as it turned out, was made of plaster, and the fountain was made of bronze. I had to tell Mike the head was not part of the fountain, that he had wasted his money. I was nervous as I broke the news to him, not sure how he would react. Mike took the news well, as it did not seem to brother him. I left as quickly as I could.
Now Mike is gone. I pray his soul has found the peace it was denied in life.
Now, those of us who remain, as left with a question: Who will count the squirrels.
I first came know Mike at the Ypsilanti City Archives, when he came in to do research. He believed he was descended from the Shaw family, who were among the first to settle here. The truth is, he was not, his father came here in the 20th century. His belief, I think, was based on his finding the Shaw family graves at Highland Cemetery. He loved Highland, and often talked of getting a job there as a grounds keeper. It never came to be. The women who worked at the archives were both concerned for him and frighten by him. Mike was like a grandson to them, be it a very troubled one. Mike had gone to Vietnam, and, in a real sense, part of him never left. He suffered an injury to the head that left him disabled.
Mike took an interest in the Starkweather Fountain, missing since the 1930’s. He came to believe it was hidden by his landlord, Kircher, in the basement of the Thompson Block. Once a sharp dealer sold Mike the head of a statue, telling him it was part of the Starkweather Fountain. He spent his pension for a month on the item. He asked me to stop by his apartment to take a look at This was not something I really wanted to do. The head, as it turned out, was made of plaster, and the fountain was made of bronze. I had to tell Mike the head was not part of the fountain, that he had wasted his money. I was nervous as I broke the news to him, not sure how he would react. Mike took the news well, as it did not seem to brother him. I left as quickly as I could.
Now Mike is gone. I pray his soul has found the peace it was denied in life.
Now, those of us who remain, as left with a question: Who will count the squirrels.
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