Rosa Nettleton Book

1871

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January 15, 1871

Alanson G. Aldrich has been appointed Deputy County Clerk, and E. H. Green Register of Deeds for Charlevoix County.

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New Firm-The new firm of George W. Esterly & Co. is composed of the following gentlemen, to-wit: Geo. W. Esterly, F. L. Kiser, C. E. Lewis and J. H. Page.

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Dissolved-As will be seen elsewhere, the co-partnership of Reddington, Nelson & Co. was dissolved on the 1st of November last.

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Wood-A. Fox & Co. are getting out three thousand cords of propeller wood, and one thousand cords of shipping wood. A. Buttars & Co. are also getting out one thousand cords of shipping wood.

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Grists Ground-We are happy to announce to our countryfriends that in a short time they can have their grists ground on any week day, at the mill of Geo. W. Esterly & Co. in this village.

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Personal-His many friends in this village and vicinity were glad the other day to greet once more the well-known face of F. L. Kiser, Esq., of Whitewater, Wis., and who is one of the new firm of George W. Esterly & Co. Mr. Kiser's arrival and his purpose to run the shingle mill and grist mill during the remainder of the winter (provided enough bolts can be secured) has already sent a thrill of joy to the hearts of many of our citizens, not only in this village but throughout the whole country. The company which he represents will commence operations at once in getting out pine logs enough to run the saw mill here next summer.

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March 5, 1871
Neck Tie Party

The ladies of Charlevoix are up to a thing or two now-a-days and no mistake. They propose keeping pace with the times and have consequently commenced a series of "Neck Tie Parties or Socials," the proceeds to be devoted to the building of a church edifice. The Socials are said to be interesting affairs and are conducted as follows, as near as we can learn: Each lady "comes armed" with a neck-tie built of the same timber as her gown and deposits it with some disinterested person who has been appointed for that purpose. When all have arrived, said disinterested person distributes the neckties among the gentlemen, who as they receive them search out the corresponding calico, the contents of which he must wait upon during the evening, "irrespective of race, color, or previous condition." The first of the season came off last evening at Fox's Hall, and was a pleasant affair.

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March 12, 1871

As we go to press there is no ice to be seen in Lake Michigan, and the ice in Round Lake is rapidly breaking up.

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We are to have six regular boats here the coming season, among which will be the Fountain City and Idaho, with Capts. Gibson and Penny. No better men can be found.

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The bill relative to the improvement of Pine River, introduced by Senator Moffatt, passed the Senate on the 28th, and will, no doubt, pass the House and receive the Governor's sanction. The bill provides for the drainage and reclamation of swamp lands lying in this and Antrim county, by means of straightening, deepening and removing obstructions in the channel of Pine River.

Also that a commissioner be appointed by the governor, whose duty it shall be to superintend the improvements contemplated.

To secure the said improvements sixteen sections, or 10,240 acres of swamp lands are appropriated, to be selected only from the counties of Charlevoix and Antrim. To select from, there remains in the two counties 23,000 acres ­ 16,000 in Charlevoix and 7,000 in Antrim. It is said by competent judges that this appropriation will, if carefully and judiciously managed, straighten the channel, secure seven or eight feet of water, and construct suitable piers for protection at the mouth. A petition is being circulated and very generally signed, for the appointment of A. Buttars, Esq., of this village, as commissioner.

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March 12, 1871

County Officers 
Sheriff  Richard Cooper 
County Clerk  Willard A. Smith 
County Treasurer  Jackson Ingalls 
Register of Deeds  William Harris 
Circuit Court Commissioner  E. H. Green 
Judge of Probate  Philo Beers 
County Surveyor  William Miller 
Coroners  L. W. Skinner
Solomon Isaman
 Deputies
Deputy Sheriff  Robert Miller 
Deputy Clerk  Alanson G. Aldrich 
Deputy Register  E. H. Green 

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March 19, 1871
Mail Arrangement

Mails arrive from the south on Tuesdays and Saturdays; from the north on Monday and Fridays.

Close for the south at 6 o'clock A. M. on Mondays and Fridays.

Philo Beers, P. M.

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Geo. W. Esterly and Co. in the space of thirty-three working days, with thirteen men and four teams, put into the Jordan River, 564,000 feet of pine logs. The company this week sent a gang of raftsmen to run their logs to the mouth of the river.

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Miss Whitcomb's Reception

It is not amiss for us to state that the reception given on Wednesday evening by Miss Ida Whitcomb, of this village, to her friends, was in every way a splendid affair. The guests, by special invitation, congregated at Mr. Fox's palatial residence and at eight o'clock repaired to the Hall, where they spent about four hours in the "Mazy dance." At twelve all returned to the house where the tables were found loaded with every imaginable luxury-prepared under the supervision of the fair hostess' very amiable sister, Mrs. Fox. The occasion was one of unfeigned enjoyment to every one present.

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March 19, 1871

We had the pleasure on Monday last, with a number of others, of visiting the sugar camp of Hon. J. S. Dixon, about four miles north of this village. We were very hospitably entertained by Mrs. Dixon and her son, and Mr. Stockman: the latter gentleman, we believe, having an interest in the bush. The buildings and appurtenances in this bush are the best we have seen. They have, we believe, between four and five hundred trees tapped, and have already made about 200 pounds of sugar.

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March 26, 1871

The school meeting came off as announced, and the following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That the time has arrived when steps should be taken for the erection of a suitable school building in this village.

On Motion, a committee, consisting of Messers. Fox, Buttars and Aldrich, were appointed to ascertain what the necessary ground could be secured for. Another meeting is to be held on Tuesday evening, when the committee is expected to report.

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April 23, 1871
The Union Jack

"Uncle Johnny Miller" has this boat nicely fitted out and painted and has commenced business on Pine Lake. He will run during the summer to all points on the Lake and Arm, for the accommodation of settlers, excursionists, etc.

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The Appropriation Bill

The senate bill for the improvement of Pine River, which has been watched by the people of this county with so much interest, passed the house on the last day of its session. Our readers are aware that this bill grants sixteen sections of state swamp land for the improvement of navigation of Pine River, the land to be selected from 23,000 acres now remaining in Charlevoix and Antrim counties. When Mr. Mitchell left the capitol, the state commission had not been appointed and with that official, whoever he may be, it remains to place this matter in the hands of a competent manager.

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Commodore Nutt

This favorite tug has been repainted and fitted up, and made her first trip of the season on Wednesday last. Capt. Aldrich and Engineer Chaddock are in their appropriate places.

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A. Fox has 20,000 ties and 15,000 posts for market.

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F. J. Meech has 66,000 railroad ties and 20,000 cedar posts on South Arm and Jordan.

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F. W. Mayne, Attorney at Law, has been employed as an assistant in the law office of J. Milo Eaton.

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Neck-tie socials are still en regle at Charlevoix. This one on Tuesday evening surpassed any yet held.

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H. W. Beach, Esq., of Banks, Antrim Co., made this spring with 650 buckets, 3,500 pounds of maple sugar.

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Who Can Beat It?

The pressman of the Sentinel office recently worked off 300 copies of an edition of the paper in one hour and twenty-five minutes, and "flew his own sheets." If any person can beat that let us hear from him.

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May 7, 1871

We recently had the pleasure of a trip into the Township of South Arm by way of the lake. Owing to our limited time, we were unable to make as large a circuit as we could otherwise have done, but the following homesteads we noticed as being rapidly improved: On section 22 we found our bachelor friend Solomon Isaman, happy as a clam. He has a fine improvement. Near this we noticed a fine clearing owned by David C. Nettleton. On Section 34, we found J. H. Lanway; on 32 J. H. Nicloy; on 28, R. Jones and Geo. Close. These farms all look well, and thrift is discernible in every place about them. In this neighborhood we found the farms of John W. Hawks and Mr. Rogers. They are fine homesteads with considerable improvement. The land in this portion of the township is of a superior quality-finer timbered land we never saw, as far as natural beauty is concerned. On our return we stopped a short time at the farm of Robert Bedwin in the township of Eveline. We shall long remember the generous hospitality extended to us and ours on this occasion by Mr. Bedwin and his amiable lady. This farm is beautifully situated at the entrance to South Arm, and a large portion of his clearing is devoted to fruit culture.

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June 11, 1871

Among the departures last night by the Fountain City for Chicago were Amos Fox Esq., and lady and Isaac S. Webster, Esq.

Many improvements are going on in the shape of fence building, etc., which materially add to the appearance of our village.

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June 11, 1871
A Cruise Among the Islands

We lately had the pleasure of a visit to the Islands with Capt. Newman of the Berty Mac. Adverse weather, and for a change no weather at all, rendered the passage somewhat unpleasant-being about twelve hours on the way over and nearly nineteen on the return. But by laying a good supply of eatables and a well-filled portfolio of reading matter, the monotony of the journey was greatly lessened. At Beaver Island we found business lively, and money flush, everybody happy and apparently enjoying good health. We found Mr. Dormer, of the firm of Dormer, Allen & Co., just returned from the parent house at Buffalo, who very hospitably received and accompanied us upon a short tour of inspection about a portion of the village. We have frequently had occasion to express our opinion of people who took too much interest in our affairs, but Mr. Dormer meddles with our business in a manner which is truly gratifying. He looks upon the Sentinel as the local paper of his county, and works for it, not without success. If people whose interests are more closely identified with it, would manifest the interest that is taken by this citizen of a county which is separated by forty miles of water, the Sentinel would more rapidly grow in strength. The firms spoken of are doing an extensive merchantile business. The hub of the trade here is "Fish, fish." They have no local political issue, which is a constant bone of contention (happy people) but in street conversation, "Fish-h-h" is the paramount theme. Mr. Dormer informed us that during the week he bought about eight hundred packages of fish. One man, a Mr. Dingman, in two weeks, with two boats, caught seven hundred packages. On the north side of the harbor two vessels are being built-one by Capt. John Gray, which is of 60 foot keel. It is a well modeled craft, and reflects credit on the builder. The other is being built for A. Roddy by Henry Rowe-a young man well known to most of our citizens. It is a schooner of 44 feet keel. On the opposite side of the harbor we found everything about as last season, with the exception of Mr. James Donlevy and another gentleman doing business at the old stand of Mr. Geo. R. Peckham. We understand Mr. Peckham is about to leave the Island. Hon. Chas. R. Wright we found in his old place of business, apparently doing well. We were pleased to meet here several of our acquaintance, among whom were Mr. John Donlevy, the County Clerk; Mr. Fred Butts, the ex-sheriff, and others. "Tip " Miller was around with his pockets full of greenbacks as usual. While at this "Australia of Lake Michigan," we saw more money, better clothes, and a happier community of people than it has been our lot to see for some time. During our cruise in mid-lake we visited the fishing establishment of Mr. Timothy Smith on Hog Island, which lies about eight miles to the northeast of the Beaver. He is doing an extensive business. During the winter he has built a boat of 33 feet keel. She is well modeled and put together. Mr. Smith has here the boat which took the first prize at the Annual Regatta.

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July 23, 1871

A. Buttars & Co. have constructed a neat and substantial dock in the rear of the store, which will render it more convenient for the landing of small boats.

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The Cemetery-The work done by Samuel M. See, Esq., on the burying ground has been accepted by the township board. Mr. See has done the work well, and the Board are well pleased.

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July 23, 1871

Arrived-Capt. Walter Clifford of the 7th Infantry, arrived by the Empire State on Sunday last, from the West. He has six months leave of absence, and will likely spend the most of the time in our village. His company is established in Montana Territory.

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Visit to the Country-On Monday afternoon last we accepted an invitation from Capt. Clifford to visit his farm in the township of Marion. The Captain has an improvement of nearly thirty acres, and all in crops, which are looking well. We also visited the place of Mr. John Newman. Mr. Newman has a home-like place. His crops look well.

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August 6, 1871

E. H. Green has received a list of the Agricultural College lands in the counties of Charlevoix, Antrim, and Otsego. These lands are for sale at $3.00 per acre.

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The Camp meeting for the Pine River Indian Mission will be held on Pine Lake near D. H. Pierce's place, commencing on Wednesday the 9th of August.

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Amos Fox, Esq., and family left on the Mohawk on Monday for Buffalo. Mr. Fox designs attending the Buffalo races, at which one or more of Bonner's celebrated horses are to trot.

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C. H. & R. I. CO.-At the annual meeting of the Charlevoix Harbor and River Improvement Company held on last Monday evening at the office of George W. Esterly & Co., the following named gentlemen were elected directors of said company for the present year, viz: William Laister, F. L. Kiser, Philo Beers, D. C. Nettleton; Robert Miller, O. S. Washburn and Richard Cooper. At a meeting of the directors of said company the following named persons were elected officers: President Wm. Laister; Superintendent, D. C. Nettleton; Vice-President, Amos Fox; Treasurer, Richard Cooper; Secretary, Richard Green.

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INDIAN CURIOSITIES-Capt. Clifford, who was recently Indian Agent in Dakota, brought home with him a fine collection of Indian curiosities, which we had the pleasure of examining lately. They were collected among the Arrickarees, Groventres, Mandans, and Assinaboines, who are all friendly to the whites, but deadly enemies of the Sioux, and other quarrelsome tribes. The collection comprises a full war costume, with the war eagle bonnet, and other head-dresses which are worn by the chiefs and can only decorate the head of the brave who has taken a certain number of scalps. One in particular is not unlike the headgear of certain ladies we saw recently on one of the boats. Quivers containing arrows, bows made of elk-horn, a shield which bears the marks of many a battle with the Sioux, a medicine pipe, an ancient war club, Indian saddles, tobacco pouches, pottery and many other articles equally novel and curious. They were collected by Capt. Clifford at great expense, as many of the articles were held in high reverence by the Indians.

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October 8, 1871

Mr. Meech of the new Norwood firm is outside for goods to fill up the new store at that place.

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Robert Miller, Esq., is beautifying his residence by painting a new and attractive fence which adorns the front.

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The propeller Dean Richmond consumes $1,000 in fuel during one round trip. She carries nearly 70,000 bushels of wheat.

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The boat Sentinel, owned by the Mason estate, is re-fitted and again in the water for the first time since her disastrous trip last fall.

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October 15, 1871

We understand Mr. Stover, the purchaser of the Miller Mill property, arrived by the propeller Fremont.

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The orchard of Medad Thompson, Esq. of this place, of only 13 trees, has yielded over eighty bushels of apples.

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N. D. R. Cole, of South Arm, has his broom factory in full blast and is furnishing our merchants with brooms of an excellent quality.

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October 29, 1871

A run of stone for Mr. Stover's mill in this township arrived by the propeller Idaho last week.

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M. J. Stockman is fishing with considerable success near Burgess' dock.

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November 19, 1871

Charlevoix will soon be in possession of the long wished for grist mill-and one capable of making good flour. Mr. Stover is actively engaged in putting things in running order and will soon be grinding. We commend Mr. Stover to the public, and bespeak for him a generous patronage.

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Dressed hogs are bringing nine and ten cents per pound in the Charlevoix market.

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November 19, 1871

As we expected-We understand that those individuals who have secured lands on the reservation "over the shoulders" of the Indians, are to be deprived of said lands on the grounds of the illegality of such procedure.

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November 26, 1871

Winter has fairly set in. At the present writing we have four inches of snow and more coming.

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Markets-Dressed hogs, 6 and 7 cts.; eggs 16; butter, 21 and 22; spring wheat, $1.00; potatoes, 40; pats, 40; corn, 50.

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Geo. W. Esterly and Co., have commenced the erection of an addition to their mill, the dimensions of which are to be 22 x 30. This company are letting contracts for getting out hemlock logs, and if enough can be secured the mill will run night and day this winter.

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December 3, 1871

George W. Esterly and Co's shingle mill is in operation.

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Judge Beers who has so long been confined to his room with rheumatism, is again about.

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A. Fox & Co., of this place, have sold, during the past season of navigation, 9,580 cords of propeller wood.

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Mr. E. Carpenter, of Corral City, Wis., is about purchasing of the Mason estate, through his agent here, a lot on Round lake, on which he intends erecting a store building next summer.

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Our village is rapidly growing and institutions of trade and industry are springing up amongst us. These local institutions depend mainly for success on local patronage. They are like the newspaper, only they differ because the newspaper represents the character, conditions and enterprise of the inhabitants; and in these respects just so the local papers will be. We confess to a feeling of satisfaction and pride when now and then some good friend is standing up for the paper.

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December 17, 1871

There is a fair prospect of several buildings being erected in this village next season, combining a large upright addition to the Fountain City House, two store buildings, and the balance residence.

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December 17, 1871

We dropped down upon the schools one day recently, and found everything in perfect working order under the management of Prof. Hood and Mrs. Green. Both schools combined nearly fifty pupils.

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F. J. Meech and Co. of Norwood come out next week in a flaming advertisement. A revolution in trade is imminent.

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December 24, 1871

Round and Pine Lakes are frozen over.

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The thermometer stood at 10 degrees below zero on Wednesday.

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December 31, 1871

The Christmas tree on Monday evening at Fox & Rose's Hall was the occasion of the year. The hall was thronged with big and little people, all with their eyes centered on the loaded and illuminated pine in the center of the room. Everybody received a gift from our venerable Judge of Probate to the little curly headed miss with the big doll. The ladies of Charlevoix, with Mr. Morgan, deserve real credit for their labors in carrying the thing through. We understand Mr. Fox freely gave the use of the hall.

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Our apology, if one is due, for the late appearance of the Sentinel this week may be seen on application at our residence, one door west of this office. About seven pounds of female humanity came on Friday morning, and proposes to stay. Friends and patrons congratulate us.

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