Traverse City Record-Eagle

News From 100 Years Ago

April 23, 2012

News From ... 100 Years Ago: 04/23/2012

By Emma Jane Muir ----

-- News reports this past week have spread throughout the world telling about the stunning wreck of the Titanic and the loss of almost 1500 passengers and crew. Most of them would have had a chance of rescue had there been enough life boats. John Jacob Astor and Benjamin Guggenheim are among those missing. Chances of recovering her valuable cargo are slim. A shipment of diamonds aboard, estimated to be worth several millions, thousands of dollars worth of jewelry belonging to passengers and a big registered mail shipment are now on the ocean floor. The insurance carried by the White Star owners was limited to $3,700,000.

-- The cable ship, Mackay Bennett, its decks stacked with coffins, left Halifax Nova Scotia two days after Titanic's sinking to search the ocean for bodies of victims. Thousands lined the harbor when the shipped passed by. A staff of undertakers were on board who will embalm the bodies recovered. The ship also carried a wireless to send news to the line's New York offices of bodies found and identified.

-- The orchard demonstration at the Ben Barnes farm southwest of the city, Tuesday afternoon, was a success. Thirty-four persons were in attendance. O. K. White, the demonstrator from the Michigan Agricultural college, took up the subjects of pruning and spraying and gave practical instruction in each.

-- A good crowd from Mayfield, the area around it and Kingsley attended the play Friday night in Mayfield presented by the Epworth league. The presentation was a benefit for their organization.

-- Among the many charming afternoon parties given in the city this season, none have proved more pleasant to a large number of ladies than the two day series tendered by Mesdames J. C. Morgan, Don Morgan and Ed Bartak at the home of the former, 325 Sixth Street last Tuesday and Wednesday.

-- George H. Cross, member of the board of education and L. L. Tyler, superintendent of schools, left this morning for Lansing where they will attend a joint meeting of superintendents and boards of education. Prospective school legislation will be taken up as one of the features of the meeting.

-- John Thomas, an individual who has been causing a great deal of annoyance in various neighborhoods of the city for the past week was finally located and taken into custody by Patrolman Carson this morning. Thomas, who is handicapped, one of his arms being paralyzed, canvassed from house to house begging for alms. When refused charitable assistance, he would bring forth a supply of notions after telling a hard luck story then request the listener to make a purchase. Judge Umlor released him on a suspended sentence today and ordered him to leave town on the first train.

-- The jury in the inquest into the death of six-year-old Marie Witte brought in a verdict that the child had come to her death from lack of care and attention. The history of the case is gruesome and has stirred not only the neighbors but the entire city and vicinity to action. Both parents have been charge with manslaughter.

-- Earl Morrison returned this morning to his school duties at Ann Arbor after spending a week at his parents' home in Elk Lake. During his time at that place, he visited many old friends from that area.

-- Mr. and Mrs. E. Harig, of Long Lake, were very much surprised last Saturday evening when about twenty-five friends and neighbors walk in and gave them a farewell reception. A potluck was served and gifts were presented to each of the honorees.

-- Advice on deportment. When you have to remove yourself from the attention or presence of someone, to answer the door or look out the window, etc., you always ask to be excused.

-- Medical advice of a century ago. Don't worry. It ages yourself and all your friends.

-- Best buy of the week. School Shoes That Wear, Heavy Box Grain Leather, Double Sole: $1.59 at The Globe Dept. Store.

Text Only