Wednesday, October 31, 2012

1992 Poster Bottom Left Corner

For the next five posts, we will be working along the bottom of the poster.  The picture above is of the bottom left hand corner.  The businesses shown across the top are:

~~Ray Slanker Contractor (retired), Township Board Member, 12 years, est. 1948,
~~M and A Automotive, Inc., est. 1980, on Converse road,
~~Country Fare Cafe, est. 1991,
~~Alchin's Disposal Service, est. 1986,
~~Fowlerville Fair, est. 1886,
~~Copeland Construction.

Then along the bottom:

~~Gascon's Greenhouse and Farm Market "Open in Season" est. 1975,
~~ITAC Business Forms & Systems, est. 1984,
~~Hitching Post Restaurant, Home Cooked Food and Spirits, est. 1937,
~~Crampton Electric Company, est. 1984,
~~Hav'alook Gardens, est 1933, and
~~Alan's Park, est. 1979.



Tuesday, October 30, 2012

1992 Poster Another Center Portion

This one is a bit more repetitious than even yesterday's but it gives a good view of kids on a tractor at VanGilder Farms, est. 1964, in the lower right hand corner, plus Fowlerville Farms Family Restaurant, est. 1987, and Kern Road Veterinary Clinic animals.

Monday, October 29, 2012

1992 Poster Center Close to Right Side

As with yesterday's picture, everything was covered in earlier pictures so it looks like I'll list for just the bottom right hand corner.

~~Office Management Systems Bookkeeping, est. 1990,
~~C. James Hall State Farm Insurance, est. 1967,
~~Century 21 Schulteis Real Estate, and
~~R.T.B. Construction, Inc., est. 1986 (Fowlerville News & Views is now located in this part of the house next to Bill Mollison, Attorney).

Sunday, October 28, 2012

1992 Poster More of the Center

All of the businesses in the upper half of this picture were listed in previous days, so I'll just list a few:

There's a better picture of 2Fers then, just below that, you will find:

~~Frank's IGA Foodliner, est. 1921, with Ken Curtis,
~~Ames Bros. Cement, est. 1985, on Carr street, and
~~Opening in 1993, McAuley-McPherson Health Services Urgent Care -- does anyone know if this actually opened?

Saturday, October 27, 2012

1992 Poster More of the Center

The businesses across the top portion were listed in a previous day, so we can start with about the middle of this portion:

~~Fowlerville Lumber, est. 1926, on Ann Street,
~~Jim Fulmer Well Drilling, est. 1967,
~~Fowlerville Lumber, est. 1944, with Doug Burnie's caricature.

Then, every thing "south" of Ann Street and along West Grand River avenue:

~~D&N Bank, now Citizens Bank,
~~Amy Rae Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Geo, Est. 1992,
~~Mid-State Body Shop, est. 1965, on Detroit Street (now Veterans Drive),
~~Everton's Income Tax & Bookkeeping Service, est. 1982 (the house at the corner of West Grand River and Free street was torn down a few years ago and is now an empty log),
~~Alchin's Disposal Service, est. 1986, and
~~Bob Smith "Ford" Country.

Friday, October 26, 2012

1992 Poster Left side of Middle

Here is the next portion of the poster.  The next few shots range across the middle of this piece of artwork.

North (or east) of the Red Cedar river shows:

~~Great Lakes Tree Service, Inc., est. 1986,
~~Cross Roads Apostalic, est. 1969, Howell, Mi,
~~Designed and Illustrated by Michael & Renee Wren, 1992,
~~Epley Excavating, est. 1987,
~~Culver Excavating & Trucking, est. 1976,
~~Culver Construction, est. 1978,
~~Bailey Homes, Inc., est. 1987, and
~~Gladiator Pizza Shoppe at the Keg & Cork Party Shoppe.

South (or west) of the Red Cedar river shows:

~~The Asphalt Doctor, est. 1989,
~~Gordon & Diane Norris, est. 1974,
~~Joe Raica Excavating, est. 1978, and
~~a few buildings of the historical village at the fair grounds.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

1992 Upper Right Hand Corner

At the upper left part of this portion shows the full view of the Fowlerville Veterinary Clinic, including the horse.
 
From there:
 
~~Fowlerville Mini-Storage, est. 1985,
~~Woodshire Place Banquet Facility, est. 1984, with Gloria Glover peeking around the sign,
~~The Hair Connection, est. 1988,
~~St. Agnes Catholic Church, est. 1891, showing the location at East Grand River where the congregation moved there in the mid-1970s from the church building at the northeast corner of South Second and Church streets.
~~Brady Kennels, Inc., est. 1972, with Roger and Diane Brady,
~~Zizka Insurance Agency, est. 1930,
~~St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, est. 1888,
~~the Post office when it was located on South Second street,
~~Fowlerville Chiropractic Clinic, est. 1987, Rosemary A. Pushies, B.S., D.C., and Jeffrey H. Limonoff, D.C..
 
And, at the bottom,
 
~~Miller Hydro-Seeding, est. 1978, and
~~More Van Gilder Farms, est. 1964.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

1992 Poster Upper Edge

The next portion of the advertisement poster is one part in from the upper right hand corner.  The businesses I can discern are:
 
~~Deaven's Wild Life Studio, est. 1986,
~~J. Mills Plumbing, quality work since 1977,
~~Fowlerville Machine Products, est. 1948,
~~Fowlerville Veterinary Clinc, est. 1934,
~~Lodden Technology Ltd., est. 1984, housed where Maria's School of Dance used to be located, 
~~The Grand Agency, est. 1948,
~~The Cox Law Firm, est. 1936,
~~Chiropractor Michael J. Murphy, D.C., Family Practitioners since 1949,
~~Dillingham Funeral Home, before the addition was built at the north side of the house,
~~The Penny Pincher, est. 1979,
~~Profiles, est. 1990,
~~Linda Walker, Attorney, est. 1982.
 
And then, across the bottom portion:
 
~~Cyndi's Country Crafts, est. 1989,
~~First Baptist Church, est. 1869,
~~Liverance Funeral Home, est. 1932,
~~S-J's Track Shack, antiques, collectibles, moccasins (located in the old Rounsville grain elevator at the railroad tracks),
~~Hughes Land Surveying, est. 1979, with Darryl Hughes doing a little surveying.
 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

1992 Poster Center Top

The following portion of the advertising poster has a wealth of businesses:
 
~~There's a guy standing at the upper right hand corner, holding a mug of beer -- any thoughts on who that might be?
~~VanGilder Farms, est. 1964, shows seven members of the farm at the corner of Marr and Owosso,
~~Dawn and Steve Horton of Fowlerville News & Views, est. 1985, are shown alongsie a two-story house -- does anyone remember where they were located in 1991?
 
Then across the middle of the portion of the poster:
 
~~the Michigan Veterans Memorial, with two ladies holding the sign, when it was located where the parking lot now stands at Mill and North Second streets.
~~Loco's Restaurant, est. 1991, where Olden Days now offers wonderful home-cooking by Chuck.
~~Fowlerville Decorating Center, since 1926, which now houses Maria's School of Dance.
~~Lockwood Insurance agency, with Stan and Joyce Lockwood, which now houses Gormley & Johnson, Attorneys.
~~Turning the corner onto East Grand River, Shear Image, when it was located on the north side of the avenue, which now belongs to Edward Jones.
~~The Shady Lady, with its slanted-wood facade, owned and operated by Patti Reis.
~~Proos Pharmacy, est. 1968, although this location has consecutively been a pharmacy for over a 130 years.
~~Save-On, est. 1985.
Along the bottom of this portion:
 
~~Harmon Real Estate, est. 1946.
~~Sherri's Fowlerville Flower Station, est. 1991, which eventuallly became the BeeCharmer and now houses a jewelry business.  This is also the location of Tomion's.
~~Fowlerville Family Eyecare, est. 1991.
~~NBD, which is now Chase Bank.
~~2Fers, now Duke's.

1992 Poster Upper Edge

 
As we keep exploring the advertisement poster created around 1990, the above picture shows about 8" in from the left upper corner.
 
Working from top to bottom:
 
~~Davis Training Center -- anyone familiar with that?
~~Watson Electric, est. 1968,
~~Fowlerville Fire Department (building built in 1960),
~~Fowlerville District Library, with Librarian Cheryl Poch and Cindy (last name?),
~~Murphy Chiropractic, est, 1949,
~~Township building shown in two different angles for the Police department, village office, and township office combined,
~~Reggie's Barber and Beauty Salon,
~~across North Grand to Ciminelli's Old Fashion Pizza, est. 1991, where you will now find Kim's Barber,
~~the old water tower that was at the northeast corner of Power and Ann streets
~~Concrete Construction, est. 1958, and
~~Jim Fulmer Well Drilling, est. 1967.

Monday, October 22, 2012

1992 Poster Upper Left Hand Corner

Following is the first close-up of the advertising poster from 1992:
What I've been able to spot are:

~~Winners Circle Farm on Sober, est. 1990,
~~Glover Electric Ltd, with Irwin and Tim Glover,
~~Culver Buildings, Est. 1989, with Don Culver,
~~Maple Grove Field, Est. 1972 on Sherwood (where Dawn Patrol is held every year the weekend after Labor Day -- Dawn Patrol originated at Newton Field south of town but is now held at Maple Grove),
~~Garwood Cooling and Heating, est. 1986, and
~~John New Cement, est. 1978.

If anyone knows the names of those I didn't mention, it would be great if you would leave a comment or e-mail me and I'll add updates..

Sunday, October 21, 2012

1992 Advertising Poster

Following is an advertising poster that has been hanging in the township hall for many years:
Since there are so many fun caricatures and a lot of information in this poster, I decided to scan the entire poster and will be putting each section on this site over the next couple of weeks -- I believe there will be 15 close-up pictures.  I started at the upper left hand corner, worked across the top, then did some middle shots, and then across the bottom.  There will be some overlapping but I just didn't want to miss anything -- it is that worth it! 

Enjoy these upcoming pictures (with some history if I have it).

Saturday, October 20, 2012

1966 Chris Ludtke

Once again, I found myself on the second and third floors of the Harmon building, doing a little exploring with one of my readers and friend.  In the very near future, I will be posting a few more very interesting discoveries.

But for now, I want to do a little bit of an update on an earlier squint shot.  Click here for the squint shot article.  Once you've read that article and obituary, come back here.
My reader offered a little additional information and insight.  Chris Ludtke would have been 20 years old in 1919 -- writing on a wall might have been something a kid that age would do!  When Mr. Ludtke passed away, the service was held in the Lutheran church with at least some of the pallbearers being active in the Masons.  Paul Harmon's grandfather was one of the pallbearers.

Tomorrow I will be starting a series of scans of an advertising gimmick from about 1990.

Friday, October 19, 2012

2012 A Tale of Green and Blue

I heard about an article written by ESPN about the MSU/U of M rivalry; the article being written after an interview with Wayne Copeland, our village president.  You can see the article by clicking here, but I have also copied and pasted it for a read here.

A tale of green and blue

Fowlerville MSU fans enjoy friendly wager with former U-M baseball star

Updated: October 17, 2012, 10:55 AM ET
By Chantel Jennings | WolverineNation

FOWLERVILLE, Mich. -- Before freeways were built across Michigan, the only way to get from East Lansing to Ann Arbor on rivalry game days was via Grand River Avenue, a two-lane dirt road. On those days, traffic would be backed up for miles by 8 a.m., as fans piled into cars and inched their way along.
[+] EnlargeWayne Copeland
Chantel Jennings/ESPN.comWayne Copeland grew up a Michigan State fan and played football at Fowlerville High for a former Spartan.
In the 1940s, grade-school students Wayne Copeland and Frank Utter would sit in downtown Fowlerville -- the midway point between the cities -- making bets on how many cars would make it through the single stoplight when it turned green.
Seventy years later, Fowlerville, population 2,886 according to the 2010 census, is still split. The flags outside of homes alternate between maize and green. License plates sport a Spartan or block "M." Fowlerville High School students wear more maize or green to school, despite the school's color being purple. Michigan parents jest, saying Fowlerville's mascot -- a gladiator -- is far too close in relation to a Spartan.
Even in death the townsfolk carry on the rivalry. In the Greenwood Cemetery some headstones are adorned with maize and blue flowers while others have green and white pinwheels.
But Copeland and Utter were never split in their devotion. Both men were longtime Spartans fans. It wasn't something that could ever change their friendship with Scott Weaver, a former Michigan baseball player who was dyed in maize and blue.
As the men aged and time weighed on their bodies, they were referred to Weaver, owner of Michigan Rehab Specialists, by different physicians. It was Copeland's sciatica that brought him there first; Utter's ALS diagnosis resulted in him turning to Weaver for relief.
No matter how the men were feeling physically, they were sharp mentally and never short on wit. They badgered Weaver about the Wolverines baseball, hockey and football uniforms that hung from the walls of his practice. Copeland and Utter always mocked the Michigan "Carpe Diem" poster that hung over the main entrance -- they were old, but they knew how to seize a day better than any Wolverines fan.
So in 2008 the elders approached Weaver, some 40-odd years their junior, with a simple bet.
"They said they'd wear my University of Michigan jacket around town if Michigan won," said Weaver, the 1995 Big Ten Player of the Year. "But if Michigan State won, I'd have to hang an MSU flag above my door."
Easy enough, Weaver thought, he'd enjoy seeing the old men cringe wearing his coat. Copeland, the village president, would have to wear it to the weekly council meeting. But Weaver didn't know how the tides would turn for the in-state rivalry, no idea his Wolverines would go winless against the Spartans for the next four years.
The Michigan State football team was able to establish a reign of power. Meanwhile, Utter's body continued to fail him. At first, no one had known the difference. To an outsider he was still a father of four, grandfather of seven, a husband to Ann and a Spartans fan. But after the Michigan-Michigan State game in 2011, Utter began to show signs. He spent more time inside, watching sports.
"At the end, that was really all he could do, watch TV," Ann said.
He remained a fan with Copeland; the ALS couldn't take that. Ann would hear him yelling over the TV into the phone, "Wayne, what is Dantonio doing? What is he doing?"
[+] EnlargeWayne Copeland, Scott Weaver
Chantel Jennings/ESPN.comScott Weaver has a photo on the desk in his office of him with Wayne Copeland and Frank Utter.
But for four consecutive seasons, MSU coach Mark Dantonio pleased Utter and Copeland. For four consecutive seasons, they've walked into Weaver's practice with Spartans flags. For four consecutive seasons, the two have kept the city divided as best they could.
By the start of this season, ALS had taken nearly everything from Utter, but he kept watching. He saw the Spartans' 2-0 start before passing away Sept. 11, missing MSU's losses to Ohio State, Notre Dame and Iowa.
"He was lucky not to see that," Copeland said. "He hated seeing them lose. Just hated it."
Copeland has analyzed this year's rivalry game, and he thinks Saturday might be another day Utter would hate. Copeland likes Denard Robinson, likes Brady Hoke, likes Michigan's chances against Michigan State. He knows Utter would chastise him for even thinking such things.
And Weaver agrees -- this year might be the Wolverines' year. He sent his varsity coat to the dry cleaners last weekend to make sure it would be ready for Copeland. Undoubtedly, it'll be different this year no matter what happens. Utter won't be there to rub in a win or sulk from a loss. And if Michigan wins, Weaver might feel sorry for Copeland as he gives him his coat. It might feel like piling on just a month after Copeland lost his best friend.
At 78, Copeland jokes that he has seen it all, been around forever. He has watched the traffic stand still on Grand River Avenue before Interstate 96 existed. He has seen Michigan State wins and losses. He has seen friends come and go, sometimes forever.
But there's one thing he never saw and never will: Utter as a Michigan fan.
"I guess if there's one good thing for Frank not being here now," Copeland said with a coy smile, "it's that he'll never have to suffer the humiliation of wearing a Michigan jacket."
But a bet is a bet and Copeland will uphold his word. He's just hoping he won't have to.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

1921 Bandits Plead Not Guilty

Howell, June 16 -- For the final time since their arrest on May 26, the four Italian bandits, George Fornelli, Anthony Valenti, Sinegrands Findo and John Conti, Jr., were brought here from the Oakland county jail at Pontiac Wednesday and arraigned before Judge Joseph H. Collins, sitting in the Livingston county circuit court here, on the charge of assaulting and robbing Miss Christian Schnaible, aged maiden lady, in her home last May, also of robbing the Schnaible home of some $5,000 in bank certificates.

The first time they were brought for a hearing before Justice R.D. Roche and demanding an examination were later brought back for the same, each time being accompanied by seven or eight members of the state police and several of the local officers and were brought into the court room Wednesday, each handcuffed to an officer.

They were accompanied by their attorney, Mr. Webster, of Pontiac, and all four of the alleged bandits pleaded not guilty and were returned to the Pontiac jail until the next term of court when they will be returned here for trial.  The next regular term does not convene until the last of September but the judge thought best to call a special session the latter part of July which will probably be done.  The bail of $50,000 each which was fixed at their first hearing remains the same.

The above article, found in The Fowlerville Review, was a portion of a longer article reporting court proceedings.  If you check back to yesterday's article, you can read why these men were brought into court.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

1921 Chloroformed Victim

The last few days ago, I've shown articles of Claude Hyne being shot.  During this same time period, a robbery took place in Livingston county that garnered a great deal of attention.  Following is part of the article for the trial of the "four bandits:"



More tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

1921 Tocco on Trial for Hyne Murder



Fred Tocco, aged 32 years old in 1921, was set free.  By the 1930 and 1940 censuses, I could find a Fred Tocco, born in Italy, living and married with numerous children in the Detroit area.

Monday, October 15, 2012

1921 Hyne Sentencing

 
I did a bit of research on the www.familysearch.org website and found that Claude G. Hyne was about 37 years old when he was killed.  He was married to Susie, and they had three sons and one daughter, aged from 3 months to 12 years old.

Colletti was given a life sentence to be served at the Jackson state prison.  But without more information on Colletti, I wasn't able to find any definitive information on him.  I have found, while doing other genealogical research, that the "occupation" for someone in jail is shown as "prisoner."  But, no luck finding a Colletti listed that way by the 1930 census.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

1921 Hyne Murder

Yesterday's article show a gun battle that happened, resulting in the death of Claude Hyne.  The "thugs who shot and killed Claude G. Hyne" were identified and the following short article was published in the paper.


Saturday, October 13, 2012

1921 Claude Hyne Shot

Over the next couple of days, I am going to post copies of articles I found in the local newspaper of when Claude Hyne was shot and killed.  The Hyne name can be found quite extensively in Livingston county history.

Following is the article of the shooting:




Tomorrow's article will be about the "thugs' car."

Friday, October 12, 2012

1925 White Bread

Whole grain and wheat breads seem to be all the rage -- or, should I say, the latest and greatest.  And white bread gets the boot.  But this is nothing new as noted by the following article published in the local newspaper in 1925.  That's nearly 90 years ago we were being told white bread is bad for us.  It makes me wonder if the local baker and grocery store owners started stocking different types of bread after this report came out.
And now . . .

I need a little help.  I would love to have you comment on what you would like to see on this website.  I love all of the rich history of Fowlerville and I have two notebooks full of stories to tell.  But is that what YOU want to see?

Do you want random articles -- mixing up the years?  Would you like to see more articles of a general nature?  Is it easier to read 10 articles in a row for a particular year?

Or, do I change nothing and keep doing what I've done since February of 2009?

Your comments would be greatly appreciated and would help me in the future.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

2012 Sell Books!

We are about 2 and a half months until Christmas and I would like to suggest my two books as possible gift-giving ideas.  If you purchase both books at the same time, your cost is $60 and you will receive a tote bag and a set of postcards.

Feel free to purchase them through the website or contact me -- let's make a deal!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

1923 Cancer Article

Ninety-nine percent of the information on this website is focused on Fowlerville and its surrounding area and history, but, once in a while, I like to offer up some general information.  The following article was found in The Fowlerville Review in a 1923 issue:

One woman in eight and one man in 14 dies of cancer.  So the public should gladly give deep thought to the medical warnings and advice circulated.

Here are the important facts you should know about this dread disease:

1.  Cancer usually is caused by chronic irritation, particularly of the stomach.  Thirty per cent of cancers in men and 21 percent in women are in the stomach.

2.  Cancer is not contagious.  It is not a germ disease.

3.  Cancer is not hereditary, tho a person may inherit a 'tendency' or physical weakness which, not safeguarded, may enable cancer to develop easily.

4.  Cancer, taken in the early stages, often is curable in the hands of medical experts.  Radium is working wonders in this line.  So is surgery.

Dr. Francis Carter Wood, directory of the Columbia University Institute of Cancer Research, learned this:

Between the ages of 12 and 19, only one person in 250,000 dies of cancer.  Between 20 and 24, only one person in 200,000.  Between 25 and 34, one man in 10,000 and one woman in 5,000 dies of cancer.  And so the rate rises until, between the ages of 65 and 75, one man in 200 and one woman in 150 dies of cancer.

Thus cancer is especially dangerous in middle age and after.  But the irritation or other cause of cancer often starts much earlier, so no one is immune, and all should be on their guard.

As with other diseases, a periodical physical examination by a skilled physician is the best safeguard against cancer.

After reading through this, it makes one wonder how far we really have come in research since 1923 -- nearly 90 years later.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

1973 DE Towing

Here's a blast from the past -- does anyone remember DE Towing.  Dan Eldridge serviced the community out of the building at the southeast corner of South Collins and East Grand River Avenue. 

Some of the information Mr. Eldridge offered up follows:

The building was built 1928-29 and opened with Barnsdall gas and oil products, Manager Ed Fields and Mac Kenzie.  The west side of station was a restaurant operated by Tressa Newman and cook Ed Barber.

In 1931, station managers Glesson Allen and Elton Cassady.

By 1933, station manager was Alden Tomison.

1933, the station manager was Lorraine Grill and the restaurant closed the following year and the station was remodeled.

In 1935, it sold White Star gas and oil products.

By 1938, the station manager was Bill Smith, and in 1943 it was George Soules, then in 1946 there were managers Jiggs Harmon and Francis Martin, and in 1947, Gilbert Rossetter was the manager.

In 1948, Wayne Eaton took over as manager, then a couple years later it was Lorraine Grill.

In 1951, the station sold Flying Red Horse gas and oil products, but within five years Mobil products were sold.

In 1958, Allen McPherson became the station manager for a year, then again Lorraine Grill.

In 1963, new gas tanks were installed and then in 1966, new gas pumps were put in.

By 1968, Norm Grill was the station manager and in 1970, Dan Eldridge and Charles Trim shared the responsibilities.

In 1982, the gas station became Total Gas, and a year later Dan Eldridge owned the facility.

Monday, October 8, 2012

1881 Old Oak Tree

The above article, published in The Fowlerville Review, is a little difficult to read but it is quite representative of how articles looked in the late 1800s.  It reads as follows:

Another old land mark disappeared during the storm of last week.  The old oak tree standing in the road near Mr. Alsbro's farm, under whose shady boughs the first Fourth of July celebration in this township was held, was torn from its roots and left a wreck.

Oak trees were plentiful in the area when the Fowlers arrived to farm and settle the village.  As the years progressed, many of the trees were cut down for buildings, furniture, and to be used by the stave companies.  But some had stood in memorial of days' celebrations gone by, until storms proved stronger than the tree roots.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

1880 Comet

I tend to be a sky-watcher -- both early in the morning and with so many of the beautiful sunsets we have.  When I came across information on comets in the local newspaper in the late 1800s, I wondered what they thought, how much was known about the stars, and if local residents were stargazers.

One article read:

People who have been afraid that the unexpected comet would smash this earth to "smithereens" can compose themselves, for it is supposed to be 45,000,000 of miles distant and is receding at the rate of 1,300,000 miles per day.

Later in the same year:

Some of the astronomers say that Scheberie's comet, when it reaches its greatest brilliancy, will display a longer train and be a more magnificent sight than that of 1838.  The train is already enormously broad at the nucleus, but as yet dim to the naked eye, and at a length of two or three degrees, becomes almost invisible.  The comet reached its perihelion August 23, and will now develop rapidly.

Another article, but this time about the northern lights:

The illumination of the heavens on Sunday night was the grandest sight of nature it has ever been our lot to behold.  It began in the early part of the evening with very much the appearance of the northern lights, but it was as much in the west as in the north.  The light streaks shot far up into the sky and cast over the earth a lurid glare.  Later a belt of white came up from the east and formed right angles with those from the north, and finally not only these, but the north, south, east and west was alike, casting jets of white and red and all concentrated to the very center of the sky.  The flickerings of electricity could be plainly seen from near the earth's surface to the zenith and it was even predicted by some that the last day was at hand, but we went calmly to rest, thinking of the witty Irishman who said: "Tut and be jabers Pat, who ever heard of the last day coming in the middle of the night."

Then back to the comet:

Some of the astronomers assert that the comet is split, and others insist that it is as sound as a silver dollar.  In either case, it's still a good enough comet for all practical purposes.

And the last article I found for that year:

Who in this vicinity has not seen the comet?  Wake up, ye sluggard, from your drowsy bed between the hours of four and five a.m. and behold this flaming meteor on its fiery path!

Saturday, October 6, 2012

2012 Do You Believe in Ghosts?

When I first started this website in 2009, I went looking for everything and anything I could find on Fowlerville -- on the internet, that is.  One such search came up with a whole listing of ghosts in the Fowlerville area.  You can find the article I posted by clicking here.

After reading that article, come back here and leave a comment if you have ever felt the presence of or witnessed a ghost -- let's have a little fun, especially since it is October!

If there are more than five comments, I will randomly draw a name from the list and a prize will be given out.  No, no haunting or anything like that.  Well, maybe.

The winner will receive the opportunity to head up to the second and third floors of the Harmon building with me and take a tour of a step back in time.  We will make the arrangements to fit both Paul Harmon's, yours and my schedule.

Comment away!

Friday, October 5, 2012

2012 Dashing Through the Snow

On December 1st, the Fowlerville Rotary Club and the Fowlerville Business Association will be taking over the downtown area with the Christmas in the 'Ville celebration, including a 5K Run/Walk and a 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, as well as Balloons over the 'Ville.

If you are interested in participating in either of the walk/runs, there is a downloadable form at the Playmakers website.  You can check it about by clicking here.

I'm planning on being there -- I hope you will join the fun!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

1905 L.S. Palmerton Thievery

Yesterday's post was about L.S. Palmerton's lunchroom.  As I continued to peruse some articles from The Fowlerville Review in 1905, the following blurb caught my eye:

The other evening as L.S. Palmerton was peacefully slumbering, he was awakened by hearing one of his hens squawking.  He arose and hastily dressed and with revolver in hand, proceeded to investigate, but when he reached the coop, the disturber had made his escape.  Mr. Palmerton went back to bed, but it was not long before he was again disturbed and he again arose and took his lantern and revolver and on going into the horse barn, he saw the intruder peeking over a board at him.  Mr. Palmerton then proceeded to empty the contents of his revolver, which soon brought the animal to the floor dead.  It was only Barney Teachworth's pet coon that was looking for a chicken for a midnight lunch.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

1905 L.S. Palmerton Lunchroom

While doing research for The Fowlerville Chronicles, I came across the above picture in the Howell Archives.  It was difficult at the time to date this photograph, but we are lucky enough to have had Nellie Glenn, Fowlerville's historian back in the 1950s and 60s, write names on the back of the picture.  She indicated the man second from the left, with the crutch, as L.S. Palmerton.

While doing additional research, this time for Through the Eyes of a Country Editor, I found the date of this picture.  An article in 1905 in The Fowlerville Review, read as follows:

L.S. Palmerton has rented the building formerly occupied as a millinery shop, first door north of McIntosh & Stevens, and has opened his restaurant business there.

Curiously, only a mere couple of months later, the following was found:

L.S. Palmerton has closed his lunchroom and gone out of business.

And then,

The building recently occupied by L.S. Palmerton has been rented to Lansing parties, who will conduct a fruit and confectionery store, so we understand.

This storefront was bought by the Novara family and would someday become the storefront purchased by the Spagnuolo family.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

1905 Good Joke

Now that I've gotten up-to-date on e-mails sent to me, I've taken to browsing through some random history I have catalogued and will be posting articles for a while.  If anyone would like to send more e-mails, I'm always happy to post updates.

Thad Andrews was a milkman in the Fowlerville area, at one point having purchased a wagon and supplies from Joshua Dunn.  During an era when automobiles were occasionally coming through the village and the horse and carriage were still the staple for many, this article caught my attention: 

Good Joke~~Thad Andrews played a very nice little joke on himself on Wednesday.  He came to the village and hitched his horse near the Palmerton block and later had occasion to move the rig across the street.  He purchased a new coat and finding a rig hitched where he first left his rig, he absentmindedly put the coat in the carriage.  Later he remembered what he had done and went after his coat, but the rig was gone.  A little later Fred Abbott telephoned to A.R. Miner's store, where the coat was purchased, that upon reaching his home and unloading his purchases from his carriage, he found himself in possession of a new coat.

Monday, October 1, 2012

1961 Haist Update

One of my readers provided some additional information on Nelson Haist.  It follows:

My records show Nelson Frederick Haist died at age 80 on 9/18/1961 in Livingston County and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery Sec 2, lot 136 (Across the drive north of the well house) with Maude Haist and Arist Harpel Haist (1918-1943).

With this information in hand, I headed to Greenwood cemetery and took a couple of pictures.

I found headstones for the two sons of Nelson Frederick Haist, but not of Nelson.  Arthur passed away at the age of 65 and Arist was 25.

The next three days there will be posts on 1905 events and then I'll get back to more memories from the mid-1900s.  If I can be so bold, any readers that would like to offer up some memories, please feel free to e-mail me with those remembrances.  I am always happy to do updates, do a little extra research, or find articles I have catalogued.