The following news items are reprinted from the Manistee Daily News for the week Sept. 22-28, 1922 and are compiled by Teena Kracht from the newspaper archives of the Manistee County Historical Museum.
“Income taxes paid by Manistee total as large as that of any city of its size in this district, today stated R. J. Doyle, field deputy operating the Grand Rapids office of the U.S. revenue department, after learning that Michigan stood fourth in the Union for internal revenue collection during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1922 …
“Michigan was excelled only by New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois, recognized as the richest states in the Union. Michigan is fifth in the list of income tax receipts, preceded by the aforementioned states and Massachusetts …
“The retail trade committee of the board of commerce will be called together Monday morning at 10 o’clock to make plans for entertaining the Grand Rapids wholesalers, Friday Sept. 29, when they stop here for four hours on their annual jaunt …
“Initial steps toward a successful educational campaign on prevention of fires were taken this morning at the board of commerce rooms by the committee appointed …
“ … One of Fire Chief William Hansen’s suggestions was a demonstration on the stage of the Lyric of the proper manner in which a fire alarm should be turned in …
“An effort will also be made … to secure a motion picture film to show in connection with the alarm demonstration …
“Children in all the schools … will be supplied with inspection blanks by which they can conduct fire inspections in their own homes.
See the full 100 Years Ago section online at manisteenews.com
“ … The board of commerce plans to offer prizes for the best essays written on fire prevention … in each of the following: high school, upper grades and parochial schools.
“Self inspection blanks will also be given to business places. Local ministers will be asked to deliver the message of fire prevention from their pulpits, Sunday, Oct. 8.
“Manistee’s branch of the Michigan State Telephone will in all probability be exempt from the call of the Michigan Public Utilities commission … to show cause why the rural lines of the state exchange had not been repaired.
“ … because the Manistee exchange repaired its rural lines shortly after the disastrous sleet storms of last winter, an exemption is expected.
“In the order by the commission, it was charged that rural lines fallen in the sleet storms were allowed to remain down and constitute a menace to those on the highways as well as disrupting service for the patrons.
“Manistee county’s newest point of interest is to be a fox ranch. Work is now well advanced … and everything will be in readiness for the industry to get underway by the middle of October … .
“WASHINGTON, Sept. 22. — President Harding today gave his approval to the bill which provides equal citizenship rights for women.
“Under the provision of this law, an American woman who marries a foreigner retains her citizenship in this country.
“Formerly the citizenship of the woman followed that of her husband.
“Although Coach Harold White has not yet definitely picked his starting line-up, he has all of his candidates, numbering around 25, ready for the opening game tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 at Sands park with the Fremont High school team …
“All of the players who get into the game tomorrow afternoon will be physically fit, the school officials having required all of the candidates to undergo a physical examination by Dr. Homer Ramsdell …
“Students are selling tickets for the game. As interest in football seems to be exceptionally good this fall a large crowd is looked for tomorrow. The spectators are asked to keep back of the side-lines, so as not to interfere with the game.
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“LYRIC. Tonight and Tomorrow … Jack Holt in ‘While Satan Sleeps.’ Thrilling, heart-gripping, REAL — you can’t sit unmoved and see this picture. You’ll never forgive yourself if you miss it … Read today’s advertisements—you may receive FREE tickets. Admission — 10 cents and 25 cents.
“‘Check your babies?’
“This is a new one visitors to Manistee county’s fair next week will hear on the midway.
“In connection with this year’s annual Tag Day, Mercy hospital will install a booth at the fair. This will be in the form of a first aid station displaying surgical instruments and dressings. It will be housed in a tent furnished by the local sanitary unit of the national guard and will be in charge of uniformed nurses from the hospital.
“What’s that got to do with babies? Nothing, except that the nurses decided that while they were at the fair they could perform another needful duty at the same time by taking care of the babies while father and mother visited the other attractions, free of worry over their offspring.
“But it will behoove father and mother not to lose the check. No telling what complications will arise in that case. There have been instances where two women claimed the same child. Nevertheless, the nurses promise hearty co-operation in restoring each child to its rightful owner. Only a nominal fee will be charged for this service.
“Hospital Tag Day will be observed in Manistee Saturday, Sept. 30.
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“As Noah Heap puts it: Common sense is not common. It is rare.
“Perfect equality has been produced in Russia, as everybody there is equally hungry and poor.
“Another sign of the prevalent unrest and turmoil is that the housewives have started fall housecleaning.
“Henry Ford’s securing coal for his plants cut short the vacation plans of a large number of Manistee employees who have arrived home. Operations were resumed today, and the men, of course, were called back to work.
“An up-to-the-minute question has been chosen by the Michigan High School Debating league for the high school debates this year. The question is on the construction of a deep-water way to the Atlantic ocean by way of the St. Lawrence river and reads as follows: ‘Resolved, That the United States and Canada jointly should construct the deep-water way to the Atlantic by way of the St. Lawrence river, as proposed by the report of the International Commission, submitted to Congress in Jan. 1922.’
“An optimist is a man who says he’d rather burn soft coal or coke anyway.
“Miller Bros. shop will be closed all day Saturday because of a Jewish holiday (Rosh Hashanah — T.K.).
“At least you’ve got to say this for the automobile: it practically put the silk hat out of business.
“Noah Little says: The robins and the bluebirds bring happiness, but the stork brings a $400 tax exemption.
“One of the big coal operators says the public will have to pay the costs of the strike. Inasmuch as the public has always done so, this makes it a regulation strike.
Sept. 23, pg. 1
“Manistee will be the recipient, or rather the object, of a unique innovation Monday when the Consumers Power Co., which has commissioned an airplane for the service, will make a panoramic photograph of the city … .
“The large attendance in the high school and the lack of an assembly room large enough to accommodate all of the students at one time, so as to allow general assemblies, has made it necessary for high school officials to devise another plan for giving students short programs.
“Under this new plan, the afternoon session begins at 1 o’clock and the period between 1 o’clock and 1:15 of each day (is) used … for studying, class singing, class programs and for Junior and Senior class meetings … .
“ … Large quantities of soft coal are being stored by mercantile establishments and industries because of the fear of a fuel shortage during the winter. The danger of spontaneous combustion in this causes a serious fire hazard, and unusual care should be exercised by the owners of such properties. The hazard can be reduced by proper selection of the grades and sizes of soft coal and the exercise of proper precautions in its handling and storage … .
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“Harry Aarons returned home yesterday after spending the past week at Rochester, Minn. (Mayo Clinic — T. K.)
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“A man is as old as the tunes he whistles.
“Noah Little says: Nobody believes it, but there’s just as many aces as deuces in a deck.
“About this time of year it dawns suddenly on one that the moth is one of the few known creatures capable of eating 100 times their own weight in a single year.
“William Horneman, a student, has found a new way of raising money to buy a hunting and trapping license. Last night he set a number of rat traps along the river, and today came to the courthouse to collect the bounty on seven of them, at 10 cents each.
“The attention of women shoppers downtown is being attracted by a valuable display of furs in the window of Frank’s store. The collection is valued at $60,000, brought here by a personal representative of a large fur sales house, and includes coats, chokers and capes, made from the pelts of a number of different animals.
“George Georgalan today announces the beginning of an advertisement-writing contest, in which three prizes … will be given away to the three students of the high school who write the best candy advertisements. The contest will close Oct. 10, and is in the interest of the Nationwide Candy Day, Oct. 14.
“Mr. Coal Baron, meet Barren Bin.
“Newspaper stories about the drowning of expert swimmers will now give way to those about mushroom experts who got hold of toadstools.
“Newspaper statement: ‘According to prohibition officers, this month will be (a) record breaker for the number of arrests for bootlegging.’ Thirsty days hath September.
“The number of tourists who visited Michigan this year is estimated at 25% greater than the number in 1921, says Detroit News in Wolverines. That is one crop that is ruined neither by heat nor cold nor rain nor drought, that involves little investment beyond natural resources, that returns a large profit if the crop is large, and entails comparatively little loss if the crop is small. Only time and advertising and courtesy are necessary to make it one of the two or three most richly productive industries of the state. There is plenty of time ahead, and advertising grows apace; but in most districts courtesy could be spread around a lot more liberally, without any going to waste.
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“The arrangement of a study hall in the Grant school building during the summer months for the use of the departmental seventh and eighth grade students practically gives to Manistee a junior high school, with the advantages of such a school …
“The school day for the departmental students consists of seven 45-minute periods … Time is also given for studying during the school hours in the study hall.
“Another advantage of the departmental is that the students do not necessarily have to follow a certain outline of studies, allowing any student who has failed in a subject … to continue in the next grade … and make up the study he failed previously … .
Sept. 25, pg. 1
“In four years motor and other vehicle traffic nearly tripled in Manistee county.
“This interesting information was disclosed today by Richard M. Hoffman, secretary of the county road commission …
“Analysis of the traffic kept this year from the week of July 27 to the week of Sept. 13 gives a more accurate description … The contrast of horse-drawn vehicles and motors is especially conspicuous … At … Merritts corner there were only 40 single horse rigs, 34 teams light and 20 teams loaded. Eleven motorcycles were registered.
“There were 333 two passenger cars, 4,108 five to seven passenger, 21 buses, 345 two-ton trucks, 43 over two tons, 3 five-ton, eleven trailers and 840 foreign (out-of-town) automobiles. The grand total was 4,969, a maximum daily movement of 1,096 … with an average of 709 … .
“Between 200-300 residents in the vicinity of Norman Township Saturday afternoon attended the Wellston indoor fair, which was one of the best ever held in that neighborhood …
“Garden produce of all kinds was exhibited, and also canned goods and needlework. The display of strawberries captured attention. P. T. Glassmire of Manistee took first place in the display of chickens and turkeys.
“Among the other interesting features was a picture of a king done in needlework. It came from England and was over 100 years old.
“Motorists using the Pike are urged by road commissioner Mike Madden to exercise caution when they drive over the stretch now being rebuilt beyond the county farm, at the foot of Merritt’s hill. Because of the fair this piece will be kept open, but next week it will be closed to traffic … .
“If for no other thing, the year 1922 in Manistee will be marked by the biggest building boom in a decade. At least nine new residences have been built or are under construction and one new downtown building, not including the number of places that have been remodeled or improved.
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“Although outweighed by the Fremont team by ten pounds to a man, the Manistee High School football eleven scored a clean 12 to 0 victory over the downstate team Saturday afternoon at Sands park … .
“Dainty, alluring creations, direct from the Atlantic seaboard, will feature the second annual style show to be held at the Lyric theater Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 3-4.
“Harry Nordhouse … will furnish the hats, dresses, gowns and wraps for the show …
“The models will be recruited from the younger social set of the city …
“Present day modes, long skirts with tight blouses and flowing sleeves, in the daintiest color combinations imaginable will be displayed before the gaze of Manistee’s clothes loving element in the show.
“The changes in the styles this year are radical in comparison to those of the past. Where before the ‘flapper’ held sway with her short skirts and loose fitting clothes, the modes are completely reversed and (the) ultra stylish girl is wearing long-skirted and dress effects.
“The stage settings for the show will be furnished by the Graves Furniture Co. and Wilbur Erickson, florist.
“Gus Pirsig learned that a gasoline buggy can perform unusual feats right under the nose of its owner Saturday night. Gus, who had proven to his satisfaction that the 18th Amendment was a mere bagatelle, cranked his flaming chariot which was parked on River Street, and no sooner had loosed his grip upon the crank than the machine veered in a backward direction before Pirsig’s astonished gaze.
“The machine took its course across the street and climbed the curbing and attempted to force an entrance into the Manistee Creamery, Gus in hot pursuit.
“The episode ended with Pirsig in jail on a charge of drunkenness and this morning Justice Greve fined him $10 and costs in police court.
“Whenever a girl tells a fellow that her dress is made of material that doesn’t rumple that ought to be sufficient.
“Ed Somerville, who was in charge of the display of the Herman and Ben Marks fur display, left Manistee after a Saturday showing at Frank’s store. Many local women invested in the valuable furs.
Sept. 26, pg. 1
“The war on unlicensed dogs in Manistee county will be started some time next week, according to Sheriff E. M. Hallock …
“The … statute makes it the duty of … officers to kill any animal which has not been licensed.
“At the present time, there are 353 dogs in Manistee county for which licenses have not been secured this year. It has been the experience of the sheriffs of Manistee county that it is not necessary to kill very many dogs each year, as the warning … had always been sufficient to make the majority of the owners pay the taxes for their canines. Last year only 14 or 15 were killed.
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“The condition of the sewer mains on Maple street is being revealed as being more serious than at first believed as progress in repairing the break is made.
“Nearly every pipe being uncovered is broken, and it may be necessary to go to the River Street main before repairs are completed …
“Difficulty has also been experienced in obtaining pipes … At last enough was secured at Grand Rapids.
“The old pipes are 20 inch but the new ones are 18 inch. The latter can be used successfully in repair work.
“While other cities in the country are having trouble obtaining building materials, chiefly lumber, because of the car shortage, Manistee is well supplied … according to Will Olson of the Olson Lumber company …
“It is also reported elsewhere that the advance in prices has had the effect of slowing up building. This condition is just opposite in Manistee, where building has experienced its greatest revival.
“The public schools of the city will be closed at noon Friday, to allow the school children, both in the grade and high schools, to visit the Manistee county fair …
“Superintendent Klager asks that all parents cooperate with the school officials and not allow their children to remain out of school at any other time to go to the fair. Such absences will be unexcused.
“Greenbush street has been reopened for traffic after receiving a new coat of asphalt. The street has been in bad condition for a number of years.
“The football teams begin practice some time before the colleges open, but has anyone heard of any of the students doing any advance studying?
“The Fordney tariff bill was amended 3,000 times before passage. Amended, not commended.
“There are just two classes of people, ‘good’ people and ‘bad’ people. And the classifying is done by the ‘good’ people.
“In Frank’s store advertisement Monday there appeared two superfluous words. Two free tickets to the Lyric Theatre will be given to the first person who presents the ad with the extra words marked out to Miss Harriet Ames who is conducting the guessing contest at Frank’s Store.
Sept. 27, pg. 1
“The gates of the Manistee county fair this morning swung open under ideal weather conditions, and before noon a near-record crowd had passed through. If the weather continues as it is today, a new attendance record undoubtedly will be set.
“Visitors from all corners of the county drove in early today, coming by automobiles and team … Bus service is being furnished Manistee visitors to the fair … A large number of entries are listed for the horseshoe pitching tournament which began today … .
“The workmen who have been repairing the break in the Maple street sewer for more than a week this morning threw back the last shovelful of earth into the cavity, having replaced the broken pipe with new.
“The serious condition of the system included the belief that all of it as far as River Street would have to be removed as one pipe after the other showed itself to have collapsed. The work was completed yesterday afternoon after 16 lengths had been laid.
“A cut 35 feet long and three feet wide was made in the street.
“Manistee yesterday afternoon was introduced to long distance aerial garage service.
“Rather than depend on rail or water transportation, the Diggins Aviation company, owning the plane which was disabled over the city doing work for the Consumers Power company, ordered another plane sent here with the repair parts.
“The machine … was on duty in Davenport, Iowa … The men rushed to Chicago immediately, had lunch while the gasoline and oil supplies were replenished, and flew to Manistee in three hours and seven minutes … From the time the aviators left Davenport they had been in the air five hours.
“The engine of the first plane was removed and taken to the Thompson Auto garage where repairs could be made more satisfactorily than on the field. Pilot Curran then took charge of the second plane. With ‘Spin’ Johnson of the Consumers Power company as passenger to distribute … stock circulars, he circulated over the city. The streets were showered with 2,500 circulars.
“Pilot Curran’s visit to Manistee was made doubly interesting through the fact that he trained a local product, Gordon Helm, of Eastlake … He also trained Pilot Thompson of the ‘garage’ plane …
“The Diggins Aviation company in the past has devoted itself almost exclusively to developing novice flyers, but it will now begin specializing in aerial photographs and mapping … In the past three years 200 aviators have been produced.
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“The fairest and most graceful of Manistee’s feminine population has been recruited to display the alluring dress creations at the city’s second annual style show at the Lyric theater on the evenings of Oct. 4-5.
“The damsels who will, pivoting and pirouetting, show the allurement and charm of the various gowns, dresses, wraps and hats selected by Harry Nordhouse … are Misses Gertrude Cichy, Pauline Busse, Helen Belcher, Rose Talbot, Blondine Cierpka, Irene Carlson, Lillian Tonkin, Sophie Mierzwa, Josephine Faber, Anne Anderson, Luella Nordhouse and Mrs. Harry Nordhouse …
“Mr. Nordhouse received confirmation … today that the management of the Peggy Paige garment house would co-operate in every respect to put the show ‘across.’ The Peggy Paige is a favorite among local girls and young women, Mr. Nordhouse said today.
“The Manistee Buick company announces the delivery of a Buick touring sedan to Dr. Wade S. Forth and a maroon sport roadster to Mrs. Anna M. Douglas. Both being the only ones of their kind in the city, they are a handsome addition to the local motor fleet.
“Work on the new Buick garage is progressing rapidly … Delayed shipments of materials has been the chief reason for the interrupted progress.
“The wonderful curative power of Radium has been known for years. However, the benefits of this precious health-giving substance have in the past been only within the reach of persons of wealth.
“Since the invention of Degnen’s Radio-Active Solar Pad, any man or woman, poor or rich, can afford this treatment which offers so much relief from suffering and disease.
“Degnen’s Radio-Active Solar Pad is worn next to the body day and night. It pours a constant stream of radio-active energy into the system while you work, play or sleep. Helping to build up weakened nerves and tissues to a strong condition. It creates vigorous circulation of blood, thus removing congestion, which is the real cause of most diseases.
“To prove just what this remarkable treatment can do for you, we will send our appliance on trial … we will not charge you a cent if it fails to give satisfactory results. This offer is open to any person who has pain of any kind, nerve weakness, kidney or liver complaint, bladder trouble, or disease of the lungs or heart … No matter what your ailment or how long you’ve had it …
“Come in today … A. H. Lyman Drug Co. — Adv.
“Miss Martha Filer returned home Monday from a few days trip to Chicago.
“The most fashionable form of entertainment this winter will be a housewarming.
“Most brides expect to be kept in all the little luxuries to which they have never been accustomed.
“As Noah Heap puts it: The easiest way to get a man to listen is to whisper.
“The M. & N. E. train bridge over Manistee river today at noon was swung back into position for the first time since Saturday afternoon and traffic was resumed as usual. The bridge has been rebuilt.
“It is almost time for some of our friends to promise to bring us a piece of venison.
“Where the hitching rack once stood in front of the village store the gasoline station now is.
“Alice Jorgensen … and Helen Morris … were winners of free Lyric theater tickets by correctly naming the superfluous words in Frank’s store advertisement Tuesday.
“City Manager John Shields has had constructed a new fence at the west end of Third street to prevent any motorist unacquainted with conditions there to go over the bank, especially at night. The steps leading from Third street down the bluff to Spruce street are being rebuilt.
Sept. 28, pg. 1
“Manistee is still entertaining as her guest the Consumers Power Co. aerial squadron. The original photography plane which developed engine trouble after landing here is still dismantled and the reinforcements which landed here yesterday in the shape of a ‘garage’ plane is likewise remaining in the city until the first craft is repaired.
“ … The disabled craft is still suffering the throes of internal trouble and the mechanics are religiously dissecting and analyzing its ailments to speed it on its journey … .
“Continued fair weather today coupled with an exceptional program conduced to a near-record attendance at the Manistee county fair …
“Wednesday’s crowd, while far from approximating record-breaking numbers, was up to expectations … and was a fine, orderly gathering of friendly neighbors … Many annual reunions were held in the shade of the silver-leafed poplars, and the exhibits and entertainment and sport programs were heartily enjoyed. The midway concessions got a good play, and the bland September weather contributed to everyone’s contentment …
“Tomorrow is the last chance to see the fair. Experts who have passed judgment declare the exhibits the best that have been shown … in years, while the paint and whitewash which have been applied to the buildings greatly improve their appearance.
“If you haven’t yet visited the fair, you should by all means do so tomorrow. It is well worthwhile … .
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“Noah Little says: There are a lot of people who live expensively to impress others who live expensively to impress them.
“So congress has adjourned, has it? How do they tell?
“A broken promise may be mended, but it always shows the crack.
“Wonder how many amendments the Ten Commandments would have carried had they been submitted to a House committee.
“Karl Jensen … found his name in a News-Advocate advertisement last night and secured his free Lyric theater tickets today.
“Manistee will harken unto a band concert Friday afternoon when the Furniture City band, accompanying the Grand Rapids Wholesalers, renders a number of feature selections during the stay of the visitors in the city. Reports from other cities … indicate that the band has been one of the big hits on the trip.
“Manistee will not be forced to combat any attempt to increase municipal gas rates because of boosts in the price of coal, it was believed here today. Municipalities in this section of the country, notably Traverse City, are preparing to fight any increase which the public utilities … claim necessary because of fuel shortage …
“In Manistee, however, through foresight on the part of local utility officials, protection is afforded and the local gas company has low priced coal on hand … .
Sept. 23, pg. 4
“(Editorial) DEATH RACES.
“One driver was burned to death, four racers were severely injured and two slightly hurt. That was the toll in the first race on the new board track at Kansas City Sunday. Thus the contest, it is presumed, was a great success. And thus again was demonstrated how cheaply life is held in this country and what a cost we pay for some of our sports.
“Death always rides in the automobile races, it seems, and is frequently the winner. Such races are tests of nerve, daring, endurance, and are thrilling from the standpoint of the spectators. But they are useless otherwise for the machines are of special manufacture and consequently of no value outside of sports. They accomplish and prove nothing except the willingness of men to risk their lives for speed and gain, so long as the public will watch the grind of the cars going around the tracks.
“People of today express their horror over the cruelty of the early Roman contests when gladiators fought to the death, or over the Spanish bull fights, and yet in reality we are just as cruel, just as willing to let others sacrifice their lives on the altar of thrills and amusements as they were back in the old days or in other lands. The form is different, that’s all. Death has been modernized. Men are smashed or burned to death, instead of being stabbed or gored.
“In fact as long as we permit such contests to continue, we of this period have no right or reason to regard ourselves as more humane or superior to those of centuries ago.
Sept. 28, pg. 3
“(Article) MANISTEE BIDS FOND FAREWELL TO TRAVELERS.
“With the approach of October, the last of the ‘tin can’ tourists are heading southward.
“Properly, the summer season leaves off where school begins, and hundreds of cottagers and shifting campers desert northern Michigan at that time. The hardier tourists remain until frost begins to nip their noses and ears.
“This is the class which is now retreating to their homes. Each day high-powered cars, with foreign licenses and packed high with luggage, are seen driving through Manistee on their way back. Orchard Beach for the past week has been the night stop for a number of returning tenters.
“As usual, there are the autumn vacationists, who come north to hunt or merely to enjoy nature at a time when many agree nature is most beautiful. A number of cottagers come early in the year and stay late, not leaving until snow compels them to barricade their windows.
“It has been a great season for tourists and cottagers. Manistee won’t seem quite just right until they reappear again next year.
Sept. 23, pg. 1
“(Article) Fall Arrives.
“Garbed in gorgeous raiment, and smiling benignly, Autumn arrived promptly on schedule at 2:10 this afternoon, in the most genial of her variable moods.
“It was truly a golden day which marked the advent of the season of the sere and yellow leaf. The dreaded autumnal equinox, which usually ushers in the season dismally, must have gotten its dates mixed and spent its fury in the storms of week before last.
“Chronic pessimists opine that such weather is ‘too good to last.’ But we can at least enjoy it for the present and hope that it will continue for some days or weeks yet. Many people are accustomed to claim that Indian summer is here when we have several such pleasant autumnal days in succession even in September. This is erroneous. The real Indian summer is not such an early visitor. It belongs, traditionally, to November, and it is the season’s benediction, the alleviation of Bryant’s ‘melancholy days.’
“Autumn is here, and autumn days, the end of the harvest season; days of blended sadness and gladness. Days dour and days delightful. The season when the mild, sweet day fades too soon, and
“‘Vague sighs and sounds per-
vade the atmosphere;
Sounds of invisible stirrings
hum the ear;
The morning’s lash reveals a
Frozen tear.’
“Here’s hoping for a bright and joyous autumn, so promisingly ushered in.
