The following news items are reprinted from the Manistee Daily News for the week ending May 22, 1915 and are compiled by Teena Kracht from the newspaper archives of the Manistee County Historical Museum. Read more of her 100 Years Ago column at www.manisteenews.com:
“WASHINGTON, MAY 14—Anxious waiting, coupled with a policy of absolute silence, marked the administration’s attitude toward the German situation here today.
“Developments are no longer in President Wilson’s hands. The center of activity is transferred to Berlin.
“America’s position is outlined to the world.
“American life must be made safe, here or abroad.
“To assure this safety to American life Germany must end for all time her submarine and aerial attempts upon merchantmen carrying American passengers or flying the American flag.
“Although not unprepared for such tidings, the many friends of Miss Eloise Borden Woodhead were inexpressibly grieved to learn of her death this morning.
“Death occurred at 4:30 this morning at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Woodhead, 603 Pine St., after an illness of two years of tuberculosis.
“Miss Woodhead was a young woman of exceptional talents and engaging personality, whose career in the public schools of the city had endeared her not only to her pupils but to their parents and friends as well, and her death will occasion deep sorrow in many homes here.
“The annual May party of the Manistee High School is to be held tomorrow night at the Elks Temple. Great preparations are being made for the event, which is one of the big affairs of the school year and interest among the students is at fever heat over the crowning of the May Queen.
“Besides the drowning of the May Queen there will be plenty of dancing and other amusements, including the winding of the May pole by the Freshies and some original stunts by the sophomores the nature of which they have kept a ‘secret.’ One is to be a ‘Humanum Organum,’ but what that is, or why, is problematical to the rest of the students.
“Later refreshments will be served and the evening given over to dancing.
“GARDEN HOSE for thirsty lawns’ reads a sign in a River street display window.
“FLAGS ON ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL buildings in the city today flew at half-mast as a tribute to the memory of Miss Eloise B. Woodhead, the teacher whose death occurred this morning.
“HERE’S ONE LAW THAT’S NOT VIOLATED HERE. An ordinance of the city of Manistee says it is unlawful for any woman to be employed in a bar-room, beer garden or any place where liquor is sold or to assist in any in the sale of said refreshments.
“BICYLCE THEIVES have apparently picked John Poskey, a barber at 721 Kosciusko St., as a shining mark. He has been despoiled of two bicycles within the past five weeks, the first being taken from in front of the Electric theatre the evening of April 7, and the second from in front of police headquarters night before last.
“MR. AND MRS. ROBIN, after spending the winter in the south, has established themselves for the summer mid the branches of a maple tree directly in front of the News-Advocate editorial window. Mrs. Robin is diligently attending to the domestic duty of hatching out a set of pale blue eggs, while Mr. Robin is foraging. They are well behaved neighbors.
“ORNATE BIRD HOUSES have been provided for feathered summer tourists by many Manistee citizens, and early arrivals have promptly established their tenancy. Among the more pretentious bird dwellings are those on the premises of George O. Nye. John Watson, John Wallace and T. J. Elton. W. R. Hall has one perched atop a pole at his home on the Pine Street bluff which is a cross between a Swiss chalet and a California bungalow and should satisfy the requirements of the most fastidious bird family. The north side, also, is represented handsomely in the matter of birdhouse architecture.
“An improvement which promises to provide one of the city’s rarest beauty spots is being made on the river front at the foot of Spruce street, where Joseph Clarkson, florist, is enclosing with a wire fence a lot 100 feet square which will be devoted to out-of-doors floriculture.
“A first crop of carnations already shows green above the ground. It is Mr. Clarkson’s intention to specialize in hardy perennials and old-fashioned posies in this garden of bloom, and ultimately the utilitarian wire fence will be concealed from view by a hedge of hydrangea, which is to be started at once.
“Run as fast as ever you can, when you see the camera man—that is if you are of a modest and retiring disposition. Otherwise, stand still and be mugged for the movies. A snap shop artist is on the streets of Manistee, taking pictures of people and things. The pictures will be shown next Monday and Tuesday at the Gen Theatre, thus affording an opportunity to see ourselves as others see us.
“The trouble is that the photographer sees most of his victims before they see him, and thus deprived of an opportunity to pose, the result is entirely natural, even if unsatisfactory to the subject.
“The dear girls will see how they look as they get on the street cars of our city. The married man who was snapped this morning while goo-gooing at a pretty girl will be exposed. The young farmer who took a pretty stenographer to lunch was caught in the act. The young collector detected resting himself on the settee in front of a cigar store will have a hard time squaring himself with the boss.
“The camera man’s purpose is causing considerable speculation. He asks no one’s permission, but if he thinks you look funny enough for a comic supplement he just shoots you and smiles if you make a fuss.
“The above item will explain the presence on our streets of a snap shot man during the past few days.
“These pictures will be shown at the Gem Theatre on Monday and Tuesday. Look for your picture at the Gem May 17-18.
“Arrangements were definitely concluded today, whereby through the instrumentality of the Board of Trade, Manistee is assured a Chautauqua for the coming summer.
“Jane Ogle, of Chautauqua fame, announced that eight days, beginning with August 11, have been selected for Manistee’s Chautauqua, and that the program that this year will be offered will be the best ever presented in connection with such entertainment.
“Ben Hansen and H. E. Kruse are planning on opening their happily named resort, Camp Delight, for the season on June 12.
“Located on Portage Lake, directly opposite the village of Onekama, ‘Camp Delight’ is ideally situated, making it a favorite family resort for those who delight in getting back ‘close to nature.’ The tent colony at this beauty spot offers at reasonable rates adequate accommodations for the enjoyment of the summer, and the proprietors guarantee their guests immunity from mosquitoes. ‘There ain’t no such insect at Camp Delight,’ they will tell you.
“Sailing, canoeing, bathing and fishing are recreations for which this camp is noted, and boats and fishing tackle are provided for the free use of its patrons.
“ELOISE KOTT, arrested for reckless driving, was fined $5 and costs, amounting to a trifle over $10, in Justice Erb’s court yesterday.
“EXPLAINING HIS SIGNATURE on the petition presented to the council asking that the offices of city manager and superintendent of the water works be combined and asking that the appointment be conferred on F. W. Collins, A. E. Always wishes it understood that he signed only as favoring the consolidation, and not expressing a preference for any specific appointment to the position. This qualifying entry appears opposite his name on the original petition.
“SUNDAY’S WEATHER was the limit in vileness for this season of year. The precipitation was three-quarters of an inch, spread out soggily and sloppily throughout the entire day. This morning’s temperature was within two degrees of the freezing point, the lake glinted as coldly blue as chilled steel, and a bitter wind added to the discomfort. We are paying, with interest, for those two weeks stolen out of summer in April.
“Inaugurating the occasion by crowning Miss Bessie Roberts of the sophomore session room queen of the May, the students of Manistee high school Saturday night gathered at the Elks temple for their annual May party.
“The evening was spent in dancing and watching the various ‘stunts’ put on by the high school classes, while the great indoor sport of eating ice cream and cake was entered into with much enthusiasm.
“Shortly after 8 o’clock the festivities started. ‘Midst the strains music from the high school orchestra, pretty, red-cheeked little Bessie Roberts, followed by a train of white-frocked young high school misses, was led to the improvised throne in the center of the hall, where she gracefully accepted the crown of roses placed upon her head by Miss Leona Henchey, who last year was the recipient of this signal honor.
“The dancers enjoyed a good time and the party broke up shortly after midnight, declaring it one of the most successful in the history of the high school.
“Work of financing Manistee’s three-day homecoming festival July 3, 4 and 5 was approached this afternoon, when the finance committee met in Resort headquarters, divided up the territory and accepted their assignments.
“Plans for the Memorial Day celebration for the Civil and Spanish war veterans of the city are being mapped out by Colonel E. W. Muenscher, nominal head of the local colony of war veterans, and are fast nearing completion.
“Although there are but 25 of the old Civil war guard in the city, the celebration will lose none of its usual enthusiasm and spirit, according to Col. Muenscher. Following a parade of the boy scouts as escorts, the old soldiers following in carriages, services will be held at the Methodist church on the morning of May 30.
“Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock the Decoration day ceremony will be held at the Ramsdell Hall. The Boy Scouts will also escort the old soldiers to this place, where Roy Overpack will deliver the Memorial Day address.
“Abandoning for the present its per project of a club house at Portage Lake, the Manistee Automobile club at its meeting last night placed itself on record as a progressive organization which will devote itself to the interests of the local motoring fraternity in particular and tourists in general.
“It develops that the present membership and resources of the club would hardly justify the ambitious attempt at club quarters in the old Onekama Sailing club quarters. The club reluctantly relinquished this hope, and went vigorously about plans for making itself useful in other than social directions.
“Although the Onekama club house project was abandoned, the club will not be without a place of rendezvous, Manager Kressler of the Manistee Railway Company renewing his invitation to the motorists to make use of the inn at Orchard Beach, which was cordially accepted.
“Plans for Manistee’s three-day Fourth of July Homecoming fiesta are progressing finely. All that is needed now to insure the most gorgeous affair of the kind ever attempted here is the proper financial backing. And a diligent committee is attending to that little matter.
“WEATHER FORCAST today: ‘Rain tonight and probably Friday.’ We should worry! We’re acclimated.
“I SUSPECT, THOUGH that if we had warm weather just now, we’d all go around mopping our brows and complaining,’ says Commissioner Nordhouse. ‘I suggest that we simply put our flannels back on and continue a policy of watchful waiting’.
“John Poskey has finally succeeded in securing one of the two bicycles stolen from him within the past month. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Casimir Dalka of Oak Hill for the offense, and he pleaded guilty before Justice Erb yesterday afternoon being sentenced to pay $10 and costs and place the wheel in good running condition.
“Mr. Poskey, who operates a barber shop on Kosciusko Street Monday noticed a strangely familiar looking wheel being peddled past his place of business. So familiar did it look that he immediately ran to the street and hailed the cyclist, who stated that he purchased the wheel from Dalka for $4.50 a few days previous. The wheel was hardly recognizable, but Poskey succeeded in identifying it by a check in the brake cylinder.
In addition to being re-painted the wheels and brace had been changed. Dalka was traced to Oak Hill and after a chase by Deputy Lahn was rounded up and brought to town. He is but 20 years old. A search warrant issued for two other wheels stolen recently failed to bring them to light.
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