1899-05-19; Clare Sentinel

              EHTIHEL
Established 1878.
CLARE,   MIOH.,  FRIDAY,   MAY 19, 1899.
New Series: Vol. V, No.   25.
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3LE6AIXY BEAD,
Legislative
Meredith Village, by
Eoaetment, Joins the Army of
teens
Interesting Story of the Town's
Career,"Plug Tobacco Deeds.
A bill which originated in the senate,
and which, with the affixing of the
governor'ssignatuie.has just become a
law, provides tbat the abandoned village of Sieredlbh, thirty-five miles
north of Clare and adjacent platted
Idnds Shall be legally vacated and the
territory attached for governmental
purposes to the township.
The story of the events which made
this measure necessary may now bo
told says the Lansing correspondent
of the Detroit Journal. The great
gift scheme has worn itself out, ail
the legal fees have been collected
which it will ever be possible to collect,
and the local tax officer tires of assessing the platted lots of an abandoned
village from which no revenue can be
extracted.
Several years ago when tbe Wilson
& McCally Tobacco Company platted
the sand plains adjoining Meredith,
many persons wondered. The land
was purchased at 50 cents an acre and
the platting went on until several
thousand village lots were staked out.
Part of the property was in Gladwin
county and part in Clare county.
Fifty cents an acre is a price that
wasn't always accepted for real estate
in Meredith's vicinity. Back in the
early seventies the village was one of
the most prosperous of lumbering
towns. It boasted of a population of
2,500, of five busy sawmills, of one paved street, of an opera bouse and of a
mile of business blocks and residences.
It was a hummer, and the Flint &
Pere Marquette railroad drew away
from there a million dollars' worth of
lmnlur.
It was Incorporated as a village in
1872 and put on airs over the possession of a paid fire department while
Detroit still retained some vestiges of
the old volunteer system. It was designed to be tbe metropolis of northern Michigan, but the mills moved on fresh,
-northward as the timber was cut off,
•Sand with the mills went the population.
000 village lots were given away to
lucky tobacco-chewers. Oyer half of
these sent their deeds to be recorded.
The proper officer in the counties of
Gladwin and Clare did a land office
business for several years recording
these Instruments. They got from
73 cents to $1 for recordlug each deed,
and to save work had special forms
printed.
The man who originally drew a lot
did not always keep his property.
Ownership was transferred from one
to another for a consideration, especially in Indiana and Ohio. This made
more work for the regerestcrs of deeds.
At one time, a certain man made a
deal whereby he acquired six of the
lots and he came to Michigan to 'build
on them for rental. At Clare he found
he would have to walk 35 miles to
Meredith ana was notlongin discovering that the village was a deserted
one.
The gift scheme has now played out
and the county records are lumbered
up with tbe record of delinquent taxes
against the holders of lots who failed
to pay their taxes. The supervisors
urged that the whole plat be vacated
and that the village site revert -back
to the township organization.
Many of tbe holders oflotshavecon-
tinued to pay their taxes and Ib will
undoubtedly be a great shock to them
to learn or the (Senator A, G. Smith
bill, No. 370, which wines oub a village
which long ago was practically deserted.  „..._
Memorial Order.
Spring time, never more we'eome
than this year, brings with its advent
our sacred Memorial Day, May 30.
And while tbe day reminds us of our
approach to a final farewell, we take a
more than ordinary pleasure in being
permitted to show our respect for the
memory of those who once were in the
line with us, shoulder to shoulder at
our country's call.
New made graves mark the resting
places of may a hero who responded
to the call of our country in our last
war. The deep sea covers the form of
many a brave bluecoab of our navy.
Letibbe our desiie to see thab tbe
memory of these brave boys be kept
Meredith's downfall was slow but
sure. It was in 1886 tbat thelast mill
was dismantled. Soon afterward the
tracks of the spur railroad were taken
•up aud the few citizens leffe in the
place were cut off from the outside
-world. During 1898 the population
could be counted on the fingers of the
two hands. Today only two families
live in Meredith.
The long-row of business houses is
deserted by all except the bats. The
-window lights long ago disappeared. The people who lingered toward
the last, though they did not remain until the final obliteration of
She town's legal existance, were accustomed to move first into one dwelling
and then another, seeking the one the
least iu need of repairs. The children
played uudesburbed in bhe grand opera
house. They rolled their marbles on
j»-?ainy days in the structure which once
was celebrated as containing the largest bar in Michigan—a bar which
would accommodate 100 thirsty pa-
O trons at one time without crowding.
For a time the tenants paid rent.
Later they moved into another house
U an owner tried to make a collection,
Houses being plentiful.
It was about the time of the proclamation of emancipation from rent, and
of defiance to the land laws bhat the
tobacco company bought and platted
the lands adjacent to the vilhige.
Beautiful lithographs in green, blue
aud black, gave a view of the hustling
Village of Meredith. The last cencus
yeport, showing that Meredith had a
•population of 2,500. was printed in
large type on the lithographs. A certain brand of chewing tobacco was
put, t n the market and every purchaser of a 10-cent plug stood a chance of
drawing a village lot ia Meredith, in
tQsry caddy of the tobacco was a numbered tin tag. On tbe inside of one
_»Iece of tobacco was the same number.
Tha lucky cbe.wer who bought the
piece got the bag and sent it to the
main olilce, from which he was for-
"■   yarded a deed to a village lot.
It seemed jusb like fludlng!B50 to the
Hiaa who secured the deed. The poorest lot adjoining- a village of 2,.")00
mulitt to h& worth at least $50.
Wifcli judicious advertising, the gift
cctioine iwked like a charm in Ohio,
I'oaE&ylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky. Indiana and Illinois,  Nearly 16,-
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Arrangements are completed for a
union memorial service to be held in
the opera house on Sunday, May 25, at
10:30 a. m. All soldiers both of the
war of the rebellion and the war with
Spain, are requested to meet ab the
Post room at nine o'clock from which
place they march in a body
On Tuesday, May 30, all soldiers are
asked to meet at Post room ab 7:30 a.
m. A delegation will go to the Wood
cemetery in Vernon and decorate, instead of Vernon as herebofore. Ab
1:30 p. m. a line of march will be
formed at Post, hall and proceed to
Cherry Grove Cemetery. The post
will hold their regular service and
there will be speaking and singing.
We earnestly invite all citizens and
societiss to join with us in decorating,
and also invite the school to help form
the line of march.
Ib is also requested that all business
places be closed from twelve m. to
four p. m.       W. S. Hancock Post.
Clare, May 17,1899. . 	
The Fire at the Hotel Windsor,
Words and music by Brennan and
Story, the great song writers. This
song is making a big hit and the sale
since its publication has been many
thousands. The title page has some
good pictures of this disastrous con-
| Snter^JLaken,
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Tbe Ann Arbor railroad v.*iil bave
to pay $n,175,G5 more taxe9 this year
than lasb and the F. & P. M's increase
will be S12.082.66.
The Jeff Arnold farm house In Granb
township was struck by lightning and
considerably damaged. Forbunabely
bhe house did not take flre.
Thos. Mai toy has been appointed
posbmaster at Crooked Lake. He was
in Clare Tuesday arranging some of
the preliminaries to his taking the office.
Gratiot records show that during the
past year farm mortgages have diminished over twenty-two thousand dollars in that county and that the farmers thereby save almost $5000 in interest.
Wm. H. Browne & Oo. is the name
of a new grocery firm who have re
cently opened a store in Harrison.
W. H. Browne, the senior member of
the firm, has fitted up suite rooms m
the second story of the buildine as a
aw office.
Supervisor Montney of Granb township hascomplebed his assessment ahd
bhe Senti**Cel is informed thab ib is a
good job. The new land in the norbh-
west part of the township, much of
which went in last year at $20 a forty
is considerably raises this year.
There is a half-mile of road on the
line between Sheridan and Arthur
townships bhat the Arthur people say
belongs to Sheridan to take care of
aud they ask the Sentinel to agitate
the matber a little so bhab the Sheridan authorities will do the necessary
work. Ib is said to be a matter of
great importance to bhe Arthur people.
Ib is said thab uuder the new system
of train orders and signals on the F.
& P. M., it will be nearly impossible to
make mistakes in timing trains. M.
A. Palmer, chief dispatcher of the F.
& P. M., accompanied by D. C. Crom-
ble, car service agent recently went
the entire lengbh of tbe road, by special train, introducing the new system
and explaining it fully to tbe agents.
Representative Wayne ot Midland
county, has succeeded in getting a bill
through the house to provide "for
the laying out and establishing of a
sbate road on the meridian line in the
counties of Midlancl,and Gladwin, and
opeDing the same." There is a lot of
machinery provided fpr in the bill and
some of the Midland people are protesting, evidently thinking tbat an
African is concealed somewhere in
bhe woodpile.
Lightning struck the house of Philip VauKoughnetbab Dover, Tuesday
morning. The chimney was torn bo
pieces and the bolb then went on down
into the house, ripping out the partition, sebting the carpet on fire and
then on into the cellar, where it proceeded to wear Itself out on the canned fruit. In the contest the canned
fruit came out se°cond besb. None of
the inmate of the house was injured
bub all were badly frightened, of
course. Miss Katie Macdonald who
teaches the school ab Dover and a
young lady friend were sleeping in a
bed the head of which sboodrighb
against the partition dowo which the
bolt of lightning came, bub they escaped injury.
0
avy
<5c Compa
ny.
SILKS.
Our silk stock offers are extraordinary
value in a new line .of plain taffetas in 10
ofthe season's leading shades. Placed on
sale this week—per yard 75C
,   .;  Black Satin Waists, corded front and
ba?k $6.00.
Heavy Black Taffeta Waists, corded
frant and back - $5 OO
IVARD'winbE- PERCALES."
e Fine Fabrics, fast colors,   fifteen new
choice designs, pr yard, ' *T ]_ Qr>
LIGHT COLORED OUTINGS.
^One case heavily fleaced outing, equal -
to the usual 9c quality at speoial price of...
5 7 U2c yd.
HOSIERY.
Your hosiery needs are well looked
after in this store. Never before has this
line shown so many attractive values-
Ladies' Fast Black Hose of heavy soft
finish yarn, with double heel and toes,
per pair jq^
Ladies' Fine Black cotton hose, ribbed
or plain, extra value at 15c
Ladies' Yery Fine Hennsdorf Black
and White soles, spliced heel and double
ooles 25c.
Misses Heavy Ribbed Hose fast black
or tan, double knees, per pair, 10c
Misses extra heavy, fast black, double
knees per pair, + £»
PARASOLS.
Artistic effects in white and fancy colors,
tastily-trimmed with ruffles   and *
•    net, all new designs,
$1.00 and $3.50
LADIES' BELTS
An extensive line of leather-.belts'"in,-,
black ahdpopular colors, new style bucket
extra value at
■    MEN'S NECKWEAR.
Received this week, newest shapes and
colorings in tecks, bows, puffs 25c and 50c
Men's Leather Belts,
25c and 50c
CARPETS
The carpet stock ha* been replenished
by the addition this week of several new
designs and the best all wool ingrains at
60c and 65c
Cotton warp ingrain in very desirable
colors and patterns 39c
Two styles of Best Grade All Wool Ingrains, the 65c quality to close at 50c yd.
One style all wool ingrains to close at 45c,
Rag carpet, good qualities, 25c and 29c-
Specials in Smyrna Rugs, heavy fringe
choice colorings $2.00
Moqueete Rugs Si. 00 to $4.00.
Spring Roller Shadea
ladies' Underwear in Light  Weights,
sleeveless and with sleeves,
5c, 10c, 15c, 25c.
Ladies' Summer Weights,   ribbed un-
25C
derwear long sleeves
Ladies' Fine silk vests, sleevless
Infants fine cotton hose black
50C.
or tan
IOC
New   designs in
steel and enamel
25c, 29c
Belt Buckles, gilt,
, 50c.
Felt
Water color
Oil Opaques
9c each
25c each
39c each
DRAPERIES.
New and desirable styles in tapestries,
chenille, and   Lace Curtains,   plain and
fancy curtain nets and curtain muslins.
Special values in lace curtains-1-00 to 5.00*
:   :    shoes"   ~      ~]   ~~
Three special drives in  Misses  shoes.
Misses fine   Dongola, lace shoes,  spring-
heel, patent tip and lace stay sizes 11*2* to '2
85c   .
Misses heavy oil grain, button,  heel,
sizes 11_* to 2, worth $1.00 at 89c
Misses Kangaroo calf, spring heel lace
shoe, sizes Hi to 2, worth Si: 25 at $1.10.
iJrij Soocisj Clothing Skoe^j Carpets.
flagration besides the words aud musfc
which are very fine. The publishers
will fill orders for the next thirty days
for 20c per copy in stamps. As the
regular price is 50c this is quite a good
offer. Address all orders to Groene
Music Pub. Co., 32 E. Fifth street,
Cincinnati, O. _____
Grant and Sheridan school report
for the month ending May 12:
Number of days taught 20.
Number enrolled. 30.
Average daily attendance, 25.
Names of those who have not been
absent a day: Floyd, Walter and
Archie Archamboult, John. Murphy,
Frank Carrier, Earle and Clyde Cunningham, Erwin and Grover Terry,
Katie and Mary Kurz, Clarence, Dora
aud Pearl Adams, Glen Feighner.
Names of those who have been absent but one day: Walter Carrier,
Henry McfCinley and Florence Archamboult,
Myba HoDKHraoN-, Teacher,
Will Parrish has recently added a
double-seated surry to his livery outfit and some good driying animals to
his stock. When in need of anything
in his line alye him a call. Fishing
parties will be .given prompt atten
tion.
Deaths.
Mrs. Havea Colburn, wife of J. Col-
burn of near Dover, died Tuesday, a
cancer bein;;* the cause of her death.
Mrs. Colburn's sefterings have been of
a short duration, considering the nature of the disease. She leaves a husband and two sbns,Eugene and Frank,
together -with a host of friends, to
mourn her departure.
On Tuesday occurred, tbe death of
John Liese at the home of his parents
on State street, the immediate cause
being an abscess on bhe brain, though
for tiyo weeks he had been suffering
from an attack of grip. John was a
well respected young man twenty-one
years of age, steady, Industrious and
obliging, with bright prospects for a
long life. The funeral will be conducted from the home this afbernooh
ab two o'clock, Rev. Eobittson officiating, and the remains laid at rest in
Cherry Grove Cemetery, This bereavement is a sad blow to his parents,
who, in their riper years, need that
comfort a dutiful son alone can render, them. The SENTiNisr,, wibh
hosts of friends, extend sympathy to
the sorrowing relatives.