Controversy surrounds Copemish and Mesick banks case with officials accused of obtaining money under false pretenses

“ … efforts have been made [by Mr. Hallett] to gain their consent to drop the proposed suits, it is said.

“‘This was only campaign talk; Hallett didn’t mean anything.  He just wanted to get elected.  He knew all the time there had been no graft.  Why not forgive, forget and make up?  He’s willing and wants to be friends again with you boys,’ was the tenor of the messages conveyed to diverse members of the committee by men acting in the role of intermediaries. 

“The bond committee members take the position that to call a man a grafter, to charge him with converting public property to his personal use, is too serious to be passed over lightly, considered a joke or campaign talk.  They gave Mr. Hallett several weeks ago a chance to make public apology.  Thus far he has not availed himself of the opportunity to retract.  

Pg. 3

“The ten members of the local sanitary company of the National Guard who attended the four-day school of instruction at Grayling … returned this morning on a special train over the M. & N. E …  

“That Manistee not only has a [‘high calibre’] reputation but that the present unit can live up to it was shown by the announcement that the Manistee unit won second place in a tent pitching contest. 

“ … practical first aid methods used on the firing line were shown, first aid stations were established just as near the firing line as would be possible in actual warfare, and military maneuvers, with the men functioning as first aid dressing stations demonstrated … .

“Convincing proof that Manistee County is yearly becoming more important as an auto-owning district is shown by figures obtained this morning … 

“The number of licenses issued already this year shows an increase of 130 over the total number issued at the local office during the entire year of 1921.  Last year 1700 licenses were distributed to Manistee County car owners from the treasurer’s office.

“This year Mr. Danville received 2000 from the state and of this number he has already sold 1,830.  

“Rudolph Abele, of Brown township, died yesterday of tuberculosis.  He was 37 years old … .

“A man can be poor but proud, but not many are proud they are poor.

“We all like to be popular, but some of us despise the work of qualifying for the part. 

“Now that the graduates have been told how to save the world, they can begin to look around for jobs. 

“A grouch sometimes comes without reason and stays until it finds one. 

“Let’s see … what did men talk about principally before automobile tires came into use?

“Chas. A. Zobel and Wm. Jaitner will leave tomorrow noon for Detroit on the first lap of their journey to Germany to visit relatives.  Mr. Zobel will visit his daughter, Regine, in Detroit.  They will leave there Sunday afternoon for New York, sailing from there Tuesday on the United American Steamship company liner Resolute.  They will be gone until the first part of September.  

June 24, pg. 2

“Mrs. P. P. Schnorbach gave a delightful luncheon at the country club Thursday at 1 o’clock to 75 guests.  She was assisted in receiving by Mrs. Charles G. Bigge … 

“A splendid array of beautiful flowers was arranged about the room and on the six long tables and one round table.  The guests found their places by attractive place cards. 

“Bridge and vocal music provided the afternoon entertainment.  Mrs. Marie Pulcher Bigge gave a charming program of vocal selections.  She was accompanied by Mrs. Marie Sweetnam Anderson on violin and Mrs. Charlotte Sweetnam Ramsdell on piano … .

“NEW YORK — Among Americans returning home from Europe in the past few days is Miss Virginia Buckley, who arrived at New York on Wednesday last on the White Star Liner Olympic from Southampton and Cherbourg.  

“Mrs. C. N. Belcher and daughters Helen and Hazel, left yesterday by boat for Chicago and from there will go to Denver, Colo., where they will spend the summer. 

“Mrs. C. B. Jentoft was hostess at a 6 o’clock dinner at Sandenburgh’s, Onekama, Thursday evening for her daughter, Miss Helen Jentoft.  The flowers used in special decorations were numerous and beautiful and included many American Beauty roses … 

“The Jentoft home on Spruce Street was the scene last night of a farewell party to Miss Jentoft.  She left this morning for her new home in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she will be married in the Catholic church to Henry Meier, son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Meier of Manistee.

“Mr. and Mrs. John H. Rademaker gave a delightful dancing party Wednesday evening in Masonic temple, honoring their daughter Emmaline on her graduation from the eighth grade.  The guests included the entire eighth grade graduating class, their teachers and some High school pupils, over 100 being present.  Splendid music and dainty refreshments were provided.  Rainbow decorations in fluttering streamers, combined with a profusion of flowers and dainty dresses to make a very pretty party. 

Pg. 3 

“With 200 Traverse City fans expected to rally here to the vocal support of their team, tomorrow’s engagement at Sands park between Manistee and Asylum City’s representative aggregations should be the season’s diamond classic …  

“Manistee has the blot of a 15 to 4 defeat at Traverse early in the season to erase, and is confident after the brilliant showing against Cadillac last Sunday of its ability to wipe out this stain … .

“Ethel, six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Peterson, 128 Hancock Street, died last night of pneumonia.  She had been ill a week … .

“Baby ‘Dodo’ Reid, six-year-old child wonder, sang, danced and talked her way into the  hearts of two good-sized audiences last night at the Lyric.  She will repeat her performances this afternoon and tonight … 

“For a child, she is far better than many an older actress seen here.  She is graceful, vivacious and easy to look at, with sunny golden hair.  Her dancing is especially noteworthy.  She does the difficult toe dance, rising to that position from her knees, and some snappy kicking.  Pretty costumes add considerably to her work. 

“In the development of Miss Reid the use of her gray matter has not been overlooked.  She knows geography and history to perfection, and the manner in which she answers questions fired by her father is remarkable.  

“Only six more days for June weddings.

“Fellows who tell you they have never had a chance would be afraid to take one if they saw it. 

“The library summer schedule will go into effect Monday, June 26.  The library will be closed all day Sundays.  Week-days it will close at 8 p.m. 

June 26, pg. 1

“Friends of George H. Giles [‘aged, 51’], popular citizen and public official [register of deeds], yesterday received with grief the news of his death at Ann Arbor early Sunday.  It was understood that his health was returning after treatment at the University hospital, but apparently his condition took an opposite course.  Just a short time ago he showed a fine spirit of optimism to Manistee friends who visited him at the hospital … .

“Mrs. Emma S. Peterson, well known River Street millinery, died suddenly this afternoon at 12:30 at Mercy hospital of stomach trouble.  She was 45 years old, and was a resident of Manistee all her life … 

“Mrs. Peterson had been ill for only two weeks, and her death was a complete shock to her friends and business associates … .

“Leo, three-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Steinberg, 223 Third avenue, died this morning of Whooping cough … .

“Theodore Paczesny, 21-year-old marine fireman, died this morning … from intestinal poisoning.  He has been ill for a week … Both his father and mother have died within the last year.   

“The Manistee Independents very decisively blotted out the defeat at Traverse City earlier in the season by handing the Traverse City team a 20 to 3 walloping yesterday afternoon at Sands park … .

“The purring of the engine of the first airplane to fly over Manistee this season was heard yesterday afternoon at about 1 o’clock at which time Dr. Ferguson of Chicago was on his way to Onekama. 

“The trip to Onekama from Chicago was made in four hours and two minutes actual flying time against a stiff north wind.  He stopped a short time at Muskegon to fill his gasoline tank. 

“Dr. Ferguson landed on the golf links at Portage Point, near which he has a summer cottage.  He returned to Chicago last night by the same air route.

“ASSISTANT TO MR. GILES IS NAMED REGISTER.  MISS GERTRUDE BERNATOWICZ APPOINTED FOR UNEXPIRED TERM.   

“There is no such thing as a ‘perfect climate’ outside of hotel folders and real estate offices. 

“The next national problem is to find wall space for the newly framed diploma. 

“Dr. A. A. McKay has opened an office over [the] Barnes & Barnes insurance office and resumed the practice of medicine.

“‘Let your wife’s talcum powder alone,’ reads an ad.  We should say so; the poor girl has a hard enough time now to make it last a week.

“OH!  BOY!  Merry-Go-Round AT THE FIRST STREET Bathing Beach EVERY AFTERNOON AND EVENING Beginning Tuesday, June 27th.  FRANK R. CARLSON, Proprietor.      

June 27, pg. 1

“With a full attendance, the board of supervisors convened at 2 o’clock yesterday for the brief mid-summer equalization meeting. 

“Chairman Ramsdell informed the body that the county is ‘broke,’ some months ahead of the usual time for being overtaken by the annual hiatus in the funds, and that the board has got to raise some money somehow.  Among the more pressing immediate needs are the expenses in the prosecution of the Larson and Beattie Copemish bank cases, into which some expensive legal talent has been drawn to aid the prosecutor … .

“LANSING, June 27.  —  A code of arm signals for motorists which it is hoped will be used universally by Michigan drivers, has been adopted by the state department of public safety.  Pamphlets showing the various arm positions are to be distributed by the department … 

“It is the belief of officials of the state department that a uniform system of signaling will prevent accidents and make driving easier.

Pg. 3

“Supt. Benj. Klager sees great possibilities in a summer school of five weeks for children who have failed in one or two subjects during the regular school year.  Each year there are a number of boys and girls in Manistee, as elsewhere, who are not promoted because they have failed to accomplish the required work in one or two subjects …  

“It is generally conceded that it is poor economy to have these pupils repeat the whole grade when it is possible to have them make up the work during a short summer school session … and continue with their regular grade next school year. 

“Such a school would be conducted during the morning only, from 8:30 to 11:30 in the Grant school … 

“Parents or students who are interested are asked to call at the superintendent’s office … .

“With an impressive line-up of legal talent, some imported, arrayed on both sides, the cases against Lauritz A. Larsen and Charles W. Beattie, on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses in connection with the sale of the Copemish and Mesick banks, of which both were officials, were called in circuit court this morning, and court habitues settled themselves in expectations of a long controversy … .

“Eighteen of the 19 petitioners for citizenship were granted their papers yesterday afternoon at the opening session of the June term of circuit court.  John Gajewski, of Stronach, is the one whose petition will be continued because of his draft status … ..

“Announcement has been received by The News-Advocate of the marriage on June 1 at Munising, Mich., of Albert G. Stead, former superintendent of Manistee public schools, and Mrs. Mabel Stansell, former principal of Grant school. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Stead, it is said, will make their home in Missouri, in which state Mr. Stead travels for the Merrill Book company. 

“As Noah Heap puts it:  It’s the good tire that always finds the nail. 

“Roses on many lawns and backyards of Manistee are now at the height of their perfection. 

“The world is full of problems and vital issues, but summer is here and crops are looking good.  So why worry?

“Noah Little says:  The two greatest aids to keeping your temper are pure religion and the realization that the other fellow can lick you. 

“Furniture and hardware dealers say it is useless to try to push cooking stoves or winter utensils at this time of year.  They say the public likes to look at window displays of camping outfits, porch furniture, refrigerators and garden hose, whether it is disposed to buy any of it or not. 

“Nothing makes a doctor quite so mad as to call him ‘mister.’  If you don’t believe this, try it. 

“Have you ever noticed how some folks seem to run out of conversation as soon as they tell everything they know about themselves?

“Mr. and Mrs. John Slagh, former well known teachers of the High school, arrived Sunday night to visit here.  They now reside in Oak Park, Ill … .

“Benefit Dance Manistee Company, 43, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 28 AT Beach Pavilion.  Dancing from 9 to 12.  Per Couple — 75 cents.  Extra Ladies — 25 cents.  Spin Johnson’s Orchestra.

June 28, pg. 1

“JACKSON, Mich., June 28 — With the filing today of the necessary deeds in Kalamazoo, Jackson, Genesee, Bay, Saginaw, Oakland and Manistee counties, the final chapter in the consolidation of the Michigan Light company with the Consumers Power company is completed.  

“Announcement of the decision to combine both gas and electric properties under the Consumers Power company in the interests of greater economy, improved service and higher efficiency, was made in January, 1920 … .

Pg. 3

“As Noah Heap puts it:  Many a man is credited with having a cool head when what he really has is cold feet. 

“A new iron flagstaff, with a large gilded ball at the top, has been erected by the A. H. Lyman company on its building on River Street. 

“Inside finishers are becoming experts in the art of converting good pine into artificial mahogany.  The popular demand for mahogany finish has developed the art amazingly.  Workers say that pine does not show mars or marks as much as other woods.

“Every crook has his own peculiar bent. 

“Noah Little says:  If a man worries, his wife thinks he is foolish.  If he doesn’t, she thinks he isn’t maintaining a proper interest in his responsibilities.  

“Eight years ago today the fatal shot that precipitated the World war was fired.  Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and the Duchess Hoenberg, his morganatic wife, were killed by a student, in Sarayevo, Bosnia.  The results are too well known to bear repeating.  

“The Swan Song of Mosquitoes.  Death to mosquitoes — their last sound is heard.  Use Nyal’s Mosquito Lotion, which protects against their bite and softens the effect if they do bite.  25 cents A BOTTLE.  City Drug … .

June 29, pg. 1

“The 90th birthday anniversary of R. G. Peters, Manistee pioneer and long one of its most distinguished citizens, will be observed in a fitting manner Sunday, July 2, when all Manistee will join in a community basket picnic at Orchard Beach State Park and felicitate Mr. Peters on reaching the ripe old age of fourscore and ten … .

Pg. 3

“The flying boat ‘Saladin’ of Traverse City, under command of Capt. J. Mac Gregor, arrived in Manistee today for the purpose of carrying passengers on sight-seeing trips.

“The ‘Saladin’ is a six-passenger machine similar in design to the flying ship Santa Maria which visited here last year.  She is newly bought from the United States navy by her owner, M. D. Bryant of Traverse City, who is a brother-in-law of Henry Ford. 

“Fifteen-minute flights for parties of four will be given during the Saladin’s stay here, the rate of fare being $10.  

“Impressive funeral services, under the auspices of the Elks, were conducted yesterday afternoon in Elks temple for George H. Giles, last Manistee County register of deeds.  About 200 friends and fraternity brothers attended the last rites … Burial was in Oak Grove cemetery. 

“Miss Gertrude Bernatowicz, for the past four years deputy register of deeds and last Monday appointed to fill the unexpired term of George H. Giles, deceased official, today formally announces her candidacy for the office at the September primary.

“Miss Bernatowicz has given excellent satisfaction as deputy, and her appointment was the logical choice.  Thoroughly qualified by education and experience, she submits her candidacy to the voters on her record of efficiency … Probabilities are that she will be unopposed for the party nomination.         

“There is something wrong with a small boy who isn’t strenuous. 

“An objection to open-air concerts is that the performers can’t tell whether the audience is applauding or slapping mosquitoes. 

“Geo. H. Bureau and sons, painters, have completed redecorating the canopy, lobby and rest room of the Lyric theatre,  The canopy, door and other woodwork has been revarnished and the lobby ceiling attractively painted in white, with gold stripes, and the walls in a dull olive color.  The carved panel work in the lobby has been tinted in white. 

“So many things that are easy to recommend are hard to do. 

“What many a returned picnicker wants to know is who named a picnic a picnic. 

“Arrangements have been made to provide frequent bus service to Orchard Beach, buses leaving the River-Maple Street corner beginning at 2 o’clock. 

“[Article] A Walk Down The Alley.

“At first blush, it doesn’t appear thrilling to wander through a Manistee alley instead of keeping to the beaten and more respected path. 

“But there are interesting things to be seen in the flower-bordered alleys that skirt the backyards of some of the city’s fine homes. 

“One may ponder on the castoffs to be found in most any alley.  This old washboard whose crests are worn through from constant rubbing tells of tidy duds and tired backs. 

“That dilapidated chair of horsehair upholstery — what a day of triumph it must have had back in the mellow eighties. 

“Here is a can that once contained caviar, now wallowing in the dirt with a humble container that was satisfied to house plain pork and beans.

“Now we pass a stable, mammoth place.  There is the door to the haymow where kids of the household bantered each other to jump.  That mow held the hay for the horses that gave up the ghost and died from the fumes of the auto age. 

“Handsome equipages came out of that big sliding door.  There is no life about the stable that once rang with the shouts of the hostler, the snorts of spirited horses and the laughter of children who found the barn a jolly place.

“But like every horse and every dog that has its day, so every alley has an end, and the ever-changing panorama of castoffs and the informal associations give way to the more conventional pathways called streets. 

“But there is romance and poetry in alleys if you look for it. 

June 23, pg. 2

“[Article] Meet Ole Nelson of Claybanks, Ex-Logger, Riverman, Trapper.

“Everybody who has taken the famous Manistee ‘river trip’ knows Ole Nelson of Claybanks.  Many who haven’t know him, too.  For those to whom he is a stranger the following description, given by Charles E. Belknap, who wrote a series of articles on the Manistee river trip for the Michigan Tradesman, will serve as an introduction to Ole:

“‘We did not unload our duffle till we had gone to the farm house of Ole Nelson, on the plateau back of the river, where even the farm dog gave us a welcome.  The group of farm buildings were in harmony with all the country about.  The interior of the home was cheerful with its home-made rugs and carpets, its piece-work quilts, pictures on the wall and books and papers on the table. 

“‘Once a painter of landscapes came that way and all the art of head and hand that he possessed was put on canvas and hung in the living room of Ole’s home.  There was a victrola also, trained to Swedish songs and dialect stories.

“‘Here we visited for a long time and later when our camp was made and the shades of night drawn, Ole and his life mate joined us by the campfire.  We listened to tales of the days when the pine tree was king of the country, tales of the forest so ruthlessly wasted; of the river and of the first canoemen, the Indians. 

“‘Ole was a Manistee riverman — captain of the drive — one of those wonderful men whose skill in riding a log can be compared only to the bronco buster of the Western plains.  Ole’s feats were the boast of the canthook men and his fame floated to all the rivers of the State. 

“‘He came one afternoon and gave us an exhibition of paddling that made us feel like four deuces.  We used the kodak and have the shots to prove that he stood on the edges of a dugout canoe with only three inches of water clearance.  He sent it over floating drift logs with a companion aboard and a scant inch of water line.  He sent it fairly flying up and down the stream when a tip would have sent them into six feet of ice cold water. 

“‘Now that the logs are gone Ole paddles as a fur buyer in a river tormented with deadwood drifts, where the water swirls around elbow bends and a single faulty stroke invites disaster.  The frail craft goes with the speed of a bird breasting the wind.  Under a clump of cedar or balsams the overturned dugout makes a shelter when night comes. 

“‘But Ole likes best to crank the music machine and listen to the songs of his native land.  If Ole some day would write a book of “Tales of the Manistee” as he tells them to you, every boy in the country would want a copy.  Oliver Optic of my boyhood would not be knee high to this canoeman of the Manistee.’