County’s First Newspaper on Display

The first issue of the Schoolcraft County Pioneer printed on cloth. The newspaper is on display at the M-Bank Arts and Cultural Center.

  Wright E. Clarke came to Manistique in April of 1880 and immediately began the publication of the county’s first newspaper, the Schoolcraft County Pioneer. The first issue of the paper (Vol. 1, No. 1) was printed on April 29, 1880. The newspaper was printed on cloth for its superior durability, enabling it to be passed around and read by more people.

   In the fall of 2019, the Schoolcraft County Historical Society was contacted by Michelle Doucette of Connecticut, who is a very distant relative of Dr. Edith MacLeod, granddaughter of Wright E. Clarke. Dr. MacLeod had preserved a number of items pertaining to the Clarke family, including tin type photographs, letters and documents, and most precious of all, the first edition of the Pioneer, printed on cloth. These items were all donated to the historical society by Mrs. Doucette from the Dr. Edith MacLeod collection. The newspaper is in remarkably good condition after 140 years. A generous donation from Maurita Holland enabled the historical society to have the cloth newspaper transported to a fabric conservator in Washington D.C. where it was cleaned, wrinkles removed and mounted in a protective box that could be used for display. The newspaper was returned to Manistique just prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. The survival of early cloth newspapers is a rare occurrence. We are indebted to generations of the Clarke family for having so diligently looked after this early piece of Schoolcraft County history. Read More...

Rose Bros. Christmas Day Fire – 1906

Rose Bros. burned out department store, Dec. 25, 1906

Rose Bros. burned out department store, Dec. 25, 1906

Source:  Manistique Pioneer Tribune, December 28, 1906, p. 1.

     Barring the fire of 1893, Manistique was visited by the most destructive fire in its history last Tuesday afternoon in the destruction of Rose Bros. magnificent business block with its entire contents as well as the possessions of the numerous tenants occupying the flats above.

     The loss is roughly estimated at $75,000 of which Mr. Rose’s share is $70,000.

     The fire had its inception in the furnace room, and was not discovered until 2 o’clock owing to the fact that the store was closed at noon for the day. Mr. Pease, one of the tenants in the flat above the store discovered smoke issuing from the room occupied by E. W. Angell, and notified Mr. F. W. Dowker who also lived on the same floor. The Angell apartments were opened and it was ascertained that the smoke was coming from the store room. Judge Knox, another tenant, turned in an alarm. When the department reached the scene the store room was filled with dense smoke, making it impossible for the firemen to reach the cause of the trouble. Read More...

Harry Rose Opens New Store – Oct. 1903

Rose Bros. store was erected in 1903 and destroyed by fire, Dec. 26, 1906

Rose Bros. store was erected in 1903 and destroyed by fire, Dec. 25, 1906

Source:  Manistique Pioneer Tribune, October 9, 1903, p1.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING

     Rose Bros. big store was formally thrown open to the public yesterday morning and the mammoth building was inspected by more than 1200 ladies and gentlemen who heartily expressed their admiration for the store and the stock it contained.

     Every visitor was presented with souvenirs. The ladies received pin trays and the gentlemen match safes. The local orchestra furnished music during the evening hours. The opening sale is continued today and, as yesterday, the store is thronged. Read More...

Armistice Day 1921

Mike Udell and Everett McCormick, 1917

Mike Udell and Everett McCormick, 1917

Source: Manistique Pioneer Tribune, November 17, 1921, p.1.

ARMISTICE DAY PROGRAM IS A SUCCESS

  The third anniversary of the armistice which ended the world war, November 11, 1918, was celebrated in Manistique last Friday by the presence of nearly three hundred ex-service men.

   The parade started shortly after one o’clock with over one hundred men in line. It was headed by the Legion band and made a very smart appearance as it followed the line of march to the Westside and back.

   The great feature of the day was the six-thirty banquet given to three hundred ex-service men, including many of their families. The luncheon, served at the gymnasium was an elaborate affair and required the assistance of nearly one hundred aides. Read More...