Tag Archives: Spanish American War

Manistique’s Civil War Cannon Mystery

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Manistique’s Civil War Cannon on the Courthouse grounds. Photo Courtesy Mary Riley

     

     In 1896, the United States Navy Department donated a Civil War era cannon to Manistique’s George F. Fuller Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. The cannon had seen service on the James River in Virginia during the years 1861-65. After it arrived in Manistique, the cannon was placed on the Courthouse grounds where it soon became an honored emblem of national pride. The cannon played an important role in the life of the community. It was paraded through the streets of the city on Decoration Day and on the Fourth of July.  Its thunderous boom could be heard on National holidays and on extraordinary occasions, such as at the death of President McKinley in 1901, when the Presidential Salute was given. It took two men to fire the cannon, and the duty fell to Civil War Veterans, Henry Brassel and John Gayar. Read More...

Decoration Day Celebration – May 30, 1885

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The above is a rare photo of Manistique’s Civil War veterans getting ready for a patriotic holiday celebration. Pictured from far right: John Gayar, Henry Brassel, Amos Hill, George W. Rice (partially hidden behind Hill) and Wright E. Clarke (buttoning coat), On the far left, the men with insignias on their hats are David Blair (left) and William Wood (Right).

The above is a rare photo of Manistique’s Civil War veterans getting ready for a patriotic holiday celebration. Pictured from far right: John Gayar, Henry Brassel, Amos Hill, George W. Rice (partially hidden behind Hill) and Wright E. Clarke (buttoning coat), On the far left, the men with insignias on their hats are David Blair (left) and William Wood (Right).

Decoration Day – 1885 

            Manistique’s first celebration of what was then known as Decoration Day, took place on Sunday, May 30, 1885. The citizens of the town were stirred from their sleep at the rude hour of 3:00 A.M. by the ringing of hammers and anvils announcing Decoration morn. In the forenoon the streets became crowded with horse drawn wagons and carriages, as pioneers from the country arrived to celebrate the holiday. By noon, the stirring martial music of the Cornet brass band was heard echoing down the avenues. Read More...

Schoolcraft County Volunteers of 1898

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September 27, 1898 image of Spanish American War volunteers from Schoolcraft County. The photo was taken at Camp Eaton, Island Lake, Michigan, by Schoolcraft County Clerk Ed Ashford. Niles and Helmka Family Collection

September 27, 1898 image of Spanish American War volunteers from Schoolcraft County. The photo was taken at Camp Eaton, Island Lake, Michigan, by Schoolcraft County Clerk Ed Ashford. Niles and Helmka Family Collection

War with Spain

            On February 15, 1898 the American battleship Maine exploded in Havana harbor. The event would soon become the catalyst for hostilities between the United States and Spain. With growing calls for war from politicians led by Teddy Roosevelt, President William McKinley made his first call for 125,000 troops on April 23, 1898. Michigan responded to the President’s call for troops, by attempting to nationalize the existing Michigan National Guard. The troops were not allowed to be mustered in as units, but instead were required to volunteer individually. Nearly every member of Michigan’s National Guard volunteered for the war. Read More...