The Chesaning Argus, February, 1878

February is going to be a quiet month for local news. This is probably due to the fact that winter is in full swing, and we are still in the era before modern transportation infrastructure. The cold and the snow are more than sufficient to dampen a lot of activity.

But there is an additional reason for the lack of news from The Chesaning Argus.

W. Miller, our junior partner has gone to Osceola county, on important business.

It looks like Miller was away for most of the month, leaving publisher, D. C. Ashmun, to put together the paper entirely on his own.

Ashmun must have been a bit overwhelmed, as not only is there a distinct shortage of local news, but there are quite a few spelling and grammatical errors throughout these issues of The Chesaning Argus.

Happenings

If all the vacant lots on Broad Street, that cannot be bought, are only built upon, there is no doubt that Chesaning will be a great city.

Those having ice houses to fill have commenced harvesting their crop of the same. It is not very thick, but it is good and free from snow. How Strange!

We over heard a little boy asking his father the other day what a dentist had to do? and then he wanted to know if they ever put them in jail.

Business and trade improved considerably in consequence of the slight run of sleighing; but if we are to have more or not is a subject of conjecture, and a theme for speculative discussion.

Miss Dula Thompson, a girl nine years of age, pieced a quilt counting 378 pieces, in three weeks, and more than that she attended school. That is right girles commence while you are young and then you will have it all learned and, not all to do at once.

Hazleton Center is about 14 miles from Chesaning and is a small village containing post office, two groceries, one hotel, blacksmith and wagon shop; steam saw and grist mill, owned by Kimbal and McGougan; and they have all the business they can attend to in the grinding line. Two miles north of this is a small village called Lathrop: Mr. Reynolds has erected a steam grist mill with two run of stone and another run is in contemplation. Niles from flushing if building another store to be ready for occupation in a few weeks, all we want now to complete our prosperity is a rail road; and with patience and perseverance we will have that.

P.C.C.

A gritty young fellow started out for a rabit hunt the other day with five dogs one ax and a shot gun. He captured three.

Will Miller some on game. We mentioned some time since of his killing a bear, and now he brings in a wild cat, measuring three feet, and weighing 20 lbs., both killed within two miles of Chesaning.

Gus Emery our expressman, accomplished a feat on Saturday night last, that is well worthy of mention. He carried a bucket of oysters weighing 80 lbs. from the depot to James. J. E. Johnstone's store, a distance of one hundred and twenty rods, on top of his head, without resting.

Crime

Eddy Baker acknowledged burglarizing the house of Mr. Agnue, and is to have his trial to-day.

The world is full of sorrow: We noticed on Monday last a blind man who had been put off the train. He claimed to be on his way to his brother, who was to help him into the institute at Flint.

This may sound like it belongs in the Misfortune section, and not here, but an item from the following week’s issue of The Chesaning Argus will provide an explanation.

If a man comes to you with a pitiful tale about being blind and having been put "off the train because he was penniless, having lost his purse, etc," you will do well to kick him clear over the door yard fence. He is a fraud and a miserable dead-beat, who has played that game in this state for about three months. - Evening News.

He has plaed in Chesaning, St. Charles, and Hersey, that we know of; only he was hunting for his brother, and is very pious.

Various newspapers in Michigan are warning the people throughout the State against a villianous swindle which some penitentiary birds are practicing throughout the country. These fellows go to farmers with what they call white wire clothes lines, and take orders for the sale of any number of feet which be agreed upon. The order is so ingeniously drawn that it may be seperated, after which one part becomes a regular note of promise to pay one or more hundreds of dollars. Look out for these gentry. - Bill Poster.

Misfortune

Dan Smith the veteran blacksmith is layed up with a lame back.

Lost, a good horse blanket on the state road. The finder will confer a favor by leaving the same at this office, or to E. Richmond.

A load of lumber near the Waverly House "lit out" Wednesday. We did not learn whether the team attached run away or not.

I Guess You Had to Be There

Law is being dealt out in Chesaning quite liberaly; but we are not particularly anxcious to "take some."

Arriving

Miss. Jennie Price has opened a new store at Havana Mills.

Chapman Bro's have got settled in their new quarters, and appear to feel perfectly at home.

The Chapman Brother’s new location stood on the southeast corner of Broad and Front streets. The firm of Gould & Oliver has previously occupied this same store front, but had recently moved into a brand new building just across the street.

A new tailor shop has been opened up stairs in the building formerly occupied by Chapman Bros. All those in need of any such kind of work will do well to give him a call. His prices are low; and he will give you satisfaction.

Mr. Moessener has brought the old building of Mr. Gleason, next to the Chesaning House, and is putting in a glass front, and will occupy it for a shoe shop.

John Gleason (1807-1880) was the owner of Chesaning’s leading hotel, Chesaning House, which stood on the northwest corner of the intersection of Broad and Front streets. Christian Moessner (1834-1924) was a local shoe maker and grocer.

I believe that the building referred to is the detached building next to the hotel that had previously housed a meat market, and that can be seen to the left in the above photo.

Charley Homer is soon to erect a first class photograph gallery. We are glad to see every branch of art represented in our village.

Departing

A.D. Gorden the French photographer has gone; the question now is whether or not Charlie robed him; to say the least he was snide.

I really…really wish I knew the back story here.

Births

I. O. Thompson. it's a boy.

E. Chase. it must be a girl.

Jacob Ginter has the honer: bless the little darling, she weighs 13 pounds.

Marriages

Another marriage; this time it is C. D. Prindle our enterprising carriage maker, and he appears happy.

Deaths

Henry Fall died on February 7th, of dropsy, aged 69 years. Mr. Fall was an old resident of Maple Grove.

Mrs. A Hickman, daughter of Mr. Wilsie who lives on the town line, died at Ann Arbor last week while having a cancer operated on at the institute.

Albee

The shingle mill of Nason, Gould & Co. in East Albee in now running, giving employment to about ten men.

A new school house has just been completed in this part of the township.

Christ Ziglar has erected a wagon shop in District No. 3 and is prepared to do work on short notice.

A.C. Kidd has removed his blacksmith shop to Maple Grove.

All farmers appear to be busily employed in manufacturing ties, which find a market in Chesaning.

The little son of Charles Satten had his hand badly crushed in a cutting box one day last week.

A man from the state of New York, - whose name we have not yet been enabled to learn. - has purchased a farm near the marsh.

The oldest son of Mr. Emhay, cut his foot in a very serious manner, and is not able to walk

The Chesaning Argonaut