Friday, May 13, 2016

This Day In Saginaw History - Friday, May 13th, 1881



The paper was only 4 pages that day.  There were tidbits from world and national news.

From Vermont came the story of Moses Robinson.  "Moses Robinson had for many years paid taxes on his property at East Northfield, VT., at a valuation of $10,000.  When, recently, it was put up to $50,000. he became insane and committed suicide."

From Philadelphia.  "During the past week 146 cases of small-pox have been reported in Philadelphia, of which thirty-five were fatal.  Since November last there have been very nearly five thousand cases of small-pox, of which over one thousand, or one in five, died."

Even though the Civil War was over, there was still work to be done on the reconciliation between the North and the South.  This story says they were finally making progress:
"The newspapers of the South are full of the signs of promise.  The flaming editorials denouncing the carpet-baggers in particular and the mud-sills of the North in general, have given place to a quieter discussion of the means of improving their own section of country.  The manufactories and railroads of the North which they have assumed to regard with contempt are now receiving a cordial greeting, and the Northern capital and enterprise which they drove from their midst, now come by invitation and are welcome in proportion as they tend to the development of the country and lift its people out of narrow grooves of indigence.  They have found that the smoke of the engine is poison to sectional bigotry, and that the strong arms of machinery bind the people together by an interest too powerful for the jaws of demagogues to destroy."

From the local news of life in the Saginaw Valley:

"Little Freddy, son of Joseph Wolf, residence on Fifth street, between Johnson and Fitzhugh, left home this morning at half-past eleven o'clock, and at the hour of going to press is still missing. Freddy is three years old, wore a dark calico dress and light straw hat, and has his hair clipped short. The anxious parents will consider it a great favor, if any one will furnish information that will lead to Freddy's return."

"There was a circus to-day, and when soda water, lemonade and circuses are plenty, then it is summer."

"Farmers complain loudly that the watering trough on the corner of Lapeer and Sixth streets is not filled with water.  Somebody see to it."

"Mr. Ostrander is about ready to proceed to active river police business, and desires lumbermen to send in a list of their marks as promptly as may be."

"The water has gone down below the level of cellar and basement floors and a grand house-cleaning with carbolic acid, chloride of lime and ferric sulfate is going on."

"J.C. Watts & Co's opening was continued to-day and was largely attended.  Goodrich Bros. took a photograph, so those of us who can't have diamonds can have pictures of them."

"The mills are at work and the number of men looking for jobs is decreased by a large majority.  There are no skilled mechanics or tradesmen now out of employment, though some day laborers complain of a scarcity of work."

"Notification was to-day received by the officials of the Michigan Central Railroad at East Saginaw that car freight including salt and lumber, could now be received for shipment to the Union Stock Yards near Chicago.  For some time past owing to the strikes, no freight except perishable goods and merchandise has been received by agents."

"The City Controller furnishes a statement to the effect that $6,000 of sewer bonds were ordered by the Council Monday evening, were sold within 48 hours at 2 per cent. premium.  The bonds are in the sum of $2,000 each, and run four, seven and ten years, bearing five per cent. interest.  Mr. Newton did not add what the public already knows, that the Controller's methods of conducting the city's business has had no little effect in bringing about this satisfactory state of affairs."

"A team drawing a load of slabs passed Feige's furniture ware rooms about 3 o'clock this afternoon, and a part of the load fell off, frightening Feige's team, which sprang away as if they had been shot. The street was full of teams, but policeman "Jimmy" Walsh was near at hand, and stopped the runaways before they had run a hundred feet.  It spoiled a first-class item, but it saved a good deal of damage.  As it was, some furniture which was on Feige's wagon got dumped unceremoniously out on to the pavement."


Monday, May 2, 2016

Justice For Amber

This young woman was a  mother, daughter, sister, aunt.  She was loved.  Her family is trying to raise money for her funeral.  Even the most simple funeral and burial are unbelievably expensive.

Here is the gofundme page started by her niece - https://www.gofundme.com/AmberMorris43016

The investigation into her death is still ongoing. The most recent news stories are here -
from NBC 25
http://nbc25news.com/news/local/family-of-a-woman-found-in-a-trunk-of-a-car-speak-out

and from MLive - http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2016/05/police_awaiting_autopsy_for_id.html