Sandy Main

150 years ago "Gas lights" — Gas was first lighted in Greenville on Friday evening, Nov. 26.

150 years ago "New stations" — Two new stations are given on the last D.L.&L.M.R.R. time table — Denmark, two miles west of Gowen, and Colwell, one mile west of Trufant. Colwell is named after Lewis Colwell of Greenville. In the twenty miles of railroad whose termini are Greenville and Howard, there are eight stations. The distance from Gowen to Denmark is 2 miles; from Denmark to Trufant, 3 miles; from Trufant to Colwell, 1 mile; from Colwell to Maple Valley, 1 mile; from Maple Valley to Coral, 2 miles.

150 years ago "Successful social" — The Episcopal Social on Tuesday evening at Eureka Hall was a success financially and otherwise, especially financially as the receipts of the evening were $250, expenses being about $20. The interest of the occasion culminated in the voting for "the handsomest man," 10 cents a vote, the successful competitor to be presented with a cane. For a time the votes were scattering, when some excitement grew out of the fact that it was discovered that certain persons were voting for themselves. Of 1554 votes cast, E.B. Edwards received 496 and, in the language of sportsmen, wears the belt as "the handsomest man" in Greenville.

“Street lamps” — The gas street lamps were lighted for the first time on Monday evening.

160 years ago “Lumbering” — The lumber interests have received more than usual attention the past season. The number of logs put in to Tamarack Creek is very great — fully 25,000,000 feet. A large number will be carried to market by the Little Muskegon and Flat rivers. • Many new steam saw mills and shingle mills have been put in operation during the past few months in localities more or less remote from navigable streams, but where lumber brings a good price. These mills for the most part have been put in operation by persons from the southern counties of the state.

160 years ago “McBride fire” — If McBride has any notoriety above surrounding towns, it is for its frequent, destructive fires. Wednesday morning, about 3 o’clock, James Frederick’s blacksmith shop and hall above was discovered on fire. No effort could save it. The blaze was communicated to Enoch Nelson’s saloon and from that to Neff Bros.’ barn. These three buildings, together with most of the contents, walks, shade trees, etc., were consumed. It is only by systematic and energetic effort that Carpenter, Foot & Co.’s store and W.D. Sloan’s dwelling were saved from the devouring element. It was an evidence of what an army of willing workers could do under cool-headed direction. The north side of the store is literally charred by the fire, yet it was saved.

160 years ago “Fire alarm” — The fire alarm last evening was caused by the falling of a chandelier in the Baptist Church. A son of Dr. Drummond had just lighted the last lamp when the chandelier fell, covering him with flames. Strange to say, he was uninjured. To Mr. Walter Sherwood and wife is due the credit of extinguishing the flames. Some of the seats were injured.

160 years ago “Lumbering” — The lumbermen have had excellent success in running their logs to market, occupying only three or four days when the usual time required is from ten days to two weeks.

160 years ago “Bounty awarded” — We are pleased to learn that Col. Pritchard and his command of the 4th Michigan Cavalry have been awarded the $100,000 promised for the capture of Jefferson Davis. We notice that William H. Conover, the gentlemanly clerk in the establishment of J.W. Belknap, has been awarded the sum of $187.61 — something in addition to the honor of the capture. We congratulate you, Sergeant!

160 years ago “New paper” — The Ionia Sentinel has made its salutatory on the 1st inst. Its general appearance is beautiful and neat and it bids fair to prove a most valuable acquisition to the people of our neighboring county.