Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-05-24

| Jake uuNuutuSc VI viz "iSeioPN.iS WV
ing tonight to drop you few lines Of
cosby character from Alpena, and
it might here be remarked that the
towns up here are the scribbler's legiti-
mate prey every spring upon the arri'
val of the early boats, and a conglom'
crate of bummers, drummers and book
and newspaper agents drop down upon
the doomed inhabitants to reap the
early crop presumably grown during
the weary months of winters isolation.
Among any of the above class you
may place your present correspondent,
who from the CHEEKY precincts of the
Fletcher House indites the present
epistle to the Courier, which like bread
cast upon the waters will return after
many days through your widel y spread
and read columns-which by the way,
reminds me that must be careful in
what l say as in place of bread these
wise and philosophic utterances may
return to yours truly in the shape of a
club.
But to begin, which / have been try
ing to do for the past five minutes, let
me say that the spring business opens
up here with very flattering indications
of a favorable seasons work. All the
mills are running full force, and logs in
abundance are furnished to each. l
have heard no mutterings of the spirit
of unrest" in the labor world here, and
the men all seem contented and indus
trious. Work is steady, wages good,
and payment prompt. These three
elements combine to render the work.
ing man satisfied, and the prospects are
they will remain so.
The city of Alpena is rapidly grow
ing and in the three years which have
elapsed since | last visited this place,
the change for the better is strongly
marked. Brick blocks of ambitious
dimensions and architectural beauty of
design fill the principal streets, repre-
senting every class of business. The
beautiful little opera house is well ap-
pointed and comfortably seats 600 peo-
pie, while the stage is well filled with
scenery, ETC., for the presentation of
almost any play.
The churches and schools are excel
lent, and especially is the former pros
porous, in fact the people ought to be
good as they don't have much else to do
through the winter months but to get
religion and otherwise enjoy themselves.
The Methodists under the able leader
ship of Rev. Mr.. Riddick, late of Sag
inaw City, are prospecting very much,
over fifty having been added to the
church during the past winter. This
has necessitated the building of sec
ond Methodist church on the west side
of the river, a work which is to be pro-
ceeded with Immediately. The Catho-
lies are also building $4,000 church,
the stone work of which your respected
citize en- Arson Hobson, is doing, and
part of which he has on the ground.
The great need of this place is rail-
road, and this has become such an i'm
perative want that longer delay would
seem superAuous. In fact, | was told
on good authority that all the necessary
funds, right of way and other requisites
for this end of tire road were all ar
ranged, and the onlyquestion to be full
ly settled was when will the work COM
mence.
Travel is slack here yet, and the
storm of nearly a weeks continuance
has seriously impeded navigation. The
several hotels are not very well filled
with outsiders, although found several
Saginawians here, who usually serve as
"filling," with but one to a house.
The Fletcher house has been refitted
throughout, and is under the governor
ship Of that old veteran, Capt. A. Damn,
with F. f. Clough as clerk. The house
presents every attraction to tourists and
pleasure-seekers, and several families
have already taken up their abodes
here for the summer. The house will
stand close criticism in every depart
ment, and is run on strictly temperate
principles.
Speaking of the Fletcher House, re-
minds me of very wonderful dog OF
the rat tan persuasion, owned by Capt.
Damn, which is most singular canine.
He will distinguish good coip from
spurious when thrown on the floor,
picking up the former and instantly
refusing and detecting the latter, how
ever good it may look. The dog is the
wonder of the city, and hundreds have
tried him on this ssrange instinct, which
comes naturally, as he was never taught
it, and it was discovered to be by him
possessed by mere accident,
Freights are very low here, only ST.
30 per m to Buffalo, and $1.25 to Ohio
still large number Of vessels are in
tho river IoadinO