Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-18

In 1851 ne erected the hrSt brick
dwelling IN Alma in which be now
resides.
Mr.. Pollasky moved to Alma in
the year 1868. Sometime after this
he established himself in the mer-
camille business selling goods from
his own house, afterwards he moved
into the old store, which was oppo-
site the Wright House.
They sold goods there until 1886
when the brick block was built
which they now occupy.
The Wright block was built in
1880.
The first floor contains a dry
goods store, two drug stores, hard
ware and grocery.
The second floor contains an
opera house and several offices
The opera house has recently been
remodeled and is now one OF the
neatest little opera houses in the
state.
The Church block was built in
1886. 1t contains a clothing store,
grocery, bazaar, hardware, the post
office and printing Office.
The first frame house built in
Alma was built by Flavina Ely and
is known as the Bambrough house
OH State street.
The first school entertainment
was held in the old school house.
now the blacksmith shop.
The curtains were made Of sheets
aud quilts,
An elopement once took place in
Alma. 1t was on the Fourth of
July. The happy couple left town
with an OK team and lumber wagon.
They were married at St. Louis,
always the haven of iniquity. The
bride was Is years of age and the
groom several years older.
The first cemetery was situated
at the corner of Lincoln and Su-
perior streets.
This land was sold and the Ladies'
Aid Society bought the ground
where the present cemetery stands.
The first newspaper in Alma was
printed in 1876 and was called the
Alma Index.
The first literary society was es-
tablished in 1855 and was known as
the Little Pine.
The entertainments of the season
were furnished by this society.
The first anniversary was cele-
brated by an elaborate dinner TO
which the public were invited.
The dinner consisted of baked fish
and maple sugar in every style that
could be had.
The first child born in Alma was
during the year 1856.
1t was Lucy, the daughter of Mrs
Ralph Ely now Mrs. G. II. Coates,
OF Findly, Ohio.
The first death was that OF a
woman. As there was no lumber,
Mr.. Derwin Ely took the boards Of
his chamber floor and nailed them
for a coffin.
The first marriage in Alma was
that of Mr.. Geo. Gee to Miss Rachel
Kress, the first school teacher before
mentioned.
The desire which consumed her,
seems to have descended to hel hon
orable successors.
They were married one Sunday
after church in little log house,
Rev. Salappie officiating.
The same day Miss Hester Hart
and Mr.. Baker were married.
The first liquor that was sold in
Alma was sold by a Mrs. Curtis
who was afterwards arrested and
tried for murder.
She lived in what is known as the
Marlborough house.
A niece living with her inherited
$4,000. This the woman coveted.
The girl was taken sick and
finally died. Suspicion at once
arose in regard to her death and
Mrs. Curtis was arrested, but found
not guilty.
Soon after this she became Ill and
before her death confessed that she
murdered the child.
Later when improvements were
being made, bottle labeled arsenic
which probably contained the poi
son used, was found where it had
been concealed between the two
walls of the partitions.
The people of Alma enjoyed the
first Fourth of July celebration at
st. Louis.
As there was no railroad they all
went down in a large boat. They
had fife and drum and also an an
vii which they intended to fire; but
the boat was so crowded and every
one so frightened they did not fire
the anvil until they landed at ST.
Louis.
Before they returned it began to
rain and they came home with !
spirits somewhat dampened.
The first blacksmith in Alma was
Mr.. VIM. c. Rogers and it was over
his shop that the first ball took !