Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-05-18
In the south east corner, is the

CRATE and an excellent piano.
The sleeping apartments are each
supplied with a marble mantel and
CRATE, marble top dresser and com
mode and black walnut furniture
with brussels carpet.
The Sanitarium which is one of
the most complete sanitariums in
our land, was built by Mr.. A. w.
Wright in the year 1886.
Since then, two very large addi-
tions have been added 10 this and
the dimensions now are as follows
Main building, 40 100 fl. and four
stories high. First addition, 36xs2
and three stories high. Rear part,
42x142 #. and five stories high.
Second addition, 36x6O #. and five
stories high.
1t is all built of brick and the en-
tire building is heated by steam and
lighted by electricity.
For the office, sun parlor and the
grounds about the building the arc
light is used.
The building is we'll protected
from fire. On each floor are placed
patent fire extinguishers, also a n.y.
drant to which hose is always at
tached ready for use.
There are also several fire escapes
extending from the roof to the
groud.
The sun parlor has lately been en-
larged and it now covers an area of
5000 spare feet.
In connection with the Sapitarium
is very beautiful park. 1t covers
an area of ten acres and with its
fountain, swings, hammocks, croquet
grounds and lawn tennis courts it
affords ample means for recreation.
During the summer season con-
certs are given every Friday night
by the Alma Band and with the
electric lights which sparkle among
the trees it makes very pretty
scenery.
The first mill in Alma was saw
mill which was built by Mr.. Ralph
Ely in 1856.
1t was situated at the south end
of State street.
A great many logs were taken to
Saginaw to sell, and during one sea-
son, the largest log that was brought
to market was taken from Alma.
Mr.. Wellington Burt and Mr..
Merrill two of the most prominent
business men in Saginaw, operated
on this river.
In 1857 grist mill was put in
with the saw mill.
This mill was probably appreciat-
ed more by the people than any.
thing else ever built in Alma.
Before this time the people had
TO grind there wheat by hand or go
a great distance to mill.
About so families lived on meal
ground by hand until after the mill
was built.
One family ground all of their
wheat for one year by hand rather
than 60 forty miles to mill.
This mill was operated until the
war when everything was dropped.
In the year 1867 Mr.. James Gar
gett and Mr.. Hubert built flour
ering mill which was situated where
the present mill stands.
The dam was built at the same
time.
The mill was put into operation
as soon as possible for the commu-
nifty was in great need of it, as flour
was fourteen dollars barrel and
many men needed employment.
In the year 1869 Mr.. Gargett also
erected the wooden mill.
These two mills did fourishing
business until 1880 when both were
burned.
Mr.. Gargett had met with many
difficulties by fire as during the year
1870, he constructed an elegant
dwelling at the cost of SIS, 200 and
this beautiful residence was also
destroyed by fire.
The gIist mill was again rebuilt;
but burned in 1884.
Mr.. Wright afterwards built the
present brick mill and it is now in a
fiourishing condition.
In little store,near where Tinker
d Lancashire's office stands, during
the year 1857 the first goods were
sold in Alma by Mr.. Ralph Ely.
The goods sold were such as
new country would require.
Mr.. Ely did not receive money
for his goods but took produce of
all kinds in pay.
During the starvation time he
furnished great many families with
provisions and did not receive any
thing in return; but because of his
Literally he won many friends and
made himself name that will be
remembered as long as his native
town stands.
The first postoffice was in this
store for sometime and was after.
wards moved over to the Holiday
building. Before there was any