Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-04-10
"REMINISCENCES OF ALMA.

"REMINISCENCES OF ALMA.
Forty-one years ago last Monday was
held the first election in Alma. Judge
Nelson, now living at Cedar Lake, was
the candidate for supervisor, and was
elected. The only man now living in
the township who voted at that election
was Rev. Lafayette Church. George
l.. Spicer was at that time living in Pine
River township, and voted there.
The facilities for getting mail forty
years ago were not as many as they are
today. Maple Rapids was the nearest
point to get the mail, and then the few
residents here had to depend upon
chance. Occasionally some one would
go to Maple Rapids, get the mail for all
the people here, bring it to Gen. Ely's
house, where it was left, although that
was not the postoffice nor was Gen. Ely
duly commissioned postmaster
When the family of Gen. Ely came to
Alma from Ionia county the teams
bringing their household goods crossed
the river just this side of the Union
School builaing The water was very
high and the goods in the wagons were
thoroughly saturated. The family
crossed the river on a bridge made by
telling a tree on each side of the river SO
that their tops interlaced, and filling in
with brush.
Mrs. w. S. Turck gives very anus
ing account of her introduction to the
town which has been her home for SO
many years. They had reached the
bank of the river opposite the log house
| which was to be their home when the
hired man came to help the children
across. The younger ones had been
safely transferred, and when it came
her turn, the man said to her: Louie
do you think you can go alone?" Shit
was sure she could, and he let her go
About the middle Of the improvised
bridge down she went into the water
1t will be remembered, that their house
hold goods were water soaked. BY
some way, known only to the thought
full mother, a dry bed was soon spread
on the cabin floor, and the over-confi
dents but some what damp Louie" was
made to lie there for three days, covered
externally with blankets and quilts Gas
soon as they could be dried) and filled
internally with herb tea, that all danger
from cold might be averted.
Mrs. Turck also gives a vivid word
picture of the woods on one occasion
Her father, who kept 1.-The store" was
obliged to bring his goods from Saginaw
by boat. He had ordered large
amount of goods from Saginaw, but the
boat upset just below st. Louis, and the
dry goods of course were submerged
They were fished out of the river, anc
brought here, where they were hung OF
trees and bushes to dry. The woods
presented brilliant scene, with bright
colored calicos, f1annels, and the like
futtering in the breeze. In few days
they were thoroughly dried, and were
readily disposed of to the hardy pioneers
whose needs they were ordered to sup
ply.
The first select school in this place
was held in house on Superior street
where the Gargett house stood, which
was burned some years ago. The schoo
was taught by Misses Jennie and Fran
ces Barnard of Ionia county. Thi
was strictly young ladies school, ant
no boys were admitted. The younl
ladies and teachers boarded in a hous'
opposite the seminary" There wer'
: in this seminary" Miss Josie Ely
/, MRS. G.. s. Ward,) Miss Electa Ely
} MRS. Henry Brewbaker,) Miss Laur'
J Cheesman, MRS. Theodore Nelson,
J Miss Minnie Gargett, MRS. Humbert o
Ashland, Oregon Miss Rhoda Glover
Mrs. David Castor, Miss Susan Church
, Mrs. Dixie Hall of Ithaca Miss Celi;
Petit, Mrs. @. H. Crandall of st. Louis,
Miss Sarah McHenry, Mrs Poland o
/, Wheeler, and others who have Ion,
since crossed the border into 1.-The Ian,
that heth beyond" The Misses Barnard
were assisted by Miss Slack, (now Mrs
Samuel Gordon of st. Louis,) VIII,
looked after the development OF tn
musical talents Of the youup ladies