The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-03-20
Laurium Department
PIONEERS OF KEWEENAW POINT
TELL STORIES OF EARLY DAYS


sometimes kissing games" were play
ed. Mrs. Childs admitted
The first theatricals were those pro-
vided by John Hilden's company. In
an old frame building near the site
OF the present nigh school They con-
sisted "f "Cncle Toms Cabin" EAST
Lynne" ana others. The theatrical
company came here by noat and after
the close Of navigation the theatricals
ceased. With the erection of the
Washington school building, larger
companies and better talent came
here
Practically all of the dancing par
ties occurred at the hotel or the Wash
inGton school. Many novel features
were introduced AT different times.
There were also numerous social
events Of more private nature.
School Memories.
Long Ago School Memories" was
the theme responded to by l.. w. Kill
Schoolcraft. situated in the attic OF
a frame building. the only means of
reaching which was an outside stair
way, exposed to wind and weather.
The floor was OF rough boards and II
was the teachers duty to do the
sweeping The only hea' WAS provid-
ed by a box stove ana because of tho
fact the room underneath was empty
it was often the case that the heads
of the pupils were roasting their feet
freezing. Mr. killmar recalled that
one day, the contents Of the dinner
bucket ne had placed in one corner of
the room had frozen, and it was neces-
sary for him To convert the bread into
toast by holding it toward the fire at
the end of a long stick
Mr.. Killmar recalled that one of his
mates mad been asked to conduct
preaching services at the Phoenix. and
Notwithstanding the fact he WAS "a
preachers son and himself was pre-
pairing for the ministry, he dcmurred
until assured, Never mind, son, we
don't EXPECT much of YOU"
Early Day Kinks.
T.. :. Grierson described the early
skating Kinks in the copper country
mentioning that built by a man named
Grill in 1875, and another erected two
years later by Jesse Butler, also refer
ring to the rink built by William Dug
gan and situated near the dam, tn"
rink situated near the site of the old
Light Guard Armory. an extension of
Fifth street beyond Red Jacket road. |
m old rink i'm circus tent, situated |
near the site of the present No. -
structures.
Mr.. Gricrson stated that m the ear
" days the construction of a rink |
was a simple process. 1t consisted |
'hicfly Of securing Il large pole for tho
ENTER ana to constructing the sides
IF green lumber. which were sold the
next year as seasoned lumber. The |
'os. was small, accounting in - meas
ire for The frequency with which Kinks
we're built and torn down
The Kinks were heated by an old
)oX stove. on the top of which was Il
,dil OF water To melt the ice from the
kdtes. The Kinks were lighted by "a
loZen ar more kerosene lamps. Adj
mission was cheap, sometimes rs low
Is $3.50 for an entire season, six
lights per week, including skating
'arties, masqueades and other func-
ions. There was no dancing, but
ometimcs he skaters would remove
heir skates and dance quadrilles on
he ice. Mr.. Grierson gave the names
f some of the old skaters he recalled.
Early Day Railroads.
w. A. Childs, superintendent of the
Iecla and Torch Lake road, dispelled
he ancient illusion that this road was
he first built in Calumet He recalled
he old tram road, a gravity system,
uilt i'm 1866 and extending from the
Id kiln" near the No. shaft Calu-
net To the stampmll of the Calumet
which was situated not far
rom the present pond waterworks.
his road had "A three-foot Guage. sim
lie track and a grade of about ninety
aet to the mile. Its equipment con-
listed of eight cars, each with "A two
IN capacity. and while four of these
ais were IN route 10 and from tho
ill. the other four were being loaded
I the kiln" Ia mentioning this
kiln" Mr.. Childs recalled that the
alumet mine did not always have the :
Dlendid stampmill equipment it now
assesses. mentioning the fact that in
he early days, it was customary to I
eat the rocltk in this kiln" by burn
lg as much as 100 cords of wood 1T
ne time, and afterwards, breaking M
ne rock with sledges. When this kiln" ,
as prepared it burned for days, ana
Dmetimes weeks.
The crew OF the railroad consisted
f one man and a boy, the former To
,gulate the crude brakes and the lat
,r to have charge of its means of To-