The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-20
Seeks Word from Old Comrades


A copy of 1.-THE Alpena News from
Michigan has recently been received
by Lyman NJ. Barnes of Hinckley,
containing an interesting letter, and
mentioning several resident of nearby
places who were employed in Alpena
fifty or more years ago. Mr.. Barnes
passed six years in Alpena and was
for four years foreman of the Sylves-
ter and Flanders Co.
Following is the letter:
"a letter addressed going to the
Postmaster of Alpena, Michigan, L.
S. A and postmarked Domaine,
Saskatchewan was received Saturday
by Postmaster Harry b. Mccain and
turned over to The Alpena News for
publication.
1t follows in full, carrying many
interesting "reminiscences of a pion-
eer resident.
Domain, Saskatchewan, July 23rd
1923
To The Postmaster of Alpena Mich
igan.
Dear Sir
At one time | made my home in
the city of Alpena. l went there in
the October of 1871 with bunch of
other young men to work at lum-
boring. | am AN old man now and
so will all, myI fellow workmen of
that time be IL they are alive My
name is just plain John Ovens.
Many will remember the old Steam
Tug Boat of the Port of Alpena
that had the same name" l was
also known by many as Long John
and John the Baptist. l have a
number of stetescope views taken
of Alpena at that time on the north
side OF the river at the mouth was
the Gilchrist mill, next up was the
Butterield mill, next was the
Fletcher mill, next Charles Richard
son water power mill south side of
the river, Miners Mill Barlows,
Comsocks Lucies and Alpena Lum-
Der company mill at the mouth.
The photographer that took these
pictures at that time was w. c.
Cain and on one of them standing
on the bridge is the mayor of our
city Mr.. Gustavitis Spratt a fine
picture of him. l have some fine
snapshot pictures taken of groups
of men that worked with them and
that Is the reason that | am
writing to you to find out with
your help and the help of some of
the newspapers to find out If any
Of the men whose names are on
/ the next sheet are alive that l can
correspond with, before we cross
that Bourne from which none ever
do return.
The following are the names of
some of the men foreman | worked
for at The Pack Lumber Company.
Robert Black foreman in his en-
ploy was Mr.. Melville, Mr.. Cullighen,
Mr.. Stafford, (the Big Moses), Mr..
Green, Mr.. Carson, Mr.. Hubbard, Mr..
Brennon, Mr.. tombstone Woods was
scaler of the logs and Mr. Butler
there were many more whose names
do not remember. Next year there
was a John Carr, John Finler and
John Melville in addition to men
that were there the year before.
The next year l was employed by
Charles and John Heating there
was John Macdonald, two John
+ quinns, Mr.. Kincaid, that lost his
foot afterwards. The other names
do not remember. 4th and 5th
winters l was employed by the
/ Sylvester and Flanders constructing
company foremen were Enoch Rog-
ers and Lyman Barnes the Log
scalers were Mr.. Rice and a Mr..
/ Campbell a vetern of the civil
war Edwin Haines or Haynes was
our cook he lost leg on the drive
when Mr.. David Kincaid was killed
there was a bunch of boys from
Maine and have forgotten their
names. | had a fellow worker the
name of Amos Stroupe he came
from Detroit never seen him since.
l am almost sure that he has a
sister and nephew living at Fort
age La Prairie Portage La Prairie,
Manitoba.
Mrs. Little, whose maiden name
was Stroupe claims that the
Stroupe family have nearly two
million dollars held In trust by
the courts of Detroit until it can
be proven that Amos Stroupe is
dead or alive If not in time it will
revert to the State of Michigan.
Mr.. Postmaster and Mr. Editor
II you can in some way get me
in touch with some of them old
men (if they are live) you will do
me personal favor.
We old men to an extent live in
our memory of the past my mem
DRY goes back at times when Paul