Good Harbor in the 1800s: plague, doubt & crime
The following is an excerpt from “Good Harbor Michigan: The Story and the People, 18501913,” written by Norbert Bufka.
In August 1880, “Fever and ague prevails in the vicinity of Good Harbor.”
In December, 1886 it was reported that there was not much sickness at Good Harbor, but two weeks later, “We are obliged to change our health programme into a sick on this week as it is almost impossible to find a health person. Everybody seems to have a cold, cough, or something worse.”
In January to March 1888 there was a serious outbreak in Good Harbor. Other sicknesses include grippe, the mumps, consumptions and diphtheria.
“Mr. Weston’s family are just getting over from a severe attack of the grippe. Grippe is about ‘aud-ga-spealed.’” “Chas. E. Kilway who has had the mumps, is recovering. Mr. C. Donner, our horse doctor has been afflicted with the mumps recently.”
“G.L. Harrison of Shetland is quite low with consumption.” His illness turned out to be terminal as “G.L. Harrison of Shetland died Tuesday morning of quick consumption brought on by lagrippe.”
In February 1901, “Archie Mayer us suck in bed with the mumps” and “Casper Dunkelow is confined to the house with grippe.”
In March 1901, the “oldest daughter of Paul Schuksie children died of diphtheria last Friday (March 9 ,1901). Interment took place at Isadore.
Two more children are also down with the same sickness but at last report they were improving.”
Small pox us an infectious and very contagious disease.
“In the 20th century, smallpox killed 300 million people, far more than all of the century’s wars combined.”
With the discovery and use of a vaccine, it was virtually eliminated from the United States by 1949 and the rest of the world by 1977 although the virus is still in existence in laboratories to create vaccines. Smallpox is so deadly that even after the death of someone who had the disease, it was recommended that their bodies be incinerated.
Such was the case in November 1881, according to these reports: “It is reported that a couple of Indians who died of small pox in the vicinity of Good Harbor last week were cremated by setting fire to the cabin in which they died and burning it down.”
“Dr. Brady has an interesting case of tumor cure under advisement. The patient is Geo. Kleine, a young man of Good Harbor. The tumor is on his right wrist and is being removed by means of mechanical appliances which force the tumorous substance, assisted by absorbents, into the circulatory system from whence it is eliminated through the natural secretory organs.”
“Willie Mann, who had the misfortune of having a collision when sleigh riding some time ago, is able to be outdoors again.”
“We dislike to speak of it, but when a young man gets down so low that he has no regard for himself and will sing all the blackguard songs he can think of, and drive all decent people from public highways, he ought be taken to the house of correction or some asylum until his brains develop a trifle.”
CRIME
What would a chapter about life in Good Harbor be without some mention of crime? After all the people were not saints but ordinary folks like we meet today. Among them were people who committed assault, stole items, and sold intoxicants illegally in a dry township. These personal stories will be told in a later chapter. Here are couple stories that are only peripherally associated with Good Harbor but are very interesting in the action as well as in the account of the story.
On May 21, 1885 the Leelanau Enterprise included this tale of ineptitude on the part of the sheriff. It was recorded here in full without editing.
“Gone Again! John Herzog, hailing from Chicago, and giving all appearances of a confi rmed criminal; landed at this place several months ago; and, up to the time of his arrest, in February, last, spent his time in drinking and carousing. As before stated in the Enterprise, L.J. Grobben’s store in this village was broken into on the night of January 15th, and silver to the amount of $60, among which were several marked pieces, and abstracted from the till.
Herzog, though not presenting a very admirable appearance, having, up to this time, shown up considerable money was not suspected; and the home of an innocent party had to be ranksacked at the hand of our blundering Sheriff. Satisfied at finding nothing, and beginning to think that what he discovers, come to him, he quietly waited.
The now supposed thief, Herzog, goes on spending plenty of silver; and emboldened by the awkward movements of the main ‘Guy’, forces another entrance into said store; but, finding ‘No money’, went away laden with some patent bitters which, quite probably, he drank at his leisure. With this blood purified, and while quietly resting at his mother’s house; a knock at the door announced the presence of the main “Guy” and pillaged merchant. Diligent research instituted, noses are plunged into every crock, jug and pot to be found from cellar to garret; till, finally, they discover something that has, at leasat, somewhat the color of the missing bitters.
