The people who settled the land in 1850 have passed and most of their children have moved away. New people are coming to Kewadin and Elk Rapids.
Jacob Sogod was new to the area, while his wife Mary/May-waw-waw-che-won (sister of Peter Mark), was probably born in the area.
On 2 Jun 1900, Edward Anderson, 24, son of Jacob, took out a license to marry Jane Mark, 25, daughter of Peter Mark and Anna Sha-wa-da-se. It proved to not be true love, as Edward married Theresa Roundsky in August, and Jane gave birth to daughter Viola (said to be child of Frank Waboose) in September.
The 1900 Federal Census - Milton, Antrim, Michigan. Only 60 Natives are listed as living in Milton township.
Fox, Amos, born Jan 1860, 40, married 15 years, day laborer
Rose, wife, born Oct 1870, 29, 7 children born, 7 children living
William, son, born Nov 1887, 12, day laborer
Jesse, son, born Oct 1889, 10
Ella M., daughter, born Dec 1892, 7
Fred, son, born Mar 1894, 6
Benjamin, son, Aug 1895, 4
Clara, daughter, born Jan 1898, 2
Lillie, daughter, born Feb 1900, 3/12
Mamagony, Mark, born Jan 1842, 58, married 30 years, farmer
Eliza, wife, born Feb 1850, 50, 8 children born, 5 children living
James, son, born Dec 1871, 28, farm laborer
Bingeman, son, born Aug 1873, 26, wood chopper
Francis, son, born Mar 1879, 21, farm laborer
George, son, born Sep 1888, 11, farm laborer
Robert, son, born May 1892, 8
Meme, John, born Mar 1850, 50, widowed, fisherman
Keshata, Lewis, born Jan 1850, 48, married 28 years, woodchopper
Mirtleline, born May 1845, 55, 4 children born, 4 children living
Mary A., daughter, born Oct 1876, 23, married 10 years, 4 children born, 4 children living
Peter, son, born Aug 1883, 16
Lucy, daughter, born Feb 1896, 14
Paul, grandson, born Mar 1892, 8
Jane, granddaughter, born Aug 1894, 5
Sam, grandson, born May 1897, 3
Julie, granddaughter, born Dec 1899, 5/12
Jocko Elaxander, boarder, born Jan 1870, 30, woodchopper
Kewadin, Mary, born Oct 1839, 60
George, John, born Jan 1850, 50, farm laborer
Philip, Sarah, born Jun 1834, 65, widowed
Taylor, Joseph, boarder, born May 1874, 26, married 1 year, woodchopper
Taylor, Lucy, boarder, born Feb 1880, 20, 1 child born, no child living
Waboose, Agnes, niece, born Jun 1886, 13
Noshaw, Angus, born Jul 1884, 45, married 0 years
Mary, wife, born Aug 1856, 43, married 0 years, 1 child born, 1 child living
Joseph, son, born Oct 1890, 9
Johnson, Sampson, born Jan 1868, 32, married 8 years, woodchopper
Rose, wife, born, Mar 1873, 27, 2 children born, 2 children living
Alice, daughter, born Jun 1892, 7
Minnie, daughter, born Dec 1896, 3
Shawswaka, Mary, born Oct 1840, 59, widowed, 2 children born, 1 child living
Mack_ack, Emma, sister, born Jane 1845, 53, widowed, 2 children born, 1 child living
Mack_ack, Peater, nephew, born Feb 1891, 9
Banaca, Joseph, born Oct 1848, 51, married 23 years, farmer
Lucy, wife, born Jun 1854, 45, 4 children born, 4 children living
Jonah, son, born Mar 1872, 28
Alice, daughter, born Feb 1890, 10
Lewise, daughter, born Jun 1893, 6
Jane, daughter, born Nov 1899, 6/12
Marton, Nancy, born Jun 1840, 60, widowed
Lusknaw, Joseph, born Nov 1852, 47, widowed, woodchopper
Miller, James, born Dec 1845, 54, married 34 years, farmer
Margaret, born Mar 1850, 50, 12 children born, 11 children living
Solomon, son, Oct 1872, 27, farm laborer
Maggie, daughter, born Oct 1887, 12
Fannie L. daughter, born Dec 1889, 10
Silas, son, born Jun 1892, 7
George, son, born Aug 1895, 4
Sogod, Jacob, born Jun 1853, 47, married 31 years, farmer
Mary, wife, born Feb 1845, 55, no children born
Everyone self identified as Ottawa except John Meme and Mary Kewadin who said they were Chippewa.
17 Jun 1900, Jennie S. Nada, daughter of Jacob Aubiner and Nancy, died at age 26 years, 3 months, 20 days.
3 Aug 1900, Jane Pemacy, daughter of Joseph, age 8 months 17 days, died of summer complaint.
3 Aug 1900, Joseph Pemacy, son of Wasagnau, age 50, died of rheumatism.
24 Sep 1900 Julia Jacko, daughter of Alex Jacko and Mary Ann Lewis, died at age 9 months, 24 days
13 Dec 1900 Louisa Pemacy, daughter of Joseph and Lucy, age 6 years, 6 months, 7 days, died of lung trouble. Lucy has lost her husband and two children in four months.
11 Apr 1901 Mary A. Fox, was born, daughter of Amos Fox and Rosa.
20 May 1901 Edward Noska of Kewadin, 75, born at old Mission son of Mole Noska and Nownunokokway married Mary Newakpekons, 38 of Mullet Lake, daughter of Pewahpekonn and Anna. Ceremony performed by J. W. Heart, Minister of the Gospel, in Elk Rapids.
28 May 1901 Charlotte Soged, age c26, daughter of Joseph Nada and Anna, died in childbirth.
15 Jul 1901, Feliz Nadegeshik, son of Fred Nadegeshik and Maggie Wabbamkwa died at the age of 3 years, 7 months.
24 Nov 1901 Isaac Mitchell, 44, son of Wabegekel Mitchell was killed by cars in Star township.
18 Apr 1904 Isaac Naska, 24, of Kewadin, son of Edward Noska and Anna Chebs, married Loser Chinkwa, 29, of Petoskey. Ceremony performed by J.S. Kewaygeshik in Alden.
26 Oct 1904 Jacob Anderson, 56, of Elk Rapids, born Grand Haven, son of Ma Shcran, 3rd marriage, married Stella Shegwajaw, 54 of Elk Rapids, born Cross Village, daughter of Shegwajaw, 1st marriage. Ceremony performed by W. A. Elias, pastor, in Elk Rapids.
The Evening Record
12 Jul 1906 page 6 tells of the up coming camp meeting.
Kewadin Indian Camp
Meeting!
July 31 to Aug. 7,
1906
The camp meeting
will be held in the beautiful grove
facing Elk Lake, owned by the Indians
at Kewadin, the oldest Indian
Mission in this district.
Presiding Elder
Ferguson of the Grand Traverse
district will be present on Aug. 4 and 5
and address the meetings.
Several prominent
Indian speakers will be present as
well as ministers from all parts of
northern Michigan.
The transportation
facilities are excellent. The P. M.
railway and the N. M. boats will
land people in Elk Rapids and boats on
Elk lake will carry passengers to
the grounds.
On Sunday, Aug. 5,
an entrance fee of ten cents will
be charge to the grounds.
Rev. Elias, Chariman
W.H. Anderson,
Secretary
4 Jan 1908 Solomon Miller, 35, of Elk Rapids, born Elk Rapids, son of Jas Miller and Margaret Allen to Agnes Nangs [Nanegos], 24, of Suttons Bay, born Suttons Bay, daughter of Peter Nangs and Laura Paugesick. Ceremony performed by J. A. Rhode A.S.M., Catholic Priest. Witnesses were Amos Waukazoo of Northport and Mary Wasegeshik of Peshabatown. [Peshawbestown]
Detroit Free Press 21 Jun 1908
INDIAN BOY COMPETING AGAINST WHITES CAPTURES CLASS HONORS
George Mamagona, Son of Preacher, Ends Four Years at School by Delivering Oration of Graduation Day.
Traverse City, Mich., June 20---George mamagona is a young Indian boy living at Kewadin, six miles from Elk Rapids. For four years George attended the Elk Rapids high school, and although part of the time he was forced to walk, he never missed a day or was late in all that time. Consequently, when the honors were givne out in the class no one was astonished when the Indian boy, who had a his competitiors 17 young people with centureis of 'hearling behind them, captured the onor of delivering the class oration.
George Mamagona is the son of mark Mamagona, who owns a large farm near Kewadin, the father being a preacher among his people, there being a large settlement of Indians in that vicinity. The son is a quiet, studiou young man and secruing an education is his first thought.
Seeing the determination of the boy and aiding him all he could, the father gave him a bicycle on which to make his trips. but the snow gets very deep up around Elk Rapids in the winter and a bicycle is not always practical, so on the cold, stormy days when the drifts were too deep for the wheel, George walked into town in the morning and back to the farm in the evening.
The subject of the youn Indian's oration was "Higher Ideals in Public Live." The thought was excellent, the English perfect and the natural eloquence of his race was shown in every move and every gesture so that his audience was held spellbound. After the exercises were over, many hastened forward to congratulate him, and this was George's greatest trial as he is shy and sensitive and feared that the kindly expressions were not real. However, when one conservative professional man of the village left the hall and came back with a beautiful fountain pen, the Indian boy's lip quivered for an instant, then he straightened up with dignity and all traces of nervousness vanished. It is expected that a college course will follow his high school training.
The boy is a handsom specimen of manhood physically, being tall, erect and muscular. His mind is in proportion to his body and his scholarshop was clear, solid and above reproach. George Mamagon was a favorite with his teachers and his classmates, and while all are pleased with his success, they are sorry to see him leave school.
The first picture he ever had taken in his life was secured especially for The Free Press.
The Evening Record - 15 Jul 1908
Mrs. Mark Mamagona is quite sick, Dr. Thompson being the attending physician.
10 Sep 1908 Joseph Bird, 31, of Elk Rapids, born Canada, son of Peter Bird married Louisa Anse, 35, of Elk Rapids, born Michigan, daughter of Mitchel Anse and Mary A. Bourasaw. Ceremony performed by Evert Fauchu?, Priest, in Elk Rapids.
Grand Traverse Herald - 18 Sep 1908
Durant Roll Field Notes page 46 Only 11 of the 35 families in 1870 roll have members living in Kewadin.
page 46 line 1 Tat-baw-se-ke-zhick, chief, dead; wife, dead
child 1 George Ta-baw-se-ke-zhick (or George Chief), age 45, PO Kewadin; wife Nancy; no children
child 2 James Ta-baw-se-ke-zhick, age 26, PO Rapid City, not married
child 3 Paul Ta-baw-se-ke-zhick or George, 32, PO Petoskey; wife Susan George, 44, 21-26 for children
page 46 line 2 Waw-bose dead; wife dead; son Frank Wahbose, dead, his wife Jane, PO Rapid City see 10-46
page 46 line 3 O-ge-don-quot (Gabriel), dead; wife Susan, age 65, and sons Mitchel, John, George, Peter and Frank PO Kenneth Michigan c/o Chambers Brothers Camp; daughter Mary, dead.
page 46 line 4 Waw-be-skaw, dead; wife dead;
child 1 Susan, see 3-46
child 2 John Wabskah, 61, PO Elk Rapids, not married, no children
child 3 Baw-pe-tway or Peter White, 58, PO Elk Rapids, see 11-46
child 4 Naw-ge-sho-ge-shay, see 12-46
page46 line 5 A-ken, dead; wife dead
child 1 Stephen A-ken, 58, PO Barker's Creek; wife Thresa Pedwadum; Agnes, 24, married to Mitchell Blackman, Mary 22 and Delia 18 at Mt Pleasant school; Tillie, 8, PO Barker Creek
child 2 dead, child Lucy Ogemahgegedo, 27, PO Horton's Bay, see 9-46
child 3 dead
page 46 line 6 O-ge-maw-ke-go, dead; wife dead
child 1 Moses O-ge-maw-ke-ge-do, 57, PO Omena, wife dead, Mary, 35, PO Middle Village, married to Peter Assinneway; Thomas, 30, PO Petoskey, separated from Mary Ann Naw-we-go-zhe-go see 10-46; Alice White, 26, see 11-46
child 2 David O-ge-maw-ke-ge-do, 50, PO Omena, wife Margaret, 50, Simon, 2
child 3 Henry O-ge-maw-ke-ge-do, 48, PO Omena, not married no children
child 4 Samuel O-ge-maw-ke-ge-do, 43, PO Omena, wife Catharine nee Naogaby
page 46 line 7
Aw-waw-naw-ke-zhick, dead, wife dead,
child 1 James Won-ge-zhick, 55, PO Northport, wife Nancy 48, son John, 31, PO Brutus; sons David, 20, Levi, 18, Anna, 10, and Archie, 8 all in Northport
child Peter, 37, died 15 Apr 1907, wife Lucy David, 38, PO Rapid City; sons William, 20 and Jacob, 16 at Mt. Pleasant School, Catharine, 10, PO Rapid City, Louis born March 1907, died April 1907
page 46 line 8 Francis Aw-waw-naw-quot, dead, no heirs.
page 46 line 9 Enos O-ge-maw-ke-ge-do, dead; wife dead
child 1 Charles Enos, 33, PO Hortons Bay, wife Lucy A-ken
child 2 dead, no heirs
child 3 dead, no heirs
page 46 line 10 Naw-we-go-zhe-go or Peter Mark, 78, PO Kewadin or Rapid City; wife dead.
child 1 Alfred, 34, PO Bradley, wife Nancy Walker
child 2 Jane, married Frank Waboose, see 2-46
child 3 David, 30, PO Rapid City, not married
child 4 Lillie, 26, PO Rapid City, married Moses King
child 5 Josie, 24, PO Harrisburg, PA
child 6 Eugene, 22, PO Pellston
child 7 Susie, 20 PO Rapid City, married Caspar Ance
child 8 Marian, 18, married Thomas O-ge-maw-ke-ge-do
child 9 Eliza, 16, PO Rapid City, married Joe Blackman
child 10 William dead
child 11 Francis, 12, PO Chiloceo, OK
child 12 Rosie, 9, PO Chiloceo, OK
page 46 line 11 Bay-pe-tway or Peter White, 58, PO Kewadin, 1st wife dead, 2nd wife Mary Borden
child 1 John, 38 PO Omena, married Alice O-ge-ge-ma-do
child 2 Joseph, 14, PO Mt. Pleasant School
child 3 Jessie, 9, PO Tomah, WI (school), adopted, son of Louisa King 7-46
page 46 line 12 Naw-sho-ge-shay dead; wife Mary She-no-din, 53, PO Beaver Island
child 1 Eliza, 29, died July 1908, separated from Eli Nady
page 46 line 13 Kin-ne-she-way, dead; wife, 90, PO Kewadin, no heirs
page 46 line 14 Ke-me-was-nish-cum, dead; wife dead
child 1 So-ne-so-kat, see 32-46
page 46 line 15 Me-ke-noc, dead, wife dead, child name not given, grand child Rosie Johnson, 30, PO Rapid City
page 46 line 16 Naw-o-quay-ke-zhick, dead, wife dead,
child 1 & 2 dead, no heirs,
child 3 Sophia Naw-quay-ge-zhick, 50, PO Alden
page 46 line 17 O-me-me, or John, 58, PO Kewadin, wife dead, child dead, no heirs
page 46 line 18 Charles Fisher, dead, wife dead, child dead, no heirs
page 46 line 19 Saw-gaw-che-wayo-say, dead, wife dead, child 1 & 2 dead, no heirs
page 46 line 20 Kew-way-din, dead, wife dead
child 1 see 25-46
child 2 see 35-46
page 46 line 21 Pay-paw-me-say, dead, wife dead
child 1 Margaret, 55, married Rodney Negake
child 2 Christina, 50, PO Suttons Bay/Omena, married Dan Chippewa
child 3 Catharine, married Geo Heneman, PO Fern
child 4 Agnes married George Pete, PO Millerton
child 5 Angeline, 39, PO Beaver Island, married John Wabbinimkee
page 46 line 22 Pe-may-naw-go-quay, dead, wife dead, child dead, grandchild James Miller or James Fisher, 63, PO Kewadin (was on 1870 roll as 14-40)
page 46 line 23 Joseph, dead, wife dead, child Mary Ann Fisher, 30, PO Kewadin
page 46 line 24 O-saw-waw-naw-me-quay, 85, PO Elk Rapids (very old and feeble) wants Jacob Anderson to look after payment as he does not know anything about money and is afraid to trust others. No heirs
page 46 line 25 Margaret Kew-way-din, 88, PO Rapid City, no heirs
page 46 line 26 Naw-scow or Edward Naskaw, age 89, PO Elk Rapids, 1st wife dead, 2nd wife Mary Ann, 39
child 1 dead, married Thomas Fisher, 60, PO Bay Shore
child 2 Sarah 46, married George Prickett, PO Gills Pier
child 3 Angus, 44, PO Elk Rapids, married Mary, 52
child 4 Thomas, dead, no heirs
child 5 Elijah, 38, PO Kewadin, married Mary, dead; Christina, 13, Thomas, 11
child 5 Elijah, 38, PO Kewadin, married Mary, dead; Christina, 13, Thomas, 11
child 6, Jane, 35, PO Hackley, WI; married John White (a Menominee)
child 7 Isaac, 29, PO Kewadin, married Rosie Ching-gwaw, no children
page 46 line 27 O-chick-e-saw, dead, no heirs
page 46 line 28 Pe-me-quay, dead, no heirs
page 46 line 29 Se-bee-quay, dead, no heirs
page 46 line 30 May-waw-waw-che-won, 70, PO Kewadin, wife of 32-46
page 46 line 31 Pay-me-key, dead, wife dead, child Margaret Kew-way-din, see 25-46
page 46 line 32 Ne-so-kat or Jacob Sogot, 75, PO Kewadin
page 46 line 33 Go-gay-aw-baw-no-quay, dead, no heirs
page 46 line 34 Pe-naw-se, dead, wife Lucy (daughter of O-kinge-waw-no), 56, PO Kewadin, no heirs
page 46 line 35 Louis Ke-shaw-taw or Keshata, 60, PO Rapid City, wife dead
child 1 Mary Ann, 39, PO Rapid City, married Alex Jacko (Canadian), Paul, 17, PO Mt Pleasant School; Sam, 11, Sarah, 5, Entice, 2, Mitchell, born 31 Aug 1908
child 2 Elliott, 36, PO Rapid City, married William Maning, Bowers, 8, Bird, 2
child 3 Lucy, 35, PO Rapid City, married Joe Thomas, 40; Rennie, 4
child 4 Peter, 26, PO Rapid City, married Susie E-do-we-go-na-by
Also living in Kewadin is the Mamagona family
page 40 line 27 Mark May-me-go-non or Mamagona, 68, PO Kewadin, wife Eliza Paul, 57
child 1 James, 27, PO Kewadin, not married
child 2 Benjamin, 37, PO Kewadin, not married
child 3 Francis, 29, PO Kewadin, not married
child 4 George, 20, PO Ann Arbor Law School - University of Michigan
child 5 Robert, 16, PO Haskell Indian School
This brings the number of persons living in Kewadin to under 20.
Listed as living in Elk Rapids are the following families.
page 13 line 4 Samuel, 43, son of Mrs. Edward Lasley, dead, separated from wife, no children
page 18 line 42 Saw-gaw-naw-guaw-do or Mitchell Ance, 65, wife Mary Ann Bourassaw, and children Etta Hattie Gould, 41; Thomas, 31; Eliza Anderson, 38; Louise Bird, 35; Antonia, 25; John, 22 and Sampson, 19.
page 20 line 26 James She-gwa-jaw, 47, wife Jane Petoskey, 62.
page 30, line 11 Angeline Lewis/Louis, 17, PO Elk Rapids or Bay Shore, granddaughter of John Pay-quay-nay or John Smoke.
page 31 line 7 Maw-co-paw or Francis L. Bourassaw, 66, daughter Mary Russell, 33, her husband George, and children George, 16, Lawrence, 14, Cloe, 12, Clara, 10, Myrtle, 6, Alice, 5 and Stella, born 6 Mar 1907.
page 38 line 2 Anna Willis, 43, husband dead, no children, daughter of Shaw-shaw-wan-nay-beece George
page 39 line 9 Me-me-naw-she or David Paul, 52, wife dead, no children
page 40 line 3 Mrs. David King, 1st husband She-baw-quo-um, dead; 2nd husband David King, dead, child Eliza, 41, married to Peter Ance, Isaac Ance 10, Daniel Ance, 6, George King, 8
page 41 line 30, Margaret Mark, 58; first husband Me-ch-chaw-ke-gwaw-nay-aw-she, dead; 2nd husband Joe Mark, dead, (brother of Peter Mark see 10-46), child by 1st husband dead, grandchild Susan, 16, married to Jesse Van.
page 42 line 26 Angeline, 48, (daughter of O-twa-waw-quay), married Jeremiah Skibogosh, 62.
page 58 line 14 Ne-gaw-naw-naw-quot or Jacob Anderson, 60, 1st wife Sarah Aiken,dead; 2nd wife name not given; 3rd wife Stella, 56;
child 1 (by 1st wife) Edward, 32, wife Thresa Round Sky, 26, Eddie, 8; Lucy, 6; Thomas, 5; Lizzie, 1
page 61 line 4 Ain-ne-me-ke-way, dead, wife dead; child James Bemos, 34, wife Agatha, 28, Amos Sagonac, 9; Joseph Bemos, 4; Marie Bemos, 3; Edwin Bemos, born March 1908.
The Evening Record - 7 Oct 1908
Robert Mamagona left for Kansas last week where he will study at the the (sic) Indiana (sic) school for three years.
The Evening Record, Traverse City, Michigan - 4 Oct 1909
PITCHFORK WAS WEAPON
FRANCIS MAMAGONA SERIOUSLY STABBED
EAR CHEWED ALMOST OFF
JOHN NIFFENEGGER SAID TO BE ASSAILANT
Bad Blood Between the Two Men Culminated in Serious Affair Saturday--Physician Will Make No Statement.
Special to The Evening Record.
Elk Rapids, Mich., Oct. 4--As the result of wonds from a pitchfork which John Niffenegger is alleged to have wielded, Francis Mamagona is ___, such a condition at his home in Kewadin that the attending physician will make no definite sttement other than that he is progressing as well as could be expected.
Both the men lived at Kewadin and it is alleged that there has been bad blood betwen (sic) them for some time. It is stated that some time ago while Mamagona was returning from Elk Rapids late at night, his horse got off the road into Niffenegger's corn field. In endeavoring to get onto the road again, some corn was knocked down and noise made. Niffenegger, it is alleged, came to the door and fired a shot, whether up in the air or at mamagona is not known.
The two men met at Edward Kennedy's Saturday where threshing was going on. Niffenegger had a pitch fork in his hand when Mamagona came up and asked Niffenegger what he shot at him for.
"Are you looking for trouble?" asked Niffenegger.
Mamagona told him to lay down his pitch fork and they would settle matters then and there, Mamagona starting to peel his coat.
Instead of complying with the request, Niffenegger, so it is stated, rushed Mamagona and before he could be stopped, stabbed him several times in the left shoulder, both in fron and from behind, inflicting serious injury. Despite the fact Mamagona was serious injured he grappled with his antagonist and Niffenegger is alleged to have chewed Mamagona's right ear almost off and also one of the fingers on Mamagona's right hand.
No arrests have been made as yet, but the prosecutor has taken the matter up. Dr. I. N. Yerkes is attending Mamagona and everything possible is being done for his comfort.
Both men are well known, Mamagona being an Indian and having always borne the best of reputation.
The Evening Record - 5 Oct 1909
NIFFENEGGER ARRESTED
Held Under $500 Bail on an Assault Chareg--Mamagona's Condition Better Today
Special to The Evening Record
Elk Rapids, Mich., Oct. 5--John Niffenegeer, accused of stabbing Francis Mamagona with a pitch fork, was arrested at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon by Deputy A. G. Maxwell. He was taken before Justice Daniels on a charge of assualt with intent to do great bodily harm less than the crime of murder and was held under $500 bail.
Mamagona's condition today is regarded as favorable.
Elk Rapids Progress -
Monday evening Deputy Sheriff Maxwell placed John Niffenegger of Kewadin under arrest with intent to do great bodily harm less than the crime of murder. The warrant was issued upon recommendation of Prosecuting Attorney Densmore, who was here during the day investigation the case. Niffenegger was brought before Justice Daniels, represented by A.B. Dougherty as attorney, who waived the reading of the complaint and asked for a continuance to suit the convenience of the prosecutor. Tuesday, October 12th, was fixed as the time for the hearing. Defendant gave bonds in the sum of $500 for his appearance at the time. The alleged assault occurred at the farm of Ed Kennedy in Milton township at 7 o'close last Saturday morning, where the participants had gathered to assist in threshing. The victim of Niffenegger's alleged assault (Francis Mamagona, son of Mark Mamagona, an Indian farmer of Milton who is highly respected by everybody) came out of the fracas with two or three bad wounds, inflicted with the tines of a pitchford, and located in the chest and shoulders, one ear chewed and two fingers badly bitten, and was placed under the care of Dr. Yerkes, who dressed his wounds and pronounced his injuries serious. As the matter is before the courts, and the facts will be brought out there, and the rumors that one hears on the street are mere gossip, we will not enter into detail, nor attempt to give any facts that may prove fictitious. We leave the matter for a jury to decide. The wonder to everyone is that a gang of men as large as is usually at a threshing should stand around and permit a fight to go to the point that this one did. At last accounts Mamagona was improving, and serious results are not anticipate.
From Noble Memories
A Firsthand Recollection of Northern Michigan's Lumber Boom Days by
Percy Noble of Elk Rapids, edited by Nancy Niblack Baxter, 1981
page 149
“While I'm on the
subject of Indians, I'd like to recall a fine Indian couple, Jake
Anderson and his wife Stella. There was no more sober industrious
couple in all our region, and I'm glad to remember them as friends.
For many years Jake
worked at unloading the ore barge, dumping the big buckets as they
came up out of the hold. As each bucket came up and was swung out
over the car to be dumped, Jake, who by the way was not a big man,
placed his knee against the bucket, lifted the link which held it
upright, and gravity did the rest. It didn't look too hard, but when
you remember that each bucket held probably a half ton or so of iron
ore, it was no kid's job. Every day Stella came down with Jake's
lunch on a tray, neatly covered, and after Jake had properly washed,
he ate a fine meal.
page 150 "So God. No, I am not being profane. That was the honest-to goodness name of one of my Indian friends. So God was a farmer as long as I knew him, prosperous or not, I don't know, but he was quite a character, sober most of the time, but getting a trifle polluted occasionally when he came to town. In spite of that, he lived to a good old age; he must have been close to the century mark, and his wife, too."
Rev. Miller and wife at parsonage, 1909, Beebe postcard.
copyright (c) 2021 Vicki Wilson
