Empire, Michigan 49630
July 1994
DEAR ISLAND FRIENDS:
SATURDAY JULY 30, 1994
12:00 NOON
EMPIRE TOWNSHIP HALL
SATURDAY JULY 30, 1994
9:30 — 11:30 A.M.
EMPIRE METHODIST CHURCH
SUNDAY JULY 31, 1994
The 2nd Annual South Manitou Island Outing will set sail from Leland Harbor. We'll set a course for South Manitou aboard the MISHE MOKWA ferry boat. We'll spend the day on South Manitou visiting family farms, the Island Cemetery, reliving old memories, meeting new island friends and sharing tales. Please be in Leland by 9:00 a.m. Round Trip tickets are $18.00 for Adults — $13.00 for children 12 & under. The Island Tour is $7.00 for Adults — $4.00 for children 12 & under. Please bring your own picnic lunch and a jacket/raincoat. Reservations may be made by calling or writing: Kathy Bietau P.O. Box 99 Empire, MI 49630 616—326—5118 or Manitou Island Transit at 616—256—9061.
The temperatures in Michigan this past week certainly feel like summer, so now is the time to make summer plans. Include making time to attend the Annual Meeting in Empire on July 30, 1994.
In other Society News, I researched the Memorandum of Agreement and it appears it will take some time before the Agreement will be reached with the SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY and SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE.
I do have an update on the grave site fences. I had an opportunity on June 1, to see an old section of fence while visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I believe this can be replicated for some of the outlying grave sites. If you think you can help with this project, please contact me at:
P.O. Box 177 Empire, MI 49630.
Thank you.
Paul Rocheleau
President
* IONA E. FOX *
Iona was born Sept. 4, 1911, in Lima, Ohio, to Samuel W. and Mary C. (Beck) Morris. Her mother Mary was the first child born to August and Elizabeth Beck, of South Manitou Island.
Although Iona did not live year—round on the island, she enjoyed many visits while her family lived there. She wrote her memories of a "fearful Christmas crossing" to the Island in an earlier Memorial Society newsletter. She never missed a South Manitou Reunion Picnic!!
Iona graduated from the Munson Hospital School of Nursing where she was employed for 15 years.
Iona passed away at 82 years young on Feb. 20, 1994. She is buried in Champion Hill Cemetery.
We offer our belated sympathies to her family and friends. We will miss her.
The Betty Kramer collection will be given to the Leelanau County Historical Museum. This decision was reached after several potential sites had been visited, investigated, and discussed among several members of the South Manitou Memorial Society and its ad hoc Library Committee. The criteria used to reach this decision were:
1. The interest expressed for the Island and its history.
2. The capability and the capacity of the physical structures.
3. The expansion plans.
4. The expertise of the staff.
5. The existence of formal policies of donations, collections, and loans.
6. The financial picture.
The Museum has formal policies in place which have been tested and refined with time. It has realistic plans for growth. It has a governing body so as the staff changes the integrity and continuity of the institution will continue. And the ties that are shared by Betty, South Manitou Island, and Leland are strong indeed.
With the permission of Laura Quackenbush, Curator of the Museum, the collection will be presented to her at the annual picnic on July 30 in Empire. Many thanks to Sylvia Krueger who has researched Betty's collection of Island memorabilia and discovered rare jewels among the treasure, and to Glenn Furst who initiated the process.
Margaret Braden, Vice—President
NATIONAL LAKESHORE
The new coordinator between the park and the Memorial Society is Historic Architect Kimberly Mann. Ray Kimpel retired on April 30th, after more than thirty years with the National Park Service. Kim will be present at the July 30th meeting and picnic to meet with members and discuss projects currently being worked on in the Park.
The Regional Office has funded a study of the Agriculture History of South Manitou Island, and has again brought in Professors Arnold Alanen and William Tischler from the University of Wisconsin to evaluate the farmstead and farming patterns associated with South Manitou Island. Graduate student Brenda Williams, working with Professors Tischler and Alanen, will also be present at the July 30th meeting and picnic to meet with members and accompany the group to South Manitou to view the agricultural sites with the families present.
Professors Tischler and Alanen have been working on agriculture—related projects for the park over the last two years. They have completed an agricultural history of Leelanau and Benzie Counties and are completing the agricultural history of the Port Oneida area.
Other projects being completed this year on the islands include the interior restoration of the Selma Hutzler house in the South Manitou Island Village, and the exterior restoration of the August Beck farmhouse on the motorized tour. The park will also be reinstalling the trusses and beams in Boathouse #2 at the Coast Guard Complex on South Manitou Island. This work will restore the structure to its 1901 appearance.
The park continues to look to the Memorial Society for assistance in developing the Lighthouse complex following the completion of the Historic Structure Report. The writing of this document is expected to be contracted out during this fiscal year.
Kimberly Mann,
Historic Architect
The time has come for the formation of a community based support group for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
As Federal fiscal priorities are being restructured, many Congressionally mandated tasks in park conservation, preservation, education and interpretation will be either postponed or cancelled outright unless community based volunteerism fills the void.
Friends of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, is dedicated to supporting the National Lakeshore in fulfilling its responsibilities, albeit in no way endeavoring to either set nor influence Lakeshore policies or related legislative bills.
The group has already elected a Board of Directors and is diligently bringing into being the Constitution, By—Laws and the Memorandum of Understanding with the National Lakeshore. They are now in the "planning" stages.
Interested persons may contact:
Frank Zaring
2193 Hammond Place East
Traverse City, Michigan 49684
When you joined the South Manitou Memorial Society... .you joined for life! We do not require yearly dues from our members. Our membership does continue to grow as members spread the word. Thanks to all of you who help us in this way! Some members continue to send a donation each year to our Society. We thank them for that special act of kindness! These donations help us continue to produce our Memorial Society Newsletter and allow us to work on special island projects. Special thanks goes out to those who have helped keep the Society rolling along ... Sandra, Margaret, Joharina, Judy, Glenn, Ethel's, Sylvia, Zella, Paul, ... We just couldn't do it without you all!!!
If you have lived on one of the Manitou Islands, or are a descendent of someone who has lived on one of the Manitou Islands, you may send your name and address with a five ($5.00) dollar donation to the SOUTH MANITOU MEMORIAL SOCIETY at P.O. Box 177, Empire, MI 49630.
If you have not lived on one of the Manitou Islands you must find a stone with a hole in it and a Sea Gull feather.
Place a string through the hole in the stone, hang the stone around your neck, place the Sea Gull feather in your hair or hat and have your picture taken. Send the picture with a five ($5.00) dollar donation to the address above to receive your certificate. Be sure your return address is included.
The following individuals are "CERTIFIED" MANITOU ISLAND SANDHILL SAVAGES:
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1. Albright, Maureen 2. Alderman, Lisa 3. Allen, Mark 4. Anderson, John 5. Anderson, Judi 6. Backus, Charles 7. Bietau, Kathy 8. Birney, Alice 9. Brock, Aaron 10. Brock, Lulla 11. Bungardner, Carlyn 12. Bungardner, George 13. Bungardner, Robert 14. Burritt, Anne 15. Burritt, Mike 16. Burritt, Robin 17. Carlson, Edward 18. Garlson, Janille 19. Carlson, Joan 20. Cole, Pete 21. Cowen, Chris 22. Gory, Richard 23. Cole, David 24. Cross, Archie 25. Cross, Mark 26. Cubberly, Tom & Wife 27. Cubberly, David 28. Cubberly, Donald 29. De Kok, Anton 30. De Kok, Johanna 31. Dunlap. Jennifer 32. Dupont, Val 33. Fogle, Judy 34. Fogle, Duke 35. Fogle, Amanda 36. Farley, Lois |
37. Fox, Iona 38. Furst, Charles & Wife 39. Furst, Gary 40. Furst, Brian 41. Furst, Susan 42. Furst, Gene & Wife 43. Furst, Glenn 44. Furst, Ethel 45. Ginhaven, Dores 46. Goeman, William & Wife 47. Gibson, Alice 48. Green, Mable 49. Halik, Richard, Dr. 50. Halsled, Luis 51. Hansen, Chad 52. Hart, Dianna 53. Heisler, John 54. Heisler, Cynthia 55. Heisler, Chad 56. Heisler, Chrissey 57. Hazlett, Brian, Dr. & Wife 58. Howard, Evan 59. Hart, Dianna 60. Hodge, Margaret 61. Hollenbeck, Lorraine 62. Holmes, Beatrice 63. Hughes, Robert 64. Hutzler, Dale 65. Hutzler, George 66. Johnson, Leah 67. Johnson, Amber 68. Johnson, Gered 69. Kramer, Leroy, Jr. 70. Kramer, Leroy, III 71. Kramer, Margaret 72. Kramer, Frederick |
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73. Kruger, Sylvia 74. Kruger, Zahava 75. Kruger, Naomi 76. Kruger, Shashana 77. Lagrone, Rodger 78. Lagrone, Julie 79. Lambert, Kenneth 80. Lardie, Thomas 81. Lewis, William 82. Love, William 83. Love, Janet 84. Love, Stephanie 85. Luck, Thomas 86. Meeker, Robert 87. Meeker, Helga 88. Mackler, Sheilda 89. Massey, Steve 90. Maleski, Paul 91. Morris, Donald & Zella 92. Morris, Julie 93. Moure, Ely 94. Murphy, Dick 95. Newman, Richard 96. Newman, Catherine 97. Norton, Jacob 98. Novak, Joe 99. Novak, Janet 100. Nyland, Leslie 101. Nyland, Rodney 102. Oatley, John 103. Oatley, Katrina 104. Oeim, Eleanor |
104. Oem, Eleanor 105. Oem, Marcus 106. Riker, Richard 107. Rocheleau, Ann 108. Rocheleau, Melvin 109. Rocheleau, Mary Jo 110. Rocheleau, Paul 111. Rodgers, Nancy 112. Schillizzi, Glenda 113. Schillizzi, Anthony 114. Schillizzi, Mary Jo 115. Schwarz, Shirley 116. Shoup, William 117. Shoup, Sherry 118. Shoup, William "Guy" 119. Shoup, Garret, M. 120. Smith, Donald Dr. 121. Smith, Joanna, 122. Smith, Marie 123. Stormer, Ethel 124. Stormer, Kenneth 125. Thompson, Floyd 126. Thompson, George 127. Tobin, Mae 128. Turner, Jessica 129. Turner, Dan 130. Turner, Kari 131. Vant, William 132. Viefield, Dan 133. Williams, Mike 134. Willsey, Kenneth |
BECOME A MANITOU ISLAND SANDHILL SAVAGE TODAY!!!!
OLD BUSINESS: Update on the Memorandum of Agreement with National Park.
NEW BUSINESS: 1.Replacement of some of the grave site fences
2. Announce some of the staff changes at Sleeping Bear Dunes N.L.
3. Discussion of possible name change for the Memorial Society.
4. Announcement on the Betty Kramer Collection.
5. Presentation by Frank Zaring of the Friends of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Group.
6. Open discussion of new projects.
9:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.
SEE YOU ALL THERE!
"I REMEMBER WHEN ..."
From the time I was a small boy I've heard rumors of a mass burial located along the timberline of South Manitou Island bay. "About half way down from the Life Boat Station to the Old Dock" they would say. This story was told many times by the following people: my Grandpa and Grandma Furst, August Beck, William Haas, Henry Haas, Conrad Hutzler and Benth Johnson. Benth Johnson was a sailor all his life until he settled on South Manitou. He raised a family there on a farm and supplemented his living by fishing the waters of Lake Michigan. He said this story was common knowledge to the sailors of the Great Lakes. When these people were questioned as to the exact spot where the grave was located no one seemed to know.
The number of people buried was always consistent and each would tell you that seventeen (17) people were buried in that one grave, but no one could point out the grave site. The cause of death was always the same cholera, an acute infectious, bacterial disease of the stomach and intestines. Never did I ever have anyone tell me they had witnesses this burial, nor did I ever hear anyone name a person who was present when this burial was made. Did this event take place in the early days of the Manitou Island history? Was the ship a sailing vessel? Were the people passengers or crew members? If they were crew members, were there enough people left to sail the vessel? What was their destination?
My step—father, Ernest Hutzler, on several occasions when we were hunting rabbits along the edge of the woods in the bay area, would say "Glenn, we must be close to the place where that mass grave is." How did he know? I'll never know as he never told me that his father or grandfather ever pointed it out to him.
In the 1970's, when I was locating the grave sites in the farm lands, I drove to Northport, Michigan, on a couple occasions to ask Erwin Beck the specific areas of some of the graves. On one trip I asked him if he knew anything about a mass burial on the island. He told me that he didn't know of anyplace on the island, but he had heard about a ship that sank near the mouth of the bay during a storm that had about fifteen Indians in the hold. They never got out. These Indian men were going up to the Upper Peninsula to work in logging camps. After some debate, it was decided to leave their bodies where they were in the hold of that ship. This is an intriguing story and opens the mind to an alternative answer to the question of "was there ever a mass burial on the island?"
During the 1970's after the evening meal I would take my probing rod and test various areas for a grave site along the edge of the woods in the bay area. This was a half—hearted attempt on my part and I'm sure that, if I had located a place that had all the characteristics of a mass grave, I would have only marked it. I would not have had any interest in digging for bones.
One can let their imagination run wild on this story and ask themselves dozens of questions.
Lou Raynor, a man who built a cottage down in the bay area during the 1960's, stated that he had observed an elderly man, and Indian, carefully looking over the area just north of his cottage. Lou became curious and asked this person what he
was looking for and the following is what he was told. The man said that many years earlier he came here on a ship that had many sick people on board with a disease called cholera and several of them died. He said they buried them there along the timberline. His memory of where he thought the grave site was, was limited to a small area, and it was here that I did most of my probing with an iron rod.
The time period this Indian man indicated when the bodies were buried there, would have been during the period when the people named earlier in this story were living on the island. Why didn't any of them know where this grave was located? Was it because cholera was such an infectious disease that no one wanted to even come close enough to observe the burial? Why didn't someone mark this site? Wouldn't a burial of this type have to be recorded somewhere?
I am sure the story of a mass burial will always be a part of the South Manitou Island history. I do not believe this grave site will ever be found, and I do not believe it will ever be confirmed, or proven untrue.
This story has been told to me by so many of my elders, people I loved and trusted, I believe it is true.
By Glenn Furst
P.O. Box 177
Empire, MI 49630
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Copyright 1994/1995 Vol.5, No.2