he became keeper of the lighthouse at Point Betsie and remained nearly twenty-two years The instruction of his children he secured partly by private teaching in his family and partly at the school in Benzonia. While at Point Betsie the doctor resumed his medical practice, and endured severe hardships in visiting the sick throughout the neighborhood. During one winter he went repeatedly to Almira and vicinity to visit and treat those who became ill through want and hardship. He waded the Platte River eighteen times, standing barefoot on the ice to dress himself at the shore, and then resumed his journey on snow-shoes, in snow four feet deep. He was one of the first purchasers of village lots in Frankfort village. He thinks Mr. Coggshall made the first and he the second purchase of building lots in the place. The doctor now has a beautiful residence on Forest Avenue, and other property in the village, and 200 acres of real estate south of the river. He has served as justice of the peace eight years, and six years as county coroner.
The wreck of the J.Y. Scammon in 1854 is thus described by Mr. Slyfleld.
"While seated here alone, watching my light to-night, my thoughts drift back to a scene of twenty-five years ago. On the 8th of June, 1854, 1 was keeper of the South Manitou Island light. The wind that day blew from the northeast a living gale, and, strange to say, snow fell to a depth of six inches, but owing to a rain, it soon melted away. The sea was running high, and seemed as though it could not grow larger, but still the storm increased. In the height of the storm a brig was seen making for the island. It proved to be the brig J.Y. Scammon, owned by Hannah, Lay & Co., of Grand Traverse. I saw the doomed vessel slowly nearing the beach, and, knowing she would soon be ashore if her anchors did not fetch her up, and among the breakers that were dashing and boiling and foaming white against the shore, and perhaps drown the crew, I came to the conclusion that something must be done to get communication to them. The thought came to me like a flash to write a note and send it to them in a bottle. I then took a small rope and bottle in my hands, held them aloft, and made signs to the crew to send me a small line, which they soon understood, and fastening a line to a buoy and throwing it overboard, was but a moment's work. It soon reached the shore. I attached the bottle containing a note and it was hauled on board, and the passengers, as well as crew, were not long in learning my design, and a shout of joy went up from every mouth. The note was, 'Can I render you any assistance? If so, send word by bottle.' The answer came back per the same trusty little messenger, saying, 'Our big chain has parted, and the small one will not hold us long. Look out for us ashore.' I patroled the shore and in about an hour after that, the brig came on broadside, The men launched a spare spar over the rail, the end resting in shoal water. The mate mounted it, and slid down, and wading through the water, was helped ashore. Next followed four ladies, who came ashore in about the same manner, the mate and I assisting them as they came in reach. And so all crew were safely landed, much to their joy.
"I still have in my possession a spy-glass, which I purchased from the captain. On it is engraved the name of 'J.Y. Scammon', and while in daily use it often reminds me of the wrecking of the brig nearly a quarter of a century ago, when the marine interest, now grown to gigantic proportions, was yet in its infancy.
"On our return with the shipwrecked crew to the light-house, we found that during my absence I had been blessed by the arrival of an eight-pound blue-eyed boy, and there was indeed a feeling of happiness in the station that night, and I felt satisfied that I had accomplished more that day then on any other day of my previous life. That child has grown up to manhood, and from his early years has always been a careful watcher for the safety of lives from wrecks; and has while quite young assisted me in saving the crew from another wreck, under similar circumstances. He has spent his whole life in handling boats in the surf and on the old lake at his occupation in fishing. He, at such times, is careful, considerate and cool, and would be a valuable acquisition to the United States Life Saving Service."
From the Traverse City Historical Society's reprint of the 1884 "The Traverse City Region"
Thanks to Joan Carlson for acquiring this article and suggesting we print it!
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