JANUARY 1905 -- ALBION 100 YEARS AGO - Historical Albion Michigan

Happy New Year, everyone. We continue with our theme of “Albion 100 Years Ago.” Week ending January 5, 1905: “City milk inspector, Dr. D. C. Foster, is prepared to test milk. If you are suspicious of your milk, take it to him.” “Eighty-six out of 136 protestant ministers in Detroit have signed an agreement to refuse to marry divorced persons the causes of whose divorces are not recognized as sufficient by the churches. It is hoped to put some check on the divorce evil in that city.” “Arza McCutcheon is becoming very popular as a marrying Justice. Saturday evening at his home he united in marriage Miss Edna Mallard and Mr. Clyde Dopp. Both of these young people are well known in Albion and have the best wishes of all.”

Week ending January 12, 1905. “Frank Nowlin, a horse driver, was brought into McCutcheon’s court Thursday on a charge of disorderly conduct. He lives on the fair grounds and some of his near neighbors complained of the woman in the case. We refrain from mentioning the name of the weaker half of the combination, because of the disgrace it would bring on her hard working husband and her children. Nowlin pleaded not guilty and went to the county jail to await trial.”

“Marcus H. Crane, one of Albion’s early settlers can tell strange tales of Albion’s early days. Sixty-three years ago he left Auburn, NY in a covered wagon and started out for Albion. He found about 20 houses including the post office. He helped draw the stone to build the stone mill on Superior St. [Note: now the Citizen’s Bank building]. They hauled stone from a farm about 6 miles south of the city.”

Week ending January 19, 1905: “Word was received yesterday by Mr. H.M. Dearing that the body of his nephew, Guy Balcome would arrive here from Dowagiac for burial. Guy is the son of Will Balcome and old Albion resident and until last spring was a ticket salesman for the MCRR in Kalamazoo. He died at the age of 22 years in Albuquerque, NM.”

Week ending January 26, 1905: “The case of William E. Rhodes vs. Voluntine Rhodes began in circuit court Monday. The Rhodes estate was less than $6,000 and will be much less after the half dozen jealous heirs quarrel over it awhile in court.” “Roy Raynor, who had his finger smashed at the Prouty works several months ago, must have his finger amputated again.”

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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