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Genealogical Society of Monroe County, MI

Miscellanous Monroe Newspaper Items

Monroe Evening News, Wednesday May 11, 1927, Page 3 Column 4
Fat Wife Divorced
Here's a nice husband of Geneva who sued his wife for divorce on the grounds of obesity.  He said she ate as much as four normal sized people and that when he married her he did not contract to feed four women.  Sounds fair enough at that!

 
Monroe Evening News, Monday May 26, 1930, front page
Population is 52,445
Official Census Figures Show Increase of 41 Per Cent for Monroe County
Population of Monroe county is officially 52,445, an increase of 41 per cent in the last ten years.  The final figures for the county and the last three townships to report were given out today by Mark L. Osgood for John C. Graham of Jackson, census supervisor.
In 1920 the population of the county was 37,115, the increase for the decade being 15,330.  Of the increase, the city of Monroe accounts for 6,517, the rest being divided among the 15 townships of the county.  Each reported an increase. 
The last townships to be reported are:
Township                                                       1930                1920
Dundee, including village                             2,955               2,801
Monroetown                                                  2,876             12,232
Summerfield                                                  2,128               1,962
Farms reported for the county numbered 3,822.  Dundee township reported 355 farms, Monroetown 108 and Summerfield 295.                                  

 
From the Detroit Free Press, Mar 7, 1927
For those unable to read the text below the photo.....
 
The picture above shows four generations of the Mathias Sieb family, of Monroe, Mich.  Great Grandfather Sieb, 86 years old, is holding Donald, 2-month old son of Oscar J. Sieb, 26 years old, who is standing, and who is the son of Edward L. Sieb, 58 years old, seated on the left. 
At the Father and Son banquet in connection with Trinity Lutheran church, the child was awarded the first honor as the youngest son present.
Mathias Sieb is one of the founders of Monroe Foundry and Furnace company here ad in the early days was a member of the hardware firm of Sieb and Baier.  He has been in business here for 50 years.
 
 
From an undated Dundee newspaper sometime in September 1887
Mrs. Ella Tiffany, aged 37 years or thereabouts, relict of the late Wm. F. Tiffany of Dundee, was married a few days ago to a young man named E. M. Ketchum, aged 22.  Ketchum is a clerk in the store of Edwards & Adams, and needed a mother very much, hence his choice.
Editor's notes:  Ella Tiffany & Edward M. Ketchum (their ages were both given as 23) were married in Jackson, MI on 20 Sep 1887. (from Michigan marriages on FamilySearch.org)  Thanks to Grace for providing.
 

 
From the Monroe Democrat, Sept 5, 1895
Mrs. Jane Merrill, a colored widow pensioner, disappeared from her home in Summerfield about two months ago and fears are entertained she has been foully dealt with.

From the Monroe Evening News, July 16, 1932
June Docket Cleared
While a large number of cases still remain to be heard in the June term of the circuit court, there will be no further jury cases.  The term began June 20 and the jurors have been in service periodically from that time on.  They were discharged this week from further service during the term, because the docket was cleared of jury cases.  The cases that remain are both criminal and civil.  Four terms of court are held each year.  This procedure is a holdover from the old days when the circuit court was administered by a traveling judge who went about from place to place on a "circuit".  Court is held almost continuously nowadays but the old form of calling court terms four times a year is still in use.

 
From the Petersburgh Sun, December 11, 1896
Dundee Doings
Norman Pomeroy, a veterinary surgeon from the Junction, fell down the stairs between the stores of C. Stanger and Than Newell Wednesday evening, but was too drunk for it to kill him.
 
One day last week Hayden Babcock noticed that his corn stalks were being moved mysteriously.  So he disguised himself as Old Sleuth, the trailer, and soon had one of his neighbors by the coat collar.  He shook the culprit until the buttons flew in every direction, then gave him four bundles of stalks, telling him to go and sin no more.  On account of his family his name is not mentioned.

From the Petersburgh Sun, January 12, 1894
Don'ts for Husbands
Don't stay out late at night.
Don't withhold your confidence.
Don't think your wife is a servant.
Don't dole out a dollar as if it were a tax.
Don't try to run the household your way.
Don't imagine that you are a superior person.
Don't think your wife can't keep your secrets.
Don't think love has come to stay anyhow.
Don't grumble at your wife and the work she does.
Don't forget that your wife was once your sweetheart.
Don't forget to compliment your wife whenever the opportunity offers.
Don't forget that husbands should be gentlemen at all times and under all circumstances.
-Detroit Free Press
 

From the Petersburgh Sun, Friday, Mar 20, 1896
When a German wants to take a drink, he takes beer.  When an Englishman wants to take a drink, he takes ale.  When a Scotchman wants to take a drink, he takes whisky.  But when an American wants to take a drink, he takes anything he can lay his hands on.
 

 
From the Monroe Democrat, Thursday, September 5, 1895
The village of Dundee looms up again before the world as the home of yet another desperate character.  Frank Scannon, a transient, dropped into the place about a year ago and after marrying a fair maid settled down to live with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Addison Snyder. Saturday morning Scannon had a disagreement with his mother-in-law and shot at her with a 3S caliber revolver.  Neither of the balls fired took effect and Scannon went up town for more ammunition.  In the mean time word of the shooting was sent to the officers, and deputy sheriff Nathaniel Newell arrested Seannan and brought him to this city.  He plead not guilty before Justice Noble, waived examination and in default of $1,000 was remanded to jail to await a hearing in the Circuit Court.  Notwithstanding the fact that he plead not guilty Scannon admitted to shooting but said he did it to frighten the old lady.  Officer Newell found in Scannon's pockets after the arrest, two large revolvers, a razor, knife and two gold watches.  H. O. Spalding, a Dundee hardware merchant, is said to have identified one of the revolvers as one that was recently stolen from his store.
 
[According to Monroe County marriage records (GSMC's volume 4, Page 262, Frank Shannon [Skannon], age 24, married Carrie Snyder, age 22, on 23 Dec 1894.  Carrie was the daughter of Addison and Eva (Eppert [Hibbert]) Snyder.  Frank Skannon was born in England and was the son of Jas. & Catherine (Momie) Skannon. Frank Scannon was in Toledo, listed as a widower, in the 1900 census.  Carrie remarried to Samuel Ousterhout on 11 Jun 1900.]
 
From the Monroe Democrat Thurs. August 25, 1887 front page    
Cemetery Matters.
The trustees of Woodland cemetery are meeting with fairly good success, in fact much better than they expected in collecting the lot assessments. A number have paid since mention was made of the matter in the Democrat not long since, and the trustees would esteem it a favor if many more would follow suit. They wish to collect the assessments without resorting any more unpleasant measures than a courteous request for the same, and it certainly seems as if no one owning a cemetery lot should refuse to bear his share of the expense incurred in making and keeping it a respectable resting place for his dead. Let the delinquents come forward cheerfully and pay their assessments. At a meeting of the board of trustees held at the office of Judge of Probate Tuesday evening, O.A. Critchett and Geo. M. Landon were appointed a committee to examine the matter of delinquent assessments, and to report at a meeting to be held on the 30th inst. upon the ability of the association to enforce collection. G.R. Hurd and J.M. Sterling were appointed a committee to request the vestry of the Episcopal church and H.S. Noble to select the lots conveyed to them by the late D.A. Noble and to notify the clerk that they may be set off to them and the proper record made. It was also decided to build a fence on the west line of the cemetery between it and the Wing and Johnson cemetery.  
 
From the Monroe Democrat Thurs. December 22, 1887 front page
The little cemetery on the west of Woodland is now a part of the latter, the union being effected last Thursday evening. The lot owners of the former agreed to pay the assessments levied in the past and to share the responsibilities and privileges of the future with the latter. Monday evening, Messers. F.S. Sill and N.N. Kendall, as representatives of the west side lot owners, laid before the valuation committee a valuation of the lots of that section and it was adopted.
 
From the Monroe Commercial, Thurs. Feb 2, 1865 
Notaries Public In Monroe County
A long list of notaries which had been nominated by the Governor were confirmed by the Senate on the 25th inst. The following is the list for Monroe County: Wm. White, Wilsic Manning, W. Corbin, Ira R. Grosvenor, Wm. A. Rafters, Walter W. Prentice, Phillip J. Loranger, John Davis, Wm. Dunbar, John G. Hood, Frank Raleigh, Francis Lafountain, Jarvis Eldred, Robert Tolford, Nathan Stuart, John Voorhees, Andrew J. Keeney, Moses H. Clements, Solomon C. Goodale, Reed M. Brigham, Silas Bristol.
 
[Thanks to Lynn Reaume for sending the above three articles!]
 
From the Monroe Evening News, Thursday, July 25, 1929 p11
Dundee news-Mausoleum Repairs Discussed
The crypt owners of the mausoleum at Maple Grove cemetery held a meeting of the mausoleum Wednesday afternoon to talk over the problem of repairs. The meeting was called together at 2:30 o’clock, and a committee was appointed to ascertain the cost of the repairs and to help the crypt owners to form an association whereby they will be better able to meet problems which arise.
Irving Pettit, secretary of the town board will call the committee meeting. The committee includes O.H. Lambkin, Fred Haysted, Erwin Smith, J.J. Spaulding, and Heinie Borgert.
The mausoleum is said to be in need of repairs and will be put in condition through the efforts of this committee. V.C. McAtee, sexton of the cemetery, called the meeting Wednesday.
 
From the Monroe Democrat, September 6, 1894
The Toledo officials are not at all pleased on account of the fact that the relatives of the late Mrs. Murchy, of that city, brought her remains to Monroe last week without taking out a permit of any kind; and declare had they been aware of the fact in time, they would have made some one "sweat drops of blood" for violating the law.  The law requires a doctor's certificate, a transit permit and a burial permit in order to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.  Chief White of the sanitary police force of Toledo was in the city Monday evening and held a lengthy conference with Monroe's board of health in regard to the matter with a view of preventing a recurrence in the future.  
[webmaster note:  Where are all these doctor's certificates, transit permits and burial permits???]
 
From the Monroe Democrat, December 19, 1913
The result of the state's inspection of the cold storage crop of Christmas turkey would indicate that the great American bird will have to be stuffed with talcum powder and a moth ball under each wing before it is put in the oven.  Nothing like country cooking.
 
From the Jackson Citizen Patriot, July 27, 1875
The waters of the historical Raisin are passing away, and it is now becoming quite a diminutive stream.  It is sad to think that years ago the United States Government reserved the right of navigation of this river, up to within three miles of Adrian.
 
From the Monroe Democrat, Thursday, September 3, 1885
Frank Labine inbibed a little too much Tuesday evening and became quite annoying in the attentions to a young lady whom he chanced to meet upon the streets.  Yesterday morning she caused his arrest on a charge of assault and battery to which he pleaded guilty, and justice Jaminet taxed him $10 and costs- total $14.50, which he paid.
 
From the Monroe Commercial, 25 Jul 1884
The State editor of the Detroit Evening News, dishes up our genial friend, Fred. Niedermeier, of Newport, in the following terse style.  If Fred can stand it, we can:
Frederick (better known as Fred) Niedermeier of Newport, Monroe county, born in town of Lippe, Prussia, June 3, 1838-- migrated to Castle Garden '52-- thence to Monroe town-- moved to Berlin, in that county, '57--bought garden spot-- carried wood Detroit--was captain--made money fast-- bought bigger garden spot--kept buying--supervisor '70 to '75--county treasurer '75 to '80-- made good one-- now owns 400 acres-- best farm in county--twice married--8 children--good fellow--great man to celebrate--one of the boys--takes it mixes--occasionally-sometimes-oftener-never floored--great fellow to law-- always at it-- always beats--democrat and 'rahs for Cleveland- going to keep it up till November-- one of Monroe county's best men.
 
From the Monroe Evening News, Saturday, January 14, 1933
Many Confined in Poor House-
In the Monroe county poor house on the South Custer road 115 inmates are confined, the largest number to be there at one time in the history of the county, the superintendents of the poor said.  During the last two years the number of inmates has increased steadily, the superintendent said.  Previous to two years ago the average confined at one time was 30.  A number of unemployed men have sought the poor house for the winter.

From the Monroe Democrat, Thursday, Saturday, August 27, 1891
About two years ago Mr. A. T. Navarre on behalf of 14 old soldiers applied for headstones for graves. Monday he received a bill of lading of their shipment.  The friends of those for whom they were ordered will please call on Mr. Navarre and receive them.
 

 
From the Monroe Evening News, Thursday, March 30, 1933
A Moving Picture of You-
Nearly everyone has a secret ambition to get into the movies, and some people, either more or less fortunate than others, succeed.  A large number of Monroe people have been among the successful aspirants for movie honors and some of them do not even know it.  About 20 years ago a moving picture operator came to Monroe and took a good number of shots.  He photographed stores, schools, the river front, the St. Mary Academy, mills, offices, streets, the Custer monument, the Park Hotel, the theater, the Piers, and many incidental objects and occupations.  The pictures, which are to be shown again soon, look a little queer in this day and age.  Some of the people look queer too, especially the men with their peg-top trousers, their funny little round top hats, their big watch chains, and their Hoover collars.  But nothing could be funnier than the costumes of the women.  Some of the boys and girls who pushed and clawed at each other in those pictures, anxious to be in the front row, would probably be somewhat embarrassed if they recognized themselves today.  Some of them are listed among the most solid of our citizens but they don't look like it in those 20-year-old movies.  One of the high lights of the Monroe souvenirs is a home-made melodrama with Monroe people as actors.  It is done according to the best fashion in movie thrillers, and it ought to be exceedingly valuable as a historical document for Monroe.  Incidentally it ought to be interesting for men and women to see what they acted like in those days when men were men and automobiles were terrible.
 

 
From the Monroe Evening News, Wednesday, January 11, 1933
New Mortuary-
A new mortuary will be opened in the Bronson house at 212 South Monroe street by Eli Allore and Gus Beam next Wednesday, January 18, it was announced today.  It will be known at the Allore and Beam Mortuary.  The home is now being decorated and carpeted for the opening.  Mr. Allore, a Monroe county coroner, was associated with Nadeau and Weber, funeral directors, for four years.  Mr. Beam was with the Rupp funeral home here for three years and before then was associated with Toledo funeral directors.  They have leased the Bronson house for two years.  The expect all their equipment including a hearse and ambulance will be delivered by the opening date.  The Bronson house had been used by the Newton Steel Company as an office for two years.

 
From the Monroe Democrat- Friday, January 27, 1905
Since January 1, 1904, the following persons have been admitted to the Altenheim:  April 8, 1904, Mrs. Catherine Crane, Belleville, aged 71 years;  April 9th, Aug. Kiezman, Toledo, aged 70; May 31st, F. Pinkal, Detroit, aged 78; Aug. 14th, F. Schmelzer, Detroit, aged ?0; Aug. 24th, George Loeffler, Monroe, aged 82;  Jan. 4, 1905, Carl Nerenheim, Grand Rapids, aged 64; Jan. 17th, F. Brann, Ann Arbor, aged 77; Jan 20th, Mrs. and Mrs. Michael Scheurecker, Detroit aged 77 and 74 respectively.  With the exception of the last named, all are widows or widowers and all but Mrs. Crane, who is an American, came from Germany.  The only other American lady at the Altenheim is Mrs. Conway, besides which there is also a German-American, Miss Goetz, of Monroe.  The whole number of inmates at the Home is now 53, the highest in the history of the institution since its founding in 1894, and room is becoming scarce.
[editor's note:  the records of the Altenheim (or Lutheran Old Folks Home as it was later referred to) can be found in the Monroe County Historical Museum.  These records contain much personal information about the inmate, birth date and place, information about relatives and frequently a death date.]
 

 
From the Monroe Democrat - Thursday, September 9, 1897 Page 1, Column 1
The night police state that during the past three months but three wandering Willies asked for permission to sleep in the station house. The only other night lodgers that find a resting place there are the tramps the police find about the city during the night, and are put in the station house as a protection to the people and for safekeeping.
 

 
 From the Monroe Evening News- Saturday, February 17, 1934, Page 7 Column 8
Dundee Petitions For Water Purity
Petitions addressed to the state board of health at Lansing are being circulated in Dundee protesting against the River Raisin being polluted with refuse from a sugar company in Blissfield.  
The petitions read in part "the said deposits of the sugar company in the river have so poisoned the water supply of our village that it is unusable for practically all domestic purposes.
"We ask the state board of health to procure immediate relief for the residents of the community."
As soon as enough signers are obtained the petition will be sent to the state board of health, Mayor Frank Zimmeran said.

 
From the Monroe Evening News- Saturday, July 21, 1945, Page 5 Column 1
Not Quite as Stated-
Hollywood motion picture publicity, through the syndicated column of Hedda Hopper, credits Brouwer McIntyre, president of Monroe Auto Equipment, with the gift of a “1902" electric automobile to Zazu Pitts, the actress.  The facts are not quite as stated, Mr. McIntyre said today.  He purchased the electric, a 1930 model, several years ago as protection against gasoline shortages and presented it to his wife.  Miss Pitts has been a friend of both Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre for a number of years and visited them in Monroe last winter while appearing in Detroit.  She mentioned she was to make a picture in which she needed an old electric automobile and had been unable to secure one.  Mrs. McIntyre then made her a gift of the car, not having found it as necessary to use as she had anticipated.

 
From the Monroe Evening News, Monday, August 6, 1934, Page 7 Column 2
Greetings To Ford Returned-
Moved by an impulse to share the birthday spirit, Roy Dushane of 210 Borgess avenue last week sent a birthday card to Henry Ford. Mr. Ford's birthday was the 30th, Mr. Dushane's the next day.  At 9 p. m. Mr. Dushane was called by long distance and informed by a woman's voice that a secretary of Mr. Ford was on the other end of the wire to extend birthday greetings.  Later a written acknowledgement of Mr. Dushane's card came from Dearborn.
(editor's note- this was on one of the marriage & birth sheets copied by Ray Dushane- but he didn't notice it!  Barb and I like to read the items on the sheets before they are typed and proofread!  Yes, this a relative of Ray!!

From the Monroe Evening News, Monday, July 9, 1934, Page 7 Column 1
Bees Cause Trouble-
A swarm of bees that has made its home in the cornice at the home of Mrs. Theodore Ilgenfritz at Elm avenue and Macomb street has proved troublesome lately.  The bees began getting into the house , and steps had to be taken to remove them from the cornice.  A scaffold was erected and the cornice cut away.  James Butler, city employee, removed 125 pounds of honey, but the bees persisted in returning to their old home.  The cornice will be replaced to keep them out.  The bees have made their home there for four or five years.
 

 
From the Monroe Evening News, Monday, Mar 26, 1934, Page 7 Column 6
Dillinger Sought at Beaches Here
Heavily armed Monroe county deputy sheriffs and Lucas county, Ohio, deputies searched cottages in the vicinity of Horsehead Bend on Lake Erie, near Estral Beach, Saturday night for John Dillinger, notorious bandit and killer, who escaped from the Crown Point, Indiana jail after holding up guards with a wooden pistol.
The Toledo sheriff had received word from Lima, Ohio, officials that they had a tip that Dillinger was hiding near Estral Beach.
Four Lucas county deputies came here and with the aid of three members of Sheriff Joseph J. Bairley’s force searched the cottages.  The Monroe county officers taking part in the search were Chief Deputy William Hoffman, Deputies Albert Boss and Kenneth McKensie.

From the Monroe Evening News, Wednesday, Feb 27, 1935, Page 7 Column 1
Document 114 Years Old-
Among the documents of long ago uncovered when the vault at the courthouse was cleaned out last week was the oath as an adjutant of militia signed by Anthony L. Briggs, grandfather of Andrew L. Briggs of 201 South Macomb street. The document is signed A. L. Briggs and the courthouse excavators turned it over to the Monroe Mr. Briggs with the innocent inquiry if it was his signature.  Anthony L. Briggs signed the document on May 17, 1821 with Lawrence Durocher as witness.  The appointment was for the territory of Michigan, county of Monroe.  Anthony L. Briggs was a veteran of the War of 1812 and marched from New York state to Michigan.  His father was a Revolutionary War veteran and his son fought in the Civil War.
(note:  Anthony L. Briggs, Jr. served in Co M, 8th MI Cavalry during the Civil War.)

 
From the Monroe Evening News, Wednesday Dec 11, 1935, Page 7 Column 1
Jail's Pet Squirrel
Tommy is a pet squirrel that makes its home in the trees in the county jail yard.  Tommy is very fond of hickory nuts and the officers at the jail keep a supply on hand to feed the squirrel.  The deputies place the nuts on the outside of the window and Tommy comes and gets them.  He will eat out of the hands of the officers.  Yesterday Deputy Henry Bunkelman was scratched slightly on the finger by Tommy.  Tommy did not do it intentionally, but grabbed the finger of the deputy to save himself when he lost his balance while getting a nut from the officer.  He never misses a day to get his supply of food from the jail window.

 
From the Monroe Evening News, Monday  Oct 14, 1935, Page 7 Column 1
Quilt Display-
Quilts made by Mrs. Burton Knapp have been displayed at a large Detroit department store during the last two weeks.  The exhibit, the first accorded to a Michigan woman in several years, was attended by many interested needleworkers from Detroit and other cities.  Mrs. Henry Ford was among the visitors.

From the Monroe Evening News, Saturday, Feb 23, 1935, Page 7 Column 7
Old Tax Records Show Early Tax Figures
120 acre Farm Paid $4.67 Tax 103 Years Ago; Vault Being Cleaned Out
When a storage vault was cleaned out in the basement of the courthouse a number of recrods were found that were more than 100 years old.
One of the records was an assessment roll of Monroe county made out 103 years ago.  On the tax roll was the assessment of the Port of Winchester.
Assessments were levied against carriages, oxen, small pigs and various animals.  The tax on a farm of 120 acres was assessed at $4.67.  The assessed valuation of Erie township in those days was $41,062.  The county tax in Erie was $164.23 and the township tax was $75.98.  The assessed valuation of Erie township today is more than $3,000,000.  The assessment roll is being preserved by Leo F. Hoffman, county clerk.
Old newspapers of more than 50 years ago were found in the vault.
The vault is to be used by Daniel F. Sullivan, county drain commissioner, for his drain records.  The basement was recently remodeled.

From the Monroe Evening News, Monday Sept 14, 1936, Page 5 Column 6
Sent to Jail
Tom Batton, aged 43 years, of Newport, was sentenced by Justice Harold Golden this morning to serve 45 days in the county jail after he had pleaded guilty to using indecent language in the presence of women.  He was arrested by Chief Deputy William Hoffman and Deputy Albert Boss.
 

From the Monroe Evening News,  Saturday, Mar 7, 1936  Page 7, Column 1
Still They Come-
The steady influx of old Bibles into the office of the Evening News continued today with the reports of two more ancient copies of the Gospel.  Paul Mohrhoff, a teacher at Zion Lutheran school, owns a 236 year-old Bible printed in German by Johann Andrea Endters at Nuremberg, Germany, in 1700.  The Bible was brought to America by Mr. Mohrhoff’s father, the late Rev. H. W. Mohrhoff, and has become an heirloom in the family.  The cover is of pigskin, now perforated with worm holes.  Wood was used for type and the cuts for illustrations.  The book measures 12 by 18 inches and is six inches thick.  It contains a map of Jerusalem showing the location of the Temple and a picture of Jesus entering on Palm Sunday.  Another old Bible is in the possession of Clarence E. Sheely, 222 Godfroy avenue.  Mr. Sheeley’s Bible was printed in 1813 and is a Martin Luther version in German.  It is 123 years old, bound in wood covered with leather.

 
From the Monroe Evening News, Thursday, Mar 12, 1936, Page 7 Column 1
Another Old Bible-
Mrs. Harold Parker, 19 East Front street, has added to the list of Bibles reported to The News one which has been in her family since Civil War days.  It was printed in England in 1865 and is 71 years old.

From the Monroe Evening News, Tuesday, Mar 31, 1936  Page 7, Column 2
Bible in French-
As proof that Monroe boasts at least one Bible not of German origin, a Bible in French translation, published in 1815 in New York, was brought to the Evening News office today.  It is owned by Mrs. A. M. Jackson of 217 South Macomb street.  The title of the volume is “La Sainte Bible”; it is leather bound and was originally the property of Mrs. Jackson’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Godfroy.  Their marriage certificate, dated September 30, 1823 at Detroit, is kept in the Bible.

From the Monroe Evening News, Friday, Jan 17, 1936, Page 11, Column 7
First Groceteria Opens in Monroe
The first self-service grocery store in Monroe, to be known as the Serve-Self-Store, will be opened for business tomorrow by H. J. Helser, general manager, at 19 West Front street, next to the state liquor store.  Merchandise in the groceteria will be displayed in bins and on shelves within reach of customers, who will select what they want.  Baskets will be provided for carrying purchases to the cashier's window.  The store will handle groceries, fruits and vegetables.
Besides Mr. Helser, a staff of two people will be employed to assist customers.

From the Monroe Evening News, Monday Mar 2, 1936, Page 5 Col 1
Marriage Licenses-
No blushing bride took advantage of the leap year offer of Leo F. Hoffman, county clerk to give a marriage license free if she admitted having popped the question.  Two couples made application Saturday for licenses.  They were Duard Baumia, aged 22 years, of Monroe and Caroline Gering, aged 18 years, of Wyandotte;  Jack Fingfield, aged 21 years, and Marjorie Fisher, aged 18 years, both of Mansfield, Ohio.
 
Leap Year Baby-
In 1940, Joan Elizabeth Trouten will celebrate her first birthday.  Joan was born at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Trouten, 418 West Seventh street, Saturday, February 29.  She was the first leap year baby reported by Monroe doctors, and will have to wait four years before she can have a birthday cake.
 

Monroe Democrat,  Sep 1, 1881
Yesterday Jim Plum, the notorious loafer, salt barrel ornament and guzzler of “rot gut” gave another disgusting exhibition of his low-lived character.  After getting drunk enough to disgrace a respectable hog, he undertook to beat his own record and must have succeeded to the satisfaction of his beastly nature.  He took up his position on the corner of Front and Monroe streets, and for about half an hour insulted passers-by, especially the ladies, applying to them the most foul and indecent epithets at his command, besides otherwise deporting himself in a most outrageous manner.  Marshal Hubble was notified and put him in the cooler where he remained over night.  He was arraigned before Justice Aldrich this morning on a charge of drunk and disorderly, pleaded guilty, and goes to jail for 90 days.  Oh! for the whipping post for such characters.
 
Monroe Commercial, 2 Sep 1881
Jim Plum was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Marshal Hubble for drunken and disorderly conduct, and lodged in the cooler.  Yesterday morning he was brought before Justice Aldridge who imposed a fine of two dollars and costs.  Plum being out of funds, he was committed to jail for 90 days.
[what a difference in reporting between the two papers!]

Monroe Evening News, Tuesday, Jun 11, 1935, Page 7, Col 5
J. C. Penney Will Visit Here Friday
J. C. Penney, founder of the famous retail organization which bears his name, will visit Monroe Friday.  Mr. Penney is making a tour of a number of Michigan Penney stores, and plans to spend a day here renewing contacts with the Penney staff and making a personal study of retail trends in this community.
Today the Penney Company operates nearly 1500 stores, located in every state in the Union.  During 1934 the Penney Company bought well over a million dollars worth of merchandise from Michigan factories.  These products were distributed throughout the entire United States and provided considerable employment for Michigan workers.
C. C. Nowell, manager of the Penney store here, will welcome Mr. Penney to Monroe.
 

Monroe Evening News, Friday 17 Apr 1936, Page 11, Col 1
New Cross in Place
A new cross has been placed on the steeple of St. Michael's Catholic Church on West Front street to replace one that had been erected many years ago.  The cross is of copper and gold leaf and is 10 feet high.  It is a duplicate of the old cross.  The Rev. Fr. Alphonse Bertele, pastor, said some of the older members of the parish recalled that the old cross had been erected as long as 60 years ago.  The steeple, the highest here, is 187 feet high.  It took workmen nearly two weeks to take down the old cross and put the new one in position.  The cross can be seen for several miles.

Monroe Evening News, Monday, Sep 9, 1935, Page 7 Col 1
Prosperity Note-
As an added sign of better times, Monroe is to have a 1935 directory.  John McMillan, who has published Monroe directories for many years, said today six solicitors were starting out to gather the statistical information from door to door.  The last directory, published in 1930, listed 11,641 names of persons 16 years and older, and of this number, Mr. McMillan says, 3740 were housewives.  Somewhat discounting the prosperity note, the publisher says it will not be feasible this year to distribute the directory free to homes as in the case of previous issues.
 

Record Commercial, Thursday, Oct 22, 1914 
Friends gave Mrs. Adam Betzner a surprise last Friday afternoon, it being her birthday.  Pedro was played.  Mrs. Chas. Delye winning the first prize and Mrs. Ernest Ott free-for-all.  Lunch was served and all left wishing Mrs. Betzner many happy returns of the day.  She was presented with a handsome handbag.

 
Thanks to Ray Dushane for copying so many articles from the Monroe Evening News for us to enjoy!! 
 
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