1871 - Big Rapids Pioneer Newspaper Recap - Mecosta County, MI. Copyright © 2004 by Jan Cortez. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ Recapitulation of Local Events of 1871 February 1 - Prof. Perrine, of Lansing, lectured at the M.E. church. February 3 - Work of raising the frame for the Falcon Planing Mill building commenced. February 7 - Prof. O. Hosford lectured at the M.E. Church. February 8 - Donation at Morley for the benefit of Rev. Mr. Johns. Upwards of $80 realized. February 11 - Lodge of Good Templars organized at Morley. February 14 - Miss Frank E. Pierce, of Grand Rapids presented readings from the Poets, at the Union School House. February 14 - John G. McCoy, of Mecosta, died. February 15 - Lewis, only son of Lewis II and Eliza T. Green, died. February 20 - First Board of Directors of the Exchange Bank of Big Rapids elected. February 21 - Republican County Convention for the election of representatives in the State and Congressional Conventions. February 28 - A regular term of the Circuit Court commenced. August 2 - Ground broken for the Holley Engine House. Same day, Commissioners met in this city to declare a settlement between Mecosta & Osceola Counties. August 3 - Water pipe distributed about the city. Same day, John G. Mosser, railroad bridge builder, lost his pocket-book between this city and Paris. It contained nearly $100 in money and was never recovered. August 7 - James Hyde lost a finger in Butler's shingle mill at Morley. August 9 - John Donovon found dead in a ditch between Paris and Crapo. August 14 - A.M. Green's residence interviewed by a burglar. August 17 - John Sheely had left leg fearfully crushed while at work on the railroad near LeRoy. His co-laborers presented him with a purse of $80, in testimony of their sympathy. About the same time, James Downing lost the index finger of his right hand in Cummer & Son's shingle mill at Morley. August 25 - Stimson's mill fired up for the first time. Same day, terrible fire in the down timber on the Railroad Addition. August 28 - Hon. Isaac Si?es, Grand Master of the Odd Fellow's Fraternity of Michigan, visited Big Rapids. August 30 - S.D. Thompson, and wife celebrated their wooden wedding.