Leo Pewash and Dorothy with their dog standing in front of the Ice Cream Shop.
Not sure if this was in April, but since he is in shirtsleeves. and Dorothy has a coat on, it might have been.
Courtesy Omena Historical Society
April can be hard. It may be snowing or sunny and warm. The one thing for sure is that when April comes we are all so ready for it to be spring.
My Daffodils trying to bloom in the snow. – Lynn Spitznagel
It was even harder in the 1800s. Food and firewood were running low, the weather was still cold, and the grey skies were affecting peoples mental health.
Abigail Stevens’ end was self-inflicted in April. Her husband was well known in Northport. He served as town Clerk in 1856 and also was a teacher at the Onuminese School. Abigail, however, was mentally unstable, and on April 15th, 1857, she had reached her limit. She hung herself. It was a terrible tragedy for the community as the couple was very well liked.
Two days later, Reverend Smith wrote in his diary, “At 10AM we first assembled at the house (of Abigail and her husband) then proceeded to the schoolhouse. Mrs. Smith played Melodeon…almost everybody in the place attended. It was a solemn time, even the hardest hearts shed tears.” Then Rev Smith adds, “Afterwards the corpse is put in Mrs. Rose’s Warehouse. Mr. Stevens is going to Maine with it on the first boat.” I hope the weather stayed cool long enough to get poor Abigail back to Maine.
Block print of Omena Presbyterian Church in winter by Nancy Jo Wheeler – Courtesy Omena Historical Society
Another woman who couldn’t stand it anymore by in April, 1857 was Mrs. McCabe. Her husband was the local shoemaker in Northport and selling liquor on the side at the time they decided to enforce the prohibition ordinance. He and several other men were arrested and fined, but since Mr. McCabe was a “prominent offender” he was taken to jail. When he was arrested again the following April Mrs. McCabe came to her husband’s assistance by attacking the Constable and his deputy with an ax! She was arrested along with her husband.
There is something about April in the Leelanau.
Courtesy A History of Leelanau Township