Sunday, February 9, 2025

Tiny Island, Big History

By Tiffany Amber Stockton




So, as if my life didn't have enough happening, I decided it was a good idea to sign on with a monthly challenge with a few other authors who are part of my local writer's chapter. Although I've remained consistent with article writing, copywriting and copyediting, it has been a few years since I last had a fiction novel release. This challenge is helping me flex those story muscles and form a daily habit that will lead to me finishing this book that has been sitting on my computer for far too long.

Although the research is already done, today I'm sharing a little background of unique facts about this little island called Chincoteague, just off the Eastern Shore of Virginia and to the east of the Delmarva Peninsula.

CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND

The history of human activity in Chincoteague, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, begins with the Native Americans. Settlers from Europe swooped in and overtook the land in the late 17th century, but until then, the Chincoteague Indians used it as a place to gather shellfish. They aren't known to have lived there, though, as the island lacked suitable soil for their agriculture. Marshland doesn't typically grow much of anything except reeds.

Picturesque view of Chincoteague away from the populated
portion of the island (looking toward Assateague)
Once the European settlers inhabited the island, a series of disputes over who would own the island ensued. That led to patents being issued and a final resolution of an even split between two gentleman. With ownership of the island settled, it mostly existed as a place to house livestock, since they could feed off the marsh grasses. No need for fences or other enclosures to prevent the animals from straying either. How far could the animals go when they're on an island surrounded by water? (grins)

This led to the origin of the ponies on Assateague, though legends reported a Spanish shipwreck which left the ponies as cargo to swim to the nearest island. Historians believe the legend of the shipwreck simply became entwined with the history of the ponies until it was accepted as "truth." Funny how history does that from time to time. Makes me wonder just how much of unrecorded history is truly fact or merely embellished truths spoken from generation to generation until the truth and the embellishment can no longer be separated. Have you ever come across details like this?

Anyway, back to Chincoteague.

Stanley Jester (a distant cousin) harvests oysters by hand at low
tide in his oyster bed in the shallows of Chincoteague Bay
For the next hundred years or so, the island remained a place to house livestock for owners living on the mainland of Virginia. Following the Revolutionary War, residents realized the potential of business and industry through the abundance of shellfish in the area. This industry became so big, shipments went as far north as New England to the cities steadily growing there, and as I mentioned last month, my grandfather's family lived here. It was shellfish being provided to the White House under President Woodrow Wilson which led to my great-grandfather's cousin marrying the president while he was in office, leaving me with a family connection to "American royalty."

Throughout these years of shellfish and seafood industry, Chincoteague thrived. In 1876, a rail line completed a stop just 5 miles from the island with a steamship completing the distance. This gave oystermen an efficient means of getting their shellfish to market and began the wave of tourists escaping the city heat in the summer. Tourism hasn't slowed since.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

* If you had an island similar to Chincoteague just a short distance across a narrow channel from where you lived, what would you do with it?

* Are you a fan of shellfish or seafood? What's your favorite?

* What recounting of an event do you know where the real truth has been fused with legend or unrecorded history? How much is true and what is legend?

Leave answers to these questions or any comments on the post below.

** This note is for our email readers. Please do not reply via email with any comments. View the blog online and scroll down to the comments section.

Come back on the 9th of each month for my next foray into historical tidbits to share.

BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has embellished stories since childhood, thanks to a very active imagination and notations of talking entirely too much. Honing those skills led her to careers as an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker, while also working as a professional copywriter/copyeditor. She loves to share life-changing products and ideas with others to help improve their lives in a variety of ways, but especially from the inside out.

Currently, she lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children, three dogs, and three cats in southeastern Kentucky. In her 20+ years as a professional writer, she has sold twenty-six (26) books so far and has agent representation with Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Mail-Order Bride from Russia


image by Vitaly_Stasov, deposit photos

by Martha Hutchens

The whole point of a mail-order bride is that the prospective bride and groom don’t live near each other. However, we normally think of it being a woman in the eastern United States joining a man somewhere in the west. Sometimes, the bride travelled a much greater distance.

Such was the case for Rachel Bella Kahn. She travelled from Chvedkifka, Russia in the 1890s.

Abraham Calof wrote an advertisement for a bride to join him in North Dakota. He required a woman of strong character, and most importantly, of the Jewish faith. When his first choice decided against traveling so far from family, he asked his sister to interview Rachel Kahn.

Rachel Kahn certainly had less concerns about leaving her family. Her father and stepmother were neglectful and abusive. Her job as a maid in her aunt’s mansion involved long hours and little pay. When she almost escaped through a love match with the local butcher, her family blocked the marriage because his occupation made him “inferior.” At seventeen, Rachel had already seen her share of heartbreak.

Then she received word that Abraham Calof liked what she wrote about herself. They exchanged pictures and liked each other’s looks. Abraham commissioned his oldest sister, Chaya, to interview his prospective bride. The interview included several tests, but Rachel won Chaya over when she did not become frustrated or angry while untangling a ball of knotted yarn.

Rachel traveled by train to Hamburg, Germany, then by ship to Ellis Island. Like many of the immigrants, she was desperately seasick. She forgot the misery when she saw Abraham waiting for her when she arrived in New York City. “There’s my beloved,” she said.

They traveled by train to North Dakota, where Abraham planned to file for a homestead near his family.

image by ehrlif, deposit photos

I think we forget just how desperate life on the frontier could be. Rachel probably thought she knew what she was getting into, but her first sight of her husband’s family shocked her. They were dirty, dressed in rags, and the men were barefoot. They she arrived at her new home. It was a 12 by 14 foot shack with a dirt floor, a bed, a table, and a stove. Since the couple was not married yet, they would be sharing this palace with Abraham’s parents, brother, sister-in-law, and two children.

Abraham understood her disappointment, and took her on long walks where he reassured her that this was a temporary situation. Eventually they would be own their own and happy.

In November of 1894, the couple was married. However, to conserve their limited fuel, the couple would be forced to continue living several other people, as well as livestock.

Abraham worked long hours in the field, and Rachel worked equally hard providing food for the two of them as well as for the children that they had. After five years of marriage, Abraham had enough money to build a larger home for their family, which included four children at the time.

By 1900, the homestead appeared to be prospering, with a bumper wheat crop in the field. And then hail came. Their crop was destroyed and their house was flooded. However, they persevered. 

image by IgorStrukov, deposit photos

By 1910, their homestead had grown much larger than its original 160 acres. They had also expanded from farming to breaking wild horses. They had earned the respect of their neighbors by their tenacity and their dedication to their Jewish faith. Abraham helped new farmers in the area. They were both instrumental in founding the first school in their region. Their efforts were recognized by two presidents, William Taft and Woodrow Wilson.

They spent twenty-three years on their North Dakota farm before moving to St. Paul, Minnesota. Abraham worked in dry goods there. Rachel began writing her life story, which she described as “a life worth living.”

image by LiliGraphie, deposit photos

The Calofs were married for more than fifty years. They had nine children. They both died of natural causes in their late seventies.

I think Abraham and Rachel exemplify what we think of as a mail-order marriage.

If you are enjoying this mail-order bride stories, check out Hearts West: True Stires of Mail-Order Brides on the Frontier by Chris Enss.



Martha Hutchens is a transplanted southerner who lives in Los Alamos, NM where she is surrounded by history so unbelievable it can only be true. She won the 2019 Golden Heart for Romance with Religious and Spiritual Elements. A former analytical chemist and retired homeschool mom, Martha is frequently found working on her latest knitting project when she isn’t writing



Martha can frequently be found at the Sunrise Historical Hearts Facebook page, along with other Sunrise authors. If you would like to find out about new Sunrise releases (including a mail-order bride series), and meet other historical authors, click here to join the fun.



Friday, February 7, 2025

The Great Baltimore Fire

By Jennifer L. Wright 



At 10:48 a.m. on Sunday, February 7, 1904, a fire was reported at the John Hurst and Company building on West German Street at Hopkins Place in downtown Baltimore. Supposedly, someone had tossed a smoldering cigarette into the basement. Although the city had a professional and well-trained fire department, by the time they arrived, the building was engulfed in flames, with winds from the harbor fanning the fire in the direction of neighboring buildings in the downtown district. 

It soon became apparent the blaze was too much for their woefully inadequate equipment. At the time, pumpers and tankers were still pulled by teams of horses. In addition, the cities themselves were tinderboxes. Buildings were constructed of wood and located in close proximity to each other, fire breaks weren't built into city planning, and building codes were either nonexistent or not enforced. Many streets and alleys were often crowded with cars, wagons, and discarded items, while others were simply too narrow for fire wagons to squeeze through under even the best conditions. 


Photo Credit: Box 414 Association

Soon, the fire that began at the John Hurst and Company building was out of control...and out of the capabilities of the Baltimore Fire Department. Pushed along by prevailing winds, the flames spread north through the retail shopping area as far as Fayette Street and began moving eastward. Firefighters sent out telegraphs to surrounding communities, asking them to send equipment and manpower. Nearby cities such as Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. , New York City, Wilmington, and Atlantic City responded, but it took hours before horse-drawn pumpers, wagons and other related equipment would arrive, as much of had to be carried via train. 

 

When help did arrive, however, an entirely different problem presented itself: at the time, firefighting practices and equipment were largely unstandardized, with each city having its own system. As such, the hoses and couplings brought by neighboring departments were useless; they didn't fit the fire hydrants in Baltimore. 


Photo Credit: Box 414 Association

 

The fire lasted into the following day; it took about 30 hours for it to be extinguished completely. When all was said and done, an 80-block area of downtown Baltimore was in ashes, leaving more than 1,500 buildings completely destroyed and an additional 1,000 heavily damaged. The estimated cost of the fire was $100 million (over $3 billion today) and, as the fire affected only commercial buildings, 35,000 people were left unemployed. Although, officially, no lives were lost directly from the fire, four firefighters ultimately succumbed to pneumonia, which they were thought to have contracted during their exposure to the blaze. 


Photo Credit: Box 414 Association

Surprising everyone, much of the destroyed area was rebuilt in relatively short order. More importantly, the city adopted a building code, stressing fireproof materials. But the greatest legacy of the Baltimore Fire was the push it gave to adopt standardized firefighting equipment in the United States. Compliance was difficult, however, and over one-hundred years after the blaze, there still are several major American metropolitan areas who have not adopted the national fire hydrant standard. 

 

But in Baltimore, the legacy of the blaze lives on. The "Box 414 Association,” which was named after the first alarm box pulled that fateful morning, was created in 1946 by several former firefighters to assist the Baltimore City Fire Department by sending trucks to the sites of major alarms and fires to provide exhausted firefighters snacks, drinks, and items of comfort. The organization still retains a strong presence within the community today. In addition, the BCFD memorializes the fire annually at the Department's old headquarters near City Hall. Observances are also held at the closest street corner to the Great Fire's beginnings at South Howard and West Lombard Streets alongside the old Civic Center. 



Jennifer L. Wright grew up wanting to be a reporter, but it only took a few short months of working in journalism for her to abandon those aspirations for fiction writing instead. She loves to reimagine and explore forgotten eras in history, showcasing God's light amidst humanity's darkest days. Her books have won multiple awards, including Golden Scroll and Angel awards. She currently lives in New Mexico with her husband, two kids, a couple of hyperactive dachshunds, and an ever-growing herd of guinea pigs. 








Thursday, February 6, 2025

Air Raid Sirens During WWII



In ancient civilizations, drums were used for both music and to deliver messages, including reports about invading armies. As time passed, bells replaced drums. The Middle Ages saw a rise in the use of bells, especially in churches where they were used as an early warning system and general messaging. Several sources indicate that during the mid-1600s, men responding to fires in New York would ring a bell as they approached to alert nearby residents of the danger.

Then came 1799.

A rise in science occurred during the 18th century. Inventions were created, then other scientists offered improvements on those innovations. One such device was the siren. First invented by Scottish physicist John Robison in 1799, French engineer Charles Cagniard de la Tour enhanced and named the siren (most scholars say he took the name from Greek mythology). His siren used a bellows apparatus to force air through its rotor. The pitch could be raised or lowered by increasing or decreasing the speed of the rotor. For the first time, scientists could create tones of specific frequencies. At some point, it was realized sirens could be used to alert citizens of fires and tornadoes.

After World War II commenced, thousands of sirens were installed in cities across Europe to warn of
air raids. All other uses were prohibited. In England, the air raid wardens arranged for the sounding of sirens. Inhabitants were expected to take cover before the raid started. A second “all clear” siren indicated when it was safe to leave shelters.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, authorities on America’s West Coast realized that Japan’s military capabilities could result in an air strike to that part of the country, perhaps even farther inland. Fearing that chaos would ensue with the air raids, officials issued strict instructions about what to do and how to behave. Having anticipated America’s entry into the conflict at some level, President Roosevelt created the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) in May 1941.

One of the more well-known branches of the OCD is that of the air raid wardens. Wardens oversaw the education of their assigned blocks and offered regular practice drills, which typically lasted for thirty minutes. When the siren sounded, wardens would spring to action, patrolling their streets to ensure no lights were visible. By 1943, nearly six million men and women had volunteered.

After the war, the sirens were used in the initial days of the Cold War, but since then, most have fallen silent, except those used to warn of impending tornadoes. It is unknown how many sirens still exist across the nation.

Do you live in an area that uses sirens?

__________________

Love and Chocolate: A Second Chance Romance

She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love?

Ilsa Krause and her siblings are stunned to discover their father left massive debt behind upon his death. To help pay off their creditors and save the farm, she takes a job at Beck’s Chocolates, the company her father despised and refused to supply with milk. Then she discovers her boss is Ernst Webber, her high school love who unceremoniously dumped her via letter from college. Could life get any more difficult?

A freshly-minted university diploma in his hand, Ernst Webber lands his dream job at Beck’s Chocolates. His plans to work his way up the ladder don’t include romantic entanglements, then Ilsa Krause walks back into his life resurrecting feelings he thought long dead. However, her animosity makes it clear she has no interest in giving him a second chance. Can he get her to change her mind? Does he want to?

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/mdQerZ 


Linda Shenton Matchett
writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves. 

Whether you choose her books set in the Old West or across the globe during WWII, you will be immersed in the past through rich detail. Follow the journeys of relatable characters whose faith is sorely tested, yet in the end, emerge triumphant. Be encouraged in your own faith-walk through stories of history and hope.


Photo Credits:
Bell: Pixabay/TooMuchCoffeeMan
All others property of the author

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Charles I.D. Looff and The Fascinating History of Carousels

By Mary Dodge Allen

Many believe that the beautiful carousel he built in Griffith Park inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland. 

Karl Jurgen Detley Looff was born in 1852 in the Duchy of Holstein, part of the German Confederation. He began working as a wood carver as a teenager. In 1870, after turning 18, he emigrated to the United States. 

Charles I.D. Looff (Public Domain)

Looff changed his name by mistake after arriving in New York. A customs agent began filling out his identification papers and asked Looff to state his middle name. In the Low German language, the letter J resembles the English letter I. And in the confusion of the moment, Looff pointed to the initials “I.D.” on the official identification form (thinking it was J.D. for Jurgen Detley). His name became Charles I.D. Looff from then on. 

Looff settled in Brooklyn, New York and began working as a wood carver for a furniture company. As a sideline, he taught ballroom dancing part-time, which is how he met his future wife, Anna Dolle, who was also from Germany. 

At this time, vacationers and local residents were flocking to the south Brooklyn beaches, and investors and entrepreneurs were actively developing Brooklyn’s beachside properties. Looff saw an opportunity. He decided that a carousel - also called a merry-go-round - would be a perfect addition to the attractions at the Brooklyn beaches.

After working at the furniture factory all day, Looff began bringing wood scraps home to his apartment, where he worked long hours, carving and painting ornate wooden horses and animals. He worked at this for nearly four years, before he married Anna in 1874.

Drawing of Mrs. Vanderveer's Bathing Pavilion, Brooklyn Public Library Collection

Looff's First Carousel:

In 1875, Mrs. Lucy Vanderveer’s Bathing Pavilion was completed on Coney Island. It was an impressive building, with a spacious restaurant and flags flying from three ornate cupolas. Somehow, Looff convinced the Pavilion’s manager to allow him to assemble a carousel inside the Pavilion. 

Charles I.D. Looff's first carousel at Coney Island, (Public Domain)
Looff is in the center of the photo, with an arrow pointing to him

Working alone, Looff fastened his wooden menagerie of animals and horses onto a circular platform he personally designed. His first carousel, which began operating in 1876, became the first amusement ride on Coney Island. 

Looff opened his own factory in Brooklyn and continued building carousels. As business increased, he hired other expert carvers to help him. Looff’s carved horses were known for their decorative ornamentation, glass eyes and tails made of real horse hair. 

Looff's Carving Style Phases:

During his long career, Looff's carving style had three distinct phases. His early phase (1876-1888) produced horses with gentle expressions. 

During his second phase (1889-1900) his horse heads were elegant, and the manes intricately carved. 

In his last phase (1901-1918) his horses became more stylized and flamboyant.

The Looff Family Carousel Business:

Charles and Anna Looff had six children, three girls and three boys. All of them, except the eldest child, Anna, would eventually work with Charles in his carousel business. (Anna was tragically killed in a trolley car accident at age 21.)


Charles I.D. Looff and family, seated on the 1895 Crescent Park Carousel, taken circa 1905 
(Public Domain)

In 1886, Looff moved his family to Rhode Island, where he set up a new carousel manufacturing operation. He installed a carousel at Crescent Park in Riverside, RI, known as “the Coney Island of the East.”

Nine years later, in 1895, Looff replaced this carousel with a larger, more elaborate one, containing 61 horses, 1 camel, 2 single chariots, and 2 double chariots. The 1895 carousel is now owned by the city of East Providence, R.I. and has been fully restored. It is still operating in its original location. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Crescent Park Looff Carousel in operation, 2008 (Wikipedia)

Move to California:

In 1910, Looff left two of his grown children to manage the family business in Rhode Island. He moved the rest of his family to Long Beach, California because he had heard of opportunities to build amusement parks on the West Coast. 

Looff built carousels at various locations, including Ocean Park, Redondo Beach, Santa Cruz and Griffith Park in Los Angeles. The Griffith Park carousel remained in operation until 2020. It is believed that this beautiful carousel served as the inspiration for Walt Disney to build Disneyland. 

Griffith Park Looff Carousel, no longer in operation (Public Domain)

Looff’s youngest son, Arthur helped him design and build the Santa Cruz Carousel and Roller Coaster, along with the Looff Pleasure Pier in Santa Monica (now called the Santa Monica Pier). To access the Pier, people entered through the impressive Looff Hippodrome. The Looff carousel inside the Hippodrome was illuminated with 1,000 electric lights, a spectacular sight at the time. 


Charles I.D. Looff, his son Arthur, his wife Anna (Public Domain)

In all, Charles I.D. Looff and his family built 45 carousels between 1876 and 1916. Looff carousels were installed at amusement parks across the U.S.

Charles I.D. Looff died in July 1918, in Long Beach, at the age of 66. For many years after this, his children continued managing the family’s businesses in New England and California.

Fun and Fascinating Facts about Carousels, aka Merry-Go-Rounds:

The word carousel has been traced back to 12th century Italian horsemanship competitions, called carosellos (Italian for “little wars”). These competitions tested the skill of riders, as they handled horses while moving in a circle.

Carousels run clockwise in the United Kingdom and counter-clockwise in the United States.

Each carved carousel horse has an individual number, stamped on a brass circle on its left cheek.

There are two types of horses on a carousel: "Jumpers" go up and down; "Prancers" go back and forth.

Many carousels have a "Lead Horse" decorated fancier than the others. It helped the operator to keep track of how many times the carousel went around.

Photo of a Looff "Lead Horse" on a 1908 Carousel, still operating in Massachusetts
(an example of the last phase of his carving - Flamboyant style horse)

Riding Benches called "Chariots" were first made just before the turn of the 20th century, for ladies who did not want to ride side-saddle in their long skirts.

A Looff 1908 'Dragon' Chariot Riding Bench (Public Domain)

From 1885 to 1940, the standard price of a carousel ticket was five cents. What a bargain! Have you ever ridden on a carousel? Have you ridden on one recently?

____________________


Mary Dodge Allen is currently finishing her sequel to Hunt for a Hometown Killer. She's won a Christian Indie Award, an Angel Book Award, and two Royal Palm Literary Awards (Florida Writer's Association). She and her husband live in Central Florida. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith Hope and Love Christian Writers. 


Recent release, anthology devotional: El Jireh, The God Who Provides


Mary's story, entitled: A Mother's Desperate Prayer, describes her struggle with guilt and despair after her young son is badly burned in a kitchen accident. When we are at the end of all we have, El Jireh provides what we need. 

Click the link below to purchase on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/El-Jireh-God-Who-Provides/dp/1963611608


Mary's novelHunt for a Hometown Killer won the 2022 Christian Indie Award, First Place - Mystery/Suspense; and the 2022 Angel Book Award - Mystery/Suspense.

Click the link below to buy Hunt for a Hometown Killer at Amazon.com:


Link to Mary's Spotlight Interview:   Mary Dodge Allen Author Spotlight EA Books




Tuesday, February 4, 2025

How the 1872 National Mining Apex Law Divided Friend and Foe

By Donna Wichelman

In a recent interview for a guest blog, a friend asked which historical parameters were imposed on the writing of my historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, and where I had to fill in the gaps with my imagination. Sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction, which, in the case of the Apex Law or what is also referred to as the "extralateral rights" law, one wonders how the national government could have passed such egregious legislation. To understand why the 1872 legislation was passed, we have to go back to the history of mining in nineteenth-century America.

The California Gold Rush did more to create western expansion across America than any other development. Once men heard about the discovery of gold, they literally "rushed" to the western territories, bringing on tens of thousands in mass migration and the demands for quicker and better transportation. People became crazed, lured by the possibility of making their fortunes. They came on steamships through Panama or around Cape Horn. Many joined wagon trains on the Overland Trail, while others built the Transcontinental Railway from New York to California.

Image by Denise Henze from Pixabay, AI Rendering of a Steam Engine on a Railroad

Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay

Some found their fortunes panning for gold along river banks. But soon, those resources dwindled, and hard rock mining, digging deep into the belly of the earth, began to take over the industry, giving rise to demands for technological advances such as the Burley Drill to better access the minerals underground, steam boilers to operate hoisting equipment down the shafts, and smelting furnaces to extract valuable metals from the ore and remove impurities. The Gilded Age was on in the West, as mine owners needed more laborers willing to work in difficult conditions.

Image by Erich Westendarp from Pixabay, AI Rendering of a Steam Boiler

Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay Mine

As men migrated west, they soon discovered quantities of gold, silver, copper, and other metals could be found in Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and the Black Hills. The atmosphere was ripe for mining towns to spring up everywhere across the West as the demand for services increased--banks, food, clothes, and various other supplies necessary to survive. 

By 1872, the United States government recognized the need for regulation. Until that time, practices for open mining and prospecting on public land tended to be universal and supported by state and territorial regulation, but illegal under federal law. After the Civil War, eastern congressmen, looking for a way to pay the war debt, viewed western miners as squatters on public land and proposed the seizure of western mines to be put up for public auction. One congressman, Fernando Wood, advocated for the government to take ownership to benefit the treasury.

Image of Gold Nugget by Csaba Nagy from Pixabay

Western representatives argued that miners and prospectors promoted commerce and the settlement of new territories. A series of legislation was passed, including the "Chaffee laws" of July 26, 1866, named after Colorado Territorial representative Jerome B. Chaffee, that legalized hard rock mining on public land. Similar law was passed July 9,1870 for placer mining.

Then, on May 10, 1872, the General Mining Act of 1872 (much of which is still intact) codified the informal system of acquiring and protecting claims on federal public lands. All citizens eighteen and older have the right to locate a lode (hard rock) or placer (gravel) mining on federal lands where such land is open, which consists of 350 million acres of federal public land still today.

Mine Tailings  from the Terrible Mine Seen From I70 near Georgetown, Colorado: Donna's Gallery, June 2019

One piece of that legislation, however, became and still is a general headache for mine owners. In A Song of Deliverance, I based the feud between my hero, Stefan Maier, and the villain, Georg Töpfer, on a real feud in 1873 that took place between the Pelican Mine--owners Eli Streeter and Thomas and John McCunniff--and the Dives claim owned by John McMurdy, having purchased part interest from Thomas Burr and a deed from William Hamill. Unfortunately, the Pelican and Dives claims overlapped, and litigation ensued.


At the forefront of the Pelican-Dives case was the apex law or “
extralateral rights” one part of the 1872 National Mining Law. According to Christine Bradley in The Rise of the Silver Queen, “The right allowed the owners of a claim the exclusive right to mine a vein if the apex, or highest point, occurred within their property. The owner could follow the vein’s downward course beyond the property’s sidelines but not beyond the end lines unless [they] purchased the neighboring claims … In reality, such veins seldom existed in the mining world. Veins and ore pockets went everywhere and often surfaced in other claims.” 

Fierce feuding between the Pelican-Dives owners continued into the 1880s, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in litigation fees and one murder. Ultimately, Pelican and Dives merged into one company under William Hamill’s direction.

The extralateral rights law still exists today and continues to be a source of disputes among mine owners. Regulations under this law are complicated, and the courts have to sift through the various parts of the legislation to determine whose rights are being violated. Many miners contend the law is outdated and needs to be revisited. But will the federal government move on this question? Well, it is the federal government. So, anything can happen ... or not.

Weaving history and faith into stories of intrigue and redemption grew out of Donna's love of travel, history, and literature as a young adult while attending the United World College of the Atlantic--an international college in Wales, U.K. She enjoys developing plots that show how God's love abounds even in the profoundly difficult circumstances of our lives. Her stories reflect the hunger in all of us for love, belonging, and forgiveness.

Donna was a communications professional before writing full-time. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two indie-published romantic suspense novels, Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor, in her Waldensian Series. Her Gilded Age historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, released on December 3, 2024.

Donna and her husband of forty years participate in ministry at their local church in Colorado. They love spending time with their grandchildren and bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Unearthing the Past at Fort Michilimackinac


The longest running archeology program in the United States resides at Fort Michilimackinac in northern Michigan. Digs started in 1959. The study continues each summer in fairer weather. To date, researchers excavated 65% of the original fort and structures and more than one million artifacts exist from these explorations.


One of the most fascinating components for me at this fort isn't the booming cannons or the demonstrations of the re-enactors, though both are exciting and informative. Rather, capturing my attention and imagination is the extensive archeology exhibit. For those of us who wonder "how" it not only answers, but prods further curiosity. Did you ever wonder how archeologists decide where structures exist and the composition of the subjects? The first interactive display at Michilimackinac shows a mock up of a current building. Pressing a button reveals what exists below. Take a gander.



This demonstration shows how archeologists recreate a site. If they unearth many glass fragments, they might envision windows. If they uncover pottery shards and pot fragments, they perhaps infer the location of a kitchen. Metal/iron parts could hint at a door. Studying where these physical findings rest gives an idea of the structure's segments, walls, doors, chimneys, and more.

The nature of archeology can be a messy business since scientists must dig and disassemble to discover and designate parts of the past. Because this venture is destructive to say the least, they toil in confined areas of 10-foot squares at a time. Maps, drawings, written records, and photographs aid in piecing together what once filled those spots. Exact locations are notated. In later years, computers aided and continue to give insight by employing programs that study patterns. 

In collecting items surrounding specific purposes, archeologists can surmise what types of occupations, domestic functions, and recreational activities subsisted for the colonial residents. Notice the artifacts below representing these four categories: structural, occupational, domestic, and recreational.



Since we've discussed what is under the fort. How about what or who was outside the fort? Who lived at this location before and after installation?

The Anishnaabeck, comprised of Ojibwa, Odawa, and Pottawatomi inhabited the area by 1650. Visitors can tour a model of their encampment to grasp an idea of daily life. The exhibit displays traditional housing sporting angled poles dressed in birchbark, reeds, or cedar. How did they live inside? The door flap of a blanket or other material served as entry and protection from wind. A central fire provided warmth and an area to cook during colder weather. At other times, cooking occurred outside. Men and women slept in separate areas. The area furthest from the door housed the elders.

The women removed the exterior of the dwelling for transport to the next camp at the change of seasons. For the Anishinabek, this method remained through a portion of the 19th century.I always wondered how Native Americans packed up and migrated. Perhaps each people group created the skeleton for the dwellings at subsequent locations using local resources and only transported the outer portions? Do you have any idea? Share in the comments below. 

What drew these nomads to seek this location? The Ojibwa and Odawa (also spelled Ottawa) in the north subsisted by hunting and fishing, both supported by the Great Lakes and its shores. The Pottawatomi of the south farmed corn, beans, and squash (though I did not find reference to the triad; The Three Sisters as termed by the Cherokee and Iroquois). The rivers of southern Michigan allowed for this agriculture. (Enlarged map at right from the display on a placard at the encampment.)

This fort lies near the tip of the lower peninsula resting along Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. In addition, the lakes lead to tributaries, rivers, and creeks, allowing the transportation of people and goods across the continent and beyond. The parcel of land and surrounding vicinity served as a hub of trade for many natives as well as Europeans, before, during and after the fort reigned. 

1715 arrived as Fort Michilimackinac’s walls multiplied, one post at a time. Constant Le Marchand de Lignery built the fort of wood, 360 feet by 380 feet. What you see today is a representation of the original structures. Can you find the guard patrolling the high walls in the photo above left with the flag? What a view they had from the bastions (towers), photo at left.

Incidentally, before this trip to Michigan I finished a novella by Pegg Thomas titled, Henri’s Regret: Forts of Refuge. It is the prequel to Selah Award Finalist, Maggie's Strength. In Henri's story, Frenchman Henri Geroux sets out on an adventure with his Ottawa friend. Danger ensues as he traverses land and water. While his travels did not include the site of this fort, the tale enhanced my overall experience at Michilimackinac. Reading earlier of navigating the water, entering a fort, and tidbits during their waking hours brought the fort to life for me that day. After our trip to Michigan, I read more exploits in and around forts in 2022 Selah Award Winning Sarah’s Choice also by Pegg Thomas. This story from 1763 featured three forts as well as three women who sought to survive amidst the peril. 

Speaking of reading, if you would like to learn about the history of Fort Michilimackinac, there are two detailed entries by Kathleen Rouser, links at the end. As you will learn in reading Kathleen’s, An Unburied Historical Treasure: Colonial Fort Michilimackinac, the British struggled to guard this tenuous location so they moved to Mackinac Island in 1781. There they had the upper hand at a higher elevation and land that was easier to defend surrounded by the lake. They did transfer original structures to the island. The remainder they burned. Below you will see a photo of Ste. Anne's (built by the French) at the original fort and the later constructed St. Ann's Church (built by the British) on the island. When we visited Mackinac Island, we walked past the church during mass. Peering up at the stained glass, we heard sweet voices in song floating out the door. That handle! Do you see the cross? Quite certain a blacksmith fashioned the device in earlier years. How I longed to step inside to view other features. Perhaps another visit one day.



That handle! Do you see the cross? Quite certain a blacksmith fashioned the device in earlier years. How I longed to pass through that door to view other treasures. Perhaps another visit is in order one day?

Next month we will sneak inside the fort walls of Michilimackinac. There is more to see in the Commander and Soldier Houses, the Barracks, and other buildings. Do you wonder how people lived before electricity, indoor plumbing, microwaves, and multitudes of appliances? Can you imagine managing Michigan winters without the benefit of HVAC systems?

If you have a hankering for more fort life before then, you will be excited to learn Pegg Thomas’ Her Redcoat is available now and transpires at Fort Michilimackinac! The heroine, Laurette Pettigrew is friends with the Ojibwe. 

Here are the four stories by Pegg Thomas mentioned in the post:




Pegg has many more journeys available in her tales. When describing Pegg weaving a yarn, this statement winds twofold. She crafts compelling stories and creates with yarn from start to finish. Visit her website to peruse her books. Join her newsletter to be the first to hear of her adventures in both avenues. Watch videos as she shares the textile process step-by-step. From drafting and carding wool to combining colors, on to the spinning wheel, and designing the final product, Pegg opens a window to long ago processes and precious items made by hand.

For history surrounding Fort Michilimackinac, read these posts by Kathleen Rouser: An Unburied Historical Treasure: Colonial Fort Michilimackinac and The Siege of the Fort at Detroit (Please note, the Giveaway ended.)

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 128 Plans, in 44 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives near the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and a college senior. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers. Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram PinterestX/Twitter