Looking Back: Thoughts from the editor
CHARLEVOIX — Charlevoix Sentinel editor Willard A. Smith was in a talkative mood 150 years ago, full of information, exasperation, humor, and good thoughts about the continuing progress of his adopted town.
Feb. 22, 1873: “The person who dropped the unstamped letter into the Postoffice letter-box, may rest assured that the letter will not be mailed until he calls and buys a stamp. This thing is getting old.” Getting old fast. Smith had been in his new role as postmaster alongside his newspaper editorship for only a short time.
Smith went on to report a problem that vexes the postal service to this day — an inability to balance income and expenses. At the time, a stamp cost three cents, and the postal service was reducing that to two cents on July 1. A bill in the House of Representatives requiring prepayment of the postage on newspaper subscriptions mailed beyond the county of publication, effective the following Jan. 1, had just passed. Think of the logistical nightmare surrounding that one.
Smith said, “We earnestly hope that this latter clause of the bill will be defeated in the Senate. As to the former, reducing letter postage to two cents, we confess to being unable to see the benefits to be derived therefrom. The Postoffice has not paid expenses with postage at three cents, and certainly the deficit will not be lessened by the reduction, as it will require half as many more letters to be sent through the mails in order to reach present revenue. The passage of the bill as a whole is, in fact, of doubtful expediency.” The more things change ...
And a picturesque new addition to the waterscape was said to be coming. “STEAMER FOR PINE LAKE. We have from reliable authority that Capt. L. Newson, backed by other parties, has gone to Green Bay for the purpose of purchasing a side wheel steamer, to be put on Pine Lake (Lake Charlevoix). If the project is carried out, we will be but three hours from railroad communication at the head of Pine Lake, after next October, during navigation (meaning the ice-free months). Just think of it!” Just think of it indeed!
The Grand Rapids & Indiana had run up from downstate to Traverse City the year before, and now was heading toward Petoskey through Boyne Falls. Those wishing to reach Charlevoix could take a steamer from Traverse City; by the end of the year they would be able to do the same from Petoskey. From Boyne Falls, they could get off and take a stagecoach from there the seven miles to Boyne City, and thus a third port from which to reach here. It would be another 19 years before Charlevoix got its own rail connection. As for the side wheeler between us and Boyne City? Maybe, maybe not. The historical society has no photo of one ever operating on Lake Charlevoix, and no documented mention of such a vessel so far.
Smith went on to wax rhapsodic about the achievements and prospects of Pine River/Charlevoix. “Retrospective and Prospective. The dullest part of the year for us of the North is now holding us in its monotonous embrace. Our only occupation and recreation is to exist, and help others do likewise. We look back upon the last season of navigation and mark the upbuilding and improvement of our village during that period, which in extent exceeds that of any two preceeding seasons. Where we one year ago saw stumps and brush-piles, we now behold inhabited dwellings and prosperous places of business. The retrospect is satisfactory and encouraging. The prospect promises no less.
“The trade of the village is to be increased by one or more general stores. The river improvement will be renewed with greater strength and promise of success than ever before, and will cast its exhilarating influence over every other enterprise in the region. Thus, in the melting away of mid-winter, we look into the past with a satisfied ambition; and peer into the future with eagerness and good cheer.”
Smith is here, in the next to last sentence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining our two relatively new channels, because practically everything that Charlevoix had done to that point, and would continue to do up to this day, was, and is, governed by our proximity to, and dependency upon, the beautiful waters that surround us.
Smith concluded his thoughts with a celebration of his newspaper’s continuing success and influence. “Never in the history of the Sentinel have subscriptions rolled in upon us as they have in the past two weeks. This indicates its growing popularity and increasing strength. The Sentinel has done much for this locality, and, as expressed by a gentleman of note who visited us last summer, ‘is the county’s right arm.’ What we have done for the county is attested by many people who have been attracted hither by what some have been pleased to term our ‘wind.’ Well, wind is a good thing. It drives the staunch agents of commerce through the rolling billows (meaning schooners); it is a strong motive power in the absence of steam and water; and in newspaperdom it is a powerful organ in the absence of brains. We shall continue to blow.”
And blow for Charlevoix and Charlevoix County Willard Smith did, for the next 43 eventful, progressive years.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Looking Back: Thoughts from the editor
