Rumors From the Past

 For all you Fayette History buffs, and I hope there are many, enjoy this authentic newspaper article from 1890 on the rumors surrounding the closing of Fayette.

The Mining Journal

December 13, 1890

Noting that the Jackson Iron Company’s furnace at Fayette has closed down for the season, the Escanaba Calumet states that the rumor is again current there that the suspension is permanent, and that no more pig iron will be made at that point.  In corroboration of this it is reported that the Jackson company has already begun removing some of the equipment of the furnace to Negaunee, where its mine is located, presumably with the intention of putting in a furnace plant there.  Nothing definite can be learned of the purpose of the company in the matter, the Calumet says, but it is known that the expense of obtaining fuel at Fayette has been excessive for some years past in consequence of the denudation of the country in the vicinity, and the paper is evidently of the opinion that the plant will be removed from that point to some other where the difficulty of procuring will not be so great an obstacle the way of the successful operations of the furnace.  If the furnace is removed from Fayette it is very probable that it will go to Negaunee, which would be an excellent location for it, as the company would be able to secure an ample supply of fuel there at all times and would save considerable on the transportation of the ore, while the difference in the haul on its product would be but trifling.

Note: Fayette was officially closed in 1891

Historic Company Store News

 

 

Fayette Company Store on left, Snail Shell Harbor and limestone bluff ahead

Let's all drift back in time to February 11, 1882 and learn what's new at the Fayette Company Store.  According to the Schoolcraft County Pioneer (the Manistique newspaper):

"E.S. Gagnon, of Escanaba, visited this place with a splendid assortment of jewelry, and has done well, he went home again on Tuesday, but intends to be back so as to be at Manistique about masquerade time.  If you want any jewelry buy from Gagnon, and you will get a good article, and at a remarkably low price."

In case you are wondering, masquerade time refers to costume balls held in various towns in the Upper Peninsula in the 1880s.

For your entertainment here are some Company Store prices from 1882: broom-25 cents, shoes-$2.00, 1 lb dried apples-50 cents, glycerine soap-20 cents per bar,  12 bars plain soap-$1.00,  3 lbs coffee-90 cents,  3 lbs of butter-$1.05,  shirt-$1.40,  slacks-75 cents,  one ax-$2.00,  one gallon of oil-25 cents,  1 lb raisins-18 cents,  5 lbs sugar-55 cents,  1 lb tea-$1.10,  1/2 gal pickles-13 cents,  flannel-35 cents per yard,  washboard-25 cents,  can of peaches-25 cents, crosscut saw-$5.20,  shawl-$9.00,  mirror-55 cents,  mittens-$1.10,  boots-$5.00,  small lamp-50 cents,  jacket-75 cents,  fine comb-10 cents.