The Mining Journal announced that grocery prices had risen more than 7% in the month of November. In Washington D.C., the Watergate cover-up trial was just concluding. Unemployment was at a 13-year high and Michigan had the highest unemployment rate in the nation.

Two airmen died in a crash at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base. And after two deaths from apparent drug overdoses, more than 20 local residents, nearly all between the ages of 18 and 23, were arrested in a series of raids and charged with a variety of drug-related offenses.

Things were also tense at the Marquette Branch Prison. On April 19, the same day that the new warden, Theodore Koehler started work, two trustees left the Magnum Prison Farm. They took Charline Beaudin, a local mother of three, hostage as she was leaving her shift at Wahlstrom’s Restaurant in Harvey. The convicts later murdered Mrs. Beaudin as she tried to escape.

Before the inmates were captured three days later, they had also killed a gas station attendant in Wisconsin and a police officer in downstate Troy.

Sheriff Adrian Pequet. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

The prison was also still reeling from the murder of officer Earl Demarse in November 1973. Although the killer had been convicted after a May trial, he was still an inmate in Marquette. He was transferred to Jackson only after numerous complaints from friends and co-workers of Officer Demarse.

What a delight, then, to find true holiday joy behind bars, both at the Marquette County Jail and at the prison.

At the prison, 15 inmates in the Intensive Program Center held a holiday party on Dec. 21 for the Ishpeming-Negaunee Big Brothers organization. This was not the first thing that the inmates had done for the Big Brothers. In September, they had donated $500 worth of crafts for a fundraising auction, but they wanted to do more and proposed the party.

After securing agreements from the warden, the Big Brothers, and the boys’ mothers, the event was on.

The program featured games, a movie, a visit from Santa and presents for each of the 28 boys attending. There was also a craft activity where the boys got to finish projects started by the inmates that they could then take home and give to their mothers for Christmas presents.

This photo is the original Marquette County Courthouse was taken before 1903. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Regional History Center)

Lani Duquette, executive director of the Big Brothers organization, said “Maybe this party will convince some people that inmates are human and have a heart like anyone else.”

At the county jail, well, let’s let Blaine Betts tell the story himself.

“It was Christmas-card perfect. A soft snow was falling when we stepped out of St. Peter’s Cathedral as Midnight Mass ended at 1 a.m., Dec. 25, 1974. My choir director sister, Dawn, my wife, Gretchen, and I marveled at the quiet beauty of glistening flakes as we walked the half block to the residence of the Marquette County sheriff. Our widowed mother had recently married long-time Sheriff Adrian Pequet, and this was to be her first Christmas in the county-owned residence that was attached to Marquette County’s aging sandstone jail facility.

“Following a round of spiced cider and cookies in the comfortable living room, Adrian said, “Come, follow me.” Using an impressive key, he unlocked the giant barred door, then he quietly led us through the cell blocks. Nearly every cell had a stocking or two hanging from the bars!

The sounds of snoring and the unmistakable odor of incarcerated men commanded our senses. But Dawn, Gretchen, and I were all thinking the same thing: ‘We have to fill those stockings!’

“Returning to the residence, we scoured the kitchen and everywhere else to find something for everyone spending that Christmas in jail. Oranges, grapefruits, apples, nuts, candy, cookies, magazines, gum, a crossword puzzle book and some used toys were gathered into two large boxes.

“We were giddy as we returned to the cells to place at least two items in each sock. The ones with holes in the toes required the grapefruit as the first gift. It was nearly 3 a.m. when we finished. I suspect some of the inmates were aware of our activity, but the heavy breathing sounds indicated most were not awakened by our presence.

“Every Christmas produces a feeling of wonder within me. One would never want to compare or rank order a sacred holiday, but that memorable Christmas of 1974 truly taught us that giving produces joy and a sense of fulfillment.”

Wherever you are, may the warmth of the holiday season be with you, from your friends at the Marquette Regional History Center.