EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Northland-Wells Township voters narrowly defeated two millage proposals Tuesday that would have provided funds to maintain the township park and operate the volunteer fire department. In addition, residents elected an incumbent Republican in an uncontested race to the office of township clerk. The first millage proposal on Tuesday’s Ballot asked voters to approve one mill for five years for maintenance of the Wells Township Park on County Road 426, said Township Supervisor Patsy J. Cott. It was defeated 59 to 53. The second millage question asked voters to approve 1.5 mills for 10 years for the operation of the Wells Township Fire Department. Voters defeated the request 70 to 42. The township will apply for state and federal grants in an effort to obtain funds to purchase new equipment, Cott said.

90 years ago

MARQUETTE — Despite the fact that the city lock-up rapidly is gaining a reputation as a comfortable haven of refuge and a place to get good food free, the daily average number of transient jobless men who seek shelter there has not increased greatly in the last few weeks. Wednesday night a new high mark was met when 34 men, nearly all of them penniless and looking for work, called at the police station and asked for a place to sleep. Seventeen cots, some of them sent to the jail from the prison, were set up in the north cell room and those who had no cots slept on the floor or in the cells. Last night only 18 men had applied for lodging up to 8 o’clock. Through the generosity of restaurant and hotel proprietors and individuals, the police department has managed to give all lodgers a lunch two or three times a day. Coffee, soup, bread, meat, baked beans, and other foods have been donated. The police have a supply of cups, knives, forks, spoons, soup dishes, and plates and there is a gas stove in the station on which coffee and soup are made hot before serving. Patrolman Fred Marlowe has been designated as chief of the commissary department. Except in cases in which extreme circumstances make it absolutely necessary, no transient lodger is permitted to sleep in the city lockup more than three nights. Most of them leave town after one or two nights.