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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE–Most people remember the late nurse Elba Lila Morse as co-founder of Bay Cliff Health Camp and the driving force behind establishment of health departments throughout the Upper Peninsula. But Evelyn Johnson remembers the Marquette area resident as the aunt who helped raise her after the death of Evelyn’s mother. Upon her sister’s death, Morse became a guardian to Evelyn and her five younger siblings. The older six helped Elba raise the others, Evelyn said, adding that the biggest lesson Morse taught all 12 was about service. “Aunt Elba was an outstanding gal,” said Johnson, 62, of Marquette. “She instilled in every one of us the ability to give of self. None of us wound up rich in bank balances, but we were rich in friends and in love.” A registered nurse, Morse was asked to join the staff of the new state Children’s Fund in the late 1920s. She became superintendent of the Northern Michigan Children’s Clinic and supervised public health nurses who worked in many U.P. counties, which led to the establishment of several county health departments. It was in 1933 that Morse, along with Dr. Goldie Cornelinsen, founded Bay Cliff Health Camp. Honors during Morse’s lifetime included selection as a delegate to the White House Conference on Children in 1950 and as Michigan Nurse of the Year in 1952. Morse will be one of nine inductees into the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame this October.

90 years ago

ISHPEMING–Corinne Griffith has an opportunity to wear magnificent street and evening gowns as well as morning and afternoon tea gowns in “Lilies of the Field,” her latest First National picture, which is the featured production today at the new Ishpeming theater. These gowns are original Paris models, especially created for Miss Griffith by Worth, Poiret, Patou and Lenief, during her recent trip to France. Added features include a Charely Chase comedy, “Crazy Feet,” Splashin’ Through,” a Grantlane Rice spotlight, and “Wise Flies,” a cartoon comedy.