Beaver Island Michigan

Joyce Bartels from the Beaver Island Historical Museum called this morning to tell me the Museum had this newspaper clipping from October 1907.

Following is the article:

KILLED BY GAS
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Two Beaver Island Men Found Dead in a Drifting Gasoline Boat
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At St. Ignace last Saturday afternoon a gasoline boat named â??Mary Meathâ?￾, was found drifting about in the bay. In the boat were found the dead bodies of two men, which proved to be those of D.R. McDonald and Cornelius Johnson, of St. James.

The boat was an ordinary fishing craft, and was enclosed. They had left St. James Monday with fish valued at $110 for Cheboygan. The evidence shows that they had disposed of the fish, and that they left Cheboygan Wednesday morning for the return trip. When the bodies were discovered $15 was found in the pocket of one, and $8 in the pocket of the other which would tend to refute any theory of foul play.

It came out in the evidence at St. Ignace that the boat was seen for two days with her bow ashore on Green Island, about four miles west of St. Ignace. A man living near there testified that the engine was working when discovered, and was running several hours after.

The St. Ignace officials wired St. James Sunday morning, of the discovery, giving names disclosed by papers on the bodies, and the tug Margaret McCann left at once for St. Ignace, taking the bodies to St. James that night. The evidence all strengthens the theory that the unfortunate men died from asphixiation. There are several cases on record of similar casualties. With an enclosed boat, the fumes of escaping gas, possibly augmented by an unknown leak, slowly but surely caused â??sleepinessâ?￾. Once this condition came, the work was quick. Their death was due to their ignorance of the deadly effect of gas.

D.R. McDonald, or â??Raymondâ?￾ McDonald, as he was generally known, has been a resident of Beaver Island for 32 years. He had been clerk of St. James Township for many years, and was an industrious and upright citizen. He leaves a wife and seven children, the youngest having been born last Tuesday.

Johnson was unmarried. He was a son, of the late Capt. John Johnson who formerly sailed the small schooners Rough and Ready, and Nellie Johnson.

LATER
Since writing the above the information comes from Beaver Island that the discovery was made on the boat that a gasket had blown out of the cylinder. The body of McDonald was found in a position near the cylinder, indicating that he was engaged in an effort to repair the leak, and was overcome by fumes. Johnson was also near the engine. The boat was using kerosene as fuel.

The double funeral occurred at St. James Tuesday.

Bruce, My great grandmother Bridget, was your great grandfather's mother. After her husband Donald R. McDonald died in 1877, she married my great grandfather Hugh Connaghan and they had 5 children together. The following is from genealogy records I have: Children of BRIDGET O'DONNELL and DONALD MCDO...

A group of Islanders are planning a trip to Ireland around the 1st of April. Some are going for one week and others for two or more. We are planning on traveling as a group the 1st week. If anyone is interested in joining us, please email me at marieconnaghan@yahoo.com or Julie Gillespie, at gillesp...

Tim and Becky (LaFreniere) Gerace welcomed Avery Kay into this world late last night. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 12 oz. and is 21 inches long. Becky is the daughter of Jerry LaFreniere and the late Sandy Dudzik. Proud Aunts and Uncles are Michelle LaFreniere, Gerald LaFreniere Jr., Debbie Robert and R...

Well I'm one of those "older" adults who also really enjoyed the sock hop both this year and last. After last year being a success I thought more would have come out this year to join in the fun. I think holding the event during the summer would really benefit the Amvets. There is also tal...

A State of Grace

Grace Boyle Matela 1937-2005

by Richard Gillespie



Grace, she was called, on the day of her birth,

A name reserved for angels living on earth.

But how could they plan that a girl such as her,

Would make that name perfection for sure?



She was Grace for many reasons, that we all know,

And carried such grace wherever sheâ??d go.

Throughout her life she would come to anyones aid,

Never worrying for herself, nor bother or paid.



Grace would shrug when asked, â??How can you carry this loadâ?￾?

â??Itâ??s Godsâ?? planâ?￾, she might say, itâ??s something HEâ??S owedâ?￾.

With little complaint she would carry them all,

The burden upon her would cause any to fall.



Grace gave too much without so much worry,

For all of her life help was her hurry.

Only days before passing she lightened her load,

Was heard to say, â??Iâ??m hitting the roadâ?￾!



She gave and gave and gave again,

Until she could give no more.

And now they bring her to her rest,

Near Beaver Islands sandy shore.



She will be missed most infinitely,

For she was always a joy to see.

Beaver Island without her will be a different place,

But now she sleeps in a â??State of Graceâ?￾.

The following is from the Petoskey News Review: Grace Boyle Matela Wednesday, March 2, 2005 4:04 PM EST Grace Boyle Matela, 67, of Beaver Island, died March 1, 2005, in Grand Rapids. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Beaver Island, with the Rev. Patric...

I have to say this was the best Grand Rapids party I've been to and I've been to quite a few. Can't believe that next year will be the 40th. I was at the 1st party with my parents (they didn't have an age limit then and I was barely out of diapers!) 8) When we first walked in and saw the drink price...

Grace Matela died unexpectedly yesterday in Grand Rapids. Grace was the daughter of Jack Boyle and Bea O'Donnell. There will be visitation at the Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. on Thursday. Visitation on the island will begin Friday at 3:00 P.M. at Holy Cross Church. The...

Mara,

Hope you can make it to the party. We'll be there.... and by the way, Shirley is also your cousin. There will be a few of us there!