SOUTH BAYMOUTH—Michael’s Bay Historical Society’s outgoing president Ed Sagle welcomed more than 20 dedicated members to its Annual General Meeting on May 31, where guest speakers Jean McLellan and Lyle Dewar regaled the enthusiastic audience with reminiscences and other historical tales. It is stories such as these—and the people who tell them—that keep the ghost town alive and maintain its connection to those still living here on Manitoulin Island, especially the many Islanders able to claim a family linkage.
“It was before my time,” Ms. McLellan began, “but people have told me. My grandfather and his sister both had boarding houses there. There were lots of families. Some of them were the Pennies and the McIntyres. Penny Martin was the schoolteacher. She was married to Tom Baxter from Tehkummah. Then a fire burned everything down.”
Besides family members who lived in Michael’s Bay, Ms. McLellan also has a more physical connection. “The house where I live was moved to Manitowaning from Michael’s Bay in 1896,” she said. “We tore it down in 1956 but salvaged what we could. The windows and doors inside are still original.” She has also gone on several expeditions to Michael’s Bay “to find out where all the people lived, where the graveyards were, and the school.”
Mr. Dewar began his presentation by holding up an old tool. “Does anyone know what this is?” he asked.
Mr. Sagle answered. “It’s a common thing called a froe,” he said. “They have one at the museum in South Baymouth, but it’s a bit different.”
“It was used for cutting shingles,” explained Mr. Dewar, who joined the Society because he is interested in history.
His connection is very personal. “I worked in Michael’s Bay in 1964, as a teenager,” he said. “There were two tugs in there. There would be a boom on both sides of the river. We worked with the Patterson boys. They were tough as nails. They worked all winter. We’d let the boom out until it was as big as this whole place. They’d load it on jack boats in South Baymouth. I was always really interested in the water mill. The groove is still there. You could even see where the water wheel was at the end. I spent a lot of time there in the evenings after work.”
Mr. Dewar read from the February 1989 issue of Through the Years, from an article titled ‘A Shopping Trip to Michael’s Bay in 1874.’ He talked about the giant stands of virgin pine that once grew there. “There was lots of timber,” he said. “It was hauled by horses to loading points. They ran the mill day and night. They could cut 1,000 feet of lumber per hour and 25,000 feet of lumber in 24 hours. There was a company store in Michael’s Bay at that time. There was no store in South Baymouth so people came to Michael’s Bay.”
Mr. Sagle added, “That was one of the big stores around here. It was the only store in this whole area of the Island. A lot of people went through there. And it wasn’t uncommon for them to move things—schools, houses, whatever. The house I live in is 125-years-old. It was built with used lumber, so it came from somewhere else. So moving stuff and recycling wasn’t uncommon. They never wasted much.”
Mr. Dewar continued with another story about the challenges of travelling to the store there. “Sam Watson settled Watson’s Bay in 1871-2. He had to go to Michael’s Bay to get seed potatoes. He didn’t have any horses and he had bought three bags of seed potatoes. So he had to walk with one bag, hide it, and go back for another. He met a friend along the way, his neighbour, who had oxen and a wagon in the woods. The friend offered to help but it took three days to find the oxen. It wasn’t common then for oxen to wander off. It was also common to stay overnight. It was usually a two day trip, not like today’s ten minute trip.”
Mr. Sagle thanked Mr. Dewar and Ms. McLellan for their presentations and pointed out that, “if you ever go down the Manitou River you can see the old cedar stumps—they cut them quite high. They didn’t have the saws we have today. I think it’s great to know history, what they used to do.”
The business portion of the meeting began with Jane Tilston reading the minutes from 2013. Mr. Sagle presented the President’s Report. “Last year we had a couple fundraisers,” he said. “A fish fry and another rib supper in February. We broke even. It was a good evening, a lot of people there. It was a good public relations opportunity, to let the community know we’re there. We had a Christmas concert. The Island Quilters Guild donated a beautiful queen size quilt. We’re selling tickets for that. $2 each or 3 for $5. The draw will be held at the Manitowaning Fall Fair in September.”
Paul Bowerman read a letter from the Manitoulin Planning Board. “Good news,” he said. “The Michael’s Bay town site itself has a board number. That means it’s an archaeological site. We’ve been trying to do that for many years. Nobody can do anything on that site until they do an archeological survey. That was good news.”
Mr. Sagle referred to the “passing of our secretary Bryan Gleason, one of our founders. It’s sad news,” he said. “People don’t realize how much work he’s done. He’ll be greatly missed in our society. He was a quiet man but he did a lot of work. He worked right up until the same week he died. His wife said that was one of the best things he liked to do, work with our society.”
Mr. Bowerman, who is the society’s treasurer, presented the financial report. Mr. Sagle praised the report. “The audit only found two clerical errors,” he said. “And those were only date errors, like birthdays. Nothing major. The treasurer is doing a good job looking after our money and investment.”
Ed Sagle stepped down after 14 years on the board and was replaced by Ben Lentir. Paul Bowerman remained as treasurer. Jane Tilston agreed to take on the role of secretary. “It’s going to be hard to follow in the footsteps of Bryan,” she said. “But I’ll do my best.” Eleanor Lentir and Tom Martel were added as two new directors. There are eleven directors in total now.
Mr. Sagle said, “Lots of things are happening. We’re never quite sure what’s going on in Michael’s Bay. Last year someone was going to buy it. I’m sure we’ll see great things, hopefully this year.”
Mr. Bowerman informed members that a public council meeting will be held with a representative of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and encouraged members to attend when the date is confirmed. “Please come. Put your story on paper and get it witnessed,” he said. A witnessed story becomes an “official document” when submitted, he explained. “Get it to me and I’ll make sure it goes in. This is a call for anyone to submit witnessed stories about Michael’s Bay, even it they’re only a paragraph.” Stories can also be mailed to Michaels Bay Historical Society at P.O. Box 7, South Baymouth ON P0P 1Z0.
Mr. Lentir concluded the meeting with a “quick note to remind members of the fish fry on August 2nd at John Budd Park.” He also reminded attendees that membership fees were due now. “We really appreciate all the work these guys have done. Thank you very much.”
