|
|
 |
Readers Guide
Refer to page 14 of Lighthouses Short and Tall for Big Sable Lighthouse
When the head keeper was authorized by the Light-House Board to hire help, he generally had to find someone in his neighborhood.
Some lighthouses were very isolated; Big Sable is an example. If temporary hires didn’t like the work, they quit. Was
Keeper Hanson justified in wanting to transfer elsewhere?
Here are three letters on the same subject from Keeper Hanson to Capt. C.E. Clark, USN, Lighthouse Inspector,
May 27, 1887:
Inclosed are Keepers Vouchers. The Assistant Voucher was sent to the office the first part of this month. At this writing
I have no Assistant, but I have a laborer until the new Assistant arrives.
Part of September 19, 1887 is in Lighthouses Short & Tall:
Please Sir, I wish to apply to you in regards to a change in location or in other words, if there is any chance for
me to be transferred to some small Light. I have now served faithfully at this same Station for five long years lacking eight
days, keeping the Light going every night the year around, and in them five years have been absent only three weeks. And this
last year has been very hard on me on account I have had so many new men and each one I have to teach to care for the Light,
and makes me feel very uneasy all hours of the night. The last man appointed is very quick and wants to learn. He is the best
man that has been here for some time. He is a stranger to me. My children I should like very much to get them in school. Here
is no school for miles. I prefer a small place where I can be alone with my family. I do not mind loosing [sic] Sixty dollars
from my present salary. Would like best a place south from here but prefer best the west shore on Green Bay or would be glad
to take some small place north of here. You would make us feel very happy. Please be so kind and do what you can.
October 31, 1887:
Since Oct. 12th I have had no man to help me with the Light, except my family. I have tryed [sic] several
times to get a Laborer to stay here until an Assistant is appointed, but am unable to get one for them wages. They can make
more in Ludington. That is the place I have to look for a man, and being 9 miles walk to Ludington is one reason that I don’t
get much time to look for a man and have to be back in time to take care of the Light. Mr. Nelson, the man I recommended to
you for Assistant, would not like to leave his place in the Life Saving Service before he is sure of his appointment as Assistant
for this place. (Source: National Archives, Record Group 26, Entry 6)
How much do you think Keeper Hanson earned a year, that he would be willing to accept $60 less if his family was near a
school? [You’ll find an example of salaries on page 20.]
|
|
Lake Michigan Detail of Eleventh Lighthouse District
|
Can you find Big Sable Lighthouse on this map? (Remember what it's name would have been in 1881?)
|
| Click on map to view larger image |
Source: 1881 Annual Report of the U.S. Light-House Board
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Reader's Guide is intended to be used with Lighthouses Short and Tall, a book for readers 11 and up written by Mary Louise and Candace Clifford. It is available from the publisher,
Cypress Communications, by using their book order form.
|
|
|
|
