In this episode I interview author Arnie Bernstein about his book, Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing.   The Bath Consolidated School was bombed on May 18, 1927 by a man named Andrew Kehoe.  The story is a tragic one, where at the end of the day, 44 people were killed including 38 children.  It was an event that shook the country, and devastated the Bath Community with the loss of an entire generation.  Mr. Bernstein gives details of the events on that horrific day, and discusses some of the survivors he interviewed as well as the painstaking task of reconstructing this story.

For more information on the author: 

Arnie Bernstein's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arniebernstein

Facebook for the book: https://www.facebook.com/bathmassacreauthor

Visit the Arnie Bernstein's website: www.arniebernstein.com

The website for book: https://www.arniebernstein.com/bath-massacre

For information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

For the YouTube video on the Bath Massacre: https://youtu.be/KFyZr3_lRh0

In this episode I take a look at some of the history of early newspaper and magazine publications in Battle Creek, and other cities in Southwest Michigan.  I also explore the history of the Duplex Printing Press Company that once existed in the area, which supplied printing presses all over the world.  I further discuss the importance of preservation of archives of old newspapers with local libraries and historical societies.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Check out Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

The period in Michigan from 1850 to 1910 was an interesting time of traveling circuses.  In this episide I explore several different circuses that came through Southwest Michigan during this time, including some very interesting anecdotes.  Old Hannibal the elephant and Jumbo the elephant came through the region.  Giraffes, polar bears, lions, tigers, zebras, seal ions and even a hippopatamus were among some of the animals that traveled through with these circuses.  Hear the story of a young boy visiting the circus for the first time in 1850 in Yankee Springs and also the story of the tornado that disrupted the big top in Battle Creek.  It was an interesting time of exotic shows featuring acrobats, roman chariot races, performing animals and so much more!

To see the video I made on Hannibal the Elephant, click here: https://youtu.be/px5Q-ys39f4

To follow my channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

Check out my website: https://michaeldelaware.com/

In today's podcast interview my guest is Michael 'Mac' McCollough with the Willard Library, and we talk about some of the history of the library which was first established in 1840.  Many people have contributed to the success of the library over the many years, including Henry Denman, Charles Willard, George Willard, Adah Stevens McCutcheon and Helen Warner among many others.  We discuss the early days of the library, and how it has evolved over the many decades with innovations and saving of historical records.  

To find out more about the Willard Library, visit: https://willardlibrary.org/

For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

Check out Michael Delaware's Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

In this episode I take a journey through the history of the Homer Village in Calhoun County.  The first pioneer settlers began arriving in 1832, and among them was a man named Milton Barney who established him homestead in the area of the village center today.  He built his log cabin, a general store and a mill along the Kalamazoo River, and even established the first bank.  Explore the history of the early schools, cemeteries and even the famous haunted Homer Mill which tragically burned to the ground in 2010.  

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

Check out Michael Delaware on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

For more information on the Village of Homer, visit: https://homermichigan.org/

In this episode, I interview Dennis Skupinski from Michigan's Military Heritage Museum on World War One History.  Mr. Skupinski worked for 10 years with the United States World War One Centennial Commission on the Michigan history section of their website, and he has a tremendous amount of fascinating stories from this time to share.  Included in those stories are not only veterans who served from Southwest Michigan, but other stories from all over the state, including the homefront.  Among the stories he tells in this interview are of Harry Hill Bandholtz, Frederick Zinn, Henry Ford, Ty Cobb, William Boeing, and many more.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

For the Michigan section of the World War One Centennial site: Click here

For information on Michigan's Military Heritage Museum, visit:

https://mimhm.org/

https://www.facebook.com/mimilitaryheritagemuseum/

In this episode I interview Bobbie Mathis who has been the president of the Union City Society for Historic Preservation since 2016.  She is also done a lot of local research into Union City history, as well as historic Riverside Cemetery.  She was trained in tombstone restoration by the Cemetery Conservators of United Standards (CCUS) and has repaired and cleaned over 2000 stones so far.  CCUS practices do no harm methods in repair and preservation of historic gravestones. 

In our talk, Bobbie talks about local history, the legend of Deadman's Hollow and touches on some ghost stories (including the lady in white) from the cemetery.  She also covers some historic profiles of some of the well known and famous people buried at Riverside, as well as some of the local legends.  

For more information on the Union City Society for Historic Preservation, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ucshp

For tickets to the class Bobbie mentioned in this interview: https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=298770379247

For information on the cemetery restoration class Bobbie mentions in this interview, visit Saving Graves: https://www.facebook.com/groups/270307273437214

The book Boobie mentions Post City Texas can be found here: https://amzn.to/3jiqRGL

For more information or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

Check out Michael Delaware's YouTube Channel: https://michaeldelaware.com/

William T. Palmer at the age of 18 joined the Bristich 61st Regiment in Winchester, England and was transported to the island of St. Helena, where he served for two years as part of the Superior Guards who were in charge of guarding Napoleon Bonaparte.  After Napoleons funeral in 1821, he was transferred to other duties until he was discharged from service after 15 years in Toronto, Canada.  He went to college, and was married.  Then he moved to New York for a few years, working on building the railroad betwen Rochester and Auburn.  In 1840, he moved to Michigan with his family, settling in Battle Creek.

He was locally known as a well respected member of the community, working as a gardener.  In 1881 he invited the Chicago Times to come interview him in his home, so that he could tell his story of his time on the island of St. Helena and the death of Napoleon Bonaparte.  It is a fascinating account from a man who experienced a part of history.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com

Watch the YouTube video on William Palmer: https://youtu.be/wrkf5pej4dw

In this episode I explore the notorious Crime Boss, gangster, racketeer and bootlegger Al Capone who reigned in Chicago from 1925 through 1932, during the years of Prohibition in the U.S.  During his time in power, he was said to have often escaped the hear of the windy city and found his way into Michigan and Wisconsin.  I did some research on some of the stories of hideaways, safe houses, speakeasys, brothels and hotels that he is said to have visited in Southwest Michigan and other parts of the state.  

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

Check out Michael Delaware's channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware

In this episode I interview Julie Kimmer, who has been the Manager of the Courthouse Square Museum in Charlotte, Michigan for over 20 years.  The museum is located in downtown Charlotte, and the building's cornerstone was placed in the center of the town square in 1883.  In 1885, the courthouse officially opened to the public.  It was in operation for 10 years before a fire gutted the building and much of the inside paintings and walls.  It was reconstructed and returned to operation, and remained so until 1976 when a newer larger building was established in another part of town.  The building then became a museum, and the grounds also include the 1873 Sherriff's Residence, and the museum also manages the former 1845 Courthouse which is located in Bennett Park today.

We discuss the history of the building, some of the exhibits, some local stories and even some amazing events coming in 2022.  

To schedule a visit or to find out more about the Courthouse Square Museum, visit: https://www.csamuseum.net/

To donate to the Courthouse Square Museum, visit: https://www.csamuseum.net/donate

For more information on or to contact Michael Delaware, visit: https://michaeldelaware.com/

Check out Michael Delaware on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelDelaware