Downtown Scottville in the late 1910s or early 1920s. The sidewalks were paved in 1910, so this photo was taken after the post office robbery took place in 1909. Looking south on Main Street from State Street. The post office was located about half way down the block on the east (left) side. It was likely the building with the awning near the second electric pole on the left. Photo from the Mason County Historical Society Rose Hawley Archives.
This Great Lakes History Log is presented by Filer Credit Union and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
In the early morning hours of Thursday, April 16, 1908, the residents who lived above the Scottville post office were awakened by an explosion. It was soon discovered that the post office was broken into and robbers had used dynamite to blow open the door of the safe. Initial reports stated that $100 in cash and $100 in stamps were taken. This was later changed to $20 in cash and $100 in stamps. Initial reports stated the incident occurred at 2:10 a.m. but later was adjusted to 3:30 a.m.
In 1908, the post office was located on South Main Street, a location established about 1897 by J.C. Mustard when he became post master. Mustard was one of the town’s founders and served as post master for several years.
Scottville Enterprise, April 16, 1908. Mason County Historical Society Rose Hawley Archives.
The weekly Scottville Enterprise, published on Thursdays, ran the story on the front page that day.
“The work was evidently done by experts in this business as the job was done without any mishaps to them and but little distruction (misspelled, destruction) to anything but the safe which was a complete wreck.
“Postmaster Mustard was awakened at his home and apprised of the event. Investigation showed that they entered the front door on Main street prying the door open with a carpenters chisel, the burglers (misspelled, burglars) had secured from Chas. Green’s blacksmith shop, they had also taken a wrench and a brace and bit.
“A few minutes before the explosion was heard a man was seen standing in the doorway evidently watching: nothing was thought of it at the time.
“The sheriff and deputies were notified but no one has been apprehended so far. There is supposed to be three that assisted in the job and they went towards Custer off the state road.”
The news made the wire and was reported in the Flint Journal and the Traverse City Record Eagle (and probably more newspapers).
Daniel Goodenough
Daniel Webster Goodenough
The building was owned by Ludington resident Daniel Webster (Washington) Goodenough (1842-1921). Goodenough lived at 706 E. Ludington Ave. with his wife, Lodema Obrey (Olney) Goodenough (1845-1916) and their children. He engaged in lumbering, dealing mainly in bark and ties. He was the secretary of the Ludington Milling Company. He also operated a real estate and loan business.
In the spring of 1896, he founded the Scottville Hardware Company and served as its president. The formation of the business was announced in several trade journals including The Metal Worker, published on May 23, 1896:
“The Scottville Hardware Company have been organized in Scottville, Mich. D.W. Goodenough is president, C.M. Standford vice president and J.H. Stenber secretary and treasurer. They will do a retail business in Shelf and Heavy Hardware, Stoves and Tinware, Agricultural Implements, Sporting and Athletic Goods, Wind Engines, Buggies, Wagons, &c. Their storeroom is 120 feet long, 30 feet wide and two stories high.”
The location of the store may have been on South Main Street.
In his autobiography, “Stephens Memories,” Kenneth Baxter Stephens (1900-1985) recalled several businesses in downtown Scottville when his family moved there in 1911. Stephens does not mention Scottville Hardware Company, but does mention Briggs Hardware, which was located at 115 S. Main St.
Josephus Mustard, in back, second from left, with family. Mason County Historical Society Rose Hawley Archives.
Josephus C. Mustard
J.C. Mustard became post master in 1897. In 1876, Mustard moved from Victory Township to Amber Township where he purchased 40 acres of land in Section 13. His farm sat on what is now the northwest corner of US 10 and the US 31 bypass.
Mustard established a lumber mill with John Winters and James Sweetland. The lumber mill basically cut the timber that cleared the way for Scottville to develop. He lived on the farm until 1897 when he was appointed Scottville post master. Though he continued to own the farm, he moved to a house on North Main Street.
Mustard died on June 11, 1913 and likely had served as post master up until that point.
The fate of the post office robbers has been unfounded. Searching through the Scottville Enterprise for several weeks following the robbery did not indicate any follow-up. The Ludington Chronicle, on April 22, 1908, published an article regarding the robbery.
“Postoffice Robbers Still at Large — J.C. Mustard Estimates Loss About $120” the headline read.
“Considerable consternation was caused in our city Thursday morning when it became known that burglars had forced an entrance to the postoffice and made off with all the available currency and stamps,” the article stated. “The work was evidently that of a well organized gang of yegg men. Some suspicious characters were seen on the Pere Marquette railroad track soon after the break of day going in the direction of Custer. Sheriff Costello (this should read “Sheriff Watson”) and deputies went at once in search but the suspects had disappeared.
“Postmaster Mustard has not yet fully computed his loss but thinks about $120 will cover it there having been about $20 in currency and nearly $100 worth in stamps. The safe was successfully opened by an explosion of dynamite the door being blown clear off. Entrance to the office was gained by prying open the front door with a chisel. Ray Whitsall’s blacksmith shop was entered and a brace, bit, chisel and hammer were secured to effect the burglary of the office.
“Persons living upstairs over the postoffice heard the explosion which occurred about 3:30 o’clock Thursday morning but were frightened and feared to go out to give the alarm. When they did, about half an hour later, the burglars had gotten away. Sheriff Watson of Ludington was summoned.”
Sheriff Donald Watson. Photo from “The Sheriffs of Mason County,” by Ned Nordine.
Sheriff Donald A. Watson
Donald A. Watson (1861-1927) was the fifth Mason County sheriff. He was born on Jan. 22, 1861 in Williamstown, Ontario, Canada and came to Michigan some time after 1881 to work in the lumber mills, according to “The Sheriffs of Mason County,” written by Ned Nordine. He served a total of three terms, from 1907-1908 then from 1911 to 1914.
In December 1939, a new post office opened up further south on Main Street. That location continued until a new building opened in 1959. That building, at southwest corner of Main and First streets, continues to serve as the post office.
100 block of South Main Street, Scottville, looking north. Photo from Mason County Historical Society Rose Hawley Archives.
Filer Credit Union with offices in Manistee, Ludington, East Lake, and Bear Lake; filercu.com; 800.595.6630
The Mason County Historical Society is a non-profit charitable organization that was founded in 1937 that does not receive any governmental funding. It owns and operates the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in Ludington, Historic White Pine Village in Pere Marquette Township, and The Rose Hawley Archives and the Mason County Emporium and Sweet Shop in downtown Ludington.
For more information about donating to and/or joining the Mason County Historical Society, visit masoncountymihistory.org.
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