History: Murder on the shores of Crystal Lake By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief A bizarre murder took place along the shores of Crystal Lake on Saturday, Jan. 20, 1934. The victim was 62-year-old Bertha Bean, also known as Bertha Comley. The sole suspect was Bean’s commonwealth husband, 68-year-old Charles Comley, a former Chicago Board of Trade operator who had been living…
Historical Society Winter Speaker Series begins with 3 murders and a riot LUDINGTON — The Mason County Historical Society will kick-off its 2023 Winter Speaker Series on Monday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. when Rob Alway, editor-in-chief of the Mason County Press, presents Three Murders and a Riot: Mason County in the Great Depression. The Great Depression years of 1929…
Murder on Long Lake: A Mason County Great Depression tale By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief An evening of drinking and romance in a cottage along Long Lake ended with the shooting death of a 52-year-old Indiana man in late October 1941 and eventual murder charges against a 38-year-old Branch woman. Crystal (Landon) Jasper Anderson grew up a little over a mile…
Front Page Sunday: MCP, Sept. 18, 1941: Welcome to Harvest Home Fesitval Front Page Sunday is presented by the Mason County Historical Society in partnership with Mason County Press. During this series we will bring to you select front pages of the Mason County Press when it was a weekly newspaper, from 1938 to 1976 and then 1986-1987. By Rob…
Front Page Sunday: MCP, April 12, 1972: Tornado Rips Mason County. Front Page Sunday is presented by the Mason County Historical Society in partnership with Mason County Press. During this series we will bring to you select front pages of the Mason County Press when it was a weekly newspaper, from 1938 to 1976 and then 1986-1987. In the evening…
