Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

680

PIONEER HISTORY OF INGIIAM COUNTY

vegetables, and never moves away from his hut until hunger
forces him to. He has a few dollars in specie, enough he thinks to
last him the remainder of his life. The old man has no companions, not even a dog or bird, no books, no way to pass the time
but to sit and brood, and think and sleep. His hair is down on
his shoulders and his beard long and matted, while his clothing
is in rags and his feet wrapped in cloths.
"Who can imagine such a life?"
HOMECOMING OF DISTRICT NO. 5-MERIDIAN.
MULLETT SCHOOL IHOUSE.
A very large and enjoyable homecoming took place at the
Mullett school house Saturday, July 18, 1917. It was an ideal
summer day and the exercises were held in the grove surrounding
the school building and a picnic dinner added to its many attractions. Although it is a very busy season for the farmers they all
turned out and had a good time, feasting, visiting and listening to
the exercises. Even the automobilists passing looked with envious
eyes at the well spread table and the happy faces of the crowd.
The Reform School Band was present and after dinner during
the exercises played many patriotic airs that were well encored.
The principal speakers were Attorney Rhodes, of Lansing, and
Supt. Searls, of Mason. The most unique part of the whole
thing was the presence of the lady who taught the first school in
the district, Mrs. Charles J. Mullett, of Lansing, Mich., a lady 84
years of age. She taught that school 64 years ago under the
maiden name of Jerusha Doyle. Several of the other old teachers were Mrs. E. J. Mead, of Williamston; Mrs. E. Elliott, of
Haslettt, Michigan, and Mrs. John Grettenburg, of Okemos.
The oldest scholar present was Bernard Brennan, of Lansing,
Mich., a man 70 years old, who attended this his first school a
lad of seven years 63 years ago. Of the boys and girls that
attended this school 50 years ago the following were present:
George Howarth and Eli Howard, Mrs. Charles Mead, Henry
McManderman, Williamston, J. E. Povey, Mrs. E. Blair, East
Lansing, Mrs. A. Whitman, Lansing, Charles Foster, Haslett,
Frank Watson and Dr. F. N. Turner, Lansing. Hon. Samuel
Kilbourne was present, as well as Miss Martha Mullett, of Lansing, whose grandfather gave the school district the land on which
the school building is located. DR. F. N. TURNER.