I just stumbled upon your channel last week. AWESOME WORK you two!! My Grandmother was a little girl who lived on a farm in Metz. Her Dad just got done plowing the field. He took the family and some livestock into the middle of the field.
@@martha-anastasia AWESOME to have a local respond!! I miss that generation. So many stories of "back when"! I can't imagine dyeing like that on a car!
My family comes from Millersburg MI, and still has members there. My mom was born in Millersburg in 1936. I had no idea about this story, and I have been in that area often as a young man. Thank you for the lesson and your efforts to find and share stories of our wonderful state.
Well that’s a history of Michigan I didn’t know! Presented very well! And with respect and honor to those that met such a tragedy! Life is short, living each day to its fullest! Thank you for sharing!
Nearly bought a farm there with the old rail grade that ran through it... The pictures we took of the house revealed some very bizzare reflections in the windows, etc. Never knew anything about this fire but after seeing the pictures we took decided to look into the area. Needless to say we bypassed that place!
Thankyou for sharing this story. At that time, my grandfather, Rev. Victor J. Hufton, was a new pastor of a Methodist Episcopal church in that area. He had come just a year before from England. My grandmother told me many times about this fire and how Grandpa had worked very hard to get clothes together for those who had lost so much. He even had his family in England send a barrel of clothes from England for himself and many others.
@@RestlessViking Several years ago, I found a website that had many photos of the area during and after this fire. I don't remember what the site was called and, while searching for it, your site appeared. Do you know of another site that has photos of it that I can print out for my family's history album of my grandfather?
@@RestlessViking Do you know of a site that has photos from that fire that I could print out for our family album of my grandfather? I saw one many years ago, but now I can't remember what it was. I found your site while looking for it.
Thank you for not letting these people's ordeal be forgotten. I hadn't heard this particular story. But I am familiar with the Great Fire 1871. This one is horrendous and very sad. Excellent work, you can rest assured, you can feel pretty darn good about yourselves.
Thanks for the very interesting story! I recently moved to northern Michigan and wasn’t aware of this tragedy. I would be very interested also in seeing a video about the great fire that wiped out the towns of Oscoda and Ausable in the summer of1911, which sent many folk running into the waters of Lake Huron to escape the flames. I have been watching many of your videos today and find them truly fascinating. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Poppins and Chuck for retelling the stories of such a tragedy lost to the annals of history. Being a transplanted Michigander, your telling's on the history of this state and its people give me an insight I'd otherwise not have. I'm very thankful to learn these things through your videos.
My Mother grew up in Metz Michigan. We went to the farmhouse each year for our summer vacation. It was an active farm with pigs, chickens, cattle and an outhouse. My Grandpa and my Uncle grew potatoes and oats. We fed the pigs, gathered eggs, picked up hay bails, walked with cows to and from the pasture, watched milking machines suck the cows milk, washed the crème separator each day that had 50 stainless steel discs, gathered morel mushrooms, broke hay bails then jumped 20 feet into the pile of hay in the barn. My Mother spoke of the terrible Metz fire many times. She told us there was a lot of bad activities in the town and the fire was a punishment. My 95 year old Mother left her earthly body a few weeks ago.
This is a very sad story. I am always worried about my daughter who lives in CA where fire, earthquake and tsunami’s are possible. My family used to vacation on the bluffs north of Muskegon. It’s a beautiful state. I have heard of the Great Michigan fire but I guess it was more a series of continuous fire in a time of dangerous weather. Heads up to anyone who doesn’t think things like this or the dustbowl can happen again .
What a tragic, never heard of this very tragic peice of MI history, thanks for the education. I live in St.jospeh ..Benton Harbor area. Another good subject of state history is the House of David. A religious community in the early 1900s..it is still there or at least the buildings are. Maybe give that a thought on the list..keep up great work
I've visited this memorial a few times, most recently as yesterday. This is such a tragic story. There were so many fires across Michigan. My favorite book is "Michigan on Fire" which is hard to find as it has been out of print for years.
I grew up in Newaygo ,traveled as a child across the bridge, and snow skied as an early adult around the traverse bay area. I am coming back to live here soon, I had no idea of all the history I grew up with. The Restless Viking is thrilling to watch. I ended up living and working on 3 continents, If I had known about all this I would have never left this beauty and history
I grew up in Metz hearing about the fire and the people from my grandfather who lived there and survived it. His farm is a centennial farm and still in the family. The farm house was one of very few that survived the fire due to about thirty men that took shelter at the farm and worked for three days throwing dirt and well water on any buildings that caught from debris on fire blowing through the air up to more than a mile. It was a hard tragic time for the people
Do you have any photos of the area after the fire? My grandfather, Rev. Victor J. Hufton, was a Methodist Episcopal Church pastor in the area at that time, who worked hard to gather clothes for those who lost everything. He had come to the area in 1907 from Grimsby, England to become a pastor there. My grandmother, who joined him from Grimsby in 1910, told me many times as I was growing up about his work to help the fire victims. Besides gathering clothes from people in the area, he had asked his family in England to help by sending clothes for the victims. They sent a barrel full of clothes for them. I would like to document this story with copies of photos of the burned areas in the album I have of his life. I haven't been able to find photos that I could copy for it. Thanks for any help you can offer.
@@hazelrice9649 I saw pictures of the fire when I was growing up, and there is now a little museum in Metz that has artifacts and pictures. I have a booklet that was made for the 100th anniversary that details stories and has photos. The only thing still standing in Metz village after the fire was a flagpole that my grandpa said was bad before the fire and needed replacing, but ironically survived the fire.
I spent my summers in Hammond Bay, at an aunts place on the water. We were 20 miles from Roger City and the same from Cheboygan. We walked the beach to the black mallard river, that was north, or go south the ocquec river store.
Thanks for another fine and very interesting video about our state ! In regards to the non subscribers I was just thinking that there could be a bunch more people like me that watch the same videos 3 or 4 times or more sometimes ! I know we can only hit the like button one time but could the "views" count us more if we watch more than one time ? Or maybe that is a well known fact and as usual I am too old to know that ! I do know that I am subscribed though .......Thanks again !
What a grave story. Can’t imagine going through it. I do like how you interject your names and channel into the film. I’m just not a fan of some BS intro, which I just throw my head back and say in my mind “blaw blaw blaw”. So well done jumping right into the knowledge you share with us. I thank you both.
There were even more fires on October 8th. That day (or few days) was so intense with fires that it was difficult for ships to navigate on Lake Michigan because of all the smoke.
I just stumbled upon your channel last week. AWESOME WORK you two!! My Grandmother was a little girl who lived on a farm in Metz. Her Dad just got done plowing the field. He took the family and some livestock into the middle of the field.
Wow. Glad he had just plowed a field, that certainly is what saved them. Thanks for sharing the story.
My grandma did the same thing... Her aunt and three cousins died in the railroad car. Ephrosina Nowicki was her name
@@martha-anastasia AWESOME to have a local respond!! I miss that generation. So many stories of "back when"! I can't imagine dyeing like that on a car!
@@martha-anastasia
Difficult choices to make in a difficult time.
My family comes from Millersburg MI, and still has members there. My mom was born in Millersburg in 1936. I had no idea about this story, and I have been in that area often as a young man. Thank you for the lesson and your efforts to find and share stories of our wonderful state.
Well that’s a history of Michigan I didn’t know! Presented very well! And with respect and honor to those that met such a tragedy!
Life is short, living each day to its fullest!
Thank you for sharing!
Nearly bought a farm there with the old rail grade that ran through it... The pictures we took of the house revealed some very bizzare reflections in the windows, etc. Never knew anything about this fire but after seeing the pictures we took decided to look into the area. Needless to say we bypassed that place!
Horrific. My heart is broken for those poor souls.
Thank you for telling this incredible story, such a horrible ordeal. Michigan History is Strong.
You’re welcome and thanks for watching!
Thankyou for sharing this story. At that time, my grandfather, Rev. Victor J. Hufton, was a new pastor of a Methodist Episcopal church in that area. He had come just a year before from England. My grandmother told me many times about this fire and how Grandpa had worked very hard to get clothes together for those who had lost so much. He even had his family in England send a barrel of clothes from England for himself and many others.
Thanks for sharing!
@@RestlessViking Several years ago, I found a website that had many photos of the area during and after this fire. I don't remember what the site was called and, while searching for it, your site appeared. Do you know of another site that has photos of it that I can print out for my family's history album of my grandfather?
@@RestlessViking Do you know of a site that has photos from that fire that I could print out for our family album of my grandfather? I saw one many years ago, but now I can't remember what it was. I found your site while looking for it.
What a story! Thanks for sharing it with us! Such a tragedy! Times were so hard back then. Countless lives lost back then.
Thank you for not letting these people's ordeal be forgotten. I hadn't heard this particular story. But I am familiar with the Great Fire 1871. This one is horrendous and very sad. Excellent work, you can rest assured, you can feel pretty darn good about yourselves.
Thanks for the kind words! We are glad to help remember their story.
I first learned about the Metz Fire through a geocache hidden there. Great video. Thanks for adding more for me to know about it.
Thanks for the very interesting story! I recently moved to northern Michigan and wasn’t aware of this tragedy. I would be very interested also in seeing a video about the great fire that wiped out the towns of Oscoda and Ausable in the summer of1911, which sent many folk running into the waters of Lake Huron to escape the flames. I have been watching many of your videos today and find them truly fascinating. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching!
And yes, we are hoping to do more on northern Michigan wildfires.
I moved up to God's country. In the early 80s and have never heard of this story from the past! Thank you for teaching us the past!
Chills. Always love your stories. Thank you.
Thank you!!
Wow.... Quite the story....... Thanks for bringing it to us... !
I love local Michigan history.
O my GOD, I never new, my father was born on Walloon Lake, he knew Ernest Hemingway. I think the time was the same time.Great stuff!
Thank you Poppins and Chuck for retelling the stories of such a tragedy lost to the annals of history. Being a transplanted Michigander, your telling's on the history of this state and its people give me an insight I'd otherwise not have. I'm very thankful to learn these things through your videos.
Thanks Luke!
Always interesting thank you guys much. If you ever get back to Beaver Island I greatly enjoy videos on that.
We will! It is on the list. Thanks John!
I never knew the story. It is so sad...
Amazing storytelling Chuck and Poppins
I’ve sat in many of burned out stumps in my youth that I utilized while deer hunting in Michigan.
Thank you, for our Michigan history lesson.
Wow very interesting history, I appreciate the Michigan lore and y'all traveling to share it!
I’ve set in many of those burnt out stumps while deer hunting. They make great seats!
My Mother grew up in Metz Michigan. We went to the farmhouse each year for our summer vacation. It was an active farm with pigs, chickens, cattle and an outhouse. My Grandpa and my Uncle grew potatoes and oats. We fed the pigs, gathered eggs, picked up hay bails, walked with cows to and from the pasture, watched milking machines suck the cows milk, washed the crème separator each day that had 50 stainless steel discs, gathered morel mushrooms, broke hay bails then jumped 20 feet into the pile of hay in the barn. My Mother spoke of the terrible Metz fire many times. She told us there was a lot of bad activities in the town and the fire was a punishment. My 95 year old Mother left her earthly body a few weeks ago.
This is a very sad story. I am always worried about my daughter who lives in CA where fire, earthquake and tsunami’s are possible. My family used to vacation on the bluffs north of Muskegon. It’s a beautiful state. I have heard of the Great Michigan fire but I guess it was more a series of continuous fire in a time of dangerous weather. Heads up to anyone who doesn’t think things like this or the dustbowl can happen again .
Hi.im from irons mi enjoy your videos vary much .thank you
Thanks!
Welcome! Thank you!
What a tragic, never heard of this very tragic peice of MI history, thanks for the education. I live in St.jospeh ..Benton Harbor area. Another good subject of state history is the House of David. A religious community in the early 1900s..it is still there or at least the buildings are. Maybe give that a thought on the list..keep up great work
Wow what a crazy story. I never heard it before. Absolutely tragic
Agreed. Sometimes I am in awe of what people have gone through - even (just) in the Great Lakes.
@@RestlessViking I love the videos about history in my "back yard" 🤙
Just wanted to clarify that the engineer "Forrester" is actually my great great grandfather, and his name was Buck FOSTER.
Thanks for the clarification!
I've visited this memorial a few times, most recently as yesterday. This is such a tragic story. There were so many fires across Michigan. My favorite book is "Michigan on Fire" which is hard to find as it has been out of print for years.
My great grandmother and my grandmother were survivors of the Metz fire.
Yes I felt a hit attacked lol
So I submitted and follow. Love the content! Gives me ideas of where to explore
Thanks again
Thanks for your efforts Chuck and Poppins! Your videos are always interesting and I learn something new in each one.
👍🏼 nice job! I live in the area and this was a great video.
I grew up in Newaygo ,traveled as a child across the bridge, and snow skied as an early adult around the traverse bay area. I am coming back to live here soon, I had no idea of all the history I grew up with. The Restless Viking is thrilling to watch. I ended up living and working on 3 continents, If I had known about all this I would have never left this beauty and history
I grew up in Metz hearing about the fire and the people from my grandfather who lived there and survived it. His farm is a centennial farm and still in the family. The farm house was one of very few that survived the fire due to about thirty men that took shelter at the farm and worked for three days throwing dirt and well water on any buildings that caught from debris on fire blowing through the air up to more than a mile. It was a hard tragic time for the people
Do you have any photos of the area after the fire? My grandfather, Rev. Victor J. Hufton, was a Methodist Episcopal Church pastor in the area at that time, who worked hard to gather clothes for those who lost everything. He had come to the area in 1907 from Grimsby, England to become a pastor there. My grandmother, who joined him from Grimsby in 1910, told me many times as I was growing up about his work to help the fire victims. Besides gathering clothes from people in the area, he had asked his family in England to help by sending clothes for the victims. They sent a barrel full of clothes for them. I would like to document this story with copies of photos of the burned areas in the album I have of his life. I haven't been able to find photos that I could copy for it. Thanks for any help you can offer.
@@hazelrice9649 I saw pictures of the fire when I was growing up, and there is now a little museum in Metz that has artifacts and pictures. I have a booklet that was made for the 100th anniversary that details stories and has photos. The only thing still standing in Metz village after the fire was a flagpole that my grandpa said was bad before the fire and needed replacing, but ironically survived the fire.
This is a moving story. Thank you.
These tragedies don't always happen some place else, sometimes they happen where you live.
Another piece of michigan history I have never heard, Always great videos.
Please keep up the good work.
Great video thank you.
I spent my summers in Hammond Bay, at an aunts place on the water. We were 20 miles from Roger City and the same from Cheboygan. We walked the beach to the black mallard river, that was north, or go south the ocquec river store.
Love your channel
Thanks
Yikes… what history.
Very interesting ' thanks. New sub here 👍
Awesome blind pig bar in Metz
I grew up near metz went to school at heslip 2 room until we moved to alpena
Thanks for another fine and very interesting video about our state ! In regards to the non subscribers I was just thinking that there could be a bunch more people like me that watch the same videos 3 or 4 times or more sometimes ! I know we can only hit the like button one time but could the "views" count us more if we watch more than one time ? Or maybe that is a well known fact and as usual I am too old to know that ! I do know that I am subscribed though .......Thanks again !
We appreciate you being subscribed! TH-cam tells us if the viewer was subscribed or not. But we appreciate every view, thanks!
Well done, sir.
Thanks!
Loved it! I lik’d & sub’d.
My grandfather told me about this, when I was a young man.
Amazingly sad story .
What a grave story. Can’t imagine going through it.
I do like how you interject your names and channel into the film. I’m just not a fan of some BS intro, which I just throw my head back and say in my mind “blaw blaw blaw”.
So well done jumping right into the knowledge you share with us. I thank you both.
That reading from the pastor was heartbreaking
Truly! A very sad story. . .
That's bizarre on oct 8 the peshtigo wis and Chicago I'll fires happened what was the date of this fire ? What a coincidence.
There were even more fires on October 8th. That day (or few days) was so intense with fires that it was difficult for ships to navigate on Lake Michigan because of all the smoke.
Thanks for mentioning the Oct 8 fire of 1871. Randall Carlson on Kosmographia has some good videos on that fire.
I've lived in northern Michigan all my life I never heard of fire
6:46 - Haven't we all, at some point . . .
😂🤣
October 15 is such a historic day for so many reasons. #mybrotherscoolerthanyours #mysisinlawiscoolerthanyours
How about a video about the Burt Lake burnout
Did this have any connection to the Peshtigo incident?
The Peshtigo fires were in 1871 and there were many fires in Michigan at the same time as Peshtigo. The Metz Fire (from this video) happened in 1908.
Sad they waited so long.
😥
There is a 100th commemorative edition book out there, if you're able to get it.
Do you know what it is called and if it is available anywhere?
@@hazelrice9649 It's called the metz fire of 1908 . You might be able to obtain it from the presque isle County historical museum.
Why do all pictures from that time look like WWI no mans land?
Where's god,,, so messed up
Looks like your Hat 🧢 was in a Fire 🔥👀🍊🗳️🇺🇸🐕🐈
😂
Not subscribed, how uncivilized 🧐
😂🤣
I was born in Rogers City and lived in nearby area I was told about the metz fire when I was 5 got my haircut in metz