Winter 2013, Number 35

Winter 2013 Volume 35

Although the Dow Chemical of use as a sedative, a fire retardant, a salt) were extracted from the brine. Midland is well known, the Clarke gasoline additive, in pesticides, as part Calcium chloride, like bromide, has exhibit opening in February will tell of the process through which chemical wide applications, ranging from serving the story of Dow’s facilities in Mt. photographs were developed, and as a dessicant, to a de-icer, to a firming Pleasant. What brought Dow to Mt. even, as brominated vegetable oil, in agent in food such as tofu, or as an Pleasant was brine. Brine is water the original formula for Mountain electrolyte in sports drinks. The Calcium trapped underground that is mixed Dew. Although many of the original plant operated until approximately 1918. with various salts. At the beginning uses for bromides have today been In the mid to late 1920s, Dow of the twentieth century, Dow had superceded by other chemicals for seemed about to expand operations ten brine wells operating in Midland safety and environmental reasons, in in Mt. Pleasant. A huge increase in County. Bromine was extracted from the first years of the twentieth century the demand for bromide, spurred the brine and turned into bromide, bromide use was rapidly expanding. in part by “ethyl” gasoline, which which unlike pure bromine is easily To meet this expansion, Dow required bromide in its creation, led shipped and used. Bromide, mixed needed more brine than was available in to the belief that 100 new brine wells with other chemicals, is a versatile Midland. Thus, in 1903, Dow drilled might be drilled in Isabella County. chemical that was eventually found in brine wells and built a bromide plant Anticipating the wells, major new a wide variety of applications, including in Mt. Pleasant. By early 1904, bromide equipment was installed in the Dow was being shipped from Mt. Pleasant to Mt. Pleasant plant in 1929. Despite In this issue ... Midland. this, in 1930, the doors of the Mt. Two New Endowments Created . . 2 In 1907, chemical operations in Mt. Pleasant plant were closed. Pleasant expanded when Dow began In addition to documenting the Spring Presentations...... 3 to sell waste brine, which formerly history of Dow in Mt. Pleasant, the Library Begins National Digital had been dumped into the Chippewa exhibit also celebrates the accom- Newspaper Project ...... 4 River, to Robert Van Schaack. Van plishments of the American Chemical CMU Archives Online ...... 5 Schaack built a new “calcium” plant Society’s Midland chapter, which was Acknowledgment of Donors . . 5 adjoining Dow’s, where calcium chloride organized in 1919, with the support A Final Word ...... 7 and sodium chloride (common table Continued on Page 2 Drilling for Brine Central Michigan University, serving of that organization. Dr. Kohrman Continued from Page 1 as a member of the Chemistry holds degrees from a number of Department faculty, chair of the institutions including a doctorate of H.H. Dow. The chapter has not Chemistry Department, Dean of the in Organic Chemistry from the only promoted the growth of science College of Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in mid-Michigan but has also served and Interim University Provost. Visit the library to see “Drilling as an important catalyst for promoting He has published 22 journal articles for Brine: The Dow Chemical Plant innovative education about the chemical and presented at more than in Mount Pleasant 1903 – 1930,” sciences in schools and among the 30 conferences. In addition Dr. and join us for a presentation on the general public. Kohrman is an active member of subject by Dr. Robert Kohrman on Dr. Robert Kohrman, who curated the American Chemical Society’s March 13. the exhibit, spent a 38 year career at Midland Section and is a past chair 

Two New Endowments Created During 2012 two new endow- opportunity to engage with experts Clarke, Sr. given in memory of ments were created to benefit the on the important role of story, his wife. The Kamenetsky endow- Clarke Library. primarily in children’s literature. ment will have a special focus Eunice Sutherland Burgess Betsy Hearne presented the inaugural on building the collection’s historical established the David M. and lecture in this series. Professor and international children’s literature Eunice Sutherland Burgess Hearne’s presentation can be read at resources. Endowment. The endowment www.clarke.cmich.edu/past_presen- We are deeply indebted to the will enable the library to annually tations.html. founders of these two endowments bring to campus authors, scholars, Retired CMU English Professor and are extremely grateful for the or storytellers focusing on the Christa Kamenetsky established the support the endowments will enduring art of story, including Ihor and Christa Kamenetsky give to the Clarke Library’s ever storytelling. The hope is that Library Endowment. The endow- growing collection of material and through this endowment, CMU ment will support the acquisition our efforts to bring interesting and students, faculty, staff and of new material for the Lucile informative speakers to campus. community members will gain Clarke Memorial Children’s Library,  insight and enjoyment from the itself a gift of the late Dr. Norman

2 Spring Presentations

The library will sponsor four Monday, March 25 In 1947, Vandenberg became presentations during the spring A video documentary about the chairman of the Senate Foreign semester. Each presentation will life of U.S. Senator Arthur Vandenberg Relations Committee. In that position, begin at 7:00 pm in the Park Library will be followed by a panel discussion he cooperated with the Truman Auditorium and will be followed by with Mike Grass, the film’s producer, administration in forging bipartisan a reception in the Clarke Library. All and his principal historical consultants support for the Truman Doctrine, are open to the public without charge. Hank Meijer and Gleaves Whitney. the Marshall Plan, and NATO—the Individuals in need of an accom- Born and raised in Grand Rapids, first mutual defense treaty that the modation should contact the Library in 1928, Vandenberg left his job as United States had entered since its alliance with France during the at [email protected] or by phone editor and publisher of the Grand American Revolution. Vandenberg 989.774.3352. Rapids Herald when he was appointed began fading from the Washington to a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. scene in 1949, as he struggled with Wednesday, March 13 cancer. Vandenberg died at his Grand Dr. Robert Kohrman will discuss Rapids home on April 19, 1951. his research, which made possible the The heart and soul of the Library’s spring exhibit, “Drilling for production lies with Hank Meijer, the Brine: The Dow Chemical Plant CEO and co-chairman of Meijer, Inc. in Mount Pleasant 1903 – 1930.” For the past 15 years, Meijer has been Dr. Robert Kohrman, spent a 38 year writing a biography of Vandenberg in career at Central Michigan University, his spare time. It is a project he began serving as a member of the Chemistry after publishing a biography of his Department faculty, chair of the grandfather, Hendrik Meijer. “Hank Chemistry Department, Dean of the Meijer knows more about Arthur College of Science and Technology, Vandenberg than any living person,” and Interim University Provost. In says Mike Grass, the film’s producer. addition, Dr. Kohrman is an active member of the American Chemical U.S. Senator Arthur Vandenberg Wednesday, April 3 Society’s Midland Section and is a Award-winning author Gloria past chair of that organization. During the 1930s, Vandenberg Whelan, who has written more than became a leading proponent of 50 books in her career, will reflect on isolationism, determined to keep the her experience as an author, as well as United States out of another world discuss her most recent publication war. But the Japanese attack on Pearl project in a presentation entitled Harbor ended his isolationism. “Two Ways of Writing.” She will During the Second World War, he reflect on her writing for young grappled with the potential inter- readers as well as writing for adults. national role for the United States. Of her career as an author, On January 10, 1945, he delivered Ms. Whelan has written, “I began his most memorable speech in the making up stories before I could Senate, “the speech heard round write. I would tell a story to my baby the world,” confessing that prewar sitter and she would type it out. When isolationism was the wrong course, I got to elementary school I began calling on America to assume the writing poetry. In high school I responsibilities of world leadership, edited the school paper. I never Dr. Robert Kohrman, 1994 and endorsing the creation of the Continued on Page 4 United Nations. www.clarke.cmich.edu 3 Spring Presentations hardest part because you have to make Continued from Page 3 up everything: the weather, the people, stopped writing. I think all the books their clothes and the food they eat. I read when I was young had a lot to Revision is my favorite part. It’s when do with my writing.” you get to make the story more and more like the story as you imagined it.” Available for purchase at the presentation will be Ms. Whelan’s newest book, Living Together: Short Stories and a Novella, which will be released by Wayne State University Press in March. This presentation is made possible in part by the John and Audrey Cumming Endowment. Wednesday, April 10 Payson Wolf Producer Dr. David Schock will ceremonies for those who performed premiere his documentary film about them and the story of the 139 a Native American unit in the Civil Anishinabe who served in Company War, Company K, First Michigan K. In addition to those who made Sharpshooters. The Unit was made this journey, the film includes the up largely of Native Americans from commentary of two leading scholars Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay. The who have written about Company K video will be followed by discussion and the First Michigan Sharpshooters, with Dr. Schock. Ray Herek, whose book, These Men She has described her typical day In May 2010, a group of Native Have Seen Hard Service, documents this way, “After breakfast, I’m at my Americans from southwestern the history of the First Michigan computer or writing in my secret garden. Michigan travelled to the site of Sharpshooters and Chris Czopek, I usually work until noon when it’s time the infamous Confederate prison at author of, Who Was Who in Company K. to explore the frig. After lunch I’m out Andersonville, Georgia, to perform This presentation is made possible, walking along Lake St. Clair. That’s when traditional burial ceremonies for seven in part, by a grant from the Michigan I solve any problems that have come up of their own who died there while Humanities Council, which funded that day in my writing. I’m also thinking prisoners. David Schock travelled with the completion of the film through a about what I’ll be writing next. Getting the group, and throughout the trip grant to the Clarke Library. a story down for the first time is the chronicled both the meaning of the  Library Begins National Digital Newspaper Project Continuing the library’s long (NDNP) will make available on- chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/). tradition of preserving and making line sample newspapers from all As a result of this project the available for use newspapers fifty states on a website maintained Library is also pleased to announce published in Michigan, in August, by the Library of Congress. The that Angelo Moreno has joined the the National Endowment for the Clarke Library staff was extremely Library staff for the life of the project. Humanities awarded the library a pleased to be selected to coordinate Mr. Moreno will assume responsibil- $274,000 grant to participate in a NDNP activity within Michigan. ities for microfilming and digitizing nationwide project to digitize America’s The first Michigan newspapers will for library staff temporarily devoting historic newspapers. Coordinated appear in Chronicling America, the their time to NDNP. by the Library of Congress, the newspaper website of the Library  National Digital Newspaper Project of Congress, this summer (http://

4 CMU Archives Online For many years, the Clarke Historical graduate students, and CMU’s Global images, used computer software that Library staff has been working to Campus. Currently, Undergraduate “reads” the text, attributed identi- digitize documents relevant to the Bulletins from 1963 to 2011 can be fying information to the files, and study of Central Michigan University accessed via CONDOR. finally uploaded the completed issues history. Pat Thelen and her student Among these digital records is a to CONDOR. assistants have digitized a wide variety major resource for studying Central’s The result is a fully searchable of paper-based resources, including history - the CMU student newspaper. collection of 80 years of newspapers the Board of Trustee minutes (1964- We are happy to announce that we chronicling the major and minor 99), the entire run of Chippewa yearbooks have recently completed the digitization events in Central’s history. There are (1910-2003), and historical materials of the entire run of Central Michigan first-hand accounts of the fire that from the Student Government Life (and its previous incarnations burned the Old Main building and Association (2003-09) and made them - Central State Life and Central Normal CMU’s Division II National Cham- freely available to anyone in the world Life). All of the issues from 1919 pionship in football, which led to the via the CMU Online Digital Object until 1999 are now available on the decision to seek Division I status. Repository (CONDOR) website.We CM Life page of the CONDOR To use these resources visit are always adding to these resources. website. For over two years, our CONDOR at Currently, we are in the process of Preservation Microfilming unit, led by http://condor.cmich.edu/ digitizing each Bulletin, including Kim Hagerty, has digitally scanned the those issued for undergraduates, microfilm ofCM Life, cleaned up the  Thanks to Our Donors! During 2012 the Library benefited from the gifts of many individuals. Thanks to all those who are listed below (an * denotes a memorial gift):

Financial Supporters John* and Audrey Cumming, Mt. Pleasant Bruce and Edie Allen, Mt. Pleasant Peter Cummings, Las Vegas, NV Donald Beatty, Irons David H.* and Diane E. Current, Mt. Pleasant Kay Marie Allen, Dewitt Sally J. Cutler, Imlay City American Chemical Society, Midland Section, Midland Marydeana Duckworth, Alma Loren Anderson, Mt. Pleasant Claudia A. Eschelbach, Groveport, OH Catherine L. Angell, Austin, TX Michael and Mary Federspiel, Midland Sonya Bacon, Monroe Township Tanya M. Fox, Coleman Geoffrey and Hatha Bartlett, Mt. Pleasant, JS Fry Consulting, Plymouth Valerie and Frank Boles, Mt. Pleasant James and Theresa Fry, Plymouth John and Sue Bradac, Mt. Pleasant Dr. Sidney Graham and Mary Ward Graham, Mt. Pleasant James and Janet Bruss, Harper Woods John and Carol Grossa, Mt. Pleasant Eunice A. Burgess, Mt. Pleasant Kim Hagerty, St. Louis James E. Byrne, St. Charles, IL Janice Hartwick-Dressel Ph.D. and David Dressel, Bruce Carlson, Bessemer East Lansing Barbara Jo Chapman, Interlochen Michael D. and Pamela D. Hartzler, Ann Arbor Karen L. Chapman, Puyallup, WA Ed and Ruth Helwig, Mt. Pleasant Virginia S. Chase, Alma Maria Iacobelli, Waterford Carla Church, Atlanta IBM International Foundation, Armonk, NY Mark and Christa Clare, Mt. Pleasant Kathleen Flynn Jackson, Cass City Susan L. and Robert W. Clarke, Harbor Springs Eileen K. Jennings, Mt. Pleasant Classic Bells, Livonia Mr. & Mrs. Lyle G. Jones, Holly CMU Women, Mt. Pleasant Christa Kamenetsky, Mt. Pleasant Colonial Dames XVII Century, Oscoda Ann M. and J. Hudson Keenan, Mt. Pleasant Ann L. Craig, Cass City Kieran Keenan, Wheaton, IL Sandra Bell Croll, Harbor Springs Wallace Kern, Chesterfield, MO Continued on Page 6 www.clarke.cmich.edu 5 Financial Supporters Bob Banta, Mt. Pleasant Continued from Page 6 LeRoy Barnett, Grand Ledge Mr. & Mrs. Allan Kerton, Holly Amy Barritt, Traverse City Roy and Joan Klopcic, Mt. Pleasant Bentley Historical Library, Ann Arbor Charles W. Knapp, Traverse City Janice Blovsky, Marlette Dr. Robert C. Knapp, Oakland, CA Valerie and Frank Boles, Mt. Pleasant Margaret Loffelman, Corunna Dr. Richard Boyd, Delafield, WI John H. Logie, Grand Rapids Herb and Jan Brinkman, Roscommon Farrah D. McDaniel, Midland Peggy Brisbane, Mt. Pleasant Christopher and Katie Meister, Royal Oak Fel Brunette, Fife Lake Michigan Business Education Association, Fort Gratiot Trix Carey, Mt. Pleasant Mr. & Mrs. Scott L. Moore, Roscoe, IL Robert Chaffer, Mt. Pleasant Thomas J. and Gail A. Moore, Mt. Pleasant Christa Clare, Mt. Pleasant Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Moreno, Mt. Pleasant Susan Clarke, Harbor Springs Betsy Susan Morgan, Burr Oak Susan Clarkston, Crosswell Mary Ann Mott, Big Rapids Sandra B. Croll, Harbor Springs Catherine and Alexander Murray, Mt. Pleasant Pat Davis, Cody, WY Edward L. Nash, Hilton Head Island, SC Bob DeBruin, Mt. Pleasant James R. Neal, East Lansing Sarah Delia, Mt. Pleasant Ms. Shannon Neuman, Hampstead, NC Wendell Dilling CMU Randall and Myra Norton, Freeland Dennis Durkee, Indialanatic, FL Wayne Osborn, Delavan, WI Gerry Edgar, Mt. Pleasant Jeff and Patty Pickler, Mt. Pleasant Carol Ellis, Mt. Pleasant Susan Powers, Mt. Pleasant Carol Farley, Ludington Joyce and John Riddick, Mt. Pleasant Michael Federspiel, Midland William C. Robb, Pensacola, FL Ruth Felter, Mt. Pleasant Gretchen E. Robert, Holland Mary Jane Flanagan, CMU Grace A. Rudd , Traverse City David Forbush, Frederic Susan Irene Sadenwater, Freeland Mary Graham, Mt. Pleasant David and Joyce Salisbury, Blanchard Donna Hoff-Grambau, Mt. Pleasant Richard A. Santer, Big Rapids M.W. Grass, E. Grand Rapids Roger A. Scheidt, Dayton, OH Andreah Grove, Montgomery Dr. & Mrs. Richard Seiter, Ponte Vedra, FL Pamela Grudzien, Mt. Pleasant Martha L. Smith, Mt. Pleasant Tom Hahnenburg, Lake Isabella Betty L. Snow, Cheboygan Joseph Heitman, Saginaw Susan M. Stan, Mt. Pleasant Ruth Helwig, Mt. Pleasant Anthony J. Staraitis, Orlando, FL Kirk Hise* (estate of) Toledo, OH Gil Starks, Mt. Pleasant Geoff Habiner, Tijeras, NM Betty Stephenson, Mt. Pleasant Ron Hullender, CMU Kathy Swem, Fishers, IN Humanities and Social Work and Behavior Sciences, CMU Dennis J. Thavenet, Mt. Pleasant Kathleen Hutchins, Alma Nancy C. Tysman, Grand Haven Virginia Judge, Mt. Pleasant Don and Ruth Volz, Mt. Pleasant Christa Kamenetsky, Mt. Pleasant Gretchen and John Weatherford, Mt. Pleasant J. Hudson Keenan, Mt. Pleasant Denise Webster, Mt. Pleasant Maxine Kent, Mt. Pleasant Linda L. Wilcox, Fenville Annette Kirk, Mecosta Sandy and Richard Wood, Mt. Pleasant Ulana Klymyshyn, Mt. Pleasant Eugene Woodward, Midland Robert Knapp, Oakland, CA Norm Krentel, Geneva 2012 Material Donors Kay Krueger, Tucson, AZ Sarah Adams, PBS, CMU Evelyn Leasher, Blanchard Charles D. Alexander, Mt. Pleasant Barb Lichtenfelt, Dowson Dale Aurand, Traverse City Little Traverse Bay Historical Society, Petoskey Kyle Bagnall, Midland Dale Malewska, Lansing

6 Jack MacRae, Marietta OH Sharon Southwick, Mt. Pleasant Richard Maltby, Midland Sherry Sponseller, Mt. Pleasant David McMacken, St. Louis Gil Starks, Mt. Pleasant Gerald Micketti, Traverse City Gary Stephens, Eaton Rapids Minority Student Affairs, CMU Al Tennant, Holland Richard Moehl, Traverse City Pat Thelen, Mt. Pleasant Richard Moreau, Weidman Kathleen Tocco, Southgate, Megan Moreno, Mt. Pleasant Mary VanderLinde, Holland Donald Nagler, Mt. Pleasant Van Raalte Institute, Hope College Mrs. Margaret Nash, Mt. Pleasant Art Wagner, Warren Tim Odykirk, CMU Eugene Wanger, Lansing Wayne Osborn, Delavan, WI Kathleen Weessies, Michigan State University William E. O’Dell, CMU Jack Westbrook, Mt. Pleasant James B. Parker, Whitmore Lake Ardith Westie, Traverse City John Parlin, Cincinnati, OH Libby Westie, Worcester, MA Susan Powers, Mt. Pleasant Western Michigan University, Dept. of Anthropology, Rose Prasad, Mt. Pleasant Kalamazoo Remus Area Historical Society, Remus Wheatland Music Organization, Remus Jon Ringelberg, Clare Bryan Whitledge, Mt. Pleasant Mr. and Mrs. Ron Rolph, Holland Don Wilson, Corunna David Shirley, Mt. Pleasant Robert Wolfe, Plainwell Michael Simon, Mt. Pleasant Sandra and Richard Wood, Mt. Pleasant Betty Snow, Cheboygan Rose Wunderbaum Traines, Mt. Pleasant Linda Seal, CMU  A Final Word Every year the library publishes The gifts the library has received goes politician to be nominated by a major the list of the individuals whose on, literally, for pages in our accession party for the presidency, was helped generosity benefitted the library. book. by your giving. Outside funds also Every year as I read through the list Of course there are some things, help support an active speakers program. I am reminded of old acquaintances money can buy, and I am equally And some of that outside money and new friends. Material that some- grateful to those who help us do so. helps fund student employees. Much times money literally cannot buy Every year there are a few extraordinary of what we accomplish is made possible walks through the door in the arms gifts, endowments that help us in by the work of our student employees, of a generous person who is donating ongoing activities. Elsewhere in the and some of what they do is made it to the library, and through us for newsletter we have acknowledged possible through your generosity. the use of the public. two such gifts, from Eunice A. Burgess Helping students help us is a true Those gifts are many and varied. and Christa Kamenetsky. Each year win-win situation. The library gains Some examples include: an interesting presentation will be invaluable enthusiasm and assistance. Letters about northern Michigan supported by one endowment, and And the students, working their way that came to the library as a result each year new books will be added to through college, earn some of the of last year’s International our children’s collection through the money they need to pay their bills Hemingway Conference in Petoskey. other endowment. while gaining valuable experience. Information about Clare Coun- Beyond endowments, outside Thank you, each of you, for your ty assembled as part of one funds help support a wide range of concern about the library, your person’s life-long interest in the library activities. Acquisitions almost generosity towards the institution, county’s history and development. always benefit from supplemental and your help in making the Clarke Thirty-nine vintage Detroit Tiger funds made available to us through better able to serve both the Central yearbooks that recall another gifts. This year, the purchase of new Michigan University community and era in the Motor City. presidential campaign biographies the public generally. I have written it to add to our ongoing collection of before, and likely I will write it again Wonderful material about the history of Central Michigan that material, as well as a few new – we could not do what we do campaign pieces relating to Lewis without you. University itself, added to the Frank Boles University Archives. Cass, the only 19th century Michigan  www.clarke.cmich.edu 7 The CMU Friends of the Libraries Effective March 1, 2011, the minimum annual is a membership organization that donation to become a member of the Friends of riends supports, through financial and other the Libraries will be a single gift of $75.00. F of the Libraries gifts, the programs of the Charles V. Park Library, home to the University Library, the Clarke Historical Library, and Off- _____$75-149 Fellow Campus Library Services. _____$150-249 Benefactor Clarke Library Board of Governors _____$250-499 Heritage Friend Donor recognition on a chair John H. Logie, chairman (2010-2014) Frank Boles (library director, ex officio) _____$500-999 Legacy Friend Norman E. Clarke, III (family representative) Donor recognition on a table Susan Clarke (2012-2016) Sandra B. Croll (2008-2012) _____$1,000 Visionary Circle Michael R. Federspiel (2009-2013) Donor recognition on a study carrel, computer Mitchell Hall (chair, dept. of history, ex officio) carrel, open book stack, or room Thomas Moore (dean of libraries, ex officio) George Ross (president, CMU, ex officio) Apply my contribution to: (check one only) Kenneth Winter (2011-2015) _____ Clarke Historical Library  Clarke Library Staff _____ University Library (Off- Campus Library Services is supported Frank Boles, director through the University Library) Christa Clare, administrative & acquisitions specialist John Fierst, reference librarian _____ Use my gift where most needed in either the Tanya Fox, catalog database specialist University Library or the Clarke Historical Kim Hagerty, microform services specialist Library Marian Matyn, archivist Angelo Moreno, assistant microform services specialist _____ This is a joint gift. Please also credit: Pat Thelen, scanning specialist Bryan Whitledge, reference assistant ______ Newsletter Staff Name______Frank Boles, editor Mary Ward Graham, copyeditor Address______Amy L. Motz, layout & design  ______Published by the Clarke Library Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859 City______phone (989) 774-3352; fax (989) 774-2160 email: [email protected]; Internet: www.clarke.cmich.edu State & Zip______Central Michigan University, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity within its community (see www.cmich.edu/aaeo.html). Printed by CMU Printing Services

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