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Lost Lansing: The peculiar bounty of the Grand River: circa 1908

By David Votta on July 17, 2011

The Lansing Journal of August 20, 1908 chronicles the summer métier of one W.H. Parker family. Outfitted with three lashed-together flat-bottomed boats, one covered with canvas for inclement weather and sleeping, the flotilla descended the Grand River from Lansing. Their quarry was freshwater pearls, and as the title of the article stated the “TURTLE HARVEST IS ALSO GOOD.”

At the turn of the 20th century a freshwater Pearl Rush ravaged the Mississippi and many Mid-Western lakes and rivers. Few of these bivalves produced pearls and fewer garnered significant monetary value. However, riparian and lake communities developed to reap the bounty, culling local populations.

The devastation to the native clams and mussels, unionids, was immense. The mollusk’s plight worsened with a soon to follow industry of crafting buttons from their shells. Thwarting their propagation, many unionids do not reach sexual maturity till eight to 10 years. Some species live more than 100 years.

Originally reported in the Portland Observer newspaper, the Journal quotes Parker that in 1907 he uncovered a pearl worth $75. Today that would fetch over $1,700. When unable to produce pearls the Parkers caught loads of turtles in nets and sell them for meat to “eastern market[s]”.

Identifying the Parkers with period documentation is troublesome. The story is mostly taken from the Portland Observer. It is noted in the account they were not listed in the Lansing City Directory. This was probably checked by the Lansing Journal reporter. W.H. states he worked for many years at a Lansing factory, “But through the summer can make a better living on the river.”

No viable W.H. Parker emerges from the City Directories from 1908-1910. There is one listed in the 1910 directory, married to a Sarah. However, he teaches chemistry at MAC/MSU. In the 1911 directory, a potential protagonist appears in the City Directory and from the 1910 Federal Census. This W.H. Parker was born in 1873 and hails from Oregon. His wife is named Katherine. He is listed as a laborer in both the directory and the census. They have two children as described by the news account. Their younger son, Clarence, is 2-years-old in 1910, making him an infant on their river peregrination.

Details concerning the day to day life of the Parkers on their voyage are scarce. For sustenance he claims to catch enough fish to feed his progeny. Despite “uncomfortable” sleeping arrangements, it is reported “[t]he whole family declared they liked the out of door life.” It is unclear if Mrs. Parker was interviewed.

Sources Consulted
 Lansing Journal Newspaper 9/20/1908
Lansing City Directories (1908-1911)
 Great Lakes Science Center
Caddo Lake Institute
Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture entry on the Arkansas Pearl Rush
1900 U.S. Federal Census
1910 U.S. Federal Census
Photograph Courtesy of the Capital Area District Library Special Collections

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Historian, writer and research consultant David Votta has worked as History Librarian & Archivist for the Capital Area District Library since 2004. Previous to CADL he was employed at the Detroit Institute of Arts Research Library/Archives and as a freelance reporter for NPR affiliate WDET in Detroit. He has studied at the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia and currently serves on more boards and commissions than he would like to think about.

One response to “Lost Lansing: The peculiar bounty of the Grand River: circa 1908”

  1. Bill
    Bill
    July 18, 2011 at 6:33 pm |

    Great river rat story. History really does predict the future

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