MAY 8 ISSUE ANSWERS: An individual’s personal entertainment might include hobbies or an avocation. A rise in the middle class enabled folks in Romeo to use their “spare time” for activities such as hunting, fishing, painting or photography. No longer did everyone work from dawn to dusk to make a living. There were individuals in Romeo that did not have an easy life, but more and more were able to enjoy a little entertainment. Hunting was a very popular sport. The wealthy could be involved in a fox hunt, but most hunters simply hunted for bears, deer, and birds. The Romeo Observer would report on the success of local hunters on the front page. Many were interested in reading about the hunter’s exploits. “Pigeon hunting has been quite lively during the last few days. Many of our sportsmen are meeting with such success, that every refrigerator and ice-box in the village has been in demand.” July 1874 “The Gould hunting party captured 8 deer and the Hosner party 5.” 1903 “Frank E. Bowerman captured two deer and a bear while on his hunting trip in the vicinity of Sidnaw, Houghton County.” 1912 “Are hunting deer up north: F. B. Wolcott, Wm. Wolcott, J. Ritter, Claire Wolley, R. Corey, West Gass, and Charles Norton. Others will follow later in the season.” Oct. 1911

MAY 8 ISSUE ANSWERS: An individual’s personal entertainment might include hobbies or an avocation. A rise in the middle class enabled folks in Romeo to use their “spare time” for activities such as hunting, fishing, painting or photography. No longer did everyone work from dawn to dusk to make a living. There were individuals in Romeo that did not have an easy life, but more and more were able to enjoy a little entertainment. Hunting was a very popular sport. The wealthy could be involved in a fox hunt, but most hunters simply hunted for bears, deer, and birds. The Romeo Observer would report on the success of local hunters on the front page. Many were interested in reading about the hunter’s exploits. “Pigeon hunting has been quite lively during the last few days. Many of our sportsmen are meeting with such success, that every refrigerator and ice-box in the village has been in demand.” July 1874 “The Gould hunting party captured 8 deer and the Hosner party 5.” 1903 “Frank E. Bowerman captured two deer and a bear while on his hunting trip in the vicinity of Sidnaw, Houghton County.” 1912 “Are hunting deer up north: F. B. Wolcott, Wm. Wolcott, J. Ritter, Claire Wolley, R. Corey, West Gass, and Charles Norton. Others will follow later in the season.” Oct. 1911 The Lakeville fishing club had a group photo taken on July 8, 1896. There were 29 members posing next to a cottage. The Romeo Historical Society Archives has glass negative images of fish caught by local fishermen.
The Romeo Observer also reported on the fishermen on July 1874. “A party of young men of this village are making arrangements to spend a week at the Straits of Mackinaw in hunting and fishing.”
The local oil painter, William W. Gibbs, documented a number of hunting camps on canvas. Hunters and hunting dogs were favorite subjects of his.
Roy Brooks experimented with early photography. I think he invented the “selfie.” We have one of his glass negatives showing Roy and family members sitting on the front porch. In his right hand is a long string with which he opened the camera shutter about 20 feet away. It worked! Some of Roy’s favorite glass negative images were caught fish and hunters.
Romeo villagers found fun in many different ways. Visit the Romeo Historical Societies three museums and see for yourself the paintings and images mentioned above.
—Joan and Richard,
RHS Curators