Message In A Bottle Discovered After 97 Years
A message in a bottle was discovered after 97 years at the bottom of the St. Clair River in Michigan. Dave Leander, of the Great Lakes Dive Center, discovered the bottle buried on the river bottom.
Leander and several friends were exploring the bottom of the river when he noticed the edge of a bottle protruding from the silt. When he pulled the bottle out, he realized there was a note inside.
As reported by My Fox Detroit, Leander was able to read a portion of the message while he was still under water. When he returned to the surface and opened the bottle, he realized that the message was nearly 100 years old.
The message in a bottle was written on the back of a receipt for a steamship ride. The message, which was written in pencil, stated “Having a great time at Tashmoo.” The note was signed by Selina Pramstaller and Tillie Esper. The note was dated 1915.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Detroit residents could travel by steamship to Harsens Island for a day of fun and relaxation. One of the island’s most popular attractions was Tashmoo Park. As explained by TashmooDays.com, Tashmoo Park featured an amusement area, beaches, a dance hall, and several resorts.
The young ladies were likely enjoying a day at the park and decided to drop a message in a bottle into the water. It remained at the bottom of the river for nearly 100 years.
Tillie Esper married John Schaefer in 1917. She has 32 remaining grandchildren. Tillie’s grandson, Eric Schiebold, was shocked when he heard about the bottle:
“Here’s something that’s 100 years old in the bottom of the river, and how can that be related to me… She must of just been having a great time on the boat that day… I remember her from the time I was a kid… This is a fascinating story.”
Schiebold is happy to share the amazing story. As reported by Yahoo News, the message in a bottle will be displayed at a museum on Harsens Island. The island is much different now, as the amusement park is long gone. However, the island’s rich history is remembered and celebrated during Tashmoo Days.
This year, Tashmoo Days will take place on Saturday, July 20. The message in the bottle will be featured during the event.
