EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference desk staff at Peter White Public Library.

30 years ago

IRONWOOD — Sophisticated electromagnetic detection soil coring and the memories of retired and current local officials were tested to find 20 barrels of DDT buried in the Ottawa National Forest 30 years ago. The isolated burial site was confirmed Thursday 9 miles northwest of Watersmeet. According to National Forest officials, the barrels are buried in a location distant enough from dwellings and water sources to be of no immediate health threat. The barrels of diluted DDT were buried in an isolated excavation in 1965 or 1966 and left to decay in what was then accepted practice. National Forest officials were informed of the possible existence of the barrels in 1991, when they began an extensive search for the burial site. Ground-penetrating radar was used to rule out a site most suspected of harboring the barrels. It wasn’t until late last month that sensitive electromagnetic instruments and cores drilled out of the soil revealed the actual location.

90 years ago

ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming City Council this week entered into an agreement with the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. for use of Lake Angeline water. The city has been seeking permission to make a connection between its municipal water line and the water cooling system of the company at the steam plant in order to obtain water from Lake Angeline as a supplement to its municipal water supply system. The city assumes all risks and dangers connected with the use and operation of said pump, pipelines and storage tank, and agrees to fully indemnify the company against and save it harmless from any and all claims, liability, demands, judgments, costs, expense and attorney’s fees for injuries to or death of persons and damage to property arising from or alleged to have arisen from, directly or indirectly, wholly or in part, the use of water from Lake Angeline.