Back around the turn of the century, John Gagnon worked for the Fredrickson Livery Stable. He took great pride in the stable’s splendid mule team. One of his duties was to meet the afternoon train at the depot, pick up the mail and deliver it to the post office.
Little Dell Russell, a near neighbor on Nagonaba Street, was always ready for a ride to the depot. One day, after Dell had climbed into the dray, John discovered he didn’t have the favorite whip, he went back to the barn after it.
Meanwhile, the train whistled and off went the mules without a driver, carrying their frightened little passenger.
But all went well. The mules knew the way to the depot, and they stopped in their usual place as the train approached. John Gagnon came running down the street to fine theme there, safe and sound.
Source: “A History of Leelanau Township,” by The Leelanau Township Historical Writers Group.
