Memories of May Francis
Heath- a series
May Heath Saves the Treaty
Oak
One of the many "legends" of May
Heath is the story of how she saved the Saugatuck Treaty Oak from being cut
down by a crew of workmen.
The Treaty Oak still stands at the corner
of
In about 1896, May and Doc lived at the
corner of
May grabbed up her baby and rushed out to
defend this living bit of village history. She placed herself in front of the
tree and would not let the men approach it. After several hours the workmen
felt that the hungry infant would break the impasse. Surely she would go home
to feed the child? To their great dismay, this prim Victorian lady proceeded to
breast feed the child in that public place, announcing that she would not move
for the rest of the day. The workmen knew they had been defeated and they
departed. May saved the tree for us to enjoy today.
Although her great-grandchildren had never
heard the tale, May personally told the story to several people including
former
http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/SDHSWeb/Stories/MemoriesofSaugatuckDouglas.htm
(Artwork from the 2003
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The Dedication Ceremony for the May Francis
Heath memorial in the town square is planned for Saturday 14 Aug 2010. More
details to follow. Your donations are still needed, for memorial and also an
eventual small marker for the treaty oak. Make out your check to "The Saugatuck-Douglas
Historical Society" marked for "the May Heath Memorial Fund." We are also still collecting photos of
May, of her paintings, and personal recollections from people who knew her.
Contact Chris Yoder, cyoder@tds.net 857-4327 or Marsha Kontio (616) 566-1239.
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