Trial No. 1, in Circuit Court, June 24, 1887, was a criminal action against Helen Gastro – illegal sale of liquor. Chas. F. Button, attorney for defendant; Chas. M. Howell, Prosecutor. Nolle pros.

Embezzlement proceedings were held against Edwin Powell and John Matthews, June 25, 1887. Guilty. Fine of $10.00 each.

The first prison sentence of the court was drawn by Ed. Jordan. Larceny. Two years at Jackson prison. Sentenced Aug. 28, 1887.

John Dellies and Richard Ellis were tried for arson Oct. 11, 1887. Plea of not guilty. Case adjourned to Jan. 30, 1888. Verdict of not guilty.

John Moran sentenced Oct. 27, 1887. Six years at Jackson prison. Assault with intent to kill.

Chas. Anderson drew a sentence of one year in the county jail Oct. 28, 1887; indecent exposure of person.

Sentences in 1888 – Jacob Hackala, intent to murder, three years; Gustaf Carlson and Emanuel Carlson, intent to murder, one year each; Chas. Meder, larceny, two years; Martin Casey. Intent to rape, eight years; Chas. Edlund, assault, eighteen months; John Sullivan and John Monahan, grand larceny, 2 years each; Patrick Griffin, keeper of house of ill fame, 3 years; all sent to Jackson Helen Gastarow, keeper of house of ill fame, eighteen months at Detroit House of Correction. Chas. M. Howell was the prosecutor in each case.

E. D. Bowler was the first man in the country tried for murder. He was arrested Oct. 24, 1888 and tried Jan. 29, 31 and Feb. 1. Verdict of not guilty.

The first sentence to the Ionia House of Correction and Reformatory went to Jackson Watts, Nov. 12, 1888, one year. Charge-assault.

The first prisoners from Gogebic to Market prison were James Peters, Wm. Church, Wm. Perry alias Smith, and Owen Warden. Tried May 13, 1889, charge of robbery, sentenced to 3 years and 6 months.

The case of the people against John Hanousek, Bessemer policeman, June 27, 1892 to Aug. 23, attracted considerable attention. Hanousek was charged with murder in connection with the death of a man at the Colby location who had resisted arrest. A verdict of not guilty was returned.

The trial of Duncan Beveridge on a murder charge lasted from Nov. 18, 1896 to March 4, 1897. Wm. R. Adams, prosecutor, and H. O. Fairchild for the defense. Verdict of not guilty.

The trial of James Redpath on a charge of murder opened Nov. 19, 1896 and resulted in a verdict of not guilty (Dec. 9, 1896).

From April 23, 1908 to May 21, the trial of Paul Lafferty – charged with arson in connection with a series of fires in the Village of Wakefield. Sensational evidence was presented against Lafferty, but the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

Another case that attracted widespread attention was the trial from Feb. 15, 1901 to Feb. 28, of Richard Manning and Stanley Rodobaugh charged with the robbery of a meat market in Ironwood. H. M. Norris was appointed attorney to defend the prisoners and the prosecution was presented by S. S. Cooper. A verdict of guilty and was sentenced to eleven years at the same prison.

The first birth record in Gogebic County was a son born to Michael and Bidgett McNicholas on March 6, 1886 in Marenisco. The recording of the birth was July 20, 1887.

The first female child born in the county was Rubella M. Phillips on Nov. 14, to Fred and Alice M. Phillips at Watersmeet. Mr. Phillips was a barber at that place. The record was made Aug. 22, 1887.

The first death recorded was John (name unknown),  from Marenisco Township, who died on Nov. 25, 1886 at forty years old of age. He was a native of the Chippewa Nation from Wisconsin and a trapper by occupation.  Cause of death – unisy.

The first record of death of a white male was Sept. 27, 1886 – George F. Gage, age 28 years, 3 months, 5 days resident of Wakfield. Cause of death was heart disease.

The first death of a white female was January 3, 1886. Mary Webb of Wakefield died at the age of 29 years.

The first marriage in the county was preformed on Oct. 1, 1887 by Wm. J. Haggerson, justice of the peace. The contracting parties were Shepherd E. Stickley, a saloon keeper of Hurley, Wis., and Catherine dursheil, servant of Ironwood.

The first divorce granted to a female was in the action of Charlotte Hewett vs. Hart Hewett. The action was brought April 19, 1887, and the divorce was granted Feb. 28, 1888.

The first man to obtain a decree of divorce was Elisha Juneau. The case was entered dec. 23, 1889, and a decree given Feb. 7, 1890.

The first and only colored funeral in the county was held May 19, 1895. Wm. H. Harrison died of acute neuralgia. He was a native of Canada.

Probate case No. 1 was the estate of Joseph M. Meagher, deceased, dated March 14, 1887. This case was closed Jan. 28. 1936 before Probate Judge M. E. Nolan, 48 years after the opening of the proceeding.

The first commitment to the hospital for the insane at Traverse City was June 13, 1887.

The first mortgage given in the county was by Edward D. Home to Ellsworth & Fuller .It covered Lot 4 of Block 6 of the village of Bessemer. The mortgage was dated April 13, 1887.

The first deed issued in Gogebic County was executed April 14, 1887 by Daniel H. Merritt and wife to Cornelius W. McMahon. It transferred Lots 2 and 3 in Block 11, Hibbing’s addition to the Village of Bessemer. The deed was recorded on August 8, 1887.

The first recorded mortgage of Gogebic County land was given by Andrew I. King to Daniel Cameron and Jacob Swartz on Oct. 10, 1853. The description was the NW ¼ of Sec. 7, town 48-46., Upper Peninsula of Michigan. One hundred and twenty dollars was paid on the description. The deed was reclaimed under a sheriff sale on May 31, 1856.

The first pre-emption deed from the United States for Gogebic land was given at Washington D.C. April 19, 1852 to Stephen D. Tilden of Ontonagon County. The deed was signed by Willard Fillmore, President of the United States.