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The Cut
1871—Manistee County, Big Lumber and homesteaders are feuding. Two young lovers are caught in the middle, until the forces of nature change everything.
Alvin Price and Lydia Cockrum literally bump into one another in the summer of 1870 and fall in love. But love is seldom without its struggles. Alvin is a farmer, and Lydia is the privileged daughter of an engineer aligned with northern Michigan’s powerful lumber industry. The Cut tells the story of the two interests at odds over a dam powering a sawmill. The the dam floods out hundreds of acres of farmland. When the lumbermen ignore a court order to stop the damming, Alvin leads the farmers to action. In the spring of 1871, they dig a narrow, shallow ditch five hundred yards long, intending to relieve the flooding. None of them foresee the force of nature that will rage when the bulwark holding the pent-up waters of Portage Lake is torn back. The cut changes forever the way of life around the lake, and with it, Alvin and Lydia’s relationship. But Mother Nature isn’t through with them yet. On October 8, 1871, a terrible storm will sweep across the upper Midwest, setting off fires in Chicago and dozens of other cities, including Manistee, Michigan. Can Alvin and Lydia’s love survive a second force majeure?
John Wemlinger’s latest novel, The Cut, is a nineteenth-century David and Goliath story set in northwestern Michigan, where the powerful lumber industry is trampling on the rights of local farmers trying to eke out a living on their eighty acres of land. In the aftermath of the Civil War, The Cut follows the plight of the local farmers through the eyes of their reluctant leader as he fights for his family, friends, and love. It is a beautiful story of Michiganders’ perseverance woven into Michigan’s history. —Kate Segal, former Michigan state representative for the 62nd District, and Democratic floor leader
The Cut is a stirring novel that combines fictional characters with Manistee’s lavish history of the late nineteenth-century lumbering era. With an eye for detail, Wemlinger’s novel epitomizes the Manistee County of yesteryear, as well as the trials and tribulations of the people who lived in it. —Mark Fedder, executive director, Manistee County Historical Museum
Alvin Price and Lydia Cockrum literally bump into one another in the summer of 1870 and fall in love. But love is seldom without its struggles. Alvin is a farmer, and Lydia is the privileged daughter of an engineer aligned with northern Michigan’s powerful lumber industry. The Cut tells the story of the two interests at odds over a dam powering a sawmill. The the dam floods out hundreds of acres of farmland. When the lumbermen ignore a court order to stop the damming, Alvin leads the farmers to action. In the spring of 1871, they dig a narrow, shallow ditch five hundred yards long, intending to relieve the flooding. None of them foresee the force of nature that will rage when the bulwark holding the pent-up waters of Portage Lake is torn back. The cut changes forever the way of life around the lake, and with it, Alvin and Lydia’s relationship. But Mother Nature isn’t through with them yet. On October 8, 1871, a terrible storm will sweep across the upper Midwest, setting off fires in Chicago and dozens of other cities, including Manistee, Michigan. Can Alvin and Lydia’s love survive a second force majeure?
John Wemlinger’s latest novel, The Cut, is a nineteenth-century David and Goliath story set in northwestern Michigan, where the powerful lumber industry is trampling on the rights of local farmers trying to eke out a living on their eighty acres of land. In the aftermath of the Civil War, The Cut follows the plight of the local farmers through the eyes of their reluctant leader as he fights for his family, friends, and love. It is a beautiful story of Michiganders’ perseverance woven into Michigan’s history. —Kate Segal, former Michigan state representative for the 62nd District, and Democratic floor leader
The Cut is a stirring novel that combines fictional characters with Manistee’s lavish history of the late nineteenth-century lumbering era. With an eye for detail, Wemlinger’s novel epitomizes the Manistee County of yesteryear, as well as the trials and tribulations of the people who lived in it. —Mark Fedder, executive director, Manistee County Historical Museum
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2021
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52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2021
A fun and informative historical story of The Cut on portage lake in Onekama! I urge all with connections to the area (and otherwise) to give it a read.
July 12, 2021
4 1/2 STARS
This is a very compelling love story between a farmer (Civil War Vet) and a city girl. The story takes place in Manistee County in 1871, when the fine timber of Michigan was being logged off and the farmers were struggling to establish themselves. Lydia's father is very opposed to his daughter being with a farmer. But Alvin and Lydia love each other.
The lumbermill and the farmers are at odds, because the mill has built a dam to run the saws and is flooding many acres of farming land. There are several attempts to remedy the situation through legal means. Then Alvin's father buys a stretch of land between Portage Lake and Lake Michigan.
After a hard days work farming, the farmers meet to dig a "cut" that will lower the water and still allow for the dam to run the mill. They did not calculate the height of Portage Lake compared to Lake Michigan and when the boards holding back the water are removed chaos ensues.
The digging of the cut is a fact and for at least a year after it was dug, ships on the big lake had to avoid the "forest" in the water near Portage Lake.
Very good story.
This is a very compelling love story between a farmer (Civil War Vet) and a city girl. The story takes place in Manistee County in 1871, when the fine timber of Michigan was being logged off and the farmers were struggling to establish themselves. Lydia's father is very opposed to his daughter being with a farmer. But Alvin and Lydia love each other.
The lumbermill and the farmers are at odds, because the mill has built a dam to run the saws and is flooding many acres of farming land. There are several attempts to remedy the situation through legal means. Then Alvin's father buys a stretch of land between Portage Lake and Lake Michigan.
After a hard days work farming, the farmers meet to dig a "cut" that will lower the water and still allow for the dam to run the mill. They did not calculate the height of Portage Lake compared to Lake Michigan and when the boards holding back the water are removed chaos ensues.
The digging of the cut is a fact and for at least a year after it was dug, ships on the big lake had to avoid the "forest" in the water near Portage Lake.
Very good story.
April 28, 2024
I didn't know that
I was born and raised just south of Manistee. I have traveled through it many times in my life. I have always found it to be a quaint place. However, I was not aware of this fascinating history. To have it presented in such a gripping narrative was another surprise. In some places I found some of the characterizations a bit twenty first century, but overall an engaging presentation of some local history that I didn't know I wanted to know.
I was born and raised just south of Manistee. I have traveled through it many times in my life. I have always found it to be a quaint place. However, I was not aware of this fascinating history. To have it presented in such a gripping narrative was another surprise. In some places I found some of the characterizations a bit twenty first century, but overall an engaging presentation of some local history that I didn't know I wanted to know.
August 16, 2024
4.5 🌟!! This book totally surprised me! The writing style was easy to read, making it a great book to have on hand if you travel to Manistee! Both Alvin and Lydia were lovable and their love for each other felt so nostalgic. However, I’m partial to Jeb! I loved him so so much.
My family on my father’s side is from Manistee. We usually try to visit every two to three years. This book felt like going home (without the summer heat, sand in my shoes, or tourists on the sidewalk). I was gifted this book by my grandma - huge shoutout to her! I love her so much. She’s my favorite person on the planet - sorry to everyone else. I hope to give her this book to read so that we can discuss it soon.
My family on my father’s side is from Manistee. We usually try to visit every two to three years. This book felt like going home (without the summer heat, sand in my shoes, or tourists on the sidewalk). I was gifted this book by my grandma - huge shoutout to her! I love her so much. She’s my favorite person on the planet - sorry to everyone else. I hope to give her this book to read so that we can discuss it soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2021
The Cut is Wemlinger’s most well written novel to date. The novel tells a compelling, true story of the ecological changes that occur when a “cut” is made through the land separating northern Michigan’s Portage Lake and Lake Michigan 150 years ago. Wemlinger has done a thorough job of researching this event and using it to embroider the fictional lives of the novel’s main characters — both farmers and lumbermen affected by the cut. After reading this book you will no doubt wish to visit the magnificent channel, dunes, and beaches where “the cut” occurred near Onekama, Michigan.
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July 19, 2023MWSA Review
Lydia Cockrum and Alvin Price grow their love with a backdrop of life along Lake Michigan in the 1870s. Paramount at this time near Portage Lake was the increasing animosity between the local farmers and an active sawmill. Based on real history, the story focuses on farmers who were losing arable land to Portage Lake as the local sawmill management dammed the lake to have enough water along an out-flowing creek to run their muley saw.
Fed up with the loss of their land and armed with a legal document and the support of a judge, the story finds Alvin Price, his father Ben, and his near-brother Jeb Washington reluctantly deciding to solve the problem. The mill owner continually refuses to follow the injunction that requires him to desist from damming the lake. Although both Alvin and Jeb are wounded Civil War veterans, they embrace a project that is both physically and politically grueling. With a band of farmers, some of whom made extra money at the mill, they decide to take matters into their own hands to lower the water level at Portage Lake so their farms won’t flood.
As Alvin’s and Lydia’s romance progresses, they must deal with fathers who are on opposite sides of the issue. Reilly Cockrum, Lydia’s father, is a railroad builder and relies on the wood from the mill. Ben Price, Alvin’s father, is a farmer and insists on full use of his land.
How the farmers resolve this issue changed the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the area of Portage Lake and Manistee. But Alvin must make peace with Mr. Cockrum and seizes the opportunity to do so after a tragedy occurs in the town of Manistee, where the Cockrums live.
Author John Wemlinger does an excellent job of weaving the love story into the colorful history of this area and era of Michigan. The Cut relates an enlightening and interesting story. The characters are well-drawn, and his writing flows smoothly.
The author provides helpful annotated photographs, illustrations, and maps that give the reader a true sense of “the cut” and provides images that help the reader understand what a sawmill of that time looked like, and what homes and farms looked like.
For a noteworthy, fact-based historical glimpse of an interesting and unique issue in the 1870s upper Midwest, The Cut makes an excellent and satisfying read that addresses industry, farming, prejudice, women’s growing acceptance as college students, and enduring love. And if you are a dog-lover, Alvin's dog Kip will steal your heart.
Review by Patricia Walkow (June 2023)
Lydia Cockrum and Alvin Price grow their love with a backdrop of life along Lake Michigan in the 1870s. Paramount at this time near Portage Lake was the increasing animosity between the local farmers and an active sawmill. Based on real history, the story focuses on farmers who were losing arable land to Portage Lake as the local sawmill management dammed the lake to have enough water along an out-flowing creek to run their muley saw.
Fed up with the loss of their land and armed with a legal document and the support of a judge, the story finds Alvin Price, his father Ben, and his near-brother Jeb Washington reluctantly deciding to solve the problem. The mill owner continually refuses to follow the injunction that requires him to desist from damming the lake. Although both Alvin and Jeb are wounded Civil War veterans, they embrace a project that is both physically and politically grueling. With a band of farmers, some of whom made extra money at the mill, they decide to take matters into their own hands to lower the water level at Portage Lake so their farms won’t flood.
As Alvin’s and Lydia’s romance progresses, they must deal with fathers who are on opposite sides of the issue. Reilly Cockrum, Lydia’s father, is a railroad builder and relies on the wood from the mill. Ben Price, Alvin’s father, is a farmer and insists on full use of his land.
How the farmers resolve this issue changed the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the area of Portage Lake and Manistee. But Alvin must make peace with Mr. Cockrum and seizes the opportunity to do so after a tragedy occurs in the town of Manistee, where the Cockrums live.
Author John Wemlinger does an excellent job of weaving the love story into the colorful history of this area and era of Michigan. The Cut relates an enlightening and interesting story. The characters are well-drawn, and his writing flows smoothly.
The author provides helpful annotated photographs, illustrations, and maps that give the reader a true sense of “the cut” and provides images that help the reader understand what a sawmill of that time looked like, and what homes and farms looked like.
For a noteworthy, fact-based historical glimpse of an interesting and unique issue in the 1870s upper Midwest, The Cut makes an excellent and satisfying read that addresses industry, farming, prejudice, women’s growing acceptance as college students, and enduring love. And if you are a dog-lover, Alvin's dog Kip will steal your heart.
Review by Patricia Walkow (June 2023)
September 14, 2024
Another interesting slice of Michigan history following the Civil War. There is a battle going on near Manistee between the farmers and the lumber industry. The lumber company dammed up the lake to provide power to the sawmill, which has flooded acres of farm land. Tricky legal questions of the time (maybe even today?) such as an injunction could only be served to the owner of the sawmill, not his agent. But the owner lives in Chicago and again, the injunction to cease operations can only be served in Michigan. How can the farmers get their land back? They come up with a creative solution - a cut from the lake to Lake Michigan.
The author includes a love story, issues of race, war, family dynamics, and education.
Wish it was better written, because the story is compelling for Michigan residents.
The author includes a love story, issues of race, war, family dynamics, and education.
Wish it was better written, because the story is compelling for Michigan residents.
December 27, 2022
I throughly enjoy reading this historical fiction novel set in the 1870’s in Manistee County, Michigan. This work of fiction has historical significance to my family, as my Great Grandfather was a farmer that helped dig the channel that connected Portage Lake to Lake Michigan.
As a resident of that area from birth until I graduated from high school; I recognized many of the last names of the farmers that signed a letter to protest the sawmill operation that was flooding their farmland.
What a time capsule of information regarding city life in Manistee compared to the struggles of farm life in Onekama. The component of the great 1871 fire in Manistee was devastating to the residents and to their lumber economy.
As a resident of that area from birth until I graduated from high school; I recognized many of the last names of the farmers that signed a letter to protest the sawmill operation that was flooding their farmland.
What a time capsule of information regarding city life in Manistee compared to the struggles of farm life in Onekama. The component of the great 1871 fire in Manistee was devastating to the residents and to their lumber economy.
May 30, 2024
This started out strong with an attention getting scene in the first chapter, but the story line was hijacked by a sappy, tiresome romance that became the bulk of the novel.
“Historical fiction”, yet only the most basic facts were included. (I could have researched this book?) And, the author wrote a biased story, presenting the situation almost exclusively from the farmer’s point of view. I would have preferred a more balanced story line.
Photographs and descriptions provided in the back of the book are appreciated.
“Historical fiction”, yet only the most basic facts were included. (I could have researched this book?) And, the author wrote a biased story, presenting the situation almost exclusively from the farmer’s point of view. I would have preferred a more balanced story line.
Photographs and descriptions provided in the back of the book are appreciated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2023
I met this author and his wife in the beautiful Northern Michigan on a cool evening waiting for dinner to be served on an outdoor patio. After some interesting conversations I ran to the bookstore in Frankfort to grab a few of his books to read. The historical fiction was very well written with many interesting facts of Michigan. I highly recommend reading this book with his special love and knowledge of the northern Michigan.
December 25, 2021
The story isn't boring, interesting historical events around NW Michigan. There's a typo on page 1 which was an indicator that a little more editing was needed. Some of the characters and plot needed more development to be included in the story in my opinion. If you're familiar with this area it's worth reading.
August 1, 2022
Great history
This book in general describes historical detail of northern Michigan in the years after the Civil War. I was curious about the local indigenous community though and I found the sub plot about an African American a bit sketchy and far fetched.
This book in general describes historical detail of northern Michigan in the years after the Civil War. I was curious about the local indigenous community though and I found the sub plot about an African American a bit sketchy and far fetched.
November 18, 2022
I’m glad this was chosen as a Michigan Notable book, bringing it the attention it deserves. As a new transplant to Manistee County, I appreciate the local history woven with a love story. Now I need to figure out where fact left off and fiction began!
February 20, 2023
Rounding up from 4.5 stars. Very quick read with such enjoyable characters. History lesson on the Manistee area of Michigan. I particularly liked the love story that was just pure and sweet. Easy page turner.
January 15, 2022
If you like amateur romance you will like this. Clean, simple, dating in the 1800’s. The historical part is contained in maybe 7 pages.
February 8, 2022
Fun to read a story that takes place where I live, and about a couple of events I didn't know much about! Fun quick read!
September 18, 2022
Interesting story and delightful character development. Enjoyed the “history lesson” wrapped into a romance. Really enjoy John’s easy readable style!
October 13, 2023
Great history of Manistee Michigan and a little romance thrown in.
January 28, 2024
An interesting read about the early days of Manistee, Onekama, and Portage Lake.
April 24, 2024
I enjoyed this book so much. I loved reading so much history of a place I live quite close to.
September 6, 2024
Great use of fictional characters to relate an event in Michigan history, back when most of the state was still forest.
July 1, 2023
This book gave the reader an opportunity to learn history, and be entertained by a lovely story as well.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews