Training Wheels

Summary

Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities: Episode "Training Wheels" Summary

Release Date: July 17, 2025
Hosted by: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

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Introduction

In this episode of Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities, listeners are treated to two enthralling tales that delve into historical oddities and personal tragedies. Hosted by Erin Menke and Aaron Mahnke, the episode masterfully intertwines storytelling with historical facts, offering a glimpse into the lives of extraordinary individuals and the uncanny events that shaped their destinies.

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Tale 1: The Relocation of the Longyear Mansion

Overview: The first story explores the remarkable journey of John M. Longyear, a pioneering miner whose legacy extended beyond his industrious ventures into the realm of architectural preservation. Longyear's determination and resourcefulness not only led to significant mineral discoveries but also resulted in the physical relocation of his family's sprawling mansion.

Key Points:

• John M. Longyear's Legacy:
  John M. Longyear was instrumental in surveying the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the 1870s, contributing to the establishment of numerous mines and producing some of the earliest maps of the region. His efforts culminated in the shipping of millions of tons of ore, securing generational wealth for his family.

• The Grand Mansion:
  In recognition of his achievements, Longyear built an expansive 65-room mansion overlooking Lake Superior. This architectural marvel was not just a home but a symbol of the family's prosperity, featuring rooms dedicated to various activities such as bowling, billiards, and piano, alongside a large lake for recreational purposes.

• Tragedy Strikes:
  In 1900, Longyear's life took a tragic turn when his 19-year-old son, Howard, drowned in Lake Superior. This devastating loss prompted the family to consider downsizing and relocating, but selling the mansion posed significant challenges due to its size and the impending construction of a railroad that would detract from the property's appeal.

• Innovative Relocation:
  Faced with the impossibility of selling the mansion, John Longyear orchestrated an extraordinary relocation. Collaborating with an architect, he meticulously disassembled the mansion brick by brick. Each piece was carefully wrapped and transported via a 190-car train to Brookline, Massachusetts.

• A New Beginning:
  Upon reconstruction in Massachusetts, the mansion not only stood as a testament to the family's resilience but was also expanded to twice its original size. The new residence featured enhanced landscaping and was eventually transformed into condominiums, allowing multiple families to inhabit the once singular estate.

Notable Quote: Aaron Mahnke reflects on the significance of this endeavor, stating, "Looking back, I think it's clear that the reconstruction of the Longyear mansion might have been Michigan's loss, but it was certainly Massachusetts's gain." (Timestamp: 04:45)

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Tale 2: Lady Agnes MacDonald's Daring Train Adventure

Overview: The second narrative transports listeners to the summer of 1886 in Canada, focusing on Lady Agnes MacDonald, the wife of Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald. Her restless spirit and adventurous nature led to unforgettable moments aboard the Canadian Pacific Railway, showcasing her fearless character amidst the backdrop of a nascent nation.

Key Points:

• Historical Context:
  In 1886, Canada was in the midst of constructing the Canadian Pacific Railway, a monumental project aiming to connect the vast expanse of the country from east to west. Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald envisioned a rail trip from Ottawa to Granville as a public relations tour to celebrate this achievement.

• Lady Agnes's Restlessness:
  During the train journey, Lady Agnes found the monotony of traveling in a boxcar stifling. Seeking excitement, she began exploring the length of the train and eventually engaged with the locomotive's engineer and fireman.

• Hands-On Experience:
  Demonstrating her curiosity and lack of fear, Lady Agnes took control of the train's whistle multiple times, much to her husband's annoyance. Her actions highlighted her desire for a more immersive and thrilling experience.

• A Bold Leap:
  Dissatisfied with merely observing from the coach, Lady Agnes requested permission to ride on the cowcatcher—the front structure of the locomotive. Despite her husband's reservations, the superintendent agreed, attaching seats to the cowcatcher for her comfort.

• Shared Adventure:
  Embracing the exhilarating experience, Lady Agnes enjoyed the open-air ride, reveling in the scenic beauty of the Canadian wilderness. Her enthusiasm inspired her husband to join her briefly, marking a rare moment of shared adventure.

• A Lasting Impression:
  Lady Agnes continued to ride atop the train for the remainder of the journey, culminating in a memorable photograph capturing her atop the cowcatcher. Reflecting on her experience, she penned in her diary, "I did not think of the danger. My mind was not on the precarious post I had because I could gaze at the glaciers, the shadows playing on the distant peaks, the hundreds of rainbows made by the foaming, dashing river. I laughed out loud on that cowcatcher. It was so delightful." (Timestamp: 09:15)

Notable Quote: Lady Agnes MacDonald's diary entry encapsulates her fearless spirit: "I did not think of the danger. My mind was not on the precarious post I had because I could gaze at the glaciers, the shadows playing on the distant peaks, the hundreds of rainbows made by the foaming, dashing river. I laughed out loud on that cowcatcher. It was so delightful." (Timestamp: 09:20)

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Conclusion

In "Training Wheels," Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities skillfully presents two distinct yet equally captivating stories. The first tale of John M. Longyear illustrates human ingenuity and resilience in the face of personal loss, while the second highlights Lady Agnes MacDonald's adventurous spirit against the backdrop of Canada's transformative railway expansion. Both narratives underscore the extraordinary lengths individuals will go to preserve their legacies and seek new horizons.

Listeners are left with a profound appreciation for history's lesser-known stories, reminding us that behind every grand project and majestic building lies a tapestry of personal triumphs and tragedies.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections from the episode have been excluded to maintain focus on the primary narratives.

Transcript

[Erin Menke]

This is an iHeart podcast. Possibility means you have a chance.

[Aaron Manke]

Passion opens the door to all possibilities. When I feel like anything's possible, I.

[Erin Menke]

Feel kind of giddy.

[Aaron Manke]

I want to be an astronaut, an.

[Erin Menke]

Artist, an actress, to visit another country.

[Aaron Manke]

All I need is a backpack and a pair of shoes and I'll find a way I'm able to do anything.

[Erin Menke]

I set my mind to.

[Aaron Manke]

I've never felt like more things are possible than right now. In the right shoes, anything's possible. Dsw.

[Erin Menke]

Countless shoes at bragworthy prices.

[Aaron Manke]

Imagine the possibilities. Welcome to Erin Menke's Cabinet of Curiosities, a production of iHeartRadio and Grim and Mild. Our world is full of the unexplainable. And if history is an open book, all of these amazing tales are right there on display, just waiting for us to explore. Welcome to the Cabinet of Curiosities. If you were lucky enough to spend your entire childhood in one home, it can be hard to say goodbye to it. You make so many memories there and spend so many years analyzing every nook and cranny that it almost becomes like a member of the family. But time moves on. Children grow up and move away, and parents often need to downsize most of the time. Some parents just can't let go though, and they hold onto their homes at all costs. Now, we've talked on the show before about how the state of Michigan traded the city of Toledo in order to gain its upper Peninsula in 1836. This concluded the so called Toledo War and it proved to be an even trade as the mineral wealth of the Upper Peninsula seemed to be virtually endless. No one took better advantage of this than a man named John M. Longyear. John was an incredibly hard worker and he spent his youth surveying the peninsula for signs of Minerals. In the 1870s, he surveyed multiple mountain ranges on behalf of various mining companies, producing some of the first maps of the region and helping to open several mines. In the 1880s, he went into business for himself, opening even more mines and shipping millions of tons of Oregon. With generational wealth now secured, John built his family a large mansion on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior. And I mean, it was massive with 65 rooms that took up an entire city block. There were whole rooms dedicated to different activities, whether it was bowling, billiards, piano, you name it. And of course, there was a giant lake at the foot of the cliff if anyone ever wanted to go swimming or boating. It was a magical place for John's children to grow up in. They lived there in luxury for most of their childhoods but then in 1900, at the turn of the century, everything changed. Tragedy struck that year when John's 19 year old son Howard drowned in Lake Superior. There are always dangers on the Great Lakes, even for someone who grew up on them. Strong winds and currents can end the life of any swimmer. John and his wife were understandably devastated. Their serene existence had been completely destroyed by the worst thing that can befall a parent. John's wife thought to ease the pain by reaching out to the city of Marquette, hoping that she could build a park on the shore of the lake and dedicate it to her son. But the city had other plans. A new railroad was being built through town and it was going to pass right beneath the longyear home where they wanted to build the memorial to their son. So not only would they not get their memorial, but. But their tranquil scenic view would now be marred by a noisy train. There was a good argument to be had on both sides. The city would benefit from the train. And it was probably not reasonable for the Longears to expect the whole town to bend to their whims. But their mansion was the jewel of the city, even if it wasn't being respected. And so, after mulling it over and discussing with his family, John decided that it was time for them to move on from the peninsula where he had made his fortune. The only problem was he couldn't sell the house. Few could afford it, and with the train going in, fewer still would be willing to buy it from him. And so John embarked on an incredible endeavor. Working with an architect, he had his home disassembled brick by brick, with each piece carefully wrapped in cloth and straw and loaded onto a train. 190 cars of that train were filled with pieces of the longyear mansion and transported many miles to Brookline, Massachusetts. The more populous area would be a good place for the Longears to start over. They'd have each other and their home to remember Howard by. But no longer have to face the lake that took his life. In truth, the new home ended up being much larger than the first. By the time he was finished, John had doubled the mansion size. Not that they needed the extra space, mind you, but the family was able to spread out more on the new land and add some incredible landscaping that remains to this day. Now only the mansion has been expanded into condominiums so that more than one family can make use of the space. Looking back, I think it's clear that the reconstruction of the longyear mansion might have been Michigan's loss, but it was certainly Massachusetts gain.

[Erin Menke]

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[Aaron Manke]

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[Erin Menke]

You don't be silly.

[Aaron Manke]

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[Erin Menke]

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[Erin Menke]

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[Aaron Manke]

Summer of 1886 was a pivotal time for Canada. The country was still relatively young, having been founded in 1867, and it was still undergoing several growing pains. One of those was the exhaustive construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the first track that would connect one end of Canada to the other. Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald had long wanted to travel across the country by rail, and for the first time such a thing was possible. The plan was for the Prime Minister, his wife, and several dignitaries to take a train all the way from Ottawa to Granville, going west. It was functionally a PR tour. The Prime Minister would stop along the route and take credit for the new marvel of the railway. So what could possibly go wrong? Well, Lady Agnes MacDonald, the Prime Minister's wife, soon found out what the problem would be. As they left Ottawa, staring out at the scenery from the comfort of a luxurious boxcar would get very dull, very fast. Prairies all looked the same from there, and her husband seemed perfectly content to read the entire time. This would not do for Lady Agnes. She left their car and started to wander the length of the train, eventually finding herself at the locomotive engine with the engineer and the fireman. The two were bemused to see her there, but when asked to explain how they kept the engine running. They complied, showing Lady Agnes the ins and outs of running a steam engine. She asked them if she could blow the whistle at the next crossing, and they gave her permission. And she eagerly did so, several times, annoying her husband all the way back in the coach. He knew that she was getting restless, but would much prefer it if she would just content herself to enjoy the view quietly. As they went, she conceded to coming back to their coach, watching the Rockies roll by in perfect comfort. But soon after, she had a better idea. When the train stopped at Lake Louise, Lady Agnes got out and took a look at the front of the locomotive itself. She eyed the large, pointed structure at the front of the train known as the cow catcher, and asked the superintendent if she could ride up there instead of back in the stuffy old coach. Her husband was not keen on the idea, but he could not dissuade her. The superintendent, perhaps to assuage the prime Minister's fears, decided that he would ride beside her. The two of them fixed seats to the cow catcher, and the train set off again, and Lady Agnes was delighted by her new vantage point, riding through the gorgeous Canadian wilderness with the wind in her hair. It was so much more involving than staring through it all through a pane of glass. At one of the subsequent stops, her husband walked up there to check on her, and she dared him to ride alongside him. To the shock of everyone around, he said he would. He rode up front with her until the next stop, at which point he retired to their private car once again. Lady Agnes, however, was not done. She rode the rest of the trip on the front of the train all the way from Calgary to Granville. By the end of the trip, everyone would be in awe of her, and they took a photograph of the front of the train with Lady Agnes still sat upon the cowcatcher and her chair. She would later reflect on her own fearlessness in her diary, writing, and I quote, I did not think of the danger. My mind was not on the precarious post I had because I could gaze at the glaciers, the shadows playing on the distant peaks, the hundreds of rainbows made by the foaming, dashing river. I laughed out loud on that cowcatcher. It was so delightful. Most people love to travel, although, to be fair, riding on the cowcatcher at the front of a train might not be most people's first choice. But Lady Agnes viewed things differently. It seems that some people will do anything for a front row seat. I hope you've enjoyed today's guided tour of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts or learn more about the show by visiting Curiosities Podcast. The show was created by me, Aaron Manke in partnership with How Stuff Works. I make another award winning show called Lore, which is a podcast, book series and television show and you can learn all about it [e-mail] and until next time, stay curious.

[Erin Menke]

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