Scope and ContentOne typed page transcribing a letter from William A. May of Douglas about how Douglas came to be named Douglas as reported in the January 4, 1871 Lake Shore Commercial newspaper. Handwriting suggests the author is journalist Bill Simmons. Transcript: Saugatuck—oldays Nov 21 [Handwritten note] 29 Old Paper reveals how Douglas was named for May birthplace There have been varying stories as to how Douglas came to be named Douglas. Some are supposed to be tales handed down from the past. The old Lake Shore Commercial has a version in the issue of January 4, 1877, which would seem as good as any. It is given in a letter than William A. May of Douglas wrote to the Commercial: “Noticing in your issue of Dec. 28th an article on ‘Douglas,’ I find you are puzzled as to the origin of its name. Being conversant with the christening of said village, I would like to say that the village of Douglas was platted by my grandfather, William F. Dutcher, and named after Douglas, capital of the Isle of Man and birthplace of my father, Frederick H. May, now of Allegan; in fact, my father named the place. The general impression that it is named after Senator Stephen A.Douglass is wrong and a glance at the manner of spelling the two names will at once show there is no foundation to the latter supposition.”