Book_IlATai: 



COFYRIGIIT DEPOSfT. 



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ancien qouverneur de iaville'Je Castelsarrasm. 



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lOtHMiaqc Ju (iiucit I 



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Old Cakmelite Chuhch — now a Prison — wheke Cadillac's uunes kei-ose. 

The picture and Icttcrinji' are reproduced from the painting presented to the City of Detroit 
by the Municipality of Castelsarrasin, in France. 



THE HISTORY 



OF 



DETROIT AND MICHIGAN 



OR 



3rhe J^ctvopolis lUustrattd 



A CHRONOLOGICAL CYCLOPAEDIA OF THE 




PAST AND PRESENT 

INCLl'DINC; A FULL RECORD OF TERRITORIAL DAYS IN MICHIGAN 
AND THE ANNALS OF WAYNE COUNTY 



By SILAS FARMER, Lily Historiographer^ 

" native here, and to the manor born " ^'^ 

■ DEC 6 

DETROIT Vi,^*''*' 

SILAS FARMER & CO 

CoKSER ov Monroe Avenue and Fabmek Street 

1884 



CorVRiGHi', 1S84, UY Silas Faumek. 



All Rights Reser\'ed. 



D^. 



Electrotyped and Printed by 
The Detkoit Frke I'ress Company. 



DEDICATION 




URING the progress of this work many friends have greatly aided me in many ways; 
one of- them, like myself a native of the city, not only assisted me in the manner of 
others, but also gave me special encouragement, saying, oftener doubtless than he 
remembers : " Don't let yourself be hurried ; take time to do it well." These 
thoughtful, helpful words were privately spoken. I delight in this public acknowledgment of the 
long-time friendship and hearty generosity that inspired their utterance, and gratefully dedicate this, 

THE FIRST HISTORY OF DETROIT, 

TO THOMAS W. PALMER, 

THE FIRST SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN 

NATIVE TO DETROIT. 

My best wish is that he may serve the nation, state, and city in as many ways and as effectively 
as he has served 

The Author. 



PREFACE. 



'* And so I penned 
It down, tintil at length it came to be 
For length and breadtli. the bigness which yon see." 



In the summer of 1874 I planned a volume entitled "A History of Detroit," with the purpose of 
issuing the work during the National Centennial. As preparations progressed, the impossibility of 
producing a complete history in so short a time became increasingly apparent, and the plan was 
abandoned. 

After the original plan was given up. the work of gathering information went forward year by 
year, with the purpose of publishing only when no more material was known to be obtainable. During 
this period, many have asked why the volume was not finished, and to not a few, the necessity of spending 
so much time was not clearly apparent. 

To me the advantages of delay have been daily manifest. I now fully understand that a local 
history bears to general history the same relation that a microscopic examination bears to one made with 
the naked eye ; and that this is especially true when the history of a city nearly two hundred years old is 
to be unfolded, and a work of permanent value produced. The main purpose haS been to write a history 
of Detroit, but the relation of the city to the territorial government was such that I have been compelled 
to give more of detail concerning the earlv history of Michigan than can be found in all other published 
histories. 

Time, patience, discrimination, and large expenditures of money have been essential factors in 
the preparation of the volume; I, however, have had no regrets, for the work has been a labor of love, and 
I have been increasingly glad that it was my privilege to write the history of my birthplace. 

In view of the strange and interesting incidents connected with the history of Detroit, and the fact 
that it epitomizes the history of h^lf the continent, and furnishes much information that is duplicated in 
the annals of no other city, it seems strange indeed that no one has heretofore attempted a comprehensive 
view of our fair domain. Undoubtedly there are those who could have woven a finer web, but none 
could be more earnest or enthusiastic, and the work has waited many years for more skilful hands. If 
nativity, continuojis^sidence for twoscore years, and passionate love for the Queen City of the Straits confer 
any fitness for the work, so much, at least, is mine. 1 have studied Cadillac's own writings, handled 
tomahawks and scalping-knives stained with the blood of a century ago, read original letters written by 
Gladwin and Clark, and, bending over the moldering dust of Hamtramck, "the friend of Washington," 
have received inspiration for my task. 

I am compelled to believe that no stranger or resident of a few years could have accomplished what 
I have attempted. Without an intimate knowledge of the city, continuing through many years, various 
obscure and buried facts could not have been unearthed, and historic problems that have eluded all 
previous research would have remained unsolved. A chemist sometimes finds out what elements there 
are in one substance by adding others : in history one can understand certain fapts only as he studies 
them in connection with collateral circumstances. Many topics are so closely related that the history of 
either could not be written without a knowledge of the other. 

A good history is like a landscape, in that many things are brought at once within the range of 
vision ; and it should resen'ible a photograph, preserving those minute points which give character to the 
subject. Facts of little value in themselves are often of great import when considered with attendant 



VI PREFACE. 



circumsiances. Stars of the first magnitude are easily found : it is the little asteroids that escape 
observation, and as these are discovered various planetary disturbances are explained. 

In local history, details, deemed of trifling importance, are often unrecorded. These are, therefore, 
difficult to obtain, but the knowledge they give is frequently essential as a key to important facts, hems 
that would be unimportant in a national history are in the highest degree appropriate and useful in local 
annals. I have sometimes found that a single fact bore such relation to various subjects that illusion to 
it, or at least knowledge of it, was necessary to an intelligent presentation of several themes. Some 
facts were so far away in the dim regions of the past that patient search and close observation were 
required to find them, and more than once, a week has been spent in obtaining a single date. It is 
believed that a special feature of the book — the giving of definite dates of a great number of occurrences 
— will add much to its practical value. The giving of so many dates has compelled the use of forms of 
expression that might else have been avoided, the interjection of a date often robbing a sentence of its 
smoothness ; but as the work was designed for reference, mere rhetoric has been sacrificed to definiteness 
of detail. I have sought for seasoning, but have not desired to serve up that alone. The facts have 
certainly been gathered. I have made no pretence of gathering, but have been conscientiously thorough. 
Incomplete literary work, alike with sham, mechanical endeavor, is the bane of the age; the one often 
destroys life, and the other debilitates that appreciation of the true which constitutes one of the joys o\ 
existence. 

The search for information has often been pursued under difficulties that might have been 
discouraging if I had not often been rewarded by the discovery of interesting facts, entirely unknown 
before. To obtain such facts the mind must be historically magnetized, so that, moving through stores of 
material, it will instinctively gather that which is appropriate and useful. If I have failed to do this, it 
has not been for lack of a high ideal. 

Duyckinck describes the style of Dr. Johnson as consisting in " inimitable generalization supported by 
picturesque detail, and animating suggestions enlivened by epigram and antithesis." »Could there be a 
better standard.' The tracing of some facts has been like the tracking of a hare; again and again it has 
been necessary to go back on the path, and renew the search, and at times, while rummaging in the garrets 
of old French houses and later dwellings, amid the dust and must of a century, I have almost forgotten 
to what age I belonged, and have for the time lived in the midst of past regimes. 

As Columbus, when he saw branches of trees and seaweed drifting from the west, was led by the 
law of induction to infer the existence of America, so a true historian' by the presence of certain facts, 
foreknows the existence of others, and, like Columbus, he is ready to sail upon every sea in search of what 
is known but undiscovered, and as he searches for one truth, innumerable others come like reefs and 
islands into view. When found, he gloats like a miser over a new acquisition, and delights to recur to, 
and call the fact his own. In the search for material I have traversed many untrodden ways, and 
searched unnumbered papers and places that will not again yield information. 

In local history, division and detail are inseparable and essential. It is as impossible to carry along 
in one narrative all the various themes pertaining to the history of a city, as to reproduce in one 
photograph the faces of an entire family, giving the appearance of each in childhood, youth, a/id age. 

The method pursued in this work of treating each subject by itself has involved much added labor, 
and gives opportunity for clo.ser criticism than would otherwise be possible. The plan, in the fullness 
with which it has been attempted, is believed to be original. The chronological relation of each import- 
ant fact to every other is shown in the annals at the close of the volume. Many so-called local histories 
should have a more general title ; they give cotnparatively few items on local affairs, because the obtaining 
of new facts involves much trouble, and it is easier to generalize than to particularize, to copy than to 
obtain from original sources. 

My aim has been to offer so complete a list of subjects, such fullness of information, and such 
thoroughness of classification, as to make the volume a model of its kind ; and in no instance was the major 
portion of the information in any chapter obtained from any one person, book, or manuscript. In certain 



PREFACE. vii 

subjects, I have intentionally preserved colloquial forms of expression, because they help to show the spirit 
of the times, and constitute part of the history of the period. I have desired to exhibit the character- 
istics, and the growth of the city in its varied aspects, and to trace in connected form the development of all 
the varied forms of its social and governmental existence. Instead of summarizing their contents, 1 have 
often quoted at length from original documents, in the belief that others besides myself would be glad to 
have the exact language used. 

If some of the chapters seem to lack interest, I can only say that certain subjects have obstinately 
resisted any other treatment than the plain recital of facts. 

If to be a reliable historian, one must be always cool, and calm, and unimpassioned, as some would 
have us believe, then I must acknowledge that 1 was unfitted for my task. It seems to me, however, that, 
even in local history, the historian should be full of both the fervor and the flavor of the times he would 
describe. If it be thought that some statements are too highly colored, I can only say that concerning cer- 
tain parts of our story, I have felt that no description could do full justice to the reality. As far as possi- 
ble all persons known to have been specially connected with the growth and government of the city are 
appropriately mentioned, and no feature proved more difficult than the gathering and proper spelling of 
the thousands of names contained herein. Almost without exception the official records of the city and 
county prior to the last thirty-five years are so meager and so carelessly written that the obtaining of 
the names of many regularly elected officers was only possible by comparing and consulting various 
books and papers that had no necessary relation to the information sought. Many items have been 
obtained only after hundreds of personal interviews, and the obtaining of the information was only possible 
because I was able to bring it to the memory of persons interviewed by reminding them of collateral facts 
and dates. With the aid of definite data obtained from written records, I have been able to test the 
recollections of aged persons, and to verify statements that otherwise would have been valueless. 

In the search for material I have personally examined, or caused to be examined, the collections and 
publications of the American Antiquarian Society, at Worcester, Mass., the State Historical Society, at 
Madison, Wis., the Western Reserve and North Ohio Historical Society, at Cleveland, Ohio, the Historical 
Society of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, the Massachusetts Historical Society, at Boston, the Chicago 
Historical Society, and the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio, at Cincinnati. Examination has 
also been made of hundreds of old manuscripts and documents at Ottawa, Albany, Indianapolis. Pittsburgh, 
Columbus, Cincinnati, and New York. The New York Colonial Documents in ten volumes, and the Penn- 
sylvania Colonial Archives and Records in twenty-nine volumes, also the Calendar of \'irginia .State Papers 
have all been carefully read. From one letter to scores of letters, with information, have been received 
from the following places : Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Salem, and Worcester in Massachusetts ; New 
Haven and Norwich in Connecticut; Newport in Rhode Island; New York, Brooklyn, Albany, Buffalo, 
Syracuse, Troy, West Point and Manlius in New York; Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh in Penn- 
sylvania; Elizabeth and Trenton in New Jersey; Ann Arbor, Algonac, Armada, Albion, Grand Rapids, 
Lansing, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Jonesville, South Haven, Three Rivers, Traverse City, Mackinaw, Mt. 
Clemens, Birmingham, Howell, Battle Creek, NorthWlle, Owosso, Monroe, Meridian, Michigan Centre, 
Port Huron, Pontiac, Plymouth, Pctersburgh, Palmyra, and Portland in Michigan ; Madison, Milwaukee, 
Prairie du Chicn, Calamine, Darlington, and Plymouth in Wisconsin ; Chicago, Jacksonville, and Springfield 
in Illinois; Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chillicothe, Columbus, and Dayton in Ohio; Indianapolis. Richmond, 
and Peru in Indiana; St. Louis and Jefferson City in Missouri; Denver in Colorado; San Francisco in 
California; Washington and Georgetown in District of Columbia; Baltimore in Maryland; Richmond in 
Virginia ; Frankfort, Louisville, Lexington, and Newport in Kentucky ; Marietta in Georgia ; New Orleans 
in Louisiana; Jacksonville in Florida; Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec, Kleinbergh, Brock\-ille, and Hamilton in 
Canada; and from Dublin, Ireland; London, England; and Paris, France. 

The whole list of letters received numbers 2,166. From the State and War Departments at Wash- 
ington a large amount of valuable information not heretofore published was obtained. The old volumes in 
the Wayne County register's office, and the piat-books, have all been inspected ; also the registers and files 



Vlii PREFACE. 



in the probate office, the records of the county commissioners and Board of Supen-isors, and other records 
in the offices of the county clerk, county auditors, and county treasurer, including many old township records 
and proceedings of the Board of Election Canvassers. As having direct connection with city matters, all 
the old records of the Governor and Judges, and their proceedings as a land board, have been read, and 
with them a variety of petitions, memorials, and reports made to the Governor and Judges, the Board of 
Trustees, and the Common Council ; also the records of the Board of Trustees of the town of Detroit, 
beginning with 1802, all of the proceedings of the Common Council from 181 5 to the present, together 
with innumerable ordinances which from time to time have been passed. The annual messages of mayors 
and reports of the several city officers have been consulted, and every report made by the Water, Fire, 
Police, and House of Correction Commissioners and the Board of Public Works has furnished material for 
the work. I have also made use of the printed reports of the Board of Education, and have read, mostly 
in manuscript, the proceedings of their several meetings, beginning with 1842, Each published Directory 
of Detroit has been studied, and every map of the city, either large or small, consulted ; also the registers 
and records of several of the old fire companies, and several hundred miscellaneous pamphlets. 

During the progress of the work I have been aided in every possible way by those who have made a 
specialty of preserving information concerning the city. And first of all. I name with grateful thanks 
Judge James V. Campbell, who has, at all times, given without stint the advantage of his e.xceptionally 
reliable and complete knowledge of the past. But for his unfailing courtesy and long-continued help, I 
should have had much less courage in going on with the work. With his name I must also associate the 
name of that kind and courteous gentleman, C. C. Trowbridge, who so lately passed to his reward. He 
laid his memory and his manuscripts under contribution to furnish scores of items for this volume. No 
one equalled him in knowledge on many subjects connected with Detroit. Miscellaneous information of 
great variety and much interest was gleaned from the files of newspapers which I was fortunate in finding 
nearly complete, for every year from 1S17 to the present time. All were carefully looked over, — for 
some years files of two and three papers were examined, — a total of twenty thousand copies having been 
consulted. In many of thein, even the advertisements were scanned for items and suggestions. This effort 
alone occupied several months. For the use of various files I am under particular obligation to William E. 
Ouinby, of The Detroit Free Press; William Stocking, L. F. Harter, and H. E. Baker, of The Post and 
Tribune: and James H. Stone, C. H. Backus, and E. G. Holden, formerly connected with the last-named 
paper. The files of The Evening News and the personal knowledge of its founder and chief proprietor, 
James E. Scripps, were also laid under contribution. It is not too much to say that, without an examina- 
tion of the newspaper files, it would have been utterly impossible to prepare a history of the city which 
would have been at all complete. In addition to the local newspapers, the files of The National Intelli- 
gencer at Washington from 1800 to 1817, of The Alexandria Herald from 1810 to 1825, of The Philadelphia 
Aurora from 1798 to 181 5, and also old files of The Pittsburgh Commonwealth, The Quebec Gazette, and 
a full series of Niles's Register were examined. All of these publications were issued before any 
paper was published at Detroit, and they contained many facts not found elsewhere. Even the hotel 
registers have furnished some items of interest, and the reports of business, charitable, literary, and 
educational institutions and societies have been systematically obtained and digested. 

The reports of the Supreme Court, and certain of the court files, calendars, and "short books" have 
contributed valuable facts, and reference has been had to various volumes in the Bar Library. Through the 
courtesy of C.-I. Walker, secretary of the Historical .Society organized many years ago, by General Cass, 
H. R. Schoolcraft, and other distinguished men, 1 had access to and have copied many of the original 
records, documents, and manuscripts, on different subjects, collected bv that organization. Judge Walker's 
own library, including his private scrap-books, were also generously opened to my inspection ; also 
scrap-books owned by Samuel Zug, George W. Osborn, J. E. Pittman, Levi Bishop, and others. Several 
old wills in the probate office, the private diaries of individuals, and in several instances family records 
have furnished incidents and items. Many of the older families brought out for examination old 
hair-trunks and wooden chests full of papers, and several score of these receptacles of the past 



PREFACE. ix 



were dilis'ently examined. In many of the old papers the signatures of Bradstreet, Carlton, Vaudreuil, 
and Hamilton were frequently seen. Among the valuable manuscripts, which by the courtesy of indi- 
viduals have been consulted, were the papers of Judges Woodward and May, also those of the Abbott, 
Woodbridge. Witherell, Palmer, Cooper, Brush, and Campau families. 

The old account-books of the Macomb family and of Thomas Smith have afforded many curious 
facts. Much desirable information was secured by an examination of the original letter-books of D. Henly 
and General Wilkins, covering the period just prior and subsequent to the surrender of the post of Detroit 
in 1796. The very complete abstracts of titles in Wayne County, prepared by E. C. Skinner and C. M. 
Burton, were willingly placed at my service, and through the courtesy of Rev. Father Anciaux, and with the 
aid of H. Prudhomme, the records of St. Anne's Church, dating from 1704, were examined. In preparing 
the history of the Roman Catholic churches and their schools, 1 was especially aided by the 
Vicar-General, P. Hennaert. and the Secretary of the Diocese, Rev. C. P. Maes. Access was also 
had to the private library of Bishop Borgess, who has evinced in various ways his appreciation of my 
work. The clergymen of every denomination, and the officers of societies of ever)' kind, almost without 
e.xception, have cordially exhibited the official records in their care, and have aided in obtaining from them 
such facts as were desired. By persevering effort, continued for nearly a year, and with the help of Senator 
H. P. Baldwin, ex-President R. B. Hayes, and Governor Charles Foster, I obtained access to the .Si. 
Clair Papers nearly two years before they were opened to the public eye, and long before they 
were published in book form. When read in connection with other facts, some of the letters are of 
exceeding interest. The twenty-six v-olumes of Sir William Johnson's Manuscripts at Albany, and the 
manuscript volumes of the Haldimand and Simcoe Papers at Ottawa, several hundred in number, were 
personally examined, and many entirely new and hitherto unknown facts gleaned therefrom. 

In order to obtain information relating to Cadillac I pushed my inquiries to France, and under my 
direction journeys of inquiry and search were made to Aix. F'umel, Castelsarrasin, Montauban, St. Nicolas 
de la Grave, Caumont, Angeville, Mombeau, and Toulouse. Inquiries were made among relatives and 
descendants, and old notarial and parish records were examined. In these endeavors the aid ren- 
dered by Messrs. Flamens and Taupiac. of Castelsarrasin, was of great value, and I was specially aided 
by the services and suggestions of Hon. George Walker, the United States Consul-Generai at Paris. The 
gratification of finding the place and date of birth of the founder of Detroit, heretofore unknown, abun- 
dantly compensated for the trouble and outlay. 

Through the aid of L. P. Sylvain of the Library of Parliament at Ottawa, and T. P. Bedard, Provincial 
Registrar at Quebec, copies of the official correspondence of the governors of New France, contained in 
nearly threescore large manuscript folios, were examined, and a large amount of valuable and entirely new 
material e.xtracted therefrom. Access was also had to the copies of original documents and letters 
pertaining to Detroit, obtained in London and Paris by General Cass, only part of w-hich were made 
use of by Mrs. Sheldon, and a number of other French manuscripts have beeri translated, and 
collated. Information has been obtained directly from the State officers of Massachusetts. Ohio, 
Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan, and I have examined all the laws of the Northwest Territory', the 
territorial documents of Indiana and Michigan, the State Laws of Michigan, the reports of Michigan State 
officers for every year, and all the Legislative Council, House, and Senate journals, and the governors' 
messages ; the registers of the official acts of the territorial governors, and copies of the correspondence of 
the territorial officers, with the Departments at Washington, still on file at the national capital. The very 
complete collection of books and manuscripts concerning Michigan, collected by the late W. S. George, of 
Lansing, were, with his hearty permission, consulted with much advantage. The laws of the United 
States from the first to the last Congress, with scores of published volumes of congressional annals and 
debates, and the immense tomes known as the American State Papers and American Archives, and the 
several census reports from 18 10, have all been used. All the volumes in the Library of Parliament, at 
Ottawa, and the Library of Congress at Washington, and all the rich resources gathered at Madison, giving 
promise of any information, have alSo been examined. 



X PREFACE. 

Of published works more immediately connected with Detroit, use has been made of the Historical 
and Scientific Discourses of Messrs. Cass, Schoolcraft, and Whiting ; Mrs, Sheldon's and Lanman's Histories 
of Michigan; Blois's Gazetteer; Campbell's Outlines of the Political History of Michigan; Lanman's Red 
Book ; Schoolcraft's Memoirs, Clark's History of the Wyandotts; the four volumes of Collections of the 
Michigan Pioneer Society, Roberts' Sketches of Detroit, and M. Rameau's Notes Historiques sur la Colonic 
Canadienne de Detroit. A great number of miscellaneous works in the State, Public, Mechanics', Young 
Men's, Cass, and University of Michigan Libraries have been consulted ; and among those which have 
afforded a few items, the following volumes should be noted : Atwater's History of Ohio, Albach's 
Western Annals, Armstrong's Notices of War of 1812, Adventures of Daniel Boone, Barber's Historical 
Collections of Ohio, Burnet's Notes on the Northwest Territory, Bancroft's History of the United States 
(ten volumes), Bell's History of Canada, Butler's History of Kentucky, Brown's View of the Campaign of the 
Western Army, Bang's History of the M. E. Church (four volumes), Butterfield's Crawford's Campaign 
against Sandusky and Washington-Irvine Letters, Caniff' s Settlement of Upper Canada, Craig's Olden Time, 
Campbell's Life of William Hull, Coffin's 1812 — the War and its Moral, Carver's Travels, Cist's 
Miscellany, Colden's Five Nations, Collin's History of Kentucky (two volumes), Clark's Proofs of the 
Corruption of General James Wilkinson (two volumes), Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society 
(forty-one volumes), Dillon's History of Indiana, Dubuisson's Report of the Siege of Detroit, Dawson's 
Life of Harrison, Darby's Tour from New York to Detroit, Drake's Life of Tecumseh, Ue Peyster's 
Miscellanies, Mrs. Ellet's Pioneer Women of the West, Forbes's Trial of General Hull, French's Historical 
Collections of Louisiana (five volumes), Gayarre's History- of Louisiana, Garneau's History of Canada (two 
volumes), Hildreth's Pioneer History, Hull's Memoirs, Hennepin's Travels, Heckenwaelder's Narrative, 
Jefferson's Correspondence (seven volumes), James's Military Occurrences, Ketchum's Buffalo and the 
Senecas (two volumes), Lossing's Fieldbook of War of 181 2, Laverdieres Champlain (six volumes). La 
Hontan's Travels, Loskiel's History of the Missions of the United Brethren, McAfee's History of the Late 
War, Mackenzie's Life of Commodore Perry, McDonald's Western Sketches, Manti's History of the Late 
War in North America, McKenny's Tour of the Lakes, McClung's Western Sketches, Memoirs of 
Chevalier de Beauchene, Mcmoire de Bougainville, Meinoire sur la Canada, Marshall's Kentucky, Monf ette's 
History of the Valley of the Mississippi (three volumes), Margry's Relationes Inedites, and also his five 
volumes on Early French Discoveries, Official Correspondence of the War of 1812. Ontwa, the Son of the 
Forest, Pouchot's Memoirs (two volumes), Parkman's La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West, Old 
Regime in Canada, and Conspiracy of Pontiac, Pickett's History of Alabama, Roger's Diary of the Siege of 
Detroit, Roger's Journal, Stoddard's Louisiana, Shea's Translation of Charlevoix's New France (six 
volumes). Smith's History of Canada, Smith's History of Wisconsin, Schoolcraft's Aboriginal Tribes of 
North America (six volumes). Stone's Life of J. Brant, and Life and Times of Sir William Johnson, Spark's 
Letters to Washington (four volumes), Theller's Canada in 1837, Todd and Drake's Life of Harrison, 
Tasse's Les Canadiennes de I'Ouest, Williams's American Pioneer, Weld's Travels in North America, 
Wilkinson's Memoirs, and Young and Smith's Life of Governor Cass. 

The above list of books very nearly represents the bibliography of Detroit. A notable sentence which 
appears in many of the works was originally uttered by General Cass in an address before the State Historical 
Society. He said, " No place in the United States presents such a series of events interesting in themselves 
and permanently affecting, as they occurred, its progress and prosperity. Five times its flag has changed, 
three different sovereignties have claimed its allegiance, and since it has been held by the United States, 
the government has been thrice transferred ; twice it has been besieged by the Indians, once captured in 
war, and once burned to the ground." Apparently every one who has written on Detroit was impressed 
with the elegance with which Governor Cass epitomized the history of this region. In the course of my 
researches I have found the extract given in whole or in part by several score of writers, and almost with- 
out an exception, no credit was given to the author of the paragraph, which is panoramic in the complete- 
ness with which it presents our histor)-. 

For personal letters containing items of interest on many subject's, I have been indebted to Francis 



PREFACE. XI 



Parkman, the noted historian of the old French regime, to R. H. Collins, author of the History of Ken- 
tucky ; to C. C. Baldwin, Chas. Whittlesey, and H. N. Johnson, of Cleveland, of the Western Reserve and 
North Ohio, Historical Society : to Prof. C. E. Anthon of New York ; to * John H. Dillon, of Indianapolis ; 
author of History of Indiana; to *Rev. Martin Kundig. of Milwaukee; to *Dr. Leonard Bacon; to 
* O. H. Marshall, of the Buffalo Historical Society, author of several monographs on historical subjects ; 
to the Hon. Thomas Reynolds, of Ottawa ; to Benjamin Suite, also of Ottawa, author of the most recent 
History of the French Canadians ; to S. F. Havens, Secretary of the American Antiquarian Society at 
Worcester, Mass.; to L. C. Draper, LL. D., Secretary of the State Historical Society of Madison, Wis., 
and his co-laborer D. S. Durrie, librarian of the same society ; and to John Austin Stevens, former editor 
of the Magazine of American History. 1 am also specially indebted to Douglass Brymner. Archivist of 
the Dominion at Ottawa, and his polite assistants, Messrs. Alexander Duff and C. Rose ; to Dr. John G. 
Shea, the well-known Catholic author ; to Benson J. Lossing, Chas. Gayarre, of New Orleans, author 
of various historical works on Louisiana ; to Hon. Frederick De Peyster and General J. Watts De 
Peyster, lineal descendants of Major .A.rent S. De Peyster, and to Charles Lanman. of Georgetown, 
aCithor of the Red Book. The librarian of Congress, A. R. Spofford. with great patience and cordiality, 
has answered scores of letters, and aided me in securing much information not otherwise obtainable. 
F. Saunders, librarian of the Astor Library, performed similar services; Julius Dexter, secretary of 
the Ohio Historical and Philosophical Society at Cincinnati, and Robert Clarke, publisher, of the same 
city, called attention to facts that resulted in obtaining matter of great interest and value. Various 
suggestions and items, some of them highly important, were obtained by correspondence with M. B. 
Wood, of Albion, *Rev. Dr. Alfred Brunson, of Prairie du Chien, E. M. McGraw, of Plymouth, Wis., James 

C. Fargo, of New York, William Sutton, of Battle Creek, Judge John E. Parke, of Pittsburg, Rev. George 
Taylor, of Michigan, John Smith, Jr., of Romeo, L. M. Miller, of Lansing, and B. O. Williams, of Owosso. 
John T. Blois, author of the Gazetteer of 1839, and Mrs. E. M. Sheldon Stewart, whose " Early Days of 
Michigan " is widely esteemed, have personally furnished items of value. I am indebted for many courte- 
sies to Henry Gillman, librarian of the Public Library ; both he and his predecessor. Prof. H. Chaney, 
afforded every possible facility and privilege. 1 have also been the recipient of many favors from City 
Clerks C. H. Borgman, Louis Dillman, and Alexander A. Saenger. 

For translations of a number of old French letters, documents, and manuscripts I am specially 
indebted to L. L. Barbour. I also secured much valuable aid from Messrs. Bela Hubbard, J. C. Holmes, 
James A. Girardin, * Levi Bishop, T. P. Hall, R. K. Elliott, and J. C. W. Seymour. To name all who 
have aided me w-ould be impossible, but I must, in justice to myself, mention the helpful courtesy of 
Messrs. William Barclay, Herbert Bowen, Dr. William Brodie. J. J. Bardwell. Walter Crane. M. P. 
Christian, Gregory J. Campau, D. J. Campau, Jr.. *W. K. Coyl, S. B. Coyl, *Z. Chandler, Dr. L. 
Connor, .Alexander Chapoton, Adam Couse, E. V. Cicotte, H. A. Chancy, Levi E. Dolsen, P. E. De Mill, 

D. B. Duffield, S. T. Douglass, Henry Doty, S. D. Elwood, J. R. Elliott. J. S. Farrand, C. J. O'Flvnn, 
M. W. Field, *Rev. George Field, L. L. Farnsworth, Mark Flanigan, M. H. Gascoigne, Chauncy Hurlbut, 

E. C. Hinsdale, Mrs. W. Y. Hamlin, * Richard Hawley, Rev. M. Hickey, Ma:; Hochgraef. D. Farrand Henry, 

C. B. Howell, William Harsha. Walter S. Harsha, G. A. Hough. John H. Harmon, James F. Joy, J. Huff 
Jones. *R. F. Johnstone, John Kendall (of the Fire Department), L. P. Knight, Henry W. Lord. W. N. 
Ladue, A. C. McGraw, Frederick .Morley, J. F. Munroe, L. R. Meserve, Mrs. Andrew Myler, George H. 
Minchcner, James McKay, John Owen, Thomas W. Palmer, Philo Parsons, George W. Pattison. P'rancis 
Raymond, A. B. Raymond, C. N. Riopelle, Robert E. Roberts. A. Sheley. F. H. Seymour, Henry Starkey, 
Dr. Morse Stewart, J. M. B. Sill, Elisha Taylor, J. E. Tryon, Henry M. Utley, * Caleb Van Husan, *Wiiliam 

D. Wilkins. W. B. Wesson, Dudley B. Woodbridge, Jefferson Wiley, *J. L. Whiting, *.\. S. Williams, 
H. N. Walker, J. C. Warner, and Dr. C. C. Yemans. 

The work of procuring originals from which to make illustrations of past scenes, the selecting and 



* All these have passed away while the work was in piogress. 



Xil PREFACE. 



obtaining subjects for engravings to represent the present period, and the gathering of data for some of the 
specially important pictures, proved both ditficult and expensive. In certain representations I was fortunate 
in securing the aid of C. W. Sumner, who successfully carried out my desires. 

Where any picture has been produced without an original from which to copy, the utmost care has 
been taken to have the illustration conform to the facts, and the few drawings for such pictures, 
before being engraved, were submitted for criticism to competent persons. In the various parts of one 
picture there are facts obtained from a daguerreotype, from an old photograph of a still older lithograph, 
from an original architect's plan, from a pencil-sketch by a former carpenter who has for many years been 
an esteemed minister; several old deeds were also consulted, and all the facts obtained, as well as the results 
of a dozen interviews with competent critics, are embodied in the engraving. In producing the engravings 
the aim has been historic accuracy rather than artistic effect, and what may be lacking in the finish of 
some pictures is intended to be more than made up in the fullness and range of illustrations contained in 
the volume. 

In making the engravings of buildings and scenes of the present day, the photographs, in nearly 
every case, were taken specially for this work ; and in collecting all of the materials, where information 
was to be obtained, no question of time, or toil, or cost has been considered. Every person, place, book, 
or depository promising information upon any subject relating to the city has been laid under contribution. 
Every clue has been followed, every suggested receptacle searched, and every individual interviewed that 
there was reason to suppose could aid in the work. 

In collecting and compiling, the following plan was pursued. I first searched everywhere for 
everything of interest on every subject, and carefully copied what was found. All the facts were next 
classified by subjects, and then arranged in chronological order. Each subject was afterwards taken up 
separately, and written out as fully as the facts obtained would allow. Points or details found to be 
lacking were noted, the necessary details looked up, and the several subjects were then again rewritten. 
Finally, during the ten years the work has been in preparation, careful attention has been paid to all events 
pertaining to the history of the city ; these have been noted and added as they occurred, and up to the 
time of going to press the several subjects are believed to be complete. Both in the text and in the 
illustrations certain information is given, which, if not of great present value, will become of service as 
the years progress. 

In putting into shape the materials I have gathered I have sought to be candid and accurate, and 
hope that no evidences of narrowness or bigotry can be shown. The variety of subjects made any 
methodical and proper classification very difficult. The arrangement finally adopted was carefully 
thought over, and is believed to be as convenient and appropriate as possible. A small amount of space 
has been devoted to business interests. Without stores and manufactories no city could exist, and the 
establishments represented find legitimate place in a history intended to be complete. In view of the 
magnitude of the work and the minuteness of the information it contains, it will be strange indeed if no 
errors are discovered ; every effort has, however, been made to insure accuracy, and the author will 
greatly appreciate the courtesy of any person giving information that will in any way add to the 
value or completeness of future editions. 

The full and careful index was compiled, partlv as a labor of love, because of his interest in 
the work, by Prof. Henry Chancy, formerly Librarian of the Public Library. The mention of this fact 
is a guarantee that it has been prepared with scholarly care. 

In the final completion of the volume I have been materially aided by the courteous and competent 
foreman of the Free Press Book Room, Mr. Louis Beckbissinger ; he has made numerous practical 
and valuable suggestions, and has faithfully supervised the work. 

With these statements I confidently submit the volume to all who have an appreciation of local history; 
and if the public experience in reading, a tithe of the pleasure that I have found in gathering and gleaning. 
I am sure of grateful remembrance. 

S. F. 

Detroit, August, 1S84. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PART I— LOCALITY. 



CHAPTER I. 



Detroit: Its Names, Location, and Surroundings. — An Old City. — Remarkable Facts. — Unique 
Records. — Indian Desii^nations. — Their Meaning. — A Prophetic Name. — Later Names. — The 
Word Detroit. — Corporate Titles. — Location of City. — Boundaries. — Latitude and Longitude. — 
Relation to Other Cities. — Conformation of Ground. — Mrs. Jameson's Description. — Present Ap- 
pearance. — Adjacent Townships and \'illages, — Hanuramck, Springwells, Grosse Fointe, Green- 
field. 3-5 

CHAPTER II. 

The River, Islands, Wharves and Docks, Streams and Mills. — The River. — Original Scenery. — 
A Natural and National Boundary. — Length, Width, Depth. Character of Bottom. — Harbor.— 
Volume of Water. — Current. — Elevation above Sea. — Condition in Winter. — Ice Supply. — .Ab- 
sence of Danger. — Highest and Lowest Levels. — Causes of Rise and Fall. — Temperature. — Boating 
Facilities. — E.xcursions. — Names of Islands. — Origin of Names. — Curious Statements. — Wharves 
and Docks. — The River Line. — Improvement of River Front. — Early Docks. — Length of Docks. — 
Three Old Streams. — Courses and Names of Streams. — Accident on the Savoyard. — Bridges. — 
Fishing at Congress Street. — Transformations. — Old .Mills. — Their Location. 6-10 

CHAPTER 111. 

Soil and Products, Game, Grain, and Fruits. — Good Soil. — Different Strata. — Cadillac's Descrip- 
tion. — Vast Prairies. — Rows of Trees. — Fruits. — Wild Animals. — Game Birds. — Large Buffaloes. — 
Native Woods. — Swans and Ducks. — An Indian's Illustration. — Serene Skies. — A Desirable 
Place.— Weaving Buffalo Wool. — Numerous Wolves.— Wolf Scalps.— Pigeon Roosts.— Bear Vis- 
itors. — Migratory Game. — Song Birds. — Flowers. — Berries. — Wild Honey. — Maple Sugar. — 
Enormous Production. — Indian Mococks. — De Peyster's "Sugar Makers." — Early Han-ests. — 
Indian Farmers. — Scarcity of Provisions. — Help from Montreal. — Bougainville's Description. — 
Importance of Detroit. — A Thousand Bushels of Wheat Burned. — A Famine Imminent. — Two 
Dead Bodies on the Beach. — Continued Scarcity.— Clouds of Ducks.— Sportsmen Drowned. — Sup- 
plies from the King's Stores. — Acreage under Cultivation. — .Apples and Cider. — Pears and Poems.— 
Tiffin's False Report. — Enormous Vegetables. — First Wagon-load of Flour. — Exporting Flour. — 
Tobacco to Baltimore. — Remarkable Fruits. — First Agricultural Society. — Fish and Fisheries. — 
Schoolcraft's Eulogy. — The State Fish Hatchery. 11-16 

CHAPTER IV. 

Cadillac's Grant.— French Farms or Private Claims.— Lands Covered by City. — Seigneurial Rights. — 
Cadillac's Traditional Grant. — Its Limit. — His Claims. — Grounds of Claim. — His Concessions.— 
Conditions of his Grants. — Singular Requirements. — Grants within Stockade. — Aigremont's 
Report. — Cadillac's Departure. — His Property. — Cadillac's Claims Conceded. — Intrigues of 
Governor and Intendant. — The King's Decree. — His Purpose Defeated. — Memorial of La Mothe, 
Jr. — The Maichen's Deed. — A Vague Conveyance. — Misstatements. — The Facts .Analyzed. — 
Illegalities of Connnandants. — The Beauharnois Grants. — Their Order. — Explanation of Old 
Claims. —Grants by English Commandants. — Indian Deeds. — The French Farms^ — Settlement of 
. French Claims. — Doings and Reports of Commissioners. — Surveyors' Blunders. — Careless Clerks. — 
Names of Commissioners. '7-23 

[xiii] 



XIV TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER V. 

The Public Domain. — The Park Lots and the Ten-Thousand-Acre Tract. — The Governor and 
Judges' Plan. — Land Boards. — The- Coninion Field. — Co-operative Labor. — The Commons. — 
United States Property. — The Wilkiiis Letter. — Claim of Inhabitants. — Memorial to Congress. — 
Statements of Hull and Woodward. — Indignant Inhabitants. — Action of Governor and Judges. — 
Lots vi-rsiis Pastures. — Renewed Complaints. — The Park Lots. — Location. — When Surveyed. — 
Ten-Thousand-Acre Tract. — Date of Survey. — Governor and Judges' Plan. — Size of Ancient 
Lots. — Meeting under Pear Trees. — Woodward's Persuasions. — Gentle's Humorous Description. — 
Woodward's Performances. — Discontent of People. — The Governor and Judges' Regulations. — 
Prices of Lots. — Hull and Woodward Visit Washington. — The Act of 1806. — Convivial Legis- 
lators. — Mysterious Transactions. — Suspicion of Inhabitants. — Unnecessary Delays. — Bad Man- 
agement. — Protests of People. — Plan of Division. — Classification of InhalDitants. — More 
Manoeuvring. — Liberal Constructions. — Donation Lots. — Room for Criticism. — Changes in 
Plans. — Changes in Numbers of Lots. — Woodward's Letter to Madison. — The Book of Sections. — 
The Woodward Plan. — Its Advantages. — Washington the Model. — The Plan Inoperative. — Why 
Changed. — The Official Map. — Unlawful Powers. — Peculiar Management. — No Financial 
Report. — Remarkable Confidence. — .\ Unique History. — The Detroit Fund. — Secretaries of Land 
Board. — Termination of Trust — The Transfer of 1842. — Report of Hubbard and O'Flynn. — Old 
and New Lot Numbers — Land Board Sessions of Common Council. 24-31 

CHAl'TER VI. 

Maps of Detroit. — City Boundary at Different Periods. — Cass and Brush Farms. — Military 
Reserves. — Plans of 1749 and 1754. — The T. Smith Plan. — The J. O. Lewis Map. — Mullett's 
Map. — Farmer's Map. — Later City Maps. — Area of Town in 1802. — E.xtent of Governor and 
Judges' Plan. — Changes in City Boundaries. — The Cass and Brush Farms. — Dates of Original 
Grants. — Improvements. — Desirable Locations. — Military Reserves. — A Powder Magazine in 
E.xchange. — Laying out the Reserve. — Changes in Plan of 1807. 32-36 

CHAPTER VII. 

Public Surveys. — United States Land Office. — The King's Surveyors. — First American Surveys. — 
Location of ( jffice. — Names of Surveyor-Generals. — United States Land Office. — First Sales of 
Lands. — Prices. — Receipts from Public Lands. — Early Emigration. — Amazing Numbers. — E.xtensive 
Sales." — Extravagant Speculation. — Paper City Period. — Incidental Details. — Cruel Joke. — The 
Bubble Bursts. — Bounds of Land District. — Prices of Lands. — Original Patents. — Fees of 
Officers. — Names of Registers and Receivers. 37-3^ 

CHAPTER \' I 1 I . 

Deeds, Mortgages, and Titles.— Past and Present Prices of Lands. — Notarial Records. — Recording 
of Deeds and Mortgages. — Present System. — Abstracts of Title. — Derivation of Titles. — Evi- 
dences of Title. — Clouded Titles. — Record of Subdivisions. — Names of County Registers. — City 
Registers. — Incredible Prices. — Normal Values. — First Sale of Park Lots. — Prices Paid. — Cost of 
Various Tracts at Different Periods. 39-4' 



PART II. — HYGIENIC. 

C H \ P T E R 1 .\. 

The Climate of Detroit. — Favorable Climate. — Bougainville's Statement. — Weather Diaries. — In- 
lluence of River and Lakes. — Mean Temperature. — Characteristics of Winters. — Clear Atmos- 
phere. — Unrivalled Firmament. — Delightful .Autumns. — Equable Rains. — Weather Indications. — 
Course of Winds. — Exceptional Seasons. — Raining Ink. — Earthquake Shocks. — Ice Every Month. — 
Flowers in Winter. — Extensive Fires. — Dense Fogs. — Boats Running Every Month. — Continuous 
Sleighing. — Ryan's Prophecies. — July Frosts. — April Snows. — Wind Storms, etc. 45-47 

^ CH APTE R X. 

Diseases. — Doctors.— Medical Societies. — Small Death Rate. — Reasons for. — The Usual Diseases. — 
Record of Deaths. — Fever and Ague. — Dr. .Sappington's Pills. — Epidemic in Army. — Hun- 
dreds Die. — The Cholera in 1832. — Instructions and Proclamations. — Vessels Ordered Away. — 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xv 



Cholera on the Henry Clay. — Sufferings of Troops. — Excitement at Detroit. — Mails Stopped at 
Vpsilanti. — Travelers Driven from Rochester. — Bridges Torn up. — Highways Blockaded. — 
Strange Inconsistency. — The Cholera in 1834. — E.\tensive Mortality. — Burning Pitch. — Burial 
Rites Shortened. — The Nurse Corps. — Father Kundig's Work. — .Mortality of 1849. — Council 
Regulations. — The Scourge in 1854. — Medicine Men. — Early French Surgeons. — Long Titles. — 
English Physicians. — Names of Former Physicians. — Medical Societies. — Dates of Organization. — 
Names of Officers. 48-51 

CH.'\rTER XL 

Cemeteries. ^ Burials and Sextons. — County Coroners. — An Expressive Phrase. — Indian Burial 
Places. — Dalyell's Cirave. — .-Xn Iconoclastic Age. — Burial Grounds of Fort Shelby. — Removal of 
Remains.— .'Vn Old Tombstone. — First Catholic Cemetery. — Transfer of Remains. — An Old 
Memorial. — Mt. Elliott Cemetery. — When Opened. — Number of Interments. — Number of 
Lots. — Cost of Grounds. — Management. — Trustees. — Hamtramck's Grave. — Protestant Burj'ing 
Ground. — Location. — How Disposed of. — First City Cemetery. — Its Division. — A Religious 
Conv-enience. — Cemetery Lane. — Second City Cemetery. — Location.- — Management. — Later 
Uses. — Elmwood Cemetery. — History of Purchase. — Cost of Grounds. — The Chapel. — The 
Gateway. — Trustees. — Superintendents. — Woodmere Cemetery. — Location. — Significance of 
Name. — When Opened. — Names of Officers. — Regulations. — Jewish Cemeteries. — Location. — 
When Opened — Lutheran Cemetery. — How Controlled. — Oflncers. — Burials and Sextons. — Curi- 
ous Customs. — City Se.xtons. — Duties. — Names of Sextons. — County Coroners. — Duties. — 
Names of Coroners. 52-58 

C H A P TE R XII. 

Health Officers. — Drains and Sewers. — Scavengers. — First Board of Health. — Subsequent 
Boards. — Powers of. — Present Organization. — How Constituted. — Names of Members. — Regu- 
lations. — The Health Officer. — Sewers. — E.xperiments. — Private Ditches. — The Savoyard. — A 
Grand Sewer. — Lack of System. — Stupid Contractors. — Board of Sewer Commissioners. — Large 
Expenditures. — Regulations. — Size of Sewers. — Length and Cost of Sewers. — Names of Sewer 
Commissioners. — Scavengers and Duties. S9-6i 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Water and Water Works. — Public Drinking Fountains. — Water Pure and Plentiful. — Walking 
the I'lank. — Primitive Meth(jds. — First Regulations. — Public Wells. — Water Peddlers. — Water 
Works Proposed. — Berthelet's Pump. — Water Works Established. — Poor Arrangements. — 
Boring for Water. — Pumping by Steam. — Cass's Speech. — Works Purchased by City. — Seeking 
Information. — Springs in Northville and Southfield. — Proposed Utilization of. — Progress of Water 
Works. — Various Reservoirs. — The Hamtramck Works. — Plan and Description of. — Analysis of 
Water. — Increased Size of Pipes. — Statistics by Decades. — Locations of Water Office. — Water 
Rates. — .\ Stern .A.dvertisement. — Names of Assessors, — Collectors, — Engineers, — Commis- 
sioners. — Drinking Fountains. 62-72 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Parks and the Boulevard.— Pastures and Pounds. — Judge Woodwards Foresight. — The 
Grand Circus. — Former Marshes. — Improvements. — Removal of Fences. — Parks and Donors. — 
Location and Names. — Campus Martins. — Origin of Name. — A Place of Rendezvous. — Former 
Condition. — Present .A.ppearance. — Superintendents of Parks. — The Park Question of 1870 and 
1874. — Exciting Meetings. — Plans and Counter Plans. — Mayor Moffat in the Way. — Persistence 
and Resistance. — The Struggle Ended. — Belle Isle Park. — Wise Planning. — Favorable Oppor- 
tunity. — Belle Isle Purchased. — Park Commissioners. — Improving the Park. — History of the 
Island. — Its Names. — The Boulevard. — Plans for. — Names of Commissioners. — Former Pas- 
tures. — Establishment of Pounds. — Regulations. — Names of Pound- Keepers. — Numerous 
Dogs. — Only Eight Left. — The Dog Pound. 73-So 



PART III.— GOVERNMENTAL. 

CHAPTER XV. 

French and English Rule. — French Motives. — Political Ambition. — Religious Zeal. — Kings and 
Regents. — The Surrender. — Powers of Commandants. — List of French Governors. — English 
Regulations. — Creation of Upper and Lower Canada. — List of English Governors. 83-84 



xvi TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Territorial and State Governments. — Virginia's Claim. — Grounds of Claim. — Release of State 
Claims. — Creation of Northwest Territory. — Authorship of Ordinance of 17S7. — Dane versus 
Cutler. — The Northwest Territorial Seal. — Description and Meaning. — Names of Territorial 
Officers. — Division of Territory. — Creation of State of Ohio. — Wayne County Delegates E.\cluded. — 
Detroit under Indiana Territory. — E.xtensive Jurisdiction. — Creation of Territory of Michigan. — 
Michigan Territorial Seal. — Increased Size of Territory. — First Delegate to Congress. — First Legis- 
lative Council. — Enlarged Boundary. — First State Constitutional Convention. — Delegates from 
Wayne County. — Convention Proposals. — Adoption of Constitution. — Territorial Oflicers. — State 
of Alichigan. — Curtailment of Boundary. — Trouble with Ohio. — A New Convention. — Negative 
Decision. — Democratic Convention. — Congressional Provisions Accepted. — Formal Admission of 
State. — Event Celebrated. — The State .Seal. — Second Constitutional Convention. — Delegates 
from Wayne County. — Differences between Constitutions of 1835 and 1850. — Third Constitutional 
Convention. — Constitutional Commission of 1873. — Capital Removed to Lansing. — Names of 
State Officers. 85-93 

CHAPTER X \' II . 

Legislatures and Laws. — Legislatures under English Rule. — Place and Date of Sessions. — Legis- 
lature of Northwest Territory. — Places of Meeting. — A Linguistic Feat. — The General Assembly. — 
Cry of Fraud. — Names of Members. — Pliant Principles. — Forgiving Pllectors. — Mob at Chilli- 
cothe. — Detroit Pistols. — Indiana Territorial Assembly. — Proposed Members from Detroit. — 
Michigan Territorial Legislature. — Scarcity of Laws. — Sunday Sessions. — Places of Meeting. — 
Personal Difficulties. — Curious Legislation. — Morbid Fears. — Remarkable Enactments. — Names 
of Members and Secretaries. — Gentle's Criticisms. — Suspicions of People. — Woodward's Lame 
Defence. — Gentle Arrested for Libel. — Citizens Seek Redress. — Citizens Outwitted. — Alligative 
Laws. — Proposed Blue Laws. — Blasts and Counter Blasts. — Legislative Refreshments. — Witherell 
versus Woodward. — The Several Codes. — Petitions to Congress. — Facts and Grievances. — 
Relief Provided. — Joy of Citizens. — A Proper Prayer. — Members of Legislative Councils. — The 
Green Bay Council. — Compilations of Laws. — First State Legislature. — Last Session in Detroit. — 
E.\tra Sessions. — Number of Members. — Districts Including Wayne County. — Names of Sena- 
tors and Representatives. 94-101 

C 1 1 A 1' T E R X \' 1 I I . 

Presidential Electors, Cabinet Officers, and Members of Congress from Detroit. — Presidential 
Visits to the City. — Constitutional Links. — Presidential Electors. — Michigan's Choice. — Cabinet 
Officers from Michigan. — Territorial Delegates. — United States Senators. — Representative Dis- 
tricts. — Names of Representatives. — Pay of Congressmen. — Visits of Presidents and \'ice-Presi- 
dents. — Harrison, Monroe, Johnson, Van Buren, Taylor. — Grant's Residence in Detroit. — An Inter- 
view in Washington. — \'isits of Fillmore, Pierce, Johnson and Hayes. — Garfield's Visits to and Ser- 
mons in Detroit. 102-107 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Political Parties and Campaigns. — Elections. — The Political System. — Party Names and Meth- 
ods. — Political Meetings. — (laining \'otes. — Novel Methods. — Interesting Campaigns. — Log 
Cabins and Hickory Hails. — Monster Whig Meetings. — Political Processions. — Democratic Barbe- 
cues. — Peculiar Resolutions. — Party Uniforms. — Bonfires. — Torch Bearers. — Union Political 
Meetings. — Visits of Noted Politicians. — First Territorial Elections. — \'iva Voce Voting. — Arbi- 
trary Proceedings. — Original Election Districts. — Remarkable Ballots. — Changes in Time of 
Election. — Changes in Oualihcations of Voters. — The First State Election. — Humorous Incidents. — 
The Last Two-Day Election. — How Foreigners Become \'oters. — Time of Election of A'arious Offi- 
cers. — Colored Voters. — Woman Suffrage. — Remarkable Lhianimity of Voters. — Local Issues. — 
Curious Coincidence. — Qualifications of Voters. — Registration. — Voting Precincts. — Preparations 
for Election. — Canvassing \'otes. — Number of Voters in \'arious Years. 108-1 17 

CHAPTER XX. 

Wayne County: Its Establishment and Boundaries. — County of Illinois. — Kent County. — Wayne 
County. — .Sargent's Proclamation. — Sharp Correspondence. — St. Clair's Dissatisfaction. — "The 
County Name. — General Wayne's Letter of Thanks. — Original Boundary.— Changes in Boundary. — 
Copies of Proclamations. 1 18-122 

CHAPTER XXI. 

County Officers and their Duties. — Countv Commissioners. — Early Finances. — Due Bills Is.sued. — 
Names of Commissioners. — Board of Supervisors. — Few Powers. — Valuations and .Assessments. — 
Growth of City Representation. — County Auditors. — Importance of Office. — Powers and 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. XV 11 



Duties. — Names of Auditors. — County Treasurer. — History of Office. — Names of Treasurers. — 
County Clerk. — History of Office. — Office Records. — Names of Clerks. — County Superintendent 
of Schools. — Names of Superintendents. — Drain Commissioners. — Duties and Names. — County 
Surveyors. — Duties and Names. 123-126 

CHAPTER XXII. 

The Townships of Wayne County. — Derivation of Township Names. — Township Officers. — 

First Townships. — Vague Boundaries. — Urst Systematic Divisions. — Date of Creation of Each 
Township. — Changes in Names and lioundaries. — Obsolete Names. — Boundaries in 1883. — 
Derivation of Names. — Township Officers. — Duties. — List of Township Supervisors. 127-132 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Early Government of Detroit. — Incorporation as a Town. — Rule of the Governor and 
Judges. — Revival of Local Government. — Governmental Genealogy. — Interesting Details. — 
Court of tieneral Ouarter Sessions. — First Town Corporation. — How Obtained. — Gratitude of 
Citizens. — First Town Officers. — Subsequent Elections and Appointments. — Rule of Governor and 
Judges. — \n Anomalous Government. — .Xutocratic Methods. — Strange Doings. — Grasping Offi- 
cials. — .^ Sham Charter. — Insulting Absurdities. — Governor and Judges still at the Helm. — Unac- 
countable Officials.— Revival of Local Government.— First City Charter.— Names of Trustees. I33-I35 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

The Common Council or Board of Aldermen. — Board of CounciJmen. — Ordinances. — Official 
Year. — City Seals. — Creation of Conimnn Council. — Powers of. — Seeking Light. — Place and 
Time of Sessions. — Number of Members. — Quorum. — Rules. — Standing Conunittees. — Board 
of .Aldermen. — Presidents of Board of Aldermen. — The City Council or Board of Councilmen. — 
Terms of Members. — Names of Councilmen. — Ordinances. — Official Year. — The Several City 
Seals. — Description of Seals. — Significance of Present Seal. 1 36 - 1 39 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Mayor. — City Clerk.— City Attorney. — City Counsellor. — City Historiographer. — Duties of each 
Office and Names of the Incumbents. — Creation of Office of Mayor. — Former Duties. — Present 
Powers. — Names of Mayors. — City Secretaries. — City Clerk. — Duties. — Office Records. — Names 
of Clerks. — City .\ttorney. — Duties and Names. — City Counsellor. — City Historiographer. — Names 
of Officers. — Object of Office. i40-i4> 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Aldermen. — Their Duties and Names. — Office First Named. — Aldermen at Large. — First Ward 
Aldermen. — Aldermanic Courts. — Pay of Aldermen. — Names of Aldermen at Large. — Names of 
Aldermen by Wards and Years. 142-146 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

The Wards: Their Establishment and Boundaries. — Wards for Fire Districts. — First Division of 
City.-- Date of Creation of Each Ward.— Changes in Boundaries. — Present Boundaries. 147-148 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

French and English Taxation. — Territorial Taxes. — State and County Taxes. — City Taxation 
and Finances.— United States Taxes. — Ta.\es Payable in Wood. — Early Territorial Taxes. — 
Characteristic Letter. — Territorial Tax Gatherers. — Law of 1805.- An Old Ta.x Roll. — Territorial 
Licenses. — Investigation by Grand Jury. — Hull's Wasteful E.xtravagancc. — People without 
Remedy.— First Sale of Lands for County Ta-xes.- State and County Taxes.— How Apportioned. — 
When Payable. — Percentages. — -Ta.x Sales. — Ta.xation Statistics by Decades. — First Town Ta.x. — 
The Detroit Fund. — \'aluation of 1817. — Corporation Receipts and Expenditures in 1819. — 
Improvements of 1827. — The Congression;il Gift. — Official Mismanagement. — Property Squan- 
dered. — Due Bills Issued. — Their Depreciation. — Sham Improvements. — City Wants $50. — 
Cannot Borrow. — The City Devours its Substance. — Death and Taxes. — Condition of City 
Finances. — Saving the Wreck. — Better Methods. — First Real Estate Tax. — First City Bonds. — 
More Shinplasters. — Vv'atching a Trunkful. — Protest of the Butchers. — Display of Wisdom. — 



Xviii TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Burning Shinplasters. — Chief Expenses by Decades. — Valuation by Decades. — Increasinsj 
Wealth. — Ta.\ Per Capita by Decades. — Sinking Fund. — Receipts fur Liquor Ta.xes. — Annual Tax 
Estimates. — How Prepared. — How Assessed. — When Due. — Increased Percentage. — Ta.x Sales. — 
Collection of Back Ta.xes. — Special Assessments. — Property Liable to Taxation. — List of Exemp- 
tions. — Changes in Fiscal Year. — The Treasurer's Accounts. — E.xplanation of Financial Methods. — 
City Depository. — U. S. Revenue Taxes. — Stamped Paper. — Various Laws. — First Collection 
District. — Tax Rates. — Amount of Collections. — Names of Assessors and Collectors. 149-160 

CHAPTER .\ X I .\. 

Citizens'Meeting. — Board of Estimates. — Auditors, Comptrollers, Accountants.— City and Ward 
Assessors. — Board of Review. — City and Ward Collectors. — City Treasurers. — Receivers of 
Taxes. Citizens' Mecungs. — Tax Estimates. — ICxcitiiig Meetings. — Citizens' Meetings Abol- 
ished. — Board of E.stinuites Created. — Powers of the Board. — Names of Members. — City Auditor 
and Duties. — Name Changed to Comptroller. — Names of Comptrollers. — City Accountant. — 
Duties. — Names of Accountants. — City and Ward Assessors. — Changes in Office. ■ — Tampering 
with Rolls. — Names of Assessors. — Board of Review. — Duty of the IJoard. — Names of Mem- 
bers. — City and Ward Collectors. — Peculiar Official Notice. — Names of Collectors. — City Treas- 
urer. — Duties of Office. — Names of Treasurers. — Receiver of Ta.xes. — Duties of Office. — 
Names of Receivers. 161 -168 



PART IV.-JUDICIAL. 

CHAP T E R .\ X X. 

Justice in the Olden Time. — United States Circuit Court. — District Court. — United States 
Officers. — Bankruptcy Court. — Judicial Powers of Early Commandants. — Serious Complaints. — 
First Legal Provisimis. — Patriarchal Commandants. — A Woman Hanged. — Trader Murdered by 
his Slaves. — Conflicts between Commandants and Governors. — The Office of Notary. — Com- 
plaint against Dejean. — His Acquittal. — The First Judges. — The Trial and Hanging of Coutinci- 
nau and Ann Wyley. — John Dodge's Letter. — Hamilton's Oppression of Dodge and Other Citi- 
zens. — A Detroit l3ungeon. — Dejean as a Jailer. — Dodge's Escape and Threatenings. — Hamil- 
ton Indicted. — His Appeal to Haldimand. — First Justices. — United States Circuit Court. — 
Bounds of Circuit at Different Periods. — Jurisdiction. — Place of Sessions. — Names of Judges 
and Clerks. — United States District Courts. — When First Held. — Selection of Jurors. — Names 
of Judges and Clerks. — United States Attorney. — Duties. — Names of Attorneys. — United 
States Marshal. — f-'owers. — Names of Marshals. — Commissioners for L'nited States Courts. — 
Duties. — Names of Commissioners. — Masters in Chancery. — Duties and Names. — The First 
Bankruptcy Act. — The Second Bankruptcy Act. — Third Bankruptcy Act. — Bankruptcy Court. — 
Duties. — The Judge. 171-177 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Supreme Courts of the Territory and the State. — Supreme Courts of Northwest Territory. — Legis- 
lative and judicial Duties Combined. — Court Methods. — A Festive Occasion. — Names of the 
Judges. —Origin of a Name. — Supreme Court of Indiana Territory. — Names of Judges. — Supreme 
Court of Michigan Territory. — jurisdiction. — Varied and '\emarkable Powers. — Time and Place 
of Court .Sessions. — Sessions at Midnight. — Se.ssions in the Small Hours of the Morning. — Bar- 
room Sessions. — Sessions on a Wood-pile. — Bread and Meat in the Court Room. — Whiskey 
Offered the Judges. — Rules and Counter Rules. — .Sessions with only a Judge Present. — Decisions 
not to Serve as Precedents. — Hanging under an ex-Post-Facto Law. — How a Lawyer Failed to 
Help His Client. — Branding and Execution of Indians. — The E.xecution of Simmons. — Woodward 
and His Eccentricities, — Legal Somersaults — Peculiar Dress. — Sixteen Cups of Tea. — Literary 
Egotism. — Complaint of Grand Jury. — The Gazette Articles. — A Mockery of Justice. — The Case 
of the United States against British Officers. — Ludicrous Account of the Arrest and Trial. — 
Public Denunciation of Woodward. — Additional Eccentricities. — Congress Provides for Retirement 
of Judges. — New Judges appointed. — Names of Judges and Clerks. — Supreme Court of State. — 
Changes in Place of Sessions. — Time of Sessions. — Names of Judges. — Clerks and Reporters. 178-188 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

District Court. — Orphans' Court. — Court of Quarter Sessions. — Court of Common Pleas. — Court 
of Chancery. — County Courts. — Circuit Courts. — District Criminal Court. — District Courts 
of Territory.- Jurisdiction. — ISoundaries of District. — Court Appointments. — Session under a 
(ireen Bower. — Changes in Boundary of District and Jurisdiction. — Names of Justices. — Orphans' 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xix 



Court. — Jurisdiction Transferred. — The Probate Court. — Obsolete Duties. — Judges and Regis- 
ters. — Court of General Quarter Sessions. — Jurisdiction. — Names of Judges. — Prisoners 
Whipped. — Services Sold. — Court of Common Pleas. — Jurisdiction. — Names of judges. — Court 
of Chancery. — Object of. — Names of Judges and Reporters. — Masters in Chancery. — Names of 
Appointees. — County Courts. — Jurisdiction. — Names of Judges and Clerks. — Circuit Courts. — 
History of Wayne Circuit. — Selection of Jurors. — Place of Sessions. — The County Building. — 
Names of Judges and Clerks. — District Cruninal Court. — Object of. — Judges. 189-194 

CHAPTER X .\ .X I II . 

Mayor's Court. — Recorder's Court. — Police Court. — Superior Court. — Commissioners. — Justices. 
Notaries. — Lawyers —Detroit Bar Library. — Mayor's Court. — Aldermanic Judges and Justices. — 
Fines Remitted. — Prisoners Working on Streets. — Recorder's Court. — Original Duties of Recorders. — 
Names of Recorders. — Names of Judges and Clerks. — Police Court. — Jurisdiction. — Place of 
Sessions. — Police Justices and Clerks. ^ Superior Court. — Jurisdiction. — Judges and Clerks. — 
Commissioners of Bail. — Circuit Court Commissioners. — Powers. — Names of Commissioners. — 
Justices of the Peace. — Jurisdiction. — Names of Justices. — Notaries. — Powers. — Lawyers. — 
Admissions to Bar. — The Bar Association. — A Witty Retort. — The Bar Library. — Its Manage- 
ment. 195-200 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Morals. — City Marshals. — Police. — Sheriffs. — Prosecuting Attorneys. — Constables. — Reforms 
Needed. — Pontchartrain's Recommendations. — Diflicultics in the Way. — No Sabbath. — Sunday 
Markets. — Their Discontinuance. — Blue Law Proceedings. — Higher Standards. — Remarkable 
Official Retribution. — The Ordeal of Fire. — Duties and Names of City Marshals. — The Earliest 
Police. — Night Watchmen. — V'olunteer Watchmen. — Service not Sustained. — Midnight Refresh- 
ments. — Paid City Watch Asked for. — Opposition of Citizens' Meeting. — The Merchants' Police. — 
First Police Commission. — Increasing Need of Police. — Riot of 1863. — Establishment of Metro- 
politan Commission. — Opposition to the Commission. — Winning its Way. — Additional Powers 
Granted. — Names of Commissioners. — Superintendents. — Secretaries. — Attorneys. — Physicians 
and Captains. — Salaries. — ()ualihcations of Policemen. — Regulations and Suggestions. — Special 
Po'icemen. — Bradford Smith's Work. — Mounted Police. — Number of Force. — E.xpenses. — Arrests. — 
Yearly Statements. — Police Stations. — Their Location, Date of Erection, and Cost. — Life and 
Health Fund. — Relief Society. — Sheriffs. — Duties. — Names of Sheriffs. — Prosecuting Attorneys. — 
Duties and Names. — Constables. — Duties and Names. 201-213 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

The Jails and the House of Correction. — Location of Jails. — New Jail Purchased. — Bills for 
New Pickets. — Insufficient Jails. — Jail Hired of James May. — Proposed Purchase. — Buildings 
Used as Jails. — Jail Erected by Governor and Judges. — An Unoccupied Jail. — Tearing down a 
Jail. — Erection of Clinton Street Jail. — Second Jail on Chnton Street. — Average Number of 
Prisoners. — Management. — A Prisoner's Joke. — Detroit House of Correction. — Its Origin. — 
Mayor Hyde's Efforts. — Brockway's Suggestions. — Estimates Ordered. — Citizens' iVIeeting Dis- 
approves. — State Aid Sought. — Favorable Citizens' Meeting. — Building Erected. — Organization. — 
Management. — Money Making. — Occupation of Prisoners. — Efforts for their Improvement. — 
Names of Superintendents and Inspectors. 214-218 



PART V.-MILITARY. 

CILAPTER XXXVI. 

Forts and Defenses. — Pensions and Pension Agents. — Military Officers in Command at Detroit. — 

An Important Post. — Early Posts in Michigan. — Kirst Fort at Detroit. — Condition at Different 
Periods. — Enlargements. — How Garrisoned. — Citizens Ta.\ed for Repairs. — New Stockade and 
Citadel. — Erection of Fort Lernoult. — Why ISuilt. — Description of. — Clark's Hopes. — Fort 
Injured by Bad Weather. — Stockade Partially Removed. — Strength of Garrison. — Visits of Noted 
Officers. — Interesting Letters. — New Stockade. — Fort .Shelby. — Successive Garrisons. — Arsenal 
Erected. — Flag-staff Blown down. — Distinguished Arrivals. — The Fort Demolished. — Fort 
Wayne. — Location. — Cost. — Rebuilding. — Fort Croghan — Order for its Erection. — Its Loca- 
tion. — Object. — Becomes a I'lay-Ground. — Detroit Barracks. — Their Location. — Arsenal at 



XX TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Dearborn. — Early Pension Laws. — Pensioners Paid from Detroit. — Names of Pension .Agents. — 
French Commandants. — Names. — Time of Service. — Englisli Commandants. — Names. — Time 
of Service. — Anecdote of Colonel England. — American Commanding Officers at Forts and Bar- 
racks. — Districts and Departments Embracing Detroit. — Names of Commanding Generals. 221-230 

CHAPTER XXX^ML 

Early Indian Attacks. — The French and English, or Seven Years' War. — Indian Attacic of 1703. — 
A Dog Makes Trouble. — Ottawas 7>i->-s//s Miamis. — Shooting of Father del Halle. — A Month's 
Siege. — Disaffection of the i\Iiamis. — Cadillac Compels a Peace. — The Attack of 1 7 1 2. — Du .I3uis- 
son's Defense. — Methods of Attack. — P'rench Ingenuity. — The Foxes Defeated. — Immense 
Slaughter. — Indian Threatenings. — The French and English War. — Occasion of. — Scalp Money. 
Human Scalps as Merchandise. — Proposed Attack of 1747. — Exposure of the Plot. — The Fort Re- 
inforced. — Unfriendly Indians to be put to Death. — Arrest of Indians. — Organization of Ohio Com- 
pany. — Uneasiness of the French. — Taking Possession of the Ohio Valley. — Colonists Encouraged. 
— Washington's Mission. — The Pittsburgh Fort. — Its Capture by the French. — Defeat of General 
Braddock. — Dishonest Officers. — French Activity. — The English Retake the Pittsburgh Fort. — 
Defeat of English by Party from Detroit. — New Defenses at Detroit. — Relief sent to Niagara. — 
Niagara Surrendered. — Troops and Provisions Accumulated at Detroit. — Quebec Captured. — 
Canada Surrendered to English. — Major Rogers Takes Possession of Detroit. — Sir Wm. Johnson 
Arrives. — His Treaty with Indians. 231-234 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

The Conspiracy of Pontiac. ^ Friendship of French and Indians. — Pontiac's Project. — Preliminary 
Movements. — Council of Indians. — Preparations for Attack. — The Plot Revealed. — Gladwin's 
Preparations. — Pontiac Surprised. — His Revenge. — The Killing of Sir Robert Davers. — The 
Indians Invest the Fort. — The First Victims. — Progress of the Siege. — Houses Destroyed. — 
Covmcil with Indians. — Pontiac's Treachery. — Attempts to Starve the Garrison. — Supplies from 
Niagara. — The Blacksmith's Armory. — Supply Boats Captured by Indians. — Peace between French 
and English. — A Concert Given. — The Prayer Bell Rings. — Scarcity of Provisions. — Relief 
Arrives. — FJovine Reinforcements. — Pontiac Seeks French Aid. — The French Organized for 
Defense. — Farmers Seeking Refuge. — Indian Fire Crafts. — Indians Sue for Peace. — Arrival of 
Dalyell. — His Foolish Venture. — 'The Battle of Bloody Bridge. — Defeat and Disaster. — The Grave 
of Dalyell. — Arrival of Supplies. — A Letter from Gladwin. — Wilkins' Relief Expedition. — Short 
Supplies at Detroit. — Troops Sent to Niagara. — Termination of Siege. — Festivities in the Fort. — 
Bradstreet's Expedition. — Its Arrival at Detroit. — His Council with the Indians. — They Yield 
Allegiance. — Visit of Capt. Croghan. 235-241 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

The Revolutionary 'War. — British and Indian Wars and First American Occupation of Detroit. — 
French and Spanish Intrigues. — Martial Law Proclaimed. — English Fears and Plans. — Lieutenant 
Governors Created. — Object and Powers of Oflice. — Misstatements Corrected. — Lieutenant Gov- 
ernors "iifrsiis Commandants. — Governor Hay and His Troubles. — His Surname. --De Peyster's 
Dislike. — Importance of Detroit. — Army Activities. — Inciting the Savages. — Distribution of Goods 
and Trinkets. — Equipment of War Parties. — Oppression of American Sympathizers. — Interesting 
Affidavits. — Loyalists at Detroit. — French Officers and Indian Companies. — Wholesale Employ- 
ment of Savages. — A Barbarous Warfare. — Lord Suffolk's Justification. — Chatham's Scathing 
Reply. — Scalping Parties Go and Come. — Scalping Knives and Scalps Bought and Sold. — Singing 
War Songs. — Goods for the Indians. — Enormous Supplies. — An Official Estimate. — Long Headed 
Squaws. — Congressional Efforts with Indians. — Proposed Expedition against Detroit. — Foster's 
Expedition from Detroit. — A Song by Col. De Peyster. — More Expeditions from Detroit. — A 
Proclamation by Hamilton. — The Attack on Fort Henry. — Capture of Daniel Boone. — Detroit 
Forces at Wyoming. — Captain Bird and His Love Affair. — Simon Kenton as a Prisoner. — His 
Escape. — John Leeth's Experiences. — Hamilton's E.xpedition against Vincennes. — Col. Clark's 
Counter Movement. — Col. Vigo's Efficient Aid. — Clark Marching to \'incennes. — The Jonal 
Drummer. — Hamilton's Surrender. — Supplies Captured. — Rejoicing at Detroit. — Flamilton and 
Other Officers in Virginia. — Jeffer.son Justifies Their Imprisonment. — Washington Favors Leniency. — 
Hamilton and Hay Paroled. — Character of Hamilton. — Mcintosh's Expedition against Detroit. — 
Brodhead's Desires. — Information Sought from Zeisberger. — Clark's Plans. — La Balm's Expedi- 
tion. — Immense Expenditures for Clark's Forces. — Failure of Clark's Expedition. — Washington's 
Desire to Capture Detroit. — English Movements at Detroit. — Thousands of Savages Enlisted. — 
Bird's Expedition. — Ruthless AJassacre of White Settlers. — The Delaware Indians and Their 
Neutrality. — The Moravian Missionaries. — Their Removal to Detroit. — Williamson's Expedition 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xxi 



against the Delawares. — He Massacres the Christian Indians. — Col. Crawford's Expedition. — He 
is Defeated and Burned. — Ue Peyster Asks the Indians for " Live Meat." — Return of War Parties 
to Detroit. — Counting the Scalps. — Keeping Tally of the Death Whoops. — Women and Children 
as Captives. — Humane Conduct of Certain Officer's. — lYoposed Surrender of Detroit. — Douglass's 
Report. — Negotiations to Obtain Possession of Detroit. — British Lfnwillingness to Surrender. — 
Indians Encouraged to Continue the War. — Defeat of Generals Harmer and St. Clair. — British Fort 
Erected on the Miami. — The McKee Letters. — General Wayne Defeats the English and Indians. — 
The Jay Treaty. — The Western Posts Yielded. — A Letter from General Wa.shington. — Final 
Arrangements for Surrender. — The Date of English Departure. — Americans in Possession. — The 
Henley and Hamtramck Letters. — Testimony of Squire Reynolds. — Complete Settlement of the 
Question. — Girty and His Horse. — Visit of Boundary Line Commissioners. — French and Spanish 
intrigues in Detroit and the West. — Powers' Mission to General Wilkinson. — Wilkinson's .Suspicious 
Conduct. 242-27 1 

CHAPTER XL. 

Indian Wars from 1790 to 1812. — Impertinence and Inhumanity of English Officers. — Unrest at 
Detroit. — Preparations for Defense. — British Presents to the Indians. — Harrison Defeats Indians 
at Tippecanoe. — Citizens of Detroit Ask Congress for Troops. 272-273 



CHAPTER .\ L I . 

The War of i8i2. — The Right of Search. — Attack on the Chesapeake. — War Declared. — Militia 
Called for. — British Activity. — Mustering of Detroit Militia. — .^rmy Gathered at Dayton. — 
General Hull Takes Command. — Hull's Baggage and Muster Rolls Captured. — Hull's Army Arrives 
at Springwells. — Cass's Mission to Maiden. — The Army Cross to Sandwich. — Proclamation to 
Canadians. — Various Detachments Sent out. — Captain Brush Arrives at the Raisin. — Defeat of 
Van Horn's Escort. — The Army Returns to Detroit. — Miller Sent to Relief of Brush. — Defeat of 
British and Indians. — McArthur Seeks to Aid Miller. — Miller Ordered back to Detroit. — The 
British Erect Batteries. — Further Efforts to Relieve Brush. — Brock Demands Surrender of Detroit. — 
Hull's Reply. — Cutting down a Pear Tree. — Detroit Bombarded. — Incidents of the Cannonade. — 
The British Cross to Springwells. — Colonel Anderson's Opportunity. — The Fort Surrendered. — 
Disgust of the Militia. — Amount of Stores Surrendered. — Removal of Stores. — Captain Elliott 
Catches a Tartar. — Was Hull a Traitor.' — Strange Stories. — Mrs. Dodemead's Joke. — Plans for 
Recapture of Detroit. — Battle of Frenchtown. — Winchester's Defeat. — Wounded Americans 
Killed. Scalped, and Burned. — Gathering the Remains. — Ransoming of Prisoners. — Womanly 
Sympathy. — Proctor's Inhumanity. — American Citizens Ordered to Leave. — Their Protest. — Great 
Mortality among Indians. — Indian Outrages. — Indian Captives. — Her Mother's Scalp. — American 
Troops Marching to Detroit. — Provisional Methods. — Harrison's Message to Major Croghan. — 
Croghan's Singular Reply. — His Arrest and Explanation. — His Defense of Fort Steven.son. — 
Perry's Victory. — Proctor Leaves Detroit. — The Old Flag. — Christening of Fort Shelby. — Battle 
of the Thames. — Sheriffs and .-'Vuctioneers Appointed for Canada. — Troops Decimated by Dis- 
ease. — Pits instead of Coffins. — An Ingenious Ruse. — Expedition against Fort Talbot.— Expedition 
against Mackinaw. — Indian Depredations at Detroit. — The Killing of McMillan. — A X'olunteer 
Expedition. — McArthur's Riflemen Arrive. — Insolence of British Officials. — Date of Reoccupation. 
— Plentiful and Positive Testimony.— A Question Settled.— Distress after the War. — President 
Madison's Letter to Congress. — Relief Afforded by Government. 274-2S8 



CHAPTER XLII. 

The Surrender of Detroit. — An Analysis and Review of "Hull's Trial," "Hull's Memoirs," and 
"Dearborn's Defense."— Trial of General Hull. — His Case Considered. — Efforts in his Behalf. — 
His Denunciations. — Relatives as Defenders. — General Dearborn's Defense. — Candor of Mr. 
Lossing. — Hull's Ingratitude. — His Discreditable Administration.— His Vituperation and Accusa- 
tions.— Dishonesty of his Statements. — Specimen Stultifications.- Base Insinuations of Certain 
Defenders.— His Memoirs. — Misrepresentations.— Inconsistent and Reckless Statements. — The 
Real Issue. — Opinions 7v;-.s-/« Facts. — Simplicity as an Excuse for Carelessness. — Specimen Petti- 
foggery. — Pathetic Non.sense.— A Coward's Reason. —Afterthought Excuses. — A Fatal Ana- 
chronism. — A Wonderful Surplus. — Remarkable Effrontery. — Clark's Absurd Argument. — 
Half Truths. — Letters from John Ouincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Governor 
Cass. ~ 289-298 



xxii TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

The Black Hawk War.— Toledo War.— Patriot War.— Mexican War. — Cause of Black Hawk War. — 
Troops from Michigan. — Departure of Guards and Dragoons. — The Return to Detroit. — 
Arrival of U. S. Troops. — Black Hawk in Detroit. — The Toledo War. — Cause of. — Laws and 
Counter Laws. — Militia on the March. — The Sheriff and his Posse. — Boundary Line Skirmish. — 
Arrests in Toledo. — Michigan Militia at Toledo. — A Midnight Court. — Judges on the Run. — 
Governor Mason Superseded. — Return of Troops. — Humorous War Song. — Impromptu Celebra- 
tion. — Prisoners Released. — Governor Horner's Reason. — Ohio \'ictorious. — The Patriot War. — 
Dissatisfied Canadians. — Events at Buffalo. — Refugees at Detroit. — Hunters' Lodges. — Patriot 
Sympathizers. — Stolen Arms. — Governor Mason's E.xpedition. — Sutherland's Forces. — Capture 
of Theller. — Arrival of U. S. Troops. — Activity of Brady Guards. — The Patriots Cannonaded. — 
Excitement at Detroit. — Patriot Camp near Bloody Run. — General Brady Disperses Patriots. — 
Patriots Attack Windsor. — Their Defeat. — Theller's Escape and Trial. — Quiet Restored. — The 
Mexican War. — Troops from Detroit. — General Scott's Commendation. — Premature Celebration. — 
Victory of Palo Alto. — Captain Taylor's Joy. — Officers of the Michigan Troops. — Return of the 
Troops. — State Expenses for Troops. 299-304 

CHAPTER XLIV. 

The War with the South. — The Irrepressible Conflict. — The Hero of Fort Sumter. — War Begins. — 
Union Meetings. — Equipping tlie P'irst Infantry. — Individual Loans. — The Oath of Allegiance. — 
Flag Raisings. — War Meetings. — Mustering of First and Second Regiments. — TheCamp of Instruc- 
tion. — More Regiments Raised. — Union Political Convention. — Camp Backus Established. — Cele- 
bration of Victories. — Passports to Canada. — Return of General Willcox. — Ward Drills. — Depar- 
ture of Regiments. — Riot of 1863. — Gettysburg and Vicksburg. — Comforts for the Soldiers. — 
Return of Regiments. — Burley and his Plot. — Other Rebel Plots. — The City to be Burned. — 
Victory at Richmond. — News of Lincoln's Death. — Bagley's Eulogy. — The Funeral Procession. — 
Entertaining Returning Troops. — Old Battle Flags. — Number of Soldiers and Losses. — Relief 
Organizations. — Officers. — Synopsis of Work. — Relief and Bounty Funds. — How Apportioned. — 
Total Amounts Expended. — Soldiers' Monument. — Organization of Association. — Raising the 
Funds. — Names of Officers. — Description of Monument. 305-312 

CHAPTER LXV. 

Militia and Military Companies. — First Regulations. — Uniforms L^nnecessary. — Parades at Detroit. — 
Hull's Martinetism. — A Peculiar Law. — Militia Officers. — .Absurd Regulations. — Gorgeous 
Uniforms. — The Governor's Clothing Store. — Dissatisfaction of Inhabitants. — I'niforms Must be 
Procured. — Gentle's Description of Military Doings. — An Awkw-ard Captain and His Awkward 
Squad. — Trouble between Hull and Griswold. — Military Courts. — Amusing E.xcuses. — Military 
Companies. — Date of Organization. — Officers and Incidents. 3 1 3-3 1 8 



PART VI. — SOCIAL, 

CHAPTER XL VI. 

Original Inhabitants of Detroit. — Indian Agents. — Early Visitors. — First Inhabitants. — Various 
Theories. — Probable Order of Occupation. — Humboldt's Opinion. — Indian Mounds.— Examina- 
tions. — Contents. — Probable Object. — Names of Tribes. — Cannibals. — Location of \'illages.— 
Indian Dress. — Amusements. — Habitations. — Occupations. — Origin of Indian Names. —The 
Council Fire. — \'isits of Noted Indians. — Methods and Requests. — Stephenson's Metaphor. — 
English Gifts. — American Largess. — Indian Dandies. — Ouaint Designations.— Indian Agents. — 
Indian Treaties. — First White \'isitors. — Remarkable Journeys. — Champlain and Detroit. — Mar- 
quette. —Joliet.—Galinee.— La Salle and the Griffon. — Tonty and La Forest. — La Hontan.— 
Charlevoix. 321-325 

CHAPTER XLVII. 

Biography of Cadillac. — The Founding and Growth of Detroit. — Manners and Customs. — Marriage 
Laws. — Masonic and Odd Fellows' Societies. —Cadillac's Real Name. — Date and Place of 
Birth. — When Baptized.— His Father's Histon'. — Other Relatives.— His Signature. — Careless 
Recording. — The Family Name. — Proofs of Identity. — His Early Life. — Rare Abilities. — Deter- 
mined Character. — A Cosmopolite. — His Marriage. — Residence in Acadia. — His Wife's Devotion. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xxiil 



— Her Courage. — Names of their Children. — History of Children. — His Wife's Last Home. — The 
Mt. Desert Grant. — The Gregoires. — Their Burial Place. — Cadillac's Position. — Governmental 
Esteem. — Appointed to Mackinaw. — His Return to Quebec. — Desires to Found Detroit. —Date of 
Leaving Detroit. — Appointed Governor of Louisiana. — .Arrival at Mobile. — His Activity. — 
Jealousy of Associates. — Later Misrepresentations. — Appointed Governor of Castelsarrasin. — His 
Death and Burial. — The Founding of Detroit. — Cadillac's Plans. — Obstacles in the Way. — 
Cadillac at Quebec. — Going West. — Beauchene's Narrative. — Birthday of Detroit. — Indian Coun- 
cils. — Opposition to Colony. — Vaudreuil Neglects Orders. — Intrigues at Trading Company. — 
Statement of Cadillac's Son. — Boldness of First Settlers. — Royal Blood. — St. Anne's Records. — 
First Birth, Marriage and Death. — Growth of Population. — Arrival of Prominent Families. — 
Encouragement to Settlers. — Increasing Prosperity. — Acadians at Detroit. — Engli.sh Census 
Reports. — First American Settlers. — Bostonians. — Poetical Praises. — Potent Maps. — Thousands 
of New Comers. — Emigration Song. —Arrival of Various Nationalities. — Interesting F"acts. — An 
Obsolete Opinion. — Census by Decades. — ^ Percent of Increase. — Number of Families. — Percent- 
age of Children. — Population Possibilities. — Old Time Manners. — Rough \'oyages. — Nick- 
names. — Styles of Dress. — • .A Sonnet on a Bonnet. — Subjects of Thought. — Provisions. — Domes- 
tic Animals. — Sugar and Fish .Scales. — A Delicious Drink. — Governor Cass's Testimony. — 
Employments of First Settlers. — Unscientific Farmers. — Gentlemen by Occupation. — A Conserva- 
tive .•\tmosphere. — A Place to Enjoy Life. — Characteristics of People. — Personal Appearance. — 
Early Social Advantages. — Old School Hospitality. — Pertinent "Testimony. — Noticeable Social 
Event. — Banquet to C. C. Trowbridge. — New Year's Calls. — Social Societies. — The Detroit 
Club. — Marriage Laws. — Indian Wives. — Importation of Young Ladies. — Wedding Festivities. — 
A Bride with a Doll. — Territorial Marriage Laws. — Later Regulations. — Masonic and Odd Fellows' 
Societies. — Date of Institution of Lodges. — Incidents. — Places of Meetings. 326-343 

CHAPTER XL VI II. 

Slavery and the Colored Race. — First Slaves. — Indian Ser\-ants. — Orders for Slaves. — Prices of 
Slaves. — Peculiar E.xprcssions. — Slavery Prohibited. — Efforts to Repeal Prohibition. — John Ran- 
dolph Opposes. — Colored Militia. — Taxes on Slave Property. — Gradual F2.\tinction of Slavery. — 
Unfriendly Laws. — Kidnapping Slaves. — Riot of 1S33. — Escape of Blackburn. — Excitement at 
Detroit. — Troops from Fort Gratiot. — Anti-Slavery Society. — Officers of Society. — The Liberty 
Association. — Fugitive Slave Loan. — Arrest of Rose. — Underground Railroad. — Frequent 
Arrivals. — Humorous Handbill. — Anti-Slavery Sentiment. — John Brown in Detroit. — The Harper's 
Ferry Raid. — Celebration of Emancipation. — The Riot of 1863. — Faulkner's Arrest and Trial. — A 
Disgraceful Mob. — Houses Fired. — Colored People Beaten and Killed. — Sequel to Faulkner 
Case. — Colored People Ask for Citizenship. — Citizenship Bestowed. 344-348 

C H A P TE R X L I X. 

Recreations and Amusements. — Sporting Facilities. — Skilful Maidens. — Natural Gayety. — Sunday 
Amusements. — Foot Racing. — The French Champion. — Sir Wm. Johnson's Visit. — IVIiss Curie's 
Conquest. — Old Time Ci\-ilities. — The Grosse Pointe Road. — Dancing all Night. — Compliments 
bv Mail. — Lady Musicians. — War and Merriment. — Miss Powell's Visit. — Lord Edward Fitz- 
gerald. — Picnic on Belle Isle. — Racing on the Ice. — Winter Picnics. — Michigan against North 
America. — Characteristic Challenge. — Woodbridge Grove. — Old Time Rambles. — Children's 
Games. — Obsolete Laws. — McKinstry's Enterprise. — Sports at Michigan Garden. — Description 
of Garden. — First Museum. — The Higgins' Collection. — Doctor Cavalli's Museum. — Coasting 
on Piety Hill. — Eariy Skating Rinks. — Recreation Park. — The Zoological Garden. — Foot Ball 
on Jefferson .'\ venue. — Billiard Tables. — Noted Matches.- — Novel Entertainments. — Authors' 
Carnival. — Roller Skates and \'elocipedes. — City License Fees. — The Turn-^"erein. — The 
Cricket Club. — Gymnasiums. — ^ Shooting and Fishing Clubs. — Boat Clubs and Regattas. 349-353 

CHAPTER L. 

Music and the Drama. — Art, Artists, and Inventors. — Nature's \'ocalists. — Fifes and Fiddles. — 
Parish Choristers. — Hot Flip and Songs. — Primitive Halls. — Local Vocalists. — Visits of Noted 
Singers. — Former Teachers. — Musical Organizations. — Harmonie Society. — Musical Association. — 
Detroit Philharmonic. — Concordia Society. — Nicolai- Philharmonic. — Detroit Musical. — Chorus 
Union. — Orpheus Musical. — Arion Glee 'Club.— Schumann -Society. — Sa;ngerbund Meetings.— 
First Piano and Organ. — Detroit Composers. — Successful Compositions. — Leaders of Brass 
Bands. — Lincoln's Opinion of Kern. — Gideon's Band. — Recent Bands. — Military Theatricals. — 
Location of Theatres. — Visits of Noted Actors. — Bronson Howard and His Plays. -- Art, Artists, 
and Inventors. — Works of Randolph Rogers. — Stanley's Paintings. — Portraits by Bradish.— Fine 
Art Exhibitions. — Works by Local .-Xrtists. — Exhibition of Noted Paintings, — Dunlap's " Bearing 



Xxiv TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



the Cross." " Calvar>'," and "Christ Rejected." — West's "Christ Healing the Sick." — Peale's 
"Court of Death."— Rossiter's "Return of the Dove" and "Miriam." — Dubufe's " x\dani and 
Eve." — Power's " Greelc Slave." — Photographic Work. — The Art Loan. — Local Artists. — Museum 
of Art. — Subscriptions towards Site. — Gift of J. E. Scripps. — Detroit Inventions. — P.urt's Solar 
Compass. — Edison's Earlv \'isits.— An Omnivorous Reader. —Van de Poele's Light.— Felix Meier's 
Clock. — Smith's Automatic Clock. — Brown's Gold Pens. — Day's Snow Plow. — Wilder's Propeller 
Wheel. — Davis's Kefrigerators. — Flower's Double-Faced Valves. 354-364 



PART VII. -ARCHITECTURAL. 

CHAPTER LI. 

Houses and Homes. — Stores and Business Buildings. — House and Store Numbers. — Lighting and 

Heating. — Log Houses. — Birch-Fiark Kot>fs. — Acadian Simplicity. — Buildings Multiplying. — Stone 
()uarries. — Interesting Discovery. — Original Cellar Kitchen. — The River Front. — Picture of Special 
Interest. — A Street View in iSoo. — The Cass House. — Judge Campbell's "Cassina." — Moran and 
Lafferty Houses. — First Brick Residence. — Various Occupants. — The Campau House. — A French 
House. — Growth of City. — Recent Statistics. — Noted House Moving. — Gravel and Slate Roofs. — 
Brick Rows. — Effects of Street Cars. — Increase of Elaboration. — Residence Streets. — Lawns and 
Shade Trees. — Remarkable Facts. — Business Corners. — Former Designations. — First Brick 
Stores. — A Prize Conundrum. — Introduction of Plate Glass. — Office Buildings. — Names of Busi- 
ness Blocks. — Location and Date of Erection. — House and Store Numbers. — Primitive Fire 
Kindlers. — First Matches. — Bayberry Candles. — Tallow Dips. — Burning Fluid. — Coal Oil. — 
Electric Lights. — Street Lighting. — Gas Inspectors. — Keeping Warm. — Stove Renting. — Coal 
Introduced. — Increased Use. — First Steam Heating. — Steam Supply Company. — Boiler In- 
spection. 367-471 

CHAPTER LI I. 

Council Houses. — Court House or Capitol. — City Halls. — Opera Houses and Public Halls. — 

Council Houses. — Locations. — Indian Council House. — Wlien Built. — Governor Cass's Testi- 
mony. — Woodworth's Statement. — Various Occupants. — City Council House. — A Moving History. — 
The Court House. — Changes and Delays. — A Mistake Somewhere. — Peculiar Contract. — Laying 
of Corner-Stone. — Dinner by Contractor. — Completion of Capitol. — An Appropriate Address. — 
Scrip for Contractors. — The Cupola. — A Favorite Lookout. — Old City Hall. — Selection of Site. — 
Erection of Building. — Campus Martins Lime Kiln. — Completion of Building. — Entertainments 
in. — Building Vacated and Demolished. — New City Hall. — "The Site. — Description of Building. — 
View from Tower. — The Clock. — Old Cannons. — The Hubbard Statues, — Cadillac, La .Salle, 
Marquette, and Richard. — Early Public Halls. — The Old Session Room. — Old Young Men's 
Hall. — Firemen's Hall. — Merrill Hall. — Young Men's Hall. — Arbeiter Hall.— St. Andrew's Hall.— 
Detroit Opera House. — Whitney's Opera House. — Harmonie Hall. — Former Music Hall. — Other 
Public Halls. — Building Inspectors. 472-479 

CHAPTER LIII. 

Old Taverns and New Hotels. — The Dodemead House. — Smyth's Hotel. — Sagina Hotel — Woodworth's 
Hotel. — Uncle Ben. — The Long Room. — American or Wales Hotel. — Harriet Martineau's De- 
' scription. — The First Mansion House. — Everything by Turns. — Prominent Landmark. — Attractive 
Resort. — Yankee Boarding-House. — Franklin House. — Eagle Hotel. — Cliff's Tavern. — New York 
and Ohio House. — Michigan Exchange. — The National. — Russell House. — St. Joseph House. — 
Detroit Cottage. — Andrew's Railroad Hotel. — Second Mansion House. — United States Hotel. — 
Central Railroad House. — CoyI House. — Commercial Hotel. — Indiana House. — Western 
Hotel. — Grand River House. — Goodman House. — Northern Hotel. — Perkins Hotel. — Johnson's 
Hotel. — Bagg's Hotel. — Buena \'ista House. — Biddle House. — City Hotel. — American Temper- 
ance House. ^ Grand Circus Hotel. — Merchants' E.xchange. — Peninsular Hotel.— Blindbury's 
Hotel. — Antisdel House. — Garrison House. — St. Charles Hotel. — Tremont House. — Revere 
House. — Leland House. — The Madison. — Waverly House. — Howard or Griswold House. — Lamed 
House. — Railroad Exchange. — Finney House. — Brighton House. — Hotel Erichson. — Eisenlord 
House. — Hotel Henry. — Hotel Reiiaud. — Goffinet or Bernard House. — The Brunswick. — 
Standish House. — Rice's Hotel. — The Kirkwood. — Dates of Opening. — Names of Proprietors, 
etc. 480-488 



TA13LF. OF CONTEXTS. XXV 



CHAPTER LIV. 

Important Fires. — Fire Marshal. — Fire Limits. — Chimney Sweeps. — Notable Fires. ■ — Dates and 
Incidents. — Fire of 1703. — Indian Incendiaries. — Cadillac Injured. — Fire of 1713. — Buildings 
Demolished. — The Fire of 180;. — Resultant Changes. — Premonitions. — The Laborer's Pipe. — 
Old Fire Pump. — The Hatter's Vat. — Inhabitants in Double Line. — Excited People. — Loading the 
Boats. — The Town Destroyed. — Houses outside the Stockade. — Dilhet's .'■\ccount. — Majestic and 
Frightful Sight. — Crippled Child. — Munroe's Letter to Harrison. — Well-Baked Bread. — Hull's 
Accommodations. — Gathering Building Materials. — Horrible Suspicion. — Strange Proclamation. — 
Relief Contributions. — How Disposed of. — Later Conflagrations. — Dates. — Locations. — Owners 
of Property. — Fire Commis.sion Records. — Yearly List of Fires and flosses. — Fire Marshal. — 
History of Office. — Duties and Names of Marshals. — Fire Limits. — Changes in Limits.— Chimney 
Sweeps. — Time's Changes. 489-500 

CHAPTER LV. 

The Old Fire Department. — The Steam Fire Department. — The Fire Department Society. — The 
Swab Brigade. — Furs as Extinguishers. — Engine of 179S. — Sweeping the Chimneys. — Fire 
Bags. — Keg and Bucket Safeguards. — Roof Ladders. — Bucket Line. — Trustee's Orders. — Dis- 
obedience Fined. — A Widow's Wit. — Morbid Fears. — Town Inspectors. — Suburban Inspectors. — 
Battering Rams. — Axemen. — Battering-men. — Firemen. — Missing Hooks and Rams. — Informa- 
tion Sought. — Fire Engines Wanted. — Proposed Lottery. — Sunrise Practice. — Shouldering Tubs. — 
Unwilling Citizens. — Broken Resolutions. — Engine-FIouse Site Wanted. — Watchman's Cr)'. — 
Candles in Windows. — Noise and Terror. — Arrival of No. i . — Lazy Citizens. — Triangular Bell 
Wanted.. — No. 2 Organized. — First RexHevV Day. — Reser\'oir on Wheels. — Underground Reser- 
voirs. — First Hose Company. — No. 3 Organized. — Engine House for No. 2. — New Fire Ordi- 
nance. — Wands for Officers. — Caps and 'Trumpets. — Fire Buckets for Houses. — Fire Wardens 
and Duties. — Tolling the Bells. — The Steeple Watch. — Districting the City. — No. 4 Organized. — 
Heroic Firemen. — Coats Burned Off. — A Poor Corporation. — Singular Resolution. — No. 5 Or- 
ganized. — X'isiting Firemen. — More Companies Organized. — Annual Parades. — Gay Decorations. — 
Weil-Dressed Firemen. — Highest Water. — Broom Carrying. — False Alarms. — Jealousies. — Politi- 
cal Influence. — Firemen's lialls. — Daring Deeds. — Starting for a Fire. — Rival Companies. — 
Successful Tricks. — Exciting Scenes. — Washed Out. — Night Refreshments. — Newspaper Thanks. — 
Firemen's Songs. — Company Mottoes. — Department in 1851. — Engine-House Furnishings. — The 
First Stream. — Increase of Rivalry. — Costly Jealousies. — Sidewalk Ordinance. — Displeased Fire- 
men. — Disbanding Companies. — Old Citizens to the Rescue. — New Companies Organized. — The 
Firemen's Dog. — Unworthy Firemen. — First Trial of Steamers. — \'oIunteer Companies Disband. — 
The Old Machine and Hose. — Characteristic Song. — First Steamers Ordered. — Paid Companies 
Provided for. — First Fire-Alarm Telegraph. — Chief Engineers of Volunteer Department. — Steam 
Fire Department Created. — Military Management. — Full and Careful Reports. — Department 
Expenses and Inventories. — Engine Houses. — Steamers. — Hose Carriages. — Automatic Conveni- 
ences. — Chemical Engines. — A Protective Company. — New Fire-Alarm Telegraph. — Its Con- 
struction. — How Operated. — The Box Alarms. — How Given. — Hydrants and Reser\-oirs. — 
Organization of Commission. — Names of Commissioners. — Secretaries. — Engineers. — Surgeons. — 
The Firemen. — A Creditable Force. — Firemen's Association. — Fire Department .Society. — Organi- 
zation. — Objects. — Hurlbut's Letter. — Firemen's Hall. — Description of. — \'an Dyke's Services. — 
Appreciative Testimonial. — Cemetery Lot and Monument. — Improvement of Hall. — Management 
of Society. — Legislative Provisions. — Names of Presidents and Secretaries. 501-523 



PART VIII.— RELIGIOUS. 



CHAPTER L VI. 



Roman Catholic Missionaries and Priests. — Churches. — Bishops and Dioceses, — The Catholic 
Union. — Catholic Pioneers. — Jesuit Visitors. — Tireless Zeal. — ( ireat .\bility. — Priestly Explorers. — 
,\ Religious Settlement. — First Chapel. — \'alliant and Del Halle. — Cadillac's Preferences. — 
Franciscans Hold the Fort. — Burning of Chapel. — St. .Anne's Records. — Carefully Preserved. — 
Authenticity Attested. — Interestmg Extracts. —The First Entry. — Del Halle's Death and Burial. — 
Frequent Removal of Remains. — Extracts from Records. — New Church Erected. — The Church 
Burned. — Visit of Charlevoix. — Arrival of Bonaventure. — Completion of New Church. — Crespel's 
Narrative. — Richardie's Huron Mission. — l^othier and Sallenauve. — Death of Pothier. — Visit of 



xxvi TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Bishop Pontbriand. — Riverside Chapels. — The Red Chapel. — Rogation Exercises. — Services Dur- 
ing Pontiac War. — Trustees and Pew Rents. — Arrival of Father Richard. — Universal Esteem. — 
Richard's Loyalty. — His Election to Congress. — Death and Burial. — Memorial Window. — Church 
Burned in 1S05. — Services after the Fire. — Church Troubles. — Bishop Flaget's Interdict. — His 
Arrival. — Difficulties Settled. — Great Rejoicings. — Departure of Bishop Flaget. — The Melcher 
Farm Church. — Incorporation of St. Anne's. — The First Trustees. — The Church Property. — 
When Obtained. — The Consideration. — An Unverified Tradition. — The Building of St. Anne's. — 
Father Richard's Advertisement. — Counterfeit Shinplasters. — Steeple en Fire. — A Sleepy Pro- 
phecy. — Original Appearance of Church. — Customs of the Past. — Curious Ofificial Letter. — A Peculiar 
Advertisement. — Church Processions. — A Valuable Bequest. — Priest's House. — Capacity of 
Church. — Bounds of Parish. — Names of Priests. — Date of Service. — Holy Trinity Church. — First 
Building. — Its Removal. — New Building. — Cost. — Seating Capacity. — Average Attendance. — Value 
of Property. — Yearly Expenses. — The Mamie Disaster. — Memorial Tablet. — Bounds of Pari.sh. — 
Names of Priests. — Terms of Service. — St. Mary's Church. — First Services in German. — Erection 
of Building, — Size. — Number of Sittings. — Value of Property. — Names of Priests. — Time of 
Service. — Franciscan Residence. — Boundaries of Parish. — The New Church. — SS. Peter and 
Paul Church. — Consecration Services. — Size and Cost of Building. — Mrs. Keveny's Gift. — 
Value of Property. — Names of Priests. — Terms of Service. — Bounds of Parish. — St. Joseph's 
Church. — Original Location. — First Building. — Priest's Residence. — New Church. — Capacity. — 
Value of Property. — Church Beneficial Society. — Bounds of Pari.sh. — Names of Priests. — Terms of 
Service. — St. Anthony's Church. — Location. — Cost. — When Completed. — Capacity. — Names of 
Priests. — Terms of Service. — St. Patrick's Church. — Location. — When Completed. — Cost. — Date 
of Enlargement. — Priest's House. — • Value of Property. — Names of Priests. — Terms of Service. — 
Bounds of Pari.sh. — St. Vincent de Paul Church. — Location. — When Consecrated. — Cost. — 
Capacity. — Priest's House. — Value of Property. — Bounds of Parish. — Priests and Terms 
of Service. — Our Lady of Help Church. — Location. — When Consecrated. — Cost. — 
Capacity. — Value of Property. — Bounds of Parish. — Priests and Terms. — St. Boniface Church. — 
When Organized. — Services in School Building. — Priest's House. — Names of Priests. — Bounds of 
Parish. — Church Erected. — Date of Consecration. — Value. — St. Albert's Church. — Location. — 
Date of Consecration. — Cost of Church. — Capacity. — Bounds of Parish. — Names and Terms of 
Priests. — New Church Building. — St. Aloysius Church. — Location. — Purchase. — Purchase of 
Buildings. — Improvements. — Capacity. — Bounds of Parish. — Ser\'ices of Father Van Dyke. — 
Value of Property. — St. Joachim's Church. — Original Name. — Location. — Cost. — Bounds of 
Parish. — Value of Property. — Name of Priest. — Church of the Sacred Heart. — Location. — Cost. — 
Capacity. — Average Attendance. — Names and Terms of Priests. — Bounds of Parish. — Value of 
Property. — St. Wenceslaus Church. — Location. — Cost. — Capacity. — Names of Priests. — Church 
of the Holy Redeemer. — First Ser\-ices. — Location. — Cost. — Capacity. — Bounds of Parish. — 
Priests in Charge. — St. Cassimer's Church. — Location. — Combined Church and School Building. — 
Cost. — Date of Consecration. — Name of Priest. — Bounds of Parish. — St. Bonaventure Church 
and Monastery. — Location. — Size of Building. — Cost. — Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary. — A 
Peculiar Structure. — Location. — Beautiful Avenue. — Cost of Grotto. — Description. — Roman 
Catholic Bishops and Dioceses. — First Diocese in New France. — Names of Bishops. — Dates of 
Consecration. — Vicar-Generals. — Secretaries. — Catholic Union Society. — When Organized. — 
Objects. — How Managed. — Presidents and Secretaries. 527-549 

CHAPTER LVII. 

Earliest Protestant Ministers. — The Moravians. — Later Missionaries and Clerical 'Visitors.— 
First Regular Protestant Services. — First Protestant Clergymen in Detroit. — English Army 
Chaplains. — Moravians Brought to Detroit. — Departure of Moravians. — Their Return. — First 
Protestant Services. — Interesting Details. — The Moravians on the Huron. — New Gnadenhuetten. — 
Consecration of Church. — Moravian Visits and Baptisms. — Leaving New Gnadenhuetten. — A 
Chaplain of the Queen's Rangers. — Gen. Wayne's Army Chaplain. — E.xtract from Journal. — Arri- 
val of David Bacon. — Revs. Badger and Hughes. — Mrs. Bacon Leaves for Connecticut. — Return 
with Wife and Brother. — His "Sermons and his Hearers. — Visit of a Moravian Minister.— 
Messrs. Badger and Hughes again. — Dr. Leonard Bacon's Birthplace. — Incident of his Infancy. — 
Bacon Visits Maumee and Mackinaw. — Goes to Ohio. — Visit of Daniel Freeman. — Ser\-ices by 
Rev. Mr. Pollard. — Rev. Nathan Bangs Arrives. — Account of Visit and Ser\-ices. — Lot Asked for 
Protestant Church. — Rev. Wm. Case Appointed to Detroit. — Bravery and Success. — Methodist 
Episcopal Church Organized. — First Protestant Church in Territory. — Names of Members. — Eariy 
Methodist Preachers. — Mitchell, Holmes, Ryan, and Hopkins. — American Army Chaplains. — Death 
of Rev. J. T. Wilmor. — Arrival of Joseph Hickcox. — Low State of Morals. — A Rigid Law.— Plain 
Talk by Mr. Hickcox. — Services by Rev. Gideon Lanning. — The Rouge Church. — Methodist 
Ministers: Davis, Dixon, Kent, Finlay, Morey, and Strange.'— Rev. John Monteith Arrives, — His 
First Sermon. — Evangelistic Society Organized. — Services at Council House. — Judge Woodward's 
Proposed Society. — Robert Abbott's Advertisement. — Burying Ground Granted to Protestant 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXVU 



Society. — Erection of Church. — Dedication of Building. — Sabbath Collections. — Church Due 
Bills. — Pew Rents. — First Protestant Society Incorporated. — Departure of Mr. Monteith. — His 
Successor. — First Protestant Society Becomes a Presbyterian Church. 550-558 

CHAPTER LVIII. 

The Methodist Episcopal Churches. — Events of Interest to the Denomination. — Circuit Riders. — 
First M. E. Society. — First Church Buildin;.^. — Notice of Meeting. — Incorporation of Society. — 
Names of Corporators. — Relation to the Rouge Society. — Reminiscences by Dr. Brunson. — Indian 
Visitors. — Christian Courtesies. — Gathering Materials for Building. — Location. — Description of 
Building. — Christian Indians. — Interesting Meetings. — Old-Time Records — Sale of Church Prop- 
erty. — Erection of New Church. — Names and Terms of Pastors. — Erection of Woodward Avenue 
and State Street Churches. — Consolidation of Woodward Avenue and Congress Street Societies. — 
Erection of Central Church. — Cost of Property. — Church Societies. — Members by Decades. — 
Names and Terms of Pastors. — Church Societies. — Central Morning Mission. — Congress Street 
Church. — First Services. — First Trustees. — Location of Building. — Sermon by Rev. John N. 
Maffitt. — .'V Comprehensive Lecture. — Donation Parties. — General Grant as a Pew-Holder. — 
Library Association. — Enlargement of Church. — Names and Terms of Pastors. — Burning of 
Church. — Subsequent Services. — Number of Members by Decades. — Tabernacle Society. — Former 
Names. — First Church Building. — Old Location. — Extensive Repairs. — Sale of Property. — Purchase 
of New Site. — Church and Chapel Erected. — Names and Terms of Pastors. — Simpson Church. — 
Former Names. — When Organized. — First Building. — New Location. — New Building. — Names 
and Terms of Pastors. — Palmer Memorial Church. — Former Name. — Original Location. — Dedi- 
cation. — Improvements and Alterations. — Yearly Expenses. — Members by Decades. — Value of 
Property. — New Location. — New Church. — New Name. — Names and Terms of Pastors. — Fort 
Street Church. — Preliminary History. — Erection of Building. — Location. — Cost. — Dedication. — 
Number of Members. — Names and Terms of Pastors. — Yearly Expenses. — Value of Property. — 
Si.xteenth Street Church. — Location of Building. — Date of Dedication. — Cost. — Value of Prop- 
erty. — Number of Members. — List of TPastors. — Junction Church. — Original Location. — Early 
Services. — New Site. — Names of Pastors. — Value of Property. — Delray Church. — Location. — 
When Dedicated. — Cost. — First Pastor. — Wesley Church. — Its Beginnings. ^- Cost of Building. — 
Date of Dedication. — Cass Avenue Church. — Location. — Cost of Chapel. — First Pastor. — 
Asbury Mission. — Location. — Cost. — Date of Dedication. — First German Church. — Date of 
Organization. — First Meetings. — Erection of Church. — Location. — Value of Property. — Members 
by Decades. — Names and Terms of Pastors. — Second German Church. — Location. — When Dedi- 
cated. — Cost. — Members by Decades. — Names of Pastors. — Thirty- second Street German 
Church. — Location. — When Dedicated. — Cost. — First Pastor. — Lafayette Street African Church. — 
John Stewart's Mission. — First Colored Society. — First Building. — \'arious Removals. — First 
Brick Church. — Location. — Cost. — Extensive Repairs. — Value of Property. — Members by De- 
cades. — Names and Terms of Pastors. — Ebenezer African Church. — When Organized. — First 
Building. — Chapel Purchased. —When Dedicated. — Value of Property. — Names of Ministers. — 
Zion A"^frican Church. — First Building. —When Dedicated. — Names of Ministers. — Society Dis- 
bands. — New Organization. — Place "of Meeting. — Names of Ministers. — French Church. — 
Location. — Cost of Building. — Names of Pastors. — Society Disbanded. — Church Sold. — Pine 
Street Protestant Methodist Church. — Date of Organization. — Location. — Names of Pastors. — 
Society Disbanded. — Bethel Evangelical Association Church. — Date of Organization. — First 
Building. — Cost. — New Location. — New Building. — Members by Decades. — Names and Terms 
of Pastors. — Events Interesting to Methodists. — Names and Terms of Presiding Elders. 559-580 

CHAPTER LIX. 

The Protestant Episcopal Churches. — Bishops, Dioceses, and Conventions. — Anglo-Catholic and 
Reformed Episcopal Churches. — St. Pauls Church. — When Organized. — Meetings at Council 
House. — Part of Old Burying-Ground Obtained. — First Church. — Enlargement of Church. — 
Names of Rectors. — Service Described by Mrs. Jameson. — Sale of Woodward Avenue Property. — 
Erection of New Church. — Names of Rectors. — Annual Expenses. — Value of Property. — Mem- 
bers by Decades. — Christ Church. — When Organized. — Location. — First Building. — When 
Consecrated. — Addition Built. — Chapel Erected. — Cost. — Church Erected. — Cost. — Size. — 
Chime of Bells Donated. — Names and Terms of Rectors. — Memorial Window. — Members by 
Decades. — Mariners' Church. — iVIrs. Anderson's Bequest. — Special Legislation. — Erection of 
Building. — Cost. — Names of Rectors. — Members by Decades. — Value of Property. — St. Peter's 
Church. — First Ser\-ices. — Building Erected. — Partially Burned. — Extensive Improvements. — 
Memorial Window. — Value of Property. — Members by Decades. — Names of Rectors. — St. 
John's Church.— Date of Organization. — H.P.Baldwin's Gifts. — Cost of Chapel and Church.— 
Location. — Names of Rectors'! — Missionary Work. — Value of Property. — Members by Decades. — 
Assistant Rectors. — Grace Church. — First Services. — Erection of Building. — Location. — Cost. — 



XXVlii TAI5LE OF CONTENTS. 



E. W. Hudson's Gift. — J. W. Waterman's Donation. — ^'alue of Property. — Members by Decades. — 
Names of Rectors. — St. Stephen's Church. — Location. — When Consecrated. — Names of Rec- 
tors. — Emanuel Memorial Church. — First Services. — Erection of Building. — Mrs. Medbury's 
Gift. — New Location. — Names of Rectors. — Value of Property. — All Saints' Chapel. - First 
Services. — Location. — Cost. — Rectors in Charge. — St. James Church. — When Established. — 
Location. — A Church Purchased. — New Building. — Value of Property. — Names of Rectors. — 
Mission of the Messiah. — Location. — Cost of Building. — Value of Property. — Names of Rec- 
tors. — St. Mary's Mission. — When Established. — Chapel Erected. — Location. — Cost. — Ministers 
in Charge. — Mission of the Good Shepherd. — First Services. — Building Erected. — Location. — 
Value of Property. — Ministers in Charge. — St. Thomas' Mission. — Location. — When Estab- 
lished. — St. Barnabas Mission. — Location. — When Established. — Cost of Building. — Rectors. — 
Holy Trinity Mission. — First Services. — Ministers in Charge. — St. Luke's Memorial Chapel. — 
Location. — Erected by C. C. Trowbridge. — Object. — St. Matthew's Colored Church. — First Ser- 
vices. — First Building. — Names of Ministers. — New Building. — Cost. — Ministers in Charge. — 
St. Joseph's Memorial Chapel. — Location. — Cost. — Donated by Mrs. Medbury. —Trinity Church. — 
When Incorporated. — Place of Meeting. — Services Discontinued. — St. Mark's Church. — First 
Services. — New Location. — Building Erected. — Services Discontinued. — Property Sold. — Diocese 
of Michigan Created. — Bishops. — Conventions. — Episcopal Residence. — Diocesan Fund. — The 
Church Association. — Holy Trinity Anglo-Catholic Church. — Places of Meeting. — Names of 
Clergvmen. — Epiphany Reformed Episcopal Church. — Date of Organization. — Location. — Minis- 
ters. ^ Emanuel Reformed Episcopal Church. — Places of Meeting. — Date of Incorporation. — 
Services Discontinued. 5Si~593 

CHAPTER LX. 

The Presbyterian Churches. — Occasions of Interest to Presbyterians. — First Presbyterian Church. — 
Date of Organization. — Names of Original Members. — First Church Property. — First Session 
Room. — Brick Session Room. — Sale of Church. — New Building Erected. — Cost. — When Dedi- 
cated. — Tower Clock. — Property Sold. — Burning of the Church. — Utilizing the Old Bell. — Services 
after the Fire. — Church on Gratiot Avenue. — Cost. — When Dedicated. — Names of Pastors. — 
Duffield Memorial Tablet. — Value of Property. — Members by Decades. — School for Chinese. — 
Scotch or Central Church. — First Services. — Building Erected. — Names of Ministers. — New 
Building. — Cost. — Change of Name. — Members by Decades. — Fort Street Church. — First 
Services. — Fir.st 13uilding. — Second Building. — Cost. —Names of Ministers. — Extensive Repairs. — 
Burning of Church. -- Opera House Services. — Church Rebuilt. — J. D. Hayes' Gift. — Members by 
Decades. — Eighth Ward Mission. — Jefferson Avenue Church. — First Ser\'ices. — Erection of 
Building. — Names of Ministers. — Members by Decades. — The Frontenac Avenue Mission. — 
Westminster Church. — First Services. — Washington Avenue Building. — Names of Ministers. — 
Sale of Property. — Parsons Street Chapel. — New Church. — Members by Decades. — Calvary 
Church. — Location. — When Organized. — Building Dedicated. — Ministers. — Members. — Union 
Church. — Brockway's Mission. — First Building. — Present Building. — Names of Ministers. — Value 
of Property. — Memorial Church. — The First Mission. — Places of Meeting. — Memorial Buildings. — ■ 
Memorial Windows. — Historical Lectures. — Trumbull Avenue Church. — Cost. — Location. — 
Ministers. — United Presbyterian Church. — Society Organized. — Building Purchased. — E.>:tensive 
Improvements. — Names of Ministers. — Number of ^Iembers. — French and German Church. — 
When Organized. — Building Erected. — Location. — Society Disbanded. — Property Sold. — 
Reformed Church of America. — When Organized. — Location of Building. — Ministers. — Mem- 
bers. — Occasions of Interest. — Presbyterian Alliance. 594-604 

CHAPTER LXI. 

The Baptist Churches. — Occasions of Interest to the Denomination. — First Church. — Sen-ices in 
University Building. — Erection of Frame Building. — Building Sold. — First Brick Church. — Mrs. 
Jameson's Description of Church and Services. — Names of Pastors. — Second Brick Church. — 
Cost. — When Dedicated. — The Cass Avenue Church. — Size and Cost. — Members by Decades. — 
Second Church (colored). — Places of Meeting. — Property Purchased. — Members by Decades. — 
Names of Ministers. — Lafayette Avenue Church. — When Organized. — First Services. — Erection 
of Chapel. — The Church Building. — Names of Pastors. — Members by Decades. — Site for New 
Church. — First German Church. — When Organized. — First Meetings. — Location of Church. — 
Cost. — Number of Members. — Names of Pastors. — Zion Church (colored I . — When Organized. — 
Name of Pastor. — Members. — Eighteenth Street Church. — When Organized. — Building Dedi- 
cated. — Value of Property. — Names of Ministers. — Twelfth Street Church. — Origin. — Location. — 
Building. — I'astor. — Members. — Church Enlarged. — Second German Church. — Location. — Build- 
ing. — Pastors. — Clinton Avenue Church. — Location. — Chapel Erected. — Pastor. — The Church 
Building. — Shiloh Church. — Organization. — Places of Meeting. — Pastors. — French Church. — 
When Organized. — Dedication of Church. — Members by Decades. — Pastor. — Tabernacle 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xxix 



Church. — When Organized. — Howard Street Chapel. — New Building. — When Dedicated. — 
Names of Pastors. — Sale of I'roperty. — Remnants of Society. — Park Street Church. — Location. — 
Cost of Building. — Pastors. — Union with First Church. — Occasions of Interest. — State Conven- 
tions. — Baptist Social Union. 605-C12 

CHAPTER L.XIl. 

The Con^egational Churches, — Notable Congregational Gatherings. — First Congregational 
Church. — Preliminary Services. — Society Organized. — Building Erected. — Visit of President 
Finney. — Names of Pastors. — The Fort Street Church. — Value of Property. — Members by 
Decades. — Second Church. — When Organized. — Erection of Chapel. — The Church Building. — 
Deljt and Difficulty. — Names of Pastors. — \'alue of Property. — Number of Members. — Trumbull 
Avenue Church. — Origin. — Original Location. — New Location. — Organization of Church. — 
Name of Pastor. — Springwells Church. — Location. — Building. — Pastors. — Harper Avenue Mis- 
sion. — Location. — Management. — Mt. Hope Mission. — Location. — Management. — Notable 
Congregational Gatherings. 613-616 

CHAPTER L.XIIl. 

The Lutheran Churches. — St. John's German Evangelical Church. — First Services. — First Building. — 
Second Building. — Names of Pastors. — Third Building. — Members by Decades. — Semi-Centen- 
nial E.xercise. — St. Paul's German Evangelical Church. — Location. — Building. — Cost. — Pastor. — 
St. Mark's German Evangelical Church. — Location. — Building. — When Dedicated. — Trinity 
Evangelical Lutheran Church. — When Organized. — First Building. — Addition Erected. — New 
Building. — Cost. — Names of Pastors. — Communicants by Decades. — Bethlehem German Evan- 
gelical Church. — Location. — Communicants. — Pastor. — Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. — 
When Organized. — First Building. — Location. — New Church. — New Location. — Pastor. — Com- 
municants. — Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. — When Organized. — Building. — Location. — 
Pastor. — St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. — When Organized. — Building. — Pastors. — St. 
Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church. — When Organized. — Building. — Pastors. — Zion German 
Reformed Church. — First Building. — Second Building. — Location. — Communicants by Decades. — 
Names of I^astors. — St. Peter's German Evangelical Lutheran Church. — When Organized. — 
Location. — Pastor. — Salem German Evangelical Lutheran Church. — Location. — When Organ- 
ized. — Church Building. — Pastors. — St. Luke's German Evangelical Lutheran Church. — Location. — 
Building. — Pastor. — St. John's Independent Lutheran Church. — Location. — Building. — Former 
Owners. — Pastor. 617-623 

CHAPTER LXIV. 

The Christian Church. — The New Jerusalem Church. — The Unitarian Church. — The Universalist 
Church. — The Third Avenue Mission Church. — Jewish Congregations. — General Church 
Statistics. — First Christian Church. — Places of Meeting. — Names of Pastors. — Present Build- 
ing. — A Donation. — Members by Decades. — Church of Christ. — Location. — Howard Street 
Building. — Plum Street Building. — Members by Decades. — Mission Building. — New Jerusalem 
Church. — First Services. — Names of Ministers. — Church Buildings. — Members by Decades. — 
Congregational Unitarian Church. — Organization. — Erection of Building. — Names of Ministers. — 
Improvements to Building. — Members by Decades. — New Church Site. — Church of Our Father 
(Universalist). — First Service. — Erection of Building. — Cost. — Pastor. — State Convention. — 
Third Avenue Mission. — Organization. — Pastor. — The Building. — Beth El Jewish Society.— 
First Services. — Purchase of Church Buildings. — Names of Rabbis. — Members of Society. — 
Shaary Zedec Jevv-ish Society. — When Organized. — Purchase of Church Building. — New Build- 
ing. — Names of Rabbis. — Church Statistics by Decades. — Number of Buildings. — Number of 
Members. — Percentage of Members. — Sittings. — Percentage of Sittings. — Statistics for 1 8S0. — 
Average Attendance. — Church E.xpenses. — \'alue of Property. 624-630 

CHAPTER LXV. 

The First Sunday School.— Mission Schools.— Sunday School Statistics, Sunday School Unions, 
Conventions, and Celebrations. — The I'irst Sunday School. — Notice in Gazette. — Date of Open- 
ing. — Object. — Ollicers of the .Association. — K.\tracts from Annual Report. — Extensive Memo- 
rizing. — School for Colored Children. — Books Used. — Mission Schools. — Extinct IMissions. — 
Industrial School Missioo. — Sunday .School Statistics for 1S63, 1870, and 1880. — Names of Superin- 
tendents. — Number of Ofticers, Teachers, and Scholars. — Average Attendance. — Sunday School 
Unions. — Conventions and Celebrations. 631-637 



XXX TADLK OF COiNTENTS. 



CHAPTER L X V I. 

Union Religious Societies. — Union Meetings. — Revivals and Revivalists. — Young Men's Christian 
Association. — First Society. — When Organized. — Names of Officers. — Location of Rooms. — 
Organization Di.sbands. — Young Men's Christian Union. — Date of Organization. — Officers. — 
Methods of Worl<. — Termination of Society. — The l-'resent Association. — When Organized. — 
Location of Rooms. — International Convention. — The Farmer Street Property. — Dedication of 
Building. — Increased Prosperity. — Mr. Skiff's Bequest. — Lines of Work. — New Location De- 
sired. — Sale of Property. — New Rooms. — The Boys' Branch. — Presidents and General Secre- 
taries. — The Railroad Branch. — When Organized. — Location of Building. — City, County, and 
State Bible Societies. — Dates of Organization. — Officers. — Work. — Union Bethel Society. — When 
Organized. — Place of Services. — Chaplains. — City Tract Societies. — Dates of Organization. — 
Officers. — Methods of Work. — Detroit Evangelical Alliance. — Object. — When Organized. — 
Officers. — Detroit Ministerial Union. — Organization. — Meetings. — Union Prayer Meetings. — The 
Morning Meeting. — When Organized. — Places of Meeting. — The Noon Meeting. — Revivals and 
Revivalists. — Visit of Rev. E. P. Hammond. — The Whittle and Bliss Meetings. — Services of Rev. 
G. F. l^entecost. — Meetings of Harry F. Sales. 638-643 

CHAPTER L .\ Y II . 

Poverty and Its Relief. — The Poor Commission. — City Physicians. — The County Poor. — Poverty 
and Its Relief. — Methods under Northwest Territory. — Overseers of the Poor. — Directors of 
Poor. — Manner of Relief. — Unworthy Recipients. — Large Benefactions. — Names of Directors. — 
The Poor Commission. — Office Methods. — Names of Commissioners. — City Physicians. — Duties. — 
Districts. — Names. — Grosse Pointe Hospital. — The County Poor. — Early Methods. -- Present 
System. — Names of Superintendents. — County Poorhouse. — First Location. — Remarkable Fact. — 
Father Kundig's Services. — Legislative Appreciation. — The Poor Farm. — Location. — Buildings. — 
Management. — County Insane Asylum. — Original Size. — Additions. -County Physicians. 644-649 

CHAPTER L X V I 1 I . 

Charitable and Benevolent Societies and Institutions.- — Yankee Innovations. — Moral and Humane 
Society. — ( )rganization. — Object. — Young Men's Benevolent Society. — Presidents. — Secretaries. — 
E.xpenditures. — Detroit City Mission Board. — Utopian Plans. — Lodging House. — Catholic Female 
Association. — Kundig's Wards. — Successful Fair. — Building Erected. — Officers of the Associa- 
tion. — St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum. — When Organized. — Various Locations. — Present 
Building. — Superiors in Charge. — Ladies' Protestant Orphan Asylum. — When Organized. — First 
Officers. — Asylum Opened. — Donations. — Building Erected. — Reorganization. — Principal Offi- 
cers. — St. Mary's Hospital. — When Opened. — Location. — Clinton Street Building. — New Building. — 
Regulations. — St. Andrews' Society. — Organization. — Object. — Officers. — Working Men's Aid 
Society. — Building. — Location. — Objects. — Lafayette Benevolent and Mutual Help -Society. — 
When Organized. — Object. — Location of Building. — Officers. — Industrial School. — Organiza- 
tion. — Object. — Original Location. — Removal. — Obtaining Funds. — New Building. — Manage- 
ment. — Practical Features. — Names and Terms of Officers. — St. Joseph's Retreat. — Former 
Name. — Location. — Object. — Building. — Grounds. — St. Luke's Hospital, Church Home, and 
Orphanage. — Origin. — Original Location. — The Fort Street Property. — Large Bequests. — Trus- 
tees. — Management. — Officers. — Hebrew Widows' and Orphans' Society. — Organization. — 
Objects. — Officers. — Harper Hospital. — Walter Harper. — His Gift. — Provisions of Deed. — 
Nancy Martin's Donation. — Trustees and Management. — Buildings Erected by Government. — Soldier 
Patients. — Ordinary Patients. — Recent Bequests. — New Building. — Location. — Cost. — Accom- 
modations. — Home of the Friendless. — Origin. — First Location. — High Street Building. — Warren 
Avenue Building. — Aims and Management. — The Home Messenger. — Officers. — St. Anthony's 
Male Or|ihan Asylum. — Location. — Value of Property. — Objects. — Officers. — Women's Hospital 
and Foundlings' Home. — Its Origin. — First Location. — Present Site. — Design of Institution. — 
How Sustained. — Officers. — House of Providence. — Object. — Management. — Original Building. — 
Present Location. — Evangelical Lutheran Orphan Aid Society. — When Organized. — Original Loca- 
tion. — Removal. — Membership. — Beneficiaries. — Officers. — Italian Benevolent Society. — When 
Organized. — Object. — Officers. — Little Sisters' Home for the Aged Poor. — First Building. — New 
Location. — New Building. — How Maintained. — Inmates. — Sister Superiors. — The Thompson 
Home. — Its Founder. — Original Quarters. — Erection of Building. — Object.- — Conditions of Admis- 
sion. — Officers. — The Working Women's Home. — When Organized. — Locations. — Object. — 
Officers. — Zoar Orphan Asylum. — Location. — Building. — Inmates. — Detroit Day Nursery and 
Kindergarten Association. — When Organized. — Object. -- Location of Building. — Officers. — Convent 
of the Good Shepherd. — Location. — Object. — Roman Catholic. — Beneficial Societies Names. — 
When Organized. — Detroit Association of Charities. — Object. — Methods. — Officers. 650-666 



TAI5LE OF CONTENTS. XXXI 



PART IX. -LITERARY. 

C M A P T E R L X I X . 

Early Methods of Publishing. — The First Newspapers. — The Newspaper Graveyard. —Living 
Papers and Periodicals. — City Printers. — Newsboys. — The Town Crier. — Cliurch Notices.— 
Opportunities Improved. -- First Newspapers in Canada and the West. — Defunct Publications. — 
Names of Editors and Publishers. — Characteristics. — Dates of First and Last Issues. — The Michi- 
gan Essav. — Misstatements Corrected. — Definite Information Obtained. — The Paper Described. — 
The Detroit Gazette.— The Type and Press. — Amusing Notices. — A Carrier's Address. — Remark- 
able Libel Suit. — Editor Imprisoned. — Public Dinner in the Jail. — Release of Mr. Sheldon.— 
Printers' Discouragements. — The Michigan Herald. — The Gazette Frangaise. — The Detroit Tele- 
graph. — Herald of Literature and Science. — Michigan State Register. — Evening Spectator and 
Literary Gazette. — The Spy in Michigan. — The Detroit Morning Post. — McGinnis versus Bagg. — 
A Clever Retort —The Craftsmen of Michigan. — Michigan Observer. — The World. —The Jeffer- 
sonian Democrat. —The Day Book. — The Michigan Agriculturist.— The Eglantine. — The Mirror of 
the Lakes. —The Journal of Education. — Spirit of '76. —The Western Farmer. — Michigan Farmer. - 
Fanner's Companion. — The Western Rural.— The Rat Gazette. — Michigan Christian Herald.— 
Michigan Literary Gem. —The Washingtonian. — The Daily Times. — The Constitutional Demo- 
crat.— American Citizen. — Western Catholic Register. —The' Daily Gazette.— Detroit Magazine.— 
L'Amie de la Jeunesse. — American Vineyard. — Evangelical Observer. — Detroit Register. — Daily 
News. — Western E.xcelsior. — Michigan journal of Homoeopathy. — Western Literary Miscellany. — 
Wellman's Literary Miscellany. — Northwestern Advocate. — Daily Herald. — American Gleaner. — 
The Monthly Hesperian. — The Medium. — Le Citoyen. — Peninsular Fountain. — Northwestern 
Musical Herald. — Western Evangelist. — Commercial Bulletin. — The Republican. — Student's 
Offering. — The Atlantis. — The Catholic Vindicator. — The Guardian. — The Daily Times No. 2. — 
The Peninsular Journal of Medicine. — Medical Independent. — The Peninsular and Independ- 
ent. — The Michigan Homocopatliic Journal. — The Michigan Journal of Education and Teachers' 
Magazine. — Waymarks in the Wilderness. —The Little Wolverine. — The Ashlar. — The Evening 
New-s. — The Firemen's Journal. — Preston's Bank Note Reporter. — Brown's Reporter. — The 
Magazine of Travel. — The Young Men's Journal. — The Transcript. — The Herald. — The Spirit 
of the Week. — The Michigan Democrat. — The True Democrat. — Der Radicale Democrat.— 
The Shrapnel. — Froth. — The Christian Unionist. — The Journal of Commerce. — The Daily 
Sun. — The Peninsular Herald. — The New World. — The Review of Medicine and Pharmacy. — 
The Peninsular Journal of Medicine (No. 2). — The Medical Journal. — The Western Medical 
Advance. — The Price Current. — The Monitor. — The Mechanic and Inventor. — The Scientific 
Manufacturer. — Journal of Commerce (No. 2). — Sunday Times. — The Odd Fellows' Wreath. — 
The Western Catholic. — Baptist Tidings. — L'Impartial. — The Anti-Roman Advocate. — L'Etoile 
Canadienne. — The Song Journal. — Our Mutual Friend. — The Popular Appeal. — The Commercial 
Bulletin. — Leather Apron. — Our Yankee Land. — The Pulpit. — The Mystic Star.— The Boy of the 
Period. — The Michigan Journal of Homaopathy. — Michigan Edition of Northwest Reporter. — 
Our Dioceses. — The Sunday Guest. — The Better Age. — The Wolverine Messenger. — The Weekly 
Price Current. —The Little People. —Truth for the People. — Michigan Truth Teller.— The Capi- 
tol. — The Evening Star. — The Travellers' Illustrated Railway Reporter. — Le Courier. — Le Journal 
de Detroit. — The Herald. — The Sont.ag Zeitung. — Marine Record. — The American W'ork- 
man. — Rose's Nose. — The Red and White Ribbon. — The Western Era. — The National. — The 
Michigan Weekly Sun.— The Socialist. — The Michigan Homestead. — The Penny Times. — The 
Popular Era. — The Family Journal. —Moore's Masonic Messenger. — Public Spirit. — Detroit 
Graphic. —The Sunday Herald. — The Times. — The Lever. — Detroit Illustrated. — The Sunday 
Sun. — The Daily Mail. — Commercial Law News. — The Pursuivant. — The Northwestern Re- 
view. — The Labor Review. —The Detroit Gazette. —Our Catholic Youth. — The Anglo Catholic— 
Our Churches. — Michigan Trade Review. — The Unionist. — The Evening Telegram. — The Daily 
Times (No. 3). — The National People. — Living Papers and Periodicals with Publications Merged 
Therein. — Northwestern Journal. — The Journal. — The Courier. — Daily Advertiser. — Daily 
Express. — Free Democrat. — Michigan Organ of Temperance. — Temperance Advocate. — Daily 
Enquirer. — Democrat and Enquirer. — Daily Tribune. — Peninsular Freeman. — Advertiser and 
Tribune. — Free Union. — Daily Post. — Post'and Tribune. — Free Press. — Commercial Bulletin. — 
The .■\llgemeine Zeitung. — Michigan Volksblatt. — Michigan Staats Zeitung. — Journal ami Herald. — 
Commercial Advertiser. — American Observer. — The Familien Blaetter. — .Agricultural and Hor- 
ticultural Journal.— - Michigan Farmer and State Journal of Agriculture. — Progress of the Age. — 
Western Home Journal. — Evening News. -- Daily Union. — Michigan Christian Herald. — Public 
Leader. — Michigan Christian Advocate. — The Amphion. — Die Stimme der Wahrheit. — Wayne 
County Courier. — Medical Advance. — Leonard's Illustrated Medical Journal. — The Index. — New 
Preparations. — Therapeutic Gazette. -Daily Hotel Reporter. — Michigan Railroad Guide. — The 



XXXU TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Family Circle. — Detroit Lancet. — Medical Age. — Michigan Medical News. — Detroit Clinic. — A 
New Idea. — Michigan A. O. V. W. Herald. — Detroit Society News. — Every Saturday. — Chaff. — 
Marine News. — Family Herald. — Home Messenger. — The Indicator. — Western Newspaper L'nion. — 
Manufacturer and Inventor. — Western Land Guide. — Detroit Plaindealer. — The Spectator. — Michigan 
Mirador. — Detroit Commercial. — The Evening Journal. — The Times. — American Meteorological 
Journal. — Editors. — Publishers. — Dates of First Issues. — Incidental Items. — City Printers. — News 
Boys. 669-693 

CHAPTER LXX. 

Early Book Printing. — Books and Booksellers. — Almanacs. — Gazetteers. — Directories. — Maps 
of Michigan. — Governor Hamilton's Proclamations. — The Macomb Press. — Father Richard's 
Enterprise. — First Books and Printers. — Disposition of Father Richard's Type. — Books and Book- 
sellers. — Former Standard Authors. — The . First Bookstore. — Later Establishments. — Names of 
Proprietors. — Dates of Changes. — Almanacs Printed at Detroit. — Titles and Publishers. — State 
Gazetteers. — When Issued. — Publishers. — City Directories. — Dates of Issue. — Names of Pub- 
lishers. — Number of Pages and Names. — Maps of Michigan Issued at Detroit. — P. E. Judd's 
Proposals. — Orange Risdon's Prospectus. — John Farmer's Map. — The First Issue. — E.xtensive 
Circulation. — Remarkable Accuracy. — Later Maps. 694-699 



CHAPTER LXXI 

Citizen and 'Visiting Authors. — Cadillac's Writings. — Later Authors and Their Works. — Anthon. — 
Adams. — Aikman. — Atchinsnn. — Allen. — Bangs. — Bacon. — Brownson. — Boardman. — Buchanan. — 
Baraga. — Bagg. — Burt. — Bibb. — Bishop. — Brinton. — Brearley. — Ballard. — Bates. — Beard. — Blodg- 
ett. — Brunson. — Buckley. — Brown. — Buck. — Backus. — Cass. — Chipman. — Chase. — Cooke. — Carter. — 
Castor. — Carleton. — Campbell. — Chaney. — Coyle. — Codde. — Couse. — De Peyster. — Duffield. — 
Dolan. — Dowling. — Davenport. — Donovan. — Eddy. — Ellis. — Edouard. — Fasquelle. — Fox. — Fitch. — 
Fuller. — Field. — Ford. — Forbush. — Fairbanks. — Gillman. — Griffith. — Goadby. — Gilchrist. — Girar- 
din. — Holmes. — Hubbard. — Henry. — Houghton. — Howard. — Howe. — Hawley. — Hailmann. — 
Hamlin. — Howell. — Haigh. — Hall. — Harris. — Isham. — Inglis. — Jacobs. — Jennison. — Jones. — Kirk- 
land. — Kalisch. — Kelso. — Kitchell. — Lodge. — Lord. — Lundy. — Lambie. — Leonard. — Laidlaw. — 
Levington. — Lewis. — Mackenzie. — Macomb. — Morris. — Mayhew. — McCoskry. — Munger. — Mc- 
Carty. — Mason. — McCracken. — Maes. — Mercer. — Merwin. — Newberry. — Nail. — Noble. — Owen. — 
O'Brien. — Perkins. — Pilcher. — Potts. — Poole. — Post. — Pierson. — Pattison. — Peavey. — Rich- 
ards. — Roberts. — Robertson. — Rayne. — Robinson. — Russell. — Ryan. — Rouse. — Shattuck. — 
Schoolcraft. — Sheldon. — Snelling. — Smith. — Silver. — Seaman. — Stebbins. — Scripps. — Smart. — 
Shurley. — Stewart. — Sill. — Silber. — Seymour. — Stokes. — Stowe. — Trumbull. — Thomson. — Tyler. — 
Turnbull. — Theller. — TenBrook. — Trowbridge. — Thompson.— Thomas. — Terry.— Throop.—Tripler. — 
Taylor. — Tibbets. — Tuttle. — Van Fleet. — Varney. — Woodward . — Whiting. — Webb. — Witherell. — 
Willis. — Walker. — Ward. — Watson. — Willcox. — Waterman. — Warner. — Wilkins. — Wanless. — 
Wight. — Winder. — Washburn. — Wooley. — Young. — Zundell. Vht/inif Authors: La Salle. — 
Gaiinee. — Hennepin. — La Hontan. — Tonty. — Charlevoix. — Crespel. — Rogers. — Carver. — Zeisberger. — 
Lord Fitzgerald. — Volney. — Weld. — Burnett. — Heriot. — Watson. — Earl of Selkirk. — Darby. — • 
Morse. — Finley. — McKinney. — Colton. — Kinzie. — De Tocqueville. — Beaumont. — Hoffman. — Mar- 
tineau. — Marryatt. — Marshall. — Webster. — Jameson. — Marsh. — Marcy. — Grimes. — Lanman. — 
Buckingham. — Barnard. — Fuller. — Parkman. — Beecher. — Stowe. — Geikie. — Cooper. — Greeley. — 
Agassiz. — Cabot. — Atwater. — Bancroft. — Bremer. — Seward. — Ellet. — Kidder. — Chambers. — 
Ampere. — Albach. — Hopkins. — Bacon. — ^"incent. — Pardee. — Lossing. — Wise. — Eddy. — Clark. — 
Trollope. — Peto. — Haven. — Custer. — Eggleston. — Newman. — Lee. — Allcott. — Fanny Fern. — 
Parton. — Taylor. — Disturnell. — Newman Hall. — Newton. — Mueller. — Thompson. — Locke. — 
White. — Holmes. — McCosh. — Casgrain. — Russell. — Hurst. — Simpson. — Merrill. — Peck. — Foster. — 
Warren. — Wiley. — Suite. — Tanguay. — Kelton. — D'Aligny. — Fallows. — Webb. — Atkinson. — 
Duffield. Author Visitors from the University : Angell. — Adams. — Brunow. — Boise. — Cooley. — 
Cocker. — D'Ooge. — Dunster. — Douglass. — Evans. — Franklin. — Ford. — Frieze. — Frothingham. — 
Gray. — Herrington. — Johnson. — l\IcLean. — Morris. — Olney. — Hayne. — Palmer. — Prescott. — Peck. — 
Rose. — Stoweil. — Tappan. — \'aughn. — Winchell. — Watson. — Whedon. — White. — Wood. Lectures 
by: Phillips. — Shillaber. — Hayes. — Youmans. — King. — Prentice. — Maur)'. — Taylor. — White. — Hale. — 
Burlingame. — Simpson. — Raymond. — Emerson. — Curtis. — Holland. — Everett. — Brownlow. — 
Brown. — Abbott. — Greeley. — Du Chaillu. — Twain. — McCarthy. — Field. — Douglass. — Cook. — 
Willard. — Capel. — Arnold. — Benjamin. — Fowler. — Burritt. — Shaw. — Saxe. — Milburn. — Bungay. — 
Punshon. — Guard. — Beecher. — Dickinson. — Hawkins. — Proctor. — Morris. — Train. — Talmage. — 
Tilton. — X'andenhoff . — Ingersoll. — Gough. 700-709 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. xxxiii 



CHAPTER LXXII. 

Literary, Historical, and Scientific Societies. — Lotteries and Literature. — First City Library. — 
Detroit .-Vthenaeum. — Location. — .Management. — Young Men's Society. — When Organized. — 
Lectures. — First Hall. — Electioneering Methods. — New Location. — Dedication of Hall. — Sale of 
Property. — Removal to Merrill Block. — Society Disbanded. — Names of Presidents. — The 
Lyceum. — When Organized. — First Ofticers. — Woodward's Phraseology. — E.xtracts from Consti- 
tution. — The Lyceum of Michigan. —: Organization and Officers. — Historical Society of Michigan. — 
Officers. — Lectures. — Collections. — Present Status. — Detroit Mechanics' Society. — When Organ- 
ized. — First Officers. — Donation from City. — Hall Erected. — Management. — Value of Property. — 
New Building Erected. — Misfortunes. — Presidents and Secretaries. — Wayne County Pioneer 
Society. — Object and Officers. — Detroit Scientific Association. — Objects. — Officers. — Contents of 
Museum. — Various Locations. — Officers. 710-714 

CHAPTER LX.XIII. 

Private Schools and Seminaries. — Church Schools. — Early Educational Facilities. — Truant Boys. — 
McDougall's Vow. — Children of the Regiment. — Old Schools and Teachers. — Garrit. — Re- 
cours. — Balpour. — Pattison. — Burrell. — Donovan. — Serrier. — David Bacon. — Gough. — Curtis. — 
Payne. — Rowe. — Danforth. — Cook. — The Gazette's Warning. — Teachers. — Banvard. — Brook- 
field. — Deming. — Goodwin. — Young. — Trowbridge. — Brownson. — Kinney. — Carpenter. — Shepard. — 
Healy. — Kinnicutt. — Hathon. — Jerome. — Tucker. — First Female Seminary. — Location. — Manage- 
ment. — Teachers. — Williams — Farrand. — Wilson. — Coe. — Howe. — Crane. — Tappan. — Nichols. — 
Bellows. — Marsh. — Fay. — .A.bbott. — W. A. Bacon. — Elms. — Himes. — Weed. — Clancy. — East- 
man. — Blois. — Mitchell. — Meany. — Vail. — Fitch. — Millette. — Higgins. — O'Brien. — Fowler. — 
Cochran. — Curtis. — Brewster. — Clements. — Br\'ant. — Hurd. — Grinold. — Branigan. — West. — 
Moir. — Hurlbut. — Zinger. — Kuhn. — Miss Hunt's Seminary. — Location. — Patrons. — .Select 
Schools. — Teachers. — Funke. — Stutte. — Campbell. — Soldan. — Hosmer. — Emerson. — Ellin- 
wood. — Rockwell. — Reighley. — Detroit Female Seminary. — Location. — Principals. — Private 
Schools of Patterson and Romer. — German American Seminary. — Curious Legislation. — Erec- 
tion of Building. — Management. — Later Teachers. — James. — Leonard. — Jones. — Schantz. — 
Brown. — Ziegler. — Liggett 's Home and Day School. — When Established. — Location. — Build- 
ing. — Church Schools. — Cadillac's Plans. — Father Richard's Schools. — Educational Enterprise. — 
Communaute de Ste. Marie. — The Church Farm School. — St. Philip's College. — Professors. — 
Pupils and Pranks. — Sisters of Ste. Claire Seminary. — Female Charity School. — Sisters of 
Charity Arrive. — Catholic Free Schools Established. — St. Vincent's Seminary. — Ste. Anne's 
School. — Trinity Catholic School. — St. Mary's School. — Schools of SS. Peter and Paul. — St. 
Joseph's School. — St. Boniface School. — St. Vincent de Paul School. — School of Our Lady of 
Help. — St. Albert's School. — Polish Franciscan Convent. — St. Joachim's School. — Sacred Heart 
School. — Holy Redeemer School. — St. Cassimer's School. — St. .Anthony's School. — Academy of 
the Sacred Heart. — Detroit College. — St. John's German Evangelical School. — St. Mark's German 
Evangelical School. — St. Matthew's Lutheran School. — Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School. — Zion 
German I^eformed School. — Salem Lutheran School. — Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School. — 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran School. — St. Paul's Lutheran School. — St. Paul's German Evangelical 
School. — St. Peter's German Evangelical School. — Cost of Buildings. — Number of Teachers. — 
Number of Scholars. — Charges for Tuition. — Various Statistics. 7 1 5-727 

C H A P T E R L X X I V. 

The University of Michigan. — Commercial Colleges. — Medical Colleges. — University Schools. — 
Curious Assumption. — I3irthday of University. — A Comprehensive Corporation. — Multum in 
Parvo. — Large Words. — Statutes of University.'— Obtaining Funds. — Singular Proceedings.— Erec- 
tion of Building. — First Teachers. — Monteith. — Dickie.— .Shattuck. — Farmer. — Cost of Tuition. — 
New Corporation Created. — Lancasterian Schools. — University Removed to Ann Arbor. — Branch 
Schools. — Teachers at Detroit Branch. — Fitch. — Meigs. — Bissell. — Harvie. — Howard. — 
Walker. — Gray. — Ba.xter. — Loundsberry. — Close of School. — Commercial Colleges. — Gregory's.— 
Cochran's. — Goldsmith, Bryant, & Stratton's. — Mayhew's. — Spencer, Felton, Loomis, «S: Co.'s. — 
Detroit Medical College. — Michigan College of Medicine. — Homoeopathic College. — Faculty. — 
Advantages. — Number of Graduates. 72S-754 

CHAPTER LXXV. 

The First Common Schools. — The Board of Education, Its Schools and Its Management. — 

Ordinance of 17S7. — Lands Granted for Schools. — School .Act of 1809. — Act of 1827. — Subse- 
quent Schools. — City Divided into Districts. — The Free School Society. — Tomato Catsup and 
Fairs. — Act of 1833. — Special l^rovisions for Detroit. — Barren Results. — Law of 1837. — Edu- 



XXXIV TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



cational Facilities. — Committee of Investigation. — Election of School Inspectors. — Common 
Schools in 1838 and 1839. — Districts. — Teachers. — School Books. — Statistics. — Location of 
Schools. — Apportionment of Primary School Fund. — Names of Inspectors. — Directors and 
Moderators. — School Statistics and Management in 1840 and 1841. — Meeting to Promote Free 
Schools. — Encouraging Results. — Books Used. — The Bible in the Schools. — Petitions and Pro- 
tests. — Text Books and Date of Introduction. — Scholars. — Conditions of Admission. — Average 
Attendance by Decades.. — Number of Scholars for Each Teacher by Decades. — Yearly Cost per 
Capita by Decades. — Health Regulations. — Primary and Middle Schools. — L^nion System. — 
Classification and Grading. — School Hours. — Terms. — Vacations. — Lengthy Service of Mr. 
Nichols. — A One Sided Resolution. — A Patriotic Resolve. — Special Teachers. — Music. — Pen- 
manship. — Drawing. — Reading. — School Buildings. — A Capitol Steal. — Names of Buildings. — 
Reason for Names. — Location. — Date .of Erection. — Description. — The High School. — When 
Established. — Location. — Military Drills. — Principals. — Condition of Admission. — Yearly Num- 
ber of Pupils. — .Alumni Association. — Separate Colored Schools. — Equal Opportunities Asked. — 
Request Refused. — Persistence of Colored People. — Their Triumph. — Yearly Statistics. — \'alue 
of School Property. — Children in City. — Pupils Enrolled. — Average Attendance. — Number of 
Sittings. — Annual E.xpenditures. — Number of Teachers. — Number of Schools. — Salaried Officers. 
— Superintendents. — Clerks. — Messengers. — Supervisor of Repairs and Building. — Names of 
Presidents and .Secretaries. — Financial Resources. — Growth of School Taxes. — Receipts from 
Primary School P'und. — Number of Inspectors in Various Years. — Ward Inspectors Discontinued. — 
Inspectors at Large Provided for. — Sessions of Board. — Description of Seal. — Names and Terms 
of Inspectors. 755-/58 

CHAPTER L X X A' I . 

The Public Library. — Constitutional Provision for District Libraries. — First Receipts from Fines. — 
Difficultv of (Obtaining Fines. — Results of Increased Vigilance. — Opening of District Library. — 
Library liuilding in Rear of Capitol. — Larger Quarters Needed. — Centre Park Granted for Library. — 
Erection of Building. — Yearly Receipts from Fines. — Library Commissioners. — Librarians. — Regu- 
lations. — Classification. — Valuable Works. — Number of Volumes. — Number of Patrons. — Yearly 
Statistics. 759-762 



PART X.— COMMERCIAL. 

CHAPTER LXXVII. 

Merchants and Trading. — Custom House and Collectors. — The Board of Trade. — A Commercial 
Colony. — Cadillac's Expectation. — Broken Faith. — The Trading Company. — Montreal Jealousy. — 
Exorbitant Prices. — Dishonest Agents. — Cadillac's Offer. — He Obtains Control. — Intrigues of the 
Trading Company. — Cadillac Arrested.— His Acquittal. — Trading Permits. — Tonty's Exactions. — 
Names of Early Traders. — Defrauding the Government. — English Regulations. — Commissioners 
of Trade. — Large Powers. — Bad Character of Certain Traders. — Mohawk Merchants. — Sharp 
Practices. — A Tankard for a Boy. — Enormous Quantities of Goods. — Description of a Trading 
Store. — Merchants in 1767. — Later Merchants. — The Fur Trade. — Methods of Trade. — Large 
Profits. — Slow Returns. — Indian Visitors and Goods. — French and English Accounts. — Old 
Ledgers. — Licenses. — Business Establishments in 1819. — Dickering. — Flush Times of 1836. — 
Official Auctioneers. — Jealous Merchants. — Changes in Trade Methods. — Mabley's Stores. — Old 
Establishments. — The Drug Business. — Large Importations. — Mercantile Capital. — Changes in 
Business Centres. — Street RIerchants. — Street Cries. — First Seed Store. — D. M. Ferry & Co.'s 
Establishment. — Travelling Agents. — Retail Delivery. — Show Windows. — Curious Signs. — Ad- 
vertising Methods. — Commercial Agencies. — Objects and Managers. — Merchants and Manufac- 
turers' Exchange. — Objects and Officers. — Custom House Regulations. — Bounds of District. — 
Duties of Collector. — Bonded Warehouses. — Imports and Exports. — Names of Collectors. — Board 
of Trade. — First Organization. — First Officers. — Places of Meeting. — Forwarding and Commission 
Houses. — Present Board of Trade. — First Officers. — Commencement of Daily .Sessions. — Yearly 
Statements. — Joint Stock Building Company. — Dedication of Building. — International Commercial 
Convention. — Telegraphic Reports. — New Hall. — Arbitration Committee. — Inspectors. — Fees and 
Commissions. — Conditions of Membership. — Presidents and Secretaries. 765-792 

CHAPTER LXXVII I. 

Markets. — Marketing and Prices. — Departed Glory. — Market Greetings. — French Ponies and 
Carts. — Old Time Methods. — Market Place Idlers. — Former Woodward Avenue Market. — Loca- 
tion. — Cost. — Discontinuance. — Berthelet Market. — Various Agreements. — Careless Officials. — 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXXV 



Final Disposition of Property. — City Hall Market. — Various Buildings. — Dates of Erection and 
Cost. — Street Set apart for Market. — The Washington Market. — Location. — Cost. — Closing of 
Market. — The Cass Market. — Location. — Cost. — Site Given by General Cass. — Market Clerks. — 
Duties. — Names and Terms of Clerks. — Market Regulations. — Sunday Markets. — When Discon- 
tinued. — Opening and Closing of Market. — Resolution of Citizens. — "Servants" Disobey. — Market 
Hours. — Forestalling. — Private Meat Markets. — Market Rents. — Fees from Market Wagons. — 
Meat Inspector. — The Town Baker. — Prices Fi.xed for Him. — Sealer of Weights and Measures. — 
Duties of Sealers. — Names and Terms of Officers. — Wood Markets. — Inspectors and Districts. — 
Hay Markets. — Various Locations. — Weigh Masters. — Names and Terms. — Prices of Different 
Articles at Various Times. 793-801 

CHAPTER I. X X I X . 

Manufacturing Advantages. — Articles Produced. — Leading Establishments. — Favorable Loca- 
tion. — Superior Advantages. — Raw Materials Easy of Access. — Lake Superior Iron. — Famous 
Mines. — Grindstone Quarries. — Lumber Manufacturing. — Plaster Beds. — Clay, Limestone, and 
Sand Deposits. — Manufacturing Sites. — Lhilimited Water Supply. — Cheap Fuel. — Prices of Build- 
ing Materials. — Water Communication. — Railroad Facilities. — Low Taxation. — Living E.xpenses. — 
Favorable Climate. — Manufacturing Capital. — Articles .Manufactured. — Leading Establishments. — 
Locations. — Officers. — Products. — Localities Supplied. — Michigan Car Co. and Detroit Car Wheel 
Co. — Detroit Steel and Spring Works. — Peninsular Car Works. — Russel Wheel and Foundry Co. — 
Detroit Bridge and Iron Works. — Fulton Iron and Engine Works. — Buhl Iron Works. — Eagle Iron 
Works. — Michigan Malleable Iron Co. — Michel's Wood Working Machinerv' Establishment. — National 
Wire and Iron Co. — Detroit Safe Co. — Detroit Bronze Co. — The E. T. Barnum Wire and Iron 
Works. — The Detroit Stove Co. — The Michigan Stove Co. — Peninsular Stove Co. — Eureka Iron 
and Steel Works. — Detroit and Lake Superior Copper Co. — Middlebrook and Post Manufacturing 
Co. — National Pin Co.— The Detroit File Works. — Detroit Emery Wheel Co. — Union Door Knob 
Co. — Detroit Stamping Co. — Parke, Da\'is,& Co., Manufacturing Chemists. — The Stearns Pharma- 
ceutical Manufacturing Co. — Hubel's Capsule Laboratory. — Michigan White Lead and Color 
Works. — Detroit White Lead Works. — Detroit Linseed Oil Co. — Berry Bros. Varnish Factory. — 
Shulte Bros. Soap Factor)'. — Laitner Bros. Brush Factory. — American Eagle Tobacco Co. — Banner 
Tobacco Factory. — Scotten's Hiawatha Tobacco Factory. — Globe Tobacco Factory-. — Burk, Rich 
& Co.'s Cigar Manufactory. — Hargreaves Manufacturing Co. — Richardson Match Factory.-- Clough 
& Warren Organ Co. — M. J. Murphy cS: Co.'s Spring Bed and Chair Factory. — Gray & Baffy, 
Manufacturing L^pholsterers. — Sutton Manufacturing Co. — Mumford, Foster.S; Co.'s Last Factory. — 
Detroit Willow Ware Factory. — Pingree & Smith's Shoe Factor)-. — Vail & Crane's Cracker Fac- 
tory. — Hugh Johnson's Carriage Establishment. — The Johnston Optical Co. 802-836 

CHAPTER LXXX. 

The Liquor Traffic and Temperance Efforts. — Early Difficulties. — Plots and Counter Plots. — 
Brandy for the Savages. — (Jne Glass at a Time. — Cadillac's Brewer)'. — General Rum Store. — 
Suspicious Circumstances. — Early Territorial Licenses. — City Ordinances. — Disorderly Indians. — 
Tavern Licenses. — First Temperance Society. — Later Organizations. — Local Option in 1845. — 
City Votes against Licenses. — State Prohibition of Licenses. — Cough's Lectures. — A Long 
Prayer. — State Law- of 1853. — The Vote on its Adoption. — The Carson League. — Justice Bagg's 
Decision. — Resolution of Liquor Dealers. — Prohibitory Law of 1855. — Success and Failure. — 
Increased Number of Saloons. — Petition of Ladies. — The Sunday Ordinance. — Petitions and 
Remonstrances. — Final Action. — Young Men's Father Mathew Temperance Society. — The 
Women's Crusade. — The Women's Christian Temperance Union. — State Meeting of Liquor 
Dealers. — The Liquor Ta.x Law. — Council Favors Liquor Dealers. — Moffat's Vetoes. — Law and 
Order Meetings. — Supreme Court Decisions. — The Red Ribbon Movement. — Liquor Ta.xes In- 
creased. — Receipts from Liquor Ta.\. — Brewers' Convention. — Women's Christian Temperance 
Union Convention. — Order of White Cross. S37-845 

CHAPTER L X X X I . 

Banks and Currency. — Insurance and Insurance Companies. — Card Money or Playing Card Cur- 
rency. — Pontiac's Due-Bills. — Wampum. — Its Manufacture. — Peltry Currency. — York and 
Halifa.x Currency. — Merchants' Bills. — Cut Money. — A Public Nuisance. — Action of Grand 
Jury. — Proctor's Bills. — Ohio Currency. — Heavy Discounts. — Shinplasters of 1817. — Irresponsible 
Issues. — Father Richard's Scrip. — Governor and Judges' Scrip. — Unreliable Bills. — The United 
States Bank. — Government Deposits Withdrawn. — State Banks as Fi.scal Agents. — Extended 
Facilities. — Bewildering Prosperity. — Enormous Importations. — E.xtravagant Expenditures. — New 
United States Bank. — Jackson's Specie Circular. — Panic of 1837. — Suspen.sion of Detroit Banks. — 
Confidence Gone. — Fortunes Lost. — Disaster Ever)-\vhere. — Dishonest Debtors. — Wildcat 
Banking Law. — Mushroom Banks. — Bogus Certificates. — Nails and Window- (jlass as Specie. — 
Bank Notes by the Bushel. — Wayne County Wildcats. — Officers and Directors. — Bank Commis- 
sioners. — Dishonesty of Bank Officers. — Bank Notes as Wall Paper. — The City in a Quandary. — 



XXXVl TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Panic of 1857. — Its Results. — Crisis of i860. — Stump-Tail Currency. — Treasury Notes. — Disap- 
pearance of Coin. — Postage Stamps as Change. — IVIercantile Scrip and Tokens, -r- Postal Cur- 
rency. — First Greenbacks. — Enormous Premiums for Gold. — National Banks Created. — Panic of 
1873. — Greenbacks Reach Par. — The Detroit Bank. — Petition for Establishment. — Bank Build- 
ing. — Gentle's History of Bank. — Absurd Propositions. — Peculiar Transactions. — Extended Circu- 
lation. — Amazing Issues. — The Governor and Judges as Promoters and Stockholders. — Congress 
Disapproves of the Bank. — The Bank Continues Business. — Governor Hull's Statement. — Bank 
of Michigan. — When Organized. — First Shareholders. — Directors. — Relation to Other Banks. — 
Names of Presidents and Cashiers. — Various Locations. — Erection of Bank Building. — Branch 
Bank of Bronson. — Successful Management. — The Tide Turns. — Termination of Bank. — Farmers 
and Mechanics' Bank. — St. Joseph Branch. — Large Operations. — Enormous Dividends. — Suspen- 
sion of 1837. — Cashier's Duties. — Presidents and Cashiers. — Michigan Insurance Company Bank. — 
Its Banking Powers. — Presidents and Cashiers. — Panic of 1857. — Organization of National Insurance 
Bank. — Michigan State Bank. — Presidents and Cashiers. — Suspension of Bank. — Proposed State 
Bank of Michigan. — Revival of Michigan State Bank. — Successful Termination of Career. — Bank 
of St. Clair. — Officers. — Detroit Savings Bank. — First Officers. — Remarkable Care. — Cashiers and 
Directors. — Peninsular Bank. — Names of Corporators. — Profitable Business. — Disasters Come. — 
Business Wound Up. — State Bank of Michigan. — Officers. — Merged into First National Bank. — The 
New Organization. — Presidents and Cashiers. — Reorganization of 1882. — Directors and Officers. — 
Second National Bank. — Officers and Directors. — Reorganized as Detroit National Bank. — American 
National Bank. — Presidents and Cashiers. — Merchants and Manufacturers' Bank. — Reorganized as 
a National Bank. — Officers and Directors. — The Mechanics' Bank. — Officers. — The People's Sav- 
ings Bank. — Officers. — German American Bank. — Wayne County Savings Bank. — Officers and 
Location. — Safe Deposit Co. — Object. — Advantages. — The City Bank. — When Discontinued. — 
Michigan Savings Bank — Location and Officers. — The Market Bank. — Location and Officers. — 
Commercial National Bank. — Officers. — Directors. — The State Savings Bank. — Officers. — Dime 
Savings Bank. — Officers. — Plymouth and Wyandotte Banks and Officers. — Private Bankers. — Past 
and Present Firms. — Legal Holidays. — (>ro\vth of Bank Capital. — Insurance and Insurance Com- 
panies. — Early Agents. — Detroit Fire and Marine Insurance Company. — Michigan Mutual Life 
Insurance Company. — Western Union Mutual Life and Accident Society. — Commercial Mutual 
Association. — Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance Company. — Standard Life and Accident Insurance 
Company. S46-87 5 



PART XL-COMMUNICATION. 

CHAPTER L X X X I I . 

The Post Office and Mails. — Telegraph and Telephones. — Army Expenses. — Indian Messengers. — 
First Post Road. — Post Office Established. — Irregular Mails. — Blowing the Horn. — Daily Mails 
from East Begin. — Mail Regulations in 1S32 and 1837. — First Mails through Canada. — Postal 
Rates at Various Times. — Singular Provisions. — Introduction of Envelopes and Stamps. — First Postal 
Cards. — Receipts for Postage at Detroit by Decades. — The Registry System. — Money Orders and 
Postal Notes. — Amounts Sent and Received. — Free Delivery System. — Growth of Service. — Office 
Force and Salaries. — Various Post Office Locations. — Erection of Government Building. — Loca- 
tion. — Description. — Names of Postmasters. — How Abbott Received Norvell. — Telegraphs and 
Telephones. — First Exhibition of Telegraph. — The Speed, O'Reilly, and Snow Lines. — First Mes- 
sages East and West. — "The Telegroff Wurking." — Location of Offices. — Northern Michigan 
Line. — River Cables. — First News by Atlantic Cable. — General Rejoicings. — LTnited States Tele- 
graphic Co. — Atlantic and Pacific Lines. — American L'nion Line. — District Telegraph Systems. — 
Apparatus and Messengers. — First Exhibition of Telephone. — Growth in Use of Telephone. — 
State Telephone System. 879-886 

C H A P T E R L X X X I I I . 

Journeying. — Transportation Facilities. — Express Companies. ^ — First Horses. — French Ponies. — 
Ride and Tic Method. — Indian Trails. — Bridle Paths. — To Washington and Back on Horseback. — 
French Carts. — The First Carriage. — First Four Wheeled Wagon. — Governor Cass as a Bor- 
rower. — First Stages. — Stage Routes and Time. — Public Hacks. — Omnibus Lines. — Transporta- 
tion Facilities. — Freight Rates. — Pack Horses. — Opening of Erie and Welland Canals. — Naviga- 
tion of the Huron. — The Five Million Loan. — Internal Improvements. — Defunct Enterprises. — 
St. Mary's Falls Ship Canal. — Freight Lines. — Great Changes. — River Ferriage. — Bridge and 
Tunnel Projects. — Plans and Counter Plans. — Wheat Elevators. — Drays and Trucks. — Package 
and Baggage Co. — Express Companies. — When Established. — Location of Offices. — Names of 
Agents.' ' 8S7-892 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXXVll 



CHAPTER L X X X I V. 

Railroads. — The Prophecy of the Gazette. — Pontiac and Detroit Railroad. — New Corporation. — Build- 
uVfi the Road. — Sink-Holes. — First Locomotive. — First Passenger Coaches. — Slow Time. — Strap 
Rails.— First Passenger Depot. — E.xtension Down Gratiot Road.— Track Torn Up by the People.— 
Road E.Ntended to Campus Martius. — Depot Buildings. — New Proprietors. —Consolidation with 
Oakland & Ottawa R. R. — Date of Completion to Various Stations.— Financial History.— Principal 
Officers and Terms. — Michigan Central Railroad. — Original Estimates. — Local Subscriptions. — 
Subscriptions horn City of Detroit. — Remarkable Economy. — Completion of Road to Ypsilanti. — 
E.xcursion and Celebration. — A Locomotive and Train Drawn by Horse-Power. — Newspaper 
Notices. — Road Opened to Ann Arbor. — f)ate of Completion to Various Points. — Political Com- 
plaints. — Sale of Road. — Proposed Cut in Woodward Avenue. — The Track on Woodward Avenue 
and Atwater Street. — Third Street Depot First Used. — Property on River and at Junction. — Strife 
with Michigan Southern R. R. — Road Completed to Chicago. — Lines of Boats to Buffalo and 
Cleveland. — Railroad Conspiracy Case. — Dates of Extensive Fires. — Introduction of Sleeping 
Cars. — Passenger Traffic and Earnings by Decades. — Principal Officers and Terms. — Chicago & 
Canada Southern R. R. — Fast Time. — Officers. — Detroit & Bay City R. R.— Date of Completion 
to Various Points. — Lake Shore & Michigan Southern R. R. — Original Charter. — First Locomo- 
tive.— First Ground Broken. — Date of Opening between Various Stations. — Sale of Road. — Detroit 
and Toledo Line. — Local Officers and Terms. — Detroit, Hillsdale & Southwestern R. R. — City 
Aid Sought. — Voters Refuse. — Completion of Road. — Great Western R. R.— Meeting in and 
Aid from Detroit. — Road Completed to Windsor. — Great Celebration. — Municipal Extrava- 
gance. — Third Rail Laid. — Ferriage of Freight and Passenger Cars. — Chicago, Detroit & Canada 
G.T. Junction R. R.— Detroit Agents. — Flint & Pere Marquette R. R. — Detroit, Lansing & North- 
em R. R. — City Aid Sought. — 8300,000 \'oted. — Law Unconstitutional. — Bonds Invalid. — Com- 
pletion of Road. — Detroit. Mackinaw & Marquette R. R. — Officers. — Detroit, Butler & St. Louis 
R. R. — $200,000 Donated bv Citizens. — .-Xgents at Detroit.— Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton R. R. — 
Route and Agents. — Detroit Union R. R. Station and Depot Co. — R. R. Bridges and Gates. — 
Where Located. — A Double Bridge. . 893-906 

CHAPTER LXXXV. 

Navigation on Rivers and Lakes. — Canoes and Dug-outs. — Birch Bark Canoes. — Expedition to 
Upper Lakes. — Mackinaw Boats. — Pirogues. — The First Sail Vessels. — The Griffon and Lake 
Ste. Claire.— Celebration of 1 879. — Schooners During Pontiac War. — Revolutionary War \'essels.— 
Later \'essels. — Chicago Colonized from Detroit. — Arrival of the " Walk-in-the- Water." — Notice 
from "Gazette."— The "Superior" and Her Successors. — The Steamboat Michigan. — Increase of 
Steamboat Travel. — Venturesome Vessels. — Campau's Opinion. — Sinking of the Atlantic. — 
Detroit and Cleveland Line. —Its History. — Names of Boats and Routes. — Direct Shipments to 
Liverpool. — Tugs. — Detroit Dry Dock Co. —Officers and Facilities. — List of Steamers Built at 
Detroit. — Yearly List of First .Arrivals and Departures. — Number and Tonnage of Vessels Arriving 
and Departing. — The First Ferries. — Rates of Ferriage. — The Horse-Boat. — Osborn's Poem. — 
Later Ferries. — Harbor and Harbor Masters. 907-917 

CH.APTER LXXXVI. 

United States Lake Survey.— Lighthouses and Their Construction. — Life Saving Service.— 
Harbor Improvements. — Inspector of Steamboats. — Signal Service. — Marine Hospital.— 

Navigators' Charts. — Survey of Lakes Petitioned for. — First Appropriation. — Immense Benefits.— 
Methods of Work.— Issuing of Charts. —Valuable Instruments.— Officers in Charge.— Lighthouses.— 
Their Construction and Repair. — Lighthouse Engineers. — Names and Terms. — Lighthouse 
Districts. — Care of Lighthouses and Buoys. — Supply and Storage Depot. — Lighthouses on 
River. — Location. — When Erected. — Kind of Light. — Names and Terms of Inspectors.— Life 
Saving Service. — District Headquarters. — Appliances. — Stations. — Superintendents. — Harbor 
Improvements. — First Appropriation.— Yearly Expenditures. — Officers in Charge. — Inspectors of 
Steamboats.— Duties of Inspectors. — Engineers and Pilots' Licenses.— Supervising and Local Inspec- 
tors.— Names and Terms. — The Signal Ser\^ice. — When Organized.— The Takmg of Obsena- 
tions. — Description of Instruments. — Weather Maps and Storm Signals. — Names of Observers. — 
Marine Hospital. — Description of Building. — How Supported. — Patients and Disbursements.— 
Surgeons and Stewards. 918-924 

CHAPTER LXXXVI I. 

Military and Plank Roads. — Streets and Street Paving. — Side and Cross Walks. — Street Rail- 
roads. — Street and Road Officers. — Board of Public Works. — Lack of Roads. — ( .ovcrnment 
Highways. — When Established. — Proposed Lottcrj- to Build a Road. — Bad Roads and Costly 
File!.— Sloughs and Delav. — Restricted Traffic. — First Plank Roads. — Pioneer Experiments.— 
Unsatisfactor>' Results. — improved Methods. — Large Expenditures. — Great Advantages. — Rates 



Xxxviii TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



of Toll. — Length of Roads. — Number of Gates. — .Streets and Street Paving. — Picturesque 
Scenes. — Narrow Ways. — Fast Driving Prohibited. — A Blessing in Disguise. — Woodward's Fore- 
sight. — W!ide Avenues. — Encroachments of Citizens. — Improper Subdivisions. — Supervision of 
Plats. — Street Openings. — Costly Experiences. — Widening of Streets. — Closing of Streets. — 
Notable Instances. — Cemetery Lane. — Bolivar Alley. — Dequindre Street. — Peculiar Localities. — 
Corktown. — Dutchtown. — Kentucky. — Polacktown. — Piety Hill. — Peddler's Point. — Swill Point. — 
The Potomac. — The Heights. — A Long Street. — Lafayette Avenue in Winter. — Characteristics 
of Woodward Avenue. — Griswold Street Features. — A Pun in Verse. — Former Condition of 
Streets. — Stalled Teams. — Convict Labor. — First Paving. — Kind and Location. — Specifications 
of 1835. — Extensive Wood Paving. — Moffat's Opposition. — Paving Bonds. — Repairing and Re- 
paving. — Street Cleaning. — Street Sweeping Machines. — Length of Paved Streets and Alleys. — 
Primitive Sidewalks. — Brick, Plank, and Stone Walks. — Cross Walks and Crossing Sweepers. — The 
Streets in 1850. — Poetical Description. — Care of Sidewalks. — Claims for Accidents. — Street Rail- 
roads. — Names of Lines. — Routes. — When Opened. — Length of Routes. — Number of Cars and 
Horses. — Time of Trip. — Rates of Fare. — Taxation of Lines. — Transit Railroads. — Location. — 
How Operated. — Road Supervisors and Duties. — koad Districts and Officers. — -Ward Supervisors 
and Overseers. — Street Commissioners and Duties. ^ City^urveyors. — Duties and Names. — Commis- 
sioners on Plan of the City. — Duties and Names. — ^Commissioners of Grades. — Powers. — Names 
of Commissioners. — Board of Public Works. — When Established. — Powers and Duties. — Names 
of Engineers and Commissioners. 925-936 

CHAPTER L X X X V I 1 1 . 

Street Names and Their Origin. — Changes in Names. — A Curious Melange. — Names of Past and 
Present Streets. — First Record of Names. — Origin of and Reason for Names. — Changes in 
Names. — Dates of Changes. — Woodward's Puns. — McCabe's Natnes for Alleys. — Historiographer's 
Report. — Street Names as Historic Memorials. 937-94^ 



PART XII— SUPPLEMENTAL. 

CHAPTER L X X X 1 X. 

Annals of Detroit. — History Epitomized. — Different Epochs. — Curious, Significant, and Interesting 
Events. — Local. Religious, and Political Meetings. — Governmental and Business Changes. — Import- 
ant Judicial and Military Occasions. — Noted Meetings and Conventions. — Date of Visits of Authors, 
Statesmen. Politicians, and Prominent Personages. — Noted Celebrations. — Important Citizens' Meet- 
ings. — Notable Storms and Disasters. — First Arrival and Departure of Steamboats. — Railroad 
Trains. — Telegraphic Messages. — Local Excitements of Various Kinds. — Dates of Interesting 
Exhibitions. — Lectures. — Gaines and Entertainments. — The First Street Lighting. — Water 
Pipes. — Steam Fire Engines. — Street Railroads, Etc. 951-976 

APPENDIX A . 

French Farms or Private Claims. — Acres in Claims. — Names of Original Claimants. — Dates of Con- 
firmation. — Later Designations. — Discrepancies in Numbers. — Duplicate Numbers. 977-982 

APPENDIXB. 

City Charters, Amendments, and Special Laws. — The First Corporation. — Later Charters. — Amend- 
ments. — Chief Characteristics. 983-988 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



1 ' Old Carmelite Church (now a prison), 

where Cadillac's bones repose. Frontispiece. 

Page 

2 Map showing route of former streams 

and old river line, 9 

3 Windmill Point, on Bela Hubbard Farm, 

and the river in 183S. 10 

4 Reduced fac- simile of the Governor 

and Judges' Plan, 30 

5 Plan of Detroit in 1749, 32 

6 Map of the city in 1796, 33 

7 Reduced fac-simile of the Lewis Map of 

the Governor and Judges' proposed 
Plan, 34 

8 Map of additions to the city limits, 35 

9 Specimen of tornado work. From a 

photograph, 47 

10 Entrance to Mt. Elliott Cemetery, 53 

1 1 Map of Mt. Elliott Cemeterj'. 54 

12 Entrance to Elmwood Cemetery, 56 

1 3 Entrance to Woodmere Cemetery, 56 

14 The Old Round House, foot of Orleans 

Street, 65 

15 Old Reservoir and Embankment, 66 

16 Plan of New Water Works, 67 

17 The New Water Works Engine-House 

and Tower of Stand Pipe, 68 

18 One of the Water Works Engines, 69 

19 Plan of Belle Isle Park, 76 

20 Police Station, Belle Isle, 77 

21 Superintendent's House, Belle Isle, 77 

22 Map of Northwest Territory under Or- 

dinance of 1787 and Treaties of 1783 
and 1795, ^5 

23 Seal of Northwest Territory, 86 

24 Map of Northwest Territory. Law of 

May 7, 1800, 86 

25 Map of Indiana Territory, Law of .Vpril 

30, 1802, 

26 Seal of Indiana Territory, 

27 Map of Territory' of Michigan, Law of 

January 11, 1805, 

28 Seal of Territory of Michigan, e.xact .size, 

29 Map of Michigan Territory, Law of 

April 19, 1 8 16, ' 88 

30 Map of Michigan Territory-, Law of 56 

April 18.1818, 89 

[xxxix] 



3' 

32 

33 
34 
35 
36 

37 



39 
40 

41 
42 

43 
44 
45 
46 

47 



49 



50 



51 



87 




87 


52 


88 


53 


88 


54 




55 



Map of Michigan Territory. Law of 

June 28. 1834. 
Map of State of Michigan. Law of April 

20, 1836, 
Great Seal of State of Michigan. 
General Grant's Old Home, 
Fac-simile of letter from \j . S. Grant. 
Election Cut from Advertiser. ( Ictober 

22, 1840, 
Election Cut from Advertiser. October 

15. 1852, 
Election Cut from Tribune, November 

5. 1856, 
Election Scene, — First State Election. 
Reduced fac-simile of First Proclama- 
tion establi.'ihing Wayne County. 
Map of Wayne County. Proclamation of 

August 15, 1796, 
Map of Wayne County, Law of May 7, 

1800, 
Map of Wayne County. Proclamation of 

July 10, 1800, 
Map of Wayne Ccxmty. Law of April 

30. 1802, 
Map of Wayne County, Proclamation of 

January 14, 1803, 
Map of Wayne County. Law of J;uiuary 

II, 1805, 
Map of Wayne County. Proclamation 

of November 21. 1815, 
Map of Wayne County, Proclamation 

of October 18, 1816, 
Map of Wayne County, Proclamation 

of July 14, 1817, 
Map of Wayne County, Proclamation 

of January 15, 1818, 
Map of Wayne County, Proclamation 

of September 10. 1822, 
Map of Wayne County. Law of No- 
vember 20. 1826, 
Township Map of Wayne County, 
Seal of the City, 
Fac-simile of i2>^-cent .shinplaster of 

1838, 
Fac-simile of 18^- cent shinplaster of 

1841, 



Pace 
89 

90 

91 
104 
105 

109 



I 10 
I 12 

IlS 

119 

119 

119 

120 

120 



122 
129 
138 

153 

•54 



xl 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



57 
58 
59 

60 
61 

62 

63 

64 

65 
66 

67 

68 
69 

70 

71 
72 
73 
74 
75 

76 

77 

78 
79 

80 

81 
82 

83 

84 
85 

86 
87 



89 
90 

91 
92 

93 
94 
95 
96 

97 



Fac-simileof 25-cent shinplasterof 1838, 

Fac-simile of 50-cent shinplaster of 1837, 

Former County Building, southeast cor- 
ner of Griswold and Congress Streets. 

Gratiot Avenue Police Station, 

Trumbull Avenue Police Station, 

Central Police Station, 

Grand River Avenue (sub) Police Station, 

Police Headquarters, 

Old Block House, Jefferson Avenue. 

Old Jail, on site now occupied by l^iblic 
Library, 

Sheriff's Residence, Jail, and Police 
Court Room, 

Detroit House of Correction, 

Superintendent's House — House of Cor- 
rection, 

Old U. S. Arsenal, corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Wayne Street, 

Officers' Quarters at Fort Wayne, 

Old Pontiac Tree, 

Pontiac's Conspiracy revealed. 

Signature of J. F. Hamtramck, 

Reduced fac-simile of Hull's Proclama- 
tion to the Canadians, 

Reduced fac-simile of printed .Articles of 
Capitulation of General Hull, 

Reduced fac-simile of Proctor's lYoclam- 
ations of 181 2 and 1813, 

Presentation of Colors to First Regiment, 

Triumphal Arch erected in honor of Col. 
O. B. Willcox. 

Death of Lincoln. — Meeting on the 
Campus Martius. April 16, 1S65, 

Soldiers and Sailors' Monument, 

Fac-simile of Cadillac's Signature, 

Detroit Club House, 

Old Masonic Hall. 

Old Odd Fellows' Hall. Woodward 
Avenue, 1857, 

Odd Fellows' Hall, head of Monroe Ave. 

Handbill of Underground Railroad, 
fac-simile, yi, size. 

The John Brown House, 

Recreation Park, Entrance and Recep- 
tion Building, 

Concert handbill of fifty years ago, 
fac-simile, >^ size. 

Harmonic Hall, 

Store of C. J. Whitney, 

Store of Roe Stephens, 

The Watson Gallery, 
Randall's Photographic Studio, 

Plan of Art Loan Building, 

Former Store of M. S. Smith & Co., 
Present Store of M. S. Smith & Co., 



Pace 




'55 


99 


,56 I 


00 


194 I 


01 


207 




207 I 


02 


208 I 


03 


208 I 


04 


209 1 


05 


215 


06 




07 


215 


08 


216 


09 


217 






10 


218 


1 1 




12 


224 


■3 


225 


14 


239 


15 


241 




268 


16 




17 


275 


18 




19 


278 


20 




21 


279 


->-» 


306 


23 




124 


307 


25 




26 


3"9 


27 


312 


28 


326 


29 


340 


30 


342 


31 




32 


343 


33 


343 


34 




35 


347 


3^' 


34S 


37 




38 


352 


39 




40 


354 


41 


355 


42 


356 


43 


356 


44 


359 


'45 


360 


146 


36. 


'47 


363 


148 


363 


149 



Page 

View of Detroit in 1796, 367 
River front of Cass and Jones farms in 

1S19. 368 
Part of St. Anne Street (now Jefferson 

Avenue) in 1800, 368 

The Old Cass House on Larned Street, 369 

Old Moran House, 372 

The Old Lafferty House, 372 

Residence of Gov. Wm. Woodbridge, 373 

Governor Hull's Residence, 373 

The Campau House, 373 
Former Gothic Residence of T. H. 

Hinchman, 374 
Reduced fac-simile of Map showing lo- 
cation of all buildings in 1853, 375 
The James Abbott Residence, 376 
The John Palmer Residence, 376 
The John Farrar Residence, 377 
The John Farmer Property, 377 
The Cass Residence on Fort Street, 377 
The Duffield Homestead, Woodward 

Avenue, 378 

The Brush Homestead, Randolph Street, 378 

Residence of William Barclay, 379 

Former Residence of Solomon Davis, 379 

Residence of Mrs. James A. Van Dyke, 380 

Francis Palms, 380 

James Flattery, 381 

R. H. Hall, 381 

E. B. Wight, 382 

A. H. Dey, 382 

A. C. McGraw, 383 

A. E. Brush, 383 

John S. Newberry, 384 

James McMillan, 385 

W. G. Thompson, 3S6 

H. R. Newberr>', 386 

Thomas Ferguson, 387 

S. D. Miller, 387 

Robert P. Toms, 388 

Mrs. H. E. Benson, 38S 

The Thomas Palmer Homestead, 389 

Residence of W. K. Muir, 389 

Chauncy Hurlbut, 390 

George McMillan, 390 

Hugh Moffat, 391 

George S. Davis, 391 

S. B. Grumraond, 392 

Mrs. Charles Ducharme, 392 

S. D. Elwood, 393 

Wm. B. Wesson, 393 

J. Greenslade, 394 

J. Michels, 394 

C. I. Walker, 395 

John Owen, 395 

G. V. N. Lothrop, 396 





LIST OF ILLUSTR 


ATIONS. 


xli 






P.\GE 






Page 


I50 


Residence of Charles Root, 


396 


205 


Residence of J. G. Dickinson. 


424 


•51 


Henry P. Baldwin, 


397 


206 


Edward Burk, 


425 


152 


J. F. Joy. 


398 


207 


J. E. Scripps, 


425 


153 


Mrs. Zachariah Chandler, 


398 


20S 


H. H. LeRoy, 


426 


'54 


H. A. Newland, 


399 


209 


E. S. Heineman, 


426 


'55 


Caleb Van Husan. 


399 


210 


Mrs. L. R. Medbury, 


427 


.56 


Alfred Chesebrough and 




211 


C. J. Whitney, 


427 




Charles Buncher, 


399 


212 


D. Whitney, Jr., 


428 


'57 


Allan Shelden, 


400 


213 


John Pridgeon, 


428 


158 


Former Residence of George S. Frost, 


400 


214 


J. S. Farrand, 


429 


'59 


Residence of Benjamin Vernor, 


401 


215 


Samuel Heavenrich, 


429 


i6o 


Don IVI. Dickinson, 


401 


216 


Mrs. H. S. Frue, 


430 


i6i 


Mrs. N. W. Brooks, 


402 


217 


R. W. King. 


430 


162 


The De Garmo Jones Residence, 


402 


218 


William C. Williams, 


431 


'63 


Residence of Alexander Delano, 


403 


219 


Philo Parsons, 


431 


164 


Mrs. T. F. Abbott, 


403 


220 


F. W. Haves, 


432 


165 


J. P. Phillips, 


404 


221 


W. W. Leggett. 


432 


166 


Clement Lafferty, 


404 


222 


J. Babillion, 


433 


167 


Emily Ward, 


405 


223 


J. L. Edson, 


433 


168 


Henry Heames, 


405 


224 


Joseph Black, 


434 


169 


Edwin Reeder, 


406 


225 


A. G. Lindsay, 


434 


170 


W. E. Lovett, 


406 


226 


R. H. Fyfe, 


435 


171 


F. Buhl, 


407 


227 


B. F. Farrington, 


435 


172 


Bela Hubbard, 


408 


228 


Henry Stephens, 


436 


'73 


Daniel Scotten, 


40S 


229 


C. D. Farlin. 


437 


174 


C. H. Buhl, 


409 


230 


George F. Moore, 


437 


175 


Wm. Brodie, 


409 


23' 


John Burt, 


438 


176 


M. S. Smith, 


410 


232 


Wells Burt, 


438 


177 


T. D. Buhl, 


410 


233 


William A. Moore, 


439 


178 


George W. Bissell, 


4>i 


234 


W. H. Stevens, 


439 


179 


E. Y. Swift, 


4" 


235 


Thomas W. Palmer, 


440 


180 


Wm. A. Butler, 


412 


236 


L. L. Farnsworth, 


44' 


181 


\V. H. Tefft, 


412 


237 


Mrs. E. C. Eaton, 


441 


182 


Former Residence of Alfred Russell, 


413 


238 


C. A. Newcomb, 


442 


'83 


Residence of George C. Langdon, 


413 


239 


C. C. Bowen, 


442 


184 


D. M. Richardson, 


414 


240 


W. Boeing, 


443 


185 


George H. Hammond, 


414 


241 


C. R. Mabley, 


443 


186 


Neil Flattery, 


415 


242 


Charles Endicott, 


444 


.87 


Rt. Rev. C. H. Borgess, 


4'5 


243 


W. J. Waterman, 


444 


188 


J. \V. Waterman, 


416 


244 


H. K. White, 


445 


189 


Robert McMillan, 


416 


245 


G. S. Wormer, 


445 


190 


the late M. I. Mills, 


417 


246 


A. H. Wilkinson. 


446 


191 


John Moore, 


417 


247 


D. M. Ferry, 


446 


192 


Mrs. John J. Bagley, 


418 


248 


Simon Heavenrich, 


447 


193 


the late S. F. Hodge, 


418 


249 


George C. Codd, 


447 


•94 


David Preston, 


419 


250 


G. M. Traver, 


448 


19s 


J. S. Vernor. 


419 


251 


Elisha Taylor, 


448 


.96 


E. W. Voigt, 


420 


252 


A. E. F. White, 


449 


197 


J. B. Wayne, 


420 


253 


James V. Campbell, 


449 


198 


J. A. Roys, 


421 


254 


George Jerome, 


450 


'99 


Alanson Sheley, 


421 


255 


G. S. Frost, 


451 


200 


G. 0. Robinson, 


422 


256 


C. W. Noble, . 


451 


201 


David Ward, 


422 


257 


the late H. P. Bridge, 


452 


202 


0. W. Shipman, 


423 


258 


Former Residence of W. and W. S. 




203 


F. B. Dickerson, 


423 




Harsha, 


452 


204 


William Cowie, 


424 


259 


Residence of T. P. Hall. Grosse Pointe, 


453 



xl 



u 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



260 Residences of John S. Newberry and 

James McMillan, Grosse Pointe, 

261 Residences of H. B. Ledyard and Hugh 

McMillan, Grosse Pointe, 

262 Residence of J. I. David, Grosse Isle, 

263 Residence of the late Edward Lyon. 

Grosse Isle, 

264 The Smart Block — Present site of Mer- 

rill Block, 

265 View of north side of Jefferson Avenue 

and Grisvvold Street in 1837, 

266 Northwest corner of Woodward Avenue 

and Larned Street in 1862, 

267 The Abbott Block in 1845. 

268 The Rotunda Building-, 

269 View of southwest corner of Griswold 

and Larned Streets in 1870, 

270 The Campau Building — D. Preston & 

Co.'s Bank ; Commercial National 
Bank, 

271 The Newberry & McMillan Building, 

272 The CoyI Block, 

273 The Merrill Block, 

274 The Ferry Building — Newcomb, Endi- 

cott, & Co.'s Store, 

275 The Wesson Building — Taylor, Wool- 

fenden, & Co.'s Store, 

276 The Cleland Building, 

277 The Moffat Building, 

278 J. E. Pittman's Coal Dock, foot of Rio- 

pelle Street, 

279 Old Council House — original appearance, 
2 So Council House — as enlarged, 

28 1 Old Court House or Capitol, 

282 Fac-simile of Scrip issued by the Gov- 

ernor and Judges, 

283 Old City Hall and Surroundings, 

284 The City Hall, 

285 .\rbeiter Hall, 

286 Detroit Opera House — Stores of J. L. 

Hudson, 

287 Whitney's Opera House, 

288 Former Music Hall, — now White's 

Grand Theatre, 

289 Woodworth's Steamboat Hotel. 

290 The Mansion House, 

291 National Hotel in 1846, 

292 The Russell House, 

293 Andrew's Railroad Hotel and Pontiac 

Depot, 

294 Perkins' Hotel, 

295 Eisenlord House, 

296 Burning of First Presbyterian Church, 

297 Old No. I, — "The Goose Neck," 

298 An Old Fire-bucket, 

299 Old Firemen's Hall, 



300 



454 



455 


303 


456 


304 


456 






305 


457 






306 


457 






307 


458 




458 


308 


459 






309 


459 


310 




3" 


461 


3'2 


402 
463 


313 


464 






314 


465 


315 




3.6 


466 




467 


317 


468 


318 




3'9 


470 


320 


472 


321 


472 




473 


322 


474 


323 


476 


324 


477 




478 


325 




326 


478 




479 


327 




328 


479 




480 


329 


48. 


330 


482 


33' 


483 


332 




333 


4S4 




485 


334 


4S7 


335 


495 


336 


503 


337 


505 




506 


33S 



Old No. 5 Engine House, Clifford Street, 

A ■' Mose " of the Olden Time, 

The Banner of Old No. 4, 

Old Joe, the Firemen's Dog, 

Clifford Street Engine House, and 
Steamer No. 3 ready for Funeral Pro- 
cession of President Lincoln, 

Fire Commissioners' Office and Engine 
Houses, 

Engine House, corner of Larned and St. 
Antoine Stredts, 

Engine House, corner of Larned and 
Riopelle Streets, 

Engine House, corner of Fort Street and 
Elmwood Avenue, 

Engine House, Eighteenth Street. 

Engine House, Hastings Street, between 
Congress and Larned Streets, 

Engine House, Alexandrine Avenue, 

Engine House, corner of High and Rus- 
sell Streets, 

Engine House, corner of Sixth and 
Baker Streets, 

Engine House. Montcalm Street, 

Engine House, Clifford .Street, 

Engine House, Sixteenth Street, head of 
Bagg Street, 

A Steam Fire Engine, 

Firemen's Hall, Jefferson Avenue, 

First Page of St. Anne's Records, 

Residence erected by Bishop Rese, 

St. Anne's Catholic Church, original ap- 
pearance, 

St. Anne's Catholic Church, present ap- 
pearance. 

Holy Trinity Catholic Church. 

Memorial Tablet in Holy Trinity Catho- 
lic Church 

St. Mary's Catholic Church. 

Residence of Franciscan Fathers of .St. 
Mary's Church, 

Priest's Residence St. Anne's Church, 

Catholic Church and former Cathedral 
of SS. Peter and Paul, 

Original St. Joseph's Church, 

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 

St. Anthony's German Catholic Church, 

St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and 
Priest's House, 

Catholic Church of Our Lady of Help, 

St. Boniface Catholic Church, 

St. Albert's Catholic Church, 

St. Aloysius Catholic Pro-Cathedral and 
Priest's House, 

New St. Albert's Catholic Church. 



P.M.Ii 

507 
508 
510 
511 



512 

5'3 

514 

5'4 

515 
515 

516 
516 

517 

518 
518 
519 

520 
521 

522 
528 

533 

534 

534 
536 

537 
538 

538 
538 

539 
540 
540 
541 
541 

542 
542 
543 
544 

544 

545 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



xliii 



339 

34° 

341 
342 
343 

344 

345 

346 

347 

348 

349 

350 

351 

352 
353 
354 
355 
356 

357 

358 

359 
360 

361 

362 
363 

364 
365 
366 

367 

368 
369 



St. Joachim's French Catholic Church 
and School, 

Sacred Heart German Catholic Church 
and School, 

St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 

Catholic Church of Holy Redeemer, 

St. Cassimer Catholic Polish School and 
Church, 

St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and 
Monastery, 

Grotto at Church of the Assumption — 
Connor's Creek, 

First Protestant, afterwards Trinity Cath- 
olic Church, 

Fac-simile of Scrip issued by First Pro- 
testant Society, 

Reduced fac-simile of Articles of Incor- 
poration of First Methodist Episcopal 
Church, 1st page. 

Reduced fac-simile of Articles of Incor- 
poration of First Methodist Episcopal 
Church, 2d page. 

Reduced fac-simile of Articles of Incor- 
poration of First Methodist Episcopal 
Church, 3d page, 

Reduced fac-simile of Articles of Incor- 
poration of First Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 4th page. 

First Methodist Episcopal Church — ori- 
ginal brick building. 

First Methodist Episcopal Church, corner 
Woodward Ave. and State Street, 

Central Methodist Episcopal Church — 
Chapel and Parsonage. 

Congress Street Methodist Episcopal 
Church, 

Original Lafayette Street Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, 

Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church, 

Walnut Street JSIethodist Episcopal 
Church, 

Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church, 

Jefferson Avenue Methodist Episcopal 
Church, 

Palmer Memorial Methodist Episcopal 
Church, 

Fort Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 

Sixteenth Street Methodist Episcopal 
Church, 

Junction Methodist Episcopal Church, 

Delray Methodist Episcopal Church, 

Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, 

First German Methodist Epi.scopal 
Church, 

Asbury Methodist Episcopal Chapel, 
Cass .'\ venue Methodist Episcopal Chapel, 



e;j.6 


370 


54^ 


371 


546 




546 


372 


547 






373 


547 




548 


374 


548 




556 


375 
376 


557 


377 
378 


560 


379 
380 

381 


56! 


382 


562 
563 


383 
384 
385 
386 


565 


387 


566 


38S 


568 


389 


570 


390 


570 


391 


570 


392 


571 
571 


393 




394 


572 


395 


572 


396 


573 


397 
398 


573 


399 


574 


400 


574 


401 


574 


402 




403 


575 


404 


575 
575 


405 
406 



Second German Methodi.st Episcopal 

Church, 576 
Thirty-second Street German Methodist 

Episcopal Church, 576 
Lafayette Street African Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, 577 
Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal 

Church, 577 
liethel Church of Evangelical Associa- 
tion — Original Building, 578 
Bethel Church of Evangelical Associa- 
tion — Second Building 57S 
St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church, 582 
Christ Protestant Episcopal Church — 

Original Building. 583 

Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, 583 

.St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church, 584 

St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, 585 

Grace Protestant Episcopal Church, 586 
St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal 

Church, 587 
Emanuel Memorial Protestant Episco- 
pal Church, 587 
All Saints' Protestant Epscopal Mission, 588 
St. James's Protestant Episcopal Church, 588 
Protestant Episcopal Mission of Messiah, 589 
St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Mission 

Chapel, 589 
Good Shepherd Protestant Episcopal 

Mission, 589 
St. Barnabas' Protestant Episcopal Mis- 
sion, 590 
Holy Trinity Protestant Episcopal Mis- 
sion, 59° 
St. Luke's Protestant Epi5co])al Memo- 
rial Church, 590 
Original St. Matthew's Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, 591 
St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal 

Church, 59' 
St. Joseph's Protestant Episcopal Memo- 
rial Chapel. 591 
Epiphany Reformed Episcopal Church, 592 
View of Churches on Woodward Ave- 
nue in 1S49, 594 
First Presbyterian Church, 595 
Central Presbyterian Church, 596 
Fort Street Presbyterian Church, 597 
Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church. 598 
Frontenac Avenue Presbyterian Mission, 599 
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 599 
Calvary Presbyterian Church, 600 
Union Presbyterian Church, 601 
Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 
Trumbull Avenue Presbyterian Chapel, 602 
United Presbyterian Church, 602 



XllV 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



407 Dutch Reformed Church, 

408 Original Building of First Baptist Church, 

409 Baptist Church, corner of Fort and Gris- 

wold Streets — First Brick Building, 

410 Baptist Church, corner of Fort and Gris- 

wold Streets — Second Brick Building, 

411 Cass Avenue Baptist Church, 

412 Second Baptist Church (colored), 

413 Lafayette Avenue Baptist Church, 

414 First German Baptist Church, 

415 Eighteenth Street Baptist Church, 

416 Twelfth Street Baptist Church, 

417 Second German Baptist Church, 
41S Clinton Avenue Baptist Chapel, 

419 Clinton Avenue Baptist Church, 

420 French Baptist Church, 

"^ 421 F'irst Congregational Church — Original 
Building, 

422 First Congregational Church, Fort Street, 

423 Second Congregational Church, 

424 Trumbull Ave. Congregational Church, 

425 Springwells Congregational Church, 

426 Harper Avenue Congregational Mission 

Chapel, 

427 Mt. Hope Avenue Congregational Mis- 

sion Chapel, 
42S View of Monroe Avenue and St. John's 
Church in 1S72, 

429 First German Evangelical Protestant St. 

John's Church and School, 

430 Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 

431 St. Mark's German Evangelical Church, 

432 St. Paul's German Evangelical Church, 

Seventeenth Street, 

433 Original Immanuel Evangelical Luth- 

eran Church, 

434 Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 

435 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 

436 St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 

Joseph Campau Avenue, 

437 St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran 

Church, 
43S Zion German Reformed Church, 

439 St. Peter's German Evangelical Lutheran 

Church, 

440 Salem German Evangelical Lutheran 

Church, 

441 St. Luke's German Evangelical Church, 

442 St. John's Independent Lutheran Church, 

443 Washington Ave. Christian Church, 

444 Disciples of Christ Church, 

445 Mission Church of Disciples of Christ. 

446 New Jerusalem Church. 

447 Congregational Unitarian Church, 

448 Church of Our Father — LTniversalist, 

449 Third Avenue Mission Chapel, 



Page 
603 


450 


605 


451 




452 


605 


453 


606 


454 


607 


455 


607 


456 


608 


457 


608 


458 


609 


459 


609 


460 


610 




610 


461 


610 


462 


611 


463 




464 


613 


465 


6t4 


466 


615 




6.5 


467 


616 


468 




469 


616 






470 


616 






471 


617 


472 




473 


618 


474 


619 


475 


619 


476 




477 


619 


478 




479 


620 


480 


620 


481 


620 


482 




483 


621 


484 




4S5 


621 


486 


622 






487 


622 


488 




489 


622 


490 


623 


491 


623 




624 


492 


625 


493 


625 


494 


626 


495 


626 


496 


627 


497 


628 


498 



Beth El Synagogue, 

Synagogue of Shaary Zedec, 

County Insane Asylum and Poorhouse, 

St. Vincent's Catholic Female Orphan 
Asylum, 

Protestant Orphan Asylum, 

St. Mary's Hospital — original building, 

St. Mary's Hospital — new building. 

Old Industrial School, 

New Industrial School, 

St. Joseph's Retreat for the Insane, 

St. Luke's Hospital, Church Home and 
Orphanage, 

Harper Hospital — original building. 

Harper Hospital — new building. 

Home of the Friendless, 

Women's Hospital and Foundlings' Home 

House of Providence, 

The Little Sisters' Home for the Aged 
Poor, 

The Thompson Home, 

Zoar Orphan Asylum, Springwells, 

Detroit Day Nursery and Kindergarten 
Building, 

Convent of Mission of the Good Shep- 
herd, 

Post and Tribune Building, 

Free Press Btiilding, 

Evening News Building, 

Michigan Christian Herald Building, 

A Newsboy, 

Detroit News Company's Store, 

Old Female Seminary, Griswold Street, 

The Liggett Home and Day School, 

German American Seminary, 

Trinity Catholic School, 

St. Mary's Catholic School, 

St. Joseph's Catholic School, 

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School, 

Our Lady of Help Catholic School, 

St. Albert's Catholic School, 

Polish Franciscan Convent and Mother 
House, 

Academy of the Sacred Heart, 

Detroit College, 

Trinity Lutheran School, 

Old University Building, Bates .Street, 

Goldsmith, Bryant, & Stratton's Busi- 
ness University, 

Michigan College of Medicine, 

First Public School Building, 

Old Second Ward Public School, 

The Barstow School, 

The Houghton School, 

The Tappan School, 

The Jackson School, 



Page 
628 
629 
649 

651 
652 
653 
653 
655 
655 
656 

656 
658 
659 
660 
,662 
662 

663 
664 
665 

665 

666 
684 
687 
688 
6S9 
692 
696 
716 
719 
719 
721 
722 
722 
723 
723 
724 

724 
725 
725 
726 
730 

732 
734 
738 
745 
745 
746 
746 
746 



LIST OF ILLUSFRATIONS. 



xlv 



Page 

499 The John Owen School, 747 555 

500 The Nichols' School, 747 556 

501 The Campbell School. 747 557 

502 The Wilkins School, 748 558 

503 The Lincoln School, 748 559 

504 The Franklin School, 748 560 

505 The Cass School — oritji[i.il appearance, 749 56! 

506 The Cass School — as enlarged. 749 562 

507 The High School, 750 sC'3 

508 The Diiffield School. 750 564 

509 The Firnane School, 751 565 

510 The New Irving School, 751 566 

511 The Webster School, 752 567 

512 The Trowbridge School, 752 568 

513 The Bishop School — original appearance, 753 5'59 

514 The Bishop School — as enlarged, 753 570 
.515 The Jefferson School, 754 571 

516 Seal of the Board of Education, 755 572 

517 The Public Library, 759 

518 Fac-simile of a Trader's License, 768 573 

519 Stores of Beattie, Fitzsimons, & Co., 769 574 

520 Stores of H. P. Baldwin 2d & Co., 769 575 

521 Store of George Kirby, 770 576 

522 Stores of C. R. Mabley & Company, 771 577 
323 Store of Flattery Bros., 772 578 

524 Store of R. H. Fyfe & Co., 772 579 

525 Stores of Farrand, Williams, & Co., 773 5S0 

526 Stores of T. B. Rayl & Co., 773 581 

527 Seed Warehouse of D. I\L Ferry & Co., 774 582 

528 Seed Farm of D. M. Ferry & Co., 775 583 

529 Stores of L. A. Smith & Co., 776 584 

530 Stores of G. & R. McMillan, 776 

531 Stores of Dean, Godfrey, & Co., 777 5S5 

532 Store and Residence of P. Blake, 777 

533 Store of P. A. Billings, 778 586 

534 Store of Mumford, F'oster, & Co., 778 587 

535 Establishment of Thorndike Nourse, 779 5S8 

536 Stores of James E. Davis & Co., 779 589 

537 Stores of John J. Dodds & Co., 7S0 590 

538 Stores of William Reid, 780 591 

539 Stores of Edson, Moore, & Co., 781 592 

540 Stores of Allan Shelden iJt Co., 782 

541 Stores of F. Buhl & Co.. 783 593 

542 Stores of Heineman, Butzel, cS: Co., 783 594 

543 Stores of Heavenrich Bros., 784 595 

544 Stores of Charles Root & Co., 7S4 596 

545 Stores of A. C. IMcGraw & Co., 785 597 

546 Stores of H. A. Ncwland & Co., 785 598 

547 Store of A. R. & W. F". Linn, 786 599 

548 Store of A. C. Bacon & Co., 786 600 

549 Stores of T. H. Hinchman & Sons, 787 6o[ 

550 Store of Dwyer & \'hay. 787 602 

551 Stores of W.J. Gould & Co., 788 603 

552 Old Board of Trade Building, 788 604 

553 Stores of Ducharme, Fletcher, & Co., 789 605 

554 New Board of Trade Building, 789 606 



Store of B. F. Farrington li Co., 

Stores of Standart Bros., 

Stores of Phelps & Brace, 

Stores of Rathbone, Sard, & Co., 

Stores of Buhl Sons & Co., 

Former Woodward Avenue Market, 

Vegetable Market, 

Old Washington Market, 

Central Market Building, 

Michigan Car Co.'s Works, 

Detroit Steel and Car Spring Works, 

Russel Wheel & Foundry Co.'s Works, 

Detroit Bridge & Iron Works, 

Fulton Iron & Engine Works, 

Buhl Iron Works, 

Eagle Iron Works, 

Michigan Malleable Iron Co., 

Michels' Wood Working Machinery 

Factory, 
National Wire & Iron Co.'s Works, 
Detroit Safe Co.'s Works, 
Detroit Bronze Co.'s proposed building, 
Detroit Stove Co.'s Stores. 
The Barnum Wire and Iron Works, 
Detroit Stove Co.'s Works. 
Peninsular Stove Co.'s Works, 
Eureka Iron Co.'s Works, Wyandotte, 
Michigan Stove Co.'s Works, 
National Pin Co.'s Factory, 
Detroit File Works, 
Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Co.'s 

Works, 
The Middlebrook & Post Manufacturing 

Co.'s Works, 
Detroit Stamping Works. 
Detroit Emery \Vheel Co.'s Works, 
Parke, Davis, cS: Co.'s original Laboratory, 
Parke, Davis, & Co.'s present Laboratory, 
Laboratory of Frederick -Stearns iS: Co., 
Capsule Factory of F. A. Hubel, 
Boydell Bros. White Lead and Color 

Works, 
Detroit White Lead Works, 
Detroit Linseed Oil Co., 
Berry Brothers' Varnish Factory, 
Schulte's .Soap and Candle Factory, 
A. Laitner's Store and Brush Factory, 
The first Tobacco Factory in Detroit, 
The American Eagle Tobacco Factory, 
The Banner Tobacco Factory, 
The Globe Tobacco Factory, 
Scotten's Hiawatha Tobacco Factory, 
Hargreaves Manufacturing Co.'s Factory. 
Burk, Rich, & Co.'s Cigar Factory. 
Richardson's Match Factory. 
The Clough & Warren Organ Factory. 



Page 
789 
790 
790 
791 
791 
793 
794 
795 
796 
803 
805 
805 
806 
806 
807 
807 
808 

808 
809 
809 
8ro 
811 
812 

813 
814 

814 
815 
816 
816 

S17 

818 
818 
819 
820 
821 
822 
822 



824 
824 
825 
825 
826 
826 
827 
827 
828 
828 
829 
829 
830 
831 



xlvi 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



607 Gray li Baffy's Furniture and Upholster- 

ing Establishment, 

608 M. J. Murphy & Co.'s Spring Bed and 

Chair Factory, 

609 The Suttun Pail Factory, 

610 A. Uondero's Willow-ware Factory, 

61 1 Pingree & Smith's Shoe Factory, 

612 Vail & Crane's Cracker and Biscuit Fac- 

tory, 

613 Carriage Factory and Store of Hugh 

Johnson, 

614 Fac-simile of one of Father Richards' 

Shinplasters, 

615 Fac-simile of Note of Detroit City Bank, 

616 Fac-simile of Note of Detroit Bank, 

617 Fac-simile of Note of Bank of Michigan, 

618 Fac-simile of Note of Farmers and Me- 

chanics' Bank, 

619 Fac-simile of Note of Michigan Insur- 

ance Bank, 

620 Detroit Savings Bank, 

621 Fac-simile of Note of The Peninsular 

Bank, 

622 Fac-simile of Note of The State Bank, 

623 First National Bank, 

624 People's Savings Bank, 

625 Wayne County Savings Bank, exterior 

view, 

626 Wayne County Savings Bank, interior 

view, 

627 View of the Vaults of the Safe Deposit 

Company, 



Page 






628 


832 


629 




630 


832 




S33 


631 


833 




834 


632 




633 


«35 


634 




635 


«35 






636 


847 


637 


851 




857 


638 


860 


639 



861 640 



863 
864 


641 
642 


865 

866 


643 


867 
868 


644 


869 
869 


645 

646 
647 


870 


648 



Page 
Michigan Savings Bank, 871 
State Savings Bank, 872 
Office of Detroit Fire and Marine Insur- 
ance Company, S73 
Office of Michigan Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company, 874 
The Post-Office, 882 
Railroad Ferry Dock, 8go 
Detroit & Milwaukee Depot in 1S65, 894 
Fac-simile of M. C. R. R. Ticket of 

1S38. 896 

Original Michigan Central Freight Depot, 898 
Old Depot Buildings of Michigan Central 

Railroad on Third Street, 899 

New Michigan Central Depot, 900 
First Locomotive in the West and old 

Passenger-car, 902 . 
Double Railroad Bridge at Baker and 

Fifteenth Streets, 905 

Jefferson Avenue Railroad Bridge, 906 
Fac-simile of Collector's Entry on arrival 

of the Walk-in-the-Water, 909 
General Offices of the Detroit and Cleve- 
land Steam Navigation Company, 911 
Docks and Yard of the Detroit Dry 

Dock Company, 912 
Iron Ship-building Docks of Detroit Dry 

Dock Company at Wyandotte, 913 

The Ferry-boat Argo, 916 
Government Storehouse — Lighthouse 

Department, 920 

The Marine Hospital, 923 



PART I. 

LOCALITY. 



CHAPTER I, 



DETROIT: ITS NAMES. LOCATION, AND SURROUNDINGS. 



NAMES. 

America has but few cities that can properly be 
called old. Detroit is one of these, and its his- 
tory is unique and peculiarly interesting. Before 
New York, New Orleans, Philadelphia, or Boston was 
settled, and long before the time of Oliver Crom- 
well, the Sieur de Champlain had nearly reached 
our border, and the Indians had described our site. 
The city was founded before Peter the Great had 
built St. Petersburg. 

When Cadillac came the East India Company 
and the South Sea Bubble had not been heard of, 
and there was not a newspaper or a post-oftice in 
the United States. The first colony here established 
was like a bit of Francp in the wilds of the New 
World, and no city in the Eastern States, and but 
one or two in the South and West, have anything in 
common with our earlier life. Some of the old 
records read like a page of Froissart, and visions of 
medi;eval scenes and pictures of savage life are 
strangely intermingled in the Records of our past. 
Cradled in romance, nurtured in war, and trained in 
the school of conservatism, the city now glories in 
her position as the most attractive and most sub- 
stantial of all the cities whose traditions reach back 
to the days of the " Grand Monarch." Like some 
old castle on the Loire, with cresting, tile, and finial 
added to the ancient towers and moss-grown bat- 
tlements, so Detroit stands, a proud relic of the 
past, graced and crowned with all the gifts of the 
present. Even in its names, it is favored above 
most cities. At different times it has been desig- 
nated by no less than six distinct appellations, and 
has had three different corporate names. 

In the old traditions of the Algonquin Indians, it 
was known by the name of Yon-do-ti-ga, or Yon-do- 
ti-a, A Great Village ; its first name was thus pro- 
phetic of its future. It was also called Wa-we-a- 
tun-ong, Circuitous Approach, on account of its 
location at the bend of the river. The Wyandotts 
called the site of Detroit Toghsaghrondie, or Tysch- 
sarondia, which name, variously spelled, will be 



in 



found in the old Colonial Documents, published by 
the State of New York ; it has been modernized into 
Teuscha Grondie, and has reference to the course of 
the river. The Huron Indians called the place' 
Ka-ron-ta-en, The Coast of the Strait. 

When first settled, the location received the name 
of Fort Pontchartrain, in honor of Count Pontchar- 
train, the then French Colonial Minister of Marine. 
As the number of inhabitants increased, and the 
settlement grew into a village, it received its present 
name from the word dctroit, or strait. Its popular 
cognomen, the City of the Straits, is thence derived. 

It is an interesting fact that the name of the 
oldest city in the Canadian Dominion and the first 
capital of that region, the place from which Cadillac 
and the first settlers came hither, is derived from the 
Algonquin word qitcheis or quclibcc, signifying a 
strait ; the cities of Detroit and Quebec thus bear 
names similar in origin and signification. 

The early French colonists applied the name 
Detroit to the settlements on both sides of the river, 
calling one North Detroit, the other South Detroit. 
It is also known that early French travelers desig- 
nated all of the waters between Lakes Erie and 
Huron as the iWroit. This generalization has led 
several modern authors into the error of locating 
events here that really occurred on the river St. 
Clair. 

The city's corporate names have been as follows : 
By Act of January i8, 1802, it was designated as 
the "Town of Detroit." By Act of October 24, 
181 5, it was called the " City of Detroit." On April 
4, 1S27, it was enacted that the corporate name 
should be " The Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen of 
the City of Detroit;" On February 5, 1857, it was 
enacted that the name should be " City of Detroit." 

LUCATION. 

The city is located near the head of the river, on 
its northerly and westerly banks. The eastern 
boimdary is about four miles from Lake St. Cl.air, 
and the western, nearly twenty miles from Lake 



LOCATION — SURROUNDINGS. 



Erie. The river separates the Britisli Province of 
Ontario, formerly Upper Canada, from the State of 
Michigan, Coimty of Wayne. The city is bounded 
on the north by the townships of Greenfield and 
Hamtramck, on the east by Hamtramck, and on the 
west by the township of Springvvells. Reckoning 
from the flagstaff on the City Hall tower, Detroit 
lies in latitude 42° 19' 50.2S" north ; and longitude 
83° 2' 47.63" west of Greenwich, England, and 5" 
59' 45. S3" west of Washington, D. C. Our time is 
therefore 23 minutes 59.06 seconds slower than that 
of Washington. Rome and Constantinople are in 
nearly the same latitude, and Havana and Calcutta 
are longitudinally in the same range. Upon a globe 
the city appears as opposite the northwest corner of 
the Chinese Empire, and on an air line, it is about 
one thousand miles northeast of New Orleans, or the 
Gulf of ;\Ie.xito, and seven hundred miles west of 
New York and the .-Atlantic Coast. 

The older portions of the city, including all south 
of Adams Avenue, are built on a succession of 
ridges running parallel with the river, their general 
direction being from east 10 west. Counting from 
the river to Adams Avenue, there were at least four 
ridges. At the corner of Woodward and Jefferson 
Avenues the ground is twenty-two feet above the 
river. From \\'oodward Avenue the ground slopes 
gradually away to the west until, at Second Street, 
the roadway is on a level with the whar\-es. An- 
other ridge is shown at Fort Street. It crossed 
Woodward Avenue and extended beyond Farmer 
Street. The third ridge was just south of the Grand 
Circus; and the property of H. H. Leroy on the 
west side of Woodward Avenue shows that the 
street at that point has been graded down nearly 
four feet. At High Street, and again at Fremont 
Street, the rise of ground is quite noticeable. At 
the Holden Road the elevation is fully fifty-two feet 
above the river. 

" Beautiful for situation," the city wins the praises 
of all who look upon it. No one has more faithfully 
portrayed its appearance, and the feelings of a visi- 
tor, than Mrs. Jameson. She says : 

The day has been most intolerably hot; even on the lake there 
was not a breath of air. But as the sun went down in his glury, 
the breeze freshened, and the spires and towers of the city of 
Detroit were seen against the western sky. 

The schooners at anchor, or drojiping into the river, the little 
canoes flitting across from side to side, the lofty buildings, the 
enormous steamers, the noisy port and busy streets, all bathed in 
the light of a sunset such as I had never seen, not even in Italy, 
almost turned me giddy with excitement. 

Since her visit in 1837, the city has both gained 
and lost in beauty. The old pear-trees no longer 
form a setting to the houses of white and red, and 
the tints of gray and brown have mostly disap- 
peared. Rarer architecture now looms amid the 



trees and richer coloring greets the eye, and those 
who come to see, linger to admire. 

SURROUNDINGS. 

A large portion of the adjoining township of 
Hamtramck is built up near the river, and iron 
smelting, stove and hollow-ware manufacturing, and 
other kindred industries are extensively carried on 
there. Stores and shops line the main road, — an 
extension of Jefferson Avenue, and many elegant 
residences are located on the river-side. Belle Isle 
lies in front, and opportunities for boating are unsur- 
passed. The new City Water Works, with receiv- 
ing basins, substantial engine-houses, and other 
buildings, are in the extreme eastern corner. Here 
also are Linden Park, the Driving Park, and the 
German Shooting Grounds, and Milwaukee Railroad 
Junction. The villages of Leeville and Norris are 
also within the township limits. This latter suburb 
is about six miles from the city. It was laid out in 
August, 1873, by Colonel P. W. Norris, after whom 
it is named. He purchased the grounds in 1865. 
The village is located about thirty feet above the 
forks of Connor's Creek, on gently undulating 
ground ; the soil is dry and sandy, but very fer- 
tile. Prairie IMound, once a favorite haunt of the 
Indians, and one of their burial-places, is in full view 
of the village. 

An abundant supply of good well-water is easily 
reached. All the streets and a\-enues are seventy 
feet wide ; one is one hundred feet wide and extends 
to Woodward Avenue. A large Orphan Asylum, 
controlled by the Lutheran Church, is here located. 
Near the village is the crossing and station of the 
Bay City and Grand Trunk railroads. 

The township of Springwells, on the southwest 
boundary of Detroit, contains a noted railroad junc- 
tion, originally called the Grand Trunk Junction ; the 
post-office name is now Detroit Junction. Connec- 
tions are here made between the Michigan Central, 
Grand Trunk, Detroit, Lansing & Northern, Lake 
Shore & Michigan Southern, Flint & Pere Marquette, 
and Detroit & Butler railroads. The car shops of 
the Michigan Central Railroad, consisting of four 
large and other smaller buildings, were located here 
in 1873, and many railroad employes have built 
homes near by. Here, also, are the extensive car 
manufacturing shops of the Michigan Car Company, 
— an establishment unrivalled by that of any other 
car-building company in the United States. The 
extensive dry docks and ship yard of John P. Clark, 
the Baugh steam forge establishment, the leather 
manufactor)' of the late Marshall Jewell, and the 
large tobacco manufactory of Daniel Scotten, several 
large nurseries and extensive brick-yards, the smelt- 
ing works of the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper 
Company, the \'illage of Delray, the Detroit Glass 



SURROUNDINGS. 



Works, Fort Wayne. St. Luke's Hospital, and Wood- 
mere Cemeter\- are in this town. 

The shore Hne of Grosse Pointe township, which 
joins Hamtramck on the north, is washed by the 
clear blue waters of Lake St. Clair. The township 
is celebrated for its cherries. It is the summer resort 
of a number of Detroit families, who have erected 
elegant residences and determined its future as the 



most desirable and attractive suburb that Detroit 
can ever possess. A lighthouse, on what is known 
as Windmill Point, marks the entrance of the river 
into the lake, and is the chief landmark of the 
\-icinity. 

The township of Greenfield adjoins the city on the 
north. Here is the immense seed farm of D. M. 
Ferrj- & Company, embracing three hundred acres. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE RIVER, ISLANDS, WHARVES AND DOCKS, STREAMS AND ]\III.I.S. 



THE RIVER. 

London has its Thames, Paris, the Seine, Rome, 
the Tiber, and New York, the Hudson ; but in 
everything the Detroit excels them all. It is no 
wonder that the first visitors came by water when 
such a stream flowed by theni and beckoned them 
along. All the early travelers bore testimony to the 
beauty of the ri\'er and the volume of its waters, 
which the population of a score of the largest cities 
cannot diminish or defile. Then as now islands, 
like emeralds, were strung along its way, and myriads 
of wild fowl then fed upon its shores; its waters 
did not "dash high on a stern and rock-bound 
coast," but were so still and calm and clear that 
the smoke of wigwams, nestled on their banks, was 
mirrored on their smooth surface. Scores of canoes 
were hauled up on the river-side, while others flashed 
along the current or plied to either shore. Later 
on, windmills stretched their broad arms to the 
breeze, and, with fish-nets hung on reels, formed the 
landmarks of their day. 

The Detroit River is undoubtedly one of the most 
remarkable in the world. It forms a natural boun- 
dary between the United States and Upper Canada, 
separating the State of Michigan from the Province 
of Ontario ; the boundary line opposite Detroit is 
about midway of the stream, and for most of the 
distance nearest the Canadian shore. The United 
States thus has jurisdiction over the larger portion. 
It was declared to be a public highway by Act of 
Congress December 31, i8ig. From Windmill 
Point Liglit, at the foot of Lake St. Clair, to Bar 
Point, where the river empties into Lake Erie, the 
distance is 27 miles, 151 5 yards. The distances 
between other established points are as follows : 
P>om Windmill Point Light to foot of Isle La Peche, 
1 534 yards; from Isle La Peche to foot of Belle Isle, 
3 miles, 254 yards; from Belle Isle to Woodward 
Avenue, 2 miles, 347 yards; from Woodward Avenue 
to head of Fighting Island, 7 miles, 7S0 yards ; from 
Fighting Island to Bois Blanc Lighthouse, 1 1 miles, 
640 yards; from Bois Blanc Lighthouse to Bar 
Point, 2 miles, 1480 yards. 

The greatest width of the river is three miles ; in 
its narrowest point, opposite the city, it is a little 
over half a mile wide. Its average width is one 



mile. The depth varies from ten to sixty feet, with 
an average of thirty-four feet. The river bottom, 
for the most part, is sandy or stony. It is navigable 
for vessels of the largest class, is almost entirely 
free from obstructions of any sort, and offers one of 
the largest and safest harbors in the world. Lon- 
don is the largest port, but more tonnage passes 
Detroit than ever enters the Thames. 

The waters of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, 
and St. Clair, of Green, Saginaw, and Georgian 
Bays, also of thousands of streams that enter them, 
flow into the Detroit. It is. in fact, the natural 
drain or channel for the passage of waters from 
eighty-two thousand square miles of lake surface, 
and one hundred and twenty-five thousand square 
miles of land, thus rivalling the Ohio, which is more 
than forty times as long. 

The current is rapid and generally uniform ; the 
ma.ximuni velocity is 2.44 miles per hour, the mean 
velocity, 1.79 miles. It is estimated that two hun- 
dred and twelve thousand cubic feet of water pass 
the city each second of time. 

More fresh water is discharged through this river 
than through any other in the world except the Ni- 
agara and the St. Lawrence. The incline amounts 
to one and one half inches per mile, or three feet for 
its entire length. The elevation above sea-level, at 
a point opposite the Marine Hospital, is five hundred 
and seventy-seven feet. The river is not generally 
frozen over until the latter part of December or 
January ; but in extreme cold weather the ice is from 
twelve to twenty inches thick. 

Previous to 1854, persons and teams frequently 
crossed over on the ice; and on February 10, 1855, 
the river was so completely frozen that a little shanty 
was erected in the middle, in which liquors were 
sold. 

The breaking of the ice by the daily trips of the 
Railroad Ferry Boats, since 1S54. has precluded any 
further crossing on foot in front of the city. Such 
is the rapidity of the current that the river is soon 
cleared of floating ice. The gathering of ice is an 
extensive business, and from 50,000 to 100,000 tons 
are annually stored for sunmier use. The water sup- 
plied to citizens amounts to 6,000,000,000 gallons 
yearly. 



[<5] 



THE RIVER — ISLANDS. 



The river is usually tranquil and never danijer- 
ously rough. The water is of a bluish tinge, and in 
transparency and purity is unrivalled. 

Like other bodies of water, the river rises and 
falls, but unlike other large rivers, the variations are 
never so sudden or extreme as to cause any incon- 
venience, and buildings are erected at the water's 
edge without fear of damage. 

In the year iSoo, again in 1S14-1815, and also in 
1827-1828, and in 1838, the river rose from three to 
si.x feet above its usual level, remaining so for two 
or three years, and then subsiding quite rapidly. 

The mean annual rise is about sixteen inches dur- 
ing July or August. The low-water period is in 
February or March. The highest recorded level 
was on June 2, 1838, when the water was only two 
and eight tenths feet below the water table of the 
Water Works Engine House. One of the lowest 
levels recorded was in the winter of 1819, when the 
water was eight and five tenths feet lower than 
usual. 

A succession of wet seasons, or winters of heavy 
snows, causes it to rise, and the reverse occurs in 
dry seasons. The most marked effect is produced 
by winds ; the river is perceptibly lowered when a 
southwest wind strikes it, and the water is driven 
into Lake St. Clair and blown down into Lake Erie. 
In March, 1873, a strong wind of this kind lowered 
the river some five feet below its mean level. A 
northeast wind will reverse the above conditions 
and cause it to rise proportionately. 

The temperature of the water varies from 33° 
Fahrenheit for the winter months to 73 for the sutu- 
mer season. The variation between the surface and 
the bottom is about 3'. 

The breadth, general safety, and smoothness of 
the river make it specially inviting for boating and 
yachting, and in later years many persons have 
availed themselves of the facilities afforded. Sev- 
eral noteworthy regattas have been held here, and 
boatmen all concede that no finer location can be 
found for a trial of skill. During the summer sea- 
son, excursions up and down the river, and to differ- 
ent islands, are of almost hourly occurrence. 

ISLANDS. 
The islands vary in size from one to several thou- 
sand acres. Two of them are located abcne, and 
twenty below the city. Beginning at the head of 
the river, the first is Isle La Peche, or Isle of the 
Fishes, also called, in 1810, Peach Island. It is 
situated on the Canadian side of the river, and was, 
during the summer months, the home of Pontiac. 
Belle Isle, the City Park, is described in the article 
on Parks. Beginning at a point six miles below the 
city are the islands known as Fighting, Mud, Grassy, 
Grass, Mama-Juda, Crosse, Turkey, Stoney, Slo- 



cum's, Humbug,' Fox, Elba, Calf, Snake, Hickory, 
Sugar, Bois Blanc, Horse, Cherry, and Tawa, or 
Celeron. Fighting Island, also called in 1796, Great 
Turkey Island, was originally occupied by the Wyan- 
dotts, and in 1858 it was sold by the Canadian Gov- 
ernment for their benefit. In iSio Indian intrench- 
ments were plainly visible on the northeast end of 
the island, and from these warlike appearances the 
island took its name. 

An old French memoir of the date of 171 7 says : 

Two leagues from Fort Detroit is an island called Isle aux Din- 
des. It is so called because Turkeys are always to be found there. 
It contains only very little timber, only prairie. Four or five years 
ago, a man named Le Tonnerre, principal Chief of the Foxes, and 
two of the same tribe, were killed there by the Hurons, settled at 
Detroit. The two Foxes who were with Le Tonnerre were de- 
voured by wild beasts, crows, or other vermin; but the body of Le 
Tonnerre was still uninjured a year afterward, not an animal hav- 
ing touched him. 

Grosse, or Great Island, is the largest in the 
river. The French memoir just quoted says: 

It is very fine and fertile and extensive, being, as is estimated, 
from six to seven leagues in circumference. There is an extraor- 
dinary quantity of apple trees on tllis island, and those who have 
seen the apples on the ground say that they are more than half a 
foot deep; the apple trees are planted as if methodically, and the 
apples are as large as small pippins. Abundance of excellent mill- 
stones are found on this island; all around it are very fine prairies. 
It was a long time doubtful whether Detroit should not be founded 
there. The cause of the hesitation was the apprehension that the 
timber might some day fail. 

At one time, the locating of Fort Wayne on this 
island was seriously considered, and on some 
accounts it would have been an extremely favorable 
situation. The banks rise abruptly from the water 
in many places to fully twenty feet in height. In 
1776 Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton gave William 
Macomb leave to occupy the island, and on July 5, 
1793, Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe gave his family 
permission to continue. 

Several citizens of Detroit have elegant residences 
here, and there are many fine farms and homes. 
The Canada Southern Railroad extends to the 
island, connecting by ferry with the Canada shore. 

Mama-Juda Island contains twenty-nine acres, 
and is named from an old squaw, who, prior to 1807, 
used to camp there year after year, during the fish- 
ing season. She finally died on the island. 

Slocum's Island, of about two hundred acres, is 
owned by G. B. Slocum. 

Humbug Island, of some forty acres, just below, 
is also owned by Mr. Slocum. It is not inappro- 
priately named, for it is rather a part of the main 
land than an island. 

Elba Island, in 1817, was thickly covered with 
trees. 

Bois Blanc, or Whitewood Island, on the Cana- 
dian side of the river, was occupied by the Huron 



8 



ISLANDS — WHARVES AND DOCKS — STREAMS AND .MILLS. 



Indians in 1742. and contained a village regularly 
laid out and inhabited by several hundred people. 
Father Pothier was in charge of a mission among 
them, but in 1 747 they became estranged from the 
French and he returned to Detroit. The following 
year the difficulties were settled, and a Huron Mis- 
sion was established at Sandwich under charge of 
Fathers Pothier and De la Richardie. 

In 1796, when the British yielded up Detroit, they 
erected a blockhouse on this island, but as the 
United States protested that it did not belong to 
them, they for the time yielded the point, and soon 
after erected a fort at Maiden. 

In 1 81 3, during the fight which preceded Perry's 
victory, Tecumseh and his Indians were here 
encamped. When the patriots were in possession 
in 1838, they denuded it of the trees in order to get 
better range for their cannon. 

Celeron Island, of seventy acres, is so named 
after Sieur de Celeron, once Commandant of Detroit. 

WHARVES AND DOCKS. 

By the building of wharves and docks, and the 
extension of the shore by " made land " the river is 
continually encroached upon. At the foot of Wood- 
ward Avenue, it once came up seventy-seven feet 
north of the north line of Atwater Street; and 
between Woodward Avenue and Wayne Street it 
covered half the space occupied by the blocks 
between Atwater and Woodbridge Streets. At 
Cass Street it covered a part of what is now Jeffer- 
son Avenue. On T. Smith's map of the town as it 
was in 1796 are shown two wharves called respect- 
ively Merchants' and Public or King's Wharf. 

One of the earliest records concerning the wharves 
recounts the voting of a tax, on " July 26, 1 804, of 
twenty-eight pounds eight shillings New York cur- 
rency for repairing wharf." The \\harf repaired was 
probably that formerly known as King's Wharf, still 
in use in 1823. 

In 1819 permission was granted to H. Berthelet to 
build a wharf at the foot of Randolph Street. 
Whar\-es were also built, about this time, by Mr. 
Hudson and Mr. Roby. As the city grew, an increas- 
ing amount of rubbish ant! refuse was deposited on 
the low grounds at the river's edge. This created 
an almost constant nuisance, and from time to time 
efforts were made to correct the evil. On July 3, 
1820, a tax of five hundred days' labor was voted to 
be spent " on the border of the river." In 1826 the 
permanent improvement of the river front was begun 
by the depositing, along the margin, of earth from 
the embankment of Fort Shelby. During the 
following years up to 1834, the A\-ork was continued 
at an expense of over §10.000. 

One of the improvements of 1827 was known as 
the Steam Mill Wharf. The City Council voted to 



give the perpetual use of sixty feet in width on 
Woodward Avenue, from Atwater Street to the 
channel of the river, to a Steam Mill Company, for 
the erection of a mill, provided it was built within 
two years; the City also expended §3,000 in filling in 
and building a dock for the site of the mill, which 
was never erected. Since that time the work has 
gone on until good and substantial docks, nearly five 
miles in length, now line the river along the city 
front. 

STREAMS AND MILLS. 

Within the present city limits thres different 
streams once flowed on their winding way, buoying 
up the light canoe, or turning the mills of the French 
settlers. 

The courses of these streams, in their relation to 
present street lines, in so far as old deeds, maps and 
observations furnish data for judgment, are indicated 
on the accompanving map. 

The Savoyard Creek, branch of the Huron, or 
Xavier River, as it is variously called, had its rise in 
a willow swamp on the Guoin Farm, near where 
Riopelle Street now crosses Congress. In 1821 the 
south bank of the stream was one hundred and 
ninety-one feet north of the south side of Earned 
Street; meandering westward, it reached Woodward 
Avenue at Congress Street, and here a wide bridge 
spanned the stream. At other places, single planks 
enabled pedestrians to cross. In 1822 L. E. Dolson, 
then a boy of nine years, was jumping on one of 
these foot bridges on Congress Street, just east of 
Griswold, when the plank broke, letting him fall into 
the water, which was about eight feet deep. Be- 
coming entangled in the reeds and rushes which 
were plentiful at the bottom, he barely escaped 
drowning. 

The stream, in early times, was much used in go- 
ing to and from the river ; and boy-anglers found 
successful fishing at the corner of Woodward Ave- 
nue and Congress Street. Its outlet was at a point 
on the Jones Farm close to the Cass line, about 
where Fourth Street intersects Woodbridge Street. 
Prior to i\Iay, 1826, there was a jog in Woodbridge 
Street at this point, and an old bridge which crossed 
the creek, not being in line with the street, was re- 
moved by order of the Common Council, and a new 
one of stone was built in proper line. A channel, 
walled with wood, was also constructed from the 
bridge to the river. On December 4, 1826, a certi- 
ficate was issued to De Garmo Jones for S422.31 for ■ 
constructing said bridge and channel. 

In course of time, and increasingly as the years 
went on, the people living near the border of this 
stream used it as a drain, and after Fort Shelby was 
demolished, the bottom and sides, for some dis- 
tance, were planked with lumber from that fortifica- 



STREAMS AXD MILLS. 



tion. It then became practically an open sewer; 
and, as such, lost all its primeval charms, and grew 
so offensive and malodorous that in 1836 the city 
was compelled, at a great expense, to convert it into 
a deep and covered sewer by enclosing it in stone. 
A "grand sewer" it became, and still fulfils its mis- 



erected the first grist-mill on the stream, just north 
of what is now Fort Street, and near the railroad 
crossing. The stream supplied water sufficient to 
run the mill six or eight months of the year. 

Parent's Creek, or Bloody Run, is the real historic 
stream. It was first named, presumably, after 




M.\i- Sho\vi.\(J KofTE OF F0K.MICK Streams, a.nd Old Rivek Line. 



sion. The creek is said to have been named Savo- 
yard from the fact that one of the earliest settlers on 
its banks came from Savoy. 

The stream more recently known as May's Creek, 
after Judge May, was formerly called Cabacier's 
Creek, from Joseph Cabacie, or Cabacier, who lived 
here in 1780. It was designated in 1747 as Cam- 
pau's River. It is claimed that Jacques Peltier 



Joseph Parent, a gfunsmith, whose name appears in 
St. Ann's records on May 21, 1707. Only a few 
years ago the entire course of the .stream could be 
traced; now nearly half its length is filled in, and 
its channel will soon be entirely obliterated. 

The name was changed to Bloody Run after the 
defeat and slaughter of Captain Dalyell and his 
company by the Indians, on July 31, 1763. 



lO 



STREAMS AND MILLS. 



On John Farmer's map of Michis^an for 1830, a 
mill is marked on this stream, just south of what is 
now Jefferson Avenue. There was also, at one 
time, a mill where the stream crossed the Gratiot 
Road. 

Knagg's Creek was just outside the present western 



limits of the citv, and the course of the stream 
can still be traced. Near its terminus, on the Bela 
Hubbard Farm in Springwells, was located the 
old Knags's Windmill, built in 1810. It was in 
use till about 1840, and was torn down in 1853 or 
1854. 




Wl.VD.MILL POI.NT (ON V,El.A HUOBAKD KaUM) ANH IHE KlVER I.N 1838. 



CHAPTER III, 



SOIL AXD PRODUCTS, CAME, GKAIX, AND FRUITS. 



Almost all of the land in the city and vicinity is 
available for gardening and farming, producing 
good crops with but little fertilizing. 

In boring for a u-ell on Fort Street, near Shelby, 
in 1S29, the following strata were successively 
reached : alluvial earth, ten feet ; yellow and blue 
clay, with veins of quicksand, one hundred and 
fifteen feet ; sand and pebbles, two feet ; geodiferous 
limestone, sixty feet ; lias limestone, sixty-five feet. 
A small stratum of carbonate of lime was then 
reached, and then mure lias limestone. 

Three miles from the ri\-er, and a few rods south 
of where the railroad crosses Woodward Avenue, 
is a broad belt of land, of a lower level, which proves, 
with drainage, both rich and fertile. 

The natural products were well set forth by 
Cadillac in a description written October 8, 1701, to 
one of the French oflicials. He said : 

The business of war being so different from that of writing, i 
have nt>t the ability to make a portrait of a country so worthy of a 
better pen than mine; but since you have directed mc to render an 
account of it, I will do so, premising that the Detroit is actually 
but a channel or river of medium breadth and twenty-five leagues in 
length, according to my estimate, * * * through which flows and 
escapes slowly and with sufTiciently moderate current, the living 
and crystal waters of Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron (which 
are so many seas of sweet water) into Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, or 
Frontenac, and which finally, together with the waters of the St. 
Lawrence, mingle with those of the ocean. 

Its borders are so many vast prairies, and the freshness of the 
beautiful waters keeps the banks always green. The prairies are 
bordered by long and broad rows of fruit trees which have never 
felt the careful hand of the vigilant gardener. Here, also, orchards, 
young and old, soften and bend their branches, under the weight 
and quantity of their fruit, towards the mother earth which has 
produced them. It is in this land, so fertile, that the ambitious 
vine, which has never wept under the knife of the vine-dresser, 
builds a thick roof with its large leaves and heavy clusters, weigh- 
ing down the top of the tree which receives it, and often stifling it 
with its embrace. 

Under these broad walks one sees assembled by hundreds the 
timid deer and faun, also the squirrel bounding in his eagerness to 
collect the apples and plums with which the earth is covered. 
Here the cautious turkey calls and conducts her numerous brood 
to gather the grapes, and here also their mates come to fill their 
large and gluttonous crops. Golden pheasants, the quail, the par- 
tridge, woodcock, and numerous doves swarm in the woods and 
cover the country, which is dotted and broken with thickets and 
high forests of full-grown trees, forming a channing perspective, 
which sweetens the sad lonesomeness of the solitude. The hand 
of the pitiless reaper has never mown the lu.\uriant grass upon 
which fatten woolly buffaloes, of magoiticent size and propor- 
tion. 



There are ten species of forest trees, among them are the walnut, 
white oak, red oak, the ash, the pine, white-wood and cotton- 
wood; straight as arrows, without knots, and almost without 
branches, except at the very lop, and of prodigious size. Here 
the courageous eagle looks fi.xedly at the sun, with sufficient at 
his feet to satisfy his boldly armed claws. The fish are here 
nourished and bathed by living water of crystal clearness, and their 
great abundance renders them none the less delicious. Swans are 
so numerous that one would take for lilies the reeds in which they 
are crowded together. The gabbling goose, the duck, the widgeon, 
and the bustard are so abundant that to give an idea of their num- 
bers I must use the cxpressioa of a savage whont I asked before 
arriving if there was much game. " So much," he said, " that they 
draw up in lines to let the boats pass through." * * * In a 
word, the climate is temperate, and the air purified through the 
day and night by a gentle breeze. The skies are always serene 
and spread sweet and fresh influences which makes one enjoy a 
tranquil sleep. 

If the situation is agreeble, it is none the less important because 
it opens and closes the door of passage to the most distant nations 
which are situated upon the borders of the vast seas of sweet 
water. None but the enemies of truth could be enemies to this 
establishment so necessary to the increase of the glory of the king, 
to the progress of religion, and the destruction of the throne of 
Baal. 

In addition to the animals named, other early ac- 
counts tell of elk, moose, wolves, bears, rabbits, 
otters, lynxes, wildcats, beavers, and musk-rats; and 
say they were very numerous in the vicinity of De- 
troit. So numerous and large, indeed, were the 
wild bisons, that the making of garments from their 
wool was seriously considered. 

Between 1S20 and 1830 the howling of the wolves 
was frequently heard in the edge of the town. 
Bounties of three and four dollars were paid by the 
county for killing them; and no small share of the 
taxes was devoted to paying for wolf scalps. 

In 1824, and also in other years, myriads of wild 
pigeons made their roosts in the forests of the 
county. They were so numerous that hundreds 
could easily be killed with a walking stick. 

As late as the fall of 1834 deer were abundant 
within a morning's walk, and black bears would oc- 
casionally perambulate the streets. W'M turkeys 
and quails were numerous up to about 1850, and 
frequently stray ones came into the city, and innu- 
merable flocks of ducks and geese, in their annual 
migrations, swept over the town, often flying so low 
that their notes could easily be heard. 

The surrounding woods and meadows have always 
been enlivened with the songs of meadow-larks, 



t.o 



12 



SOIL AND PRODUCTS, GAME, GRAIN AND FRUITS. 



robins, brown thrushes, and bobolinks; and year by 
year bright-plumaged humming birds flit about the 
trumpet-vines. 

It was not alone the gayly-feathered birds that 
made the place a pleasant one. In the forests were 
wild honeysuckles, and the eglantine, or Michigan 
rose. Snow-berries and fleurs-de-lis were scattered 
here and there, and the perfume of locust blossoms 
often filled the air, while river and streams were 
bordered with the white and blue of the pond-lily 
and the sweet flag. Strawberries, whortleberries, 
cranberries, and raspberries were indigenous, and 
melons, beans, and other vegetables were cultivated 
by the Indians before the whites appeared. In addi- 
tion to those named by Cadillac, the forest included 
trees of beech, birch, hickory, maple, elm, butter- 
nut, cedar, basswood, and coniferous trees of various 
kinds. 

In the way of sweets, the wild bees stored up 
honey in the trees. The maples also contributed 
their store of .sweetness. In 1S19 one hundred and 
fifty thousand pounds of maple sugar were produced 
in Michigan, and in September, 1825, one merchant 
advertised forty thousand pounds for sale. Charle- 
voix says the Indians did not know how to make 
sugar out of the maple sap until the French mission- 
aries came. Prior to that time, they made only 
syrup. They soon became experts, and a "sugar 
bush," to them, was better than a farm. 

Maple sugar was used almost exclusively until 
recent years. Loaf sugar was the only other kind 
kept for sale, and was used only on state occasions. 
The maple sugar was brought in by the Indians in 
mococks, which held all the way from four oimces 
to fifty pounds. One of the smaller mococks was 
a toothsome prize for children in days gone by, 
and was appreciated far more highly than the 
French bon-bons of to-day. The method of making 
this sugar, together with several points regarding life 
in those days, is set forth in the following lines, writ- 
ten by Colonel De Peyster while at Mackinaw 

THE MAPLE SUGAR MAKERS. 
TcNE — The jfoliy Beggtirs. 
I'll sling my papoos' cradle, l said Kitchenegoe's Meg, 
With kettle, bowl, and ladle, and scoutawaba^ keg. 

Chorus — A sug'ring 1 will go, will go, will go, will go, 
A sug'ring 1 will go. 

Nasib and Charlotte Farlie, of whom the lads are fond, 
Shall drag' their father early out to the twelve-mile pond. 
Chorus— A sug'ring I will go, etc. 

Come Nebenaquoidoquoi, and join the jovial crew, 
Sheeshib and Matchinoquoi shall tap a tree with you. 
Chorus— A sug'ring 1 will go, etc. 

* The Indian child, swaddled upon a flat board, and carried upon 
the squaw's back by a band across the forehead, by which it is at 
night often hung on a tree. 

^Rum, which they take with them to make sweet grog of the 
liquor when half boiled, to entertain their friends who may walk 
out to see them. 

' On a bark sleigh, he being lame, 



Bright Kesis, deign to aid us, and make the sap to run, 
Enmga,* who arrayed us, at least should have a tun. 
Chorus — A sug'ring I will go, etc. 

In kettles we will boil it, on fires between the rocks. 
And lest the snow should spoil it, there tramp it in mococks.^ 
Chorus — A sug'ring I will go, etc. 

Of all our occupations, sweet sug'ring is the best, 
Then girls and their relations can give their lovers rest. 
Chorus — A sug'ring I will go, etc. 

But when the season's over, it will not be amiss, 
That I should give my lover a sissobaquet kiss.* 
Chorus — A sug'ring I will go, etc. 

As to cereals, old records show a good harvest in 
1 703, and abundant supplies for a garrison of one 
hundred and fifty men. Up to about 1706 almost 
the only grain grown ■was Indian corn. Cadillac 
then procured eight tons of French wheat and other 
grain from (Quebec. After this there was a good 
sup]3lv of wheat, which, then as now, was sown in 
both spring and fall. 

The Hurons and Ottawas were excellent farmers 
and raised large quantities of corn. In 1714 twenty- 
four hundred bushels were sent from Detroit. Agri- 
culture was, however, greatly neglected, and the con- 
ditions on which grants of land were made tended 
to discourage any intelligent efforts at farming. 

In 1747, owing chiefly to the number of Indians 
who gathered here and consumed the supplies, pro- 
visions were very scarce, and M. de Longueuil was 
compelled to apply to Montreal for help. On Sep- 
tember 22 a convoy of provisions arrived under com- 
mand of M. de Celeron, escorted by one hundred 
and fifty men, including merchants and servants. 
Their coming saved the settlers from starvation. 

M. Bougainville, in his memoirs on Detroit, under 
date of 1757, says: 

There are two hundred habitations abundantly provided with 
cattle, grains, and flour. The fanners can raise as many cattle as 
they want, as there is abundant pasture. * ♦ * They gather, 
in ordinary years, two thousand five hundred measures of wheat 
and much oats and corn. They formerly sowed some fall wheat, 
but very often that seed produced only rye. \ farmer of that 
place assured me that he sowed two measures of very good wheat, 
but the product was only rye. They sow during the months of 
February and March, and gather in the month of July; the pro- 
duct in wheat is usually twenty measures for one. * * It would 
be well for the authorities to encourage the inhabitants of Detroit 
in the cultivation of their land and afford them facilities for selling 
their produce. It would be a great advantage to procure from 
them all the provisions needed in the garrisons of the forts Presque 
Isle, Marchand, Rivi6re-de-Bceuf, and Duquesne. 

These provisions would cost less than those sent from Montreal. 
as the expenses of transportation from there are excessively high; 
and there is such great difliculty in getting the provisions that the 
garrisons are often in danger of being in need. 



* The commandant's lady, who at this time of the year generally 
gives the neighboring squaws each a chintz shift, and some ver- 
milion, and other articles. 

6 Bo.\es made of birch-bark, sewed with the fibre of the spruce- 
tree root (called watap), holding from thirty to fifty pounds each. 

• .\ sweet kiss. The Indian maidens are remarkable for white 
teeth and sweet breaths. 



SOIL AND PRODUCTS, GAME. GRAIN, AND FRUITS. 



13 



Notwithstanding various discouragements, wheat 
was raised in considerable quantities. On Septem- 
ber 9, 1763, the barn of Mr. Reaunie, containing 
about one thousand bushels of wheat, was burned. 
In 176S there were five hundred and fourteen and a 
half acres of land under cultivation, and ninety-seven 
hundred and eighty-nine French bushels of corn pro- 
duced; but in 1770 food was so scarce that a famine 
became imminent. 

The Annual Register, an English periodical, con- 
tains a letter from Paris, dated March 19, 1770, 
which says : 

Letters from Detroit by Monday's New York mail inform us 
that several boats with goods have been seventy days crossing 
Lake Erie, in which time the distress of the people has been so 
great that they have been obliged to keep two human bodies, that 
they had found iinburied upon the shore, in order to collect and 
kill the ravens and eagles, that came to feed on them, for their 
subsistence. 

Many other boats have been frozen up within forty miles of 
Detroit, and several traders' small boats with goods have been 
lost. 

Ten years later the inhabitants were again in 
trouble for want of certain kinds of provisions. On 
March 10, 1780, Colonel De Peyster wrote to Colonel 
Bolton at Niagara, saying : " The distress of the in- 
habitants here is very great for want of bread, not an 
ounce of flour or a grain of corn to be purchased. 
IMany will be at a loss for grain to put in the ground; 
the fall wheat, however, has a good appearance from 
ha\-ing had a quantity of snow." In the same letter 
he said, " I am sorry to inform you, sir, that Lieuten- 
ant Bunbury and Mr. Godfrey, the conductor, are 
drowned by the overturning of a canoe. The ducks 
flying in clouds past the fort, the gentlemen, forgetting 
they had been desired not to go in canoes, too eager 
of sport, have lost their lives." 

This accident occurred the day before he wrote. 

On March 12, 1780, he wrote to Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Sinclair, saying : " Everything here is in the 
greatest tranquility except the cry for bread, the 
inhabitants being so much in want that without the 
assistance of the King's stores, many must starve." 
The same year, however, twelve thousand and 
eighty-three acres of land were reported as under 
cultivation. 

P'rom a very early period the pear, apple, and 
cherry trees were prominent features in the scenery 
of Detroit. Our orchards have produced many 
noted varieties of fruit, among which the Snow- 
Apple is particularly famous. In 1796 a large apple 
called Pomme Caille, deep red from skin to core, 
was noted for its flavor. Cider was largely made 
and freely used a century ago. In i8r8 our exports 
of fish and cider were valued at sixty thousand dol- 
lars. Immense pear trees, a hundred feet and more 
in height, with trunks from one to three feet thick, 
\vith large, thick limbs and hea\y foliage, were at 



once the pride and pest of their owners ; for then, 
as now, boys and pears affiliated. Almost every 
farmer had from one to half a dozen of these 
trees, which produced from thirty to fifty bushels 
each. 

The seeds or young trees from which they were 
grown were probably brought from France. None 
of the early travelers mention their existence, and 
although they were once numerous they have largely 
disappeared. 

In the absence of further facts concerning these 
grand old trees, their memory deserves to be honored 
by the insertion of two poems that they inspired. 
The first, giving them legendary origin, was written 
several years ago by L. J. Bates ; twenty-three out 
of the thirty-three verses are given : 

THE MISSION PEARS. 

In his deerskin covered chair 
Overlooking blue St. Clair, 

Rippling to its marshy edges, 
Sat the Jesuit father, thinking. 
And the summer odors drinking 

From the wind-blown, wavy sedges 
Wide the mission lodge before, 
'Twi.xt the forest and the shore. 
***** 

Twice and thrice, with zeal unspent, 
Urgent missives had he sent 

To the Jesuit colleges 
In far France, o'er land and ocean, 
Begging help of their devotiim 

To convert the savages, 
That the Church might found and keep 
Realm and empire broad and deep. 
***** 

"Send me one of burning zeal, — 
Someone who can speak and feel. 

That these heathen stocks shall hear him; 
Someone with an holy unction. 
Eloquent in every function. 

Bold, that savage hearts may fear him; 
Someone patient, quick to teach; 
Someone wise, and strong to preach. 
***** 

Nigh two hundred years ago, 
Sat the father, thinking so. 

In the Jesuit mission garden. 
Looking o'er the St. Clair marshes 
Spreading to the forest arches, 

While, each side, an Indian warden, 
(Irim and silent in his place. 
Stood and watched his master's face. 

Stirred the leaves upon the trail 
From the forest, and a pale 

Face, impressed with wasting sorrow. 
Toward them came, young, sad, exalted; 
r.y the father's chair it halted. 

And a sad voice said, " (iood morrow! " 
While the stranger bent his knee. 
*' Lo, a missive sent to thee." 

***** 

Long his countenance he bent 
O'er the missive, strangely sent 

From the far-off Jesuit college; 
" Him we send, though young, is fervent. 



H 



SOIL AND PRODLXTS, GAME, GRAIN AND FRUITS. 



P^aithfui, resolute, obser\'ant, 

Valiant, earnest, full of knowledge, 
Eloquent and wise of speech; 
Patient, tender, quick to teach." 

And the wise Superior wrote, 
In a separate sealed note 

Most discreet, a private letter, 
Telling of a lady, fairest 
Of the bellts of France, and rarest. 

Bound in haled marriage fetter, 
Fondly by this youth adored. 
Murdered by her jealous lord. 
***** 

" Work him ever, night and day, 
Else his heart will eat away, 

And a gallant life be wasted. 
Use him, for his soul's salvation, — 
Give him constant occupation. 

Death he hath already tasted, 
And its after-coming pain. 
Work may make him whole again." 

Soon this pale-faced eloquent. 
Ever on his tasks intent, 

Won the love of all around him. 
All the children loved him nearly. 
All the women held him dearly; 

Flinty hearted warriors found him 
Full of strange attractiveness 
With his strong, sad gentleness. 

But when every task was done. 
Often, at the set of sun, 

When the sky, with glory gleaming, 
Flooded the blue waters sparkling. 
Reedy marsh and forest darkling. 

Would he stand, as one day-dreaming, 
Gazing o'er the fair expanse, 
While his heart returned to France. 
***** 

Once, as thus he stood distrait. 
Like a soul o'crbcrne by fate, 

The good father, coming on him. 
Saw him pluck from out his bosom 
Withered pear and clover-blossom. 

While to silent tears they won him. 
On his head the father laid 
Disapproving hand, and said: 

" Son, this world thou hast put off, — 
Earthly love or earthly scoff, 

Nevermore, hast vowed, shall move thee. 
Much it grieves me, in this fashion. 
Then, to witness mortal passion 

Call me, loving, to reprove thee. 
Give those tokens to my care. 
And betake thyself to prayer." 

" Father, for each erring soul 
One hath died to make it whole: 

Me unworthy! me heart-broken! 
Two for mc, — most undeser\'ing! — 
For my sin have died unswer\-ing; 

And I look upon this token 
As my penance, seeing there 
All my sin and my despair. 



Spoke in kindness, not commanding: 

" Son, thy penance is abated. 
This thy token holds within 
That which may relieve thy sin. 

*' Genuine love, though at its worst. 
Rarely hath been wholly cursed; 

Still some spark of good is in it. 
In thy passion, so forbidden. 
May we find one blessing hidden. 

And from out the evil win it. 
Possible that good may be 
Cure or comfort unto thee. 

*' Son, 1 bid thee rise and stand, 
Look upon this needy land! 

In thy withered pear lies dormant 
Nature's power to bloom, and bless 
This unfruitful wilderness. 

Here is healing for thy torment! 
Many and many a voice of prayer 
Long may bless thy withered pear. 
***** 

*'Son, thine own hand shall prepare 
Mold, and plant the seed with care; 

Haply with it may be buried, 
For a noble resurrection. 
Murdered love, unblest affection. 

Faith and truth that so miscarried. 
Peace and rest descend on thee. 
First fruit of the earliest tree! " 

Thus, like souls redeemed from ein. 
Did the mission pears begin 

In the ancient Jesuit garden; 
And the shoots, as they ascended, 
Prayerfully were watched and tended, 

Till the wood could grow and harden. 
Often, in their early years. 
Watered by repentant tears. 

Then, to other missions sent, 
Wandered far the eloquent. 

Till forgotten for another; 
And the father slept, immortal 
Many years; when, at the portal. 

Bent a sick and feeble brother, 
Craving rest, from travel sore. 
At the mission's welcome door. 

In the sunset red, one day, 
Lo, the stranger dying lay 

Underneath the pear-trees, laden 
With their ripe fruit, bent and swaying, 
Where the happy children, playing. 

Little man and rosy maiden, 
Loved to visit. On each child 
Sweet the dying brother smiled. 

Glowed the western sky like fire. 

" This," he muttered, " this is Loire, 

Rippling through the sedges slowly 
Of his marshes. Lo, my lady 
Walks the old pear-orchard shady! 

O beloved, purged and holy, 
Thou dost bring deliverance. 
Home, and peace, and love, and— France! ' 



Long the father walked apart, 
Deep communing with his heart, 

While the brother knelt and waited; 
Then, at last, the father, standing, 



Old French settlers— work and place 
Blended with a mighty race, 

Mightiest earth hath ever vaunted: 
Still the old faith rarely falters. 



SOIL AM) I'KOnUCTS, GAME, GRAIN AXD FRUITS. 



15 



Though it kneels at other altare, 

In the neighboring city planted: 
At the shrine of good St. Ann, 
Worships still the habitan. 

Many a thrifty Mission Pear 
Yet o'erlooks the bliit: St. Clair, 

Like a veteran, faitlifid warden; 
And their branches, gnarled and olden. 
Yield their juicy fruit and gt>l(U-n. 

In the ancient Jesuit garden 
Still, each year, their blossoms dance, 
Scent and bloom of sunny !■" ranee. 

The following verses were wrilten in icS4y by ^^^ 
H. Coyle, then a resident of the city : 

TO THE OLD PEAR TREES OK J)KTROrr. 

An hundred years and more ye have stood 
Through sunshine and through storms, 

And still, like warriors clad in mail, 
Ye lift your stalwart forms. 

Proud in your might ye challenge the winds 

As in your palmy days; 
And ye laugh in scorn at the howling blast 

And the lightning's lurid blaze. 

Ye have seen the boy in his childhood play 

In your cool shades, blithe and brave. 
And have moaned with the evening's summer breeze 

O'er the old grandsire's grave. 

From your lofty tops o'er the river blue 

Ye have looked, long, long ago, 
As the savage leaped on the shining sands 

With scalping-knife and bow, 

'Neath your leafy boughs the painted chief 

Has pitched his peaked tent. 
And the council fire through your quivering leaves 

Its silver smoke has sent. 

From the frontier fort ye have seen the flash, 

And heard the cannons boom. 
Till the stars and stripes in victory- waved 

Through the battle's glare and gloom. 

When the ancient city fell by the flames, 

Ye saw it in ashes expire, 
But, like true sentinels, kept your posts 

In the blazing whirl of fire. 

And where tall temples now lift their spires 

And priest and people meet. 
Ye have seen the giant forest oak 

And the wild deer bounding fleet. 

Where the white-sailed ship now rides the wave 

Ye have watched the bark canoe, 
And heard in the night the voyager's song 

And the Indian's shrill halloo. 

The lingering few " vicux habitans " 

Look at ye with a sigh, 
And memory's tear-drop dims their gaze 

While they thtnk of the times gone by. 

Oh! those were honest and happy times, — 

The simple days of old. 
When their forefathers quaffed and laughed. 

And lived for more than gold. 

One by one, like brown autumnal leaves, 

They are falling to the grotmd. 
And soon the last of that honored race 

*Neath the yew-tree will be found. 



Live on, old trees, in your hale green age! 

Long, long may your shadows last, 
With your blossomed boughs and golden fruit, 

Loved emblems of tlie past." 

The interior of the State was for many years 
deemed almost useless for agricultural purposes. 

On November 30, 181 5, Edmund Tiffin, Surveyor- 
General at Chillicothe, wrote to General Meigs, 
Commissioner of the Land Office at Washington, 
that in the whole of Michigan Territory there was 
" not one acre in a hundred, if there would be in a 
thousand, that would in any case admit of cultiva- 
tion. It is all swampy and sandy." On December 
II he again wrote: "Subsequent accounts confirm 
the statements, and make the country out worse, if 
possible, than I had represented it to be." 

Detroit and the private claims near by were repre- 
sented as being somewhat better, without so many 
swamps and lakes, but the region as a whole was 
said to be extremely sterile and barren. Such repre- 
sentations must have been founded on unpardonable 
ignorance or knavery. No State in the Union has a 
larger proportion of excellent farming lands. The 
wheat crop in 1879 amounted to thirty-five million 
bushels, and the productions of our gardens, fields, 
and orchards are unexcelled. 

In 1821 H. Berthelet raised a pumpkin that was 
six feet eight inches in circumference, and after it 
had been picked three \\-eeks it weighed one hun- 
dred and sevent)'-four pounds and twelve ounces. 
The previous year, two seeds planted at Grosse 
Pointe produced thirteen hundred and fourteen 
pounds of pumpkins. 

As early as 1823 water-melons weighing from 
thirty-six to forty-four pounds were frequently seen, 
and beets weighing eighteen pounds and water- 
melons weighing forty pounds were common. 

The following item from the Gazette of December 
13, 1825, tells its own sttiry; 

Better Prospects. — We mention as a singular fact, and entirely 
new in this territory, that a wagon-load of FLOUR arrived in 
town last week from the interior. It was made at Colonel Mack's 
Mills at Pontiac, and we understand that there are several hundred 
barrels there which will be brought in soon. 

This notice marked an era, and soon after Detroit 
had bread to eat and flour to sell. In 1827 she made 
her first export of flour to the amount of two hun- 
dred barrels. About this same time, in 1828, she 
began to contribute what some would call one of the 
luxuries of life to other places. *' sending coals to 
Newcastle" in the shape of one hundred hogsheads 
of Michigan tobacco shipped to Baltimore, besides 
packages to other places. 

In 1827 a pear, weighing thirty ounces, was grown 
by Judge Sibley ; it was seven and a half inches 
long and fourteen and a half inches in circum- 
ference. 



i6 



SOIL AND PRODUCTS, GAME, GRAIN AND FRUITS. 



On November 13, 1S33, Mr. Moon exhibited a 
beet two feet and si.K inelies long and two feet and 
five inches in circumference. It weighed seventeen 
pounds without the top. In June, 1848, a straw- 
berry nearly three inches in diameter was grown by 
Horace Hallock; and in 1854, in the garden of John 
Farmer, on Monroe Avenue, one tree produced plums 
measuring nearly six inches in circumference, and 
the peach trees were heavily laden with peaches as 
large as any ever seen in this market. A garden 
near by produced a potato of such immense size 
that it furnished a full supply of that edible for four 
meals to a family of two. A quince tree in the same 
garden produced quinces one of which weighed 
nearly three pounds. 

Notwithstanding the productiveness of the soil, 
provisions, in early days, were very dear. .The 
reason is given in the Detroit Gazette of January, 
1819; it says: "There are families owning from 
one hundred to two hundred acres of land in the 
vicinity of the city who are in the constant habit of 
buying their bread at the baker's and \-egetables of 
their more enterprising neighbors." 

In 1837 so much interest was taken in the raising 
of fruits and grain that a meeting was held on April 
24 at the City Hall to organize an Agricultural and 
Horticultural Society. Colonel McKinstry acted as 
chairman and H. G. Hubbard as secretary. An 
organization was effected which continued in exist- 
ence for some twenty years, and its annual exhibition 
was looked forward to as among the most interest- 
ing events of the year. 

In ancient days, as now, whitefish, sturgeon, pick- 
erel, pike, perch, black bass, catfish, sunfish, and 
bullheads were plentiful. Large numbers of fish — 
from the half-pound perch to the one-hundred-and- 
twenty-pound sturgeon — are caught yearly. Who 
that has lived here so long does not remember the 
large reels that twenty years or more ago were so 
often seen along the river-bank, with the fishers' 
nets hung upon them ? 

Of all species, the whitefish is most numerous and 
highly prized. Schoolcraft thus sings their praise : — 

All friends of good living by tureen and dish 

Concur in exalting this prince of a fish, 

So fine in a platter, so tempting a fry^ 

So rich on a gridiron, so sweet in a pie, 

That even before it the salmon must fail, 

And that mighty bonne-bouche, the land beaver's tail. 

****** 
Its beauty and flavor no person can doubt, 
W^hen seen in the water or tasted without; 
And all the dispute that opinion ere makes 
Of this king of lake-fishes, this deer of the lakes, 
Regards not itsch oiceness to ponder or sup, 
But the best mode of dressing and serving it up. 

In 1818 whitefish were worth only three dollars 



per barrel, and boat-loads were sold for fifty cents 
per hundred. 

In 1S22 there were taken at Hog Island twelve 
hundred barrels, then worth from four to five dollars 
per barrel. On the grounds they were sold at from 
four to eight shillings per hundred. In 1823 the 
catch was not so large, and they sold at from two to 
three dollars per hundred. In the early part of the 
W'Cek ending October 23, 1824, at the fishery on 
Grosse Isle, twenty-five and thirty thousand white- 
fish were caught in a single day. In 1825 they were 
worth six and seven dollars per barrel, and thousands 
of barrels were shipped to Ohio and New York. 

In 1827 they were so numerous that fifteen thou- 
sand were taken with a single seine, in five hauls. 
The catch in Detroit River from 1836 to 1840 
averaged about thirty-five hundred barrels per year, 
worth eight dollars per barrel. In 1880 there were 
caught about twelve thousand half-barrels, worth 
four dollars and se\-enty-five cents each. 

The importance of fish as an article of food 
induced the establishment, in 1873, of a State Fish 
Commission. The first fish hatchery in the State 
was successfully operated in the winter of 1 873- 1 874, 
by N. W. Clark, — about one million five hundred 
thousand young fish being produced. On April 14, 
1874, five thousand young whitefish were deposited 
in Yerkes Lake, Plymouth Township. On March 
13, 1875, three hundred and si.xteen thousand young 
fish were deposited in the Detroit River. On 
August 3, 1876, the Commission resolved to estab- 
lish a hatchery at Detroit. A cheap frame building, 
twenty by fifty feet, was erected at Number 475 
Atwater Street, near Dequindre ; with the apparatus, 
it cost $1,300. It was completed September 25, 
1 876, and fully equipped by November i . Between 
November i and 12, 1876, four hundred and five 
female fish were stripped on the fishing grounds and 
ten million eggs procured ; nearly twice as many 
male fish were also stripped, and the hatchery was 
set in operation. More recently large fish are kept 
in the hatchery, and eggs are obtained more easily. 
The first eggs hatched out on March I, 1877. Up 
to 1 883, nearly one hundred millions of fish had 
been produced. In the spring of 1883, thirty-eight 
millions were hatched out, and many of them were 
deposited in the Detroit River. AVhen from eight 
to fifteen days old. the young fr\' are shipped to such 
places as the superintendent may designate. In 1883 
a new building for the hatchery was erected on the 
northeast corner of Lafayette Street and Joseph 
Campau -A. venue. 

In the winter months, and especially in March or 
April when the fish are hatching, the institution is 
well worth a visit. 



CHAPTER IV. 



CADILLAC'S GRANT— FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



Th E city of Detroit, as now laid out. includes not 
only the ancient town, but several adjoining farnis, 
and some public land never owned by private per- 
sons until granted by the United States. It is pos- 
sible that the French occupied the site of Detroit 
several years before the founding of the city by Ca- 
dillac, but if so, the previous occupation, whether 
temporary or continuous, involved no personal rights. 
In the more settled portions of New France, grants 
were made of seigneuries giving the seigneur entire 
control of large estates, which were generally par- 
celed out to purchasers, or, if retained by the seig- 
neur, were cultivated by his own people, or farmed 
out to ordinary lessees on such terms as the parties 
agreed upon. 

The terms on which lands might be sold by hiin 
were not left to his own option, but were fixed by 
the Coutume de Paris or by special decrees of the 
king. When an officer was allowed to build a fort 
in a new place, he was frequently made proprietor of 
the fort and certain adjacent lands, which he could 
lease or sell. 

Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of De- 
troit, is said to have been granted a domain of fifteen 
arpents square. The arpent, however, was not a 
uniform measure. The United States standard fixes 
it at 192.24 feet. A woodland arpent is a little more 
than a square acre ; but arpents and acres are often 
used as interchangeable terms. Mr. C. Jouett, the 
Indian agent at Detroit in 1803, so used them. He 
said that Cadillac's grant was fifteen acres square, or 
two hundred and twenty-five acres in all. If that 
were true, it would now be bounded on the east by 
the farm known as the Brush Farm, west by the 
Cass Farm, in front by the Detroit River, and in the 
rear by Grand River Street. As usually regarded, it 
reached to the present line of Adams Avenue. 

Original documents, copies of which are on file in 
Quebec, show that he claimed all of the land on both 
sides of the Detroit, from Lake Erie to Lake Huron; 
and it is not probable that he would have made this 
claim if prexnously there had been granted to him a 
domain of only fifteen arpents square. He claimed 
the entire strait because of the great expense he in- 
curred in establishing the first colony, because of 
the general benefits accruing to New France from 



the peace he secured with the Iroquois, and also for 
the reason that the establishment of the fort at De- 
troit prevented the English from reaching the west- 
ern Indians. 

In pursuance of his claim, he made a concession 
to his eldest son of a tract of land on the river, be- 
ginning at the entrance into Lake Erie, with a front- 
age of six leagues, and extending five leagues back 
from the river. This concession included Grosse 
Isle and all the adjacent islands. 

In support of his demand for all the lands on the 
strait, Cadillac said that he had established French 
or Indians here and there along the whole course of 
the river. There can be doubt that he was granted 
power by the king to dispose of land on the river, 
for there is abundant evidence to that effect in a 
letter from Pontchartrain, dated June 14, 1704, and 
also in the decrees of June 14, 17, and 19, 1706. 
Under these decrees he made two grants, now in- 
cluded in the city, and known as Claims No. 12 
and No. 90, or the Guion and, Witherell Farms. 
The grant to Frangois Fafard de Lorme embraced 
what is now known as Private Claim 1 2 and part of 
13. It was made March 10, 1707, and covered a 
strip of land four hundred feet wide by four thou- 
sand feet long, or nearly thirty-two acres. De Lorme 
was to have the privilege of trading, hunting, and 
fishing, but was not to kill hares, rabbits, partridges, 
or pheasants. He was to pay annually, on March 
20, five li\Tes as seigneurial dues or rental, and ten 
livres for the right to trade. He was to commence 
improvements in three months, and was to plant, or 
help plant, annually, a May-pole before the door of 
the seigneur. He also bound himself to have his 
grain ground at the public mill, and to pay toll, at 
the rate of eight pounds for each minot, — a measure 
of three bushels. He could not sell or give his land 
as security without consent; and in case of sale, 
Cadillac was to have the first right to purchase. He 
was also to furnish timber for vessels and fortifica- 
tions when desired: and further promised not to 
work as a blacksmith, cutler, armorer, or brewer, 
without special permit. He might import goods, 
but could employ no clerks unless they lived in De- 
troit; and he was not to sell liquor to Indians. 

Other conditions, common to grants in this period, 



[■7l 



i8 



CADILLAC'S GRANT. 



were that the grantees should pay, on St. Martin's 
Day, a certain number of fowls, so many dozen eggs, 
or a definite number of measures of grain for each 
front arpent occupied ; and in addition to having 
their grain ground in the seigneur's mill, they were 
obliged to have their bread baked in his ovens. 

At Detroit the boundariesof these farms, or claims, 
were defined by ditches. The Private Claim now 
known as No. 90 was granted by Cadillac to Jacob 
de Marsac Jouira, dit Desroches, on the same day 
that the grant was made to De Lorme. He also 
made two other grants of the same size, — one to 
M. -St. Aubin and the other to the widow Beaus- 
seron. Cadillac also granted to Michel Campau a 
piece of land fifty-three feet long upon St. Antoine 
Street, and seventeen feet on St. Ann Street, within 
the stockade, for which he was to pay an annual 
rent of five livres and five sous. For a right to 
trade, ten livres additional were charged. The 
rents were payable on March 20, in furs or " silver 
money when there shall be any." The grantees 
were to pay eight livres per minot for the grinding 
of their grain. No transfer could be made without 
the consent of Cadillac, and with every transfer a fee 
was to be paid him. In case the grantees neglected 
or did not wish to plant the May-pole, they were 
required to pay three livres in silver or peltries. 

Cadillac also granted a lot inside the fort to ^L 
Malette. Other lands within and without the pick- 
ets were granted by him to Messrs. Langlois, Tru- 
deau, Magnau, Des Rivieres, De Ruisseau, Com- 
paret, Dufresne, Hubert, Lacroix, and Monier. 

In 1708 M. d'Aigremont officially reported that he 
caused the lands at Fort Pontchartrain to be meas- 
ured, and found that there were three hundred and 
fifty acres improved, of which La Mothe had one 
hundred and fifty-seven acres, and the French in- 
habitants forty-si.x acres; that sixty-three inhab- 
itants possessed lots inside the fort, and twenty-nine 
of them farms outside. M. d'Aigremont arrived 
at Detroit July 15, 170S, and remained nineteen days. 
The records of St. Ann's Church, under date of July 
29, 1708, note his presence under the following name 
and title : " Francois Clarembault, Esq., .Sieur d'Ai- 
gremont, Navy Commissary in Canada, sub-delegate 
of the Surveyor, and King's Deputy for surveying 
the Military Posts in Canada." 

In 1 7 10 Cadillac was appointed Governor of Loui- 
siana. In the summer of 171 1 he was relieved of 
the command at Detroit, and on his departure his 
property was placed in the care of Pierre. Roy. 
After he left, there were so few immigrants, and 
the settlers were so much discouraged, that no 
grants were made for many years. It appears evi- 
dent that while Cadillac was in Louisiana his inter- 
ests at Detroit received but little attention. Set- 
tlers, however, began to murmur at the demands 



made upon them under the concessions he had 
granted, and in April, 17 16, the king revoked all 
grants made by Cadillac on the ground that they 
were not gi\-en in ordinary form, and that too much 
was exacted of the occupants. This decree, how- 
e\'er, was accompanied with a proxnsion which left 
the settlers in possession as before. The next year 
Cadillac returned to France, and in 17 19 or 1720 the 
king directed that he be put in possession of the 
lands which he had cleared at Detroit, together with 
the rights that he had in connection with lands he 
had conceded to others. He was also to be put in 
possession of the buildings, furniture, and cattle 
which he left when he went to Louisiana, together 
with the increase of the live stock. His other claims 
he was to bring before an officer for adjudication, 
and a patent was to be granted to him for the lands 
within two years. 

M. Vaudreuil, the Governor, and Begon, the In- 
tendant of New France, probably at the instigation 
of Tonty (then in command here), and presumably 
in the interest of those occupying the lands claimed 
by Cadillac, offered various reasons why it would be 
impolitic and impossible to carry out the directions 
of the king. In connection with their protests they 
stated in their memorial of November 4, 1721, that 
there were then only four who had farms outside the 
fort, and that thirty others had locations inside the 
stockade. The king responded to these protests by 
a decree, dated May 19, 1722, which conceded to 
Cadillac all the land he had cleared and rights over 
that which he had granted to others, except that the 
dues exacted from traders were thereafter to be paid 
only to the commandant of the post. He also di- 
rected that Cadillac should have two years from the 
date of the decree in which to have his claims sur- 
veyed. No evidence can be found that the claims 
of Cadillac were ever surveyed and defined in ac- 
cordance with the intent of the decree. On the 
contrary, Vaudreuil and Begon, in a letter dated 
October 14., 1723, said; "The lands cleared by M. 
de la Mothe are not yet surveyed, neither do we 
know what he has conceded, the revenues of which 
must be paid to him." 

It is not probable that the lands and claims of 
Cadillac were settled according to the king's decree, 
and it is clearly evident that the governor-general, 
intendant, and local commandants evinced a masterly 
inactivity in bringing his claims to a final and just 
conclusion. The proof that his claims were left in 
vague and unsatisfactory shape is made almost con- 
clusive by the following facts. In 1730, the year of 
Cadillac's death, his eldest son, in a memorial to 
Count Maurepas, said that his father had the promise 
of the post of Detroit, with the title of seigneur. 
Now, this son was with Cadillac, and old enough to 
be an ensign, when his father came ; and if his rights 



FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



19 



had been definitely settled according to the king's de- 
cree of 1722, his son would undoubtedly have known 
about it and have so stated in his memorial. This 
view of the case is made still more certain by an ex- 
amination of the Maichens Deed, so called. This deed 
was first heard of in Detroit in 1872, when Rev. J. 
C. A. Desnoyers, curate of the parish of St. Fie, in 
Lower Canada, forwarded it to E. N. Lacroi.x, of 
Detroit. It purported to be a deed for a tract of 
land on the Detroit, executed on August 28, 1738, 
to Bernard Maichens, of Marseilles, by the widow 
and heirs of Cadillac. The deed was subsequently 
obtained from the same priest, on November 29, 
1873. by Levi Bishop, and on pages 343 and 344 of 
Volume I. of the Pioneer Collections of Michigan, he 
g^ves a translation of it. The deed conveys " All 
the property generally left by the said deceased An- 
toine de la Mothe Cadillac, and which said .Madame 
and her said sons, in consequence of his death, pos- 
sess at Detroit, upon Lake Erie, in North .Vmerica, 
consisting of cleared lands forty arpents in depth, 
widi the buildings and animal stock together in title 
and enjoyment ; with the right of hunting and fish- 
ing granted on the 19th of May, A. D. 1722, by the 
Council of State of His Majesty, for the benefit of 
said deceased ; with the right of quit rents and 
arrearages of such rents in stock and other movable 
property- which appertains thereto, and in such 
quantity and consistence as belongs thereto, in said 
Detroit. Including in this sale all that may belong 
to said vendors in regard to said lands, fruits, farms, 
leases, buildings, stock, arrearages, and rents wher- 
ever they may appear." 

It will be noticed that this deed, although made in 
1738, makes no allusion to any grant or decree ex- 
cept the one of May 19, 1 722. That decree provided 
that Cadillac's claims should be surveyed within two 
years, evidently in order to determine their real ex- 
tent and number. If such sur\-ey had been made, 
and his claims clearly defined, the fact would un- 
doubtedly have been referred to in the Maichens 
Deed. The most casual e.xamination discloses the 
fact that just what was being conveyed was not 
clearly known. The deed deals only in generalities, 
which would not be the case if Cadillac's claims had 
been fully adjusted. The statement of Mr. Bishop 
that the deed " conveyed the site of Detroit, with all 
rights and property thereto belonging," and that 
" the whole of Detroit and .its appurtenances were 
sold for about ten thousand dollars," was made 
without a knowledge of the real facts in the case. 
It was never conceded by either the king or the 
council that Cadillac owned " all of Detroit and its 
appurtenances." Only the lands he had cleared or 
granted were to be restored to him, and there was 
much uncertainty as to how much would thus be 
embraced. Accompanying the deed (which was 



only a duplicate) there W'as a letter dated Boston, 
August 20, 1798, addressed to a Mr. Sicart, signed by 
Mme. Gregoire, granddaughter of Cadillac, setting 
forth that Maichens paid only half of the purchase 
price, and left for Detroit immediately after getting 
the deed ; that they had since been unable to hear 
from him or get any satisfaction as to the further 
sum due, although the property conveyed was by 
the deed mortgaged to the family of Cadillac until 
paid for in full. The object of this letter was to 
induce some lawyer to recover the property, and 
Mme. Gregoire proposed togive one quarter of all that 
might be realized from the claim. The probability 
is that Maichens himself, at that early day, never 
realized as much as he actually paid for whatever 
came into his possession. 

Only about ten years before writing the above 
mentioned letter, Mme. Gregoire had obtained from 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts a grant of Mt. 
Desert Island and portions of the main land. Her 
claim for that estate was based on a grant made to 
Cadillac, prior to his arrival at Detroit, in evidence 
of which she furnished a copy of the king's decree 
describing and granting the lands. Her success in 
securing this grant would undoubtedly have caused 
her to make a more earnest effort to obtain the grant 
at Detroit had there been like conclusive evidence 
of her rights. 

It is matter of record that there was much confusion 
for many years concerning the lands of Detroit. 
La Forest, Tonty, and Sabrevois all made grants, 
but none of them had authority to do so. About 
1720 Tonty compelled the inhabitants to bring their 
contracts of concession to him, and he retained the 
greater part of them. 

On May 14, 1728, Louis XIV. gave permission to 
lease the farms at Detroit; and on March 15, 1732, 
he directed the settling of all lands granted, on pain 
of forfeiture. In 1734 Beauharnois, (iovernor-Gen- 
eral, and Hocquart, Intendant of New F'rance, began 
to grant farming lands at Detroit. These conces- 
sions were subject to much the saine conditions indi- 
cated in the grant by Cadillac to De Lorme. The 
first lands granted were the farthest from the fort, 
and each new grant was a little nearer the fort than 
the one preceding; consequently, in each case, the 
grants were bounded by the unconceded lands of the 
fort. In fact, nine different claims are described as 
being bounded on one side by Fort Pontchartrain. 
An important condition of the grants was that, with- 
in two years, a patent of confirmation should be 
obtained from the Crown, but this was almost uni- 
versally neglected. The following grants were con- 
firmed by Louis XV. on February 22, 1735: they 
had been granted by the governor and intendant on 
the dates appended: P. C. 15, to Jean Gilbert, dit 
sans pere, on July 9, 1734; P. C. 16, to Charles 



20 



FREN-CH FARMS OR PRn'ATE CLAIMS. 



Chene. on July 14, 1734; P. C. 18, to Jacques Cam- 
pau, pere, on July 10, 1734. This last grant was also 
confirmed to Nicholas Campau, pere, and P. C. 38, 
to Jean Cass St. Aubin, pere, on July 15. 1734. 

The following twenty-three grants were made on 
the dates named, but for some reason were not con- 
firmed by the king. It will be noticed that all the 
first grants were on the east side of the town ; the 
last grant on the east was made on May I, 1747, on 
the very day that the first grant to Robert Navarre 
was made on the west side of the fort. 



Grants on East S/iii' of Town. 



Present No. 



No. of 



of claim. Arpents. 



To whom grantfd. Date of grant. 



5, 2x40 — Jean Chapatone 

(^chirurgien), June 18, 1734 
91 and 14, 5x40 — Pierre Eustache, July 3. 1734 
733' 5^4° — Louis Campau, July 5, 1734 
9, 4x40 — .St. Marsac Des- 

rocher, pere, July 6, 1734 
7, 4x40 — Pierre Meloche, July S, 1734 
19, 4.X40 — "Named" Moran, July 11, 1734 
257, 4x40 — Francois Gilbert, 

dit sans pere, Sept. 10, 1736 

26, 4x40 — Gaeten Seguin, 

dit Lederout, Sept. 10, 1736 
E. part of 2, 3x40 — Jean Bt. Beau- 

bien. May 30, 1745 

W. part of 2, 2.X40 — Jean Maria 

Barios, May i, 1747 

I, 2.X4Q — Eustache Gamelin.May I, 1747 

Grants on M'est Sittc of To^un. 

22, 3.X40 — Robert Navarre, May i, 1747 

27, 3x40 — Antoine Robert, April i, 1750 

473, 3x40 — Charles Chene, ' 

23, 2.X40 — La Veuve Vital 

Caron, " " " 

24, 2x40 — Pierre Labadie, " " " 
726, 3x40 — Lacharie Cicot, " " " 

55, 3.X40 — Franqois Burrois, " " " 
55, 2.X40 — Jean Bt. Debutes, 

dit St. Martin, " " " 
55, 2.X40 — Jacques Godet, " " " 
44, 3.X40 — Claude Audrey, 

dit St. Andrie, " " " 

474, 2x40 — Alexis Delille, " " " 
77 and 78, 8.X40 — " Named " De- 

quindre. May 16. 1753 

It is not claimed that the above list includes all of 
the grants that were made. A Canadian oflicial 
list of old claims shows that M. Chauvin received a 
grant of two arpents by forty on June 16, 1734, 
" bounded on one side towards the east northeast 
by the land of Faffard de Lorme which he holds of 
Sieur de la .Mothe Cadillac." This would identify 



the grant with what is now known as P. C. 182, or 
the Mullett Farm. It is also known that on Septem- 
ber I, 1736, a grant of a farm two arpents wide, 
lying next west of a grant made to Frangois Lauzon, 
was conceded to Charles Bonhomme, dit Beaupre, 
on September i, 1736. Al.so that a farm of the 
same size, lying immediately east of the fort and 
between it and the present Brush Farm, was granted 
to Pierre Reaume on April i. 1750. The knowledge 
of this last grant explains the existence of the old 
claims on the east which interfered with the Gov- 
ernor and Judges' Plan. 

The farthest claim on the east of the city, granted 
by the governor and intendant, so far as shown by 
the Proceedings of the Land Commissioners, was 
Claim 26 in the town of Grosse Pointe. Going 
west towards the city, the following claims, not 
shown to have been granted by the governor and 
the intendant, are interspersed with those which they 
are known to have granted, and with the six claims 
that were fully approved by the commissioners. 
Their order is as follows : Numbers 688, 724, 387, 
725. 337. 152. 10, 644, 723, 155, 734, 180, 679, 100, 
678. 573. 1 1, 453, 454, 609, 14, 8, 17, 182, 181, and 6. 

The farthest claim on the west of the city shown 
in the Proceedings of the Commissioners to have 
been granted by the governor and the intendant is 
P. C. 77, or the Hubbard Farm. Going east towards 
the city, the following claims, in their order, are not 
shown to have been granted by the governor and 
the intendant, viz.: Numbers 21, 20, 727, 728, 729, 
338, 228, 227, 248, 247, 246, and 592. Between the 
two extremes there are thus embraced thirty-eight 
claims that were, very likely, granted by the governor 
and the intendant, but no evidence of the kind was 
presented to the Commissioners of Claims. In fact, 
it seems to ha\'e been impossible, in the case of all, 
or nearly all, the claims, to show a chain of title 
from the time of the original grants ; and as the 
claims were confirmed in accordance with possession 
and improvements on a given date, there was but 
little use in presenting any of the original grants to 
the commissioners. 

An idea once prevailed that affairs in remote 
French posts were conducted without much regard 
to legal correctness. The more closely the question 
is examined, the more careful the local authorities 
appear to have been ; and if all the facts could be 
ascertained, it is not unlikely that the claims con- 
firmed by the L^nited States on purely equitable 
grounds might have been more generally based on 
perfect rights than has been supposed. There can 
be no doubt that the British Government looked 
upon most of the French titles as clear. In imita- 
tion of the French commanders, the English lieu- 
tenant-governors and commandants gave possessor)' 
rights in and near Detroit, some approved by the 



FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



21 



Privy Council, and some not acted upon ; but such 
grants could never legally become absolute. Several 
grants to individuals on the west of the town were 
made by the Indians, and approved by the local 
authorities ; but none of these were valid. The 
king's proclamation of 1763 expressly forbade such 
grants, and they were never lawful. By both British 
and American law, all Indian purchases must be by, 
or with, the consent of the Government which is 
assumed to own the ultimate title, subject to Indian 
occupancy. Among the more notable Indian grants 
were those of the Navarre and Campau farms, 
granted by the Potawatamies to Isadore Chene and 
Robert Navarre, to keep in order the resting-places 
of their dead. Their village and place of graves 
were on these lands, and the grants were made 
when the tribe removed from this neighborhood. 

The front of the French farms on the river was 
occupied by the dwelling-house and garden ; back of 
this was generally a very valuable and beautiful 
orchard ; and in the rear of the orchard were wheat 
and com fields. The farms were narrow, so as to 
give river fronts to as many as possible, and also to 
keep the occupants close together for convenience 
and safety. The depth of the farms was always in- 
tended to be forty French acres, the width varied 
from two to five acres, or in other words, the farms 
had a river frontage of from four hundred to nine 
hundred feet, with an average depth of one and a 
half miles. 

Within the fort the building-lots were small, and 
the entire population — those holding farm lands out- 
side as well as others — had homes inside the stock- 
ade for a great many years. 

As late as 1778 the largest lots were twenty-five 
by one hundred feet. It is probable that all the lots 
within the pickets were permanently disposed of, 
subject to fines of alienation, and to certain annual 
charges, including a contribution towards keeping 
the fort in repair. 

While Michigan was still a part of Indiana Terri- 
tory', Congress, by Act of March 26, 1S04 (United 
States Laws, Volume II., page 227), appointed the 
Register and Receiver of the Detroit Land Office as 
commissioners to examine and report on all claims 
under French and English grants. Under this Act 
the commissioners examined a number of claims, 
and rejected all e.xcept three, viz., P. C. 16, claimed 
by F. P. Matcher, P. C. 18, claimed by George Mel- 
drum, and P. C. 90, claimed by J. M. Beaubien. 
They decided that the other claims presented to 
them were not founded upon any legal grant made 
by the French Government prior to the treaty of 
Paris, of February' 10, 1763, or upon any legal grant 
made by the British subsequent to said treaty, and 
prior to the treaty of peace of September 3, 1783, 
between the United States and Great Britain: or 



upon any resolution or Act of Congress had subse- 
quent to said treaty of peace. 

By Act of March 3, 1805 (United States Laws, 
\'olume II., page 343), they were authorized to ex- 
amine and report on claims actually possessed and 
improved on July i, 1796, the official date on 
which the Territory passed from the British into the 
possession of the American Government. 

They were also to examine into claims based on 
all grounds whatever ; and persons were to have till 
November 1, 1805, to file their claims, which were 
to be surveyed at the expense of the Government. 
Before the commissioners had forwarded their first 
report to Congress Detroit was destroyed by the fire 
of June II, 1805. Under the provisions of the law 
of I S05 in connection with the law of 1 804, the com- 
missioners subsequently reported on six classes of 
titles, viz.j I. Grants by French governors confirmed 
by the King of France. 2. Grants by French gov- 
ernors not confirmed by the king. 3. Occupancies 
by permission of French commandants without grant, 
and perhaps without evidence of the permission, but 
with long and undisturbed possession. 4. Occu- 
pancies under French possession, without any per- 
mission, but with undisturbed possession. 5. Simi- 
lar titles, together with purchases from Indians 
under British rule. 6. Occupancy and possession 
under American Government, and .purchases from 
Indians. They sent three reports to the .Secretary 
of the Treasur)', one dated December i, another 
December 16. 1805, and the third March 6, 1806. 
They again reported in favor of the three claims ap- 
pro\ed under the first law, and also in favor of P. C. 
15, claimed by Phillis Peltier, and P. C. 38, claimea 
by the heirs of Antoine Morass. These five claims 
they reported as valid so far as original title was con- 
cerned, but it was not claimed that the chain of title 
since the original grant was complete. The sixth 
claim confirmed by the commissioners was that of 
Charles and Nicholas Guoin, and embraced what is 
now known as P. C. 1 2 and 1 3. It was claimed in 
one parcel, and was confirmed in separate tracts. 
They also reported claims for many other tracts 
based on ownership and occupation. 

The American State Papers state that the commis- 
sioners found only six titles that had been confirmed 
by the king. This is undoubtedly an error, caused 
by including the two grants of Cadillac with the four 
grants that were actually confirmed by the king. 
The State Papers also say that eight claims were con- 
firmed, which error is apparently caused by counting 
the two grants of Cadillac twice. 

On March 3, 1807 (United States Laws, Volume 
II., page '4371, Congress confirmed the six tracts al- 
ready alluded to, and also all tracts reported upon 
by the commissioners which were occupied, im- 
proved, and settled upon prior to and on July 1, 



ii 



FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



1796, and that had continued to be occupied up to 
the date of the Act. By Law of April 25, 1808 
(United States Laws, Volume II.. page 502), claim- 
ants were allowed until January' i , 1 809, to file their 
claims. 

By the Act of 1S07, the claims were to be sur- 
veyed under the direction of the surveyor-general. 
All certificates issued by the commissioners were re- 
quired to be entered at the land office at Detroit be- 
fore January I, 1809. The claims confirmed under 
this last Act included nearly all the original private 
claims in Wayne County, not excepting the inex'ita- 
ble six French grants, which were again confirmed 
as held by possession. The claims were surveyed 
by Aaron (>reely, and his map is referred to on page 
158, Volume v., of the American State Papers in 
connection with the Abraham Cook Claim. His 
manuscript map was afterwards engraved. 

On April 23, 181 2 (United States Laws, Volume 
n., page 710), Congress confirmed the claims as sur- 
veyed by Aaron Greely under direction of the sur- 
veyor-general, making his survey authority even 
where it did not correspond with the description of 
the claims as confirmed by the commissioners. 
There is abundant evidence that in making his sur- 
veys he frequently gave extra measure by adding 
the length of his "Jacob's staff" from one to three 
times. Tradition says a bottle of wine or brandy 
had something to do with this proceeding. 

Other sun'eyors, among tliem Josei^h Fletcher and 
John Mullett, were afterwards employed in surveying 
the rear concessions. 

The patents for the lands confirmed reached De- 
troit just before or during the War of 181 2, and were 
seized or destroyed by the British. 

In addition to grants of lands fronting on the river, 
the commandants at Detroit are said to have made 
grants known as "second," " rear," or back conces- 
sions, whereby the depth of the farms was extended 
to eight arpents. Many persons claimed of the 
Commissioners of Claims a similar duplication of 
their farms upon the plea that the lands claimed had 
always been used for obtaining wood, and that the 
Government would have granted these rear conces- 
sions at any time if asked. On September i, 1807, 
the commissioners reported to Congress, recom- 
mending that as the arable land fronting on the 
river was exhausted, and mostly without wood for 
fires, lands in the rear be added as asked for. 

By Law of April 23, 181 2, it was provided that 
additional lands might be granted for farms that had 
been confirmed only forty arpents in length, and 
claims for the additional land were to be filed before 
December i, 181 2, but no farm was to be over eighty 
arpents in depth. 

By Act of March 3, 1817 (United States Laws, 
Volume III., page 3901, the time for the filing of 



claims for back concessions, under Act of 181 2, was 
extended to December i, 181S. On May 11. 1820 
(United States Laws, Volume III., page 572), Con- 
gress revi\ed the powers of the commissioners, and 
authorized them to decide on claims presented under 
Act of 1 817, and they were to report on or before 
October i, 1821. This Act was construed as reviv- 
ing all the powers possessed by commissioners under 
former Acts ; and several original claims, confirmed 
under Act of 1S20, are contained in Report or Book 
Number 4, in Volume V., page 146, of American 
State Papers, entitled, " A Report of Absolute 
Claims." The last Act pertaining to the hearing 
and deciding upon claims by commissioners was 
passed on February' 21, 1823 (United States Laws, 
Volume III., page 724). It provided that the Act 
of 1820 should be in force until November 1, 1823, 
and that the final report of the commissioners should 
be laid before Congress and the Secretary of the 
Treasury. The Act also confirmed claims reported 
on under Act of 1820, as reported by the Secretary 
of the Treasury. The numbers of the claims in 
Wayne County, filed under the several Acts, range 
from I to 734. Many of the numbers between these 
two extremes are for claims in other parts of the 
then Territory of Michigan. The total number of 
claims confirmed in Wayne County was only two 
hundred and sixty-eight. 

Rear concessions were granted for about one hun- 
dred claims. The number of acres granted origin- 
ally to claims ranged from less than one half an acre 
to six hundred and forty acres, and the rear conces- 
sions covered from three acres to three hundred acres. 
Judging by the testimony given before the commis- 
sioners, there must have been a very general, and 
apparently a concerted, effort among many claim.ants 
to swear through each other's claims. The com- 
missioners themselves reported that the records of 
the earlier Boards had been so mutilated that it was 
impossible fully to imderstand them. The unravel- 
ling of the history of the claims is made difficult also 
by the fact that the different Boards designated the 
same books by different numbers. Volume L is 
sometimes called I., sometimes II., and then ap- 
pears as number III. These errors were appropri- 
ately supplemented by the careless transcribing and 
transposing of the names of claimants, surveyors, 
and clerks, — the same names being spelled in several 
ways. As late as 1823, at least thirteen original 
claims were confirmed by Commissioners of Claims 
that had been left unconfirmed by the first commis- 
sioners. To these claims they gave new numbers. 
In the list of claims' most of them are designated 
by the new numbers. The only other tract in Wayne 
County;, aside from the Ten Thousand Acre Tract, 

1 See .Appendix A, 



FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



bearing a specific name or number, and separately ceeded Bates. Under Act of 1807, the Secretary 

surveyed, is the Ship Yard or University Tract on the of Territory, Stanley Grisvvold, was added to the 

Rouge. It is called Ship Yard Tract because, during Commission. On March 18, 1S08, Reuben At water 

the British occupation, and also under American rule succeeded Griswold, and up to October, 18 14. 

in the War of 1812, vessels were there built and the Commission consisted of Audrain, Atwater, 

fitted out. It was selected at an early date as part and Abbott. In 18 14 William Woodbridge suc- 

of the lands devoted to the University, and thus ceeded Atwater. In 1819 Jonathan Kearsley suc- 

came to be called also the University Tract. The ceeded Abbott. In 1821 H. B. Brevoort succeeded 

first commissioners were George Hoffman, Register, Audrain, and he, in 1823, was succeeded by John 

and Frederick Bates, Receiver of the Land Office. Biddle. The last commissioners w'ere Woodbridge, 

On April 16, 1806, Peter Audrain succeeded Hoff- Kearsley, and Biddle. 
man, and on April 4, 1807, James Abbott sue- 



CHAPTER V. 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.— THE PARK LOTS AND THE TEN-THOlfSAND-ACRE TRACT. 
THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES' PLAN.— LAND BOARDS. 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 

During French rule the lands outside the stock 
ade and in the immediate vicinity of Fort Pontchar- 
train were, in part at least, cultivated in common by 
the inhabitants. Lands similarly situated at Kas- 
kaskia, Illinois, were guaranteed in perpetuity by the 
king to the inhabitants and used by them as a " com- 
mon field ;" and rights of the same nature are known 
to have been exercised by the inhabitants of Detroit. 
The " common field " was usually enclosed, and 
each head of a family had a portion entirely at his 
disposal, subject only to such regulations as would 
prevent injury to the rights of others. Under these 
general regulations, the field was usually cultivated 
simultaneously by its several owners, and much of 
the work done in common. Outside of these cul- 
tivated lands were the "commons," used for pastur- 
age by all alike. 

It would not have been expedient to allow the 
lands adjoining the fort to be built upon to any 
great extent. A certain amount of open space about 
the stockade was necessary as a protection both 
from fire and from the Indians. If houses were too 
near together, they might afford a place of ambush, 
be used to shoot from into the fort, or serve as look- 
outs wherefrom to discern the numbers and the 
preparations of the garrison. A few houses were 
built outside, but they proved a source of danger 
and annoyance, and were repeatedly torn down. A 
letter addressed to James McHenry, Secretary of 
War, by John Wilkins, Jr., Quartermaster-general, 
ancestor of the late Colonel William D. Wilkins, 
gives interesting particulars of the status of the 
commons and other property at Detroit, at the 
time it was first surrendered to the United States. 
It reads as follows : 

PiTTSBl'RGH, 17 February, 1797. 
Sir, — 

The United States have succeeded to a great deal of property at 
Detroit. The whole ground on which the town of Detroit is 
situated seems, originally, to have been reserved by the British for 
the use of the fort; but the merchants and tradesmen preferring to 
live under the protection of the garrison, grants of lots have been 
given to them, which, in time, have formed a regular town. 

But there yet remains around the town a quantity of vacant 
ground, which, of course, becomes the property of the United 



States. This, from its situation, is valuable. But in order to pre- 
ser\e it, there will be a necessity of preventing any persons build- 
ing on it, or the United States should have it laid out in lots and 
sold. 

The vacant ground I allude to is without the pickets; within 
the pickets, exclusive of the fort and barracks, there are a number 
of houses and lots of ground, which the United States have suc- 
ceeded to, such as the council-house, store-houses, wharf, etc., 
and two large gardens for the garrison; and outside of the pickets, 
a ship-yard, consisting of a number of work-shops. I was in- 
formed, when at Detroit, that there were a number of other 
buildings than those we got possession of, which had belonged to 
the British Government, but that, since their removal, were 
claimed by people living in them. These claims ought to be 
inquired into. 

The public domain or commons included at least 
all of the northern half of " the Governor and 
Judges' Plan," and practically all of the land beyond 
lying between the Cass and Brush farms within a 
distance of three miles from the river. 

A few years subsequent to the date of the Wilkins 
letter, the Northwest Territorial Legislature adopted 
the following instructions to their delegate to 
Congress : 

U'/ieri'aSy The inhabitants of Wayne County, in the town of 
Detroit, have, time out of mind, enjoyed a small piece of land 
adjacent to the town, as a public common, for the use of the 
inhabitants, until partially dispossessed by military authority, 
therefore, 

Kesoh'edy That Paul Fearing, F.sq., be instructed to use his 
endeavors to have the right of the said common confirmed by the 
United States to the inhabitants aforesaid. 

No action was taken by Congress on this or 
other claims in this region until 1 803. The Govern- 
ment then directed Mr. Jouett, the Indian agent at 
Detroit, to "inquire into and report the situation of 
the titles and occupation of the lands private and 
public." In accordance with instructions, Mr. 
Jouett made a report concerning claims and settle- 
ments on the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, but it 
contained little of permanent value. In a communi- 
cation presented to the House of Representatives on 
January 17, 180;, in regard to the settlement of 
claims for farms, signed by Francois de Joncaire 
and others, the following passages occur : 

Your memorialists further solicit the attention of Congress in 
favor of the claims set up by the citizens of Detroit to the com- 
mons or domain adjoining said town; and request tliat the same, 
by law, may be confirmed to them and their successors with power 



[=4] 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 



in said corporation to make sale of a part to accommodate persons 
with lots for building, and to regulate the use of the residue. 

\Ve stale as a fact generally believed in this country, and con- 
firmed by many aged persons now living in this district, that a 
grant was made by the French Government at the time said town 
was laid out, vesting and conferring in the then inhabitants, their 
heirs and successors, both the ground plat of said town and the 
commons, which have ever since been held, used, and enjoyed as 
such by the inhabitants, to the exception of some unwarrantable 
encroachments by individuals uAon the same. 

But unfortunately for the citBns of said town, neither the grant 
itself nor the record thereof can now be foimd, the grant being 
either lost or wrongfully withheld, and the record removed to 
places without the district and wholly unknown to your memor- 
ialists. 



On August 3, 1805, Governor Hull wrote to Judge 
Woodward, who was then in Washington, tliat the 
inhabitants claimed the common " in consequence of 
a grant from the French Government, and have used 
it as a common pasture since the settlement of the 
country. Their title to it is, at least, doubtful, and 
it will probably rest with Congress to determine 
what disposition shall be made of it." 

At the request of the Government, Governor Hull 
and Judge Woodward made a report, on October I o, 
1805, as to the title to the town and commons. 
Their report says, " The circumjacent ground, the 
bank of tlie river alone excepted, was a wide com- 
mons ; and though assertions are made respecting 
the e.xistence, among the records of Quebec, of a 
charter from the King of France conferring this 
commons as an appurtenance to the town, it was 
either the property of the United States, or, at least, 
such as individual claims did not pretend to cover." 

" The Commons " was the subject of another 
memorial from the inhabitants of Detroit to the 
House of Representatives. On February 17, 1808, 
Mr. Gardner presented a memorial of the inhabi- 
tants, praying " that the title to a certain parcel of 
land, amounting to about two thousand acres ad- 
joining the said City of Detroit, may be granted, in 
fee simple, to the corporation thereof, for the free 
use in common of all the memorialists, under such 
reservations as to the wisdom of Congress shall 
seem meet." 

This petition was referred to the Committee on 
Public Lands, but was never reported on ; ami the 
Governor and Judges assumed control of and dis- 
posed of the property. 

It is very doubtful whether they had any right to 
dispose of these lands, and their legal right was by 
no means unquestioned ; they, however, claimed 
the right, and having the power, disposed of the 
property. The lands were laid out. and designated 
as Park Lots, and on March 6, 1809. forty-one of 
them were sold at auction. Very naturally, the sale 
did not meet the approval of the inhabitants, and on 
June 3, 181 1, a petition was presented to the Gov- 
ernor and Judges, praying them to annul the sale, 



and convey the lots to be " held by the inhabitants 
of the town of Detroit forever as a commons." 

The records state that the petition was received 
and read, and the prayer thereof not granted. 

This decision the older inhabitants received with 
mingled grief and indignation, one of them saying, 
" It has come to pass that the lands on the common, 
that our ancestors and ourselves owned more than 
one hundred years before the Congress of the United 
States or the Governor and Judges of Michigan 
owned one foot of land on the face of the earth, are 
now exhibited for sale at public auction, to the origi- 
nal proprietors, on the humiliating conditions that 
we pay twenty prices for it." 

The laying out of a portion of tlie commons, south 
of what is now Adams Avenue, into regular city lots 
was also protested against. Addressing the chief 
executive of the Territory, one of the inhabitants 
said, " Governor, if you had laid out the commons in 
lots of from six to twelve acres, they would have 
made us good meadows or pastures for our cattle in 
the summer season, and we could afford to pay a 
handsome price for them ; but the lots you are now 
attempting to sell are not worth the deeds and re- 
cording. Believe us, Governor, no town will ever 
exist in these marshes." 

Others of them, in a memorial to the President, 
complained "that the Governor and Judges had 
lavished between five and six hundred dollars of our 
taxes in digging wells and erecting pumps on the 
commons, near half a mile behind the town of De- 
troit, where no town, in our opinion, will ever exist, 
and no wells be necessary; and when they were 
about half finished, the enterprise was abandoned." 

All of these protests and memorials were, how- 
ever, alike unavailing. The Governor and Judges 
were a law unto themselves, and continued to do as 
they pleased. 



THE PARK LOTS AND THE TEN-THOUSAND-ACRE 
TRACT. 

The Park Lots and the Ten-Thousand-Acre Tract 
together constitute the ten thousand acres which the 
Governor and Judges, by Act of 1806, were author- 
ized to lay out, adjacent to Detroit. The Ten- 
Thousand-Acre Tract, so-called, is separated from 
the rest of the land because it was not surveyed 
until several years after the Park Lots were laid out. 

The Park Lots lie on both sides of Woodward 
Avenue, and extend northwards for nearly two and 
a half miles from Adams Avenue. They were 
ordered sur\-eyed by the Governor and Judges on 
December 14, 1808. James McCloskey, the sur- 
veyor, was instructed " to commence his sur\-ey north- 
west of the street which runs through the Grand 
Circus, parallel with the same street, and to begin 



26 



THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES' PLAN.— LAND BOARDS. 



with lots of five acres, and increase the .size of lots 
as he proceeds." 

The land was sun-eyed into eighty-six parcels or 
lots, numbers i to 46 inclusive lying on the east, and 
the rest on the west side of Woodward Avenue. 
Owing to the fact that the lines of the Cass and 
Brush farms narrowed the domain on its northern 
extremity, the lots were irregular in size and in num- 
ber of acres. 

The Ten-Thousand-.^cre Tract was surveyed by 
Joseph F"letcher in 1S16 into forty-eight lots, of one 
hundred and sixty acres each, and twelve lots of 
eighty acres each. Half of these smaller lots are 
situated on the eastern, and half on the western side 
of the tract. 

THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES' PLAN. — LAND 
BOARDS. 

Prior to the fire of 1S05. the town embraced an 
area of about two acres. Immediately after the fire, 
■some of the inhabitants erected temporary dwellings 
in the midst of the ruins of their former homes. 
Others determined to take possession of portions of 
the commons and build thereon. According to a 
report made on June 24, 1805, by Matthew Ernest, 
Francois Lasalle, and Charles Moran, there were 
sixty-two proprietors of lots in the old town. The 
size of lots varied from twenty-four to one hundred 
and sixty-one feet frontage, and from twenty-four 
to one hundred and twenty-five feet in depth. On 
Monday, July i, 1805, the inhabitants assembled 
under the pear-trees in the Public Garden and 
informally adopted a plan similar to the old one 
including a portion of the commons. Judges 
Woodward and Bates, who were present, pre\'ailed 
on theni to defer further action until the arrival 
of the governor, and they concluded to wait two 
weeks. On the evening of the same day the 
governor arrived. In a letter written August 3, 
1S05, he says, ".\fter a conversation with the 
judges it was determined to attempt to convince the 
proprietors of the impropriety of their proceedings. 
* * * * xhey very readily agreed to relinquish 
their plan and wait fur our arrangements. We 
immediately fixed on a plan, and employed the best 
sur\-eyor we could find in the country to lay out 
the streets, squares, and lots. If possible, the plan 
shall be forwarded by this conveyance. I hope it 
will be approved by the Government." 

The people considered that not more than two or 
three days w'ould be necessary to lay out and reg- 
ulate the new town. But they were doomed to 
disappointment. 

A few days after the meeting under the pear- 
trees Judge Woodward was appointed a standing 
committee to lay out the new town agreeable to the 
plan t'ney had adopted ; and his Britannic Majesty's 



surveyor, Thomas Smith, was brought over from 
Upper Canada to assist in that arduous undertaking. 
Mr. John (icntle, who wrote a full account of the 
proceedings to a Pittsburgh paper, says : 

After a ffw days spent in preparing their apparatus, the judge 
began his operations on a height contiguous to the fort. There 
he placed his instruments, astronomical and astrological, on the 
summit of a huge stone, which stone shall ever remain a monu- 
ment of his indefatigable perseverance.^ 

For the space of thirty days and thirty nights he viewed the 
diurnal evolutions of the planets, visible and invisible, and calcu- 
lated the course and rapidity of the blazing meteors. To his pro- 
found obser\'ations of the heavenly regions the world is indebted 
for the discovery of the streets, alleys, circles, angles, and squares 
of this magnificent city, — in theory equal in magnitude and splen- 
dor to any on the earth. 

But the most arduous and tedious performance was the laying 
out and measuring the marshes a mile back from the town into 
streets, lots, circles, and grand squares, measuring and unmeasur- 
ing them, arranging and deranging them, for the space of two full 
months more. The patience of the people was at length exhausted; 
and they became so clamorous at last that the Governor and 
Judges were constrained to rest from their labors and agree to 
make a division of the lots. 

The inhabitants were told to go and choose lots, and if more 
than one chose the same lot, the legislature would decide which 
should have the choice. They reasoned against this mode of 
division, because they well knew it would not succeed; but it was 
of no use. Several went and chose the same lot; the legislature 
was applied to for a decision, and a dispute took place between 
the legislature and the people, in consequence, as was intended, 
this mode of division was abandoned. 

Uy way of killing time, the judge went to work again with his 
instruments, and measured the commons over and over for about 
three weeks more. A few lots were then advertized for sale at 
auction, on these conditions: — If the proprietors of lots in the old 
town purchased, they were at liberty to offset the lots they pur- 
chased with their old lots, foot for foot; and if the old ground was 
not sufficient to cover the new, two cents would be e.vacted per 
foot for the overplus; and all purchasers were to give bonds, pay- 
able in five years in five installments, to ^\'illiam Hull, Esq., his 
heirs, etc.. etc. 

The first lot was purchased by James .\bbott, who was instructed 
by Judge Woodward to bid it up for him, for five hundred dollars. 
The next, by James Henry, at three hundred dollars: he had old 
ground to cover with. The next, by Charles Curry, at six hun- 
dred dollars: he also had ground to cover with. The ne.xt was bid 
up to two thousand six hundred dollars, by Henry and Abbott. 

The average price of the fourteen lots sold was now taken, and 
fixed as a general medium for all future sales. Many applied 
afterwards for lots; but none could be obtained unless they agreed 
to pay the fi.xed average price, which was three hundred dollars 
fin the lower side of the main street and two hundred and fifty 
on the upper side. As no title could be given, no payments were 
required to be made under one year. 

Early in November, 1S05, Governor Hull and 
Judge Woodward left for Washington, carrying 
with them a plan to aid in obtaining desired legisla- 
tion. The plan embraced the old site and also most 
of the so-called Commons or Public Land, which 
was almost entirely destitute of trees for a mile or 
more on all sides, and afforded a fine location for 
the proposed new city. 

' The stone referred to was undoubtedly the same immense 
boulder that lay on the Campus Martius, at the junction of Mon- 
roe and Woodward .\venues, until the street was paved, when it 
was buried out of sight, 



THE GO\'KR.\OR AND JUDGES' PLAN.— LAND BOARDS. 



This plan was, probably, lost or destroyed at the 
time the liriti.sh were in possession in 1S12; in the 
year 18 15 careful search failed to reveal any trace 
of it. 

The visit of Hull and Woodward to Washington 
resulted in the passage of the Act of April 21, 1806. 
which authorized the Governor and Judges to lay 
out a new town and ten thousand acres of land 
adjacent, and to convey a lot, not to exceed fi\^ 
thousand feet in size, to every person above the age 
of seventeen years who owned or inhabited a house 
in Detroit at the time of the fire, and who did not 
profess or owe allegiance to any foreign power. The 
balance of the lands were to be devoted to erecting 
a court-house knd jail. 

It would appear that members of Congress even 
then were credited with being open to the influences 
of conviviality, for Judge Woodward is quoted as 
saying that he expended three hundred dollars in 
wine to treat the members of Congress with the 
purpose of influencing them to pass the bill. 

All of the transactions of the Governor and Judges 
are involved in mystery ; and the action of Congress 
in passing the Act of 1806 seems strangely at 
variance with what might naturally have been 
expected. 

The giving away of ten thousand acres of valuable 
United States land, and many of the town lots as 
well, to enable the Territory to build a court-house 
and a jail, seems a strange proceeding, especially 
when it was claimed that the surplus taxes of the 
Territory for 1805 alone would have been more 
than suflficient to build a court-house and a jail 
large enough to accommodate the sparsely inhabited 
country. It is said that the lands were then of 
comparatively little value ; but if lands, in and near 
Detroit, were of so little worth, why was the Gov- 
ernment so dilatory and so careful in the con- 
firmation of the private claims, so-called, which 
lay on both sides of the town .' Looking at these 
land matters in all their bearings, it is no wonder 
that some of the inhabitants thought there was a 
desire on the part of some of the oflicials to dis- 
possess them of their property and drive them out 
of the Territory. 

The delay in the definite adoption of any plan 
forced the inhabitants to remain scattered here and 
there, in improvised abodes, all through the summer 
and fall of 1805. Winter came, and still no action 
was taken ; and such w'ere the delays in connection 
with the plans of 1806 that not a single house was 
erected that year; up to May, 1807, only nineteen 
deeds had been given for lots in the new town. 
These delays cannot be justified: indeed, there can 
be no question that had there not been a settled pur- 
pose to delay action, plans might have been adopted, 
lots staked out, and proprietorship agreed upon, 



much earlier, and all such action would have received 
whatever of congressional sanction was necessary. 
All the old records, and the earliest deeds, show that 
there was gross mismanagement and vexatious delay 
in the distribution of lots. 

The first meeting of the Governor and Judges as 
a Land Board was on September 6, 1806, and 
during the month various resolutions were adopted 
in relation to the manner in which lots should be 
disposed of. Corner lots, and those most valuable, 
were to be sold, and others not so advantageously 
situated were to be given away. This plan did not 
meet the approval of the citizens, and on October 6, 
1806, a public meeting was held and the citizens 
protested against it vigorously. On October 1 1 the 
people were requested to present such a plan as 
they would approve, and on October 16 a plan was 
presented which was substantially adopted just one 
month later. 

I'Uder this plan the inhabitants of the town, at 
the time of the fire, were divided into three classes : — 

1. Those who owned lots in the town at the time; 

2. Those who owned or occupied houses; 3. Those 
individuals who resided in the town, but who did 
not own or occupy any lot or house. Those persons 
in the first class who had improved their lots subse- 
(juent to the fire were allowed to retain the lands 
occupied or enclosed by them ; but as the lots, ac- 
cording to the new plan, were, in some instances, 
larger than they had before occupied, they were re- 
quired to pay from two to three cents per square 
foot for any excess in size. 

Towards Christmas the governor, by agreement, 
decided the rights of all the claimants, one by one, 
and located the donation lots; and about New Year 
every person, male and female, who lived in the 
town when it was burned, and whom the go\ernor 
judged eligible, to the number of two hundred and 
fifty-one, drew their donation lots. 

About three weeks after, the board came to- 
gether, and the governor introduced the question 
" Whether those who came to Detroit since it was 
given up to the Americans by the British, who had 
not taken the oath of allegiance, should receive do- 
nation lots," and delivered a lengthy speech in favor 
of said class of claimants. Judges Woodward and 
Griffin seemed also at first inclined to favor giving 
them lots, but the final decision was against such 
claimants. About two thirds of the two hundred 
and fifty-one persons who had drawn donation lots 
but a few days previously were, by this decision, 
deprived of them. So the farce went on, the people 
being alternately threatened and cajoled until many 
of them became almost ready to yield their old 
holdings and leave the TerritoPi-. 

Eventually the terms of the .Act of 1 806 were very 
liberally construed, and not only indi\-idual owTiers 



28 



THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES' PLAN.— LAND BOARDS. 



and occupants but in some cases their wives, and 
even their slaves, were the recipients of donation 
lots. 

The claims allowed to individuals in all three classes 
were bought up, traded, and transferred, in many 
instances never being owned for any length of time 
by the persons to whom the lots were given. 

There would seem to be no end to the opportunity 
for legitimate criticism of the proceedings of the 
Governor and Judges. One would naturally sup- 
pose that the Congressional Act of 1 806 was intended 
to relieve, as far as possible, the necessities of those 
who suffered by the fire. That was the ostensible 
object of the Act; but in fact the most valuable lots 
were sold to and taken up by persons who were not 
sufferers by the fire, nor even residents of the town 
when it occurred. The Governor and Judges sought, 
by various methods, to compel the people to purchase 
lots, and the donation lots were offered rather as a 
sort of bonus than as a gift. 

The Donation Files are in the office of the city 
clerk. File Number One contains a list of claim- 
ants to lots under the first, second, and third classes, 
with the numbers of lots according to the old plan. 
File Number Two contains a list of unsettled claims. 
File Number Three gives a list of proprietors and 
residents of the town on Jhne 11, 1805. There 
are one hundred and fifty-eight receipts for donation 
lots. 

The difficulty of distributing the donation lots 
satisfactorily, and the troubles between the Governor 
and Judges, are indicated in the following extract 
from a letter by Judge Woodward to James Madison, 
then Secretary of State. He says : 

The town titles will be definitely arranged as soon as the mili- 
tary resen-ation is made. We gave great dissatisfaction in the dis- 
tribution of the donations. Mr. Bates and myself were clearly of 
opinion that the donations should not be suffered to run foul of the 
adjustment of the ancient titles. The governor gave way to the 
public storm. .\s their wish was, however, impracticable in its 
own nature, not from the mere reluctance of those who were to 
make the distribution, we have been constantly obliged to pain- 
fully tread back upon our own steps; and none of us have given 
satisfaction to the people. Perhaps none could have done it under 
the jealousies and dissensions existing among them. But they 
would have been more respectful towards the Government if it had 
been steady and firm. On one side desiring nothing wrong, and 
not to be driven from what they knew to be right on the other. 

The plan of 1805 was superseded by the plan of 
1806, made by Abijah Hull. This plan differed 
from that of 1 805, both in the size and the boun- 
daries of the lots. What is probably the original is in 
the city clerk's office ; it is pasted on a piece of stiff 
paper, and bears on its face the words "Abijah 
Hull, Derby, Conn." (the birthplace of Governor 
Hull) and the words "Abijah Hull, Detroit, Mich.," 
together with a rough outline of two buildings, evi- 
dently intended to represent the capitol and the 
penitentiary. 



There is also in the city clerk's office a plan on 
parchment, mounted on rollers, entitled, " Copy of 
Plan of 1806, by Abijah Hull, Detroit, Mich.," bear- 
ing the words, " The figures in black ink denote the 
plan of 1806, the figures in red denote the plan of 
1807." This last-named plan was fully identified in 
1877 by J. F. Munroe as the copy of the Abijah Hull 
plan, which was made by him while in A. E. Hae- 
thon's employ, from Brush's abstract of titles and 
the Governor and Judges' papers. 

In 1807 Abijah Hull prepared plans of sections 
I, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. These plans, in the shape 
of some of the lots, and also in the numbering, 
differ from former plans. This series of section plans, 
called the " Book of Sections," was adopted by the 
Governor and Judges, all the plans being attested 
with the signatures of William Hull, Governor, and 
Peter Audrain, Secretary. The certificate of the 
county register as to the recording of these plans was 
not attached until December 23, 1848. 

All of the sections named are marked as approved 
on April 7, 1807, except Section No. 7, which 
was approved April 13, and -Section No. i, which 
was approved on April 27 of the same year. Sub- 
sequently to 1807, Aaron Greely appears to have 
been employed by the Governor and Judges as sur- 
veycjr, and he is said to have deviated from all the 
previous plans. Deeds were issued in accordance 
with lots as shown on the several plans, and grants 
were made that conformed to none of the plans, but 
simply confirmed titles to tracts of land in the old 
town and adjoining domain, the boundary lines being 
described by old landmarks regardless of later plans. 
The main features of the plans of 1805. 1806, and 
I S07 were undoubtedly the same, and do great credit 
to the foresight of their author. Judge Woodward. 
His views of the future of Detroit were nearly a 
century in advance of his time. 

In the light of existing facts, no one who studies 
the original plan can avoid wishing that it could have 
been adhered to. The portions of the city of which 
we are most proud and which are most admired by 
strangers, our main a\'enues, the Campus Martius, 
the Grand Circus, and the smaller public .squares, 
are all parts of Judge Woodward's plan. His 
diagonal streets and avenues have produced several 
locations of special prominence which afford excep- 
tional opportunities for architectural display. Pecu- 
liar and pleasing \nstas result in many places from 
the triangular intersection of streets arranged for in 
his plan. 

That the plan was suggested by Judge Woodward 
is evidenced by the fact that seven pages of his 
Private Memorandum Book, commenced March 
29, 1802, are occupied with a map of the city of 
Washington cut into sections. Anyone who looks 
at this book, and examines the old plan of 1806, 



THE GO^"ER^■OR AND JUDGES' PLAN.— LAND BOARDS. 



29 



will be convinced that it was made by Woodward 
from suggestions afforded by the plan of Washing- 
ton. That city had been laid out only fourteen 
years before. When Mr. Woodward came here 
from Alexandria, he was full of plans for remodel- 
ling Detroit after the national capital, which was so 
near his old home. The capital itself was laid out 
by a French engineer, Major Lenfant, who took 
portions of \'ersailles as his model. Our old French 
city thus has features in its plan which perpetuate 
remembrances of the capitals of its earliest and its 
latest Government. 

The Governor and Judges' Plan covered some 
old claims and also the Government Reserve ; but 
in so far as any of the owners yielded to the plan, it 
was largely of choice. In all cases where the old 
proprietors were willing, lands were exchanged with 
them foot for foot ; but in several instances the 
owners preferred to retain their old holdings, giving 
up or exchanging only so much as was covered by 
the new streets. The entire front of the old town, 
so far as it was in private hands, was retained in its 
original shape, and hence the lots south of Jefferson 
Avenue, and extending west from a point not far 
below Griswold Street, do not conform to the plan 
of 1807. The same is true of scattered lots north 
of Jefferson Avenue, as well as some east of Wood- 
ward and south of Jefferson A\;enue, which were 
confirmed as original private holdings. 

A space one arpent wide from the west part of 
the Askin or Brush Farm, and extending back to 
Michigan Avenue (perhaps a little farther), scjUI by 
Mr. Askin, and partly built up several years before 
the fire, never yielded to the plan. 

On November 17, 1808, James McCloskey, by re- 
quest of Governor Hull and Judge Witherell, made 
a plan of the city, laying it out at right angles, which 
they sought unavailingly to have adopted. In 1816, 
seemingly at the request of the Governor and Judges, 
Thomas Smith examined all deeds and records that 
could be found, and, taking Hull's " Book of Sec- 
tions," so far as possible, as a guide, prepared a new 
plan about six feet square. This plan appears to 
have been endorsed by the Governor and Judges, as 
use was made of it at various public land sales, but 
no trace of it can now be found. 

The Governor and Judges were required, by the 
original Act of Congress, to report their proceed- 
ings; but they made no report until Congress, by 
Act approved May 30, 1830, retiuired them to trans- 
mit a plat of the city. In accordance with this law, 
John Farmer of Detroit was engaged by Governor 
Lewis Cass and Judges William Woodbridge, Solo- 
mon Sibley, and Henry Chipnian to prepare a plan 
of Detroit. The map was drawn on a scale of two 
hundred and fifty feet to one inch, and was for- 
warded to Congress by the Governor and Judges, 



with other documents, on January 8, 1831. Much 
opposition was made to it by many citizens at the 
time, as private interests were not consulted in its 
preparation, only the ofiicial and legal representation 
of lots being given. On February 12. 1831, the 
Committee on Territories reported a bill in favor of 
the map as drawn by John Farmer ; but as the Gov- 
ernor and Judges were found to have full power in 
the matter, no further action was thought necessary. 
The map, on a reduced scale, is reproduced in Vol- 
ume V. of the American State Papers, Public Land 
Series ; and a fac-simile, one third the size of that 
reproduction, is given. It is the only official map 
forwarded by the CJovernor and Judges, or recog- 
nized by Congress, and is frequently referred to in 
law cases where the highest authority is desired. It 
will be noticed that the sub-divisions of the Military 
Reser\'e, although laid out several years before the 
map of 1 83 1 was made, are not shown on the map; 
the reason lies in the fact that the Reserve was laid 
out by the city, and not by the Go\-ernor and Judges. 

The Governor and Judges made no report to Con- 
gress in regard to their management of the Park 
Lots or the Ten-Thousand-Acre Tract. J. F. Mun- 
roe says that when the papers of the Governor and 
Judges were turned over to A. E. Haethon, city 
sur\-eyor, there was among them a survey of these 
lands, and that Haethon neglected to give it to his 
successors. His office was subsequently destroyed 
by fire, and the survey was undoubtedly burned. 

The Governor and Judges, first in charge, un- 
doubtedly assumed unlawful power in giving awav 
lots to various churches ^nd societies, and exceeded 
their authority in many particulars. None of these 
powers were included in the Act creating the Land 
Board. The ease with which their sessions changed 
from land-board to legislative, and from legislati\-e 
to judicial, as the exigencies of the case seemed to 
them to demand, was something marvellous even for 
that time of transition. They were not asked to 
present any detailed account of their management as 
a Land Board or of the disposition of their trust ; 
and no report was ever rendered by them as to the 
disposal of a single lot, or of a single dollar recei\-ed 
from the sale of lots. Different persons served in 
connection with the important trust, and as no ac- 
count of their acts was ever officially called for, they 
cannot well be blamed; but it certainly was a mani- 
festation of great confidence or of great carelessness 
to suffer any set of men to wield so much power 
without requiring from them any report. 

There were at their disposal ten thousand acres of 
land immediately adjoining the city.over four hundred 
city lots in the best and oldest part of the town, and 
all of the lands known as the Park Lots, lying north 
of Adams Avenue and on both sides of Woodward 
Avenue, between the Cass and Brush farms, and e.x- 



THE GOVERNOR AXD JUDGES' PLAN.— LAND BOARDS. 



tending nearly to the present railroad crossing, a 
distance of two and one half miles ; and the old capi- 
tol, the jail, and a few scattering lots, comprised the 
net proceeds of their far-seeing efforts. 




Reduced Fac-simile of the Governor and Judges' Plan. 



That no account was rendered is made apparent 
by the fact that the memorial of a committee of citi- 
zens to Congress, in January, 1823, printed in the 
Detroit Gazette, says that no statement of the receipts 
or expenses of the Territory had ever been made 



public, and that even the appropriation laws had not 
been published, except in one or two instances. The 
article also set forth, " That the Governor and 
Judges, as trustees of the Detroit fund, had already 
been in the management 
of that trust for si.Nteen 
years, and no court-house 
is as yet built, or any 
steps taken towards build- 
ing one; no account has 
ever been rendered of their 
proceedings in the man- 
agement of said fund, 
either for the information 
of the people for whose 
benefit the grant was made, 
or to Congress who made 
the grant. That one of 
the judges is directly and 
voluntarily interested to a 
very large extent in the 
funds of that trust ; and we 
ha\'e reason to believe, 
from his conduct as a 
member of the Land 
Board, that that interest 
has a direct influence on 
the management of the 
concerns of that trust." 
The financial transactions 
connected with their doings 
under the Act were kept 
by the treasurer of the 
Territory in an account 
called the " Detroit Fund ;" 
but the most diligent search 
has failed to rind any re- 
cord or statement of re- 
ceipts or expenses credited 
or charged to the fund dur- 
ing the first twenty years 
of their administration. 

The following persons 
acted as secretaries of the 
Land Board ; 

Peter Audrain, 1806-1809 
Joseph Watson, 1809-181S 
A. E. Wing . 1S18-1822 
A.G.Whitney, 1822-1824 
E. .\. Brush . 1824-1826 
H. Chipman . 1826-1829 
829 



L. B. Sturges 

E. A. Brush 1830-1832 

Thomas Rowland 1832-1834 

A. S. Kellogg 1 834-1 837 

After the State was admitted into the Union, there 



THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES' PLAN.— LAND BOARDS. 



31 



remained neither territorial governor nor judges 
legally competent to deal with such lands as re- 
mained of the original trust, and of necessity the 
trust was terminated. 

The last session of the Governor and Judges as a 
Land Board was held on July i, 1836, when they 
conveyed a lot to the Detroit Young Men's Society. 
Their functions ceased two days after. 

For twenty-two years after the establishment of a 
regular cit)- government, the Governor and Judges 
controlled and disposed of the property originally 
committed t(; them, although the occasion and neces- 
sity for the continuance of their trust had long before 
passed away; and not until five years after their 
authority ceased was any one charged with the duty 
of closing up their affairs. 

When their regime closed various city lots were 
still undisposed of. the titles of others were not se- 
cured to their rightful owners, and the business gen- 
erally was in a confused and unfinished state. 

On April 25, 1837, a Committee of the Common 
Council was appointed to inquire into the state of 
the Detroit Fund, and on May 9 the council directed 
the recorder to prepare documents to be presented 
to Congress, in order to obtain the transfer to the 
city of the balance of the funds, or lots. 

On August 5 the recorder presented the form of 
a memorial which was adopted; and on March 24, 
1838, §200 were ordered to be paid to Ross Wil- 
kins for making mvestigations and preparing the 
memorial. No action was taken by Congress, and 
the work of petitioning was repeated in 1840. On 
April 14 a memorial was signed by all the members 
of the council; and on August 29, 1842, Congress 
passed a law making the mayor, recorder, and 
aldermen the successors of the (Governor and Judges, 
and directing them to take an oath to carry out the 
law which authorized them to sit as a Land Board. 
The law also required them to report, on or before 
January i, 1844. This last requirement, however, 
they neglected to obser\-e. 

On September 27, 1842, the city clerk was di- 
rected to take charge of all the old Land Board 
documents; and on December 20, 1842, Bela Hub- 
bard and C. J. O'Flynn were appointed "to make a 
full examination and report concerning the origin, 
administration, and present condition of the trust 
originally committed to the Governor and Judges." 

On November 26, 1844, they presented an elabor- 
ate report, with many interesting details, including a 
complete list of the changes in numbers of lots, re- 
sulting from the various and conflicting plans of the 
Governor and Judges. The numbers according to 
the new plan are the numbers now used, the num- 
bers according to the old plan being of value only in 
tracing early ownership. 





LIST 


OF CHANGES IN- 


nc.mbers of lots. 




Old 


New 


Old 


New 


Old 


New 


1 Old 


New 


Plan. 


Plan. 


Plan. 


Plan. 


Plan. 


Plan. 


! Plan. 


Plan. 


Section i. 


51 


59 


49 


48 


57 


59 


9& 12 


10 


3^ 


60 


50 


49 


58 


60 


-,6 


42 
48 
49 
50 

51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 


53 


61 


51 


50 


59 


61 


11 
43 
44 
45 

46 


54 


62 


52 


51 


60 


62 


;s 


63 


S3 


52 


6i 


P 


56 


64 


54 


53 


62 


64 


57 


65 


55 


54 


63 


6s 


58 


66 


56 


55 


64 


66 


i' 


67 


76 


74 


68 


71 


47 
43 


82 


97 


77 


75 


69 


72 


l^ 


98 


78 


76 


70 


73 


49 & 50 

50 i 5t 


84 
87&97 


99 
103 


80 
81 


11 
79 


71 
72 

73 


74 
75 
76 


51 


3" 


Section 3. 


S3 


80 


74 


77 


52 
53 
57 
58 


57 
58 

64 


11 
39 


53 
54 
55 


84 
85 
86 


8z 
82 
83 


75 
76 
77 


78 

80 
81 
82 
83 
84 


59 & 60 

60& 59 

61 

62 


65 
66 
67 
68 


40 
42 

4> 


56 


Sect 
21 


ION 7. 
21 & 22 


81 
82 


63 


69 


Section 4. 


22 


23 


Section 8. 


6^ 
65 

66 

67 i 115 
68 
84 
86 
87 


70 


49 


53 


23 

24 


24 
25 


21 


21 & 22 


71 
72 
73 


5° 
SI 
52 


54 
55 
=6 


25 
26 
27 


26 

27 
28 


22 
23 
24 


23 
24 

25 


74 
92 

93 
94 


53 

,54 

53^55 

56 


11 

61 
62 


28 

29 

3° 
31 


29 
30 
31 
32 


2 
11 


26 
27 
28 
29 


Sect 


ION 2. 


% 


32 
33 


33 
34 


29 
30 


30 
31 


16 


19 


59 


34 


35 


3' 


32 


17 


20 


6q 
6t 
62 


64 
S5 
C6 


3S 


36 


32 


33 


18 
■9 


21 
22 


36 
37 


37 
38 


33 
34 


34 
35 




23&24 


P 
^ 


67 
68 


38 


39 


35 


36 


21 


25 


39 


40 


36 


37 


22 


26 


65 09 


40 


41 


37 


38 


23 


27 
28 


Section 6. 


41 


42 


38 


39 


24 




42 


43 


39 


40 


-5 


29 


35 


34 


43 


44 


40 


41 


26 


. 3° 


36 


35 


44 


45 


41 


42 


27 


31 & 32 


37 


36 


45 


47 


82 


43 


28 


33 


38 


37 


46 


48 


42 


44 


41 


48 


35 


38 


47 


49 


43 


^ 


42 


49 


40 


39 


48 


50 


44 


46 


43 


50 


41 


40 


49 


51 


45 


47 


44 


51 


42 


4" 


50 


52 


46 


48 


45 


52 


43 


42 


5t 


53 


47 


49 


46 


53 


44 


43 


52 


54 


48 


50 


47 


54 


45 


44 


S3 


55 


49 


5" 


48 


55 


46 


45 


54 


56 


50 


52 


41 


56 


47 


46 


55 


57 


5" 


33 


5^ 


57 


48 


47 


56 


58 


52 


54 



Their report showed that the city had become the 
absolute owner of twenty-nine lots, with possible or 
part title in nearly seventy others. Ever since 1 842, 
as occasion has required, land-board sessions of 
the council have been held, decisions made, and 
deeds issued to claimants and purchasers. Sessions 
have also been held from time to time to perfect 
titles of property originally deeded by the Governor 
and Judges, and to define the powers and rights of 
the city as to various parks laid out on the original 
plan. In 1880 a session of the council as a Land 
Board was held to perfect the title to a portion of 
St. Ann's Church property. It seems hardly possi- 
ble that Congress by the Act of 1842 intended to 
give the city government, for an indefinite length of 
time, the peculiar power it has since continued 
to exercise, and a limitation of its power in this 
direction would probably be no injustice. 



CHAPTER VI 



MAPS OF DETROIT.— CITY BOUNDARY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.— CASS AND BRUSH 

FARMS.— MILITARY RESERVES. 



MAPS OF DETROIT. 

The earliest plans or maps yet discovered were 
made in 1749 and 1754 by Joseph Gaspard Chausse- 
gros de Lery, a French lieutenant and engineer. A 
few of his papers fell into the possession of Father 
Louis Antoine Pothier, and in 1845 Jacques Viger, 
of Montreal, made copies of some of them, including 
the maps named. In 1854 C. I. Walker obtained 
tracings of them, one of which is here reproduced. 
The only differences between the plans of 1749 and 
1754 are as follows: In the plan of 1754 the 



stockade is extended a little farther east, and the 
location of a bake-house and store-house are 
marked, while the location of the cemetery is not 
designated. From an examination of the plan of 
1 749 it will be seen that in its general outline and 
method of laying out the streets, it is almost a fac- 
simile of the earliest map of New Orleans. The 
next oldest plan of Detroit is the one made by T. 
Smith in 1816, showing the city as it was in 1796. 
In 1877 what is believed to be the original copy of 
this map was in the possession of Eugene Robinson. 



/ .VLOt^'^^"'' 






K^^^^^.a-i^^" 







UP 
AS IT "WAS 

August 20th, 1749. 

BEFEBENCES. 

A* — CommaQdanl's Bouse. 
B.- Qiiard House and Barracks. 
r.— Powd/^r Magazine, 
p.— Parish Church. 
E.— Priest's House. 
F.— Cemetery. 
O.— Royal GardenSw 
H.— Individual Qardens. 



If H 




Plan of Detroit m 1749. 



MAP'S OF DETROIT. 



engraved 
whifh is, 



It was bought by A. E. Haethon, of Detroit, of 
Henry Berthelet, of Montreal, for fifteen dollars. 
The plan in Mrs. Sheldon's " History of Michigan " 
was made from it by J. F. Munroe. The full title 
of the map is " Plan of the Town and Fortifi- 
cations of Detroit as they stood before the year 
1796." 

About 1S25 J. O. Lewis, of Detroit 
and published a small map of the city 
probably, a fair representation of 
the proposed plans of 1805 and 
1806, with the addition of public 
buildings as they existed at the time 
of publication. This map is on 
a scale of five hundred feet to one 
inch, and was, probably, drawn by 
John Mullett; it had no official 
sanction. In 1877 copies w'ere pos- 
sessed by Sidney D. Miller and 
others. An engraved copy of the 
map with "1807" attached to the 
title, and without the numbers of 
the lots, was in possession of James 
A. Girardin in 1878. It was litho- 
graphed by Compton & Gibson, at 
Buffalo, New York. A copy of one 
of the ori;,nnal maps is reproduced 
in \'olume V. of the American 
State Papers, Public Land Series, 
in connection with the report of 
the Governor and Judges. A fac- 
simile, reduced to one half size, is 
given. 

In 1S30 John Mullett made and 
published a map of the city. It, 
however, laid down alleys which had 
no legal existence, and failed to 
show the lines of many claims and 
lots, tlie boundaries of and rights to 
which had been recognized by the 
Governor and Judges. This map is 
also reproduced, with a slight change 
in title, in V'olume Y. of the .Ymeri- 
can State Papers, Public Land Se- 
ries. In 1878 J. C. Holmes had a 
copy of the original map, of which 
five hundred copies are said to have 
been sold at a dollar a copy. 

The plan of 1831, drawn by John 
Farmer, is described in connection with the history 
of the (iovernor and Judges' Plan. The next map 
was drawn by John Farmer while holding the 
office of district surveyor. It was published in 
1835, and was the first map of Detroit which gave 
accurately the size of the lots, and carefully deline- 
ated the old land lines. The size of the map was 
30.X44. inches. Its price was three dollars. It had 



a ^'ery large sale and has furnished the ground-work 
for all the maps of the city that have since been 
made. The copyright of this map was sold to J. 
H. Colton & Co., and it was subsequently published 
by A. E. Haethon. He i.ssued two editions, dated 
1S46 and 1856 respectively. 

In 1837 Morse & Brother issued a hastily prepared 
map of the city; and in 1853 Henr)^ Hart published 
a map showing the location of the buildings. In 




Map of the City in 1796. 



1858 J. F. Munroe, city sur\'eyor, issued the best 
map made from 1835 till then. On account of the 
growth of the city, it was necessarily much larger 
than any that preceded it. A new edition was pub- 
lished in 1868. In 1S71 Eugene Robinson, city 
surveyor, compiled a large map, which was published 
by Calvert & Company. A second edition was 
issued in 1879. 



MAPS OF DETROIT.— CITY BOUNDARY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. 



Several small maps of the city have been pub- 
lished in connection with the city directories, that of 
James Dale Johnson being the first. Complete 
small street maps of the city were first published in 
1863, and have been issued almost yearly since, by 
the firm of S. Farmer & Company. In 1875 this 
firm issued the first edition of a " Map of the City of 
Detroit and Its Environs." It was drawn by C. H. 




Reduced F.\c-simile of the Lewis Map of the Governor and Judges' Proposed Pla 



Ellis, is four by five feet in size, and shows all of 
Detroit with a large portion of the adjoining town- 
ships of Hamtramck, Springwells, and Greenfield, 
including the Ten-Thousand-Acre Tract and the 
village of Norris ; it takes in the new Water \\'orks 
and Belle Isle, on the east, and extends far enough 
west to include Fort Wayne, Delray, the Grand 
Trunk Junction, and Woodmere Cemetery. Both 



sides of the river are shown, with the Canadian vil- 
lages of \\'alkertown, \\'indsor, and Sandwich. 

CITY BOUNDARY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. 

In 1803 Mr. C. Jouett, the Indian agent, wrote to 
the War Department that "of the two hundred and 
twenty-five acres granted to Cadillac in 1701, only 
four were occupied by the 
town and Fort Lernoult ; 
the remainder, except 
twenty-four acres added 
to William McComb's 
farm, is a common." The 
boundaries of the town, 
by the Act of 1802, werp 
as follows : — " Bounded 
in front by the river, or 
Strait of Detroit ; east- 
wardly by the division 
line between John Askin, 
Esq., and Antoine Beau- 
bien ; westwardly by the 
division line between the 
farms belonging to the 
heirs of the late William 
McComb and Pierre 
Chesne ; extending back 
from said river two miles, 
at an equal width rear as 
in front." 

The Pierre Chesne 
Farm is now known as 
the Jones or Crane Farm. 
The adopted Plan of 
the Governor and Judges 
left out the Brush and L. 
Beaubien farms on the 
east, and the Cass Farm 
on the west, and extended 
only about one mile back 
from the river, thus re- 
ducing the limits of the 
town on three sides. 

On October 24, 181 5, 
the city limits were ex- 
tended so as to include 
the Cass Farm for a dis- 
tance of two miles from the river; but by Act of 
March 30,1820, the Cass Farm was again thrown 
outside of the city. 

The Witherell Farm, which became part of De- 
troit by the Act taking effect April 4, 1836, was left 
outside of the city by the Act of February 15, 1842. 
By Act of .April 12, 1873, parts of the townships 
of Hamtramck and Greenfield were added to the 



CITV BOUNDARY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.— CASS AND BRISH FARMS. 



35 



city, but the Supreme Court decided that the Act 
was illegal. 

It thus appears that the boundaries of the city 
have been curtailed no less than four times. Its 
limits have, however, been actually and permanently 
extended no less than seven times, as appears from 
the accompanying map, which, with the above ex- 
planations, gives a complete showing of the area of 
Detroit at different periods of time. 

CASS AND BRUSH FARMS. 

Among all the old claims embraced wthin the city, 
probably none are so frequently mentioned as the 
Cass and Brush farms. These farms bounded the 
original Governor and Judges' Plan, the Brush Farm 



lying on the easterly, and the Cass Farm on the 
westerly side of the town. 

Portions of the tract now included in the Cass 
Farm were granted to Robert Navarre on May i, 
1747, and other portions, in 1750, to three several 
persons, — Messsrs. Barrois. Godet, and St. Martin. 
The Pontiac Manuscript shows that the person last 
named was occupying a portion of the farm in 1763. 
On March 20, 1 781, it was purchased at auction of 
the estate of Jacques St. Martin by W. Macomb for 
^1060. About this time, twenty-four acres are said 
to have been added to the tract, without authority so 
far as is known. The tract now known as the 
Cass Farm embraces Private Claim No. 55, con- 
firmed, by the United States Commissioners, to John, 
William, and David Macomb on November 16.1807; 



fcl 



M or He Several Aiiittons •sS 



SonllliBe of 10,000 acre tncl 



CITY OF DETEOITr^ivyifj-p-n-f-jiras " 

Polo B.OM tMt to 1 inch. I ^ g mi WX_ U. J- ai.JiOi , 1 




.DETROIT RIVER. 



Map of Additions t«> ("ii-.- 7,imits. 



36 



CASS AND BRUSH FARMS.— ^llLITARY RESERVES. 



and also Private Claim No, 592, which was confirmed 
to the same parties on December 31, 1S08. 

The occasion of the transfer to Governor Cass was 
as follows: — The ordinance of 1787, and Acts creat- 
ing subsequent Territorial Governments based on 
that ordinance, required the governor to be a free- 
holder to the extent of at least one thousand acres of 
land. Governor Cass, in order to conform to this 
law, after he had brought his family from Ohio, pur- 
chased of the Macombs in 1816 the farm which has 
since borne his name, and about the same time 
bought a large tract near the mouth of the river. 

The front of the farm was originally a very high 
bank, the river coming up to where stores are now 
located at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and 
Second Street. The bank was dug away and the 
streets graded in 1836, twenty-five thousand cords 
of earth being removed. In September and October 
of that year lots on the "Cass front," embracing 
that part of the farm between Lamed Street and the 
river, were offered for sale at auction, the entire 
tract having pre\nously been sold to a company of 
ten persons for one hundred thousand dollars. 

The property was then so far away from the 
center of the city that the lots would not sell, and 
after spending a large amount of money in improve- 
ments, the majority of the original purchasers were 
very glad to have General Cass take back the prop- 
erty at the price they had originally agreed to pay. 
That part of the farm between Larned Street and 
Michigan Avenue, was laid out in May, 1 841, the 
portion north of Michigan Avenue in 1 851, the lots 
north of Grand River in 1859. 

The land now known as the Brush Farm was con- 
ceded to Eustache Gamelin on May i, 1747, and on 
March 15. 1759, by consent of Commandant Bellestre 
it was transferred to Jacques Pilet. On October 31, 
1 806, the farm, e.xcept a few lots on the western side, 
was conveyed by John Askin to Elijah Brush. The 
entire farm, as far north as High Street, was laid 
out into lots in 1835, and north of High Street in 
1S63. A large number of the lots have always been 
leased, the rental being determined by a valuation 
of the lots, new appraisals being made from time to 
time as agreed upon. The southern ends of both 
the Cass and Brush farms were built upon and im- 
proved many years ago, but the larger part was not 
sold or leased until improvements had been made 
on either side ; consequently the owners were able, 
on account of the demand for central property, to 
affix conditions of sale that have been greatly to the 
advantage of themselves and purchasers. Houses 
of a certain value were required to be erected within 
a definite number of years, and thus these farms are 
now largely covered with elegant and comfortable 
residences, more being found on them than in any 
other part of the city. 



>riLITARY RESERVES. 

When the English surrendered the city in 1796, 
the grounds occupied by the fort, the citadel, and 
other government buildings became the special 
property of the United States Government. The 
plan of the Governor and Judges was made to 
include the government property, but as they had 
no control over it, the plan was so far inoperative, 
and the Reser\-es remained in possession of the 
United States until May 26, 1824, when Congress 
gave to the city the Military Reser\-e between 
Lamed Street and Jefferson Avenue, bounded west 
by the street leading to the public bam (now Wayne 
Street), and east by the line of the large Reser\-e, 
near the line of the present Griswold Street. On 
Alay 20, 1826, Congress granted the balance of the 
Military Reser\-es to the city, including the grounds 
occupied by Fort Shelby, — reser\'ing only the arsenal 
and military store-keepers' lots, — the grant being 
conditioned upon the building, by the corporation, 
of a magazine outside of the city. 

In accordance with the pro\'isions of the Act, the 
city, on November 8, 1830, advertised for proposals 
for building a powder magazine for the United 
States, on the Gratiot Road, near what is now Russell 
Street, where the barracks were afterwards located. 
The magazine was completed in September, 1 831. 
The city was put in formal possession of the Reserve 
on September 11, 1826, and on April 4, 1827, the 
Legislative Council gave the Common Council 
power to alter all that part of the Governor and 
Judges' Plan lying north of Larned Street, south of 
what is now Adams Avenue, and between Cass and 
Brush Streets. Indinduals owning lots within the 
boundaries designated, whose rights were disturbed, 
were to have other lots assigned them, or be paid 
the value of their lots. Against this action many 
citizens protested vigorously; and on the same day 
that the Act was passed a memorial was sent to 
Congress praying that body to prevent the proposed 
change in the plan. The protest was of no avail, 
and by ordinance of April 23, 1827, the city pro- 
vided for obtaining the consent of lot-owners to the 
plan of the new sub-division as laid out by John 
MuUett. His plan was finally agreed to, and on 
May 16, 1827, a public auction of lots on the site of 
the old fort took place at Military Hall, one of the 
old buildings of the cantonment. The conditions of 
sale were that a stone, brick, or frame house, two 
stories in height, be erected on each lot before the 
expiration of the time for the last payment, or else 
all pre\nous payments and rights to the lot were to 
be forfeited. Some buildings belonging to the old 
fort were fitted up for tenants, and for several years 
the city performed the part of landlord. For further 
particulars as to the sale of lots see chapter on Taxa- 
tion and Finances. 



CHAPTER \' 1 1 



PUBLIC SURVEYS.— UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE. 



PUBLIC SURVEYS. 

I>J the earliest days of the settlement, lands were 
surveyed under the direction of the king, by an 
officer appointed for the purpose, and the same 
method prevailed under English rule. This copy of 
an old document making such appointment is of 
interest : 

In consequence of repeated complaints made by several of the 
inhabitants tliat tlieir neighbors have encroached on their famis, 
and that they do not actually possess the quantity specified in the 
primitive grants, and for which they pay rents to His Majesty; 
therefore, Mr. James Sterling being an experienced and approved 
surveyor, I have appointed him King's Surveyor at Detroit; and 
for the future his surveys only shall be looked upon as valid and 
decisive; and all whom it may concern are hereby ordered to con- 
form thereto. 

Given under my hand and seal at Detroit, April 21, 1774. 

Hesrv Bassett, Major and Commandant. 

From Other old records it appears that Philip Frey 
was the surveyor on March 27, 1785. He appointed 
Thomas Smith his deputy on May 8, 1787. P. 
McXiff acted as surveyor in 1794 and 1799. 

Under the American Government, by law of May 
16, 181 2, .Jiaron Greely was paid S5.5'j5-92 for sur- 
veying private claims in Michigan. The first public 
surveys under a general law were commenced in 
181 5, and the sur\'ey of the entire State was com- 
pleted in 1857. In the month of May, 1845, the 
office of surveyor-general for the district including 
Michigan was removed from Cincinnati to Detroit. 
William Johnson was then surveyor-general. The 
subsequent appointees were as follows: 1845 to 
1851, Lucius Lyon; 1S51 to 1853, Charles Noble; 
1853 to 1857, Leander Chapman; 1857, Charles J. 
Emerson. The office was closed at Detroit May 1 1, 
1857, and the Record of Surveys deposited with the 
Commissioner of the Land Office at Lansing. The 
records show that the State contains 56,45 1 square 
miles or 36,128,640 acres. 

UXriKD ST.VTK.S L.\XD OFFICE. 

The first Land Office in what is now Michigan 
was established at Detroit under Act of Congress on 
March 26, 1804. On May i, 1818, a proclamation 
of President Monroe authorized the first public 
auction sale of lands in Michigan. It took place at 
the Council House on July 6, 18 1 S. The prices 
ranged from §2 to §40 per acre, the average price 
being S4. Up to 1826, United States lands were 
sold on credit, only a small amount being required 



to be paid down. In 1S26 the law requiring full 
payment went into effect, and sales were greatly 
reduced. The receipts for L^nited States lands sold 
at Detroit up to 1830 were as follows : One half year 
of 1820. $2,860.32; 1821, $7,444.39; 1822, $17,359.38; 
1823, $30,173.34; 1824, $61,917. 15; 1825, $92,332.55; 
1826, $41,125-13; 1827, $34,805.45; 1828, $17,433.72; 
1829, $23,329.48. Total, $718,548.36. 

From 1825 to 1837, the immigration from the 
Eastern States increased so rapidly that business 
flourished, and by the purchase and clearing of 
lands large sums of money were brought into and 
scattered about the Territory. As early as 1833 
capitalists began to come from New York to invest 
in wild lands. In 1836 the number of immigrants 
was simply amazing; the steamers and sailing ves- 
sels were literally loaded down with people who 
came to settle in Michigan and the West. From 
five hundred to seven hundred frequently arri\ed on 
a single boat. During the month of May public 
lands were entered so rapidly that on Monday, May 
9, tl\e register had to close his door and receive ap- 
plications through the window, and the receipts at 
the Land Office between the ist and the 25th of the 
month were $278,000. The total amount received 
at the three Michigan land offices, namely, Detroit, 
Kalamazoo, and -Monroe, was over $1,000,000. Dur- 
ing the year the total sales in Michigan amounted to 
the enormous sum of $7,000,000. Numerous asso- 
ciations were formed for the purchase of wild lands 
and embryo city sites, and at the mouth of ever)- 
western river, and almost every township corner, 
towns were laid out. "On paper," creeks were 
magnified into streams, and comparatively insignifi- 
cant streams were transformed into large rivers 
floating steamboats and other water-craft, while on 
the land the speculator's dreams took form in 
imaginary hotels, churches, schools, and railroads. 
Absolute forests were in imagination transformed 
into cities, and sold at ten thousand per cent ad- 
vance. The laying out and making maps of these 
"paper cities" kept the few draughtsmen then in 
Detroit busy all day long and far into the night. 
Hundreds of dollars, in the "wildcat" currency of 
the times, were frequently paid for a draughtsman's 
ser\-ices for a single day. Leading men of both 
parties formed pools with fifty or a hundred thousand 
dollars, and committed the amounts to the discre- 



[37] 



UNITED STATES LAND OFFICE. 



tion of agents who were to be compensated by a 
share of the profits in the lands purchased. 

The details of some of these enterprises are so 
ludicrous as to be hardly credible. There remain to 
this day survivors of the crowds which, in the height 
of the season, occupied the entire width of Jefferson 
Avenue in front of the Land Office, each individual 
awaiting his turn to enter and secure his prize. Some- 
times large sums were given to secure the services of 
the fortunate man at the head of the column by 
another who was far in the rear. Horses were merci- 
lessly driven and killed in the race to reach the 
Land Office. In one instance, at midday, two men 
on horseback were seen turning the corner of Wood- 
ward and Jefferson Avenues, hastening at full speed 
to the Land Office. It turned out that they were 
victims of a cruel joker in Genesee County. Each 
of them had ridden all night, breaking down two 
horses apiece in the seventy-mile race, in order to be 
the first to enter a certain tract of land. The 
sequel showed that they desired to purchase entirely 
different parcels. Men who one day were the pos- 
sessors of meadow or pasture lots near some village 
or city found themselves, the ne.xt day, the proprie- 
tors of innumerable fractions into which their acres 
had been subdivided, and could hardly believe they 
were the same persons who, so short a time before, 
had been hewers of wood and drawers of water. 

It is utterly impossible to describe, in terms which 
the present generation would comprehend the actual 
condition of the public mind at that period. This 
abnormal activity began to show itself in 1834, 
grew rapidly in 1835, and culminated in 1836; and 
when the panic came, the sites of many " paper 
cities " could be bought for less than the price of 
wild land, and to this day are owned and assessed 
as farni lands. At the present time the Detroit 
District of the United States Land Office embraces 
parts of the counties of Huron, Sanilac, Lapeer, 
St. Clair, Macomb, Oakland, Livingston, Ingham, 
Jackson, Washtenaw, W'ayne, Hillsdale, Lenawee, 
and Monroe. All the government lands, however, 
in these counties are sold. The district also em- 
braces the counties of Cheboygan, Presque Isle, 
Alpena, Montmorency, and Otsego, in parts of 
which government land is for sale. In 1880 about 
one hundred thousand acres were still subject to 
entry. Lands within six miles of an existing or pro- 
posed railroad are held at twenty shillings per acre. 
All other government lands are sold for ten shillings 
per acre. No credit is given, and payment must be 
made in cash, or lands may be selected, and obtained 
by the use of Bounty Land Warrants or United 
States scrip, so called. This scrip is of the nature 
of a due-bill, issued bv the Government to holders 
of land claims, in some of the Southern and Western 



States, at the time certain territor\- was ceded by 
foreign governments. 

The Land Office contains a record of the names 
of the original purchasers of all government lands in 
the counties above named ; and where parties have 
failed to call or send for the patent issued by the 
Government and ha\e it put on record, the names 
of original owners can be obtained only from this 
office and the Land Office at Washington. , When 
payments are made for lands, a receipt is given for 
the money, and a record is forwarded to Washing- 
ton. The government patent or deed is then issued. 
The receipt of the receiver for the payment of the 
price of a piece of land is considered good e\'idence 
of ownership, but unless the government patent or 
deed is placed on file the chain of title is not com- 
plete in the county records. That many persons 
neglect to obtain their patents is evident from the 
fact that there are between twenty and thirty thou- 
sand uncalled-for patents in the office at Detroit. 
There are two officers connected with this office, 
one is designated as the "register," the other as 
the "receiver," and each of them has a salary of 
five hundred dollars per year and one half of the 
fees. The fees consist of two per cent, on the 
gross value of all selections for which cash or 
land-warrants are received, and two per cent, on 
the cash valuation of lands taken up under the 
Homestead Act. There is also a government fee 
of ten dollars when the amount of land entered 
is over eighty acres, and five dollars when eighty 
acres or less are entered. The total receipts by the 
LTnited States from sales of land in Michigan, up to 
June 30, 1S83, amounted to $18,501,522. 

The following persons have ser\^ed as registers 
of the Land Office : 

1804 and 1805, George Hoffman; 1806-1821, 
Peter Audrain; 1821-1S23, Henry B. Brevoort ; 
1 823-1 837, John Biddle; 1 837-1 839, Thomas Hunt; 
1839-1841, Olmstead Hough; 1841-1847, Robert A. 
Forsyth; 1847-1849, Elisha Taylor; 1849-1S53, 
Lorenzo B. Mizner; 1853-1857, Daniel J. Campau ; 
1857-1861, Charles F. Heyerman; 1861-1863, J- G. 
Peterson; 1 863-1 S69, Arnold Kaichen; 1869-1871, 
Addison Mandell; 1 871-1877, Frederick Morley; 
1877-1883, Joseph B. Bloss ; 1883- , Adam E. 
Bloom. 

The receivers of the Land Office have been as 
follows : 

1804-1807, Frederick Bates; 1807-1819, James 
Abbott; 1S19-1851, Jonathan Kearsley; 1851-1853, 
Ezra Rood; 1853-1857, Elisha Taylor; 1857-1861, 
Jacob Beeson; 1861-1865, H. K. Sanger ; 1865-1869, 
Edward Le Favour; 1869 to October, 188 1, John M. 
Farland; 1881 to July, 1882, E. W. Cottrell; 1882- 
, Lyman G. Willcox. 



CHAPTER VIII, 



DEEDS. MORTGAGES. AND TITLES.— PAST AXD PRESENT PRICES OF LAXDS. 



DEEDS, MORTGAGES, AXD TITLES. 

Under French and English rule, all deeds were 
recorded by a notary in a book kept for the purpose. 
By law of June i8, 1795, of the Northwest Territory, 
the office of register was created. The first Act 
concerning the registering of deeds under Michigan 
Territory was passed August 29. 1805; it provided 
that deeds might be recorded with the clerk of any 
court. An Act, passed on January 19, iSi i, author- 
ized the register of probate to record deeds; and 
by Act of November 4. 1S15, deeds were required 
to be recorded in his office. 

On April 12. 1827, the register was directed to 
pro\nde a book for the recording of mortgages. On 
January 29, 1835, the office of county register was 
created, and the register of probate ceased to have 
the recording of deeds or mortgages. The deeds 
and mortgages are recorded in separate volumes, 
which are numbered or lettered in the order in 
which they are filled. The records are open to free 
consultation. Under the Rex-ised Statutes of 1846, 
the register is required to keep and record alphabet- 
ically the name of ever>- party to each instrument, 
with a reference to the book and page where the 
name is recorded. These index volumes are so 
numerous and the arrangement so incomplete that 
in almost all transfers of real estate reference is had 
to abstracts furnished by private parties. 

The most thorough and comprehensive abstract 
histor\' of lands in Wayne County is possessed by 
Skinner & Burton. Mr. Skinner has spent many 
thousands of dollars and years of labor in making 
the compilations and collections, all of them being 
stored in an elegant fireproof building erected by 
him especially for their preser\-ation. 

Upon so important a question as the title to real 
estate there ought to be nothing vague or uncertain. 
A very few lots are held under deeds obtained under 
English rule, and for these a long chain of title can 
be shown. All other titles to lands in the city are 
derived primarily frqm the United States ; and sec- 
ondarily: 1st. from persons to whom old French 
farms were confirmed by the United States com- 
missioners ; 2d. from the Governor and Judges, who 
were authorized to convey by Congress; 3d. from 
the "Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen" of the city. 



and later the Common Council, who were made the 
successors of the Governor and Judges, and who 
also received some of the Military Reser\-es as a 
gift from the United States; 4th, from the United 
States, who deeded directly some of the Govern- 
ment Reserves ; and 5th, from the State, which 
issues deeds for lands on which the ta.xes are not 
paid to any one who will pay the amount due. 

To constitute a perfect title there should be a 
chain of deeds starting from some one of these 
classes, and continuing, without a break, down to the 
latest claimant or owner ; and each new deed should 
be signed by all the parties to whom the property 
had pre\-iously been deeded, or their heirs or assigns. 
If any of the parties have married since the deed 
was made to them, the deed should be signed by 
the new parties, and the man and \\-ife should in all 
cases unite in the signing of deeds. 

If any of the parties making a new deed are the 
heirs of parties who made the last conveyance, it 
should be so stated in the deed. The description of 
the property conveyed should be the same in each 
deed ; or, at least, it should be carefully examined to 
see that it covers the same land. To make it certain 
that there are no tax titles on the land, the books of 
the county and city treasurers should be examined, 
or, as is usual, a certificate or statement should be 
obtained from each of these officers showing that 
nothing is due for taxes or special assessments. If 
the land has been sold for taxes, this is a cloud 
upon the title that needs to be removed, and the 
books in either office will show who has acquired the 
tax title. 

A warranty deed from a responsible party is con- 
sidered to insure a perfect title, but as mistakes may 
happen in the making out of deeds, and parties may 
cease to be able to make good their warranty, the 
safe course is to make sure that the abstract of title 
shows the title to be vested in the party or parties 
who convey. A quit claim deed from parties in 
whom the title to land is clearly vested, is considered 
as good as a warranty deed. If any mortgages have 
been given covering the land, it should be seen that 
they are all discharged by the parties to whom they 
were given. A discharge may be made either by a 
\vritten document, which should be placed on record. 



L39] 



40 



PAST AN'D PRESENT PRICES OF LANDS. 



or by the mortgagee writing " Discharged" on the 
face of the original record, with the date and their 
name. 

By law of March 9, 1S44, deeds from the Gov- 
ernor and Judges were required to be recorded at 
length; and a transcript of the same was to be 
prhiia facie evidence in cases where the original 
deed would be evidence. 

A further law of May 7, 1847, pro\nded that it 
should not be necessary to have or prove the 
acknowledgments of the Mayor and Aldermen, in 
the case of deeds duly executed by them. An Act 
of April I, 1 8 50, provided that in the case of deeds 
and conveyances from the Governor and Judges 
heretofore recorded, but not acknowledged, the 
record of such deed, or a certified copy, should be 
evidence in case it is proved the original deed is lost. 

In addition to the other records, in the office of 
the register of deeds, all subdi\'isions of property 
in the city or county, and all plats affecting the 
division of property, are required to be filed. 

Up to January i, 1881, the county register re- 
ceived no salary, hired his own clerks, and was paid 
solely by the fees of the office, which were estimated 
to amount to from ten to twelve thousand dollars 
yearly. By law of 1879, his salary is fi.xed by the 
county auditors at not less than twenty-five hundred 
dollars nor more than three thousand dollars per 
annum, and all the fees are required to be paid into 
the county treasury. The county registers have 
been as follows: 1835, R. S. Rice; 1836, C. W. 
Whipple; 1837-1841, George R. Griswold; 1S41 
and 1S42, Josiah Snow; 1 843-1 847, Silas A. Bagg; 
1847-1851, C. V. Selkrig; 1851-1855, Henry Cam- 
pau; 1855 and 1856, H. R. Nowland; 1857-1861, 
H.S.Roberts; 1861 and 1862, H. M. Whittlesey-; 
1863 and 1864, E. N. Lacroix; 1 86 5-1 869, W. E. 
Warner; i8'69-i873, Alonzo Eaton; 1873 and 1874, 
John W. McMillan; 1S75-1879, Charles Dupont; 
1879 and 1880, Henry Plass; 1S81 and 1882, J. I. 
Mitchell; 1S83- , C. M. Rousseau. 

Under Act of July 28, 1818, the governor was 
authorized to appoint a city register for Detroit, to 
record all papers concerning real estate. A further 
law of March 27, 1820, provided that his compensa- 
tion should be the same as that of the register of 
probate ; and all deeds and mortgages, in order to 
be valid as against any new purchaser, were re- 
quired to be recorded before I^ecember i, 1821. A 
law of July 14, 1830, authorized the register to ap- 
point a deputy, and by law of March 22, 1837. the 
office was abolished and its duties combined with 
those of the county register. The following persons 
served as city registers : 1 798- 1 804, Peter Audrain ; 
1806-1818, Joseph Watson; 1818-1822, A. E. Wing; 
1822 and 1823, A. G. Whitney; 1823-182 5, E. A. 
Brush; 1825, P. Lecuyer; 1826-1830, John Whip- 



ple; 1830-1835, Theodore W^illiams; 1836, C. W. 
Whipple. 

PAST AND PRESKXT PRICE.? OF LANDS. 

In 1760 M. de Bellestre, the French commandant, 
paid M. Vernet a sum equal to §2,500 for two lots 
whose combined size was only 30x50 feet. In 
1767, under English rule,_£22o, New York currency, 
was paid for a lot forty feet wide on St. James 
Street extending through to St. Ann's Street. 
These prices for that early period seem enor- 
mous; yet it is well known that such prices were 
frequently paid. Judge Woodward, in a letter 
dated March 6, 1806. states that property in the old 
town of Detroit bore so enormous a value that he 
"would not name it, as it would be deemed incredible." 

The protection afforded by the stockade, and the 
privileges of trading, had much to do with the value 
put on lots within the pickets. After the town 
passed under the control of the United States, real 
estate resumed its normal value, and prices became 
more definite. According to the report of a com- 
mittee appcjinted by the proprietors of lots, after the 
fire of 1805, the value of lots 27x54 feet was 
$123.50, and of lots 161x175 feet. $614.50. The 
total value of all lots owned by the sixty-nine pro- 
prietors was §14,205.50. 

After the fire, and the distribution of the lots, the 
highest sum paid for the excess was seven cents, 
and the average four cents per square foot. 

On March 6, 1809. forty-one of the Park Lots, 
containing five and ten acres each, were sold at auc- 
tion, the auctioneer being paid one fourth of one per 
cent commission. The conditions of sale were one 
fourth cash, one fourth in six months, and the remain- 
ing half in twelve months from date of sale. 

Upon these terms the following persons bought 
the lots indicated, at the prices named : 



Purchaser. 



No. of Lot. 



John Palmer 81 

Jacob Sanders 21 

Daniel Stevens 51 and 52 

William Scott 40 

" II. i^. ij. 14 

Richard Smythe 72 and 73 

" 53 and 54 

Solomon Sibley 49 and 50 

22 and 23 

42 and 43 

" 74. 75. !('• 77. a™' 7S 

8 and 9 

B. Woodworth ... 24, 25, :f6, 27 

John R. Williams 55 

47 and 48 

44an(l45 

... I, 2, 3, and 4 
John Whipple 68 and 69 



S55 


00 


21 


50 


27 


13 


20 


00 


•95 


62 


23 


78 


30 


50 


24 


74 


26 


87 


45 


62 


123 


52 


115 


00 


70 


00 


12 


55 


31 


37 


45 


62 


18S 


75 


22 


20 



PAST AND PRESENT PRICES OF LANDS. 



41 



As late as 1 8 1 7 the Park Lots were valued at only- 
fifteen dollars per acre. In 181 5 Governor Cass 
purchased five hundred acres of land, now known as 
the "Cass Farm," for $12,000. In 1816 the south- 
west corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues, 
with a frontage of forty feet on Jefferson Avenue 
by one hundred on Woodward Avenue, was sold for 
§2,010. In November, 1816, Lot 49, 40x80 feet, 
on the northwest corner of Griswold and Wood- 
bridtje Streets, was sold to B. Stead for $11.90. In 
1817 the L'niversity Lot, on the northwest corner of 
Bates and Lamed Streets, eighty feet on Lamed by 
two hundred and ten on Bates Street, sold for §So. 
On April 15, 1864, it was bought by Farrand, Sheley, 
& Co. for $22,010. In 1819 a large number of lots 
in the \-icinity of the present City Hall were sold at 
auction by the Governor and Judges. Among the 
purchasers was Judge Sibley. After the sale Major 
Rowland said to C. C. Trowbridge, " A fool and his 
money are soon parted. Sibley has just been buy- 
ing about twenty lots at seven dollars each, and 1 
would not g^ve him sev'enty cents each." 

In 1829 David Cooper bought the lot on Michigan 
Avenue, for many years occupied by his residence, 
for S200. On October 27, 1829, Robert Abbott 
reported that there were seventy-four city lots still 
unsold, which were then worth $5,000, or an average 
of less than seventy dollars each. 

On June 10, 1835, the Journal and Courier con- 
tained the following : 

Buying and sellinj; is the order of the day. Our city is filled 
with speculators, who are all on tiptoe. Several snug fortunes of 
from ten to twenty thousand dollars have already been made. 
Governor Cass has disposed of the front part of his farm, as far 
back as Lamed Street, fur $100,000. 

In January, 1836, real estate was very active, and 
over three hundred and fifty thousand dollars' worth 
of property changed hands. In February, 1836, one 
of the city papers said : 

As proof of the rapidly increasing value of property in the city, 
ten acres of land, one mile from the river on the Pontiac Road, 
without any buildings, has been sold for $10,000. 

On June 15, 1836, several lots on Jefferson Avenue, 
near Cass Street, were sold at auction, bringing 
from S300 to $4 50 per foot front. 

On October 18, 1836, lots on the Cass front, to 
the amount of $190,000, were sold at auction, the 
water lots selling at from $146 to $220 per foot. 

In January, 1843, the lot on the southeast corner 
of Griswold and Congress .Streets was sold by the 
Bank of Michigan to the county for $1,800. and on 
July 25, 1859, it was sold at auction to C. H. Buhl 
for $12,550. The lot has a frontage of thirty-five 
feet on Griswold Street. In 1842 Colonel Winder 
bought ten acres of land on the northeast corner of 
Woodward Avenue and High Street for $1,500. 
On May 28, 1846, forty-two acres were purchased 



for the proposed Elmwood Cemetery, for $1,858. A 
lot on Jefferson Avenue, nearly opposite the Ex- 
change, fifty-two feet front by seventy feet deep, 
was sold at auction, February 17, 1851, for $6,400, or 
about $1 23 per foot front. The same year St. Paul's 
Church Society sold sixty feet front by one hundred 
feet deep, on Woodward Avenue, where the church 
then stood, for $12,642, and four years later the 
adjoining property, on the south, was sold by the 
Presbyterian Church for $50,000. 

In 184S and 1850 H. R. Andrews bought the 
ground on which the Detroit Opera House is located 
for $6,500. In 1 86 1 it was sold by the executors of 
his estate for $23,500. In 1867 it was sold for 
$50,000, and in 1868 Dr. E. M. Clark paid $55,000 
for the property. 

The ground and building occupied by the F"irst 
National Bank were sold at auction October 4. 1855, 
for $24,000, one third cash, and the remainder in 
two years, without interest. 

In February, i860, the property on southwest cor- 
ner of Griswold and Congress Streets, eighty feet 
front on Griswold by one hundred feet on Congress 
Street, was sold to C. H. Buhl for $334 per foot 
front. 

In 1S62 Mr. E. S. Heineman bought the house 
and grounds on the north corner of Woodward 
Avenue and Adelaide Street for $20,000. 

In 1S63 the five lots now occupied by the Central 
M. E. Church were bought for $8,600. In October 
of the same year the lot on the northeast corner of 
Congress and Randolph Streets, with a frontage of 
fifty-four feet on Randolph Street by ninety feet on 
Congress Street, with the building, sold for $9,000. 
On November 11, 1863, two lots on the north side 
of Jefferson Avenue, near Wayne .Street, twenty-five 
feet front each, sold for $83 per foot front. 

On July 10, 1873, one hundred and fifty-two lots 
at the Grand Trunk Junction were sold for an aggre- 
gate of $55,455; and on July 18 ninety-two more 
lots were sold for the sum of $28,1 10. 

The lot on the northwest corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Ciriswold Street was sold to Albert Ives 
in September, 1876, for $27,000. 

The size of lots varies according to the fancy of 
those who make the subdivisions. The usual sizes 
are 30x100 and 50x150. According to the loca- 
tion, either business or residence lots sell at from 
$10 to $1,500 per foot frontage. Among the many 
persons who have laid out large tracts into city lots, 
Messrs. F. J. B. Crane. W. B. \\'esson, Walter Crane. 
John Gibson, and J. W. Johnston have been espe- 
cially prominent. They have enriched themselves, 
and promoted the interests of the city by their busi- 
ness sagacity, and it is largely owing to their efforts 
that so great a proportion of our inhabitants are 
freeholders. 



PART II. 

HYGIENIC 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE CLIMATE OF DETROIT. 



The climate of Detroit very favorably impressed 
the early travelers. M. de Bougainville, who was 
here in 1757, says: "The atmosphere is of great 
beauty and serenity. It is a magnificent climate, 
having almost no cold weather, and only a little 
snow. The cattle stay in the fields all winter and 
find their living there." 

All investigations indicate that the climate is 
modified by the surrounding bodies of water. Of 
late it seems to be more variable than formerly, but 
is seldom sutJject to such extremes of heat and cold 
as are common to the latitude. The mean of sum- 
mer temperature is 67'; in winter the mean is 26'. 
A diary of the weather, kept in 18 16, from the 24th 
of July to the 22d of October, or for eighty-nine 
days, showed that fifty-seven days were fair and 
twelve cloudy, and that on twenty days showers 
fell. A record kept at the fort for one hundred and 
five days, from November 15, 181 8, to P'ebruary 28, 
18 1 g, showed forty days clear, forty days cloudy, 
thirteen variable, and twelve cloudy, with rain and 
snow. In the winter of 1818-1819 the average tem- 
perature in November was 43", in December 25% in 
January 30°, and in February 33° Fahrenheit. Tak- 
ing the years together, the mean temperature is 
about the same as that of Elmira, Albany, Portland, 
Boston, Buffalo, and Rochester. 

The uncommon beauty and serenity of the au- 
tumns and the usual mildness of our winters have 
often been the subject of remark. The increased 
temperature, due to the extensive and open-water 
surfaces of this region, causes the snow to melt almost 
as soon as it falls. In many winters the snow has been 
hardly sufficient for good sleighing. A mild and 
open winter is ordinarily succeeded by an early 
spring, the proportion as to cold or late springs 
being about two to one. Cold, snowy winters are 
always followed by cold and backward springs. 
Our deepest and longest lasting snow usually occurs 
in February', which is also the coldest month. 
Winter often "lingers in the lap of Spring," and 
then, with a bound, leaps into the arms of Summer. 

The region is noted for the clearness of its atmos- 
phere, the intense blue of its sky, the brilliancy of 
its moonlight, and the gorgeous and glowing colors 
of its sunsets. Indeed, in these particulars, it not 



L45l 



only excels the Eastern States, but rivals the far- 
famed skies of southern Italy. We have in a single 
month more clear firmament, and of an intenser blue, 
than that land has in half a year. The autumn here 
is one of the most enjoyable of the seasons, afford- 
ing a wonderful contrast to the dull, wet seasons of 
European countries in the same latitude. The latter 
part of November is usually so mild that it is known 
and enjoyed as the Indian .Summer. True, the 
leaves are mostly gone from the trees, and nature 
would seem cheerless but for a dreamy haze and a 
springlike mildness in the atmosphere that more 
than atones for the lost glories of summer. 

The climate is the driest in the United States, 
east of the head-waters of the Mississippi. The 
rains are quite equally distributed through all but 
the winter months, and they have only one sixth of 
the entire precipitation. Crops seldom suffer for 
want of moisture. About the end of September it 
is usual to expect a rainy period of some days' dura- 
tion, known as the "equinoctial storm," but often- 
times no such storm appears. During midsummer 
violent rains of brief duration frequently come to 
cool and clear the atmosphere, and a feature peculiar 
to this locality is the rains that so often occur 
during nights which are preceded and followed by 
cloudless days. 

In the months of December and F"ebruary there 
is the least rainfall. From I'ebruary to June there 
is a gradual increase. The mean fall of the spring 
months is 2.8 inches. In June, the month of largest 
precipitation, it amounts to 3.9 inches, and the mean 
of the summer is 3. 1 inches. The mean for Septem- 
ber reaches 3.3 inches; in the autumn it is 2.4 
inches. The average yearly rainfall, for the period 
between 1840 and i860, was ^'/i feet. The greatest 
fall of rain was in 1855, it being 6 feet; the least was 
z^{ feet in 1S59. 

As a rule, warm summers, if succeeded by dry, 
pleasant autumns, are followed by mild and open 
winters. Cold summers and autumns are ordinarily 
succeeded by cold winters, the exceptions being 
about one to two, and the probabilities are four to 
one that early springs will be followed by warm and 
pleasant summers. 

In winter the prevailing winds are west or west- 



46 



CLIMATE OF DETROIT. 



erly. In the spring, for nearly half the time, east and 
northeast winds prevail. The winds vary from east 
to west and from northeast to south, seldom coming 
from the northwest. In summer southwest winds 
are most prevalent ; east and west winds are also 
frequent, but there are few northwest or southeast. 
Autumn brings westerly winds, varying from south- 
west to south. Taking the yearly average, probably 
two thirds of the winds are southwest, west, and 
northwest. 

Of course there are e.vceptions to all the above 
general rules, and some of these exceptions, gleaned 
from old records and letters, will astonish the " old- 
est inhabitant." Jonathan Carver states that in 
October, 1762, dense black clouds hung over the 
city, from which fell rain of a sulphurous odor, and 
of such dark color that some was collected and used 
as ink. The winter of 1779- 1780 was the most 
severe on record. Horses and cattle died from 
e.xposure to the cold, and in the spring hundreds of 
them were found dead in the woods. On May 16, 
1780, Colonel De Pey.ster wrote to Colonel Bolton 
at Niagara, saying: " After the most severe winter 
ever remembered at Detroit, this is the earliest we 
think prudent to venture a vessel to Fort Erie." In 
the spring and summer of 1782 the rains, the most 
violent ever known, washed away a large portion of 
the embankment of Fort Lernoult. Early in 1 784 
an extraordinary frost set in, extending all over this 
region. The oldest resident could not remember 
any such deep snow as that of the succeeding win- 
ter; in some places it was five or six feet deep, 
and caused great distress. As late as March 6 the 
snow was four feet deep. In Lake St. Clair, a mile 
from the shore, the ice was three feet thick, and it 
did not disappear until May. 

The winter of 181 1-1812 brought an earthquake 
in place of storms. Its first and most destructive 
manifestations occurred at New Madrid on the Mis- 
sissippi. On December 16, 181 1, it destroyed the 
entire village, which was located on a bluff, fifteen 
feet above high-water mark, sinking it five feet un- 
der water. Sand-bars and islands disappeared, 
lakes si.xty miles long and one hundred feet deep 
were formed, and the air was full of sulphurous 
vapor. Up to December 21 shocks were of daily 
occurrence, and they were felt at intervals until late 
in February. They were especially severe about 
thirty miles below New Madrid, and were felt all 
over the valley of the Ohio as far east as Pittsburgh. 
They were especially noticeable at Detroit on Janu- 
ary 22 and 23, on the 24th, at 7 P. .M., and also on 
February 7, 18 12. 

In 1816, at Detroit, ice formed even,' month in the 
year. From the 14th to the 20th of .•\pril, 1821, 
eight inches of snow fell. The winter of 1823 was 
very mild. Flowers blossomed in the winter out of 
doors, and a vessel arrived from Sandusky on Janu- 



ary 13. On May i, 1824, there was a foot of snow 
on the ground. In 1826 the winter was so mild 
that grass is said to have grown a foot in January. 
November 12, 1827, was remarkable as being a very 
dark day. In October, 1828, there were extensive 
fires in J;he woods, caused by lack of rain, and last- 
ing for two weeks. They began on the Huron 
River, and ran over a large portion of the State. It 
was impossible to see houses along the road. Arti- 
cles exposed gathered a sticky residuum from the 
smoke. It was humorously said that a pig which one 
man killed became good bacon while he was dressing 
it. 1829 was a dry season, but the traditional "six 
weeks of sleighing in the month of February " were 
duly enjoyed. On December 4. 1833, there was no 
ice, and steamers and schooners were arriving and 
departing. February 22, 1834, there was a great 
gale of wind that blew down chimneys and unroofed 
houses. February 8, 1835, the mercury was below 
zero all over the country. The winter of 1838 was 
particularly mild. On January 8 the steamer Robert 
Fulton arrived from Buffalo. March 23, 1840, a 
snow-storm began which lasted eighteen hours, and 
eight inches of snow fell. In 1845 -steamers arrived 
from Buffalo every month in the year. 

In 1853, with the exception of a slight shower on 
September 14, there was no rain all the summer and 
autumn, up to October 21. Fires in the woods were 
numerous, and the fog in Detroit was disagreeable 
and dangerous, old citizens actually losing their way 
in the streets. The spring and summer of 1855 
were rainy, and the wheat was generally damaged; 
the winter was quite severe. In January and Febru- 
ar)'. 1856, there was continuous sleighing. In the 
fall of 1856 and the winter of 1S57 the public were 
amused with the prophecies of W. W. Ryan in 
regard to the weather. On January 27 he gave a 
lecture at the City Hall. In 1859 there was frost 
every month, and especially heavy frosts on the 
4th and loth of June and the 3d and 4th of July did 
great damage to fruits and vegetables. January I, 
1864, there was a sudden fall in temperature from 10° 
above freezing point on December 31 to 20° below on 



January i. The summer of 



was one of the 



hottest for many years, and much rain fell; the In- 
dian Summer, extending all through November, was 
particularly warm. From the 19th to the 20th of 
January, 1866, the temperature fell 60°. On the 2d 
and the 4th of May. 1867, there was a frost. On 
the 1st and the 2d of March, 1868, immense quan- 
tities of snow fell, almost stopping travel. Other 
snow-storms came on the 2d, 3d. 4th, 7th, i8th. and 
25th of .-^pril; in fact, all through the month, and all 
through May, there were frosts, which were especially 
noticeable on the i8th. On April 12, 1869, there 
was a light fall of snow, and on the next day a heavy 
snow-storm. On October 23, while the trees were in 
full foliage, six inches of snow fell, and many trees 



CLIMATE OF DETROIT. 



47 



were broken with its weight. On April 26, 1870, 
over one hundred vessels were waiting at the St. 
Clair Flats for the ice to move out of the channel, 
where it was fully ten feet in height. 

On April 20, 1871, ice one fourth of an inch in 
thickness formed at night; and on August 17, 18, and 
19 there were heavy frosts. No rain had fallen for 
a long time, and it was very dry. In September and 
October there were extensive fires in Michigan and 
the West, followed by the great fire in Chicago. 
December 23, 1871, there was a severe wind-storm. 
The winter which followed was very severe. 

April 13, 1872, occurred a storm of wind, which 
did much damage to vessels and poorly built houses. 

January 29, 1873, was the coldest day of the 
season, the mercury ranging from 18° to 35° below 
zero. April 3 two inches of snow fell. On December 
4 a wind-storm did much damage, blowing down 
chimneys and signs and unroofing houses. 

April 5, 1874, snow fell sufficient for good sleigh- 
ing, and on May 7 ice formed. The ne.xt month, on 
June 28, the mercury was 98' in the shade. 

On March 3, 1875, snow fell fifteen inches on a 
level. On June 27 there was an occurrence entirely 
unusual. About 6 P. M. a whirlwind commenced 
near the corner of Ash and Williams Streets, and 
made its way across Grand River Avenue, a dis- 
tance of nearly a mile, sweeping a track fully one 
hundred and fifty feet wide, destroying thirty-three 
small buildings and injuring twenty-eight others. 
Two persons were killed and ten slightly injured. 

March 20, 1876, there was a severe snow-storm. 
July 5, there was a very heavy wind; trees were 
uprooted, carriages and wagons overturned, vessels 
dragged their anchors, and the ferr\--boats were 
compelled to stop running. In December ice 



twelve inches in thickness was formed in the river. 
On the 1 5th and i6th, there was a very severe wind, 
and the snow and ice were piled up in great masses 
in front of the city. 

On January 15, iS'77, there was a heavy snow- 
storm, which for a time stopped all travel. Febru- 
ary 7 was extraordinarily warm, and on March 20 
there was a sharp snow-storm, accompanied by 
thunder and lightning. It so affected the electrical 
apparatus in connection with the City Hall bell that 
at every flash the bell struck one. 

In 1S78 no ice formed until Februar)- g. There 
was no snow until February 1 1 , and boats kept on 
running. For a week in the July following, the 
mercury ranged from 90° to 100°. On July i there 
was a very heavy thunder-storm and much rain. 

In January and February, 1879, there were no 
frosts, but on the 6th and the 17th of June this 
remissness of the winter was atoned for. On July 
10 there was an immense fall of rain, flooding the 
sewers and filling cellars. On August i hailstones 
as large as walnuts fell in great quantities; during 
the last week in January, i88i, and the first two 
weeks in the February following, we had clear 
weather and sunshine every day, and the ground 
was entirely free from snow. 

The first two weeks of Februar)-, 1S83, were in 
marked contrast ; there were several inches of snow, 
and the trees during the entire period were covered 
with sleet and ice. During the night of Monday, 
May 21, there was a heavy wind, accompanied with 
rain, which turned to hail and snow the ne.xt morn- 
ing, the storm continuing at intervals all the day. 
On the night of September 8 there was a heavy 
frost, which did great damage to fruits and vege- 
tables. 




Specimen- of Tornado WnRk-. {Froma f,hoto!:rafli.) 



CHAPTER X 



DISEASES.— DOCTORS.— MEDICAL SOCIETIES. 



DISEASES. 

Detroit cannot be recommended as the paradise 
of physicians. The general mildness of the climate, 
the pure breezes from the river and lake, the com- 
plete system of drainage, for which there are e.xcep- 
tional facilities, the inexhaustible supply of superior 
water, the abundance and variety of fish, meat, 
fruits, and vegetables in its markets, the favorable 
sanitary conditions, resulting from our wide and 
well-kept streets, the enlightened and efficient 
efforts of the Health Officers and Sanitary Police, 
the almost entire absence of tenement houses, and 
the fact that a large majority of the inhabitants own 
their homes, are all to be taken into account in 
explaining its fortunate condition as one of the most 
healthy cities in the world. 

In cases of disease, these advantages are fa\'or- 
able to the physicians, making their prescriptions 
more effective and increasing the average of cures. 
The doctors thus get full credit for their skill, and 
this fact, added to other desirable features, makes 
the city attractive to physicians as a place of resi- 
dence, notwithstanding its general healthfulness. 

During the last forty years the prevailing diseases 
have been malarious fever, rheimiatism, pneumonia, 
choleraic affections, croup, and pleurisy. There 
have also been occasional visitations of the ordi- 
nary epidemic and contagious diseases, such as 
influenza, measles, scarlet-fever, small-pox, etc., 
and within twenty years typhoid, or rather typho- 
malarial fevers and diphtheria have been added to 
the above list, which, it will be observed, embraces 
only the diseases common to temperate climates. 

Detroit has an advantage over other ordinarily 
healthy cities in the same latitude, in that these dis- 
eases, when they occur, are exceptionally mild in 
type. The yearly death-rate averages only about 
twenty for every i ,000 persons. The total number 
of deaths reported in 1880 was 1,074; in 18S1, 1,709; 
in 1882. 2.712; and in 1883, 2,957. 

Old records show that in 1703 the small-pox 
made severe inroads upon the infant colony. It is 
also undoubtedly true that the first American settlers 
suffered much from fever and ague, and whiskey, as 
an antidote, was freely used by almost every one. 



In course of time quinine was substituted, and this, 
combined with other remedies, was first administered 
under the name of Dr. Sappington's Pills. 

In the fall and winter of 181 3 a severe epidemic 
prevailed in General Harrison's army. Hundreds of 
soldiers died, and were buried near the fort. The 
removal of their remains in 1826, at the time the 
JNlilitary Reserve was laid out into lots, was doubt- 
less one of the causes of the illness of that year 
which carried away H. J. Hunt, A. G. Whitney, and 
other prominent citizens. 

The first serious epidemic among citizens occurred 
in 1832, and in anticipation of its coming the Board 
of Health, on June 25, issued printed instructions 
for the prevention and cure of the cholera, including 
lists of medicines and prescriptions for children and 
adults. The mayor's proclamation, appended to 
these instructions, forbade vessels from any other 
port to approach within a hundred yards, or to land 
any person until after an examination by a health 
officer. 

On July 4 the steamer Henrj- Clay arrived ; she 
was on her way to Chicago with three hundred and 
seventy soldiers for the Black Hawk War, under 
command of Colonel Twiggs. On July 5 one of the 
soldiers died of cholera, and the vessel was immedi- 
ately ordered to Hog Island. From there she went 
on her way, but the disease attacked so many of the 
troops that it was useless for the vessel to proceed, 
and she was compelled to stop at Fort Gratiot. 
From there the soldiers began to make their way to 
Detroit, but many of them died on the road, and 
were devoured by wild beasts ; only one hundred 
and fifty reached the city, arriving here about July 
8. They then embarked on the steamboat Wm. 
Penn, but the disease compelled them to leave the 
vessel, and they went into camp at Springvvells, 
where they remained until the scourge had expended 
its force. 

Meanwhile, on July 6, two citizens died of the dis- 
ease, and a panic was at once created. Many per- 
sons left their business and fled from the city. In 
the country the excitement was even greater than at 
Detroit. On the arrival of the mail-coach at Ypsi- 
lanti, the driver was ordered by a health officer to 



[48] 



DISEASES. 



49 



stop, that an examination of jiassengers might be 
made. The driver refusing, his horses were fired 
on ; one was l<illed, and the driver himself had a 
narrow escape. .At other places fences were built 
across the roads, and travelers were compelled to 
turn back. /Xt Rochester persons from Detroit were 
turned out of the hotel and their baggage thrown 
after them, and the bridges were torn up to prevent 
persons from entering the village. At Pontiac a body 
of men were armed, and sentinels were stationed 
on the highway to prevent ingress. One of the 
citizens of this latter place, Dr. Porter, came here to 
investigate the disease, but on his return he was 
refused admittance to his own home and compelled 
to re\nsit our city. In Detroit the Board of Health 
issued regular bulletins, and the court and juiy- 
rooms in the old capitol were used for hospital pur- 
poses. By August 1 5 the epidemic was practically 
over. The deaths, ninety-six in number, could be 
traced in most instances to intemperance and care- 
lessness. 

Two years later the disease again appeared, and 
this time with added horrors. It began its work of 
destruction the first of .August, and continued till the 
last of September. The greatest number of deaths 
in anv one day was sixteen. In twenty days there 
were one hundred and twenty-two deaths from 
cholera, and fifty-seven from other causes. Ninety- 
five of these victims were strangers. Se\-en per 
cent of the population died in a month. The old- 
est and best citizens, as well as those comparatively 
unknown, were numbered among the dead. Busi- 
ness was hardly thought of. The air appeared un- 
usually oppressive, and to purify it large kettles of 
pitch were burned at night in front of various houses, 
and at intervals along the streets ; the burial rite was 
shortened ; and persons were not allowed to enter 
or leave the city without inspection and due delay. 
It had been the custom to toll the bell on the occa- 
sion of a death, but the tolling became so frequent 
that it increased the panic, and was therefore discon- 
tinued. 

Mayor Trowbridge was especially active. Day 
after day he visited the hospital, and in many ways 
cared for the sick, most honorably fulfilling his 
duties as the chief magistrate of the city in its time 
of greatest need. A nurse corps was organized, and 
among those who gave special and personal atten- 
tion to the patients were Drs. Whiting, Rice, and 
Chapin, Peter Desnoyers, Z. Chandler, John Farmer, 
and W". X. Carpenter. 

Some of the patients were saved by the care of 
volunteer attendants after they had been given up by 
the regular physicians. In the case of one man thus 
given over, Mr. Farmer asked if he might give the 
man some " No. 6." The answer was " Yes ; give 
him arsenic if you want to." — meaning that the 



man's case was hopeless. Some " No. 6 " was ad- 
ministered ; the man's pulse returned, he got better, 
and in three days was up and at his work. 

Tall, strong, brave Father Martin Kundig out- 
shone and outdid all others by his tireless devotion 
to the sick and the dying. Soon after the cholera 
made its appearance. Father Kundig bought the old 
Presbyterian Church, which had just been moved to 
the northwest corner of Bates Street and Michigan 
Grand Avenue, and divided it into two apartments, 
for male and female patients respectively. Out of 
four rows of pews, every second one was remo\ed, 
and his hospital was ready. A one-horse ambulance 
was then prepared, and morning after morning, night 
after night, he went here and there, gathering in the 
sick and taking them to the refuge which combined 
sanctuary and hospital. He was so much of the 
time among the patients that he was avoided on the 
streets lest he should spread the contagion. Dying 
patients, as they passed away, committed their chil- 
dren to his care, and the trust was faithfully admin- 
istered. The Legislature, on March 1 8, 1837, voted 
him $3,000 in acknowledgment of his ser\-ices ; but, 
as is shown elsewhere, he was never fully reimbursed 
for the expenses he incurred. 

Father Kundig was ably seconded by the Catholic 
Female Association and by the Sisters of St. Claire- 
Mr. Alpheus White also rendered efficient aid, not 
only neglecting his business himself, but giving also 
the time of his employees. 

In June, 1849. the reappearance of the cholera 
was feared, and the following notice appeared in the 
daily papers : 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
Friday, the 22d inst. havinjj been appointed by his Honor, the 
Mayor, as a day of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving in view of 
an impending and terrible yet withheld epidemic, the Public 
Schools of the city will therefore be dismissed for that day. 

Le\i Bishop, 
Chairman Committee on Schools. 

.At this time the citizens turned out in force to 
clean up the city and to see that all nuisances were 
abated. The Common Council, at the suggestion of 
the Board of Health, passed an ordinance forbidding 
the sale of fresh fish, oysters, fruits, vegetables, veal, 
or pork. On July 9 the first death took place. July 
16 there were three deaths. July 18 there were 
four, and on the 19th there were ten cases of 
cholera. On the 23d three died, and on the 25th 
seven deaths were reported. The mortality con- 
tinued to increase, the aggregate of interments for 
the month being seven hundred and eighty-one. 
The average of deaths from cholera was twelve per 
day, and on several days the number of deaths 
ranged from thirty-five to forty. From the ist to the 
20th of August the number of deaths was two hun- 
dred and eighty. 



50 



DISEASES. — DOCTORS. — MEDICAL SOCIETIES. 



The scourge, at this time, was a national one, and 
by proclamation of President Taylor the first Friday 
in August was observed as a day of fasting and 
prayer. Soon after this the mortality decreased, and 
on August 22 a Committee of the Council, appointed 
to make a daily report, was discharged, and the ordi- 
nance prohibiting the sale of certain fruits, meats 
and vegetables was rescinded. On August 25 the 
disease again brolce out, raged with virulence until 
the early part of September, and then gradually sub- 
sided. Its last victim died on September 12. 

In 1854 the pestilence again visited the city, and 
the papers made daily appeals to citizens to " sprinkle 
lime." It made its appearance in the latter part of 
May. In June the number of deaths averaged two 
or three per day. In July the number of deaths 
from all causes was two hundred and fifty-nine, a 
majority being reported as from cholera. During 
August the scourge disappeared. 

DOCTORS. 

" Medicine men " are no modern innovation. 
The red men of the forest used long words and mys- 
terious decoctions long before the French chirur- 
geons came. The Wa-be-no, a secret society of In- 
dian prophets, or medicine men, once held its annual 
meeting near Springwells, and their mystic incanta- 
tions and incomprehensible compounds formed a 
fitting prelude to the cabalistic signs and abbreviated 
Latin of their regular and irregular successors. 

The old records of St. Anne's Church contain the 
names, not only of the cures, but of the healers as 
well, and as early as May 9, 1 7 10, the name of 
M. Henry Bellisle, Chtrurgeo?i, was inscribed there- 
in. The names of others appear, on the following 
dates: November 26, 1715, M.Jean Baptiste For- 
ester; January 20, 1720, M. Pierre Jean Chapaton, 
Jr. February 8, 1755, 'he name of Gabriel Christo- 
pher Legrand, "Surgeon-Major of the Troops," 
appears. The records also show that, as a titled 
surgeon, he outranked any of his predecessors or 
successors. He was the " son of Gabriel Louis Le- 
grand, Esq., Sieur de Sintre, Viscount de Mortoim, 
Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of St. 
Louis, and of Henrietta Catharine de Cremay." 

A return of January I2, 1761, by George Croghan, 
of persons employed by the Government at Detroit, 
contains the name of " Doctor Antoney," at " five 
shillings per day." This is undoubtedly meant for 
the name of Dr. George C. Anthon. He came to 
Detroit on November 29, 1760, with Major Rogers, 
and was the sole medical oflScer of the post. The 
troops of the army and navy, the inhabitants, and 
the Indians, all alike in turn were patients of this 
gifted physician. He resigned on August 4, 1786. 
In 1780 the name of Dr. William Menzies ap- 
pears. 



The earlier physicians carried medicines and little 
scales, weighing out their prescriptions at the houses 
of their patients, and their long cues, powdered hair, 
and ruftled shirt-fronts enforced the respect which 
their profession commanded. In his relation to 
their personal well-being, the doctor often comes to 
be esteemed and reverenced among men as much 
as the pastor. His touch and his tread become 
known and loved, and his questions and his quassia 
even are longed for. The names of some of the 
physicians of the past are " as ointment poured 
forth," and their memory lingers like the perfume of 
cedars ; strength and grace were theirs. Among the 
most widely known of the physicians of former days 
were the following : 

William McCroskey, William Brown, Stephen C. 
Henry, J. L. Whiting, Marshall Chapin, Douglas 
Houghton, E. Hurd, Zina Pitcher, A. L. Porter, R. 
S. Rice, Shelomith S. Hall, A. R. Terry, George B. 
Russell, Abraham Sager, J. B. Scovel, L. F. Starkey, 
Robert McMillan, T. B. Clark, E. A. Theiller, H. P. 
Cobb, L. H. Cobb, E. G. Desnoyers, Francis Breck- 
enridge, Justin Rice, Linus Mott, J. H. Bagg, E. W. 
Cowles, Pliny Power, Moses Gunn. J. C. Gorton, E. 
Batwell, C. S. Tripler, C. N. Ege, Ira M. Allen, J. 
M. Alden, David Inglis, E. H. Drake, George Bige- 
low, E. M. Clark, A. L. Leland, J. J. Oakley, Isaac 
S. Smith, N. D. Stebbins, S. B. Thayer, S. M. Ax- 
ford, Rufus Brown, D. Day, E. Kane, A. B. Palmer, 
L. C. Rose, M. P. Stewart, S. G. Armor, A. S. Hea- 
ton, and D. O. Farrand. 

The physicians now resident in Detroit are located 
conveniently all over the city. Many of them are 
established on and near Lafayette Avenue, and those 
desiring treatment by any of the popular "pathies " 
of the day can be accommodated. 

Two Medical Colleges graduate a large number of 
students every year, several excellent hospitals afford 
exceptional clinical advantages, and a number of 
valuable medical journals are published in the city. 

MEDICAL SOCIETIES. 

While the doctors have often been enabled to 
keep their patients alive, their own societies have 
over and again died for want of care and because of 
improper treatment. It is evidently easier to com- 
pound drugs than to harmonize the views of mem- 
bers of the profession, and a diagnosis of some 
" Society" cases would perhaps reveal symptoms of 
mental poisoning. 

The first society was authorized by an Act of the 
Legislative Council of June 14, 18 19. Lender this 
Act the physicians and surgeons of the Territory- 
were authorized to meet in Detroit on July 3. 1S19. 
to form a medical society. 

The Act also proxnded for the formation of county 
societies, who were authorized to examine persons 



rvIEDICAL SOCIETIES. 



51 



seeking to practice, and to grant diplomas. A 
fee of Sio was to be paid for each diploma, and 
without such diploma no one might practice. Dis- 
aster of some kind soon terminated the existence of 
these organizations. In 1839 the Michigan Medical 
Society was in existence, with D. O. Hoyt as 
president and E. \V. Cowles as secretary. A few 
years later the Sydenham Medical Society was 
organized. It ceased in 1848. The Wayne County 
Medical Society was organized in May, 1 865, and 
lived for ten years. It was then disbanded, and 
on August 17, 1876, a new society by the same 
name was organized. William Brodie, president, 
and W. H. Rouse, secretary, have served from its 
organization. 

A Wayne County Homoeopathic Institute was 
organized July 3, 1868. and continued in existence 
for ten years. It was succeeded, in 1878, by the 
Homoeopathic College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
organized October 21, 1878, and incorporated on 
January 20, 1879. The presidents and recorders of 
this institute have been as follows : Presidents, — 
1878-1881, F. X. Spranger; 1S81. C. C. Miller; 
1882. R. C. Olin; 1883, J. McGuire ; 1884, Phil 
Porter. Recorders,— 1878-1883, J. G. Gilchrist; 
1883- . J. M. GrifiRn. Since April. 1880, it has 
maintained a Free Dispensary, which is a con- 



tinuation of a Free Homoeopathic Dispensary organ- 
ized by a number of ladies in 1876. 

The Detroit Academy of Medicine was organized 
on September 18, 1869, at the office of Richard 
Inglis. The officers have been as follows: Presi- 
dents, — 1869, Richard Inglis; 1870, E. W. Jenks ; 

1871, H. F. Lyster; 1872, James F. Noyes; 1873, 
Henry A. Cleland; 1874, E. L. Shurly; 1875, C. B. 
Gilbert; 1876, George P. Andrews; 1877, Leartus 
Connor; 1878, A. B. Lyons; 1879 and 1880, Theo- 
dore A. ]\IcGraw; 1881, H. O. Walker; 1882- 

. Judson Bradley. Secretaries, — 1869, W. H. 
Lathrop; 1870, A. B. Lyons; 187 1, L. Connor; 

1872, A. B. Lyons; 1873, Frank Livermore; 1874, 
A. B. Lyons; 1875, H. O. Walker; 1876 and 1877, 
James D. Munson; 1878, E. A. Chapoton; 1879 
and 18S0, J. W. Robertson; 1881, A. E. Carrier; 
1882. Morse Stewart, Jr.; 1883- , A. B. Lyons. 

The Detroit Medical and Library Association was 
organized October 4, 1 876, and incorporated March 
12, 1877. The officers have been as follows: 
Presidents, — 1877, J. A. Brown; 1878, .A. S. Heaton; 
1879. E. L. Shurly; 1880, H. A. Cleland; 1881, 
T. A. McGraw; 1882, N. W. Webber; 1883- 
R. A. Jamieson. Secretaries, — 1877 and 1878, T. 
F. Kerr; 1879. F. D. Porter; 1880- , Willard 
Chaney. 



CHAPTER XI. 



CEMETERIES.— BURIALS AND SEXTONS. — COUNTY CORONERS. 



CEMETERIES. 

The cemeteries of the past and the present are 
naturally divided into eight classes, \iz. : The old 
Indian burial places, the Military, Catholic, Protes- 
tant, City, Jewish, and Lutheran grounds, and the 
cemeteries uf private corporations. 

Indian Bu>-ial Places. 

" They have put the sand over him " was the 
common Indian expression when telling of the death 
of one of the tribe. One of the places where the 
Indian dead were buried was the Navarre Farm, 
more lately known as the Brevoort Farm. Both 
the \-illage and the burial place of the Potawatamies 
were there, and the tribe deeded the entire farm to 
Robert Navarre on May 26, 1771. The deed said, 
" \ye give him this land forever that he may culti- 
vate the same, light a fire thereon, and take care of 
our dead; and for surety of our word we have 
made our marks, supported by two branches of 
wampum." At various times since the deed was 
made the march of improvement and the shovel 
of the Milesian have seriously disturbed the re- 
mains of the dusky forms there buried. In 1867, 
while Woodbridge Street was being graded, twenty- 
five or thirty skeletons were exhumed. There were 
also found several pipe-bowls, together with toma- 
hawks and flints in great number. Other remains 
have been found within the last few years. 

Military Burying Grounds. 

As early as 1763, and probably much earlier, the 
ground immediately in the rear of the present First 
National Bank Vvas used as a military burial-place. 
After the battle of Bloody Bridge, or Bloody Run, 
the remains of Captain Dalyell,' and other officers 
who perished in that fearful massacre, were buried 
there. In 1847. while workmen were exca\-ating 
for a building near the northeast corner of Griswold 
and Woodbridge Streets, skeletons and portions of 
old tombstones v.-ere found; and one stone was 
broken up and put in the cellar-wall. It is a sad 
commentary on the spirit of the age that there is 
scarce a grave or gravestone left, or even a record 
of the present place of burial of those who died at 

' Often written Dalzell 



Detroit a century ago. All, all, have disappeared ! 
The tombstone of Hamtramck alone remains as a 
memorial stone for the thousands who passed away 
before him. 

In 18 1 3, and later, a portion of the grounds be- 
longing to Fort Shelby, and even the glacis itself, 
was used as a burial-place. Seven hundred soldiers 
were buried west of the fort in the winter of 1 8 1 3- 
1814. On October 31, 1817, Lieutenant John Brooks 
was buried on the grounds of the fort. There was 
a long funeral procession, and the ser\nces were con- 
ducted by Rev. Mr. Earned. 

After the granting of the Military Reserve to the 
city, the street commissioner, on August 27, 1827, 
was directed to re-inter, in the new cemetery, the 
bones of soldiers which were exposed by grading 
about the fort ; and a large number were removed. 
The ground was located between Michigan and La- 
fayette Avenues, and occupied a part of both blocks 
between Wayne and First Streets. In 1855, when 
Cass Street was being paved, many coffins were dug 
up, and excavations for cellars in that locality have 
frequently unearthed other old graves. In 1869 
twenty-five bodies were dug up on Cass Street, and 
in i88r, while preparing foundations for a new block 
on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Cass Street, 
the remains of several bodies were revealed. 

The little enclosure shown at the left in the pic- 
ture of Detroit in 1 796 is believed to have been a 
graveyard, and from a coiuparison of maps and 
plans it seems probable that the bones alluded to in 
the Detroit Journal of December 9, 1829, were from 
this little military burial-place. The Journal says : 

The workmen employed by Major Schwartz in removing earth 
from premises adjoining the Mansion House in this city discovered 
a tombstone inscribed to Ensign John Gage uf 31st Regiment of 
Foot. Masonic emblems are engraved on it. The date is 1778. 

What was done with the stone is now unknown. 

Catholic Cemeteries. 

The location of the earliest known burial-place is 
shown on the maps of 1749 and 1796. The records 
of St. Anne's Church state that on June 25, 1755, 
certain bodies were transferred from the old ceme- 
tery to the new one. This new cemeterv was inside 
of the stockade, and covered a portion of the grounds 
of St. Anne's Church, then located on what is now 
Jefferson Avenue, between Griswold and Shelbv 



[32] 



CEMETERIES. 



DO 



Streets. The records of St. Anne's Church give the 
names of a number of priests, commandants, and 
other persons of distinction who, at various periods, 
were buried even within the church walls. The 
stockade was enlarged just before the removal in 
1755, and this seems to have been deemed a fitting 
time to bring certain remains into ground nearer the 
church. It IS well known that many persons were 
buried about the old church, and there are living wit- 
nesses who, as late as 1818, saw graves occupying 
a portion of what is now Jefferson Avenue ; and 
from time to time since then, as excavations have 
been made for sewers and cellars in the vicinity, re- 
mains have been uncovered. When the new town 
was laid out in i8o6, the question of allowing the 
old graveyards to remain gave rise to much hard 
feeling, and for nearly a dozen years there was a 
quadrangular struggle between two parties in the 
church, Father Richard, the priest, and the Governor 
and Judges, as to the vacating of the grounds. The 
question was not settled until the arrival of Bishop 
Flaget, in 1818. The following transcript from St. 
Anne's records gives the date of removal of certain 
remains from the old grounds : 

1817, the first day of May and the fifth of the same month, 
we, undersigned priest rector of St. Anqe's, have made disinter- 
ment of a certain quantity of bones from the middle of the main 
street, where were formerly tne old burying grounds and old 
Church of St. Anne. We buried these remains, with all the re- 
quired ceremonies, in a square grave, in the middle of the new 
burying ground ; this in presence of the undersigned. Etienns 
Dubois, and a great number of people. 

(Signed) Etiexne Di^bois, 

Gabriel Richard. 

It was as a quid pro quo for these grounds that 
St. Anne's Church received the large tract on 
Lamed Street, east of Bates .Street. 




E.NTR.\NCE TO Mt. r.i.l.l-u 1 CliMlvll^RV. 



An old memorial, dated April 22, 1807, addressed 
to the Governor and Judges, says: 

About the year 1796 or '97 it was deemed expedient for the 
benefit and health of the inhabitants of the ancient town of De- 
troit (considering the great length of time that the small space of 
ground adjacent to the church has been used as a public place of 
interment) that a new burial-ground should be allotted to our con- 
gregation on the then public commons. Accordingly the ground 
which we now hold was picketed in, with the approbation of the 
corporation of Detroit, and the consent of Colonel Hamtramck, 
the military commandant of this place, under whose jurisdiction 
the commons was then in some measure considered. 

The Statements of the memorial are confirmed by 
a letter from Peter Audrain to Governor St. Clair, 
dated November i, 1798, on file at Columbus, Ohio. 
It says : 

I think it my duty to inform your E.\cellency that the com- 
mandant of this post has granted an acre of ground on the com- 
mons joining the town, to be used as a burying ground by the 
Roman Catholics. This grant answers a very good purpose, as 
the old burying ground joining their church and within the pickets 
15 so full that it IS a real public nuisance, and has been presented 
as such by several grand juries. 

The grounds on Lamed Street, thus obtained, con- 
tinued to be used up to 1827, when the city gave the 
Catholics the use of one half of the then new City 
Cemeter)- on the Beaubien Farm. 

Mount EllioH Cemetery. 
This is located on the Leib Farm, and is bounded 
by German Street on the north, Macomb Street on 
the south. Mount Elliott Avenue on the east, and 
Elmwood Cemetery on the west. In 1882 it con- 
tained sixty- five acres. The first purchase of 
eleven acres was made on August 31, 1 841. The 
cemeterv' is named after Robert T. Elliott, one of 
the original projectors and purchasers. His own 
interment, the first in the 
grounds, took place on 
September 1 2, 1 841 . From 
that day to January-, 1 884, 
the aggregate of inter- 
ments reached about 25,- 
765, not including the re- 
mains of 1.490 graves 
removed from the old City 
Cemetery on the Beaubien 
Farm in the fall of 1869. 

The ground is laid out 
into about 6,000 lots, of 
which upwards of 4,000 
have been sold at prices 
ranging from $25 to $300. 
Single graves are sold at 
a fixed price and the poor 
are buried free. The cost 
of the several purchases of 
land up to 18S4 amounted 
to $45,190, and nearly an 



54 



CEMETERIES. 



equal amount has been expended for inipro\e- 
ments. The cemetery was opened in September, 
1 841, and was consecrated the same year by Bishop 
Lefevre. A second lot of ground was consecrated 



f'liiliiliiii 



i 



L^iiiiiii] u. : ■:■ ■^";;^ ^im m 








ML',: 



'A 


„„,i 


•Hv. 


,:,;;;-;v:v;^l;PH 



L. 



1 



J 



Map of Mt. Elliott Cemetery. 



by the same prelate on December 7, 1865, and a later 
purchase by Bishop Borgess on October 16, i88i. 

A stone gateway was completed in September. 
1882. at a cost of §6.000. The cemetery was originally 
under the direct care of the bishop of the diocese. 
On November 5, 1865, it was incorporated, and 
placed in the care of twelve trustees, two each being 
elected from the parishes of St. Peter and St. Paul, 
St. Anne's, St. Mary's, Holy Trinity, St. Joseph's, 
and St. Patrick's. Of those first chosen only Messrs. 
Elliott and Heffron remain on the board. The 
Board of Trustees in 1883 was as follows : From 
the Church of St. Peter and Paul, Richard R. Elliott, 
Henry D. Barnard; from St. Anne's, Alexander E. 
Viger, Joseph B. Moore ; from St. Mary's, Francis 
Petz, Joseph Schulte; from Holy Trinity, Jeremiah 

Calnon, John Monaghan; from St. Joseph's, 

, A. Petz; from St. Patrick's, John Heffron, 

C. J. O'Flynn. 

\Vhen the ground was first opened it was placed 
in charge of P. Burns, who in 1872 was succeeded 
by John Reid. One of the chief points of interest 
is the grave and tombstone of Colonel John Francis 
Hamtramck, the first American commandant at 
Detroit. He was originally buried in the graveyard 
of St. Anne's, but in July, 1866, under the super- 
intendence of R. R. Elliott, the remains were removed, 
placed in an oaken casket, and deposited in Mount 
Elliott. The grave is located at the intersection of 
Shawe and Resurrection Avenues. The inscription 
on the stone is as follows : 

Sacred 

to the Memory of 

John Francis Hamtramtk, Esq., 

Colonel of the ist United States Regiment of Infantry 

and 

Commandant of 

Detroit and its Dependencies. 

He departed this life on the nth of April, 1803, 

Aged 45 years, 7 months & 28 days. 

True Patriotism, 

And a zealous attachment to National liberty, 

Joined to a laudable ambition 

led him into Military service at an early 

period of his life. 

He was a soldier even before he was a man. 

He was an active participator 
in all the Dangers, Difficulties and honors 

of the Revolutionary War; 

And his heroism and uniform good conduct 

procured him the attention and personal thanks of 

the immortal Washington. 

The United States in him have lost 

A valuable officer and a good citizen, 

And Society an Useful and Pleasant Member; 

to his family the loss is incalculable, 

and his friends will never forget 

the Memory of Hamtramck. 

This humble monument is placed over 

his Remains 

by the officers who had the Honor 

to ser\'e under his command — 
A small but grateful tribute to 
his merit 

and 
his worth. 



CEMETERIES. 



55 



Protestant Cemeteries. 



The earliest record concerning a Protestant ceme- 
tery is contained in tlie proceedings of the Board of 
Trustees for Octobers. 1803. It says, "It is well 
known that the Protestant burying ground is in very 
bad order, and Charles Curry is requested to open a 
subscription for that object." 

The ground referred to covered a portion of what 
is now Woodward Avenue, between Earned and 
Congress Streets, and was probably a part of the 
same grounds shown in the maps of 1749 and 1796. 
In 1818 it was known as the English burying 
ground, and meetings of citizens were held on July 
18 and 25, to consider the necessity of enclosing 
the grounds ; and on being petitioned to do so, the 
trustees resolved to enclose them, by tax if neces- 
sary. On July 26, 1819, a portion of this burying 
ground was granted by the Governor and Judges to 
the First Protestant Society. It was used for burials 
up to June, 1827, and then the city passed an ordi- 
nance forbidding its further use for such purposes. 
The remains of persons buried in the grounds were 
removed at various times as necessity demanded. 
A notice from the trustees, requesting the removal 
of the remains by friends, was published as late as 
February 5, 1851. 

City Cemeteries. 

The establishment of the first City Cemetery 
grew out of a meeting of citizens held on December 
16, 1826. when a committee was appointed to report 
upon a site for burial purposes outside of the city. 
The Common Council then took action, and a com- 
mittee was appointed to procure suitable grounds. 
On March 22, 1827, they reported that they had 
purchased of Antoine Beaubien two and one 
half acres for a burial ground, for which they paid 
$500. At the same meeting the mayor submitted a 
resolution for the payment of the $500 which had 
been borrowed from the Bank of Michigan. The 
purchase was fully consummated on June i. 1827, 
and on June 19 the council appointed a committee, 
consisting of Recorder E. P. Hastings and Alder- 
man P. J. Desnoyers, to divide the grounds into two 
equal parts, and these parts were thereafter desig- 
nated respectively as the Catholic and the Protestant 
Cemetery. The lots had been laid out previous to 
this division, and when the dividing fence was erect- 
ed it ran directly across many of the lots. This fact, 
however, proved of great practical convenience, for 
many families, who had both Protestant and Catholic 
relatives, bought these lots lying along the line of 
the fence, and buried their Catholic friends on one 
side and their Protestant relatives on the other ; thus 
the sanctity of the ground was preserved, while in 
the same lot. and yet in two different cemeteries, 



those of opposite faiths reposed in peace. On Sun- 
days this place was a favorite resort. Being within 
easy walking distance, scores and hundreds of chil- 
dren and grown people, on pleasant Sabbaths, wan- 
dered about the grounds, reading and comparing 
the tombstone inscriptions. The first lots in the 
Protestant portion of the cemetery were sold at 
auction on March 26, 1828, and the money received 
was used for improvements. The grounds lay be- 
tween Gratiot and Clinton Streets, and extended a 
little east of St. Antoine Street, bounded on the west 
by what is now known as Paton Street. This last 
street was then called Cemetery Lane, and extended 
from the Gratiot Road to Jefferson Avenue. In 
1836 a gate was erected at the entrance on Jefferson 
Avenue, midway between Beaubien and St. Antoine 
Streets. The lane was laid out in 1827, partially 
enclosed in 1836, and fully enclosed in 1843. In 
June, 1845, a petition was circulated to have it 
opened, but it was decided that the city had no 
rights therein. After 1855 no interments were 
allowed to be made in the cemetery, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1859, MuUett Street was opened through the 
grounds. A large portion is now designated as 
Clinton Park. 

The second City Cemetery dates from May 31, 
1834. The mayor on that day bought at auction, 
for $2,010, fifty-five acres of the Guoin Farm, just 
north of the Gratiot Road, and now bounded on the 
west by Russell Street. The tract was deemed too 
large for a cemetery, and thirty-five acres were di- 
vided into lots and sold. A plan of the grounds was 
adopted on September 30, 1835, and the price of 
lots was fi.xed at $10 for full, and $5 for half lots. 
Originally the city sexton had charge of the grounds 
and sold the lots. From 1841 to 1863 sales were 
made by the city clerk, and after 1863 the comp- 
troller was charged with the care of the plan and the 
sale of lots. On April 20, 1869, it was ordered that 
no more bodies be buried in the grounds, and on May 
14, 1879, an order of the Circuit Court was issued 
vacating the cemetery. This gave the city full con- 
trol over it for other purposes, and since then the 
work of removing the graves has gone rapidly for- 
ward. One thousand four hundred and ninety-three 
bodies were removed in 1880, at a cost of $2,019, 
and buried at Grosse Point, a portion of the hospital 
grounds having been set apart for the purpose ; in 
1 88 1 one thousand six hundred and sixty-eight 
additional bodies were removed, and during 1882 the 
work was completed by the removal of the remains 
of one thousand three hundred and fifty-seven 
bodies. The House of Correction and one of the 
Hay and Wood Markets occupy a portion of the 
ground ; and, as opportunity offers, the city is per- 
fecting its title to the entire cemetery by buying 
up the rights of lot-owners. 



56 



CEMETERIES. 



Ehnivood Ccmctcrv. 
This beautiful cemetery lies in the eastern part of 
the city. The ground is of a light, porous nature, 
and from its natural conformation admirably adapted 
for the purpose. Parent's Creek, or Bloody Run, 
winds gracefully through the grounds and adds 
much to the attraction of the place. The money to 
purchase the first forty-one acres was obtained by 




Entrance to Elmwood Cemetery. 

subscription. The land cost $1,858, and was con- 
tracted for in the spring of 1846. On October 8, fol- 
lowing, the cemetery was opened, and the ne.\t day, 
at an auction sale, the subscribers had their choice 
of the lots. Those of the subscribers who did not 
want lots, had their subscriptions refunded. The as- 
sociation was incorporated by special Act on March 
5, 1849, and under the Act all moneys received from 
sale of lots, over and above the cost of the grounds, 
must be devoted to their improvement. The deed 
for the first purchase was dated July 10. 1850. The 
date and cost of subsequent purchases are as fol- 
lows : August 26, 1 85 1, iiyVu acres, $1,200; De- 
cember 6, 1851, Lots 21 and 22 of Hunt Farm, 
|>6oo; January 24, 1852, 2^^% acres, $200; Septem- 
ber 12, 1864, five acres of D. C. Whitwood, $3,500 ; 
May 12, 1871, iij^ acres, $16,000. By the opening 
of German Street three and one third acres were 
left outside the enclosure, leaving seventy-eight acres 
in the grounds. In 1852 a tasteful and substantial 
monument was erected on the grounds designated as 
the Strangers' Lot. 

The Chapel was built in 1855, and cost $4,000. 
It is a Normaa Gothic structure of quarried lime- 
stone, about thirty-four feet long by twenty wide. 

The stone gatewav, fronting Elmwood Ax'enue, at 
the head of Croghan Street, was completed in 1870, 
and cost $6,000. The size of lots varies from i 5 x 20 
to 20.x 30; the prices in 1850 were from $15 to 



$100 each. On January i. 1SS4, there were about 
3,500 lot;Owners, and 55 lots were still unsold. The 
total number of interments at that date was 2 1 ,42 1 . 
The first trustees were K. I). Eraser, president ; 
John Owen, treasurer; Henry Ledyard, secretary; 
C. C. Trowbridge, Israel Coe, and J. S. Jenness. 
On Augu.st 9, 1854, C. I. Walker took the place of 
Israel Coe, removed to New York. On July 16, 
1861, D. B. Duffield was elected in place of 
H. Ledyard, and C. I. Walker became secre- 
tary. On June 14, 1862, Caleb Van Husen 
became a trustee in place of J. S. Jenness, 
removed from the city. On April 4, 1868, 
Mr. Walker resigned, and William A. Butler 
was then elected a trustee and D. B. Duffield 
chosen secretary. On January 22, 1878, 
R. r. Toms succeeded A. D. Eraser as a 
trustee, and in 1883, after the death of C. C. 
Trowbridge, his place was filled by the ap- 
pointment of A. H. Dey. From the time 
the cemetery was opened until May 2, 1870, 
at which date the office was discontinued, 
Robert Bell acted as collector and agent of 
the trustees. 

The superin.tendents have been as fol- 
lows : Wm. Hudson to April, 1855 ; Thomas 
Matthews to April, 1856; and D. Gladewitz 
to .August 5, 1868; William R. Hamilton 
w-as appointed September 3, 1868, and his successor, 
George H. Harris, on March I, 1875. Mr. Harris 
resigned February 9, 1876, and on April 12, 1S76, 
A. W. Blain was appointed. 

Woodmen; Cemetery. 
This cemetery' lies in the town of Springwells, four 
and one half miles from the City Hall, and occupies 
part of the Ship Yard Tract. It is bounded west 




Entrance to WooD:\iERn Cemetery. 

by Baby Creek, a wide bayou, which extends within 
the grounds ; on the south the grounds are bounded 
by Fort Street, and on the east by the Dix Cross 



CEMETERIES. — BURIALS AND SEXTONS. 



57 



Road. Woodmere Station, on the L. S. & C. S. Rail- 
roads, is located within easy walking distance of the 
entrance. It is a coincidence worthy of passing 
notice that a locality known as World's End, on the 
river Rouge, is quite near the grounds. The name 
of the cemeter)' is a compound of " wood " and 
"mere," and is suggestive of its woods and waters. 
The grounds embrace two hundred and two acres, 
are e.xempt from ta.\ation, well adapted for burial 
purposes, and capable of being made very attractive. 

The association was organized July 8, 1867, and 
reorganized February 19, 1869, and in the fall of this 
last year the first interments were made. On April 
6, 1868, the board authorized the construction of the 
entrance, and in 1869 it was built. On May 10, 
1869. the following persons were chosen directors : 
John J. Bagley, E. \V. Hudson, C. I. Walker, M. S. 
Smith, M. W. Field, Bela Hubbard, I). M. Richard- 
son. G. W. Lloyd, Daniel Scotten, E. A. Elliott, 
William Phelps, Amos C. Hubbard, and C'.eorge 
Kirby. At a subsequent meeting the following ofi'i- 
cers were elected : John J. Bagley, president ; E. W. 
Hudson, vice-president; C. I. Walker, secretary; 
M. S. Smith, treasurer; Moses W. Field and Bela 
Hubbard, E.xecutive Committee. 

The officers in 1883 were R. W. Gillett, president ; 
E. Y. Swift, vice-president; M. S. Smith, treasurer; 
C. I. Walker, secretary; with the following persons 
as additional directors: G. W. Latimer, E. Y. Swift, 
M. W. Field, Philo Parsons, B. Hubbard, J. Greusel, 
S. J. Murphy, R. W. Allen, and George Kirby. 

The cemeterv was formally dedicated July 14, 
1869, when an address was delivered by C. I. Walker. 
The number of lot-owners up to 1884 was 1,487, and 
there were about 17,000 lots still for sale. The 
number of interments, exclusive of the 2,000 removed 
from the old City Cemetery, was 6,541. In Nov-em- 
ber, 1868, the city contracted for about five acres, at 
ten cents a square foot, to be used for the burial of 
the city poor. The ordinary price for lots is from 
twenty-five to fifty cents a square foot. 

The general rules of the cemetery are as follows : 
All erections known as head and foot boards are 
prohibited. All family burial lots and all single 
graves are sodded and kept in good order by the 
corporation without charge. Hedges, wooden trel- 
lises, and posts and chains are not allowed for the 
purpose of enclosure. 

No corpse is allowed to remain in the public vault 
over one week, unless permission is obtained in 
writing from the president or secretary. F. W. Hig- 
gins is superintendent ; office at the cemetery. 

Jewish Cemeteries. 
The Reform Congregation Beth El Temple, on 
Washington Avenue, opened a cemetery adioining 
Elmwnod about 1S50. It w;is foriii;illy recognized 



as a cemetery by the council on July 16, 1861, but 
no regular record of interments was kept till about 
1870. It is now used only by those who own lots 
there ; no new lots are sold. On April 5, 1873, the 
congregation contracted with the officers of Wood- 
mere for the sole control of about three acres in 
Section F north. 

In 1864 the congregation of Shaary Zedec pur- 
chased one and one half acres for cemetery purposes 
near the D. & M. R. R. Junction, for $450. In 1882 
half an acre was used by the congregation of Beth 
Israel, one fourth of an acre by the Detroit Lodge 
Kesher Shel Basal, and three fourths of an acre by 
the original purchasers. 

Liit/u-ran Cemetery. 
This cemetery, containing ten acres, is located 
about three miles from the City Hall, on the left- 
hand side of the Gratiot Road, on the Meldrum 
Farm. It was purchased January 1 1, 1868, at a cost 
of $2,600. It is controlled by the congregation of 
the Trinity Lutheran Church on the corner of 
Gratiot Avenue and Prospect Street. The price of 
lots is $30. The officers in 1883 were, H. A. Chris- 
tiansen, secretary, and C. H. Beyer, treasurer, with 
Christian Schroederas superintendent. 

BURIALS AND SEXTONS. 

The use of hearses in Detroit dates from about 
1830. Prior to their introduction, coflnns were car- 
ried to the grave upon biers or bars, borne sometimes 
upon the shoulders, and often carried by hand. At 
the funeral of a person of wealth, the bearers vi-ere 
provided with long white linen scarfs. These scarfs 
were tied with linen cambric, which, according to 
custom, was used for the bosoms of the shirts which 
the bearers were expected to have made from the 
scarfs. 

Formerly there was great carelessness in the 
keeping of the records by cemetery officials and 
sextons. At the present time permits for burials 
must be obtained from the health officer, and are 
issued only upon evidence within his knowledge 
as such officer, or upon the certificate of a reputable 
physician, or a coroner. 

A city sexton was appointed as early as 1827, but 
the office was not definitely created until March 17, 
1829. It was the duty of the sexton to superintend 
interments in the Protestant ground, and he was 
paid by the amounts received for his services, which 
were prescribed by ordinance. It was possibly at 
this time that 

The doctor told the sexton. 
And the sexton tolled the bell, 

as an ordinance allowed the latter fifty cents for 
"tolling." On September 18. 1829. the council was 
petitioned to prevent the further tolling of the bell. 



58 



BURIALS AND SEXTONS. — COUNTY CORONERS. 



and this part of his duties ceased for a time. In 
1841 it was made his duty to report the names of 
all persons dying in the city, with the cause of 
death, and the name of the attending physician. 
More recently it was his duty to file the physician's 
certificate with the city cleric. He was also charged 
with the care of the grounds of the City Cemetery. 
He was appointed by the council on nomination of 
the mayor. From 1863 he had a salary of $200 
per year in addition to the amounts allowed to be 
charged for the burial of paupers. 

By ordinance of 1870 the amount allowed was §8 
if buried in Elmwood or Mt. Elliott, and $9 if buried 
in Woodmere. On an order from the Director of 
the Poor, it was the duty of the se.xton to give any 
person, dying without means, or the body of any 
pauper or criminal, a burial. By a charter amend- 
ment in 1879 the office terminated with that year, 
and the duties were transferred to the Commission- 
ers of the Poor. The following persons ser\'ed as 
city sextons : 

1827, E. W. Barnes; 1 828-1 833, Israel Noble; 
1833-1835, George Combs; 1835-1841, I. Noble; 
1841-1844, C. H. Eckhff; 1844-1847, R. C. Scadin ; 
1847-1850, James Sutherland; i850-i852,E. IVIyers; 
1852-1857, F. Deinecke; 1857-1S59, P. Clessen ; 
1859-1861, A. T. Ray; 1861. Joseph Parkinson; 
1862-1864, V.Geist; 1864, Neil Flattery; 1865-1868, 
Thomas Roche; 1868-1871, V. Geist; 1871-1874, 
George Heron; 1874-1876, R. Bronson; 1876-1878, 
James Hickey; 1878, V. Geist. 

COUXTY CORONERS. 

The office of coroner is as old as the Northwest 
Territor\'. Under Michigan Territory, by Act of 
September 1 3, i S05, the territorial marshal was con- 
stituted coroner. Act of November 3. 181 5, pro- 
I'ided that coroners should be appointed by the 
governor. Act of April 21, 1825, pro\'ided for their 
election on the second Tuesday of October for 
terms of three years. Under Constitution of 1835 



the term of office was two years. By law of 1 836 
two were to be elected instead of one as before, 
Tlie Constitution of 1850 made no provision for the 
office, and none were elected between 1851 and 
1857. The Revised Statutes of 1857 revived the 
office. 

In any case where death is sudden, and not to be 
accounted for on natural grounds, the coroner may 
hold an inquest. The fees are paid by the county 
auditors and are as follows: For viewing a body, 
$3 ; for each mile traveled in going to the place, ten 
cents ; for each subpoena served on witnesses called 
to aid in determining cause of death, twenty-five 
cents ; for administering oath to witnesses, ten cents. 
Jurymen serving on coroner's inquests are paid $3 
per day. Si.x persons constitute a jury. 

The names of the coroners, with their terms of 
service, are as follows : 

1796, Herman Eberts; 1799 and 1801, John Dode- 
mead ; 1 803. Joseph Harrison ; 1 804, Joseph Wilkin- 
son; November 21. 181 5 to 1836, Benjamin Wood- 
worth; 1836, B. Wood worth, A. S. Schoolcraft; 
1837-1840, D. Petty, A. Y. Murray; 1840, A. Y. 
Murray, David French; 1841 and 1842, James 
Hanmer, James Gunning; 1S43, James Beaubien, 
John Simons; 1844, W. W. Howland, J. B. Sprague; 
1845 and 1846, Paschal Mason, Alexander Lead- 
beter; 1 847-1 850, John H. Hill, H. R. Nowland; 
1850, C. W. Jackson, Alanson Parsons; 185 1 and 
1852, D. D. Hustis; E. Lewis; 1857, George Moran, 
Daniel Murray; 1858-1861, C. W. Tuttle, A. W. 
Sprague; 1861-1863, E. Lauderdale, C. H. Bar- 
rett; 1 863-1 865, J. W. Daly, Reuben Huston; 
1865-1867, Timothy McCarthy, J. W. Daly ; 1867- 
1869, P. B. Austin. J. W. Daly; 1869-1873, John 
Gnau, James Cahill; 1873, A. F. Jennings, J. S. 
Griffin; 1874, N. B. Rowley, J. S. Griffin; 1875 and 
1876, N. B. Rowley, James Cahill; 1877, Peter Oaks, 
John Wilson; 1S78 and 1879, Peter Oaks, Adam 
Schulte; 1880, A. Schulte; 1881, A. E. Carrier, J. D. 
Richards; 1882, W. Y. Clark, A. E. Carrier; 1883- 
, M. Denne, J. Locke. 



CHAPTER XI I. 



HEALTH OFFICERS. — DRAINS AND SEWERS. — SCAVENGERS. 



HEALTH OFFICERS. 

The first mention made of a Board of Health is 
found in the Council Proceedings of 1831. The 
board was composed of Drs. J. L. Whiting and R. 
S. Rice ; in 1S32 Drs. Henry and Chapin were ad- 
ded ; and on account of the prevalence of cholera, 
the aldermen also, occasionalh'. resolved themselves 
into a Board of Health. In 1837 fear of small-po.x 
again led the council to institute a Health Board. 
Several physicians were appointed to vaccinate the 
poor, and on April 1 2 they were requested to organ- 
ize for that purpose. In 1S49 the fear of cholera 
led to the appointment of a Board of Health, con- 
sisting of Drs. L. H. Cobb, R. S. Rice, and Z. 
Pitcher. A board was also provided for by ordi- 
nances of 1861 and 1870. It consisted of the senior 
alderman of each ward and four physicians, ap- 
pointed by the council, two of whom were required 
to be city physicians. The president of the Board 
of Police Commissioners, by \'irtue of his office, was 
a member of the board. Five members consti- 
tuted a quorum ; the city clerk kept the records. 
No regular meetings were held, but members were 
called together whenever it was deemed desirable. 
They were paid Si -50 for each session attended. 
The board had power to do all things needful for 
the health of the city, but matters involving special 
e.xpenditures required the approval of the council. 

The ordinance of 1861 was not fully carried out 
until 1864, and the first appointments of physicians 
as members of the board were made that year. The 
physicians, other than city physicians, appointed 
under the ordinance were as follows: 1864, J. C. 
Gorton, C. H. Barrett ; 1865, Z. Pitcher, C. Brumme ; 
1866-1S71, Z. Pitcher, William Brodie; 1871, D. 
O. Farrand, H. E. Smith ; 1872, W. A. Chandler, E. 
H. Drake; 1873, E. H. Drake, H. F. Lyster; 1874, 
C. C. Yemans, A. Barrowman; 1875, G. A. Foster, 
J. H. Carstens; 1876, T. F. Kerr, J. H. Carstens; 
1877, E. Leach, A. F. Hoke; 1878, H. A. Torrey, 
E. Leach; 1S79, G. A. Foster, E. Leach, P. P. Gil- 
martin, and Duncan McLeod; 1880, D. O. Farrand, 
Morse Stewart, and John Flinterman. 

An entirely new organization was provided by the 
law of May 26. 1881. Under this law three practic- 
ing physicians are appointed by the council on 



nomination of the mayor ; the first appointees were 
to serve for one, two, and three years each, and then 
beginning with 1882, one was to be appointed yearly 
on the third Tuesday of June, for a term of three 
years. These physicians, with the mayor, comp- 
troller, and president of the Police Board, con- 
stitute the Board of Health. The medical members 
of the board on June i, 1881, were as follows: D. 
O. Farrand. appointed for one year, John Flinter- 
man for two years, and Morse Stewart for three 
years. In 1882' the board remained the same. In 
March, 1883, on the death of Dr. Farrand. T. A. 
McGraw was appointed as his successor. 

In 188 1 the board appointed O. W. Wight as the 
health officer, at a salary of §3,000 per year. 
Under his supervision the Health Department has 
obtained an efficiency never before possessed. All 
burial permits are issued from his office, and full 
statements of the age of the deceased, cause of 
death, name of attending physician, and place of 
burial are required to be filed with this officer. 
Monthly statements of these and other facts pertain- 
ing to the health of the city are regularly printed and 
issued. The Health Officer has the aid of the sani- 
tar)- squad of the Police Department, and placards 
all houses where infectious diseases e.xist, using for 
cases of small-pox notices printed on yellow cards, 
for scarlet fever, red cards, and for diphtheria, blue 
cards. An oversight is kept of such premises as are 
placarded, and after the recovery or death of the 
patient, they are disinfected. 

The scavengers and meat inspector are required to 
co-operate with the Board of Health, and legislation 
is hoped for that, if obtained, will secure pure ice, 
pure milk, proper ventilation, good plumbing, and 
freedom from obno.xious sewer-gas and coal-smoke. 

DRAIN'S AND SEWERS. 

An Act of -April 24, 1824, gave the council power 
to pronde for the construction of sewers, but the 
desirability of building them seems to have been for 
many years an unsettled question. On March 12, 
1827, a committee consisting of Lewis Cass, John 
Biddle, J. Kearsley. D. C. McKinstr>-. P. J. Desnoy- 
ers, and John Mullett presented a lengthy report to 
the council, in which tliey said : '• In regard to com- 



[59] 



6o 



DRAINS AND SEWERS. 



inoii sewers, doubts have been expressed respecting 
their effect upon the public health, yet we are in- 
clined to thinlt it would be expedient to make an ex- 
periment by establishing one in Woodbridge Street." 
In the light of facts that now exist, such a report 
signed by such persons seems curious indeed. 

On May i, 1827, it was determined to "make an 
e.xperiment," and the council adopted the following: 

Rcsolzt^d^ that the drain or ravine commonly called the River 
Savoyard, be deepened from the outlet into the Detroit River, 
through the farm of Governor Cass, to the line of the Military 
Reser\'ation, with the consent of the proprietor of said farm ; and 
that a drain in continuation thereof be e-xtended through the said 
reservation in the alley between Congress and Lamed Streets to 
its easterly termination. 

This plan was carried out, and the timbers from 
old Fort Shelby were used to form the sides of an 
open sewer which followed the course of the stream. 
At that time, even the ditches in the streets were 
made and owned by private parties ; and on June 20, 
1828, the council appointed a committee " to confer 
with the proprietor of the ditch leadiiig along Bates 
Street to the great sewer, with a view to purchase 
the same for the use of the city." Old records show 
that the city expended $1,278, in 1828, in digging 
these open sewers or ditches. These primitive drains 
offended the eye and outraged the nostrils for several 
years. 

But little real progress was made in building 
drains or sewers until May 20, 1835. A committee 
of the council then presented an elaborate report on 
the subject, and recommended the construction of 
what is known as the Grand Sewer. This was 
agreed to, and in December, 1835, the council 
offered a premium of $100 for an acceptable plan for 
draining the city betw-een the Cass and Brush farms. 
A plan was adopted, and in 1836 the first under- 
ground sewer was built, at a cost of $22,607. It is 
still doing excellent service, and deserves its name 
of "Grand." Its route is from Beaubien Street on 
Fort to Randolph, through Michigan Grand Avenue 
to Bates Street, along Bates and Congress to Gris- 
wold, diagonally across Griswold to the alley between 
Congress and Lamed Streets, along the alley to 
First Street, and down First Street to the river. It 
is constructed of stone, having side walls eighteen 
inches thick, with a brick arch of two feet spring. 
The bottom is paved with hard-burned brick. It is 
four feet six inches wide and five feet high in the 
clear ; the average depth of the excavation is ten feet. 
In the main it follow the route of the Savoyard. 

The sewer proved such a success that others fol- 
lowed, and from year to year the number has in- 
creased. For many years, however, there w"as no 
general system, and contractors were often careless, 
and ignorant of the first principles of drainage. It 
is a fact of record that during 1849 sewers in the 



First and Fifth wards, and on Randolph Street, were 
so constructed that, when nearly complete, it was 
found the water, instead of taking the direction 
desired, ran towards the locality sought to be 
drained. In 1856 the great sewer in Woodward 
Avenue south of Congress .Street was built, and for 
months afterwards immense banks of earth remained 
in the street as monuments of the stupidity and mis- 
management of contractors and officials. Until 1857 
all private sewers were built by individuals, of such 
materials and in such places as they pleased. The 
result was that mam' lots were without drainage, 
and others with only partial or defective drains. 
The city charter of 1857 remedied these evils by 
providing for a board of three sewer commissioners, 
to be nominated by the mayor and appointed by the 
council. They served without pay, and were origin- 
ally appointed for terms of three, four, and five years, 
and then for five years each. More of system was 
now introduced ; all sewers, public and private, were 
placed under their control and built by their direc- 
tion, and no drain could be put in without their ap- 
proval. 

Sewers are called public sewers when built by 
order of the Common Council and paid for by pub- 
lic tax for general drainage purposes. These are 
almost invariably built in the streets. Lateral sewers 
are usually built in the alleys, and are paid for by 
special assessment upon the particular lots bene- 
fitted, each lot paying according to the number of 
square feet it contains. The theory is that every 
lot is entitled to drainage; and on the petition of 
even one person, a lateral sewer may be built in order 
to drain his lot, and the adjoining lots must help to 
pay the cost. Persons desiring to connect a drain 
with a lateral sewer are required to pay Si -oo for the 
privilege of the connection, which is made, without 
further charge, by the Board of Public Works. 

By Act of April 13, 1 871, the city was authorized 
to issue $300,000 in bonds for the purpose of build- 
ing sewers, provided the citizens' meeting approved. 
Under this law, in 1872, $80,000 were raised by the 
sale of bonds, and the number of public sewers was 
largely increased. In 1874, on the creation of the 
Board of Public Works, the powers of the sewer 
commissioners were transferred to that body. By 
Act of February 18, 1875. the council was again 
authorized to issue $300,000 in bonds for sewer pur- 
poses; and under the two laws of 1871 and 1875 
bonds for building public sewers, to the amount of 
$397,500, were issued. Both public and lateral sew- 
ers are built of brick; the connections from houses 
are generally of sewer pipe, although wood is some- 
times used. The main sewers vary in size from 
21 X 28 inches to 6x8 feet, and are from twenty to 
forty feet below the surface. Lateral sewers are 
generally of egg shape, and 1 5 x 20 inches. 



DRAINS AND SEWERS.— SCAVENGERS. 



6 I 



The public sewer in Griswold Street, from Con- 
gress Street to the river, ua.s built in 1877, by tun- 
neling under the street instead of excavating from 
the surface, and was the first sewer so built in the 
city. The method proved advantageous, as travel 
on the street was not materially interfered with, and 
it has since been generally adopted. 

The total length of public sewers built from 1S35, 
to 1884, is 80 miles, and the cost $2,056,872. The 
length of lateral sewers built since 1S55 is 1 1 1 miles, 
and they have cost $581,099. 

The superintendents of sewers were, 1852. C. 
Jackson; 1853, Stephen ^^artin ; 1854, J. M. Davis, 
Matthew Oliver; 1855, H. C. Moors; 1856, Isaac 
Finehart. 

The members of the Board of Sewer Commission- 
ers were as. follows: 1857, C. Hurlbut, A. Chapo- 
ton, James Shearer ; 1 858, J. Houghton. C. W. 
Jackson, A. Chapoton; 1859, C. Hurlbut. \V. Bar- 
clay, T. H. Hinchman ; 1 860-1 863, \V. Barclay. A. 
Sheley, T, H. Hinchman ; 1 863-1 866, W. Barclay, 
A. Sheley, A. Chapoton; 1866. A. E. Bissell, A. S. 
Bagg, W. Barclay; 1867-1871, A. E. Bissell, Wil- 



liam Barclay, A. Sheley; 1871, W. H. Coots, Wil- 
liam Barclay, A. E. Bissell ; 1 872-1 874, A. E, Bissell, 
Harvey King, W. H. Coots. 

The following persons ser\-ed as engineers of 
sewers: 1859-1862, E. W. Smith ; 1862-1874. Thos. 
Ledbeter. 

SCAVENGERS. 

The office of scavenger was created by ordinance 
of 1852, which provided that a scavenger should 
be appointed yearly by the council. 

By ordinance of 1855 several scavengers might be 
appointed, and they were authorized to charge eight 
cents a cubic foot for the cleaning of vaults and 
drains. In 1883 the legal charge was twelve cents. 
In 1864 that part of the business pertaining to the 
removal and burial of dead animals was first done 
bv contract. Ordinances of 1863 and 1870 provide 
that, by paying one dollar and giving surety for 
faithful ser\ices, any proper person may be licensed 
bv the mavor as a scavenger. They are under the 
direction of the Board of Health. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



WATER AND WATER-WORKS.— PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS. 



WATER AND WATER-WORKS. 

The first settlers had no need for wells, engines, 
pumps, or reservoirs. The water along the shore 
was not defiled by sewers and refuse from shop and 
factory ; instead of containing impurities, it washed 
and whitened the sandy beach and was e\erywhere 
as clear as a diamond. 

Each farmhouse had its single rough-hewn log or 
plank projecting into the stream, and barefooted 
maidens, morning by morning, " walked the plank," 
dashed a bucket into the river, and with the rope to 
which it was attached drew out the water for their 
daily needs. There were no assessors to inquire 
how many the family included. " Shut-offs" were 
unknown. The supply was literally "as free as air," 
and whosoever would might draw or drink. 

As the settlement grew, buckets gave partial place 
to barrels, therefore the wharf was used, and when 
the " Bostonians " came they brought " rules and 
regulations." One of the earliest Acts of the Board 
of Trustees was the passage on July i6, 1S04, of an 
ordinance requiring each person taking water from 
the Merchants' Wharf to pay one dollar in ad\-ance 
for the privilege of so doing. This did not please 
the French and on August 6, the ordinance was 
repealed. After the fire of 1805 the Governor and 
Judges concluded that it was not safe to rely alto- 
gether upon the river for a water supply, and they 
undertook to provide public wells. On November 
29, 1806, an account was presented by George Huff 
for " smithwork done at the pumps," and on 
December 3 following the governor was appointed 
a committee " to cause the pumps to be stored and 
painted." 

An appropriation bill, passed by the Governor and 
Judges on March 20, 1807, contains the following 
item : " For completing wells and pumps in the 
vicinity of the court-house and prison, $100 charge- 
able to Detroit Fund." Their records for March 
28, 1807. .state that the marshal is "authorized to 
complete the wells and pumps in the vicinity of the 
court-house by causing the said wells to be deep- 
ened, and walled with bricks or stones, and causing 
the said pumps to be put in complete order for use." 
One of the last named wells was on Jefferson 



Avenue near Wayne Street. Wells were also pro- 
vided on the commons back of the town, in the 
region of the square now designated at the Campus 
Martins. The digging of wells in this locality gave 
great offence to the people. Both cattle and persons 
fell into them, and on May 7, 1S08, the Grand Jury 
presented "the wells on the domain as a dangerous 
nuisance." In consequence of this action, on De- 
cember 15, 1808, the marshal was " directed tO' dis- 
pose of the pumps, stone and other articles which 
have heretofore been furnished for the wells on the 
commons." On March 7, 1809, W. McD. Scott pre- 
sented an account of $134.50 for expenses incurred 
in digging public wells, which was duly allowed. 
One of the wells with a pump was located on 
the north side of Jefferson Avenue between Bates 
and Randolph Streets. On February 3, 1819, Mr. 
Stead was paid $30 for repairing well and putting 
in a pump. It was worked with a windlass, and 
was in use for several years. In 182S the city paid 
$2.37 for filling it up. 

During these years water was frequently carried in 
buckets suspended from the ends of a wooden yoke, 
borne upon the shoulders. It was also hauled in 
barrels in the old two-wheeled French carts, and 
sold at sixpence per barrel. Two barrel were con- 
sidered a load, and from them, as the carts jogged 
over the 'rough, unpaved streets, much water was 
distributed alcjng the way. 

The erection of water-works was publicly sug- 
gested by the trustees of the city for the first time 
on February 25, 1820, on which date a notice was 
published inviting proposals, to be made before June 
I, for the exclusive privilege of erecting such works. 

The first proposition, from John W. Tompkins, 
was received March 21, 1820. His offer was not 
satisfactory, and meantime the authority of the cor- 
poration to grant the exclusive right for supplying 
the city with water having been called in question, 
on June i H. J. Hunt was appointed to examine and 
report on the subject. His report was doubtless 
satisfactory, for further proposals were invited, and 
on July 27, 1820, the tru.stees voted to meet August 
10, to receive them. The proceedings of the trus- 
tees do not indicate that any proposals were received 



[6=] 



WATER AM) WATKR-WORKS. 



63 



at this meeting, and on October 19 "$20 was ap- 
propriated towards expense of digging a well in 
Jefferson Avenue already erected near Dr. William 
Brown's." 

The subject of water-works continued to be agi- 
tated, and on June i, 1822, a meeting of citizens was 
held at the council-house to consider a proposition 
from George Deming for furnishing the city with 
water, and on June 4 they resolved that " it is ex- 
pedient to promote the enterprise of George Deming 
and his associates for supplying the city with water, 
and that upon equitable conditions we favor his 
having exclusive privileges for a certain number of 
years." The enterprise was " without bottom," or 
the resolution "leaked," for no water-works were 
obtained. 

The next step in the histor)- of our water supply 
was the passage of an Act on August 5, 1824, 
"authorizing Peter Berthelet to erect a wharf on the 
river Detroit in the continuation of Randolph Street 
and running to the ship channel of said river," pro- 
vided " that the said Peter Berthelet, his heirs and 
assigns, shall at all times during the existence of the 
above grant, at his own or their own expense, erect, 
make, and keep in repair, at some convenient place, 
at or near the end of said wharf, next the channel of 
the river, a good and sufficient pump, at which all 
persons who may reside in the city of Detroit shall 
be at all times free of wharfage or other expenses, 
entitled to take and draw water for their own use 
and convenience; and for that purpose a free use 
of said wharf shall be given, for carts, wagons, 
sleigh's, or other machinery to be used in drawing 
and carrying away the water." The dock and 
pump were duly erected, and the pump remained 
until March 19, 1835, when it was removed by the 
City Council. 

The pump, although an improvement, was still 
an unsatisfactory method of obtaining water, and 
occasioned much complaint. The same year that 
Berthelet's pump was authorized, the father of Jacob 
S. Farrand, Bethuel Farrand, who was then en- 
gaged in the manufacture of pumps at Aurelius, 
Cayuga County, New York, learned of the condition 
of affairs, and conceived the idea of getting the 
right to erect water-works at Detroit. He came 
on foot to the city, and submitted his proposi- 
tion to the council on Februar)- 16, 1825, and on 
February 19 a meeting of citizens was held to con- 
sider his offer. It met their approval, and on Feb- 
ruary 2 1 the council appointed a committee to con- 
clude the contract. The next day they passed an 
"Act granting to Bethuel Farrand and his legal 
representatives the sole and exclusive right of water- 
ing the city of Detroit and for other purposes." Mr. 
Farrand went home, and in May, accompanied by 
Rufus Wells, he again arrived in Detroit. He at 



once commenced operations, spending the summer 
in cutting and rafting tamarac logs from the Clinton 
River for the purpose of making pipes. Ikfore the 
works were fairly established, Mr. Wells purchased 
Mr. Farrand's interest, and on March 31, 1827, an 
ordinance was passed "granting to Rufus Wells, or 
his legal representatives, the exclusive right of sup- 
plying the city of Detroit with water." A further 
ordinance, passed October 10, 1827, granted addi- 
tional rights. 

The pump-house was located on the Berthelet 
Wharf. It was a frame building, twenty feet square, 
with two pumps of five inches bore. By means of 
horse-power the water was forced into a forty-gallon 
cask, located in the cupola of the pump-house, which 
was forty feet above the wharf, from where it was 
conveyed by wooden logs to the reser\'oir located on 
Randolph Street, at the rear of the lot now occupied 
by Firemen's Hall. The reservoir was sixteen 
feet square, built of white oak plank, two inches 
thick and six feet long, caulked with oakum ; it 
rested on a frame of timber sixteen feet high, was 
covered with a shingle roof, and had a capacity of 
9, 580 imperial gallons. A few wooden logs conveyed 
water through portions of Jefferson Avenue, Larned 
and Congress Streets. All the arrangements were 
very primitive ; upon one occasion a wooden plug at 
one of the houses on Larned Street was carelessly 
knocked out, and the cellar was soon filled with water, 
and the reservoir nearly emptied, causing almost 
every pen-stock to fail. The company were required 
to put in service pipes, and for both pipes and water 
families paid but $10 per year in quarterly instal- 
ments. 

After a few years, other parties became interested 
with Mr. Wells, and in June, 1829, as it was evident 
that works of greater capacity were needed, the 
Hydraulic Company, as the association was called, 
received from the city a grant of the south end of 
Lot 8, — the second lot from the southeast corner of 
Wayne and Fort Streets. On this lot they were to 
erect a new reservoir, and bore for water, the idea 
having gained prevalence that water could be had 
more easily from a well than from the river. On 
August 6, 1829, The Gazette contained this item: 

The Hydraulic Company of this city are boring for water on 
the site of the old fort, the highest ground within the limits of the 
corporation. They have penetrated one hundred and twenty feet 
and are still going on with their labor. 

After boring a hole four inches in diameter to the 
depth of two hundred and sixty feet, one hundrea 
and forty-four feet of which was tubed with cast-iron 
tubing, the pebbles and quicksand accumulated in 
the pipe, and early in April, 1830, the project was 
abandoned. The chief engineer of the company, at 
this time, was Mr. Failing, who seems to have been 
appropriately named. 



64 



WATER AND WATER -WORKS. 



The company now determined to again erect 
pumping- works and resort to the river, and in view of 
the greater expense that they must incur, they sought 
to be relieved from furnishing service pipes and pen- 
stocks, to obtain an extension of the time during 
which tlicy were to have the exclusive privilege of 
supplying water, and also to be released from the 
obligation of surrendering their works without com- 
pensation at the termination of their charter. After 
various meetings and excited discussions, their de- 
mands were granted, and in 1830 new works were 
constructed. 

The reser\'oir, located on the Fort .Street lot, was 
of brick, eighteen feet square and nine feet deep, 
enclosed with wood; it held 21,811 gallons. On 
August 4, 1830, the company commenced laying 
water-pipes from the river to Jefferson Avenue, just 
above the Mansion House ; their new works went 
into operation at 2 p. M. on Monday, October 11, 
1830. A large crowd gathered at the engine-house 
to witness the letting on of the water. The wooden 
pipes, put together with iron thimbles, lay just under- 
neath the ground, and their course could be easily 
traced by the water which oozed out, the imperfect 
joints allowing it to leak at every length. Governor 
Cass, who with others was present to witness the 
letting on of the water, was called upon for a 
speech. Mounting a barrel near by, and casting his 
eye over the route of the pijje, he began by saying : 
" Fellow-citizens, what an age of progress ! " No 
one then thought his words sarcastic. The pump- 
ing was done by a ten-horse-power engine belong- 
ing to the Detroit Iron Works, located on the corner 
of Jefferson Avenue and Cass Street. The engine 
did double duty, supplying power for its owners as 
well as for the Hydraulic Company. In consequence 
of a defect in the boiler, during a whole week in 
November, 1831, no water could be pumped. .A.t 
this time there were but two lines of wooden logs 
of three inches bore. 

In 1 83 1 an additional reservoir was constructed, 
adjoining the old one ; it was built of oak plank, was 
forty feet square, ten feet deep, and held 119,680 
gallons. The reser\'oir first built remained in use 
until 1839, when it was sold and taken down. The 
other one was used occasionally up to 1842, during 
which year the logs were relaid, many of them 
having been impaired by frost in the winters of 
1830 and 1 83 1. At the same time a twenty-horse- 
power engine was built, and located in a building- 
erected for it on the north side of Woodbridge 
Street, between Wayne and Cass Streets. 

The company supplied water until 1836, losing 
money each year, and hearing constant and \\'ell- 
grounded complaints that the water was neither 
clear, pure, nor wholesome, and very uncertain as to 
quantity. Finally a Committee of the Council was 



appointed to examine the matter. They reported 
that the company had failed to fulfill their contract, 
and that their charter was null and void. After 
much discussion, it was decided that the city would 
buy the works, and on May 18, 1836, a Committee 
of the Council reported that they had purchased all 
the real and personal estate of the Hydraulic Com- 
pany for $20,500, the property to be surrendered 
June I, 1836, and to be paid for in city bonds bear- 
ing six per cent interest, due on June i, 1856. A 
special session of the council was next held on June 
9, when it was 

Resolved^ that Noah Sutton be, and he is hereby appointed, 
as agent for this Board, to proceed to the cities of Pittsburg, Phila- 
delphia, New York, to examine the water-works in those cities, 
and obtain all needful information in regard to the construction 
and operation thereof ; and the said agent to be authorized and 
empowered to contract in the behalf of the corporation of this city 
for cast and wrought iron pipes for conducting the water into the 
city. 

Resoh'ed., that the sum of $150 be appropriated for the defraying 
the expenses of the agent of the corporation, and that a warrant 
for that amount be issued on the Treasury, 

A committee was also appointed to purchase a 
water lot above the city, upon which to erect works. 
On June 15, 1836, the recorder reported that they 
had "purchased from Major Antoine Dequindre 
three water lots in front of the Dequindre Farm, with 
a front of 350 feet on the river, for $5,500." The 
work of building was begun at once, and on June 
30, 1836, John Farrar was appointed to superintend 
and inspect the erection of the wharf. It is evident 
that there were some misgivings as to the success or 
desirability of the plan for obtaining water from the 
ri\'er, for on the same day the council proceedings 
show the passage of the following resolution : 

Resolved, that David French and H. Wilmarth be appointed 
a committee to examine the several springs in NorthviUe and 
Southlield, also others in the vicinity, to ascertain if a sufficient 
quantity of pure water can be obtained from them to supply this 
city, and the probable cost of conveying it hither. 

On August 3 Mr. French reported that by a con- 
centration of several springs in the town of Farming- 
ton an abundant supply of pure water could be 
obtained. Nothing further came of this report, and, 
in the light of later experiences, one cannot help 
wondering whether the members of the council had 
not been drinking something besides water when 
they adopted the resolution. 

Meantime the newly purchased works continued 
to be used, and in 1836 an ordinance was passed 
"that, on application, water may be conveyed 50 
feet from front line of lots to be kept flowing at 
least twelve hours out of the twenty-four, provided 
the corporation does not have to make more than 
100 feet of new pipe to supplv any one applicant." 

In 1837 work was begun on the reser\-oir at the 
foot of Orleans Street. In 1838 iron pipes, the first 



WATER AND WATER-WORKS. 



in the city, were laid on Jefferson Avenue, from Ran- 
dolph Street to Woodward Avenue. In 1840 a 
contract was made with Charles Jackson and Xoah 
Sutton to build an engine-house, lay nine miles of 
tamarac logs, four and one half of iron pipes, furnish 
a forty-five-horse-power engine, erect the iron reser- 
voir, and finish its tower. The plan of the reservoir, 
or round-house, was copied by Noah Sutton from 
the old Manhattan Works of New York City. 
William Burnell was the contractor for the brick- 
work, which was completed in 1838. John Scott 
superintended the construction. The brick part was 
fifty feet high, surrounded by a wooden top twenty 
feet in height. The iron tank, twenty feet high and 
sixty feet in diameter, was located in the upper por- 
tion of the building, resting on numerous brick 
piers and arches. A narrow, crooked, and winding 
stairway, with a rough, wooden platform extending 
out over the reser\-oir, led to the top of the building, 
from which a fine view could be obtained ; in the 
olden time a visit to this reser\'oir was one of the 
things to be enjoyed by all visitors. 




Old Rol'nd li 



RLEAxs Street. 



The reservoir had a capacity of 422.979 United 
States standard gallons, and weighed one hundred 
and forty tons. It was in constant use until 1857 
and in partial use until i860. In 1866 the round- 
house was torn down. The work was begun on 
March 27, and the old land mark soon disappeared. 
Meanwhile the rapid growth of the city made it 
apparent that more extensive works were needed, 
and in anticipation of the erection of reservoirs out- 
side of the city, a charter amendment of March 1 6, 
1847, gave control oA-er any works that should be 
established. 

In 1850 an additional pumping engine of one- 
hundred-and-fifty-horse-power was set up. Even 



with these additional facilities, the supply of water 
was uncertain, and in 1851 four acres of land on the 
Mullett Farm were purchased as a site for a new 
reservoir. This investment gave rise to much dis- 
cussion, and in the winter of 1851 and 1852 the 
papers were filled with arguments and communica- 
tions for and against proposals to sell the water- 
works to a private corporation. Finally, by ordi- 
ance passed February 24, 1852, the management of 
the works was vested in a board of five trustees, 
and a year later, on February 14, the same trustees, 
by Act of the Legislature, were constituted a Board 
of Water Commissioners. From this time the 
board had control of all the property of the water- 
works, which, on December 30, 1862, was conveyed 
to them by deed of the council. 

The continued increase of the city and its pro- 
spective wants led the commissioners to dispose of 
the four acres on the Mullett Farm; and in 1854 
they purchased ten acres on the Dequindre Farm, a 
mile and a half from the river, at a cost of $7,363. 
.This ground, the highest in the city available for the 
purpose, is twenty feet higher than the level at the 
corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues. 

A new reser\'oir was begun upon this site in 1854. 
It was first used in November, 1857, but was not 
fully completed until i860. It is bounded by Wil- 
kins, Calhoun, Riopelle, and Dequindre Streets, and 
consists of two basins enclosed by a sloping em- 
bankment thirty feet high, composed principally of 
clay. The embankment is one hundred and three 
feet thick at the base and fifteen feet wide at the 
top. The outside is handsomely sodded. The 
basins were originally lined with brick. After a few 
months' use, heavier and more durable material was 
deemed necessary, and stone, with brick for a few 
feet at the top, was substituted. Steps lead from 
the northwest corner to the top of the embankment, 
upon which there is a gravel walk 1,003 feet long.. 
The two basins are surrounded by a neat fence, and 
a flight of steps from top to bottom of the interior of 
each affords easy accesS for cleaning or repairs. 
The dividing wall between the basins contains a 
stairway leading to the shut-offs, so that water can 
be let on or shut off from either basin without inter- 
fering with the other. Each basin is two hundred 
feet square at the top, one hundred and fourteen 
feet square at the bottom, and twenty-eight and one 
half feet deep; and together they cover an area of 
530 X 320 feet, or nearly four acres. The capacity of 
the two is 9,000,000 gallons. The water is forced in 
and distributed through pipes two feet in diameter. 
The total cost of the reser\-oir, aside from the 
ground, was $116,287.58. A keeper resides on the 
grounds, and on week-days from April i to Decem- 
ber I, from 9 A. M. till sunset, and on Sundays from 
2 J>. M. to sunset, the grounds are open to visitors. 



66 



WATER AND WATER -WORKS. 



As the top is seventy-seven and one half feet above 
the river, it commands an extensive view of the 
northeastern portion of the city. 

The various extensions and enlargements de- 
manded increased expenditures, and the commis- 
sioners were authorized by Act of February 6, 1855, 
to borrow $250,000, and an Act of February 10, 
1857, gave power to borrow an additional $250,000. 
In July, 1858, a new pipe was sunk in the river, the 
inlet end being one hundred and .seventy-five feet 
from the wharf-line, and the quality of the water ob- 
tained was greatly improved. 

In 1856 a new engine was contracted for, to be 
built in New York. It was completed and deliv- 
ered, but failed to do the work agreed upon, and 
was rejected by the commissioners, who refused to 
pay for it. A suit was instituted against them, and 
a decision rendered under which the contractors 
recovered $26,500. In 1S62 a new engine was pro- 
cured, which cost $25,000. Again it became neces- 
sary to enlarge the capacity of the works, and on 
February 17, 1869, the Legislature authorized the 



board to borrow $250,000. A further Act of April 
5 gave power to le\y a tax of three cents a foot 
frontage on all vacant lots passed by the supply 
pipes, with power to sell the lots after a certain time 
if the taxes were not paid. Comparatively few per- 
sons paid the tax, and in June, 1876, the law was 
decided to be illegal, and all moneys collected under 
it have been, or are liable to be, refunded. 

During 1870 many persons who lived adjoining 
the city petitioned to be served from the water- 
works, and in October the pipes, for the first time, 
were extended outside the corporation. In this same 
year the ever-recurring consideration of enlargement 
was again a prominent theme, and the question of an 
entirely new location occasioned much research and 
investigation. Various plans and locations were 
discussed by city officers, private citizens, and the 
Water Board. The Legislature, on March 8, 1873, 
gave the board power to borrow $1,000,000 for the 
purpose of erecting new works, and the Act pro- 
vided for the raising of $75,000 yearly by direct tax, 
the surplus over the necessities of the board to be 









KEi^ER\OIK AND EMBANKMENT BETWEEN RlOPELLE AND DeQUINDRE StkEETS. 



WATER AND WATKR -WORKS. 



67 



set apart as a sinking fund. A further Act of April 
12, 1873, defined with much detail the powers of the 
board, provided for condemning private property for 
their use, and gave them power to erect and control 
works outside the city. In furtherance of plans for 
enlargement, the board, in January, 1874, bought 
seventy acres for $35,000 of Robert P. Toms as a 
site for the new works. The land has a frontage on 
the Grosse Pointe Road of 967 feet and extends to 
the river, a distance of 2,7 1 5 feet ; it covers parts of 
Private Claims Nos. 337 and 257 in Hamtramck, 
about four miles from the City Hall. The wisdom 
of the location was called in question, and Generals 
G. W. Greene and G. Weitzel were appointed by 
the mayor and the Board of Public Works to inves- 
tigate the subject of location and of the proposed 
works. Their report was presented in August, 
1874. They approved of the location purchased, 
and advised the erection of works substantially as 
recommended by D. Farrand Henry, the engineer 
of the board. The bill of General Greene for his 
ser\'ices on this occation was §1,134 and that of Gen- 
eral Weitzel, Si.074-35- These bills were presented 
August 18, and ordered paid on August 24, 1874. 
The reasons given in favor of the new location were 
that the works would be beyond the reach of fire 
from adjoining premises, and would be accessible at 
all seasons of the year; the water would be obtained 
from a river channel Seldom or never contaminated. 
and, by means of settling basins, could be freed 
from impurities. Proposals for constructing the 
settling basin, docks, and a short slip or canal were 
invited, and the contract was let to Messrs. Lacey, 
Walton, & Walker for $106,130. Work was begun 
in December, 1874, the works were completed in 
three years, and on December, 15, 1877, water for 
the first time was supplied therefrom. 

The inlet pipe is near mid-channel, in about 
twenty-seven feet of water, and is sunk at right 
angles with the current, with the grating side down 
stream ; it is of wrought iron, one fourth of an inch 
thick, five feet in diameter, made in lengths of 
twenty-five feet, and extends eleven hundred feet into 
the river, where it is enclosed by a crib in twenty- 
two feet of water, the water flowing into the pipe 
from the west. The strainer is of pine lumber, the 
ends and one side eight inches thick, the top and 
bottom four inches thick. The extreme length is 
fifty-seven feet, width seven feet eight inches, 
height six feet. The grating, extending on one side 
the whole length, is of hard-wood slats. 

The water is forced by gravity through the 
strainer, influent pipe, and gate-well into the settling 
basin, thence, intercepted by submerged bulkhead, 
into effluent gate-well, effluent pipe, and strainer 
wells to the pump wells, whence it is pumped into 
the forty-two-inch mains; these are so connected 




Plan of Detroit Water-Works, 



68 



WATER AND WATER-WORKS. 



that either or both can be used ; they run by differ- 
ent routes, one 16,000 feet in length, the other 28.000 
feet, to the supplying mains. 

The settling basin is three hundred and sixty-t'ive 
feet wide and the two sides measure seven hundred 
and fifty and eight hundred feet respectively. It 
varies in depth from thirteen feet at the channel or 
south bank to seventeen feet on the north or engine 
side at low-water mark ; it is separated from the 
river by a natural bank of solid earth two hundred 
feet in width ; on the other three sides there are 
plank walls supported by piles driven seven feet in 
blue clay ; outside of the plank walls there are solid 
embankments of blue clay, puddled in by hand, 
from eleven to fourteen feet wide. On the west 
side the embankment, which is covered with plank, 
connects with and leads to the dock, which is nine- 
teen hundred feet long and twenty-five feet wide. 
West of the embankment is a canal forty-five feet 
wide and seventeen feet deep. About seventy-five 
feet from the north bank of the settling basin is a 
submerged breakwater, which prevents a direct cur- 
rent from the inlet to the outlet pipe, and facili- 
tates the deposit of any sedimentary matter. The 
basin has an area of something over six acres, 
and the pipe conveying the water from it to the 
well in the engine-house, like the inlet pipe, is 
si.K feet above the bed of the basin, thus allow- 



ing all sediment to fall below the mouth of the 
pipe. 

The upper portion of the grounds is occupied by 
coal-house, settling basin, and canal ; the lower por- 
tion is reser\"ed for the site of an additional basin, 
should it be required. The grounds adjacent to the 
street are graded, seeded, and ornamented with 
shrubbery and two small lakes; driveways lead to 
the engine-house. 

The engine-house, of brick, stands nearly in the 
centre of the upper half of the grounds, eight hun- 
dred feet from the front line. The height of the 
building to the top of the main walls is forty feet, 
to the peak of the roof seventy-five feet, and to the 
top of the tower one hundred and fourteen feet. 
The engine-room proper is 93 x 69 feet, and is open 
to the roof. Two boiler-houses join the rear, and 
are each fifty-three and six tenths by forty-seven and 
four tenths feet inside measurement, with a height 
of forty feet. A space of thirty-seven feet between 
them is used as store-room, wash-room, and work- 
shop. The brick chimneys on the outer wall of each 
boiler-room are five feet in diameter inside, and one 
hundred and twenty feet high. There are two com- 
pound-beam pumping engines, both designed by 
John E. Edwards, and each of them capable of 
pumping 24,000,000 gallons daily. A third engine 
of the same kind will be completed during 1884. 




The New Watek-Wokks Engine House, and Tower of St.and Pipe. 



WATER AND WATER-WORKS. 



69 



One of the engines was first used in 1 877, and was 
built by the Detroit Locomotive Works ; the other 
was completed in 1881 by S.F. Hodge, at the River- 
side Iron Works. 

The engine built by the Detroit Locomotive 
Works has a high steam cylinder, forty-two inches 
in diameter, and a low steam cylinder, eighty-four 
inches in diameter, with six-foot stroke. The beam 
is composed of six half- 
inch steel plates, twenty- 
five feet long by five feet 
six inches wide. The 
centre column, which 
supports the beam and 
forms the air vessel, is 
forty-four feet high, ten 
feet in diameter at the 
base, and seven feet five 
inches at the top. The 
total height from base 
plate to top of beam is 
fifty feet three inches. 
The fly-wheel is twenty- 
four feet in diameter, and 
weighs about thirty tons ; 
the crank shaft is fifteen 
inches in diameter. 

The engine built by 
the Riverside IronWorks 
differs slightly from that 
built by the Detroit Lo- 
comotive Works. The 
high steam cylinder has 
four inches more, and the 
pump three fourths of an 
inch more diameter. The 
beam of this engine is 
composed of four three- 
fourth-inch steel plates, 
twenty - five feet four 
inches long by five feet 
six inches wide, weighing 
3,350 pounds each. The 
fly-wheel is twenty-four 
feet four inches in diam- 
eter and weighs nearly 
forty tons. The pump- 
ing wells are forty-one feet long, twenty-one feet 
wide, and twenty-two feet deep, with walls about 
four feet thick. Each engine with its air-pumps 
weighs nearly five hundred tons. There are eight 
boilers, usually called marine boilers, each of them 
eight feet in diameter by nineteen feet six inches 
long; height from bottom of furnace to top of shell, 
eight feet eight and one half inches; weight of 
each boiler, .seventeen and one half tons; heating 
surface, 1,364 square feet. The stand-pipe aids in 



securing a uniform pressure of water through the 
force mains; it is made of boiler iron and has a 
diameter of five feet at the base and thirty inches 
at the top, the plates ranging from five eighths to 
three sixteenths of an inch in thickness. It has a 
height of one hundred and thirty-two feet from the 
foundation upon which it rests. The tower which 
encircles it is built of the best quality of pressed 




brick ; the base or lower section is extended out- 
ward from the main shaft to allow of a passageway 
or vestibule to the winding stairway one hundred 
and twenty-four feet high, which leads to an ob- 
servatory at the top. There are two hundred and 
four steps. 

An analysis of the water by Professor Douglass in 
1854 showed the contents of i.ooo grammes to be ; 
sulphate of potassia, .00283 grammes; sulphate of 
soda, .0075; carbonate of lime. .033; phosphate of 



70 



WATER AND WATER -WORKS. 



lime, .0311 ; alumina, .0105; silica, .005; and car- 
bonate of iron, .00S14 ; or a total of .09807 grammes 
of solid matter in 1,000 ; in other words, a gallon of 
water contained only 5.722 grains of solid matter, 
and this of such minerals, in such proportions, as to 
be of no real detriment. The iron pipe from which 
the water for analysis was taken extended only 
twenty-five feet beyond the wharf-line. An analysis 
of a gallon of water by Professor A. B. Lyons in 
September, 1879. from water obtained at the new- 
works gave the following result : potassium, trace ; 
sodium chloride, .229; sodium carbonate, .394; cal- 
cium sulphate, 1.043; calcium carbonate, 3.353; 
magnesium carbonate, 1.209; alumina, .241 ; ferrous 
carbonate, trace; silica, .306. Total, 6.775 grains. 

The cost of the new works, including the grounds, 
up to Januarv', 1884, was $1,271,739. 

All general distribution pipes are laid at the ex- 
pense of the city as fast as the commissioners deem 
necessary; and all applications for extensions made 
at the office are carefully considered. Service pipes 
are required to be put in by a licensed plumber, at 
the expense of the individual. Plumbers pay five 
dollars a year to the board as a license fee. A con- 
trast between the methods and facilities of the past 
and the present is suggested in the following item 
from a daily paper of July, 1850 : 

Plitmber, — Why is it that in a city of 25,000 inhabitants, with 
one Hydraulic Worlis, and the very extensive improvements every- 
where going fonvard, that we have no professional plumber among 
us? 

Petitions to make connections with the water- 
pipes must be made at the office, on blank forms 
there furnished, and a charge of $1.75 to $3.00 for 
service cock and for connecting must be paid when 
the permit is granted. Between the first day of 
December and the first day of March no connections 
are allowed to be made without special permit. 

Up to January i, 1S84, there were 16,978 service 
connections in the iron pipes, and 8,278 in the 
wooden logs ; there was a total of one hundred 
and sixty-two miles of iron pipe, and seventy-eight 
miles of wooden logs. The iron pipe varies in size 
from three to forty-two inches in diameter, and 
the bore of the wooden logs from two and one 
quarter to four inches. The winter of 1874-1S75 
being remarkably cold, the water-pipes were more 
generally affected than ever before, and many of the 
street mains froze and burst, causing serious incon- 
venience. 

In 1827 the force mains, or main pipes, delivering 
to the supply pipes consisted of tamarac logs of 
four-and-one-half-inch bore. In 1830 three-inch 
iron pipes were used, in 1840 ten-inch pipes, in 1854 
twenty-four-inch pipes, and in 1875 pipes of three 
feet six inches in diameter were first employed. 



The following table gives a good idea of the 
growth and extent of the water-works : 





Value of 
Works. 


Amount of 
Debt. 


Interest 
paid. 


Cost of 
operating. 


1853 
i860 

1870 
1880 
1883 


$ 355,240 

689,783 

1,176,076 

=,750,700 

3,316,000 


$ 252,771 

650,000 

850,000 

1,503,000 

1,555,000 


ii43',837 
54,757 
99,610 

114,322 


$■3,356 
"4,543 
35,109 
45,732 
54,451 



i8s3 
i860 
1870 
1880 



Water 
Rates. 



$ 25,482 

49,434 

127,143 

227,452 

285,658 



No. of 
Families. 



Gallons 
pumped. 



4,283 
6,950 
14,717 
22,733 
27,087 



303.531.743 

870,036,451 

1,866,060.068 

5,552,965,310 
7.379.327,188 



Miles of 
Pipeage. 



(•i 
129 
209 
242 



The office was at one time located in the old City 
Hall. In 1852 it was removed to the old Firemen's 
Hall, on the corner of Bates and Larned Streets. In 
July, 1862, it was moved to a store in the central 
portion of the Biddle House Block, and in May, 
1 872, to the north side of Jefferson Avenue, between 
Bates and Randoloh .Streets. On Saturday, June 16, 
1877, the office was established on the east side of 
Griswold Street, midway between Michigan Avenue 
and State Street, in a building specially erected for 
the purpose, and rented to the commissioners. 

Under ordinance of 1836 the water rates were as 
follows: Each common dwelling-house, $10 yearly; 
each dwelling " larger than common," with one 
horse or cow, $12 ; each family in house with several 
families, $8; each livery with four horses, $10; each 
store, $6 ; each office, $5. The tax was to be paid 
six months in advance, and no water supplied for 
less than six months. As at present managed, in 
May and June of each year personal inspection and 
inquiry is instituted throughout the city ; and from 
facts thus obtained a list of consumers is made. 
On the last business day in June the rolls are 
confirmed, and are final and conclusive except as 
additional assessments may become necessarj' by 
increased use of water. Any reduction claimed 
by reason of diminished use of water can apply 
only to the succeeding quarter. The present rates 
for each house range from five dollars upwards, 
with special rates for varying circumstances and 
particular kinds of business. If not paid within 
the first month of the quarter, five per cent is added ; 
if not paid before the expiration of the quarter, ten 
per cent is added ; and if not then paid, the supply 
of water is shut off, and before it is let on again, not 
only the water tax but an extra charge of fifty cents 
for turning on the water must be paid. 

A law of 1873 required the board to charge for the 
pipes, and double rates for water supplied to persons 
living outside of the corporation. After ten years, 
trial, in 1883. discretionary power was given to the 
board as to the amount to be charged. 



WATER AXD WATER -WORKS. 



•I 



Water meters were tested in 1854, but can hardly 
be said to have been in use -jntil 1874. and in 1883 
there were but thirty-two meters and twelve water- 
indicators in the city. The rate in 1875 was two 
cents, in 1S83 one cent for each one hundred 
gallons registered. 

When the city took charge of the works, the 
superintendent had charge of assessments and col- 
lections. In 1S45 the rates were collected by the 
city collector. The following advertisement indi- 
cates the sternness of municipal management in 
that day 

Pay Vour Water Taxes. — I will be at the Common Council 
Room everj- morning from ten until half-past twelve o'clock to 
receive the delinquent water-taxes. Every man and woman who 
does not pay up by Monday, the 21st instant, will be reported to 
the Council, and the water in ever>- case shut off. I am not 
joking. 

Morgan Bates, City Cotiector 

Detroit, .April 10, 1845. 

In 1848, under a permissive ordinance of 1842, 
assessors of water-rates were appointed by the 
council. At the present time, and since the crea- 
tion of the Water Commission, the board appoints 
the collectors. 

The assessors of water-ta.\es appointed by the 
council were as follows : 1848, W. Barclay, E. Ben- 
ham; 1849, X. B. Carpenter, G. Spencer; 1850. L. 
D. Clairou.x, John E. Norton; 1851, X. T. Taylor, 
Francis McDonald. 

By appointment of the commissioners, the asses- 
sors and collectors in 18S3 were; James Fenton, L. 
N. Case, T. R. Putnam, and F. L. Seitz. 

From 1836 to 1849 the council appointed the 
superintendent of the works. The salary in 1839 
was S500 a year. By charter of 1849, it became an 
elective office, and so remained up to the creation of 
the Water Commission in 1853. 

The following persons ser\'ed as superintendents ; 
1827-1833, A. E. Hathon; 1833-1837, David 
French; 1837, Sanford Brittain; 1838-1840, Ed- 
ward M. McGraw; 1840-1843, William Barclay; 
1843, B. B. .Moore; 1844-1846, David Thompson; 
1 846- 1 84S, James Stewart; 184S, Washington Bur- 
ley, N. Greusel ; 1849-1851, Da\-id Edsall; 1851- 
1854, E. McDonald. 

The engineers have been as follows: 1 830-1 840, 
Charles Howard ; 1840, E. H. Rees ; 1841, Benja- 
min Keeney; 1842-1861, F. M. Wing; 1861- 
J. E. Edwards. In 1853 Jacob Houghton was ap- 
pointed general superintendent and engineer and 
ser\-ed until 1861. In 1872 D. Farrand Henr)- was 
appointed chief engineer. Under his supervision the 
new works were carried into successful operation, 
when the office ceased. B. B. Moore was appointed 
Superintendent of Extension and Repairs in 1850. 
and continued to serve until his death. In April, 
1877, he was succeeded by Henry Bridge. Robert E. 



Roberts was appointed secretar)' on the organization 
of the board, and continued in office until 1872, 
when he was succeeded by Henry Starkey. George 
E. Kunze, the receiving clerk, has been in the office 
since 1872. 

The Act creating the Water Commission named 
five commissioners, who were to ser\'e for three, 
four, five, six, and seven years respectively ; and in 
April, 1856, and yearly thereafter, one was to be 
elected annually by the Common Council for the 
term of five years. They were to serve without 
compensation. Under law of 1879 their terms were 
to begin on the first Tuesday of May, and by Act of 
1 88 1 members of the commission can be appointed 
only on the nomination of the mayor. The board 
organized May 16, 1853, and consisted of S. Conant, 
president; J. A. Vandyke, W. R. Xoyes, E. A. 
Brush, and H. Ledyard. In 1855 James A. X-xa- 
dyke died, and A. D. Eraser was appointed to fill 
his place. At the expiration of the term of S. Co- 
nant in 1859, he was succeeded by J. D. Morton, and 
the same year John V. Reuhle was appointed suc- 
cessor to Henr)- Ledyard, who removed from the 
city. In 1S61 J. V. Reuhle entered the army, and 
his place was filled by Chauncy Hurlbut. His term 
expired in 1863, and S. G. \\"ight was appointed. 
In 1S65 W. R. Xoyes resigned, and the vacancy was 
filled by the appointment of Jacob S. Farrand. In 
the same year the vacancy occasioned by the decease 
of J. D. Morton was filled by the appointment of 
John Owen. In 1868 E. A. Brush resigned, and 
Caleb Van Husan was appointed, and the term of 
S. G. Wight having expired, Chauncy Hurlbut was 
again appointed a member of the board. The term 
of X. D. Eraser closed in 1871, and Samuel F. 
Hodge succeeded him, and the next year Elijah 
Smith took the place of Caleb \'an Husan. He was 
succeeded in 1877 by Michael Martz. In 1879 
James Beatty was appointed in place of S. F. Hodge, 
and John Pridgeon in place of John Owen. The 
board in 1883 consisted of J. S. Farrand, C. Hurl- 
but, M. Martz, J. Beatty, and J. Pridgeon. 

Regular meetings of the commissioners are held 
monthly on the Wednesday after the first Saturday 
in each month. About forty persons are constantly 
employed by the board, with salaries varying from 
$100 to $2. 200 yearly. During the summer season, 
when new pipes and extensions are laid, from sev- 
enty-five to one hundred and fifty additional men 
are employed, and §60,000 is yearly paid out for 
salaries and labor. 

PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNT.\INS. 

Both citizens and dumb animals are indebted to 
Moses W. Field for the suggestion of public drinking 
fountains. He petitioned the council in regard to 
them on May 23, 1871. On the 30th a committee 



72 PUBLIC DRINKING FOUNTAINS. 

reported favorably, and on June 27 the comptroller and Woodward, foot of Woodward, First and Jeffer- 

was directed to advertise for se\'en. Nine more son. Twenty-first and Woodbridge, Twelfth and 

were ordered in July, 1874. They are generally Fort, Fourteenth and Michigan, Twenty-fourth and 

placed at the intersection of streets. In 1883 foun- Michigan, Cass and Ledyard, Grand River and 

tains were located at the corner of McDougall and Trumbull, Twelfth and Baker, and at East and 

Jefferson, Orleans and Franklin. Riopelle and Gratiot, West Hay and Wood Markets. It is the duty of 

Gratiot and Randolph, Congress and Bates, Fort the gas inspector to care for them. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE PARKS AND THE BOULEVARD.— PASTURES AND POUNDS. 



THE PARKS AND THE BOULEVARD. 
We are certainly indebted to Chief Justice Wood- 
ward for our half-acre parks and broad avenues 
bordered with thrifty elms and maples. His sug- 
gestions were embodied in one of the earliest Acts 
of the Governor and Judges, which made provision 
for the planting of trees on the streets, squares, and 
avenues. Of all the smaller parks, the Grand 
Circus is the most beautiful. As we rest in the 
shade of the trees, enjoy the plash of the fountains, 
or watch the children at play upon the lawns, it is 
hard to realize that up to 1 844 these parks were 
ponds and marshes, enlivened only by the music of 
the bullfrog, and used as a place of deposit for 
refuse of every kind. In that year a number of 
citizens combined for their improvement, and, under 
the direction of H. H. Leroy, the grounds were 
raised from one to four feet. 

In 1846 the council appropriated a lot on the 
southwest corner of Clifford and Adams Avenue, 
and also a lot on west side of JMacomb Avenue near 
Clifford, to pay for additional improvements, and 
directed that the lots be sold at auction on July 26, 
— the first lot to be sold for not less than $15°. and 
the other for at least $125. In the spring of 1853 
the further sum of $1,500 was expended in setting 
out trees and building fences. The park on the 
west side of Woodward Avenue receixed the most 
attention, a fountain being there erected and walks 
laid out in the summer of 1S60. In .September, 
1866, the speaker's stand was moved from the 
Campus Martins to the park. It was erected on 
August 27, 1862, on the present site of the City 
Hall, for use at the reception of General O. B. Will- 
cox. In 1874 a fountain was placed in the East 
Circus Park. Two years later it was removed to 
Adelaide Campau Park, and replaced by another. 

In order to insure the perfect rooting of the trees 
and grass, the parks were kept closed until May, 
1866, when they w-ere opened to the public on Sun- 
days. In July, 1873, the fences were removed from 
all the parks except the Clinton and Cass. The 
fence of the latter park was reduced in height at the 
same time, and in 1879 was entirely removed. 

All the smaller parks have been much used and 
appreciated since they were thrown open. Linden 



Park, located in the township of Hamtramck, is three 
miles from the City Hall, about three fourths of a 
mile beyond the eastern limits of the city, and half a 
mile north of the river, between Lincoln and Bald- 
win Avenues. It contains twenty-five and seventy 
one-hundredths acres. It was given to the city by 
Moses W. Field, on October i, 1875, upon condition 
that the city appropriate $3,000 annually for im- 
proving it. On February 25 Mr. Field gave an- 
other piece of land six hundred feet wide, on the 
north side of the park, and so modified the condi- 
tions of his first gift that, upon spending $4,500 in 
improving the grounds, the city should have a full 
title. Including Linden Park, seven of the thirteen 
parks have been gi\en by individuals. The list is as 
follows : 



Elton 

Crawford. . . 

Cass 

Stanton... . 

Macomb .. . 

AdelaideCam- 
pau 



1 Intersec. of 5th 
i and Orchard, 
\ Intersec. of 5th 
) and High, 
j 2d St bet. Led- 
j yard and Bagg 
1 Intersec.of 17th 
) and Marquette 
) Intersec.of 17th 
I and Rose, 
I Intersect. Jos. 
- Campau and 
( Clinton Aves. 



- Crane & Wesson 

- Crane & Wesson 
,- Lewis Cass, 

'■ S. K. Stanton, 

> S. K. Stanton, 

I T. J. & D. J. 
r Campau, 



Whkn-given. 



Dec. 58, 1850 
Dec. 28, 1850 
July 10, i860 
July 23, 1861 
July 23, 1861 

Sept. 6, 1865 



Centre Park, named February i, 1840, is between 
Farmer, Farrar, and Gratiot Streets, and is occupied 
by the Public Library. School Park, between Gris- 
wold, Rowland, and State Streets, is occupied en- 
tirely by the High School buildings, Clinton Park 
is part of the old City Cemetery. It was dedicated 
as Clinton Park on August 7, 1 868. It is locajed 
between Gratiot, Clinton, Paton, and St. Antoine 
Streets. Randolph Park was so named April 27, 
1869; it was formerly called Miami Square and also 
North Park. East Park is located between Farmer, 
Bates, and Randolph Streets. In 1883 it was given to 
the police commissioners as a site for a new building 
to be occupied as their headquarters. West Park 
lies between W' est Park Place. Park Place, and State 
Street. The following table shows the number of 
acres in each park, except Belle Isle : Adelaide 
Campau, 95-100 acres; Linden, 25 and 71-100; 



[7.0 



74 



THE PARKS. 



Randolph, 24-100; Centre or Library Park, 27-100; 
School, 524-1000; West, 524-1000; Grand Circus, 
4 and 595-1000; Clinton, l and 32-1000; Elton, 
703-1000; Crawford. 703-1000 ; Stanton, 61 i-iooo ; 
Macomb, 489-1000; and Cass, 4 and 18-100. Total, 
40 and 53-100 acres. 

The most prominent public square is the Campus 
Martins, so named after the principal square at 
Marietta, the first settlement and capital of the 
Northwest Territory. That square was named 
Campus Martins by the directors and agents on July 
2, 1788, because the blockhouse stood in the centre 
of it. The Campus Martins of ancient Rome was 
the most celebrated of its parks or public grounds. 
It was at first set apart for military exercises and 
contests, but afterwards became a public park or 
pleasure-ground, with gardens, theaters, baths, etc. 
It received the name of Martius from being origin- 
ally consecrated to Mars, the God of War. One 
would think that our Campus Martius had been 
dedicated to every deity, for everything in turn has 
centered at this hub of the city. It has been occu- 
pied' as a hay and wood market, as a standing-place 
for farmers' wagons, and a rendezvous for hucksters 
and peddlers of every kind. Here patent medicine- 
men, " lightning calculators," cheap jewelry auc- 
tioneers, peddlers of knife-sharpeners, cements, toy- 
balloons, oranges and bananas, have filled the air 
with their cries; and "lifting," "striking." "electri- 
cal" and "lung testing" machines have all been 
operated on this famous square. Huge bonfires 
have often illuminated the surrounding buildings, 
and hundreds of political speeches have here been 
made to the throngs that so many times gathered at 
this grand old meeting-place. It was not always so 
attractive as now. Rough, muddy, unpaved. and 
uneven, only a prophet could have foreseen the 
present beauty of the place and its surroundings. 
The first step towards its improvement was made on 
April 22, 1835, when the recorder of the city sub- 
mitted a resolution for a committee to cause the 
Campus Martius to be graded, enclosed, planted with 
trees, and sodded. The resolution was adopted, and 
the recorder and Alderman Palmer were appointed 
as said committee. Under their direction the square 
was graded down fully four feet, and the earth dug 
away used to fill in the valley of the Savoyard. The 
decorating was left until more recent years ; and now 
the wide walks, the plats of grass, the fountains, the 
flower-beds, and the \iew afforded, are worthy of any 
city. 

A Committee on Parks was first appointed on 
May 30, 1854; and in 1863 a superintendent was 
appointed to ser\'e during the summer season. 
Since 1 870 the smaller parks have been under the 
care of the Board of Public Works. The following 
persons have ser\-ed as Su[ierintendents of Parks : 



1S62, Timothy Ryan; 1863. G. F. Jones; 1864- 
1867. Timothy Ryan; 1867, Luke Daly and A. 
Blumma; 1868- 1870, George Henrion ; 1870, 
August Goebel. 

No history of the parks would be complete without 
some reference to the Park Question which agitated 
all Detroit from 1870 to 1873. The desirability of 
a park or parks and a boulevard had been the sub- 
ject of numerous articles in the daily papers during 
the fall of 1870, and on June 24, 1871, an informal 
meeting of citizens was held at Young Men's Hall 
to consider the subject. The project of laying out 
a large park met with great favor, and on April i 5 
the Legislature passed an Act appointing commis- 
sioners to receive propositions for sites and giving 
them power to decide as to location. 

The commission met and organized, and soon re- 
ceived offers from various parties for locations in all 
parts of the city and its suburbs. They decided 
that the most desirable location was a tract of land 
in Hamtramck, a little over three miles from the 
City Hall, embracing parts of Private Claims 180 
and 734, with a river frontage of half a mile. The 
decision of the commission was unsatisfactory to 
many, but the council approved their action, and on 
November 21, 1871, a resolution was offered author- 
izing the comptroller to prepare bonds to the amount 
of $200,000 to pay for the grounds. 

The resolution was postponed for two weeks, 
when, on December 27, at the call of the mayor, a 
citizens' meeting was held in the Circuit Court room, 
to vote on the question of issuing the bonds. There 
was an immense crowd present, and amid great con- 
fusion the vote was declared carried ; but there was 
so much doubt and dissatisfaction that neither the 
council nor the citizens regarded the vote as decisive. 
In order to obtain a more satisfactory vote the 
council, on April 19, 1872, requested the mayor to 
call another meeting to reconsider the question. 
Accordingly, on May I, a meeting was held at the 
Griswold Street front of the City Hall. Again a 
great crowd assembled. There was plenty of 
amusement and much confusion, but no decision 
was reached. 

This was the last so-called citizens' meeting. It 
was unsatisfactory' to all good citizens, who were gen- 
erally agreed that some better method of approving 
the tax estimates should be devised. Meantime, on 
March 14, 1873, the Legislature, by special Act, 
gave the Park Commissioners power to purchase 
the grounds, and directed "the council to pro\nde 
means to pay for them." Soon after they passed 
Acts abolishing citizens' meetings, providing for a 
Board of Estimates, and annexing a large part of 
the townships of Hamtramck and Greenfield to the 
city. It was generally believed that these Acts were 
drawn in the interest of those who wished to have 



THE PARKS. 



75 



the park located in Hamtramck, and the opponents 
of the park united in an endeavor to secure a Board 
of Estimates who would oppose the purchase of the 
park. On April 2 they held a large meeting at 
Young Men's Hall, and so successful was their pro- 
test that on April 7 a board was elected composed 
of persons known to be unfavorable to the location 
of the park in Hamtramck. 

The question, however, was still unsettled, as both 
the council and the Park Commission desired to 
purchase the ground selected for the park. Those 
opposed to the plan did not relinquish their efforts, 
and on August 18 and 21 anti-park meetings were 
held to protest against the providing of money by 
the council to pay for the lands contracted for. The 
Park Commissioners, however, proposed to complete 
the purchase. The question of their right to do so 
was brought before the Supreme Court, and on 
December 3, 1873, they reported to the council 
that the court had decided they had no power to 
bind the city to pay for the lands ; they therefore 
asked the council to determine what action they 
should take. The council took the ground that, as 
the Park Act said, " The council shall provide money 
to pay for the purchase of the park," they were under 
obligations to do so, and on December 1 2 they recom- 
mended the issue of bonds to the amount of §200,- 
000, and directed the comptroller to prepare them. 
On December 16 Mayor Moffat disapproved of 
the action of the council, as the law creating the 
Board of Estimates pro\-ided that no bonds should 
be issued unless authorized by them, and the coun- 
cil, on the same day, again directed the comptroller 
to prepare bonds. On December 30 the Park 
Commissioners reported that they had bought the 
lands. Meantime the bonds had not been prepared, 
and on January 6, 1 874, the council again directed 
the mayor and comptroller to issue them. On Jan- 
uary 9 Mayor Moffatt returned unapproved that 
part of the proceedings relating to these directions 
for the same reasons given by him on December 
16, and said moreover that the council was without 
authority over his actions and could not compel him 
to sign the bonds. The council, for the third time, re- 
peated its order to issue the bonds, and on February' 
20 directed the city councillor to take legal proceed- 
ings to compel the mayor to sign the Park Bonds. 
The council persisted and the mayor resisted, and 
finally the question was brought before the Supreme 
Court, where, on May 12, 1874, it was decided that 
the purchase must be approved by the Board of 
Estimates. Their approval could not be obtained, 
and the subject dropped. 

Thus ended one of the most persistent and bitter 
conflicts in regard to municipal matters that ever 
transpired in Detroit. The idea of purchasing Belle 
Isle for park purposes was first conceived bv I.. L. 



Barbour. He consulted the several owners, ob- 
tained refusals of their interests, and arranged that 
the contracts to sell should be made in the names of 
several gentlemen whom he interested in the sub- 
ject. On .-^pril 8, 1879, these gentlemen. Messrs. 
George C. Langdon, J. J. Bagley, Bela Hubbard, C. 
I. Walker, M. S. Smith, and D. O. Farrand, sent a 
communication to the council suggesting that the 
city purchase Belle Isle ; they stated that they had 
procured agreements which would give the city the 
entire island for $200,000, and that the proposal was 
entirely devoid of any personal or pecuniar)' interest. 
Another communication from leading citizens f>e- 
titioned the council to seek legislation for the pur- 
pose of buying the island and building a bridge. It 
was a favorable time to present the project, for the 
question of bridging or tunneling the river for rail- 
road purposes was then being discussed. The 
communication was favorably received, and a reso- 
lution was adopted praying the Legislature to pass 
an Act authorizing the city to issue bonds to the 
amount of $700,000 to purchase Belle Isle and con- 
struct a bridge. 

Many citizens objected, but on May 27, 1879, the 
Legislature authorized the city, with consent of. the 
Board of Estimates, to issue bonds for the amount 
proposed, a portion of them to be used to secure the 
building of either a bridge or a tunnel. The Act 
also gave the council power to improve parks either 
within or without the city limits. 

On May 27 the Legislature passed an additional 
Act authorizing the council, with consent of the 
Board of Estimates, to purchase the island and 
improve it as a park, to issue bonds for not more 
than $200,000, and gi\'ing them power to erect a 
bridge to the island. 

On June 30 the Board of Estimates approved of 
the purchase, and on September 25 it was consum- 
mated. The care of the park was next considered, 
and on December 23, 1879, acting under the old 
Park Act of 1871, Mayor Langdon nominated and 
the council confirmed six commissioners. On Janu- 
ary 3, 1880, they organized, and on May 28, 1880, 
the council voted to turn over the park to their care. 
The ne.xt day, during the absence of Mayor Thomp- 
son, Charles Ewers, as acting mayor, approved of 
the proceedings of the council. During that same 
day Mayor Thompson returned, and in a communi- 
cation to the council disapproved of their action of 
the 28th, on the ground that the Act under which 
the commission had organized was a nullity. He 
also claimed that the approval of the action of the 
council by the acting mayor was not legal, inasmuch 
as he had not been absent from the city long 
enough to make action upon the proceedings neces- 
sar\'. The opinion of Mayor Thompson was su.s- 
tained by the Supreme Court in a decision rendered 



76 



THE PARKS. 



November lo, 1880, and a fur- 
ther decision on June 15, 1881, 
declared that the commissioners 
appointed by Mayor Langdon 
had no legal control over Belle 
Isle Park. 
Under ordinance of August 29, 

1 88 1, Mayor Thompson nomi- 
nated the following persons as a 
Board of I-'ark Commissioners : 
M. I. Mills. A. Marxhausen, Wm. 
A. Moore, and James McMillan, 
for terms of one, two, three, and 
four years respectively, and a 
commissioner was to be ap- 
pointed annually. W. B. Moran 
succeeded M. I. Mills on Sep- 
tember I, 18S2. Jas. McMillan 
resigned in 1SS3, and was suc- 
ceeded in 1884 by D. M. Ferry. 

The board organized on Sep- 
tember 8, 1881 ; on December 
1 7 elected John Stirling as sec- 
retary, and soon after contracted 
with Frederick Law Olmstead to 
lay out the park. A sur\'ey was 
made by Eugene Robinson in 

1882, and the work of planning 
and preparing the island for 
park purposes was begun. In 
1882 the council appropriated 
$20,000 for the park, and $4,000 
additional was received for rent 
of fishing grounds, ice privi- 
leges, restaurants, etc. Of these 
amounts, $14,504 were expended 
in that year. By law of March 
28, 1883, the board was given 
full control over all taxes levied 
for the purpose of maintaining 
the park. 

Abundant indications of the 
appreciation of the privileges of 
the island are afforded in the 
fact that between June i and 
October i, 1882, 268,000 adults 
visited the park. 

During 1 883 the circular canal 
at the upper end of the island, 
shown in the proposed plan, was 
completed at a cost of about 
$11,000. The canal is five feet 
deep and fifty feet wide. 

During the French occupancy 
of Detroit, Belle Isle, a portion 
of it at least, was treated as an 
appendage of the garrison and 




M m 



THE PARKS. 



// 




Police Station, Eklle Isle. 



used as a place for pasturage. On June 12, 1752, 
the governor and intendant granted the island to M. 
Douville Dequindre, but it is probable that this grant 
was not confirmed by the king, as there are indica- 
tions that the Government continued to exercise 
control over it. 

On l\Iay 9, 1763, when Pontiac's conspiracy was 
discovered, a party of Indians crossed to the island, 
and finding there Sergeant James Fisher, his wife 



and two children, l:illed them, and also the twenty- 
four cattle belonging to the garrison, which had 
been left in their charge. During the subsequent 
siege most of the wood for the fort was obtained 
from the island by sending large parties there under 
the protection of armed schooners. 

On May 4, 176S, George 111. and his council gave 
to Lieutenant George McDougall permission to 
occupy the island so long as the military establish- 




Superintendent's House, Belle Isle P.\kk. 



78 



THE PARKS. 



ment was continued at Detroit, provided that he 
could do so without causing dissatisfaction to the 
Indians, and that the improvements he made should 
be of such character as to be of service in supplying 
the wants of the fort and garrison. On June 5 of 
the following year Lieutenant McDougall bought the 
island of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for five 
barrels of rum, three rolls of tobacco, three pounds 
of vermilion, and a belt of wampum, an additional 
three barrels of rum and three pounds of paint to 
be delivered when possession was taken. The value 
of the island was estimated at /194 los. 

In 1 77 1 Lieutenant McDougall had it surveyed 
by a Mr. Boyd, who reported that it contained 
seven hundred and four acres. The same year Mc- 
Dougall built a dwelling-house and out-buildings, 
and his tenant, one Cassity, cultivated about thirty 
acres. After a few years John Loughton took Cas- 
sity's lease. There were then two farms on the 
island, comprising eighty acres of cultivated land, 
together with houses and barns. One of the farms 
was cultivated by a man named Ridley. 

On January 15, 1778, Lieutenant-Governor Ham- 
ilton wrote to Governor Carlton as follows : 

The inhabitants having represented to me the losses and damage 
they suffer by being deprived of tile commonage of Hog Island, 1 
have directed Captain McDougall's brother-in-law, who is his 
attorney at this place, to acquaint him that, unless I have your 
excellency's orders to the contrary, the inhabitants shall be re-in- 
stated in the possession of it on the ist day of May, 1779, which 
is time sufficient for him to prove a right. 

Meantime McDougall died, and General Haldi- 
mand, who had succeeded Governor Carlton, wrote 
to Major De Peyster at Detroit that the executors 
of Colonel McDougall must not be allowed to offer 
Isle au Cochon for sale, as he intended to reclaim it 
for the use of the garrison at Detroit. He said further 
that Mrs. McDougall "need not be alarmed"; that 
he would see that her rights were protected. 

On July 13, 1780, in a letter from Haldimand to 
De Peyster, after informing him that in order to 
raise food and diminish e.xpenses he proposed to 
have ground cultivated at each post, he added : " I 
have therefore to desire you will immediately re- 
claim for his Majesty's use the ground comtuonly 
known by the name of Hog Island, and appropriate 
it to the above-mentioned purpose, exactly upon 
the same terms and footing with those at Niagara, 
agreeably to the enclosed articles." The articles 
alluded to provided that he should establish set- 
tlers upon the island, and furnish them with 
implements. This letter contained also this direc- 
tion : "As I wish to make i\Irs. McDougall a reason- 
able compensation for what houses, etc., may be 
found upon the island, you will please to appoint 
proper persons to appraise them and transmit me 
their report." 

Accordingly, on September 5, 17S0, the buildings 



on Hog Island were appraised by Nathan Williams 
and J. B. Craite, master carpenters. Their report 
was as follows : 

I dwelling house £ 250 i old barn without a top. £ 18 

I " " 40 A fowl house 6 

I " " 10 Some lumber 10 

Total (N. Y. currency) £ 334 

On September 9 De Peyster wrote to Haldimand, 
saying : " I propose to settle Mr. Riddle's family, 
with three other families, on the island as soon as 
possible, reserving part of the meadow ground for 
the grazing of the king's cattle." 

On October 10 he wrote: "Agreeably to your 
excellency's desire, I have fixed loyalists upon Hog 
Island conformable to the terms prescribed. * * * 
The island is, however, sufficient for two substantial 
families only, there being much meadow ground and 
swamp on it, and it being absolutely necessary to 
preserve a run for the king's cattle ; that being the 
only place of security. * * * I have sent your ex- 
cellency a sketch of the island, which contains only 
seven hundred and sixty-eight acres." 

Eventually William McComb, guardian of the 
heirs of McDougall, petitioned Sir Frederick Haldi- 
mand, the governor-general, for redress against De 
Peyster, who then offered six hundred guineas for 
the island. This offer was rejected, and De Pey- 
ster was compelled to restore the island, and to 
erect a barn and furnish a scow as compensation for 
the use of it. 

On November 11, 1793, 'h^ heirs of McDougall 
sold the island to William McComb. Like all titles 
originating prior to American occupancy, the claim 
to this island was passed upon by the United States 
Commissioners. The deed from the Indians was of 
but little force, as neither the British nor the Ameri- 
can Government recognized deeds from Indians to 
private parties ; but as the McCombs were in posses- 
sion before the Americans came, the commissioners, 
on November 6, 1809, confirmed the island, or six 
hundred and forty acres of it, to the heirs of William 
McComb. No one claim at that time was allowed 
to include more than six hundred and forty acres, 
and then, and even as late as 1833 (when surveyed 
by J. Mullett), it was considered doubtful if the 
island contained that amount of land. On January 
7, 1S17, the register of probate and a committee 
assigned the island to D. B. McComb, as one of the 
heirs of William McComb. On March 31, 1817, D. 
B. McComb conveyed it to B. Campau for $5,000, 
which amount, tradition says, was paid in bills of 
suspended Ohio banks. On Nov-ember i, 1823, the 
United -States Commissioners on Claims recom- 
mended that the entire island be confirmed to D. 
Campau. 

The island has borne no less than four different 
names. Originally called Mah-nah-be-zee, " The 



THE BOULEVARD.— PASTURES AND POUNDS. 



79 



Swan," by the Indians ; it was re-named by the 
French Isle St. Claire. At one time it was overrun 
with rattlesnakes, and a number of hogs were 
allowed to run at large in order to destroy them; 
eventually the hogs became so numerous that the 
island came to be known as Isle au Cochons, or Hog 
Island. During the years just previous to 1S45 the 
island became a very popular place of resort for 
picnic parties, and just prior to July 4. 1845, it was 
announced in the daily papers that on the Fourth a 
picnic party would give it a more euphonious name. 
Accordingly, about five o'clock p.m., a large number 
ha\-ing assembled on the island, Morgan Bates was 
called to the chair, and William Duane Wilson 
elected secretary ; and on motion of Mr. Goodell, it 
was resolved that the island be known hereafter as 
Belle Isle, possibly in honor of the ladies who fre- 
quently patronized it on picnic occasions. 

The island is covered with beautiful hickory, oak, 
maple, and elm trees interspersed with numerous 
natural lawns. At the time of its purchase by the 
city, two avenues, fifty feet wide, extended from end 
to end. and it was possible also to drive entirely 
around the shore. It was sur\'eyed in 1882, and 
found to contain nearly 690 acres; in its greatest 
extent it is 10,800 feet long and 2,400 feet wide. 

During the agitation of the Park question from 
1871 to 1875 much was said concerning the advan- 
tage that would be derived from a boulevard extend- 
ing entirely around the city. Si.x years later the 
subject was again agitated, and on May 21, 1879, 
the Legislature provided for a Board of Boulevard 
Commissioners, to consist of one person each from 
the townships of Greenfield, Hamtramck, and 
Springwells, together with the mayor and Board of 
Public Works of Detroit. 

The members from the townships vi-ere chosen on 
the first Monday in April, 1880, and were to serve 
three years, or until their successors were elected, 
and all were to serve without pay. The board was 
authorized to lay out a boulevard, not less than one 
hundred and fifty feet wide, from Jefferson Avenue 
in Hamtramck to such a point in Springwells as 
might be agreed upon, and were given power to 
condemn and take possession of lands in the same 
way that roads are opened ; they were also author- 
ized to construct and improve the boulevard when 
established, the cost of the boulevard to be raised 
by general taxation from both city and townships. 

The first commissioners for the townships w-ere : 
Hamtramck, J. V. Reuhle; Springwells, John 
Greusel; Greenfield, E. Chope. 

The commissioners for 1883 were: Hamtramck, 
A. S. Bagg ; Greenfield, E. Chope ; Springwells, 
C. Clippert. 

The route was established on February i, 1882. 
That portion between Woodward .Avenue and Rus- 



sell Street was given by property owners on the 
route, and the boulevard was formally dedicated on 
September 28, 1882. The last of the deeds of land 
for the boulevard from Woodward Avenue to 
Twelfth Street was obtained in November, 1S83. 

PASTURES AND POUNDS. 

A large portion of the commons about the stock- 
ade of Detroit was once used for pasturage, and in 
comparatively recent years much of the land withm 
the city limits was unenclosed and used as public 
property. Prior to 1850 the milkman's bell was un- 
known ; almost every family kept a cow or cows, or 
bought milk of their neighbors. The cows were 
turned out in the morning, and found their way to 
unoccupied lands, where they browsed at their 
leisure, or perchance, if this public feed grew scarce, 
they were driven to and from an enclosed field. 
These customs have almost entirely passed away. 
The milk-carts traverse every street, and the call of 
" Co' bos ! " " Co' bos ! " can no longer be numbered 
among the street cries of Detroit. 

Prior to the fire of 1805 the narrowness of the 
streets made it necessar>' that animals and fowls 
should be prevented from running at large. Pounds 
were therefore established and pound-keepers ap- 
pointed at an early date, and if age confers dignity 
on an office, then that of pound-keeper is the most 
" ancient and honorable " in the city, for there is none 
other so old. 

On March 12, iSoi, Elias Wallen was appointed 
pound-keeper, and the old records of the Court of 
Common Pleas for Wayne County of that date have 
this entry : 

The Court of Common Pleas, with the approbation of Major 
Hunt, commanding officer <)f the garrison of Detroit, order that 
the yard of the Council House be used as a Pound. 

The council house referred to was located near 
the river, between what are now Griswold and 
Shelby Streets. Although the dignity of that local- 
ity may be somewhat disturbed by this reminiscence, 
there can be no doubt of its truth. 

Under ordinance of 1836 any person could take 
up an animal running at large and be paid twelve 
and one half cents a day for its keeping. Notice was 
to be given within twelve hours to the marshal, and 
after advertising four days any animal was sold. 
The marshal received ten per cent on total proceeds 
for his services ; the person impounding had one 
half of the balance, and the other half was to go to 
the Poor Fund. None of the early ordinances as to 
pounds were strictly enforced, and up to very recent 
times cattle were allowed to roam at their own sweet 
will in various parts of the city. By ordinance of 
1855 two pound-keepers might be, and in 1861 two 
were required to be, appointed to ser\^e for eight 
months, at a salary of $45 a month. Under ordi- 



8o 



PASTURES AND POUNDS. 



nance of March 24, 1 870, amended May 4, the [pounds 
were to be open between April i and December i , 
and the keepers were paid $6° per month for the 
term of eight months. After 1874 they were 
appointed for the full year, and paid the same 
amount per month. 

The pounds are located on the same grounds as 
the wood and hay markets. The following persons 
have served as pound-keepers: 1854, D. L. Shaw; 
1855, Peter Laderoot; 1856, J. J. Reid, D. L. Shaw; 

1857, A. B. Solis, J. Normandin, William Barry; 

1858, C. Gebhart, C. R. Page; 1859 and i860, J. C. 
Schultz, F. Fulda; 1S61, H. H. Covert, John Green- 
wood; 1862, J. Stork, John Brennan; 1863 and 1864, 
J. Stork, R. Sullivan; 1865 and 1866, N. Jungblut, 
John fvers; 1867, J. Dieler, J. Ivers; 1868, J. 
Dieler, G. O. Walker; 1869, A. Taubits, George 
Ridette; 1870, A. Taubits, James Joy; 1871 and 
1872, Harris Jacobs, Robert Watson; 1873 and 1874, 
A. Peine, F. C. Neipoth ; 1875, A. Peine, J. Ivers; 
1876, Noah Sutton, George Crabb ; 1877, Charles 
Schmidt, B, Reilly; 1878, E. W. Pindar, T. 
Mahoney; 1879, Eastern District, E. Fiertz, West- 
ern District, D. J. Spinning; 1880, Eastern District, 
D. J. Briggs, Western District, H. Jacobs; 1881 and 
1882, Eastern District, Thomas Rooks, Western 
District, Henry Gross; 1883, Eastern District, H. 
Stebner, Western District, H. Gross. 

In 1805 the law provided that the owner of " every 
dog three months old and upwards, kept by any one 
person or family, shall pay a tax for the same of 
fifty cents." There can be no doubt that a dog ta,x 
was then necessary, for in 1805, with only five hun- 
dred and twenty-five heads of families, there were 
two hundred and nineteen dogs in the town of 
Detroit. A like proportion now would give eight 
thousand dogs, but there were only about two thou- 
sand licensed in 1883. 

Dogs were deemed essential as a protection against 
the Indians in past time, and some families evidently 
believed in "protection." During the War of 1S12, 



after the arrival of Harris<.)n's troops, a Frenchman 
came one day to the officer of the day, and com- 
plained, " The soldiers last night killed most all my 
dogs." — "How many did they kill.'" — "Nine." — 
"How many have you left?" — "Only eight." 
Considering the condition of things which then 
existed, and continued to exist for many years, it is 
no wonder that the question, " Would a diminu- 
tion of dogs in the city of Detroit and its vicinity 
redound to the public benefit?" was proposed in 
1 81 9, as a subject for discussion in the Detroit 
lyceum. 

Coming down to recent years, we find that an 
ordinance providing for the licensing of dogs was 
approved on May 2, 1881, and a dog-pound estab- 
lished on July I. No record was kept of the num- 
ber of dogs impounded until November i, 1881. 
From that date up to November i, 1882, there 
were captured eighteen hundred and sixty-eight 
unlicensed dogs, and of this number fifteen hundred 
and sixteen were drowned, one hundred and four- 
teen redeemed on payment of the pound or license 
fee, seventy-seven released on proof of ha\ing been 
licensed, seventy-five sold, sixty given to medical 
colleges for dissection, eighteen escaped, and eight 
died a natural death. The number of dogs 
captured in 1883 was fifteen hundred and six. 
Drowned dogs are delivered to the city scavenger. 

Unlicensed dogs are captured by means of a net 
attached to a long pole, and are then deposited in a 
covered wagon for conveyance to the pound. A 
policeman is detailed to catch the dogs, and there is 
also a driver for the wagon. The license fee for 
male dogs is one dollar, for females two dollars, and 
ten cents additional must be paid for the brass 
license-check which is required to be attached to 
the collar of all dogs. The money from licenses, 
and all moneys obtained through the dog-pound, are 
required to be paid to the city treasurer. 

The dog-pound is located at the foot of Riopelle 
Street and is in charge of a policeman. 



PART 111. 

GOVERNMENTAL, 



CHAPTER XV. 



FRENCH AND ENGLISH RULE. 



The fish of Newfoundland, the furs of New 
France, and French jealousy of Spanish achieve- 
ments, were all prime factors in the efforts made by 
France to obtain possession of this new world. 
Added to these, there were political and religious 
ambitions that knew no limit, incarnated in men 
who feared nothing and would dare everything to 
further the interests of la belle France and the 
Jesuit order. They went everywhere, and every- 
where the Lily and the Cross marked the route they 
traveled. Colonies followed in their wake, and all 
deeds done in each were spread before the king, and 
discoursed upon by his ministers. From the time 
IVL de Champlain visited the lakes, the French Gov- 
ernment claimed this region as its own. All of 
Canada, and what is now known as the Northwest, 
was variously designated as New France, Louisiana, 
or Canada. 

During French rule, no less than three kings and 
three regents exercised authority over Detroit and 
its surroundings. After the death of Henry IV„ on 
May 14. 1610. his widow, Mary de Medici, became 
regent, and continued as such until 1617, when 
Louis XIII., at the age of sixteen, assumed the 
kingship. The celebrated Cardinal Richelieu was 
appointed as his prime minister, and served until 
1642. During his sway, on July 29, 1629, Quebec 
was captured by the English, and remained in their 
possession, with Louis Kertk as governor, until the 
treaty of March 29, 1632, when it was surrendered 
to the French. Louis XIII. died May 14, 1643, and 
his widow, Anne of Austria, became regent, with 
Cardinal Mazarin as prime minister. He continued 
in office until 1661. The regency of Anne of 
Austria ended in 1651, and Louis XIV., at the age 
of fourteen, became king. He reigned until his 
death. September i, 171 5. The Duke of Orleans 
then became regent, serving until 1 723, when Louis 
XV., then only thirteen years old, was crowned 
king. During his reign, on September 8, 1760, 
Canada was surrendered by Marquis Vaudrcuil to 
General Jeffrey Amherst, and on November 29, 
1760, Detroit was given up by the French Com- 
mandant Bellestre to Major Robert Rogers. In 
1763, by the Treaty of Paris, sometimes called the 



Treaty of Versailles, it was fully surrendered, and 
George III. of England became the sovereign of 
Detroit. Four kings, therefore, have ruled this 
region. 

Under the French Government, a governor-gen- 
eral, appointed by the king, commanded at Quebec. 
Local commandants were appointed for Detroit and 
other posts with almost plenary power, but they 
were supposed to, and probably did, conform their 
authority as far as possible to French law. They 
were held responsible to the governor-general, to 
whom they reported. 

The following is a list of the French governors of 
New France : 

1603-1612, M. Chauvin, Commander de Chastes, 
and M. de Monts. 

161 2-1619, Samuel de Champlain, with Prince de 
Conde as acting governor. 

1619-1629,- .Admiral iVIontmorenci as acting gov- 
ernor. 

1633-1635, Samuel de Champlain. 

1636, M. de Chateaufort. 

1 637- 1 647, M. de Montmagny. 

1647-165 1, M. d'Aillebout. 

1651-1656, M. Jean de Lauson. 

1656-1657, M. Charles de Lauson-Charny. 

1657-1658, M. d'Aillebout. 

1658-1661, Viscount d'Argenson. 

1661-1663, Baron d'Avangour. 

1663-1665, Chevalier de Saffrey-Mesy. 

1665-1672, Chevalier de Courcelles. 

1 672- 1 682, Comte Frontenac. 

1682-1685, M. Lefebere de la Barre. 

1 685- 1 689, Marquis de Denonville. 

1 689- 1 699, Comte Frontenac. 

1 699-1 705, Chevalier de Callieres. 

1 705-1 726, Marquis de Vaudreuil. 

1 726- 1 747, Marquis de Beauharnois. 

1 747-1 749, Comte de la Galissonere. 

1749-1752, Marquis de la Jonquire. 

1752. Baron de Longueuil. acting governor 

a .short time. 

1 752-1 755, Marquis Duquesne de Mennevillc. 

1 7 55-1 760, Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de \'au- 
dreuil-Cavagnal. 



[83] 



84 



FRENCH AND ENGLISH RULE. 



After the surrender of Canada by the Marquis 
Vaudreuil to General Amherst, the following mili- 
tarv- governors were appointed ; General James 
Murray to command at Quebec, General Gage at 
Montreal, and Colonel Benton at Three Rivers. 

In 1763, by proclamation of George III., the 
boimdary of Quebec and other provinces was estab- 
lished, but no part of the territory northwest of the 
Ohio was included in any of the provinces then 
created. The same proclamation appointed General 
James Murray governor-general, and provided for 
his forming a council composed of the lieutenant- 
governors of Montreal and Three Rjvers, the chief 
justice, the inspector of customs, and eight leading 
citizens. 

On June 22, 1774, under the so-called Quebec 
Act, a civil government was first provided for the 
territory which included Detroit. By the terms of 
this .'Vet the legislative power was vested in the 
governor, lieutenant-governor or commander-in- 
chief, and a council of not less than seventeen nor 
more than twenty-three persons, to be appointed by 
the king. 

None of the governor-generals, however, exercised 
any authority over this region, except as military 
officers. As under French government, so also 
under English rule, the resident commandant e.xer- 



cised the functions of both a civil and a military 
officer, subject to the orders of the commanding 
general ; and all posts west of Detroit were gov- 
erned from this establishment. 

A law dividing the province of Quebec into the 
two general provinces of Upper and Lower Canada 
became operative on December 26, 1791, and as the 
Ottawa River was the dividing line, Michigan there- 
after formed part of Upper Canada. 

The following is a list of the English governors : 

1 760-1 763, General Jeffrey Amherst. 

1 763- 1 766, General James Murray. 

1766- , Paulius Emelius Irvine (President of 
E.xecutive Council), for 3 months. 

1766-1770, Sir Guy Carleton (Lieut.-Governor). 

1 770- 1 774, Hector T. Cramahe (President of E.x- 
ecutive Council). 

1774-1778. Sir Guy Carleton. 

1778-1784, General Frederick Haldimand (Lieut.- 
Governor). 

1784- , Henry Hamilton (Lieut.-Governor). 

1785- , Colonel Henry Hope (President of 

Coimcil). 
1 785- 1 792, Guy Carleton, as Lord Dorchester. 
1792-1796, John Graves Simcoe (Lieut.-Governor 

of Upper Canada). 



CHAPTER XVI 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



The question as to what State, by \'irtue of its 
original colonial charter, possessed this portion of 
the West has been frequently discussed. The claim 
of Virginia seems as well founded as that of any of 
the other States, and her claims were fortified by the 
fact that she was the only colonial State that ever 
attempted to exercise authority or jurisdiction in the 
Territories north and west of the Ohio. In October, 
1778, as appears by the Statutes at Large (Vol. I.X.. 
page 557). the Assembly of Virginia organized the 
territory on the west of the Ohio, adjacent to the 
Mississippi, into the county of Illinois, and appointed 
Colonel John Todd military commandant. It is also 
shown by a letter from Winthrop Sargent, addressed 
to the President on July 31, 1790, and quoted in 
American State Papers. Public Land .Series. Vol. I., 
that Todd transferred certain powers to a Mr. 
Legras, and that a court was held at Vincennes and 
various acts performed under direction of its judges. 
This would seem to be almost conclusive evidence 
of the rights of Virginia. 

Dissensions in regard to the claims of the several 
States hindered the formation of the Union ; but all 
of the States finally surrendered their claims. 

To prepare the way for the cession, a law was 
passed in October, 1780. providing that the territory 
to be ceded should be disposed of for the common 
benefit of the whole Union ; that the .States erected 
therein should be of suitable extent, not less than 
one hundred nor more than one hundred and fifty 
miles square. After the passage of this law, on 
March i, 1781, New York released her claims; 
Virginia, on March I, 1784; Massachusetts, on April 
19, 1785; and Connecticut, on September 14, 1786, 
and May 30. 1800. The particular region embrac- 
ing Detroit was ceded by Massachusetts. 

The Northwest Territory. 
On July 13, 1787, Congress passed an ordinance 
for the government of the territory of the United 
States northwest of the river Ohio. Nathan Dane, 
of Beverly, Massachusetts, founder of the Dane Law 
School of Cambridge, has been generally credited 
with the authorship of the ordinance. There is, 
however, no probability that the vital points of the 
ordinance were originated by Mr. Dane. As long 
ago as October, 1841, an article appeared in the 



North American Review containing copious extracts 
from the diary of Dr. Manasseh Cutler, in which he 
distinctly claimed the authorship, without amend- 
ment, of portions of the ordinance. As the ordi- 
nance was expressly framed in the interest of the 
land company he represented, it is presumably the 
portion excluding slavery and providing for schools 
that is attributable to him. Further evidence of his 
authorship is contained in an elaborate article in the 
same periodical for April, 1876, written by William 



N. W. TERRITORY 

By OrLlinance of 

1787, 

Treaties of I7B3 & 1795. 




Map of Territorial Boundarv. — No. i. 

F. Poole, librarian of the Public Library of Chicago. 
He shows that at the time the ordinance was framed 
the country was in debt and in great need of money; 
and that the ordinance was designed to insure the 
sale to Dr. Manasseh Cutler, agent of the Ohio Com- 
pany of .\.ssociates, of one and one half million acres 
of land in the Northwest Territory. Further, by 
the history and language of all the preceding pro- 
posed ordinances, and of the committees on them ; 
by a comparison of the language of the ordinance as 
passed, with the style of Mr. Dane and the state- 
ments of his own biographer ; by the names of the 
committee who reported the final ordinance ; by an 
analysis of the vote by which it was passed ; by a 
history of the organization in 1786- 1787 of the Ohio 



[85! 



86 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



Company of Associates ; and, finally, by direct quo- 
tations from Dr. Cutler's own memoranda, in which 
there are evidences of clear-headed business capa- 
city, and rare ability as a writer, diplomat, and cor- 
respondent, he proves that Dr. Cutler was the author 
of the language which gives character to that most 
remarkable document. 

Mr. Poole also shows that General St. Clair, then 
president of Congress, was induced to aid in the 
promotion of the scheme by the promise of being 
made governor; and that Winthrop Sargent, the 
first secretary of the Northwest Territory, was one 
of the officers of the company which founded the 
first settlement at Marietta, Ohio. 

The ordinance provided for the appointment, from 
time to time, by Congress, of a governor, whose 
commission should continue in force three years, 
unless sooner revoked. He was to reside in the 
district, and, while acting as governor, was required 
to have therein a freehold estate of one thousand 
acres of land. The secretary, whose commission 
was to continue in force for four years unless 
revoked, was also to reside in the district, and was 
required to possess five hundred acres of land while 
in office. 

By law of 1793 the United States Secretary of 
State was directed to provide a seal for the officers 
of the Territory. The seal furnished was really 
symbolic. It shows the short, thick trunk of a 
prostrate tree, evidently a buckeye, felled by a wood- 
man's axe, while near by stands an apple-tree laden 
with fruit. The buckeye is a species of the horse- 
chestnut, indigenous to and very numerous on the 
banks of the Ohio and tributary streams, and not 
found elsewhere. From this fact the tree derives 




Seal 01- NoKiHWiisT Terku 



I K-vact size.) 



its specific name, Ohioensis. The abimdance of 
these trees gave the name of Buckeye State to Ohio. 
The tree is called buckeye from the resemblance of 
the nuts to the beautiful brown eyes of the native 
deer. The presence of the buckeye tree was an 



N. W. TERRITORY 



unfailing evidence of the richest soil, yet the tree 
was worth little except for its shade. The felling of 
the useless buckeye, and the substitution of the 
fruit-tree, gives force to the motto, " Meliorem lapsa 
locavit." (The fallen has made room for a better.; 
The aptness of the seal and motto is enforced by 
the fact that Ohio orchards, almost from the first, 
have been noted for the profusion and good quality 
of their fruit. In early days most of the supply for 
Detroit came from that State. 

The first territorial officers were appointed on 
July 13, 1787. They were as follows: Arthur St. 
Clair, governor; Samuel H. Parsons, James M. 
Varnum, and John Cleve Symmes, judges ; and 
Winthrop Sargent, secretary. Governor St. Clair 
continued in office, even after the Territory of Indi- 
ana was created, and was the only governor this 
region had under the Northwest Territory. Win- 
throp Sargent was succeeded on June 28, 1798, by 
William Henry Harrison, and he in turn by Charles 
W'illing Byrd. John Rice Jones was attorney-gen- 
eral in 1800, and William Mcintosh, territorial 
treasurer in 1801. 

By law of May 7, 1800, 

the Northwest Territory 
was divided, and the Ter- 
ritoryof Indiana created; 
and on April 30, 1802, 
Congress provided that 
when the citizens of the 
region to be called Ohio 
adopted a constitution, 
conforming to certain 
conditions prescribed by 
Congress, the region in- 
cluding Detroit should be 
attached to the Territory 
of Indiana. Although a 
majority of the people of 
the Territory were op- 
posed to the holding of 
a convention, and the 
creation of the State of 
Ohio, yet a convention was called. It began at 
Chillicothe on November i, 1802, and closed Nov- 
ember 29. Notwithstanding the fact that the pro- 
posed State of Ohio embraced a portion of what 
was then Wayne County, and the population of the 
entire county was counted to make up the requisite 
number of inhabitants for a State, yet delegates from 
Wayne County were not admitted to the convention. 
Neither was the constitution which the convention 
framed submitted to vote of the people. 

The convention modified the conditions made by 
Congress, the modifications were accepted on March 
3. 1803, and the admission of Ohio was thus com- 
pleted. 




" Kentucky B. 



Map of 

Territorial Boundary. 

No. 2. 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



Half of what is now the State of Michigan, 
including Detroit, was tlius annexed to Indiana 
Territory without the wish or consent of the citi- 
zens, and in defiance of their protests. 

The Territory of Indiana. 
The oflicers of Indiana Territory, during our con- 
nection with that commonwealth, were as follows : 



INDI&NH TERRITflflY 

AprU 30. 1803. 




"SIkv of Teukitokial Boundary. — No. 3. 

governor, William Henry Harrison ; secretary, John 
Gibson (it was to him that the celebrated chief 
Logan made his noted speech in 1774); attorney- 
generals, J. R. Jones and Benjamin Park. The 




Seal of Inuian-a Terkitorv. {Exact size.) 

officials of Indiana seemed indifferent as to their 
relation to Detroit, or realized that it was only of 
a temporary character. A vote of the Territory 
on September 11, 1804, showed a majority of one 
hundred and thirty-eight in favor of a General 
Assembly, and Governor Harrison issued a procla- 
ni.ition that the Territory h.'id passed into the second 



grade of government. On Saturday, October 13. 
1804, a town-meeting was held in Detroit to petition 
the General Government for a separate territory. The 
"Annals of Congress," pages 20 and 21, show that 
on December 5, 1804, Mr. Worthington presented 
the petition of James May and others, praying that 
that part of Indiana Territory north of an east and 
west line, extending to the southern boundary of 
Lake Michigan, may be a separate territory. On 
December 6 Mr. Worthington also presented the 
petition of " The Democratic Republicans of the 
County of Wayne, in the Territory of Indiana," 
signed by their chairman, Robert Abbott, praying 
for a division of said Territory. It received the 
same reference as the previous petition of James 
May and others. 

While these proceedings were being had, an Act 
of March 26, 1804, which took effect October i, 
1804, placed under the government of Indiana all of 
the newly acquired Territory of Louisiana which lay 
north of an east and west line on the thirty-third 
degree of north latitude. For a period of three 
months Detroit was thus included in a territorial 
government which had jurisdiction over all of the 
present States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Min- 
nesota, Missouri, Arkansas, and Nebraska, nearly 
all of Kansas and Wyoming, over one third of Col- 
orado and Indian Territories, and all of Dakota, 
Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. 

The Territory of Michigan. 

On January 1 1, 1805, by a law to take effect June 
30, 1805, Congress divided Indiana Territory into 
two territories, named Indiana and Michigan. The 
latter was to include that part of Indiana Territory 
lying north of a line drawn east from the southern 
end of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie ; and on July 
2, 1805, tlie oath of office was administered at De- 
troit to the Governor and Judges. A territorial sea] 
was adopted on July 9, 1805, probably identical with 
the private seal of Governor Hull. A seal, designed 
expressly for a territorial seal, was described by 
Governor Cass, and recorded on December i, 1814. 
The motto, "Tandem fit surculus arbor" (The shoot 
at length becomes a tree), indicated that a measure 
of independence was secured by a separate territorial 
government. 

On February 16, 1818, the people of the Territon,- 
voted on the question of passing to what was known 
as the second grade of government, and, strange to 
say, the majority was against it. In April, 1816, 
Congress took a strip from the southern part of the 
Territory, and included it in the bounds of the new- 
State of Indiana. Two years later, on April 18, 
1818, Congress increased the size of the Territory by 
adding to it all of what is now the State of Wiscon- 
sin and the western half of the L'pper Peninsula. 



88 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



By Act of Congress of July i6. 1819, the Territory 
was authorized to elect a delegate to Congress. On 
March 3, 1 823, Congress transferred the government 
of the Territory from the Governor and Judges to 
the governor and a council of nine persons, to be 



MICHIGHN TERRITOBY 

Jumary lU 1605. 




Map of Territorial Boundary. — No. 4. 




Seal of thf. Terkitokv of Michigan. {Exact size.) 



selected by the President from eighteen persons 
elected by the people of the Territory. 

By Act of January 29, 1827, the people of the Ter- 
ritory were authorized to elect thirteen persons to 
constitute the legislative council. A second addition 
to the territorial limits of Michigan was made on 
June 28, 1834. All of the present States of Iowa, 
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and a large part of 
Dakota, were then included in Michigan Territory. 
On January 26, 1835, the legislative council provided 
for the election, on April 4, of eighty-nine delegates 
to a convention, to form a State constitution. The 
convention assembled at Detroit on May 11, 1835, 
and concluded its labors on June 24. 

The following delegates from \\'ayne County were 
present at the convention : Caleb Harrington. John 
McDonnell, Ammon Brown, John R. Williams, 
Theophilus E. Tallman, Alpheus White, George W. 
Ferrington, Amos Stevens, Asa H. Otis, Conrad 
Ten Eyck, Charles F. Irwin, Louis Beaufait, Wm. 
Woodbridge, Peter Van Every. John Biddle. J. D. 
Davis, and John Nor\'ell. 

The conventiT)n proposed to Congress that certain 
lands be set apart for the establishment of schools 
for the university, and for the erection of public 
buildings ; and also that the State have a certain 
number of the salt springs, and a percentage on the 
sales of all public lands lying within the State. It 
also asked that the northern boundary should be 
fi.\ed in accordance with the provisions of the ordi- 
nance of 1787 and the Act of 1805. which created 
Michigan Territory. 

The constitution, thus prepared, was adopted by 
the people at an election held the first Monday of 
October, 1835. 

The ofificers of the Territory of Michigan, so far 
as known, were as follows. The list is necessarily 
somewhat incomplete, because the records of ap- 
pointments by the governor, prior to 1814, were 
destroyed in the War of 1812: 



MICHIGftN TERRITORY 

or 

APRU,, le, 1816. 




GOVERNORS. 



M.\F OK Territorial Bou.xdarv. — No. 5. 



William Hull, March i, 1805. to October 29, 1813. 

Lewis Cass, October 29, 1813, to August 6, 183 1. 

George B. Porter, .August 6, 1831, to July 6, 1834. 

Stevens T. Mason, July 6, 1834, to September 
20, 1835. 

John S. Horner, September 20. 1835, to Novem- 
ber 2, 1835. 

secretaries. 

Stanley Griswold, March i, 1805. to March 18, 
1808. 

Reuben .Atwater, March 18, 1808, to October 15, 
1814. 

Wm. Woodbridge, October 15, 18 14, to January 
15, 1828. 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



89 



James Witherell, January 15, 1828,10 May 20, 1830. 
John T. Mason, May 20, 1830, to July 12, 1831. 
Stevens T. Mason. July 12, 1 831, to September 30, 

1835- 



MICHIG&N TERRITORY 

April 18, 1B18. 




Map of Territorial Boi'ndarv. — No. 6 

John S. Horner. September 30. 1835, to Novem- 
ber 13. 1835. 

TREASl'RERS. 

Frederick Bates, 1S05 to November 26, 1S06. 

Elijah Urush, November 26, 1S06, to December 
13, 1813. 

Robert Abbott, December 13, 1S13, to January i, 
1830. ^ 

Levi Cook, Januar)- i, 1830, to February 19, 1836. 



V MICHIGAN TERRITORY 

June 28, 1834. 




cuflwimif BBL By nun Dlivni 



Map of Territorial Boi-ndarv.— No. 7. 

auditors of plblic accolnts. 
Robert Abbott, 1809 to Febraarj- 19, 1836. 
Solomon Sibley, October 4, 18 14, to 181 7. 
George McDougall, October, 18 14, to 1817. 
Richard Smyth. December 21, 181 7. 
James McCloskey, August 8. 1817. 

ADJfTANT -GENERALS. 

James May, October 3, 1 805. to September 29, 1 806. 
George McDougall, September 29, 1806, to 
August 2, 1818. 



John R. Williams, August 2, 1818, to April 14, 
1829. 

De Garmo Jones. April 14, 1829, to October 23, 
1829. 

\V. L. Newberr)', October 23, 1829, to March 14, 
1831. 

John E. Schwartz, March 14, 1831. 

jrDGE-ADVOCATES. 

A. G. Whitney, to .September, 1823. 

B. F. H. Witherell, September, 1823, to — . 

QUARTERMASTER-GENERALS. 

James McCloskey, August 14, 18 18, to — . 

SEALERS OF LEATHER. 

Calvin Baker, August 10, 1822, to — . 
Jefferson Morris, March 7, 1834, to — . 

T/ie State of Aiichigan. 

The history of the legislation in regard to the 
boundaries of the Territory and the State of Michi- 
gan is a histor>' of alternate enlargement and con- 
traction of her possessions. The autocratic and un- 
justifiable exclusion of delegates of Wayne County 
from participation in the convention which carved 
out the State of Ohio has already been mentioned. 
In 1828 a proposition was made in Congress to 
organize a Territory by the name of Huron, and to 
make the Lake Superior region 
a part of it. On Februar>' 1 5, 
1828, a meeting of citizens of 
Detroit was held to protest 
against it, and the project failed. 
The next effort of this kind, in 
1835, was more successful, and 
is described in connection with 
the Toledo War. 

On March 18, 1836, a public 
meeting was held in Detroit to 
protest against permitting Ohio 
to possess the territor)- in dis- 
pute, which consisted of about 
four hundred and seventy square 
miles on the southern boundary 
of the State. Meantime, by Act 
of April 20, 1836, vi'hich took 
effect on July 3, 1836, the State of Wisconsin was 
created. 

All protests against the curtailing of the southern 
boundary were unavailing: and on June 15, 1836. 
Congress passed an Act admitting Michigan as a 
State, provided she would accept of boundaries 
which gave the disputed territory to Ohio. A few 
days later, on June 23, Congress passed another Act, 
accepting the proposition of the convention of 1835, 
with some modifications, which denied to Michigan 
the boundar)- she claimed. This last proposition of 



90 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



J— 

"■1 



STATE OF MICHIGAN 




Map of Tekkitoriai. Boundary. — No. 8. 

Con.i^ress occasioned much controversy, agitating 
the public mind all through 1 836. Meetings were 
held in Detroit, on September 2 and October 12, to 
oppose the yielding of the territory to Ohio, and to 
arrange for the election of county officers who would 
oppose it. Finally the legislature of Michigan Ter- 
ritory, by Act of July 20, 1836, provided for the 
election of delegates to a convention, which was to 
be assembled to settle the question. The following 
delegates from Wayne County were elected on Sep- 
tember 12: Titus Dort, D. C. McKinstry, Louis 
Beaufait, B. B. Kercheval, Amnion Brown, Eli 
Bradshaw, H. A. Noyes, and John McDonnell. The 
convention met at Ann Arbor September 26, 1836, 
and decided against accepting admission with the 
boundary as proposed by Congress. On November 1 4 
following the Democratic County Committee issued a 
circular, recommending the holding of another con- 
vention at Ann Arbor on December 14. They 
urged that the people of the State elect delegates to 
such a convention, saying that, although the vote of 
the Washtenaw County delegates defeated the ac- 
ceptance of the proposition of Congress, the people 
of that county had since then elected members of 
the Legislature who were in favor of accepting the 
terms of Congress. They further urged that speedy 
action was necessary, in order to secure to the new 
State a share of the surplus revenue that Congress 
was about to distribute, and also the percentage on 
sales of public lands in Michigan. 

Governor Mason favored the project, and the 
convention was held as proposed. The following 
persons were present, as delegates from Wayne 
County: John R. Williams, Ross Wilkins, Charles 
Moran, Marshall J. Bacon, D. Goodwin, B. F. H. 
Witherell, J. E. Schwartz, Reynold Gillett, Eli Brad- 
shaw, H. A. Noyes, Elihu Morse, Warner Tuttle, 
A. Y. Murray, James Bucklin, Josiah Mason, and 
Charles F. Irwin. 

This last convention unanimously resolved to 
accept the prescribed conditions of admission; the 
validity of its action was recognized by Congress, 
and on January 26, 1837, the State was, by a new 



Act, formally admitted as the twenty-sixth State of 
the Union. 

It thus appears that a convention, called by a 
political party as such, brought about the admission 
of Michigan as a State. A suggestive feature of 
the convention was the fact that there were no 
delegates present from Monroe County, in which 
Toledo was then located. The action of the con- 
vention that provided for the admission of Ohio in 
1802, and refused to admit delegates from Wayne 
County, was thus fully equalled. 

The people were now relieved of an anomalous 
government, neither territorial nor state. Without 
specific congressional authority, they had possessed a 
state government, with a full set of officers, for a 
period of nearly two and a quarter years before the 
State was recognized as such by Congress. Under 
the ordinance of 1787, the people of the Territory, 
however, had a right to a state government, as the 
Territory contained si.\ty thousand inhabitants. 

The citizens were exceedingly pleased at the final 
settlement of the question of admission to the 
Union; and on February 9, 1837, a great celebra- 
tion was had in honor of the event. The Brady 
Guards paraded, twenty-six guns were fired. Jefferson 
Avenue was illuminated, and bonfires flamed every- 
where. 

A State seal was adopted by the constitutional 
convention of 1835. On June 2 the president of the 
convention stated that he had received a design for 
a seal ; and on the same day Mr. Wilkins of Lena- 
wee offered the following : 

Resolved, that the president of the convention tender to Hon- 
orable Lewis-Cass the thanks of this convention, representing the 
people of Michigan, for the handsome State Seal presented by 
him to tlie forthcoming State. 

This resolution was laid on the table, and adopted 
on June 22. On the same day that the design was 
presented, on motion of Mr. Norvell of Wayne, the 
following was adopted as part of the proposed con- 
stitution : "A great seal shall be provided by the 
governor, to contain device and inscription, described 
in papers relating thereto, signed by the president of 
the convention, and deposited in the office of the 
Secretary of Territory." Concerning the mottoes 
on the seal, D. B. Duffield. in a letter to General John 
Robertson, quoted in his "Flags of Michigan," gives 
this information : He says, " When a law student 
with Major Lewis Cass, in the year 1841, we had 
some conversation on the subject, and as I now recall 
it, he then stated that * * * the late General 
Cass selected and modified the celebrated inscription 
upon the black marble slab that marks the tomb of 
Sir Christopher Wren in the crypt of St. Paul's 
Cathedral, of which he was the distinguished archi- 
tect." That inscription reads, "Si monumentum 
requiris, circumspice." (If you require a monu- 
ment, look around you.) 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



91 



In view of the distinguishing feature of the State, 
its peninsular character, General Cass modified the 
inscription as given on Wren's tomb by substituting 
" quseris peninsulam amoenam " for the words 
" monumentum requiris," so that the motto, in its 
new form, would read " If you seek a pleasant 
peninsula, look around you." Mr. Duffield had no 
facts as to why the word tuehor was used, but 
surmised that it had reference to the frontier posi- 
tion of Michigan, as a defender on the border of 
British territory. More probably it was suggested 
by the desire and determination of the people to 
hold the territory on the south, then claimed by 
Ohio. The holding of that territory occupied a 
prominent place in the discussions of the ver)' con- 
vention that adopted the seal. The description of 
the seal says that it shows a man with a gun in his 
hand. The word " man " was evidently used design- 
edly, the idea being that it was a citizen or settler, 
not a soldier, that stood ready with his gun, saying, 
"Tuebor," I defend. 




Great .Seal of the State of Michigan. {Exact sizt\) 

After fifteen years of growth, a new constituticm 
was deemed desirable; and on June 3, 1850, the 
second constitutional convention opened its session 
at Lansing. It concluded its work on August i 5. 
The following persons were delegates from Wayne 
County: H. J. Alvord, J. H. Bagg, Amnion Brown, 
Peter Desnoyers, E. E. Eaton, H. Fralick, and John 
Gibson. The new constitution was submitted to 
the peojjle, and approved on the first Tuesday of 
November. 1850, becoming operative on lanuary I, 
185 1. The chief points of difference between the 
Constitution of 1835 and that of 1850 are as follows: 
By the Constitution of 1835. all judges and all State 
officers, e.xcept the governor and lieutenant-governor, 
were appointed, and their salaries determined, by 



the Legislature. The Constitution of 1850 made 
these officers elective, and fixed their salaries. The 
original constitution pro\nded that the Legislature 
might establish courts, and appoint regents of the 
university; that of 1850 prescribed what courts 
should be established, allowing only municipal 
courts to be created by the Legislature, and pro- 
vided for the election of regents of the university. 
The Constitution of 1835 provided for annual ses- 
sions of the Legislature; that of 1850, for biennial 
sessions. The one of 1835 prohibited the passage 
of laws for general corporate organizations, and 
authorized special charters; that of 1850 prescribed 
a course directly the reverse. The first constitution 
provided that private property might be taken for 
public use by allowing just compensation, and the 
powers of boards of supervisors were quite re- 
stricted. The Constitution of 1850 made more 
stringent provision as to taking private property for 
public use, and gave larger legislative power to 
boards of supervisors. The Constitution of 1835 
said nothing about the licensing of the sale of liquor; 
that of 1850 prohibited the Legislature from author- 
izing licenses for its sale. , 

A third constitutional convention came together 
at Lansing, on May 15, 1867, and continued in ses- 
sion until August 22. The delegates from Wajaie 
County were Robert McClelland, Daniel Goodwin, 
Peter Desnoyers, Wm, A. Smith, Jonathan Shearer, 
and W. E. Warner. The result of their labors was 
disapproved by the people. 

In 1873 a constitutional commission, provided for 
by the Legislature, held sessions at Lansing, from 
August 27 to October 16, 1873. Ashley Pond and 
E. W. Meddaugh were delegates from the first dis- 
trict, which embraced Wayne County. Nearly all 
of the recommendations of the commission failed 
of adoption. 

The Constitution of 1835 provided that Detroit 
should be the capital until 1847, when the final 
location was to be determined by the Legislature. 
Lender a bill approved March 16, 1847, the capital 
was located at Lansing, and on December 25 it was 
there established. 

The name Lansing was probably given to that 
town because its first settlers came from Lansing. 
Tompkins County, N. Y., which town was named 
after John Lansing, Chancellor of the State of New 
York from 1801 to 1814. 

The State officers and their terms of office, have 
been : 

Goveruors. 





Terms 




began. 


ended. 


Stevens T. Mason 


• 1835 


1840 


William Woodbridge 


. 1840 


1 841 


J. Wright Gordon (acting) 


184I 


1842 


John S. li.irry 


. 1842 


1846 



92 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 





Terms 




Terms 




BEGAN. 


ENDED. 




BEGAN. 


ENDKD. 


Alpheus Felch 


1846 


1847 


William Jenney 


■ 1879 


1883 


William L. Oreenly (actin;^) . 


• 1847 


1848 


Harry A. Conant 


1883 




Epaphroditus Ransom 


1848 


1850 








John S. Barry 


. 1850 


1852 


State Treasurers. 




Robert McClelland . 


• .852 


1853 


Henry Howard . 


1836 


'839 


Andrew Parsons (acting) 


■ 1853 


1855 


Peter Desnoyers 


• 1839 


1840 


Kinsley S. Bingham . 


1855 


1S59 


Robert Stuart 


1840 


1841 


Moses Wisner 


• 1859 


1861 


George W. Germain 


. 1 841 


1842 


Austin Blair 


I 861 


1865 


John J. Adam 


. 1842 


1845 


Henry H. Crapo 


. 1865 


1S69 


George Redfield 


• '845 


1846 


Henry P. Baldwin 


1869 


1873 


George B. Cooper 


1846 


1850 


John J. Bagley 


• 1873 


1S77 


Bernard C. Whitemore . 


. 1850 


1855 


Charles M. Crosswell 


1877 


18S1 


Silas M. Holmes . 


1855 


1859 


D. H. Jerome 


. I88I 


1883 


John McKinney 


• '859 


1861 


J. W. Begole 


1883 




John Owen .... 


1S61 


1867 








Ebenezer 0. Grosvenor . 


. 1S67 


1871 


Lieut ntant-Girnernors. 




Victory P. Collier 


187I 


.875 


Edward Mundy 


• 1835 


1840 


William B. McCreery 


■ 1S75 


1879 


J. Wright (Gordon 


1840 


1 841 


B. D. Pritchard . 


1879 


1883 


T. J. Drake (acting) 


. I84I 


.842 


Edward H. Butler . 


. 1883 




Origen D. Richardson 


1842 


1846 








William L. Greenly 


. 1846 


1847 


. \u(iitor-Gene> 


ah. 




C. P. Bush (acting) 


1847 


1848 


Robert Abbott . 


1836 


1839 


William M. Fenton 


. 1848 


1852 


Henry Howard 


■ 1839 


1840 


Andrew Parsons 


1852 


1853 


Eurotas P. Hastings . 


1840 


1842 


G. R. Griswold 


• >853 


1855 


Alpheus Felch 


. 1842 


1842 


George A. Coe . 


■ '855 


1859 


Henry L. Whipple 


. .842 


1842 


Edmund B. Fairfield 


• 1859 


1861 


Charles G. Hammond 


. 1842 


1845 


James Birney 


1861 


1861 


John J. .\dam 


1845 


1846 


Joseph R. Williams 


. 1 861 


1862 


Digby V. Bell 


. 1846 


1848 


Henry T. Backus 


1862 


1863 


John J. Adam 


1848 


1851 


Charles S. May 


• 1863 


1865 


John Swegles, Jr. . 


. 1851 


1855 


E. O. Grosvenor . 


1865 


1867 


Whitney Jones . 


• 1855 


1859 


Dwight May 


. 1867 


1869 


Daniel L. Case 


• 1859 


1861 


Morgan Bates 


1869 


1873 


Langford G. Berry 


1861 


1863 


Henry H. Holt 


• 1873 


1877 


Emil Anneke .... 


• 1863 


1867 


Alonzo Sessions . 


1877 


1881 


William Humphrey 


1867 


1875 


M. S. Crosby 


. 1881 




Ralph Ely . ' . 


. 1875 


1879 








W. Irxing Lattimer 


1879 


1883 


Si'cretarics of 


State. 




William C. Stevens 


. 1883 




Kintzing Pritchette 


■ 1835 


1838 








Randolph Manning 


1838 


1840 


Attoruey-Gene> 


■ah. 




Thomas Rowland . 


. 1840 


1842 


Daniel LeRoy .... 


■ 1836 


1837 


Robert P. Eldridge . 


1842 


1846 


Peter Morey 


1837 


1841 


Gideon O. Whittemore . 


. 1846 


184S 


Zephaniah Piatt 


. 1841 


1843 


George W. Peck 


1848 


1S50 


Elon Farnsworth 


1S43 


1845 


George Redfield 


. 1850 


1850 


Henry N.Walker . 


• 1845 


1848 


Charles H. Taylor 


1850 


'853 


George V. N. Lothrop . 


, 1848 


1851 


William Graves 


• '853 


i8[;? 


William Hale . 


1851 


1855 


John McKinney 


1855 


I8q9 


Jacob M. Howard . 


■ 1855 


1861 


Nelson G. Isbell . 


■ 1859 


1861 


Charles Upson . 


1861 


1863 


James B. Porter 


. 1 861 


1S67 


Albert Williams . 


. 1863 


1867 


Oliver L. Spaulding 


1867 


1871 


William L. Stoughton 


1867 


1869 


Daniel Striker 


. 1871 


1875 


Dwight May .... 


. 1869 


1873 


E. G. D. Holden 


1875 


1879 


Byron D. Ball . 


1873 


1874 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. 



93 



Isaac Marston 
Andrew J. Smith 
Otto Kirchner 
J. J. Van Riper . 

Co>iiiii/ssii»u-rs of Stale Land 
Digby V. Bell 
Abiel Silver 
Porter Kibbee . 
Seymour B. Treadwell 
James \V. Sanborn 
Samuel S. Lacey 
Cyrus Hewitt 
Benjamin D, Pritchard 
Charles A. Edmonds 
Leverett A. Clapp 
Benjamin F. Partridge . 



Terms 




Terms 


BEGAN. 


ENDED. 




BEGAN. 


ENDED. 


1874 


1875 


James .\I. Neasmith . 


1879 


1883 


1875 


1877 


.Minor S. Newell 


. 1883 




1877 


1881 








I88I 




Superintendents of Pubtie 


Instruction 




Office. 




John D. Pierce 


■ 1838 


1841 


1844 


1846 


Franklin Sawyer. Jr. . 


1 841 


i«43 


1S46 


1850 


Oliver C. Comstock, Sr. 


• 1843 


.845 


1850 


1855 


Ira Mayhew 


1845 


1849 


1855 


1839 


Francis W. Shearman 


■ '849 


1855 


1859 


1861 


Ira Mayhew 


1855 


1859 


1861 


1865 


John M. Gregory . 


• '859 


1865 


1865 


1867 


Oramel Horsford 


1865 


1873 


1867 


1871 


Daniel B. Briggs 


• 1873 


1877 


1871 


1873 


Horace S. Tarbell 


1877 


1878 


1873 


1877 


Cornelius K. Gower 


. 1878 


1883 


1877 


1S79 


Herschel R. Gass 


1883 





CHAPTER XVII 



LEGISLATURES AND LAWS. 



The first Legislature under English rule was 
called by proclamation from Kingston, in the name 
of the king, on July i6, 1792. Lieutenant-governor 
Simcoe, of Canada, then defined the limits of nine- 
teen counties. Kent County included the region 
embracing Detroit, and was to have two mem- 
bers of the Legislature. In August, 1792, an elec- 
tion was held, and W'm. Macomb and Wm. Grant 
were elected as members of the first Legislature of 
Upper Canada from the county of Kent. 

The legislative session began September 17, at 
Newark, now Niagara, and closed October 15, 1792. 
The second session began at Newark on May 31, 
1793, ^"d lasted till July 9. The third session 
began June 2, 1794, and closed July 9. The fourth 
session lasted from July 6, 1795, ^^ August 10, and 
the fifth from May 16 to June 3, 1796. 

Under the Act of Congress of 1787, the Governor 
and Judges of the Northwest Territory constituted 
the Legislature. They arrived at Marietta on July 
9. 17S8, and their first enactments were dated from 
that place, and published by being nailed on a tree 
on the banks of the Muskingum. As Detroit was 
in possession of the English, none of their laws 
were in force here until after July 11, 1796. The 
laws of the Governor and Judges were issued from 
Marietta, Vincennes, and Cincinnati. This last 
named place was originally called Losantiville ; it 
was so named by Israel Ludlow, one of the original 
proprietors. As the town was opposite the mouth 
of the Licking River, he took the first letter of that 
name, the Latin word os (the mouth), the Greek 
word (?«//' (opposite I, and the French 7'///c. (a town), 
and built up the name, thus rivalling in his ingenuity 
the linguistic feats of our Judge Woodward. Cin- 
cinnati was made the seat of justice on January 2, 
1 790, and in 1 795 the Governor and Judges assembled 
there to revise their former regulations and adopt 
new laws. 

By the ordinance of 1787. as soon as there were 
five thousand free male inhabitants in the Territory, 
an assembly was to be elected, with one member for 
each five hundred free white males. When the 
number of delegates reached twenty-five, the assem- 
bly W'as to regulate the ratio of representation. 
Having ascertained that there were in the Territory 



the requisite number of male citizens, over twenty- 
one years of age. Governor St. Clair, on October 29, 
1791, issued a proclamation, directing the electors to 
choose representatives to a General Assembly, which 
he ordered to convene at Cincinnati on January 22, 
1799. Three members were allotted to Wayne 
County, and an election was held on the third Mon- 
day of December, 1799. Owing to some informality 
or fraud, another election was deemed necessary, 
and was held at Detroit, and in other parts of 
Wayne County, on January 14 and 15, 1799, result- 
ing in the election of Solomon Sibley, Jacob Visger, 
and Charles F. Chabert Joncaire. Although the 
Assembly was to have met on January' 22, 1799, its 
sessions did not begin until February 4. 

An upper house or council, as it was called, was 
created, consisting of five persons, selected by the 
President and confirmed by Congress, from persons 
nominated by the Assembly. This first council con- 
sisted of James Findlay, Jacob Burnet, Henry Van- 
derburg, DaWd Vance, and Robert Oliver. 

On the creation of the Territory of Indiana, Judge 
Vanderburg, who lived within its limits, lost his seat 
in the council ; Solomon Sibley, of Detroit, was ap- 
pointed in his place, and Jonathan Schiefflin was 
elected Sibley's successor in the Legislative As- 
sembly. The delegates from Wayne County, at the 
first session of the second Assembly, on November 
23. 1801, consisted of Charles F. Chabert Joncaire, 
George McDougall, and Jonathan Schiefflin. It is 
a curious fact, illustrating the pliant principles and 
politics of that day, that Schiefflin and Joncaire, both 
of whom served under Governor Hamilton, and 
joined with the Indians in killing and scalping the 
white inhabitants in the Territory, were afterwards 
elected to represent in the Territorial Legislature the 
very regions they had ravaged. 

As late as May, 1797, Jonathan Schiefflin had 
ofiicially declared himself an English subject, and 
affirmed that he did not intend to become an Amer- 
ican citizen. 

After the nomination of ten persons as councilmen 
by the .Assembly, it was prorogued by the governor, 
until September 16, 1799, at which time he ordered 
it to assemble at Cincinnati. When the Assembly 
convened, there was present only one member of the 



[94] 



LEt.ISLATLRES AND LAWS. 



95 



council, Jacob Burnet, and but four representatives, — 
Messrs. Goforth, McMillan, Smith, and Ludlow. 
By September 24 the rest of the members had ar- 
rived, and both houses organized, and continued in 
session till December 19, when, having finished their 
business, the go\ernor. at their request, prorogued 
the Assembly until the first Monday of the follow- 
ing November. After the closing of the session, on 
August 20, 1798, Congress passed a law remo\ing 
the seat of government from Cincinnati to Chilli- 
cothe, and on November 3, 1 800, the Assembly met 
at that place. 

On November 23, 1801, the General Assembly 
again met at Chillicothe, continuing in session until 
January 23. 1802, when it was adjourned by the 
governor, to meet at Cincinnati on the fourth Mon- 
day of the following November. The proposed re- 
moval of the seat of government did not please the 
inhabitants of Chillicothe, and some of them attacked 
the house at which the governor and Mr. Schiefflin 
were boarding. The member from Detroit pro- 
duced a brace of pistols, and the mob soon dispersed. 
Before the .Assembly again convened. Congress, by 
law of ."Xpril 30, 1802, attached what is now Michi- 
gan to Indiana Territor)'. The law, however, did 
not take full effect until certain conditions were com- 
plied with, and these were not fulfilled until March 
3, 1803. 

Under Indiana Territory, no Legislature was 
provided for until called by proclamation of Gover- 
nor Harrison. He fi.xed January' 3, 1805, as the 
time for holding an election for members of an As- 
sembly, to meet at \'incennes on February' I. The 
proclamation did not reach Wayne County in time, 
and no election was held, and no representatives 
sent. Other representatives assembled, and on 
February 7, 1805, they elected ten persons, whose 
names were to be forwarded to the President, from 
which number he was to select five to constitute the 
council. Among the ten names sent were those of 
James May and James Henry of Detroit. President 
Jefferson declined to select, as he was unacquainted 
with the persons, and left the selection to Governor 
Harrison. Meantime, by law taking effect June 30, 
1805, Michigan Territory was created. The gover- 
nor and the three judges, who were constituted the 
Legislature, met on July 4, 1 805, and organized for 
business. 

The first law passed and published by them was 
dated July 9. 1805. It described and adopted a seal 
for the Territory. The laws adopted by the Gover- 
nor and Judges, prior to May, 1806, were adopted 
as a whole at that time. Most, if not all, of them 
had been drafted by Judge Woodward, and were 
designated as "the Woodward Code." They were 
printed in Washington, and on June 18, 1807, Judge 
Woodward wrote to the Secretary- of Stale that " the 



laws of the Territory had just arrived, and that 
hitherto there had been but one copy in the Terri- 
tory, and of the Northwestern and Indiana laws 
there is not a complete copy in the Territory." 

In view of their official position, the disregard of 
the Sabbath by the Governor and Judges is especial- 
ly noticeable. On Sunday, February' 26, 1807, one 
of the judges introduced a bill, which was read three 
times and passed; other sessions were also held on 
the Sabbath. 

Many of their sessions were held in Richard 
Smyth's tavern, on Woodward Avenue, near Wood- 
bridge Street. There was constant disagreement 
and trouble between Governor Hull and Judge 
Woodward; and on all points of difference, the vote 
generally stood Hull and Bates, or Witherell, against 
Woodward and Griffin. Judge Woodward also dis- 
agreed with Stanley Griswold, the secretary of the 
Territory. On March, 17, 1808, he wrote as follows 
concerning the governor and the secretary: 

I have found it embarrassing and almost an impossible task to 
avoid the enmity of their respective adherents, according as I 
happen to be successively suspected of favoring the one or the 
other. The only mode I could adopt was to avoid, as far as prac- 
ticable, particular intercourse with both. For sixteen months past 
I have had no intercourse whatever with the secretary, and for 
about eight months none with the governor. 

Among the curiosities of the legislation of this 
period was the passage of an Act on September 14, 
1 8 10, "To regulate the internal government and 
police of the several districts of the Territory of 
Michigan." It provided for the election of five 
selectmen, or councilors, in each district, with power 
"to provide for the support of the poor, for the 
maintenance and repair of roads and bridges, and, 
generally, for the internal government and police of 
the district, for the education of youth, and for these 
and other purposes shall levy and collect rates and 
ta.\es." Under this Act, Richard Smyth, Gabriel 
Godfroy, .Sr.. Peter Desnoyers, Augustus B. Wood- 
ward, and James McCloskey were elected for the 
district of Detroit, on October 8, 181 1, and in 181 2 
the same persons were serving, e.xcept that H. J. 
Hunt had taken the place of A. B. Woodward. 

The Governor and Judges seemed to have a 
morbid fear that some of the old English laws 
would remain in force, and therefore, at inten'als of 
ever>' few years, a new Act was passed, abolishing, 
either specifically or generally, all .Acts of the English 
Parliament. An .4ct of February- 21, 1821 (page 
800, section 12, of Volume I. of Territorial Laws), 
repeals "so much of any law, or supposed law, as 
might operate to require four knights girt with 
swords to be on the jury for the trial of the issue, 
joined in an action of right, be, and the same is 
abolished, abrogated, and repealed." .<\n .Act of 
May II, 1820 (page 586, \'olunie I.), abolished trial 
by battle, and this was again specifically abolished 



96 



LEGISLATURES AND LAWS. 



by law of Februar)' 21, 1821 (page 802). As late as 
April 12, 1827, a law gravely provided that "the 
benefit of clergy shall be, and the same is hereby 
abolished." The term "clergy," originally limited 
to ecclesiastics, had long been construed to mean 
any person who could read, and all such, at one 
time, were exempt from capital punishment. Be- 
tween 1820 and 1824, a few laws were adopted, and 
printed in pamphlet form. 

The following judges, with the governor, or the 
secretary of the Territory as acting governor, consti- 
tuted the Legislature: 1805 to November, 1806, A. 
B. Woodward, F. Bates, John Griffin; November, 
1806, to October, 1808, A. B. Woodward, John 
Griffin; October, 1808, to June 7, 1824, A. B. Wood- 
ward, John Griffin, James Witherell. The following 
persons acted as secretaries to the governor and 
judges in their legislative capacity: 1805 to 1807, 
Peter Audrain; 1807 to 1 817, Joseph Watson; 1817 
John Stockton; 1818 to 1823, A. G. Whitney; 1823 
to 1825, E. A. Brush. 

Many of the doings of the Governor and Judges 
were so utterly devoid of justice and such a mock- 
ery of government that the inhabitants, almost en 
masse, were enraged and disgusted. There is 
abundant evidence that the picture of their mis- 
doings could scarcely be overdrawn. So intolerable 
did their action become that John Gentle, in 1807, 
published in The Philadelphia Aurora and Pittsburgh 
Gazette a series of articles detailing the grievances 
of the people in language that was far from being of 
the tenor the author's name might indicate. 

These articles criticized not only the doings of the 
Governor and Judges as legislators, but also their 
court proceedings and their actions as a Land Board ; 
and intimated that they were controlling for their 
own pecuniary advantage the lots in the city 
and the Ten-Thousand-Aere Tract, and that the 
Detroit Bank was a scheme designed to further the 
same object. Governor Hull and Judge Woodward 
especially were charged with intrigue, deception, and 
untruth; and the charges were apparently proven. 
It was believed by many of the people that Hull was 
in league with .A.aron Burr, and that his design was 
to impoverish the people and drive them out of the 
Territory, that his plans might be more easily carried 
out; some even affected to believe, or did believe, 
that the burning of the town the day before the 
arrival of the Governor and Judges was a part of 
their conspiracy. 

It was claimed in the articles of i\Ir. Gentle, and 
also in other published articles, that Governor Hull 
fabricated stories of Indian attacks and excited false 
alarms, in order to divert the thoughts of the people 
from his wrong-doing. 

It does not appear that Governor Hull made any 
published reply to the articles of Mr. Gentle ; he cer- 



tainly did not in the paper which contained the 
charges. In 1808 Judge Woodward replied in a 
series of articles published also in the Pittsburgh 
Commonwealth. His defence consisted chiefly in 
attributing the articles to spite, caused by the rejec- 
tion of the author's claim for a donation lot, and in 
denying that he was in any way interested in lands. 
The records, however, show that, if not then inter- 
ested, he soon after became an extensive owner of 
real estate in this region ; and though a desire for 
retaliation may have incited the articles of Gentle, 
their truthfulness, at least in the main, must be con- 
ceded. Judge Woodward made no attempt to 
defend Governor Hull; on the contrary, he intimated 
strongly that the governor was interested in the 
Detroit Bank, as a matter of speculation, and conceded 
that he had been precipitate in erecting fortifications 
and stockades. 

The charges of Mr. Gentle seem more than half 
proven by the lame defence of Judge Woodward, 
and by his testimony in regard to Governor Hull. 
In so far as Woodward was concerned, the articles 
in the Detroit Gazette of October and November, 
1822, many of them written by James D. Doty, 
afterwards Governor of Wisconsin, show that Wood- 
ward's conduct was so unexampled, so extravagantly 
illegal, that any one in official position, who, having 
the power to prevent or expose his action, neglected 
to do so. must have been either in sympathy with 
him or cowardly in the extreme. 

At the time Mr. Gentle published his articles, 
there was no paper issued in Detroit. (lentle says 
he published a portion of one of the articles in 
Detroit. John L. Talbot, in his sketch of early times, 
written nearly forty years ago, says this was done by 
writing each article, which was then " hung out dur- 
ing the day from the houses, guarded by arms, and 
taken in at night." 

The fact that they were resisted and defied in De- 
troit greatly exasperated the (lovernor and Judges. 
Mr. Gentle was attacked in his own house by some 
of their friends, but was protected by Mr. Campau. 
It is stated in the Gazette for November i, 1823, 
that he was indicted for libel. " When arraigned, 
he plead that he was guilty of the writing and pub- 
lishing, and offered to prove the truth of every fact 
stated." In those days, however, the truth of a libel 
could not be given in evidence, and he was found 
guilty. The majority of the people, however, did 
not approve of the verdict. 

One of his articles says : 

\ meeting of the citizens of Detroit was again called to draft a 
memorial to the general government, praying for redress of our 
grie\'ances. E. B. and G. McD., who still remained neuter, now 
came forward (or rather were sent forward by the governor), and 
declared in favor of the people, and by the force of their eloquence 
chan,ged the intention of the meeting into a resolve that a com- 
mittee be chosen to draft an impeachment against Judges Wood- 
ward and Bates, and they had the address to have themselves 



LEGISLATURES AND LAWS. 



97 



chosen on the committee, along with James Abbott, J. Harvey, 
and H. R. Martin. The committee sitt at Mr. U.'s, and labored 
several days, framing the impeachment. .\ll on a sudden, Mr. li. 
was appointed by the governor treasurer of the Territory, in place 
of Judge Bates, and U. McIJ. was appointed clerk of the district 
court. Progress of the impeachment was then by degrees rela.\ed, 
till at last it was totally abandoned. 

A memorial, signed by about four hundred inhabi- 
tants, dated September i, 1808, was, however, sent 
to the President, praying for the removal of Hull 
and Woodward, but it was unheeded. 

The Governor and Judges were empowered, by 
the Act appointing them, to "adopt" such of the 
laws of the original thirteen States as they deemed 
best suited to the needs of the Territory. That 
they violated both the letter and the spirit of the 
ordinance of 1787 is abundantly evident. Instead 
of merely adopting laws from some of the original 
States, they would take the title of the Act from 
laws of one State and parts of .\cts from laws of 
different States, and this so frequently that the 
origin of a territorial law could not be traced. The 
following statement may be taken as almost literally 
true. They would " parade the laws of the original 
States before them on the table, and cull letters from 
the laws of Maryland; syllables from the laws of 
Virginia, words from the laws of New York, sen- 
tences from the laws of Pennsylvania, verses from 
the laws of Kentucky, and chapters from the laws 
of Connecticut." ."Xnd many times they did not 
trouble themselves to make selections from laws of 
the original States, but used any that they could 
•find. After a full and candid e.xamination of the 
whole subject, I have no doubt that even the follow- 
ing statement of Mr. Gentle was true : 

Several attempts were made about this time, December, 1806, by 
the Governor and Judges to revive and introduce, for the well- 
being and good govemraenC of this Territory, that famous code of 
ancient and provincial laws, by the New England folks, commonly 
distinguished by the appellation of the Blue Laws of Connecticut. 

The governor first presented his version to the Legislature, and 
after the usual routine of disputation, it was rejected by his asso- 
ciates, we suppose, for its tyrannical and destructive tendency. 
But we were, as usual, egregiously mistaken ; for the day following 
Judge Woodward displayed a second edition, enlarged and im- 
proved, which covered the surface of several sheets of paper, 
exhibiting, at one view, the most refined system of barbarity meth- 
odized that was ever proposed, even by the ringleader of a den of 
thieves for the government of banditti. The transmigration into 
this Territory of the aforesaid Blue Laws of Connecticut, revised, 
enlarged, and improved, "as far as necessary, and suitable to the 
circumstances of Michigan," excited serious alarm. We went 
forward in great numbers to the legislative board, and manifested 
our disapprobation and abhorrence of this diabolical system of 
subordination by horrid grins and dismal smiles, expressive, 
although symbolically, of our aversion to, and disbelief in, the 
doctrine of non-resistance and passive obedience. Finding, by 
the reports of their spies, that the sentiments entertained by the 
people out of doors coincided with the grimaces of those within 
doors, the Governor and Judges deemed it expedient to postpone 
the adoption of the Blue Laws until a more convenient seas(m. 

They made laws themselves, and frequently passed 



them without deliberation. A single judge would 
draw up a law, and then carry it around to the lodg- 
ings of the other judges to be there signed. The 
governor, on one occasion, undertook to sign a law, 
and publish it, without the requisite majority of the 
board. The judges pronounced this a violation of 
the law, and a contest arose. The governor issued 
an inflammatory proclamation, calling the military 
to his aid ; the judges declared his action calumnious, 
denounced him for calling for aid from the military 
authorities, and decided that if they granted the 
mandamus, requested by the law in question, they 
would subvert their own decisions. This ended the 
matter, and the dignity of the court was finally sus- 
tained. The judges often submerged their dignity 
and reversed their own decisions, but they had no 
idea of allowing others to do it for them. 

Though the Governor and Judges observed no 
regular place or time of meeting for official duties, 
the time for refreshments was duly observed, as the 
following authentic copy of a bill against the Terri- 
tor)' clearly shows : 

October 28, 1806. 
Territory of Mighig^vn. 

To James May, Dr. 
Six bottles of cider Sept. g, for use of Legislature, . . is . . 6s 
Six black bottles " " " " is 6d . . 9s 

Three pint tumblers, double flint cut, "... los ^i los 

Six bottles cyder September 13, for use of " . . . 6s 

During the winter of 1808-1S09, while Judge 
Woodward was absent at Washington, under the 
supervision of Judge Witherell many radical changes 
were made in the laws, forty-four new Acts were 
passed, and what was called the Witherell Code, 
took the place of the Woodward Code. When 
Judge Woodward returned, he refused to recognize 
the legality of the Acts passed in his absence, assert- 
ing that they were not properly attested, and the 
business of the courts was greatly deranged. In 
connection with this difficulty, on .August 24, 1810. 
Judge Witherell introduced the following preamble 
and resolution : 

WhereaSy by the most extraordinary and unwarrantable stretch 
of power ever attempted to be exercised by the Judiciary over the 
Legislature and a free government, two of the judges of the 
Supreme Court of this Territory, at the September term of said 
Court in 1809, did declare and decide on the bench of said court, 
in their judicial capacity, that the laws adopted and published the 
preceding winter, by the Governor and two of the Judges of said 
Territory, were unconstitutional, and not binding on the people of 
the said Territory, under the frivolous pretext that they were 
signed only by the Governor as presiding officer ; and whereas, by 
the said declaration and decision of the said judges, the peace and 
happiness, the rights and interests, of the good people of this 
Territory have been and are still very much disturbed and put in 
jeopardy ; and whereas the good people of this Territory, after 
nearly one year and a half acquaintance with the said laws, have 
manifested strong wishes that the same, with a few exceptions, 
should be continued in operation in the said Territory, in order to 
effect wliich and remove all doubt on the subject, 

Resoh'ed^ that the Governor and Judges, or a majonty of them, 
do proceed immediately to sign said laws. 



98 



LEGISLATURES AND LAWS. 



This resolution was considered and rejected ; and 
for nearly a year there ensued alternate victory and 
defeat for both parties. Finally Judge Witherell 
triumphed, at least in part ; and many of the laws 
in question are embraced in the reprint of the terri- 
torial laws. It should be mentioned here that the 
severest criticisms were applied to the doings of the 
legislative board before Judge Witherell was ap- 
pointed. In 1816, during the administration of 
Governor Cass, some entire laws, and portions of 
others, were collected, and printed at Detroit in one 
volume, and this was designated as the Cass 
Code. In 1820 they were again collected, and 
those printed at that time are known as the Code 
of 1820." 

In the winter of 1819, and until November 27, 
1820, Judge Woodward absented himself entirely 
from the legislative board. Judge Griffin took no 
interest in the revision of the laws and drew up but 
one statute. He is quoted as having said that the 
others made a mere drudge of him. The eccen- 
tricities of Judge Woodward became at length ut- 
terly unbearable. The people were weary of being 
governed by four men, none of whom were chosen 
by themselves. P'rom being restive they became 
determined. On March 11, 1822, a meeting was 
held at the Council House to petition Congress " to 
separate the judicial from the legislative power, and 
to vest the latter in a certain number of our citi- 
zens." A petition was duly drawn up and for- 
warded, setting forth the fact that Congress had 
failed to correct or review the acts of the Governor 
and Judges, except in the single instance of the Act 
incorporating the Bank of Detroit and praying them 
to take action in behalf of the people. On October 
26, 1822, a numerously signed call brought the citi- 
zens together in the Council House, and again a 
committee was appointed to draw up a petition to 
Congress. The names of the committee were, John 
Biddle, A. E. Wing, John L. Leib, James .McClos- 
key, A. G. Whitney, Shubael Conant, Richard 
Smyth, John S. Roby, David C. McKinstry, Louis 
Dequindre, Calvin Baker, John Meldrum, John P. 
Sheldon, Ebenezer Reed. 

In January, 1823, they sent to the Judiciary Com- 
mittee of Congress what was called a " statement of 
facts," giving reasons why a change in the go\'ern- 
ment of the Territory was necessar\-. Their state- 
ment, printed in the Detroit Gazette for January 24, 
1823, says : 

The legislative board do not meet to do business at the time 
fi.\ed by their own statutes for that purpose, and they have no 
known place of meetini; ; and when they do meet, no public notice 
of the lime or place is priven ; and when that can be ascertained by 
inqiriry, they are found sometimes at private rooms or offices, 
where none have a right, and few except those immediately inter- 
ested in the passage of the laws have the assurance to intrude 
themselves, or can find room or seats if they should. Laws 



are frequently passed and others repealed, which take effect 
from the date, and vitally affect the rights of the citizens, and 
are not promulgated or made known to the community for many 
months. 

This statement of facts was effective, and on 
March 3, 1823. Congress enacted that the govern- 
ment of the Territory be transferred to the governor 
and a council. The people were to elect eighteen 
persons, from whom the President was to select 
nine, who should, on confirmation of the Senate, 
constitute the Council of the Territory. The mail 
which arrived at Detroit at noon on Thursday, 
March 27, 1823, brought the news of the passage of 
this law. Colonel Smyth, of the Sagina Hotel, was 
at once requested by several citizens to prepare a 
supper. At sunset Captain Woodworth's companv 
fired a federal salute, with an extra gun or two for 
Michigan; and at eight o'clock there was music and 
firing of guns and crackers. Supper was serx^ed 
soon after. Governor Cass presiding. 

On June 7, 1824, the first territorial council was 
held in Detroit. One of the sessions was opened 
with prayer by Rev. Father Richard, the Catholic 
priest, who prayed that " the legislators may make 
laws for the people, and not for themselves," — a 
prayer that might be appropriately made at every 
session of a legislative fjody. By Act of February 
5, 1825, provision was made for increasing the size 
of the council by the election of twenty-six persons, 
from whom the President was to select thirteen, to 
constitute the council. 

By Act of April 12, 1825, Wayne County was" 
made the first district, and was to elect eight of the 
twenty-six persons whose names were to be for- 
warded to the President. By Act, approved Jan- 
uary 29, 1827, the people were authorized to elect 
thirteen persons, who should constitute the council, 
without requiring the approval or confirmation of 
the President. The passage of this Act caused 
much rejoicing. 

The members of the legislative council from 
Wayne County were as follows : First Legislative 
Council, June 7, 1824, Abram Edwards. Second 
Legislative Council, November 2, 1826, Abram 
Edwards, Henry Connor, Robert A. Forsyth. 
Third Legislative Council, May 5, 1828, Henry 
Connor, William Brown, Abram Edwards, John 
McDonnell. Fourth Legislative Council, May 11, 
1830, William Brown, William Bartow, John Mc- 
Donnell, William A. Fletcher. Fifth Legislative 
Council, May i, 1832, John McDonnell, Joseph W. 
Torrey, Charles Moran. Sixth Legislative Council, 
January 7, 1834, Charies Moran, John McDonnell, 
Elon Farnsworth. 

A second session of the sixth legislative council 
was held at Detroit, lasting from .August 17 to 25, 
1835. They passed an Act pro\iding for the elec- 



LEGISLATURES AND LAWS. 



99 



tion of a delegate to Congress, together with numer- 
ous other Acts. 

What is sometimes designated as the seventh 
legislative council was held at Green Bay from Jan- 
uary 6 to 13, 1S36. It was called by proclamation 
of John S. Horner, acting governor, in order to peti- 
tion Congress to provide for the organization of the 
Territory of Wisconsin. A memorial was also 
adopted to be presented to Congress for an appro- 
priation to secure the improvement of the Fox and 
Wisconsin rivers. Only three counties, in what 
was afterwards Wisconsin, were represented in the 
council, viz.. Brown, Milwaukee, and Crawford. 
The Territory now known as Iowa was also repre- 
sented. Governor Horner not being present. Colonel 
W. S. Hamilton was chosen president. A. G. Ellis 
was secretary. 

In 1824 the legi.slative board published a compila- 
tion of the laws then in force. Most of the copies 
of these early laws have disappeared, and a com- 
plete set of all the laws cannot now be found. 

In 1833 the laws were again condensed, arranged, 
and published by the legislative council. On March 
8, 1836. William A. Fletcher was appointed to pre- 
pare a code of laws for the State. He was after- 
wards appointed chief justice, and Messrs. E. B 
Harrington and E. Y. Roberts were appointed by 
the governor to complete the work. At an extra 
session of the Legislature the re\isions were accept- 
ed, and became the law of the State in September, 
1838. In 1846, by authority of the Legislature, 
Judge Sanford M. Green prepared a revision of the 
laws, which is known as the " Revised Statutes of 
1846." In 1857 Thomas M. Cooley prepared a 
compilation in two volumes, which is designated as 
the "Compiled Laws of 1857." In 1871 Judge 
James S. Dewey, by authority of the Legislature, 
prepared a similar compilation, which was published 
in two volumes, under the title of " Compiled Laws 
of 1871." By law of May 4, 1883, a compilation 
prepared by Judge Andrew Howell, of Adrian, was 
authorized to be received as e\idence, and the pur- 
chase of nine thousand copies, at five dollars each, 
was ordered. 

The laws of each session are published at Lan- 
sing, and since 1 87 1 they have been somewhat 
systematized when published, by issuing the private 
and local laws in one volume and the general laws 
in another. Copies of all the laws are sent to the 
county clerk, who furnishes them free of charge to 
all judges and justices, regents of the university, 
county officers, to the supervisor and town clerk of 
each township, and also to the city clerk. In 1871 
and 1 874 copies of such territorial laws as could be 
obtained were published by the State, in three 
volumes. The compilation, however, is incomplete, 
in that it omits all the laws passed at the second 



session of the. sixth legislative council. A list of 
early laws, known to be missing, is given in one 
of the volumes ; since then a number of them have 
been found. 

Under a provision of the Constitution of 1835, 
and anticipating admission as a State, one regular 
and one extra session of the Legislature was held 
in 1835 and 1836, before the State was formally 
admitted to the Union. The first regular State 
Legislature began its session January 2, 1837. 
Annual sessions were held up to 1851, since which 
time, in accordance with the Constitution of 1850, 
regular sessions have been held every two years. 

The last regular session in Detroit closed on 
March 17, 1847. The sessions since then have been 
held at Lansing, which city, after that year, became 
the State capital. Up to 1883 nine extra sessions 
had been held, the occasions for them and their 
dates being as follows: In 1851, to provide for 
paying the indebtedness of the State and for a new 
legislative and congressional apportionment, also to 
provide for elections and other matters made neces- 
sary by the new constitution. In 1858, to redistrict 
the .State for circuit courts, and to provide for paying 
State bonds. In 1861, to provide men and means 
for the war then in progress, and to furnish relief 
for families of volunteers. In 1862, to consider the 
question of assuming a portion of the direct tax 
proposed to be levied by the United States, and to 
provide for enrolling the militia. In 1864, to provide 
for filling the State quota of troops, to provide a 
State bounty, and to arrange for receiving the votes 
of soldiers in the field. In 1870, to provide for 
submitting an amendment to the constitution, 
authorizing payment, by counties, of bonds voted by 
them in aid of proposed railroads. In 1872, to make 
new apportionments for representatives to Congress, 
and provide for investigation of the State land office. 
In 1874, to provide for extending time of completion 
of railroad from iSIackinaw to Marquette, and to 
make provision for submitting the question of woman 
suffrage at a State election. In 1882, to make a new 
congressional apportionment, provide a new tax law, 
and to aid sufferers by fires in Eastern Michigan. 

By Constitution of 1835, the State House of 
Representatives was to consist of not less than 
forty-eight nor more than one hundred members. 
The Senate was to number, as near as possible, one 
third as many members as the House. Under Con- 
stitution of 1850, the House was to consist of not 
less than sixty-four nor more than one hundred, 
and the Senate was to have thirty-two members. 

By an amendment to the constitution, adopted 
November 8, 1874, the House of Representatives 
may consist of not less than sixty-four nor more 
than one hundred persons. No township or city may 
be divideii to form representative districts : but all. 



lOO 



LEGISLATURES AND LAWS. 



from each city, are to be elected on a general ticket. 
Counties entitled to more than one representative, 
are to be divided for election purposes, by the Board 
of .Supervisors. 

Wayne County has always been in the first sena- 
torial district of the State. The convention of 1835 
provided that it alone should constitute the first dis- 
trict, with three senators. By law of April 3, 1 838, 
the first district was to have but two senators. By 
law of April 12, 1841, Wayne, Macomb, St. Clair, 
Sanilac, and Huron Counties were constituted the 
first senatorial district. 

By Act of March 10, 1846, the first district was 
composed of Wayne, Macomb, and St. Clair Coun- 
ties. An Act of June 27, 1851, provided that 
Wayne County should be divided into several dis- 
tricts, as follows : 

First District: Third, 'Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh 
Wards, Hamtramck and Grosse Pointe. 

Second District : First, Second, Fifth and Eighth 
Wards, Springwells, Greenfield, Ecorce, and Mon- 
guagon. 

Third District: Brownstown, Huron, Sumpter, 
Taylor, Romulus, Van Buren, Canton, Plymouth, 
Livonia, Nankin, Dearborn, and Redford. 

By Act of F"ebruary 13, 1855, Wayne County was 
divided as follows: 

First District : Third, Fourth, and Seventh Wards, 
Hamtramck, and Grosse Pointe. 

Second District : Second, Fifth, and Sixth Wards. 

Third District : First and Eighth Wards, Green- 
field, Springwells, Ecorce, and Monguagon. 

Fourth District: Plymouth, Livonia, Redford, 
Dearborn, Nankin, Canton, Van Buren, Romulus, 
Taylor, Brownstown, Huron, and Sumpter. 

By Acts of March 15, 1861, and May i, 1875, the 
districts in Wayne County were as follows : 

First District : Second, Third, Fourth, Seventh, 
and Tenth Wards, Greenfield, Hamtramck, and 
Grosse Pointe. 

Second District: First, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and 
Ninth Wards. 

Third District : All towns except the three above 
named. 

The names of State senators from Wayne County 
in various years have been as follows : 

1835-1837, John McDonnell, Conrad Ten Eyck, 
Jonathan D. Davis. 

1838-1839, B. B. Kercheval, Wm. Woodbridge, 
John McDonnell. 

1840-1841, De Garmo Jones, B. F. H. Witherell. 

1842, Jonathan Shearer, Lyman Granger. 

1843- 1844. Jonathan Shearer. 

1 845 -1 846, William Hale. 

1847, A. T. McReynolds, John E. Schwartz. 

1848, John E. Schwartz, Geo. R. Griswold. 

1849, Geo. R. Griswold, Titus Dort. 



1850-1851, A. Harvey, Titus Dort. 

1S53. G. R. Griswold, A. H. .Stowell, H. Fralick. 

1855, B. Wight, G. Jerome, N. Ladd. 

1857, A. H. Redfield, Geo. Jerome. H. Ledyard, 
J. L. Near. 

1859, A. Dudgeon, H. Barns, T. F. Brodhead, 
W. E. Warner. 

1861, William Adair, H. P. Baldwin, H. T. 
Backus, J. L. Near. 

1863, Wm. Adair, W. C. Duncan, W. E. Warner. 

1865, Wm. Adair, Joseph Godfrey, Adam Minnis. 

1867, Paul Gies, Alanson Sheley, Oliver C. Abell. 

1869, Wm. Adair, Lorenzo M. Mason, Elliot T. 
Slocum. 

1 87 1, James W. Romeyn, Alanson Sheley, Robt. 
D. Briggs. 

1873, W. B. Wesson, D. M. Richardson, W. C. 
Sutton. 

1875, Wm. Adair, John Greusel, James I. David. 

1877, Wm. Adair, Thos. H. Hinchman, Matthew 
Markey. 

1879. J. D. Weir, T. W. Palmer, W. W. Duffield. 

1 88 1 . James Caplis, John Greusel, Thos. Morrison. 

1883, James W. Romeyn, John Greusel, James 
Hueston. 

The convention of 1835 provided that Wayne 
County should have eight representatives. Subse- 
quent apportionments have given it the following 
number of representatives: Act of 1838, seven. 
Acts of 1 84 1 and 1846, six. Act of 1851, seven. 
Acts of 1855, 1861, and 1871, nine. Act of 1875, 
ten. 

The names of representatives have been as fol- 
lows : 

1835-1836, Peter Van Ever\-, Chas. W. Whip- 
ple, Jonathan P. Foy, Ammon Brown, H. A. Noyes, 
Geo. W. Ferrington, John Strong, Elias Bradshaw. 

1837, Chas. W. Whipple, Wm. IMunger, Job 
Smith, John Martin, Ammon Brown, N. P. Thayer, 
Caleb Herrington, Geo. W. Ferrington. 

1838, A. W. Buel, Louis Beaufait, Levi Cook, L. 
Goodman, J. M. Howard, Joshua Howard, Chas. 
Moran, Theodore Williams. 

1839, Louis Beaufait, J. L. Near, A. Mack, Harry 
Saunders, Ebenezer Eaton, T. F. Sheldon, Titus 
Dort. 

1840, Chas. Moran, Joshua Howard, D. E. Har- 
baugh, A. T. McReynolds, H. T. Backus, Wm. S. 
Gregory, John Forbes. 

1841, John Biddle, A. T. Mather, F. A. Harding, 
Roswell Root, Eurotas Morton, L. E. Dolsen, Shad- 
rach Gillett. 

1842, Titus Dort, James Gunning, Thos. Lewis, 
John Norvell, John Scott, B. F. H. Witherell. 

1843, Geo. A. O'Keefe, D. H. Rowland, J. C. 
Vaughan, Peter Godfrey, A. Y. Murray. Daniel 
Goodell. 



LEGISLATURES AND LAWS. 



lOI 



1844, John V. Reuhle. Jr., H. N. Walker, John 
Blindbur)', Harr)- Saunders, Elijah Hawley, Jr., 
David H. Rowland. 

1845, -Andrew Har\'ey, Wm. O. Rose, John E. 
Schwartz, Arch. Y. Murray, Wni. Munger, N. W. 
PuUen. 

1846, G. E. Hand, George Moran, Conrad Ten 
Eyck, Elijah Hawley. Jr.. "SI. E. Ames, Thos. 
Lewis. 

1847, Edward C. Eaton, Geo. W. Ferrington, 
Henry Fralick, James Mcp'arlan, Geo. W. Moore, 
Geo. B. Throop. 

1848, Jed. P. C. Emmons, Cyrus Howard, Bethuel 
Noyes, Hiram H. Stone, Abram P. Young, A. W. 
Buel. 

1849, Wm. F. Chittenden, Orrin Da\-id, E. Haw- 
ley, Jr., George Moran, Amos Stevens. \\'arren 
Tutlle. 

1S50, H. D. Carpenter, Jonathan Hudson. David 
Sackett, Bethuel Xoyes, Asa H. Otis, Hiram Mills- 
paugh. 

1851, B. F. Hyde, Jonathan Shearer, Levi Eaton, 
Alfred B. Gulley, Jared Se.xton, George Martin. 

1853, First District: Wm. F. Chittenden, J. Q. 
Callaghan, John Reno. Second District : W. W. 
Irwin. Third District : Thos. P. Matthews. Fourth 
District: W. H. Gregory-. Fifth District: W. E. 
Warner. 

1855, First District: H. H. Wells, Pliny Power, 
Asa P. Moorman. Second District : F. C. St. 
Aubin. Third District : Chas. Noble. Fourth 
District: W. H. Gregory. Fifth District: Arthur 
Edwards. 

1857, First District: Sheldon McKnight, C. 
O'Flynn, M. A. Chase, E. Kanter, J. M. Davis. 
Second District: S. Ludlow. Third District : A. B. 
Gulley. Fourth District ; W. H. Gregory. Fifth 
District : Wm. Munger. 

1859, First District : A. W. Buel, T.J. Campau, 
D. P. Bushnell, John McDermott, Paul Gies. 
Second District : R. H. Connor. Third District : 
J. B. Wallace. Fourth District : Geo. A. Stark- 
weather. Fifth District : J. I. David. 

1861, First District: J. F. Joy, J. G. Peterson, 
Wm. Phelps, T. W. Lockwood. Wm. Chapoton. 
Second District : John Strong. Third District : 
J. S. Tibbits. Fourth District : A. J. Leetch. Fifth 
District : Ira Da\Hs. 

1863, First Di.strict: T. W. Lockwood, A. Chapo- 
ton, L. M. Mason, S. G. Wight, Wm. Warner. 
Second District : H. W. Deare. Third District : 



Alex. Tinham. Fourth District : B. Hodgkinson. 
Fifth District: R. E. Clark. 

1S65, First District: Wm. S. Bond. J. Logan 
Chipman, Paul Gies, Richard Hawley, Wm. P. 
Wells. Second District: Benjamin May. Third 
District : Titus Dort. Fourth District : John M. 
Swift. Fifth District : Moses R. Nowland. 

1867, First District ; Edward C. Walker, Thos. D. 
Hawley, Thos. R. Spence, Jefferson Wiley, Wm. 
Warner. Second District: Chas. B. Chauvin. 
Third District : C. C. Smith. Fourth District : 
Geo. W. Swift. Fifth District: Jared A. Sexton. 

1869, First District: J. W. Romeyn, C. N. Rio- 
pelle, P. Klein, W. Purcell, T. W. Harris. Second 
District : Peter Ternes. Third District : R. V. 
Briggs. Fourth District : Geo. W. Swift. Fifth 
District : James -Stewart. 

1871, First District: Lyman Cochrane, W. C. 
Hoyt, J. Greusel, J. Gibson, James McGonegal. 
Second District : L. Dalton. Third District : B. 
Pierson. Fourth District : O. R. Pattengil. Fifth 
District : P. D. Peari. 

1873, First District: J. Greusel, J. Burns, H. D. 
Edwards, J. Caplis, J. J. Speed. Second District : 
M. Markey. Third District: O. O. Pierce. Fourth 
District : Winfield Scott. Fifth Di-strict : Henry 
Gordon. 

1875, First District : Cleveland Hunt, James Daly, 
Wm. Livingston, Jr.. James Craig, Peter Klein. 
Second District : Michael Greiner. Third District : 
H. N. Ocobock. Fourth District : D. B. Northrop. 
Fifth District : Cady Neff. 

1S77, First District : R. Hawley, F. A. Baker, 
P. McGinnis, E. F. Conelj-, Stephen Martin, Louis 
Dillman, ■ Paul Gies. .Second District : Geo. W. 
Crandall. Third District : MyTon Coon. Fourth 
District : Thos Morrison. 

1879, First District: A. Goebel, J. C. Donnelly, 
F. A. Noah, Geo. H. Hopkins, J. E. Girardin, J. 
Kuhn, Geo. W^. Moore. Second District : F. W. A. 
Kurth. Third District: E. W. Cottrell. Fourth 
District : Jo.seph Waltz. 

1 88 1, First District: Geo. H. Hopkins, Geo. B. 
Remick, .\dam E. Bloom. Robert E. Bolger, M. V. 
Borgman, Chas. Ewers, Henr)- Klei. Second Dis- 
trict: C. B. Hubbard, Third District: E. W. 
Cottrell. Fourth District : A. P. Young. 

1883, First District: Geo. H. Hopkins, Robert E. 
Bolger, Conrad Bittinger, W. H. Coots, L. A. Brant, 
John Devlin. O. N. Case. Second District : H. W. 
Riopelle. Third District : George Tinham. Fourth 
District ; M. H. Ellis. 



CHAPTER XV III 



PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS, CABINET OFFICERS, AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 
FROM DETROIT.— PRESIDENTIAL VISITS TO THE CITY. 



PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS, CABINET OFFICERS, 
AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. 

The direct connection of the State and the city 
with the Government of the United States comes 
primarily through the appointment, by vote at the 
presidential elections, of as many presidential elec- 
tors as the whole number of United States Senators 
and representatives to which the State is to be 
entitled when the President elected comes into office. 

These presidential electors are bound by honor 
alone to cast the vote of the State in favor of the 
candidate of the ticket upon which they were 
elected. They are required to meet on the first 
Wednesday of December, in their own .States, and 
deposit their votes. The record of their votes is 
then certified to and sealed, after which some one is 
appointed to deliver it personally to the president of 
the Senate, at Washington, before the first Wednes- 
day in January following their meeting. Another 
copy is sent by mail to the same officer, and a third 
deposited with the judge of the district. 

Only States fully admitted into the Lfnion may 
choose presidential electors. 

The first presidential election in which Michigan 
participated was the thirteenth. It was held in the 
fall of 1836, and placed Martin Van Buren in the 
presidential office. The names of the presidential 
electors of Michigan, who have lived in Detroit, are 
as follows : 

Thirteenth election, David C. McKinstr\'; four- 
teenth, none from Detroit; fifteenth, Louis Beaufait ; 
sixteenth, L. M.Mason; seventeenth, D. J. Campau; 
eighteenth, none from Detroit ; nineteenth, George 
W. Lee and Rufus Hosmer; twentieth, none from 
Detroit; twenty-first, W^illiam Doeltz and John 
Burt; twenty-second, E. B. Ward and Herman 
Kiefer; twenty-third, William Doeltz; twenty-fourth, 
E. H. Butler. 

All the presidential candidates voted for by Michi- 
gan have been elected except Generals Cass and 
Fremont, and Detroit has furnished the following 
cabinet officers : General Lewis Cass, Secretary of 
War under President Jackson, and Secretary of 
State under President Buchanan; Governor Robert 



McClelland, Secretary of Interior under President 
Pierce; and Zachariah Chandler, Secretary of In- 
terior under President Grant. 

Under the Northwest Territory' the following per- 
sons were delegates to the United States Congress : 
1799-1800, W. H. Harrison; 1800-1801, William 
McMillan; 1801-1803, Paul Fearing. During our 
connection with Indiana Territory 'W. H. Harri- 
son was again chosen delegate. 

As a Territory, Michigan had no representative 
in Congress until, by Act of February 16, 18 19, she 
was authorized to elect a delegate. 

The following persons served as delegates for the 
terms named ; all of them, except Messrs. Wing and 
Jones, were residents of Detroit: 1819-1821, Wil- 
liam Woodbridge ; 1821-1S23, Solomon Sibley; 
1823-1825, Gabriel Richard; 1825-1829. A. E. 
Wing; 1829-1831, John Biddle; 1831-1833, A. E. 
Wing; 1833-1835, Lucius Lyon; 1835-1836, Geo. 
W. Jones. 

LInited States senators are elected everv' six years 
by a majority vote of the State Legislature in joint 
convention. Of the sixteen different senators elected 
under the State organization, the following nine 
have been from Detroit: 1836-1840, Lucius Lyon; 
1836-1841, John Norvell; 1840-1845, A. S. Porter; 
1841-1847, William Woodbridge; 1845-1857, Lewis 
Cass; 1 8 57- 1 87 5 and 1879-1881, Zachariah Chan- 
dler; 1862-1871, Jacob M. Howard; 1881-1883, H. 
P.Baldwin; 1SS3- , Thomas W. Palmer. 

LInited States representatives for the several dis- 
tricts are elected directly by the people, for terms of 
two years. The population of the State at the time 
of its admission entitled it to only one representative, 
but its growth was such as to treble the number in 
1843. The counties of Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee, 
Washtenaw, and Hillsdale were, by Act of March 2, 
1843, niade the first district. The census of 1850 
showed that the State was entitled to four representa- 
tives, and the Act of June 26, 1851, made the first 
district to consist of the counties of Wayne, Wash- 
tenaw, Jackson, and Livingston. In 1861 the State 
had become entitled to six representatives ; and an 
Act of March 1 5 provided that the fir.st district 
■=1 



MEMBERS OF CONGRESS— PRESIDENTIAL VISITS. 



lO- 



should embrace the counties of Wayne, Monroe, 
Lenawee, and Hillsdale. The United States census 
of 1870 showed a population entitled to nine repre- 
sentatives, and an Act of March 29, 1872, made the 
first district to consist of Wayne County only. The 
census of 1880 showed a population entitled to 
eleven representatives, and the apportionment under 
State Law of March 14. 1882, continued Wayne 
County as the first district. 

Under the several enlargements of the number of 
representatives, up to 1883, si.xty-seven different 
persons have been elected from Michigan, and of 
the whole number the following ten were from 
Detroit : Jacob M. Howard, Lucius Lyon, Robert 
McClelland, A. W. Buel, W. A. Howard, M. W. 
Field. A. S. Williams, John S. Newberry, Henry W. 
Lord, and William C. Maybury. 

The pay of senators and representatives, under 
various laws, has been as follows : By law of Sep- 
tember 22, 1789, they were each paid si.x dollars a 
day while attending the session, and si.\ dollars for 
each twenty miles traveled in going to Congress. 
By law of March 19, 1816. they were to be paid 
§1,500, without mileage, for each Congress attended. 
This law was repealed in 181 7, and by law of Janu- 
ary 22, 1S18, each was to be paid eight dollars a 
day. and eight dollars for each twenty miles traveled. 
By law of August 15, 1856, they were to receive 
$6,000 for the two sessions, also mileage. On 
December 23, 1857, the law was so amended that 
they were to receive $250 per month and mileage. 
A law of March 3, 1873. fixed their pay at S7.500' 
with actual traveling expenses for one trip each 
session. 

PRESIDENTIAL VISITS TO THE CITV. 

The city has been favored, at different times, with 
the presence of persons who, at the time of their 
visit or subsequently, filled the office of President. 
The first was W. H. Harrison, who was in Detroit 
on May 10, 1803, as Governor of the Territory, 
again, on the first day of the re-occupation, Septem- 
ber 29, 1 81 3, on October 6 following, and also on 
September 8, 181 5. 

The first time that Detroit was honored with a 
presidential visit was on August 13, 1817. Unan- 
ticipated intelligence was received, about 8 .\. M., 
that President Monroe, with Governor Cass and 
Generals Brown and Macomb with their suites, 
were at the mouth of the river, and woukl be within 
three miles of the city at ten o'clock. A meeting 
of citizens was immediately called, with William 
Woodbridge in the chair and Major Charles Larned 
as secretary, and a committee, consisting of Solomon 
Sibley, Major A. Edwards, Captain J. McCloskey, 
A. E. Wing, Charles Larned, Colonel Stephen Mack, 



Captain Antoine Dequindre, and O. W. Miller, was 
appointed to make suitable arrangements for a 
reception. At ten o'clock a large number of citi- 
zens, in carriages, on horseback, and on foot, col- 
lected at Springwells. and proceeded to the river 
Ecorce, where the presidential party had arrived in 
barges from the vessel. Solomon Sibley, on behalf 
of the citizens, congratulated the President on his 
arrival. A procession was then formed, which 
escorted the President to the city. When opposite 
Fort Shelby a salute was fired ; the procession then 
moved on through the principal streets, escorting the 
President to the residence of Governor Cass. At 
night the city was illuminated — the bill for which, 
paid to Abram Edwards by order of the Common 
Council, amounted to the sum of $23.26 ; the vessels 
in the harbor were tastefully decorated with lights, 
and there was a display of fireworks, under the 
direction of Lieutenant Howard of the United States 
Ordnance Department. 

The following day the city authorities waited upon 
the President, and an address was delivered, by 
Major Charles Larned, on behalf of the city author- 
ities and the citizens. The day after, at 8 a. m., 
the troops of the post, under command of Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Smith, were reviewed by the Presi- 
dent and General Brown ; after which a sword, 
voted by the Legislature of New York to General 
Macomb, was presented to him by Governor Cass. 
On Friday evening a ball was given at B. Wood- 
worth's Steamboat Hotel, the President and other 
notables being in attendance. On Sunday President 
Monroe attended divine ser\-ice in the old Indian 
council-house, located on the site now occupied by 
Firemen's Hall. He remained in Detroit five days, 
during which time he received many testimonials of 
regard, among which was the gift of a carriage and 
span of horses, presented by the city. On Monday, 
August iS, he was accompanied by a number of 
citizens to Springwells, where he embarked in a 
barge, to meet a vessel waiting for him at the mouth 
of the river. 

Our next visitor in this list was a vice-president, 
Colonel R. M. Johnson, reputed to have killed 
Tecumseh. He was here in attendance on a demo- 
cratic meeting, held September 28, 1840. Ex-Presi- 
dent Martin \'an Buren made Detroit a visit on 
Friday, July 8, 1842, on his return from a trip to 
Lake Superior. The steamer Fairport, bearing a 
party of citizens, went up to Lake St. Clair, and 
met the Great Western, on which he was a passen- 
ger. The two boats were lashed together, and 
Major Kearsley, chairman of the committee of 
arrangements, welcomed the noted politician and 
ex-president. At 3 P. M. the boats arrived at the 
citv, where Mr. Van Buren was welcomed by Mayor 



104 



PRESIDENTIAL VISITS TO THE CITY 



Houghton and Governor Barry. A procession of 
citizens and militar)' was then formed, and he was 
escorted through the principal streets to the Ameri- 
can Hotel. A company gathered on the upper 
balcony, and he replied- at some length to an address 
by Alderman Ten Eyck. In the evening, and also 
on Saturday morning, a reception was held at the 
hotel, and on Saturday evening Mayor Houghton 
gave him a reception at the residence of Dr. Pitcher. 
On Sunday morning Mr. Van Buren attended the 
Methodist Church, and in the afternoon visited the 
Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches; in the 
evening another reception was held at the hotel. 
On Monday morning he visited Ann Arbor, return- 
ing in the afternoon, when a fourth address was 
made by John B. Schick, on behalf of the German 
citizens. At 8 p. m., on Monday, he took his 
departure for Cleveland on the steamer Fairport, 
receiving a parting salute of twenty-six guns. 

In 1845 General Zachariah Taylor, afterwards 
twelfth President of the United .States, was here 
on a visit to Captain Joseph Taylor, his brother, 
then stationed at Detroit. 

President Grant at one time lived in Detroit, as 
the accompanying letter shows. 

On his first arrival Lieutenant Grant boarded at 
the National Hotel. In July, 1849, he moved to 
the house, still standing on its original site, known 
as No. 253 Fort Street East. From there he moved 
to what, in later years, was known as the Bacon 
House, which he occupied in company with Captain 
Gore. The house stood on the northeast corner 
of Russell Street and Jefferson Avenue. It was 
sold and moved away in 1873. C. R. Bacon has in 
his possession part of a pane of glass, from one 
of the chamber windows, on which is the name 
" Lieutenant U. S. Grant. ;" it is believed that he 
traced it while an occupant of the house. His 
occupancy of the Fort Street house is verified by 
the fact that the directory for 1850 contains the 
following: "Grant, Lieutenant U. S. A. N. S. Fort 
street bet. Russell and Rivard." The Free Press 
of May 25, 1S50, contained this advertisement: 

For Sate^ Rcnt^ or Exchange — A two-story dwelling-house on 
Fort Street, between Ri\-ard and Russell Streets, now occupied by 
Lieutenant Grant of the U. S. A. Possession given immediately. 
For further particulars inquire of G. jM. Rich, on the comer of 
Fort and Randolph Streets. 

On many occasions General Grant has shown a 
lively interest in the welfare of his old home. His 
remembrance of old acquaintances in Detroit has 
always been hearty and appreciative. Even those 
not personally acquainted have noticed his glad 
recognition of former citizenship. The writer well 
remembers the morning of December 17, 1864. 



Having called at the White House to see Mr. Nico- 
lay, the President's secretary, I was directed by the 
porter to go up stairs. Reaching the landing I 
found the doors leading from the hall all closed, 
with no indication as to which might give admit- 
tance to Mr. Nicolay. Retracing my steps, I said to 
the porter, " The doors are all closed, and I did not 
find him." A cheerful, bright-faced boy near by 
said, " I think I can find him. Come up .stairs 
again." And up we went, he with a sort of fiying 
leap, as though he felt at home, and surely he had a 
right, for he was none other than "little Tad." I 
have always been glad for this brief knowledge of 
one so dear to "our Lincoln." Opening the door of 
one of the rooms. Tad called out, "Is Nick here.'" 




General Grant's Old Home on Fort Street. 

The reply was, "He is at the War Department." 
To the War Department I went, and there learned 
that Grant had come from the army, then before 
Richmond, and was in consultation with Lincoln 
and Stanton in an adjoining room. Possibly a dozen 
persons were waiting in the corridor. Very soon 
Mr. Stanton came out, and immediately after fol- 
lowed the tall, thin form of Lincoln — thinner and 
homelier than any representation I have ever seen; 
his eyes were sad, and manner burdened. Stanton 
made some remark, which did not reach my ear. 
Instantly Mr. Lincoln responded, in a tone vibrant 
with anxiety and care, and almost harsh in its im- 
periousness, "What's that, Mr. Secretary.'" A 
moment more, and he was gone. Immediately after 
General Grant appeared, and there was at once a 
rush to greet him. One gentleman stepped up. say- 
ing, " I am from New Hampshire . we occasionally 
hear of you up there." "Ah," said Grant, " I hope 






V^t>^ ^/^>i^^-^ ^^ 







Fac-simile of Letter from General U. S. Grant. 



io6 



PRESIDENTIAL \ISITS TO THE CITY. 



you '11 hear of me in Richmond soon." I then gave 
my residence. " From Detroit ? " said he. " Why, 
I used to live there once. Have you seen Charley 
Trowbridge lately?" The name of Detroit proved 
a passport to his attention, and he evinced great 
willingness to hear of his old home. It so happened 
that a detailed account of General Sherman's 
advance on Savannah had appeared that morning 
for the first time: the papers were also full of Gen- 
eral Thomas' victory over Hood. To an allusion to 
the good news from Sherman he replied, " Yes, and 
General Thomas is doing splendidly, splendidly." 

On August 12, 1865, he visited Detroit, and 
received a welcome that must have been gratifying. 
He was accompanied by his wife and four children. 
At Port Huron he was met by a committee which 
had gone there for the purpose, and on reaching 
Detroit, at 11 a. m., he was greeted by immense 
throngs, which almost blockaded the streets. 

In the evening he held a reception at the Biddle 
House, where addresses were made by Theodore 
Romeyn and Jacob M. Howard. Later in the even- 
ing he visited Ex-Governor Cass. On .Sunday he 
attended .St. Paul's Church. Monday morning, with 
a party of about one hundred, he enjoyed an excur- 
sion on the United States steamer Michigan. In the 
evening Senator Chandler gave a reception in his 
honor ; and at 4 p. .m. on Tuesday he departed from 
the city. On June 15 and 16, 1882, he again xnsited 
Detroit, participating in the reunion of the Army of 
the Potomac. 

On September 27, 1849, Vice-President Millard 
Fillmore paid a visit to Detroit. He was the guest 
of Mayor Howard, who gave a reception in the 
evening. 

Franklin Pierce, the fourteenth President, was 
here one day, and part of another, in June, 1S61, on 
a visit to Ex-Secretary McClelland. 

Andrew Johnson came September 4, 1866, while 
" swinging round the circle " and " upholding the 
Constitution " in true stump-speaker style. 

President Hayes, with his wife and two sons, 
accompanied by General W, T. Sherman, arrived 
September 18, 1879. The mayor, George C. Lang- 
don, with a party of citizens, went down to Grosse 
Isle to meet the steamer Northwest, which was on 
her way to Detroit with the presidential party. 
The steamer was hailed, the reception party taken 
on board, and the President duly welcomed. A 
response was made by General Sherman. On reach- 
ing Detroit, at 9 A. M., the party proceeded to the 
residence of Ex-Governor Baldwin, by whom they 
were entertained. About eleven o'clock, escorted 
by the military, the party visited the Fair Grounds, 
where the President delivered an address. While 
Mrs. Hayes was on the grounds, Messrs. Pingree & 



Smith, leading shoe manufacturers, caused the 
measure of her foot to be taken, and an elegant pair 
of French kid buttoned boots were cut out, made, 
and presented to her, — all the work being done m 
twenty-three minutes. 

In the evening a reception took place in the lower 
corridor of the City Hall, which was elegantly decor- 
ated for the occasion. An immense throng was in 
attendance. The following day President Hayes 
visited the Fair Grounds, Recreation Park, and the 
National Pin Factor)'. A reception was given at 
Ex-Governor Baldwin's in the evening, and the fol- 
lowing night the party left the city. 

Our city was honored more than we then knew 
by the presence of the lamented Garfield. He 
\'isited Detroit no less than four times, on two occa- 
sions, at least, accompanied by Mrs. Garfield. At 
each visit he was the guest of Richard Hawley. 
His first visit was probably in the summer of 1863. 
In company with Mrs. R. Hawley, J. G. and T. D. 
Hawley, he and his wife went to Marquette, return- 
ing to Detroit the latter part of September or early 
in October. On the way down, two of the boat's 
crew quarrelled, and were just about to attack each 
other, one being armed with a knife, and the other 
with a heavy bar of wood or iron. Word was 
brought to the captain, who seemed to hesitate ; not 
so the strong-armed Garfield, who, rushing below, 
laid hold of the men with a power that thoroughly 
subdued them, then flung them apart, and the strife 
was ended. 

One Sunday afternoon in the summer of 1864, 
probably in August, he spoke briefly in the Jefferson 
Avenue Christian Church. In the evening he spoke 
from Romans xiii., 1-7, on the general subject of the 
duty of the Christian to the State, or " Christianity 
in its Relation to Civil Government." On one of his 
visits, believed to be this one, he delivered a political 
address in Merrill Hall. On another occasion, in the 
fall of 1 866, he again spoke in the Jefferson Avenue 
Christian Church. Rev. A. J. Hobbs, then pastor 
of the church, says. " He was with us on Lord's 
day. He declined to occupy the pulpit, morning or 
evening, but consented to speak at the communion 
meeting in the afternoon. His subject was, 'Christ, 
the Tried Stone.' The Scripture was Isaiah x.wiii., 
16, 'Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a 
tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foun- 
dation, he that believeth shall not make haste.' He 
described the various practical tests to which build- 
ing stones are subjected, to prove their capability of 
resisting heat or frost, moisture or pressure. He 
then reviewed the tests to which Jesus Christ had 
been subjected, and at last the final tests of Geth- 
semane and of the cross, showing thus his true 
di\'inity and fitness to be the foimdation of the 



PRESIDENTIAL VISITS TO THE CITY. IO7 

• 7' • 

temple of God. The whole discourse was instruc- circumstance of walking with him to church, their 

tive, impressive, tender, and calculated to prepare his way talcing them past the present City Hall, whose 

hearers for a joint participation, with himself, in the foundations were then being laid. It was undoubt- 

Lord's Supper, which was then celebrated." edly those very foundation stones that suggested 

Mrs. John Har\-ey has a clear reniembranoc of the theme of his brief but well-remembered dis- 

the sermon, as has also P, C. Gray, who recalls the course. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



POLITICAL PARTIES AND CAMPAIGNS. — ELECTIONS. 



POLITICAL PARTIES AND CAMPAIGNS. 

The American system of government is based 
upon the supposition ttiat the people will always 
feel enough interest in the management of local 
and national affairs to provide for certain prelimi- 
naries for elections without being required to do so 
by statute. 

The primary elements in all elections are the 
nominations, and these are usually arranged by self- 
appointed committees, or by committees appointed 
at a political meeting. A caucus is held, and 
nominations made vh'ii I'oce, by ballot, or by select- 
ing delegates to a nominating convention. 

The expenses of conventions and public meetings, 
including the printing of tickets, etc., are voluntarily 
provided for by the various candidates. The ex- 
penses directly connected with the holding of an 
election, such as the providing of polling places, 
publishing registration lists, and paying inspectors 
and clerks, are defrayed by the city. 

The following caucus notice of the olden time, 
before party politics governed city elections, is from 
the Detroit Gazette : 

City Election. — The citizens of Detroit are requested to meet 
at the Hotel of Captain Eenjainin Woodvvorth to-morrow even- 
ing, at candle lighting, for the purpose of taking into consider- 
ation the propriety of forming a ticket, to be supported at the 
election of corporation officers, on Monday ne.\t. 

Detroit, September 3, 1824. 

One of the earliest political parties bore the 
name of " Democratic Republicans." This party 
_ had an existence in Wayne County almost as soon 
as the county was organized ; and even as late as 
1 840 a call for a meeting of members of that party 
was published in The Detroit Free Press. 

The Democratic party afterwards succeeded to 
the first half of the old name, and about 1832 the 
Whig party gave the first signs of vigorous life. In 
the interest of the latter party, Daniel Webster 
delivered a speech on the finances, July n, 1837, in 
a grove on the Cass Farm, located, as the city is 
now laid out, near First Street, and between Fort 
and Lafayette Streets. Some fifteen hundred ladies 
and gentlemen were present at the meeting, after 
which, at 4 p. m.. a dinner was served under the 
trees to about fi\-e hundred people. Mr. Webster, 



with his family, came to the city on July 8, partly 
to visit his son, Daniel F. Webster, a lawyer, then 
residing in Detroit. 

We of the present day have little realization of 
the intensity of the party feeling that existed, espe- 
cially between the years 1830 and 1844. In the 
effort to win a victory at the polls, any and every 
method was deemed legitimate. Voters by the 
dozen, and even by the hundred, were imported, 
previous to elections, and their expenses paid. 
Many other methods employed in those days to 
influence votes were no better than those more 
recently in vogue. What was done, however, was 
done openly. The following notice is from The 
Advertiser, of March 30, 1838: 

To the Poor. — The Whigs will distribute one hundred dollars, 
in bread and pork, among the city poor to-morrow evening. Due 
notice of the hotir and place will be given in the morning paper. 

Accordingly, on Saturday they distributed bread, 
pork, and fish to all who called at their headquar- 
ters ; and in some instances the same persons called 
again and again, and their efforts to obtain as much 
as possible were supplemented by the efforts of 
others who came even from Canada to obtain a 
share of the bounty. 

On election day, April 2, both parties were out in 
full force ; and there was an abundance of noisy 
music, processions, whiskey, and broken heads. 
Surely, we need not regret the " former times." 

The presidential campaign of 1 840 is remembered 
by many as the time when, as the stump-speakers 
said, " the prairies were ablaze, the settlements in 
flames, and the woods on fire with enthusiastic 
zeal." "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" and "Polk 
and Dallas " were the party Shibboleths. And al- 
most every four corners in the west had its Tippe- 
canoe club, with log-cabin and hard cider. 

On April 15, 1840, a log cabin was raised on the 
northeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph 
Street, a bottle of Harrison brand hard cider being 
placed beneath each corner of the building. The 
cabin measured forty by fifty feet, would hold nearly 
one thousand people, and cost one thousand dollars. 
On one side of the door was a grindstone, with a 
scythe hanging above it ; over the door was a musk- 
rat-trap. Stuffed owls, wildcats, and raccoons, a 



[108] 



POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS. 



109 



live bear, and a Bible were among the attractions of 
the place. The walls were decorated with a copy 
of the Declaration of Independence and of Wash- 
ington's Farewell Address, and a map of the United 
States. Strings of dried apples, pumpkin, and seed 
corn, and flitches of venison and bacon were sus- 
pended from beams and rafters. Tliere were also 
displayed caricatures of the \'an Buren administra- 
tion, roughly framed with bark. Prior to the day 
of dedication, by notice in the Advertiser, the ladies 
were called upon to supply for the occasion " corn- 
bread, and such other log-cabin fare as their kind 
hearts and ingenuity may dictate." 

April 2 1 was fi.xed upon as the day of dedication, 
and at 4 p. m. the cabin was thrown open for the 
entrance of the Whig ladies with the good things 
they had prepared. In the evening it was dedicated, 
the attendants bringing candles to illuminate the 
room. The main light, however, came from candles 
attached to the roots of a tree hung from the roof 
as a chandelier. After the addresses a dinner-horn 
was sounded, and then, from inviting tables around 
the sides of the room, pumpkin-pie, pork and beans, 
hominy, mush and milk, johnny-cake, venison, and 
parched corn were served to all alike. Toasts, 
drunk with hard cider, finished the day. 

On June 11, 1840, an immense Whig meeting was 
held on General Harrison's old battle-ground at 
Fort Meigs, the general himself adding by his 
presence to the enthusiasm of the occasion. 

Free passage was pro\nded for those who would 
attend. Delegates came to Detroit from all over 
the State. They met at the cabin, had a free lunch, 
and then marched to the wharf. Five steamboats, 
the General V'ance, Erie, Michigan, Huron, and 
Macomb, were loaded with these political passengers, 
two thousand in ail, and at 9 a. m. on June 10, after 
a salute of twenty-six guns, they went on their way. 
The meeting was a great success. Harrison spoke, 
a sham battle was fought, and in the evening fire- 
works and hard cider "fizzed" everywhere, to the 
gratification of twenty thousand persons. Up to 
that time, this was the largest political gathering 
lield in the West. It was supplemented, on Sep- 
tember 30, by a great State Whig meeting in 
Detroit, at which, it was estimated, fifteen thousand 
were present. So great was the multitude that the 
public houses could not contain them, and all 
citizens, even those of opposite political faith, were 
constrained to open their houses to accomodate the 
throng. Even then the number was too great to be 
provided with beds : at one private house, twenty- 
two persons slept on the parlor flour. One hundred 
and three wagons, containing si.\ hundred persons, 
came in from Farmington, and seventy-three from 
Plymouth and Livonia. It rained, but still they 
came, on boats and cars, on foot and on horseback. 



till it seemed as if the country would be depopulated. 
The delegation from Dearborn came in a log cabin 
drawn by twenty yoke of o.xen. The arrangements 
for feeding these multitudes were fortunately ample. 
One delegation brought a johnny-cake twelve feet 
long. Williams & Wilson's warehouse was the 
provision depot, and there two tables, eacli one 
hundred and twenty feet long, were spread with over 
a ton of food. 

The procession was an immense affair. Its prin- 
cipal feature of attraction was the ship Constitution, 
full rigged and manned, and drawn by six gray 
horses. Some delegates carried flags and banners, 
and others busied themselves by keeping in motion 
a huge leather ball, .some fifteen feet in diameter, 
singing as they went, "The ball is rolling on." A 
newspaper cut of a scene similar to this last 
appeared in almost every Whig paper of that day. 




Ej-ECTION CCT, FROM ADVERTISER, OCTOBER 22, 1840. 

In the evening meetings were held at the Capitol, 
City Hall, Log Cabin, and the Yellow Warehouse. 
By such means the fight was won. During the 
campaign barbecues were frequent, at which oxen 
were roasted whole, and other provisions were 
furnished to the crowds who came together to hear 
some noted speaker. 

On September 28, 1840, a Democratic barbecue 
was held on the Cass Farm. Colonel Richard M. 
Johnson, Vice-President of the United States and 
one of the heroes of the War of 181 2, was present. 
Crowds came to hear him, but the enthusiasm on 
the other side was against them, and many of the 
rank and file "only kept their spirits up by pouring 
spirits down." Although defeated in that year, a 
resolution, adopted a few years later at a Democratic 
meeting in the sixth ward, shows some members of 
that party still eager for the fray. It read : 

Resolved, that we oppose the many-named monster, now desig- 
nated Whiggery, and fearlessly engage that, though he had as 
many heads as names, we would chop them off, and tiample his 
nondescript carcass in the Black Swamp. 

George Robii, Secretary. 

Detroit, March 22, 1843. 

The presidential campaign of 1S44 was hardly 
less exciting than that of 1840. Each party erected 
buildings for their meetings. The Whig cabin was 
nicknamed the Coon Pen; that of the Democrats 



no 



POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS. 



was called Hickory Hall. As before, large gather- 
ings took place. The Whigs held a Clay and Fre- 
linghuysen meeting, for Wayne and St. Clair 
counties, on October 1 7, 1 844. This time the Demo- 
crats were \nctorious. 




" That Same Old Coon." 
Election Cut, Advertiser, Octorer 13, 1852. 

The Republican party, organized at Jackson in 
1856, was the first to make use of regularly officered 
political companies. They were uniformed in caps 
and capes, and being well drilled, presented an at- 
tractive appearance. IVIany thousands of them 
came together in Detroit on October 2 to attend a 




Elkctiom Ci'T, Triiu'NE, November 5, 1856. 

State Republican meeting, which was held on the 
vacant lot now occupied by the Central Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



These were the days of bonfires and fireballs, and 
often several cords of wood were burned on the 
Campus Martins, whole barrels of rosin giving bril- 
liancy to the flames. The active help of mischievous 
boys could always be counted upon to add fresh 
fuel to the pile ; and woe to the unlucky merchant 
who had left boxes or barrels in sight, for they were 
confiscated at once, and the huge pyramids and 
the hopes of many candidates went up in smoke 
together. Both parties e\'entually availed them- 
selves of drilled torch-bearers, whose manoeuvres 
enlivened the campaign, as they marched to " ranch " 
or " wigwam." 

During the campaign of 1 860, when Lincoln was 
rimning for his first presidential term, there was a 
great Republican meeting, held on September 4, at 
which thirty-five hundred Wide-Awakes were on 
parade. In the evening the multitude listened to a 
speech from Hon. William H. Seward. On the 
fifteenth (jf the following month, an immense Demo- 
cratic throng gathered to hear an address from Hon. 
Stephen A. Douglass, the " Little Giant" of Illinois, 
and candidate for the presidency. 

So great was the desire for harmony, in the early 
days of the war with the South, that a union politi- 
cal convention, held on October 26, 1861, composed 
of members of both political parties, decided to 
nominate but one city ticket. 

During the campaign of 1864 a grand Union and 
Republican demonstration was held on the first of 
November. Thirty thousand strangers were present. 
Orations were delivered by Hon. Salmon P. Chase 
and others, and an immense procession took place 
at night. In the election of this year the soldiers in 
camp and field were allowed to vote, commissioners 
being appointed by the State to afford them the 
opportunity of so doing. 

On October 28, 1866, just prior to the State elec- 
tion, General B. F. Butler made a speech at the D. 
& M. R. R. Depot ; and on November i following, 
Hon. Schuyler Colfax spoke in Young Men's Hall. 



ELECTIONS. 

Territorial Elections under Northwest Territory. 

When the first election was held, Detroit had 
only a township organization. The occasion was as 
follows: In 1798 a census showed that there were 
five thousand or more inhabitants in the Territory, 
and in accordance with the pro\-isions of the ordi- 
nance of 1787, Governor St. Clair issued a procla- 
mation, ordering an election to be held on the third 
Monday of December, 179S. to elect delegates to a 
General .Assembly to be held at Cincinnati. Even 
in this first election there was the cry of fraud, and 
Judge May went to Cincinnati to consult Governor 



ELECTIONS. 



I I I 



St. Clair in regard to it. As a result of his visit, 
anotlier election v\'as ordered. It was held on Janu- 
ary 14. and 15, 1799. The voting was done vhni 
voce. The sheriff, with Peter McNiff, and another 
judge of the Court of Common Pleas, acted as 
inspectors. They were very arbitrary in the exercise 
of their powers, refusing some votes on the ground 
that the candidate voted for was not eligible, and 
adjourning from ten o'clock to three o'clock on the 
first day. During the two days, one hundred and 
ninety-eight votes were called. Concerning this 
election, in a letter commenced on the 14th and 
finished on the 1 5th, addressed to James May, then 
at Cincinnati, Peter Audrain says: "McNiff came 
four tiines to the street door, and earnestly recom- 
mended to the friends of Wisewell to e.xert every 
nerve in their power to get more votes for him. 
Whereupon old Cissne and Christian Clemens offered 
one hundred dollars for ten votes to several bystand- 
ers. This fact can be proved upon oath." 

An Act of December 6, 1799, provided for an 
election for representative to the General Assembly, 
which was to sit the second Tuesday of October, 
1800, and every two years thereafter. The polls 
were to be opened between 10 and 11 \. M., and to 
remain open till 5 p. m. the first day, to be then 
adjourned till 10 .\. M. ne.xt day, when they were to 
be kept open until 5 P. M, 

The same Act provided that free male inhabitants, 
twenty-one years old, residents of the Territory, 
former citizens of other States, or persons who had 
been two years in the Territory, should be voters, 
provided they possessed fifty acres of land in any 
county, or any land in their own county which, with 
improvements, was worth one hundred dollars. 

An Act of December 9, 1800, provided that three 
election districts should be established in Wayne 
County, and that elections should be by ballot, the 
polls to open at 10 \. m. and to close at 5 p. .\i. On 
Saturday, September 5, iSor, the Court of Quarter 
Sessions, at Detroit, determined that the bounds of 
the three election districts should be as follows : 
First District, from the foot of the Rapids to Rocky 
River, inclusively, the Presbytery on the River Raisin 
to be the central point, or voting place. Second Dis- 
trict, from Rocky River to Milk River Point, with 
Detroit as the voting place. Third District, from 
Milk River Point to Lake Huron. 

Territorial Elections under Indiana Territory. 
The only general election participated in by citi- 
zens of Detroit while under the government of 
Indiana Territorv- was that of .September 11, 1804, 
held to determine whether the people wanted a 
General .Assembly. Only a majority of one hundred 
and thirty-eight, in the whole Territory, were in 
favor of an Assembly ; but in accordance with the 



law, Governor Harrison issued a proclamation order- 
ing an election in each county, on January 3. 1805, 
to elect delegates to the Assembly. This proclama- 
tion did not reach Wayne County in time, and 
therefore no election was held. 

Territorial Elections under Michigan Territory. 

The first territorial election was held on Monday, 
P'ebruary 16, 1818, to decide whether a General 
.•\ssembly should be held, and the second grade of 
government adopted. A majority of votes were 
cast against the proposition. 

By Act of February 16, 1819, Congress provided 
for the election of a delegate to that body, and all 
free white male citizens, above the age of twenty- 
one years, who had resided in the Territory one 
year, and paid a county or territorial ta.x, were made 
TOters. The time for holding this election was fre- 
quently changed. It was first held on the first 
Thursday in September, 1819. In 1824 the time 
was changed to the first Monday in April. In 1825 
the last Tuesday in May was selected, and the elec- 
tion was to occur every second year. 

At the election for delegates in 1825 there were 
three candidates, Austin E. Wing, John Biddle, and 
Gabriel Richard. The inspector's return of votes 
gave Biddle seven hundred and thirty-two. Wing 
seven hundred and twenty-eight, and Richard seven 
hundred and twenty-two. 

That the number of votes for the three candidates 
was so nearly equal, in an office voted for by all 
electors in the region now covered by both the 
States of Wisconsin and Michigan, was a most 
remarkable showing, and probably no similar in- 
stance has ever occurred. Father Richard con- 
tested the election, on the ground that his supporters 
were intimidated and maltreated by sheriffs and 
constables. The Congressional Committee decided 
that there could have been little intimidation, 
when his votes so nearly equaled those of the other 
candidates. 

In 1827 the time for the election of delegates was 
changed to the second Monday of July, the polls to 
be open between the rising and the setting of the 
sun. In 1835 the first Monday of November was 
fixed as the time for holding the election. 

Members of the Legislative Council were first 
elected on the last Tuesday of May, 1825. By Act 
of April 13, 1827, the day of election was changed 
to the first Monday of November. 

On April 4, 1835, an election was held for dele- 
gates to the constitutional convention. Under the 
first Constitution, all voting was done by ballot. 
The first election was held the first Monday in 
October, 1835, and continued two days. 

The constitution provided that the electors should 
be white male persons, twenty-one years of age. 



J I 2 



ELECTIONS. 



who resided in the State at the time of the adoption 
of the constitution, or for six months preceding any 
election, and provided also that they should have 
resided in the district voted in. It will be noticed 
that this provision reduced the time of residence for 
voters from one year to six months, and it also did 
away with the former requirement that voters shoukl 
be tax-payers. As a consequence, and for the first 
time, great numbers of foreign-born persons had 
the privilege of voting, and many of the citizens 
were greatly displeased ; one of the papers com- 
plained that a majority of the votes cast were those 
of British and German subjects. 

In arranging the preliminaries for the State Gov- 
ernment, delegates to a convention held to consider 
the question of accepting the boundaries of the State 
prescribed by Congress were elected on the second 
Monday of September, 1836. 

S/ii/i' Elcctio7is. 
Following the custom of elections, as held under 
the territorial governments, a law of 1836 provided 



that the polls should be kept open for two days at 
the elections of .State and county officers. 

Some of the scenes which occurred at the State 
election of 1837 are portrayed in a painting made 
by T. H. O. P. Burnham, an artist, and a publisher 
of that period. Mrs. A. S. Williams, for many 
years the fortunate possessor of the picture, has 
kindly permitted it to be engraved for this work. 
The large building on the right will be recognized 
as the old City Hall; the building in the center, 
with the cupola, represents the old Jail, then occu- 
pying the site of the present Public Library. The 
houses on the left, and near the foreground, were on 
the site of the Detroit Opera House. C. C. Trow- 
bridge was the Whig candidate for governor, and 
Stevens T. Mason, who was the secretary of the 
Territory and acting governor, was the Democratic 
nominee. A portion of a Whig procession, ha\ang 
passed down on the further side, is seen advancing 
towards the front of the City Hall. In the center 
of the picture, and forming a part of the \Vhig pro- 
cession, is the Ship of State, with various mottoes. 




■lIMiailllllJjIigaiggi 



■ tiiiiiiiiiBiiniiei' 



t' 








s7 i { K ■Mf^'"^^'''^5ri£^ 









CI I 

•-Vf 






'^^'B^^ 







-^-' 



-^i.^-- 










'^ '^-. 



Election Scene.— First State Election. 



ELECTIONS. 



113 



one of which reads, "Free Trade and Sailors' 
Rights," a banner follows the Ship of State bear- 
ing the inscription, "Whig Nomination for Gov- 
ernor, C. C. Trowbridge." The bill which is being 
offered to the boy with the basket is on the " Bank 
of Lapeer;" the other inscriptions can all be read. 
The pole of the banner carried at the head of the 
procession on the e.xtreme left, it will be noticed, is 
surmounted with a loaf of bread, a piece of pork, and 
a fish. These emblems, and the motto on the 
banner, have reference to actual occurrences at that 
period. At the head of a Democratic procession, 
just approaching on the extreme right, is seen a 
character of the period, — the redoubtBble Stillson 
on his inevitable horse. Following him, although 
not shown in the picture, were several yoke of oxen, 
garlanded and decorated with ribbons and flags. 
After these came some two hundred newly made 
citizens from the Emerald Isle; they were employed 
on city work, and as they all voted the " Dimmy- 
chratic thicket," they formed the "balance of power" 
that carried the day for Mason. Gathered about in 
front of Stillson are representations of Major Mc- 
Kinstry, George C. Bates, F. H. Harris, Kingsbury 
of the Morning Post, and Frank Sawyer, in his well- 
known cap, all supposed to be eagerly disputing, 
and proclaiming the praises of their favorite candi- 
dates. The black-coated and silk-hatted figure, 
near the center of the picture, towards the left, 
represents the candidate, "Tom Mason," shaking 
hands, and presenting a ticket at the same time. 
On the ticket are the words, " For Governor, Stevens 
T. Mason." Near him, on the right, are two "sov- 
ereigns," one with a pick, the other with bottle high 
in air, from which flows a stream of old Monon- 
gahela. 

In those days the possession of muscle was a 
prime political necessity ; and there are living staid 
men of worth and solidity, men now deacons, elders, 
and trustees, who, when in the mood, will tell how 
they used their boots and their fists on the election 
days of "auld lang syne." 

Under the Act of March 21, 1837, the polls were 
opened between the hours of 9 and 1 1 a. m., and 
continued open until 4 P. M., the inspectors being 
authorized to close the polls temporarily at any time 
when all present had voted. 

On Monday and Tuesday, November 3 and 4, 
1845, a two days' election was held, for the last 
time, an Act of May 16, 1846, providing that State 
elections thereafter should be held on the first 
Tuesday of November. 

Under the Constitution of 1850 the following 
classes of persons were made voters: every w^iite 
male citizen, every white male inhabitant residing in 
the State on the fourth day of June, 1835, and every 



white male inhabitant residing in the State on Janu- 
ary I, 1850, also every man who has declared his in- 
tention to become a citizen of the United States, six 
months prior to an election, or who, having resided 
in the State two years and six months, declares his 
intention as aforesaid; besides the above every 
civilized male Indian, not a member of any tribe, 
was also constituted an elector. Each elector, how- 
ever, must be over twenty-one years of age, and 
must have resided in the State three months, and in 
the ward, where he proposes to vote, for the ten 
days next preceding an election. 

The declaration of intention to become a citizen 
is called " taking out first papers." These are is- 
sued usually by the county clerk, but may be issued 
by any judge or clerk of any court of record hav- 
ing a common-law jurisdiction. These papers qual- 
ify the holder to vote and hold local offices. Under 
" second papers," so-called, the holder may be 
elected to State, legislative, and United States 
offices ; but these papers cannot be issued, until two 
years after the "first papers" have been taken out. 
On June 27, 1851, an Act was passed fixing the 
time for the State election on the first Tuesday after 
the first Monday of November, and no change has 
since been made. State officers are elected every 
two years, the election being held in those years in 
which the last figure in the date of the year is an 
even number. County officers are elected at the 
same time as State officers, and all of them for two 
years, except the judge of probate, who is elected 
for four years. Township officers are elected yearly 
on the first Monday of April. Two judges of the 
Supreme Court and two regents of the university 
are also elected on the first Monday of April, every 
two years, for terms of eight years each. 

Colored people were first allowed to exercise the 
right of suffrage at the State election of November 
8, 1870. 

After the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment 
to the Constitution of the United States, some per- 
sons claimed that it gave the right of suffrage to 
women. Upon this supposition, at an election for 
State officials, on April 3, 1871, Mrs. Nannette Gard- 
ner, who had previously registered her name in the 
ninth ward, was allowed to deposit a vote, but the 
act was protested against as illegal. The subject of 
woman suffrage was soon after agitated all over the 
State, and the Legislature submitted the question of 
conferring the right to hold office upon women, in 
the form of a constitutional amendment. 

At the election which decided the question, com- 
mittees of ladies were .stationed at the various poll- 
ing places, and mottoes in favor of woman suffrage 
invited the attention and the ballots of voters. 
The subject was thoroughly canvassed and dis- 



114 



ELECTIONS. 



cussed, and in November, 1S74. the people, by vote 
of 135,957 against 40,077, decided against tlie amend- 
ment. 

City Elections. 
Under Act of January 18, 1802, incorporating the 
town of Detroit, the first purely local election was 
held on May 3 of that year. 

The Act of September 13, 1806, which gave the 
city its first city charter, provided that the first elec- 
tion for members of the Upper House of the Com- 
mon Council should be held on the last Monday of 
September of the same year ; members of the Lower 
House were to be elected on the first Monday of 
October ; and all persons over twenty-one years old, 
who had rented a house within a year, and paid 
their public taxes, were made voters. 

The city charter of October 24, 181 5. ordered a 
special election for October 30 of the same year, 
and provided that the regular election should be on 
the first Monday in May. 

In those earlier days there were but few issues in 
the corporate elections, and oftentimes there was 
practically but one candidate in the field. At the 
city election, on April 4, 1825, John R.Williams was 
chosen mayor by a total of one hundred and two 
votes against eleven scattering. 

Three years later John Biddle was elected to the 
same office, by a total of one hundred and ninety- 
nine votes, five other persons receiving one vote 
each. 

By Act of September 4, 1824, a special election 
was to be held for city officers on September 6, and 
regular city elections thereafter were to take place 
on the first Monday of April. Under this law, up 
to 1833 or later, it was customary for persons to 
apply to the Common Council to have their names 
registered as voters. 

An Act of March <c-], 1839, ordered an election 
for city officers on the third Monday in April follow- 
ing, and provided that after 1839 the city election 
should be held on the first Monday in March. 

At the time of the city election of 1853, it was 
believed that the regular Democratic nominations 
had been made in the interest of persons opposed 
to the public-school system. An independent Demo- 
cratic ticket was therefore nominated, and success- 
fully elected. 

Two years later occurred the great struggle in 
which the so-called Know-Nothing party supported 
what was styled the native American element. 
The candidate of this party for mayor received 
2,026 votes, against 2,798, and they elected their 
aldermanic candidates in the first, second, fifth, and 
sixth wards, or one half of the whole number. 

On February 12 of this year a charter amendment 
provided that after 1855 the city election should be 



held on the first Tuesday in February. Two years 
later, on February 5. 1857, a new law provided that 
the city election should be held on the first Tuesday 
after the first Monday of November. 

In case a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor, 
councilman, or alderman more than six months 
prior to the time of an annual election, the Com- 
mon Council must order a special election. When 
possible, these special elections are held on the first 
Monday of April, the time fixed for the election of 
certain state officials. By special Act, the school 
inspectors are also required to be elected at that 
time. 

Several noticeable coincidences have occurred in 
connection with city elections. In 1862 the rival 
candidates for the office of school inspector, in both 
the third and the fifth ward received the same 
number of votes ; and the same state of facts 
existed in the first ward as to candidates for over- 
seer of highways. Another curious incident oc- 
curred in connection with the regular city elections 
of November, 1868 and 1869. On both occasions 
Lucien Zink was a candidate for overseer of high- 
ways in the tenth ward ; and at both elections 
there was a tie-vote between him and his competitor. 
By provision of the charter, in sucli cases the presi- 
dent of the council determined by lot who should 
hold the office; and each year the drawing was in 
favor of Mr. Zink. In the same ward, in April, 1S73, 
three hundred and thirty-five votes were cast for 
each of two rival candidates for the Board of Esti- 
mates. 

Much interest was felt in the election of April 7, 
1873, at which a Board of Estimates was elected 
who were opposed to the expending of money for a 
public park. The local election of November 2, 
1875, also e.xcited much interest, Alexander Lewis 
being elected mayor on what was called the Law 
and Order Ticket, supported by those who favored 
the closing of saloons on the Sabbath. 

During the winter of 1877 a State law was passed 
requiring saloons to be closed on all election days, 
and on November 6, 1877, for the first time in the 
history of Detroit, the saloons were closed on the 
day of an election. 

Under Acts of 1824 and 1827, the mayor fi.\ed tlie 
time when polls should be opened. At the election 
of April 5, 1 830, the polls w-ere opened at 9 A. M. and 
closed at 10 p. m. Five years later, on April 4, they 
were opened at 8 A. M. and closed at 6 P. M. At 
the present time they are opened at 8 A. M. and 
closed at 5 P. M. 

Qualifications and Registration of Voters. 

By Act of 1802 all freeholders or householders 
paying an annual rent of forty dollars were consti- 



ELECTIONS. 



115 



tuted voters, without reference to sex. Under this 
provision, at the election of 1804, four ladies voted, 
Mrs. Provencal and Mrs. Coates in person, and two 
others by pro.xy. The city charter of October 24, 
181 5, retained the same provision as to qualifica- 
tion of voters, but also provided for the accepting 
of the votes of such other persons as a majority of 
the electors voted to admit to the privilege. 

An Act of May 3, 1821, provided that all free 
white males, over twenty-one years of age, who had 
resided in the city one year, and paid a city ta.x, 
might vote. By law of March 27, 1839, a person 
must have resided in the ward in which he voted for 
the ten days prior to the election, the ward in which 
meals were taken being reckoned the place of resi- 
dence. 

By Act of April 13, 1S41, the time during which 
a voter must have resided in a ward was extended 
to thirty days. The Constitution of 1850 restored 
the time of residence in a ward to ten days, and 
provided that voters need reside in the city only 
three months instead of one year. An Act of 
March :2, 1861, provided that the residence of a 
voter should be construed to be where his family 
resided, or where his regular boarding-place was 
located. 

In 1859 a registration law was enacted which was 
designed to prevent fraudulent voting. Under this 
law and subsequent laws of February 5, 1864, April 
13, 1871, and the charter of 1883, the aldermen of 
the city, with enough other persons appointed by the 
Board of Aldermen to make two for each district, 
constitute the Registration Boards for the several 
districts, and together they form a City Board of 
Registration. Sessions of the District Boards, for 
the purpose of making an entirely new registry of 
voters, are held in each election district every four 
years, counting from 1880. Sessions begin on the 
second Wednesday preceding the November elec- 
tion, and continue four days, from 10 a. m. to 8 
P. M. In the years when a new and general regis- 
tration is not made, sessions are held on the second 
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday next preceding the 
general State election, from 10 a. m. to 8 p. m., and 
also on the second Friday and Saturday next pre- 
ceding the regular charter and spring elections, for 
the purpose of revising the registry- lists. The 
sessions of the board must be public, and no name 
can be written in the register without the personal 
request of the applicant, unless he be known to the 
board, or to some member thereof, as a qualified 
voter of that ward and district. All names are 
required to be plainly written in ink, with the Chris- 
tian and surname in full; and opposite each name 
the day and year of the entrv", with the number of 
the dwelling and name of the street, or if there is no 
street name, then a description of the locality of the 



dwelling in which the voter lives. The board are 
required to ask each person unknown to them whether 
he is entitled to vote, and whether he has previously 
registered or resided in any other district ; and no 
person may be registered in any district who is not, 
at the time of registration, a resident of said dis- 
trict, and qualified to vote. At the close of each 
session of the Board of Registration, the registration 
lists must be signed by each member of the board, 
and deposited with the city clerk. At least two 
weeks before any session of the Board of Registra- 
tion, these lists are printed and posted up in each 
district. 

The City Board of Registration, composed of the 
District Boards, convenes at 9 A. M. on the Monday 
preceding every election (e.xcept it be a special elec- 
tion for ward officersj, and examines the registers of 
the several districts. No name may at this time be 
added to the voting list, but if any name is found 
registered in two or more districts, the examining 
officer may designate on the registers in which dis- 
trict the person is, and in wliich he is not entitled to 
vote. A person who has changed his residence to 
some other district between the time of the last 
meeting of the Board of Registration and the day 
of election, cannot vote ; and no person can register 
on election day without stating on oath that sickness 
of himself or some near relative, or absence from 
the city on business, prevented his registering at the 
proper time. 

Election Districts. 

Prior to 1828 the polls were held at the old Coun- 
cil House on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 
Randolph Street, at the City Council House on 
Larned Street, and sometimes at Woodworth's 
Hotel. After the erection of the City Hall, and up 
to 1S39, that was used as the polling place. 

On April 15, 1839, elections were held in the 
several wards for the first time, the places for hold- 
ing them being designated by the Common Council. 

The charter amendments of March 12, 1861, 
March 27, 1867, April 13, 1871, and March 29, 1872, 
gave the council power to divide wards into two or 
more election districts. An Act of 1872 provided 
that no election district should embrace parts of two 
wards, or contain less than five hundred electors. 

Under these provisions, in August, 1868, for the 
first time, several of the larger wards were divided 
into election districts. Other wards were subse- 
quently divided, and ,the boundaries of districts 
changed. 

After the entirely new arrangement of ward 
boundaries made in 1881, the Common Council, by 
ordinance of August 30, laid out the following elec- 
tion districts ; 

First Ward: — First District, all that portion 



i6 



ELECTIONS. 



north of Brady Street; Second District, all that 
portion between Brady Street and Adelaide Street ; 
Third District, all that portion between Adelaide 
Street and Adams Avenue ; Fourth District, all that 
portion south of Adams Avenue and east of Ran- 
dolph Street ; Fifth District, the portion south of 
Adams Avenue and west of Randolph Street. 

Second Ward: — First District, the portion 
north of Bagg Street ; Second District, the portion 
between Bagg and High Streets; Third District, 
the portion between High Street and a line running 
through Adams Avenue to Grand River Avenue, 
thence westerly along said avenue to the intersection 
of First Street ; Fourth District, the portion lying 
between the Third District and Michigan Avenue ; 
Fifth District, the portion lying south of Michigan 
Avenue. 

Third Ward: — First District, the portion lying 
south of the center line of Fort Street ; Second 
District, the portion lying north of the center line 
of Fort Street, to Gratiot Avenue ; Third District, 
the portion lying north of the center line of Gratiot 
Avenue and south of the center line of Wilkins 
Street ; Fourth District, the portion north of Wil- 
kins Street. 

Fourth Ward: — First District, south of the 
center line of Michigan Avenue; Second District, 
between the center lines of Michigan and Grand 
River Avenues ; Third District, between the center 
line of Pitcher Street and Grand River Avenue ; 
Fourth District, north of the center line of Pitcher 
Street. 

Fifth Ward; — First District, south of the 
center line of Fort Street ; Second District, between 
the center lines of Fort Street and Gratiot Avenue ; 
Third District, between the center lines of Gratiot 
Avenue and Watson Street ; Fourth District, north 
of the center line of Watson Street. 

Sixth Ward: — First District, south of the 
center of Abbott Street ; Second District, between 
the center lines of Abbott and Plum Streets ; Third 
District, between the center lines of Plum Street 
and Grand River Avenue ; Fourth District, north 
of the center line of Grand River Avenue. 

Seventh Ward: — First District, all south of 
the center line of Fort Street ; Second District, 
between the center lines of Fort and Maple Streets ; 
Third District, between the center lines of Maple 
and Alfred Streets ; Fourth District, north of Alfred 
Street. 

Eighth Ward: — First District, south of Baker 
Street ; Second District, between Baker and Locust 
Streets ; Third District, between Locust and Myrtle 
Streets ; Fourth District, north of Myrtle Street. 

Ninth Ward: — First District, south of Cro- 
ghan Street ; Second District, between Croghan and 
Jay Streets ; Third District, between Jay and Detroit 



Streets ; Fourth District, portion north of Third 
District. 

Tenth Ward; — First District, south of Baker 
Street ; Second District, between Baker Street and 
Michigan Avenue; Third District, between Michi- 
gan Avenue and Myrtle Street; Fourth District, 
north of Myrtle Street. 

Eleventh Ward ; — First District, south of 
Fort Street ; Second District, between Fort and 
Catharine Streets ; Third District, between Cath- 
arine and German Streets ; Fourth District, north of 
German Street. 

Twelfth Ward ; — First District, south of Baker 
Street ; Second District, the portion lying between 
Baker Street and a line running along Butternut to 
Twenty-fourth Street, thence southerly through 
Twenty-fourth to the alley north of Michigan 
Avenue, and thence to the city limits ; Third 
District, all that portion lying north of Second 
District. 

Thirteenth Ward ; — First District, south of 
the center line of Fort Street ; Second District, 
between Fort and German Streets ; Third District, 
north of German Street. 

Elcitions, — lunci conducted. 

The Board of Aldermen, from time to time, deter- 
mines the several places at which the polls shall be 
held, and the city clerk advertises their location. 
Two inspectors of election for each district are 
appointed by the Board of Aldermen, and one other 
is selected viva voce by the electors on the opening 
of the polls. The inspectors of each district appoint 
two clerks, whose duty it is to keep a list of all persons 
voting at the election. The ballot-boxes, the printed 
registry lists for each ward or district, and all neces- 
sary' books and blanks for the election are furnished 
by the city clerk to the inspectors of election. It is 
the duty of the inspectors to challenge the vote of 
any person whom they suspect is not a qualified 
voter. The inspectors must preserve order at the 
polls, and they are authorized and required to cause 
the arrest of a^iy person who disturbs the good order 
of the polling places. 

From the time of the incorporation in 1802, the 
voting has always been by ballot. Each person de- 
livers his ballot, folded, to one of the inspectors, in 
presence of the board. The ballot must be of paper, 
written or printed, or partly written and partly 
printed, containing the names of all the persons for 
whom the elector intends to vote, and designating 
the office to which each person is intended to be 
chosen. 

After the polls are closed the inspectors must 
carefully count the number of ballots, and compare 
the number with the number of electors registered 
on the poll lists. If the ballots in the box shall be 



ELECTIONS. 



117 



found to exceed the whole number of names on the 
poll lists, they must be replaced in the box, and one 
of the inspectors must publicly draw out therefrom 
and destroy unopened, so many ballots as shall be 
equal to the excess. The ballots and poll lists 
agreeing, or being made, to agree, in the manner 
stated, the board must then proceed to canvass and 
estimate the votes, and draw up a statement of the 
result. Such statement shall set forth in words 
and at length the whole number of votes given for 
each office, the names of the persons for whom the 
votes were given, and the nuinber of votes for each 
person ; and one of said statements shall forthwith 
be delivered to the city clerk. 

After examining the votes, and within seventy- 
two hours of the closing of the polls, the inspectors 
of each district must make and certify a full and 
true return thereof, which, together with the poll lists 
and ballots, must be delivered, carefully sealed, to 
the clerk of the city ; at the same time one of their 
number is chosen to represent his district in 
the Board of City Canvassers ; and the persons so 
chosen form the Board of Canvassers for the city. 
They must meet on the Saturday next after election, 
at three o'clock in the afternoon, at the city clerk's 
office, or in the common-council chamber, and pro- 



ceed to open and canvass the said returns, and de- 
clare the result of the election. 

When two or more persons are found to have an 
equal number of votes for the same office, the elec- 
tion is determined by the drawing of lots, in the 
presence of the Board of Councilmen. The name of 
each person, written on a separate slip of paper, is 
deposited in a box or other receptacle, the presi- 
dent of the Board of Councilmen draws out one of 
said slips, and the person whose name is drawn is 
considered elected. 

The mode of conducting State and county elec- 
tions is the same, except that the returns are made 
to the county clerk, and the inspectors, appointed 
by the inspectors of election in townships and wards 
to attend the county canvass, constitute the Board 
of County Canvassers, and meet on the Tuesday 
next following the election, before one o'clock in the 
afternoon, at the office of the county clerk, who is 
secretary of the board. 

The following table of votes cast in Detroit, in 
various years, will give some idea of the growth of 
citizenship: 1820, — 66. 1825, — 115. 1835, — 261. 
1840, — 671. 1845, — 1,368. 1850, — 1,443. '855, — 
4.824. 1860,-8,389. 1S70, — 11,323. 1875, — 13.058. 
1S80, — 21,676. 



CHAPTER XX. 



WAYNE COUNTY: ITS ESTABLISHMENT AND BOUNDARIES. 



Virginia, in 1778, erected all of the Northwest 
Territory into a county called Illinois. Subsequently, 
and before the surrender by the British, by procla- 
mation of Lieutenant-Governor Sinicoe, on July 16, 
1792, all of what is now Michig'an, with other terri- 
tory extendinj^ northward as far as Hudson's Bay, 
was included in the county of Kent. Under 



American government the county of Wayne, the 
third organized in the Northwest Territory, was 
established by proclamation on August 15. 1796. by 
Winthrop Sargent, secretar)' of the Territory, and 
acting governor. A fac-simile of the proclamation 
is here gi\'en. The size of the original is fifteen 
by eighteen inches. 







y" ere^/tftJ^^r/^-iP:^^,,, 









/itL'faZ7eBtf^fu7a~ 



/ 















'7--S 










A,nv. ^U'Zi^^ 










^«, /^^^-^z- 






■tt/^.*. c-»<Jir //, .-^/.y ■ y;«r 




Fac-Simile of FiR'iT Proclamation establishing Wayne County. 
Iii8] 



WAYNE COUNTY: ITS ESTABLISHMENT AND BOUNDARIES. 



119 



The action of Sargent gave rise to a shaqj cor- 
respondence between him and Governor St. Clair, 
and in a letter to Hon. James Ross, dated Septem- 
ber 6, 1796, Governor St. Clair says : 



WAYNE COUNTY 

BY PBOCLAMATIOH 
August 15, 1796. 




Mntsi 



Cliicsp, 



rt, 

It. MietY. 
mr GMlicolk 



U-^ 



Cuyahoga R. 
Ft. LaDrcis, 
Tuscarawas R, 



Musiungum R. 



Map of County Boun'darv.~Xo. i. 

Dear Sir»— 

On ray arrival at this place, I found that the secretary* had 
thought fit to accompany General Wayne to Detroit, and I have 
since learned, though not from himself, that he has laid out the 
country thereabouts into a county, and appointed the officers, 
among whom is Mr. Audrain, prothonotar>-. 



WAYNE COUNTY 

After formafion of Iiidi£Uia, 
Territory, 

By taw cf May 7. X8Q0. 




CleTeM! 
Ft. lameE 



That circumstance has given me satisfaction, though I am dis- 
pleased at the proceeding generally, for it was not my intention to 
have moved in the business until I had received the directions of 
the President, which I had reason to trxpecl; and two governors at 
one and the same time in the same country, and perhaps counter- 
acting each other, must impress these new subjects unfavorably 
with respect to the government they ha^■e fallen under. Some 
expedient, however, might have been found to render the impro- 
priety less striking, had I gone to Detroit; but the secretary having 
kitely gone to Michilimacinac, my meeting him there, in the little 
time I could possibly stay, was very uncertain. 

From other letters it appears that Governor St, 
Clair was at Pittsburgh when the county was organ- 
ized, and Sargent claimed that his action was justi- 
fied by the facts. He consulted the citizens as to 
what name should be given to the county, and they 
agreed that it should be named after General 
Anthony Wa^me, who was then in the city, and sent 
him an address, notifying him of the fact. In reply 
they received the following : 



WAYNE COUNTY 

AFTER PROCLAMATION 
•-^ JUtY 10, 1800. 




Pt.fajieii 





i^t. Laurens, 



M.\I- OF COLNTV Bot'ND.VRV.— Xo. 



Map of County BofSDARv. — No, 3. 



To the Cure and Inkabitants 0/ Detroit^ and the Officers^ Ciz'il 
arid Military^ 0/ the County 0/ U 'aync : 

(".ENTLEMEN, — 

I have received with much pleasure your polite address of this 
date, which not only demands my grateful acknowledgment for 
the flattering testimonies it contains of your esteem, but affords 
me an opportunity to remark with what pleasure I have obser\'ed 
the general satisfaction which has appeared to prevail among the 
citizens of Detroit and its neighborhood upon the establishment of 
the government of the United States, and the alacrity and laud- 
able desire they have evinced to promote the due execution 
thereof; a conduct so wise, while it merits the warm regards of 
their fellow-citizens of the Vnion, must insure to themselves all 
the advantages which will flow from and be the natural effect of 
the administration of good laws, under so happy a government. 

I will with much pleasure communicate to the President the 
warm sentiments of zeal and attachment which you have expressed 
toward the Government of the United States; and I cannot permit 



I20 



WAYNE COUNTY:- ITS ESTABLISHMENT AND BOUNDARIES. 



myself to depart hence without assuring you that I shall always 
talce a peculiar interest in whatever may contribute to promote 
the happiness and prosperity of this county, to which my name 
has the honor to be attached. 

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, with much esteem, 
Your most obedient and very humble servant, 

Ant'v Wayne. 
Headhiiarters, Detroit, Noz-embcf 14, 1796. 




Map of County Boundary. — No. 4. 

The boundaries of the county, as defined by Sar- 
gent, were as follows: "Beginning at the mouth 
of the Cuyahoga River, upon Lake Erie, and with 
the said river to the portage between it and the 
Tuscarawa branch of the Muskingum, thence down 
the said branch to the forks, at the carrying place 



WAYNE COUNTY 

BY PBOCEAMATION 
January 14, 1803. 




above Fort Lawrance,' thence by a west line to the 
eastern boundary' of Hamihon County (which is a due 
north line from the lower Shawnese Town, upon the 
Sciota River), thence by a line west-northerly to the 
southern part of the portage, between the Miamis of 
the Ohio and the St. Mary's River, thence by a line 
also west-northerly to the southwestern part of the 
portage, between the Wabash and the Miamis of 
Lake Erie, where Fort Wayne now stands, thence 
by a line west-northerly to the most southern part 
of Lake Michigan, thence along the western shores 
of the same to the northwest part thereof (including 
the lands lying upon the streams emptying into the 
said lake), thence by a due north line to the terri- 
torial boundary in Lake Superior, and with the said 
boundarj- through Lakes Huron, St. Clair, and Erie, 
to the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, the place of 
beginning." 

The creation of the Territory of Indiana, by Act 
of May 7, 1800, reduced the limits of the county 
about one half. Its boundaries were further cur- 



< 



WAYNE COUNTY 

,Ailoc formation of Micbigaa 
Territory, 

By Law of Jan. 11, 1805. 




Map of Countv Boundary. — No. 5. 



Map ok County Boundakv. — No. 6. 

tailed by proclamation of July 10, 1800, under which 
that part of Wayne County lying east of a point about 
five miles west of the present city of Sandusky was 
included in a new count)-, named Trumbull. The Act 
of April 30, 1802, which created the State of Ohio, 
attached this region to the Territory of Indiana. It 
therefore became necessary to define the boundary- 
anew; and on January 14, 1803, William Henn,' 
Harrison, governor, and commander-in-chief of 



^ Although the original says " Fort Lawrance," it is evidently a 
mistake arising from the pronunciation, as the fort in question 
was named Laurens, in 1778, in honor of the president of Congress. 



WAYNE COUNTY : ITS ESTABLISHMENT AND BOUNDARIES. 



121 



Indiana Territory, issued the fol'owing from Vin- 
cennes : 

I, William Henry Harrison, governor of Indiana Territory, by 
the authority vested in me by the ordinance for the government 
of the Territory, do ordain and declare that a county shall be 
fonned in the northeastern part of the Territory, to be known and 
designated by the name and style of the county of Wayne. And 
the boundaries of said county shall be as follows: Ceginning at a 
point where an east and west line, passing through the southern 







Map of County Boundary. — No, 7. 



extremity of Lake Michigan, would intersect a north and south 
line passing through the most westerly extreme of said lake, 
thence north along the last mentioned line to the territorial boun- 
dary of the United States, thence along the said boundary line to a 
point where an east and west line, passing through the southerly 
extremity of Lake Michigan, would intersect the same, thence 
along the last mentioned line to the place of beginning. 



The creation of the Territory of Michigan in 
1805 changed the western boundary of the county, 
slightly reducing its size. 

The next change in boundary was made by proc- 
lamation of Governor Cass on November 21, 181 5. 
Under the terms of that document, the county was 
made to include all of the Territory of Michigan to 
which Indian title had been extinguished. 

By the terms of the treaty of Greenville, of 
August 3, 1795, the following territory constituted 
the region to which the Indian title had been extin- 
guished, and therefore defined the limits under his 
proclamation : " Beginning at the mouth of the Miami 
River of the Lakes, and running thence up to the 
middle thereof, to the mouth of the great Auglaize 
River; thence running due north, until it intersects 
a parallel of latitude to be drawn from the outlet of 



WAYNE COUNTY 

BY PfiOCLMVIATION 
JiilyTlClSlT. 




COPVRIGHriSlUt, BV SILAS FARMER. 



Mai' of Countv Uounuakv. — No. 9. 



PereMarq'teR. 



-^WAYME COONTY 

S BY PEOCLiMATION 
,,_, S October 18, ISXa 




hl.w OF County IJoundarv. — No, 



Lake Huron, which forms the river St. Clair; thence 
rumiing northeast, the course that may be found 
will lead in a direct line to White Rock in Lake 
Huron; thence due east until it intersects the boun- 
dary line between the United States and Upper. 
Canada, in said lake ; thence southwardly following 
the same boundary- line down said lake, through the 
river St. Clair, Lake St. Clair, and the river Detroit 
into Lake Erie, to a point due east of the aforesaid 
Miami River ; thence west to the place of begin- 
ning." Also, " The post of Michilimackinac, and 
all the land on the island on which that post stands, 
and the main land adjacent, to which the Indian 
title has been extinguished by gifts or grants to the 
French or English governments ; and a piece of the 
main land to the north of the island, to measure six 
miles on Lake Huron, or the Strait between Lakes 
Huron and Michigan, and to extend three miles back 



122 



WAYNE COUNTY: ITS ESTABLISHMENT AND BOUNDARIES. 



from the water of the Lake or Strait ; and also the 
Island de Bois Blanc." 

These two tracts included all of the present 
county of Wayne, and also the now existing coun- 
ties of Washtenaw, Livingston, Lenawee, Macomb, 
Monroe, St. Clair, Lapeer, and Oakland, with a large 
portion of Jackson, Ingham, Shiawassee, Genesee, 
Tuscola, Sanilac, and Huron counties, together with 
the Islands of Mackinaw and Bois Blanc, and a small 
strip of land on the main land north of these 
islands. 



WAYNE COUNTY 

BY PEOCLAMATION 

OF 

January 15, 1818. 




Map of Countv Houndarv. — No. lo. 

Less than a year after, on October iS, i8i6, 
General Cass issued a new proclamation, adding the 
district of Mackinaw to the county. That district 
had been created by proclamation of Governor Hull 



WAYNE COONTY 

"BY rEOJJLAMATION 
September 10, Z822, 




on July 3. 1S05, and its' boundary was defined to 
" begin at the most western and northern point of 
the Ijay of Saginaw, and shall run thence westwardly 
to the nearest part of the river Marquette ; thence 
along the southern bank thereof to Lake Michigan ; 
thence due west to the middle thereof; thence 
north, east, and south with the lines of the Territory 
of Michigan and the United States to the center of 
Lake Huron; thence in a straight line to the begin- 
ning." 

It will be noticed that by this proclamation the 
county consisted of two tracts, entirely separate 
from each other. On July u, 1S17, the boundary 
of the county was curtailed on the south by the 
organization of Monroe County, which took in all 
of the old county of Wayne south of Town 3, of 
Ranges i to 9, to the Huron River. 




Mm .•!■ CcH'NTV BOLINDARV. — No. II 



Map of Countv Bou.mdakv.— No. 12. 

By proclamation of January 15, 1818, organizing 
Macomb County, the " base line " of the United 
States survey in Michigan became the northern 
boundary of Wayne County. 

The present limits of the county were established 
by proclamation of Governor Cass on September 10, 
1822. On the same date Washtenaw County was 
laid out, to include all of the present county of 
Washtenaw, and also the four southeast towns of 
what is now Ingham County, the eight most eastern 
townships in Jackson County, and the southern half 
of the present Livingston County. Washtenaw 
County, however, was attached to Wayne County 
until it should be organized ; and for all practical 
purposes it remained a part of Wayne County up to 
the definite organization of Washtenaw County on 
November 20, 1826. 



CHAPTER XXI, 



COUNTY OFFICERS AND THKIR DUTIES. 



County Commissioners. 

In the early days of the county its financial 
affairs were managed by three county commission- 
ers, appointed by the Court of Quarter Sessions. 
Under an Act of May 30, 18 18, the governor became 
the appointing power. On April 21, 1825, the 
ofiice was made elective, and commissioners were 
to be chosen on the second Tuesday of October. 

Ready money to meet the obligations of the 
county not being forthcoming, as early as 181 8 
the commissioners began the issue of due-bills, 
issuing, up to 1827, an average of $2,000 per year. 
From that time to 1833 they issued $1,000 yearly in 
bills of the denominations of $1.12/2, 5ii-25. $i.37>2, 
S1.50, $1.62 ji, $1.75, $i.87>^, $3.00, $5.00, and 
$10.00. In 1830 these due-bills were at twenty-five 
per cent discount, but the board persevered, and 
in 1833 issued bills for $3,000, and in 1834 for $1,000. 
On October 7, 1837, the Board of Supervisors 

Resolved^ that $4,000, in small bills, be signed by the president 
and clerk, and delivered to the treasurer for change. 

Under this resolution, the treasurer and clerk 
issued two hundred and fifty bills of $io each, two 
hundred and fifty of $5.00 each, and two hundred 
and fifty of $1.00 each. 

By Act of April 12, 1S27, the office of county 
commissioner was abolished. The Rexnsed Statutes 
of 1838 revived the office, and it continued until 
abolished by Act of February 10, 1842, which Act 
transferred the duties of the commissioners to the 
Board of Super\-isors. 

Under Northwest Territory, the county commis- 
sioners were: 1800 and l8or, B. Huntington, 
Jacques Campau, Jacob Visger. Under Indiana 
Territory, 1803, Charies Curry, Charies F. Chabert 
Joncaire, Francis Lasalle; 1804, Charles Moran, 
James Henrj-. Under Michigan Territory', 1 81 8, 
William Brown, John R. Williams, Abram Ed- 
wards; 18 19, James McCloskey, Robert Abbott; 
1820, Abram Edwards, William Brown, James 
McCloskey; 1821, P.J. Desnoyers; 1822 and 1823, 
A. Edwards, P. J. Desnoj-ers, J. P. .Sheldon; 1824, 
Le\'i Cook, John Whipple, John P. Sheldon; 1825, 
L. Cook, J. Whipple, P. J. Desnoyers; 1826-1827, 
James Williams. L. Cook, J. Whipple; 1839, R. Gil- 
lett, J. Shearer, B. F. Fox; 1840, S. Conant, J. 



Shearer, B. F. Fo,k; 1841, Adolphus Brigham, S. 
Conant, J. Shearer ; 1842, Peter Godfrey, S. Conant, 
A. Brigham. 

Board of Siipcr^nsors. 

This body, in connection with the auditors, per- 
forms duties originally attended to by the Court of 
General Quarter Sessions and the county commis- 
sioners. By the Act of March 20, 1827, creating 
the board, they were authorized to examine, settle, 
and allow all accounts, and estimate the yearly 
expenses of the county; they were also authorized 
to repair county buildings, and to offer bounties for 
the killing of wolves and panthers. Their sessions 
were to be of not more than eight days' duration, 
and they were to be paid $1.00 per day. each. An 
Act of March 20, 1837, increased their pay to $2.00, 
and it was subsequently made $3.00 per day. An 
Act of June 30, 1828, required them to meet the first 
Tuesday in October. 

Under Act of June 26, 1832, sessions of the board 
were held on the first Tuesdays of March and 
October. By Act of 1S42 they were required to 
meet on the first Monday of July and third Monday 
of September; but since the revision of the statutes 
in 1846, they have met only in October. 

Since the Act of 1844, creating the Board of 
Auditors, the supervisors have had no control over 
the county expenditures, and might be called with 
propriety the Board of County Assessors. For a 
representative body, they have remarkably few legis- 
lative powers. Their chief duty consists in equal- 
izing the valuations of property and apportioning to 
each city and township its proportion of the taxes to 
be raised, these apportionments being based on the 
assessors' books of the city and the township rolls 
of the several townships. 

Under Acts of April 13, 1827, and April 17, 1833, 
which treated the City of Detroit constructively as a 
township, the city, up to 1841, was represented on 
the board only by its one supervisor, elected for the 
purpose. After an existence of eleven years, under 
the General Statutes of 1838, the Board of Super- 
\isors was discontinued, and its duties transferred 
to three county commissioners. By Act of February 
10, 1842, the office of cotmty commissioner was 



123] 



124 



COUNTY OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES. 



abolished, and a Board of Supervisors was again 
provided for. Their first meeting was held on the 
first Monday of July, 1842. An Act of February 16, 
1842, provided that the ward assessors of Detroit 
should act as supervisors. A subsequent Act of 
January 30, 1850, provided that the city should have 
but three assessors, instead of one for each ward, or 
si.\ in all. The city thus lost three members of the 
board. However, it soon regained its quota, for by 
Act of April 8, 1S51, the alderman of each ward 
having the shortest term was authorized to act as a 
supervisor on the board, and on February 5, 1857, 
the Legislature authorized the city assessor and both 
aldermen from each ward to meet with the board. 

Up to the date of this last Act, unavailing strug- 
gles had been made yearly by the representatives of 
the city to secure such an equalization of the ta,xes 
as they deemed just, but their efforts were almost 
entirely futile. 

Since the Act of 1857 the city has had an ever- 
increasing number of members on the board ; and 
had the representatives of the city at any time 
united in any effort, they might have effected their 
purpose, as they had votes enough to outnum- 
ber the representatives from the rest of the county ; 
but the justice of their cause, or their skill in man- 
agement, has enabled the supervisors from the 
townships to preser\fe nearly the same pro rata of 
assessment between city and county that has pre- 
vailed for many years past. 

When any change is made in the relative amount 
of ta.xes to be paid by city and county, it has 
usually been done by raising or lowering the val- 
uations on either side, thus raising or lowering the 
percentage of the total ta.\ tliat either was to pay. 
The city, in 1S83, was paying nearly five si.xths of 
the total of the county taxes. 

The board meets on the second Monday in Octo- 
ber of each year; special sessions may be held to 
extend the time for payment of taxes, or for any 
purpose deemed important. The length of their 
sessions is not limited, but they are allowed by law 
to draw pay for only fifteen days, which is the usual 
duration of their sessions. 

The increase in the number of persons composing 
the board, and in the number of members from De- 
troit, is shown by the following table : 
1 827- 1 830, 9 members, i of them from Detroit. 
1 830- 1 833, 10 " r " 

1833- '834. 12 " I " 

1834- 1S35. 13 ■• I •• 

'835-'S39. 16 " I •• 

1 839- 1 842, No board in existence. 
1842- 1847, 22 members, 6 of them from Detroit. 
1847-1848,23 " 6 ■■ 

1848-1850,24 " 6 •• 

1850-1851,21 " 8 " 



1S51-1857, 26 members, 3 of them from Detroit. 
1S57-1S70, 39 " 21 •• 
1S70-1873, 41 ■• 21 " " " 

1873-1876,43 ■■ 23 " 

1S76 ,47 " 27 " 

It will be noticed that the number of members 
from country townships reached its maximum in 
1S48; the only increase in the board since then, 
outside of members from Detroit, being two mem- 
bers from Wyandotte, admitted since 1870. A 
reference to the article on townships will show in 
what year each township was first represented on 
the board. 

Board of County Auditors. 

This board divides with the Board of Supervisors 
the honor of succeeding to the powers of the county 
commissioners. The office was created by Act of 
March 11, 1844. Three auditors were to be elected 
in November, 1845. who were to decide, by lot, 
their first terms of one, two, and three years each. 
Auditors subsequently chosen were to be elected for 
three years, one annually at each general election ; 
and not more than one member of the board was to 
be elected from the same township, village, or city. 
The city of Detroit, though it always paid more 
than two thirdfe of the county taxes, was often with- 
out representation on the board. Greater equality 
was secured by the Act of May 31, 1883, which pro- 
vided that two members of the board must be 
residents of Detroit. By Act of February 12, 1855, 
in case of the expiration of a term of office in a year 
when no general election was to be held, the Board 
of Super\-isors were authorized to fill the vacancy. 

In importance, the office is second to none in the 
county. The board have vastly more power in 
county matters than aldermen have in city affairs. 
They have almost entire control of the county funds, 
and although they report to the Board of Supervisors, 
they are not subject to their directions, neither are 
they responsible to them, or in fact to any one but 
the chief executive of the State. It is their business 
to estimate the amount annually needed for county 
expenses, to audit all bills, and to make all disburse- 
ments on behalf of tlie county. They appoint three 
superintendents of the poor and two county phy- 
sicians. 

Section 10 of Article 10 of the Constitution of 1850 
provides that they shall have "e.xclusive power to 
prescribe and fix the compensation for all services 
rendered for, and to adjust all claims against " the 
county, " and the sum so fixed or defined shall be 
subject to no appeal." 

The powers of the auditors were further enlarged 
by Act of May 24, 1879, and since January I, 1S81, 
they have had power to " detemiine the number of 
clerks to be employed in all county offices and the 



COUNTY OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES. 



125 



wages to be paid them, to fix the compensation of 
the coroners and the salaries of all county ofilicers. 
They also keep a record of all the receipts and ex- 
penditures of the County Treasurer, countersigning 
all tax receipts issued by him. They are authorized 
to pay the Treasurer from $3,00x3 to $5,000 ; and 
the Judge of Probate, Prosecuting Attorney, County 
Clerk, and Register of Deeds, from $2,500 to $3,500 
each." Under the same Act, "All fees of whatever 
kind, collected for services performed in these offices, 
are required to be turned over to the County Treas- 
ury." The salary of each auditor, which was for- 
merly $1,000, was increased to $1,200 by Act of 
April 13, 1S73, and a further Act of May 19, 1883, 
provided that the circuit judges of the county might 
fix it at any amount, not less than $1,200, nor more 
than $2,500. The larger sum was fixed as the 
salary. 

The following persons have served as auditors : 
1845, William B. Hunt, Job Smith, A. H. Otis; 
1846, William B. Hunt, J. Smith. H. Fralick; 
1 847- 1 848, Ammon Brown, William B. Hunt, H. 
Fralick; 1849-1852, H. Saunders, A. Brown, Wil- 
liam B. Hunt; 1852, S. Poupard, James Safford, A. 
Brown; 1853, S. Poupard, James Safford, D. L. 
Quirk; 1854, J. Safford, D. L. Quirk, M. Anderson; 
1855-1857, M. Anderson, S. Poupard, G. Carson; 
1857-1860, IVI. Anderson, G. Carson, D. Sackett; 
i860, M. Anderson, Geo. Carson, W. H. Craig; 

1 86 1, Charles Steward, M. Anderson, W. H. Craig; 

1862, W. H. Craig, Charles Steward, William Taft; 

1863, John Hull, Charles Steward, William Taft; 

1864, John Hull, Geo. Carson, William Taft; 1864- 
1867. John Patton, George Carson, Benj. Sackett; 
1867. John Patton, .■^lex. Blue, Benj. Sackett; 1868, 
J. Patton, .A.lex. Blue, James A. Vi.sger; 1 869-1 873, 
A. Blue, Michael Kennedy, J. A. Visger; 1873, J. A. 
Visger, Samuel Zug, John S. Tibbetts; 1874, S. Zug, 
J. S. Tibbetts, T. G. Limbocker; 1875, J. S. Tib- 
betts, T. G. Limbocker, James Hoiihan; 1 876-1 878, 
T. G. Limbocker, J. Hoiihan, William Sales; 1878- 
1879, William .Sales, H. B. Thayer, G. F. Pillard; 
1880-1883, W. Sale.s, J. Hoiihan, G. F. Pillard; 
1883-1884, W. Sales, Alex. Mitchie, G. F. Pillard; 
1884- , \V. Sales, Alex. Mitchie, Jeremiah 
Sheahan. 

County Treasurer. 

This office dates from August i, 1792, under an Act 
of the Northwest Territory which provided for the 
appointment by the governor of a county treasurer, 
who was required to give $1,500 bonds, and received 
five per cent of the moneys coming into his hands 
as compensation for his services. By \(X of De- 
cember 17, 1799, his bonds were increased to $3,000. 
Under the Territory of Indiana, and also of Michi- 
gan, the governor continued to appoint the treasurer. 
By law of November 25, 1817, he was to be paid by 



a percentage on all moneys which he received and 
paid out. Under the same law Duncan Reid 
became the first and only assessor the county has 
ever had. Under Act of April 21, 1825, the com- 
mission of the treasurer then in office ceased, and 
after 1826 county treasurers were elected. The 
term lasted but a year. By Act of April 13, 1827, 
the term was lengthened to three years. Act of 
June 26, 1832, made the treasurer the auditor as 
well, but his action was subject to revision by the 
Board of Supervisors. An Act of April 13, 1833, 
provided that the treasurer should retain for his 
services not over three per cent of the moneys 
received by him ; and any e.xcess over one hundred 
dollars was to be credited to the county. 

Under and since the Constitution of 1835, the 
treasurer has been elected for terms of two years. 
The profits of the office, in former years, consisted 
not only in the salary received, but in the interest 
received on county funds, deposited with, or loaned 
out, to banks or individuals. Up to 1881 the treas- 
urers furnished their own books, and took them 
away when their term closed. Many important 
details of past doings are, therefore, not in possession 
of the public. An Act of May 27, 1S79, provided 
that after January i, 1 881, the books of the treas- 
urer should be provided and owned by the county, 
and that the treasurer should deposit his receipts 
daily in some bank, to be designated by himself and 
the auditors jointly, and that the funds should be 
drawn out only on the order of the auditors and the 
treasurer. 

Under law of May 24, 1879, and from January i, 
1 88 1, the salary of the treasurer has been $5,000. 
His assistants are paid by the county. 

The county treasurers have been as follows : 

1801-1805, Matthew Ernest; 1805, Richard 
Smyth; November 26, 1.817, to October 17, 1825, 
Conrad Ten Eyck ; October 17, 1825-1833, Peter 
Desnoyers; 1833-1836, D. French; 1836, Elliot 
Gray; 1837-1840, G. Spencer ; 1840-1843, R. Gil- 
lett; 1843-1845, Peter Desnoyers; 1845-1850, D. 
J. Campau; 1S50, J. B. .Schick; 1851-1855, G. M. 
Rich; 1855-1857, William Harsha; 1857-1861, G. 
M. Rich; 1861-1863, John Bloynk ; 1863-1867, 
George Miller; 1867-1869, E. P. Benoit ; 1869- 
1873, Paul Gies; 1873-1875, John F. W. Thon ; 
1S75-1879, George H. Stellwagen; 1879-1883, 
Calvin B.Crosby; 1883- , B. Youngblood. 

County C!i-rk. 

This office was unknown to Wayne County until 
created by Act of May 8, 1820, which provided 
that the clerk of the county courts should act 
as clerk of the county. On November 5, 1829, 
additional provision was made for this officer, and 
he was to be paid by the fees received. 



126 



COUNTY OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES. 



Formerly the clerk received $2,500 a year and 
fees, his deputy clerks being paid by the county. 
An Act of April 19, 1873, increased his salary to 
$6,000, with fees additional, and he was to pay his 
own assistants. By law of 1879, and since January 
I, 1881, all fees received by him are paid to the 
county treasurer, and his salary, of not more than 
$3,000, is fi.xed by the county auditors. 

From 1850 to 1.873 the county clerk, or his 
deputy, was clerk of the Supreme Court of the 
State at the terms held in Detroit. At the present 
time he is clerk of the Board of Supervisors and of 
the Circuit Court. All of the township officers 
report to him. All the records of the Circuit Court, 
the naturalization papers, and the election returns 
for the county are deposited in his office. All arti- 
cles of incorporation of all societies, and business 
corporations of every kind, also partnership agree- 
ments, and all marriages, and the yearly record of 
births and deaths are recorded in his office. 

The county clerks have been as follows: 1826, 
Philip Lecuyer; 1827 and 1828, Jeremiah V. R. Ten 
Eyck; 1 829-1 832, James B. Whipple; 1 832-1 836, 
Isaacs. Rowland; 1836, G. Mott Williams; 1837, 
T. E. Tallman; 1 838-1 841, Charles Peltier; 1841 
and 1842, Theodore Williams; 1 843-1 847, George 
R. Griswold; 1847 and 1848, D. C. Holbrook; 1849 
and 1S50, S. A. Bagg; 1851 and 1852, Jeremiah 
Van Rensselaer; 1853-1S57, E. Hawley, Jr.; 1857- 
1861, Enos T. Throop ; 1861 and 1862, David 
Walker; 1863 and 1864, Jared Patchin; 1865- 1869, 
J. D. Weir; 1869-1873, Stephen P. Purdy ; 1873- 
1877, Ray Haddock; 1877-1879, Jeremiah Sheahan ; 
1879-1S83, R. A. Liggett ; 1883- , J. J. Enright. 

County Superintendent of Schools. 

This office was created by Act of March 13, 1867, 
with the design of promoting the efficiency of coun- 
try schools. The salary was from $r,ooo to $1,500. 
The office was abolished by .-Vet of March 20, 1875, 
which provided for township superintendents. 

The following persons served as County Super- 
intendents : 1 867- 1 873, Lester R. Brown; 1873- 
1876, G. C. Gordon. 



Drain Commissioners. 

Provision was first made for this office by law of 
March 15, 1861, when the Board of Supervisors was 
given power to appoint three Drain Commissioners. 
By law of March 22, 1869, only one was to be 
chosen, and he was to be elected on the first Mon- 
day in April, to serve for one year, and not to be 
paid over $4.00 a day. A further law of April 1 3, 
1871, provided for the election of a drain commis- 
sioner in each township, to locate and construct 
ditches for drainage purposes ; and all ditches were 
to be made under his direction. 

The following have served as county commis- 
sioners : 

1861-1864, T. P. Martin. L. J. Ford, F. M. Wing; 
1864-1866, T. P. Martin, Alexander Blue, L. J. 
Ford; 1866, Jared Davidson, David Sackett, Har- 
vey Merrell; 1867-1869, H. Merrell, J. Davidson, 
Peter Ternes; 1869-1871, H. Merrell; 1871-1873, 
Amos Otis; 1873, Seth Smith; 1874, T. P. Martin; 
1875-1884, Wellington Ellis; 1884, W. Whitacre. 

County Sur7'eyor. 

This officer is the legitimate successor of the office 
of district surveyor, which was authorized by Acts 
of September 14, 1806, and June 8, 1819. The offi- 
cer was appointed by the governor, and paid by the 
fees received. By Act of July 31, 1830, each county 
was designated as a surveyor's district, and one sur- 
veyor for each was to be appointed by the governor. 
Under and since the Constitution of 1835, county 
surveyors are elected with other county officers, 
serve two years, and they have no salary. 

The following have served as county surveyors : 
1830, John MuUett; 1831-1837, John Farmer; 
1837-1841, Eli Bradshaw; 1841-1849, E. Hawley, 
Jr.; 1849-1851, William H. Brown; 1851-1853, 
Henry Brevoort, Jr. ; 1853-1855, Thomas Campau ; 
1 85 5- 1 860, N. Thelan; i860, David Granger; 1 861 
1863, William B. Knapp; 1 863-1 865, William Ives; 
1865-1869, N. Thelan; 1869-1873, A. H. Wilmarth. 
1873-1875, E. J. Goodell; 1875-1877, L. D. Harris; 
1877-18S1. C. H. Ellis; 1881- , E. Goodell. 



CHAPTER XXII, 



THE TOWNSHIPS OF WAYxNE COUNTY.— DERIVATION OF TOWNSHIP NAMES. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



TOWNSHIPS. 

By law of the Northwest Territory, of November 
6, 1790, the Court of Quarter Sessions was author- 
ized to divide counties into townships. According- 
ly, as early as November I, 1798, four townships 
had been created in Wayne County, namely, De- 
troit, Mackinaw, Sargent, and Hamtramck. In 
1802, or earlier, the township of St. Clair was or- 
ganized. On June 8, 1803, the township of Macki- 
naw was newly defined. On December 21, 1803, 
the township of Detroit was extended so as to in- 
clude the farm of John Askin, and on June 4, 1805, 
it was again extended as far as Huron River, and to 
include Grosse Isle. On January 5, 1818, Governor 
Cass established the townships of Springwells, Ham- 
tramck, Moguago, Huron, and St. Clair. 

The rear line of the Private Claims along the 
river constituted the western boundary of these 
townships. It was not until the county had been 
narrowed to its present dimensions that it was all 
divided into townships. Simultaneously with the 
creation of the Board of Supervisors, on April 12, 
1827, boundaries were established for the townships 
of Detroit, Springwells, Hamtramck, Monguagon, 
Brownstown, Plymouth, Ecorce, Huron, and Buck- 
lin. On October 29, 1829, Nankin and Pekin town- 
ships were created out of the township of Bucklin, 
which ceased to e,\ist. On March 21, 1833, the 
township name of Pekin was changed to Redford, 
and by a law which took effect on .Xpril i, 1833, the 
township of Dearborn was created out of part of the 
same township. On October 23, 1834, by procla- 
mation of Governor Porter, the name of the town- 
ship of Dearborn was changed to Bucklin, and by 
Act of March 26, 1836, it was changed back again 
to Dearborn. 

On March 31, 1833, the township of Greenfield 
was formed out of part of the township of Spring- 
wells. On March 7, 1 834, the township of Canton 
was formed out of Plymouth. The township of 
Livonia was created on March 17, 1835; it had 
been embraced, first in the township of Bucklin. and 
then in Nankin. The township of Romulus was 
formed out of Huron, by Act of the same date. 
By law, taking effect April 6, 1835, ^'^" Buren was 



[«7] 



formed out of part of Huron. Sum|3ter was organ- 
ized on April 6, 1840. On February 16, 1S42, apart 
of Brownstown was attached to Monguagon. On 
March 19, 1845, the name of Romulus was changed 
to Wayne, and on January 26, 1848, was changed 
back again to Romulus. Taylor was created out of 
Ecorce, on April i, 1847, and Grosse Pointe out of 
Hamtramck on April i, 1848. On March 3, 1849, 
Grosse Pointe was increased in size by the addi- 
tion of territory from Hamtramck. On April 2, 
1850, Greenfield was enlarged by the addition of 
territory from Springwells, and on March 25, 1873, 
it was diminished by taking from it certain territory-, 
which was added to Springwells. The Acts of 1832 
and 1 836, enlarging the limits of the city, took cer- 
tain territory from Hamtramck, a portion of which 
was restored in 1842. In 1857 and in 1875 other 
territory from Hamtramck was added to Detroit. 
The township of SpringAvells contributed a portion 
of territory to Detroit, by Acts of 1S49, 1857, and 
1875 ; ^nd a small portion was also taken from 
Greenfield and added to Detroit in 1875. 

In 1883 the limits of the several townships were 
as follows : 

Brcnvnstown was bounded on the north by the 
town line between Towns 3 and 4 south of R i o E ; 
on the south by the Huron River; on the east by 
a line nmning south through the centers of Sections 
2, II, 14, 23, and 26, and thence east on the south 
line of Sections 26 and 25 to the Detroit River; and 
on the west by the town line between Ranges 9 
and 10. 

Canton included all of Town 2 South Range 8 
east. 

Dearborn was bounded on the north by the town 
line between Towns 1 and 2 south of Range 10 
east ; on the south by the town lines between Towns 
2 and 3 of Range 10 east ; on the east by the town 
line between Ranges 10 and 11 east, the west boun- 
daries of Private Claims 670 and 31, and a line there- 
from extending to the river Rouge. 

Ecorce was bounded on the north by the river 
Rouge; on the south by the town line between 
Towns 3 and 4 south of Ranges 10 and 1 1 ; on the 
east by the Detroit River ; and on the west by the 



12^ 



DERIVATION OF TOWNSHIP NAMES. 



west line of Private Claim 31, and the section line on 
the west side of Sections 2, 11, 14, 23, 26, and 35, 
of Town 3 South Range 10 east. 

Grossc Point e was bounded on the north by the 
county line ; on the south and east by Detroit River 
and Lake St. Clair; on the west by the section line 
on west side of Sections 2 and 1 1 in Town i south 
of Range 1 2 east, by the north line of Private Claim 
394 and Connor's Creek, the section line on east side 
of Section 22, and the west line of Private Claim 725. 

Greenfield was bounded on the north by the 
county line ; on the south by a line running east and 
west through the center of Sections 4, 5, and 6 in 
Town 2 of Range 11 east, extending east until it 
intersects a line drawn parallel with the east line of 
Private Claim 260, and thence east along the rear 
line of farms to the line of Twelfth Street, in the city 
of Detroit, and the south line of the Ten-Thousand- 
Acre Tract to the Pontiac Road ; on the east by 
the town line between Ranges 11 and 12, the north 
line of the Ten -Thousand -Acre Tract, and the 
Pontiac Road ; on the west by the town line between 
Ranges i o and 1 1 . 

Hamtramck was bounded on the north by the 
county line ; on the south by the Detroit River ;uid 
the south line of the Ten-Thousand-Acre Tract and 
the quarter line of Section 28; on the east by the 
west boundary of Grosse Pointe ; and on the west 
by the east boundary of Greenfield and the city of 
Detroit. 

Huron inckuled all of Town 4 south of Range 9 
east. 

Livonia included all of Town i south of Range 
9 east. 

Monguagon was bounded on the north by the 
town line between Towns 3 and 4 ; on the south by 
the south line of Sections 25 and 26 in Town 4 
south, Range 10 east, and included all of Grosse 
Isle on the east; on the west it was bounded by a 
line running north and south through the center 
of Sections 2, II, 14, 23, and 26. 

Nankin included all of Town 2 south of Range 9 
east. 

Plymouth included all of Town I south of Range 
8 east. 

Redford indutled all of Town i south of Range 
I o east. 

Romulus included all of Town 3 south of Range 9 
east. 

Springuiells was bounded on the north by the 
south boundary of Greenfield ; on the south by the 
river Rouge ; on the east by the east line of Private 
Claim 78 ; and on the west by the east boundary of 
Dearborn. 

Suinpter included all of Town 4 south of Range 
8 east. 

Taylor included all of Town 3 south of Range 



10 east, lying west of the west line of Sections 2, 
1 1, 14, 23, 26, and 35. 

I' an Durcn included all of Town 3 south of 
Range 8 east. 

DERIVATION OF TOWNSHIP NAMES. 

Hamtramck was named in honor of Colonel John 
F. Hamtramck, first United States commander of 
Detroit. 

The name of Springwells has reference to the 
numerous springs which there abound. The early 
settlers called this region Belle-fontaine. 

Brownstown derived its name from Adam Brown, 
an Englishman, who, when about eight years old, 
was captured in Virginia in October, 1764, by the 
Wyandotte Indians, among whom he grew up, be- 
coming one of the principal chiefs of the tribe. He 
lived at, or near, what is now Gibraltar, and had 
charge of the archives of the tribe. He was living 
as late as 1812 or 1813. 

Monguagon, or Maguagon, was the name of a 
Potowatamie chief, who lived on the Detroit as early 
as 1755. 

Plymouth township was probably named in honor 
of the first American settlement at Plymouth Rock. 

Ecorce takes its name from the river Ecorce, or 
Bark River, which flows through the township. It 
was so called by the French and Indians because of 
the birch and other barks procured along its banks. 

The name of Huron comes from the old Indian 
tribe which frequented this region. 

Bucklin was named after William Bucklin, a jus- 
tice of the peace, and the first white settler in the 
township which bore his name. 

Concerning the names of Nankin, Pekin, and 
Canton, the following facts appear in the Legislative 
Journal. A law of April 12, 1827, prohibited the 
incorporation of any township having the same 
name as any post-office then existing in the United 
States. The legislative council, ignorant or forget- 
ful of this law, on October 20, 1829, passed an Act 
creating the townships of Lima and Richland out of 
the township of Bucklin. Governor Cass returned 
the bill the ne.xt day, unapproved, for the reason that 
it conflicted with the law in question. The council 
then determined to select names that would dupli- 
cate no others in America. Thereupon the names of 
Nankin and Pekin were substituted in the bill, and 
the townshiijs were duly created. It is a coinci- 
dence worth noting that in 1829, the year these 
townships were named, the first American mission- 
ary started for China. The name of Pekin was 
changed to Redford in 1833, but the next year the 
township of Canton was created, the council being 
apparently determined to have two Chinese names. 

Redford, or Rouge-ford, is probably so called 
because of the fording of the river Rouge, which 



TOWNSHIP Ol'l'lCERS. 



I2g 



flows through this township, by the Indians when 
on their way from the north to Fort Maiden, to 
receive the annual gifts of the Britisli Government. 

Dearborn was named in honor of General Henry 
Dearborn, of the United States Army. 

The very name of Greenfield suggests its origin, 
and its green fields are both beautiful and produc- 
tive. 

Livonia, as a township name, is doubtless the 
result of an effort to procure a name not duplicated 
elsewhere in the United .States ; it is probably named 
after one of the western provinces of Russia. 

Romulus reminds us at once of the founder and 
king of ancient Rome. 

Van Buren is named after Martin Van Burcn, 
eighth President of the United States, who was 
nominated the year the tovvnsliip was created. 

Sumpter, although incorrectly spelled by the addi- 
tion of the letter/, commemorates the name of the 
revolutionary patriot, General Thomas Sumter, one 
of the independent Southern generals, who, with 
Marion, did such valiant service. 

Grosse Pointe is so named because of its size, and 
its projection into Lake St. Clair. 



Taylor was named in honor of General Zachary 
Taylor, twelfth President of the United States, and 
hero of the Mexican War, which closed the year 
the township was organized. 

TOWNHIIIl' OFFICKRS. 

Under the Northwest Territory, a law of January 
i8, 1802, provided for the election in each township, 
on the first Monday in April, of one or more super- 
visors, a township clerk, three trustees or managers, 
two or more overseers of the poor, three fence- 
viewers, two appraisers of houses, one lister of tax- 
able property, and one or more con.stables. Under 
Michigan Territory the same offices existed. By 
law of March 30, 1827, town elections were held as 
before, and the following township officers were 
provided for : a supervisor, town clerk, three or five 
assessors, a collector, two overseers of the poor, 
three commissioners of highways, and as many 
fence-viewers, constables, and pound-masters as the 
people chose to elect. By Revised Statutes of 1838, 
the town officers were to consist of a supervisor, 
clerk, treasurer, three assessors, a collector, three 
school inspectors, two directors of poor, three com- 




MACOMB CO. 



Township Mai* of Wavnl: County. 



I ^o 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



missioners of highways, and such number of justices 
as the people desired. By Revised Statutes of 
1846, the officers were the same, except that there 
was to be no treasurer or collector, and but two 
assessors. 

The Constitution of 1850 provided for the election, 
on the first Monday of April, of a supervisor, a 
clerk, a commissioner, and an overseer of highways 
for each district, a treasurer, not more than four 
constables, and a school inspector, — this last office 
to be filled by the clerk. A law of April 13. 1871, 
provided for drain commissioners. 

The supervisor is at the head of the township 
government. He makes the assessment roll, and is 
allowed $2.00 a day for his services. The town 
clerk keeps the town records and a register of 
chattel mortgages; he receives $1.50 a day for the 
time employed in his duties. The commissioner of 
highways determines the number of road districts, 
and receives $1.50 a day for time employed. There 
is an overseer of highways, or path-master, for each 
road district ; he is elected by the people, 7n'va voce, 
the number of such officers being determined by the 
number of road districts. They serv-e without pay. 
The township treasurer collects the town ta.xes, and 
receives one per cent on all amounts collected be- 
fore January i of each year, and four per cent on 
amounts collected after that date. The inspector of 
schools determines the bounds of school districts, 
and receives $2.00 per day. A township superin- 
tendent of schools was provided for by Act of 
March 20, 1875. He inspects the schools, and, with 
the inspector, may change the bounds of school dis- 
tricts. He receives $2.00 a day for time spent in his 
duties. 

Excepting those for Detroit, the only names found 
of supervisors serving prior to 1827 are as follows : 

Hamtranick : 1818, Henry Connor and John Mel- 
drum; i8ig, William Little; 1823, P, Van Every. 

Springwells : 181 8, Warren Howard ; 1819, Fran- 
cis Cicotte ; 1 82 1, James May. 

Monguagon: 1 818, Jason Thurston ; 181 9. A. C. 
Truax; 1820, B. Rowley; 1822, Artemas Hosmer. 

The names of the supervisors of all townships 
and cities, except Detroit, since 1827 are as follows: 

Hamtramck ; — 1827-1833, C. Moran. 1833- 
1837, P. Van Every; 1837-1841, Louis Beaufait ; 
1841, John Kirby ; 1842, Louis Beaufait; 1843, 
Anthony Damito ; 1844, W. B. Hunt ; 1845, George 
Moran ; 1846, L. Moran ; 1847. Jed. I'. C. Emmons; 
1848, A. Damito ; 1849- 1862. J"'i" M- Mack ; 1862- 
1869, Henry W. Deare ; 1869-1871, Lawrence W. 
Dalton; 1871, H. W. Deare; 1872-1875, James 
Holihan ; 1875, John Keveny; 1876-1883, James 
A. Visger; 1883- , W. C. Mahoney. 

Spri n r, wells : — 1827-1 830, Peter Godfrey ; 1 830, 
R.A.Forsyth; 1831 -1837, William Woodbridge , 



1 837- 1 840, Peter Godfroy; 1840, George W. Bedell; 

1841, Peter Godfroy; 1842-1845, Samuel Trudell; 
1845, William Harsha; 1846, Joseph Baron; 1847- 
1849, Samuel Medill; 1 849-1 85 1, S. Trudell ; 1S51- 
1855, W. W. Irwin; 1855, Bernard Hackett ; 1856, 
S. Trudell; 1857-1859, H. Haggerty; 1859, B. M. 
Davis; 1860-1863. H. Haggerty ; 1863-1869, Ernest 
Ranspach ; 1869-1875, H. Haggerty; 1875-1881, 
Conrad Clippert; 18S1-1SS4. L. D. Haggerty; 1884- 
, J. H. Clixby. 
i\IONi;uAGON ; — 1827-1829, A. C. Truax; 1829, 
James Williams; 1830-1832, Ara Sprague ; 1832, 
H. P. Powers; 1833, Henry Raymond; 1834, 
Richard Smyth; 1835-1838, H. P. Powers; 1838, 
John A. Rucker; 1S39-1842, A. C. Truax; 1842- 
1844, Thomas Lewis; 1S44, W. J. Alvord ; 1845, 
H. Saunders; 1846-1S49, G. B. Slocum ; 1849, H. 
Gray; 1850, H. Saunders; 1851-1855, J. I. David; 
1S55, Thomas Lewis; 1856, H. Saunders; 1857- 
1859. James Campbell ; 1859, Dallas Norvell ; 1860- 

1864, William Ives; 1864-1866, Dallas Nor\^ell ; 
1S66, A. Dudgeon ; 1867, Wm. Ives ; 1868, C. Ives; 
1869-1871, John Clee; 1871, James I. David; 1872, 
Alvin A. Turner; 1873-1875, James H. Vreeland ; 
1875-1S77, Daniel Reaume; 1877-1879, William J. 
Duddleson; 1S79, James H. \'reeland ; 1880, W. J. 
Duddleson; 1881, John Clee ; 1882-1883- , Louis 
Groh. 

Brownstown:— 1827, Moses Roberts; 1828- 
1830. .Seth Dunham; 1S30, G. Brown; 1831, D. C. 
Vreeland; 1832, D. Smith ; 1833-1835, John Forbes ; 
1835-1837, Thomas Harryman ; 1837-1840, John 
Forbes; 1840, John Cook; 1841-1844, Thos. Harry- 
man; 1844, D. C. X'reeland; 1845, H. P. VanCleve; 
1S46, John Forbes; 1847, Joseph Selden; 1848, J. 
Forbes; 1849, John Cook; 1850, B. F. Knapp; 
1851, J. L. Near; 1852-1854, George Carson ; 1854- 
1857, B. F. Knapp; 1857, J. W. Van Riper; 1858, 
B. F. Knapp; 1859-1861, J. N. Hitchcock; 1861- 

1865, John W^ Van Riper; 1865-1868, J. N. Hitch- 
cock; 1868, B. F. Knapp; 1S69, W. H. Hooper; 
1870-1875, William Stoflet ; 1875, John Wood; 
1 876- 1 878, Samuel T. Hendricks ; 1878- , Wm. 
F. Stoflet. 

Plymouth: — 1827-1830, William Bartow; 1830, 
R. Root; 1 83 1, James Purdy ; 1832-1834, Philo 
Taylor; 1834, Roswell Root; 1835, I. M. Mead; 
1836, H. A. Noyes; 1837, Jonathan Shearer; 1838, 
James De Mott ; 1839. Roswell Root; 1840-1842, 
Henry B. Holbrook ; 1842-1845, E. J. Penniman ; 
1845-1847, H. B. Holbrook; 1847-1849, J. Shearer; 
1849. H. Fralick; 1850. E. J. Penniman ; 1851, J. B. 
Covert; 1852. H. Fralick ; 1853-1S55. J. S. Tibbetts; 
1855. G. A. Starkweather; 1856, J. S. Tibbetts; 1857, 
H.Bradley; 1858-1860, G. A. .Starkweather ; 1S60- 
1862, William Tafft; 1862. G. A. Starkweather; 
1863-1866, Winfield Scott; 1866-1872, Hiram B. 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



i;. 1 



Thayer; 1S72, Wintield Scott; 1873-1875, H. B. 
Thayer; 1875-1878, W. Scott ; 1878, Henry Hurd ; 
1S79. W. Scott; 1880-1882, S. J. Springer; 1882, 
H. B. Thayer; 1883- , C. U. Durfee. 

Ecorce: — 1827-1829, J. Cicotte; 1829-1S33, D. 
Goodell; 1833-1836, John Palmer; 1836-1839, Jonas 
Cioodell; 1839. Charles Steward; 1840-1842, Rich- 
ardSutliff; 1842-1846, John ISiddle; 1846, J. \'isger; 
1847, J. Goodell; 1848-1856, L. Cicotte; 1S56-1862, 
E. Visger; 1862-1867, James A. Visger ; 1867- 
, Hyacinthe F. Riopelle. 

Huron: — 1827-1829, Prosper Laurense; 1829, 
Amos Howe; 1830, A. McNath ; 1831, J. Craw- 
ford; 1832-1834, E. Bradshaw ; 1834-1836, John 
Crowfoot; 1836, S. H. Downs; 1837, Artemas Hos- 
mer; 1838, E. Bradshaw; 1839, Martin H. Ford; 
1840, Erastus Priest; 1841, John Crowfoot; 1842, 
T. J. Downs; 1843-1846, John Crowfoot; 1846- 

1849, Joseph Evans; 1849- 1852, L. Severance; 
1852-1854, W. S. Hosmer; 1854-1868, Joseph 
Evans; 1868-1871, Moses R. Nowland; i87i,Theo. 
T.Evans; 1872, A. P.Thayer; 1873-1875. G. W. 
Smith; 1875, Joseph Waltz; 1876, Henry Wager ; 
1877-1879, H. L. -Stoflet; 1879, Myron H. Ellis; 
i88o, H.L. Stoflet; 1 88 1- 1 8S3, M. H. Ellis ; 1883- 

, Joseph Waltz. 

BUCKLIN : — 1827-1830, Marcus Swift. 

Nankin: — 1830-1833, Marcus Swift; 1833, G. 
D. Champ; 1834, Adolphus Brigham; 1835-1838, 
Amnion Brown; 1838. G. D. Chubb ; 1839, Marcus 
Swift; 1840, y. Wightman; 1841, S. P. Cady; 
1842, M. Swift; 1843, Amnion Brown; 1844-1846, 
Volney Wightman; 1846, E. Hawley, Jr.; 1847- 

1850, A. Brown; 1850-1855, W. Edmonds; 1855, 
D. Walker; 1856, W. Edmonds; 1857-1859, D. 
Walker; 1859-1861, William Edmonds; 1861, D. 
Straight; 1862-1864, W. Edmonds; 1864, David 
Walker; 1865-1868, J. J. Palmer: 1868-1870, Geo. 
Stellwagen ; 1870-1872, William Edmonds; 1872, 
Samuel A. Cady; 1873-1875, George Stellwagen; 
1 875-1 878, John B. Wallace ; 1 878. Oscar S. Straight ; 
1S79-1881. Charles H. Cady; 1S81, William H. 
Haywood; 1882- , C. H. Cady. 

Pekin :— 1830-1832, C. Ten I^yck; 1832, G. W. 
Ferrington. 

Redford :— 1833-1840, G. W. Ferrington ; 1840- 
1S42, Hiram Segur; 1842-1845, G. W. Ferrington ; 
1S45, A. Stockwell; 1846, P. R. Thompson; 1847- 
1S49, G. W. Ferrington; 1849, A. Stockwell; 1850, 
G. W. Ferrington; 1851, D. Walker; 1852-1856, 
D. Sackett; 1856-1862, Alfred Harris; 1862-1864, 
David Sackett; 1864, Alfred Harris; 1865, J. J. T. 
Ziegler; 1866-1868, J. J. Prindle ; 1868. William A. 
Smith; 1869, A. J. Wixom ; 1870-1872, Jeremiah 
Sheehan; 1872-1874. Alfred Harris; 1874-1876, 
Ansel B. Pierce; 1876, John M. Lee; 1877, A. S. 
Woodruff; 1878. Asa H. Wilmarth ; 1879-1881, H. 



I. Burgess; 18S1, David Geney ; 1882- , John 
M. Lee. 

I:)earborn : — 1833-1839, C. Ten Eyck ; 1839, 
Cyrus Howard ; 1840, Martin V'rooman ; 1 841-1 844, 
W. G. Porter; 1844, Titus Dort ; 1845, T. M. 
Sweeney; 1846, Joshua Howard; 1847-1850, Titus 
Dort; 1S50, Cyrus Howard; 1851-1855, H. Wight- 
man; 1855, T. Dort; 1856-1858, H. Wightman; 
1858, T. Dort ; 1859, H. Wightman: 1860-1S62, R. 
Gardner; 1862. T. Dort; 1863-1867, William Daly ; 
1867, T. Dort; 1868-1870, William Daly; 1870- 
1872, Jared A. Se.xton ; 1872, Charles N. lirainard 
1873-1876, William Daly; 1876-1878, John Cosbey 
1878-1881, W. Daly; 1881, Charles N. Brainard 
1882- , W. Daly. 

Greenfield:— 1833, N. P. Thayer; 1S34, John 
Burbank ; 1835, Jacob Banager ; 1836-1838. N. P. 
Thayer; 1838, L.Goodman; 1S39, Isaac W. Fulton; 
I S40, David Smart ; 1841, William C. Maples; 1842- 

1846, John Blindbury; 1846, John C. Williams; 
1847-1852, A. H. Otis; 1852-1854, J. McFarlane; 
1854, A. H. Otis; 1855, J. McFarlane; 1856, John 
Strong; 1857-1864, James McFarlane ; 1864-1869, 
Peter Ternes; 1 869-1 871, George F. Pillard ; 1871, 
Anthony Ternes; 1872-1878, George F. I^illard ; 
1878, Walter Henderson; 1879, William A. McFar- 
lane; 1880-1882, Walter Henderson; 1882-1884, 
William A. McFarlane; 1884- , W. Henderson. 

Canton:— 1834-1836, James Safford; 1836-1838, 

A. Y. Murray; 1838-1845, Philander Bird; 1845, 
A.Stevens; 1846, D. D. Cady; 1847-1852, J. Safford; 
1852-1856, David Cady; 1856-1861, J. Safford; 
1861-1873, Bradshaw Hodgkinson; 1873-1878, John 
Huston, 2d; 1878-18S4, James A. Safford; 1884- 

, H. F. Horner. 
Livonia: — 1835-1839, Adolphus Brigham; 1839- 

1841, C.C. Leach; 1841, Joshua Bailey; 1842, \V. 
Tuttle; 1843-1845, Luther Dean ; 1845-1847, C. C. 
Leach ; 1847-1850, S. B. Smith ; 1850-1853. Charles 
Noble; 1853, A. J. Crosby ; 1854-1857, C. C. Leach; 
1857, C. Noble ; 1858, S. Smith ; 1859, C. C. Leach ; 
1860-1S62. J. S. Tibbetts; 1862. S. B. Smith; 1863 
Charles Noble; 1864-1867, Alexander Blue ; 1867, 
R. L. Alexander; 1868-1870, S. B. Smith ; 1870-1872, 
Ira J. Bradner; 1872, William H. Smith; 1873-1875, 
Ransom L. Alexander; 1875-1881, William T. Rat- 
tenbury; 1881-1883, John L. Vrooman ; 1883, W. 

B. Ewing; 1884- , Abram Stringer. 
Romulus : — 1835-1839, D. J. Pullen ; 1839, Seth 

Marsh; 1840, N. W. Piillen ; 1841, H. B. Adams; 

1842, N. W. Pullen; 1843, John F. Smith ; 1844- 

1847. John Carr; 1847, N. W. Pullen ; 184S, A. P. 
Young; 1849, L. Bigelow ; 1850-1853, G. W. 
Moore; 1853-1857, A. J. Pullen; 1857-1859. J. C. 
Winkleman; 1859-1868, A. J. Pullen; 186S, 
Ambrose P. Young; 1869-1872, Edward Bingle; 
1 87 2, George Frost; 1873, Hugh Bradburn ; '874- 



132 



TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 



1877, William Whitacre ; 1877-1879. Robert C. 
Bird: 1 879-1 881, William Whitacre; 1881. E. 
Bingle ; 1882- , Peter C. Bird. 

Van Buren : — 1835 — 1837, Ebenezer C. Eaton; 
1837, J. C. Vanijhn; 1838, E. C. Eaton; 1839, Job 
Smith; 1840-1843, J. C. Vaughn; 1843-1845, Eli 
Bradshaw: 1845-1847, George Jewett ; 1847, J. 
Burt; 1848, J. C. X'aughn ; 1849. E. C. Eaton; 
1850, R. P. Clark; 1851-1855. L. S. Anderson; 
1855-1865, William E. Warner; 1865. James C. 
Vaughn; 1 866- (868, L. R. Brown; 1868- 1873, C. 
J. Barlow; 1S73-1877, W. E.Warner; 1877, Gilbert 
Brown; 1878, W. E. Warner; 1879-1881, James 
A. Stevens ; 1881- , Henry Davis. 

SuiitPTER: — 1840-1842, Ira P. Beach; 1842-, 
Robert Merrill; 1843-1847. M. H. Ford ; 1847-1849. 
S. Bennett; 1849. M.H.Ford; 1850-1858, T. P. 
Martin; 1S58, H. Plumb ; 1859-1863, T. P. Martin; 
1863, Murray Sherman; 1864-1871. T. P. Martin ; 
1871-1875, Wellington Ellis; 1875-1878, T. P. 
Martin; 1878. Joseph C. Merrill; 1879, Elias T. 
Ingersoll; 1880. J. Burnap ; i88t- , Charles 
Merrell. 

T.wlok:— 1847-1849, J ared Se.'iton; 1849-1851, 



Peter Coan ; 1851-1864, Charles Steward; 1864, 
G. C. Putnam; 1865-1871, James Evans; 1871, 
John A. Vrooman ; 1872, James Evans; 1873- 
1878, J. J. Vrooman ; 1878- 1880, Peter Boltz ; 1880, 
G. P. Coan; 1881-1883, Peter Boltz; 1883- 
F. A. Schuman. 

Grd.sse Pointe: — 1848, George Moran ; 1849, 
Daniel Corby; 1850, George Martin; 1851-1858, 
R. M. Kirby; 1858, R. H.Connor; 1859, J. Apply; 
1 860- 1 863, R. M. Kirby; 1 863-1 871, John C. 
Pulcher; 1871-1875, R. 'm. Kirby; 1875- 
David Trombley. 

City of Wy.\ndotte : — 1870, John Morgan and 
Isaac Strong; 1871, Leander Ferguson and Charles 
Wilks; 1872, George Manx and Louis Stilzer ; 1873, 
George Marx and H. H. Eby ; 1874, George Marx 
and James Keusch ; 1S75, George Marx and Oscar 
Sanborn ; 1 876, Francis Murphy and Joseph Girardin ; 
1877, George Marx and Patrick Fury; 1878, R. W. 
Leighton and J. J. Thon ; 1879, R. W. Leighton 
and J. P. Debo; 1880-1882, R. W. Leighton and 
R. Mason; 1882, Jer. Drennan and S. D. Hinds; 
1S83. J. Drennan and S. J. Lawrence; 1884, Charles 
Schuffart and S. J . Lawrence. 



CHAPTER XXIII, 



THE EARLY (;()\'EKNMKNT OF DETROIT.— INCORPORATION AS A TOWN.— RULE OF 
THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES.— REVIVAL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 



THE EARLV GOVERNMENT OF DETROIT. 

The government and the local affairs of Detroit 
have always received attention. Kings, queens, and 
cardinals, archbishops, ladies of high degree, gov- 
ernor-generals, and generals of the religious orders, 
all in turn have given heed to matters concerning 
the "Colony of the Strait." 

Religious projects, commercial enterprises, grave 
political schemes and court amours were inter- 
woven with the management of the post. At 
different times, patriarchal, military, autocratic, and 
representative methods have here held sway. De- 
tails of some of the doings under these different 
forms of power afford rare items in the history 
of the past. 

The growth and progress of local government 
under American rule is shown in the chronological 
table of charters and laws.' During the French 
regime, local authority was vested almost exclu- 
sively in the commandants, lender the later years 
of English rule, the Court of General Quarter Ses- 
sions exercised many of the prerogatives appertain- 
ing to recent municipal governments. 

INCORPORATION. 

After atownshij-) organization was obtained, the 
same court that granted it administered the few 
simple regulations that the small settlement required. 

In January, 1802, a petition of citizens of Detroit 
was presented to the Legislature of the Northwest 
Territory', at Chillicothe, asking for the incorporation 
of the town. To this end a bill was introduced in 
the Assembly by .Solomon Sibley. The Upper 
House or Council proposed various amendments, 
but the Assembly would not agree to them. Finally 
a committee of conference was appointed, and as 
the result of their deliberations, the bill was passed 
in its original form on January 18. The Act was to 
take effect on the first of February. At the first 
election of the corporation, the freedom of the 
town was conferred upon Mr. Sibley in recognition 
of his efforts in behalf of the bill. The /\ct named 
the following persons as oflficers, and they were to 
serve until an election should be held : 



* Sec Appendi.x U. 



Tru.stees, John Askin, John Dodemead, James 
Henry, Charles Francis Girardin, and Joseph Cam- 
pau ; Secretary, Peter Audrain ; Assessor, Robert 
Abbott ; Collector, Jacob Clemens ; Marshal, Elias 
Wallen. 

At the first meeting of the trustees, on February 
9, 1S02, Messrs. Girardin and Wallen were absent 
from home, James Henry was appointed chairman, 
and John Dodemead, treasurer. James Peltier was 
made messenger of the trustees. 

The first election, on May 3, 1802, resulted in the 
retention of all the old trustees except John Askin, 
George Meldrum being elected in his stead. The 
secretary, assessor, and marshal were continued in 
office. William Smith was elected collector ; he 
resigned, and the trustees appointed Conrad Seek. 
The old chairman and treasurer were reappointed. 

On May 2. 1803, the following officers were 
elected : Trustees, Robert Abbott, Charles Curry, 
James May. D. W. Scott, E. Brush ; Secretary, Peter 
Audrain; Assessor, T. McCrae ; Collector. John 
Bentley; Marshal, Richard Smyth. 

James May was appointed chairman, Robert 
Abbott treasurer, and Louis Peltier messenger. 

The election of May 7, 1804. resulted in the ap- 
pointment of the following officers : Trustees, 
Solomon Sibley, James Abbott, Henry Berthelet, 
Joseph Wilkinson, Frederick Bates ; Secretary, Peter 
Audrain ; Assessor, John Watson ; Collector, Peter 
Desnoyers ; Marshal, Thomas McCrae. 

At a meeting of the tru.stees on May 11. 1804. 
Solomon Sibley was made chairman, and the former 
treasurer and messenger were continued. On 
August 6, 1S04, J. Bte. Piquettc was appointed col- 
lector in place of Mr. Desnoyers, who was absent, 
and on December 3, 1 804, John Connor was appointed 
marshal in place of T. McCrae, " who has left the 
country." 

The last officers elected under the Act were 
chosen on May 6. 1S05. and were as follows: Trus- 
tees, James Abbott, Dr. William Brown, Dr. Joseph 
Wilkinson, Fred Bates, and John Williams ; Secre- 
tary, P. Audrain ; Assessor, J. Watson ; Collector, 
J. Bte. Piquette ; Marshal. John Connor. The 
trustees were sworn in on May 1 1, and on the same 



134 



RULE OF THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES. 



day appointments were made as follows : Joseph 
Wilkinson, chairman ; James Abbott, treasurer ; 
L. Peltier, messenger ; and John Connor, clerk of 
market and police ofticer. 

Just one month later the fire of June 1 1 wiped out 
not only the town, but the corporation as well, and 
introduced the administration of the Governor and 
Judges. 

RULE OF THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES. 

This title designates a form of government unlike 
anything afforded by the history of any other place 
in the United States. An irresponsible and uncon- 
trolled autocracy fastened itself upon the people, and 
for a long series of years this anomalous government, 
a strange compound of legality and assumption, 
held absolute sway, exercising almost unlimited con- 
trol over the lands and laws, the persons and 
property, of the to\\-n. A condition of affairs ex- 
isted, at once so exceptional and so singular, that the 
relation of actual facts seeins like a record of feudal 
times. To obtain anything like a clear conception of 
those days this article should be read in connection 
with the chapters on " Legislatures and Laws," 
" Public Domain and Governor and Judges' Plan," 
"Supreme Court of the Territory," "Banks and 
Banking," and " Militia." 

By a strange conjunction of circumstances, the 
Governor and Judges of the Territory, who had 
been appointed January ii, just five months previous 
to the fire, arrived on the day following that event. 
There was but little left in the town for the old 
trustees to e.xercise authority upon, and both trustees 
and people naturally turned for assistance and 
counsel to their territorial rulers. The Governor 
and Judges, having a whole Territory to care for, 
might very appropriately have availed themselves of 
the services of the officers of the town in the en- 
deavor to bring order out of chaos, especially as the 
very Act that created the corporation of 1 802 had 
been passed upon and approved by the body that 
appointed the Governor and Judges, and besides, 
there w-ere among the trustees and citizens men who 
were the equals of the new territorial officers in 
learning and ability, and fully capable of acting in 
any capacity. 

Governor Hull and Judge Woodward, however, 
seeing an opportunity to obtain increased power and 
patronage, did not fail to improve it. They passed 
by all the prominent citizens of Detroit, ignored the 
officials and the corporation of 1802, and procured 
the passage of the Act of April 21, 1806, which 
gave to them alone the power to lay out a new town 
and dispose of the town lands. From this time 
they acted in a dual capacity, becoming, in fact, the 
executive officers of the town, as well as of the Ter- 



ritory. That they intended to do away with the 
old Act of 1802, and control the administration of 
local affairs, is evident from the fact that on Sep- 
tember 1 3, 1 806, they passed an Act pro-viding for 
the incorporation of the city of Detroit, the real aim 
of which is shown in the letters of John Gentle, pub- 
lished in the I^ittsburgh Commonwealth. The Act 
itself, still in existence in the original manuscript 
signed by the Governor and Judges, shows that Mr. 
Gentle's statements are true, and that all the power 
was really vested in the mayor, and that he was 
appointed by the governor, -who thus retained the 
ultimate control over the affairs of the city. Mr. 
Gentle says: 

This summer the legislative board passed a law incorporating 
the town of Detroit into a city. The governor conferred the 
mayorship on Solomon Sibley, who advertised the citizens to 
assemble for the purpose of choosing a first and second council, 
to consist of three members each. Accordingly the following 
persons were elected: First Council, Stanley Griswold, John 
Har\'ey, Peter Desnoyers; Second Council, Isaac Jones, John 
Gentle, James Dodemead. 

A few days after the election, Solomon Sibley relinquished his 
mayorship, and Elijiih Rrush was appointed by the governor 
mayor of the city in his stead. Some time in the month of 
December following, the Governor and Judges were committing 
some depredations upon the streets of the new town, entirely 
blocking up one, laying it out in lots, and disposing of them at an 
enormous price, to the great damage of the adjoining settlers; and 
removing another street about fifty feet, on purpose to make the 
bank form the comer of the two streets, and enlarge the avenue to 
the governor's mansion, to the great damage of the principal 
range of houses in the new town. These flagrant infractions on 
the rights and privileges of the citizens did not fail to attract the 
attention of the city council. They assembled to examine, for 
the first time, the corporation law, and to ascertain the extent of 
their jurisdiction. But how great was their astonishment when 
they discovered that the whole of the corporation powers centred 
in the mayor alone. 

* + + + ****♦*** 

That the elections of the councils, was a mere mockery, and an 
insult to the understandings of the citizens, will evidently appear 
by the following extract from the corporation law itself: "And be 
it further enacted, that every Bill, or Act, having passed by a 
majority of both chambers, before it becomes a law shall be pre- 
sented to the mayor, and if not approved by him shall not take 
effect, or become a law, but shall be returned, with his objections, to 
the chamber in which it last passed, — there to remain (for here it 
stopped) in statu ^uo until the day of judgment, without further 
reconsideration." But they ought to have added a few more 
words, to the following effect: "Who shall enter the objection at 
large on their journal, and proceed io reconsider it, and if after such 
reconsideration, two thirds of that chamber shall agree to pass the 
Bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other 
chamber, by which it shall also be reconsidered, and if approved 
of by two thirds of them it shall become a law, etc. Then the 
power of the two chambers would be complete, and in exact simili- 
tude with the power vested in every other body corporate in the 
Christian world. But as the Detroit Corporation Act now stands, 
of which the foregoing extract is the most important part, I defy 
the most enlightened age to produce anything so ridiculously 
absurd. By it the mayor is clothed with an absolute negative in 
all cases whatsoever, and by it the two councils are clothed with 
absolute insignificance. They are, if I may be allowed the expres- 
sion, a body without guts. Instead of having power to open one 
street, and prevent the removal of another, they had not power to 
open a hog-pen, or prevent the removal of a hen-roost. 



REVIVAL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 



135 



So great was the indignation of the people that 
officers were elected but once under this corpora- 
tion, and on February 24, 1809, the law was re- 
pealed. The next act in the farce was the repeal, 
on September 16, iSro, of all laws pertaining to 
Michigan that had been adopted by the Legislature 
of the Northwest Territory. This gave the legal 
finish to the Act of 1802, and, as had been the case 
from tlie date of the fire, the Governor and Judges 
continued to exercise control over the affairs of the 
town. They had lots to sell and lots to give away ; 
they fired salutes, buried the dead, and supported 
the paupers. 

In an old play, Robin Roughhead is represented 
as saying, on coming into possession of a fortune, 
" There sha'n't be any widows, for I 'II marry 
them all, nor any orphans, for I '11 father them 
all "; and if there had been no objection, the Gov- 
ernor and Judges, seemingly, would have been 
equally generous. In a word, they acted as almon- 
ers-general, paying out moneys from the Detroit 
Fund without consultation with any man or body 
of men, and rendering no account therefor. This 
state of affairs continued until after the War of 
1812. 



REVIVAL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 

Under the governorship of General Cass, an Act 
of October 24, 1815, restored the control of local 
affairs to the people. Five trustees were elected on 
October 30 to serve until the first Monday of May, 
1816, after which date officers were to be elected 
yearly. The following persons served as trustees: 
18 1 5, Solomon Sibley, chairman, James Abbott; 
1S16, George McDougall, chairman, Stephen Mack, 
A. Edwards, O. W. Miller, Peter Desnoyers, and 
Oliver Williams, the last named in place of Mc- 
Dougall for about two months; 1817, Abraham Ed- 
wards chairman, S. Mack, Charles Earned, O. W. 
Miller, Antoine Dequindre; 1818, John R. Williams, 
chairman, L. Dequindre, Richard Smyth, C. Ten 
Eyck, Joseph Campau; 1819, James McCloskey, 
chairman, A. Dequindre, Abraham Wendell, James 
Connor, Thomas Palmer; 1820, James Abbott, 
chairman, J. McCloskey, P. J. Desnoyers, Thomas 
Rowland, John Hunt; 1821, A. G. Whitney, chair- 
man, A. E. Wing, Levi Cook, S. Conant, Jacob 
Eilert; 1822, A. G. Whitney, chairman, A. E. Wing, 
Calvin Baker, Levi Cook, Charles Willcox; 1823, J. 
Abbott, chairman, Louis Dequindre, H. J. Hunt, 
John P. Sheldon, C. Baker. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE COMMON COUNCIL OR BOARD OF ALDERMEN.— BOARD OF COUNCILMEN.- 
ORDIN'AX'CES.— OFFICL\L YEAR.— CITY SEALS. 



COMMON COUNCIL. 

The government under the name of " The Board 
of Trustees" came to an end. and the Common Coun- 
cil was created by Act of .Auyjust 5, 1824. The first 
session was held on September 21, 1824. The new 
officials were evidently determined to have all the 
"light" possible in order to the proper discharge of 
their duties, as the proceedings for September 25 
show that the marshal was ordered to " |.iurchase 
for the use of the council and mayor's court four 
brass candlesticks, two pairs of snuffers, ten pounds 
of sperm candles, and a box for the safe keeping of 
the same." 

The sessions were held at various places as con- 
venience seemed to dictate. — sometimes at the store 
or office of one of the aldermen ; sometimes at Wood- 
worth's Hotel ; and now and then at the old Coun- 
cil House. When the city came into possession of 
the Military Reserve, one of the old buildings, known 
as Military Hall, located just west of Fort Shelby, 
w'as appropriated, and a session held therein on No- 
vember 15. 1826. On May i, 1827, a meeting was 
held on the banks of the river Savoyard, between 
Griswold and Cass Streets, for the purpose of ex- 
amining the stream with a view to changing its 
course. On May 18, 1827, a session was held at the 
market on Woodward Avenue, just south of Jeffer- 
son Avenue. From 1827 to 1834 sessions were held 
in Militar)' Hall, which was newly christened as the 
Council House. On November 19, 1834. it was de- 
cided to hold sessions in the old Council House, on 
the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street. 
In 1835 sessions were held in Williams' Block, on 
the .southeast corner of JefYerson Avenue and Bates 
Street. The City Hall was completed the same 
year, and a small room in the first story was used 
for the meetings of the council. The old Firemen's 
Hall, on the northwest corner of Earned and Bates 
Streets, was the next place of meeting. The first 
session was held there on December 24, 1 839, in an 
upper room. In the summer of 1852 the council re- 
turned to the old City Hall, the upper part of which 
had been fitted up for its use. This continued to 
be the place of meeting until July iS. 1871, when 
the old building was form.allv vacated, and sessions 



were thereafter held in the council chamber of the 
new City Hall. 

In 1825 sessions were held on Monday evening. 
During the cholera season of 1834 sessions were 
held twice a day. On April 13, 1S35, it was resolved 
•to meet on Wednesday evening. On August 31, 
1S36, the time was changed to Tuesday. After 
August 4, 183S, the council for a short time held its 
sessions at 2 P. M. on Tuesdays. Under Act of 
April 5, 1869, the council, on June 8, began holding 
sessions on Tuesday and Friday evenings of each 
week. Act of June 6, 1S81. provided that but one 
session a week should thereafter be held, and after 
that date sessions were held on Tuesday evening. 
Special meetings can be held on the call of the 
jiresident. though no business can be transacted that 
is not mentioned in the call. 

Under Act of 1824 five aldermen, together with 
the mayor and recorder, constituted the council. 
An Act of 1827 increased the number of aldermen 
to seven. Under Act of i S39 two aldermen from 
each ward, with the mayor and recorder, composed 
the fourteen members of the council. In 1848, by 
the creation of the seventh ward, two more mem- 
bers were added. The new eighth ward, in 1849, 
gave two additional members, and in 1857 the ninth 
and tenth wards, four more ; but as the Act of 1857 
provided that the mayor and recorder should no 
longer sit as members, the council consisted of but 
twenty members. In 1873 the twelfth ward added 
two members, and for about two weeks in 1874 two 
members from the then illegally constituted eleventh 
ward sat with the council. In 1875 by the creation 
of the eleventh and thirteenth wards, four members 
were added, increasing the number of members to 
twenty-six. 

Originally, a majority of all the members, includ- 
ing tlie mayor and recorder, constituted a quorum. 
L'nder Act of 1S39, the presence of the mayor, 
recorder, and six aldermen was necessary. By 
Act of 1848 the mayor, recorder, and five aldermen 
formed a quorum. By Act of 1851 the mayor 
and a majority of the aldermen were sufiicient ; 
since 1S57 a majority of all the aldermen constitutes 
a quorum. In case a quorum is lacking, by vote of 



[■36] 



BOARDS OF ALDERMEN AND COUNCILMEN. 



137 



a majority of the aldermen present, the president 
may send an officer to bring the delinquents to the 
meeting. 

The hrst rules for the government of the council 
were adopted on August 16, 1832, and the present 
rules are substantially the same. Petitions or docu- 
ments of an\' proper sort may be presented either 
by the clerk or an alderman. If objection is made, 
no question invol\-ing the expenditure of money can 
be passed upon at the meeting when it is introduced ; 
and no member of the council may vote on a ques- 
tion in witich he is pecuniarily interested. In case 
of a tie vote, the question is lost. On the demand 
of one fourth of the number present, or if called for 
by the chair, the ayes and noes must be taken. 

In 1S36 there were five standing committees, viz., 
on Claims and Accounts, Ways and Means, Streets, 
Health, and Fire Department. In 1842 all tlie 
above committees were in e.vistence, and also com- 
mittees on Hydraulic Works, Markets. Printing, and 
Licenses. In 1849 a Committee on Ta.\es was 
added. In 1855 committees were named on Gas- 
lights, Sewers, Public Buildings, and Parks. In 18S3 
there were twenty standing committees, having 
charge of such matters as are indicated by their 
several names, which are as follows : Ways and 
Means, Judiciary, Claims and Accounts, Streets, 
Fire Limits, House of Correction, Public Buildings, 
Sewers, Taxes, Parks, Street Openings, Printing. 
Markets, Health, Gaslights, Ordinances, Pounds, 
Licenses, City Hospital, and Liquor Bonds. The 
charter of 1883 designates this body the Board of 
Aldermen. 

It possesses a singular sort of authority in its 
power to sit as a Land Board, a power conferred 
by Congress in 1842, when the City succeeded 
to the land trust of the Governor and Judges. 
(See article on Land Boards.) Since 1852 the pro- 
ceedings of the council have been published yearly 
in book form; and annually from 1866, with the 
exception of one or two years, a manual has been 
issued containing the rules of the council and names 
of city officers, with various details concerning the 
city government. 

Prior to 1S57, the mayor, or in his absence, the 
recorder, presided over the council. Under the 
charter of 1857 the council was authorized to elect 
its own president, and also a president pro toiipori:. 
In 1S67 a struggle, lasting from January- 8 to March 
5, took place over the election of a president. The 
aldermen voted for were H. C. Knight, J. O. Weir, 
and Paul Gies. The last named was finally chosen. 
This contest caused the passage of the Act of Feb- 
ruary 14, 1867, which pro\-ided that when a vacancy 
existed in the office of president, the clerk should 
preside until the office was filled. 

The president appoints all standing committees, 



the first person chosen on a committee to be chairman. 
Either of the elected presiding officers may call 
upon any of the aldermen to act as temporary chair- 
man. Under Act of 1857, in the absence of the 
mayor, the president of the council discharges his 
duties. By law of 1 88 1 and charter of 1883, the 
president of the Board of Councilmen. or in his 
ab.sence, the president of the Board of Aldermen, 
becomes acting mayor. 

The following persons have served as presidents : 
1857, H. A. Morrow; 1858 and 1859, William C. 
Duncan: i860, Nathaniel P. Jacobs ; 1861, Jacob S." 
Farrand ; 1862 and 1863, Francis B.Phelps; 1S64 
and 1S65. S. Dow Elwood; 1866. William Brodie ; 
lS67and 1S68. Paul Gies; 1869. William S. Bond; 
1870. William Foxen; 1871, George W. Balch ; 1872 
-1875, William H. Langley; 1875, W. G. Thomp- 
son; 1876, G. W. Hough; 1877, Henry Heames; 
1878, T. D. Hawley; 1879-1882, Charles Ewers; 
1882, E. K. Roberts; 1883, J. E. Vincent. Henry 
Klei; 1S84, W. E. Moloney. 

BO.ARn OF COUNCILMEN. 

This body, originally called the City Council, was 
created by Act of April 12, 1881. The act pro- 
vided for the election of twelve persons from the 
city at large. The first twelve members, chosen in 
November, 1 881, were elected in groups of three for 
terms of one, two, three, and four years, and three 
members were to be elected yearly thereafter for 
terms of four years each. This body was originally 
supposed to possess the powers formerly exercised by 
the I5oard of Estimates, and all proceedings relating 
to the levying of taxes, the expenditure of money, or 
the incurring of liabilities of any sort, were required 
to have its approval. By the revised charter of 
1 883 the Board of Councilmen has only equal power 
with the Board of Aldermen in so far as matters of 
taxation and legislation are concerned, but they 
alone, on the nomination of the mayor, confirm a 
majority of the leading officers of the city and mem- 
bers of the several boards. Resolutions of any 
kind may originate in either board. Both bodies 
are required to meet in joint ses.sion when the annual 
report of the mayor is made, and they may unite at 
other times. 

A majority of the councilmen constitutes a quorum. 
The rules are much the same as those of the 
Board of Aldermen, and the standing committees 
are the same, except that this body has no commit- 
tees on Fire Limits, Licenses, or Liquor Bonds, and 
has committees on Franchises and Privileges, on 
Rules, and on Joint Resolutions, which the other 
board does not have. Weekly sessions are held on 
Friday evening. 

The City Council held its first meeting on January 
10, 18S2, and organized by electing as president A. 



138 



ORDINANCES— OFFICIAL YEAR.— CITY SEALS. 



H. Raynor; he was re-elected in 1S83. In 1884 
Henry D. Barnard was elected president. His 
death occurred soon after, and he w'as succeeded by 
Theodore Rentz. The names and terms of the first 
members were as follows : For one year, A. H. 
Raynor, A. M. Henry, S. A. Plummer ; for two years, 
J. T. Lowry, S. G. Caskey, H. R. Newberry ; for 
three years, S. C. Watson, John McGregot, Thomas 
Berry ; for four years, F. W. Swift, H. D. Barnard, 
S. B. Grummond. The members elected in 1882 
were A. H. Raynor, M. H. Chamberlain, and Theo- 
dore Rentz. The members elected for regular terms 
in 18S3 were Morse Stewart, Jr., Ralph Phelps, Jr., 
and Henry E. Champion, and at a special election on 
December 27, 1883. August Goebel was elected 
for two years, in place of S. B. Grummond resigned. 

ORDlNANCE,S. 

The Act of 1802 gave the trustees power to 
ordain rules for the government of the town, but 
their ordinances were to be submitted to the voters 
at the annual meeting, and if disapproved were 
thereafter to be null and void. A provision for the 
submission of ordinances to the people was also 
contained in the Act of 1815. Under thi.s provision, 
at the annual election in May, 1820, an ordinance 
concerning hogs running at large was voted out of 
existence, and in the following year one in regard to 
fires, passed five years before, was repealed because 
"unequal and oppressive." 

The by-laws and ordinances were first printed in 
1825. On February 13, 1826, the marshal was 
directed to leave "one copy at every hou.se, where 
the owner or occupant has not already been fur- 
nished." 

In 1813 the council rules required ever\- ordinance 
to be read three times before being finally voted on, 
and an ordinance could be read but once at the same 
session, unless by special vote. The first and second 
readings are usually by title only, and all ordinances 
are required to be approved by both councilmen and 
aldermen. In addition to the ordinances printed in 
pamphlet form in 1825, revisions in book form were 
issued in 1831, 1836, 1842, 1855, 1863, 1871, and 
1878. 

OFFICIAL YEAR. 

Under the Acts of 1802 and 181 5 the trustees 
were to qualify within ten days after the first Mon- 
day of May. By Act of 1824 aldermen were to 
qualify within fifteen days after the first Monday of 
April, and by Act of 1839 their term of office began 
as soon after the first Monday in March as they 
took the requisite oath. An Act of 1855 provided 
that the official year should begin on the second 
Tuesday in February-. By Act of 1857 the second 
Tuesday in January was fixed upon as the time for 



the first session of the new council. In so far as 
elected officers are concerned, their terms still begin 
at that time, but since 1879 the terms of officers 
appointed by the council, except members of the 
several commissions, begin on the first day of July. 

CITY SEALS. 

The first seal of the city was adopted on January 
3, 181 5. Thomas Rowland was then secretary. 
The records of the Board of Trustees show the fol- 
lowing : 

Until a corporate seal shall be procured, the secretary of the 
Board of Trustees shall use and apply his private seal, which is 
hereby adopted and made the seal of the corporation of Detroit. 

The next seal of the city was also a private one. 
belonging to John R. Williams, the mayor. It was 
temporarily adopted on September 23, 1824, and was 
described as being made of red carnelian set in gold, 
octagonal in form, and about one inch in diameter. 
In the center was engraved a shield with three 
fleurs de lis ; underneath the shield was the motto, 
" La justice nion devoir," and over it the letters J. 
R. W. 

The third seal adopted was likewise private prop- 
erty. The official proceedings of the Common 
Council for May 10, 1826, contain this record : 

Resoh'cd^ that a watch-seal belonging to Mayor Hunt be, and 
the same is hereby adopted as a temporary seal of the city of 
Detroit, to be used until a permanent seal shall be procured. Said 
seal consists of a topaz set in gold, on which are engraved the 
initial letters H. J. H. 

The fourth seal belonged to Jonathan Kearsley, 
and the Common Council Proceedings for November 
13, 1826, show the adoption of the following: 

Resolved, that a brass seal, belonging to the Recorder of this 
city, and bearing the initial letters J. K., be and the same is 
hereby adopted as the seal of the city until a permanent seal shall 
be procured. 

The fifth and present seal was sketched by J. O. 
Lewis, for which service he was paid five dollars. 
The following history of this seal is taken from the 
Council Records for March 26, 1827: 




Seal of ntt Ci 



UjiicV size.) 



CITY SEALS. 



139 



The Mayor presented to the Common Council a seal procured 
by him from Mr. William Wagner, of York, Pennsylvania, in pur- 
suance of a resolution passed on the fifteenth day of January last, 
whereupon it was 

Resoh'edy that the same seal be adopted, and shall hereafter be 
and remain the permanent seal of the city of Detroit; and that 
the following be recorded as the description of the same, to wit : 
The permanent seal of the city of Detroit is composed of molten 
brass, one inch and nine tenths of an inch in diameter, and six 
tenths of an inch in thickness, bearing this inscription in a circle 
around the edge : '* City of Detroit, Michigan." Within the circle 
in the foreground are represented two female figures, the one 
weeping over a city in flames, and the other pointing to another 



city in a growing state; both of which are represented in the dis- 
tance, on opposite sides of the circle. Over the whole, in a 
circular form, is inscribed the words, "Speramus meliora," and 
beneath, in a like circular form, the words, " Resurget cineribus." 

This significant device commemorates the fire of 
June ir, 1805, at which time Detroit was consumed. 
Our substantial public buildings, costly stores, and 
elegant residences indicate the fulfilment of the pro- 
phetic inscriptions. It may be truthfully said of 
Detroit, " It has risen from the ashes " and " We 
hope for better things." 



CHAPTER XXV. 



MAYOR.— CITY CLERK.— CITY ATTORXKV.— CITY COUNSELOR.— CITY HISTORIOG- 
RAPHER: DUTIES OF EACH OFFICIAL AND NAMES OF THE INCUMBENTS. 



MAYOR. 
As shown in the history of the rule of tlie Gover- 
nor and Judges, two persons, Solomon Sibley and 
Elijah Brush, were appointed mayors under the Act 
of 1806. Practically, however, the office has existed 
only since the charter of 1824. Originally the 
mayor presided at meetings of the council and over 
the sessions of the mayor's court, which took cog- 
nizance of all violations of the city ordinances ; he 
served witliout pay. The charter of 1857 provided 
that he should have a yearly salary of §1,200; it al.so 
abolished the ijiayor's court, and provided that the 
mayor should no longer sit in the council. The 
mayor nominates the members of the Board of 
Public Works, and of the Water, Fire, Health, 
Park, and Poor; Commissions, the city counselor, 
the comptroller, the receiver of ta.xes, the assessors, 
and the inspectors of the House of Correction ; 
by virtue of his olhce, he is also one of the com- 
missioners of the Sinking Fund. All licen.ses, 
for ordinary business, or for theaters or exhi- 
bitions, are issued only on his order. He also 
passes upon all proceedings of the council, having 
the power of vetoing any resolution which he 
disapproves. He is elected for terms of two 
years. The following persons have served as 
mayors: 1824 and 1825, John R. Williams; 1826, 
Henry J. Hunt ; 1827 and 1828, John Biddle ; 1829, 
Jonathan Kearsley; 1830, John R. Williams; 1831, 
.Marshall Chapin ; 1832, Levi Cook; 1833, Marshall 
Chapin ; 1 834, C. C. Trowbridge, Andrew Mack ; 
1835 and 1836, Levi Cook; 1837, Henry Howard; 
1838, Augustus S. Porter, Asher B. Bates; 1839, 
De Garnio Jones; 1840 and 1841, Zina Pitcher; 
1842, Douglas Houghton ; 1843, Zina Pitcher; 1844- 
1847, John R. Williams; 1847, James A. \'an 
Dyke; 1S48, Frederick Buhl; 1849, Charles How- 
ard; 1850, John Ladue; 1851, Zachariah Chandler; 
1852 and 1853, John H. Harmon; 1854, Oliver M. 
Hyde; 1855, Henry Ledyard ; 1856 and 1857, O. M. 
Hyde; 1858 and 1859, John Patton ; i860 and 1861, 
Christian H. Buhl; 1862 and 1863, William C. Dun- 
can; 1864 and 1865. K. C. Barker; 1866 and 1867, 
Merrill I. Mills; 1868-1872, William W. Whea- 
lon, 1872-1S76, Hugh Moffat; 1876 and 1877, 



Alexander Lewis; 1878 and 1879, George C. Lang- 
don; 1880-1884. William G. Thompson; 1884, 
.Stephen B. Grummond. 

CITY CLERK. 

From 1815-1824 the clerk of the Board of 
Trustees was styled the secretary, and the office was 
filled as follows: 1815-1S20, Thomas Rowland; 
1820, George McDougall, J. D. Doty; 1821 -1824, 
J. V. R. Ten Eyck. 

The charter of 1824 created the title, and provided 
for the appointment by the council, of a city clerk. 
An Act of 1849 made the office elective. The 
term of office is two years. It is the duty of the 
clerk to make a full record of the proceedings and 
resolutions of both boards, and to present it to 
the mayor for his approval or dissent within 
forty-eight hours after every meeting, also to at- 
tend to the publication of all notices required to be 
published. He is the custodian of the official publi- 
cations of the city, and administers the oath of office 
to all incumbents. At the beginning of each oHicial 
year it is his duty to call the Boards of Aldermen 
and Councilmen to order, and to preside ox-er the 
meetings and all subsequent sessions until presi- 
dents are elected. He has charge of all the ballot- 
boxes, blanks, and books required at any election, 
supplying the same to the prf)per persons ; keeps the 
list of house numbers established by the city engi- 
neer ; is the depository of all chattel mortgages, and 
keeps a record of the same. The bonds and reports 
of all city officers are filed in his office. In 1832 the 
salary was $1 50 a year; in 1836 it had increased to 
§500; in 1883 the salary was §2,500. The office of 
deputy clerk has existed since March 6, 1857. The 
following persons have served as city clerks: 1824- 
1828, V.Spalding; 1828-1831, John J. Deming; 1831 
and 1832, John L. Whiting; 1833 and 1S34, John 
Winder; 1835, Felix Hinchman; 1836- 1 841, George 
Byrd; 1 841-1844, C. F. Davis; 1 844- 18 50, R. E. 
Roberts; 1850 and 1851, Jer. Van Rensselaer and 
A. T. Hall; 1852. D. Munger; 1853, H. S. Roberts; 
1854-1858, Richard Starkey; 1858 and 1859, F. W. 
Hughes; 1S60, R. C. .Smith; 1861, H. A. Lacey; 
1 862- 1 866, F. Pramstaller; 1S66-1872, H. Starkey; 



[140] 



CITY ATTORNEY.— CITY COUNSELOR.— CITY HISTORIOC^.RAI'HER. 



141 



1S72-1878, C. H. Borgman; 1878- 1882, Louis Dill- 
man; 1SS2- , Alex. A. Saenger. 

ClIY ATTORNEY. 

The office of city attorney existed in 1825, but 
was not created by ordinance until March 8. 1837. 
Appointments were originally made by the council. 
Since Act of February 21,1 849, attorneys ha\'e been 
elected every two years. The attorney drafts all 
proposed ordinances, gives legal opinions on all sub- 
jects referred to him by the council, and is expected 
to attend its sessions. When directed to do so by 
the Common Council, he attends to suits instituted 
against or by the city. The salary in 1883 was 
§2,500. Since 1876 there has been an assistant city 
attorney, who is appointed by the coimcil. The city 
attorneys have been as follows: 1825, H. S. Cole; 
1826-1829, E. Farnsworth; 1829, C)-prian Stevens; 
1S30-1832, E. Farnsworth; 1832 and 1833, A. I). 
Fraser; 1834, J. M. Howard; 1835, A. B. Bates; 
1836, J. A. VanDyke; 1837, A. W. Buel; 1838 and 
1839, J. A. VanDyke; 1840-1843, C. O'Fljmn; 1843, 
E. Taylor; 1844 and 1845, ^- E. Harbaugh; 1846, 
W. A. Howard; 1847,0. B. Duffield; 1848 and 
1849, W. A. Cook; 1S50, William Gray; 185 1, A. 
Mandell; 1852 and 1853, J. B. Witherell; 1854-1857, 
J. Knox Gavin; 1857-1860, J. L. Chipman ; i860 
and 1 861. William J. Speed; 1862 and 1863, T. M. 
McEntee; 1864-1868, Thomas H. Hartwell; 1868- 
1872, James J. Brown; 1872-1876, Frank G. Rus- 
sell; 1 876-1 880, William C. Maybury; 1880 and 
1881, F. G. Russell; 1882- , J. B. Corliss. 

CITY COUNSELOR. 

The office of city counselor was created by Act 
of March 12, 1861. Appointments are made by the 
council, on nomination of the mayor, for terms of 
three years. The counselor is required to attend all 



sessions of the council. His duties are chieHy ad- 
visory, the intent of the office being to insure greater 
legal certainty in city proceedings, and to this end 
the attorney and counselor are supposed to co- 
operate. In all suits in which the city is interested, 
brought in the Circuit Court of Wayne County, the 
Supreme Court of Michigan, or the United States 
Court, the counselor appears in behalf of the city. 
The salary in 1S83 was $2,000. The following have 
served as city counselors : 1 863- 1 870, William Gray; 
1870-1872, J. P. Whittemore; 1872-1878, D. C. 
Holbrook; 1S78-1881, F. A. Baker; 1881- , H. 
M. Duffield. 

CITY HISTORIOGRAPHER. 

The origin of the office of historiographer is as 
follows: On .September 6, 1842, a petition for its 
creation, signed by Z. Pitcher and others, was pre- 
sented to the council. The petition was referred to 
the recorder and city attorney, and on January 24, 
1843, an ordinance establishing the office was 
adopted. On January 31 Colonel Henry Whiting 
was appointed historiographer, but being soon after 
ordered to another post, on June 6 he was succeeded 
by H. N. Walker. Mr. Walker gathered together 
several valuable documents, which were subse- 
quently placed in the collection of the State Histori- 
cal Society; he held the office only a few years, 
other duties claiming his time. In 1855 B. F. H. 
Witherell was appointed, and ser\-ed until his death 
in 1867. The office was then \-acant until 1876, 
when Levi Bishop received the appointment. His 
death occurred in December, 1881, and on January 
3, 1882, Silas Farmer was appointed to fill the 
vacancy. The office is purely honorar)-. The duties 
consist in gathering and preser\-ing books, docu- 
ments, and historic material pertaining to the city of 
Detroit. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



ALDERMEN ; THEIR DUTIES AND NAMES. 



This office was first named in the Act of August 
5, 1824, which provided for five aldermen, to be 
elected from the city at large. The number was 
increased to seven by Act of April 12, 1827. No 
ward aldermen were elected until April 15, 1S39, 
when, at a special election, two were chosen from 
each of the six wards created that year, one to serve 
two years and the other one year. The inspectors 
of election determined by lot which should serve for 
one year and which for two years. In all wards 
since created two aldermen have been provided for, 
and at all yeanJy elections an alderman for each ward 
is chosen for a term of two years. Under the charter 
of 1824 two aldermen were selected, from time to 
time, to preside with the mayor over the mayor's 
court. By Act of April 13, 1841, one alderman 
could hold a session of the court. These duties 
ceased after the recorder's court was established. 
The charter of 1857 provided that the aldermen 
then in office should continue to serve until January, 
1858, and provision was made for the election, in 
November, 1857, of two aldermen from each ward, 
one of whom was to serve for one year only. In 
1 881, when an entirely new division of wards was 
made, the Common Council was authorized to 
assign the aldermen who had been elected the 
previous year to the several new wards. Under Act 
of June 6, 1 881, no person could be elected a mem- 
ber of the Common Council unless he was a free- 
holder. The charter of 1883 made no such provision. 

On April 8, 1837, a committee was appointed to 
inquire into the propriety and expediency of paying 
for the services of the mayor, recorder, and alder- 
men. That committee did not report, and the alder- 
men were apparently content to serve without pay, 
until May 13, 1S57. On that date a series of single 
resolutions, offered by various aldermen, provided 
that the chairman of each committee should receive 
$300 a year, and as each alderman was chairman of 
a committee, all, on the approval of these resolu- 
tions, would have received compensation. Mayor 
Hyde disapproved of this action, and for ten years 
longer no salary was attached to the office of alder- 
man. Finally an Act of March 28, 1867, authorized 
the payment of a sum, not to exceed one dollar and 
fifty cents, for attendance on each regular session ; 
but under ordinance of October 20, 1870, no alder- 



man can receive pay unless he is present during the 
entire session, or is excused from attendance. Pay- 
ment was made from the general fund until 1873, 
and since then from the contingent fund. By law of 
1 88 1 the sum ol three dollars is now paid for each 
regular session attended. No alderman can hold 
any other city office, or any county or legislative 
office except that of notary public. Since Act of 
April 8, 1851, all of the aldermen, as representatives 
of the city, have been members of the Board of 
Supenasors. The following persons have served as 
aldermen ; where the names of more than two per- 
sons to a ward appear in any year, it is because 
death or resignation brouglit in a third person for 
part of the year : 

ylldcniu-n at Large. 
1824, Shubael Conant, Melvin Dorr, Orville Cook, 
David C. McKinstry, Peter J. Desnoyers ; 1825, O. 
Cook, D. C. McKinstry, R. A. Forsyth, Thomas 
Rowland, William Woodbridge ; 1826, Antoine 
Dequindre, Marshall Chapin, D. C. McKinstry, 
Thomas Palmer, Obed Waite ; 1827, P. J. Des- 
noyers, De Garmo Jones, M. Chapin, Thomas 
Palmer, Jerry Dean; 1828, H. .M. Campbell, J. P. 
Sheldon, John Mullett, Levi Cook, John Farrar, 
Charles Jackson, Jerry Dean, Obed Waite ; 1829, 
Thomas Palmer, B. Campau, H. M. Campbell, H. 
V. Disbrow, Peter Desnoyers, John D. Cray, R. 
Gillett, M. Chapin, E. Brooks; 1830, P. J. Des- 
noyers, De Garmo Jones, B. B. Kercheval, T. S. 
Wendell, T. Palmer, Stephen C. Henry, John 
Palmer; 1831, O. Newberry, Elliot Gray, John 
l^almer, David French, J. Farrar, George A. O'Keefe, 
Alonzo Merrill ; 1 832, H. V. Disbrow, T. S. Knapp, 
A. C. Caniff, Walter L. Newberry, John Hale, John 
Roberts, Thomas Rowland; 1833, C. C. Trow- 
bridge, John Garrison, T. Palmer, H. Newberry, 
Henry Howard, Charles Moran, James Williams ; 
1834, Enoch Jones, Julius Eldred, Stevens T.Mason, 
Job F. Howland, Henry Howard, T. S. Wendell, C. 
Moran, T. S. Knapp, T.Williams; i835,T. Palmer, 
A. C. Caniff, O. Newberry, N. T. Ludden, D. Cooper, 
T. Williams, Julius Eldred; 1836, D. Cooper, J. 
Eldred, J. Farrar, Thomas Palmer, O. Newberry, 
John Owen, D. Lamson; 1837. John McDonnell, C. 
Moran, James Hanmer, George B. Martin, John 



Lh=>] 



ALDERMEN : THEIR DUTIES AND NAMES. 



143 



Scott, Harlow Beardslee, Thomas Chase; 1838, P. 
J. Desnoyers. De Garmo Jones, P. E. De Mill, A. 
Hanshorn, J. M. Mead, Nathaniel Prouty, H. B. 
Lathrop. 

JVard Aldermen. 

1839, First Ward: G. C. Bates, H. H. LeRoy. 
Second Ward : C. Hurlbut, John Palmer. Third 
Ward : A. T. McRejTiolds, J. J. Garrison. Fourth 
Ward, P. Desnoyers, C. Moran. Fifth Ward ; C. 
M. Bull, A. H. Stowell, G. Paidl. Si.xth Ward: 
James Stewart, W. F. Chittenden. 

1840, First Ward: A. Ewers, H. H. LeRoy. 
Second Ward : C. Hurlbut, J. Palmer. Third 
Ward : F. Cicotte, J. J. Garrison. Fourth W'ard : 
A. Gruenlich. C. Moran. Fifth Ward: D. W. 
Fiske, G. Paull. Si.xth Ward : J. V. Ruehle, W. F. 
Chittenden. 

1841, First Ward: J. Moors, A. Ewers. Second 
Ward : C. Hurlbut, P. J. Desnoyers. Third Ward : 
M. Gooding, F. Cicotte. Fourth Ward : C. Moran, 
M. L. Gage. Fifth Ward: J. H. Bagg, D. W. 
Fiske. Sixth Ward : W. F. Chittenden, J. V. 
Ruehle. 

1842, First Ward : A. C. Caniff, J. Moors. Sec- 
ond Ward: J. Scott, J. Abbott, W. W. Dalton. 
Third Ward : A. Ten Eyck, M. Gooding. Fourth 
Ward : G. M. Rich, C. Moran. Fifth Ward : 
Tobias Lowe, J. H. Bagg. Sixth Ward : S. W. 
Higgins, H. R. Andrews. 

1843, First Ward : O. B. Dibble, A. C. Caniff. 
Second Ward : B. Woodworth, N. Tomlinson. 
Third Ward: J. A. \'an Dyke, A. Ten Eyck. 
Fourth Ward : C. Moran, C. OTlynn. Fifth Ward : 
W. E. Stearns, A. S. Williams. Sixth Ward : 
James Stewart, H. R. Andrews. 

1844, First Ward : J. Owen, O. B. Dibble. Sec- 
ond Ward : B. Woodworth, X. Tomlinson. Third 
Ward : E. Chapoton, J. A. Van Dyke. Fourth 
Ward : P. Desnoyers, C. Moran. Fifth Ward : O. 
M. Hyde, W. e'. Stearns. Sixth Ward: H. R. 
Andrews, J. Stewart. 

1845, First Ward: F. Buhl, J. Owen. Second 
Ward: B. Woodworth, C. R. Desnoyers. Third 
Ward : B. Wight, E. Chapoton. Fourth Ward : 
C. Moran, P. Desnoyers. Fifth Ward : B. B. Moore, 
O. M. Hyde. Sixth Ward : W. Barclay, J. Scott. 

1846, First Ward : F. Buhl, M. Stevens. Second 
Ward: C. R. Desnoyers, W. Duncan. Third 
Ward : B. Wight, Theo. Williams. Fourth Ward : 
C. Moran, N. Greusel, Jr. Fifth Ward: B. B. 
Moore, C. C. Jackson. Sixth Ward : W. Barclay, 
L. Baldwin. 

1847, First Ward : G. C. Bates, Marcus Stevens. 
Second Ward : J. H. Harmon, William Duncan. 
Third Ward: William Burnell, Theo. Williams. 
Fourth Ward: G. R. Griswold, N. (Jreusel, Jr. 



Fifth Ward : 0. ^L Hyde, C. C. Jackson. Sixth 
Ward : W. F. Chittenden, L. Baldwin. 

1848, First Ward: G. W. Howe, G. C. Bates. 
Second Ward : W. Duncan, M. P. Hutchins. Third 
Ward : Abram Tuttle, William Burnell. Fourth 

_Ward : B. Wight, S. B. Morse. Fifth Ward : John 
Norton, O. M. Hyde. Sixth Ward : James Stewart, 
Lyman Baldwin. Seventh Ward : F. E. Eldred, 
W. A. Bacon. 

1849, First Ward; A. Ives, G. W. Howe. Sec- 
ond Ward : W. R. Noyes, William Duncan. Third 
Ward : John Patton, Abram Tuttle. Fourth Ward: 
H. Ledyard, B. Wight. Fifth Ward : J. P. Whit- 
ing, John Norton. Si.xth Ward : John Hull. J. 
Stewart. Seventh Ward: F. E. Eldred, R. C. 
Smith. Eighth Ward : A. T. Hall, A. Marsh. 

1850, First Ward: J. L. Carew, A. Ives. Second 
Ward: C. H. Buhl. W. R. Noyes, Jr. Third 
Ward : N. Tomlinson, J. Patton. Fourth Ward : J. 
M. Davis, H. Ledyard. Fifth Ward : .A. H. Stowell. 
J. P. Whiting. Sixth Ward ; J. Stewart, John Hull. 
Seventh Ward: Ezekiel McDonald, R. C. Smith. 
Eighth Ward : A. Marsh, L. C. Fletcher. 

1851, First Ward: C. W. Jackson, A. Ives. Sec- 
ond Ward: J. A. Slaymaker, C. H. Buhl. Third 
Ward : J. McRe>Tiolds, J. Hoek. Fourth Ward : 
S. G. Wight, J. Cornfield, Geo. Miller. Fifth 
Ward: E. Shepard, A. H. Stowell. Si.xth Ward: 
S. B. Morse, J. Stewart. Seventh Ward: R. C. 
Smith, E. McDonald. Eighth Ward : L. C. Fletcher, 
A. Marsh. 

1852, First Ward : C. W. Jackson, J. B. Clark. 
Second Ward : J. A. Slaymaker, W. F. Chittenden. 
Third Ward : J. McReynolds, George Foote. Fourth 
Ward: S. G. Wight, A. T. Ladue. Fifth Ward: 
E. Shepard, A. H. Stowell. Si.xth Ward: S. B. 
Morse, D. Riopelle. Seventh Ward : R. C. Smith, 
E. Doyle. Eighth Ward: L. C. Fletcher, G. B. 
Aver)'. 

1853, First Ward: John Gibson, James Collins. 
Second Ward : W. F. Chittenden, W. H. Craig. 
Third Ward : G. Foote, John Patton ; Fourth 
Ward: A. Ladue, E. Lyon. Fifth Ward: A. H. 
Stowell. J. Hull. Sixth Ward: D. Riopelle, W. 
Barclay. Seventh Ward : E. Doyle, P. Fischer. 
Eighth Ward : G. B. Avery, S. Martin. 

1854, First Ward: James Collins, W. C. Duncan. 
Second Ward: Wm. H. Craig, E. A. Lansing. 
Third Ward: John Patton, I. W. IngersoU. Fourth 
Ward: Edward Lyon, Isaac Finehart. Fifth Ward: 
John Hull, H. H.' LeRoy. Sixth Ward: William 
Barclay, W. W. Wilcox. Seventh Ward: E. Doyle, 
William Fischer. Eighth Ward: Stephen Martin, 
Francis Mayhew. 

1855, First Ward: W. C. Duncan, .-Mbert Marsh. 
Second Ward: E. A. Lansing, W. H. Craig. Third 
Ward: I. W. IngersoU, Anthony Dudgeon. Foiuih 



144 



ALDERMEN: THEIR DUTIES AND NAMES. 



Ward: Isaac Finehart. 11. H. Thompson. Fifth 
Ward: H. H. LeRov. R. \V. King. Sixth Ward: 
A. Sheley. W. W. 'wili:.,x. Seventh Ward: E. 
Diiyle, R. Reaume. Eighth Ward: ¥. Mayhew, 
Stephen Martin. 

1856-1857, First Ward : W. C. Duncan, A. Marsh. 
Second Ward, George Niles, W. H. Craig. Third 
Ward: E. V. Cicotte, Joseph Hoel<. Fourth Ward: 
E. N. Lacroix, B. H. Thompson. Fifth Ward: Wm. 
Gibbings, R. W. King. Sixth Ward: W. Dyson, 
A. Sheley. Seventh Ward: E. Doyle, R. Reaume. 
Eighth Ward; S. Martin, P. Gallaglier. 

1858, First Ward; W. C. Duncan, G. O. Williams. 
Second Ward: George Niles, W. H. Craig. Third 
Ward; E. V. Cicotte, Henry Miller. Fourth Ward: 
E. N. Lacroix, Solomon Wesley. Fifth Ward; Wm. 
Gibbings, A. S. Bagg. Sixth Ward: William Dyson, 
J. D. Fairbanks. Seventh Ward: E. Doyle, G.' Mil- 
ler. Eighth Ward; H. Gordon, P. Gallagher. Ninth 
Ward; W. L. Woodbridge, Henry Wilson. Tenth 
Ward: H. Zender, Theo. Campau. 

1859, First Ward; G. O. Williams, N. P. Jacobs. 
Second Ward: W. H. Craig, William Hale. Third 
Ward; Henry Miller, T. Williams. Fourth Ward: 
A. Dudgeon, A. Barlage. Fifth Ward; A. S. Bagg, 
Wm. Gibbings. Si.xth Ward; J. D. Fairbanks, M. 
Flanigan. Seventh Ward: George Miller, John 
Marx. Eighth Ward; Henry Gordon, N. Truckey. 
Ninth Ward; Wm. L. Woodbridge. J. W. Sutton. 
Tenth Ward: Henry Zender, H. H. Swinscoe. 

i860. First Ward; N. P. Jacobs, George Foote. 
Second Ward; William Hale, E. LeFavour. Third 
Ward; T. Williams, J. J. liagley. Fourth Ward: 
A. Barlage, F. B. Phelps. Fifth Ward; Wm. Gib- 
bings, J. S. Farrand. Sixth Ward; M. Flanigan, 
Stephen B. Morse. Seventh Ward: J. Marx, Frank- 
lin M. Wing. Eighth Ward: N. Truckey, P. M. 
Phillips. Ninth Ward; J. W. Sutton, H. T. Backus. 
Tenth Ward; H. H. Swinscoe. George W. Olewine. 

1861, First Ward; G. Foote, Joseph Godfrey. 
Second Ward ; E. Le Favour, M. Howard Webster. 
Third Ward ; J. J. Bagley, T. Williams. Fourth 
Ward; F. B. Phelps, J. C. D. Williams. Fifth 
Ward ; J. S. Farrand, H. H. LeRoy. Si.xth Ward: 
S. B. Morse, James Shearer. Seventh Ward ; F. M. 
Wing, Joseph Cook. Eighth Ward : P. M. Phillips, 
William Purcell. Ninth Ward ; H. T. Backus, John 
Ford. Tenth Ward : G. W. Olewine, F. C. St. 
Aubin. 

1S62. First Ward; Joseph Godfrey, George S. 
Frost. Second Ward ; M. H. Webster, E. Le Fa- 
vour. Third Ward : Theodore Williams, Joseph 
Hoek. Fourth Ward ; J. C. D. Williams, F. B. 
Phelps. Fifth Ward : H. H. LeRoy. J. S. Farrand. 
Sixth Ward : James Shearer, A. Lingeman. 
Seventh Ward ; J. Cook, George Miller. Eighth 
Ward ; William Purcell, Patrick Gallagher. Ninth 



Ward ; J. Ford, Wm. S. Bond. Tenth Ward : F. C. 
St. Aubin, Paul Gies. 

1863, First Ward: George S. Frost, K. C. Bar- 
ker. Second Ward: E. Le Favour, P. McGinni:.. 
Third Ward : J. Hoek, F. H. Cicotte. Fourth 
Ward; F. B. Phelps, John C. Gorton. Fifth 
Ward ; J. S. Farrand, Joseph Granger. Sixth 
Ward : A. Lingeman, Benjamin F. Hyde. Seventh 
Ward: .S. Dow Elwood, Jas. McGonegal. Eighth 
Ward: P. Gallagher, William Purcell. Ninth 
Ward ; Wm. S. Bond, F. E. Eldred. Tenth Ward ; 
Paul Gies, Milton Frost. 

1864, First Ward: Peter J. Ralph, N. W. Brooks. 
Second Ward ; P. McCiinnis, David Thompson. 
Third Ward; F. H. Cicotte, John T. Meldrum. 
Fourth Ward ; J. C. Gorton, James D. Weir. Fifth 
Ward : Wm. Cahoon, Henry C. Knight. Sixth 
Ward; B. F. Hyde, A. Sheley. Seventh Ward: 
Jas. McGonegal, S. D. Elwood. Eighth Ward ; 
William Purcell, P. Gallagher. Ninth Ward : Clem- 
ent Lafferty, Wm. S. Bond. Tenth Ward: M. 
Frost, P. Gies. 

1S65, First Ward: N. W. Brooks, Wm. Brodie. 
Second Ward; P. McGinnis, A. T. Campau. Third 
Ward: J. T. Meldrum, Joseph Hoek. Fourth 
Ward ; Jas. D. Weir, M. W. Field. Fifth Ward : 
H. C. Knight, Robt. McGinnity. Si.\th Ward; 
A. Sheley, George C. Codd. Seventh Ward: S. D. 
Elwood, Jas. McGonegal. Eighth Ward : P. Gal- 
laglier, Wm. Purcell. Ninth Ward : Wm. S. Bond, 
Peter Henkel. Tenth Ward : Paul Gies, F. C. St. 
Aubin. 

1 866, First Ward: Wm. Brodie, Geo. F. Bagley. 
Second Ward : A. T. Campau, Alex. \\'. Copland. 
Third Ward : Joseph Hoek, Wm. B. Howe. Fourth 
Ward; M. W. Field, J. D. Weir. Fifth Ward: R. 
McGinnity, H. C. Knight. Si.xth Ward : G. C. 
Codd, James D. Allison. Seventh Ward ; J. Mc- 
Gonegal, Enos Lebot. Eighth Ward : Wm. Purcell, 
John Considine. Ninth Ward ; Peter Henkel, A. 
H. Schmittdiel. Tenth Ward; F. C. St. Aubin, 
Paul Gies. 

1867, First Ward ; G. F. Bagley, Wm. Stewart. 
Second Ward ; A. W. Copland, W. H. Langley. 
Third Ward : W. B. Howe, Christian Melius. 
Fourth Ward ; J. D. Weir, Frank Kremer. Fifth 
Ward : Wm. Phelps, Walter H. Coots. Sixth Ward : 
Jas. D. Allison, G. C. Codd. Seventh Ward: Enos 
Lebot. Frederick Ruehle. Eighth Ward : John 
Considine, Wm. Purcell. Ninth Ward ; A. H. 
Schmittdiel, Eugene Laible. Tenth Ward ; Paul 
Gies, G. W. Olewine. 

1868, First Ward : Wm. Stewart, Francis Adams. 
Second Ward : W. H. Langley, A. H. Emery. 
Third Ward ; C. Melius, Wm! B. Howe. Fourth 
Ward ; F. Kremer, Richard Havvley. Fifth Ward. 
W. H. Coots, Wm. Phelps. Si.xth Ward: G. C. 



ALDERMEN: THEIR DUTIES AND NAMES. 



145 



Codd, Philip Kling. Seventh Ward: F. Ruehle, 
Frank Blum. Eighth Ward : W. Purcell, J. Consi- 
dine. Ninth Ward : W. S. Bond, E. Laible, T. F. 
Hughes. Tenth Ward : G. W. Olewine, Paul Gies. 
1869, First Ward : Aaron W. Tyrrell, Francis 
Adams. Second Ward : W. H. Langley, Augustus 
H. Emery. Third Ward : C. Melius, Wm. B. Howe. 
Fourth Ward : Frank Kremer. Thos. Henderson. 
Fifth Ward : W. H. Coots, Wm. Phelps. Sixth 
Ward : G. C. Codd, Philip Kling. Seventh Ward : 

F. Ruehle, Frank Blum. Eighth Ward : Timothy 
Mahoney, J. Considine. Ninth Ward: Peter Hill, 
Wm. S. Bond. Tenth Ward : David Knapp, Julian 
Williams. 

1S70, First Ward : Aaron W. Tyrrell, Wm. Foxen. 
Second Ward : Wm. H. Langley, Cieo. W. Balch. 
Third Ward : C. Melius, Wm. Wilmot. Fourth 
Ward : Frank Kremer, Thos. Henderson. Fifth 
Ward : W. H. Coots, A. S. Bagg. Sixth Ward : 

G. C. Codd, J. D. Allison. Seventh Ward: F. 
Ruehle, Elijah Smith. Eighth Ward : Timothy 
Mahoney, Dennis Dullea. Ninth Ward : Peter 
Hill, Geo. Sutherland. Tenth Ward : J. Williams, 
W. H. Ba.\ter. 

1 87 1, First Ward : W. Fo.xen, F. Adams. Second 
Ward: G. W. Balch, W. H. Langley. Third 
Ward : Wm. Wilmot, Charles M. Welch. Fourth 
Ward : T. Henderson. Joseph Kuhn. Fifth Ward : 
A. S. Bagg, Simeon Folsom. Sixth Ward : J. D. 
Allison, M. P. Christian. .Seventh Ward : E. Smith, 
Frederick Fulda. Eighth Ward : D. Dullea, T. 
Mahoney. Ninth Ward: G. Sutherland, P. Hill. 
Tenth Ward : W. H. Baxter, Arthur O'Keefe. 

1872, First Ward: F. Adams, Smith R. Wooley. 
Second Ward : W. H. Langley, G. F. Hinchman. 
Third Ward : C. M. Welch, James Flowers. Fourth 
Ward : J. Kuhn, Wm. Lichtenberg. Fifth Ward : 
S. Folsom, David Preston. Si.xth Ward : M. P. 
Christian, Philo Parsons. Seventh Ward : F. Fulda. 
F. Ruehle. Eighth Ward : T. Mahoney, D. Dullea. 
Ninth Ward : P. Hill, James Daly. Tenth ^\'ard : 
A. O'Keefe, Chas. Stange. 

1873, First Ward: S. R. Wooley, Albert Bots- 
ford. Second Ward: G. F. Hinchman, W. H. 
Langley. Third Ward: J. Flowers, C. M. Welch. 
Fourth Ward: W. Lichtenberg, Chas. M. Garrison. 
Fifth Ward: D. Preston, G. Grelling. Sixth Ward: 
P. Parsons, M. P. Christian. Seventh Ward: F. 
RueRle, M. Broeg. Eighth Ward: D. Dullea, D. 
Shanahan. Ninth Ward: James Daly, Geo. W. 
Hough. Tenth Ward: C. Stange, A. O'Keefe. 

1874, First Ward: A. Botsford, J. B. Hinchman. 
Second Ward: W. H. Langley, John Horn. Third 
Ward: C. M. Welch, Wm.' G. Thompson. Fourth 
Ward: Chas. M. Garrison, J. B. Schmittdiel. Fifth 
Ward: G. Grelling, W. H. Coots. Sixth Ward: M. 
P. Christian, Jacob Guthard. Seventh Ward: M. 



Broeg, W. A. Owen. Eighth Ward: D. Shanahan, 
John D. Finnegan. Ninth Ward: Geo. W. Hough, 
J. Daly. Tenth Ward: A. O'Keefe, W. H. Ba.xter. 
Eleventh Ward: Jas. Holihan (two weeks), R. S. 
Dillon (two weeks). Twelfth Ward: Anthony 
Grosfield, Henry Heames. 

1875, First Ward: J. B. Hinchman, Geo. Wilkes. 
Second Ward: John Horn, Jr., John Schmitt. Third 
Ward: Wm. G. Thompson, J. A. Kurtz. Fourth 
Ward: J. B. Schmittdiel, Chas. C. Blodgett. Fifth 
Ward : George Dunlap, Seymour Finney. Sixth 
Ward: Jacob Guthard. M. P. Christian. Seventh 
Ward: W. A. Owen, Paul Gies. Eighth Ward: J. 
D. Finnegan, D. Shanahan. Ninth Ward: James 
Daly, G. W. Hough. Tenth Ward: W. H. Baxter, 
John P. Rowland. Twelfth Ward: H. Heames, 
George Dorr. 

1876, First Ward: George Wilkes, Robert A. 
Liggett. Second Ward : J. Schmitt. Lewis B. Clark, 
Chas. Ewers. Third Ward : Jos. A. Kurtz, Thos. 
Jackson. Fourth Ward: C. C. Blodgett, Jas. L 
Mitchell. Fifth Ward : S. Finney, G. Dunlap. Sixth 
Ward : M. P. Christian, J. Guthard. Seventh 
Ward ; P. Gies, W. A. Owen. Eighth Ward : D. 
Shanahan. J. D. Finnegan. Ninth Ward : G. W. 
Hough, Michael Haller. Tenth Ward : J. P. Row- 
land. Geo. W. Herrick. Twelfth Ward : Geo. Dorr, 
Henry Heames. 

1877, First Ward: R. A. Ligg'ett, T. D. Hawley. 
Second Ward : Chas. Ewers, J. Schmitt, Third 
Ward : Thos. Jackson, J. A. Kurtz. Fourth Ward: 
J. I. Mitchell, August Schulte. Fifth Ward : Geo. 
Dunlap, Seymour Finney. Sixth Ward : J. Guthard, 
Stephen K. Taft. Seventh Ward : W. A. Owen, J. 
C. Jacob. Eighth Ward : J. D. Finnegan, John 
Monaghan. Ninth Ward : M. Haller, J. B. Moore. 
Tenth Ward: G. W. Herrick, Jas. D. Weir. 
Eleventh Ward : N. Senninger, J. Lingeman. 
Twelfth Ward : H. Heames, G. Dorr. Thirteenth 
Ward : Bernard Youngblood, S. C. Karrer. 

1878, First Ward : T. D. Hawley, Geo. A. Foster. 
Second Ward : John Schmitt, Chas. Ewers. Third 
Ward: J. A. Kurtz, T. Jackson. Fourth Ward: 
Abel R. Torrey, J. I. Mitchell. Fifth Ward : S. 
Finney, F. G. Russell. Sixth Ward: S. K. Taft, 
Jas. B. Lauder. Seventh Ward : J. C. Jacob, Chas. 
M. Rousseau. Eighth Ward : J. Monaghan, Daniel 
Guiney. Ninth Ward: J. B. Moore, M. Haller. 
Tenth Ward : J. D. Weir, G. W. Herrick. Eleventh 
Ward : N. Senninger, John B. Ryan. Twelfth 
Ward : G. Dorr, Henry Gross. Thirteenth Ward : 
B. Youngblood, H. Klei, S. C. Karrer. 

1879, First Ward: George A. Foster, P. J. Ralph. 
Second Ward: Charles Ewers, Thomas Manning. 
Third Ward : Thomas Jackson, Wm. Boydell. 
Fourth Ward : A. H. Raynor, J. I. Mitchell. Fifth 
Ward : F. G. Russell, S. Finnev. Sixth Ward : W. 



146 



ALDERMEN: THEIR DUTIES AND NAMES. 



E. Warriner, W. H. Connor. Seventh Ward: C. 
M. Rousseau, J. C. Jacob. Eighth Ward : D. 
Guiney, J. Monaghan. Ninth Ward : M. Haller, T. 
J. Griffin. Tenth Ward : G. W. Herrick, G. H. 
Chene. Eleventh Ward : J. B. Ryan, Francis Alter. 
Twelfth Ward : H. Gross, M. Daly. Thirteenth 
Ward : Paul Gies, S. C. Karrer. 

1880, First Ward : P. J. Ralph, George A. Foster. 
Second Ward: Thos. Manning. Charles Ewers. 
Third Ward: Wm. Boydell, M. V. Borgman. 
Fourth Ward : A. H. Raynor, H. D. Barnard. 
Fifth Ward: S. Finney, J. E. Vincent. Si.xth 
Ward : \V. H. Connor, W. E. Warriner. Seventh 
Ward : J. C. Jacob, Henry Heck. Eighth Ward : 
J. Monaghan, D. Guiney. Ninth Ward : T. J. 
Griffin, M. Haller.- Tenth Ward: G. H. Chene, 
W. E. Todd. Eleventh Ward : F. Alter, Joseph 
Lingeman. Twelfth Ward : M. Daly, Geo. Dorr. 
Thirteenth Ward : Paul Gies, Henry Klei. 

1 88 1, First Ward: G. A. Foster, C. W. Coolidge. 
Second Ward : C. Ewers, T. Manning. Third 
Ward : M. V. Borgman, Thos. Jackson. Fourth 
Ward : H. D. Barnard. Fifth Ward : J. E. Vincent, 
S. Finney. Si.Kth Ward : W. E. Warriner, E. K. 
Roberts. Seventh Ward : H. Heck, W. A. Owen. 
Eighth Ward: D. Guiney, P. Shanahan. Ninth 
Ward: M. Haller, Chas. Appelt. Tenth Ward: 
W. E. Todd, H. JVIerdian. Eleventh Ward : J. 
Lingeman, E. W. Simpson. Twelfth Ward : Geo. 
Dorr, Alfred E. Hamlin. Thirteenth Ward: Henry 
Klei, John Kessler. 

1882, First Ward: W. E. Warriner. A.Grant. 
Second Ward: Seymour Finney, J. E. Vincent. 
Third Ward : E. W. Simpson, J. B. Book. Fourth 
Ward : C. W. Coolidge, J. W. Fales : Fifth Ward : 



W. A. Owen, A. Ruotf. Si.xth Ward : P. Shanahan, 
J. Falvey. Seventh Ward : Thomas Manning, 
Henry Heck. Eighth Ward : E. K. Roberts, W. 
E. Moloney. Ninth Ward : H. Merdian, Paul 
Gies. Tenth Ward : Chas. Appelt, George Dorr. 
Eleventh Ward ; Thos. Jackson, Henry Klei. 
Twelfth Ward : Alfred E. Hamlin, Wm. H. Taylor. 
Thirteenth Ward : John Kessler, A. Lemmer. 

1S83. First Ward : Wm. E. Warriner, Thomas 
Fairbairn. Second Ward : G. A. Cliase, Seymour 
Finney. Third Ward ; James B. Book, F. 
Wettlaufer, Edward Sweeney. Fourth Ward : 
James W. Fales, C. W. Coolidge. Fifth Ward : 
Augustus Ruoff, Thomas Beggs. Sixth Ward : 
Jeremiah Falvey, P. Shanahan. Seventh Ward : 
Henry Heck. Augustus Kaiser. Eighth Ward : Wm. 
E. Moloney. John L. Warren. Ninth Vi'ard : Paul 
Gies, Joseph Nagel. Tenth Ward : George Dorr, 
A. G. Kronberg, Chas. Appelt. Eleventh Ward : 
Henry Klei, Henry Merdian. Twelfth Ward : Wm. 
H. Taylor, Geo. W. Loonier. Thirteenth Ward : 
August Lemmer, John Kessler. 

I SS4, First Ward : Thomas Fairbairn, Thomas 
Jackson. Second Ward : Seymour Finney, George 
A. Chase. Third Ward : Edward Sweeney, Levi 
A. Wilco.x. Fourth Ward : Peter J. Ralph, John W. 
Westcott. Fifth Ward : Thomas Beggs, Francis 
Alter. Sixth Ward : John Kelley, Jeremiah Falvey. 
Seventh Ward: Augustus Kaiser, Henry Heck. 
Eighth W\-ird : John L. Warren, Wm. E.- Moloney. 
Ninth Ward: Joseph Nagel, Paul Gies. Tenth 
Ward : Charles Appelt. Louis B. Littlefield. Eleventh 
Ward : Henr)- Merdian, Charles J. Wieser. Twelfth 
Ward : Geo. W. Loonier, Bernard O' Reilly. Thir- 
teenth Ward : John Kessler, August Lemmer. 



CHAPTER XXVII, 



THE WARDS: TIIKIR KSTAliLlSHMENT AND BOUNDARIES. 



Four wards were created by ordinance of May 
14, 1825, for the sole purpose of forming districts 
for the fire wardens. A fifth ward was created 
on September 23, 1835 ; but none of these divisions 
were wards in the sense in which the word is now 
used, neither did they include all of the city. 

The first real division of the city into wards was 
by Act of March 27, 1839. The boundaries then 
defined would now be described as follows : First 
Ward, all between Shelby Street and east line of 
Forsyth Farm, and south of Michigan Avenue to 
the river. Second Ward, all between liandolph and 
Shelby Streets, and south of Monroe and Michigan 
Avenues to the river. Third Ward, all between 
Randolph and St. Antoine Streets, and south of Cro- 
ghan Street to the river. An ordinance of March 
17, 1857, added to the Third Ward the territory be- 
tween St. Antoine, Randolph, Croghan, and Gratiot 
Streets. By Act of 1839 the Fourth Ward em- 
braced all south of the Gratiot Road to the river, 
and between St. Antoine Street and the east line of 
the Witherell Farm. By Act of February 15, 1842, 
the Witherell Farm was thrown outside of the city, 
and Dequindre Street became the east boundary of 
the Fourth Ward. Six years later Rivard Street be- 
came the east boundary", under the Act of January 
25, 1848, which created the Seventh Ward. The 
Fifth Ward, by Act of 1839, embraced the territory 
between Woodward Avenue and the west line of the 
Jones Farm, and north of Michigan A_venue to the 
city limits; an ordinance of [December 12, 1875, 
added to it that part of the addition to the city limits 
made by Act of May 3, 1875, which lay north of and 
between an extension of the east and west boun- 
daries of the ward. As established in 1S39, the 
Si.xth Ward embraced all east of Woodward .Avenue, 
and was bounded on the south as follows : On Mon- 
roe Avenue to Croghan Street, along Croghan to St. 
Antoine Street, up St. Antoine to Gratiot Road, and 
along Gratiot Road to the east line of the city. 
The Act of February 15, 1842, which put the With- 
erell Farm back into the township of Hamtamck, 
after it had been for si.K years a part of the city, 
made Dequindre Street the east line of the Si.xth 
Ward, thus 'reducing the ward in size ; it was further 
contracted by ordinance of March 17, 1857, which 
added to the Third Ward the portion bounded by 

t 



St. Antoine, Randolph, Croghan, and Gratiot 
Streets. By ordinance of December 17, 1875, which 
created the Eleventh Ward, the Sixth Ward was 
shorn of all the territory l>nng east of St. Antoine 
Street except that portion of the block bounded by 
St. Antoine, Hastings, Montcalm, and High Streets, 
lying west of an alley running north and south 
through said block; this jog in the boundary was 
made because at that time one of the aldermen of 
the Sixth Ward lived in the block indicated, and it 
was desired to retain him in the ward. An or- 
dinance of April 7, 1880, remedied this break in the 
ward line by making St. Antoine Street the east 
boundary of the Sixth, and the west boundary of 
the Eleventh Ward. Ordinance of December 23, 
1875, added to the Sixth Ward all that part of the 
addition to the city limits of that year that an ex- 
tension in straight lines of the east and west boun- 
daries of the ward would include. 

The Seventh Ward, created by Act of January 25, 
1848, included all of the city south of Gratiot 
.A\enue to the river, and between Rivard and De- 
quindre Streets. The Eighth Ward was created by 
Act of February 20, 1849. and included all of the 
Forsyth, Labrosse, and Baker Farms added to the 
city by the same Act. An ordinance of December 
23, 1875, added to the Eighth Ward such portion of 
the addition to the city limits as would fall within 
its east and west boundary lines extended north- 
wards to the city line. The Ninth Ward was created 
by Act of February 12, 1857, and embraced all the 
territory west of the east line of the Woodbridge 
Farm, east of the west line of the Porter Farm, and 
south of the Detroit & Milwaukee and Grand 
Trunk Railroad tracks to the river. An ordinance 
of May 30, 1873, created the Twelfth Ward, and 
made Seventeen-and-a-half and Eighteenth Streets 
its west boundary. It was slightly enlarged by the 
ordinance of December 21. 1875, which added to it 
such of the territory added to the city in that year as 
an extension in a straight line, northerly to the city 
limits, of its eastern and western boundaries would 
include. The Tenth Ward, created at the same time 
as the Ninth, included all the new territory on the 
east side of the city, and embraced all east of De- 
quindre Street, west of Mt. Elliott Avenue, and 
north of the river. An ordinance of December 1 7, 

I47l 



148 



THE WARDS: THEIR ESTABLISHMENT AND BOUNDARIES. 



1875, which divided it, and created the Thirteenth 
Ward, defined its north boundary as follows : 
Catherine Street east to Elmwood Avenue, up Elm- 
wood Avenue to German Street, and thence east to 
Mt. Elliott Avenue. By ordinance of December 23, 
1875, all of the territory added to the city that year 
that an extension of the east and west boundaries of 
the Tenth Ward in straight lines would include was 
added to the ward. An Act of .\pril 29, 1873, an- 
nexed part of Grosse Pointe and Hamtramck to the 
city, and defined the annexed territory as the 
Eleventh Ward, but the Supreme Court pronounced 
the Act unconstitutional, as it interfered with the 
political rights of voters. The failure of this Act 
explains why the Twelfth Ward existed two years 
before the Eleventh Ward. The Eleventh Ward 
was definitely created by an ordinance of December 
17, 1875, which took effect October i, 1876. It 
included all east of St. Antoine Street, except the 
piece of land noted in connection with boundaries 
of the Si.xth Ward, and all west of Dequindre and 
north of Gratiot Street to the city liiTUts. The ordi- 
nance of April 7, 1S80, corrected the broken ward- 
line, making St. Antoine Street the west boundary. 
The Twelfth Ward was created by ordinance of 
May 30, 1873. It embraced all west of Seventeen- 
and-a-half and Eighteenth Streets and east of west 
line of Porter Farm, and extended from the river to 
the city limits. By ordinance of December 21, 1875, 
such part of the territory added to the city that year 
as an extension of its east and west boundary lines 
in straight lines to the new city limits would include 
was added to the ward. The Thirteenth Ward 
was created by ordinance of December 17, 1S75, 
taking effect October i, 1876. It included that part 
of the city lying east of Dequindre Street and west 
of Mt. Elliott Avenue. It was bounded on the 
south by Catherine Street to Elmwood Avenue, 
thence on Elmwood Avenue to German Street, and 
east on German Street to Mt. Elliott Avenue. 

The authority to divide and create wards was 
formerly vested solely in the Legislature, but on 
April 17, i87i,a charter amendment gave this pre- 
rogative to the city. The coimcil, however, was 
loath to e.xercise this power, and up to 1881 there 
was great inequality in the area and the population 
of the wards. Several of those lying along the 
river, in the southern part of the city, were con- 
trolled almost entirely by those who had least at 
stake in the government of the city. These facts 
led to the radical changes in boundaries made by 



Act of the Legislature on May 5. 1881. Under this 
Act all the wards were made to extend from the 
northern limits of the city to the river. 

In the new arrangement, each ward includes a 
portion of the residence, manufacturing, and river 
districts. Much greater equality in valuation of the 
wards and character of the population is secured, 
and streets, instead of farm lines, have become the 
di\'ision lines of all the wards. The change is of 
great value in apportioning voters and assessing 
property. The boundaries, as established by Act 
of 1 88 1, are as follows : 

First Ward ; Between Woodward Avenue and 
Beaubien Street. 

Second Ward : All that part of the city bounded 
(in the east by Woodward .A. venue and on the west 
by First Street, from the Detroit River to Grand 
River Avenue, up Grand River Avenue to Second 
Street, and along Second Street to the city limits. 

Third W.\rd : All between Beaubien and Has- 
tings Streets. 

Fourth Ward : All between the west boundary 
line of the Second Ward and Crawford Street, from 
the city limits to Grand River Avenue, down Grand 
River Avenue to Fifth Street, and down Fifth 
Street to the Detroit River. 

Fifth Ward: All between Hastings and Rus- 
sell Streets. 

Sixth Ward : All between the west boundary 
of the Fourth Ward and Trumbull Avenue. 

Seventh W.\rd : All between Russell and 
Dequindre Streets. 

Eighth W.\rd : All between Wabash and 
Trumbull Avenues. 

Ninth W.\RD : All between Dequindre and 
Chene Streets. 

Tenth Ward : All between the west line of 
Twentieth Street and Wabash .-^ venue. 

Eleventh W.ard : All between Chene Street 
and McDougall Avenue. 

Twelfth Ward : All lying west of the west 
line of Twentieth Street. 

Thirteenph W.A.RD : All lying east of Mc- 
Dougall Avenue extended on the south to the 
Detroit River and on the north to the city limits, 
and also the parcel of land known as Belle Isle. 

In all cases whefethe streets are not open to the 
river or extended to the northern limits of the city, 
the ward lines are where the lines of the streets 
would be if opened or extended. 



CHAPTER X X \M I I 



FRENCH AND ENGLISH TAXATION.— TERRITORIAL TAXES.— STATE AND COUNTY 
TAXES.— CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES.— UNITED STATES TAXES. 



FRENCH AN'D ENGLISH TAXATION. 

Under French rule the inhabitants of Detroit 
paid to the receiver of the domain, as rent to the 
Crown, an annual tax of from one to two sols per 
foot front. The English commandants required the 
occupants of farms adjoining the town to support 
the troops and to furnish at first one cord of wood, 
and then two cords, for each acre of frontage on the 
river. In 1 762 the tax on the inhabitants within the 
fort amounted to one hundred and eighty-four 
pounds, thirteen shillings, four pence; two years 
later it was one hundred and fifty-eight pounds. New 
York currency. In 1768 a tax of one shilling per 
foot front for lots in the fort, and ten shillings per 
acre for the farms adjoining, was ordered to be 
paid ; this would have yielded about four thousand 
pounds. New York currency. The inhabitants pro- 
tested against this tax as exorbitant, and asked to 
have the work done by commissioners, whom they 
agreed to pay. The indications are that their plan 
was adopted. 

TERRITORIAL TAXES. 

Under the Northwest Territory, by law of August 
I, 1792, the Court of Common Pleas appointed 
annually a commissioner of land tax, with collectors 
for each district. Act of December 19, 1799, trans- 
ferred the appointment of these officers to the Court 
of Quarter Sessions, who were required to lay off 
the districts. All the lands in each district were to 
be divided by the commissioners into three classes, 
the first grade to pay eighty-five cents, the second 
sixty cents, and the third twenty-five cents on each 
hundred acres. 

Detroit was in the district or township of Sargent, 
and the following copy of an old French letter, 
found among the archives of the county, shows 
that delinquent tax-payers are not a modern insti- 
tution : 

River Raisin, 13th August, 1799. 
Monsieur F. I. Eellecour, — 

I have received orders from you to appear at the fort to-morrow 
to render my account of Taxes. 

I have to announce to you that it is impossible for me to quit. 
My harvest at tills moment is being ravaged by blackbirds. The 



people don't pay, not having any money, and I can't very well 

compel them. Do you know what you have to do, it is to send 

your orders so as to give more force, so as to constrain them to 

pay. 

I am your humble ser\'ant, 

HIS 

Joseph X Menard. 

MARK 

CoUsctor for district 0/ Sargent. 

The fort was then the most prominent object in 
the place, and " going to the fort " was the cus- 
tomary phrase of people going to the town. M. 
Bellecour was e\idently collector of the land tax. 
Etienne Dubois, who ser\-ed in i8or, is the only 
other person known to have acted in this capacity. 

The following officers were appointed in March, 
1801 : lister of lands for Detroit and Huron dis- 
tricts, A. Dequindre; appraisers of houses for town- 
ship of Detroit, Joseph Thibeaut and Gabriel God- 
froy; collector of territorial tax, Elias Wallen. On 
June 13, 1 801, Frangois Pequise was appointed to 
take the enumeration of persons and property for 
Detroit township, and on June 7. 1S03, T. McCrae 
and Gabriel Godfroy were appointed assessors and 
appraisers for Detroit. On December, 1803, they 
were succeeded by Joseph Thibeaut and Joseph 
Campau. Under Michigan Territory, a law of Sep- 
tember 10, 1805, imposed taxes as follows: "On 
every coach, chariot, phaeton, chair, calash, chaise 
or other riding carriage, one dollar for every wheel : 
and on every sleigh, carriole, or other conveyance 
for riding in winter, two dollars, — one half thereof 
to become due upon the first day of April in every 
year, to be collected by the Marshal." The law also 
declared that " every male inhabitant in the Terri- 
tory, over the age of sixteen years, should pay 
annually the sum of one dollar as a capitation tax." 
The number of tax-payers in the Territory on 
October i, 1805, was five hundred and twenty-five, 
and an aggregate assessment of §1,143 seems to 
have been nearly all paid. The highest sum assessed 
to any one person was eighteen dollars and fifty 
cents, and the lowest one dollar. A few of the 
names and amounts on the old roll are as follows : 
James May, $18.50; Joseph Campau, §10.50; James 
Abbott. S8; Solomon Sibley, §2; Elijah Brush, 
§4.50; Barnaby Campau, S3; Archibald Horner, 



['49l 



ISO 



STATE AND COUNTY TAXES. 



$2; Gabriel Richard, $3; Abram Hull, S3, and 
Peter Desnoyers, Si. 

Under this law, on June 5, iSo7,the District Court 
for Detroit app(jinted the following officers : Stanley 
Griswold, treasurer ; John Henry, Charles Moran, 
and Chabert Joncaire, assessors ; Wm. McD. Scott, 
collector. 

In addition to the regular taxes, licenses were 
required from merchants, tavern and saloon keepers. 
The total territorial receipts from all sources were 
estimated, in 1808, at $5,000; but no one save the 
Governor and Judges knew the amount collected, or 
the use made of the money. Meanwhile Governor 
Hull and Judge May erected their expensive resi- 
dences, and their expenditures seemed so lavish 
that the Grand Jury of the Territory undertook to 
investigate the accounts of the assessors, collectors, 
and treasurers; but to their great surprise, they 
found that neither of these officers could be com- 
pelled to render any statement whatever to the 
people. Indeed, the Governor and Judges told the 
Grand Jury, "The laws do not authorize you to 
inquire into these matters," which information the 
Grand Jury, though surprised and indignant, could 
not gainsay. In the words of a contemporary, 
" The Governor and Judges continued to serve as 
the raters of taxes, the assessors, the collectors, the 
treasurers and expenders." 

In a memorial to President Madison, the following 
complaint was made : 

The taxes on our people are very heavy, and the public money, 
when intrusted to the discretion of Mr. Hull, is wantonly wasted. 
He authorized a number of commissioners to explore a road to the 
Miami, in the dead of winter, when the country was but one sheet 
of ice and snow, — and which it would be impossible for the same, 
or any other persons, to find again in the summer time, — and 
expended four hundred and eighty-two dollars, raised by taxes on 
a sparse and pour population, on this useless and injudicious pro- 
ject, — money which might be productive of some good if the 
dictates of common sense had been complied with, and a proper 
season of the year selected for the purpose. 

F"rom 181 2 to 1820 there was no direct territorial 
tax on lands, but license fees were required from 
stores, taverns, and ferries. 

On May 8, 1820, provision was made for taxing 
personal property and lands in each county ; and in 
case the taxes were not paid, and no personal 
property could be found upon which to levy, the 
sheriff was authorized to imprison delinquents. 
Under law of April 21, 1825, provision was first 
made for the sale of lands for non-payment of 
taxes, and the first enforcement of this law created 
great indignation. 

STATE AND COUNTY T.AXES. 

These taxes originate as follows : Appropriations 
made by the Legislature are apportioned by the 



auditor-general, who communicates the proportion 
of the county to the Board of Super\'isors, through 
the county clerk, and the board apportions them 
with the regular county tax. The amount of the 
county tax is determined by the Board of Auditors. 

Once in five years the State Board of Equaliza- 
tion examines the apportionments of the State tax 
made by the auditor-general, and, as far as possible, 
equalizes the amounts. 

Under the tax law of March 14, I882, and Act of 
June 6, 1S83, the State and county taxes, for each 
current year, become a lien on the property on 
December i, and one per cent on the amount is 
allowed the township treasurers for collecting the 
same. After January i four per cent is allowed 
the township treasurers. Within the city of Detroit 
the taxes are payable to the county treasurer up to 
December 16 without any percentage. If not paid 
by December 16, four per cent is added to the 
amount of the original tax, which must be paid by 
the first of February, unless the time is extended by 
the Common Council or the Township Board ; but 
not over one month of additional time can be 
granted. If not paid by the first of March, two per 
cent additional is added, and then one per cent a 
month up to June i, and if not then paid, a further 
sum of twenty per cent per year is charged until 
paid. 

On the first of March a list of all lands on which 
the ta.xes are unpaid is 'forwarded by the county 
treasurer to the auditor-general, and if the taxes 
remain unpaid one year or more after the first of 
July, the lands are then sold on the first of May in 
the next year. The sale is made by the county 
treasurer, who, within twenty days after the sale, 
must file with the clerk of the Circuit Court a list of 
the lands sold, and unless objection is made, within 
eight days thereafter the sale is confirmed. At any 
time within one year thereafter the court can set aside 
the sale, upon such terms as are deemed just ; but 
no sale can be set aside after the purchaser or his 
assignee has been in possession for five years. 

A tax receipt, to be valid, inust describe the 
property as fully as it is described on the tax roll ; 
and it is well for persons to observe for themselves 
that the tax is marked " Paid " on the collector's 
books. 

Under law of 1827, and up to 1879, the county 
taxes in Detroit were collected by the ward col- 
lectors under direction of the Common Council; 
since 1879 they have been payable to the county 
treasurer, or to collectors of his appointment. 

The total territorial and county, and State and 
county taxes, for several decades, with other inter- 
esting facts, are given in following table : 



CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES. 



151 



Yea..|^--lCo. 


Total State 
and Co. Tax. 


Paid by 
Detroit. 


County 
Debt. 


Populal'n 
of Co. 






$1,688 

5.72° 

34,067 




$1,303 
5,000 




1830... 
1840... 
1850... 
1S60 


$999 
12,716 
13.944 
21,512 
53.099 
177,804 


$3,620 
21,351 




24.173 
42,756 
75,547 
119,068 
166,444 




67 466 ' ^T 8»6 




1S70 


250,658 
406,531 


181,449 
299,228 




1S80. . . 


337,050 



Formerly many county officers were entitled to 
the fees received, but under Acts of May 22 and 24, 
1879, the fees received by all county officers, after 
that year, were required to be paid to the county 
treasurer, and credited to the general fund. 

The credit of the county and its finances were fur- 
ther cared for by an Act of June 7, 1881, which pro- 
vided for funding the debt of the county for ten 
years, at four and a half per cent interest, and for 
the raising by tax, each year until paid, of not less 
than one tenth of the amount of the county debt. 

CITY T.\XATION .A.N'D FINANCES. 

Under the town incorporation, the first tax was 
voted on April 17, 1802. The amount was $150, 
and it was to be paid by an assessment of twenty- 
five cents upon each indi\idual of the age of twenty- 
one years and upwards, and by a ta.>: of one fourth 
of one per cent on " fixed property." In practice, 
the " fixed property " was then deemed to mean 
houses, and not lots or lands. Under the rule of the 
Governor and Judges, no city tax is known to have 
been levied. Freedom from such taxation was, 
probably, the one blessing of their regime. The 
territorial treasurer kept an account known as the 
Detroit Fund, and the Governor and Judges gave 
orders on it, which were paid by receipts obtained 
from sale of lots. In 181 5 the citizens again as- 
sumed the management of their own affairs, and on 
September 21. i8r6, a tax of $1,500 was voted for, 
and was chiefly used in building a market-house. It 
was raised by a poll tax of one dollar, and by a tax 
on real and personal property. 

On February 13, 18 17, the Board of Trustees 
agreed to levy a tax of forty cents on each one hun- 
dred dollars, and the total valuation of the city was 
fixed at §1,787.37. On May 10, 1819, the treasurer 
of the corporation made the following report for the 
year : 

Receipts — Rent of Market Stall, $64.06 ; Fines, $93.19 ; Tavern 
Licenses, $79.93 ; Use of Hay Scales, $17.06. Total, $254.24. 

Expenditures — On account of Market, $13.19; Fire Hooks 
and Handles, $64.13; Salary of City Clerk, from September 5, 
1817, to May II, 1819, $115.43; Commission on moneys received 
and paid by Treasurer, $13.31 ; Deputy Marshal, $47.43 ; Sheet- 
iron for Council H<nise, 75c. Total, $254.24. Outstanding Bills 
against the City, $583.93. Amounts due City, $180.77. 

Act of April 4, 1827, authorized the "citizens' 
meeting," by a plurality of votes from qualified 
voters, to le%'y a poll tax of not exceeding one dollar 



upon every qualified voter. The same Act empow- 
ered the city to fill up the lots on low grounds along 
the river and in other localities; and if the improve- 
ments were not paid for by parties owning the lots, 
the city was authorized to lease them for seven 
years to any person who would pay the amounts 
due. By Act of April 12, power was given to lease 
lots so assessed for twenty-five years. As might be 
expected, there was much trouble in enforcing these 
laws, and special power was given to the city 
marshal under which he could summon citizens to 
his aid in order to put persons into possession of the 
lots they had leased. 

We now reach the record of events that seem 
almost incredible, and that mark an era in the his- 
tory of Detroit. In the year 1827 the city entered 
upon and began to lay out the magnificent property 
known as the Military Reserve, which had been 
granted by Congress the previous year. Roughly 
described by present street-lines, the tract embraced 
all the land between Michigan Avenue and Larned 
Street, and Griswold and Cass Streets. 

Like some boyish heir, who has unexpectedly 
come into possession of a large estate, the city did 
not know how to properly enjoy and utilize such 
wealth, and the saying "Easy come, easy go" 
proved as applicable to corporate as to individual 
finances. Property which to-day is in the heart of 
the city, the income from which, year by year, would 
pay the entire city expenses and meet our bonded 
debt besides, was frittered away and squandered. 
Twice in the history of the city a landed domain 
which would be a large factor in the wealth of 
a Rothschild has been lost by the mismanage- 
ment of those who should have preserved it. First 
the Ten-Thousand-Acre Tract and hundreds of city 
lots were disposed of, and then the Military Reserve ; 
and to-day the city has literally nothing left of those 
magnificent gifts, — gifts such as no other city in the 
Union ever received from the General Government. 
No other city on this continent was ever so highly 
favored, and none could have made a much poorer 
use of such a donation. If the city had sold, or 
even given away, every alternate lot, and leased the 
remainder of the lots, if the aldermanic fathers 
had done one half as well for the city as the owners 
of the Cass and Brush Farms did for themselves, 
the city revenue would now be so great as to pre- 
clude any necessity for taxation, and Detroit would 
be the citizens' paradise, the Utopia of burdened 
tax-payers. 

When the city began to improve its possessions, 
it had not money enough to pay the laborers. The 
council therefore resolved to pay for the work in 
their own notes. -Accordingly, on April 10, 1827, 
two days before the legislative council had granted 
them authority, the Recorder and Alderman Jones 



152 



CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES. 



were appointed a committee to attend to the printing 
of the due-bills. On April 12, the legislative council 
gave the city power to issue these bills, to an amount 
not exceeding $5,000 at any one time ; and on May 
I the first lot of one hundred due-bills, for five 
dollars each, was issued ; and soon after fifty, for ten 
dollars each. On May 31 it was 

Resolved^ that the sum of five hundred dollars be issued in cor- 
poration notes, of a denomination not less than live dollars, at tlie 
discretion of the mayor. 

During the year, bills of the denomination of 
three dollars, two dollars, and one dollar, and even 
of fractional amounts, were issued, and a total of 
$3,349.78 was put in circulation. In 182S the issues 
of 1827 were redeemed, and $2,300 additional signed 
and circulated. It was found, however, that the 
people did not sustain this "fiat " currency, and on 
July 28, 1828, a special committee of the council 
made the following report : 

The committee instructed to examine into the state of the 
credit of the paper, heretofore issued by this corporation, etc., 
have to report: That on inquiry it was found that at eight of the 
stores of the principal merchants of Detroit, \fhich were in suc- 
cession visited by a respectable individual, a discount of eighteen 
cents on a dollar was demanded, when taken for goods. 

The committee have learned that in several instances a much 
greater sacrifice has been required of those who offered the paper 
of the corporation; and in one instance, about forty percent dis- 
count was exacted of a laborer, who had been in the employ of 
the street commissioner, and who wished to buy a barrel of pork. 

In fine, it appears to the committee that m place of a desire on 
the part of many, who, it might be supposed, are mainly inter- 
ested in the welfare and improvement of the city, to support and 
assist the exertions of the Common Council, and to maintain the 
value of the means which are at its disposal, there exists a paltry 
and disgraceful propensity to speculate on these means, and to 
increase private wealth, at the sacrifice of the common property. 
* * * The street commissioner, and others who are called on 
to employ laborers for the corporation, find themselves under the 
necessity of paying one or two shillings more for a day's work, in 
the notes of the corporation, than the same would cost in money, 
or bills at par. .\nd every article required for the corporation, and 
paid for in its paper, is charged in a like proportion. * * * * 
The committee beg leave to suggest 

Firsts that no improvement which will require pecuniary means 
be undertaken until the bills of the corporation shall be within five 
per cent of their nominal value. 

Second^ that all works which have been undertaken, which 
require pecuniary means, and which can be relinquished without 
prejudicing the public health or interest, be disconti.nued. 

Thirds that all debts now due the corporation be immediately 
collected; and 

Fourth^ that, if it be necessary to restore the credit of the 
paper of the corporation, a number of lots be immediately sold for 
ttiat purpose, or that a loan be obtained of either the Bank of 
Michigan or the Dank of Monroe, at the legal interest, and pay- 
able in the manner money is usually paid when obtained on what 
is called Accommodation Notes. * ♦ * 
Respectfully submitted. 

JoH.N- P. Sheldon, 

T^. F. H. WlTHERELL, 

Ji'i.v 18, i8!8. Committee. 

The report produced but little effect, and matters 
grew worse and worse. The total ritv receipts in 
1828 were $20,836.20, of which $1 1,765.95 was from 



sales of lots, and $1,689.36 from lease of lots on the 
embankment. The e.xpenditures were, for debts of 
the previous year. $1,117.66; for roads and super- 
visor, $1,697.80; for sewers, $1,278; for embank- 
ment. $7,718; and for opening streets, $1,754. 

Almost as soon as the city began to dispose of 
the property given to it, the corporation began to be 
in want. Unpaid debts of previous years were 
called for. Improvements paid for in depreciated 
due bills were charged for proportionately, and cost 
much more than they were really worth. The city 
continued its issue of due-bills, neglected ta.\ation, 
and sold its lots for almo.st any price, often taking 
in payment its own notes, bought at thirty and forty 
per cent discount. Most of the funds that were re- 
ceived were expended in improving the very lots 
sold. A series of so-called improvements was 
entered upon, many of them of a temporary char- 
acter, and others solely in the interest of speculators. 
The Steam Mill Wharf, at the foot of Woodward 
Avenue, was filled in at a cost of several thousand 
dollars, for the benefit, as was soon found out. of 
private owners. The river front or "embankment" 
was really improved. The result of the needless 
e.xpenditures and bad financiering is indicated in the 
following resolution, adopted by the council on June 
22, 1S29: 

Resob'ed, that the corporation loan of the Bank of Michigan 
$50, for the term of ninety days, with the permission to renew for 
a like term; the same to be appropriated for the uses of the poor. 

In the following year a committee, appointed by 
the Common Council, reported that " they had 
applied at both of the banks of this city, and had 
been unable to obtain any definite terms from said 
banks upon which they would loan money to the cor- 
poration." 

When we look at the city of to-day, with its im 
mense wealth and unassailable credit, receiving and 
expending over a million of dollars yearly, it seems 
strange indeed that its credit was ever so poor 
and its future so entirely unforeseen. 

In 1830 the city became more moderate in its ex- 
penditures, and the total amount paid out was 
$4,542.75, of which $4,426.63 was received from 
sale of lots. W'henever money was wanted for any 
purpose, the city officials did not, as a farmer might 
do, take a sheep to market, but they sold a lot of 
land instead, and thus, year hy year, the city lived 
upon and devoured its substance. On November 
12, 1830, a committee was "appointed to obtain a 
loan for the purpose of redeeming the corporation 
money," and this year the city redeemed $2,610.07, 
and issued $1,526. In March, 1831, the due-bills 
were subject to a discount of twelve and a half per 
cent. Still the printers were kept busy, and on 
April 14, $1,000 in corporation notes were issued. 



CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES. 



153 



and the same amount in 1832. On July 10, 1834, 
the last of the first series was issued. Ifp to that 
time $21, 208 had been circulated, and on August i 
there were $6,830 outstanding. On October 22 it 
was decided to cease the issue of these bills, and to 
redeem all that were outstanding. 

It should be remembered that, during the years 
named, neither under the town incorporation of 
1802, the rule of the Governor and Judges from 
1805 to 1815, nor by the regular city government 
existing from 181 5, were any city taxes levied upon 
real estate. Is it any wonder that those who owned 
broad acres in single farms within and adjoining the 
city grew rich as the years went by, almost without 
effort or care ? However, " nothing is surer than 
death and taxes," and city taxation of real estate 
came as the direct result of the deaths in Detroit by 
Asiatic cholera. The expense incurred by the city 
during the prevalence of the scourge of 1832 was 
too great to be paid by the methods previously in 
vogue. The county refused to pay any portion of 
the expense, and finally, as a last resort, the citizens 
voted to tax the real estate. It was found, however, 
that the city had no power to tax the property of 
others than the citizens, and as much of the taxable 
property was owned by non-residents, no tax was 
then levied. Application was soon made to the 
Legislature, and an amendment to the city charter 
was obtained on April 22, 1833, which authorized 
the council, with the consent of the citizens' meet- 
ing, to levy a tax of one fourth of one per cent on 
real and personal property, and to \e\-y on goods or 
chattels, or sell real estate for a term of years for 
non-payment of taxes, on notice of one month to 
residents, or three months to non-residents. This 
law helped the city out of the financial slough into 
which it had fallen. 

Seven years having elapsed since the city received 
its donation from the General Government, a com- 
mittee was appointed to ascertain the condition of 
the city finances. On March I, 1834 an elaborate 
report was made to the council by C. C. Trowbridge 
and J. Williams, showing that there had been an 
almost entire lack of system in the keeping of 
accounts by the various city officers ; and that 
during the previous seven years, out of $5,000 bor- 
rowed from the banks of the city, only $600 had 
passed through the treasury. The report further 
set forth that between 1825 and 1834 the average 
annual receipts from fines and licenses was $1,100, 
• and the average annual expenses, excluding amounts 
paid for laying out streets and improving roads, was 
$1,800, and that the yearly deficit had been paid by 
the sale of city lots ; also that more than two 
thirds of all the money which had been received 
from sales of city lots had been expended on streets, 
roads, and embankments. 



Up to March I, 1834, the city had sold and dis- 
posed of all the property donated, except three frac- 
tional lots, the sales aggregating $54,423; $15,000 
of this amount was then due for lots already sold. 
Largely through the efforts of Mayor Trowbridge, 




Fac-simile of 12^4 CentCitv Shin plaster of 1838. 

this $1 5,000 was used in erecting the old City Hall. 
That building has now disappeared, and a few 
Parks are all that the city has left of the extensive 
donations it received. 

The report of the council committee recom- 



154 



CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES. 



mended, and the city adopted, plans for the mure 
perfect keeping of accounts. On October 22, a 
committee was appointed to devise a system of tax- 
ation on real and personal property ; and at a citi- 
zens' meeting on October 31. a real estate tax was 
voted. It was limited to one fourth of one per cent 
on the valuation. 

From this time the credit of the city began slowly 
to improve ; and with greater needs, additional 
powers of taxation have been granted by the Legis- 
lature. An Act of April 13, 1 841, authorized the 
city, with consent of the citizens' meeting, to raise a 
tax of one half of one per cent. One of the first 
symptoms of enlarged credit was the agreement of 
Oliver Newberry, on October 28, 1835, to purchase 
$100,000 in city bonds. His offer was accepted on 
November 13, and the first bonds issued by the city 
were thus sold to a citizen. They were dated 
October i, 1835; one half of the amount was then 
issued, and the balance just one year later. 

The simplicity, or duplicity, of those days is illus- 
trated by the fact that the bonds were delivered 
before they were paid for, and the money paid over 
from time to time, as wanted. 

The panic of 1837 created a demand for a new 
issue of city shinplasters, and on August 8, $2,000 
were ordered issued in small bills, of the denomina- 
tions of six and one fourth, twelve and one half, eigh- 
teen and three fourths, twenty-five, thirty-seven and 
a half, fifty, and sixty-two and a half cents. On 
Saturday, October 21, 1837, Alderman Chase offered 
the following, which was adopted : 

Resolved^ that the city treasurer, under the direction of the 
mayor, have printed upon banlc-note paper, due-bills to the 
amount of $3,000, of the forms previously adopted by the board, 
of the denominations of fifty and seventy-five cents; $1,000 of 
said sum to be made payable at the Bank of Michigan; $1,000 at 
the Michigan State Bank; and $1,000 at the Farmers and 
Mechanics' Bank; and when filled up and signed, that the amount 
be placed to the credit of the city, the treasurer giving his receipt 
therefor. 

On April i, 1839, a report of the city clerk showed 
that there were in circulation, on March 31, 1838. 
$15,615.04 of these bills, and on March 30, 1839, 
$12,323.45. On May 14, 1839, §10,000 were ordered 
printed, to redeem mutilated bills. The mutilated 
bills were redeemed by the city treasurer, who had 
the care of them, until they could be destroyed by a 
committee of the council. In those days there were 
no public safes, and the city officers had none of the 
modern conveniences for the safe keeping of valu- 
ables, conseciuently the bills were packed in an 
immense " hair trunk," — a trunk covered with horse- 
hide, tanned with the hair on. 

On one occasion, when .Saturday night came, the 
trunk was crammed full of these promises to pay, 
and the treasurer was obliged to convey it to his 
own home ; and, with double-barrelled gun and brace 



of pistols loaded and primed, he kept watch and 
ward over the trunk all through the Sabbath, and 
on Monday turned the money over to be burned. 

By Act of February 11, 1842, the city was pro- 
hibited from issuing any more due-bills. Little 










Fac-simile of Citv i85i Cknt City Shinplaster of 1841. 



heed, however, was paid to the law, and their issue 
continued until even the tenants of the city had 
no faith in their landlord. The following notice 
appeared in the daily papers : 



CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES. 



155 



We, the undersigned, butchers in the City Hall Market, have 
become satisfied that, in order to sustain ourselves in our business, 
we must discontinue to receive corporation shinplasters for meat, 
from this date. Trusting the public will sustain us in the stand 
which necessity alone has compelled us to take. 

S. E. Morse, 
B. Taft, 

Daniel Coghlan, 
John Hull, 
Charles 13ondwf.r, 
John Hess. 
Detroit, April 18, 1842. 




*iimsij»fii'siem>mmsis^-ii^\ 














The notice seems to have borne some fruit, for on 
November i, 1842, the Committee on Ways and 
Means reported that they had destroyed $6,444.84 
in warrants and due-bills. This good work was 
continued, and on January 24, 1843, the committee 
reported the destruction of $4,708.24 additional, and 
four hundred and eighty sheets of blank due-bills. 
On the 7th of February following, six hundred more 
sheets were burned. On March 19. 1844. the coun- 
cil resolved "that henceforth no shinplaster or war- 
rant shall be issued by the corporation." 

In 1845 Rawdon, Wright, & Hatch were paid 
$888.51 for printing due-bills previously issued. On 
March 13, 185 1, $3,472.62 of this corporation money 
was still outstanding, and as late as 1871 the sum 
of $21.87 was redeemed. 

Expenses of City. 
The expenses of the city for several decades, and 
the amounts expended for the most important pur- 
poses, are shown in the following table : 





1830 


1840 


1850 


i860 


1870 


1881 


Fire Department 


$356 


$1,639 
30 
53 

14.395 
2,046 

297 


3.259 
8,003 
16.563 
24.231 
2.913 

685 


$10,771 
40,667 

35.725 
19,850 
11,625 
186 
2,393 
8,880 
2,475 
140 
18,912 

33.309 

18,947 
1,314 


$78,223 

■73.974 
112,607 
52.318 
"7.332 
4,333 
13,633 

20,0IQ 

64,706 

8,112 

44.157 

65,294 

35.526 
2,780 


$111,198 


Public Sewers .. 
Interest on Debt 
Care of Poor.. .. 
Care nf Parks. . . 
City Printing... 

City Lights 

City Police 


246 

31 
■■"63 


46,593 
117.325 

24.029 
1.952 

13.909 

62,94s 
135,022 


City Courts .... 
Care of Streets.. 
Paving St's and 
Intersections.. 
Wati-r Works 


68 
1,153 

445 


1,171 

1,998 

40 
30,080 

1,212 
301 


715 
3.432 

1,232 
12,469 

4, '49 
364 


27,469 
33,002 

57,974 


Salaries of Alder- 
men, City Offi- 
cers and Clerks 

Election E.\pen- 


588 


73.483 








Totalexpendi- 1 
tures forordi- * 
nary purp'ses ) 


$4,542 


$61,060 


$127,260 


$294,436 


$693,014 


$902,889 



Amounts for 1881 are given because the reports 
for 1880 included a period of seventeen months. 
The amounts appropriated in any one year for any 
certain purpose do not always indicate how much 
was expended for that purpose during the year. Of 
the apiiropriation for any year, only the amount col- 
lected can be used, but balances left over, or 
amounts collected as back taxes, can be used. 

A variety of interesting facts concerning the tax- 
ation and finances of the city are herewith given : 



Fac-simile of Twenty-five Cent City Shim-i, \si kk or- 1S3S. 



1830. 
1840. . 
1S50. 
i860. 
1870. 
1880. 
1884. 



Valuation of 
Real Estate. 



$14,027,133. 
16,872,333. 
64,5';6,o85. 
81,890,955- 



Valuation of 
Personal Prop. 



$2,186,690 . 

6,730.994- ■ 
19,807,705.. 

27,931,040-- 



Total Valua- 
tion. 



$711,680 
4,610,951 
2,372,639 
16,213,823 
23,603,327 
85.363.790 
110,721,995 



156 



CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES. 



Years. 



1830. 
1840. 
1850. 
j86o. 
1B70. 



Total City Tax. 



$2g,863. 
129,484. 
631,872. 
885,830. 
1,326,500 



Net City Debt. 



$3,195... 
186,500 . . 
3S9i538.,. 
304,845... 
797,794... 
1,360,400. .. 
* 906,500... 



In Sinking 
Fund. 



5^11,123 

37.252 

528,628 

*9o6,794 



*July, 1884. 



50 CUKITS, 




F.\c-siMiLE or Fiftv-Cen't Shinpl.vstek of 1S37. 



In addition to the regular bonded debt of the city, 
Detroit is also liable for about five si.xths of the bond- 
ed debt of the county, and for all the bonded debt 
created by the iSoard of Water Commissioners. By 
the charter of 1883 the bonded debt of the city may 
not be over two per cent of the assessed valuation of 
all property. An Act of March 8, 1873, which 
authorized the 'expenditure by the Water Commis- 
sion of most of the amounts constituting their debt, 
made it the duty of the council to assess an annual 
tax of §75,000 for the use of the board, a portion of 
which was expected to be set apart as a sinking 
fimd ; but the council appropriated nothing until 
1875, when §25,000 was appropriated, and since 
then §40,000 has been appropriated yearly. 

The increase in the wealth of the city is shown by 
the fact that the valuation of 1830 would give each 
inhabitant §321, while that of 1880 would allow each 
person §728. 

The rate of taxation per capita in 1850 was §3.26; 
in i860, §2.83 ; in 1870, §7.94 ; and in 1880, $7.61. 

City Debt and Sinking Fiinit. 

Under Act of March 21, 185 1, provision was 
made for creating a sinking fund to meet the indebt- 
edness of the city, and in 1852 the first tax, of 
§5,000, was levied for this purpose. The proceeds 
of this fund are invested chiefly in city bonds, the 
city thus acting as its own debtor and creditor. 
The fund is in charge of the mayor, comptroller, treas- 
urer, and the Committees on Ways and Means of the 
Boards of Councilmen and Aldermen, as commis- 
sioners of the fund. The bonds and other securities 
are deposited by the city treasurer in a "strong 
box," which, up to July, 1882, was kept in the vault 
of the bank acting as "city depository," and since 
then in one of the safes of the Wayne County Safe 
Deposit Company. The box has two locks, the 
mayor and treasurer each having a key, and when 
the box is opened, necessity compels the presence of 
the comptroller also, as he alone has the key to the 
particular safe containing the box. 

Under law of 1879 the council was required to 
\&rj a tax, of not less than §5.000 nor more than 
§10,000 yearly, to be credited to the sinking fund. 
The charter of 1883 did away with this provision, as 
there seemed no further necessity for such a tax. 
The ordinary additions to the fund come chiefly 
from interest on investments, from percentage on 
taxes not paid when due, from interest on deposits 
of city funds, and from the taxes on liquor dealers. 
These latter taxes were credited to the contingent 
fund, and balances left unused were yearly turned 
over to the sinking fund. After July i, 1885, they 
may be used to pay the current expenses of the 
citv. 



CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES. 



157 



The total amounts received from liquor taxes in 
Detroit since the State law took effect are as fol- 
lows : 1875, $74,196; 1876, §88,442; 1877, $57,- 
471; 1878, $65,175; 1879, and to July i, 1880, 
$109,452; 1881, $99,890; 1882, $95,494; 18S3, 
$141,657. 

The amounts transferred to the sinking fund have 
been as follows : 1875. §71,999; 1876, $69,695; 1877, 
$31,000; 1878, $58,000; 1S79, a'ld to July I, 1880, 
$90,000; 1 88 1, $85,000; 1882, $90,000; 1883, 
$130,000, 

The city officers were formerly entitled to the fees 
they received, but under law of 1879 all fees received 
by any city officer are required to be paid over to 
the city treasurer, and credited to the general fund. 

City Taxes : wJien and Itinv payable. 

The estimates for ta.\es, as submitted by the comp- 
troller, are required to be adopted by the Board of 
Aldermen before April 5 of each year, and by the 
Board of Councilmen on or before April 15. While 
the members of these boards are considering the 
estimates, the Board of Assessors have been com- 
pleting their valuation of the property to be ta.xed ; 
and, at least two weeks before April i, they are 
required to give notice that they will sit until April 5 
to hear complaints and make corrections in the val- 
uations. After this has been done, on or before the 
third Tuesday of April, they send the completed tax 
roll to the Board of Aldermen, and within a week 
thereafter the Board of Aldermen and the Board of 
Councilmen begin to hold joint sessions as a Board 
of Review, to hear complaints, and, if necessary, to 
correct the rolls. Their sessions continue not over 
sixteen days, after which, usually about the middle 
of May, the rolls are fully confirmed. The assessors 
then compute the amount of taxes payable on each 
valuation contained on the rolls, and taxes may be 
paid during the month of July without percentage. 
Since the law of 1879, if the clerks in office are so 
busy that they cannot receive all the taxes offered, 
lists of property, with names of owners, may be 
handed in on or before July 25, and the parties can 
have until August 10 to pay the amounts, if there is 
no opportunity of paying sooner. On the first of 
August interest, at the rate of one per cent a month, 
is added for July, and at the same rate the first of 
each month until the first of January, unless the tax 
is paid. If not paid by the first of January, the six 
per cent that has accrued is added to the original 
tax, and interest continues to be charged at the rate 
of one per cent a month until the tax is paid. If 
not paid by the first of February, the receiver of 
taxes is authorized to advertise the property for sale, 
but as it takes some time to prepare them, the lists 
are usually not printed until about May i , when the 
property is advertised for sale for four successive 



weeks. After this the cost of advertising, amount- 
ing to about fifty cents, is added, and interest con- 
tinues to be reckoned at the rate of one per cent a 
month. If the tax is not paid the property is sold 
about June i, the exact day being discretionary with 
the receiver of taxes. The sale indicates only that 
the ])urchaser is entitled to the use of the property 
purchased for the number of years agreed upon at 
time of sale ; but if the owner neglects to redeem 
it, the sale is confirmed by a regular transfer of title 
by the citj'. Records of sales are filed in the city 
treasurer's office. The property can be redeemed at 
any time within one year after sale by paying the 
amount due at time of sale, and interest at the rate 
of fifteen per cent per annum. Soon after the sale 
a list of all property on which the taxes have not 
been paid, nor cancelled by sales, is furnished by the 
receiver to the city treasurer, to be thereafter col- 
lected through him. 

At the annual sale, unless some private person 
bids the amount of the tax, all lands on which taxes 
are unpaid are sold to the city, and the amounts re- 
ceived for back taxes in the treasurer's office are 
credited as receipts from "City Bids." 

From 1 844 to 1863 the unpaid taxes on real estate 
accumulated to the amount of $50,360. The city 
treasurers should have collected these amounts, but 
through ignorance and carelessness they neglected 
to do so. On February i, 1877, a department for 
collection was established in connection with the 
city treasurer's office, and nearly $40,000 collected 
the first year. 

Prior to the law of May 31, 1879, the taxes on 
personal property were placed in the hands of ward 
collectors, but there was no adequate prox'ision for 
enforcing their collection. Many refused to pay, 
and no further effort was made when collectors 
failed to obtain the amounts. Since the law of 1879 
the city is authorized to levy for the collection of 
personal ta.xes, and a much larger proportion of the 
amounts is now collected. The charter of 1 883 pro- 
vides that other property than real estate may be 
seized and sold at auction for real estate ta.xes. 

Special Taxes. 

Taxes or assessments for the building of side- 
walks and sewers, or for the paving of streets, are 
kept entirely distinct from the regular city taxes, 
and are payable within thirty days from the time 
the rolls are confirmed by the council. If not paid 
within sixty days, the receiver of taxes can, at his 
discretion, advertise for sale the property on which 
these taxes are levied. 

Kinds of Property taxed. 

The assessors are obliged l)y law to tax all real 
estate (lands and buildings being estimated separ- 



158 



CITY TAXATION AND FINANCES. 



ately), also all stocks, bonds, and mortgages held 
by individuals or corporations; all kinds of mer- 
chandise and movable property, together with 
horses, cattle, and carriages. In addition to these 
taxes, real estate located on unpaved streets is as- 
sessed specially, and pro rata for road ta.\es, ac- 
cording to the amount estimated to be necessary 
for each ward. Up to 1881 each house or store 
with a cellar was assessed one dollar, and, if the lot 
was drained, fifty cents additional, as specific taxes. 
A doubt as to the legality of the assessment on 
cellars, arising from a decision in a case somewhat 
similar, caused the discontinuance of assessments 
on cellars after 1880. All household property over 
two hundred dollars in value is liable to assessment. 
All houses of public worship, and their fixtures and 
furniture, also the land on which they stand, and 
any parsonage owned and occupied as such, are ex- 
empted by law ; all cemeteries, all city property, and 
the property of any person who, in the opinion of 
the assessor, is unable to pay, are exempt, also other 
property of various kinds, as the result of special 
enactments. 

An Act of February 15, 1859, gave the assessor 
discretionary power in fixing valuation of property 
in the outskirts of the city; and up to 1872 property 
was assessed at only about one third of its value. 
An Act of April 17, 1871, made it obligatory upon 
the assessors to rate property at its cash value. 

In order to show the actual valuation of the city 
in 18S0, the following property then exempted should 
be included : 



VALUATION. 

% 732.955 

66.323 

417.867 



Public school-houses and sites . 
Police stations and property 
Fire engine houses and property 
Other city property, such as City Hall, 
Public Library, House of Correction, 
Water Works, .Sewers, Parks, etc. 7,065,282 

Cemeteries ..... 224,000 

Railroad lands and buildings . . 2,700,000 
Street railroads and equipment . 684,320 

Charitable and benevolent institutions 600,000 

United States property . . . 400,000 

Church properly 2,573,625 

School property belonging to churches 295,000 



Total 



M 5.739.172 



Financial Methods and Accounts. 

When the city was first incorporated the fiscal 
year was uniform with the official year. In 1S59 it 
was changed so as to begin IVIarch i instead of 
April I. In 1873 't was changed to begin February 
I. By Act of February 23, 1S79, it ^vas ordered 
that the fiscal year begin on the ist of July. 

All moneys received by the city treasurer were 
originally placed in the common fund. The first 



departure from this method was made under Act of 
February 13. 1843. which required that all monevs 
collected for school purposes should be kept in a 
special account. Separate accounts were not kept 
for other funds until required by the charter of 1857. 
The number of these .special accounts is continually 
increasing, the council, from time to time, designat- 
ing some new object, the money for which is to be 
kept separate. 

In order that the condition of the funds for which 
special appropriations are made may be readily ascer- 
tained, the citv treasurer keeps two accounts of each 
fund. One account is credited with the entire 
amount appropriated, and charged with the amount 
expended ; the other account is credited with the 
amount actually received, and charged with the 
amounts paid out. The titles of the accounts, as 
kept by the treasurer, are, most of them, clearly 
indicative of their character. The account named 
" Redemption Fund " shows what has been received 
from individuals in redemption of lands sold for 
non-payment of taxes, and whether the moneys 
so received were paid back to tliose who bought the 
property at tax sale, or credited to the city, which is 
supposed to bid for and buy all the lands thus 
offered, not sold to an individual. 

The account called " City Bids " includes the 
entire amounts due the city for all back taxes, and 
when any of these back taxes are paid the amount 
is credited to the year in which the taxes became 
due. The amounts credited to " City Charges " are 
made up of the office charges and interest which 
has accrued on the back taxes. 

The " Public Sewer Fund " has reference to ac- 
counts connected with sewers paid for by general 
tax, the '■ General Sewer Fund " to accounts for 
sewers paid for by local assessments, the " General 
Road Fund " to amounts received and expended for 
general repair of streets and sidewalks ; the " Road 
District Fund " has reference solely to amounts 
raised and paid out for cleaning the streets. 

All moneys due for city taxes are originally pay- 
able to the receiver of taxes. The receipts given 
are numbered consecutively from the beginning of 
each fiscal year; and since 1871, in order to be 
valid, they must have, not only the receiver's signa- 
ture, but that of the comptroller also. The receiver 
pays over each day to the city treasurer the funds he 
has received, and reports the amount to the comp- 
troller, and the city treasurer reports daily to the 
comptroller the full amount of his receipts and dis- 
bursements, with the amounts credited or charged 
to each account ; he is also required to deposit daily 
all the funds received by him in whatever bank 
has been designated by the Common Council. The 
bank so designated is known as the city depository, 
and pays such rate of interest on monthly balances 



INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES. 



159 



in its keeping as may from time to time be agreed 
upon. In 1882 the rate was four and one eigbith per 
cent on monthly balances of §100,000, or over ; and 
the interest received by the city amounted to $26,763. 
The city depository notifies the comptroller daily of 
the amount deposited by the city treasurer the pre- 
ceding day. The treasurer is not allowed to pay 
out any money without a warrant or order signed 
by the comptroller, e.xcept in the case of moneys 
belonging to the Police and Educational Funds, 
which are paid out on orders from officers of these 
boards. All payments made by the city treasurer, 
except payments on ordinary pay-rolls of city officers 
and laborers, are required to be made by clieck upon 
the city depository, and the checks must ha\e 
written or printed upon them the warrant of the 
comptroller for the payment. Once in each month 
the Committees on Ways and Means of the alder- 
men and councilmen are required to inspect and 
examine all the affairs and accounts of the treasurer. 

UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES. 

One of the earliest efforts made by the United 
States to obtain a revenue was by the law of July 6, 
1797, which provided for the use of stamped paper, 
to be furnished by the Government. An old 
memorandum book of Peter Audrain shows that 
much of this paper was used at Detroit, and excel- 
lent specimens are preserved. On March 31. 1798, 
the law was repealed, except as to documents con- 
nected with exports and insurance. The first law 
providing for an internal revenue tax was passed 
August 2, 1813. By it a tax was levied on auction 
sales, and on sugar refined in the United States; 
and licenses were required from liquor dealers, 
banks, and bankers. The collector was paid by a 
percentage of from three to eight per cent on the 
amounts received. This law was abolished on De- 
cember 23. 1817. 

The necessity of a revenue to pay interest on the 
war debt gave rise to the law of August 5, 1S61, 
which provided for a tax of three per cent on in- 
comes of over $800, and authorized a direct tax upon 
the several States of §20,000,000. A law of July i , 
1862, required licenses for the manufacture and sale 
of liquors, and from bankers, pawnbrokers, hotels, 
eating-houses, brokers of all kinds, theaters, circuses, 
jugglers, confectioners, livery stables, soapmakers, 
peddlers, druggists, photographers, manufacturers, 
lawyers, doctors, and dentists. All manufacturers 
were required to make monthly returns, and to pay 
certain percentages. Incomes of over $600 and 
under $10,000 were taxed three per cent, and all in- 
comes of over Sio.ooo were required to pay five per 
cent on the excess. This law was in force up to 
July 20, 1 868. 

Detroit has always been the headquarters of the 



first collection district of Michigan, and by an 
amendment to the law taking effect August 7, 1883, 
the district was enlarged to include the counties of 
Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Baraga, Bay, Branch, Cal- 
houn, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Craw- 
ford, Delta, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Hillsdale, 
Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Isle 
Royale, Jackson, Keweenaw, Lenawee, Livingston, 
Lapeer, Macomb, Mackinaw, Marquette, Menomi- 
nee, Midland, Monroe, Montmorency, Ogemaw, 
Ontonagon, Oscoda, Oakland, Otsego, Presque Isle, 
Roscommon, St. Clair, .Sanilac, Saginaw, School- 
craft, Shiawasse, Tuscola, Wayne, and Washtenaw. 

The fiscal tax year begins May i,and the special 
taxes imposed by the law, when paid, are reckoned 
according to the number of months left in the year. 
The special taxes up to July i, 1883, imposed by 
law and payable yearly, were as follows : rectifiers, 
$200 ; retail liquor-dealers, §25 ; wholesale liquor- 
dealers, §100; wholesale dealers in malt liquors, 
$50; retail dealers in malt liquors, $20; wholesale 
dealers in leaf-tobacco, $25 ; retail dealers in leaf- 
tobacco, $500; and on sales of over $1,000, fifty 
cents for every dollar in excess ; dealers in manu- 
factured tobacco. §5 ; manufacturers of stills, $50 ; 
for each still manufactured, $20 ; for each worm 
manufactured, §20 ; manufacturers of tobacco, $10; 
manufacturers of cigars, $10; peddlers of tobacco, 
first class, with more than two animals, $50 ; ped- 
dlers of tobacco, second class, with two animals, §25 ; 
peddlers of tobacco, third class, with one animal, 
§1 5 ; peddlers of tobacco, fourth class, on foot or by 
public conveyance, S'o; brewers of less than five 
hundred barrels, S50 ; brewers of five hundred bar- 
rels or more, §100. In addition to the above, up to 
July I, 1883, every package of one hundred matches 
required a one-cent stamp, obtainable only at Wash- 
ington ; and all packages of patent medicines, perfu- 
mery, and cosmetics required a one-cent stamp for 
each twenty-five cents charged for the same ; a 
two-cent stamp was required on every check drawn 
on a bank; and all savings banks and banking insti- 
tutions of every kind, except national banks, were 
required to pay a tax of one twenty-fourth of one 
per cent per month on their capital and average 
monthly deposits. The national banks paid every 
six months one twentieth of one per cent on their 
average circulation, one fourth of one per cent on 
their average deposits, and also one fourth of one 
per cent on the amount of their capital, over and 
above the amount invested in government bonds. 

By law of March 3, 1883, taking effect July i, the 
tax on wholesale dealers in leaf-tobacco was fixed at 
$12, and on retail dealers at §2.50 ; and thirty cents 
on each dollar of the amount of their monthly sales, 
when the sales are over S500 per year. Dealers in 
manufactured tobacco pay j)2.4o. Manufacturers 



i6o 



INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES. 



of tobacco or cigars, §6.00 each. Peddlers of the 
first class, §30; second class, §1 5 ; third class, S7.50; 
and fourth class, S3-6o. The tax on snuff, smoking 
and manufactured tobacco, was fi.xed at §8.00 per 
pound. Cigars pay a ta.x of $3.00 per thousand, and 
cigarettes, from fifty cents to $3.00 per thousand. 
The taxes on deposits and capital of all banks were 
repealed, and also the tax on matches, perfumer)-, 
patent medicines, and bank checks. 

The total collections in the district embracing 
Detroit, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, 
were $1,251,409, the larger proportion of which was 
from the city. In 18S3, there were twelve persons 



connected with the office. These officers are ap- 
pointed by the collector, and their salaries range 
from S900 to $2,000. The salarj^ of the collector is 
S4, 500, and the total yearly expenses of the. office 
are about $16,500. The office of assessor was 
merged with that of collector in 1873. 

The United .States assessors have been as follows : 
1862-1867, Joseph R. Bennett; 1867-1873, Mark 
Flanigan. 

The collectors have been ; 1862-1865, L. G. Berry; 
1865-1869.D E. Harbaugh: 1869-1873. H. B. Rowl- 
son: 1S73-1875. Mark Flanigan: 1876-1S83, Luther 
S.Trowbridge; 1S83- , James H. Stone. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



CITIZENS' MEETINGS.— BOARD OF ESTIMATES.— AUDITORS, COMPTROLLERS, AC- 
COUNTANTS.— CITY AND WARD ASSESSORS.— BOARD OF REVIEW.— CITY AND 
WARD COLLECTORS.— CITY TREASURERS.— RECEIVERS OF TAXES. 



CITIZENS' MEETINGS. 

From the incorporation of 1803 to 1873 it was 
the custom to submit the amounts proposed to be 
raised for various purposes to a 7'iva voce vote of the 
citizens, at a yearly meeting called for the purpose. 
At these meetings great differences of opinion were 
frequently manifested, and amounts estimated to be 
needed for various purposes were sometimes stricken 
out, frequently reduced, and oftentimes ordered by a 
Very close vote. The meetings seldom brought 
together more than four hundred or six hundred of 
the larger property owners. The appointment of a 
Board of Park Commissioners, under an Act of 
April 15, 1 87 1, and the proposal to include in the 
yearly estimates the sum of §200,000 in bonds for 
the purchase of a park, brought a large number of 
persons to a citizens' meeting held on December 27, 
1 87 1, in the Circuit Court room in the City Hall. 
Both those who favored and those who opposed the 
purchase were excited and determined, and there 
was so much confusion that a decision could not be 
reached. A subsequent meeting to further consider 
the subject was held on May i, 1872, at the Gris- 
wold Street entrance to the City Hall. An immense 
number of both citizens and non-residents were 
present, and again there was so much excitement 
and confusion that no definite result was reached. 

After these meetings it became apparent that no 
expenditure awakening general interest could be 
properly considered in so large an assemblage as 
would be likely to gather. This conviction resulted 
in the pjissage of the .\ct of March 28, 1873, which 
abolished citizens' meetings, and pro\ided for a 

BO.\RD OF ESTIM.\TES. 

The coincidence is noticeable that the last citi- 
zens' meeting was held in the same month, and 
within two days of the time, when the first town 
meeting was held, seventy years before. 

The first election for members of the Board of 
Estimates was held on April 7, 1873. Five persons 
were elected from the city at large on a general 
ticket, to serve for two years ; and two from each 
ward, one to serve for one year and one for two 
years. After 1S73, and until the board was abol- 



ished by Act of April 21, 1881, one member was 
elected annually from each ward, and five at large 
every two years. 

The president of the Common Council, chairman 
of Committee on Ways and Means, city comp- 
troller, counselor, presidents of the various boards 
and commissions, as well as the senior inspector of 
the House of Correction, were cv officio members 
of the board, with the right to participate in its 
deliberations, but not to vote. The estimates, after 
being considered by the council, were submitted to 
the Board of Estimates, which convened between 
the first Monday of March and the 1 5th of April, 
whenever the council indicated that the estimates 
were ready. The board had power to reduce, but 
not to increase, the estimates. Under Act of 1881 
the powers of the board were transferred to the 
LTpper House or City Council. 

The following persons served on the board in the 
years named : 

1873, First Ward: F. Adams, W. Foxcn. Second 
Ward : B. P. Mumford. H. Walker. Third Ward : 
W. R. Candler, W. G. Thompson. Fourth Ward : 
W. N. Carpenter, Joseph Kuhn. Fifth Ward : R. 
W. King, A. Ives. Sixth Ward ; \\'m. Duncan, N. 
Senninger. Seventh Ward : J. M. Millar, E. 
Eccard. Eighth Ward : D. Guiney, Thos. Griffith. 
Ninth Ward : D. M. Richardson, M. Haller. Tenth 
Ward : M. Frost, Chas. Byram. 

1873, At Large : T. W. Palmer, W. C. Duncan, H. 
P. Bridge, E. B. Ward, P. Henkel. 

1874, First Ward: Francis Adams, George 
Wilkes. Second Ward : B. P. Mumford, Hiram 
Walker. Third Ward : Wm. R. Candler, James 
Flower. Fourth Ward : W. N. Carpenter, J. P. 
Hensien. Fifth Ward : R. W. King, J. W. Ker- 
mott. Sixth Ward : Wm. Duncan, Thos. Hill. 
Seventh Ward : J. McMillan, Edward Eccard. 
Eighth Ward : Daniel Guiney, M. F. Hogan. Ninth 
Ward : D. M. Richardson, J. Witherspoon. Tenth 
Ward: Milton Frost, J. Dwyer. Twelfth Ward: 
Jos. Loranger, John Diedrich. 

1874, At Large: J. Greusel, Julius StoU, Tho.s. 
Baxter, Wm. Doeltz, E. B. Ward. 

1875, First Ward : S. R. Wooley, Francis Adams. 



[161] 



l62 



AUDITORS, COMPTROLLERS, ACCOUNTANTS. 



Second Ward : Hiram Walker, Chas. L Walker. 
Third Ward : Louis Barie, Wm. R. Candler. 
Fourth Ward : J. P. Hensien, Richard Hawley. 
Fifth Ward : J. W. Kermott, R. W. King. Sixth 
Ward : T. Hill, W. Duncan. Seventh Ward : E. 
Eccard, J. McMillan. Eighth Ward : M. F. Hogan, 
D. Guiney. Ninth Ward : J. Witherspoon, Jos. 
Nicholson. Tenth Ward: J. Dwyer, M. Frost. 
Twelfth Ward : J. Loranger, A. E. Hamlin. 

1875, At Large: J. Greusel, J. Stoll, T. Baxter, 
W. Doeltz, H. C. Hodges. 

1876, First Ward: F. Adams, J. D. Hayes. 
Second Ward: C. I. Walker, Louis Dillman. Third 
Ward : W. R. Candler, P. Herlihy. Fourth Ward : 
R. Hawley, W. N. Carpenter. Fifth Ward : R. W. 
King, J. W. Kermott. Sixth Ward : W. Duncan, 
T. Hill. Seventh Ward: J. McMillan, E. Eccard. 
Eighth Ward: D. Guiney, M. F. Hogan. Ninth 
Ward : J. Nicholson, C. Lafferty. Tenth Ward : M. 
Frost, Thos. Berry. Twelfth Ward : A. E. Ham- 
lin, J. Diedrich. 

1876, At Large: S. C. Watson, J. Greusel, N. 
Avery, W. Doeltz, W. C. Colburn. 

1877, First Ward: J. D. Hayes, C. B. Hebbard. 
Second Ward : Louis Dillman, T. N. Birmingham. 
Third Ward : P. Herlihy, W. R. Candler. Fourth 
Ward: W. N. Carpenter, Morse Stewart. Fifth 
Ward : J. W. Kermott, R. W. King. Sixth Ward : 
T. Hill, D. M. Ferry. Seventh Ward: E. Eccard, 
M. Martz. Eighth Ward : M. F. Hogan, J. Connor. 
Ninth Ward : C. Lafferty, G. C. Langdon. Tenth 
Ward : Thos. Berry, G. Hendrie. Eleventh Ward : 
M. Dederich, M. Blay. Twelfth Ward : J. Diedrich, 
M. Steyskal. Thirteenth Ward : Frank Whitman, 
John Japes. 

1877, At Large: J. Greusel, N. Avery, O. Bourke, 
W. Doeltz, W. C. Colburn. 

1878, First Ward: C. B. Hebbard. R. W. Gillett. 
Second Ward: Thos. N. Birmingham, Wra. K. 
Coyl. Third Ward: W. R. Candler, P. Herlihy. 
Fourth Ward : M. Stewart, Theo. Romeyn. Fifth 
Ward: R. W. King, A. E. Leavitt. Sixth Ward: 
D. M. Ferry, H. L. Kanter. Seventh Ward: M. 
Martz, Adam Schehr. Eighth Ward : J. Connor, M. 
F. Hogan. Ninth Ward: C. Lafferty, G. C. Lang- 
don. Tenth Ward: G. Hendrie, J. B. Gravier. 
Eleventh Ward: M. Dederich, W. L. Streeter. 
Twelfth Ward: M. Steyskal, Thos. Densham. 
Thirteenth Ward: F. Whitman, J. Japes. 

1878, At Large: M. I. Mills, Wm. B. Moran, A. 
Pulte, J. Atkinson, J. A. Dudgeon. 

1879, First Ward: R. W. Gillett, F. Adams. 
Second Ward: W. K. Coyl, E. L. Schmitt. Third 
Ward: P. Herlihy, Theo. Chapoton. Fourth Ward: 
Theo. Romeyn, J. L Lewis. Fifth Ward: A. E. 
Leavitt, R. W. King. Si.xth Ward: H. L. Kanter, 
Theo. McGraw. Seventh Ward: Adam Schehr, Z. 



Dewey. Eighth Ward: M. F. Hogan, Theo. Rentz. 
Ninth Ward : C. Lafferty, H. Hastings. Tenth 
Ward: J. B. Gravier, P. McCormick. Eleventh 
Ward: Wm. L. Streeter, M. Blay. Twelfth Ward: 
S. D. Bush, S. A. Plummer. Thirteenth Ward: J. 
Japes, A. Trost. 

1879, At Large: M. L Jilills, W. B. Moran, A. 
Pulte, J. Atkinson, J. A. Dudgeon. 

1880, First Ward: F. Adams, W. A. Butler. 
Second Ward: E. L. Schmitt, C. D. Erichsen. 
Third Ward: Theo. Chapoton, Jos. Kurtz. Fourth 
Ward: J. I. Lewis, Theo. Romeyn. Fifth Ward: 
R. W. King, J. S. Vernor. Sixth Ward: Theo. 
McCJraw, J. D. Standish. Seventh Ward: Z. Dewey, 
S. Kirchner. Eighth Ward: Theo. Rentz, D. Dono- 
van. Ninth Ward: H. Hastings, Robert Miller. 
Tenth Ward: P. S. McCormick, S. B. Grummond. 
Eleventh Ward: M. Blay, W. L. Streeter. Twelfth 
Ward: S. A. Plummer, J. B. Wood. Thirteenth 
Ward: A. Trost, A. Haischer. 

1880, At Large: A. Chapoton, Thos. Berry, John 
Greusel, O. C. Wood, W. C. Colburn. 



AUDITORS. — COMPTROLLERS. — ACCOUNTANTS. 

The office of city auditor was created by Act of 
March II, 1844. It was the duty of this officer to 
audit all claims and accounts against the city, and 
to examine and adjust, as often as once in three 
months, the accounts of all city officers. The city 
clerks served also as auditors until 1850, when A. 
T. Hall was appointed solely to this office. By Act 
of February 12, 1855, the name of the office was 
changed to that of comptroller, and the term of ser- 
\'ice was reduced from three to two years. In 1861 
the term of office was again extended to three years. 
The office is intended as a safeguard in the manage- 
ment of the city finances. The estimated expendi- 
tures of the several departments of the city are for- 
warded to and collected by the comptroller, and 
after being tabulated, are presented by him to the 
council. He keeps a record of all bonds issued by 
the city, all of which are signed by the mayor and 
comptroller, and attested by the city clerk. When 
bonds are redeemed, the comptroller gives a war- 
rant, drawn on the city treasurer. It is his duty to 
keep a complete list of the property of the city. He 
is nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the 
Board of Councilmen, and must give a bond in the 
sum of §30,000. In 1883 the salary was $3,000. 

From 1850 to 1854 Amos T. Hall ser\-ed as 
auditor. The names of the comptrollers, and the 
dates of the beginning of their terms, are as follows : 
Chas. Pekier, July 11, 1854; J. M. Edmunds, April, 
1859; B. L. Webb, March, 1861 ; D. C. Whitwood, 
March, 1862; A. H. Redlield, October, 1863; B. G. 
Stimson, January, 1868; Wm. Purcell, June, 1870; 



CITY AND WARD ASSESSORS. 



163 



E. I. Garfield, March, 1871 ; H. P. Bridge, March, 
1877 ; Luther S. Trowbridge, July, 1883. 

The duties of the city accountant are intimately 
related to the original duties of the auditor and 
comptroller. The first appointee was J. J. Norris, 
who was charged in 1877 with the duty of examin- 
ing the methods of bookkeeping and the condition 
of the accounts in the several city offices. His re- 
searches were of value, and resulted in an improve- 
ment in the management of several of the offices. 
In 1878 he was succeeded by Richard Tregaskis, 
and in 1 884 was reappointed. Appointments to the 
office are made on nomination of the mayor, for 
terms of two vears, or until a successor is selected. 

CITY AND WARD ASSESSORS. 

The city charter of October 24, 181 5, authorized 
the election of an assessor, and old records show 
that on May 5, 1817, he was paid $30.75 for collect- 
ing taxes on personal property assessed at $1,787.37. 
The extensive improvement of land and the greater 
number of property owners, growing out of the sale 
of lots on the Military Reser\-e. led the council to 
increase the number of assessors ; and in 1828 three 
were appointed. 

An Act of March 27, 1S39, provided for the elec- 
tion of one assessor in each of the six wards. Act 
of April 13, 1841, required the assessors to make 
out the rolls between the first Mondays of March 
and April, and gave them the same power as the 
county commissioners, and by Act of February 16, 
1842, they were made members of the Board of 
SuperWsors. By Act of February 23, 1846, the city 
was divided into three assessment districts, of two 
wards each ; and of the sL\ assessors elected in 1 846, 
three were to serve one year, and three for two 
years, the length of term of each to be decided by 
lot. All assessments of property were to be made 
between the second Mondays of March and May. 
Under Act of January 30, 1847, the taxes were re- 
quired to be assessed and collected before the first 
Monday in March. Act of February 22, 1848, pro- 
vided that the council should divide the city into 
three assessment districts ; the first district to em- 
brace the first and second wards ; the second district, 
the third, fourth, and seventh wards ; and the third 
district, the fifth and sixth wards. The Act also pro- 
vided that in 1849 one assessor should be elected for 
each district, the assessor for the first district to 
serve one year, for the second district, two years^ 
and for the third district, three years ; and after 1849 
they were to be elected for terms of three years. Act 
of February 21, 1849, provided for the election of 
one assessor for the seventh ward, and that the as- 
sessment districts of the city should be as already 
constituted by the council, except that the seventh 
ward was to be attached to the second district. 



On January 30, 1850, the Legislature provided for 
the election of three city assessors, who were to 
decide by lot what should be their terms of office, 
one of them to serve for one year, one for two, and 
the other for three years ; and after 1850 one asses- 
sor was to be elected annually. 

By Act of February 12, 1855, 'h^^ P'^n of ward 
assessors was again introduced, and in 1856 one 
was elected for each ward, the whole number con- 
stituting a Board of Assessors. Assessments were 
to be made in March of each year. In May, 1855, 
the rolls were seriously tampered with, the assess- 
ment of some persons being reduced, and that of 
others increased. It was difficult to determine who 
had committed or connived at the wrongdoing, but 
on February 5, 1857, the wards system was again 
abolished, and provision was made for an assessor 
and two assistant assessors, who were to be appoint- 
ed by the Common Council. 

Up to July I, 1883, there was but one chief asses- 
sor ; his salary was $2,500, and he was appointed 
for terms of three years. Under ordinance of De- 
cember 30, 1 86 1, the city, on January i of each 
year, appointed two assistants to serve for three 
months, at two dollars and fifty cents per day each. 
By ordinance of November 24, 1865, the time of 
service was increased to sLx months ; and in March 
of the same year the pay was increased to four 
dollars, and afterwards to five dollars per day. The 
assistants were required to reside one on each side 
of Woodward Avenue. 

By the charter of 1883, the office of assistant 
assessor was abolished, and a board of three asses- 
sors was provided for. The one in office was to 
continue for his regular term, and two others were 
to be appointed whose terms were to commence in 
July, 1883, and to continue for two and three years 
respectively. Beginning \nth 1884, one assessor is 
to be appointed annually for a term of three years. 
In 1883 the salary was $2,500 each. The charter 
of 1883 transferred to the assessors part of the 
powers formerly exercised by the Board of Re\iew. 
The president of the Board of Assessors is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Supervisors. The assessors pre- 
pare not only the lists of taxable property for the 
city, but also those for the state and county taxes 
for the county treasurer. 

The following persons have served as assessors : 
1816, Antoine Dequindre ; 1817, H. J. Hunt ; 1818, 
Henry Brown; 1819, Robert Garratt ; 1820-1823, 
D. C. McKinstry; 1823, B. Woodworth; 1824, 
MelvinDorr; 1825-1828, J. Moors; 1828, E. Doty, 
M. Dorr, J. Moors ; 1829, John Scott, Justin Rice, 
F. P. Browning; 1830, S. Conant, J. L. Whiting, P. 
Desnoyers ; 1831, John Roberts, John Garrison, 
Thomas Palmer; 1832, S. Conant, P. Desnoyers, 
D.French; 1833, D. Cooper, T. S. Knapp, E. P. 



164 



BOARD OF REVIEW. 



Hastings; 1834, D. C. McKinstry, P. Desnoyers, 
N. Sutton; 1835, N. Sutton, A. Hartshorn, C. 
Moran ; 1 836, W. Russell, John Palmer, N. Sutton ; 
1837, H. Newberry, S. Poupard, M. Story; 1838, 
T. S. Wendell, J. Palmer, H. Newberry. 

1839. — First Ward : T.J.Owen. Second Ward : 
D. Cooper. Third Ward : A. E. Mather. Fourth 
Ward: N. Sutton. Fifth Ward: D. W. Fiske. 
Sixth Ward : W. Barclay. 

1840, First Ward: T.J. Owen. Second Ward : 
Levi Cook. Third Ward : Chas. Willcox. Fourth 
Ward : CuUen Brown. Fifth Ward : C. M. Bull. 
Sixth Ward : Wm. Barclay. 

1841, First Ward: T. J. Owen. .Second Ward: 
L. Cook. Third Ward : D. French. Fourth Ward : 
C. Brown. Fifth Ward : W. R. Noyes. Sixth 
Ward : H. Beaubien. 

1842, First Ward : T. J. Owen. Second Ward: 
Ellis Doty. Third Ward : F. H. Stevens. Fourth 
Ward : Peter Desnoyers. Fifth Ward : G. Paull. 
Sixth Ward : John Greenfield. 

1843, First Ward : T. J. Owen. Second Ward : 
John Farrar. Third W^ard : Louis Beaubien. Fourth 
Ward: John Reno. Fifth Ward: H. H. LeRoy. 
Sixth Ward : J. Godfroy. 

1844, First Ward : T. J. Owen, E. Bingham. 
Second Ward : J. Farrar. Third Ward: L. Beau- 
bien. Fourth Ward : J. Reno. Fifth Ward : J. H. 
Hill. Sixth Ward : Henry Beaubien. 

1845, First Ward: Thos. Palmer. Second Ward: 
R. J. Connor. Third Ward : M. Gooding. Fourth 
Ward : J. Reno. Fifth Ward : J. H. Hill Sixth 
Ward : H. Beaubien. 

1846, First Ward: M. Palmer. .Second Ward: 
N. B. Carpenter, Third Ward : G. Spencer. Fourth 
Ward: J. B.Vallee, Fifth Ward: D. Edsall. Sixth 
Ward : H. Beaubien. 

1847, First Ward: M. Palmer. Second Ward: 
N. B. Carpenter. Third Ward : G. Spencer. Fourth 
Ward : J. B. Vallee. Fifth Ward : Thos. Hall, A. 
C. Powell. Sixth Ward : H. Beaubien. Seventh 
Ward : R. C. Smith. 

1848, First District: Wm. Stewart, L Goodrich. 
Second District : J. B. Vallee, Wm. Stead. Third 
District : J. S. Jenness, David Weeks. 

1849, First District : J. Fitzmorris, N. B. Carpen- 
ter. Second District : 1. Goodrich, James Robinson. 
Third District : W. Stead, John Mullett. 

1850, George Blakeslee, Robert Reaume, W. 
Stead. 

1851, First District: R. Reaume. Second Dis- 
trict : John McCurdy. Third District : S. T. Dyson. 

1852 and 1853, First District : J, Hanmer. Second 
District : R. Reaume. Third District : J. McCurdy. 

1854 and 1855, First District : J. Hanmer. Second 
District : J. Reno. Third District : A. H. Stowell. 

1856, First Ward : S. S. Barrows. Second Ward : 



N. B. Carpenter. Third Ward : William Moore. 
Fourth Ward : John M. Davis. Fifth Ward : A. H. 
Stowell. Sixth Ward : Eben Prentis. Seventh 
Ward : A. H. Redfield. Eighth Ward : Jonathan 
Teagan. 

1857-1863, W. W. Wilcox. 1863-1866, F. E. 
Eldred. 1866-1869, A. A. Rabineau. 1869-1872, 
Jeremiah Godfrey. 1872-1878, H. H. LeRoy. 1878- 
1881, G. W. Gilbert. 1 881 -July, 18S3, J. D. Stand- 
ish. July, 1883, to , J. D. Standish, C. W. 

Coolidge, J. McBride. 

BOARD OF REVIEW. 

Under Act of March 27, 1839, after the assess- 
ment rolls were completed, the assessors of the 
several wards met together, on specified days, to 
review their work. Under Act of February 12, 1855, 
they met on the first Monday of April, and sat two 
weeks to hear complaints and correct the rolls. By 
Act of February 5, 1857, the city assessor, comp- 
troller, treasurer, attorney, and the Committee of 
Ways and Means for each year, were constituted the 
Board of Review. Act of March 12, 1861, made 
provision for the appointment by the council, on 
nomination of the mayor, of three resident property 
owners to hold oft'ice three years, who were to con- 
stitute a Board of Review. The three persons first 
appointed determined by lot the terms of their 
service, and after 1861 one new member was ap- 
pointed yearly. The amount paid for their services 
was determined by the council, and was usually five 
dollars per day. The board met yearly at the 
assessor's office, on the first Monday in April, and 
were required to finish their labors on or before the 
first of May. It was their duty to equalize, amend, 
alter, and correct the assessment rolls ; but no 
assessment could be increased, or new assessments 
added, without notice to the persons whose interests 
were affected. After a law of 1879, and up to July, 
1883, the board consisted of five persons, three of 
whom were nominated by the mayor and two by 
the president of the Common Council, and all con- 
firmed by the council. The first three nominated by 
the mayor were to determine by lot who should 
serve the terms of one, two, and three years, and 
afterwards one new member was appointed each 
year for a term of three years. One of the two 
appointed annually, on nomination of the president 
of the council, was required to reside east, and the 
other west, of Woodward Avenue. The charter of 
1S83 abolished the office, and transferred its duties 
in part to the Board of Assessors, and to the alder- 
men and councilmen in joint session. The following 
persons have served as members of the board : 

1861 and 1862, J. Gibson, J. Godfrey, J. Burns; 
1863, J. Gibson, J. Burns, J. Hanmer; 1864 and 
1S65, J. Gibson, C. Van Husan, E. Orr; 1866, J. 



CITY AND WARD COLLFXTORS. 



165 



Gibson, C. Van Husan, J. C. Warner; 1867, J. 
Gibson, Geo. M. Rich, J. C. Warner; 1868 and 
1869, C. Van Husan, G. M. Rich, J. C.Warner; 
1870 and 1871, A. A. Rabineau, G. M. Rich, J. C. 
Warner; 1872 and 1873, A. A. Rabineau, G. M. 
Rich, James Bums; 1874, A. A. Rabineau, A. 
Sheley, J. Burns ; 1875, 1876, 1S77, A. A. Rabineau, 
A. Sheley, W. A. Butler; 1878, A. A. Rabineau, A. 
Sheley, W. B. Moran ; 1S79, A. Sheley, H. M. Dean, 
L. L. Barbour; 1880 and 1881, A. Sheley, H. M. 
Dean, L. L. Barbour, M. Haller, W. E. Warriner ; 
1882, A. Sheley, L. L. Barbour, Walter Ingersoll, J. 
E. Vincent, A. Grant; 1883, A. Sheley, E. Kanter, 
W. Ingersoll, George Dorr, John Kessler. 

CITY AND WARD COLLECTORS. 

The office of city collector began with the incor- 
poration of the town in 1 802. It was again provided 
for in the Act of 1815, and up to 1824 its duties 
were combined with those of the marshal. In 1817 
the officer was paid by a fee of five per cent on 
amounts collected, which percentage yielded him 
S89.36. By ordinance of 1836 the salary- was $50 a 
year, in addition to the percentage allowed for col- 
lecting county taxes. After 1846, when ward col- 
lectors were provided, the city collector no longer 
received the county taxes. 

The following official notice, which appeared in a 
daily paper of September, 1845, must have struck 
terror to the hearts of delinquent tax-payers: 

CITY TAXES. 

Positively the last night. The council has granted a short 
extension of time for the payment of taxes. Persons interested 
will do well to call at Fireman's Hall, common council room, and 
pay up. They will find me there every day during this week, 
from 9 o'clock A. M. to 12% o'clock P. M. On Monday, the 
fifteenth inst., I shall proceed to summary measures with all 
delinquents. Let no man, if delinquent, flatter himself that he 
will be overlooked or passed by, for I will positively make a clean 

sweep. 

MoRGAM Bates, 

O'/y Collector, 

Under the charter of 1855, all special assessments 
for street panng, sewers, and sidewalks were depos- 
ited for payment in the office of the receiver of taxes. 
If not paid in thirty days, they were then transferred 
to the city collector's office, five per cent was added 
for collection, and one per cent for each month they 
remained unpaid. Prior to 1866 the license fees, for 
carrying on various kinds of business, were also pay- 
able to the city collector, who was appointed yearly 
by the council. The office was abolished by law of 
1879, and its duties transferred to the receiver of 
taxes. 

The following persons served as city collectors : 

1801, Chas. Francis Girardin; 1804, Jacob 

Clemens; 1816, John Meldrum ; 1817, Duncan 

Reid; 1818, H. O. Bronson ; 1819 and 1820, J. W. 

Ciilburn; 1821, Robert Garratt; 1822 and 1S23, 



Smith Knapp; 1824, Griffith Roberts; 1825, A. C. 
Caniff; 1826, John Howard; 1827 and 1828, A. C. 
Caniff; 1829, S. Phelps; 1830 and 1831, A. C. 
Caniff; 1832, J. Farrar, 1833; A. C. Caniff; 1834, J. 
O. Graves; 1835, J. Moors; 1836, A. C. Caniff; 
1837, James Cicotte; 1838, J. Farrar; 1839 and 
1840, X. C. Caniff; 1841, J. D. Baldwin; 1842, B. S. 
Farnsworth; 1843, F- H. Harris, H. J. Caniff; 1844, 
C. Wickware; 1845 and 1846, Morgan Bates ; 1847- 
1855, no appointments were made ; 1855 and 1856, 
J. W. Kelsey; 1857, E. S. Leadbeater ; 1858, R. H. 
Finley; 1859 and i860, Wm. Cook; 1861. De Witt 
C Hart; 1862, John Snyder; 1863 and 1864, Wm. 
Dyson; 1865, Chas. Meyer; 1866 and 1867, John 
Schneider; 1868, E. N. Lacroix ; 1869, E. W. 
Flint; 1870, Thos Joyce; 1871 and 1872, John 
McBride; 1873-1876, Wm. Parkinson; 1876, W. H. 
Christian; 1877, James Daly; 1878, Jacob Young- 
blood; 1879, John Archer. 

The office of ward collector was created by Act 
of February' 23,1846. The duties of the office con- 
sisted in collecting the city, school, state, and county 
taxes. Act of May 10, 1861, authorized the collec- 
tors to collect such other taxes as the receiver of 
taxes and other city officers might place in their 
hands. The office was abolished by law of 1879, 
which gave the receiver of taxes and the county 
treasurer power to appoint their own collectors. 

The ward collectors were as follows : 

1846, First Ward : J. Moors. Second Ward : R. 
J. Connor. Third Ward: D. Michael. Fourth 
Ward : A. O. Madden. Fifth Ward : Moses Ben- 
nett. Sixth Ward ; E. Benham. 

1847, First Ward: Wm. Cook. Second Ward: 
L. B. Willard. Third Ward: I. Goodrich. Fourth 
Ward : Geo. Smith. Fifth Ward : E. M. Church. 
Si.xth Ward : R. Hopson. 

1848, First Ward: H. D. Carpenter. Second 
Ward : John Farrar. Third Ward : S. P. Hopkins. 
Fourth Ward : G. Smith. Fifth Ward : M. Salter. 
Sixth Ward : J. Braman. Seventh Ward : Robert 
Reaume. 

1849, First Ward: H. D. Carpenter. Second 
Ward : John Campbell. Third Ward : Paul Gies. 
Fourth Ward: Joseph Grimes. Fifth Ward: L. 
W. Beebe. Si.xth Ward: J. W. Clark. Seventh 
Ward; J. Keusch. Eighth Ward : M. McLaughlin. 

1850, First Ward: John Collins. Second Ward : 
John Campbell. Third Ward: A.Stewart. Fourth 
Ward: Joseph Grimes. Fifth Ward: John Sharp. 
Si.xth Ward: J. W. Clark. Seventh Ward: J. 
Keusch. Eighth Ward : M. McLaughlin. 

1 85 1, First Ward: R. Storkdale. Second Ward: 
A. Stewart. Third Ward: J. Deville. Fourth 
Ward : Wm. Paton. Fifth Ward : J. Sharp. Sixth 
Ward : W. Paton. Seventh Ward : A. Wing. 
Eighth Ward : Thos. Trehey. 



1 66 



CITY AND WARD COLLECTORS. 



1852, First Ward: D. Stewart. Second Ward: 
Chas. O'Neil. Third Ward: R. H. Lavinder. 
Fourth Ward : C. Gies. Fifth Ward : M. Doran. 
Sixth Ward : F. Bruggerman. Seventh Ward : E. 
Lebot. Eighth Ward : ^L Dullea. 

1853, First Ward: E. S. Leadbeater. Second 
Ward: C. O'Neil. Third Ward: D. W. Fislce. 
Fourth Ward : C. Gies. Fifth Ward : J. Godfrey. 
Si.xth Ward : A. P. and E. F Plantz. Seventh Ward : 
E. Lebot. Eighth Ward : J. CuUinane. 

1854, First Ward : David Stewart. Second Ward : 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward: W. S. Montgomerj'. 
Fourth Ward : Adam Orth. Fifth Ward : Or\-ille 
S. Allen. Sixth Ward: E. F. Plantz. Seventh 
Ward : J. Hilsendegen. Eighth Ward : J. Cul- 
linane. 

1855, First Ward: D. Stewart. Second Ward: 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : Wm. P. Roberts. Fourth 
Ward : A. Orth. Fifth Ward : John Sharp. Sixth 
Ward : E. F. Plantz. Seventh Ward : J. Hilsen- 
degen. Eighth Ward : Nicholas Burke. 

1856, First Ward: D. Stewart. Second Ward: 
T. Anderson. Third Ward : D. Lanigan. Fourth 
Ward : A. Orth. Fifth Ward : Wm. Stead. Sixth 
Ward: E. F. Plantz. Seventh Ward: J. Hilsen- 
degen. Eighth Ward : J. Moynaghan. 

1857, First Ward: D. Stewart. Second Ward: 
T. Anderson. Third Ward : G. Evans, E. T. Sher- 
lock. Fourth Ward : A. Orth. Fifth Ward : Wm. 
Stead. Sixth Ward : E. F. Plantz. Seventh Ward : 
J. Hilsendegen. Eighth Ward : J. Moynaghan. 
Ninth Ward : John Mulry. Tenth Ward : F. St. 
Aubin. 

1858, First Ward : John Collins. Second Ward : 
J. Calnon. Third Ward : T. J. Sherlock. Fourth 
Ward : Charles Lotz. Fifth Ward : Thomas J. 
Barry. Sixth Ward : E. F. Plantz. Seventh Ward : 
J. Reno. Eighth Ward: Thomas Holley. Ninth 
Ward : George W. Burchell. Tenth Ward : James 
Dubois. 

1859, First Ward : Albert Marsh. Second Ward : 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : F. Gies. Fourth Ward : 
Charles Lotz. Fifth Ward: T. J. Barry. Sixth 
Ward : E. F. Plantz. Seventh Ward : J. Reno. 
Eighth Ward : T. Holley. Ninth Ward : G. W. 
Burchell. Tenth Ward : James Dubois. 

i860, First Ward: David Dickson. Second 
Ward : C. O'Neil. Third Ward : Leonard Richter. 
Fourth Ward: Alois Katus. Fifth Ward: T. J. 
Barry. Si.xth Ward : F. Baier. Seventh Ward : 
John Hornbogen. Eighth Ward : Thomas Holiey. 
Ninth Ward : Matthias Lenz. Tenth Ward : Henry 
Plass. 

1 86 1, First Ward: J. Collins. Second Ward: 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward: L. Richter. Fourth 
Ward: Alois Katus. Fifth Ward: T. J. Barry. 



Wm. Powell. Sixth W^ard : William L. Streeter. 
Seventh Ward : J. Hornbogen. Eighth Ward : T. 
Trahey. Ninth Ward : J. C. Curry. Tenth Ward : 
H. Plass. 

1862, First Ward: D. Dickson. Second Ward: 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : L. Richter. Fourth Ward : 
J. J. Diedrich. Fifth Ward : Alonzo Eaton, E. C. 
Eaton. Sixth Ward : W. L. Streeter. Seventh 
Ward : Nazaire Marion. Eighth Ward : T. Trahey. 
Ninth Ward : Thos. Gorman. Tenth Ward : Henry 
A. Blenman. 

1863, First Ward : D. Dickson. Second Ward: 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward: L. Richter. Fourth 
Ward : J. J. Diedrich. Fifth Ward: S. J. Martin. 
Sixth Ward : W. L. Streeter. Seventh Ward : N. 
Marion. Eighth Ward : T. Trahey. Ninth Ward : 
Wm. Binder. Tenth Ward : Peter Dunn. 

1864, First Ward: Hugh O'Beirne. Second 
Ward : C. O'Neil. Third Ward : Leonard Richter. 
Fourth Ward : J. Funke. Fifth Ward : Wm. Park- 
inson. Sixth Ward : Alonzo T. Ray. Seventh 
Ward: N. Marion. Eighth Ward: Wm. Ryan. 
Ninth Ward : M. Lenz. Tenth Ward : Philip Rapp. 

1865, First Ward : H. O'Beirne. Second Ward : 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : T. J. Sherlock. Fourth 
Ward : J. Funke. Fifth Ward : Wm. Parkinson. 
Sixth Ward: Alonzo T. Ray. Seventh Ward: A. 
Werthmann. Eighth Ward : Wm. Ryan. Ninth 
Ward : J. Daly. Tenth Ward : Wm. Wunsch. 

1866, First Ward : H. O'Beirne. Second Ward : 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : T. J. Sherlock. Fourth 
Ward : J. Funke. Fifth Ward : Wm. Parkinson. 
Sixth Ward: A. T. Ray. Seventh Ward: J. Blank- 
enheim. Eighth Ward : I^atrick Dwyer. Ninth 
Ward : T. Rattenbury. Tenth Ward : W. Wunsch. 

1867, First Ward : Wm. Harsha. Second Ward : 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : T. J. Sherlock. Fourth 
Ward : J. Funke. Fifth Ward : Peter Huyser. 
Sixth Ward: Ulrich Kreit. Seventh Ward: J. 
Blankenheim. Eighth Ward: P. Dwyer. Ninth 
Ward : J. B. Haas. Tenth Ward : W. Wunsch. 

1868, First Ward: Wm. Harsha. Second Ward : 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : Augustus Paulus. Fourth 
Ward : J. Funke. Fifth Ward : P. Huyser. Si.xth 
Ward: U. Kreit. Seventh Ward: G. L. R. Steckel 
Eighth Ward: P. Dwyer. Ninth Ward: J. B. 
Haas. Tenth Ward : W. Wunsch. 

1869, First Ward : Wm. Harsha. Second Ward : 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : James McGrath. Fourth 
Ward : J. Funke. Fifth Ward : W. Kydd. Sixth 
Ward : Edward Grevels. Seventh Ward : G. L. R. 
Steckel. Eighth Ward : P. Dwyer. Ninth Ward : 
Albert Bluma. Tenth Ward : W. Wunsch. 

1870, First Ward : J. Danahey. Second Ward: 
C. O'Neil. Third Ward : Henry Roediger. Fourth 
Ward : J. Funke. Fifth Ward : W. Kydd. Sixth 



CITY TREASURERS.— RECEIVERS OF TAXES. 



167 



Ward : Nicholas Senninger. Seventh Ward : G. L. 
R. Steckel. Eighth Ward : Thos. O'Neil. Ninth 
Ward : Adam Eigenbrod. Tenth Ward : W. 
Wunsch. 

1 87 1, First Ward: D. Diclcson. Second Ward : 

C. O'Neil. Third Ward : H. Roediger. Fourth 
Ward: Wm. Carroll. Fifth Ward: W. Kydd. 
Sixth Ward : U. Kreit. Seventh Ward : Daniel 
Fleper. Eighth Ward : P. Dwyer. Ninth Ward : 
J. B. Haas. Tenth Ward : W. Wunsch. 

1872, First Ward : John Stewart. Second Ward : 
John C. Schiietz. Third Ward ; H. Roediger. 
Fourth Ward : W. Carroll. Fifth Ward : Robert 

D. Huff. Sixth Ward : H. Kuemmel. Seventh 
Ward: D. Fleper. Eighth Ward: P. Dwyer. 
Ninth Ward : Conrad Fey. Tenth Ward : W. 
Wunsch. 

1873, First Ward : James Clark. Second Ward : 
J. C. Schuetz. Third Ward : H. Roediger. Fourth 
Ward : N. Sutton. Fifth Ward : P. Huyser. Sixth 
Ward : H. Kuemmel. Seventh Ward : C. B. Max- 
son. Eighth Ward : Wm. Ryan. Ninth Ward : 
C. Fey. Tenth Ward : W. Wunsch. 

1874, First Ward : D. Dickson. Second Ward : 
J. C. Schuetz. Third Ward : H. Roediger. Fourth 
Ward : N. Kummer. Fifth Ward : J. Parkinson. 
Sixth Ward : Henry Zeiss. Seventh Ward : Herman 
Sucker. Eighth Ward: W. Ryan. Ninth Ward : 
C. Matzen. Tenth Ward : J. Happe. Twelfth 
Ward: A. Bauer. 

1875, First Ward : D. Dickson. Second Ward : 
L. P. Desnoyers. Third Ward : H. Roediger. 
Fourth Ward : N. Kummer. Fifth Ward : W. 
Kydd, Sr. Sixth Ward : Henry Zeiss. Seventh 
Ward : John Caspary. Eighth Ward : W. Rvan. 
Ninth Ward : John Taylor. Tenth Ward : J. 
Happe. Twelfth Ward : A. Bauer. 

1876, First Ward : D. Dickson. Second Ward : 
L. P. Desnoyers. Third Ward : H. Roediger. 
Fourth Ward : N. Kummer. Fifth Ward : G. W. 
Owen. Si.xth Ward : H. Zeiss. Seventh Ward : 
G. L. R. Streckel. Eighth Ward: P. Madigan. 
Ninth Ward : J. Taylor. Tenth Ward : Henry 
Wunsch. Twelfth Ward : Chas. Steyskal. 

1877, First Ward : Philip Rocs. Second Ward : 
L. P. Desnoyers. Third Ward ; Martin Fox. Fourth 
Ward : N. Kummer. Fifth Ward : G. W. Owen. 
Sixth Ward : W. H. Connor. Seventh Ward : G. 
L. R. Steckel. Eighth Ward : P. Madigan. Ninth 
Ward : M. Embach. Tenth Ward : H. Wunsch. 
Eleventh Ward : Francis Alter. Twelfth Ward : 
C. W. Appel. Tliirteenth Ward : Fred W. Feld- 
man. 

1878, First Ward : Philip Roos. Second Ward : 
L. P. Desnoyers. Third Ward : Martin Fox. 
Fourth Ward : N. Kummer. Fifth Ward : G. W. 



Owen. Sixth Ward : W. H. Connor. Seventh 
Ward: G. L. R. Steckel. Eighth Ward; P. Madi- 
gan, W. Ryan. Ninth Ward : M. Embach. Tenth 
Ward : Peter V'anDamme. Eleventh Ward : Joseph 
Kohn. Twelfth Ward: Joseph Kulnan. Thir- 
teenth Ward : F H. Ellair. 

1S79, First Ward : Robert Knox. Second Ward: 
L. P. Desnoyers. Third Ward : Geo. McManus. 
Fourth Ward : Wm. Carroll. Fifth Ward : c;. W. 
Owen. Sixth Ward ; F. Harting. Seventh Ward : 
J. T. Widman. Eighth Ward : Wm. Ryan. Ninth 
Ward : F. Cronewith. Tenth Ward : P. \'an 
Damme. Eleventh Ward : A. Worhofsky. Twelfth 
Ward : Jesse Sterling. Thirteenth Ward : F. H. 
Ellair. 

CITY TREASURER.S. 

The office of treasurer dates from 1802, and under 
the various charters and amendments, appointments 
were made by the Board of Trustees or Common 
Council up to 1849, since which time the office has 
been elective. The duties have never been materi- 
ally changed. The money received from various 
sources is turned over to and paid out by this officer. 
His term of office is two years, and he is elected at 
the regular city election. By ordinance of 1825 he 
was allowed, in lieu of salary, one per cent of his 
receipts, and also one per cent on the amount he 
actually paid out from moneys belonging to the cor- 
poration. In 1832 the salary was $75 a year; in 
1S40 it was $300; in 1856 it had grown to $1,000; 
and in 1883 it was $3,000. He gives §200,000 
bonds. To aid him in his duties, he has several 
assistants. 

The following is a list of the city treasurers : 1816, 
and 1817, O. W. Miller; 181 8, Louis Dequindre ; 
1 8 19, A. Wendell ; 1820, T. Rowland ; 1821, Joseph 
Campau ; 1822, Levi Cook; 1823. Calvin Baker; 
1824, Peter Desnoyers; 182 5- 1829, H. S. Cole; 
1829, J. T. Penny; 1S30-1836. R. S. Rice; 1836, 
D. French; 1837. P. Desnoyers, C. Wickware ; 
183S, John Farmer; 1839, J. C. Williams; 1840- 
1842, F. X. Cicotte; 1842-1844, D. J. Campau; 
1844-1845, Theodore Williams; 1846, D. Smart; 
1847, John Winder; 1848-1850, W. A. Howard; 
1850-1854, N. B. Carpenter ; 1854-1860, John Camp- 
bell ; 1860-1861, D. P. Bushnell ; 1862-1866. A. A. 
Rabineau; 1 866-1 871, E. S. Leadbeater; July, 1871- 
1876, E. C. Hinsdale; 1876-1884, Wm. Parkin- 
.son ; 1884- , John S. Schniittdiel. 

RECEIVERS OF TAXES. 

The office of receiver was created by Act of March 
12, 1 86 1, and all city ta.xes are primarily payable to 
this officer. Up to the passage of the charter of 



1 68 RECEIVERS OF TAXES. 



1S83, he was appointed every two years by the 1 861 to July, 1862, B. Franklin Baker; 1862-1868, 

Common Council, on nomination of the mayor. Thos. R. Cummings; 1 869-1 873, Wm. Y. Rumney; 

The charter of 1883 lengthened the term to three 1873-1877, W. A. Throop ; 1877-1879, Robert E. 

years. The salary in 1883 was $2,500, the receiver Roberts ; 1879-1881,]. M. Welch; 1881- , Jacob 

giving $50,000 bonds. (juthard. 
The following persons have ser\-ed as receivers : 



PART IV 

JUDICIAL. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



JUSTICE IN THE OLDEN TIME.— UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT.— DISTRICT 
COURT.— UNITED STATES OFFICERS.— BANKRUPTCY COURT. 



In considering the subject of justice, and its 
legal administration, it should be remembered that 
one of the objects of the settlement of Detroit was 
to secure and maintain the supremacy of the French 
in this western region. For this reason, and because 
of the dangers from hostile Indians as well as from 
the English, a military settlement was a necessity. 
A company of soldiers was therefore sent with the 
first settlers, and the beginnings of the colony pre- 
sented an appearance quite unlike that of the Pil- 
grims of Plymouth Rock, or of the Quakers with 
William Penn. The treachery of the savages, the 
various exigencies arising among settlers far removed 
from the restraints of ordinary society, and the 
jealousies and ambitions of leading members of the 
colony, all combined to make military rule not 
only desirable, but necessary. Cadillac and the 
other French commandants were therefore invested 
with almost plenary powers. They could imprison 
at pleasure, or even run their swords through a per- 
son who grossly offended ; they were amenable, 
nevertheless, to the governor-general at Quebec 
and to the colonial minister in France, and com- 
plaints against them were not infrequent. 

About 1720 the inhabitants complained to the 
council that Tonty was "judge and party in all the 
differences which arose respecting commerce, and if 
any one attempted to claim his rights, he was ill- 
used ; that in one case he struck Du Ruisson with a 
cane, and trampled him under foot, so that he left 
the room covered with blood," and that when the 
matter was reported to Vaudreuil, no attention was 
paid to it. In 1722 there were judges at the three 
cities of New France, and each inhabitant was com- 
pelled to elect some one of these cities as his domi- 
cile, so that notices could be served and cases tried. 

Notwithstanding the occasional complaints of the 
people, there is every reason to believe that, in the 
main, the government of the commandants was 
lioth mild and judicious. The circumstances of 
their position were such that they could not afford 
to alienate many of the settlers. The necessity of 
constant watchfulness and foresight in dealing with 
and governing the savages, who clustered about the 
fort and freely mingled with the people, made it 



impossible for them to indulge frequently in freaks 
of temper, or to allow or commit injustice. A 
coolness and an intrepidity, seldom found in mean 
or malicious natures, were important attributes of 
the men who should successfully govern the settle- 
ment ; and in many respects the government was 
almost patriarchal in its character. The command- 
ants were called upon to witness all important pri- 
vate transactions, and no wedding or christening was 
quite satisfactory without their presence. 

During the earlier years of English rule the gov- 
ernment was still of a military character, and the 
fatherly offices of the commandants were, if possi- 
ble, even more frequently exercised. Commandant 
De Peyster both married and baptized those who 
desired his sen'ices, using the forms of the English 
Church. If offences were committed the command- 
ants went through regular forms of law, and tried, 
and as faithfully executed, those whom they deemed 
deser\-ing of death. In a letter dated April 20, 
1763, addressed to General Amherst, Major Glad- 
win said, " The Panis (a Pawnee Indian slave) who 
. escaped from the guard last winter got off to the 
Illinois ; therefore I thought it best to try the woman, 
who was sentenced to be hanged for being an 
accomplice in the murder of the late Mr. Clapham ; 
which I had put in execution in the most public 
manner." 

The original manuscript of the letter has the fol- 
lowing explanatory' memoranda, probably added by 
the aide-de-camp of General Amherst : 

This murder was committed last summer, and was attended 
with several shocking circumstances. Mr. Claphara was a trader 
coming from the Detroit, with his two Panis slaves, a man and a 
woman, who, by their own confession, murdered him by cutting off 
his head, and throwing his body into the river. They were de- 
livered up by a party of Indians, whom the Panis charged as be- 
ing the principal perpetrators of the murder; but this the Indians 
denied. The general, however, sent a warrant to Major Gladwin 
for the trial of the murderers ; and by this letter it appears that 
the man has made his escape, but that the woman, being found 
guilty, has suffered according to her crime. 

With regard to the jurisdiction of the local com- 
mandant, and the division of power between him 
and the resident governor, Thomas Smith testified 
before the Commissioners of Claims, on July 14. 
1821. .as follows: 

[>7il 



JUSTICE IN THE OLDEN TIME. 



All military commandants were civil officers t:x Ojfficio, whether 
so commissioned or not, and they decided questions of property, 
and put litigants into the guard-house who disobeyed their decis- 
ions i there were civa magistrates, who acted under, and in all 
matters of importance consulted, the commandant. The com- 
mandant was considered the chief magistrate, and acted often 
wilUr.ut consulting any other magistrate. If any debtor attempted 
to remove from the country, and the creditor made complaint 
thereof, the commandant refused permission to such debtor to de- 
part until the creditor was satisfied, and the debtor was accord- 
ingly detained until the decision of thecommandantwas complied 
with. The will of the commandant, in whom it is presumed con- 
fidence was always placed by the British Government, was sub- 
mitted to, and was certainly the then law of the land, whether it 
be called civil or military law, or whether that will related to civil 
or military matters. Ale.xis Maisonville, on the opposite side of 
the river, was one instance, where the commandant sent a party 
and removed him, upon complaint made to such commandant by 
the Indians that said Maisonville had settled upon certain lands 
by them claimed, without the permission of such Indians. 

John Askin made complaint to the then commanding officer 
that a certain person, whose name witness does not recollect, but 
who was a Frenchman, had settled upon certain lands al; the 
grand-marais claimed by said Askin, on the Detroit side of the 
river ; and that the commandant sent men, and that the French- 
man was removed was notorious. This witness does not know 
that Governor Hamilton was commissioned by the King of Great 
Britain, as governor resident at Detroit, but believed that he was 
so commissioned, but witness knows that his authority was dis- 
puted by the then commanding officer, Captain Montpasant as 
witness thinks, and consequently decisions of civil matters were 
made by Governor Hamilton, but his authority was never recog- 
nized by Captain Montpasant, who considered this as his exclusive 
prerogative.! 

The manuscripts of Sir William Johnson show- 
that in 1767 tliere was much trouble and conflict of 
authority' between the commandant and the com- 
missioner of trade, each of these officers claiming 
the right to settle disputes between the traders. 

Under both French and English rule, the notarial 
office was one of great importance, as it practically 
combined the duties of court clerk and register of 
deeds. The notary kept copies of all papers wit- 
nessed by or before him, registered marriage con- 
tracts, and was connected with every transaction in 
business and in social life. 

Among the notaries acting between 1734 and 
1760, or later, were Robert Navarre, Simon Sanjui- 
net, Baptiste Campau, and G. Monforton. About 
1760 the name of Philip Dejean begins to be of fre- 
quent occurrence in old records of every sort. He 
was appointed justice of the peace April 24, 1767, 
and on the 20th of July following, Robert Bayard, 
major commanding, appointed him second judge of 
a temporary court of justice, to be held every month 
to decide all actions of debts, bonds, bills, contracts, 
and trespasses involving large amounts. 

It would seem that Dejean's doings did not meet 
the approval of all the citizens, as a committee of 
investigation, consisting of ten persons, was ap- 
pointed by Commandant George Turnbull. On May 
21, 1768, they reported themselves as of opinion. 



« See chapter on Revolutionary War. 



First, that the fees established by the committee appointed by 
Major Robert Bayard, on the establishment of the Court of Jus- 
tice at Detroit, are just and reasonable, and ought not to be less. 

Second, that every prisoner confined in the guard-house, 
whether for debt or misdemeanor, shall on being set at liberty pay 
one dollar, and ever>' batteau or canoe arriving here, loaded with 
merchandise belonging to any person or persons not possessing in 
property any lot or building within this fort, shall pay two dollars ; 
the moneys accruing from thence to be applied, as in the time of 
the French government, to keep in good and sufficient repair the 
fortifications around this town. 

Third, no person having appeared before us, to make any com- 
plaints against said Philip Dejean, with respect to his public 
office, we are of opinion that they were ill-founded and without 
cause. 

Signed^ J.MviES Sterling, Colonel Andrews, T. Williams, 
WiLLi.iM Edgar, John Robison, Eustache Gamelin, P. 
St. Cosme, I. Cabasie, T. Moliere, A. Barthe. 

Dejean's character being thus approved, he was 
further honored, on June 14 following, by being 
newly appointed notary, with power to examine by 
oath and evidence, but could give no final award 
except by joint request. Matters settled by arbitra- 
tion were to be approved by the commandant. 

The records of St. Anne's Church show that 
Pierre St. Cosme was acting as a justice of the 
peace on September 15, 1762 ; and Philip Le Grand 
is named as a justice on March 18, 1764. 

Under the Quebec Act of 1 774, the criminal law 
of England was introduced as a guide in the admin- 
istration of justice ; but as the same Act abolished 
all courts of justice in the province, after the first of 
May, 1775. and as the laws of England were but 
imperfectly understood, and much discretion was 
allowed to or assumed by the governor and com- 
mandant, many enormities were perpetrated under 
the semblance of law. 

When Henry Hamilton was appointed lieutenant- 
. governor, a judge, assessor, and sheriff, were also to 
be commissioned, and to be paid one hundred and 
fifty pounds per year each. The judge was not 
immediately named, and on Februarj' 2, 1777, Gov- 
ernor Carieton wrote to Hamilton saying: 

As nothing better could be done at the time, you were included 
as commissioner of the peace for the province at large ; and in 
that capacity you have a right to issue your wan-ants, for appre- 
hending, and sending down (to Montreal) any persons guilty of 
criminal offences in the district, at least, such as are of conse- 
quence enough to deserve taking that journey ; but these orders 
must be signed by you, and not by Mr. Dejean, whose authority 
is unknown here. 

Subsequently a Mr. Owen was appointed as judge 
at Detroit, but he died, and in a letter dated April 
26, 1778, Hamilton says his loss " must be doubly 
felt, while I am obliged to act as judge, and in 
several cases executor of justice. There is no execu- 
tioner or gaoler, nor is a gaol yet built, though 
greatly needed." In another letter, dated August 
17, 1778, he says : " Our law proceedings here are as 
vague, and perhaps irregular as can be, but our 
situation must excuse and account for it." About 
this time he sent a man named Gardener (believed 



JUSTICE IN THE OLDEN TIME. 



^7?> 



to have murdered his wife), and also witnesses, to 
Montreal for trial. Turning back two years, we 
find that soon after he arrived at Detroit, John Cou- 
tincinau and Ann Wyley — the first a former ser\'ant, 
and the woman prexnously a slave of Abbott and 
Finchley — were accused of stealing about $50 in 
furs and money from their late employers. They 
were arrested on June 26, 1776, tried, convicted, and 
on March 26, 1777, at twelve o'clock, were hanged 
on the public common. The following letter, con- 
tained in Volume VI. of Almon's Remembrancer, 
published at London, and ^^Titten by John Dodge, 
of Detroit, gives interesting details concerning Ham- 
ilton's doings in the Coutincinau and other trials : 

Quebec, Sept. 21, 1777. 

Sir : Yesterday his Excellency Sir Guy was pleased to sign my 
pass, a few hours before he set out for Montreal, notwithstanding 
any opposition that might have been made by our Detroit new 
lieutenant-governor, Hamilton, who, you know, is now in town 
here. From what you have heard of his cruel and tyrannical dis- 
position, you must be well convinced how imhappy we are under 
his government ; you know what severity he used against me un- 
justly, how he has treated Mr. Bentley, and confessed to him in 
presence of several witnesses that he knew ver>' well his proceed- 
ings against him were illegal, but tliat he was above the law, and 
added, '* Vou may sue me if you please, but you'll get nothing. 
Government is obliged to support me in what I do." A very fine 
confession for a lieutenant-governor set over a free people ! 

You know how he wanted to hurt Mr. Isaac Williams, and the 
cool manner in which he treated Mr. Jonas Schindler, silversmith, 
whom, after being honorably acquitted by a verj- respectable jurj', 
he ordered to be drummed out of the town. Captain Lord of the 
Eighteenth Regiment, late commandant of th* Illinois, and at that 
time commanding the garrison at Detroit, silenced the drum when 
it entered into the citadel, in order to pass out at the west gate 
with the prisoner, and said Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton might 
exercise what acts of cruelty and oppression he pleased in the 
town, but that he would suffer none in the citadel, and would take 
care to make such proceedings known to some of the first men in 
England. All these things are cruel, but nothing like hanging men. 
Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton, to whom a commission as justice 
of the peace was sent up only two or three months ago, which is 
the first that ever was given by proper authority to any one in 
Detroit, took upon him in the fall of 1775 to nominate and appoint 
a certain Philip Dejean (who ran away from home some years agi> 
and fled to Detroit to screen himself from his creditors) to act as 
judge on the trial of Joseph Hecker (formerly a furrier in this 
town) for having killed his brother-in-law, Monsieur Moran, in a 
quarrel. Judge Dejean passed sentence of death upon him, which 
was approved of by Governor Hamilton, and put in execution a 
few days after, under a guard of soldiers who surrounded the gal- 
lows whilst he was hanged. In the spring of 1777 they condemned 
and hanged also John Coutincinau, a Canadian, for having stolen 
some money, etc., from his master, and having been concerned 
with a negro wench in attempting to set fire to his master's house. 
You'll readily allow that these criminals deser\'e death, but how 
dared Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton, and an infamous judge of 
his own making, take upon them to try them and execute them 
without authority ? I mentioned all the above circumstances to 
Judge Lewis, and to Mr. Monk, the attorney-general. They were 
very much surprised at such rash and unwarranted proceedings, 
and said Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton and his Judge Philip 
Dejean were both liable to be prosecuted for murder. I beg you 
may make these things known in England, that we may be freed 
from usurpation, tyranny and oppression. 

The proceedings of the Council of Virginia, under 
date of June 18, 1779, give details as to the cases of 



ISIr. Dodge and others. In speaking of Governor 
Hamilton the record says : 

They find that his treatirRnt of our citizens and soldiers, taken 
and carried within the limits of his command, has been cruel and 
inhuman ; that in the case of John Dodge, a citizen of these slates, 
wliich has been particularly stated to this board, he loaded him 
with irons, threw him into a dungeon, without bedding, without 
straw, without fire, in the dead of winter and severe climate of 
Detroit ; that in that state, he wasted him with incessant expecta- 
tions of death ; that when the rigors of his situation had brought 
him so low that death seemed likely to withdraw him from their 
power, he was taken out, and somewhat attended to until a little 
mended, and before he had recovered ability to walk, was again 
returned to his dungeon, in which a hole was cut, seven inches 
square only, for the admission of air, and the same load of irons 
again put on him; that appearing asecond time in imminent danger 
of being lost to them, he was again taken from his dimgeon, in 
■which he had lain from January to June, with the intermission of 
a few weeks only before mentioned. 

It will be remembered that these records were 
made after the capture of Governor Hamilton, 
Philip Dejean, and others at Vincennes, and while 
they were confined in Mrginia. The document con- 
tinues : 

It appears that the prisoner Dejean was on all occasions the wil- 
ling and cordial instrument of Governor Hamilton, acting both as 
judge and keeper of the jails, and instigating and urging him, by 
malicious insinuations and untruths, to increase rather than to re- 
lax his severities, heightening thecruelty of his orders by hisman- 
ner of executing them ; offering at one time a reward to one man 
to be hangman for another, threatening his life oa refusal ; and 
taking from his prisoners the little property their opportunities 
enabled them to acquire. 

Mr. Dodge was eventually sent down and con- 
fined in jail at Quebec. He escaped from there on 
October 9, 177S, and on July 13, 1779, WTOte from, 
Pittsburgh to ** Philip Boyle, merchant at St. Duski " 
(Sandusky), as follows: 

It is with pleasure that I inform you that I have made my 
escape from Quebec. I have the honor of wearing the Captain's 
commission, and the managing Indian affairs. You may depend 
on seeing me there this fall with a good army. Fisher and Grav- 
erat are here, and desire to be remembered to their brothers, and 
bid them to be of good cheer. There has been a battle at Carolina 
— the English are entirely defeated ; seven hundred lay dead on 
the ground, the rest are prisoners, with all their cannon and bag- 
gage, I enclose to you the proceedings of a Council, I am going 
to Williamsbiirgh in a few days to prosecute Hamilton, and that 
rascal Dejean, Lamothe likewise. Hominey, hey? they will all 
be hanged without redemption, and the Lord have mercy on their 
souls. My compliments to all the good Whigs of Detroit. 
Money plenty, fine times for the sons of liberty. I am just now 
drinking your health with a good glass of Madeira. God bless you 
all, and we \v'ill soon relieve you from those tyrants. 

Returning to Governor Hamilton, we find that 
notwithstanding the outrageous character of his 
proceedings, Governor Haldimand rather justified 
and excused him, especially in the Coutincinau 
case ; but the grand ]\\xy for the district of Montreal 
did not, and on Monday, September 17, 1778, they 
indicted Governor Hamilton for allowing Dejean to 
perpetrate such enormities. They said that in De- 
cember, 1775, Dejean illegally acted as judge, and 
caused one Hecker to be apprehended for the 



174 



UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT. 



murder of one Chas. Moran, sentenced him to 
death, and carried the sentence into execution ; and 
that on or about March, 1776, he arrested John 
Coutincinau and Nancy, a negro woman, charged 
with attempting to burn the dwelling-house of 
Abbott and Finchley, and also with having stolen 
money and peltries ; that he sentenced Coutincinau 
to death, and that on or about July, 1776, he was 
hanged ; that Nancy remained in prison a time, and 
was pardoned on condition that she ser\'e as execu- 
tioner, which she did, and that then Uejean hanged 
her also, and that without law or authority. He also 
fined for offences. An action was also brought 
against Dejean. and on December 4, 1 778, Governor 
Hamilton wrote to Haldimand, saying : 

A letter from Mr. Gary^ the deputy sheriff at Montreal, 
acquaints me that some legal process has been commenced against 
Mr. Dejean, for acting under my direction in regard to criminal 
matters. 1 beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency's pro- 
tection, as a man who has created enemies by doing his duty. * 
* * 1 hope I shall alone be responsible for any malversation of 
his, as he has only acted by my orders. * * * Should any com- 
plaint against myself be lodged judicially, I am perfectly at ease, 
persuaded your Excellency will allow me to vindicate ray conduct, 
without encountering the chicano of the law. 

In March, 1778, Thomas Williams, father of Cen- 
eral John R. Williams, was acting as justice of the 
peace. In July, 1784, he declined to act longer, and 
induced Mr. Monforton to attend to the business in 
his stead. His commission, issued by Sir Frederick 
Haldimand, Governor-General of Canada, in 1779, 
is in the possession of his grandson, J. C. D. Williams 
. of this city. An immense wax seal, half an inch 
thick and four and a half inches in diameter, bear- 
ing many devices, is attached to the document. 

Thomas Smith served as commissioner of peace 
in 1778. In 1779 the commandant suggested the 
establishment of a Court of Trustees, with jurisdic- 
tion extending to ten pounds. Eighteen of the mer- 
chants then entered into a bond that three of them, 
in rotation, would hold a weekly court, and that they 
would defend any appeals which might be taken to 
the courts at Montreal. This court lasted about 
eighteen months, and then, as legal objections were 
made to it, the court was abolished. This pleased 
the careless, but was unsatisfactory to merchants, 
and on March 28, 1781, they petitioned De Peyster 
for relief "to enable them to collect of t'hose who 
were able but unwilling to pay their debts." De 
Peyster was at a loss to know what to do, and on 
April 3, 1 78 1, he wrote to General Haldimand, say- 
ing, " Formerly summons were issued by the justice 
and decisions given, but since we have learned that 
they have no such powers, that mode has ceased." 

The establishment of regular courts dates from 
July 24, 1788, when several districts were created by 
the Canadian council. Detroit was embraced in the 
District of Hesse, and William Dunmore Powell was 



the first judge. In 1789 Courts of Common I'leas 
were provided for, with jurisdiction without a]5peal, 
except to the governors and council. The wealthier 
citizens were made judges, and they banished, 
whipped, and imprisoned at pleasure. In De- 
cember, 1788, a session of the court was held at 
Detroit, by Louis Beaufait, senior justice, with James 
May, Charles Girardin, Patrick McNiff, and Nath- 
aniel Williams as associate justices. 

There was, however, a great lack of proper courts, 
and much uncertainty about their action, almost up 
to the surrender of the post. On April 30, 1792, 
Major Smith of the Fifth Regiment, then in com- 
mand at Detroit, said, "It is strange that a man, 
for petty misdemeanors, shall be confined, and his 
property sold and confiscated for debt, when another 
shall commit the crime of murder, rape, and robbing 
with impunity." 

On October 15, 1792, the name of the district was 
changed from Hesse to Western District, and in 
1 794 a court was provided for, to be held in Detroit. 
The law was repealed on June 3, 1796, as it seemed 
no longer expedient to hold sessions in Detroit. 
Under the English Government, Courts of General 
Quarter Sessions were also held, the last one on 
January 29, 1796. 

UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT. 

The first Circuit United States Court for the State, 
of Michigan was provided for by Act of July 1, 1836, 
the court to be held the third Monday in June 
and first Monday in November, By Act of March 
3, 1837, the States of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and 
Michigan were made the seventh circuit, and the 
time of United States Circuit Court sessions fixed 
for the fourth Monday of June. By Act of March 
10, i"838, the sessions were changed to the third 
Monday in June and the first Monday of November. 
By law of March 31, 1839, the fall session was to 
begin on the second Monday of October. On July 
14, 1862, it was provided that an additional session 
should be held, beginning the second Monday of 
February in each year. By Act of July 15, 1862, a 
new division of circuits was made, and Michigan, 
Wisconsin, and Illinois were made the eighth cir- 
cuit. On January 28, 1863, the circuits were again 
re-arranged, Ohio and Michigan being made the 
seventh circuit. The terms of court, by Act of Feb- 
ruary 21, 1863, were to begin on the first Tuesdays 
of June, November, and March. By law of July 23, 
1 866, the present sixth circuit, embracing the States 
of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee, was 
created. 

The court is a court of appeal from the District 
Court. In general, its power may be thus defined : 
it may hear, and try originally, all cases coming 
under United States Law, except admiralty cases. 



UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT.— UNITED STATES OEFICERS. 



175 



It has also jurisdiction in cases between citizens of 
different States, and between citizens and aliens, in 
cases either of law or equity, involving amounts of 
more than five hundred dollars. The salary of the 
circuit judge is $6,000. He is nominated by the 
President and confirmed by the Senate, the term 
being for life. 

The first sessions of the United States courts in 
the State of Michigan were held in the Williams 
Building, on the southeast corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Bates Street. In 1839 sessions were 
held in the City Hall, the United States paying $500 
a year rent to the city. In 1840 the courts were 
moved back to the Williams Building. On June 
19, 1843, sessions began to be held in the building 
purchased by the Government in 1842, located on 
the southwest corner of Griswold Street and Jeffer- 
son Avenue. The building was sold, October 4, 
1855, to the Michigan Insurance Company Bank, 
and the court was soon after moved to Young Men's 
Hall, on the north side of Jefferson Avenue, midway 
between Bates and Randolph Streets. The sessions 
were held there until the completion of the Govern- 
ment Building on the northwest corner of Griswold 
and Earned Streets, after which the courts were 
held in the upper story of that building. 

The circuit judges of the United States, for Mich- 
igan, have been as follows: 1836-1862, John Mc- 
Lean; 1862-1870, N. H. Swayne; 1S70-1878, H. 
H. Emmons ; 1878- , John Baxter. 

The clerks of the United States Circuit Court 
have been as follows : 1837 to June, 1S57, John 
Winder; June, 1857 to April 15, 1870, W. D. Wilkins; 
April 15, 1S70 to June 6, 1882, Addison Mandell; 
June 6, 1882- , Walter S. Harsha. 

UNITED .STATES DI.STRICT COURT. 

By Act of February- 13, 1801, provision was made 
for the holding of the first United States Court for 
this region, which was then in the District of Ohio ; 
sessions of the court were to begin in Cincinnati on 
the loth of June and December, except when the 
loth fell upon Sunday, when sessions were to begin 
on the following day. There is no evidence that 
this law ever took effect, and the necessity for it is 
not apparent, as the judges of the Northwest, Indi- 
ana, and Michigan Territories were all of them 
direct appointees of the President, and endowed 
with power to try offences against United States 
law. In fact, the Supreme Court of the Territory 
took the place of a United States Circuit Court, and 
their District Courts were also District Courts of the 
United States. 

United States District Courts for the State of 
Michigan, first provided for by Act of July i. 1836. 
were to be held on the first Mondays of May and 
October. The sessions of both Circuit and District 



United States Courts, for the entire State, were at 
first held only in Detroit. By Act of February 24, 
1S63, the State was divided into two judicial dis- 
tricts. The court held at Detroit is now known 
as the District Court for the Eastern District of 
Michigan. Sessions are held on the first Tuesdays 
of March, June, and November; and for admiralty 
cases on the first Tuesday of each month. The 
District Court has jurisdiction in all cases of infrac- 
tion-of United States law, and in admiralty cases, or 
cases arising in connection with trade or travel on 
the rivers and lakes. 

The jurors for both Circuit and District United 
States Courts were formerly selected by the clerk 
and marshal; by law of June 30. 1879, a commis- 
sioner, who in politics must be opposed to the clerk, 
is appointed by the presiding judge to assist the 
clerk in the selection of names. 

On the second Monday of November of each year 
they select the names of not less than two hundred 
persons from different counties in the district ; these 
names are placed in a box, and at least twenty days 
before court term begins, the clerk and marshal 
draw out, in the presence of the district attorney, 
twenty-three names as grand jurors, and twenty- 
four as traverse jurors. The jurors are paid two 
dollars per day. 

Judges of the District Court are appointed by the 
Senate on nomination of the President. The term 
is for life, and the salary is $3,500 per year. 

The district judges of the United States at De- 
troit have been, 1836-1870, Ross Wilkins; 1870- 
1875, John W. Longyear; 1875- , Henry B. 
Brown. 

The clerks of both Circuit and District Courts 
are appointed with the concurrence of both judges 
and hold office at their pleasure. The clerks are 
paid by fees appertaining to the office. For services 
and clerk hire they are allowed to retain fees to the 
amount of $3,500 per year. 

The clerks of the United States District Court 
have been as follows; 1S37 to October, 1S48, John 
Winder; October, 1848, to June, 1857, W. D. Wil- 
kins; June, 1857, to April 15, 1870, John Winder; 
April 15, 1870, to , D. J. Davison. Deputy 

Clerk, John Graves. 

UNITED ST.^TES OFFICERS. 
Attorney. 
This office, directly connected with the adminis- 
tration of justice in the United States Courts, was 
provided for by Act of September 24, 1789. It is 
the duty of the attorney to prosecute all offences 
against the Government, its property or laws ; to 
attend to the collection of all debts due to the 
Government, or of the forfeited bonds of any 
government officer. The appointment is made by 



176 



UNITED STATES OFFICERS. 



the Senate on nomination of the President. The 
term of office is indefinite. The salary is $200 and 
fees not exceeding §6,000. The office in i SSo was 
worth about §4,000 per annum. 

The salary of the assistant attorney is §2,000, and 
for many years J. W. Finney has filled that position. 

The following persons have been United States 
attorneys for the years named: 1S0S-1811, H. H. 
Hickman; 1811-1814, E. Brush; 1814, Chas. 
Larned ; 181 5-1823, Solomon Sibley; 1823-1824, 
James D. Doty; 1824-1827. Andrew G.Whitney; 
1S27-1834, Daniel Le'Roy ; 1834-1841. Daniel Good- 
win; 1842-1845, George C.Bates; 1845-1850, John 
Norvell; 1850-1852, George C. Bates; 1852, S. 
Barstow; 1853-1857, George E. Hand; 1857-1S61, 
Joseph Miller, Jr.; 1861, W. L. Stoughton; 1862- 
1869, Alfred Russell; 1869-1S77, Aaron B. May- 
nard; 1877- , S. M. Cutcheon. 

United States Mars/iat. 

This office was first created September 24, 1789. 
It is the duty of the marshal to make arrests of all 
who offend against the United States or its laws, 
such as smugglers, counterfeiters, etc. In fact, the 
marshal is the high constable of the government of 
this district, and attends the sessions of the United 
States Courts to see that its rules and orders are 
obeyed. He is appointed by the President and 
Senate for terms of four years. The salary is §200 
and all of the fees if the amount does not exceed 
§6,000. 

There are between twenty and thirty deputies, all 
appointed by the marshal, si.x of whom are located 
in Detroit. Their salaries are dependent on the fees 
received. 

The marshals for the Territory and .State have 
been as follows: 1805, July 17 to August 6, Elisha 
Avery; 1805, August 6 to November. 1806. James 
May ; 1806, November 6 to , \Vm. ,McD. Scott ; 

181 1 and 18 1 2, John Anderson; 181 2, F. Baby; 
(English rule.) 18 14, J. H. Audrain; 181 5-181 2, 
Thos. Rowland; 1831-1837, Peter Desnoyers; 
1837-1841, Conrad Ten Eyck ; 1841-1845, Joshua 
Howard; 1845-1S47, Levi S. Humphrey; 1847- 
1849, Austin E. Wing; 1849-1853, C. H. Kno.x ; 
1853-1857, George W. Rice; 1857-1858, R. W. 
Davis; 1858-1859, M. I.Thomas ; 1859-1861, John 
S. Bagg; 1861-1867, Chas. Dickey; 1867- 1869, 
Norman S. Andrews; 1869-1877, Joseph R. Ben- 
nett ; 1 877- , Salmon S. Mathews. 

Commissioners for United States Courts, 

This office was provided for as early as 1789, but 
no commissioners were appointed for Michigan prior 
to the admission of the State to the Union. The 
duties of the commissioners consist in hearing and 
taking such testimony as may be referred to them, 



for use in either the Circuit or the District Court, and 
when so taken, by order of the court, the testimony 
has all the force that it would have if given before 
the court itself. This is done to save the time of 
the judges. The parties to any case requiring testi- 
mony to be taken may elect the commissioner before 
whom they will have the testimony taken. 

The commissioners are appointed by the United 
States Circuit judge. The term is for life, and they 
are paid by the fees received. 

The following persons, residing in Detroit, were 
appointed commissioners on the dates named : Feb- 
ruary 17, 1838,1 John Winder; November 1, 1841, 
Alexander Davidson; December 8, 1841, Walter 
W. Dalton; March 2, 1842, John Nor\'ell; March 
20, 1843, A. T. McReynolds ; July 13, 1843, A. Ten 
Eyck; September 4, 1843, E. P. Hastings; Sep- 
tember 4, 1843, E. Smith Lee; September 4, 1843, 
C.C.Jackson; September 4, 1843,' Addison Man- 
dell; June 17, 1845, H. Chipman ; June 16, 1846, 
John B.Watson; June 29, 1S47, Geo. G. Bull, James 
^^ Campbell; June 28, 1848, Levi B. Taft ; June 
25, 1S49, Henry- R. Mizner; July 3, 1850, S. G.Wat- 
son, Wm. D. Wilkins; January 2, 1851, George 
Jerome; June 20, 1851, D. A. A. Ensworth ; June 8, 
1852, S. D. Miller; November 30, 1852, Geo. W. 
Morell ; June 27, 1853,' Wm. Jennison; November 
3> iSSj' Jeremiah Van Rensselaer; October 16, 
1S61, Thos. S. Blackmar ; August 4, 1S62,' John \V. 
A. S. Cullen.i Ervin Palmer,' Theo. P. Hall ; Sep- 
tember I, 1862, Geo. P. Russell; May 5, 1S63,' J. 
Elisha Winder ; April 22, 1870,' D. J. Davison; 
March 27, 1873.' John Graves; June 28, 1877,' 
Charles Flowers ; February 25. 1S81.' II. Whittaker ; 
March 21, 1882,' E. C. Hinsdale. 

Masters in Cliancery. 

This office also dates from 1 789, and the first ap- 
pointees for Michigan were made when the State 
was admitted to the Union. Masters in chancery 
occupy the same relation to the United States Courts 
that similar officials do to State courts. They are 
appointed by the circuit and district judges, and are 
paid by fees which they receive. 

The names of appointees, and date of appoint- 
ment of each, are as follows : 

March 18, 1837, Robert Abbott; February 27, 
1839,1 George E. Hand, A. Ten Eyck, H. N. 
Walker; March 26, 1839, E. J. Roberts; April 20, 
1839, S. Humes Porter; December 12, 1839, C. C. 
Jackson; December 7, 1840, John L. Talbot, Chas. 
Collins, Alexander Da\Hdson; June 21, 1841, Walter 
W. Dalton; October 15. 1841, George G. Bull; 
October 22, 1842. J. \'an Rensselaer. James B. Wat- 
son ; October 9, 1843, E. Smith Lee, A. T. McRey- 

1 Still in office. 



BANKRUPTCY COURT. 



177 



nolds, John Norvell ; October 12, 1S43,' Addison 
Mandell ; June 17, 1845, G. T. Sheldon; June 16, 
1846, John B. Watson; June 29, 1847, James V. 
Campbell; June 19, 1851, Levi Bishop; June 20, 
1851, D. A. A. Ensvvonh ; June 27, 1853,' \Vm. 
Jennison ; June l8, 1857, Daniel Goodwin. Jr. ; June 
29, 1859,' John W. A. S. Cullen; July 21, 1860,1 
Darius J. Davison; June 16, 1862, Thos S. Black- 
mar; June 17, 1S62,' Geo. A. Wilco.x; July i, 1862,' 
John J. Speed; June 7, liSo,' Henry M. Camp- 
bell. 

BANKRUPTCY COURT. 

This court was first provided for by Act of April 
4, iSoo, which Act was repealed on December 19, 
1803. A second Bankruptcy Act was passed on 
August 19, 1841, to take effect February i follow- 
ing. On March 3, 1842, it w^as repealed. Under 

^ Still in office. 



both of these laws the United States district judge 
acted as register. The third Bankruptcy Act, which 
created the office of register in bankruptcy, was 
pas.sed March 2, 1867, and amended July 27, 1868. 
Under these last Acts H. K. Clarke was appointed 
register, June 5. 1867, by the United States district 
judge, and held the office during the entire existence 
of the law. The compensation consisted entirely in 
the fees connected with the office, and out of these 
the register paid for the service of one regular clerk, 
and the occasional services of a stenographer and 
copyist. The duties consisted in hearing testimony 
and taking depositions as to ability of Iwnkrupts to 
pay their debts, and on a satisfactory showing, to 
give them a legal discharge therefrom. The office 
and its duties were abolished by law of 1878. 

Imprisonment for debt existed as late as 1822, 
and on May 27 of that year a law was passed pro- 
viding for the release of debtors upon the surrender 
of their property. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



The ordinance of 1787, creating the Northwest 
Territory, provided for the appointment of a court, 
to consist of three judges, any two of whom were 
to form a court and have a common-law jurisdiction. 
Each judge was required to possess a freehold estate 
in the Territory of five hundred acres of land while 
in the exercise of his office. Their commissions 
were to continue during good behavior. The 
Governor and Judges, or a majority of them, were 
to adopt, and publish in the Territory, such laws of 
the original States, criminal and civil, as might be 
necessary and best suited to the circumstances of 
the people. These laws were to remain in force, 
unless disapproved by Congress, until the organiza- 
tion of the General Assembly. Sessions of the 
court were held four times a year in counties that 
seemed to require it most ; the sessions were to be- 
gin on the first Monday in February, May, October, 
and December. The first session was held August 
30, 1788. When Michigan came under American 
control, and became in fact a part of the Northwest 
Territor>% a session of the Supreme Court was held 
each year in Detroit. A law of the Northwest 
Territory of January 23, 1802, appropriated eighty- 
five dollars to Arthur St. Clair, the governor, for 
organizing courts at Detroit. The court was at- 
tended by lawyers, some of whom came all the way 
from Cincinnati, among them Judge Burnett and 
Arthur St. Clair, Jr. The larger portion of the 
litigants, witnesses, and jurors were unable to speak 
or understand English, and in many cases all the 
proceedings were conducted in French, which was 
interpreted sentence by sentence. This made the 
proceedings very tiresome. 

During a session on June 4, 1800, the birthday of 
His Majesty King George III. was being celebrated 
at Sandwich, and the judges and bar of the court, 
and officers of the garrison, with many of the prin- 
cipal citizens of Detroit, were invited to attend and 
participate in the festivities. The invitation was 
accepted, and about one hundred Americans went 
over. A spacious building, which had been erected 
for a warehouse, was so arranged that between four 
and five hundred persons could be seated at the 
table, which was richly and elaborately furnished, 
and abundantly supplied with everything that appe- 
tite or taste could suggest. 

I 



Sessions of the court were held at the house of 
Mr. Dodemead, then located on the south side of 
Jefferson Avenue, near Shelby Street. The salary 
of the judges was $800 per year, and was paid by 
the United States. They were appointed by the 
President with the approval of the Senate. 

The foUowingwere appointed on the dates named : 
October 16, 1787, S. H. Parsons, J. Armstrong, J. 
M. Varnuni ; February 19, 1788, John Cleve Symmes 
in place of Armstrong, declined; August 20, 1789, 
Wm. Barton in place of Varnum, whose term 
expired; September 12, 1789, George Turner in 
place of Barton, declined; March 31. 1791. Rufus 
Putnam in place of Parsons, deceased ; February 
12. 1798, R. J. Meigs in place of Turner, resigned; 
December 22, 1796, Joseph Gilnian in place of 
Putnam, made surveyor-general. 

The Christian name of Judge Meigs was Return 
Jonathan ; the origin of this singular name was as 
follows : During their courtship his father and 
mother had a quarrel, and his father, who was then 
at the home of his sweetheart, left the house ; she 
soon repented, and runninir to the door called out, 
"Return, Jonathan, return!" The obedient and 
fully pacified lover did return. They were happily 
married, and in memory of the incident their first 
child was named Return Jonathan Meigs. 

Supreme Court under Indiana Territory. 

Under the rule of Indiana Territory the Supreme 
Court was composed of Judges Wm. Clark, Henry 
\'anderburg, and John Griffin. On October 24, 
1804, a session of the Circuit Court, presided over 
by Judge \'anderburg. was held in Detroit. 

Supreme Court of Miehigan Territory. 

Under law of Congress of January 11, 1805. the 
Supreme Court for the Territory was organized on 
July 29. By Act of July 24, 1805, regular sessions 
were to begin on the third Monday in September, 
the JLidge holding the commission of earliest date to 
be chief judge, and the other judges to have prece- 
dence according to the date of their commissions, 
unless they were of same date, when the age of the 
persons was to determine the question^ The court 
had jurisdiction in all cases concerning the title to 
lands, and m all other cases where the sum in dispute 
178 1 



SUI'REME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



179 



exceeded $200, also appellate jurisdiction in all 
cases. It also had exclusive jurisdiction in all capi- 
tal criminal cases, and in proceedings for divorce. 
A further Act of February 18, 1809, sjave original 
and exclusive jurisdiction in all cases involving over 
$500, and in all capital criminal cases where the 
United States was a party, with appellate jurisdic- 
tion in cases from the several district courts. By 
Act of October 31, 181 5, jurisdiction was given in 
cases where the amount involved exceeded $1,000. 
The three judges with the governor also constituted 
the Legislature of the Territory, and possessed within 
themselves almost entire control of affairs. They 
were commissioners for laying out the town of 
Detroit and disposing of the lots ; and, by the 
apathy or consent of the citizens, they exercised 
authority in municipal matters as well, governing 
both town and Territory, and administering punish- 
ment at their pleasure. The old court records show 
that for a crime of some kind they ordered an Indian 
to be "burnt in the left hand," and the following 
bill for executing the order was presented and paid : 

Ttrrritury of Michigan to James May, May i, 1806, for brand- 
ing \S'abouse, an Indian, agreeable to order of court, sixteen shil- 
lings. 

When notices of publication were ordered, they 
were sent to a Pittsburgh paper, that being the 
nearest place with which our citizens had intercourse 
where a paper was published. 

On its first session, in 1805. the .Supreme Court 
met at the old Cass House, then occupied by Judge 
May. In 1806, it met at the house of John Dode- 
mead. On September 20, 1809, a session was held 
at the house of Gabriel Godfrey, Jr.; on the same 
day John Harvey appeared in court, and made an 
offer of a room in his house, without cost, for the 
accommodation of the court. In i8i4the houses of 
Louis Moran and John Kinzie were made use of ; 
sessions were also held at the chambers of the pre- 
siding judge. An article in The Gazette of October 
25, 1825, says that the court sat "sometimes at mid- 
day and sometimes at midnight; sometimes in the 
council house and sometimes at the clerk' s office ; 
sometimes at a tavern and sometimes on a woodpile." 
Realize this, imagine it, if you can. Yet there is 
no doubt of the facts as stated ; they were matters 
of public notoriety. 

A memorial of the citizens, of January 3, 1823, 
presented to Congress, and printed in The Detroit 
Gazette, says : 

In September, 1820, the court frcquenllj' held its sessions from 
2 r. M. till 12. I, and 3 o'clock in the morning of the next 
day ; and cases were disposed of in the absence of both clients 
and counsel. During these night sittings, suppers of meat and 
bottles of whiskey were brought into court, and a noisy and merry 
banquet was partaken at the bar by some, while others were 
addressing the court in solemn argument, and others presenting to 
the judges on the bench, meat, bread, and whiskey, and inviting 
them to partake. 



At the opening of the session of the Supreme 
Court, on September 13, 1820, only Judges Wood- 
ward and Witherell were present, Judge Griffin 
being absent from the Territory. Business went on 
as usual, until October 9, when Judge Woodward 
absented himself. Judge Witherell then adjourned 
the court till the first Monday of December. A day 
or two after Judge Griffin arri\-ed, and on October 
13 a special session of the court was opened at 
Whipple's Tavern by Judges Woodward and Griffin, 
even the sheriff being unaware of it until he acci- 
dentally happened in. The court then adjourned 
till October 16, at the council house, where Judges 
Woodward and Griffin met, and rescinded the order 
of adjournment made by Judge Witherell, and on 
the refusal of those pre.sent to do business at such a 
session of the court, it was adjourned till October 21, 
and on that day a rule was entered on the records 
that a regular session should be held annually on the 
second Thursday of August ; the court then ad- 
journed until tliat day, entirely disregarding the day 
in December, to whicli the court had been adjourned 
by Judge Witherell. 

On December 4 he opened the court alone, and, 
although both of the other judges were in the Ter- 
ritory, Judge Witherell was compelled, by reason of 
their absence, to adjourn the court si/ie die. 

On March 30, 1S21, Judges Woodward and Griffin 
came together, rescinded their adjourning order of 
October 21, and then adjourned again; and so the 
farce went on. 

The memorial of 1823 states that during a session 
of four months the court held its sittings at night, 
instead of in the daytime, and at private offices, 
without giving knowledge of its whereabouts to the 
people. At these night sittings rules of the court 
were adopted, and proceedings had w'hich violated 
common law. On one occasion a law was made at 
a night sitting altering an Act of Congress. " A 
single judge has been known to open and immedi- 
ately adjourn the court, without the attendance of 
either clerk, sheriff, constable, or crier ; and without 
the records, or even pen, ink, or paper; and that, 
when causes were before the court for argument, 
leaving the suitors and officers of the court and the 
other judges to find out, if they can, when and 
where it will please the court to open itself again. 
When a statute happened to be really adopted from 
the laws of one of the States, the judges, who con- 
stituted three out of the four persons who adopted 
the law, declared from the bench that they would 
not be bound by the constructions and decisions of 
the State from which the law was taken." Their 
own decisions, in similar cases, were so discordant 
that they furnished no guide from which to conjec- 
ture what their decisions might be on the same 
points in the future; and it was even declared by 



i8o 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY A\D THE STATE. 



them that their own decisions should not be obli- 
gatory as precedents. ATany cases were decitled as 
whim or convenience dictated ; favoritism was often 
grossly manifest ; and court rules were made for the 
benefit of particular and special cases, — notoriously 
so in the case of Sibley 7's. Taylor, in 1819 and 
1820. 

After neglecting their duties as judges, they would 
meet as legislators, and pass a law to remedy the 
defects of their carelessness or indifference. Pris- 
oners, on giving a note for the amount of their fines, 
were released from custody. Of necessity, great 
irregularities resulted from their actions, and the 
highest territorial judicial tribunal was brought into 
contempt. 

During all these years there was no remedy in law 
against the decisions of the judges. The people 
had no right of appeal to the Supreme Court of the 
United States, and Congress did not interfere, 
and seemingly was determined not to remedy the 
evil. 

From 1818 to 1836 the Territory- now known as 
the State of Wisconsin was a part of Michigan, and 
the territorial court of Detroit had jurisdiction over 
that region as well. Criminals were conveyed here 
for trial ; and the plenary power which the judges 
exercised was a great convenience in trying cases, if 
not in administering justice. In some reminiscences 
given by Judge B. F. H. Witherell, in Gibb's fourth 
volume of Michigan Reports, he says : 

If any law was found to work badly, the governor, or one of the 
judges, notified the others, the Legislature assembled, and the law 
was repealed or amended. On one occasion, I recollect, two 
Indians were arrested on a charge of murder near Green Bay, 
and brought for trial to Detroit.^ When the Supreme Court 
assembled, it was found that the law relating to grand jurors was 
defective. The court adjourned, the Legislature assembled, the 
law was amended, and the prisoners were tried, convicted and ex- 
ecuted. 

A reference to Volume I. of Territorial Laws, 
pages 234 and 235, shows that the law referred to, 
"An Act establishing Forms of Oaths," was passed 
September 17, 1821, Wm. Woodbridge, secretary 
of the Territory, being then acting governor, and A. 
B. Woodward and John Griffin judges. 

The Detroit Gazette of November i, 1822, says 
that the law in question was passed in the evening, 
the grand jury having been called in the morning of 
the same day. A record of the proceedings of the 
court, contained in the same paper, shows that there 
was much discussion among the judges as to the 
form of oath to be administered to the grand jury, 
and they finally settled the matter by passing the 
law referred to. The statute in question is thus 
shown to be a genuine and unmistakable ex post 

1 They arrived in Detroit on the Superior, on Friday, August 
3, 1821 



facto law, applied even in a trial where two human 
lives were involved. It is doubtful if the annals of 
any other region in the United States afford such a 
record. 

The case on trial was that of Ketaukah and Ke- 
waubis, who were executed December 27, 1821, the 
former for the murder of Dr. Wm. S. Madison, the 
latter for the murder of Charles Ulrich. 

Concerning the trial of these Indians, C. C. Trow- 
bridge told the following incident : J. D. Doty had 
been assigned as counsel for one of them, and B. F. 
H. Witherell for the other. In company with Col- 
onel Louis Beaufait, as interpreter, they went to see 
their Indian clients, and learn the facts in the case. 
Witherell soon finished the inter\-iew with his client, 
and they all repaired to the cell df the Indian who 
murdered Madison. Mr. Doty asked him how it 
happened that he shot the surgeon. The honest 
savage replied, " I saw him going along, and I 
thought I would like to shoot him, and 1 did." 
"But," said Doty, "was there not some accident.' 
Were you not shooting at something else ?" After 
some time the prisoner seemed to comprehend the 
drift of the inquiry, and replied, " Oh, yes, 1 was 
shooting at a little bird." The young advocate then 
took courage. "Ah," said he, " this is clearly a case 
of no malice aforethought. Now, tell me, how far 
was this little bird from Madison's head }" The 
sa\-age held up one finger, and with the digit of the 
other hand measured the distance of an inch, say- 
ing. " So far." Of course, Mr. Doty saw clearly 
that, on such a showing, he could not help the 
Indian's case. The defence was therefore only 
nominal, and the sentence of execution speedy. 

During their confinement in the old jail, on the 
site of the present Public Library, the prisoners con- 
trived a sort of drum by drawing a piece of leather 
over the vessel containing their drink. Aided by 
this instrument, the night previous to their execution 
they danced their death-dance, renewing it again in 
the morning. From the jail they were taken to the 
Protestant Church, where an appropriate discourse 
was delivered by Mr. J. S. Hudson. They were 
then taken to the gallows. The First Regiment of 
the territorial militia were under arms on the occa- 
sion, and a guard of L'nited States troops attended 
the execution. The spectators were very numerous. 

These were the first persons hanged in Michigan 
after its cession to the United States. The cost of 
their execution is indicated in an appropriation bill 
of January 21, 1822, which gave $176.55 to E. Wing 
for ser\'ices in Supreme Court. " and for executing a 
certain Indian," and "$33.88 to Thomas Rowland 
for erecting a gallows for the execution of a certain 
Indian." Some writers have stated that one of 
these Indians committed suicide the night before he 
was to be hanged, and that but one v.-as really 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



l8l 



executed. The Gazette of December 28. 1S21, says 
that both were hanged. The statement that one 
committed suicide probably originated from the fact 
that, five years after the execution of tlie two Indians 
referred to, two other Indians, Kiskauko and his 
son, the liig Bea\-er, were in jail, awaiting trial for 
the murder of an Indian in Detroit. While in jail, 
Kiskauko was visited by some of his tribe, one of 
whom gave him poison, and on May 17, 1S26, he 
was found dead in his cell. On October 6 follow- 
ing his son escaped. Kiskauko had always been 
troublesome, and even his own tribe hardly regretted 
his death. The following stor)-, told by Mr. School- 
craft, may account for this : 

In the winter of 1823-1824 a Chippewa Indian, living at Sag- 
inaw, was killed by anotlier of the same tribe, and, agreeably to 
custom, the relatives of the deceased met those of the slayer, for 
the purpose of compounding the affair, either by presents or by 
putting the slayer to death. At the council it was finally deter- 
mined to accept a certain amount in presents as indemnity. Both 
parties were now on the point of smoking the pipe of peace,"when 
to the astonishment of all, Kiskauko, the Saginaw chief, stepped 
up, and with a single blow of his tomahawk struck the murderer 
dead. On being asked why he thus interfered with the operation 
of their old law, he coolly said, " The law is now altered." 

^■erily, he had imbibed the same spirit that ruled 
the Territory in those days. 

The last instance of capital punishment in l\Iichi- 
gan was on September 24, 1830, when a man named 
Simmons was executed for the murder of his wife. 
This execution, also, took place near the old jail, and 
was managed by Ben Woodworth. It was the first 
and only time, under American rule, that a white 
man was hanged in the territory- included in Michi- 
gan. The occasion attracted a large crowd, seats 
were erected for spectators, and music furnished by 
the military band. Entertainments were scarce in 
those days, and both people and officials made the 
most of any and every " occasion." 

[Capital punishment was abolished in Michigan 
by Revised Statutes of 1846.] 

Much of the unwise and ill-considered doings of 
the judges was directly chargeable to the freaks of 
Judge Woodward. 

The early history of the courts could hardly be 
understood without something more than a passing 
allusion to that eccentric genius. There was but 
one such man in all the United States, and for nearly 
twenty years he was a central figure at Detroit. He 
was a bachelor, a Virginian, from the District of 
Columbia, and his old manuscripts and letters prove 
that he was really learned and accomplished. In 
conversation he is known to have been entertaining 
and agreeable. In the full sense of the word he was 
a "character," that only a Dickens could properly 
portray. With some good qualities, there were 
peculiarities of manner so marked, and slovenliness 
so extreme, as to almost defy description. What- 
ever was odd and unreasonable, he was sure to do. 



If there was a thunderstorm, his chair was placed 
outside the door, and he would calmly sit and take 
his shower-bath. His room, which was both office 
and sleeping apartment, was destitute of a book- 
case, and many v'akiable papers lay in a heap in 
one corner, and clothing for the wash in another. 
Sweeping was never done, lest his books should be 
deranged, and they were where he left them, some 
on the floor, some on chairs, and some on the table. 
A gentleman who was a passenger with the judge 
on the Walk-in-the-water in the spring of 1 821, on 
a trip from Detroit to Green Bay, relates this anec- 
dote: "The steamer was lying at her Httle wooden 
pier at the foot of Bates Street, and a goodly num- 
ber of citizens were on board, to take leave of their 
friends who were passengers. Among those present 
was Judge Woodward. Just as the steamer was 
about to cast off her lines, a young gentleman, who 
had been hurriedly dispatched to the judge's quar- 
ters, appeared on board, with a clean shirt folded 
in a red bandanna handkerchief, which he gave to 
the judge, who announced that he also was a pas- 
senger. As the steamer entered the harbor of 
Mackinaw, where she remained a day, be went be- 
low, and soon reappeared arrayed in clean linen. 
When the boat left for Green Bay, the clean gar- 
ment was removed, and a soiled one took its place. 
On arrinng at Green Bay, a change was again made. 
The n'arrator did not return to Detroit in the 
steamer, but the captain afterwards told him that 
the judge pursued the same careful course on the 
return, contriving, with the one clean shirt, to make 
himself, as he thought, presentable when in port." 

The judge was very tall, with sallow complexion, 
and usually appeared in court in a loose, long over- 
coat, or a swallow-tailed blue coat with brass but- 
tons, a red cravat, and buff vest, which was always 
open, and from which protruded an immense mass 
of ruffles. These last, together with the broad 
ruffles at his wrists, were invariably so soiled that it 
might almost be doubted whether they had ever 
been white. His pantaloons hung in folds to his 
feet, meeting a pair of boots which were always well 
greased. His hair received his special attention, 
and on court days, particularly, gave evidence of the 
best efforts of the one tonsorial artist of the town. 

On one occasion, not being able to find a barber 
capable of cutting his hair in the improved fashion, 
he sought advice from a member of the bar, who 
referred him to Austin E. Wing, whose aid he 
sought, bringing with him a pair of shears. His 
request was complied with, and his hair trimmed so 
close that he was compelled to wear a cap for weeks 
afterward. 

He was never known to be wholly under the 
influence of liquor, but even while sitting on the 
bench he customarily kept a glass of brandy beside 



l82 



SUPREMK COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



him ; and night after night, for months together, he 
would sit in Maclc & Conant's store, and alternately 
smoke his pipe and sip raw whiskey until his regu- 
lar half-pint was taken. 

He was extremely fond of the society of ladies, 
and on one occasion, calling at General Macomb's 
just after tea, he was invited to the table. He at 
first declined, but eventually took the offered seat, 
and drank si.xteen cups of tea before he rose. Upon 
another occasion he invited several of the first ladies 
of the town to a little party at his hotel. As chief 
justice of the Territory, his invitation was of course 
accepted, and when the refreshments were served, 
each lady was provided with a plate holding one 
almond, one raisin, one small piece of candy and 
one of cake. 

During a part of his stay in Detroit he kept 
bachelor's hall, with a man for cook and house- 
keeper. It was thought at one time that he intended 
to marry, as he paid some attention, in his odd way, 
to a lady in the city. He had a fine coach and 
horses, which, when it was his pleasure to drive with 
her, he sent to the lady's door, ordering his coach- 
man to await his coming there. This was intended 
as a notice to the lady to be in readiness to receive 
him. After a while the lady concluded to take no 
more drives with him. The last time his coach 
stood its hour at her door .she declined to go, and he 
returned home on foot, giving orders to put up the 
horses. This was the judge's only attempt at court- 
ship while he remained in the Territory. 

With all his eccentricity, he would often manifest 
the most painstaking research, and endeavor to 
please his friends and gratify the public ; but what 
he would do, or leave undone, could never be fore- 
told. He was frequently in trouble with the people. 
Once, while upon the bench, he said that the French 
spent more time at church than was consistent with 
prosperity. This speech naturally induced great 
excitement, and he was compelled to apologize. 
Most of his writings are extremely verbose and full 
of literary egotism ; yet when it was his pleasure so 
to do, no one could write with greater modesty and 
directness. Allusions to his personal habits and 
private life would perhaps be unju.stifiable if his 
public doings had been without reproach ; but it was 
of these last that the people specially complained. 
His conduct was protested against in petitions to 
the President and Congress. 

On May 4, 181 2, the Speaker of the Hou.se of 
Representatives at Washington laid before the 
House a presentment of the grand jury at Detroit, 
W'ith other papers pertaining thereto, complaining of 
the non-execution of a law of the United States, ap- 
plicable to the Territory, and of the enactment of 
laws injurious to the interests of the Territoiy. and 
of misconduct on the part of A. 15. Woodward. 



Soon after this the post of Detroit was surrendered, 
and during the period of British occupation in 1812 
and 181 3, Judge Woodward, by appointment from 
Colonel Proctor, acted as chief justice, and held 
court under British rule. This gave further cause 
for dissatisfaction, and on November 24, 181 2, in the 
House of Representatives, Mr. Poindexter offered 
the following: 

J^esoh't-d, that a committee be appointed to inquire into the ex- 
pediency of repealing the .\ct entitled " An Act to divide the 
Indiana Territory into 'l\vo Separate Governments," passed the 
11 til of January, 1805, and of providing more effectually for the 
government of Michigan Territory ; and that the committee have 
leave to report thereon by bill or other^vise. 

Mr. Poindexter said "that the object he had in 
view, in moving this resolution, was to get rid of the 
salaries of the officers of that Territory. Since the 
surrender of Detroit, their functions had ceased, yet 
they continued to receive their salaries, while one of 
them is a British prisoner, and another has accepted 
a commission under liritish authority. He wished 
to reorganize the government, and enable the proper 
authority to appoint other ofhcers, and such as 
would, perhaps, administer the government of the 
Territory better than heretofore." 

No action was had on the resolution ; possibly be- 
cause it soon became evident that Judge Woodward 
^ideavored to serve the inhabitants while acting as 
a British official. He protested vigorously, to I'roc- 
tor, against some of his unjust doings, and is deserv- 
ing of credit for his courage. These efforts, un- 
doubtedly, secured his retention as judge after the 
close of the war. His conduct on the bench, how- 
ever, did not improve, and for nearly a decade 
longer the people were outraged by his follies. 

In the fall of 1S22 many articles were published 
in the Gazette, detailing the farcical proceedings of 
the courts, conducted under his management as 
chief justice ; and the articles undoubtedly repre- 
sented the sentiments of a large majoriiiy of the 
people. In a communication signed "Z. Z.," pub- 
lished in the Gazette October 25, 1822, the following 
language was used : " To attempt anything like a 
brief outline of their innumerable outrages upon jus- 
tice and common sense wf)uld require a volume ; and 
indeed, if it were even possible, policy would forbid 
it ; as the very extent and enormity of the abuses 
detailed would throw an air of discredit on the nar- 
ration, in the minds of those at a distance, to whom 
alone we can look for redress." 

A series of letters, contained in the Gazette of 
November, 1822, and addressed to Judge Wood- 
ward, gives further indication of the spirit and speech 
of those times, and sets forth his characteristics in a 
manner that would now be deemed sensational. 
The writer quotes from the court records of June 
28, 1S08. the following: 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



183 



IV/ier^as, John Whipple, late of the di^itrict of Detroit, etc., 
late a captain in the army of the United States, Yeoman, on Sat- 
urday, the 25th day of June, iSoS, in the afterncK)!!, at llie Dis- 
trict of Detroit, aforesaid, did slop the undersigned, one of the 
judges in and over the Territory of Michigan, and say to him, the 
said judge, that he, the said John Whipple, was present when an 
action depending in the Supreme Court of said Territory, between 
James Peltier and James and Francis Lasalle was continued, and 
that he, the said John Whipple, was of opinion that the said 
action ought to have been then tried ; that he, the said judge, was 
prejudiced against his, the said John Whipple's relations, and was 
partial to the said Messieurs Lasalles ; that the said Messieurs La- 
salles were the worst rascals in the country, and that he, the said 
judge, was a rascal, with other violent language, and gestures ; 
these are, therefore, to command you to take tlie said John Whip- 
ple, etc. 

The article then says : 

This warrant was made returnable before yourself. On this 
warrant, Whipple was brought before you, and after hearing the 
case, you gave the following opinion : '* On the present occasion I 
am of the opinion that John Whipple be bound to his good be- 
havior until the ensuing term of the Supreme Court of this Terri- 
tory, and to appear at the said court, and not depart therefrom 
without the leave of the said court ; and for that purpose to recog- 
nize himself in the sum of twenty-four dollars, with two sureties in 
the sum of twelve dollarseach." This outrage upon decency and 
principle needs no comment. If you wish to discuss this subject, 
I am prepared to show darker features of the case. I have read 
your defence of the procedure, and it is as singular and ridiculous 
as your conduct. 

♦ **♦****♦ + ♦* 

On the tenth of June, 1811, during the vacation of the Supreme 
Court, Wliitmore Knaggs committed an assault and battery upon 
your person. The next day you issued a warrant under ynur hand 
and seal, charging him with this offence, upon which Knaggs was 
brought before you for examination. On the suggestion of Mr. 
Brush and others that your Honor did not look well sitting as an 
accuser. Judge Robert Abbott and Richard Smyth, two justices of 
the peace, were invited to become your colleagues ; they did so, 
and you, in conjunction with them, after citing many authorities 
to justify yourself, on the fifth of July ordered that Knaggs should 
enter into recognizance in the sum of $3,000, witli two sureties in 
$1,500 each, to appear the next term of the Supreme Court, and in 
the mean time, keep the peace. These facts appear by the record, 
in your own handwriting, on file in the clerk's office of the Supreme 
Court. For this conduct you were presented by the Grand Jury 
for the Territory. 



OcioBer 



Michigan. 



J4, 1822. 



A second letter, addressed to Woodward, and 
dated Friday, November 8, 1822, says : 

In my first letter to you, I brought two cases from the records of 
your court, in one of which you acted as an accuser, a prosecutor 
or party, as a witness, and as a judge, and in the other, you ap- 
peared also as the complainant, and as judge. I have made the 
charge and proved it. 

The writer then quotes again from the record, 
sa>nng : 

Pages 24 and 25 of [lie record contain the following : 
" At a session of the Supreme Court of the 'I'erritory of Michi- 
gan, etc., on the twenty-fourth day of September, 1806, etc., were 
present Judge Woodward and Judge Bates. 

" In the case of the T'nited States against Captain Adam Muir, 
Ensign John Stow I.undi, and Lieutenant Henry B. Brevoort, it 
is considered by the court that Adam Muir pay a fine of ten 
Poimds Sterling, equal to forty-four dollars and forty cents, and 
be imprisoned tor seventeen days, and that he is now in the cus- 
tody of the marshal, until this fine is paid, the time of imprison- 
onmcnt is expired, and the costs of the prosecution are paid. And 
that John Stow Ltmdi pay a fine two thousand Pounds Sterling, 



equal to $8,888, and be imprisoned six months, and that he is now 
in the custody of the marshal until this fine is paid, tlie time uf 
his imprisonment is expired, and the costs of the prosecution are 
paid. And that Henry B. Brevoort pay a fine of $250, and be im - 
prisoned seventy-five days, and that he is now in the custody of ''i? 
the marshal until this fine is paid, the time of imprisonment is ex- 
pired, and the costs of the prosecution are paid. 

** In the caseof the United States against Jean Marie Oule, it is 
considered by the court that the said Jean Marie Oule receives 
upon his bare back fifteen stripes, and pay a fine of twenty-five 
cents. 

" In the case of the United States against Lieutenant Porter 
Hanks, it is considered by the court that Porter Hanks pay a fine 
of fifty dollars and the costs of the prosecution." (Lieutenant 
Hanks had pleaded guilty to the indictment.) 

Court records September 26, page 26: Judges present this day, 
Woodward, Bates, and Griffin. " In the case of the United States 
against Captain Adam Muir, Ensign John Stow Lundi, and Lieu- 
tenant Henry B. Brevoort, on motion of the council for the defen- 
dants for amending the sentence pronounced against them on 
Wednesday, the twenty-fourth day of the present month, it is con- 
sidered by the court that so much of the said sentence as respects 
Adam Muir be amended by erasing the fine and imprisonment, and 
that the said Adam Muir do pay a fine of two and one-half cents, 
with the costs of the prosecution. And that so much of the said 
sentence as respects John Stow Lundi be amended by erasing the 
fine and imprisonment, and that the said John Stow Lundi do 
pay a fine of seven and one half cents, with the costs of the pros- 
ecution. And that so much of the said sentence as respects 
Henry B. Brevoort be amended by erasing the fine and imprison- 
ment, and that the said Henry B. Brevoort do pay a fine of five 
cents, with the costs of the prosecution." 

Page 27 : " In the case of the United States against Porter 
Hanks, on motion of council it was considered by the court that 
the siiid sentence be amended by erasing the fine, and that the said 
P. Hanks do pay a fine of one cent and costs of the prosecution." 
September 27th: " In the case of the United States against Jean 
Marie Oule, on motion, etc., it is considered by the court that the 
said sentence be amended by erasing the said fine and whipping, 
and the said Jean M. Oule do pay a fine of eight dollars to Pierre 
Chene, with the cost of the prosecution, and stand eummitted, etc. 

The record of the proceedings of the court on this day were not 
closed and signed until the twenty-third day of April, 1810. 
(Signed) Mic Hir.AN. 

The origin and progress of these remarkable trials 
is humorously told in a series of letters written by 
John Gentle to the Pittsburgh Commonwealth, and 
confirmed in almost all particulars by a letter 
addressed to Stanley Griswold, acting governor, 
signed by James Abbott and \Vm. McD. Scott, jus- 
tices of the peace, published in the Philadelphia 
Aurora of November 10, 1806. Mr. Gentle says : 

Soon after the departure of Governor Hull and Judge Wood- 
ward for Washington City (in November, 1805) a disagreeable 
affair happened between the militaiy officers and the citizens. 
The ofificers of Fort Detroit, and the oflicersof Fort Maiden, on 
the British side, somt years ago, entered into mutual agreement to 
aid and assist one another in the prevention and detection of de- 
serters. The British oflicers, on their part, have taken and de- 
livered up several deserters to the American garrison, the officers 
of which have often attempted to return the compliment,- but the 
people considered such proceedingsa violation of the civil laws of 
the United States, and contrary to the Constitution, and have 
always succeeded in rescuing the poor devils out of their hands. 
On Saturday evening a British soldier by the name of Morrison 
deserted from Fort Maiden, and came over to Detroit for protec- 
tion. Two British ofllicers came over next day, in the forenoon, in 
search of him, and remained incognito in the fort all the after- 
noon, in company with the officers of the fort. After dusk, in the 



,84 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



evening, a troop of waiters, under the command of Captain Tut- 
tle, was sent from the fort to reconnoiter the town for this Morri- 
son. The captain, being a vigilant oflicer, soon discovered the 
enemy, and returned to the fort with intelligence of his position, 
leaving'an advance guard to prevent the enemy's retreat. The 
liritish officer, led by the American heroes, sallied out of the fort, 
double charged with good Monongahela. Lieutenant Brevoort 
commanded the right wing. Ensign Lundi the left, and Captain 
Muir the center division. Lieutenant Hanks, Adjutant Hull, and 
Captain Tuttle retreated under the guns of Mrs. Betty McDryd's 
battery, while a furious attack was made on the enemy's out- 
works. 

The besieged was under the command of Lieutenant Seek, an 
inexperienced officer, who, having no other weapon of defense 
than his bodkin and Sheffield needles, did not hold out long against 
the impetuosity of such experienced veterans. A breach was 
soon effected, where the invincible heroes of both nations entered, 
sword in hand. Lundi presented a loaded pistol to Seck's head, 
while Muir and lirevoort seized and dragged the vanquished .Mor- 
rison into the street. "Murder! Fire! Indians!" was loudly 
vociferated from the throats of all the men, women and children 
that were in the house at the time ; the same sounds were rever- 
berated by the people of the neighborhood ; a general terror pre- 
vailed, and no wonder. The same day, in the forenoon, news was 
circulated in town that seven hundred Indians were lying in 
ambush, fifteen miles back in the woods, ready to massacre all in 
this town and settlements. The people rushed from their houses, 
armed with swords, guns, and shovels, others, carrying buckets 
and barrels of water, shouted " Where are the Indians ? Where is 
the fire ? " Meantime the report of a pistol was heard, and in a 
few minutes, another; which sounded in the terrified people's ears 
like great gims, and directed them to the scene of action. John 
Harvey, a baker, and ne.xt neighbor to Seek, was at his own door 
when the affray began. Seeing three or four nun dragging one by 
the shoulders, and without knowing the cause of the custody, he 
ran, laid hold of Morrison's limbs, and dL-tained him by main 
strength, in defiance of their threats to run him through and to 
blow out his brains. The old story was half realized of " Pull 

baker, pull devil." " Fire and be d d, you ruffians ! " was all 

the baker said till poor Morrison's clothes were all torn to atoms. 
Meanwhile Seek had been around the neighborhood spreading the 
alarm, and returned amongst the first, and laid hold of Lundi. A 
struggle ensued, but Lundi, finding Seek had the command of his 
pistol arm, and perceiving an opening, firi^d it off towards the 
ground ; and not with an intention to kill Seek, as was erroneously 
stated in former publications. Captain Muir, seeing the people 
assembling, presented his pistol to JNIorrison's naked breast, swear- 
ing that since he could not take him alive, he would leave him 
dead. Morrison, perceiving his intention, struck the pistol to one 
side, and instead uf killing Morrison, the ball went through the calf 
of his own leg. The citizens by this time assembled in great num- 
bers, and relieved Harvey from a very dangerous situation ; sur- 
rounded the officers, and carried them in civic triumph to Smyth's 
Tavern, to get the wound dressed. Lieutenant Hanks and Adju- 
tant Hull, seeing the people more moderate than usual in such 
cases, now ventured from their lurking places, and finding the 
flower of their army thus wounded and maimed, began brandish- 
ing their broadswords and swore many bloody oaths that if the cit- 
izens would not immediately disperse they would turn the guns of 
thf fort upon them and blow them to hell. •They were all taken 
into custody, and came under recognizance to stand trial at the 
next September term. * * * The twentieth day of September, 
1806, the trials of Muir, Lundi, and Brevoort came on. A respect- 
able jury was impaneled, and sworn in one by one ; the witnesses 
were brought forward, and underwent scrutinous examinations. 
The case appeared so clear that the attorneys waived their plead- 
ings, the jury retired, and returned with their verdict, Guilty. 
The judgment of the_court was delayed some days, when one of 
the attorneys prayed the court to pass judgment on the officers. 
The judges retired into a private room a few minutes, then return- 
ed and took thrir seats. All was silence ; the scene was awful. 
Judge Woodward opened the judgments by a lengthy preamble, 



setting forth the delicacy of his situation, and his diffidence in the 
performance of the duties he was called upon by his country to do, 
the enormity of their crimes ; as such irregularity of conduct 
might involve countries, now at peace, in all the horrors of de- 
structive war. He then said, " It is the opinion of the court that 
Captain Muir's crime is much more heinous than Ensign Lundi's, 
he having actually discharged the pistol with intention to kill Mor- 
rison (although at the same time it passed through the calf of his 
own leg). Therefore the judgment of the court is, that Captain 
Adam Muir be fined in ten Pounds Sterling, and seventeen days im- 
prisonment, and to remain in custody of the marshal until the same 
shall be paid. It is also the judgment of the court that Ensign 
John Stow Lundi be fined in two thousand Pounds Sterling, that 
is to say, $8,888, and six months imprisonment, and remain in cus- 
tody of the marshal until the same shall be paid. It is the judg- 
ment of the court that Lieutenant Henry B. Brevoort be fined in 
one hundred Pounds, lawful money of New York, and seventy-five 
days imprisonment, and to remain in custody of the marshal until 
the same shall be paid." Ensign Lundi hung down his head, and 
looked as any other man would do when condemned to perpetual 
imprisonment. The audience stared with wild amaze at each 
other, rose from their scats, and retired. Those who were formerly 
the most violent against the officers were now the most violent in 
their execrations against the inequality and injustice of these cruel 
judgments. The court, finding they had missed their aim in this 
unjustifiable fetch for popularity, now set their wits at work to 
remedy their error. Meantime Judge Criflin arrived, and took his 
seat on the bench. A few days afterwards, the judgments were 
opened anew, when, wonderful to relate, the court then, and not 
till then, considered that the officers were tried by the common law 
of England, and judgments rendered accordingly, when, at the 
same time, the laws of Indiana Territory were still in force in 
Michigan" Territory, which limited fines for assault and battery 
to not exceeding one hundred dollars. The former judgments 
underwent a thorough investigation, and the decisions of the court, 
agreeable to the laws of Indiana Territory, were : That the terms 
of imprisonment of the three officers, Muir, Lundi, and Brevoort 
be reduced by striking them out, and their fines reduced to sixteen 
cents. Lieutenant Hanks was also tried at the same court, for an 
assault on the body of Dr. Joseph Wilkinson. He pleaded guilty 
and was fined in fifty dollars. The judgment in his case was also 
cancelled, and the fine reduced to one cent. 

It is impossible to describe the feeling of the insulted citizens of 
Detroit on this occasion. Our peaceful dwellings, violated by a 
banditti of insolent foreigners; our wives and children terrified 
into fits; ourselves assailed and threatened with fire and sword; 
and a few cents is presented to us, to redress these barbarous in- 
sults, presenting the lowest dregs of humiliation to a people for- 
merly cheerful, generous, and brave, although now debased to the 
meanest extreme by the juggling pranks and legerdemain tricks of 
these unprincipled judges that fill our judgment seats. 

A third letter to Woodward, contained in the 
Gazette of Friday, November 15, 1822, addressed 
him as follows : 

You have been plainly and distinctly charged with turpitude 
and inconsistency, with meanness and injustice, with indelicacy 
and falsehood, with selfishness and contempt for public opinion. 
If you ask for the specifications, I refer you to my two previous 
communications on this subject. And what have you answered to 
these grave charges, — charges which not only involve your official 
conduct but also your private character? Nothing. In legal 
phrase you stand mute; which, according to the common sense of 
mankind, admits the truth of the charges, for the non-denial of an 
allegation, fairly and distinctly made, amounts to an admission of 
its verity. ♦ * * You may write resolutions, and stimulate 
your tools to offer them at public meetings; but you will never be 
able to perpetuate that state of intellectual and political degrada- 
tion which hitherto you have contributed to maintain. 

This Territor>* is about to emerge from her long night of polit- 
ical darkness; to rouse the sleeping energies, and to exhibit to you 
a practical lesson which shall convince you that, having committed 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



185 



innumerable outrages in yourofiicial character, far exceeding the 
indulgence whicli, from our former lameness and submission, you 
had a right to expect, you have now no longer the smallest claim 
upon our forbearance, and have become a fit subject for the knife 
of political dissection. You must, therefore, expect to see your 
character portrayed in bold relief. But how shall we enumerate 
the black catalogue of outrages and enormities which your official 
life of twenty years has been so fruitful in furnishing? The 
attempt would be as hopeless as the cleansing of the Augean 
stable. * * ♦ 

The portals of your narrow, selfish soul are as firmly barred 
against every generous or noble sentiment as the dark cave of Cer- 
berus. 

You may be likened t'> the man who, on board a ship in a storm, 
being called upon lo assist, replied tliat he was only a passenger. 
It may be emphatically said of you, that you consider yourself 
only a passenger. You stand unconnected by any tie of nature, 
friendship, or gratitude, holding one of the highest and most lucra- 
tive offices in the Territorj*, besides an independent estate. You 
are literally without a friend. So disgusting is your character, in 
every point of view, that it is really a matter of curious specula- 
tion how, or by what strange fatality, such a man should have 
been palmed upon this Territory. I assure you, sir, that in pur- 
suing your character I have a magnanimous feeling, which would 
prompt me to desist from so painfid an investigation were I not 
conscious that the best interests of this community are concerned, 
and that the time has arrived when honest men should speak out. 

Z. Z. 

In the Gazette for December 27, another writer, 
with the signature of "Sidney," took up the cudgel 
against Judge Woodward. He says : 

The most prominent feature, and one that strongly distinguishes 
his Honor from the rest of the world, and which, indeed, seems to 
be blended with all his other features, is originality, — a mode of 
thinking, reasoning, and acting altogether peculiar to himself ; 
* * * characterized only by a perfect contempt for those laws 
of reason and common sense which govern most men, and which 
delights itself in driving tandem the steeds of whim and fancy 
over the sober children of truth and reason. ♦ ♦ ♦ Another 
peculiarity of this judicial Quixote, and which appears truly sur- 
prising in any one having the least pretention to a legal educa- 
tion, is a direct and open hostility to law, considered as a science. 
Not only has he totally neglected all legal studies himself, and 
constantly manifested the most perfect indifference to the highest 
authority, when laid before him by counsel; he has also uniformly 
held in derision all legal and moral qualifications in those who 
have been admitted by him to the practice of law. No matter 
whether the applicant for admission to the bar possessed any more 
legal science or respect for morals than his Honor, if he only had 
good teeth, and a head conformable to the best specimens of crani- 
ology, he was sure of success, since his Htmor has declared that, by 
looking to the fonner, he could sutTiciently ascertain the legal sci- 
ence, and by feeling of the latter, he could tell the moral character 
of the applicant. And that these are his sober opinions, if he has 
any of this class, is fully evident from his uniform conduct in 
respect to the examination and admission of attorneys and coun- 
selors at law. One instance deserves to be mentioned. It hap- 
pened, one evening at a convivial party, that a young military 
officer had the good fortune to solve some trilling riddle or 
conundrum which had been proposed, as original, by the judge. 
To reward such an effort of genius, his Honor immediately con- 
ferred upon this gentleman the degree of counselor at law. * * * 

Being once threatened with an impeachment for some gross 
malfeasance in office, he answered, with great composure, " Uhcle 
Sam knows too well how much it costs to try a judge to listen to 
a territorial impeachment." * ♦ * 

He has often been known, while sitting in court, to direct the 
clerk to enter him absent, although, to mere mortal eyes, he ap- 
peared to be really present in propria persona : and every person 
present w()uld be willing to swear with botli hands (were it not for 
the record, which _cannot be falsified except by his Honor) that 
the presiding judge was still on the bench. This questionable 



figure has generally been observed, however, to lose much of its 
sparkling brilliancy when the spirit was absent; yet it sometimes 
speaks on critical emergencies. During the operation of one of 
these enchantments, and while a learned and independent advo- 
cate was reflecting in pretty severe terms upon the proceedings of 
the court, one nf the associate judges turned involuntarily toward 
the seat of the presiding judge, and asked whether such a con- 
tempt was to be endured; the strange oracle replied, or appeared 
to reply, " I ctmsider myself absent," On one occasion, while a 
suit was being tried, feeling sleepy, he ordered the clerk to enter 
in the journal that he was absent; and, shoving his chair back 
against the wall, he closed his eyes as if gone to the land of Nod. 
Meantime, the arguments of counsel were going nn; and as one 
of the attorneys said something that thwarted his views, he sud- 
denly moved forward to correct him The attorney tartly sug- 
gested, " I thought your Honor was absent; the journal of the 
court says so." This nonplused the judge, who ordered the 
record of his absence to be erased. 

It was not merely the public who became dissat- 
isfied : the judges grew disgusted with each other, 
and, even while sitting as a court, quarrels were fre- 
quent between Judges Woodward and Withereil. 
Judge Withereil generally sat with his back towards 
Judge Woodward, and often, after W^oodward had 
delivered an opinion, Judge Withereil would say, '* I 
don't see any sense in that view of the case ; there 
is no argument in it ; " and doubtless Judge With- 
ereil was often correct. Many of the citizens tried, 
especially from the year 1820, to have Judge Wood- 
ward removed, deeming him mainly responsible for 
the irregularities of the court. The articles in the 
Gazette were endorsed editorially, on November 22, 
1822; and on November 29, in speaking of the 
memorial to be presented to Congress, the Gazette 
said: 

Another prayer of this petition is, that the law under which our 
present Supreme Court is constituted may be repealed, and that a 
law may be passed providing for the appointment of judges, and 
limiting the term of their service to four years. The object of 
praying for the repeal of this law is, if possible, to effect an imme- 
diate riddance of our present judges (we mean the majority of 
them), and, if that be impracticable, to leave another door open 
for them to go out at the end of four years. 

At length, on January 30, 1823, deliverance came. 
Judge J. D. Doty was appointed to hold courts in 
the counties of Mackinaw, Brown, and Crawford; 
and on March 3, 1823, Congress limited the term of 
the other judges then in office to four years from 
Februar}' r, 1834. The same year Judges Wood- 
ward and Griffin resigned. Judge Woodward went 
to Tallahassee, where he died July 12, 1827. Solo- 
mon Sibley and John Hunt were appointed to the 
vacant judgeships; and on Februan' 5. 1825, Con- 
gress provided that at least two judges must be 
present at the opening of a session of the court. 
An Act of April 13, 1827, provided that sessions 
should begin on the first Monda)' of December and 
May. The same year John Hunt died, and in 1828 
James Withereil resigned, to become secretary* of 
the Territory'. In June 1828, the court met for the 
first time in the new court-house or capitol. Farly 
in 1832 the terms of Judges Woodbridge, Sibley, 
Chipman. and Doty expired ; and on February 3 a 



i86 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



complimentary dinner was given them at the Man- 
sion House. F^ur years later, by Act of March 26, 

1836, the Supreme Court of the Territory was 
abolished, and its business transferred to the State 
Court, provided for by the same Act. 

The names and terms of the several territorial 
judges were as follows: 1805-1808, A. B. Wood- 
ward, Frederick Bates, John Griffin; 1808-1823. A- 

B. Woodward, John Griffin, James Witherell ; 1823- 
1827, James Witherell, Solomon Sibley, John Hunt, 
James D. Doty; 1S27-1S32, Henry Chipman, Solo- 
mon Sibley, Wm. Woodbridge, J. D. Doty; 1832- 

1837, S. Sibley. George Morrell, Ross Wilkins, 
David Irvin. 

In its earliest days the old records show that the 
court was opened in semi-military style, as follows : 
" Attention the whole ! .Silence on penalty ! Oyez ! 
give ear you who wish your cause heard." As a 
matter of course, the inevitable Peter Audrain, who 
had been clerk of everything from time immemorial, 
was the clerk of this court. He continued to hold 
the office until September, 18 19. Many evidences 
of his work remain, but the records, especially in the 
latter part of his term, were so carelessly kept or 
wholly neglected, that all the leading attorneys, such 
as Messrs. Hunt, Lanman, Sibley, McDougall, 
Earned, and others, protested against his continu- 
ance in office; and in .September, 1819, George Mc- 
Dougall was appointed clerk pro tcin.; the same 
month he was relieved, and James Duane Doty was 
appointed. He held the office but one year, and in 
October, 1820, Melvin Dorr was appointed, Charles 

C. Trowbridge acting as his deputy. This brings us 
to another of the characteristic acts of Judge Wood- 
ward. It should be borne in mind that Judge 
Woodward seldom consulted Judge Witherell upon 
any question, as the latter was so practical and 
straightforward that he could never agree with him. 
Judge Grifiin, on the contrary, was easily persuaded 
by Woodward, and therefore the appointments and 
decisions of the court were really made by Wood- 
ward. In 1822 Mr. Dorr decided to resign the office 
of clerk in favor of his deputy, Mr. Trowbridge. 
Upon communicating his intentions to the bar, all 
the members of that body united in a recommenda- 
tion of the deputy, which recommendation, with the 
resignation, was presented to the court. In the even- 
ing the judge called at the office where the deputy 
was making up the records, and complimented the 
young official upon the handsome testimonial he had 
received from the members of the bar, intimating 
that, as a matter of course, the appointment would 
be given him. " By the way," said the judge, as he 
was leaving, " I have a young friend, Lucius Lyon, 
just arrived from Vermont, who is in want of em- 
ployment ; I wish you would make him your depu- 
ty." Mr. Trowbridge replied that he should prefer 



to perform all the labor himself, and save the 
e.xpense of a deputy. The next morning, in a cheer- 
ful \oice, he read the records of the preceding day, 
which, being signed, as approved by Judge Wood- 
ward, were handed back with this order : " Mr. 
Clerk, enter, as the order of the court, that the 
resignation of Melvin Dorr is accepted, and that 
John Woodward, of Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania, is 
appointed clerk, and that Jonathan Kearsley, of 
Detroit, is appointed clerk /ro Av//., until the arrival 
of the said John Woodward." If the roof of the 
old Indian council-house had fallen, it could not 
have been a greater surprise to Judge Witherell, to 
the bar, and to the disappointed deputy. ,John 
Woodward proved to be the father of the judge, an 
old man on the verge of the grave. He died at 
Erie, Pennsylvania, on his way to Detroit. Mr. 
Kearsley entered upon the duties of deputy clerk, 
and continued in office until 1827. when John 
Winder was aijpointed, and served during the rest 
of the existence of the territorial court. 

Supreme Court of S/a/e of Michigan. 
The Supreme Court of the State succeeded the 
corresponding territorial court, by Act of March 26, 
1836. The jurisdiction was originally, and is now, 
chiefly appellate, most of the cases coming before it 
being cases taken up from the Circuit Courts. The 
first three judges were appointed by the governor 
and Senate. The term of office w'as seven years. 
In addition to their duties as judges of the Supreme 
Court, each judge presided over one of the Circuit 
Courts of the State, and the judge first appointed 
was the presiding judge ; Act of July 16, 1836, named 
them as chief justices and as.sociate justices. By 
the Revised Statutes of 1838, one additional asso- 
ciate judge was provided for, and by law of April 3, 
1S48, provision was made for a fourth associate 
justice. The Constitution of 1850 provided for 
eight circuits, the judges of which were to sit as 
judges of the Supreme Court. By law of 1 851, none 
of them were to sit as supreme judges until 1832. 
By law of February 16, 1857, the constitution of the 
court was greatly changed, and a new Supreme 
Court provided, to consist of one chief justice, to be 
elected as such, and three associate justices. They 
were to be elected on the first Monday of April, 
1857, and every second year thereafter. The judges 
elected at the first election were to be divided into 
four classes, to ser\'e for two, four, six, and eight 
years each, and judges elected subsequently were 
to serve for eight years. The salary was $2,500. 
By the terms of the same Act, the judges of the 
Supreme Court ceased to sit as circuit judges. Un- 
der Act of January 16, 187 3, the salary was increased 
to $4,000. Act of March 26, 1S36, ordered that 
sessions of the court be held regularly in Wayne, 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



i8: 



Washtenaw, and Kalamazoo counties, the session 
in Wayne County to beg^in on the first Monday in 
September each year. By Revised Statutes of 1 838, 
the session in Detroit was to begin on the first Tues- 
day of January and June. By law of April 20, 1839, 
sessions in Detroit were to begin on the first Tues- 
day of January and August. By law of March 25, 
1 840, sessions of the Supreme Court were to " begin 
at Detroit on the first Tuesday in January, at Ann 
Arbor on the fourth Tuesday in January, at Kala- 
mazoo on the first Tuesday in September, and at 
I'ontiac on the third Tuesday in January." 

An Act of April 4, 1851, provided for five terms, 
to begin on first Monday of January, May, July, and 
third Monday of October, the January Term to be 
held at Detroit, May Term at Kalamazoo, July 
Term at Adrian, and October Term at Pontiac. 
The fifth term was to be held at Lansing, at a time 
to be determined by the court, and the fourth Tues- 
day of January was fixed upon. 

A law of Februaiy 16, 1857, provided for four 
sessions yearly, to begin on the first Monday of 
January, May, July, and October, the January and 
July Terms to be held at Lansing, and May and 
October Terms at Detroit. By Act of February 1 4, 
1859, sessions were to begin on the Tuesday after 
the first Monday in April, and the April and October 
Terms were to be held at Detroit. By Act of April 
22, 1873, all sessions of the Supreme Court were 
thereafter to be held at Lansing ; and the same Act 
provided for four terms each year, to commence on 
the Tuesday after the first Monday of January, 
April, June, and October. 

The State Supreme Court held its sessions in the 
old Williams Block, on the southeast corner of Jef- 
ferson Avenue and Bates .Street, until the spring of 
1844, when it began to hold its sessions in the old 
seminary building, which the State had bought on 
August 19. 1837. Sessions continued to be held 
there until 1855, when, the building having been 
sold to the city, the court removed to the old 
Wayne County Building, on the southeast corner of 
Congress and Griswold Streets, remaining there 
until May 3, 1858, when it moved to the Odd 
P'ellows' Hall, on Woodward Avenue. I'rom there 
the court was moved to the Seitz Building, on the 
south side of Congress near Criswold .Street, in the 
room afterwards used by the Superior Court. It 
remained there until removed to Lansing. 

By Constitution of 1835, the clerk was appointed 
by the court, John Winder ser\-ing from 1 836 to 
1843, John Nor\'ell in 1843, and A. Ten Eyck from 
1843 to 1S47. William Hale ser\-ed in 1847, and 
Elisha Taylor in 1S48 and 1849. 

By Constitution of 1S50, the county clerk of the 
county in which the court w.is held w.is made the 
clerk of the court. Under this provision from 1S50 



to 1S57 the county clerks of Wayne, Kalamazoo, 
Lenawee, Oakland, and Ingham counties were the 
clerks of the court; from 1857 to 1873, the county 
clerks of Wayne and Ingham counties ; from 1873 
to 1S82, the county clerk of Ingham, or his deputy, 
acted as the clerk. 

LInder amendment to the constitution adopted in 
1881, the clerk is appointed by the judges, and on 
January I, 1882, C. C. Hopkins, by appointment, 
entered upon the duties of the position. 

The following is a list of the judges of the Su- 
preme Court of the State of Michigan : 

1 836-1 839: Chief Justice Wm. A. Fletcher, of Sec- 
ond Circuit; Associates : Geo. Morell, of First Circuit; 
E. I'iansom, of Third Circuit. 

1839-1843: Chief Justice Wm. A. Fletcher, of 
Second Circuit ; Associates : Geo. Morell, of First 
Circuit; E. Ransom, of Third Circuit; C. W. 
Whipple, of Fourth Circuit. 

1843 ; Chief Justice E. Ransom, of Third Circuit ; 
Associates : Geo. Morell, of First Circuit ; A. Felch, 
of Second Circuit ; C. W. Whipple, of Fourth Circuit. 

1844-1846: Chief Justice E. Ran.som, of Third 
Circuit ; Associates : D. Goodwin, of First Circuit ; 
A. Felch, of Second Circuit ; C. W. Whipple, of 
Fourth Circuit. 

1846 : Chief Justice E. Ransom, of Third Circuit ; 
Associates : D. Goodwin, of First Circuit ; W. 
Wing, of Second Circuit ; C. W. Whipple, of 
Fourth Circuit. 

1847 : Chief Justice E. Ransom, of Third Circuit ; 
Associates : W. Wing, of First Circuit ; George 
Miles, of Second Circuit; C. W. Whipple, of Fourth 
Circuit. 

1848: Chief Justice C. W. Whipple, of Third 
Circuit ; Associates : W. Wing, of First Circuit ; 
Geo. Miles, of Second Circuit ; S. M. Green, of 
Fourth Circuit. 

1849-1851 : Chief Justice C. W. Whipple, of 
Third Circuit ; Associates : W. Wing, of First Cir- 
cuit ; Geo. Miles, of Second Circuit ; S. ^L Green, 
of Fourth Circuit; E. Mundy, of Fifth Circuit. 

185 1 : Chief Justice C. W. Whipple, of Third 
Circuit ; Associates : W. Wing, of First Circuit ; 
A. Pratt, of Second Circuit; S. M. Green, of Fourth 
Circuit. 

1852-1854: Chief Justice W. Wing, of Fir.st 
Circuit ; .\ssociates : C. W. Whipple, of Second Cir- 
cuit ; S. T. Douglass, of Third Circuit ; D. John- 
son, of I'durth Circuit; A. Pratt, of Fifth Cir- 
cuit; J. T. Copeland, of Sixth Circuit; S. M. 
Green, of Seventh Circuit ; Geo. Martin, of Eighth 
Cinuit. 

1854-1856: Chief Justice S. \L Green, of Seventh 
Circuit ; Associates : W. Wing, of First Circuit ; 
C. W. \\"hipple, of Second Circuit ; -S. T. Douglass, 
of Tliird Circuit; I), [ohnson. of Kounn Circuit; 



1 88 



SUPREME COURTS OF THE TERRITORY AND THE STATE. 



A. Pratt, of Fifth Circuit ; J. T. Copeland, of Sixth 
Circuit ; Geo. Martin, of Eighth Circuit. 

1856: Chief Justice A. Pratt, of Fifth Circuit; 
Associates : W. Wing, of First Circuit ; N. Bacon, 
of Second Circuit; S. T. Douglass, of Third Circuit; 

D. Johnson, of Fourth Circuit ; J. T. Copeland, of 
Sixth Circuit ; S. M. Green, of Seventh Circuit ; Geo. 
Martin, of Eighth Circuit. 

1857 : Chief Justice George Martin, of Eighth Cir- 
cuit ; Associates : B. F. Graves, of Fifth Circuit ; 

E. H. C. Wilson, of First Circuit ; N. Bacon, of 
Second Circuit; *B. F. H. Witherell, of Third 
Circuit; *E. Lawrence, of Fourth Circuit; J. T. 
Copeland, of Sixth Circuit ; *Josiah Turner, of 
Seventh Circuit. 

1858-1868 : Chief Justice George Martin; Associ- 
ates: Randolph Manning, I. P. Christiancy, J. V. 
Campbell. 

1868-1S70: Chief Justice T. M. Cooley, Associ- 
ates : I. P. Christiancy, J. V.Campbell. B. F.Graves. 

1870-1872: Chief Justice J. V. Campbell; Asso- 
ciates : I. P Christiancy, B. F. Graves, T. M. Cooley. 

♦ Part of the year. 



1872-1S74: Chief Justice I. P. Christiancy; As- 
sociates : B. F. Graves, T. M. Cooley, J. V. Campbell. 

1874-1876: Chief Justice B. F. Graves; Asso- 
ciates: T. M. Cooley, J. \'. Campbell. 1. P. Chris- 
tiancy. 

1 876-1 878: Chief Justice T. M. Cooley; Asso- 
ciates : Isaac Marston, J. V. Campbell, B. F. Graves. 

1878-1880 : Chief Justice J. V. Campbell; Asso- 
ciates : Isaac Marston, B. F. Graves, T. M. Cooley. 

1S80-18S2: Chief Justice Isaac Marston; Asso- 
ciates : B. F. Graves, T. M. Cooley, J. V. Campbell. 

1882-1SS4: Chief Justice B. F. Graves; Asso- 
ciates: J. V. Campbell, T. M. Cooley, T. R. Sher- 
wood. 

1884- : Chief Justice T. M. Cooley; Associ- 
ates : J. V. Campbell, T. R. Sherwood, J. W. 
Champlin. 

The reporters of the Supreme Court have been 
as follows: 1843-1847, S. T. Douglass; 1S47-1851, 
Randolph Manning; 1851-1858, G. C. Gibbs; 1858 
-1864, T. M. Cooley; 1864. E. W. Meddaugh; 1865 
-1870, W.Jennison; 1870-1S72, H. K. Clarke; 1872 
-1878, Hoyt Post; 1878- , H. A. Chancy. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



DISTRICT COURT.— ORPHANS' COURT.— PROBATE COURT.— COURT OF QUARTER 

SESSIONS.— COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.— COURT OF CHANCERY.- COUNTY 

COURTS.— CIRCUIT COURTS.— DISTRICT CRIMINAL COURT. 



DISTRICT COURT. 

District Courts of the Territory of Michigan 
were established by law of July 25. 1805. The 
court for the district of Huron and Detroit was held 
at Detroit, beginning on the first Monday of May 
and third Monday in August in each year, and was 
presided over by one of the territorial judges. It 
had original jurisdiction in cases involving over 
twenty dollars, except as to cases exclusively vested 
in other courts. 

By provisions of proclamation of July 3. 1805, the 
boundaries of the District of Detroit were as follows: 

'■ Beginning at the river Detroit on the boundary 
of the United States of America, five miles north of 
the position of the center of the citadel in the ancient 
town of Detroit; and shall run thence a due west ■ 
line to the boundary of the Indian title, as established 
by the treaties of Fort Mcintosh, of Fort Hamier, 
and Fort Greenville, thence with the same, ten miles, 
thence a due east line to the boundary- of the L^nited 
States." 

The court appointed listers, appraisers, collectors, 
and treasurers for the district, and it was their duty 
to assess and collect the territorial and county taxes. 

The Court Journal for August 19, 1805, begins as 
follows : 

On the nineteenth day of August, 1805, at eleven o'clock in the 
forenoon, in the grand square of the new city of Detroit, under a 
green bower, provided by the marshal of the Territory of Michigan 
for that purpose, a session for the District Court of Huron and 
Detroit was held, at which was present P'rederick Bates, senior as- 
sociate judge of the Territory of .Michigan. James May, marshal 
of the Territory of Michigan, opened the court in the following 
words : " Attention ! The District Court for Huron and Detroit 
District is now sitting. Silence commanded on pain of imprison- 
ment." 

The green bower was ordered paid for on Octo- 
ber 7, 1805. the Governor and Judges, as a legisla- 
ture, voting •■ eight dollars in payment to Michael 
Monette and \'alne, in laboring in the erection of a 
bower for the holding of a court." 

By proclamation of March 21, 1806, the District 
of Detroit was newly defined, as including a strip 
of country si.x miles wide on the west bank of the 
ri\er. 

The people were not satisfied with the constitu- 



tion of this court, and petitioned for a court such as 
they had had under the rule of the Northwest Ter- 
ritory, whose judges were in part taken from among 
business men who had not studied or practiced law. 
The petition was favorably received, and on April 
2, 1807, a law was passed which provided that the 
governor should appoint one chief judge and two 
associates, with power to assess and collect money 
to defray court charges, with jurisdiction as to con- 
tracts, and differences between citizens and Indians. 
L'nder this law, George McDougall was appointed 
chief justice, with James Abbott and Jacob Visger 
as associate justices. Peter Audrain was clerk. In 
April, iSog, Robert Abbott was appointed in place 
of James Abbott, and at the same time, or soon 
after, Jacob Visger became chief justice, and John 
Whipple one of the associate justices. 

This court met in the Council House in 1807, and 
existed until Sunday, September 16, 1810, when the 
jurisdiction of the justices was enlarged, and part of 
the powers of the District Court transferred to the 
justices and the rest to the Supreme Court. 

orphans' COURT. 

This court was established by a law of Northwest 
Territory, on October i, 1795. It was held by the 
justices composing the Court of General (2uarter 
Sessions of the Peace. Its jurisdiction was similar 
to the present jurisdiction of a Probate Court, but 
more extensive, exercising a super\'isorj' care over 
trustees and executors. The court was abolished 
in 1 8 1 1 , when the office of register of probate was 
created. 

PROBATE COURT, OR COURT OF PROOFS. 
Courts of Probate, or of Proof as they have also 
been called, were first established for the Northwest 
Territory- on August 30, 1788; they have existed in 
Detroit from the time of the first American occu- 
pation ; and there is on file in the Probate Office a 
statement of the first probate case ever passed 
upon in Wayne County. The estate at issue was 
that of Amos Weston, of which John Askin was 
appointed administrator in 1797. This was the 
only case for a whole year. The judges vv'cre 



[189] 



190 



COURT OF GENERAL OUARTER SESSIONS. 



appointed by the governor until Micliigan became a 
State, after which the office was made elective. 
The term is four years. 

Under Michigan Territory a law of January 31. 
1809, authorized the judge of probate to appoint a 
clerk or register. By Act of January 19, 181 1, the 
court was reorganized, and the register was made 
the register of deeds. Further provisions concern- 
ing this court were made by Act of July 27, 18 18. 
On March 27, 1820, the duty of registering deeds 
for Detroit was transferred to the city register, an 
office then first provided for. 

By Act of January 29, 1S35, the office of register 
of probate was abolished, and the duties of the 
office were transferred to the county register of 
deeds, provided for in the same Act. By Act of 
March 12, 1861, the office of register was revived. 
This officer is appointed by the judge, and his 
duties pertain to the keeping of the records of the 
office. Up to the passing of the law of February 
15, 1859, the judge was paid by the fees of the 
office. Since then he has been paid a salary, which 
up to 1880 was $2,750. 

By law of 1879 the salary, after January i, 1881, 
was to be fi.'ced by the Board of Auditors at not less 
than $2,500 nor more than $3,000. Law of April 
29, 1 88 1, fixed the salary at $3,500. 

The probate judges have been as follows: Peter 
Audrain appointed 1796; George McDougall, ap- 
pointed 1809; Charles Earned, appointed November 
26, 1 81 8; W. W. Petit, appointed November 16, 
1825; H. S. Cole, appointed May 3, 1826; J. W. 
Torrey, appointed December 26, 1 829 ; Thos. Row- 
land, appointed July 20, 1S33; B. F. H. Witherell, 
appointed March 7, 1834; Geo. E. Hand, appointed 
October 20, 1835. The following were elected 
under State law: 1837-1840, George A. O'Keefe ; 
1 840-1844, A. S. Williams ; 1 844-1852, C. J. O'Flynn; 
1852-1856, Joseph H. Bagg; 1856-1860, Elijah 
Hawley, Jr.; 1860-1864. w'. P. Yerkes ; 1864-1868, 
H. W. Deare; 1S68-1872, James D. Weir; 1872- 
1876, A. H. Wilkinson; 1876- , E. O. Durfee. 

The registers of probate have been : 181 1-181 2, 
or later, H. H. Hickman; 1814-1816, George Mc- 
Dougall; November 12, 18 16, to September 12,1821, 
Charles Earned ; September 12, 1821, to August 27, 
1827, J. V. R. Ten Eyck ; August 28, 1S27, to 1835, 
P'elix Hinchman ; 1861-1865, John H. Kaple ; 1865- 
1872, H. R. Nowland; 1872, S. D. Craig; 1872- 
1876. E. O. Durfee; 1876-1880, T. B. Jewell; 1880- 
, H. A. Flint. 

COURT OF GENERAL QU.4RTER SESSIONS. 

This court was created on August 23, 1788, and 
the first session in the Northwest Territory was on 
September 9 following. The law provided for ses- 
sions four times a year in each county, and gave the 



court jurisdiction in cases of crimes and misdemean- 
ors where the penalties did not extend to forfeiture 
of life or goods, or imprisonment for over a year. 
The court also laid out townships, ani3 appointed 
the overseers of the poor, the coroners, constables, 
and town clerks. It was composed of justices 
appointed by the governor. ' There was a session in 
Detroit as early as August 4, 1798, presided over by 
Louis Beaufait, James May, and Joseph Voyez. 

At the term of June 2, 1801, the following justices 
were present : Jean M. Beaubien, Geo. McDougall, 
Jacob Visgar, Francis Navarre, and James Henry. 

On March 2, 1802, the following persons sat as 
judges : Jean Marie Beaubien, James Henry, Jacob 
\'isgar, and Chabert Joncaire. LInder the govern- 
ment of Indiana Territory, in May, 1803, James May, 
Francis Navarre, Jean M. Beaubien, James Henry, 
Jacob Visgar, Chabert Joncaire, Antoine Dequindre, 
John Dodemead, and \Vm. McDowell Scott were 
appointed justices of the Court of General Quarter 
Sessions for Wayne County. 

On July 15, 1804, David Duncan and John Ander- 
son were appointed. 

At a session of the court on Tuesday, December 
4, 1804, Justices May, Navarre, Beaubien, Henry, 
Dequindre, \'isgar, Dodemead, Joncaire, and Scott 
were present. 

On November 25, 1817, under Michigan Territory, 
the Court of General Quarter Sessions was reorgan- 
ized to consist of the judges of the County Court 
and the justices of the peace. Sessions were to 
begin on the first Monday in March, June, Septem- 
ber, and December ; and three judges constituted a 
quonuTi. The chief business of the court at this 
time consisted in managing the finances of the 
county. George McDougall was appointed clerk of 
the court November 26, 1S17, and in December of 
the same year a session was held at John McDon- 
nell's house. On May 30, 181 8, the court was 
abolished, and its business transferred to the county 
commissioners. The records of the Court of (leneral 
Quarter Sessions for June 6, 1 805, show that Loudon, 
a black man, was sentenced to " receive thirty-nine 
lashes on his bare back, at five o'clock this' after- 
noon." 

An Act of the Governor and Judges, passed July 
27, 181S, provided that any justice .of the peace 
might order the whipping of " lewd, idle, or dis- 
orderly persons, stubborn servants, common drunk- 
ards, and those who neglect their families, with 
ten stripes, or the hiring of them out for three 
months at the best wages that can be secured, for 
the benefit of the poor fund." The first sale under 
this Act took place at auction about the middle of 
September, 1818, when twenty-eight shillings were 
paid for the services of one bad citizen. In the 
summer of 1821 the services of a drunken white 



COURT OF COMMON PLEAS — COURT U[' CIIANCI'.RY. 



191 



vagabond were bought by a black man for ten days, 
for the sum of one dollar. The whipping was per- 
formed at the old market on Woodward Avenue 
below Jefferson. The law was repealed Marcli 4, 
1831. 

COURT OF COMMON PLE.\S. 

A court thus designated existed under English 
rule; and a law of the Northwest Territory of August 
23, 17S8, provided for the holding of courts of this 
kind, to consist of not less than three or more than 
five persons, to be appointed by the governor. Two 
sessions a year were to be held in each county, with 
power to hear and determine all cases of a civil 
nature. A further law of November 6, 1790, pro- 
vided for four sessions a year. Under these laws 
the first American Court of Common Pleas for the 
Northwest Territory was opened at Marietta, Sep- 
tember 2, 1 788 ; but no business was brought 
before it. 

When this region came under American nile, 
several of the judges under English rule were con- 
tinued in office. In 1796 the court was constituted 
as follows : Louis Beaufait, senior ju.stice ; James 
May, Charles Francis Girardin, Patrick McNiff, and 
Nathan Williams, associate justices. About the 
same time Jonathan SchiefHin became one of the 
associate justices. One of the decisions rendered 
in September, 1797, directed that the "defendant 
should give to the plaintiff .sixteen days' work with- 
out other pay than victuals." As late as 1799 Louis 
Beaufait was chief justice, and McNiff, May, and 
Girardin associate justices. 

At a term of the court on June 8, 1801 , there were 
present Justices May, McNiff, and \'isgar ; and at 
the March Term of 1802, May, Visgar, Joncaire, and 
Henry presided. Peter Audrain was clerk. At the 
September and December sessions of 1802 the 
following names appear : Justices Henry, Joncaire, 
Visgar, and McDougall. 

The sessions of the court were generally hekl in 
the Dodemead house. The Territorial Records of 
Indiana show the appointment in May, 1803, of the 
following judges for Wayne County : James Maj-, 
James Henry, Jacob \'isgar, Chabert Joncaire, John 
Dodemead, and Wm. McDowell Scott. The same 
records show that the following judges and justices 
were appointed on October 24, 1804: James May, 
James Henry, Chabert Joncaire, Jacob Visgar, John 
Dodemead, Wm. McDowell Scott, Francis Navarre, 
Jean Marie Beaubien, Antoine DequLndre, and John 
Anderson. 

The court ceased to exist in i S05, when Michigan 
became a separate Territor>\ 

COURT OF CH.\NCF.RY. 

The law establishing this court took effect July 4, 
1836; its object was to secure rights and afford 



remedies for which no general law provided. Three 
Chancery Courts were created ; the counties of 
Wayne, Monroe, Oakland, Genesee, Saginaw, La- 
peer, Macomb, St. Clair, Mackinaw, and Chippewa 
comprised the first circuit. Sessions were to begin 
on the first Tuesday of February and third Tuesday 
of July, and were held in the old seminary building, 
on the site of the present City Hall. By tlie Revised 
Statutes of 1846, which took effect on March i, 
1847, the court was abolished, and its business 
transferred to the several Circuit Courts, the circuit 
judges sitting, at stated times, as a Court of 
Chancery. 

Elon Farnsworth was the first judge or chancellor 
of the court. He held the office until 1842, and was 
succeeded by Randolph Manning, who continued in 
office till the court was abolished. The clerks or 
registers of the court were : John Winder, 1 836- 
1843; Anthony Ten Eyck, 1843-1S46; Wm. Hale, 
1 846- 1 847. 

In 1838 provision was made for a reporter of 
chancery courts ; E. B. Harrington was appointed, 
and served until August, 1S44. when he was suc- 
ceeded by Henry N. Walker. 

The office of master in chancery was created by 
Act of June 30, 181 8. The appointments were 
made by the governor, and the duties of the office 
were much the same as those of a circuit court com- 
missioner in chancery cases. These officers had 
power to make sales of property and to take testi- 
mony in cases referred to them. The office was 
abolished by the Constitution of 1850. 

The following is a list of masters for Wayne 
County, with the earliest date on which they were 
appointed, some of them being appointed for many 
successive terms: June 22, 181 8, W. W. Petit; 
September 15, 1824, Robert Abbott; July 2, 1828, 
Chas. W. Whipple; March 7, 1834, Geo. E. 
Hand; March 18, 1837, James Churchman; June 
22, 1837, Henry N. Walker; December 30, 1837, 
Anthony Ten Eyck; February 27, 1839, John B. 
Blspham ; March 26, 1S39, E. J. Roberts; April 20, 
1S39, Porter S. Humes; December 12, 1839, Cal- 
\-in C.Jackson; March 21, 1840, Samuel Barstow, 
Jolm S. Abbott, Samuel Pitts, Ebenezer B. Harring- 
ton ; March 31, 1840, p'isher A. Harding; Fcliru- 
ary 12, 1841, John L. Talbot; March 4, 1841, James 
B. Watson, Henry T. Backus; March 9, 1841, 
Walter W. Dalton ; March 27, 1841, Lansing B. 
Mizner, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer; February 14, 
1S42, Elisha Taylor; February 9, 1843, .Andrew 
Har\-ie, E. Smith Lee, Chas. Collins ; February 2 1 , 
1843, George G. Bull ; March 7, 1843, Andrew T. 
McReynolds; March 9, 1843, S. Yorke At Lee, 
David W. Fisk ; April 21, 1S43, Gideon B. Stevens ; 
January 26, 1844, Wm. T. Young; February i, 
1S44, George V. N. Lothrop ; February 12, 1844, 



T92 



COUNTY COURTS.— CIRCUIT COURTS. 



Ebenezer H. Rogers; February 24, 1844, Garwood 
T. Sheldon, George Robb ; March 6, 1844, James 
V. Campbell, Michael E. Ames, Rodney D. Hill ; 
February 28, 1845, John Watson, Fred. H. Harris; 
March 7, 1845, Thos. P. Watson; August 11, 1845, 
Albert Crane; February 7, 1846, Henry A. School- 
craft; March 3, 1846, Levi Bishop; April 13, 1846, 
Edwin A. Wales ; May 1 2, 1846, Samuel G. Watson, 
David A. A. Ensworth; February 21, 1849, Wm. 
Gray ; April 2, 1850, Sears Stevens. 

COUNTY COURT,S. 

An Act of October 24, 181 5, provided for the 
holding of a County Court at Detroit until the Ter- 
ritory should contain another county. By the Act 
one chief justice and two associates were to be 
appointed, and sessions of the court were to begin 
on the first Monday of January and third Monday 
of June. The court was to have e.xclusive cogni- 
zance of all offences not capital. A further Act of 
April 13, 1827, provided that sessions should begin 
on the third Monday in January and June. All 
sessions were held in the Council House. 

By Act of April 1 5, 1833, the court was abolished, 
and the business transferred to the Circuit Courts. 
By Revised Statutes of 1S46, these courts were 
revived, with jurisdiction in all civil and criminal 
actions when the amount in controversy was not 
over $500. The judges were elected for terms of 
four years each, and were to be paid by the fees 
received. The court was abolished by the Consti- 
tution of 1850. 

The following is a complete list of the judges of 
the County Court. Prior to 1846 the date of the 
first appointment only of each judge is given, some 
of them being reappointed at subsequent dates : 

James Abbott, chief justice, appointed October 9, 
181 5. Henry J. Hunt, associate justice, October 9, 
1S15. John R. Williams, associate justice, October 
9. 181 5. John McDonnell, associate justice, January 
17, 1817. John L. Leib, chief justice, June 17, 1822 
Wm. A. Fletcher, chief jiistice, March 25, 1823, 
B. F. H. Witherell, associate justice. May 23, 1823, 
Philip Lecuyer, associate justice, December 23, 1823, 
B. F. H. Witherell, chief justice, June 5, 1824 
Melvin Dorr, associate justice, August 4, 1824. Wnv 
A. Fletcher, chief justice, December 31, 1824, 
Henry Chipman, chief justice, December 19, 1825 
Asa M. Robinson, chief justice, December 28, 1826, 
Shubael Conant, associate justice, April 14, 1827, 
Daniel Le Roy. chief justice, January 18, 1828. Mel- 
vin Dorr, chief justice, June 26, 1828. Peter Desnoy- 
ers, associate ju.stice, June 26, 1828. Henry M. 
Campbell, associate justice, January 18, 1828. John 
McDonnell, chief justice, January 13, 1830. Wm. 
Bartow, associate justice. January 14. 1830. ' Or\'ille 
Cook, associate justice, July 28, 1830. Chas. Moran, 



associate justice, March 4, 1831. James Williams, 
associate justice, March 4, 1831. 

1846 to 1850: county judge, E. Smith Lee; sec- 
ond judge, Cyrus Howard. In 1850 B. F. H. With- 
erell was elected county judge and Cyrus Howard, 
second judge ; but the new constitution, which was 
adopted at the same election, discontinued the 
County Courts, and therefore these judges did not 
enter upon office. 

Thos. Rowland was appointed clerk of the County 
Court on October 9, 181 5. Under law of May 8, 
1820, the offices of county clerk and clerk of the 
County Court were filled by the same person. 



CIRCUIT COURT.S. 

The Act creating the Circuit Court of Wayne 
County was passed December 9, 1800. It provided 
for a court to be held in Wayne County, to begin 
the third Tuesday in May of each year. The chief 
duty of this court was to hear appeals from the 
Court of Common Pleas. The judge was to be ap- 
pointed by the governor. No record can be found of 
the appointment of judges, or the holding of a ses- 
sion of a court created by the Act. 

By Act of April 13, 1827, provision was made, for 
the first time by Michigan Territory, for courts styled 
Circuit Courts. These were to be presided over by 
one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the Ter- 
ritory, and were given jurisdiction in civil cases when 
the amount involved exceeded $1,000. Under the 
Act the County of Wayne was made a circuit, and 
sessions of the court were to begin on the first Mon- 
day of January of each year. 

By Act of March 26, 1836, State Circuit Courts 
were provided for, with jurisdiction practically the 
same as before. The State was divided into three 
circuits, and one of the Supreme Court judges was 
to preside in each circuit. The first circuit included 
the counties of Wayne, Macomb, St. Clair, Lapeer, 
Mackinaw, and Chippewa. 

By Revised Statutes of 1838 the same counties, 
except Lapeer, were embraced in the first circuit. 
By law of March 25, 1840, the State was divided 
into four circuits, and Wayne County alone consti- 
tuted the first circuit. On April 30, 1848, the judges 
were authorized to divide the State into five circuits, 
and on April 8, 1851, the State was divided into 
eight circuits, Wayne County alone being made the 
third circuit. On February 12, 1853, the counties of 
Cheboygan and Emmet were added to the third 
circuit. By law of January 29, 1858, the counties of 
Wayne and Cheboygan became the third circuit, 
and on February 10, 1859, Emmet County was 
again added. On March 27. 1867, Cheboygan and 
Emmet Counties were detached, and Wayne County 
left as the third circuit ; since which time no change 



CIRCUIT COURTS. 



193 



has been made in the territory embraced in this 
circuit. 

By law of March 26, 1836, in addition to the regu- 
larly appointed circuit judge, who acted as chief 
justice, two judges were to be elected for each cir- 
cuit, to serve as associate judges. They were to be 
elected at the general election for terms of four 
years, and to receive three dollars per day. and mile- 
age at the rate of three dollars for each twenty miles 
traveled in going to or from sessions of the court. 
By Revised Statutes of 1846 these two judges were 
discontinued. 

By Constitution of 1850 one circuit judge was to 
be elected on the first Monday of April, 1S51, and 
every si.xth year thereafter. 

In anticipation of an amendment to the constitu- 
tion, which would allow of its being done, an Act of 
June 10, 1 88 1, provided for three judges of the Cir- 
cuit Court for the third circuit, who were to appor- 
tion the business among themselves. After the 
passage of this law and of the amendment, the 
Circuit Court-Room, in the City Hall, was divided 
into two rooms, and one of the jurj'-rooms appro- 
priated for a third court-room, and on January 2, 
1882, the three new courts began. Under the law 
Wm. Jennison and John J. Speed were appointed 
by the governor to sit with Judge Chambers as cir- 
cuit judges. The Act of 1881 provided that the 
State should pay $1,500 to each as part of the salary, 
and that the county might increase the amount to 
$4,000. Accordingly the Board of Auditors, in 
October, 1881, resolved that for the year 1882 the 
sum of $1,500 should be paid in addition to the State 
salary, and in 1S82 they fixed the additional salary 
for 1883 at $2,000. 

Since Act of March 26, 1869, an official reporter 
has been connected with the court ; he is appointed 
by the governor, and paid an annual salary of $2,000. 

By law of March 26, 1836, the sessions of the 
Circuit Court, including Wayne County, were to 
begin on the first Monday of .A.pril and October. 
On July 26 of the same year the time was changed 
to the third Tuesday of May and November. By 
Revised Statutes of 1 838 the court sessions were to 
begin on the fourth Tuesday of April, August, and 
December. On February 8, 1839, the .\ugust Term 
was abolished, and a law of April 19 of the same 
year, provided that sessions should begin on the 
fourth Tuesday of April and first Tuesday after 
second Monday of November. By Act of March 
25, 1840, sessions were to be held in Wayne County 
beginning on the first Tuesday of May, and also on 
the second Tuesday after the first Monday in No- 
vember. By Revised Statutes of 1846, the circuit 
judges were to fix the time of terms for 1 846, and 
for every two years thereafter ; since then the terms 
have ranged all through the calendar. 



In 1883 terms began on the first Monday of Jan- 
uary, March, May, and November, and third Mon- 
day of September. 

Formerly the Circuit Court jurors were selected 
by the township supervisors and town clerk and by 
the assessor and aldermen of Detroit, from among 
tax-payers, not less than one person for every- 
one hundred persons being selected, nor more than 
four hundred in all, one half as petit, and one half 
as grand jurors. Under law of May 20, 1881, six 
jury commissioners, three each from city and county, 
were appointed by the governor, to select names 
for jurors. They serve without pay, except mileage. 
The first appointments were for terms of two, four, 
and six years each. Subsequent appointments were 
authorized to be made at every regular legislative 
session, for terms of six years each from April i. 
These commissioners select from the assessment 
rolls in the county treasurer's office the same 
number of names that were provided for under 
former laws. The county clerk writes all the names 
on slips of paper, of uniform color and size, and 
makes two separate packages of them for each 
town and supervisor's district, one package to con- 
taui the names for grand jurors, and the other 
those for petit jurors. From these packages the 
county clerk, in presence of the sheriff and two jus- 
tices, draws out the names of twenty-four jurors. 
The clerk puts in a jury box, one at a time, the names 
from each town or ward, and, after shaking them 
well together, draws out one name, then the box is 
emptied, and the names returned to the packages 
from which they were taken. The names from 
another town, or ward, are then put in, and this 
process is repeated until the jury is full. Jurors are 
paid $2 per day. 

Under territorial rule, sessions of the court were 
held at the old Council House and in the Capitol. 
The State Court met in the City Hall, from 1836 
to 1844, and for one year in the Williams Build- 
ing on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Bates 
Street. The county then erected the building on 
the southeast corner of Griswold and Congress 
Streets ; the county offices were located in the first 
story, and a court-room was provided above. The 
building had a frontage of thirty-two feet on Gris- 
wold Street, and eighty feet on Congress. It was 
completed on Monday, June 9, 1845, and delivered 
over by the contractors to the county auditors, and 
at ten o'clock of that day the District Court for the 
County commenced its sessions therein. Previous 
to the opening of the court, at a meeting of the 
members of the Bar, A. W. Buel, prosecuting attor- 
ney, offered the following resolution, which was 
unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, that the thanks of the Bar of Detroit be tendered to 
Messrs. Win. E, Hunt and John Farrar, tjie committee appointed 



194 



DISTRICT CRIMINAL COURT. 



to superintend the construction of the new Court House of this 
county, and also to Messrs. Henry E. Perry and Charles Jackson, 
contractors and builders, for its tasteful and commodious arrange- 
ment, neatness, and simplicity of style, and its permanent and 
substantial character as a public and fireproof building. 

The building was used for the sessions of the 
District, County, and Circuit Courts, until the com- 
pletion of the new City Hall. The march of im- 
provement left the building in the rear, and it was 
sold to private parties, who tore it down. On May 
31, 1871, the Bar of the city held their last and 




Former County Building, southwest corner Griswold 
AND Congress Streets. 

commemorative meeting within its walls, and a sup- 
per was served. The work of tearing down the 
building was commenced on June 14, 1871. 

The judges of the Circuit Court have been as 
follows: 1837-1844, George Morell; 1844-1847,0. 
Goodwin; 1 847-1 8 5 1, W. Wing ; 1851-1857, S. T. 
Douglass; 1857-1S67, B. F. H. Witherell ; 1S67 and 



1868, C. I. Walker; 1869, H. B. Brown ; 1S70-1876, 
Jared Patchin; 1876 to November I, 1879, C. J. 
Reilly; November i, 1879 to 1882, F. H. Chambers; 
1882 to , F. H. Chambers, J. J. Speed, Wm. 
Jennison. 

The associate judges of the Circuit Court were : 
1837-1841, Cyrus Howard, Charles Moran ; 1841, 
R. T. Elliott, Eli Bradshaw ; 1842-1845, Eli Brad- 
shaw, E. Farnsworth ; 1S45-1S47, J. H. Bagg, J. 
Gunning. 

By Act of 1836 the judges of Circuit Courts 
appointed the clerks of the Circuit Courts, but by 
the Constitution of 1850 the coimty clerk became 
clerk of the court. 

The following persons served as clerks of the 
First Circuit prior to 1850: 1836. Jolin Winder; 
1S37-1841, Charles Peltier; 1841-1843. Theodore 
Williams; 1 843-1845, Geo. R. Griswold ; 1845 and 
1846, A. Ten Eyck ; 1847 and 1848. D. C. Hol- 
brook ; 1S49 and 1850, Silas A. Bagg. 

DISTRICT CRIMIX.A.L COURT. 

This court, established by law of February 27, 
1840, for Wayne County only, was created solely to 
try criminal cases. The judge was appointed by 
the governor, and the associate judges of Circuit 
Courts were to sit as associates. Four terms were 
held yearly, beginning on the first Tuesday of 
March, June, September, and December. It was 
abolished by Act of March 9, 1843, and a new law 
passed, providing District Criminal Courts for the 
State ; Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Jackson 
Counties forming a district. B. F. H. Witherell was 
judge of this district during the existence of these 
courts, which were abolished by Act of April 3, 1 848, 
the exclusi\-e jurisdiction of criminal cases being 
then given to the county courts. 



CHAPTER XXXIII, 



MAYOR'S COURT.— RECORDER'S COURT.— POLICE COURT. — SUPERIOR COURT.- 
COMMISSIONERS.— JUSTICES.— NOTARIES.— LAWYERS.— DETROIT 

BAR LIBRARY. 



• M.WOR'S COURT. 

The city charter of August 5, 1824, provided that 
the mayor, recorder, and aldermen, or any three of 
them, might hold a court to try offences against city 
laws and ordinances, and gave tliem the power of 
justices of the peace. The court was to be lield on 
the second Monday of each month, and to continue 
three days. In later years sessions were held at such 
times as the council agreed upon, and two of the 
aldermen were designated, from time to time, to sit 
with the mayor. Many times the sessions were 
little more than a farce. The court would tine or 
imprison, and the parties sentenced would petition 
the Common Council, and be released, or have their 
fines remitted. 

On June 24, 1820, John Van Alter, confined in jail 
for riotous conduct, was released on giving his note 
for five dollars and thirty-seven cents, amount of 
costs and charges " payable to supervisor " in labor 
for use of the corporation. 

An amendment to the charter of the city, on June 
29, 1S32, gave the council power to compel convicts 
to work on the streets, with ball and chain attached. 
In August, 1836, several prisoners escaped while 
thus laboring, and on August 19, 1837, the practice 
was ordered discontinued. Two years later, on June 
18, 1839, the street commissioner was authorized to 
employ persons in jail, under sentence, to work on 
streets, and they were to be credited the usual prices 
for labor, their earnings to be applied to the pay- 
ment of their fines and costs. As late as 1 843 pris- 
oners were so employed. 

In 1857 the court was superseded by the Re- 
corder's Court. 

recorder's court. 
The office of recorder was created by the charter 
of 1824. The incumbent was to perform the duties 
of the mayor, in case of his absence, sickness, or 
death. By law of 1846 the mayor was to preside 
over the Mayor's Court only when the recorder was 
unable to do .so, and from that date the office of 
recorder was chiefly judicial. Up to 1849 the ap- 
pointments were made by the council, but after that 
date the office was elective. 



The following persons sen-ed as recorders : 
1824 and 1825, A. G.Whitney; 1826, J. Kearsley; 

1827, E. P. Hastings; 1828, B. F. H. Witherell ; 

1829, Joseph Torrey; 1830, A. S. Porter; 1831, H. 

S. Cole; 1832 and 1833, E. A. Brush; 1834, A. S. 

Porter; 1835, H. Chipman; 1836, A. D. Eraser; 

1837, Ross Wilkins; 1838, E. A. Brush; 1839, A. 

D. Eraser; 1840 and 1842, B. F. H. Witherell; 
1843, E. S. Lee; 1844, A. S. Williams; 1845-1848, 

E. A. Brush; 1848, J. F. Joy; 1S49, M. J. Bacon; 
1850, D. E. Harbaugh; 1851 and 1S52, J. H. Bagg; 
1853, G. V. N. Lothrop; 1854, W. A. Cook; 1855- 
1858, H. A. Morrow. 

By the almost entirely new charter of February 
5, 1857, the Recorder's Court took the place of 
the Mayor's Court, with jurisdiction in all cases of 
offences against the provisions of the city charter 
and ordinances, and in all cases of criminal offences 
against State law committed in Detroit, over which 
the police justice had not jurisdiction ; also jurisdic- 
tion in all matters pertaining to the opening of 
streets and alleys, with some other special powers. 
The law creating this court took effect on Janu- 
ary 13, 1858, but the first session of the court was 
not held until February i following. Sessions of 
this court have always been held in the City Hall. 
By Act of March 12, 1861, the judge was to be 
elected every si.x years. Act of April 4, 1873, 
proxnded for the employment of a stenographer, 
and a subsequent Act of March 26, 1875, defined 
fully his powers, duties, and salary. Originally 
elected at the annual city election, under Act of 
February 18, 1875, the election of judge of the 
Recorder's Court takes place on the first Monday 
of April. The salary' of the recorder is $4,000, part 
of which is paid by the State, as many offences 
against State law come before this court. The clerk 
and deputy clerk of the court are appointed by the 
judge for terms of two years. Lists of sLx hun- 
dred jurors for this court are yearly selected by jury 
commissioners, in the same way as for the Circuit 
Court ; slips with the names are then placed in a 
jury-box, and the clerk, in presence of the judge and 
sheriff, under a standing order from the judge, draws 
out fifty names of petit jurors for each of the twelve 
L195] 



196 



POLICE COURT.— SUPERIOR COURT. 



terms ; out of these, on account of numerous exemp- 
tions, only a sufficient number of jurors is obtained. 
The lists of jurors for street-opening cases are se- 
lected by the assessors, clerk of the court, and 
sheriff from among the freeholders ; three hundred 
names being selected, the jurors are drawn in the 
same way as for other cases. Jurors' fees in this 
court are $2 per day. 

The judges of Recorder's Court have been: From 
January 13, 185S, to August 18, 1862, Henry A. 
Morrow; August i8, 1862, to January 16, 1864, B. 
F. H. Witherell, acting judge ; January 16, 1864, to 
May 16, 1S64, Benjamin F. Hyde; May 16, 1864,10 
November 19, 1866, B. F. H. Witherell, acting 
judge; November 19, 1866, to , George S. 

Swift. 

Up to 1864 the city clerk was also the clerk of 
the Recorder's Court. Since 1864 the clerks have 
been as follows : 1864-1874, J. T. Meldrum ; 1S74- 
1S77, A. I. McLeod ; 1877- , George H. Lesher. 
Deputy clerks: 1873-1877, Geo. H. Lesher; 1S77- 
, Charles R. Bagg. 

POLICE COURT. 

This court was established by Act of April 2, 
1850, and is held daily. In case of any violation of 
State law committed in Detroit in which a justice of 
the peace would have jurisdiction, the police justice 
has power to conduct the examination, and dis- 
charge, or bind ov-er to the Recorder's Court ; he 
has also jurisdiction in such cases of violation of 
city ordinances as the Common Council shall, by 
ordinance, confer upon him ; in some cases it is 
made his duty, on conviction, to sentence guilty 
parties to the House of Correction. He is elected 
at the regular charter election in November, for 
terms of four years. Jurors in this court are obtained 
in much the same manner as in justices' courts, six 
persons composing a jury. 

By Act of February 17, 1857, the police justice 
had power to appoint a clerk, but by Act of March 
20, 1863, this power was lodged with the Common 
Council. Since 1861 the council has yearly ap- 
pointed one of the regular justices of the peace as 
assistant police justice, to act in case of the sickness 
or absence of the elected justice. 

No one of the other courts has been moved about 
as much as this one. Originally holding its sessions 
at the office of the police justice, at number 96 Jef- 
ferson Avenue, in 1852 it was moved to the Me- 
chanics' Hall on Griswold Street. On March 15, 
1861, a fire partially burned this building, and on 
March 18 sessions of the court began to be held in 
the Congregational Church on Jefferson Avenue. 
The county auditors growing negligent in paying 
for this building, Justice Bagg received notice to 
quit, and not being able at once to find suitable 



quarters, on August 6 and 7, 186 1, he held sessions of 
the court under the poplar trees, on the site of the 
present City Hall, and near Michigan Avenue. The 
court was next held in the council-chamber of the 
City Hall, remaining there until the court-room, on 
northwest corner of Clinton and Paton Streets, was 
built. This building was first occupied in January*, 
1863. 

It being necessary to enlarge the court-room, the 
court held sessions at Lafayette Hall, on Gratiot 
Avenue, near St. Antoine Street, from December 10, 
1S78, until February 22, 1879, when it took posses- 
sion of the enlarged court-room, in the old location 
on Clinton Street. 

After the establishment of the Metropolitan Police 
in 1865, it was deemed desirable to pro\ide for the 
summary trial of persons arrested for vagrancy, 
drunkenness, or disorderly conduct, as violators of 
city ordinances. Accordingly, on April i, 1866, the 
Common Council established the Central Station 
Court, which was held at 7 a. w. by the police justice 
daily, up to the passage of ordinance of April 3, 
1S78, after which time it opened at 8 a.m. The 
city charter of 1 883 made no provision for the con- 
tinuation of this court, and on October 23, 1883, the 
Supreme Court decided that its continuance was 
illegal, and its sessions ceased. The salao" of the 
police justice was then increased from ^,400 to 
$3,000, and that of the clerk from $1,200 to $1,750. 
with the understanding that the class of persons 
formerly tried in a summary manner should be tried 
at a regular session of the court. 

The following persons served as police justices 
for the years named: 1850-1853, P. C. Higgins; 
1853-1862, B. Rush Bagg; 1862-1866, Minot T. 
Lane; 1 866-1 870, Julius Stoll ; 1 870-1 873, Albert 
G. Boynton; 1873-1878, U. E. Harbaugh; 1878- 
, John Miner. 

The assistant police justices have been as fol- 
lows: 1S61, H. H. Swinscoe ; 1862-1S63, E. Fecht ; 
1866-1869, Joseph Kuhn; 1869, S. B. McCracken; 
1S70, Peter Guenther ; 1871-1872, F. Krecke ; 1873, 
F. J. Barbier ; 1874. Albert Scheu ; 1875-1876, F. J. 
Barbier ; 1877-1S78, Peter Guenther; 1879-1S80, 
Felix A. Lempkie; 18S1, C. H. Borgman , 1882- 
, D. B. Willemin. 

The following have ser\-ed as clerks of the Police 
Court: 1857-1S61, P. McLogan; 1S62, P. B. Austin; 
1863-1866, H. A. Schmittdiel ; 1866-1867, Peter 
Guenther; 1868, Henry Ulrich; 1869, E. E. Kane; 
1870, J. H. Daly; 1871-1877, Frank A. Noah; 
1877, L. D. Sale; 1878, James Daly; 1879-1882, 
Edwin Jerome, Jr.; 1882- , P. J. Sheahan. 

SUPERIOR COURT. 

This court was established by Acts of March 28, 
1S73, and February 4, 1875, and the first formal 



COMMISSIONERS.— JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



197 



session was held on June 11, 1873. The chief fea- 
tures in the jurisdiction of this court are as follows : 
Civil actions of a transitory nature, where the debt 
damages exceed §100, may be brought before it; 
and suits concerning titles to, possession of, or 
damages to any real estate in the city, and all 
actions for foreclosure of mortgages in the city, may 
be tried in this court : and in several particulars it 
has the same jurisdiction as the Circuit Court. Its 
first sessions were held in what is known as the Seitz 
Block, but in December. 1S77, it was moved to the 
Mechanics" Block, on the corner of Lafayette .Avenue 
and Griswold Street, the city taking a lease of five 
years at Si.ooo a year. The first session was held 
there January 22, 1877. On March i, 1883, the 
court began to use temporarily the council chamber 
in the City Hall, where it remained imtil .March 14, 
when it began to occupy its new quarters in the 
Central Market Building. 

Under the original law the jurors were selected 
by the judge, clerk, and sheriff ; they are now 
selected by the jury commissioners. The fee of 
jurors is $2 per day. The salary of the judge is 
$4,000 per year. The county pays §1,500 towards 
the salary of the judge, and the city pays all the 
other expenses except the jury fees, which, since 
1879, have been paid by the county. 

The term for which the judge is elected is six 
years. The term of the first judge, Lyman Cochrane, 
began May i, 1873, and terminated with his death 
in February, 1S79. Judge Swift, of the Recorder's 
Court, filled the vacancy until the election in April, 
when J. Logan Chipman was chosen. By the Act 
of 1873 the county clerk was made the clerk of the 
court. By amended Act of 1875 the clerk and 
deputy clerk were to be appointed by the judge for 
terms of two years, dating from January', 1876. 
Walter S. Harsha was the first clerk, serving till 
November 12, 1S78, when George F. Robison was 
appointed ; on June i, 1S79, h^ ^'^ succeeded by J. 
B. Moloney. 

COMMISSIONER.S. 

Commissioners of Bail were provided for by law 
of November 13, 1820, and the records show that 
the following appointments were made : 1S21, Janu- 
ary' 16, Charles C. Trowbridge ; 1826, February 15, 
John Winder. The powers of this office were even- 
tually transferred to the circuit court commissioners, 
and justices of the peace. 

The office of circuit court commissioner was cre- 
ated March 9, 1843, ^nd the powers belonging to it 
make the incumbents judges, and their office a court- 
room. A commissioner has power to determine 
the rights of either landlord or tenant, when the 
title to the property is not involved ; and such cases 
make a large share of the business brought before 



him. He may take bail in suits instituted to re- 
cover penalties or damages for any wrong or injur)', 
the amount of which is not fully known, and may 
determine the amount of bail to be given, and the 
sufficiency of the surety. By Act of April 3, 1869, 
the power of issuing writs of habeas corpus was 
taken from these officers. 

Under Act of 1843 one commissioner was ap- 
pointed for the county, by the governor and Senate. 
By law of April 2, 1850, two for each county, to 
serve for four years each, might be appointed. By 
Act of April 8, 1 85 1, the governor was authorized to 
appoint an additional commissioner for \\'a)Tie 
County, to serve till January i, 1853. By Act of 
Febmary 14, 1S53, the governor was again author- 
ized to appoint an additional commissioner, who was 
to serve until January', 1S55, when two, which the 
same Act pro\'ided should be elected in November, 
1S54, were to enter upon their duties. 

The commissioners are paid entirely by fees ; 
they ser\-e for two years, and are elected at the 
same time as other county officers. They have 
been as follows: 1 843-1 846, E. Smith Lee; 1846- 
1850, Elisha Taylor; 1S50 and 1S51, George Robb, 
W. T. Young; 1852, George Robb, D. A. A. Ens- 
worth, A. Mandell; 1853 and 1854, D. A. A. Ens- 
worth, A. Mandell, W. T. Young; 1855 and 1856, 
D. A. A. Ensworth, R. H. Brown ; 1857 and 1858, 
T. S. Blackmar, R. H. Brown; 1859 and i860, T. S. 
Blackmar, G. H. Prentis; 1861 and 1862, F. B. 
Porter, Ervin Palmer; 1863 and 1864, T. S. Black- 
mar, G. H. Prentis; 1865-1866, G. H. Prentis, T. 
K. Gillett; 1S67, T. K. Gillett, W. S. .Atwood ; 
1868, B. T. Prentis, T. K. Gillett; 1869- 1873, B. T. 
Prentis, E. Minnock; 1873 and 1874, G. H. Penni- 
man, Henr\- Plass, Jr. ; 1875 and 1876, J. A. Ran- 
dall, J. H. Pound ; 1877 and 1878, J. A. Randall, D. 
B. Hibbard; 1879 and 1880, J. A. Randall. H. F. 
Chipman; 1S81- , Charles Flowers, W. J. Craig. 



JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. 

No office is older than this. It existed under 
English law, and was established in Northwest 
Territory August 23, 1788. On August 19, 1796, 
about a month after the first occupation of Detroit 
by the L'nited States, Winthrop Sargent, acting 
governor of the Northwest Territorj-, commissioned 
several justices for Wayne County. 

Under the Territory of Michigan, by Act of 
September 16, 18 10, the jurisdiction of justices was 
enlarged, and at the present time, with the exception 
of some causes specially reserved from their juris- 
diction, they have original jurisdiction in all civil 
actions where the debt or damage does not exceed 
Sioo, and also the same jurisdiction that the 
Superior and Circuit Courts have in civil actions, 



igS 



NOTARIES. 



growing out of definite or implied contracts, where 
the debt or damage does not exceed $300. 

Under territorial rule justices were appointed by 
the governor. By the Constitution of 1835 each 
township was authorized to elect four justices, to 
serve for four years, and by Act of March 14, 1836, 
Detroit, as a township, was directed to elect si.\ 
instead of four justices. 

The city charter, as amended on March 27, 1839, 
directed that justices of the peace should be elected 
at the same time as city officers. 

The Revised Statutes of 1846 provided that De- 
troit should have four justices of the peace, and on 
February 5, 1857, the new charter provided for the 
election of si.x justices, to serve for three years each. 
A law of April 25, 1883, provided that after July, 
1 884, there should be but three justices of the peace 
for the city instead of six, all to be elected at regu- 
lar charter elections, and paid a salary of $1,500 
each by the county. They had been paid solely by 
fees. The law also provided that the county auditor 
should supply rooms and necessary furniture, books, 
etc. A clerk is also provided for, at a salary of 
$1,000. 

Jurors for Justices' Courts may be selected from 
property holders by the constable. Eighteen names 
being obtained, each party may strike out six names, 
and the remaining six form the jury. Jurors are 
paid fifty cents per day. 

The following list of the earlier justices in Wayne 
County and Detroit will preserve the name and 
memory of many citizens. The date of appoint- 
ment given is the earliest date found ; many of the 
persons were reappointed, or elected to the same 
office, from time to time. After 1880 the names of 
Detroit justices are given year by year : 

1796, Robert Navarre, James May, James Abbott, 
Louis Beaufait, Joseph Noyer, Francis Navarre, 
Nathan Williams; 1799, P. McNiff ; 1805, Peter 
Audrain, J. Dodemead, Stanley Griswold, Antoine 
Dequindre, Richard Smyth, Robert Abbott, James 
Henry, Wm. McD. Scott, Matthew Ernest; 181 1, 
Louis Bond ; 1814, George McDougall ; i8i6, Thos. 
Rowland, David B. McComb ; 1817, John L. Leib; 
181 8, John McDonnell ; 1820, James D. Doty, John 
Sturgis, John J. Deming ; 1821, Jacob Visger; 
1822, Wm. W. Petit, John A. Rucker ; 1823, V. 
Spalding, Benj. Woodruff; 1824, Wm. Bucklin, 
John Burbank, B. F. H. Witherell ; 1825, O. W. 
Whitmore, Elisha W. Ramsey, Orville Cook, Ama- 
riah Ransom, Selak Neale ; 1826. H. S. Cole; 1827, 
Jonathan Kearsley, Joseph Baron, Joseph Hickcox, 
Prosper Lawrence; 1828, J. D. Davis, B. F. Fox, 
Wm. Bartow, Seth Dunham, Philo Taylor, David 
Smith, Marcus Swift, Ellis Doty, Daniel Goodell, 
Wm. Little, Joel Thomas; 1829, Martin Clark; 
1830, D. R. Rose, A. McNath, Matthew Wood, 



Nathaniel Case, Jed Hunt, Alva Swift, J. F. Chubb, 
I^odman Stoddard, Henry Sprague, Artemas Hos- 
mer, A. C. Truax ; 1831, Ara Sprague, Matthew 
Woods, Benajah Holbrook, Roswell Root, H. D. 
Holbrook, Wm. Yerkes, Eli Bradshaw ; 1832, Levi 
Williams, C. S. Hooker, D. L. Cody, G. W. Fer- 
rington, R. D. Smith, John 'Kirby ; 1833, Samuel 
Torbert, Henry Chipman, Asher B. Bates, John W. 
Strong, Juba Barrows, Peter Van Every; 1834, 
Jason Tyler, T. E. Schooler, Levi Farnsworth, Phi- 
lander Bird, Thos. Harper, Hiram Wilmarth, James 
Safford, Ezra Derby, Paul Rice, Cyrus Howard, 
Russell Ransom, Ammon Brown; 1835, A. A. Bird, 
Marshall J. Bacon, L S. Saunders, Chas. J. Ir\'ing, 
Lambert Beaubien, Thos. Lewis, John Simpson, 
Titus Dort, J. F. PuUen, Hiram Whitman, Warren 
Tuttle, David Cable, H. A. Noyes, Amos Stevens. 
Amna Bradford, John Fairbanks. Nathaniel Case, 
John Clark, Thos. Downs, Claude Campau, Martin 
Greenman. E. J. Roberts, D. W. Smead ; 1837, D. 
E. Harbaugh, B. F. H. Witherell, L. Goodell, C. 
Moran, H. V. Disbrow ; 1840, S. Conant, Ezra 
Williams; 1841, Peter Desnoyers ; 1S42, G. A. 
O'Keefe ; 1843, Thos. Williams, J. B. Watson; 
1844, Hugh O'Beirne, Wm. T. Young, F. H. Harris ; 
1846. George Clancy; 1847, Chas. Peltier; 1848, 
Wm. Cook; 1849, Thos. Christian; 1850, Wm. 
Walker; 1852, B. Rush Bagg, J. J. Cicotte ; 1853, 
G. Spencer; 1855, Elisha Chase, Henry Chase; 

1856, M. T. Lane. S. P. Purdy, G. B. Ensworth ; 

1857, Stephen Martin ; 1859, Eugene Fecht; i860, 
Joseph Kuhn, Julius Stoll; 1861, H. H. Swinscoe ; 
1863. John Fuller, T. McCarthy; 1866, S. B. Mc- 
Cracken, P. B. Austin ; 1S69. Alois Wuerth, l^eter 
Guenther; 1870, A. Ladue. A. Stutte ; 1871, Florens 
Krecke, F. J. Barbier; 1872, Herman Kuhn, J. O. 
Melick. H. Z. Potter; 1873, Albert .Scheu ; 1874, S. 
J.Martin; 1876, D. B. Brown, F. A. Lemkie, A. 
G. Comstock; 1878, Alexander Toll, John Weber; 
1880, S. D. Craig, John Pattern, D. Sheehan, C. H. 
Borgman; 1 88 1, John Weber, S. D. Craig, John 
Patton, D. Sheehan, C. H. Borgman, D. B. Willc- 
min ; 1882, F. A. Lemkie, S. D. Craig. John Patton, 
D. .Sheehan, C. H. Ikirgman, D. B. Willeniin ; 1SS3, 
the same as in 1882, with the exception of Walter 
Ross in place of S. D. Craig. 

Under the law of 1883 the following justices will 
remain in office after July. 1884: D. B. Willemin, 
whose term expires in July. 1SS5; F. A. Lemkie, 
whose term expires in July, 1886; and W. Ross, 
whose term expires in July, 1887. One justice will 
be elected in the fall of 1S84. 

NOT.^RIES. 

Under the Northwest Territory notaries were ap- 
pointed by the governor. In January, 1799, F. D. 
Bellecour was appointed by A\'inthrop Sargent. 



LAWYERS.— DETROIT BAR LIBRARY. 



199 



Notaries are now appointed by the governor and 
Senate. Their number is not limited ; their com- 
missions hold good for four years, and they are paid 
solely by fees received. Their power consists in 
taking depositions of parties who wish, under oath, 
to confirm any statement they may make, taking 
acknowledgments of deeds, mortgages, sealed in- 
struments of any kind, and issuing notices of pro- 
test for non-payment of notes. 

LAWYERS. 

The members of the legal profession are chiefly 
congregated on Griswold Street. Whole blocks in 
this vicinity are fitted up with offices and suites of 
rooms especially for their accommodation, provided 
with every convenience in the way of elevators, 
vaults, and steam-heating apparatus. Among the 
buildings devoted chiefly to lawyers' offices are the 
Moffat, Miller, Buhl, Seitz. Burns, Lewis, Butler, 
Telegraph, and Mechanics' Blocks, and the New- 
berr)- and McMillan and Campau Buildings. 

By law of Northwest Territory the power to grant 
the privilege of practicing law was vested in the 
governor. 

By law of Michigan Territory, of February 23, 
1809, attorneys were to be licensed only by the 
judges of the Supreme Court. A law of October i, 

1820, provided that any two judges of the Supreme 
Court might admit to practice. On August 31, 

1 82 1, a legislative Act was passed admitting S. B. 
Beach to practice as an attorney. 

At the present time, under State law, persons of 
good moral character, resident in the State, and 
twenty-one years of age, are admitted to practice in 
the several courts, upon passing a satisfactory e.\- 
amination before the court, or, as is usually the case, 
before a committee appointed for this purpose by 
the court. 

A large number of the lawyers are united in an 
organization called " The Association of the Bar of 
the City of Detroit," established under an Act of 
the Legislature, on May 10, 1881. The following 
original officers were still ser\-ing in 1883 : President, 
Theodore Romeyn ; Secretary," H. M. Cheever ; 
Treasurer, Robert P. Toms. 

Not a few pungent anecdotes could be told con- 
cerning members of the Detroit Bar. Of the many 
brilliant and witty retorts that have relieved the 
tedium of court cases, the following will serve as a 
specimen : A case was on trial in the Circuit Court, 
and each side was present with a formidable array 
of attorneys and counsel. The late A. D. Eraser 
was to make the closing argument for the defence. 
He commenced by saying that he had listened with 
care to all the evidence, had examined all the points 
of law, and digested the facts in the case ; and 
having done so, he felt fully acquainted with its 



merits, — so fully, indeed, that he was willing to 
represent it, and in fact he stood as the light bower 
of the defence. Turning to the then young attor- 
ney on the opposing side (James V. Campbell) he 
said, " Perhaps my young Sunday School friend 
does not know what the right bower is .'" " Oh 
yes," said the present judge of the Supreme Court, 
" we know what it is ; it 's the biggest knave in the 
pack." 

DETROIT BAR LIBRARY. 

The nucleus of a Bar Library must have been 
formed as early as May 1 9, 1 838, as a vote of the 
Common Council, on that date, gave a room in the 
City Hall, as a consultation and library room, to the 
" Bar of the City of Detroit." The ne.xt effort was 
made on December 15, 1851 ; a meeting of lawyers 
was then held, and on motion of G. V. N. Lothrop 
a committee of five vv'as appointed to consider the 
subject of establishing a law library. The commit- 
tee apparently never reported, and finally, on July 
6, 1853, a paper, evidently drawn up by Judge C..J. 
O'Flynn, was circulated among the lawyers, asking 
for subscriptions of one hundred dollars each 
towards a fund for the purchase of books, and 
authorizing Judge O'Flynn to draw up Articles of 
Association for a Bar Library. Geo. E. Hand, C. J. 
O'Flynn, G. V. N. Lothrop, C. L Walker, T. W. 
Lockwood, Levi Bishop, and Wm. Gray united in 
calling a meeting, and the Association was organized 
on July 21. 1853. A constitution was adopted, the 
provisions of which fi.xed the capital stock at 
$15,000, to be represented by one hundred and fifty 
shares, at one hundred dollars per share. The fol- 
lowing were the first officers : President, Geo . E.- 
Hand ; Treasurer, T. W. Lockwood ; Secretary, J. 
V. Campbell ; Librarian, Sears Stevens. 

A room in the rotunda was rented, and the 
library duly established. The number of books at 
commencement was estimated at about six hundred 
volumes, valued at $3,000. At a meeting of the 
stockholders on July 13, 1867, it appeared that the 
cash valuation of the library was §8,437.67, subject 
to a debt of §2.000, due to A. S. Bagg for books. 
At this meeting the stock was equalized among the 
stockholders, according to the amount each had paid 
in ; and soon afterwards twenty-two shares of stock 
were issued, for the purpose of paying debts and 
furnishing more books. In July, 1868, the librar)- 
was removed to the Buhl Block, on the southwest 
corner of Griswold and Congress Streets. 

On October 5, 1868, Judge Hand resigned the 
presidency, which he had held since 1853, and Chas. 
I. Walker was elected in his place. On February 
14, 1874, Mr. Walker resigned, and H. K. Clarke was 
elected. In 1876 Ashley Pond became president. 

In 1871 the library was removed to the Seitz 



200 



DETROIT BAR LIBRARY. 



Building, fronting on Congress Street, and in 1880 
to ttie Newberry and McMillan Building. 

On January 3, 1874. the shelves contained 3,163 
volumes, valued at $14,000. It was then decided 
that at least $2,500 was necessary to perfect the 
sets, and forty new shares of stock were ordered to 
be issued. The yearly dues, payable quarterly, in 
January, April, July, and October, are as follows : 
ten dollars for attorneys of less than two years' 
standing ; twenty dollars for attorneys of over two, 
and not exceeding four years' standing ; thirty-five 
dollars for attorneys of over four, and not exceeding 
eight years' standing ; all others sixty dollars ; for 
law firms of two members, sixty per cent for the 
second member ; for law firms of three members, 
one hundred per cent for the two additional per- 



sons, — the rate to be added to be determined by the 
standing of the oldest member of the firm. A divi- 
dend of not more than six per cent is allowed stock- 
holders. The capital stock and shares remain as 
fixed at the time of organization, and about one 
hundred and twenty shares are paid for. 

The yearly expenses of management are about 
$1,100. The annual meeting is held on the last 
Monday in January of each year, at 10 A. M. 

The library is open from eight in the morning to 
half-past twelve, and from two to half-past five in 
the afternoon, each week day. Miss Helen Norton 
has been librarian since January, 1876. 

Law libraries, for the special benefit of themselves 
and their tenants, were established in 1880 by the 
owners of the Buhl and Mechanics' Blocks. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



MORALS.— CITY MARSHALS. 



POLICE.— SHERIFFS.— PROSIXUTING ATTORNEYS.- 
CONSTABLES. 



MORALS. 

Like any other settlement of a semi-military- 
character, the morals of Detroit, almost from the 
first, needed some mending. On June 14, 1704, 
Count Pontchartrain, in a letter to Cadillac, said, " I 
recommend that you have a care that the service of 
God be conducted with decency, and that debauch- 
ery' and blasphemy be banished from the post, and 
ever)lhinj^ be conducted in order." From the gen- 
eral tenor of Cadillac's letters there can be no doubt 
that he endeavored to carry out the spirit of these 
suggestions ; but there were men continually hover- 
ing about, and occasionally, for a length of time, 
inhabiting the post, whose presence made impossible 
the pre\'ention of disorder. The coumirs dc bois 
were, in the majority of cases, guilty of every ex- 
cess: profane, licentious, and drunken, they made a 
business of corrupting the savages, and it was well- 
nigh impossible to control their actions. 

The \-arious wars in which the settlement bore a 
part aggravated all e-xisting moral disorder. The 
War of 1 81 2 was especially detrimental and dis- 
turbing. Many, in both armies, were reckless and 
dissipated to a degree that would not now be toler- 
ated. In 1817 the Rev. Mr. Monteith said, "The 
profaneness of the soldiers exceeds anything I ever 
imagined. There is no Sabbath in this countr)'." 
Rev. Dr. Alfred Branson, who was here in 1822, 
confirmed the general statement of Mr. Monteith , 
he said : 

When I first came to the place, Sunday markets were as com- 
mon as week-day ones. The French brought in their meats, 
fowls, vegetables, etc., on Sunday as regularly as on week-days, 
.-^fter selling out they would go to church, attend mass, and, per- 
haps, confess, and pay for absolution out of their market money, 
and then go home apparently in good spirits. Nor did the -■Vmer- 
ican and foreign population generally pay any more respect to 
the day, for they patronized the thing to the fullest extent. On 
this practice I proclaimed a war of e.\termination. At first it 
made a stir. But a young Presbyterian preacher, who was there, 
joined me in the denunciation of the practice, and, in a short 
time, the city council decreed that Sunday markets should cease, 
and in place thereof a market should be opened tin Saturday 
night. This raised a great fuss among the French, who, from 
time immemorial, h.id thus bioken the Sabbath, and, after market, 
gone to m.ass, then to the horse-races in the afternoon, and fiddled 
and danced and played cards at night ; but Ihey made a virtue of 
necessity, and so(»n yielded to authority and gave up the Sunday 
market, but adhered to the other practices. 



A proceeding that savored of the old Blue Laws 
occurred on Sunday, June 12, 1825, and caused 
much local excitement. On the morning of that 
day, Adna Merritt, the marshal of the city, found 
eight or ten soldiers fishing on the public wharf. 
He ordered them to put up their lines, or go else- 
where. They refused. He then went away, soon after 
returning with a posse of citizens, some of whom he 
had summoned from church for the purpose of help- 
ing in the arrest. On their arrival at the wharf the 
soldiers put up their lines, but demurred at being 
arrested; they finally concluded, however, to offer 
no resistance, and were marched off and confined in 
jail. The whole of Monday and Tuesday were 
taken up with their trial, and Wednesday they were 
discharged. 

As the town grew, some forms of evil were sup- 
planted by others, but the standard of morality has 
certainly improved with the passing of the years. 
Crime has been compelled to hide from public gaze, 
and habits that once were tolerated and condoned 
would now debar from good society. The increased 
independence of the press acts as a preventive to 
open and gross immorality, compelling purity, or 
at least privacy, society being the gainer in either 
case. 

The city government has usually acted upon the 
clearly expressed wishes of the citizens. A most 
remarkable illustration of this was the actual demo- 
lition, by order of the Common Council, of a house 
of evil resort, occupied by T. Slaughter and Peg 
Welch. It had become so intolerable a nuisance, 
and its inmates, withal, were so hedged about with 
technical rights, that it seemed useless to attempt its 
suppression by legal measures. On November 9, 
1 84 1, Alderman Bagg offered the following resolu- 
tion : 

Resolved^ that the marshal is hereby empowered and directed 
to proceed on Wednesday, the seventeenth inst., with sufficient 
force and apparatus, to the corner of Randolph Street and Michi- 
gan Avenue, and pull down and so demolish all the buildings 
hitherto owned and occupied by Slaughter, Peg Welch & Co. as 
will forever incapacitate them from being used as the abode of 
human beings, to the end that not only retributive justice shall be 
visited on those who have been guilty of such practices, but as a 
precedent to others who may come after them, and a warning to 
those that already exist in the city of their impending fate. 



L201] 



202 



CITY MARSHALS.— POLICE. 



On November i6 the resolution was called up, 
and adopted by vote of seven to four, and before 
nine o'clock the next morning the city marshal and 
a posse of helpers had torn down and demolished the 
obnoxious domicile. Suit was brought against them 
for so doing, and on November 23 the city attorney 
and A. D. Fraser were authorized to defend them. 

In June, 1857, the citizens of the tenth ward (then 
newly added to the city) were also greatly annoyed 
by the presence of similar establishments. After 
trying various methods, fire was applied, and numer- 
ous houses were deliberately burned, in order to 
drive away the characters that congregated therein. 

CITY MARSHAL. 

The office of city marshal was provided for in 
October, 1802. The duties of the marshal were to 
enforce the ordinances of the town, and he acted 
also as chief constable ; by Act of April 15, 1S16, he 
was specially designated as a police otficer. By 
ordinance of March 6, 1832, the marshal's salary 
was fixed at $150, which was increased in 1836 to 
$600. On the creation of the present police system, 
in 1865, the office was abolished. 

The following persons served as city marshals : 
1802, Elias Wallen ; 1805^ John Connor; 1817, 
John Meldrum, Duncan Reid ; 1818, H. O. Bronson; 
1819, Melvin Dorr; 1820, J. W. Colburn; 1821, 
Robert (iarratt, S. Sherwood; 1822-1823, Smith 
Knapp ; 1824, Griffith Roberts, Adna Merritt ; 1825. 
AdnaMerritt; 1826, S. Sherwood ; 1827, Jed Hunt; 
1828, S.Sherwood; 1829, Adna Merritt; 1830, E. 
S. Swan; 1831, E. S. Swan, Alex. Campbell; 1832, 
Alexander Campbell; 1833, J. Scott; 1834, I. 
Noble; 1835, H. L. Woolsey ; 1836, David Thomp- 
son ; 1837, A. McArthur; 1838. J. J. Garrison; 
1839, A.lbert Marsh; 1840, E. C. Bancroft; 1S41, 
E. C. Bancroft, A. H. Stowell ; 1842, A. H. Stowell. 
M. L. Gage; 1843, M. L. Gage, D. Thompson; 
1 844-1 846, D. Thompson; 1846-1848, J. P. ■W'hiting; 
1848, Geo. Miller, Ebenezer Benham; 1849, Eben- 
ezer Benham, James Beaiibien ; 1850-1852, John 
Warren; 1852, J. W. Daly; 1853, W. H. Barse; 
1854-1856, Eli Laderoot ; 1856-1858, P. McCinnis ; 
1858-1860, Chas. Miller; 1860-1S63, John B. -Stad- 
ler ; 1863-1865, Daniel Mahoney. 

POLICE. 
Sentinels and military patrols were familiar sights 
in Detroit in theeariy days of its settlement. When 
the regular patrol of troops ceased, the inhabitants 
felt the need of some other protection ; and there- 
fore, on August 31, 1804, an ordinance was passed 
by the trustees " for the better police, and in order 
to insure additional security for the town, from the 
dangers to be apprehended fron Indians, as well as 
other persons, and from fire, etc." 



The following were some of the pro\'isions of the 
' ordinance. A patrol was to be formed, " who in 
regular rotation shall be employed as a nightly 
watch ; said watch shall be composed of five per- 
sons, and shall take up, question, and confine in the 
watch-house all individuals and riotous persons 
found in the streets, or elsewhere within the limits 
of said town after the commencement of this watch ; 
and all persons after eleven o'clock, who can give 
no satisfactory account of themselves." And " on 
observing light in any house after eleven o'clock, 
to inquire the occasion of it, lest it should be burn- 
ing without the knowledge of the family." 

John Dodemead was charged with the execution of 
this ordinance, and the court-house was set apart as 
the watch-house. The police were to assemble at 
9 P. M. at the court-house, and not to depart, except 
to patrol, "till daylight in the morning." 

It will be seen that this was practically a night 
watch, that no day duties were prescribed or pro- 
vided for. 

The next step in the police government was the 
appointment, on May ii, 1S05, of John Connor as 
police officer. He was also clerk of the market, 
and the evident purpose of the appointment was to 
preserve order at the market, rather than in the 
town ; this is confirmed by the fact that, as early as 
iSoi, township constables were appointed, whose 
duties comprised those of a police officer. 

The organization of a night-watch seems to have 
been a favorite project, and was frequently attempted, 
but the old records indicate that these endeavors, 
even when successful, were short-lived. 

On December 19, 1821, the Board of Trustees 
resolved " that it is the sense of the meeting that a 
watch should be established to protect the city at 
night " and " to attend to the general police of the 
same," especially in relation to fire. We next find 
the following, in the council proceedings for March 
2, 1825: 

In consequence of a supposed attempt to fire the city during the 
previous night, at a meeting of the Common Council and Free- 
men, a subscription paperwas drawn up, and signed by a sufficient 
number of those present, for a volunteer watch, to be kept up un- 
til other and permanent measures for tile safety of the city can be 
taken. 

Soon after, on March 1 5, an ordinance was passed 
regulating this city patrol, and making it their duty 
to cry " Fire ! " in case of a conflagration, and tell 
on what street it was. 

On account of the riot in June, 1833, at the time 
the colored man Blackburn and his wife were 
arrested as slaves, a public meeting was held, and it 
was resolved "that it is expedient to establish a city 
watch, to consist of sixteen persons, efficiently 
armed, with one officer in command." This night- 
watch was organized, and kept up for nearly three 



POLICE. 



20' 



months. In July one hundred and five dollars, and 
in September one hundred and twenty-nine dollars 
and sixty-six cents, were paid for their services. 

About this time the city commenced to grow more 
rapidly, and among the population were many chil- 
dren who so annoyed the citizens by petty thieving 
that a meeting was held on December 24, 1834, and 
a Society for the Suppression of Felony organized. 

On January 2, 1835. the propriety of establishing 
a night-watch was again taken into consideration by 
the council ; on the 1 5th of the same month an 
ordinance was passed relating thereto ; on the 29th 
two captains and ten watchmen were appointed ; on 
the 14th of the month following the city marshal 
reported that two of the captains and four of the 
men were drunk and disorderly, and on the 28th the 
ordinance was repealed. 

The excitement connected with the Patriot War 
made a night-watch again necessarj-, and on June 
13, 1838, one was organized, and Colonel E. Brooks 
appointed captain, with power to appoint his helpers. 
They served but a few weeks. Towards the close 
of the year the same excitement caused the re-es- 
tablishment of a watch, and on December 4 a force 
of forty men were appointed, not less than ten of 
them to be on duty each night. On the next day 
the excitement had so increased that in order to 
preserve the peace one hundred and fifty prominent 
citizens were appointed as an additional patrol. On 
May 9, 1839, two persons from each ward were 
appointed by the council as a night-watch, one to 
serve every other night, and to be paid two dollars 
for such .service. On September 29, 1841, a volun- 
teer watch was organized, but they soon wearied of 
their self-imposed task. 

In the fall of 1843 house-breaking and thieving 
prevailed to such an extent that a temporary night- 
watch was again established. In August, 1845, the 
same reasons again induced the organization of a 
volunteer watch. A meeting of this city watch was 
held on .September 23 at Firemen's Hall, the mayor 
acting as chairman, and F. F. Merceron as secretarj'. 
Alfred Brush was chosen captain-general of the 
watch, and the mayor offered the following : 

Resolved, that the city watch since its organization, although 
composed principally of citizens owning little or no property, have 
done their duty as watchmen ; and, as not a single fire or burglary 
has occurred, as the streets have been cleared of rioters and row- 
dies, and the city kept perfectly quiet, the watch are therefore 
entitled to the warmest thanks of every well-meaning citizen. 

The following item, from the Advertiser of Octo- 
ber 2. 1S45, gives an idea of the need of such a 
watch and of the difficulties it encountered, and in- 
dicates some features of its management : 

City Watch. — Efforts are being made to enlarge the number 
and efficiency of our volunteer city watch. We suggest to our 
citizens that supplies of fuel and refreshments willbevcrj- aceept- 
able to the watchmen during the approaching long, cold nights. 
Will they not see to it ? 



On October 6, 1845, the following appeared: 

Suppose the store of one of our wealthy merchants, who refuses 
to assist in sustaining a watch, and who replies to all applications 
that they can protect their own property, should be entered by 
thieves or burglars, and the watch should seize them in the act, 
would not the owner begin at last to see the necessity of such pro- 
tection ? If they can be protected by others, and at others' ex- 
pense, they are quite content, and see no need of a watch I It is 
desirable to see some relaxation of this illiberality, to see our re- 
spectable merchants and business men, lawyers, doctors, and 
ministers come forward and take upon themselves, personally, the 
functions of watchmen, and contribute in providing rooms, re- 
freshments, and fuel for their accommodation. A new company 
{No. 7) is to be organized in a few days, and it is to be hoped its 
ranks will be cheerfully and promptly filled. 

During the same month this notice was published 
by order of the City Watch : 

Resolved, that the thanks of this company be tendered to Mrs. 
F. P.uhl and Mrs. J, L. King for sumptuous refreshments fur- 
nished this company on the nights of the 3d and 18th inst. 

Resolved, in consideration of the fact that most of those con- 
nected with the City Watch at its organization, owning property 
in the city,— they, of all others, most interested in its welf.ire, — 
have, since the weather became cold and disagreeable, almost 
without exception, withdrawn from the watch ; therefore 

Resolved, that we, as members of Company B of the volunteer 
watch, owning little or no property in the city, do hereby agree 
upon the adjournment of this meeting to disband as a company, 
and withdraw as individuals from the City Watch, for reasons set 
forth in the foregoing resolution. 

In November, 1845, the following item appeared: 

We learn an effort is being made to revive the volunteer night- 
watch, but the active co-operation of those most interested in the 
security of the city will be indispensable. The want of this led to 
the abandtinment of the former watch. Since then burglaries, 
night robberies, and thefts have again become frequent. 

This appeal was successful, and the new watch 
lasted till October, 1846, when the council thanked 
them, and dispensed with their services. 

Three years later, on September 2, 1849, the great 
number of disorderly persons present in the city 
again caused the organization of a volunteer watch. 
The captains for the evenings of each day were as 
follows : Sunday, John B. Long ; Monday, G. Mott 
Williams; Tuesday, Marshall J. Bacon; Wednes- 
day, Colonel A. S. Williams ; Thursday, Kin S. 
Dygert ; Friday, Alderman Duncan ; Saturday, Geo. 
W. Pattison. Like its numerous predeces.sors, this 
watch soon disbanded, and in the spring of 1851 a 
paid night-watch, under the control of the city, was 
temporarily provided. 

The question of creating a permanent and salaried 
city watch was fully discussed in 1854, and on July 
3, at a citizens' meeting, a committee of aldermen 
reported the following as the probable yearly cost : 
Twenty-four watchmen, at ten shillings per day, 
$10,950; one captain, $1,000; two a.ssistant cap- 
tains, at twelve shillings per day, §1,095; contin- 
gencies, $1,955. Total, $15,000. 

The estimated expense alarmed the tax-payers, 
and the meeting voted it inexpedient to organize the 
watch. The next effort, inaugurated on January 24, 



204 



POLICE. 



1S59, by R. H. Wright, was purely of a private and 
personal character, and resulted in the formation of 
the Merchants' Police, a force consisting of five 
men, who patrolled certain business blocks and 
acted as night-watchmen ; their ser\'ices were paid 
for by regular subscriptions from the merchants 
whose premises were protected. This force was 
continued about six months. 

An attempt was next made to organize a Police 
Commission, under a charter amendment of March 
12, 1 86 1, which provided that the mayor and two 
other persons, to be selected by the council, should 
constitute a Board of Police Commissioners. The 
chief of police was to be appointed by the council 
on nomination by the board, and the council were 
to appoint temporary policemen, for forty-eight 
hours when necessary ; the aldermen were also 
invested with the powers of policemen. 

These pr(jvisions, which were only partially car- 
ried into effect, were substantially re-enacted on 
February 4, 1864, when the powers and duties of 
the board were defined at length. Neither of these 
amendments seemed to meet the necessities of the 
case or the wishes of the citizens. They served a 
good purpose as preliminary efforts, but practically 
had only the value of suggestions. 

The demoralization naturally growing out of the 
protracted war with the South, and the fact that some 
of the constables, elected from time to time by 
popular suffrage, needed themselves to be watched, 
caused the want of a regular and responsible police 
force to be increasingly realized. 

Under the Act of March 12, 1861, C. H. Buhl 
and Alexander Chapoton had been associated with 
the mayor as police commissioners. They resigned, 
and on August 5, 1862, William Barclay and C. W. 
Jackson were appointed. Mr. Barclay soon resigned, 
and E. V. Cicotte was appointed in his place. 
Early in 1863 Mr. Cicotte was succeeded by E. A. 
Brush, and the board, in 1864, consisted of C. W. 
Jackson, E. A. Brush, and the mayor. During these 
years the question of a more thorough police system 
was repeatedly brought before the council. On 
February 10, 1863, two reports were submitted, one 
in favor of, and one opposed to, the organization of 
a salaried force. One of the reports stated that 
" within the last three months almost every crime in 
the catalogue of crimes has been committed in 
Detroit." 

The following estimate of the expense of main- 
taining a police force was submitted : Chief of 
police, $1,000; assistant police, $800; turnkey, S600 ; 
twenty-two policemen, at $1.50 per day, $12,445; 
lock-up, office expenses, etc., $2,000. Total. $16,445. 

By this time the " Ides of March " were at hand, 
and the riot of March 6, 1863. with its brutal 
attacks upon the colored people, the killing of sev- 



eral, and the burning of their houses, helped many 
citizens to the decision that a system such as we now 
have was a necessity ; and on March 1 7 the Board 
of Police Commissioners, by resolution of Alderman 
Purcell, were requested to report a plan of organiza- 
tion for a paid police force as soon as possible. 
Nothing was done, however, until August 5, when 
an anticipated draft, and the almost constant fear of 
a rebel raid frona Canada, caused the council to 
establish a temporary police of twenty-five men, who 
were continued only about a week. The almost 
daily evidence of the city's needs kept up interest in 
the police cjuestion ; and in April, 1864, the council 
requested the comptroller to report an estimate for a 
police force, to consist of a chief, one clerk, two 
captains, and forty men ; and also the cost of an 
appropriate station-house. Finally, and largely 
through the efforts of Alderman J. J. Bagley, on 
February 28, 1865, the Legislature passed an Act 
establishing the Metropolitan Police Commission, 
to consist of four persons. 

The commission is noticeable as being the only 
branch of city government over which the city has 
no direct control, the commissioners being appointed 
by the governor, with the approval of the Senate, 
for terms of four years. In theory they are State 
ofticers, and in practice, city officials. They are 
accountable to the governor, and to the State 
through him, for all their official acts. The gener- 
ally faithful execution of the laws, and the keeping 
of the force out of local politics, have repeatedly 
demonstrated the advantage and wisdom of the 
system. The first meeting of the commission under 
the Act was held on March 9, 1865. The force 
was duly organized on May 1 5 following. 

The Act, at first, met with great opposition from 
the city marshal, constables, and deputy sheriffs, 
whose services were practically dispensed with; 
mere politicians opposed it because its enforcement 
would leave fewer places to be disposed of as the 
reward of political services ; and conservative old 
citizens opposed it because it involved increased 
taxation. When the commission first organized, 
they necessarily sought the advice and co-operation 
of the council ; but the council seemed indisposed 
to countenance, in any way, the action of the board, 
and their communications were invariably tabled. 

On May 30, 1865, by vote of twelve to four, the 
council passed resolutions disapproving of the Act, 
but recommending that its provisions be obeyed 
until its constitutionality could be passed upon ; that 
was called in question on the ground that the city 
was compelled to pay for the support of officers 
over whom it had no direct control. On October 
16, 1865, the Supreme Court decided that the Act 
was constitutional ; and as the years have passed, 
the best citizens of all parties have conceded its 



POLICE. 



20: 



usefulness, and take increasing pride in the organi- 
zation and its management. Since tlie passage of 
the original Act, three additional Acts pertaining 
to the board have been passed. 

An Act of March 9, 1867, defined in greater detail 
the powers of the board, gave increased power in 
some particulars, and authorized the detail of police- 
men to perform the duties of the sealer of weights 
and measures, and to collect license fees for the city; 
it also gave the board power to suppress gambling, 
to sell unclaimed property after keeping it si.x 
months, and to provide food and lodging, if neces- 
sary, for persons arrested. 

A further Act of April 15, 1871, remedied some 
technical defects of the previous law, and legalized 
such portion of the acts of the Board of Police Com- 
missioners as had been illegally performed. 

The commissioners receive no compensation. 
Regular meetings are held on the last secular day 
of each month, at three o'clock in the afternoon. 
Their duties are : to preserve the public peace ; to 
prevent crime ; to arrest offenders ; to protect the 
rights of persons and property ; to guard the public 
health ; to preserve order ; to remove nuisances 
existing in public streets, yards, and outhouses ; to 
report to the proper authorities all leaks and defects 
in water-pipes and sewers ; to provide a sufficient 
force at every public fire, in order that the firemen 
may be protected in the performance of their duties, 
and the property preserved to its owners ; and to 
protect strangers and travelers at steamboat and ship 
landings and railroad stations; they may also serve 
warrants in any part of the State, and are required 
generally to enforce and carry out all ordinances of 
the city and laws of the State. 

The following is a list of the commissioners : 

J. S. Farrand, from February 28, 1865, to Febru- 
ary I, 1873; L. M. Mason, from February 28, 1865, 
to July 12, 1869; J.J. Bagley, from February 28, 
1865, to August 24, 1872 ; Alexander Lewis, from 
February- 28, 1865, to February i, 1875 ; C. 1\L Gar- 
rison, from February i, 1875, to December 9, 
1876; S. D. Miller, from July 12, 1869; M.S. Smith, 
from August 24, 1872; J. E. Pittman, from P'ebru- 
ary i, 1873; H. M. Dean, from December 9, 
1876. 

Upon the organization of the commission, in 1S65, 
Frank G. Russell was appointed secretary. He 
resigned on April 24, 1866, and on May 16 James S. 
Booth was appointed. His failing health necessi- 
tated his resignation on October 13, 1873, and five 
days later Lincoln R. Meser%'e was appointed his 
successor. Theodore A. Drake was the first super- 
intendent of police. He resigned September 30, 
1865. leaving Captain M. V. Borgman as acting 
superintendent; and on August i. 1866, he was 
appointed superintendent. On December 2, 1873, he 



resigned, and Stephen K. Stanton was appointed, 
with Captain Andrew J. Rogers as deputy. On 
March 25, 1876, Rogers was appointed superintend- 
ent. He resigned January 31, 1882. and on April 
24 was succeeded by E. F. Conely. On March I, 
1S67, the office of surgeon was created, with a 
yearly salar)' of $500. Dr. D. O. Farrand, the first 
appointee, retained the office until his decease, on 
March 18, 1883. His successor. Dr. J. B. Book, 
was appointed in June, 1883. The office of attorney 
of the board was created April i, 1867, with a salary 
of $500. J. Logan Chipman filled the position to 
May I, 1879, when he was succeeded by W. A. 
Moore. 

The names of the captains and the dates of their 
appointment are as follows: P. N. Girardin, October 
25, 1S65, died December 31, 18S2; C. C. Stark- 
weather, August 31, 1869; W. H. Myler, June 30, 
1875; Joseph Burger, September 30, 1882; Jesse 
Mack, Jime 11, 18S3. 

The officers of the police force rank in the fol- 
lowing order : superintendent, captains, sergeants, 
roundsmen, patrolmen, doormen. 

Captains and sergeants rank according to the 
seniority of their appointment to either office. 

A regular system of promotion is adhered to ; 
vacancies occurring in the office of captains must be 
filled from the sergeants, and vacancies in sergean- 
cies from the regular force. 

The original law provided that the superintendent 
should receive no more than $2,000 yearly ; the cap- 
tains not over $1,200; the sergeants not more than 
$1,000; and the regular patrolmen not to exceed 
$900 per year. 

A law of March 14, 1S82, gave the commissioners 
power to determine the salaries, and from February 
I, 1882, the salary of the superintendent has been 
$4,000. The salaries of other members of the force 
are as follows: captains, $1,200; sergeants, $900; 
patrolmen, $750. Out of these salaries the men pay 
for their uniforms, which cost from seventy-five to 
one hundred dollars each. 

Each member of the police force must be able to 
read and write the English language ; must be a 
citizen of the State of Michigan, and a resident of 
the city for the two years ne.xt preceding his appoint- 
ment. He must not be over forty years of age, nor 
under twenty-one ; and must possess good health 
and a soimd body, be of steady habits and of good 
moral character, and must never have been con- 
\ncted of crime. 

Each member of the force is required to devote 
his whole time and attention to the business of the 
department, and he is expressly prohibited from 
being employed in any other business. He must be 
civil and orderly; must at all times refrain from 
\'iolence, coarse, profane, and insolent language 



2o6 



POLICE. 



and, while on duty, is not allowed to drink any kind 
of liquor, nor smoke, nor (except in the immediate 
performance of duty) enter any place in which 
intoxicating drinks of any kind are sold or furnished. 
Policemen are also prohibited from receiving or 
sharing, for their own benefit, in any fee, gift, or 
emolument for police service, other than the regular 
salary, except by unanimous consent of the commis- 
sioners ; they are not allowed to belong to any fire 
or military company, or to go on target or pleasure 
excursions, e.xcept by order of the superintendent ; 
they are also required, while on duty, to avoid all 
religious or political discussions, and all inter- 
ference, or use of their influence as officers, in elec- 
tions ; they are not allowed to solicit, nor can they 
be obliged to contribute anything for political pur- 
poses ; they are required to keep careful supervision 
of all disorderly houses, or houses of evil repute, 
within their beats, to observe by whom they are fre- 
quented, and to report their observations to the 
commanding officer. 

Patrolmen are forbidden to walk together, or to 
talk with each other, or with any person, while on 
duty, unless it is to communicate briefly information 
appertaining to their business. Sergeants and 
patrolmen, when on duty, are required to display 
their badges, so that the entire surface of the same 
may be easily and distinctly seen. The following 
official suggestions to policemen indicate interesting 
and important details of their duties : 

As a peace-olTicer, his first duty should be to set a good example 
by being good-humored and polite while on duty. .■\s a sentinel, 
he should always be wary and vigilant, for although there seems 
to be no immediate ncce-isity for watchfulness, there is no know- 
ing when an emergency will suddenly arise in a great city. 

Restraint by authority is never popular neither to children nor 
men. Authority is, therefore, to be exercised with coolness, and 
by always keeping the temper. Men offend in trivial matters as 
much from carelessness and negligence as from design. Caution- 
ary words are sometimes more valuable than arrests. Diplomacy 
is oftentimes as great a weapon to the policeman, in his inter- 
course with his fellow-citizens, and in dealing with abuses, as it is 
to the general or statesman. 

Among all the trite sayings of the world, there is none more 
useful (or the policeman to remember than this, " An ounce of 
prevention is worth a pound of cure." 

The public man who quells any trouble in its inceptiim is as 
much worthy of remembrance as one who redresses an evil of 
already increasing magnitude. 

Every good citizen will say " Amen " to these sug- 
gestions, and the more closely they are attended to, 
the greater will be the respect paid to the force, and 
the more agreeable to fearful and restless citizens 
will be the thud of the policeman's club. The 
criminal classes respect the badge and the club, btit 
good citizens honor the guardian of their homes, and 
gladly recognize his worth. 

Complaints are sometimes made that members of 
the force are needlessly officious or severe ; but 
when the total number of the force, and the variety 
of annoying business attended to, is considered, it 



becomes evident that the commissioners have been 
remarkably fortunate in their selection of men. 

The force is in two general divisions, one for day, 
the other for night duty. 

The day force is on duty for eleven hours, the 
night force for eight hours. About two thirds of 
the force are usually on night duty, and the men are 
changed from night to day duty in alternate months 
as far as practicable. By a complete system of card 
registries, the superintendent can tell at any hour 
of the day or night in just what locality each mem- 
ber of the force is stationed. 

In r868 a sergeant and ten policemen were de- 
tailed for the purpose, and a complete census of the 
city taken in ten days. On October 9, 1871, at a 
special meeting of the council, called on account of 
the prevailing dry weather and the consequent great 
danger from fire, the police commissioners were 
requested to temporarily appoint three hundred 
e.xtra policemen, the council appropriating $5,000 
to pay for their services. A large number of extra 
police were accordingly sworn in, and about half of 
the appropriation used. In 1883 fourteen special 
patrolmen, appointed without expense to the city, 
were on duty at the post-office, depots, theaters, large 
manufacturing establishments, etc. They report at 
headquarters between the ist and the 7th of each 
month. Some portion of the regular force is always 
employed in special duties. 

The sanitary squad, consisting of eight men, under 
control of a sergeant, attends to the enforcement of 
all laws and ordinances relating to the public health, 
and also collects the State liquor tax. 

Under Act of April 17, 1871, scavengers were 
authorized to be appointed by the Police Depart- 
ment. By charter amendment of 1 879 an inspector 
of slaughter-houses and meats is appointed by 
the commissioners; and since June i, i8Si, a 
patrolman has been detailed to catch and destroy 
unlicensed dogs. Since 1867 a policeman has 
acted as inspector of the weights and measures 
used in the city. 

One policeman is detailed to look specially after 
juvenile offenders, and acts in conjunction with 
Bradford Smith, who, by appointment of the gover- 
nor, under Acts of 1873 and 1875, has, since 1875, 
been employed as county agent, to examine all 
children under sixteen charged with crime, and to 
decide what disposition of them will probably best 
serve their interests and those of the community. 
His decision is made the basis of the court decisions 
in all such complaints. Since his appointment, he 
has passed upon the cases of over one thousand chil- 
dren. Of these, many have been sent to the Reform 
School, and others to the State School at Cold water; 
the larger number ha\e remained in Detroit, under 
his surveillance, and are obliged to report to him 



POLICE. 



20^ 



from time to time. The amount of good resulting 
from his efforts is almost incalculable. There can 
be no question that his philanthropic work has pre- 
vented hundreds of boys from becoming hardened 
criminals. For his services and expenses the State 
pays only $200 a year. 

Since February, 1872, the harbor-master, ap- 
pointed by the Common Council, has been a police- 
man. 

Originally persons wishing the services of police- 
men for special occasions could obtain them on 
application to the superintendent, for a stipulated 
sum : this system no longer prevails. 

In 1873 provision was made for two mounted 
policemen, to do duty in the outskirts of the city; 
two were also mounted in 1S74; and in 1875 the 
number was increased to five ; but as their ser\'ice 
did not prove worth its cost, it was gradually dis- 
pensed with, and the last horse was sold in Novem- 
ber, 1876. 

From the organization of the force to 1873, the 
licenses charged by the city for various kinds of 
business were collected by a policeman ; since that 
year they liave been payable at the office of the 
secretary of the commission. The fiscal year of 
the commission formerly began on April i ; since 
1873 it has commenced on the ist of February. 

The following table gives interesting details as to 
growth of the force, the work performed, and the 
e.xpense of its maintenance : 





s 

•a 

c 

c 


c 

'rS 






1 
-a 


d 

g 


c 

it 

e 




■d 

2S 









< 







a 


a 











s 


s S'-^ 





gs. 


?. 


■?? = 


S-J 


> 


c/; 


^ 


u: 


^ 


X 


_( 


Ph 


•— > 


H 


>• 


>• 


J 


X 


1865.. 


47 




SI 


$38,663 


3,056 


445 


$5,182 


1866.. 








^ 




2 


S6 




68 


58,150 


4.096 


1,201 


4.568 


1867.. 








2 




2 


62 


.... 


7° 


63,181 


3,86, 


2.359 


5,220 


1868.. 








2 




2 


62 




73 


65,303 


3.619 


2,369 


5.359 


i8f>9.. 








2 




2 


5b 




77 


68,643 


3,335 


2,648 


4,112 


1870.. 








2 




2 


77 




88 


69.193 


3,577 


2.734 


5,096 


.87... 






s 


2 




2 


78 




«9 


79.3<;7 


3,9=9 


2,726 


4.534 


1872.. 






7 


1 


I 


2 


8S 




100 


70,450 


3.839 


2,418 


4.419 


1873.. 






8 


3 


5 


3 


07 




121 


80,503 


4,861 


4,219 


6,224 


1874.. 






B 


3 


5 


4 


Iiq 




144 


111,305 


4.935 


7.553 


7,161 


1875- • 






8 


4 


6 


6 


121 




III 


119,753 


4.10Q 


8.737 


7,027 


1876.. 






8 


4 


7 


=; 


126 




IIS 


126,598 


3,879 


8,022 


8,955 


.87J.. 






9 


5 


8 


5 


126 




158 


126,006 


4.657 


8,139 


9.728 


1878.. 






II 


5 


b 


7 


■3" 




.05 


123,279 


4,332 


8.744 


9.094 


1879.. 






Q 


4 


7 


8 


128 




ibo 


■23.454 


3.922 


11,090 


9.599 


1880.. 






10 


7 


9 


■4 


134 




178 


127,239 


4,284 


8,810 


8,176 


1881.. 






10 


4 


<) 


14 


146 




■85 


■36.945 


4,610 


5.945 


15.212 


1882.. 






10 


I 


■3 


12 


■53 




194 


152.192 


5.148 


2.840 


13.055 


1883.. 






10 


t> 


'3 


12 


150 




193 


170.735 


6,322 


2,117 


■3.742 



As every person arrested is lodged on an average 
three nights, the number of different individuals 
actually provided with lodgings would be about one 
third as many as are given in above table. 

A comparison of the number of arrests with the 
population in the years 1870 and 1880 shows that 
the percentage of arrests has decreased from five to 
less than four per cent in the last decade. This fact 
and the general good order prevailing in the city 




Gratiot Avenue Police Station. 

gives substantial foundation for the belief that there 
is less of crime in Detroit than in any other city of 
the same size in the Union. As many persons are 
arrested several times in the course of a year, the 
number of individuals arrested is only about half of 
the total arrests reported. 

In the table the colimin of yearly expenses in- 
cludes only the ordinary expenses of the force, not 
the cost of the land and buildings for police sta- 




TiaMBULL A\'ENITE POLICE STATION. 



208 



POLICE. 



tions. Their cost is shown in the following state- 
ment : 



Location of Station. 



Gratiot Avenue, N. E. cor. 

of Russell Street 

Trumbull Avenue, S. E. cor. 

of Michigan Avenue. . . . 
Central, Woodbridge Street, 

near Woodward Avenue.. 
♦Elmwood Ave., east side, 

between Fort and Lafay- 
ette Streets 

♦Twentieth Street, east side, 

between Michigan Ave. 

and M. C. R. R 

♦Fremont Street, north side, 

near Woodward Avenue.. 
♦Grand River Ave., N. E. 

cor. of Twelfth Street 

♦Woodbridge St., north side, 

near Twenty-fourth St. .. 



Cost of 
Lot. 


Cost of 
Building. 


First 
occupied. 


$5,500 


$10,670 


Aug. 14, 1873 


3.375 


8,549 


Aug. 14, 1873 




17,400 


Jan. I, 1874 


3,iSo 


1,436 


July 27, 1S77 


1,000 


3>°99 


Dec. 24, 1877 


1,600 


2,300 


Sept. 15, 1879 


i>35i 


2,723 


Aug. 2, 1880 


1.501 


3,000 


Aug. 10, i88l 



♦Sub-station. Sub-stations are uniform in their style of building. 

During the first two years of the e.xistence of the 
board the Central Station and public offices were in 
the Hawley Block, on the nortliwest corner of Wood- 
bridge and Bates Streets. The lock-up was in the 
old City Hall. On January i, 1867, the Wood- 
bridge Street or Central Station was occupied for the 
first time. It was built for, and at first rented by 
the commission. In 1S72 it was purchased by the 
board. The following year it was enlarged, refitted, 
a morgue provided, and it was again occupied iii 
Januar)', 1874. 




■On ii !■'■ .,l>i,i 
'-% hi 




Centkai- Police Station. 



On the completion of the new City Hall, in 1871, 
offices were set apart for the police. From Octo- 
ber, 1872, to 1874, a portion of the basement was 
also occupied as a lock-up. 

During 1873 the stations and offiee were for the 
first time telegraphically connected. 



In 1883 the city gave the commissioners East 
Park, bounded by Farmer, Randolph, and Bates 
Streets, and during 1883 and 1884 a building for 
police headquarters was erected thereon. 











Grand Ki\hk A\enle Stb-srATioN, 

All rewards, fees, proceeds of gifts, and emolu- 
ments on account of extraordinary services, and all 
moneys accruing from the sale of unclaimed goods, 
are paid into the City Treasury, and constitute a 
fund called The Police Life and Health Insurance 
Fund. Stolen property found by the police, or 
property taken from persons arrested, is kept for si.\ 
months, when, if uncalled for, it is advertised three 
times in some public place, and then sold, for the 
benefit of the above fund. 

During 1883 three hundred and forty-two different 
lots of property, valued at $9,000, were received by 
the clerk of the board. The president of the board 
and the comptroller of the city are the trustees of 
the Life and Health Fund, and out of it, as occasion 
requires, the commissioners make appropriations for 
policemen who are sick or disabled from duty, or 
who have earned rewards. The assets to the credit 
of the fund, February 5, 1884, were $7,977. 

In connection with the force there is also a relief 
society, which was organized June 2, 1868, the object 
being to provide pecuniary aid for policemen, or 
their families, in case of sickness and death. Nearly 
all the members of the force are members of this 
organization, and pay an initiation fee of one dollar, 
and monthly dues of fifty cents each. The officers 
are elected every six months, on the first of January 
and July. Members incapacitated for ser\'ice for 
more than three days are allowed one dollar per 
day, for a time not to exceed thirty days, unless by 
two-thirds vote of the society. In case of death, the 
nearest kin are paid one hundred dollars. If a wife 
dies, the sum of fifty dollars is paid to the husband. 

A police wagon for the conveyance of prisoners 
was procured and first used on March 20, 1871. In 
the fall of 1877 a new wagon was purchased. 



SHERIFFS.— PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 



209 










Police Headquarters. 



SHERIFFS. 



The office of sheriff antedates every other in the 
county. The first sheriff for Detroit was appointed 
by the Governor and Council of Canada in 1788. 
The duties have been mucli the same under both 
English and American rule : the sheriff acts as the 
chief constable of the county in making arrests for 
crimes against State laws, and in carrying out the 
decrees and judgments of the courts ; he is also 
responsible for the safe keeping of all prisoners 
lodged in the county jail. 

Under territorial rule, sheriffs were appointed by 
the governor ; but from the time Michigan became 
a State, they have been elected at the same time as 
other county officers, for terms of two years. 

Since the establishment of the metropolitan police 
the sheriff has made no arrests in criminal cases in 
the city, and cannot make an arrest outside of the 
county, except in civil cases, or for contempt of court. 
His chief duties consist in attendance on the Circuit 
and Superior Courts, the care of the room, the pre- 
serving of order, and the carrj'ing out of the decrees 
of the courts, occupying the same relation to these 
courts that the United States Marshal does to the 
United States Courts. It is his duty to see that the 
liquor ta.\ law is enforced in the country townships, 
and the tax paid to the county treasurer within the 
time prescribed by law. 

He has no salaiy, being paid by fees collected for 
issuing and ser\'ing various legal papers, and by tiie 
profits on the boarding of the prisoners, the city pay- 
ing for those confined in jail for violation of city ordi- 
nances, and the county for all others. The price per 
day is fixed from time to time by the county auditors. 

The sheriff has the privilege of appointing as 
many deputy sheriffs as he may deem expedient ; 



but neither he nor his deputies can serve papers 
issued in civil cases from a justice's court ; only- 
constables have that right. He gives bonds of 
$10,000. The office is estimated to be worth from 
$S,ooo to $10,000 per year. 

The sheriffs under British rule were : 1788, Gregor 
McGregor; 1795. Richard I'oUard. 

Under American rule the following sheriffs have 
served : 1796 to August 20, 1798, Herman Eberts; 
1798 and 1799, Lewis Bond; 1800, B. Hunting- 
ton, George McDougall ; 1801, Elias Wallen; 1803, 
Thomas McCrea; 1804, Richard Smyth; 181 5, 
James H. Audrain; 1816-1825, Austin E. Wing; 
1825, Abram Edwards, Wm. Meldrum ; 1826-1829, 
T. C. Sheldon; 1S29, Thos. S. Knapp ; 1830, Benja- 
min Woodworth ; 1831-1839, John M. Wilson; 
1839-1S41, Lemuel Goodell ; 1841-1845, Daniel 
Thompson; 1845-1847, H. R. Andrews; 1847- 
1851, E. V. Cicotte; 1851-1853, Lyman Baldwin; 
1853 and 1854, Horace Gray; 1855 and 1856, 
Joshua Howard ; 1857-1860, E. V. Cicotte; i860, 
Peter Fralick ; 1861 and 1862, Mark Flanigan ; 
1863 and 1864, Peter Fralick; 1865 and 1866. F. 
X. Cicotte; 1867-1869, E. V. Cicotte; 1869 and 
1S70, John Patton; 1871-1875, Geo. C. Codd ; 
1875 and 1876, J. A. Sexton; 1877-1881, Walter H. 
Coots; 1 88 1- , Conrad Clippert. 




PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 

This office of prosecuting attorney was first pro- 
vided for by Act of December 31, 1818, and ap- 
pointments were made by the governor. By Act of 
April 21, 1825, the office was discontinued, and dis- 
trict attorneys, to be appointed by the governor and 
council, were provided for. The Territory was 
divided into four districts, with one attorney for 
each, Wayne and Washtenaw forming the second 
district. An Act of April 22, 1833, provided for a 
district attorney for each county. The Constitution 
of 1835 revived the office of prosecuting attorney, 
and up to 1850 incumbents were appointed by the 
governor for terms of two years. Since 1850 the 
office has been elective. Under Act of 1818 it was 
the duty of the prosecuting attorney to prosecute 
and defend all suits for and against the county. By 
Act of 1833 district attorneys performed the same 
duty in any suits in which the United States, the 
Territory, county, or any township was interested, 
At the present time the prosecuting attorney conducts 
all cases, in which the State or the county is a 
party ; and on request of any justice he conducts 
criminal cases against the persons named. He 
reports yearly to the attorney-general of the State 
the number of cases he has prosecuted, and the 
result of each. The term of office is two years. 
An Act of 1879 provided that the auditors should 
fix his salar)' after Januar)' 1, 1881, at from $2,500 



2IO 



CONSTARLES. 



to $3,000. By law of March 9, 1877, he was 
• authorized to employ an assistant, whose salary is 
also fixed by the Board of County Auditors. 

From 1 819 to 1825 Charles Larned was prosecut- 
ing attorney. The district attorneys were: 1825- 
1828, Charles Larned; 1828, Warner Wing ; 1829, 
B. F. H. Witherell; 1830, W. Wing ; 1831, B. F.H. 
Witherell; 1832, W. Wing; 1833, Jas. Q. Adams ; 

1834, B. F. H. Witherell. 

The prosecuting attorneys under State law have 
been: 1835-1839, B. F. H. Witherell; 1840-1843, 
J. A. Van Uyke; 1843-1846, A. W. Buel ; 1846- 
1849, Wm. Hale; 1849-1853, David Stuart; 1853- 
1855, A. T. McReynolds; 1855-1857, J. P. C. Em- 
mons; 1857-1860, J. Kno.\ Gavin ; 1860-1861, D. E. 
Harbaugh ; 1862- 1866, J. Kno.\ Gavin ; 1866, Jared 
Patchin; 1867-1S68, Geo. Mebden; 1869-1873, P. 
J. D. Van Dyke; 1873-1S74, F. H. Chambers; 
1875-1876, John G. Hawley ; 1877-1881, Henr>- N. 
Brevoort ; 1881- . James Caplis. 

CONST.A.BLES. 

The office of constable in the Northwest Territory 
was first provided for by Act of December 2, 
1799. In Detroit, the city charter of August 5, 
1824, authorized the election of constables, and by 
Act of April 4, 1S27, provision was made for the 
election of three. Act of March 21, 1S37, gave the 
voters of the city power to elect five constables viva 
voce, in case the three regularly elected constables 
neglected or refused to serve. Act of March 29, 

1835, authorized the election of six constables, one 
for each ward, and they are still so elected. 

Prior to the creation of the metropolitan police, 
the constables acted as police officers, and made 
arrests. Now their chief duties consist in the serv- 
ing of writs and executions, issued by justices of the 
peace. They are paid by the fees. 

The following constables were appointed by the 
Court of Quarter Sessions : 

March 6, 1798, Michael Monnet; June, 1801, Wm. 
Smith, John Harvey, I^avid McLean, Ijaptiste Peltier, 
Isadore Delille, Jacques Desplats; December, 1802, 
Wm. Kelly, Jabez Stern, D. McLean, P. Navarre, 
James Cissne ; June 7, 1803, John Watson, Louis 
Bourginnon, Richard Jones, John Dicks, John Con- 
nor, T. Jordan, P. Desnoyers ; September 16, 1803, 
J. B. Campau ; December, 1804, Conrad Seek, 
George Smart, J. Bte Nantay, John Robinson, 
Joseph Clark, Joseph Weaver, Joseph Barnard. 

The constables appointed by the governor were : 

June 10, 1816, Austin E. Wing; June 26, 1817, 
Duncan Reid ; January 18, 1818, Wm. Meldrum, 
Francis Cicotte, Etienne Dubois; July 20, 1818, Asa 
Partridge, Warren Howard. 

The constables elected have been as follows : 

1826, Jed Hunt, John Howard, Thos. Knowlton ; 



1827, Thos. Lee, T. Knowlton, Eleazer Ray; 1 828, 
J. M. Wilson, E. S. Swan, T. Knowlton, Morris 
Jackson ; 1829, N. Champ, E. S. Swan, T. Knowl- 
ton ; 1830, Adna Merritt, J. M. Wilson, Thos. 
Knowlton; 1S31, L. Goodell, David Thompson, O. 
Aldrich; 1832, A. Campbell, L. Goodell, A. Mc- 
Arthur ; 1833, L. Goodell, D. Thompson, J. O. 
Graves ; 1834, D. Thompson, Squire Trumbull, B. 

F. Towne, A. C. Caniff ; 1835, R. R. Howell, J. O. 
Graves, P. O. Whitman, D. Thompson ; 1 836, R. R. 
Howell, R.. J. Connor, D. Thompson, Jacob Mc- 
Kinney; 1837, J. C. Warner, P. Falvey, John Reno. 

1838, First Ward: David B. Wilco.x. Second 
Ward: John Daly. Third Ward: Edward War- 
ner, Jr. Fourth Ward : Anson E. Lyon. Fifth 
Ward : Edward P. Clark. Si.xth Ward : George 
Miller. 

1839, First Ward : D.B.Wilcox. Second Ward : 
George Miller. Third Ward; W. W. Johnson. 
Fourth Ward : John Reno. Fifth Ward : Robert 
Nichol. Si.xth Ward : John Daly. 

1840, First Ward: P. O. Whitman. Second 
Ward: A. H. Bartley. Third Ward: W. W. 
Johnson. Fourth Ward: J.Reno. Fifth Ward: 
R. Nichol. Si.xth Ward: H. Fross. 

1841, First Ward: P. O. Whitman. Second 
Ward : H. T, Russell. Third Ward : W. W. John- 
son. Fourth Ward: O. Bellair, J. J. Cicotte. Fifth 
Ward : Wm. Champ. Sixth Ward ; B. H. Thomp- 
son. 

1842, First Ward: W. J. Redmond. Second 
Ward: A. N. Hickox. Third Ward: W. W. 
Howland. Fourth Ward : J. J. Cicotte. Fifth 
Ward : Wm. Champ. Sixth Ward : C. Ockford. 

1843- 1 846, Urst Ward: P. O.Whitman. Sec- 
ond Ward: J. McMichael. Third Ward: W. W. 
Howland. Fourth Ward : J. J. Cicotte, Fifth 
Ward: J. P. Whiting. Sixth Ward : C. Ockford. 

1 846, First Ward : P. O. Whitman. Second 
Ward : J. McMichael. I'hird Ward : D. M. Free- 
man. Fourth Ward : J. J. Cicotte. Fifth Ward : 

G. D. Rodgers. Sixth Ward : B. McDonald. 

1847, First Ward: P. O. Whitman. Second 
Ward : J. McMichael. Third Ward : D. M Free- 
man. Fourth Ward : J. J. Cicotte. Fifth Ward : 
W. P. Newton. Sixth Ward: B. McDonald, 
Seneca Caswell. 

1848, First Ward: P. O.Whitman, Chas. Can- 
naro. Second Ward: J. McMichael. Third Ward: 
N. Lafleur. D. ^L Freeman. Fourth Ward : D. 
Cicotte. Fifth Ward : Wm. Newton. Sixth Ward : 
Seneca Caswell, C. G. Solyer. 

1849, First Ward: S. Green. Second Ward: 
J. McMichael. Third Ward : W. A. Boyt. Fourth 
Ward: D. Cicotte. Fifth Ward : M. Salter. Sixth 
Ward : C. G. Solyer. Seventh Ward : J. Duchene. 
Eighth Ward : James H. Darcy. 



CONSTABLES. 



21 I 



1850, First Ward : C. W. Tuttle. Second Ward : 
J. McMichael. Third Ward : Wm. A. Boyt. Fourth 
Ward : D. Cicotte. Fifth Ward : M. Salter. Sixth 
Ward : D. D. Hustis. Seventh Ward : Peter Ray- 
mond. Eighth Ward : J. H. Darcy. 

1 85 1, First Ward : C. W. Tuttle. Second Ward : 
Isaac Warren. Third Ward : Wm. A. Boyt. 
Fourth Ward: D. Cicotte. Fifth W'ard : B. 
Sparling. Si.\th Ward : John Demass. Seventh 
Ward : Peter Raymond. Eighth Ward ; J. H. 
Darcy. 

1S52, First Ward : C. W. Tuttle. Second Ward : 
Levi Dings, A. W. .Sprague. Third Ward: John 
B. Stadler. Fourth Ward: James Duchene, U. 
Cicotte. F'ifth Ward : B. Sparling. Si.xth Ward : 
John Demass. Seventh Ward : Peter Raymond. 
Eighth Ward : J. H. Darcy, C. Doherty. 

1853, First Ward: T. McCarthy. Second Ward : 
A. W. Sprague. Third Ward : J. Warren. Fourth 
Ward: D. Cicotte, Fifth Ward: R. L. Tyler. 
Sixth 'Ward : W. W. Howland. Seventh Ward : 
J. Reilly. Eighth Ward : P. M. Davitt, :\L Fitz- 
simmons. 

1854, First Ward : T. McCarthy. Second Ward : 

A. W. Sprague. Third Ward : J. Warren, John B. 
Stadler. Fourth Ward : D. Cicotte. Fifth Ward : 

B. Sparling. Sixth Ward : James Love. Seventh 
Ward : J. Reilly. Eighth Ward : Charles Doherty. 

1855, First Ward : L. W. Dings. Second Ward : 
A. W. Sprague. Third Ward : John B. Stadler. 
Fourth Ward : C. Stadler. Fifth Ward : B. Sparl- 
ing. Sixth Ward ; Justin Higgins. Seventh Ward : 
J. Reilly. Eighth Ward : C. Doherty. 

1856, First Ward: F. Eglington. Second Ward : 
A. W. Sprague. Third Ward : John B. Stadler. 
Fourth Ward : C. Stadler. Fifth Ward : B. Sparl- 
ing. Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : John 
Reilly. Eighth Ward : J. Aylward. 

1857, First Ward : F. Eglington. Second Ward : 
A. W. Sprague. Third Ward : John B. Stadler. 
Fourth Ward : C. Stadler. Fifth Ward : B. S|)arl- 
ing. Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : John 
Reilly. Eighth Ward : John Aylward. Ninth Ward : 

C. Doherty. Tenth Ward : Chas. Weyle. 

1858, First Ward : F. Eglington. Second Ward: 
A. W. Sprague. Third \Vard : John B. Stadler. 
Fourth Ward : C. Stadler. Fifth Ward: B. Sparling. 
Sixth Ward : James Love. Seventh Ward : W. 
Smith, C. Hattie. Eighth Ward : D. Mahoney. 
Ninth Ward: J. Bostwick. Tenth Ward : C. Weyle. 

1859, First Ward: F. Eglington. Second Ward : 
A. W. Sprague. Third Ward : John B. Stadler. 
Fourth Ward : C. Stadler. Fifth Ward : B. Sparl- 
ing. Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : C. 
Hattie. Eighth Ward : D. Mahoney. Ninth Ward: 
J. Bostwick. Tenth Ward : C. Weyle. 



i860, First Ward: T. McCarthy. Second Ward: 

A. W. Sprague. Third Ward : Geo. L. Scanlon. 
Fourth Ward : William Timm. Fifth W'ard : E. 
Wyncoop. Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : 
C. Hattie. Eighth Ward : Timothy Mahoney. 
Ninth Ward : Paul May. Tenth Ward : Herman 
Deustadt. 

1861, First Ward: J. Gore. Second Ward: A. 
W. Sprague. Third Ward : G. L. Scanlon. Fourth 
Ward: C. Stadler. Fifth Ward: E. Wyncoop. 
SLxth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : D. K. Sul- 
livan. Eighth Ward : T. Mahoney. Ninth Ward : 
J. Zimmerman. Tenth Ward : H. Deustadt. 

1 862, First Ward : J. Gore. Second Ward : A. 
W. Sprague, C. T. Allen. Third Ward : D. M. 
Freeman. Fourth Ward : John Gnau. Fifth Ward : 
Lyman B. Smith. Sixth Ward : J. Love. Se\-enth 
Ward : D. K. Sullivan. Eighth Ward ; Timothy 
Mahoney. Ninth Ward: J. Zimmerman. Tenth 
Ward : F. Freiburger. 

1863, First Ward : J. Gore. Second Ward : Jno. 
F. Starkweather. Third Ward : D. M. Freeman. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : L. B. Smith. 
Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : D. K. Sul- 
livan. Eighth Ward : T. Mahoney. Ninth Ward : 
J. Zimmerman. Tenth Ward : J. Ochs. 

1864, First Ward : John May. Second Ward : 
Wm. T. Purdy. Third Ward : D. M. Freeman. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : L B. Smith. 
Sixth Ward : C. Gebhard. Seventh Ward : D. K. 
Sullivan. Eighth Ward : T. Mahoney. Ninth 
Ward: George Titlow. Tenth Ward : J. Ochs. 

1865, First Ward : James H. Hepburn. Second 
Ward : J. Gore. Third Ward : J. B. Stadler. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : L. B. Smith. 
Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : N. Tisler. 
Eight Ward : T. Mahoney. Ninth Ward : G. Tit- 
low. Tenth Ward : J. Ochs. 

1S66, First Ward: J. H. Hepburn. Second 
Ward : J. Gore, James Duck. Tliird Ward : John 
\'an Stan. Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : 

B. Sparling. Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh 
Ward : N. Tisler. Eighth Ward : Wm. Haley. 
Ninth Ward : G. Titlow. Tenth Ward : F. Frei- 
burger. 

1867, First Ward : J. H. Hepburn. Second 
Ward : J. Duck. Third Ward : Chas. T. Allen. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : Anson E. 
Lyon. Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : N. 
Tisler. Eighth Ward : i\Iichael Ryan. Ninth 
Ward : G. Titlow. Tenth Ward : F. Freiburger. 

1 868, First Ward : Edward Nolan. Second 
AVard : T. McCarthy. Third Ward : C. T. Allen. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : B. Sparling. 
Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : N. Tisler. 
Eighth Ward: M. Ryan, J. O'Connell. Ninth 



212 



CONSTABLES. 



Ward : G. Titlow. Tenth Ward : F. Freibur- 
ger. 

1869, First Ward : James McKenzie. Second 
Ward : J. Duck. Third Ward : Peter McDowell. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : Chas. 
Anderson. Si.xth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : 
N. Tisler. Eighth Ward : John O'Connell. Ninth 
Ward : C. Doherty. Tenth Ward : David L. 
Bishop. 

1870, First Ward : Ed. Nolan. Second Ward : 
J. Duck. Third Ward : John L. Solders. Fourth 
Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : F. Giddey. Si.\th 
Ward ; J. Love. Seventh Ward : N. Tisler. 
Eighth Ward: J. O'Connell. Ninl^ Ward: C. 
Doherty. Tenth Ward : D. L. Bishop. 

1 87 1, First Ward : E. Nolan. Second Ward: T. 
McCarthy. Third Ward: J. B. Runge. Fourth 
Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : F. Giddey. Si.xth 
Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward ; N. Tisler. 
Eighth Ward : J. O'Connell. Ninth Ward : G. Tit- 
low. Tenth Ward : M. C. Allor. 

1872, First Ward : James McKenzie. Second 
Ward : Thos. McCarty. Third Ward : Peter Kal- 
lenbach. Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : 
F. Giddey. Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : 
N. Tisler. Eighth Ward : J. O'Connell. Ninth 
Ward : August Eggers. Tenth Ward : M. C. 
Allor. 

1873, First Ward : J. McKenzie. -Second Ward: 
Wm. H. Close. Third Ward : Thos. Fleming. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : F. Giddey. 
Sixth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : Alexander 
Smith. Eighth Ward : Bernard Sweeny. Ninth 
Ward : August Eggers. Tenth Ward : Honore 
Defer. 

1874, First Ward : J. McKenzie. Second Ward : 
Wm. H. Close. Third Ward: Thos. Fleming. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : F. Giddey. 
SLxth Ward : J. Love. Seventh Ward : A. Smith. 
Eighth Ward: James Hunt. Ninth Ward: C. 
Doherty. Tenth Ward: H. Defer. Twelfth 
Ward : Geo. B. Brown. 

1875, first Ward : J. McKenzie. Second Ward: 
Wm. H. Close. Third Ward : J. E. Murray. 
Fourth Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : W. W. 
Witherspoon. Sixth Ward : T. Funke. Seventh 
Ward : Jacob Jaeger. Eighth Ward : James Hunt. 
Ninth Ward : W. J. Giddey. Tenth Ward : i\L C. 
AUor. Twelfth Ward : Geo. A. Page. 

1876, First Ward: H. Herzog. Second Ward : 
Thomas Hubert. Third Ward : John A. Wilkie. 
Fourth Ward : John Gnau. Fifth Ward : W. W. 
Witherspoon. Sixth Ward: T. Funke. Seventh 
Ward: Jacob Jaeger. Eighth Ward: J. Hunt. 
Ninth Ward : W. J. Giddey. Tenth Ward : Thos. 
Dooley. Twelfth Ward : A. Eggers. 



1877, First Ward: H. Herzog. Second Ward; 
T.Hubert. Third Ward: J. A. Wilkie. Fourth 
Ward : J. Gnau. Fifth Ward : W. W. Wither- 
spoon. Sixth Ward : George Goldsmith. Seventh 
Ward : Jacob Jaeger. Eighth Ward : Martin J. 
Dunn. Ninth Ward : W. J. Giddey. Tenth Ward : 
Desire B. Willemin. Eleventh Ward : Frank Guy- 
otte. Twelfth Ward : Orrin H. Butterfield. Thir- 
teenth Ward : Wm. Guyotte. 

1 878, First Ward: H. Herzog. Second Ward: 
T. Hubert, J. Duck. Third Ward : J. A. Wilkie. 
Fourth Ward : John Gnau. Fifth Ward : W. W. 
Witherspoon. Sixth Ward : G. Goldsmith. Seventh 
Ward : N. Tisler. Eighth Ward : Martin J. Dunn. 
Ninth Ward : W. J. Giddey. Tenth Ward : I5yron 
D. Holton. Eleventh Ward : F. Guyotte. Twelfth 
Ward : O. H. Butterfield. Thirteenth Ward : W. 
Guyotte. 

1879, First Ward: H. Herzog. Second Ward: 
E.B.Fisher. Third Ward : J. A. Wilkie. Fourth 
Ward : John Gnau. Fifth Ward : W. W. Wither- 
spoon. Sixth Ward : G. Goldsmith. Seventh Ward : 
N. Tisler. Eighth Ward : Martin J. Dunn. Ninth 
Ward : W. J. Giddey. Tenth Ward : M. C. Allor. 
Eleventh Ward : F. Guyotte. Twelfth Ward : J. 
M. Davis. Thirteenth Ward: Wm. Guyotte. 

1S80, First Ward: H. Herzog, Second Ward: 
Wm. Close. Third Ward : J. A. Wilkie. Fourth 
Ward : John Gnau. Fifth Ward : W. W. Wither- 
spoon. . Sixth Ward : L. Rosenthal. Seventh Ward: 
F. Ubelhoer. Eighth Ward : M. J. Dunn. Ninth 
Ward : W. J. Giddey. Tenth Ward : J. W. Genick 
Eleventh Ward : A. W. Bradford. Twelfth Wardj 
O. H. Butterfield. Thirteenth Ward : E. T. .Mass. 

1 88 1, First Ward : W. A. Stuart. Second Ward: 
W. Close. Third Ward: J. A. Wilkie. Fourth 
Ward : John Gnau. Fifth Ward : W. W. Wither- 
spoon. Sixth Ward : L. Rosenthal. Seventh Ward: 
N. Tisler. Eighth Ward : Martin J. Dunn. Ninth 
Ward : W. J. Giddey. Tenth Ward : J. \\'. Genick. 
Eleventh Ward : A. W. Bradford. Twelfth \\'ard : 
O. H. Butterfield. Thirteenth Ward : E.T. Mass. 

1882, First Ward : S. Rosenthal. Second Ward : 
W.A.Stuart. Third Ward : J. J. McHugh. Fourth 
Ward : D. E. Moloney. Fifth Ward : John Gnau. 
Si.xth Ward: JNIartin J,Dunn. Seventh Ward : N. 
Tisler. Eighth Ward : W. J. Giddey. Ninth Ward: 
J. Schnelzer. Tenth Ward : O. H. Butterfield. 
Eleventh Ward : E. T. Mass. Twelfth Ward : Jas. 
Tierney. Thirteenth Ward : A. W. Bradford. 

1883, First Ward: S. Rosenthal. Second Ward: 
W. A. Stuart. Third Ward : W. T. Weitz. Fourth 
Ward : D. E. JNIoloney. Fifth Ward : John Gnau. 
Sixth Ward : M. J. Dunn. Seventh Ward : N. 
Tisler. Eighth Ward : W. J. Giddey. Ninth Ward: 
J. Schnelzer. Tenth Ward: O. 'h. Butterfield. 



CONSTABLES. 



Eleventh Ward : E. T. Mass. Twelfth Ward : F. Sixth Ward : M. J. Dunn. Seventh Ward ; N. Tisler. 

H. .Addison. Thirteenth Ward : Adolph Bloom. Eighth Ward: J. J. Griffin. Ninth Ward: J. F. 

18S4, First Ward : S. Rosenthal. Second Ward : Bowers. Tenth Ward : O. H. Butterheld. Eleventh 

W. A. Stuart. Third Ward : W. T. Weitz. Fourth Ward : E. T. Maes. Twelfth Ward : F. H. Addison. 

Ward : Henrj- Herzog. Fifth Ward : John Gnau. Tliirteenth Ward : Wm. Guyotte. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



THE JAILS AND THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION. 



No less than nine buildings, in eight different 
localities, have been built and used for jails. 

In June, iSoi. the jail was on the extreme east 
side of the town, and nearly in line with the stock- 
ade. It was probably the building designated as 
the guard-house on T. Smith's plan of 1796. The 
records of the Court of General Quarter Sessions 
show that on June 6, 1801, the sheriff was ordered 
" to whitewash the inside of the jail immediately, and 
have it as clean as possible, and that afterwards the 
jail keeper was to wash and clean the jail every 
Saturday and to have panes of glass put where 
wanted." 

The records for June 5, 1802, contain the follow- 
ing : 

The Court took into consideration the situation of the public 
jail, and have come to the determination of purchasing, of Mr. 
Cliarles Francis (iirardin, the house and lot in which he now lives, 
upon the following conditions, to wit ; that the sum of five hun- 
dred pounds cash shall be paid to said Girardin and a deed of sale 
of the present jail, it being estimated at two hundred pounds, 
making in all seven hundred pounds. Payment of cash to be 
made as follows, to wit : three hundred pounds within two or 
three months, and two hundred pounds in a year from this date. 
Said Girardin is to deliver up half of the premises within twenty 
days, which are intended to contain the prisoners ; and the re- 
mainder of the premises, when the old jail is repaired that Mr. 
Girardin may inhabit it, which will not be later than the 31st of 
July ne.\t. 

On June 29, 1802, James May was appointed to 
contract for material, and put the new jail in a state 
of " safety against escape, as much as possible ; " 
and on Saturday, September 18, 1802, the accounts 
of " Jean Louis Boynier, for putting up pickets in 
the jail-yard, twenty-six pounds, and of Pierre 
Chene, for thirty-three pounds, fifteen shillings, six- 
pence, and of Charles Moran, for one hundred and 
thirty-three pounds, seven shillings," were ordered 
paid. 

After the fire of 1805 an old blockhouse, located on 
the present line of Jefferson Avenue, and between 
Cass and Wayne Streets, was fitted up as a jail by 
James May, territorial marshal. 

The last record that can be found indicating the 
exercise of any authority after the fire by the old 
trustees of the town is dated October 6, 1805, and 
is as follows : 

It was agreed by the Board of Trustees that the blockhouse 
shoidd be used as a jail until end of year 1806, and then it is to 
become the property of the marshal, for $250, $175 having already 



[=I4l 



been paid. If the public use the blockhouse fora jail during 1807, 
all is to be considered paid, and if the public use it longer, they 
are to pay $75 per year rent. 

On May 5, 1807. William McD. Scott, marshal, 
wrote to the District Court that he could no longer 
be responsible for prisoners confined in this jail, 
as it was "insufficient." 

In 1 80S a new marshal was appointed, and the 
records of the Governor and Judges contain the fol- 
lowing : 

October 2S, 1808, on the representation of the marshal of the 
Territory that he has no jail wherein to keep his prisoners, the 
following resolution was unanimously passed : 

Resolved, that the marshal of the Territory be authorized to 

hire from James May, Esq., a building which he owns in the city 

of Detroit for a jail, for the term of three years, in conjunction 

* with the District Court for the District of Huron and Detroit, and 

to pay for the same $75 per year. 

Further information concerning this lease, given 
in the records of the Governor and Judges, is as fol- 
lows : 

May 27, 1811, on the representation of James May, 
Resolved, that the secretary of the Legislative Board be directed 
to furnish the treasurer of the Territory with a copy of the reso- 
lution empowering the marshal of the Territory to hire a building 
of James May for a public jail, passed the 28th October, 1808, and 
that the said treasurer do audit the said May's account, as as- 
sumed by the Territory, for that part of the jail which was hired 
for the District of Huron and Detroit from the 16th of September, 
1810, to the fifth day of July, 1811. 

The records for Monday, February 17, 1812, con- 
tain the following : 

James May, Esq., having made proposals to sell the house now 
made use of as a jail, and the building adjoining thereto, for the 
purpose of a temporary court-house and jail, the Governor and 
Judges have agreed to give him fourteen hundred acres of land, 
out of the donation of ten thousand acres of land, on his crediting 
the sum of $ioo on account of j:iil hire. 

On February 26, 1S12, on motion of Judge With- 
erell, it was, 

Resolved, that the Governor and Judges, on or before July i, 
1812, execute to James May a deed of one thousand three hundrid 
and seventy-two acres, of the ten thousand acres of land appro- 
priated by Congress for the purpose of building a jail and court- 
house in Detroit. 

The resolution was adopted, and James May 
signed an agreement in accordance with the resolu- 
tion. 

Notwithstanding these agreements and resolu- 
tions, the bargain does not seem to have been con- 
summated, for in Judge May's bill against the United 



THE JAILS. 



215 



States for damages during the War of 181 2, he 
charged, under date of October 2, 181 3, for "one 
year's rent of two buildings in the city of Detroit, 
leased to the Governor and Judges of the Territory, 
for court-house and jail, taken possession of by 
General Brock after the capitulation, and applied 
to his Majesty's use for gaol, and barracks for 
militia." 

The rent and damages were estimated at $400. 

This jail was an old stone building, located on 
what is now the northeast corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Cass Street. It afterwards became the 
property of Judge Woodward, and then of General 
J. E. Schwartz, and eventually was widely known as 
the Mansion House Hotel. In 1815, the jail, an old 
wooden building, was on the north side of Jeffer- 
son Avenue, the second or third house east of 
Shelby Street, and on November 4 the Governor 
and Judges appropriated §238.20 to John W. Tyler 
for furnishing and setting around it two hundred 
and fifty-four pickets. This building was used until 
about 1817. 

The jail was next established in an old two-story 
blockhouse, located on Jefferson Avenue near the 
corner of Randolph Street. This building ceased 
to be used as a jail after the spring of 1819, and 
the house itself was torn down in the fall of 1826. 

Proposals for the construction of the jail on the 
public square bounded by Farmer, Farrar, and 
Gratiot Streets were invited on July 25, 1817, and 
on December 24 of the same year James May was 
" appointed superintendent of the jail about to be 
erected," and was to be paid S500 for his services. 
The jail was built by Mack & Conant, and the final 
settlement was made with Amos Lawrence of Bos- 
ton, to whom the contract was assigned. The jail 
was completed in the spring of 1819, at a cost of 
$4,700. It was forty-four by eighty-eight feet, sur- 
rounded by a picket fence, which cost $62. 

On June 24, 1824, the remarkable circumstance is 
noted that there was not a single person in the whole 
Territory in prison for crime or debt. When we 
remember that Michigan then included all uf her 
present domain, and also the region now known as 
the State of Wisconsin, it is evident either that the 
laws or the officials were very lax, or that the inhab- 
itants were a remarkably law-abiding people. Ten 
years later, on June 17, 1834, the same state of 
affairs existed ; there was not a person in the jail, 
but evidently it was not long unoccupied, for on 
December 30 the jail was broken open, and all the 
prisoners escaped. The building was occasionally 
repaired, but it became increasingly insecure. 

On March 28, 1845. H. R. Andrews, the sheriff, 
was authorized to purchase materials and repair the 
jail ; and on the follcnving day the county auditors 
contracted with S. V'anderhoof to repair the build- 



ing and the fence for §549. While the repairs were 
going on, the sheriff was authorized by the Legisla- 
ture to keep the prisoners in other counties. The 
repairs failed to make the building either trustworthy 




Old Blockhol'se, Jiiii-EKsoN Ave.m:e. 

or beautiful in appearance, and a suit was instituted 
against the county, by citizens residing in the vicin- 
ity, to compel its removal. In the spring of 1847 
the Supreme Court decided that the county had no 
title to the public square whereon the jail was lo- 
cated, and that the building was a public nuisance. 
A contract was then made on February 10, 1S48, 
with Thomas Palmer, to tear it down, and on June 
8, 1848, the work of removal began. 




Old Jail, o.n the Site now occupied by Pi. blic Liukakv. 

As soon as the court had decided that the old jail 
must be removed, steps were taken towards erecting 
a new one, and on April 20, 1 847, the county audit- 
ors resolved to purchase suitable grounds, and erect 
a jail thereon. On May 14, 1847. they agreed to 
purchase Lot 155, on northwest corner of Beaubien 
and Clinton Streets, on Beaubien Farm, for $600, 
and Lot i 56 for $400. Lots I 57 and 1 58 were sub- 



2l6 



THE JAILS AND THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION. 



sequently purchased at an additional cost of $3,550. 
On May 26, 1847, the proposal of William Burnell 
to erect a jail and sheriff's residence for §10,650 was 
accepted. On October 14, 1847, arrangements were 
nearly completed, and on May 3, 1848, a final set- 
tlement was made for erecting the same. On July 7 
Mr. Burnell contracted to build a stone wall about 
the jail for §1,010. 

The dwelling, erected in 1847, still remains, but 
the jail in the rear, becoming unsafe, was torn down. 
In the fall of 1861 the House of Correction, and an 
old engine-house on the west corner of Bates and 
Lamed Streets (the latter of which was fitted up for 
the purpose), were designated as temporary jails by 
the county auditors. 

In 1856 the question of building a new jail was 
agitated, and on April i, 1857, the matter was sub- 
mitted to the voters of the county, and a majority of 
four hundred and forty-five decided against* the 
proposition. 

The question was 
again voted on in the 
fall of 1859, and also 
in i860, when there 
was a majority of 
seventy-eight against 
the erection of a jail ; 
but on November 14, 
i860, the Board of 
Supervisors decided 
the vote carried, and 
appointed a commit- 
tee to co-operate with 
the Board of Auditors 
in erecting a jail, to 
cost $30,000. Work 
was soon begun, and 

the jail was completed in 1862, opened for inspec- 
tion December 26, and first used January i, 1863. 

The building contains six wards, each ward having 
fourteen cells, seven feet long and five wide. 

The walls of the prison are of solid block stone, 
many of the stones weighing from two to four 
tons. 

The total number of prisoners received for the 
year ending September 30, 1883, was one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-five, there being an average 
of forty-two persons constantly in durance. The 
sheriff is allowed sixty cents per day for boarding 
the prisoners. The total amount paid for their board 
in 1883 was $7,809. The city pays for the board of 
all persons arrested for violation of city ordinances, 
and the county pays the rest of the expenses. 

There are four employes at the jail, three of whom 
are paid by the sheriff, the county paying for one 
deputy sheriff. The jailer or turnkey receives sev- 
enty-six cents for each prisoner received and dis- 




charged ; he is appointed by the sheriff, and is held 
responsible for the safe keeping of trie prisoners. 

No systematic and continuous effort for the moral 
and religious benefit of the inmates was made until 
1866, since which time the Young Men's Christian 
Association have held religious services in the wards 
every Sabbath, and reading matter is supplied 
weekly. These ser\'ices are always appreciated, and 
upon one occasion gave rise to the following bon- 
mot : Little hymn-books were being passed to the 
persons behind the bars, preparatory to a service 
of song; taking one of the books, a great, burly 
desperado, with a twinkle in his eye, exclaimed, " I 
can't sing much, but I will say over the words, and 
you can get the air outside." 

THE DETROIT HOUSE OF CORRECTION. 

The origin of this institution dates from the year 
1856, when several editorials appeared in the daily 
papers, advocating the building of a workhouse for 

the confinement of 
certain criminals then 
sent to the county jail. 
The suggestion met 
with favor, and on 
April 24, 1857, Mayor 
O. M. Hyde sent a 
communication to the 
Common Council, 
recommending the 
building of a work- 
house, almshouse, 
and city hospital ; 
submitting, at the 
same time, extracts 
from the reports of 
the Monroe County 
Penitentiary, at Rochester, New York, then super- 
intended by Z. R. Brockway. A letter subsequently 
recei\-ed from Mr. Brockway suggested that the 
criminal laws of the State be examined, to deter- 
mine what classes of criminals could be sentenced 
to such an institution, and also that an estimate be 
made of the probable number that would be con- 
fined therein. 

Soon after this, by resolution of the council, Mr. 
Brockway was invited to visit Detroit for consulta- 
tion. Meantime various locations were examined, 
and on August 12 the comptroller submitted to the 
council twenty-four proposals for sites, and the 
matter of location was referred to a committee. 

On November 11, on motion of Alderman Marsh, 
the council. 

Resolved, that the comptroller be requested to prepare an estimate 
for a site for an almshouse and workhouse, together with the 
necessary cost of suitable buildings therefor, and, further, that the 
mayor be directed, when the same is prepared, to call a public 
meeting of the citizens to take the same into consideration. 



Sheriff's Residenxe, Jail, and Police Court RooiM. 



THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION. 



217 



The public meeting was held at the City Hall on 
December 3, 1857, but no conclusive action was 
reached, though the meeting seemed opposed to the 
project. On December 9 the comptroller was again 
directed to advertise for proposals for a site, but 
none were received. In January, 1859, the gover- 
nor, in his message to the Legislature, recommended 
the building of a House of Correction, and urged 
the council to give attention to the matter. Mayor 
Patton seconded the recommendation, and on Janu- 
ary 1 5 the council appointed a committee to secure 
a legislative appropriation. This plan did not meet 
with favor, and on receiving the report of its com- 
mittee, the council requested the mayor to call a 
citizens' meeting to further consider the subject. 
The meeting was held on January- 30, and the fol- 
lowing resolution passed : 

Resolved^ that this meeting authorize the Common Council to 
borrow money and issue bonds for a sum not exceeding $50,000, 
for the purpose of erecting a workhouse. 

On March 6, i860, 
Sheldon Smith, architect, 
presented plans and 
drawing for the proposed 
buildings, which were ac- 
cepted, and on April 9 
following proposals for 
construction were adver- 
tised for. On the 24th 
the contract was award- 
ed to Richard Gibbings, 
for$66,230. A Building 
Committee, consisting of 
C. H. Buhl, J. J. Bagley, 
E. Le Favour, F. B. 
Phelps, and J. M. Ed- 
munds, was then ap- 
pointed, and on March 

15, 1 86 1, the Legislature passed an Act establishing 
the Detroit House of Correction. 

On June 25 the mayor nominated Z. R. Brock- 
way as superintendent, and he was unanimously con- 
firmed, and on July 6 the Committee on Public 
Buildings reported that the buildings were com- 
pleted and accepted. 

The buildings are located on a part of the old 
City Cemetery, and are bounded by Division, Wil- 
kins, Russell, and Riopelle Streets, the site embrac- 
ing three blocks. The original buildings, with the 
additions, have cost about $150,000. The inventory 
of December, 1883, gave the value of the stock, 
material, and bills receivable, as $161,442 ; the land 
and buildings are estimated to be worth $200,000. 

From its inception up to 1S84 the House of Cor- 
rection has received from the city, for all purposes, 
a total of $189,841.36. So successful has been the 
management that in January'. 1879. the superinten- 



dent reported to the council that there was a surplus 
of funds, amounting to $25,000, which could be 
returned to the city ; and this amount, together with 
an old claim against the county for board, subse- 
quently collected, made up the handsome sum of 
$63,810 returned to the city during the fiscal year of 
1880. The report for 1881 showed that there was 
an additional surplus of $35,000 ready for the city; 
in February, 18S3, the further sum of $40,000 was 
paid over as the profits of 18S2, and in Februarj', 
1884, $16,000, making a total of $154,810 returned 
to the city. The institution has ample means to 
liquidate every obligation, and in addition has main- 
tained over twenty thousand city prisoners, without 
pay from the city, and has accumulated property 
to the value of $200,000 over and above the total 
amount received from the city. Its management 
has been several times impugned, but on investiga- 
tion it has always been found to be almost without 
fault. 




Detroit Hoi'SE of Correction. 

Lender a congressional law. United States prison- 
ers and criminals from the Territories may be 
sentenced to this place as a prison ; and during 1883 
one hundred and fifty-four such persons were con- 
fined here. Under the State law of March 16, 1861, 
prisoners are also received from various counties 
in Michigan, other than Wayne, and the number so 
received in 1883 was two hundred and twenty-eight. 
The average number of prisoners, in 1883, was 
four hundred and fifty, of whom one seventh were 
females. 

The city pays no board for the prisoners it sends, 
but the Territories and counties pay according to 
contracts made with them, the amount averaging 
about one dollar and twenty-five cents per week. 
The cost to the city, in 1882, of the food of the pris- 
oners was fifteen and one tenth cents each per day. 

The prisoners work ten hours a day, and are 
chiefly employed in the manufacture of furniture. 



2l8 



THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION. 



5.7I5 



In 1883 they manufactured 310,790 chairs, 
beds, and 1,353 cradles. 

Until 1879 the women were largely occupied in 
the manufacture of coarse clothing ; since then they 
have been mainly employed in chair-making. Com- 
petent teachers selected from the officers, aided by 
other persons, conduct an evening school five even- 
ings in a week, and all prisoners sentenced for three 
months or over are required to attend. Not more 
than si.\ are allowed in a class. Candles are pro- 
vided, that they may pursue their studies in the cells. 
During Mr. Brockway's administration, lectures, 
readings, or musical entertainments were given in 
the chapel, on Saturday afternoons at five o'clock, by 
ladies and gentlemen who from time to time were 
invited. Similar exercises are still continued at such 
intervals as are deemed best ; and on every Sabbath, 
at 9 A. M., service is 
conducted in the 
chapel by clergymen 
and laymen. 

\'isitors are receiv- 
ed from 9 A.M. to 12 
M., and from 2 to 5 
p. M. 

Under Mr. Brock- 
way's superintend- 
ence, a House of Shel- 
ter, costing $12,000, 
was erected opposite 
the main building, on 
grounds belonging to 
the city, with the 
hope of establishing 
a permanent reform- 
atory for unfortunate 
women. It was open- 
ed October 22, 1868, 
closed two years lat- 
er, and again opened May i, 1 87 1, and continued to 
be used until May, 1874. The effort was supervised 
in the most careful and thoroughly Christian manner, 
and undoubtedly accomplished some good, but the 
uncertainty of its results, together with the additional 
expense involved, finally led to its abandonment- 
The building is now occupied by the superinten- 
dent. 

Very much of the credit for the good manage- 
ment of the institution is due to its organizer and 
first superintendent, Z. R. Brockway ; later superin- 
tendents have proved most admirable successors, 
and have fully maintained the deservedly high char- 
acter of the institution. Up to Act of 1 881, the 
superintendent was appointed by the council, on 




House of Correction — Superintendent's House. 



nmiiination of the mayor, fur terms of three years, 
with a salary of $3,000 per year. He is now ap- 
pointed by the inspectors. He is furnished with a 
house and servants, and all expenses for the board 
of himself and family are paid by the institution. 
The pay is liberal, but in no other department in the 
city government, probably, is the same amount of 
expenditure productive of as much benefit. In 
every way, the House of Correction is a model. 

The superintendents have been as follows : Z. R. 
Brockway, June, 1861, to January, 1873; Anthony 
Lederle, January, 1S73, to November, 1873 ; M. V. 
Borgman, November, 1873, to April, 1S79; Joseph 
Nicholson, from April, 1879. 

Under the original Act of Incorporation, the 
mayor, and three inspectors appointed by the coun- 
cil on his nomination, constituted a Board of Inspec- 
tors, and served with- 
out compensation. 
They had a general 
oversight over the in- 
stitution and its man- 
agement, and ap- 
pointed or approved 
all subordinate offi- 
cers, holding monthly 
meetings for these 
purposes. Under Act 
of June 2, 1 88 1, the 
board consists of four 
inspectors, the first 
four chosen for terms 
of from one to four 
years each ; since 
1 88 1 one has been 
chosen yearly. 

The following is a 

list of the inspectors : 

John J. Bagley, 

1862; H. P. Bridge, May, 

Anthony Dudgeon, May, 

L. M. Mason, May, 1862, to 

May, 1862, to May, 



May, 
1S61, 
1861, 
May, 



1 861, to May, 

to May, 1862; 

to May, 1864; 
1872; G. B. Russel, 
1864 ; G. V. N. Lothrop, July, 1863, to May, 1872 ; 
Morse Stewart, May, 1864, to November, 1866; N. 
W. Brooks, May, 1867, to February, 1872 ; Jefferson 
Wiley, June. 1872, to February, 1875 • J-E. Bittman, 
June, 1872, to February-, 1S73; E. Kanter, June, 1872, 
to February, 1877; A. S. Bagg, June, 1873, to Feb- 
ruary, 1876; Francis Palms, June, 1S75, to Septem- 
ber, 1878 ; William Foxen, May, 1S77, to July, 1881; 
W. C. Colburn, from June, 1875 ; Don M. Dickinson, 
from September, 1878; F. William Lichtenberg, 
from July, iSSo; J. V. Moran, from July, 18S1. 



PART V. 

MILITARY. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 



FORTS AND DEFENSES.- 



TENSIONS AND PENSION AGENTS.— MILITARY OFFICERS 
IN COMMAND AT DETROIT. 



FORTS AND DEFENSES. 

In importance as a military post, Detroit is hardly 
second to any place in the United States. All of 
its early history is connected with scenes of strife ; 
and in every American war its soldiers have borne a 
part. Its first settlers came with a military colony, 
British soldiers received it from the French, and 
when the city was yielded to the Americans, a com- 
pany of soldiers were the first to enter. Under the 
Northwest Territor)-, its governor was General St. 
Clair ; under Indiana Territor)-, General Harrison 
was the only governor ; and the first two governors 
of Michigan Territor)' were Generals Hull and Cass. 

For/ Detroit. 

The desirability of locating a fort at or near De- 
troit was perceived at an early date. In no other 
way could the French secure the control of the river 
and the fur trade of the Northwest ; and only by its 
possession could they prevent the English from 
gaining access to, and trafficking with, the western 
tribes. A fort was also necessar)' as a substantial 
evidence of the French occupancy of the soil, and to 
protect the various tribes of friendly Indians from 
the Iroquois, who constantly warred against them. 
It was intended to concentrate the French soldiers, 
traders, and friendly Indians at one place, and thus 
establish a permanent post. In pursuance of this 
general policy a rude fort had been erected at Mack- 
inaw in, or prior to, 1671 ; and in June, 1686, M. du 
Luth, then in command at Fort Mackinaw, received 
orders from M. de Non\'ille, the Governor of New 
France, to establish a fort on the Detroit of Lake 
Erie. In accordance with these orders. Fort St. 
Joseph, also called Fort du Luth, was built near 
what is now Fort Gratiot. The fort was abandoned 
within two years after its erection, and the passage 
between Lakes Erie and Huron was left undefended 
until 1 701. 

The ambition of the French, changes in govern- 
ment, and various exigencies caused the erection of 
no less than four different forts under six different 
names in or near the present city of Detroit. The 
first was named Fort Pontchartrain in honor of the 
French Colonial Minister of Marine. The stockade 



was hardly deserx-ing of so formidable a title, being 
intended to overawe rather than to defend. It was 
located on the first rise of ground from the river, 
and, using the present names of streets, was between 
Jefferson Avenue and Woodbridge Street, occupy- 
ing the western half of the block between Griswokl 
and Shelby Streets, probably including also Shelby 
Street, and a part of the ground now occupied by 
the Michigan E.xchange. This space was inclosed 
by wooden pickets, or sharp pointed logs, driven 
into the ground as closely as possible, forming a 
very substantial fence, ten feet high. At the four 
corners were bastions, but these were of irregular 
shape, and the angles of two of them were so small 
that they were of little value. Further particulars 
as to this fort are contained in a letter of the Cheva- 
lier de Calliere, Governor of New France, dated 
October 4, 1 701, which tells of the arrival of Lieu- 
tenant Chacornacle from Detroit with five men, and 
letters from Cadillac, one of which letters showed 
that he had 

built a fort with four bastions of good oak pickets fifteen feet 
long, sunk three feet in the ground. » * * That he placed 
this fort three leagues from Lake Erie, and two from Lake St. 
Clair, in the narrowest part of the river, to the west southwest. 

He commenced by making a storehouse to put his effects imder 
cover ; that he had worked at the necessar)' lodgings, which were 
not yet very far advanced, which obliged him to keep almost all 
his people at work trying to finish them before winter. 

A Street, averaging twelve feet in width, sur- 
rounded the buildings just inside the line of pick- 
ets. If the pickets needed renewing at any time, 
the inhabitants whose premises reached to the line 
were required to supply them, and when the houses 
were sold the pickets were sold with them. 

In 1703 the fort was set on fire by the Indians 
and partially destroyed. In 1716 and 1717 it was 
in ver)' poor condition, and in 1718 Tonty rebuilt the 
fort, making it one of the strongest in the country. 
In 1748 it was repaired with oak pickets fifteen feet 
long, with a diameter of at least six inches at the 
small end. One picket was allowed for each foot of 
ground. In 1749 a number of immigrants arrived 
from France ; and soon after the stockade for the 
first time was enlarged. 

In 1 75 1 additional troops came, and from this 



["0 



222 



FORTS AND DEFENSES. 



time the post was known as Fort Detroit. In 1754. 
1755, and 1758 the stockade was extended and ad- 
ditional ground enclosed. On November 29, 1760, 
it was surrendered to the English, and soon after 
was enlarged to include about eighty houses. The 
pickets at, this time were round, and about twenty- 
five feet high. There were bastions at each corner; 
and over the two gates on the east and west sides 
blockhouses were built for observation and defense. 
Each of the large wooden gates had a wicket gate 
to allow single persons to pass through. The main 
gates were opened at sunrise and closed at sunset ; 
the wickets were open till nine o'clock. 

If Indians entered, all their arms were taken from 
them at the gate, and returned when they left. 

The ground then enclosed, designated by present 
street lines, included all between Griswold Street 
and a point fifty feet west of Shelby Street, and all 
south of the alley between Jefferson Avenue and 
Larned Street to Woodbridge Street. 

At the time of the Pontiac Conspiracy the fort 
was garrisoned by one hundred and twenty-two men 
of the Eightieth Regiment, with eight officers, under 
command of Major Gladwin, and was provided with 
one three-pounder and three mortars. An armed 
schooner, the Beaver, protected the water front. 

In 1766 there was a garrison of two hundred men. 
An old letter from the inhabitants to the command- 
ant, formerly in possessitjn of A. D. Fraser, indicates 
how repairs were then provided for ; it reads as fol- 
lows : 

Detroit, Aug. 7th, 1766. 
To John Cavipbell^ Esq.^ Licttt. Col. and Comma/idani at 

Detroit and its dependencies : 
Sir, — 

We have taken your order of the 3rd. instant respecting the 
furnishing of materials by us for repairing this fort, into consider- 
ation ; and find it absolutely impossible to comply with it. 

The requisition made of us per individuals would amount at 
least to four thousand pounds, New York Currency,— a sum by 
far too great for the whole settlement, and all the trading people 
from different places now residing here, to pay. 

* * * We find, Sir, that till the year 1750 the fort was about 
hi'.lf the extent it is now. The inhabitants till then were obliged 
to furnish one picket for each foot of ground they possessed in 
front within the fort, and to pay annually two sols per foot to the 
Crown, by way of quit rent. It was with difficulty that the cir- 
cumstance of this place could accomplish the payment of their 
dues to the French King, of which he proved his sensibility by 
easing the inhabitants of the heavy burthen of furnishing pickets ; 
for from that time the Fort was enlarged upon an entirely new 
plan, at the sole expense of the Crown. The annual ta.\ of two 
sol per foot, in front, was continued till the surrender of this 
country to the English, since which the service has required such 
taxes of us that they have been almost insupportable. Permit us, 
Sir, to mention them, and yuu will see that we stand in greater 
need of assistance than to be obliged to pay any new demands. 

Captain Campbell, the first English commandant at Detroit, on 
his arrival here levied a tax on the proprietors in the Fort, for 
lodging the troops, which amounted to a very considerable sum ; 
besides, each of the farmers were obliged to pay a cord of wood 
per acre in front. The second year the proprietors paid again for 
quartering the troops, and the farmers furnished double the quan- 
tity of wood they did the year before. 



The third year Colonel Gladwin continued the same taxes. 
The following year, being 1762,1 the tax within the Fort alone 
amounted to one hundred and eighty-four pounds, thirteen Shil- 
lings and four Pence. In the year 1764 the taxes came to one 
hundred and fifty-eight Pounds, New York Currency. 

In the year 1765 you was pleased to signify by Messrs. Babee 
and Shappooton that the taxes for the future should be the same as 
in the French Government, which, as we have said before, was 
two sol per foot for the lots within the Fort. 

The fanners were subject to a quit rent of two Shillings and 
eight pence New York Currency, and one-fourth bushel wheat 
per acre in front, which was accordingly paid to Mr. Shappooton, 
who was appointed to receive the same. After this, we could not 
help being surprised at the tax for the current year, viz one Shil- 
ling per foot in front for lots within the Fort, and ten Shillings 
per acre fur the farmers in the country. The heaviness of this 
tax is most severely felt, as you may judge by the delay and diffi- 
culty the people had in paying it. 

This letter clearly shows that then, as now, taxes 
were deemed a burden. 

A few years prior to 1778 the stockade was again 
enlarged, and provided with four gates on each side, 
with blockhouses over them on the east, west, and 
north sides, each blockhouse having four six-pound- 
ers. There were, also, two batteries of six guns 
each, facing the river. The citadel, on what is now 
the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street, 
was surrounded with a row of pickets, and contained 
barracks for three or four hundred men, a brick 
storehouse, a hospital, and a guard-house. 

The stockade, in 1778, included that part of the 
city lying between Griswold and Cass Streets, Larned 
Street, and the river. On the river side of the fort 
the bank was quite steep, and between it and the 
water's edge was a space of level ground forty feet 
wide. 

Fort Lernoidt o?' Shelby. 
The history of this fort is thus detailed by Cap- 
tain A. Bird of the Eighth Regiment, in a letter to 
Brigadier General Powell, dated August 13, 1782: 

Late in the fall of 1778 we were alarmed by the approach of the 
enemy under one Brodhead, who with two or three thousand men 
had actually advanced as far as Tuscarovvas, about ninety miles 
from the lake at Lower Sandusky, and were employed in building 
a large picketed Fort. Major Lernoult, at a conversation with 
the officers at Detroit on the above alarm, concluded Detroit in- 
capable of making a defense that might reflect honor on the de- 
fendants, it being of great extent, only picketed, and in a manner 
under a hill. By his orders on the same evening, I traced a re- 
doubt on the hill. The plan was left to me. + * * We be- 
gan, I think, early in November, and worked without intermission 
until P'ebruary, at which time the Indians declaring an intention 
of attacking Colonel Brodhead's post of four hundred then at 
Tuscarowas I joined them. In the meantime Lieutenant Duver- 
net returned from Post Vincent and was appointed engineer ; the 
work was then too far advanced for him to alter the form of it. 

It was made by surrounding an interior space with 
trees piled up four feet high, with their sharpened 
butts projecting outwards. On top of the trees, and 

' This date is evidently a mistake, as, according to this state- 
ment, 1762 would be the fourth year of English possession, when, 
in fact, the fort was surrendered in 1760. 



FORTS AND DEFENSES. 



223 



projecting over them seven or eight feet, at an angle 
of forty-five degrees, vv-as a tier of sharpened stakes, 
the whole surmounted with an earth embankment 
eleven feet high. The thickness of the top of the 
parapet was twelve feet ; the banquette for infantry 
was raised six feet from the foundation or level of 
the fort ; the width of the ramparts at their base was 
twenty-six feet. The embankment was surrounded 
by a ditch five or six feet deep, and twelve feet wide 
at the surface, having in it a row of cedar pickets 
eleven or twelve feet high, fastened together v\'ith a 
rib. 

The entrance was towards the town, through a 
passageway underneath the trees, with a drawbridge 
over the ditch. Between the citadel and the fort 
there was a subterranean passage, the powder-maga- 
zine being on the route. On each side of the 
entrance was an iron twenty-four-pounder ; each 
side of the fort was defended with two twenty-four- 
pounders, and at each bastion four cannons were 
placed. The fort was entirely outside of the stock- 
ade, and a long distance from the settled portion of 
the town, on what was known as the second terrace. 
Designated by streets as they now exist, it lay 
between Fort and Lafayette Streets, including both 
streets and the two blocks between Griswold and 
Wayne Streets. 

Shortly after it was built, the old stockade was 
extended to the fort, intersecting the two southern 
bastions, and enclosing the military gardens indicated 
in the map of 1796. 

On March 16, 1779, Colonel George Rogers Clark, 
having Just captured Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton 
and his forces at Vincennes, writing to Major Ler- 
noult at Detroit, enclosing letters from prisoners to 
their friends, says, " I learn by your letters to Gov- 
ernor Hamilton that you were very busy making new 
works. I am glad to hear it, as it saves the Ameri- 
cans some expense in building." Unfortunately, 
Colonel Clark's plans miscarried, and the work went 
on, but not for the benefit of the Americans. 

On May 16, 17 So, Colonel De Peyster, who had 
succeeded Major Lernoult. in a letter to Colonel 
Bolton at Niagara, said : 

The new Fort will give constant employment for this Garrison 
for some time to come, the ditches filling faster than we can sod, 
owing to severe weather, and springs breaking out in all parts, 
which brings down the earth in great clods. 

On the conclusion of the treaty of peace, work on 
the fort ceased, and on August 5, 17S4, Lieutenant- 
Governor Hay wrote from Detroit to General Haldi- 
mand as follows : 

As all public works are ordered to cease here, it is my duty to 
inform your E.\cellency that the front and rear of this town are 
open, the pickets having been taken down by order of Lieutenant- 
Colonel De Peyster. and the continuation of the lots to the river 
given to the proprietors, saving a cart road to the water's edge, 



by which means a discontented Indian may, any night, set fire to 
the town. 

The ground given by Colonel De Peyster, as above mentioned, 
was formerly the wood yard, but now the barrack master is obliged 
to pile his wood at so great a distance on each side of the town 
that no sentry from the garrison can take charge of it. Captain 
Bird, acting engineer, has reported to me that part of Fort Ler- 
noult has been much damaged this spring and summer by heavy 
rains, and if not repaired will soon not be defensible ; but I shall 
not allow a sixpence upon either without your E.xcellency's or- 
ders. 

In October, 1779, the following troops were sta- 
tioned here : One hundred and eighty of the King's 
Regiment, one hundred and thirty-eight of the 
Fort)--seventh Regiment, fifty Rangers, and thirteen 
of the Royal Artillerj-, — a total of three hundred and 
eighty-one. On August 23, 1782, there was a total 
of twenty-six cannon and mortars fit for service, with 
thirteen soldiers of the Royal Artillery, two hundred 
and forty-six of the King's or Eighth Regiinent, 
seventy-one of the Forty-seventh Regiment, and one 
hundred and twenty Rangers, — a total of four hun- 
dred and fifty besides the officers. 

On September 24, 1782, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry 
Hope arrived at Detroit from Mackinaw on a tour 
of inspection. He remained until the evening of the 
26th. General Powell had been here but a short 
time before. 

In 1793 the fort was garrisoned with one company 
of artillery and one of grenadiers ; there were also 
two new brigs, the Chippewa and the Ottawa, with 
eight guns each, the brig Dunmore with six guns, 
and the sloop Felicity with two swivels. 

After the evacuation by the English, on July 11, 
1 796, Colonel Hamtramck, with a garrison of three 
hundred soldiers, was stationed here. At this time 
there was great difficulty in supplying the troops 
with provisions, and .Samuel Henley, acting quarter- 
master at Greenville, sent the following letters to 
General Wilkins, quartermaster-general at Detroit : 

Greenville, August 4, 1796. 
Mr. Jones leaves here this day, from the cursed arrangements at 
fort Hamilton, with my heart full of sorrow he leaves me without 
corn. * * * If I can assist Mr. Jones with corn on his way to 
you, by Heaven, it shall be done without a moment's delay. 

Greenville, .August 13, 1796. 
I wrote to you the Commissary-General gave thirty dollars for 
the transportation of one barrel of flour. I am told he gives this 
price from Fort Washington to Fort Wayne. * * * I am well 
convinced that our public wagon-makers are a poor set of drunken 
men. 

These difficulties soon passed away, and the fol- 
lowing letter shows that social enjoyments were not 
forgotten : 

Greenville, December 9, 1796. 

I hope ere long to have the honor to see you in Detroit there to 

enjoy the pleasure of your agreeable company, each of us in good 

health. I should be very much gratified with the amusements of 

Detroit this winter, but must dispense with that pleasure, as I 



!2^ 



FORTS AND DEFENSES. 



hope to have the opportunity next winter of seeing my friends in 
lioston. 
1 wish all the ladys in the world happy. 

Sami.. Henlev. 
Peter Audrain, Esfj., Dcp. Q. M. Genl.^ Detroit. 

In June, 1800, two regiments were here. In 1803 
the stockade was in very bad condition, and on April 
28, 1804, a town meeting was held to vote on the 
question of its repair. The vote stood twelve in 
favor of, and thirteen against repairing. In 1806 it 
was decided to repair the picl;ets, and in October 
Pierre Chesne was paid " fifty-eight pounds, si.xteen 
shillings, for finishing the stockade." 

In 1807 an entirely new stockade was erected by 
Governor Hull. It included all the grounds between 
the Cass and Brush Farms and extended to the fort. 
There were gates and blockhouses on each side at 
Jefferson Avenue. For the purpose of building this 
stockade it was or- 
dered on August 9, 
1807, that fifty offi- 
cers and men be de- 
tailed from the First 
Regiment, and fifty 
from the Legionary 
Corps to be "march- 
ed to the works at 
eight A. M." On 
August 17 follow- 
ing, James May, the 
adjutant -general, di- 
rected that the First 
Regiment should 
" prepare and set up 
three hundred yards 
of pickets, and the 
Legionary Corps, ow Aksen.m, c^ j 

one hundred and fif- 
ty yards." These pickets were fourteen feet high, 
with loop-holes to shoot through. 

The fort was surrendered by General Hull on 
August 16, 1 81 2. Among the brass field-pieces 
delivered up were two taken by (jeneral Stark at 
Bennington, one captured from General Burgoyne 
at Saratoga, and several obtained from Cornwallis 
at Yorktown. 

The fort was evacuated by the British on Sep- 
tember 28, 181 3 ; wherl they left, some of the troops 
set fire to the barracks, but the inhabitants speedily 
quenched the flames. 

General McXrthur first occupied the fort on 
September 29. Up to this time it had retained the 
name of Lemoult, but now it was christened Fort 
Shelby in honor of the brave governor of Ohio. 

While the English were in possession, all of the 
pickets on the west and some on the east were cut 
off close to the ground, and in the winter of 1 8 1 3- 




1 814 the soldiers of Harrison's army dug out the 
ends and used them for fuel. The walls of the fort, 
at this time, were closely lined with log huts, occu- 
pied by the army. Just prior to April 25, 1814, four 
lines of pickets were erected in place of those de- 
stroyed in 181 3. The fort was also newly mounted 
with cannon, and fourteen hundred troops were then 
stationed here. 

On August 9, 181 5, Major William H. Puthuff, 
of the Second United States Rifle Regiment, who 
had been in command at Detroit, retired from the 
army, and was presented by the citizens with a com- 
plimentary address. 

In September, 181 5, nearly thirteen hundred 
soldiers were stationed here, and quartered in what 
was called the cantonment, built just west of the 
fort in that year. It consisted of four rows of one- 
story log buildings arranged in quadrangular form. 

The west row stood 
directly on the east 
line of the Cass 
Farm. At this time 
the gates of the town 
were guarded by 
sentinels, and no one 
could enter or leave 
without a pass. 

On Saturday, Sep- 
tember 6, 181 5, Ma- 
jor General Brown 
and suite, who had 
been at Detroit on a 
tour of inspection, 
left for Buffalo on 
the brig Niagara. 
The arsenal on 
. Ave. -WD \VA^^E .St. the uorthwcst Cor- 

ner of Jefferson Av- 
enue and W'ayne Street was built under the direc- 
tion of Colonel R. L. Baker, in 1S16, and was torn 
down late in the summer of 1867. The yard in 
the rear, with its stores of cannon-balls, was in 
charge of Captain Perkins, who kept it in the best of 
order. The garrison, during a part of 1816, con- 
sisted of fifteen hundred regi^ar troops ; in the fol- 
lowing year it varied from one hundred antl fifty to 
four hundred. 

On April 19, 1 81 8, the flag-staff was blown down 
during a storm, and two days after the Gazette con- 
tained this notice : 

The flag-staff on which, in August, 1812, General Hull displayed 
his signal of disgraceful submission, fell during the storm last 
Wednesday evening. No flag had waved on it since 1812, but it 
stood a monument of the cowardly surrender of Detroit. 

It was possibly this very staff that the council, in 
1827, proposed to convert into ladders for the use of 
the firemen. In the spring of 1873, while a cellar 



FORTS AND DEFENSES. 



-25 



for the residence of John Owen on Fort Street West 
was being excavated, the stump of the staff was 
found ; a plate suitably inscribed was placed upon 
it, and on April 26, 1877, it was presented to the 
Public Library. 

On July 25, 1818, Colonel John E. Wool arrived, 
and remained two days. In 1820 a full regiment 
was stationed here. On Wednesday, May 3, of this 
year. Captain J. Farley, of the United States Artillery, 
and Lieutenant Otis Fisher, of the Fifth Regiment, 
went to Sandwich, and fought a duel, Fisher being 
instantly killed. 

On June 4, 1821, General John N. Macomb, who 
had been in command here for many years, being 
about to leave, was presented by the citizens with 
several engravings, and also with a silver tankard 
made by Mr. Rouquette. 

In this year Fort Shelby was in a dilapidated con- 



doilars were paid for filling in the old ditch around 
the fort, and in May, si.x thousand pickets, forming 
part of the fort and stockade, were sold at from two 
dollars to three dollars per hundred. 

Fort J I 'iivfu: 

This fortification, named after General Anthony 
Wayne, is located in the township of Springwells, 
three and one half miles from the City Hall, at the 
only bend in the river, and also at its narrowest 
point. It commands the city and the river channel. 
Its site was the camping-ground of the troops ren- 
dezvousing for the Black Hawk War, also of the 
forces engaged in the Patriot War of 1 838. 

The first appropriation of $50,000 for its construc- 
tion was made on August 4, 1841 ; in 1842 the 
Ciovernment purchased twenty-three acres, and in 
1844 an additional forty-three acres was procured. 




^0^!^^^0^^^^^'00:f ^ . 





Of-PICEKS" tJUAKTEKS AT foKT W'aV.NE. 



dition, and without a single mounted piece of 
artillery; the pickets and abattis also were badly 
decayed. 

On Tuesday, October 19, 1824, General Gaines 
arrived from a tour of inspection of the northern 
posts. He left the next day. On July 12, 1825, 
General Solomon Van Rensselaer visited the city, 
and was given a public dinner at Woodworth's 
Hotel, Colonel J. E. Wool being also present. 

On May 27, 1826, the two companies of infantry 
which had been stationed here departed for Green 
Bay, leaving the city, probably for the first time, 
without any troops. During this year, the fort and 
its grounds were given to the city by Congress, and 
most of the old barracks were sold and moved away. 
In the spring of 1827 the stockade was removed and 
the fort demolished. Si.x hundred and twenty-five 



The fort was begun in 1843, and completed about 
1 85 1, at a cost of nearly $150,000. 

General Meigs had entire charge of the construc- 
tion. It was originally a square-bastioned fort, with 
sand embankments, and red cedar scarp with em- 
brasures of oak. The cedar was brought from 
Kelley's Island, some three hundred workmen being 
sent thither for the purpose. Both the cedar and 
the oak were kyanized, and it was thought they 
would be very durable. 

In 1864, under the superintendence of General T. 
J. Cram, the cedar scarp was removed, and replaced 
with brickwork, seven and one half feet thick and 
twenty-two feet high, with a brick facing of about 
eighteen inches, back of which is si.\ feet of concrete. 
The top of the scarp wall extends about si.x feet 
above the former woodwork, and there is an empty 



2 26 PENSIONS AND PENSION AGENTS.— OFFICERS IN COMMAND AT DETROIT. 



space between it and the embankment. In case the 
top of the wall should be shot away, this space 
would serve as a receptacle for the falling brick- 
and mortar, which would be very nearly as ser- 
viceable as a sand embankment in resisting the 
destructive effect of solid shot. The entire cost of 
these improvements was nearly $250,000. 

Fort Croghan or Fort Nonsense. 

Early in the century the Indians near the city 
were continually killing cattle, driving off horses, 
and committing depredations of various kinds. To 
intimidate them, and to protect the stock which 
grazed on the commons, this fort was erected. The 
following official order had reference to the work of 
erection : 

Headquarters Detroit, 6 June, 1806. 
It is hereby ordered, that the three following eoinpanies of the 
First Regiment, by and under the command of their respective 
captains, shall furnish the following quota of men each, to assist 
in erecting the public works on the Common above the fort, viz.: 
Captain Carapau six men. Captain Tuttle six men, and Captain 
Anderson eight men each day, to attend preciselyat seven o'clock 
in the morning at said work, to be there under the direction and 
control of the commandant, already appointed in General orders 
to superintend the erection of said works, and subject to the com- 
mand of the officer of the day. The officers of the three companies 
aforesaid will be liable to be called upon, from time to time, to 
serve as olHcers of the day. 

{Signed) Stanley Gkiswold, 

Acting Goziernor and Cotnmander-in~Clt ie/. 

The fort was located near what is now the north- 
east corner of Park and High Streets, and was 
eventually called Fort Croghan, also Fort Nonsense. 
It was circular in form, about forty feet in diam- 
eter, and consisted of an earth embankment about 
ten feet high, and two feet wide on top, surrounded 
by a ditch. It was mounted with a few pieces of 
artillery. 

The soldiers used to practice firing into it from 
Fort Shelby so as to be able to drive out the Indians 
in case they attempted to occupy it. In later times 
it was a favorite place of resort for the boys, who 
would choose sides and battle for its possession, 
and they, probably, gave it its best-known name. 

Detroit Jiarraeks. 

As early as September, 1830, the Government ob- 
tained possession, partly by purchase and partly by 
lease of a large portion of the Mullett Farm, front- 
ing on Cjratiot Street, near the present Russell 
Street ; barracks vi'ere erected thereon, and the Gov- 
ernment continued to occupy the ground for nearly 
twenty-five years. During most of this time, a large 
number of soldiers were quartered there. 

As an event in which militarv- officers of Detroit 
felt much interest, it may be noted that the corner- 
stone of the Arsenal at Dearborn was laid on July 



30, 1833, under the supervision and management of 
Colonel Joshua Howard. The ceremonies com- 
menced at 12 M., with prayer by Rev. Mr. Searle, of 
Detroit, followed by an address by Major Henry 
Whiting, and a dinner. 

On August II. 1845. an order arrived for the three 
companies of the Fifth Regiment, then in Detroit, 
to rendezvous at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., prepara- 
tory to going to Te.xas; and on the 1 6th, a com- 
plimentary dinner was given to the officers at the 
E.xchange. 

PENSIONS AND PENSION AGENTS. 

The United States, as early as 17S9, assumed the 
payment of pensions, agreed to be paid by the 
States. An Act of April 24, 1816, provided for the 
appointment, by the Secretary of War, of additional 
commissioners of pensions. This office was estab- 
lished in Detroit in 1824, and through its agency the 
Government pays pensions to wounded officers, 
soldiers, and sailors who were engaged in the \^'ar of 
1 81 2, the Mexican War, and the war with the South. 
The amounts paid vary from one dollar to fifty dol- 
lars per month, and are paid at the end of each 
quarter, dating from September 4 in each year. 

There are about 10,500 pensioners on the rolls of 
the Detroit Pension Agency, of whom about 600 
live in the city. 

The disbursements of the Detroit office for pen- 
sions, for the year ending June 30, 1 883, reached a 
total of $2,750,702, paid out to 13,080 persons. 

The salary- of the pension agent is $4,000 a year, 
and fifteen cents on each payment to pensioners 
after $4,000 has been paid. Out of the amount he 
receives, the agent pays the salaries of several 
employees, and all expenses except oflSce rent, lights, 
and fuel. 

The following persons have served as pension 
agents: 1824-1831, Thomas Rowland ; 1831-1837, 
EliasDoty; i837-i854,E. P. Hastings ; 1854-1857, 
Elisha Taylor ; 1857-1859, Guy Foote; 1859-1862, 
Henry C. Kibbee ; 1862-1863, Alexander G. Noyes; 
1863-1S67, Thomas J. Nuyes ; 1S67-1869, Henry 
Barns; 1 869-1 873, Arnold Kaichen ; 1873- 
Samuel I'ost. 

MILITARY OFFICERS IN COMMAND AT DETROIT. 

No list of either the French, English, or Ameri- 
can commanders at Detroit has ever before been 
published. The following lists, compiled from vari- 
ous official and private manuscripts, are believed to 
be nearly complete. 

French Cotnmandants. 
1701 to fall of 1704, M. Antoine de la Mothe 
Cadillac. 

1704, fall of, to 1706, Sieur ."Mphonse de Tonty. 



MILITARY OFFICERS IN COMMAND AT UKTROIT. 



227 



1706, January 29, to August, Sieur de Bourgmont. 

1706, August, to summer of 1711, M. Antoine be 
la Mothe Cadillac. 

171 1 to June, 17 1 2, M. Joseph Guyon du Buisson. 

17 1 2, June, to 1714, Franc^uis Daupin, Sieur de 
la Forest. 

1 7 14-17 17, Lieutenant Jacques Chas. Sabrevois. 

1717, M. Louis de la Poste, Sieur de Louvigny. 

1717, July 3, to 1720, M. Henri Tonty, younger 
brother of Alphonse. 

1720, M. Charles Joseph, Sieur de Noyelle. 

1720 to November 10, 1727 (when he died), Sieur 
Alphonse de Tonty. 

1727, December 19, to , M. le Chevalier de 
Lepemouche. 

1728, M.Jean Baptiste Deschaillons de St. Ours. 
1728, M. Charles Joseph, Sieur de Noyelle. 
1728 to June 10, 1734, M. de Boishebert. 

1734, June 10, to , Hugues Jacques Pean, 

Sieur de Livandiere. 

1734-1738, Lieutenant Jacques Charles Sabrevois. 

173S-1741, M. Charles Joseph, Sieur de Noyelle. 

1 741, July 28, to 1742, Pierre Poyen de Noyan. 

1 742- 1 743, Pierre de Celeron, Sieur de Blainville. 

1743-1747, M. Joseph Lemoyne, Chevalier de 
Longueuil. 

1749- , Lieutenant Jacques Charles Sabrevois. 

175 1, February 15, to March 19, 1754, Pierre de 
Celeron, Sieur de Blainville. 

175410 May 25, 1758, M. Jacques d'Anon, Sieur 
de Muy. Died at Detroit. 

1758-1760, Captain Frangois Marie Picote de 
Bellestre. 

English Coinmanding Officers. 
1760, Major Robert Rogers. 
1760 to 1763, Major Donald Campbell. 
1763 to August 31, 1764, Major Henry Gladwin. 

1764, Colonel Jolin Bradstreet. 

1765, Colonel John Campbell. 

1766, August 26, Major Robert Bayard. 
1767-1769, Captain George Turnbull. 

1 770, June 2, to September, Major T. Bruce. 
1770, September, to January 8, 1772, James Stev- 
enson. OJ-f^O 

1772, Majomfctherington. 

1 772-1 774, Major Henry Bassett. 

1774, Major R. B. Lernoult. 

1775, Captain Montpasant. 

1776, Major Arent Schuyler De Peyster. 
1776, Captain Lord. 

1778, April, Captain Stephenson. 

1778, December, to October, 1779, Major Richard 
Beringer Lernoult. 

1 779, October, to June, 1 784, Major Arent Schuyler 
De Peyster. 

1 784, Major William Ancram. 



1786, June, Major R. Matthews. 

1787, Major Wiseman. 
1 791, Colonel England. 

1791, Major John Smith, of Fifth Regiment. 

1792, Major Claus. 

1793, Captain William Doyle. 

1793, March, to 1796, Colonel Richard England' 
of Twenty-fourth Regiment. 

The records of the War Department at Washing- 
ton having been partially destroyed in the War of 
1 81 2, no record of the officers in command prior to 
181 5 can be there obtained, but from various old 
records the following officers are found to have been 
at Detroit on and between the dates named : 

American Commanding Officers. 
1796. July II, Captain Moses Porter. 
1796. July 12. Colonel John F. Hamtramck. 

1796, Major-General Anthony Wayne. 

1797, Major-General James Wilkinson. 
1797-1800, Colonel D. Strong. 

1800, Colonel Porter. 

1800-1S02, Colonel H. J. Hunt, 

1802 to April Ti, 1803, Colonel J. F. Hamtramck. 

1803, Major John Whistler. 

1803, Colonel Thomas Hunt. 

1805, August, to April, 1807. Captain S. T. Dyson. 

1809-1811, Captain Jacob Kingsbury. 

181 2, May, Major John Whistler. 

181 2, July, Colonel Brush. 

1812, July, to August 16. 1812, Gen. Wm. Hull. 

1 81 3, September 29, General Duncan Mc Arthur. 
181 3, Major-General William Henry Harrison. 

18 1 3. October, Colonel Lewis Cass. 

181 3, November, Captain Abraham Edwards. 

1814, February, Colonel H. Butler. 

1 8 14, March, Colonel George Croghan. 

1814, July, Colonel H. Butler. 

181 5, Major W. H. Puthuff. 

181 5, September, Brigadier-General Miller. 

The official list of commanding officers since 
181 5, compiled by the direction of the Secretary of 
War for this work, is as follows. 

Commanding Officers at Fort Shelby. 
1815, August, to November, 1817, Captain John 
Biddle, First Battalion Corps Artillery. 

IThe following anecdote concerning Colonel England is given 
in John A. McClung's " Sketches of Western Adventure ": 

" This gentleman was remarkable for his immense height and 
enormous quantity of flesh. .After his return from America, the 
waggish Prince of Wales, who was himself no pigmy, became de- 
sirous of seeing him. Colonel England was one day pointed out 
to him, by Sheridan, as he was in the act of dismounting from his 
horse. The prince regarded him with marked attention for sev- 
eral minutes, and then, turning to Sheridan, said, with a laugh, 
'Colonel England, hey ? You should have said Great Britain, by 



228 



MILITARY OFFICERS IN COMMAND AT DETROIT. 



1817, November, to January, 1818, Second Lieu- 
tenant Chas. Mellon, First Battalion Corps Artil- 
lery. 

1S18, January', to June. 181 8, First Lieutenant 
Neucas Mackey, First Battalion Corps Artillery. 

1818, June, to July, 1819. Captain John Farley, 
First Battalion Corps Artillery'. 

1819, July, to August, 1821, Captain Thos. Stock- 
ton, Fourth Battalion Corps Artillery. 

1821, August, to June, 1822, Colonel James House, 
Second Artillery. 

1822, June, to October, 1822, Captain J. Mount- 
fort, Second Artillery. 

1822, October, to December, 1822, Captain R. A. 
Zant Zinger. Second Artillery. 

1823, Major Baker. 

Commanding Officers at Detroit Barracks. 

1838, March, to April, 1838, Major John Garland, 
First Infantry. 

1838, April, to August, 1838, Captain L. J. Jami- 
son, Fifth Infantry-. 

1838, August, to May, 1839, Major M. M. Payne, 
Second Artiller)-. 

1839, May, to June, 1839, First Lieutenant C. B. 
Daniels, Second Artillery. 

1839, June, to .'\ugust, 1839, Captain R. A. Zant 
Zinger, Second Artillery. 

1839, August, to September. 1839, First Lieuten- 
ant C. B. Daniels, Second Artillery. 

1839, September, to October, 1839, Major M. M. 
Payne, Second Artillery. 

1839, October, to May, 1S40, Major F. S. Belton, 
Fourth Artillery. 

1840, May, to June, 1841, Lieutenant-Colonel A. 
C. \V. Fanning, Fourth Artillery. 

1841, June, to July, 1841, Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. 
Crane, Fourth Artillery'. 

1841. July, to June, 1842, Brigadier-General H. 
Brady. 

1S42, June, to April, 1843. Colonel Geo. M. Brook, 
Fifth Infantry. 

1843, April, to July, 1S43, Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. 
Mcintosh, Fifth Infantry. 

1843, July, to August, 1843, Captain E. K. Smith, 
Fifth Infantry. 

1843, August, to July, 1844, Colonel Geo. M. 
Brooke, Fifth Infantry. 

1844, July, to September, 1844, Captain E. K. 
Smith, Fifth Infantry. 

1844, September, to November, 1S44, Colonel Geo. 
M. Brooke, Fifth Infantry. 

1844, November, to April, 1845, Colonel J. S. Mc- 
intosh, Fifth Infantry. 

1845, April, to May, 1845, Colonel Geo. M. Brooke, 
Fifth Infantry. 



1845, May, to July, 1845, Captain E. K. Smith, 
Fifth Infantry. 

1845, July, to August, 1845, Colonel Geo. M. 
Brooke, Fifth Infantry. 

1845. August, to October, 1S45. Captain H. Day. 
Second Infantry. 

1845, October, to July, 1846, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Bennet Riley, Second Infantry-. 

1846, July, to November, 1848, unoccupied. 
1848, November, to June 5, 1851, Colonel William 

Whistler, Fourth Infantry. 

1851, June 5th to nth. Lieutenant U. S. 
Grant, Fourth Infantry. 

1 85 1, June, to March, i860, unoccupied. 

During the war it was occupied by various de- 
tachments of volunteers. 

1866. March 19, to April 9, 1866, Captain D. L. 
Montgomery, Seventeenth Infantry-. 

1866, April 9, to May 11, 1866. Captain R. P. Mc- 
Kibbin, Fourth Infantry. 

1866, May II, to June, 1866, First Lieutenant S. 
W. Black, Seventeenth Infantr)'. 

Commanding Officers at Fort Wayne. 

(First occupied December 15, 1S61.) 

1861. December, to September, 1862, Captain 
Alfred Gibbs, Third Cavalry. 

1862, September, to December. 1862, Captain C. 
H. McNally, Third Cavalry. 

1862, December, to March, 1863. Captain C. C. 
Churchill, U. S. A. 

1863, March, to June. 1863. unoccupied. 

1863, June, to March, 1864. Captain Lewis Wilson, 
Nineteenth Infantry. 

1864, March, to April, 1865, Major Pinkney Lugen- 
beel. Nineteenth Infantry. 

1865, April, to October, 1865, Lieutenant-Colonel 
De L. Floyd-Jones. Nineteenth Infantry. 

1865. October, to April, 1867, Colonel-Silas Casey, 
Fourth Infantry. 

1867, April, to May, 1867, Major M. D. Hardin, 
Forty-third Infantry. 

1867, May, to May, 1868, Lieutenant-Colonel J. 
B. Kiddoo, Forty-third Infantry. 

1868, May, to April, 1869, Colonel JohnC. Robin- 
son, Forty-third Infantry. 

1869, April, to January, 1871, Colonel R. C. 
Buchanan, First Infantry. 

1 87 1 , January', to July, 1874. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Pinkney Lugenbeel. First Infantry. 

1874, July, to October, 1876, Colonel D. S. Stan- 
ley. Twenty-second Infantry. 

1876, October, to May. 1877, Captain J. B. In-ine, 
Twenty-second Infantry. 

1877, May, to August, 1S77, Lieutenant-Colonel 
E. S.Otis, Twenty-second Infantn,'. 



MILITARY OFFICERS IN COMMAND AT DETROIT. 



229 



1877, August, to October, 1877, Lieutenant P. M. 
Thome, Twenty-second Infantry. 

1877, October, to November, 1877, Captain J. B. 
Irvine, Twenty-second Infantr)-. 

1877, November, to May, 1877, Lieutenant-Colonel 
E. S. Otis, Twenty-second Infantry. 

1S77, May, to , Colonel H. B. Clitz, Tenth 
Infantry. 

Designation of Command embracing the City of 
Detroit, Michigan, from May 19, 1 8 1 3, with 
location of Headquarters and name of Com- 
manding Officers. 

May 19, I Si 3, Militarj- District No. 8, Detroit, 
Michigan. 

May 17. iSi 5, Military Department No. 5, Detroit, 
Michigan. 

May 17, 1 82 1, Eastern Department, Governor's 
Island, New York Harbor. 

November i, 1827, Eastern Department, New 
York City. 

May I, 1837, Eastern Department, Elizabethtown, 
New York. 

May 19, 1837, Military Department No. 7. Detroit, 
Michigan. 

July 12, 1842, Department No. 4, Detroit, Mich. 

August 31, 1848, Alilitary Department No. 3. 

September 11, 1S48, Military Department No. 2, 
Albany, New York. 

October 4, 1848, Military Department No. 2, 
Troy, New York. 

January 5, 1849, Military Department No. 2, 
Detroit. 

May 17, 1 85 1, Eastern Division, Troy, New 
York. 

October 31. 1853, Department of the East, Balti- 
more, Maryland. 

March 23, 1857, Department of the East, Troy, 
New Y'ork. 

October 26, 1861, to November 9, 1861, in no 
Department. 

November 9, 1861, Department of the Ohio. 

November 15, 1861, Department of the Ohio, 
Louisville, Kentucky. 

March 11. 1862, Mountain Department, Wheeling, 
Virginia. 

June 26. 1862, to August 19, 1862, in no Depart- 
ment. 

August 19, 1862, Department of the Ohio, Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. 

November 16, 1862, to Januaiy 12, 1864, in no 
Department. 

January 12, 1864. Northern Department, Colum- 
bus, Ohio. 

January 27. 1865, Department of the Ohio. De- 
troit, Michigan. 



August 6, 1866, Department of the Lakes, Detroit, 
Michigan. 

October 31, 1873, Division of the Atlantic, New 
York City. 

November 8, l S78, Department of the East, New 
Y'ork City. 

June 26, 1878, Department of the East, Governor's 
Island, New York Harbor. 

Commanded by 

May 19, 1813, Major-General W. H. Harrison. 

May 17, 181 5, Brigadier-General Ale.x. Macomb. 

May 17, 1821, Brevet Major-General W. Scott. 

December 8, 1823, Brevet Major-General Edmund 
P. Gaines. 

December 8, 1825, Brevet Major-General Winheld 
Scott. 

November i, 1827, Brevet Major-General E. P. 
(jaines. 

July 16, 1828, Brevet Brigadier-General Hugh 
Brady, Col. Second Infantry. 

March 21. 1829, Brevet Major-General Edmuixl 
P. Gaines. 

November 23, 1829, Brevet Major-General Win- 
field Scott. 

May 19, 1837, Brevet Brigadier-General Hugh 
Brady, Col. Second Infantry. 

August I. 1844, Brevet Brigadier-General George 
M. Brooke, Col. Fifth Infantry. 

September 20, 1844, Brevet Brigadier-General H. 
Brady, Col. Second Infantry. 

July 4, 1846, Brevet Colonel Bennet Riley, Lieut. 
Col. Second Infantry. 

August, 1846, Brevet Brigadier-General Hugh 
Brady, Col. Second Infantry. 

September II, 1848, Brevet Major-General John 
E. Wool. 

January 5, 1849. Brevet Brigadier-General Hugh 
Brady, Col. Second Infantry. 

April 15, 1851, Colonel William Whistler. Fourth 
Infantry. 

May 17, 1851, Brevet Major-General J. E. Wool. 

January 13, 1854, Brevet Brigadier-General James 
Bankhead, Colonel Second Infantry. 

November 13, 1856, Brevet Brigadier-General 
John B. Walbach, Colonel Fourth Artillery. 

March 23, 1857, Brevet Major-General John E. 
Wool. 

November 15, 1861, Brigadier-General Don Carlos 
Buell. 

March 11, 1862, Brigadier-General William S. 
Rosecrans. 

March 29, 1862, Major-General John C. Fremont. 

August 19, 1862, Major-General Horatio G. 
Wright. 

March 25, 1863, Major-General Ambrose E. 
Burnside. 



230 MILITARY OFFICERS IN COMMAND AT DETROIT. 

January 12, 1864, Major-General S. P. Heintzel- August 23, 1866, Brevet Major-General Joseph 

man. Hooker. 

October i, 1864, Major-General Joseph Hooker. June i, 1S67. Brevet Major-General J. C. Robin- 
January 27, 1865. Major-General Edward O. C. son. Col. Forty-third Infantry. 

Ord. February i, 1868, Brevet Major-General John 

December 26. 1 865, Brevet INIajor-General Orlando Pope. 

B.Willcox. May 6, 1870, Brevet Major-General Philip St. G. 

January 15, 1866, Major-General Edward U. C. Cooke 

Ord. October 31, 1873, Major-General \V. S. Hancock. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



EARLY INDIAN ATTACKS.— THK FRENCH AND ENGLISH OR SEVEN YEARS' WAR. 



EARLV INDIAN ATTACKS. 

Thk Indians whom Cadillac and the other French 
commandants gathered about Fort Pontchartrain 
were, generally, friendly, but these Indian allies had 
enemies, who frequently sought occasion to injure 
them by making war on the French. Their first 
attack was made in 1703, when the fort was set on 
fire by an Indian and partially destroyed. A portion 
of the defenses, the church, the House of the Rec- 
ollects, Cadillac's house and that of his lieutenant, 
were burned. The friendly Indians aided in re- 
building the houses, and presented the commandant 
with one hundred bushels of corn to " cure " in part 
the loss he had sustained by the fire. 

In June, 1706, while Cadillac was absent, a dog 
belonging to Bourgmont, the acting commandant, 
bit an Ottawa Indian in the leg. The Indian was 
greatly enraged, and beat the dog, Bourgmont 
then fell upon the Indian, and punished him so 
severely that he died soon after. Of course this 
roused the anger of the Ottawas, who were besides 
jealous of the Miamis, because they seemed to be 
the especial favorites of the French. On June 6 
they fell upon a party of six Miamis, and wreaked 
their vengeance by killing five of the number ; other 
Miamis who were in the vicinity then rushed for 
protection to the fort, and Bourgmont fired on the 
Ottawas, killing several. Meantime the Ottawas 
had seized the priest, Nicholas Constantine del 
Halle, as he was walking in his garden outside of 
the fort. One of the chiefs released him, but just 
as he was about entering the 5ort he was killed by 
a musket-shot from an Ottawa. Bourgmont then 
closed the gate of the fort, in which there were but 
fifteen soldiers, and fired on the Ottawas, killing 
thirty of them. This occasioned much bad feeling, 
but the French maintained their ground, though the 
fort was besieged for nearly a month. In the spring 
of 1707 the Ottawas went to Montreal to explain 
and make peace, returning to Detroit on August 6, 
1707, with M. de St. Pierre, who brought instruc- 
tions to Cadillac in regard to the matter. A portion 
of the Miamis had by this time become disaffected, 
and the same year Cadillac marched against them, 
and caused them to sue for peace. 

In 171 2, at the instigation of the English, the 



Outagamies, or Foxes, aided by the Kickapoos and 
Mascoutins, attacked the fort, which was then held 
by Du Buisson with a force of only twenty men. 
Being warned in time, he secured his grain and 
supplies from the warehouse outside, and brought 
them within the stockade. He then burned the 
warehouse, the church, and several other buildings, 
which might have endangered the fort if set on fire 
by the Indians. 

On May 13, the Ottawas, Hurons, Potowatamies, 
Menomenees, Illinois, and Osages arrived to aid him. 
By this time the Foxes had erected a fort almost 
within musket range of Fort Pontchartrain. Here 
they were besieged by the allied Indians, who 
raised rough scaffolds twenty-five feet high, from 
which they fired on the Foxes, who finally sued for 
peace. The allied Indians would make no terms 
e.xcept unconditional surrender, and the Foxes 
retired to their fort, and discharged therefrom burn- 
ing arrows at the French fort, setting several houses 
on fire. The French covered their houses with wet 
bear and deer skins, and the fires were put out with 
swabs fastened on long poles. The Foxes held out 
so long that the allied Indians at one time were 
about to give up the contest, but large presents from 
Du Buisson caused them to renew the siege, which 
was continued with vigor till a hea\-y rainstorm dis- 
persed them. The Foxes then escaped, and made 
their way up to Grosse Pointe, where they entrenched 
themselves. With aid of cannon from the fort they 
were defeated, and nearly one thousand massacred 
by the allied Indians, who made slaves of the squaws 
and the children. In 1717 a party of Foxes again 
threatened the fort, but they were soon put to flight. 
These defeats seemed to have been salutar>- lessons, 
for there is no record of any further attack upon 
the fort until 1746, when it was set upon by north- 
ern Indians, and defended by Pontiac and his tribe. 

THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH W'AR. 

The French and English or Seven Years' War 
was caused by the determined effort of both the 
French and the English to secure their western pos- 
sessions and to add to their extent. To this end 
intrigue, massacre, and military manoeuvres contin- 
ually succeeded each other. Year by year the jeal- 



[=3.1 



2.^,2 



THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR. 



ousy between French and English occupants of 
America became increasingly manifest, and excur- 
sions to attack English settlements were a feature 
of the times. 

As early as 1745, and especially in 1747, such 
items as these are of frequent mention in old French 
records : " Twenty-four Ottawas and Pottowatamies 
have been fitted out for the war excursion." " Nine 
parties have been equipped for a war excursion. 
Sieur Blondeau, a volunteer, commands them." 

The English, however, were not asleep, and they 
were as unscrupulous as their antagonists in making 
use of the savages. Governor Clinton, in a letter to 
Colonel Johnson, dated New York, April 25, 1747, 
says, " In the bill I am going to pass the council did 
not think it proper to put rewards for scalping, or 
taking poor women or children prisoners, in it ; 
but the assembly has assured me the money shall 
be paid when it so happens, if the Indians insist 
upon it." On May 30 Colonel Johnson wrote the 
governor, " I am quite pestered every day with par- 
ties returning with prisoners and scalps, and without 
a penny to pay them with. It comes ver\' hard upon 
me, and is displeasing to them I can assure you, for 
they expect their pay, and demand it of me as soon 
as they return." 

The fact is undoubted and indisputable that at 
Detroit and other posts under both French and Eng- 
lish rule, the Indians received goods in payment for 
human scalps as regularly as for coon and muskrat 
skins. 

In 1747 the English, through the Iroquois, dis- 
tributed belts to the Hurons, and in fact to all of the 
Indians in this neighborhood, and all, except the 
Illinois, were agreed in a plot to massacre the 
French at Detroit on one of the holidays of Pente- 
cost. The Indians were to sleep in the fort, as they 
had often done, and each was to kill the inmates of 
the house where he lodged. A squaw, going into a 
garret in search of corn, overheard the conspirators 
planning beneath her. She informed a Jesuit lay 
brother, who told M. de Longueuil, the comman- 
dant. He at once called together the principal 
chiefs, showed them that their plot was exposed, 
and they abandoned it with excuses and protesta- 
tions . 

On August 31, 1747, a settler named Martineau 
strayed too far from the fort, and was killed and 
scalped by four Indians. On September 22 follow- 
ing, the fort was reinforced by the arrival of one 
hundred and fifty soldiers from Montreal, and the 
settlers felt much more secure. That there was 
continued danger, however, is evident from this gen- 
eral order, dated Detroit, June 2, 1748 : 

Should any Huron or rebel be so daring as to enter the fort 
without a pass, through sheer bravado, 'twould be proper to arrest 
him and put him to death on the spot. 



During the year several Indians from Bois Blanc 
Island waylaid a party of Frenchmen on Grosse 
Isle and seriously maltreated them. M. de Lon- 
gueuil, who was still in command at the fort, sent a 
force of thirty men in search of the hostile party. 
Three of the Huron chiefs, who had begun to fear 
for their own safety, volunteered their aid, and with 
ten of de Longueuil's men they set out, overtook the 
first party of thirty, and captured the five hostile 
Indians, only one of whom was a Huron. The 
leader, an Onondaga, was put to death by the 
inhabitants as soon as the party reached Detroit, 
and the rest were put in irons ; one of these, a 
Seneca Indian, was found dead in the guard-house 
on the 29th of December, 1747 ; the three others 
were released in Februar)-, 1748, on promise of good 
behavior. 

In considering the history of the West at this 
time, it should be remembered that the Territory 
watered by the Ohio was claimed by both English 
and French. The latter had established a small 
post on French Creek, south of Lake Erie. To off- 
set this movement, a company, known as the Ohio 
Company, was organized, and five hundred thousand 
acres in the disputed territory granted it, on condi- 
tion that one hundred families should be settled 
thereon within seven years, and a fort erected for 
their protection. These proceedings caused the 
French much uneasiness, and in 1749 Pierre de 
Celeron, Sieur de Blainville, under instructions from 
Count de la Gallissoniere, Governor of New France, 
left Montreal with three hundred soldiers to take 
formal possession of the valley of the Ohio. He was 
furnished with leaden plates inscribed with a state- 
ment of the claims of the French, and a formal 
declaration that they thus took possession of the 
land. These plates were deposited at various points 
through the country. After having performed these 
duties, a part of the expedition returned by water, 
arriving at Detroit October 6, and the rest went 
back overland. As an appropriate supplement to 
his expedition. Count Gallissoniere made special 
efforts to encourage immigration to the western 
posts, and particular privileges were accorded to all 
immigrants. Those who came to Detroit in 1749, 
I75i,and I754,had various supplies granted to them. 

In order to obtain information as to the plans of 
the French, or to protest against them. Governor 
Dinwiddle, on behalf of \'irginia, which claimed the 
territory, sent Colonel George Washington to inter- 
view the French commandant at the post on French 
Creek. Washington set out on November 14. 1753, 
and on his return trip narrowly escaped being mas- 
sacred by the Indians. After his return, in order to 
protect her interests, Virginia determined to erect a 
fort. In pursuance of this plan, in February, 1754, 
that pro\-ince began the erection of a fort near what 



THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH WARS. 



233 



is now Pittsburgh ; but in April following the \'ir- 
ginia troops were driven from their position by the 
French, who made the place almost impregnable by 
building Fort Duquesne. Its position at the conflu- 
ence of the Alleghany and Monongahela, which 
unite to form the Ohio, rendered it a point of great 
commercial and strategic importance ; and the Eng- 
lish at once made a desperate effort to obtain it. 
General Braddock, at the head of a large army, was 
sent against it, but on July 9, 1757, he was defeated. 
In 1754 or 1755 M. Bigot, Intendant of Canada, sent 
Hugues Jacques Pean, with four hundred militia, 
and a quantity of provisions and goods for the 
Indians, to Detroit, and there is strong ground for 
the belief that a portion of these troops were sent to 
join the army that defeated Braddock. Tradition 
says that several English horses were brought here 
after his defeat. 

During this period immense quantities of military 
supplies were forwarded from France, and the offi- 
cers vied with each other in their efforts to swindle 
the Government by fraudulent contracts and exorbi- 
tant charges. Enormous fortunes were thus accu- 
mulated. 

After the defeat of General Braddock several 
Indian tribes, who had formerly been friendly to the 
English, were won over to the French, and on Jan- 
uary 10, 1757, a delegation from the Flathead Indians 
arrived at Detroit to hold a conference with M. de 
Muy in regard to uniting against the English. 

A dispatch sent from Fort Duquesne, about this 
time, given in the Pennsylvania Archives, says : 

M. de Vaudreuil adopted all possible measures to enable M. 
Dumas to make a good defence. He has sent him an abundant 
supply of all sorts of ammunitions, by a detachment of three hun- 
dred Canadians, who, with the garrison and the Detroit militia, 
that will be near enough to go to his assistance, will compose a 
force of twelve to fifteen hundred men, exclusive of the Indians, 
who are quite numerous. 

On July 12. 1757, M. Vaudreuil WTote to M. de 
Moras from Montreal : 

I have already written several letters to the commandants of 
Detroit and Illinois, to put themselves at that moment in a con- 
dition to transmit at the opening of navigation, for the victualling 
of the posts on the beautiful river, the largest quantity of provi- 
sions of all descriptions that they could spare, by restricting the 
settlers to their mere subsistence. 

In the fall of this year, on November 12, 1757, a 
party of three hundred Canadians and Indians, going 
by way of Niagara, fell upon the German settlers or 
Palatines on the Mohawk Flats, killed forty, took 
one hundred and fifty captives, and carried off an 
immense quantity of goods and livestock. From 
what sources this party was gathered is unknown, 
but there are several reasons for believnng that at 
least a portion of the force went from Detroit. 

By this time the English had determined to make 
a second attempt to capture Fort Duquesne, and on 



October 15, 1758, an attack was made by Major 
Grant. He was repulsed, but on the 28th of the 
following month General Forbes captured the fort, 
though only after it had been fired and abandoned 
by the French, who retreated to Detroit. A new 
fort, called Fort Pitt, was at once erected by the 
English. It was probably their success at Fort 
Duquesne that inspired the attempt to capture 
Detroit. Brief mention of this attempt is made in 
one of the publications of the Quebec Literary and 
Historical Society. The record says : 

Sieur de Rellestre, having heard that the enemy were marching, 
put himself at the head of the Hurons and other Indians to give 
an attack to the advance guard, which he defeated. The Hurons 
gave signs enough of their bravery and made about twenty pris- 
oners, but the Ottawas disgraced themselves in scalping all those 
the French had killed. 

The English ne.xt turned their attention to the cap- 
ture of Niagara, and preparations were therefore 
made by the French at Detroit to send pro\isions 
thither by way of the Beautiful River, as the Ohio 
was then called. This plan, approved at first, was 
afterwards set aside because the provisions, as one of 
the French officers sarcastically said, "were required 
for the private and invincible trade of some person 
in that very post itself." The same officer, who had 
probably been stationed at Niagara, says, " In the 
spring of 1759 one hundred and fifty militia, almost 
all belonging to Fort Duquesne, and who had win- 
tered at Detroit, were also detained under pretext 
of the necessity of making a ditch around the stock- 
ade fort, which tumbled down immediately." 

On March 30, 1759, Governor Vaudreuil wrote 
from Montreal to M. Berryer: 

As I am aware of the designs of the English against Niagara, I 
write M. de Ligneris that, supposing that place to be really be- 
sieged, M. Pouchot will retain under his orders three hundred 
Canadians whom I had designed for the Keautiful River, and that, 
according as he will find it necessary-, he will call to his assistance 
all the forces from Detroit and other posts, whom I have ordered 
to reiidezvous at Presqu' Isle. 

Colonel Bellestre was at Detroit in May, only 
waiting for orders from Pouchot to go to his relief 
at Niagara. On July 24 a body of twelve hundred 
men, from here and elsewhere, attempted to reinforce 
that post, but were all captured or dispersed, and 
the next day the post was surrendered. 

The capitulation of Niagara cut off communica- 
tion with the French posts at Venango, Presque 
Isle, and Le Boeuf, w-hich were blown up, their 
garrisons retiring to Detroit. 

The great number of troops thus concentrated 
here occasioned a scarcity of provisions. " Meat 
without bread or corn " was distributed to the 
troops, and there was much distress. These diffi- 
culties were finally overcome, and early in June, 
1760, more French troops were sent hither, and 
with them were sent all the provisions, artillery. 



54 



THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH WARS. 



ammunition, and merchandise that could be stored 
away in the bateaux. From this time Detroit 
became the great depot and stronghold of the West. 

Meanwhile, on January 27, the English forces 
had landed near Quebec, and on September 8,1760, 
Canada was surrendered to the English. On the 
ne.\t day Governor \'audreuil wrote a letter to be 
delivered to the commandant at Detroit, in which 
he stated that the conditions of capitulation were 
particularly advantageous to Detroit; that all per- 
sons, even the soldiers, were to retain their property, 
real and personal, including their peltries. The 
soldiers were to be allowed to delegate to some resi- 
dent the care of their property, or to sell to either 
French or English ; or they might take with them 
all portable property. They were to lay down their 
arnis, and agree not to serve again during the war. 

On September 13 Major Robert Rogers, with two 
hundred rangers in fifteen boats, was sent from 
Montreal to take possession of Detroit and other 
western posts. He journeyed by way of the St. 
Lawrence and the Lakes. On his arrival at Presque 
Isle, he was joined by Captain Croghan and the 
Royal Americans under Captain Campbell. One 
division, under Captain Brewer, with a drove of 
forty o.xen, took the land route. The division under 
Rogers, which went by water, had a very disagree- 
able journey, the waves breaking over the boats and 
making their progress both difficult and dangerous. 
On November 7, in a cold, drizzling rain, they 
landed near Grand River, where they were met by 
Pontiac, who demanded how they dared enter his 
country without permission. Rogers replied that he 
came to drive out the French, who prevented peace 
between them. Pontiac warned him that he should 
" stand in his path " till the next morning. A formal 
council was held at that time, the pipe of peace was 
smoked, and then Pontiac accompanied Rogers on 
his journey. When still some distance from the 
mouth of the Detroit, Rogers sent a letter notifying 
Bellestre, the commandant at Detroit, of his ap- 
proach. On his arrival at a small stream near the 
head of Lake Erie, .several Huron chiefs informed 
him that four hundred Indians were collected at the 
mouth of the Detroit, at the instigation of Bellestre, 
to oppose his passage. The Indians, however, 
returned to Detroit without troubling him, and soon 
after Rogers received a letter from P.eliestre asking 
for a copy of the capitulation and the letter of Vau- 
dreuil containing instructions regarding it. The 
documents were forwarded by Captain Campbell, 
and Rogers pushed on towards the fort. When 
within half a mile, he received a message from Bel- 
lestre surrendering the fort. Lieutenants Leslie and 
McCormick, with thirty-six Royal Americans, were 
sent to take possession, and on November 29, 1760, 
Detroit passed into the hands of the English. 



The French garrison, at the time of the surrender, 
consisted of three officers and thirty-five privates ; 
there were also seventeen English prisoners in the 
fort. The French soldiers were sent to Philadelphia 
and from there returned to France. On December 
2, 1760, Captain Campbell wrote to Colonel H. 
Boquet: 

The inhabitants seem very happy at the change of government, 
but they are in great want of everything. * * * The fort is 
much better than we expected. It is one of the best stockades I 
have seen, but the Commandant's house and what belongs to the 
King is in bad repair. 

On December 9 Major Rogers left for Mackinaw, 
but on account of the ice in the St. Clair River, he 
returned on the 21st. On December 23, lie de- 
parted for Pittsburgh, leaving Detroit in command 
of Captain Campbell. 

Some of the Indians were pleased to see Detroit 
in possession of the English, but others, among them 
the Senecas and the Wyandotts, in June, 1761, con- 
spired to murder the garrison, but the attempt was 
unsuccessful. 

Realizing that it was desirable to hold a council 
with the western tribes. Sir William Johnson, who 
was superintendent of the northern Indian tribes, 
arranged to go to Detroit, leaving Fort Jtjhnson 
(now Johnstown, New York) on July 5, 1761, 
accompanied by his son, John Johnson, his nephew. 
Lieutenant Guy Johnson, Captain Andrew Montour, 
and a few Mohawks and Oneidas. At Niagara, on 
July 25, they were joined by Major Gladwin, with 
Gage's Light Infantry. Gladwin left Niagara on 
the 1 2th, and on August 19 Johnson followed with 
the Royal Americans, commanded by Ensigns 
Slosser and Holmes, and a company from New 
York commanded by Lieutenant Ogden. On Sep- 
tember 2 they arrived at the entrance to the Detroit 
River, and encamped opposite Bois Blanc Island. 
September 3 they reached Detroit, and were wel- 
comed by a discharge from the cannon at the fort. 
Sir William was lodged in the house which had 
been occupied by Bellestre, the best there was in the 
place. On Saturday the officers of the fort, among 
them Colonel du Ouesne, dined vi'ith him. By this 
time the Indians began to assemble, and he com- 
menced to distribute the presents he had brought. 
On W'ednesday. the 9th, he ordered seats out doors 
for a council, as there was "no house half large 
enough." The cannon fired at ten o'clock as a 
signal for the Indians to assemble, and they did not 
break up until five o'clock in the afternoon. On the 
nth another council was held, and attended by over 
five hundred Indians. On the 13th, the final council 
was called, and on the 14th Sir William invited all 
the principal inhabitants to dine with him. Three 
days later he left Detroit. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



THE CONSriRACV OF TONTIAC. 



The transfer of the western posts from the French 
to the English did not please the Indians. 

The French had given the Indians very substan- 
tial tokens of their friendly feeling, and the Indians 
had learned to respect them and their power. An 
experience of three years taught them that the Eng- 
lish gave but few presents, and these at irregular 
intervals, and that the English fur-traders paid too 
little for their furs and charged too much for goods. 
Because of these grievances, Pontiac, the Ottawa 
chief, formed the design of relieving the entire West 
of the presence of the English. In the latter part 
oi 1762 he commenced to enlist various tribes in 
his project; and on April 27, 1763, at a council of 
Ottawas, Potowatamies, and Ilurons, held at Ecorce, 
his conspiracy was planned. He secured the co- 
operation of several tribes, and some of the French 
inhabitants promised their aid. 

In pursuance of his plans, about three o'clock in 
the afternoon of May i, Pontiac came to pay a visit 
to the fort. As he was in the habit of coming to 
the fort occasionally, no suspicions would have been 
aroused if he had come alone ; but on this occasion 
he brought with him the unusual number of forty 
warriors, and was consequently refused admittance. 
Finally he was admitted with about a dozen of his 
followers, who strolled through the narrow streets, 
while the rest of the warriors amused the soldiers 
by dancing the pipe-dance outside the gate. Having 
completed his inspection of the fort and its defences, 
Pontiac retired. On the ne.xt day he summoned the 
Indians to a council, to be held May 5, at the Poto- 
watamie village, to arrange details for the attack. 
From this council all the women were excluded, and 
sentinels were placed about the village to prevent 
any betrayal of their plans. 

Three days after, while visiting the Ottawa village, 
the wife of M. St. Aubin noticed several of the 
Indians filing off their gims. On her return to the 
fort she mentioned this fact to the blacksmith, who 
confirmed her fears by telling her that several 
Indians had recently been trying to borrow saws 
and files for purposes they did not seem willing to 
explain. The attention of C.ladwin was at once 
called to these facts, but he did not seem to think 
them indications of evil. In the afternoon of the 



next day, however, an Ottawa Indian, named Mohi- 
gan, came to the fort, sought an interview with the 
commander, and exposed the plot. The Pontiac 
Manuscript, an ancient French document written at 
this time, and found manj' years after in the garret 
of an old French house, between the plate and the 
roof, makes no mention of any other informant, but 
other annals say that an Ojibway girl, of great 
beauty, known by the name of Catherine, for whom 
Gladwin had formed an attachment, told him that 
Pontiac and sixty of his chiefs were coming to the 
fort for the pretended purpose of holding a council ; 
their guns, which had been cut short, were to be 
concealed under their blankets ; and, on Pontiac's 
offering a peace-belt of wampum in a reversed posi- 
tion, the warriors were to fall on the garrison. 

Early in the morning on the day after the plot 
had been revealed, fifteen Ottawa warriors came to 
the fort, and were noticeably anxious to ascertain 
the location of the English trading stores. Having 
been warned in time, Gladwin watched their move- 
ments, and at nine o clock the garrison was ordered 
under arms. An hour later, when Pontiac with his 
followers reached the fort, he saw at a glance the 
probable ruin of his scheme. On either side of the 
gateway ranks of red-coats stood, their bayonets 
glistening in the sun, while the polished brass of the 
cannon told of discipline and preparation. Even 
the fur traders and their emploj-ees, standing in 
groups at the street corners, were armed to the 
teeth, and the measured tap of the drum resounded 
on the morning air. Pontiac, however, could not 
gi\-e up his scheme. Entering by the north gate, 
about where the First National Bank is located, he, 
with his warriors, moved along the street, silent and 
stolid, but with war-whoops close at their lips and 
hatred raging in their hearts. 

It was no part of Gladwin's policy to exhibit fear, 
and all the savages who came were freely admitted. 
Before twelve o'clock sixty warriors had gathered at 
the council-house. This was near the river, south 
of the present Jefferson avenue and between Gris- 
wold and Shelby Streets. On reaching the door 
they found Gladwin with his officers ready to receive 
them, and the observant sons of the forest did not 
fail to notice that each wore a sword at his side and 



1=351 



236 



THE CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC. 



pistols in his belt. Pontiac and his warriors eyed 
each other with uneasy glances, and at last the 
chieftain said, " Why do I see so many of my 
father's young men standing in the streets with 
their guns?" Gladwin, through his interpreter La 
Butte, replied that he had ordered the soldiers under 
arms for the sake of exercise and discipline. The 
conference then opened, Pontiac, holding in his hand 
the wampum belt which was to give the fatal signal, 
he commenced by professing strong attachment to 
the English, and declared that he had come to smoke 
the pipe of peace and brighten the chain of friend- 
ship. In the course of his speech he raised the 
wampum, as if about to give the signal of attack ; 
at that instant Gladwin moved his hand, and im- 
mediately the clash of arms and the din of drums 
were heard at the door. Pontiac stood like one 
bewildered, till Gladwin, rising, drew aside his 
blanket, e.xposed the hidden gun, and sternly re- 
buked him for his treachery. He then assured the 
Indians that friendship would be extended towards 
them as long as they deserved it, but threatened 
swift vengeance for the first aggressive act. The 
council then broke up, and with mingled feelings of 
surprise and rage, the Indians retired. 

Pontiac, it is said, suspected the Ojibway girl of 
revealing the plot, and sent four Indians to her wig- 
wam. They seized her, took her before Gladwin, 
and asked if it was not through her he had learned 
of the conspiracy. Of course, they obtained no 
satisfaction. They w^ere, however, treated to bread 
and beer, and dismissed. Tradition says that they 
then took the girl to Pontiac, who, with his own 
hands, gave her a severe beating. She lived many 
years after, but became intemperate, and while in- 
toxicated fell into a kettle of boiling maple-syrup, 
and was fatally burned. 

On the same day that the council was held, Lieu- 
tenant Robinson, Sir Robert Davers,' and two sol- 
diers, while taking soundings at the head of St. Clair 
River, were captured by the Indians, and one ac- 
count says that the body of Davers was boiled and 
eaten. A letter from Captain Donald Campbell to 
Sir William Johnson, dated Detroit, June 9, 1762, 
thus alludes to this unfortunate officer: " Sir Robert 
Davers passed the winter with us ; it was a great 
addition to our small society. Sir Robert is a very 
accomplished young gentleman and an excellent 
companion." 

On Sunday, May 8, at five o'clock in the after- 
noon, Pontiac, with sev-eral of the principal chiefs, 
came to the fort, bringing a pipe of peace, as though 
to fully convince the garrison of his friendship and 
sincerity. The next day, at seven o'clock in the 



' The name of this officer is sometimes given as Davis and some- 
limes as Danvers. Davers, however, is probably correct. 



morning, six of the Indian warriors came, but see- 
ing the garrison under arms they soon went off. 
The same day, about ten o'clock, fifty-six canoes, 
with seven and eight men in each, crossed the river 
from their camp on the Canada side, coming toward 
the fort. The gates were shut at once, and the in- 
terpreter sent to tell them that not more than fifty 
or sixty chiefs would be admitted at a time. Pon- 
tiac told the interpreter to return and say that unless 
all his people were given free access to the fort, 
none of them would enter it ; and that the English 
might stay in their fort, but the Indians would keep 
the country. Going to the house of an old English- 
W'Oman named Turnbull, who with her two sons 
lived on the common and cultivated seven or eight 
acres, they proceeded to put their threat into execu- 
tion. The shrieks of the inmates and the yells of 
the Indians soon warned those within the fort that 
the first blood had been shed at Detroit. 

The Indians next proceeded to Hog Island, where 
they killed twenty-four cattle belonging to the gar- 
rison. They also massacred James Fisher, his wife, 
two children, and two soldiers who were on the island. 
Some accounts say that two of Fisher's children 
were carried off as captives, and that four soldiers 
were killed, also a man named Goslin and Fisher's 
servant. In the afternoon Pontiac moved his entire 
camp to this side of the river. The number of 
Indians under his direction at this time is variously 
estimated at from six hundred to two thousand. 

Very early in the morning of the loth the savages 
began to fire on the fort and on the vessels Beaver 
and Gladwin which lay in front of the town. They 
gathered in large numbers behind sev'eral buildings 
outside of the fort, but within easy range, from 
whence they shot into the stockade. The garrison 
had but one cannon fit for use ; this was loaded with 
red-hot spikes, and fired at the houses behind which 
the Indians had gathered ; the buildings were soon 
wrapped in flames, and the disconcerted savages 
fled amid the jeers and cheers of the soldiers. 

Gladwin thought the whole affair but a sudden 
freak of temper, which would soon subside ; and 
being in great want of provisions, he resolved to 
open negotiations in order to obtain supplies. The 
interpreter, with Messrs. Chapoton and Jacques 
Godfrey, was dispatched to the camp of Pontiac to 
demand the reason of his conduct, and to declare 
the commandant's readiness to redress any real 
grievance. La Butte and his companions soon came 
back to the fort, saying that peace might readily be 
had by making the Indians a few presents. At Pon- 
tiac's suggestion. Major Campbell, Lieutenant Mc- 
Dougall, and others went to his camp for the purpose 
of holding a council with him. M. Gouin warned 
them that treachery was meditated, but they con- 
cluded to go, and paid dearly for their temerity, for 



THE CONSriRACV OF I'ONTIAC. 



■dl 



Pontiac at once seized them and detained them as 
prisoners in the house of M. Meloche. Some of tlie 
French who sympathized with Pontiac advised the 
garrison to escape on board the vessels, saying that 
the Indians would surely capture the fort. At one 
time it looked as though their words wouid prove true, 
for the Indians again surroimdcd the stockade, and 
kept up an incessant firing from morning till night ; 
during the same day the soldiers shot red-hot bolts at 
two barns which afforded shelter to the Indians, and 
the buildings were consumed, and at night a party 
sallied out and burned other houses which had pro- 
tected the Indians. As a further measure of safety, 
the baggage of the garrison was carried aboard the 
vessels, with the understanding that, at a given sig- 
nal, they were to sail for Niagara. 

The next day, May 13, Mr. Hopkins, captain of a 
new com|)any, with forty volunteers, went out and 
set fire to other houses near the fort, and all e.xcept 
two were burned. As soon as this company re- 
turned. Lieutenant Hayes with thirty men went out 
and set fire to two barns behind the fort. On the 
■ following day twelve of the most respectable French 
inhabitants went to Pontiac and besought him to 
stop the war. The same day a sergeant, with twenty 
men, set fire to two more barns. On May 15 an 
officer with forty men went out and destroyed a 
house belonging to M. La Butte ; they also cut down 
orchards and leveled fences until the ground about 
the fort was clear and open. 

Meanwhile the siege went on. Pontiac endea\'ored 
to prevent supplies from reaching the fort, by warn- 
ing the inhabitants, imder penalty of death, not to 
carry provisions there. Had his orders been obeyed, 
the garrison would have been compelled to abandon 
the post ; but the friendly services of some of the 
inhabitants on both sides of the river supplied their 
wants. M. Baby, a prominent habitant proved him- 
self a friend in need, providing the garrison with 
cattle, hogs, and other supplies, which he brought 
at night from his farm to the fort. There was, how- 
ever, pressing need of larger supplies and reinforce- 
ments, and on .May 21 the schooner Gladwin was 
dispatched to Niagara to hasten their coming. 
Meanwhile, in order to provide weapons for de- 
fence, the iron and steel from the warehouse were 
taken to the blacksmith, and on May 23 two men 
began to work this material into clubs, lances, and 
hooks, and though the weapons were rude, there is 
no doubt that, had they been needed, they would 
have done good ser\-ice in the hands of the traders 
and their employees. 

As the siege progressed provisions became every 
day more scarce, and on May 24 Lieutenant Hay 
and Judge Le Grand searched all the French houses 
for superfluous articles of food. Receipts were given 
for what was taken, and all that could be collected 



was deposited in the public storehouse. Supplies 
could be brought in only from the river-side, and the 
st)ldiers who went thither for any purpose were con- 
stantly fired upon by the Indians. 

On May 28 the Indians erected a barricade of tim- 
ber on the west side of the town near St. Martin's 
House, in after years known as the Cass House on 
Cass Farm ; the soldiers discovered it, sallied out, 
and it was soon destroyed. On May 30 the long- 
looked-for and long-delayed boats, with the English 
flag flying, were seen coming up the river, and the 
guns of the fort and the cheers of the garrison bade 
them welcome. Their joy was of short duration, 
for it was soon discovered that the boats were in 
possession of the savages. They had been captured 
by the Indians while the detachment was about to 
encamp at Point Pelee, only two bateau.\ out of ten 
escaping. One of the two saved contained seven 
barrels of pork and a barrel of flour. On the ne.\t 
day Pontiac's forces were increased by the arrival of 
two hundred Indians from Saginaw. On June 2 
Gladwin received, through an English coureur de 
bois, a letter sent by Major Campbell, who was still 
in the hands of the Indians. The letter had been 
captured with the barges the last of May, and was 
enclosed with one from an officer at Niagara to a 
friend at Miami. It said peace had been concluded 
by the treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye. This was, 
indeed, good news, and though there were savages 
outside, there was joy inside the fort ; in the evening 
an instrumental concert was given, and the sentinels 
paced their rounds with firmer tread. 

Early on the morning of June 16, for the first 
time since the siege, the Angelus was rung, and the 
measured strokes of the sweet-toned bell, repeated 
three times o'er, morning, noon, and night, soothed 
and quieted the inhabitants of the beleaguered town. 
During these days the Indians had surrounded and 
captured Mackinaw, and on June 18 Father du 
Jaunay, a Jesuit priest, brought letters from the 
captured officers telling of the disaster. He left 
the fort on June 20, and reached Mackinaw June 30. 
In the fort provisions became increasingly scarce, 
and on June 22 Commissary Hay and the judge 
made their fourth round collecting provisions from 
the inhabitants. On June 26 several soldiers re- 
ported that two Indians had been seen the previous 
night entering a house. Captain Hopkins with 
twenty-four men went out and surrounded the 
house, but instead of Indians they found two sows 
and their pigs. They took them to the fort, — the 
prize being a better one than they had expected to 
seize. 

A whole month of anxiety, unrest, and scarcity 
had now been experienced ; but relief was near at 
hand. On June 30, about four in the afternoon, a 
schooner arri\-cd with twenty-two men of the Thir- 



^58 



THE CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC. 



tieth ReijimeiU, Lieutenant Cuyler and twenty-eight 
men of Captain Iluplcins' Rangers, together with 
one hundred and fifty barrels of provisions and a 
quantity of ammunition. The vessels had a narrow 
escape as tliey passed Presque Isle, — now Erie, 
Pennsylvania, — that place having been captured by 
Indians vi'ho went from Detroit about June lo. On 
the same day that the vessel arrived, Jacques St. 
Martin with his family sought refuge in the fort. 
On July I "three oxen, three co\vs, and two calves 
came lowing and bleating to the gateway," the 
Indians from whose camp they had escaped chasing 
them as near the fort as they dared. Although the 
Indians were not welcome, the bovines were, as 
fresh meat was a rarity. The next day Lieutenant 
McDougall, who had been a captive since May lo, 
escaped, and with three other white men returned 
to the fort. On the same day Pontiac held a council 
with the French inhabitants on both sides of the 
river, and tried to compel them to assist him, but 
they refused, asserting that they were bound by the 
terms of the capitulation. Some of the younger 
men, however, offered their aid, in spite of the oppo- 
sition of the older liabitajis, but Pontiac was pre- 
vailed upon to refuse their services. On July 3 M. 
Baby, with his family and goods, sought refuge in 
the fort, and on the same day the commandant 
called the people together, and read the Articles of 
Peace concluded between the French and the Eng- 
lish. 

The next day the French were organized into a 
company of militia ; they selected Mr. Sterling for 
their commander, and were provided with arms and 
ammunition. The same day a party, led by Lieu- 
tenant Hay, started for M. Baby's house to get 
some powder and lead which had been left there. 
Meeting the nephew of an Ojibway chief, one of 
the men killed him, tore off his scalp, and shook it 
towards the enemy ; whereupon his uncle ran to Mr. 
Meloche's house, where John Campbell was con- 
fined, seized him, bound him to a fence, and killed 
him with arrows, afterwards cutting off his head, 
and tearing out and eating his heart. This incident 
awakened renewed fear of a long siege, and on July 
S many of the principal inhabitants brought their 
goods within the fort for safe keeping ; one of them, 
Mr. Maisonville, brought over five boatloads, con- 
taining ten thousand pounds of furs and lead. 
Major Gladwin had a poor opinion of some of the 
inhabitants. In a letter to General Amherst he 
says, " I dare say that before long we shall see that 
half of the colonists deserve the gibbet and that the 
other half be dispersed. However, there are a few 
honest men among them, — M. Navarre and the 
two Babys, — and my interpreters St. Martin and La 
Butte." 

Being disappointed in their efforts to starve out 



the garrison, the Indians sought to burn the vessels 
anchored in the river, through which supplies were 
obtained. They fitted up a raft with fagots of 
birch-bark and tar, and on July 10 pushed it into the 
middle of the stream, and set it on fire, but the ves- 
sels sheered sff, and no damage was done. They 
then shot burning arrows into the stockade, which 
lodged on the houses and set them on fire. The 
fires were extinguished, but so great and so continu- 
ous was their danger that for many weeks the garri- 
son slept in their clothes with their arms by their 
side. 

From time to time during the progress uf tlic 
siege the two vessels under Gladwin's command 
sailed down the river, discharging shot into the 
Indian villages. Finally the Wyandotts and Poto- 
watamies, wearied with hostilities, sought for peace ; 
and on their returning the captives in their posses- 
sion, peace was made with them. Soon after, on 
July 29, twenty-two barges arrived with two hundred 
and eighty men from the Fifty-fifth and Eightieth 
Regiments, including twenty independent Rangers 
commanded by Major Robert Rogers of New 
Hampshire ; the vessels also brought several cannon 
and a large amount of provisions, — the whole in 
cliarge of Captain Dalyell. The barracks were too 
small to accommodate so large a force, and the 
soldiers were quartered among the inhabitants. 
Captain Dalyeil, who had been a companion of 
Israel Putnam in many daring exploits, besought of 
Campbell the privilege of attacking the Indians in 
their camp. Campbell opposed the plan, but finally 
gave a reluctant consent, and on July 31, at two 
o'clock in the morning, with two hundred and fifty 
men in three detachments, Dalyell marched up the 
river road, supported by two large bateaux armed 
with a swivel. 

Through treachery Pontiac had been informed of 
Captain Dalyell's plan, and with his warriors was 
lying in ambush at Parent's Creek, near a narrow 
wooden bridge which then spanned the creek, a 
little south of the present Jefferson Avenue. As 
Dah'ell's force neared the bridge, the Indians com- 
menced to fire. The soldiers charged across the 
bridge, but their foes were concealed from view-. 
The Indians had every advantage, and the force, led 
by Captain Grant, retreated. While trying to save 
a wounded soldier, Dalyell himself' was shot dead. 
Meantime, Captain Rogers took possession of the 
house of Mr. Campau, near the river, between what 
is now Dubois and Chene Streets on Private Claim 
No. 91, or the James Campau Farm. Communica- 
tion was soon established with the fort, reinforce- 
ments obtained, and about six hours after their 
departure the detachment returned, with a loss of 
twenty-one men, of whom three were taken captive 
and eighteen killed ; thirty-eight were wounded. 



THE CONSPIRACY OF POXTIAC. 



239 



Tradition says that an old whitewood tree, standing 
on the south side of Jefferson Avenue, just beyond 
Adair Street and the works of the Michigan Stove 
Company, was- a silent witness of the terrible 
slaughter of that early morning, and the tree for 
many years has been called " The Pontiac Tree." 

The body of Captain Ualyell, shockingly mutil- 
ated, was brought to the fort by young Mr. Campau, 
about three o'clock in the afternoon of August i. 
It was buried in the King's Oarden. and as late as 
1824 a gravestone erected to his memory was stand- 
ing in the grounds. 
Other officers slain at 
the time were also 
buried there. When 
Woodbridge Street was 
opened, some of the 
bodies were taken up 
and placed in a Pro- 
testant churchyard on 
Woodward Avenue. 
What afterwards be- 
came of them is un- 
known. 

Si.\ days after the 
battle of Bloody Bridge 
a schooner arrived with 
eighty barrels of pro\'i- 
sions, a large quantity 
of naval stores, and 
some merchandise. 
While on the way the 
crew were attacked by 
some Indians and near- 
ly overpowered, but fin- 
ally escaped. On Aug- 
ust 13 the schooner 
Gladwin and sloop 
Beaver were sent to 
procure troops and sup)- 
plies. While on their 

way back, on August 28, the sloop was wrecked 
at Catfish Creek, on Lake Erie. Her guns were 
lost and all her cargo except one hundred and 
eighty-five barrels, which were sa\ed by the Glad- 
win. 

On August 29 two keys were found in the street 
at Detroit, one of which fitted the small gate of the 
fort. Treachery was feared, but these fears were 
not realized. The fall found the fort still besieged, 
though the Indians were greatly scattered, as they 
had neither provisions nor shelter. On September 
3 they burned a windmill about three hundred yards 
from the fort. Two days later the Gladwin arrived 
with forty-seven barrels of flour and one hundred 
and sixty barrels of pork. She had left Niagara the 
last of August, with a captain, a crew of eleven men, 




The PoNTi.\c Tkee. 



and six Mohavi-k Indians. On September 3, in the 
morning, she entered the river, where she was 
attacked by about three hundred and fifty Indians. 
The crew defended themselves bravely, defeated the 
Indians, and reached Detroit in safety. 

The following letter from Captain Gladwin is of 
special interest, as it evidently refers to this particu- 
lar attack. The English distrust of the French, so 
prevalent in that day. is manifested by no uncertain 
words. The captain says : 

Detroit, Oclobcr 7, 1763. 

Dear Sir, — 

What with business, vex- 
ation, and disapptiintment, I 
have scarce had time to think 
of any friend, much less to 
write to them, therefore I 
hope you will excuse my si- 
lence. I came hither much 
against my will, foreseeing 
what would happen ; I am 
brought into a scrape, and 
left in it; things are expected 
of rae that can't be performed; 
I could wish I had quitted the 
ser\-ice seven years ago, and 
that somebody else command- 
ed here. I shall say nothing 
in regard to our affairs, as 
you will hear enough of it be- 
low ; but I enclose you some 
papers concerning the scoun- 
drel inhabitants of Detroit, 
and the destruction of the 
outposts,which, perhaps, may 
amuse you for half an hour. 

Daniel delivered me your 
letter to Captain Dalyell, 
which I took the liberty to 
open, knowing it concerned 
the service; I find the Indians 
(Mohawks) to be very faith- 
ful and ready to do anything 
they are desired ; the French 
attempted to blacken them 
by insinuating that they be- 
trayed the vessel, but I since 
find that two scoundrel 
Frenchmen, that went on 

board to sell greens, set the Indians upon the attempt. 
I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing you soon, either here 

or below, but I would choose the latter. I am with the greatest 

esteem, Dear Sir, 

Your most humble servant, 

Henry Gladwin. 

On October 3 a schooner arrived with one hun- 
dred and eighty-five barrels of proxisions, and early 
in the month Major Wilkins, with six hundred 
troops, left Niagara to relieve Detroit, but was at- 
tacked by the Indians and forced to return. The 
force again started, but a storm on Lake Erie caused 
the loss of sixteen out of forty-six bateaux, three 
officers, and seventy men, together with fifty-two 
barrels of provisions and other stores, and again the 
troops were forced to return to Niagara. News of 
the last disaster was contained in a letter from 



240 



THE CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC. 



Major Wilkins to Gladwin, brought, concealed in 
his po\.vdcr-horn, the middle of November, by a 
friendly Wyandotte Indian. 

The Indians had evidently learned that Major 
Wilkins with a strong force was on his way to De- 
troit, and on October 1 2 a chief of the Mississauguas 
came to the fort, ostensibly to sue for peace. A 
truce was then agreed upon, and Gladwin made use 
of it to gather provisions for the winter, of which 
the garrison was in great need. During the seven 
weeks previous to October 19 the soldiers had re- 
ceived but five pounds of flour and one half gallon 
of wheat each per week. 

On October 29 M. Dequindre brought to Pontiac 
a letter from M. Neyon, the French commandant at 
Fort Chartres on the Mississippi, dated September 
27, saying that he would give him no help ; and on 
the ne.xt day he brought a letter to the fort giving 
the same information. Soon after most of the In- 
dians left the vicinity, and as the winter was coming 
on, and supplies for the garrison were uncertain. 
Major Gladwin decided to reduce his force to two 
hundred and twelve inen, as that was as many as 
he could take care of. The rest were sent to Niag- 
ara, where they arrived on the 27th of November. 
The winter passed away without excitement of any 
kind. On the evening of March 1 1 an attempt was 
made, probably by some traitor, to fire the maga- 
zine, but the brand fortunately went out without 
accomplishing its purpose. 

On June 4 His Majesty's birthday was celebrated 
by the discharge of three volleys from the troops 
and three discharges from the cannon. His health 
was drunk on parade by all the officers, and several 
Frenchmen who were invited guests, and at night 
the town was illuminated. 

On June 28 the schooner Victory arrived from 
Niagara in company with a new schooner, the Bos- 
ton. As the fort and settlement were still in dan- 
ger. General (iage, the commander-in-chief, resolved 
to chastise the Indians by carrying the war into their 
own country. Two expeditions were therefore fitted 
out, — one, under Colonel Boquet, to proceed by way 
of Fort Pitt against the Indians between the Ohio 
and the Lakes ; and the other, under Colonel Brad- 
street, to proceed against the Northern Indians by 
way of Lakes Erie and Ontario to Detroit. Brad- 
street's forces assembled at Albany, they consisted 
of three hundred Canadians and nine hundred colo- 
nial troops, two hundred and nineteen of the num- 
ber from Connecticut, and commanded by Major- 
General Israel Putnam. They reached Niagara the 
last of June. His force was there joined by three 
hundred Iroquois, under Sir John Johnson and Henry 
Montour, and by nearly one hundred Ojibways and 
Mississauguas, under the command of Alexander 
Henry. These last soon became disaffected and 



left. The army reached Detroit on August 26, 1 764^ 
bringing provisions and clothing, and the garrison, 
which had been confined to the ramparts for fifteen 
months, was now relieved. Their joy was so great 
that for the time being militar\' discipline was almost 
lost sight of. Chests and bales were eagerly opened, 
new suits donned, and the dangers of the past were 
forgotten in the delights of security and plenty. 

Bradstreet's force was the largest body of troops 
that had ever been seen at Detroit ; and when the 
scores of bateaux and barges thronged the river, and 
the troops landed with all the pomp of military dis- 
play, — colors flying, bugles blowing, and drums 
beating, — the Indians were at once so overwhelm- 
ingly convinced of the power of the English that 
they made no further resistance to their domina- 
tion ; and were no longer to be counted as the allies 
of the French. On August 30, by order of the 
commandant, all the inhabitants over fifteen years of 
age appeared to renew their oath of allegiance. The 
next day Gladwin was relieved .of his command, and 
went east the day following. 

On September 7 a council was held, and a treaty 
of peace concluded with several of the tribes. The 
next day Captain Howard and Alexander Henry, 
with three hundred Canadians, left for Mackinaw. 
Bradstreet inquired about and punished such of the 
Canadians as had aided the Indians. Some of 
them, however, did not await the result of his 
inquiries, but fled before his arrival. 

Among those whom Bradstreet proposed to pun- 
ish — even by hanging — was Jacques Godfrey; but 
on his promising to act as guide for Captain Morris, 
in an expedition to the Illinois Indians, he was 
released. He accompanied Captain Morris on his 
trip, saved his life several times, and returned with 
him to Detroit on .September 17, the mission ha\ing 
accomplished nothing. Three days before their re- 
turn, General Bradstreet set out for Sandusky, leaving 
behind seven companies of soldiers as a reinforce- 
ment for the garrison. He remained at Sandusky 
until October 18, when he embarked his forces for 
Niagara. When near Rocky River, on Lake Erie, 
a storm arose, which destroyed twenty-five of the 
bateaux and most of the baggage and ammunition. 
The soldiers were consequently obliged to go by 
land ; they struggled through the wilderness, suffer- 
ing great hardships, and some of them did not 
reach Niagara until the last of December, 1764. 

In February, 1765, Captain George Croghan, 
accompanied by Lieutenant Frazer and a small 
guard, was sent west by Sir William Johnson to 
distribute presents to the Indians, and thus prepare 
the way for the coming of English troops. Near 
the mouth of the Wabash Croghan and his party 
were made prisoners by the Kickapoos, and taken to 
Vincennes, and from there to Ouatanon, where 



THE CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC. 



241 



Croghan found friends, and their captivity ended. 
While on his way to visit Fort Cliartres, by invitation 
of the commandant, Croghan met Pontiac, and con- 
cluded a treaty of peace. He then gave up the 
visit to Chartres, and with Pontiac started for 
Detroit, where they arrived August 17, 1765, and 
on September 26 Croghan left for Niagara. His 
treaty with Pontiac ended the war ; Detroit alone of 
all the western posts had held out against the 
Indians until peace was thus declared. 



In the spring of 1769 the Indians again became 
troublesome, and there was much alarm at Detroit; 
as another war seemed imminent, the traders did 
not venture west, and the inhabitants began to 
fortify. 

Conciliatory measures were, however, adopted ; 
the Indians proved more docile, and from this time, 
under British rule, there was in Detroit but little feat 
of trouble with the Indians. 




PONTIAC'S CONSHKAtV KeVEALEU, AS KeI-KESENTEU UN THE PaI.NTI.NC UV }. M. Sx.mi.EV. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.— BRITISH AND INDIAN WARS AND FIRST AMERICAN 
OCCUPATION OF DETROIT. — FRENCH AND SPANISH INTRIGUES. 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

When the war of independence began in the 
East, its effects were immediately felt in Detroit. 
Martial law was established in this region and in all 
the British provinces, by proclamation of Guy Carl- 
ton, on June 9, 1775, and deliberate and remorseless 
plans were made for Indian fora\'S from this post. 

The Government feared that the rebel settlers in 
the West would .seek to aid their brother colonists 
of the East and the South ; and they especially 
dreaded an attack upon Detroit by the brave pioneers 
on the Ohio and in Western Virginia. The English 
knew well the importance of this place, as the gate- 
way of the West, and they lost no time in availing 
themselves of the help of their Indian allies in their 
efforts to retain their western possessions. In order 
the more effectually to interest the savages and 
secure their co-operation, the office of lieutenant- 
governor and superintendent was created for the 
three posts of Detroit, Michilimackinac, and Vincen- 
nes. This office did not e.xist in the West except 
at the three posts named, and it was unknown prior 
to and ceased with the close of the war of the revo- 
lution. Captain Henry Hamilton, of the Fifteenth 
Regiment, was appointed for Detroit, Patrick Sin- 
clair for Michilimackinac, and Edward Abbott for 
Vincennes. 

It has been said that Hamilton was appointed 
under the Quebec Act by Governor Carlton, and 
that various military officers, including the com- 
mandant at Mackinaw, were under him, and that he 
had charge of the entire Northwest ; but none of 
these statements are correct. The Ouebec Act con- 
tained no provisions that could have any bearing on 
this office. All three of the appointments were made 
by the Earl of Dartmouth, the colonial secretary, and 
the appointees were to act under instructions from 
the commander-in-chief of the Province of Ouebec. 
Governor Sinclair claimed the perquisites of his post 
from May i, 1775, and it is probable that all three 
appointments were made on that date. 

Governor Hamilton left Montreal for Detroit in 
September, and arrived here on November 9, 1775. 
The position of lieutenant-governor was deemed a 
desirable one, for Mr. Hay, who succeeded Hamil- 



[242I 



ton, claimed to have paid a large amount for his 
commission. The sequel proved that it was not 
worth as much as had been supposed. Consider- 
able rents were received from lands and lots claimed 
by the Crown, and it was also a common custom for 
the Indians to send presents of game to the governor 
on their return from the chase ; he received also 
some portion of their har\'ests. Both Governor Ham- 
ilton and Colonel De Peyster, who succeeded him 
as acting lieutenant-governor, received and made 
use of these perquisites, but, much to their chagrin, 
they were called upon to account for them to the 
Government. Colonel De Peyster, in a letter dated 
November 21, 1782, strongly objected to this claim, 
on the ground that he had saved the Government 
at least ten thousand pounds, and that if he was 
required to refund the rents received at Detroit, it 
would be greatly to his damage, as he had " lived 
up to them in support of the dignity of a Briti.sh 
commandant." The Government, however, perse- 
vered in the demand. 

The powers of these quasi governors could be 
exercised only over the inhabitants of their posts 
and the Indians who were in the habit of resorting 
thither, and were extremely vague. As Lieutenant- 
Governor Cramahe expressed it, the wording of their 
commission must have "escaped some person young 
in office." While the general intent seems to ha\'e 
been understood, some of their claims were con- 
tinually and successfully disputed by the local 
commandants, between whom and the lieutenant- 
governors at Detroit and Mackinaw quarrels were 
very frequent. General Haldimand. in one of his 
letters to Governor Hamilton, confessed that the 
powers connected with the offices of commandant 
and governor were "unhappily blended," but both 
commandants and lieutenant-governors were en- 
joined, for the good of the service, to do their utmost 
to promote harmony. Governor Hamilton, in a letter 
written August 12, 1778, complained that he had be- 
come almost a " cypher" through this conflict of au- 
thority; and General Haldimand, on August 20, 1779, 
wrote to Governor Sinclair, " I have ever viewed the 
situation of lieutenant-governor of the posts as 
awkward, and productive of misunderstanding." 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



243 



The office does not seem to have required great 
ability, and none is known to have been manifested 
by either of the appointees. The lieutenant-governor 
was not sent to administer justice, and any powers 
of that kind were an afterthought, and conferred 
merely for the sake of convenience. That the office 
was not a local necessity is shown by the fact that 
Lieutenant-Governor Abbott left his post early in 
177S, arriving with his family at Detroit on March 7 
of that year ; he stated that he could not be of any 
ser\'ice at Vincennes, as there were no goods in the 
place for the Indians. Governor Hamilton left his 
post to go on a foray; Colonel De Peyster, who 
succeeded him, filled the positions both of lieutenant- 
governor, and commandant ; and Governor Sinclair, 
although appointed to Mackinaw in 1775, did not go 
there until 1779, after Colonel De Peyster had left. 
Indeed, it seemed a matter of much indifference 
whether or not there was a lieutenant-governor 
resident at Detroit. Governor Hamilton's real suc- 
ce.ssor, Jehu Hay,' was restrained from coming here 
for more than a year. He arrived at Quebec the 
last of June, 1782, but Colonel De Peyster, then in 
command at Detroit, anticipating his appointment, 
had written to General Haldimand asking that he 
might be allov\'ed, in case Hay was appointed, to 
leave the place " either before or immediately on his 
arrival," as he did not wish to have anything to do 
with Mr. Hay. De Peyster 's abilities were so mani- 
fest and so valuable at Detroit that General Haldi- 
mand was not willing to displace or displease him. 
Consequently, after Governor Hay had reached 
Montreal he was not allowed to go any farther. He 
was very indignant that he should be prevented from 
going to Detroit to "enjoy his office and emolu- 
ments," but General Haldimand would not yield to 
his angry demands, and on several occasions sharply 
reproved him, and compelled him to retract some of 
his utterances. At last on October 30, 1783, Colonel 
De Peyster was summoned to Niagara, and three 
days later Lieutenant-Governor Hay was ordered to 
Detroit. He started on his journey, reaching Carl- 
ton Island on November 24 ; here he was taken 
seriously ill, and wrote to General Haldimand that 
he should go no farther until spring. On December 
.6, however, though still very ill, he left Carlton 
Island, and went back to Montreal. De Peyster 
learned of his detention, and on December 8, 1783, 
wrote from Detroit that "the lateness of the season 
and the se\erity of the weather prevented his depart- 
ure, but he would go as early as the season would 



1 The Christian name of Governor Hay heretofore has invariably 
been printed John. The mistake evidently arose from the simi- 
larity of the words when carelessly wnttcn. His own letters, 
filed with the Johnson Manuscripts at Albany, and scores of let- 
ters in the Haldimand Collection at Ottawa, show clearly that his 
name was Jehu. 



permit." In the spring Governor Hay recovered, 
and on July 12, 17S4, arrived at Detroit. Colonel 
De Peyster remained until some time in June, and 
possibly later. 

By order of Governor Haldimand the militia at 
Detroit were disbanded soon after Governor Hay's 
arrival. This officer, when finally allowed to assume 
the governorship, found the powers of the office 
much restricted ; for Haldimand, before giving him 
leave to go to Detroit, had directed the distribution 
of the goods for the Indians to be made under the 
direction of Sir William Johnson. This order was 
resented by Governor Hay, but his protests were of 
no avail. He continued to serve, but claimed that 
he was so restricted in his powers that he could not 
do for the Indians what was really best. The dis- 
appointments which he met undoubtedly hastened 
his decease. He died at Detroit in August, 1785. 
Governor Hamilton, who in the meantime had re- 
turned to Canada, endeavored to secure the appoint- 
ment of Alexander McKee to the vacant office, but 
Governor Henry Hope disapproving, no one was 
appointed. 

The chief duties of the lieutenant-governor evi- 
dently consisted in distributing goods to the Indians, 
in order to induce them to make war on the "rebels," 
in fitting out the warriors and encouraging them to 
keep on the "war path." Nowhere was this work 
so diligently carried on as at Detroit. Of all the 
posts west of Montreal and New York, at the time 
of the Revolution, this was the most important. It 
was not only a leading army center, but also the 
chief naval depot of the West. After August 10, 
1 776, no vessels were permitted on the Lakes except 
such as were enrolled at Detroit, and armed and 
manned by the Crown. It is almost impossible to 
realize the extent of English operations in this 
region during the progress of the war, and it is cer- 
tain that no one locality in the East was the field of 
so many and such, varied manifestations of the strife 
as were exhibited here. The prominent feature 
in every scene during that period was scores or 
hundreds of painted savages, with uplifted toma- 
hawks, scalping knives in their belts, and fusils, lead, 
and flints at hand. All the materials for war were 
supplied by their "white father," and all were to be 
used against the American rebels. Everything that 
could be done to attach the Indians to the ser\'ice of 
the King was done in unstinted manner. They 
were coaxed with rum, feasted with oxen roasted 
whole, alarmed by threats of the destruction of their 
hunting-ground, and supplied with everything that 
an Indian could desire. Now one tribe, and now 
another, were invited to Detroit for a council, and 
council followed council in rapid succession, the 
Indians gathering by thousands at these meetings. 
As Captain Bird expressed it in one of his letters. 



244 



THE KK\'OLUTIONARV WAR. 



"the Indians are always cooking or counciling." 
Emissaries were sent from Detroit to the most dis- 
tant tribes, to induce them " to take up the hatchet ;" 
Indian agents and interpreters came and went; 
boats loaded to their utmost capacity with army 
stores, Indian goods, and trinkets, arrived in num- 
bers. An extensive shipyard was kept busy building 
new vessels and repairing the old. Captains, lieu- 
tenants, and minor officers thronged the narrow and 
busy streets; war-parties were equipped, " set out " 
and " returned ;" prisoners arrived, were sent below 
or distributed; scalps were received, counted, and 
recorded ; alarms were raised, disaffection was pun- 
ished ; and all the events of the East were told over, 
and many of them duplicated, in revolutionary days 
at Detroit. 

The English officers found it not always fair 
weather. There were many secret and some open 
sympathizers with the "rebels." Citizens known to 
be in sympathy with the Americans were subjected 
to many annoyances. Garret Graverat, a leading 
merchant, w-as compelled to give bail in four hun- 
dred pounds not to correspond with the Americans 
or give them aid for the space of a year and a day. 
James Sterling and John Edgar, well-known trades- 
men, were sent away because they favored the rebel- 
lion. The last-named was compelled to leave all 
his goods, and go to Kaskaskia. Congress, in after 
years, gave him two thousand acres of land to 
help make up his losses. Other citizens also were 
forced to leave. Some were compelled to work on 
the fortifications ; and those who tried to escape 
were put in irons by the order of Governor Hamilton. 

In one of his letters to General Haldimand, writ- 
ten on January 15, 1778, the governor complained 
that his plans were frequently made known, and 
said it was not to be wondered at, " when it is con- 
sidered how many people in the settlement have 
connections with the Americans, especially as an 
Indian, for a gallon of rum, will convey any letter ot 
intelligence." In another letter, dated August 17, 
he said, " The few American newspapers which I 
send, being of a later date than any from Europe, 
you may conceive, have furnished surmises to the 
disaffected here not likely to produce agreeable 
effects. I shall watch and seize the first, however, 
who shall dare make a parade of his disloyalty." 

In the spring of 1779, after the capture of Gover- 
nor Hamilton, there was much more trouble with 
the " rebel sympathizers." Captain Lernoult was 
authorized by Captain Brehm, aide-de-camp to Gen- 
eral Haldimand, to apprehend some of these and 
".send them to Niagara, and to take hostages from 
others ; " also to " hold court-martials on the ap- 
proach of an enemy" and "punish offences with 
death." 

About this time James Cassity, a farmer at Grosse 



Pointe, made himself obno.xious to the king's officers, 
and the following depositions against him are con-, 
tained in the Haldimand correspondence. William 
Miller deposed on July 21, 1779, against Cassity, 
" that he and William Bostick drank success to the 
Congress and the American Arms, and said that 
Colonel Clark would soon be in possession of Detroit, 
that he was tanning a quantity of leather that he 
would not sell until Colonel Clark arrived at Detroit." 
John Loughton, naval store-keeper, deposed that 
Cassity said " that Detroit would be in the hands of 
Colonel Clark in si.x months, and declared himself a 
rebel." John Cornwall said Cassity declared " that 
there were many in Detroit who wore cockades in 
their hats who thought themselves very good people, 
but that, when Colonel Clark came, they would be 
no better than himself." and that " Colonel Butler, 
with his scalping crew, would soon meet with their 
deserts." Upon this testimony, Cassity was sent 
away. 

The inhabitants of Detroit were thus compelled 
to leave their homes, and a number of loyalists and 
renegades came to settle in the city, among them 
those noted semi-savages, Matthew Elliott and 
James, Simon, and George Girty. 

At one time Governor Hamilton estimated that 
about five thousand persons in Detroit would soon 
be dependent upon the Government for support. 
He was in favor of encouraging settlers to come, 
however, and even proposed, on his anticipated 
foray, to bring back the colonists and settle them at 
Detroit, but General Haldimand did not favor this 
idea. On August 6, 1778, he wrote to Hamilton: 
" I am of opinion that the driving these settlers back 
upon their brethren whom they would distress by 
an additional consumption of goods and provisions 
among them would prove a better measure for His 
Majesty's interest than inviting them to your post." 
He then suggested that those w-ho did come be 
made to take arms and "e.xert themselves heartily." 

Because of their natural antipathy to the English, 
and of the attitude of the mother country, the French 
generally fav^ored the Americans, aiding them mate- 
rially in some instances, by conveying information; 
others were bribed or threatened into putting on the 
British uniform. Their infiuence over the Indians 
was such that their presence was a necessity. 
Colonel De Peyster says, in one of his letters to 
General Haldimand, " Give me leave to assure your 
Excellency that nothing can be effected from the 
Indians without troops to head them." 

A report of Governor Hamilton, made on .August 
30, 1778, shows that there were then at Detroit four 
hundred and eighty-two volunteer militia. Those 
who went with the Indians were paid from four 
shillings to sixteen shillings per day, and on the pay- 
list the names of the ancestors of many of the 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



245 



French families of tlie present day are easily recog- 
nized. An old ledger, kept by a Detroit firm, has 
one accoimt with tlie significant heading, " Men of 
Absent Companies," — the account evidently being 
for goods furnished the families of persons absent 
on some foray with the Rangers, as they were called. 

The employment of the Indians by the English 
Government during the Revolutionarj' War leaves 
an ineffaceable stigma on the names of the men 
who were then in power. The palliating facts are 
that the spirit of the age was different from that of 
the present, and that the public mind, during the 
French and English War, had been gradually 
accustomed to the thought of Indian allies. The 
wholesale employment, however, of the savages in 
wars against white settlers was unknown prior to 
the Revolution. It is claimed that the American 
forces also employed them to fight against the 
English ; but any such employment was in connec- 
tion with regular army movements, and even then 
exceptional. The English, on the contrary, employed 
all the tribes that could possibly be induced to make 
war on the colonists, and nation after nation was 
systematically and persistently solicited, urged, and 
hired to join them, and often allowed and encour- 
aged to make war in their own fashion. 

The official correspondence found in the Haldi- 
mand papers and other documents contains scores 
and hundreds of letters to prove these statements. 

A letter from Governor Carlton to Lieutenant- 
Governor Hamilton, dated October 6, 1776, contains 
this postscript : 

Vou must keep the savages in readiness to join me in the spring, 
or march elsewhere as they may be most wanted. 

Lord George Germain who succeeded the Earl of 
Dartmouth on November 4, 1775, in a letter dated 
Whitehall. March 26, 1777, and addressed to Gov- 
ernor Cramahe, says : 

It is His Majesty's resolution that the most vigorous efforts 
should be made, and every means employed that Providence has 
put into His Majesty's hands for crushing the rebellion and 
restoring the constitution. It is the King's command that you 
should direct Lieutenant Governor Hamilton to assemble as many 
of the Indians of his district as he conveniently can, and placing 
proper persons at their head to whom he is to make suitable allow- 
ances, to conduct their parties and restrain them from committing 
violence on the well-affected and inoffensive inhabitants, employ 
them in making a diversion and exciting an alarm on the frontiers 
of Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

At this remote date we can afford to smile at the 
kingly assumption that Providence had put the 
Indians into the hands of the English, to be used 
in killing and scalping the unfortunate settlers of 
the West. Governor Hamilton acknowledged the 
receipt of Lord Germain's orders, and claimed that 
every possible method had been employed to induce 
the Indians to be kind to their prisoners and to 



bring them in alive, and refrain " from their usual 
barbarities." How incredible this conception of the 
savage character ! How strange this ignorance of 
the necessary relation of cause and effect ! Scalp- 
ing-knives and scalps, savages and murder ! 

The same sentiments that Lord George Germain 
addressed to Governor Cramahe were afterwards 
uttered in Parliament. But no criticism on such 
words and the action they sustained can equal that 
pronounced by the celebrated Lord Chatham. In 
the Parliament which opened November, 1777, he 
said. 

But, my lords, who is the man that, in addition to these dis- 
graces and mischiefs of Our army, has dared to aiitliorize andasso- 
ciate to our arms the tomahawk and scalping-knive of the savage, 
to call into civilized alliance the wild and inhuman savage of the 
woods; to delegate to the merciless Indian the defence of disputed 
rights, and to wage the horrors of his barbarous war against our 
brethren ? My lords, these enormities call aloud for redress and 
punishment. Unless thoroughly done away it will be a stain on the 
national character. It is a violation of the constitution. I believe 
it is against law. 

In reply to Chatham, Lord .Suffolk said, " There 
were no means which God and nature might have 
placed at the disposal of the governing powers to 
which they would not be justified in having recourse." 
Said Chatham in reply, 

My lords, I am astonished, shocked, to hear such sentiments 
confessed; to hear them announced in this House or in this country! 
— principles equally unconstitutional, inhuman, and unchristian; 
My lords, I did not intend to have encroached again upon your 
attention, but I cannot repress my indignation. I feel myself 
impelled by every duty. We are called upon, as members of this 
House, as men, as Christian men, to protest against such notions, 
standing near the throne, polluting the ear of Majesty. " That 
God and nature have put into our hands ! " I know not what 
idea that lord may entertain of God and nature, but I know that 
such abominable principles are equally abhorrent to religion and 
humanity. What ! to attribute the sanction of God and nature to 
the massacres of the Indian scalping-knife ? To the cannibal-sav- 
age, torturing, murdering, roasting, and eating — literally, my lords, 
eating — the mangled victims of his barbarous battles ? Such horri- 
ble notions shock every precept of religion, divine or natural, and 
every generous feeling of humanity. They shock every sentiment 
of honor. They shock me as a lover of honorable war, and a 
detester of murderous barbarity. These abominable principles, 
and this more abominable avowal of them, demand a most decisive 
indignation. 

I call upon that Right Reverend Bench, those holy ministers of 
the gospel, and pious pastors of our church ! I conjure them to 
join in the holy work, and vindicate the religion of their God ! I 
appeal to the wisdom and law of this learned Bench to defend and 
support the justice of their country ! I call upon the bishops to 
interpose the unsullied sanctity of their lawn, upon the learned 
judges to interpose the purity of their ermine, to save us from this 
pollution ! I call upon the honor of your lordships to reverence 
the dignity of your ancestors, and to maintain your own ! I call 
upon the spirit and humanity of my country- to vindicate the 
national character ! I invoke the genius of the constitution ! 
From the tapestry that adorns these walls, the immortal ancestor 
of this noble lord frowns with indignation at the disgrace of his 
country. In vain he led your victorious fleet agaist the boasted 
Armada of Spain ; in vain he defended and established the honor, 
the liberties, the religion, the Protestant religion, of this country 
against the arbitrary cruelties of Popery and the Inquisition, if 



246 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



these more than popish cruelties and inquisitorial practices are let 
loose among us. To turn forth into our settlements, among our 
ancient connections, friends, and relations, the merciless cannibal, 
thirsting for the blood of man, woman, and child, — against your 
Protestant brethren, to lay waste their country, to desolate their 
dwellings, and extirpate their race and name with those horrible 
hell-hounds of savage war, — hell-hounds, I say, of savage war ! '' 

Notwithstanding this energetic and manly protest, 
the same methods were continued, and, as before, 
the savages were encouraged and paid to continue 
their dreadful work. 

On January 15, 1778, Governor Hamilton wrote to 
General Carlton, " The parties sent from hence have 
been generally successful, though the Indians have 
lost men enough to sharpen their resentment ; they 
have brought in twenty-three prisoners alive, twenty 
of which they presented to me, and a hundred and 
twenty-nine scalps." In another letter, written on 
September 17, 1778, he stated that "since last May 
the Indians in this district have taken thirty-four 
prisoners, seventeen of which they delivered up, and 
eighty-one scalps." 

In order to do Governor Hamilton full justice, 
extracts from letters written by him in April, 1778, 
are here given ; but in view of the statements 
already quoted, dated both before and after these 
letters, some of his words seem like mockery. He 
says, " Many of the war-parties bring in prisoners, 
and hav'e shown a humanity hitherto unpracticed 
among them. They never fail of a gratuity on every 
proof of obedience they show in sparing the lives of 
such as are incapable of defending themselves." 
In another letter he says, " All parties going to war 
are e.xhorted to act with humanity as the means of 
securing a secure peace when His Majesty shall be 
pleased to order the hatchet to be buried." 

At the councils it was a common thing for the 
Indians to present .scalps to the governor. One of 
these presentations is thus reported by De Peyster : 
" Presenting si.xteen .scalps, one of the Delaware 
chiefs said, ' Listen to your children, the Delawares, 
who are now come in to see you at a time they have 
nothing to apprehend from the enemy, and present 
you some dried meat, as we could not have the face 
to appear before our father empty.' " 

Among the goods regularly kept by merchants 
for the Indian trade scalping-knives were prominent. 
The writer has .seen the original entry of the sale 
on June 6, 1783, by Macomb & Brother to William 
Park & Company of "si.xteen gross red-handled 
scalping-knives at 100.S — £^o>" and on July 22 
following, there is a charge of twenty-four dozen 
more to the same parties. " Scalping-knives for 
sale here " was possibly one of the signs on what is 
now Jefferson Avenue, in those "times that tried 
men's souls." 

Before the Indians started out on their expedi- 
tions their tomahawks were dedicated to their mur- 



derous work by being publicly passed through the 
hands of the local governor or commandant in the 
council house, this ceremony signifying in the sym- 
bolic language of the Indian, " We take hold of the 
same tomahawk," 

At a council on July 3. 1778, Governor Hamilton 
personally presented an axe to the chief, saying he 
" presented him an axe for his use to set against 
those people who want to possess themselves of 
your land. It 's the King's command that I put 
this axe into your hands to act against his Majesty's 
enemies. I pray the Master of Life to give you 
success, as also your warriors, wherever you go with 
your father's a.xe." 

In a letter to General Haldimand, dated 1 1 a. m., 
October 3, 1776, he says, "Last night the savages 
were assembled, when I sung the war-song, and was 
followed by Captain Lernoult and several officers." 

It was possibly this very occasion that is thus 
described by Governor Cass in his appendix to 
" Ontwa:" 

In the year 1776, during the administration of Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Hamilton at Detroit, a large number of Indian warriors 
were assembled in order that they might be induced to co-operate 
with the British in the war which had then commenced. They 
were drawn up in two lines, extending from the river to the woods; 
their kettles and fires were between the lines. An ox was killed, 
and his head cut off ; a large tomahawk was then struck into the 
head, and thus loaded it was presented to the governor. He was 
requested to sing his war-song along the whole line of the In- 
dians. 

The ox-head represented the head of an American; and as the 
British were the principals in the war, it was necessary for them 
to take up the tomahawk first. The lieutenant-governor was 
embarrassed by the novelty of the situation and by his own 
ignorance of the language and songs of the Indians. He was 
extricated in a manner equally happy and ludicrous by his inter- 
preter. The latter instructed his superior to sing the following 
words in French: 

" Quand je vais a la guerre-ruh 

J'emporterai ma grand cuillere-ruh."t 

The monosyllable at the end of each line is only intended to 
mark the elevation of the voice and the prolongation of the last 
syllable. 

These words correspond with the necessary tune, and were sung 
with all the gravity and dignity suited to the occasion. As the 
Lieutenant-Governor passed the immense assemblage, he sung his 
song and fixed his eyes upon the Indians, who made the air re- 
sound with the cries of " Yeh ! Yeh ! Yeh I " 

They concluded, of course, that the great warrior was threaten- 
ing with deadful vengeance the " Big Knives," the rebelliouschil- 
dren of the British father. The second officer in command, Major 
Hayes, was relieved by a similar expedient. The ingenious inter- 
preter composed the following song, which possessed the same 
advantage of an accompaniment to the music : 

" J'ai le talon au bout du pied," etc. 2 

Thus even the dreadful preliminaries to the mas- 
sacre of the Americans were mingled with exhibi- 
tions of wit and humor. 



1 When T go to the war 
I will bring my great spoon. 



' My heel is at the end of my foot. 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



247 



The English soon found that the Indians were 
costly allies. They could not be trusted to keep 
constantly on the war-path unless they were encour- 
aged with gifts, and spurred with the fear that their 
hunting-grounds would be destroyed and they left 
to the mercy of the " Big Knives." They soon 
learned how much depended on their action, and 
from asking a gift or accepting a favor, they de- 
manded everything as their right. The e.xpenses of 
the Indian Department grew so large that letter 
after letter came from General Haldimand complain- 
ing of the " enormous " and " amazing " expense of 
the goods for the Indians. 

The drafts of governor and commandants for 
supplies followed each other in rapid succession ; 
and during the war several millions of dollars worth 
of goods for the Indians w^re distributed at Detroit. 
In addition to the ordinary Indian goods, provisions 
also were supplied. From December 25, 1777, to 
August 31, 1778, there were received at Detroit 
372,460 barrels of flour, 42,176 pounds of fresh 
beef, 16,473 pounds of salt beef, 203,932 pounds of 
salt pork, 19.756 pounds of butter, also great quan- 
tities of mutton, peas, corn, rice, oatmeal, salt, and 
rum. In the summer of 1778 fifty-eight and a half 
t(5ns of gunpowder were sent here from Niagara. 
Of course a large proportion of these articles 
were used by the regular troops, but no small 
amount was for the Indians. The following docu- 
ment gives an idea of many similar ones that were 
sent from Detroit at this time : 

Estimate of Mi-rcJuindisi' wanted for Indian 
I'rcscnts at Detroit from 21st of August, 17S2, 
to 20/// of August, 17S3. 

230 pieces Blue strouds. 

20 " Red 

10 " Crimson " 

10 " Scarlet " 

20 '■ Scarlet cloth S.t 6d Sterling. 

4000 Pr 2^ Pt Blankets. 

300 •• 3 

500 ■• 2 " " 

500 " lyi " 

1000 fine 2^ Pt 

1000 pieces 4-4 linen sorted. 

100 " striped calimanco. 

100 " " cotton. 

2000 lbs Vermillion in i lb Bags. 

50 pieces coarse muslin. 

20 Pieces Russia Sheeting. 

100 Doz Blk silk handkerch'fs. 

20 " Colored " 

30 " cotton " 

250 Pieces ribbon assorted. 

200 Gross Bed lace. 

200 (iross Gartering. 



30 Pieces embossed serge. 

500 felt Hats yi laced. 

100 castor " " 

50 Beaver " 

500 Pieces White Melton. 

50 " Blue 

20 " Coating, blue and brown. 

20 " Brown Melton. 

30 " Ratteen. Blue and Brown. 

100 Common Saddles. 

400 Bridles. 

500 Powder Horns. 

20 Doz Tobacco Boxes. 

30 " Snuff 

80 Gross Pipes. 

300 large feathers, red, blue, green. 

300 Blk ostrich feathers. 

200 Pairs shoes. 

250 Pairs Buckles. 

100 Pieces Hambro lines. 

10 Doz Mackerel lines. 

10 " Spurs. 

50 Gro Morris Bells. 

50 " Brass Thimbles. 

6 Pieces Red serge. 

10 Pieces White serge. 

6 " Blue " 

10 Gross Jews harps. 

500 Fusils. 

200 Rifles Guns small bore. 

50 Pair Pistols. 

5 Doz Couteaux de Chasse. 
50000 Gun Flints. 

60 Gro Scalping Knives. 

10 " Clasp 

20 " Scissors. 

20 " Looking Glasses. 

10 " Razors. 

300 lbs Thread assorted. 

20 pieces spotted swan-skin. 

12000 lbs Gunpowder. 

36000 " Ball and shot. 

I Gro Gun locks. 

500 Tomahawks. 

500 Half axes. 

300 Hoes. 

30 Gross fire steel. 

loooo Needles. 

400 Pieces calico. 

1 5000 lbs Tobacco. 

600 lbs Beads assorted. 

40 Gross Awl Blades. 

40 " Gun Worms. 

30 " Box combs. 

6 " Ivory " 

20 Nests Brass Kettles. 
20 " Copper " 



248 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



20 Nests Tin Kettles. 

50 " Hair Trunks. 

3CX) lbs Pewter Basins. 

100 Beaver Traps. 

20 Gross Bath finger rings. 

5000 lbs iron. 

1000 " steel. 

500 lbs .Soap. 

6 Barrels white wine. 

5 " Shrub. 

400,000 Black Wampum. 

100,000 White Wampum. 

Silver Works : — 
1 5000 large Brooches. 
7000 Small 
300 Large Gorgets. 
300 " Moons. 
550 Ear wheels. 
550 Arm Bands. 
1 500 I'rs large Ear bobs. 
1500 " small " 
Some medals chiefly large. 
A large assortment of Smith and Armorers files. 

A. S. De Peyster, 

Major King' s Rcgt. 
Detroit and its Dependencies. 

Other requisitions call for " scarlet and green laced 
coats, " " calico and linen, ruffled and plain shirts." 
and — though it appears incredible — "eighty pounds 
of Rose Pink." This was perhaps to be worked in 
with the vermilion, or was it perhaps for the 
squaws ? 

These last, by the way. took care to obtain a fair 
share of whatever was given to the Indians. De 
Peyster, in one of his letters concerning the war- 
parties, says, " The squaws never fail to tear off 
everything from their backs before they enter the 
fort, when they must be equipped anew." Indeed, 
the same party had sometimes to be equipped two 
or three times, for the Americans, or " rebels," as 
they are almost invariably styled in the Haldimand 
letters, frequently circulated reports among the 
Indians through some secret friend of the cause, 
that led to the return of war-parties, and then 
the warriors had to be again fitted out and en- 
couraged with presents and ammunition. So fre- 
quently did this occur that on August 10, 1780, 
General Haldimand wrote to De Peyster, " It evi- 
dently appears that the Indians in general wish to 
protract the war and are most happy when most 
frequently fitted out." 

Plans for inciting the Indians were laid as early 
as July, 1775. At that time Dr. John Connolley 
entered into an agreement with Lord Dunmore, the 
royal Governor of Virginia, to endeavor to enlist 



certain of the western militia witli the Indians to 
operate against the Americans. He was to be sup- 
plied at Detroit with cannon and ammunition ; was 
to visit different Indian nations, rendezvous his 
forces at Fort Pitt, and then go through Virginia to 
AIe.xandria, w'here he w'as to meet Lord Dunmore 
on April 20, 1776. The scheme was frustrated by 
the capture of Connolley. 

In order to counteract these plans. Congress, in 
1775, appointed commissioners to treat with the 
Indians at Fort Pitt and endeavor to .secure their 
neutrality. These commissioners. Judge James Wil- 
son, of Pennsylvania, General Lewis Morris, of New 
York, and Dr. Walker, of Virginia, engaged Arthur 
St. Clair (subsequently first Governor of the North- 
west Territory) as their secretary-. He formed the 
project of a volunteer expedition to Detroit, provided 
the Indians would remain neutral, for the purpose of 
surprising and capturing the city; and he actually 
succeeded in enlisting four or five hundred young 
men in the enterprise. They were to equip them- 
selves, and provide everything necessary e.xcept 
ammunition. The commissioners approved the pro- 
ject, and recommended it to Congress, but it was 
finally given up, as it was hoped that General Arnold 
would capture Quebec, and that the surrender of 
Detroit would follow. Arnold's e.xpedition failed, 
and no e.xpedition was led against Detroit ; instead, 
in May, 1776, Captain Foster, with forty men from 
the Eighth Regiment, one hundred volunteers, and 
a large number of Indians, went from Detroit and 
captured an important post at the Cedars, about 
fifty miles southwest of i\Iontreal. An allusion to 
this battle is contained in verses written by Colonel 
De Peyster at Mackinaw, entitled 

THE DRILL SERGEANT. 

Tl'NE, The Happy Beggars, 

Come, stand well to your order, 
Make not the least false motion, 

Eyes to the right, 

Thumb, muzzle height, 
Lads, you have the true notion. 

Here and there. 

Everywhere 
That the King's boys may he foundi 

Fight and die ! 

Be the cry 
Ere in battle to give ground. 

Come briskly to the shoulder. 
And mind when you make ready. 

No quid must slide 

From side to side, 
To make your heads unsteady. 

Here and there. 

Everywhere 
That the King's boys may be found, 

Fight and die ! 

Be the cry 
Ere in battle to give ground. 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



249 



We beat them at the Cedars, 
With those we call our liijht men 

Who, that same day. 

Heard Yank-eys say 
They never saw such tiiiht men. 

Here and there. 

Everywhere 
That the King's boys may be found. 

Fight and die ! 

Be the cry 
Ere in battle to give groimd. 

On March 15, 1777, all attack was made on Har- 
rodsburgh. Tliis was repulsed, and about a month 
later an attack, equally unsuccessful, was made on 
ISoonsboro. 

The Indians next invested Logan's Station, re- 
maining before it for several weeks. They finally 
retired, after killing the soldiers of a small detach- 
ment that was on its way to the relief of the be- 
seiged. On the body of one them the following 
proclamation was found : 

Detroit, 2.jth June, 1777. 

By virtue of the power and authority to me given by his Excel- 
lency, Sir Guy Carlton, Knight of the Uatlr, Governor of the 
Province of Quebec, General and Commander-in-chief, etc., etc., 
etc., [ assure all such as are inclined to withdraw themselves from 
the tyranny and oppression of the rebel committees, and take 
refuge in this settlement, or any of the posts commanded by His 
Majesty's ofEccrs, that they shall be humanely treated, shall be 
lodged and victualed; and such as are officers in arms and shall use 
them in defence of His Majesty against rebels and traitors till the 
extinction of this rebellion, shall receive pay adequate to their 
former stations in the rebel ser\-ice ; and all common men who 
shall scr\e during that period shall receive His Majesty's bounty 
of two hundred acres of land. X 

Given under my hand and seal, 

He.nkv Ha-milton, 
Lieutenatfl-Goz'ernctr and Superintendent. 

On July 27. 1777. Hamilton reported to Secretary 
Germain that he had already sent out fifteen parties, 
consisting of two hundred and eighty-nine braves 
with thirty white officers and rangers. At the 
attack on Fort Henrj-. now Wheeling, Virginia, on 
September 27, 1777, Hamilton's proclamation was 
read by Simon Girty, who promised the garrison 
the protection of the Crown if they would lay down 
their arms and swear allegiance. His force, consisting 
of about four hundred Indians, came from Detroit. 
The fort was garrisoned by only twelve men and 
boys, but they refused to surrender, and the Indians, 
after a brief attack, withdrew a short distance. As 
the stock of powder in the fort was low, it was 
resolved to attempt to get a supply from the house 
of Mr. Zane, si.xty yards away. Several of the men 
desired to go, but Elizabeth Zane, who was in the 
fort, insisted on going herself: and although the 
bullets whistled about her. she went and returned 
unharmed, and soon after the Indians retired. 

On Februar)- 7. 1778. the noted pioneer of Ken- 
tucky, Daniel Boone, was captured by the Indians. 



He was brought to Detroit, arriving on March 10. 
Governor Hamilton was anxious to have him as a 
hostage, and offered the Indians one hundred pounds 
for their prisoner, but they refused. On April 10 
they carried him l-o Ohio, and soon afterwards he 
escaped. 

The next attack was made on the ill-fated village 
of Wyoming, and the English and the I ndians com- 
posing the attacking party were largely from Detroit. 
The party consisted of about three hundred white 
men and five hundred plumed and painted Indians, 
led by Colonel John Butler. They appeared before 
the place on July 3, 177S, and demanded its surren- 
der. The inhabitants deemed it best to comply, 
but paid dearly for being faint-hearted. The entire 
settlement was destroyed, and the people massacred 
or carried into captivity. 

In his Life of Brant Mr. Stone says that while he 
was writing his work, he received a letter from 
Samuel C. Frey, son of Philip R. Frey, an ensign in 
the Eighth Regiment, in which was the statement 
that the Indians at Wyoming were led by Captain 
Bird, also of the Eighth Regiment. The letter con- 
tinues : 

Bird had been engaged in a love affair at Detroit, but being very 
ugly, as well as having a hare-lip, was unsuccessful. 'I'he affair 
getting wind, his fellow-officers made themselves merry at his 
expense ; and in order to steep his grief in forgetfulness he ob- 
tained permission to lead an expedition somewhere against the 
American frontier. Joining the Indians placed under him and a 
detachment of his regiment to Butler's Ranger:* they concerted 
the descent on Wyoming. Ensign Frey stated that he was ill- 
natured during the whole march, and acted with foolhardiness at 
the battle. 

On August II, 1778, Boonsboro was again 
attacked by a party of French and Indians from 
Detroit. This time they were led by Colonel Du 
Ouesne, possibly the verj* man after whom old Fort 
Duquesne was named. This same year, early in 
November, the noted Kentuckian, Simon Kenton, 
was captured, brought to Detroit, and ransomed by 
one of the British ofiicers. 

McDonald's " Western Sketches " gives this his- 
tory of Kenton's life in Datroit, and his subsequent 
escape : 

The next day after Kenton had passed into the possession of 
the British at Detroit, the commanding otficer sent for him, and 
had a long conference on the subject of tlic strength and number 
of the inhabitants in the infant settlements of Kentucky. He 
next inquired of the prisoner what he knew of the strength and 
design of the movements of General Mcintosh, who, it was 
understood, was on the way, or preparing to invade the Indian 
country. To all of which interrogatories Kenton gave such 
answer as a patriot might be expected to give. 

He told the truth where the truth would not injure hiscountrj-, 
and evaded direct answers where the information might afford 
advantage to the enemy, .\fter the British commander had inter- 
rogated him .as long as he thought proper, he dismissed him, and 
gave an order on Captain McGregor, the commissary of clothing, 
for two suits of clothing, which were furnished forthwith. He 
was now permitted the liberty of the city of Detroit, but was 



250 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



charged not to leave the town ; if he did, the Indians, in all prob- 
ability, would kill him. Here he did some work, and drew half 
rations fnun the llritish, and lived pretty much at his case. V'arly 
in the sprin.i; of 1779, the Indians brought to Detroit several pris- 
oners whom they had taken from Kentucky. Amongst them were 
some of Kenton's <ild associates. These prisoners had also the 
liberty of the town, and Kenton and they strolled about at pleas- 
ure. Among these prisoners were Captain Nathan EuUit and 
Jesse Coffer. With these two men Kenton began to meditate an 
escape. 

They cou d make no movement to procure arms, ammtmition, 
or provision, without exciting suspicion ; and should they be once 
suspected they would be immediately confined. Kenton was a 
fine-looking man, with a dignified and manly deportment, and a 
soft, pleasing voice, and was everywhere he went a favorite with 
the ladies. 

A Mrs. Harvey, the wife of an Indian trader, had treated him 
with particular respect ever since he came to Detroit, and he con- 
cluded if he could engage this lady as a confidant, by her assist- 
ance and cotmlenance, ways and means would be prepared to aid 
them in their meditated flight. Kenton approached Mrs. Har\ey 
on the delicate and interesting subject, with as much trepidatifm 
and coyness as ever a maiden was approached in a love affair. He 
watched an opportunity to have a private interview with Mrs. 
Har\-ey ; an opportunity soon offered, and he, without disguise or 
hesitation, in full confidence, informed her of his intention, and 
requested her aid and secrecy. 

After a few chit chats, she entered into the views of Kenton 
with as much earnestness and enthusiasm as if she had been his 
sister. 

She began to collect and conceal such articles as might be neces- 
sary on the journey ; powder, lead, moccasins, and dried beef were 
procured in small quantities, and concealed in a hollow tree some 
distance out of town. Guns were still wanting, and it would n(»t 
do for a lady to trade in them. Mr. Harvey had an excellent fowl- 
ing-piece, if nothing better should offer, that she said should be at 
their service. 

They had now everything that they expected to take with them 
in their flight ready, except guns. At length the tliird day of 
June, 1779, came, and a large concourse of Indians were in the 
town engaged in a drunken frolic; they had stacked their guns 
near Mrs. Har\'ey"s house. As soon as it was dark, Mrs. Harvey 
went quietly to where the Indians guns were stacked, and selected 
the three best-looking rifles, carried them into her garden, and 
concealed them in a patch of peas. She next went privately to 
Kenton's lodging and conveyed to him the intelligence where she 
had hid the Indians guns. She told him she would place a ladder 
at the back of the garden (it was picketed) and that he could come 
in and get the guns. No time was to be lost ; Kenton conveyed 
the good news he had from Mrs. Harvey to his companions, who 
received the tidings in ecstacies of joy ; they felt as if they were 
already at home. It was a dark night ; Kenton, Cullit, and Coffer 
gathered up their little all and pushed to Mrs. Harvey's garden. 
There they found the ladder ; Kenton mounted over, drew the 
ladder over after him, went to the pea patch, found Mrs. Harvey 
sitting by the guns; she handed him the rifles, gave him a friendly 
shake of the hand, and bid him a safe journey to his friends and 
countrymen. 

The experiences of another prisoner, named John 
Leeth, a clerk and interpreter detained at Detroit 
by Governor Hamilton, are thus narrated. He says : 

One day, while detained in the fort, I observed some soldiers 
drawing the cannon out of the fort, and placing them on the bank 
of the river ; and whilst I was ruminating in my mind what could 
be the meaning of this singular manoeuver, a young silversmith, 
with whom I was intimately acquainted, came and asked me to 
walk with him and see them fire the cannon. T walked with him 
to the place where they had carried them. When we arrived there, 
we found Governor Hamilton and several other British officers 



who were standing and sitting around. Immediately after our 
arrivalat the place, the Indians produced a large quantity of scalps; 
the cannon fired, the Indians raised a shout, and the soldiers 
waved their hats, with huzzas and tremendous shrieks which lasted 
some time. This ceremony being ended, the Indians brought for- 
ward a parcel of American prisoners as a trophy of their victories, 
among whom were eighteen women and children, — poor creatures ! 
— dreadfully mangled and emaciated ; with their clothes tattered 
and torn to pieces in such a manner as not to hide their naked- 
ness ; their legs bare and streaming with blood, the effects of being 
torn with thorns, briers, and brush. To see these poor creatures 
dragged like sheep to the slaughter, along the P.ritish lines, caused 
my heart to shrink with ihrobbings, and my hair to rise with rage; 
and if I ever committed murder in my heart, it was then, for if I 
had had an opportunity, and been supported with strength, I 
should certainly have killed the governor, who seemed to take 
great delight in the exhibition. 

My business hurried me from the horrible scene, and I know not 
what became of those poor wretches who were the miserable vic- 
tims of savage power. 

Every man in the fort, capable of bearing arms, was trained 
twice a week while I remained there. 



Up to this period the movements at Detroit had 
been conducted under orders from Major-General 
Carlton ; but for some reason his administration 
failed to please the home government, and on Sep- 
tember 26, 1777, he wrote to Hamilton, "The con- 
duct of the war has been taken entirely out of my 
hands, and the management '>f it upon your fron- 
tiers has been assigned to you, as you have seen by 
a letter from Lord George, — a copy which I sent 
you." 

This news was doubtless pleasing to Hamilton, 
and there can be no doubt that, soon after this, he 
commenced to plan an incursion which he should 
lead in person. Meantime, on June 26, 1778, Gen- 
eral Haldimand succeeded (^leneral Carlton, and 
Hamilton, apparently, began to fear that his powers 
would be restricted. In great haste he completed 
his preparations for an attack on the American 
posts. He began to talk of what he proposed to 
do, and was confident and even boastful. His 
preparations were finally completed, and he waited 
only for the arrival of Captain Bird and fifty of the 
King's Regiment from Niagara. They came on 
October 7, 1778, and on the same day Hamilton 
and his party set out for Vincennes. He was 
accompanied by Philip Dejcan, his secretary. John 
McBeath, a surgeon, thirty-two of the Eighth Regi- 
ment under Lieutenant Shourd, eighty-eight Detroit 
volunteers, forty-two volunteers commanded by La 
Mothe, and one hundred and twenty-four Indians. 
They had gone but a little distance when the fusee 
of Lieutenant Shourd accidentally went off and 
broke his leg; the surgeon returned with him to 
Detroit, but subsequently overtook and accompanied 
Hamilton's party. 

Governor Hamilton arrived before Vincennes on 
December 17, when, although he was unaware of 
it, the fort was occupied only by Captain Helm and 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



251 



a Mr. Henry. On seeing Hamilton's forces ap- 
proach, Helm placed a cannon in the gateway, and 
with lighted fuse stood ready to discharge it. When 
Hamilton came within hearing Helm called out, 
" Halt ! " Hamilton demanded the surrender of the 
garrison. Helm replied that until he knew the 
terms no man should enter. Hamilton said, " You 
shall have the honors of war." Helm then surren- 
dered, and with his garrison of one man marched 
out in single file. 

In a letter to General Haldimand, Governor 
Hamilton claimed that the force at Vincennes which 
surrendered to him was as follows : " One Major, 
four Captains, two Lieutenants, two ensigns, one 
Indian agent, one adjutant, one commissary, one 
interpreter, four sergeants, and two hundred and 
sixteen rank and file ; of the last, one hundred and 
sixty were volunteers." His statement does not 
agree with any other, and seems improbable unless 
in his " rank and file " he includes all the inhabitants 
of the town. It is evident also that his letter did 
not make a very favorable impression upon a certain 
official or clerk at Quebec, for a series of sarcastic 
endorsements upon it show that the writer did not 
hold in high esteem his military capacity or judgment. 

Hamilton had intended to proceed to Kaskaskia, 
but he weakened his forces by sending out parties 
to fall upon and destroy the settlers. He wrote to 
the commandant at Natchez, "Next year there will 
be the greatest number of savages on the frontier 
that has ever been known." 

We now turn to consider the efforts of the Amer- 
ican forces to obtain possession of Detroit and the 
West. In 1778 Virginia raised a body of troops to 
defend her western settlements. Colonel George 
Rogers Clark was placed in command, and pro- 
ceeding to Kaskaskia he captured it on July 4. On 
December 12, 1778, Patrick Henr>-. then Governor 
of Virginia, gave instructions to Colonel John 
Todd, county lieutenant or commandant of the 
County of Illinois as follows : 

You are to give particular attention to Colonel Clark and his 
corps, to whom the State has great obligations. Vou are to co- 
operate with him in any military undertaking when necessary, 
and to give the military every aid which the circumstances of the 
people will admit of. The inhabitants of Illinois must not expect 
settled peace and safety while their and our enemies have footing 
at Detroit, and can interrupt or stop the trade of the Mississippi. 
If the English have not the strength or courage to come to war 
against us themselves, their practice has been, and will be, to hire 
the savages to commit murders and depredations. 

Illinois must expect to pay in these a large price for her free- 
dom, unless the English can be expelled from Detroit. The 
means for effecting this will not, perhaps, he found in your or 
Colonel Clark's power. * • » But the French inhabiting the 
neighborhood of that place, it is presumed, may be brought to see 
it done with indifference, or perhaps join in the enterprise with 
pleasure. 

While Clark was .still at Kaskaskia. Colonel Fran- 



cis Vigo, of St. Louis, a Spanish subject in sym- 
pathy with the American cause, went to him and 
tendered his services. Clark gladly availed himself 
of the offer, and Colonel Vigo, with a single ser- 
vant, proceeded to Vincennes, to learn the strength 
of that post and the possibilities of its capture. As 
was anticipated, he was captured, and brought 
before Governor Hamilton. Being a Spanish sub- 
ject, he could not be held as a spy in the absence of 
proof. He was, however, forbidden to leave the 
fort ; but finally, on givmg a written pledge not to 
attempt anything injurious to British interests while 
on his return to St. Louis, he was allowed to depart. 
Colonel Vigo kept his pledge by going to St. 
Louis without telling on the way anything he had 
learned of the force of Hamilton at Vincennes. 
He, however, waited at St. Louis only long enough 
to change his dress, and then hurried back to Kas- 
kaskia, arriving there the 29th of Januarj-. He at 
once made known the number and condition of 
Hamilton's forces, and Colonel Clark resolved to 
attempt the recapture of Vincennes. 

The following verbatim letter from Clark to Gov- 
ernor Henry, dated February 3, 1779, gives details of 
his plans, and reflects great credit on his spirit, if 
not on his spelling. 

Sir, — 

As it is now near twelve months since I have had the least 
Intelligence from you I almost despare of any releif sent to me. 
I have for many months past had Reports of An Army Marching 
against De Troit, but no certainty. A Late Menuvr of the 
Famous Hair r.uyer General Henry Hamilton, Esq., Lieutenant 
Governor of De Troit, hath allanned us much. On the r6th of 
December last, he with a Hody of Six Hundred men, Composed of 
Regulars, French Volunteers and Indians, Took possession of St. 
Vincent (Vincennes) on the Wabash, and what few men that com- 
posed the Garrison, not being able to make the least Defence. * * 
Being sensible that without a Reinforcement, which at present 
I have hardly the right to Expect, that I shall be obliged to give up 
the Countrj- to Mr. Hamilton without a turn of Fortune in my 
favor, I am Resolved to take advantage of his present situation and 
Risque the whole in a single Battle. I shall set out in a few 
Days, with all the Force I can Raise of my own Troups and a few 
militia that I can Depend on, Amounting in the whole to only one 
Hundred and Seventy ♦ * men * * of which goes on Board of 
a small Gaily * * out some time ago, mounting two four pounders 
and four large Swivels, one nine pounder on board. This boat is to 
make her way good, if possible, and take her Station Tenn Leagues 
below St. Vincent imtill furthur orders, if I am Defeated She is 
to join Col. Rogers on the Mississippi. She has great stores of 
amunilion on Board. Comd. by Lieut. Jno. Rogers, I shall 
march across by Land myself with the Rest of my Boys. * » * 
You must be sensible of the Feeling that I have for tho.se Crave 
officers and Soldiers that are Determined to share my Fate 
let it be what it will. I know the case is Desperate, but Sir, we 
must Either quit the Country or attack Mr. Hamilton. No time 
is to be lost was I shoar of a Reinforcement I should not attempt 
it. Who knows what Fortune will do for us. Great things have 
been effected by a few men well conducted. * » • 

In pursuance of his determination, he sent forty- 
six men by water with stores ; and taking one hun- 
dred ;ind thirtv men, he set out for Vincennes. No 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



easy task was before him. The route lay over low 
lands, recently flooded, and the soldiers marched 
through water which was often from two to four 
feet deep. Part of the force, as has been said, went 
by boat, but all of them really went by water. 
Daily rains made the journey more and more dis- 
agreeable, yet nothing could dampen the ardor of the 
troops. The drummer of the party was a jovial 
little Irishman, with a rich voice and a memory well- 
stored with comic songs, all of them full of the 
" Begone-dull-care " spirit that animates the natives 
of Erin's Isle. When the men were wading through 
mud and water. Colonel Clark would seat the drum- 
mer on his drum, on which he floated and sang, 
keeping up the spirits of the men with his lively 
melodies. 

At last, nearly starved, exhausted and cold, yet 
brave and hopeful, they reached Vincennes. On 
his arrival, Clark in a letter addressed to the inhab- 
itants, said : 

I request such of you as are true citizens, and willing to enjoy 
the liberty I bring you, to remain still in your houses; and those, 
if any there be, that are friends to the King, will instantly repair 
to the fort and join the hair-buyer General. 

On February 24 he addressed the following letter 
to Governor Hamilton : 

SlR,- 

In order to save yourself from the impending storm that now 
threatens you, T order you to immediately surrender yourself, with 
your garrison, stores, etc. For if 1 am obliged to sturm, you may 
depend on such treatment as is justly due to a murderer. lieware 
of destroying stores of any kind, or any papers or letters that are 
in your possession, or hurting one house in town, for by Heaven 1 
if you do, there shall be no mercy shown you. 

G. R. Clark. 

Several inter\'ievi's were held, in which Hamilton 
sought other terms than unconditional surrender ; 
but Clark would give none, and Hamilton was coin- 
pelled to yield. On March 5. at ten o'clock in the 
morning, the British forces marched out of \'in- 
cennes. 

Many histories of the United States entirely ignore 
this really great victory of Colonel Clark. In its prac- 
tical value and importance it far exceeded a score 
i)f victories in the East which are frequently dilated 
upon at length not warranted by their importance 
to the country at large. Clark's victory was of 
national value, for it largely relieved the West of 
fear and saved the region of the Lakes. 

Before Clark's arrival, Hamilton had sent Philip 
Dejean to Detroit for supplies, and on February 9, 
he and Mr. Adheimer set out with seven boats 
loaded with goods, worth $50,000. Clark was in- 
formed of their approach and sent sixty men to 
intercept the boats, which, with their stores, were 
captured on the 26th as they were coming down 
the Wabash. 



On March 7 Clark sent Captain Williams, Lieu- 
tenant Rogers, and twenty-five soldiers with Gover- 
nor Hamilton, Philip Dejean, Major Hay, Captain 
La Mothe, Lieutenant Schieffin, and twenty others, 
to Virginia as prisoners of war. The Volunteers 
who came with Hamilton were drawn up in line, 
told of the real nature of the war, and exhorted, as 
they were to be paroled instead of imprisoned , to 
go home and use their influence for the American 
cause. They returned to Detroit, and obeyed the 
request so effectually that, as Colonel Clark says, in 
one of his letters : 

They made great havoc to the British interest, publicly saying 
that they had taken an oath not to fight against Americans, but 
they had nut sworn not to fight for them, etc., and matters were 
carried to such a height that the commanding officer thought it 
prudent to take no notice of anything that was said or dune. 
Mrs. McComb, who kept a noted boarding-house, I understand, 
had the assurance to show him the stores she had provided for the 
Americans. 

Colonel Clark repeats this information, and gives 
further details, in a letter to the Governor of Vir- 
ginia, dated Kaskaskia, April 29, 1779. He says: 

By your instructions to me 1 find you put no confidence in Gen- 
eral Mclntosh's.takmg Detroit, as you encourage me to attempt 
it if possible. It has been twice in my power. Had I been able 
to raise only five hundred men when 1 first arrived in the country, 
or when I was at St. Vincennes could 1 have secured my prisoners, 
and only had three hundred good men. I should have attempted 
it ; and since learn there could have been no doubt of success, as 
by some gentlemen, lately from that post, we art informed that 
the town and countrj' kept three days in feasting and diversions, 
on hearing of my success against Mr. Hamilton, and were so 
certain of my embracing the fair opportunity of possessing myself 
of that post that the merchants and others provided many neces- 
saries for us on our arrival ; the garrison, consisting of only eighty 
men, not daring to stop their diversions. They are now com- 
pleting a jiew fort,' and 1 fear too strong for any force 1 shall be 
able to raise in this country. 

Further details of the capture of Vincennes, and 
the subsequent confinement of Lieutenant-Governor 
Hamilton and other officers, are contained in the 
following series of letters and documents. Gover- 
nor Patrick Henry, in a letter to the Speaker of the 
House of Delegates, written May i8, 1779, says: 

Sir, — 

I have enclosed a letter for the perusal of the .Assembly, from 
Colonel Clark at the Illinois. This letter, among other things, 
informs me of an expedition which he has planned and deter- 
mined to execute, in order to recover Fort St. Vincent, which had 
been formerly taken from the British troops, and garrison by 
those under the Colonel's command. This enterprise has suc- 
ceeded to our utmost wishes, for the garrison, commanded by 
Henry Hamilton, Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit, and consisting 
of British Regulars and a number of Volunteers, were made pris- 
oners of war. Colonel Clark has sent the Governor, with sev- 
eral officers and privates, under a proper guard, who have by this 
time arrived at New London in the county of Bedford. 

Proper measures will be adopted by the Executive for their 
confinement and security. Unfortunately, the letters from Colonel 

' The fort Clark speaks of was Fort Lemoult, vrhich was begun 

in the fall of 1778. 



THE RKVOLUTIONARV WAR. 



253 



Clarkj containing, no doubt, particular accounts of this affair, 
was in the possession of an express who was murdered by a party 
of Indians on his way through Kentucky to this place. The 
letters, as I am informed, were destroyed. As the facts which I 
have mentioned are sufficiently authenticated, I thought it 
material that they should be communicated to the Assembly. 

Soon afterwards letters were received from Col- 
onel Clark, and the State papers of Virginia contain 
this record : 

IN COUNCIL, JUNE 18, I779. 

The Board proceeded to the consideration of the letters of 
Colonel Clarkj and other papers relating to Henry Hamilton, 
Esq., who has acted some years past as Lieutenant-Governor of 
the settlement at and about Detroit, and commandant of the 
British garrison there, under Sir Guy Carlton as Governor in 
Chief, Philip Dejean, Justice of the Peace for Detroit, and 
William La Mothe, Captain of Volunteers, prisoners of war, taken 
in the county of Illinois. They find that Governor Hamilton has 
executed the task of inciting the Indians to perpetrate their accus- 
tomed cruelties on the citizens of the United States, without dis- 
tinction of sex, age, or condition, with an eagerness and avidity 
which evince that the general nature of his charge harmonized 
with his particular disposition. They should have been satisfied, 
from the other testimony adduced, that these enormities were 
committed by savages acting under his commission; but the num- 
ber of proclamations, which, at different times, were left in 
houses, the inhabhants of which were killed or carried away by 
the Indians, one of which proclamations is in possession of the 
board, under the hand and seal of Governor Hamilton, puts this 
fact beyond a doubt. At the time of his captivity, it appears, he 
had sent considerable bodies of Indians against the frontier settle- 
ments of these states, and had actually appointed a great council 
of Indians to meet him at Tennessee, to concert the operations of 
this present campaign. * * * 

It appears that Governor Hamilton gave standing rewards for 
scalps, but offered none for prisoners, which induced the Indians, 
after making their captives carry their baggage into the neighbor- 
hood of the fort, there to put them to death and carry in their 
scalps to the Governor, who welcomed their return and success by 
a discharge of cannon. 

That when a prisoner, brought alive, and destined to death by 
the Indians, the fire already kindled, and himself bound to the 
stake, was dextrously withdrawn, and secreted from them by the 
humanity of a fellow-prisoner, a largt reward was offered for the 
discovery of the victim, which having tempted a servant to betray 
his concealment, the present prisoner Dejean, being sent with a 
party of soldiers, surrounded the house, took and threw into jail 
the unhappy victim and his deliverer, where the former soon ex- 
pired under the perpetual assurance of Dejean that he was again to 
be restored into the hands of the savages, and the latter, when en- 
larged, was bitterly reprimanded by Governor Hamilton. • * * 
It appears that the prisoner La Mothe was a captain of the vol- 
unteer scalping parties of Indians and whites who went, from 
time to time, under general orders to spare neither men, women, 
nor children. * * * 

Called on by that justice we owe to those who are fighting the 
battles of our countr>-, to deal out at length miseries to their 
enemies, measure for measure, and to distress the feelings of man- 
kind by exhibiting to them spectacles of severe retaliation, where 
we had long and vainly endeavored to introduce an emulation tn 
kindness ; happily the possession, by the fortunes of war, of some 
of those very individuals, who, having distinguished themselves 
personally in this line of cruel conduct, are fit subjects to begin on 
with the work of retaliation, this board has resolved that the 
Governor, the said Henrj- Hamilton. Philip Dejean. and William 
La Mothe, prisoners of war, be put into irons, confined in the 
dungeon of the public jail, debarred the use of pen, ink and 
paper, and excluded all converse except with their keeper. And 
the Governor orders accordingly. Arch. Blair, C. C. 



The putting of these officers in irons gave rise to a 
voluminous correspondence. Some one of the officers 
at Detroit wrote to Governor Jefferson of Virginia, 
protesting against the imprisonment of Governor 
Hamilton ; and his reply, given in the Calendar of 
Virginia State Papers, with some partly illegible 
words supplied in brackets, is as follows : 

WiLLIAMSBURGH, July 22, 1779. 

Sir, — 

Your letter on the subject of Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton's 
confinement came safely to hand. 

I shall with great cheerfulness explain to you the reason on 
which the advice of Council was founded, since, after the satisfac- 
tion of doing what is right, the greatest is that of having what we 
do approved by those whose opinions deser\-e esteem. 

We think ourselves justified in Governor Hamilton's strict con- 
finement on the general principle of national retaliation. To 
slate to you the particular facts of British cruelty to American 
prisoners would be to give a melancholy history from the capture 
of Colonel Ethan Allen at the beginning of the war to the pres- 
ent day: a histor>* of which I will avoid, as equally disagreeable 
to you and to me. I with pleasure do you the justice to say that 
I believe those facts to be very much unknown to you, as Canada 
has been the only scene of your service in America, and in that 
quarter we have reason to believe that Sir Guy Carlton and the 
other officers commanding there have treated our prisoners [since 
the instance of Colonel Allen] with considerable lenity. [As to] 
what has been done in England, and what in New York and 
Philadelphia, you are probably uninformed, as it would hardly be 
made the subject of epistolary correspondence. 

I will only observe to you, sir, that the confinement and treat- 
ment of your [prisoners] ofiicers, soldiers, and seamen, have been 
so vigorcHis and cruel as that a very great proportion of the whole 
of those captured in the course of this war and carried to Phila- 
delphia while in possession of the British army, and to New 
York, have perished miserably from that cause only, and that 
this fact is as well established with us as any historical fact which 
has happened in the course of the war. 

A gentleman of this Commonwealth in public office, and of 
known and established character, who was taken on sea, carried to 
New York and exchanged, has given us lately particular informa- 
tion of the treatment of our prisoners there. * * * 

When, therefore, we are desired to advert to the possible conse- 
quences of treating prisoners with rigour, I need only ask. When 
did these rigours begin ? Not with us, assuredly. I think you, 
sir, who have had as good opportunities as any British officer of 
learning in what manner we treat those whom the fortune of war 
has put into our hands, can clear us from the charge of rigours, 
as far as your knowledge or information has extended. I can 
assert that Governor Hamilton's is the first instance which has 
occurred in my own country, and if there has been another in any 
of the United States, it is unknown to me. These instances must 
have been extremely rare, if they have ever existed at all, as they 
could not have been altogether unheard of by me. When a uni- 
form exercise of kindness to prisoners on our part has been 
returned by as uniform severity on the part of our enemies, you 
must excuse me for saying it is high time, by other lessons, to 
teach respect to the dictates of humanity ; in such a case retalia- 
tion becomes an act of benevolence. 

But suppose, sir, we were willing still longer to decline the 
drudgery of general retaliation ; yet Governor Hamilton's conduct 
has been such as to call for exemplary punishment on him person- 
ally. In saying this I have not so much in view his particular 
cruelties to our citizens prisoners with him (which, though they 
have been great, were of necessity confined to a small scale), as 
the general nature of the ser\-ice he undertook at Detroit, and the 
extensive exercise of cruelties which that involved. Those who 
act together in war are answerable to each other. No distinction 
can be made between the principal and ally by those against 



254 



THE KEVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



whuin ihe war is waged. He who employs another lo do a deed 
makes the deed his own. If he calls in the hand of the assassin 
or murderer, himself becomes the assassin or murderer. The 
known rule of warfare with the Indian savages is an indiscrimi- 
nate tnitchery of men, women and children. These savages, 
under this well-known character, are employed by the British 
nation as allies in the war against the Americans. Governor 
Hamilton undertakes to be the conductor of the war. In the exe- 
cution of that undertaking he associates small parties of whites 
under his immediate command with large parlies of the Savages, 
and sends them to act, sometimes jointly, sometimes separately, 
not against our forts or armies in the field, but the farming settle- 
ments on our frontiers. Governor" Hamilton, then, is himself the 
butcher of men, women and children. I will not say to what 
length the fair rules of war would extend the right of punishment 
against him, but I am sure that confinement, under its strictest 
circumstances, as a retaliation for Indian devastation and mius- 
sacre must be deemed Lenity, I apprehend you had not sufTi- 
ciently adverted to the expression in the advice to the council, 
when you supposed the proclamation there alluded to to be the 
one addre.ssed to the inhabitants of the Illinois. ♦ * * [The] 
Proclamaiiou then alluded to contained nothing more than an 
invitation to our ofiicers and soldiers to join the Uritish arms 
against those whom he pleased to call Rebels and Traitors. In 
order to introduce these among our people they were put into the 
hands of the Indians, and in every house where they murdered or 
carried away the family they left one of these proclamations. 
Some of them were found sticking in the breasts of persons mur- 
dered, one under the hand and seal of Governor Hamilton. * * * 

But if you will be so good as to recur to the address of the 
Illinois, which you refer to, you will fiiul that tho' it does not, in 
express terms, threaten vengeance, blood, and massacre, yet it 
proves that the Governor had made for us the most ample pro- 
vision of all these calamities. 

He then gives in detail the horrid Catalogue of savage nations, 
extending from south to north, whom he had leagued with himself 
to wage combined war on our frontiers ; and it is well known that 
that war would of course be made up. of blood, and general 
massacre of men, women, and children. Other papers of Governor 
Hamilton's have come to our hands, containing instructions to 
olTicers going out with scalping parties of Indians and whites, and 
proving that that kind of war was waged under his express orders. 
Further proof in abundance might be added, but I suppose the 
fact too notorious to need them. 

Your letter seems to admit an inference that, whatever may 
Iiave been the general conduct of our enemies towards their pris- 
oners, or whatever the personal conduct of Governor Hamilton, 
yet, as a prisoner by capitulation, you consider him as privileged 
from strict confinement. I do not pretend to an intimate knowl- 
edge of this subject. My idea is that the term '* prisoner of war" 
is a generic one, the specification of which is first, prisoners at 
discretion; and second, prisoners in convention or capitulation. 
Thus in the debate in tlie House of Commons of the 27th of 
November last on the address, the minister, speaking of General 
Ilurgoyne (and in liis presence), says he is a "prisoner," and 
tJeneral Uurgoyne calls himself a "prisoner under the terms of 
the convention of Saratoga," intimating that, tho" a prisoner, he 
was a prisoner of particular species, entitled to certain terms. 
The treatment of the first class ought to be sucli as is approved 
by the usage of polished nations: gentle and humane, unless a 
contrary conduct in an enemy or individual render a strict treat- 
ment necessary. The prisoners of the second class have nothing 
to exempt them from a like treatment with those of the first, 
except so far as lliey shall have been able to make better terms by 
articles of capitulation. ♦ * + However, we may waive rea- 
soning on this head, because no article in tht; Capitulation of 
Governor Hamilton is violated by his confinement. 

Perhaps, not having seen the Capitulation, you were led to 
think it were a thing of course that, being able to obtain terms of 
surrender, they would first provide for their own treatment. I 
enclose you a copy of the Capitulation, by which you will see 



that the second Article declares them prisoners of war, and 
nothing is said as to the treatment they were to be entitled to. 
When Governor Hamilton signs indeed, he adds a flourish, con- 
taining the motives inducing him to capitulate, one of which was 
confidence in a generous enemy. He should have reflected that 
generosity on a large scale would take sides against him. How- 
ever, these were only his private motives, and did not enter into 
the contract with Colonel Clark. Being prisoners of war, then, with 
only such privileges as their Capitulation has provided, and that 
having provided nothmg on the subject of their treatment, they 
are liable to be treated as other prisoners. We have not extended 
our orders, as we might justifiably have done, to the whole of 
this Corps. Governor Hamilton and Captain La Mothe alone, as 
leading offenders, are in confinement. The other officers and men 
are treated as if they had been taken in justifiable war: the offi- 
cers being at large on their parole, and the men also liaving their 
liberty to a certain extent. Dejean was not included in the Cap- 
itulation, being taken eight days after, on the Wabache, one 
hundred and fifty miles from St. Vjnccnnes. 

I hope, Sir, that being made more fully acquainted with the 
facts on which the advice of council was grounded, and exercising 
your own good sense in cool and candid deliberation on these 
facts, and the consequences deducted from them, according to the 
usage and sentiments of civilized nations, you will see the trans- 
action in a very different light from that in which it appears at 
the lime of writing your Letter, and ascribe the advice of the 
council, not to want of attention to the sacred nature of public 
Conventions, of which I hope we shall never, in any circum- 
stances, lose sight, but to a desire of stopping the effusion of ye 
unoffending blood of women and children, and the unjustifiable 
severities exercised on our captive officers and soldiers in general, 
by proper severity on our part. 

I have the honor to be, with much personal respect, 
Sir, 

Your most obed'tii most h'ble Servant, 

Thomas Jefferson. 

The imprisonineiit of these officers was brought 
to the attention of Cjcneral Washington, and on 
August 6 he wrote to Jefferson, advising that the 
irons be removed. His request was at once acceded 
to, and on September 29, 1779, the Virginia Council 
ordered that Governor Hamilton. Captain La Mothe, 
and Philip Dejean be sent to Hanover Court House, 
to remain at large on parole. The prisoners objected 
to a parole which would prevent them from saying 
anything to. the prejudice of the United States, and 
so they were remanded to confinement in jail until 
they could " determine with themselves to be inof- 
fensive in word as well as deed." They were appa- 
rently again put into irons. Efforts in their behalf 
were continued, and the records of the Virginia 
Council for October, 1779, cont^iin a memorandimi 
of a letter from Governor Jefferson to Colonel Mat- 
thews, who had been a prisoner in Hamilton's power ; 
Matthews pleaded for leniency towards Hamilton, 
and brought a second letter from Washington, dis- 
appro\'ing of his being in irons. These were again 
taken off, and Jefferson wrote to Colonel Matthews 
as follows : 

Governor Hamilton and his companions were imprisoned and 
ironed, first in retaliation for cruel treatment of our captive citi- 
zens by the enemy in general. 2nd. For the barbarous species of 
warfare which himself and his Savage allies earned on in our west- 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



255 



em frontier, ^rd. For particular acts of barbarity, of which he 
himself was personally guilty, to scinc of our citizens in his power. 
Any one of these chargts was suflicient to justify tlie measure we 
took. Of the truth of the first yourself are witness. Voursitua- 
lion, indeed, seems to have been better since yuu were sent to New 
York; but reflect on what you suffered before that, and knew 
otiiers of your countrymen to suffer, and what you know is 
now suffered by that uMre unhappy part of them who are still 
coniined on board of the prison ships of the enemy. Proofs of 
the second charge, we have under Hamilton's own hand ; and of 
the third, as sacred assurances as human testimony is capable of 
giving. Humane conduct on our part was found to produce no 
effect"; the contrary, therefore, was tu be tried. 

In a letter to Washing-ton, dated November 28, 
1779, Jefferson says: 

Lamothe and Dejean have given their parole, and are at Han- 
over Court House ; Hamiltcm, Hay, and four others are still obsti- 
nate. They, therefore, are still in close confinement, though 
their irons have never been on since your second letter on the 
subject. 

On June 15, 1780, Governor Hamilton and the 
other prisoners were in confinement at Charlottes- 
ville, Va., and Colonel James Wood, then in com- 
mand of that place, wrote to Governor Jefferson ■ 

SiK,— 

I am Honored with your Letter of the 9th instant, with the sev- 
eral Inclusurcs, and shall think myself Happy if 1 am able to 
carry your Ideas into Execution. 

I have issued Peremptory Orders for all the ofTicers, without dis- 
tinction, to repair within live days to the IJarracks, and shal' cer- 
tainly enforce them with strictness. * * * I am w-jll assured 
that had the Assembly extended their resolutions no farther than 
to have restricted the Ollicers to the Limits of the Coimty, and 
called in all theirSupernumerary Servants, it would have answered 
a much lletter Purpose. I hope I shall be excused for giving my 
opinion thus freely, as your Excellency may be assured it proceeds 
from my zeal for the Service. * * * I shall be extremely glad 
to be informed by the return of the Dragoon whether the officers 
are to be closely confined to the Ptarracks ; whether some of them 
who ha\x- built Huts, within the distance of four miles, are to be 
removed ; and whether I am to demand other paroles of them, 
and what the Terms t>f the new ones are to be. 

P. S. Gaieral Hamilton requests to know whether the General 
Officers, their Aid-de-cainps, Brigade Majors, and Servants, arc- 
meant to be included. He says they will willingly give any 
Parole that may be thought necessary. 

For some unexplained reason General Washini^ton 
continued to interest himself in these prisoners, and 
on September 26, 1780, Jefferson wrote to him, from 
Richmond, as follows : 

I was honored, yesterday, with your favor of the 5th instant, on 
the subject of prisoners, and particularly of LitMitenant Governor 
Hamilton. You are not unapprised of the influence of this officer 
with the Indians, his activity and embittered zeal against us. 
\ ou also, perhaps, know how precarious is our tenure of the 
Illinois County, and critical is the situation of the new coun- 
ties on the Ohio. These circumstances determined us to retain 
Governor Hamilton and Major Hay within our power, when 
we delivered up the other prisoners. On a kite representation 
from the people of Kentucky, by a person sent here from that 
country, and expressitjns of what they had reason to apprehend 
from these two prisoners, in the event of their liberation, we 
assured them they would not be parted with, though we were 
giving up our other prisoners. 



It is probable that Washington replied, opposing 
the determination of Jefferson, for on October 10 
Governor Hamilton was released on the following 
parole : 

I, Henry Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor and Superintendent 
of Detroit, do hereby acknowledge myself a prisoner of War to 
the Cuinmonwealth of Virginia, and having permission from his 
Excellency Thomas Jefferson, Governor of said Commonwealth, 
to go to New York, do pledge my faith and most sacredly promise 
upon uiy parole of Honor, that I will nut do, say, write, or cause 
to be done, said, or written, directly or indirectly, in any respect 
whatever, anything to the prejudice of the United States of Amer- 
ica, or any of them, until I shall be enlarged from my captivity 
by Exchange or otherwise, with the consent of the mud Governor 
of Virginia or his successors, and that I will return, when required 
by the said Governor or his successors, to such place within the 
said Commonwealth as he shall ])oint out, and deliver myself up 
again to him or the person acting for or under him. 

In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal at 
Chesterfield, this loth day of October, 1780. 

Henkv Hamilton. 



On the same day Major Jehu Hay. of the Detroit 
militia, was paroled to i;o to New York. 

Of the other prisoners taken by Colonel Clark, 
Schiefflin escaped in April, 17S0, and returned to 
Detroit, and on June i following, while in contine- 
ment, Maisonville committed suicide. On March 4, 
1 78 1, Hamilton, Lamothe, and McBeath were ex- 
changed. 

With regard to the character of Governor Hamil- 
ton and the warfare that he encouraged, Mr. Tucker, 
in his Life of Jefferson, on page 129, questions the 
justice of the stigma which has been publicly affi.xed 
to the character of this British officer. Mr. Tucker 
says that in early youth he was acquainted with him ; 
and that *'he was an edticated and well-bred gentle- 
man, possessed of a soldierly frankness, great liber- 
ality, etc." He also says, '* Colonel Clark makes 
no mention of his ill treatment of prisoners." Con- 
cerning this defense, it is a sufficient answer to refer 
to Clark's letters to the inhabitants of Vincennes 
and to Governor Hamilton, both of which arc amply 
verified. For the rest, the letter of Jefferson to the 
Governor of Detroit will safely stand against the 
statement of Jefferson's historian, who does not 
seem to have been aware of its existence. . 

The best defense that can be made for Hamilton 
is that he acted under orders from his superiors ; 
but he seems to have been a willing instrument, and 
to have gone beyond any instructions in his endeavor 
to punish the Americans. 

In 1784, when General Haldimand went back to 
England, Mr. Hamilton, as the oldest member of 
the Legislative Council, was left in charge of the 
duties of Governor of Canada, for about a year, 
when Henry Hope succeeded him as the regular 
appointee. 

Returning again to the history* of the efforts to 
capture Detroit, we find that while Hamilton was 



'■:)'■ 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



meditating on his evil deeds in a Virginia prison, 
elTorts were still being made to organize an expedi- 
tion against Detroit ; and the letters of Colonel 
Daniel Brodhead, in command of Continental troops 
at Pittsburgh, are full of interesting particulars. He 
succeeded General Mcintosh at that place, and in a 
letter dated April i6, 1779, addressed to Major- 
General Armstrong, gives these facts as to Mcin- 
tosh's proposed expedition against Detroit : 

The Board of War informed me before I left Carlysle that the 
views of Congress were that it was loo iate to prosecute their main 
object. But General Mcintosh was more ambitious. He swore 
that nothing less than Detroit was his object, and he would have 
it in the winter season. In vain was the nakedness of the men, 
the scanty supplies, worn-out, starved horses, leaness of the 
cattle, and total want of forage, difficulty, under such circum- 
stances, of supporting posts at so great a distance in the enemy's 
country, and other considerations, urged. 

General Mcintosh determined to make a trial, and 
it was owing to his determination that the military 
absurdity called Fort Mcintosh was built by the 
hands of hundreds that were eager to wiekl sword 
and gun. The following letter from Colonel Brod- 
head to Major-General Green, dated Pittsburgh. 
May 26, 1 779, gives particulars regarding the fort : 

Last campaign we had great plenty of resources for all the 
troops which were necessary to make an excursion into the 
enemy's country, which was then the ultimate view of the 
Board of War, and to have saved much provisions for the cam- 
paign. The Regular Troops and new Levies were equal to 
such an undertaking; but General Mcintosh's views were much 
more extensive. He was determined to take Detroit ; and with 
this view, began to build a fort at much labor and expense, at 
Beaver Creek: and consequently kept, at least, one thousand 
militia in the field who might have been better employed put- 
ting in their fall crops and taking in their corn, which was 
chiefly lost for want of their attendance. 

The Fort Mcintosh alluded to in the above letters 
was on the north side of the Ohio, about thirty 
miles from Pittsburgh. General Mcintosh left it on 
November 5, 177S, with the intention of proceeding 
to Detroit, but after going about seventy miles he 
was compelled to give up the attempt for lack of 
provisions. 

On September 24, 1779, Colonel Brodhead wrote 
to Colonel George Morgan : 

I have applied some time past for leave to make an expedi- 
tion against Detroit, but fear it will again be put off until the 
season is too far advanced, for, although the operations ought 
not to terminate before the commencement of winter, yet they 
ought to be begun early in the fall, and I must inform you that 
by a late letter I rec'd from Mr. Archibald Steele, it appears 
that a sufficient quantity of provisions is not yet purchased that 
he knows of, for such an undertaking ; and why do you con- 
ceive that five hundred men are now equal to the task of carry- 
mg that place, which is rendered much stronger by men and 
works than it was two years ago when i,8oo men were thought 
necessary ? I conceive it to be next to an impossibility to carry 
on a secret expedition against that place, whilst the English 
have goods to engage the Indians in their interest, and we have 
nothing but words. 



he wrote to General 



On November 10, 1779, 
Washington as follows ; 

An expedition against Detroit in the winter season will doubt- 
less put us in possession of the Enemy's shipping, and, of course, 
give us the command of Lake Erie. Winter expeditions are gen- 
erally attended with great loss of Horses and Cattle, except where 
large magazines of forage are laid in and can be transported. 
But the British Garrison and shipping will be a full compensation 
for every loss of that kind and indeed every difficulty we can 
meet in obtaining it, as it will likewise secure the future tranquil- 
ity of this frontier. I will endeavor to have everything in perfect 
readiness and procure the best intelhgence that circumstances 
will admit. I believe a considerable number of Indians will join 
me, but 1 have little expectation of supplies except from the 
French settlements in the vicinity of that post, and as the British 
yearly cause the inhabitants to thrash out their grain and sell to 
them for the purpose of filling their magazines, little dependence 
can be placed on receiving supplies from them ; and the Indians 
on the River St. Lawrence subsist chiefly upon animal food. 
* * * My best intelligence at present is that the enemy have 
erected a very strong work, near to the Old Fort, and on the only 
commanding eminence behind the Soldiers' Gardens. That the 
Garrison consists of three hundred Regulars (some say more) and 
about the same number of militia ; some of the latter Description 
it is said will join our Troops on their arrival in that neighbor- 
hood. The Wyandots, Tawas, Chippewas, and Pottawatomies 
live in the vicinity of Detroit ; and many of them are, without 
doubt, under British influence. 

Twelve days later he wrote to Washington again : 

The Delaware Chiefs inform nic that tlie English at Detroit 
have refused to supply the Wyandots with clothing, because they 
had entered into a treaty of friendship with us. They likewise 
say that the new Fort at that place is finished, and that the walls 
are so high that the tops of the Barracks can scarcely be seen from 
the outside ; but they don't know whether there are any Bomb 
proofs as they are not permitted to go into the Fort. They think 
the number of soldiers does not exceed three hundred, and some 
part of that number still remain in the old Fort. 

On November 26, 1779, Colonel Brodhead wrote 
to Zeisberger, ' the Moravian missionary on the 
Muskingum, as follows : 

I am very an,\ious to know the strength of the Garrison at De- 
troit, and likewise the strength of the works, but particularly 
whether there are any Bomb proofs, and of what construction, 
whether they are arched with brick or stone, or of wood ; and 
whether the Bomb proofs are only for the safety of the Enemy's 
provision and military stores, or whether there are any for the 
security of the men. What number of cannon are mounted, and 
of what size, and how the inhabitants stand affected with respect 
to our cause. If you can employ a proper person to confide in 
and bring me intelligence of those circumstances, you will render 
your country essential service ; and you may rely on my paying 
the spy eighty Bucks, or one hundred, if eighty is insufficient. I 
intend to send one in like manner to Niagara, to gain similar 
intelligence. 

On February 21, 17S0, Colonel Brodhead again 
wrote to Washington : 

By one of our prisoners who lately made his escape from the 
Wyandots, and who has frequently been at Detroit, I am informed 
that the new fort erected there has Bomb proofs of wood ; that the 
walls are very high, fifteen feet thick, and made of fascines and 
clay ; that the Barracks are sunk some distance into the ground, 
and that their roof cannot be seen from without ; that it stands 
on a fine commanding piece of ground with a gentle descent each 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



257 



way ; likewise, that it is surrounded by a ditch twenty feet wide. 
The Garrison consists of 450 Regulars ; and the Enemy have 1800 
men at Niagara, besides a great number of Indians. If this intel- 
ligence is true, unless some diversion is occasioned by troops 
marching up the Susquehannah River, it is not improbable that 
the enemy may pay us a visit down the Alleghany River next 
spring ; and I have neither men nor cannon sufTicient for this 
Fort, unless a reinforcement can be spared from the main army. 
I shall, however, make the best disposition that circumstances 
will admit, and if possible gain further intelligence from the Dela- 
wares, who continue their declarations of friendship for us. I 
beg your Excellency will indulge me with twenty Boat Builders 
and some armourers early in the spring. If I receive no order to 
the contrary, and can be supplied with craft, I am determined to 
drive the Shawnese over the Lakes, which I can do before provi- 
sions can be furnished for a Capital Expedition. 

On the same day he wrote to Governor Reed of 
Pennsylvania, giving ver)' nearly the same informa- 
tion. 

The following letter from Governor Jefferson to 
General Washington unfolds many particulars relat- 
ing to the men and the measures of the time : 



Sir,- 



WiLLiAMSBURCH, loth Feb., 1780. 



It is possible you may have heard that in the course of last 
summer an expedition was meditated by one Colonel Clark 
against Detroit ; that he had proceeded so far as to rendezvous a 
considerable body of Indians, I believe four or five thousand, at 
St. Vincents ; but, being disappointed in the number of whites he 
expected, and not choosing to rely principally on the Indians, he 
was obliged to decline it. We have a tolerable prospect of rein- 
forcing him this spring, to the number which he thinks sufficient 
for the enterprise. We have informed him of this, and left him 
to decide between this object and that of giving vigorous chastise- 
ment to those tribes of Indians whose eternal hostility have proved 
them incapable of living on friendly terms with us. It is our opin- 
ion his inclination will lead him to determine on the former. 

The reason of my laying before your Excellency this matter is, 
that it has been intimated to me that Colonel Brodhead is medi- 
tating a similar expedition. I wished, therefore, to make you 
acquainted with what we had in contemplation. The energetic 
genius of Clark is not altogether unknown to you. You also 
know (what I am a stranger to) the abilities of Brodhead, and the 
particular force with which you will be able to arm him for such an 
expedition. We wish the most hOpefui means should be used for 
removing so uneasy a thorn from our side. As you alone are 
acquainted with all the circumstances necessary for well informed 
decision, I am to ask the favor of your Excellency, if you should 
think Brodhead's undertaking is most likely to produce success, 
that you will be so kind as to intimate to us, to divert Clark to 
the other object, which is also important to this state. It will, of 
course, have weight with you in forming your determination, that 
our prospect of strengthening Clark's hands sufficiently is not 
absolutely certain. It may be necessary, perhaps, to inform you 
that these officers cannot act together, which excludes the hopes 
of insuring success by a joint expedition. I have the honor to be, 
with the most sincere esteem, Vour Excellency's 

Most obedient and most humble ser\-ant, 

Thomas Jefferson. 

On April 24, 1780, Brodhead wrote to Washing- 
ton: 

As no reinforcement can be had from your Excellency, the in- 
tended expedition against Detroit must be laid aside until a favor- 
able turn of affairs takes place, unless you would recommend a 
junction of Clark's troops with mine. 



On May 30 he wrote : 

The accounts I have received relative to the British Garrison at 
Detroit differ widely, some making it to consist of only two hun- 
dred men, some three hundred, and others upwards of four 
hundred. This has determined me to send Captain Brady with 
five white men and two Delaware Indians to Sandusky, to endeavor 
to take a British prisoner, which I hope he will effect. I have, 
likewise, offered other Delaware warriors fifty hard dollars' worth 
of goods, for one British soldier, and they have promised to bring 
him immediately. Should an intelligent one be brought in, I in- 
tend to offer him some indulgence upon his giving me the most 
perfect intelligence in his power. 

On September 14, 1780, Brodhead wrote to Wash- 
ington : 

The French inhabitants at Detroit are much in our interest, and 
wish most heartily to see an American force approaching. I 
really believe that twelve hundred well appointed men would 
carry that place without great difficulty ; and I wish for nothing 
more, when circumstances will admit, than the honor of making 
the attempt. 

Before Brodhead or Clark had an opportunity to 
make the trial, one Colonel La Balm, who came 
to America with Lafayette, attempted the capture of 
Detroit. The stor^' of his failure is thus told, in a 
letter written by Colonel De Peyster to General 
Haldimand, dated November 13, 1780: 

A body of Canadians,* commanded by Colonel La Balm, were 
defeated on the 5th inst. by the Miami Indians near that village.^ 
The Colonel and between thirty and forty of his men were killed, 
and Mons. Rhy, who styles himself aid-de-camp, taken prisoner. 
They relate that they left the Cahokias on the 3rd of October, 
with 41 men ; that a large body were to follow them to the Ouia, 
from whence Colonel La Balm proceeded to the Miamiswith one 
hundred and three men and some Indians, without waiting for 
the junction of the troops expected, leaving orders for them to 
follow, as well as those he expected from Post Vincent. His 
design was to attempt a coup-de-main upon Detroit, but finding 
his troops, which were to consist of 400 Canadians and some In- 
dians, did not arrive, after waiting twelve days they plundered 
the place, and were on their way back when the Indians assembled 
and attacked them. 

In a letter dated three days later, De Peyster says 
La Balm's force " entered the village, took the 
horses, destroyed the horned cattle, and plundered 
a store I allowed to be kept there for the conveni- 
ence of the Indians." 

La Balm's watch set with diamonds, his double- 
barrelled gun, spurs, regimentals, and some valu- 
able papers were brought to De Peyster by an Indian. 
A letter from Genecal Haldimand to Colonel De 
Peyster, dated January- 6, 1 781, says," I have received 
your letter of 1 5th of November reporting the defeat 
of Mons. La Balm and transmitting his commission, 
etc." 

Soon after the defeat of La Balm, the proposed 
expedition of Colonel Clark was again under con- 
sideration, and on December 13, 1780, Governor 
Jefferson wrote to Washington as follows: 

I The^rench were usually so styled. 
8 Now Fort Wayne, Ind. 



258 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



SlR,- 



I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the subject of 
an expedition, contemplated by this state, against the British post 
at Detroit, and of receiving your answer of October the lolh. 
Since the date of my letter the face of things has so far changed as 
to leave it no longer optional to attempt or decline the expedition, 
but compels us to decide in the affirmative, and to begin our pre- 
parations immediately. The regular force Colonel Clark already 
has, with a proper draft from the militia beyond the Alleghany, 
and that of three or four of our most northern counties, will be 
adequate to the reduction of Fort Detroit, in the opinion of 
Colonel Clark ; and he assigns the most probable reasons for that 
opinion. We have, therefore, determined to undertake it, and 
commit it to his direction. * * + Independent of the favor- 
able effects, which a successful enterprise against Detroit must 
produce to the United States in general, by keeping in quiet the 
frontier of the northern ones, and leaving our western militia to 
aid those of the south, we think the like friendly office performed 
by us to the states, whenever desired, and almost to the absolute 
exhaustion of our own magazines, give well founded hopes that 
we may be accommodated on this occasion. 

Mea and means for the expedition were, how- 
ever, scarce ; the hunters of Kentucky were fearful 
their own homes would be attacked in their absence, 
and the expedition was delayed. That the jealousy 
between Clark and Brodhead still continued is evi- 
dent from the following letter, contained in the Cal- 
endar of Virginia State Papers: 

January i8, 1781. 

George Rogers Clark to the Govertior 0/ Virginia : 

Dr. Sir, — 

I have examined your proposed Instructions. I dont Recollect 
of any thing more that is necessary, Except the mode of paying 
the Expenses of the Garrison of De Troit in case of success, as 
supporting our Credit among strangers may be attended with great 
and good consequences, and my former Experiences Induce me to 
wish it to be the case where I have the Honor to Command. I 
would also observe to your Excellency, that I could wish to set 
out on this Expedition free from any Reluctance, which I doubt I 
cannot do without a satisfactory Explanation of the treatment of 
the Virginia Delegates in Congress to me in objecting to an ap- 
pointment designed for me, which your Excellency cannot be a 
stranger to. I could wish not to be thought to solicit promotion ; 
and that my Duty to myself did not oblige me to transmit these 
sentiments to you. The treatment I have Generally met with 
from this state hath prejudiced me as far as consistant in her In- 
terest, and wish not to be distrusted in the Execution of her 
Orders by any Continental Col' that may be in the Countries that 
I have Business in, which 1 doubt will be the case, although the 
orders of the Commander in chief is very positive. 

Preparations for his expedition went on rapidly ; 
large sums of money were expended, and immense 
quantities of supplies provided at the rendezvous 
near Pittsburgh. Up to January 23. 1781, R. Mad- 
ison, the quartermaster and commissary, had ex- 
pended ^500,000, and on that date applied to 
Governor Jefferson for ^300,000 additional to " ful- 
fill his contracts." 

On March 27. 1781. Colonel Brodhead wrote from 
Fort Pitt to Washington, as follows : * 

Dear General, — 

I am honored with your favor of the 28th ultimo, and am thank- 
ful for the contents. I have acknowled^d the receipt of your 
letter of the 29th of December, and shall give every encourage- 



ment to General Clark's intended enterprise. I wish he may be 
in readiness before the waters fail, and the Kentucky settlements 
are destroyed by the Enemy. 

But I am informed that little or nothing has as yet been done 
at his boat yards, and that the militia he expected from this side 
of the mountains, are availing themselves of the unsettled Juris- 
diction. 



Both Virginia and Pennsylvania at this time 
claimed the ser\-ices of the militia in the region of 
the Alleghanies, the boundaries of both States being 
unsettled, and many of the settlers made this an 
excuse for not taking up arms. On May 26 Clark 
wrote to Washington as follows : 

Sir, — 

Reduced to the necessity of taking every step to carry my point 
the ensuing campaign, I hope your Excellency will excuse me in 
taking the liberty of troubling you with tliis request. The inva- 
sion of Virginia put it out of the power of the (iovernor to fur- 
nish me with the number of men proposed for the enterprise of 
the west ; but he informed me he had ob'ained leave of the Baron 
Steuben, and agreeably to your letters for Colonel John Gibson 
and regiment, together with Heth's company, to join my forces; 
— an addition, he supposed, of more worth than the militia we 
were disappointed of. On consulting Colonel Brodhead, he 
could not conceive that he was at liberty to suffer them to go, as 
your instructions were pointed respecting the troops and stores to 
be furnished by him. From your Excellency's letters to Colonel 
Brodhead I conceive him to be at liberty to furnish what men he 
pleased. I am convinced he did not think the same as I do, or 
othep-vise he would have had no objection, as he appeared to wish 
to give the enterprise every aid in his power. 

The hope of obtaining a grant of those troops has induced me 
to address your Excellency myself, as it is too late to consult 
Governor Jefferson farther on the subject, wishing to set out on 
the expedition early in June, as our stores of provisions are nearly 
complete. If our force should be equal to the task proposed, I 
cannot conceive that this post, with a very small garrison even of 
militia, will be in any danger, as it is attached to a populous coun- 
try, and during our time in the enemy's, Mcintosh and Wheeling 
will be useless, or might also be garrisoned by small parties of 
militia. Those T know to be your Excellency's ideas. If you 
should approve of the troops in this department joining our forces, 
though they are few, the acquisition may be attended with great 
and good consequences, as two hundred only might turn the scale 
in our favor. The advantage that must derive to the states from 
our proving successful, is of such importance that I think it de- 
served a greater preparation to insure it. But I have not yet lost 
siglit of Detroit. Nothing seems to threaten us but the want of 
men. But even should we be able to cut our way through the 
Indians and find they have received no reinforcement at Detroit, 
we may probably have the assurance to attack it, though our force 
may be much less than proposed, which was two thousand ; as 
defeating the Indians with inconsiderable loss on our side would 
almost insure success. Should this be the case a valuable peace 
with them will then probably ensue. But on the contrary should 
we fall through in our present plans and no e.xpedition take place, 
it is to be feared that the consequences will be fatal to the whole 
frontier, as every exertion will be made by the British party to 
harass them as much as possible, and disable them from giving any 
succours to our eastern or southern forces. The Indian war is 
now more general than ever. Any attempt to appease them, 
except by the sword, will be fruitless. Captain Randolph waits on 
your Excellency for an answer to this letter, which I flatter mysL-If 
you will honor me with immediately. Colonel Gibson, who com- 
mands in the absence of Colonel Brodhead, will keep the troops 
ready to move at an hour's warning ; conducting myself as though 
this request was granted, impatiently waiting for the happy order, 
I remain yours, etc., 

G. R. Clark. 



THE RK\OLUTIONARY WAR. 



259 



It does not appear that his request fcr reinforce- 
ments was complied with, but he finally left Pitts- 
burgh, moved down the Ohio, and near Louisville, 
Kentucky, his last expedition came to an inglorious 
end. The reasonc for its failure are indicated in 
the following letter to Washington from General 
William Ir\'ine: 

Fort Pitt, 2 Dec, 1781. 
Sir,— 

* * * I presume your Excellency has been inforraed by 
the Governor of Virginia, or General Clark, of the failure of his 
expedition. But lest that should not be the case, I will relate all 
the particulars that have come to my knowledge. Captain Craig, 
with the detachment of artillery under him, returned here the 
a6th inst. He got up with much diihculty, and great fatigue to 
the men — being forty days on the way, — occasioned by the low- 
ness of the river. He was obliged to throw away his gun carriages, 
but brought his pieces and best stores safe. He left General Clark 
■ at the Rapids, and says the General was not able to prosecute his 
intended plan of operation for want of men, being able to collect, 
on the whole, only about seven hundred and fifty ; and the Buffalo 
meat was all Rotten; and adds, the General is apprehensive of a 
Wsit from Detroit, and is not without fears the settlement will be 
obliged to break up, unless reinforcements soon arrive from Vir- 
ginia. The Indians have been so numerous in that country that 
all the inhabitants have been obliged to keep close in Forts, and 
the General could not venture out to fight ihem. 

A Colonel Archibald Lochrey, Lieutenant of Westmoreland 
county, in Pennsylvania, with about one hundred men in all, 
composed of volunteers and a company raised by Pennsylvania 
for the defense of said county, followed General Clark, who, 'lis 
said, ordered Lochrey to join him at the mouth of the Miami, up 
which river it had been previously agreed on to proceed. But 
General Clark, having changed his plan, left a small party at 
Miami, with directions to Lochrey to proceed on to the falls after 
him with the main body. Sundrj' accounts agree that this party 
and all Lochrey's, to a man, were waylaid by the Indians and 
regulars (for it is asserted they had artillery) and all killed or 
taken. No man escaped, either to join General Clark or return 
home. When Captain Craig left the General, he could not be 
persuaded but that Lochrey with his party had returned home.' 
These misfortunes threw the people of this country into the 
greatest consternation, and almost despair, particularly West- 
moreland county, Lochrey's party being all the best men of that 
frontier. At present they talk of flying early in the spring to 
the eastern side of the mountain, and are daily flocking to me to 
inquire what support they may expect. 

I think there is but too much reason to fear that General Clark 
and Colonel Gibson's expedition falling through, will greatly 
encourage the savages to fall on the country with double fury, or 
perhaps, the British from Detroit to visit this post, which instead 
of being in a tolerable state of defense, is, in fact, nothing but a 
heap of ruins. * * * 

I believe, if Detroit was demolished, it would be a good step 
towards giving some, at least temporary, ease to this country. It 
would take, at least, a whole summer to rebuild and establish 
themselves ; for though we should succeed in reducing Detroit, I 
do not think there is the smallest probability of our being able to 
hold it, it is too remote from supplies. I have been endeavoring 
to form some estimates; and from such Information as I can 
collect, I really think that the reduction of Detroit would not 
cost much more, nor take many more men, than it will take to 
Cover and protect the countrj' by acting on the defensive. If I 
am well informed, it would take seven or eight hundred regular 
troops, and about a thou^nd militia; which could pretty easily 
be obtained for that purpose, as it appears to be a favorite scheme 

' The force that attacked Colonel Lochrey consisted of about 
six hundred regulars and Indians from Detroit, commanded by 
Joseph Brant and George Girty. 



over all this country. The principal difficulty would be to get 
provisions and stores transported. As to taking a heavy train of 
artiller>*, I fear it would not only be impossible, but an incum- 
brance ; {we should take) Two field pieces, some howitz, and, 
perhaps, a mortar. I do not think, especially under present cir- 
cumstances, that it would be possible to carry on expeditions in 
such a manner as to promise success by a regular siege. I would 
therefore propose to make every appearance of sitting down 
before the place, as if to reduce it by regular approaches ; as soon 
as I found the Enemy fully Impressed with this idea, attempt it 
at once by assault. * * * 

In order to obtain aid for General Clark, Governor 
Jefferson applied to Washington, and received the 
following reply: 

New Windsor, 28th December, 1781. 
I have ever been of the opinion that the reduction of the post 
of Detroit would be the only certain means of giving peace and 
security to the whole western frontier, and I have constantly kept 
my eye upon that object ; but such has Deen the reduced state of 
our Continental force, and such the low ebb of our funds, especially 
of late, that I have never had it in my power to make the attempt. 

On the following day, however, he gave an order 
on Colonel Brodhead for artillery, tools, stores, and 
men to further the project, but apparently the order 
was neglected, for Clark's forces were left to care for 
themselves; and on February 7, 1782, General Irvine 
wrote to Washington from Philadelphia as follows : 

The Indians have all left us except ten men, and by the best 
accounts, are preparing to make a stroke in the spring, either 
against General Clark at the Rapids or on Fort Pitt ; which, my 
informant could not with certainty say, but was positive one or the 
other was intended. I am apprehensive, from the steps taken by 
the Commandant at Detroit, that something serious is intended. 
First, thirteen nations of Indians have been treated with in the 
beginning of November ; and at the conclusion they were directed 
to keep themselves compact and ready to assemble on short notice. 
Secondly, the Moravians are carried into captivity, and strictly 
watched and threatened with severe punishment if they should 
attempt to give us information of their movements. Thirdly, 
part of the five nations are assembled at Sandusky. 

To carry on the expedition against Detroit would take two 
thousand men to give a tolerable certainty of success, the lime 
would be three months, and the best season to march from Fort 
Pitt the first of August, when the waters are low, morasses and 
soft rich meadows dried up ; by land totally, preferable to any 
part by water, the enemy having entire command of the lake with 
armed vessels ; the navigation of rivers uncertain ; besides the 
number of boats and waste of time would make it more expensive 
than land carriage. Pack horses to carry provisions would be 
better and more certain than wagons. One thousand horses 
would carry flour for two thousand men for three months. Beef 
must be driven on foot. Twenty-five wagons would carry mili- 
tary stores sufficient for the train, which should consist of two 
twelve pounders, two sixes, one three pounder, one eight inch 
howitzer and one royal. 

At least one half should be regular troops, * * ♦ and three 
months are sufficient to complete the expedition ; then the only 
difference in the expense will be the transportation of provision 
and stores; as acting on the defensive, seven months will be the 
least, and the same quantity of provision will be consumed, and 
ammunition wasted. If we act offensively, it will draw the whole 
attention of the enemy to their own defense, by which our settle- 
ments will have peace ; and such of the militia as do not go on 
the expedition will have time to raise crops. On the contrary, 
continual alarms will keep them from these necessary duties. The 
garrison at Detroit is three hundred regular troops, the militia 
(Canadians) from seven hundred to one thousand ; the number of 



26o 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



Indians that could assemble in ten days' notice to a certain point, 
about one thousand. Query. Should we be able to take Detroit, 
shall we hold it ? If not, what advantage will the bare reduction 
of the place be, if immediately evacuated ? Answer. The re- 
duction of Detroit, in the fall of the year, will prevent an inter- 
course with the western Indians for a whole year, as it would be 
late in the succeedinj; summer before the British could re-establish, 
during which time we might either open a trade with such savages 
as would ask for peace, or by frequently penetrating into and 
establishing posts in their country, oblige them to retire to such a 
distance as would put it out of their power to harass the back 
inhabitants. It would be attended with great expense and vast 
risk to support a garrison at Detroit, as long as the British possess 
the lower part of Canada, and have the command. 

All this planning and corresponding was barren 
of results, and meantime Clark's forces gradually 
dwindled away. In November, 1782, he went on 
an expedition against the Indians in Ohio, destroying 
their fields and villages, and, in fact, was kept so 
busy fighting the Indians that the Detroit expedition 
could not be entered upon. In the fall of 17S3 he 
sent a quantity of provisions by water to Vincennes, 
and with his force proceeded there by land. General 
Clark, about this time, became intemperate, and 
probably owing to this cause three hundred of his 
force left in a body ; the rest then became discour- 
aged and returned to Kentucky, and the expedition 
was abandoned. 

All these expeditions, however, and the fact that 
Governor Hamilton was absent and a prisoner, did 
not prevent army activities at Detroit. 

Early in 1779 troops were requested from Niagara, 
and on April 15 Colonel Bolton sent fifty of the 
Eighth Regiment and fifty Rangers to aid in pro- 
tecting Detroit. They arrived on May 7, and their 
coming very greatly changed the aspect of affairs. 
Some citizens were wonderfully elated, and others 
correspondingly depressed. The barometer of patri- 
otism was as sensitive here as in any eastern settle- 
ment, and was watched as carefully. 

After Governor Hamilton had left on his expedi- 
tion. Colonel De Peyster was in daily anticipation of 
orders to leave Mackinaw for Detroit, and was 
greatly annoyed that he, a lieutenant-colonel, should 
be continued at Mackinaw, a comparatively unim- 
portant post, while Detroit was under command of 
a captain. However, the order, dated August 29, 
1779, finally arrived, and he waited only for the 
coming of Lieutenant-Governor Patrick Sinclair, 
who was to have charge of the post. Governor 
Sinclair arrived at Mackinaw October 4, and in a 
few days thereafter Colonel De Peyster left for 
Detroit. This neighborhood, at the time, was liter- 
ally black with hordes of savage tribes, and in a 
letter to Colonel Bolton, written July 6, 1780, Colonel 
De PeystfT doses with these words : " I am so 
hurried with war parties coming in from all quarters 
that I do not know which way to turn myself." 
These parties brought in persons of either sex, and 



of all ages ; and the details of the forced marches of 
the sick and infirm, the massacring of troublesome 
infants, and the presentation of the scalps of the 
slain, are matters of regular and almost continuous 
record. 

On May 16, 1780, Colonel De Peyster wrote to 
Colonel Bolton : 

The prisoners daily brought in here are part of the thousand 
families who are flying from the oppression of Congress, in order 
to add to the number already settled at Keatuck, the finest 
country for new settlers in America; but it happens, unfortunately 
for them, to be the Indians best hunting ground, which they will 
never give up, and, in fact, it is our interest not to let the Vir- 
ginians, Marylanders, and Pennsylvanians get possession there, 
lest, in a short time, they become formidable to this post. 

A letter written ten days later, to Lieutenant- 
Governor Sinclair, says : 

Every thing is quiet here except the constant noise of the war- 
drum. All the Seiginies are arrived at the instance of the Shaw- 
neese and Delawares. More Indians from all quarters than ever 
known before, and not a drop of rum ! 

Early in this year. Captain Henry Bird's expedi- 
tion against Kentucky was fitted out, and on April 
12, after an expenditure of nearly $300,000, the 
force left Detroit. It was made up of both white 
men and Indians, numbered nearly six hundred per- 
sons, and, for the first time on such an expedition, 
cannon were taken. The American spies informed 
the people of its organization, and fear and dread 
pervaded the entire West, while the colonists in the 
East awaited anxiously the record of its doings. On 
June 22 the force appeared before Ruddle's Station, 
which surrendered, on condition that the inhabitants 
be considered prisoners of the British instead of the 
Indians. Captain Bird, however, was unable to 
restrain the savages, and men, women, and children 
were indiscriminately and remorselessly massacred. 

The Indians now became refractory, and after 
the capture of Martin's Station and one other small 
fort, the force was compelled to return without 
having accomplished all that had been intended. A 
letter from Colonel De Peyster to Colonel Bolton, 
dated Detroit, August 4, 1780, says : 

I have the pleasure to acquaint you that Captain Bird arrived 
here this morning with about one hundred and fifty prisoners, 
mostly Gennans who speak English, — the remainder coming in, 
for in spite of all his endeavors to prevent it the Indians broke 
into the forts and seized many. The whole will amount to about 
three hundred and fifty. ♦ * * Thirteen have entered into 
the Rangers and many more will enter, as the prisoners are greatly 
fatigued with travelling so far. some sick and some wounded. 

P. S. Please excuse the hurry of this letter, — the Indians 
engross my time. W^e have more here than enough. Were it not 
absolutely necessary to keep in with them, they would tire my 
patience. 

The British now became greatly troubled by the 
attitude of the Delaware Indians. This tribe had 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



261 



decided to remain neutral and also sought to restrain 
other tribes from entering into the contest. The 
English suspected that the Moravian missionaries, 
who had a mission among them, were responsible 
for this action, and therefore looked upon them 
with disfavor. The Moravians were advised by the 
Americans to return to Pennsylvania, but they per- 
sisted in remaining at what they deemed the post of 
duty. Finally the Americans sought the Delawares 
as allies in the war ; they not only refused, but the 
body of the tribe soon after cast in their lot with the 
English. In order to confirm them in this purpose. 
Colonel De Peyster determined to remove the mis- 
sionaries from among them ; and in September, 

1781, he compelled them to forsake their settlement 
on the Muskingum. With sad hearts they left their 
homes and fields, their cattle, their books, and all 
their household treasures, and, escorted by Indians 
commanded by English officers, they were marched 
to Sandusky, where they arrived on the 1 1 th of 
October, and from there, on October 25, they set 
out for Detroit. An account of their arrival and 
treatment while here is given elsewhere. 

That they were really favorable to the American 
cause is evident from a letter of Colonel Brodhead 
to General Washington, dated December 13, 1779, 
which states that he relied almost wholly on the 
Moravians for information from Detroit. 

Under the labors of the missionaries many of the 
Indians had become Christians, and were entirely 
guiltless of wrong to either British or Americans ; 
but in those days Indian massacres were so frequent 
that there was but little sympathy for the red race. 
Many Americans, exasperated by the outrages of 
hostile tribes, held all alike guilty, and a body of 
militia from Washington County, Pennsylvania, 
commanded by Colonel David Williamson, was 
raised to proceed against the Delawares. Many of 
the Christian Indians had meantime returned to 
their settlements on the Muskingum; and on the 
arrival of Williamson, on March 8, 1782, these 
really inoffensive people, who had assembled in two 
houses, were attacked, and si.\ty-two grown people 
and thirty-four children were deliberately massacred 
by the Americans. One of the blackest crimes of the 
Revolution was thus perpetrated by colonial militia. 

This questionable success of Williamson and 
the hostility of the Delawares led to the organization 
of a new expedition, commanded by Colonel William 
Crawford, who proceeded against them on June 4, 

1782. When near what is now Upper Sandusky, 
he was met by a party of about two hundred Indians 
and one hundred of Butler's Rangers from Detroit, 
under command of Captain William Caldwell. A 
battle ensued, in which Crawford's forces were vic- 
torious ; but the next day the British were reinforced 
with a detachment of Rangers and more Indians, 



and the Americans retreated. Colonel Crawford 
became separated from his command, was captured 
by the Indians, and burned to death on June 1 1, 1782. 
The English were not parties to the burning of 
Crawford. On August 17, 1782, General Haldimand 
wrote Colonel De Peyster " regretting the cruelty 
committed by some of the Indians upon Colonel 
Crawford, and desiring De Peyster to assure them 
of his utter abhorrence of such procedure." It is 
due to Colonel De Peyster to state that he often 
manifested his disapproval of the cruelties of the 
Indians, and felt that he had a difficult part to per- 
form. In a letter, written April 12, 1781, to the 
Delaware Indians, and contained in his " Miscella- 
nies," he says: 

Send me that little babbling Frenchman named Monsieur 
Linctot, he who poisons your ears, one of those who says he can 
amuse you with words only, — send him to me, or be the means of 
my getting him, and I will then put confidence in you. I then 
will deal with you as with other Indians whom I call my friends, 
my brothers, and my children, and to whom I request of you to 
give free passage and kind entertainment. If you have not an 
opportunity to bring me the little Frenchman, you may bring rae 
some Virginia prisoners. I am pleased when I see what you call 
live meat, because I can speak to it and get information. Scalps 
ser\'e to show that you have seen the enemy, but they are of no 
use to me. I cannot speak with them. I request of you to give 
free passage to such Virginians as have a mind to speak with me, 
that you will not offer to stop them, but make a straight and even 
road for them to come to Detroit. 

In another letter, of September 29, 17S1, ad- 
dressed to General Haldimand, and given in "But- 
terfield's Washington-Ir\-ine Letters " he says : 

I Jiave a very difficult card to play at this post and its depend- 
ences. * * ♦ It is evident that the back settlers will continue 
to make war upon the Shawanese, Delawares, and Wyandots, even 
after a truce shall be agreed to between Great Britain and her 
revolted colonies ; in which case, whilst we continue to support 
the Indians with troops {which they are calling ioud for) or only 
with arms, ammunition, and necessaries, we shall incur the odium 
of encouraging incursions into the back settlements ; for it is evi- 
dent that when the Indians are on foot occasioned by the constant 
alarms they receive from the enemy's entering their country, they 
will occasionally enter the settlements and bring off prisoners and 
scalps ; so that, whilst in alliance with a people we are bound to 
support, a defensive war will, in spite of human prudence, almost 
always terminate in an offensive one. 

Colonel De Peyster's words were prophetic, for 
competent authorities estimate that from 1783 to 
1790 not less than three thousand persons were 
scalped or made captives by bands from Detroit. 
In an article in the North American Renew, 
General Cass says : 

When the foraying party returned, they were formally intro- 
duced to the commanding officer. The scalps were thrown down 
before him in the Council house, and the principal warrior addressed 
him in terms like these : "Father, we have done as you directed us ; 
we have struck your enemies." They were then paid and dismissed, 
and the scalps were deposited in the cellar of the Council House. 
We have been told by more than one respectable eye-witness that 
when the charnel-house was cleansed, it was a spectacle upoa 
which the inhabitants gazed with horror. 



262 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



General Cass continues : 

We are indebted for the following relation to a respectable gen- 
tleman of Detroit, James May, Esq., and as it elucidates import- 
ant traits in the Indian character, and discloses facts not generally 
known, we shall give it in his own words: 

" During the American revolutionary war, when the Indian 
war-parties approached Detroit, they always gave the war and 
death whoops, so that the inhabitants, who were acquainted with 
their customs, knew the number of scalps they had brought and of 
prisoners they had taken, some time before they had made their 
appearance. Soon after I arrived in Detroit, the great war party 
which had captured Ruddle's Station in Kentucky, returned from 
that expedition. Hearing the usual signals of success, I walked 
out of town and soon met the party. The squaws and young 
Indians had ranged themselves on the side of the road, with sticks 
and clubs, and were whipping the prisoners with great severity. 
Among these were two young girls, thirteen or fourteen years old, 
who escaped from the party and ran for protection to me and to a 
naval officer who was with me. With much trouble and some 
danger, and after knocking down two of the Indians, we succeeded 
in rescuing the girls, and fled with them to the Council House. 
Here they were safe, because this was the goal, where the right of 
the Indians to beat them ceased. Next morning I received a mes- 
sage by an orderly-sergeant to wait upon Colonel De Peyster, the 
commanding officer. I found the naval officer, who was with me 
the preceding day, already there. 

"The Colonel stated that a serious complaint had been preferred 
against us by McKee, the Indian agent, for interfering with the 
Indians, and rescuing two of their prisoners. He said the Indians 
had a right to their own mode of warfare, and that no one should 
interrupt them ; and after continuing this reproof for some time, 
he told me, if I ever took such a liberty again, he would send me 
to Montreal or Quebec. 

" The naval officer was still more severely reprimanded, and 
threatened to have his uniform stripped from his back and to be 
dismissed from His Majesty's service, if such an incident again 
occurred. And although I stated to Colonel De Peyster that we 
saved the lives of the girls at the peril of our own, he abated 
nothing of his threats or harshness." 

In gratifying contrast to the story just narrated is 
the following account of the treatment of O. M. 
Spencer, a boy of twelve years and an only son, 
captured near Cincinnati, on July 7, 1792, and finally 
taken to Detroit, where he arrived on March 3, 1793, 
and was delivered to Colonel England. He was 
treated with great kindness and was committed to 
the care of Lieutenant Andre. 

Many years after he wrote an account of his 
capture in which he said : 

Mr. Andre immediately took me by the hand and led me to his 
quarters in the same barracks, only a few doors distant, and re- 
questing me to sit down, retired from the apartment. In a few 
minutes a servant entered, and set before me some tea and bread 
and butter, on which having supped, I arose and was retiring from 
the table, when two women, who mere curiosity, as I supposed, had 
kept standing at one end of the room looking at me intently while 
I was eating, now advanced, and each unceremoniously taking me 
by the hand, and leading me out of the apartment, conducted me 
to a chamber. Here, stripping off all but my shirt, carefully 
throwing my clothes out at a back window, beyond the palisades 
of the town, and seating me in a large washtub half filled with 
water, they tore off my shirt, which had fast adhered to the band- 
age round my shoulder, before I had time to tell them I was 
wounded, and so suddenly, inflicting fora moment acute pain, as to 
extort from me a loud scream. Their surprise at this soon ceased 
when I told them that an Indian had stabbed me in the shoulder; 



and when they saw the blood from the open wound running down 
my back, one of them, alarmed, ran to inform Mr. Andrf-, the 
other, with a rag immediately staunching the blood dt-iiberately 
proceeded to scour my person with soap and water, and by the 
time the surgeon arrived had effected a complete ablution. 

On probing the wound, which he found to be about three inches 
deep, tlie surgeon pronounced it to be not dangerous. Fortu- 
nately, he said, the knife, in entering, had struck the lower pos- 
terior point of the right shoulder blade, and taken a direction 
downward ; but had it entered an inch lower or nearer the spine, 
it would probably have caused death. From the want of clothes, 
it was late next morning before I could get up, but receiving at 
length a temporary supply of a roundabout and pantaloons from 
the wardrobe of Ensign O'Brien (brother of Mrs. England) and a 
pair of stockings and slippers from one of the women, I made my 
appearance in the breakfast room, and was introduced to Mrs. 
Andr6, wife of the Lieutenant. She very kindly took my hand, 
and congratulated me on my deliverance from the Indians, though 
she could not help smiling at my singular appearance, dressed as 
I was in clothes which, although they fitted the smallest officer in 
the garrison, hung like bags on me. * * » She was kind and 
amiable, as she was handsome and accomplished ; and although 
quite young, apparently not more than twenty, supplied to me the 
place of a mother. Her husband, a brother of the unfortunate 
Major Andre, and one of the handsomest men I ever saw, very 
affable in his manners, and frank m his disposition, treated me 
with great kindness ; and after seeing that I was comfortably and 
indeed genteely dressed, introduced me to the families of Mr. 
Erskine and Commodore Grant {where I found boys and girls of 
nearly my own age, who cheerfully associated with me), and took 
pleasure in showing me the town, the shipping, the fort, and 
whatever else he thought would afford me gratification. 

After a stay of about four weeks, near the end of 
March young Spencer was sent on the sloop Felicity 
to Niagara. 

Some of the prisoners were allowed to roam at 
large, and get their living as best they could . and 
one of the old account-books of Thomas Smith, a 
leading merchant in Detroit, shows that several of 
them obtained goods of various kinds on credit. 

Peace was finally declared between England and 
America, and in theory, if not in fact, " the hatchet 
was buried." The history of the negotiations for 
the surrender of Detroit affords a notable illustra- 
tion of diplomatic delay. 



BRITISH AND INDIAN WARS AND FIRST AMERI- 
CAN OCCUPATION OF DETROIT. 

Under the treaties of November 30, 1782, and 
September 3, 17S3, made between England and the 
United States, it was understood, at least by the 
American Government, that the countr)' north of the 
St. Lawrence and the Lakes became part of the 
United States, and that Detroit was therefore to be 
given up by the English. In anticipation of its sur- 
render, and in order to promote friendly feeling 
with the Indians and secure a cessation of hostili- 
ties on their part, the Secretary of War, in May, 
1783, sent Ephraim Douglass to hold councils with 
the Indians. His report, contained in the Pennsyl- 
vania Archives, is as follows : 



BRITISH AND INDIAN WARS. 



263 



Princeton, i8th Aug., 1783, 
Sir,— 

In obedience to the instructions you honored me with on the 
5th of May liist, I have used every endeavor in my power to exe- 
cute in the fullest manner your orders. » * * On the 7th of 
June I left Fort Pitt, and travelling about two hundred miles by 
the old trading path, arrived on the 16th at the Delaware and 
Huron settlements on the Sandusky river. * * * Captain 
Pipe, who is the principal man of the nation, received me with 
every demonstration of joy, * ♦ * but told me, as his nation 
was not the principal one, nor had voluntarily engaged in the 
war, it would be proper for me first to communicate my business 
to the Hurons and Shawnese, and afterward to the Delawares. 
That he had announced ray arrival to the Hurons and expected 
such of them as were at home .would very shortly be over to see 
and welcome me. This soon happened as he had expected, but 
as none of their chiefs were present I declined speaking publicly 
to them, knowing that I could receive no authentic answer, and 
unwilling to expend unnecessarily the wampum I had prepared 
for this occasion. I informed them for their satisfaction of the 
peace with England, and told them that the United States were 
disposed to be in friendship with Indians also, — desired them to 
send for their head men, particularly for the Half King (Chief of 
the Wyandotts, at Brownstown), who was gone to Detroit. 

* * * They all readily agreed to this proposal and returned 
to their homes apparently ver>' well satisfied ; but the Hurons 
nevertheless failed sending to Detroit, partly thro' the want 
of authority in the old men present, and partly through the 
assurance of the wife of the Half King, who was confident 
her husband would be home in two days, and therefore a 
journey which would require six or seven was altogether un- 
necessary. * * * On the evening of the i8th a runner 
arrived from the Miami with intelligence that Mr. Elliott bad 
received dispatches from Detroit, announcing the arrival of Sir 
John Johnson at that place; — that in consequence the chiefs 
and warriors were desired to repair thither in a few days, where 
the council would be held with them. They were also directed to 
take with them the War or Tomahawk Belts, which had been de- 
livered to them by the King to strike the Americans with. * * * 
But when they were just ready to mount their horses, they were 
stopped by the arrival of ten men who preceded a body of sixty 
other southern Indians, coming upon business from the nations 
north and east of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. * * * pipe 
pressed me to accompany him to Detroit, assuring me that it 
would be useless to wait the coming of the Indians from the 
Miami, that they would spend their time in useless counciling 
there till the Treaty of Detroit would come on, and that if I even 
could assemble them I could obtain nothing from the interview. 
That if the Half King was present he would not undertake to 
give me an answer, without consulting the chiefs of the Huron 
tribe at Detroit, and that these would determine nothing without 
first asking the advice of their Father the Commandant. Find- 
ing that I had little to hope by continuing at Sandusky and likely 
to effect as little by visiting the Miami if my horses had e\'en 
been able to have performed the journey, I determined to proceed 
to Detroit by the nearest route. * * » I left Sandusky on the 
30th accompanied by the Pipe and two other Indians in addition 
to my former companions and travelled onwards to Detroit till 
the afternoon of the first of July, when we were met by Mr, 
Elliott and three other persons from that place, whom the Com- 
mandant had dispatched for the purpose of conducting us thither. 

* ♦ * I continued my journey with my new companion till the 
4th, when I arrived at Detroit, where I was received with much 
politeness and treated with great civility by the Commandant, to 
whom I delivered your letters, showed your instructions and pressed 
for an opportunity of communicating them to the Indians as soon 
as might be. He professed the strongest desire of bringing about 
a reconciliation between the United States and the several Indian 
nations, declared that he would willingly promote it all in his 
power ; but that until he was authorized by his superiors in com- 
mand, he could not consent that anything should be said to the 
Indians relative to the boundary of the United States; for though 



he knew from the King's proclamation that the war with America 
was at an end, he had no official information to justify his sup- 
posing the States extended to this place, and therefore could not 
consent to the Indians being told so ; especially as he had uni- 
formly declared to them that he did not know these posts were to 
be evacuated by the English. He had no objection, he said, to my 
communicating the friendly offers of the United States, and would 
cheerfully make known to them the substance of your letter to him. 
In the morning of the 5th I received an intimation from Colonel 
De Peyster, through Captain McKee, that it was his wish I would 
go on to Niagara as soon as I had recovered from the fatigue of 
my journey. In consequence of this I waited on him in the after- 
noon and pressed with greater warmth than yesterday the neces- 
sity of my speaking to the Indians, and receiving an answer from 
them. I pressed him to suffer me to proceed on my business with- 
out his interference, and offered him my word that I would say 
nothing to them respecting the limits of the States, but confine 
myself to the offer of Peace or choice of War, and the Invitation 
to Treaty. He would not retract his resolution without further 
orders from the Commander in chief, and I was obliged to submit 
however unwillingly ; but must do him the justice to acknowledge 
that he made every offer of civility and service, except that which 
he considered inconsistent with his duty. On the 6th I attended 
the council which Colonel De Peyster held with the Indians to 
which he had yesterday invited me. After delivering his business 
of calling them together, he published to them your letter and 
pressed them to continue in the strictest amity with the Subjects 
of the United States, — representing to them the folly of continu- 
ing hostilities, and assured them that he could by no means give 
them any further assistance against the people of America. At 
this meeting were the chiefs of eleven Indian nations, compre- 
hending all the Tribes, as far south as the Wabash ; they were 
Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots or Hurons, Shawnese, Delawares, 
Kickapoos, Oweochtanoos, Miamis, Potawatamies,and Pienkishas, 
with a part of the Senecas ; most of whom gave evident marks of 
their satisfaction at seeing a subject of the United States in that 
country. They carried their civilities so far that my lodging was 
all day surrounded with crowds of them when at home, and the 
streets lined with them to attend my going abroad; that they might 
have an opportunity of seeing and saluting me, which they did 
not fail to do in their best manner with every demonstration of joy. 
On the morning of the 7th I took my leave of Colonel De Peyster 
after having received more civilities from him than the limits of 
this report will suffer me to enumerate ; but not till I had the 
honor of writing to you by my guide whom I directed to return to 
Fort Pitt so soon as the Pipe should be ready to return to San- 
dusky, on whom I depended for his safe conduct thither and to pro- 
vide one to accompany him to Fort Pitt. 

I arrived at Niagara on the nth, was introduced to General 
Maclean, who was prepared for my coming, delivered him Colonel 
De Peyster's letter, and was received with ever>* mark of atten- 
tion, but he declined entering upon any business this day. * * * 

On the evening of the 13th I received a note from the General 
requesting a copy of my instructions, &c., to send to the Com- 
mander in chief to facilitate business, I sent him word that he 
should be obeyed, and early in the morning began to execute my 
promise, but before I had finished copying them I received a ver- 
bal message that he wished to see rae at his quarters. I finished 
the copies and waited on him with them. He informed me that 
he had sent for me to show me the copy of a letter he was writing 
to Colonel De Peyster, It contained instructions to that gentle- 
man in consequence of my representations of the murders commit- 
ted by western Indians in the course of the last spring and since; 
by his account they had been positively forbid to be guilty of any 
such outrage. He pressed Colonel De Peyster very earnestly to 
examine minutely into this affair, to forbid the Indians in the most 
positive manner to be guilty of such future misconduct, to order 
them to deliver up immediately such prisoners as they had cap- 
tured through the spring into the hands of himself or his officers, 
and further to tell them that if tliey did not desist from these 
practices the British troops would join the Americans to punish 
them. 



264 



BRITISH AND INDIAN WARS. 



While Douglass was on his way to Detroit, Colonel 
De Peyster, on June 18, 1783, wrote to Captain 
Matthews, Secretary of General Haldimand : 

We are all in expectation of news. Ever>'thing that is bad is 
spread through the Indian country, but as I have nothing more 
than the King's proclamation from authority, I evade answering 
impertinent questions. Heavens! if goods do not anHve soon, 
what will become of me ? I have lost several stone wt. of flesh 
within these twenty days. I hope Sir John is to make us a 
visit- 
In order to learn what the real intentions of the 
English were, the services of Mr. Douglass were 
continued, and on February 2, 1784. he wrote from 
Union Town to President Dickenson of Pennsyl- 
vania : 

Early in the fall Sir John Johnson assembled the different west- 
ern tribes at Sandusky, and having prepared them with presents 
distributed with lavish profusion, addressed them in a speech to 
this purport : That the King, his and their common father, had 
made peace with the Americans, and had given them the country 
they possessed on this continent ; but that the report of his having 
given them any part of the Indian lands was false, and fabricated 
by the Americans for the purpose of provoking the Indians 
against their father, — that they should, therefore, shut their ears 
against it. So far the contrary was proved that the great river 
Ohio was to be the line between the Indians in this quarter and 
the Americans; over which the latter ought not to pass and return 
in safety. That, however, as the war between Britain and .\mer- 
ica was now at an end, and as the Indians had engaged in it from 
their attachment to the crown and not from any quarrel of their 
own, he would, as was usual at the end of a war, take the toma- 
hawk out of their hand ; though he would not remove it out of 
sight or far from them, but lay it down carefully by their side that 
they might have it convenient to use in defense of their rights 
and property, if they were invaded or molested by the Americans. 

Meanwhile President Washington also took steps 
to obtain possession of the posts. On July 12, 1783, 
he sent Baron Steuben to Canada for the necessary 
orders to secure the deliver^' of Detroit by the local 
commander; he was then to proceed to this place, 
and was authorized, if he found it advisable, to 
organize the French of Michigan into a body of 
militia, and place the fort in their hands. On his 
arrival at Chambly on August 3, 1783, he wrote to 
General Haldimand that he was on his way to Que- 
bec and e.xpected to arrive in three or four days. 
When the Baron presented himself near Quebec, 
General Haldimand received him politely, but 
refused him the necessary passports and papers, 
and delivered him a letter to Washington, dated 
August II. in which it was stated that the treaty 
was only provisional, and that no orders had been 
received to deliver up the posts along the Lakes. 

The next effort to induce Haldimand to yield up 
the posts was made, under the approval of Congress, 
at the suggestion of General Knox, by Lieutenant- 
Colonel William Hull (afterwards our unfortunate 
first Governor). He started on May 24, 1784, 
arrived at Quebec July 12, and made known his 
errand, and Haldimand for the second time refused 



to issue an order for the evacuation of the posts. 
Negotiations and demands for the yielding up of 
the territory went on, and in 1786 John Adams, 
then United States minister to England, informed 
Congress that he had made a demand for the west- 
ern posts and had been refused, on the ground that 
many of the .States had violated the treaty in regard 
to the payment of debts. 

All this time the British were endeavoring to 
strengthen themselves in the favor of the Indians 
and to retain their western possessions. On March 
22, 1787, Sir John Johnson wrote to Joseph Brant : 

It is for your sake chiefly that we hold them. If you become 
indifferent about them they may, perhaps, be given up, » * * 
whereas, by supporting them you encourage us to hold them, and 
encourage the new settlements, * * * every day increased by 
numbers coming in who find they cannot live in the States. 

At this same time Dr. John Connolly, the A'ir- 
ginia Tor)-, who had fully allied himself to the 
British cause, entered upon the vigorous prosecution 
of his scheme of inducing the Kentucky settlers to 
take sides with the English, on the ground that they 
would wrest Louisiana from Spain, and secure the 
free navigation of the Mississippi. He was in De- 
troit during a great part of the year 1787, and 
possibly during 1788. In June, 1787, Detroit was 
reinforced by a full regiment and two companies, 
and the garrison then numbered more than two 
regiments under command of Major R. Matthews. 
In pursuance of the plan to hold the post, Lord Dor- 
chester, in the summer of 1 788, visited Detroit, and 
by his directions the town was newly picketed, and 
other defensive works erected. In the fall of 1789 
Connolly was again in Detroit, went to Louisville, 
and returned in November. These goings to and fro 
were made known to the Americans by their spies ; 
and on July 20, 1790, General Knox, Secretary- of 
War, wrote to Governor St. Clair that it was reported 
that " Benedict Arnold was at Detroit about the 
first of June and that he had reviewed the militia." 

In addition to the many rumors concerning this 
region, Washington, on August 25, 1790, communi- 
cated to the cabinet his apprehensions that Lord 
Dorchester, in anticipation of a war with Spain, 
contemplated sending an expedition from Detroit to 
attack Louisiana, then owned by Spain. 

There was good reason for these apprehensions, 
for there was no relaxation in the efforts of the 
English to retain possession of the West. The 
Montreal merchants, who had been very successful 
in their western trade, had increasing fears that this 
region vvould be lost. The fur trade and the fur- 
nishing of supplies had made them iirmiensely 
wealthy ; their wealth brought influence, and on 
December 9, 1791, they addressed a memorial to 
Colonel Simcoe advising that on no account the 
western posts be surrendered. They claimed that. 



BRITISH AND INDIAN WARS. 



265 



through an oversight, the English commissioners 
who negotiated the treaties of 1782 and 17S3 had 
made lavish concessions, for which they received 
nothing in exchange. The memorial enlarged upon 
the great importance of the fur trade, and suggested 
various boundaries that would be satisfactory to 
them ; but all of their suggestion^ left the West in 
possession of the English, and the memorial insisted 
that it must be held for the protection of the Cana- 
dian border. This memorial was followed by an- 
other, which alleged that the Americans had not 
complied with the treaty, and that, therefore, it was 
not binding, and they recommended the Govern- 
ment to " dispute tile ground to the utmost unless the 
treaty was complied with," adding, " All that the 
Americans conquered from us they are entitled to, 
and no more." These and similar arguments were 
repeated over and over in the memorials, and they 
undoubtedly had much to do with the long delay of 
the Government in comphnng with the terms of the 
treaties. 

British influence was also still paramount with 
the Indians, and the English officers lost no oppor- 
tunity of assuring them of their protection and 
sympathy. Encouraged in this way, they grew 
increasingly hostile, and so many western settlers 
were killed that it was determined to chastise the 
Indians. A force was accordingly gathered and 
placed in command of General Harmer. 

Some strange infatuation or excess of official 
courtesy led the Secretary of War to direct that the 
British commandant at Detroit be notified that the 
expedition was directed only against the Indians. 

Accordingly, on September 19, 1790, Governor St. 
Clair so notified him, sending the letter by R. J. 
Meigs. The letter was undoubtedly one cause of 
the defeat of General Harmer, as the British were 
acting in full concert with the Indians and aided 
them in every way. General Harmer was defeated 
near the villages of the Miamis on October 19 and 
22. 1790. After his defeat long poles strung with 
the scalps of American soldiers were daily paraded 
through the streets of Detroit, accompanied by the 
demoniac scalp-yells of the warriors who had taken 
them. 

The next expedition, with fourteen hundred troops, 
was commanded by Governor St. Clair; and on 
November 4, 1791, he was defeated near the head- 
w'aters of the Wabash. Finally the Government 
determined to treat with the Indians and endeavor 
to prevent their incursions; and on March i, 1793, 
the President appointed Benjamin Lincoln, Beverly 
Randolph, and Timothy Pickering to meet the hos- 
tile tribes at Sandusky and endeavor to make peace 
with them. No arrangement, however, could be 
made, as the Indians, under the adWce of the Eng- 
lish, would not agree to any other boundary than 



the Ohio, and the conference closed on the i6th of 
August. 

Considerable impression, however, had been made 
on the savages, and several of the tribes began to 
lose faith in the English, who this year, therefore, 
made renewed efforts to gain their goodwill with 
gifts, and to comince them that the English would 
not yield to the demands of the Americans. Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Simcoe, of Canada, was especially 
active in these endeavors, and it was largely to re- 
assure the Indians that the British fort on the Miami 
was erected. Governor Simcoe was in Detroit in 
February, 1793, and April, 1294. On the last of these 
xnsits, by order of Lord Dorchester, he selected the 
site for the British fort on the left banks of the 
Miami, and it was erected, and garrisoned with 
three companies from Detroit, under command of 
Captain Caldwell. 

The Government at Washington finally became 
convinced that a force competent to defeat both 
British and Indians must be put in motion, and Ma- 
jor-General Wa^Tie took the field against them. His 
name and fame and the army he commanded caused 
both English and Indians to feel that a decisive bat- 
tle would be fought. They were greatly alarmed, 
and Colonel England sent nearly all his force from 
Detroit, almost dismantling this fort, in order to 
strengthen that on the Miami. Other preparations 
made by the British and Indians, with details of 
some of the skirmishing, are contained in a series of 
letters addressed by Alexander McKee to Colonel 
England, at Detroit. They were published in the 
National Intelligencer of Washington on July 26, 
I S 1 4. The first is as follows : 

Rapids, July 5, 1794. 
SiR,- 

I send this by a party of Saganas who returned yesterday from 
Fort Recovery where the whole body of Indians except the Dela- 
wares, who had gone another route, imprudently attacked the 
fort on Monday, the 30th of last month, and lost 16 or 17 men, 
besides a good many wounded. 

Everything had been settled prior to their leaving the fallen 
timber,' and it had been agreed upon to confine themselves to 
taking convoys .and attacking at a distance from the forts, if they 
should have the address to entice the enemy out ; but the impetu- 
osity of the Mackina Indians and their eagerness to begin with 
the nearest, prevailed with the others to alter their system, the 
consequences of which, from the present appearance of things, 
may most materially injure the interests of these people, both the 
Mackina and Lake Indians seeming resolved on going home 
again, having completed the belts they carried, with scalps and ' 
prisoners, and having no provisions there at the Glaze to subsist 
upon, so that His Majesty's posts will derive no security from the 
late great influx of Indians into this part of the country, should 
they persist in their resolution of returning so soon. 

The immediate object of the attack was 300 pack horses going 
from this fort to Fort Greenville, in which the Indians completely 
succeeded, taking and killing all of them. But the commanding 
officer, Captain Gibson, sending out a troop of cavalry, and bring- 
ing his infantry out in the front of his post, the Indians attacked 

> Supposed to be the place where Wayne's battle was fought. 



266 



BRITISH AND INDIAN WARS. 



them, and killed about 50, among whom is Captain Gibson and 
two other officers. On the near approach of the Indians to tlte 
fort, the remains of his garrison retired into it, and from their 
loopholes killed and wounded as already mentioned. Captain 
Elliott writes that they are immediately to hold a council at the 
Glaze, in order to tr>' if they can prevail upon the Lake Indians to 
remain; but without provisions, ammunition, \:c., being sent to 
that place, I conceive it will be extremely difiicult to keep them 
together. 

With great respect, I have the honor to be your obedient and 
very humble sc-r\ant, 

A. McKee. 

The following is the second letter : 

R-M'tDS, August 13, 1794. 
Sir,— 

1 was honored last night with your letter of the nth, and was 
extremely glad to find you are making such exertions to supply 
the Indians with provisions. 

Captain Elliott arrived yesterday ; what he has brought will 
greatly relieve us, having been obliged yesterday to take all the 
corn and flour which the traders had here. 

A scouting party from the Americans carried off a man and a 
woman yesterday morning between this place and Roche de Bout, 
and afterwards attacked a small party of Delawares, in their 
camp ; but they were repulsed with the loss of a man, whom they 
either hid or threw into the river. They killed a Delaware 
woman. 

Scouts are sent up to view the situation of the army, and we 
now muster 1,000 Indians. .\11 the Lake Indians from Sagana 
downwards should not lose one moment in joining their brethren, 
as every accession of strength is an addition to their spirits. 

I have the honor to be, with very great respect, sir, your most 
obedient and very humble servant, 

A. M'Kee. 

At this time every exertion was being made to 
aid the Indian.s, and on .•\ugust iS, 1794, Governor 
Simcoe wrote to Lord Dorchester that he would 
"go to Detroit with all the force he could muster." 
He was too late, however, for on August 30, General 
Wayne defeated the combined forces near their 
own fort. 

In a letter to the Secretary of War he said : 

It is with infinite pleasure that I announce to you the brilliant 
success of the Federal army under my command, in a general 
action with the combined force of the hostile Indians and a con- 
siderable number of the volunteers and militia of Detroit. * * * 
So long as the savages are furnished with all the necessary 
warlike stores by foreign emissaries and traders at Detroit, we 
have no reason to suppose that they will be much disposed to 
maintain a long peace with the Americans. The latter ought 
certainly to take immediate possession of posts that were ceded to 
them more than eight years since. Until this is done the frontiers 
of the western states cannot rest in security, although formidable 
armies may be sent against the Indians * * * so long as 
these garrisons afford them an asylum and succor on all occasions. 

Major William Campbell, who had succeeded 
Captain Caldwell in command at the British fort 
at Miami, protested against the near approach of 
American troops, and four letters passed between 
him and General Wayne. Wayne declared that the 
Engli.sh had no right to occupy a fort there, and 
called upon Campbell to withdraw, but he declined, 
and although General Wayne had received positive 



authority to demolish this fort, he deemed it too 
perilous an undertaking, and left Campbell unmo- 
lested. 

Ten days after the battle Colonel M'Kee sent this 
letter to Colonel England : 

C.\Aip NEAR Fort Miami, August 30, 1794. 
Sir,— • 

I have been employed several days in endeavoring to fix the 
Indians (who have been driven from their villages and cornfields) 
between the fort and the bay. Swan creek is generally agreed 
upon, and will be a very convenient place for the deliver>' of pro- 
visions &c. 

The last accounts from General Wayne's army were brought me 
last night by an Indian who says the army would not be able to 
reach the Glaze before yesterday evening, it is supposed on 
account of the sick and wounded, many of whom they bury evei-y 
day. I propose being in town in a day or two, when I hope for 
the pleasure of paying you my respects. 

On the very day he wrote, there were estimated 
to be 1,300 Indians at Detroit, who had fled there 
for protection. The English and Indians were so 
severely punished by General Wayne that an e.xtra 
surgeon and another hospital were needed at Detroit, 
and on October 31 Governor Simcoe approved of 
their having been provided. 

During the battle Antoine Lasselle, a Frenchman, 
painted, dressed, and disguised as an Indian, was 
taken prisoner. He was tried by the court-martial, 
and sentenced to be hanged, but was pardoned 
through the interposition of Colonel Hamtramck. 

The English now began to feel that Detroit was 
really in danger, and fearing both a revolt of the 
inhabitants and an attack from without, in Septem- 
ber, 1794, Fort Lernoult was newly fortified, and 
Governor Simcoe ordered a block-house and six 
boats to be built at Chatham. At a conference 
with the Indians, held on October 10, 1794, he said, 
" Children, I am still of the opinion that the Ohio is 
your right and title. I have given orders to the 
Commandant at Fort Miami to fire on the Ameri- 
cans when they make their appearance again." 
The Indians, however, had become distrustful of the 
ability of the English to protect them, and there 
was no further occasion for such a severe punish- 
ment as they received at the hands of General 
Wayne. 

The question of the boundary line and other diffi- 
culties between the United .States and Great Britain 
now became so serious that early in 1794 John Jay 
was sent as special minister to London to negotiate 
a new treaty. On June 23 he wrote that he had 
information that the posts " will not be sui-rendered." 
Finally, however, on November 19, 1794, the treaty 
known as Jay's Treaty was made, and in 1795, it was 
ratified by the President. It provided for fixing the 
eastern boundary of the L'nited States ; for the pay- 
ment of claims arising from illegal captures during 
the Revolutionary War ; and, also, that Detroit and 



FIRST AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF DETROIT. 



267 



other western posts held by the British should be 
surrendered on or before the ist of June, 1796. 
Preparations for taking possession went forward, 
and on May 25, 1796, President Washington sent 
the following communication to Congress : 

Gentlemfn of the Senate and of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, — 
The measures now in operation for taking possession of the posts 
of Detroit and Michilimackinac render it proper that provision 
should be made for extending to these places, and any others 
alike circumstanced, tlie civil authority of the Northwestern Ter- 
ritorj'. Tu do this will require an expense, to defray which the 
ordinary salaries of the Governor and Secretarj* of that Territory 
appear to be incompetent. The forming of anew county or new 
counties and the appointment of the various officers which the 
just exercise of government must require, wiil oblige the Governor 
and Secretary to visit those places, and to spend considerable 
time in making the arrangements necessary for introducing and 
establishing the government of the United States. Congress will 
consider what provision will in this case be proper. 

The communication was referred to a committee 
consisting of Messrs. Sitgraves, Greenup, and Reed. 
On June i Mr. Sitgraves reported that he had not 
been able to get the information necessary to make 
a report, and the committee was discharged. 

Although the Jay Treaty provided that the west- 
ern posts should be evacuated on or before the ist 
of June, the order to evacuate was not given until 
June 2. A letter, on file in the State Department 
at Washington, from James McHenry, Secretary of 
War, to (General Washington, dated June 27, 1796, 
states that he enclosed a copy of the order for the 
evacuation of Detroit, which order was dated June 
2, 1796. 

The order for evacuation was signed by George 
Beckwith. Adjutant-General, and dated from Que- 
bec. It provided that Detroit and other posts were 
to be vacated, but a captain and fifty of the Queen's 
Rangers, who had been sent to Detroit and Fort 
Miami as late as April 24, were "to remain as a 
guard for the protection of the works and public 
buildings till the troops of the United States are at 
hand to occupy the same, when they will embark." 

In this connection the subjoined letter from the 
original manuscript letter-book of Samuel Henley, 
now in possession of the Public Library of Detroit, 
is of interest : 

Gkeenville, June 7, 1796. 
David Ilarrigany Esq., Department Quartermaster' General 

at Fort Washington: 
Dear Sir, — 

Yesterday evening Captain (Bartholomew) Shaumberg arrived 
in this cantonment from Detroit, where he has been politely 
received by the British commanding ofiicer of the garrison, 
Colonel England. 

This gentleman has sent General Wilkinson a plan of the Fort, 
town, A:c. All the British troops are prepared to leave Detroit on 
the first order from the high powers. 

Samuel Henlev, A. Q. M. 

We now approach an exceedingly interesting 



question, and one that concerns the entire North- 
west. Detroit was the farthest west of all the British 
posts. The date on which it was evacuated, there- 
fore, fi.xes the date of the actual possession by the 
United Stales of a territory larger than the original 
thirteen States. For many years it has been 
thought impossible to determine when this inter- 
esting event took place. 

In determining residence and occupancy of the 
claimants in the settlement of the land claims at 
Detroit, the United States Government and the 
Commissioners of Claims fixed upon July i as the 
official date of American possession ; but there was 
no evidence that July i was the real date of the first 
occupancy of the territory by American troops. It 
was simply an arbitrary date ; it was necessary to 
agree upon some point of time, and in the absence of 
definite information, the approximate date of July i 
was fixed upon. 

The question was discussed at some length by 
the late A. D. Fraser in a communication to the 
Detroit Free Press, dated June 23, 1S67. He said, 
" It nowhere appears, so far as I am aware, on what 
precise day the post of Detroit was surrendered by 
the British to the American Government." 

Various other persons engaged in historical re- 
search came to the same conclusion. 

Hon. William M. Evarts, late Secretary of State, 
in a letter dated Washington, March 23, 1877, says, 
" Careful e.xamination has been made in this depart- 
ment, and in respect to the events in 1 796 the precise 
dates have not been found." In point of fact, on 
account of the destruction of many of the records, 
in the War of 181 2, there are no documents in 
Washington that give any clue to the date in ques- 
tion. 

The finding of this date, so interesting not only 
to Detroit but to the entire nation, engaged atten- 
tion very soon after this work was begun, and not 
until three years had passed was the ample evidence 
obtained which is herewith submitted. 

In X'olunie 11 of the American Pioneer, published 
at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 184.3, by J- S- Williams, is 
the following letter : 

Da\ton, 0., June 24, 1343. 
Mr. John S, Williatns : 
Dear Sir, — 

A gentleman in this place has a volume of letters of Colonel J. 
F. Hamtramck, being the record of his official correspondence 
with Generals Wayne and Wilkinson, and other officers, from Oc- 
tober 31, 1794, until January 20, 1797. According to the Daily 
Journal of Wayne's Campaign, published in your first volume. 
Colonel Hamtramck took the command of Fort Wayne on the 
22d of October, 1794, and the army left on the 2Sth for Greenville. 
The correspondence commences three days afterwards, and is 
dated at Fort Wayne until the 17th of May, 1796. The British 
being then about to surrender the posts within our territorj-, Col- 
onel Hamtramck went down the Maumee to Camp Deposit, from 
the 8th to the 21st of June, On the nth of July he WTote from 
the late British Fort Miamis, which he informs General Wilkin- 



268 



FIRST AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF DETROIT. 



son had that day been given up. A few letters follow dated at 
Detroit. 

The history of this volume is somewhat singular. Colonel 
Haintramck having taken command of r)ttroit on the 13th of 
July, 1790, the Irtter-book remained among the papers of the gar- 
rison until the surrender of General Hull. At the time an ofTicer 
of the Ohio militia got possession of it, and was permitted by the 
British to bring it away among his private papers and effects. 
Since his death it has been preserved by his relatives. 

A large portion of the correspondence is taken up with the busi- 
ness of the garrison, acknowledging the receipt of supplies, and 
asking for the various articles of which the post stood in need. I 
have looked over the whole carefully and gleaned whatever I 
have judged worth transmitting to you. 

John W. Van Cleve. 

The fallowing, with other extracts from the Ham- 
tramck letters, are given in the volume : 

{To General ll'ilkinson.) 

Fort Mia-mis, July 11, 1796. 

On the 7th instant two small vessels arrived from Detroit, in 
which I .sent a detachment of artillery and infantry consisting of 
sixty-five men, together with a number of cannon with ammuni- 
tion, &c., &c. The whole imder the command of Captain Porter. 

On the 9th, a sloop arrived from Detroit, at Swan Creek, pur- 
chased by Captain De Butts, which carried fifty tons and which 
is now loaded with flour, quartermaster's stores and troops. That, 
together with eleven bateaux which I have, will be sufficient to 
take all the troops I have with me, leaving the remainder of our 
sl(jres deposited at this place, which was evacuated on this day, 
and where I have left Captain Marschalk and Lieutenant Shanklin 
with fifty-two men, infantry, and a Corporal and six of artillery; 
thai is, including the garrison at the head of the Rapids. * * * 
I shall embark within two hours with all the troops for Detroit. 

(TV General Wilkinson.) 

Detroit, July 17th, 1796. 
I have the pleasure to inform you of the safe arrival of the 
troops under my command at this place, which was evacuated on 
the nth instant and taken possession of by a detachment of sixty- 
five men, commanded by Captain i\Ioses Porter, whom I had de- 
tached from the foot of the Rapids for that purpose. Myself and 
the troops arrived on the 13th instant 

J. F. H.\MTKAMCK. 



ing the government of the United States may order, so long as the 
said Government may require. De Butts to pay 150 pounds New 
York currency each month for use of the vessel. Period of ser- 
vice to be computed from July 2, 1796. 

William Roe, 

iVitness. 

Additional evidence of the date of British evacua- 
tion is found in a volume entitled " 1812 : The War 
and its j\Ioral. A Canadian Chronicle, by \Vm. F. 
Coffin, Sheriff of Montreal, Lieut.-Col., etc., Mon- 
treal. 1S64." From the references he makes and 
the list of documents quoted, this author is evidenUy 
a reliable authority. Among the witnesses inter- 
viewed by him was Squire Reynolds, of Amherst- 
burg. Mr. Reynolds, who had been in the War of 
181 2 as an officer in the British army, was an old 
man of eighty-three at the time of the inter\'iew. 
possessing the respect of everybody, remarkably 
vigorous, full of intellectual force, with memory per- 
fectly clear and reliable. Reynolds, in his narrative 
of experiences, gives a large amount of detail on 
many subjects, and numerous dates concerning vari- 
ous events. The accuracy of his memory as to 
many dates is verified by various accounts. Con- 
cerning Detroit, he said, " I saw the British flag 
hauled down from the flag-staff of Detroit at noon, 
I ith of July, 1796 ; I saw it again hoisted by Brock 
at noon of Sunday. i6th August. 1812." This date 
of July 1 1 is further confirmed by Judge Woodward 
in a decision rendered on September 26, 1807, in the 
case of some fugitive slaves. 

The question as to the date of the first American 
occupation of Detroit is thus definitely settled ; and 
as it marks the point of time when the entire western 
territory was dc jure and dc facto transferred from 
the English to the American Government, the date 
of July II, 1 796, when the 
Stars and Stripes first waved 
over Detroit, should be treas- 
ured in the memory of every 
child and every citizen. The 
curious coincidence that 
Colonel Richard England 
was the last English com- 
mandant will help to fix the 
remembrance of the fact. 

Fac-simile of the Signature of J. F. Hamtramck. It will be noticed that 

Colonel Hamtramck ad- 
dresses his letters to General Wilkinson, who was 
then, in the absence of General Wayne, commander 
of the United States troops at Greenville. The 
Henley letter-book shows that on June 25 General 
Wayne was expected to arrive soon at Greenville by 
way of Cincinnati. On July 20 Mr. Henley wrote to 
the quartermaster-general, " I received our old Gen- 
eral with all the force of my well-meaning polite- 
ness. I heard of his arrival in Fort Jefferson, I 




The original contract for the use of the vessel 
referred to in the first letter above quoted is in the 
po.ssession of the State Historical Society at Detroit. 
It reads as follows : 

Jldy 2nd, 1796. — Henry De Butts, Esq., for and on the part 
of the government of the United States of America, of the one 
part, and James May of Detroit, gentleman, owner of a certain 
schooner called the " Swan," of the other part, lets and leases the 
said vessel to sail to such ports and places of Lakes Erie and 
Huron as the said Henr>' De Butts or any other person represent- 



FIRST AMERICAN OCCUPATION.— FRENCH AND SPANISH INTRIGUES. 



269 



mounted our horse, the old Pole Evil, went into the 
woods, and there halted until I caught the eye of 
the General ; I then flew like a streak of lightning to 
the Old Iron 6 and banged her off 1 5 times, which 
has placed him and me on good terms." On July 
29, 1796, Mr. Henley wrote from Greenville to Mr. 
Hopkins at Fort Hamilton, " The General and the 
Quartermaster-General leave this cantonment for 
Detroit to-morrow. Old Bald appears in good order 
and I hope he will carry his old master through all 
the bad roads in this country and land him safe to 
the regained British garrison, Detroit." General 
Wayne reached Detroit safely prior to August 25, 
remained until after November 14, and then went to 
Presque Isle, now Erie, Pennsylvania, where he 
died December 14, 1796. 

Tradition says that, before evacuating, the British 
destroyed the windmills and filled the fort well with 
stones, and that the key of the garrison was left in 
possession of a negro. This may be true, but it is 
a matter of official record that immediately after the 
evacuation the British commissary at Chatham was 
authorized to lend fifty barrels of pork to Mr. 
O'Hare, the United States commissary, as he had 
not enough for the American troops at Mackinaw. 
Simon Girty, the renegade, remained behind when 
the British took their leave. When the boats laden 
with American troops appeared in sight, he became 
so much alarmed that he could not wait for the 
return of the ferry-boat, but forced his black mare 
down a steep bank into the river, and, at the risk of 
drowning, made for the Canadian shore ; and as he 
rode up the bank, he cursed the United States Gov- 
ernment and its troops with all the oaths his fury 
could inspire. When the British were again in pos- 
session, in 1 81 2, he returned to Detroit, and on 
being asked about his horse said, " Oh, she's dead, 
and I buried her with the honors of war." 

Under the Treaty of Ghent, of December 24, 
1814, commissioners were appointed to determine 
the boundary line between the United States and 
Canada, and on June 2, 1820, Colonels Hill and 
Barclay, British commissioners, and General Porter, 
American commissioner, with their secretaries, Dr. 
Bigsley, of the English, and Major Eraser of the 
American Government, arrived at Detroit for the 
purpose of determining the boundary line. 

Their report, made in 1822, fixed it where it has 
since remained. 



FRENCH AND SPANISH INTRIGUES FOR THE PO.S- 
SESSION OF DETROIT AND THE WEST. 

While the negotiations for the surrender of De- 
troit and the West were in progress, the French 
Government, which was at war with Spain, sought 
to effect the seizure of the then Spanish province of 



Louisiana through the aid of certain of the adven- 
turous spirits of the West, numbers of whom were 
ready for almost any scheme of conquest or of 
gain, especially if it promised the control of the 
Mississippi. 

An expedition against New Orleans was so far 
organized that many men were enlisted and gath- 
ered at an appointed rendezvous in Kentucky. In 
1794 Governor St. Clair felt called upon to issue a 
proclamation against the proceeding, and it was 
abandoned for a time. As a measure of protection 
against the movement, Baron de Carondelet, the 
.Spanish Governor of Louisiana, began intriguing 
for the organization of a western confederacy which 
should ally its fortunes to those of Louisiana, and 
Thomas Powers was employed to promote his plans. 

Meanwhile, in November, 1794, and October, 
1795, the United States concluded treaties with 
both England and Spain for the surrender of the 
western posts occupied by their troops. These 
treaties exasperated France, and after July, 1796, 
she ceased to be on friendly terms with the United 
States. On August 19, 1796, France and Spain 
formed an alliance offensive and defensi\-e, possibly 
with the hope of securing neutral territory between 
England and the far West, which she was seeking 
to obtain. France sent an agent into the West to 
agitate the subject of a western confederacy, and to 
obtain information as, to the condition of the coun- 
try. At the same time the Spanish Governor Ca- 
rondelet showed a disinclination to fulfil the obliga- 
tions of his home go\-ernment by delivering up the 
Spanish posts on the Mississippi, and renewed his 
efforts to detach the \\^est from the L'nion. 

The following letter, from the private papers of 
Governor St. Clair, gives information as to both 
French and Spanish agents and their plans. The 
original is somewhat mutilated : 



SlR,- 



Jami:s McHenry, Secy, of M'ar^ to Gp-u. St. Clair. 

Wak Gi-FicE, May, 1796. 



The President h.is had information whicli affords strong ground 
to believe that there are certain persons employed and paid to visit 
tlie western country, for the purpose of encouragingthe people of 
those parts to secede from the Union, and form a separate connec- 
tion with a foreign power. The persons more particularly pointed to 
as emissaries on this occasion are one Powers, deCollot, and Warin. 
It is said also that they have received written instructions from 
their government and letters to influence * * + men in the 
district of country * * * been * ♦ * as the field of 
their operations. 

The route, at least of some of them, is by Pittsburgh down the 
Ohio to the old Shawaneese town, thence across the Ohio through 
the lower parts of Kentucky and southwestern territory, thence to 
the rapids of the Ohio, thence to Post Vincents, thence to St. 
Genevieve, and thence down to New Orleans. It is thought that 
they will be very open in conversations, that they may be easily 
traced by those apprised of their project, and that an overweening 
confidence in the success of their mission may originate circum- 
stances upon which to ground a legal seizure of their papers. You 
will perceive that it is important to such a seizure that they 



270 



FRENCH AND SPANISH INTRIGUES. 



sliould have no reason to suspect, from ill-limed inquiries or meas- 
ures, that they are discovered. Vou will, of course, keep your 
knowledge of their errand and design to yourself, and trust it only 
to those who may be necessary to the plan you may adopt, and at 
the moment when confid * * be used to effect its successful 
execution. Powers is of Irish descent, about thirty-five years of 
age, a man of science, seemingly versatile, speaks French, Span- 
ish and English with equal fluency, and pronounces each as a 
native. 

Dc CoUol is a Frenchman, full six feet high, about forty years 
of age, and speaks English very well. Warin is also a Frenchman; 
was lately a sub-engineer in the service of the United States 
which he resigned for his present employment; speaks English 
tolerably, Is about thirty years of age, above six feet high, black 
hair, ruddy complexion and easy manners. 

I have only to add that these persons are believed to be in pos- 
session of papers which it is considered of great importance to 
obtain, and to request, if procured, that copies be made of them, 
and attested, as well as the originals, by yourself, or some other 
person, and forw.irded by safe * * * to the President. 
I have the honor, &c. 

James McHenrv, 

Sec. 0/ U 'a r. 

The General Victor Collot, alluded to in the let- 
ter, while in Detroit as a P>ent'h spy, made a map of 
the Detroit River, with a view of the town as it was 
in 1796, which view is still preser\-ed in the Depart- 
ment of Marine at Paris.' 

As to Collot and Powers, Governor St. Clair 
wrote to Hon. James Ross, on September 6, 1796, 
as follows : 

Collot lias left the country after making, it is said, an accurate 
survey of the Ohio and sounding its depths in a number of places. 
He was stopped at Massjic and his papers exaniinc<l by llie com- 
manding officer. Another matter has happened that will I sup- 
pose, make some noise. A certain Mr. Powers was met as he was 
ascending the Ohio, by an officer, Lieutenant Steel, (who, it is 
said, was imprudent enough to tell him he was sent for the express 
purpose, by General Wayne) who stopped him, broke open his 
letters, examined them and his other papers, and took away with 
him such as he thought proper. 

A year afterwards Powers visited General Wilkin- 
son at Detroit as an agent of the Spanish governor, 
who still sought to carry out his project. He left 
Natchez early in June, and arrived in Detroit on 
August 16. Learning that General Wilkinson was 
absent, he did not enter the fort until August 24. 
He was treated by Colonel Strong, who had tem- 
porary command, with the rigor which his reputa- 
tion seemed to merit. Dispatches announcing his 
arrest were .sent to General Wilkinson, and reached 
him on September 2, just as he entered the river St. 
Clair on his return. At the subsequent trial of 
General Wilkinson a Captain S 1 testified that on 

the same day, after having read his letters, he, General Wilkin- 
son, invited me to go on shore with him to shoot pigeons. While 
on shore he told me that Mr. Thomas Powers had arri\cd at De- 
troit in his absence, that Colonel Strong the commandant, acting 
under an order of Major-General Wayne's, had him in confine- 
ment; tliat he was appreliensivc that he would have to send Mr. 

' It has been n-produced for this work. See chapter on Houses 
and Homes. 



Powers out of the country, although he knew him to be an honest 
clever fellow, a man of talents, and one that had rendered him 
great service; but unfortunately that Mr. P. was suspected as a 
spy, and that the United States suspected him, General Wilkinson, 
and at the same time quoting the old adage that it was " more 
criminal in some to look over the hedge than in others to steal a 
hare," asking me " how I should like to take a trip to New Madrid 
with Mr. Powers." 1 answered, " Very well." He then enjoined 
secrecy on me. We arrived at Detroit before the middle of Sep- 
tember, 1797, and found Mr. P. {as the General had stated) in 
confinement. He was immediately set at liberty, and a few days 
afterward I dined with him at the General's table. 

A very short time after this (perhaps a day) I was sent for by 
the General, who informed me that he had other duty for me 
than that of escorting Mr, P.; that Captain Shaumbourgh was 
selected for that command; that I must hold myself in readiness 
to proceed to Kentucky, there to procure money on bills and pay 
the troops at Fort Massack and Fort Knox at Vincennes, which 
order I obeyed, and left Mr. P. at Detroit. In the beginning of 
November following, I met Captain Shaumbourgh at Fort Massack 
on his return from N. Madrid, where he had delivered Mr. Powers. 
He showed me his instructions from the General relative to Mr. P., 
in which Captain S. was ordered not to permit Mr. P. to enter any 
of our posts, and denied him the use of pen, ink, pencil or paper, 
&c. On reading those instructions, I expressed some surprise at 
this great precaution, when I knew that Mr. Powers had travelled 
through that country on his way, and that he had his full liberty 
at Detroit. Captain Shaumbourgh, laughing, said it was a bore. 



The following letter from General Wilkinson to 
Mr. Powers, considered in the light of all the facts, 

would seem to confirm the opinion of Captain S 1 

as to the duplicity of General Wilkinson : 

Head Quarters, Detroit, Sept. 5, 1797. 
Sir, — 

I have, the last moment, received your letter of this day which 
occasions me much surprise. 

At our first inter\'iew, the night before last, I expressed to you 
the necessity of your speedy return by the shortest route to the 
p.aron de Carondelet, with my answer to the letter which you bore 
nie from him. Vou offered no objection to tliis proposition, except 
the incapacity of your horses for the journey which I immediately 
agreed to remove by furnishing others. 

You, at the same time, complained to me of the violence and 
outrage which you had experienced on your journey to this place, 
beingat one time stopped, and at another time pursued, seized, and 
examined in every particular of person, baggage and papers. It 
seems a little singular that ycm should incline to retrace a route 
in which you had suffered such abuse, when a secure and conveni- 
ent one is proposed to you. 

As no man can more highly appreciate the rights of treaties and 
of individuals than myself, and as I am apprised of the obliga- 
tions subsisting between the United States and his Catholic 
Majesty, 1 am among the last men on earth who would wantonly 
or capriciously question the compacted rights of the two sovereign- 
ties, their citizens or subjects. 

But as you have approached me in a public character, and on 
national business, which requires my speedy answer to the letter 
of the Go\'etnor of Louisiana, whose messenger you are, I can- 
not consider you so far a free agent as to elect the time or 
route for your return, but that you stand bound by motives of 
ptditical import, as well to Spain as to the United States, to con- 
summate the objects of your mission with all possible promptitude; 
and, of consequence, that all objects of a private or personal 
nature must yield to the obligations of public duty. 

1, therefore, Sir. cannot recede from my purpose, and will hope 
you may be prepared to take your departure early to-morrow morn- 
ing, in the company of Captain Shaumbourgh who will be in- 
structed to attend you to New Madrid, and who will receive and 



FRENCH AND SPANISH INTKICUES. 



271 



forward any letter you may wish to send to the Falls of Ohio, 
from the most convenient point of your route. 
With due consideration, I am, Sir, 

Your most obedient ser\'ant, 

Ja. Wilkinson. 

In the official account of Powers' mission, ad- 
dressed to Gayoso, the Governor of Natchez, Powers 
said: 

The General received me coldly enougli. In tlie first confer- 
ence, he broke out with saying to me very bitterly, "We are ruined. 
Sir, both you and myself, without receiving any benefit from your 
voyage." Afterwards, he asked me whether I had brought the six 
hundred and forty dollars (eternally these six hundred and forty 
dollars!) he added that the executive had given orders to the 
Governor of the Northwestern Territory to take me and send me 
to Philadelphia, and that there was no other resource left for me 
to escape but to suffer myself to be conducted immediately under 
guard to Fort Massack, and from thence to New Madrid, and 
having informed him of the proposition of the Earon, he pro- 
ceeded to tell me that it was a chimerical project, and impossible 
to be executed ■ that the inhabitants of the western states having 
obtained all they wished by the treaty, would form no other politi- 
cal or commercial connection, and that now they had no other 
motive to separate themselves from the interests of the other 
states^ although France and Spain had made them the most 
advantageous propositions ; that the fermentation which had 
existed for four years was now subsided, &c. ; that Spain had now 
nothing else to do but to give complete effect to the treaty, which 
had overturned all his plans and rendered useless the work uf 
more than ten years. And inasmuch as he had, as he said, de- 
stroyed his cyphers and all his correspondence with our govern- 
ment, and that his duty and his honor did not permit him to 
continue it ; that the Governor need not fear that he would 
abuse the confidence he had placed in him ; finally that Spain 
having ceded to the United States the territory of the Xalches, 
&c., it might happen that he would be appointed Governor of it, 
and that then opportunities would not be wanting for him to take 
measures that would be more efficacious to effect his political pro- 
jects. He complained much that the secret of his connections with 
our government had beea divulged through want of prudence on 
our part. 

The letter from Baron de Carondelet. which 
Powers delivered to General Wilkinson on Septem- 
ber 3. is said to have appealed to his ambition, with 
the promise that he would be made the general of 
the new republic ; and it was claimed that both 
France and Spain would pay the troops he would 
be able to raise. 



In his " Proofs of the Corruption of General Wil- 
kinson," Mr. Clark says: 

The Uaron de Carondelet did not, however, know the character 
of our General. He was willing to take all the mont^y tiiat 
could be offLTt-tl ; he was willing to carry on any correspondence, 
provided it could be kept secret ; and while in a subordinate sta- 
tion, he was willing to risk a place for which he knew he could ob- 
tain an indemnity. But the scene was now changed ; he was at 
Xhe head of the army ; his legal emoluments were great, and his 
rapacity saw the means of increasmg them. His secret corre- 
spondence had been suspected. The frequent visits of Powers had 
occasioned jealousy, and the indiscreet communications of the 
Spanish ofllcers, as we learn from himself, had (rxcited more than 
attention to his conduct. He was not yet prepared openly to 
assume the Spanish unifonn, and a secret correspondence had 
become dangerous. Powers, therefore, did not fully succeed in 
the object of his mission. 

The frequent communications of General Wilkin- 
son with alleged spies gave rise to suspicions ; he 
was accused of treachery, tried and acquitted in 
1808. In September, 1811, he was tried for alleged 
complicity with Aaron Burr in his conspiracy, and 
the old charges against him were again brought 
forward. He made a defense full of vituperation 
against Generals Wayne, Scott, and others, but was 
again acquitted, though the evidences of his guilt 
se^ed strong.* Among those summoned as wit- 
nesses were Thomas Powers and the late Colonel 
Electus Backus. 

In 1814 he had to undergo a third trial, this time 
for alleged misconduct in the War of 181 2 ; and for 
the third time he was acquitted. Among his wit- 
nesses was Brigadier-General Moses Porter, who 
testified that he had served under him since April, 
1793. This was the Captain Porter who received 
possession of Detroit in 1796, became a colonel in 
181 3, and subsequently a brigadier by brevet. Cap- 
tain John Biddle, of the Forty-sixth United States 
Infantry, and General Alexander Macomb also 
testified favorably for Wilkinson. " Wilkinson's 
Memoirs." in three volumes, contain the chief points 
of his defense in his several trials, which wonder- 
fully resemble those of General Hull, in the vigor 
with which cotemporary military officers are as- 
sailed. 



CHAPTER XL. 



INDIAN WARS .FROM 1790 TO 181 



Although Detroit had been surrendered to the 
Americans, the British apparently entertained the 
hope that the fortunes of war would again give 
them control of the West, and British officers were 
continually asserting and exercising authority on 
American soil. The following extract from a letter 
addressed by Peter Audrain, of Detroit, to Governor 
St. Clair on October 20, 1800, gives an idea of some 
of their illegal actions. Audrain says : 

Between ii and 12 o'clock on the evening of the 9th inst. some 
British soldiers headed by a certain Sargeant Cole, went to the 
house where a certain Francis Poquette lived with a woman and 
two children. They knocked at the door but were refused admit- 
tance, as the said Poquette had some suspicion of the plot. The 
door was forced open, the sergeant entered and knocked down 
said Poquette with a large stick he had ; a battle then ensued, the 
sergeant was wounded in the head and face, and Poquette, stabbed 
in many places, was carried away naked to a canoe waiting at a 
landing near the place. Although badly wounded he jumped out 
of tlie canoe into the river, when they stabbed him again to make 
him be quiet. Dr. Wm. M. Scott, surgeon of this place, was 
called next morning and went over the river to the ferry house, 
where both the sergeant and the deserter were lying very ill. The 
Doctor dressed the sergeant first and went afterwards to the 
deserter who, almost naked, was lying on the floor in a dark corner 
of the kitchen. He found the unfortunate man in so dangerous 
a state that he informed the sergeant he could not be removed to 
Maiden without imminent danger of losing his life. Whereupon, 
a man in soldier's dress, standing by Sergeant Cole, said that he 
had orders to take the prisoner to Maiden deader alive. Sergeant 
Cole agreed, and he was carried away in the afternoon and died at 
Maiden about five or six o'clock the next morning. + * * 
Senator (Uriah) Tracey (of Conn.), who left this place for 
Presque Isle on Friday, dined on Saturday at Maiden with Cap- 
tain McClean, commander of that garrison. He probably got 
more information than he had here. I have been informed that 
he pledged his word that he would make report to the President 
on his arrival at the Federal City. 



the guard to consist of three officers and tw^elve 
privates. Five days later he issued the follow- 
ing: 

GENERAL ORDERS. 

After this night the Guards will be kept in the following man- 
ner: Visgars' and L'Ecuyers' companies will alternately furnish 
a Guard of a Sergeant and six privates, to be stationed at the old 
Blockhouse. The rifle company, the artillery and cavalry will 
furnish a sergeant and eight privates every night to be kept at 
the north Blockhouse. 

Hickman's light infantry — Campeau's and Anderson's compa- 
nies of the first Regiment will alternately furnish a Subaltern 
Sergeant and twelve privates, as a Guard to be kept in the East 
Blockhouse. 

The Adjutant-General will detail a Captain of the day, who 
will visit all the Guards by night, and give them their instruc- 
tions. In case of an alarm or attack on the place, the following 
disposition will be made of the Troops: Scott's company of 
Riflemen at the north blockhouse, Anderson's company at the 
east blockhouse, and L'Ecuyer's company at the old Blockhouse. 
Hickman's company will defend the Pickets between the two 
Blockhouses; Visgar's, the Pickets between the fort and the 
north Blockhouse ; and Campeau's company, the Pickets between 
the east Blockhouse and the river; all the other companies will 
form at Curry's Corner and wait for orders. 

Colonel Woodward will command from the West Blockhouse to 
the fort and so on from the Fort to the river, and on the river as 
far east as Abbott's store, but in such manner as not to interfere 
with Captain Dyson's command. 

Colonel Brush will command from Abbott's store on the river to 
the east gate ; and north to the Blockhouse, including said block- 
house. 

In case the Enemy should break through the Pickets and get 
into the town, Hickman's company will immediately take pos- 
session of the Stone Council House, Campeau's of the Bank, and 
Visgar's of the Old Blockhouse and May's stone house. Captain 
Dodeniead's and Smith's companies will parade at the stone 
council house, where they will receive their orders. 

Doctor Macroskey will attend at May's stone House and Doctor 
Brown at the Council House, where the wounded will be sent. 



The English also continued their efforts to attach 
the savages to themselves, and kept them in a con- 
stant state of unrest by their promises and presents, 
which were so far in excess of those made or given 
by the United States that many Indians remained 
unfriendly to the Americans. 

In 1806 and 1807 there was much disquiet at 
Detroit on this account, and a new stockade was 
built as a protective measure. 

As a further means of defense, on August 6. 1807, 
James May, adjutant-general, ordered a patrol guard 
of militia " to be kept at the Indian council-room" — 



On September 3 there was a grand parade of the 
militia, and on November 9 they were ordered to be 
ready to march at a moment's notice. On Novem- 
ber 14 there was again a general review and inspec- 
tion of the First Regiment of militia and the Legion- 
ary Corps. 

On July 27, 1810, Governor Hull wrote to the 
Secretary of War that '* large bodies of Indians from 
the westward and southward continue to visit the 
British post at Amherstburg, and are supplied with 
provisions, arms, ammunition, etc., etc. Much more 
attention is paid to them than usual." 



biA 



INDIAN WARS FROM 1790 TO 1S12. 



'/6 



On September 17. iSii, Governor Harrison wrote 
to the Secretary of War : 

All the Indians of the Wabash have been, or are now, on a 
visit to the British agent at Maiden ; my informant has never 
known more than one fourth as many goods given to the Indians 
as they are now distributing. He examined the share of one 
man (not a chief) and found that he had received an elegant rifle, 
ninety-live pounds of powder, fifty pounds of lead, three blankets, 
three pieces of strouds, ten shirts, and several other articles. He 
say% every Indian is furnished with a gun (either a rifle or fusil), 
and an abundance of ammunition. A trader of this country was 
lately in the King's store at Maiden, and was told that the quan- 
tity of goods for the Indian department, which had been sent out 
this year, exceeded that of common years by 20,000 pounds ster- 
ling. It is impossible to ascribe this profusion to any other motive 
than that of instigatingthe Indians to take up the tomahawk ; it 
cannot be to secure their trade, for all their peltries collected on 
the Wabash on one year, if sold in the London markets, would 
not pay the freight of the goods which have been given to the 
Indians. 

So confident was General Harrison that the In- 
dians meant mischief that, with the militia and some 
regular soldiers commanded by Colonel Boyd, he 
proceeded against them, and thoroughly defeated 
them at the battle of Tippecanoe on November 7, 
1811. 

Notwithstanding this defeat, the citizens of Detroit 



felt justly alarmed, as but ninety-four soldiers were 
then stationed in the town, and a meeting was held 
on Sunday, December 8, iSi i, to take measures to 
protect the settlement. Solomon Sibley was chosen 
chairman and A. B. Woodward secretary. It was 
resolved to organize a night-watch for thi.rty days, 
and a committee of five, consisting of Solomon Sib- 
ley, A. B. Woodward, James Witherell, George 
McDougall, and Daniel Baker were appointed to 
collect funds and war material. Messrs. Witherell 
and Baker declined to act, and H. H. Hickman and 
Richard Smythe were appointed in their stead. At 
a subsequent meeting, on December 10, a memorial 
to Congress was adopted, in which it was urged 
that "the whole territory is a double frontier," "the 
British are on one side, the savages on the other," 
"every individual house is a frontier," "no farm is 
covered by another farm in the rear of it," and in 
view of these facts. Congress was asked to provide 
more garrisons in the West, and to send reinforce- 
ments of infantry and cavalry to Detroit. The 
memorial was presented to Congress on December 
27. No action was taken on the subject, but the 
War of 1 81 2 soon after settled this with other 
questions. 



CHAPTER XLI. 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



The searching of American vessels for British- 
born seamen, which was styled the "right of search," 
and the impressment of several thousand American 
sailors, were the primary causes of the War of 18 12. 

The immediate reason was the attack by the 
British ship Leopard upon the Chesapeake, an 
American vessel, lying in Lynnhaven Bay. off the 
coast of Virginia, the officers of the Leopard claim- 
ing that the Chesapeake was harboring three desert- 
ers from the British navy. The British Government 
promptly disowned the act. but was slow in making 
reparation ; and, as the impressment was continued 
and the search for British seamen vigorously prose- 
cuted, the breach was ever widening. Finally, the 
President ordered British ships away from the Amer- 
ican coast. No heed was paid to his proclamation, 
and. on June 18, 1812, war was declared against 
Great Britain. 

Previous to the declaration of war, and in antici- 
pation of such an event. Congress authorized the 
President to call for militia from the several States. 
It was evident that the war would be along the 
border line of Canada, and in anticipation of the 
declaration of war, the citizens of Detroit held a 
meeting, and. as Governor Hull was absent, requested 
the secretary of the Territory to call out the militia. 
The Secretary was cautious about exercising author- 
ity, not being certain that Governor Hull was not 
in the territory, and he therefore refused. Mean- 
time, it became increasingly evident, from the 
detention of citizens of Detroit by the Canadian 
authorities, and from the erection of batteries at 
Amherstburg, that hostilities were imminent, and as 
General Hull did not arrive, measures of resistance 
were determined upon. Messrs. Elijah Brush and 
Solomon Sibley, and Colonels George McDougall 
and John R. Williams caused the militia to be 
ordered out. and in twenty-four hours some six 
hundred men from the city and adjoining farms 
gathered as volunteers. 

On the evening of May 14. 1S12, they paraded 
under command of Major James Witherell. On 
June 1 2 they were ordered to parade " each Satur- 
day, at four o'clock, in the rear of D. Forsyth's 
encampment," and the commanding officer of each 
company was ordered to cause two hours each day, 



.Saturdays excepted, to be devoted to disciplining 
the men. On June 27, James Witherell, major com- 
mandant, issued a general order giving notice that 
■■ the signal of an alarm on the north bank of the 
river would be three rounds fired from a field piece 
near the south gate of the Town of Detroit, and 
that the militia were then to assemble." 

Meanwhile, an army of some twelve hundred 
men drafted from Ohio by the President, and three 
hundred volunteers under Colonel Miller, together 
with other troops, were collected at Dayton. On 
May 25 Governor Meigs turned over the command 
to General Hull, who was ordered to proceed to 
i;)etroit, and about the middle of June the force, 
which consisted of three regiments under command 
of Colonels McArthur, Cass, and Findley, left Day- 
ton with over two thousand rank and file. On the 
24th of June, while at Fort Findley, General Hull 
received a letter, dated June 18, the very day that 
war was declared, announcing that war would soon 
be declared. Possibly it was written early in the 
day. before the declaration had actually been issued. 
On July I, when near the old British Fort Miami, 
on the Maumee River, a small schooner, the Cuya- 
hoga, belonging to Captain Chapin, was employed 
to carry a quantity of baggage to Detroit, and about 
thirty officers and privates were sent with it for pro- 
tection. 

It being the last of the month, complete muster- 
rolls had been made out, and either by accident or 
design these and other private papers of General 
Hull, contained in a small trunk, were placed on the 
vessel. An open boat with the sick was sent at 
the same time. On July 2. when opposite Maiden, 
the Cuyahoga was captured by the British, who thus 
became possessed of a full knowledge of the force 
under command of General Hull. The same day, 
while on the road to Detroit. General Hull received 
a second letter from the Secretary of War, also 
dated June 18, containing the announcement of the 
declaration of war. One of the two letters was 
sent by a courier ; the other was sent by mail to 
Cleveland, to be forwarded from there by express. 

Charles Shaler, a young lawyer of Cleveland, 
agreed to take the letter for thirty-five dollars. He 
left Cleveland June 28, and overtook the army at 



U74I 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



75 



the Raisin, about 2 a. m., on July 2. After receiv- 
ing the letter. General Hull rested a day at French- 
town, and on July 4 built a bridge across the 
Huron River near Brownstown, about a mile and 
a half west of the village now called Gibralter. 
Troops sent from Detroit to aid in preparing the 
road met the army near that place. At this time 
Major Whistler's company of First Infantry and 
Captain Dyson's company of artillery were in 
charge of the fort at Detroit. On the 5th the army 
passed through the villages of Brownstown and Mon- 
guagon, crossed the Ecorce and Rouge, and arrived 
the same day at Springwells. They had travelled a 
distance of over two hundred miles through an 
almost unbroken wilderness, building bridges as they 
went, wading innumerable swamps, 
and enduring many hardships. 

On the morning of the 6th Colonel 
Cass was sent to Maiden with a flag 
of truce to demand the baggage and 
prisoners captured in the schooner. 
On his arrival there he was blindfold- 
ed, his demands refused, aiid he was 
escorted back. The next day five 
pieces of artillery were brought down 
from the fort and placed on the bank 
in front of the army, in a situation to 
annoy the enemy at Sandwich. 

On July 12 General Hull, sending 
the boats and canoes down the river, 
made a feint of crossing at Spring- 
wells, but after dark he crossed over 
with his whole ffirce from Ham- 
tramck, and marched to Sandwich. 
On his arrival he issued two hundred 
copies of a proclamation to the Ca- 
nadians. A fac-simile, reduced in 
size, is here given. 

On July 13 he sent a small re- 
connoitering force, under Captain 
Ulry, towards Maiden. They returned in the 
evening on July 14, and reported that there 
were a large number of Indians in the way. 
General Hull then sent a detachment of Captain 
Sloan's cavalry, and they returned with information 
that a body of Indians had gone up the river. Mc- 
Arthur, with one hundred of his regiment anil a 
rifle corps from Colonel P'indley's, was sent in pur- 
suit, and subsequently Captain Smith, of the Detroit 
Dragoons, followed, with orders to go to the Thames 
and jirocure provisions. He overtook Mc.^rthur, and 
went with him about si.xty miles above the mouth 
of the river, returning in the evening of the 17th 
with a large quantity of stores. On the same day, 
before McArthur's party had returned, Colonel 
Cass, with two hundred and eighty men, pushed 
on to the river Aux Canards, and took possession 



of the bridge, but as General Hull would not allow 
them to fortify or push on to Maiden, the results 
were unimportant. 

During this period General Hull spent much of 
his time at Detroit, and on the 24th, during his 
absence. Colonel McArthur sent a detachment to 
drive the Indians from the region of Turkey Creek; 
but they were themselves attacked by the Indians, 
and forced to retreat, with a loss of six killed. This 
was the first blood shed in the campaign. 

Meantime the British forces were active, and 
before the news of the war had reached Mackinaw, 
that post was summoned to surrender, and on July 
17th was surrendered, the paroled officers and troops 
reaching Detroit on July 29. General Hull was now 



A PROCLAMATION. 





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itiiila tK pvifiKd, tadibtHtitt uclal«o(ei»iaardfTOurCniiB>,& bam^i ai 
liinnpi yn-\ Ae fiitj! )• lailt, »il1 it 'bf Bf-jIToc one TihJ!faliBl.*t title af 
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tHZUtCEyiftHL 

Copi: i^tK U.S. lit^ie/rn/anirfarJA'JicaBifh 



<mM^ 



Reduced Fac-simile of Hull's Proclamation to the Canadians. 
[Size of original, lu x lo inches..] 



feeling was so 
and soldiers lost 



manifestly disheartened, and this 
apparent that many of the officers 
confidence in his leadership. 

Early in .-\ugust an express arrived with informa- 
tion that Captain Henry Brush, who had been sent 
by Governor Meigs, of Ohio, with a company of 
volunteers, and provisions for the army, was at the 
river Raisin, waiting for an escort. This was at 
first refused, but finally General Hull consented to 
send Major T. B. Van Horn with two hundred 
men. The major crossed the Detroit River August 
4. and marched that evening as far as the river 
Ecorce. The following morning the force pushed 
on, and, as they entered the open ground of Browns- 
town, were attacked by Tecumseh with several hun- 
dred Indians and British soldiers. The suddenness 
of the attack threw the troops into confusion, and 



276 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



the entire force retreated towards Detroit, and sent 
news of the disaster to General Hull. This defeat, 
and the plainly expressed dissatisfaction of the offi- 
cers at no advance being made in Canada, caused 
General Hull to call a council of war, and it was 
decided to advance on Maiden. Preparatory orders 
to this end were issued, but ere the preparations 
were complete, an order was issued by General Hull 
to cross over to Detroit. Accordingly, on the night 
of August 7th and the morning of the Sth. the main 
body of the army returned. 

Immediately on their return, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Miller, with six hundred troops, was ordered to open 
communication with Captain Brush at the Raisin. 
They left on the afternoon of August 8, and on the 
next day, at about 4 P. M., when two miles below 
the village of Monguagon, the first guard, commanded 
by Captain Snelling of the Fourth United States 
Regiment, was fired on by an extensix'e line of 
British and Indians. Miller's force, however, made 
so good a defence that the British and Indians 
retreated. Colonel Miller sent an express to Gen- 
eral Hull with information of his success, and re- 
quested a supply of provisions. 

Colonel McArthur was ordered to take one hun- 
dred men from his regiment, and six hundred ra- 
tions for Colonel Miller's forces, to proceed down 
the river in boats, and bring the wounded to Detroit. 
He embarked his force on the morning of August 
10 in nine boats, and arrived safely at Colonel Mil- 
ler's encampment, two miles above Brownstown. 
As soon as he could deliver his provisions and place 
the wounded men in the boats, he commenced his 
return, but the British brig Hunter anchored in the 
path of his boats, at tlie head of Grosse Isle, and 
prevented them from returning. A messenger was 
sent to General Hull to inform him of this new 
trouble and to ask for wagons to carry up the 
wounded. These were sent, but as they could not 
get within a quarter of a mile of the boats, the 
wounded were placed in small canoes and thus con- 
veyed to shore. 

.A.S soon ashe was supplied with provisions and 
relieved of the wounded. Colonel Miller had intend- 
ed to march to the Raisin, but he was prevented by 
sickness ; and an express soon arrived from General 
Hull with positive orders to return. These orders 
were obeyed, and on August 12 his force reached 
Detroit. 

On the 13th the British were seen marching up 
from Sandwich to a point opposite Fort Detroit, 
and within point-blank shot of our batteries ; but 
General Hull would not suffer his gunners to fire, 
and even allowed the British to erect batteries with- 
out being molested. All this time Captain Brush, 
with the provisions for the army, was at the Raisin, 



and on the evening of the i.|th General Hull sent 
an escort of three hundred and fifty troops, under 
Colonels McArthur and Cass, to his relief. The 
force took a circuitous route, and when about 
twenty-five miles from Detroit became entangled in 
a swamp, and as they were without provisions, the ' 
accident was a serious one. On August 1 5, during 
their absence, two British officers arrived from 
Sandwich with a flag of truce, and a letter from 
General Brock demanding the surrender of Fort 
Detroit. General Hull at once returned a letter, in 
which were the following words: "I am ready to 
meet any force which may be at your disposal." 

British armed vessels soon appeared in sight, and 
the battery on the opposite shore began to play 
upon the fort. The fire was returned from our 
batteries and the fort, and one of the enemy's guns 
was silenced in a few minutes. Tradition says 
there was then standing, at the corner of Wood- 
bridge and Griswold Streets, a magnificent pear 
tree, some two feet in diameter, and the pride and 
delight of the citizens. During the cannonading 
from the opposite shore, it was perceived that this 
tree served as a mark to direct the aim of the enemy. 
A soldier, by the name of Miller, was therefore 
directed to cut it down. He proceeded cheerfully 
to his task, and plied his ax with vigor, but made 
no very rapid progress upon the tough old tree. A 
fortunate shot from the British battery .soon struck 
it precisely where he was cutting, carpj-ing off two- 
thirds of the trunk. Miller paused for a moment, 
and exclaimed, " Fire away, John Bull ! You cut a 
great deal faster than I can." He then completed 
the work. 

As soon as the bombardment began there was 
great confusion in the town. \'aluables of every 
sort were hastily packed up and buried, and even 
clothing and furniture were thus concealed. Several 
of the inhabitants sought refuge in a ravine on the 
Cass Farm; others, with beds and bedding, were 
sheltered in the fort. Some of the women, mean- 
while, were making cartridges and others scraping 
lint. Many kept a vigilant eye upon the movements 
of. the enemy, and learned to dodge the shells. 
Numbers of dwellings were badly damaged. Some 
of the shots aimed at the battery struck th^ United 
States storehouse ; one passed over it, and perforated 
the stone building (afterwards the Mansion House) 
where Judge Woodward had his quarters. He had 
just risen from his bed and was standing beside it 
when a shot came through the room, struck the 
jiillow and the bed, and drove them into the fire- 
place, while the spent ball rolled out upon the floor. 
Another large shot fell upon Augustus Langdon's 
house, on the corner of Woodward Avenue and 
Congress Street, passed through the roof, struck 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



277 



upon a table around which the family were sitting, 
and went through the floor into the cellar. 

In the evening General Hull sent a courier to the 
detachment under Colonels McArthur and Cass, 
ordering them to return, as the fort had been sum- 
moned to surrender. The detachment marched 
until two o'clock that night on their return, and the 
ne.xt morning arrived at the edge of the woods in 
the vicinity of Detroit, where they drew up in order 
of battle. A party of dragoons sent forward to 
reconnoiter returned with the news that, though the 
Indians were yelling through the commons, the 
American flag was still hoisted at the fort. Soon 
afterwards a note was received from Cjeneral Hull, 
informing them of the capitulation and ordering 
them in. At 6 A. M., on the morning of this day 
(August 16), the British began firing. Soon after, 
in full sight of General Hull and his army, their 
troops began crossing over to Springwells. Before 
eight o'clock they had landed, and begun their 
march towards Detroit. So satisfied, apparently, 
was Brock that he would not be attacked that he 
rode several hundred yards ahead of his troops. 
His army consisted of thirty royal artillerists, three 
hundred regulars, four hundred militia, and about 
six hundred Indians; the force also had three six, 
and two three-pounders. The troops advanced 
towards the fort without opposition, the militia and 
regulars on the margin of the river, and the Indians, 
under Tecumseh, next to the woods. At this time 
Hull had an opportunity to repulse General Brock. 
A battery of two twenty-four-pounders, under 
charge of Lieutenant Anderson, was stationed on 
Jefferson Avenue, where it now intersects Wayne 
Street. The high bluff then existing at that point 
afforded an excellent and commanding position. 
Colonel Anderson subsequently told C. C. Trow- 
bridge that he " had his fuse ready, and by one dis- 
charge could have blown Brock's close column to 
pieces ; but, instead, he received a peremptory order 
from Hull not to fire." 

Colonel Miller, with the Fourth Regiment, was 
inside the fort, and the volunteers from Ohio and a 
portion of the Michigan militia were on the com- 
mons in the rear of the town. The British troops 
were exposed on all sides except the river, but they 
continued to advance, and when they reached what 
is now the foot of Tenth Street, General Hull or- 
dered all the soldiers to retire inside the fort. Soon 
after a ball from the British battery, which now kept 
up a constant fire, was thrown inside the fort, and 
killed Captain Hanks, Lieutenant Sibley, and Dr. 
Reynolds, and wounded Dr. Blood. Another shot 
passed through the gate, killing two soldiers in 
the barracks. Two men were also killed outside. 
There were so many soldiers inside, together with 



women and children who had come there for pro- 
tection, that it was almost impossible for a ball to 
strike in the fort without killing .some one. Very 
little injury was experienced from the shells, for, 
though well-directed, they generally burst before 
reaching the fort. 

By this time, if not before. General Hull seems to 
have fully made up his mind to surrender, and his 
son, Captain A. F. Hull, was ordered to display a 
white flag from the fort. The firing from the bat- 
tery on the Canadian side soon ceased, and Captain 
Hull was sent with a flag of truce to meet Brock's 
forces. The inappropriateness of sending such a 
man on such an errand is indicated by the state- 
ment of Colonel Snelling, who says that Abram 
Hull was always intoxicated when an emergency 
occurred, and but a short time prior to his being 
sent to negotiate terms of surrender, w-as disgust- 
ingly drunk and noisily foolish in his conduct and 
remarks. Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell and Major 
Glegg, who were sent by General Brock to agree 
upon the terms of surrender, were allowed to ride 
in before the terms were agreed upon ; and almost 
before the garrison knew what was going on, they 
were prisoners of the British army. Many of the 
militia distinctly witnessed the arrival of Brock's 
army at Springwells, and were chagrined beyond 
measure at the apathy of their commander ; and 
when required to surrender their rifles, disbanded in 
disorder, many of them breaking their guns, and all 
was confusion, every man seeming to act upon his 
individual convictions. When the soldiers were 
drawn up in line, to be delivered as prisoners, A. C. 
Truax, one of the territorial militia, determined that 
he would endeavor to escape. Handing his gun, 
with a careless air, to a soldier near by, he entered 
one of the buildings of the cantonment, shouldered 
his trunk, and proceeded on his way, passing succes- 
sively and successfully English and American offi- 
cers, both of whom supposed him to be detailed for 
the purpose of carrying the trunk. Once out of 
reach, he travelled at leisure, and made his way to 
Schenectady. 

About 12 o'clock, on August 16, the British forces, 
with General Brock at their head, marched into the 
fort, and the Americans marched out. the American 
flag was pulled down, and the British colors hois- 
ted. The terms of capitulation, printed at the time, 
are given herewith in fac-simile. By the capitulation 
General Hull surrendered about two thousand men, 
forty barrels of powder, four hundred rounds of 
twenty-four-pound shot, one hundred thousand 
ball cartridges, twenty-four thousand stands of arms, 
thirty-five iron and eight brass cannon, and a large 
supply of provisions. 

The next day the British commenced removing 



78 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



the military stores to Maiden, and for a month the 
river was covered with small boats engaged in their 
transportation. General Hull stipulated that Cap- 
tain Brush and the stores at the river Raisin should 
also be surrendered, and Captain Elliott, a son of 
the British Indian agent, was sent to him with the 
articles of capitulation ; but in this case, the British 
" caught a Tartar," for Captain Thomas Rowland, 
who was with Colonel Brush, in command of a 
volunteer rifle company, raised and equipped by 



CAMP at DETR OIT "^ A«.on :8i2. 



V>'APITUL ATION Tor tTic Sarrcnder orForlUETRniT.enter- 
ei into between Wajof General J5roci;; commanding His 
BniTANNic M.'\jzsT\'3 foiccs, On thc one part ; & Brigadier 
General Hull, commanding ihc North-WeHcm Army oUhe 
tTwiTED-STATES on tlie other part, 

■in. Fori Di.TROiT,wiih all the troops, regulars as well as Wu 
lilia, will be immedialelv Surrendered to the Brilifli forces un- 
der (he Command of Mjj. Gen. Brock, & will be sonlidered 
prifoners of war, with llie exception of fucli of ihc Militia of 
the Michigan Terriiorj- who have not joined thc \rmy, 

Ed. All public Stoics. arni;& all public documents includ- 
ing every thing tUc of 9 public nature will be immediately 
given up. 

gd. I'nvate Fcrfons 5: property of every dcfciipilon Iliall be 
Telpecled. 

4i]i. His excellency Brigadier Gen. Hull having exprelTcd 
a defire that a detachment fiom ihe State of Ohio, on lis wa^ 
to join his Army as well as one feni from Fort DETnoiT.under 
the Command of Colonel M Arthur, ihould be included in 
(he above Capitulation, it is accordingly agrocd to. It is hon" 
ever lobe underllood thai fuch part of the Ohio. Mihtia, hb 
]iavc not joined the Army, will be permitted to retmn to [heir 
homes, on condition that they will not fcrvc during the war, 
tlicir arms howefcr will be delivered up, if belonging to tlie 
public. 

Sth.TheGarrifon will march out at the hour of twelve 
o'clock, & the Btitibh foiccs will taUe immediately poCTellion 
ol the ForL 

Approved (( Signed. ) J.Mc.Doneli. Licnr, 

(Signed! W. HULL. Brigr. ( Col. Militia. P. A. D. C 
Gcnl.Comg. thc N.W.Army i j, 3. Glccg Major A. D-C 

Approved. ( j^mes Miller Lieut. Col. 

(Signed) ISAAC BROCK, \ 5th. U. S. Infantry. 

'JJajoi General. < E, JSRUfiHCol.Coing ifl .Rcgi. 
Michi^-^an Mililia. 
A true Copy. 

Robert NtcHot Lieut. Coli 
&Qr. M. GcnL MiUtiSf 



Fac-simile of Printed Articles of Capitulation. 
[Size of original, 6 x 12 inches.] 



garrisoned Detroit with two hundred and fifty men, 
and left it in command of Colonel Proctor with 
A. B. Woodward, one of the American judges, as 
secretary of the Territory. A reduced copy of two 
Proclamations of Colonel Proctor's, from an original 
1 2x1 5 inches in size, is given. 

The news of the surrender of General Hull was 
received with universal execration and astonishment. 
Many believed him a traitor, and there are not a 
few stories and traditions embodying this belief. 
Rev. Ur. Alfred Brunson, a soldier in General Har- 
rison's army, in a work called the "Western Pio- 
neer," tells of a midshipman on one of Perry's ships, 
who said it was a fact that Hull sent word " to the 
British that war was declared before the news of it 
reached Detroit." 

He said that although born in the United States, he lived at 
Maiden, and that before he knew of the war he was warned out 
of bed and pressed into service, and so closely watched he could 
not make his escape. That, being a sergeant, he took his turn in 
being orderly for (ieneral Brock, and was so when he landed at 
Springwells, three miles below Detroit. 'J'his brought him in close 
proximity with lirock. He said that while llrock was waiting be- 
hind the sand-hills, at the wells, he sent his aid out three times to 
see if Hull had raised the white flag. When the aid returned the 
second time with the word, "No flag yet, General," Brock's 
knees so trembled that they fairly smote together, and he said, 

"D n me, I'm afraid the old dog will trick me yet." But 

when the aid returned the third time with word that thc flag was 
out, lirock s countenance changed, and he ordered a forward 
movement to take possession of the city. When they came to the 
west gate of the city, and saw the cannon planted so as to rake 
down the road, with lighted matches by them, he, with others, 
felt and looked pale at the thought of what would have been the 
consequence if they had been let loose upon them. 

And when they saw the rage of the Americans at being thus 
sold, and without a chance to defend themselves. Brock said it 
would have been hard taking those men. 

" Then," said Brunson to the midshipman, " Hull sold his men, 
did he ?" " Oh, yes, that was understood, or Brock would not have 
ventured over the river with a force so much less than that of the 
Americans." '* Well, what did Hull get for them ?" " Why, he 
was to have si-xteen dollars a head for the men, and pay for the pro- 
visions, guns, ammunition, etc. But when Hull lay in Sandwich he 
sent General McArthur up the St. Clair River to Selkirk's settle- 
ment, and took eight hundred merino sheep, which were \alued 
at from twelve to fourteen hundred dollars a head at that time, 
and butchered them for his army. When Brock had him a pris- 
oner in IMontreal, and settled with him, he said, ' You stole those 
sheep after you had made the bargain, and shall pay for them,* 
and thus brought Hull in debt and served him right." 



himself, detained Elliott as a prisoner, carried him 
thirty miles, and then released him, retaining his 
horse, however, to aid in carrying the sick, and they, 
with Captain Brush and all his command and stores, 
successfully escaped to Ohio. 

The captured Ohio troops were paroled, and sent 
home by way of Cleveland. The Michigan militia 
were released. Most of the regular troops were 
conveyed in Hat-bottomed boats down the St. Law- 
rence to Montreal and Quebec, and some of them 
were literally "sent to Halifax." General Brock 



A confirmation of a part of this sheep story is 
found in Colonel J. Snelling's reply to " Hull's 
Memoirs," published in the Detroit Gazette for 
September 13 and 20, 1S25. Colonel Snelling said: 

Among the anomalies in our army was a corps commanded by a 
militi;i Lieutenant. I do not believe he reported to the adjutant- 
general, nor is his name mentioned in any of the papers of those 
days. My impression is that he received his orders directly from 
the General. This ofiicer, among other excursions, made one to 
Beldoon, a settlement then recently established by Lord Selkirk, 
My company had been ordered to recross the river, to be employed 
in ordinance duties, and I saw the Lieutenant and his detachment 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



279 



when they returned. They brought with them several articles of 
personal property, and a large flock of Merino sheep. These 
sheep were pastured in the public fields adjoining the fort, and in 
my walks on the ramparts, I saw them delivered daily, two and 
three at a time, to persons who appeared to be purchasers. 

.\s tlley were not slaughtered for the use of the troops, and as 
the tieneral passes over them in silence in his Mc.Tioirs, it may be 
inferred that in this Merino speculation he had other views than 
merely subsisting the army. Many of the sheep remained in the 
fields when Detroit was surrendered and were restored to Lord 
Selkirk's agent. I have introduced this circumstance only to 
show that we were in no immediate danger of starvation. 

Nothing could justify this outrage on private property, but an 
absolute scarcity in our camp. It was a direct violation of that 
clause of the General's proclamation in which he says to the in- 
habitants of Canada, " I promise you protection to your persons, 
property, and rights. Remain at your homes, pursue your peace- 
ful avocations, and raise not your arms against your brethren." 
This and similar transactions, 
particularly the plundering of 
Colonel Baby's house, materi- 
ally impaired the confidence of 
the Canadians in the General's 
promises, and lost him the re- 
spect of the army. 



me," she said, and leading the officer up stairs, she 
threw open a bedroom door, and, pointing to the old 
lady, said, " There, sir, is a British piece, all that I 
have. Seize her ! " The officer turned on his heel, 
made a spring, hit the top, the middle, and the 
lower .stair in his flight, and never called on Mrs. 
Dodemead again. 

While these events were in progress the governor 
of Ohio was collecting reinforcements for Hull's 
army, and had ordered the remaining portion of the 
detached militia of his State, amounting to twelve 
hundred men, to be gathered. The response was 
gratifying in the e.xtrcme. and the ranks were soon 
filled. The most prominent, intelligent, and wealthy 



HEGULATIOX f/ the Chn Gminminl of lh» 
TcnitoTj t>f2Iicl!gan,\ 



Wm 



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vr, 

'^tirerK.!,-^ fiUhanllnillir lllltilll Co'^n-i rift t^■^ ^^^^P.^Ti•^■- -^•■nr^ 



The taking of the 
sheep is also confirmed 
by the testimony of 
Colonel Cass at the time 
of Hull's trial. He said : 
" Another detachment 
* * * brought down a 
considerable number of 
sheep to the amount of 
several hundreds, which 
were taken care of at 
Detroit and its environs, 
when surrendered." 

Additional indications 
of the popular opinion as 
to Gen. Hull are found 
in the fact that the Bre- 
voort and other families 
preserve stories of a plan 
having been arranged to 
capture a British vessel, 
which was laden with 
provisions and lay near 

Bois Blanc Island; but after ever^'thing was in readi- 
ness, General Hull delayed and hesitated, and would 
not allow the project to be carried out. 

Soon after the surrender, officers were sent round 
to disarm the citizens. One of them came to the 
door of Mrs. Dodemead, who had in her care a little, 
old, dried-up. bedridden woman from Canada, 
whom she had kindly provided with a home. 
•• Madam," said the officer, as Mrs. Dodemead 
opened the door, " 1 am ordered by Colonel Proctor 
to disarm the citizens, and take all guns to the fort. 
Have you any in your house.'" Mrs. Dodemead 
replied that she had " one I5ritish piece." " Follow 



V. 

5tenpt2T erife tT.it aJfiatTBrjitia t;lt b; ZtfhjtS rfitntr.f.hj Re twWT 05. 
etr ID Ibc tailiur. 6r>no(olF»7ins JicUwfsUiniooniihtfrtr lo III iL.il litiTunr. 
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W ri'^ ira"c'r. bjaeeoUiaofiHnlie prepcrOnj«rialbiMl[iiirricpMiawBf. 'ITia 
UiciD-.Mciin A icttnacttMuiutBileTuTiioi; ofUuhfUt CuUbe^iidUUu^o. 

TTie oeBfttgneJ Win aS it vni C'>Tfmor of iTi; TotTIbix oC TCcVjia ftr ffio Trirf 
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I^g ■ foil nctyu^jUHailaalcrt^Etoaulihi* ah nf^ fpm tbo l^^i'i^ ■'fn'**fTnnl °^m 

GiWl v.flcr my hatidat Tiilrs'il fh JzrtvlvJirJ! ifay e>f 
Au^vfl.cntttioujand ei^ht hiimU id t-xd-jc, id la' ia> 
Jifi/jaimdjccT oj Ihs LU^ESSXS m^ttm 

( Sici>io ) HENRY r.TOCTEI?, 

A PROCLAMAT ION; 

Xtaiiioj cf Muh'^nn, 13:, tjc. 6e 



Wn 



FEREAS exiffingeircutnl-ancei rtnjtr !t nc 
wITaiy, Torlhe reaccAfjIcty ofihe (aid Tcniiorv, that rha 
Laws now In force ihcrein, Ihould, for the prefent, be futi 
pndei], & that Martial Law Ihould be Proclaimed: Now 
lt;=tcTorr.ItlictidHEMR» P80CTeR£fqr. J3o bviheft prc- 
fcBb declare, that, the Civil ir Criminal Law< na'.v in force, 
in (he /iid Tenltory (hall be (or the prefent furpeniJcd ; &. £ 
do orapr & diredt that the (aid Teifiiory ihall be Govemtd 
^y.^^l^tialXawumillfuch lime, u the Oengcr now cxiltir.g, 
^tobe apprehended, ihall be temorcd. And all Perfonjic. 
T Ung ■ttiihin the faid Termor>' ire lequired lo tAe Konc's 
cCthc£ul£lU^oclatnaiion, &toGoveia ihcmfclvcs accoid. 

Ci^rn utiAr my Han3& SrJal Drhal this fcuTiH 
4ay pj Fth: 1813, end in tfie sji year oJ hlS 

HEPrarpRociEa^ 



Reduced Fac-simile of Proctor^s Proclamations of iSis and 1813. 



young men of the country eagerly enrolled them- 
selves for ser\'ice. A new quota of Kentucky vol- 
unteers went into camp at Georgetown ; and by a 
strange coincidence, on August 16,' at the very time 
General Hull was capitulating at Detroit, Henr)* 
Clay was addressing these troops, anticipating in 
his address the fall of Maiden and the conquest of 
Upper Canada. 

The surrender of Detroit did not dishearten the 
Western States, neither did they propose to leave it 
in the hands of the British ; during all the fall of i S 1 2 
preparations and plans were being made for its re- 
capture, and in January, 181 3. General Winchester, 



2 So 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



in command of one of the divisions, was marcliing 
towards Detroit. On arriving at the rapids of the 
Maumee, he learned that the Indians were meditat- 
ing an attack on Frenchtown, in Monroe County, 
and immediately sent Colonels Allen and Lewis 
with six hundred and sixty men to defend the place. 
On January 18 they defeated the British and In- 
dians, and on the evening of the 20th General Win- 
chester arrived with three hundred additional troops. 
Soon after reaching Frenchtown, the scouts informed 
him that he would be attacked on the evening of the 
2ist by a force from Maiden. He did not credit 
the report, and therefore failed to make adequate 
preparations for defence. Early on the morning of 
January 22, his sentinels fired three guns in quick 
succession. The troops were instantly formed, and 
almost immediately the British opened a heavy fire 
on the camp from several pieces of artillery. This 
was quickly followed by a charge of British regulars, 
a general fire of small arms, and Indian yells on 
the right and left. 

The American army was soon in confusion. Lieu- 
tenant Garret, with fifteen or twenty men, retreated 
about a mile and a half, and then surrendered. All 
of his force were massacred, he alone escaping. 
Another party of about thirty men ran nearly three 
miles, but were overtaken by the savages, and, after 
they had surrendered, half of their number was 
shot and tomahawked. In short, the greater part 
of the retreating force fell a sacrifice to the fury of 
the Indians. The snow was so deep, and the cold 
so intense, that the troops were soon exhausted, and 
unable to elude their pursuers. 

After the surrender Colonel Proctor informed the 
American officers that his own wounded must be 
carried to Maiden in the first boats, but that early 
in the morning their wounded should also be re- 
moved; and that a guard, in the meantime, should 
be left with them. About twelve o'clock the pris- 
oners were marched off. Drs. Todd and Bowers, 
of the Kentucky volunteers, were left with the 
wounded. The only guard left to protect them was 
Major Reynolds and two or three interpreters. 
Soon after the British forces had left, a large body 
of Indians, painted black and red, came into the 
town. Their chiefs held a council, in which it was 
determined to kill all the wounded who were unable 
to march, to revenge their warriors lost in battle. 
The houses of Jean B. Jerome and Gabriel Godfroy, 
which contained most of the prisoners, were imme- 
diately set on fire, and the greater part of the 
wounded were consumed in the flames ; many, who 
were able to crawl, endeavored to get out of the 
windows, but as fast as they appeared, they were 
tomahawked, scalped, and pushed back alive. Some, 
who were not in these houses, were killed and 
thrown into the flames ; and others were scalped 



and mangled, and left lying in the road. Sworn 
testimony in abundance, subsequently submitted to 
Congress by Judge Woodward, shows that after 
these events the dead bodies were literally tlevoured 
where they lay, by hogs and dogs. 

In after years the citizens of Detroit did not fail 
to do honor to the heroes of Kentucky who were 
massacred at the Raisin. On June 22, 1818, a 
meeting was held at the council-house to take 
measures for collecting the remains of the Ameri- 
can officers and soldiers killed at the memorable 
battle of January 22, 1813. Governor Cass pre- 
sided. A committee was appointed to remove the 
remains from the river Raisin to Detroit, and on 
August 8, 1818, they were buried in the Protestant 
Burying Ground, with the honors of war. An 
oration appropriate to the occasion was delivered at 
the council-house by Samuel T. Davenport, and a 
large procession accompanied the honored relics to 
their new resting place. 

In 1S34 the box containing these remains (all of 
the skulls showing the mark of the tomakawk) was 
removed to the City Cemetery on Clinton Street; 
and from there again removed, in September, 1849,. 
by Colonel E. Brooks, who carried them, with other 
bones collected in Monroe County, to Frankfort, 
Kentucky. He arrived there on September 30, and 
the venerated remains were deposited, with appro- 
priate ceremonies, in the State Cemetery of Ken- 
tucky. 

After the massacre at the Raisin, the few who 
were judged able to march were taken to Maiden 
and Detroit, but when any of them gave out they 
were tomahawked without mercy. Those who could 
scarcely walk on account of wounded and bleeding 
feet were compelled to dance on the frozen ground 
for the amusement of the savages. 

On the arrival of the prisoners at Detroit, the 
inhabitants used great exertions to procure accom- 
modations for the wounded, and to ransom the 
prisoners from the Indians. Thirty-four or more 
were ransomed here, seven by Colonel Elliott of 
Maiden, and one by Colonel Francis Baby. Day 
after day, for a month, the prisoners were brought 
in; and with the characteristic sympathy of their 
sex, the women left ordinary duties undone that they 
might watch at their doors to bargain for the ran- 
som and relief of the sick and wounded. 

The unfortunate prisoners were literally hawked 
about the streets for sale, the price ranging from ten 
dollars to eighty dollars. The only question with 
the Indians seemed to be, whether they could get 
more goods for a live captive than for a fresh scalp. 
One account says, "They even dug up the dead 
bodies and tore off their scalps that they might cheat 
their employers by selling them at the same price as 
if taken from the newly dead." In their efforts to 



THE WAR OF 1S12. 



281 



satisfy the savages and release the noble Kentucki- 
ans who had volunteered for the rescue of Detroit, 
many citizens absolutely impoverished themselves. 
Household valuables, clothing, shawls, and blankets 
from the beds, were given in exchange for the cap- 
tives. 

General Cass, in an article contained in the North 
American Review for April, 1827, shows conclu- 
sively that the British Government did not ransom 
a single prisoner during the War of 1S12, and that 
a positive official order was issued prohibiting Amer- 
ican citizens from so doing. He also shows that the 
order of General Proctor, to allow five dollars for 
prisoners brought in alive, was not issued until July 
20, 18 1 3, long after the time when it could have 
saved the life of a single person, and then only five 
dollars a prisoner was offered, when scores had been 
ransomed by the Americans for fifty dollars and 
upwards each. 

The barbarities of the Indians were under the eye 
and by the consent of Proctor, whose name should 
be disassociated from the country he represented ; 
he was a creature without, honor or humanity, his 
character and his acts were infamous. Following up 
the impulses of his nature, in order to retaliate for 
the implied condemnation of his course by the 
earnest efforts of the inhabitants to ransom cap- 
tives, he forbade any further ransoming, and imme- 
diately after the massacre, in the middle of a cold 
winter, ordered all the leading Americans, some 
thirty in number, to leave the Territory. 

The following is a copy of one of the. original 
notifications, preser\'ed by the State Historical So- 
ciety : 

Detroit, ist Feb., 1813. 
Gentlemen, — 

I am ordered by Colonel Proctor to say that he e,xpects you will 
be prepared to leave the country on Friday ne.\t in company with 
a number of American citizens from this place. 

Gentlemen, your most ob't servant, 

William Jones. 
To Messrs, H. J. B. Brevoort and WilUain Macomb. 

These orders drew out a protest, which is given 
in full in Niles' Register, Volume V, page 185. It 
was dated February I, 1 81 3, and began as follows : 

Whereas, it has been signified to us, the undersigned, citizens of 
the United States, resident at Detroit, in the Territory of Michi- 
gan, by Colonel Henry Proctor, the British Commanding ofTicer, 
that it is his will and pleasure we should depart from and leave 
the said Territory, and he so orders and directs it; leaving behind 
at the same time, as we necessarily must do, our dearest relatives 
e-xposed to all the cruelties and evils incident to a state of war, and 
our property at the mercy of the marauding savages. 

The protest then recites the terms of the surrender 
of 1 81 2, claims that the order to leave is a gross 
violation of the conditions of surrender, and that it 
is the duty of the signers to resist the orders, and 
requests Judge Woodward to present the protest to 



Proctor. It was signed by Lewis Bond, David Mc- 
Lean, William Wilson, John Dicks, Arch. Lyon, 
Israel Taylor, Anderson Martin, William M. Scott, 
David Henderson, William Russell, Joseph Spencer, 
James Patterson, George R. Chittenden, W. Robert- 
son, John Walker, Conrad Seek, E. Brush, Conrad 
Ten Eyck, Peter Desnoyers, Robert Smart, James 
Burnett, Richard H. Jones, William Brown, J. Mc- 
Donnell, John Congsett, Duncan Reid, A. Langan, 
George Battzes, and James Chittenden. 

This protest produced no effect, and the citizens 
were compelled to leave. At this time, and from 
the day of the surrender to the day of re-occupation, 
thousands of Indians, men, women, and children, 
were collected in and about the town, and as many 
as twelve hundred rations daily were issued to them. 
The resources or the willingness of the British offi- 
cers finally became unequal to the task, and before 
the Americans, under General Harrison, had arrived, 
a mortality broke out among them that swept thou- 
sands to the grave. 

The inhabitants meantime were plundered in 
every possible way. Upon one occasion an Indian 
entered Major Dequindre's store, and taking a roll 
of cloth started for the door. The major leaped 
over the counter, took the cloth away, and drove 
him and a comrade out of the store. They instantly 
raised the war-cry, and Dequindre, seeing there was 
trouble ahead, locked the door, and ran to the fort 
to seek protection for himself and his goods. He 
was coolly told that nothing could be done. He 
then sought the aid of Colonel McKee, the British 
Indian agent. Meantime, nearly one thousand 
Indians had gathered at his store, and broken in his 
doors and windows. Colonel McKee, who had 
great influence over the Indians, persuaded them to 
follow him to the common. He then obtained three 
barrels of whiskey from Judge McDonnell and Rob- 
ert .Smart, and soon most of the savages were too 
drunk to fight successfully. The sober Indians 
were then stationed at the dwellings of citizens 
most likely to be attacked ; and, wrapped in their 
blankets, lay on the doorsteps as a guard. During 
the war the Canadians resident at Detroit protected 
their cattle by designating them with a red mark, 
and their houses were preserved from pillage by a 
similar sign. 

The following story of these times was related to 
Mrs. Ellet, author of the "Pioneer Women of the 
West," by General John E. Hunt of Toledo: 

On a beautiful Sunday morning in Detroit, I heard the scalp- 
whoop of a war party coming up the river. When they came 
near, I discovered that they were carrying a woman's scalp upon a 
pole, and that they had with them, as prisoners, a family of nine 
children, from three years old up tn two girls full grown. These 
little captives had nothing on their heads, and their clothes were 
lorn into shreds by the brushwood and the bushes in the way by 
which they had come. I went to meet them, brought them into 



2«2 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



my house, gave them and their Indian captors a meal, with a few 
loaves of bread for further use, and told the children nut to be 
frijLjhtened or uneasy, for that my brother would buy them from 
the Indians when he should return from Canada, whither he had 
gone to spend the Sabbath wttli his father-in-law. The next day 
the prisoners came again, an ompanied by about i'tve hundred 
Indians. My brother, H- J. Hunt, paid five hundred dollars for 
their ransom, and sent them home. * * * A young girl who 
had been thus rescued and taken into a family, seeing a party of 
Indians pass by one day, uttered a piercing shriek, and fell sense- 
less to the floor. On recovering consciousness, she declared that 
she had seen her mother's scalp in possession of one of the 
savages, recognizing it by the long light braid of hair. Her story 
was confirmed by a person who had seen the mother and daugliter 
brought with other prisoners from near Sandusky, Ohio. The 
mother being in feeble health, and unable to travel as fast as 
required, was tomahawked, her daughter being hurried on in 
ignorance of the cruel murder. 

Early in February, 1813, Proctor commenced to 
plan for the invasion of the valley of the Maumee. 
To this end, in April, Tecumseh and fifteen hundred 
Indians had collected at Maiden. They sailed, 
April 23, for P'ort Meigs, and attacked that place on 
May I, but it resisted all their efforts, and on May 
5 Proctor abandoned the attack, returned to Maiden, 
and disbanded the Canadian militia. 

The Americans were not inactive. Large bodies 
of militia were gathered in Ohio and Kentucky, and, 
under the leadership of General Harrison, were 
moving towards Detroit. Dr. Brunson, in his 
"Western Pioneer," gives the following account of 
soldier fare at the time the troops arrived at San- 
dusky Bay : 

We drew our pork and flour, but we had no camp equipage, not 
having yet reached our regiment. We kindled fires of drift-wood, 
found on the beach, and took the flour, some on pieces of bark, 
and some in dirty pocket handkerchiefs. If we had cups, we 
ladled the water from the bay into the flour, and those who had no 
cups lifted the water with Ihi-ir two hands so arranged as to form 
a cup. The flour thus wet, without salt, yeast, or shortening, was 
baked, some on pieces of bark before the fire, hoe-cake or johnny- 
cake fashion. Some removed the fire, and put the dough into the 
hot sand, wrapped in leaves or paper. Our pork we cooked in the 
blaze of the fire, on the points of sticks. 

Other details are thus narrated : 

The country was infested with Indians, accompanied by British 
regulars, and we expected an attack every night for ten days. 
General Harrison said that his spies reported five thousand regu- 
lars and sL\ thousand Indians on the way for that purpose; and 
knowing that his army of twenty-five hundred men could not 
resist eleven thousand, he made a requisition on Governor Meigs, 
of Ohio, for four thousand militia, who were on the march to assist 
us. The spies reported that the enemy had left Fort Meigs, on 
the Maumee River, and were heading toward our camp. In view 
of the near approach of the enemy, the General thought it prudent 
to fall back toward Upper Sandusky, till he met Governor Meigs, 
with his reinforcement, and then return to the fight; but he could 
not retreat and leave Major Croghan at Fort Stevenson, with one 
hundred and forty-three men, where, with such a force against 
them, they must be cut off. The General therefore sent an express 
to the Major to burn his fort, and everything in it that his men 
could not carry on their backs, and retreat on the cast side of the 
river, so as to be at Seneca at reveille the next morning. Hut it 
so happened — fortunately, as it turned out— that the express 



missed his way, got lost in the woods, and did not reach the Major 
till the next day at ten o'clock A. .M. In the meantime, everything 
was prepared by <_".eneral Harrison's army at Seneca for a retreat 
at reveille that morning. * * * Morning came, and no troops 
from the little fort. It would not do to retreat and leave them. 
A council nf war was called to decide what ^.hould be done. * * 
When General Cass was asked his opinion, he said, " General, you 
are in command; you must do as you think best." *' But," said 
Harrison, " two heads are better than one, and I want your opin- 
ion." "Well, it is my opinion, then, that we would better not 
retreat till we see something to retreat from." This settled the 
question, and every man was set at work to strengthen our 
defences and prepare for the worst. 

Major Croghan, knowing that the failure of the express to reach 
him in time to obey the order would thwart the General's designs, 
and that he must wait for further orders, and as his own spies had 
reported only hundreds, where the General's had reported thou- 
sands, believed that he could defend the little fort, if attacked, 
before another order could be received. As he had to wait for 
further orders, he sent the express back with this letter: " I have 
men enough, ammunition enough, and provisions enough, and 
d n me if I quit the fort." 

The express reached headquarters with this insolent letter 
about sundown. The General, of course, was nettled. The 
Major was a pet of his; had seen ser\'ice with him through the 
war, from Tippecanoe to this time ; and to get such a letter from 
his pet was rather too much for his friendship to bear ; and, be- 
sides, subordination must be preserved or the army would be 
ruined. 

The next morning Colonel Wells was ordered to the command 
of the little fort, and Colonel Ball, with his two hundred dra- 
goons, was ordered to escort him down to it. and bring up Major 
Croghan under arrest. About noon, the order was executed, and 
the little Major, only nineteen years of age, was brought into 
camp a prisoner. ♦ * ♦ When the Major appeared before him 
he sprang to his feet, and with vehemence said, " Major Croghan, 
how came you to send me that insolent letter? " " Why, General, 
didn't the express explain it ? " " Explain it ! What explanation 
can be given to such a letter as that ? " " Why, General, did n't 
he tell you that he did n't get there till yesterday morning at ten 
o'clock ? " " Yes, he told me that. But what has that to do with 
this letter ? " " Why, you know I could n't evacuate the fort, and 
get here by reveille of the morning previous." " Of course not." 
" Well. I knew that your plans must be thwarted by the circum- 
stance, and that I must wait for further orders ; and believing 
that I was completely invested by the enemy, and that the express 
and the letter would fall into his hands, 1 determined, if it did, to 
send him as bullying a one as possible. But I told the express, 

the d d rascal, that if he got through with it to explain it to 

you. Didn't he do it, General?" "No, he did n't." "Why, 
General, you know that I understand my business, and the duties 
of a subordinate too well to send you such a letter, under any 
other circumstances." *' Why, certainly, 1 thought so ; and that 
was the mystery of the case. But how could I understand it 
without an explanation ? and with this I am satisfied." And 
before night the Major was restored to his command. * * * 
In two days after his return, he fought the memorable battle of 
Fort Stevenson, having but one hundred and forty-three men to 
repulse eleven hundred of the enemy. 

General Proctor, who was thus defeated, had at 
first determined to attack Fort Meigs. He collected 
a large number of savages, and reached the fort on 
July 25. but after a two days' attack they retired, 
and proceeded to attack Fort Stevenson near San- 
dusky, where Croghan was in command. The- 
result has been already stated : Proctor lost nearly 
as many men as the entire number of the garrison, 
and, on August 3, retreated. 



THE WAR OF i8i2. 



283 



During these weeks the American fleet had been 
gathering at Erie, and on September 10 Oliver 
Hazard Perry won, at Put-in-Bay, a most complete 
and brilliant victory over the liritish fleet. " If a 
victory is to be gained, I will gain it," said Perry, as 
he sailed across the bay. Full well he proved his 
words, and " W'e have met the enemy and they are 
ours" was the laconic of his day. 

On September 20 he tran.sported Harri.son's army 
from Port Clinton to Put-in-Iiay Island ; on the 24th 
they proceeded to Middle Sister Island, and on thi- 
27th arrived at Maiden. The news of Perry's vic- 
tory, and the onward movement of Harrison's army, 
reached Proctor on October 26. He immediately 
commenced to send his heavy baggage and supplies 
up the river, and on September 28 the last of the 
liritish army left Detroit. Mr. Coffin, in his "War 
of 181 2," says that Proctor "transported all the 
guns across the river to * * * Windsor. His 
retreat * * * was deliberately organized and 
judiciously planned." He "sent off his heavy bag- 
gage, reserve supplies, women and children, in 
advance ; and on the 28th finally relinquished De- 
troit, and fell back upon British territory." In his 
retreat he pressed into his service all the horses 
which the inhabitants had not effectually concealed. 
One only — and that a very indifferent one — was 
left, and this was appropriated by Governor Shelby. 
The American army proceeded from Maiden to 
Sandwich, where they arrived on the 29th. 

Meantime the inhabitants at Detroit were all in 
anxious expectation of the troops. A daughter of 
Judge May, afterwards Mrs. Colonel Edward Brooks, 
found the old flag, which had been secreted by the 
judge in his garret, and it was hoisted on the top 
of the old Mansion House. The same day, the 
29th, the army arrived at Sandwich, and immedi- 
ately on their arrival. General McArthur came over 
and took possession of the town. When his troops 
landed there were about six hundred Indians back 
of the town jerking beef. They abandoned their 
occupation hurriedly as soon as he came, decamping 
in such haste that they left enough meat behind to 
sup[)ly the brigade for several days. 

The Kentucky soldiers — with their blue hunt- 
ing-shirts, red belts, and blue pantaloons fringed 
with red — met with a hearty welcome; even be- 
fore they landed many were weeping tears of joy 
as they saw the old flag again waving over their 
homes. 

The fort was newly christened Fort Shelby, in 
honor of the brave Governor of Kentucky, who, 
when sixty-three years of age, had marched at the 
head of his troops to the relief of Detroit. His 
State, during the War of 1812, up to October 12, 
1813, had sent over 17,375 troops to the field, and 



at one time, in October, 18 13, had over 7,000 soldiers 
in the army. 

On the evening of September 25, 1813, Colonel 
R. M. Johnson, then at Fort Meigs with a regiment 
of Kentucky cavaln,-, received orders from General 
Harrison to march immediately to the river Rai.sin, 
as it was probable that the army would land the 
next day on the Canada shore. Johnson's force 
pressed forward, stopping at I-'renchtown long 
enough to bury the remains of the Kentuckians 
massacred the previous January, and late in the 
forenoon of September 30 the head of the column 
emerged from the woods of Springwells. The 
entire population of the town gathered along the 
river-road to greet the eleven hundred horsemen as 
they thundered by. Colonel Johnson and his army 
crossed over to Sandwich on October i, and on the 
2d Harrison and Shelby, with thirty-five hundred 
troops, left Detroit in pursuit of Proctor, — Perry, 
with the Ariel and the Caledonia, going up the 
river. When fifteen miles up the Thames, Perry 
with his troops left the vessels and accompanied the 
ami)-. 

The battle of the Thames was fought on fJctober 
5. Proctor was defeated, and Tecumseh killed. 
Perry and Harrison returned to Detroit, October 7, 
the army under Governor Shelby arriving on the 
loth. 

Several days were spent in taking care of the 
British prisoners, many of whom were sent to 
Chillicothe. Soon after October 16, General Har- 
rison started for Niagara, reaching Buffalo the 24th 
of October. General Cass was left in command at 
Detroit with the Seventeenth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty- 
seventh, and Twenty-eighth Regiments of United 
States Infantry, and Captain, Sholes' company of 
artillery. A few days later a regiment of Pennsyl- 
vania militia came. (General Cass, as brigadier- 
general of the United States army commanding 
the Western District of Upper Canada, exercised 
authority in both civil and military matters ; and 
many commissions are in existence issued by him 
to sheriffs, auctioneers, and other officers in Canada. 

Before winter set in General Cass, Colonel Paul 
of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, and many other 
officers left Detroit, and the command devolved 
upon Colonel Butler, with Colonel George Croghan 
as second in command. Concerning this period, 
one of the soldiers says, " To prepare for winter we 
had a heavy job before us. The British had burned 
the fort, leaving nothing but the heavy earthworks. 
They left nothing combustible, not a board or stick 
of timber, and we were compelled to go to the 
woods, from one to three miles distant, or to the 
islands, still further, to get logs and poles with 
which to build huts to winter in. Until these could 



?84 



THE WAR OF 1S12. 



be got ready, we occupied tents and vacant houses 
in the city." 

Before they had got into their winter quarters the 
army was attacked by an enemy which decimated 
their ranks to an extent far greater than their losses 
by battle. A disease, similar in action to the cholera, 
carried them off by hundreds. Some of the citizens 
were also among the victims. Reliable accounts 
say that fully seven hundred soldiers died in a few 
weeks. "The surgeons treated their patients as for 
common bilious attacks, but they died as many as 
six or eight a day. The surgeons had been care- 
less, and more intent upon their own comfort than 
that of the sick, until they became alarmed for their 
reputation and office, when, by a post mortem 
examination, they discovered the nature of the dis- 
ease, and then put a stop to it." The entire army 
on the northern frontier was similarly affected. At 
Detroit so great was the demand for coffins that 
finally no one was able to procure them ; and pits 
were dug near the fort, in which many soldiers were 
buried together as in one grave. Such was the 
excitement and the fear of infection that burial 
immediately followed death, and in at least one case 
a man was about being buried before death had 
taken place. He was rescued by Victor Morass. 
A general order required the dead to be buried at 
twelve, noon. A squad of men under arms, with 
muffled drums, were in attendance, and one salute 
was fired over the common grave. 

In 1823 the plain where the soldiers were buried 
was used as the parade-ground, and was covered 
with the tents of the soldiers then in the garrison. 
(See Cemeteries.) By January 23, 1814, the epi- 
demic had passed away, and the troops were in fair 
health. Other events of this time are thus detailed 
by Dr. Brunson : 

As the spring of 1S14 opened, the DritisK were gatherini: in 
force at the head of the Thames, threatening to descend upon 
Detroit. A flag-oflicer was sent to our headquarters on some 
business, real or pretended, and while there, a regiment of Penn- 
sylvania militia, whose term of si.\ months service had expired, 
demanded their discharge. No arguments or patriotic persuasions 
could induce them to remain till another regiment that was to 
relieve them should arrive. Their time was out and they must 
go, and go they would, and go they did. Means were taken to 
have them leave the place by a back way, and not to pass by the 
window where the flag officer was quartered — being headquarters ; 
but no, they were free men now and they would go where they 
pleased, and the whole regiment went by, and in sight of the 
officer, in an unarmed and helter-skelter manner. This must be 
counteracted, or the officer might make such a report to his chief 
as would induce an immediate attack upon us. 

To do this, the Seventeenth Regiment of Infantry, whose quar- 
ters were outside, and east of the fort, just about sundown shoul- 
dered their guns and knapsacks, and moved stealthily round back 
of the fort, and down towards Springwells, and then marched up 
the road by the headquarters, straggling along as if greatly 
fatigued from a long and hard march. It was beginning to be 
dark, so that they could not be seen distinctly from the window 
of the officer, to enable him to form an opinion of their number; 
but the line stretched along for half a mile or more. As the head 



of the column came up by the gate, at headquarters. Colonel 
Croghan, by order of Colonel Butler, who was in command, went 
out to and conversed with the officer in command of the new- 
comers, to receive his report. After talking some time, while the 
cohmin was straggling along by, the new officer leaned against 
the fence, as if greatly fatigued from the long march. 

In the meantime the door of the flag-ofiicer's room was pur- 
posely left ajar, so that he could hear what was said in the hall 
between the two Colonels. 

When Colonel Croghan came in, he reported to Colonel IJutler 

that the troops just passing were under command of Major , 

that they were the advance of General 's Brigade of Regulars, 

who would reach there the next day; that this advance had made 
a forced march of thirty-si.x miles that day, on account of the 
militia's leaving, of which they had learned by the express sent 
them, thinking possibly they might be needed, etc. 

All this reached the flag-officer's ear at nightfall. The next 
morning he was hoodwinked and put across the river, and led 
some distance, too far off to see anything of the force or fortifica- 
tions of the place, when he was let loose with a flea in his ear. 
It had its desired and designed effect, for the enemy kept at a 
respectful distance, and made no attack. 

In Februar\', 1S14, Colonel Butler determined to 
attack some of the advanced posts of the enemy, 
and Captain Holmes, with a detachment of regulars 
and some Michigan rangers and militia, was directed 
to march against Fort Talbot, situated about one 
hundred miles eastward on Lake Erie ; or, if he 
should deem it more advisable to make an attack 
on the enemy at Delaware, he was authorized to 
change his destination to that place. On March 3 
they had a skirmish with the British at Longwoods, 
but no important results were secured, and the force 
returned to Detroit. About this time Colonel But- 
ler obtained leave to return to Kentucky ; and the 
command at Detroit devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel 
Croghan; soon after, on March 21, the Americans 
evacuated Maiden. 

The presence of Indians in the vicinity of Detroit 
made the obtaining of fuel of any kind, especially 
dry wood, almost impossible ; and the troops during 
the winter made free use of the stockade and the 
fences of some of the inhabitants. In 1S24 Con- 
gress appropriated SjOo to the heirs of Mr. Brush, 
and $363.60 to Solomon Sibley for fences destroyed. 
And as late as 1830, $70 was appropriated to James 
Abbott to pay a similar claim. 

During 1814 the Indians again became trouble- 
some, and the following letter was addressed to 
the adjutant-general of the Territory : 

Detroit, 21st April, 1S14. 
To Col. McDougall: 
Sir, — 

The threatening manner of the Indians of the River Huron 
renders it essential that an expedition should march against them 
in thirty-six hours ; the least delay would prove dangerous ; it 
would allow them to concentrate. Could not one hundred and 
fifty or two hundred militia be collected ? Use your utmost en- 
deavors to effect it. 

Let to-morrow, ten o'clock .\. M., be appointed as the hour of 
rendezvous. Tell the militia they will be kept only for ten days. 
Yours, 

G. Croghan, 

Lt. Col. Cont'd. 



THE WAR OF 1812. 



285 



On the original order is this endorsement : 

Mem. — 2ist April, 1814, I complied with the above order, and 
drafted seven orders to the respective Captains of the 1st Reg't, 
which were signed by Colonel Godfroy, to assemble their com- 
panies at Detroit to-morrow at ten A. m. In the afternoon Colonel 
Croghan countermanded these orders, and the militia were 
directed to hold themselves in readiness at a moment's warning 
for marching at the Indians. 

Geo. McDougall, A. G. T. M. 



In April, 1814, Arthur St. Clair, son of Governor 
St. Clair, was placed in command of a fleet of five 
vessels for an expedition against Mackinaw. They 
left Detroit about the first of July, and effected a 
landing at Mackinaw ; but finding the post too 
strong for them, they returned on August 23. On 
July 20, 1814, General Harrison concluded a treaty 
of peace at Greenville with some of the Indian 
tribes, after which a number of Indians returned 
with Colonel Cass to Detroit to assist in fighting the 
unfriendly tribes, who were continually traversing 
the country and troubling the inhabitants. 

The Indians were so bold that they attempted to 
drive off cattle in full view of the fort ; and the guns 
had to be opened upon them to make them desist. 
One of their exploits, which took place on Septem,- 
ber 15, 1814, as narrated by William McVey to 
Judge Witherell, was as follows: 

David and William Burbank and myself were sitting down at 
the Deer Park, on the Macomb (now the Cass) farm, near where 
Lafayette street crosses it, watching our cows. Mr. McMillan and 
Archy passed us. We spoke to them about some apples they 
were eating. They passed on towards some cows that were feed- 
ing near the bushes, — the bushes then came down to near where 
the Capitol now stands. We kept our eyes on them, thinking 
danger might be near. When they approached within gunshot of 
the bushes, w-e saw three or four guns fired, and Mr. McMillan 
fall. The Indians instantly dashed upon them and took off his 
scalp. Archy, on seeing that his father was killed, turned and 
ran towards us with all the speed that his little legs could supply. 
A savage on horseback pursued hira. As he rode up, and stooped 
to seize him, the brave little fellow, nothing daunted, turned and 
struck the horse on the nose with a rod which he happened to 
have in his hand. The horse turned off at the blow, and Archy 
put forth his best speed again. Again the Indian came on, but a 
second blow made the horse sheer off again; and this was repeated 
several times, until, fearful of losing his prize, the savage sprang 
from his horse, seized the boy and dragged him off to the woods, 
and thence he was taken to Saginaw. 

In order to stop these forays. Governor Cass 

called for volunteers, and a company was raised consisting of 
Judge Moran, Judge Conant, Captain Francis Cicotte, James 
CicoUe, George Cicotte, Colonel H. J, Hunt, General Lamed, 
William Meldrura, John Meldrum, James Meldrum, James Riley, 
Peter Riley, John Riley, Lambert Beaubien, John B. Beaubien, 
Joseph Andre, dit Clark, Louis Moran, Louis Dequindre, Lambert 
la Foy, Joseph Riopelle, Joseph Visger, Jack Smith, Ben Lucas, 
and John Ruland, with Governor Cass in command. They were 
mounted on ponies, and armed with shot-guns, rifles, swords, and 
even tomahawks. They moved along up the bank of the river to 
the Witherell farm, the west line of which is now Dequindre 
street, rode up a lane to the woods back of the town, and found 
an Indian camp, from which the Indians had just fled; so sudden 



was the surprise that the Indians left their meat roasting on sticks 
before a fire. They also found the hat of Archy McMillan. Fol- 
lowing closely after the Indians, they came upon them in rear of 
the Cass farm and killed several; at least, an old squaw, who came 
into town a few days after, so reported. After this skirmish, tlie 
company marched to the Rouge, drove a band of savages out of 
that seftleraent, and returned to Detroit on the evening of the 
same day. 

The same month Governor Cass wrote from De- 
troit to General McArthur, who w'as probably then 
at Urbana, Ohio: 

The Indians have recommenced hostilities on every side of us. 
They are murdering the people and breaking up the settlements. 
There is now a large force of them in the immediate vicinity of 
this place, most probably within a mile, with the avowed purpose 
of attacking the town. We have no force adequate to the defense 
of the country, and none of the description proper for the pursuit 
of Indians. My opinion is that you should hasten on with the 
mounted men with all possible expedition. 

Soon after, on October 9, General McArthur ar- 
rived with seven hundred mounted riflemen to pro- 
tect the city. Not long after General Brown's army, 
at Fort Erie, was in a critical condition, and McAr- 
thur determined to form a junction with him. He 
went up to Lake St. Clair, crossed into Canada, and 
proceeded to Dover, defe*;ing the enemy several 
times. But on learning that General Izzard had 
abandoned Fort Erie, the detachment returned, 
reaching Sandwich on November 17. 

In Januar)-, 181 5, Governor Shelby called for one 
thousand militia to relieve the troops under Mc- 
Arthur. By this time the war was practically 
ended. The British officials, however, persisted in 
their search of American vessels, and in June, 1815, 
several vessels, while passing Fort Maiden, were 
stopped and examined for British deserters. Gover- 
nor Cass sent a strong remonstrance to the com- 
mandant at Fort Maiden, but it was of no avail. 
In addition to these difficulties, Indians from the 
other side came over and plundered the inhabitants 
on Grosse Isle and other islands. 

On October 4, 181 5, D. R. Macomb found several 
Indians encamped upon his land at Grosse Isle, and 
near by the remains of several of his cattle, which, 
it was evident, the Indians had killed. He remon- 
strated, and the Indians threatened; one of them 
levelled his gun at Macomb, and was instantly shot 
by one of Macomb's men. 

The Canadian authorities took up the quarrel on 
behalf of the Indians, and offered a reward of five 
hundred dollars for the arrest of the murderer. As 
the offense was committed on American soil. Gover- 
nor Cass was justly incensed at their interference, 
and by proclamation required all citizens to resist 
by force any attempt by Canadian authority to 
apprehend the man while within .American jurisdic- 
tion. 

These occurrences caused much bitter feeling; 



286 



THE WAR OF 1S12. 



and for many years the sentiment along the border 

was the opposite of what it is to-day. 

Date of ReociUpation. 

The date of the reoccupation of Detroit by the 
American troops in 1813 has been the subfeet of 
much controversy. 

September 28 was settled upon by a few persons 
as the date, and was so celebrated in 1876. It was 
not claimed, liowever, that the date was confirmed by 
any official dispatch, or sustained by definite written 
or oral testimony from any individual who was con- 
temporary with the occurrence. It was merely an 
opinion, founded chiefly upon a comparison of dates. 
So much prominence was given to it by reason of 
the celebration referred to, that it seems desir- 
able, in assigning another date, to be very full and 
e.xact. 

In obtaining materials for this work, an amount 
of testimony has been gathered which, from its 
character and completeness, fixes the date of reoc- 
cupation as September 29 with a certainty which 
admits of no controversy. The evidence upon 
which the date of September 29 rests is as follows : 
In an address delivered before the Historical So- 
ciety, which numbered among its members the lead- 
ing men of Detroit, Captain Henry Whiting said : 
" Detroit was occupied on September 29." He 
gives this date separate from all others ; if he had 
been at all in error, it is reasonable to suppose that 
some correction would have been made in the vol- 
ume containing his discourse, which was published 
by the Historical Society; or that General Cass, 
who was himself engaged in the war, and was a 
member of the Society, and probably one of his 
audience, would have corrected publicly so import- 
ant a date, if a mistake had been made. General 
Cass, however, not only did not attempt to correct 
the date, but he endorsed its correctness by allow- 
ing it to be given in his Life, prepared by W. T. 
Young, and published by Markham & Elwood in 
1852, while he was still living. On page 65 Mr. 
Young says, "On the 29th of September General 
Harrison moved up to Sandwich, opposite Detroit, 
crossed over, and took possession of the town and 
territory." 

In Volume I. of Michigan Territorial Laws, as 
reprinted by the State in 1871, on page 145. is an 
Act of October 4, 18 14, which provides for the ap- 
pointment, by the governor, of three auditors to in- 
quire into and liquidate debts due to the Territory, 
or to the County of Wayne. The Act specially 
provides that •' all debts accruing before the i6th of 
August, 181 2. and those which have accrued since 
September 28, 1813," shall be kept separate. This 
Act was passed so soon after the war that it is rea- 
sonable to presume that the dates given in it were 



the actual dates. About the date of August 16, 
there has been no controversy. If the Americans 
entered on the 28th, as has been claimed, the Act 
in all probability would have provided for the settle- 
ment of debts accruing on and from that day, 
instead of specially providing for the settlements 
of debts accruing after that date. 

Volume v., of Niles' Register, page 174, contains 
the following, from the Chillicothe Fredonian : 

Detroit, October ii, 1813. 
On the 27th ult. we landed on the Canada shore three miles 
below Maiden, and marched up to its ruins without opposition the 
same afternoon. We found Maiden burnt; all movable public 
property either taken away or destroyed; and the enemy flown. 
The ne.xt day we marched on in pursuit towards Sandwich; 
arrived there on the 2cith; crossed over to Detroit the same day, 
where we were greeted with tearful eyes and joyous hearts by the 
poor plundered inhabitants. 

A letter from Governor Isaac Shelby to General 
Harrison, dated Frankfort, April 21, 1816, contained 
in Todd and Drake's Life of Harrison, page 94, 
says, " It is well recollected that the army arrived at 
Sandwich in the afternoon of the 29th of Septem- 
ber." On page 98 of the same book, the date is 
leiterated in the following words : 

When the army reached Sandwich on the 29th, General Mc- 
Arthur was detached, with his brigade, to retake possession of 
Detroit, which for thirteen months had been in possession of the 
British and Indians. The latter did not leave it until startled by 
a few rounds from one of our vessels. On the .same day the Gen- 
eral, seizing the first moment to abrogate the martial law in force 
by Proctor, re-established the civil government of Michigan, to 
the great joy and relief of the inhabitants. 



Colonel C. S. Todd, one of the authors of the 
book just quoted, was an ensign at the time, and 
was afterwards promoted. 

General McArthur, in a letter to the Secretary of 
War, dated October 6, 1813, given in Volume V., 
page 129, of Niles' Register, says, "On our arrival 
at Sandwich, my brigade was ordered across the 
river to disperse some Indians who were pillaging 
the town, and to take possession of the place." 
John McDonald, who was a soldier in the army, and 
author of " Western Sketches," published in 1838, 
in narrating the life of General Duncan McArthur, 
says, " On the 28th we passed the Aux Canards. 
* * * The next day we reached Sandwich, at two 
o'clock in the afternoon. At the same time the 
fleet came up the river to Detroit i< * * Ball's 
legion and McArthur 's brigade passed over to De- 
troit." 

Moses Dawson, a soldier in Harrison's army, and 
afterward editor of the Cincinnati Advertiser, pub- 
lished a Life of General Harrison at Cincinnati in 
1824, and on page 421 he says, "The army left 
Maiden on the 28th, and entered Sandwich on the 



THE WAR OF 1S12. 



287 



29th ; and General McArthur's brigade crossed over 
and took possession of Detroit. On the same even- 
ing General Harrison issued his proclamation for 
re-establishing the civil government of the terri- 
tory." 

In 1816 Robert B. McAfee, a soldier of the War 
of 181 2, published at Le.xington, Kentucky, a " His- 
tory of the Late War in the Western Country." In 
his preface he says, " In procuring materials for this 
work, the author is greatly indebted to General 
Harrison and Governor Shelby for the many valu- 
able documents they furnished, particularly their 
correspondence with the War Department, and with 
each other. * * * ;\lost of these papers will 
remain in the possession of Colonel C. S. Todd, sub- 
ject to be examined by any person who may wish to 
see the authorities on which any statement in this 
history is founded." 

On page 374 he states that " General AIcArthur 
went over with his brigade and took possession of 
Detroit ; and, on the same evening. General Harri- 
son issued his proclamation for re-establishing the 
civil government." 

It is well known that Harrison's proclamation 
was dated September 29, and it is given in full, 
and so dated, in Volume V. of Niles' Register, 
page 173. 

S. R. Brown, in his " Views of the Campaigns of 
the Northwestern Army," published at Philadelphia 
in 1815, on page 64 says, " On the 28th we reached 
Au.\ Canards. * * * The next day we reached 
Sandwich, * * * and the brigades of McArthur 
and Cass crossed over to Detroit. ' 

In Volume I., page 275, of a work entitled "A 
Full and Correct Account of the Military Occur- 
rences of the Late War between Great Britain and 
the United States of America," by W. James, Lon- 
don, 1818, the author say-s, "On the 29th General 
Harrison was enabled to send another portion of his 
force, under Brigadier-General McArthur, across to 
the opposite town of Detroit." 

In the Life of Conunodore Perry, written by Alex- 
ander Slidell McKenzie — who had the use of Perry's 
papers from his son, G. C. Perry — this passage oc- 
curs, Volume I., page 300: "The army took pos- 
session of Sandwich on the 29th. * * * On 
the same day General Harrison embarked with 
General McArthur's brigade, seven hundred strong, 
in the squadron, and proceeded with Captain Perry 
to take possession uf Detroit." 

This ends the evidence, and such evidence must 
end the controversy. 

Distress after the War. 

After Proctor's defeat, Detroit was so full of fam- 
ished savages that the rations issued to them failed 



to satisfy their hunger, and their squaws and children 
sought among the refuse of the slaughter-houses for 
any morsel that could be eaten. It was not the 
savages alone that were hungry. There was great 
scarcity of provisions, and much suffering among all 
classes for several years. On February 26, 1S14, 
President Madison addressed the following letter to 
Congress : 

To ike Si^naie and House o/ Representat i7'cs o/ the United 
States .' 

Tt has appeared that, at the recover}- of the Michigan Territory 
from the temporary pos.sessi«>ii of the enemy, the inhabitants 
thereof were left in so destitute and distressed a condition as to re- 
(}uire from the public stores certain supplies essential to their sub- 
sistence, which have been prolonged under the same necessity 
which called for them. 

The deplorable situation of the savages, thrown by the same 
event on the mercy and humanity of the American commander at 
Detroit, drew from the same source the means of saving them 
from perishing from famine; and in other places the appeals made 
by the wants and sufferings of that unhappy description of people 
have been equally imperious. 

The necessity imposed by the conduct of the enemy in relation 
to the savages, of admitting their co-operation, in some instances, 
with our arms, has also involved occasional expense in supplying 
their wants; and it is possible that a perseverance of the enemy in 
their cruel policy may render a further expense for like purpose 
inevitable. On these subjects an estimate from the I'epartment 
of W'ar will be laid before Congress, and I recommend a suitable 
provision for them. 

James Madison. 

Further information of the deplorable condition of 
Michigan at this time is contained in the following 
extract from a letter, dated March 5, 1815, from 
Judge Woodward to James Monroe, Secretary of 
State : 

The desolation of this territory is beyond all conception. No 
kind of flour or meal to be procured, and nothing for the subsist- 
ence of the cattle. No animals for slaughter, and more than half 
of the population destitute of any for domestic or agricultural 
purposes. 

The fencing of their farms entirely destroyed by the incursions 
of the enemy, and for fuel for the military. Their houses left 
without glass, and in many instances even the flooring burnt. 
Their clothing plundered from them by the Indians. It isa literal 
fact, and it will scarcely be deemed permissible to shock the feel- 
ings of human nature so much as to state it, that the inhabitants 
of the river Raisin have been obliged to resort to chopped hay 
boiled for subsistence. Many, possessing neither firmness of mind 
or body sufficient to sustain the calamities with which they have 
been assailed, have sunk into the asylum where the wicked cease 
to trouble and the weary are at rest. 

In response to these statements, on May 25, 1815, 
the Secretary of War authorized Governor Cass 
to distribute fifteen hundred dollars to the settlers 
of the Raisin, and the money was expended in 
flour. 

The following official order gives details of the 
methods employed to distribute the relief afforded 
by the General Government : 



288 



THE WAR OF i8i: 



Adjutant Gkneual's Office of Militia, i 

HEAgUARTERS, DETROIT, Sept. 23, 1815. f 
MILITIA GENERAL ORDERS. 

The Governor is authorized by the War Department to issue to 
the indigent and distressed people of the Territory such relief of 
provisions from the public stores as their necessities may require. 
In order that the public bounty may not be misapplied, the (.Gov- 
ernor has determined that a certificate shall be given by the com- 
manding officer of the company in whose bounds the applicant 
resides, stating his infirmity or inability to support himself, which 
certificate shall, if the person be of the Roman Catholic Religion, 



be countersigned by the Reverend M. Richard and a Justice of 
the Peace; and if the person be not of the Roman Catholic Re- 
ligion, it shall be countersigned by two Justices of the Peace. 
* * * The Governor will not injure the officers of the Territory 
by supposing, for a moment, that they will not cheerfully lend 
every assistance, as well to help the indigent and distressed, as to 
prevent improper persons from obtaining that bounty which, as 
it is generously bestowed, should be sacredly applied. 

Ey command of His Excellency the Commander in Chief. 
Geo. McDougall, 

Adj. GerCi of Michigan. 



CHAPTER XLII, 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. — AN ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF "HULL'S 
TRIAL," "HULL'S MEMOIRS," AND "DEARBORN'S DEFENSE." 



Shortly after tlie surrender of Detroit, General 
Hull was officially charged with treason, cowardice, 
unolTicerlike conduct, and neglect of duty. His 
trial on these charges began at Albany on Januarj' 
3, and ended on March 28, 1S14. He was acquitted 
of treason, but found guilty of the other charges. 

So far as I am aware, the e\ndence introduced at 
the trial, and the publications that grew out of it, 
ha%e never been reviewed by any resident of De- 
troit ; and after careful inquiry and e.xamination, I 
am confident that no one has ever examined the 
question in the light of facts that are now accessible. 
\\'hen the gathering of material for this work was 
begun, I did not e.xpect to devote much space to 
Governor Hull or his administration. Information 
that has fallen in my way compels me, in the interest 
of truth, and of those whom he and his defenders 
denounce, to review certain statements made by 
him and by others in his behalf. Some of the at- 
tempts to defend him are marvels of mendacity, and 
it is doubtful if the annals of history afYord an in- 
stance of more persistent effort to excuse crimes 
and blunders than the endeavors made to excuse 
and defend General Hull. In their efforts at de- 
fence, both General Hull and his friends claimed 
that President Madison was a cowardly political 
trickster ; Secretary of War Eustis, a possible 
traitor ; General Henry Dearborn, a fool or a knave, 
or both; Colonel Cass, a Catiline, and that, in fact 
(this is the logic of his defense and defenders), all 
of his subordinate officers as well were without wis- 
dom or honesty, and animated in all their conduct, 
after the surrender, by the basest of motives. 

It is creditable to General Hull that he was able 
to find defenders among his relatives, and equally 
creditable to them that they state their relationship. 
No one, therefore, need be misled into thinking 
that they viewed the affair from an unprejudiced 
stand -point. " Hull's Memoirs," first published 
in a newspaper, were subsequently gathered and 
printed in book form, and thus found their way into 
many libraries. General H. A. S. Dearborn pub- 
lished a reply, in defense of his father, in the Ameri- 
can Statesman, of Boston. In 1824 it was reprinted 



in a thin octavo by Edgar W. Davies of Boston, but 
apparently only a few copies were issued ; the writer 
after much research has only found a single copy. 
The defense of General Dearborn has. therefore, 
been almost lost sight of. Fortunately, however, the 
manuscript of Dearborn's reply, with other important 
and original letters, have been preserved, and I shall 
quote therefrom. 

It is proper to state here that the distinguished 
historian, Benson J. Lossing, in a letter to the writer, 
dated March iS. 1882, says: "To your allusion to 
Dearborn's Defense of his father, General Dear- 
bom, I reply that I have never seen it and am 
ignorant of its contents. The pamphlet to which 
you allude ("Hull's Surrender of Detroit") was an 
article WTitten by me for the American Historical 
Record, and printed in pamphlet form by a grand- 
son of General Hull. It was prepared with all the 
light in my possession, and with a sincere desire to 
discover and record the truth." 

Inasmuch as Mr. Lossing was not in possession of 
all the facts, his mild defense of General Hull cannot 
be deemed to have the force it would otherwise pos- 
sess. Rev. James Freeman Clarke, in his Life of Gen- 
eral Hull, alludes to Dearborn's defense, but it is 
charitable to believe that he saw only a portion of it. 

The Defense of Dearborn, with the evidence it 
discloses, added to other facts of record, leave little 
room to doubt that General Hull deserved sentence 
of death, and it was possibly a mistaken mercy that 
spared his life, to be afterwards used in \-ilifying the 
very President who granted the pardon. 

The malignant screed of General Hull called his 
" Memoirs " is a fit indication of his spirit and man- 
ners. His military life at Detroit, both before and 
during the War of 181 2, was a mi.xed compound of 
pomposity and pusilanimity. He was alternately a 
braggart and a coward. In fact, there is nothing, 
either in his ciWl or military administration in 
Michigan, that reflects any credit on his character or 
ability. As a governor, he was such a failure, if no 
worse, that he might well have been willing that the 
country should become a British Province, that his 
doings might be forgotten, or the records destroyed. 
[289] 



290 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



The more it is studied, and the more evidence 
there is revealed, the worse his record appears. If 
it be thought tliat this language is severe, I call 
attention to the language he applied to many whom 
the whole country has always delighted to honor. 
On page 30 of his Memoirs he says, '• Both the army 
and myself have been sacrificed by the Govern- 
ment, and General Dearborn, the commanding 
general." On page 130 he says, "No language 
can describe the base injustice I have experienced, 
or the vile and disgraceful motives from which such 
injustice originated." On page 141 he says, "For 
more than a year every possible effort was made to 
e.xcite this indignation against me ; and all the offi- 
cers who could be induced to become witnesses 
against me were promoted and patronized before 
the trial commenced. * * * Neither the admin- 
istration nor the General (Dearborn) had any other 
safety than by my condemnation." On page 143 
he continues, " I believe, my fellow-citizens, that 
you will form a correct opinion on this subject, and 
believe that both the fate of the administration and 
the fate of the General (Dearborn) depended so much 
on this trial that they were not willing to trust it to 
other hands; and likewise that the first court-martial, 
composed of honorable and independent characters, 
was dissolved for the same reasons." On page 169 
he says, " I was continued by the administration a 
prisoner in arrest another year, that ample time 
might be afforded for selecting such a court-martial, 
and patronizing and promoting officers, who in 
their testimony would give opinions which would ef- 
fect the object of the plot which had been formed." 

Notice that he implies that he had been deprived 
of his liberty. He complains of being under arrest 
another year, when, in fact, he was practically under 
no personal restraint. The reason for the postpone- 
ment of the trial was that .Sir George Prevost noti- 
fied the Government that he did not recognize the 
exchange of General Hull and some other officer, 
and this difficultv was not arranged until December. 
1813. 

After his trial he was ordered to return to Massa- 
chusetts to await the orders of the President. As 
to this order, he claims, on page 144, that, as he 
was sentenced to death, this leniency pending the 
action of the President with regard to the finding of 
the court was afforded because " it was undoubtedly 
hoped that the terror of the charges would have 
driven nie from my country, and that such a deser- 
tion would have been considered as an acknowledg- 
ment of my guilt, and an absolution of the faults of 
the administration." On page 145 he continues, 
" The despicable meanness of leaving me in a situa- 
tion to avoid the sentence of which they were 
ashamed, no language can describe, and no example 
can be found from .'\dam to the present moment." 



Surely he was hard to please I In the same series 
of articles he complains both because he was and 
because he was not placed under arrest. It was 
cheap work, however, to carp at, criticise, and defy 
an administration which had ceased eight years be- 
fore. On page 170 he says, "The truth is, fellow- 
citizens, the administration well knew your inde- 
pendent spirit and sense of right, and dared not 
execute that sentence which injustice had pro- 
nounced." The thorough dishonesty of his criti- 
cisms on the court-martial will be apparent to any 
one who e.xamines the subject. He stultifies him- 
self and eats his own words over and o\'er again. 

The official report of the trial by Colonel Forbes, 
page 3, says, " The names of the members (of the 
court-martial) having been called over, the accused 
was asked if he objected to any of them. He re- 
plied in the negative, * * * declaring his con- 
fidence in the honor of the court." 

In his opening address, as officially reported by 
Colonel Forbes, page 5, he said, "The rank and 
character of the honorable members of this court 
will give a weight and sanction to whatever they 
may determine." In his defense, as quoted by 
Forbes, on page 19 of first Appendix, he says, " I 
rejoice that the time has arrived when I may speak 
in my own vindication, before an impartial and hon- 
orable tribunal." Further along in his defense, page 
1 1 5. he says, " Allow me, Mr. President, and gentle- 
men of the court, with the most heartfelt sensibility, 
to return you my sincere thanks for the manner in 
which this trial has been conducted. For though 
I humbly conceive there has been some departure 
from accustomed forms, in respect to the examina- 
tion of witnesses, I know that the court has been 
governed by nothing but its own sense of propriety. 
The conduct of the members of this court, and of 
the Judge Advocate, has been such as I had antici- 
pated, and everything that I could expect from 
honorable, impartial, and humane men. Whatever 
may be your sentence, I shall always, with gratitude, 
acknowledge that I have had a fair, candid, and 
patient hearing." 

In the face of the foregoing, his own words, writ- 
ten and delivered at the time of his trial and then 
deposited in the War Department, and obtained 
therefrom by Colonel Forbes, General Hull on page 
146 of his Memoirs says, "Inconsistent, unequal, 
and tyrannical principles * * * were adopted by 
the court-martial in the commencement of the trial." 
On page 217, in referring to the sentence of the 
court-martial, he says, " It must be evident that a 
part of the court were opposed to it. I should be 
happy indeed were it in my power to designate the 
characters who were only influenced by disinterested 
and honorable motives." 

The calumnious intimations of General Hull are 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



291 



repeated in the preface to his Life. On page 14 are 
these words : " His appointed judges were men high 
in military ranlc and titles ; but many of them had 
obtained that elevation and distinction without having 
rendered any service to the country." General Hull, 
in his .Memoirs, and Mr. Clarke, his grandson and 
chief defender, would have us believe that the court- 
martial by which he was tried was organized to 
secure his conviction, and that not only the admin- 
istration (otherwise James Madison, President of the 
United States), and the members of the court- 
martial were "villains of high degree," but that his 
former associate officers, Brigadier-General Duncan 
McArthur. General James Taylor, Quartermaster- 
General, Colonel James Miller of the Sixth Regiment 
United States Army, Lieutenant-Colonel T. B. Van 
Horn of L'nited States Infantr)-, Colonel Lewis Cass, 
and Majors Daliba, Whistler, Snelling, Jessup, and 
others, who witnessed against him, were equally 
guilty of misrepresentation and falsehood. In his 
Defense, given by Forbes on page 64 of First Ap- 
pendi.x. General Hull says : 

.■\ great majority of the young gentlemen who have been called 
by the Judge Advocate have appeared decorated with their two 
epaulets ; these have been bestowed, and sometimes with the 
augmentation of a star, upon gentlemen who began their military 
career with my unfortunate campaign. By what services many 
of these gentlemen have merited such rapid promotion, I have 
not learned. * * * With the exception of a few of the younger 
officers there are none of them who have not been promoted to 
their high station without having had any military experience, 
and without, so far as I have heard, ever having discovered any 
military talents or genius. 

On page 206 of his Memoirs, he says : 

General McArthur was a Lieutenant Colonel in my army, and 
after the campaign, and before he gave in his testimony, was ap- 
pointed a Urigadier Genera] in the regular army, without having 
performed any service to entitle hira to it, or ever having had any 
military experience excepting while under my command. The 
administration could certainly have had no other motive in 
superseding all the Colonels in the regular army in making the 
appointments, than to prepare hitu to testify against me. 

General Hull seems to have forgotten, or possibly 
he only hoped others had forgotten, that many of 
these officers won their honors by bravery in defeat- 
ing the British on the same territory that he sur- 
rendered, within a little more than a year after he 
had basely yielded that territory. 

As to other officers who testified against him, he 
thus speaks (page 206) : 

Colonel Snelling was a Captain in ray army, and before he 
appeared as a witness against me, was promoted, and soon had a 
regiment given to him. * * * Major Whistler was a Captain 
in my army. * * • At my trial he was wanted by the admin- 
istration, and he was promoted to the rank of Major, and travelled 
from Ohio in the midst of winter, to testify against mc. He 
was certainly deeply indebted to the administration, and did not 
fail in his testimony to make a suitable reward. 



Regarding these very officers he so vilifies in his 
Memoirs he used these words in his letter of .August 
26, 181 2, to the Secretarv- of War, giving an official 
report of the surrender (see page 16 of Appendix to 
Trial) : 

Before I close this dispatch it is a duty I owe my respectable 
associates in command. Colonels McArthur, Findley, Cass, and 
Lieutenant Colonel Miller, to express my obligations to them for 
the prompt and judicious manner they have performed their re- 
spective duties. If aught has taken place during the campaign, 
which is honorable to the army, these officers are entitled to a large 
share of it. If the last act should be disapproved, no part of the 
censure belongs to them. I have likewise to express my obliga- 
tions to General Taylor, who has performed the duty of Quarter- 
master General, for his great exertions in procuring everything in 
his department which it was possible to furnish for the conveni- 
ence of the army; likewise to Brigade Major Jessup for the correct 
and punctual manner in which he has discharged his duty. 

From his Memoirs and Defense many more quo- 
tations of similar character might be made, showing 
the utter inconsistency and recklessness of his state- 
ments. 

General Hull was born in 1753. -At the time of 
his trial he was si.xty-one years of age. Was he in 
his dotage when he published his Memoirs, ten 
years later.' If there w'ere less pettifogging and 
venom therein, we might try to believe him simply a 
weak old man. A comparison of statements made 
by him in his Defense with contradictory statements 
in his Memoirs reveals an utter disregard of both 
consistency and truthfulness. 

His own Memoirs are the best possible illustration 
of a statement he makes on page 191 : "The memory- 
of man is not always correct and retentive ; interest, 
passion, and prejudice frequently have a powerful 
operation on the mind." Not only is this true of 
him. but he and his friends seem to have become 
capable of any audacity in their determination to 
defend his character. On page 1 1 of the preface to 
his Life, in speaking of his Memoirs, it is said : 

These memoirs have been before the public for more than 
eighteen years, and those of his fellow-citizens who have read 
them, have risen from their perusal satisfied that the cause of 
failure in the unsuccessful invasion of Canada was not to be im- 
puted to the commanding officer, but to an administration that 
had rushed into war without foresight or preparation. 

Reading only his Memoirs, possibly, but not prob- 
ably, the reader might come to the conclusion inti- 
mated ; but it seems inevitable that any one reading 
the account of his trial, and General Dearborn's 
Defense, will be forced to the conclusion that Gen- 
eral Hull was both cowardly and incompetent. 
Frequent references are made by him and his 
friends to his ser\nces in the Revolution. The 
question, however, is not, A\'as he brave in revolu- 
tionary' days ? but. Was he justified in surrendering 
Detroit .' 



292 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



It is for his acts at the time of that suiTeiider that 
he was tried. Much of the effort in his defense is 
devoted to matters having no practical bearing on 
the question at issue. The real question is, Did he 
at any time during the campaign of 1812 exhibit 
evidences of bravery or good generalship? No such 
evidence has been presented, either by himself or 
his friends. In view of the facts, we must believe 
either that he was lacking in all the qualities that go 
to make up a safe leader, and deserved the ignominy 
that has been heaped upon him, or that the officers 
of the Government and his old associates were 
guilty of the meanest possible spite and subterfuge. 

Concerning the testimony of the witnesses against 
General Hull, Mr. Clarke, in his Life of General Hull. 
on page 404, says, " Subtract that part of their 
testimony which is made up of their opinions, and 
the bulk is much reduced." This sword has two 
edges. It may be truthfully said that both General 
Hull and Mr. Clarke make free use of opinions in his 
Defense, while they continually denounce those 
whose opinions were unfavorable, and even desig- 
nate some statements given for absolute facts as 
mere opinions. 

Among the palliating reasons assigned by General 
Hull for his surrender, one of his strongest was the 
statement that the Government did not support him 
vi'ith a naval force on Lake Erie. On page 8 of his 
Memoirs he says, " I had every reason to believe, 
before a war was declared, that such a navy and 
such an army would have been provided." In the 
preface to his Life, pages 8 and 9, it is stated that 
when General Hull left Washington in 181 2, "he 
was assured by the Government that a naval force 
would be placed on Lake Erie, to keep open his 
communication with his country." It is deemed a 
full and sufiicient reply to these statements to quote 
from a letter, dated March 6, 1812, addressed by 
Governor Hull to the Secretary of War. The entire 
letter was given by nim in connection with his 
Defense, and covers three pages of fine print. In 
this letter he said : 

I think it must be evident that the estabhshment of an army at 
Detroit, sufficient to defend that part of the country, control the 
Indians, and commence operations on the weakest points of 
defense of the enemy, would be, as an incipient measure, indis- 
pensably necessary. * * • A part of your army, now recruit- 
ing, may be as well supported and disciplined at Detroit as at any 
other place. A force adequate to the defense of that vulnerable 
point would prevent war with the savages, and probably induce 
the enemy to abandon the Province of Upper Canada without op- 
position. The naval force on the Lakes would, in that event, fall 
into our possession, and we should obtain the command of the 
waters, without the e-xpense of building such a force. The British 
cannot hold Upper Canada without the assistance of the Indians, 
and that assistance they cannot obtain if we have an adequate 
force in the situation I have pointed out. 

With regard to his carelessness or .stupidity in 
sending the vessel from old Fort Miami on July i, 



and allowing his baggage and muster rolls to be 
placed in it, General Hull, on page 9 of his Memoirs, 
says, "This first misfortune was occasioned by the 
neglect of the administration in not giving me in- 
formation of the war, eight days sooner." On pages 
35 and 36, he says : 

At this time I had received no information of the declaration of 
war, and did not consider there was any hazard in the measure. 
* * * In time of peace with England, there could have been 
but one opinion with respect to engaging this vessel in the manner 
it was employed. Having no information of the declaration of 
war, I must necessarily have believed it was a time of peace, and 
consequently no blame could be attached to me. 

Was it a time of peace ? Was General Hull only 
playing soldier ? Was his march through the woods 
and swamps merely for amusement .' War had 
been anticipated for more than six months, as Gen 
eral Hull well knew; for he had been in Washing- 
ton and had discussed the situation. 

On page 36 of his Memoirs he says, " On the 24th 
of June 1 received a letter from the War Department 
directing me to march to Detroit with all possible 
expedition." A whole week went by after he received 
this letter before he sent the vessel, and, according 
to his Memoirs, he must still " have believed it was 
a time of peace," and therefore, he reasons, he was 
justified in sending the vessel. 

War was anticipated, troops were on the march, 
orders to hasten had been received, and opposing 
forces were known to be gathering. Should not 
ordinary reason have taught him that war was 
probably declared, and that there was danger in 
sending the vessel ? 

On page 22 of his Defense, he says that an 
order "to repair with as little delay as possible 
to Detroit," in view of the fact that the enemy 
would then be at Maiden, eighteen miles in the 
rear, and provided with vessels which would enable 
them to cut off his supplies, "appeared to me so in- 
consistent with my military experience that I did 
not suppose it could have been founded on a 
declaration of war, or even on a prospect of imme- 
diate hostilities." 

When such an excuse is deliberately offered, we 
may be justified in believing that if he had received 
no word of the declaration of war, and if, after his 
arrival at Detroit, Proctor or Brock had quietly 
crossed the river, and taken possession of the fort, 
he would have offered no opposition, because, as he 
had not been ofticially notified of the declaration of 
war, there could be no danger, and no reason to 
apprehend any. 

These statements are illustrations of his argu- 
ments, and his Defense and Memoirs are full of 
similar attempts to prove that he was justified in 
his actions ; but no one valid excuse is offered, no 
convincing proof is brought forward. 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



293 



That he was warned that war was imminent, and 
possibly declared, at the time he sent the vessel, is 
beyond question. General McArthur testified (see 
pages 47 and 48 of Forbes' report) that on or about 
June 26. the time Hull received the first letter, the 
same mail brought him (McArthur) a letter from 
a friend at Chillicothe, in which it was stated that 
"before this reaches you war will be declared." and 
that it was " the impression at Chillicothe that war 
was declared;" and further, that these statements 
were communicated to General Hull, and were the 
subject of conversation between them ; that General 
Hull " asked what he thought of sending the bag- 
gage by water;" and that he replied he thought it 
would be "rather hazardous, as the British might 
be informed of the declaration of war and seize the 
vessel." 

(ieneral James Taylor, of Ohio, testified at the 
trial (see page 1 38 of Forbes' report) : 

The impression made on my mind, as well as upon others to 
whom the letter from the Secretary of War, dated i8th June, 1812, 
was shown, was, that war was inevitable, and that it was sub- 
stantially, though not formally, declared. I was present when 
tieneral Hull conversed with Captain Chapin, who commanded 
the vessel which was sent from the Rapids to Detroit; Chapin 
talked about dining with the British officers, and asked an exorbi- 
tant price for his boat. 1 told General Hull (whom 1 called out) 
that I suspected the vessel was sent there to entrap them, and 
advised that she should not be employed, but that the effects 
should be sent by wagons. General Hull, however, looked to the 
expense, and said he did not know much of Chapin, but he knew 
him to be an .American and believed him honest. Chapin reduced 
his price from 150 to 60 dollars, and was employed. 

As Hull was sent to Detroit in anticipation of 
war, and as he himself urged that he needed ves- 
sels, and knew that the British had them, was it not 
foolhardy and careless in the extreme to send his 
military stores and baggage by the vessel .' Did he 
npt have reason to e.xpect that war might be de- 
clared at any time ? Did he not take an unwar- 
ranted risk in assuming that war had not been de- 
clared, and that there was no danger.' He knew 
that the mails or express were uncertain, he could 
not help knowing that there was a possibility of the 
capture of the vessel; and yet he took the risk. Is 
it an e\'idence of good generalship to take a needless 
risk, involving great danger, with no prospect of 
gain .' The blunder of allowing his muster-rolls to 
be put on the vessel was a blunder so great that it 
fell but little short of a crime. It was this occur- 
rence that gave rise to the specific charge of treason, 
of which he w;is found not guilty. If the state- 
ment made in the I'hiladelphia .Aurora of Septem- 
ber 22, 1812, was true, even that charge should have 
been .sustained. In that paper Lewis Dent, quar- 
termaster of Colonel Cass's regiment, who was sent 
with the vessel to take charge of the baggage, is 
quoted as saying that on examining the vessel after 



she was taken to Fort Maiden, in a trunk belonging 
to General Hull, the declaration of war against 
Great Britain was found, and that he saw it. It 
will be remembered that Governor Hull always 
claimed that the letter containing the declaration 
of war did not reach him until after the vessel 
sailed. 

We come now to the question of his cowardice. 
Mr. Clarke, on page 363 of his Life of Hull, says, 
" It would have required very little courage to 
fight." It goes without saying that this was the 
general opinion at the time. It looks very much as 
though he did not possess even a very little courage. 
His courage was all in his proclamations, letters, 
and memoirs, and was of the Falstaffian order. 
Battles have been won, and victory wrested from 
defeat, by really brave generals. Of Hull's bravery 
in the War of 18 12. no evidence has been produced. 
In his Defense, page 60, he says : 

I should not, however, have yielded to all these considerations, 
had the war I was carrying on been only against civilized men. 
* * * But I knew how sanguinary and remorseless the savages 
would be, should my army be subdued and the troops be obliged 
to yield. The whole country would have been deluged with the 
blood of its inhabitants. Neither men, women, or children would 
have been spared. 

The same idea is repeated in the preface to the 
Life of General Hull. On page 16 are these 
words : 

To the latest moment of his life, when aware he was on the 
verge of eternity, in the full possession of his mental powers. Gen- 
eral Hull still breathed his thanks to his Heavenly Father that he 
had been the instrument of saving from the cruelties of a savage 
foe a people who expected and demanded protection at his hands. 

Such sentiments are pathetic, but they have no 
real bearing on the case. The question of surren- 
der was a military question. War in its best form 
is inhuman, and General Hull had no right to sacri- 
fice Detroit and the territor\-. a fortified post and an 
undefeated army, for a possible but really unfounded 
fear that otherwise the women and children would 
all be butchered. It was a fear born of cowardice, 
and not justified by probability. If a battle had 
been fought, there is no evidence to indicate that, 
if defeated at all, the defeat of Hull's army would 
have been so complete and absolute that no further 
defence could be made, or reasonable terms of 
capitulation secured. He surrendered without even 
a pretence of fighting, and the English boa.sted, and 
with good reason, that they took Detroit "without 
the loss of a drop of English blood." 

As to Hull's cowardly words and appearance 
prior to the surrender, the following is pertinent 
testimony: Captain James Daliba (see page 82, 
Hull's Trial) testified that he commanded the upper 
battery on the evening of August 14, and on that 



294 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



evening conversed with General Hull "on the pro- 
priety of driving the enemy from their works" on 
the opposite shore. He said to General Hull, "Sir, 
if you will give me permission, I will clear the enemy 
on the opposite shore from the lower batteries." 
The general answered, " Mr. Daliba, I will make an 
agreement with the enemy that if they will never 
fire on me, 1 will never fire on them," and concluded 
liis answer with this sentence, " Those who live in 
glass houses must take care how they throw stones." 
Major Thomas S. Jessup, of the Nineteenth Regi- 
ment of United States Infantry, testified (page 92 
of Trial), " I saw General Hull in the fort, and 
thought him very much frightened when I met him. 
* * * His voice was, at this time, tremulous." 
In answer to a question from General Hull, Captain 
Charles Fuller, of the Fourth Regiment Infantry, 
said at the trial (page 98), " I have no doubt of your 
appearance on that occasion being the effect of per- 
sonal fear: I had none then, I have none now." 

With regard to his neglecting to attack and con- 
quer Fort Maiden, the following facts appear. On 
July 9 he received a letter from William Eustis, Sec- 
retary of War, dated June 24, with the following 
order ; " Should the force under your command be 
equal to the enterprise, and should it be consistent 
with the safety of your own post, you will take pos- 
session of Maiden, extending your conquests as cir- 
cumstances will justify." Concerning this letter and 
order, General Hull, on page 36 of his Defense, 
says : 

This letter informs me tliat I am autliorized to commence offen- 
sive operations. This would not have been the language addressed 
to me upon this occasion if the government had supposed I had a 
force sufficient to commence such operations. In that case, I 
should have received a command instead of an authority. In this 
letter the Secretary adverts to my taking possession of Maiden ; 
but not as if he supposed I had the power of doing it. 

It may well be doubted whether the annals of any 
police court afford a more perfect illustration of 
pettifoggery. Concerning this order, received July 
9, General Hull says further, on page 10 of his 
Memoirs : 

The authority I received to attack the enemy's fortress at 
Maiden being discretionary, I wrote to the Ciovcrnment the same 
day I received it, that my force was not adequate to the enter- 
prise, and stated as a reason that the enemy commanded the 
Lake and the savages. 

On July 14 he must have been more hopeful, for 
he wrote to the Secretary of War as follows (See 
the Dearborn manuscript) : 

Sir, — 

The Canadian militia are deserting from Maiden in large 
parties ; about sixty came in yesterday. 1 send them to their 
homes and give them protection. The probability is that the 
greatest part of them will desert in a few days. The force under 
my command, and the movement into their province, has h.ul a 



great effect on the Indians. They are daily returning to their 
villages. I have reason to believe the number of hostile Indians 
daily decreasing. 

Again, on July 19, he wrote the Secretary: 

The British force, which in numbers was superior to the Amer- 
ican, including militia and Indians, is daily diminishing. Fifty or 
sixty of the militia have deserted daily, since the American stand- 
ard was displayed, and taken protection. They are now reduced 
to less than one hundred. In a<lay or two I expect the whole 
will desert. Their Indian force is diminishing in nearly the same 
proportion. I have now a large council of ten or twelve nations 
sitting at Krownstown, and I have no doubt that the result will be 
that they will remain neutral. 



On July 22 he addressed the .Secretar\- of War as 
follows (page 10 of Appendix to his Trial) : 

It is in the power of this army to take Maiden by storm, but it 
would be attended, in my opinion, with too great a sacrifice under 
present circumstances. * * * If Maiden was in our possession 
I could march this army to Niagara or York in a very short time. 

This letter probably stated the facts as to his 
ability to take Maiden. That he did not do it was 
one of the chief grounds for believing him cow- 
ardly, and his own letter proved the charge. 

We now reach his charge that the lack of co-op- 
eration, and the armistice entered into by General 
Dearborn, made his defeat possible, and the sur- 
render necessary. The Dearborn manuscript states 
that on July 26 the Secretary of War wrote to Gen- 
eral Hull : 

General Dearborn's headquarters are at Albany. He will be 
apprised of your situation, and directed to keep up a correspond- 
ence with you and the immediate command at Niagara, and to 
take measures to afford the necessary support. 

The same day, as is shown by the Dearborn man- 
uscript, the instructions were sent to General Dear- 
born, and reached him on July 31. There is no 
evidence brought forward by General Hull or his 
defenders that, prior to this date. General Dearborn 
shared the responsibility of his movements, or was 
expected to co-operate with him. Indeed, it would 
have been impossible to have made any definite 
arrangement sooner, for information of Hull's 
arrival at Detroit had but just reached Washington 
on the 26th of July. On August 3 General Dear- 
born wrote to General Van Rensselaer at Niagara: 

Take measures for keeping up a correspondence with General 
Hull, and ascertain his movements by expresses or otherwise, and 
* * * make any exertion in your power to co-operate with him, 
and if your force will not admit of any strong offensive operations 
it may be well to make such diversions in his favor as circum- 
stances will permit, so as to prevent the enemy from directing any 
force from the vicinity of Niagara to oppose the movements of 
General Hull. 

This order shows that when Dearborn was direct- 
ed to co-operate with Hull, he g.ave directions to that 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



295 



end. That General Hull himself did not expect that 
he was in any way responsible to General Dearborn 
prior to July 26 is clearly evident from the fact 
that he would not march into Canada without an 
order from the Secretar}- of War ; and all his letters 
are addressed to and his orders received from the 
Secretary of War, which would have been a most 
absurd arrangement if he was to act under General 
Dearborn. There is no evidence of any kind brought 
forward, by Hull or Clarke, to show that Dearborn 
had anything to do with the raising, equipment, or 
drilling of Hull's force. General Hull does not 
claim that Dearborn ordered the march to Detroit, 
or give any evidence that Dearborn was to act with 
him prior to the order of July 26. The armistice, 
as shown in a letter from Dearborn to the Secretary 
of War, was not concluded until August 9 ; and, as 
General Dearborn shows in his letter of that date 
to the Secretary of War, General Hull was not in- 
cluded in it, because he had been receiving his 
orders directly from the Secretary of War, and was 
then believed to be capable of and engaged in 
offensive operations. In a letter to General Hull, 
dated August 9, General Dearborn said : 

The removal of any troops from Niagara to Detroit, while the 
present arrangement continues, would be improper and incom- 
patible with the true intent of the agreement. 1 have m.ide no 
arrangement that should have any effect upon your command. 

General Hull complained that this armistice en- 
abled General Brock to withdraw forces from 
Niagara, and throw them against him at Detroit. 
It will be shown, however, that Brock himself did 
not know of the armistice until after the surrender 
of Detroit. 

On page i66 of his Memoirs, General Hull says: 

After the capitulation I first learned from the lips of the liritish 
commander the true state of the case — that the armistice of Gen- 
eral Dearborn had been eight days in operation, and that that cir- 
cumstance alone had enabled him to bring such a force against me. 

This seems like a positive statement. General 
Hull, however, on page 1 24 of his Memoirs, says, of 
a letter of Colonel Cass, " It ought not to be con- 
sidered as any evidence. He was not under oath 
when he wrote it." The same remark will apply 
admirably to much that General Hull says. 

That the armistice in question had no effect upon 
the situation, and that General Brock himself had 
no knowledge of it, is positively shown by the letter 
from (ieneral Brock to General Van Rensselaer, 
dated Fort George, August 25, 1812, gpven in the 
Dearborn manuscript. General Brock says, " It 
was not until my arrival at Fort Erie, late in the 
evening of the 23d inst., that I learned that a ces- 
sation of hostilities had been agreed upon between 
General Dearborn and Sir George Brevost." Com- 
parison of this letter with the statements of General 



Hull makes it evident that one of the two was guilty 
of falsehood ; and all the facts point to General Hull 
as the guilty one. 

In reviewing the entire campaign. General Hull, 
in his Memoirs, page 1 1 , says : 

I remained in the enemy's country about a month, » * * 
during this time 1 received * * * certain information that 
Cieneral Rrock, with all the regulars and militia of Upper Canada, 
was proceeding to Maiden, * * * under these circumstances 1 
considered it my duty to recross the river, * * * (and) on the 
8th of August I recrossed the river to Detroit. 

On page 49 of his Defense he .says that on 
August 7, 

About one o'clock, an express arrived with letters to me from 
the commanding officers on the Niagara frontier, — two from 
Major General Hall and one from General P. B. Porter, * * * 
to inform me that a large force from the neighborhood of Niagara 
was moving towards my army. 

Comparing these two statements with the well- 
known fact that the army began moving the night 
of the 7th, it is evident that the date given in his 
Defense is the correct one ; and the position in 
which he places himself is this : first, he says that 
he had "certain information on August 7 that Brock, 
with all the regulars and militia of Upper Canada, 
was proceeding to Maiden;" second, he claims 
that the armistice which was entered into a day 
afterwards, August 8, at Niagara was the only 
thing that enabled him (Brock) "to bring such a 
force against me." 

Comparison shows the absurdity of these state- 
ments. General Hull actually claimed that General 
Brock was on his way to Maiden on the 7th of 
August, and that an occurrence of the day after was 
the prime cause of his being on the march. Such 
an anachronism is fatal to his argument. There 
was really nothing new in the statement of the fact 
that General Brock went to and from Maiden. As 
early as June 24 General Hull himself wrote to the 
Secretary of War, " General Brock, the Governor of 
Upper Canada, arrived at Maiden on the 14th inst., 
with one hundred British troops. On the 17th he 
sailed for Fort Erie, in the Queen Charlotte, and it 
is said she will return with a re-inforcement imme- 
diately." His statement on page 1 1 of his Memoirs 
only shows that Brock, on .August 7, was still going 
to and from Maiden. 

On page 95 of his Memoirs General Hull quotes 
General Brock's summons to surrender, dated 
Augu.st 15, and on page 97 he says, " I ask on what 
grounds I could have possibly conceived that Gen- 
eral Brock had left that vital part of his pronnce ?" 
(meaning Niagara.) There was nothing singular 
about it. For nearly two months General Brock 
had been on the march, and General Hull had rea- 
son to e.xpect him. 



296 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



The plea of General Hull and Mr. Clarke that the 
armistice was the real cause of the surrender is evi- 
dently an. afterthought,— a plea studied up for the 
purpose of multiplying excuses. Its flimsy charac- 
ter is evident from the fact that when on trial Gen- 
eral Hull never even alluded to the armistice. It 
was only after he had been tried, convicted, and 
mercifully pardoned, that he discovered that the 
armistice was the real cause of all his troubles. 

The question as to the number of men composing 
the army of General Hull has also been the subject of 
much discussion. Mr. Clarke says (Life of Hull, 
page 362 ) that " commanders are very apt, even when 
meaning to tell the truth, to exaggerate the enemy's 
forces and underrate their own." He means by this 
remark to insinuate that I?rock had more men than 
the official account shows him to have had ; it applies 
equally well, however, to both sides, and the effort 
to depreciate the numbers of the American army is 
pushed to the extreme by the friends of General 
Hull. On page 8 of his Memoirs General Hull 
says, '• I proceeded to the State of Ohio, took the 
command of the forces, which consisted of twelve 
hundred militia and volunteers and about three hun- 
dred regulars." 

In three other places in his Memoirs he repeats 
the statement that his forces consisted of three hun- 
dred of the Fourth United States Regulars and 
twelve hundred militia. The evidence that he 
understates their number is abundant, and some of 
it is furnished by his own words. Among the State 
Historical Society papers at Detroit is a letter from 
Judge James Witherell, dated June 22. 1S12, in 
which he states that he has received a letter from 
Hull, dated June 14, showing that he would be at 
the river Raisin about the 26th. with about 2,200 
men. On June 24 General Hull wrote to the Sec- 
retary of War, " In the event of hostilities, I feel a 
confidence that the force under my command will 
be superior to any which can be opposed to it. It 
now exceeds two thousand, rank and file." 

A letter given in the Dearborn manuscript shows 
that two days later," in a letter to the Secretary of 
War from Fort Findlay, he said: "Inclosed is the 
most correct return that can be made of the army 
under present circumstances." The return is as 
follows : 



4th Regiment of Infantry 

Col. Findlay's Reg. of volunteers and militia 

Col. Cass's " " 

Col. McArthur's " 

Captain Sloan's troops of Cin. Lt. Dragoons 



483 
509 

48 



Total 



In his Memoirs General Hull does not deny the 
correctness of this return, but on page 203 he says 
that General Dearborn 



makes it appear that in the three Ohio regiment*; nf militia, 
with the few dragoons, there were fifteen hundred and ninety-two 
men. This number is three hundred and ninety-two more than 
the President had ordered, which number, as has been stated, was 
twelve hundred, and I had no authority to take any surplus under 
my command. The Colonels, I presume, at that time must have 
included this surplus of three hundred and ninety-two men in 
their returns, in order to obtain provision for them in the wilder- 
ness, as it could not be obtained in any other way. These men 
were volunteers who had joined us at intervals in our march, and 
were not under my orders. They returned home whenever they 
pleased. 

What amazing liberality on the part of Hull's 
quartermasters when food was so scarce ! General 
Hull would have us believe that about one fifth of 
the force that marched with his army, nearly four 
hundred men, was simply a "surplus," — volunteers, 
who were liable to leave the army, and did leave it, 
whenever they pleased. Yet these same men were 
on the muster-rolls, and certified to by the colonels, 
and even by Hull himself, as belonging to his army. 
Amazing " surplus " ! and still more amazing effron- 
tery- ! Concerning the militia of the territory, on 
page 56 he says, " Little or no advantage could be 
derived from this militia," and yet. on page 125, he 
shows that there were four hundred Michigan mili- 
tia, some of whom he claims deserted to the enemy 
when they landed. 

Mr. Clarke says, on page 383 of his Life of General 
Hull, " The whole number of troops under General 
Hull's command, from the beginning of his march 
until the surrender, was 1,800." He subtracts for 
blockhouses garrisoned, sickness, etc., eight hundred 
and forty, leaving only nine hundred and sixty at 
Detroit on August 16. He evidently renders an old 
saying, " Let Hull be true and every man a liar," 
but the facts show that General Hull's own state- 
ments do not harmonize. 

When Brock, on August 1 5, summonetl him to 
surrender, Hull repHed, " I am prepared to meet any 
force which may be at your disposal." On page 
no of his Memoirs he says, " I however gave a de- 
cided answer that I should defend the fort, hoping 
to be able, before he made the invasion, to collect 
at Detroit the detachments under the command of 
McArthur and Cass, * * * and other detach- 
ments which were absent on other duties." 

It seems, then, that at this time he thought he 
might defend the post, and cope with General Brock 
and all his force. How soon his brave vaporing 
changed to abject cowardice ! 

With regard to the lack of supplies for his army, 
General Hull, in his report to the Secretary of War 
made after the surrender, says : 

It was impossible, in the nature of things, that an army could 
have been furnished with the necessary supplies of provision, 
military stores, clothing and comforts for the sick, on pack-horses» 
through a wilderness of two hundred miles filled with hostile 
savages. 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



297 



Why did he not realize this impossibility before 
he took the command of the army ? He had lived 
in Detroit for the seven years previous, and knew 
its situation and its sources of supplies. In denying 
the proposition that if Hull had defended himself 
supplies would have been brought from tlhio, and 
in order to show that it would have been impossible. 
Mr. Clarke, on page 373 of his Life of Hull, quotes 
from a letter of General Harrison, of October 22, 
181 2, as follows: "To get supplies forward through 
a swampy wilderness of near two hundred miles, in 
wagons or on pack-horses which are to carry them 
pro\-isions. is absolutely impossible." 

The introducing an extract from a letter written 
in the fall of the year, when roads and swamps were 
notoriously bad, as e\Hdence that the transportation 
of supplies in midsummer over this same route was 
impossible, is but one of the many absurd arguments 
resorted to in defense of General Hull. It seems 
strange, indeed, that if, as General Hull would have 
us believe, the probable want of provisions was one 
reason of his surrender, he did not anticipate this 
difficulty. He was evidently e.xceedingly prodigal 
of his supplies, for it will be remembered that on 
page 203 of his Memoirs he claims that a " surplus " 
of three hundred and ninety-two men, who were 
not under his command, were included with his 
army, and fed from the supplies. As late as July 
29 he seems to have entertained no fear that the 
supplies would not hold out, for the original order 
issued by him on that date, in possession of the 
State Historical Society at Detroit, shows that he 
ordered rations given to persons who had fled from 
the British standard . 

Mr. Clarke, on page 360, says : 

We have seen that General Hull made three attempts to open 
his communications to Ohio. The first was on August 4th, by 
means of Major Van Horn's detachment of two hundred men, 
which was defeated by A small body of British and Indians. The 
second was on .\ugusr 8th, by Colonel Miller's detachment of 
six hundred men, who defeated the enemy, but returned to Detroit 
without effecting their object. The third was by means of Mc- 
Arthur's and Cass's detachment, which set out .August 14th, to 
go by a back route. 

That this statement is a misrepresentation of the 
truth is shown by the fact that both of the last 
named detachments were ordered back by Hull him- 
self, which fact is studiously ignored in the above 
statement of Mr. Clarke. On page 368 he says : 

As to the cattle and flour at the River Raisin within reach of 
the army, we have seen that before General Drock crossed the 
river, Major Van Horn and Colonel Miller had both attempted to 
reach it; the one with two hundred and the other with six hun- 
dred men, and that both had failed. 

This statement is not true in the sense in which 
Mr. Clarke would have us believe. Colonel Miller 
would have gone forward but for lack of provisions, 



which were not forwarded in time, and because he 
was soon ordered back by General Hull. However 
Mr. Clarke elsewhere concedes the whole case, in so 
far as lack of provisions having compelled the sur- 
render, for, in the preface to the Life of Hull, on 
page 12, he states that "General Hull could have 
sustained his post at Detroit had not an armistice, 
now a portion of history, been entered into by 
General Dearborn, to the exclusion of General Hull's 
army and without his knowledge." 

General Hull voluntarily tried to include in the 
surrender the very troops and proWsions at the 
Raisin which had been sent for his relief. Fortu- 
nately, however, they refused to be included, and 
escaped to Ohio. 

Among the other reasons assigned for the surren- 
der. General Hull, on page 108 of his Memoirs, says 
that Brock's position at Sandwich was " more ele- 
vated than the fort at Detroit." This statement is 
well known to be absurdly untrue. He would not 
cross to Canada or attack Maiden without orders ; 
why, then, was he in such haste to surrender 
entirely on his own responsibility ? He says dis- 
tinctly, in his letter of August 26, 1812, to the Sec- 
retary of War, giving an account of the surrender, 
" I well knew the high responsibility of the measure, 
and I take the whole upon myself." 

Even if Brock had as many troops as Hull inti- 
mates, his was the attacking force ; he had to cross 
the river and approach a fort. All the advantages 
and probabilities were against him. Many battles 
have been fought and won under much greater odds 
than General Hull claims he had to contend against. 
It was not, however, the force that Brock really had, 
but only that which Hull imagined he might have, 
that led to the surrender. In his Defense, on pages 
59 and 60, General Hull made these remarkable 
admissions : 

I shall now state what force he (the enemy) brought, or might 
bring, against me. I say, gentlemen, might bring, — because it 
was that consideration which induced the surrender, and not the 
force which was actually landed on the American shore, on the 
morning of the i6th. It is possible that 1 might have met and 
repelled that force. If I had no further to look than the event of 
a contest at that time, I should have trusted to the issue of a 
battle. » * * If the British landed at Springwells were not 
much more numerous than my <twn troops, I knew they must have 
a powerful force in reser\-e, which they could bring to operate on 
me either by crossing them above the town of Detroit, or by trans- 
porting them in their ships to that point, and thus attack the fort 
on all sides, and place my array between their fire. * * * If 
the attack of the enemy had been repelled, our triumph would 
have been but temporary. My numbers must have been dimin- 
ished by loss in battle. They would have been daily lessened by 
the cannon of the enemy from the opposite shore. The force of 
the enemy, augmented as it was by reinforcements under Colonel 
Proctor, Major Chambers, and the Commander-in-chief, General 
Brock, would have been daily augmenting. 

Vet. at that time, as he elsewhere states, he had 
reason to expect, and was expecting, the co-opera- 



298 



THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT. 



tion of General Dearborn, and reinforcements from 
Ohio ; and two hundred fresh men were less than 
forty miles away with provisions and supplies. 
Verily, he had neither faith nor courage ! 

The statements of General Hull and his friends 
havinjT^ been compared and analyzed, I now submit 
the followincf copies of original letters, bound up 
with the manuscript defense of General Dearborn. 
now in possession of the Wisconsin .State Historical 
Society. Three of the letters were written by ex- 
Presidents of the United States ; and when John 
Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Mad- 
ison condemn the conduct of General Hull, we may 
well believe that his defenders lead a forlorn hope 
and essay an impossible task. 

Letter 0/ Johft Quincy Adams^ then Secretary 0/ State.) 
Washington, 16 August, 1824. 
General H. A . S, Dearborn Boston. 

Dear Sir, — 

I have to acknowledge tne receipt of your letter, with the four 
newspapers containing your defence of your father against the 
recent publications of General Hull. Of these I had seen and read 
only three or four numbers, which had not excited so much interest 
as to induce me to look for more. While General Hull remained 
silent, I had, since his pardon, considered him an object of com- 
passion. His present appeal to the public had weakened that 
sentiment in my mind. Perhaps it is not in his power to forfeit 
the claim to it altogether. If he could, it would be by the attempt 
to shed upon honorable men the shame which his country has 
endured for committing a trust of honor and of danger to him. 
I am, with great respect, Dear Sir, 

Your very humble and obedient servant, 

John Quincy Adams. 

(Letter /rotn Thomas Jefferson^ ex-Prestdent of the United 
States.) 

Thomas Jefferson returns his thanks to Mr. Dearborn for the 
communication of the papers containing the defence of his father. 
To him, however, no defence could be needed of a person who 
has ever possessed his unlimited confidence. It has served to 
establish radically the opinion before entertained of the degraded 
being who has excited this new enquiry. 

Th. J. salutes Mr. Dearborn with respectful consideration. 

MONTICELLO, Aug. 20, '24. 



{Letter front yames Madison, President 0/ the United States' 

during the IVar 0/ 1812.) 

MoNTPELlEk, Aug. 23, 1824. 
Dear Sir, — 

I have received and thank you for the papers containing your 
reply to General Hull. A part only of his address has fallen 
under my eye. But the facts you have arrayed before the public 
can scarcely fail to make him sensible of his indiscretion in pro- 
voking a review of his disastrous career. You have done well in 
performing this task, both as a contribution to the truth of His- 
tor>' and as the discharge of a filial duty to one whose solid repu- 
tation will be but the more firmly settled on its foundation by 
attempts to shake it. 

I offer you, Sir, my respects and good wishes. 

James Madison. 
Cen'lH.A. S. Dearborn. 

{Letter /rofn Governor Lewis Cass.) 

Detroit, Aug. 27, 1824. 
Dear Sir, — 

I received by last mail your letter, together with the accom- 
panying papers, containing your observations respecting General 
Hull's recent publications. 

Your refutation of his injurious statements is complete and un- 
answerable. Your father's fame is based upon too solid a founda- 
tion to be affected by the feeble efforts of garrulity and imbecility, 
striving to shake off a load of obloquy, which must press down 
the unfortunate man and his memory forever. 

I cannot tell what local and ephemeral effect these publications 
may have produced within the range of the papers which have 
printed them, but certainly, in the Union at large, they are 
wholly unknown or disregarded. 1 have seen but a few of the 
first numbers, and these accidentally, and finding that, like 
a " thrice-told tale," they were mere repetitions of what was long 
since too stale to be told, and too false to be believed, I dismissed 
them from my recollection. The events connected with the sur- 
render of Detroit are matters of history, and when we learn to 
believe that Arnold was faithful to his country, and that Gates in 
his southern campaign displayed the talents of a consummate 
General, we may, perhaps, believe that General Hull did not for- 
get the most sacred obligations of duty from the effect of sheer 
cowardice. 

Should your father have returned, please to present my best 
respects to him. 

My father early taught me to esteem his character and services. 
With great respect, 

I am, Dr Sir, your ob't servant, 

Lewis Cass. 
Gen. I!. A. S. Dearborn. 



CHAPTER X L I 1 1 . 



THE BLACK HAWK WAR. — TOLEDO WAR.— PATRIOT WAR. — ME.XICAN WAR. 



THE BLACK H.WVK WAR. 
The Black Hawk War originated in the refusal 
of Black Hawk to retire to the Indian Reser\-ation 
on the west of the Mississippi, which had been set 
apart for his band by the United States. 

In 1 83 1 General Gaines and seven hundred vol- 
unteers compelled him to leave Illinois. In August 
of this year some members of the Sac and Fox tribes 
attacked and killed nearly twenty Menomenees near 
Prairie du Chien, and then joined Black Hawk's 
band. The United States authorities demanded 
their surrender. Black Hawk refused, and crossed 
the Mississippi to march on Rock River. 

The Government called on Michigan for troops 
to defend the West, and Governor Mason directed a 
call to be issued for volunteers. Accordingly, on 
May 22, 1832, the adjutant-general gave orders to 
General Williams to raise not to exceed three hun- 
dred men ; and the same day, the call for three 
hundred volunteers was made. Two days later, the 
Detroit City Guards, commanded by Edward Brooks, 
and the Light Dragoons, under Captain Jackson, 
responded. The two companies were placed under 
command of General A. S. Williams, with Edward 
Brooks as colonel ; Jonathan Davis, lieutenant- 
colonel ; B. Holbrook, major ; Louis Davenport, 
quartermaster ; and J. L. Whiting, surgeon. They 
left on May 24, and proceeded as far as .Saline, 
where the infantry were ordered to return. The 
dragoons went on to Chicago and the troops re- 
turned to Detroit, where they arrived on Wednes- 
day, May 30, 1 832. On Tuesday, June 3, two com- 
panies of United States troops from Fort Niagara, 
in command of Major Whistler, left Detroit for 
Chicago in the Austerlitz. On June 30, 1832. C".en- 
eral Scott arrived on his way to Chicago ; and on 
July 4. the steamboat Henry Clay came with several 
companies of troops. While here the cholera broke 
out'among the soldiers, and a large nimiber perished. 
(See chapter on Diseases.) 

Black Hawk was eventually captured and taken 
to Washington. On his return to the West he 
arrived at Detroit, on the Superior, about dinner- 
time on July 4, 1833, and was lodged at the Mansion 
House, 



THE TOLEDO WAR. 

The origin of the dissatisfaction which caused the 
so-called " Toledo War " dated back to the admis- 
sion of Ohio, in 1802, with an indefinite northern 
boundary. 

On January 11. 1805, Congress defined the boun- 
dary between Michigan and Ohio by an imaginary 
line, which, according to present boundaries, would 
have given Michigan a strip across the north of 
Ohio, five miles wide on the western end, and eight 
miles wide on the eastern. As the country became 
settled and the location of the Lakes better known, 
it was ascertained that the boundary of 1S05 would 
place Toledo within the bounds of Michigan. Under 
authority of Congress, a line was run in 1817, by 
\\ illiam Harris, which placed the disputed territor)- 
within the limits of Ohio, but Michigan continued 
to control the territory. Early in 1835 Governor 
Lucas, of Ohio, issued a proclamation assuming the 
control, and three commissioners were appointed to 
re-mark the Harris line. The Ohio Legislature at 
the same time created the county of Lucas, including 
in it the city of Toledo, and providing for holding a 
session of the Court of Common Pleas at that place 
on September 7. In anticipation of this action, the 
Legislative Council of Michigan had passed an Act 
making it a criminal offense, punishable by five 
years' imprisonment and a fine of one thousand dol- 
lars, for any other than Michigan or United States 
officials to exercise, or attempt to exercise, any 
official authority in the disputed territory-. In order 
to enforce this law, on Februarj' 19, 1835, Governor 
Mason wrote to Brigadier-General J. W. I5rown, 
commander of the Third Division of the Michigan 
militia, directing him to prevent any of the officers 
of Ohio from exercising authority in the disputed 
territory, and to use the civil officers only if possible, 
but the militia if necessary, to preserve the rights of 
Michigan ; also to report the names of all civil or 
military officers supposed to favor Ohio, and by 
visitation find out proper persons to be appointed in 
their places. Meantime, a public meeting was held 
at Detroit, and a committee appointed to draft a 
memorial to the President in relation to the subject ; 
and on March 6, 1835, an adjourned meeting was 



[299] 



^00 



THE TOLEDO WAR. — THE PATRIOT WAR. 



held at the Capitol to hear the report of tlie com- 
mittee, which contained a strong protest against the 
claims of Ohio. On April 6 an attempt was made 
to elect Ohio town officers at Toledo. On April 8, 
when the fact was made known at Monroe, the 
sheriff, with a number of persons, entered Toledo, 
and arrested Messrs. Goodsell and McKay of that 
place. They were subsequently admitted to bail 
and returned home. Between April 8 and 14 the 
sheriff of Monroe County, at the head of two 
hundred persons, again entered Toledo to make 
further arrests, but did not find the persons he was 
in search of. 

On April 26 several shots were exchanged between 
Michigan troops and the Ohio commissioners, who 
were engaged in running a boundary line about 
twelve miles southwest of Adrian, and the commis- 
sioners, with a portion of their guard, were captured. 
The ne.xt day the Governor of Ohio was at Port 
Miami, with two hundred militia, to oppose the 
forces of Michigan ; but on May 2 he disbanded his 
forces. On Saturday, July iS, about 5 P. .M., the 
sheriff of Monroe County again appeared in Toledo, 
with a. posse of about two hundred and fifty armed 
men. .Se\en or eight persons were arrested on a 
civil process, and some of the men attacked the 
office of the Toledo Gazette, and did considerable 
damage. 

These arrests were chiefly on account of individ- 
ual grievances, but they grew out of the question of 
jurisdiction. The governors of both -States being 
determined to hold control, troubles began to 
thicken and troops to gather. MulhoUand's in 
Monroe County was fixed upon as the head- 
quarters of the Michigan troops, and on September 
5, about 7 P. ,M., a detachment from Detroit arrived 
by boat at Monroe, and soon after left for the 
rendezvous. 

On September 6, 1835, Governor Mason and Gen- 
eral lirown, at the head of from eight hundred to 
twelve hundred men. entered Toledo, to prevent the 
holding of the session of a court on the 7th, as pro- 
vided for by the Ohio Legislature. 

The judges, however, by agreement, came to- 
gether immediately after midnight. The proceed- 
ings, written on loose sheets of paper, were hastily 
deposited in the clerk's hat, and the court then 
literally took to the woods, and ran from tlieir pur- 
suers. 

The holding of that court session gave Ohio a 
judicial and bloodless victory. A further practical 
victory for Ohio was obtained the next day by the 
removal of Governor Mason, the order reaching him 
while he was addressing the troops. His successor 
as secretary and acting governor was John S. 
Horner. On September 10 the Michigan troops 
left Toledo. 



The whole affair was regarded by many as simply 
an executive joke, and the following, from a war- 
song of the period, illustrates the humor of that 
day: 

Old Lucas gave his order all for to hold a court, 
And Ste\'ens Thomas Mason, he thought he 'd have some sport. 
He called upon the Wolverines, and asked them for to go 
To meet this rebel Lucas, his court to overthrow. 

Our independent companies were ordered for the march, 
Our officers were ready, all stiffened up with starch; 
On nimble-footed coursers our otTicers did ride, 
With each a pair of pistols and sword hung by his side. 

The troops from Detroit came home on the 
steamboat General Brady, and the day being the 
anniversary of I^erry's victory, they celebrated that 
instead of the one they did not win. The occasion 
was an enjoyable one. John McDonnell was called 
to the chair, with Franklin Sawyer as secretary. 
Toasts were offered by Captain Griswold, Colonel 
Goodwin, Surgeon-General Wall, Colonel Bacon, 
Lieutenant Howard, of City Guards, K. Pritchette, 
Captain Bull, Captain Rossiter. Captain Ripley, 
Major Bucklin. Quartermaster Ten Eyck, Sergeant 
Sawyer, Tallman of the Rifle Corps, H. G. Hubbard, 
Mr. McClure, Squire Abbott. Jr.. Alexander I3ates, 
and Messrs. Cicotte, Garland, Moran, White. Wil- 
cox, Emmons, and Rice. 

Among those arrested by Mason's forces was 
Major B. F. Stickney, of Toledo. The door of his 
residence was broken open, he was taken prisoner 
and brought to Monroe, but he and all of the prison- 
ers captured by Michigan were soon released. An 
official communication of Governor Horner, dated 
October 5, 1835, gives the following reasons for 
their release : 

In consequence of an anticipated change of Territorial to State 
Government, on the first Monday of November ne.xt, the Execu- 
tive lost all legal control over the ministerial and executive offices, 
the District attorney, James Q. Adams, absolutely refusing to 
enter a Nolle Prosegiti. * * . * The country was in a great 
state of excitement and the officers of insubordination. Salus 
pLipuli suprcina le.r. 

Congress would not admit the State of Michigan 
unless she gave up this territory, and she was finally 
obliged to yield. 

In 1837 the sum of $13,658.76 was appropriated 
by the State to pay the expenses incurred in en- 
deavoring to defend and save the territory in dis- 
pute. 

THE PATRIOT WAR. ' 

The cause of this war was similar to that which 
gave rise to the American Revolution ; but the 
troubles in Canada seemed aggravated by a com- 
parison of the condition of Canada at that time with 
the prosperity of the United States. The agitation 
finallv found vent in an open war between rival par- 



THE PATRIOT WAR. 



;oi 



ties in Canada. Tbie Patriots, so-called, fortified 
Navy Island in the Niagara River, and began to 
collect troops and munitions of war. The steam- 
boat Caroline was fitted out at Buffalo, and plied 
between Buffalo, Black Rock, and Na\7 Island, 
carrying visitors and oftentimes supplies to the 
Patriots. This exasperated the Canadian officials, 
and on December 29 she was boarded, twelve per- 
sons killed, and the vessel set on fire. This act 
called forth energetic protests from the United 
States, and General Scott was sent to the frontier 
to preserve the peace. The " rebels," as they were 
called, were defeated at several points by the Cana- 
dian Ciovernment, and in December, 1837, three 
hundred and twenty refugees had gathered at De- 
troit. Threats were made by some e.xcited in- 
dividuals to pursue them, even here, and to burn 
the town if they were not delivered up. 

Hunters' Lodges, so-called, composed of the 
friends of the rebels, were soon formed in Detroit 
and elsewhere, and were in daily receipt of news 
from the Patriot army. 

On Monday, January i, 1838, a meeting of citi- 
zens, friendly to the Patriot cause, was held at the 
theatre, to assist refugees in the city, and to aid the 
Patriot army. §134.56 and ten rifles were sub- 
scribed. The Morning Post favored the Patriots, 
and there was much feeling both for and against 
them. As a measure of safety, four hundred and 
fifty stands of arms had been stored at the jail, but 
between 2 and 3 a. M. on January 5 some twenty 
or thirty men went there, knocked until they aroused 
Mr. Thompson, the jailor, and when he opened the 
door rushed in, seized the guns, and carried them 
off. The next day they seized the schooner Ann, 
and with the stolen arms, one hundred and thirty- 
two men, and provisions for the Patriots, the boat 
left the city. 

The vessel was chased by an English steamer, 
and hailed at Ecorce by a United States marshal 
with a posse of citizens. She, however, proceeded 
on her way, was joined by several other boats, and 
the Patriots and about three hundred Canadian 
refugees were landed at Gibraltar. The same 
evening they were joined by si.xty men from Cleve- 
land, who came on the steamboat Erie, under 
the lead of a Scotchman, T. J. Sutherland. The 
design was to go over from Gibraltar and capture 
Maiden. 

On the day that the Ann left, a public meeting 
was held at the City Hall to devise means to pre- 
serve neutrality; and on January 8, 1838, at 2 .\. M., 
Governor Mason, with two hundred and twenty 
volunteer militia, embarked on the steamers Erie 
and Brady, to arrest the schooner Ann for a viola- 
tion of neutrality, and to gain possession of the 
arms taken from the jail. The Ann escaped to one 



of the islands outside of American jurisdiction, 
and the boats returned at 1 1 i'. M. entirely unsuc- 
cessful. 

Meantime Sutherland's forces attempted to take 
possession of Bois Blanc Island, but the Canadian 
officials rallied their militia, and, with a few troops, 
took possession themselves, and prevented his land- 
ing. Sutherland then retired to Fighting Island, 
and the Canadians, fearing he would make an 
attempt on the main land, returned to Amherstburg. 
Sutherland now ordered Theller, who was in com- 
mand of the Ann, to join him. The next day Theller 
attempted to do so, but the British soldiers on the 
shore fired into the Ann, and cut her ropes and 
sails, so that she drifted on shore and was captured, 
as was also Theller, who was carried to Ouebec as a 
prisoner. Sutherland now retired to Sugar Island, 
and from there to Gibraltar, on the American side 
of the river. To aid him in his plans, the Patriots 
at Detroit, on January 9, 1838, seized the steamboat 
Erie, but the next day they returned her. On Jan- 
uary 1 3 there was a meeting of citizens at the City 
Hall, held in pursuance of proclamations by Gov- 
ernor Mason and Mayor Howard. Addresses w'ere 
made by G. C. Bates, T. Romeyn, Mr. Morey, 
Attorney- General Pritchette, D. Goodwin, and 
Major Kearsley ; and the meeting resolved to sus- 
tain the Government in its efforts to preserve 
neutrality. 

On January 27, 1838, the steamboat Robert Ful- 
ton arrived from Buffalo, with three companies of 
United States troops in command of Colonel Worth. 
On February 12 six companies of militia were 
called out by Governor Mason to go to Gibraltar 
to preserve the peace. The weather was cold, 
and the expedition an undesirable one. In order 
to avoid going, two men endeavored to cross the 
river on the ice, but they broke through and were 
drowned. 

The militia reached Gibraltar, and Governor 
Mason induced the Patriots to di.sband ; but they 
soon began to gather for a new attempt. On Feb- 
ruary 12, 1838, twelve boxes of arms were brought 
to the city, from the arsenal at Dearborn. They 
were stolen by the Patriots, but found on the fol- 
lowing Wednesday in a garret over a* ball-alley. 
On February 13 one hundred and one barrels of 
flour were stolen from the steamboat General Brady, 
by Patriots, as she was lying in the river near the 
city. The day following a company of troops, 
commanded by Captain Johnson, arrived from 
Buffalo ; and the same day the Brady Guards left 
for (iibraltar to convoy provisions for troops at 
Monroe. 

Prior to February 19, there had been a great 
number of Patriots in Detroit and vicinity. They 
now disappeared, having gone up the river ; and on 



X02 



THE PATRIOT WAR. 



the 22d the Brady Guards went to St. Clair to pre- 
vent them from attacking Port Sarnia. On the 23d, 
about two hundred men assembled at Thomas's 
tavern, five miles below Gibraltar. In the night they 
moved up the river, in three divisions, as far as Ecorce; 
they remained until 1 P. M. on the 24th, and then 
crossed over to Fighting Island and began removing 
arms and ammunition in sleighs. The Canadian 
troops immediately gathered opposite the island ; 
and the same day a company of United .States troops 
and the Brady Guards left for Ecorce, reaching there 
about 4 P. M. 

On Sunday, the 25th. the Canadians commenced 
to cannonade the Patriots, and thirteen were killed 
and forty wounded. The Canadians now moved 
over to the island, and the Patriots retreated to Gib- 
raltar and along the shore. The American troops 
intercepted them and took away their arms, taking 
two of th^ leaders into custody. On the 26th, Gen- 
eral Scott arrived to effect a proper distribution of 
the United States troops. On March 7 there was a 
meeting of citizens a^ the City Hall to consult in 
regard to warlike preparations made in Canada 
against Detroit, and also in regard to the treatment 
of the prisoners taken by the Canadians. A com- 
mittee of citizens was appointed on the subject, 
consisting of D. E. Harbaugh, A. D. Eraser, P. 
Uesnoyers, C. C. Trowbridge, and E. Brooks. On 
March 10 there was firing on both sides of the river 
by unorganized bodies of men. On March 12 a 
great meeting of citizens was held at the City Hall; 
a committee, appointed March 7, reported favoring 
neutrality, and the meeting protested against .state- 
ments made in the Canadian I^arliament that the 
citizens of Detroit sympathized with and aided 
the Patriots. At this meeting, by request, John 
Farmer read a report of a survey made by him for 
Governor Stevens T. Mason, which established the 
fact that the capture of Thomas J. Sutherland by 
the British authorities was made within British 
jurisdiction on Detroit River. Sutherland had been 
accidently met on the ice by Colonel Prince and 
captured. 

During the summer of 1 838 two hundred or more 
Patriots were in camp near the Bloody Run. 
Meanwhilethe United States made active prepara- 
tions to enforce neutrality, and between the 14th 
and 1 6th of November ten thousand muskets were 
forwarded to Dearborn. 

On November 19 the steamboat Illinois left De- 
troit, and returned on the 21st, hanng captured a 
schooner near Gibraltar, with two or three hundred 
stands of arms designed for the Patriots. During 
the month reports were rife in Detroit that the 
Patriots were gathering at Cleveland and Sandusky. 
General Brady chartered the steamboat Illinois and 
stationed troops along the river to prevent disturb- 



ance, and the United States steamer Erie sailed up 
and down the river, conveying troops and supplies. 
On the 2 1st of the month the Patriots stole the 
arms of the Brady Guards, but on the 23d they 
were recaptured. About this time nearly five hun- 
dred refugees gathered at Brest, and from there 
moved up to the Forsyth Farm, now within the 
city. On Sunday, December 3, i S38, they were dis- 
persed, and twelve bo.xes of arms captured by Gen- 
eral Brady, who left Detroit at 8 p. m. and returned 
at 2 A. M. 

The Patriots disagreed among themselves as to 
the plan of the campaign, but on December 4, about 
2 A. M., from one hundred and eighty to two hun- 
dred and forty persons, under Colonel Harvel and 
Colonel Cunningham, marched into Detroit, to the 
wharf where the steamboat Champlain lay. They 
boarded her, and crossed over about three miles 
abo\'e Windsor. There they formed and marched 
to the Canadian barracks, which they attacked, 
burning them, together with the steamer Thames. 
Meantime the British regulars had been rein- 
forced from Maiden, and the Patriots were forced 
to retreat in canoes to Hog Island, with a loss of 
twenty-one killed. Four more were shot by order 
of Colonel Prince, nearly a dozen were frozen to 
death, and sixty-five were captured. 

Colonel Payne, of the United States Army, fired 
on tlie Patriots as they were escaping to Hog Island. 
So great was the excitement in Detroit on the clay 
of the battle that a night-watch of forty men was 
appointed, and on the following day an additional 
watch of one hundred and fifty prominent citizens 
was appointed. 

On December 4, 1 838, nearly a year after he was 
captured. Dr. Theller, who had escaped from 
Quebec, returned to Detroit. The next day he 
was arrested for violation of neutrality, gave bail, 
and on his final trial in June, 1839, he was ac- 
quitted. 

On December 6, 183S, the Brady Guards were 
regularly mustered into the United States sen'ice 
for three months, unless sooner disbanded ; and all 
through this war General Hugh Brady co-operated 
actively with the British forces. Many who sympa- 
thized with the Patriots disapproved of the exertions 
of the United States officers, and on one occasion 
gathered at the Michigan Garden, Colonel James L. 
Gillis presiding, where they denounced the United 
States officers for the part they had taken. 

On December 9 Major-General Scott and suite 
again visited Detroit for the purpose of maintaining 
neutrality, and on December 1 2 he delivered an ad- 
dress at the National Hotel on the Patriot ques- 
tion. 

As late as December 25, there were one thousand 
troops at Sandwich, three hundred of them being 



THE MEXICAN WAR. 



303 



regulars ; but the war in this region was practically 
ended. 

THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The principal cause of this war was doubtless the 
desire of Southern congressmen to obtain more ter- 
ritory for slave States ; but there were also real 
grievances, consisting of unsettled claims for out- 
rages committed upon American citizens living on 
the borders of Mexico. These difficulties, together 
with a dispute as to the boundary line, caused Con- 
gress to declare war on May 1 3, 1 846. 

Troops were soon called for, and ten new regi- 
ments were ordered to be raised for the regular 
army. Of these A. T. McReynolds was commis- 
sioned to raise one company for the Third United 
States Dragoons, John Brown was commissioned 
first lieutenant, and J. C. D. Williams second 
lieutenant. 

This was the only mounted company to be raised 
in Michigan and Wisconsin, and men from both 
States enlisted. Though none less than six feet in 
height were accepted, the company was rapidly 
filled up. It presented so fine an appearance that, 
on its arrival in Mexico, General Scott pronounced 
it the finest body of troops he had ever seen, and 
made it one of the two companies composing his 
personal escort. 

They left Detroit by boat on April 24, 1847, and 
reached Vera Cruz on May 20. The same day that 
they left, in honor of victories said to have been won 
at Palo Alto, Buena Vista, and Reseca de la Palma, 
a national saktte was fired by order of the Common 
Council. There was a parade of the Frontier and 
Brady Guards, and in the evening the city was 
illuminated, and the firemen turned out in torch- 
light procession. These facts afford the best of 
evidence that Detroit, at that time, was not too 
con.ser\'ative. Indeed, she was literally ahead of 
the time, for a few days later it was learned that 
the battles thus celebrated had not yet taken place. 
The celebration actually occurred about two weeks 
before the battles had been fought. 

At this time the telegraph was not in operation, 
and any news from the seat of war came by boat. 
Captain Joseph Taylor, a brother of General Zachary 
Taylor, was then stationed at Detroit, and was 
naturally very anxious to hear what was going on. 
On the day when definite news arrived of the victory 
of Palo Alto, he spent most of the time on the 
wharf, awaiting the vessel with the expected news. 
Judge Wilkins bore him company a part of the 
evening, but finally went home. Late in the night 
the judge's door-bell rang, and rang again, each 
peal accompanied by loud outcries and thundering 
raps on the door. When the judge opened the door 
to find out the occasion of all the disturbance. Cap- 



tain Taylor was still alternately beating a tattoo and 
shouting at the top of his voice, " My brother has 
licked the Mexicans at Palo Alto ! Hurrah ! hur- 
rah !" Soon after this the memory of victories in 
Mexico began to be preser\-ed in the names of 
saloons and hotels. A noted bowling alley on 
Monroe Avenue was honored with the title of " The 
Palo Alto or 8th of May Saloon," and the hotel of 
Colonel Prouty, on the corner of Sixth Street and 
Grand River Avenue, was named the Buena Vista 
House, and retained the name for many years. 

After the company of dragoons had been filled, it 
was decided to raise an infantry company, and one 
hundred and eighteen men were enlisted in sixty 
days, three fourths of them in Detroit. They were 
quartered at the old arsenal, and were designated 
as Company G of the Fifteenth United States In- 
fantry. They were commanded by Captain F. M. 
Winans, with William D. Wilkins as first lieutenant, 
and M. P. Doyle as second lieutenant. Early in 
April, 1847, they were stationed at Mackinaw, reliev- 
ing some regular troops. In June, 1847, they were 
ordered to Mexico, and were relieved by a com- 
pany from Detroit, commanded by Captain M. L. 
Gage, with A. K. Howard as first lieutenant, and 
W. H. Chittenden and C. F. Davis as second lieu- 
tenants. 

This last company, styled the Brady Suards, was 
mustered into the United States service on June 18. 
Although called the Brady Guards, they had no 
connection or relation to the old company which 
bore that name. They were enlisted for the special 
jHirpose of garrisoning the posts at Mackinaw and 
.Sault Ste. Marie, and were disbanded early in 1848. 
Company G of the Fifteenth Regiment from Mack- 
inaw, on their way to the seat of war in Mexico, 
arrived at Detroit on June 26, 1847, and left the 
same evening. 

During the year Michigan was called on for a 
full regiment of volunteers, and the following officers 
were commissioned : Colonel T. B. W. Stockton, 
Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Williams, Major J. V. 
Ruehle, Adjutant J. E. Pittman. Captains : Com- 
pany A, F. W. Curtenius ; Company B, Grove A. 
Buel ; Company C, A. H. Hanscom ; Company D, 
N. Greusel, Jr ; Company E, Isaac S. Rowland ; 
Company F, John Whittenmeyer ; Company G, 
Daniel Hicks; Company H, Walter W. Dean; 
Company I, John Van Arman ; Company K, James 
M. Williams. Of the men raised for this regiment, 
six companies under Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Wil- 
liams left in December, 1847,— three companies 
going on the 24th, under Captains Buel, Hanscom, 
and Greusel: and three more on the 25th, under 
Captains Curtenius. Rowland, and Whittenmeyer. 
The second detachment of three companies, under 
Colonel Stockton, with Captains Dean, Van Arman 



304 



THE MEXICAN WAR. 



and Williams, left on the Albany on February 9, 
1848. 

The war soon after practically ceased, and on 
July 8, 1848, part of the First Regiment arrived on 
the John Owen ; others came on the loth ; and on 
Sunday, July 16, the balance of the regiment and 
the Brady Guards arrived, coming by way of Chi- 
cago and down the Lakes. They were met on Lake 



St. Clair by the Ferry Alliance, with the Scott 
Guards and a number of citizens on board. 

The expense to the State of raising the First 
Regiment was $10,165.85. On January 15, 1S48, 
the State appropriated $5,000 to raise the Second 
Regiment ; it was mustered into service, but was 
not ordered to Mexico. The total cost to the 
State of all the troops sent was $17,193.70. 



CHAPTER X L I V , 



THE WAR WITH THIC SOUTH. 



The causes of this war are indicated in tliose 
famous words of the time, " An irrepressible conllict 
between slavery and freedom." 

At the beginning of the struggle, the hero of the 
hour was Major Anderson. He transferred his force 
to Fort Sumter, where he could be more easily 
[provisioned, and make a better defense. On January 
8, 1 86 1, a salute of one hundred guns was fired in 
his honor at Detroit, and on"^pril I2 he was fired 
on at Fort Sumter. News of this latter event was 
received at Detroit the same day, and on the 1 3th a 
largely attended meeting of the Bar was held, Hon. 
Ross Wilkins presiding ; resolutions in favor of sus- 
taining the Government were adopted. On April 
1 5 there was an immense union gathering at Fire- 
men's Hall. On the next day Governor Blair arrived, 
and in the afternoon a number of leading citizens 
were invited to meet him at the Michigan E.xchange. 
At this meeting the governor announced that Michi- 
gan had been called upon to furnish immediately an 
infantry regiment fully armed, clothed, and equipped. 
The State Treasurer, John Owen, stated that it was 
estimated that $100,000 would be required to defray 
the necessary expense, and that the State had no 
present means of furnishing the amount. A resolu- 
tion was then passed pledging Detroit to loan the 
State $50,000, and calling upon the people of Mich- 
igan to advance an equal amount. A subscription 
paper was at once circulated, and $23,000 pledged 
by those present. 

The determination of the people to sustain the 
Union now began to manifest itself. On April 17 a 
flag was raised on the Board of Trade building, and 
patriotic speeches were made. General Cass was 
present. On the same day the Detroit Light Guards 
organized for the war. The following day a flag was 
raised on the Custom House and the Post Office ; 
on April 20. in front of the same building, the oath 
of allegiance was administered to all government, 
state, city, and county officers. On the 23d, the 
Sherlock, Scott, and Brady Guards organized, and 
a flag was raised on Firemen's Hall. Flag-raising 
now became general, and churches, schools, stores, 
and residences displayed the Stars and Stripes. 

On April 24 an order was issued from the adju- 
tant-general's office, organizing the First Regiment 



of Infantry, and appointing its field-officers. Its 
rendezvous was fixed at Fort Wayne, and the vari- 
ous companies were ordered to assemble there at 
once. The day following an immense meeting was 
held on the Campus Martius in favor of the war for 
the Union. An address was made by General Cass, 
a flag was raised on the City Hall, and three thou- 
sand children sang " The Star Spangled Banner." 

On May 2 the First Regiment was mustered into 
the service of the United States, and on May 1 1 it 
paraded on the Campus Martius, when a banner and 
cockades were presented. The regiment left the 
city on the 13th, seven hundred and eighty strong, 
with O. B. Willcox as colonel. It was the first west- 
ern regiment to arrive at Washington, entering the 
city May 16. On May 25 the Second Regiment was 
mustered in, and left on June 5 for the seat of war, 
with one thousand and twenty men under Colonel 
J. C. Robinson. The rendezvous of this regiment 
had been a ten-acre lot, on Clinton Avenue near 
Elmwood Cemetery. On June 19, 1861, a Camp of 
Instruction was established at Fort Wayne, with 
General A. S. Williams in command, assisted by 
Colonel J. E. Pittman, Major W. D. Wilkins, and 
Captain H. M. Whittlesey. On August 2 the First 
Regiment returned and were given a grand recep- 
tion. They were mustered out on August 7. 

The Fifth Infantry was mustered in August 28, 
and left Detroit on September 11, nine hundred 
strong, under Colonel H. D. Terry. The Sixteenth 
Infantry, was mustered in on September 8, and left 
on September 16, nine hundred and si.xty strong, 
under Colonel T. B. W. Stockton. 

September 26, 1861, was observed as a day of 
national prayer and fasting. The Eighth Infan- 
tr\' was mustered in September 23, and left on 
September 27, nine hundred strong, under Colonel 
W. M. Fenton. The First Cavalry was mustered 
in on September 1 3, and left September 29, eleven 
hundred and fifty strong, imder Colonel T. F. Brod- 
head. The Ninth Infantr\-, mustered in October 
15, left October 25, nine hundred and forty-three 
strong, with W. W. Duffield in command. 

On October 26, a large Union political convention, 
composed of leading men from both parties, was 
held, and it was decided that in the fall election 



[30s] 



;o6 



THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH. 



but one ticket, and that a Union ticket, should be 
nominated. On November 28 a reception was given 
tc Colonel Mulligan, the hero of Lexington, Missouri. 

In January', 1862, the (jovernment leased ten 
acres of the Joseph Campau Farm on Clinton 
Avenue, between Joseph Campau and Elmwood 
Avenues, and erected barracks for ten thousand 
men. The place was called Camp Backus, and in 
June, 1862, troops were quartered there. 

At 7 P. M. on February 17, 1862, news of the 



Ham A. Howard, Theodore Romeyn, and Colonel 
H. A. Morrow. The meeting was interfered with, 
by disorderly characters, who feared a draft. The 
citizens generally denounced the manifestation of 
mob-spirit, and another and larger meeting was held 
on July 22, at which speeches were made by Colonel 
Henry A. Morrow, General Lewis Cass, Major Mark 
Flanigan, Duncan Stuart, C. L Walker, H. H. Em- 
mons, Lieutenant-Colonel Ruehle, and James F. 
Joy. At this gathering for the first time bounties 




Pecese.nt.vtion of Culoks to I-IKM Kei.iment. 



victory at Fort Donelson was received. A general 
ringing of the fire bells called the engines together 
in the vicinity of the post-office. Soon after the 
military arrived, and at eight o'clock a procession 
was formed and a number of buildings illuminated. 
Large quantities of Roman candles had been dis- 
tributed throughout the procession, and they were 
burned so extravagantly that at times it was as 
bright as day along the route. 

On July 15, 1862, about five hundred men were 
required from the city. Calls for troops came fre- 
quently, and a large war-meeting was held to incite 
volunteering. Speeches were made by Hon. Wil- 



were pledged by leading citizens, and many volun- 
teers were obtained. 

On July 28 a similar meeting was held in front of 
the Biddle House and largely aided in raising the 
Twenty-fourth Regiment, which was composed 
chiefly of citizens of Detroit and Wayne County. 
Its rendezvous was at the Fair Grounds on Wood- 
ward Avenue. 

In 1862, through the efforts of Colonel Arthur 
Rankin, of Windsor, and Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. 
Tillman, of Detroit, a regiment of Lancers was 
raised, and accepted by the Government, but was 
never called into semce. 



THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH. 



307 



In order to prevent avoidance of military duty, on 
August 9 an order was received from the War De- 
partment directing that all travel to and from Canada 
should be interdicted, unless travellers were pro- 
vided with a permit. The Twenty-fourth Infantry 
was mustered in on August 15, and on August 26 
assembled on Campus Martins, where a beautiful 
stand of colors was presented. 

On the 27th General O. V,. Willco.x, colonel of the 
First Michigan Regiment, who had been a prisoner at 
Richmond, returned 
to Detroit, and was 
received with enthu- 
siasm. Triumphal 
arches, an immense 
procession, and 
hearty greetings 
bade him welcome. 
The same day the 
Seventeenth Infant- 
ry, which had been 
mustered in August 
21, left the city nine 
hundred and eighty- 
two strong. Colonel 
W. H. Withington 
in command. The 
Twenty- fourth In- 
fantry left on Au- 
gust 29, one thou- 
sand and twenty- 
seven strong, under 
Colonel H. A. Mor- 
row. 

Early in Septem- 
ber it was evident 
that more soldiers 
would be. called for, 
and the citizens were 
recommended to or- 
ganize for purposes 
of drill. .Xccorcling- 
ly in most of the 
wards companies 
were formed which 
drilled on Monday 
and Wednesday 
evenings. 

On September 10, an impromptu Har-meeting 
was held, and the propriety of adjourning the Wayne 
Circuit Court, on account of the condition of the 
country, was discussed ; union of action of all parties 
was recommended ; addresses were made by H. H. 
Emmons, C. I.Walker, Levi Bishop. D. IS. Duffield. 
and E. X. Willco.x; and at an adjourned meeting 
September 11, the above recommendations were 
adopted. 




TkUMTHAL AkLH, KKliCTED AT J U,\ 

Avenues, on the Return 



On September 12 the Twenty-first Regiment, 
which had been a year in service, returned and was 
given a supper and reception at the M. C. R. R. 
Depot. The building was handsomely decorated 
for the occasion. 

The Fourth Regiment of Cavalry, which had been 
mustered in on the 26th, left on August 29 for the 
front, twelve hiuidred and twenty-three strong, with 
R. H. G. Minty as colonel. 

The Ninth Battery, one hundred and sixty-eight 

strong, under Cap- 
tain J. J. Daniels, 
and the Fifth Regi- 
ment of Cavalry, 
thirteen hundred 
and five strong, 
commanded byJ.T. 
Copland, were mus- 
tered in on August 
30, and left for the 
seat of war on De- 
cember 4. 

In July, 1862, the 
Secretary of War 
authorized Henry 
Barns to recruit a 
colored regiment in 
Michigan, and with 
the approval of the 
governor, he raised 
■-he First Michigan 
Colored Infantr)'. 
The organization 
was completed on 
he 17th of Febru- 
ary, 1863, and the 
regiment was mus- 
tered into the ser- 
vice of the United 
States as the One 
1 1 undred and Sec- 
ond United States 
Infantr\-, with eight 
hundred and ninety- 
five names on its 
rolls. It left Detroit 
on March 28. 



CTION OK JeFFEKSON AND WoODVVAKU 

OF Genekal O. B. Willcox. 



.■\n unjustifiable 
feeling against colored people, caused by the idea that 
they were in some way responsible for the war and 
its attendant evils, was the real occasion of a disgrace- 
ful riot which occurred on March 6, 1S63. A man 
named Faulkner, an alleged negro, had been arrested 
on the charge of outraging a white girl, and sen- 
tenced to imprisonment for life. The roughs of the 
city made this an excuse for a general attack on the 
colored people, and while escorting the prisoner to 



^o8 



THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH. 



the jail, the provost guard of seventy-five men, called 
out by acting mayor F. B. Phelps, was assaulted by 
the mob. A few of the soldiers fired, killing one and 
wounding- several. The guard then returned to their 
quarters, and soon after an indiscriminate attack was 
commenced on the negroes in the vicinity of the jail. 
The provost-guard were again called for by the 
mayor, but fearing that in their absence the drafted 
men would escape, they did not respond. Regular 
troops from Fort Wayne, commanded by Captain C. 
C. Churchill, were now called out, as were aho the 
Light and Lyon Guards. Five companies of the 
Twenty-seventh Infantry, commanded by Colonel D. 
M. Fox, were also summoned from Ypsilanti. The 
Scott Guards were mustered, many members of the 
Board of Trade were sworn in as special police, and 
the city was divided into thirty patrol districts. 
During the afternoon and evening, over twenty build- 
ings were set on fire, and thirty-five were burned. A 
large number of colored people were horribly beaten 
and driven back into burning houses ;■ though none 
were killed, several were severely wounded. Large 
numbers of citizens patrolled the streets all night. 
No one felt safe in person or property, and, alto- 
gether, the occasion was one of the darkest in the 
history of Detroit. On March 7 a public meeting 
of citizens was held which condemned the mob, and 
called for the arrest of the rioters. (See chapter 
on Slavery and the Colored Race.) 

July 2. 1863, brought news of the great battle of 
Gettysburgh, and the retreat of General Lee from 
Pennsylvania, — news mingling joy and sorrow, for 
some of the Michigan regiments were fearfully 
decimated in that battle. 

On July 7 news was received of the capture of 
Vicksburg, and an informal celebration was partici- 
pated in by many citizens, 

On July 8 the Common Council appropriated 
$2,500 to be expended in relieving soldiers of Mich- 
igan who were wounded at Gettysburgh ; and a 
committee, consisting of \V. C. Duncan, J. C. Gor- 
ton, James McGonegal, and Joseph Hoek, was 
appointed to visit the scene of battle. On July 28 
they reported that the "piles of boxes of lemons and 
oranges, tons of rice, crush sugar, tea and coffee of 
the best kind, with soups, meat, soft bread, and 
crackers, left but very little to be added by the com- 
mittee." They found the wounded at Annapolis, 
Washington. Baltimore, and Philadelphia " in pleas- 
ant hospitals, surrounded with every comfort the 
most fastidious could desire ; in airy rooms, clean 
beds, with a change of linen every day, mosquito 
bars, and that cleanliness and quiet so much sighed 
for by the invalids. It would seem that there is 
nothing our good Government has forgotten to do 
for its noble sons." They therefore deemed it 
necessary to expend only $795. 



On April 27, 1864, two beautiful flags were pre- 
sented to Colonel H. A. Morrow for the Twenty- 
fourth Regiment. In honor of the occasion, a larc-e 
crowd gathered on the Campus Martius, and an 
eloquent oration was delivered by Judge J.\'. Camp- 
bell. 

On June 20 the Third Infantry returned to Detroit, 
and the same day was mustered out. 

On June 26 the Fourth Infantry returned, and on 
June 28 was mustered out. 

On .September 3 news was received of the great 
victor)' at Atlanta, and amid great rejoicing an 
impromptu celebration was arranged. A national 
salute was fired, brilliant fireworks displayed, and 
speeches were made by Theodore Romeyn, Jacob M. 
Howard, and D. B. Duffield. 

Early in November, 1863, the War Department 
was officially notified by Lord Lyons, the British 
Minister, that a plot was on foot among Southern 
sympathizers in Canada to take possession of some 
of the steamers on Lake Erie, surprise Johnson's 
Island, near Sandusky, and free the Southern prison- 
ers there confined. The plot, however, did not take 
definite shape until September 19, 1864, when the 
steamer Philo Parsons was seized. Four of the 
raiders, including Bennet G. Burley, one of the 
leaders, had taken passage on the boat at Detroit. 
On her way to Sandusky, she landed at Sandwich 
and Amherstburg. where the balance of the raiders, 
about thirty in number, came on board. Their bag- 
gage consisted of only one trunk, which was after- 
wards found to contain revolvers and hatchets. The 
boat reached Kelly's Island about 4 P. m., and while 
proceeding towards Sandusky, the conspirators took 
possession. Meantime, another party had seized 
the steamer Island Queen, with about twenty-five 
soldiers, at Middle Bass Island. Her passengers 
were put on board the Philo Parsons, and the two 
vessels went on to within four miles of Sandusky. 
Not receiving the assistance that was probably ex- 
pected from that city, the conspirators abandoned 
the Island Queen and returned to the Detroit River. 
After landing part of the crew on Fighting Island, 
they proceeded to Sandwich, where they arrived on 
Tuesday. Here they plundered and then abandoned 
the steamer, which was recovered by the owners in 
a damaged condition, and brought to Detroit. The 
conspirators had a Confederate Hag, and on their 
trial it was conclusively shown that they were acting 
under orders from Richmond. 

More troops were greatly needed at this time, 
and in order to secure the full number required 
from Detroit, on September 27, 1864, the first 
draft was made for the purpose of filling the 
quota. A draft was also made on March 21, 1865, 
but the men then drafted were not called upon to 
serve. 



THK WAR WITH THE SOUTH. 



309 



On October 30 Mayor Duncan received information 
that there was a rebel plot to burn the city. The 
military companies were at once organized for active 
service, and fifty special police were sworn in. The 
little steamer, E. A. Brush, was also chartered to 
patrol the river. On November 2 the mayor was 
warned by telegram from William H. Seward of a 
similar plot ; and at a meeting of the council, the 
citizens of the several wards were recommended to 
organize and drill as a home guard. On November 
7, arrangements having been made by the State, the 
soldiers in camp and at the front were allowed to 
vote at the fall election. On December 10 the 
Thirtieth Regiment, under Colonel G. S. Wormer, 
which had been at Jackson, removed to Detroit for 



The whole city was at once in mourning ; men wept 
like little children, and intense feeling pervaded all 
classes. 

At this time there existed in the city an organiza- 
tion known as the Union League. Its general design 
was to bring loyal men together and unite them in 
their efforts for the good of the nation. At a meet- 
ing of this body, on the evening of the day the news 
of Lincoln's death was received, John J. Bagley, 
with other leading citizens, was present. In express- 
ing his feelings, he said, " I closed my store and 
went home. I sat down in the parlor, and the tears 
would come. My little daughter came to me and 
said, 'Papa, what 's the matter.'' I said, 'Mr. Lin- 
coln is dead.' ' What, papa ? Our Lincoln .-' Is 




Death of President Lincoln. Meeting on the Campus Maktius .\pkil i6, 1S65. 



duty along the border. They were mustered in on 
January 9, and mustered out on June 30, 1865. 

On April 3, 1865, news was received of the fall 
of Richmond, and a salute of one hundred guns 
was fired. In the evening illuminations and bonfires 
were numerous. News was received on April 10 
of the surrender of the Confederate army under 
General Lee. This was the virtual termination of 
the war. and the announcement caused almost com- 
plete suspen.sion of business ; and the joy of the 
citizens found expression in speeches, processions, 
and illuminations. 

Joy was soon turned into mourning, for on the 
morning of April 1 5 the city was startled with the 
news that President Lincoln had been assassinated. 



our Lincoln dead ?' ' Yes," I .said, ' our Lincoln is 
dead.' My friends, he was our Lincoln. It 's our 
Lincoln that's dead! Not the Lincoln of five years 
ago, whom comparatively few people knew ; nor 
the Lincoln of two years ago, whose ability some 
doubted ; but the Lincoln of to-day, of yesterday, 
whom as a nation we loved, and whom as a nation 
we mourn. Our Lincoln is dead ! But he liveth 
still, and the spirits of the Brave Boys in Blue, from 
a hundred battle-fields, give him greeting in the 
mystic land." 

The remarks of Mr. Bagley but voiced the uni- 
versal feeling. Rage, amazement, grief, were all 
combined, and stout hearts almost failed from the 
fear and dread that possessed them. The next day 



;io 



THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH. 



an immense meeting was held on the Campus Mar- 
tins to express sorrow for the assassination of the 
President, and condemnation for those responsible 
for the deed. 

In accordance with the suggestion of a committee 
of citizens, services were held in the churches at 
twelve o'clock, noon, on April 19, and on April 25 
there was an oration by Jacob M. Howard, and an 
immense funeral possession, with catafalque and ap- 
propriate emblems. Everywhere stores and resi- 
dencesvwere draped in black, and loving, tender, 
and patriotic mottoes, displayed in many forms, 
relieved and enforced the sombre hangings. 

May 20 was obser\'ed as a national fast day. 
There was a general suspension of business, and the 
day was more thoroughly observed than any previous 
occasion of similar character. 

Early in June, 1865, Rev. George Taylor, agent 
of the Christian Commission, was advised that a 
regiment of returning soldiers was about to arri\e at 
Detroit. He conceived the idea that they should 
be welcomed with a bountiful meal, served by the 
ladies of the city. Notices were sent to the 
churches calling for provisions, money , and help- 
ers. A public meeting was held and arrangements 
perfected, with Mr. Taylor as manager. Scores 
of ladie.s, both from Detroit and places in the 
interior, volunteered to serve the tables ; and when 
the regiment arrived the men were welcomed and 
waited upon. The upper part of the freight depot 
of the M. C. R. R. was fitted up as a dining-hall. 
with seats for one thousand persons ; and between 
June 4, 1865, and June 10, 1866, more than twenty- 
three thousand troops were received and entertained, 
most of them coming by the Cleveland line of boats. 
The following gives the dates of the arrival at 
Detroit of the Michigan regiments in 1865 : 

Seventeenth Infantry, on June 7 ; Nineteenth In- 
fantry, June 13; Twenty-first Infantry, June 13; 
Twenty-fourth Infantry, June 20 ; Twenty-second 
Infantry, June 30 ; Fifth Cavalry, July I ; Twenty- 
third Infantry, July 7 ; Fifth Infantry, July 8 ; Fourth 
Cavalry, July 10; Sixteenth Infantry. July 12; 
Fourteenth Infantry, July 21 ; Twenty-seventh In- 
fantry, July 29; Ninth Cavalry, July 30; Second 
Infantry, August i ; Eighth Infantry, August 3 ; 
Fifteenth Infantry, September i ; Twenty-ninth In- 
fantry, September 12. In 1866: Twenty-eighth 
Infantry, June 8 ; Fourth Infantry, June 10; Third 
Infantry, June 10. 

Hy appointment of the governor, April 19 was 
obserx'ed as a day of fasting and prayer. 

On July 4, 1866, one hundred and twenty-three 
battle-stained and bullet-marked flags, belonging to 
the Michigan regiments, were formally presented to 
the State. Many members of the decimated regi- 
ments took part in a procession connected with the 



exercises, and their appearance with their torn flags 
brought tears to many eyes. They were welcomed 
by M. I. Mills, the mayor of the city. The flags 
were presented by General O. B. Willcox, and an 
address was delivered by Governor H. H. Crapo; 
the religious exercises were conducted by Bishop 
McCoskry and Rev. Dr. Duffield. 

The total number of men sent from the State 
during the war was 90,747, of which Wayne County 
contributed 9,213, or a little more than one tenth of 
the whole number, and fully two thirds of those, or 
over 6,000, were from Detroit. 

The number of men lost to the State, as near as 
can be determined, was as follows : Officers killed, 
177; died of wounds, 85; died of disease, 96; total, 
358. Men killed, 2,643; died of wound;;, 1,302; of 
disease, 10,040; total, 13,985. Whole total, 14,343. 

The associations organized to supply comforts for 
the soldiers in hospitals, camp, and field were a 
marked feature of the war. The smoke of the first 
battle had hardly disappeared before scores of De- 
troit ladies were busily engaged in scraping lint, and 
in collecting and preparing needed comforts for the 
sick and wounded. 

Mrs. Morse Stewart and Mrs. Dr. Duffield. acting 
on the suggestion of Miss Dix, were the first to 
obtain and forward hospital supplies; and the Ladies' 
Soldiers' Aid Society of Detroit, organized Novem- 
ber 6, 1 86 1, was the first in the United States. 
From 1 86 1 to 1865 the following ladies were officers 
of this society, and of its younger sister, the Michi- 
gan Branch of the United States Sanitary Commis- 
sion : 

Presidents, Mrs. Isabella G. Duffield, Mrs. Theo- 
dore Romeyn, Mrs. John Palmer, Mrs, Bela Hub- 
bard ; vice-presidents, Mrs. John Owen, Mrs. N. 
Adams, Miss Sarah A. Sibley, and Mrs. Henry L. 
Chipman; treasurers, Mrs. D. P. Bushnell, Mrs. W. 
N. Carpenter, Mrs. O. T. Sabin, Mrs. H. L. Chip- 
man, Mrs. George Andrews; auditors, Mrs. D. P. 
Bushnell, Mrs. W. A. Butler ; recording secretaries, 
Miss Sarah T. Bingham, Miss Kate E. Stevens, 
Mrs. O. T. Sabin. Miss Lizzie Woodhanis ; corre- 
sponding secretary. Miss Valeria Campbell. 

Among the ladies who were specially active in 
visiting the hospitals, Soldiers' Home, and soldiers' 
families, were Mrs. Brent and daughter, Mrs. L. 
B. Willard. Mrs. Walter Ingersoll, Mrs. Cornelia 
Ludden, Mrs. Edward Kanter, Mrs. Washington 
Throop, and Mrs. A. A. Fish. These ladies per- 
formed an immense amount of invaluable work. 

In April. 1862, the Michigan Soldiers' Relief So- 
ciety was organized, with John Owen as president, 
B. Vernor as secretary, and William A. Butler, 
treasurer. This society forwarded hundreds of 
packages containing delicacies and supplies for the 
soldiers at the front, and largely sustained the -Sol- 



THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH. 



;ii 



diers' Home in Detroit. In 1864 the two societies 
just named formed an alliance, the Ladies' Aid So- 
ciety continuing its individual efforts. 

The new organization bore the name of The 
Michigan Soldiers' Relief Society, and had two sets 
of officers, as follows: president, John Owen; vice- 
presidents, B. \'ernor, I'. E. Ue.Mill, J. V. Camp- 
bell; treasurer, William A. Butler. Lady officers: 
Miss S. A. Sibley, president; Mrs. H. L. Chipman, 
Mrs. N. Adams, vice-presidents ; Miss Valeria 
Campbell, corresponding secretary; Mrs. George 
Andrews, assistant treasurer; Mrs. William A. 
Butler, auditor; Miss Lizzie Woodhams, record- 
ing secretary. These societies sent thousands of 
packages to soldiers in the various armies. The 
total value of the contributions and money expended 
through their agency was fully §50,000. 

Early in June, 1863, at a public meeting in Chica- 
go, George H. Stuart, Rev. C. P. Lyford, K. A. Bur- 
nell, and others set forth the work of the United 
States Christian Commission as an outgrowth of the 
Young Men's Christian Association. The work of 
this commission, at that time, was almost unknown 
in Detroit. At the close of the meeting the Rev. 
Mr. Lyford was engaged by the author of this work 
to go to Detroit and organize a branch in that city. 
Returning home soon afterwards, several of the 
churches were induced to give up their Sunday 
evening services, a large meeting was held in Young 
Men's Hall, and on June 1 5 the Michigan branch of 
the United States Christian Commission was or- 
ganized, with the following officers: E. C. Walker, 
chairman; C. F. Clark, secretarj'; H. I^. Baldwin, 
treasurer; associates, D. Preston, C. Ives, F. Ray- 
mond, J. S. Vernor. The Commission sent numer- 
ous delegates to hospitals and to the field, and ex- 
pended over $30,000 in ministering to the welfare 
and comfort of the soldiers. 

At the beginning of the war provision was made 
for the relief of families of those who went as sol- 
diers. Under Act of May 4, 1861, and supplemen- 
tal Acts of January 17, 1862, and March 19 and 20, 
1863, persons were appointed in both city and county 
to seek out and relieve those who were in need of 
relief; and a sum not exceeding $15 per month for 
each family was ordered to be raised and distributed. 
The amounts granted were payable by the county 
treasurer; and a total of $547,200 was paid out for 
purposes of relief, the city, as part of the county. 
paying nearly two thirds of the amount. 

At a public meeting held July 18, 1862, a com- 
mittee, consisting of T. M. McEntee, D. R. Duffield. 
William A. Moore, D. C. Holbrook, W. P. Yerkes, 
C. Hurlbut. and H. A. Morrow, was appointed to 
devise means for promoting enlistments. The com- 
mittee reported in favor of a bounty of $50 for each 
single man. and $100 for each married man who 



volunteered. On July 24, 1862, the Common Coun- 
cil accepted the recommendations of the committee, 
and pledged the city (provided the Legislature au- 
thorized it) to raise $40,000 to pay the bounties 
named. Messrs. E. Farnsworth, Major Lewis Cass, 
E. Lyon, H. P. Baldwin, and C. Van Husan were 
then appointed by the citizens and confirmed by 
the Council to obtain and distribute the money 
for these bounties. 

On August 26 the Council pledged a further sum 
of $20,000, if necessary. The original amount was, 
however, found to be sufficient, and on July 21, 
1863, the comptroller was directed by the Common 
Council, on the certificates of E. Farnsworth, to re- 
fund the amount of $40,226.25, advanced by citizens 
to pay the 'oounties. 

On March 22, 1864, $30,000 additional was voted 
by citizens toward paying a bounty of $50 each to 
veterans or volunteers enlisting under a new call for 
troops which had just been made ; and on March 
30, 1864, the comptroller was directed, until the 
quota of the city was full under the call, to pay a 
bounty of $50. 

At a citizens' meeting, held in October, 1864. a 
loan of $150,000 was authorized to pay bounties of 
$100 in cash and $200 in bonds to those who en- 
listed; and on January 9, 1865, a citizens' meeting 
appropriated $20,000 additional for bounties. Up 
to April, 1867, the city paid out for bounties the 
sum of $203,000. The city also bore its share of 
the county bounties of $100 each given in the form 
of bonds. The total amount of bounties paid by 
the county amounted to $660,554. 

Soldiers and Sailors' MonuDicnt. 

At a war meeting held July 20, 1861, a resolution 
was adopted to erect a monument to our " heroic 
dead," and a committee was appointed to carry the 
resolution into effect, but for various reasons it was 
deemed advisable to defer active efforts, and it was 
not until July 20, 1865, that a committee was ap- 
pointed to report a plan of work. 

On August II, 1865, the committee reported, the 
association was organized, and one hundred and six 
directors with other officers appointed. The first 
public and inaugural meeting was held at Young 
Men's Hall, on .-\ugust 31, 1865, and subscriptions 
amounting to $9,500 were then received. During 
the progress of the work. Rev. George Taylor was 
the chief financial agent of the association, and, 
largely through his efforts, several thousand dollars 
were contributed by the scholars in the public 
schools ; other large amounts were received from the 
Masonic, Odd Fellow, and Good Templar organi- 
zations, and also from various auxiliary Ladies" 
Monument Associations. Competing designs for 
the monument were advertised for on I'"ebruary 26, 



312 



THE WAR WITH THE SOUTH. 



1867, and on June 7 of the same year the design 
furnished by Randolph Rogers, of Rome (a former 
resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan), was accepted, 
and on September 25 a formal contract was made. 
The corner-stone was laid in East Grand Circus 
Park, on July 4, 1867; delegations from various 
places in Michigan were present, and an immense 
procession of military, civil, and secret societies pre- 
ceded the ceremonies. 

The association was formally incorporated on 
August 12, 1867, under the name of the "Michigan 
Soldiers' and Sail- 
ors' Monument As- 
sociation." The an- 
nual meeting is on 
the first Tuesday 
after the first Mon- 
day in September. 
The officers in 1882 
were : president, 
C. C. Trowbridge; 
vice-president,John 
Owen ; treasurer, 
William A Butler; 
secretaries, Thom- 
as W. 1 'aimer and 
James W. Romeyn. 
In 1883, after the 
death of C. C. 
Trowbridge, H. P. 
Baldwin was elect- 
ed president. 

After much con- 
sultation, and in 
accordance with 
the recominenda- 
tion of Mr. Rogers, 
it was decided to 
locate the monu- 
ment on the Cam- 
pus Martins, in 
front of the City 
Hall. The corner- 
stone was accord- 
ingly removed from 
East Grand Circus 
ment erected by J. 
necticut. 

On April 9, 1872, the monument was formally 
unveiled, and dedicated with appropriate and im- 
posing ceremonies, which were witnessed by thou- 
sands of people from the interior of the State. 

The monument is designed as an offering to the 
memory of the brave men from Michigan who per- 
ished in the war with the South, and bears the fol- 
lowing inscription: "erected by the people of 

MICHIGAN, IN HONOR OF THE MARTYRS WHO 




Soldiers' and Sailors' Monl'.ment. 



Park, and relaid, and the monu- 
G. Patterson, of Hartford, Con- 



FELL AND THE HEROES WHO FOUGHT IN DE- 
FENCE OF LIBERTY AND UNION." 

The body of the monument is of Westerly, Rhode 
Island, granite, and the statues are of golden bronze, 
cast in Munich, Bavaria. The general design of the 
monument is embraced in four sections. The first 
section has, at its corners, four bronze eagles. The 
second section has four statues, representing the 
four departments of the United States Service, — In- 
fantry, Marine. Cavalry, and Artillery ; each of the 
statues is seven feet high. The third section has 

four allegorical fig- 
ures, representing 
Victor}-, Union, 
Emancipation, and 
History. The fourth 
section, or crowning 
figure of the monu- 
ment, is eleven feet 
high, and represents 
Michigan allegori- 
cally, in aboriginal 
garb. On the four 
sides of the monu- 
ment are bronzed 
medallions of Lin- 
coln, Grant, Farra- 
gut, and Sherman. 
The height of the 
monument, includ- 
ing the crowning 
figure, is sikty feet. 
Lack of funds pre- 
vented the finishing 
of the four figures 
for the third section 
at the time the mon- 
ument was unveiled. 
Finally, on Novem- 
ber 17, 1879, 'hey 
were contracted for, 
and on July 19, 188 1, 
were set in position 
and unveiled. Theo- 
dore Romeyn deliv- 
ered an address, and there was a parade of the mili- 
tary. The total cost of the monument was a little 
in e.xcess of §70,000. The cost of the bronzes was 
as follows : the crowning statue, $8,000 ; the four 
army and navy statues in the second section, 
$20,000; the four allegorical figures, $10,000; the 
four medallions, $4,000; the four eagles, $2,400. 

By an Act approved January 31, 1S83, the State 
appropriated $350 for repairs to the railing and 
foundation, and provided for the further expenditure 
of not exceeding $100 per year, for the care and 
preserx'ation of the monument. 



CHAPTER XLV. 



MILITIA AND MILITARY COMl'ANIES. 



The militia organizations existing under Frencli 
and English rule are named in connection with the 
several wars of those periods. Under the earliest 
laws of the Northwest Territory all male citizens, 
between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, were en- 
rolled in companies, and required to parade for two 
hours every Saturday in the year. Whenever per- 
sons so enrolled assembled for public worship, they 
were required to go fully armed and equipped, or 
be subject to a fine. No provision was made for a 
uniform of any kind, and there was httle need of 
any. If a settler was able to kill a squirrel or an 
Indian at long range, the question as to whether he 
wore a blue coat, or any coat at all, was of but little 
moment. 

Under Act of December 13, 1799, all persons 
over eighteen and under forty-five were to be en- 
rolled, and to provide their own guns, ammunition, 
and accoutrements. The companies from Wayne 
County were to form a brigade. The Act made no 
provision for uniforming the commissioned ofificers 
or the members of the ordinary infantry companies ; 
and the cavalry and the light infantry companies 
only were required to wear uniforms. Enlistments 
in these companies were entirely voluntary. 

Under Indiana Territory the same regulations 
prevailed. On May 11, 1803. there was a parade 
at Detroit of the First Regiment of Wayne County. 

When the State of Ohio was organized, her first 
militia law, in 1803, provided that the militia should 
determine for themselves the color and fashion of 
their regimentals. In 1S05, when Michigan Terri- 
tory was organized. General Hull, on becoming 
governor, evidently determined to awaken astonish- 
ment by introducing a sort of West Point dress and 
discipline. The usual dress of the poor French set- 
tiers and backwoodsmen would no longer do for 
exhibition on general muster or "training days," 
and on August 30, 1S05, a militia law was passed 
which provided that all male residents over fourteen 
and under fifty be enrolled, and that the " comman- 
der-in-chief may direct the color and fashion of the 
uniforms of the officers, non-commissioned officers, 
and privates of the militia, and the occasions on 
which they shall appear in uniform." The number 
of the militia at tliis time is indicated in a return 

l3 



made by Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Chabert de Jon- 
caire on July g, 1805. which showed six hundred and 
twenty-three soldiers in ten companies. The names 
of the general officers were as follows : commander- 
in-chief. Governor William Hull ; aide-de-camps. 
Francois Chabert de Joncaire, George McDougall, 
and Solomon Sibley ; quartermaster-general, Mat- 
thew Ernest ; adjutant-general, James May. 

The officers of the First Regiment were : colonel, 
A. B. Woodward ; lieutenant-colonel, Antoine 
Beaubien ; major, Gabriel Godfrey ; adjutants, 
Christopher Tuttle and Jean Baptiste Cicotte ; quar- 
termaster, Charles Stewart ; chaplain, Rev. Gabriel 
Richard ; surgeon, William McCoskry ; captains, 
Jacob Visgar, David Duncan, George Cotterell, 
Lewis Campau, Christopher Tuttle, Louis St. Ber- 
nard, Joseph Cerre, dit St. Jean, Henry MacVey, 
Joseph Campau. Jean Cissne, and James Anderson ; 
lieutenants, John Ruland, Charles M. Campau, 
Samuel Abbott, John Meldrum, Whitmore Knaggs, 
Jean Marie Beaubien, Christian Clemens, James 
Campau, Thomas Tremble, Frangois Chovin, Con- 
rad Seek, and Benjamin Chittenden ; ensigns, Allen 
C. Wilmot, George Cotterell, Jr., James Connor. 
John Dix, Francois Rivard, Fran(;ois Tremble, John 
Ruland, John Burnett, Jacob Aeiller, James F. Gris- 
wold, and Peter E. Visgar. 

The officers of the Second Regiment were : col- ^ 
onel. John Anderson ; lieutenant-colonel, Frangois 
Navarre ; major, Israel Ruland ; adjutant, Giles 
Barnes ; quartermaster. Alexander Ewings ; sur- 
geon. Ethan Baldwin ; surgeon's mate, Bernard 
Parker ; captains, Joseph Jobin, Jean Baptiste 
Beaugrand, Francois Lasselle, Hubert La Croix, 
Jean Baptiste Jeraume, Joseph Menare, William 
Griffith, and Prosper Thibeau ; lieutenants. Hya- 
cinth La Joy, Franqois De Forgue, Jean Baptiste 
La Salle, Jacques Martin, Jean Baptiste Couteur, 
Jacques W. Navarre. Thomas Knaggs, and Andrew 
Jourdon ; ensigns, Joseph Cavalier, James Knaggs, 
.^le.xis Loranjey, Joseph Bordeaux. Isidore Navarre, 
Joseph Huntington, and Dominique Drouillard. 

The following were officers of the Legionary 
Corps: lieutenant-colonel, Elijah Brush; major, 
James Abbott ; adjutant, A. F. Hull ; quarter- 
master, Charles Curry ; surgeon, John Brown ; 



3H 



MILITIA AND MILITARY COMPANIES. 



captains (of cavalry), James La Salle, (of artillen'), 
John Williams, (of light infantry), George Hoff- 
man, (of riflemen), William McDowell Scott; lieu- 
tenants (of cavalryj, Richard Smyth, (of artillery), 
James Dodemeade, (of light infantr)'). Benjamin 
Chittenden, (of riflemen), Barnabas Campau ; cornet 
of cavalry, Gabriel Godfrey, Jr; second lieutenant 
of artillery, Henry F. Hunt ; ensigns (of light infan- 
try), George Meldrum, (of riflemen). Pierre Navarre. 

The militia of the District of Mackinaw were 
organized into two companies, and those on the 
river St. Clair into four. 

Following the passage of the Militia Law. on Sep- 
tember 27. 1805, General Hull issued the following 
proclamation : 

Uniforms.— In conformity to a law of the Territory of Michi- 
gan, the Commander-in-chief directs the following uniforms for 
the officers and soldiers of the militia of the said Territory ; 

Major Generals.— A dark blue coat faced with buff, buff cape, 
yellow buttons and linings, two gold epaulets, with two silver 
stars on each, buff vest and breeches, black cocked hat, black 
cockade, white and red jilumes. 

Brigadier Generals. — The same as Major Generals, with this 
difference, one silver star on each epaulet, and white and green 
plumes. Adjttant Generals. — The same as a Major General, 
with this difference, no star on the epaulets, and a white plume 
tipped with red. Qt AKTER^L^STER General. — The same as a 
Major General, with this difference, no stars on the epaulets, and 
a white plume tipped with green. Aids-de-Ca.mp of the 
Commander-in-Chief. — The same as a Major General, with 
this difference, no stars on the epaulets, and black and white 
plumes. Aids-de-Camp ok Major-Generals. — The same as 
a Major General, with this difference, no stars on the epaulets, 
and a black plusne. Brigade Major.— The same as a Brigadier 
General, with this difference, no stars on the epaulets, and a 
green plume. 

All General Officers.— A blue coat edged with gold cord. 
Field Officers, Captains and Subalterns of the ist Regiment. 
A dark blue coat, long, faced with red, red cape, white buttons, 
white lining, white underclothes, silver epaulets. The Colonel, 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and Major, two epaulets. Captains, an 
epaulet on the right shoulder, a silver strap on the left. Lieu- 
tenants, an epaulet on the left shoulder, a silver strap on the 
right. Ensigns, an epaulet on the left shoulder without any 
strap. The whole, black plumes tipped with red. The field offi- 
cers, small swords. The Captains and Subalterns, hangers with 
white belts. The whole, long boots. The field officers, spurs. 
The whole, red sashes. The field officers, bearskin holsters, pis- 
tols, and blue cloaks edged with silver cord. 

The Regimental Quartermaster.- The uniform and rank of 
a Lieutenant. The Regimental .Adjutant, the same. The 
Surgeon and Surgeon's Mate, long blue coats edged with white, 
cocked hats, white feathers, white imderclnthes, long boots, dirks 
with white handles. Chaplains.— Black coats, black under- 
clothes, black gowns, cocked hats, rose cockades. 

The Privates of Infantry.— Long blue coatsorcapots. white 
plain buttons, white underclothes in summer; while vest and blue 
pantaloons in winter ; half boots or gaiters, round black hats, black 
feathers tipped with red, 'cartridge belt and bayonet belt, black. 
The length of the coat or capot will be precisely to the knee. It 
will be made so as to sit easy on the body, but so tight as to have 
a neat and soldier-like appearance. The Colonel of the Regiment 
will point out the particular form, and furnish a sample, so that 
the whole will be made similar to each other. 

Officers of the 2D Regiment. — Field officers, long blue 
coats, faced with white, white buttons, white lining, two silver 
epaulets, cocked hats, white plumes. 



The Field officers will point out the uniform of the other officers 
of the Regiment. The uniform of the soldiers of the 2d Regi- 
ment, the same as the ist Rt-giinent, with this difference, their 
coats or capots will be edged with white, and they will wear a 
white featlier. 

Field Officers of the Legionary Corps. — Blue coats faced 
with buff, buff cape, yellow buttons, gold epaulets, buff lining, 
buff vests and breeches, cocked hats with rose cockades, white 
feather tipped with red, long boots, silver spurs, and in the sum- 
mer season they will wear white vests and breeches. 

Cavalry. — Red coats, turned up with black velvet, black capes, 
white vests, buckskin breeches, long boots, leather caps covered 
with bearskin, blue sash, white feather. 

Artillery. — Blue coats, skirts turned up with red, red capes, 
cocked hats, red feather ; for the warm season, white vest and 
pantaloons, black gaiters ; for the cold season, blue pantaloons 
edged with red cord. 

Light Infantry.— Short blue coats faced with buff, buff capes, 
round hat turned up on one side, black cockade, white feather; — 
in the warm season, white vest and pantaloons, with black gaiters; 
in the cold season, blue pantaloons edged with yellow cord. 

Rifle.men.— Short green coats, turned up with buff, buff capes, 
round hats, black cockades, green feather; in the warm season, 
white vest and pantaloons, black gaiters ; in the cold season, green 
pantaloons, edged with buff cord. 

The Commander-in-chief recommends to the officers and soldiers 
to procure tlieir uniforms as soon as possible; and directs that 
each officer and soldier appear in full uniform, when on military 
duty of any kind, after the first day of June next. 

In his communications to the Pittsburgh Com- 
monwealth, John Gentle, of Detroit, shows that 
General Hull was thrifty as well as aesthetic in his 
requirements. As to the uniforms Gentle says : 

The 6th day of June, 1806, the people of Detroit were gratified 
with the pleasing intelligence -that Governor Hull had arrived at 
Fort Maiden, where he was received with a royal salute, and every 
royal distinction due to his high merits as a distinguished officer 
of the United States. The ne.xt day he came up by land and 
crossed the river to Detroit, where he was also received by a salute 
from the Fort. * * * He brought with him a number of 
carpenters and bricklayers and a barge of dry goods, consisting of 
cloths, chiefly blue, cassimeres, and a quantity of swords, epaulets, 
tinsel ware, Hcc. So soon as his shop was put in order for business, 
he issued his general orders, commanding all the militia in the 
territory to provide themselves with complete suits of uniform 
clothing, viz. ; blue coats, white small clothes for summer, and 
blue for winter, black hats and feathers, short boots or gaiters. 

The chief of the officers complied with his orders, but the 
soldiers, more from poverty than from contumacy, did not comply. 
Blue cloth could not be got at that time, in any of the stores 
where the people were accustomed to traffic, and they could not 
command money to purchase their uniforms at the Governor's 
shop. 

The same orders were again repeated, and all captains of com- 
panies were commanded to enforce obedience to the orders, by fine 
and imprisonment. By means of this bare-faced imposition, he 
emptied a considerable store of money out of the pockets of the 
people in a direct line into his own. 

A printed petition to President Madison contains 
the following statement about this same transaction : 
*' As a Militia Commandant he would first prescribe 
a particular dress or epaulette, or cord, or facing, 
and then sell the cloth or lace to comply with it." 
These statements seem severe, but they are abund- 
antly verified by various documents in possession of 
the State Historical Society. That uniforms, and 



MILITIA AND MILITARY COMPANIES. 



3'5 



especially uniforms of such costly character, should 
have been required in this wild western region is of 
itself evidence either of jobbery, or of martinetism 
run mad. In the light of all the facts. General Hull's 
action seems to have been a compound of both. 
The absurdity of his regulations, and the way in 
which his efforts were regarded by the rough scouts, 
woodsmen, and trappers, is thus detailed in the 
Philadelphia Aurora for September 15, 1812 : 

Governor Hull, in 1807, look it into his head to take the militia 
from their natural kind of warfare, and dress and drill them in the 
Kevenhuller style, with stiff cocked hats and hiickram uniforms. 
They learned nothing, and their only militar>- usefulness was 
completely destroyed. He also brought with him from the sea- 
board, in 1806, two small brass field pieces, and proposed to estab- 
lish a troop of Cavalrj' mounted and properly equipped, with a 
number of pistols and sabers, but very probably he was not per- 
mitted to accomplish a purpose so prudent and important in an 
Indian country. 

The way in which his orders were received by 
the settlers is indicated by statements contained on 
page 322 of the Military and Civil Life of Cieneral 
Hull: 

Colonel Anderson of the second Regiment of Militia writes 
many letters from the river Raisin complaining of his officers be- 
cause they will not get their uniforms. The poor Colonel at last 
wishes to resign his commission, for " the French gentlemen, 
headed by the Lieutenant Colonel, will not get their uniforms, 
and the troops, the more I exercise them the less they learn." 
* * * Out of twenty French gentlemen, officers, only five have 
any uniform. 

Driven desperate, the Colonel, on June 26, 1806, writes that he 
has arrested his officers, and they write to the governor demand- 
ing a court-martial, " as they wish to know their fate " 

The following copy of an official document shows 
the foolish persistence of Governor Hull in this 
matter of the uniforming of the militia: 

Head Quarters at Detroit, July 23, 1806. 

General Orders. — The present being the season of har\-est, 
the Commander-in-chief excuses the militia from parading for the 
purpose of exercise, next Saturday. 

It will now be more than a month before they will be called for 
any duty, unless some extraordinary exigence should occur. 

This time must be employed in putting their arms and accoutre- 
ments in best possible order, and in procuring the uniform accord- 
ing to law. The Commander-in-chief now informs ihe officers 
that, hereafter, no indulgence will be granted, hut the Law. both 
as to arms and uniform, will be rigidly executed. At the next 
parade he will personally inspect the several companies. 

The militia of the Territory have been particularly distinguished 
by the (lenera! Covemmenl. The Cavalry been furnished with 
pistols and cutlasses. The Artillery with field-pieces and com- 
plete apparatus. The Infantr>' with arms and accoutrements. 

These favors have not been granted to any other citizens of the 
United Stales. Let us show by our spirit and conduct that we 
are worthy of these favors. 

By order of the Commander-in-chief. 

James May, 

A djutant-Gtneral. 

The injustice of the regulations as to uniforms 
was so apparent that on August 20. 1806, the Grand 



Jury protested against them. During this year war 
rumors were very numerous ; their effect at Detroit 
is thus described by Mr. Gentle : 

Towards the spring of 1806, all the Colonels, Majors, Captains, 
etc., both military and militia, convened at Smyth's Hotel to con- 
sider the warlike rumors. Mr. Walker of Gros Roche, and many 
others, were called forward to give evidence. The best part of a 
day was spent taking down the report of the evidence and collect- 
ing all the information that was possible on the subject. And 
when the whole was summed up, to their great surprise, it 
amounted to nothing at all. A general silence prevailed for a few 
minutes. Colonel B. then observed that he never suffered these 
reports to give him one moment's uneasiness, having considered 
them, all along, the effusions of disordered brains. A whisper 
went immediately round, that it was easily seen that he was con- 
nected on the British side. No confidence ought to be placed in 
men of his description. Colonel McD. rose in great agitation, 
and declared that although reports seemed favorable, still he 
looked upon them as partial. If we were not in immediate danger 
from the Indians, he was conscious, in his own mind, we were 
from the English. He, therefore. m_oved that all true patriots 
should wear eagles in their hats to distinguish them from British 
subjects. 

The motion was seconded, put to the vote, and carried. And 
from that day true patriots, from the Colonel down to the kitchen 
b. y, wore eagles on their hats. * * ♦ Soon after. Captain 
Dyson, commanding officer of Fort Detroit, received a letter by 
express, from Captain Whipple of Fort Wayne, advising that he 
had undoubted information that the Indians were making rapid 
preparations to attack Chicago, Michilimackinac, Detroit, and 
Fort Wayne, on one and the same day. Captain Connor, from 
the river Huron, also reported that the day of the eclipse was the 
day fixed by the Indians to make the attack on the above named 
settlements. A Council of the principal officers assembled, and 
after mature deliberation on the state of public affairs, it was 
resolved that the country was in danger ; also " Resolved, that 
three stockades be erected, one at river Huron, one at Detroit, 
and one at Erie." Also " Resolved, that they be completed the 
day previous to the day of the eclipse." General orders followed 
commanding general musters at nine o'clock on the nmming of 
the eclipse. At twelve o'clock, on the morning of the eclipse, the 
twelve companies of the district assembled on the Common, armed 
and accoutred, and ready for action, agreeable to orders. Ihey 
marched and countermarched, advanced and retreated, into the 
stockade, and there remained in a state of perfect safety, while 
their fathers, wives, and children staid at home to protect them- 
selves. With glasses they very distinctly discovered myriads of 
Indians in warlike array upon the surface of the two ])lanets 
Venus and Mars, while they were in conjunction, which is the 
last they have ever seen or heard of them to this day. 

In addition to other complaints against Governor 
Hull, a petition to President Madison stated : 

In Upper Canada, African slavery has always existed, and the 
labor of their slaves is a principal reliance of many families on 
both sides, for subsistence. Mr. Hull has countenanced the run- 
aways from that Province by embodying them into a military 
company, and supplying them with arms from the public stores. 
He has signed a written instrument, appointing a black man to 
the command of the company. This transaction is extremely 
dishonorable to the government on this side the river ; violates the 
feelings of the opposite side; essentially injures their interests; 
and eventually injures our own people, by exciting the others to 
retaliate in the same way. 

Few. if any, of the people had confidence in the 
militar\- leadership of General Hull. Their opinion 
was thus expressed m the petition : 



3'6 



MILITIA AND MILITARY COMPANIES. 



From the circumstances of our being on a frontier in a double 
sense, it is peculiarly necessary to have an officer of judgment and 
of military science. This gentleman has a kind of reputation of 
that sort, from his having served as a Major in the army, and 
from having been a General in the militia; but we have enough 
to satisfy us here, that it is unmerited. We judge from what we 
see with our own eyes. 

The petition and remonstrances of the people 
were alike disregarded, and the militia parades fol- 
lowed each other at regular intervals and were alike 
the joy and dread of the inhabitants. The children 
enjoyed them because of the drum and fife and 
gingerbread of training-day ; and those who pre- 
pared the soup for the soldiers, which was served in 
iron kettles, enjoyed them because of the emolu- 
ments of the occasion ; others enjoyed the rough 
merriment always caused by certain reckless and 
unruly spirits. Mrs. William Y. Hamlin has pre- 
served this story of one of the most awkward cap- 
tains of an awkward squad of that period. His 
name was Jean Cecire. He was full of conceit 
and exaggerated self-importance, and when dressed 
in the uniform prescribed by General Hull was, 
in his own eyes, hardly second to the great Na- 
poleon. Jean went frequently to see the regular 
troops drill. Their wondrous discipline and mili- 
tary exactness sorely puzzled him, but he thought 
it must be owing to the fact that the words of 
command were given in English, and that there 
was some hidden magic in the language. Calling 
the roll was also serious business to him, as his own 
and his sergeant's knowledge of English was almost 
as limited as their use of the pen, but his ingenuity 
conquered the latter difficulty. The names of the 
members of his company having been printed in 
order, a pin was used to punch a hole after the 
names of the absentees. His tongue, however, so 
easy to control in French, could not be drilled to 
speak other than the most broken English. Assem- 
bled on parade, 

Captain Jean ordered the Sergeant to call the roll. He pro- 
ceeded to obey, the Captain standing by in full glory. 

Sergeant, — "Attention, Companie Francais Canadians ! Answer 
your name when I call it, if you please. Tock, Tock, Livernois." 
No answer; at last a voice says, " Not here, gone catch his fantb- 
rener (fast-pacer) in the bush." 

Captain to Sergeant . — " Put pcen hole in dat man ! Go 'head." 

Sergeant. — " Laurant Bondy?" "Here, Sah." "Claude 

Campau ? " " Here, Monsieur." "Antoine Salliotte ? " Some 

one answers, " Little baby came last night at his house, must stay 

at home." 

Captain to Sergeant. — " Put one preek on dat man's name." 
Sergeant. — " L'enfant Riopelle ?" " Here, Sah." " Piton 
Laforest ?" "Here, Sah." "Simon Meloche ?" "Not here, 
gone to spear muskrat for argent blanc (silver money). 
Captain to Sergeant. — " Take pen and scratch dat man." 
After the roll was called and the absentees pricked, the Captain 
proceeded to drill his company. 

Captain. — " Marchee, mes comrades, deux et deux, like oxen, 
and wlien you come to dat stump, stop." They all made for the 
place, atid got there in a heap, looking, with their various colored 



dresses, like a rainbow on a spree. Disgusted at their awkward- 
ness, the Captain gave them a few minutes' relaxation. Instead 
of resting alt tnilitaire., they rushed off, one to smoke his beloved 
pipe, another to polish his carbine, whilst others amused them- 
selves by sitting on the grass, and telling about the races. The 
Captain called them to try again. This time he said, " Marchee 
as far as dat Soulier de l>(su/ {t\\d shoe) in the road, den turn ! 
Right gauche, left about ! Shoulder mus-keete ! Avance done, 
back ! Drill fineesh ! " 

The disagreeable features of these drills and other 
military doings are thus described by Mr. Gentle : 

The farmers were commanded to quit their harvest-fields and 
repair to the city, armed and accoutred with pick-axes and 
shovels, all day, to dig trenches and to plant pickets round Brush's 
farm, adjoining the city, without fee or reward, and to stand 
guard over iheir lords and masters during the silent night, with 
hungry bellies; whilst their families in the countr>' are exposed 
(if the danger was real) to the scalping knife, and their grain to 
the rot. 

Some of the militia grew restive and insubordinate 
under regulations that they deemed oppressive. In 
one case of abusive language and threatening 
action, a court martial, on December 27, 1807, 
ordered " ten stripes on the bare back." Others 
were literally dragged from their dwellings and 
compelled to do military duty. These disturbances 
gave rise to a conflict between Governor Hull 
and Stanley Griswold, the secretary of the Terri- 
tory. Governor Hull, on January 16, 1808, com- 
plained to the secretary' of State that Mr. Griswold 
was the chief cause of the troubles between himself 
and the militia, and enclosed a copy of a proclama- 
tion which he had issued calling on the people to 
discourage all mutinous conduct and to aid in 
detecting and apprehending all persons who might 
disturb the public peace. No names were men- 
tioned in the proclamation, but Hull says in his 
letter that it was made necessary by the actions of 
Mr. Griswold. It, therefore, seems curious indeed 
to read at the bottom of the proclamation, " By the 
Governor. Stanley Griswold. Secy, of Mich. Terri- 
tory." 

The next act in this particular farce was the 
arrest of Mr. Griswold, and his appearance at court 
before Justices May, McDougall, and Smyth, the 
last week in Januar>', iSoS, "charged with having 
enticed one or two of the militia to quit the ser\ice 
and go home, telling them that they could not be 
hurt for so doing." The testimony was long and 
confused, but in no point of view did it tarnish the 
character of the accused. On the contrary, it was 
plainly evident to every spectator, and even to Jus- 
tice Smvth, that all the testimony went to show that 
the accused uniformly advised those members of the 
militia who asked his advice to serve their time with 
composure. Still, astonishing as it may appear, 
Judges May and McDougall declared it their opinion 
that Griswold was guilty of heinous crimes, and 



MILITIA AND iMILITAKN' CUMl'AMKS. 



ji/ 



accordingly recognized him in the sum of one thou- 
sand dollars. At the moment this strange judg- 
ment was given, Justice Smyth rose, and protested 
" before God, before the Court, and all the bystand- 
ers, that Judges May and McDougall had given a 
partial judgment." Notwithstanding this protest, 
the order of the other two judges remained in force. 
Within two months after the trial, the term of Mr. 
Griswold ceased ; and he was relieved, and Reuben 
Atwater appointed in his stead. 

For the ne.xt ten years no records concerning the 
militia have been found, except such as directly 
connect them with various wars. All such facts are 
given in connection with the wars. 

In iSi 8 a company known as the Detroit Town 
Company was in existence, commanded by S. T. 
Davenport, and on September 1 5 of this year there 
was a militia parade, and another on October 4, 1819. 

In 1 82 1 a military court of inquiry was in session, 
to inquire why delinquents had not been on duty. 
The court was held September 29, and the record 
shows that Joseph Dupra was called, and explained 
that he was " taking care of his mother who was 
sick." Louis Groe.sbeck "did not know that the 
first Monday in September was training day." Jean 
Bte Garrat " was lame in one of his legs." Another 
had '■ hired on board of a scow, and was not present 
that day, as the scow was at Hog Island taking in a 
load of bark." And thus with one accord they all 
made excuse. 

On December 27, 1821. on the occasion of the 
execution of two Indians for murder, the First Regi- 
ment of militia was called out and also the volunteer 
artillery company commanded by Captain Ben 
Woodworth. 

On May 23, 1822, John Roberts, Jr., notified per- 
sons liable to militia duty to appear at Military 
Square on June 3, armed and equipped as the law 
directs. 

On April 6, 1831, a company, called the City 
Guards, was organized, with Edward Brooks as 
captain. It was in existence only a year. 

The Brady Guards, so named in honor of General 
Hugh Brady, were organized on April 13, 1836, 
with A. S. Williams as captain. In 1837 he was 
succeeded by I. S. Rowland, and in this year, on 
Washington's Birthday, the company was presented 
with an elegant standard by Governor Mason. The 
presentation took place in front of the old Ameri- 
can Hotel. In 1839 Mr. Rowland was succeeded 
by E. R. Kearsley, and in 1840, 1841, and 1842, Mr. 
Rowland was again serving. On February 2, 1843, 
the company disbanded, and on February 10 fol- 
lowing was reorganized, with A. S. W'illiams as 
captain. On February 22 of this year Anson Bur- 
lingame delivered an address before the Scott and 
Brady Guards on the life and character of Washing- 



ton. In 1845 C. A. Trowbridge was captain. In 
1846 and 1847 Mr. Williams was again serving. On 
April 10, 1851, General Brady died, and on April 18 
the company disbanded. 

Just before General Brady died, Rev. Dr. Duffield 
visited him to inquire into his spiritual condition 
and preparation for death. General Brady listened 
to him respectfully, and then, in words worthy of 
a true soldier, he said, "Sir, that is all right; my 
knapsack has been packed, and I am ready to 
march at the tap of the drum." Twenty-five years 
after his death, on April 13, 1876, twenty-six of the 
surviving members of the company celebrated the 
fortieth anniversary of its organization, by a supper 
at the Russell House. 

The Scott Guards were organized October 16, 

1 841, and reorganized September 2, 1842. J. V. 
Reuhle served as captain from 1S41 to 1846, and 
was succeeded by N. Greusel, Jr. In 1852 Paul 
Gies was captain. From 1853 to 1861 F. Reuhle 
served in that capacity, followed in 1862 by F. 
Kremer. In 1862 and 1863 there w-ere two com- 
panies, — the Artillery, commanded at first by F. 
(iuenther and then by J. Katus ; and the Infantry, 
commanded by F. Kremer. In 1864 the last-named 
was the only captain, and he served until the com- 
pany disbanded in December, 1869, In April, 
1 879, a company by the same name was organized 
through the effort of Max Hochgraef, who was 
made captain. In 1880 he was succeeded by Au- 
gust Goebel, who served until 1882, and was fol- 
lowed by F. Herzog. 

The Lafayette Guards were organized July 4, 

1842, with F. X. Cicotte as captain. In 1845 and 
I S46 L. D. Clairoux was captain, and soon after the 
company disbanded. 

The Cass (Guards were organized on February 27, 

1843, with Eugene T. Smith as captain. A pre- 
liminary meeting had been held on February 20 at 
Republican Hall. The company disbanded in about 
a year. On October 4 of this year, for the first 
time, all the State uniformed militia went into camp 
for two months on the Cass Farm. On October 9 
there w-as a grand review on the ground where Fort 
Street now crosses the farm. 

The Montgomery Guards were organized this 
same year, with A. T. McReynolds as captain. He 
was succeded in 1846 by W. O'Callaghan, after 
which time there is no record of the company. 

In July, 1849. a Boy Company, known as the 
Detroit Lancers, was in exi.stence. The Grayson 
Light Guards were organized July 29, 1850, and 
disbanded in 1855. Colonel John B. Grayson was 
captain until 1853, and was succeeded by A. K. 
Howard. On October 10, 1854, a State Military 
Convention was held in the city, at the armory of 
these Guards. 



,i8 



MILITIA AND MILITARY COMPANIES. 



The Detroit City Guards were organized Septem- 
ber 21, 1849. N. Greusel, Jr., was tlie first captain, 
and was succeeded in March, 1850, by John \Vin- 
terhalter, who served until 1S54. 

The Yager Guards were organized in June, 1853, 
with A. Lingeman as captain. He served until 
1865, when the company practically disbanded. 

The National Dragoons, Captain J. V. \Vhiting, 
were in existence from 1853 to i860. The Shields 
Guards organized in 1853. J. C. White, the first 
captain, was succeeded in 1855 by P. Dowling. In 
1857 Ed MoUoy was captain, in 1859, John McDer- 
mott, and in i85i E. Molloy again. In 1862 the 
company disbanded. 

The Detroit Light Guards were fully organized 
November 19, 1855, the members enlisting for five 
years. On October 31, 1859, the members were 
divided into two companies, A and B, and on Jan- 
uary 9 they reorganized as one company. On July 
5, i860, they entertained the famous Ellsworth 
Zouaves, who came to Detroit from Chicago. The 
Zouaves gave an exhibition drill on Grand River 
Street near Third, which was witnessed by an 
immense throng of spectators. 

On April 17, i86i,the Light Guards organized for 
war, and on May i the company volunteered as three 
months troops, with C. IVL Lum as captain. They 
were mustered into the United States service as 
Company A of the First Regiment of Michigan In- 
fantry. 

Those of the company who did not \olunteer for 
the war, reorganized as the Detroit Light Guard 
Reserve Corps. On August 7, 1861, the three 
months men returned, and were mustered out at 
Fort Wayne. The entire company was soon after 
organized by the original name. The captains in 
various years have been as follows: 1855-1860, A. 
S.Williams; 1860-1861. H. L. Chipman; 1861, J. 
E. I'ittnian; 1862, Jerome Croul ; 1863-1866. E. R. 
Matthews; 1866-1S68, C. M. Lum; 1868, F. W. 
Swift; 1869-1872, G. L. Maltz; 1872-1875, D. 
V. Fox; 1875, R. A. Liggitt ; 1876-1S78, L. C. 
Twombly; 1878, Max Hochgraef ; 1879- , A. 
V. T. Beniteau. 

The Detroit Light Infantry were organized No- 
vember 16, 1855, and reorganized in 1858, i860, and 
1877. William Hull was captain in 1859, and 



W. J. Nesbit in 1861. Since the reorganization of 
1877, the following have serx'ed as captains : 1877- 

1880, L. C. Twombly; 1S80-1882, Charles Du- 
pont; 1882, Henry Milward; 1883, C. Dupont. 

The Detroit Grays, a juvenile company, existed 
in 1857, with F. Speed as captain. The Michigan 
Hussars were organized July 15, 1859, with A. Faldi 
as captain. He served until 1861, when the com- 
pany disbanded. 

In i860 companies of boys, known as Detroit 
Zouaves and United States Zouave Cadets, were in 
existence. In 1861 and 1862 a company of Brother 
Jonathan Zouaves were commanded by F. A. Ash- 
ley. The Holt and the Lyon Guards were organ- 
ized in the fall of 1861, commanded respectively by 
W. S. Biddle and G. S. Wormer. Both companies 
disbanded in 1862. The Jackson Guards, M. Mc- 
Graw captain, organized and disbanded in 1861. 
The Emmet Rifles, organized the same year, had 
an existence equally brief. The Sherman Zouaves 
made their first appearance on February 22, 1869, 
with Charles H. Brown as captain. No record has 
been found of them after 1870. 

The Detroit National Guards were organized 
November 7, i86g. The captains have been as 
follows: 1870-1872, P. W. Nolan; 1872, John 
Atkinson: 1873-1879, J. O'Keefe; 1879- . F. J- 
Sheahan. The Wolverine Rifles were organized 
October 12, 1870, with J. V. Reuhle as captain; the 
company existed about a year and a half. The 
Sarsfield Guards were organized April 7, 1874. with 
J. E. Lally as captain. He was serving in 1875, 
and the company disbanded in that year. 

The Detroit Scottish Guards organized in Sep- 
tember, 1875, with Ale.xander Witherspoon as 
captain. He served until 187S, when the company 
disbanded. 

The Detroit Excelsior Guards, P. N. Burkhard, 
captain, organized and disbanded in 1S77. 

The Montgomery Ritles were organized in May, 
1877, with J. C. Donnelly as captain. In 1880 he 
was succeeded by Charles Lynch, who served until 
1S82, and was followed by !\L Whelan. 

The Detroit City Grays, organized March 15, 

1 88 1, have had the following captains: 1881, John 
G. Cooper; 1882, F. P. Bagley, J. W. Strong; 
1883, F. P. Bagley. 



PART VI 



SOCIAL. 



CHAPTER XLVI, 



ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF DETROIT.— INDIAN AGENTS.— EARLY VLSITORS. 



ORIGINAL INHABITANTS. 

The origin of the fir.st occupants of this region is 
shrouded in mystery. .Several writers have adopted 
the theory that they were descendants of the lost 
tribes of Israel, and they fortify their position with 
a variety of interesting facts. The founder of our 
fair domain was a believer in this theory, and the 
archives of France contain a lengthy memorial 
written by Cadillac in which he distinctly asserts his 
belief that the Indians are descendants of the He- 
brew race, strengthening his argument with state- 
ments of many remarkable coincidences and customs 
confirmatory of the idea. The researches of School- 
craft, Prescott, Pickering, and others, indicate that 
the first comers were from Asia, that they were 
driven by winds and waves over to the Pacific coast, 
or made their way by the Aleutian Islands or Beh- 
ring's Strait to Alaska, and from thence southward 
to Mexico and South America, afterwards spread- 
ing northward and eastward o\'er the .American 
continent. 

Elaborate and plausible arguments have been 
made to prove the converse theory, — that the Chin- 
ese are descended from the Aztec race. In support 
of this supposition it is urged that the trade winds 
from the Peruvian coast pass directly to China, and 
that even frail vessels could easily be wafted thither. 
Unique and ancient bronze implements are found 
alike in both countries ; the picture-writings of the 
two countries are in many cases similar, and in 
others are exactly the same ; and the Feast of 
Souls, as celebrated in Central America, is remark- 
ably like certain of the Chinese ceremonies. 

The order of the ancient occupancy of the country 
seems to have been, first the Olmecs, then the Tol- 
tecs, then the Aztecs, or Aztecas. Various reasons 
give rise to the theory that the Aztec race were the 
first occupants of this particular region. Humboldt 
was of the opinion that the country of the Aztecas 
was in this latitude. The meaning of their tribal 
name is " People of the Lakes ; " and there is no 
place in the United States in which small lakes are 
so numerous as in Michigan, while the State is 
nearly surrounded by lakes, which are almost seas 
in extent. The name Michigan is derived from two 
Chippewa words, — Mitchaw, great, and Sagiegan, 



lake. — Great Lake. The so-called Indian mounds 
in various Western States, in their size, form, and 
contents, add force to the Aztecan theory. In the 
township of Springwells, just below Detroit, were 
four of these mounds ; one of them still remains 
inside the grounds of Fort Wayne ; the second was 
on property now occupied by the Copper Smelting 
Works, and the third lay between the other two. 
They were circular in form, from thirty to seventy 
feet in diameter, and varying from three to ten feet 
in height. Two parallel embankments, about four 
feet high, led to them from the east. One of these 
mounds was opened in 1837, and the one inside the 
fort, by permission of the War Department, on May 
22, 1876. Both were found to contain numerous 
skeletons, arrow-heads, and vases or pots of earth- 
enware. The one last opened contained also an 
iron vessel capable of holding two or three gallons, 
and several pounds of what appeared to be a sort of 
paint. 

The Great Mound of the River Rouge, about 
half a mile below Fort Wayne, was at first, prob- 
ably, fully three hundred feet long and two hundred 
feet wide. In 1876 it was twenty feet high. It has 
never been fully explored, but a partial investigation 
by Henry Gillman resulted in the discovery of stone 
axes, arrow-heads, fragments of pottery, and human 
bones much decayed. 

An old Indian told a member of the Cicotte 
family that these mounds were erected as forts, at 
the time the tribes were fighting each other. Indian 
tradition also ascribes these mounds to the Tuetle 
Indians, who preceded the Wyandotts. The name 
Tuetle is believed to be a corruption of Tuteloes. a 
tribe once supposed to have emigrated from Vir- 
ginia only as far north as the Susquehanna ; but it 
now seems probable that some came as far as the 
Detroit.! 

Of the more modern Indian tribes who roamed 
over this region, the Algonquin race was the earliest. 
They counted among their numbers in the north- 
west the tribes of the Ottawas, Menominees, Sacs, 
Foxes, and Chippewas. There were also in this 



1 See Henry Gillman's paper on Mound Builders and Platy- 
cnemism in Michigan, in Smithsonian Report for 1873. 



b^i] 



322 



ORIGINAL INHABITANTS. 



vicinity the tribes of the Miamis, Potowatamies, 
Winnebagoes, and the Ouendats, or Wyandotts. 
The latter who came to this vicinity about 1680, 
excelled the other tribes in energy and progressive- 
ness. From time to time the Iroquois also appeared. 
This nation was composed originally of the Onon- 
dagas, Cayugas, Senecas. Oneidas, and Mohawks. 
In 17 14 tile Tuscaroras of North Carolina united 
with them, and they were afterward known as the 
Six Nations. They claimed all of Michigan, and 
between them and the Algonquins warfare was 
frequent. Indeed, the Iroquois were the enemies of 
all the Indians at or near Detroit, and in 1649 they 
drove the Algonquins from this region. They were 
unfriendly to the French, and during the French 
and English war did good ser\ace for the English. 
They were the cannibals of America, and French 
residents of Detroit, in 1756, stated that the Iro- 
quois actually ate the flesh of persons slain in battle. 

It was the settled policy of the French command- 
ants to induce as many friendly Indians as possible 
to settle near their forts. We find Cadillac, in 1703, 
urging the Ottawas to move to Detroit. The French 
records of the same year show that several Miamis 
were already settled there, and that on June 28 
thirty Hurons arrived from Mackinaw and erected 
wigwams near the fort. The Potowatamies had 
their village west of the fort, near the mouth of 
what was afterwards called Knagg's Creek. The 
Ottawa settlement was where Windsor now is, and 
the Hurons were gathered on the Canada side, oppo- 
site the Cass Farm. In 1705 about two hundred 
Indians had been persuaded by Cadillac to settle in 
the vicinity. In furtherance of his plans a great 
council of chiefs was held, continuing from August 
6 to August 10, 1707. 

The following translation from a French Colonial 
Memoir, written in 1707, and preserved at Paris, 
gives a vivid picture of Indian life at this period : 

The village of the Pottowatamies adjoins the fort ; they lodge 
partly under Apaquois, which are made of mat-grass. The 
women do all this work. The men belonging to that nalion are 
well clothed, like our domiciliated Indians at Montreal ; their 
entire occupation is hunting and dress ; they make use of a great 
deal of vermilion, and in winter wear buflalo robes richly painted, 
and in summer either blue or red cloth. They play a good deal 
at la crosse in summer, twenty or more on each side. Their bat 
is a sort of little racket, and the ball with which they play is made 
of very heavy wood, somewhat larger than the balls used at 
tennis; when playing they are entirely naked, except a breech 
cloth, and moccasins on their feet. Their body is completely 
painted with all sorts of colors. Some, with white clay, trace 
white lare on their bodies, as if on all the seams of a coat, and at 
a distance it would be apt to be taken for silver lace. They play 
very deep {gros j'eu) and often. The bets sometimes amount to 
more than eight hundred livres. They set up two poles and com- 
mence the game from the center; one party propels the ball from 
one side and the other from the opposite, and which ever reaves 
the goal, wins. This is fine recreation and worth seeing. They 
often play village against village, the Poux against the Outaoues 
or the Hurons, and lay heavy stakes. Sometimes Frenchmen join 



in the game with tliem. The women cultivate Indian corn, beans, 
peas, squashes, and melons, which come up very fine. The 
women and girls dance at night ; adorn themselves considerably, 
grease their hair, put on a white shift, paint their cheeks with 
vermilion, and wear whatever wampum they possess, and are 
ver\' tidy in their way. They dance to the sound of the drum 
and sisiquoi, which is a sort of a gourd containing some grains of 
shot. Four or five young girls sing, and beat time with the drum 
and sisiquoi, and the women keep time and do not lose a step ; it 
is very entertaining, and lasts almost the entire night. The old 
men often dance the Medelinne (Medicine Dance); they resemble a 
set of demons, and all this takes place during the night. The 
young men often dance in a circle (ie ioiir) and strike posts ; it is 
then they recount their achievements, and dance, at the same 
time, the war dance {dcs decouvertes)^ and whenever they act 
thus they are highly ornamented. It is altogether very curious. 
They often perform these things for tobacco. When they go 
hunting, which is every fall, they carry* their Apaquois with them 
to hut under at night. Everybody follows, men, women, and 
children, and winter in the forest and return in the spring. 

The Hurons are also near, perhaps the eighth of a league from 
the French fort. This is the most industrious nation that can be 
seen. They scarcely ever dance, and are always at work; raise a 
very large amount of Indian corn, peas, beans ; some grow wheat. 
They construct their huts entirely of bark, very strong and solid ; 
very lofty and very long, and arched like arbors. Their fort is 
strongly encircled with pickets and bastions, well redoubted, and 
has strong gates. They are the most faithful nation to the 
French, and the most expert hunters that we have. Their cabins 
are divided into sleeping compartments, which contain their misi- 
rague, and are very clean. They are the bravest of all the 
nations and possess considerable talent. They are well ,clad ; 
some of them wear close overcoats {Jjtsie an corfs de ca^ot). 
The men are always hunting, summer and winter, and the women 
work. When they go hunting in the fall, a goodly number of 
them remain to guard their fort. The old women, and through- 
out the winter those women who remain, collect wood in very 
large quantity. The soil is very fertile ; Indian corn grows there 
to the height of ten to twelve feet. Their fields are very clean, 
and very extensive ; not the smallest weed is to be seen in them. 

The Outaoues are on the opposite of the river, over against the 
French fort ; they, likewise, have a picket fort. Their cabins 
resemble somewhat those of the Hurons. They do not make use 
of Apaquois except when out hunting: their cabins in this fort 
are all of bark, but not so clean nor so well made as those of the 
Hurons, They are as well dressed and verj- laborious, both in 
their agriculture and hunting. Their dances, juggleries, and 
games of ball (la crosse) and of the bowl, are the same as those of 
the Poux. Their game of the bowl consists of eight small pebbles 
{noyait-v), which are red or black on one side, and yellow or 
white on the other ; these are tossed up in a bowl, and when he 
who holds the vessel tosses them and finds seven of the whole 
eight of the same color he gains, and continues playing as long as 
he receives the same thing. When the result is different, the 
adverse party takes the bowl and plays next, and they risk heavy 
stakes on all these games. They have likewise the game of the 
straws, and all the nations gamble in like manner. 

In 1736 there were five hundred Indian warriors 
at Detroit, — two hundred each from the Huron and 
Ottawa tribes and one hundred from the Potowa- 
tamies. Bougainville, who was here in 1757, says: 

The Indians who usually come to trade at Detroit are the 
Hurons of the same tribe of those of Lorette, near Quebec, a per- 
fidious and deceitful nation in whom we must never put confi- 
dence. There are also the Ottawas, the Sauteux, and the 
Potowatamies; these last named are of all the Indians the most 
faithful and the most attached to our interests. They have never 
murdered any Frenchmen, and have often warned us of the plots 
of other tribes. 



ORIGINAL INHABITANTS. 



323 



Cadillac says that the Ottavvas wore, as an orna- 
ment, a little stone suspended from their nose, and 
that " Ottawa," the name of the tribe, signified 
" the nation with a hole in their nose." The French 
gave nicknames to most of the tribes in this region. 
The Wyandotts they designated as Hurons, because 
of their fierce aspect, comparing them to a wild 
boar ; the Chippewas, as Sauteurs, from their resi- 
dence near the Sault St. Marie ; the Menominees 
were called P'olles Avoines, from "wild rice," one 
of their principal articles of food. The name Poto- 
watamie was abbreviated into Poux. This nation 
was very uncleanly. 

All of the tribes known to the Americans, north 
of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi, had their 
council-fire at tne village of the Wyandotts, near 
the mouth of the Detroit River. The Wyandotts 
alone had the power to convene the tribes, and 
when a council \\'as to be held, application was 
made to them, and it was held at their village. 
This fact gave the locality a peculiar importance and 
made it familiar to all the Indians. 

At various times nearly all the noted Indian 
leaders visited this post. Pontiac, Tecumseh, and 
his brother The Prophet, were frequent visitors. 
John Logan, the Cayuga chief, whose speech to 
Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, is familiar to 
every schoolboy, was here in 1774, and after the 
treaty of Chillicothe, he resided for many years in 
this vicinity. He became a drunkard, and was 
killed, between Detroit and Miami, by an Indian. 

The French trusted the Indians almost without 
fear. No seals or locks were placed on the store- 
houses, and the Indians came and went as they 
pleased. Under English and American rule the 
Indians were welcomed inside the stockade during 
the day, but at night all were turned out except 
those who were entertained by private persons. 
The Indians were always persistent beggars, and no 
Arab of the present day demands backsheesh more 
clamorously than did the red men of their French 
and English " brothers." Their requests were gen- 
erally acceded to, and the presents given them in 
some measure made up for the exorbitant prices 
charged them for articles offered in exchange for 
furs. Their likes and dislikes turned, like a pair of 
scales, according as they had free range or were 
restricted in their visitations to the houses. On 
September 18, 1770, Captain Stephenson, of the 
Eighteenth Regiment, then in command, wrote to 
Sir William Johnson : 

My children here are quiet at present. They have all been to 
pay me a visit and suck my breast, to which they made so close 
an application that I told them 1 was afraid they would throw me 
in a consumption. They are very happy at having free access to 
my house, which my predecessor's delicacy would not admit. 

Even after this region was surrendered, the Eng- 



lish Government sought the favor of the Indians 
by annual gifts; and year by year up to 1S36 
thousands from various tribes gathered at Detroit, 
Sandwich, or Maiden to receive the presents of their 
Great Father, the King. The American Govern- 
ment was compelled to follow this precedent. On 
November 24, 1807, Governor Hull wrote to the 
Secretary of War that within the two or three days 
previous seven or eight hundred Indians had called 
at Detroit, on the way to their villages, and that he 
had been compelled to feed them. In the autumn 
of 18 1 2, while the city was in possession of the 
British, the Indians committed many outrages. A 
party of them went in a body to rob Colonel Lam- 
bert Beaubien's orchard, but the Colonel attacked 
them with his fists, and made so courageous a defense 
that he drove them from his premises. After the 
city again passed under American control. Colonel 
Cass was obliged to feed great numbers of the In- 
dians. In one communication to the War Depart- 
ment he states that for several years he fed an 
average of four hundred Indians per day. Between 
iSi4and 1817, he disbursed §200,000 for the benefit 
of the Indians. To di\-ide and distribute among 
them the goods and bounty of the Government was 
a task vexatious in the extreme, and almost unbear- 
able, for it was impossible to satisfy the stupid and 
stolid savages. All the year round they came and 
went, and the agent's family was " driven from one 
extremity of the house to the other by them." In 
addition to the annuities the "government black- 
smith " repaired, free of charge, their guns and 
traps. There was always some excuse for their 
coming, and citizens were not surprised at any time 
to see a swarthy face at the window-pane ; often- 
times the click of the latch was the only warning of 
the entrance of one of the nation's wards. Some of 
them were gayly dressed with blankets of scarlet 
broadcloth, and strings of silver half-moons grad- 
uated in size from one to several inches in length, 
hung from neck to ankles, both in front and down 
the back. Their moccasins and leggins were gay 
with beads and the stained quills of the porcupine. 
The heads of the war chiefs were frequently gayer 
still with the vermilion and bear's grease which had 
been rubbed thereon. The squaws were not left 
behind. There was always some burden for them 
to carry, and the procession ceased on one day only 
to begin the next. Indians and more Indians, and 
still they came I Indians lazy and Indians drunk, 
Indians sick and Indians hungry, all crj'ing " Give ! 
give I " After receiving their payments, hundreds 
of them would lie about the city stupidly drunk ; in 
August, 1825, they so disturbed the peace of the 
city, that the Council, through the mayor, sought 
aid from the governor to quiet and control them. 
A few of these Indians came to buy goods, and 



\H 



INDIAN AGENTS.— EARLY VISITORS. 



were really trustworthy. An old account book of 
that period contains charges made against Indians 
called " Saw Goose's Wife," " Big Wind's Daughter," 
"The Rat," "The White Devil," " The Old Cow," 
"The Cow's Sister," "The Old Eagle and Son," 
" The Red Bird," and " The Turtle." 

INDIAN AGENTS. 

The disbursing of Indian annuities under British 
rule was intrusted to an officer styled an Indian 
agent, and an account book of the Macombs shows 
that Duperon Baby was paid ten shillings sterling 
per day, for services as Indian agent, from October 
lo, 1778, to December 24, 1780. 

Under an Act of Virginia, on August i, 1780, 
John Dodge was appointed Indian agent for this 
region. By Act of Congress April i8, 1796, Indian 
agents were provided for, trading houses estab- 
lished, and $150,000 was invested by the United 
States to carry them on. They were abolished May 
6, 1822. Under the Act of 1805, which organized 
the Territory of Michigan, the governor was consti- 
tuted the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and 
continued to act in that capacity until Act of June 
30, 1834, which provided that after the Territory of 
Wisconsin was organized, the governor should cease 
to act as Indian agent. 

Since 1836. persons have been appointed to act 
solely as Indian agents. 

The Indian title to land in this region was gradu- 
ally extinguished ; the Iroquois conveyed their title 
in 1784, and the Wyandotts, Chippewas, Ottawas, 
and other tribes, by treaties dated January i, 1785, 
August 3, 1795, '"ind November 17, 1807. In 181 5 
the whole number of Indians in Michigan was about 
40,000; in 1825 there were nearly 30,000 ; in 1880 
there were 10,141, and 66,632 acres of land were 
reserved for their use. The following persons have 
served as Indian agents, the office being located in 
Detroit up to 1 87 1 : 

1836-1843, H. R. Schoolcraft; 1843-1845, Rob- 
ert Stuart; 1845-1851, W. A. Richmond; 1851, C. 
P. Babcock ; 1852 and 1853, William Sprague ; 
1853-1858, H. C. Gilbert ; 1858-1862, A. M. Fitch ; 
1S62-1865, D. C. Leach; 1865-1869, R. M. Smith; 
1S69-1871, James W. Long; 1871, R. M. Smith; 
1871-1876, George I. Betts ; 1876-1881, G. W. Lee; 
l88r- , E. r. Allen. 

EARLY VISITORS. 

It is almost literally true that wherever a stream 
of water flowed the Jesuits and French command- 
ants followed its course. From the Lakes to New 
Orleans and eastward to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 
travelers, single and in groups, and eventually 
troops of soldiers, went, apparently with as little 



care as one now has in the journey of a hundred 
miles in a palace coach, through a settled country. 
It is impossible for us to realize the daring and 
bravery exhibited in those long and tedious trips. 

Champlain is said to have visited this locality as 
early as 1610; that he came here in 161 1 or 1612 is 
positively asserted in French colonial records. 
Two of the most im.portant references to this sub- 
ject are to be found in the ninth volume of the New 
York Colonial Documents. A translation from a 
French Memoir, given on page 303. says: "That 
from 1604 to 1620 he (Champlain) has been more 
than five hundred leagues into the interior of New 
France ; that he defeated the Iroquois and took 
possession of their river, and ascended that of Sa- 
guena towards the north. The relation of Sieur L. 
Escorbot, printed in 161 2, confirms the same thing. 
At page 450 he says that they had received intel- 
ligence from upwards of five hundred leagues be- 
yond the first Sault of the river .St. Lawrence, 
including the great lake it flows from ; and that 
they, likewise, had knowledge of the Saguena 
country towards the northwest, and of the Iroquois 
country to the southwest." In the same volume, on 
page 378, M. de Denonville, Governor of New 
France, in a memoir on the French possessions in 
America, says of Champlain: "In the years 1611 
and 161 2 he ascended the Grand river as far .as 
Lake Huron, called the fresh sea. * * * He 
passed by places he has himself described in his 
book, which are no other than Detroit and Lake 
Erie." 

Notwithstanding these positive assertions, there 
seems to be no definite evidence that Champlain 
visited the Detroit. In the very complete transla- 
tion of his works by the Prince Society, is the 
assertion that the location of the strait was des- 
cribed to him by the Indians as early as 1603 ; but 
there is nothing in his works so far as published, to 
verify the statements made in the New York Docu- 
ments ; and although we do it with great reluctance, 
we must, at least for the present, concede that there 
is no satisfactory- proof that Detroit was honored by 
a visit from the great French navigator. Although 
he may not have visited the site of Detroit, there 
can be but little doubt that some of the courcurs de 
h>/s reached here many years before there is any 
mention of the names of visitors. These adventur- 
ous traders and woodsmen went in every direction in 
their endeavors to procure furs, and they undoubtedly 
came to the site of Detroit. 

One of the earliest Jesuit visitors to the 
region of the Lakes was Father Marquette. 
He traversed the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 
in 1668, but there is no evidence that he was 
ever at Detroit. He died at what is now known 
as Ludington, on Lake Michigan, May 19, 1675. 



EARLY VISITORS. 



325 



and in the winter of 1676 his remains were 
taken to Point St. Ignace, near Mackinaw. 
The first white traveler through the Detroit was 
possibly the .Sieur Joliet ; he is beheved to have 
passed here in 1670. In this same year the 
Sulpitian priests Galinee and DoUier, with three 
canoes and seven men, passed through the Detroit 
and Lake St. Clair. They left La Chine July 6, 
1669, and arrived at Detroit in the spring of 1670. 
In his journal Galinee says that six leagues from 
Lake Erie, or not far from the site of Detroit, he 
found a stone idol, which the Indians regarded as 
influencing the navigation of Lake Erie, and to 
which they made .sacrifices of skins and food, when- 
ever they were about to embark on the lake. He 
says, " They broke one of their hatchets in breaking 
the idol in pieces, and then threw it into the river," 
adding, "God rewarded us for the pious deed, for 
we killed, during the same day, a deer and a 
bear." 

The next visitor, so far as known, was Joliet. In 
a letter dated November 14. 1674, Frontenac says 
that Sieur Joliet returned to Quebec three months 
previous, and that " a person can go from Lake 
Ontario and Fort Frontenac in a bark to the Gulf 
of Mexico, there being only one carrying place half 
a league where Lake Ontario communicates with 
Lake Erie. * * * He has been within ten days 
journey of the Gulf of Mexico, and he left copies of 
his journals with the Fathers at Sault St. Marie." 
These statements make it evident that Joliet passed 
through the Detroit. Unfortunately, on his return 
trip, near Montreal, his journals were lost. 

In the fall of 1678, the Chevalier de la Salle sent 
fifteen men up the lakes to trade with the Indians ; 
and on July 22, 1679, M. Tonty with five men went 
from Niagara to join them. La Salle, with Father 
Louis Hennepin, one other Franciscan inonk, and 
thirty artisans, in Le Griffon, overtook those who 
had gone before, at or near the site of Detroit, on 
August 10, 1679. Taking the others on board, Le 
Griffon proceeded on her way, reached Washington 
Island safely, and on September 18 started for Nia- 
gara, but was lost in the northern part of Lake 
Michigan. After it became evident that Le Griffon 
was lost. La Salle, with others of the party, crossed 
from St. Joseph to Detroit by land, arriving about 
the middle of April, 1680. They then crossed the 



Detroit River, on a raft and proceeded to Nia- 
gara. 

In the spring of 1687 the Marquis de Denonville, 
Governor of Canada, determined on an expedition 
against the Seneca Indians of New York, who were 
enemies of the Canadian colonies. In preparing for 
the expedition, M. de Tonty, who commanded Fort 
St. Louis in the Illinois country, was ordered 
to go to Niagara by way of Lake Huron and 
lake Erie, and to unite with the force of Du- 
luth at the Detroit. Tonty sent his subordinate, 
De la Forest, with thirty men, by way of the 
lakes, while he came over land direct to Detroit. 
His memoir, as given in the first volume of Louisi- 
ana Collections, page 69, thus narrates the occur- 
rence : " After two hundred leagues of journey 
by land we came, on the 19th of May, to Fort De- 
troit. We made some canoes of elm, and I sent 
one of them to Fort St. Joseph (near what is now 
Port Huron), on the high ground above Detroit, 
thirty leagues from where we were to give the 
Sieur (Greyselon) Dulud (Du Luth). the commander 
of this fort, information of our arrival." They took 
formal possession of the strait as far down as the 
river St. Denis, this last stream being probably the 
one now known as the Rouge. Soon after, on June 
7. the Sieurs La Forest, Durantaye, and Du Luth 
joined him at Detroit. The Sieur de la Durantaye 
had with him thirty Englishmen, whom he had 
captured on Lake Huron while on his way down 
from Mackinaw. They had been sent by Colonel 
Dongan, Governor of New York, to take possession 
of Mackinaw and the adjoining region, and to open 
up trade with the Indians. The entire party, con- 
sisting of one hundred and fifty Frenchmen, four 
hundred Indians, and the thirty Englishmen, soon 
left Detroit and proceeded to Niagara, where they 
arrived June 27, 1687, having captured, on Lake 
Erie, a second party, consisting of Major McGregor, 
sixteen white men and thirteen allied Indians, who 
were also on their way to Mackinaw. 

La Hontan, in his travels, makes no mention of a 
village or post at this place, but says that on Sep- 
tember 6, 1687, he passed through the river. 

The arrival of Cadillac is elsewhere described; 
after him the first visitor of note was Father Peter 
Francis Xa\-ier Charlevoix, who arrived June 6, 
1 72 1, and remained twelve days. 



CHAPTER X L V 1 1 . 



BIOGRAPHY OF CADILLAC — THE FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF DETROIT.— 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. — MARRIAGE LAWS. — MASONIC AND 

ODD FELLOW SOCIETIES. 



Antoine Laumet de l.^ Mothe Cadillac, 
the founder of Detroit, was born March 5, 165S, at 
St. Nicolas de la Grave, in the Department of Tarn 
and Garonne, France. The old parish records show 
that he was baptized when five days old by Rev. 
Father John Boscus, under the name of Antoine 
Laumet, and that he was the son of "Jean Laumet, 
Advocate in the Court, and of Jean Pechagut, mar- 
ried." 

Previous to the birth of Cadillac, his father lived 
at Caumont, going from thence to St. Nicolas to 
serve in the capacity of advocate and judge. That 
he was a man of wealth is evident from various 
records of transfers of lands, both at Caumont and 
St. Nicolas. Some of the lands which Cadilinc 
inherited from his father were known by the name 
of Laumet, and were in possession of his descend- 
ants as late as 1748. The name Laumet is still 
attached to a portion of the lands, and they are so 
designated on detailed maps of the province. The 
house belonging to the manor is one of the most 
comfortable dwellings in the vicinity, but unfortu- 
nately for historic purposes, it has been so thoroughly 
reconstructed that no trace remains of its appearance 
at the time our hero was born. 

The father and the relatives of Cadillac figure 
largely in the records of the communal deliberations 
of Caumont ; they were evidently persons of good 
standing, not members of the nobility, but belonging 
to the higher class of citizens, who, at that time, found 
easy access to judicial and military employments. 

With regard to the various names assumed by 
Cadillac and applied to him by oth- 
ers, though there are some things as 
yet unexplained, there can be no 
doubt as to the identity of the person 
to whom they are applied. 

His signature, made at Castelsar- 
rasin in 1729, at the time of the mar- 
riage of his daughter, harmonizes 
closely with his signature, written a quarter of a 
century before, in the records of St. Anne's Church 
in Detroit. The name Lamothe, appended to the 
registry' of marriage at Quebec in 1687, is unlike his 



later signatures, but changes in form of letters are 
not at all unusual. The chief trouble with the 
record of Quebec is that the statement it contains in 
regard to his father and mother does not harmonize 
with the facts obtained from France. This, how- 
ever, may be accounted for by the probability that 
the record was carelessly taken down, or hurriedly 
written. 

Possibly the intimation which we find in one old 
manuscript, that Cadillac left France on account of 
personal difficulties, is true, and if so, this may have 
been the reason for his change of name. The body 
of the marriage record gives the name of Cadillac as 
" Antoine de la Mothe." The name he signed was 
Lamothe Launay. The record, however, states that 
he married Marie Therese Guyon, and this name 
accords with all the information obtained elsewhere 
concerning the name of his wife. 

It was not at all uncommon, at that day, or even 
in later times, for the same person to be designated 
by two or more names, entirely different from each 
other. Laumet was undoubtedly his family name ; 
it was used both by him and his wife, as was also 
the name La Mothe ; and sometimes both names 
were used in the same document. 

When Cadillac's granddaughter was married to 
Bartholomew Gregoire, at Castelsarrasin, she was 
styled Marie Therese de Laumet de Cadillac. In 
1 74 1 and 1742 the French records of transfers of 
land titles give the name of Cadillac's wife as 
Madame Therese de Guyon, wife of Antoine Lau- 
met de la Mothe Cadillac. 




Signature of Lamothe Cadill.\c. 



The foregoing evidences of identity are conclusive, 
but if it were desirable, similar proofs could be 
almost indefinitely multiplied. 



[3=61 



BIOGRAPHY OF CADILLAC. 



327 



Of the early life of Cadillac v\'e have no direct 
information. That he received a more than ordi- 
nary education, for that period, is abundantly evi- 
denced by the style of his numerous letters and 
memoirs, by the difficult feats of navigation that he 
performed, and by the various positions of responsi- 
bility which he was called to occupy. 

He had evidently received a religious training, 
was in sympathy with the Franciscan order, and 
his writings teem with illustrations from and allu- 
sions to Bible narratives. He was a close observer, 
and his papers give evidence of exact knowledge. 
Almost v\-ithout e,xception, his plans, as detailed in 
his letters, evince a statesmanship born of love for 
France and loyalty to the king. He thought out 
his work, and planned like a general. He aimed to 
provide for all contingencies, and in their business 
details, many of his letters exhibit rare commercial 
foresight. Those who criticized his actions found 
him keen and cautious in his retorts and resolute in 
maintaining his ground. He would neither yield 
his right of judgment nor his prerogatives as com- 
mandant. To quote his own words, he was " like a 
traveler, and did not propose to stop because all the 
curs barked at him." 

Wherever he was stationed, he studied the place 
and the people, and in every case made detailed 
reports concerning both, analyzing the character 
and needs of each and suggesting plans for the 
future. Some of his descriptions of scenery are full 
of poetic feeling. 

He was opposed in many of his plans, not only by 
the trading companies, but by the Jesuits as well. 
The latter order, for many years, was the dominant 
political force in the New World, as well as the 
strongest religious power. That the order hindered 
Cadillac's project is clearly shown in the correspon- 
dence of the period, which is still preserved in 
France and Canada. While yielding the Jesuit 
fathers all deference in religious matters. Cadillac 
would not yield to their dictation' in matters per- 
taining to the civil state. He not only knew his 
rights, but was able to maintain them, even against 
large odds, and did so with spirit and determina- 
tion. He had rare penetration, could discern 
motives and plans, and as nothing escaped his 
obser\'ation, the members of that order found "a 
foeman worthy of their steel." As a scholar. Ca- 
dillac was nearly equal to the best of them ; and 
whether wielding pen or sword, he grasped it with 
no uncertain hand. His history' is certainly a 
remarkable one. During twenty years or more, he 
was a prominent figure in many sections of the con- 
tinent. 

In gathering material for his historv', I have been 
literally compelled to trace his footsteps in France 
and then in Canada. He was at Nova Scotia, on the 



coast of Maine, at Mackinaw, at Detroit, at Mobile, 
and on the Illinois, and then the Old World claimed 
his thought and time, and near the place of his 
birth his grave was made. 

The most dilligent search in France, Canada, and 
the United States has failed to discover any portrait 
of Cadillac. There is in existence but one description 
of his personal appearance, and that is entirely fic- 
titious, and without historic foundation for a single 
feature. Indeed, the author of it says. '• I never 
intended it should be received as resting on any 
other foundation " than that of imagination. Any 
representation, therefore, of the founder of our city 
is only of value as it helps to honor the name of 
Cadillac. A picture of the old church where his 
bones repose has been obtained, and is deemed an 
appropriate frontispiece for the history of the city 
which he founded. 

The date of his arrival in the New World is 
unknown. It is said that he had previously ser\'ed 
in the army, and he seems to have held the rank of 
lieutenant when he came. In 1688 he was styled, 
in official documents, a Knight of the Royal and 
Military Order of St. Louis. Our history of him in 
America begins with his marriage at Quebec, on 
June 25, 16S7, to Marie Therese Guyon, a native of 
that city, daughter of Denis Guyon and Elizabeth 
Boucher. In 16S9 Governor Menneville designated 
him as a resident of Acadia, and said he had a 
habitation there ; Quebec at that time was within 
the limits of what was styled Acadia. That his 
marriage was a happy one is evident. In Septem- 
ber. 1 701, when Madame Cadillac was about setting 
out from Quebec to join her husband at Detroit, 
several ladies said to her, " It might do if you were 
going to a pleasant country where you could have 
good company, but it is impossible to conceive how 
you can be willing to go to a desert country where 
there is nothing to do but to die of ennui." She 
replied. "A woman who loves her husband as she 
should has no stronger attraction than his company, 
wherever it may be ; everything else should be 
indifferent to her." 

Madame Cadillac was accompanied on the trip 
by the wife of Lieutenant Tonty. They came by 
way of Niagara. So toilsome was the journey that 
it is no wonder that Father Germain, on August 25, 
1701, wrote to Cadillac. "Everybody here admires 
the nobleness of the two ladies, who have had the 
courage to undertake such a painful voyage to join 
their husbands." 

Ladies of the present day, imagine it if you can, — 
a journey of one thousand miles in an open canoe, 
with Indians and rough canoe-men, in many respects 
worse than Indians, as companions. It was at a 
time, too, when winds and rains might be looked for, 
and we may be sure that their resting places en 



;28 



BIOGRAPHY OF CADILLAC. 



route were far from being equal to the poorest 
hotels of to-day. 

Surely there was occasion to admire their courage, 
endurance, and devotion. Cadillac's wife left their 
two daughters with the Ursulines to be educated. 
Her little boy, Jacques, born March i6, 1695, came 
with her. Their oldest son, Antoine de la Mothe 
Cadillac, fils, born April 26, 1692, an ensign in 1707, 
was already here. He came with his father. A 
son named Tierre Denis was born June 13, 1699, 
and died July 4, 1700. A daughter, Marie Anne, 
born June 7, died on June 9, 1701. The recorfls of 
St. Anne's Church show that in 1706 there was a 
daughter here named Magdaline, old enough to act 
as godmother. The same records also show the 
names of five other children, as follows : Marie 
Therese, baptized Februar>' 2, 1704; Jean Antoine, 
baptized January 19, 1707; he died April 9, 1709; 
Marie Agathe, baptized on December 29. 1707 ; 
Francois, baptized on March 28, 1709; and Rene 
Louis, baptized on March 18, 17 10, he died October 
7, 1 7 14. The names of two sons, Joseph and Fran- 
cois, are contained in the records of Castelsarrasin. 
and an old deed, elsewhere referred to, shows that 
they were both living in 173S. We have therefore 
the names of eleven children ; adding the two 
daughters left with the Ursulines, we find that Ca- 
dillac had at least thirteen children. 

The oldest son was alive in 1730, but died before 
his father's property was divided in 1731. The 
daughter, Marie Therese, was married at Castel- 
sarrasin, February 16, 1729, to Noble Francis de 
Pouzargues. She died on February i, 1753, and 
was buried the next day in the same church where 
her father had been laid. She left two sons ; one, 
named Joseph, was born October 14, 1730; the 
name and date of birth of the other have not been 
found. Joseph Lamothe Cadillac, who afterwards 
became an advocate in Parliament, was married on 
June 5, 1732, to Mademoiselle Marguerite de Gre- 
goire, and had two children, Marie Therese, born 
April 29, 1733, and Marguerite Anne, born July 19, 
1735. Frangois, the last named of the sons of Ca- 
dillac, was married on September 10, 1744, at Castel- 
sarrasin to Demoiselle Angelique Furgole, widow 
of Pierre Salvignac. They had no children. 

All of Cadillac's children, except Marie Therese, 
Joseph, and Frangois, were dead in 1731, when his 
estate was divided. 

His wife, after his death, continued to live at 
Castelsarrasin, and died in the parish of St. Sauveur, 
in Castelsarrasin, in 1746. 

Joseph Lamothe Cadillac was living as late as 
1748, and Frangois in 1741, but both were dead in 
1798. Marie Therese, daughter of Joseph and 
granddaughter of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, 
married her cousin, Bartholomey de Gregoire, son 



of Noble Bartholomey de Gregoire, in May, 1761, 
at Castelsarrasin. They lived there until they came 
to America, to prosecute, in person, their claims to 
the lands granted to Cadillac on the coast of Maine. 
The history of this grant is as follows: In 1688, 
Cadillac petitioned the Marquis de Denonville, Gov- 
ernor of Canada and Acadia, for the grant of a 
" place called Douaquec, near Mageis " (Machias), 
to consist of " two leagues on the sea shore, with 
two leagues in depth, within the land, the Douaquec 
River to divide the said two leagues in depth, one 
league to be taken on the west side and one league 
on the other side of said river," with the island of 
Mount Desert and other islands, which are on the fore 
part of the said two front leagues, " to hold in fief 
and lordship with high mean and low jurisdiction, he 
being desirous to promote an establishment there." 
The petition, and a concession made by the governor 
on July 23, 168S. were presented to Louis XI\'. at 
Versailles for confirmation, and on May 24, 1689, 
he confirmed the grant of the lands to Cadillac. 
The grant was recorded at Quebec on April 20, 
1 691. The lands lay in what was then Acadia, all 
that part of Maine east of the Penobscot River 
being then included in the territory made famous 
by the story of Evangeline. They afterwards 
formed part of the Territory of Penobscot, or Dis- 
trict of Maine, in the Commonwealth of Massachu- 
setts, the State of Maine not having been created 
until 1820. 

At the time the Gregoires made their claim, the 
lands were in the County of Lincoln, and the River 
Douaquec was then called Taunton. The Gre- 
goires claimed two leagues on the sea shore with 
two leagues in depth, bne league in depth to be on 
the main land, and the other league to include 
Mount Desert and the neighboring islands, named 
A, Beans, Prebbles, Bragdons, Burnt, and Black, 
the six small islands known as the Porcupines, to- 
gether with Island B, and the islands known as 
Jordens, Red, Slave or Stave, Nicholas or Iron 
Bound, Turtle, and Heron or Seamwells islands. 
The entire grant included 184,272 acres. While 
the Gregoires were still in France, on June 15, 1785, 
the French consul made an application to Massa- 
chusetts on their behalf. His communication was 
referred to the Committee on Unappropriated 
Lands, and their report was referred to the Com- 
mittee on Sale of Eastern Lands. They, however, 
made no report until the matter was again brought 
to their attention after the arrival in Boston of 
Monsieur and Madame Gregoire. In anticipation 
of going to America to prosecute this claim. Ma- 
dame Gregoire made her will at Castelsarrasin on 
February 13, 1784, and she and her husband, on 
their way to America, were in Paris on August 
26, 1 786. They arrived in Boston a few days prior 



BIOGRAPHY OF CADILLAC. 



329 



to November 6, 1786. coming from France 7'/a New 
York. On the date last named their second petition 
was presented. It set forth the facts above named, 
and also stated that, from the date of the grant, De 
la Mothe Cadillac was styled " Lord of Douaquec ' 
and Mount Desert." 

The records of St. Anne's Church, in Detroit, 
abundantly bear out their assertion. He so styles 
himself in many places in those old records. The 
petition set forth that Cadillac granted leases to 
lands on Mount Desert, the originals of which were 
in their possession, and also that he took possession 
of the lands, and continued to occupy and claim 
jurisdiction over them until his death in 1730, and 
that after the treaty of Utrecht, about 1712, the 
actual possession of the lands could not be proven, 
as the English usurped possession of the territory, 
but that as the owner could not be barred of his 
rights until sixty years' time had clasped, the peti- 
tioners believed their claim to be good. They stated 
that the marriages, minority, and death of various 
heirs prevented them from prosecuting their claims 
earlier, especially as they had no hope of getting 
justice from England. They brought a letter from 
La Fayette, re'commending them and their claim to 
consideration, and the petition stated that Thomas 
Jefferson thought favorably of their claim. The 
governor brought their petition before the General 
Court of the Senate and House of Representatives 
in a special message, dated November 7, 17S6, and 
on the same day a joint committee was appointed 
to consider the claim. The committee reported 
that the lands were in part occupied, and the Legis- 
lature, in order to ascertain the equities of the case, 
sought an opinion from the Supreme Court, but the 
court declined to give an opinion on a case not 
actually before it. The subject was then referred 
to the attorney-general, and the Gregoires remained 
in Boston awaiting a decision. 

This was so long delayed that in May, 1787, the 
French consul again called the attention of the 
Legislature to the subject, and on June 6, 1787, it 
was referred to a Joint Committee of the Legisla- 
ture. On June 29 the Senate reported favorably on 
the claims of the Gregoires, and on July 5, 17S7, the 
House of Representatives concurred in the decision. 
All of the lands they claimed, then possessed by the 
commonwealth, either by original title, confiscation, 
or forfeiture, were to be given up to the Gregoires, 
provided they would, within one year, make terms 
with such of the then possessors of any of the lands 
as the Committee on Sale of Eastern Lands .should 
deem entitled to consideration. The Legislature 
also, by .special Act. pro\nded for their naturaliza- 
tion; and on October 29, 1787, they and their three 

' Spelled also Donagoet and Donaquec. 



children, Pierre, Nicholas, and Marie, were natural- 
ized. 

The conceding of the claim of the Gregoires was 
really a graceful act, but the good feeling then 
entertained towards the French nation, on account 
of services rendered in the Revolutionary War, un- 
doubtedly had much to do with the favor with 
which the claim was received. 

The lands were actually within the limits claimed 
by Massachusetts at the time Louis XIV. made the 
concession. Cadillac's selection of the locality did 
credit to his judgment. Mount Desert Island is the 
largest on the coast. It has an area of 6,000 acres, 
is fifteen miles long and from eight to twelve broad. 
On it there are thirteen mountains, with large and 
beautiful lakes far up their sides, and the entire 
island is remarkable for picturesque and beautiful 
scenery. It now forms part of Hancock County, 
Maine, and to this day the land titles of the eastern 
half of the island are all traced from the Gregoires 
as the first owners. 

After obtaining the grant, the Gregoires made 
their home on Mount Desert Island for several 
years. On August 4, 1792, they sold their interest 
to Henry Jackson, and removed t(j Boston, where 
they were in August, 1798. They afterwards re- 
turned to Mount Desert. Mrs. Clara Barnes Mar- 
tin, in her account of the island, says that they died 
about 1810, and that their graves are shown just 
outside of the present cemetery, near Hull's Cove, 
on the east side of the island. When the cemetery 
was enclosed, their graves were left outside by mis- 
take. In 1874 a white wooden cross was erected 
to mark their site. 

In 1882 there was living at Lille, in France, a 
Madame Gregoire, ti^e de Fremiot, probably the 
only remaining descendant of the Gregoires. 

In the time of Cadillac, the French colonies were 
under the control of the Naval Department, con.se- 
quently Cadillac and other soldiers engaged in the 
service of the colonies belonged, not to the army, 
but to the navy, and were rated as marines. Ca- 
dillac may be said to have been both sailor and 
soldier, and seems to have been equally at home on 
water and on land. His courage is undoubted ; he 
went fearlessly among the savages, and \\-as always 
ready to brave the dangers of a new post. Imme- 
diately after his marriage he went to Port Royal in 
Acadia, remaining there between one and two years, 
and in 1689 going to France, probably to secure the 
grant of Mount Desert. At this time he seems to 
have been a captain of infantry, but without much 
means. When he went to France, he left his wife 
in Acadia, whither he returned in seven months. 
Soon after we find him in command of a vessel. 
A letter from Count Frontenac to the colonial 
minister, dated October 20. 1691, states that La 



330 



BIOGRAPHY OF CADILLAC. 



Mothe's vessel had been captured by a Boston "cor- 
sair." 

In February, 1692, Count Frontenac, the gover- 
nor-general, proposed to send him to France to give 
intelligence as to the condition of the Province. 
Pontchartrain, in reply, asks that he be sent " by the 
first ship," so that he might give minute informa- 
tion to aid in the proposed attack on New York and 
New England, as he is considered to be the " best 
instructed on plans, .soundings, and all observations." 
In fullilment of this request, Cadillac returned to 
France. While there, or soon after his return to 
Canada, he made other suggestions, which are indi- 
cated in a letter from the king to Count Frontenac, 
written in March, 1693. 

In this letter the king approved of Cadillac's plan 
of liaving vessels of light draft to defend the rivers 
and lakes of Canada from the English, and author- 
ized Frontenac to give the command to Cadillac. 
It is doubtful if this was done, for on October 24, 
1693, Frontenac wrote to the French colonial min- 
ister that an officer named Mome, having been 
guilty of insolent and unbecoming behavior, he had 
given the company lately under his command to La 
Mothe Cadillac. 

In 1694 he was at Quebec, and on September 16 
Count Frontenac appointed him commandant of 
Michilimackinac and of all the country beyond. 
Frontenac says, " We have thought that we could 
not make a better choice than to appoint Lieutenant 
de Lamothe Cadillac, Captain of the troops of the 
detachment of the Marine, whose valor, wisdom, 
e.xperience, and good conduct have been manifested 
on several occasions." 

On his way to his new command, Cadillac left 
Quebec September 24, and arrived in November or 
December at Mackinaw, where he succeeded M. de 
Lovigny. He remained there until 1699, when he 
asked to be relieved, and returned to Quebec. His 
chief motive in asking to be relieved was to further 
the project he had formed of establishing a post at 
Detroit. 

In order that there may be no break in the his- 
tory of this post, we temporarily pass over Cadillac's 
establishment here, and trace his subsequent career. 

The date of his leaving Detroit is not definitely 
known. He was certainly here as late as May 7, 
1710, for on that day he certified to the records of 
St. Anne's Church. He had been appointed the 
day before to the governorship of Louisiana, but 
knowledge of the fact could not have reached him 
for several months, and he was probably at Detroit 
until the summer of 171 1. when there are some in- 
dications that he went to France. It is certain that 
his oldest son and daughter were here until August 
19, 1711, for on that day they registered at St. 
Anne's as godfather and godmother at a baptism. 



On September 14, 1712, Antoine Crozat was 
granted the exclusive commerce of the Province 
of Louisiana for fifteen years, together with all the 
lands that he should establish himself upon, and 
the proceeds of any mmes. Cadillac was now newly 
commissioned by Crozat, and is said to have been 
proinised a portion of the profits from the province. 

If Cadillac was in France at this time he proba- 
bly returned to Acadia before going to Louisiana, 
for the vessel that carried him there had on board 
twenty-five Breton girls, who, the record particu- 
larly mentions, "came of their own free will." 

He arrived at Dauphin Island, near Mobile, on 
May 17, 171 3, in the frigate Baron de la Fosse, of 
forty guns, commanded by .M. de la Jonquiere. His 
wife, sons, and daughters came with him. together 
with several ser\-ants. The vessel also brought 
a large quantity of munitions of war and provisions 
for the settlement. 

During the year Cadillac caused a number of 
houses to be built, and the settlement prospered. 
The colony had originally been located further north, 
but a short time prior to the arrival of Cadillac it 
was established on the present site of Mobile. 

Cadillac sought to obtain supplies for the colony 
from Mexico, and sent out expeditions in various 
directions to examine the resources of the country, 
and discover the mines which almost every one be- 
lieved to be in existence. He visited the Illinois 
Country, explored the lead mines near what is now 
Dubuque, and returned to Mobile in October, 17 15. 
The following month he sailed for France, pos- 
sibly to report his discoveries. He returned in 
1716. 

On March 9, 1717, three French frigates arrived 
at Mobile, bringing M. de 1' Epinay, who was com- 
missioned to succeed Cadillac. The Dudlow, one 
of the vessels, returned to France in June with Ca- 
dillac and Duclos, the king's commissary, as passen- 
gers. Disputes between Cadillac and his associate 
officers were undoubtedly the occasion of his recall. 
It is evident that his principal accusers were not 
trusted by the Government, for M. Duclos, one of 
the chief defamers of his administration, was re- 
called by the same order which relieved Cadillac. 
La Harpe says that the arrival of Cadillac would cer- 
tainly have produced a good effect in Louisiana but 
for the jealousy existing between him and Bienville. 

It was manifestly Cadillac's clear judgment and 
strong will that aroused the dislike of his associates. 
The old records contain abundant evidence of their 
jealousy and of parties formed against him. M. de 
Bienville was especially his enemy. He asserts 
that Cadillac wanted him to marry his daughter, 
but it is quite as probable that he was a rejected 
suitor. In view of the judgment and ability dis- 
played elsewhere by Cadillac, some portions of his 



THE FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF DETROIT. 



531 



dispatches from Louisiana seem weak and ill- 
advised. That he was dissatisfied with the country, 
with the position he was placed in, and the shabby 
support he received from the mother country, is 
clearly apparent. It has been claimed that in 
Louisiana he showed himself weak in character, 
childish in spirit, and utterly without capacity for 
the position he occupied ; but careful examina- 
tion will show any candid mind that such represen- 
tations are founded on a partial and imperfect knowl- 
edge of the man. It should be remembered that in 
Cadillac's time, New France, as well as the mother 
country, was governed by cabal and intrigue. Offi- 
cials, priests, and traders vied with each other in 
crafty schemes for personal and churchly aggran- 
dizement. Hundreds of witnesses, in the shape of 
old letters, can be produced, showing that these 
different parties were divided by jealousy and dis- 
trust, and the endence is now abundant and con- 
clusive that Louisiana historians have hitherto failed 
to study Cadillac's doings and statements in the 
light of his previous life and of the society and cir- 
cumstances that surrounded him. 

We have seen that he sailed for France in 1717. 
After having wandered all over America, he re- 
turned to his birthplace to " fight his battles o'er." 
In August, 1721, his wife was at St. Nicolas de la 
Grave, and there are records of the sale of property 
at Caumont by them in that year. Cadillac himself 
was then in Paris, having gone thither to obtain the 
governorship of Castelsarrasin. Just a year later, in 
August, 1722, a decree authorizing his appointment 
was issued, but the details were not settled until 
December 11, when he was duly commissioned 
governor and mayor. For this office he paid 16,500 
livres, 1,500 being for a tax or bonus of two sous 
per li\Te on the principal sum of 15,000. He was 
also to pay 300 livres yearly to the king, but this 
amount he was authorized to collect of the city. 
On April 16, 1723, he transmitted his commission 
from Paris to the council of the city for registration, 
and on September 9, 1723, it was read to the coun- 
cil at Castelsarrasin and recorded. 

His appointment was made under an edict of 
Louis XIV., of the same year in which was repealed 
an edict of 17 17, giving municipalities the choice 
of their own officers. How long he held the office 
is uncertain. In 1724 the king took away the 
municipal offices he had granted, and Cadillac possi- 
bly was superseded. He, however, continued to 
reside at Castelsarrasin, and his remains were in- 
terred in the old church of the Carmelites at that 
place. 

The church was confiscated in 1791, at the time 
of the French Revolution ; becoming national prop- 
erty, it was turned into a prison and greatly changed, 
therefore the exact location of his tomb cannot be 



found. He died at midnight on October 15, 1730, 
and was buried on the following day. 

THE FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF DETROIT. 

There are circumstances that indicate the possible 
e.xistence of a trading post at Detroit, fifteen years 
prior to the coming of Cadillac ; but if any such 
post existed, it was composed of only a few cotirt'iirs 
i/c- bois. In Volume IV. of the New York docu- 
mentary collections are reports of several councils 
between the English and Indians, which clearly 
indicate that no permanent post existed at Detroit 
prior to his coming. 

While stationed at Mackinaw, Cadillac became 
convinced that the Indians must be gathered in one 
locality before the Government could gain control 
over them. The soil and situation at Mackinaw 
were not favorable for a settlement, and Cadillac 
thought that the English could be more easily pre- 
vented from trading with the western Indians if a 
French post were established at Detroit. Fearing 
that a written communication would not sufficiently 
convince the French Government of the wisdom of 
his plans, the Governor of Canada determined to 
allow him to present them in person, and accord- 
ingly he sailed for France. His plans met with 
favor, and after an inter\'iew with Count Pontchar- 
train, and a personal examination of his project by 
Louis XIV., he received the authority he desired. 
YoT the building of the fort 1.500 livres was allowed 
him ; he was appointed commandant, and the king 
agreed to grant an allowance for the subsistence 
of himself and wife, two children, and two ser- 
vants. 

It was no easy task that Cadillac had undertaken. 
Even before he came, he knew that his enterprise 
would be opposed by the Jesuits at Mackinaw and 
the traders at Montreal. He knew also that the 
English and the Iroquois would destroy the post if 
possible. He had, however, fully counted the cost, 
and had achieved almost perfection in his plans. 
The friendly Indians were to be gathered about the 
settlement, so that the couretcrs de bois could find 
neither furs nor favorites elsewhere, and in case of 
attack the Indians and French could help each 
other. Cadillac was strenuous in urging that the 
Indians be taught the French language, that they 
might understand for themselves the proposals of 
the king, and not be dependent on priests or inter- 
preters, both of whom would, on occasion, accom- 
modate their interpretation to selfish purposes. 
Cadillac also favored the intermarriage of the 
French and Indians. This was contrary to custom 
in many of the settlements, but was permitted at 
Detroit, and there can be no doubt that these unions 
greatly served the colony. 



THE FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF DETROIT. 



The French colonial documents show that on 
October i6, 1700, M. de Callieres wrote to Count 
Pontchartrain as follows : 

1 shall send Sieur de la Mothe and Sieiir de Tonty in the spring 
to construct a fort at Detroit. My desiyn is that they sliall go by 
the Outaoues (Ottawa) River in order to take possession of that 
post from the Lake Huron side, by that means avoiding the 
Niagara passage, so as not to give umbrage to the Iroquois. 

Returning to America, Cadillac arrived at Quebec 
on March S, 1701. The same day he left for Mon- 
treal, where he arrived March 12, and for some 
weeks busied himself in arranging for the trip. All 
was finally in readiness, and on June 5 he left Mon- 
treal, having with him M. de Tonty as captain, and 
Messrs. Dugue and Chacornacle as lieutenants, with 
fifty soldiers in blue coats with white facings, also 
fifty emigrants and two priests. 

The Chevalier de Beauchene, in a volume pub- 
lished in Paris in 1733. says that he and a company 
of Algonquin Indians started with Cadillac as an 
escort, and that. 00 account of a quarrel, he returned. 
He gives a detailed account of the affair, but there 
are various indications that the narrative is one of 
the fictitious works that were not infrequent at that 
day. 

Cadillac's party came by way of the Ottawa 
River and Lake Huron, arriving on July 24. 1701. 
The convoy consisted of twenty-five canoes, which, 
besides the soldiers and emigrants, brought supplies 
of various kinds es.sential to the building and estab- 
lishment of a new post. 

Arriving at Detroit on a hot summer day. the 
canoes were drawn up on shore, and all of the new- 
comers were soon sheltered in the leafy groves that 
here and there e.xtended almost to the river's edge. 
The site of the stockade was selected, and ere long 
the sound of axes resounded through the woods. 
Holes were dug for the palisades, and the stockade 
was soon completed. The locations of chapel, 
magazine, store, and dwellings were ne.xt deter- 
mined, and before August had passed away, the 
settlement was fully established. 

A few weeks later the soil was broken, and the 
first wheat sown on the Detroit River was carefully 
bestowed. On December 6 Cadillac marked out a 
place for the Huron village, and in February and 
May of the following year he called the Indians 
together for a council. These councils, then and 
after, were the occasions of much local interest, for 
the Indians were always arrayed in their savage 
finery ; and as they e.xpected gifts they also brought 
them; as the "talk" progressed, presents were 
given and received with almost every point made by 
either side. When the settlement was a year old, 
lacking three days. Cadillac for the first time left it, 
going to Quebec to conclude an agreement with the 



trading company which had obtained control of the 
post. He returned on November 6. These days 
were dark ones. There was so much opposition to 
the establishment that but little trading was done, 
and between the king and the company, the soldiers 
were so poorly paid that, in 1703, nine of them 
deserted. They were glad to return, however, on a 
promise of pardon, which Cadillac was quite willing 
to grant, for soldiers as well as settlers were few in 
number. 

He was constantly seeking to enlarge his force, 
and finally, in a letter of June 14, 1704, Pontchar- 
train announced that Vaudreuil had been ordered to 
give him as many soldiers as he asked, Cadillac only 
being required to pay for their transportation. 
Pontchartrain also said that all that was just and 
reasonable Cadillac should have to help him estab- 
lish the colony, that he had fully explained the mat- 
ter to Vaudreuil, and that Cadillac would have no 
further trouble. The letter concludes with these 
words : " I am leaving you absolute master of this 
post. Use your effort to .succeed at Detroit, and 
you will not lack for concessions, nor even for 
a post more considerable than that \\-hich you 
have." 

Notwithstanding the explicit directions to Vau- 
dreuil. the intrigues of traders and others caused 
him to delay giving the assistance he was required 
to afford, and in the meantime the trading company 
brought such charges against Cadillac that in the 
autumn of 1704 he was compelled to go to Quebec 
to answer them. In June, 1706. after long delay, 
he was completely vindicated, and the king again 
gave him full control of Detroit, and in August of 
that year Cadillac returned. After his return the 
colony began to flourish. He induced many fami- 
lies to settle along the strait, and his oldest son, in 
a memoir, dated 1730, and addressed to Count 
Maurepas. claimed that he transported one hundred 
and fifty inhabitants to Detroit, together with cattle, 
horses, and other animals, at his own expense, and 
that he expended for various improvements fully 
1 50,000 livres. 

The boldness of the early settlers was not ex- 
ceeded in any other colony on American soil. The 
settlers of Jamestown and Plymouth Rock were 
located near the coast, and in an emergency could 
more easily escape than the first settlers of Detroit, 
these last established their firesides nearly a thousand 
miles from the sea, and were literally surrounded 
by thousands of savages, many of them known to 
be hostile, and cannibals as well. The colonists 
were mostly persons of limited means, many of 
them artisans, whose services were essential in such 
a colony. Some were gentlemen by birth, who, 
having failed to inherit a fortune at home, or ha\'ing 



THE FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF DETROIT. 



000 



lost their inheritance, brought to this western world 
their empty titles and well-filled scabbards to make 
homes and fortunes of their own. 

Among those who were specially prominent at an 
early day, Robert Navarre may be mentioned. In 
his veins coursed the proudest blood of France. 
The ancient records of Meaux show that Jean 
Navarre, who married Perette Barat in 1572, was 
the son of Antoine, Duke de \'endome. and half- 
brother of Henri I\'., King of France and Navarre, 
the predecessor of the g^eat line of kings forming 
the Bourbon dynasty. The Robert Navarre, who 
arrived at Detroit in 1728, was a lineal descendant 
of this family. On February 10, 1704, he married 
Marie Barrois, daughter of Frangois Lothman de 
Barrels, whose father came to Canada as " .Agent 
Generale of the Compagnie des Indes" in 1665. 
From this marriage sprang a large family, of whom 
the most noted was the eldest son, Robert. He 
was born in 1739, and married Louise de Marsac, 
a granddaughter of Jacob de Marsac de Lomme- 
sprou, an officer who came with the troops when 
Cadillac founded Detroit. The children of the 
Navarres intermarried with many of the prominent 
families, notably the Macombs, Godfreys, Anthons, 
Brevoorts, and Campaus. The line in France 
counts among its descendants representatives of 
the proudest families of the old nobility, among 
whom we may mention the name of the Count 
Leon Clement de Blavette, of Versailles, from whose 
heraldic tree the descent of Navarre was obtained. 

The signatures in the early records of St. Anne's 
Church indicate that most of the officers and early 
settlers were persons of good education for the 
time. Very appropriately, the first child born in the 
colony was a daughter of the founder, Marie 
Th^rese Cadillac. In a letter, dated August 31, 
1703, Cadillac says, "No one has yet died at this 
post." The first death, so far as known, was that 
of Father Del Halle, who was killed by an Indian 
in June. 1706. The first person who died thereafter 
was Jean Lasalle, who died January 24, 1707. The 
first marriage, where both parties were French, 
occurred on May 5, 1710, when Jean Baptiste Tur- 
pin was married to Margaret Fafard. The ne.\t 
marriage took place on June 12, 17 10, between 
Martin Cirier and Mary Ann Bone. 

The records of St. Anne's show that many of the 
soldiers brought their wives with them, and nearly 
all the habitans had large families ; in one case, one 
mother is credited with thirty children. "In 1707 
there were fourteen births, in 1708, thirteen. At 
this time they had already begun to build houses 
outside the fort, and we find in the suburbs a flour 
mill, and further on, a house and a bam. There 
were also two hundred and three arpents of cleared 
ground, ten head of cattle, and one horse." 



Up to November 14, 1708, only thirty-nine inhab- 
itants had houses inside of the fort ; and the whole 
number of French settlers was si.xty-three, of whom 
thirty-four were traders. In 1709 the king with- 
drew the soldiers, and left Cadillac to manage the 
settlement without military aid. The same year 
twenty-nine discharged soldiers settled at the post, 
among them men named Marsac, Durocher, La 
Fertc, and St. Aubin. The total population was 
then about two hundred. After Cadillac left, and 
up to 1 7 19, it was deemed uncertain whether the 
post would be sustained. Many families therefore 
left, and the settlement at this time was no larger 
than when first established. 

During this period, the births averaged only two 
per year. In 1719, under the impetus given by 
John Law and his Mississippi schemes, emigrants 
again began to join the colony, and in 1722 the pop- 
ulation once more reached about two hundred, and 
there were from si.x to eight births per year. 

The Chapoton, Godfrey, Goyan, and Laderoute 
families were among those who came in 1722 or 
soon after. 

Year after year discharged soldiers and emigrants 
from further east continued to arrive. In 1730 the 
births averaged ten or twelve yearly, and the popu- 
lation continued to increase. There was, however, 
great mortality among the children for nearly fifty 
years. In order to promote emigration, on May 24, 
1749, Gajissonniere, the governor-general, published 
in all the parishes of Canada the following procla- 
mation : 

Ever>' man who will go to settle in Detroit shall receive gratui- 
tously, one spade, one axe, one ploughshare, one large and one 
small wagon. We will make an advance of other tools to be paid 
for in two years only. He will be given a Cow, of which he shall 
return the increase, also a Sow. Seed will be advanced the first 
year, to be returned at the third harvest. The women and chil- 
dren will be supported one year. Those will be deprived of the 
liberality of the King, who shall give themselves up to trade in 
place of agriculture. 

This proclamation accomplished its purpose, and 
the same year forty-six persons came to Detroit, 
most of them from Normandy, on the lower Seine, 
with nine or ten families from Montreal. The next 
year fifty-seven arrived, and an official census of the 
same year showed a population of four hundred 
and eighty-three, which, with the floating popula- 
tion, made fully five hundred and fifty persons ; 
among them were thirty-three women over fifteen 
years of age, and ninety-five under fifteen ; there 
was also a garrison of one hundred men. The 
births at this time numbered about twenty-five per 
year. The prosperity of the colonists is also shown 
by the fact that they possessed one hundred and 
sbcty horses, six hundred and eighty-two cattle, and 
over two thousand domesticated fowls. 



334 



THE FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF DETROIT. 



In 1751 a large body of immigrants came. The 
expenses of tlieir journey were paid by the Govern- 
ment, and land was granted to twenty-three of 
them. Most of those who came in 1751 and 1752 
were young men, and Celeron, the Frencli com- 
mandant, wrote to the king that wives for the new- 
comers was their greatest want. In 1752 a bad 
harvest and the dangers of the war with the English 
caused immigration for a time to cease. 

Other discouragements also beset the colony. 
On April 21, 1752, M. de Longueuil wrote: "Fam- 
ine is not the sole scourge we experience ; the 
small-pox commits ravages ; it begins to reach De- 
troit. Over eighty Indians died of the disease at the 
adjacent villages, including Chief Kinousaki, who 
was much attached to the French." 

The natural growth of the settlement caused the 
enlargement of the fort in 1754. and by this time 
the colony had so prospered that there was an aver- 
age of thirty births, and from seven to eight marri- 
ages yearly ; and notwithstanding the war, the settle- 
ment so fully held its own that in 1760 the births 
had attained to about forty per year. 

In 1755, when the English banished the Acadians 
from Nova Scotia, many of the fugitives found a 
refuge in Detroit, and thus, although many about 
this time went from Detroit to \'incennes, the 
colony grew and prospered. 

In 1 764, when Laclede founded St. Louis, many 
went thither from Detroit, reducing the population 
of the town and vicinity from two thousand five 
hundred, to eight hundred, including Indians. A 
census of 1765 showed that there were three hun- 
dred and fifty families at Detroit and in the imme- 
diate neighborhood. 

The following copies of official documents con- 
tained in the Haldimand correspondence, on file in 
the British Museum at London, and copied for the 
Department of Archives of Canada, give a variety 
of interesting details as to the population and re- 
sources of Detroit on various dates. The first reads 
as follows : 



South side of Fort 
North side of Fort 

The Fort 

On Hog Island .. 

Total 



609 



390 

602 

45 

30 



1,067 



2S4 



1.427 
i,i75i 



2,602^ 



N. B. — The Troops and Naval Department, with their Cattle, 
&c., are not included in the above. The men servants are gener- 
ally more numerous, several being now hunting and at the Indian 
villages. Although all the farms are calculated at forty acres in 
depth, eight of them run eighty and one si.vty. 

P. Dejean. 

A census of the settlement, taken by order of 
Governor Hamilton, on April 26, 1778, showed the 
following totals : 

Men, five hundred sixty-four. Women, two hundred seventy- 
four. Young men and boys, five hundred thirty. Young women 
and girls, four hundred thirty-eight. JMale servants, one hundred 
seventy-two. Female ser\'ants, thirty-nine. Slaves, one hundred 
twenty-seven. Total, two thousand one hundred forty-four. 
Oxen, four hundred seventy-eight. Cows, eight hundred eighty- 
five. Heifers and Steers, six hundred fifty. Sheep, four hun- 
dred seventy. Hogs, one thousand three hundred and twelve. 

A survey of the settlement of Detroit, taken 
March 31, 1779, was as follows: 

Two hundred thirty-nine in Garrison and Navy. Five hundred 
Prisoners and Extras. (?) Two hundred seventy-two Male inhab- 
itants. 265 Women, including 34 connected with the army. 253 
young men. 100 Young women. 484 Boys. 402 Girls. 60 Male 
slaves. 7S Female slaves. 413 Oxen. 779 Cows. 619 Steers. 
1076 Hogs. 664 Horses. 313 Sheep. 

On November l, 1780, the settlement of Detroit 
had 

394 heads of families. 374 married and young women. 324 
young and married men. 100 absent in Indian country. 455 boys 
from 10 to 15 years. 385 girls from 10 to 15. 79 Male slaves. 
96 Female slaves. 772 Horses. 474 Oxen. 793 Cows. 361 Steers. 
279 Sheep. 1,016 Hogs; and there were 1^,083 acres of Land under 
cultivation. 



A Gener,\l Return of all the Inhabitants of Detroit, 
THEIR Possessions, Cattle, Horses, Servants, and Slaves. 
Taken by Philip Dejean, Justice of the Peace for the 
SAID place, the 221) oA^■ of September, 1773 : 











c d 








<» 




d 




I2 


|d 



33 


i! 
11 


£ 
in 

0" 


a 

CO 

t 


% 

1/2 

C 





South side of Fort 


107 


81 


1^ 


112 


30 


76 


27 


6 


3 


North side of Fort. . . . 


124 


107 


4"; 


137 


24 


134 


l6 


?6 


22 


The Fort 


66 


36 

I 




35 


4 




27 

3 


14 


14 


On Hog Island 


I 






Total 


=98 


225 


84 


284 


58 


240 


93 


46 









The state of the settlement of Detroit, taken the 
20th uf July, 17S2, was as follows : 

321 heads of families. 254 married women. 72 widows and 
married women. 336 young and married Men. 526 Boys. 503 
Girls. 78 Male slaves. loi Female slaves. 1,112 Horses. 413 
Oxen. 452 Heifers. 447 Sheep. 1,370 Hogs. 4,075 Bushels of 
Wheat sown last fall. 521 acres in Indian Corn. 1,849 acres in 
Oats. 13,770 acres under cultivation. 3,000 bushels Potatoes 
supposed to be in the ground. 1,000 barrels of Cider supposed 
wilt be made. 

In 1791 and 1792 the colony received an accession 
from Galliopolis. Some of the unfortunate emi- 
grants who had been deluded thither by false 
representations, came to Detroit when that bubble 



THE FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF DETROIT. 



335 



burst, and found both homes and friends. The 
large grants of land, with rations for a specified 
time from the fort, offered by the English, induced 
the settlement of a number of Scotch and English 
families of the highest respectability, yet French 
continued the predominant language, and soon after 
1796, when the town passed under American con- 
trol, a number of French immigrants arrived. After 
the surrender the English began to build F'ort 
Maiden, and the next year many persons went from 
Detroit and founded Amherstburg. 

The first census taken by the Territory of Michi- 
gSn, on October i, 1805, showed 525 heads of 
families at Detroit, and 667 males over sixteen 
years of age. 

About this time emigration from the Eastern 
States began, but the "Bostonians," as they were 
called, were not at first made welcome by either 
French or English. The first American settlers 
were Solomon Sibley, John Whipple. Dr. William 
Brown, William Russell, Christian Clemens, James 
Chittenden, Benjamin Chittenden, Dr. McCoskry, 
James Henrj-, Elijah Brush, Henry B. Brevoort, 
Col. Henry J. Hunt, Augustus Langdon, and Major 
Whistler. 

From 18 1 7 to 1830 the growth of the city was 
slow but constant. The Gazette did its part to set 
forth the advantages of the Territory, and a local 
poet, in one of the numbers for August, 1824, thus 
sings its charms : 

MICHIGAN. 

Know ye the land to the emigrant dear, 

Wliere the wild flower is blooming one half of the year; 

Where the dark-eyed chiefs of the native race 

Still meet in the council and pant in the chase ; 

Where armies have rallied, by day and by night, 

To strike or repel, to surrender or fight ? 

Know ye the land of the billow and breeze. 

That is poised, like an isle, 'mid fresh water seas, 

Whose forests are ample, whose prairies are fine. 

Whose soil is productive, whose climate benign ? 

Remote from extremes, neither torrid nor c(jld, 

'T is the land of the sickle, the plow, and the fold ; 

'T is a region no eye ere forgets or mistakes, 

'T is the land for improvement, the land of the lakes. 

Our streams are the clearest that nature supplies. 

And Italy's beauties are marked in our skies, 

And the isle-spotted lakes that encircle our plains 

Are the largest and purest this planet contains. 

Of the means that fostered immigration, none 
were more potent than the maps and gazetteers 
issued by John Farmer; the first appeared in 1S25. 
and many thousands of copies of his maps (espe- 
cially in 1830) were sold in the Eastern States, and 
as they furnished all the information obtainable, and 
in the most accurate manner possible, they were 
greatly influential in promoting emigration. 

Fifteen thousand emigrants arrived in 1830, and 



in 1 831, 1834, and 1836 particularly, the steamboats 
were crowded with passengers for Michigan and 
the West. The Free Press of May 19, 1831, said: 

To say nothing of those who have arrived by land, and through 
Lake Erie by sail vessel, the following steamboats arrived here 
within the last week. The Enterprise, with 250 passengers ; the 
Wm. Penn, 150 ; the Ohio, 350 ; the Henry Clay, 480 ; the Supe- 
rior, 550; the Sheldon Thompson. 200; and the Niagara, 200: 
amounting to more than 2,000, and nearly all in the prime of life ; 
mostly heads of families who have come for the purpose of pur- 
chasing land and settling in Michigan. 

Such was the tide of immigration during the 
entire season of navigation that both steam and sail 
vessels were crowded to their utmost capacity. On 
October 7, 1834, four steamboats brought nearly 
900 passengers. In January, 1836, three steam- 
boats — two first class and one second class — arrived 
each day, with an average of 260 passengers each 
way. On May 23, 1836, 700 passengers arrived, 
and during the month there were ninety steamboat 
arrivals, each boat loaded with passengers. The 
roads to the interior were literally thronged with 
wagons. A careful estimate made in June by a 
citizen showed that one w-agon left the city every 
five minutes during the twelve hours of daylight. 
In 1837 the immigration was fully as large; there 
was an average of three steamboats a day, with 
from 200 to 300 passengers each, and on one occa- 
sion in the month of May, 2,400 passengers landed 
in a single day. The larger part of these immi- 
grants w-ere from New York, and the rest mostly 
from New England. It is probable that, in propor- 
tion to its population, Detroit, and in fact the entire 
State of Michigan, has a larger percentage of New- 
York and New PIngland people than any other west- 
ern city or State. At one time it seemed as though 
all New England was coming. The emigration 
fever pervaded almost every hamlet of New Eng- 
land, and this song was very popular, and is known 
to have been largely influential in promoting emi- 
gration : 

MICHIGANIA. 

Come all ye Yankee fanners who wish to change your lot, 
Who 've spunk enough to travel beyond your native spot, 
.\nd leave behind the village where Pa and Ma do slay, 
Come follow me, and settle in Michigania, — 
Yea, yea, yea, in Michigania. 

I 've hearn of your Penobscot, way down in parts of Maine, 
Where timber grows in plenty, but darn the bit of grain ; 
-And I have heard of Quoddy and your Piscatatiua, 
IJut they can't hold a candle to Michigania, — 
Yea, yea, yea, to Michigania. 

Then there's old Varmount, well, what d'ye think of that ? 
To be sure, the gals are handsome, and the cattle very fat : 
V'Ut who among the mountains, 'mid clouds and snow, would stay; 
When he can buy a prairie in Michigania ? — 
Yea, yea, yea, in Michigania, 



536 



THE FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF DETROIT. 



Then thtre 's your Massachusetts, once good enough, be sure. 
But now she 's always laying a tax upon manure, 
She costs you pecks of trouble, which the de'ila peck can pay, 
While all is free and easy in Michigania, — 
Vea, yea, yea, in Michigania. 

There is the land of Ulue Laws, where deacons cut your hair, 
For fear your locks and tenets will not exactly square, 
Where beer that works on Sunday a penalty must pay, 
While all is Scripture measure in Michigania, — 
Vea, yea, yea, in Michigania. 

Then there 's the State of New York, where some are very rich; 
Themselves and a few others have dug a mighty ditch, 
To render it more easy for us to find the way, 
And sail upon the waters to Michigania, — 
Yea, yea, yea, to Michigania. 

Then there 's your bold Ohio, I 've often heard them tell, 
Above the other places, she surely wears the bell ; 
But when you come to view her, I will be bound you'll say 
She falls quite far below our Michigania, — 
Yea, yea, yea, our Michigania. 

Then there is Indiana, and Illinois too. 
Besides the grand Missouri which rises to our view, 
All these are fine indeed, and stand in nice array. 
But they must all knock under to Michigania,— 
Yea, yea, yea, to Michigania. 

Upon the Clinton River, just through the country back. 
You '11 find, in shire of Oakland, the town of Pontiac, 
Which, springing up a sudden, scared wolves and bears away, 
That used to roam about there, in Michigania, 
Yea, yea, yea, in Michigania. 

And if you follow downwards, why, Rochester is there, 
And further still, Mt. Clemens looks out upon St. Clair, 
Besides some other places within Macombia, 
That promise population to Michigania, — 
Yea, yea, yea, to Michigania. 

If you had rather go to a place called Washtenaw, 
You '11 find the Huron lands the best you ever saw ; 
The ships sail to Ann Arbor right through La Plaisance Bay, 
And touch at Ypsilanti in Michigania,- 
Yea, yea, yea, in Michigania. 

Or if you keep a going a great deal further on, 
I guess you'll reach St. Joe, where everybody's gone ; 
There everything, like Jack's bean, grows monstrous fast, they say. 
And beats the rest all hollow in Michigania, 
Yea, yea, yea, in Michigania. 

Then come, ye Yankee farmers, who 've mettle hearts like me, 
Andclbuw-grease in plenty, to bow the forest tree. 
Come, take a tpiarter section, and 1 "11 be bound you '11 say. 
This country takes tht; rag oH, this Micliigauia, — 
Yea, yea, yea, this Michigania. 

No considerable number of Irish were here prior 
to 1833, but at that time numbers of them came. 
The Germans bei^an coming in the sprini*; of 1S32, 
and the Poles in 1870. The numbers of the various 
nationalities in the city, accordinj^ to the census of 
1870, were as follows : France. 760 ; Germany, 
12,647; England, 3,282; Ireland. 6,970; Scotland, 
1.637; Holland. 310; Hungary, 310; Norway, 523; 
Poland, 325. Out of a total of 79,577, 44,196 were 
born in America. The census of 1880 gives the 
number of citizens born in various states and coun- 



tries as follows: France, 721 ; Germany, 17,292; 
England, 4,200; Ireland, 6,775; Scotland, 1,783; 
Holland. 275; Hungary, 64; Norway. 27 ; Poland, 
1,771; Africa, 2; Australia, 15; Austria. 12S; Bo- 
hemia, 557; British America, 10.754; China, 11; 
Cuba, 3 ; Gibraltar, 2 ; Greece, i ; India, 9; Italy, 
127; Malta, 3; Mexico, 6; Russia, 77 ; Sandwich 
Isles, 3 ; Sotith America, 17 ; Spain, 8 ; Sweden, 55 ; 
Switzerland, 421 ; Wales, 71 ; at sea, 24. 

Every State and Territory in the Union, except 
Montana, has contributed to our population. New 
York heads the list with 7,722, Ohio sent 1,965, 
Pennsylvania 998, Massachusetts 922, and Illinois 
568. Out of a total of 116,340 there were born in 
America 70,695. and of these 2,300 w^ere colored. 

A curious illustration of the lack of knowledge 
concerning this region is afforded in the address of 
Mr, Lymbruner, agent of the Province of Canada, 
read in 1793 before the House of Commons. The 
address, which had been prepared in Canada, was 
endorsed by Chief Justice Powell, and contained 
this passage : 

Although there is a small settlement at Detroit, which is, and 
must be considered of great importance as a post to trade with the 
Indians, yet it must appear to this Honorable House that from its 
situation it can never become of any great importance as a settle- 
ment. The falls of the Niagara are an insurmountable obstacle 
to the transportation of such rude materials as the produce of the 
land. As the farmers about Detroit, therefore, will have only 
their own settlement for the consumption of their produce, such 
a confined market must greatly impede the progress of settlement 
and cultivation for ages to come. 

The following figures do not verify the predic- 
tion: 

Census of Detroit. 

Years. Population. I Years. Population. Years. Population. 

1796 5t)0 I 1830 2,222 I 1864 53 > 170 

1810 770 I 1834 4,968 I 1868 68,827 



1S12. 
1817. 
1819. 
1820. 



800 

900 

1,110 

1,442 



1840 9*192 1870 79.577 

1S45 13,065 1874 101,225 

1S50 21,019 1880 116,342 

1854 40. 127 I 1884 134.^34 



1828 ii5^7 i860 45,619 



The census of 1884 does not do justice to the 
growth of the city, because many of the people 
doing business in Detroit, and in suburbs that are 
practically a part of the city, are counted in Spring- 
wells or Hamtramck instead of Detroit. If the 
census had included all who really form part of the 
population, the number would have reached fully 
1 50,000. 

The per cent, of increase of population by de- 
cades is as follows: 1830-1840, 400 per cent; 
1840-1850, 102 percent; 1850-1860, loi per cent; 
1S60-1S70, 74 per cent; 1870-1880, 46 per cent. 
An average increase of only fifty per cent, will give 
the following population in the years named : 1890, 
1S5.000: 1900,275,000. 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 



00/ 



The number of families in i860 was 8,973; in 
1870, 14,717; and in 1S80, 20,493. ^he statistics, 
very carefully taken by the Water Commissioners 
in June, 1884, showed a total of 29,622 families. 
As compared with the population, the average in 
each decade was about five persons to a family. 
As compared with the school census in the same 
dicades, there was an average of less than two chil- 
tlren between five and twenty years of age to each 
family. The percentage of children to the total 
population in various decades was as follows : 1 840, 
22 per cent; 1850, 33 per cent; i860, 31 percent; 
1870, 33 per cent; 1880, 34 per cent. The number 
of births in Detroit in 18S0 was 4,565, and in 18S1, 
3,611. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

Many of the earlier colonists mingled freely with 
the Indians, and adopted so many of their habits 
that they became more like Indians than white men, 
for, as Cadillac says in one of his letters, " With 
wolves one learns to howl." The coitrenrs dc bois 
in their habits resembled the wildest and worst of 
the men in the lumber-camps of to-day, and the 
rioting and squandering of the lumbermen, on their 
return from the woods, is paralleled by the doings of 
these wild and reckless men of the olden time. 

Almost every individual was designated, beside 
his own name, by a soubriquet indicative of some 
characteristic or incident in his life, and frequently 
these names entirely usurped the original ones. 

In the list of claims for farms, and in other old 
recortls, we find that Joseph Andre was called 
Clark ; Chesne, Sequin ; La Butte. Laderoute ; 
Godet, Marantette ; Casse, St. Aubin ; Velair or 
V'illier was called St. Louis and now Lewis ; Hubert 
was called La Croix; Prieur, La Fleur; Trotier, 
Beaubien ; Descompte, Labadie ; Vernier, Ladou- 
ceur; Billow, L'Esperance; Cerait, Coquillard ; Vis- 
sier was called La Ferte, now spelled Lafferty. In 
some cases the French name has been .'\nglicised, 
Charboneau becoming Cole; Laframboise, Berry; 
(iobiel, Gubby ; Le Blafic, White ; Le Noir, Black ; 
La Pierre, Stone ; and Meunier, Miller. Several of 
our most prominent families have thus entirely lost 
their original names. 

The almost universal dress of the male population 
in the olden time is portrayed in one of Judge 
Campbell's unpublished fireside poems, as follows : 

Each sported as he walked the floor. 

Such garments as the others wore ; 

Though some — a careful eye might note — 

Had extra cambnc round the throat, 

Not as a sanitary stay 

To ease their creaking vertebrse, 

But as a figurative siKn 

Of an unbending moral spine. 



But wrapped to meet the wintry air. 

'T would make a modish tailor stare 

To see what garments, quaint and warm, - 

Kept off the rigors of the storm. 

Upon the head, — the noblest part, — 

Well fashioned by the hatter's art. 

Clung close and warm an ample cap 

Of seal or otter's downy nap. 

And when the wind more fiercely beat 

And dimmed the air with driving sleet, 

Raised from the shoulders of the coat 

The traveler donned his huge capote, 

Within whose folds he could defy 

The scowling of a polar sky. 

That coat — no dainty cloth of France 

Bedizened with extravagance — 

Was shaped of blanket, black or blue, 

Though not unknown the scarlet hue. 

Bound were the cuffs and pocket flap 

With fur sufficient for a cap, 

And on the collar too enough 

To make his wife a stylish muff, — 

While moccasins of Caribou 

Covered his feet instead of shoe. 

But in the shoepac's clumsy bags. 

Stuffed at the toes with blanket rags, 

The dweller in the rural shade 

His stout extremities arrayed. 

Gartered about his knees were seen 

Leggings of baize of lively green, — 

His blanket wrapper 't was polite 

To mention by the name of white, 

For though through darkening hues it went, 

'T was only time or accident. 

His mighty buck or woolen mittens 

Would hold at least a brace of kittens; 

And when he sought to cut a dash 

He girt him with a crimson sash. 

And crowned his long and curly locks 

Witl^spoil of woodchuck, coon, or fox. 

While o'er his shoulders broad the tail 

Streamed like a comet on the gale. 

Some older and sedater folks 

Were draped in flowing camlet cloaks, 

With soft lined collars stiff and high, 

Concealing all beneath the eye. 

Whose bushy brows would overlap 

And seem to fringe the hairy cap. 



After the English came, wealthier citizens and 
officials wore black silk breeches and hose, with 
shoe and knee buckles, which, with a stiff stock and 
beaver hat, were signs of gentility. For the women, 
swanskins were in great demand. They were used 
to trim borfnets and capes. Bright colors were 
much in favor ; and the French damsels understood 
the art of tying a handkerchief or a ribbon in the 
most attractive manner. 

Simultaneously with the coming of the English, 
larger and more attractive stocks of goods gave 
opportunity for display, and at an evening party, 
honored by the presence of the wives and daughters 
of the officers and leading families, there was no 
lack of silk and satin gowns, hosiery, and ribbons. 
Silk and "gold-spangled shoes" were worn, and 
Fashion had her devotees, as in our day. Colonel 



33^ 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 



De Peyster paid his respects to one of her worship- 
pers in the following lines 
To A IJEAUTiruL Young Lady, who had on one of those 

ABOMINABLE STRAW CAPS OR BONNETS IN THE FORM OF ABEE- 
HIVE. 

While you persist that cap to wear. 

Miss, let a friend contrive 
So that the bees, when swarming near, 
Sha' n't take it for a hive. 

For, lest you some precaution take, 

I 'II be in constant dread 
That, through a inouth so sweet, they 'd make 

A lodgment in your head. 

Where such loud buzzing they would keep. 

And so distract your brain, 
That you 'd not get one wink of sleep 

Till they buzzed out again. 

Wherefore, to disappoint the bees, 

What I 'd advise is this : 
Close your sweet lips, when, if you please, 

I '11 seal them with a kiss. 

Books and papers were practically unknown for 
very many years. News from the outside world 
came in the form of letters, and these were few and 
far between. Personal and family plans and adven- 
tures were the usual subjects of conversation, and 
these, with numerous alarms from the Indians and 
the changes made by succeeding conunandants, 
filled up the measure of the passing years. The 
tables were well supplied. Beavers' tails, wild 
ducks, turkeys, partridges, quails, bear-steaks, ven- 
ison, whitefish, hulled corn, succotash, and baked 
French pears were common articles o^ diet ; later 
on, many of the best families cured their own pork 
and beef, and hams and shoulders were smoked at 
the smoke-house of some enterprising grocer. A 
family of bovines and eight chickens were sent from 
Montreal in the fall of 1701 ; they soon multiplied, 
and the lowing of cows and the cackling of hens 
helped to make the wilderness seem a home. There 
was never more stock raised than was needed for 
home consumption, and after the War of 1812, for 
nearly twenty years, a large share of the provisions 
was brought from Ohio and New York. 

The Gazette for July 25, 1817, announced that 
"during the preceding two weeks, more than 1,700 
head of cattle were brought from Oliio." Even 
now little livestock is raised in the vicinity, but in 
18S3 about 800 cattle, 1,600 sheep and calves, and 
1,200 hogs were weekly slaughtered in Detroit. 
The consumption of flour is nearly 4.000 barrels 
per week ; and a single firm supplies 3,000 gallons 
of inilk daily to customers. Prior to 1830 maple 
sugar was the only sugar in common use ; it was 
not made in cakes, but was finely grained by stir- 
ring. The Indians cooked their fish in the boiling 
sap, and fish-bones and scales would sometimes 
stare at you from the bottom of the coffee-cup. It 



was used also as sweetening for tea, and the daily 
drink of many of the early American settlers was 
" wintergreen tea sweetened with maple sugar." 
The mention of this delicious drink will bring up 
many visions of the past to some of the older inhabi- 
tants. 

A graphic picture of olden days is given by Gov- 
ernor Cass in a letter dated May 31, 1816, addressed 
to the .Secretary of War. He says : 

The Indian trade originally furnished the only employment of 
the people of this country, and their only resource against want. 
As traders, engages, and voyageurs, they spent one half of the 
year in labor, want, and exposure, and the other in indolence and 
amusements. 

Associated with the Indians, they contracted their manners 
and gained their confidence. As a necessary consequence, their 
farms were neglected, and the agricultural products of the coun- 
try formed a small portion of the subsistence of the inhabitants. 
When the failure of game reduced the profits of this trade, and 
rendered it more difficult for the persons engaged in it to procure 
employment, the people were driven to other pursuits, and the 
fatal mistake of educating a whole community for a single and 
temporary business is now deeply felt and acknowledged. Driven 
at^Iength to seek resource in tilling the productionsof the country, 
the state of the farms shows the extreme defect of agricultural 
knowledge. 

The spinning-wheel and the loom are unknown in the country. 
Long since the Territory was ceded to the United States, and to 
a certain extent, to the present day, the farmers were in the prac- 
tice of drawing their manure upon the ice of the river during the 
winter, that it might be carried into the lake in the spring. The 
wool of the sheep was thrown away, and even now, I presume, a 
pound of wool is not manufactured in the Territory by any person 
of Canadian descent, and four fifths of its inhabitants are of this 
class of population. W'ithin twelve years the makmg of soap for 
family purposes was a curiosity which attracted the attention of 
the people, and although the wonder has ceased with the novelty, 
yet few have attempted to profit fay the experiment. 

That there were gentlemen in 1837 cannot be 
doubted, for Mr. McCabe, in his directory of that 
year, names fourteen persons whose occupation was 
that of "gentlemen." Truth compels us to add, 
however, that according to his record there was 
but one "gentlewoman" in all the city, or at least 
only one who was so specified. 

At the present time the habits and manners of the 
people partake largely of the characteristics of both 
the French and English races. The result of this 
commingling is manifested in the entire social and 
business life of the city. Detroit is certainly con- 
servative ; but coupled with caution there is a spirit 
of enterprise that, building upon sure foundations, is 
yearly pushing the city into the front rank of Amer- 
ican cities. There can be no question that it is a 
remarkably desirable place for those who wish, 
while making money, to enjoy life as well. Various 
European nationalities are represented in the popu- 
lation, but no one of them in sufficient numbers to 
control public sentiment ; and, as this is true also of 
the population of the entire State, both Detroit and 
Michigan stand for the New England of the West. 

Our citizens will compare in personal appearance 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 



339 



\\'ith the best representatives of the American peo- 
ple. All qualified observers agree that in no eastern 
or western city are fine-looking women as numerous 
as in Detroit ; fresh and fair comple.xions are the 
rule; and among manufacturers of ladies' shoes it 
is well known that more fine and small-sized shoes 
are sold here than in any other city of equal popu- 
lation. 

The isolated condition of the first habitans, and 
their consequent dependence upon each other, natu- 
rally made them friendly and social ; and partly for 
protection, and partly for companionship, the farms 
of tiie early settlers were of narrow frontage on the 
river, and the houses only a quarter of a mile apart. 
A ntniber of the first comers were of ancient and 
gentle lineage, and they brought the graces of an 
older civilization, ." the small, sweet courtesies of 
life," to the settlement on the Strait. When the 
English came, the numerous officers of a large gar- 
rison, and the Scotch and English merchants that 
soon followed, contributed to form a society that 
could hardly have been more attractive. After it 
was surrendered to the United States, the recog- 
nized importance of the post caused it, for many 
years, to be under the command of noted officers ; 
several wealthy and educated eastern families also 
made it their home at this period ; and after the 
War of 1 812, a number of leading families came 
from Marietta, Ohio, the then educational centre of 
the West. The society of this western city thus 
secured an element quite exceptional in polish and 
culture, that has affected its characteristics to the 
present time. Probably no city in the West has 
possessed, or maintains, more of the old-school 
friendliness and cordial hospitality than is here 
manifested. In 1831 a correspondent of an east- 
ern paper made this report : 

The society of Detroit is kind, hospitable, and excellent. A 
strong sense of equality and independence prevails in it. A citi- 
zen whose conduct is respectable and decorous is respected by all 
and a-isociates with all. Very little etiquette is practised here. 
Genuine friendliness and cordiality are the agreeable substitutes. 
Afternoon visits even to strangers are as orthodox, and even as 
frequent, as morning visits. Recently domiciled here, we can 
speak feelingly upon this subject. A frank, cordial, and general 
civility, at once peculiarly gratifying, and indicative of the char- 
acter of the Michiganians, has been extended to us. One of the 
most agreeable and best established traits of hospitality at Detroit 
is that decent strangers are always invited to the weddings which 
take place in the city. 

The spirit indicated in this letter now as then 
actuates the inhabitants of Detroit, and worth is a 
passport to the best society. 

One of the most noticeable social events that has 
occurred in Detroit, and in view of all the facts, 
perhaps one of the most notable occurring in the 
countrv, was the complimentarj' banquet tendered 
to C. C. Trowbridge by the citizens of Detroit, on 



December 29, 1882, on the occasion of his eighty- 
third birthday. That which caused the occasion to 
be exceptional and unique was the fact that, living 
in Detroit continuously for sixty-three years, and 
occupying during that time various positions of trust 
and responsibility, he had so endeared and recom- 
mended himself to two distinct generations, includ- 
ing men of differing political creeds and religious 
faiths and of various nationalities, that they eagerly 
embraced the opportunity of doing him honor. The 
tribute was offered him solely on the ground of his 
personal worth as the first gentleman of the city, 
embodying a rare combination of courtesy, scholar- 
ship, and business ability. 

At the banquet compliments were literally rained 
upon him, and the highest compliment of all was 
the universal feeling that he could not be injured by 
the words and tokens of appreciation so heartily 
bestowed. It was a remarkable fact that he had 
witnessed the growth of Detroit from the little 
French town of 1,110 inhabitants to the metropolis 
with a population of 1 30,000. 

The reception and banquet took place at the 
Russell House. The toasts were: "Our Guest,"' 
"The Banks and Bankers of the Northwest Terri- 
tory," "The French and English Rule in Michi- 
gan," " The Wars and Military Heroes of Michigan," 
"Vigorous Age the Product of Virtuous Youth," 
"The Highways and Byways of Michigan." Hon. 
G. V. N. Lothrop presided at the banquet, and 
responded to the first toast. In making his ac- 
knowledgments, Mr. Trowbridge read an interesting 
account of old-time citizens with various reminis- 
cences. The other speakers were Hon. T. P. Handy, 
of Cleveland, Hon. James V. Campbell, of Detroit, 
President James B. Angell, of the University, Rev. 
Dr. T. C. Pitkin, of Detroit, Colonel C. G. Ham- 
mond, of Chicago, Hon. R. G. Horr, and Hon. 
Thomas W. Palmer. Letters of regret were re- 
ceived from General U. S. Grant, General M. C. 
Meigs, Hon. Hugh McCuUoch, General H. H. Sib- 
ley, Colonel John N. Macomb, James Watson Webb, 
and others. 

The occasion will be long remembered by all who 
enjoyed it as one that awakened aspirations after 
all that is truest and noblest in character. No 
sermon or address could have been more effective. 
The testimonial was timely, for a few months later, 
on Tuesday, April 3, 1883, as the result of what 
seemed at first only a slight cold, Mr. Trowbridge 
passed away. 

The custom of New Year's calls has been com- 
mon since the beginning of the century. In 1879 
it became the practice to print in the daily papers 
the narnes and addresses of those intending to re- 
ceive calls. 

Many persons of various nationalities have or- 



540 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. — MARRIAGE LAWS. 



ganized societies for the promotion of social feeling. 
Among those of a purely social character is the 
Burns Club, organized February 26, 1867, and the 
New England Society, organized November 6, 1873. 
This last has no stated times of meeting. The 
Phoeni.x Social Club, composed principally of Jewish 
members, was organized September 15, 1872, and 
incorporated in November, 1875 > '' occupies the 
second and third stories of the block on the south- 
west corner of Woodward Avenue and Duflield 
Street. The rooms were dedicated November 24, 
1S75. and in their own Hall the Club have lectures 
and readings, dramatic and musical entertainments. 
A society called the Detroit Club was organized in 
May, 1875, and had its quarters in an elegant build- 
ing on West Fort Street, but its members became in- 
active, and its effects were sold at auction on October 
8, 1878. A second club by the same name was or- 








Dktkoit Club House. 

ganized and incorporated October 4, 1882, and fitted 
up a building at 72 Lafayette Avenue, which was 
formally opened November 18. The Club subse- 
quently purchased the residence on the northwest 
corner of Fort and Wayne Streets. The officers of 
the Club have been as follows: 1882, president, 
Hugh McMillan ; secretary, S. T. Douglas ; treas- 
urer, J. V. Moran. In 1S83 the officers were the 
same, except that James V. Campbell, Jr., was 
treasurer. 

marriacIe laws. 

Long before the French came, dusky lovers 
strayed through the primeval forests, exchanged 



whispered vows, and made presents of wild roses, 
water lilies, and flairs de lis. Indian husbands, 
however, were less attractive than Indian lovers, 
and the French when they came carried off the fair- 
est of the forest. To their credit be it said that 
they treated their Indian wives with so much more 
attention than they usually received that the squaws 
soon saw the difference, and Cadillac reported that 
the Indian women " preferred a Frenchman of any 
sort to a savage." He encouraged these alliances 
as a means of protection to the settlement, and half- 
breeds soon formed the larger per cent of the popu- 
lation. There are several families still in Detroit 
with some ancestral Indian blood in their veins. 

In order to provide wi\'es for the soldiers, the 
commandants, from time to time, applied to the 
oflicials in France to send out " widows and mar- 
riageable young ladies " ; and at various times com- 
panies of maidens, with outfits provided by the 
king, came to cheer and bless the settlement in the 
wilderness. 

No one was allowed to marry without permission. 
Even Tonty himself, in 171 7, was obliged to solicit 
a marriage permit that he might marry an at- 
tractive widow. Of the soldiers, no one was 
allowed to marry who could not show probable 
ability to support a family. The presence of the 
commandant was essential to wedding festivities, 
and there was much formality attendant upon all 
the preliminaries. The notary, with his quill and 
ink-horn, was a man of eminent importance on 
these occasions, and the contract of marriage which 
he drew up specified with exact care the dowry of 
the bride and named at length all who were present 
at the wedding. 

Marriages under the English law were solemnized 
either by the minister or a justice of the peace. 
The French maidens were not averse to having 
English suitors, and were so eagerly sought that 
they often stepped from childhood int(5 married 
life. Tradition says that when Dr. G. C. Anthon 
married Miss St. Martin she had a doll in her arms. 
Where both parties were French, less than thirty 
years often covered the united ages of both bride 
and groom. 

Under the laws of the Northwest Territory, males 
of seventeen years and females of fourteen might 
be married, but the consent of parents or guardians 
was required if the man was under twenty-one and 
the woman less than eighteen \'ears of age. The 
bans were required to be published for at least 
fifteen days before the marriage ceremony, either 
from the pulpit on Sundays or by notice posted in 
some public place by a justice ; or a license had to 
be obtained. 

By territorial law of Au.gust 2, 1805. a justice 
was given authority to marry persons where one of 



MARRIAGE LAWS. — MASONIC AND ODD FELLOWS SOCIETIES. 



341 



the parties lived in the justice's district ; both parties, 
linwever, were required to be over twenty-one years 
of age, or written consent for the one under age ob- 
tained from the father or guardian. 

By law of October 31, 1820, fifteen days' notice 
of an intended marriage was required to be posted 
in some public place, or a public declaration to be 
made by some minister on two different occasions, 
the first publication to be made at least ten days 
before the marriage ; or a license obtained of the 
clerk of the county court. Under the same law 
males of eighteen and females of fourteen years of 
age might be married, but males under twenty-one 
and females under eighteen were required to have 
the consent of their father or guardian. 

The Revised Statutes of 1S38 required that at 
least one of the parties should be examined on oath 
as to the legality of the proposed marriage, and 
under the same law males of seventeen and females 
of fourteen years of age might marry regardless of 
the consent of parents or guardians. 

The Revised Statutes of 1846 fi.xed the age at 
which males might marry at eighteen years, and 
females at sixteen years; and no change has since 
been made as to marriageable age. 

In the Catholic churches, by church law, the 
names of persons proposing to marry, and of the 
parents of each, are required to be announced three 
times from the pulpit, unless a special dispensation 
is obtained. 

In the Hebrew congregations, the groom is re- 
quired to obtain from the president of the congrega- 
tion a permit, and must satisfy him that he can be 
lawfully married, and give his own and his bride's 
name ; and on presentation of the permit, the rabbi 
is authorized to perform the ceremony. 

Under present .state law, any justice of the peace 
and any pastor of a church may solemnize a mar- 
riage, after examining on oath one of the parties as 
to the legality of the proposed marriage ; two wit- 
nesses besides the minister or justice and the con- 
tracting parties must be present. 

The person performing the marriage ceremony is 
required, within twenty days thereafter, to deposit 
in the county clerk's office a record of the date and 
place of the marriage, the Christian and surnames 
of groom and bride, and the maiden name of the 
bride if a widow, also the color, age, place of birth. 
and residence of the parties at time of the mar- 
riage, and the names and residences of the two 
witnesses, together with his own name and official 
title or position. 

MASONIC AND ODD FELLOWS SOCIETIES. 

Within four years after the post of Detroit was 
surrendered to the English, a lodge of Masons was 



organized. The warrant for its organization was 
issued on April 27, 1764, by George Harrison, 
Grand Master of the Province of New York. The 
warrant provided for a " Lodge of Masons, No. i, 
to be held at Detroit under whatever name the said 
Master and his officers shall please to distinguish it." 

Lieutenant John Christie, of the Sixtieth Regi- 
ment, was named as Master, Samson Fleming, 
Senior Warden, and Josias Harper, Junior Warden. 
The lodge was named Zion Lodge. It surrendered 
its warrant, and received a new one from the Grand 
Lodge of New York on December 3, i8o5, and was 
registered as No. 62. This Lodge was in existence, 
bearing the same number, in 1817. 

A second Lodge was instituted in 1773, registered 
as No. 356, and two years later Union Lodge No. 
394 was created. 

A fourth Lodge was organized by the Grand 
.Secretary. * James Davidson, under authority of 
Thos. Ainslie, of Quebec, Deputy Grand Master. 
The warrant was dated September 7, 1794, and 
authorized James Donaldson as Master Mason, 
Edward Byrn as Senior Warden, and Findley 
Campbell as Junior Warden, to hold a Lodge "in 
the City of Detroit, in LTpper Canada " on the first 
Monday of every calendar month. The Lodge 
thus authorized was duly established on December 
19 at the house of James Donaldson, and was 
known as Zion Lodge No. 10. It was in existence 
as late -as December 28, 1801. A notice of one of 
the meetings of this lodge, copied from the original 
document, is as follows : 

Detkoit, 23d Aug., 1799. 
Brother May, — 

You are requested to meet the Master Wardens and the rest of 
the Brethren at the house of James Donaldson, on the 31st day of 
Aug., immediately at 6 o'clock in the evening, being a Lodge of 
Emergency, and this you are to accept as a special summons from 
Zion Lodge No. 10 of the Registry of Lower Canada. Fail not 
on your O. B. 

By order of the Body 

Ben. Rand, 

S^c. 0/ Zion Lodge, 

Under authority of the Grand Lodge of New 
York, the fourth warrant organizing a lodge bear- 
ing the name of Zion was issued on June 13, 1844, 
and constituted John E. Schwartz, Master; R. A. 
Forsyth, Senior Warden ; and David Thompson. 
Junior Warden, of Zion Lodge No. 99. 

.\ fifth warrant, dated June 5. 1844. issued by the 
Grand Lodge of Michigan, authorized the name of 
Zion Lodge No. r, and constituted David Thomp- 
son, Master; Ezra Williams, Senior Warden; and 
R. A. Forsyth, Junior Warden. The annual meet- 
ing was at the regular communication preceding the 
full moon in December of each year. 

On December 21, 1821, Detroit Lodge No. 337 
was instituted, and a few days after, on December 



342 



MASONIC AND UUU FELLOWS SOCIETIES. 



26, the officers were publicly installed in the Protes- 
tant Church on the corner of Woodward Avenue 
and Lamed Street, under the direction of Charles 
Jackson, Jeremiah Moors, and Le\'i Cook as a Com- 
mittee of Arrangements. 

It appears from old records that Detroit Lodge 
No. 337 obtained a new charter as Detroit Lodge 
No. I, from Michigan Grand Lodge on October 5, 
1842. and again from some source on May 28, 1S44, 
and from New York, as Detroit Lodge No. 100, on 
June 14, 1844, and lastly, as Detroit Lodge No. 2, 
from the Michigan Grand Lodge, on June 5, 1845. 

The following Detroit Lodges were chartered on 
the dates named : Union Lodge of Strict Observ- 
ance No. 3, on January 18, 1852; Ashlar Lodge 
No. 91, January* 16, 1857; Oriental Lodge No. 240, 
January 10, 1868; Schiller Lodge No. 263, April 
13, 1869; Kilwinning Lodge No. 297, January 1 1, 
1872. 

Monroe Chapter No. i was organized at Detroit 
on February 3, 1818, under a dispensation granted 
by DeWitt Clinton, of New York. They worked 
under this until February 7, 1821, when the General 
Grand Chapter granted them a charter. They were 
incorporated by Act of March 14, 1S51. Peninsular 
Chapter No. 16 was organized February 11, 1857. 

The first Grand Lodge of Michigan was formed 
on June 24, 1S2G, by delegates from Zion Lodge 
No. 3 and Detroit Lodge No. 337 of Detroit, and 
Menominee Lodge No. 374 of Green Bay, and Mon- 
roe Lodge No. 375. Four special communications 
were held, and one annual one on June 6, 1S27, 
after which the Grand Lodge did not meet until 
June 2, 1841. At a meeting of the Grand Lodge 
on May 22, 1844, it was recommended that old 
lodges obtain new charters from New York ; and as 
a new Grand Lodge was to be organized in accord- 
ance with the recommendations of this body, the 
old Grand Lodge was discontinued, and the present 
Grand Lodge organized on September 17, 1844. 

Detroit Commandery No. I was organized Janu- 
ary 8, 1851 ; Monroe Council No. i, May 19, 1S56; 
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Carson Lodge 
of Perfection, May 21, 1861 ; Carson Council 
Princes of Jerusalem, May 21, 1861; Mount Olivet 
Chapter Rose Croix, May 21, 1862; Michigan 
Sovereign Consistory S. P. R. S., 32 degrees. May 
21, 1862; Detroit Lodge of Perfection, June iS, 
1869; Palestine Lodge No. 357, December 20, 1880; 
the Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross of 
Constantine was organized April 10, 1874. 

Masonic meetings were originally held at private 
houses. About 1826 a second story was added to 
the old council house, on the corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Randolph Street, and the new story 
was used for masonic meetings. After the burning 
of the building in 1 848, meetings were held in the 



upper story of a brick building afterwards known as 
the Garrison House, on the corner of Jefferson 
Ax'enue and Cass Street. The Masonic Hall on 
Jefferson Avenue, between Griswold and Shelby 
Streets, was begun in 1851, the corner-stone being 
laid on September 2. The building was completed 
in 1852, but the Hall was not formally dedicated 
until June 24, 1857. In 1876 many of the lodges 
found quarters in the new building of the Wayne 
County Savings Bank; and in the summer of i88i, 
the lease of the property on Jefferson Avenue hav- 
ing e.xpired, all of the lodges left the old hall. 




Old Masonic Hall. 

One of the most notable events in connection 
with Masonry was the Knight Templar procession 
of June 9, 1S70. Many commanderies from various 
parts of the United States were present, and over 
one thousand Knights participated. By a notice- 
able coincidence, exactly nine years later the visit 
and parade of the Palestine Commandery of New 
York took place, and this also was a notable occa- 
sion. 



MASONIC AND ODD FELLOWS SOCIETIES. 



343 



The Michigan Masons Mutual Benefit Associa- 
tion was organized June 12, 1874, and incorporated 
January 7, 1878. It is solely for the benefit of 
Master Masons not over fifty-five years of age. 

The order of Odd Fellows was introduced into 
Detroit by the institution of Michigan Lodge No. i , 
on December 4, 1843, under a charter granted by 
the Grand Lodge of the United States. Joshua L. 
Smith and Hartford Joy were the first two elected 
officers. The lodge was incorporated November 
10, 1845, ^"d prospered to such an extent that on 
April 13, 1844, the second lodge in the State was 
organized as Wayne Lodge No. 2, with A. R. 
Terry, John Robinson, Jr., and Charles S. Adams 
as its first three elective officers. Other lodges 
were instituted in the following order : 

Olive Branch Lodge No. 38, September 20, 1S49; 
Washington Lodge No. 54, February 22, 1851, in- 
corporated January 6, 1873; Detroit Lodge No. 
128, February 29, 1867; IngersoU Encampment 



gress and Earned Streets. It was built in 1846, and 
dedicated on February 24, 1847. An oration was 
delivered on the occasion by George C. Bates, in 
the Baptist Church, corner of Fort and Griswold 
Streets. The building had a frontage of fifty-two 
feet on Woodward .\venue and was eighty feet 
deep. It was owned by a stock company, composed 
exclusively of Odd Fellows, In 1855 most of the 
stock of the association and the management had 
passed into the hands of one or two persons. Two 
of the lodges and the encampment then leased the 
two upper floors in Hull's Block, and fitted up a 
hall which was known as New Odd Fellows' Hall. 
This hall was dedicated on the 1 3th of September, 
1855, by Grand Master William M. Fenton, and 
was occupied by all the lodges until the hall on 





=r"- -- J* 



OUD FliLI.OWs' H.M.I,, WliODW.VKU AvENUE. 1857. 






Odd Fellows' Hall, he.\d of Monkoe Avenue. 




No. 29, March 19, 1868; First French Lodge of the 
West No. 147, October 15, 1870; Germania En- 
campment No. 45, November 21, 1870; Sides Lodge 
No. 155, February 22, 1871 ; Columbus Lodge No. 
215, September 29, 1873; Riverside Lodge No. 
303, September 12, 1S77; Amity Lodge, January i, 
1880. 

The Detroit Patriarchs were organized in Sep- 
tember, 1875. The organization is composed of 
Odd Fellows who have taken the Royal Purple 
degree. On September 20, 1876, at the Grand 
Reunion in Philadelphia, they were complimented as 
the best drilled company present. 

The first Odd Fellows' Hall in the city was on 
the west side of Woodward Avenue, between Con- 



Monroe Avenue was built. A small room in the 
original hall was occupied from 1S70 to 1876 by 
Detroit Lodge. The building was torn down in 
1877, to make room for a new block. 

In 1874, Washington Lodge No. 54 purchased 
a lot on Randolph Street facing Monroe Avenue, 
and built Odd Fellows' Temple thereon. The 
corner-stone was laid on August 20, 1874, by the 
officers of the Grand Lodge, at which time an 
address was delivered by John N. IngersoU, R. 
W. Grand Warden. The hall was completed in 
February-, 1S75, and occupied by Washington Lodge 
No. 54, Michigan Lodge No. i, Detroit Lodge No. 
128, and Sides Lodge No. 155. It was dedicated 
on February 22, 1876. 



CHAPTER XLVIII. 



SLAVERY AND THE COLORED RACE. 



Slavery began almost with the settlement. The 
Indians who gathered near the fort brought with 
them captives taken in battle, and some of these 
were transferred to the French. In 1760 there 
were both Indian and African slaves in Detroit. 
Most of the Indian slaves were from the Pawnee 
tribe, and a few from the Osage, Choctaw, and 
other western tribes, who had been captured in 
war and sold to French and English residents. 
The Indians made excellent servants and com- 
manded good prices. At the time of the capitula- 
tion it was stipulated that the French inhabitants 
should keep their negroes, but they were to restore 
those belonging to the English. The following 
copies of letters from an old manuscript letter-book 
of Phyn & Ellice, in possession of the Buffalo His- 
torical Society, give an idea of the spirit of these 
olden times, and detail the methods of sale and 
the prices paid for slaves for this market : 

Schenectady, 7 July, 1760. 
Mr. H. Levy — 

Before this reaches you we hope every former order will be 
completed. Above we send you a small memorandum which we 
beg you '11 execute immediately on receipt. * * * We shall be 
pleased to hear how beaver is selling. * * * If you have wam- 
pum, pipes and moons, you may send 'em by first opportunity, 
and we '11 make a trial of them at Detroit this winter. * * * 

Yours, &c. P- & E. 

P. S.— Do not fail to purchase the blacks by first opportunity, 
as the person for whom they are, has contracted to deliver them 
at Detroit early in the fall. 

SCHENECTABY, 23d Aug., J760. 

Mr. James Stirling, Detroit. 

Sir, — 

Your favor, iqth June, attending your order, we had the plea- 
sure to receive, and immediately thereon J. P. made a jaunt to 
New York, with a view to be particular and expeditious in making 
up the goods. We now inclose you Invoice per L , the load- 
ing of six boats is under the direction of James McDonald, who 
is engaged to proceed with them to Detroit. * * * We have 
tried all in our power to procure the wenches and negro lads, but 
it 's impossible to get any near your terms. No green negroes are 
now brought into this Province. We can purchase negroes from 
eighty pounds to ninety pounds, and wenches from sixty pounds 
to seventy pounds. If such will be acceptable, advise and you 
shall have them in the spring, and perhaps under, if we can meet 
with Yankees in the winter. 

With great esteem, yours, 

P. & E. 



Schenectady, 13 August, 1770. 
Mr. Levy : 
Sir, — 

We have received two negro boys ; the oldest will do for Mr. 
Stirling, at Detroit, and is entered in our Order book. Rut we 
are entirely at a loss what to do with that fat-gutted boy, having 
orders for none such for any of our correspondents, and we don't 
by any means want him for ourselves. * * ♦ Pray, are not 
bills of sale necessary with these African gentlemen ? 

We are, &c., P. & E. 

Schenectady, 22 March, 1771. 
Mr. Carpenter Wharton : 
Sir, — 

Upon your arrival at Philadelphia, please advise us by letter ad- 
dressed to the care of Mr. Samuel Franklin, Jun., if you can pur- 
chase for us two negro lads from fifteen to twenty years, for about 
fifty pounds, New York currency, each. They must be stout and 
sound, but we are indifferent about their qualifications, as they 
are for a Frenchman at Detroit. * * * 

Yours, P- * E- 

To Mr. John Porteous, Detroit: 
Dear Sir, — 

We have contracted with a New England gentleman for some 
green negroes to be delivered here the first of August, and then 
your wench will be forwarded, to^'cther with a negro boy, in case 
she may some time hereafter choose a husband. We apprehend 
he will be useful to you, or advantageous about the sloop, or you 
can dispose of him as you find best. The price is fifty pounds 
each. 

Yours, &c., P. & E. 

The official returns made to the governor-general 
in 1773 showed that there were then ninety-six 
slaves at the settlement along the Detroit ; five 
years later there were one hundred and twenty- 
seven. After another interval of five years the 
number was reported at one hundred and seventy- 
five, and in 1782 there were seventy-eight male and 
one hundred and one female slaves. 

Among other old records at Detroit there is a 
document given by John Askin, grandfather of the 
late E. A. Brush, dated September 9, 1766, and 
saying, " I set at liberty and give full freedom unto 
my Pawnee slave Monnette, which I had from 
Mons. Barrussa at Michilimackinac." On October 
19, 1794, the same Mr. Askin bought of James May 
a negro man Pompey, for forty-five pounds, and on 
Januar\' 3. 1795, he sold him to James Donaldson 
for fifty pounds. 
I344] 



SLAVERY AND THE COLORED RACE. 



345 



The American State Papers (Volume I., page 
146) contain an interesting account of an effort to 
have slavery legali/.eti in this region. The facts were 
as follows : On November 22, 1802, Governor Har- 
rison issued a proclamation notifying the people of 
an election to be held in the several counties on 
December 11. Delegates were then to be elected 
to a convention called for December 20, at Vin- 
cennes; the main object of the convention to be 
the consideration of the question of securing the 
repeal or suspension of Article VI. of the ordinance 
of 1787, which prohibited the holding of slaves in 
the Territory. No representation was solicited 
from Wayne County, probably because it was so 
well understood that Michigan would soon be a 
separate Territory that it was deemed unnecessary 
to consult its citizens on a question of this charac- 
ter. Governor Harrison presided over the conven- 
tion, and it was decided to petition Congress to 
suspend the said article for ten years. It is an 
interesting fact that the celebrated John Randolph 
of Roanoke, the chairman of the Congressional 
Committee to whom the petition of the delegates 
was referred, made a report declaring that " the 
labor of slaves is not necessary to promote the 
growth and settlement of colonies in that region. 
* * * The committee deem it highly dangerous 
and inexpedient to impair a provision wisely calcu- 
lated to promote the happiness and prosperity of 
the northwestern country and to give strength and 
security to that extensive frontier." After hearing 
the report, Congress refused to suspend the articles, 
and the Territory was preserved to freedom. 

In tracing the question through the years, we find, 
in a letter, dated April 2, 1803, that William Elliott, 
of Sandwich, requested James Henry, of Detroit, to 
keep Mr. Ormsby's man in jail a few weeks until he 
could sell or dispose of him. 

At the time of the fire in 1805 there were six 
colored men and nine colored women in the town. 
That their numbers increased is evident, for in 1807 
Governor Hull organized a company of negro militia. 
Many of the older citizens had one or more slaves. 
Joseph Campau owned ten at one time. One of 
them, nicknamed Crow, used to ascend the steeple 
of St. Anne's Church and perform numerous gym- 
nastic tricks for the amusement of those who 
gathered beneath. 

The impOnation of slaves was discontinued after 
September 17, 1792, the Canadian Parliament, by 
law of that date, directing that no slaves should 
thereafter be introduced, and that all born there- 
after should be free at the age of twenty-five. The 
ordinance of 1787 had previously provided that 
slavery should not exist in the Northwest Territory. 
At that time, however, this region was not under 
control of the American Government, and there was 



no barrier to the holding of slaves at Detroit. After 
its surrender in 1796, slave owners at Detroit con- 
tinued to hold their slaves under the Jay treaty of 
November 19, 1794, which provided that the in- 
habitants of the Territory surrendered to the United 
States should be protected in their property. The 
question as to whether slaves could be legally holden 
was adjudicated in 1807. 

A case came before the Supreme Court of the 
Territory in which Richard Patterson, of Sandwich, 
sought to apprehend as slaves Joseph Quinn and 
Jane, then residing in Michigan. The case was 
tried, and on September 26, 1807, Judge Woodward 
delivered an elaborate opinion against the claimant, 
on the ground that slavery was not admissible in 
Michigan " except as to persons in actual possession 
of British settlers within this Territory on the i ith 
day of July, 1796." Those who had possessed 
slaves under British rule continued to hold them, 
and the official census for 18 10 shows that, at that 
time, seventeen slaves were held in Detroit. On 
March u, 1818, the assessor of taxes for Wayne 
County gave notice that the Court of General Quar- 
ter Sessions of the peace for said county had made 
negro and mulatto slaves ratable for taxes for the 
current year. The census for 1830 showed that 
there were thirty-two slaves in Michigan, but by 
1836 all the slaves were either dead or manumitted. 
Advertisements for runaway slaves appeared in the 
Gazette as late as 1827. 

The feeling of a portion of the citizens in regard 
to the colored race found expression in the Act of 
April 13, 1S27, which provided that after May i the 
names of all colored persons should be registered 
in the county clerk's office ; and no blacks were to 
be permitted to reside in the Territor)' unless they 
could produce a certificate that they were actually 
free. The certificate was to be placed on record, 
and twelve and one half cents paid therefor. The 
colored people were also required, within twenty 
days, to file bonds, with one or more freehold sure- 
ties, in the penal sum of $500, for their good be- 
havior ; and the bondsmen were expected to pay for 
their support in case they were unable to support 
themselves. If this law was not complied with, the 
blacks were to be sent out of the Territory. The 
same law provided penalties for kidnapping. No 
attempt was made to enforce the law until after the 
riot of 1833, and then the colored people fled to 
Canada. The history of that riot is as follows : On 
June 14, 1833, Thornton Blackburn and his wife, 
who had resided here nearly two years, were claimed 
and arrested as fugitive slaves from Kentucky. 
They were taken before a justice of the peace, who 
directed an officer to take charge of them and de- 
liver them to the claimant. During their examina- 
tion before the justice, a crowd of colored people 



346 



SLAVERY AND THE COLORED RACE. 



collected in great excitement, and threatened to re- 
sist the execution of the law. The alleged slaves 
were, however, conveyed to the jail, and the crowd 
dispersed. The next day, which was Sunday, the 
agent of the owner sought to have the slaves de- 
livered up, but the sheriff, fearing a disturbance, de- 
clined. During the day a number of colored per- 
sons were permitted to have access to the prisoners, 
and one woman was allowed to remain in the cell 
with the female slave till after dark. The latter ex- 
changed clothing with her visitor, and thus made 
her escape. Meantime the colored people, armed 
with clubs, assembled in large numbers on the 
common near the jail, and showed a determina- 
tion to attempt a rescue ; but after the departure of 
the steamboat in the evening they dispersed, as it 
was evident that the slaves would not be removed. 
On Monday they ^gain assembled in increased num- 
bers, gathering in groups in the neighborhood of 
the jail, armed with clubs, stones, and pistols. 
There was also a large number of them on the 
wharf where the steamboat lay. A little before four 
o'clock in the afternoon, the sheriff went to the jail, 
and a carriage was driven up to convey Blackburn 
to the boat ; but he was hardly seated before the 
negroes attacked the carriage ; the sheriff then at- 
tempted to convey him back to the jail, but as he 
was going in the negroes made a rush, rescued the 
slave, put him in a cart, and he escaped to Windsor. 
He was then arrested by the Canadian authorities and 
lodged in Sandwich jail. They were requested by 
the State authorities to deliver him up, but refused 
to do so, and he was soon set at liberty. 

During the melee Sheriff Wilson was dangerously 
wounded. The e.\citement in the city was intense, 
and several colored persons were arrested. There 
were no sufficient means of preserving order, and 
Governor Cass, then Secretary of War, who hap- 
pened to be in the city on a visit, ordered a com- 
pany of troops from Fort Gratiot to proceed to 
Detroit to "aid the civil authority in support of the 
laws." As affording further and more permanent 
protection, the citizens, at a public meeting, on July 
ID, decided to establish a city watch, "to consist of 
sixteen persons, to continue until the trial or dis- 
charge of the colored persons who are now under 
arrest for riotous conduct." 

Public sentiment became increasingly opposed to 
slavery, and on April 26, 1837, the Detroit Anti- 
Slavery Society was organized. The constitution 
contained the following articles : 

A rtkle i.— This association shall be called The Detroit Anti- 
Slavery Society, and shall be au.\iliary to the Michigan State 
.\nti-Slavery Society. 

A rticlc S. — The object of this society shall be the entire aboli- 
tion of slavery in the United States of America, and the elevation 
of our colored brethren to their proper rank as men. While it 
admits that each State alone has, by the constitution "f the 



United States, the exclusive right to legislate with regard to 
slavery within its own limits, its aim shall be to convince all our 
fellow citizens, by arguments addressed to their understanding 
and consciences, that slave-holding is a crime in the sight of 
God, and tliat the duty, safely, and best interests of all concerned 
require its immediate abandonment. 

A rticle 3. — Any person not a slave-holder, or engaged in the 
traffic of slaves, may become a member of this society by signing 
its constitution. * * * 

A rtlch 7. — The annual meeting of this society shall be held on 
the anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. 

The officers of the association for 1837 were: 
Shubael Conant, president ; Edward Brooks, Edwin 
W. Cowles, and CuUen Brown, vice-presidents; 
Charles Henry Stewart, secretary; George F. Por- 
ter, treasurer; William Kirkland, Alanson Sheley, 
and Peter Boughton, executive committee. In 1839 
Robert Stewart was president, and A. L. Porter, 
corresponding secretary. The society was in exist- 
ence only a short time, but its spirit remained, and 
its principles grew increasingly popular. 

In January, 1842, the e.\-slave, Henry Bibb, came 
to Detroit, and in 1844 and 1845 he lectured in 
Michigan under the auspices of the Liberty Asso- 
ciation, a political <irganization which sought to pro- 
mote the election of anti-slavery candidates. Horace 
Hallock was president, Cullen Brown, vice-presi- 
dent, and S. M. Holmes, secretary. 

On September 18. 1850, Congress passed the 
Fugitive Slave Act. It provided that slaves might 
be arrested in any State, appointed special officers 
to secure their arrest, and directed that the testi- 
mony of fugitives, in any trial growing out of their 
arrest, should not be admitted. This law greatly 
incensed many citizens, and increased the strength 
of the anti-slaver\- sentiment. The proximity of 
Canada, where slaves became free men, caused De- 
troit to become a noted point of departure, and 
fugitive slaves were constantly passing through the 
city, and frequent, and sometimes successful, efforts 
were made by their owners to capture them. In 
October, 1S50, the arrest of a colored man named 
Rose created so great an excitement that, at the 
request of the mayor, General Schwartz called out 
three voUmteer companies to preserve the peace ; 
and on October 8, 1850, the thanks of the Council 
were tendered to John Ladue, then mayor, for his 
action in the case. 

The attempts to retake fugitive slaves were in 
the main unsuccessful, for the majority of the peo- 
ple were opposed to slavery, and though the law 
ujiheld them, the slave-holders were foiled and 
outwitted. There was a complete chain of persons, 
extending to the slave States, who were organized 
for the relief and transportation of fugitive slaves. 
A paper in their interest, called the Voice of the 
Fugitive, was published, first at Sandwich and then 
at Windsor, by Henry Bibb. The issue of Novem- 
ber 5, 1851, contained the following notice: 



SLAVERY AND THE COLORED RACE. 



34; 



Underground Railroad, 

This road is doing better business this fall than usual. The 
Fugitive Slave Law has given it more vitality, more activity, 
more passengers, and more opposition, which invariably acceler- 
ates business. We have been under the necessity of tearing up 
the old strap rails and putting down the regular T's, so that wc 
can run a lot of slaves through from almost any of the bordering 
Slave States into Canada, within forty-eight hours, and we defy 
the slaveholders and their abettors to beat that if they can. 

We have just received a fresh lot to-day of hearty looking men 
and women, on the last train from Virginia, and still there is 
room. 



In order to aid the runaway slaves a Refugee 
Home Society was organized at Detroit, and ofii- 
cered by the active members of the Liberty Associa- 
tion. The society bought a large quantity of land 
back of Sandwich, and aided in settling nearly hfty 
families. Its operations covered the period from 
1S54 to 1872. 

In order to hinder the working of the Fugitive 
Slave Law, the Legislature of Michigan, on Feb- 
ruary 13, 1S55, passed a law prohibiting the use 



STOCKHOLDERS 

OF THE rjJNDERGROTJJVD 

HiLHIMPM 

Hold on to Your Stock!! 

The market has an upward tendency. By iho express train wbieli ar- 
rived this morning at 3 o'clock, fifteen thousan<l dollfU's worth of human merchandise, consisting of 
twenty-nine able bodied men and women, fresh and sound, from the Carolina and Kentucky 
plantations, have arrived safe at the depot on the other side, where all our sympathisins: coloniza- 
tion friends may have an opportunity of exprcssjing their sympathy by bringing fonvard donations 
of ploughs, &e., forming utensils, pick axes and hoes, and not old clothes; as these emigrants nil 
can till the soil. N. B.— Stockholders don't forget , the meeting to-day at 2 o'clock at the forry on 
the Canada side. All persons desitiog to take stock in this prosperous company, he sure to be on 
hand. By Order of the 

Detroit, .Ipra 19, 1853. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 



Fac-simile OF HAND-Bri. I. OF UNnERr.RotNn R\tLKOAD. (H.ilf size.) 



On December 3, 1851, the paper contained this 
item : 

Progress of Escape from Slavery. 
In enumerating the arrivals of this week we c.in count only 
seventeen, ten of whom came together on the E.\press train of 
the Underground Railroad. This lot consisted of a mother with 
six children, and three men. The next day there came four men, 
the next day two men arrived, and then one came alone. The 
latter tells of having had a warm combat by the way with two 
slave catchers, in which he found it necessary to throw a handful 
of sand in the eyes of one of them; and while he was trying to 
wash it out he broke away from the other, and effected his escape. 

The above fac-simile reduced, half size, of a 
hand-bill of that day, shows the spirit and humor 
that were sometimes indulged in. 



of the county jails to detain persons claimed as 
fu.gfitive slaves, and directinij the prosecuting attor- 
neys in the several counties to defend them. On 
March 12, 1859, John Brown arrived in Detroit, 
with fourteen slaves from Missouri. One of these 
slaves gave birth to a son while on the journey, who 
was named John Brown, and lived for many years 
in Windsor. Besides the slaves, John Brown had 
five of his own men with him. By a most remark- 
able coincidence, or as the result of a pre-arranged 
plan, Frederick Douglass, the colored orator, was 
present in Detroit, and lectured on the same evening 
that Brown arrived. After the lecture Douglass 
and Brown, with George De Baptiste, William 



548 



SLAVERY AND THE COLORED RACE. 



Lambert, John Richards, Dr. J. Ferguson, William 
Webb, and a few others, met at the house of 
William Webb, who was then living in the building 
now known as 185 Congress St. East, and held a 
preliminary meeting which resulted in the organiza- 
tion of the Harper's Ferry raid. Their plan was to 
make the vicinity of Harper's Ferry a place of ren- 
dezvous, and there assemble the fugitive slaves in 
sufficient numbers to protect them in their freedom. 
The treachery or folly of one of their number, who 
made known their plans, forced them to make a 
premature movement, and the result is a matter of 
general history. 





rr p r 



t F ^" T " 111 ^'-W 



liBftr if;;il 



'^^^^-^'^ "-r 



The John- Bkuwn House. 

The Emancipation Proclamation was one of the 
legitimate results of the meeting in Detroit. The 
first celebration in honor of the day of its issue 
was held on January 6, 1S63, at the colored Baptist 
Church. 

One of the darkest pages in the history of Detroit 
is the record of March 6, 1863. The events that 
led to the doings of that day are as follows : A 
mulatto named William Faulkner, had been arrested, 
tried, convicted, and sentenced to prison for life for 
an alleged outrage on a little girl. The war with 
the South was then in progress ; a draft was feared, 
and the ignorant and vicious were glad of an oppor- 
tunity to vent their ill-nature on a race which was 



claimed to be the cause of the war. Faulkner was 
arrested on February 26. His trial began on March 
5, and on that day, while he was being conveyed 
back to jail, he was struck on the head with a 
paving-stone and knocked down. The mob which 
surrounded him then sought to seize him, but the 
officers succeeded in getting him inside the jail. 
The ne.xt day he was again taken to court. The 
trial was concluded and he was sentenced. While 
he was being conveyed back to jail, a squad of the 
provost-guard, who were aiding the sheriff, were 
attacked. They fired, and one man was killed. 
The mob now became infuriated, and an attack was 
begun on the colored people. Many of them were 
fearfully beaten ; their buildings were set on fire for 
the purpose of burning those who were inside ; and 
paving-stones were torn up and thrown at those 
who tried to escape, thus driving them back into 
the flames. Many had always doubted Faulkner's 
guilt, and after seven years had passed, the doubt 
becoming almost a certainty, a pardon was pro- 
cured, and on Friday, December 31, 1869, greatly 
to his surprise, he was released. A number of 
gentlemen contributed a sum of money, and he was 
established at a stand in the market, which he 
occupied until his death, about seven years after he 
was pardoned. 

This riot caused great excitement, but it was the 
last manifestation of the prejudice against the colored 
people, who were soon after made citizens and 
clothed with full power of self-defense. Their 
efforts to obtain citizenship began in 1843, in which 
year a State convention was held on October 26 and 
27, at the church on Fort Street, and they peti- 
tioned for the privilege of citizenship. In November, 
1850, the question of conferring the right of suffrage 
on colored people was voted on, and the vote in 
Wayne County was 608 for and 3,320 against con- 
ferring such right. On January 25, 1865. a second 
State convention was held at the Croghan Street 
liaptist Church, and the Legislature was petitioned 
to grant the right of suffrage. The petition was 
not granted, but the Fifteenth Amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States, which, on March 
30, 1 870, the Secretary of State declared fully rati- 
fied, made them citizens and voters. The restric- 
tive word " white " was stricken from the Constitu- 
tion of Michigan by a vote of the people on 
November 8, 1870, and the votes of the colored 
citizens were first cast in Detroit on the same day. 



CHAPTER XLIX. 



RECREATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS. 



The early French colonists had abundant oppor- 
tunities for the manifestation of their natural gayety, 
even in this far-off wilderness. The whole region 
was a natural preserve, and its hunting and fishing 
facilities would have satisfied the most enthusiastic 
sportsman that ever threw a line or carried a gun. 
Oars plashed here and there along the river, and in 
handling the light canoe the dark-eyed French girls 
showed great skill and grace. Sunday afternoon 
and evening were especially given up to gayety. 
The people had been to mass in the morning, the 
penitents had been duly shrived, and the benedic- 
tions of the priests rested upon them : why should 
they not be gay ? They, at least, seemed to know 
no reason, and in groups and parties they " carri- 
oled " along the beach or paddled near the shore ; 
young lovers strolled beneath the old pear-trees, 
and those tall, strong sentinels of the river-side 
dropped mellow offerings at their feet. Often the 
sound of music came through open doors, and 
within light heels and hearts chased the time away. 
Guns and fish-poles were alike in use, and the finny 
and feathery tribes should have known w-hen Sun- 
day came, for then there was danger all around. 
Bougainville, who came here in 1757, thus describes 
the foot-races of that day : 

There are in Detroit some foot-races between Indians and 
Canadians, and they are as celebrated as those of horses in Eng- 
land; they take place in the spring ; from five hundred up to 
fifteen hundred Indians are generally present at them; the length 
of the race is one mile and a half {go and return), from Detroit to 
the village of the Pottouatamies; the road is broad and beautiful ; 
there are some posts fixed in the ground at both extremities ; the 
bets are very high on each side, and consist of furs on one part 
and French merchandise on the other, for the use of the Indians. 
The most celebrated racer is a Frenchman named Campau ; his 
superiority is so well recognized that he is no more admitted into 
the races. 

In 1761, during a visit of Sir William Johnson, 
notwithstanding the dangers of the time, the fol- 
lowing extracts from his diary show that amuse- 
ments were not forgotten : 

Sunday, 6th (September). A very fine morning. This day I 
am to drive with Captain Campbell, who is also to give the ladies 
a ball, that I may see them. They assembled at 8 o'clock at 
night to the number of about twenty. I opened the ball with 
Mademoiselle Curie, — a fine girl. We danced until five o'clock 



next morning. Saturday, 12th. — 'I'his morning four of the prin- 
cipal ladies of the town came to wait on me. I treated them 
with rusk and cordial, .\fter silting an hour they went away. 
Sunday, 13th. * * * At 10 o'clock Captain Campbell came to 
introduce some of the town ladies to me at my quarters, whom 1 
received and treated with cakes, wine, and cordial. Monday, 
14th. * * * I took a ride before dinner up toward Lake St. Clair. 
The road runs along the river side, which is all settled thickly 
some miles. A very pleasant place in summer, but at other sea- 
sons too low and marshy. The French gentleman and the two 
priests who dined with us got very merry. Invited them all to a 
ball to-morrow night which I am to give to the ladies. "Tuesday, 
15th. * * * In the evening, the ladies and gentlemen assembled 
at my quarters, danced the whole night until 7 o'clock in the 
morning, when all parted very much pleased and happy. Prom- 
ised to write to Mademoiselle Curie as soon as possible my senti- 
ments ,• there never was so brilliant an assembly here before. 

The several allusions to Mademoiselle Curie 
make it evident that his diary was not kept for the 
benefit and instruction of Mollie Brant and the ten 
children from whom .Sir William was absent for a 
time. Another reference to the lady in question is 
contained in a letter from Captain Donald Campbell 
to Sir William Johnson, dated Detroit, June 9, 1762. 
He says : 

I gave a ball on the King's birthday, when a certain acquaint- 
ance of yours appeared to great advantage. She never neglects 
an opportunity of asking about the General. * * * I think by 
her talk Sir William had promised to return to Detroit. She 
desires I should present her best compliments. 

It is evident that these compliments were renewed 
through Captain Gladwin, for on .\pril 7. 1763, Sir 
William Johnson wrote from Johnson Hall to Glad- 
win at Detroit : 

I have not forgotten the powerful effect of the charms of the 
lady who honors me with a place in her remembrance, and should 
be very happy in any opportunity which might offer of paying her 
my devoirs. 

The lady, however, yielded to the suit of one of 
the Detroit merchants, as appears from the follow- 
ing extract from a letter of James Stirling to Sir 
William Johnson, dated Detroit, April 27, 1765 : 

Soon after ray arrival here I was married to Miss Cuiellierrie, 
who desires to be remembered to you in the most grateful manner 
and returns you hearty thanks for your civilities to her whilst at 
this place. 

Although several different names are given in 
these extracts, they all referred to the same lady. 



[349] 



350 



RECREATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS. 



Miss Beaubien, who was notably brilliant and ac- 
complished. 

All gatherings of young people were enlivened 
by music and dancing, and if no violinist was to be 
obtained there were not a few demoiselles who 
could lilt the dancing tunes so blithely and so well 
as to make the violin almost needless. When the 
English came the officers made sad havoc with the 
time and thoughts of the lively maidens of that 
time ; and in the warp and woof of revolutionary 
days, the scalp-cry of the Indians, the drum-beat 
of the garrison, and the howl of wolves, were 
mingled the music of the ball-room and the gay 
laugh of merry dancers. Captain Grant, of the 
navy, wrote to a friend, " We hop and bob every 
Monday night at the council-house." 

Later on dancing parties or assemblies were 
arranged for by subscription, and several invita- 
tions to these gatherings, written on the back of 
piayinar cards, are preserved. Some of the amuse- 



;iaf cart 
s^ i: 



ments 6t 1789 are described in a letter written by 
Miss Ann Powell, who was liere in May of that 
year. She says : 

As soon as our vessel anchored, several ladles and gentlemen 
came on board ; they had agreed upon a house for us, till my 
brother could meet with one that would suit him, so we found 
ourselves at home immediately. The ladies visited us in full 
dress, though the weather was boiling hot. What do you think of 
walking about when the thermometer is above ninety ? It was as 
high as ninety-six the morning we returned our visits. Whilst we 
staid at the fort, several parties were made for us, — a very agree- 
able one by the 65th, to an island a little way up the river. Our 
party was divided into five boats ; one held the music, in each of 
the others were two ladies and as many gentlemen as it could 
hold. Lord Edward^ and his friend arrived just time enough to 
join us ; they went round the Lake by land to see some Indian 
settlements, and were highly pleased with their jaunt. Lord 
Edward speaks in raptures of the Indian hospitality : he told me 
one instance of it which would reflect honor on the most polished 
society. By some means or other, the gentlemen lost their provi- 
sions and were entirely without bread, in a place where they could 
get none. Some Indians travelling with them had one loaf, which 
they offered to his Lordship, but he would not accept it ; the 
Indians gave him to understand that they were used to do without, 
and that, therefore, it was less inconvenient to them ; they still 
refused, and the Indians then disappeared and left the loaf of 
bread in the road the travellers must pass, and the Indians were 
seen no more. Our party on the Island proved very pleasant, 
which that kind of parties seldom do ; the day was line, the coun- 
try cheerful, and the band delightful. We walked some time in 
the shady part of the Island, and then were led to a bower where 
the table was spread for dinner. Everything here is on a grand 
scale ; do not suppose we dined in an English arbor ! This one 
was made of forest trees and bushes, which being fresh cut, you 
could not see where they were put together, and the bower was 
the whole height of the trees, though quite close at the top. The 
band was placed without and played whilst we were at dinner. 
We were hurried home in the evening by the appearance of a 
thunder storm ; it was the most beautiful I ever remember to 
have seen. 

The winter season furnished many a scene of gay 
festivity. The little French or Canadian ponies 

^ Lord Edward Fitzgerald, then at Detroit. 



were so plentiful as to be had for almost nothing ; 
and box-runners, then much in vogue, were so 
easily constructed that every one could procure a 
"turn-out," and not only the river, but the Grand 
Marsh on the east, and the River Rouge on the 
west, became race-courses for the whole community. 
This last locality, the Red River, as the English 
always called it, was the favorite place for this sport, 
and fast pacers were in special demand on these 
occasions. The officers and ladies of the post, 
dressed in sable-lined robes, with masks to protect 
their faces, and beaver caps for the heads, were well 
sheltered from the winds. De Peyster in one of his 
poems relates at length how, on occasions, dinners 
of venison were barbecued in the open air, and 
served on the bank, with bearskins for seats, and no 
sign of a table, — a picnic in the winter time, with 
the deers and bears as lookers-on. 

The following advertisement, from the Gazette of 
January 21, 1825, gives characteristics of the sports 
on the Rouge : 

Territory of Michigan against North America. 
To Sportsmen. 

The subscriber will pace his horse Bas Blanc against any trot- 
ting or pacing horse, mare, or gelding in North America, from 
two to five miles, for any sum from fifty to ten thousand dollars. 
The race to take place on the ice, the present winter, at some 
place within the Territory, and the horses to be driven before a 
carriole, or rode, as the parties please. 

IsADOKE Navarre, 
River Raisin, ^an. 18, 1825. 

Other sports on the ice, as practiced in his boy- 
hood days, are thus described by Judge Campbell: 

When the sharp winter moved along. 

And the ice on the river was smooth and strong, 

From Bloody Bridge to fair lielle Isle 

Was seen the flash of the ringing steel, 

As over the bar the skaters pass. 

And through the crystal, clear as glass, 

Gaze at the fish, that turn and stare 

At the strange doings in the air. 

On the wide shallows of Grand-Marais 

Before the breeze the rushes sway, 

And domes of plaiti^d reeds appear,^ 

Tempting the hunter's cruel spear. 

But livelier far, as the boys rush down. 

Is the clear, deep river before the town. 

From shore to shore they glide and swing 

Quickly as swallows on the wing, 

Or backward sweep in a circus ring. 

Or spread the eagle, or car\'e the ice 

With names, and many a strange device. 

And in the moonlight's silvery flow, 

Nimble and tireless as the roe,- 

Again on the river the swarm flies out, 

Dodging and sliding and wheeling about, 

As when for the season the school is out, 

And urchins, fearless of disaster, 

Caper undaunted before the master. 

^ The houses of the musk-rat. 



RECREATIONS AND AMUSEiMEXTS. 



351 



With cun'ing sticks in fierce melee 

They drive the whizzing ball away, 

Or scamper in a mile long race 

To reach the bounds of prisoner's base. 

Or, twisting tight their 'kerchiefs stout. 

Hard and stiff as a Russian knout. 

And counting slowly up to ten. 

Call the Red Lion out of his den, 

And scurrying off in the goalward track 

Laugh as the clumsy loiterer's back 

Winces beneath the sounding whack. 

For picnic grounds the Woodbridge Grove, lo- 
cated at what is now the comer of Michigan and 
Trumbull Avenues, and also the grounds near the 
fort, were deemed desirable as late as 1850. On 
Saturday afternoons and holidays the children could 
ramble in the woods, inside the present city limits. 
In the spring there were wintergreen berries and 
sassafras to be gathered ; and later on, mandrakes, 
wild strawberries, and huckleberries called many to 
the fields. In the fall, hickory and hazel nuts glad- 
dened the eyes and stained the fingers of those who 
went in search of them. On the route out, bull- 
frogs and tree-toads frequently livened the way, and 
on the homeward trip, fireflies illumined the path. 
Each period of the year brought its own peculiar 
games, and then as now kites, hoops, tops, marbles, 
and ball followed each other as regularly as the signs 
of the zodiac. 

Public exhibitions found but little favor, and the 
Solons of the Territory did not encourage them. 
On April 13, 1827, a law was passed providing that 
" If any person, or persons, shall exhibit any puppet 
show, wire dancing, or tumbling, juggling or sleight 
of hand, within this territory-, and shall ask or 
receive any pay in money, or other property, for 
exhibiting the same, such a person, or persons, shall 
for every such offense pay a fine of not less than ten 
nor exceeding twenty dollars." 

The most enterprising caterer to the amusement- 
loving public was Major D. C. McKinstry. In 
1834, when the city had a population of only about 
five thousand, he was at the same time proprietor 
of a theatre, a circus, a museum, and a public gar- 
den, all of them separate and distinct from each 
other ; and in size and management they would be 
creditable even in the present day. The Circus 
occupied a large wooden building on the northeast 
corner of Gratiot and Farrar Streets ; it was after- 
wards used as a theatre, then as a furniture factory, 
and was finally burned. The Michigan Garden, as 
it was called, is identical in location with what was 
recently known as Brush's Garden ; it was bounded 
by Randolph, Brush, Lafayette, and Croghan Streets. 
The garden, in 1837, was described as being "lo- 
cated at the northern extremity of the town." It 
contained a restaurant and bath-rooms ; also many 
kinds of fruit trees, and plants in great variety. 



The following literal copies of advertisements from 
the papers of that day furnish details concerning the 
garden and the entertainments there given : 

To Sl'OKTSMEN ! ! ! 

Rare sport at the Michigan Garden! Two Bears and one 
Wild Goose will be set up to be shot at, or chased by dogs, on 
T^uesday, 20th October, at two o'clock r. M. 

N. B. — Safe and pleasant seats will be in readiness for Ladies 
and Gentlemen. 

Detroit, Oct. ig, 1835. 

Michigan Garden. 

The public are respectfully informed that the Garden continues 
open to visitors. The Museum, consisting of some of the finest 
specimens of Ornithology, Minerals. Coins, natural and artificial 
curiosities, and a Grand Cosmorama occupying one building of 
the Garden ; another containing thirty-seven wax figures, of 
some of the most interesting characters. The Garden will be 
illuminated every fair evening, and a band of music will heighten 
the enjoyment of a walk through upwards of three thousand 
feet of promenade walk. 

Refreshments as usual. The Baths are likewise in order for 
company. 

A ug. 19, 1840. 

The Museum was opened on May 13, 1834, oc- 
cupying the two upper stories of the four-story 
building then owned by Mr. Godard, on the south- 
east corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold 
Street. It was burned out in the fire of January I, 
1842. 

In after years several valuable private museums 
and collections existed, to w-hich the public had ac- 
cess without charge. The collection of .S. W. Hig- 
gins, who lived on the northeast corner of Williams 
and Elizabeth Streets, though not large, possessed 
much of value. It was gathered chiefly by his son, 
who, as an officer in the United States Na\y, visited 
the Mediterranean and other foreign ports; it was 
especially noted for its specimens of cutler)- from 
the interior of Africa. The best private museum 
was that of Dr. Louis Cavalli, located on Franklin 
Street, east of St. Antoine. It was estabhshed about 
the year 1846, and was open daily to all visitors, 
free of charge, until 1852 or 1853. The collection 
embraced many rare stones, shells, and minerals, 
and was especially complete in insects. There were 
also many rare curiosities from Herculaneum. The 
celebrated men of the fourteenth and eighteenth 
centuries were represented in a series of fourteen 
hundred medals; there were also engravings in 
great variety, and copies of paintings by Rajihael 
and Correggio. On the death of Dr. Cavalli, the 
collection was sold to the Smithsonian Institute. 

Among out-door sports, skating and coasting 
were always popular, and a favorite resort was 
known as Piety Hill. This hill, probably fifty feet 
high, lay inside of the Catholic grounds between 
Randolph, Bates, and Earned Streets and Michigan 
Grand Avenue. Sleds would go from the summit, 



RECREATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS. 



near the corner of Randolph and Congress Streets, 
through to Bates Street. Congress Street was finally 
cut through the hill, and the elevation was levelled 
many years ago. About 1S50 Shelby Street, from 
Jefferson Avenue to the river, afforded a fine op- 
portunity for coasting, and sleds oftentimes went 
nearly a third of the way across the river. 

On December 7, i860, the first skating rink was 
opened. It was located between Third and Fifth, 
Beech and High Streets. Another was subsequently 
opened on the northwest corner of Woodward 
Avenue and Davenport Street. A rink was also 
built on the northeast corner of Woodward Avenue 
and Edmund Street; and in 1861, and for several 
years after, skating was a popular pastime with 
beau.x and belles. 




Reckeation Park Entrance and Reception Biilding. 



As a place for out-door entertainments, Recrea- 
tion Park affords all facilities that can be desired. 
It is located on the Brush Farm, the entrance being 
a few blocks east of Woodward Avenue, on Brady 
Street. The grounds, embracing eighteen acres, 
are fitted up to accommodate exhibitions of various 
kinds. The Reception Building has every needful 
appliance for comfort and convenience. The Park 
was opened on May 10, 1879 

A Zoological Garden was established on Michi- 
gan Avenue, near Tenth Street, and first opened on 
September 5, 1883. It was conducted by a corpora- 
tion, and a large amount of money was expended, 



but the enterprise did not prove a financial success, 
and the garden was closed July 29. 1884. 

Between 1S30 and 1840 many of the prominent 
merchants were accustomed on Saturday afternoons 
to engage in a game of football, and in rolling can- 
non-balls on Jefferson Avenue, between Griswold 
and Wayne Streets. Billiard-tables were in use 
prior to 1805. George Meldrum, in his estimate of 
losses by the fire of that year, notes "one billiard- 
table, $25." A noted game of billiards was played 
at Detroit on April 12, 1S59, between Michael 
Phelan', of Chicago, and John Seereiter, of Detroit. 
The match took place at Firemen's Hall, Phelan 
winning by ninety-si.x points. 

Among the noted events, in the way of recrea- 
tion, was a series of amusement meetings held in 
Young Men's Hall. The use of 
the hall was given by Luther 
Beecher, and the first of a series 
of night entertainments, which 
lasted about two weeks, took 
place on March 10, 1874. Those 
W'ho aided gave their services; 
songs, stories, and music formed 
the programme, and the hall was 
filled to overflowing every even- 
ing. 

On June 7, 1875, under the 
0] , M joint auspices of the Young 

[ |l Men's Christian Association and 

the Home of the Friendless, the 
Authors' Carnival began at 
Young Men's Hall, and con- 
tinued for a week. The aim of 
the entertainment was to repre- 
sent appropriately the works of 
noted authors, and it was admir- 
ably carried out at an expense 
of over $5,000. 

Roller skates and velocipedes 

came into common use in 1875. 

The city license fees for 

amusements are as follows: 

Theatres, from $50 to $200 per 

year; circuses, $75 for first day, and $50 for each 

succeeding day ; ball-alleys and billiard-tables pay 

$5 per year for each alley or table. 

Athletic and aquatic sports have been encour- 
aged by the organization of numerous societies. 
The Social Turn Verein, or German Gymnastic Asso- 
ciation, was organized June 17, 1852, and incorpor- 
ated February 6. 1855. In iS6othe society erected a 
building on the south side of Sherman Street, be- 
tween Russell and Riopelle Streets, at a cost of 
$4,000. The Peninsular Cricket Club was organized 
in 185S. The cricket grounds are on the west side 
of Woodward Avenue, just north of Fremont 



RECREATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS. 



353 



Street. One of the most noted games was played 
with the All England Eleven on September 25. 
1879, the English cricketers being victors. On 
August 13, 1S67, a great Base Ball Tournament be- 
gan on the cricket grountls and lasted nearly a week. 

The Detroit Gymnasium, an organization now 
extinct, grew out of a private gymnasium belonging 
to persons connected with the Lake Survey Office. 
Their apparatus was obtained by D. Farrand Henry, 
and he and Messrs. \V. A. Throop and A. Selleck 
fitted up a gj'mnasium for personal use over a 
bookstore on Woodward Avenue, near Congress 
Street. Others desiring to participate, on Febru- 
ary 9, 1858. a club was organized, the members 
to pay five dollars per year each. On April 6. 
1859. a new constitution was adopted, and in 
i860 the Gymnasium was moved to the Seitz 
Building. Here it was largely patronized and be- 
came very popular. It was then moved to Congress 
Street, near Larned, to what was known as the 
Gymnasium Building. Here it lost its popularity, 
and in 1867 was practically closed. In 1876 the 
apparatus was turned over to the Young Men's 
Christian Association, and is still in use by that 
organization. 

Scottish games and memories are kept alive 
through the Detroit Caledonian Club, organized in 
1 867. The Detroit Schuetzenbund, or German Shoot- 
ing Club, was organized in April, 1855, and incor- 
porated July. 1866. Its building is located in a 
park of eleven acres, in Hamtramck, on the Mack 
Road. It was erected in May, 1873, at a cost of 
about $4,000 ; the entire property is worth $io,cxx). 
The .Audubon Club, originally organized on Febru- 
ary 24, 1868, to secure the presen-ation of game, 
has now become a social club. 

The most popular and flourishing sporting organi- 
zation is the Lake St. Clair I'ishing and Shooting 
Club. It was organized April 11, 1872, and incor- 
porated on June 4 of the same year. The original 
plan was to limit the club to twenty-five members ; 
the number was then increased to fifty, and finally 
to two hundred and twenty. A stock company was 
formed, which owns the buildings and apparatus. 
Members must be owners of one share of stock 
and pay an initiation fee of twenty-five dollars. The 
club-house cost $5,000, and is located at the north 
end of tlie St. Clair Flats Canal. The boats are 
free to members of the club. The house is in 
charge of a steward, and members pay a stipulated 
sum per day for board and lodging while at the 
house. Friends of members may be invited to the 
house, if they are not residents of Detroit or towns 
immediately adjoining. The Star Island House, a 
public hotel located near by, is a favorite resort in 
the summer season. 

The width, length, and general smoothness of the 



Detroit River makes it e.xtremely favorable for 
boating and for regattas. These opportunities are 
every year increasingly appreciated, and the boat 
clubs of Detroit are a marked feature in the sport- 
ing life of the city. There are few finer sights in a 
summer evening than the boating parties ; the 
boats are often manned in part by ladies, and the 
gay uniforms and bright flags, the measured dip 
of the oars, and merry laughter, make a pleasing 
combination of sight and sound. 

The oldest boat club is the Detroit. It was 
organized February 18, 1839, and re-organized 
August 23, 1856. It owns one of the finest boat- 
houses in the country, erected in 1873. at a cost of 
$5,000. It was originally located between Hastings 
and Rivard Streets, and was moved to its present 
location, between Joseph Campau and McDougall 
Avenues, in 1877. 

The Excelsior Boat Club was organized on May 
14, 1867, and incorporated June 14, 1871. Amended 
articles were filed January 8, 1878. The club- 
house, at foot of Joseph Campau Avenue, was 
erected in May, 1867, and has since been improved ; 
with the boats and other property of the club, it is 
valued at $5,000. 

The Zephyr Boat Club was organized in June, 
1867, incorporated May 12, 1875, and disbanded in 
1881. 

The Centennial Boat Club was organized Sep- 
tember 14, 1S75, and incorporated March 2, 1876. 
Its boat-house, between Chene Street and Joseph 
Campau Avenue, cost $550, and was dedicated June 
30, 1877. 

Other boat-clubs have been organized from time 
to time, but most of them may be said to be lying 
on their oars. For the purpose of general practice 
and the management of regattas and races, several 
of the clubs were united under the title of the 
Detroit River Navy. It was organized in August, 
1S67, and re-organized in June, 1S68, and again on 
June 8, 1874. 

Among the occasions of special interest to boat- 
clubs were : The annual regatta of the Northwest- 
ern Amateur Boating Association, July 14, 1870; 
the opening day of the Northwestern Regatta, on 
August 14, 1877 ; and the arrival of the Shoe-wae- 
cae-mette Boat Club, of Monroe, on August 3, 
1878, on their return from England; Augu.st 6, 
1878, was the opening day of Detroit River Nax^y 
Regatta, and August 7 of the same year the open- 
ing day of Northwestern Regatta. 

On June 28, 1879, the Detroit River Navy 
Regatta took place. The Wyandottswon a two- 
oared race, the Michigans won the four-oared, and 
the barge race was won by the Detroit Club. 

The National Rowing Regatta for 1882 was held 
at Detroit, beginning on August 8. 



CHAPTER L. 



MUSIC AND Till". DRAMA. — ART. ARTISTS, AND INVENTORS. 



Music is indigenous to this region. The first 
settlers heard not only the rude rattles of the In- 
dians, but the air was vocal with the songs of bobo- 
links, larks, and robins, to which the chatter of 
squirrels and the call of the wild ducks as they 
swept over the 
town formed a fit- 
ting chorus. There 
were soon added 
the din of drums, 
the plash of pad- 
dles, and the lusty 
songs of the trad- 
ers as they rowed 
up and down the 
river. 

Music was need- 
ed to cheer tlie 
loneliness of those 
so far from home, 
therefore fife and 
fiddle were in con- 
stant play ; and the 
echoes of their 
tones linger still 
about the town, 
and their memories 
are linked with the 
music of to-day. 

In olden times, 
as now, the 
churches were the 
foster-mothers of 
all singers. The 
records of St. 
.Anne's for May 
15, 1755, mention 
the marriage of 
Jean Baptiste Ro- 
cou.x, " Chorister 
of the Parish ; " 

and the Pontiac Manuscript tells of an instrumental 
concert given on June 3, 1 763, in honor of the con- 
clusion of peace. 

Later on, in 181 5, there were many excellent sing- 
ers among the troops stationed here. Their favorite 
resort was the Yankee Boarding House on Bates 



eOJ^CERT 

AT THE CAPITOL BY 

THE ar¥ROIiE§E MOtSTREL, 

Who has performed In the cities of Boston, 
Ilfew York, Philadelphia and New Orleans, 
and all the principal cities, of the II. states 
with great applause, respectfully informs the 
liadies and Gentlemen of this place, that he 
will give a Concert at the Capitol on Thursm 
day and Friday evenings. 

ORDER OF PERFORMANCE, 



Itt. Tyrolese Son?, 

ad. Sweet Home, 

3d. Tyrolese Song of Friendship, 

4lfc. Oh no. we never mention her, 

6th, Tyrolese Song for Liberty, 



TTefinatU roBoiAialL the New-Tork Courifr uiJ Enqninrof ulait a»it 

" Carta BSot, • TjruJtw, nng oa SiiunUj WDie wib kI Iho CiithuB ThcMre, b the I 



it baponiLbU Is 



(be vioiulu ooltslK produce. It iB.ba*B'rT, Ibe H 
ibe TjmltM (SuutreU, « jf ax or Iwo iin«.'' W« b»rc bx 
iboro p^B£^al>^ tnil »rc ftit lo contfi"thal weknon nol inwhal Itpaii Id. 
in, «nd produted the maul f\aMLl wnssuon* We ornlJ h»™ Ultaci to 



fteBwIonTimrfnerMfmiTheroianowMpw Tnmi 
etantia H(pnH]ucta*ouDdiiudia.incnbuulJ lb'"'' 
IfacjaK HuIUi Lu uipD( omUDUid D* in bis bo 



Adnananee—^S Cttde. Tickets to be hud at Woodwortti'd 
and at the Mansion Honse> 
Detrmt, June »1, 183%< 

Fac-simile of Concert Bill of fifty years ago. {Half size.) 



Street, where they would gather to sing and to 
drink "hot flip." In more recent days the singers 
of the city occasionally united in musical societies, 
and on such occasions the dining-room of some one 
of the hotels would be transformed into a concert 

hall. Among the 
noted local vocal- 
ists Madame Va- 
rian Hoffman was 
prominent, and in 
more recent days 
Edward Scovcl 
and D.V. Ben,Jr.. 
have attained more 
than local fame. 
Ronaldson Hunt, 
one of the best of 
character singers, 
went from here to 
California. 

At various times 
we have been fa- 
vored with visits 
from musical ar- 
tists whose fame 
is in all lands. 
Theresa Parodi 
and Amalie Patti 
were here October 
23, 1S51 ; Adelina 
Patti, July I, i860; 
Gottschalk, April 
21, 1862; Carlotta 
Patti, February 10, 
18S2; and Nilsson, 
Lucca, Mario, An- 
na Bishop, Capoul, 
Cary, Kellogg, 
Phillips, and Cam- 
panini at other 
times. William H. 
Doane and Philip Phillips have sung several times 
in Detroit ; and Dudley Buck, the great organist, 
Carl Zerrahn, director of the Boston Handel and 
Haydn .Society, and Lyman Wheeler were in at- 
tendance at a Normal Musical Institute in July and 
August, 1876, and also in 1877. These Institutes 



6th.8hip at sea ( Genut*) 
7lft. The Cuckoo, 
8rt. The Swiss Boy, 
9th. I'te all tbe @ame. 



Er puuliu to Ihe -pcuuL-7 of Ut CCUBTIT ; W 



[.^54] 



MUSIC AND THE URAMA. 



355 



were arranged by Professor S. S. Jackson, and were 
greatly enjoyed by all who participated. 

Anicjng the musicians and teachers formerly resi- 
dents of Detroit, the best known were P. De Costa, 
Professor Mercerson, J. Monds, C. H. Levering, the 
Sofges, Sig. Martiney, C. Hess, H. Schumacher, G. 
A. Metzgar, E. Hoffman, the Yarndleys (Thomas, 
Richard, and Joseph), Signor P. Centemeri, Pro- 
fessor Philbrick, C. Swinscoe, T. M. Towne, J. 
Zundel, L. H. Blaisdel, J. Hammill Marum, and 
E. S. Mattoon. 

The oldest musical association in the city is the 
Harmonie Society. It was organized on June i, 
1849. and incorporated in 1S52. The corner-stone 
of its beautiful and convenient building, on the 




Harmonie Hall. 



southwest corner of Lafayette and Beaiibien Streets, 
was laid October 22, 1874, and the hall dedicated 
on November ir, 1875. The lots, building, and 
furniture cost about $60,000. The property is man- 
aged by nine directors, five of them, and then four, 
being elected on alternate years. The society em- 
ploys a musical director, secretary, and steward ; 
and its annual expenses are $7,500. Although offi- 
cered and managed by Germans, it numbers among 
its members many leading citizens of other nationali- 
ties. The musical directors of the society have 
been: 1849-1851, — Wiehle; 1851-1863, John 
Mar.x; 1863-1866, Charles Stein; 1866-1871. H. 
Bishop: 1 87 1 -1 873, Carl Hintz; 1873- , F. Abel. 
A society called the Detroit Musical Association 
was organized on November 2. 7850. with the fol- 
lowing officers: U. T. Howe, president; C. S. 
Adams, vice-president ; C. H. Aver\', treasurer ; W. 
T. Cole, secretary. The committee on music con- 



sisted of J. L. Whiting, C. A. Trowbridge, C. Hess, 
C. R. Morse, and U. T. Howe. Under their auspices 
and managed by Professor Charles Hess, a musical 
convention was held from June 10 to 14, 1851, at 
the First M. E. Church, on the corner of Woodward 
Avenue and State Street. Professor Saroni, of New 
York, was present and delivered an address. 

The Detroit Philharmonic Society was organized 
in 1854. It was under the direction of P. Cente- 
meri, and flourished until about i860, when the 
director moved to New York. From 1868 to 1870 
another society, with the same name, was in opera- 
tion, with A. Elder as president. 

The Concordia Society was organized on Febru- 
ary 22, 1865, under the leadership of W. Kopp. In 
July, 1867, he was succeeded by F. Apel, and two 
months later by J. Tinnette. He was followed in 
1872 by Professor Abel. H. Bishop became the 
leader on June i, 1S74, and G. Freytag on January 
15, 1881. The society was incorporated April 10, 
1873, and meet at 175 Gratiot Avenue, between St. 
Antoine and Beaubien Streets. 

The Nicolao Philharmonic Society, with Joseph 
Nicolao as leader, was organized in 1 873, and con- 
tinued for several years. 

A musical society was commenced about 1870 in 
connection with the German Workingmen's Aid 
.Society, and maintained for some years. 

The Detroit Musical Society was organized in the 
fall of 1870 in the parlors of the Michigan Exchange. 
In February, 1872, the services of Professor Abel 
were secured as musical director, and a society was 
organized by the name of St. Cecilia, but this name 
was soon exchanged for that of Detroit Musical 
Society. From its organization until the fall of 1880 
the rehearsals were held in Merrill Hall, except for 
the second year, when they were held in the Baptist 
Church, on the corner of Fort and Griswold Streets. 
On the completion of the new Music Hall, on Ran- 
dolph, between Croghan and Lafayette Streets, the 
society, for a time, made the building its head- 
quarters, and then returned to Merrill Hall. In 1881 
it numbered about two hundred active members, 
who paid five dollars per year, and three hundred 
honorary members who paid ten dollars per year. 
S. K. Stanton served as president until 1878, and 
was succeeded by C. H. Wetmore. The secretaries 
have been: 1875, Joseph Colt; 1876. J. G. Erwin ; 
1877, to October 2, 1882, F. T. Sibley. Owing to 
differences of opinion among the members, the 
meetings for pmctice were discontinued, and the 
society practically disbanded on October 2. 1882. 

From 1876 to 1879 a Catholic Musical Society 
was conducted under the direction of Professor 
Freytag. 

The Detroit Chorus Union was organized Januaiy 
19. 1872, under the direction of Professor Jackson. 



3d^ 



MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. 



He resigned May 17, 1872, and was succeeded by 
Professor Albert Miller. After practicing ten years, 
the society discontinued its meetings in 1882. 

The Orpheus Musical Society, with E. C. Gore as 
director, and L. H. Thomas as pianist, was organ- 
ized in 1873, but has been harmoniously inactive for 
several years past. 

The Arion Glee Club was organized in February, 
1874, with C. H. Thompson as director, and J. C. 



directors. It has an active membership of over one 
hundred, and has given several successful concerts. 




rtro^n BUnff.a^rV. 



Music Store of C. J- Whitnev, 40 Fokt St. West. 
Built in 1874. 

Batchelder as pianist. It was short lived. In 1878 
a new society by the same name was organized, with 
G. B. Sihler as director. He was also director of 
the Detroit Zither Club, organized in May, 1877. 

The Schumann Society was organized September 
24, 1883, with Oliver J- De Sale as chorus master, 
and J. De Zielinski and L. H. Thomas as associate 




Music Store of Roe Stephens, 184 and 1S6 Woodward Ave. 
Built in 1859. 

The meetings of the North American Saenger- 
bund, June 24-27, 1857, and the Peninsular Saenger- 
fest, which began August 30, 1880, under the 
auspices of the German societies, were both notable 
events. 

The first piano brought to Detroit was the prop- 
erty of Mrs. Solomon Sibley, formerly Miss Sproat. 



MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. 



00/ 



She had used it while attending school at Bethle- 
hem, Pennsylvania, and after her marriage, in 1803, 
brought it with her to Detroit. It was transported 
on horseback from Bethlehem to Marietta, and we 
may, therefore, be well assured that it did not com- 
pare in si/,e with the pianos of to-day. 

The first organ was brought here by Father 
Richard. During the War of 1S12, while he was 
occupying the farm in Spring\vells, the Indians re- 
moved the pipes of his organ and used them as 
horns, making the woods ring with their shouts and 
tooting. Either this organ was repaired or a new 
one procured by Father Richard, for after his death 
in 1832. an organ which had been used in St. Anne's 
was given to Trinity Church, and was subsequently 
in use at St. Joseph's Church. In 1831 St. Paul's 
Episcopal Church procured a new organ, and on 
the occasion of its first trial, on Friday, September 
30, a concert was given under direction of Mr. 
Newell. 

The musical compositions of several Detroit au- 
thors have found numerous purchasers. Of various 
pieces here published, it is safe to say that over a mil- 
lion copies have been circulated. A single instru- 
mental piece, the Detroit Schottische, composed and 
published by Adam Couse about 1S54, reached a sale 
of over one hundred thousand copies in America, and 
was republished in several foreign countries. Signor 
P. Centemeri published a number of songs, medita- 
tive in character, that were deser\-edly popular. Of 
two songs written by C. T. Lockvvood, of Pontiac, and 
published by \Vhittemore & Stephens, " Don't you 
go. Tommy." has reached a circulation of some five 
hundred thousand, and "Lottie Lee" nearly half as 
many. Of his " Bouquet March," nearly fifty thou- 
sand copies have been sold. Mr. J. H. Whittemore 
composed many pieces, some of which had a large 
sale. " 'T is for him that mother 's weeping," pub- 
lished in 1867, sold to the extent of one hundred 
thousand copies; half as many more of "By old 
Oak Orchard's rippling stream " have been disposed 
of. Several other of his pieces have sold to the 
extent of thousands of copies each. E. S. Mattoon 
published several pieces of merit, one was entitled 
" The Wood Nymph." J. C. Macy, a former resi- 
dent, produced some very successful compositions. 
"The Little Flower you gave me" and "Bring 
back the Old Folks " have reached a sale of fifty 
thousand copies each. Messrs. C. H. Levering. C. 
Stein, and Richard Yarndley all published instru- 
mental pieces, which find occasional purchasers. 
Professor S. Mazurette has written several pieces, 
of which "Home. Sweet Home, with variations," 
has probably had the largest sale. Of the compo- 
sitions of M. H. McChesney. " There is no one to 
welcome me home " has sold to the extent of fifty 
thousand copies, and of " I 've been dreaming of my 



childhood " twenty-five thousand copies have been 
sold. Of the various eompositions of J. L. Truax 
probably one hundred thousand copies have been 
issued; the " Wounded Heart," probably the most 
popular, has reached a sale of twenty-five thousand 
copies. The compositions of James E. Stewart 
and O. F. Berdan are carefully written, and have 
found many purchasers. 

Among the popular leaders of brass bands in 
former days the names of W. H. Barnhardt, H. 
Lucker, H. Bishop, and H. Kern were prominent. 
The last-named leader was portly in the extreme, 
and able, apparently, to blow any horn that could 
be made. During the war with the South he went 
with the first regiment, and President Lincoln 
pronounced him "the biggest blower in the ser- 
vice." 

Among the leaders of the Opera House Band 
Ernest Sieger was prominent. He succeeded Kern, 
and was followed by Charles Graul ; then came 
William Bendix. and then for ten years H. Bishop 
was leader of the band. He was succeeded in 1877 
by R. Speil. 

Gideon's Band — they of the fife and drum — 
were so called from Gurdon O. Williams, the 
amateur leader. They created much amusement 
between 1857 and 1861. 

In 1882 there were five brass bands in the city. — 
the Great Western, M. Hayek, leader ; the Opera 
House, R. Speil, leader; the Light Guard, led by 
J. D. Elderkin; Gardner's Band. J. H. Gardner, 
leader ; and Detroit National, led by M. Steyskal. 

The Theatre in Detroit seems to have been an 
American institution, for no record of any theatrical 
exhibitions is found until after the coming of the 
L^nited States troops. In 1798 military and civic 
entertainments were common, and generally given 
in the old council-house. In 18 16 a theatre was 
fitted up in the upper part of the large brick store- 
house at the foot of Wayne Street. The soldiers 
made the scenery, and the officers' wives painted it. 
Among the amateur performers in 1829 were Major 
John Biddle and Lieutenant (afterwards General) 
James Watson Webb. This theatre was in opera- 
tion almost continuously in winter seasons until 
about 1830. In that year a theatrical exhibition 
was given in a barn belonging to the Steamboat 
Hotel, kept by the well-known Ben Woodworth. 
Parsons, the manager, was a man of considerable 
talent, who subsequently doffed the sock and buskin, 
and became a clergyman. 

In the summer of 1834 a theatre was fitted up in 
the second story of the Smart Block, on the north- 
west corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues. 
The same year the brick building, still standing on 
the southeast corner of Gratiot and Farrar Streets, 



358 



MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. 



built for a Methodist Church but never dedicated, 
was purchased and fitted for a theatre. In 1S36 
and 1837 a wooden building, on the opposite side of 
Gratiot Street, was in use for theatrical exhibitions, 
as was also the Museum at the corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Griswold Street. After the fire which 
destroyed the Museum, the old wooden building on 
Gratiot Street was again used. In 1848 theatrical 
entertainments were given at the City Hall. In 
1849 the Metropolitan Theatre, on Jefferson Avenue 
opposite the Biddle House, was opened ; it was 
subsequently called "The Varieties," and then the 
"Theatre Comique." It was burned and rebuilt, 
and in 1 883 was turned into a livery stable. 

About 1864 an old church on the corner of Ran- 
dolph and Congress Streets was converted into a 
theatre. It was called the Athenaeum, and used for 
theatricals several years. The old Baptist Church 
on the corner of Fort and Griswold Streets was 
also at one time used as a theatre. 

The Park Theatre, on Michigan Avenue opposite 
the City Hall, was built in 1878 and rebuilt in 1881. 
After the building of the opera houses, the better 
class of theatrical exhibitions were given in them. 

The first German theatre was located on the east 
side of St. Antoine Street, near Gratiot Street. In 
late years German theatricals have been given in 
Concordia Hall, on the east side of Rivard, between 
Croghan and Lafayette Streets. 

Among the more noted actresses who have ap- 
peared on the Detroit stage maybe mentioned Julia 
Dean, who was here on October, 1849, 3"d Char- 
lotte Cushman, August 4, 1851. Ristori, the great 
Italian tragedienne, played on January 11 and 12, 
1867. C. B. Palmer and G. A. Hough — the former 
proprietor, and the latter manager, of the Detroit 
Athen:eum — gave five thousand dollars for the two 
entertainments. The plays given were " Marie 
Stuart" and "Elizabeth." The price of reserved 
seats was five dollars, general admission three dol- 
lars. The performances were given at Young Men's 
Hall, at that time the largest public auditorium in 
the city. The enterprise was not profitable, the 
net loss being about three hundred dollars. 

Modjeska was here December 12, 13, and 14, 
1878, and again in October, 1883, and Janauschek 
from the 3d to the 6th of March, 1882. Mary An- 
derson, Sothern, Jefferson, Booth, and Barrett have 
visited Detroit repeatedly. 

Detroit is particularly noted as the birthplace of 
Bronson Howard, one of the most successful drama- 
tists of our time. The .American plays he composed 
have given pleasure to thousands. His " Fantine," 
a drama in five acts, founded on " Les Miserables," 
w-as first produced in September, 1864, at the De- 
troit Athenaeum. "Saratoga," his next piece, a 
comic drama in five acts, was produced at the Fifth 



Avenue Theatre in New York, in December, 1870, 
and was performed continuously for one hundred 
and one nights, and twice revived at the New Fifth 
Avenue Theatre. " Brighton," an English version 
of "Saratoga." was played by Charles Wyndham 
in London in 1874-1875 at the Court Theatre, and 
subsequently at the St. James, National, Standard, 
Criterion, and Haymarket theatres. It was pre- 
sented two hundred and forty times in the years 
named. It was also adapted to the German, and 
produced in Berlin. In 1880 it was revived and 
played in many cities throughout Great Britain. 
" Diamonds," a comedy in five acts, first produced 
at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, New York, in Septem- 
ber, 1872. ran fifty-six nights. " Moorcroft," a 
comedy in four acts, produced in the fall of 1874 at 
the Fifth Avenue Theatre, was less successful, run- 
ning only two weeks. " Hurricane," a comedy in 
three acts, was first brought out in Haverly's Thea- 
tre, Chicago, in May, 1878, and in the fall of 1879 
was played for four weeks at the Park Theatre 
in New York, and then in various other places. 
"Truth," the English version of "Hurricane," was 
produced at the Criterion Theatre in London, in 
February. 1879, and ran one hundred and fifty-two 
nights; i]i 1880 it was performed in other of the 
principal English and Scotch cities, and up to 1S83 
had been produced over three hundred times in 
London. " The Banker's Daughter," a drama in 
five acts, was first performed November 30, 1878, 
at the Union Square Theatre, New York. It ran 
one hundred and thirty-eight nights, and has been 
performed repeatedly in the principal cities of the 
country. The English version, entitled "The Old 
Love and the New." was produced at the Court 
Theatre, London, on December 15, 1879, running 
one himdred nights or more, and has been given at 
least one hundred times in another English theatre. 
"Wives," a comedy in five acts, also produced in 
1879, and "Old Love Letters," a one-act comedy 
of 1878, also achieved success. Among his later 
productions are "Green-room Fun" and "Baron 
Rudolph." In 1882 a four-act comedy, entitled 
" Young Mrs. Winthrop," began a successful run. 
In the way of comic operettas and farces, F. J. 
Thomas has achieved a local reputation. All of his 
plays were written especially for entertainments 
given by the Board of Trade for the benefit of the 
Industrial School. "A Child for Adoption" was 
performed in 1873; "The Honest Burglar" in 1874; 
"Our Mamma "in 1876, and "Engaged" in 1877. 

ART, ARTISTS, AND INVENTORS. 

Before the present century began, there were sil- 
versmiths in the city who produced elaborate and 
costly silver ware and ornaments, and skilled work- 



ART, ARTISTS, AND INVENTORS. 



359 



men in gold and silver have always found employ- 
ment. 

Among our former quasi residents was Ran- 
dolph Rogers, who, while living at Aim Arbor, was 
frequently in Detroit. His " Nydia," now in the 
University Museum, was exhibited here on April 
lo, 1S62, at Young IMen's Hall; his "Ruth" and 
" Isaac," the superb bronze doors in the Capitol at 
AV'ashington, and our own Soldiers' Monument, all 
attest his well-earned fame. 

J. M. Stanley chose Detroit for his home in 1S35. 



and studies. One of his best known single paintings 
is called " The Unveiling of the Conspiracy ; " it por- 
trays the Indian girl informing Gladwin of Pontiac's 
treachery. Another, " The Trial of Red Jacket," 
represents that chief in the centre of a group of 
warriors on trial for witchcraft. Seven of his works, 
" Uncas Gambling for the Buck," "The Trial of 
Red Jacket," "Indian Telegraph," " Blackfoot Card 
Players," "Hunters," and "On the War Path" have 
been chromoed ; all, except the last, were produced 
in Berlin. 







The W.iTSON G.\llery, 236 Wood\v.\rd Avenue, corner of John R Street. 
Built in 1870-1882. 



After a few years' residence, he wandered over all 
the West, gathering material for his bnish. He re- 
turned in 1S63. During his absence he painted 
from life representative heads from forty-three dif- 
ferent tribes, his collection including the portraits 
of one hundred and fifty-two Indian chiefs and 
noted characters. In anticipation of their purchase 
by the Government, the pictures were deposited in 
the Smithsonian Institute, and the nation suffered 
an irreparable loss in their destruction on January 
24, 1S65, when a portion of the building was burned. 
In addition to these, Mr. .Stanley produced one hun- 
dred and fifty other paintings, chiefly Indian scenes 



The name of Alvah Bradish is familiar to the 
older citizens. He came to Detroit as early as 
1S37, and at intervals since then has resided here. 
From 1852 to 1864 he was Professor of Fine Arts 
in the university. He painted portraits of Stevens 
T. Mason, John Biddle, Judge Morell, Elon Fams- 
worth, H. S. Cole, E. P. Hastings. Z. Pitcher, R. S. 
RicC; D. Houghton, Hugh Brady, Lewis Cass, J. 
Kcarsley, D. Cooper, Thomas Palmer, E. B. Ward, 
John R. Williams, A. S. Williams, Charles Earned, 
S. Conant, George Duffield, and William E. Ar- 
mitage. 

The name and fame of T. H. O. P. Burnham are 



360 



ART, ARTISTS, AND INVENTORS. 



preserved through his picture of the election scene 
of 1837. 

C. V. Bond was here from 1846 to 1S53, and is 
favorably remembered. 

A Fine Art E.xhibition at Firemen's Hall, com- 
mencing February i, 1851, lasted three weeks; it 
was repeated in February, 1S53, and no local ex- 
hibitions of equal merit were held in Detroit up to 
1883. Both exhibitions brought together articles old 
and new, curious and rare, e.xpensive and desirable, 
and embraced nearly every department of tine arts. 
Crowds thronged the hall and the exhibitions were 
in every respect creditable to the city. They were 
given under the auspices of the Fire Department 
Society, and their success was due very largely to 
the efforts of James A. Van Dyke. 

Among the local artists and amateurs represented 
in that exhibition were, F. E. Cohen, — . Von Bran- 
dis, L. T. Ives, George Watson, Robert Hopkins, 
R. S. Duncanson, George W. Clark, W. A. Ray- 
mond, D'Almaine, Mrs. R. W. Baird, C. F. Davis, 
A. Smith, Jr., — . Bowman, and A. F. Banks. 

From June 25 to 28, 1862, a Loan Exhibition, 
managed by the ladies of the First Presbyterian 
Church, was held at Young Men'^ Hall, and many 
excellent works were brought together. Among 
the paintings were the following, claimed as origi- 
nals: "Martin Luther," by Raphael, a landscape, 
by Salvator Rosa, and " Ecce Homo," by Guido. 

At various times some of the noted paintings of 
the world have been exhibited in Detroit. Dunlap's 
"Bearing the Cross" was here in September, 1S26, 
and his "Calvary" at the Presbyterian Church in 
August, 1830, and in May, 1840, with his "Christ 
Rejected," at the Baptist Church. Benjamin West's 
painting of " Christ Healing the Sick " was exhibited 
in July, 1844, and Peale's "Court of Death" in 
July, 1S47. Rossiter's great paintings of "The Re- 
turn of the Dove to the Ark" and "Miriam, the 
Prophetess, exulting over Pharoah" were exhibited 
on September 30, 1851, and for several days follow- 
ing, at Firemen's Hall. The following month, com- 
mencing with October 7, Dubufe's " Adam and 
Eve" was on exhibition at the City Hall. It had 
been on view at Detroit sixteen years before. About 
1853 Powers' statue of "The Greek Slave" was on 
exhibition. Two French paintings, "Jerusalem in 
its Grandeur" and "Jerusalem in its Decay," were 
exhibited in i S78. Tliey were valued at $30,000. 

In photographic work, Mr. J. E. Martin and the 
Messrs. Sutton were the first to give satisfactory- 
results in Detroit. On March 6, 1855. there was a 
notice in the papers to the effect that the Messrs. 
Sutton had photographed by Turner's process with 
great success. Since then we have had daguerreo- 
types, ambrotypes, tintypes, ivorytypes, aiid photo- 
graphs ; and in no city is finer work produced, and 



nowhere in America are there larger or better 
equipped establishments. Large photographic work, 
cravon and India-ink portraits are made. 

From May 30 to June 1, 1883, nearly fifty large 
and choice oil paintings by noted artists were ex- 
liibited at Randall's Art Gallery. 




C. C. Randall's PnoroGRATiiic STrnio, and the Deiroit 

Art Store, corner Madison Ave. and Williams St. 

Built in 1882. 

All previous local exhibitions were dwarfed into 
insignificance by the Art Loan Exhibition projected 
by 'W. H. Brearley, and held in the fall of 1883. The 
first meeting in relation to it was held at the resi- 
dence of Mrs. James F. Joy on December 6, 1882 ; 
a subsequent meeting was held at the office of New- 
berry & McMillan, and a resolution passed favoring 
the proposed exhibition, provided a sufficient guar- 
anty fund was pledged to make good any deficiency. 
Through the efforts of the promoter of the Art 
Loan, the following persons subscribed §1,000 each 
as a gtiarantee : R. A. Alger, H. P. Baldwin, H. B. 
Brown. Clarence Black, W. Boeing, C. H. Buhl, W. 
A. Butler, Mrs. Jessie W. Brodhead, W. H. Brear- 
ley, A. H. Dey, James L. Edson, Moses W. Field, 
D. M. Ferry, E. S. Heineman, Charles C. Hodges. 
George H. Hammond, James F. Joy, Edward Kan- 
ter, W. W. Leggett, G. V. N. Lothrop, E. W. 
Meddaugh, W. A. Moore, C. R. Mabley, Mrs. C. R. 
Mabley. S. R. Mumford, James McMillan, Hugh 
McMillan. Richard McCauley, S. J. Murphy, Thorn- 
dike Nourse, John S. Newberry, C. A. Newcomb, 
David Preston, Thomas W. Palmer, Francis Palms, 
Philo Parsons, George Peck, Thomas Pitts, C. C. 
Randall, George B. Remick, M. S. Smith, E. Y. 



ART. ARTISTS, AND INVENTORS. 



361 



Swift, James E. Scripps, George H. Scripps. Thomas 
S. SpraijLie. Allan Shelden. W. H. Tefft. David 
Whitney. Jr.. Richard Storrs Willis. Willis Walker. 

An organization was effected, and committees 
were appointed as follows : 

Executive Committee : W. H. Drearley. chairman ; 
Fred E. Farnsworth. secretary ; John I.. Harper, 
treasurer; H. P. I'.aldwin. Mrs. Richard Stiirrs 
Willis. Mrs. II. H. 11. Crapo Sniiih. Mrs. Mc,r.se 
Stewart, Miss Adams, Mrs. I'.. C. Si<inncr. Mrs. F. G. 
Holden. 

Citv Loan Committee : Mrs. Richard Storrs Wil- 
lis, chairman ; Mrs. Dr. Fitzhugh Edwards, secre- 
tary. 

P'oreign Loan Committee: Mrs. H. H. H. Crapo 
Smith, chairman ; Mrs. Justin E. Emerson, secre- 
tary. 

Printing Committee : Mrs. Mor.se Stewart, chair- 
man ; Miss Jenny Coyl, secretary. 

Transportation Committee : Miss Adams, chair- 
man; Mrs. Gen. King, secretary. 

Property Committee ; Mrs. E. C. Skinner, chair- 
man ; Mrs. Alexander Chapoton, secretary. 

Hanging and Arranging Committee : Mrs. E. G. 
Holden, chairman; Mrs. Alfred Russell, secretary. 

Finance Committee: H. P. Baldwin, chairman ; 
Clarence Black, secretary. 

It was at first proposed to have the e.vhibition at 
Music Hall, and on April 5, 18S3. a meeting to 
ratify the proposed plan for the exhibition was held 
at that place, and addresses were delivered by 
Bishop S. S. Harris, D. D., LL. D., Rev. C. Reilly. 
D. D., Rev. C. R. Henderson, S. M. Cutcheon, and 
O. W. Wight. M. D. At the meeting a letter was 
read from T. W. Palmer pledging $10,000 towards 
a permanent Art Loan, provided §40.000 additional 
was raised. Doubts having been expressed as to 
the safety from fire of Music Hall, it was decided to 
erect a building especially for tlx; exhibition, and a 
tract of land on the north side of Earned Street, 
between Bates and Randolph Streets, was rented 
for the sum of $500. Plans were procured, and at a 
total cost of $15,000 a one-story brick building, 
135 X 153 feet, was erected. The plan and contents 
of the several rooms were as indicated in the 
annexed diagram. 

A very complete catalogue of one hundred and 
seventy pages, furnished for the sum of twenty-five 
cents, showed the following list of articles : Oil 
paintings, 950; water-color paintings, 260; examples 
in sculpture, 102; bric-a-brac, 250; etchings, en- 
gravings, and other examples in black and white, 
1,000; designs in bronze. 56; te.xtiles and fabrics, 
103; curios and miscellany. 280. Total, 3,100. 
Supplementary exhibits brought up the total numbet 
to 4,851. An idea as to the completeness and variety 
of the exhibit is given by the statement that the 



various schools of art were represented by the 
works of one hundred and ninety-six American, one 
hundred and five French, sixty-four Italian, fifty- 
eight German, forty-five English, thirty-seven Hol- 
land, and twenty-three Spanish artists. 



X 


Y 


Z 


JL X 

1. ) < > 

r r T T 


s 


T U V 


w 


p 

K 


■ ( 1 • 

Q F 
, 1. > . 

L M N 

> > (_ 




) 


H 


1 


J 


fe 


'=^ ? B C 1 " 



Plan or- Art Loan Buii.niNC. 

A— Office; E, entrance; C. exit ; D, cloak room; E, gentle- 
men's room ; F, entrance corridor; Ci, ladies' room ; Y, refresh- 
ment room. 

H— Collections of Senator Palmer, Uela Hubbard, and a por- 
tion of the Home Loan. 

I — Foreign Loan (paintings from outside thi.- City and State). 

J— The Cleveland, O., Loan. 

K— James McMillan's Collection. 

L — Annex to the Foreign Loan. 

M— Textiles, sculpture, etc. 

N— TheC. F. Haseltine (Philadelphia) Collection. 

O— Combined collections of R. A. Alger, lames F. Joy, H. P. 
Baldwin, F. lUihl, Mrs. C. H. Buhl. M. S. Smith, and Allan 
Shelden. 

P— Textiles and part of Home Loan. 

Q— Floral and Curios. 

R — Amateur Department. 

S— City Loan and Works of Detroit Artists. 

T~Detroit Water Color Society and other Water Colors. 

U— The Century Collection of original drawings. 

V— J. E. Scripps' collection of etchings, engravings, etc. 

W— The Colonial room (collections of rare and ancient furni- 
ture, pictures, etc). 

X— Bric-il-brac, textiles, fabrics, statuary. 

V— Architectural photographs, Cesnola and Morgan pottery 
exhibits, refreshments. 

Z— Ancient paintings and religious pictures. 

The following Detroit artists had each one or 
more oil paintings on exhibition : W. B. Conely, 
L. T. Ives, J. A. Hekkinjj^. Robert Hopkins, Percy 
Ives. W. H. Machen, G. J. Melchers. J. C. Rolsho- 
^ ven. Mortimer L. Smith, George Watson. S. A. 
Whipple. John Antrobus. Miss Hattie Leonard, 
Miss Annie Pitkin, and Delos Bell. 

The exhibition opened on Saturday evening, Sep- 
tember I, 1883, and was continued during the 
months of September and October, and up to No- 
vember 10. A total of 134.050 persons visited the 
building; the highest attendance was on October 27, 
when 6,476 persons were admitted ; the lowest was 
on September 7. when there were 711 admissions. 
Originally a silver quarter was required as an en- 



!62 



INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS. 



trance fee. but to accommodate those who wished 
to present tickets to their friends, ordinary tickets 
were finally placed on sale. The exhibition closed 
with a reception on I^Ionday evening, November 12. 
The total receipts were about $45,000. and the 
expenses footed up $42,500. 

During- the progress of the loan and immediately 
after, a canvass was made for subscriptions to a 
fund of $40,000, to be used in the purchase of 
grounds as a site for a permanent Museum of Art. 
For this fund each of the following persons •sub- 
scribed one thousand dollars : R. A. Alger, H. P. 
Baldwin, Joseph Black, F. J. F. Bradley. \V. H. 
Brearley, C. H. Buhl, James L. Edson, Charles Endi- 
cott, D. M. Ferry, Geo. H. Hammond, Bela Hub- 
bard, G. V. N. Lothrop, C. R. Mabley, James Mc- 
Millan, Geo. F. Moore, \V. A. Moore, S. R. Mum- 
ford, C. A. Newcomb, T. W. Palmer, Francis Palms, 
J. E. Scripps, G. H. Scripps, Allan Shelden, M. S. 
Smith, Frederick Stearns, R. P. Toms, E. W. 
Voigt, Hiram Walker, E. C. Walker, Willis E. 
Walker. 

By request of Thomas W. Palmer, and as a tes- 
timonial of their services in behalf of the Art Loan, 
his pledge of $10,000 was applied to constitute the 
following persons subscribers to the fund for the 
site of the proposed building : P'red. E. Farnsworth, 
John L. Harper, Mrs. E. G. Holden, L. T. Ives, 
Mrs. E. C. Skinner, Mrs. H. H. H. Crapo Smith, 
Mrs. Col. J. T. Sterling. Mrs. Morse Stewart. John 
L. Warren, and Mrs. R. S. Willis. 

A majority of the persons named met on Febru- 
ary 27, 1884, a temporary organization was effected, 
and a committee on site appointed, and the further 
prosecutioit of the plan is gradually going forward. 

At a meeting held on May 17, 1884, Mr. Brearlev 
announced the purpose of James E. Scripps to give 
the munificent sum of $50,000 in furtherance of the 
enterprise. 

//r,'i-ii/<»-s and Invt-ntions. 

In variety and importance, the inventions of cer- 
tain of our citizens are deservedly famous. Burt"s 
solar compass, one of the most valuable of inven- 
tions, was patented by William A. Burt on Febru- 
ary 25, 1836, and fully perfected in 1850. It was ex- 
amined and commended by Sir John Herschel in 
1 85 1, and received a prize medal at the World's Fair 
of that year. It is called a solar compass because, 
by an ingenious arrangement, the rays of the sun 
are utilized by the instrument, which enables the 
surveyor to determine exactly the position of a due 
north and south line. By its use surveys can be 
accurately made in mineral districts where the old 
.style of compass would be almost useless. Its value 
is so thoroughly appreciated by the Government 
that it is required to be used in government surveys ; 



and without it a large amount of government land 
could have been properly surveyed only by the out- 
lay of more money than the land was worth. The 
Calumet and HecIa Mine of Lake Superior, the 
largest and most productive copper mine in the 
world, was discovered through the use of this instru- 
ment. 

In connection with the subject of inventions, it is 
of interest to note that from i860 to 1863 Thomas 
A. Edison, while a train-boy on the Grand Trunk 
Railroad, was frequently in Detroit, and divided his 
time between the Telegraph and Free Press offices 
and the Public Library. While here he formed the 
idea of reading all the books in the library, and be- 
ginning with those on a lower shelf, he actually read 
a row of books occupying a shelf fifteen feet in 
length before other plans and duties caused him to 
desist. Among the books on that lower shelf were 
Newton's " Principia," Ure's Dictionary, and Bur- 
ton's "Anatomy of Melancholy." 

With his name that of Charles Van De Poele 
should be mentioned; his electric light was first 
publicly exhibited on July 6, 1879. 

The astronomical clock invented by Felix Meier 
is worthy of special mention, as in many respects it 
is the superior of all others. It was first exhibited in 
1879. It is eighteen feet high, eight feet wide, and 
five feet thick, and weighs four thousand pounds. 
It is run by weights weighing seven hundred pounds, 
and is wound up once in twelve days. The case is 
of black walnut, elegantly carved, and engraved 
with symbols of the United States. At the top is a 
marble dome, with a figure of Washington in his 
chair of state, protected by a canopy surmounted 
by a gilded statue of Columbia; on either side of 
the figure of Washington are colored servants in 
livery, guarding the doors between the pillars that 
support the canopy ; on the four corners of the clock 
are figures emblemtitic of the march of life; the two 
lower corners are supported by female figures with 
flaming torches, one that of an infant, the second a 
youth, the third a man in middle life, and the fourth 
an aged man ; still another figure, directly over the 
center, represents Death. All of these figures are 
furnished with bells and hammers, and at the end 
of every quarter of an hour the infant strikes its bell, 
at the end of the half hour the youth strikes, the 
man strikes every three quarters of an hour, the old 
man strikes the hour, and the figure of yeath gives 
the appropriate number of strokes for the hour. 
The infant's bell is small and sweet-toned; the 
youth's bell larger and louder ; the bell of manhood 
strong and resonant ; that of old age diminishes in 
strength, while the bell of the skeleton has a deep, 
sad tone. When Death strikes the hour, a music- 
box concealed within the clock begins to play ; the 
figure of Washington slowly rises from the chair, 



INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS. 






and extends the rijjht hand, presenting the Declara- 
tion of Independence ; the door on the left is opened 
by the servant, and all the Presidents from Wash- 
ington to Hayes enter in procession, dressed each in 
the costume of his time. Passing before Washing- 
ton, they raise their hands as they approach him. 



planetary system. The a.stronomical and mathe- 
matical calculation, if kept up, would show the cor- 
rect movement of the planets for two himdred years. 
When the clock is in operation it shows local time 
in hours, minutes, and seconds; also the time at 
New York, Washington, San Francisco, Melbourne, 




Smith's Cckner. Cor. of Jeffeks(in and Wdodwakd A\'ES. 

Built in 1839-68. Occupied for twenty years preceding 1883 

by M. S. Smitlj &. Co., Jewelers. 



New JEwEi-KV M<'KF of .M. s smith a.' Co., 

Cor. Woodwakd Ave. and State St. 

Uuill in 1883. 



walk across the platform, and disappear through 
the opposite door, which is promptly closed by the 
second servant. Washington then resumes his 
chair, and all is again quiet, save the measured tick 
of the huge pendulum. Figures of William Cullen 
Bryant and of Professor Morse, inventor of tele- 
graphy, rest upon the pillars that support the 



Pekin, Cairo, Constantinople, St. Pctersburgh, 
Vienna, London, Berlin, and Paris; the day of the 
week, calendar day of the month, month of the 
year, and seasons of the year; the signs of the 
zodiac, the revolutions of the earth on its a.\is and 
also around the sun ; the revolutions of the moon 
around the earth, and with it around the sun; also. 



364 



INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS. 



the moon's changes from the quarter to the half, 
three quarters, and full ; and the movement of the 
planets around the sun. 

In connection with this clock, mention may be 
appropriately made of the clock set up by the firm 
of M. S. .Smith & Co. on the outside of their store, 
on the corner of Woodward Avenue and State 
.Street. It occupies the front of the second story 
and is both a curiosity and a public convenience : 
the dials are live feet in diameter and are illumi- 
nated at night. Tliere are two life-size figures in 
connection with the works, one representing a smith 
with his hammer, and the other the emblematic 
Father Time, the figures together symbolizing 
"Smith's Time." Upon bells hung in full view- 
both figures, in quick succession, give one stroke 
every quarter of an hour, two every half-hour, and 
three strokes a quarter of an hour before every full 
hour ; four strokes are given every hour, and imme- 
diately thereafter an appropriate number for the 
particular hour. The clock and its fittings cost 
$6,000, and was first publicly shown on February 27, 
1S84. It is the only one of the kind in the United 
States, and there is but one similar to it in the world. 



The first successful gold pens were made by Levi 
Drown about 1840. He then lived in Detroit, but 
subsequently moved to New York. 

An invention of practical importance is the street- 
railway track-cleaner and snow-plough of Augustus 
Day. It is used in many States by several roads, 
and is prized for its simplicity and efficiency. The 
planing machine of A. A. Wilder was at one time 
highly appreciated. He also invented a propeller 
wheel, still in general use. The patent refrigerators 
and freezing processes invented by William Davis 
have revolutionized the business of transporting 
flesh and fish. The use of kerosene to increase the 
illuminating power of coal gas, invented by F. H. 
Eichbaum. has come into general use. E. Fon- 
taine's locomotive had trial trips on December 3, 
1880, and May 5, 1881, on the Canada Southern, 
where it made one hundred and eleven miles in 
ninety-eight minutes. The patent double-faced 
valves of James Flowers, for water, steam, and gas 
connections, are in use all over the United States, 
as are also the seamless copper and brass tubes 
invented by John Bailey. 



PART Vll, 



ARCHITECTURAL. 



CHAPTER LI. 



HOUSES AND HOMES. — STORKS AND BUSINESS BUILDINGS. - 
STORE NUMBERS. — LICHTI NO AND HEATING. 



HOUSE AND 



HOUSES AND HOMES. 

The houses of the first colonists were few and 
simple in construction. Less than a score of log 
huts, covered with birch bark or thatched with 
grass, within a stockade of wooden pickets, made 
up the embryo city. 

It is safe to say that a more perfect " scene of 
quiet beauty " could nowhere else be found ; the 



commodate them; in 170S buildings were erected 
outside, and from time to time, as grants of land 
were made, or permits given, log houses in increas- 
ing numbers dotted the banks of the Detroit. They 
were scattered along at intervals of from a quarter 
to a half mile, and finally reached from the Rouge 
to Lake St. Clair, on both sides of the Strait. The 
growth, however, was slow ; after the lapse of fifty 








View of Detroit in 1796, fkom thi; okigin.\l i*.\inting in Paris. 

Griswold St. 



Citadel. Prest-nt Wayne St. St. Anne's Church. Brig Gen. Gage. 
Old Council House. 



gray and brown of the roof, the rugged layers of 
unhewn logs, the whitewashed chimneys, the green 
of the surrounding forests, and the sheen of the 
placid river, afforded a rare combination of colors 
and a view that an artist might covet to portray. 

.■\s the years went on and fhe number of houses 
increased, the stockade became too narrow to ac- 



years there were only from seventy-five to one hun- 
dred houses within the stockade, which was several 
times enlarged. The houses were usually built of 
oak or cedar logs. In 1749, and probably before 
that time, stone for chimneys and ovens was ob- 
tained from Mongiiagon and Stony Island. In 1763 
there were lime-kilns near, and several stone build- 



1367] 



368 



HOUSES AND HOMES. 



ings inside the stockade. In 1S70, while workmen 
were laying water pipes in front of the Cooper 
Block on Jefferson Avenue, they found between the 
curbstone and street-car track, at a depth of about 
four feet, the remains of an old chimney, with the 
iron crane still fast in the wall. Judging from its 



The chart is entitled " Topographical Plan of Detroit 
and of the Waters which form the junction of Lake 
Erie with Lake St. Clair, l^repared to illustrate 
the travels by General CoUot in this part of tlie con- 
tinent in 1796." The picture is of special interest 
because it marks the year when Detroit came into 




toizuduuj -- lit MiUi I"-" -^ 



Ri\ee; Fkont oi' JoNts and Cass Faums in 1819. 
De Garmo Jones House. Mouth of Savoyard. Cass House in original location. 



location, it was probably part of the cellar-kitchen 
of a house within the original stockade. 

In 1766 there were over a hundred houses in 
additinn to the quarters for the troops. Three years 
later tlie stockade enclosed one hundred and twenty 
buildings, nearly all of them one story high, with a 



possession of the United States. It was made by a 
French spy. (See " French and Spanish Intrigues.") 
Some accounts state that at the time the Americans 
took possession, Detroit had three hundred houses. 
This number evidently included those outside the 
stockade, as in 1 805 there were only about two hun- 












Paivm oi- Sr. Anne's Sjiitti (.now Jiii-i-iiu-soN AviiNUE) in 1800. 



few of a story and a half. One house, near the 
present south side of Jefferson Avenue and a little 
west of Griswold Street, occupied in 1778 by Gov- 
ernor Hamilton, was two stories high. In 1773 the 
settlement included two hundred and eighty houses 
and one hundred and fifty-seven barns. 

The appearance of the river front of the town in 
1796 is shown in a painting occupying one corner of 
a large chart in the Department of Marine in Paris. 



dred inside of the pickets. The accompanying en- 
graving of a street in 1800 is thoroughly charac- 
teristic. The original sketch was made by Lieuten- 
ant Jacob Kingsbury, and is said to represent a part 
of St. Anne Street. The large house on the right 
was occupied by one of the officers. 

The house first oct^ipied by Governf)r Cass was 
located on the north side of Larned, between First 
and Second Streets. Governor Cass bought it of 



HOUSES AND HOMES. 



569 



the Macombs, and while he resided there a soldier 
with fixed bayonet was usually pacing to and fro in 
front. It next became the property of O. New- 
berry-, and subsequently had several different own- 
ers. It was originally located quite near the river, 
and in 1S36, when the front of the Cass Farm was 
graded down, the house was left twelve feet above 
the street. It was then cut in twain, removed to its 
recent location, and repaired. There is some ground 
for believing that it was originally built in 1703. 
Mrs. Sheldon, in her History of Michigan, quotes a 
letter from Cadillac, in which he says he has built a 
house for the chief of the Hurons on a little emi- 
nence which overlooks their village, situated on the 
Canada shore. It was forty feet long and twenty- 
four feet wide and built of oak. The orio:inal site 



But straight its roof^ its frame was sound 
From gable peak to level ground. 
Of sturdy beams so square and stout 
That time could never wear them out ; 
For many a frigate safely rides 
With lighter keel and frailer sides. 

Strangers would pause to ponder o'er 
The low browed eaves and deep set door. 
And wondering ask what freakish fate 
Had saved that homely pile so late, 
When all beside was new and strange 
And change had oft succeeded change. 

But men are hurrying to and fro, 
Intent to lay its glories low ; 
Thick through the air the shingles fly. 
The roof no more shuts out the sky, 
But vain each furious effort seems 
To wrench apart the seasoned beams, 
The oaks that lent them largest stood 
Of all the giants of the wood, 




The Old Cass Housi-, (>\ Lakned biKi£i-:i, jlst iiacR to its demollmun. 



of the Cass House fulfills these conditions, and 
as to the house itself, Governor Cass said to 
Mr. McKenney in 1826. "it is anterior to the time 
of Pontiac's war, there being on it now the marks 
of the bullets which were shot into it then." The 
house was demolished in August, 1882. 

The memories and romance that clustered about 
its oaken beams and rafters of fine-grained pine are 
admirably preserved in a historic poem by Judge 
Campbell, which, though not written for the public 
eye, has been kindly granted for this w^ork. 

CASSINA. 
Half hid beside the noisy street, 
Gray with old storms and summer's heat, 
The ancient house seemed all ainne. 
Hemmed in by walls of brick and stone. 



That towered aloft, serenely great, 

When bold Champlain sailed down the strait 

And not a withered bough was seen 

Or blemish on their crowns of green, 

When the shrewd lord of Mont Desert 

First spoiled them of their branches fair. 

And bade his artisans to bring 

And sliapc them for the }Iuron King. 

Wl-II mortised joints with bolt and brace 

Held the broad timbers in their place, 

Unmoved by storm or earthquake shock 

As buttresses of living rock. 

Now a.\c and lever, day by day. 

Wear slow the stubborn logs away; 

And deep-sunk balls and hatchet scars 

Give token of long ended wars, 

When rival tribes came prowling round, 

And made each spot a battle ground. 

And day by day a curious throng 

Marks the dull task, and tarries long, 



370 



HOUSES AND HOMES. 



Well pleased to find some relic slight 
Memorial of its former plight, — 
Perchance a hammered bolt or key 
Brought hither from beyond the sea 
When great King Louis held the throne, 
And claimed this region as his own. 

One stands aloof whose earnest face 
Bears witness to his Gallic race. 
With shoulders bent, and feeble frame, 
But eyes that glow like burning flame. 
He sees among that rubbish cast 
The records of a glorious past, — 
Of brave explorers, on their quest 
To open wide the fabled west ; 
Of fearless nobles, trained to know 
All haps that fortune can bestow ; 
Of men of war and men of state. 
Who there were born or bowed to fate, 
And now beneath the clover lie, 
But leave a fame that cannot die. 
Those eyes look backward through the gloom. 
And see within the generous room 
Gay crowds of fair and joyous guests. 
With clieerful words and harmless jests. 
And pleasant songs of old romance, — 
Their herita^je from beauteous France ; 
While music sounds, and dancing feet 
The solid floor in cadence beat, 
Or circle round in merry games, 
Lit by the chimney's crackling flames. 
There gathering with the closing year 
Old friends rejoice with Christmas cheer. 
While youths no more the past review. 
But turn impatient towards the new. 
And old and young observe the rite 
When crowns are worn but one brief night, 
And all the pomp of king and queen 
Hangs on the fortune of the bean. 

The past goes by him as a stream 
That flows in some enchanting dream, 
And in that waking dream he stands 
With smiling lips and folded hands, 
Serene as in his youthful prime, 
While fancy triumphs over time. 
He hears all tuneful sounds that lie 
Within the sphere uf harmony, 
While in his fragile hand is skill 
To summon music at his will. 
He knows the wood whose even grain 
Will echo back the sweetest strain, 
And whence the subtle charm is lent 
To the great master's instrument. 
With anxious care his eye explores 
The rafters broad and well laid floors. 
And in a narrow plank of pine 
He finds the riches of a mine ; 
For deftly carven, smooth and thin. 
Set in a shapely violin, 
In sweet accord its shell will ring 
A clear response to every string. 
So, gaining sweetness evermore, 
'T will charm him with the sounds of yore. 
And make him lord, while life shall last. 
Of all the treasures of the past. 

Roused by that spell, his spirit woke, 
And plain before his sight there stood, 
Surrounded by a spreading wood, 
The new raised frame of jointed oak. 
Behind a murmuring river flowed, 
And sheltered in the low ravine 
Along its grassy banks were seen 



In every clear and sunny spot 

The lodges where the Wyandot 

Had found at last a safe abode. 

But fairer seems the view before 

The spacious mansion's open door. 

The bluff, a few short steps away, 

Looks down upon a tranquil bay, 

Through terraced trees that spread between 

An amphitheatre of green. 

The elm tree waves its drooping plume. 

The dark acacia wastes perfume 

That mingles in the dewy morn 

With fresher fragrance of the thorn ; 

And emerald grass and blossoms sweet 

Reach the still waters at its feet. 

A deep ship-channel skirts the bay 
Southward a furlong stretch away, 
And eastward at the early gun 
The fort's broad standard greets the sun, 
While, loudly pealing, as it floats. 
They hear the mellow bugle notes. 

His fancy sfes the changes wrought 
By age to age in deed and thought, — 
The woodland vanished with the stream. 
Within the bay no waters gleam, 
The verdant slope a level made 
For populous thoroughfares of trade, 
And all things modern in the town. 
But those old timbers scarred and brown. 

So homeward plodding, sad and still, 
His thoughts go wandering at their will. 
Till, murmuring gently as they throng. 
They prompt him to a homely song. 

The Englishmen of Orange 

With promises and bribes 
Are sending out their runners 

To reach the northern tribes. 
And the chiefs of the great Five Nations 

Think fiercely of the day 
When the Frenchmen sacked their strongholds 

And spoiled them of their prey. 
And they long for the beaver meadows 

They won from the Huron braves. 
And the land of deer and bison 

Beyond Lake Erie's waves. 
But they shrink from the rough bushlopere, 

Who heed no forest law, 
And they fear the Lord of Cadillac, 

Who rules at Mackinaw. 

But the Fathers of the Black Robe 

Strove sharply with Lamothe, 
And the greedy horde of traders 

Would bring him fain to nought. 
For he deemed a land well peopled, 

A land of Christian men, 
Was better far than all the spoil 
That ever paid the hunter's toil. 
Or all the beasts that roam the wood, 
Or feed in trackless solitude 

Or lurk in rocky den. 
And he sued before King Louis 

On Erie's pleasant strait 
To plant a town and build a fort. 
Where all the nations might resort, 
And in their children's days might see 
In peace and true prosperity 

The founding of a State. 

His foes were strong and cunning 
While he stood all alone, 



HOUSES AND HOMES. 



;7i 



But he pleaded true and fearless 
Before the monarch's throne ; 

And when his boon was granted, 
lu triumph o'er the sea 

He hasted to lead westward 
His gallant company. 

Down the broad channel swift they flew 

In roomy barge and light canoe, 
And landed at the middle j^ate, 
The narrowest pass of all the strajt 
Where the great Idol met its fate 

Beneath the waters blue. 

The tribes of the northern rivers, 

The tribes of the western plain, 
Came near, and built their wigwams 

Beside the fort domain. 
The warriors of the Mohawk 

No more the path beset 
And the Seneca came suing 

To smoke the calumet. 
While the great king Sastaretsi 

Chief of the Huron clan 
Close by his good French brother 

To raise his fort began. 
He begged Lamothe to teach him 

In all the Frenchman's ways, 
That his children might grow wiser 

And live in peaceful days. 
And so in the coming ages 

Their races should combine. 
And plant their corn and till their land, 
And fight beneath the same command, 
And bow in one cathedral grand 

Before a common shrine. 

Then quick made friendly answer 

The valiant chevalier, — 
The Huron's soul is honest, 

The Huron's eye is clear, 
And gladly will I listen 

To hear in the cabin's gloom 
The humming of the spindle, 

The rattling of the loom. 
No softer fleece is gathered, 

To card, or weave, or spin, 
Than the dusky wool of the bison 

Or the fur of the beaver skin ; 
And the low-voiced Huron women, 

As they sing in an undertone, 
Have fingers strong and supple 

As the maids that spin by the Rhone. 
And in the Huron clearings 

The corn grows tall and green. 
And the mats that deck their wigwam 

Are fit (or a weary queen. 

Lamothe employed his craftsmen 

To build a house of frame. 
Where tall king Sastaretsi 

First lit the chimney flame. 
There oft in peace together 

The white chief and the red 
Were joined in friendly council 

Or broke as friends their bread, 
Till, restless at the malice 

Of knaves, who grudged his place, 
And smiiched his name with slander. 

He won a further grace. 
Then from his western seigneurie 
He homeward sailed across the sea, 



And other chiefs with other thought 
Confounded all the work he wrouj^ht, 
And right was sold, and wrong was bought. 
With treachery bold and base. 

The Hurons left their village. 

And sought the Isle of the Lynn, 
But the house was all too pleasant 

That none should dwell therein ; 
And threescore years were ended, 

And the iily flag was down 
When Pontiac and his allies 

Encamped before the town. 
But safely stood the mansion, 

Unspoiled of boll or bar, 
For the Indians loved St. Martin, 

And the gray hairs of Navarre. 
Sprung from an old and kingly race. 
The glory of his dwelling place 
Carae from his honored children more 
, Than from his ancestry of yore 

Bedecked with cross and star. 

Behind the dormer windows 

That open on the strait 
First cradled were" the Anthons, 

Renowned in church and state. 
The good and wise physician. 

Of all the red men known. 
Had lore of the German forest. 

Of star and mine and stone ; 
And the slender, dark-eyed mother 

That held them on her knees, 
Sang songs of the Spanish border. 

The land of the Pyrenees. 
Who knows what golden threads of thought 
Before the infant memory brouglit. 
In manly eloquence were wrought 

Beneath those waving trees ? 

There on the New Years gathered, 

Within the largest room, 
Around the roaring chimney, 

The household of Macomb. 
Straight sat the keen De Peyster, 

With learning quaint in store. 
But first, at sound of the fiddle, 

To dance on the well-rubbed floor. 
And there were the great fur traders. 

Whose will in the woods wis law. 
With heart of a Highland chieftain, 

And grip of a lion's paw. 
And all were gay together 

With New Year's mirth and glee. 
While the children romped with the elders 

Or teased the grave Pani. 
And little they dreamed, in childish sport. 
Of high command in field and fort, 
And brilliant scenes in hall and court, 

At home and o'er the sea. 

The hale old house had flourished 

A hundred years and ten, — 
Above the fort was floating 

The flag of stars again. 
A brave and honored soldier 

Came up to hold the town,— 
A wise and manly ruler, 

A scholar of renown. 
And here he made his homestead 

And lived in quiet state, 



;72 



HOUSES AND HOMES. 



Before the wanderini; emigrants 

Began to crowd the strait. 
Along the sloping banii side, 

In front of Itis open door, 
The tents of the forest chieftains 

Are mustered as of yore. 
And painted warriors, as they pass, 
Or smoke in groups upon the grass, 
Smile grim applause when stately Cass 

I\Ioves downward to the shore. 

The spreading town has shouldered 

The useless fort away. 
The grasping hands of Commerce 

Are closing on the bay. 
The garden and the orchard 

No ripened fruit retain. 
And idlers cross the wheat-fields 

And trample down the grain. 
Alas for the brave old mansion ! 

Alas for its ancient fame ! 
Old things make room for the present 

As ashes follow the flame. 
But all of the massy timbers 

Are sound and stiff and strong. 
And In their seasoned fibre lies 
A store of precious memories, 
That, wakened by the sounding bow. 
May murmur music sweet and low. 

Or quiver into song. 



The old Moral! House, built about 
I73'4, was still standing in 1S83, on 
W'oodbridge Street, between St. 
Antoine and Hastings Streets. The 
Lafferty House was on the river, between what are 
now Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets. The main 
portion of this building was erected in 1747; an 
addition was built in 181 5. The house was burned 
or demolished in 1861. 



In 1807 Governor Hull built a brick residence fifty feet square, 
on the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph 
Street. It was the first brick house in the town, and, up to 





The Old Mokan House. 



After the fire of 1805 the first house built inside 
the limits of the old stockade was owned by Peter 
Audrain. It was on the north side of Jefferson 
Avenue, just below the Michigan Exchange. 



The Old Lafferty House. 

about 1S20, the only one. In the fall of 1813 
General Harrison occupied it as headquarters, but 
during the sickness in the army in the latter part 
of 18 1 3 and early in 1814 the officers' quarters 
vi'ere removed to the Cass House, and the Hull 
House became the general hospital; later 
on it again became the officers' quar- 
ters. It was used by General Macomb, 
and was subsequently occupied by Will- 
iam Woodbridge while secretary of the 
Territory, and then by Major John Bid- 
die, brother of Nicholas Biddle, of United 
States Bank fame. In 1823, when Mr. 
Biddle became United States Register, 
he used it for the Land Office. About 
1830 an addition, extending to the avenue, 
was built on the west side. This was 
occupied by Z. Chandler as a dry goods 
store. In June, 1 834, Mrs. Snelling, widow 
of Colonel Snelling, of the United States 
.•\rmy, leased it for a boarding house. 
It subsequently became the American 
House. 

The Campau House, torn down in 
March, 1880, was on the south side of 
Jefferson .Avenue, midway between Griswold and 
Shelby Streets, and is said to have occupied the 
site of the original headquarters of Cadillac. It 
was erected in 181-;, on an old stone foundation, 



HOUSES AND HOMES. 



for Joseph Campnii, by Ignace Moross, at a cost poses. Fifty-one buildings had been erected the 
of abont Ji6,ooo. It was one of the most ancient, previous year. Up to this time the houses were 
and .-It the time of its destruction the best preserved built almost exclusively of hewn logs, many of them 







Residence of ('."\ . Wm. Wuodbkiuge, t>.\ W.h»ihh<id{;e Sticeet. (Torn duwn in 1873.), 



of any of the French houses of the olden time. boarded on the outside. The roofs were very steep, 

The engraving of it is from a painting by Mr. coming within a few feet of the ground. From one 

Cohen in 1853. to three dormer windows were inserted, and fre- 

In 1813 there were about one hundred houses in quently the edges of the roof were notched ani] 

painted red. The shingles were of white cedar, and 
often covered not only the roof but the sides of the 
house. 

Some houses were coated both outside and inside. 




■L I 
\ ■ 



IP" 






ja| 










ill ajs 



Gov. Hull's Residenxe. 



The Camtau Holse. 



Detroit. In June, icSig, an ofTicial count showed with plaster laid over cedar lath split so unevenly 
one hundred antl forty-two dwellinc^s, and one bun- that the plaster varied frf)m half an inch to several 
tired and thirty-one buildings used for other pur- inches in thickness. Some of the older houses were 



;74 



HOUSES ANU HOMES. 



lined with birch bark, and mention is made, in one 
old trader's book, of deerskins sold for house 
linings. The outer front door was divided crosswise 
in the middle. The upper part might thus be open 
while the lower half was closed. If the door was 
painted a bri;,'ht green, it was an evidence of the 
taste and wealth of the householder. Each part of 
the door liad its own fastening, and locks nearly a 
foot square ; and knockers that would " knock up " a 
neighborhood were a part of the appurtenances. 
Door-bells and gongs are of comparatively recent 
introduction. Tight board shutters were provided 
for all the windows. The glass in the windows was 
of the smallest size, and, in many cases, so thor- 




KokMEK ReSIUKNCE OF T. H. HlNCHMAN. ONE OF 1 HE EAKLIESI' OOTHIC 

Houses in the Citv. 
117 Fort Street West.. Built in 184S, removed ia 1868. 



oughly patched up that half the light was excluded. 
All of the nails used were made by hand, and as 
wood was plentiful, the beams and rafters were 
large enough to do duty in any building of the 
present day. As a matter of course, a large chim- 
ney of stone occupied the center of the house. The 
inside furnishing was simple in the extreme. Car- 
pets were almost unknown ; Indian mats on yellow 
floors often supplied their place, and sometimes the 
floor was sanded. Here and there were a few rush 
or wooden chairs ; a plain deal table stood at one 
side, and a dresser on the other, on which Queen's 
ware and shining pewter were displayed. In the 
bedroom was a wooden chest, and a high-post 
bedstead, with wood enough in it, if used for that 



purpose, to make many a blazing fire. On the wall 
a crucilix hung ; and in winter, spread in front of the 
bed, a bear or deer skin, dressed with the fur on, 
was deemed an essential. 

About the year 1828 the city began to grow more 
rapidly, but the number of houses erected barely 
kept pace witli tlie demand, and almost any sort of 
a dwelling commanded a high rent. 

In 1853 there was a total of 4,685 buildings, of 
which 601 were of brick, 7 of stone, and 4,077 of 
wood. The number of houses in the city in 
1853, and their location, is indicated in the fac- 
simile of the Henry Hart ]Map, published in that 
year. In i860 there were 8.243 dwelling houses; 
in 1S74 there were 4,046 brick, 
and 16,255 wooden buildings, 
valued at about §22,000,000. 
Since 1877, under the regulation 
which provides that the fire 
marshal shall inspect all new 
buildings or additions, an ac- 
count has been kept of the value 
of the buildings erected each year,, 
and, making allowance for the 
fact that the cost of a building 
almost invariably exceeds the 
original estimate, it appears that 
in 1878 fully $1,000,000 was ex- 
pended for new buildings, and 
an average of nearly $2,000,000 
per year has been invested in 
buildings since that date. In 
1 882 there were 28,345 buildings 
assessed for ta.xes, and 1.310 
new buildings erected. 

The first building moved in 
Detroit was the old church of 
the I'irst Protestant Society. 
The work was accomplished by 
a man who came for the pur- 
pose from Buffalo, bringing his 
rollers with him. Another re- 
moval of note occurred in 1862, when the brick 
house just east of the residence of James F. Joy, 
on the corner of Fort and First Streets, was 
moved a distance of sixteen feet, — a family living 
in and occupying it while the work was in progress. 
This was the first time such a feat was performed 
in Detroit. The Van Dyke residence, built in 1836 
by F. H. Stevens, is said to have been built with the 
first pressed brick made in the United States. 

The first gravel roof was laid in 1848 on a small 
addition to store No. 1 1 5 Woodward Avenue. 
Slate roofs were first used about 1853, one being 
then placed on the Newberry Warehouse at foot of 
Wayne Street. Ten years later they were common. 
The first row of brick dwellings under one roof was 



e ■_« J w ^Ji^'-S^^ 




Fac-simile or Map op 1S53, showing Location of all Buildings then in the City. 

l37Sl 



3/6 



HOUSES AND HOMES. 



erected by I>. Wight in 1853 on the north side of 
Jefferson Avenue, between Russell and Riopelle 
Streets. Bay windows were introduced in i860. 




The James Abbott Residence. 

Southeast corin-r of Grisvvold and Fort Street. 

Erected in 1835. Torn down in 18S1. 



beds, and the grounds of hundreds of citizens give 
ample evidence that there is no iacic of a-sthetic 
taste. Many of the houses liave neat and well-kept 
lawns, and the introduction of lawn mowers in 
1 868, and their general use since 1870, afford facili- 
ties for keeping lawns in order that yearly increases 
their number. Few, if any, cities have so large an 
area in proportion to population, or furnish so much 
dwelling room to their inhabitants. The United 
States census of 18S0 shows that Detroit has a 
greater number of dwellings in proportion to its 
population than any one of one hundred of the 
largest cities in the United States. The average 
number of persons to each house is only 5.68. 

Where dwellings are rented the lease usually 
expires on the first of May. The rent of dwellings 
varies from fi\-e dollars to two hundred dollars 
per month ; an ax'erage dwelling in a good loca- 
tion can be had at from twenty dollars to fifty 
dollars per month. 

Most of the houses, however, are owned by their 
occupants, and the numerous engravings contained 
herein give ample evidence of beauty and variety 
of architectural style. The date of erection, given 



With the introduction of street 
cars in 1 863, the suburbs of the 
city began to build up rapidly 
and all property on the outskirts 
greatly increased in value. At 
the same time, in part owing to 
the wealth accumulated during 
the war, new departures in archi- 
tecture were constantly inaugur- 
ated, and now every year marks 
an increase of elaboration in both 
stores and residences, and the 
streets grow increa.singly attrac- 
tive. Mansard roofs were intro- 
duced in 1870. No street or 
avenue has a monopoly of fine 
residences. In every ward there 
are many elegant houses. In- 
deed, the city is noted for the 
unusual number of tasteful and 
elaborate homes it contains, and 
Detroit has probably several 
times the number of desirable 
residence streets of any city of 
its size. The exceptionally num- 
erous and thrifty shade-trees 
are the pride of its citizens and 
the admiration of visitors ; so 
numerous are they that from the top of the City 
Hall tower there seem to be as many trees as houses. 
The soil is well adapted for lawns and flower- 




Tjlk Joii.N P.VLMHK lIOMliSi liAD. 

Nortlieast corner of Griswold and Fort Streets. 
Built in 1829. Removed in i86g. 



in connection with each building, is of interest as 
showing the growth of the city and changes in 
styles of architecture. 



RKSIDENCF.S. 



zn 




The John Farrak Residence, 
Northwest corner of Farrar and Eates Streets. F.uilt in 1816. 




Ihk Ji>h\ Fakmer PKOrEKTV, in 1859, 
South side of farmer Street, between Monroe Avenue and Bates Street. 




Residence of Gf.n. Lewis Cass, 

Northwest corner of Fort and Cass Streets. Built about 1S40. Removed ; 



1876. 



378 



RESIDENCES. 




The Duffiei.d Homestead, 

Residence of Rev, Geo. Duffield, D. D,, northeast corner of Woodward Ave, and High Street. 
Erected in 1S46. Torn down in 1S83. 




The Brush Homestead, in 1850, 

Between Randolph, Brush, Lafayette and Croghan Streets. 
Looking north from Lafayette Street, 



RESIDENCES. 




Southeast corner of Farmer and Bales Streets. Built in 1837. Removed in 1883. 



38o 



RESIDENCES. 















Kksi[>en( E OF Mk-s, James A. Van Dvke, 30S Jefferson Ave. lUiitt in 1836-72. 




Residence ov Fkanlis Palms, 357 Jetfcrson Ave. Buiii m io4i>. 



RESIDENCES. 



?8l 




Residence ui James Flaiiekv, 3S4 Jefferson Ave. liuiit in 187^ 




llilill jiH III qjfaii " ^"igiiBgg 



Rbsidhn-ce or R. H. Hall, 406 Jefferson Ave. Built in 1855. 



382 



RESIDENCES. 




KKblJJbN^Ii Ul- K. l;. WiGHl, 41s Jcftcl^uii A\c. IniiU HI 1S40-75. 




Residence or A. H. Dev, 425 JetTcison Ave. Btiilt in 1S62. 



RESIDENCES. 



383 







Residence of A. C. McGk.mv, 460 Jefferson Ave. Built in 1852. 







Residence of A. E. Bkish, 462 Jefferson Ave. Built in 1828-70. 



386 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of W. G. Thomi-son, 47S Jefftrson Ave. Built in 1876. 




Kksiukncf of H, k. Nku riEKic\', 4H1 i(.-Ht.TSiui Ave. Built in iS 



RESIDENCES. 



587 




Residen'Ce of Thomas FtiKGUSON, 521 Jefferson Ave. Built in 1853-83. 




Residence of S. D. Millbk, 524 Jefferson Ave. Built in 18 



;88 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of thh lATii Roberi P. ^^)^ts, 526 Jefferson A\e. Built in 1876. 




*^6^^ 



Iv^MDlMl It Mlc--. H. R. r.i-:NsiiN, 5*^7 Jefferson Ave. lUiilt in i86t>. 



RESIDENCES. 



389 




The Thumas Pal.mek Homesieau, 650 Jefferson Ave. Built in 1848. 




Kesidencr op W, K. AIuik, 055 Jefferson Ave. Uuiit in 1879, 



39° 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of Chatncy Hurlhut, 661 Jefferson Ave. Piiilt in 1856. 




Residence of Geukce McMillan, 740 Jt-tk-rsun Ave. r.uili in 1S70. 



RESIDENCES. 



391 




Residence of the late Hugh Moffat, 750 Jefferson Ave. Built in 1861. 




Residence of George S. Davis, 760 Jefferson Ave. Buili in 1852. 



39^ 



RESIDENCES. 




Resujenle of S. B. Grimmond, 8io Jefferson Ave, 




Kl-,;-llJl:,.-.i.i:, k-'l .Ml.--, (.H.\K[i.^ 1' 



o ;4 JlIIlTsuh A\<.. lUlllt HI iSUy. 



RESIDENCES. 



393 




Residen-ce of S. D. Elwood, south side of Jefferson Ave., Hamtramck. Built in 1870. 




Residence of W. B. Wesson, south side of Jefferson Ave., Hamtramck, Built in 1838-5B-64. 



394 



RESIDENCES. 




Rk^ideni. !■: mf I. ( Ik-kknslade, 126 -M(.L>ou,i,'all Ave Hiiilt in 1S76. 




Residence uk J. MienELs, 182 McDou^all Avt. Liuli 111 107^. 



RESIDENCES. 



395 




Residence of C. I. WALKEh-, 30 Fort St. West. Built in 1833-69. 




REsinENLE OP Joii.v OwK.v, 6i Fort St. West. Built in 1873. 



596 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of G. V. N. Lothkof-, 94 Fort St. West. Built in 1860-82. 




Remdence Ol- Charles Kiiui, 134 Fort St. WV-st. Built in 1848- 



598 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of James ¥. Joy, 140 Fort St. West. Built in 1845-62-82. 




Residence ui- Mks. Zach-vki.\h Chandlek, 174 Fori St. W'tst. IJuili in 1S5S. 




Residence cik H. A. Newland, 177 Fort St. West. Built in 1845. 




Residknxe of Caleb Van Husan, 

165 Fort St. West. 

Built in 1872. 



Residences of Charles Bi:nchek and Alfred Chesebrough, 
169 Fort St. West. 171 Fort St. West. 

Built in 1856. 



400 



RESIDENCES. 







rja^n,. ]^ t™ 








,A«/M]C 



y>«»ruL i.l-» "Y. 



Residence of Allan Shelden, 196 Fort St. West. Built in 1S75. 




I'uK.MEK Rl-SJL'ENCE ot (i. S. I l.os I , .s> Hit Iiw l^i <.nrncrtif Furl and 'Jhird Sts. I'.uilt in 1845-69. 



RESIDENCES. 



401 




Resjdence of Kenjamin-Vernor, 222 Fort St. West. Built in 1851 




RESiijii.NcE ot Do.\ M. DjLui.\.su.\-, jji Fort St. West. Built in 1867-75, 



402 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of Mrs. N. W. Brooks, 233 Fort Si. West. Built in 1865. 




The De G.\kmo Jones Resiu^nxe, Fort St., between Fourth and Fifth Sts. 
Built in 1851 ; moved forward in 1882. 



RESIDENCES. 



403 




Residence of Alexander Di-lano. 264 Fort St., corner of Fifth St. Built in 1858. 




KiisiuENxE OK Mrs. 1 . K, Aeuiott, 297 F<.rt Si. West. Hiiilt in 1856. 



404 



RESIDENCES. 




Kesidknce of J. p. PuiLT.iis, 301 Foft St. West, linilt in 1874. 




KE,sIDf:.\tIi Ut ClEMKNT LaULKI^, ^6^ Vull hi. ^\'^;^t. Uuilt ill lb;6. 



RESIDENCES. 



405 




Residence of Emily Wakd, 807 Fort St. West, Built in 




KB6IDENCE OF Henkv Heames, 8y6 Fort St. West. Built in 1874. 



4o6 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of Edwin Reeder, Indian Avt., near Fort St. Built in 1875. 




Kf-ii'i-.N^ 1- -.'t W. I.- L...twi. iiuiliiU'.sl ._.>iiii.i- wl Iwji M. .uui Viii<.wuud Ave. l:uilt in 1071 



4o8 



RESIDENCES. 




Rksiuhinch iih Ua.nii^i SciaTRN, Viiiewoud Ave., near Furl .St. Btiilt in 1856. 




Ki-.^iijiiNCfc uF LJilla Hlbbakd, Viiitwood Ave., near Fort St. Built in 1850. 



RESIDENCES. 



409 




Remdenlk uf C. H. IJciiL, 63 Lafaycitt Ave. Built in 1S54-82. 




Kesidknce and (Jkfice or Wm. Uuodie. iM. D., (^ Lafayette Ave., corner of Wayne St. liuilt in 1870. 



4IO 



RESIDENCES. 




Resihence of M. S. Smith, 120 Lafayette Ave. IJuilt in 1872. 




Residence ok T. D. liim . 143 Lafayette Ave. Built in 1869. 



RESIDENXES. 



411 




Kesidench ov George W. IIissell. 144 LaUytttt Ave. Built in 1055. 




KEblDtNLt uh £. V. 6\Mfi, 1^4 Laiayctlc Ave. built in 1677. 



412 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of W. A. Butler, 185 Lafayette Ave. Built in 1875. 



^/yy-y^ - - 



N\^^^ 



I 




Resiuench of W. H. Ttr-FT, 210 LafayciLc Ave. Built in 1S74. 



RESIDENCES. 



413 




Former Residence of Alfred R[ ssell, 220 Lafayette Ave. Built in 1853. 




KkMi>I-.,\t.U Ol- CititiUiil. C LA.'.wlyt*;., 40O i..lUk>LlU Ave. Iluilv 111 105' 



414 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of D, M. Richakusqn, 409 Lafayette Ave. Built in 1868. 








7 1 



'"-•j»f ;3pj^^»> 



!«•• _ilI|X!iiH::iJi-^ 



Residence of CiEOrge H. Hammond, 105 Howard St. Built in 1S76. 



RESIDENCES. 



415 




Residence of Neii. Fi.atierv, 21 Washington Ave, Built in 1859. 




ktslDENur. 01 ku.in Rkv. t. U. llom.i>N, ;i \Vjsiiin.i;ton Ave. I'.iiiil in 157,1 7''^- 



4i6 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of J. W. Watekman, 50 Washington Ave. Euilt in 18 




Rei-hji^nle or RoriERT McMiu.w. 77 \\';'.shinyi"n Ave. lUiili in 1S50-79. 



RESIDENCES. 



417 




REMUENtK ,.i. ]HE LAI h M . I. Miii.^-, ;., Wasliin j:tf.n Ave. T.uih in iS 




Residknce of J.iHN MoDKE, 93 Washington ;U'C. Uuilt in 1873. 



411 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of the late Ex-Goveknor John J. Baglev, 
Corner Washington Ave. and Park St. Built in 1869. 




Residence of the late S. F. Hodge, 168 Henry St. lUiili in iS6q. 



RESIDENCES. 



419 




Residence of Dav[d Preston, 43 Hagg St. Built in i860. 




Resiuknck of J. S. VtKNuk, 164 HagK Si. T-uilt in 



420 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of E. W. Voic, northeast corner of Second Ave. and Ledyard St. Huilding in 18S4. 




Rksidexce or J. B. Wavne. 477 Second A^c., cor 



n.r ol llaffs M. I'.iiU 111 1071. 



RESIDENCES. 



421 




Residence of J. A. Rovs, 305 Cass Ave. Huilt in 1865-72. 




Kbsidbnce of Ai.anson Shelkv, 37 Slimson Place. Built in 1874. 



422 



RESIDENCES. 




Kesidenli-: dI' David Wakh, 459 Cass Ave. Built in 1864-80. 




KhMUh.,M>h. i_>l' G. U. K" 



Ca?? A\L, Liiiiil 111 liijo. 



RESIDENCES. 



423 




KEsiDENCli i)K (). W. Smr.MAN, 439 Cass Ave. Built in 1^77. 




KEblutNLE iji' I- . li. Un_Kfc.K>D.s, uwiUic.ial i-uiiKT of Sutuiid aiicl AlcxaiiUi iiic Avub. Uuill in 1883. 



424 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of J. <",. Dickinson, 40 Canfield Ave. Built in 1883. 




Resiuence of Willt.vm CouiE. 11-- CiiilitlJ .\vc. l;iiilt 111 1S75. 



KKSIDENCES. 



425 




Resioence of Euwaku fJi kk, 3t (iaiiield Ave. Huilt in 1884. 




kKsruENtE OF J. t. ;>CKiii's, jijS Trumbull Ave. Built in 1879. 



426 



RESIDENCES. 




Khsidkncr \ni> IU"ii.UIN(".s Ml- H. A. I.kKm-,, 271 W.^iiluard Ave. BuiU in 1S40. 




RESiDENCE OF E. S. Heinkman, 428 Woodwaid A\c. Built in 1859. 



RESIDENCES. 



427 




KF^.nFvrH „F M,„. I.. K. jip,,,.. ,.,. 1^^ Woodward Ave. Built in 1861. 




Residence uk C. J. Whmnev, 437 Woodward Ave Uuill in i3 



RESIDENX'ES. 




Residence of Da\'id Whiinev, Jr., 443 Woodward Ave. lluilt in 1S70. 




Residence of Juhn Pkidgeon, 456 Woodward A\c. Built in 1868. 



RESIDENCES. 



429 




Residence of J. S. Faijkanu, 457 Woodward Ave. Built in 1854. 




RssmBNCB OF Sami-el Heavenhich, 46a Woodward Ave. liuilt in 1874. 



43° 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence op Mrs. Helkn S. Frue, 481 Woodward Ave. Built in 1870-83. 




FAtc-T»Af'y^^.>-a 



Residence of R. \V. Ring, 4u;, Woodward Ave. Built in 1867. 



RESIDENCES. 



431 




Residence of \V. C. Williams, 500 Woodward Ave. Built in 1866. 




Residenxe of Phii.o Parsons, 530 Woodward Ave. Built in 1876. 



432 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of K. W. Haves, 608 Woodward Ave. Built in 1870. 




Rr-bii-iENCE or W. W. Legoett, 645 \V(>nd\\ard Ave. IJiiilt in iS 



RESIDENCES. 



433 




Residence iij- John llAbiLLioN, 65^ Wuodwanl Ave. Built in 1672. 




Residence oi- J. L. Kusun, 654 Woodward Ave, Built in 186S. 



434 



RESIDENCES. 




3\flt^ eBT'-Q.H^--^:^-^ ^ ^ 



Residence of Josei'H Black, 665 Woodward Ave. Built in 18 




Residencf or A. (i. Limjsav, 8S1 Woodward Ave. Huilt i 



RESIDENCES. 



435 




Kk^-ilirNi. K .11 K. H. Mfk. )2:; \\'uu(iu;ir(l Ave, Built in iti;') 




Khsidknck »)!■ li. F. FaKKINGIon, 1^40 XWi.nlu^irti Ave. iiuiit ill !«;;>. 



RESIDENCES. 



437 




Former Residence of C. D. Fari.in, 1005 Woodward Ave. Built in 1872 ; removtd in 1883. 




Rt.»u>iiS..K <jt GtuRoE F. MuCjKE, i&io Woodward Ave. Built in 



438 



RESIDENCES. 







a^^^^^-^^^y^miiiiiiiiiiiii?^' 



Residence of John IU'kt, 1073 W(jodward Ave. Built in 




KKsirjKNCE OF Wells IUki, 1077 Wundward Anc Hiiilt id iSSj. 



RESIDENCES. 



439 




Khsii-knce oi-" \\M- H. ^iKVi,N-;, 1025 Wm.dwarcl Ave. limit in 1^75. 




Kesiuhnce ui' W.M. A. iMuOKii, 1015 W'uudwiird A\c. , liuilL in 1870. 




Residence of Mrs. C. W. Eaton, 1055 Woodward Ave. Built in 1872. 




Kksiubnce of L. L. Farnsworth, 1050 Woodward Ave. liuilt in 1^76. 



442 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of C. A. Newco.mb, 1085 Woodward Ave. Htiik in 1S74. 




Residence ok C. C. F-owen, 1095 W'oudward Ave. Built in 1S72. 



RESIDENCES. 



443 




Residen'ce of Wm. Boei\-(;, hoi Woodward Ave. Built in 1875. 




KtblDENcb ut- C. K. MAtiLtv, 1105 Wuudward Avt. Built in iB7Vb3- 



444 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of Charle%Endicott, ii6i Woodward Ave. liuik in 1871. 




Residence uf \V. J. W'atekman, 33 Adams Ave. Kast. Built in 1865. 



RESIDENCES. 



445 




Residence of G. S. Worivier, 55 High St. East. Built in 1854-77. 




Residence of H. K. Whjte, 37 High St. East. Built in 1868-78. 



446 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence uf A. H. Wilkinson, hi High St. Wtit. P.uilt in 1865. 




Residence of JD. M. Fekkv, 31 Winder St. Built in 1869. 



RESIDENCES. 



44/ 




Residence of Simon Heavenrich, 43 Winder St. Built in 1875 




Residence of George C. Coud, 26 Adelaide St. Built in 1874. 



448 



RESIDENCES. 




RHsiDiiNtii oi- G. M. TuAVEU, 95 Adelaide St. Built in i8n8. 




Residence of Emsha Ta^i.oi;, 25 Alfred St. Built in 1872. 



RESIDENCES. 



449 




ki:bn>i:NLE or A. K. h. W'hhe, 6i Alfred St. Kuilt in 1872 




Residence i>h James V. CAMiitiiLi,, yi Altrcii St. liuili m 1677. 




Kii-siiJENci-. ui. UEuKi.t JbuuME, 85 Alfred St. Built in 1877. 



RESIDENCES. 



451 




Resiuence of G. S. Frost, S6 Edmund Place Built in 18S1. 




KbMUKNcK uh C W. NuuLb, 66 EUintutd I'lacc. Built iu 1S73. 



452 



RESIDENCES. 



iiiiiii 
iiiiiii 
iliiii 



(III 

lilt 

nil II 

llllll 
II jl I 

llllllll 
IIIIIII 



llllll 

IIIIIII 
IIIIIII 

INI 
IIIIIII 
IIIIIII 
IIIIIII 

mil 
llllll 
llllltl 
iliilli 
IIIIIII 
iiiiiii 
mil 




riKii 
iiiiii 
jiiiii 
iiiiii 
jiiiii 

iiiiii 

iiiiii 
iiiiii 
iiiiii 



Residence of the late Henry P. Bridge, 116 Congress St. East. Built in 1848. 




1 u 1 1 n m i ] 



■iJliill 




•^^■^:^^^Jis}- 






' \ftfi;Tj.£w-rt?^ /v- >•■ 



FoRMKR KrslDENCK OF W.M. ANl) Wal'IKk S. Haicsim. I T3 I .ariu'd St. West. Huill in 1845 



456 



RESIDENCES. 




Residence of J. I. David, Grusse Isle. Built in 1873. 




Rii^siDENCE ".iF THE LATt Ed^vakd l.YON, Grosse Islc. Huilt in 1865-77. 



STORES AND BUSINESS BUILDINGS. 



457 



STORES AND BUSINESS BUILDINGS. 

In olden times, much more than now, the corners 

of business streets were designated by the names of 
the owners or occupants of the buildings thereon. 
The southwest corner of Woodward and Jefferson 
Avenues was 
called Curry's 
Corner, and is 
so designated in 
the Act of In- 
corporation of 
1806. Years af- 
terward it was 
known as Hal- 
lock 's Corner. 
The first busi- 
ness place built 
of brick was a 
small, square, 
one-story build- 
ing on the north- 
west corner of 
Jefferson Ave- 
nue and Ran- 
dolph Street, 




YA T E S 

craiNc 



felPirfiltii 



SC"0.TCH STORE 










The S.makt Block, i-kesent site of Wekkill Block. 



in 1820 by Thomas Palmer. It was on the south- 
east corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold 
Street. The second vias built in 1821 by Peter 
Desnoyers, near the northwest corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Bates Street. Smart's Block, on the 

northeast corner 
of Jefferson and 
Woodward Ave- 
nues, was erected 
in 1822, and was 
deemed at the 
time a very sub- 
stantial and even 
elegant business 
building. It was 
torn down in 1857 
to make room for 
the Merrill Block. 
The property on 
the southeast cor- 
ner of Jefferson 
and Woodward 
Avenues was 
known as King's 
Corner ; it was 





View of the north side of Jefferson .Avenue and Grlswold Street in 1837. 
From an original sketch by Wm. A. Raymond. 



erected in 1806 for the Bank of Michigan; the 
ne.xt was the Government Warehouse at the foot 
of Wayne Street. The first brick store was built 



occupied until a few years ago by J. L. King as a 
clothing store. The building was commenced in 
May, 1832, and finished in the winter of 1833. 



458 



STORES AND BUSINESS BUILDINGS. 



In the f:ill of 1857 an additional story was added the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Bates 
and other improvements made. Almost as soon Street. It was built for John R. Williams in 1833 
as the store was built the basement was occupied and torn down in 1881. Large plate-glass store 









Northwest corner of Wuodwakd Avenue and Lakned Street in 1S62. 

for restaurant purposes, and has continued to be so windows were first introduced by George Doty, 

used ever since. This fact gave rise to a conundrum The following, from the Daily Advertiser of Sep- 

vvhich obtained the prize at a minstrel show many tember 19, 1849, gives interesting details concerning 

years ago. The question was, Why is a man's this window : 




The .Abbott Block in 1845. 
Woodward Avenue, between Woodbridge and Atwater Streets. 



nose like King's clothing store ? A >!s-nvr.— Because ^"°"' w•^^™w..-THE Largest Class vet. 

there is an eating establishment below. . George Doty, jeweler, has ptn-chased, and is fitting up the build- 

'^ mg on the west end of the Daily Advertiser block, m a style 

The tirst four-story brick building was located on superior to anythinj^ in the Western States. His show windows 



STORES AND BUSINESS BUILDINGS. 



459 



will be a curiosity. Tlie main glass in each of them is imported 
French plate^ 5 by 7 feet in size, and cost $300. We believe these 
are the largest glass west of New York City, not excepting the 
large, fine ones in Cincinnati. 

The last years have witnessed many changes 



the finer commercial structures in various lo- 
calities are the P'erry, Palms, Moffat, Godfrey, 
Schmidt, Newberry & McMillan, Campau, Wil- 
liams, Buhl, Chandler, and Wesson buildings. 
There are, besides, a great number of costly 



L^^J^.t' 




&™: .1: jl I !| \i§ ■ 1 1| 

ifp-'i^a^^ ^:M ^ « s if ^ ™ 








ROTi-NDA Curding. 
Southeast corner Griswold and Larned Streets. Torn down 1S79. 



and improvements in the construction of stores and 
business blocks. Nearly all the newer buildings 
are now provided with pktte-glass fronts, and cut 
stone and orna- 
mental iron -work 
are freely used. 
The upper stories of 
many large blocks 
are fitted up for 
offices. On Gris- 
wold Street, for 
nearly its whole 
length, the buildings 
are thus arranged. 
The first building 
erected especially 
with a view of fur- 
nishing office ac- 
commodations was 
the Rotunda, on 
Griswold Street. It 
was built in 1852. 
In .\ugust, 1S79, it 
was torn down to 
make way for the 
Newberry & Mc- 
Millan Building. Mo.st of the banking, insur- 
an(;e, real estate, and legal business is done on 
Griswold Street, making it the financial center of 
the city, — the Wall Street of Detroit. Among 




View of S. W. corner of Griswold and Larned Streets in 1870. 



and ornamental stores, many of them provided 
with elevators, operated by steam or hydraulic 
power. The Moffat Building was the first which 

had an elevator. 

Rents of stores 
and offices are as 
varied as the styles 
and locations of the 
buildings, and range 
from Sio to S400 
per month. An 
average store in a 
desirable location 
commands from 
$800 to §2,000 per 
year, while others 
bring$3,ooo, $4,000, 
and even more. 
The former names 
of the older blocks 
and buildings are 
unknown to many 
of our citizens, 
and for purposes ' 
of reference a list 
of the more im- 
portant old and new buildings, with their loca- 
tion and date of erection, is appended. Those 
marked with a star are no longer known by the 
name given : 



i/i.. ^- 



460 



STORES AND BUSINESS BUILDINGS. 



Arcade, n. s. Lamed near Shelby. 1S67. 

Abbott, w. s. Woodward Ave., bet. Atwater and 

Woodbridge, 1851. 
Bank, s. \v. cor. Congress and (iri.s\vold. 1868. 
Burns, e. .s. Griswold, bet. Earned and Congress, 

1874. 
Bateson, s. s. Michigan Ave., bet. Cass and First, 

1869. 
Bagley, s. w. cor. Bates and Woodbridge, 1876. 
Butler, e. s. Griswold, bet. Earned and Congress, 

i860. 
Bartholomew, s. s. Michigan Ave., bet. Fourth and 

Fifth, 1S65. 
Baldwin, w. s. Woodward Ave., bet. State and Mich- 
igan Ave, 1 87 1. 
Barns, w. s. Woodward Ave., cor. Grand River Ave., 

1868. 
Bressler, s. s. Michigan Ave., bet. Griswold and 

Shelby, 1S60. 
Coyl, e. s. Woodward Ave., facing Campus Martius, 

i860. 
Colburn, n. s. Congress, near Bates, 1879. 
Conant, s. s. Jefferson Ave., near Griswold, 1S52. 
Chandler, s. s. Jefferson Ave., bet. Griswold and 

Woodward Ave., 1879. 
Cranage, s. e. cor. Shelby and Lafayette Ave., 

1878. 
Canfield, n. s. Michigan Ave., bet. Third and Fourth. 

i866. 
Crane, n. s. Grand River Ave., bet. Adams Ave. and 

Elizabeth W., 1861. 
Campau, s. w. cor. Griswold and Earned, 1883. 
Cleland, s. s. .State, near Griswold, 18S1. 
Desnoyers, n. w. cor. Jefferson Ave. and Bates, 1 834. 
Darling, n. w. cor. Griswold and Congress, 1855. 

1876. 
Ferry, e. s. Woodward Ave., bet. State and tirand 

River Ave., 1880. 
Fisher, w. s. Woodward Ave., facing Campus Mar- 
tius, 1S60. 
Godfrey, w. s. Woodward Ave., bet. State and 

Grand River Ave., i860, 1871. 
Hough, n. w. cur. Griswold and Congress, 1S76. 
Hall, n. w. cor. Michigan Avenue and Griswold, 

1S77. 
Hopson, n. e. cor. Randolpli and Gratiot, 1850. 
Hodges, w. s. \Voodward A\'e., near Grand River 

Ave., 1877. 
Hawley, n. w. cor. IJates and Woodbridge, 1S5S. 
Hilsendegen, s. s. Alonroe Ave., bet. Farrar and 

Randolph, 1S78. 
*Johnson. e. s. Monroe Ave., bet. Michigan Ave. 

and Farmer, 1S52. 



Lewis, e. s. Griswold, bet. Earned and Congress, 

1874. 
Merrill, n. e. cor. [efferson and Woodward Aves,, 

1859. 
Mechanics', s. w. cor. Griswold and Lafayette, 1875. 
Mather, e. s. Woodward Ave., bet. John R. and 

Williams, 1868. 
Moffat, s. w. cor. Fort and Griswold, 1871. 
Newberry & McMillan, e. s. Griswold, bet. Jefferson 

and Earned, 1879. 
*PhQeni.x, s. s. Jefferson Ave., bet. Griswold and 

Woodward Ave., 1843. 
Breston, s. s. Grand River Ave., cor. Griswold, 1868. 
Palms, s. e. cor. Jefferson Ave. and Bates, 1883. 
Parlcer, s. w. cor. Woodward Ave. and State. 1883. 
*Rotunda, s. e. cor. Griswold and Earned, 1852. 
Rentz, n. s. Grand River Ave., bet. Fifth and Si.xth, 

1870. 
Reed, n. s. Grand River Ave., near Third. 1863, 

1S74. 
Standish, s. s. Congress, near Bates, 1S50, 1861. 
Seitz, n. s. Griswold, near Congress, and on Con- 
gress, i860, 1870. 

* Smart, n. e. cor. Jefferson and Woodward Aves., 

l832. 

Stimson, s. w. cor. Shelby and Woodbridge, 1868. 
Sheley, e. s. Woodward Ave., near Gratiot, 1854, 

1871. 
Scott, w. s. Woodward Ave., near Campus Martius, 

18S1, 

* Strong, n. w. cor. Jefferson Ave. and Shelby, 1836. 
Schmidt, w. s. Monroe Ave., near Farmer, 1S72. 
Telegraph, s. e. cor. Griswold and Congress, 1872. 

* Union, s. s. Jefferson Ave., bet. Cass and First, 

1849. 

* Waterman, s. e. cor. Woodward Ave. and Earned, 

1854. 
♦Williams (Old), s. e. cor. Jefferson Ave., and Bates, 

1833- 
Williams (New), cor. Michigan and Monroe Aves., 

1873- 
Willis (formerly Sheldon), n. s. Jefferson Ave., bet. 

Congress and Shelby, 1838. 
Walker, s. e. cor. Woodward Ave. and Woodbridge, 

1852. 
Wesson, n. w. cor. Woodward Ave. and State, 1880. 

The old block which, until 1882, stood on the 
northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Shelby 
Street was originally called the White Block because 
it was painted white ; subsequently after being 
occupied as the Waverly House, it was called the 
Waverly Block, and then Strong's Block. 




Camtau Block, S. W. cornier of Griswold and Lars-ep Streets. 
Built by Daniel J. Campau, in 1883. 

n D ^ r- Occupied by 

JJ, rreston & Co., Hankers. Commercial National Kank. 

MO 




The Newiirhkv & McMillan Kidldlng. 

Southeast corner o( Griswold and Larned Streets. Built in 1879. 

[46=] 




The CtivL Block. 
Northeast corner of Woodward Avenue and Campus Martins. Erected by \V. K. Coyl in i860. 




The Ckanac.e Block. 
Southeast corner I.afayelte Avenue and Shelby Street. Built by Thos, Cranage in 187S. 

[463] 




The Fekkv Phi mm.. 
Xcwcomb, Endicott, & Co.'s Dry Goods and Carpet Stores, 190 to 200 Woodward Avenue, between State and Grand River Streets. 

Built by D. M. Kerry in 1879. 
[465] 








The Wesson Building. 

Taylor, WooUenden i Co., Dry Goods Slorts. Built by W'm. B. Wesson in :8 

[466] 



HOUSE AXn STORE NUMBERS, 



467 



HOUSE AXD STdRE NUMBERS. 

The first provision for numbering houses was 
made on December 23, 1S45. The Council then 
provided that the houses on streets each side of 
Woodward Avenue should be numbered east or 
west of that avenue. The regulation did not apply 
to the streets, and there is no authority for desig- 
nating the streets them.selves "east" or "west." 
The lir.st ordinance definitely providing for the num- 
bering of buildings was 
passed on February 
10, 1S46. On June 10. 
1S69, the matter was 
thoroughly systema- 
tized by an ordinance 
which provided for 
numbering the houses 
in accordance vxnth sets 
of numbers arranged 
in books by the city 
surveyor and deposited 
with the city clerk. 

The regulations pro- 
vide one number for 
every twenty feet, the 
numbers alternating 
from one side of the 
street to the other. 
On all streets running 
nearly north and south, 
or at right angles to the 
river and parallel with 
Woodward Avenue, 
the numbers begin at 
the south end of the 
street, or the end near- 
est the river, and num- 
ber towards the city 
limits; and when the 
streets do not extend 
through to the river, 
the numbers begin at 
their southerly end, 
near some one of the 
principal avenues, — 
Jefferson, Michigan, 
Grand River, or Gratiot 
the odd numbers, as i. 




PhoVoEng.co.N.Y. -^ 



Thk Cleland Building, State near Gbiswold Street. 
Built by H. A. Cleland in 1881. 



Going from the river, 
3, 5, and 7, are on the 
left hand, and the even numbers, as 2. 4, 6, and 
8, on the right-hand side of the street. On all 
streets east of Woodward Avenue, and running 
nearly east and west, or at right angles with Wood- 
ward Avenue and parallel with the river, the num- 
bers begin at Woodward Avenue, or the end near- 
est to it, and number outwards towards the city 
limits, the odd numbers on the north or left-hand 
side going from Woodward Avenue, and the even 



numbers on the south side of the street. On all 
streets west of Woodward Avenue, and running 
nearly east and west or at right angles with Wood- 
ward Avenue and parallel with the river, the num- 
bers begin at Woodward Avenue, or the end near- 
est it, and number outwards towards the city limits ; 
the odd numbers being on the south or left-hand side 
of the street, and the even numbers on the north 
side of the street. The only exception to this 

rule is in the case 
of Jefferson Avenue, 
where the numbers be- 
gin at Third Street 
and run east, the odd 
numbers being on the 
north side of the street, 
and on Madison Ave- 
nue, where the even 
numbers are on the 
south side. There is 
an average of about 
forty numbers to a 
block, including those 
on both sides of the 
street. 

LIGHTING AND 
HEATING. 

In the long ago peo- 
ple were economical 
in all things; even a 
spark was not need- 
lessly wasted. If a fire 
was needed for any 
purpose, the flint and 
fire steel were brought 
together, and "behold 
how great a matter a 
little fire kindleth." 
The cricket on the 
hearth never feared the 
cold, for the fire was 
seldom out ; like that 
on vestal altars, it was 
kept constantly burn- 
ing; if by accident it failed, perchance the old 
flint-lock was taken down, and the tow and wood 
were kindled by its use. 

Matches were introduced as early as 1815. They 
consisted of little sticks dipped in sulphur; with 
which was supplied a small vial of oxide of phos- 
phorus. The sulphur sticks, when inserted in the 
phosphorus, would at once take fire. This was con- 
sidered a wonderful invention. In 1829 matches 
that would light upon being drawn through a pre- 
pared and folded paper were first used. A few 



468 



LIGHTING AND HEATING. 



years later the ordinary friction matches became 
common. In 1780 wax lights or tapers were used 
sparingly, even by the rich. These lights were often 
made from the berries of the candleberry tree or 
bayberry bush, which usually grew near the sea. 
The berries were gathered in the autumn, and put 
into boiling water; a fatty substance e.xuded, which, 
on being skiinmed off. melted, and refined, produced 
a beautiful green, transparent wa.x, from which can- 
dles were made. They would not easily bend or 
melt even in midsummer, and gave out an agreeable 



4. 1S79. On March 21, iSSo. the Van De Poele 
light was publicly shown in front of the Detroit 
Opera House. In July, 1S80, several Brush 
lights were put up on trial in the warehouse of 
D. M. Ferry & Co., but the light was not sys- 
tematically tried until introduced by Wells W. 
Leggett, on September 13, 18S0. He obtained 
his power from the engine of the Detroit P'ree 
Press Company, and on the evening of the day 
above named, lights were put in operation at 
the following places: Two at the store of M. 




The Moffat Dlilding, S. W. cornfr Fort and Grisuoi-d Streets. 
Erected by Hugh JMoffat in 1871. 



odor while burning. " Tallow dips " or mold can- 
dles, also sperm and lard oils, were more largely 
used. In 1850 star and stearine candles were popu- 
lar illuminators, and soon after, burning fluid was 
introduced. Early in 1850, and over a year before 
gas was manufactured elsewhere in Detroit, H. R. 
Johnson made gas for his hotel at the foot of Third 
Street, and continued to do so until the Gas Com- 
pany went into operation. In the fall of 1851 gas 
was first supplied by a Gas Company. In 1861 
kerosene oil began to be extensively used. The 
Brush electric light was publicly exhibited for the 
first time in connection with a circus, on June 



S. Smith, three at Steinfeld's clothing house, 
two at the Russell House Bazaar, one at Prittie's 
drug store, two each at the Detroit and Whitney 
Opera Houses, two at the Coliseum, one each at 
Frizelle's and Stearns' drug stores, and one at the 
tailor shop of Mr. Tripp. In May, 1881, a stock 
company was organized in Detroit to supply the 
power and lights, and on September 13, 1881, they 
were supplying thirty-two lights; on September 13, 
1882, one hundred and thirty; on January 1, 18S3, 
two hundred and forty-five, and on January i, 1884, 
three hundred and fifty. Their works are located 
on the west side of Third Street, between Fort and 



LIGHTING AND HEATING. 



469 



Congress Streets. The price charged varies from 
si.\teen dollars to eighteen dollars per month per 
light, according to the number of hours that a light 
is required. 

The Edison incandescent light was first intro- 
duced and used in Metcalf . Brothers' dry goods 
store on January 27, 1S83. The E.xcelsior Electric 
Light Company was incorporated September 7, 
1 8S3. and on November i had four lights in operation. 

The light of the United States Electric Light 
Company is in use in the establishment of C. R. 
Mabley & Co., who own the apparatus for and 
make their own light. It was first used on Decem- 
ber 24, 1883. 

The lighting the streets of Detroit by public 
lamps was first discussed in 1S27, and on March 12 
a committee of the Common Council reported in 
favor of lighting Jefferson Avenue. Nothing fur- 
ther was done until May 21, 1834, when a council 
committee reported in favor of lighting the avenue 
from Cass to Randolph Street. They presented the 
following estimate : " Twenty lamps, including posts, 
at $5 ; three quarts of sperm oil per night, seventy- 
five cents; total cost per year, $262.50." On Janu- 
ary 2, 1835, the committee was ordered to carry 
into operation the plan, and on the 29th James 
Delaney was appointed lamplighter at $10 per 
month. On February 19 forty lamps were ordered, 
and soon after an ordinance in regard to public 
lamps was passed ; but both lamps and ordinance 
" went out " in about three months, and again dark- 
ness reigned. 

On March 14, 1849, the City of Detroit Gaslight 
Company was incorporated. The company was 
slow in its operations, and on March 8, 1851, was 
re-organized under the title of the Detroit Gaslight 
Company. The work was now successfully prose- 
cuted, and on September 24, 185 1, the streets, for 
the first time, were lighted with gas. The works 
were on the north side of W'oodbridge Street west, 
between Fifth and Si.xth Streets. In 1867 new 
works were erected at the foot of Twenty-first 
Street, and gas was first supplied from there on Sep- 
tember 27 of that year. In 1871 additional works 
at the corner of Chene and Franklin Streets were 
completed. Up to 1881 nearly fifty miles of street 
pipe had been laid by this company. The Mutual 
Gaslight Company was incorjjorated in 1871, and 
re-organized in 1S78 as the Mutual Gas Company. 
Its works are in Hamtramck. just outside of the 
city. They went into operation on November 26, 
1872. In 1 88 1 the company had nearly si.xty miles 
of street pipe. 

The two companies engaged in a lively competi- 
tion for several years, but after July, 1877, by 
agreement between the companies, the Detroit Gas 
Company supplied gas only to consumers on the 



west of Woodward Avenue, and the Mutual only 
to persons on the east of Woodward Avenue. The 
increasing demand for gas is shown in the fact 
that in i860 the Detroit Gaslight Company pro- 
duced only 26,892,000 cubic feet. In 1870 the 
amount produced reached 85,427,000 cubic feet, 
and in 1880 the combined product of the Detroit 
and .Mutual Companies amounted to 162,775,000 
cubic feet, the two companies in that year con- 
suming about twelve thousand tons of coal and 
five hundred thousand gallons of naphtha. 

Street lamps lighted by the use of naphtha were 
introduced on July 12, 1877. The lamps were put 
up and supplied under contract with the Michigan 
Gaslight Company. In 1878 naphtha lamps ex- 
clusively were used. On January i, 1884, there 
were in use 1,929 gas lamps and 1,743 naphtha 
burners. 

The expense for lighting the lamps in 1SS3 was 
$72,301 ; they burn an average of seven hours. 

On July 3, 1883, the council voted to light a por- 
tion of Woodward and Jefferson .-Vvenues with 
twenty-four electric lights, to be supplied by the 
Brush Company. In June, 1884, a contract was 
made with the same company to light the entire 
city with electricity, and in July the company com- 
menced the erection of seventy-two towers made of 
iron tubing, the towers to be from one hundred to 
one hundred and fifty feet high, the electric lights 
being placed at the top. 

The office of gas inspector was established by 
ordinance of December 2, 1861, under the title of 
" inspector of gas meters." The inspector was 
appointed by the Council. A strange provision of 
the ordinance was that his salary of $600 a year 
was to be paid by the gas company whose products 
and apparatus he was to inspect. Under the revised 
ordinances of 1863, as amended September 7, 1870, 
the gas company was to pay $600 of his salary, and 
the city to supplement it with $400 more. In 1871 
the lamplighters were selected by the Gaslight 
Company, who paid for one third of their time, the 
city paying for the other two thirds ; yet all of their 
time not employed in lighting or cleaning lamps 
was given to the gas company. Since the ordinance 
of March 16, 1872, the title of the incumbent of 
the office has been "gas inspector," and the entire 
salaries of the inspector and lamplighters are now 
paid by the city. The inspector is appointed 
yearly by the Council, and is charged with the 
duty of testing the meters and the quality of gas 
supplied. The lamplighters are selected by the 
inspector. In 1883 there were twenty-two, at a 
salar\- of $55 each per month. 

The inspectors have been: 1862- 1S71, Alfred 
Marsh; 1871-1875, James T. Wright ; 1875-1877, 
Christian Blattmeier; 1877, Julius S. Kloppenburg; 



470 



LIGHTING AND HEATING. 



1878, Michael (^uinii : 1879, George H. Modr-; 
lSSo-1884, John Archer; 1S84- , John O'Killey. 
Originally, the inhabitants of Detroit found fuel 
near at hand and easily procured, except during the 
days of war. At the time of Pontiac's Conspiracy 
it was brought in boats from Belle Isle. During 
the War of 181 2 laborers were so few, and soldiers 
so lawless, that the farm fences near the town were 
freely used for fuel, and in after years the (govern- 
ment paid a considerable sum for damages on this 
account. The earliest record as to stoves is found 
in a letter dated Pittsburgh, September 30, 1797, 
from Quartermaster- General John Wilkins, Jr., 



others began to keep small lots for sale. In 1850 
P. I. Price made a specialty of the business. Two 
years later the firm of Pittman, Trowbridge. & Jones 
began. Since then various firms have engaged in 
selling coal. The amount of coal sold in Detroit 
in several decades is estimated to be as follows : 
between 1840 and 1850, an average of 1,000 tons 
yearly; between 1850 and i860, an average of 
10,000 tons; between i860 and 1870, an average 
of 30,000 tons, and between 1870 and 1880, an 
average of 80,000 tons. The use of coal for fuel 
became increasingly popular with the year 1873, 
the Argand stove extensively introduced that year 




J. E. Pittiman's Coal Dock. 
On River, foot of Riopclle Street. Built in 1S75. 



to Matthew Ernest at Detroit. He says, " By boat 
which went a few days ago, I sent twenty stoves 
for the use of the garrison at Detroit. These will 
aid in making the soldiers more comfortable anti 
save firewood." During this period, and as late as 
1825, stoves were obtained from Montreal, and 
rented during the winter season. They hardly 
came into general use until about 1830. Coal was 
introduced in 1836. In the fall of this year three 
coal stoves were procured by C. C. Trowbridge, — 
one for himself, one for St. Paul's Church, and one 
for Judge Sibley. The coal and transportation cost 
eighteen dollars a ton. The use of coal was only 
occasional and confined to a few persons, until 1 848, 
when E. W. Hudson, B. L. Webb, and one or two 



affording advantages not previously possessed. So 
rapid is the increased use that it is estimated that 
in 1883, about 100,000 tons of anthracite and 
200.000 tons of bituminous coal were sold in De- 
troit, and not less than 200,000 cords of wood. 
The use of steam for heating buildings was first 
known in 1857. The first building fitted for the 
purpose was the residence of E. A. Brush, in the 
old Michigan Garden. The fittings were put in by 
J. Flower & Brothers. Soon after this, .steam began 
to be used in the larger tanneries, and now it is used 
in scores of establishments and residences. On 
September 12, 1878, the Detroit Steam Supply 
Company was organized, with a capital stock of 
$85,000. The company supplied steam either for 



LIGHTING AND HEATING. 



471 



power or heating purposes ; it was generated in a 
series of ten boilers of one hundred horse-power 
each, located on the corner of Atwater and Ciriswold 
Streets; four miles of iron pipes, covered with wood, 
conveyed the steam through various streets, and 
from them it was supplied to customers. The com- 
pany began to supply steam on December 25, 1878, 
and ceased to do so on September i, 1S84, the 
profits not w.'irranting a continuance. 



Under ordinance of 1881, all steam boilers are 
now subject to yearly inspection, and all engineers 
are required to pass an examination as to fitness for 
their position. \V. J. VVray, the first city boiler 
inspector, was appointed September 27, 1881, for a 
term of three years. During 18S3 he inspected 
three hundred and thirty-nine boilers. His suc- 
cessor in 1884 was John Carroll. 



CH APTE R LI I. 



COUNCIL HOUSES. — COURT-HOUSE OR CAPITOL. — CITY HALLS. 
OPERA HOUSES AND PUBLIC HALLS. 



COUNCIL HOUSES. 
At different periods of time three several build- 
ings have been designated by the title of " Council 
House." 




Old Colncil Holse, 

Southwest corner Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street, 

Original appearance. 



The first, a large wooden building with 
arched ceilings, was near the river, on the 
east side of the alley known in early days 
both as St. Antoine Street and Campau 
Alley. It was burned in the fire of 1805. 

The second stood on the southwest cor- 
ner of Jefferson .Avenue and Randolph 
Street. The following facts make it evident 
that the building was a relic of British oc- 
cupation : In 1 85 1 the Farmers and Mechan- 
ics' Bank hied a bill in chancery against the 
city and others to recover the value of "the 
Indian blacksmith and carpenter's shop lot." 
The lot had also been occupied by Wood- 
worth's Hotel, and was immediately in the 
rear of the Council House. During the trial 
Governor Cass testified as follows : " 1 un- 
derstood that the British Government had 
some Indian Department Buildings on .said prem- 
ises. The Council House was on these premises 



before I came, built, as I suppose, by Governor 
Hull. It was understood to be a reservation, and 
was in possession- of the officers of the Government 
long before I came here. I don't know how the 
reservation was made, but it was understood 
to be a Government property under the 
British Government before it became the 
property of the United States. This was 
the tradition relative to these premises." 
B. Woodworth testified that "the Indian 
Department lot was treated as a reservation 
by the Indian Department, and was occupied 
by said Department for ten years prior to 
1816, to my knowledge." The records of 
the Governor and Judges contain no reference 
to the erection of the building, and when 
the lot was sur\-eyed by Abijah Hull, on 
February 9, 1807, it was marked as belonging 
to the United States. At one time there was 
in the city clerk's office an unexecuted deed 
from the Governor and Judges to the United 
States, dated February 11, 1 807 ; and a 
memorandum, without date, found among 




Council Hoi'se, as eniarged. 

the Governor and Judges' papers, apparently 
about the time the deed was dated, says : " 



written 
Lot 12, 



147=1 



COUNCIL HOUSES. 



473 



section 4, is built on as Council House." The build- 
ing was certainly in existence as early as May 4, 
1807, for old court records show that the District 
Court, for the District of Huron and Detroit, met 
in it on that date. An official order from James 
May, adjutant-general of the Territory, dated Au- 
gust 1 1, 1S07, makes several references to the build- 
ing; and a military order in possession of the His- 
torical Society, dated December 1 5, 1S07. says, " His 
Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, having oblig- 
ingly given up the Indian Council Hou.se, you will 
have to fit it up for the militia as the Major Com- 
mandant may direct." The same manuscript speaks 



on Fort Street. In 1827 it became the property of 
the city. In September of that year it was decided 
to open Fort Street from Woodward Avenue to the 
Cass Farm, and this necessitated the moving of the 
building. The First Protestant Society offered to 
give it room in the rear of their church on the north- 
east corner of Woodward Avenue and Earned 
Street, provided they could have occasional use of 
it. Their terms were accepted, and on September 
9, 1 827, the Council appointed a committee to super- 
intend its removal and repair; on October 19, 1827, 
De Garmo Jones was paid fifty dollars for moving 
the building. In the spring of 1833, after the First 




The Coukt House or Capitol. 



of providing materials " for putting the Indian Coun- 
cil House in a proper situation for the accommoda- 
tion of troops." The house was built of stone, and 
was originally but one story high. In 1826 or 1827 
the Masonic Order was allowed to add another 
story, made of boards with split lath and plaster on 
outside, and to use it for their meetings. The lower 
room would accommodate about two hundred per- 
sons. It was used for almost every purpose ; courts. 
fairs, and elections were held in it, and religious and 
political .societies used it in turn. The Indian De- 
partment occupied a portion as late as 183 1. It was 
burned in 1848. 

The history of the third Council House is certainly 
a moving one. It was originally called Military 
Hall, and occupied part of the old cantonment 



Protestan^ Society built their brick session room on 
Woodward Avenue, they had no further use for the 
building, and on June 5 the Council gave the First 
M. E. Church permission to move it to the rear of 
their lot, on northeast corner of Woodward Avenue 
and Congress Street. In its new location, as on Ear- 
ned Street, it was occupied by the Conmion Council, 
and gained the name of Council House. After tarry- 
ing on Congress Street for six years, on July 9, 1839, 
the Council gave the building to the colored M. E. 
Church, and they moved it to Croghan Street near the 
northwest corner of Hastings Street. In 1841 it 
was moved to the north side of Fort Street, between 
Brush and Beaubien Streets. Here it was used as 
a Methodist Church, and about 1848, after the 
society had built a brick church, it was torn down. 



474 



THE COURT HOUSE OR CAPITOL. 



THE COURl' HOUSE OR CAPITOL. 
" Far off, ill solitary pride, 

Lonely amid tlie pastures wide. 
The Territorial Court House stood 
In bold relief a^'ainst the wood. 
Behind, from bone-strewed plains, arose 
A noisy crowd of carrion crows. 
Disturbing by their clamorous caws 
Those who both made and dealt the laws." 

—Campbell. 
After the fire of 

1805, an Act of 
Congress of April 
2 1, 1 806, authorized 
the laying out of a 
new town of De- 
troit and of ten 
thousand acres ad- 
joining. The Act 
gave the Governor 
and Judges power 
to dispose of the 
ten thousand acres, 
and such portion of 
the town lots as 
were not needed to 
satisfy the claims of 
inhabitants, and to 
devote the pro- 
ceeds towards 
building a Court 
House and a Jail. 
On September 13, 

1806, the Governor 
and Judges decided 
that the Court 
House should be 
built in the center 
of the Grand Cir- 
cus, and on No- 
vember 3 following 
$20,000 were ap- 
propriated for its 
erection. Nine 
years passed away 
without further ac- 
tion, and then, by 
Law of November 
7, I Si 5, the Act lo- 
cating it on the 
Grand Circus was 
repealed, and it 
was decided to lo- 
cate it at the head 
of Griswold Street. 
Nearly nine more 
years elapsed, and 

then plans were solicited. \'arious drawings were 
submitted; that made by Obed Wait was accepted. 




and he was eventually paid $600 for superintending 
the erection of the building, Mr. Wait's estimate 
of the cost was $11,250.99, but on May 31, 1823, 
D. C. McKinstry offered to build it for $7,000. 
There must have been a mistake somevi'here, for on 
July 25, 1823, the Governor and Judges contracted 
with D. C. McKinstry, Thomas Palmer, and De 
Garmo Jones to erect it for $21,000. The bill for 

extras footed up 
$3,500 additional. 
The terms of this 
j singular contract 
% were as follows : 
J The contractors 
^ were to have 6,500 
5 and 92-100 acres 
3 of the Ten Thou- 
S sand Acre Tract 
3 at $2. 1 2^ per acre, 
J and one hundred 
J and forty-four city 
5 lots, named in a 
5 schedule, at an 
° average price of 
;; $50 per lot. Inad- 
? dition to erecting 
^ the building they 
S were to pay the 
■^ creditors of the 
* Detroit Fund,with- 
a in three years, 
3 $12,000, and to 
'„ have $3,000 of the 
J debts due said fund. 
^ The building was 
J to be completed 
s; before December 
I I, 1S24. The cor- 

> ner stone was laid 

o 

5 in ancient masonic 

I form on Monday, 

> .September 22, 
a 1823, by the mem- 
j bers of Zion, De- 
" troit, and Oakland 
5 Lodges. The Ma- 
l sons met at their 
] hall at eleven 
■ o'clock, and pro- 
f ceeded in proces- 
J sion to the place; 

at 1 2 M. William A. 
Fletcher delivered 
the address, and at 
the conclusion a 

bountiful dinner was provided at tile e.xpense of 

D. C. McKinstry. 



THE COURT HOUSE OR CAPITOL.-CITY HALLS. 



In those days the erection of so large a building 
was an extensive enterprise. The finishing con- 
sumed several years, and no part was occu|5ied 
until May 5. 1828. when the Legislative Council met 
for the first time within its walls. In his opening 
address at that time the president of the Council 
said, •' Permit me, gentlemen, to congratulate you 
on the honor that is conferred on us in being the 
first to occupy this splendid hall as a legislative 
body, and may the laws we here enact be as crcdit- 
able to us as this noble edifice is to its projector and 
its architect." 

In order to aid the contractors who built the Jail, 
as well as those who built the Court House, the 
Governor and Judges, between the years of 181 9 and 
1826, issued scrip to the amount of $22,500, in sums 
of $2.00, S3.00, $5.00, $[o.oo, and $20.00. receiv- 
able in payments for lands, or redeemable out of 
moneys received from sale of lands. The lands 
were sold at such low prices that, on June 23, 1S28, 
the Council were impelled to pass an Act guarantee- 
ing the .scrip issued by the Governor and Judges, 
and pledging the faith of the Territory to make good 
any deficiency arising from sale of the lands ; the 
same act authorized the Governor and Judges to 
accept the Capitol. The building was !»i.xty by 
ninety feet in size, and the cupola, one hundred and 
forty feet high, was a favorite place from which to 
view the city. In 1847 it was decided to remove the 
State Capitol to Lansing, and the last session of the 
Legislature held in the building closed on March 17 
of that year. For the subsequent history of the 
building, see chapter on Board of Education. 

CITY HALLS. 

The old City Hall, size fifty feet by one hundred 
feet, was located just east of Woodward Avenue, in 
the middle of Michigan Grand Avenue ; the history 
of its erection is as follows : On December 21, 1833, 
a committee of the Council was appointed to select 
a site for a Market and City Hall. It was thought 
that Michigan Avenue would be selected, and on 
December 27 a meeting of citizens opposed to 
that location, was held, but on the .same dav the 
committee of the Common Council reported in 
favor of the site named. On January 3, 1834, C. C. 
Trowbridge and Henry Howard were appointed a 
committee to procure a design. On .March 19, 
1834, a plan was presented by Mr. White, and on 
April 10 foibwing a contract was entered into with 
John Scott to erect the building for $".449. one 
fourth payable in advance. The lime used in its 
erecticn was burned on the Campus Martins, and 
the building was completed and first occupied on 
November 18, 1835. It cost $14,747, this sum 
representing the visible proceeds of the lots .sold by 
the city on the Military Reserve. The lower part. 



475 



up to the spring of 1856, was occupied by stalls for 
the sale of meat ; it was then fitted up for city offices, 
a safety vault being added in 1863. The city clerk 
and collector had their offices in the second stor)'.' 

The council-room in the upper stor\' of the old 
City Hall was used for various public entertain- 
ments, and was at one time rented continuously for 
weeks as a theatre. Courts held their sessions there, 
and several religious bodies, at different times, had 
the use of it. Originally of a brick color, the build- 
ing was afterwards painted a slate color. After the 
completion of the new City Hall, it was formally 
vacated by the Common Council on July 18. 1871. 
It was afterwards given to the Board of Education, 
to be fitted up for the public library, but they sur- 
rendered it on receiving the site in Center Park. 
It was finally sold for Si. 025, and torn down in 
November, 1872. 

The new City Hall has probably no superior 
among the municipal halls of the country ; both 
the building and its site command universal admir- 
ation, and are in every way well adapted for the 
convenience of the people and the officials. The 
grounds embrace an entire square, bounded east 
and west by Woodward Avenue and Griswold 
Street, and north and south by Michigan Avenue 
and Fort Street. 

A portion of the square was purchased by the 
city in 1854 for $iS,ooo. Five years later, on Sep- 
tember 30, 1859, a citizens' meeting voted $250,000 
towards the erection of the building, and on No- 
vember 15 a committee on plans was appointed, 
consisting of C. H. Buhl, mayor ; B. L. Webb, 
comptroller; J. Shearer, J. S. Farrand, and E. Le 
Favour. On March 6, i860, so much of the square 
as formed part of the Campus Martins was set 
apart by the city as a portion of the site. On April 
23, 1 86 1, the committee on plans reported in favor 
of designs submitted by James Anderson. 

The war w'ith the South delayed the erection of 
the building, and nothing further was done until 
August 28, 1866. A contract was then made with 
Charles Stange to build the basement for $58,625. 
On April 23, 1867, A. W. Copland, W. H. Langley. 
and J. W. Waterman were appointed a committee 
to go East and inspect methods of heating. On 
May 21, 1867, A. Chapoton was appointed superin- 
tendent of construction, and on November 26 of 
the same year the comptroller was directed to 
advertise for proposals for completing the building. 

' In 1857 the offices of the maypr, sewer commissioners, sur- 
veyor, and assessor were in the old seminary building on the site 
of the new City Hall. The growth of the city business required 
still more office room, and in 1866, and up to the completion of 
the new City Hall, the offices of the city sur\'eyor, Ixwird of 
sewer commissioners, and some other city officers, were located 
in the Williams Block on Monroe Avenue. 



476 



CITY HALLS. 



On February 13, 1S68, the bid of N. Osborne & 
Son, of Rochester, N. Y., for 8339,578, was accepted. 
Five days later they reported to the Council that, by 
an error in the footings, $60,000 was omitted from 
the total of their bid, and that, although the next 
lowest bid was $469,500, they would do the work 
for $379,578, or $20,000 less than the sum they 
originally intended for their bid. In accordance 



Auditors, subject to approval of the Common Council 
and Board of Supervisors, under which the county 
was to pay $12,000 a year, quarterly, in advance, 
for fifteen years, the county to fit up its own rooms, 
except that the city was to pay part of the expense 
of fitting up the Circuit Court room. The agree- 
ment was accepted, and city and county officers 
occupy the building. In 1883 the county obtained 




Old City Hall and Surroundings in 1862. 



with their proposition, a contract was made the fol- 
lowing day. 

On August 6, 1868, the corner-stone was laid 
with imposing ceremonies ; an address was made by 
C. I. Walker. 

The original contract called for a plain fiat roof, 
but the Council decided in May to have a mansard 
roof, at an additional cost of $3,500. 

It was expected that the county offices would be 
located in the building, and a special committee of 
the Common Council was appointed to decide upon 
the rooms to be occupied by them and the price to 
be paid by the county. On March i, 1870, the 
committee reported an agreement with the Board of 



a new lease and considerable more room than they 
had previously occupied. 

On June 20. 1S71, the last payment was made to 
the contractors, and the city took formal possession. 
On July 4 the building was formally opened, the 
occasion being celebrated by a procession, speeches, 
etc., and on July 18 the City Council held its first 
session in the new council chamber. 

The building is on the western half of the square. 
It has four fronts, but the principal entrance is on 
Woodward Avenue. It is two hundred and four 
feet long from north to_ south and ninety feet wide. 
The first story is thirteen feet high, the second 
eighteen, and the third twenty-one ; the height of 



OPERA HOUSES AND PUIU.IC HALLS. 



477 



the building to the cornice is sixty-six feet, and to 
top of flag-staff two hundred feet. The style is 
Italian, with a mansard roof. The walls arc of 
Amherst sandstone, from near Cleveland. The 
building is intended to be fire-proof. The halls 
have marble floors, and the main floors rest on 
brick arches, supported by iron beams. The total 
cost of the buiklinjj was $600,000, and the square 
of land on which it stands is worth as much more. 
On the several cornices of the first section of the 
tower are stone figures, each fourteen feet high, 
representing Justice. Industry, Art, and Commerce. 
The number of steps to the top is : from sidewalk 
to entrance door. 13; to stairway, 67; to the clock. 
143; to the top 
of the tower, 
213. From the 
tower, which is 
reached by iron 
stairways, a mag- 
nificent view is af- 
forded. The usual- 
ly clean streets 
look cleaner still 
in the distance ; 
the groves of 
shade - trees, the 
elegant residences, 
the river and its 
shipping, the Can- 
adian shore and 
Belle Isle, all unite 
to form a panorama 
not often excelled. 
The weight of the 
bell in the tower 
is 7,670 pounds, 
and it cost $2,782. 
The clock is the 
largest in the 
United States, and 

there is but one larger in the world ; it cost 
$2,850, and was set running on July 4, 1871. 
The pendulum weighs one hundred and twenty-five 
pounds. The striking part is wound once in eight 
days, and the running part every thirty days. The 
weights have a fall of one hundred and twenty feet. 
The clock has four dials, each eight feet three inches 
in diameter. In the evening the dials are illumi- 
nated, and the figures can be plainly seen. The 
contract for keeping it in order is awarded yearly. 
On either side of the eastern portico is an old 
cannon. These cannon originally belonged to the 
fleet of Commodore Barclay, and were captured at 
the battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. 
After the battle the fleet was taken to Erie, Venn. 
When that station was abandoned as a naval depot 



^A- 



by the Government, the guns were ordered removed 
to Detroit. Here they were placed on the Govern- 
ment Wharf, between Wayne and Cass Streets. 
Several years later the wharf and these guns were 
purchased by Oliver Newberry. The guns were set 
in the ground, and for a long time, as occasion 
required, vessels were fastened to them. One of 
the cannon eventually came into possession of a 
foundry, and was about to be broken up, when a 
subscription of one hundred dollars was raised for 
its purchase, and on April 12, 1872, it was presented 
to the city. On May 17 following, its male was 
presented by Messrs. Moore, Foote, & Co., and on 
July 4, 1S74, both guns were mounted in their 

present position, 
and addresses 
appropriate to the 
occasion deliv- 
ered. 

.'\ presentation 
of still greater his- 
toric interest was 
m.ide in August. 
1.S.S4. ()[ie of our 
oldest citizens. Bela 
Hubbard, having 
caused statues of 
Cadillac. La Salle, 
and l''athers Mar- 
quette and Richard 
to be prepared by 
Julius Melchers, 
presented them 
to the city, and 
had them placed 
in the niches pro- 
videtl for statues 
on the east and 
west fronts of the 
building. The 
statues cost several 
and are worthy of the building 




The Citv Hall. 



thousand dollars, 
and llu- d<)n<)r. 



OPERA HOUSES AND PUBLIC HALLS. 

In olden times the Indian Council House, near 
the river and east of Griswold Street, was in requi- 
sition for balls and other entertainments. After the 
fire of 1805 the Council House, on the corner of 
Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street, became the 
place where public meetings of every sort were 
held. Woodworth's Hotel was also a favorite meet- 
ing place. 

In the spring of 1833 the Presbyterian Session 
Room was completed. It was a small brick build- 
ing on the east side of Woodward Avenue, in the 



478 



OPERA HOUSES AND PUBLIC HALLS. 



center of the block between Congress and Earned 
Streets. It was a favorite lecture and debating hall ; 
and, up to 1850, all the public exercises of the then 




Arbeiter Hall. 

very popular Young Men's Society took 
place within its walls. 

The State Capitol was also used for 
lectures and exhibitions of various kinds. 

Young Men's Hall, on the north side 
of Jefferson Avenue, between Bates and 
Randolph Streets, was dedicated Novem- 
ber 27, 1850. It seated about 500 people, 
and was the wonder and pride of the 
city for many years. 

Firemen's Hall, located on the south- 
west corner of Jefferson Avenue and 
Randolph Street, was opened October 23, 
185 1. It seated nearly 1,000, and was 
deemed exceedingly desirable for concerts. 

Merrill Hall, in the Merrill Block, on 
northeast corner of Jefferson and Wood- 
ward Avenues, was the ne.xt hall used 
for public entertainments. It was opened 
November I, 1859, and, with the gallery, 
will seat 1 ,000 persons. 

Young Men's Hall, in the Biddle House 
Block, was first used November 21, 1861. 
It seated 1,500, and for many years was 
a popular place of resort. Since 1875 it 
has been but little used for lectures. 

Arbeiter Hall, owned by the German 
Workingmen's Aid Society, located on the 
northwest corner of Catherine and Russell 
Streets, seats 1,300; it is chiefly used 
by German citizens. It was opened 
1868. 

St. Andrew's Hall, formerly the Woodw 



nue M. E. Church, was fitted up as a public hall, 
and first used as such by the St. Andrew's Society 
in 1S67. The building was torn down in April, 1883. 

The Detroit Opera House, facing the Campus 
Martins, was opened March 29, 1869. It is ele- 
gantly fitted up, and seats 1,800. 

Whitney's Grand Opera House, on northwest 
corner of Shelby and Fort Streets, seats 1,400, and 
was first used September 13, 1S75. 

The large and imposing building of the Harmo- 
nic Society is located on the southwest corner of 
Lafayette and Beaubien Streets; it seats 1,300, and 
was dedicated November 11, 1S75. 

The Gymnasium, Hall and Rooms of the Detroit 
Young Men's Christian Association were formerly 
located on west side of Farmer Street, between 
Monroe and Gratiot Avenues. The building was 
dedicated February 14, 1876, and the hall, with the 
rooms opening into it, would seat Soo persons. 
In 1882 the Association sold the property to the 
Detroit Medical College. 

Coyl's Hall, facing the Campus Martins and ad- 
joining the Detroit Opera House, was built in i860, 







Detroit Opera House. 
Clothing Stores of J. L. Hudson, 2 and 3 Opera House Block. 

May 17, and could accoinmodate 600 persons. It is chiefly 

used for business purposes, 
ard Ave- Masonic Hall, on north side of Jefferson Avenue, 



OPERA HOUSES AND PUBLIC HALLS. 



479 



between Griswold and 
June 24, 1S57. 

Good Templars' 
Hall is on north- 
east corner of 
Woodward Avenue 
and Grand River 
Street. Kittelber- 
ger's Hall is on 
Randolph Street near 
Monroe Avenue. 
Funke's Hall was on 
south side of Ma- 
comb near Beaubien 
Street, ft has been 
used as a duelling 
for many years. 
Barns' Hall, in the 
Barns Block, corner 
of Woodward and 
. Grand River Ave- 
nues, was first fitted 
up as a hall by the 
Red f<ibbon Club, 
and dedicated on 
June 10, 1879, as 
Reform Hall. After 
the disbanding of 
the club it took its 
name from the 
block in which it is 
located. 

White's Grand 
Theatre, formerly 
Music Hall, facing 
Randolph Street, 
and between Cro- 
ghan and Lafay- 
ette Streets, was 
erected in 
and opened 
Music Hall 



Shelby Streets, was dedicated 



18S0, 
as 
on 
of 




Whitney's Opeka House. 



August 3 1 

that year; it seated 




F0R.MEK Music Hall, nuw Whiie's Gkand Theatre. 



3,000, and was much the largest hall in the city. In 
the summer of 1 883 it was arranged for a theatre. 

Under the provi- 
sions (if State Laws, 
approved May 24, 
1879, and March 18, 
1 88 1, requiring the 
mayor to appoint 
three building in- 
spectors, the Council, 
by ordinance of Au- 
gust 1 8, 1 882, provid- 
ed for their appoint- 
ment, with power 
to inspect all build- 
ings or platforms 
erected, or to be 
used for public gath- 
erings, and to decide 
on the safety of all 
such structures. In- 
spections are made 
at the request of 
owners, agents, or 
lessees, or of any 
member of the Me- 
tropolitan Police, and 
are certified to if sat- 
isfactory. For such 
services the com- 
missioners are paid 
at the rate of S3.00 
per day by owners 
or agents. The 
first commission- 
ers, appointed Feb- 
ruary 10, iS82,were 
P. H. McWilliams, 
Geo. D. Mason, and 
Henry Spitzlcy. 
On November 2, 
1883, Mr. Mason 
was succeeded by 
E. W. Simpson. 



CHAPTER L I I I . 



OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 



It is not proposed in this article to include tht 
minor establishments, but only the older or more 
important public houses, and in these the changes 
have been numerous, making it evident that few 
persons " know enough to keep a hotel." 

After the city came under American control, and 
as early as 1805, the Dodemead House, near the 
southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Shelby 
Street, was one of the best-known taverns. .-\t the 
same time, and until 1827 or later, Colonel Richard 



known characters of that time. He came to Detroit 
in 1S06, and as early as May, 181 2, was keeping a 
hotel on the northwest corner of Woodbridge and 
Randolph Streets. In 1818 he built a new house 
on the same site, and opened it in March, 1819. 
This house was the chief headquarters for passen- 
gers by vessel and steamboat, and in it the various 
stage lines had their offices. The " long room " was 
in almost constant requisition for fairs and public 
meetings, and for many years no public dinner was 




Woodwouth's Steamboat Hotel. 



Smyth was keeping Smyth's Hotel, called, in 1823, 
the Sagina Hotel, and subsequently the Michigan 
Hotel. It was on the west side of Woodward Ave- 
nue, between Jefferson Avenue and Woodbridge 
Street. From 1S30 to 1834. it was kept by John 
Brunson. 

The most noted caravansary was Woodwnrth's 
Steamboat Hotel. The landlord, familiarly known 
as " Uncle Ben," was a brother of the author of 
"The Old Oaken "Bucket," and one of the best- 



all that it should be unless given at this noted resort. 
In the spring of 1844 the house was purchased by 
Milton Barney, and on May 9, 1848, it was burned. 
The same fire destroyed the Wales Hotel in the 
adjacent block, on the south side of Jefferson Ave- 
nue, just east of Randolph Street. The building 
which formed the nucleus of that hotel was erected 
by Governor Hull in 1807. In February, 1835. it 
was fitted up for a hotel, and in May following was 
opened by John Griswold as "The American." He 
[480] 



OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 



481 



was soon succeeded by Mr. Pratt, and in May, 1S38, 
Petty & Havvley were proprietors. They were suc- 
ceeded by Colonel Dibble, and he by Austin Wales. 
During 1840 Simon Burk and S. K. Harring offi- 
ciated as landlords. In May, 1 841, they were suc- 
ceeded by H. A. Chase and Joshua \'an Anden, 
from Rochester, N. Y. In September, 1841, or 
earlier, Mr. Chase retired. Mr. Van Anden con- 
tinued until August, 1845, when the house was ex- 
tensively refitted, and opened on January i, 1846, 
as Wales' Hotel, by Austin Wales and his two 
sons. They were proprietors of the house when 
it was burned. Harriet Martineau, who visited 
Detroit in June, 1S36. in her "Society in America," 
gives this account of her stay at this house : 



tractive appearance. The hotel contained thirty 
bedrooms: it had a frontage of seventy feet, and 
was two hundred feet deep, extending through to 
Larned Street. It was torn down about 1836. 

In 1817, and for some years after, John Palmer 
was keeping a hotel on the south side of Jefferson 
Avenue, between Bates and Randolph Streets. 
About 1828 John Garrison built and kept a house 
called the "Yankee Boarding House," on the east 
side of Bates Street, between Jefferson Avenue and 
Larned Street. He was succeeded by Mr. Wattles. 
In 1831 the house changed hands, Mr. Sherward 
becoming proprietor. Mr. Williams followed Mr. 
Sherward, and kept the house until 1S33. D. Petty 
succeeded him, and changed the name of the house 



We reached the American just in 
time for breakfast At that long 
table I had the pleasure of seeing 
the healthiest set of faces I had be- 
held since I left England. The 
breakfast was excellent, and we were 
ser\'ed with much consideration ; but 
the place was so full, and the accom- 
modations of Detroit are so insuffi- 
cient for the influx of people who 
are betaking themselves thither, that 
strangers must patiently put up with 
much delay and inconvenience, till 
new houses of entertainment are 
opened. We had to wait till near one 
o'clock before any of us could have 
a room in which to dress. 



Another noted hostelry of 
the past, known as the Man- 
sion House, was located near 
what is now the northwest 
corner of Jefferson Avenue 
and Cass Street. The build- 
ing had a varied history-. 
Erected by James May after 
the fire of 1805, from the 
remains of the old stone 
chimneys, it was successively 

a residence, jail, court-house, the British quarters, 
again a residence, and finally a hotel. Originally it 
was a story and a half high. From 181 5 to 1824 it 
was kept by Major Whipple, an old captain in 
General Wayne's army. He was succeeded by John 
Brunson, who kept it until 1827, when it was pur- 
chased by John E. Schwartz, who raised it, greatly 
enlarged it on both sides, and built a verandah in 
front and on the western side. He opened it as a 
hotel on Thursday, May 3, 1827. In July, 1S29, 
Isaac J. Ullman was proprietor. In 1830 the house 
was sold to Colonel Andrew Mack, and on May 24 
formally opened by him. Three years after it was 
closed as a hotel. As seen from the river, the house 
and its surroundings presented a homelike and at- 




The Mansion House. 



to the New York and City Hotel. .Soon after this 
Mr. Anderson took charge, and was followed by 
Horace Heath. In 1837, or earlier, Orson and Valen- 
tine Eddy succeeded Mr. Heath. Mr. Eddy died in 
1S38, and the house remained closed until 1840. 

We now turn back to 1835 or 1836, when Russell 
Chase rented of Mrs. McMillan a house which he 
called the Franklin House, on the southwest comer 
of Bates and Larned Streets. In the spring of 1 837 
J. C. Warner became the proprietor, and kept it 
until 1S40. He then purchased of John Largy the 
old New York and City Hotel, and named it the 
Franklin House. From 1840 to 1845, liquor was 
sold here, as at other houses, but after that date no 
bar was kept on the premises. In 1846 S. Finney 



482 



OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 



succeeded J. C. Warner, and kept the house five 
years. After 1846 the name of the house was 
changed from Franklin to Franklin Coldwater 
House, and J. C. Warner again became the landlord. 
He continued in charge until the summer of 1854, 
when he erected and took charge of a new brick 
hotel called the Franklin House, on the southeast 
corner of Bates and Larned Streets ; on October 
I, 1856, he leased it to John R. Tibbetts, who kept 
it until December l, 1865. Messrs. Winn& Emery 
then became proprietors. From 1866 to September, 
1869, A. H. Emery managed it alone. He was suc- 
ceeded by Charles Ruhl, who remained until May i, 
1876, and was followed by A. Montgomery. On 
July I, 1879, Messrs. Montgomery & Peoples be- 
came proprietors. In September, 1880, they sold 
their interest to Messrs. Andrew & J. C. Warner. 
Soon after the management was assumed by War- 
ner & James, and on December i, 1S81, C. Friedman 
became manager. 

The Eagle Hotel, 
on the south side 
of Woodbridge 
Street, near Gris- 
wold, was erected 
about 1S30 by Al- 
exander Campbell. 
In 1837 Horace 
Heath, the pro- 
prietor, was a zeal- 
ous advocate of the 
cause of the patriots 
during the Patriot 
War. In April, 
1838, the house was 
purchased by Wil- 
liam .Shaw, and in 
November of the 
same year by 
Messrs. Crawford & 
Murray. In 1845 

B. B. Davis was the landlord. B. S. Farnsworth 
bought the building in 1853, and kept it as a hotel 
for ten years. He was succeeded by W. Hickey, 
who kept it two years, after which it ceased to be 
used as a hotel, and on April 13, i866, it was 
burned. 

In 1832, and for at least five years after, Thomas 
Cliff kept a tavern on the west side of Woodward 
Avenue, just above Clifford Street. He was suc- 
ceeded by Mr. Busby, and in 1840 Mr. Turk was 
keeping the house. 

The New York and Ohio House, made memor- 
able by the great fire of January i, 1842, which 
originated in or near it, was in existence as early as 
1834. J. & L. Ward were the proprietors until 
1837, when it was purchased by T. G. Hadley. In 



proprietors, E. & F. Lyon. 



The National Hutel in 1846. 



December, 1838, he sold to William Shaw, who 
was occupying the hotel at the time the entire block 
in which it stood was burned. 

Of the leading hotels of the present day, the 
Michigan E.xchange is a few months the oldest. It 
was opened on June 27, 1835, by E. A. Wales. In 
I S37 it was managed by Austin Wales. Soon after 
it was sold to O. B. Dibble, who, in 1846, sold it 
to Mr. Goodnow, and he to Edward Lyon, who 
opened it on January i, 1847. In 1851 H. A. Bar- 
stow was associated with Mr. Lyon in its manage- 
ment, under the firm name of H. A. Barstow- & 
Co. In 1852 the firm name was Fellers & Benja- 
min. In 1835 a five-story addition was built, with 
one hundred feet front on Shelby Street by one 
hundred on Woodbridge Street, and this year Lyon 
& Barstow were managers, followed in 1859 by 
Fellers, Barstow, & Benjamin. In 1868 an enlarge- 
ment was made on Jefferson Avenue by the then 

From 1874 to 1879 
H. Porter was as- 
sociated with Ed- 
ward Lyon, after 
which the hotel was 
conducted by Mr. 
Lyon until May i, 
18S1, when he re- 
tired, and was suc- 
ceeded by J. D. 
Lyon and W. J. 
Ferguson. In May, 
1882, Mr. Lyon re- 
tired, and Mr. Fer- 
guson became sole 
proprietor. 
The Russell House 
inherited the site 
and the business of 
the old National. 
The last-named 
house was opened 
Harring as 
Wales was 




on December 
proprietor. In 



I, 1836, with S. K, 
April, 1838, Austin 
manager. In April, 1840, it was newly furnished 
and opened by Edward Lyon. He was suc- 
ceeded on January i, 1847, by H. D. Garrison, 
who soon gave place to H. A. Barstow, and under 
his management, in September, 1847, the hotel was 
enlarged by a brick addition of thirty-five feet, by 
seventy-five on Woodward Avenue. In April. 
185 1, the house was closed for the purpose of being 
rebuilt and improved. The wooden portion on 
Michigan Avenue was moved away, and in 1852 
a practically new hotel was opened by Fellers & 
Benjamin. In 1857, William Hale bought the prop- 
erty, enlarged and improved the hotel, and on Sep- 
tember 28 it was opened as the Russell House by 



OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 



48. 



\V. H. Russell, with William J. Chittenden as chief 
clerk. On December i, 1861, Mr. Russell was suc- 
ceeded by L. T. Minor, Mr. Chittenden continuing 
as clerk. In 1863 H. P. Stevens was proprietor. 
The ne.\t year W. J. Chittenden and C. S. Witbeck 
entered into a partnership as proprietors of the 
house. In 1875 a large addition was made on the 
southerly end of the Woodward Avenue front, and 
a similar enlargement in 1 876 on the Michigan Ave- 
nue side. The same year L. A. McCreary became 
associate proprietor. In 1881 Mr. Witbeck died, 
and in that year the central portion of the hotel was 
torn down and a new building was erected, and first 



present Detroit Opera House. The original build- 
ing was moved from the Jones Farm by Mr. Ballard, 
and opened as a hotel 1838. In 1840 it was kept 
by Patrick & Andrews. An advertisement in 1844 
aimounced that they would carry passengers to and 
from their hotel and give them a dinner for twenty- 
live cents. After one year Mr. Patrick retired. 
Mr. Andrews continued the hotel until 1 861, when 
the property was sold to J. F. Antisdel & Brother, 
and in 1S67 to Dr. E. M. Clark; the house was 
then torn down. 

A hotel bearing the name Mansion House, on the 
west side of Griswold Street near Atwater, was 




Russell House, 
Corner Michigan Grand and Woodward Avenues. 



used in March, 1883. His Royal Highness the 
Prince of Wales, the Crand Duke Alexis of Russia, 
Lady Jane Franklin, and Miss Elizabeth Di.x. the 
great philanthropist, have been guests at the Russell. 

The St. Joseph House, kept by Amos Lewis, on 
the corner of Bates and Woodbridge Streets, was 
burned April 27, 1837. 

The Detroit Cottage, kept by O. Field, was of 
some note from 1837 to 1840. It had been the 
Larned residence, and was near the southwest cor- 
ner of Woodward .Avenue and Larned Street. 

Andrews' Railroad Hotel occupied the site of the 



built and conducted by J. Hanmer, as early as 1837. 
On February 16, 1840, it was partially destroyed by 
fire. After being repaired it was kept by B. S. 
Farnsworth. In March, 1849, John Moore became 
landlord, remaining until 1852. Since then it has 
frequently changed proprietors. 

The United States Hotel was located on Wood- 
bridge Street, between Griswold and Shelby Streets. 
It was in use in 1837. In 1840 H. Heath was the 
landlord. After the burning of the New York and 
Ohio House, William Shaw became proprietor and 
continued until 1845. From 1845 to 1846 it was 



484 



OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 



kept by M. T. Robinson. On October 31, 1848, it 
was burned. 

The Central Railroad House, kept by John 
Chamberlain, on the northeast corner of Michigan 
Avenue and Griswold Street, was burned on May 
17, 1841. In 1846 William Shaw was keeping a 
tavern called the Michigan Railroad Hotel, on the 
northwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Griswold 
Street. In 1849 he sold the building to W. Gar- 
rett, and on September 23, 1850, the house was 
burned. The Coyl House, located on the west side 
of Woodward Avenue just north of Woodbridge 
Street, was burned in the fire of January i, 1842. 
The same year Messrs. Hobert & Terhune were 
keeping a temperance hotel at the corner of Wash- 
ington and Michigan Avenues. In 1843 the land- 
lord was William Champ. 



remaining until 1868, when he was succeeded by H. 
W. Graves. In 1869 the names of Hackett & Ross 
appear as proprietors; in 1870 and 1871 Mr. 
Hackett was sole proprietor. In 1872 he was suc- 
ceeded by M. G. McCall, and after that time the 
building was used for other purposes. 

In 1846 the Grand River House, on the north- 
west corner of Griswold and Grand River Streets, 
was conducted by Marvin Salter. He was suc- 
ceeded in 1848 or 1850 by S. & J. French. In 1863 
the proprietor was A. Goodman, who, six years 
later, erected the Goodman House on the same site. 

The Northern Hotel, on the east side of Wood- 
ward Avenue, near the Grand Circus, was opened 
in March, 1S46. In December, 1847, William Per- 
kins, Jr., became proprietor of a hotel on the north- 
east corner of Grand Rivsr and Middle Streets. In 




Andrews' Railroad Hotel and Pontiac Depot. 



The Commercial Hotel, on the southwest corner 
of Woodbridge and First Streets, was conducted 
by John Murray in 1842, and was burned on Octo- 
ber 6. A new hotel by the same name was erected 
on the old site, and opened March 23, 1846, by 
John Murray. In June, 1850, B. S. Farnsworth 
became proprietor and remained four years. The 
house was burned .'Vugust 19, 1856. 

From 1845 until the great tire of May, 1848, A. 
Leadbeater kept the Indiana House, on the south 
side of Atwater Street near Randolph. Soon after 
the fire he opened the Western Hotel, on the north- 
west corner of Jefferson Avenue and Third Street, 



1856 he built a large brick addition on Middle 
Street, and in 1877 a large four-story addition on 
Grand River Avenue. He is still (1884) proprietor, 
and has always had a large patronage. 

Johnson's Hotel, on the southeast corner of Third 
and Woodbridge .Streets, was opened early in June, 
1848, by H. R. Johnson. Mr. Johnson retired in 
1852, and for the next seventeen months the house 
was kept by Czar Jones. During 1853 Mr. John- 
son resumed the management, and continued till 
1S57, when S. B. King became the proprietor. In 
1 86 1 the name was changed to Bagg's Hotel, and 
it was conducted by McDonald, Russell, & Co. In 



OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 



485 



1S62 and 1863 R. iMcUonald & Co. were proprietors. 
In 1S64 Sheldon & Graves were conducting the 
hotel, and they changed the name to Cass House. 
In 1865 Sheldon & Tyrrell were managers, and 
from 1866 to 1878 the Tyrrell Brothers. In 1878 
it was kept by Johnson & Ferguson, and in 1S79 
E. Ferguson became sole proprietor. 

From the spring of 1S50 for nearly three years 
William Shaw kept a hotel on the southeast corner 
of Woodward Avenue and Grand River Street. 
The building was then turned into stores. 

In 184S Colonel N. Prouty was landlord of the 
Buena Vista House. The building is still standing 
on Sixth Street, between Walnut Street and Grand 
River Avenue. 



Randolph, and Brush Streets, and as he owned the 
balance, he controlled almost the entire block. In 
1872 he purchased the rights of the Young Men's 
Society, and in 1 873 the Woodbridge front of si.'c 
stories was added. Many thousands of dollars have 
been spent upon the house for alterations and en- 
largements, but during much of the time for the last 
ten years the house and stores underneath have 
been unoccupied; and speculations and rumors as 
to probable occupants are as common as remarks 
upon the weather. The house was first opened on 
June 7, 1851, by Colonel O. B. Dibble and his son 
Charles. After the enlargement of 1861, on No- 
\-ember 4, it was opened by J. & A. B. Tabor. 
They were succeeded in August, 1871, by J. F. An- 




WlLLIAM PeKKINs' HuILL AND bUlKt, 

Northeast comer of Grand River Avenue and Middle Street. Hotel built in 1838-56. Store in 1877. 



The Biddle House was erected in 1849 by a 
stock company upon the site of the old American 
or Wales Hotel, on ground belonging to the estate 
of John Biddle. Various changes took place in the 
company, and finally Luther Beecher became sole 
proprietor. In i860 and 1861 a large addition was 
built on the east side, and Young Men's Hall erected 
in the rear. On July i, 1871, Mr. Beecher obtained 
a one-hundred-year lease of about two thirds of the 
block bounded by Jefferson Avenue, Woodbridge, 



tisdel, who remained two years, and was followed 
by H. r. Stevens. On February 7, 1874, John 
Stevens became the manager. In 1S75 J. M. Ma.\- 
well was in charge ; and his successors, at various 
times up to 18S0, have been Howell & .Schoaff, Gay 
& Van Norman, and N. H. Williams. 

The City Hotel on Lafayette Avenue, on the site 
of the present Abstract Building, was built by Rod- 
man Stoddard in 1850. Upon his death, in 1853, 
Nathan Stone became the proprietor. From 1856 



486 



OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 



to 1859 it was kept by C. M. Stoddard. He was 
succeeded in 1859 by H. L. Reeves, whio remained 
till 1862, when C. M. Stoddard resumed the man- 
agement. In 1866 Nicholson & Emery became 
managers, and in 1868 were succeeded by E. Pol- 
hemus, who was the last to occupy the house as a 
hotel. The building was torn down in 1874. 

From 1850 to i'S59 H. R. Andrews, with G. W. 
Thayer as clerk, kept the American Temperance 
House in the old arsenal building on the northwest 
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. 
The building was afterwards used as a Soldiers' 
Home, and was demolished in 1868. 

At various times a building on the southeast cor- 
ner of Woodward Avenue and Williams Street 
was occupied as a hotel ; and on December 22, 
1 85 1, a wooden building there located, known as 
the Grand Circus Hotel, was partly burned. In 
1852 N. Stone was the proprietor, and in 1863 S. 
Weaver. A later brick building was at one time 
called Purdy's Hotel, and in 1875 was known as 
the Pierson House ; it subsequently became a 
Turkish Bath establishment. 

The Merchants' Exchange, on the southeast cor- 
ner of Griswold and Woodbridge Streets, was built 
by James Abbott, and opened by John Moore on 
September 22, 1852. He remained until December 
31, 1866, when the building was converted into 
stores. 

The Peninsular Hotel, originally part of the old 
National, was moved to the southeast corner of 
Macomb and Grand River Avenues, by Charles 
Selkrig. in 1852. After him W. T. Purdy was 
manager for two years, and then John Small. 
From 1862 to 1865 W. Eisenlord was proprietor. 
In 1867 the names of J. T. and L. M. Ives appear 
as managers, and in 1869 J. T. Ives only. Other 
landlords succeeded, but none remained long, and 
in 1879 the building was torn down. 

Blindbury's Hotel, on the corner of Michigan 
and Washington Avenues, was erected by John 
Blindbury in 1852. He kept it until his death in 
1864. B. C. Hills succeeded him, followed by R. 
D. Johnson, who was proprietor from 1865 to 1S67. 
In 1868 J. F. & W. W. Antisdel became managers, 
and the name was changed to Antisdel House. 
After a few years W. W. Antisdel became sole 
manager. In May, 1883, W. A. Scripps bought 
the property, and W. W. Antisdel became a partner 
with him in conducting the house. 

The Garrison House was for many years an un- 
finished brick building on the northeast corner of 
Jefferson Avenue and Cass Street. In 1854 it was 
enlarged, finished for a hotel, and opened on January 
I, 1855, by A. A. & S. P. Pond. In 1856 and 1857 
George Millard was manager. In 1859 it was kept 
by J. J. Garrison, and in i860, 1 861, and 1862 by 



Garrison & Gillman. In 1863 and 1864 it was kept 
by D. C. Goodale, in 1865 by Cole & Kingsley, in 
1 866 and 1867 by H. H. and J. E. Cole, in 1868 
and 1869 by J. J. Rhodes, and in 1870 and 1 871 by 
Rhodes & Kingsley. After Mr. Rhodes' death 
in 1 87 1 the house was rebuilt and turned into 
stores. 

The hotel now known as the Madison, on the 
northeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph 
Street, was originally called the St. Charles Hotel, 
and was opened by W. T. Purdy and S. Cosens in 
1852. In 1853 G. F R. Wadleigh was proprietor, 
and A. H. Goodrich in 1855, and the name was then 
changed to Tremont House. In 1862 and 1863 D. 
S. Headley was proprietor, from 1 866 to 1 870 D. C. 
Goodale, and in 1870 G. Tucker. In 1873 the name 
was changed to Revere House, and W. Gray was 
proprietor, followed in 1874 by O. W. Penny. He 
was succeeded in 1879 by Cunningham & Barnard, 
and they in 1880 by W. H. Leland, who changed 
the name to Leland House. In November, 1880, 
the hotel was closed for repairs, and opened March 
9, 1881, by George H. Martin & Co. as the Madison. 
On June i following M. V. Borgrnan took posses- 
sion, and on August 20, 1883, George Scheller. In 
December, 1883, the lease and good will of the 
house was purchased by J. L. Wilder. 

The Waverly House, immediately opposite the 
Michigan Exchange on Jefferson Avenue; was 
opened by Cook & Baldwin in April, 1852. They 
kept it until November, 1853. J. P. Whiting then 
managed it for a year, and Whiting & Luff for 
several years. After this time it was rented for 
other purposes. 

The Howard House, on Congress Street, between 
Woodward Avenue and Griswold Street, was opened 
in 1853, with J. C. Davis as proprietor. In 1855 he 
was succeeded by George Millard, who remained 
three years or more. In 1862 M. W. Burchard was 
acting landlord; in 1863 Mrs. R. A. Bishop; in 
1864 J. Haggenbach; from 1865 to 1869, A. A. 
Corkins. In 1869 G. O. Williams was proprietor, 
succeeded in 1870 by Mrs. G. O. Williams. From 
1871 to 1875 it was conducted by J. B. Hamilton, 
in 1875 by Hamilton & Clark, in 1876 by Booth & 
Root, in 1877 by G. P. Booth, and in 1878 by L. J. 
Clark. On May 3, 1880, Van Est & Graves became 
proprietors, and the name was changed to Griswold 
House. In 1881 the house was enlarged on the 
norrh side and extensively refitted. 

The Earned House, on the northeast corner of 
Jefferson Avenue and Third Street, was opened by 
O. Whitney on May 30, 1853. In 1862 M. W. War- 
ner was in charge, and in 1865 George Niles. It 
was never a popular house, was often closed for 
long periods of rime, and was finally rented for 
offices. 



OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 



487 



The Railroad Exchange, on the south side of 
Michigan Avenue, between the Campus Martins and 
Bates Street, was opened by C. J. Beardslee, who 
Icept the hotel until 1868. In 1870 J. F. LobdcU 
was manager. After 1S78 the building was torn 
down, and the Mansfield Market erected on its site. 

The Finney House was built in 1854 by Seymour 
Finney, who kept the house until 1857. In 1858 
Parshall & Antisdel were proprietors. From 1859 
to 1870 J. Parshall was sole manager; in 1S70 C. P. 
Lord; from 1872 to 1876, A.H.Emery; from 1S76 
to 1883. N. H. Williams. In 1883 A. H. Emery 
again became manager. 



1 866. One or more additions hiive since bei^n made 
to tlie building. 

Hotel Henry, at the head of Monroe Avenue, 
was erected in 1870, and up to 1882 was conducted 
by John Henry. 

Hotel Renaud, on the northeast corner of Adams 
and Grand River Avenues, was so named in 1875 
by its owner, George F. Renaud. 

Hotel Goffinet, on the southeast corner of Ran- 
dolph and Earned Streets, also dates from 1875. It 
was conducted by James Goffinct until 1 878, when 
M. \'. Borgman became the proprietor, and the 
name was changed to Bernard House. On January 




ElSENLOKD House, 205 tu -11 Cass Street. Built in 1S64-75. 



The Brighton House, on the southeast corner of 
Grand River Avenue and Gillman Street, was 
erected in 1863 by Harvey King. 

The block on the northeast corner of Fort and 
Randolph Streets was fitted up as a hotel in 1865, 
and conducted until 1879 by C. D. Erichsen. He 
then moved to a building on Farmer Street, between 
Randolph and Bates Streets. The first -named 
building was turned into stores, and the hotel name 
transferred to the new location. 

The Eisenlord House, on the corner of Cass and 
Lewis Streets, was built by William Eisenlord in 



1 5. 18S1. the property was sold to W. A. Jones. In 
1883 he was succeeded by R. J. Calvert. 

The Brunswick House, on the southeast comer 
of Griswold and State Streets, was opened in 1878 
by A. M. Van Duzer and J. D. Tucker. In 1879 
E. H. Hudson was proprietor, in 1880 J. M. 
Hanaford, in 1881 M. W. Field, and on June 
29, 1882, the house was sold to Messrs. Dickinson 
& Carr. 

The Standish House, on the north side of Con- 
gress Street near \\'oodward Avenue, was opened 
in iS79by L. B. Clark. Rice's Hotel, occupying a 



488 OLD TAVERNS AND NEW HOTELS. 

part of the same block with the Standish House, was succeeded on April 30, 1882, by Messrs. Hart- 
was opened in 1879 by John D. Rice, zell & Co. In July, 1882, owing to difficulties 
In 1 88 1 the Williams Block, on the north side of between landlord and proprietors, the house was 
Michigan Avenue, facing the Campus Martins, was closed. In 18S3 a portion of the building was 
fitted up as a hotel, and opened on August 1 1 as again opened as a hotel with the same name, and 
the Kirkwood, with C. P. Howell as proprietor. He conducted by John C. Williams. 



CHAPTER LIV. 



IMPORTANT FIRES. — FIRE MARSHAL. — FIRE LIMITS. — CHIMNEY SWEEPS. 



IMPORTANT FIRES, 

Many of the fires which have occurred at Detroit 
are vitally connected with important historical facts. 
Some of them affected all the future of the city. 
The mention of many will recall collateral circum- 
stances, locate various events, and suggest items of 
interest. In the following list there has been no 
endeavor to recall every fire, but only those which 
destroyed one building or more, or an e.xceptionally 
large amount of property. Soon after it was founded 
the settlement suffered from torch and flame. 

1703. This year Indians set fire to a barn filled 
with corn and other grain, located outside of but 
adjoining the stockade. There was a high wind at 
the time, and the flames spread, consuming the 
church and the houses of the priest, Commandant 
Cadillac, and M. Tonty, as well as part of the stock- 
ade. At this fire Cadillac's hand was burned and 
many of his papers destroyed. 

1712. The Mascoutins and Outagamies, when 
they besieged the fort, threw hundreds of burning 
missiles inside the pickets, which set fire to the 
thatched roofs of the houses. The inhabitants put 
out the fire with swabs attached to long poles, and 
then covered the roofs with bear and deer skins. 
At this time the church, storehouse, and several 
other buildings outside the stockade were demol- 
ished because they were so near as to endanger the 
fort if set on fire. 

1805. The next fire of which any record has 
been preser\-ed was the notable one of June 11, 
1S05, which, on account of its results, was the most 
important local event that has taken place in 
Detroit. The town came out of this fire entirely 
changed,— built on a new plan, with new streets 
and new names, a new basis for the land titles, and 
a new and original system of local government ; in 
fact, every interest of the inhabitants, .social, politi- 
cal, and commercial, was affected by the event so 
appropriately commemorated in the seal of the city. 
The inhabitants of Detroit, especially the trustees, 
seem to have had a premonition of the calamity 
which so completely swept away the town ; the very 
first ordinance passed was in regard to protection 
from fires, and the records show that a large portion 



of each of their sessions was spent in framing regu- 
lations about fires, and fining the inhabitants for 
not obeying them. At their last meeting on June 3, 
eight days previous to the fire, the inspectors were 
ordered to inspect the jiremises of householders 
once a week, to see if their fire-buckets and fire- 
bags were in order. 

The fatal day arrived. A careless laborer, in the 
employ of John Harvey, a baker, was sent to har- 
ness the horses in a small stable situated on St. Anne 
Street, on what is now the north side of Jefferson 
Avenue, between Shelby and Wayne Streets. The 
fire of the man's pipe was communicated to the 
hay, and about nine o'clock in the morning the con- 
flagration began. There was little or no wind at 
first, and no one was much alarmed. The old fire- 
pump was brought into use, but as supplying it 
from the river was a slow and tedious process, the 
firemen resorted for water to a hatter's vat. The 
fur and shreds from the vat soon clogged and dis- 
abled the engine, and the fire spread apace, in less 
than an hour reaching the pickets on the eastern 
side of the town. 

Meantime the inhabitants were not inactive. They 
formed in double lines, obtained water, passed it 
from hand to hand, and poured it on the flames ; 
but the effort availed but little, and was soon dis- 
continued. Some of the people continued to throw 
water from buckets and basins; others rushed 
hither and thither with ladders and fire-bags, but 
all in vain. Boats, pirogues, and canoes were now 
in requisition. Furs and flannels, beds and bundles, 
goods and groceries, were placed therein, and with 
heavy hearts and hea\-y loads the boats were pulled 
away, in many cases only to be overtaken and 
destroyed by the burning shingles that filled the air. 
The margin of the river was thickly lined with 
tables, chairs, chests, and bedsteads. In many cases 
household goods and household gods were pre- 
served only by being thrown into the water. The 
excitable French population grew almost frantic as 
they saw houses, shops, and barns, one after another, 
turned to ashes almost in a moment. The thatched 
buildings, many of them a century old, moss-grown, 
and made sacred by a thousand memories and tra- 
ditions, handed down from those who risked their 



L.(89] 



490 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



all in the first settlement on the banks of the 
Detroit, flamed and flashed, and faded out of siijht. 
The narrow streets, ranging from twehe to twenty 
feet in width, offered little or no hindrance to the 
spread of the fire, and by one o'clock, out of nearly 
two hundred buildings inside of the stockade, but 
one was left, the stone chimneys alone remaining to 
mark the sites of the others. 

The building left standing was owned by Robert 
McNiff, and was located on St. Anne's Street near 
the site occupied in recent years by the Campau 
House. A warehouse just outside of the stockade, 
at the foot of what is now Wayne Street, on the 
southeast corner of Woodbridge Street, was also 
saved; it was owned by Angus Mcintosh, and 
occupied by Colonel H. J. Hunt. 

On the western side of Woodward Avenue there 
were a number of buildings untouched by the fire, 
which extended no farther than the middle of the 
block between Griswold Street and Woodward 
Avenue. 

Rev. John Dilhet, a Roman Catholic clergyman, 
gives this account of the fire : 

I was occupied with Mr. Richard when a messenger came to 
inform us that three houses had been already consumed, and that 
there was no hope of saving the rest. I exhorted the faithful who 
were present to help each other, and immediately commenced the 
celebration of low mass, after which we had barely time to 
remove the vestments and furniture of the church, with the 
effects of the adjoining presbytery, when both buildings were 
enveloped in the flames. 

In the course of three hours, from 9 o'clock till noon, nothing 
was to be seen of the city except a mass of burning coals, and 
chimney-tops stretching like pyramids into the air. Fortunately 
there was no wind during the conflagration ; this allowed the 
flames and smoke to ascend to a prodigious height, giving the 
city the appearance of an immense funeral pile. It was the most 
majestic, and at the same time the most frightful spectacle I e\cr 
witnessed. The city contained at least one hundred and fifty 
houses, mostly frame, which caused the fire to spread with the 
utmost rapidity. The number of people in tJie town being unusu- 
ally large, there was ample force for removing the merchandise 
and furniture of the inhabitants, which were in a great measure 
saved. No personal injury was sustained during the fire. 

This last statement is evidently a mistake, for an 
appropriation bill of December 8, 1806, contains an 
item that not over $20.25 was to be paid to Cather- 
ine Lasselle for "nursing a child crippled by the 
conflagration of the iithdayof June." Other in- 
juries are spoken of and further particulars narrated 
in the following letter from the agent of the public 
stores at Detroit to Governor Harrison : 

Detroit, June 14, 1805. 
Sir, — 

I have the painful task to inform you of the entire conflagration 
of the town of Detroit. About ten o'clock on Tuesday last a 
stable, immediately opposite the factory, was discovered on fire. 
The first intimation I had of it was the flames bursting through the 
doors and windows of the house ; T immediately gave the alarm, 
and with great exertion saved my papers, and about two thirds of 
the goods of the factory ; my private property was entirely con- 
sumed. 



In less than two hours the whole town was in (lames, and before 
three o'clock not a vestige of a house (except the chimneys) vis- 
ible within the limits of Detroit. The citadel and military stores 
were entirely consumed, and the furniture belonging to the estate 
of Colonel Hamtramck shared nearly the same fate ; the china is 
the only thing I can mention to be the contrary. 

I have removed the factory goods to the ship yard, and am now 
fixing a place to arrange them for disposal, agreeable to the origi- 
nal intention of the establishment, and I will speedily forward a 
.statement of the loss that has been sustained. The situation of 
the inhabitants is deplorable beyond description ; dependence, 
want, and misery is the situation of the former inhabitants of the 
town of Detroit. Provisions are furnished by contributions, but 
houses cannot be obtained. 

iMr. Dodemead lives in a corner of the public storehouse at the 
ship yard ; Mr. Donavan with his family have gone to Sandwich ; 
and Mr. Audrain, with many others, occupy the small house 
below Mr. May's. A number of families are scattered over the 
commons without any protection or shelter. 

I have been very much bruised and hurt by my exertion to save 
the property. My right arm particularly is so much swelled that 
I can hardly hold the pen to write these few lines, and my mind 
is equally affected with the distressing scenes I have witnessed 
for the last three days. 



I am, Sir, your ob't serv't 



RODERT MUNRO. 



Just previous to the fire, Jacques A. Girardin, a 
baker, kneaded a batch of bread and placed it in 
his oven. When the fire ceased burning he be- 
thought him of his loaves, and proceeded to his 
bakery. To his astonishment he found that the 
bread was not only uninjured, but well baked. It 
was dinner time and also a time of need ; and his 
hot and hungry neighbors were generously supplied 
from this unexpected store. 

A list of losses by the fire, presented to a com- 
mittee of citizens, foots up ^39,847, but the total 
loss must have been much greater, as the names of 
several score of persons, known to have been living 
in the town at the time, are not included in the list. 

After the fire some of the people were cared for 
in farm houses along the river; others erected tents 
and shanties on the commons in the rear of the old 
town. In a letter to James Madison, Secretary of 
State, dated August 3, 1805, Governor Hull says, 
" On my arrival (July ist) every house was crowded, 
and it was more than a week before I could obtain 
the least accommodation. I am now in a small 
farmer's house about a mile above the ruins, and 
must satisfy myself to remain in this situation dur- 
ing the next winter, at least." 

It was fortuitous, indeed, that the fire did not 
occur in winter, for although there was much dis- 
comfort, the mild weather made it endurable for a 
time. The country people soon poured in, with 
materials to be paid for when the citizens were able, 
and also offered their assistance to raise new build- 
ings. Timber, plank, stone, lime, brick, and other 
materials necessary for building were of cour.se in 
great demand, — a state of affairs which appears to 
have been peculiarly satisfactory to the lumbermen, 
and in a letter to James Madison, written August 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



491 



3, 1805, and on file at Washington, Governor Hull 
makes known the horrible suspicion of the people. 
He says, " It has not been ascertained how the fire 
took place, but it is generally believed it was by de- 
sign, and by persons interested in the lumber trade. 
Contracts had been previously made for all the lum- 
ber at the mills, and which could be sawed this 
season, w-hich was a novel arrangement in this coun- 
try." Was it in deference to this belief that C.ovcr- 
nor Hull issued a proclamation on September 4, 
1805, forbidding all persons, on pain of fine and im- 
prisonment, to cut any timber in the St. Clair pinery ? 
or was it because he purposed to prevent, as he did 
prevent, the people from building on their old lots, 
in order to secure the adoption of a new and really 
better plan? Such, at least, was the result of his 
efforts, for no houses were built during all that year, 
In connection with plans for the relief of the 
people, some curious statements are made by Mr. 
Gentle. He says: 

Two or three days after the fire, the sufferers met in McComb's 
orchard and appointed a committee to forward petitions to differ- 
ent parts, and to receive contributions for the relief of tlie suffer- 
ers. Through neglect the petitions were not forwarded until 
about si.x weeks afterwards. By that time the public commisera- 
tion had in a great measure subsided ; and this, we may suppose, 
was the reason why in all the United States not one cent was 
raised for our relief. Three weeks after the fire a vessel arrived 
from Michilimackinac and brought a contribution of nine hun- 
dred and sixty-one dollars, addressed to Frederick Bates, James 
Henry, and Robert .\bbott, to be distributed amongst the most 
necessitous of the sufferers. Soon after, a bill of exchange of one 
thousand and ten dollars was received from Montreal by Elijah 
Brush for the same purpose. Mr. Brush disposed of the bill to 
R. and J. .\bbott, and received four hundred dollars prompt pay- 
ment. Meantime Mr. Bates gave up his part of the charge to 
Mr. Henry. Some part of the Michilimackinac money being in 
bills on Montreal, Mr. Henry gave them over to R. .and J. Abbott, 
to the amount of $336. The whole in R. and J. .\bbott's hands 
is $925 ; in Mr. Brush's, $400 ; in all, $1,961. 

Towards spring, 1806, a meeting of the sufferers was held, and 
a committee empowered to compel those to whom this money was 
intrusted to give an account of its expenditure. A demand was 
made, but the answer not being satisfactory, it was resolved to 
enter suits against them at the following September term, if pre- 
vious to that time they did not comply with the above demand. 

The disposal of these contributions gave rise to 
much controversy, and the matter was considered 
by the Governor and judges on October 22, 1808, 
when '■ Judge Woodward laid on the table a reso- 
lution for the appointment of a committee on the 
subject of sundry considerable sums of money sub- 
scribed by the inhabitants of Montreal and Michili- 
mackinac for the relief of the sufferers by the con- 
flagration of Detroit." 

It does not appear from the old records that a 
settlement was then made, and it is not probable 
that any settlement would have been thoroughly 
satisfactory to all parties. There is no evidence 
that any of the funds were misappropriated. As 
late as October 20, 1817, Solomon Sibley, who, in 



some way, became the custodian of a part of the 
funds, turned over to the University the sum of 
$625.67. as part of the donation received from the 
citizens of Mackinaw, and from some other party, 
enough more (part or all of which came from Mon- 
treal) was turned over to make up the sum of S940. 
(See History of the University). 

The remembrances of 1805 made the people care- 
ful and vigilant ; and for twenty years thereafter no 
record or memory exists of a single conflagration. 

1825. On the 27th of .September the brewery of 
Abbott & Converse was consumed, with a large 
quantity of beer and barley. 

1827. Two years later the Detroit Gazette an- 
nounced the second burning of the brewery on the 
17th of February, as follows : 

Between 8 and 9 p. m. a fire broke out in the brewery of 
Messrs. .4bbott & Converse, situated on Palmer & McKinstry's 
wharf, adjoining the storehouse and wharf of Dorr & Jones. 
After most severe and unceasing exertions for upwards of four 
hours, the fire was so far checked as to warrant the hope that no 
farther damage would be done by it. On taking a sur\'ey of its 
ravages, it was found that in addition to the brewery, the ashery 
of Thomas Palmer, the shop of R. W. Paine, wagon maker, and 
the shop of Mr. Ewers, cooper, were destroyed. Several small 
buildings were torn down and others damaged. 

1830. On April 26 the Detroit Gazette office, the 
dwellings of John Smith and Judge McDonnell, the 
stores of Major Brooks and Mr. Griswold, and the 
offices of Dr. Clark and Thomas Palmer were 
burned. 

1831. On Sunday, January 16, at one P. M., 
a building on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 
Griswold Street, occupied by Mr. Heartt as a 
hardware store, and also by Mr. Wendel, was 
burned. The flames e.\tended to an adjoining 
building, occupied by Dean & Hurlbut as a saddle 
and harness store ; also to the adjacent dwelling 
house occupied by the Messrs. Moon, Cole, Porter 
and Dr. Henry, which was destroyed, together with 
many household goods belonging to John Farmer, 
stored, during the absence of the family, over Dean 
& Hurlbut's. Total loss, about $8,000 ; insurance, 
$4,000. 

June 8, Judge Leib's house in Hamtramck was 
burned. 

December 9, the dwelling of Julius Eldred, 
French & Eldred's woolen factory, S. Phelps' gro- 
cery and bath-house, also a house owned by B. 
Campau and occupied by Mr. Moon as a grocery 
and by Mr. Fairbanks as a dwelling, were destroyed. 
All were located on and near the corner of Ran- 
dolph and Atwater Streets. Loss, $9,000. 

1832. March 16, a cooper shop, with dwelling 
occupied by Mr. Sutton was burned. 

March 28, house and stable owned by Mrs. 
Hanks, occupied by J. Keeney. Two horses burned. 



49- 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



September 15, stable of Robert Abb(jU, below 
the city, burned. 

1833. July 15, Mr. Goodell's barn, near the 
jail. 

August 15, the new dwelling of Mr. Beaubien 
took fire ; Lieutenant Morris, with several U. S. 
soldiers, aided in putting out the fire. 

October 5, a fire at i A. M. in Z. Kirby's leather 
store and W. & F. Brewster's dry goods store, in 
or ne.xt to Smart's Block. Roof burned and some 
of the goods. 

1834. Sunday, January 12, cabinet warehouse of 
Moore & Britton, corner of Randolph and Atwater 
Streets, entirely consumed. 

January 15, Beardsley's blacksmith shop. 
August 21, steamboat, Oliver Newberry, partially 
burned ; loss, $1,000. 

1835. On Sunday, December 13, at 10.30 a. m., 
a fire, corner of Larned and Brush Streets, burned 
an unfinished building belonging to the proprietors 
of the Journal and Courier ; one adjoining building 
was also entirely destroyed, and several others par- 
tially burned. 

1836. February 17, a fire began about 8 p. m., 
which burned N. T. Ludden's grocery and John 
Hale's dry goods store and shoe shop on Atwater 
Street, near Berthelet Market. 

September 6, Rice & Clark's steam saw-mill and 
sash factory. Loss, about $15,000. 

1837. January 4, at 3 P. M., a fire on the north- 
east corner of Jefferson Avenue and Shelby Street, 
in T. C. Sheldon's block, burned the Free Press 
office, H. A. Naglee's confectionery and bakery, 
Rufus Brown's grocery and A. Chaffee's blacksmith 
shop. Total loss, about $23,000. 

April 27, at 12.30 a. m., a. fire broke out in the 
bakery of Mr. White on Woodward Avenue, which 
burned seventy-three buildings. It extended on 
Woodward Avenue from Woodbridge to Atwater, 
on Atwater, both sides, from Woodward to Ran- 
dolph ; on both sides of Woodbridge to the Steam- 
boat Hotel, near Randolph .Street, leaving in three 
blocks only one brick house and a range of low 
wooden buildings, opposite the Steamboat Hotel. 
Loss, about $200,000. Following is a list of the 
property destroyed : John Farmer, block of three 
stores ; J. L. Whiting, storage and forwarding 
house ; J. White, bakehouse ; M. Bishop, provisions 
and groceries ; McKenzie & Gfaves, provisions and 
groceries ; F. Moore & Co., provisions and grocer- 
ies ; S. Fletcher, Hall of Amusement ; Garrison & 
Holmes, grocery; J. Roberts, cigar manufactory; 
Little & Wells, chair manufactory ; A. C. Pierce & 
Co., wholesale grocers; H. Farrar, liquor store; 
Jesse McMillan, grocery and liquor store ; Robert 
Terhune, crockery warehouse ; Amos Lewis, St. 
Joseph House; Michael Dougherty, upholsterer; 



William Dickenson, groceries ; William Andrews, 
groceries; Mrs. Copland, bakery and confectionery : 
George Miller, groceries ; Michael Kelly, provisions 
and groceries ; C. L. Bristol, new block of five 
stores. 

1838. May I, building on northwest corner of 
Jefferson and Woodward Avenues burned. The 
occupants were: John McReynoIds, loss $11,000, 
insured for $6,000 ; T. H. Hickcox, loss $3,000 ; 
George Doty, loss $5. 000; De Graff & Townsend, 
loss $1,000, insured; William Phelps, loss $300. 

December 17, a bowling alley, tailor shop, gro- 
cery and barn, at foot of Woodward Avenue, 
burned at i a. m. 

1839. February 9, at 3 a. u., a woodshed, stable, 
two horses and a cow, belonging to Mr. Wilkins on 
Jefferson Avenue. 

June 26, Wednesday, at 10 P. M., T. M. Ladd's 
two-story house on Cass Farm. 

September i, evening. Great Western, at the 
wharf of Gillett & Desnoyers. 

1840. September 26, 4.30 A. M., corner of Gris- 
wold and Larned Streets, a barn and four horses 
burned ; the property of O. Field. 

October 31, a barn and several small buildings 
on southeast corner of Monroe Avenue and Farmer 
Street, belonging to Major Kearsley. 

December 17, Fletcher's Hall of Amusement and 
Campbell's liquor store, foot of Woodward Avenue. 

1841. Sunday, January 3, at 6.30 a. m.. Major 
Dequindre's house, corner of St. Antoine and Wood- 
bridge -Streets. 

May 17, C. L. Bristol's house, opposite the Capi- 
tol, and Central Railroad House, on Michigan Ave- 
nue, kept by John Chamberlain. Loss, $9,000. 

1842. On Saturday. January i, a fire broke out 
about 10 P. M., either in the Coyl House or the New 
York and Ohio House, old wooden buildings, located 
on the northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and 
Woodbridge Street. The fire burned over the 
entire block, bounded by Woodward and Jefferson 
Avenues, Griswold and Woodbridge Streets, con- 
suming twenty-five buildings, including the two 
finest four-story brick stores then in the city. En- 
tire loss, $200,000. 

Among the buildings were those of Messrs. Lud- 
den. Garrison, John Palmer, Webb & Douglass, 
Dequindre, Moore, Chandler and Dwight. The 
following business places were burned out : Adver- 
tiser and Free Press offices, the Museum, F. Ray- 
mond's clothing store, Warren's confectionery, 
Gardner's crockery store, G. & J. G. Hill's drug 
and grocery store, A. C. McGraw's shoe store, E. 
Bingham's drug store. Nelson's grocer\\ Salsbury's 
grocery, Johnson's tailor shop, the Custom House, 
and many small establishments. 

At this fire the officers and soldiers of the Fifth 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



493 



United States Regiment did effective service, for 
which they were thanked by the Common Council. 

April 27, the Canadian steamer Western burned 
at Watkins iS: Bissell's dock. 

October 6, 11 P. M., O. Newberry's warehouse 
and part of the Commercial Hotel. Loss, §3,000. 

1843. February 20, at corner of Woodward 
Avenue and Woodbridge Street, a building occu- 
pied by A. H. Stowell. B. B. Moore, and Witherell's 
law office. The adjoining buildings, occupied by 
A. M. Bartholomew and M. F. Dickinson, were 
much injured. 

August 12, several small buildings, also a horse, 
corner of Woodbridge and Beaubien Streets. 

October 18, at 1.30 A. M., on south side of Jeffer- 
son .Avenue, between Bates and Randolph Streets, 
the building occupied by George Egner, confec- 
tioner; Tyler & Beaufait's hat store; Dr. Bar- 
tholick, druggist; and Gantry, tailor, were burned; 
also Barney Campau's dwelling. 

1844. November 4. the house of G. Mott Wil- 
liams, corner of Congress and Wayne Streets. This 
was the first fire that had occurred since the one 
last noted, over a year previous. 

December 13, early in the morning, Campau's 
Block, on northwest corner of Jefferson and Wood- 
ward Avenues, partly burned. The stores were 
occupied by W. & D. Benn'ett, druggists. Loss, 
$5,000. Adjoining store of De Graff & Townsend 
slightly damaged. 

1845. March 15, 2 a. m., Detroit Iron Com- 
pany's Foundry entirely consumed. 

1846. August 28, Mr. Holmes' residence on 
Larned Street much injured ; barn burned, also a 
carpenter shop and R. H. Hall's stable. 

1847. March 8, dwelling on Woodward Avenue, 
owned by C. W. Morgan, occupied by J. C. W. Sey- 
mour. Loss, S600. 

July 24, dwelling near Central Depot, owned by 
Mr. Lothrop, of Jackson, occupied by Mr. Le Roy. 

September 15, tannery of W. Parker, near Water 
Works, burned. Loss, $10,000. 

December 21, an extensive fire broke out about 
1 1 o'clock in the block on north side of Jefferson 
Avenue, between Randolph and Brush Streets. It 
was first discovered in Long's wagon shop. It 
spread rapidly half way to Brush Street, west to 
Randolph Street, and north to the alley between 
Jefferson Avenue and Larned Street, burning all a^ 
far east as William Moore's livery stable. 

1848. January 24, residence of Samuel Pitts on 
Jefferson Avenue. Loss, $3,000. 

April 12. 9 p. M., barn u.sed by D. Smart, corner 
of Russell Street and Jefferson Avenue. 

May 4, Odd Fellows' Hall, on Woodward Ave- 
nue, considerably damaged. 

May 9, an extensive conflagration occurred. It 



burned more buildiiigs and destroyed much more 
property than any previous fire. 

It originated in De Wolf's storehouse, better 
known as the "old yellow warehouse," located on 
the river between Bates and Randolph Streets, and 
was caused by sparks from the propeller St. Joseph, 
then lying at the dock. The fire extended from 
this point northeast nearly to the southwest corner 
of Jefferson Avenue and Beaubien Street, burning 
most of the buildings, nearly three hundred in all, 
south of Jefferson Avenue to the river ; and from 
the middle of the block between Bates and Ran- 
dolph Streets to the middle of the block between 
Brush and Beaubien Streets,-;-a space equal to six 
squares. For many years the locality was desig- 
nated as the " burnt district." Of the buildings 
burned, one hundred and seven were dwelling- 
houses, and between three hundred and four hun- 
dred families were left homeless. Among the more 
prominent buildings burned were the old Council 
House, the Berthelet Market, Wales Hotel or the 
American House, and Woodworth's Steamboat 
Hotel. The fire broke out at 10.30 a. m., and lasted 
till 4 P. M. The sparks were so numerous and so 
large that, east of Woodward Avenue, nearly every 
house had to be watched, and sparks brushed from 
the roofs. The whole city was alarmed, and there 
was great fear that the fire could not be subdued. 
Several buildings were blown up and others torn 
down, to hinder the progress of the flames. Furni- 
ture was carried for safety to points a mile distant, 
and many families, nearly that distance away, com- 
menced to pack their most valuable goods. The 
total loss exceeded §200,000, on which there was 
but $34,000 insurance. Sufferers by the fire were 
relieved by committees of citizens. 

August 22, W'illiam Barclay's foundry burned ; it 
was a large wooden building, on the corner of 
Lafayette Avenue and Shelby Street. Loss, about 
$12,000. 

October 31, 11 P. M., United States Hotel, on 
Woodbridge between Griswold and Shelby Streets. 

1849. February 14, three wooden buildings near 
the Commercial Hotel. One entirely, and two par- 
tially consumed. 

April 14, Bom's shoe .shop and dwelling on 
Larned Street, between Bates and Randolph 
Streets, burned. 

May 22, twelve o'clock midnight, a fire broke out 
in the machine shop and engine buildings of the 
Pontiac Railroad Depot, and the buildings and their 
contents, including many valuable patterns, tools, 
etc.. were destroyed. The engines were removed 
without injury. The depot was on the southwest 
corner of Gratiot and Farmer .Streets. 

June 5, Wilcox's carpenter shop, on the north side 
of Farrar, between Monroe and Gratiot Avenues, 



494 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



entirely, and the adjoining old brick theatre partially 
destroyed. 

June 14, John Edwards' old Ferry House, at the 
foot of Woodward Avenue, was burned. 

Augfust 23, a fire on Monroe Avenue, near Ran- 
dolph, burned Northrop 's blacksmith shop. Graves' 
paint shop, and a carpenter shop. 

December 7, a fire on south side of Jefferson 
Avenue, between Bates and Randolph Streets, 
originating in a frame building next to M. H. Web- 
ster's hardware store, burned Stewart's botanic 
store, Hirsch & Silberman's cigar store, William 
Lambert's clothes cleaning establishment, and other 
business places. 

November 19, officers' quarters at Fort Wayne 
burned. 

1850. March 28. about three o'clock A. M., a fire 
broke out on northeast corner of Jefferson Avenue 
and (Jriswold Street, and Collins' eating house. 
Banks' clothing store, Rankin's shoe store. Marsh's 
jewelry store, and the stores of Rowe & Co., oyster 
dealers, and Bates & Henderson, tailors, were de- 
stroyed. 

May II, the Williams' Block, on south side of 
Jefferson Avenue, corner of Bates Street, was dam- 
aged by a fire in the upper stories ; building occu- 
pied by Carpenter & Rice, J. & W. Thompson, and 
James Lowry. 

June 17, a grocery, on corner of Jefferson Avenue 
and Beaubien Street, and several wooden buildings 
were burned. 

September 23, a barn attached to the Michigan 
Railroad House, on northwest corner of Griswold 
Street and Michigan Avenue, was set on fire, and 
the Hames communicated to the hotel, which was 
totally destroyed. 

October 29, fire in a carpenter shop on State 
Street, in rear of O. M. Hyde's dwelling and First 
M. E. Church. The last two buildings somewhat 
damaged. 

November 19, the M. C. R. R. Depot, with all its 
contents, was burned. Loss, $150,000. The burn- 
ing of this depot was the culminating act in the 
" Railroad Conspiracy Case," and had much to do 
with that celebrated trial. 

1851. April II, the Seamen's Home Hotel, on 
Atwater Street, together with three or four other 
wooden buildings. 

May 3, F. P. Markham & Brother's book store, 
on Jefferson Avenue, next to Firemen's Hall, also 
James Riley's house in the eighth ward. 

December 22, Grand Circus Hotel and barn. 

1852. January 23, car manufacturing shop of 
M. C. R. R. and much lumber. 

April 16. Cooper Block, on Jefferson Avenue, be- 
tween Griswold and Shelby Streets, nearly con- 
sumed. 



September 28, three dwellings and two barns, 
corner of Congress and Russell Streets. 

October 15, C. C. Jackson's house, on Woodward 
Avenue, between State and Grand River Streets, 
burned, and D. C. Holbrook's much injured. 

1853. February 10, the furniture factory of 
Stevens & Weber, above Grand Circus, burned. 

February 15, Ellis's dry goods store, southeast 
corner of Woodward Avenue and Congress Street. 

June 23, a fire on Gratiot Street, near Beaubien ; 
four buildings entirely, and several others partially 
destroyed. 

May 30, the dry kiln of Sutton's pail factory, on 
Fort Street West, burned. 

August 15, a pottery on Orleans Street, near 
Gratiot, was totally destroyed, and a man burned to 
death. 

November 8. old Bowling Alley, on Monroe Ave- 
nue near the Campus Martins, known as the Palo 
Alto Saloon, and two adjoining buildings, occupied 
as a bakery and a meat shop, were burned. 

1854. January 10, the First Presbyterian Church, 
on northeast corner of Woodward Avenue and 
Earned Street, with half the block between Lamed 
Street and Jefferson Avenue, the fire extending to 
the old Boston shoe store of L. L. Farnsworth. The 
fire began in Smith & Tyler's shoe store, on Wood- 
ward Ax'enue, and consumed the grocery stores of 
T. Lewis and George Davis, T. H. Armstrong's 
hat store, Foster's paint shop, a barber shop, P. 
Teller's residence on Earned Street, and the Presby- 
terian Church. The burning of the church was a sad 
but splendid sight ; as the flames streamed up and 
enveloped the steeple, they illuminated half the city. 

The picture given of the fire is from an oil paint- 
ing produced from a sketch made by Robert 
Hopkins the morning after the fire. The original 
appearance of the church is more accurately shown 
in connection with the history of the churches. 

January 22, M. C. R. R. offices, at foot of Third 
Street, burned. Loss, $10,000. 

June 26, Colored Baptist Church, known also as 
Liberty Hall, on Fort Street East, between Beau- 
bien and St. Antoine Streets. 

June 29, Phillips' sash factory, part of the Penin- 
sular Hotel barn, a bakery, and four dwellings, 
burned. 

August 6, Lutheran Church, on Monroe Avenue, 
corner of Farrar Streets, and two frame dwellings. 

August 19, a number of barns and sheds between 
Lamed Street and Jefferson Avenue and Brush 
and Beaubien Streets. 

September 19, two wooden buildings on Atwater 
and First Streets burned and two others injured. 

October 20, Ingersoll's carpenter-shop, on Wood- 
bridge, between Bates and Randolph Streets, 
burned. 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



495 



December 22, coo[K-r shop and three dwellings 
on Gratiot Avenue. 

December 23, Wenzell's tin shop and adjacent 
buildings, on Woodward Avenue near the Campus 
Martius. 

1855. January 24, Wilcox's carpenter shop on 
Farrar, between Monroe and Gratiot Avenues, 
consumed. 

March 7, Long's livery stable, on Woodbridge 
Street in rear of Firemen's Hall. 

May 28, grocery and feed store of Todd & Van- 



August 17. Mechanics' Hall, on Griswold Street, 
partially consumed. 

August 19, Commercial Hotel, on Woodbridge 
and I'irst Streets. 

September 19, dwelling houses, occupied by the 
Misses Scott and Mrs. J. C. Ladue, corner of Hjist- 
ings and Larned Streets, partly burned. 

December 24, C. & V. Mellus's saw factory, on 
Fort Street East, near Beaubien. 

1857. January 13, old Abbott Block, on Atwater 
Street. 




Burning of First Presdyteri.\n Church. 



derwarker, southeast comer of Woodward and 
Grand River Avenues. 

September 4, Cass Warehouse, foot of First 
Street, occupied by Williams & Buckley, burned. 
Loss, $30,000. 

1856. May 1 3, German Theatre, corner of Rivard 
and Macomb Streets, burned, two other buildings 
injured. 

May 18, Tribune Building, northeast comer of 
Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street. 



February 12, New York Boiler Works and Hall's 
Hotel, on Atwater near Hastings Street. 

June 20, fire in Tenth Ward, caused by inhabitants 
.seeking to drive disreputable persons out of the 
ward. 

1858. February- 5, the old Smart Buildings, 
known also as the " Scotch store " of Campbell & 
Linn, on northeast corner of Jefferson and Wood- 
ward Avenues ; also the adjoining brick stores on 
Woodward and Jefferson Avenues, occupied by 



496 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



Shcldun & lirothcr and Amberg & Co., were 
burned. Loss, §50,000. 

February 14, large wooden building, corner of 
Brush and Gratiot Streets, occupied by Moross & 
Provost. 

March 7, old wooden theatre on northwest corner 
of State and Farrar Streets. The old brick theatre 
opposite partially burned. 

April 1 1, Hyde's planing mill, in Tenth Ward. 

April 16, Moffat's saw mill, in Tenth Ward. 

September 20, old barn on Cass Farm, belonging 
to Mr. King. 

December 31, Tribune Building, northeast corner 
of Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street. 

1859. February 8, stables of Grand River House, 
near corner of Griswold and Grand River Streets. 

March, 24, Funke's hat store. King's clothing 
store, and Elliott's paint shop, on north side of Jef- 
ferson Avenue, between Bates and Woodward. 

April 25, Grigg's chair factory, on northwest cor- 
ner of Brush and Gratiot Streets (formerly used as 
a warehouse by the D. & P. R. R. Co.), and eight 
other buildings. 

May 22, dwelling of A. H. Stowell, on northeast 
corner of Griswold and Grand River Streets, par- 
tially burned. 

June 15, old railroad freight building, on Michi- 
gan Avenue, .site of New City Hall, partially burned. 

June 20, William Phelps & Company's store, 98 
Jefferson Avenue, damaged, and three or four other 
stores burned. At this fire R. W. Wright, by over- 
exertion or inhaling of smoke, was much injured. 

July 29, W. F. Belman's grocery, corner of John 
R Street and Woodward Avenue. 

i860. January i, old Whig Cabin, ne.xt to Bid- 
die House, occupied by several small firms. Loss, 
$5,000. 

January 19, Blindbur^-'s planing mill, on Atwater 
Street, between Rivard and Riupelle Streets. Loss, 
$3,000. 

January 29, frame house, corner of Earned and 
Brush Streets. Loss, $1,000. 

March 5, bo.x factory, rear of 200 Macomb Street. 
Same day, old oilcloth factory, on Jefferson Avenue, 
near St. Aubin Avenue. Loss, $400. 

March 18, residence of H. H. Wells, corner of 
Jefferson .'\ venue and Rivard Street, greatly dam- 
aged. 

May 3, two houses on Hastings, between Fort 
and Lafayette Streets. Loss, $r,ooo. 

May 1 5, dwelling on Earned Street in rear of the 
Cathedral. 

May 30, a row of one-story buildings, corner of 
Michigan Avenue and Third Street. Loss, $1,000. 

June 3, several piles of lumber at Pitts' Mill. 
Same day, U. M. Richardson's match factory. 
Loss, $1 2,000. 



June 17, J. Taylor & Co.'s grocery, a two-story 
building, corner of Macomb and Grand River 
Streets. Loss, $4,000. 

July 4, old Detroit Institute, or Fowler School- 
house, in use as a livery stable, with eleven horses, 
burned. Loss, $3,200. 

July 7, barn near Woodward Avenue and be- 
tween Columbia and Elizabeth Streets. 

July II, frame dwelling, corner Park and Sproat 
Streets, occupied by Mr. Deming, burned ; several 
others injured. 

August 1 1, several stables in alley near Beaubien 
and between Congress and Earned Streets. Loss, 
$1,500. 

August 12, two buildings, on Earned near St. An- 
toine Street, partially burned. 

August 29, fire on the dock between Cass and 
First Streets ; Newman's roofing establishment and 
Pittman's warehouse burned, and other buildings 
damaged. Loss, about $5,000. 

December i, stores of J. 'Van Baalen, P. Carr. W. 
G. Peters, H. S. Lapham ; Wanbeq & Musche, J. 
O'Connor, and D. McCormick, burned; they were 
on north side of Michigan Avenue, between Gris- 
wold and Woodward Avenues. 

1861. January 4, fire on north side of Jefferson 
Avenue, between Griswold and Woodward Ave- 
nues. D. Amberg's clothing store burned and S. 
Grigg's furniture store badly damaged. 

January 25, Traub Brothers' jewelry store, on 
south side of Jefferson Avenue, between Bates and 
Randolph Streets. 

February i, old wooden buildings on west side of 
\\'oodward Avenue, from Atwater Street to dock, in- 
cluding Brady warehouse. All burned. Loss, $7,000. 

February 22, fire in Scotten, Granger, & Eovett's 
tobacco factory, on Randolph Street, and in A. 
Lingeman's jewelry store, at head of Michigan 
Grand Avenue. 

March 15, Mechanics' Hall, in use for police 
court, on Griswold Street, partly burned. 

May 5, residences of S. E. Pittman and Mrs. Van 
Anden burned, also two or three smaller buildings 
on Woodbridge Street, near St. Antoine. 

May 29, building on Si.xth and Locust Streets, 
occupied by Mrs. Starkey's select .school. 

June I, F. E. Eldred's tannery, in Springwells, 
badly damaged. 

June 10, Ouinlan's grocery, corner of Seventh and 
Grand River Streets. Loss, $2,500. 

July 4, house belonging to Mr. Flattery, occupied 
by Mr. Elliott, also adjoining residence and two 
barns, corner of Rivard and Earned Streets. 

July 13. old building, formerly a Catholic Church, 
on the Church Farm in Hamtramck. 

July 18, Michigan Oil Company's store, iii 
Woodbridge Street. 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



497 



August 22, two houses on Maple, between Or- 
leans and Dequindre Streets. 

September 6, large barn and shed in King's 
stockyard, also a bull. 

December 23, store on corner of Macomb and 
St. Antoine Streets. 

December 26, residence of Mr. German, corner 
of Clinton and Chene Streets. 

1862. April 2, M. C. R. R. engine house. Eight 
locomotives badly damaged, $20,000 worth of 
property destroyed. 

August 12, steam sawmill of H. A. & S. C Wight. 
Loss, $75,000. 

1863. January i, fire at Heavenrich lirothers' 
store, 78 Woodward Avenue. Loss, $5,000. 

January 7, twelve o'clock P. M., W. E. Tunis's 
store, near northwest corner of Woodward Avenue 
and Lamed Street, upper part occupied by Pelgrim 
& Gray. 

February 3, T. J. Haywood's store, on Atwater 
Street, between Griswold Street and Woodward 
Avenue. 

March 6, during the riot against the negroes in 
connection with the trial of Faulkner, the city was 
fired in some twenty places, and eighty-five build- 
ings on Lafayette, between Brush and St. Antoine 
Streets, on Brush near Congress, and on Ikaubien 
near Croghan, were burned. 

July 18, Congress Street M. E. Church nearly de- 
stroyed. 

1864. September 23, warehouse occupied by B. 
O'Grady and Black & Young, on dock at foot of 
First Street. 

September 30, large brick factory and shop of 
Morhous, Mitchell, & Byram, on south side of 
Woodbridge, between Beaubien and St. Antoine 
Streets. 

1865. April 23, Campbell & Linn's dry goods 
house, on northwest corner of Woodward Avenue 
and Congress Street. Loss, $50,000. 

October iS, M. C. R. R. freight house and large 
quantity of freight. Loss, $1,500,000. 

1866. April 26, in the evening, the passenger and 
freight ofiiees and depots of the D. & M., and M. 
S. & L. S. Railroads, also the freight depot of the 
G. W. R. R., at foot of Brush Street and e.xtending 
to St. Antoine Street, were burned, together with 
over eighty cars, the steam ferry Windsor, and an 
immense amount of freight. Loss, over $1,000,000. 
Eighteen lives were lost at this fire, and in this re- 
spect it was the most disastrous the city ever ex- 
perienced. 

May 6, three distinct fires took place, burning the 
hardware store of Charles Busch, on north side of 
Jefferson Avenue, near Bates, a carpenter shop at 
1 1 2 Randolph Street, and a two-story house on 
Clinton Street. 



October 9, Frost's woodenware works, on Wight 
at foot of Leib Street. Loss, $20,000. 

November 24, the paint shop of M. C. R. R. 
Loss, $80,000. 

1867. June 3, Worcester, Standish, & Co.'s |)aint 
factory and eight dwellings. Loss, several thousand 
dollars. 

June 28, the bo.x factory of Dewey & Brady, and 
last factory of Mumford, Foster, & Co., on Atwater 
Street, at foot of Riopelle Street. 

1868. January 2, old wooden building, on north- 
east corner of Alwater and St. Antoine Streets, oc- 
cupied as City Mission Lodging House. 

April 4, part of the old Merchants' E.xchange 
Hotel. It was occupied by the Detroit Stove 
Works and H. P. Baldwin & Co. 

December 7, Hubbard & King's planing mill. 
Loss, $20,000. 

1869. January 23, old Athemeum, formerly Con- 
gress Street M. E. Church. 

June 29, Fulton Iron Works, corner of Franklin 
and Brush Streets. Two firemen badly injured. 
Loss, about $50,000; insurance, $20,000. 

July 1, the picture frame factory of Date & Berry, 
on southwest corner of Randolph and Atwater 
Streets. Loss, $60,000. 

1870. January 9, a two-story frame building, 
used as grocery and dwelling, on Wight Street, be- 
tween Walker Street and Joseph Campau Avenue. 
Five persons burned to death. 

1871. February 11, Trowbridge Block, at foot of 
Bates Street, on west side, partially burned. Loss, 
$60,000. 

March i. Peninsular Dressed Lumber Company's 
Works, on southeast corner of Atwater and Riopelle 
Streets. Loss, $50,000. 

May II. Pullman Car shops, on northeast corner 
of Croghan and Dequindre Streets ; three cars and 
one of the shops burned. Loss. $50,000. 

June 1 1, F. Stearns' drug store, on west side of 
Woodward Avenue near Earned Street. Loss. 
$16,588. 

July 31, E.xcelsior Club Boathouse and boats, on 
south side of Atwater, between Chene Street and 
Joseph Campau Avenue ; also four ice-houses be- 
longing to Seitz Brothers. 

December 4, the tobacco factory of M. Rosenfield 
& Co., 19 Jefferson Avenue, on north side, between 
First and Second Streets. Loss, $20,000. 

December 30, F. Stearns' drug store, on west side 
of Woodward Avenue, burned, — second time this 
year ; four lives lost. Loss, $64,000. 

1872. July 14, brick store at 522 Gratiot Street. 
Loss, $10,000. 

July 29, four stores, numbers 948 to 954, on 
Michigan Avenue. Loss, $9,500. 

August 5, match factory, on corner of Grand 



498 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



River Avenue and Thirteen-and-a-half Streets. 
Loss; $20,000. 

September 10, the g)-mnasium building, on the 
southwest corner of Congress and Randolph Streets ; 
also a picture-frame store on Jefferson Avenue. 
Loss, $30,000. 

October 7, brick store, 145 Woodward Avenue. 
Loss, $43,000. 

November 1 5, brick carpenter shop and wood- 
working room of M. C. R. R. Loss, $100,000. 

December 5, fire at Pullman Car Works. Loss, 
$ 18,000. 

1873. February 9, foundry on corner of Atwater 
and Dequindre Streets. Loss, $11,500. 

April 13, Tribune printing building, on north side 
of Larned, between Griswold and Shelby Streets ; 
also property belonging to the Michigan Farmer 
and Commercial Advertiser offices. Loss, $1 1 2,000 ; 
insurance, $55,000. 

May I 5, Schulenburg's billiard factor)', on Ran- 
dolph Street, partly burned. Loss, $1 5,000. 

June 7, Propeller Meteor and Bulkley's ware- 
house, at foot of First Street. Loss, $87,000. 

June 30, destructive fire in K. C. Barker & Co.'s 
tobacco factory, south side of Jefferson Avenue, 
near Cass Street. 

September 2, Republic Brewery, on Elmwood 
Avenue. Loss, $14,000. 

October 11, Weber's planing mill and lumber 
yard, a brewery, nine dwellings, and other buildings 
in the block bounded by Hastings, Rivard, Maple, 
and Sherman Streets. Loss, $35,000. 

November 27, distillery on corner of Larned and 
First Streets. Loss, $12,000. 

December 20, Hinnian's oil store, 54 Jefferson 
Avenue. Lo.ss, $12,000. 

December 30, Farrington, Campbell, & Co.'s spice 
mills. Loss, $25,000. 

1874. February 18, tobacco works, 152 Ran- 
dolph Street. Loss, $20,000. 

March 5, Kieler's Hall, 339 Lafayette Street East. 
April 14, burial-case factory, on southeast corner 
of Congress and Third .Streets. Loss, $75,000. 

1875. April 29, at night, Weber's furniture fac- 
tory, on corner of John R., between High and 
Montcalm Streets ; also fifteen dwellings. Loss, 
$250,000. 

June 14, Adams' saw mill. Loss, $8,000. 

June 30, bridge and iron works, on Foundr)' 
Street, near Michigan Avenue, partially burned. 
Loss, $30,000. 

1876. .March 25, Fort Street Presbyterian Church, 
on corner of Third and Fort Streets, a large and 
elegant stone building, was almost entirelv destroyed. 
The fire was probably caused by a defective chim- 
ney. Loss, about $100,000. 

June 13. market shed on Michigan Grand Ave- 



nue. The heat was so intense that the plate-glass 
windows in the Russell House, McKinstry and 
Williams Blocks, were largely destroyed. 

December 30, Wight's saw mill. Loss, $30,000. 

1877. May 7, Phillips's show-case factorj- and D. 
M. Ferry & Co.'s box factory, on northwest corner 
of East Fort and Beaubien Streets. Loss, $23,000. 

May 29, seven small houses and three barns on cor- 
ner of Hastings and Marion Streets. Lo.ss, $8,000. 

June 5, Charles Tegler's planing mill and other 
buildings on north side of High near Beaubien 
Street. Loss, $15,000. 

June 10, steamer R. N. Rice, of the Cleveland 
line, burned at foot of Wayne Street. Loss, $40,000. 

July 5, house, barn, and sheds, 46 Lewis Street. 
Loss, $2,600. 

July 22, Theatre Comique, on Jefferson Avenue 
opposite the Biddle House. Loss. $12,000. 

September 17, the cracker factory of Vail & 
Crane, on southeast corner of Woodbridge and 
Randolph Streets. Loss, $9,700. 

September 20, several factories at 34 Atwater 
Street, occupied by C. B. Seitz, W. H. Scott, and 
W. O'Callaghan. Loss, $7,000. 

November g, frame store and dwelling, 1 1 1 Joseph 
Campau Avenue. Loss, $2,200. 

December 14, M. M. Gisler's house, 1062 Wood- 
ward Avenue. Loss, $4,000. 

1878. January 13, Amos Chaffee's brick store, 
occupied by Barnes Brothers and Hazard & Brew- 
ster, on Jefferson Avenue. Loss, $32,000. 

March 26, tower of engine-house on Alexandrine 
Avenue struck by lightning and destroyed. 

April 29, Free Press Building burned. Loss, 
$44,000. 

May 22, coal-shed and coal of Gas Company, and 
Bigley's packing and ice houses, at foot of Twenty- 
second Street. Loss, $12,000. 

May 23, Berry Brothers' varnish factory. Loss, 
$45,000. 

August II, several one-story stores, dwellings, 
and sheds, at 485 Grand River Avenue. Loss, 
$6,500. 

October 24, Doane's fiour mill, corner of Larned 
and Second Streets. Loss, $12,000. 

1879. May II, Post and Tribune Company's 
printing office. Loss, $30,000. 

May 28, Holy Trinity Anglo-Catholic Church and 
rectory partly burned. Loss. $2,000. 

August 1 3. propeller Steinhoff and a warehouse 
at foot of Griswold Street. Loss, $19,000. Two 
persons burned to death. 

November 23, brick house. 169 Fort Street West. 
Loss, $5,500. Also, Kaiser's brick tanner)-, 219 Rio- 
pelle Street. Loss, $4,000. 

1880. May 3, M. Maier's trunk factory. 55 Mon- 
roe Avenue. Loss, $6,000. 



IMPORTANT FIRES. 



499 



July 27, brick store and dwelling, 316 Rivard 
Street. Loss, $4,200. 

October 1 3, old warehouse, corner of Second and 
Front Streets. Loss, S4.7oo- 

November 4, H. McCain's dwelling, 379 Clinton 
Street. Loss, $2,000. 

1881. January 2, M. J. Reardon's store and 
dwelling, 445 Trumbull Avenue. Loss, $1,250. 

January 12, boiler explosion and fire at Union 
Steam Mills, corner of Ninth and Woodbridge 
Streets. Loss, $25,000. 

January 22, comb factory, 203 MuUett Street, 
owned by William Roth. Loss, $4,303. 

February 6, a two-story dwelling, 474 Congress 
Street East, occupied by H. Hunter. Loss, 
$1,000. 

February 27, store of Amos Chaffee, 141 Jeffer- 
son Avenue, occupied by Barnes Brothers. 

March 18, two dwellings, 2S0 Congress Street 
East. Loss, $1,000. 

March 31, G. M. Traver's store, in Woodward 
Avenue. Loss, $8,000. 

April 20, store and dwelling, 646 Twelfth Street. 
Loss, $1,500. 

April 30, Frost's woodenware works, Wight near 
Adair Street. Loss, $41,000. 

May 4, barns and dwelling, 268 to 272 Alfred 
Street. Loss, $1,500. 

May 6, Detroit Lithographic Office, 54 Bates 
Street. Loss, $6,000. 

May 16, frame store and dwelling, 356 Chestnut 
Street. Loss, $1,200. 

July 20, J. E. Davis & Co.'s store, corner of Jef- 
ferson Avenue and Wayne Street. Loss, $45,500. 

August 23, frame buildings, 70 to 74 Catherine 
Street. Loss, $6,500. 

September 3, Delray Glass Works burned. 

October 27, L. Laurense's moulding factory, on 
Atwater Street near Bates. Loss, $2,000. 

December 5, Sowden's Mills, on Gratiot near 
Dequindre Street. Loss, $1,325. 

December 1 2, store 27 1 Michigan Avenue. Loss, 
$1,100. 

December 29, J. E. Davis & Co.'s drug store, on 
Woodbridge Street near Bates. Loss, $3,000. 

1882. January 20, C. Schulte's soap factory, 
Woodbridge Street West. Loss, $1,768. 

January 22, Horace Turner's upholstering stores, 
foot of Woodward Avenue. Loss, $17,550. 

March 7, Barnum's wire works, 12 and 14 .•\t- 
water Street East. Loss. $5,549. 

March 23. T. Hawley's building, 280 Atwater 
Street East. Loss, $6,500. 

May I, Martz Brothers' brewer^', 487 Orleans 
Street. Loss, $4,500. 

June 19, Shefferly's planing mill, 193 Croghan 
Street. Loss, $16,300. 



July 22, McGregor's machine shop, corner of St. 
Antoine and .Atwater Streets. Less, $3,500. 

August 5, J. Hartness's soap factory, 119 Father 
Street. Loss, $2,500. 

September 1 1, Seitz's icehouses, foot of Mc- 
Dougall Avenue. Loss, $2,500. 

September 20, Detroit Dry Dock Co.'s sawmill, 
foot of Orleans Street. Loss, $18,000. 

October 24, Backus & Sons' planing mill, corner 
of Fort and Eleventh Streets. Loss, $150,000. 

November 14, William Saurs's cooper shop, Ber- 
lin Street. Loss, $10,000. 

November 1 8, Backus & Sons' lumber yard, cor- 
ner of Fort and Eleventh Street. Loss, $4,682. 

December 30, carriage factory, Randolph Street. 
Loss, $5,776. 

1883. January i, candy store at No. 8 Grand 
River Avenue. Loss, $3,296. 

Januarj' 8, Telegraph Block, southeast corner of 
Congress and Griswold Streets, badly damaged. 
Loss, $19,414. 

January 22, factory on the corner of Randolph 
and Atwater Streets. Loss, $3,058. 

February- 28, Miller's soap works at 606 Wood- 
bridge Street West. Loss, $7,100. 

March 30, Gisler's carriage shop, on Lamed 
Street West. Loss, $6,000. 

April 4, lumber yard of Mr. Japes, at 643 Gratiot 
Avenue, burned. Loss, $5,500. 

April 13, furniture stores at 47, 49, and 51 Jeffer- 
son Avenue. Loss, $30,410. 

May 10, John Marr's cooper shops at corner of 
Bagg and Twelfth Streets. Loss, $5,000. 

May 21, explosion of boiler and fire at Wolverine 
paper mills. Loss, $14,650. 

August 2, Henkel cS; \'oorhees's flour mill at south- 
west corner of Randolph and Woodbridge Streets. 
Loss, $31,450. 

August 10, Saurs's cooper shops at corner of 
Arndt and Berlin Streets. Loss, $18,376. 

November 21, Detroit Dry Dock engine works 
badly damaged. Loss, $5,747. 

Since the organization of the Fire Commission, 
great care has been taken to keep a record of fires, 
with the following result: 

Number Number 

Year. "^3^']"^ T.nal Loss. Year. "'^^j" Total Loss. 

Alarms. Alarms. 

1867 212 $185,473 1876 232 202,433 

1868 137 99.828 1877 340 238,832 

1869 152 240.490 1S78 234 177.933 

1870 190 172,960 1879 261 89,687 

1871 191 239,006 iSSo 191 77.619 

1872 128 192.935 1881 230 150,011 

1873 154 390.315 1882 226 290,134 

1874 240 195.249 18S3 283 210,767 

1875 222 250,909 



500 



FIRE MARSHAL. — FIRE LIMITS. — CHIMNEY SWEEPS. 



FIRE MARSHAL. 
This office was first established by ordinance, 
approved April 3, i860. The ordinance greatly 
curtailed the powers of the chief engineer, and gave 
the marshal power to enforce ordinances as to fires, 
to cause chimneys to be cleaned, to examine 
premises as to their safety against fire, and to over- 
see the fire wardens. The salary of the marshal 
was fi.xed at $600, and that of the chief engineer re- 
duced from $500 to $200. The proposed action 
greatly displea.sed some of the firemen, and on April 
2, i860, they held a large meeting at Firemen's 
Hall to protest against it. Their protest, however, 
was of no avail, and the ordinance was approved 
the next day. The office of fire marshal was abol- 
ished on March 26, 1S67, by the Act creating the 
Fire Commission. 

The following persons have served as fire mar- 
shals: 1 86 1, H. A. Snow; 1862, James Battle; 
1 863- 1 866, William Champ; 1866, J. H. Van 
Schoick, 

By Act of ;\Iay 23, 1877, the office was revived, 
but with such additional power and increased duties 
as to make it virtually a new office. The Act 
provided that a fire marshal, and, if need be, an 
assistant fire marshal, should be nominated by the 
fire commissioners, and appointed by the council. 

It is the duty of the marshal to be present at all 
fires, to inquire into their origin, recommend pre- 
cautionary measures, and to prevent the transporta- 
tion and storing of dangerous materials; and all 
persons erecting or altering buildings are required 
to get a permit from him. The charge for a per- 
mit within the fire limits is, for repairs costing less 
than $1,000, one dollar ; for repairs costing over 
$r,ooo and less than $5,000, two dollars; and for 
every additional $1,000, twenty cents. 

The marshal has power to stop repairs or altera- 
tions in a building, in case they increase the fire 
risk. George Uunlap was the first marshal under 
the law, serving till April i, 18S0, when he was 
succeeded by W. H. Baxter. 

FIRE LIMITS. 

Fire limits were first prescribed by ordinance 
passed October 7, 1845, the limits including all the 
territory between Randolph and Cass Streets to 



Lamed, along Earned to Griswold, up Griswold to 
Michigan Avenue, on Michigan Avenue to Bates 
Street, on Bates to Earned, along Earned to Ran- 
dolph, and down Randolph to the river. Within 
these limits no building was to be erected over 
twenty feet in height, unless built partly of stone or 
brick, with fire walls ten inches above the roof. 

After the great fire of May 9, 1848, a new or- 
dinance was passed, which prescribed that wooden 
buildings of more than twelve feet in height, twenty 
feet in length, and si.xteen feet in width, should not 
be erected within the limits defined by the follow- 
ing streets : Beaubien from the river to Congress, 
along Congress to Randolph, along Randolph to 
Monroe, down Monroe and Campus Martins to 
Michigan Avenue, on Michigan Avenue to Shelby, 
down Shelby to Fort, on Fort to the west line of the 
city, which, at that time, extended only to the For- 
syth Farm. Since 1848 the limits have been gradu- 
ally extended, and they are frequently changed. 

CHIMNEY SWEEPS. 

The oversight and cleaning of chimneys received 
the attention of the trustees in 1802. Fines were 
then inflicted for dirty or defective chimneys, and, 
in some instances, dangerous chimneys w'ere ordered 
to be torn down. 

A curious illustration of the changes that take 
place in public opinion and in law is afforded by the 
fact that, by ordinance of 1836, the fire-wardens 
were authorized to " cause chimneys to be burned 
out," while later and present ordinances provide 
that if any chimney burns out, the owner shall be 
fined for not preventing it. 

By ordinance of November 18, 1845. and up to 
1859, the fire-wardens were to nominate, and the 
council to appoint a chimney sweep ; the fire- 
wardens, however, held no regular meetings, and 
oftentimes no sweeps were appointed. By ordinance 
of November 15, 1869, the office was dignified and 
disguised under the tide of inspector of chimneys. 
Two or more sweeps are appointed yearly by the 
council. The present ordinance allows the chimney 
sweep to charge twenty-five cents for each story 
that the chimney passes through, and when the 
chimney has more than one flue, ten cents per story 
for each additional flue. 



CHAPTER LV. 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT.— THE STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.— 
THE EIRE DEPARTMENT SOCIETY. 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The earliest fire extinguishers consisted of lona; 
poles with swabs attached, and with these the first 
hahitans of Detroit literally mopped out the fires. 
When the sparks flew so thickly as to be dangerous, 
packs of furs were opened, and deer and bear skins, 
with the fur downwards, were spread upon the 
roofs ; if they were green they would not be injured, 
and in any case a little water did not hurt them, and 
they often did as good service in protecting their 
owner's property from fire as they had originally 
done in protecting their four-footed wearers from 
the cold. 

The first mention of a fire engine occurs in con- 
nection with the proceedings of the Court of Quarter 
Sessions. It reads as follows : 

Tuesday, March 13, 1798. The Court received the account of 
Thomas Co.\ respecting the engine, by which it appears there is a 
balance remaining in his hands of $16.47!.^. 

How this money came into his hands does not 
appear ; possibly it had been collected to pay for 
repairing the engine left by the English when the 
post was surrendered. 

At the second meeting of the trustees of the town, 
on February 23, 1S02, an ordinance entitled " Regu- 
lations for securing the town of Detroit from injuries 
from fires " was drafted. It was the first that tliey 
acted upon, and was adopted two days later. It 
required all chimneys to be swept every two weeks 
between October and April, and every four weeks 
the rest of the year, the sweeping to be done on 
Saturdays before 9 a. m., under a penalty of $5.00, 
and a further penalty of Sio.oo if a chimney took 
fire. Each householder and shopkeeper was also 
required to have two bags holding three bushels 
each, to place goods in, in case of fire, and to keep 
at his shop, where it would not freeze, a keg or light 
barrel filled with water, having ears on each side, 
with a lever or pole to pass through them so that 
two men could carry it. Two buckets, holding 
about three gallons each, one ladder to each chim- 
ney fastened on the roof, and one other long enough 
to reach up to it, were also to be pro\nded. The 
householders and shopkeepers were required to take 



or send the kegs or buckets to every fire under a 
penalty of $5.00 for each neglect, and every house- 
holder capable of assisting was directed to turn' out 
on the first cry of fire ; a line was then to be formed 
from the river to the fire for the purpose of passing 
water, and any person refusing to appear, or con- 
cealing himself, w-as fined $2.00 or imprisoned for 
two weeks. James May, Jacques Girardin, and 
Auguste Laffrey, together with twelve United States 
soldiers, were required to assemble at the engine 
house, and take the engine out on the first notice of 
fire, under penalty of $5.00 for any neglect or refusal; 
and Francis Frero, director, Presque Cote, Sen., 
Theophilus Mettez, Baptiste Peltier, Charles Pou- 
pard, and Presque Cote, Jr., were required to appear 
at the same time, each armed with a good felling 
axe, to be used as circumstances might require. 
Any one of the above not appearing when alarm 
was given was to be fined S5.00. 

It appears that the trustees were not observant of 
their own regulations, for on March 24. r8o3. they 
fined three of their own number, and also their sec- 
retary and assessor, for violation of the fire ordi- 
nance, and the next day another trustee, Joseph 
Campau, was also reported to be fined. 

On May 2, 1803, Joseph Harrison and Joseph 
Campau were appointed iiispectors of ladders, buck- 
ets, fire bags, water barrels, etc. 

There was continual trouble in enforcing the fire 
ordinance, the inspectors reporting some persons 
without buckets, others without ladders ; the barrel 
of water frozen in some places, and the barrel empty 
in others, the shop bags filled with goods instead of 
being ready for use, the ears off the barrels and 
the poles missing. In a word, then as now, ordi- 
nances were not obeyed. On one of their rounds a 
quick-witted widow saw the inspectors coming, and 
knowing that her barrel was empty and that her 
excuses for previous neglect would not avail, she 
jumped into the water-cask herself, saying, "You 
see, gentlemen, the cask is full." Of course there 
was a hearty laugh, and the gallant inspectors could 
do no less than to obtain water and fill the widow's 
cask themselves. 

The old records make it evident that the trustees 



[501] 



502 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



were morbidly apprehensive of fire ; regulations 
were made and inspectors of chimneys appointed at 
almost every meeting. On September 19. 1803, a 
committee was appointed to ascertain whether the 
engine was in order for immediate use ; on Sejitem- 
ber 26 thirteen persons were appointed to work the 
engine, under direction of " Dr. Wm. M. Scott, 
Esq.," and on Monday, March 4, 1804, James Dode- 
mead was appointed in his stead. On May 1 1 
Charles Curry and J. Bte. Piquette were appointed 
inspectors of fire regulations. On Monday, October 
I, the trustees ordered "the screws of the engine to 
be put in good order." May 1 1, 1805, they resolved 
that " the Board do determine that from and after 
the first Monday in June next, the Inspectors of 
fire regulations do go around once every week dur- 
ing the time of their appointment." On Monday, 
June 3, Dr. McCoskry and Robert Munroe were 
appointed inspectors of fire regulations " within the 
pickets," and John Gentle and John Harvey "for 
the suburbs," with orders to go aroimd once a week. 
Before the time for their second tour there were 
neither houses nor chimneys to inspect, for the fire 
of June 1 1 had destroyed the town. (See history 
of fire.) 

After the fire of 1805, no traces of fire regula- 
tions or apparatus appear until April i, 181 1. 
George Mcliougall then applied to the Governor 
and Judges for a donation lot in the city of Detroit, 
near the center thereof, whereon to erect a frame 
building for the fire engine. There is a tradition 
that during the War of 181 2 Commodore Perry's 
flag-ship was provided with a fire-pump, which, 
after the war, became the property of Detroit. 

On December 4, 1815, an ordinance provided for 
the appointment, by the trustees, of si.x household- 
ers, who were to be furnished \\ith three " battering 
rams," to demolish buildings in case of fire ; and 
another, of January, 1816, appointed twelve house- 
holders as "axemen," six as "battering men," and 
twenty-four as "fire-hook men." On Februarys, 
1817, the ordinance was revised, but no important 
changes were made. The next year, on September 
23, the Board of Trustees organized a fire company 
of eleven axemen, with B. Woodworth as captain ; 
fourteen fire-engine men, with D. C. McKinstry as 
captain ; and fourteen bagmen, with H. J. Hunt as 
captain. There was evidently much trouble this 
year occasioned by evil or mischievously disposed 
persons stealing or hiding some of the apparatus. 
On September 30 the secretary' of the trustees was 
directed to " procure information as to where the 
Fire hooks and Battering rams are," and on Novem- 
ber 14 John R. Williams was authorized to provide 
eight battering rams and two fire hooks. The 
Gazette of December 16, 181 8, contained the fol- 
lowing : 



NOTICE. 

Any person who will give such information as will lead to the 
recovery of the fire hooks and battering rams belonging to the 
city, which have for some time been lost or concealed, will be 
duly rewarded. 

Thos. Rowland, 

Secretary, 

The notice was evidently of no avail ; new fire- 
hooks had to be obtained, and at a meeting of the 
trustees, January 28, 18 19, Har\'ey Williams pre- 
sented an account of $55 for making them. On 
March 13, 1819, a meeting of the citizens was held 
at the call of the trustees " to consider the propriety 
of raising a tax to buy a fire engine." The tax was 
voted down, because a scheme was in progress to 
procure one by means of a lottery to come off April 
I. A communication in the Gazette of Marcli 26 
made the following plea for the plan : " Let every 
citizen buy a lottery ticket as soon as possible in 
order to procure the means to lessen the danger 
from fire." Ten per cent was to be deducted from 
the eighty-four prizes for the purpose of purchasing 
the engine. The value of the property put up was 
$4,040, and it was to be disposed of by selling 808 
tickets at SS-oo each. The lottery did not draw, 
and meantime the old engine was repaired and the 
following notice appeared: 

FIRE ! FIRE ! 

The members of the Eagle Engine Company are hereby in- 
formed that the engine is now fit for use, and that agreeably to 
the by-laws of the Company, they must assemble every Monday 
morning at sunrise for the space of six months. 

N. r.— There not being a suitable building .erected in which to 
keep the engine, it is in the care of Captain H. Sanderson, at 
whose house the Company will meet until further directions. 
By order of the Acting Captain. 

J. W. COLDORN, 

March 31, i8ig. Clerk. 

On April 28, 1819, a bill for repairing the engine, 
amounting to S87.10, was presented by H. Sander- 
son ; it was paid May 11, and on the same day John 
W. Tompkins was paid $130 for building a house 
for the engine and for fire- hooks. 

In Januar)', 1S20, J. D. Doty was secretary of 
the fire company and Robert Irwin director. On 
September 1 1 following, another meeting was held 
to consider the voting of a tax to purchase an engine, 
but the people again voted against taxation. The 
condition of affairs at this time is set forth in the 
following from an editorial in the Gazette for Janu- 
ary 19, 1821. 

The Corporation, it is tree, is in possession of a small engine, 
but it is much too small and is believed to be out of repair and 
unfit for use. The fire company met once a week at sunrise for 
several weeks for drill, but at this date the organization is extinct- 

The article further argued that buckets were pre- 
ferable to " tubs with ears " to be carried on a pole, 
and complained of the unwillingness of the citizens 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



503 



to "shoulder their tubs when alarmed by cry of 
fire." 

On March 29, 1S21, the chairman of the Board of 
Trustees and H. J. Hunt were appointed a commit- 
tee to wait on the Governor and Judges, and solicit 
an appropriation towards procuring an engine. It is 
to be presumed that the committee were unsuccess- 
ful, for on April 9 a citizens' meeting voted S400 to 
procure one, the amount to be collected by a tax on 
real and personal property. 

Meantime the editorial in the Gazette bore some 
fruit, for on May 16 the board of trustees repealed 
that part of the ordinance which required a wooden 
vessel with loops and pole to be kept by citizens. 

Notwithstanding the vote in favor of purchasing 
a fire engine, the trustees were slow in procuring it ; 
but finally, on December 24, they resolved " to carry- 
into immediate effect the vote of April 9 last, and to 
raise $600 instead of S400 to purchase a fire engine." 
This resolution, like many others, was never carried 
out. 

On October 16, 1824, a committee of the newly 
created Common Council was appointed " to ascer- 
tain where a suitable site for the Engine house 
could be obtained, and to make an estknate of the 
expense of removing said building," and application 
was made to the trustees of the imiversity for the 
privilege of "placing the engine house in front of 
the academy." 

On March 2, 1825, the council appointed a 
"committee to procure information from New York, 
Philadelphia, and such other places as they may 
think proper, relative to the price and quality of a 
Fire Engine for the City," and on March 15 the 
committee "was authorized to remit the funds 
in the Treasury', applicable to the purchase 
of a Fire Engine, directly to such maker of 
engines as they might think proper, accom- 
panied with an order for the immediate for- 
warding of a Fire Engine ; provided the 
price thereof did not e.xceed six hundred 
dollars." On April 7 a committee was ap- 
pointed to apply to the Legislative Council 
for such exemptions and other provisions 
as would facilitate the establishment of a 
Fire Company; and on June 4 a committee 
of the Council was appointed " to sujierintend 
the removal, repairs and painting of Engine 
House." The building was moved "in front" 
of the old academy, on the site now occupied 
by the store of Farrand, Williams, & Co. 

On June 4, 1825, an elaborate fire ordinance, 
modelled after the New York ordinance, was passed ; 
among its various provisions was one making it the 
duty of every watchman or patrolman, upon the 
breaking out of fire, to alarm the citizens by crying 
" Fire I " mentioning the street where it was, that 



the firemen and citizens might know where to go. 
and householders were enjoined to " place a lighted 
candle at the windows of their respective dwelUngs, 
in order that citizens might pass along the streets 
with greater safety." This custom was kept up until 
the telegraph alarm went into operation, and many 
a time the nights were filled with terror by the 
hoarse shouting of "Fire!" the hurrj-ing crowds 
of men and boys, and the rattling of the engines 
as they were pulled over the uneven walks and 
pavements. 

On September 28, 1825, the council gave notice 
that a Fire Company would be organized the suc- 
ceeding day, and it was resolved "that it be the 
duty of the Chief Engineer to raise a hook and 
ladder company, to consist of not less than eighteen 
men." On October 4 inquiry was made in the 
Detroit Gazette as to the whereabouts of the fire 
engine, for which the citizens had paid four or five 
years previously. 

The engine finally arrived, and the Common 
Council records for December i, 1825, say that "an 
account was audited and allowed of S54 for trans- 
portation and storage of a Fire Engine from New 
York." On January 11, 1826, the council tendered 
the thanks of the corporation to W. & J. James, of 
New York, for gratuitous commission serxices, in 
procuring a fire engine on September 21, 1825. As 
the balance due William & John James, in pay- 
ment for the engine, w-as not remitted until June 13, 
a resolution of thanks was certainly their due. 
The engine, the first one really purchased by the 
corporation, was named "Protection No. i." It 
remained in use for upwards of thirty years, and 




Old No. i, " The Gooseneck." 

served as the organizing machine for Engine Com- 
panies Nos. 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9. For many years after 
it was laid aside it occupied the post of honor on 
review days, and in Fourth of July processions was 
drawn about on a platform. Concerning the man- 



504 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



ageraent of this engine at a tire, on February 17, 
1827, the Detroit Gazette says: 

Those citizens who had the management of our little engine 
deserve praise for their activity and perseverance, yet it was a 
general remark that not sufficient alacrity was displayed by them 
in getting thc-ir engine to the scene of action. The disaster will 
doubtless lead to the permanent organization of a fire company, 
and to the adoption of such regulations, by our citizens generally 
as will, at a future time, prevent a recurrence of the confusion 
which then existed. 

A few days after, on February 22, the records of 
the council show the appointment of a " committee 
to ascertain the practicability of repairing the old 
Fire Engine belonging to this city, and to contract 
for said repairs at any sum not exceeding $25." At 
the same meeting it was resolved that " E. P. Hast- 
ings, Marshall Chapin, R. A. Forsyth, Henry S. 
Cole, and Edmund A. Brush be requested to asso- 
ciate to themselves such persons as they may think 
proper for the purpose of taking care of said En- 
gine; " also that "Aldermen Palmer and Chapin be 
a committee to ascertain the number and condition 
of the fire hooks belonging to this city; and, if 
necessary, to procure so many as that the whole 
number shall amount to six ; and, also, to report on 
the practicability of converting the Flag staff at the 
cantonment into ladders for the use of the city." 

On March 12 a council committee on improve- 
ments reported in favor of purchasing a new engine, 
repairing the old one, procuring twelve good fire 
hooks, well provided with handles, the organization 
of suitable fire companies, and the procuring of a 
" triangular bell for fire alarms only." 

On March 31 Fire Company No. 2, with thirty- 
one members, was organized, and required by the 
council to have the old engine repaired at a cost of 
not exceeding $127, and to use the same for a time. 
On May 14 they were authorized to increase their 
number to thirty-six ; on September 9 the old fire 
engine was again ordered to be repaired at a cost 
of not exceeding $275, and on November 26 a bill 
for repairs was audited at $313.63. 

Great encouragement was afforded to firemen by 
an Act of the Legislative Council of April 4, 1S27, 
which exempted them from military service in 
time of peace and from serving on a jury. By Act 
of July 31, 1830, the number exempted was limited 
to forty. By Act of March 14. 1840, all firemen 
were exempted from military and jury duty. 

On January 21, 1830, the council contracted for 
four adtlitional fire ladders. On April 28 they de- 
cided to organize a Hook and Ladder Company, 
and the chief engineer was directed to procure more 
fire hooks, also six ladders, and caps and wands for 
use of himself and wardens. The following day 
the first firemen's inspection and review was held. 
It took place on the Public Wharf at 4 P. M., and 



was participated in by Companies Nos. i and_2, and 
the newly organized Hook and Ladder Company. 
The organization of the last company was fully per- 
fected two days afterw-ard. 

In January, 1831, a new engine was procured for 
Eagle Company No. 2, and on April 13 following 
the council borrowed §800 of the Bank of Michigan 
to pay for it. On September 14, 1S31, the chief 
engineer was directed "to procure a tub or cask 
mounted on wheels, to be attached to one of the 
engines for use in case of fire." On May 3, 1832, 
the council supplemented that primitive arrange- 
ment by ordering " six reservoirs, to contain ro.ooo 
gallons each, to be built and connected with logs 
of five-inch calibre for use in case of fire." On 
September 4, 1833, the council disbanded Company 
No. 2 for neglect of duty. 

The organization of a hose company was recom- 
mended by a committee of the council on July 9, 
1 834, and on October 8 a hose company was or- 
ganized, and also a new company for No. 2. 

On December 2, 1835. Company No. 3 was or- 
ganized, placed in possession of the "old original" 
engine, and located near the Berthelet Market, at 
northwest corner of Randolph and Atwater Streets. 
On April 13, 1836, the company was disbanded by 
the council, and another company, consisting of 
David Smart and twenty-two others, was recognized 
as Company No. 3. 

On August 1 1 the council 

Resoived, that a committee be appointed with authority to 
contract for the erection of a building on the Female Seminary 
lot, on northeast corner of Fort and Griswold streets, for use of 
Engine Company No. 2. 

The building was duly erected, and occupied by 
the company until December 12, 1853; they then 
moved into their new building, on the north side of 
Earned Street, between Woodward Avenue and 
Bates Street. This building was elegantly fitted 
up, and at the time, and for many years, was the 
finest in the city. The engine house for No. 3 was 
on the north side of Earned, between Brush and 
Beaubien Streets, and in 1S84 is still standing. 

In September, 1S36, a new and elaborate fire or- 
dinance was passed by the council. It provided 
that at the time of a fire the mayor, recorder, and 
aldermen should severally carry " a white wand 
with a gilded flame at the top, and each of the en- 
gineers shall wear a leathern cap, painted white, 
with a gilded front thereto, and a fire engine 
blazoned thereon ; and shall, also, carrj- a speaking 
trumpet, painted black, with the words 'Chief En- 
gineer, Engine No. i,' etc., as the case may be. in 
white letters." Each of the fire wardens was to 
wear a similar cap, painted white, with the city 
arms emblazoned on the front, and to carry a speak- 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



505 



ing tmmpet, painted white, with the words " Chief 
Fire Warden," and "Fire Warden No. i," etc., in 
blact: letters. The cap of each foreman was to have 
the word " Foreman" painted on the front, together 
with the number of the company to which he be- 
longed, and each member was to have the number 
of his company painted upon the frdfit of his cap. 

The same ordinance required each building in 
the city to have one fire bucket for every fireplace 
or stove, to hold two and a half gallons each, 
marked with owner's name, number of his house, 
and name of street ; the buckets were to be " sus- 
pended in some conspicuous place in the entry near 
the front door of each house, so as to be ready for 
delivery and use in extinguishing fires." One half 
of the number of buckets required might be de- 
posited with the city, and if lost two dollars was 
paid the owner for them. After a fire all buckets 
that were imclaimed were left at the market house, 
to be called for by their owners. 




An old Fire Bucket. 

By the same ordinance the council, in the month 
of ATay of each year, was to appoint one or more fire 
wardens in each ward, who were clothed with 
power to enter any house and examine all chimneys 
and fireplaces. They were also authorized, at the 
time of a fire, to " direct the inhabitants to form 
themselves in ranks for the purpose of handing 
buckets and suppl>-ing water." Soon after the pas- 
sage of this ordinance the number of wardens was 
increased to five in each ward. In 1845 there were 
three for the first ward, and two each for the other 
wards; the following year there were four in the 
first, and three in each of the other wards. The 
number of wardens was subsequently increased to 
a chief and four assistants, and finally seven war- 
dens were assigned to each ward ; the office by this 
time became a sinecure, and in June, 1857, it was 
publicly affirmed that, with a single exception, not 
a warden had been present at a fire for two years 



previous. The office existed in name up to 1867, 
but on the creation of the Fire Commission it was 
discontinued. 

In 1836 the council provided for paying five dol- 
lars to the person first giving an alarm and ringing 
the bell. At this time the bells were tolled instead 
of rung. In 1841, a change from tolling to ringing 
was made, and those who had charge of the bell 
rung it so effectively that the whole city was startled 
by the quick and rattling character of the alarm. 

In 1847 the council divided the city into districts, 
and a watch was kept in the steeple of the Presby- 
terian Church, on the corner of Woodward Avenue 
and Larned Street. The locality of a fire was indi- 
cated, then as now, by taps upon a bell. A night 
watchman was subsequently stationed in the cupola 
of the National Hotel, now the Russell House, and 
afterwards in the steeples of the State Street and 
Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Churches. In March, 
1857, a steel triangle was ordered, upon which 
alarms were to be given. It was hung in the cupola 
of the old City Hall, and for years periodic efforts 
were made to so place it that it would give a satis- 
factory alarm, but all efforts were fruitless. 

In 1858 the city was divided into two districts, 
the first, second, fifth, eighth, and ninth wards com- 
posing the First District, and Companies 2, 4, 5, 8, 
10, and 12, and the Hook and Ladder Company 
were to do duty therein. The Second District com- 
prised the third, fourth, sixth, seventh, and tenth 
wards, and Companies i, 3, 6, 7, 9, and 11, and the 
Hook and Ladder Company were to attend all fires 
in the district. 

In 1866 the entire city was divided into five fire 
districts, and two companies were designated to 
attend all fires and alarms originating in each dis- 
trict. A general alarm was first sounded by ringing 
all the bells, and then the number of the ward was 
given. 

Turning again to the history of the companies 
we find that on October 4, 1836, the mayor noti- 
fied the council that he had contracted with Mr. 
Smith of New York for a new fire engine of the 
most approved kind, to be delivered in New York, 
October 1 5. On January 23, 1 837, the Commit- 
tee on Fire Department was " requested to ascer- 
tain the most eligible site which can be obtained 
for the erection of a permanent building for the 
use of Engine Company No. i, the Hook and 
Ladder Company and a Hose Company, and the 
terms upon which such site can be had, and 
whether by purchase or by lease." .On P'ebruarj' 3 
it was resolved " that the fire engine lately arrived 
be delivered to Engine Company No. 3. provided 
the number of members of that company shall be 
increased to not less than twenty-five by the i8th 
inst." It was also resolved " that the sum of fifty 



5o6 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



dollars be appropriated, and expended under the 
direction of the Chief Engineer, for painting the 
engine formerly belonging to Company No. i, and 
lately in possession of Company No. 3, and that said 
engine be hereafter designated and considered as 
engine No. 4," also that "the Chief Engineer be 
requested to use his efforts to embody a company to 
be attached to Engine No. 4." The effort to organ- 
ize this company was not immediately successful. 
A house was built for them in the rear of Washing- 
ton Market in the summer of 1840, but the company 
was not officially organized until May iS, 1S41. 

The names of the officers of the companies in 
January, 1837, were: 

Company No. i : C. Hurlbut, foreman ; John 
Owen, assistant foreman; A. Ewers, treasurer; R. 
E. Roberts, secretary ; James W. Sutton, steward. 

Company No. 2 : Thomas J. Reese, foreman ; G. 
H. Jones, first assistant foreman; Charles C. Trow- 
bridge, second assistant foreman ; H. J. Caniff, sec- 
retary and treasurer ; W. H. Wells, engineer. 

Company No. 3 : Francis E. Eldred, foreman. 

In January and April of this year very disastrous 
fires occurred ; the supply of hose was insulficient, 
and the firemen declared that they were unable, on 
that account, to do good service. There can be no 
question of the heroism that some of them displayed. 
The members of Company No. i suffered severely, 
and many had their coats entirely destroyed by the 
flames. At the burning of the Oreat Western, in 
1839, the gallant boys of No. 4 stationed themselves 
within fifteen feet of the fierce flames, and remained 
until they were extinguished. The heat was so in- 
tense that it was necessary to throw the water over 
them as they stood at the brakes. 

On June 6, 1837, Hurlbut Hose Company No. I 
was formed, and in P'ebruary, 1844, LeRoy Hose 
Company No. 2. 

In 1838 the firemen had so increased in number 
that plans for mutual improvement began to be 
suggested, and on August 21 they opened a reading 
room and library. 

In January, 1839, the council obtained the use of 
the lot on the northwest corner of Earned and liates 
Streets, and the same year the first Firemen's Hall 
was erected, at a cost of $3,300. It was paid for by 
the city, aided by the firemen. It was of brick, 
thirty by fifty feet, and was first occupied in Decem- 
ber, 1839. The lower story was used by Protection 
Company No. i, Hurlbut Hose Company No. i.and 
the Hook, Ladder, and Axe Company. The upper 
room was used for some time by the common coun- 
cil, and in 1S52 for a public school ; it afterwards 
became the office of the Water Works. The entire 
building was finally occupied for business purposes. 
It was torn down in 1872, to make room for the 
store of Farrand, Williams, iS: Co. 



During 1842 one thousand feet of hose was con- 
tracted for, and for nearly six months the question 
of how to obtain $S6o in good money, to pay for 
it, was before the council. So difficult was it for 
the city to support the department that a propo- 
sition to turn over the engines and apparatus to the 
Fire Dcpartn^nt Society was seriously discussed. 
The records of the council for June 15, 1S42, con- 
tain the following : 

Resolved, that .1 committee, with the Mayor as chairman, be 
appointed to receive proposals from, and to confer with the Fire 
Department of the city, relative to the sale to them of the fire 
engines, hose, hose carts, and other apparatus now in use by the 
Fire Department. And that said committee be authorized to 
make such sale and conveyances for .such consideration as they 
deem most advisable for the city. 




Old Fikemen's Hall. 



On June 27, 1S43, ^he council further 

Resolved, that the Recorder be authorized, in consideration of 
the valuable services rendered the city by the firemen thereof, to 
sell and convey, for and on behalf of the Mayor, Recorder, Alder- 
men, and F'iremen of the city of Detroit, all the fire engines, hose, 
hose carts, hooks and ladders, trucks and the appurtenances of 
the various fire companies, and now owned by the said city, to 
the Fire Department of the city of Detroit, provided that said 
matters and things continue to be used for the purposes for wiiich 
they were obtained. 

As the Fire Department Society did not dare to 
assume the risk which the purchase would involve, 
this piece of financiering failed. The hard times 
finally passed away, and there was no occasion for 
further considering the proposition. The credit and 
ability of the city was, however, so uncertain that, 
lest the property should be attached, a law of Feb- 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



507 



ruary 6, 1843, and amendment of March 9, 1844, 
exempted it from execution. 

By this time the growth of tlie city made another 
company desirable, and on August 19, 1845, Phoenix 
Company No. 5 was organized. A new engine was 
then procured, and in 1846 an engine house was 
built for this company, on Clifford, at the head of 
Griswold Street. 




Old No. 5 Engine House, Clifford Street. 

About this time it became the custom for firemen 
to visit other cities and receive visits in return. On 
these occasions the Detroit Fire Department always 
performed its part thoroughly and well. Concern- 
ing the preparations for one of these events a paper 
of August 12, 1845, says: 

At a meeting of the committee on behalf of the Fire Depart- 
ment of the city of Detroit, convened at the National Hotel on 
the morning of the nth inst., the following pn-ainhle antl res<ilti- 
tions were adopted. Whereas, Ithaca Hook and Ladder Co. No. 
3, having complimented ns by a visit to the " City of the Straits." 

Resolved, that there be a torchlight procession, to form at eight 
o'clock this evening at King's Comer. 

Resolved, that we invite our guests of Ithaca to partake of a 
dinner on the late Camp ground on Jefferson Avenue, at two 
o'clock ]■• M. on Tuesday. 

On July 2, 1849, Company No. 2 went to Roch- 
ester, New York, on the steamboat Baltic ; their 
engine was sent on the Mayflower. 

The popularity of these occasions made the office 
of a fireman attractive, and when the grow ing city 
required a new company its formation was not dilTi- 
cult. The residents of the Third and Fourth 
Wards met on Monday, September 22, 1845, at the 
Firemen's Hall, and resolved to form a company, 
to be called Michigan Engine Company No. 6. 



The following temporary officers were appointed : 
N. Greusel, foreman ; F. Raymond, assistant fore- 
man; W. W. Duflield, secretary. The name of 
the company was soon changed to "Alert," and 
then to " Rough and Ready." A new engine was 
provided in October, and the company was officially 
recognized by the council on November 6, 1846. 
A building was erected for them in 1857 on the 
northwest corner of Earned and St. Antoinc Streets. 
In January, 1849, two companies, Union No. 7 
and Mechanics No. 8, were organized. The house 
of No. 7 was on the corner of Lamed and Riopelle 
Streets. Company No. 8 was located on Third 
Street, between Lafayette and Howard Streets. 

From the year 1830, it had been customary to 
have an annual review of the Department. In 1849 
a firemen's parade was arranged for September 26, 
during the session of the State Fair, and a torch- 
light procession for the evening. For some reason. 
Company No. i was disaffected, and voted not to 
turn out, and on November 20 it was disbanded. 
The other companies paraded, adding greatly to 
the attraction of Fair week. These parades were 
always occasions of great interest. The gayly dec- 
orated engines, polished to the last degree of 
brightness, the festoons and wreaths of flowers 
with which they were ornamented, the red shirts 
and spotless black pantaloons of the firemen, and 
the firemen themselves, w-ere the admiration of all 
eyes ; and the " throwing " was watched with anxiety 
and delight by both boys and men. Members of 
the company which threw the largest stream, high- 
est or furthest, were as proud as Grecian victors. 
A victorious engine was mounted with an immense 
broom, and sometimes with several, and to say 
" She carries the broom " was the highest praise. 
The steeple of the Presbyterian Church, on the 
comer of Woodward Avenue and Lamed Street, 
the steeple of the Baptist Church, on the corner of 
Fort and Grisvi-old Streets, and the Cupola of the 
City Hall, were favorite places for testing the 
"highest water." 

Different coinpanies often challenged each other 
in order to test the muscle of members and "ma- 
chines." Sometimes bonfires were built, or false 
alarms raised, that one company might mislead or 
defeat another and be first at a fire. "Incase defeat 
seemed probable in a trial of skill, members of 
some companies did not hesitate to cut their ow'n 
hose, or the hose of other companies, in order to 
carry out their plans or make good their claims. 

These were days when not only the safety of the 
city was in care of the firemen, but they also held the 
balance of political power, and neither council nor 
citizens dared refu.se their requests. Because of the 
power the organizations possessed, disreputable 
persons sought to become firemen, and in some 



5o8 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 






companies they were admitted. The firemen's balls 
then became disgraceful routs, and as these balls 
succeeded each other in rapid succession, and as 
every one was expected to buy a ticket whenever 
asked, the tax became somewhat oppressive. The 
worst characters among the firemen, however, 
would, at the time of a fire, do deeds of daring that 
were the admiration and pride of the city. 

A fire of any moment afforded a scene of e.xcite- 
ment that now is never paralleled. The loud cries, 
the hoarse shouting, the rattling thud of the breaks, 
and the picturesque dress of the firemen, were in 
marked contrast 
with the quiet 
and system of 
the present day. 
" Start her live- 
ly!" "Jump her!" 
were the cries 
heard as the 
brave and bois- 
terous " b'hoys " 
tugged at the 
ropes, and 
"pulled away" 
for a fire. Of- 
tentimes a ri- 
val company 
reached the 
scene before 
their hose-cart 
arrived, and to 
prevent another 
company from 
getting water 
that they wanted 
themselves, a 
barrel or bo.x 
would be hastily 
thrown over the 
hydrant, and it 
could not be had 
without a strug- 
gle. If noise 

could have drowned a fire, few fires would have 
made any headway after the engines were fairly 
at work. In his energetic endeavors the foreman 
often mounted the "machine," and "Up with her, 
boys ! " " Down with rtie brakes ! " " Be lively ! " and 
a hundred other ejaculations flowed from his lips as 
fast as the stream from the nozzle. Often, just as 
the stream began gaining on the fire, the hose would 
burst and drench the bystanders, and then there was 
loud and fervent comment. Sometimes, owing to the 
scarcity of water or of hose, one machine played into 
another, and an engine that could not throw out 
water as fast as another threw it in was said to be 



"washed." This was considered a deep disgrace, 
and when such instances occurred, firemen have 
been known to throw up their hats and abandon 
the engine. In order to avoid such difliculties, 
great care was taken that no one of the companies 
was supplied with an engine better than the 
others. 

During these years the duties of firemen were 
very laborious and exhaustive, and it became cus- 
tomary to supply them with refreshments after a 
fire, especially if in the night. Citizens whose 
property was saved often vied with each other in 

the hospitalities 
which they prof- 
fered to the 
faithful fire- 
men, and many 
gallons of coffee 
and baskets of 
hard boiled eggs, 
with other acces- 
sories.Avere pro- 
vided. The fol- 
lowing notices 
tell their own 
story : 




A "Mose" of the Olden Time. 
(From a painting by Robert Hopkin.) 



Mr. Tliomas C. Slieldon, 
morning of the 30th ult. 



The undersigned 
lakes this method of 
j,'ratefully acknowl- 
edging his indebted- 
ness to the firemen 
of the city for their 
prompt efficiency in 
saving his residence 
from destruction by 
fire on Sunday morn- 
ing ; and to his 
neighbors for the 
important assistance 
rendered by them, in 
arresting the con- 
flagration. 

Z. Pitcher. 
April ist, 1851. 

Protection Co. No. 

I tender their thanks 

to Dr. Pitcher and 

for refreshments after the fire on the 

Jesse McMillan, 

Secrelary. 



Money was frequently sent to the companies or 
the Department in acknowledgment of services ren- 
dered, and from time to time elegant speaking- 
trumpets of silver were presented. One such was 
presented by the citizens of Windsor for valuable 
services rendered at the time of a fii'e. 

If the people neglected to furnish refreshments, 
the companies after a fire often regaled themselves 
with hot coffee and " sundries" at their own houses. 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



509 



On such occasions the following song was popular 
with many of the firemen : 

FIREMEN'S DRINKING SONG. 
Here is to Number One, drink her down, 
Here is to Number One, drink her down, 
Here is to Number One, for their boys are fnil of fun. 
Drink lier down, drink her down, drink lier down. 

The first two lines of each verse were constructed 
alike, and the refrain was the same in all, the third 
lines of the verses were as follows : 

Here is to Number Two, for their boys are good and true, 

Here is to Number Three, and you 'd better let her be, 

Here is to Number Four, for the boys they make her roar. 

Here is to Number Five, for the boys are all alive. 

Here is to Number Six, for the boys they give her fits. 

Here is to Number Seven, for they are all a going to heaven. 

Here is to Number Eight, for they never get there late. 

Here is to Number Nine, for they make the best of time. 

Here is to Number Ten, for they are all Irishmen, 

Here is to Number Eleven, hope to meet them all in heaven, 

Here is to Number Twelve, they 're too far away to hear the bells. 

Further recollections of the "old days" are con- 
tained in the following lines, written by William H. 
Coyle, and forming part of an ode read at a fire- 
men's benefit at the National Theatre on July 8, 
1850: 

When, in the deep and dim midnight, 
Is beard a cry of wild affright, 
A shriek, that pierces slumber's ear, 
And chills the blood with horrid fear, 
Walie peals th' alarm from many a spire. 
And the dread sound of " Kire ! Fire !*' 
Wakes the still city, who appears, 
Swift thro' the darkness, with loud cheers ? 

** Protection," gallant Number One, 
When bell and trumpet calls each son 
Of daring forth, lifts her broad shield. 
The first to rescue, last to yield. 

The noble " Eagle,'* Number Two, 
Often tried, and ever true, 
With engine new, tliat can't be beat, 
Comes thundering down the torch-Ht street. 

The " Wolverine " next, Number Three, 
No laggard in the field will be. 
Stout arras are theirs, that never tire, 
But bravely work, thro' smoke and fire. 

Old " Lafayette," staunch Number Four, 
A torrent, long and strong, will pour; 
With zealous pride in her loved name. 
She Ml front the hottest, fiercest flame. 

Heroic " Phcenix," Number Five, 
Impatient, dashes on, to strive 
Against tlie foe, on fearless wings, 
And from the ashes conquering springs. 

Old " Rough and Ready," Number Six, 
Mounts foremost on the roof to fix 
Her pipe ; in peril sure and steady. 
At the bell tap always ready. 



Intrepid " Union," Number Seven, 
When cinders flash and fly to heaven, 
Wheels into line, a Spartan band. 
And fights the fire-fiend hand to hand. 

"Mechanic," veteran Number Eight, 
On duty never known too late. 
Mans her brakes, and makes them ring. 
As flood on flood the quick strokes fling. 

Now " Hurlbut Hose," and young " Le Roys," 

Take each their post, while 'mid the nuisr 

And smothering smuke, the trumpet blows, 

" Clear the track !" " Keep off that hose !" 

" Hook, Axe, and Ladder, scale the walls !" 

" Pull hard, my lads! it rocks, it falls, 

Down tumbling in a blood-red blaze ! 

Hurrah ! " And now in chorus raise 

Three cheers, my boys, we 've won the fight ; 

Three more ! Good night ! good night ! good night ! 



The mottoes of the companies also indicated the 
spirit of the times. That of No. i read, " Deeds 
are fruits, words are but leaves." The motto of 
No. 4 was "When danger calls we're prompt to fly, 
and bravely do, or bravely die." The back of 
Engine No. 5 bore the legend, " Man the brakes 
and keep me clean, and I "11 take the butt from any 
machine." Rescue Hook and Ladder Company 
No. I had for a motto the words, " We raze to 
save." 

In 1 85 1 the condition of the Department was as 
follows: 

Protection i, eleven members, engine built 1S35, 
250 ft. hose. 

Eagle 2, fifty-one members, engine built 1S48, 
500 ft. hose. 

Wolverine 3, forty-four members, engine built 
1851, 350 ft. hose. 

Lafayette 4, fifty-four niL-mbers, engine built 
1 85 1, 400 ft. hose. 

Phoenix 5, forty-three members, engine built 1S4S, 
500 ft. hose. 

Rough and Ready 6, twenty-nine URMubers, en- 
gine built 1846, 500 ft. hose. 

Union 7, forty members, engine built 1S51, 500 
ft. hose. 

Mechanics' 8, thirty-two members, engine built 
1S50, 400 ft. hose. 

There were also four old engines not in use. 
Hook and Ladder Company had no members. The 
company officers consisted of a foreman, first, 
second, and third assistants, and a secretary. Com- 
mittees were appointed by each company monthly, 
to care for the engine. 

The upper story of each engine house was fitted up 
as an assembly room, and many of the rooms were 
really elegant and inviting. Oftentimes the firemen 
plated their engines at their own expense, and the 
members of some companies contributed more than 
the city to further the objects of their organizations. 



5IO 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



The condition of many of the streets at this period 
oftentimes made the drawing of the engines a very 
hard task, especially if but few' members of a com- 
pany were present. 

There was great rivalry among the companies to 
get the " first stream on." Drays were frequently 
used, and paid for by the council ; if no dray was at 
hand, the companies ran on the sidewalks, to the 
danger of pedestrians, and the damage of shade- 
trees and other property. As the companies in- 
creased in number, the rivalries increased in 
intensity, until legitimate and praiseworthy emula- 
tion was transformed, in some cases, into petty and 
malignant jealousy, and in the effort to be first at a 
fire, some of 
the companies 
would crowd 
others from the 
walks, and even 
run into them, 
damaging the 
engines, and 
making the 
costs for repairs 
frequent and ex- 
pensive. There 
was also much 
disturbance at 
the engine 
houses caused 
by the boy mem 
bers of the hose 
companies, and 
for this reason 
in March, 1855, 
the boy com- 
panies were dis- 
banded, and the 
hose was there- 
after cared for 
by the men. 

This entailed more work and increased the dissatis- 
faction and disorder. 

In order to remedy some of the existing evils, the 
council, on April 24, 1855, prohibited the running 
of fire engines upon the sidewalks of paved streets 
between the hours of 6 A. M. and 10 P. M., and 
prescribed a penalty of five dollars, or five days' 
imprisonment, at the discretion of the mayor's 
court. This greatly displeased the firemen, and on 
the following week the council repealed the clause 
imposing the penalty of imprisonment, and adopted 
an ordinance providing for the expulsion or suspen- 
sion of the guilty party from the Fire Department. 
Certain of the firemen, however, were stiii dissatis- 
fied, and at the semi-annual review, on May 2, they 
held a meeting to discuss their grievances, after 




Firemen's Banner, Comp.\ny No. 4. 



which some of the members of Companies 1,4, 5. 
6, 7, and 8 abandoned their engines and left the 
service ; numbers of them marched through the 
streets with hats reversed. On the same day, at the 
call of the mayor, a meeting was held, and a large 
number of prominent citizens, many of them old 
firemen, tendered their services for the protection 
and management of such engines as were unmanned. 
On the following day the employees of the M. C. R. 
R. and of Jackson and Wiley's Foundry organized 
a fire company, called Mayflower No. 76, and vol- 
unteered to go to all fires needing their services. On 
May 1 5 new comijanies for Nos. 5, 6, and 8 were 
organized by the council, and by June 1 3 eight new 

companies had 
been formed. 
The names of 
some companies 
were then 
changed as fol- 
lows : Pha-nix 5 
to Washington, 
and then back 
again to Phoe- 
nix; Rough and 
Ready6 to Nep- 
tune 6 ; and 
Mechanics' 8 to 
Continental 8. 
The members 
of this last com- 
pany were uni- 
formed in Con- 
tinental-soldier 
style, and in the 
summer of 1857 
the company 
built a new 
house on the 
site of the old 
one. Besides 
the furnishing it cost something over $5,000, of 
which the company raised $3,000, and the remainder 
was paid by the city. The speedy and successful re- 
organization of the Department did not please the 
dissatisfied members of the old companies, and for 
nearly a year there were numerous false alarms 
believed to have been given by former firemen. 

On June 10, 1856, Detroit Company No. 9 was 
organized, and on November 21, 1856, took pos- 
session of a new brick building on north side of 
Gratiot near St. Antoine Street. They were provided 
with a new engine, which was first used on May 
26, 1857. 

On June 9, 1856. Operative Company No. 10 was 
organi/.ed. They occupied a brick building on the 
north side of Orchard, corner of Fifth Street. A 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



511 



new engine for this company arrived, and was tested 
at the same time as tlie new engine of No. 9. 

A company known as Spouters No. 1 1 was or- 
ganized February 11, 1S57. They were originally 
designated the Hamtramck Spouters. Their engine 
house, built in 1859, was located on the corner of 
Jefferson and St. Aubin Avenues. 

Woodbridge Company No. 12 was organized in 
March, 1857. They were located on the corner of 
Fort and Thompson, now Twelfth Street. 

A company, styled Gratiot Fire Company No. 13, 
was organized November 23, 1857, but a committee 
of the council reported against accepting it. 

By firemen, and especially by members of Com- 
pany No. 2, "Old Joe," the firemen's dog, will be 
remembered. He was a large black Newfound- 
land, bought, when two years old, by John Atkin- 
son of a sailor, and given to Robert McMillan. He 
belonged to Eagle Company No. 2 for si.x or seven 
years, was always on hand at fires, and ready at the 
first tap of the bell to seize the ropes and bark the 
alarm. He was provided with a fine collar, and was 
a general favorite, and on his death, in May, 1S5S, 
was sincerely mourned. The accompanying picture 
of Old Joe is from an oil painting, and the painter 
alone is responsible for the perspective. 



^,---\,Kf(.%f •■cm 
'KtWtKfV, no etc 





^^tfeg 



Old Joe, the Firemen's Dog. 

Even after the reorganization of the department 
in 1855, peace did not always reign, and among 
those who joined the companies were many un- 
worthy members. On August 4, 1858, some mem- 
bers, or pretended friends, of Company No. 4 
started a dangerous bonfire on the corner of Earned 
and Wayne Streets, and when No. 8 arrived they 
cut their hose and threw stones at the men. In 
fact, the disorder was almost as great as it had been 
in 1855; the property of the companies was neg- 
lected, and the hose allowed to go uncared for un- 
til much of it became unfit for use. September 2, 
1858, marked the beginning of a new era. On that 



date a steam fire engine was first tried in Detroit. 
It was one of Silsby & Co.'s make, and by agree- 
ment its merits were to be compared with the ser- 
vice rendered by hand engines. The trial took 
place on the Campus Martins. 

The engines on a bell signal were to start at 2 
P. M., and meet in front of the City Hall. Long 
before two o'clock the avenue was thronged with 
people anxious to see the race and the trial. En- 
gine companies 8 and 10 were selected as repre- 
senting the hand-engine companies. The time of 
arri\-al and commencement of throwing was as fol- 
lows : 



Arrival. 



Commenced to throw water. 



Hour. Min. S<'c. 


i/our. Min. 


Sec. 


No. 10, 2 o'clock 9 47^ 


2 o'clock 10 


S4^ 


No. 8, 2 " II 11;^ 


2 " 13 


\1V, 


Steamer, 2 " 11 2o3r( 


3 *' 23 


■i6'A 



On the succeeding day the steamer was again 
tested, and for two hours it threw a continuous 
stream with great force, abundantly evincing its 
advantage in endurance over hand power. On 
November 5, 1859, another trial took place, and the 
steamer won still more favor. 

By this time interest in the volunteer companies 
had almost passed away. Company No. 2 dis- 
banded on December 31, 1859. 

Upon the introduction of steam fire engines the 
city authorities took possession of the different 
engine houses, but a number of the companies still 
kept up a sort of club organization, and at their 
meetings it was customary for them to sing this 
song, composed by a member of Lafayette Com- 
pany No. 4 : 

THAT OLD MACHINE AND HOSE. 
AiK— " T/it- Floating Sco-w o/ Old Virginny.^^ 

'Qie sun has gone down in the western sky, 

Night's putting her mantle on, 
The moon and stars are taking their place. 

To shine when the sun is gone. 
There is scarcely a breath to stir the leaves, 

All nature seems in repose, 
And the door is locked on the old machine, 

The old machine and hose. 
Ckorus. — Then give us back that old machine, 
That old machine and hose, 
Oh ! give us back that old machine. 
That old machine and hose. 

'T is now the fireman seeks for rest, 

His labors all being done. 
And kind emotions fill his breast 

As he reaches his welcome home. 
His mind is free from sorrow and care» 

He banishes all his woes, 
And only thinks of the old machine, 

The old machine and hose. 
Chorus. 



5' 



THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



Now the fireman is growing old, 

His race is nearly run, 
Hut he has nutliiug to regret. 

His duty he 's nobly done. 
So when he is dead and gone to rest. 

And taking his last repose. 
Drag over his grave that old machine, 

That old machine and hose. 
Chorus. 

On January 24, 1S60, the Council Committee on 
Fire Department was requested to report on the 
expediency of procuring one or more steam fire 
engines for the city ; and soon after this, proposals 



nies 3 and 4 disbanded. The second steamer arrived 
January 7, 1861. and, under the name of Neptune 
No. 2, was located in the engine house of old No. 6, 
on the corner of Earned and St. Antoine Streets. 

On July 24, 1 86 1, a third steamer, known as 
Phoenix No. 3, was procured, and located in the 
house of old No. 5, on Clifford Street. 

On June 25, 1861, an ordinance was passed which 
provided for paid hand fire engine companies ; the 
foremen and stewards were to be paid $50 a quar- 
ter and members $25 a quarter, and twenty-three 
men were appointed for each of four companies 









i^HOi.Ni.x SrE.'VM FiKE Engini; No. 3, as it .appeared in the Funeral Procession of 
President Lincoln, April 25, 1865. 



for furnishing steam engines were invited. On May 
29 propositions were received, and on June 26 a 
contract was made with the Amosl<eag Manufac- 
turing Company of Manchester, N. H., for a steamer 
to cost $3. 1 50. The engine was duly received, and 
on October 4, i860, it was housed and manned for 
ser\'ice. Ii was named Lafayette No. i, and was 
located on the northeast corner of Earned and 
Wayne Streets. On October 9 the council formally 
appointed the officers and members, and a paid 
Steam Fire Department was inaugurated. 

A second steamer was ordered November 20, 
i860, and on the 27th of the same month Compa- 



organized. Members of the hook and ladder com- 
panies were to be paid $120 a year, and by ordi- 
nance of June 17, 1864, this was increased to $160. 

The steamer K. C. Barker No. 4 arrived Febru- 
ar}' I, 1865, and was stationed in the engine house 
at the corner of Orchard and Fifth Streets. It cost 
$4,500, and was ready for use February 11. 

On February 17, 1865, the paid hand fire engine 
companies were disbanded, and on May 16 the 
chief engineer resigned. 

( )n June 27 the steamer James A. Van Dyke 
No. 5 was procured. It was located on the corner 
of Earned and Riopelle Streets. 



STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



513 



In October, 1S66, the city coiuraclcil for a fire 
alarm tclcijrapli. It was known as tlic Key and 
Bell plan, and had wooden boxes. The work of 
putting' it up was begun December 26, and it was 
actrepted tile same month. The apparatus cost 
$5,700. On January 4, 1867, it was tested by the 
Committee on Fire Department, the fire marshal, 
and members of the council, and gave good satis- 
faction. 

l!y this time public opinion was ready for the 
establishment of a Fire Conimi.ssion, and on March 
26, 1S67, it was created. 

The chief engineers of the old Fire Department 
were appointed by the council, with salaries varying 
from $300 to $500. 
Their names and 
terms of office were: 
1S25, D. C. Mc- 
Kinstry; 1830, Levi 
Cook; 1831, J. L. 
Whiting; 1S32, 
Marshall Chapin ; 
1S33-1835, Levi 
Cook; 1S35, Noah 
Sutton, H. V. Dis- 
brow; 1S36, H. 
V. Disbrow; 1S37, 
Chauncy Hurlbut; 
I1S38,. Theodore 
Williams; 1 839- 
1842, C. llurlbut; 
1S42, Matthew 
Gooding; 1843- 
1845, H.H.LeRoy; 
1845-1847, James 
Stewart; 1 847-1 849, 
William Barclay ; 
1 849-1 85 1, William 
Duncan; 1851, L. 

H. Cobb; 1852-1854, John Patton ; 1854-1857, 
William Duncan ; 1857, William Lee ; i858,William 
Duncan ; 1859, William Lee ; 1S60, William Holmes ; 
1S60-1863, James Battle; 1S63, Thomas Oakley; 
1S64-1867, James Battle. 



THK STKAM I'IRE DKP.\RTMF.NT. 

The present Steam Fire Department is believed 
to be one of the best organized in the country. It 
was created by Act of March 26, 1867, and reorgan- 
ized by Act of March 18, 1871. The latter Act re- 
constituted the commission, remedied some defects 
in the law first passed, and defined more fully the 
powers of the board. A further Act of March 31, 
1 87 1, legalized some technically illegal acts of the 
commission. The commissioners named in the 




first Act took the oath of office and entered upon 
their duties on April i, 1867. They at once found 
much to do ; the houses needed fitting up. and the 
machines needed repairing. The hand engines 
and some lots and buildings which seemed unde- 
sirable were sold ; and from year to year, since the 
organization of the commission, the value of the 
property and the efficiency of the force have steadily 
increased. 

The department is managed upon military princi- 
ples, each person being held strictly accountable for 
the work assigned to him ; cvcn,'thing is required 
to be done ;ind reported with much precision, and 
all details come before the board at its weekly meet- 
ings. The captain 
of each company 
reports to the chief 
engineer the facts 
as to all alarms 
given and fires at- 
tended, specifying, 
on each occasion, 
the presence or ab- 
sence of each mem- 
ber of the company. 
I'hese reports are 
made daily, certi- 
fied to by the chief 
engineer, and re- 
ported to the 
board. For all ex- 
penditures .a sys- 
tem of checks and 
balances is pro- 
vided, and a com- 
plete record is kept 
of all articles used. 
All orders for sup- 
plies of any kind 
must be signed by the president of the commission ; 
each company is charged with the supplies fur- 
nished, and the chief engineer and captain of each 
company are required to certify that articles are 
needed before they are furnished or procured. 

The yearly expenses and the value of the property 
of the department have been as follows : 



FiKE Commissioner's Office, and Engine Houses, 

COKNER LaKNED AND WaVNE STREETS. 



Years. 


Expense. Inventory. 


Years. 


Expense. 


Inventory. 


1867 


$63,469 $131,852 


1876 


$109,423 


$344,334 


1868 


71,138 152,529 


1877 


112,059 


360, 1 89 


1869 


69,025 166,778 


1878 


103,655 


367,272 


1870 


78,106 202,730 


1879 


104,022 


398,895 


1871 


85,845 217,155 


1880 


111.197 


417,867 


1872 


71,062 241,691 


1881 


117,290 


412.384 


1873 


105,806 299.382 


1882 


142,536 


439,041 


1874 


i°9.799 334.630 


1883 


177,869 


478,235 


1875 


109,766 338,939 









514 



STEAM FIRE DEPARTMExNT. 



Engine HoitsfS. 

Prior to the organization of the commission, and 
for several years thereafter, the engine houses were 



luiiit. 
1882 
1S83 
1884 
1S84 




Engine House, corner Larned and St. Antoine Streets. 



Location. 

Sixteenth at head of Bagg Street. 
N. W. corner Gratiot and Grandy Avenues. 
Twentieth Street near Michigan Avenue. 
Larned near St. .Antoine Street. 

Engi?ics. 

When the I-'ire Commission organized, it 
came into possession of five steamers, all of 
which, except one, were still in use in 1883; 
some of them, however, have been so 
thoroughly rebuilt as to be practically new. 

Vermilion red, as an emblematical color, 
is the distinguishing mark of all the depart- 
ment property. The body of the engines, 
hose carriages, supply wagons, the fire- 
alarm boxes, and posts indicating location 
of cisterns, are all of this color. The or- 
dinary steamers weigh from two to three 
tons each, cost an average of $4,000, and 
have a capacity of from five to six hundred 
gallons per minute. The self-propeller 
weighs four and a half tons, was pur- 



used as polling places and occasionally for political 
meetings. In the fall of 1870 the board prohibited 
the use of the engine houses for any purpose not 
actually connected with the work of the depart- 
ment. The upper part of each house is neatly fitted 
up with beds and furniture for the accommodation 
of the firemen, and all the regular force are re- 
quired .to lodge in the building. Each house is 
provided with a tower about seventy feet high, and 
a continuous watch is kept from 8 P. M. to 6 A. M., 
the time being apportioned between the members 
of the company. All the hours are struck by those 
in charge of the tower. In the City Hall tower a 
watchman is on duty day and night. In 1883 there 
were sixteen buildings belonging to the department. 
The location and date of erection of each building 
is shown in the following table. Some of the 
houses, however, have been almost entirely rebuilt 
since the date given : 

Built. Location. 

1849 Corner Larned and Riopelle Streets. 

1856 Orchard near Fifth Street. 

1857 Corner Larned and St. Antoine Streets. 
1857 Corner Larned and Wayne Streets. 
1867 Corner High and Russell Streets. 

1870 Corner Larned and Wayne Streets. 

1 87 1 Corner Sixth and Baker Streets. 

1873 Corner Elmwood Avenue and Fort Street. 

1873 Eighteenth near Howard Street. 

1874 Hastings near Larned Street. 
1876 Alexandrine near Cass Avenue. 
1879 Montcalm West near Park Street. 
1879 Clifford near Woodward Avenue. 




Engine House, corner Larned and Riopelle Streets. 

chased in January, 1874, at a cost of $5,000, and 
was the third machine of the kind built in the Uni- 
ted States ; it can propel itself on the paved streets 



i 



STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



515 



at the rate of a mile in four minutes. Each steamer 
is supplied with a patent heater, by which the water 
in the boilers is kept at such a temperature that 
steam can be generated in tw'O or three minutes, 
and the kindling and coal are always in place in the 
fire-box. In iS7+Beaufait's automatic lighter was 
supplied for each engine. It consists of a match 
so arranged that, as the engine is drawn out of the 
house, it comes in contact with a rough surface, and 








w*-: 



«"^-^^-J 



with all the engines except the self-propeller, are 
drawn by two horses. The stalls are so arranged 
that the horses' heads face towards the front of the 
engine, and on an alarm being given, they can pass 
without delay to their proper places. When an 
alarm is given from any box, the same stroke of the 
hammer that strikes the gong in the engine house, 
disconnects a wire and allows a weight that holds 
the stall-doors to drop. The doors of the stalls 
then fly open, the horses are released, and actually 
bound to their places ; the harness, which is sus- 




Engine House, corner Fort St. and Elmwood Ave. 



Eighteenth Streei Engine House. 



the fuel is ignited. In 1S72 the engines were sup- 
plied with Mayor's relief valves, which regulate 
with ease the size and flow of the stream. Ten 
years later Siamese connections, by which the force 
of several streams can be concentrated in one, were 
adopted. 

Each engine is provided with a hose-carriage, 
carrying from 800 to 1200 feet of hose, which, with 
the carriage, weighs about two tons. In 1883 the 
department had nearly 23,650 feet of hose. Prior 
to 1873 all the hose-carts were two-wheeled and 
drawn by one horse. On January 8, 1873, the first 
four-wheeled cart was introduced, and since 1878 
all the hose-carts have been four-wheelers, and thev. 



pended over the place where the horses take their 
position, is dropped upon them and adjusted ; and 
within seven seconds from the time of an alarm, the 
engine can leave the house. The horses are excep- 
tionally well cared for, and since 1882 an infirmary 
has been maintained in connection with the engine 
house on Alexandrine Avenue, and disabled horses 
are there cared for. 

When the commission was organized there was 
but one hook and ladder company, the truck for 
which was built in 1852. It was replaced by a new 
one on November 17, 1870. A second hook and 
ladder company was organized August 12, 1 871, 
and a third in February, 1881. Company No. 2 



5i6 



STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



En*.im-; Hoi. ^ 



has a patent fire escape extension ladder. A re- 
serve fire escape ladder and truck went into service 
in January, 1880. Each truck is provided with 
ladders, buckets, axes, ropes, crowbars, lanterns, 
and Babcock fire extinguishers. Two chemical en- 
gines, or large Babcock tire extinguishers on wheels, 
were procured in 1876; they throw a fluid that 
quickly smothers an in- 
cipient fire. 

On January I, 1883, 
a protective company, 
composed of seven 
men, was established. 
They were stationed 
at the Hastings Street 
engine house, and are 
provided with a two- 
wheeled, eight-gallon 
chemical engine, and 
a large number of 
waterproof covers to 
spread over articles 
that would be damaged 
by water. 

The names of the 
engines in 1 883 were : 
Lafayette No. i, Nep- 
tune No. 2, Phoenix No. 

3, K. C. Barker No, 4, 
Jas. A. Van Dyke No. 
5, Detroit No. 6, L. H. 
Cobb No. 7, Continen- 
tal No. 8, and Chauncy 
HurlbutNo. 9. Nos. 10 
and 1 1 are unnamed. 
Rescue Hook & Ladder 
No. I, Eagle No. 2, 
Alert No. 3, and — No. 

4. Chemical No. i. 
Chemical No. 2, Chem- 
ical No. 3. In 1S83 
there were also three 
reserve engines, for use 
in special emergencies. 

The Fire Alarm Tel- 
egraph. 

The telegraph which 
was put up in 1866 
proved so unreliable 

that in 1869 a contract was made for the Game- 
well apparatus. It was completed and tested 
November 3, and accepted on November 7, 1870. 
The cost of the apparatus and putting up was 
$8,5co; with it were furnished seven hundred white 
cedar telegraph poles, six repeaters, seven engine- 
house gongs, seven galvanometers, and sixty boxes. 




, Ham ings, i'.ktwkh! 
I.AKMiU StkKETS. 




Engine H.k'sk, AiEXANniciM-. ,\\-ENrE 



Up to 1883, these had been increased to one 
hundred and thirty-four miles of wire and four- 
teen hundred poles. On the erection of the appar- 
atus, the services of the bell-ringer in the steeple of 
Dr. Duffield's church were dispensed with, and on 
January 20. 1872, an electro-mechanical bell-striker 
was put up in the City Hall, for the purpose of 
giving alarms on a 
large bell there located. 
Since these improve- 
ments, the Detroit fire 
alarm is believed to be 
almost perfect. There 
is a complete metallic 
circuit starting from 
and returning to the 
central office on Ear- 
ned, near St. Antoine 
Street. The line, as it 
passes about the city, 
is "looped" at con- 
venient intervals ; each 
loop embraces several 
boxes, and is supplied 
with a repeating wire 
which conveys the 
alarm from the loop 
to the central station, 
from whence it is con- 
veyed to all the other 
stations. Each loop 
is connected at the 
central station with a 
galvanometer, similar 
to a compass in its con- 
struction. When the 
loop is in good working 
order the pointer of the 
galvanometer (a mag- 
netic needle) is always 
deflected from its 
natural position. If 
an examination of the 
galvanometer of any 
particular loop shows 
the needle to be in its 
natural position due 
north, it becomes evi- 
dent that the loop 
is out of order or 
broken. With the aid of what is called a " switch 
board " any portion of the loop line may be discon- 
nected from the battery, and in case any of the 
wires are out of order, the particular part of the loop 
that is affected is readily determined. 

On the arrival of an alarm from any loop, a 
repeater at the central station shuts off an alarm 



STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



517 



from any other loop until the first alarm is fully 
given. If two alarms are given from two different 
boxes on the same loop, at about the same time, an 
automatic non-interference arrangement connected 
vuth each box shuts off the completion of an alarm 
from the second box until the alarm first given is 
completed. 

The fire-alarm boxes are kept locked, and the 
keys deposited in the nearest and most convenient 
store or house; all members of the police force are 
also provided with keys. Within each box is a brass 
hook, and in giving an alarm the hook is pulled 
firmly downwards 
as far as it will go, 
once, then allowed 
to slide back. If 
the line is in work- 
ing order, a small 
bell in the same box 
will at once ring. 
The pulling of the 
hook causes an 
alarm to be struck 
on the gong at the 
engine houses, and 
rings the bells in all 
the fire bo.xes. If 
the bell in the box 
does not ring, it is 
evident that that 
box or part of the 
line is out of order, 
and an alarm should 
then be given at the 
next nearest box. 
If on going to a box 
the bell within is 
heard giving an 
alarm, the signal 
should be counted, 
the same as the 
signals are counted 
from the tower bells; 
if it is evident from 
the number that 

the alarm is not for the same fire, then the hook 
should be pulled. Each box has a particular num- 
ber, and the pulling of the hook causes the 
slipping of a bar into certain notches, thus register- 
ing the number of the box. On an alarm being 
given, the City Hall bell and the tower bells 
immediately strike the number of the box, in this 
manner: Ten regular strokes are first given, indicat- 
ting that a fire has broken out; the number of the 
box from which the alarm comes is then given. If 
the alarm comes from Box 73. seven regular strokes 
are given ; then, after a short pause, three strokes ; 




the general alarm of ten strokes and the number of 
the box given is twice repeated. Lists of the num- 
ber and location of each box are printed, and refer- 
ence to a list will show the vicinity of the fire. At 
each of the engine houses the fire-alarm instrument 
is enclosed in a walnut case with a glass front, which 
shows the working of the machinery. Connected 
with each fire-alarm box, but entirely distinct from 
the other apparatus, is a small bell, attached to 
a wire that reaches all the boxes and all the engine 
houses, and with these bells by a system of signals 
information is conveyed, or help summoned, from 

any engine house. 
To protect the ap- 
paratus from dam- 
age during thunder 
storms, nearly all 
the fire-alarm boxes 
are provided with 
large copper wires, 
which extend to the 
ground, and carrj- 
off any surplus of 
electrical currents. 
The followingshows 
the number of fire- 
alarm bo.xes in use 
in various years ; 



Year. 


Boxes 


1867 




49 


1868 




50 


i86g 




5' 


1 870- 1 872 


60 


1872 




68 


1873- 


1875 


n 


1875 




89 


1876 




104 


IS77 




96 


1878- 


1 88 1 


106 


I88I- 


1S83 


124 


1883 




•38 



Engine House, coknbu IIiuh and Rl ssell Streets. 



In addition to 
the care of the en- 
gines, hose, horses, 
and apparatus, the department has the care of 
the fire hydrants and cisterns, each company hav- 
ing charge of those within its district, and it is 
the duty of the captain to see that tho.se in his 
district are kept in order, and that ice and snow 
do not accumulate on or about them. In 1883 red 
posts were set up near the hydrants to denote their 
location. The cisterns hold from one hundred to 
five hundred barrels and cost from $6 5 to $1,100, 
and both they and the hydrants are paid for by 
the Fire Commis:^ion. The following table gives the 
number of cisterns and hydrants in different years : 



5i8 



STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



Years. 


Reser- 
voirs. 


Hy- 
drants. 


Years. 


Reser- 
voirs. 


Hy- 
drants. 


1867 


134 


265 


1.875 


170 


601 


1868 


144 


305 


1876 


171 


606 


i86g 


144 


330 


1877 


172 


662 


1S70 


136 


365 


1878 


172 


689 


1S71 


135 


394 


1879 


172 


746 


1S72 


134 


420 


18S0 


175 


758 


1S73 


146 


463 


1881 


175 


809 


1874 


157 


535 


1883 


202 


954 






Commissioners. 







The Act of March 26, 1867, determined the length 
of term of each of the first four commissioners, and 




Engine House, Corner of Sixth and Baker Streets. 

on the expiration of their terms, others were to 
be nominated by the mayor and appointed by 
the council for terms of four years each. The 
commissioners serve without pay and cannot hold 
any political office ; if nominated for any such office, 
a commissioner must decline within ten days or his 
place will be deemed vacant. Each commissioner 
ser\'es as president of the board during the last year 
of his term. 

Their first meeting was on April I, 1S67. Regu- 
lar meetings are held every Monday at 4 P. M. at 
the office, corner of Earned and Wayne Streets. 

The commission is divided into eight committees, 
viz., on Finance, Supplies, Men, Horses, Water, 



Apparatus, Buildings, and Telegraph. Each mem- 
ber of the commission is chairman of, and serves 
on two committees. 

The commissioners named in the original Act 
were T. H. Hinchman. William Duncan, L. H. 
Cobb, and J. W. Sutton. The term of T. H. 
Hinchman expired April i, 1871. He was re-ap- 
pointed for two full terms. On his election to the 
State Senate in the fall of 1876, he resigned, and 
was succeeded in December by L. H. Cobb, who, 




Engine Hou.se, Montcalm Street West. 

as one of the first commissioners, had previously 
served from 1867 to 1873. Mr. Cobb died April i, 
1879, and T. H. Hinchman was appointed his suc- 
cessor, retaining the position until November, 1880, 
when he resigned, and was succeeded on Novem- 
ber 5 by R. W. Gillctt. On April i, 1872, Jerome 
Croul was appointed as the successor of William 
Duncan, and has since been three times re-appointed. 
On April i, 1873, Joseph Godfrey was appointed the 
successor of L. H. Cobb. Mr. Godfrey died 
January 7, 1875, and the same month Peter 
Henkel was appointed to fill the vacancy, and 
he has since been re-appointed. The term of 



STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT. 



519 



J. \V. Sutton expired April 1, 1870. Benjamin 
Vernor was appointed as his successor, and has 
since been three times re-appointed. The chief 
officers appointed by the commission, and their 
terms of service, have been : Secretaries, B. F. 
Baker, April i, 1867, to July 24, 1871 ; F. H. Sey- 
mour, July 24, 1S71, to January i, iSGi; James E. 
Tryon, from January I, iSSi ; Chief Engineer, 
James Battle, from April i, 1S67 ; Assistant En- 
gineer, T- R- Elliott, from April l, 1867 ; Superin- 
tendent of Telegraph, M. H. Gascoigne, from 1873; 
Surgeon, William Brodie, M. D., from 1873; Veter- 
inary Surgeons, A. 
J. Murray, 1876 to 
1879; Robert Jen- 
nings, from 1S79. 



All members of 
companies are re- 
quired to be citizens 
ofthe United States, 
and over twenty-one 
years of age; they 
are also required to 
furnish reliable 
references, to pass 
a medical examina- 
tion, and also an ex- 
amination as to 
business ability and 
moral character. 
The endeavor of 
the commissioners 
from the first has 
been to secure the 
best men possible 
consistent with the 
pay allowed, and as 
a result, the charac- 
ter and morale of 

the force is calculated to reflect credit on the city. 
The braver)- and devotion of the men and their faith- 
fulness in time of danger are worthy of all praise. 
Many of them ha\e suffered serious injury, as the 
result of heroic efforts to save life and property. 
In July, 1S81, one of the firemen, Mr. McQueen, 
was instantly killed by falling walls. It was the 
first fatal accident in fourteen years. 

The uniform was adopted in November, 1870. 
It is of blue cloth with brass buttons, upon which 
are the letters D. F. D. 

All members of the department are required to 
join the Firemen's Fund Association within one 
month after their appointment. Leave of alisence 
for not more than five hours may be granted by the 




Engine House, Clifford Street. 



captains of either engine or hook and ladder com- 
panies, provided not more than one stationary man 
or one pipeman is granted leave of absence at the 
same time. Leave of absence for engineers of 
steamers, for men of hook and ladder companies, 
may be granted only by the chief engineer. Per- 
mission to be absent for more than five hours is 
granted only by the president, upon the endorse- 
ment of the captain, countersigned by the chief 
engineer. Substitutes, in all cases, must be pro- 
cured by those who wish to be absent. Daily re- 
ports are made of the absences of each member of 

the company, the 
condition of the ap- 
paratus, and the 
visits of the officers, 
and a summary of 
these reports is 
made by the chief 
engineer to the 
board. Money or 
rewards for services 
can be received only 
by the chief en- 
gineer, must be 
turned over by him 
to the board, and 
cannot be used ex- 
cept by permission 
of that body. A 
fire company con- 
sists of ten persons, 
— one captain, one 
engineer, one fire- 
man, one engine- 
driver, one hose-cart 
driver, and five pipe- 
men. 

The number of 
men employed dur- 
ing the several years 
' has been: 1867, 62; 

1868-1871,72; 1871,78; 1872-1874,81; 1874-1877, 
107; 1877, 119; 1S78, 115; 1879, 127; 1880, 137; 
1 88 1. 142; 1883, 187. Of those serving in 1883 
only one hundred and seventeen devoted their 
full time ; the rest of the force, who are under en- 
gagement to ser\-e when needed, are men engaged 
in various business occupations, who pursue their 
ordinary avocations during the day, and report 
and sleep at the company quarters at night. They 
are paid from $240 to $300 per year ; the salaries 
of the men in constant service range from $650 to 
$1,000 per year. 

The Detroit Firemen's Fund Association 
was incorporated on April 17, 1867; its objects are 



'"^jrjim/tfi^!^ 



520 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SOCIETY. 



to afford relief to sick and disabled firemen who 
are connected with the Fire Department, and to re- 
lieve the widows and children of deceased mem- 
bers. 

Any member incapacitated from attending to his 
work is entitled to five dollars per week, for such 
time as a committee deem proper ; and by a two- 
thirds vote of the trus- 
tees, a larger sum, not 
exceeding twelve dol- 
lars per week, may be 
granted. In case of 
death, a sum of not 
over one hundred 
dollars may be appro- 
priated for funeral ex- 
penses. Widows and 
children are relieved 
by such monthly pay- 
ments, and for such 
length of time, as the 
trustees may agree 
upon. 

The initiation fee of 
active members is five 
dollars, with annual 
dues of four dollars, 
payable quarterly. 
Honorary members 
pay five dollars a year, 
but have no privileges. . 
The annual meeting is 
on the first Monday of 
April. Twenty trustees 
are elected on the last 
Saturday in March be- 
fore the annual meet- 
ing, each fire company 
being entitled to one 
trustee. 

All active members 
of the Fire Depart- 
ment are members, 
and there are besides 
a large number of 
honorary members. 



Engine House, Sixteenth, head of Bagg Street. 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SOCIETY. 

The public interest felt in the Fire Department, 
and the facilities which old Firemen's Hall afforded 
for meetings, led to the organization of this society. 
A constitution was drawn up by James A. \'an 
Dyke, and adopted in January, 1840. The first 
election was held January 20, when the following 
officers were chosen: Robert E. Roberts, president; 
Frederick Buhl, vice-president ; Edmund R. Kears- 
ley, secretary; Darius Lamson, treasurer; Elijah 



Goodell, collector. The Board of Trustees was 

composed of the officers of the society, the chief 

engineer, and delegates elected from each company. 

The object of the organization was thus stated : 

The purpose of this Association shall be the more effectually 
to enable the Firemen of said city to perfect the object of their 
organization, and to provide for the relief of disabled and indi- 
gent firemen and their fam- 
ilies. 

All firemen while doing 
duty as such, and being in- 
digent, all firemen who have 
been disabled while doing 
duty as such, and having 
become indigent and infirm ; 
and all firemen having served 
the time prescribed by law 
as such, and who shall resign 
thereafter, and having be- 
come indigent and in6rm, 
shall be entirled to relief from 
the Fire Department fund. 
The widows and orphans of 
all such persons shall, also, 
be entitled to assistance from 
the fund aforesaid. 

On February 14, 
1840, the society was 
incorporated under the 
name of the Fire De- 
partment of the City of 
Detroit. Membership 
certificates were fixed 
at two dollars each ; 
other funds were re- 
ceived from entertain- 
ments of various kinds, 
from donations of 
citizens whose property 
was saved from loss, 
and from sources in 
part indicated by the 
following letter, found 
among the old records : 

r>EiRoiT, March 3d. 1841. 
yohn 07i/f*t, Esg.^ President 
0/ Fire Dept. 0/ City 0/ 
Detroit. 
Dear Sir, — 

Enclosed you will find a 
warrant on the city Treasurer 
for $100, which I received for ser\'ices as Chief Engineer. Being a 
believer in Franklin's doctrine that no man should grow rich by 
emoluments of office, I remit the warrant to you for the benefit 
of the Fire Department. 

Very respectfully yours, 

Chauncv HuRLnirr. 

The funds of the society grew quite rapidly ; in 
September, 1 848, there was $6,000 in the treasury, 
and it was decided to build a large Firemen's Hall. 
The lot on the southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue 
and Randolph Street, from which the old Council 




THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SOCIETY. 



521 



House had a few months before been swept by the 
fire, was purchased, and on January- 15, 1849, J. A. 
Van Dyke, H. H. LeRoy, and Hugh Moffat were 
appointed .is a building committee. Comparatively 
little was done until a year later ; then, on January 
26, 1850, it was resolved to solicit loans of money 
in sums of fifty dollars and upward, and gifts 
of building material, or goods of any kind that 
could be turned to account in erecting the struc- 
ture. From this time the work went forward ; on 
July 4, 1850, the corner-stone was laid, and the 
occasion celebrated by a parade of all the fire 
companies, the reading of the Declaration of In- 



Mr. Van Dyke retired from the presidency; the 
department tendered him its thanks for his untir- 
ing zeal and successful efforts in its behalf, and 
resolved, as a token of high esteem and affection- 
ate regard, to procure his portrait to adorn the 
walls he had spent so much time to rai.se. The 
portrait, a very striking one, was painted by Hicks 
of New York, and cost, with its elegant frame, 
nearly $700. 

After the completion of the Hall the department 
inaugurated a course of lectures, the first of which 
was given on January 7, 1853, by J. A. Van Dyke; 
his subject was "The Fire Department of Detroit, — 




A Steam Fire Engine. 



dependence, an original ode by \V. H. Coyle, and 
an oration by U. Tracy Howe. 

On February 14, 1851, the department gave a 
supper and concert in aid of the enterpri.se, which 
were very successful, and on October 23, 1S51, the 
Hall was opened with a concert by Theresa Parodi. 
She subsequently addressed a letter to the president 
of the department, in which she complimented the 
Hall by saying, " I think it one of the very best 
that I have ever sung in." The formal dedication, 
by a grand ball, took place on Thursday evening, 
December 4. 

The lot cost S9.000 and the building $18,000. 
The Hall is fifty-six by seventy-five feet and twcnty- 
.six feet high. It was originally seated with arm- 
chairs, and was for many years the best public 
hall in the city. On the completion of the Hall, 



Past, Present, and Future." One month lalcr V. 
Tracy Howe delivered an address on "The Fine 
.■\rts." During 1854 a donation of $100 was received 
from James Stevens, and on January 15, 1855, the 
department adopted the following; 

Resolved, ihat this Firp Tieparlmcnt .ippropri.ite the $ioo 
ri'fcived fnim Mr. J.^itics Stevens ti>\v.ircls the purchase <>f a lot 
in Elmwood Cemetery, to be tised for the interment of deceased 



During 1876 the .society erected an elegant Fire- 
men's Monument on the lot. It cost $5,083. 

In 1S58 the walls of the Hall were raised and the 
front and roof re-constructed at a cost of $6,000. 
The H.-ill was re-opcncd on July 8 with a concert by 
Miss Caroline Richings. On August 21. 1858, the 
department opened a library and reading room. 



522 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SOCIETY. 



The wealth of the corporation continued to increase, 
and on January 25, 1859, an Act of the Legislature 
gave it power to hold §60,000 worth of property, 
and exempted it from taxation. 

The disbanding of the companies, caused by the 
introduction of steam engines, made it impracticable 
to elect trustees from the several companies, and, by 
Act of .March 15, 1S61, it was therefore provided 
that, on approval of the society, twelve trustees 
should be elected by ballot at the annual meeting 
on the third Monday of January, six to be chosen 
for one, and six for two years, and six annually 
thereafter. These trustees, with the president, vice- 



28, 1S70, but no practical results grew out of the 
action. 

Meanwhile, many members neglected the pay- 
ment of their dues ; the oflicers held that they had 
thus forfeited their rights as members ; and on May 
21, 1877, the Legislature provided that every mem- 
ber who had failed for three years or more previous 
to January i, 1878, to pay his dues should cease to 
be a member ; and that members failing for three 
years after that date to pay their dues should forfeit 
their membership ; the Act also provided that new- 
members, selected by the trustees, might be admitted 
by a two-thirds vote of the society at any lawful 




FiREMEN's ?I\[_i,.S. W. C'H«NEi; OF JeFIERSON .\\EN1E ANFj RaNUOLI'K StREET. 



president, and secretan,-. were to manage the affairs 
of the society. On November 30, 1S61. the society 
voted in favor of this method, and provision was 
made for reducing the dues to fifty cents per year. 
Notwithstanding this reduction, the membership 
constantly decreased, and as there was little occa- 
sion to apply its funds to the use originally in- 
tended, the Legislature, on .April 3. 1869, author- 
ized the society to maintain "an Institution or 
Institutions for moral and intellectual improve- 
ment and the relief and instruction of such home- 
less and destitute persons of the city of Detroit as 
the Board of Trustees may select." The society 
accepted the provisions of the Act on September 



meeting. By an Act approved April 21, 1883. it 
was provided that property to the amount of §120,- 
000 should be exempted from taxation, and each 
member was autliorized to appoint some one to suc- 
ceed him on his demise ; and in case any member 
neglected to appoint his successor, the trustees 
were authorized, on the death of a member, to name 
a successor, who should have and exercise all the 
rights of the original member. 

In 1883 there were about one hundred and thirty 
members, and the property of the corporation 
amounted to nearly $100,000, about one half being 
in cash or its equivalent. 

The presidents of the society have been: 1840, 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SOCIETY. 



523 



Robert E. Roberts; 1841-1843. John Owen; 1843, 
Chauncy Hurlbut; 1 844- 1847, David Smart ; 1847- 
1852, James A. Van Dyke; 1852-1855, Eben N 
\Villcox; 1855-1857. John I'atton ; 1857, Robert T 
Elliott; I S58, Robert E. Roberts; 1859-1861, John 
D.Fairbanks; 1 86 r. Benjamin Vemor; 1862, H.H 
Wells; 1S63, H. \V. Newberry; 1S64-1866, L. H 
Cobb; 1866-1868, S. G. Wight; 1S68-1870, T. H 
Hinchman; 1870-1872. Robert McMillan; 1872- 
1874, Jerome Croul ; 1874-1876, W. S. Penfield 
1S76-1878, J. S. Vernor; 187S, T. H. Hinchman 



1879, William Adair; 1880-1882, Alexander Cop- 
land; 1882-1884, R. S. Dillon; 1884. John Camp- 
bell. 

The secretaries have been; 1840, E. R. Kearsley; 
1841, W. B. Wesson; 1842-1846, H. M. Roby; 
1S46-184S, E. D. Hyde ; 1848, P. C. Higgins ; 1849- 
1851, R. W. King; 1851-1854, R. E. Roberts; 
1854-1857. C.S.Cole; 1857-1 859, B. Vernor; 1859- 
i86i,G. W. Osborn; 1861, H. Starkey ; 1862-1877, 
George W. Osborn; 1877-1879, G. C. Codd; 1875^ 
Mark Flanigan. 



PART VIII, 

RELIGIOUS. 



CHAPTER LVI 



ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. — CHURCHES. 
DIOCESES. — THE CATHOLIC UNION. 



-BISHOPS AND 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 

The first settlements in the West differed from 
nearly all the eastern colonies, in that the settlers 
were not Puritans, but members of the Roman 
Catholic Church. Long before the first posts were 
established, the Jesuit and Sulpitian missionaries, 
with unsurpassed devotion to their faith, and with 
skill and courage that no difficulties could over- 
come, traversed the entire West, exploring, study- 
ing, and planning for the future of their Church. 
One after another they visited the region of the 
lakes, and the Indian soon learned to respect the 
"black gowns," and in form, if not in fact, to 
adore the Crucified. Father Sagard came to Michi- 
gan in 1632; Fathers Raymbault and Jogues, in 
1641 ; Dablon, in 1655; Menard, in 1660; .-\llouez, 
in 1666; Marquette, in 1668; and. in the spring of 
1770 the Sulpitian Galinee was at Detroit with La 
Salle. 

A bishop and nuns from the highest ranks, rep- 
resenting the best blood of France, followed in 
the footsteps of these priestly explorers. Father 
Hennepin came in 1679. Twenty years later the 
settlement was determined upon, and in 1701 the 
cross was set up on the shores of the Detroit. 
It was well that the old faith was represented by 
the ancient Gallic Church: independent but faith- 
ful, zealous but liberal, the impress of her spirit 
remains to this day. 

St. Anne's Church. 

One of the first acts of Cadillac was to provide 
a place of worship. He arrived on July 24, which 
was St. Anne's Day, and two days later he laid 
the foundations for a chapel. Father Francois 
Valliant, a Jesuit, and Father Nicholas Constantine 
del Halle, a Franciscan, both aided in the pious 
work. 

Cadillac's letters and various other old manu- 
scripts make it evident that he preferred the Fran- 
ciscans, who were usually in charge of the posts. 
The directors of the colony, however, chose to estab- 
lish a Jesuit missionary, and agreed to allow 800 
francs yearly, necessary food and clothing, and free 
transponation for those who were sent to the settle- 



ment. The personal preferences of Cadillac did 
not trouble the colonists, and ere the settlement 
was a month old the little log church just outside 
the stockade was completed, the rude cross pointed 
to the sky, and thereafter the bell was daily rung 
and daily prayers were said; and when harvest 
time had passed, the priest's granary was full. 

Father V'alliant and Cadillac did not agree, and 
early in the fall of 1 701 Valliant left the settlement. 
The presence of a Franciscan priest was dis- 
tasteful to the Jesuits, and, hoping that the settle- 
ment would prove a failure and that the Indians 
would return to Mackinaw, they evaded the king's 
orders directing them to establish themselves at 
Detroit, and for several years after Valliant left 
there were no Jesuits at Detroit. 

In 1703 some Indians, who had become disaf- 
fected, set fire to a barn, and as a result the church 
and the home of the priest were burned, together 
with other buildings. A new church was immedi- 
ately erected, in which, as will appear. Father del 
Halle was buried. 

With the year 1704, so far as is now known, the 
records of the church began ; and, excepting those 
of the Roman Catholic churches of St. Ignace and 
Kaskaskia, which date back to 1695 and 1696, there 
are no manuscript records in the West so ancient 
and so interesting as those contained in the thin 
quarto volumes now in possession of the parish 
priest of St. Anne's. The records are complete 
from the beginning, and the faded and yellow pages 
tell the history of events that thrilled the hearts of 
the colonists of Detroit for generations before the 
war of the Revolution. Their authenticity is at- 
tested by the signatures (as witnesses at weddings 
and burials) of Cadillac, De la Forest, De Noyelle, 
Tonty, IJellestre, Dubuisson, Boishebert, and other 
noted military characters. The record of births, 
deaths, and marriages, from 1704 to 1744, is con- 
tained in a small book of three hundred and thirty- 
four pages. The following translation of one of 
the pages gives evidence of a care which has pre- 
served them to the present time : 

The undersigned Recollect Priest, e.xercising vicarial functions 
at Fort Pontchartrain of Detroit, declares that the present book 



L5=7l 




"e'w,^ I 



A^-w/i' ^'^^ Qa^y^-^^ ^A-^<ut^ ^^y^s^f^ 

mJJA/h-viiu 

e^. ^v S^ e/'^ ^'^^■^ «^«^/ ^^^zo ^,, 2^^^ ^^ ^ ,,i*^a«^l 



Cn ftP/ S-^-j7 




First pAr.p, oj St. Anne's Records. 
L528I 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



529 



contains thirteen sheets of paper, being the veritable first Book 
or Registry of Baptisms and Interments at Fort Pontchartrain, 
and that it has been prepared and arranged by the venerable Pere 
Dominique de la Marche, formerly Professor of Theology and 
Recollect Priest, my predecessor at this said mission of Fort Pont- 
chartrain; and for the purpose of giving to this Registry all 
necessary force and value, I have requested Monsieur Antoine 
de la Mothe Cadillac, Commandant for the King at said Fort, to 
honor it with his signature. Done at said place the 15th of Janu- 
ary, 1709. 

Frere Chekubim Denian, 

Recollect Miss. Priest. 

We, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, Lord of the places of Doua- 
guet and Mont Desert, Commander for the King at Fort Pont- 
chartrain, certify that the present book contains thirteen sheets, 
being the First Registry of Baptisms and interments ; in faith of 
which we have signed. 

Done at said Fort, January i6th, 1709. 

La Mothe Cadillac. 

A reduced fac-simile is given of the first page of 
the record; ' the size of the original is seven by eight 
and three quarters inches. 

The second entry tells of the baptism of the child 
of a soldier and an Indian woman. 

From 1704 to 1709 three or four other books of 
registry were formally opened by the priests in 
charge, and a special registry' is preser\-ed, in which 
baptisms of savages, principally of tlie Huron tribe, 
are noted. 

Between April 24 and August i6, 1706, during an 
attack on the fort by the Indians, while walking in 
his garden outside of the stockade, Father del Halle 
was seized ; he was soon released, but as he turned 
to enter the fort he was shot and instantly killed by 
one of the Indians; the place of his burial was the 
chapel in which he had officiated. In after years, 
when newer and larger churches were erected in 
different localities, the remains of del Halle were 
four times removed, the first time in 1 709. Two of 
the removals are described in the following transla- 
tions from the records : 

In the year of our Lord 1723, May 13th, at the request of Rev. 
Father Bonaventure Leonard, Franciscan Missionary for the post 
of Detroit on Lake Erie, we the undersigned declare having been 
on the ground where was formerly the church in which had been 
buried the late Rev. Father Constantine del Halle, Franciscan, 
fulfilling the functions of a missionary for the said post ; and, 
according to the indication given us, we recognized the exact spot 
where his remains would be found. The Rev. Father Bonaven- 

1 Translated, the entry reads : 

I, brother Constantine del Halle, missionary, Recollect Priest, 
and Chaplain at Fort Pontchartrain, certify that T have conferred 
holy baptism on Marie Th^r^se, legitimate daughter of Monsieur 
Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, commandant for the King, and of 
Madame Marie Therese Guoin, the Father and Mother. There 
was for Godfather, Bertrand Arnault, and for Godmother, Md'lle 
Genevieve le Tendre. In faith of which we have signed, this ad 
of February, 1704. 

Fr^kil CoxN'STantine del Halle, 

Recollect. 
Arnaud, 
Gbnevibvb le Ten-dre. 



ture paid two men to make researches in the said ground. The 
same day these men found the cofiin of the late Rev. Father, who 
was recognized by the marks every one has seen ; that is, a small 
cap, many pieces of cloth of his cloak, very distinct marks on 
his body of a siring and of haircloth. After that examination 
the Rev. Father Bonaventure ordered the body to be taken into 
the church. 

In testimony whereof we assure whomsoever it may concern of 
the truth of our present attestation. Made at the Post of Detroit 
on Lake Erie, May 13th, 1723. 

(Signed) H. Campaii. Pierre Hubert Lacroix 

Chs. Chesne, Eonaventure. 

In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty- 
five, the thirteenth day of July, we, priest, Franciscan, and chap- 
Iain at the Fort of Detroit, in the name of His Majesty, the King 
Louis, and fulfilling in the said place the holy functions of priest, 
rector in St. Anne's parish, according to the resolution taken 
December 24th of the preceding year {1754) have transferred from 
the old church into the new one, first, the remains of the vener- 
able Father Constantine del Halle, heretofore Franciscan Mis- 
sionarj', who had been killed by the Indians in 1706, in the per- 
formance of his holy duties. 

In the year 1723 these remains had been already transferred 
into the said old church, and buried under the steps of the altar 
by our predecessor, Rev. Father Bonaventure Leonard. 

We have deposited them./ri? tempore^ under the steps of the 
altar in the new church, until the lengthening and other improve- 
ments may be made ; then we will give him a last sepulture con- 
formable to his dignity and to the miracles performed through 
his intercession ; these miracles are related by many persons 
worthy to be trusted. 

Finally, we have transferred also to the new church all the 
other bodies and bones found in the old one, and we have said a 
Requiem Mass for the rest of their souls. 

(Signed) Simple Boc^uet, 

Priest., Franciscan Missionary. 

Immediately after the death of Del Halle, Cadillac 
induced two Franciscans to take charge of the little 
flock, one of whom remained three years. 

In 1708 it was decided to build a new church, and 
in the following year it was erected, proof of which 
is found in papers deposited with the Department 
of Marine in Paris. 

In 171 2, at the time of the attack of the Outa- 
gamies, the commandant burned the church lest it 
should afford a place of refuge to the Indians. 
About this time, on account of the discouraging 
condition of affairs, many of the inhabitants left the 
settlement, and consequently there were several 
unoccupied houses, one of which was used for 
church purposes. 

On June 6. 1 721, Pierre Francis Xavier de Charle- 
voix, a Jesuit missionary, arrived on a visit to the 
colony, and remained nearly two weeks. Two years 
later, on May 13, 1723, Father Bonaventure arrived, 
and within a year he be.ijan the erection of a church, 
which was duly completed and was the first to 
receive the name St. Anne's. It was situated near 
the stockade, and was probably the first church 
located inside the pickets. Both the church and the 
cemetery then occupied a portion of the property 
now KHng between Griswold and Shelby Streets, 
on the north side of Jefferson Avenue. 



:)j'- 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



Concerning priestly life and labor at this time, 
Father Emanuel Crespel, who visited the settlement 
in 1729, says: 

In the spring I made a journey to Detroit on the invitation of 
a brother of our order, who was there on a mission. In seventeen 
days I reached Detroit, and was received by the priest I went to 
visit with a warmth which showed tlie e-xtreme pleasure we ex- 
penence in meeting one of our countrymen in a distant region ; 
besides, we are brethren of the same order, and quitted our coun- 
try for the same motive. 

I was therefore welcome to him on many accounts ; nor did he 
omit any opportunity of convincing me how pleased he was with 
my visit. He was older than ], and had been very successful in 
his apostolic labors. His house was agreeable and convenient ; 
it was, as 1 may say, his own work, and the habitation of virtue. 
His time which was not employed in the duties of his office was 
divided between study and the occupations of the field. He had 
a few books, the choice of which afforded a good idea of the 
purity of his morals and the extent of his knowledge. With the 
language of the country he was familiar : and the facility with 
which he spoke it made him very acceptable to many of the 
Indians, who communicated to him their reflections on all sub- 
jects, particularly religion. Affability attracts confidence, and no 
one was more deserving of the latter than , this good ntan. He 
had taught some of the inhabitants the French language ; and 
among them I found many whose good sense and sound judg- 
ment would have made them conspicuous even in France, had 
their minds been cultivated by study. Every day 1 remained 
with this man I found new motives to envy his situation. In a 
word, he was happy, and had no cause to blush at the means by 
which he became so. 

In 1738, I'^ather de la Richardie was here as mis- 
sionary to the Hurons. He afterwards went to 
Montreal, and was succeeded by F'ather Louis An- 
toine Pothier, who as early as 1742 was in charge of 
a mission among the Hurons on Bois Blanc Island. 
In June, 1747, the Hurons fell out with the French, 
and Pothier returned to Detroit. In 1748 friend- 
ship was restored, and Fathers Pothier and De la 
Richardie built a church and established a mission 
among the Hurons at Sandwich. For several years 
prior to 1761 Father J. B. Sallenauve was in charge 
of the Sandwich mission, and then Father Pothier, 
who in the interim had been in Detroit, was again 
at Sandwich. 

Concerning Father Pothier, the Pontiac manu- 
script says, "The French, who knew and respected 
thejesuit Father as a worthy ecclesiastic, considered 
him as a saint upon earth." He spent much of his 
time in Detroit, where he died July 16, 1781. His 
death was occasioned by a fall which fractured his 
skull. 

In 1754 Father de la Richardie was again in 
charge of the Huron mission, which was still at Bois 
Blanc Island. 

With the year 1749 immigration took a new start, 
and so great was the increase of the inhabitants 
in Detroit that a larger church became a neces- 
sity; and in 1754 Father Bocquet. who then had 
charge of the parish, determined that one should be 
erected. Accordingly, either on the old site, or in 



its immediate vicinity, just west of the present Gris- 
wold Street, and covering a part of Jefferson Avenue, 
the church was erected. In March of the following 
year it was consecrated by the Right Rev. Henri 
Dubreuil de Pontbriand, Bishop of Ouebec. He was 
here the i6th of March, and .spent several weeks in 
the vicinity. 

It will be borne in mind that, at this period, in 
addition to the inhabitants inside the stockade, there 
was a large number of settlers on both sides of the 
river and on either side of the fort. It was not 
always safe or convenient for them to attend ser- 
vices at the fort, and therefore as early as 1763, and 
probably soon after the capitulation of 1760, Jacques 
Campau, in pursuance of a religious vow, built a 
small church, about twenty by thirty feet in size, on 
his farm, now known as the James Campau Farm, 
or east half of Private Claim 91. The building 
stood near the river, and was known in more recent 
times as the Red Chapel. On May 13, 1787, Father 
Frechette, for the first time, said mass in it, and the 
odor of incense mingled with the smell of apple- 
blossoms from the surrounding orchards. The 
building was burned in August or September, 1843. 
It was doubtless at this church that these services 
alluded to in the Pontiac manuscript took place : 

On Sunday, ist of May, about three in the afternoon {the 
French then returning from vespers), Pontiac, with forty chosen 
men, appeared at the gate. 

On the Moon day, the gth of May, the first day of Rogations, 
according to custom, the curate and all the clergy made a pro- 
cession out of the Fort very peaceably. The mass wa.s celebrated 
in the same manner. 

With regard to the feelings of the Indians 
towards Pothier, the manuscript says : 

Father Pothier, a Jesuit missionary of the Hurons, who in the 
quality and by the power he had over them, had brought part of 
them, particularly the good band, within the bounds of tranquil- 
lity, by refusing them the sacrament. 

We find also in the same document the following 
interesting item : 

Thursday, June i6th. It is usual, in places besieged and 
blockaded, to observe silence, and not on any account to ring the 
bells of the churches, in order that the enemy might not know 
the time the people go to church. The bell of the French church 
of this place had not been rung since the commencement of the 
siege. The commander having inquired of the curate why the 
bell was not rung, permitted it to be rung, and it commenced its 
function by ringing the Angelus. 

Trustees for the parish of St. Anne's were ap- 
pointed as early as 1744, and the pews were prob- 
ably first rented about that time. An old account 
book in possession of the writer contains this entry : 

Widow McDougall, Dr. September 2Sth, 1781, cash paid her 
seat in the church, 16s. 

The best known of the older priests was the 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



531 



Rev. Gabriel Richard, of tlie order of Sulpitians. 
He arrived here on the feast day of Corpus Christi, 
in June, 1 798. He was a man of great catholicity 
of spirit, much esteemed by both Catholics and 
Protestants, and for nearly a quarter of a century 
labored assiduously for the interests of his flock, 
and the whole city as well. His connection with 
educational and publishing interests is set forth 
elsewhere. In 1807, on the invitation of Governor 
Hull and others, he preached several times in the 
Council House. Although an accomplished French 
scholar, his English was defective ; yet his discourses 
commanded respect because of the character of the 
man, and because they were devoid of churchly 
assumption. During the War of 181 2 he was 
imprisoned for a time at Sandwich, because of 
loyalty to the United States. After his release, 
during the period of distress that succeeded the 
war, he was actively engaged in ministering to the 
necessities of the people. 

In 1823 he had the rare honor, for a priest, of 
being elected a delegate to Congress; he served 
until 1825. This is the only instance in the history 
of the Territory or the State where a clergyman 
held this position. A short time before his elec- 
tion one of his flock married a second wife, without 
having obtained a divorce from the first. For this 
he was excommunicated by Father Richard, and so 
injurious were the consequences that he sued for 
damages, and obtained a judgment for $1,116. 
Father Richard was unwilling or unable to pay the 
amount, and was imprisoned in the old jail, remain- 
ing there three or four weeks. After he was elected 
to Congress, Messrs. Louis Beaufait. Charles Rivard, 
and Joseph Bartlett became his bail, and one even- 
ing, about nine o'clock, he was released, and pro- 
ceeded to Washington, where he faithfully served 
the Territory. 

At the time of the first visitation of the cholera 
he was unselfishly active in affording temporal and 
spiritual relief to the sick and dying; finally, on 
September 13, 1832, at 3 a. m., he was himself 
carried away by the dread scourge. His decease 
was universally lamented, and both Protestants 
and Catholics were sincere mourners at the funeral, 
which took place at 5 P. M. He was buried in a 
crypt beneath St. Anne's. Beside him, in other 
crypts, are the remains of Fathers Vanderpoel and 
De Bruyn, Louis Antoine Beaubien, and a sister 
whose name is unknown. A memorial window, 
bearing an excellent likeness of Father Richard, 
occupies a conspicuous place at the left, as you 
enter the church. It cost $400. 

The church in which Father Richard first ofiici- 
ated is shown in the view of the city as it was in 
1796. It was a large building, towering far above 
the surrounding houses. In the fall of 1799 it was 



repaired and enlarged at an expense of about 
$3,000. On June 11, 1805, it, with the rest of the 
town, was burned. At this time Rev. John Dilhet 
was associated with Father Richard. The ruins of 
the old church, overgrown with weeds, remained 
on what is now Jefferson Avenue until 181 7 or 
later. 

After the fire a tent was erected on the Commons, 
and for a short time services were held therein. 
Meldrum's warehouse, which stood not far from the 
foot of the present Woodward Avenue, was next 
negotiated for, the trustees, on August 27, voting 
to offer S300 New York currency for the property. 
Whether they bought if or not does not appear, but 
for about four years it was occupied by the church. 
From the Meldrum Warehouse, as early as the first 
of January, 1809, the services were transferred to 
Spring Hill Farm, so called, now known as Private 
Claim 30 in Springwells. This farm was rented of 
the United States, for $205 per year, by Father 
Richard. The Government had taken the farm in 
settlement of its account against Matthew Ernest, 
who, while collector of customs in Detroit, became 
a defaulter to the amount of $6,000 or $8,000. 
Father Richard remained on the farm until Novem- 
ber I, 1810, or later, and was so unfortunate that in 
181 1 the United States had to sue for a portion of 
the rent. During this period occasional services 
were held in a chapel built on the Melcher or 
Church Farm in Hamtramck. 

It was evidently the congregation which wor- 
shiped in this chapel that had the disagreement 
with Father Richard spoken of in Spalding's " Life 
of Bishop Flaget." The trouble seems to have 
grown out of the proposed removal of the old 
cemetery from the church grounds, through which 
Jefferson Avenue had been extended. The dis- 
agreeing members were also opposed to the building 
of St. Anne's on the site it now occupies. On Feb- 
ruary 24, 1 81 7, Bishop Flaget issued a pastoral letter 
reproving the schismatic members at Detroit and in- 
terdicting their church. In order to fully settle the 
difficulty, the bishop, in company with Reverend 
Fathers Bertrand and Janvier, and Messrs. Godfrey 
and Knaggs, left St. Thomas for Detroit on May 
15, 1818, They made the entire journey on horse- 
back, and on June i, when within ten miles of De- 
troit, they were met by a number of persons W'ho 
escorted them into the city. The bishop soon 
brought about a reconciliation between the chief 
members of the congregation on the Melcher Farm, 
and they agreed on behalf of the congregation 

to remove their dead from the street and lot, to contribute 
towards the erection of the new church in Detroit, and not tospeak 
of the past, but to bury it in oblivion. On his part, the bishop 
promised to raise the interdict on their church, to permit burials 
in the cemetery, and to send them a priest once a month. 
The preliminaries of the reconciliation having been satisfac- 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



torily adjusted, the bishop determined to render the ceremony of 
removing the interdict as public and solemn as possible. Ac- 
cordingly, on Tuesday, the 9th of June, 181S, he was conducted 
to their church in grand procession, the discharge of cannon 
announcing the approaching ceremony, and the music of the 
regimental band mingling with that of the choristers. Addresses 
were delivered in English and French. An affecting public recon- 
ciliation took place between the schismatics and their pastor, M. 
Richard, who shed tears of joy on the occasion. A collection of 
$500 was taken up on the spot, which the bishop considered a 
substantial omen of a permanent peace." 

The comer-Stone of St. Anne's was laid the same 
day. Later in the day, while the bishop was 
returning from a dinner party at General Macomb's, 
his horses took fright, and he was thrown down the 
high bank, then existing below what is now Cass 
Street, receiving a severe injury on the right shoulder 
from which he never fully recovered. 

On June 17 the bishop, with Father Bertrand, 
left in a sailing vessel for Montreal. He returned 
on July 27, and remained until September 3, when 
he went up to.Sault St. Marie, returning on the i ith 
of October. When he arrived he was quite ill, but 
gradually recovered, and on November i he con- 
firmed two hundred persons. Soon after this he 
commenced a "spiritual retreat" at the Melcher 
Farm church, discontinuing it on the 17th for a trip 
to the River Raisin, and resuming it after his 
return on December 30. The e.xercises were abun- 
dantly profitable to the people. On April 19, 18 19, 
he again visited the River Raisin, returning in May. 
On the 29th he took his final departure from De- 
troit, going by steamer to Erie. 

The first church on the Melcher Farm was built 
of logs, and was consecrated May 10, 1809. During 
the year 1834 it was repaired. The following extract 
from a letter of Rev. Mr. Kundig to Bishop Le- 
fevere, dated January 12, 1857, gives interesting 
particulars as to its condition at that time : 

He, Bishop Rese, ordered me to repair the old shabby church, 
which I did by taking off the casing and shingles. But the night 
following, February 22d, 1834, the whole concern was, by a great 
storm, blown 10 the ground. It had looked as old as if it was 
Noe's Ark itself. He then put up a new church, he built the 
additions to the old and worthless house and repaired it, and from 
that time he took care to have a clergyman remain there. 

The new church was built by a man named 
Payee, and was consecrated by Bishop Fenwick. 
At various times Fathers Bernier, Warlop, Vander- 
poel, Kilroy, Maxwell, and Duboix were stationed 
here. Father Duboix procured a bell for the church 
in 1848. The building was burned on July 13, 1861. 

Returning to the history of St. Anne's Church, 
we find that in 1798 the use of about an acre of 
ground was given for a cemetery-. Seven years 
later, on account of the wider streets laid out in re- 
building the city, after the fire of 1805, a new 
church location became desirable. Accordingly, 



Father Richard presented a petition asking for a 
definite grant of the ground the church had been 
using for a cemetery, and on October 4, 1S06, the 
Governor and Judges passed the following : 

Rt-soived^ that the Roman Catholic Church be built in the 
centre of the little military square, on section No. i, on the 
ground adjacent to the burying ground ; the said lot fronting on 
East and West Avenue (Michigan Avenue) two hundred feet 
wide and running back two hundred feet deep, and bounded on 
the three sides by three other streets. 

It will be noticed that no title was conveyed by 
the above resolution, and the description does not 
define all the land which was actually conveyed at a 
subsequent date. About six months after the pas- 
sage of the resolution, "The Catholic, Apostolic, and 
Roman Church of St. Anne, of Detroit," was incor- 
porated under a general law for the incorporation of 
religious societies, passed a few days before. One 
of the pro\nsions of this law was that trustees could 
acquire and hold personal property, " slaves ex- 
cepted ;" but no society could hold more than two 
thousand acres of land at one time, and the property 
was liable to taxation. 

The articles of incorporation were drawn up and 
signed April 12, 1807, and recorded three days 
later, in Liber 2 of Deeds, page 149. 

The following persons were named in the articles 
as trustees : Antoine Beaubien, Francois Chabert, 
Gabriel Godfroy, and Jacques Campau. The cor- 
porators were Charbert Joncaire, Henry Berthelet, 
Pierre Desnoyers, Charles Poupard, Joseph Beau- 
bien, Antoine Cecille, Etienne Dubois, Alexis Cerat, 
Joseph Cot^, Presque Cote, Gabriel Godfroy, and 
Francis Frerot. 

On January 11, 1817, in consideration of the re- 
linquishment by the church of all right to the prop- 
erty lying within the limits of the then new Jefferson 
Avenue, the Governor and Judges conveyed to the 
church certain property which they had previously 
occupied on Jefferson Avenue, near Griswold, and 
also the interior triangle of Section i, sixteen lots 
in the block adjoining on the north, and thirteen 
lots in Section 9. Under the treaty of Fort Meigs, 
of September 29, 1817, St. Anne's Church also ob- 
tained an undivided half of the six sections of land 
given by the Indians. This land was located in 
Monroe County, and was sold about 1840. 

On March 26, 1834, the Governor and Judges 
gave a new deed for the interior triangle of Section 
1 and the sixteen lots adjoining on the north, shown 
on John Farmer's map of 1831. The chief point of 
difference between this deed and that of 181 7 was, 
that the new deed gave the church the right either 
to dispose of the property or to erect buildings for 
any use, instead of exclusively for church purposes. 
In 1836 a brick residence for the bishop, facing Ran- 
dolph Street, was erected on the property. 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



The house was built about an old wooden dwell- 
ing. Tradition says that the property on which the 
wooden house stood was given to the church to be 
used as long as the building should remain standing, 
and that the brick encasement was designed to pre- 
serve the inner building. .A. careful investigation 
of the deeds fails to afford the slightest evidence 
upon which to found any such tradition. 




kF^]i'KSi,E KkKCiEU B\ tll^HL'l' ReSE. 

As to the erection of the church, the following 
advertisement from the Detroit Gazette of August 
19, i8i8, gives interesting facts : 

Great Bargain ! Offered by Gabriel Richard, rector of St. 
Anne, 200 hard dollars will be given for twenty toises of long 
stone, of Stony Island, delivered at Detroit, on the wharf of Mr. 
Jacob Smith, or two hundred and forty dollars, if delivered on 
the church ground. 100 barrels of lime are wanted immediately. 
Five shillings will be given per barrel at the river side, and six 
shillings delivered on the church ground. 

It has been said that the stone for St. Anne's was 
brought in bateau.\ up the Savoyard Creek, but the 
above advertisement indicates nothing of the kind, 
and the late Peter Desnoyers, on two different 
occasions, told the writer that the statement as to 
the conveying of the stone up the Savoyard was en- 
tirely incorrect. The stone was furnished by J. B. 
St. Armour and Louis Desolcour. The timber was 
supplied by Messrs. Young and St. Barnard, and 
was obtained on Pine River. St. Clair County. It 
was while this church was in process of erection 
that Father Richard issued the " shinplasters " 
which were so extensively counterfeited. 

It was at first intended to have a row of pillars 
about the outside of the church, and numbers of 
them were procured. This plan, however, was re- 
considered and abandoned : several of the pillars 
were finally used in building a porch in the rear of 
the bishop's residence. 

The steeples were completed and tinned over in 



the fall of 1S20. While putting on the tin, the 
workmen used a pot of live coals to heat their irons, 
and by some carelessness one of the steeples took 
fire. It was late at night when it was discovered, 
and one of the firemen, who had been out on a hunt 
all day, was thoroughly tired out ; when aroused and 
warned to hurry up, he carelessly turned over in 
bed, saying, " Oh, never mind ! It won't burn much 
till morning ; it 's all green timber." His careless 
prophecy proved true, and the old steeple still 
remains. 

In 1820 the basement was opened for use. The 
upper portion of the church was completed and first 
used December 25, 1828. There was placed in it 
the pulpit and two of the side altars saved from the 
fire of 1805, and these relics are still preser\'ed. 
The old bell, with its birthmark of 1766, rescued 
from that fire, no longer rings the Angelus. but is 
laid away as a memorial of the past. 

The size of the church is sixty by one hundred 
and sixteen feet. Originally there was in the center 
an octagonal dome, thirty feet in diameter and thirty 
feet high, and two small cupolas at the rear. The 
center dome was surmounted by a representation of 
the sun, on which was a human face, and over it 
a cock. On the smaller cupolas were representa- 
tions of the moon and a fish. The center dome and 
the cupolas were removed in 1842. The next year 
the towers were fully enclosed and the front porch 
erected. In the spring of 1850 the brick extension 
in the rear was added. In 1880 the church sold a 
portion of the property, fronting two hundred and 
fifty feet on Earned Street, and extending along 
Randolph Street through to Congress Street, for the 
sum of $100,000. 

The changes of the passing years have affected 
not only the property, but the customs of the church. 
A curious illustratiorwof past scenes, and of the 
mingling of the duties of the territorial militia with 
those of the church militant, half a centurj' ago, is 
afforded by the following copy of an official letter 
on record at Lansing : 



SlR,- 



Adjittant General's Office, 

Detroit, May 28th, 1820. 



By general order of the 21st inst., which will be inserted in the 
next Gazette, the company lately commanded by Captain Beau- 
fait in the second Battalion of the tirst Regiment, has been con- 
solidated with that commanded by you. It therefore becomes 
necessary that you should take immediate measure-S to carr>- that 
provision of the General Order into complete effect on or before 
the first Monday of June next. Vou are also hereby directed to 
cause your company to be assembled at 3 o'clock l". M. of that 
day. at which time the .Adg't. and Insp. General will attend in 
person for the purpose of inspecting the state of their discipline, 
and of introducing the system of discipline established by law. 

In the interim you are requested to appear with your company, 
on the General Parade ground in the rear of this city, on Satur- 
day next at 2 o'clock p. m., with a view to prepare your men to 
attend as a military escort at the celebration of the Anniversary o{ 



534 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



the institution of the feast of the blessed sacrament of our Lord 



Jesus Christ. 



Your obt. serv't. 



To Cfipt. yacqites Canipazt^ and 
to Capt. /'. God/roy^ on the 
subject o/ the consolidation 
of their contpunics. 



John R, Williams 




1,1 I iJ-j_. I 



'iJ^ 



prominent citizens. The highest military officers 
often assisted in this service ; and it was no unusual 
sight to see Major-General Macomb, of the United 
States Army, and General John R. Williams, of the 
Territorial Militia, assist in carrying the canopy. 
This naturally secured the co-operation of the troops 
and the militia ; and thus, with the booming of can- 
non and a general parade of soldiers, these occasions 
possessed uncommon interest. The procession usu- 
ally formed at St. Anne's, proceeding from thence 
to the little chapel on the Campau Farm, or to 
similar chapels on the Lafontaine and Godfroy 
Farms on the west of the town, and to other shrines 
temporarily erected. These public processions were 
kept up until about 1825. At this same period, 
during the last week of Lent, the church bell hung 
unloUed and unrung ; and instead thereof, men stood 
upon the street comers, and with crecelle or rattle 
called the people to prayer. The Rogation days, 
spoken of in the extract from the Pontiac Manuscript, 
were publicly observed up to 1828, and probably 



St. Anne's Church. 
Original appearance. 

A further relic of the olden time is the 
following advertisement from the Gazette 
of June 2, 1820, which has reference to 
the same occasion : 

NOTICE. 

According to ancient custom, the solemn Proces- 
sion in commemoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 
commonly called the Lord's Supper, will take place 
on Sunday ne.\t at 5 o'clock p. M., within the en- 
closure of the Church of St. Anne. A short address, 
explanatory of the ceremony, will be delivered at 
half past four. Christians of all denoininations are 
welcome. It is expected, howeveipShat they will 
conform to all rules obser\'ed by Catholics on such 
occasions by standing, walking and kneeling. The 
Military on duty only may remain covered. 

It is enjoined on all persons to preserve profound 
silence during the whole ceremony. 

N. B. — X collection will be made, the proceeds 
of which will be employed in completing the 
steeples of the Church of St. Anne, and covering 
them with tin. 

In earlier days, this procession on 
Pentecost, or Whitsunday, was succeeded 
by the feast of Corpus Christi. On such 
occasions, almost the entire settlement 
turned out, and nearly all united in the 
procession. Priests with lighted candles 
and acolytes bearing small flags preceded 
the host, which was held aloft enclosed 
in the ostentorium, and shielded by a 
canopy, which was usually borne by four 




St. Anne's Rom.\n C.atholic Chikch. 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



535 



somewhat later. On these days the procession pro- 
ceeded from St. Anne's, circled about the farms, 
and blessed and prayed for the fertile fields, while 
seeds and grain were brought to the altar to receive 
the priestly blessing. These were the halcyon days 
of security and peace. 

The corporation of St. Anne obtained possession 
of a large amount of land when it was of compara- 
tively little value, and as a natural result is now the 
wealthiest church organization in Detroit. It has also 
received at least one valuable gift. On February 

15, 1845, Presque Cote, one of the original corpora- 
tors, deeded to Bishop Lefevere, for the church, Lot 
No. 61 in Section 2, located on the west side of 
Woodward Avenue near Earned Street, and now 
occupied by the stores of T. A. Parker and James L. 
Fisher. The deed, which is recorded in Liber 16. 
page 157, provided that the property could never be 
alienated, sold, or rented away from the corporation, 
and imposed the further condition that forty masses 
annually be said for the repose of the souls of the 
father and mother of the grantor, his brother Joseph 
and sister Madeline; and ten masses yearly for 
himself, after his decease. This property affords a 
yearly income of about $4,000. The estimated 
value of the whole property belonging to the church 
is not far from §2 50,000. 

The priest's residence, erected in 1S5S, cost 
$3,200. The church seats eight hundred and fifty, 
and in 1 880 there was an average attendance of five 
hundred and fifty. At that time, the priest's salary 
was $700 ; the expenses for the choir, $700, and for 
sexton, S300. The total annual expenses were 
$3,500, and the receipts from pew rents §2,500. 
The parish then contained eight hundred families, 
and included all French inhabitants west of Rio- 
pelle Street. The following is a list of the priests 
whose names appear in St. Anne's records. The 
date of the first and last entry by each is given. 
It will be noticed that several must have been 
here only on a visit, their names appearing but 
once: 

1. Constantine del Halle, Priest, Franciscan Mis- 
sionary. February 14, 1704; April 24, 1706. 

2. Dominique de la Marche, Priest, Franciscan 
Missionary, First Lecturer in Theology. August 

16, 1706; July 29, 1708. 

3. Cherubim Deneau, Priest, Franciscan Mission- 
ary. January 14, 1709; May 11, 17 14. 

4. Hyacinthe Pelfresne, Priest, Franciscan Mis- 
sionary. August 20, 1715; March 25, f7i8. 

5. Calvarin, Priest of the Foreign Missions, \'icar- 
General of the Mission. March i, 171S ; August 3, 
1718. 

6. Jean Mercier, Priest nf the Foreign Mission. 
Officiated at baptism. August 3. 17 18. 

7. De Thaumur. \'icar-General, Superior of the 



Mission of the Holy Family. Augtist 3, 17 18; 
March 25, 1728. 

8. Antoine de Levis, Priest, Franciscan Mission- 
ary. December 12, 1717 ; March 9, 1722. 

9. Bonaventure Leonard, Priest, Franciscan Mis- 
sionary. June 28, 1722; July 8, 1757. 

10. P. Daniel, Priest, Franciscan Missionary. 
August 31, 1735; June 19, 1738. 

11. Lamoirinie, Jesuit Missionary. November i, 
1738; April 13, 1739. 

12. Jean Baptiste de la Riviere, Jesuit Missionary, 
witness of a wedding. January 27, 1737. 

13. C. de la Richardie, Jesuit Missionarj-. Octo- 
ber 19, 1741 ; August 17. 1743. 

14. De Gasmar, Jesuit Missionary, officiated at 
Baptism. September i, 1743. 

15. Simple Bocquet, Franciscan Missionary, Vicar 
General. September 18, 1754: January 14, 1781. 

16. Louis Coller, Chaplain for the Troops. Janu- 
ary 14, 1760. 

17. S. Payet, Rector. September 30, 17S2; July 
4. i785._ 

18. Pierre Hubert, Vicar-General; afterwards 
Bishop of Quebec. October 31, 1784 ; December 

I, 1784- 

19. Pierre Frechette, Vicar-General. November 
2g, 1785 ; .August 4, 1789. 

20. Dufaux, \^icar-General ; died in Sandwich, 
buried in the church. August 30, 1793 ; July 14, 1798. 

21. Edmund Bastie, Vicar-General. November 
3, 1794; November 3, 1797. 

22. Michael Levadoux, Vicar-General. August 
16, 1796 ; June 4, 1801. 

23. Gabriel Richard, Vicar-General. October 23, 
1797; September 13, 1832. 

24. John Dilhet, Rector. August 18, 1803; June 

II, 1805. 

25. Marchand, Rector; died in Sandwich, buried 
in the church. June 4, 1809; July 3, 1823. 

26. R. Janvier, Rector. March 4, 1814; 1822. 

27. R. Francois, Rector. May i, 181 5. 

28. F. V. Badin, Vicar-General ; first priest con- 
secrated in the L^nited States. June i, 181 5 ; 1S28. 

29. P. D. Kelley, Rector. July 2, 181 5. 

30. Hermant. 1826; 1827. 

31. Patrick Kelley. 1829; 1831. 

32. Jean Baptiste Hatchey, Priest. September 4, 
1830. 

33. F. Baraga, Vicar-General. September 15, 
1832. 

34. Francis Vincent. 1832; 1842. 

35. P. Lastrie, Rector. June 2, 1833. 

36. Vanderpoel. May i. 1834. 

37. J. Kinderkins, Vicar-General. October, 1 842 ; 
May, 1848. 

38. P. Hennaert, Vicar-General. May, 1848; 
July. 1853. 



Oo"^ 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



39. C. Moutard. July, 1853; October, 1856. 

40. B. J. Soffers. October, 1S56; October, 1871. 

41. T. Anciaux. October, 1871. 

Holy Tn'iiity Cliurch. 
This society was the second Catholic parish 
organized in Detroit. Its first house of worship 



was added and other alterations made in August, 
1839. In August, 1849, the building was moved to 
the northeast corner of Porter and Sixth Streets, 
where it did good service until June, 1856, when it 
was demolished to make room for a brick edifice, 
which was consecrated October 29, 1866. 
This building will accommodate 1,134 persons, 




HoLV Trinity Catholic CuiiRCH. 



occupied the northwest corner of Michigan Avenue 
and Hates Street, and was purchased of Alpheus 
White, in August, 1834. The building was origin- 
ally owned and used by the First Protestant Society, 
and a picture from a sketch made December 21, 
1840, by Robert T. Elliott, is given in connection 
with the history of that organization. The steeple 



cost $30,000, and was extensively repaired in 1870 at 
a further cost of about $10,000. In 1880 the value 
of the church property, aside from the school, was 
$50,000. The priest's residence, built in 1851, cost 
$2,000, and with the lot was valued, in 1880, at 
$5,000. Three services of mass are held each Sab- 
bath, the average attendance at each in 1880 being 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



537 



respectively 1,200, Soo, and 1,000. The choir cost 
$700 per year, and the total yearly expenses 
were S4.000. The pew rents amounted to about 
$3,400. 

In March, 18S1, an elegant white bronze tablet, 
at a cost of $375, was erected in memory of the 
seventeen acolytes and members of the church who 
perished in the Mamie disaster, w'hich occurred on 
the Detroit River, July 22, 1880. The parish, in 
1 88 1, embraced the territory bounded by Third 



February, 1848; Rev. M. E. E. Shawe, March to 
December, 1848; from January, 1849, to August, 
1S50, mass was celebrated by priests from the bish- 
op's residence; Rev. M. F. 1' Etourneau, August, 
1850, to March, 1851; Rev. Patrick Y. Donahoe, 
March, 1851, to December, 1852; Rev. Francis H. 
Peters, December, 1852, to February, 1869; Rev. 
A. F. Bleyenbergh, F'ebruary, 1869, to December, 
1883. In December, 1S83, Rev. Robert Doman 
was placed in charge of the parish. Rev. J. Savage 




The Memorial Tablet. 
Design furnished by J. H. Eakins, founder of tho Detroit Bronze Company. 



Street, Grand River Avenue, Eleventh Street, Na- 
tional Avenue, and the river, and numbered eight 
hundred families. 

The regular clergymen have been as follows: 
Rev. Bernard O'Cavanagh, 1834-1839; Rev. Mar- 
tin Kundig, July, 1839, to May, 1842; Rev. Law- 
rence Kilroy, January, 1 841, to October, 1847; Rev. 
John Kenny, March to June. 1843 : l^ev. M. Gannon. 
July. 1843. to May. '844: Rev. W. Ouinn, July to 
October. 1844: Rev. E. Dillon, May, 1846, to De- 
cember, 1847; Rev. John Farnan. October, 1847. to 



became assistant priest on July 24, 1870, and was 
succeeded by Rev. Fathers James Byrne, Peter 
Leary, P. A. Baart, and D. Co3'le. 

5/. Mary's Church (German'). 
The first Roman Catholic .services in German 
were conducted by Father Martin Kimdig in St. 
Anne's Church, on Sunday, between 8 and 10 o'clock 
.•\. M. in October, 1833. In 1836 Rev. Anton 
Kupp conducted the ser\-ices. and in 1837 he was 
succeeded by Rev. Clemens Hammer, who remained 



538 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



till August, 1840, when Martin Kundig again took 
charge of the flock. He soon made preparations 




remained until 1S61. Fathers T. Majens, J. Nagle, 
and L. Cloessens, of ihe Redemptorist order, 
were then in charge for several years. In 
1866 Father F. N. Van Emstede was in 
charge; in 1867 and 1868 Rev. J. B. Hespe- 
lein, and from 1868 to 1872 Rev. John D. 
Dyker. In May, 1872, the church was 
placed under the care of the Franciscan 
Fathers, and in 1S77 an elegant residence 
was erected for their use on Croghan Street, 
adjacent to the church, at a cost of $20,000 ; 
the lot cost §3,000. 




St. Makv's Catholic Church. (Original building.) 



Franciscan P'athrrs' House, St. Mary's Church 



for a church building on the 
southeast corner of St. Antoine 
and Croghan Streets, and on 
June 10, 1841, the comer-stone 
was laid. The church was con- 
secrated June 29, 1843. It was 
60 by 125 feet; and had 231 
pews, with seating capacity for 
about 1,000 persons. Its original 
cost was about $1 5,000. The 
value of the church, priest's 
house, and lot, in 1S80, was 
$50,000. Fathers Skolla and 
Godez succeeded Father Kundig 
in 1842, and on the completion 
of the church Rev. Mr. Kupp 
was put in charge of the parish. 
In January, 1847, Rev. Martin 
Hasslinger took charge, and the 
society was incorporated on Sep- 
tember 28, 1847. In 1S53 Rev. 
A. Schefflar became the priest, 
and in iSjCi or 1S57 he was suc- 
ceeded by Father Bernick, who 




Priests' House, St. Anne's Church, Corner of Larned and Bates Streets. 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



539 



In i8So the total yearly expenses of the church 
were $10,000, of which amount $500 was for the 
choir. About S3.000 was received from the pews. 
The average attendance was eight hundred. Five 
hundred and seventy-five families belong to this 
parish, which in 1S81 included all the Germans be- 
tween Russell and Third Streets, and south of the 
line of Napoleon Street. During 1 884 the old church 
was torn down and the erection of a new building 
was begun. The estimated cost is $65,000. It will 
seat 1,500, and is to be completed during 1885. 

55. Peter and PattFs Church. 

The corner-stone of this church, on the northeast 
corner of Jefferson Avenue and St. Antoine Street, 
was laid on June 29, 1844, and the 
church was finished and conse- 
crated four years after, on June 
29. 1S4S. Archbishop Eccleston, 
of Baltimore, preached in the 
morning, and the vesper service 
was conducted by Archbishop 
Kendrick, of St. Louis. While 
Bishop Lefevere was in charge of 
the diocese it was called the 
Cathedral. It is built of brick, is 
eighty feet in width, one hundred 
and sixty feet in length, and sev- 
enty-two feet high. It seats 1.000, 
and cost $30,000. A chime of 
bells costing $4,000. presented by 
Mrs. Ann Keveny. was consecrated 
on April 15, 1879. The priest's 
house, next to the Cathedral, was 
built in 1858, and cost $7,000. 
The property in 1880 was esti- 
mated as worth $80,000. 

The first priest was Rev. John 
Farnan. He was succeeded, as 
early as 1850, by Father M. E. E. 
Shawe, who was followed by 
Father Duffy. After him came Father Hennaert. 
who had charge for twenty-three years. Fathers 
Hennesy and Gonnesse being associated with him a 
part of the time. After Father Hennaert came 
Father Ernest \'an Dyke, who remained in charge 
one year, and was succeeded by Father O'Donovan. 
who remained until June 3. 1877, at which time the 
Jesuit Fathers took charge. Father Mieje ser\Hng 
until June, 1880, when he was succeeded by Father 
J. G. Walshe. 

The number of families worshiping at this church 
in 1880 was about three hundred, representing one 
thousand five hundred persons. The average at- 
tendance at the earliest mass was fully 1,000. The 
parish is bounded on the east by Dubois Street, on 
the west by Randolph Street, on the north by Gratiot 



and Adams Avenues, and on the south by the river. 
The church expenses for 1880 were $3,500. 

St. Joseph's Church. 

This church was originally located on a part of a 
large triangular tract of land owned by the society 
on the south side of Gratiot Avenue, between Rio- 
pelle and Orleans Streets. It was a wooden build- 
ing, forty-four by one hundred feet in size, cost 
$5,000, and seated five hundred people. It was 
consecrated May 25, 1856. After the completion 
of a new church the old one was moved to Jay 
Street, and used for school purposes. On August 3, 
iSSi, it was partially destroyed by fire. 

In 1863 a residence for the priest was erected on 




Church - 



» FORMER Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul. 



Orleans Street, at a cost of $5,000. In August, 
1870, the foundations of the present church building 
were laid. It is situated on the southeast corner of 
Orleans and Jay Streets, on a lot facing one hundred 
feet on Jay Street, and extending two hundred ;md 
thirty feet on Orleans through to Antietam Street. 
The edifice is built of stone, and is seventy by two 
hundred feet in size. It was completed, excepting 
the tower, and consecrated on November 16, 1873. 
It will seat 1,500. The cost, without the tower, was 
about $125,000. After ten years, in the fall of 
1883, the erection of the tower was begun; it is 
estimated to cost $18,000. 

The value of the church property in 1880 was 
$130,000. The total yearly expenses, aside from 
interest, was $3,000, of which $1,000 was for the 



540 



MISSIONARIES AND PRIESTS. 



priest and $550 for the choir. The pew rents amount 
to $5,500 per year. The parish numbers one thou- 
sand two hundred families. At the six o'clock 
mornincf mass there is an average attendance of 
500; at half past seven, 1,500; at nine o'clock, for 
children, 1,000. 

In 1856 a mutual benefit society was established 




OiciGiNAL St. Joseth's Church and Priest's House. 



in connection with the church, the mem- 
bers of which receive $5 a week in case of 
sickness, and in case of death the funeral 
expenses are paid. The parish includes all 
the German-speaking Catholics east of Ran- 
dolph Street. 

The priests have been: 1S56-1859, Rev. 
Francis Van Campenhaudt ; spring to fall of 
1859, Rev. John A. Koenig; fall of 185910 
i86r, Rev. Charles Chambille; 1861, Rev. A. 
Durst; 1862 to . Rev. J. F. Friedland. 

S/. ylnt/iony's Church 

is located on the Gratiot Road, just out- 
side the city limits. The building cost 
ift6,ooo, and was completed and blessed on 
July 5, 1S57. It seats 300, and the average 
attendance at early mass in 1880 was 300. 
The total yearly expenses were $1,075. The 
names of the various priests have been: 1857 
to August, 185S, Rev. Leopold Panlonski; 
1859, Rev. J. A. Koenig; i860. Rev. P. 
Nagel; November, i860, to January, 1864, 
Rev. August Durst; January, 1S64, to Octo- 
ber 9, 1S67, Rev. J. F. Friedland. Rev. P. 
Andre commenced his term in 1867, and is 
still in charge in 1884. 

St. Patrick's Church. 

This church, located on the southwest cor- 
ner of Adelaide and John R. Streets, was 
consecrated on March 17, 1862. The lot 



cost $10,000, and the original structure $15,000. 
It was enlarged in 1872 at a cost of $30,000, and 
now seats 1,200. The lot for the priest's house 
cost $9,050, and the house itself, which was built 
in 1867, cost $7,000. The property was valued 
in 1880 at $100,000. The salary of the priest 
was $700; the choir cost $450, and the total yearly 
expenses were $3,400. The yearly receipts 
from pew rents were $2,800. Mass is cele- 
brated twice each Sabbath, with an average 
attendance at each of 900 persons. 

The first priest. Rev. J. A. Hennesey, 
served until his decease on October 11, 
1875. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles 
Reilly, D. D., who continues in charge of 
the parish, which includes all north of the 
alley between Columbia and Elizabeth 
-rf Streets, and is bounded on the west by 

..! \ Grand River Avenue, and on the east by 
Gratiot Avenue. 

67. I 'inccnt de Paul. 

This church is located on the east side 
of Fourteenth Street, between Dalzelle and 
Marantette Streets. The building was con- 




Sr. J'j.Liu'b Cathouic Church. 



ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES. 



541 



secrated December 2, 1866. The lot cost $2,900, 
and the church about $16,000. It contains two 
hundred pews and will accommodate 800 persons. 
The priest's house, built in 1S66, cost $4,800, 
and the lot on which it stands, $3,000. In 
1S80 the church property, exclusive of the 
school, was estimated to be worth $28,000. 
The parish then contained 1,100 families, 
and included all Catholics west of Eleventh 
Street and National Avenue to Twenty-sixth 
Street, and all south of Grand River Avenue. 
The priest's salary was $700, the choir ex- 
penses $400, and the total expenses $3,000 
yearly. About $2,000 per year was received 
from pew rents. Mass is said three times on 
Sunday, with an average attendance at each 
service of 900. 

Rev. A. F. Bleyenbergh, the first priest, 
took charge in December, 1 866, and left in 
February, 1869. He was succeeded by Rev. 
M. Willigan, who left in the fall of 1871, and 
was succeeded by Rev. E. Van Pamel, who 
remained until June i, 1877, when Rev. M. 
O'Donovan took charge. 



Streets, and was consecrated December 8, 1867. It 
is of brick, fifty by one hundred and ten feet in 
size, and cost $10,000. It will seat 900 persons. 





St. Anthony's Gekman Catholic Chukch. 

Our Lady of Hdp. 
This church is located on the west side of Elm- 
wood Avenue, between Lamed and Congress 



St. Patrick's Catholic Chcklh. 

and there is an average attendance at each ser\'ice 
of mass of about 400. Value of property aside from 
school in 1881, $15,000. 

The parish extends from Dubois Street to Con- 
nor's Creek and includes all south of Gratiot Ave- 
nue. In 1880 the salary of the priest was $700 ; the 
yearly expense of the choir $300; and the total 
e.xpenses $1,500. 

The priest's house cost $2,000. The first priest 
was Rev. G. E. M. Limpens. He was succeeded 
in 1877 by Rev. J. C. Pulcher, who was succeeded 
in 1 88 1 by Rev. James Savage. 

St. Bojiiface Church. 

This congregation was organized in the fall of 
1869, and for fourteen years met in the chapel of 
their school building, on the west side of Thir- 
teenth Street near Michigan Avenue. It seated 400, 
and in 1880 there was an average attendance 
of fully that number. The income from pew rents 
in the same year was $2,000. The total church 
expenses were $3,000. 

The priest's house, of brick, was erected in 1873, 
at a cost of $6,000. The first priest. Rev. A. KuU- 
man, remained until October, 1872. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. B. J. Wermers. In 1880 there were 
two hundred families in the parish, which included 
all the German Catholics west of Third Street. 

During 1882 and 1883 the society erected a 
church on the southeast corner of High and Thir- 
teenth Streets. The corner-stone was laid on Au- 
gust 13, 1882, and the church was consecrated 
Augu.st 19, 1883. The building cost about $30,000, 
and the lots in 1S83 were valued at $5,000. 



542 



ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES. 



S/. Albert's Church. 
This parish was organized in 1870. The church 
is on the west side of St. Aubin Avenue between 
Winter and Fremont Streets, and was consecrated 
on July 14, 1872. The lot cost $2,000 and the 
church §1 1,000. It seats 1,200, and the average 




St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and Priest's House. 



attendance in 1880 was 750. The parish includes 
all Poles in the city east of Woodward Avenue. The 
priest's house, built in 1872, cost $1,600, and his 
salary is $700. The expense of the choir in 1880 
was $420 and the total church expenses $2,400. 
The church property was then valued at $15,000. 

Tne several priests of the parish have been: 
1871-1873, Rev. Simon Wieczorek ; 1S73-1875, 
Rev. Theodore Gieryk; 1875-1879, Rev. A. Doni- 
brouski; 1879-1882, Rev. John Wollouski ; 1882- 

, Rev. D. H. Kolasinski. Eariy in 1884 the 

society began the erection of a new church on the 
southwest corner of St. Aubin Avenue and Fre- 
mont Street. The building is intended to seat 2,450 
persons and will cost $^0,000. The corner stone 
was laid June 29, 1884. 

St. Aloystus (^Pro- Cathedral). 

The building occupied by this congregation, origi- 
nally built for the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 
is located on the east side of Washington Avenue, 
near State Street. It was bought by Bishop Borgess 
in the spring of 1873 for $25,000; $12,000 additional 
were spent in improvements, and it received the 
name of St. Aloysius and \\as opened on August 24, 
1873. The priest's house, which was bought at the 
same time as the church, cost $1 5,000. The church 
seats 728, and in 1S80 there was an average attend- 
ance of 400 at each mass. 

The parish is bounded on the north by the alley 
between Columbia and Elizabeth Streets, on the 



east by Randolph Street, on the west by Third 
Street, and it extends to the river. The salary of 
the priest is $702. the cost of the choir $1,000, and 
total yearly expenses $4,000. From pew rents 
$2. 300 are yeariy received. Rev. Ernest Van Dyke 
has been in charge since the church was first organ- 
ized. The estimated value of the church prop- 
erty in 1S80 was $35,000. 

St. Joachim's Church (French'), formerly 
Church of the Sacred Heart. 
The wooden building, used for both school 
and church purposes by this congregation, 
was blessed on June 11, 1875; it is located 
on the north side of Fort Street East, between 
Chene .Street and Joseph Campau Avenue. 
The lot cost $1,150, and the building $4,000. 
It seats 300. The parish includes all French 
Catholics east of Riopelle Street to Connor's 
Creek. The priest's house cost about $3,500, 
and the lot $ 1 ,000. The total yearly expenses 
in 1880 were $1,800. Value of property, 
aside from school, $5,000. In 1882 the name 
of the church was changed to St. Joachim. 
The first priest. Rev. M. L. Laporte, is still 
(1884) in charge. 



Church of the Sacred Heart {German). 
The brick church of this congregation is on the 
southwest corner of Prospect and t.rove Streets. It 
cost $15,000, and was consecrated June 27, 1875. 
It seats Soo, and in 1880 there was an average at- 
tendance of 400 at mass. The total yearly expenses 




Catholic Church of Our Ladv of Help. 

of the church in 1880 were $1,300. and about $i,Soo 
was recei\-ed from pew rents. The cost of the choir 
was $240. There were then 275 families in the 
parish. Rev. Eugene Butterman, O. S. F., the first 



i 



ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES. 



543 



priest, remained until 1878, when he was succeeded 
by Rev. David Kersting, O. S. F. The parish in 
iSSo included all Germans living north of Nap- 
oleon Street and between Third and Russell 
Streets. 

The priest's house 
was built in 1875, 
costing about 
$2,000. The value 
of the church prop- 
erty in 1880, aside 
from the school, 
was S-o,ooo. 

S/. lVe>ui:sla74s' 
Church. 

This society in- 
cludes all the Bohe- 
mians in the city. 
The church, a 
wooden structure, 
is located on the 
northsideof Leland 
Street, between 
Beaubien and St. 
Antoine Streets ; it 
cost $4,000. and 
seats about 200. It 
was consecrated in 
1S74. The lot was 
g^ven by the execu- 
tors of the Van 
Dyke estate. The 
society began with 
si.xty families, and 
in 1880 there was 
an average attend- 
ance at mass of 250 
persons. Father 
Tichy, the first 
priest in charge, re- 
mained till 1S77, 
and was succeeded 
by Rev.Wenceslaus 
Tillek, who re- 
mained till March, 
1 879. From that 
time there was no 
priest in charge un- 
til April 26, 1884. 
when Rev.W. Koerner was appointed. 
expenses in 1S80 were S550. 




St. II.jNiFACE Catholic CuLi. 



Road. The Redemplorist Fathers, who were in 
charge, soon obtained a lot on the southwest corner 
of Dix Road and Grand Junction Avenue in Spring- 
wells, and on July 17, i88i, the church, costing 

85,000, was con- 
secrated. It seats 
850 people. A 
house for the priest 
was built at the 
same time. The 
parish includes all 
of Springwells as 
far east as Twenty- 
sixth Street. In 
1884 the following 
fathers had charge 
of the parish : Rev. 
E. Smulders, Rev. 
Terence Clarke, 
and Rev. C. Kern. 



Si. Cassimer's 

Cliurch. 

The church and 
school of this so- 
ciety occupy a brick 
building on the 
southwest corner of 
Twenty-third and 
Myrtle Streets. 
The six lots owned 
by the society cost 
$2,330. The build- 
ing cost S7.670, and 
was consecrated 
April 29, 1883. 
Rev. Paul Gutow- 
ski. the first priest, 
was still sening in 
1 884, and the school 
in the same build- 
ing was taught by 
three Polish Fran- 
ciscan Sisters. The 
parish includes all 
Polish Catholics liv- 
ing west of Wood- 
ward Avenue. 



The yearly 



Church of the Holy Redecnur. 

This society began church services in March, 
1880, in a hall over P. Ratigan's grocery on the Dix 



St. Bonaventure Church and Monastery. 
This establishment, under the management of the 
Capuchin Fathers, is located on the east side of Mt. 
Elliott Avenue, opposite the entrance to Mt. Elliott 
Cemetery. The grounds embrace about four acres. 
The Fathers arrived on May 8, 1883, and tempo- 



544 



ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.— BISHOPS AND DIOCESES. 



rarily occupied a residence formerly connected with 
Mt. Elliott Cemetery. On July 29, 1883, the corner- 




Sr. Ai-iiKKT'b Catholic Ciui.cn. 



Stone of one of their buildings 
was laid. It is of brick, one 
hundred and fifty feet square, 
and includes a church forty-five 
by one hundred and ten feet in 
size, fronting on Mt. Elliott 
Avenue, and also a chapel The 
church will seat 500. It was con- 
secrated July 14, 1 884. The mon- 
astery in rear of the church is in- 
tended to accommodate thirty 
persons. The estimated cost of 
the two structures is $75,000. 

Grotto of tJic Blessed Virgin 
Mary. 

One of the most attractive, 
and for this country most pecu- 
liar, .structures connected with 
church life is the grotto erected 



"in memory of the apparition at Lourdes." It is 
near the Church of the Assumption, in the town- 
ship of Hamtratnck, about seven miles from De- 
troit on the Gratiot road. It was built through 
the exertions of Rev. Father Amandus Vanden- 
driessche, who has been in charge of the parish 
since 1 85 1. The grotto is located at the end of 
an a\enue of trees nearly 1,000 feet long, planted 
through the same zeal that caused the grotto to be 
reared. The entire cost of the structure is estimated 
at $6,000, though much of the work has been gratui- 
tously performed. , It was begun by the blessing of 
the ground, on the last Sunday of May, 1881, and 
just a year from that time mass was said for the 
first time. 

Within the grotto, ten feet of the wall on either 
hand are occupied by four rows of massive stones, 
all dressed to the square, the face of each stone 
bearing an emblem of the church or of the Virgin. 
They are also inscribed with the names of various 
deceased priests. 

On each of the stones in the ceiling will be en- 
graved the name of one of the popes, with the date 
of his death, and the name of the donor of the stone. 
At the base of the arch is a narrow projection or 
cornice of stone, bearing on its sides the inscrip- 
tions : "Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with 
thee"; "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us 
sinners," the words being separated by stars. On 
the rear cornice is the word "sanctus" thrice re- 
peated. The floor will be of marble. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND DIOCESES. 

A diocese was first created for New France on 
June 3, 1658, and Francis de Laval de Montmorency 




St. Alovsius Pro-Cathedral And Priest's House. 




\ 



f 



^-^'5r 




,-'--■ -j^n^MftJV *" 






J 



St. Aluert's Polish Catholic Church. 

Lin process of erection.] 

[5451 



546 



ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.— BISHOPS AND DIOCESES. 



was made Bishop of Petrea in partibus infidel iuin, 
and vicar apostolic of Montreal. 

He arrived at Quebec on June 6, 1659. In 1670 
he was made Bishop of Quebec, and the episcopal 




St Joachim French Catholic School and Chukch. 

residence was transferred to that place. On January 
24, 16S8, he resigned. The following bishops suc- 
ceeded him : 

John Baptist de la Croix Chevrieres de St. Valier, 
consecrated January 25, 1688; died December 26, 




Sacred Heakt Catiujlic Chl'Rch and School. 

1727. In 1728 M. BouUard was vicar capitular. 
The same year Louis Francis Duplessis de Mornay 
was made bishop; he died November 28, 1741. In 



1734 Pierre Herman Dosquet was acting bishop; he 
died March 4, 1777. He was succeeded in 1740 by 
Francis Louis de Pourroy de I'Auberiviere, who 
died August 20, 1740. ]\IM. de Miniac and Hazeur 
then served as vicars capitular for a year, and in 
1 741 Henri Marie Dubreuil de Pontbriand was made 
bishop. So far as is known, he was the first bishop 
who visited Detroit. He was here March 16, 
1755, and spent several weeks in this vicinity. He 
died June 8, 1760. Between 1760 and 1766, Rev. 
Fathers Briand, Perrault, and Montgolfier were 
vicars capitular. In 1766 John Oliver Briand was 
bishop; he died June 25, 1794. As early as 1784 
Louis Philippe Mariaucheau d' Esglis was in charge 





llJIi^l 



St. Wenceslaus' Catholic Church. 

of the diocese. He died June 4, 1788, and was 
immediately succeeded by John Francis Hubert, 
who died October 17, 1797. Peter Denaut was 
immediately appointed to the vacant bishopric, and 
visited Detroit in June, 1801. Old records show 
that he went to Monroe on June 18; returned on 
June 25, and confirmed several persons in the vicinity 
of Detroit. He died January 17, 1806. 

About this time Detroit was included in the juris- 
diction of the Diocese of Baltimore, under the care 
of John Carroll, who was consecrated August 15, 
1790. Leonard Neale was made coadjutor of Bishop 
Carroll, December 7, 1800. Bishop Carroll died in 
1815, and Father Neale in 1817. The Diocese of 
Bardstown, to include Detroit, was created April 
8, 1808, but Benedict Joseph Flaget, who was to be 
the bishop, declined the honor, and Detroit was 



ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.— BISHOPS AND DIOCESES. 



547 



practically in the Diocese o{ Baltimore until June 
4, 1811, when Flaget consented to serve, and 
entered upon his duties. He was consecrated No- 
vember 4, 1810. John 13. David was consecrated 
coadjutor to Flaget and Bishop of Mauricastro on 
August 15, 1819. 




Ciii KLH -'F Holy Redeemer. 



In 1882 Detroit was included in the Diocese 
of Cincinnati, presided over by Bishop E. Fenwick. 
When Father Richard died, in 1832, Bishop Fen- 
wick was with him, and that same year he also 
passed away. The Diocese of Detroit was now 
created, and Detroit became a cathedral city. 
Frederick Rese, the first bishop of the diocese, was 
consecrated at Cincinnati on October 6, 1833, and 
arrived in Detroit January 7, 1834. Within si.x 
years after, unfavorable reports concerning him were 
forwarded to Rome and he was summoned there to 
answer them. He never returned, but in accor- 
dance with the custom of the church he retained 
the title of Bishop of Detroit until his death, on De- 
cember 29, 1 87 1. By an instrument dated Rome, 
December 4, 1840, he constituted Rev. John M. 
Odin his coadjutor and attorney at Detroit. On the 
1 8th of May, 1843, Father Odin, who had become 
Vicar of Texas, transferred his legal authority over 
the property of the church to Rev. Peter Paul 
Lefevere, who, on November 21, 1841, had been ap- 
pointed Bishop of Zela in partibtis iiijidch'uin. and 
Coadjutor Administrator of Detroit. He arrived in 
December, 1841. He died on the 4th and was 
buried on the 9th of March, 1869. There were two 
bishops and seventy-nine priests in attendance at 
his funeral. It will be noticed that his death took 
place two years before that of Bishop Rese, so that 
he never actually possessed the title of Bishop of 
Detroit. 

The Right Rev. C. H. Borgess was consecrated 



bishop of the diocese on April 24, 1870. On No- 
vember I, 1853, Frederick Baraga was consecrated 
Vicar Apostolic of the Upper Peninsula of Michi- 
gan, and h.xed his residence at Sault Ste. Marie. In 
1857 the Diocese of Marquette and Sault Stc. Marie 
was created, and in 1865 Baraga removed to Mar- 
quette. He died on January 19, 1868. 
On February 7, 1869, Ignatius Mrak was 
consecrated bishop of that diocese. He 
resigned in 1878, and on September 14, 
1879, John Vertin, D. D., was conse- 
crated in his stead. On May 19, 1882, 
the Diocese of Grand Rapids was created 
by bull of Leo XIII. This diocese em- 
braces all the country north of the south 
boundaries of Ottawa, Kent, Montcalm, 
Gratiot, and Saginaw Counties, and all 
west of the east boundaries of Saginaw 
and Bay Counties. The first bishop 
of the diocese, Henry Joseph Richter, 
D. D.. was consecrated at Grand Rapids 
on April 22, 1883. 

All of the vicar-generals of the Dio- 
cese of Detroit, save one, the Rev. Ed- 
ward Joos, of Monroe, have at some 
time officiated at St. Anne's, and their 
names will be found in connection with the history 
of that church. 




St. Cassimek Polish School anu Chukcii. 



The secretaries of the Diocese of Detroit have 
been: Rev. H. J. H. Schutjes, January, 1874, to 
March 15, 1880; Rev. C. P. Maes, from March 15, 
1880. 



548 



CATHOLIC UNION. 



CATHOLIC UNION SOCIETY AND YOUNG MEN S 
CATHOLIC UNION. 

An association named the Catholic Union was 
organized December 25, 1868, and incorporated 
March 29, 1869. It objects were "to promote the 
cause of the Catho- 
lic Church by every 
available means, 
among which will 
be the founding of 
reading rooms, li- 
braries, and places 
of innocent amuse- 
ment, performing 
works of charity, 
educating the poor, 
procuring the deliv- 
ery of lectures to 
the public, etc." 

Its affairs were 
managed by nine 
directors, elected 
annually in sets of 
three persons, for 
terms of one, two, 
and three years, and 
all of them were re- 
quired to be in full communion with the Catholic 
Church. Any Roman Catholic, eighteen years of 
age, could become a member by vote of the direc- 




St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and Monastery. 



tors at any of their meetings and by paying the fees 
prescribed. The active members of the Union en- 
joyed all the rights and privileges under the Ar- 
ticles of Agreement and By-Laws, including the 
right to vote at the meetings of the corporation ; 

associate members 
were admitted to all 
the rights and priv- 
ileges except that of 
voting at the meet- 
ings of the corpora- 
tion. No initiation 
fee was charged, 
but active members 
paid quarterly in ad- 
vance an annual fee 
of twelve dollars, 
and associate mem- 
bers quarterly in ad- 
vance an annual fee 
of six dollars. 

Regular meetings 
of the directors 
were held on each 
Monday evening. 
The annual meet- 
ing was on Easter 
Monday. The total yearly expenses averaged about 
$1,500, of which $600 was for salaries. The rooms 
of the society were at first located at 146 Woodward 




Gkoiio UK Church uf the Assumftiun, Connou's Cueek. 



CATHOLIC UNION. 



549 



Avenue, but in September, 1877, they moved to 
the third and fourth floors of the Williams Block 
on Monroe Avenue, and on November 27, 1S81, 
to the Hilsendegen Block. The rooms included g\-m- 
nasium, bowling alley, billiard room, and reading 
room. The presidents and secretaries have been : — 
Presidents: 1869, R.S.Willis; 1870-1871, C. J. 
O'FIynn; 1872, R. R. Elliott ; 1873, John Heffron ; 
1S74, Bishop Borgess; 1S75-1S76, W. E. Moran; 
1877, William Foxen ; 1S78-1S79, A. Chapoton, 
Jr.; i8So-iSS3,M.W. O'Brien; 1 883, Rev. Charles 
Reilly, D. D. 



Secretaries: 1S69-1S74, W. B. Moran; 1874, C. 
J. OTlynn; 1875-1882, J. B. Moore; 1882, John J. 
Enright ; 1883, John Letteker. On November 21, 
1883, this society was consolidated with a younger 
Society known as the Young Men's Catholic Asso- 
ciation, the two societies uniting under the name 
of the Young Men's Catholic Union, with prac- 
tically the same objects. They occupy the rooms 
in the Hilsendegen Block. The president in 
1884 is Jeremiah Dwyer and the secretary, J. A. 
Russell. 



C H AFTER LVir 



EARLIEST PROTESTANT MINISTERS. — THE MORAVIANS. — LATER MISSIONARIES 
AND CLERICAL VISITORS. — FIRST REGULAR PROTESTANT SERVICES. 



When the English troops arrived, Protestantism 
for the first time entered the palisades. At that 
time Protestants were as rare a sight in Detroit as 
Mohammedans would be now. The official records 
show that in 1770, aside from the soldiers, there were 
only 360 adult male Protestants in Canada, while of 
Catholics there were 1 50.000. The army lists of 
England, however, show that, with scarce an excep- 
tion, each regiment had its chaplain, whose name 
was given with as much regularity as that of the 
colonel and other officers. Of necessity, he belonged 
to the Church of England ; and as the English 
troops came to Detroit in 1760, and members of the 
Eighth, Fifty-fifth, Eightieth, and other regiments 
were stationed here, it is probable that each of 
those regiments was accompanied by its chaplain. 

General Bradstreet, who was in Detroit in 1765 
with an army of twelve hundred men, undoubtedly 
composed of parts of two or more regiments, prob- 
ably had at least one chaplain with him ; and as he 
stationed seven companies of soldiers here, we may 
presume a chaplain was left with them. 

The earliest record found of the presence of a 
chaplain is contained in Professor C. E. Anthon's 
" Narrative of the Anthon Family." He states that 
Doctor G. C. Anthon and Mariana Navarre were 
married in Detroit by Chaplain Turring of the Fifty- 
third Regiment, on August 13, 1770. After that 
date we have no positive knowledge of the presence 
of Protestant clergymen in Detroit until those de- 
voted missionaries, the Moravians, were brought 
here as prisoners, on suspicion of having aided the 
Americans during the War of the Revolution. 
Under the orders of Colonel De Peyster, brethren 
Zeisberger, Senfeman, Heckenwaelder, and Edwards 
were arrested near what is now Sandusky, by two 
Delaware Indians who had allied themselves to the 
English. They were brought to Detroit on Novem- 
ber 3, 1 78 1. It is evident that the Indians were 
accompanied by an English guide or officer, for an 
account book of a government official, now in pos- 
session of the writer, contains this item : 



Obediah Robbins. Cr. 1781, By Indian account expenses 
bringing off Moravians, £^i los. 



The Moravians were tried on November 9, and 
acquitted, the Indians confessing that they had 
wrongly accused them. On November 14 they left 
Detroit, and reached Sandusky on the 22d. 

The renegade Girty still suspected them, and on 
the I St of March, 17S2, he produced a letter from the 
commandant at Detroit announcing that, on the re- 
quest of Half King, an Indian chief, he had deter- 
mined to remove them from among the Indians. 
Accordingly on March 1 5, in deep sorrow because of 
this overwhelming calamity, six of the teachers, 
with four women and two children, started for De- 
troit under the escort of Matthew Elliott and an 
officer named Leslie. Owing to the non-arrival of 
vessels, they were obliged to wait for some time in 
Lower Sandusky. At length two ships came, with a 
corporal and fourteen riflemen, and on April 14 they 
again set out, and reached Detroit in safety on the 
20th. A large room in the barracks was given to 
them, and many English, French, and German 
officers visited them and treated them very kindly. 

Colonel De Peyster offered them the use of his 
own house, and gave orders that they be provided 
with clothes and other articles. They had been 
robbed of their watches, and De Peyster bought 
them back of a trader to whom the Indians had 
sold them, and returned them. He also told the 
missionaries that they might remain at Detroit or go 
to Bethlehem, as they preferred. After several 
weeks, they left the barracks, and moved into a 
house at a small distance from the fort. Loskiel, 
their historian, tells this story of their stay in Detroit : 

On the 2d of July the missionaries had the inexpressible satis- 
faction to bid two families of their beloved Indian flock welcome. 
These were soon followed by .'Abraham, a venerable assistant, 
with his and another family, who immediately erected huts near 
the Missionaries' house. Brother Richard Connor arrived likewise 
with his family at Detroit. One of the dispersed came with some 
Heathen warriors painted like a savage. He did not expect to 
find the missionaries still here, but upon seeing them said, " You 
see, my brethren, that 1 have no more the appearance of a 
brother. I despaired of ever hearing the word of God again from 
the brethren ; I therefore thought that I ought to live peaceably 
with the heathen and do as they do, lest they should persecute 
me. But as I perceive that the Indian congregation is gathering 
together again, and our teachers are with them, I pray that they 
would kindly receive me again." This request was granted with 



L550] 



THE MORAVIANS. 



551 



pleasure. The rest of the dispersed Indians rejoiced greatly at 
the friendly message sent them by the Governor and the Mission- 
aries, but suffered themselves to be intimidated by the lies of 
some malicious people, who wished to prevent them from return- 
ing to the brethren, and resolved therefore to wait a little longer. 
In the meantime the missionaries began their usual daily meetings 
with their Indians, and met in the open air for want of a chapel. 
They were commonly joined by the neighbors, prisoners, and 
other strangers, to whom it was a new and interesting sight to 
see such devotion among the Indians ; and the sweet singing of 
the Christian Indians was particularly admired. Here the mis- 
sionaries had a good opportunity of bearing many a testimony of 
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom they invited all the 
weary and hea\'}* laden. As they were frequently desired to bap- 
tize children, or to bur>' the dead, they improved these oppor- 
tunities 10 preach the gospel, both in the English and German 
languages. 

Brother Zeisberger delivered also several discourses to the 
prisoners, many Inhabitants of Detroit being present. By this 
time twenty-eight believing Indians had returned to the Mission- 
aries, and they therefore resolved, with the consent of the 
Governor, to begin the building of a new settlement. * * * 

The Governor liberally assisted them in various ways, furnished 
them with provisions, books, plank, and the necessary utensils 
from the royal stores, and gave them some horses and cows. His 
Lady presented them with a valuable assortment of seeds and 
roots, and both of them gave the most obliging proofs of their 
benevolent disposition. 

The brethren were more particularly thankful to the Governor 
that he assisted them in renewing their correspondence with 
Pennsylvania and Europe, so that they could again procure 
money which was remitted by way of Montreal. * * * On 
July 20th, 1782, the brethren Zeisberger and Jungman with their 
wives, and the two single brethren Edwards and Michael Jung, set 
out with nineteen Indian brethren and sisters from Fort Detroit. 
Many of the inhabitants had conceived so great a regard for 
them during their abode there that they shed tears at seeing them 
depart. 

The brethren Senfeman and Heckenwaelder with their families 
remained with the rest of the believing Indians at Detroit, to 
attend to the concerns of the reviving mission in this place. The 
travelers passed over Lake St. Clair into the River Huron, arrived 
on the 21st in the evening at the place destined fur their future 
residence, and chose on the following day a convenient spot on 
the south side of the river, where they marked out a settlement, 
calling it Gnaden-huetten,^ in remembrance of their settlement 
on the Muskingum. 

In August they began to build, and first erected only one street 
of block houses. Towards the end of the month those who had 
staid in Detroit followed them to New Gnaden-huetten, and the 
missionaries moved into their new house. September 21 they had 
a solemn celebration of the Lord's Supper, which appeared as 
new to the Indians as if they now partook of it for the first time. 
* * • Whenever our Indians passed through Detroit to New 
Gnaden-huetten, the Governor always provided them with food 
and, if needful, with clothes. Even the inhabitants of New 
Gnaden-huetten went now and then to Detroit to fetch provisions^ 
which the Governor kindly ordered to be given them gratis till 
they could reap their own fruits. * * * 

On November sth, the small flock of believing Indians collected 
here, to the number of fifty-three persons, met to consecrate their 
new church unto God. * * * In May, 1783, the missionaries 
received the joyful news of the conclusion of peace between Eng- 
land and the United States, and in July they had the pleasure 

* This New Gnaden-huetten was on the Clinton River, then 
called the Huron. The location was about two miles west of 
what is now the village of Mount Clemens In the township of 
Clinton. The lands they occupied were confirmed by the Com- 
missioners of Claims of the United States as Private Claims 137 
and 138. to the heirs of Richard Connor, who, as we shall see, was 
left behind at the time the missionaries went away in 1786. 



to see the brethren Wcygand and Schebosch arrive from Bethle- 
hem after a journey of above seven weeks, by way of Albany, 
Oswego, Niagara, Fort Erie, and Fort Detroit. 

As it happened that no ordained Protestant divine resided ia 
Detroit at that time, the missionaries, at the request of the 
parents, baptized several children when they visited the fort. 
Some parents brought their children to the New Gnaden-huetten 
to be baptized there ; and a trader, who h.^d two unbaptized 
children, went thither with his wife and whole family, and pub- 
licly presented his children to the Lord in holy baptism. 

On November 14, 1784, the first grown person 
was baptized at New Gnaden-huetten. About this 
time the governor of Detroit sent word that their 
labor of clearing lands and building mii^ht be lost, 
as no guarantee could be given that the Govern- 
ment would allow them to stay; the Indians also 
threatened them, and the missionaries determined 
to remove to the south side of Lake Erie. In May, 
1785, Missionaries Jungman and Senfeman passed 
through Detroit on their way to Bethlehem, Penn- 
sylvania. In March, 17S6, it was fully determined 
that New Gnaden-huetten must be inhabited by 
white people, a sur\'ey was made, two hundred dol- 
lars were paid to the missionaries for their houses 
and fields, and preparations were made for their 
departure. 

April 20th they met for the last time in the Chapel at New Gna- 
denhuetten to offer up praise and prayer unto the Lord, thanking 
Him for all the benefits and mercies received in this place and 
commending themselves to His grace and protection. Then they 
all set out in twenty-two canoes, except the family of Richard 
Connor, who stayed behind. The white inhabitants of that 
country, both English and French, came from all places to take 
leave of our Indians, and expressed great sorrow at their depart- 
ure ; having always found them upright and punctual in their 
dealings. At Detroit they were well received by the Governor 
and treated with great hospitality for several days. 

On April 28, 1786, they left for Cuyahoga River, 
going in two trading vessels, the Beaver and the 
Mackina. 

After the departure of the Moravians, no record 
has been found of the presence of any Protestant 
clerg>'man in Detroit until 1795 ; the Simcoe papers 
at Ottawa show the presence here in that year of 
Rev. Mr. Burke, who was chaplain of the Queen's 
Rangers, then stationed at Detroit. Ne.\t after Mr. 
Burke we note the arrival of the Rev. Da\-id Jones, 
a Baptist minister, and chaplain in General \Va>Tie's 
army. Mr. Jones's journal says : 

August 25th, 1796. Landed three miles below Detroit where 
we shaved and changed our clothes. The wind rising high we 
were obliged to walk to town, leaving the soldiers with ourgoods, 
and Major Henry sick, who came next morning. Through the 
care of that God who has presen'ed me all my life, I came safe 
and enjoyed the happiness of seeing General Wayne in good 
health. October 2nd, preached to the troops in the ciudeL Oc- 
tober 30, Sunday, preached in the Council House. 

Soon after this he left Detroit. 

Four years later the city was visited by Rev, 



552 



LATER MISSIONARIES AND CLERICAL VISITORS. 



David Bacon, sent out by the Congregational Mis- 
sionary Society, of Connecticut. He left Hartford 
on August 8, 1800, on foot and alone, carrying his 
own baggage. He arrived September 11, having 
made the distance from Buffalo, by sail-vessel, in 
three days. He was received and entertained by 
Major Hunt, and on the 13th left for Mackinaw to 
look over that field. He was detained at Harson's 
Island by adverse winds, and finally concluded to 
return to Detroit, where he arrived September 30. 
On his return he found two ministers here, sent to 
obtain information respecting the Indians, with a 
view of sending missionaries. They had been here 
about ten days, but had had little opportunity to 
inform themselves, as the Indian agent was absent 
with General Tracey; they sailed about half an 
hour after Mr. Bacon's return. These ministers 
were the Rev. Joseph Badger of Connecticut, and 
Rev Thomas E. Hughes of Pennsylvania. Mr. 
Badger reported respecting Detroit that " there 
was not one Christian to be found in all this region, 
except a black man, who appeared to be pious." 

On October 7, 1800, .Mr. Bacon attended a grand 
council of Indians, and was introduced to them by 
General Uriah Tracey, who told them of his desire 
to benefit them. Soon after Mr. Bacon left Detroit 
for the East, arriving at Hartford about December 
15. On the 24th of December he was married to 
Miss Olive Parks, and on the last day of December 
was commissioned as a missionary to the Indians of 
the West. 

Departing from Manchester on February 1 1, 1801, 
with his wife and Beaumont Parks, her fifteen-year- 
old-brother, he set out for the woods and wilds of 
Michigan in a two-horse sleigh. At East Bloom- 
field, in Ontario County, he sold the sleigh, and 
about April i they proceeded to Buffalo, taking 
turns in riding the horses. When within about 
fifty miles of Detroit, Mr. Bacon sold one of the 
horses, and the rest of the way he and his brother 
traveled on foot, reaching here on Saturday, May 9. 
He was too much fatigued to preach the next day. 
On the following Sabbath he preached, and of these 
services he says : 

In the forenoon I gave them an introductory discourse showing 
the need and advantages of Divine revelation and of a regular 
ministry of the word. The assembly, which was more numerous 
than I expected, appeared to be all attention. W'e make use of 
the court-house, which is very convenient for the purpose. As 
the congregation is more numerous in tlie forenoon (on account 
of their being in the habit of visiting and riding out for pleasure 
in the latter part of the day), if I have a sermon of my own, I 
deliver it in the forenoon. I am so cold and lifeless through the 
week that it seems as if T should be in no way useful to this 
people. But when the Sabbath comes, I am generally so unex- 
pectedly assisted, and the people appear so uncommonly atten- 
tive, that I cannot but hope there is mercy in store for them, and 
that it will be poured out upon them in answer to the prayers of 
thousands who are pleading for my success. T use notes, but the 
best of my sermons often come to me while I am preaching. 



Four or five of my hearers are men of liberal education, but I 
have not heard that they have made any unfavorable remarks. 
Indeed, I am treated with much more respect by all classes of 
people than I had any right to expect. * * * Though I have 
been enabled, as I believe, to declare to this people the counsel of 
God without reser\-e, yet the number of my hearers increases. 

The people all demanded baptism for their chil- 
dren, and seemed to think that this was the principal 
thing for which they wanted a minister. He refused 
to baptize the children of parents making no pro- 
fession of religious experience, and this caused 
much comment. 

On August 25, 1801, he wrote that Mr. Denkey, 
one of the Moravian ministers from Fairfield, 
Canada, had been to see him, to inquire whether 
he had any objections to his laboring among the 
Chippewas on the St. Clair River. Soon after Mr. 
Bacon discontinued his afternoon services, and held 
instead a service about six miles from the town on 
the Rouge. 

About September 25, a second visit was received 
from Rev. Messrs. Badger and Hughes. The latter 
preached on the Sabbath morning to bat few hear- 
ers ; in the evening Mr. Badger had a large audience, 
several of whom expressed their disapproval by 
"winking and grinning." 

Meantime Mr. Bacon was casting about for a 
favorable place for a mission among the Indians, 
and making himself acquainted with their language 
and logic. On February 19, 1S02, he was gladdened 
by the arrival of his first-born, the late Rev. Dr. 
Leonard Bacon of New Haven. 

The following incident of those days is g^ven by 
the last named in a sketch of his father's life : 

It was while my parents were living In Detroit, and when I was 
an infant of less than four months, that two Indians came as if 
for a friendly visit ; one of them a tall and stalwart young man ; 
the other shorter and older. -As they entered my father met 
them, gave his hand to the old man, and was just extending it to 
the other when ray mother, quick to discern the danger, exclaimed 
" See ! he has a knife ! " At the word my father saw that while 
the Indian's right hand was ready for the salute, a gleaming 
knife in his left hand was partly concealed under his blanket. An 
Indian coming to assassinate waits for a moment when his in- 
tended victim is looking away from him, and then strikes. 

My father's keen eye was iixed upon the murderer, and watched 
him eye to eye. The Indian found himself strangely disconcerted. 
In vain did the old man talk to my father in angry and chiding 
tones ; that keen black eye was watching the would-be assassin. 
The time seemed long. My mother took her baby from the birch- 
bark cradle, and was going out to call help, but when she reached 
the door she dared not leave her husband. At last the old man 
became weary of chiding ; the young man had given up his pur- 
pose for the time, and they retired. 

The last week in April, 1802, Mr. Bacon made a 
missionary \Hsit to the Indians on the Maumee, 
remaining there nearly three weeks ; he returned to 
Detroit May 18, and about June 2 went to Macki- 
naw on a similar errand. He remained there until 
August, 1804, and then returned to Detroit, intend- 



LATER MISSIONARIES AND CLERICAL VISITORS. 



553 



ing to go to Cleveland, but was detained by sickness 
nearly two months, after which he started for his 
destination, and his connection with Detroit tenni- 
nated. 

The next religious event of note was the arrival, 
in the spring of 1804, of Daniel Freeman, an 
elderly local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church from Canada. Soon after he arrived he 
announced that he would preach on the following 
Sabbath afternoon. He faithfully fulfilled his prom- 
ise, his sermon pro\-ing profitable to at least one 
person, and though he stayed but a few days, his 
name and his mission were long remembered. 

In this same year Rev. Richard Pollard was rector 
of the Church of England in Sandwich, and the 
records of that church show that he frequently held 
services in Detroit, and performed the ceremonies of 
baptism and marriage. William McDowell Scott, 
an Episcopal layman, also occasionally read collects 
for particular days. 

Rev. Nathan Bangs, subsequently one of the most 
eminent ministers and authors of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, was the next clerical \Tsitor. He 
had been appointed by the New York Conference 
in July. 1804, to preach in this region. He arrived, 
probably in August. In his History of the M. E. 
Church, he says : 

WTien the \\Titer of this history visited Detroit in 1804, he ob- 
tained an old building called the Council House to preach in. 

On his second visit, while preaching in the evening, there arose 
a tremendous storm, accompanied with the most vivid lightning 
and awful peals of thunder. He continued the sermon, however, 
reminding his hearers that this war in the elements was but a 
faint resemblance of that day " when the heavens shall pass away 
with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fer\'ent heat; 
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 
He was afterwards informed that some of the " baser sort " of 
the young men, after the candles were lighted, deposited some 
powder in them at such a distance from the blaze that they sup- 
posed it would take fire and explode during the sermon. They 
were disappointed. The exercises closed without any explosion, 
because the candles had not burned down to the powder. These 
wags, after all was over, informed their associates of what they 
had done, and remarked that while the peals of thunder were 
bursting over the house, they were fearful that the .\lmighty was 
about to hurl a bolt at their heads as a punishment for their 
wickedness, and hence they sat trembling for their fate during 
the greater part of the sermon. 

On this visit he met the Rev. David Bacon, who, 
as has been shown, was detained by sickness in the 
fall of 1804. Concerning the meeting a note in Mr. 
Bangs' history states that he 

was introduced to a Congregational minister, who told him lh.it 
he had preached in Detroit until none but a few children would 
come to hear, and said he : " If you can succeed, which I very 
much doubt, I shall rejoice." On his third visit, which was on 
the Sabbath, sure enough, only a few children came to the place 
of worship ; and no one appearing to take any interest in hearing 
the Gospel preached there, our missionar>' shook off the dust of 
his feet as a testimony against them and look his departure. 



Thus even the Methodists at that time gave up 
Detroit. 

In connection with the history of Protestantism, 
we next notice this entry in the records of the Gov- 
ernor and Judges, for April 27, 1807 : 

A petition for a spot of ground on which to build a Protestant 
Church W.1S presented and read, and it w.as thereupon resolved 
that a committee be appointed to report on said petition, and it 
was ordered that the committee consist of one, and that Judge 
Griffin be the said committee. 

On May 13, 1807, the following entry appears: 

The committee to whom was referred the petition of the Presby- 
terian Church, made a report, which was ordered to lie upon the 
table. 

It will be noticed that the word " Presbyterian " 
is used in this latter entry, instead of " Protestant," 
but it undoubtedly refers to the petition of April 27, 
and the change may be accounted for by the fact 
that the entries were made by two different indi- 
viduals. 

On May 18, 1807, the Governor and Judges 

Resolved^ that a committee be appointed to report on the peti- 
tion of William Scott, Esq., in behalf of the members of the 
Presbyterian Church. Ordered that said committee consist of 
one, and that the Governor be the said committee. 

No further references to the matter appear in the 
records. 

With the year 1 809 a second and successful effort 
was made bv the Methodist Episcopal Church to 
establish ser\-ices at Detroit. 

At a session of the New York Conference, held 
in May of that year. Rev. William Case was ap)- 
pointed to this locality as a missionary. In a letter 
to Bishop Asburj-. dated Chatham, N. Y., May 16. 
1 8 10, Mr. Case says: 

* * * .'Vccording to your appointment, I set out from Ancas- 
ter to Detroit, the 2?nd of June. * • • 1 had thought to have 
visited Detroit immediately on my first coming into the countr>' ; 
but by reason of the revival, my whole attention was necessary 
on the Canada shore, so that I did not visit that town till, I think, 
about the last of September. * * * 

Our Lord has instructed us, that into whatsoever place we 
enter, we are to enquire who in it are worthy ; but as I could not 
understand that there were any serious persons in the town, and 
as I knew of none more worthy than the rulers ought to be, 1 
immediately went to the governor, and having introduced myself 
to him as a minister of the Gospel, I requested the privilege of 
the Council House to hold meetings in. He appeared very 
friendly, and used me as a Christian minister, and ordered the 
Council House to be prepared for meeting, where I preached to 
crowded and listening congregations during the time I staid in 
that country. As yet there is no society formed in this territory, 
(Michigan, Detroit being the principal town), though some few 
were brought under awakening, and three or four had found peace 
in believing, and expect to join in society when a minister shall 
again be sent among them. 

Mr. Case preached frequently at Detroit, and on one 
occasion some of the boys of the place, offended at 
his denunciation of their follies, broke into the stable 



554 



FIRST REGULAR PROTESTANT SERVICES. 



where his horse was kept, and closely sheared the 
mane and tail of the unfortunate animal. In the 
morning the dauntless minister mounted his horse, 
and e.xhibited his condition by riding through the 
town. Several of the leading citizens were so 
mortified at the occurrence that they offered a large 
price for the horse, but Mr. Case declined to sell, 
and was not again molested during the year that 
he remained. In 1810, about three months after 
he had left, he was succeeded by Rev. William 
Mitchell, a member of what was called the " West- 
ern Conference," and in the autumn of this year a 
Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. 

This, the first Protestant church in the Territory, 
on its organization numbered seven members, 
namely, Robert Abbott and wife, William McCarty 
and wife, William Stacy and wife, and Sarah Ma- 
comb. 

It is evident that, by this time, the Methodist 
Church was fully alive to the importance of Detroit, 
for in this year two ministers from two different 
conferences were sent hither, one of whom was 
the Mr. Mitchell before mentioned, the other the 
Rev. Ninian Holmes, who came from the Genesee 
Conference ; finding Mr. Mitchell on the ground, he 
crossed over to the Canada side, and labored there 
for a year, and in 181 1 held ser\'ices in Detroit. 

In the spring of 181 1, according to Pilcher's His- 
tory of Methodism, the ordinance of baptism and 
sacrament of the Lord's Supper, with other services, 
were observed by the church at the house of Wil- 
liam Weaver, a Roman Catholic who lived on the 
Rouge. At this time the church numbered about 
thirty members, some of whom lived in Detroit and 
others at the Rouge. In the autumn, sen-ices 
were conducted at the house of Robert Abbott 
in Detroit, by Rev. Henry Ryan, the presiding elder, 
and by Rev. Ninian Holmes. Mr. Holmes remained 
until August, I Si 2, and perhaps longer. On Au- 
gust 16, the day of the surrender, he baptized a child. 

In 181 1 Rev. Silas Hopkins was appointed to 
assist Mr. Holmes on the circuit, and by July, 1812, 
about fifty persons, most of whom lived in or near 
Detroit, had united with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in Michigan. 

In July of this year. Rev. George W. Densmore 
was appointed to Detroit, but the war prevented his 
coming, and scattered the little flock that had been 
gathered. 

When the city was recovered by the Americans 
in September, 1813, the destitution of its inhabitants 
as to bodily comforts symbolized their condition as 
to spiritual good, so far as Protestant services were 
concerned. 

Each brigade of the American troops had a chap- 
lain. The late Rev. Dr. Alfred Brunson, in a letter 
to the writer, said that he heard one of them preach 



at Detroit in 18 14. Mr. Brunson was then a private 
soldier in the Twenty-seventh LInited States Infan- 
try. It is quite possible that this chaplain was the 
Rev. James T. Wilmor, who died at Detroit on 
April 14, 1814. after a long and painful illness. He 
was a brigade chaplain in the northwestern army, 
and prior to his appointment as an army chaplain 
had served for thirteen years as chaplain in Con- 
gress. 

No effort appears to have been made by any one 
to re-establish Protestant services until July, 1815, 
when the Rev. Joseph Hickco.x of the Genesee Con- 
ference was appointed to this place. On his arrival 
he found no members except the original seven ; 
truly a "perfect number," they held fast their pro- 
fession through all the storms of war, and all of 
them remained acceptable members of the church 
during life. 

Mr. Hickco.x was received very cordially by Gov- 
ernor Cass, who said that the Council House would 
always be at his ser\-ice, and that himself and his 
family would be constant attendants at the services. 

The mgrals of Detroit at this time were in a 
deplorable condition. Soldiers and Indians were 
frequently seen intoxicated in the streets ; profanity 
and unbelief were rife ; indeed, the whole popula- 
tion were draining the dregs from the cup of war, 
and giving abundant reason for the passage, on 
November 4, 181 5, of the following law, which 
savors a little of the old Blue Laws : 

If any person shciU wilfully blaspheme the holy name of God 
by denying, cursing, or contumeliously reproaching His being or 
providence, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching Jesus 
Christ or the Holy Ghost, or the Christian Religion, or the holy 
word of God, that is, the canonical Scriptures contained in the 
books of the Old and New Testament, or by profanely scoffing at, 
or exposing them or any of them to contempt or ridicule, then 
any person so offending shall, on conviction, be punished by a fine 
not exceeding $200, or an imprisonment at hard labor, not ex- 
ceeding twelve months, or both, at the discretion of the court. 

Mr. Hickcox preached at Detroit once in three 
weeks on Sabbath evening, and in the interim at the 
Rouge and also in Canada. Going to the latter 
place in winter was a perilous undertaking ; on one 
occasion at least he crossed the river on floating ice, 
leaping from cake to cake. 

At the time Mr. Hickcox arrived. Governor Cass 
and Generals Harrison and Brown were holding a 
conference with the Indians. A large number of 
soldiers were also stationed at Detroit. In his diary 
Mr. Hickcox says : 

In this state of society but little impression could be made by a 
sermon once in three weeks. True, the Council House, a large 
and commodious building, was always filled with attentive audi- 
tors, the superior officers setting a decorous example by their 
uni/orin presence and respectful attention. But in my hurried 
rounds on a three weeks circuit, traveling some three hundred 
miles, my stay in Detroit was necessarily so short that I could not 



FIRST REGULAR PROTESTANT SERVICES. 



555 



follow up, to any extent, by pastoral visitation, any impression 
that might have been made by the labor of the pulpit. 

In the latter part of 1816, during his second year 
in Detroit, Mr. Hickcox was greatly aided by the 
services of Rev. Joseph Mitchell, an elderly local 
preacher of real ability, who soon filled almost all 
of the appointments on this side of the river. He 
became very popular with all classes by reason of 
his sturdy independence, but his popularity did not 
dull his weapons or cause him to forget his duty. 
He was still faithful in reproof and warning. On 
one Sabbath, when his theme was " The New 
Birth," the old Council House was crowded with 
territorial, mihtary, and city officers, together with 
leading citizens. Near the close of his sermon, 
addressing the parties almost by name, he called 
out, " You, governor ! You, lawyers ! You, judges ! 
You, doctors ! You must be converted and born 
again, or God will damn you as soon as the beggar 
on the dung-hill." The next morning Governor 
Cass sent him a five-dollar note, and expressed his 
kindly thanks, saying that the sermon was the best 
he had ever heard. 

At the close of his second year, in the summer of 
1817, Mr. Hickco.K reported thirty members for 
Detroit Circuit. In June of this year the Rev. 
Gideon Lanning was appointed to Detroit, and was 
so well liked that when he preached the Council 
House, yard, and adjacent street were filled with 
listeners. The Detroit Gazette of August i con- 
tains' the following announcement of one of his 
services : 

On Sunday evening the Rev. Mr. Lanning, a missionar>' from 
New York, will deliver a discourse in the Council House. People 
are requested to attend at early candle lighting. 

In a letter to Rev. Dr. Carroll, quoted in his Case 
and his Cotemporaries, Mr. Lanning says : 

Detroit in i8iS was a mission-field embracing the whole of 
Michigan and a small section of Ohio. It did not extend into 
Canada, as had been the case previously, but was attached to the 
Upper Canada District still. In Detroit city I found no society, 
and only two members (Judge Abbott and his wife), belonging to 
a society seven miles distant ; but I had a large congregation 
which met in the Council House, there being no church of any 
denomination in the place. I found but one class of twenty 
members, and a few other names at various points, making a 
grand total of thirty members in all in my hands ! But there 
were many doors open to receive the Gospel message, and I had 
the honor of preaching in many places where no one had ever 
preached before. !n consequence of failing health I had to leave 
this most inviting field of ministerial toil after the lapse of a few 
months: and one Thomas Harmon, a local preacher from Canada, 
ofBciated the balance of the year. 

On account of sickness, Mr. Lanning remained 
only until New Year. He had been assisted, espe- 
cially at the Rouge, by a local preacher named 
Thomas Harmon, who filled the rest of the appoint- 
ments for the conference year, which ended in June, 



1 8 18. There were reported this year forty members 
for the circuit. It was under Mr. Harmon's labors 
that the log church on the Rouge was erected. 
This location was selected, in part at least, through 
the influence of Rev. J. Hickcox, who had entered a 
tract of land on that river. The church was situated 
on Private Claim 52, then known as the Sargeant 
Farm. The deed for a square acre of land is dated 
November 21, 181 7, and was recorded in Liber 6, 
page 89, of County Records, on April 24, 1821. It 
was made by Thomas and John Sargeant and their 
wives for the consideration of one dollar. The lot 
was on the north side of the Rouge, about one 
hundred and twenty rods from the river, and twenty 
rods west of the town line which forms the eastern 
boundary line of Private Claim 52, in the town of 
Dearborn. 

The church was twenty-four by thirty feet in size, 
and of course a rough affair, remarkable only as being 
(e.xcept the one built by the Moravians in 1782) the 
first Protestant church built in Michigan. It was 
erected March 31, 1818. Disaffections arising in 
the society, the building was used for church pur- 
poses only about ten years. It then became a 
school-house, and finally "fell from grace," becom- 
ing a place of evil resort. In 1843 the neighbors 
set fire to it, and then pulled it down. In 1882 the 
site was occupied by an orchard. 

In July, 1818, Alpheus Davis was appointed to 
Detroit Circuit, but on account of ill health he was 
soon transferred to Ancaster circuit, in Canada, and 
was succeeded at Detroit by Samuel Belton, who 
served the rest of the year. He was followed by 
Truman Dixon, who at the close of his year in 1819 
reported sixty-six members. 

In 1820 Rev. John P. Kent was put in charge of 
the circuit, which was probably divided this year, as 
Mr. Kent reported only twenty members. In the 
summer of 1821 he w-as taken sick, and his appoint- 
ments were filled for two or more Sabbaths by Rev. 
J. B. Finley. So acceptable were his sermons that 
Governor Cass, the Messrs. Hunt, and other promi- 
nent citizens sent a request to the bishop to have 
him stationed at Detroit, but he did not accede to 
their wishes. In September Piatt B. Morey was 
appointed to this circuit, but he died soon after his 
appointment, preaching in Detroit only once. His 
predecessor. John P. Kent, having recovered his 
health, finished the year, preaching frequently in 
the First Protestant Church. He reported one 
hundred and thirty members on the circuit, an 
increase of one hundred and ten. 

On January 25, 1822, the charge was visited by 
Rev. John Strange, the presiding elder, who preached 
in the Council House, greatly edifying his hearers. 

We now turn back to 18 16. In that year corre- 
spondence with one of the professors of Princeton 



556 



FIRST REGULAR PROTESTANT SERVICES. 



College resulted in the appointment of the Rev. 
John Monteith to Detroit by the American Board of 
Commissioners for Foreign Missions. A month's 
pay ($40) was advanced him, until arrangements 
could be made for his salary among those for whom 
he was to labor. In due time he reached the 
city, and on June 30, 1816, he preached his first ser- 
mon in the Council House. On August 8, at a 
public meeting called for the purpose, a committee 
of three, consisting of Governor Cass, H. J. Hunt, 
and James Abbott, was appointed to represent the 
people.and they made 
an arrangement with 
Mr. Monteith to stay 
one year for $800. 
He preached regu- 
larly every .Sabbath 
in the Council House, 
except that on every 
third Sabbath in the 
evening the services 
were conducted by a 
Methodist minister. 

The next year on 
September 15, 181 7, 
an association, com- 
prising all persons 
who chose to belong, 
called the First Evan- 
gelistic Society of De- 
troit, was organized 
with the object of 
sustaining the ser- 
vices. It was in no 
sense a church, but 
simply an association. 
About this time it was 
decided to fit up the 
upper story of the 
new University Build- 
ing as a place of wor- 
ship, and on October 

24, 181 7, the Detroit Gazette contained the follow- 
ing notice : 

The citizens of Detroit and vicinity are informed that the 
upper story of the building now erecting and belonging to the 
University of Michigan, is to be laid out and furnished for the 
accommodation of the Protestant Congregation as a place of 
worship, and that the pews will be sold for one year to the high- 
est bidder, on Monday next at 3 o'clock p. m. at the Council 
House, where a plan of the pews will be exhibited. 

This project apparently did not succeed, for ser- 
vices were still held in the Council House, as appears 
from the following notice, in the Gazette of Decem- 
ber 26, 1817 : 

The Musical Society and others are requested to assist in the 
public exercises to-morrow at the Council House. The hymns 
will be selected from Dr. Watts. 




First Protestant Chqrch as it A 
Catholic 



It appears that there were some persons who did 
not approve of the form or the name of the organi- 
zation of 181 7; the Gazette of March 27, 1818, 
contained the following editorial : 

First Evangelic Church of Detroit. — On the morning of the 
23d inst. an assembly was held at the Council House in this city 
for the purpose of establishing a Protestant religious society, there 
being no Protestant Church yet established in this Territory. One 
of the judges of the Territory addressed the assembly, and de- 
duced the origin of the word Protestant from the publication 
on the Church door of W^ittemberg, on the 31st day of October, 
T5171 of the theses of Luther, containing ninety-five proposi- 
tions against indulgences ; and the subsequent protest and union 

of certain potentates of 
Germany, published on the 
igth day of April, 1529, 
He then stated the events 
connected with the Cen- 
tennial anniversary of Oc- 
tober the 31st, 1817, and 
the resolution to reduce 
the Protestant sects into 
one general denomina- 
tion under the name 
Evangelic. He read parts 
of the decree signed by 
the Minister of the In- 
terior at Berlin on the 
30th day of June, 1817; 
reducing the Protestant 
sects into one denomina- 
tion; and assigning the 
reasons for abolishing the 
term Protestant and sub- 
stituting the term Evan- 
gelic. 

After some further ex- 
planations it was sncces- 
sively resolved to adopt the 
term Evangelic in lieu of 
the term Protestant, or any 
less general Sectarian de- 
nomination, to designate 
the first religious society 
established within the Ter- 
ritory of Michigan, of a 
persuasion different from 
that of the Roman Cath- 
olic. 



I'PEARED WHEN IN USE BY TrINITY 

Church. 



The judge who de- 
livered the learned dissertation could have been no 
other than the pedantic Woodward, and the article 
in the Gazette bears marks of his authorship. The 
next Gazette, of April 3, 181 8, contained the fol- 
lowing : 

The notice contained in our last number respecting the estab- 
lishment of a Church we found to be incorrect. We published it 
hastily according to the information we received, supposing that 
although there had been for a long time regular worship in this 
city, there probably was nothing before that could be called a 
church. In this, however, our informant was mistaken. No 
organization of a Society took place on the 23d ult. 

The Protectant Church in its present form existed before, and 
in some form or other has existed more than ten years. 

The following was published for the first time in 
the same Gazette ' 



FIRST REGULAR PROTESTANT SERVICES. 



557 



receival>le for debts due the first Pr^.gK-{ 
farit iDliupch of tlie City of Dcfroif, and 1 
payable at the Treasury of the ^ 



THE FIRST PROTESTANT CHURCH IN THE TERRI- 
TORY OF MICHIGAN 

was erected at the River Rouge on the 31st ultimo by a society of 
Methodists, a body corporate belonging to the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church in the United States. The said society was estab- 
lished at the River Rouge in the year 1810, and, through the 
mercies of God, h-is remained inflexible through the storms uf 
war and various other trials, and by the Divine blessing is still in 
a prosperous way. Robert Abbott, 

One 0/ the Trustees 0/ the M, E, Church. 
River Rouge, April 2d, 1818. 

No further efforts were made to change the name 
of the Evangel- 
istic society, and 
the services went 
on. The natural 
growth of the 
city and Mr. 
Monteith's pop- 
ularity rendered 
a larger room 
desirable, and on 
January 17,1819, 
Mr. Monteith 
was authorized 
by the society to 
go East and so- 
licit funds to aid 
in building a 
church. His 
mission proved 
successful, and 
on June 17 he 
returned with 
$1,122.46. Pre- 
parations were 
at once made 
for erecting the 

building, and as a preliminary step, on July 26, 1819, 
the Governor and Judges 

Resolved^ that the burying ground adjoining upon Woodward 
Avenue be granted to the Trustees of the Protestant Religious 
society of Detroit by their legal designation for the use of said 
society, exclusive of the streets and alleys therein ; and that the 
surveyor make an accurate sur\'ey and plat of the Protestant 
burying ground for this Board. 

It is said that one of the judges had scruples 
about giving lots for a church, and therefore no deed 
was granted at this time. The church, however, 
was at once erected on a part of the burying ground 
on Woodward Avenue, about one hundred feet 
north of Lamed Street. It cost §7,000. The pews 
were sold at auction on Saturday, February 26, 
1820, at 10 A. M., and the ne.xt day the church was 
dedicated. 

The Gazette of March 3 contained this notice : 



DEDICATION. 

The dedication of the First Protestant Church of Detroit took 
place on Lord's Day, 27th ult. The sermon was delivered by the 
Rev. John Monteith, Dishop of the Church, from Psalm cxxii. i. 
" I was glad when they said unto me, let us gi> into the house of 
the Lord." A Christian society was then formally organized and 
three elders ordained with the imposition of hands. In the after- 
noon a sermon was preached by i\Ir. Moses Hunter, a missionary 
of the General Assembly, from Canticles, 85, "Who is this that 
cometh up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved ?" 

The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's i^upper were then 
administered. The assembly was large and remarkably attentive 
and solemn. The music was good and particularly the tunes of 
Denmark and Tamworth were well performed. 




F.\c-siMiLE OF Scrip issued bv First Protest.-\nt Society. 



The society 
was still com- 
posed of Episco- 
palians, Presby- 
terians, Metho- 
dists, Congrega- 
tionalists, and 
persons holding 
no particular 
creed ; and it 
was, perhaps, in 
deference to the 
Episcopalians or 
Methodists that 
Mr. Monteith re- 
ceived the appel- 
lation of " Bish- 
op" in the notice. 
The Presbyter- 
ians were conci- 
liated by the or- 
daining of three 
elders, Messrs. 
J. J. Deming, 
Levi Brown, and 
Lemuel Shattuck ; and as all pew-holders, or those 
who paid $5.00 a year, had a right to vote on ques- 
tions connected with the society, the Congregation- 
alists must have been satisfied. 

The precentor of this period was Abraham Del- 
amater, a drummer or fifer connected with the 
United States troops then stationed at Detroit. He 
led the singing dressed in his regimentals, a bright 
red coat being part of his attire. The trustees were 
D. G. Jones, _H. J. Hunt, S. Mack, L. Shattuck, and 
J. Abbott. The secretary was James D. Doty, who 
afterwards became Governor of Wisconsin. 

Only nine tenths of the pews were sold up to 
April, 1820, but enough was realized to more than 
pay the cost of the building. The people, however, 
did not respond readily to the calls for money, as is 
evident from the following statement, published in 
the Gazette of November 17, 1820: 



558 



FIRST REGULAR PROTESTANT SERVICES. 



SABBATH COLLECTIONS. 

We have been informed from respectable sources that some of 
our citizens who belong to the Protestant Association make objec- 
tions to the practice of collecting money on each Sabbath, pre- 
vious to the dismissal of the congregation. To do away with 
these objections we are requested to state that the money collected 
is to be applied to the enclosing of the Protestant burying 
ground. There have been already several collections made ex- 
clusively for that purpose, but enough has never been collected 
to defray more than one half of the probable expense of the 
contemplated enclosure, and it will not be commenced until a 
sufficient sum is collected to complete it. 

Money was also needed to pay Mr. Monteith, yet, 
notwithstanding all the efforts made, it could not be 
raised, and as a last resort, the society issued due- 
bills to the amount of $700, in sums of one, two, and 
three dollars each, dated March 15, 1821. These 
due-bills were paid over to Mr. Monteith on account 
of salary. They were evidently intended to be cir- 
culated as money, for almost every merchant and 
corporation at that time issued their own bills; but 
the credit of this church corporation was so poor, 
or the time of Mr. Monteith's stay so limited, that 
the bills were never circulated or redeemed, and 
consequently Mr. Monteith was never paid. 

On April 13, 1821, James Abbott, as treasurer of 
the Protestant Church, gave notice in the Gazette 
that persons could be accommodated with single 
seats at fifty cents a quarter, and on June 30 fol- 
lowing he gave further notice to " all persons who 
owe subscriptions or taxes on the pews, that if they 
are not paid by July 6, coercive measures will be 
resorted to for their immediate collection." Possi- 
bly the funds were needed to pay Mr. Monteith, for 
he left on the 23d of July, when an appropriate ad- 
dress was voted him. 

On October 1 5 a meeting of the corporation was 
held, and the following persons were elected 
trustees for one year, namely : James Abbott, 
Austin E. Wing, Thomas Rowland, Henry J. Hunt, 
DeGarmo Jones, and C. C. Trowbridge, The last 
named served also as secretary of the board. 

At a subsequent meeting of the corporation a 
new constitution and articles of incorporation were 
agreed upon, under the title of First Protestant 
Society of Detroit. The society was incorporated 
under a general law of April 12, 1821. On Decem- 



ber 7 the articles were signed by the following citi- 
zens : Charles Earned, A. E. Wing, Thomas Palmer, 
J. D. Doty, Thomas Rowland, Stephen C. Henry, 
Francis Audrain, William Woodbridge, John Hunt, 
Justin Rice, James Abbott, Henry J. Hunt, Henry 
Sanderson, DeGarmo Jones, John P. Sheldon, J. J. 
Deming, Lewis Cass, B. Woodworth, Arthur Ed- 
wards, and B. F. H. Witherell. 

No important change was made in the govern- 
ment or management of the society at this time, 
and it was entirely destitute of any denominational 
predilection. It was organized " to secure the regu- 
lar public worship of Almighty God, and the 
enjoyment of the many advantages resulting there- 
from." 

After the departure of Mr. Monteith, the services 
were conducted occasionally by Rev. John P. Kent, 
a Methodist clergyman, and also by Rev. A. W. 
Welton, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who 
became a resident of Detroit in November, 1821, 
but was not settled as a pastor. On May 10, 1822, 
he was engaged for a few weeks as a supply. 

Soon afterwards C. C. Trowbridge, secretary of 
the society, called a meeting for July 1 1, to arrange 
"to supply the pulpit with preaching." This evi- 
dently had reference to the coming of Rev. Joshua 
Moore, the second preacher sent here by the Pres- 
byterian Board of Missions. He arrived on the day 
appointed for the meeting. Two days before he 
came the Rev. Mr. Gratton had been engaged to fill 
the pulpit, and therefore the engagement of Mr. 
Moore for a year did not begin until September 22. 
On September 23 a meeting was called by Mr. 
Trowbridge "to consider about levying a ta.x on the 
pews for the regular preaching of the gospel for 
some definite term." Mr. Moore ser\'ed until 
October, 1824, when he was obliged to leave, as the 
society was unable to pay him. On the final settle- 
ment the society gave him a note for $1,450, which 
was never paid. 

On January 23, 1825, the First Protestant Society 
and Church was reorganized, and Articles of Faith 
adopted which, for the first time, fully committed 
the organization to the Presbyterian doctrines and 
government. Its history' will be found in another 
chapter. 



CHAPTER LVIII 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.— EVENTS OF INTEREST TO THE 

DENOMINATION. 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 

The advent of Methodist " circuit riders " in this 
region, and the services they held, have been already 
detailed. The present article concerns the corpo- 
rate body known as the First Methodist Episcopal 
Society, and later churches of the same denomina- 
tion. 

Sev'cral notable facts serve as an appropriate in- 
troduction to the history of this particular church. 
As is elsewhere shown, the Methodist Episcopal 
Church was the first Protestant organization that 
appointed a minister to labor with the white people 
of this region, and the earliest continuous church 
services were conducted by a Methodist minister. 

First M. E. Church. 

The first Protestant church building in Michigan, 
other than that of the Moravians, was built by and 
for the Methodists, and the society named above 
was the first Protestant denominational church 
organized in the Territory', and the first to become 
incorporated. 

The effort to build a Methodist church especially 
for Detroit dates from 1820. A meeting was held 
on May 16 of that year, for the purpose of consult- 
ing in regard to it, and committees were appointed 
on site and subscriptions. The following notice 
then appeared in the Detroit Gazette : 

NOTICE 
The committee of arrangement who \yere appointed to procure 
a'suitable site for the erection of a Methodist Episcopal Church 
in the city of Detroit, and to receive subscriptions for building of 
the same, will meet at the Council House in said city at 6 o'clock 
p. M. on Monday, the 22nd day of May, 1820, at which time and 
place the citizens of Detroit are respectfully requested to attend, 

■Robert .Abbott, 
S. T. D.WENPORT, Jr., 
W1LLIA.M W. Petit. 

Com. 
Detroit, May 16, 1820. 

At an adjourned meeting on Monday, May 22, 
the committee previously appointed made a report, 
but it is evident that the enterprise was not vigor- 
ously prosecuted, for the meeting was adjourned to 
May 29 and then to June 6. On June 6 Robert 
Abbott, Jerry Dean, and Edwin W. Goodwin were 



appointed a committee to draft a constitution. 
After this action, promoters and committee appa- 
rently rested from their labors, for nothing further 
was done for nearly two years. 

Then, under an act of April 12, 1821, a society 
was organized. The original copy of the articles, 
drawn up by John Farmer, is still preser\-ed, and 
the writer identifies, beyond a doubt, the heading 
and the body of the document as the work of his 
father's hand. The articles were dated March 21, 
1822, and are the only articles of incorporation of a 
Protestant church organized under territorial law 
now known to be in existence. . The following 
twenty signatures are appended : Robert Abbott, 
Joseph Hickcox. William Hickco.x, Joseph C. Corbus, 
Israel Noble. James Kapple, Nathaniel Champ, 
William McCarty, James L. Reed, John Ramsay, 
Joseph Donald, James Abbott, H. W. Johns, Edwin 
W. Goodwin, William R. Goodwin, P. Warren, 
Jerry Dean, Joseph Hanchett, Robert P. Lewis, and 
John Farmer. 

It is worthy of mention that the Joseph Hickco.x 
whose name appears as one of the corporators was 
the minister who came after the war, in 181 5, and 
reorganized the Methodist Church, afterwards re- 
tiring from the ministrj' and settling on the Rouge. 
And as Robert Abbott, Joseph Hanchett, Joseph C. 
Corbus, William McCarty, and possibly some others 
of the twenty, had been members of the church on 
the Rouge, the new organization may be properly 
considered the legitimate successor of that church. 

The articles of incorporation bear the signatures 
and approval of A. B. Woodward and James With- 
erell, judges ; Charles Larned, attorney-general ; 
and Lewis Cass, governor of the Territory. The 
society was thus doubly legalized, for it was not 
only duly organized under the Act, but the articles 
received the specific and written endorsement of 
the governor and two of the three judges ; and as 
the Governor and Judges then possessed legislative 
power, the articles had almost the force of a special 
enactment. 

March 21, 1822, was named in the articles as the 
time for the first election of officers of the society, 
and on that date the following persons were elected 
[559] 



jrLe first ^/Lt^iAnQAhi Episcopal jS oci ety 

Ol'Timt CxTX^ of 

BETHOIT «^»^ 



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5 



Articles of Incorporation of First Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Fac-simile, half size. 

L560I 



i^./.^ ^/aC J^f 'i'^a^ rr-^t/i.a<Jf^^l^3 Ji4iiy<^ '^^'^'f-^-^^'i'^ 
%«^ t4ttf iS-lH^a ly . 

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^r A^ A^j f7^if~ /T^^e^Ci^*^ <r^^&/ i2^^c^£^ ^^i^ A<vt.u4^a^^£^ ^ -^t^-^cijey O^jvc^^t^y 






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Articled op Incorporation, I'AGR a. 

[561] 












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tyxjtW 



Articles of Incorporation, page 3. 
[562-1 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 56^ 







,y^^ ..cut .otZ^SZT '-^^^^ 



Articles of Incorporation, page 4. 

as trustees : Robert Abbott, Philip Warren, Jerry she would bu afraid of the Indians, especially when I should not 

■rv T-j • 11T /" J • o .u I n ■ D K _► be at home. Dut she soon got bravely over it. The Indians, not 

Dean, Edwin W. Goodwin, Seth L. Pappino, Robert ^^^^.^^^ ^^ ^^^ _j^^,^ ^^ ,^^.^ blacksmith, came to the shop to 

P. Lewis, James Kapple, Timothy Murphy, and g^^ „ork done, but finding no smith, they came to the house or 

Joseph Donald. to the door to inquire for him, when my wife, by the best signs 

At the ne.Xt meeting, held October 30, 1822, it was ^^e could make, informed them of his death. Upon this they 

would step back in apparent deep distress, and sit on the wood- 

Resobtcd, that John Ramsay, John Farmer, II. V. H. Witherell pile before the door, at a loss to know what to do. She, seeing 

and Israel Noble be appointed to supply the vacancy occasioned their distress, and that they showed no disposition to molest her 

by the removal of Timothy Murphy, Joseph Donald, Seth L. or the children, soon felt her sympathies for them roused up, and 

Pappino, and F.d«in W. Goodwin. gave them food. This they received with so much apparent grati- 
tude, that she soon became attached to them, and they recipro- 

In September, 1822, Alfred BrunSOn and Samuel catcd her feelings and made presents of brooms, baskets, and 

Baker were appointed to Detroit Circuit. Concern- bowls wrought out of ash knots. 

.• ^ I • ^ • T-i ^ -. T^ r, ■ »u:.- While here in Detroit I saw. what I have smce seen more clearly 

ing his stay m Detroit. Dr. Brunson eives this wmie nere m weiro.i . a> , 

, exhibited, that the missionary spirit is the millennial spirit. 
account : TheTe was but one Protestant minister in the Territory besides 

The house I rented had been occupied by the Indian black- myself and colleague ; he was a Presbyterian licentiate, and not 

smith, his shop answering for a stable. My wife had feared that being in orders himself, he requested me to give his little flock 



564 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



the Sacraments of the Lord's Supper and Baptism. To accom- 
modate him and them, as well as my own charge, I administered 
the Eucharist once a quarter, inviting them to attend, and bap- 
tized them and their children, when requested to do so. 

In the missionary field we met as brethren, laborers with God 
in one common cause. No controversy between ourselves, on 
non-essential doctrines, and no seeking of the supremacy one 
over the other was apparently thought of ; but Christian cour- 
tesies, as of brethren in one common har\'est-field, seemed to 
prevail. In this is plainly seen the spirit that will prevail in the 
millennium, when the watchmen of Zion will see eye to eye. 

For the first three months that Mr. Brunson was 
here, he and Mr. Baker preached on alternate Sun- 
days at the Council House, and then the service was 
left entirely in charge of Mr. Brunson. 

The next year the following notice appeared in the 
Gazette : 

Ordered by the Trustees of the First M. E, Society of the city 
of Detroit, that the Secretary give notice, in the Detroit Gazette, 
that the trustees will receive proposals till the 25th of February 
for the furnishing to said society 80,000 good merchantable brick, 
to be delivered on the banks of some navigable water within a 
few miles of the city of Detroit, on or before the ist of July next. 
And also proposals for the mason and carpenter work, to erect a 
brick church, of the dimensions of fifty feet in length by thirty- 
six in breadth, and twenty in height ; the proposals for the brick 
and stone work to be made separately. 

All proposals to be delivered sealed to the Secretary. 

James L. Reed, 

Secretary. 

N. B. — The plan of the building may be seen at my store. 

J. L. Ref.d. 
Detroit, Feb. 6th, 1823. 

Soon after, this notice appeared : 

M. E, Meeting Holsf..— The Trustees of the First M. E. 
Church of this city contemplate building a meeting house during 
the present season, of the dimensions of 50 by 36 feet , two stories 
high, with a suitable cupola. The funds necessar>' are to be 
raised by subscription, and wc trust that the usual liberality ol 
the citizens of Detroit will display itself on this occasion. 

March 7th, 1S23. 

The next publication was as follows: 

Notice is hereby given to those who have subscribed moneys, 
etc., for the erection of the Church of the First M. E. Society, of 
the city of Detroit, that the society are about to commence the 
erection of their church, and that the subscribers will shortly be 
called on to comply with the terms of their subscription. 
By order of the Society, 

James L. Reed, 

Secretary. 

On April 33. 1823, the Governor and Judges gave 
Lots 55 and 56 in Section 7, on the southeast corner 
of Gratiot and Farrar Streets, to " Robert Abbott, 
Philip Warren, Jerry Dean. Robert P. Lewis. James 
Kapple, John Ramsey. John Farmer, B. F. H. 
Witherell, and Israel Noble," as the trustees of the 
society. The deed provided that a church should 
be erected before March 19. 1826. The erection of 
the church was commenced soon after the deed was 
received, but the work moved slowly, and the funds 
were all gone before the walls were completed. 



In September of this year Elias Pattee and B. O. 
Plympton were stationed on Detroit Circuit, and the 
next year Pattee was returned with Isaac C. Hunter 
as his associate. During 1824 Mr. Pattee was com- 
missioned to collect funds to tinish the church, and 
on April 22, he reported that he had collected in 
Ohio, over and above his traveling expenses, $291.82, 
and this amount was paid over to the trustees. In 
1825 he was sent on a similar trip, and a story has 
been put in print that his expenses were $2.50 more 
than the sum he collected, and that the trustees 
were obliged to make up this deficit. The official 
records, however, disprove that story, for they show 
that he collected "$625.25 over all expenses," and 
that out of this amount he was paid $175.00 for his 
services. 

Rev. J. B. Finley, in his history of the Wyandotte 
Mission, gives incidentally the following account of 
one of his visits to Detroit, during this period : 

We set off next morning (December i6, 1823, from Brownstownj 
for Detroit city. Here we were joyfully received by my old 
friend, brother Dean. The news got out that some of the Chris- 
tian Indians were with me, and this called together some who 
were skeptical on the subject of the possibility of Indians being 
religious. They conversed with them on the subject and found 
that they were not at a loss to give a reason for the hope that was 
in them. They could tell of their conviction, conversion, and 
progress :n godliness as well as though they had been taught to 
read, or were brought up by Christian parents. 

After the conversation ended, in which I took no part, but left 
them to make the examination for themselves, I asked the Indian 
brethren to sing a hymn in Wyandott, which they did to the 
astonishment of the company. Then I asked Mononcue to pray, 
which he did with great fervor and zeal, and before he was done, 
the company were affected to tears, to hear a poor Indian pray 
with such power. "When we arose from our knees, they sung 
again, and with their faces wet with tears, went around the room 
and shook hands with all present. This put an end to all their 
unbelief, and they most cordially received and embraced them as 
children of God, born of His spirit, and bound for the land of 
Canaan. It was a blessed evening to me and all present. 

The next morning {December 17, 1823) we visited Governor 
Cass, and were received with great kindness, and obtained from 
him all the information he was in possession of, in reference to 
the situation of the Indians in that region of country. We were 
referred by the Governor to Major liaker, commandant of the 
garrison, who had recently built the military works at Saginaw, 
Brother Mononcue and myself dined with the Governor, who 
treated us with the greatest respect. I tried to preach at candle- 
light, from Romans vi. 23: " The wages of sin is death," etc.; 
and fJod owned his word. Many were cut to the heart, and en- 
quired the way of salvation. 

On the morning of the i8th we took breakfast with Brother 
Lockwood. • * * On the 26th I preached on the Rouge 
river, at brother Robert Abbott's, from Ephesians v. 15, 16: 
"■ See that yc walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 
redeeming the time, because the days are evil," We had a time 
of feeling, many wept, and a few joined class. 

I returned lu Detroit (on Sunday, Dec. zSth) and preached at 
night from Rev. xx. 12 , "I saw the dead, small and great, stand 
before God, and the books were opened," etc. This night will 
be remembered in eternity. Such were the cries for mercy that 
my voice was drowned. More than forty came forward to be 
prayed for, and several experienced the pardon of their sins, 
while many others resolved never to rest until they found 
redemption in the blood of the Lamb. This city seemed now 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



56; 



to be visited with a cloud of mercy, and it appeared next 
day as if all business was suspended. 1 went from house to house 
and e.xhorled all to turn to Christ. I went into the barracks 
among the officers and soldiers, and preached to them Jesus and 
the resurrection. I prayed in every house which I visited, and 
there was an awful shaking among the dry bones. About si.xty 
joined the church, as the fruit of these meetings ; and, if I 
could have staid, I have no doubt that many more would have 
joined ; but it was imperiously necessary for me to return home. 

In 1S25 William Simmons was appointed to De- 
troit, and during his ministry services were held in 
the old University Building, on Bates Street near 
Congress. 




First Methoe)ist Episcopai. Chirch. 
Original brick building. 

In 1826 Zarah H. Coston was appointed as pas- 
tor. He undertook to fit up the church, making a 
pulpit himself ; there was a gallery on three sides, and 
the seats were rough boards, supported at either 
end by pieces of short plank piled together. The 
building, though never formally dedicated, was used 
from 1826 to 1833. It was far out on the commons, 
with only an occasional board or stone for a walk, 
and in wet weather there was no lack of room for 
those who attended. The society realized, as early 
as 1828, that the location was an unfortunate one, 
and sought to exchange with the Governor and 
Judges for a more eligible site, but no exchange 
could be made. During 1827 Rev. Wni. Runnels, 
one of the preachers for Detroit circuit, preached 
several times in this church. Rev. .Arza Brown, who 
was pastor in 1828-1829, obtained funds for and 
laid a plank walk to the church, and the attend- 
ance was greatly increased. 

In September, 1829, the membership was seventy- 
eight. During these years, when the pastor was 
unavoidably detained, one of Wesley's sermons was 



occasionally read by a young man named John 
Owen. In 1830 Alvan Billings was pastor. He 
was succeeded in 1831 by Henry Colclazer. 

The following full record of the proceedings of 
one quarterly conference during the pastorate of Mr. 
Colclazer affords several illustrations of old-time 
methods : 

Proceedings of the Official Members of the Chvrch, held 
IN Robert Abbott, Esq.'s, Office, October 24TH, 1832. 

After some consultation, it was 

Resolved, i. That John Owen and Orson Eddy be a committee 
to prepare the stoves for winter service. 

Resolved^ 2. That the preacher in charge be authorized to 
select his place of boarding for the ensuing year. 

Resolved, 3. That in order to raise funds we attend, ist, to our 
quarterly collection among the members; 2nd, that we have a 
penny collection after each service on the Sabbath ; 3rd, that we 
at a suitable time circulate a subscription amongst the citizens. 

Resolved, 4. That we change the manner of sitting in the con- 
gregation so that the men will occupy the seats on left of the 
aisle, and the women on the right. 

Resolved, 5. That Thomas Knapp, Jerry Dean, and Mr. Owen 
be a committee to select and purchase a lot for the purpose of 
building a church thereon, after which the meeting adjourned. 

Jekrv Dean, 
H. CnLCLAZER, Pr. Secretary, 

On June 18, 1834, the trustees were authorized by 
special Act to dispose of the old lot. On May 1 5, 
1833, Mr. Witherell, on behalf of the church, paid 
$1,100 for the lot on the northeast corner of Wood- 
ward Avenue and Congress Street. On June 11, 
1833, the society ordered that the old church and 
lots be advertised for sale, and Messrs. Witherell 
and Owen were appointed a committee to obtain 
plans for a new church ; and on June 27, this notice 
appeared in the Journal and Advertiser : 

The trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church contemplate 
erecting a new House of Worship, and offer the one they now 
occupy for sale, together with the two lots on which it stands. 
For terms apply to 

J. Dean. 

On January 24, 1834, the committee reported the 
sale of the old church and lots for $1,500, payable 
one third in cash, one third in six months, and 
one third in nine months. Prior to this sale, on 
June 5, 1833, the Common Council had given the 
society permission to remove the Council House 
from Earned Street near Woodward Avenue to the 
lot on Congress Street, in the rear of the church they 
were about to erect. In this new location the build- 
ing was used for services until the completion of the 
church. The new church, built of wood, cost 
$3,000, and was dedicated July 13, 1834. during the 
pastorate of Elijah Crane; he came in the fall of 
1833 and remained two years. On July n. 1834, 
on account of a debt hanging over the building, the 
trustees resolved to rent one half of the slips in the 
church at a minimum price of six dollars each, 
wn'th the privilege of retaining them for five years by 



566 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



payment of the rent yearly in advance. The pas- 
tor's salary, in 1840, was $636. 

The successive pastors after Mr. Crane, up to 
1850, were: 1835, William Herr; 1836-1838, Rev. 
(subsequently Bishop) Edward Thompson ; 183S, J. 
E. Chaplain; 1S39-1841, Henry Colclazer; i84i,A. 
M. Fitch ; 1842, James S. Harrison ; 1843, James S. 
Harrison and Jonathan Blanchard ; 1844. James V. 
Watson; 1845-1847, J. A. Baughman; 1847, O. 
Mason and E. Crane (temporary supply) ; 1848- 
1850, S. D. Simonds. 

Early in 1848 the building of a new church began 
to be agitated, and on February 16 it was resolved 
to sell the property then occupied. 

In selecting a site for a new church the choice lay 
between a lot on the corner of Lafayette and Shelby 
Streets and the lot on the northwest corner of 
Woodward Avenue and State Street. The trustees 
finally decided to 
buy the first- 
named lot, but as 
their decision was 
not wholly satis- 
factory, the sub- 
ject was referred 
to the class leaders 
of the church, and 
they reported in 
favor of the lot on 
Woodward Ave- 
nue. On June 26 
it was agreed to 
purchase the lot 
on Woodward 
Avenue at $2,000, 
and four days after 
the deed was made. 

On March 22, 
1849, the lot on the corner of Woodward Avenue 
and Congress Street was sold for §7,000. The 
erection of a brick church on the new lot was begun, 
and on Sunday, April 8, 1849, the basement was 
first used for public worship. During the previous 
week the old church was moved to the northeast 
corner of Lafayette and Fourth Streets to be used 
as a Mission Church. 

The new church was fifty-five by seventy-eight 
feet and cost $11,000. It had galleries on three 
sides, and could seat seven hundred persons. The 
audience room was dedicated on June 2, 1850. 
The morning sermon was by Dr. Edward Thomp- 
son, then president of the Ohio Wesleyan University. 
In the afternoon Professor Seager, of Buffalo, 
preached. From 1850-1852, E. H. Pilcher was 
pastor; 1852-1854, W. H. Collins; 1854-1856, A. 
D. Wilbor; 1856-1858, F. A. Blades; 1858, S. 
Clements; 1859-1861, S. Reed; 1861-1863, John 




First M. E. Chl'rch, corner Woodward Avenue and State Street. 



M. Arnold ; during the pastorate of Mr. Arnold an 
entrance to the church on the south side was built, 
and other improvements made, and on July 14 the 
audience room was re-opened for service. From 
1 863-1 865 J. M. Buckley was pastor, The sermons 
of Mr. Buckley were highly appreciated, and during 
his pastorate many persons who had not been in the 
habit of so doing commenced to attend the church, 
and the building became too small for the con- 
gregations. 

It so happened that a few weeks prior to the 
coming of Mr. Buckley the church building of the 
Congress Street M. E. Society was destroyed by fire; 
that society soon decided to build in a new location, 
and purchased five lots on the northeast corner 
of Woodward and Adams Avenues for $8,600. 
Meantime, while arranging their plans, the congre- 
gation worshiped in various public halls. At the 

same time the 

trustees of the 

First Church had 
under considera- 
tion the selection 
of a site for a new 
church. Ere long 
committees from 
the two churches 
were in consulta- 
tion, and after sev- 
eral conferences, 
in February, 1864, 
it was agreed to 
unite the property 
and inlluence of 
the two societies 
and build a stone 
church, to cost not 
less than $50,000, 
on the site selected by the Congress Street Church, 
the building to be erected in the name of the First M. 
E. Church as the older corporation, but to be known 
by the name of the Central M. E. Church, which 
name had been selected by the Congress Street 
Society. There was also included in the agreement 
the contribution of $2,500 towards the erection of a 
chapel on Jefferson Avenue, and the partial support 
of a pastor there for three years. 

On March 14. 1864, the following persons were 
appointed as a building committee for the new 
church; John Owen, David Preston, L. L. Farns- 
worth, John Kendall, Aaron C. Fisher. The esti- 
mated value of the property possessed by the First 
Church was $18,000, and that of the Congress 
Street Church $17,500. The old edifice of the First 
Church was finally sold for $23,000, and the prop- 
erty of the Congress Street Society, aside from the 
lots, netted $13,500. 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



567 



The Sunday schools of the two churches were 
united, and met together for the first time on Sep- 
tember 25, 1864. The occasion was observed with 
appropriate exercises. 

It was soon decided to build a chapel as well as 
a church ; this necessitated more ground, and on 
October 21, 1864, two lots facing on Adams .Ave- 
nue were purchased for the sum of $2,500. The 
erection of the chapel was commenced, and on Sep- 
tember 21, 1865, the building was dedicated. The 
total cost, including the furnishing, was $27,834; 
the size of the building is fifty-two by ninety-four 
feet, and it seats five hundred persons. 

On the completion of the chapel, as neither it nor 
the old church was large enough for the congrega- 
tion, the Detroit conference appointed Rev. J. H. 
McCarty as associate pastor, and he and Rev. J. M. 
Buckley preached alternately, morning and evening, 
to the two congregations. From the fall of 1S66 to 
that of 1867 Rev. J. H. McCarty and Rev. L. R. 
Fiske were associated in the same way, and then 
Rev. L. R. Fiske became the sole pastor. 

On July 2, 1866, at a meeting of the members 
and friends of the church, $13,200 was subscribed 
towards a church building, and on the next day the 
corner-stone was laid with appropriate exercises. 
On November 17, 1867, it was completed, and dedi- 
cated with services conducted in the morning by 
Bishop M. Simpson, in the afternoon by Dr. T. M. 
Eddy, and in the evening by Rev. J. M. Buckley. 

The burden of soliciting the funds for the erection 
of both chapel and church fell largely upon David 
Preston, and his presentation of the claims of the 
church, and plea for funds, on the day of dedication, 
was a combination of power and eloquence, born 
of feeling, probably never excelled on any similar 
occasion. In the work of paying for tlje church, 
the services of John Owen, its long-time treasurer, 
were especially valuable; under his management 
no bills have ever gone unpaid, whether the church 
was or was not in possession of funds. 

The entire length of the church is one hundred 
and twenty-three feet, general width, fifty-eight feet, 
width including transepts, ninety feet ; height from 
ground to ridge of roof, seventy feet, to top of tower, 
one hundred and seventy-five feet. It seats 1,200 
and can accommodate 1,500. Including the furnish- 
ing, it cost $92,000 exclusive of the ground and not 
including the cost of the chapel. 

In order to insure light on the eastern side of the 
chapel, and as a site for a parsonage, the church, on 
September 28. 1868, bought Lots 8 and g on Adams 
Avenue for the sum of $4,800, making the total 
amount paid for the grounds $13,900. The frontage 
on Woodward Avenue is 100 feet and on Adams 
Avenue 238.79 feet. 

The pastorate of Mr. Fiske ceased about two years 



after the dedication of the church, and from the fall 
of 1869 to the fall of 1870 the pulpit was supplied by 
Rev. Dr. B. F. Cocker, Rev. D. D. Buck, and Rev. 
G. G. Lyon. From 1 870-1 873 Rev. W. X. Ninde, 
D. D., was in charge, assisted the first year by Rev. 
C. C. Yemans. In 1873 Rev. L. R. Fiske, D. D., 
again became the pastor, and remained for three 
years. He was assisted the last two years by Rev. 
J. B. Atchinson, who had the morning mission Sun- 
day school especially in charge. 

During Mr. Fiske's pastorate, in May, 1S74, the 
church published five hundred copies of a hymnal of 
two hundred pages, compiled under its direction by 
the organist, Professor L. H. Thomas. It found 
favor with several other congregations, and was 
used until displaced by the denominational hymnal. 

In the fall of 1876 Rev. W. X. Ninde, D. D., (now 
Bishop), was for the second time appointed pastor, 
and served until the fall of 1879. He was succeeded 
by Rev. J. H. Bayliss, D. D., who remained until the 
fall of 1882, when the Rev. W. W. Ramsay, D. D., 
entered upon the pastorate. This year, for the first 
time, the pews were rented for one year with the privi- 
lege of retaining for three years at the same rental, 
and they brought a larger price than ever before. 

As is the case in many of the larger churches, 
various societies for the promotion of particular lines 
of church work have been organized among the mem- 
bers. A Ladies' Missionary Society was organized 
May 14, 1844, reorganized as a Missionary and Be- 
nevolent Society on November 7, 1855, changed to a 
Church Furnishing Society in 1864. and on December 
10, 1867, again organized as a Benevolent Society. Its 
special object is the care of the sick and poor of the 
church, but from time to time it has turned its 
efforts in various other directions. The first young 
people's prayer-meeting in the fcity was organized in 
connection with this church in November, 1855. It 
has been continuously successful, and is now in 
charge of the Young People's Society. A branch 
of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society has 
been in successful operation for nearly ten years. 

During 1883 the society erected an elegant par- 
sonage with stone front facing .Adams Avenue. It 
cost, with its furnishings, about $12,000. The 
annual expenses of the church average about $8,000. 
In 18S3 $7,000 was realized from pew rents. About 
$1,000 is received annually from ordinary Sunday 
collections. The pastor is paid $3,000, the sexton 
$700, and the choir costs about $1,100 a year. The 
value of the property in 1880 was $150,000. The 
society is entirely free from debt. 

The average attendance at morning service in 
1880 was 600. The number of members in the 
several decades has been: 1830, 78; 1840, 241; 
1850,198; 1860,269; 1870,600; 1880,769. Since 
January i, 1879, a paper, called The Central Mirror, 




CA!<Tv^^vvf^jrf2 



Central Methodist Ei'iscoi'AL Church, Chapel and Parsonage. 



[S(-.81 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



569 



has been published, devoted to the interests of the 
church and Sunday school. From 1870 the church 
has had especially in its charge a morning mission 
Sunday school, organized in 1844. 

" Its pastor and founder were both the same, 
A German brother, Helwig by name, 
He gathered in from lane and street, 
He was zealous, and wise, and also discreet. 
An old wood building, yellow and gray, 
Sheltered the school on its natal day, 
On Brush, near Larned, the school began, 
'T was founded on the union plan. 
It flourished there for several years, 
Its teachings watered with prayer and tears. 
In forty-nine a home it found 
In the German Church new to the ground, 
On comer of Croghan and Beaubien Street, 
And memory lingers o'er many a sweet 
Which came to our hearts while laboring there 
With souls new filled with joy and prayer. 
In singing we used the " Sunday School Bell," 
.And then the " Harmonist " as well. 
And " Chain," and " .Shower," and " Censer " all. 
With *' Singing Pilgrim " made tlieir call ; 
*' Kresh Laurels," too, were strewed along, 
And " Brightest and Best " was full of song, 
And " Jewels" with setting of " Pure Gold," 
Shed rays of joy on young and old. 
And " Diamonds " brighter than the day 
Lured us on in the upward way 
And as we sung along the road 
We never called the work a load, 
But gladly gave both means and care. 
For benedictions filled the air ; 
And many a soul is nearer heaven 
Because of lessons therein given." 

On July 17, 1870, the school was opened in a 
new location, on the southeast corner of Clinton 
and Hastings Streets. The original cost of the 
property was § 4.000, and §2,000 additional was spent 
in improvements. In June, 1883, the property was 
sold for $3,458. The school was then reorganized 
and continued in the same location. 

Congress Street Church. 

At the i-onference of 1843, Rev. Jonathan lilan- 
chard was appointed to Detroit to aid in organizing 
this church. Under his leadership .several members 
of the First Church, with some new members, or- 
ganized this society. In 1844 Rev. R. R. Richards 
was appointed as the first pastor and ser\-ed two 
years. Ser\nces were at first held in Mechanics' 
Hall, then in the Capitol, and in May, 1845, the 
society began worshijiing in the United States Court 
Room, on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Gris- 
wold Street. 

The first meeting of the trustees was held on 
March 17,1 845. The following persons were present : 
William Scott, S. W. Higgins, William Phelps, J. 
S. Trask, Charles Lee. J. H. Van Dyke, and L. L. 
Farnsworth. At a meeting held on the following 
day, it was resolved to purchase the lot on the 



northeast corner of Congress and Randolph Streets 
for $900, and to build a brick church at an estimated 
cost of $3,754. 

The church, forty-tw'o by si.xty-seven feet, was 
completed and the basement dedicated with a ser- 
mon by Rev. Noah Levings, on September 14, 1845. 
The body of the church was dedicated July 24, 
1846, with a sermon by the eloquent and eccentric 
Rev. John N. Mafiitt. Some days after Mr. Maffitt 
delivered a lecture, as appears from the following 
newspaper notice : 

Rev. Professor Mafiitt will deliver a lecture in the new brick 
Methodist Episcopal Church on Congress Street, this evening, 
July 28th, at 8 o'clock. Subject : Glory of Mechanism ; the 
Mechanism of the Heavens and the Earth ; of Man ; of Mortals ; 
of Religion, and Eternity, and the Pha;nix Bird of Immortality. 
Admission, 25 cents. The lecture for the benefit of the Second 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

In 1846 Rev. James F. Davidson served as pas- 
tor, and was succeeded in 1847 by Rev. Harrison 
Morgan. The salarj- of the pastor at this time was 
$400, and of course donation parties were made use 
of to help raise the amount. It is not to be regretted 
that these misnomers are things of the past in 
Detroit, and yet they were marked occasions, for 
the good cheer and friendly intercourse that pre- 
vailed. The parsonage during this period was on 
Congress Street in the rear of the church. 

In the fall of 1849 Rev. George Taylor became 
the pastor. During his pastorate, in the spring of 
1850, through an introduction from Colonel J. B. 
Grayson, he made the acquaintance of Lieutenant 
U. S. Grant, and as a result Lieutenant CSrant 
rented a pew in the church and was a regular 
attendant during his stay in Detroit. When Gen- 
eral Grant became President, he testified on several 
occasions his esteem for his former pastor, both by 
word and deed. 

In the fall of 1851 Rev. John Russell was ap- 
pointed pastor; in 1852, Rev. C. C. Olds; in 1853. 
Rev. William Mahon, and then for two years Rev. 
M. Hickey was pastor. 

In 1855 the old steps in front of the church were 
removed, and a new entrance with other improve- 
ments made. At this time a Library Association, 
with several hundred volumes, was in existence, 
regular meetings were held for social intercourse 
and the exchange of books, and there was much 
activity and interest in the affairs of the church. 

From 1856 to 1858 Rev. A. J. Eldred was pastor. 
On October i, 1856, the society purchased the Good- 
rich property on Randolph Street for a parsonage, 
at a cost of $6,000. From 1858 to i860 Rev. F. A. 
Blades was pastor. Soon after his appointment, on 
October 18, 1858, it was resolved to take in the old 
parsonage lot on Congress Street and increase the 
length of the church fifty feet. 



570 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



The extension was completed and the church re- 
opened on January 22, 1859. The cost of the im- 
provements was $2,500, including the fitting up of 




i^-..m'.gR../^ g^a 



copvsiCMr laao' by atL^S'FA'fWEHl = — ^3 



Congress Street M. E. Church. 

two Stores in the basement. On February' 20, i860, 
the Goodrich property was sold to Peter Henkel for 
$6,500. This year Rev. F. W. May was pastor; in 
1 86 1 he was succeeded by Rev. O. W. Sanborn, and 
during his pastorate, on January 14, 1862, the 
society bought of Governor Cass two lots on the 
northeast corner of Second and George Streets for 
$1,200, and soon after erected a parsonage thereon 
at a cost of $ 2,000. 

In the fall of 1S63 Rev. J. S. Smart was appointed 
to the church, and became the last pastor of the 
organization. 

The church was wholly destroyed by fire on July 
18, 1863. Immediately after the fire services were 
inaugurated in a hall on Woodward Avenue, be- 
tween State and Grand River Streets, and continued 
until October 25. The society then commenced to 
hold services in Young Men's Hall, remaining there 



until January 3, 1864. The last public services of 
the organization were held on that day, as the 
society had virtually decided to unite with the 
Woodward .A. venue Church, and build on the corner 
of Woodward and Adams Avenues. 

The number of members in 1850 was 150; in 
1S60, 182. 

Tabernacle C/iurch. 

This society, which at different times was desig- 
nated also by the names of " Lafayette Street " and 
"Trinity," was organized and incorporated May i, 
1849. Their first church, a wooden building, was 
on the northeast corner of Lafayette Avenue and 
Fourth Street. It was the old building formerly 
located on the corner of Woodward Avenue and 
Congress Street. On its removal to the new site 
the building was extensively repaired, and on Octo- 
ber 14, 1849, it was dedicated anew. The parson- 
age, in rear of the church, was built about 1854. 




Tabernacle M. E. Church. 




Original I.afavette Street M. E. Church. 



Early in 186S the church was again repaired 
at a cost of about S5.000, and on Februarj- 2 
was rededicated with a sermon by Bishop 
Thompson. .A.fter five years more of ser\'ice, 
it was decided to sell the property and build 
elsewhere, and accordingly the last service in 
the old church was held on August 24, 1873. 
The property was sold for Sn.ooo and the 
church torn down. 

Meantime lots had been purchased on the 
northeast corner of Howard and Fourth 
Streets at a cost of $8,000 ; the chapel built 
thereon was dedicated October 26, 1873. On 
September 13. 1874, the church was dedi- 
cated. It seats 875. The church and chapel, 
including the furnishing, cost $38,700. The 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



571 



pastor's salary in 1S80 was Si. 700. The total 
annual church expenses were §2,500, and §1.100 was 
received from pew rents. The choir cost §100 a 




Walnlt Street M. E. Chl'rch. 

year, and the property at that time was valued at 
§40,000. The average attendance at morning ser- 
vice in iSSo was 325. Number of members in 1850, 
43; 1860.58; 1870,225; 1880.234. 

The following is a list of the pastors: 1S49. J. J. 
Perry; 1850, L. D. Price; 1851, George Taylor; 
1852-1854, M. Hickey; 1854-1856, William' H. 
Perrine; 1856-1858, J. F. Davidson; 1858, Robert 
Bird; 1859-1861, D. C. Jacokes; 1861, Seth Reed, 
1862-1865, J. C. Wortley; 1865-1867, O. Whit- 
more; 1867-1870, E. E. Caster; 1870-1873, J. 
McEldowney; 1 873-1 876, W. H. Pearce; 1876, L. 
R. Fiske; fall of 1S77 to 1880, C. T. Allen; 1880 to 
fall of 1882, William Dawe; fall of 1882 to 1S83. 
John Alabaster ; 1883 to .E.W.Ryan. 

Simpson Church. 

This society, also formerly designated as " Sev- 
enth Street," " Walnut Street " and "Sixth Street" 
M. E. Church, grew out of a mission Sunday school 
established in 1853 by Rev, M. Hickey and Welling- 
ton Willets. The school was designed as a help to 
the Lafayette Ave. M. E. Church, where Mr. Hickey 
was then stationed. It began in the parlor of a Mr. 
Elliott, on Seventh Street near Walnut. Through 
the agency of the Methodist Sunday School Union 
a church with ten members was organized in Sep- 
tember, 1856. The first brick church was built on 
a lot donated by Colonel N. Prouty, on the north- 
west corner of Seventh and Walnut Streets, then 
worth S300. The building was dedicated June 1 5, 
1856, Dr. E. O. Haven preaching the sermon. The 
church seated 1 50. and cost S i . 500. 

A Board of Trustees had been created on Febru- 
ar>' 14, 1854. to hold title to the lot donated. In 
1868, under the direction of the Church and Sunday 
School Union of the M. E. Church, and especially 



through the efforts of David Preston, a large lot, 
fronting one hundred and fifty feet on south side of 
drand River Avenue and two hundred and forty- 
nine feet on east side of Si.xth Street, was purchased 
for $4, 500 ; and on August 24, 1 868, the corner-stone 
of a new church was laid, and on December 5, 
1 869, the basement was dedicated. The main audi- 
ence room was dedicated July 22, 1870. 

The old church property sold for §2.600. The 
new building cost $37,325, and seats $1,000 per- 
sons. The average attendance in 1880 was 300. 
It is named Simpson Chuch, in honor of Bishop 
Simpson. 

In 1876 the brick parsonage was built in the rear 
of the church at a cost of §5,000. The pastor's 
salary in 1880 was g 1,600. The total annual expen- 
ses were then $4,000, of which §250 were for the 
choir. The yearly receipts from pews was §3,000. 
Number of members in i860, 30; in 1870, 124; in 
1880, 371. Value of property in 1S80, §40,000. 
During the summer of 1S83 extensive repairs and 




Simpson M. E. Church. 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



improvements were made to the church, and it was 
formally reopened October 14. 1883, with a sermon 
by Rev. Dr. W. X. Ninde. 




Jefferson- Avenue M. E. Church. 
Original Building. 

The names of the pastors in charge, and their 
years of service, have been : 1856, M. Hickey ; 1857, 
J. Levington; 1858, J. A. Banghman; 1859, Arthur 
Edwards; i860, John Levington ; 1861-1863, J. W. 
Kellogg; 1863, J. M. Arnold; 1864, H. N. Brown; 
1865, s\ P. Warner; 1866, M. Hickey; 1867, S. E. 
Warren; 1868, W. J. Campbell; 1869-1871. T. J. 
Joslin; 1871, W. H. Shier; 1872- 1875, Thomas 
Stalker; 1875-1878, W. W. Washburn ; fall of 1878 
to fall of 1879, D. easier; fall of 1879 to fall of 1882, 
W. H. Poole; fall of 1882 to , C. T. Allen. 

Palmer Mt'niorza/ Af. E. Churcli. formerly Jeffer- 
son Avenue Chiireli. 

The erection of this church was provided for at 
the time the Congress Street and First M. E. societies 
united. The nucleus for the enterprise was a .Sunday 
school, established mainly through the efforts of 
Mrs. D. E. Rice, in the machine-shop of her hus- 
band on Atwater Street. The school was subse- 
quently removed to a boat-house farther up the 
river, and merged into the church school when the 
building of this society was erected. 

The original church, on the south side of Jeffer- 
son Avenue near the west corner of St. Aubin 
Avenue, cost $3,675. The lot, which is ninety-si.x 
by two hundred feet, cost $3,500. The church was 
dedicated on December 23. 1866, Rev. E. O. Haven 
preaching the sermon. The society was incorpor- 
ated December 30, 1866, at which time thirty-si.\ 
persons became members. 

In the fall of 1875 the building was enlarged by 
the addition of awing on each side; twenty-eight 
additional seats were gained, making the total num- 



ber of seats 400. The cost of the alterations and 
improvements was $3,700. On December 19, 1875, 
it was reopened. In 1880 there was an average 
attendance of 325. The pastor's salary was then 
$1,700. The choir cost $300. The total yearly 
expenses were $2,375, and the annual receipts from 
the pews, $650. Number of members in 1870, loi ; 
in 1880, 207. Value of property in 1880, $20,000. 
In October, 1883, it was sold for $14,500. The 
society then bought a lot on the southwest corner 
of Lafayette Street and McDougall Avenue, which 
cost $6,000, and a church estimated to cost $24,000 
is in process of erection. The corner stone was 
laid May 14, 1884. The society during this year 




Palmer .Memorial M. E. Church. 
(Mason & Rice, Architects). 

(1884) was newly incorporated as the Mary W. 
Palmer Memorial M. E. Church in honor of the 
mother of Thomas W. Palmer. She w-as one of 
the earliest Methodists residing in Detroit, and her 
son has been a liberal contributor to this and other 
Methodist interests. 

The pastors have been : 1866, M. Hickey; 1867- 
1870. A. F. Bourns; 1 870-1 873, E. E. Caster; 
1873-1875, A. R. Bartlett; 1875, J. M. Fuller; 
1876, E. H. Pilcher and D. C. Jacokes ; 1877-1880, 
R. S. Pardington; 1880-1882, C. T. Allen; fall of 
18S2 to ; William Dawe. 

Fort Street ChurcTi. 
This society may be called in part the outgrowth 
of a mission Sunday school, established in 1856, 
under direction of a City Methodist Sunday School 
Union, in a private house on Thompson, now 
Tvt'elfth Street. In 1857 the school was moved to 
the public school building on Lafontaine, now 
Fifteenth Street, holding its first session there on 
June 14. In the fall of 1858 it was again moved, 
this time into the newly erected Second German 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



57- 



M. E. Church. A mission school was also established, 
at a later day, in Springwells, by Edwin Reader, at 
the corner of Indian Avenue and Fort Street. 

In 1 87 1 several persons who had been specially 
interested in these mission schools decided to erect 
a building for their permanent home. A lot was 
purchased on the northeast comer of Fort and 




Fort Street M. E. Church. 

Twenty-second Streets at a cost of § 2,000, and a 
wooden building, forty by forty-si,x feet, seating 400, 
and costing SZ'Soo. was erected. It was dedicated 
October 15, 1871. Both of the mission Sunday 
schools were moved into the building. The society 
was incorporated in 1S73, and on February 22, 1S74, 
a church was organized with 30 members. In 1880 
the membership was 125. 

The church was in charge of Rev. E. H. Pilcher, 
presiding elder, until the fall of 1874, when Rev. R. S. 
Pardington was appointed pastor, and ser\'ed until 
the fall of 1877. He was succeeded by Rev. W. y. 
Burnett, who remained until the fall of 1880, and 
was followed by Rev. G. W. Lowe. In the fall of 
1881 Rev. H. A. Merrill became pastor, serving 
until 1883. He was succeeded by Rev. C. M. Stuart. 

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $1,200, and the 
total yearly expenses $ i ,800. The value of the prop- 
erty was S 8,000. The average attendance was 120. 

Sixteenth Street Church. 
The beginning of this society dates from a mis- 
sion school begun in May, 1869. It was soon deter- 



mined to establish a church, and a society was 
incorporated August 22, 1871. On September 11, 
1 87 1, the corner-stone of the brick church, fifty-six 
by sixty-seven feet, on the west side of Sixteenth 
Street at the junction of Walnut (now Bagg) 
Street, was laid. It was completed and dedicated 
July 28, 1372. It occupies two lots, which cost 
$1,200. The building cost $10,000, and can seat 
350. The average attendance in 1880 was 150. 
The pastor's salary was $800, and the total yearly 
expenses of the church $1,200. The property was 
valued at Si 1,000. The number of members was 82. 
The following is the list of pastors: 1873, H. 
N. Brown; 1 874-1 876, L. P. Davis; 1876, L. H. 
Dean, S. E. Warren ; 1877-1878, John Russell, 
L. H. Dean; 1879, J- C. Higgins; 1880-1881, L.E. 
Lennox; 1881-1883, T. H. Baskerville ; 1883- 
C. B. Spencer. 




Sixteenth Street M. E. Church. 

Junction Church. 

In the fall of 1S75, through the efforts of the pre- 
siding elder. Rev. E. H. Pilcher, this church was 
erected on the east side of Clippert Avenue, between 
Audrain and Edwards Streets, in Springwells. Al- 
though unfinished, without even being lathed, it 
was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, June 18, 1876, 
and from that time services were held regularly on 
the Sabbath. 

The following month a weekly prayer-meeting 
commenced, and op July 9 a Sabbath school was 
organized. The last service in 1876 was held on 



574 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



September 17. As the church building was too un- 
comfortable for further use. a room near the present 
location was leased, and a union Sunday school 
organized. On February 4, 1877, Rev. J. M. Ker- 
rige began to hold services at the Junction, and on 
March 1 1 a church class with ten members was 
organized. During this year a lot in a new location 
was given the society by Mr. A. Leavitt, but it was 
deemed too small for the church. Mr. C. R. Mabley 
then gave one lot to the society, and sold it another, 
and the church was moved from Clippert Avenue to 
the north side of Leavitt Street, between Hammond 
and Welch Avenues. In its new location it was dedi- 
cated on October 28, 1877, by Rev. F. A. Blades. 
In the fall of 1880 the lot given by Mr. Leavitt was 
sold, and the cost of moving and fitting up the 
church paid in full. The entire property, as it was 




W _ 



A-tO--^ 






Junction M. Tt. Church. 

in 1880, had cost $2,000 and was worth §2,500. 
The church had 180 sittings, and there was an 
average attendance of 50 persons. Up to the fall 
of 1 882 it had no regular pastor, but was cared for 
by Rev. F. A. Blades ; Rev. J. A. Lowry was then 
appointed to the charge. He was succeeded in the 
fall of 1883 by Rev. H. A. Merrill, who was placed 
in charge of this, and also of the missions of Del- 
ray, Wesley, and Asbury chapels. 

Delray Church. 

This society is the result of a Sunday school 
established in the upper story of a public school 
building on May i, 1881. On November 20, a 
church was organized, and on June i, 1882, its 
building, on the south .side of the river road, just 
east of the village of Delray, was dedicated. It cost 
$1,550; the lot, valued at $500, was donated by M. 



W. Field. The first regular pastor, Rev. S. P. War- 
ner, was appointed in the fall of 1882. Number of 
members in 1882, 56. The names of the first trus- 
tees were recorded in the county clerk's office De- 
cember 16, 1882. During 1883 an addition to the 
church, costing $400, was erected. 




Delray M. E. Church. 

Wesley Church. 

This society had its beginnings in a Sunday school 
established by the M. E. Church and .Sunday School 
Union. The school, under the superintendence of 
Mrs. George Hargreaves, began on February 12, 
1882. in a room on Indian Avenue near the Di.x 
Road, previously occupied as a saloon. The 
school flourished, and a lot was procured on the 
northwest corner of Vinewood Avenue and Dix 
Road, at a cost of $1,700. A building was erected 
at a cost, including furnishing, of $2,700, and on 
January 28, 1883, it was dedicated. It .seats 270 
persons, and can be made to accommodate about 
50 more. The average attendance at the school at 
time of dedication was 180. 




Wesley M. E. Church. 



Cass Avenue Church. 



This society was organized May 8. 1882, by the 
election of nine trustees and a Board of Stewards. 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



575 



The lot on the northwest cor- 
ner of Cass and Selden Ave- 
nues was purchased and held 
for the society by David Pres- 
ton ; including the interest, it 
cost nearly $9,000. The 
chapel, with its furnishings, 
cost about $11,000. It was 
dedicated December 2, 1883, 
Rev. J. H. Bayliss, D. D., 
preaching in the morning and 
Rev. R. M. Hatfield, D. D., 
in the afternoon. The first 
pastor, Rev. Dr. \V. W. Wash- 
burn, was appointed in Sep- 
tember, 1883. 



Asbury Mission Chapel. 

This enterprise is the 
outgrowth of a Sabbath 
school established in an 
unoccupied building by the 
M. E. Church and Sunday 
School Union. The chapel 
is located on the north 
side of Garfield Avenue 
just east of Chene Street. 
It is thirty-two by forty- 
eight feet in size, and with 
the lot, cost about $1 ,700. 
It was dedicated October 
7, 1883. 

First German 
Church. 

This society 
was organized 
and incorporated 
in May, 1847, 
and held their / 

first meetings in 
an old yellow 
building on 
Brush .Street, 
near Earned. On .,., 

July 5, 1848, the 
corner-stone of 
their brick 
church, on the 
northeast corner 
of Croghan and 
Beaubien Streets 
was laid ; and in 
May, 1 85 1, the 
church was dedi- 




FiRST German M. E. Church. 




AsBURy M. E. Mission Chapel. 




Cass Avenue M. E. Chatel. 



Gated. It seats 300. The lot 
cost $300 and the building 
$3,000. In 1873 $2,600 was 
expended in repairs, and the 
front of the building was much 
improved. The parsonage, 
built in 1857, is in the rear 
of the church, and cost about 
$800. The salary of the pas- 
tor is $600 ; and the total 
annual expenses are $1,000. 
Value of property in 1880, 
$10,000. Amount of debt, 

$75°- 

The average attendance 
in 1880 was no. The 
number of members in 
I S 50 was 48; in i860, 78; 
in 1870, 92 ; in 1880, 133. 
The pastors have been : 
1846, Charles Helwig ; 

1547, John M. Hartman; 

1 548, Charles Hehvig and 
C.Grimm; 1849, Charles 
HeKvig; 1850-1851, John 
A. Kleine; 1852-1853, Ja- 
cob Rothvveiler ; 1854- 

1855, Peter F. Schneider; 

1856, Emil Baur; 1857- 
1858, N.Nufer; 1859-1860, 
John Schweinfert ; 1861- 
1862, George Nachtrieb; 
1 863- 1 866, George Reu- 

ter; 1866, 
Charles Melit- 
zer; 1 867-1 870, 
Geo. Schwinn ; 
1 870-1 872, An- 
ton Warns; 
1872- 1875, H. 
Pullman; 1875- 
'^ 1878, Charles G. 

Hertzer; 1S78- 
1880, A. ■ Loe- 
benstein ; 1880- 
1883, Charles 
Treuschel;i883- 
, G. Weiler. 

Second German 
Church. 

This society 
was organized 
in 1857, and on 
September 5, 
1858. dedicated 
the brick church 



576 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



on east side of Sixteenth Street, then called Lasalle 
Avenue, between Michigan Avenue and Dalzelle 
Street. A large portion of the purchase price of the 
lot, $ioo, was donated by J. W. Johnston. The 
church cost $ I 500. It seats 200, and the average 
attendance in 1880 was about 100. The number of 
members in i860 was 25; in 1S70, 74, in 1880,88. 
The salary of the pastor was §600, and the other 
church e.xpenses in 1880 footed up about $100. All 
the pews are free. The parsonage was built in 1859 
and cost $300. 

The following persons have served as pastors ; 
1856, Gustavus Laas; 1857-1859, Gustavus Ber- 
trams; 1859-1861, William A. Boerns; 1861, Jacob 




Second German M. E. Church. 

Braun; 1862-1865, C. G. Hertzer; 1865. Henry 
Maentz; iSr>6- 1868, John S.Schneider; 1868- 1 870, 
William Borcherding; 1870, A. Meyer; 1 87 1- [874, 
Jacob Braun; 1 874-1 S76, Henry Krill; 1876-18S0, 
George A. Renter; 1880-1882, William Miller; 
1S82- ■ , E. Wunderlich. 



Thirty-second Street German Church. 

This society was organized, and the church on 
Thirty-second Street, near Michigan Avenue, dedi- 
cated on February 26, 1882. The lot cost $500, the 
building cost $1,100 and seats 200. Rev. R. Pludde- 
man, the first pastor, is still serving, in 1884. 

Lafayette Street African Church. 

It may be mentioned to the credit of the colored 
race th;it one of the first Protestant missionaries to 
the Indians in this region was John Stewart, a free 
man of color and a Methodist, bom in Powhattan 
County, Virginia. In November, 1816, he arrived 
at the Wyandotte Village, near Detroit, as a volun- 



teer Christian teacher. His mission proved a suc- 
ceis, as he was both well received and well adapted 
for the work. In 1819 his mission was taken in 
charge by the Ohio Conference, and the same year 
the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church was 
organized and his mission continued. 

A colored .Methodist society was organized in 
Detroit in 1839, but was not originally connected 
with the African M. E. Church. Their tirst meet- 
ings were held in an old building located on north 
side of Congress Street near Woodward Avenue, 
known as Military Hall or Council House. It was 
granted by the Common Council to the colored 
Methodist Church on July 9, 1839, and removed 
within a few weeks to Croghan Street near 
the northwest corner of Hastings Street, on 
what was known as Father Armstrong's lot. 
While the society was there located, John 
M. Brown, now a bishop, was an exhorter 
in the church. The society remained on 
Croghan Street for a year or two, and on 
May 10, 1841, was organized under the 
direct control of the African M. E. Church. 
The building was then moved to Fort Street 
East, a little west of Beaubien Street, neatly 
fitted up,, and formally dedicated on June 14, 
1842; it was used by the society until the 
brick church on the south side of Lafayette 
Street, immediately in the rear, was com- 
pleted. The lot on Lafayette Street was 
bought June 5, 1845, for $300. The church, 
forty by fifty feet, was dedicated September 
19, 1847, and cost $2,000. 

On July 30, 1849, the society was incor- 
porated. On December 2, 1866, after being ex- 
tensively repaired, the church was re-dedicated. 
The repairs cost about $4,000, increasing the size 
of the building to forty by sixty-eight feet, and 100 
seats were gained. The church now seats 500. 




Thirty-Second Street German M. E. Church. 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



577 



In 1880 the average attendance was 300, the pas- 
tor's salary was S900, and the total church expenses 
about Si joo per year. The value of the property 
was $12,000. The number of members in 1840 was 
40; in 1850, loo; in i860, 135; in 1870,200; in 
18S0, 308. 

The names of the pastors are as follows : 1 842- 
1844, Mr. Hargraves; 1844- 1846, J. Thomas; 
1846-1847. Edward Davis; 1847-1848, Edward 




L\f -,■. KTTF_ Street African M. E. Chl'kck. 

Heart; 1848 to August, 1850, Peter Gardner; 
August, 1850. to March, 1851, J. Bowman; Au- 
gust, 1851, to August, 1S52, E. Heart; 1852- 
1854, Isaac Williams; 1854-1856, John A. Warren; 
1856-1S58, A. H. Turpin; 1858-1860, A. R. Green; 
i860- 1862, John A. Warren; 1862-1864, R- A. 
Johnson; 1864-1865, H. J. Young; May, 1865,10 
August, 1867 A. Mcintosh; 1S67-1869, W. S. 
Lankford; 1869-1872, G. C. Booth; 1872-1874, A. 
T.Hall; January, 1874, to August, 1875, William 
C. Trevan; 1875 to March. 1877, W. S. Lankford; 
March, 1877,10 August, G. C. Booth; August, 1877, 
to August, 1879, J. Mitchem; August, 1879, to 
August, 1882, D. P. Roberts; August. 1882, to 1S84. 
A. A. Burleigh; 1884- . J. Bass. 

Ebenezer African Church. 

This society, located on the north side of Calhoun 
Street, between Beaubien and St. Antoine Streets, 
was organized, with thirteen members, by Rev. (}. 
C Booth, in Cook's Hall, corner of Prospect and 
Watson Streets, on November 2, 1871. The Sunday 
school began the following Sunday with twenty- 
three members. In August, 1872, the society 



first occupied its own building on Calhoun Street. 
In 1874 tlie old Second Congregational Chapel was 
purchased, and moved beside the former meeting- 
house of the society ; it was dedicated in its new 
location on September 5, 1874, with a sermon by 
Bishop W. A. Wayman. The .old building was 
then transfo'rmed into a parsonage. The present 
church seats 500. 

The average attendance in 18S0 was 125. The 
pastor's salary was S400. ^"J total annual expenses, 
S800. The value of the property was $3. 500. and 
the number of members 83. 

They had no pastor until 1873; since then the 
pastors have been: 1873, C. H. Ward; 1874, L. D. 
Crosby; 1875, H.H.Wilson; 1876-1878, R. Jef- 
fries; 1878-18S1. J. Simpson; 1881 to 1884. L. D. 
Crosby; 1884- .T.Price. 

Zion African Church. 

A society with seven members, called the First 
Independent M. E. Church, was organized in April, 
;87o, by Rev. Henry Henderson, and a wooden 
church, on the south side of Calhoun Street, between 
Hastings and Prospect Streets, was dedicated 
October 15, 1 871. Mr. Henderson remained until 
the fall of 1 87 1, and was succeeded by Bishop A. 
R. Green, who remained five months. Rev. John 
Green was then pastor for two years. In 1874, 
and until about the close of 1875, Rev. James 
Simpson was pastor. The church then became 
disorganized, and many of the members joined 
other congregations. 

The present Zion Church was organized in 1875, 
with five members. In iSSo it had nineteen mem- 




Ebbnbzer Afric.v< M. E. Church. 

bers. The church was cared for by various elders 
until October, 1S79, when Rev. A. .A. Wilson, of 
Pontiac, began to ser\'e as pastor. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. C. W. Gordon, who preached his 
first sermon October i6, 1881. In the winter of 



578 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



1880 the building was torn down, and the society 
then procured, for $75, a leased lot and building on 
the north side of Ohio Street, between St. Antoine 
and Hastings Streets. The building accommodates 
eighty persons, and in 1880 there was an average 
attendance of 50. 

French C/iiirch. (Extinct) 
This society was an outgrowth of the labors of 
Rev. Thomas Carter. The first services were lield 
in the old Congress Street M. E. Church. Success 
attending these endeavors, a lot costing $300 was 
purchased on the east side of Rivard Street, between 
Croghan and Lafayette Streets, and a substantial 
brick building, costing S4.000, erected. It was dedi- 
cated on November 20. 1S53. In this year fifteen 
members were reported. 

In 1S56 Mr. Carter was called to another field, 
and the church, for the next three years, formed 
part of the City Mission, and was supplied, for one 
year each, by Revs. M. Hickey, J. Levington, and J. 
A. Baughman. Most of the members then joined 
other churches, and in the summer of 1861 the 
church building was sold to a congregation of Jews 
for 13,500, and was set apart by them on August 
30, 1861. It was subsequently sold to be used for 
business purposes. 

The money received by the Methodist society 
from the sale of the property was invested in a lot 
on Jefferson Avenue, a church was erected thereon, 
and the name of the French M. E. Church changed 
to Jefferson Avenue M. E. Church on May 31, 1875. 



Pine Street Protestant Methodist Church. 
( Extinct. I 

A society of Protestant Methodists was organized 
on February 10, 1867, by Rev. W. H. Bakewell, 
and a wooden church erected on the north side of 
Pine Street, between Si.xth and Seventh Streets. 
Although not completed, it was dedicated on No- 
vember 29, 1 868. The society then had thirty 
members. Rev. W. M. Goodner, who served in 
1S69, was the last pastor. The building was sub- 
sequently turned into a machine shop and eventu- 
ally burned. 



Bethel Evangelical Association Church. 

This society, although not connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, is nearly the same in 
its doctrines and usages as the German M. E. 
Churches. The society in Detroit was organized 
.August 20, 1856, with twenty-six members, and in- 
corporated July 3, 1879. The wooden church on 
the southeast corner of Hastings and Montcalm 



Streets was dedicated July 25, 1858. The three 
lots on Hastings Street cost $800; the church cost 
$1,700, and seated 300. The parsonage was built in 
1859, and cost S300. On June 26, 1883, the prop- 
erty was sold for §3,180, and a lot on the northwest 
corner of Catharine and Dubois Streets purchased 
for $1,200. In the fall of 1883 a church costing 
$5,700 was erected thereon; it was dedicated No- 
vember 4, 1883. It seats 300. The average attend- 
ance on Sunday morning in iSSo was 60. The 
salary of the pastor was $500, and the other cliurch 
expenses $125 per year. The number of members 
in i85o was 34; in 1870, 25; and in 1880, 70. 




Brthel Chl'rch of E\ angelical .Assoclvtion. 
Original Building. 



The following persons have served as pastors : 
1857-1859, J. P. Schantz; J859-1861, C. Tranier; 
1861-1863, J. Meek; 1863-1866, J. M.Haug; 1866- 
1868, J. C. Ude; 1868-1870, M. Speek; 1870-1872, 
J. M. Fuchs; 1872-1875, C. Deike; 1875-1878, J. 
F.Mueller; 1878, J. Frankhauser; 1879 to April, 
1880, C. G. Koch; April, iSSo, to 1883, Frederick 
Klump; .April, 1883, to , W. T. Zander. 




Nl-:\V liETHEL Church ok K\A\GELrCAL A.S,SOCIAT10i\. 



EVENTS OF INTEREST TO THE DENOMINATION. 



579 



EVENTS OF INTEKF.ST TO THE DENOMINATION. 

1837. — SeptembcT 6. first session of Michigan 
Conference held in tlie church on corner of Wood- 
ward .Avenue and Slate Street, Bishop R. R. 
Roberts presiding. 

1839. — July 17, Centenary celebration of found- 
ing of Methodism in England. Convention in De- 
troit. 

1839. — Sunday, September i. Rev. Bishop Soule 
preached in the church corner of Congress Street 
and Woodward Avenue. 

1845. — September 10, Session of Michigan Con- 
ference held in Congress Street M. E. Church, 
Bishop E. S. Janes presiding. 

1847. — March 7, Sunday farewell missionary 
meeting on the occasion of the departure of Rev. 
Judson D. Collins, of Michigan, to China, at the 
Congress Street M. E. Church. He was the first 
Methodist missionary sent to that country. 

1 85 1. — June 8, Wednesday, Procession of seven 
hundred Sunday school scholars. Dinner served in 
basement of the church corner of Woodward Ave- 
nue and State Street. 

1853. — September 14, Michigan Conference ses- 
sion held in State Street M. E. Church, Bishop B. 
Waugh presiding. 

1854. — November 23, Detroit Methodist Sunday 
School Union organized, composed of ministers, 
officers, and teachers of all the Methodist Sunday 
schools, with the design of improving the methods 
of instruction and increasing the membership 
of the schools. Quarterly meetings were held 
on the Sabbath at different churches at which all 
the children were gathered. Addresses and singing 
constituted the exercises, which were always enjoy- 
able. It was under the direction of this Union that 
the Sunday schools were established which resulted 
in the forming of the Fort Street and Simpson M. 
E. Churches. 

1855.— August 2, General Sunday .School cele- 
bration of the M. E. Churches of the city. Excur- 
sion to Wyandotte on May Queen, and picnic there. 
1,400 participants. 

1856.— May 25, Sunday, Dr. F. J. Jobson of the 
British Conference in Detroit. He stopped at the 
Biddle House. In his book on " America and 
American Methodism," he says, "We passed the 
Sabbath in Detroit, and as our Sabbaths in .•\merica 
had been wholly spent among the Methodists, we 
resolved, after a visit to the Methodist Church, to 
attend on that day the ser\nces of other denomina- 
tions." 

i860. — October 21 and 22, Anniversary exercises 
of the General M. E. Sunday School L'nion. .Sermons 
and addresses were delivered by Rev. Dr. (after- 



wards Bishop) D. W. Clark, Rev. Dr. Wise, editor 
of the Sunday School Advocate, Rev. J. H. Vincent, 
D. D., and Rev. T. M. Eddy. D. D. 

1861. — September 25, Detroit Conference session 
in Woodward Avenue M. E. Church, presided over 
by Bishop E. R. Ames. 

1863.— January 19, General Methodist Missionary 
Meeting at Young Men's Hall. Addresses by Rev. 
R. .M. Hatfield. Rev. M. A. Dougherty. Rev. T. C. 
Gardner. Rev. B. F. Cocker, and- others. 

1 866.— October 25, Centenary Jubilee of founding 
of American Methodism. Services in chapel of 
Central M. E. Church, sermon by Rev. E. O. Haven, 
Union Love Feast, addresses, etc. 

1868.— January 31, The Sunday School and Mis- 
sionary Union of the M. E. Church of Detroit was 
organized; it made itself chiefiy useful in stimu- 
lating the building of the Simpson .M. E. Church. 

1869. — September I, Detroit Conference met at 
Detroit in Central Church, Bishop Levi Scott pre- 
siding. 

1872. — November 25 and 26, Anniversary exer- 
cises of General M. E. Tract Society held at Detroit. 

1874. — August 30, Bishop J. T. Peck, while in 
attendance at the German Conference, preached 
Sunday morning at Central M. E. Church. 

1876. — April 14, Quarterly and ninth annual 
meetings of Northwestern Branch of Women's For- 
eign Missionary Society in Central M. E. Church. 

1876. — August 30, Detroit Conference session at 
Tabernacle Church, Bishop E. R. Ames presiding. 

1878.— July 15, The M. E. Church and Sunday 
School Alliance was formed to further the interests 
of the Methodist Church in Detroit. Soon after it 
was organized, the project of uniting all the churches 
in an effort to pay off the united debts of the Eng- 
lish-speaking Methodist churches was proposed, 
and, after various meetings, ratified by the official 
boards of the several churches. As a result, there 
was raised the sum of S35.500, and on Novem- 
ber 25, 1880, at a jubilee thank.sgiving service, held 
in the Central M. E. Church, the total of the debts 
of the several churches was reported, not only as 
subscribed but actually paid in, so that the can- 
celled mortgages and obligations were presented to 
the officiary of the several churches. 

1882. — May 10, The semi-annual meeting of the 
Bishops of the .M. E. Church began. There were 
present Bishops Simpson, Foster, Peck, Wiley, 
Hurst, Merrill. Warren, and Andrews. On Sunday, 
May 14. they occupied the .several Methodist pulpits, 
and the annual missionary collections were taken 
up. 

1882. — September 19, Closing session of Detroit 
Conference at Central M. E. Church. 



58o 



EVENTS OF INTEREST TO THE DENOMINATION. 



Presiding Elcli-rs of the Distriii, iiuiiiding 
Detroit. 

New York Confer- \ 1S04, Samuel Coate. 

ence. ( 1809, Joseph Sawyer. 

„ ,. , r 1S10-181 3, Henry Ryan. 

Genesee Confer- \ „ ,,.-,,• ^ 

■; I S K, \v illiam Case, 
ence i 

( 1 816-1820, Henry Ryan. 

1820, James B. Finley. 

1 82 1, John Strange. 
1S22, James B. Finley. 
1823, John Strange. 

Ohio Conference. -I 1824, James B. Finley. 
1825, William Simmons. 
1826-1829, Z. H. Coston. 
1 829- 1 832, Curtis Goddard. 
1 832-1 836, James Gilruth. 



Michigan Confer- 
ence. 



Detroit Confer- 
ence. 



ri836- 
1838- 

I 1842- 
1844- 
1848- 
1852- 
1854- 
1856- 
1858- 
1S60- 
1864- 
1868- 
1872- 
1876- 
1880- 
iS8v 



S37, William Herr. 

842, George Smith. 

843, E. H. Pilcher. 
848, Elijah Crane. 

852, James Shaw. 

853, J. A. Baughman. 

856, W H. Collins. 

857, W. H. Collins. 
859, J. F. Davidson. 
864, M. Hickey. 
868, S. Clements, Jr. 
872, F. A. Blades. 
876, E. H. Pilcher. 
880, J. M. Fuller. 

883, W. W. Washburn. 
, J. McEldowney. 



CHAPTER LIX. 

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.— BISHOPS, DIOCESES, AND CONVEN- 
TIONS.— ANGLO-CATHOLIC AND REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 

5/. Pau/'s Clturcli. 

The first organization of a Protestant Episcopal 
Church in Detroit dates from November 22, 1824, at 
which time a few persons met in the Council House 
on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph 
Street, and, aided by the Rev. Richard F. Cadle, who 
had arrived July 12 organized St. Paul's Protestant 
Episcopal Church, the first of the denomination in 
Michigan. In February, 1S25, under a genera! law, 
the church was incorporated. 

The city government seems to have specially 
favored Episcopalian ministers, for when it came 
into possession of several dwellings on the Military 
Reserve granted by Congress, the Council, on Nov- 
ember 18, 1826, reduced the rent of Rev. Mr. 
Wells, the Presbyterian minister, from seven to five 
dollars per month, while the Rev. Mr. Cadle's rent 
was reduced from four dollars to one dollar per 
month. 

The church ser\ices were held in the Council 
House and Fort for some four years, and then, imder 
Mr. Cadle s ministrations, it was determined to erect 
a church. The First Protestant Society, at this time, 
had become a regularly organized Presbyterian 
Church, but retained possession of the entire prop- 
erty of the old society. The members of .St. Paul's 
Church claimed a portion of the land, on the ground 
that they were a part of the original owners ; and 
on August 7, 1827, a lot sixty by one hundred was 
deeded to the rector, wardens, and vestrj-men of St. 
Paul's, on condition that they would move the 
wooden church, then owned by the Presbyterians, 
from the middle of the lot to the corner of Lamed 
Street. This was done at a cost of $150, and on 
Au.gust 10, 1827. the corner-stone of St. Paul's 
Church, on Woodward Avenue, was laid. The 
church was completed and pews sold on July 26, 
1828, and on August 24 it was consecrated. It was 
a very plain brick building, forty by si.xty feet, cost- 
ing, with its furnishings, §4,500. Rev. Eleazer 
Williams, the reputed Dauphin of France, read the 
consecration service. The sermon was by Bishop 
John H. Hobart, of New York. 

In June, 1829, Mr. Cadle left on account of failing 



health, and on March 30, 1830. Rev. Richard Bury 
was installed as his successor. In August, 1 831, an 
organ was procured. Mr. Bury was compelled to 
resign the rectorship on account of illness in March, 
1833, and was succeeded in April by Rev. Addison 
Searle. In 1834 the church had sixty-eight com- 
municants and a Sunday school of one hundred and 
eighty members, with an average attendance of 120. 
This year an addition forty-seven feet in length was 
made to the rear of the building: galleries were also 
put in, and a tower one hundred and fifteen feet 
high added. The total cost of these improvements 
was §3,000. (See picture given in a general view 
in connection with history of First Presbyterian 
Church.) 

Mr. Searle served as rector until January, 1835. 
Rev. Hugh Smith, of New York, then came and 
preached, but declined a call. On June 29. 1836, 
Rev. S. A. McCoskry was made rector. He arrived 
at Detroit in August. 

Mrs. Jameson, who was in Detroit in July, 1837, 
thus speaks of the church and its services at the 
time of her visit : 

On entering. I perceived at one glance that the Episcopal 
Church is here, as at New York, the fashionable church of the 
place. It was crowded in everj- part ; the women well dressed, 
but, as at New York, too much dressed, too fine for good taste 
and real fashion. I was handed immediately to the " strangers' 
pew." a book put in my hand, and it was whispered to me that 
the bishop would preach. Our English idea of the exterior of a 
bishop is an old gentleman in a wig and lawn sleeves, both 
equally de rigueiir. I was therefore childishly surprised to find 
in the Bishop of Michigan a young man of very elegant appear- 
ance, wearing his own fine hair, and in a plain black silk gown. 
The sermon was on the well worn subject of charity as it consists 
in giving,— the least and lowest it may be, of all the branches of 
charity, though indeed that depends on what we give, and how 
we give it. 

We may give our heart, our soul, our time, our health, our life, 
as well as our money ; and the greatest of these, as well as the 
least, is still but charity, hi home I have often thought that 
when people gave money, they gave counters ; here when people 
give money they are really charitable ; they give a portion of their 
time and their existence, both of which are devoted to money- 
making. 

On closing his sermon, which was short and unexceptionable, 
the bishop leaned forward over the pulpit, and commenced an 
extemporaneous address to his congregation. * * * I have 
never heard anything more eloquent and more elegant than this 
address. It was in perfect good taste besides being very much 
to the purpose. He spoke in behalf of the domestic missions of 



ls8i] 



58^ 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



his diocese. I understood that the missions hitherto supported 
in the back settlements are, in consequence of the e.vtreme 
pressure of the times, lilcely to be withdrawn, and the new, thinly 
peopled districts thus left without any ministry whatever. He 
called on the people to give their aid towards sustaining these 
domestic missionaries, at least for a time, and said, among other 
things, that if each indi- 
vidual of the Episcopal 
Church in the United 
States subscribed one 
cent per week for one 
year, it would amount 
to more than $300,000. 

This address was re- 
sponded to by a subscrip- 
tion on the spot, of above 
$400, — a large sum for a 
small town, suffering, 
like all other places, from 
the present commercial 
difficulties. 

In October, 1842, 
the services at St. 
Paul's were so 
largely attended 
that the bishop com- 
menced holding e.\- 
tra services in the 
City Hall, and in 
November, 1 842. the 
following appeared 
in a daily paper : 

Owing to the want ot 
room in St. Paul's 
Church, Detroit, the 
Bishop of the Diocese 
has organized a chapel 
in connection with said 
church, and has pro- 
cured the use of Mechan- 
ics' Hall, where Protest- 
ant Episcopal services 
will be held morning and 
afternoon each Sabbath, 
at the usual hours. 

The attendance 
did not warrant 
their continuance, 
and they were 
given up ; but the 
growth of the 
church and the pro- 
gress of the times 
made it necessary 
to erect a larger 
building, and ac- 
cordingly a new site was selected on the northeast 
corner of Congress and Shelby Streets. In March, 
1851, and 1852, the property on Woodward Avenue 
was sold to several parties for a total of S;i2.''>42. and 
in April, 1852, the old church was demolished. The 




St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Chuhch. 



last service was held on Easter Monday. Services 
were then held in Firemen's Hall until the church 
was completed. 

The new building and its furnishings cost $43,000, 
it was dedicated December 19, 1852. Its size is 

seventy by one hun- 
dred and thirty- 
three feet. It has 
one hundred and 
sixty-si.K pews and 
seats eight hundred 
and fifty persons. 
The lots cost $4,400. 
The rectory near 
the church, built in 
1852. cost $3,000, 
and the lot $4,500. 
Rev. Dr. Mc- 
Coskry resigned the 
rectorship in 1863, 
and was succeeded 
on October i by 
Rev. Milton C. 
Light ner. He was 
followed in October, 
1867. by Rev. Dr. 
T. C. Pitkin, who 
ser\'ed the parish 
until April. 1877, 
and during his pas- 
torate, on Novem- 
ber 22, 1874, the 
semi-centennial of 
the organization of 
the church was ap- 
propriately observ- 
ed. Rev. Rufus W. 
Clark became rector 
September 12, 1877. 
The rector's sal- 
ary, in 1880, was 
$2,500 and the use 
of the rectory. The 
cost of the choir 
was Si,6oo, the sex- 
ton's .salary, $475, 
and the total an- 
nual e .\ p e n s e s, 
S7.000. The re- 
ceipts from pew 
rents were $5,000. 
Value of the prop- 
erty $100,000. The average attendance at Sun- 
day morning service in 1880 was 500. Number of 
members in 1830, 40; in 1840, 291 ; in 1850, 250; 
in i860, 265; in 1870. 296; in 1880, 448. In 1883 
the three missions of All Saints, St. Barnabas, and 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



5S3 



St. Thomas, were under the care of St. Paul's 

Church. The former rectory, now known as St. 

Paul's buildincf, is occupied by a classical school 
taught by Rev. Paul Ziesler. 




Christ Pkotestan 



t-tlv'lt.l.N.AL IjiriLDING. 



Christ Cliiircli. 

This, the second parish of the denomina- 
tion in Detroit, was organized on May 26. 
1845. The articles of association were signed 
by sixty-seven persons. As the State law 
under which it would have been necessary to 
incorporate was then unsatisfactory, the so- 
ciety was not incorporated until March 27, 
1857. 

In 1845 a lot on the south side of Jefferson 
Avenue, between Hastings and Rivard Streets, 
was procured, and a frame church, forty-two 
by seventy-two feet, erected at a cost of 
$1,500. It seated 300, and was consecrated 
May 31, 1846. The first rector was Rev. W. 
N. Lyster. He served until April, 1849, and 
was succeeded in July by Rev. Charles Aldis, 
who remained until June, 1851. During that 
summer the church was enlarged by an addi- 
tion of thirty feet on the rear, at a cost of 
about $3,000. The seating capacity was thus 
increased to 500. 

In November, 1856, Rev. T. R. Chipman 
became rector, and remained until November, 
1859. In February, i860. Rev. B. H. Paddock 
took charge of the parish, and on October 
19 following, the corner-stone of the stone 
chapel on the rear of the lot was laid. The 
chapel was fully completed and consecrated 
on June 9, 1861. It seats 300 persons and 
cost $5,706. The old church was then torn 
down and the erection of ,-i new edifice begun. 



On April 9, 1863, it was consecrated. The cost of 
tile building and its furnishings was $28,150. It is 
built in the form of a Latin cross. The total length 
inside is one hundred and twelve feet, the width 
across the nave forty-four feet, and across the tran- 
sept seventy-seven feet ; height from floor to ridge 
of roof, fifty-five feet. It seats 900 persons. 

In October, 1864, a chime of nine bells was 
placed in the tower, at an expen.se of $5,409. The 
several bells were contributed by the following 
parties: Bell No. i, by the Ladies' Society; No. 2, 
by Mrs. C. C. Trowbridge ; No. 3, by the Sanger 
family ; No. 4, by the children of the Sunday school ; 
No. 5, by the young men of the parish as a testi- 
monial to the senior warden, Mr. C. C. Trowbridge ; 
No. 6, by J. N. Ford ; No. 7, by J. E. Pittnian ; No. 
8, by Edward and Martha Lyon ; No. 9 by Mary S. 
Mandelbaum. 

In 1864 the rectory on Woodbridge Street, in 
rear of the church, was purchased for $2,500, and 
in 1866 it was enlarged at a cost of $3,000. 




CuKisT Protestant Ei'iscopal Chl-rch. 



5^4 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



In April, 1S69, Rev. Mr. Paddock resigned his 
rectorship. He was succeeded in January-. 1S70, 
by Rev. J. W. Brown, who remained until February; 
1S76. In August, 1876, Rev. William J. Harris 
became rector, and in December, iSSi, he was 
succeeded by Rev. Chauncey B. Brewster. 

In 1S77 the tower of the church was completed, 
at a cost of $4,000. 

A short time before his death the senior warden, 
Mr. C. C. Trowbridge, presented the church with 
an elegant memorial window, bearing a repre- 
sentation of the Good Shepherd, with this inscrip- 
' tion, " I am the Good Shepherd. In memory of 
Rev. William N. Lyster, first rector of this parish, 
and of Ellen E., his wife." 

The rector's salary in iSSo was §3,000. The 
annual expenses for the choir are $1,000. The 
sexton is paid $300. The total yearly e.\penses in 
1880 were about $5,000, and the receipts from pews 
$4,500. The average attendance at the morning 
ser\-ice was from 250 to 300. Number of com- 
municants in 1S50, 94; in i860, 149; in 1S70, 
399; in iSSo, 500. Value of property in iSSo, 
Si 20,000. Amount of debt, $2,700. 

Mariners' Church. 

This church owes its e.xistence to the liberality 
of Miss Charlotte Ann Taylor and her sister. Mrs. 
Julia .Ann Anderson. Miss Taylor died February 
I, 1840. bequeathing all her property to her sister, 
but with a verbal and well-understood agreement 
between them that Mrs. Anderson would eventually 
bequeath it, with her own property, to establish a 
mariners' church. Both ladies were, at the time of 
their death, communicants of St. Paul's. 

Mrs. Anderson died October 28, 1S42, aged forty- 
nine years. Her will, dated eight days before her 
death, gave the lot fifty by one hundred feet on 
northVvest corner of Woodward Avenue and Wood- 
bridge Street, as a site for a church, to be called the 
Mariners' Church of Detroit, and directed that it 
be built of stone. For the purpose of building and 
maintaining the church, she gave a lot of land in 
Monroe, and a lot in the rear of the church, on 
Woodbridge Street, extending through to Griswold, 
with a front of forty feet on that street, together 
with $13,100 in cash. 

On March 29, 1S48, by special Act of the Legis- 
lature, C. C. Trowbridge, who had been appointed 
a trustee by the executors, and eight others who 
were to be appointed, were constituted a corpora- 
tion under the title of Trustees of the Mariners' 
Church of Detroit. The Act provided that the 
pews in the church to be erected should be forever 
free. 

The erection of the church was begun in the 
spring of 1S49. <^^" October 24, Rev. Horace Hill 



was chosen rector, and on December 23, 1S49, the 
church was consecrated. It is fifty by one hundred 
feet in size, and seats about 500 persons. The 
entire cost was $15,000. The lower stor\- has 
always been used for business purposes; it was first 
occupied by the post-oflice, and has since been 
rented to various business firms. (See picture given 
in connection w ith chapter on Merchants and Trad- 
ing-) 

Mr. Hill resigned in December, 1856, and was 
succeeded by Rev. Rufus Murray. He remained 
until March 27, i860, and on April 28 of this year. 
Rev. A. L. Brewer became rector. He resigned in 
December, 1864, and the parish was cared for by 
the bishop until November, 1S65, when Rev. A. AL 
Lewis began his term. In May, 1S72, he resigned, 
and on October 1, Rev. E. W. Flow'er was appointed. 
He resigned October i, 1S76, and was succeeded on 
February 14, 1877, by Rev. William Charles. 

The revenue of the church from rents amounts 
to about $2,500 per year, and is used in its main- 
tenance. The rector's salary is $1,400; the annual 
expenses of the choir and sexton are $200 each ; 
and the total expenditures, about $2,000. The 
average attendance at the church in 1880 was 130. 
Number of members in 1850, 63; in i860, 134; in 
1S70, 136; in iSSo, 52. Value of the property in 
iSSo, $100,000. 

St. Peter's Church. 

This society held its first ser\ices in a private 
house on the corner of Baker Street and Trumbull 
Avenue. On February 12, 1858, it was incorpor- 











■^,-^^ -'■ 



'■^Ogi,. 



St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church. 

ated. A small house on Leverette Street, near 
Trumbull Avenue, was then fitted up. but as it could 
not be used in cold weather, the services were con- 
ducted in a store on the northwest comer of Baker 
Street and Trumbull Avenue, subsequently at Mor- 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



5^5 



ris's Hall, and then in an old engine house on Third 
Street. In 1859 Governor Woodbridge gave the 
society a lot on the comer of Church Street and 
Trumbull Avenue. 

The society purch.•^sed the adjoining lot, and a 
plain wooden church, costing $1,200 and .seating 
250, was erected, and first used in December, i860. 
On .Vjiril 25, 1861, it was partially destroyed by 
fire. It was repaired, and again in use early 
in the fall. In 1866 the church was moved 
back thirty feet, and an addition thirty by seventy- 
live feet and a tower ninety feet high erected. 
These improve- 
ments cost 
$4,500. The 
church, seating 
360, was re- 
opened after 
these additions 
on April 22, 
1 866. 

On April 29, 
1S83, a memo- 
rial w i n d o w , 
erected by a 
Masonic So- 
ciety as a 
memorial to 
Thomas May- 
bur)', one of 
the former 
wardens, was 
form.illy pre- 
sented to the 
church. 

The pastor's 
salary in 1880 
was $800, the 
total church ex- 
penses $1,700, 
and the receipts 
from the pews 
$400. \' a 1 u e 
of property, 
$10,000. Num- 
ber of members in i860, 40; in 1870, 71 ; in 
1880. 1 80. 

The rectors have been : March to November, 
1859, Rev. C. Reighley; December, i860, to June, 
1861, Rev. E. Denroche; winter of 1861 and 1862, 
Rev. Osgood E. Fuller; July, 1862, to May, 1865, 
Rev. H. J. Brown; June, 1865, to November, 1866, 
Rev. A. P. Crouch; January, 1S67, to August, i86g. 



Rev. Paul Ziegler; December 2, 1S83, to 
Dr. J. H. Hartzell. 



Rev. 




St. John's Protestant Ei'Iscopal Ciu-rch, Chapel, and Rectorv. 



S/. John's Church. 

This society was organized and incorporated on 
December 13, 1S58. Its existence is largely due 
to the liberality of II. P. Paldwin, who gave the 
society a lot valued at $10,000, fronting one hundred 
.'uid twenty-five fjet on Woodward Avenue by one 
hundred and seventy-five feet on High Street, 
and built a rectory at a further cost of $7,000. The 
comer-stone of the stone chapel was laid April 19, 

1859, and on 
June 29 follow- 
ing it was re- 
solved to inyite 
Rev William 
K. Armitage to 
become rector 
of the parish. 
He came in Oc- 
tober, and on 
November 19, 
just seven 
months from 
the laying of 
the corner- 
stone, the 
chapel was 
consecrated 
It cost S10.576. 
Two days after- 
ward the pews 
were rented, 
and it at once 
became evi- 
dent that the 
chapel was 
too small for 
the congrega- 
tions that gath- 
ered. Within 
two weeks af- 
ter the chapel 
was opened, 
i\Ir. P)aldwin offered to give $17,000 additional, on 
condition that a church to cost not less than $32,000 
be erected. In addition to this amount he subse- 
quently gave $8,000 and then $ro,ooo to the 
enterprise. 

The comer-stone of the church was laid June 6, 
i860, and on December 19, 186 1, it was consecrated. 
Rev. George Burgess, Bishop of Maine, and many 



Rev. G. E. Peters; January, 1870. to April, 1871. clerg\'mcn of note were present. The total cost of 

Rev. J. L. Taylor; July. 1871, to January, 1876. the church and its furnishings was $48,512. It seats 

Rev. W. R. Tillingha.st ; July, 1876. to .'Vpril, 1879, i.ooo. In order to relieve the rector, who needed 

Rev. W. H. Watts; May, 1S79, to fall of 1883, rest, on June 1,1863, Rev. M. Sweetland, of New 



586 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



York, was engaged lo take his place for three 
months, and in November, 1864. on the inflation 
of Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Armitage accompanied him on 
a trip to Palestine and the East. They retiuned in 
July, 1865, their tour haung lasted some eight ■ 
months. 

On Septemtjer 29, 1866, Mr. Armitage aimoimced 
to the vestry his acceptance of the Bishopric of 
Wisconsin, to which he had been elected, and his 
resignation took effect October i, 1866. 

On November 10, Mr. Baldwin donated to the 
church a lot twenty-five feet front on Woodward 
Avenue by one hundred and seventy-five feet deep, 
adjoining the rector)- on the south. 

In March, 1867, Rev. John J. McCook was called 
as rector, but being unable to come till October. 
Rev. Dr. McCuUough temporarily ser\'ed as rector. 
Mr. McCook came in October, but before he had 
ser\'ed a year, the failing health of himself and 
wife compelled his resignation, which took effect 
on April 27, 1868. On June 23 following. Rev. 
George Worthington was called, and on 5>ep- 
tember 6, 1868, he preached his first sermon in 
the parish. 

In December, 1873, Bishop Armitage died. The 
intelligence brought deep sorrow to his friends 
in Detroit; his remains were brought here, and 
buried in Elmwood. The funeral, on December 
II, 1873, was largely attended by clergy from several 
States. 

The parish of St. John's is pre-eminent in mis- 
sionary work. Its members organized and pushed 
into succes-sful operation the church of St. James 
and St. Mar\''s Mission. In order to give informa- 
tion and aid in their church work, a monthly paf>er, 
called .St. John's Chronicle, has been issued since 
November, 1874. 

The average attendance at Sunday morning ser- 
vice in 1880 was 600. The rector's salar\' was 
$2,500, the choir cost $1,000, and the total annual 
expanses were §9,675. The yearly receipts from 
the pews were S5.000. Value of property, §1 10.000. 
Number of members in i860, 140; in 1870,630; 
in 1880, 923. 

The assistant rectors of the parish have been : 
March, 1866, to Easter. 1S67, John K. Dunn; .May, 
1869, to Janu2ary 4, 1871, Jesse T. Webster; 1872- 
1874, John L. Taylor; 1875 to Febniar\-, 1877, 
W. Charles; March. 1876, to Februar>- I, 1880, .S. 
B. Carpenter; Februar>-, 1880. to July. 1882, S. W. 
Frisbie. in charge of St. James' Chapel ; September, 
1880, to Nwember, 1882, W. J. Roberts, in charge 
of St. Mar)-'s Chapel; Januar)-, 1881, to April, 1 882. 
G. Mott Williams; April 9, 1882, to September 25. 
1882, W. J. Roberts; November i, 1882, to 
first assLstant, E. L. Turquand ; second assistant, 
W. Wame Wilson. 



Grace Church. 

This society was organized and incorpfjrated J uly 
12, 1867. The first senice was held on Sunday 
afternoon, September 2, 1867, in the Lafayette Ave- 
nue M. E. Church. Afternoon services were subse- 
quently held in the Congregational Church, and then 
.St. Andrew's Hall was rented, and here the congre- 
gation remained until their church was completed. 
On December 21, 1867, Rev. M. C. Lightner was 
called to the rectorship, and exactly three years 
after, on December 21. 1870. their brick church, on 
the northeast corner of Fort and Second Streets, 
was opened for worship. 

The lot, seventv-five bv one hundred and thirty 




feet, and then worth $13,000, was gi\'en by E. W. 
Hudson. The building is sixty-six by one hundred 
and twenty feet, and with its furnishings, cost 
$75,000. It will seat twelve hundred persons. In 
1879 a mortgage of $16,000 on the property was 
paid by J. W. Waterman, who presented the society 
with the cancelled document. As the church was 
now free from debt, on Januar>' 7, 1880, it was 
consecrated. 

The average attendance at Sundaj- morning ser- 
vices, in 1880, was 300. The rector's salary was 
$3,500, the choir cost $1,500, the sexton was paid 
$350, and the total annual expenses were $6,000. 
The pew rents ai^iounted to $4,500 per year. The 
value of property was $90,000. Number of mem- 
bers in 1870, 409; in 1880, 535. 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



587 




Rev. Mr. Lightner resigned September 13, 1873, Avenue. They were begun in the fall of 1872 
and on September 28, 1874, the Kev. Lewis P. W. and continued until June, 1873. Ser\-ices were 
ISalch was elected as rector. He died on June 4, next held in the chapel of the First Baptist 
1S75. and on June 11 Rev. C. H. W. Stocking 
was chosen his successor. He resigned in 1883, 
preaching his last sermon on August 5. In Janu- 
ary', 1 884, Rev. J. McCarroll accepted a call to ser\e 
as rector. 

S/. Stephen's Church. 

The building of this society is located on the 
north side of Catharine Street, between Dequindre 
Street and St. Aubin Avenue. The society was 
irganized in 186S by Rev. M. C. Lightner. The 
church building was consecrated November 18, 
1873. It seats 300. The lot cost S500. and the 
building Si. 500. In 1870 there were seventy-five 
communicants, and in 1880, 30. The average at- 
tendance at morning service, in 1880, was 30. The 
total yearly expenses were Si 50. The estimated 
value of the property was Si, 500. 

The following rectors have officiated in the order 
in which they are named : Rev. M. C. Lightner, 
Rev. Milton Ward. Rev. E. W. Flowers. Rev. 
William J. Harris, Rev. William Charles. In 1883 



EiiAxi'EL Memorial PRnrESTAN'T Ei-iscopal Chi'Rch. 

Church on Bagg Street. In the fall of 1S73 Rev. 
Moses Hunter took charge of the work, and in F"eb- 
ruar\'. 1874, ser\-ices were held in the building of 
the Peninsular Cricket Club, on Woodward Avenue 
just above Fremont Street. Mr. Hunter retired 
from the work on October 25, 1874. and on Novem- 
ber 30 the church was incorporated. A lot just 
north of the Cricket building, eighty-eight by two 
hundred feet, was then leased, and a church erected 
which cost 84,035. The entire amount was given 
by Mrs. L. R. Medbury. as a memorial of her hus- 
band, Samuel Medbury-. 

On January 27, 1875. Rev. J. T. Webster was 
called as the rector. The first service in the new 
building was held on Februar\- 14. 1875. Although 
present at this ser\Hce. Mr. Webster did not enter 
upon the rectorship until April 4. and in the mean- 
time ser\nces were conducted by Rev. Paul Ziegler 
and Rev. C. A. Qaxy. On June 7, 1875, the church 
was consecrated. Two years later the society pur- 
chased two lots, eighty feet front on the north side 
of .Alexandrine Avenue, between Cass and Wood- 
ward .Avenues, for §4,400. The church building 
was moved thither, and alterations and repairs made 
which cost §2,500. 

On August 26, 1877. the building, seating 600, 
was opened for worship. In 18783 rectory costing 
$2,000 was built on the lot formerly occupied by the 




St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Chi'rch. 



the church was cared for by Rev. 
Christ Church. 



C. B. Brewster, of 



Emanuel Memorial Church. 
This church grew out of ser\-ices instituted by 
Rev. Henry Banwell in his house on Forest 



588 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



church. Mr. Webster resigned on December 31, 
1879. Rev. G. E. Peters then served until the first 
Sunday in Lent, when Rev. AL C. Dotten became 
rector. The number of members in i S80 was 220. 
The average attendance at Sunday morning service 
was 200. The rector's salary was §1,200, in addi- 
tion to the use of rectory. The total annual 
e.xpenses amounted to $5,500, and nearly $1,300 
was received from pew rents. The property was 
valued at Si 5.375; amount of debt, $4,000. 




nLa.....^...,^.-ias..>g6K^J 
All Saints' P. E. Mission. 

All Saints' Chapel. 

This mission was established in 1873. The first 
services were held in a hall on Michigan Avenue 
near the Railroad Junction. In 1874 three lots were 
purchased on the northwest corner of Otis and 
Wesson Streets, in Springwells, at a cost of $900, 
and a building erected which cost $1,000. It has 
1 20 sittings, and the average attendance at Sunday 
morning service, in 1 880, was 60, and there were 41 
communicants. The yearly e.xpenses were S450. 

The rectors in charge have been: 1874- 1877, 
Rev. E. H. Rudd; August 5, 1877, to February i, 
1880, Rev. S. W. Frisbie. After that date Rev. 
William Charles and Rev. H. J. Brown continued 
the ser\-ices for a time, and then they ceased until 
resumed under the direction of Rev. Mr. Clark of 
St. Paul's Church. 

St. Jatiics's Clnirch. 

This church is the outgrowth of a mission estab- 
lished on May 17, 1868, by St. John's parish, in the 
upper story of a building on Grand River Avenue 
near Sixth Street. In 1874 the property on the 
northwest corner of Walnut and Seventh Streets, 



which had been ownt d and used by the Simpson 
M. E. Church, was purcliased for $2,600. The old 
church was torn down, and a new one, costing 
$1 3,000, was erected. It was first opened for public 
worship on February I, 1S76. It was consecrated 
June 8, 1S80. Number of sittings, 406. Average 
attendance at morning service in 1S80, 120. Number 
of communicants, 150. The rector's salar>' was 
$1,000, and the total annual e.xpenses $1,850, The 
receipts from pew-rents were $600. \'alue of prop- 
erty, $18,000. 

The rectors in charge have been: Rev. J. T. 
Webster, Rev. J. L. Taylor, Rev. William Charles, 
Rev. S. B. Carpenter and Rev. S. W. Frisbie. The 
term of the last named began February i, 1880. 

On February i, 1882, the society became a regular 
parish, severing the connection it had previously 
sustained as a mission of .St. John's. 




St. J.\mes p. E. Church- 

lif/ssi'on of the JSIcssiali. 

This mission was established by Christ Church 
in June, 1874, in a three-story brick building. No. 
1 160 Jefferson .Avenue, near Mt. Elliott Avenue. 
It proved so successful that a lot on the southeast 
corner of Mt. Elliott Avenue and Fort Street was 
purchased, at a cost of $800, and a building erected 
costing, with the furnishing, $1,700. It was first 
used on November 9, 1879. It .seats 200. In 1880 
the property was valued at $3,000. The average 
attendance at ser\'ice in 1S80 was 80, and there 
were thirty-five communicants. The yearly expenses 
were $600. 



THE I'ROTESTANT EPISCOl'AL CHURCHES. 



589 



The rectors in charge have been : Rev. C. A. 
Car\-, to .September. 1S75; Rev. W. A. Cochran, 
from September, 1875, to July, 1877; Rev. Lucius 




PKOTKSr.VNT El'ISCOPAL MiSSlON OF THE MeSSIAH. 

Waterman, from July, 1877, to June, 1879; Rev. 
J. J. Morton and Rev. Mr. Alcorn, from June, 1S79, 
to September, 1879; Rev. H. Banwell, from Novem- 
ber, 1879, to February, 1881 ; Rev. W. J. Roberts, 
from Februarj', 1881, to January i, 1882; Rev. G. 
M. Williams, from Januar\- i, 1S82. 

S/. Alary s Mission. 
This mission was established February 7, 1S75, 
in Cook's Hall, on the corner of Prospect and St. 
Antoine Streets. On December 29. 187S, the pres- 




St. MARy's Protestant Episcopal Mission Chapel. 

ent church, on the southeast corner of Benton and 
St. Antoine Streets, was first used. The lot cost 
Si, 000 and the church S'. 440. It seats 200. The 
average attendance at Sunday morning service in 



1880 was TOO and the number of members 20. The 
yearly expenses were $650. The value of the prop- 
erty in 1S80 was $2,500. .A-mount of debt, $300. 

The following clergymen have been in charge 
about a year each, dating from 1875: Rev. Paul 
Ziegler, Rev. William Charles, Rev. S. B. Carpenter, 
Rev. J. W. Pro.sser, Rev. S. W. Frisbie. The term 
of Rev. W. J. Roberts began September i, 1880, 
and ceased in November, 1882. He was succeeded 
January i, 1883, by Rev. E. L. Turquand. 

Mission of the Good Shepherd. 
This mission was inaugurated by the establish- 
ment of a Sunday school in July, 1881, in a building 
on Vinewood Avenue, owned by George Hendrie. 




Good Shf.pherd P. E. Mission. 

Regular church services, under the charge of Rev. 
G. E. Peters, were commenced in the same place 
in April, 1882. A lot for a church, located on the 
east side of Vinewood Avenue, between Michigan 
Avenue and the M. C. R. R. was donated by Mr. 
Hendrie, and a church building begun in 1882. 
and finished at a cost, including furnishing, of about 
$3,500. The value of the entire property is about 
$4,000. The building was first used by the Sunday 
school on December 25, 1883. Church services was 
held in it for the first time on May 11, 1884. 

St. Thomas's Mission. 
This mission Sunday school, located on the north- 
east corner of Twenty-sixth Street and Shady Lane, 
was established by the members of St. Paul's 
Church in December. 18S2. Their new building 
was consecrated August 3, 1884. 

.sy. Bariia/>as's .Mission. 

This mission was inaugurated July 15, 1883. on 
Grand River Avenue near Sixteenth Street. Their 



590 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES 



chapel, on the corner of Grand River Avenue and 
Fourteenth Street, was first used on October 14, 
1883. The lot and building cost nearly $3,000. The 
mission was originally under the care of Rev. S. W. 
Frisbie, and Rev. G. Mott Williams. On January 
I, 1884, it was placed in charge of Rev. Paul Ziegler. 




St. U.^rnabas P. E. Mission. 

Holy Trinity Mission. 

This mission was established by authority of the 
bishop, in the building formerly occupied by the 
Holy Trinity Anglo-Catholic Church on the corner of 
Fourteenth Avenue and Howard Street. The first 
services were held on December 16, 1883. The 
mission began under the care of Rev. G. Mott 
Williams and Rev. C. A. Cary. 



- 


ZT? — ^;^jr. 


■ 1 


!'i.?i"i 


^ 


1 




1.1 1 


1f^ 




4- 







HoLv Trinitv p. E. Mission. 
Formerly the .'Vnglo-Calholic Church. 



Sf. Luke's Memorial Chapel 

is located on the grounds of St. Luke's Hospital, 
just west of the main building. It is of brick, cost 
$7,000, and was consecrated February 27, 1881, the 
anniversary of the birthday of the wife of C. C. 
Trowbridge. It was erected by Mr. Trowbridge 
as a tribute to her memory, and is an elegant and 
substantial testimonial, both of the worth of the 



dead, and of the wisdom that remembers the dead 
by doing good to the living. It is designed to 
accommodate the inmates of the hospital, and 
others in that neighborhood, and will seat 125. 
Services were conducted by the chaplain of the 
hospital. Rev. August Bush, until his death in May, 
1S83. 




St. Lukj-:'s .Memorial Protestant EriscoHAi. Chaiei. 

St. Matthe-iv's Chitrch {Colored). 

The congregation thus designated first met for 
worship, in 1847, in an old building on Fort Street, 
west of Beaubien Street, previously occupied by 
the African M. E. Church. The society remained 
there until their church, on the southeast corner of 
Congress and St. Antoine Streets, was completed. 
This was built in the fall of 1 851, but being en- 
cumbered by debt, it was never consecrated. 

Services were conducted by Rev. W. C. Monroe 
until 1859. Rev. Mr. King then served the church 
for a brief period, and as early as April, 1859, Rev. 
S. V. Berry was in charge. The church had no 
members, as such, because it was not fully organ- 
ized. Many of those who attended held member- 
ship in other parishes. The present Bishop of the 
Island of Hayti. James Holly, attended this church. 
In 1864 the building was sold to the Hebrew con- 
gregation, Shaary Zedec. A portion of the avails 
was invested in a lot on the southwest corner of St. 
Antoine and Elizabeth Streets, on which, in 1883, 



THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



591 



a church was erected, which, with the lot, cost 
SS.ooo. The building was dedicated May 13, 18S3, 




Original St. Matthew's P. E. Chibch. 



with a sermon by Re\'. 
George Worthington. On 
January i. 1882, it was 
placed ill charge of Rev. 
G. Mott Williams. 

St Joseph's Memorial 
Chapti. 

This chapel is located 
on the northeast corner of 
Woodward and .Medbury 
Avenues. It is forty by 
fifty-five feet, is built of 
Ionia stone, and cost about 
19,000. The lot was 
donated and the chapel 
erected by Mrs. L. R. 
Medbury. It was conse- 
crated July 9. 1884. 



sittings, was erected. The society was fully organ- 
ized April 22, and incorporated on May 2, 1874. 
Mr. McGee left in 1S76, and was succeeded by Rev. 
Mr. Rudd, who remained only about si.\ months. 

Rev. G. E. Peters then served for a short time, 
and in 1877 ser\'ices were conducted by a lay reader. 
On February 14, 1879 the society transferred the 
property to Emanuel Reformed Episcopal Church ; 
it was subsequently returned to the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, and on May 25, 1880, was sold to a 
society styled St. John's Evangelical Lutheran 
Church. 

BISHOPS, DIOCESES, AND CONVENTIONS. 

When the diocese of Michigan was created, a 
canon of the church provided that any diocese with 
si.\ presbyters might elect a bishop. The Episco- 
palian Church in this region had been classed as 
mission ground, but it was decided to create the 
Diocese of Michigan, and 
on September 10, 1832, 
this was done. In i833the 
standing committee voted 
to put the diocese under 
the care of Bishop Mc- 
Ilvaine of Ohio. At the 
convention of 1835, held 
at Tecumseh, Henry J. 
Whitehouse was elected 
bishop. He declined, and 
as one of the clergymen in 
charge of a parish soon 
after left, there was no 
legal authority to elect a 
bishop. By the passage of 
a new canon the House of 
Bishops was allowed to 
elect a bishop for a dio- 




Sr. Matthew's Ki-iscoi'al Chl-kch. 



Trinity Church. {Ex/iiic/.) 

This society was incorporated June 25, 1838. It 
worshiped in the old capitol, and in 1839 reported 
forty-three communicants, with Rev. Richard Bury 
as rector. It existed only a year. 

St. Mark's Church. (Extijtct.) 

This enterprise was commerKed as a mission in 
rented rooms on Twenty-fourth Street, near Michi- 
gan Avenue, in August, 1873, by Rev. Mr. Lightner, 
then in charge of Grace Church. After two months' 
labor. Mr. Lightner transferred the work to Rev. E. 
McGee. L'nder the supervision of Mr. McGee two 
lots, on the southwest comer of Twenty-third and 
Ash Streets, were purchased at a cost of S950. and 
a brick church, costing $2,500, with one hundred 




St. Joseph's Mkmokiai, P. E. Chai'ei.. 



59^ 



ANGLO-CATHOLIC AND REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



cese on application, even if there were not the 
requisite number of clerg)-men with charges in the 
diocese. L'nder this last canon, in June, i8j6. Rev. 
S. A. McCoskry was elected bishop, and on July 7, 
he was consecrated at St. Peter's Church in Phila- 
delphia. On December 2, 1874, Michigan was 
divided into two dioceses, and on February' 24, 1875, 
at Grand Rapids, Rev. George B. Gillespie was con- 
secrated Bishop of Western Michigan. 

Bishop McCoskry resigned on March 11, 1878, 
and was succeeded by Rt. Rev. S. S. Harris. He 
was elected June 6, and consecrated September 17, 

1879, at Detroit. 

This city has had the honor of furnishing three 
bishops for other dioceses : the Rev. W. E. Armi- 
tage, rector of St. John's Church, consecrated Bishop 
of Wisconsin ; Rev. B. H. Paddock, rector of Christ 
Church, consecrated Bishop of Massachusetts ; and 
Rev. W. E. McLaren, formerly pastor of Westmin- 
ster Presbyterian Church, now Bishop of Illinois. 

Conventions of the diocese were held at Detroit 
in November, 1835; October, 1836; June, 1840, 
1845, 1847, and 1851 ; November, 1852; June, 1853, 
1855, 1857, i860, 1862, 1867, 1871, 1877, 1878, 1879, 

1880, 1881, and 1883. At the first convention, 
April 20 to 27, 1834, Bishop Mcllvaine of Ohio was 
present, and preached on the first and last day of 
the session. 

The diocese owns an episcopal residence, bought 
in 1866, at a cost of $12,000. In 1879 it was en- 
larged, and partly rebuilt, at a cost of $8,000. Its 
estimated value in 1880 was $20,000. The creation 
of a diocesan fund, the interest to be used to pay 
the salary of the bishop, was begun in 1854. In 
1883 the fund amounted to $84,000, which sum is 
invested, and in the care of trustees appointed from 
year to year by the convention. 

On January 30, 1880, the Church Association of 
Michigan was organized to assist the religious, 
charitable, and educational interests of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church in Michigan, by acting as the 
trustees of gifts or legacies given in aid of any of 
the enterprises of the church. From 1S80 to 1883, 
C. C. Trowbridge was president, and John H. Bissell 
secretary and treasurer. 



.A.NGLO-CATHOLIC .4ND REFORMED EPISCOPAL 
CHURCHES. 

.%. Albans, formerly Holy Trinity, Anglo- 
Catholic Church. 

This organization, established May i, 1876, met 
for si.x weeks in St. Andrew's Hall. It then moved 
to the store No. 842 Fort Street West, near Twen- 
tieth Street, which was fitted for church purposes. 
The room was first opened for ser\-ice on July 18. 



1876, and the pastorate of W. R. Tillinghast then 
began. 

On July 29, 1877, the society dedicated a build- 
ing on the northeast corner of Fourteenth Avenue 
and Howard Street. The lot cost $1,500, and the 
church and furnishing about $4,500. The building 
seats 600. It was badly damaged by fire on May 
28, but was repaired, and again opened on July 5, 
1879. On August 19 following, the rector was 
accidently shot and killed by a boy, at Fo.x Island. 
His successor. Rev. E. B. Taylor, served from 
August 30, 1879, to May 23, 1880. Rev. R. M. 
Edwards began his pastorate m August, 1880. 

Number of members in 1880, 84. Average 
attendance at Sunday morning service, 75. Pastor's 
salary, $820. Total yearly expenses, $1,000. The 
society was incorporated April 14, 1881, and the 
church debt at that time amounted to $2,300. 
In 1883, owing to the fact that the title to the 
church property was vested in the widow of the first 
pastor, the Rev. R. M. Edwards and a portion of 
the congregation withdrew and began services at 
746 Fort Street West, their opening meeting at 
that place being held on November 25, 1883. 
On June 22, 18S4, Mr. Edwards resigned, and the 
society ceased soon after. 

Epiphany Reformed Episcopal Church. 

This society v\'as organized and incorporated 
March 10, 1880, with fourteen members; during the 
year the number increased to forty. The first 




Epiphany Reformed Episcop.'vl Church. 

services were held in what had been St. Mark's 
Protestant Episcopal Church, and the society for a 
time controlled that property. It was eventually 
turned over to its original owners, and the society 
built a new church on the south side of Myrtle 
Street near Trumbull Avenue. The lot cost $600 
and the church $1,400. 



REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 



593 



The church was first used on Easter Sunday, 
iSSo. It has two hundred sittings, and the average 
Sunday morning attendance during that year was 
60. The total annual expenses were $400. 

Up to 1883 the society had no regular ordained 
pastor, although in 1882 it was supplied for a time 
by Rev. Dr. W. H. Poole. The sen-ices since that 
time have been conducted by Rev. Frederick 
Woolfenden. 

Emanuel Reformed Episcopal Church. {Extinct.) 

This society was organized in January, 1 879, by 
Rev. P. B. Morgan. The first meetings were held in 



the First Congregational Church, and subsequently 
in Young .Men's Hall, in the Tabernacle Church on 
south side of Duffield Street near Woodward Ave- 
nue, in the Y. M. C. A., and St. Andrew's Halls, 
in the Opera House, the Industrial .School build- 
ing, and then again in the Tabernacle Church. 
The society was incorporated on February 13^ 
1879. Rev. Dr. Morgan left in January, 1881, 
and after that date services were conducted by lay 
readers. 

Number of members in 1880, 110. Average 
attendance, 35. Total yearly expenses, $350. In 
March, 1882, the society disorganized. 



C H ;\ P T E R L X . 



THE TKESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. — OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO PRESBYTERIANS. 



PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 

First Presbyterian Church. 

The organization known as tlie First Protestant 
Society inherited the title, building, and property 
of the old society whose name it bears. By the 
adoption of certain Articles of Faith, on January 
23, 1825, it became a Presbyterian Church, with 
twelve male and thirty-seven female members, 
and became the third Protestant denominational 



Mary Hunt, Sarah Hubbard. Theodocia C. Petit, 
Nancy Caniff, iSIary Gillett, Sophia Seymour, Lucy 
Brown, Melicent Hunt, Mar}- Rice, Mary Owen, 
Matilda Hurd, Asenath Lee, Emily Deming, Ann 
Henry. At this time the society had no minister. 
Rev. Noah M. Wells, who had been previously called, 
arrived in May, 1S25, and became the first pastor. 
On November 5, 1825, the Governor and Judges 
"ordered that a Deed issue to the trustees of the 
Protestant Church for the ground heretofore ordered 




1=34 5 67 

View uf Churches on East Side of Woodward Avenue in 1849. 

, First Methodist Episcopal Church. 2. Congress Street. 3 Old Piui-chard F'.uilding. 4. St. Paul's 
Episcopal Church, 5, Session Room. 6. First Presbyterian Church. 7. Larned Street. 



church organized in Detroit. The names of the 
first members were as foUow's : Stephen C. Henry. 
Eurotas P. Hastings, John J. Deming, Ashbel 
S. Wells, Elijah Converse, J. W. Woolsey, Seth 
Beach, CuUen Brow^n, Justin Rice, Wm. B. Hunt, 
Phebe Cro.sby, Mary Chapin, Catharine Jones, Fanny 
Mack, Hannah Roby, Elizabeth Noble, Temperance 
Mack, Lovicy Cooper, Rebecca Converse, Elizabeth 
Cass, Margaret Audrain, Jane Kelly, Jane Palmer. 
Martha Ten Eyck, Mary J. Scott, Almira Willco.x, 
Lydia .Sanderson, Mary McMillan, Abigail Goodwin, 
Mary Brewster, Achsah Goodin, Lucretia Goodwin. 
Catharine Bronson, Ann Hunt, Ruthv Edwards, 



to be conveyed to them." This deed, which was 
the first one made for the property, gave them what 
was known as the "English burying-ground," on 
Woodward Avenue, including all of the block west 
of the alley between Woodward Avenue and Bates 
Street. The deed is dated December 9, and was 
recorded December 21, 1825. The gift was cer- 
tainly a munificent one, even at that day. 

In 1827 the city came into possession of the Mili- 
tary Reserve and buildings of old Fort Shelby, on 
Fort Street, and in September the Assembly Room, 
or Military Hall, was removed to a lot on Larned 
Street in rear of the church. It was there used as 



L5941 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



595 



a session-room, both by the Common Council and 
the church. This same year the presbytery of 
Detroit was created, consisting of Rev. Noah M. 
Wells, of Detroit, Rev. E. Prince, of Farmington, 
Rev. Isaac W. Ruggles, of Pontiac, Rev. William 
M. Ferry, of Mackinaw, and Rew William Page, of 
IMonrne. 

In March or April, 1S32, there was a revival 
at Detroit, and sev- 
enty persons joined 
the church. In the 
spring of 1833 the 
church erected a 
brick session-room 
on Woodward Ave- 
nue, and tluring the 
year Mr. Wells re- 
signed. After his 
departure the pulpit 
was supplied by 
Rev. George Horn- 
ell and Rev. George 
Sheldon until June, 

1834, when Rev. J. 
P. Cleveland be- 
came the pastor. 

\ plan for a new 
church had been 
drawn by Alonzo 
Merrill, as early as 

1 83 1. In the spring 

of 1 834 the work of 
erection was begun. 

Alanson Sheley was 

the contractor. As 

a preliminary step, 

the old wooden 

church was sold. It 

was purchased by 

Robert Hilton, who, 

with Mr. Caniff, 

John Farrar, and 

others, proposed to 

establish a Univer- 

salist Church. The 

building was moved 

to the northwest 

corner of Michigan 

Avenue and Bates 

Street, w-here it became a Roman Catholic Church. 

After the sale of the church the congregation met in 

the Capitol until their new church was completed. It 

was of brick, sixty by ninety feet, with a steeple one 

hundred and thirty feet high. The total cost reached 

$30,000. 

It had one hundred and forty-six pews, with 

galleries on three sides, and seated nearly one thou- 




sand persons. It was dedicated April 28, 1835, with 
a sermon by the pastor, and the exercises were 
made particularly interesting by the singing of an 
original hymn written by Mrs. L. H. Sigourney On 
May 27, 1835, Rev. Mr. Cleveland was regularly in- 
stalled. At this time the church had two hundred 
and twenty members. Mr. Cleveland resigned in 
1S37, and on November 26 preached his farewell 

sermon from Jonah 
iii., 2. On October 
I, 1S38, Rev. Geo. 
Duffield became 
the pastor. On Oc- 
tober 16 following, 
a clock, which had 
been contracted for 
three months 
before, was com- 
pleted and began to 
keep town time in 
the tower. In Jan- 
uary, 1840, Horace 
Hallock started, a 
branch Sunday 
school in the City 
Hall, w'hich was 
continued for nearly 
three years, with an 
average attendance 
of some three hun- 
dred scholars. 

In December, 
1844, the society 
lost a number of its 
members by the or- 
ganization of the 
First Congregation- 
al Church. On Feb- 
ruary 11,1 849, other 
members left the 
congregation and 
founded the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian 
Church. In Febru- 
ary, 1 85 1, the old 
brick session-room, 
with the ground on 
which it stood, was 
sold ; the building 
was torn down, and a brick block erected the same 
vear. 

In the fall of 1852 Dr. Duffield visited Europe 
and Palestine in search of needed health and rest. 
He remained abroad about a year, and during his 
absence the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Myron 
Barrett. 
On January 10, 1854, the church, with several 



First Presbyterian Church. 



50 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES, 



other buildings in an adjacent block, was entirely 
burned. When the flames caught the tall steeple it 
was a magnificent sight. After the fire the remains 
of the old bell which had called thousands to prayer 
and praise were dug out of the ruins, and numerous 
souvenirs in the shape of tea-bells were cast. They 
were inscribed, " Part of the old bell destroyed Jan- 
uary lo, 1854," and readily sold at $5 each, bringing 
many dollars into the fund for a new church. The 
old bell rings no more for fire, but its voice in 
many households gives a welcome call to tea and 
toast. 

On July 15, the first Sunday after the fire, ser- 
vices were held in Firemen's Hall, and in the old 
Young Men's Hall on January 28, and continuously 
thereafter until the completion of the new brick 
church on the northwest corner of State and 
Farmer Streets. This building was dedicated Sep- 
tember 9, 1855. The lot, one hundred by one 
hundred and twenty feet, cost $S,ooo; the church, 
seventy by one hundred, cost $40,000. It has one 
hundred and forty pews, and seats about 700. To 
aid in building their church the society received 
about one half the net proceeds from the sale 
of the old property; the rest was given to the 
Jefferson Avenue and Fort Street Presbyterian 
churches. 

In March, 1862, the side galleries in the audience 
room were removed and other improvements made. 
In April, 1865. Rev. W. A. McCorkle was called as 
associate pastor. Three years later, in June, 1868, 
while Dr. Dufficld was giving an address of wel- 
come to the delegates of the International Conven- 
tion of the Y. M. C. A., a sudden illness .seized him, 
from which he did not recover. He died June 26. 
An elegant marble tablet, with medallion portrait, 
was erected as a memorial at the right of the pulpit. 
His associate continued as pastor until May, 1871, 
when he resigned. In September, 1871, Rev. Dr. 
G. U. Baker became the pastor. He was installed 
on October 3. 

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $3,000. The 
cost of the choir, $1,200. The sexton was paid 
$300. The total annual expenses, reaching $6,000, 
are almost entirely defrayed by the receipts from 
pew rents. The property in iSSo was estimated 
to be worth $55,000. The average attendance at 
the morning services was 400. Number of mem- 
bers in 1830, 86; in 1840 and 1850, the same num- 
ber, 448, is reported in each decade; in i860, 300; 
in 1870,368; in 1880, 753, 

This society has the favored distinction of being 
the only one that has ever attempted to sustain a 
school for the Chinese. Since 1872 a number of 
these "Celestials" have been found here on every 
Sabbath, in the care of faithful and benevolent 
teachers. 



Scotch or Central PresbyterictJi Church. 

The preliminary meeting which resulted in the 
organization of this church was held in a room in 
the old City Hall, on November 10, 1842. Two 
weeks after, the lot on the northwest corner of 
Farmer and Bates Streets was purchased for $500, 
and a plan for a wooden church, forty by seventy 
feet, agreed upon. 

The building was opened for worship in an unfin- 
ished state on September 6, 1843. Regular services 




The Central Presbyterian Church. 



in the completed church began in October, 1844. It 
cost $3,500 anil seated 600. On February 21, 1845, 
the society decided to unite with the United Asso- 
ciate Church of Scotland, and on April 14 following 
a church was fully organized, with sixty-five mem- 
bers, and Rev. David Inglis as pastor. He resigned 
on May I, 1846, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. 
Torrance, who preached for about six weeks. Rev. 
Mr. Dalrymple. from Scotland, then served the 
church for two months, but declined a call. 

Rev. John McLellan entered upon the pastorate 
in December, 1S47, was installed in 1848, and re- 
signed in April, 1854. Rev. John Hogg, the next 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



597 



pastor, served from December, 1854, to April, 1858. 
He was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Balmer, who 
was ordained in November, i860, and resigned July 
I, 1866. During the next three years there was no 
regular pastor. On July 29, 1869. Rev. George 
McBeth Milligan was installed. During his pas- 
torate the old church was sold, and moved to 
Washington Avenue. 

A brick church was begun, and the basement 
tirst used on July, 3, 1871. On November 5 fol- 
lowing, the main audience room was dedicated. 
Including the 
galleries, the 
church seats 
1,200, and cost 
$26,000. On 
April 12, 1879, 
the congregation 
decided to unite 
with the Ameri- 
can Presbyterian 
Church, and the 
n a m e of the 
church, except 
for corporate 
purposes, was 
changed to Cen- 
tral Presbyteri- 
an. Mr. Milligan 
soon after re- 
signed the pas- 
torate.preaching 
his farewell ser- 
mon on October 
1,1876. He was 
succeeded by 
Rev. William 
Stephenson. who 
was called on 
October 24, en- 
tered upon his 
duties Novem- 
ber 15, was reg- 
ularly installed 
on December II, 

1876, and resigned on February 25, 1878. On 
April 25, 1879, Rev. J. I". Dickie was installed as 
his successor. 

The average attendance at morning service, in 
1880, was 400. The pastor's salary was $2,000. 
The total church expenses were $2,760. The num- 
ber of members in 1850 was 300; in 1S60 and 1870 
the number is given at 350 for each decade ; in 
1880 there were 292 members. 

Fort Street Church. 
The beginnings of this society gave no indication 




FuKT Street Presbyterian Church. 



of its present strength and influence. The first 
record states that on August 7, 1848, the First Pres- 
byterian Church appointed a committee to co-oper- 
ate with Rev. R. R. Kellogg in establishing the 
society. On September 10 he commenced holding 
services in the old capitol ; on February 21, 1849, 
a society was fully organized with twenty-six mem- 
bers, and on March 19, 1849, '*'as incorporated 
as the Second Presbyterian Church. In August 
following they began the erection of a brick church 
on the southeast corner of Lafayette Avenue and 

Wayne Street. 

The building, 
forty -five by 
seventy-five feet, 
was dedicated 
on April 7, 1850. 
It cost $4,364. 
On May 2 1, 1 850, 
Rev. R. R. Kel- 
logg was in- 
stalled as the 
pastor, and con- 
tinued as such 
until he resigned 
on September i, 
1853. He was 
succeeded by 
Rev. Henry 
Neill, who en- 
tered upon the 
pastorate in Jan- 
uary, and was 
installed Octo- 
ber 18, 1854. 
During his pas- 
torate the church 
building on the 
southeast corner 
of Fort and 
Third Streets 
was erected. 
The lot cost 
$7,000, and the 
buiIding$7o,ooo. 
It was dedicated November 18, 1855. It was built 
of lime-stone, the main audience room was sixty 
by ninety feet, had 120 pews, and seated 1,000 per- 
sons. The basement was twelve feet high and 
would seat 400. The height of the spire from the 
ground to the top was two hundred and thirty feet. 
On the completion of the new building, the old 
church was sold to the United Presbyterian Society. 
On June 17, 1857, Mr. Neill resigned. The 
church was then supplied for three months by Rev. 
P. S. Byington. He was succeeded by Rev. James 
Means, who remained six months. Rev. Dr. Ervin 



598 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



Hall then preached two months, and was followed 
by Rev. W. A. McCorkle. Rev. Azariah Eldridge 
was installed pastor on December 2, 1858. On 
March 19, 1859, by .special Act of the Legislature, 
the name of the society was changed to Fort Street 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Eldridge resigned on 
June 4, 1865. Rev. W. H. Clark then supplied the 
pulpit for three months. In October, 1865, Rev. S. 
T. Clarke began his ministry. He was installed 
July I, 1866, and resigned in November, i858. On 
February 8, 1869, a call was extended to Rev. Ar- 
thur T. I'ierson, of Waterford, New York, who was 
installed May 5, 1869. In August, 1SS2, he resigned, 
and on January 7. 18S3, Rev. A. P. Tinker entered 
upon the pastorate as his successor. Owing to poor 
health, he was able to serve but a few months, and 
on March i , i S84., he resigned. He was succeeded 
by Rev. H.T.Miller, 
who commenced to 
serve as pastor in 
April, 1884. 

On January 30, 
1870, a young peo- 
ple's prayer meeting 
was established, 
and this year the 
entire interior of the 
church, and as far 
as necessary the 
exterior also was 
repaired and im- 
proved at a cost of 
$30,000. and on the 
evening of Decem- 
ber 29, 1870, the 
church was re- 
opened with a \-ocal 
and instrumental 
concert. About 5 
.\. M. on March 25, 
1876, a fire broke 
out in the church 
which destroyed the 
building. Whitney's 
Opera House was 
then engaged for 
the Sabbath ser- 
vices, and the pub- 
lic, as well as the 
old congregation, 
thronged the build- 
ing from Sabbath 

to Sabbath. Meantime the work of rebuilding the 
church went forward, and as the old plan was 
closely followed, the present building is almost a 
fac-simile of the original. 

It was dedicated on June 10, 1S77. The expense 




of reconstructing amounted to about $90,000. two 
thirds of the amount being provided by the insur- 
ance. All the appointments of the church are 
exceptionally complete, even to a service of table- 
ware for festival use. made expressly for the church, 
with a picture of the building on each 
piece, J. D. Hayes, after the fire, dupli- 
cating his original gift of fifteen hundred 
pieces. 

The pastor's .salary in 1880 w^as $4,500. 
The choir cost $1,300, The sexton was 
paid $770. The total expenses were 
500, and $9,000 was received from 
pew rents. The property was then 
valued at $100,000. 
The church has 
sittings for 1,300. 
The average at- 
tendance at Sunday 
morning service in 
1880 was 850. 
Number of mem- 
bers in 1850, 62; 
in i860, 196 ; in 
1870, 282; in 1880, 
686. In addition to 
its own Sunday 
school, the church 
sheltered for many 
years a Sunday 
school which was 
established in 1853 
in a public school 
building in the 
Eighth Ward. 
When school build- 
ings could no longer 
be used for .Sunday 
schools, the school 
was removed to this 
church, where it 
was held until 1874, 
when its continu- 
ance was no longer 
deemed desirable. 
In its earlier life it 
accomplished great 
good. 



Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church. 



Church. 



This society was 
incoqiorated January 25, the church was organized 
February 8, 1854, and began Sunday-school ser- 
vices in the old Detroit Institute, a school building 
on the north side of Jefferson Avenue, between 
Beaubien and St. Antoine Streets. 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



599 



From here, in October, they moved to the 
old Cons:p-egational Church, on Jefferson Avenue. 
The Rev. Joshua Cook was then serving as 




Frontenac Avenue Pkeskytekian Mission. 

pastor. In the spring of 1S55 Rev. Hugh Mc- 
Elroy took charge of the congregation, and on 
December 9 of the same year the brick church 
on the north side of Jefferson Avenue, between 
Russell and Rivard .Streets, was dedicated. The 
church w'ith lot cost §50,000. The audience room 
is si.xty by ninety feet, 
with one hundred and 
seventy pews, and will 
seat 1,000. Mr. McElroy 
was installed as pastor 
on July 2, 1856, and died 
December 24, 1S57. A 
tablet of Italian marble, 
in the church, bears tes- 
timony to his worth. 

He was succeeded by 
Rev. William Hogarth, 
D. D., who was in- 
stalled June 30, 1 858, and 
resigned July 13, 1873. 
The pulpit was then sup- 
plied by various clergy- 
men until May 6, 1875. 
when Rev. R. J. Laid- 
law was installed. He 
resigned Februar^' S, 
1 878, and was succeeded 
in May by Rev. E. B. 

Mason, who was installed on May 15, 1879. In 
December, i88i, he resigned, and on April 19, 1882, 
Rev. A. H. Kellogg was ordained his successor; 



he resigned in September following. The ne.xt 
regular pastor, the Rev. Thomas A. Hoyt, began 
his labors in April, 1883, and in May, 1884, was 
succeeded by Rev.T. S. Hamlin. 

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $3,250. The 
choir cost $1,000. The sexton was paid $365. The 
total yearly expenses were $5,250, and $4,250 were 
raised from ' pew rents. Number of members in 
i860, 189; in 1870,346; in 1880, 360. The aver- 
age attendance at morning service in 1 8S0 was 300. 

This church for a time had charge of a mission 
school in Hamtramck, which was commenced in 
1863, in a room at the Marine Hospital. On Feb- 
ruary 6, 1870, a new building erected for the school 
was dedicated. It is located on the southeast comer 
of Frontenac Avenue and Congress .Street. The 
lot cost S500, and the building $3,500. It seats 300. 
In 1882 the school was placed in charge of the 
Presbyterian Alliance. 

Wfs//H in St I ■>■ Ch iircli. 

This society was organized with thirty-one mem- 
bers, on October 6, 1837, and incorporated on Octo- 
ber 26. The first services, with Rev. Henry Neill 
as pastor, were held in the United Presbyterian 
Church on Lafayette Avenue, corner of Wayne 
Street. The society worshiped there until Janu- 
ary 13, 1861, when the brick church, oh the east 
side of Washington Avenue, between State and 
Grand River, was dedicated. The building was 




\Vi:.STMINSTER PkESUVTERIAN ChI/KCH. 



sixty-six by one hundred feet, and seated five htm- 
dred and fifty persons. 

In April, 1861, Mr. Neill resigned. On July 



6oo 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



14 Rev. G. W. Prime entered upon the pastorate, 
and was installed October 23, 1861. In the sum- 
mer of 1866 his health failed, and he went abroad. 
The church was then temporarily supplied by vari- 
ous clergymen until July, 1867. Rev. W. E. Mc- 
Laren then became the pastor, and soon after the 
building was extensively enlarged and repaired at a 
cost of $17,000. It was rededicated December 8, 

1867. Mr. McLaren was installed January 12, 

1868, and resigned in February, 1872. He was 
succeeded in April by Rev. William Aikman, D. D., 
who was installed June 5, 1872. 

On March i, 1873, th^ society sold their prop- 
erty, and it passed into the possession of the St. 
Aloysius Catholic Church. The last service of 
the Presbyterian .Society was on March 2, 1873. 
On the first .Sunday of the previous November 
evening services had been commenced in one of the 
buildings of Harper Hospital, and on and after 
March 9 all the church services were held at the 
same place. A Sunday school had been conducted 
in the building by R. C. Smith since 1865, and this 
was now transferred to the church. 

Prior to their removal, the society had bought, for 
$16,000. a lot on the northwest corner of Wood- 
ward Avenue and Parsons Street. A large brick 
chapel, costing $20,000, was erected on the rear end 
of the lot, and on May 10, 1874, it was dedicated. 
It seated three hundred and si.xty persons. 

Dr. Aikman resigned on May i, 1877, and was 
succeeded by Rev. Frank T. Bayley, who preached 
his first sermon January 27, and was installed March 
7, 1878. On February 11, 1883, he resigned on 
account of his wife's health, and soon after removed 
to Portland, Maine. In June, 18S3, Rev. Nathaniel 
West, D. D., entered upon an engagement for six 
months ; his term expired in November, and on the 
25th of that month a call was extended to and 
accepted by Rev. G. H. Duffield, and on April 10, 
1884, he was installed. 

In 1879 the audience room of the chapel was 
enlarged, increasing its capacity about fifty sittings. 

The church cost $35,000 and seats 860. It was 
first used November 1 3, and was dedicated Novem- 
ber 29, 1 88 1. The estimated value of the church 
property is $65,000. 

The plan of the church contemplates a tower on 
the southeast corner, to cost $7,000. 

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $3,000. The 
choir cost $550. The number of church members 
in i860 was 72; in 1870, 192; in 1880, 252. The 
average attendance in 1880 was 350. 

Calvary Chtirck. 

This church is an outgrowth of a mission Sunday 
school. The school was started in May, 1868, in a 
small building on Harrison Avenue which had been 



a grocery ; in October it was moved to a cottage 
on Michigan Avenue near the toll-gate. In the 
summer of 1S69 a lot was purchased on the south- 
east corner of Mayberry Avenue and Butternut 
Street, and a frame building, thirty-six by seventy- 
five feet, was erected at a cost of $3,500. It was 
dedicated December 13, 1S69. 

On October 3. 1872, a church was organized and 
incorporated with sixteen members. Rev. Dr J. 
G. Atterbury, the first pastor, served until August, 
1874. He was succeeded by Rev. William Grandy, 
as stated supply. On November 24, 1878, Mr. 
Grandy resigned, and on October 29, 1879, Rev. G. 
W. Barlow was installed. 

The church seats 300. The average morning 
attendance in 1880 was 200. The number of mem- 
bers, 1 15. The pastor's salary was $1,400, and the 
total annual e.xpenses, $1,800. 




Calvar\' PRESU^'TERI.^N Church. 

Union Church. 
This society had its beginnings in a niission 
Sunday school established by Z. R. Brockway. He 
was efficiently aided by John S. Newberry. James 
and Hugh McMillan, Mrs. H. A. Wight, and many 
others. The school was opened March 8, 1863, in 
a primar)- room of the Bishop School. It was 
largely attended from the first, and within a year 
subscriptions were obtained frotn persons of every 
denomination, to erect a building for the school. 
The last $400 of the amount received was obtained 
at a union meeting at the Jefferson Avenue Presby- 
terian Church, D. L. Moody, of Chicago, making an 
appeal for the money. 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



60 1 



On March 20, 1864, the chapel, a neat wooden 
building^. was first occupied. It was located on the 
northwest corner of Russell and Napoleon Streets, 
and in 1866 was enlarged by an addition, twenty 
by thirty feet in size. In the summer of 1868 it 




Union Presbyterian Church. 

was moved across Russell Street to the grounds of 
the old City Cemetery in order to make room for a 
new brick building, seventy-five by eighty feet, 
which was dedicated February 17, i86g. It could 
seat 2,150 children, and cost $16,000. 

Mr. Brockway did not favor a church organiza- 
tion, and it was ditficult to determine the full results 
of the efforts put forth. In 1872 he was called to 
another field of labor, interest in the school began 
to wane, and for a time it was entirely closed. 

On May 15, 1874, the Presbyterian Alliance se- 
cured the property, and on February 18, 1875, a 
church was organized with si.xteen members. Rev. 
A. E. Hastings was appointed pastor, and continued 
as such until his fleath on November 28. 1880. 
Rev. Lewis R. Fo,x succeeded to the pastorate on 
April 10, 1881. 

The building can accommodate 1.200 adults. 
The pastor's salary in 188 1 was $1,500, and the total 
yearly expenses, $2,000. Number of mem.bers in 
1S80, 105. Average attendance Sunday mornings, 
100. \'alue of property, $20,000. 

Memorial Church. 
This church is the outgrowth of one of the oldest 
mission Sunday schools in the city. The school 
was first established on February 21. 1858, in the 
German Reformed Zion Church, on Russell between 
.Sherman and Catherine Streets. On July 20, 1862, 
the school was mpved to a hall on Clinton Street 
between Russell and Riopelle Streets, and on Octo- 
ber 19 of the same year it was moved to the Tenth 



Ward Public School building on Earned Street. 
The school did not flourish, and in the fall of 1854 
it was transferred to the primary school building on 
Clinton Avenue near St. Aubin Avenue. In Sep- 
tember, 1866, the buildings near by, which had been 
used as barracks, were sold at auction ; the one 
which had served as a hospital was purchased for 
the school at a cost of $325. Lot 70 of the Chene 
Farm, on Clinton Avenue opposite the Duffield 
Union School, was leased for a term of fifteen years, 
and on December 31, 1856, the Clinton Avenue 
Mission Chapel Society was incorporated. 

The building was fitted up, and first opened on 
January 27, 1867; and here the school grew and 
prospered. 

During 1880 Mr. Leonard Laurense, who had 
been connected with the school for many years, 
conceived the idea of building a Memorial Chapel 
in memory of his deceased wife, who had been a 
zealous worker in the school. Rev. D; M. Cooper 
proposed to unite in the enterprise, and erect a 
church with the chapel, as a memorial of his 
deceased father, mother, and wife. The project was 
entered upon, and the chapel was dedicated January 
16, 1881, and on January 27, 1S81, a church with 
fifty-one members was organized, with Rev. D. M. 
Cooper as pastor: he was installed on Novem- 
ber 21, 1883. The church was erected at the same 
time as the chapel, but was not finished until 
December 17, 18S2, on which day it was formally 
dedicated. The total cost of lots, chapel, church. 




Memorial Presbyterian Chl'rch. 

and furnishing was $35,900. of which amount 
$2,000 was received from the sale of the old prop- 
erty. To make up the balance, Leonard Laurense 
gave $5,000, Rev. D. M. Cooper. $25,500, Adeline 
S. and Irene Spragiie, each $1,000. In addition to 
the amount already mentioned, Mr. Cooper made 



6o2 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



provision for the erection of a parsonage adjoining 
the church, to cost not less than $6,000. The church 
is provided with a chime of four bells, and several 
stained glass windows, which reproduce the e.\- 
ceedingly elaborate emblems and decorations pre- 
pared at immense cost of time and labor for the 
ter-centenary Presbyterian celebration held at Phila- 
delphia in 1872. They have not been produced for 
any other edilice, and are artistically and historically 
the most valuable memorials to be found in any 
church in the country. Following the dedication, 
the pastor arranged for a series of memorial dis- 
courses, the first on December 24. 1882, by Leonard 
W. Bacon, D. D.. upon his grandfather, David 
Bacon, and his father, Dr. Leonard Bacon, who was 
born at Detroit. On the day of this address, an 
elegant memorial tablet, placed in the church by 
himself and his relatives, was for the first time 
unveiled. 

Addresses were subsequently delivered : 

On Rev. John Monteith, by John Monteith, of 
Missouri. 

On Rev. Noah M. Wells, by George D. Baker, 
D. D. 

On George Duffield, D. D„ by D. Bethune Duf- 
ficid. 

The subjects suggested by the memorial windows 
were discoursed upon as follows : Italy, by Rev. 
Henry C. McCook, D. I.)., of Philadelphia ; Scotland, 
by Rev. James F. Dickie, of Detroit ; Ireland, by Rev. 
James i\IcLeod, of Buffalo ; England, by Rev. Wm. 
M. Blackburn, D. D., of Cincinnati ; France, by Rev. 
Wm. P. Breed, D. D., of Philadelphia ; Switzerland, 
by Rev. H. A. MacCracken, D. D., of Pittsburgh ; 
Bohemia, by Rev. A. T. Pierson, D. D., of Indian- 
apolis ; Holland, by Rev. J. Ambro.se Wight, D. D., 
of Bay City ; Germany, by Rev. Zachary Eddy, D. D., 
of Detroit ; Hungary, by Rev. David M. Cooper. 

The average attendance in 1880, on Sunday 
morning, in the chapel, was 180. Total yearly 
expenses in 1880, $500. The church has accommo- 
dations for 500 persons ; the chapel for 300. 

Trumbull Avenue Church. 

This enterprise began with a Sunday school, 
organized March 18, 1877, in a small wooden build- 
ing at No. 484 Trumbull Avenue. The present 
building is located on the southeast corner of Trum- 
bull Avenue and Fulton Street. The lot is one 
hundred feet on Trumbull Avenue by one hundred 
and twenty-four on Fulton Street. The society 
was organized August 28, 1881, with 72 members. 
The lot cost $2,500, and the building and furniture 
$7,300. The chapel was dedicated July 3, 1881. 
It is of brick, forty-six by eighty-one feet, and seats 
500. Rev. Allen M. Dulles became the first pastor 
in November, 1881. 



United Presbyterian Church. 
This society was organized May 8, 1853, and held 
its first meetings in the old Wayne County Court 




I I v: 



M 



riL 



■^isL-^- 



Trumbull Avenie PKEsiiVTERiAN Ch-atel. 

Room, corner of Griswold and Congress Streets, 
moving from there to the old City Hall, and then 
purchasing, for $6,500, a church which had been 
erected by the Second Presbyterian Society, on the 
southeast corner of Lafayette Avenue and Wayne 
Street. The first service of the new owners was 




United Presbyteiuan Church. 

held on December 23, 1855. In 1869 the building 
was extensively improved, at a cost of about gi 1,000, 
and the seating capacity increased from 500 to 650. 
It was rededicated on September 12, 1869. 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



603 



The first pastor, Rev. Samuel Patton, was in- 
stalled December 27, 1854. Mr. Patton died after 
serving about two and a half years. Rev. J. P. 
Scott, D. D., began his labors July 29, was installed 
November 30, 1859, and on January 20, 1878, re- 
signed the pastorate, preaching his last sermon 
February 24. He was succeeded by Rev. R. Turn- 
bull. 

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $1,500, and the 
total yearly expenses $3,000. The number of mem- 
bers in i860 was 30; in 1870, 123; in 1880, 301; 
The average attendance Sunday morning in .1880 
was 375. The church had a debt of $5,000, in 
1880, which has since been paid. 

An occasion of special interest to this society was 
the annual c'onvention of the first synod of the West, 
which commenced its sessions in the church on .Au- 
gust 28, 1S83. 

French, or French and German Presbyterian 
Church. (F.xtinct.) 

A society known as the French Presbyterian 
Church was organized as early as March 3, 1S54, 
and purchased on that day a lot on the south side 
of Catharine Street near Russell Street for $700. On 
September i, 1856, a society called the French and 
German Presbyterian Church was incorporated, and 
on October 18 following- the original society trans- 
ferred the lot to the new organization. A wooden 
church was then erected, which was dedicated Feb- 
ruary 22, 1857. The society did not prove har- 
monious or successful, and on April 22, 1861, a 
society in charge of Rev. H. Miller, a branch of St. 
John's Lutheran Church on Monroe Avenue, ob- 
tained the use of the building. It was subsequently 
sold to still another Lutheran congregation. 

Reformed Church of America. 

This society was organized in December, 1872, 
with 42 members. In August, 1874, they dedicated 
their church, which is on the south side of Catharine 
Street in the middle of the block between Dequindre 
Street and St. Aubin Avenue. The lot cost $650 
and the building $1,100. The building seats 200. 
It is held in trust by the Board of Home Missions. 
Rev. H. R. Boer was the first pastor, serving from 
1872 to 1874. l^ev. M. Kirkenoeld took charge in 
1S75, and on account of failing health resigned in 
1 877. The church remained without a pastor until 
June 25, 1882, when Rev. G. Xiemeyer became 
pastor and served until June, 1 8S4. The number of 
members in 1880 was 38. 

OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO PRESBYTERIANS. 

1833, October 12. — Meeting of Synod of Western 
Reserve in Detroit. 



1837, October 23. — First meeting of Synod of 
Michigan in Detroit. 

1842, October 14. — Synod again met in Detroit. 




Dutch Reformed Chirch. 

1S45, June 19 to 24. — Joint Convention of Con- 
gregational and Presbyterian ministers and delegates 
from churches in northwestern States.' Dr. Lyman 
Beecher and Professor Calvin E. Stowe were pres- 
ent. 

June 9, 1848. — Meeting of State Synod. 

May 16 to 29, 1850. — The Presbyterian General 
Assembly convened at Detroit. Many distinguished 
persons present. 

October 27. 1864, and July 12, 1870. — Meetings 
of State Synod. 

May 16 to 30, 1872. — Presbyterian General As- 
sembly in session in Detroit. 

In November, 1872, the Presbyterian Alliance of 



* It is a curious fact that in the second volume of Dr. Beecher's 
Autobiography, edited by his son. Rev. Charles Heecher, this 
meeting is stated to have been held in Chicago. The narrative 
says. " In June, 1845. Dr. Beecher attended a convention at 
Chicago, of Congregational and Presbyterian Churches. * * ♦ 
The convention was a great and good one, whose influence will 
be felt powerfully for good through all coming time. It will, I 
trust, avert a schism between Congregational and Presbyterian 
Churches and consummate and perpetuate their union. * * * 
I preached for the Methodists on the Sabbath, on justification by 
faith, with great delight and multiplied Amens, and the other 
tokens of emotion and approbation ; and though my theories 
often swept across their track, the stream of feeling swept them 
along, and they still cried .-Vraen ! It was a delightful time of 
boundless liberty and heart melting and flowing onward of the 
copious stream of truth." 



6o4 



THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 



Detroit was organized, and in February. 1874. it 
was incorporated. It is composed of the sessions of 
tlie Presbyterian Churches in the city, together with 
such Presbyterian ministers and elders residing in 
said city as shall by election be admitted. Its ob- 
ject is the founding and establishment of Presby- 
terian churches, missions, and schools, and such 
other work as may promote the interests of said 
denomination in the city of Detroit and its vicinity. 
It is a consulting and advisory body, securing 
unity of opinion and harmony of action in matters 
of common interest. It is sustained by voluntary 
contributions. When money is needed an assess- 
ment is made upon the churches according to their 
several abilities. This call is usually presented to 



each church under the direction of its session after 
its own method. 

The presidents have been; 1873, Rev. \Vm. Ho- 
garth; 1874, Rev. \Vm. Aikman; 1S75, Rev. A. T. 
Pier.son; 1876, Rev. George D. Baker; 1877, Rev. 
Robert J. Laidlaw ; 1878, Jacob S. Farrand: 1879, 
Elisha Taylor; 1880, George W. Hoffman; 1881, 
Rev. James Dickie; 1882, John Cameron ; 1883- 
Rev. G. W. Barlow. 

Treasurers: 1873-1876, James H. Muir; 1876- 
, George E. Hand. 

Secretary: Rev. J. G. Atterbury. 

1880, October II. Synod of Michigan met in 
Detroit. 



CHAPTER LXI 



THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.— OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO THE DENOMINATION. 



First Baptist C/nirch. 
The Rev. Henry Davis, a Baptist minister, is 
said to have conducted services in the old University 
Building, on Bates Street, in tlie spring of 1S26. 




Original Building of First Baptist Chi'Rch. 

This date is, probably, one year too early, as the reo 
ords of the trustees of the University do not 
show that the use of the building was granted 
prior to May 28, 1827 ; on that date a resolu- 
tion appears on record, "that the Baptist 
Society may have lower room for minister for 
six months." On July 3 following, the Detroit 
Gazette contained a notice that the " trustees 
of the University had given the Baptists per- 
mission to use the lower room of the academy. 
Preaching by Rev. Henry Davis." 

On August 19, 1S27, Mrs. Nancy Cobell 
was baptized, this being presumably the first 
baptism by immersion in Detroit. 

The society was fully organized on October 
20, 1827. Mr. Davis was compelled to resign 
on account of failing health in April, 182S, and 
on June 10 of the same year the city donated 
to the society the lot on the northwest corner 
of Fort and Griswold Streets. In May, 1829, 
Mr. Browning announced to the church "that 
he had concluded to go forward and build 
a house of one story, twenty-two by thirty-five 
feet, as a meeting room for the church, upon 
the lot granted by the city council last year," 
and in November, 1830, the old records 
speak of a proposition to meet in their house 
of worship. 



After Mr. Davis left, the church was without a 
pastor for several years, but was kept together 
. largely through the faithful efforts of Francis P. 
Browning. In 1831 the society was admitted to 
the Michigan Baptist Association, and in July Rev. 
S. Goodman became the pastor, remaining one year, 
after which, notwithstanding they were now left 
without a shepherd, the members of the flock were 
not hopeless; for in September, 1833, the old frame 
church was sold to James Witherell, and a new 
church was begun on the original site. The old 
building was moved to the site now occupied by the 
Detroit Opera House. In the spring of 1S34 Elder 
Loomis, agent of the New York Baptist Conven- 
tion, was employed three months, and in November 
following Rev. Robert TurnbuU commenced his 
labors. 

On January 11, 1835, the new church was dedi- 
cated. It was of brick, fifty by seventy feet, with a 
steeple one hundred feet high. 

On August 31, 1836, delegates assembled in 




nisEJlliS 



» fill ,111 



Uaptist Church, corner Fort and GRiswoLD Streets. 



6o6 



THE BAl'TIST CHURCHES. 



Detroit, and the Baptist State Conventiun was 
organized. Tlie pastorate of Rev. R. TurnbuU 
lasted two years and a half. He then went East, 
and as an author achieved extended fame. It was 
during his pastorate that Mrs. Jameson visited 
Detroit ; she attended service here, and thus records 
her impression of the church and its ser\'ices : 

The church is one of the largest in the town, plain in appear- 
ance, but the interior handsome, and in good taste. The congre- 
gation was not crowded, but composed of most respectable, 
serious, well dressed people. * * * On closing his sermon, he 
commenced a prayer, and I have seldom listened to one more 
eloquently fervent. Both the sermon and the prayer were 
e-xteniporaneous. He prayed for all people, nations, orders, and 
conditions of men throughout the world, including the King of 
Great Britain, but the prayer for the President of the United 
States seemed to me a little original, and admirably calculated to 
suit the two parties who are at present divided on the nu-rits of 
that gentleman. The suppliant besought the .Mmighly that if 
Mr. Van Euren were a good man, he might be made better, antl 
if a bad man, he might be speedily regenerated. 




Second Hkick Baitist Chl kch, cokner Fokt and Gkiswold 

After Mr. Turnbull left, the church was pastorless 
until February, 1838, when Rev. O. C. Comstock " 
was settled over it and remained until September, 
1839. He was succeeded in February, 1841, by 
Rev. Howell Smith, and in September of the same 
year Rev. Andrew Ten Brook was ordained and 
settled as the pastor. In 1844 Mr. Ten Brook was 
called to the chair of Mental and Moral Science in 
the Michigan University, and in September, 1844, 
Rev. James Inglis was ordained as pastor. He 
remained until the spring of 1847. In October fol- 
lowing Rev. Samuel Haskell accepted the pastorate. 
In 1849 several members organized the Tabernacle 
Baptist Church. Rev. Mr. Haskell left_ in March, 

1852. and Rev. Mr. Colver became pastor in April, 

1853. He remained until March, 1S56, and was 



.succeeded by his son. Rev. Charles K. Colver, who 
remained until June, 1857. After he left, the church 
was supplied by Rev. G. W. Harris, editor of the 
Christian Herald, and Rev. S. Cornelius. On Janu- 
ary I, 1858, Rev. J. W. Taggart was settled as 
pastor. 

In the .summer of 1859 the old church was torn 
down, and the erection of the third church on the 
same site was begun. The corner-stone was laid 
Septembers, 1859. While the church was building 
the congregation found temporary quarters, first in 
the old Congregational Church on Jefferson Avenue 
and then in the hall in Coyl's building on Wood- 
ward Avenue, above State Street. 

In i860 several members of the church organized 
the Lafayette Street Baptist Church. Rev. Mr. 
Taggart's labors closed in June, 1861. In July 
Rev. J. H. Griffith commenced pastoral work, and 
in November following he was ordained. 

After about two years the congregation 
began to use the basement of their new 
church, and on October 1 1, 1863, the main 
audience room was dedicated. It had an 
average width of sixty-si.\ feet and was 
seventy feet long; the width across the 
transepts was eighty feet. The tower was 
not completed, but the cost of the church 
and furnishing reached $25,000. It seated 
650 persons. 

Mr. Griffith resigned on April 14, 1867. 
Rev. G. S. Chase succeeded him in De- 
cember, 1867, and remained until Febru- 
ary, 1870. He, with other members of the 
church, then withdrew and formed the 
Park Street Baptist Church. 

About this time it was decided to sell 

the Fort Street site, and build a new 

church on the corner of Cass Avenue and 

Bagg Street. The lots were bought and 

Streets, a brick chapel erected, which was first 

used in May, 1S72. 

Rev. L. M. Woodruff, who succeeded Mr. Chase, 

remained until July, 1872. In January, 1873, the 

First and Park Street Churches were united, 

Rev. John Matthews, of the Park Street Church, 

serving as pastor from Februarv to November, 

1873- 

In Julv, 1874, Rev. N. C. Mallory commenced 
his pastorate. He resigned in 1879, and was suc- 
ceeded on July I by Rev. Z. Grenell. 

On April 25, 1875, the new church on Cass 
Avenue was dedicated. The lot has a frontage of 
one hundred feet on Cass Avenue by one hundred 
and fifty feet on Bagg Street, and cost $9,000. The 
length of church and chapel is one hundred and 
thirty-eight feet, and width seventy-four feet. The 
main audience room is sixty-fi\'e by one hundred 



THE BAPTIST CHURCHES. 



607 



feet. It has 122 pews and seats 700. The chapel 
cost |; 1 0.000 and the church $50,000. 

The length of church and chapel is one hundred 
and thirty-eiglit feet, and width seventy-four feet. 




Cass .Avence Baptist Chirch. 

The pastor's salary in 1880 was §2,500; the choir 
cost $250; and the total annual expenses were 
S4.500. The pew rents amounted to S5.000. The 
property was valued at $75,000. The average at- 
tendance on Sunday morning was 400. Number of 
members in 1830, 10; in 1840, 153; in 1850, 265; 
in i860, 350; in 1870, 266; in 1880, 421. 

Second Baptist Chinch {Colored^. 
This church was organized in 1836, and held its 
first services in private houses. As early as March 
30, 1836, the society contracted for a building to 
cost $480. The church, however, was not built, and 
m 1839 the society held meetings in a building also 
used for school purposes, on the south side of Kort 
Street, between Beaubien and St. .^ntoine Streets, 
subsequently known as Liberty Hall. On March 
18, 1839, the society was incorporated. 



From August 16 to 20, 1850, the church was 
occupied by the annual meeting of the Amherstburg 
Baptist Association, to which the society belonged. 
In September, 1 851, the society was received into 
the -Michigan Baptist Association. On June 26, 
1854. the church was burned. Services were then 
held for a time in an old school-house on the south 
side of Fort near Hastings Street. In February, 
1857, the society bought their present property on 
the north side of Croghan near Beaubien Street for 
S3, 800 of the First German Reformed Zion Church, 
which society had built it in 1851. In 1881 it was 
extensively repaired, at a cost of $3,000. In 1875 
the church adopted J. Newton Brown's Baptist 
Church Manual. 

Number of members in 1840, 1 5 ; in 1850, 80; 
in i860, 221 ; in 1870, 165 ; in 1880, 306. Number 
of sittings in the church, 275. The average attend- 
ance at morning senice in 1880 was 150. The 
pastor's salary was $700. The total yearly expenses 
were $875- The property was valued at $18,000, 
and encumbered with a debt of $12,000. 

Rev. W. C. Monroe, the first pastor, served from 
1836 to 1847. Rev. S. H. Davis was pastor from 
1847 to 1 85 1, and was succeeded by Rev. D. G. 




Second b \ptist Colored Church. 

Lett, who remained until 1856. In 1857 Rev. Wil- 
liam Troy was pastor. He was followed by Rev. 
G. W. Anderson, who served from 1859 to 1861. 
Rev. S. Chase served from April i, 1861, to April 
I, 1874, and Rev. J. P. Wills from May i, 1876, to 
December, 18S1. He was succeeded on October i, 
1882, by Rev. W. R. Davis, who remained only one 
year. 



6o8 



THE BAPTIST CHURCHES. 




Lafayettf Avenue Baptist Church. 

Lafayette Avenue Church. 

The first steps towards organizing this church 
were tal<en at a meeting held on June 3, i860; and 
on June i 5 following, fifty-six persons, mostly from 
the First Baptist Church, united together as the 
Lafayette Avenue Baptist Church. 

The society first met in the Tabernacle Church, 
on Howard near Second Street. In October, i860, 
the church was received into the Michigan Baptist 
Association. On Wednesday, February 13, 1861, 
Rev. John Matthews was installed as pastor, and on 
December 12, 1862. the society was incorporated. 
In 1863 a lot seventy-five by one-hundred and thirty 
feet, on the south side of Lafayette Avenue between 
Cass and First Streets, was purchased for $3,125, 
and a chapel seating 250 was erected. It was fir.st 
used on January 31, 1864. On October 6, 1865, 
Mr. Matthews resigned, and on December 28 fol- 
lowing, the main church was dedicated. The total 
cost of the church, chapel, and furnishings, was 
$26,000. 

On January 29, 1866, Rev. M. Taylor was called 
as the pastor. He resigned on September 29, and 
was succeeded on November 21, 1866, by Rev. 
Alfred Owen, who was installed January 20, 1S67. 
In May, 1876, the society projected a mission 
which developed into the Eighteenth Street Baptist 
Church. The pastorate of Mr. Owen closed July 
I, 1877, and for a time Rev. F. B. Cressey supplied 



the pulpit. He was succeeded on October 22 of the 
same year by Rev. W. W. Hammond. He resigned 
in December, 1881, and the pulpit u'as temporarily 
supplied by various persons until July. 1882, when 
Rev. C. R. Henderson was called. He preached 
his first sermon as the pastor on September 3. 

The church has 500 sittings. The average at- 
tendance at morning service in 1880 was 300. The 
pastor's salary was $2,000, the choir cost $1,000, 
and the total annual church e.xpenses were $4,400. 
The property was valued at $35,000. Number of 
members in i860, 60; in 1870, 242; in 1880, 386. 

In July, 1883, several members of the society 
bought a lot on the southeast corner of Woodward 
Avenue and Winder Street for $42,000. The lot 
has a frontage of seventy-five feet on Woodward 
Avenue by one hundred and sixty-five on Winder, 
and the congregation propose the erection of a new 
and costly church. 

First Gerinan Church. 

This .society was organized August iS, 1864, and 
reorganized by a Council of Baptist Churches on 
January 18, 1869. The first meetings were held 
in the French Baptist Church, and then in the 
Clinton Avenue Sunday School building. Their 
church, on the northwest corner of St. Aubin Ave- 
nue and Mullet Street, was dedicated May 8, 1870. 
The lot cost $700 and the church $2,000. In the 
winter of 1882 and 1883 an addition was made to 
the front of the building. It seats 300. The par- 
sonage, on the same lot, was built in 1875, and cost 
$500. The average attendance in 1880 was 200. 
The pastor's salary was $450, and the total yearly 
expenses of the church $900. Value of the prop- 
erty, $3,000. Number of members in 1870, 51 ; in 
1 880, 1 30. The following have served as pastors : 
S. Thoms, from 1864 to 1868; C.Jung, from 1868 




-■■f^'rrl 



First German Baptist Church. 



THE BAPTIST CHURCHES. 



609 



to 1876; H. Kellman, from 1876 to iSSo. In May, 
18S0. F. C. Koehler became pastor. 



Zton Church (Colored). 

This society has no building. It was or- 
ganized in 1870. meeting at the house of 
George French, 339 Macomb Street. Rev. 
George Hurlbut was pastor from 1870 to 1872, 
and they have had none since. Number of 
members in 1S70, 45 , in 1880, 25. The soci- 
ety incorporated January 25, 1871. 



at §6,500. In March, 1882, Rev. Mr. Cressey re- 
signed, and on March 26 he was succeeded by Rev. 
M. H. Worrall. 



Eighteenth Street Church. 

This church grew out of a mission estab- 
lished by the Lafayette Avenue Society. A 
meeting was held at that church on May i, 
1876, to consider the subject, and on May 15 
it was decided to establish the Eighteenth 
Street Mission. A lot on the east side of 
Eighteenth Street near Marquette was pur- 
chased at a cost of $1,100, and a church, 
costing $3,4.00 additional, was erected. Rev. 
F. B. Cressey, the first pastor, began his labors 
May 15, and on May 20, 1877, a Sunday 
school was commenced with one hundred 
and si.\ty-two scholars. The building was 
formally dedicated June 3, 1877, and regular 
preaching services began June 10. 

The average attendance at church in the morn- 
ing, in 1880, was 125. The salary of the pastor 
was Si, 200, and the total yearly expenses, $1,300. 
In May, 1880, the church was enlarged, and the 
seating capacity increased from 275 to 500. The 
pews are all free. 

The church proper was organized July I, iSSo, 
with one hundred and eighteen members; reorgan- 
ized on July 6, and formal recognition service held 
on July II, 18S0. The property was then valued 





Eighteenth Street Baptist Church. 



Twelfth Street B.4ptist Church. 



Twelfth Street Church. 

This is the outgrowth of a Sunday school organ- 
ized in the fall of 1S76 in the upper part of a store 
on Grand Ri\er Avenue between Twelfth and Thir- 
teenth Streets. The prosperity of the school led to 
the obtaining of a lot on the southeast corner of 
Twelfth and Linden Streets, and the removal thereto 
of the unused Park Street Baptist Church. On 
January 6, 1878, the school first met in that building. 
On May i Rev. S. W. Titus commenced his labors 
as pastor. On September 19 a church was organ- 
ized, and on September 29, 1 878, the society was 
incorporated. 

The society began with forty-one, and in 1880 
had one hundred and nineteen members. The lot 
cost $800, and the removal and refitting the church, 
S550. The church seats 380. The pastor's salary 
in 1880 was $1,000, and the total yearly expenses 
$1,300. The value of the property was $4,000. 
The average attendance was 200. In the fall of 
1883 the lecture room was enlarged and other 
improvements made, at a cost of about $600. 

Second German Church. 

This society had its beginnings in a German 
Sunday school, commenced February 20, 1876, in the 



6io 



THE BAPTIST CHURCHES. 



Calvary Presbyterian Church. A church was then 
organized, and with twenty-five members was duly 
recognized on .'\ugust i6, 1877, and on September 
25 it was received into the Michigan Baptist Asso- 
ciation. The church building, located on the east 
side of Mt. Hope Avenue, between Michigan Ave- 
nue and Ash Street, was first used June 29, 
and formally dedicated December 16, 1879. The 
lot cost $400 and the building $420. The church 
seats 90. In 1S80 there were twenty-four members, 
and an average attendance Sunday morning of 30. 
The property was valued at 1 1.000. 

The church was organized by Rev. C. Jung, who 
.served as pastor up to 1882. On January I, 1883, 
Rev. A. Freytag became his successor. 







succeeded by Rev. T. C. Johnson, and he, in October. 
18S2, by Rev. John Spears, who contmued the ser- 
vices where they were begun, in a private house, at 
421 Hastings Street. In November, 1883, that prop- 



SliCONU CiEKMAN BaFTIST ChCRCH. 

Clinton ATcnue Church. 

The church building of this society is located on 
the southeast corner of Joseph Campau and Clinton 
Avenues. The society was organized November 30, 
1 880, with fifty-two members. 

The chapel was dedicated on December 12. 1880. 
The lot cost $2,000 and the building $5,000. It 
seats 500. The first pastor. Rev. J. D. Pulis, began 
his pastorate November 30, 1S80. The average 
attendance at the morning service in 1880 was 
250. The pastor's salary was $1,200. and the total 
annual expenses $1,500. The value of the property 
was $8,000. A church costing $1 5,000 will be com- 
pleted during 1S84. 

Ski/oh Church (Colored'). 

This .society was organized December i, 1 881, by 
Rev. John P. Wills. Twenty-five members, mostly 
from the Second Baptist Church, united with the 
society. Mr. Wills died on May 14, 1882, and was 







i^ /^l^r,-. 



Clinton Avenue Baptist Chai-el. 




Clinton Avenue Uai'tist Church. 

erty was sold ; sei-v-ices were then held for several 
months in a hall at 258 Gratiot Avenue. 

In the spring of 1884 a building on Columbia 
Street, between Hastings and Prospect Streets, was 
purchased for $1,300, with the purpose of fitting it up 
for church services. 



THE BAPTIST CHURCHES. 



6ll 



First Fycnch Baptist Church. 
This church was organized September 20, 1S57, 
and incorporated May 2, i860. The first services 
were held in the old Congregational Church on 
Jefferson Avenue, which was used until their 
own building was completed. It is located on 
the north side of Sherman Street between Rivard 
and Russell Streets. The lot was donated by Gen- 
eral Cass, and the brick church was dedicated P'eb- 
ruary 11, 1862. It seats 200 persons and cost 

S2,00O. 



>• 5 — 




^*^'***?^^^f'%"'~rSrs'^^^ 



The French Baptist Church. 



The pews are free. The average attendance in 
18S0 was about 125. Number of members in i860, 
49,- in 1870, 157; in 1880, 100. Rev. R. B. Des- 
roches is the pastor, and his salary is $700. The 
total expenses in 1880 were $800. The property 
was estimated to be worth $3,500. 

Tabernacle Church. {Extinct.) 

This society was a branch of the First Baptist 
Church. The tir.st meeting was held July 17, 1849, 
and on July 21 a Council of Cliurches organized 
the society. On October 28. 1849, Rev. J. Ingiis 
took charge. Services were held in the Detroit 
Institute, on the north side of Jefferson Avenue near 
St. Antoine Street, and in September, 1850, in 
Young Men's Hall, .-\bout this time General Cass 
donated a lot on Howard Street, between Second 
and Third Streets, and in the fall of 1852 a chapel 
thirty by forty feet was erected. In August, 1852, 
Rev. A. E. Mather succeeded Mr. Ingiis, and soon 
after services were held in the new chapel. It seated 
200. Mr. Mather remained a few months, and the 
church was then without a pastor for a year. In 
October, 1854, Mr. Ingiis again took charge, but ni 
the summer of 1855 he resigned. Rev. A. E. 



Mather again served for two or three years, and 
then for some time the church was without a pastor. 
Rev. J. Campbell came ne.xt, and remained two 
years. 

On July 20, 1859, it was decided to sell the chapel, 
buy a lot on Washington Avenue, corner of Clifford 
Street, for $6,000, and erect a church. 

On October i, 1859, the society laid the corner- 
stone of a brick church, and on August 26, iS6o, it 
was dedicated with preaching by Dr. James in the 
morning, and Dr. Ingiis in the evening. It cost 
$10,000, had sixty-nine pews, and seated about 500. 
In this church, from 1859 to 1S64, Rev. James Ingiis 
served as pastor, and in the fall of 1864 Rev. E. 
Curtis took charge. He remained through 1865, 
and was the last minister of the society. 

On .'\pril 20, 1863, the old church on Howard 
Street was sold to a society calling themselves 
the ■■ Howard Street Church of Christ," and on 
March 19, 1867, the church on Washington Avenue 
was sold for $17,000 to a Jewish congregation. 
The proceeds of the sale were used in liquidating 
debts, and the balance divided among those who 
had paid for the erection of the church. 

In 1850 the society had 45 members and in i860, 
no, ,\fter the sale of the church many of the 
members joined other societies. A year or two after 
the church was sold a few of the members began 
meeting for worship in the chapel built about 1 869 
by Dr. Richard Ingiis on the south side of Duffield 
Street, near Woodward Avenue. The frame of the 
building had formerly been a barn, but was refitted 
and practically built anew. About twenty persons, 
remnants of the old Tabernacle flock, with some 
additional members were worshiping there in 1883. 
The building was owned by William Cowie. 

Park Street Church. (E.vtinct.) 

This church was organized by Rev. G. S. Chase 
in February, 1870, mostly from among members of 
the First Baptist Church. They dedicated their 
wooden church on the northeast corner of Park and 
Duflield Streets, on October 2. 1S70. It cost $5,500 
and seated 420. In 1870 they had 73 members. 
In 1S72 Rev. John Matthews became the pastor, 
and in January, 1873, the society united with the 
First Church. In December, 1877, their building 
was removed to Twelfth Street, and became the 
property of the Twelfth Street Baptist Church. 

OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO THE DENOMI- 
NATION. 

The semi-centennial of the organization of the 
Baptist Church in Detroit was observed on Septem- 
ber 25. 1877. 



6l2 



OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO THE DENOMINATION. 



Sessions of the Baptist State Convention have 
been held in Detroit as follows : At the First 
Church, beginning August 31, 1836, October 11, 
1850, and October 14, 1S64; at the Lafayette 
Church un October 8, 1869; and again at the First 
Church on October 19, 1875. 

The Detroit Baptist Social Union was organized 
May 20, 1878. It was established to propagate and 
estabhsh the principles and practices of the Baptist 
Church. The membership fee is S--oo. 

The following have served as officers : 



I'residents : 1878 and 1879, A. H. Wilkinson; 
1880-1881, C. C. Bowen; 1882, Rev. Z. Grenell ; 
1883, D. A. Waterman; 1884, J. D. Standish. 

Secretaries: 187S-1881, Rev. F. B. Cressey ; 
1881, S. C. Annabel; 1882- , J. T. Beadle. 

Treasurers; 1878-1881, Solon Prentiss; iSSi, 
D. A. Waterman; 1882- , George E. King. 

The National Baptist Anniversaries for 1 884 were 
held at the Cass Avenue Church, beginning on May 
21, 18S4. 



CHAPTER LXII. 



THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.— NOTABLE CONGREGATIONAL GATHERINGS. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. 

First Congregational Church. 
After the \isit of Rev. Dand Bacon, we have no 
record of the presence of a Congregational minister 
in Detroit until 1S43. when the following notice 
appeared in the Daily Gazette ; 

The Rev. E. McDowell, of the Eastern Congregational Asso- 
ciation of Michigan, will preach to-morrow (Sunday) in the City 
Hall, at 3 o'clock P. M. The public are invited to attend. 
Preaching may also be expected at the same time and place every 
Sabbath until further notice. 

These services, which were soon discontinued, 
had no connection with the organization of the First 
Congregational Society, which dates its beginnings 
from the autumn of i S44. when a series of Sunday 
meetings was held at the City Hall and also in the 
Scotch Presbyterian Church, corner of Farmer and 
Bates Streets, by Rev. Henrj' L. Hammond. 

On November 25, 1844, at a meeting held at the 
residence of C. G. Hammond, preliminary steps 
were taken to form a church. On December 8 
following, at a meeting held in the City Hall, the 
plans were completed, and on December 23 the 
First Congregational Society of Detroit was incor- 
porated. A Council of the Churches was held De- 
cember 25. and the society duly organized with 
thirteen members. On January 5, 1845. a Sunday 
school was established. On March 31 a lot was pur- 
chased on the southwest comer of Jefferson Avenue 
and Beaubien Street for $2,000, and the society com- 
menced the erection of a church. Ser\'ices were 
held meantime, first in the City Hall, then in the 
Capitol, and finally in the Circuit Court room, od 
the comer of Congress and Griswold Streets. 

On Sunday. December 14, 1845, services were 
first held in the basement of the new church. On 
August 30, 1846, the building was completed and 
dedicated. It was of brick, cost about S;.ooo. "'as 
forty-five by seventy-five feet in size, had 180 pews, 
and seated about r.ooo. 

During the first two years of the existence of the 
church, David Hale, of New York, paid $600 a year 
to the support of the pastor. Rev. H. L. Hammond. 

On Januar\' 16. 1847. the noted re\-ivalist. Rev. C. 
G. Finney, visited Detroit, and preached ever^' eve- 
ning for the week following. Several were added 



to the society. In his biography the fact of this 
visit is not mentionetl. Mr. Hammond resigned 
his pastorate on July 5, 1847, and was at once 
succeeded by Rev. O. C. Thompson, who preached 
for about two months, when failing health com- 
pelled him to give up the charge. Rev. R. R. 
Kellogg then served as pastor for a short time, and 
on November 11, 1847, it was agreed to engage 
Rev. W. W. Atterbury to till the pulpit for sLx 
months. During the winter evangelistic services 




First Congregational Church. 
Original building 

were held in the church by the Rev. J. P. Avery. 
On July 10, 1848, Rev. H. D. Kitchell was called to 
the pastorate; on Sunday, October 1. 184S, he 
preached his first sermon, and on December 6 he 
was in.stalled. 

In the fall of 1852 the subject of a new church 
in a different location began tn be agitated. On 
Januan,- 10. 1853, it was decided to locate on the 
.southwest comer of Fort and W'.iyne Streets. The 
lot cost $10,000 and the building and furnishing 



16-3] 



6i4 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. 



$45,908. The church was dedicated September 21, 
1854. The old church and lot sold for $9,1 50. 

On November 2, 1864, Rev. H. D. Kitchell re- 
signed, and on December 2, Rev. S. M. Freeland 
was called. He commenced his labors on March 
20, 1S65, and in less than a year a movement for a 
Second Congregational Church was inaugurated. 
Mr. Freeland 
resigned as pas- 
tor of the First 
Church, andover 
one hundred 
members went 
with him into a 
new organiza- 
tion. In April, 
1866, Rev. A. 
Ballard began to 
preach for the 
First Church. 
He was called 
soon after, com- 
menced regular 
pastoral work in 
June, and on 
October 18, 
1866, he was in- 
stalled. 

On December 
9, 1 869, the quar- 
ter centennial of 
the organization 
of the church 
was observed 
with appropriate 
exercises. Dr. 
Ballard resigned 
on February 5, 
1872, and the 
pulpit was sup- 
plied by Rev. 
Mr. McWil- 
liams, Rev. Pro- 
fessor Esta- 
brook. and oth- 
ers, until Sep- 
tember, 1S73. 
Rev. Dr. Z. 
Eddy then be- 
gan his pastorate, 
resigned just ten 




He was installed October 10, and 
years later; his successor. Rev. 
W. 11. Davis, accepted a call to the pastorate in 
April, 1884. 

In the summer of 1S74 the church was extensively 
repaired and improved at a cost of $12,260. The 
number of sittings in the church is 940. The aver- 
age attendance at Sunday morning service in 1S80 



was 500, the pastor's salary was .13.500. the yearly 
expense of the choir $900, the se.xton was paid $300, 
and the total annual expenses footed up 16, 000. 
The value of the property was $50,000. About 
.15,500 is received annually from pew rents. The 
number of members in 1850 was 166; in i860, 355; 
in 1870, 279; in 1880, 516. 

Second Church. 
The first ef- 
fort to establish 
a society called 
the Second 
Con gregational 
Church was 
made by Rev. 
Joseph Parker, 
and a society 
thus called was 
incorporated on 
January 24. 1 850. 
It was proposed 
to build a church 
on Woodward 
Avenue to be 
called Detroit 
Tabernacle, and 
on Februan,- 14, 
1850, a fair was 
held in a vacant 
store on Jeffer- 
son Avenue to 
obtain funds in 
aid of the enter- 
prise. The soci- 
ety held meet- 
ings for a time 
in Mechanics' 
Hall, but the en- 
terprise was 
soon abandoned. 
The later and 
successful soci- 
ety branched oft 
from the First 
Church in 
March, i 866, 
was incorpora- 
ted March 1 9, 
and organized 
by a Council of Churches on April 3. Rev. S. M. 
Freeland resigned as pastor of the First Church to 
become pastor of the new flock, which numbered one 
hundred and ten persons. The society first met in 
the church then known as the Tabernacle Baptist, on 
the corner of Washington Avenue and Clifford Street. 
In July, 1866, a lot was purchased near the corner 
of Woodward Avenue and Sibley Street for $5,000, 



FlKST CONGKEGATIONAL ChI'KCH. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. 



615 



and a chapel forty by sixty feet erected on the rear 
of the lot. It was completed at a cost of 11,500, 
and dedicated July 23, 1867. In 1870 the society 
had one hundred and ninety-.seven members, and 




Second Congkf.gation.al Church. 

this year they purchased an adjoining corner lot for 
$5,500. and in the fall of 1872 began to build a 
church. The basement was completed and first 
used Augu.st 23, 1874. The chapel was then sold 
to the African M. E. Church for $300. The body 
of the church was dedicated November 21, 1874. 
It seats nearly 1,200. The .cost, including furnish- 
ing, was about $70,000. 

Mr. Frecland resigned, and his pastorate ceased 
March i. 1875. He was succeeded, on April i. by 
Rev. George Porter, as special supply to October i. 
Rev. W. T. Sprole then entered upon the duties of 
the pastorate. He was followed in September. 1878, 
by Rev. R DeWitt Mallary, who remained a year, 
and m October, 1879, Rev. Moses Smith became 
the pastor. 

From the time the .society built its new church it 
was heavily in debt, and being unable to pay a 
mortgage on the property, nn Februarv 21, 1879, 
the church becaine the property of the mortgagee, 
and the society for a time worshiped m the chapel 
of the Cass .Avenue Baptist Church. Arrangements 
were finally made to rent the church, and on Novem- 
ber 22, 18S0. the congregation subscribed enough to 
purchase the church, and again became owners of 
the property. 

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $2,500, the yearly 
cost nf choir. $550, and the total annual expenses, 
$3,5cx>. Four thousand dollars a year was received 



from pew rents. The value of the property was 
S6o,ooo. The average attendance was 375. Num- 
ber of members m 1S70 was 197: in 1880, 279. 

TriiDihull Avenue Chut eh. 

This society is the outgrowth of the Ninth or 
Trumbull Avenue Mission School, which was estab- 
lished in 1868 on the west side of Trumbull Avenue 
near Howard Street. The building was dedicated 
November 7, 186S. The cost of the property was 
about $10,000. The school flourished, Sunday 
evening services were held from time to time, 
and on April 27, 1881, a Congregational church 
with seventy-three members was organized, with 
Rev. R. W. Wallace as pastor. The building seats 
500, and the average attendance at church ser\'ices 
in 1881 was 100. The total yearly expenses were 
$2,500. 

In August, 1 88 1, the building was moved to a 
lot which cost $4,500, on the northeast corner of 
Baker Street and Trumbull Avenue. In its new 
location the building was dedicated on October 16, 
1881. The property was then valued at $10,000. 
and at that time there was a debt of $3,000 on 
the property. 

Sprtngwelh Church. 
The building of this organization is located on 
the Crane Farm, on the w-est side of Lovers' Lane, 
about five hundred feet from the river. The lot, 
worth $600, was donated by George Jerome and 
other owners. The church cost $2,600, and while 




Tri'mrt'L!, .\vnN*fF: Cnvr.RFr. \TinN \i. Church. 

in an unfinished condition, was first occupied by 
the Sunday school in December. 1879. It was 
seated with chairs, and could accommodate 300. It 
was gradually completed, and in January, i88i, was 



6i6 



NOTABLE CONGREGATIONAL GATHERINGS. 



turned over by the building committee to the care 
of the First Congregational Society. A church 



200. The school was established on July 23, and 
is under the care of Rew O. C. Thompson. 




Springweli.s Congregational Chlrch. 

.society was organized in the spring of 1881, with 
twenty-five members. 

The enterprise is the outgrowth of a mission 
school established about 1S68, under the care 
of the First Congregational Church after 1875. 
Preaching services were begun in November, I SSo, 
with an average attendance of 75. In 1881 this 
and the Trumbull Avenue Congregational Church 
were both under the pastoral care of Rev. R. W. 
Wallace. On February 19, 1S82, Rev. S. R. Bonnell 
became the first regular pastor; he resigned on 
October 15, and on March 15, 1S83. Rev. A. B. 
Allen entered upon the pastorate. 

Harper A'^icnuc Mission. 
This mission is located on the south side of 
Harper Avenue, between Woodward Avenue and 
John R. Streets. The building was dedicated on 



Alt. Hope Mission. 

This mission school is located on the 
west side of Mt. Hope Avenue, about one 
block south of Michigan Avenue. The 
building cost S400 and is on leased ground. 
It was first occupied on October 19, 1882. 

The school is under the care of W. H. 
Russell. 

NOTABLE CONGREGATIONAL GATHER- 
INGS. 

In May of the years 1845, 1854, 1859, 
1864, and 1S80 the State meetings of the 
General Association of Michigan were held 
in Detroit. 





Harper Avence Mission Chapel. 

March 4, 1883. The lot cost $1,600, and the build- 
ing and furniture $1,050. The building can seat 



Mt. Hope A\enue Mission. 

On October 17, 1870, the Triennial Council of the 
Congregational Churches began its sessions in 
the Second Congregational Church. Many distin- 
guished delegates were present, including Presi- 
dents Woolsey and Magoun and Rev. I.)r. Storrs of 
New York. 

On September 7 to 11. 1858. the forty-ninth 
meeting of the .'\merican Board of Commissioners 
for P'oreign Missions was held in Detroit. Mark 
Hopkins, LL. D., Leonard Bacon, LL. D., and many- 
other noted clergymen, were present. Twenty-five 
vears later, from October 2 to 6, 1 883, the sessions 
of the Board (the seventy-fourth), were again held 
in Detroit, at the Central Methodist Episcopal 
Church, which was tendered for the meetings. 
There was a very large attendance, and much inter- 
est was manifested in the ser\'ices. 



CHAPTER LXIII, 



THE LUTHERAN' CHURCHES. 



St. John's German Evangelical Church. 

This society grew out of sen-ices first held by 
Rev. F. Schmid on August i8, 1S33, in a carpenter 
shop owned by John Hais, located on the corner of 
Woodbridge and Bates Streets. On September 22 
following, two elders, Valentine Ruehle, Jr., and 
David Striker, were elected. On January 30, 1836, 
the Governor and Judges sold the society Lot 54, in 
Section 6, on the northeast corner of Monroe Avenue 
and Farrar Street, for S40- ^Ir- Schmid preached 
until July, 1836, and then the society obtained 
the scr\ices of Rev. J. P. Schwabe as a pastor; 
the ser\-ices were 
held in the Presby- 
terian Session Room 
on Woodward Ave- 
nue. Mr. Schwabe 
remained until 
January, 1837, and 
soon afterward died. 
During 1837 a wood- 
en church, thirty-five 
b)' fifty feet, was 
erected on the Mon- 
roe .\ venue Lot. and 
in March it was near- 
ly completed. 

On October 22, 
1837, Rev. M. 
Schaad was called 
to the pastorate. He remained until June. 1841, 
and was succeeded in October by Rev. F. Herman, 
who served until August, 1852, and was followed by 
Rev. C. Haass, who arrived on August 19. Soon 
after this the church was sold, moved to the south- 
east corner of Beaubien and Beacon Streets, and 
turned into a dwelling. It was afterwards burned. 
A new brick church, fifty-six by seventy-five feet. 
was then erected. It seated 850, and was dedicated 
January g. 1853. Rev. Mr. Hartman of Chicago 
preached the sermon. 

On August 6, 1854, at twelve o'clock at night, the 
inside of the church was almost entirely destroyed by 
fire. Mr. Haass left in September, and in October, 
1854, Rev. C. F. Siildan became pastor, remaining one 
year. He was succeeded by Rev. Herman Miller, 



who continued until February-, 1S61, when he, with 
a part of the congregation, left the society, and 
organized a German Presbyterian church, holding 
services in a building on the south side of Catharine 
near Gratiot Street, erected in iS67as a French and 
German Presbyterian Church. Rev. C. Haass was 
again called as pastor of the original society, and 
in April, 1862, he began a pastorate which is still 
continued. 

In 1872 the congregation sold the property on 
Monroe Avenue for $25,000, and in February', 1877, 
the building was torn down. After the sale of the 

property the church 
on Russell Street, 
between Antietam 
and Chestnut Streets, 
was erected. It was 
dedicated on Sep- 
tember 20, 1 874. 
The lots cost S' 3, 100, 
and the church and 
school $72,000. The 
church debt, in 18S0, 
was $30,000. The 
church scats nearly 
1.500 persons. The 
number of commu- 
nicants in 1840 was 
175; in 1850, 375; 
in i860, 63S ; in 1872, 
1,550; in 1874, 1.272; in 1876, 1,346; in l88o, 
1,250. In 1880, the total yeariy e.xpenses, and 
receipts from pews, were about $5,000 each. The 
salary of the pastor was §1,200. The average 
attendance at Sunday morning ser\'ice was 750. 

On September 23, 1883, the .semi-centennial or- 
ganization of the church was observed with appro- 
priate exercises, sermons were preached by several 
clergymen from other cities, and three bells, pur- 
chased at a cost of 1 1,600, were dedicated. 

St. PaiiTs German Evangelical Church. 

This society, a branch of the original Monroe 
Avenue Church, was organized with twenty-four 
members on October 21, and incorporated on 
November i, 1S72. Its brick church, located on 

[«-7] 




Pakt'of Monroe Avenue in 1S72, and second building of 
St. John's Church. 



6i8 



THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES. 



the corner of Seventeenth and Rose Streets, was 
dedicated on February i6, 1873. I he church cost 
1 1 8,000, and seats 700. The lot cost §1,850. Rev. 
J. G. Hildner was the first pastor, and in i 8S3 was 
still ser^nng. In 1S80 the number of communicants 
was 1 ,000, representing 200 families. The average 
attendance at church was 250. The pastor's salary 
was I700. The total yearly expenses were ^3.000, 
and the receipts from pews, .$1,700. Adjoining the 
church is a 
bnck parson- 
age, which cost 
$2,470, the lot 
cost $1. 375- 
Th e church 
debt, in 1881, 
was $11,000. 



5/. Mar//s 
German Evan- 
gelical Church. 

This society 
worship in a 
building located 
on the corner of 
Militar>' Ave- 
nue and the I)ix 
Road. They 
own a property 
costing $1,750, 
and a building 
which cost 
$1,300. It is 
used both for 
church and 
school pur- 
poses. It was 
dedicated on 
Sunday, Janu- 
ary 16, 1804, 
and seats one 
hundred and 
twenty persons. 




St. j 



Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

This church was organized in the year 1850, and 
incorporated March 10, 1851. The first pastor. Rev. 
J. M. G. .Schaller. accepted a call in Novcml)er, 
1850, and meetings were begun in a building on 
Woodbridge Street, in rear of Christ Church. 

In 1 85 1, J. H. Toepel and about twenty-five 
others bought, for $200, the old frame warehouse 
on Woodbridge Street, between Shelby and Wayne 
.Streets, which had been used as a Bethel Church. 
It was moved at an expense of $200 to a lot sixty bv 
one hundred- and fifty feet, costing $1,050, on the 
north side of Earned Street, betw'een Rivard and 



Russell Streets, and fitted up at a further cost of 
$300. Rev. J. M. G. Schaller stayed three years, 
and in 1854 accepted a call from St. Louis. In 1S54 
Rev. H. Kick succeeded Mr. Schaller, but soon after 
his coming, owing to his failing health, an assistant 
had to perform much of his duty. In 1856 an ad- 
dition, equal in size to the original building, was 
erected, and the seating capacity increased to 400. 
In 1S58 Rev. A. Wesserman became pastor, and in 

January, 1S60, 
he was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. 
J. .\. Huegli, 
who was still 
serving in 1883. 
In 1 866 a lot 
with dwelling, 
on the north- 
east comer of 
Gratiot Avenue 
and Prospect 
Street, was pur- 
chased for 
|6,ooo, and a 
brick church, 
fifty by one 
hundred and 
three feet, cost- 
ing $ I 5,000 
was erected. 
It was dedi- 
cated October 
24, 1 866, and 
seats seven 
hundred per- 
sons. The old 
church was 
turned into 
a dwelling. 
Number of 
communicants 
in i860, 200; 
in 1870, 400; 
in iSSo, 450. The average attendance at morning 
service in 1880 was 500. The yearly cost of main- 
taining the church was about $2,000, and the .same 
amount was received from pew rents. Including 
the parsonage, the property was valued at about 
$30,000, and in 1S81 there was a debt of $4,000. 

Bethlehem German Evangelical Lutlieran 
Church. 

This society, located in the village of Norris. was 
established in 1874. It has 60 communicants. The 
pastor is Rev. Conrad Schwankoosky. Connected 
with the church there is a school with one teacher 
and forty eight scholars. 



THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES. 



619 




Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Chi'rch. 

Iniinamicl Evangelical Liillii-ran Cliiirc/i. 

This organization is a branch of Trinity 
Church. It was organized in 1864 with fif- 
teen members, and incorporated August 14, 
1865. Their first church, a wooden building, 
twenty-six by fifty-six feet, was erected on 
Trumbull .X venue, between Orchard and Plum 
Streets. It was dedicated November 5. 1865, 
and seated three hundred and fifty persons. 




sequently torn down. Rev. K. L. Moll, the first 
pastor, came to the city February 6, 1S66, and is 
still serving in 1884. In 1870 the number of com- 
municants was 460, or sixty-six heads of families, 
and in 1880, 1,346, or one hundred and forty-five 
heads of families. The average attendance at 
morning service in 1S80 was 800. The pastor's 
salary in 1 880 was .$600. The total yearly expenses 
were $2,500, and the receipts from pew rents, 
$1,700. There was a church debt of $9,000. 
The parsonage was built in 1S71 and cost $1,300. 

Zzon Evangelical Lutheran Church. 
This society was organized August 22, 1882, by 
Rev. K. L. Moll. The building is located on Welch 
Avenue in Springvvells. The lots cost $1,200 and 
the church $8,000. It was dedicated July 8, 1883. 
The first pastor. Rev. C. F. Schatz, commenced his 
labors October 15, 1882. 

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. 
The church occupied by this society is located 
on the northeast corner of Joseph Campau Avenue 



St. Mark's German Evangelical Chcrch. 

On J;inuary 12, 1873, their brick church, 
size, forty-eight by one hundred and twelve 
feet, on the corner of Seventeenth and Pine 
Streets, was dedicated. The lot cost $1,600, 
andthechnrch $14,000. The building seats 
nine hundred persons. The old building 
was turned into a school-house, and sub- 




St. Paul's German Evangelical Church, 
Corner Seventeenth and Rose Streets. 



620 



THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES. 



and Jay Street. The society was organized in October, 1871, 
and incorporated September 8, 1S72. It affiliates witli Trinity 
Cliurch, from which its lirst members came. The church was 
consecrated September 8, 1873. The lots cost $2,300, the church 
$8,954, and the parsonage Ss.ooo- The average attendance in 
1880 was 500. The pastor's salary was f6oo. The yearly 
expenses were .12,500, and the receipts from pews $1,600. The 
church debt, in 1881, was .$1,100. The church seats 700. 

During 1883 a tower was added to the church, and a chime 
of three bells procured, at a total cost of about |5,ooo. They 
were consecrated on .September 9, 1883. 



of families in connection with the 
church in 1850, i860, and 1870 was 35, 
and in 1880, 40. The pews are free. 
The total yearly expenses are $700. 
The pastor's salary in 1880 was $330. 





Original Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Chcrch. 



Rev. E. Dankworth, the first pastor, was suc- 
ceeded on February 15, 1878, by Rev. C. H. Rohe; 
on August 17, 1S82, he was followed by Rev. H. J. 
Schuh. The church began witli 17 members in 
1 87 1, and in 1880 had 500. 

5/. Matlhciu's Rvangch'cal Luthcrnn dnirch. 

This society was organized and incorporated No- 
vember 10, 1845. They held their first services in 
the City Hall. Their brick church, on the south 
side of Congress Street, near Rivard Street, was 
dedicated on August 2, 1846, and seats 200, with an 
average attendance of 1 30. The lot cost $200. The 
parsonage, on the same lot, cost .$400. 

On August 8, 1850, the church united with the 
Evangelical Lutheran Synod, of Buffalo. Rev. J. 
F. Winckler, their first pastor, remained until 1856, 
and then went to Buffalo, New York, to become 
a professor in the Lutheran College. The numlier 



Imm.\nl'EL Evangelical Ll-thekan Church. 

The value of the property was $10,000, 
and there was a debt of |8oo. 

The pastors have been: 1845-1857, 

J. F. Winckler; 1857-1859, Sigmund 

Fritschcl; 1859, William Grabau ; 1860-1864, Fred 

Eppling; 1 864-1 871, Charles Scliadow ; 1871-1875. 

Henry Meir; 1875, Charles Schadow; 1876, none; 




^ir'>-^j:r^ni 



ZioN Evangelical Lltheran Church and School. 



THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES. 



621 




penses about .$900. The value of the property was 
$15,000; and there was a church debt of $1,300. 

The pastors have been: A. Berkey, November 
20, 1848, to June 20, 1852; E. Berker, August 11, 
1852, to September 24, 1854; E. Spies, October i. 
1854, to January 3, 1856; H. Hoff, Januar>' 19, to 
Februan,- i. 1857; A. -Shroeter, May 11, 1857, to 
March 6, i860; C. Cast, October 28, i860, to Feb- 
ruary- 26, 1 866; P. Greding, February- 26, 1S66, to 
August 6, 1870; John Baumgertner, September 19, 
1870, to May 12, 1873: John Niehoff, May 12, 1S73, 
to March 1, 1876; William Hansen, from May 3, 
1876. 

S/. Peter's German Evangelual Lutheran Church. 

This congregation was gathered in the spring of 
1878 bv Rev. Emil Dankworth. Their church, 
located uu the northwest corner of Pierce and Chene 
Streets, on lots costing $1,450, was consecrated in 
June, 1S78. The building seats 1,200, and cost 
$7,000. In 1880 there was a debt of $6,000. In 
1S80 there was an average attendance of 450 at 
morning service; number of communicants, 750. 
The pastor's salary was $684, and the church ex- 
penses about $ ! ,084 yearly. 



St. Paul's Evangi-:u 



ILNAN ClURrn. 



1877, John Grabau ; 1877-1S80, Alexander 
Lange; 1880- , John Kindeman. 

Zion German Reformed Church. 

This congregation was organized on 
November 20, 1849, and incorporated May 
22, 1850. Their lirst meetings were held 
in the City Hall. On .-Xpril 12, 1852, they 
dedicated their brick church, on the north 
side of Croghan, near Beaubien Street. 

In February, 1857, they sold it to the 
Second Baptist Colored Church for $3,800, 
and on July 9 of the same year it was 
resolved to buy the lots on the east side 
of Russell, between Sherman and Catha- 
rine Streets, on which the present church 
is located. They cost $750. The church, 
thirty by forty feet, was erected at a cost 
of $1,600. In 1862 it was enlarged at a 
cost of about $2,200. The parsonage was 
erected in 1857 at a cost of about $1,500, 
including the lot. The church seats 200, 
and in 1880 had an average attendance 
of 75. In 1850 there were 65 communi- 
cants; in i860, 107; in 1870, 120; and in 
1880, 135. The salary of the pastor in 
1880 was $600, and the total annual e.\- 



a 



V® 




)iiiBi).iniJ 



jP«3iiii!i!til;iii.illik!i!fi!iii!il£u-.-!i;:tUaL 



^^a^ga^6wieiBaEg^'aaasgl:gii!iaas^£H-'^^ 




St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church. 



622 



THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES. 



Salem German Evangelical Ltithe7-an Church. 
This society owns and occupies the building ori- 
ginally erected in 1857, on Catharine Street near 
Gratiot Street, as a French and Ciernian Presbyterian 
Church. On March 9, 1862, a German Lutheran 
Church was organized in the building, and contin- 
ued there about two years, with Rev. H. Cjundert 
as pastor. The society then disorganized, and 
the property passed into the possession of the 
present society, which was organized in June, 1864. 
On November 26, 1865. the building was dedicated. 





St. Peter's Gek.ma.m Kvanl.elical LtiheIvan Chukch. 

Antoine Street. The church and lot cost Ir.joo. 
The building was erected for a Swedish Lutheran 
Church, designated as St. John's. Rev. O. C. 
Amble was the founder of the society. The 
enterprise failed of support, and services were 
continued only about a year. The church was 
then unoccupied until 1881, when it was rented, 
and opened on June 5. with services by Rev. John 
J. Schmidt. 



ZiON Germ.an Reformed Church. 

and on January 20, 1866, the society was incorpo- 
rated. The property was purchased February 26, 
1866, for 12,000. The three-story brick parsonage 
cost 11,500, and the entire property in 1880 was 
worth about $12,000. The number of sittings in 
the church is 250, and the average attendance in 
1880 was 175. Number of members in 1864, 4; 
in 1870,37; in 1S80, 230. Pastor's salary', $400. 
Yearly expenses of the church, $700. The first 
pastor was Rev. J. J. Schmidt. In October, 1877, 
he was succeeded by Re\-. J. Sturnier. 

St. Luke's German Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

The small wooden building of this society is 

located on the south side of Leland Street near St. 




Salem German Evangelical Lutheran Church. 



THE LUTHERAN' CHURCHES. 



62' 




St. Luke's German Evangelical Lutheran Church. 




St, John's Indetendent Lutheran Church. 



It has two hundred sittings and an average Twenty-third and Ash Streets, on March 25, 1880 

attendance of sixty persons at services. In 1881 The church and parsonage are valued at f 4.000. In 

tliere were twelve members. 1880 there were about one hundred communicants. 

^ r , . T , , , '^'^'^ '"'^' church expenses, including the pastor's 

St. John s Independent Lutheran Church. salary were S;7oo 

This society purcTiased the old St. Mark's Episco- Rev. Emil Hardrat was pastor in 1883. 
pal Church property, on the southwest corner of 



CHAPTER LXIV. 



THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. — THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH. — THE UNITARIAN 

CHURCH. — THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. — THE THIRD AVENUE MISSION 

CHURCH. — JEWISH CONGREGATIONS. — GENERAL CHURCH 

STATISTICS. 



THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
TJie First Christian Cliurdi. 

A society known as Disciples, Campbellites, or 
Christians held meetings in Detroit in a private 
house as early as 1838. In 1846 meetings were 
held in a school-room near the corner of Congress 
and Randolph Streets, under the leadership of Rev. 
W. K. Nay. The same year the use of the State 
Capitol was obtained, and services were held each 
Sabbath, and about this time Mr. Nay was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Eli Regal. He was serving as 
pastor in October, 
1 85 1. After worship- 
ing in the Capitol for 
a few months, the 
society moved to the 
OddFellow.s'Hall,on 
Woodward Avenue; 
then, on April 9, 1 848. 
to Fowler's school 
building, on the north 
side of Jefferson Av- 
enue near St. Antoine 
Street ; from this 
place they moved tt) 
the old City Hall, 
where they remained 
until 1S63. Several 
members of the soci- 
ety then purchased 
the old Congrega- 
tional Church on Jefferson Avenue, and on January 
3 of that year held their first services there, with 
Rev. Isaac Errett as pastor. He remained until 
January i, 1865, and was at once succeeded by 
Rev. W. T. Moore. Under Mr. Moore's pastorate, 
on October 15, 1865, the Howard Street congrega- 
tion (whose history is given separately) united with 
the Jefferson Avenue Church, but in January. 1868, 
they left to re-establish their own society. 

Mr. Moore remained until February, 1866, and 
was succeeded on March 15 by Rev. A. J. Hobbs, 




W SHINGTON AVEN E L 



who continued until April i, 1867. He was followed 
on May I, 1S67, by Rev. T. V. Berry, and in July 
of the ne.xt year a portion of the congregation, with 
Mr. Berry, the pastor, left the Jefferson Avenue 
congregation, and commenced services at St. An- 
drew's Hall. In 1869 and 1870 Rev. M. S. Clapp 
was pastor of the congregation at St. Andrew's 
Hall. Meantime the Jefferson Avenue Church had 
as its pastors B. A. Hinsdale in 1S68, O. P. Millar 
in 1S69, and H. H. Black in 1870. 

In March, 1871, the two congregations united, 
and soon after, under the pastorate of Mr. Clapp, 

they began worship- 
ing in the Wash- 
ington Avenue edi- 
fice. This building 
formerly belonged to 
the Scotch Presbyte- 
rian Church, and was 
purchased for and 
jjresented to the soci- 
ety by Colin Camp- 
bell and Thomas 
Linn, at a cost of 
!f 2,600. The lot cost 
>;7,5oo, and the prop- 
Lily in 18S0 was 
\alued at $15,000. 
Rev. Gilbert J. Ellis 
succeeded Mr. Clapp 
on July I, 1S71, and 
remained until No- 
vember I, 1875. Rev. T. D. Butler served from 
September i, 1876, to March, 1878, and Rev. George 
Clendenning from September i, 187S, to .^pril, 1880. 
The ne.\t regular pastor was Rev. W. B. Thompson, 
whose term began in July, 1 883. 

The church seats 600, and the pews are free. 
The pastor's salary in 1880 was $1,500, and the 
other church expenses about $400 per year. 

The average attendance in iS8owas 15a. Num- 
ber of members in i860, 75; in 1870, 175; in 1880, 
230. 



[624] 



THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 



625 



Church of Christ. 
This congregation, worshiping on the corner of 
Fourth and Plum Streets, is a part of the original 
society of Disciples. After a portion of the 
congregation had left to organize a church on Jeffer- 
son Avenue, the remainder, for a few months, wor- 




DisciPLES OF Chuist Chlrch. 

shiped in the City Hall. Finally, the society pur- 
chased of the Tabernacle Society a little frame 
church on Howard Street, for $2,000, and on May 
29, 1863, was incorporated as the Howard Street 
Church of Christ, which is still its legal title. The 
Howard Street Church seated 200. On October 15, 
1865, the society united with that worshiping on Jef- 
ferson Avenue, and in April, 1866, the old church 
on Howard Street was sold, and soon afterwards 
turned into a dwelling. During the first week of 
January, 186S. the two societies separated, and on 
July 26, this society first used its building on the 
northwest corner of Fourth and Plum Streets. The 
lot cost $i,Sooandthe building $3,000. The church 
seats 300. All the pews are free. The average at- 
tendance in 1880 was 200. Number of members in 
1850, 60; in i860, 100; in 1870, 120; in 1880, 220. 
In 1880 the estimated value of the property was 
$6,000, and the yearly expenses about $500. During 
1883 the society established a mission on the corner 
of Fourteenth .Avenue and Ash Street. The lot 
cost $1,250 and the building $1,350. It was first 
used on May i. The society has no clergyman, so 
called, the ser\'ices being conducted by elders and 
deacons. 



gan E.xchange. On July 14 following, .Sunday 
morning services, which had been held at the house 
of S. Hall, were first held at this place. 

On January 13, 1846, Mr. Field rented a store 
underneath, and fitted it up for meetings, and on 
Sunday, May 3, an upper room in the Republican 
Block was first used. The society on December 6 
moved from there to the United States Court Room, 
over the Post Office, on the corner of Jefferson Ave- 
nue and Griswold Street, and there, on January 30, 
1S48, was fully organized. In September, meetings 
were held in the County Court Room, on the corner 
of Griswold and Congress Streets. In 1851 Rev. 
Jabez Fo.x became pastor, and on July 18, 1852, the 
Detroit society of the New Church was incorporated. 
The society then moved to the old Congregational 
Church on Jefferson Avenue, holding their first ser- 
vices there on July 22, 1855, and the same year the 
pastorate of Mr. Fox ceased. In 1856 Rev. G. Field 
again became pastor, and as early as February, 
1858, the society moved to a room over 154 Wood- 
ward Avenue, near the Campus Martius, remaining 
there nearly a year, and then moving back to the old 
Congregational Church. A lot and building on 
Macomb .Avenue near Park Street was next bought 
and fitted up at a cost of $4,000, and dedicated 
August 26, i860. From this time until 1862 there 
was no pastor. In the latter year Rev. G. Field re- 
turned, and remained until 1866. 




Nrdj Jerusalem Church. 

The first church of this name in Detroit was 
organized with seven members on August 25, 1839, 
at the house of Nathan Goodell, by Rev. H, Weeks. 
Ser\-iccs were held until the summer of 1842, and 
then discontinued until March 14, 1844, when Rev. 
G. Field began teaching the doctrines of this church 
in the second story of a building opposite the Michi- 



MissioN Chapel — Disciples of Christ. 

From December, 1867, to March, 1868, Rev. W. 
G. Day was pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. E. 
C. Mitchell, who remained from 1869 to 1872. 
During his pastorate the church property was sold 
for $6,000 and the proceeds used in the purchase of 
a lot on the southwest corner of Cass and High 



626 



THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH. 



Streets, which cost $6,000. A new church costing 
$8,000 was then erected, and dedicated November 
3, 1872. It seats 330. In 1873 Rev. L. P. Mer- 
cer became pastor. He remained until 1877, and 




Detroit, and at his suggestion services were held in 
the United States Court Room, corner of Jefferson 
Axenue and Griswold Street. On his return trip 
from the West, another meeting was held in the old 
seminary building on Griswold Street, and 
as a result of these meetings, in the spring 
of 1S50, a room was rented in the old Odd 
Fellows' Hall, an Act of Incorporation ob- 
tained from the Legislature, and on October 
6, 1850, the church was organized and be- 
came a corporate body. During the summer 
and fall of 1850 occasional meetings were 
held by Rush R. Shippen, Dr. Hosmer, Rev. 
C. M. Taggart, and Rev. T. C. Adam. In 
April, 1 85 1. Rev. J. A. Penniman, of Savan- 
nah, Georgia, conducted ser\-ices, and on 
July 4 of this year Rev. T. J. Mumford be- 
came the first regular pastor. He was in- 
stalled on August 24. Under his pastorate 
the two lots on the northwest corner of 
Lafayette Avenue and Shelby Street were 
secured at a cost of $3,000, and a church 
erected, and dedicated on September 8, 
1853. It cost $12,000, and had sittings for 
488 persons. In 1859 Mr. Mumford went 
East on account of his health, and this year 
the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Richard 
Metcalf. He was followed, in the fall of 
i860, by Rev. Mr. Silsbee, and on Decem- 



New Jeri'salem Chl'rch. 

was succeeded in the fall of 1879 by Rev. 
J. B. Parmelee, who remained only a few 
months. Rev. George Field then ser\'ed the 
church for three months, and the pulpit was 
afterwards supplied temporarily by various 
persons until April i, 1 881, when Rev. H.C. 
Vetterling came. He remained but a few 
weeks, and was followed by Rev. J. R. Hib- 
bard, who, as the presiding minister of the 
Michigan Association, cared for the church 
in the absence of a pastor. On September 
16, 1883, a regular pastor was secured. Rev. 
A. F. Frost beginning his duties on that date. 
The number of members in 1 840 was 7 ; in 
1850,38; in i860, 1870, and 1S80, the number 
was 70. The average attendance in 1 880 at 
morning service was 80. The pastor's sal- 
ary was Si ,000, and the total yearly expenses, 
$1,200. Value of the property, $15,000. 



The Co7Jgregational Unitarian Church. 

The beginnings of this society date from the win- 
ter of 1849-1850. Rev. F. W. Holland, secretary of 
the American Unitarian Society, then paid a visit to 




The Congregational Unitarian Chukgh. 

ber 31, i860, Mr. Mumford's pastoral term was 
formally closed. 

After Mr. Mumford's withdrawal the pulpit 
was supplied temporarily until 1862. Rev. S. S. 



THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 



627 



Hunting then became the pastor, beginning Janu- 
ary I. 1S62, and remaining until March 21, 1863. 
During his term, on January 19, 1862, the annual 
conference of the Western Unitarian Churches was 
held in Detroit. Rev. A. G. Hibbard became pastor 
October 17, 1864, and remained until March 25, 
1866. Rev. Jason F. Walker then served for nearly 
two years, and was fol- 
lowed for a few months 
by Rev. C. Macauley. 
Rev. W. R.G. Mellen next 
entered upon the pastor- 
ate, was installed March 
4, 1S69, and continued for 
two years from that date. 
During his term, in 1871, 
extensive improvements 
were made to the front 
entrance of the church and 
to the basement, and the 
interior was fitted with 
new pews, organ, etc., at a 
cost of §17,500. On May 
19, 1S72, Rev. CaK-in Steb- 
bins became the pastor, 
remaining until January 5, 
1879. Rev. T. B. For- 
bush became pastor on 
May 5, 1 880. The average 
attendance on Sunday 
morning in 1880 was 250. 
The pastor's salary was 
$2,500, the choir cost 
$1,700, and the total an- 
nual expenses reached 
85,000. The amount re- 
alized from pew rents was 
§3,000 per year. The 
number of members in 
1850 was 140; in i860, 
260; in 1870, 300; in 1880, 
380. The debt in 188 1 
was $5,000 and the church 
property was valued at 
§46,000. 



comb Avenue and Park Street. Their first Sunday 
evening service was held there on October 16, the 
building was dedicated on October 18, and will seat 
750. The lot on which the building stands is leased 
for fourteen years at a nominal rental, the price of 
the lot to be fixed at the end of the lease. The 
church and furnishings cost $50,000. IMore than 



During 1883 a lot was 




bought as a site for a new 

church on the northwest corner of Woodward and 

Selden Avenues. 

Church of Our Father (Uiinvrsah's/). 
This society was organized and incorporated in 
May, 1879, and in 1880 had one hundred and sev- 
enty-five members, with Rev. E. L. Rexford, D. D., 
as pastor. They held their first service in Whit- 
ney's Opera House on April 20, 1879, remaining 
there until October, 1881. and then moving into 
their stone church on the northwest corner of Ma- 



vv.^ n la" O1.R Father — Universalist. 

half the total cost was paid by S. J. Murphy. The 
average attendance in 1880 at the Opera House was 
300. The number of members, 180. The yearly 
expenses were about §4,000, of which §3,000 was 
for the pa.stor's salary. In 1883 a State convention 
of Universalists held its sessions in this church ; 
the opening session was on the 6th of October. 



Third Az'enue Mission Church. 
This society was organized June 7, 1882 



with 



628 



THE MISSION CHURCH. — JEWISH CONGREGATIONS. 



fifteen members, with Rev. C. E. Hulbert as pastor, 
and incorporated December 14, 1882. It is evan- 
gelical in character, but not connected with any 
denomination. In 1S82 it had twenty members, 




iHiKU .-VVE.NUE MIbbIU^ SUNU.W SCHUUL LtlLDINu. 

and on December 14 of that year was incorporated 
under the title of Third Avenue Mission Church. 
The services are held in a mission Sunday-school 
building, which is con- 
trolled by a society incor- 
porated under the name 
of the Third Street Mis- 
sion, on March 17, and 
organized on May 1 1 , i S67. 
The building, forty-four 
by si.\ty-six feet, cost 
$4,000, and was dedicated 
May 10, 1868. The prop- 
erty is held by five trus- 
tees, elected for terms of 
three years each by the 
Sunday-school teachers. 

Beth El Jewish Society. 

This society was organ- 
ized in August, 1850, in- 
corporated on April 21, 
1851, and reorganized in 
1853. For the first two 
years they met in a private 



house, and for the next three years over the store of 
Silberman & Hirsch, on Jefferson Avenue. The 
rabbi, at this time, was Rev. S. Marcus. He was 
succeeded, after his death in 1854, by Rev. L. Adler, 
who remained seven years. During most 
of his term the society met in a room over 
Dr. Scherer's drug store, at No. 39 Michi- 
gan Grand Avenue. On March 5, i860, the 
society was incorporated anew, and in 1861 
bought the old French Methodist Church on 
Rivard Street, between Croghan and Lafay- 
ette Streets, and dedicated it on August 30. 
Rev. A. Laser now ser\'ed three years, and 
was followed by Rev. Dr. J. Kallisch, who 
remained the same length of time. After 
he left, the old place of worship was sold, and 
the forms of service modernized. The 
temple on the corner of Washington Ave- 
nue and Clifford Street was purchased for 
$17,000, and dedicated on August 30, 1867. 
Rev. E. Eppstein was the first rabbi of the 
new temple, remaining till 1870. His suc- 
cessor. Rev. Dr. K. Kohler, served two years. 
Rev. E.Gerechter served for one year. Rev. 
L. Wudner for three years, and in Septem- 
a ber, 1876, Rev. Dr. H. Zirndorf took charge. 

r!Lf» Only men are admitted as members of the 

society: the number in 1850 was 12; in 
i860, 40; in 1870, 60; in 1880, 100. The 
church seats 600. The average attendance 
at service in i SSo was 500. The salary of 
the rabbi was $2,500. The sexton was paid 
The choir cost $1,000, and the total annual 
expenses were $5,500. The property was worth 
$25,000. 




IjEth El Synagogue. 



GENERAL CHURCH STATISTICS. 



629 



Connected with the church is a Hebrew Relief 
Society, of which the first president was D. G. 
Workum. He was succeeded by E. S. Heineman. 
The congregation is l<nown as Reformed Hebrews, 
and their ser\-ice differs but little in method from 
that observed in Protestant churches. 



Shaary Zcdcc Jt~iuish Society. 

This society was organized September 27, 1861, 
with a membership of seventeen. It met over Dr. 
Scherer's drug store, on Michigan Grand Avenue 
near Bates Street. 

In 1S64 the society bought the old St. Matthew's 
Colored Episcopal Church, on the southeast corner 
of St. Antoine and Congress Streets, for §4,500, 
and on September 23, 1S64, it was dedicated for 
their use. In the fall of 1S76 the old church was 
sold and torn down, and the erection of a new one, 
to cost $15,000, begun. The congregation, becom- 
ing divided in sentiment, was unable to pay for the 




S^TJAGOGUE OF ShaARY ZeDEC. 

new building, and on April I, 1879, it was turned 
over to the contractors. After the sale of the old 
church the congregation separated into three por- 
tions, meeting in Kittelberger's Hall on Randolph 
Street, in Funke's Hall on Macomb Street, and at 
the corner of Gratiot and Hastings Streets. Late 
in 1 88 1 a number of them united in renting the 
building they had been forced to sell, and used it as 
a synagogue. They are known as orthodox Israel- 
ites, and obser\-e many of the ancient forms and 
ceremonies. The number of members in 1870 was 
48; in 1880, 35. The officiating rabbis have been: 
1 865-1868, Laser Kontrovitch; 1868, A. Gold- 
schmidt; 1871-1874, B. Moscowitz; May, 1882- 
, Joseph Rapperat. 



GENERAL CHURCH STATISTICS. 

The following tables, the first of the kind that 
have been compiled for Detroit, give a variety of 
interesting facts. All churches of the same general 
faith or practice are grouped together : 

Number of Chl-rch Buildings. 



Roman Catholic 

Methodist 

Presbyterian 

Episcopalian 


1800 

I 


1810 

I 

I 


1820 

I 

z 


1830 


1840 

2 
z 
I 
I 
2 
I 

•• 


1850 

4 
4 

2 

3 
2 

I 


i860 

5 
9 

4 
6 

3 


1870 

9 
8 

7 
7 
7 
6 

I 

2 
2 

I 
2 


1880 

13 
9 
15 


Lutheran. 

New Jerusalem (Swe- 

denborgian).. 

Christian (Disciples)... 

Congregational 

Unitarian 

Jewish 

Undenominational 


I 


9 

I 
2 
2 

I 
2 
I 


Totals 


2 


5 


9 


18 


34 


52 


80 







Number of Members. 



Roman Catholic'.. 

Methodist 

Presbyterian 

Episcopalian 

Baptist 

Lutheran- 

New Jerusalem . .. 

Christian 

Concregational.. .. 

Unitarian 

Jewish , 

Totals 



1830 


1840 


1850 


)86o 


1870 


78 


281 


539 


821 


1. 471 


86 


448 


810 


',■37 


1,661 


40 


291 


407 


728 


2,016 


10 


.68 


qqo 


440 


1,019 




7 


38 


70 


70 






60 


■75 


29s 






166 


255 


476 






140 


2bO 


300 






12 


40 


108 


214 


1. 195 


2,562 


3.856 


7,416 



2,489 

2,Q02 



70 
450 

795 

380 
135 



Percentage of Church Members to Population. 



Roman Catholic ^ . 

Methodist 

Presbyterian 

Episcopalian 

Baptist 

Lutheran - 

New Jerusalem . . . 

Christian 

Congregational... . 

Unitarian 

Jewish 



Totals 09s 



1830 1840 1850 i860 1870 1880 



-035 
.038 
.018 
.C04 



.025 
.038 
.019 
.018 



.001 
.002 
.007 
.006 



.016 

.OiO 

.025 
.012 

.000 

.003 
.005 
.003 
.001 



.085 



.029 
.014 



.006 
.003 
.001 



Number of Sittings. 





1820 


1830 


1840 


J850 


i860 


1870 


1880 


Roman Citholic. 


850 


850 
200 
43° 
35" 
200 


1,300 

500 

I, coo 

700 

650 

350 


3.300 

1,700 

i,6co 

1,500 

650 

550 

1,000 


4,484 
3,600 
3,800 
2,650 
1.275 
I 600 

1,000 
488 


7.384 

4.305 

4,550 

4,810 

2.445 

2.550 

200 

1,300 

1,240 

500 

900 


12,013 
6,013 
6,950 


Presbyterian .... 


















6,350 
330 
900 

2,090 
500 

1,050 


New Jerusalem.. 

Christian ■ 

Congregational.. 

Unitarian 

Jewish 




Totals 


850 


2,050 


4.500 


10,300 


18,807 


30,184 


47.145 



630 



GENERAL CHURCH STATISTICS. 



Percentage of Sittings to Population. 







1820 


1830 ' 


18^0 


1850 


i860 


1870 


1880 


Roman Catholic. 


-sSq 


.38= 


141 


•'57 


098 


.092 


.103 


Methodist 




.090 


OS4 


.080 


.078 


■ 054 


.051 


Presbyterian . . . 










.2Q2 


108 


.076 


.083 


.057 




Episcopalian . . 










• '57 


076 


.071 


.058 


.060 


.063 


Baptist 










.090 


070 


.030 


.027 


.030 


.030 


Lutheran 












038 


.026 


.035 


.032 


■054 


New Jerusalem 


















.002 


.002 


Christian 


















.016 


.007 


ConKregalional 














• 047 


.021 


.015 




Unitarian 
















.010 


.006 


.004 


Jewish 


















,011 


.009 




r,J 


.921 


487 


.487 


.410 


■375 


.411 








1 





Roman Catholic 

Methodist 

Presbyterian 

Episcopalian. . . . 

Baptist 

Lutheran 

New Jerusalem . 

Christian 

Congregational . 

Unitarian 

Jewish .. 

Universalist 

Totals 



Average At- 
tendance at 

Morning ser- 
vice in 1880. 



9,45" 

2.515 

3i'55 

2.715 

1,780 

3.630 

80 

350 

875 

250 

500 

300 



25,600 



Total Church 
Expenses ia 



$44,400 

24. (^'5 

32, 810 

42,325 

15,575 

18,384 

1,200 

goo 

9,500 

5,000 

5,500 

4,000 



$204,219 



Value of 
Church Prop- 
erty in 1880. 



$774,000 

303,000 

336. 750 

579. 875 

154,000 

209,000* 

15,000 

21, 000 

110,000 

46,000 

25,000 



$2,573t6«5 



1 As the Catholic churches keep no definite record of the num- 
ber of families connected with their parishes, and no record of 
individual names, it is not possible to compute their numbers with 
accuracy. The total number of families reported from the several 
Catholic parishes in 1S80 was 7,162, and their authorities estimate 
an average of five persons to each family as adherents of the 
church. 

2 The Lutheran churches keep their records with greater 



accuracy, but have no uniform method, some keeping lists of 
families, and others of communicants only ; their statistics are, 
therefore, not as satisfactory as one could wish. A grouping of 
the figures for some of these churches, and careful estimates from 
others, give a total of 6,111 communicants of Lutheran churches 
in 1880. 

8 Nut including the school property of the churches- 



CHAPTER LXV. 



THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL. — MISSION SCHOOLS. — SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS.— 
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNIONS. CONVENTIONS, AND CELEBRATIONS. 



THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

We know not how they became entitled to the 
name of " directors," but the following card, printed 
in the Gazette, fully identities the founders of the 
first Protestant Sunday school in Michigan, and 
shows when the school began : 

SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

At a meeting of the Directors of the Sunday School Association 
of the city of Detroit, Mr. Lemuel Shattuck was unanimously 
appointed Superintendent thereof, and it was resolved that the 
school shall go into operation on Sunday, the 4th inst., to com- 
mence at half past 8 o'clock A. M. 

The object of the Association is to instruct children and others 
in the art of reading, free of expense, and to stimulate them to 
exertion in acquiring the rudiments of knowledge. Rewards will 
be disiributrd to the deserving. 

Much benefit has been received from similar institutions in 
most of the populous towns in the United States. The citizens 
of Detroit have contributed liberally for this establishment, and 
it is hoped they will now exert themselves to send every one, 
male and female, that needs instruction. 

H. J. Hunt, ' A. E. Wing, H. M. Dickey, 

L. Shattuck^ B. Stead, 

Directors, 
Drtroit, Oct. I, 1818. 

It will be observed that the modern idea of Bible 
instruction was not a prominent feature. A notice 
and report contained in the Gazette of January 7 
and 14, 1 820, gives details of some of the now obso- 
lete methods then in use. and reveals a state of 
morals that does not recommend the past as being 
better than the present. The notice reads : 

SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

At a meeting of the S. S. Association of the city of Detroit, 
held at the Academy on Saturday, the 25lh inst., the president 
and vice-president being absent, the Rev. J. Monteith was called 
to the chair. The report of the school was presented by the 
Superintendent. For reasons appearing, the business of the 
annual meeting having been suspended since September last, the 
Association proceeded to elect the following officers to serve 
through the ensuing year: Hon. William Woodbridge, president; 
Henr>* J. Hunt, vice-president ; Levi Brown, treasurer; John J. 
Di-ming, secretary ; directors. Rev. J. Monteith, Maj, J. Ander- 
son, B. Siead, A, G. WTiitney. and D. G. Jones. 

Rcsolztcd, that the report of the superintendent be read in the 
Presbyterian Church of Detroit, on Sunday, the 29th inst.. and 
that he be requested to furnish such parts of it for publication as 
he may think ^xo'^tix.— Minutes 0/ Association. 

J. J. Deming, 
DriKoiT, Dec. 25th, 1819. Secretary. 



The report reads: 

The degraded state of the learning and morals of a great por- 
tion of our citizens has long been a subject which desers-ed the 
commiseration of the well-wishers to the good of society and the 
prosperity of religion. Being till recently deprived of the means 
of the general diffusion of knowledge, and especially that of a 
moral or religious character, and e-xposed to all the demoralizing 
influence of war. without the sufficient means to check the force 
of that influence, our youth have been usually left to grow up in 
the practice of vice without restraint, and uninfluenced by the 
motives a religious education inculcates. The Sabbaths have 
been profaned by companies of noisy boys, and an improper and 
unlawful course of conduct pursued by certain classes of people, 
disgraceful to the community which permits it. The people of 
color have also attracted much attention. 

Being excluded from the usual privileges of society, and espe- 
cially of our ordinary schools, the condition of most of them was 
that of extreme ignorance and degradation. That such evils 
have existed in Detroit is no reproach on the virtuous part of the 
community ; but so long as we suffer them to continue without 
emotion, or desire not their removal, they will stand a monument 
of our disgrace as men, citizens, or Christians. While facts like 
these were daily presented to our view, motives, powerful and 
commanding, urged us to concentrate our influence in mitigating 
the evil by promoting a knowledge of the doctrines and practice 
of the duties of the Christian religion. In accomplishing such 
desirable ends, the good effects of Sunday schools in various 
parts of the United States had been attested ; and under the 
impression that such an institution would be equally beneficial as 
well in bettering the condition of the poor children as those of 
the wealthy, the Sunday School .Association of the city of Detroit 
was formed in September, 1818. The object of this association, 
as expressed in its Constitution, is to establish schools for the in- 
structing children and others in a knowledge of the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and in the art of reading when necessary, of aiding and 
stimulating them in a profitable employment of the Lord's Day, 
and of inculcating the principles of religion and morality. 
Though our means would not allow that systematic nnd extensive 
exertion which is made in more populous and highly favored 
towns, yet the pecuniary aid and personal assistance necessary to 
the commencement of a school was promptly and liberally sup- 
plied. The school was opened the first Sabbath in October, 1818, 
and the ser^■ices of some respectable and benevolent individuals 
were tendered as teachers. Necessity has, however, compelled 
us to carry on the labor of the school with fewer teachers, and a 
greater variety to each class, than would have been desirable, and 
doubtless the progress of the children has, in many instances, 
been retarded by having teachers with whom they were unac- 
quainted. * * * 

Some books have been procured for the benefit of the school, 
but it has been a subject of regret that we have been able to pro- 
cure but few of such as we desired. The attendance of the 
children has been so irregular as materially to retard their pro- 
gress in the studies assigned them, and at times to discourage and 
almost overthrow the design of the teachers. There have been 
many, however, whose punctuality at school has shown how- 
valuable the instruction they receive is deemed, and how careful 



\f>iA 



632 



SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 



are the parents that they go so seasonably as not lo lose those 
lessons which a punctual attendance secures to them. 

The time of holding the school has varied from the morning to 
the afternoon at several times, to conform to the public religious 
exercises, but there has been uniformly one school each Sabbath. 
It has been the invariable regulation of the school that it should 
be opened with reading a portion of Scripture and prayer. There 
have been two general divisions among the scholars,^ such as 
were entirely illiterate, and such as could read. To the former 
have been taught reading, spelling, etc. To the latter have been 
assigned portions of Scripture, hymns, catechism, and other select 
lessons, which contain the leading truths of morality and the 
Christian religion, to be committed to memory. To some have 
been proposed questions or tasks, on which they were to exercise 
their judgment and give in the result in writing. The task of 
communicating religious instruction to the illiterate is extremely 
dif&cult. 

As soon as the scholars were capable of receiving it, either by 
reading or conversation, it has been the usual practice to give it. 
Of this class have been most of the people of color, who have 
been found as equally destitute of a knowledge of the most 
obvious truths of the Eible as they were of the first rudiments of 
reading. But the greater part of the school has consisted of the 
children of respectable families who enjoy the privileges of ordi- 
nary schools. The school has been divided into ten classes, to 
each of which, when we could be supplied, a teacher was assigned; 
and to stimulate the pupils to exertion and improvement, printed 
tickets have been given to the deserving. These tickets have a 
nominal value attached to them, and have been redeemed in 
books, tracts, and religious periodical works, particularly The 
Guardian, or Youth's Religious Instructor, which is regularly 
received from New Haven. 

Regular minutes of the attendance^ behavior, and recitations of 
the scholars, as well as of the attendance nf the teachers or visi- 
tors, have been kept by the Superintendent, and it has been the 
usual practice at the close of each school to report the number of 
verses in Scripture, hymns, questions in catechism, etc., that 
were recited during the time. 

Smce the commencement of the school, about one hundred and 
fifty scholars have been admitted, of whom twenty-two are 
people of color. The average attendance each Sabbath fortj^- 
eight, of whom about thirty have been able to recite lessons to 
their teachers. 

Some idea of their improvement can be formed from the follow- 
ing statement : Those of the people of color who have learned to 
read since the commencement of the school are now able to recite 
from twenty to fifty verses of Scripture at each attendance. 
Among the other classes, a girl of seven years of age has recited 
1,793 verses in Scripture, 570 verses in hymns, and 776 answers in 
catechism, — in all, 3,139. Another of ten years, 2,063 verses in 
Scripture, 1,248 verses in hymns, and 1,061 answers in catechism, 
in all, 4,369. Another, who attended twenty-four Sabbaths only, 
recited 3,829 verses in Scripture, comprehending the four Gospels 
and Proverbs, besides other select portions of the Bible, 1,105 
verses in hymns, and 250 answers in catechism, — in all, 5,184. 
These are a few out of many similar instances which might be 
selected from the records of the school to show the industry- and 
emulation of the scholars. The greatest recitation in one day, by 
thirty scholars, was 1,737 verses in Scripture, 735 in hymns, and 
30 answers in catechism, — in all, 2,492. Recited by the whole 
school since the commencement, 38,445 verses in Scripture, 1,140 
verses in hymns, 10,321 answers in catechism, 462 answers to 
Cumming's questions, given in writing, and 48 prayers. Total, 
60,686. This will make an average of 35 verses per day to each 
scholar. * * * 

It is particularly understood that no tenets peculiar to any 
religious denomination are taught in school. There appears to 
be a visible improvement in the morals and manners as well as 
intellectual knowledge of the scholars; and instead of idle pro- 
faners of the Sabbath, many of them obsen'e the day, and become 
diligent seekers of religious knowledge. The difference between 



those children regularly attending the Sunday School and those 
who do not, even while enjoying equal advantages on other days, 
is very apparent ; and it is to be regretted that every class of our 
youth cannot be induced to spend the Sabbath in so profitable a 
manner. It is hoped and earnestly requested that more exertion 
be made by parents, guardians, and masters, to have those under 
their care attend regularly and punctually at the hours of school, 
and to co-operate with the teachers in enforcing, by precept and 
example, the instruction they receive from them. It is presumed 
other similar schools might be advantageously established in 
Detroit or vicinity. Few children consider attending the school 
a confinement. * ♦ * 

We cannot conclude this report without gratefully acknowledg- 
ing the pecuniary aid that has been bestowed and the patronage 
which has been given to the school by the citizens. No other 
institution recommends itself for its cheapness so well as ours, 
and those small expenses which were necessarily incurred will 
doubtless be defrayed by a liberal public. But to those who have 
devoted their time and talents to the laborious duties of teaching, 
much more is due. You have merited the approbation and grati- 
tude of the whole community. If other reward is necessar>', we 
must refer you to that satisfaction which you now feel in your 
own breasts in a review of the great good you have done. Your 
deeds are known and remembered in Heaven. 

Out of the number of those who have been engaged in the 
institution, one has been called from us to the eternal world. It 
is but just that a tribute of respect should be paid to the memory 
of the pious and benevolent Hugh M. Dickie, for some time one 
of the directors and teachers of our school. He enlisted his feel- 
ings ardently in the work. He had the affections of his scholars 
and was an able support of the institution. While we bow with 
submission to the will of God, in all his righteous dispensations, 
teachers and scholars should be impressed with the importance of 
being prepared for death. Joyful indeed will be the lot of that 
teacher who is the honored instrument of leading a child from 
the ways of ignorance and vice to a knowledge of the religion of 
Jesus Christ, and of saving his immortal soul. Teachers! what 
a motive to persevering diligence in the discharge of duty. 
By order of the Board of Directors. 

L. Shattuck, 

Superintendent. 

The whole expense of the school, including books, stationery, 
tickets, and fuel, for the fifteen months of its existence, has been 
only $31.00. 

About a year after the school began, the follow- 
ing advertisement appeared in the Gazette : 

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR. 

Mr. Rowe will teach persons of color, of both sexes, from 3 to 
25 years of age, on Sundays, gratis. Those who wish to attend 
are desired to call on Jlr. Rowe for a ticket previous to their 
entrance into his school as pupils. 

Detroit, July 22nd, 1S19. 

It would appear that this separate school was not 
long maintained, for the report shows that colored 
children were in attendance at the main school. 

The second annual meeting was held December 
6, 1S20, and at this time the report showed that i6o 
different scholars, from three to nineteen years of 
age, had attended during the year, nineteen of them 
being colored. The smallest attendance on any 
Sunday was 35, and the largest 83. The average 
attendance was 57, and an average of 30 had lessons, 
the recitations averaging 543 verses of Scripture, 24 



MISSION SCHOOLS. 



633 



hymns. 327 questions in catechism, and 2 prayers 
for each Sunday. 

The books used were the Bible, Brown's Cate- 
chism. Emerson's Evangelical Primer, Episcopal 
Catechism. Coleman's Catechism. Cumming's Oues- 
tions, and W'atts's Psalms and Hymns. The school 
was held from 1.30 to 3 o'clock P. m. 

At the beginning of 1S20. the school owed the 
superintendent Si 7.00. During the year the collec- 
tions amounted to ^34.44 ; the expenses were S44-2 5. 
leaving a net balance of §26.81 due the superin- 
tendent. 

Among the teachers were Episcopalians, Presby- 
terians, and Methodists, all uniting in the work with 
the utmost harmony. 

The second report says, " Libraries are frequently 
established in Sunday Schools, and did our funds 
permit, it would be of essential service to connect 
one with this school." On Sunday, December 17. 
1820, the school assembled at the academy and pro- 
ceeded to the church, where a sermon was preached 
by the Rev. John Monteith. During this and the 
following year Lemuel Shattuck continued to super- 
intend the school, which was eventually transferred 
to the Presbyterians. 

MISSION SCHOOLS. 

From time to time, as the city has grown, mission 
schools have been established in various localities, 
sometimes under the fostering care of a particular 
church, but often sustained by indi\-idual members 
of different churches. 

In the fall of 1851 Rev. W. E. Boardman, then 
residing in Detroit as agent of the American Sunday 
School Union, arranged to establish a mission Sun- 
day School in the Fourth Ward School House, 
a small, one-story wooden building on the south 
side of Fort Street, between Hastings and Rivard 
Streets. He appealed to the Congregational Church 
for teachers, received responses from a number of 
persons ; and during the continuance of the school 
most of the teachers were members of that church. 
After fifteen years of service the school was discon- 
tinued because of a rule adopted by the Board of 
Education which forbade the use of school build- 
ings for Sunday Schools. No other convenient 
place in that vicinity could be found, and the school 
necessarily ceased. When it was first established, 
that part of the city was sparsely settled and there 
were no churches in the immediate vicinity. When 
it closed, the neighborhood was well supplied with 
churches and Sunday schools. Francis Raymond 
was superintendent of the school during most of the 
time that it was in existence. It was held at nine 
o'clock A. M. and had an average attendance of 100. 
The following persons, with others, were connected 
with the school : Professor Moses Coit Tyler, B. F. 



Jacobs, the well-known Sunday School and Y. M. 
C. A. worker, Mrs. E. M. Sheldon, authoress of 
" History of Michigan," James H. Muir, Joseph and 
Thomas Berry, Col. F. W. Swift, and Miss C. 
Crossman. 

During the summer of 1851, Mr. Boardman also 
established what was known as the Elizabeth Street 
Sunday School. A meeting, held on the evening 
of June 15, was attended by Sj'lvester Earned, John 
Robinson, A. N. Reynolds, Miss Nancy Fisher, 
Jonathan R. Axtell, David B. Reeve, Mrs. Nancy 
Reeve, Margaret and Elizabeth Beattie, Agnes 
Robinson, Mrs. Sheldon, and many others. After 
consultation it was decided to organize a school, 
and Mr. Axtell was appointed superintendent. The 
school was held in a small cottage on the north side 
of Elizabeth Street between Woodward Avenue 
and Park Street, which was occupied during the 
week by a day-school. This building soon became 
too small, and Mr. Earned volunteered to secure 
better accommodations. Not finding a suitable 
place, and being encouraged and aided by the 
friends of the school, he erected a building on Cass 
Avenue, a little south of Elizabeth Street. It was 
first occupied on September 21, 1851, with a Bible 
class of 30, an infant class of 28, and a goodly num- 
ber of male and female classes. 

Mrs. E. M. Sheldon had charge of the infant 
class for some time; she was succeeded by Mrs. 
John Winder, and about the same time Francis 
Lambie became interested in the school. The 
teachers were mostly connected with the Second 
Presbyterian Church, and the school was consid- 
ered a mission of that society. George S. Frost 
succeeded Mr. Lamed as superintendent, and in 
October, 1855, Hovey K. Clarke became his succes- 
sor. A short time after, as the neighborhood was 
cared for by other churches, the school was discon- 
tinued and the building converted into a dwelling. 

A school, held in the Industrial School Building, 
was organized in November, 1864, by Miss Elmore, 
who was teaching the day-school, and added 
this to her other duties. The school grew, and 
Messrs. A. E. F. White, Ransom Gillis, Henry 
Wastell, and Bradford Smith, Miss L. E. V. Dol- 
sen. Miss Helen Hudson, and others came in to as- 
sist. On December 17, 1S65, John Har\-ey was 
elected superintendent, and has occupied that posi- 
tion ever since. The school is undenominational. 
In 1880 the enrolled list of members numbered 250, 
with an average attendance of 140. It is held at 
2.30 P. M. The school has accomplished an amount 
of good second to no other effort of the kind. 

Several schools established as mission enterprises 
have developed into churches, and are described in 
connection with the church that now represents 
them. 



634 



SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS. 

The appended Sunday ScIiqoI Statistics, compiled 
by the writer in 1863 and 1870, and then published 
in the daily papers, contain many facts of interest, 
and are the only statistics of the kind ever gathered 
in Detroit. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR 1863. 



Sunday School Statistics — continued. 



Denomination — Location — 
SiipKrintendents. 


c 

J 

c- 


T3 

CO 

- ''' 


c 1: 

° i 

13 u 

~x 

^ = 

O.G 
. '-J 
OX 

106 

53 
255 

220 

52 
26 

55" 
400 
161 
470 

(18 

70 

376 
■9" 
III 
147 

iiS 

56 

77 
107 

150 
60 

230 
75 
go 


•r. 


[iATTlST. 

Fort Street, corner of Griswold, Rev. J. 

H. Griffith Sup't 

Howard Street, near Second, RolHn C. 


2.00 I'.M. 
2 00 " 
2. 00 " 
4.00 " 
2.00 " 

2.00 " 

2.00 '' 
2.00 " 

2.00 " 
2.30 " 
2.30 " 

1-45 " 
2.00 " 

9.00 A.M. 

1.30 I'. M. 

1.30 " 
2.00 " 
2.00 " 
2.00 " 
9.OOA. M. 
2.00 P.M. 
9.00 A.M. 
2.00 l-.M. 
430 " 

9.00 A.M 

g.oo " 
g.oo *' 
9.00 " 
9.00 " 


2t 

'4 
I ; 
S 
30 

32 

9 

40 
50 

49 
zu 

22 

8 
y 
3') 

22 

'3 

15 

=4 
14 
9 
■7 
19 

16 
10 
16 
1 1 
9 


100 

go 


Washington Avenue, corner of Clifford, 

Rev. J. Inglis, Sup't 

High Street, near Rivard, Arthur Tread- 


106 

30 
230 

170 

45 


Croghan Street, near Beaubien (colored), 


CONtlKEGATlONAL. 

Fort Street, corner of Wayne, R. W. 


DISCIPLES. 

Jefferson Avenue, corner Beaubien, Jos. 


Council Room, City Hall, George F. 


EPISCOPAL. 

Congress Street, corner of Shelby, A. A. 




Woodward Avenue, corner of High 


383 


Jefferson Avenue, near Hastings Street, 


Woodward Ave:iue, corner Woodbridge 
Street, S. W. Johnson, Sup't 

Michigan Avenue, corner of Trumbull 
Avenue, O. A. Farwell, Sup't 

Congress Street, near St. Antoine Street, 


100 
160 

38 

40 

253 
151 


HEIJKEW. 

Rivard Street, near Croghan, Rev. A. 
Laser, Sup't 

METHODIST. 

Woodward Avenue, corner State Street, 

H. A. (iraves, Sup't 

Congress Street, corner of Randolph, C. 


Lafayette Avenue, corner of Fourth, R. 


Walnut Street, corner of Seventh, T. 


95 
98 
40 
51 
7° 
79 

no 
35 


Beaubien Street, corner Croghan, A. T. 


Beaubien Street, corner of Croghan, R. 


Lasalle Avenue, near Dalzelle, G. Strai- 


Lasalle Avenue, near Dalzelle, J. P. 


Lafayette Street, near Beaubien (colored) 


MISSION SCHOOLS. 

Abbott Street, corner of Sixth, E. C. 

Walker, Sup't 

Cass Avenue, near Elizabeth Street, G. 

S. Frost, Sup't 

Catharine Street, near St. Antoine, E. D. 

Fitch Sup't 


Larned Street, near Dubois, F. RL Stnn- 


58 
60 


Easi Fort Street, near Hastings, F. Ray- 
mond, Sup't 



l)enomination — Location - 
Superintendents. 

MDSSlON SCHOOLS. 



Woodward Avenue, corner Farnsworth 

Street, T. L. Partrid;<e, Sup't 

Bishop School House, Z. R. Brockway. 

Sup't 

Orphan Asylum, Jefferson Avenue, F, 

D. 'I'aylor, Sup't . 

Bethel, Woodbridge Street, corner of 

Bates, Sup't. 



NEW JEK-US.\LEM. 

Macomb Avenue, near Park St., George 
Field, Sup't 

PRESBYTERIAN. 

Fort Street, corner of Third, H. C, 

Knight, Sup't 

Lafayette A\enue, corner of Wayne, 

JuliTi Cameron, Sup't 

Washington Avenue, near Slate Street, 

H. K. Clarke, Sup't 

Jefferson Avenue, near Rivard Street, 

H. Hallock, Sup't 

State Street, corner Farmer, A. Sheley, 

Sup't 

Bates Street, corner of Farmer, James 

Ure, Sup't 

Russell Street, near Catharine, P. Vol- 

rath, Sup't 



REFORMED. 



Mnnroe Avenue, corner of Farrar Street, 
Rev. C. Haass Sup't 

Catharine Street, near St. Antoine, M, 
Buss, Sup't 



UNITARIAN. 



Lafayette Avenue, corner of Shelby, Rev. 
S. S. Huntmg, Sup't 









2.00 I 
2.30 
3.00 
2.00 



2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.30 
1.30 

2.00 

1.30 
2.00 






> « 



150 

3C 



70 

5C 



155 
130 



130 
36 



64 



Morning Schools lo 

Afternoon 34 

Total number of schools 44 

Total number of officers and teachers 781 

Total number of children on school registers 6,653 

Total average attendance 4,626 

Probable number of children attending two or more schools, 650 
According to the census of September i, 1862, the total 
number of children in the city between the ages of 4 

and 18 was »5i398 

The number attending the public schools was 6,747 

As an interesting fact,, in this connection, it may be mentioned 
that, as compared with tlie number of families in the city, the 
average was five children to every tliree families. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR 1S70. 

METHODIST SALiUATil SCHOOLS. 



Name. 



Central . ..... 

Central Mission 

Simpson 

Jefferson Avenue 

Lafayette Avenue 

First German . 

First German Mission.. 

Second German 

Lafayette Avenue Mission 

Lafayette Avenue Mission 

No. 2 



!. H. Fonda.... 
H. Hitchcock . . 
G. W. Hough . . 

J. Oakes 

A. T. Barns.... 

F. Bechler 

F. Schultz 

C. Weimer 

J. S. Thompson 

Edwin Reeder . 



■n 


— ■ 


C u? 






P^ 


U.C 












eu 




- 





55 


600 


27 


275 


25 


275 


30 


400 


18 


>5t> 


18 


75 


12 


70 


20 


150 


23 


150 


12 


80 



410 
200 

16s 

180 

120 

60 
60 
130 
139 

6g 



SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS. 



635 



Sunday School Statistics — rp/tZ/wKc*^. 

METHODIST SABBATH SCHOOLS. 



Name. 


Superintendent. 


•a 
c .^ 

«s 

si 




"3 
a: 

C 








C. Pelgrim 

G. H. Smith 

Mr. Long 




19 

6 
6 


200 

ICKl 
40 






42 

30 


Evangelical Association.. 


Totals, Schools... 13 


271 


2,571 


'.755 



Increase since 1863 : schools, 4 ; teachers, 89 ; scholars, 1,258. 
Average attendance, 850. 



First 

Fort Street 

Jefferson Avenue.... 

Westminster 

Calvary Mission...., 

United , 

Scotch 

Fort Street Mission. 

Totals, Schools. 



PRESBYTERIAN. 

A. Sheley 

Bradford Stnitli . 

H. Hallock 

G. Dunlap 

W. P. Kellogg . . 
J. Cameron. 
Kev.Mr. Milligan 
John Harvey 



37 
40 

38 

15 


438 

300 
350 

120 


29 
26 


250 

225 


28 


210 


15 


200 


228 


2,093 



280 

260 

260 

75 
165 
118 
160 



Increase since 1863: schools. 
Average attendance, 586. 



1.505 
teachers, 87 ; scholars, 830. 



Union Mission 

Industrial School... 
Hamtramck Mission. 

Clinton Avenue 

'J'tiird Street 

Ninth Avenue 

Woodward Avenue.. 



MISSION SCHOOLS. 

Z. R. Brockway. 
John Harvey. , .. 
L. Lawrence . .. 
F. M. Sumner .. 

C. W. Noble .... 

D. M. Richards'n 
R. C. Smith 



108 
15 
15 
25 
30 
25 
24 



Totals, Schools 7 242 



,250 
150 

350 
400 
500 
200 



938 
75 
100 
200 
210 
270 
162 



5,000 1,955 

Decrease since 1863 of schools, 2 ; increase of teachers, 157 ; 
scholars, 2,015. Average attendance, 1,342. 



St. John's 

St. Paul's 

Christ 

St. Peter's 

St. Stephen's 

St. John's Mission., 
Grace 



EI'ISCOI'AL. 

J. F. Conover 
J. F. Sterling. 
C. C. Trowbridge 
A. Matthew 
Rev. D. Lumsd'n 
Isaac De Graff . . 



Totals, Schools 7 



59 


700 


22 


130 


32 


325 


26 


200 


= 5 


136 


32 


250 


an 


202 


234 


1.942 



560 

120 

216 
150 

no 
140 

175 



Increase since 1S63: schools, i; teachers, 45; scholars, 93. 
Average attendance, 318. 



First 

Lafayette Avenue . 

Second (colored) . . . 

German 

French 

♦Park Street 



Totals, Schools. 



A. H. Wilkinson 
O. S. Gulley , 
C. E. Silsbee , 
Rev. C. Jung 

S. Kinney 

Rev. G. S. Chase 



19 


180 


20 


175 


30 


250 


14 


125 


22 


170 


10 


60 


i>5 


960 



125 

200 
100 
110 

60 



* Held temporarily in a private house till church is ready. 
Increase since 1863: schools, i ; teachers, 29; scholars, 276. 
Average attendance, 169. 



Fourth Street ... 


DISC 


I'LES OF CHRIST. 


12 
6 
12 


70 
70 
110 


50 
60 
70 


St. Andrew's Hall 


J.iM. I.. Campbell 
Rev. H. H. Black 




- 3 


Totals, Schools, 


30 


250 


180 



Increase since 1863: schools, i ; teachers, 15 ; scholars, 172. 
Average attendance, 115, 



Sunday School Statistics — continued. 

COXCHCEGATIONAL, 



Name. 


Superintendent. 


•a 

CO j- 

0^ 


1 

n 




<.6 
II 




H. C. Bostwick.. 
V. I). Taylor.... 
W. H. Bronson.. 


34 
1 


230 

220 

60 


i8s 
170 
so 


Second 




Totals, Schools 3 


!<■ 


Sio 


405 



Increase since 1863 : schools, 2 ; teachers, 29 ; scholars, 290. 
Average attendance, 285. 



LUTHERAN. 



St. John's Reformed. 

♦Trinity 

Salem. 

♦Immanuel , 



Totals, Schools. 



Rev 


c 


Haass. .. 


Kev 


1. 


.\. Huev'li 


Kev 


1. 


S.Schmidt 


Kev 


K 


. L. Moll. 



10 


250 


225 


I 


100 


100 


10 


100 


70 


I 


60 


40 


22 


510 


435 



* Not strictly a Sunday school service. 

Increase since 1863: schools, 2; teachers, 3; scholars, 318. 
Average attendance, 269. 

NEW JERUSALEM. 

H. Bigelow 13 80 60 

Increase since 1863: teachers, 3 ; scholars, 50. Average attend- 
ance, 35. 

UNITAKIAN. 

First A.W.Rice 23 158 140 

Increase since 1863 ; teachers, 3 ; scholars, 58. Average attend- 
ance, 76. 

HEBREW. 

♦Hebrew Rev. Dr. K. Kohler 2 40 30 

* Meets on Saturdays. 

Decrease since 1863 : teachers, 7 ; scholars, 30. Average attend- 
ance, 10. 

Total number of Sabbath schools, 54 ; increase 
since 1863, 10. Number of officers and teachers. 
1,251 ; increase, 468. Number of children enrolled, 
12,1 15; increase, 5,363. Average attendance, 8,691 • 
increase. 3,975. Forty-four of the schools were held 
in the afternoon, and ten in the morning; the increase 
was wholly of afternoon schools. The morning 
schools met at 9 a. m. ; of the afternoon schools 
three meet at 12 l>. m., one at 1.30. twenty-one at 2, 
thirteen at 2.30, four at 3, one at 3.30, and one at 4 
P. M. 

From careful observation and inquiry, it is believed 
that the number of children attending two or more 
schools in 1870 did not t^xceed 500, and the propor- 
tion was much less than in 1863. The proportion 
of children attending Sabbath schools in 1863, as 
compared with the enrollment made by the State 
for school purposes, was about 40 per cent. The 
number of children attending in 1879, as compared 
with the similar census for 1 869, was 46 per cent. 
The average attendance on the public schools for 
1 869 was 7, 1 27. the a\'erage attendance on Sabbath 
schools in 1870 was 8,601. 



636 



SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS. 



SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR 1S80. 

As there is no uniformity among the Lutheran 
and Catholic churches as to the holding of Sunday 
schools, and as both of these denominations make 
a specialty of giving religious instruction in their 
day schools, the total number of children receiving 
religious instruction can be determined only by 
combining the number of week-day scholars, under 
their auspices when such schools are held, with the 
number of .Sunday-school scholars connected with 
the churches of the same denominations that have 
no day schools. 

That method was adopted in the following table : 

Sunday School Statistics for 1880. 



Sunday School Statistics for 18 



ROMAN catholic. 



St. Patrick's 

St. Anne's 

St. Joseph's 

St. Peter's and St. Paul's . - 

St. Alnysius 

Our L.idy of Help 

Sacred Heart (German), catechetical. 

Sacred Heart (French), do 

Trinity, 

St. Albert's, 

St. Vincent de Paul, 

St. IJoniface's, 

St. Mary's, 

St. Anthony's, 



do 
do 
do 
do 
do 



Totals 

baptist. 

Cass Avenue 

Clinton Avenue 

Eiifhteenth Street 

Twelfth Street 

Lafayette .\ venue 

Second Baptist (colored) .... 

First French . . 

First German 

Second German 



Total. 







» £ 


"o 


S..-3 


(4 


Kn',- 




Ch 





75 


600 


14 


200 


14 


JIOO 


25 


450 


12 


ISO 


5 


=75 


3 


350 


I 


80 


14 


750 


5 


450 


lO 


700 


4 


600 


5 


600 


I 


80 


188 


S,^8^ 



« 



Total 177 



PRESBYTERIAN. 
First 

Jefferson Avenue 

Calvary 

Union 

Westminster 

Fort Street 

United 

Clinton Avenue 

Central 

Trumbiil! Avenue 

Haintrainck 

Dutch Reformed, Catharine Street. 



14 
26 

31 


4.8 
337 
360 


20 


175 


24 


133 


22 


125 


10 


100 


25 


120 


5 


35 


177 


1,803 



25 

55 
30 

35 



14 



Total 328 



I'ROTESTANT EPISCOl'AL. 

Christ 

Mariners' 

Emanuel 

All Saints' 

Grace 

St. Mary's 

St. John's 

Church of Messiah 

St. Paul's 

St. Peter's 

St. James' 

St. Stephen's 



3°3 

2 40 
263 
145 
125 
70 
90 

los 
30 



350 
224 

175 
150 
250 
100 
120 



igo 
510 

263 
280 
159 
140 
116 
100 

65 
70 



Anglo-Catholic 

Reformed Episcopal, Epiphany . 



39 


450 


8 


50 


27 


200 


8 


81 


34 


238 


22 


250 


60 


700 


15 


no 


31 


310 


22 


230 


23 


180 


8 


50 


297 


2,840 


8 


100 


12 


So 



3>255 2,432 



287 
30 
150 
46 
182 
190 
450 
85 

260 
161 

40 



60 
70 



LUTHERAN, 



St. Paul's, comer Seventeenth and Rose 
Streets 

St. Paul's, corner Jay Street and Joseph 
Cam pail Avenue 

Reformed Zion 

St. Luke's (German Evangelical) 

St. John's 

St. Peter's, catechetical 

St. Matthew's, do 

Salem, do 

Immanuel, do 

Trinity, do 

Total 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 

Central . 

Fort Street 

Tabernacle 

Simpson 

Jefferson Avenue 

Morning Mission 

Si.xteenth Street 

First German 

Second German 

Junction 

Lafayette Avenue African 

Zion (colored) 

Ebenezer (colored) 

Bethel Evangelical Association 

Total 

Third Avenue Union Mission 

Bethel 

New Jerusalem 

Church of Our Father 

Unitarian 

Christian, Plum Street Church 

Christian, Washington Avenue 

CONGREGATIONAL. 

Fort Street 

Woodward Avenue 

Trumbull Avenue 

Fort Wayne 

Total 

Grand total 

















b: 


e = S'i 


c 


D'-H 





17 


200 




300 


20 


180 




60 


31 


400 




150 




3° 




40 


2 


240 


3 


225 


79 


1,825 






150 

120 

40 

300 

140 

25 

30 

200 

200 



63 


650 


475 


31 


225 


i8q 


25 


250 


180 


38 


625 


443 


32 


340 


275 


32 


500 


272 


19 


268 


200 


J9 


'15 


90 


18 


137 


110 


12 


120 


50 


19 


128 


8,5 


5 


31 


20 


8 


40 


35 


25 


140 


130 


342 


3.569 


2.554 


22 


240 


,98 


7 


120 


97 


9 


100 


70 


15 


120 


100 


17 


208 


119 


18 


151 


112 


13 


135 


105 



32 


235 


33 


225 


42 


630 


15 


194 


122 


1,284 


1,640 


22, 114 



'75 
335 
119 



820 
17.257 



SUNDAY SCHOOL UNIONS, CONVENTIONS. AND 
CELEBRATIONS. 

A territorial Sunday School Union, au.xiliary to 
the American Sunday School Union, was organized 
on March 22, 1831, to encourage and aid those 
engaged in Sunday school work, and to promote the 
establishment of new schools. Jonathan Kearsley 
was president, E. P. Hastings, secretary, and De 
Garmo Jones, treasurer, with directors representing 
the several counties then in existence. On March 
6 of the following year, the society held an anni- 
versary at the Presb\terian Church. Its second 
annual report, presented in March, 1833, showed 
that there were then in the Territory 68 schools, 
422 teachers, and 2,672 scholars. 

In some form or other, similar organizations have 
existed ever since ; and occasional meetings have 
been held to promote the Sunday school cause. On 
June 24, 1857, a State convention was held in De- 



SUNDAY SCHOOL UNIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND CELEBRATIONS. 



^2,7 



troit at the F'irst Presbyterian Church, and General 
Cass delivered an address. On October 23, 1866, a 
State convention was held in the same church. D. 
L. Moody and Ralph Wells were present. On June 
14, 1870, a State convention was held in the First 
Congregational Church ; Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, 
D. W. Whittle, and B. F. Jacobs were the chief 
speakers. In connection with the convention, a 
children's meeting was held at the Detroit Opera 
House, at which addresses were made by Rev. T. 
K. Beecher and Professor J. M. B. Sill. 

The Sunday School celebrations of the olden time 
were always held on the Fourth of July, and for 
many years constituted one of the features of that 
national anniversary. On July 4, 1838, the e.xer- 
cises were held in the Presbyterian Church. The 



celebration of July 4, 1842, was a very notable one. 
About one thousand children marched in a proces- 
sion which was nearly a mile long. The exercises 
consisted of dialogues, etc., by the children. Ten 
years later two thousand children took part, and the 
exercises were held at the Presbyterian Church. 
The ne.xt year, on September 15, 1853, the celebra- 
tion took the form of an excursion on the steam- 
boats Keystone State and May Queen. This is be- 
lieved to have been the last Union Sunday School 
celebration held in the city. 

On Sunday, April 24, 1864, various Sunday 
schools met in Young Men's Hall to hear addresses 
from Chaplain C. C. McCabe, B. F. Jacobs, and J. 
M. Strong, of the Christian Commission. 



CHAPTER LXVI. 



UNION RKLI(;iOUS SOCIETIES.— UNION MEETINGS.— REVIVALS AND REVIVALISTS. 



UNION RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
Young Men's C/iristian Associatioit. 

The first society in Detroit bearing the name of 
Young Men's Christian Association was organized 
on September 27, 1852, at Young Men's Hall. 
Rev. H. U. Kitchell, chairman of a committee ap- 
pointed at a previous meeting, presented a constitu- 
tion and by-laws, which were adopted, and the 
following officers were elected : president, Edward 
C. Walker; vice-presidents, T. C. Miller of the 
Episcopal Church, S. M. Holmes of the Congrega- 
tional Church, R. C. Smith of the Baptist Church, 
L. L. F"arnsvvarth of the Methodist Church, H. C. 
Knight of the Presbyterian Church ; recording sec- 
retary. B. Vernor; corresponding secretary, George 
Mosely; treasurer, C. N.Ganson; managers: First 
Baptist Church, J. M. Gregory. H. Glover. Con- 
gregational Church : Rev. H. D. Kitchell, E. D. 
Fitch. Tabernacle Baptist: M. S. Frost, Seymour 
Finney. First Presbyterian Church : George S. 
Frost, Wm. A. Raymond. Second Presbyterian 
Church : Rev. R. R. Kellogg, B. F. Bush. First M. 
E. Church: S. Phelps, James Fenton. Second M. E. 
Church : Rev. C. C. Olds, \V. C. Sabine. Lafayette 
St. M. E. Church: D. F. Ouinby, J. \Yilletts. 
St. Paul's P. E. Church : James V. Campbell, H. P. 
Baldwin. Christ P. E. Church : \Vm. N. Carpen- 
ter, James E. Pittman. Mariners' P. E. Church : 
E. Hewitt, Wm. Henderson. Wesleyan Methodist 
Church : S. A. Baker, Amos Page. At this meeting 
an address was delivered by Mr. Hoyt, of Boston, 
who spoke in glowing terms of the work of the 
Y. M. C. A. of that city. 

Rooms were procured in the Phoenix Block, on 
south side of Jefferson Avenue between Woodward 
Avenue and Griswold Street, and a very complete 
reading room was established. On January 30, 
1853, the president delivered a lecture on the de- 
mand for the Association and its work, which was 
so highly appreciated that it was published in pam- 
phlet form by vote of the board. In May, 1S53, 
nearly all the original officers and members were 
re-elected, and during this year several lectures 
were given before the Association by the different 
pastors of the city. 

In February, 1S54, old records show that "several 



hundred dollars of debt" was troubling the organ- 
ization. 

At the annual meeting, held May 22, 1854, IJ. B. 
Duffield was elected president, and in May, 1S55, 
he was succeeded by Hovey K. Clarke. On August 
20 of this year Geo. S. Frost, E. C. Wilder, H. E. 
Baker, and E. M. Clarke were elected delegates to 
the International Convention held at Cincinnati. 
This year terminated the existence of the Associa- 
tion. 

A second organization of the kind was called the 
Young Men's Christian Union. Prior to its estab- 
lishment, the Free Press of October 24 and Novem- 
ber 7, 1858, contained articles nearly a column long, 
urging the revival of the Y. M. C. A., and on De- 
cember 4, 1858, in response to notices given in the 
churches, a meeting was held in the basement of the 
Baptist Church, a constitution was adopted for a 
society as above named, and the following officers 
were elected : president, G. S. Frost ; secretary, 
L. S. Trowbridge ; treasurer, Caleb Ives. The 
Free Press of October 30, 1859, contains this record 
of their work : 

It is n<»t quite a year since the Young Men's Christian Union 
of this city was organized. It has a tract department, through 
which the entire city is visited monthly, and a tract placed in the 
hands of every one who will receive it. Ilibles are also circulated 
through this means, and all the work of colportage regularly per- 
formed. Besides these methods of labor, direct missionary work 
has been done by visiting the jail and imparting religious instruc- 
tion to the prisoners, and holding prayer meetings in various 
localities where, from the isolation of the neighborhood, or from 
the peculiar condition of the people, they are ni>t within the 
influence of any church. At the small chapel on Catherine 
Street near Hastings, they also sustain a prayer meeting and two 
Sabbath schools. 

The tract organization was very complete. Eighty- 
one visitors were enrolled, nearly 40,000 visits made, 
and about the same number of tracts distributed, at 
a cost of $175. 

At the annual meeting, held on December 5, 
1859, Mr. Frost was again chosen president. On 
January 22, i860, an anniversary meeting was held 
at the First Baptist Church, at which addresses were 
made by Rev. Messrs. Hogarth, Blades, Neill, 
Eldridge, and others. At the request of the Y. M. 
C. A. of Richmond, Va., the following Friday, Jan- 
uary 27, was obser\-ed by all the associations in the 

16381 



UNION RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 



639 



country as a day of special prayer for the preserva- 
tion of the Union. 

During i860 the work of conducting Sunday 
schools and distributing tracts was extensively car- 
ried forward. At the second annual meeting, held 
November 26, the following officers were elected : 
president. Robert W. King; secretary, Charles II. 
Barrett; treasurer, M. H. Croft; Sunday-school 
visitor, D. Bethune Duffield; superintendent of 
tract distribution, C. H. Barrett ; members of execu- 
tive committee, George S. Frost, Francis Lambie, 
R. O. Wheeler, Bradford Smith. A. T. Barns, H. H. 
Dundee, W. B. Smith, J. H. Muir, Andrew Bates, 
and George B. Dickinson. 

The excitement of the war with the South, and 
the assumption of work so clearly belonging to the 
churches as the establishing of Sunday schools, 
caused the Association to decline in favor, and the 
organization ceased in 1861. 

The third Society dates from August i, 1S64. 
At that time none of those most active in its or- 
ganization were aware that any such society had 
previously existed in Detroit. 

Its origin was as follows: While on a visit to 
Chicago, the writer chanced to attend an Interna- 
tional Convention of the Young Men's Christian As- 
sociation, and was made the corresponding mem- 
ber of the. E.xecutive Committee for Michigan. 

Returning to Detroit, correspondence was had 
with Mr. Pond of Boston, chairman of the Execu- 
tive Committee, as to what was expected of a cor- 
responding member. The organization of an asso- 
ciation was then undertaken, and every Protestant 
pastor visited and an endeavor made to enlist them 
in the work. 

After obtaining from nearly all the ministers the 
names of two persons, members of their churches, 
to represent them in a meeting, the persons them- 
selves were visited, and a preliminary meeting was 
called for July 28. At this meeting a committee 
on constitution was appointed, and .August 1 their 
report was adopted, and soon after James W. Far- 
rell was elected president ; F. D. Taylor and A. 
Treadway. vice-presidents; .Silas Farmer, corre- 
sponding secretary; A. Howard, recording secre- 
tary ; and T. D. Hawley. treasurer. 

Funds were solicited, and the work of fitting 
up rooms in the third story of Merrill IMock was 
begun. Over Si. 000 were expended for this pur- 
pose, the design being to command immediate re- 
spect for the enterprise. The rooms were formally 
dedicated on November 28, and public exercises 
were held in Merrill Hall on the same floor. Ad- 
dresses were delivered by Rev. Messrs. G. W. 
Prime, J. H. Griffith. B. H. Paddock. W. Hogarth, 
and J. M. Buckley. The rooms were at once visited 
by large numbers of persons, and became the head- 



quarters for all sorts of benevolent and philanthropic 
enterprise. 

On June 24, 1868, the thirteenth International 
Convention of the Associations began its sessions in 
the Central M. E. Church. This gathering is noted 
as being the largest, and up to that time the most 
profitable ever held ; also for the sad fact that, while 
delivering the address of welcome, the Rev. Dr. 
Duffield fainted and fell. This fall was the precur- 
sor of his death, which occurred a few days later. 

In the fall of 1 871 the Association acted as 
almoner for many associations, distributing over 
$10,000 in money and hundreds of cases of goods 
for the relief of sufferers by fire in northern Michi- 
gan. 

The growth of the work caused an increasing 
need for larger and more eligible rooms. From 
time to time v-arious plans were proposed for the 
accomplishment of this end, but nothing definite 
was reached until January 15, 1875, when, on the 
strength of pledges of $2 50 each from ten persons 
towards the first payment, a lot on Farmer 
Street, between Monroe and (Gratiot Avenues, was 
purchased for $14,100, payable in five annual 
instalments. The property fronted sixty feet on 
Farmer Street, and ran back nearly one hundred 
and forty feet, with an alley all along one side, 
across the end and half way up the other side. 

The building on the lot had been erected in 1S51 
as a hotel barn. Subsequently, and at the time of 
the purchase, it was occupied as a factory, and was 
not thought to possess any permanent value. On 
the strength of the purchase, several thousand dol- 
lars were subscribed, but not enough to pay for the 
lot or erect a building. Meanwhile, it was neces- 
sary- for the Association to move, and it was finally 
determined to build a new front to the old building, 
and fit it up for temporary occupancy. This was 
done at an expense of about $4,000, and very com- 
fortable quarters were secured. The house was 
dedicated on February' 14, 1876. The free-will 
offerings then made were noticeably given with 
hearty good-will and manifest appreciation of the 
results secured with so small an outlay. The prop- 
erty was held by the following special trustees, 
elected on April 5, 1875: F. D. Taylor, Silas Far- 
mer, Walter Buhl, Arthur Treadway. Leonard 
Laurense, E. C. Hinsdale, and Horace Hitchcock. 

The work grew, and two additional rooms were 
fitted up for use. In January-. 1877, an arrange- 
ment was made w-ith the Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union, by which they were given the use 
of one half of the first story for two years on con- 
dition that they finished off and floored the room, 
which was then unfinished ; this was done at a 
cost of $700. and after two years the Association 
received $400 a year rent therefrom. 



640 



UNION RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 



Soon after the opening of the building the appar- 
atus of a defunct gymnasium was procured, a room 
was fitted up for its reception, and the most con- 
venient gv'mnasium in the city offered to the use of 
those joining tlie Association. Not long after the 
library' of the Mechanics' Society was placed in the 
care of the Association for five years from August 
I, 1877, and members of both bodies had equal use 
of it until June i, 1882, when it was again trans- 
ferred to the Mechanics'Society. The library, added 
to other advantages, brought in hundreds of new 
members, and before the close of 1877 the Associa- 
tion numbered over twelve hundred paying members. 

During its earlier years one of the most successful 
plans for obtaining funds was the annual strawberry 
festival, conducted by young ladies from the several 
churches; the receipts for several years averaged 
$500 per year, and the festivals were acknowledged 
to be the most attractive entertainments held in 
Detroit. The Authors' Carnival, given in June, 
1875, under the joint auspices of the Home of the 
Friendless and this organization, netted the A.ssocia- 
tion over $1,000. In its earlier years the Association 
was specially indebted to its treasurer, Walter C. 
Skiff, who not only contributed liberally but often 
preserved the credit of the Association by advanc- 
mg money to pay its bills. On his decease in 1870 
he left a bequest of $5,000 to the Association, pay- 
able after his mother's death, on the condition that 
the Association possess, in addition, a property 
worth $20,000. 

At the present time the Association is sustained 
by membership fees and special donations. The 
religious work has included a wide range of effort. 
A Monday evening service has been continuously 
maintained. Services at mission chapels, and at 
suitable seasons, open-air meetings have also been 
held. The jail is visited, and a Bible class at the 
House of Correction is especially appreciated. The 
noon meeting has been successful from the first. 
One of the most important meetings was the Satur- 
day evening Bible reading. When conducted by 
Rev. A. T. I'ierson, it had an average attendance of 
over three hundred. Literary, social, and educa- 
tional helps in the way of classes, lectures, and re- 
ceptions have also been supplied. From 1876 to 
18S2 a statement of its meetings and its work was 
published in a weekly or monthly bulletin. 

On the 1 2th of October, 1880, a conference of 
ladies and gentlemen was held at the residence of a 
friend of the work, and it was determined to raise 
the sum of $70,000 for the purpose of purchasing a 
more suitable home for the Association in order to 
enable it fully to carry out its plans of Christian 
work. The work of canvassing began, and about 
$40,000 was pledged, and then the project was 
allowed to sleep. Meantime the trustees were unable 



to furnish the Association with rooms free of rent, 
and at the same time pay the interest due on the 
purchase price of the property, and finally they were 
directed to sell, and on March 24, 1882, sold the 
property for $15,000. The Association, in May, 

1882, moved to 250 Woodward Avenue, occupying 
the store on the ground floor. From here, in April, 

1883, they moved to the second, third, and fourth 
stories of the Williams Block on Monroe Avenue, 
facing Campus Martins, where they have thirty 
rooms, which were formally opened on April 5. 
The rooms were handsomely fitted up at a cost of 
about $2,500. 

One of the most hopeful features of the work is 
the Boys' Branch, established on September 12, 
1S82, chiefly through the efforts of Mrs. J. E. Fos- 
ter. They have an enrolled membership of over 
one hundred, conduct various meetings, and publish 
a monthly bulletin, called the Branch Record, which 
is sprightly and healthful in character. 

The Association was incorporated on January 12, 
1S74. and the annual meeting is held on the second 
Tuesday of January. The society is managed by 
twenty directors, all of whom must be members of 
churches holding the doctrine of justification by 
faith in Christ alone. The directors are elected by 
the members, and the officers, e.xcept the secretaries 
and treasurer, are selected from and elected by the 
directors. 

The presidents of the Association have been: 
1864 and 1865, James W. Farrell ; 1866 and 1867, 
F. D. Taylor; 1868, Silas Farmer; 1869 and 1870, 
David Preston; 1871 and 1872, Bradford Smith; 
1873 and 1874, E. C. Hinsdale; 1875-1879, F. D. 
Taylor; 1879- 1884, E. W. Wetmore; 1884- 
S. M. Cutcheon. The paid secretaries have been : 
1864-1866, D. D. Davis and James Westaway; 
1866-1869, W. H. Gibbs; 1869 and 1870, John 
Seage; 1871, C. C. Vemans; 1872-1876, E. B. 
Moody; 1876-1881, C. E. Dyer ; 1883- , L. F. 
Newman. 

The Railroad Branch had its origin in a meeting 
held in the Hall of the Association on May 7, 1876, 
at which addresses were delivered by Messrs. Lang, 
Sheaf, and H. W. Stager, of Cleveland, who had 
been invited for the occasion. Several prominent 
railroad officials were present, and the movement 
proved a success from the outset, A committee 
was appointed, a room on Woodbridge near Third 
Street secured, and on June 21 it was formally 
opened, with T. C. Boughton as superintendent. 
The work grew rapidly, and on November 21 a 
room was obtained at the Grand Trunk Junction, 
and neatly fitted up for the use of the men there 
employed. Religious exercises were held on the 
Sabbath, and occasionally on week days, and reading 
matter provided. 



UNION RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 



641 



In November, 1S77, John H. Fry succeeded Mr. 
Boughton, and three months later H. D. Warren 
became the superintendent of the rooms. After a 
few months Mr. C. E. Dyer took charge of both 
the main Association and the Railroad Branch. In 
November. 1878, 1. G. Jenkins became the secretary 
of the Railroad Branch. In February, 1878, a room 
more easy of access to the men seeming desirable, 
quarters were fitted up under the oflice of the yard 
master on the depot grounds, and the room on 
Woodbridge Street was given up. On the 29th of 
August following, a new building at the Junction 
was first occupied. It was erected at a cost of 
Si.ooo. In August, 1883, the building was moved 
to vacant ground near the original location of the 
rooms. The secretary issues a little monthly paper 
called the Headlight, which contains much informa- 
tion of value. 

This outgrowth of the Y. M. C. A. has resulted 
in the establishment of several reading rooms for 
railrcjad men at stations along the lines of roads 
centering in Detroit, and is constantly developing- in 
power and usefulness. 

City, County, and Statu Bible Societies. 

The first Bible Society in the State was organized 
at Detroit in November, 1816. Its first anniversary 
was held November 4, 1817, andthe reports showed 
that $146 had been received in subscriptions. The 
following persons were officers in 1817 : Lewis Cass, 
president; William Woodbridge, first vice-presi- 
dent; C. Larned, second vice-president; Rev. J. 
Monteith, corresponding secretary; H. J. Hunt, 
recording secretary ; Henry Brown, treasurer. The 
organization was in e.xistence in 1820, but ceased 
soon after. 

On November 3, 1830, a County Bible Society 
was organized with the following officers: president, 
Lewis Cass; vice-presidents. John Biddle and B. F. 
H. Wilherell ; recording secretary, C. C.Trowbridge ; 
corresponding secretary. Rev. N. M. Wells ; treas- 
urer and depository. E. P. Hastings ; executive com- 
mittee, J. J. Deming. J. Owen, H. Whiting, W. 
Ward, and E. Bingham. This society remained in 
e.xistence for several years, and distributed many 
thousand Bibles and Testaments. 

In October, 183S, a State Bible Society was again 
formed, and in 1S45 the local society received the 
following notice : 

W.4VNE CO. BIBLE SOCIETY. 

A meeciag of the friends of the .\merican Bible Society was 
held at the Presbyterian Session Room, October 7th, 1845, — J. 
Kearsley chairman, W. Phelps secretary. The chair stated the 
object of the meeting to be to resuscitate or reorganize the Wayne 
County Bible Society auxiliary lu the American Bible Society. 
Messrs. .\. Sheley, \. McFarren, and J. V, Watson were on mo- 
tion appointed a nominating committee. They reported for 



president C. C. Trowbridge ; vice-president, C. G. Hammond ; 
treasurer, John Owen ; secretary, Samuel Hastings. Report 
adopted and the nominees elected. 

W. Pheli'S, Secretary, 

This third organization seems also to have died 
out, for on February 2, 1857, under tlie influence of 
the revival sentiment of that year, a new society 
was organized and a constitution adopted. Since 
then, at irregular intervals, new officers have been 
elected, and endeavors made to secure the general 
circulation of the Bible by sale or donation. 

Grants of Bibles or Testaments are made by the 
oflicers on satisfactory evidence that the recipients 
are unable to pay for them. The depository, from 
time to time, was established at various bookstores, 
but in April, 1877, it found an appropriate home in 
the rooms of the Y. M. C. A., and was placed in 
the care of Mrs. J. E. Foster. The sales in 1883 
amounted to S305.55. The society struggled with 
debt for many years, but this has been entirely 
paid, and there is hope that a much larger work 
may be done hereafter if the cause is properly aided 
by the churches. 

Union Bethel Society. 
This enterprise was organized on September 20, 
1830, under the auspices of the Western Seamen's 
Friend Society. Fifteen years later an old ware- 
house on Woodbridge Street between Shelby and 
Wayne Streets was procured, the centre of the sec- 
ond floor cut out, and an audience room with a gal- 
lery was thus obtained. The building was dedicated 
April 2, 1846, with a sermon by Rev. Dr. Duffield. 
Rev. Dr. Harrison was put in charge, and large 
numbers of sailors and others gathered at the ser- 
vices. The building was eventually sold to the 
Trinity Lutheran Church. On September 8, 1850, 
a hall on the second floor of store No. 66 Jefferson 
Avenue, on the southwest corner of Cass Street, 
was dedicated for the use of the Bethel Church, 
with a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Kitchell. At this 
time Rev. A. M. Fitch was chaplain. From 1S51 
to 1 863 Rev. X. M. Wells was pastor. At the begin- 
ning of his term, a room was fitted up in the Hawley 
Block, on the northwest corner of Bates and Wood- 
bridge Streets, and there the society held services 
until 1862; from that year until 1865, ser\-ices were 
held in rooms on Woodbridge Street, just west of 
Wayne Street, with Rev. Mr. King in charge ; from 
1865 to 1868, a room in the Board of Trade Build- 
ing was used, and the Rev. William Day was in 
charge. After 186S theser\'ices were discontinued. 

City Tract Societies. 
The first society of the above character was organ- 
ized on March 22, 1831, but no details of its work 
have been found. 



642 



UNION MEETINGS.— REVIVALS AND REVIVALISTS. 



In 1839 a society called the Michigan Tract So- 
ciety was in existence, with 13. F. Larned as presi- 
dent and Charles Cleland as corresponding secretary. 
A society, called the Detroit City Tract Association, 
was instituted on January 12, 1S46, with the follow- 
ing officers : Rev. George Duttield, president ; H. 
L. Hammond, vice-president ; H. Hallock, general 
superintendent ; A. McFarren, treasurer, and F. 
Raymond, secretary. Ward Superintendents : First 
Ward, John Hulbert ; Second Ward, Charles M. 
Howard ; Third Ward, David French ; Fourth Ward, 
Ross Wilkins; Fifth Ward, Thomas Rowland ; Sixth 
Ward, J. D. Baldwin. 

The principal object of the organization was to 
circulate gratuitously the tracts and other publi- 
cations of the American Tract Society. The city 
was divided into fifty-nine districts. Monthly re- 
ports were made by each visitor, and a great amount 
of faithful labor expended. The society continued 
its efforts up to 1853, and was then discontinued. 

Detroit Evangelical Alliance. 

The object of this organization is to promote 
Christian fellowship among the different church 
societies. It was onjanized in Detroit, June 30, 
1873, and the following officers elected : president, 
C. 1. Wall'Cer; corresponding secretary, Rev. G. D. 
Baker ; recording secretary, Silas Farmer ; treasurer, 
Jacob S. Farrand. 

The time for the annual meeting is in October, 
but only two sets of officers have been chosen. 
Those in office in 1 883 were : Jacob S. Farrand, presi- 
dent ; H. E, Baker, secretary; W. H. Brearley, cor- 
responding secretary; Rev. A. T. Pierson, Rev. J. 
M. Arnold, and F. D. Taylor, executive committee. 

On October 30. 1877, on the invitation of the 
society, the Biennial Conference of the Evangelical 
Alliance of the United States was held in Detroit, 
at the First Presbyterian Church. There was a 
large attendance and much interest in the exercises. 

Detroit Ministerial Union. 

This organization dates from 1850, and is com- 
posed of the pastors of the several so-called evan- 
gelical churches of Detroit. They hold weekly 
meetings on Monday morning to discuss any sub- 
ject or question connected with the religious pros- 
perity of the city or the country. 

UNION MEETINGS. 

Morning Prayer Meetings. 

The Union morning prayer meetings were an out- 
growth of the deep religious feeling that pervaded 
the entire country immediately subsequent to the 
panic of 1857. The first of these meetings in 
Detroit was held at 8 a. m., March 4, in the base- 



ment of the Baptist Church, corner of Griswokl and 
Fort Streets. The attendance of active business 
men was a marked feature from the outset, and the 
meeting grew apace. On account of the large at- 
tendance, the meetings, after March 29, 1858, were 
held in the body of the church. Other morning 
meetings were held in the Congregational Church on 
Jefferson Avenue, and a noon meeting in the Water- 
man Block, and in several churches. The meet- 
ing in the Congregational Church continued till 
the last of April. On May 4 the meeting in the 
Baptist Church w'as discontinued for one week, and 
a committee appointed to consider the subject of 
its continuance. On May 10 it was resumed, to 
be held from S to 8.45 a. m. On July 11, 1859, 
as the church was to be torn down, the place of 
meeting was changed to the basement of the Sec- 
ond M. E. Church, on the corner of Randolph 
and Congress Streets. After the burning of that 
church, on July 18, 1863, the meetings were held 
in the basement of the First M. E. Church, cor- 
ner of Woodward Avenue and State Street. Here 
it was continued till March 4, 1872, when, on its 
fourteenth anniversary, the last of the morning 
meetings was held, the attendance not seeming to 
warrant a further continuance. 

Noon Meetings. 

In addition to the noon meeting of 1857, which was 
held in the Waterman Block, and kept up from 
March to the middle of May, a noon meeting was 
several times attempted in the Y. M. C. A. rooms, 
on the corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues ; 
but the attendance was always small and the meet- 
ings were soon discontinued. 

The only successful and continuous noon meet- 
ing was opened Tuesday, February 15. 1876, in the 
Y. M. C. A. building, on Farmer Street. It has 
been continued daily ever since, with an average 
attendance of from twenty to thirty persons. On 
May 30, 1882, the first service was held at the rooms 
in the Mather Block, and on April 2, 1883, the first 
ser\'icc was held in the rooms on Monroe Avenue. 
It is held from 12 to 12.30 M., and many evidences 
of its value have been made manifest. 

REVIVALS AND REVIVALISTS. 

The first effort of different denominations to co- 
operate in a series of religious meetings was made 
in 1865. The meetings, under the direction of Rev. 
E. P. Hammond, began on Sunday afternoon, Feb- 
ruary 26, 1865, at the Fort Street Congregational 
Church. The house was filled with children and 
Sunday-school teachers, and the service was remark- 
able for its solemnity and power. The morning 
meetings in the Woodward Avenue M. E. Church 



REVIVALS AND REVIVALISTS. 



643 



were scion crowded, and at the eveninjj meetings in 
various churclies, there were always more than 
could be seated. The closing service was held on 
March 19. 

A series of union meetings, conducted by Messrs. 
Whittle and Bliss, was commenced on the evening 
of October 6, 1874, at the Second Congregational 
Church, and closed on the lyth of November. 
These meetings were inaugurated and conducted 
by the Y. M. C. A., but were heartily supported 
by most of the Protestant clergymen and grew in 
interest to the end. The ser\-ices, held chietly in 
the Central Methodist and United Presbyterian 
churches, are gratefully remembered by many per- 
sons. 

A memorial service, in memory of P. P. liliss, 
who perished in the Ashtabula railroad disaster, 
was held on Sunday afternoon, January 7, 1877, at 
Whitney's Opera House. 



By invitation of the Clerical Union, the Rev. 
George F. Pentecost came to Detroit, and led a 
series of religious services, commencing on January 
4, 1880, and closing the iSth of March. Most of 
the meetings were held in the First Congrega- 
tional and Fort Street Presbyterian Churches, and 
were highly enjoyed by the multitudes who attended. 
During his stay, meetings for business men were 
conducted a part of the time in Merrill Hall and 
also in a vacant store on Jefferson Avenue near 
First Street. 

In the spring and fall of 1883 Harry F. Sayles, 
known as the singing evangelist, conducted a 
series of revival meetings in the Eighteenth Street 
Baptist, Second Congregational, Third .Street Mis- 
sion, Fort Street Methodist Episcopal, and Twelfth 
Street Baptist Churches, his successive engagements 
in these various churches affording the best of evi- 
dence of the public appreciation of his labors. 



CHAPTER LXVII. 

POVERTY, AND ITS RELIEF. — THE POOR COMMISSION. — CITY PHYSICIANS. — THE 

COUNTY POOR. 



POVERTY, AND ITS RELIEF. 

The first settlers were mostly poor, but for many 
years pauperism was unknown. The pluck that 
inspired the coming to a wilderness, and the vigi- 
lance which a residence in such wilds demanded, 
precluded that supineness of which poverty is born. 
True, there were times of trial and seasons of dis- 
tress; crops failed, and more than once gaunt 
famine hovelled about the palisades of Pontchar- 
train. Such times, however, were only incidental. 
Game and grain were usually plentiful, and the few 
families who dwelt here ate their own bread and 
asked no alms of strangers. Not until the Yankees 
came did "beggars come to town," and then not 
because the Yankees set the example of begging, 
but because upon their advent the population in- 
creased, and as towns grow, beggars multiply. 

The relieving of the poor enlisted the attention of 
the Governor and Judges soon after the Northwest 
Territory was organized. By act of November 6, 
1790, the Court of Quarter Sessions appointed one 
or more overseers of the poor for each township, 
and old records show the appointment in 1801, for 
the township of Detroit, of Jacques Girardin ; James 
May, Robert Guoin, and Gabriel Godfroy were 
appointed in 1803; Joseph Campau was appointed 
in place of Guoin in December, 1S03, and reap- 
pointed in 1804. 

In 1806 the sum of twenty-five dollars v\as appro- 
priated by the Governor and Judges for the su]5port 
of the poor in Detroit. 

By law of March 30, 1827, each township was 
authorized to elect two overseers of the poor. On 
October 29, 1829, each township was authorized to 
elect five directors of the poor, and the office of 
township overseer was to terminate after April, 
1830. By Act of February 26, 1831, the plan of one 
director for each township was revived, and in 
March the following was appended to the notice of 
an election : 

Immcdi.itely after closing the polls, a tax will be voted for the 
maintenance and support of the poor of Detroit for the ensuing 
year. 

At this time the city marshal acted as the almoner 
of the city, and from time to time small sums were 
placed in his hands for distribution. 



[644! 



On ?vlarch 14, 1840, the council appointed a com- 
mittee to contract with the superintendent of the 
county poor for the support of city paupers at 
eighteen cents each per day. The Council Pro- 
ceedings for 1 847 and 1 848 show that when occasion 
demanded, it was customary for the aldermen to 
vote such sums as they deemed necessary for the 
support of the poor. The office of city director of 
poor dates from Acts of April 23, 1S33, and March 
7, 1834, which conferred upon the council the power 
to do for the poor what under the State law the 
county directors were required to do. Up to Feb- 
ruary 31, 1849, the olficer was appointed by the 
council ; after that date he was elected. Under the 
ordinance of January 14, 1862, the director adver- 
tised for proposals, and bids were received from 
various persons for furnishing groceries, meat, 
flour, and wood. Under ordinance of December 
14, 1869, the poormaster gave orders for needed 
articles upon stores in different parts of the city. 
Orders amounting to $17,323 were given on about 
two hundred different stores in 1878; the wood 
bill for the same year amounted to $3,760. The 
amount given at any one time to the same per- 
son, or the total amount given to the same person 
or family in a given length of time, was entirely 
discretionary with the director of the poor; his 
orders on the stores were paid monthly by the city 
treasurer. ' That this discretionary power was not 
always wisely exercised is evident from the report 
of a committee of the Common Council made in 
April, 1870; it shows that of 1,236 families who 
received provisions in February of that year, 400 
could not be found, and 223 were unworthy; wood 
was also reported to have been delivered to 120 
different families that could not be found. 

Under the ordinance in force in i S79 it was the 
duty of the director, when applied to for relief by 
or for any person, to investigate the case, and if 
such person were not in a condition to be removed 
to the county poorhouse, temporary relief might 
be given. In case of the death of persons with- 
out means, the director had povv'er to give orders 
on the city sexton for their burial, and in 1S77, 
333 paupers were thus buried. In all cases of 
relief granted, whether from public funds, or 



THE POOR COMMISSION. 



645 



from funds or articles fLirnished by individuals, it 
was the duty of the director of the poor to enter in 
a book the name of the person receiving aid, the 
name and number of street he hved on, also the 
number of his ward, with the kind and amount of 
relief furnished, and names of the persons on whom 
the orders were drawn; all of which information 
was open to the inspection of the public, and re- 
ported monthly to the council. It was also the duty 
of the director, within ten days after the monthly 
report was made, to furnish lists of the persons re- 
lieved, arranged by wards, with their residences, to 
the city clerk, and the clerk was to cause not over 
one hundred copies to be printed, and placed at the 
disposal of the aldermen. In 1877 5,000 persons, 
representing 1,250 families, were relieved, and the 
total expenditure by the city for the support of the 
poor in that year was §37,284. Add to this the 
salaries of the city physicians, $2,400, the cost of 
the general vaccination of that year, $4,000, and the 
city's proportion of the expenditures by the county 
in behalf of the poor, and we have a total of 
nearly $80,000 paid by Detroit in 1S77 for the ben- 
efit of the poor, in addition to the thousands of 
dollars expended through private charitable organi- 
zations. 

The salary of the director was $1,600, and his 
term of office two years. A deputy director \\'as 
also appointed yearly, with a salary of $1,200. 
The office ceased on the creation of the Poor Com- 
mission. Following is a list of superintendents and 
directors : 

City Superintendents of Poor: 1827, S. Conant, 
Levi Cook; 1828, Levi Cook, D. C. McKinstry; 
1829, D. C. McKinstry, CuUen Brown. 

Directors of Poor: 1830, Robert Smart, James 
Abbott, Jerry Dean, S. Conant, J. J. Deming; 
1831, J. J. Garrison. James T. Penny; 1832. S. 
Conant, A.S.Porter; 1833, H. M. Campbell; 1835, 
A. C. Caniff, J. Eldred ; 1837, Robert Stuart; 1838, 
S. Conant; 1839, Robert Stuart; 1840, J. J. Garri- 
son, G. Paul; 1841, D. W. Fiske; 1842-1843, H. 
Newberry, Francis Cicotte; 1844- 1847, Mason 
Palmer: 1847, William Cook; 1 848- 1849, A. C. 
Powell, G. W. Hooper; 1 850-1 862, L. 15. Willard; 
1 862 -1 866, W. V.James; 1866- 1870, L.B. Willard; 
1870-1872, Stephen Martin; 1872-1878, L. B. Wil- 
lard; 1878-1880, W. V. Kies. 

THE POOR COAnnS.'^ION. 

The Poor Commission was created by Act of May 
31, 1S79, and did away with the ofTices of director 
of poor and city sexton. The board consists of 
four persons nominated by the mayor and appointed 
by the council, who sene without compensation. 
Under Act of May 20, 1881, the board appoints its 
own officers. 



The first commissioners were appointed for terms 
of one, two, three, and four years. Since 1 880 one 
has been appointed each year for a term of four 
years. Under the laws and ordinances governing 
the Board, its members are authorized to co-operate 
with charitable societies and the county .superin- 
tendents of the poor. If any person needing help 
has resided less than a year in the city, the relief 
extended is paid for out of the county treasury. By 
Act of April 10, 1883, the power to relieve all such 
county poor is lodged with the Poor Commission of 
Detroit. They have power to purchase and contract 
for all needful supplies for the poor, also to receive 
and distribute voluntary donations ; they contract for 
the care of the sick poor, and have charge of the 
burial of those that die ; they may procure railroad 
tickets for such paupers as wish permanently to leave 
the city or county. All sick or other poor requiring 
permanent support are. if possible, moved to the 
county poorhouse. The commissioners are required 
to keep a detailed record, alphabetically arranged, 
showing nationality, age, sex, condition, place and 
length of residence in city of each applicant for relief, 
together with a statement of cause of destitution, 
usual avocation, and the kind and amount of relief 
afforded. 

The expenditures during the first seventeen months 
of the e.xistence of the commission, ending June 30, 
1881, were $32,608. The chief items were: orders 
on groceries, $9,966; provisions furnished, $5,650; 
railroad fares paid, $264; wood, $4,854; care of 
sick poor, $5,880; burial of poor, $1,430; 1,648 
families, including 6,022 persons, were relieved. 

The report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 
1884, showed that aid had been given to 779 fami- 
lies, or 3,569 persons. The value of the provisions 
distributed was $12,133.25; of wood, 826X cords 
were supphed. The total expenditures for the year 
were $27,429.77. 

In furtherance of their work, on December 13, 
1880, the commissioners opened a store in Firemen's 
Hall, from which they supplied various articles of food 
to persons in need. The store was closed on March 
26, i88i,and they returned to the old plan of giving 
orders on grocers. These orders may be presented 
at any grocery ; but a printed notice on the order 
forbids the delivering of liquors, or of any articles 
except flour, potatoes, sugar, bread, tea, coffee, meal, 
rice, lard, soap, beans, fish, candles, oil, and matches. 
The amount and price of each article must be noted 
on the order, and certified to by the grocer. 

The office of the commission was at first located 
in the City Hall, but in November, 1881, it was 
moved to the New Market Building. 

The commissioners have been: 1880, Thomas 
Berry. A. W. Copland, Henry Heames, and Joseph 
B. Moore. 



646 



CITY PHYSICIANS. 



On January 28, 1S81, Mr. Copland was succeeded 
by Edward Kanter; in February, 1882, W. K. Muir 
was appointed in place of Thomas Berry, and in 
1884 Mr. Kanter resigned, and was succeeded by 
Simon Heavenrich. 

P. H. Dwyer, secretary, and John F. Martin, 
superintendent, original appointees of the commis- 
sion, were still serving in 1884. 

CITY PHYSICIANS. 

The first intimation of the existence of this office 
is found in the Proceedings of the Council for May 
II, 1S29; because of fear of small-pox, the follow- 
ing resolution was passed : 

Resolved^ that the gratuitous services of the medical gentle- 
men of the city be respectfully solicited in behalf of our citizens 
whose pecuniary circurnstances render them objects of their 
benevolence. 

In 1837 there was another "small-pox scare," and 
Doctors Russel, Rice, Cowles, and Breckenridge 
were appointed to vaccinate the poor at the expense 
of the city. 

An Act of February 21, 1849, provided for the 
election of one city physician each year. By the 
charter of 1857 the council was given the power of 
appointment, and in May of that year the number 
of city physicians was increased from one to four. 
By ordinance of January 31, i860, the city was 
divided into three districts, and one physician ap- 
pointed for each district at a salary of $300. An 
ordinance of January 9, 1874, provided for increas- 
ing the number of districts and physicians to six ; 
and on an order from the mayor, the director of the 
poor, or an alderman, it was their duty to attend 
the sick poor in their respective districts. An ordi- 
nance of January 14. 1879, divided the districts as 
follows : First District, Wards Ten and Thirteen ; 
Second District, Wards Six and Eleven; Third Dis- 
trict, Wards Four and Seven; Fourth District, 
Wards One, Two, and Three; Fifth District, all of 
Wards Eight, Nine, and Twelve lying south of 
Michigan Avenue ; Sixth District, Ward Five, and 
all of Wards Eight, Nine, and Twelve lying north 
of Michigan Avenue. 

The physicians were required to furnish all medi- 
cines for the poor at their own expense, and when 
requested by the Common Council were to examine 
into and report all sources of danger to health in 
their several districts; and under ordinance of 
1 863, it was their duty to vaccinate without charge 
any person applying to them. On making affidavit 
at the end of each quarter that all persons who 
called for that purpose had been vaccinated, they 
were entitled to $12.50 per quarter in addition to 
their regular salary, which was determined yearly 
by the council. In 1877, under a general-plan of 



vaccination, the six city physicians reported that 
between June 29 and July 17 they had vaccinated 
6,054 persons. 

Under ordinance approved May 31, 1882, the dis- 
trict system was abolished, and provision was made 
for two physicians for the entire city, to be ap- 
pointed by the Board of Aldermen on the second 
Tuesday of June in each year. The charter of 
1883 provided that the city physicians should be 
appointed by the Board of Councilmen on nomina- 
tion of the Board of Health. The appointees are 
required to have a regular diploma from a respect- 
able medical collage, with five years' experience as 
a physician, and to give their whole time to the city 
patients. An office assistant is also provided, who, 
in the year ending June 30, 1884, filled 8,070 pre- 
scriptions and prescribed for 2,148 cases. The 
out-door physicians made 6,551 calls. 

The city physicians have been: 1842 and 1843, 
J. H. Bagg; 1844, C. N. Ege; 1845 and 1846, H. 
Lemcke;^ 1847, Z. Pitcher; 1848-1851, L. H. Cobb; 
1851-1853, J. B. Scovill; 1853, P. Klein; 1854, 
E. P. Christian; 1855-1857. J. B. Scovill. 

1857. District i, W. Cowan; District 2, C. R. 
Case ; District 3, S. M. Axford; District 4, J. B. K. 
Mignault. 

1858. District l, William Cowan; District 2, 
C. R. Case ; District 3, S. M. Axford ; District 4, 
Robert MuUaney. 

1S59. District i, I. M. Allen; District 2, L. 
Davenport ; District 3, E. Lauderdale ; District 4, 
H. Kiefer. 

i860. District i, Ira M. Allen; District 2, Louis 
Davenport ; District 3, Edward Lauderdale ; Dis- 
trict 4, Wm. J. Cranage. 

1 86 1. District i, Chas. H. Barrett; District 2, 
Caspar Schulte ; District 3, F. W. Sparling ; Dis- 
trict 4, Dwight D. Stebbins. 

1862. District i, I. M. Allen and J. M. Alden; 
District 2, Edward Schroeder ; District 3, C. R. Case; 
District 4, R. Mullaney. 

1863. District I, L. H. Cobb; District 2, Nich- 
olas Pfeiffer and P. Klein; District 3, C. R. Case; 
District 4, R. Mullaney. 

1864. District I. L.H.Cobb; District 2, Edward 
Kane; District 3, J.iM. Alden; District 4, Davis 
Henderson. 

1865. District l, L. H. Cobb; District 2, E. 
.Schroeder; District 3, J. M. Alden; District 4, 
R. Mullaney. 

1866 and 1867. District i, Henry Newland ; 
District 2, E. Schroeder ; District 3, Davis Hender- 
son ; District 4,' R. Mullaney. 

1868. District I, Henry F. Lyster; District 2, 
C. H. Barrett ; District 3, C. Schulte ; District 4, 
Wm. A. Chandler. 

1869. District i, H. F. Lyster; District 2, F. H. 



THE COUNTY POOR. 



647 



Spranger ; District 3, C. Schulte ; District 4, W. A. 
Chandler. 

1870. District i, John M. Bigelow; District 2, 
Andrew Borrowman ; District 3, Peter P. Gihnartin ; 
District 4. Elisha Leach. 

1 87 1. District i, H. F. Lyster; District 2, John 
Flinterman ; District 3, Wm. H. Lathrop ; Dis- 
trict 4, \V. A. Chandler, 

1S72. District i, H. F. Lyster; District 2, J. 
Flinterman ; District 3, H. E. Smith ; District 4, 
William G. Co.x. 

1873. District i, Joseph C. Ferguson ; District 2, 
Alonzo Harlow ; District 3, Henry O. Walker ; Dis- 
trict 4, R. A. Jamieson. 

1874. District 1, Harris A. Goodwin ; District 2, 
A. Harlow; District 3, J. C. Ferguson; District 4, 
H. O. Walker; District 5, Hainilton E. Smith; 
District 6, R. A. Jamieson. 

1875. District i, H. A. Goodwin; District 2, 
A. Harlow; District 3, J. C. Ferguson; District 4, 
H. E. Smith ; District 5, Theo. F. Kerr ; District 6, 
Chas. Ewers. 

1876. District I, H. A. Goodwin; District 2, 
J. P. Corcoran ; District 3, J. J. Mulheron ; District 
4. G. A. Foster ; District 5, T. V. Law ; District 6, 
Chas. Ewers. 

1877. District I, Chas. F. Herzog ; District 2, 
C. .Schulte ; District 3, Augustus Kaiser ; District 4, 
Geo. B. Foster ; District 5, Geo. W. Montgomery ; 
District 6, Edward Lichty. 

1878. District i, A. F. Hoke; District 2, John 
Georg; District 3. A. Kaiser; District 4, Wm. A. 
McDonald ; District 5, -Albert G. Bissell ; District 6, 
E. Lichty. 

1879. District i, J. W. Monaghan; District 2, 
O. P.Eaton; District 3, G. Jacobs; District 4, H. 
E. Smith; District 5, A. Harlow; District 6, J. J. 
Mulheron. 

1880. District I, F. Kuhn; District 2, G. Jacobs; 
District 3, O. P. Eaton; District 4, T. \'. Law; 
District 5, H. E. Smith ; District 6, R. A. Jamieson. 

1881. District j, F. Kuhn; District 2. J. G. 
Johnson; District 3, A. Thucncr; District 4, T. \'. 
Law ; District 5, W. Chancy ; District 6, R. A. 
Jamieson. 

1882. E. J. McPhariin, Ferdinand Kuhn; C. P. 
Frank, assistant. 

1883- . W. Chancy, G. D. Stewart; C. P. 
Frank, assistant. 

In October, 1872, thirty-four acres of land in 
Grosse Pointe, on P. C. 641, were purchased for 
$6,000 of C. S. Atterbury for a city hospital, but 
the city made no use of the grounds until 1881, 
when a hospital twenty-six by seventy-six feet, one 
story high, was erected at a cost of $3,000. It was 
designed especially to accommodate small-pox pa- 
tients. A dwelling on the property was intended 



as a residence for doctors and nurses. The dis- 
tance of the hospital from the city and the objec- 
tion made by residents of the township to the use of 
it for small-pox patients caused the abandonment 
of the plan, and the property was rented for indi- 
vidual occupancy. 

THE COUNTY POOR. 

Under Michigan Territory, by law of October 8, 
1805, on notice to three justices of the peace that a 
person was poor and incapable of self-support, 
they, as constituting the Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions, were authorized to direct the marshal to con- 
tract for the support of such person at a cost not 
exceeding twenty-five cents a day. By Act of 
February i, 1809, the judges of the district courts 
were authorized to appoint three overseers of the 
poor for each district. In 181 7 the poor were again 
placed in care of the Court of (Quarter Sessions, 
with provisions similar to those of the Act of 1805. 
On February 17, 1824, an act was passed giving 
the county commissioners the care of the poor, and 
under their direction the sheriff was to advertise 
yearly for proposals for the care of paupers. By 
Act of June 23, 1828, the Board of Supervisors was 
empowered to appoint three directors of the poor 
for the county, and by Acts of July 22, 1830, and 
March 7, 1834, the Board of Supervisors was given 
power to appoint one or more superintendents of 
the poor. Under the Revised Statutes of 1838 the 
county commissioners were authorized to appoint 
three superintendents of the poor, to hold office one 
year, and to have the general superintendence of 
the county poor and the poorhouse. The Act of 
March 11, 1844, which created the Board of Audi- 
tors, authorized the appointment of three superin- 
tendents of the poor yearly for terms of three years 
each. They are charged with the care of the county 
asylum, the poorhouse and farm ; with the control 
of those who are sent there ; and of the sick poor 
sent to hospitals or State asylums. They are ex- 
pected to pay weekly visits to the poorhouse and 
the asylum, and to constantly provide for and super- 
vise the management of both institutions. From 
lime to time they contract with various hospitals for 
the care of the sick poor, the usual price being 
about $3.50 per week. The total expense of caring 
for the .sick poor, and insane in 1870 was $33,523; 
and for the year ending September 30, 1883, $58,016, 
of which $24,719 was expended for provisions; there 
were also used pro\-isions raised on the farm valued 
at $5,057. The superintendents are paid $35 each 
per month. 

If a poor person has lived in the county less than 
a year he is deemed a county pauper, and the whole 
county is chargeable for his support. If he has 
lived longer than a year in any part of the county. 



648 



THE COUNTY POOR. 



[he township or city where he resides is under obli- 
gations to take care of him. 

The county superintendents of the poor have 
been : — 1 838-1 841. James Hanmer, Ammon Brown, 
W. B. Hunt; 1841-1843, W. S. Gregory, S. H. 
Aldrich, James Hanmer; 1843-1845, James Han- 
mer, Morrison Swift, W. G. Porter, T. J. Owen 
(part of term) ; 1845, Titus Dort, Peter Desnoyers, 
Ammon Brown ; 1 846, Charles Peltier, Ammon 
Brown, James Bucklin; 1847, C. Peltier, J. Bucklin, 
Warren Tuttle ; 1848, C. Peltier, W. Tuttle, Elijah 
Hawley, Jr.; 1849, W. Tuttle, Ira M. Hough, C. 
Peltier ; 1850, C. Pehier, Ira M. Hough, E. Hawley, 
Jr.; 1851, D. A. A. Ensworth, E. Hawley, Jr., J. 
Shearer; 1852, C. Peltier, E. Hawley, Jr., I. M. 
Hough; 1853, Hugh O'Beirne, I. M. Hough, R. P, 
Clark; 1854- 1S57, F. W. Hughes, I. M. Hough, R. 
P.Clark; 1857-1860, James Safford, M. T. Lane, 
Titus Dort; 1S60, J. Safford, M. T. Lane. D. 
Sackett; 1861-1863, M. T. Lane, S. W. Walker. T. 
T. Lyon; 1S63, R. D. Hill, S. W. Walker, T. T. 
Lyon ; 1864, T. T. Lyon, B. Hodgkinson. A. Sheley; 
1865-1869, B. Hodgkinson, William Daly, A. Ives; 
1869-1871, B. Hodgkinson, William Dyson, William 
Daly; 1871-1873, William Dyson, E. Visger, B. 
Hodgkinson; 1873-1875, J. A. Patrick, W. Dyson, 
E. Visger ; 1875, J. A. Patrick, A. Ives, J. R. Hosie ; 
1876, J. A. Patrick, J. R. Hosie, J. W. Keith ; 1877, 
M. Dunn, J. W. Keith, N. P. Thayer; 1 878-1 879, 
N. P. Thayer, M. Dunn, Jacob Guthard ; 1880, M. 
Dunn, J. Guthard, J. C. McDonald ; 1SS1-1883, M. 
Dunn, J. C. McDonald, D. Shanahan ; 1883, J.J. 
Vrooman, M. Dunn, D. Shanahan; 1884, J. J. 
Vrooman, D. Shanahan, George M. Henry. 

Coitnty Poorhouse. 

The fir.<!t record concerning a poorhouse in Wayne 
County is found in an Act of June 23, 1828, author- 
izing the people to vote, on the first Monday of 
July, on the question of erecting a building. The 
vote was against its erection : many persons, how- 
ever, deemed such an institution a necessity, and by 
Acts of July 22, 1830, and March 3, 1831, the Board 
of Supervisors was authorized to build. 

On September 22, 1830, a meeting of citizens of 
Detroit was held, and a resolution passed in favor 
of the project. Messrs. H. M. Campbell. S. Conant, 
and D. French were appointed a committee on site 
and plan, and in October, 1831, the Board of Super- 
visors appointed a committee to contract for a build- 
ing. This committee proving negligent, on March 
8, 1832, a new resolution was passed to purchase 
land for a poor-farm, the expenditure for land and 
building not to exceed $1,200. In accordance with 
this resolution, on March 27, 1S32, about seventeen 
acres were purchased at a cost of $200. The land 



was on the east side of the Leib Farm, and fronted 
on the Gratiot Road. 

On October 4. 1832, a contract was made with 
D. French to erect a house for S950. His contract 
was duly fulfilled, he was paid on December 31, 
1832, and — remarkable fact — the entire cost of land 
and building was §50 less than the amount appro- 
priated. The building was a wooden structure, 
long and low. On January 5, 1833, J. P. Cooley 
was appointed keeper. 

While these preparations were going on, that 
fearful scourge, the Asiatic cholera, was hovering 
over the city. In the season of 1832 it began its 
work, and in 1834 carried death and sorrow to 
many households ; nearly fifty children were made 
orphans, many of whom were sent to the poor- 
house. Moved with pity for their condition, on 
March 8, 1833, the Sisters of Charity, through Bishop 
Rese, applied to the Board of Supervisors, asking 
to be put in charge of the county house, as most of 
the parents of the children had been of their faith. 
A contract was at once entered into with them, with 
the privilege of revoking it at any time. Under this 
contract, in July, 1834. Rev. Martin Kundig, the 
German Roman Catholic priest, who had won golden 
opinions from all sects by his assiduous labors in 
behalf of the victims of the cholera, was installed 
as superintendent. In March, 1836, he contracted 
to take care of the poor for sixteen cents per day 
each, but as provisions were very high, and as he 
was compelled to take his pay in county warrants, 
he lost much money. In 1837 he agreed to care 
for the poor at twenty-two cents each per day. 
During the summer there were from So to 100 
inmates in the poorhouse, with an average of sixty 
confined to their beds. At the close of this year he 
was again compelled to take his pay in warrants, as 
the county had nothing else to give him, and on 
these he lost from 40 to 60 per cent. 

.•Appreciating the value of his services to the State, 
the Legislature of 1 837 voted him $3,000, but this 
did not make up his losses. The next year he had 
charge of three hiuidred persons, and was obliged 
to feed and clothe them w-ithout the aid of a dollar 
of current money from the county. This so embar- 
rassed him that his personal property was seized 
and sold at auction. 

On April 11, 1839, 'he inmates of the poorhouse 
were removed to the farm now occupied by the 
county. 

That Mr. Kundig did not lose his interest in the 
poor is evident from the following extract from the 
records of the Common Council : 

Tuesday^ January \rtth^ 1841. — A communication was received 
from Martin Kundig, pastor of Trinity Church, enclosing $50, 
and tendering the thanks of his congregation for the kindness 
with which their poor liavc been treated. Accepted, and on 
motion of Alderman Paull, 



THE COUNTY POOR. 



649 



JifS0i7>ed, that the Coininitlce on Poor be requested to tender 
the thanks of the Common Council to the pastor and congrega- 
tion of Trinity Church for their donation of $50, as well as the 
manner in which this gratuity was communicated. 

In 1839 the county commissioners were author- 
ized to sell the property on the Gratiot Road, but 
no purchaser was found until February, 1S46, when 
it was sold for §1,124. rhe present farm of two 
hundred and seventy-seven acres, known at time of 
purchase as the Torbert Farm, was bought on Feb- 
ruary 22, 1839, for §1, 600. It lies in the township 
of Nankin, about sixteen miles west of Detroit, on 
the line of the M. C. R. R., and two miles east of 
the village of Wayne. The property, with the build- 
ings and appurtenances, is valued at about §100,000. 
The buildings first obtained were two large log- 
houses that had been used as a tavern. In 1845 
the first brick building was erected, at a cost of 
about §4,500. In 1S53 or 1854 an additional brick 



care of the patients, has a salary of §800, and is 
appointed by the superintendents of the poor. 

Prior to the erection of the asylum, incurable 
patients were kept at the county house, or sent to 
Kalamazoo. At the present time the county asylum 
is used for the temporary detention of insane per- 
sons, who are to be sent to one of the State Insane 
Asylums, and also for the safe keeping of insane 
poor pronounced incurable and sent back from the 
State asylums. 

Poor persons, deemed insane, are sent to the 
county or the State asylum on a certificate of two 
[ihysicians to the judge of probate, who on receiv- 
ing such certificate gives an order for the patient's 
admission. 

County Physicians. 

In addition to the county physician at the asylum, 
two others are appointed yearly by the Boartl of 













CouNTV Insane Asvlum. 



COUNTV PoORHOt'SK. 



building was erected, and in 1S59 still another was 
'ut up for a hospital, at a cost of about §1,600. 

The average number of inmates in the county 
house in 1S83 was 360. Detroit stands charged 
directly with about three sevenths of the expense of 
their maintenance, in addition to nearly five sixths 
of the. balance chargeable to the county at large. 

Coun/y Insane Asylum. 

This building, located on the county farm, was 
first occupied in August, 1869, It cost §24,000. 
It is two hundred and fifty-two feet long and 
from thirty-eight to fifty-six feet wide. In 1S76 
wings were built on the east and west sides, and 
during 1883 and 1SS4 two additions, costing about 
§4,500 each, were erected. In 1883 there was an 
average of nearly two hundred inmates. 

The total cost to the county is about twenty cents 
per day for each inmate. The county physician for 
the county buildings is charged with the medical 



Auditors, at a salary of §450 each. Their duties 
are confined chiefly to the city, where they attend 
county patients at the hospitals. It is also their 
duty to attend the coroner's inquests. 

The following persons have served as county 
physicians: 1843, Linus Mott; 1845, Z. Pitcher; 
1846, E. Hurd. Linus Mott; 1847, Charles Perrez; 
1848-1S51, Peter Klein; 1851, J. H. Scovill; 1852. 
P.Power; 1853, C. Hastings; 1854 and 1S55, P. 
Klein; 1856, O. P. Chubb; 1857, L. Davenport; 
1S58-1859, S. M. Axford; i860, C. R. Case; 1861, 
J. M. Alden; 1 862-1 865, C. H. Barrett; 1865, L. H. 
Cobb; 1 866, J. M. Alden; 1867- 1869, H. A. Smith; 
1869 and 1870, P. J. Chavcy ; 1871 and 1872, P. P. 
Gilmartin; 1873 and 1874. C. C. Yemans; 1875, 
and 1876, E, Lichty, C. Schulte; 1877 and 1878, 
A. Borrowman. D. L. Dakin; 1879 and 1880. H. O. 
Walker; T. F. Kerr; 1881 and 1882. E, Lichty. J. 
W. Monaghan; 1883. C. .Schulte. F. W. Owen; 
1884, F. W. Owen, Aloys Thuener. 



CHAPTER LXVI II 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



The year 1S17 marks an era in the life of the 
city. The first bona fide newspaper, the first uni- 
versity schools, the first public library, and the first 
charitable society were all established in that year. 
Prior to that date . individuals had not associated 
themselves into public societies of any sort ; but in 
this year the Yankee element began to assert itself, 
and very soon institutions of almost ever)' kind were 
organized or projected for Detroit. Of these, one 
of the earliest, the Moral and Humane Society, was 
founded December 29, 181 7. Its objects were to 
suppress vice and to report any poor children desti- 
tute of education. It lived three years, and in 1S20 
expended $64.37 in carrying forward its work, no 
details of which are to be found. 

The ne.xt on the list of e.xtinct societies, the Young 
Men's Benevolent Society, an offshoot of the Young 
Men's Society, was organized January 7, 1S48, with 
S. Barstow as president; Z. Chandler, treasurer; 
and J. V. Campbell, secretary. The city was divided 
into seven districts, and each district assigned to a 
committee of three, whose duty it was to inquire 
into and report upon all cases of need presented to 
their notice. In 1S50 E. C. Walker was president; 
in 1852, U. T. Howe; in 1855, Bela Hubbard; in 
1859, Morse Stewart. W. A. Raymond was secre- 
tary in 1852. Soon afterwards this position was 
filled by R. R. Elliott, and he served as secretary, 
and A. H. Adams as treasurer, up to 1S60, when 
the society disorganized, as its work seemed no 
longer required. The expenditures of the society 
for the first six years were : 184S, §480; 1849, $694 ; 
1850, $648; 1851, $1,406; 1852, $1,407; 1S53, 
$1,165. Total, $5,803. 

After a lapse of six years, on May 17, 1866, a 
similar effort was inaugurated under the title of the 
Detroit City Mission Board ; the first officers were : 
president, E. Taylor; secretary, J. G. Ray; treas- 
urer, Caleb Van Husan. The society was managed 
by an executive board chosen from the several co- 
operating churches and charitable societies. The 
services of W. A. Bacon as city missionary were 
secured, and under his leadership one of the most 
complete plans ever de\'ised for the moral uplifting 
of the poor was brought before the society. It was 
almost Utopian in its completeness, embracing sys- 
tematic inquiry and furnishing information upon 



every possible subject connected with the health, 
homes, and habits of persons needing help. The 
society entered upon its work with its headquarters 
at the rooms of the Y. M. C. A., and for some two 
years its members visited and systematically relieved 
the poor. On January 2, 1S6S, a still more practical 
work was undertaken, by the opening of a lodging 
house in a building on the northeast corner of 
Atwater and St. Antoine Streets. The house was 
soon literally thronged with newsboys and tramps, 
some of whom were lodged free, and others at very 
low rates. The receipts, however, were not equal 
to the expenses, and the lodging house was discon- 
tinued in June, 1868. After this date the society 
had only a nominal existence, and on November 2, 
1869, its property was donated to the Woman's 
Hospital and Foundlings' Home. 

St. Vincen/'s Female Orphan Asylum. 

This asylum may be called the successor of the 
oldest charitable institution in the city. Early in 
1834 its progenitor, a society called the Catholic 
Female Association, was organized " for the relief 
of the sick and poor of Detroit." At this time the 
poorhouse on the Gratiot Road vi-as almost unin- 
habitable, and the inmates were greatly neglected. 
Ascertaining these facts, the society, in the spring 
of 1834. petitioned the board to remedy the evils. 

Almost simultaneously with this request the chol- 
era broke out in the city, and Father Kundig, who 
was specially active in the care of the sick, soon 
found himself burdened with the guardianship of 
about thirty children, committed to his care by 
those dying of that dread disease. He was forced 
to find homes for them at various places, and boarded 
them at his own expense. Some were sent to the 
county house, and others were gathered in a build- 
ing on Earned Street near Randolph, and the 
Female Association undertook to care for them. 
In order to obtain funds the members, on De- 
cember 31, 1835, held a Fair at which over $1,600 
were received in one evening ; such an amount, 
even in these days, would be deemed extravagantly 
large ; and in that day it was convincing proof of 
the sympathy and appreciation of the public. A 
similar Fair was held in November of the succeed- 
ing year. 



1^50] 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



651 



In the spring of 1836 twenty acres of land adjoin- 
ing the county farm on the Gratiot Road were 
leased, a building erected thereon by Father Kun- 
dig. and the orphans removed thither. The house 
had never less than twenty inmates, and one hun- 
dred and forty different children were cared for. 
.■\ided by the Association, a school, which was free 
to all, was opened, and maintained until 1839. 

The officers of the Association for 1837 were Mrs. 
Emily Leib, president ; Mrs. John Watson, vice- 
president ; Mrs. J. A. ^'an Dyke, treasurer; Miss 
Ellen O'Keefe, secretary' ; Miss Mar\- Palms, assist- 
ant secretary. 

Father Kundig, who was appointed superintend- 
ent of the poor in 1834, continued in office until 
1839. Such were the difficulties of the position, 
resulting in part from the panic of 1837, that he 
became bankrupt, and in the spring of 1839 certain 
of his creditors seized and sold the clothes be- 
longing to the thirty orphans then in his asylum. 
After the purchase of other poorhouse property by 








lar 



St. Vincent's Catholic Female Or?han Asvlum. 

the county in 1839, the asylum was closed, and t',: 
orphans distributed among farmers and acquain 
ances until homes could be obtained. 

The present institution had its first home in an 
old building on the south side of Earned -Street, 
just west of Randolph. It was opened by the Sis- 
ters of Charity on June 5, 1851. The next year 
this building was removed, and a brick building, 
with a frontage of seventy-five feet and a depth of 
twenty-five feet, erected on the site. It was first 
used in October, 1852. At that time there were 
forty orphans in the establishment and a large day- 
school was maintained. The asylum was subse- 
quently moved to the brick building formerly known 
as the bishop's residence, on the west side of Ran- 
dolph, between Congress and Earned Streets. Here 
the asylum remained until 1876, having an average 
of from one hundred to one hundred and lifty 
children. 



The Sisters finally purchased a lot two hundred 
and fifty-two by two hundred and si.xty feet on Mc- 
Dougall Avenue, between Lamed and Congress 
Streets, at a cost of §16,000, and erected a building 
at a cost of nearly $70,000. The main structure is 
one hundred and thirty by sixty-eight feet, with two 
wings, each sixty by thirty-two feet. The building 
was dedicated July 19, 1876. Up to 1882 the asylum 
had no regular revenue, but was dependent on vol- 
untary donations, and the proceeds of an annual 
Fair, which was usually very successful. Since 
1882 it has been supported by an as.scssment upon 
the several Catholic congregations in the city. Only 
girls are received. During 1880 the in.stitution cared 
for one hundred and si.xty-five ; two hundred and 
fifty can be accommodated. 

It was incorporated in September. 1871, and the 
annual meeting is on the last Monday of January. 
The names of the Superiors who have had charge 
are Sisters Loyola, Lucretia, Edmond, and Marj- 
Stella. 

T/w Ladies' Protestant Orphan Asylum. 

This institution was A'ganized May 18, 1836, in- 
corporated March 21, 1837, and newly incorporated 
June 9, 1859. On the date first named, a number of 
ladies met in the Presbjlerian Church on Woodward 
Avenue to consider the propriety and necessity of 
establishing an orphan asylum. At this meeting 
Mrs. J. r. Cleveland presided, and Mrs. E. P. Hast- 
ings acted as secretary. After considerable deliber- 
ation it was decided to complete an organization, and 
Mrs. Charles Stuart and Mrs. John Farmer were 
appointed a committee to draft a constitution. At a 
subsequent meeting this committee reported a con- 
stitution and by-laws, which were adopted, and the 
following ladies were elected ofiicers : Mrs. C. C. 
Trowbridge, first directress ; Mrs. Robert Stuart, 
second directress; Mrs. Thomas Palmer, third 
directress; Mrs. E. P. Hastings, treasurer; Miss E. 
S. Trowbridge, secretary; Mrs. Charles Stuart and 
Mrs. H. J. Hunt, auditors; Mrs. Godard and Mrs. 
John Farmer, Committee of Finance; Mrs. Macomb 
and Mrs. Crocker, Committee of Maintenance; Mrs. 
C. Stuart and Mrs. Ambrose, Committee of Educa- 
tion; Rev. Robert Turnbull, Major Benjamin F. 
Earned, Major Henry Whiting, Eurotas P. Hast- 
ings, Charles C. Trowbridge, and Jerry Dean, 
Counselling Committee. 

The Association at once commanded sympathy 
and support ; Cullen Brown gave the use of a house 
on Beaubien, just south of Fort Street, rent free, 
for one year. On Friday, January 13, 1837, the 
ladies took possession, and on February I follow- 
ing the asylum was opened under the superin- 
tendence of Mrs. Charles Chambers, assisted by 
her husband. She was paid a salary of §200. 



652 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



DLiring the first year eleven orphans were received, 
all of whom were in the asylum at the close of 
the year. A city lot was now donated to the 
society by Elon Farnsworth, and George Hunt 
gave an acre of land on his farm, fronting on 
Jefferson Avenue near the corner of Adair Street. 
On June 8, 1837, the following officers were elected : 
first directress, Mrs. C. C. Trowbridge ; second di- 
rectress, Mrs. C. Stuart ; third directress, Mrs. T. 
Palmer; treasurer, Mrs. E. P. Hastings; secretary, 
Miss E. S. Trowbridge; Committee of Finance, Mrs. 
Lois Campbell and Mrs. Mason Palmer; Com- 
mittee of Maintenance, Mrs. John Hulbert and .Mrs. 
Crocker; Committee of Education, Mrs. Kirkland 
and Mrs. John Farmer; auditors, Mrs. Henry J. 
Hunt and Mrs. Henry Whiting ; counsellors, E. P. 




Protestant Orphan Asylum. 

Hastings. C. C. Trowbridge, Major Henry Whiting, 
Mr. Crocker, Major Benjamin F. Earned, and John 
Owen. 

On November 14 it was decided to move the 
asylum to a house owned by Messrs. Hastings, 
Kercheval, and Newberry, and the society also de- 
termined to erect a building of its own as soon as 
funds could be obtained. The citizens responded 
liberally to the call for this purpose. Plans were 
prepared, and in the fall of 1837 Messrs. H. B. 
Lothrop and H. H. LeRoy volunteered to super\'ise, 
without charge, the erection of the building, The 
work began; but lack of funds, owing to the hard 
times tliat soon came on, caused the work to stop, 
and the building remained unfinished until Julius 



Eldred advanced the necessary means for com- 
pleting a portion. In the latter half of January, 
1840, eight girls and seven boys became its first 
inmates. The original building was forty-two feet 
square, and cost $6,833. The wing on the west 
side was added at a cost of $4,000, and was dedi- 
cated February 13, 1872. 

Owing to the society's plan of binding out the 
children in its care, their number in 1845 had dim- 
inished to five, and in June, 1846, the society, 
being in debt to the amount of $700, decided to 
close the institution until such time as there should 
be greater need, and larger means for. carrying 
it on. The building was rented for $100 a year, 
the few children left were boarded in a private 
family, and for the ne.xt si.x years even the annual 
meetings were unattended. 

On June 10, 1852, the society was reorganized, 
and the following officers elected : first directress, 
Mrs. John Winder ; second directress, Mrs. Rev. 
M. Allen ; third directress, "Mrs. A. M. Bartholo- 
mew ; secretary, Mr.s. Rev. R. R. Kellogg ; treas- 
urer. Mrs. O. C. Thompson. Thirteen orphans that 
had been placed in a house on Randolph Street were 
transferred to the care of the new organization; 
but as the property on Jefferson Avenue had been 
rented to private parties and also needed repairs, 
they remained where they were until May, 1853, 
when the society again took possession of its prem- 
ises. The first years after their return were years 
of small resources and great labor. Day after day, 
as regularly as she cared for her own household, 
the first directress solicited or purchased the day's 
supply of food for the little ones, and then carried 
it to them, paying fare at the toll-gate, then 
located this side of the asylum. From time to 
time, as children died, she took the little coffins into 
her own carriage, and bore them to the cemeten,'. 

The annual meeting of the society is held on the 
second Thursday in January. It is controlled by a 
Board of Managers, consisting of two persons from 
each of the Protestant churches of the city. The 
board selects directors and other officers. The 
average number of inmates is thirty-five, and si.xty 
could be accommodated. The yearly expenses are 
$2,000. The means of revenue are annual mem- 
bership fees of $1.00, collections in churches, pro- 
ceeds of lectures, and interest on reserve funds. 
The property in 1880 was estimated to be worth 
$15,000. 

The principal officers since 1852 have been: first 
directress, 1852-1860, Mrs. John Winder: 1860- 
1864. Mrs. C. I.Walker; 1864-1878, Mrs. Lewis 
Allen; 1878, Mrs. A. G. Lindsay ; 1879- , Mr.s. 
E. C. Bru.sh. Recording secretaries: 1853 and 
1854. Mrs. A. L. Story; 1855-1860, Mrs. E. M. 
Clark; i860- , Mrs. P. E. Curtis. Treasurers; 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



653 



1852-1855, Mrs. O. C.Thompson; 1855-1876, Mrs. 
S. Davis; 1876-1878, Mrs. A.G.Lindsay; 1878- 
, Mrs. D. R. Shaw. 

S/. J/ar/s llospilal. 

This hospital, the first in tlie city, was 
established liy four .Sisters of Charity, in an 
old log- building on the southwest corner of 
Randolph and Larned Streets. It was opened 
for occupants on June 9, 1845, under the 
name of St. Vincent's. 

The first superior in charge was Sister 
Loyola, who, with Sister Rebecca, became 
identified with its history and success; and 
both sacrificed their lives in the e.\ercise of 
duties connected with the hospital. It is 
proper to mention here, to the lasting credit 
of their order, that their hospital is the only 
one to which persons with contagious diseases 
were ever admitted ; tliis fact made their 
name, " Sisters of Charity," not a barren 
title, but a blessed and practical reality. 
Such patients were, of course, isolated from 
the others. 

-Vfter about five years of service in the 
original location, the Sisters erected a build- 
ing on Clinton Street near St. Antoine ; and 
the name was then changed to St. Mary's, 
lot running through from Clinton to Mullet Street, 
with a frontage of eighty-seven feet, was donated 
by Mrs. Antoine Beaubien. The building occupied 



In this building, for twenty-nine years, the minis- 
trations of the Sisters were freely given and thank- 
fully received. On November 21, 1S79, their pres- 




The 



t. 







St, IMakv's Hospital. (Original Building.) 

ent elegant structure, in the same block, but facing 
St. Antoine Street, was formally opened. It was 
erected at a cost of $50,000. on land worth §1 5.000, 
and in 1880 had accommodations for one hundred 
and thirty inmates. A free dispensatory is 
maintained in connection with the hospital. 
The old building, which is just back of the 
new one, is used for clinical purposes. The 
patients are mainly received on an order from 
the director of the poor, but others are fre- 
quently accommodated ; applications for ad- 
mission are made to Sister Mary Francis, who 
has charge of the hospital. The price of 
board and attendance is from $4.50 to $10.00 
per week. 



^ Vi 




Sf. Aiuiri-co's Sna'ctv. 



Sr, .Marv's Hospital. (New Building.) 

the entire width of the lot, was fifty-four feet deep, 
and cost Si 0.000. It was first occupied on Novem- 
ber 6. 1850, and had accommodations for one 
hundred and fifty patients. 



A society by this name was in existence 
in 1835, with A. D. Eraser as president. The 
present society, composed of .Scotchmen and 
their descendants, was organized November 
30, 1849, ^'id incorporated July 2, 1877. Its 
annual meeting is on November 30, with 
regular meetings on the first Monday of each 
month. Its object is to relieve natives of 
Scotland, their children, or grandchildren. 

It has about one hundred members, each of whom 

pay $2.00 annually as dues. 

The chief officers of the organization have been: 

Presidents: 1850 and 1851, J. L. Lyell; 1852. E. 



654 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



Anderson; 1S53, Duncan Stewart; 1854, Robert 
Linn; 1855, William Adair; 1856, Hugli Moffat; 
1857, William Barclay; 1S58, George McMillan; 
1859, James S. Blair; i860. Robert Linn; 1861, V. 
J. Scott; 1862, James Black; 1863, V. J. Scott; 
1864, John Stewart; 1865, John B. Wilson; i856, 
James Forsyth; 1867-1870, Nicol Mitchell; 1870, 
Alexander Mac Adam; 1871, James Anderson; 
1872, Thomas McGregor; 1S73, John B. Wilson; 
1874- 1 87S, William Adair; 1878- 1880, John Mc- 
Gregor; 1880^1882, John B.Wilson; 18S2- , J. 
C.Cobb. Treasurers: 1S50-1852, George Kennedy; 
1852, R. McDonald; 1S53-1868, E. Anderson; 
1 868- 1 874, R. Hosie; 1874, Thomas Linn; 1875- 
1S77, John McGregor; 1877- , William Lock- 
hart. Secretaries: 1850-1851, James Black; 1852, 
James Cameron; 1853, William Barclay; 1854, 
John Wilson; 1855, George Hutton; 1856-1859, 
Alexander Reekie; 1859-1861, Peter Young; 1861- 
1863, A. McLean; 1863-1865, Robert Hosie; 3865, 
William Buchan ; 1866, Alexander MacAdam; 
1867-1871, George T. Gray; 1871, D. T. Corrie; 
1872, William Gillis; 1 873-1 876, George T. Gray; 
1876, Andrew Smith; 1877, R. Laidlaw; 1878-1880, 
John Pettie; 1880-1883, Thomas T. McMillan; 
1883, Robert Lisk. 

Workiiigmoi's Aid Society. 

This society owns what is known as Arbeiter 
Hall, on the northwest corner of Russell and Cath- 
arine Streets. It was organized September 24, 
1851, and incorporated February 17, 1867. The 
hall was dedicated on May 17, 1868. The lots and 
building cost $32,000. 

The annual meeting of the society is on the first 
Tuesday in January. It numbers about five hun- 
dred members, who pay an initiation fee of §15 and 
dues of $5.00 per year. .\ny able-bodied man of 
good character, between twenty-one and fifty years 
of age, is eligible to membership. The society pays 
its members $5.00 per week during actual sickness, 
and $425 to the family on the decease of a member, 
$300 of which comes from a State organization. In 
case the wife of a member dies, $100 is given him. 

Lafaycite Baicrokiif and Mutual Aid Socictv. 
The organization of this society dates from Feb- 
ruary 3, 1853. It was incorporated in September, 
1857, re-incorporated in June, 1863, and again, by 
special Act, in January, 1868. Its annual meeting 
is held on the third Thursday in June. The Board 
of Directors, who have general management of the 
society, meet on the first and second Thursdays of 
each month. It has about one hundred members, 
who pay yearly dues of $3.00 each. The mem- 
bership is confined to persons of French descent 
or affiliation, and others who speak the French 



language. Sick members are allowed $5.00 per 
week for not more than six months, on the occasion 
of any one illness ; and $40 are granted towards 
funeral expenses in the event of decease. 

The society has a lot and a building on the north 
side of Gratiot Avenue, between Beaubien and St. 
Antoine Streets. It is worth about $S.ooo. and was 
purchased October 4, 1 865, for $3,500. The society 
spent $2,300 in refitting it, and took possession 
December 1 1, 1865. 

The presidents have been: 1S53-1856, Daniel J. 
Campau; 1856, Charles Domine and Francis X. 
Cicott; 1857, Edward N. Lacroix and Israel I. 
Beniteau; 1858, Pierre Desnoyers; 1859, Thomas 
Campau; 1S60, Israel I. Beniteau; 1 861, Edward 
V. Cicott; 1S62-1865, Edward N. Lacroix; 1865- 
1867, Francis X. Demay; 1867, Charles J. Dossin; 
1 868 -1 87 1, Jean B. R. Gravier; 1871, August 
Paulus; 1S71-1873, Adolphe Gaudron; 1873-1875, 
James Goffinet; 1S75-1877, Philip J. D. Van Dyke; 
1S77-1879, Joseph Belanger; 1879-1SS3, Jacques 
L. Favre; 1883, C. M. Rousseau. 

Tlsc Industrial School. 

In response to a notice read in the several Pro- 
testant churches, about sixty ladies gathered at the 
First Congregational Church, on June 2, 1857, to 
consider the establishment of an organization for 
the special purpose of breaking up the begging 
from house to house by children. At this meeting 
it was resolved to form a society, and on June 16 it 
was fully organized. Its present scope is somewhat 
larger than was originally contemplated. Any girl 
under fourteen or boy under ten needing clothes 
and schooling is deemed a proper subject for its 
benevolence. 

Its first rooms were in the upper stories of 26 
Monroe Avenue; they were opened October 5, 
1857, with sixteen scholars. Mrs. M. G. Tyler 
served as teacher and matron. Within a month, 
during which time the school had increased to 
seventy-nine scholars, the matron was compelled by 
illness to resign. Mrs. E. M. Sheldon succeeded 
her, and continued in charge until May i, 1858. 
The school was then moved to its present site on 
the northwest corner of Washington and Grand 
River Avenues In order to obtain funds for carry- 
ing out its work, cards, with the address and object 
of the school printed thereon, were sold, to be given 
to children who solicited alms. This plan was dis- 
continued about 1870. Funds are now obtained 
from membership dues of Si. 00 per year, and from 
various entertainments. Those given under the 
auspices of gentlemen prominent in the Board 
of Trade were particularly successful. Among the 
early supporters of the society, the name of John 
Hull deserves special mention. For a long period 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



655 



of time he gave all the meat needed for the daily 
meals of the pupils, aniouiuiiijr to hundreds of 
pounds. Since his death, Thomas Barium has fol- 
lowed in his footsteps and, year after year, gives 
large quantities of meat. 

In 1866 the society purchased for $6,000 
the lot and building they were occupying, 
and in January, 1868, they became a cor- 
porate body. On June 11, 1879, the old 
building was put into the hands of work- 
men to be demolished, and the school was 
kept at No. 13 Grand River Avenue until 
the present tasteful structure was com- 
pleted. It stands on the old site, cost 
Si 2,000, and was dedicated on December 9, 
1879. C.I. Walker and Rev. Z. Eddy made 
appropriate addresses on the occasion. In 
iSSo the building and lot were estimated 
to be worth $20,000. The building can 
accommodate two hundred children. The 
average attendance is fifty in summer and 
one hundred in winter. 

The society is managed by representatives 
selected from various Protestant churches. 
Its annual meeting is on the second Monday 
of January, and regular meetings are held on the 
first Monday of each month. A teacher and a 
matron are constantly employed. The annual cash 
expenses of the institution are about $1,500. One 



practical work as occasion offers. The girls ;ire 
taught to prepare vegetables, to wash, scrub, and 
clean, to set the table and serve as waiters, and 
from 3 to 6 P. M. every day they are taught to sew 
by ladies who visit the school for that purpose. 





The New Industrial School. 

daily meal is furnished regular scholars, and good 
lessons and attendance will procure reward tickets, 
payable in clothing. In this way nearly two suits 
a year are provided for the children. Boys are 
taught to split wood, sew on buttons, and do other 



Uld Industkiai. School Building. 

Since November, 1866, a Sunday school has been 
held in the building, which most of the children 
attend. 

The chief officers have been : first directress, 
1857-1864, Mrs. H. H. Brown; 1864-1868, 
Mrs. \V. A. Butler. Presidents: i858, Mrs. 
W. A. Butler; 1869, Mrs. G. V. N. Lothrop ; 
1870-1872, Mrs. Cleaveland Hunt; 1872- 
1874, Mrs. Cohn Campbell; 1874- 1877, Mrs. 
W. G. Henry ; 1 877-1 884, Mrs. C. Van Husan ; 
1884, Mrs. E. H. Butler. Recording secretaries : 
1S57-1862, Mrs. D. B. Duffield; 1862-1866, 
Mrs. Lewis Allen; 1 866-1 S70, Mrs. Cleave- 
land Hunt; 1870, Mrs. M. H. Webster; 
187 1- , Mrs. John Harvey. Treasurers: 
1857-1859, Mrs. A. H. Dey; 1859-1866, Airs. 
S. E. Noyes; 1 867-1 870, Mrs. C. Campbell; 
1870 , Mrs, G. N. Fletcher. 

S/. Joseph's Retreat (formerly Michigan 
Retreat for the Insane). 

The grounds occupied by this institution 
were originally used by the Sisters of Charity 
for farm purposes, and convalescents from St. 
Mary's Hospital were sent there to recuperate. 
Sister Mary De Sales has always had charge, 
and under her direction, on January 25. i860, 
the Sisters opened the Insane Department in a large 
frame building on Michigan Avenue just beyond 
Twenty-fourth Street, outside the city limits. In i S70 
a brick building was erected at a cost of about 
§20,000. It will accommodate ninety patients, and 



656 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTTrUTIONS. 



is usually nearly full. It receives its funds from 
friends of the patients, who pay for their care. The 
tjrounds embrace twenty-one acres, and the entire 
property, worth about §45,000, is owned by the Sis- 
ters in charije. It was incorporated December 27, 
1870, and reincorporated on November 30, 1883, by 
the name of St. Joseph's Retreat. The property at the 




14U^^ 



'w^^W^--. 



.».B< UM,-\-^M l\J 



Si. J'.)si£i>h's RtiiKLAr i-ui; xnii Insane 



same time was conveyed to the followins^ trustees : 
Sarah Tyler, Mary Reed, Lydia Miller, Elizabeth 
Sweeney, and Margaret C. Mullen. New trustees 
are elected yearly on the first Tuesday of March. 

5/. Luke's Ilospilal, Cliurch Hodic and Orphanage. 

This institution was incorporated March 16, 1861, 
and again on .March 31, 1S66. The annual meeting 
is on the first Tuesday after Easter, and regular 
meetings of the E.xecutive Committee are held the 
first Monday in each month. The society had its 
origin in a bequest of $1,500 made by Mrs. Caniff, 
which at the death of her husband was to revert to 
St. Paul's Church as the nucleus for a hospital to be 
called St. Luke's. The further sum of $900, the 
use of which she left to three nephews during their 
life, was eventually to revert to the hospital. These 
bequests stimulated the organization of the institu- 
tion, but no funds were realized therefrom until 
1878, when the sum of $2,100 was obtained. 

The hospit.al was opened in a building on the 
south side of Lafayette Avenue, between Griswold 
and Shelby Streets, the use of which was donated 
by Mrs. H. R. Andrews, by lease dated April 29, 
1864. About $600 were spent in repairs, and on 
July 18, 1864, the hospital was opened for patients. 

In order to aid the enterprise, a number of ladies 
from the sevcr.il parishes gave a dinner in Hub- 
bard's Grove, on July 4, 1865, which netted about 



$600. The sale of the property on Lafayette Ave- 
nue necessitated a removal, and on April 3, 1866, 
the society was reorganized, and the following 
month took possession of one of the buildings of 
the Harper Hospital on Woodward Avenue, and 
remained there until their ow'n building was com- 
pleted. It is located on the south side of Fort 
Street West, just beyond Clark Ave- 
nue. The society, on September 13, 
1865, purchased a strip of land about 
two hundred and fifty feet wide, ex- 
tending to the river, a distance of one 
thousand seven hundred feet, for 
$8,400. They subsequently exchanged 
the river front for a strip adjoining on 
Fort Street, and in 1880 Robert P. 
Toms gave them an additional piece 
of land which cost him $1,500. They 
now have five hundred and fifty feet 
on Fort Street by about nine hundred 
feet deep, or nearly nine acres. Their 
building was erected in 1868 at a cost 
of $22,500; the corner-stone was laid 
on August 21 of that year. With the 
'iu.i.iwi,, grounds, the property is worth $50,000. 
In 1880 they had other property, 
w-orth an additional $50,000. Among 
the gifts that largely increased their 
that of Henry L. Walker was one of 
His will, which was probated Janu- 
ary 29, 1874, gave to the hospital $10,000 of 
Second National Piank stock, $7,000 in mortga- 
ges, and a house and lot worth $5,000 on Howard 
Street. The bequest was subject to an annuity of 
§300, to be paid to his invalid sister. She consented 
to remove to the hospital, where she was hand- 



possessions, 
the largest. 




St. Luke's Hosi'IT.\l, Church Home and OKriiAN.vt.E. 

somely cared for during the three years she lived. 
His housekeeper, by the terms of the will, has the 
use of the Howard Street house and $300 per year. 
In addition to the above, Frank Nevins made a be- 
quest of $1,500. 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



657 



In order to provide greater security for tlic trust, 
those who held the property conveyed it on April 
23, 1 88 1, to the following nine trustees, who were 
elected for life; H. P. Baldwin, T. H. Eaton, C. C. 
Trowbridge, E. Lyon, R. P. Toms, T. Ferguson, 
Robert McMillan, F. E. Driggs, and S. D. Miller. 
After the death of Mr. Trowbridge and Mr. Toms, 
George H. Minchener and H. C. Parke were elected 
to the vacant trusteeships. At the time the property 
was conveyed to trustees, the scope of the institution 
was enlarged to include the care of orphan children. 

Although managed e.\clusively by members of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, and intended prim- 
arily as a home and hospital for the aged, sick, 
and poor of this denomination, persons of all 
denominations may be admitted. Some are ad- 
mitted free, and the charge for other patients, in- 
cluding medical attendance, ranges up to $7.00 per 
week. There is an average of thirty-five inmates, 
and from fifty to seventy-five can be accommodated. 
The annual expenses are about $6,000 ; very many 
articles, however, are donated. The institution is 
maintained by collections in the several parishes, by 
membership fees of §2.00 a year, by voluntary dona- 
tions, and the sums paid by inmates. 

The chief officers have been as follows; presi- 
dents: 1861-1866, Bishop S. A. McCoskry; 
1866-1873, Henry P. Baldwin; 1873, George S. 
Swift; 1874-1877, William E. Warriner; 1877-1882, 
F.E. Driggs; 1882, C. C. Trowbridge ; 1883- 
T. H.Eaton. Recording secretaries ; 1S61-1864, B. 
Vernor; 1864-1S66, A. A. Rabineau ; 1866-1871, 
Sidney D. Miller; 1871-1873, C. L. Atterbury; 1873- 

1882, Preston Brady; 1882- , George H. Min- 
chener. Treasurers: 1 861- 1 864, W. Parker ; 1864- 
1866, M.W. Field; 1866-1873, A. A. Rabineau; 
1873, S. D. Miller; 1874- , H. P. Baldwin, 2d. 

The Detroit Ladies' Society for the Support of 

Hebrew Widows anil Orphans in the 

State of Michigan. 

This society was organized in July. 1863, and in- 
corporated .March 21. 1865. The annual election is 
held on the second Sunday in October. Its aim is 
to help needy Israelite widows and orphans. It has 
about eighty members, who pay quarterly dues of 
$1.00 each. The society has no building, but pro- 
vides for the care of its beneficiaries wherever it 
deems best. 

The chief officers have been: presidents: 1864, 
Mrs. E. .S. Heineman; 1865-1869. Mrs. Fannie 
Hirschman; 1869-1872, Mrs. S. Schloss; 1872- 

1883, Mrs. E. S. Heineman ; 1 883- , Mrs. Hyman 
Frank. Secretaries: 1864-1866. Mrs. I. Frankel ; 
1866-1868, Mrs. S. L. Knoll; 1868, Mrs. S. Cohen; 
1869, Mrs. E. F.ppstein; 1870- 1872, Mrs. Hugo 
Hill; 1872-1874, Mrs. E. M. Gerichter; 1874-1879, 



Mrs. I. Frankel; 1879, Mrs. E. Kallman; 1880 and 
1 88 1, Mrs. R. Karpeles; 1882, Mrs. L. Sloman; 
1883- , Mrs. H. A. Krolik. Treasurers: 1864- 
1866, Mrs. M. Trounstine ; 1866-1869, Mrs. B. Prell ; 
1869-1872, Mrs. E. S. Heineman; 1872-1876, Mrs. 
S. Schloss; 1876- , Mrs. A. Landsberg. 

Harper Hospital. 

This institution represents one of the largest 
donations ever made to any object in Detroit ; and 
it is not greatly to the credit of other and more 
wealthy citizens that one who made most of his 
riches elsewhere should have given most of the 
means for the establishment of this magnificent 
charity. 

Walter Harper did not hold to his wealth as long 
as life lasted, but became his own executor, and 
lived to see his gift of a hospital in active opera- 
tion. He accumulated his property in Philadelphia ; 
came to Detroit about 1832, and lived here an al- 
most unknown citizen for more than a quarter of a 
century preceding the execution of his deed of trust 
of February 4, 1859. This deed conveyed nearly 
one thousand acres of land, most of it within a few 
miles of Detroit, and also three dwellings in Phila- 
delphia, to a Board of Trustees, for the purpose of 
establishing the hospital which bears his name. 
The property was then estimated to be worth about 
$30,000. The only condition that he made, as to 
himself, was that he be paid during life an annuity 
of $2,000, one half of which was to be devoted 
yearly to the discharge of a mortgage of $8,500 on 
the property until it was paid. 

On March 2, 1864, he voluntarily reduced the 
amount of the annuity he was personally to receive 
to $600 per year. The deed of trust prox'ided for 
the establishment, in the discretion of the trustees, 
not only of a hospital, but of a school, to be organ- 
ized and conducted according to the system of Em- 
anuel de Fellenberg, as exemplified by institutions 
at Hofroyl, in .Switzerland, and also in Prussia, 
the special object being to afford poor but deserving 
youths opportunities of learning the ordinary arts 
and trades without a long and unsatisfactory ap- 
prenticeship. 

At almost the first meeting of the trustees, on 
March 15. 1859, they received a further accession of 
property in trust. Mrs. Ann Martin, more familiarly 
known as Nancy Martin, deeded for the benefit of 
the hospital a five-acre lot in Detroit and fifteen 
acres of land in the Ten Thousand Acre Tract near 
the city, the property thus given being then valued 
at $15,000. By the terms of the gift the hospital 
was to be located on the five-acre lot and was to 
maintain a lying-in department ; Mrs. Martin was 
to have a small house built for her use and to 
receive an annuity of $600. On July 1, 1864, she 



658 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



gave an additional three acres, which was only 
partly paid for, to the hospital, subject to a few lite 
privileges. In accordance with the terms of the 
gifts, a house which cost only S450 was built on the 
five-acre lot for the occupancy of Mr. Harper and 
Mrs. Martin. The house was subsequently moved to 
Fremont Street, at a cost of §214, and here both 
lived until the-death of Mr. Harper, on August 28, 
1867, after which Mrs. Martin made the hospital 
her home. 

The gift of Mr. Harper was a surprise to the pub- 
lic, and a greater wonder still was that from Nancy 
Martin, whom the older citizens remembered as a 
coarse, rough-spoken woman, who for many years 
had kept a vegetable-stall in the old market, and 
lived with Mr. Harper as his housekeeper. About 
two years after her first gift, she relinquished the 
market business; and her spirit and manner became 



Farrand. David Cooper, P'rederick Buhl, Buckiiiin- 
ster Wight, A. C. McClraw, and G. IS. Russel. 
They organized on February 7. 1859, by electing 
Rev. G. Duffield, D. D., president ; David Cooper, 
treasurer, and D. B. Dutfield, secretary. On the 
death of Dr. Duffield on July 7, 1868, Buckminster 
Wight succeeded him as president ; and on his de- 
cease, F. Buhl was chosen president. R. W. King 
took the place of Dr. Duffield as a trustee, and on 
December 6, 1S68, became .secretary of the board ; 
D. M. Ferry took the place of B. Wight. On the 
death of David Cooper, his son, D. M. Cooper, suc- 
ceeded him as trustee, and on January 12, 1880, suc- 
ceeded Mr. King as secretary. 

The annual meeting is on the second Monday of 
January. 

During the progress of the war with the South, 
on June 13, 1864, and I^eccmber 15, 1865, the trus- 









Harpek Hospital. (Original Buildings.) 



much more mild and womanly than before. She 
died on February 9, 1875. Her portrait and that 
of Mr. Harper adorn the reception room of the hos- 
pital as the honored founders of one of the most 
extensive charities in the city. 

Under Act of March 20, 1863, the hospital was 
incorporated on May 4 following. It is managed 
by a board of seven trustees. The first board 
were named in the articles of incorporation, and 
unless incapacitated were to ser\-e during life, and 
were authorized to receive a reasonable compensa- 
tion for such care and attention as they gave to the 
trust. Vacancies in the board can be filled only on 
nominations made by the first Protestant (Presby- 
terian) Society, which submits, from time to time, 
as a vacancy occurs, the names of three persons to 
the board, and they decide which of them may serve 
as trustee. 

The first trustees were George Dultield, Jacob S. 



tees purchased, for $10, 587.50, five acres adjoining 
the lot they already possessed on Woodward Ave- 
nue ; and the entire tract of ten acres was offered 
to the Government, rent free, as a site for a military 
hospital, provided it would put up suitable build- 
ings. The offer was accepted, and eleven buildings 
were erected and furnished at a cost of $60,000. 
On October 12, 1864, the hospital was ready for 
use, and hundreds of sick and wounded .soldiers 
were brought here to be nursed. At the close of 
the war, on December 12, 1865, the buildings were 
turned over to the society on the condition that they 
would receive and care for discharged, invalid sol- 
diers from Michigan. On December 28 following, 
the Michigan Branch of the United States Sanitary 
Commission agreed to pay the hospital $2,000 and 
such other amounts as their funds would admit on 
condition that the hospital receive and care for the 
soldiers then in the Soldiers' Home in the old Ar- 



.llARlTABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



659 



senal Building on corner of Jefferson Avenue and 
Wayne Street; and on tlie following day twenty 
soldiers were removed from the home to the hospi- 
tal. In 1S83 about a dozen Michigan soldiers were 
cared for at the hospital, at the expense of the State. 

The hospital was opened for ordinary patients in 
January, 1S66, and up to 18S3 had an average of 
about fifty inmates with accommodations for one 
hundred. The price of board, including medical 
attendance, ranges from $3.50 to $7.00 per week. 
The hospital admits for treatment tliose of all 
nationalities and religions, and the physicians treat 
all diseases not contagious. Any person, church, 
society, or association contributing to the treasury 
of the hospital one thousand dollars or less is 
entitled to have constantly one patient free of charge 
in care of the 
hospital, at the 
rate of one 
month in each 
year for every 
one hundred dol- 
lars contributed; 
and contributors 
of a sum less 
than one hun- 
dred dollars are 
entitled to pro- 
portionate privi- 
leges. Annual 
subscribers of 
one hundred dol 
lars are entitled 
to have a patient 
on the books, 
and in the care 

of the hospital, for eight months of the year for 
which the subscription is made. Subscriptions of 
seventy-five dollars a year secure a similar privilege 
for six months, those of fifty dollars for four 
months, antl those of twenty-five dollars for two 
months. .-Vnnual subscribers of any les.ser sum are 
entitled to have a patient on the books for a time 
equal to double the amount of the subscription at 
the established rates for pay patients. Any person, 
church, or association paying by successive annual 
subscriptions a total sum of one thousand dollars 
may claim the privilege of the provision above 
mentioned. 

On December 3, 1S67, a dispensary for the poor 
was opened, and on the 7th of January following 
rules for its management were adopted. It was to 
be open from 10 A. M. to 12 M. On February i, 1869. 
it was transferred to the Medical College established 
in one of the buildings. 

An unexpected and liberal bequest was made to 
the hospital by the will of James Thompson, of 




The Harper Hosi-it.a 



Almont, who died in 1880. He lived alone, and 
being v\ithout relatives, asked a friend, some years 
before his death, what he would recommend him to 
do with his means; this friend advised with hini 
and called the attention of R. W. King to the 
request. Mr. King then wrote to Mr. Thompson, 
setting forth the objects and opportunities of Harper 
Hospital, but received no reply to his letter, and the 
matter had almost passed from his mind. The 
"bread cast on the waters" was, however, not 
wasted, for in his will Mr. Thompson made the trus- 
tees of the hospital his residuary legatee, and they 
derived from his estate the sum of $1 1,225. 

The assets of the hospital in 1881 were estimated 
at $150,000. In 1882 a portion of the property 
fronting on Woodward Avenue was sold for the 

sum of $71,566. 
Contracts were 
then let for a new 
brick building, 
in the rear of the 
old grounds 
fronting on John 
R. Street. It was 
enclosed in 1882, 
and finished dur- 
ing 1 884, the 
total cost footing 
up about $1 15.- 
000. The pa- 
tients were re- 
moved from the 
old building to 
the new struc- 
ture on April 12, 
and tlie hospital 
t will accom- 



(Xew Building.) 



formally opened on June 19, 1884. 
modate two hundred and fifty patients. 



Home of tJic Friendless. 

The origin of this institution dates from May, 
i860, when the Ladies' Christian L'nion was organ- 
ized. Their first annual report was made on July 8, 
1861. Soon after the society was organized, Mrs. 
H. R. Andrews gave the use of a house on Lafayette 
Avenue, between Griswold and Shelby Streets, and 
here, in the summer of i860, she superintended a 
home for women who wished to reform. 

In December of the same year, largely through 
the efforts of Mrs. S. L. Papineau, the home was fully 
established. On Tuesday, February 26, 1862, it was 
moved to No. 72, on the east side of Brush Street, 
between Congress and Lamed Streets. Here the 
society continued until May 23, 1863, when they 
removed to the north side of High Street, be- 
tween Woodward Avenue and John R. Street. 
Their present capacious and attractive home, on 



66o 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



the south side of Warren Avenue near Woodward 
Avenue, was dedicated October 21, 1874. The 
grounds cover eight lots, each thirty by one hundred 
and fifty feet, and were purchased in 1868 for 
, $3,600. Tlie building was erected at a cost of 
$30,500. 

In 1S82 there was a debt on the property of 
$3,500, which was secured by a mortgage given to 
the Thompson Home for Old Ladies, and that 
organization also held three of the lots originally 
purchased by the Home of the Friendless; during 
1 8S3 the inortgage was paid, the lots repurchased, 
and the organization now controls all of the prop- 
erty they originally purchased. 




i M» 'IT 

— r I -f -/ IE 

M ^ i\ !! iff! 1 1 ; 




lull r Tur FriE* DLE'is. 

In 1 88 1 the Home of the Friendless received a 
bequest of $10,000 from Mrs. Fanny Davenport 
Waterman, and in 1883 the corporation became the 
residuary legatee of Mrs. Sarah Irentiss, of Romeo, 
and received from her estate the sum of $8,430. 

Originally the society was somewhat broader in 
its aim than now. undertaking the care of any 
woman who wished to return to a virtuous life. 
Now the home is maintained rather as a preventive 
of vice than as a reformatory institution, and there- 
fore "common drunkards, prostitutes, children of 
depraved habits, persons bearing the taint of disease 
or insanity, or who are subject to fits; and also pro- 
fane or hopelessly idle persons, or those guilty of 
any flagrant vice, are not received." The change 
in purpose and in name was made about the time 
the institution was moved to High Street. 

In order to facilitate the work and to prevent the 
application at the home of improper cases, all per- 
sons seeking admission must apply to some one of 
a reference committee of seven ladies, selected from 
different parts of the city so as to be easy of access. 
Such persons as they recommend are admitted as 
transient boarders free of charge. Two members 



of the committee are changed every two months. 
In the year 1866 the society commenced taking as 
boarders the children of widows and persons in ser- 
vice. In 1875 the boarding at low rates of single 
women needing a temporary home was also made 
a part of their work. 

The president's statement of the work of the 
society in 1881 is as follows ; 

The work of the Home of the Friendless is to care for friend- 
less and homeless women and children. We average per day 
three such women, and twenty children, for whom and from 
whom we never receive a penny of compensation. 

Secondly, we board at a sum that is almost nominal, children 
who have one or more parents out at ser\'ice. Also the children 
of parents where either the mother or father are confined in jails 
or the House of Correction. Much has been done for such and 
their unhappy parents. 

Thirdly, we board waif and stray old ladies who are dependent 
upon relatives better able to pay for than to give the care they 
need. 

Fourthly, we have a standing contract with the lady managers 
of the Thompson Home to furnish their Home with light, heat, 
and water ; to suppl>^ their table with food, and do their laundry 
work, for a specified sum per capita ($2.50 per week). 

The association was incorporated on January 6, 
1863. Its annual meeting is on the first Tuesday 
in May. The Board of Managers was originally 
composed of twenty-five members, but in 1879 the 
number was increased to thirty, representing all 
denominations except the Catholic. In former years 
the society elected as vice-presidents twenty or 
thirty ladies, resident in different parts of the State, 
and through them received many donations ; but of 
late the practice has fallen into disuse. 

The home is now supported by subscriptions of 
$1.00 a year from all who wish to enroll themselves 
as members ; by voluntary donations of money, food, 
and clothing, and by an annual donation reception. 
Among its most generous contributors are many of 
the proprietors of the meat and vegetable stalls al 
the Central Market, who, since 1862, have filled the 
"Home basket" every Wednesday and Saturday 
when brought by boys from the home. The annual 
expense of maintaining the home is about $4. 500. 
This amount, however, does not include the value of 
articles donated. 

One of the most efficient means of making the 
home known to the public. "The Home Messenger," 
was first issued on December 1. 1868, as a monthly 
paper. It was temporarily discontinued in Decem- 
ber, 1879, but was revived as a quarterly in March. 
1882. The society derived some $2,200 revenue 
from the sale of two editions of the " Home Messen- 
ger Cook Book," first published in 1873. It was 
compiled by :\Irs. Rev. George Duflield ;.nd her 
daughter, Mrs. Morse Stewart, and is regarded with 
great favor by those who have used it. 

The average number of inmates in the home is 
sixty-five, and there are accommodations for eighty. 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



66 1 



General visitors are always welcome, and Thursday 
is especially set apart for the friends of inmates. 
Since 1875 a teacher for the children has been con- 
stantly employed. The principal officers have been : 
presidents: i860- 1862, Mrs. M. H.Webster; 1862- 
1865, Mrs. Seth Reed; 1865-1867, Mrs. William A. 
Howard; 1867-1870, Mrs. David Preston: 1870- 
1875, Mrs. Morse Stewart; 1875, Mrs. W. M. John- 
son; 1876- , Mrs. Morse Stewart. Treasurers: 
1860-1867, Mrs. W. A. Howard ; 1867- .Mrs. 
David Carter. Recording Secretaries : i860- 1864, 
Mrs. E. M. Oilman; 1864-1866, Mrs. Morse Stew- 
art; 1866, Mrs. John H. Oriffith; 1867-1870, Mrs. 
William Oakes; 1870-1S83. Mrs. D. W. Brooks; 
1883- , Mrs. W. C. Duncan. 

Mrs. D. Preston and Mrs. Morse Stewart were 
elected special trustees in 1863, and continue in 
that ofifice. 

5/. Anihony's Male Orphan Asylum. 

This institution, a Roman Catholic asylum, for 
boys only, is located on the north side of the Gratiot 
Road, just outside of the city limits, and about four 
miles from the City Hall, on the so-called Church 
Farm. The grounds embrace ninety-six acres. 
The building was opened on May 26, 1867. The 
entire property is worth $50,000. 

The land was deeded by Bisliop Lefevere to a 
board of twelve trustees, consisting of two each 
from the following churches : Cathedral of St. Peter 
and St. Paul, St. Ann's, Holy Trinity, St. Patrick's, 
St. Vincent de Paul, and Our Lady of Help. The 
trustees became a corporate body on January 23, 
1867, 

While managed by the corporation, the asylum 
was conducted by four Sisters of the order of the 
Immaculate Heart of Mary, from Monroe. By 
arrangement with the Lady Superior, they received 
Sioo a year each and board. Lender the manage- 
ment of the tru.stees, annual collections were taken 
up in the six churches represented in the board, and 
they alone could send orphans to the asylum. Sub- 
scriptions were also obtained from individuals, and 
some moneys were received from the sale of farm 
produce. This arrangement did not prove a success, 
and on January 16, 1877. the corporation was dis- 
solved and the property deeded to Bishop Borgess, 
by whom the institution was placed in the care of 
lay members of the Franciscan order, and collections 
in the parishes then became voluntary-. The average 
number of orphans in the asylum is about eighty. 
After the boys reach the age of thirteen they are 
either bound out or other homes are pro\nded. 

The officers of the corporation were : Presi- 
dents: i868-i87i,M. B. Kean; 1871-1874, P. J. D. 
Van Dyke; 1874-1877, Jeremiah Calnon. Secre- 



taries: 1867, Edward Brennan ; 1868-1870, P. J.D. 
\'anDyke; 1870-1875, W. B. iVIoran ; 1875, George 
H. Slater; 1876, P.J. D. Van Dyke; 1867-1873, 
William Buchanan; 1873, A. Chapoton ; 1874-1877, 
H. F. Brownson. 

W'flinen's Hospital and Foundlings' Home. 

It is a noteworthy fact that this institution, as 
well as the Home of the Friendless, grew out of 
organizations called Ladies' Christian Unions, one 
of which was established in i860, and the other in 
1868. These Unions were originally designed for 
rather different work than that afterwards pursued, 
but both soon found their appropriate sphere in the 
noble charities they now carry forward. 

The Ladies' Christian Union, auxiliary to the 
City Mission Board, was organized at the Congrega- 
tional Church on January 29, 1868. The society 
held several meetings without agreeing definitely on 
a particular line of work, but finally, on October 19, 
a proposition was made to establish a Women's 
Hospital and Foundlings' Home. The plan met 
with favor, and on October 28 a society was organ- 
ized. 

The building No. 40 Cass Avenue was rented, 
and on November 1 1 Miss Eleanor E. Howe, M. D., 
was placed in charge. The incorporation of the 
society took place on June 5, 1869, and on Novem- 
ber 2 of the same year the City Mission Board 
transferred its property to this organization. This 
was sold and the proceeds used in the purchase of a 
house and lot No. 499 Beaubien Street, costing 
§2,000. A very successful fair, in the fall of 1870, 
enabled them to complete the payment in full. 

In .\pril, 1872, they sold the property and pur- 
chased five lots on Putnam Avenue, removing tem- 
porarily to one of the Harper Hospital buildings. 
In July following they sold the Putnam Avenue lots 
and bought a property on the west side of Thir- 
teenth between Linden and Mulberry Streets. The 
lots cost $3,000. Here their home was erected at a 
cost of $14,000, and formally opened on January 20, 
1876. 

The institution is designed to accommodate 
foundlings and women about to become mothers. 
Most of the patients are unmarried, and more than 
two thirds are from other .States or from Canada. 

All applications for admission are passed upon 
by an advisory committee, but no foundlings are 
sent away. The admission fee for patients is $20, 
and is reckoned as pavTnent for board at the rate of 
from $3.00 to $10.00 per week, according to size 
and location of room. While these are the terms, 
residents of the State are never refused admission 
for want of means, but received without regard to 
creed, color, or nationality. The price of board for 
infants is from $1.00 to $3.00 per week. The so- 



662 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



ciety hope eventually to provide a home for sick 
])oor, whethe'r women or children. 

The hospital can accommodate forty women and 
eighty children, and a yearly average of one hundred 
women and one hundred and twenty-tive chiklrcn 
are cared for. It is supported by membership dues. 




The Woman'.s Hu.-.iual and Fuu.ndling's Howe. 



subscriptions, donations, entertainments, and fees. 
The annual expenses, aside from the articles con- 
tributed, are about $2,500. Since April, 1877, 
religious services have been held every Sabbath by 
Mrs. J. E. Foster, librarian of the Young Men's 
Christian Association; and her ministrations, ren- 
dered not only at the Home, but afterwards, have 
proved a blessing to many unfortunate women. 

One of the most unique features of this charity 
has been its Baby Receptions. The first of these 
was held June 10, 1874, when twenty-six little ones, 
dressed in their best and decorated with ribbons, 
received their friends. Attached to the breast of 
each child was a card bearing its name and age. It 
was a pretty sight, and one that appealed so strongly 
to compassionate hearts, that at the second recep- 
tion, in the following December, only one of the 
twenty-six remained. 

The annual meeting is on the first Tuesday in 
January. The board is composed of two ladies 
from each of the Protestant churches. The prop- 
erty is held by eleven trustees. The chief officers 
have been: Presidents: 1868, Mrs. R. Hawley; 
1869-1871, Mrs. L. L. Page; 1871-1876, Mrs. R. 
Hawley; 1876-1878, Mrs^ J. F. Joy; 1878-1881. 
Mrs. J. J. Bagley; i88r- , Mrs. J. F. Joy. 
Recording secretaries: 1868-1871, Mrs. G. M. 
Lane; 1871, Mrs. M. J. E. Millar; 1872-1874, Mrs. 
F. B. Terry; 1S74-1878, Mrs. G. M. Lane; 1878- 



iSSi. Mrs. Richard Macauley; 1881- ,• Mrs. J. 
S. Conklin. Treasurers: 1868, Mrs. Z. K. Brock- 
way; 1869, Mrs. H. R. Andrews; 1870-1873. Mrs. 
H. Glover: 1873, Mrs. W. H. Bronson ; 1S74-1876. 
Mrs. J. P. Gilmore; 1876, Mrs. G. N. Fletcher; 
1877- , Mrs. A. W. Rice. 

Hoiisc of Pro-ciidcnce. 

This home for destitute and abandoned children, 
and lying-in hospital for unfortunate and destitute 
females, is conducted by the Sisters of Charity, with 
Sister Mary Stella in charge. It was organized in 
1869, and incorporated in 1872. It cares for chil- 
dren until they are six years of age, after which 
time they are given for adojition or transferred to 
an orphan asylum. It has in its care a yearly aver- 
age of one hundred and ten children and seventy 
women. 

The home, opened in August, 1869, was originally 
situated on Fourteenth Avenue, between Dalzelle 
and Marantette Streets. On March 24, 1876, it 
was moved to the Old Beaubien homestead, on the 
northwest corner of St. Antoine and Elizabeth 
Streets. The house is maintained by sums paid 
for board and by voluntary donations. The cost of 
maintenance, including probable value of contribu- 
tions of food, is about $4,000 per year. The prop- 
erty is worth $20,000. 

The Evaiu^cUcal Lutheran Orphan ^lid Society. 
Although not located in the city, this institution 
is practically one of the charities of Detroit. Rev. 
G. Speckhard was the founder and first teacher of 
the society, which was organized March 10, 1873, 




HntKiE OF Providence. 

and incorporated on April 5 following. It was 
originally located at Royal Oak, where the society 
procured twenty-three acres of land. Subsequently 
it was removed to Norris, where it makes use of 
twenty acres of land donated by Colonel Norris. 
The building cost $13,500, and was dedicated July 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



663 



25. 1S75. The annual meuting is held on the second 
Thursday in March. 

Any member of Trinity or St. Paul's Lutheran 
churches niav be a member of this society. Its par- 
ticular object is to educate orphans and deaf mutes. 
The actually destitute are admitted free ; others pay 
not more than S'-o eacli per year. Si.xty children 
can be accommodated, and the average attendance 
is thirty-three. The total yearly expenses are about 
$3,000. Contributions for its support are taken up 
in the churches. Rev. J. A. Huegli, the first pre- 
sident, served until March 14, 1878, when he was 
succeeded by Rev. C. H. Rohe. In 18S3 Rev. J. A. 
Huegli was again ser- 
ving. C. H. Beyer, 
the first secretary, still 
remains in office. 

Italian Be>ie7'olent 

Socirty. 

This society was 
organized April 30, 
1873, and incorpor- 
ated July 21, 1875. 
It holds regular meet- 
ings the second Mon- 
day of each month. 
The officers are elec- 
ted quarterly. It 
numbers about thirty 
members, who pay 
yearly dues of $6.00 
each. Its special ob- 
jects are to assist 
members in the case 
of sickness, provide 

for funerals in the event of death, and also to assist 
members in obtaining emplo\Tnent. 

Officers. — Presidents: 1873, P. Palniieri ; 1874- 
1877. A. Dondero; 1877, V. Forni ; 1S78, P. Pal- 
micri; 1879, W. DeTomaso; 1880, P. Poh ; 1881, 
E. Bartlcy; 1S82, A. Dondero; 1883, John Arcetti. 
Secretaries: 1873, A. Pnissolino; 1874, P. Palmieri; 
1875. G. Conti; 1876, P. Palmieri; 1877-1879, P. 
Poll; 1 879-1 88 1, P. Palmieri; 1881, J. Dondero; 
18S2, F. Pauli; 1883, G. Martello. Treasurers: 
1873-1877, V. Forni; 1877, A. Dondero; 1878- 
1880. V. Forni ; 1880 and 18S1, A. Dondero; 1882, 
P. Pauli; 1 883, A. Dondero. 

Thi Little Sistirs Home for the Aged Poor. 

The .Sisters in charge of this home were invited • 
here by Bishop Borgess in 1872. Their first home, 
the old Piquette House, on the northwest corner of 
Fort Street and Fourteenth Avenue, was opened 
May 20, 1874, with twenty inmates; the use of the 
bouse was given by its owners. Their present loca- 




LlTTLE Sisters' Hume fuk i he Ageu Poor. 



tion, embracing the entire block bounded by Scott, 
Hale, Orleans, and Dequindre Streets, was donated 
by Bishop Borgess, and in 1881 was estimated to 
be worth ^5,000. The house was erected r.t a cost 
of S22,ooo, and occupied on October i, 1876. An 
additional building, costing $24,000, was con- 
structed, and opened on October 8, 1S82. Two 
hundred and fifty persons can now be accommo- 
dated. The funds for these structures were ob- 
tained from the Catholic bishop and clergy and 
from other benevolent individuals. 

The home is maintained without any regular 
revenue. The Little Sisters go about, from day to 

day soliciting the 
means for its support. 
The poor of both 
sexes, and of any re- 
ligious faith, if old 
and destitute, are re- 
cei\'ed on the recom- 
mendation of any of 
the Catholic clergy 
of the State. In 1882 
there were one hun- 
dred and twenty in- 
mates, sixty-five men 
and fifty-five women. 
The society was in- 
corporated December 
12. 1874. The prop- 
erty is vested in five 
trustees, members of 
the order, who are 
elected at the annual 
meeting on the second 
Monday in January. 
The home is conducted by a Mother Superior 
and eleven Sisters, who do their own work, keeping 
no servants. Sister Michael the Archangel, the 
first Superior and Superintendent, was succeeded 
by Sister Marie Claire. Visitors are admitted from 
1 1 .\. M. to 5 P. M. on week days, and from i to 5 
p. M. on Sundays. 

The Thoinpson Home for Old Ladies. 
This organization, up to the time of the comple- 
tion of its own home, made use of part of the 
building owned by the Home of the Friendless 
Association on Warren Avenue. The institution 
owes its existence to the beneficence of Mrs. David 
Thompson, who in 1874 contributed the sum of 
$10,000 in cash as a fund for its establishment. 
This money was transferred to the Home of the 
Friendless for a mortgage of $3. 500 and three lots 
on Warren Avenue; the loan was repaid and the 
lots redeemed in 1883. In December, 1882, Mrs. 
Thompson made a further donation, purchasing a 



664 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLEN'T SOCIETIES AXD INSTITUTIONS. 



lot for the home on the southeast corner of Cass 
and Hancock Avenues; the lot is one hundred and 
twenty-six feet on Cass by one hundred and fifty- 
four on Hancock Avenue, and cost $5,900. On this 
property, during 1884, .she completed the erection 
of an elegant and substantial structure, si.\ty by 
ninety feet, containing forty rooms. The building 
has a tower eighty feet high and the entire cost 
reached fully $32,000, all provided by the generous 
donor. 

A society for the management of the home was 
incorporated on April 10, 1875. The annual meet- 
ing is on the second Tuesday in January. 

The object of the institution is to provide a home 
foraged women. 
In its original 
location it had 
accommoda- 
tions for only 
eleven persons, 
and many appli- 
cations were un- 
heeded for want 
of room. .A 
Committee on 
Application i^ 
annuallyelected. 
and no person is 
received into the 
home as an in- 
mate without re- 
commendation 
from this com- 
mittee, nor ex- 
cept on their 
order. No per- 
son is admitted 
who has not re- 
sided in Michi- 
gan during the 
ten years pre- 
ceding her application, unless by the unanimous 
vote of not less than sixteen of the managers pres- 
ent at a regular meeting. Persons under sixty years 
of age are not admitted either as boarders or pen- 
sioners, unless by a vote of two thirds of the whole 
number of managers. All candidates for admission 
must furnish satisfactory testimonials of the respec- 
tability of their character and the propriety of their 
conduct. Pending admission, each person is re- 
ceived on a probation of three months, after which 
time the Board of Managers acts definitely on the 
case, and if not confirmed as a permanent inmate, 
the admi.ssion fee, which is not less than $300, after 
deducting board at the rate of three dollars per week, 
is returned. 

The business of the corporation is controlled and 




The Thompson Home. 



managed by a board of thirty-two trustees, who, 
with the other officers, must in all cases be ladies 
belonging to or attending the Protestant churches 
of the city. The trustees elect the officers from 
their own number. The thirty-two trustees named 
in the articles of incorporation were divided into 
four classes of eight persons each, and one of these 
classes goes out of office every year. 

The annual expenses are about $1,500, and the 
home is supported by donations and interest on the 
admission fees. The officers have been : 

Presidents: i875-i877,Mrs. David Preston; 1877- 
, Mrs. David Thompson. Secretaries: 1875- 

1882, Miss E. P. Kirby; 1882, Mrs. J. S. New- 

berry; 1883- 
, Miss E. P. 
Kirby. Treas- 
urers: 1875- 
1 880, Mrs. John 
S. Newberry ; 
1880- ,Mrs. 
R. G. Evans. 

The Working 
]\'oman's 
Home. 
The begin- 
ning of this or- 
ganization dates 
from March 7, 
1877, at which 
time the first 
meeting in re- 
gard to it was 
held in the hall 
of the Young 
Men's Christian 
Association. Its 
constitution was 
adopted April 
26, officers were 
elected May 4, and the society was incorporated 
on December 3, 1877. 

The annual meeting is on the first Monday in 
April. Twenty lady trustees, who must be mem- 
bers of Protestant churches, elect the officers and 
also the executive committee of five ladies, who 
meet weekly. The home was opened on May 28, 
1S77, in a portion of the Haigh Block on Jefferson 
Avenue. It was afterwards moved to No. 41 Con- 
gress .Street West; then, on June 6, 1 881, to No. 
/■8, north side of the same street, and on April 25, 

1883, to No. 120 Ca.ss Street. It is designed to 
afford a safe and respectable boarding place for 
girls and women who are temporarily out of em- 
ployment, and has an average of twenty-one board- 
ers paying at the rate of $2.00 per week. Girls 



CHARITABLE AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



665 



employed in stores and shops, whose homes are far 
from their places of business, find here a pleasant 
resting place and a good dinner for the small sum 
of fifteen cents. In connection with this work an 
intelligence office is maintained, which, from the 
first, has been wonderfully useful. Applicants for 



Marsh; 18S3, Mrs. J. B. IMoss; 1884- 
A. Chaney. 



Mrs. H. 




/^i>\i, iii.iii\N' Asylum, Springwells. 

help pay fifty cents ; those seeking places pay fees of 
twenty-five cents each, and these sums do much 
towards sustaining the institution. No recommen- 
dations are given or required other than such as 
ordinary good judgment would dictate. During 
the year 1883 eight hundred and twenty-three 
women were provided with steady employment, and 
a large number with occasional work. 

In addition to supplying help in the city, hundreds 
of girls have been rescued from temptation by being 
sent to various parts of the State ; when thus sent 
out of the city, both their character and that of the 
place to which they go are carefully investigated. 

The annual expenses of the home are about 
$2,000 and it is the aim of the .society to make it 
self-sustaining. 

The following ofiicers have sen-ed: Presidents: 
1877, Mrs. J. J. Bagley; 1878, Mrs. D. M. Rich- 
ardson; I S79, Mrs. L. B. Austin; 1880, Mrs. J. B. 
Mulliken; 1881-1884, Mrs. W. F. Linn; 1884- 
Mrs. J. B. Mulliken. Corresponding Secretaries: 
1S78, Mrs. M. J. E. Millar; 1879, Mrs. L. B. Austin; 

1880, Mrs. W. F. Linn; 1881, Mrs. J. B. Mulliken; 
1882-1884, Mrs. M. H. Marsh; 1884- , Mrs. H. 
Gardner. Recording Secretaries : 1S77, Mrs. J. N. 
Fuller; 1878, Mrs. S. Nay; 1879-18S2, Miss A. M. 
Harrah; 1882, Mrs. H. N. P. Blodgett; 1883. Mrs. 
H. A. Chaney; 18S4- , Miss Emma Hayward. 
Treasurers: 1877, J. B. H. Bratshaw; 1S78 and 
1879, G. W. Hoffman; 1880, Mrs. Ira D. Bush; 

1881, Miss Gertrude Banks; 1882, Mrs. M. H. 



/,oar Orphan Asylum of Z/'on Gmnaii Rcfnrmcd 
Church. 

This asylum was incorporated in 1880, and 
established in 1 88 1, by the church above named. 
Its grounds consist of thirty lots in Springvvells on 
Harvey Street, between the River Road and Fort 
Street. They cost $5,500; the building cost $2,336, 
and was opened April i. 1882. In January, 1883, 
its inmates were fifteen orphans and three widows. 

The Detroit Day Xiirscry and Kindergarten 
Association. 

This society was organized and incorporated No- 
vember 21, 1 88 1, chiefiy through the efforts of Mrs. 
E. C. Preston. The object is to provide a place 
where children from infants up to si.\ years old can 
be cared for and taught while their parents are at 
work, on payment of five cents a day for each child. 
Further amounts necessary to sustain the institu- 
tion are obtained by membership fees of $2.00 per 
year and voluntary donations from those favoring 
this practical charity. Luther Beecher gave the 
society Lots 1 7 and 1 8 on the north side of Church 
Street at head of Tenth, valued at about $2,500, and 
in 1882 a brick building costing $5,000 was erected 
thereon. It was formally opened on January 18, 
1883. 



it3^4irBli 



,F 










.-^-vijtft^ 



Detkoit Day Nursery and Kindergarten I!uiluing. 

The first trustees were Mrs. Newell .A. very. Mrs. 
Z. Eddv, Mrs. Jefferson Wiley, Mrs. D. M. Richard- 
son, Mrs. D. V. Bell, Mrs. C H. Buhl, Mrs. W. N. 
Haillman. Mrs. H. E. Champion, Mrs. William 
Keavey, Mrs. M. H. Marsh, Mrs. E. C. Preston, and 
Mr. Hoyt Post. 

The first officers of the society were : President, 
Mrs. E. C. Preston ; Vice-President, Mrs. George H, 



666 



CHARITABLE AND 15ENEVOLENT SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS. 



Hammond ; Secretary, Mrs. \V. 11. Anthony ; Treas- 
urer, Mrs. H. E. Champion. All the above were in 
office in 1883. 

Convent of tlic Good SlicpJwrd. 
This institution was inaugurated on November 
22, 1883. by five Sisters of the Order of the (iood 
-Shepherd, who arrived here from St. Louis on that 
day. In anticipation of their arriv-al the property 
known as the Ward residence at No. 792 Fort Street 
West, near Nineteenth Street, was purchased at a 
cost of §24,000. The object of the institution is to 




Catholic Convent of the Order of the Good Shepherd 

reclaim fallen women and to rescue those in danger 
of .going astray. 

Roman Catholic Beneficial Societies. 

There are si.x of these organizations, with about 
one hundred members each, except the Hibernian, 
which has nearly three hundred, The members 
pay monthly dues of from 25 to 50 cents. I'he 
societies afford relief to their members in sickness, 
and also, to .some extent, relieve the widows and 
orphans of deceased members. 

St. Patrick's Society was organized in 1S36, reor- 
ganized in 1857, again on March 7, 1867, and for 
the third time on March 6, 1872. 

St. Joseph's was organized in i S47, and incorpor- 
ated June 6, I S64. 

St. Jean Baptiste was organized in 186R, and 
incorporated November 20, 1871. 

St. Vincent De Paul was organized November 3, 
1868, and incorporated January i, 1869. 

The Hibernian Society was organized August 6, 
1 87 1, and incorporated November 9, 1873. 

St, Boniface Society was organized in June, 1872. 



Detroit Association of Charities. 

The list of charitable institutions may well be 
concluded with this society, which co-operates with 
and seeks to make more effective the work of all 
the others. In 1 883 fifty-two different churches and 
charities availed themselves of its knowledge and its 
methods. 

The special object of the association is to prevent 
imposition, repress street begging, and to better 
the condition of the honest and deserving poor. It 
seeks to assist charitable societies and the public 
generally to direct their benevolence into channels 
where it will do good rather "than harm. To this 
end the association investigates the cases of all 
applicants for relief who may appeal to citizens, 
church societies, charitable institutions, or city offi- 
cers. The city is divided into convenient districts 
for investigation, with an office and committee for 
each district, and a central office at 10 Merrill Block. 
The association undertakes to furnish suitable em- 
ployment to those in need of work, and gives orders 
for meals and lodgings, v\hich are good only 
when endorsed by the police officer in charge of 
the central station. Professional beggars and 
tho.se unworthy of aid are thus detected, as all 
applicants are brought under the eye of this one 
officer. 

By the efforts of the association, a law providing 
for the punishment of those who purposely neglect 
to provide for their families, was passed, and its 
influence has been salutary in many cases. The 
expenses for 1SS3 were $2,067, obtained chietly 
from sub.scriptions. 

Through the influence of the society, the owners 
of the steamer Carrie Blood, and the Detroit, Wind- 
sor, and Belle Isle Ferrj' Company during 1883 
donated the use of their boats to inmates of ayslums 
and charitable institutions for several excursions on 
the river. 

In 1S83, 2,236 cases were brought to the notice of 
the association ; work was obtained for 1 ,2oy persons, 
and the needs of nil looked after. 

The society was first e.stablished in 1878, largely 
through the efforts of Mrs. Morse Stewart. It was 
reorganized on April 22, 1880. The presidents have 
been: 1878-18S0, C.eorge C. Langdon ; 1880-1881, 
L. L. Barbour; 1S82, C. C. Trowbridge ; 1883- 
G. V. N. Lothrop. The secretaries have been : 
1S78-1S80, W. H. Smith; 1880- 1883, John Stirling; 
1S83- , R. R. Elliott. 

The total value of the property of the various 
private charitable and philanthropic institutions 
reaches fully $650,000, and the total yearly expenses 
foot up about $35,000, nearly 1,000 persons being 
cared for. 



PART IX. 

LITERARY. 



CHAPTER LXIX. 



EARLY METHODS OF PUBLISHING.— THE FIRST NEWSPAPERS.— THE NEWSPAPER 

GRAVEYARD.— LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. —CITY 

PRINTERS.— NEWSBOYS. 



EARLY METHODS OF PUBLISHING. 

The publishing conveniences of early days were 
few indeed. Notices at first were left at the door 
of every house, and in the time of the Pontiac War 
were nailed to the church door. A few years after, 
the town crier made his appearance ; an old account 
book shows that that position was filled by Thomas 
Williams, who, on January 25, 1781, is credited eight 
shillings for "publishing to bring in straw," and on 
August 12 the estate of Jacques St. Martin is 
charged by A. & W. Macomb with fourteen shil- 
lings, paid to Thomas Williams for "drum-beating 
and publishing." The drum was evidently used to 
attract attention to the notices. 

In still later days other methods were in use; and 
Theophilus Mettez, who was a publisher of religious 
books, became also the general publisher of news. 
It will be remembered that about 1809 the in- 
habitants were chiefly French, and could not have 
read an English paper, even had one been issued, 
therefore some other method of making public 
announcements became necessary. No occasion 
called more people together or afforded better 
opportunities for notices than the weekly services at 
St. Anne's. Friend Mettez, the printer and book- 
binder of that period, was equal to the demand of 
the times; at the close of service in St. Anne's, he 
would change his acolyte dress for his regular habit, 
station himself at one side of the edifice, and, from 
Sunday to Sunday, announce the entertainments 
of the coming week and other events that were to 
occur. In this way due notice was given of the 
races on the Rouge, the auction sales of merchan- 
dise, and of all the current events of that primitive 
period. Tradition says that an Episcopalian lay 
reader. William McDowell Scott, was accustomed, 
at the close of his services, to announce the time 
and place of the ne.xt fox-hunt. The publication of 
one kind of notices by criers is within the memory 
of many persons. Before the present police system 
was established, when a child was lost a crier went 
through the city ringing a bell and at inter\^als rais- 
ing the cry, "Child lost! Child lost!" — a cry that 
alwavs startled and alarmed. 



THE FIRST NEWSP.APERS. 

In the parts of Canada governt;d by the French 
no printing of any kind was allowed to be done. 
The English settlements were supplied with papers 
at a very early date. Within three years after Hali- 
fa.\ was founded, namely on March 23, 1752, the 
first number of a paper called The Halifa.x Gazette 
was issued. This was the first newspaper published 
in what is now known as Canada. It was a four- 
page sheet, of two columns to a page, and was 
printed by John Bushnell. 

The next paper issued in Canada was called The 
Quebec Gazette. Volume i, Number i, is dated 
June 21, 1764. It started with a list of one hundred 
and fifty subscribers and was printed in both French 
and Eriglish. 

West of the AUeghanies the earliest paper was 
The Gazette, issued at Pittsburgh by John Scull 
and Joseph Hall. The first number was dated 
July 29, 1786. A little more than a year afterwards, 
on .August II, 17S7, John Bradford issued the first 
number of The Kentucke Gazette at Lexington. It 
was published for many years. It is said that a 
paper was also published at Knoxville in 1793. The 
first paper which appeared north and west of the 
Ohio was called The Centinel of Northwest lerri- 
tory, and was published by William Maxwell at 
Cincinnati. No. i was issued November 9, 1793. 
It was a half sheet, quarto form. It was piu'chased 
in 1796 by Edward Freeman, who changed its 
name to Freeman's Journal. He is said to have 
printed it on paper made at or near Cincinnati. The 
paper was finally published at Chillicothe. 

The Sciota Gazette was published at Chillicothe 
in 1800 by Nathaniel Willis, the father of N. P. 
Willis, Fanny Fern, and Richard Storrs Willis. In 
1 799 there was published a paper called The West- 
ern Spy and Hamilton Gazette. In 1823 its name 
was changed to National Republican and Ohio 
Political Register, and the same year it was merged 
with Freeman's Journal. On December 9, 1804, 
The Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Mercury first 
appeared. It was published for eleven years, and 
then united with The Cincinnati Gazette, which was 
[669] 



670 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



established in 1806. In 1808 a paper was pablislietl 
at V^ncennes, and The St. Louis Republican and 
The Missouri (iazette are said to have been pub- 
lished the same year at St. Louis. The Pittsburi^h 
Commonwealth: a paper which paid special attention 
to news from Detroit, was first issued on July 24, 
1805, and was published as late as May, 1809. 

THE NEWSP.\I>EK GR.WEVAUl). 

The newspaper history of Detroit abundantly 
illustrates these lines of an old hymn : — 

" Dangers stand thick through all the ground 
T'o push lis to the tomb." 

Since 1809 the city has witnessed the rise and fall 
of one hundred and eighty-one different and dis- 
tinct literary ventures in the way of papers and 
magazines. The first of these was 

Tlie Mit/ii\;an Essiiy or Impartial Obsen'L-r. 

It is said that " history repeats itself." As to this 
paper, that which is neither history nor fact has 
been repeated over and over again, one person 
after another having copied the misstatements of 
some predecessor. As a sample of a score of other 
statements I quote the following: — 

The Essai du Michigan or Ubservateiir Impartial * * * 
was first issued by Father Gabriel Richard, * * * James M. 
Miller being the printer. It was printed mainly in French, but 
had an English department. 

In collecting materials for the history of Detroit 
I found in Worcester, Massachusetts, Volume I, 
Number I, of this, the first paper ever issued in 
Michigan ; I had [iliotographs taken of its four pages, 
and they show that this identical number has a 
history of its own. It was sent to Isaiah Thomas 
of Worcester, author of the first " History of Print- 
ing" published in America. On the margin is the 
following : 

Utica, N. v., August 5, 1810. 

Mr. Thomas : 

Sir,— I send you this paper, published by a friend of niine, to 
insert in your " History of Printing." If he sees your advertise- 
ment he will send yuu more, perliaps, of later dale. 
Your obedient servant, 

C. S. McCu.NNELL. 

The paper was undoubtedly printed on a small 
hand-press brought overland to Detroit from ISalti- 
more by the Rev. Gabriel Richard, and one or more 
books were printed before the paper was issued. 

Father Richard, however, was not the publisher, 
and his name nowhere appears in the paper. It is 
distinctly stated at the head that it is "printed and 
published by James M. Miller." It is dated .Vugust 
31, 1S09; was to be published every Thursday, and 
has four columns to a page, each page being ^'i by 
16 inches. The title is not in French, and instead of 



being printed mainly in that language, but one and 
a half columns out of the sixteen are in French, — not 
one tenth of the paper. 

The make-up consists of articles from the London 
Morning Chronicle, Liverpool Aurora, New York 
Spectator, Pittsburgh Commonwealth, Boston Mir- 
ror, and items credited to Baltimore and Dutch 
papers. There are also extracts from Young's 
"Night Thoughts" and from Ossian; three short 
poems on Evening, Happiness, and Futurity ; a 
communication on Manufactures, and short prose 
articles on Politeness, Early Rising, and Husbandry. 
The information from Europe is from four to fi\'e 
months old, and that from various parts of the 
United States was new from four to six weeks before 
its publication in the Essay. There are no local items 
of any sort whatever, and of course no telegraphic 
or market news, and but one advertisement, — that 
of St. Anne's School. In the only article at all of the 
nature of an editorial, " the public are respectfully in- 
formed that the Essay will be conducted with the 
utmost impartiality; that it will not espouse any 
political party, but fairly and candidly communicate 
whatever may be deemed woithy of information, 
whether foreign, domestic, or local ;" and " gentlemen 
of talents are invited to contribute to our columns 
whatever they suppose will be acceptable and bene- 
ficial to the public, yet always remembering that 
nothing of a controversial nature will be admis.sible." 

Elsewhere in the paper the publisher announces 
that he proposes to print several works, such as 
"Nine Days' Devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; 
a Manual of .Agriculture; cards of small pictures for 
the study of history, geography, etc. ; and a Cyclo- 
pedia of Anecdotes for children." 

The price of the paper was "$5 a year to city 
subscribers, I4.50 by mail to residents of Upper 
Canada and Michigan, and I4 to more distant sub- 
scribers." Advertisements not exceeding a square 
were to be 50 cents for the first, and 25 cents for 
each subsequent insertion. 

After the facts concerning this paper had been 
brought to light three additional copies were found. 
One of them was obtained by H. E. Baker, of The 
Post and Tribune, from Thomas Lee, of Leeville, in 
whose possession it had been for nearly fifty years; 
the other was found by William Mitchell, of Detroit, 
among a lot of old papers. Both of these copies 
are duplicates of the one already described. A 
fourth copy of the same issue is known to have been 
in the collection of the old Detroit Museum, and 
still another copy of Volume I, Number 1, is known 
to be in existence. It thus appears that the only 
copies that have ever been described, or that any 
living person has seen, were of Volume I, Number 
I, and no authentic statement has ever been made 
that more than one number was issued. Brown's 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



671 



"Campaigns of tile Weslern Army" says, "Only 
three numbers were issued;" but from the connection 
in which this statement appears, it is evident that it 
was made merely to indicate that the paper was 
short-liv'cd, and not to fix definitely the number of 
issues. It is doubtful whether more than one num- 
ber was printed. Mr. Miller, the publisher, came 
here from Utica, and died at Ithaca, New York, in 
the spring of 1838. 

The second paper published in Michigan was 

The Diiroit Gazette, 

a weekly, i.ssued by Sheldon & Reed. Its publica- 
tion was continued without intermission for nearly 
thirteen years, and fortunately nearly every number 
has been presenxd. 

It was a Democratic paper, and established at the 
suggestion and under the patronage of Governor 
Cass. The first number was issued on July 25, 
1 817. The price was S4.00 a year to city subscrib- 
ers and Sj-jO when sent by mail. It was printed in 
the old Seek House, near Wayne Street. Its situa- 
tion was then described as being " on Atwater 
Street, a few doors above the public wharf." In 
October, 1818, it was moved to a small wooden 
building on Griswold Street, just below Jefferson 
'Avenue. The print measured 9^ by 16;^ inches, 
made up in four columns. The type was bourgeois 
and long primer, evidently second-hand. The press 
used was one of Ramage's, and as the platen was 
only half the size of the sheet, it required two pulls 
to make a complete impression. On the last page 
a few of the mere important articles were repro- 
duced in French. 

Occasionally the type-cases were overtaxed, and 
the number for October 18, 1822, gives the names 
of signers to a call for a public meeting in so many 
kinds and sizes of type that one might imagine that 
the compositor had just returned from a wake. 

That publishers had their tribulations then as 
now is evidenced by a notice in The Gazette for 
September 11, 1818. After warning the people 
against a person who had defrauded them, the pub- 
lishers say : 

Citizens who have been wronged by scoundrels h:ive uuly to 
send a notice of their wrongs and the name of the scoundrel to 
this office in order to put the public on guard. Such notices will 
be published gratis. 

In the last number of the paper, printed on .-\pril 
22, 1830, this notice appears: 

Some light-fingered gentleman entered our office and took 
from thence a double-cased silver watch with a steel chain and 
two gold seals and a key The man who would steal from a 
printer ought to be compelled to drive a snail through the Black 
Swamp to Boston in dog-days, and suck a dry sponge for nourish- 
ment. 



An editorial of July 14, 1820, shows that they had 
other perplexities. It says : 

We have in the city of Detroit Sj subscribers ; at River Raisin, 
17; in other parts of the Territory, ig ; total, ii8 subscribers in 
Michigan Territory ; 2 sub-scribers in Upper Canada, and jZ in 
different parts of the Union. Total subscribers, 152. Not one 
of the advertisements have been paid for, and only 90 subscribers 
have paid for the paper. 

Possibly in order to get their pay more readily, 
the price was reduced the next year to S3. 

The following extract from the Carrier's Address 
of January i, 1822, is suggestive : 

Detroit, thy little capital. 

Thy little villages likewise, 
In miniature shall mimic all 

That mankind see beneath the skies. 

Ambition still shall find the means 

To show capacity of sconce ; 
.■\nd Council House shall furnish scenes 

For those who spout for fame or pence. 

Still shall delicious whttefish run 
In millions through our noble strait ; 

And many a daughter, many a son, 
Ue born to bless our future State. 

Foolish quarrels, friendly greetings 

Will be numerous as ever; 
And weddings, dinners, births and meetings 

Shall make, at times, all sorts feel clever. 

In Julv, 1828, The Gazette was leased to H. L. 
Ball for nine years ; John P. Sheldon became editor, 
and January, 1829, witnessed the beginnings of 
what is doubtless the most remarkable event in the 
histor\' of the press of Michigan. A man named 
John Reed had been convicted of larceny in the 
circuit court of Wajme County. When the jury 
was being drawn for trial of the case he challenged 
one of the jurors for cause, but his challenge was 
overruled, and he had to make use of his statutory' 
right of peremptory challenge in order to have the 
objectionable juror dismissed. It was not claimed 
that any of the other jurors were objected to. The 
objectionable juror did not sit. The prisoner had 
no occasion to use his remaining right of peremp- 
tory challenge, and the trial was conceded to have 
been fairly conducted. Nevertheless the Supreme 
Court, in January, granted Reed a new trial on the 
ground that he had been illegally compelled to 
exhaust one of his rights of peremptory challenge. 

On January 8, 1S29, after the adjournment of the 
court, Mr. Sheldon published an article in his paper 
headed, " Progress of the Perfection of Reason in 
Michigan." The first paragraph said : 

The Supreme Court of the territory terminated its December 
session last week. .\s usual there was but little business done, 
and a portion of that little, we are led to believe, was but poorly 
done. 

Then followed nearly a column of what would, in 
this day, be deemed a mild criticism of the action 



672 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



of the court in granting a new trial of the case 
named. This article was followed in subsequent 
issues by others of the same import. 

For these articles, on March 5, Mr. Sheldon was 
arrested for contempt of court, and fined $100. E. 
A. Brush and E. 1'. Hastings offered to pay the 
fine, but Mr. Sheldon refused to accept their offer, 
and was committed to jail. 

On the evening of the same day a public meeting 
to consider the subject was held at the Mansion 
House, a noted old hotel on Jefferson Avenue near 
Cass Street. Major Kearsley was called to the 
chair, with H. V. Disbrow as secretary. Resolu- 
tions condemning the action of the judges were 
passed and a committee was apjjointed to take up 
subscriptions to pay the fine, in sums of not more 
than i2'/z cents from each person. 

Meantime arrangements were being made for a 
public dinner to be given in the jail in honor of Mr. 
Sheldon, and on May 7, 1829, for the first and only 
time in .Michigan, a prisoner in jail was tieated to a 
complimentary dinner. Nearly three hundred persons 
were present, John Garrison was chairman, and 
Judge, John McDonnell and Louis Davenport were 
vice-presidents. When it is remembered that the 
entire population of Detroit, a year later than this 
time, numbered only two thousand two hundred 
persons, it will be seen that nearly every adult male 
in the city must have been present at this dinner, 
and the jail, which then occupied the site of the 
present public library, was filled to overflowing. 
The meeting was both serious and hilarious. Songs, 
toasts, and speeches were the order of the day. and 
the old jail rang and rang again with the cheers of 
the gathered throng. The first toast, for John P. 
Sheldon, was offered by Major Kearsley ; the sec- 
ond, "The I^ress," by D. C. McKinstrv ; and the 
third, " Liberty of speech and of the [jress guaran- 
teed to every citizen by our laws and constitution — 
a jury must decide on the abuse of either," was 
offered by John P'arnier. These toasts were suc- 
ceeded by a dozen others of simil.ir character. 

Mr. Sheldon remained in jail nine days, and dur- 
ing his imprisonment wrote se\eral articles fur his 
paper dated " Wayne County Jail." On March 14, 
the tine having been raised, a committee, accom- 
panied by a large number of citizens, waited on him 
at the jail with a carriage, and went with him to the 
Mansion House, whence, after a luncheon, he de- 
parted for Oakland County, where his family re- 
sided. 

On April 23, Mr. Sheldon retired from the edi- 
torial chair and was succeeded by Ebenezer Reeil. 
For se\-eral weeks after, the paper was filled with no- 
tices from eastern papers concerning the affair, with 
comments on the action of the judges. All this 
advertising, however, failed to make the paper pay. 



and on October 1, this lamemation appeared in its 
columns : 

Our subscription list in Michigan bears no proportion to the 
number of subscribers we have in other States. Foreign subscri- 
bers pay in advance, while those in Michigan pay or never pay, as 
it may chance to suit their f»ncy. Sometimes we get a pijj or a 
load of pumpkins from them, and once in a great while there is a 
man of mettle who pays cash for his paper. 

The last number of the paper was issued on April 
22, 1830, the press and printing material being en- 
tirely destroyed by fire four days later. The fire 
was set by a printer named Ulysses G. Smith, who 
was imprisoned for the offense. 

On June 17 it was announced that the paper 
would be re-established in about twenty days, but 
they must have been days of the Rip \'an Winkle 
order, for it never reappearctl. 

The names of subsequent newspaper ventures in 
the order of their establishment are as follows : 

T/w Muliii^an Herald 
published by H. Chipman and Joseph Seymour. It 
professed to be neutral, but really favored the 
Whigs. It was a weekly at $3.00 a year. The 
first number was issued May 10, 1825, and the last, 
April 30, 1829. 

The Gazette FrniK^aise. 

This, the first French paper published in the 
Territory, was issued from the Gazette office : E. 
Reed, editor. It was in octavo form, issued the 
first and third week of each month, at $1.50 per 
year. \'olume I, Number I, was dated October 31, 
1825, and contained this suggestive editorial : 

The editor requests the patrons of the Gazette to recollect that 
this is only a venture, and it depends a great deal upon their 
generosity if he will c<intinue or not. They must not borrow the 
Gazette from their neighbors. If they wish the editor to con- 
tinue to publish, they must all subscribe. 

At least three numbers of the paper were issued. 

The Detroit Telei;raph. 
.K paper with the above title was issued in Sep- 
tember, 1S29; it was probably short-lived. 

Tlie Herald of Literature and Science, 

a small quarto, was issued by the Detroit Debating 
Society as a monthly, at si.\ shillings a year. Vol- 
ume I, Number 1, was dated May 14, 1S31. Four 
or more numbers were issued. 

The Michigan State Register, 

a semi-monthly, documentary anil historical in char- 
acter, was first issued July i, 1836, price $3.00 a 
year. G. L.Whitney, publisher, and George Corse- 
lius, editor. The fourth number was about to be 
issued on August 31, and if issued was the last 
number. 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



673 



Detroit Evening Spectator and Literary Cazette. 
This paper was published by B. Kingsbury and 
G. P. Burnham (both from Boston) at Republic 
Hall. 144 Jefferson Avenue. It was a semi-weekly, 
issued on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at $4.00 a 
year. It was printed by G. L. Whitney. The first 
number was issued October 20. 1836, and it was in 
e.xistence as late as May 20, 1838. 

The Spy in Michigan 

was a weekly devoted to the Whig cause. It was 
edited by E. M. McGravv, published by Morgan 
Bates, and printed by Harsha & Bates. The first 
number was issued June 12, 1S37, and it continued 
as late as November 13, 1838, when it ceased for a 
time. During 1839 it was revived, and published 
for about a year. 

The Detroit Morning Post. 

This paper, the second established by Kingsbury 
& Burnham, was $6.00 per year. It would be ap- 
propriately described as a daily issued at irregular 
intervals. The first number W'as issued in July, 
1S37. 

Our old fellow-citizen, ex-city marshal, and legis- 
lator, Patrick .McGinnis, went to work on the paper 
as "devil" in 1S37. One day Mr. Kingsbury, who 
was always ready for a practical joke, sent him over 
to the Free Press oflice with a tin measure to bor- 
row " a gill of editorial." As the verdant messen- 
ger entered the composing room, he met Mr. Bagg, 
the editor, and made known his errand. Bagg im- 
mediately stepped to the wall, and taking down a 
picture of a jackass, handed it to McGinnis. saying, 
" Take that to Mr. Kingsbury." Instantly taking 
in the situation, Pat blurted out, " Arrah, now, Mr. 
Bagg, give o\er wid your tricks on a poor Irish boy. 
Sure it's an editorial my master wants, and not the 
editor." 

In 1838 J. M. Berger was proprietor of the paper 
and B. Kingsbury, Jr., editor. In this year a weekly 
was issued at $2. 50. In December, G. R. Griswold 
became proprietor, and he and Kingsbury were as- 
sociate editors. In January, 1839, the paper was 
consolidated with 

The Craftsman of Michigan. 

This paper was fir.st issued in May, 1838, by E. 
J. Roberts, as a weekly at $3 00 a year. After its 
consolidation with the Post, a Democratic paper, 
called 

The Morning Post and Craftsman, 

was issued by Kingsburj' & Roberts, until June, 
when it was changed to The Evening Post and 
Craftsman. In the fall of 1S39 it suspended for 



about two nitjnlhs, and was afterwards revived, and 
published during the early part of 1840. 

The Michigan Observer 

was first issued on Saturday, June 17, 1837. Rev. 
Warren Isham was editor. It was a weekly, de- 
\()ted to religious and moral subjects, and was dis- 
continued after the issue of June 22, 1839. 

The World 

was the title of a monthly issued for a short time in 
1 837. E. Bordman was publisher, and W. Harsha, 
printer. 

The Jeffersonian Democrat, 

a campaign paper of 1S37, was issuetl in the interest of 
John D. Ellis of Monroe. Mr. Butterson was editor. 

TIte Day lioolc, 
a daily penny paper, was published by William 
Harsha in 1838. Eight or ten numbers were issued. 

Tlie Michigan Agriculturist, 

H. H. Snelling, editor, was first issued in October or 
November, 1S38, and continued till Januarys, 1S39. 
The price was $2.00 a year. 

'The Eglantine 
was in existence in January, 1839. 

The Mirror of the Lakes, 

a literary and society paper in quarto form, was 
published by H. H. Snelling, at S3.00 a year. \'ul- 
ume I, Number 9, is dated March 2, 1839. 

'J'he Journal of Education 
was being published in January, 1839. 

The Spirit of '76, or Theller's Daily Repxtblican 

Advocate, 
was first issued on August 17, 1839. Daily and 
weekly editions were printed. H. H. Snelling was 
publisher, and Dr. E. A. Thaller, editor. It was in- 
tended to aid the cause of the Patriots, and the 
editor was imprisoned for participating in the Patriot 
War. The paper was issued as late as October 17, 
1840. 

The Western Farmer, 

a semi-monthly agricultural paper, at $1.00 a year, 
was first issued by Josiah Snow on January 26, 
1S41. On October 15. 1841, B. F. Armstrong be- 
came the publisher, Mr. Snow serving as editor. 
In 1842 Bela Hubbard served as editor, and with 
Number 5 of this year William Harsha became pro- 
prietor. On January 21, 1843. he sold the paper to 



674 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



D. D. T. Moore, who soon removed it to Jackson, 
changed it to a niontiily. at fifty cents a year, and 
issued it in April, 1S43, as 

The Michigan Farmer and Western Agricul- 
turist. 

In December, 1844, it was sold to W. F. Storey 
and — Cheney. In 1845 it was sold to and edited 
by H. Hurlbut. In April, 1846, H. G. WoodhuU 
became a partner. In December. 1847, Warren 
Isham began to conduct it, and with the new volume 
it was changed to a semi-monthly, and the price 
raised to $1.00 per year. In 1849 it was enlarged, 
and published both at Jackson and Detroit. In 
1850 Warren Isham was both editor and publisher, 
in 1853 W. S. Duncklee and R. F, Johnstone pur- 
chased the paper of Warren Isham, and the next 
year Mr. Duncklee sold out to Mrs. L. B. Adams. 
In the fall of 1854 Mrs. Adams purchased 

The Fanner's Companion and Horticultural 

Gazette, 
which had as editors C. Fo.x, J. C. Holmes, Linus 
Cone, and Charles Betts. C. Fo.x was publisher. 
It was established as a monthly on December i, 
1852. Mr. Fo.x died, and the last number was 
dated September. 1854, after which it was merged 
with the Michigan Farmer, and on January i, 1859, 
that paper was changed to a weekly. In Septem- 
ber, 1861, it was sold to Mr. Doty, who continued it 
for about a year. In the fall of 1 862 W. S. Bond 
and George Snyder became proprietors. In Sep- 
tember, 1864, they sold it to H. N. F. Lewis, who 
changed it into a paper called 

The Western Rural, 
which, in the fall of 1 869, was moved to Chicago. 

The Rat Gazette. 
A paper with this name was issued in September, 
1S39, by the Typographical Union. 

The Michigan Christian Herald. 
This paper was published in January, 1842, as a 
monthly, by the Baptist State Convention. The 
price was fifty cents a year. R. C. Smith was pub- 
lishing agent, and Rev. A. Ten Brook editor. At 
some time prior to 1845 the paper was changed to 
a weekly, and S. N. Kendrick became associate 
publisher. In 1844 Rev. J. Inglis was editor. In 
1845 Miles Sanford was associated with Mr. Inglis, 
in 1848 he was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Harris. 
The same year the p>aper was transferred to Mr. 
Allen, and in 1850 the names of M. Allen and O. S. 
Gulley appeared as publishers. The price was $2.00 
a year. In January, 1863, the paper was sold to 
several members of the Baptist Church, and re- 



moved to Kalamazoo, and in the fall of 1S66 Rev. 
J. \. Clark sold their interests in the paper to the 
Baptist Standard of Chicago, and that paper sup- 
plied the unexpired subscriptions. 

The AHehigan Literary Gem, 
a monthly, at §1.00 a year, was in existence in 
March, 1842. 

The IVashingtonian. 
This paper, the organ of the State Temperance 
Society, was published originally at Jackson, then 
at Marshall, and finally at Detroit. The first num- 
ber issued here was dated ?ilarch 12, 1842. It was 
a semi-munthly at Si. 00, and lived a year. 

'The Detroit Daily Times, 
an evening, anti-slavery journal, was published by 
Warren Isham at $8.00 a year. The first number 
appeared May 14, 1842. It ceased in November. 

The Constitutional Democrat 
was first issued on May 25, 1842. It was a semi- 
weekly, at S3. 50 a year, issued by Currier, Briggs, & 
Co., with E. D. Ellis as editor. After October i, 
1842, it was issued but once a week, at $2.00 a 
year. In 1844 it was changed to a daily, and in 
1845 it was merged with 

The American Citizen, 
a weekly paper, devoted to the free-soil party, 
which was in existence as late as May 14, 1847. 

The Jl'estern Catholic Register. 
This paper, the first number dated July 23, 1842, 
was published by Eugene T. Smith. It was issued 
every Saturday, at $1.50 a year, and existed just a 
vear. 

The Detroit Daily Gazette. 

\'olume I, Number I, was issued December 19, 
1842, by Sheldon McKnight, at $6.00 a year. A 
weekly was also published at S2.00. The paper was 
continued for some three years. 

The Detroit JIfagazine 
was first published in October, 1843, by S. N. Gantt. 
It was short-lived. 

L'Amie tie la feunesse {Friend of Youth), 
a French paper, was first issued on i\Iay 23, 1843. 
It was a weekly at $3.00 a year, published by James 
A. Girardin, with E. N. Lacroix as editor. Nine 
numbers were issued. 

The American Vineyard, 
a temperance and anti-Catholic sheet, was issued by 
E. McDonald as early as September, 1843; 'twas 
discontinued and then revived. The last number 
was dated May 19. 1S4S. 



THE NEWSPAPER GKA\EYARD. 



675 



The Evangelical Observer, 

with Rev. George Duffield as editor, and D. C. Duf- 
field as "fiscal agent," was printed by Geiger & 
Christian, and was first issued on Monday. Novem- 
ber 18, 1844. It was a weekly, at $2.00 a year, and 
was in existence as late as October 5, 1S46. 

The Detroit Register, 
a weekly, first issued in December, 1844, was pub- 
lished for two months by Harsha & Willcox. 

The Detroit Daily Nl-oJS 
was first issued on July 7, 1845. It was a handsome 
sheet, neutral in politics, filled almost exclusively 
with original matter. It was published by IM. P. 
Christian, C. A. Hedges. E. M. Geiger, J. Campbell, 
and D. H. Soils, all practical printers. Price, $4.00 
a year, or ten cents a week. 

The Western Excelsior 
was issued in the interest of the colored people. 
Volume I, Number I, was dated March 29, 1848. 

The Michigan Journal of Hoinceopathy 
was published by Drs. John Ellis and E. H. Drake. 
The first monthly number was issued in November, 

1848. S. B. Thayer succeeded E. H. Drake, and at 
the close of the year it was discontinued. 

The Western Literary Miscellany 
was published by George Brewster at Si. 00 a year. 
Volume I. Number I, was issued in April, 1849, and 
was probably the only number printed. 

Wellman s Literary Miscellany 
was the most pretentious and popular magazine 
ever printed in Detroit. It was established by J. K. 
Wellman. The first number was issued in July, 

1849. with D. F. Quinby as editor. It was an octavo 
of forty-eight pages, at f 2.00 a year ; and as the 
Eastern magazines had not attained their later 
popularity, it soon had six thousand subscribers. 
The magazine numbered among its contributors N. 
P. Willis, Rev. H. D. Kitchell. Rev. S. D. Simonds, 
Rev. D. D. Whedon, Rev. E. Thompson, Jacob M. 
Howard, Washington Irving, Horace Mann, Rev. 
Dand Inglis, Rev. B. St. James Fry, Rev. B. F. 
Tefft, Moses Coit Tyler, T. D. Wilkins, and Rev. 
W. H. Collins. 

In February. 1S51, the magazine was sold to 
Luther Beecher and D. F. Ouinby, and its name 
changed to Monthly Literary Miscellany. In July, 
1852, Mr. Beecher sold his interest to H. S. Sparks 
and — Russell, and the ne.\t month A. G. Wood 
was admitted as a partner. In January, 1853, the 
name was changed to Western Literary Miscellany ; 
in the spring or summer. Wood. Sparks, and Rus- 



sell sold their interest to Quinby, and on August 20, 

1853, he sold to Mrs. E. M. Sheldon, and for the 
fourth time a new name was given to the magazine. 
It was now called The Western Literary Cabinet. 
Eight pages were added to the magazine, and Mrs. 
Sheldon published in it a series of very interesting 
translations of documents concerning Detroit, ob- 
tained by Governor Cass while L^nited States Min- 
ister to France. These translations formed almost 
the whole of the volume she subsequently issued 
under the title of "Early History of Michigan." The 
last number of the magazine w-as issued in August, 

1854. It was discontinued on account of the death 
of Mr. Sheldon. 

The Xorthwestern Advocate, 
a Whig paper, was published in October, 1849, by 
Josiah Snow. It lived but a short time. 

The Detroit Daily Herald, 
a penny paper, was first published November 26, 
1S49; its last issue was December 6, 1850. Its 
proprietors were John N. Ingersoll and W. T. Young. 

The American Gleaner, 
literary in character, was published by Annin & 
Reed, at $r.oo a year. Volume 1, Number I. was 
dated January i, 1850. Only a few numbers were 
issued. 

The Monthly Hesperian and Odd FelloTus' Liter- 
ary Magazine, 
published by John N. Ingersoll and Henry Barns, at 
$2.00 a year, appeared in January, 1850. In the 
May number for 1S52 the names of Moulton, Craw, 
& Company are given as publishers. The magazine 
existed three full years ; the last year the words 
"Odd Fellows' " were dropped from the title, and 
" American " substituted. 

The Medium, 

a semi-monthly magazine, at $1.00 a year, was de- 
voted to the interests of the Swedenborgian or New 
Jerusalem Church. It appeared first at Jackson on 
December 25, 1848 ; was afterwards moved to Mar- 
shall, and on January 15, 1850, to Detroit. It was 
published by Jabez Fox. Soon after its removal to 
Detroit, E. W. Barber became associated with Mr. 
Fox. About 1853 the paper was moved to Cincin- 
nati, and then to New York. Its name was changed 
to New Jerusalem Messenger on February i, 1863. 

Le Citoyen 
was a French literary paper, in quarto form, issued 
on Saturdays, at $2.00 a year. L. J. Paulin was 
publisher, and E. N. Lacroix editor. It was issued 
for six months. Voli>me I, Number I, was dated 
May II, 1850. 



676 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



The J'litinsular l-'ountain, 

a temperance journal, was first issued Saturday, 
May 17, 1S51, with Henry C. Kni.^'lit. editor. The 
business manaijemcnt was controlled by Morgan 
Bates. It lived less than a year. 

The North-wcstcni Musical Herald, 
published by A. McFarren and edited by Charles 
Hess, made its appearance in May, 1851. The 
price was fifty cents a year. There was little of 
either money or music in it, and it was soon discon- 
tinued. 

TIw Western Evangelist, 
a weekly, at $1.00 a year, was first issued in the fall 
of 1S50 by Jabez Fo.\. He was succeeded by Rev. 
S. A. Baker, who published the paper as late as 1852. 

The Detroit Commercial Bulletin, 
edited by George W. Pattison, was an old paper 
revived. It began for the second time as a penny 
daily, about 1851. It was burned out in the Cooper 
Building in the fire of April 16, 1852, and was not 
again issued. 

The Republican, 
a German weekly, was published about five months, 
in 1852, by M. Kramer and Aloys Wuerth. 

The Students Offering, 
published by scholars of the Eighth Ward School, 
was first issued in 1853, and continued through three 
or more volumes. 

The Atlantis, 
a German literary monthly, edited by Christian 
Esseleine, was issued for several months in 1853. 

The Detroit Catholic Vindicator, 
edited by Thomas R. Elliott and published by Dan- 
iel O'Hara, was a weekly quarto, at $2.00 a year. 
The first number was dated April 30, 1853. Dr. 
Hasset succeeded Mr. O'Hara as proprietor, and 
continued the paper, at $2.50 a year, until January, 
i860, when it was merged into 

The Detroit Guardian. 

Volume I, Number I, of this paper, a Catholic 
weekly at $1,503 year, was issued January 21, i860, 
by T. C. Fitzgibbons, and continued for five months 
or more. 

The Detroit Daily Times (No. 2). 

This was published by G. S. Conklin and E. T. 
Sherlock, with J. N. Ingersoll as editor, at $3.00 a 
year. It appeared in May. 1853, was purchased by 
Ingersoll & Tenny in November, 1854, sold De- 



cember, 1835, to an association of journeymen 
printers, and continued by them until the spring of 
1856. 

The Peninsular Journal of Medicine, 
an octavo monthly, was originally published at Ann 
Arbor. Its first issue was dated July, 1853. E. 
Andrews, A. M., M. D., was editor. In July, 1854, 
Dr. A. B. Palmer became associate editor, and in 
July. 1855, the office of publication was removed to 
Detroit. Dr. Andrews now retired, and Drs. Z. 
Pitcher, A. B. Palmer, William Brodie, and E. P. 
Christian served as editors. After the number for 
March, 1858, it was united with 

The Medical Independent. 
The first number of this paper, edited by Drs. H. 
Goadby, E. Kane, and L. G. Robinson, was issued 
.March i, 1856. In March, 1857, Moses Gunn and 
L. G. Robinson became editors, and the magazine 
was called 

The Peninsular and Independent. 

In April, 1S58, it was edited by A. B. Palmer, 
Moses Gunn, and Frederick Stearns. The last 
number was issued in March, 1S60. 

The Michigan Homwopathic Journal 
was first issued in October, 1853, by Drs. John Ellis 
and S. B. Thayer, and was continued for a little 
over a year. 

The Michigan Journal of Education and 
Teachers' Magazine 
was published by G. E. Pomeroy & Company, at 
34 Woodward Avenue. Number I of Volume I 
appeared in January. 1854. It was edited by E. O. 
Haven. D. D., who afterwards became successively 
president of the Michigan, Northwestern, and Syra- 
cuse Universities, and a bishop of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The second volume was pub- 
lished by H. Barns, and edited by J. M. Gregory, 
afterwards Superintendent of Public Instruction and 
president of the Industrial College of Illinois. With 
Volume VI Professor A. Winchell of the Michigan 
University became its editor. It was printed for a 
number of years at Ann Arbor, but was finally re- 
moved again to Detroit, where it was discontinued 
about i860. 

IVaymarlcs in the Wilderness, 
a monthly magazine devoted to Scripture studies, 
was published by James Inglis & Company. The 
first number was dated May, 1854, Number 9 came 
out in January, 1855, and soon after the magazine 
was discontinued at Detroit. 



THE NEWSPAI'KR CR.WKVARIX 



^n 



The Little IVokferine, 
published by Mrs. E. M. Sheldon at thirty cents per 
year, was first issued in May, 1854. Only four 
numbers were printed. 

T/ie Ashlar, 
a monthly, devoted to Masonic interests, was pub- 
lished by AUyn Weston, at $2.00 a year. The first 
number was issued in September, 1854, and it was 
continued for at least tliree years. 

The Daily Evening News (.\tf. 2). 

This second daily with the title of News was 
first issued on March 19, 1856, by the Franklin 
Printing Association, composed of William S. Bond, 
Charles S. Stevenson, Charles Miller, O. S. Burdick, 
F. D. Ross, and Henrj- Metz. The paper soon be- 
came quite popular, gaining a circulation of five 
thousand copies. Troubles, however, arose be 
tween the managers, and after about three months 
it was discontinued. 

The Fireman's Journal, 
a weekly paper at Si-75 ^ year, was first issued in 
September, 1856, by George W. Pattison, and was 
in existence as late as the fall of 1S61. 

Preston's United States Bank Xote Reporter 
made its first appearance December 4, 1856; D. 
Preston, proprietor. It was published twice a 
month for nearly five years, and then monthly until 
December, 1865, when it was discontinued. The 
price was Si.oo a year. 

Brird'n's Reporter, 
published at first by John Brown, and then by J. H. 
Kaplc & Co., was issued from 1857 to 1859. 

The Magazine of Tra7<el 

was issued from January, 1857, to 1858. It was 
conducted by W. & \\'. 1'. Isham. 

The Young Men's Journal and Advocate of 

Temperance 
was published in September, 1859, by Green & 
Brown. It was alive in 1861, but in the following 
year gave place to 

The Transcript, 
a temperance paper, published at $1.00 a year by S. 
D. Green. 

The Detroit Herald, 
a weekly at $2.00 a year, was in existence in 1859. 
C. O'Flynn and Dr. Alvord, editors. It was dis- 
contiiuied about 1S61. 



The Spirit of the Week 
was published for a short time early in i860. 

The Michiga>t Democrat 
was published by John S. Bagg, in i860, as an ultra 
Democratic paper. It existed only a few luonths. 

The True Democrat 

was issued from the office of G. W. Pattison in the 
fall of 1863 as a campaign paper. 

Der Radicale Democrat, 
a German Presidential campaign paper, was pub- 
lished by F. A. Schober & Company, and edited by 
R. Diepenbeck and Karl Schmemann. The price 
was §4.00 a year. The first number was dated July 
14, and the last October 19, 1864. 

The Shrapnel, 
a weekly campaign paper published in 1864 by S. 
B. McCracken. was designed to represent the more 
ultra or radical Democratic sentiment of the period. 
It was commenced the last of July, and continued 
through the campaign. 

Froth, 
an illustrated comic monthly, lithographed, was is- 
sued on Monday, December 12, 1864, by several 
gentlemen connected with the Detroit & Milwaukee 
Railroad. After Number 10, it was printed from 
type. It was discontinued in November, 1865. 

The Christian Unionist, 
published monthly by E. A. Lodge, at $1.50 a year, 
lived a few months only. The first number was 
dated January, 1865. 

The Detroit Journal of Commerce, 
a weekly at $2.00 a year, was established in 1865 
by Thomas K. Miller. It was subsequently, in 
1868, owned by Barry & Gradwell. On August 19, 

1 87 1, they sold it to Browse T. Prentis, who trans- 
ferred it to a stock company. It was then merged 
with 

The Daily Sun. 
a paper first issued on October 2, 1874, and con- 
tinued until 1876. 

The Peninsular Herald 
was first issued at Romeo, in June, 1864. It was 
subsequentiv removed to Detroit, where it made its 
first appearance on October 24, 1866. It was pub- 
lished and edited by Rev. John Russell and C. P. 
Russell. On December i, 1869, it was sold to a 
joint stock company. January 12, 1871, it was 
transferred to F. N. Newman, and on February i, 

1872, the name was changed to 



67S 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



The New World. 
The last issue was dated July 3, 1873. 

The Detroit Rccnew of Medicine and Pharmacy, 
a monthly, at $3.00 a year, was established in Janu- 
ary, 1866. It was edited at first by Drs. G. P. 
Andrews. E. W. Jenks, T. A. McGraw, and S. P. 
Duffield. They were succeeded about 1870 by Drs. 
W. H. Lathrop, A. B. Lyons, and Leartus Connor. 
From 1 87 1 to 1877 Dr. Connor was sole editor. In 
January, 1877, it was merged into The Detroit Medi- 
cal Journal. 

The Peninsular Journal of Medicine, 
the second magazine of its name, was a monthly 
octavo, edited by Drs. H. F. Lyster and J. J. Mul- 
heron. It was first issued in July, 1873. In Janu- 
ary, 1875, Drs. T. F. Kerr and J. J. Mulheron were 
editors, and in January, 1876. the last named became 
sole editor. With the number for December, 1S76, 
the Journal was merged into 

The Detroit Medical Journal, 
which was edited by Drs. L. Connor and J. J. Mul- 
heron and published by E. B. Smith & Company at 
$3.00 a year. It was published only in 1S77. 

The Western Medical Advance and Progress of 

Pharmacy, 
a quarterly, edited by W. H. Lathrop, M. D., was 
published from June, 1871, to June, 1873. 

The Detroit Price Current, 
a weekly sheet, was issued from 1S5 Jefferson Ave- 
nue during 1866 and 1867. 

The Detroit Monitor, 
a daily evening paper, published by Jo.seph Warren, 
at twelve cents a week, was first issued on June 3, 
1867, and discontinued after four months. 

The Mechanic and Inventor, 
was first issued on September 23, 1867, at fifty 
cents a year. It was the organ of the Mechanics 
and Inventors' Association. In December, 1874, 
it was merged with 

The Scientific Manufacturer 

a paper established by R. A. Sprague in September, 
1873. After its union with the above journal, the 
paper was called 

The Scientific Manufacturer and Patent 
Intelligencer. 

In the fall of 1874 it was merged with a paper 
called 



The Journal of Coiunierce (Xo. 2), 

established in 1874. In April, 1S76, this last named 
paper was merged with 

The Sunday Times, 
and in February, 1 877, this was suspended. 

The Odd Fellows Wreath, 

originally published at Mason by D. li. Harrington, 
was first issued here on September i, "1 868, at $1.50 
a year. After August, 1869, it was moved to Chi- 
cago and called The Western Odd Fellow. 

The IVcstern Catholic 
was first issued on Septem.ber 12, 1S68, by David 
Barry & Co. Messrs. M. J. & W. Dee after- 
wards became editors and proprietors. It was a 
weekly at $2.00 a year. In January, 1872, it was 
moved to Chicago. 

Baptist Tidings. 
This paper, a monthly at $2.00 a year, was moved 
from Mason to Detroit by D. B. Harrington, and 
first issued here on October 17, 1S68. After July 
29, 1869, it was consolidated with the Standard, of 
Chicago. 

L' Impartial, 
a French weekly, was issued by a French .society 
and edited by Mederic Lanctot. The first number 
was issued November 20, 1869. It was to have 
been published every Wednesday and Saturday, at 
$4.00 a year. Only ten numbers were issued, and 
it was succeeded by 

The Anti-Roman Advocate, 
which was first issued by Mr. Lanctot in March, 
1870, and discontinued in August. 

L' Etoilc Canadienn-e, 
was published by Joseph A. Oulette and J. A. 
Girardin, and issued on Thursdays at $2.50 a year. 
Volume I, Number I, was dated January 19, 1871 ; 
it lived just a year. 

The Song Journal, 
a musical monthly, at $1.00 a year, first published 
Januar}' i, 1871, by C. J. Whitney & Company, was 
discontinued in April, 1877. 

Our Mutual Friend, 

a rather pretentious literary weekly, at $2.50 a year, 
was established in April, 1S71, by W. C. Amistrong 
& Company, but lived only a few months. 

The Popular Appeal, 
a five-column folio weekly, at $2.00 a year, was 
commenced by S. B. McCracken in September, 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



679 



187 r, and discoiitimicd in November of the same 
year. 

Tlic Detroit Commercial Bulhtin, 
a weekly, at $2.00 a year, was in existence during 
ten months of 1871. It was published by Hopkins, 
Hethrington, & O'Neil. 

The Leather Apron 

was first issued in July, 1S72; only a few numbers 
were printed. 

Our Yankee Land, 

an amateur monthly paper, was first issued by A. 
W. Bagg in January, 1872, at fifty cents a year. 
During the year the price was raised to $1.00. 
With the number for October, 1873, the paper was 
discontinued. 

The Detroit Pulpit, 

a monthly at %\.oo, edited by Rev. J. P. Scott, con- 
taining sermons by various Detroit pastors, was first 
issued in September, 1872, and was continued three 
years. 

The Mystic Star, 

a Masonic monthly, at $1.50 a year, edited by Rev. 
J. M. Arnold, was published in 1872 and part of 
1873 by F. N. Newman, and was then moved to 
Chicago. 

The Hoy of the Period, 
an amateur venture of C. H. & O. M. Leonard, 
was first issued in November, 1872, as a monthly, at 
fifty cents a year. It ceased with the issue for 
August, 1876. 

The Jfichig-an Journal of Homwopatliy, 

a quarterly, at fifty cents a year, published by Dr. 
E. R. Ellis, began in July, 1872, and was discon- 
tinued in .''ipril, 1873. 

I'lic Michigan Ju/ition of Xorthii'est Reporter 
was the representative of 

Supreme Court Decisions, 

a quarterly law-journal, first issued in October, 1873, 
with Hoyt Post as editor. In October, 1875, the 
name was changed to The Michigan Lawyer. The 
price was $2.50 a year. In October, 187S, the name 
of the journal was changed to Michigan Edition of 
Northwest Reporter, and it was published by Rich- 
mond, Backus & Company, and issued weekly at 
$5.00 a year up to 1882. 

Our Dioceses, 

a Protestant Episcopal paper, was cstahlislicd bv 
Rev. J. T. Webster .-is a monthly in November, 
1S73, at $1.25 per year. On February 14, 18S0, it 



was merged with The Living Church, pubHshed in 
Chicago. 

The Sunday Guest, 
a monthly Sunday School paper, at two shillings 
per year, was published by J. M. Arnold & Com- 
pany in January, 1874. It was afterwards published 
by John Willyoung, and discontinued in April, 1882. 

The Better Age, 
was published by J. Russell & Son as a temperance 
sheet on January i, 1874. In October following it 
mox-ed to Chicago, and soon after was discontinued. 

The Wolverine Messenger, 
a monthly, the organ of the Pelouze Cadets, was 
issued during 1875. 

The Anglo-Cat holic, 

a church organ, was issued semi-monthly by Holy 
Trinity Church, from .'Vpril, 1875, to August, 1883, 
under the supervision of the rectors. The price 
was fifty cents a year. 

The Detroit Weekly Price Czirrent, 

W. R. Millard, manager, was first issued December 
2, 1875, at $1.00 a year. It was discontinued in 
November, 1882. 

The Little People 

was published by Johnstone & Gibbons, at Si. 00, 
for a year from January i, 1875. 

Truth for the People, 
a weekly, at $1,00 a year, was started January i, 
1875, by Mrs. M. J. E. Millar. On February i, 

1878, it was sold to F. H. Burgess. On August i, 

1879, its name was changed to 

The M^ichigan Truth Teller, 
and truth compels the statement tliat it died in 18S0. 

The Capitol, 

published by students of the High School, was 
issued in 1876 and 1877. 

The Evening Star. 

This paper, the result of a strike among the 
compositors of The Evening News, was first issued 
September 22, 1876, .-inil discontinued October 7 
following. 

The Travelers' Illustrated OJ/ieial Paihcay 
Reporter, 

a very complete pamphlet octavo, was first issued in 
October, 1876, by the Western Railway Advertising 
Company. Two numbers only were published. 



68o 



THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD. 



Lc Courier, 
a literary- weekly, at §1.50, published by Boudin & 
Dumont, was issued October 12, 1876. The title 
was soon changed to 

/,(• fouriial dc Detroit. 
It was continued during part of 1S77. 

The Detroit Herald, 

a weekly, at $1.00 a year, was published for a few 
months in 1876 by H. E. Wesson. 

Tiie Mie/u'i^an I 'o/ls Zeitiiiii^. originally called 
The Detroit Soutag Zeitidig, 

a weekly at $2.00 a year, was first issued on 
October 15, 1876, by C. Mar.xhausen ; " on June i, 
1880, it was .sold to John Becker, and in July, 1881, 
it was sold to Weise Wiencke. On February 1 1 , 
1882, L. Lochbihler & Company became proprie- 
tors, and with the issue of March 3, 1882, the name 
was changed to The Michigan \'olks Zeitung. It 
was discontinued May 16, 1884, 

Tlii Marijie Record. 
A paper with this title was issued by Watson 
Jones during the season of navigation in 1877. 

T/ie Aiiwrican ]]'orkmati and Trades Reporter, 

a weekly, published by J. W. & G. C. Jenks, at 
$1.50 a year, was issued from April 21 to July 14, 
1877. 

Rose's Nose, 
a weekly paper of little merit or morality, was pub- 
lished by Lester \. Rose for one year from August 
16, 1877. 

T/ie Red and ll'/iite Ribbon, 

a temperance weekly, was originally published by 
George M. Chester, and in 1S77 by Chester & Bar- 
tram. It lived about eight months. 

The Western Em, 

a theatrical illustrated monthly paper, at $2.00 a 
year, was issued from September 3, 1877, to January 
I, 1878, by E. A. .Sa.Nby. 

T/ie Detroit National, 

the State organ of the so-called Greenback party, 
was issued for a year from February 28, 187S, by H. 
A. Griffin. It was then merged with 

The ^riehigan Weekly Sun, 
published by H. N. Mather, which made its first 
appearance on January 14. 1879. In October, 1879, 
it was moved to Jackson. 



The Socialist, 
a weekly at $1.50, owned by the Detroit section of 
the Socialistic Labor party, was published from 
October 13, 1877, until June 8, 1878, and then merged 
with The National Socialist of Cincinnati. Judson 
Grenell. editor. 

The Michigan Homestead. 
a weekly, at $1.50 a year, was first published by J. 
Saunders November 14, 1878, and in September, 
1880, was merged with The Agricultural World of 
Grand Rapids. 

The Penny Times 
was first issued December 8, 1878, and continued 
only eight days. 

Tlie Popular Era, 
a weekly, at $1.00. devoted to the interests of the 
colored people, was first issued by Albert Swain on 
May 31, 1879, and was discontinued in November. 

The Family Journal, 

a monthly, at two shillings a year, was moved to 
Detroit from Toronto, by H. A. Storrs, and the first 
number issued in July, 1879. It was soon discon- 
tinued. 

Moore's Masonic Messenger, 

a monthly, published by Charles Moore, was first 
issued in October, 1879. Price. $1.00 a year. On 
account of Mr. Moore's death, it was discontinued in 
March, 1881. 

Public Spirit, 
an illustrated weekly, at $4.00 a year, was issued by 
L. A. Rose and Pat Reilly, from July 12 to October 
4, 1879, and then by W. J. H. Traynor as 

The Detroit Graphic. 
It was discontinued in February-, 1881. 

The Sunday Herald 

was first published on November 9, 1879, by J. F, 
Burnham. It was a weekly society paper, at |2.oo 
a year. About June i, 1881, the proprietor pur- 
chased 

The Detroit Times, 

first issued by Grenell, Labadie, & Company, April 
10, 1881, a Trades' Union paper, at $1.50 a year. 
The Herald was discontinued November 20, 1881. 

The Lever, 
a temperance weekly, at $1.50 a year, was first pub- 
lished at Grand Rapids. .-Xpril 20. 1878, by Van 
Fleet S: Noll, and first issued at Detroit in August, 
1880. Its last number at Detroit was dated March 
16, 1883. after which it was published in Chicago. 



LU'ING TAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



68 1 



Detroit Illustrated, 
a monthly quarto, was first issued by Wesson & 
Wood in September, 1880, at §1.00 a year. It was 
discontinued the last week in December, 1881. 

The Suitclay Sun, 
published by G. Watson Williams, had but one 
issue, November 20, iSSi. 

The Daily Afail, 
a penny paper, was first printed July 24, 1879, and 
suspended with its thirty-fifth issue. 

Commercial Laiu Ndvs, 
a weekly, was begun September 16, 1S79, and pub- 
lished about three months. 

The Pursuivant 
was published by Talbot cS: Company, weekly, at 
$3.00, beginnins; with November 9. 1879, and was 
discontinued in a few weeks. 

The Northwestern Reru'c^, 
a literary monthly, si.\ columns, quarto, at Si. 10 a 
year, was first issued in January, 1880, by the 
Northwestern Publishing Company. It suspended 
in 1882. 

The Labor Review, 
a monthly, at seventy-five cents a year, published 
by J. A. Labadie. Judson Grenell, and Henry Pool, 
was published from January to July, 1880. It was 
then suspended until August, 1881, when it was re- 
vived, and issued by Henry Pool as a semi-monthly 
until March, 1882, and then discontinued. 

The Detroit Gazette, 
a weekly, at Si. 00 a year, was published from May 
8, 18S0, to July 18, 1881. It was chiefiy an adver- 
tising sheet. 

Our Catholic Youth, 
an illustrated monthly, published by John C. Lap- 
pan, began its career in August, 1880. at %\.oo a 
year, and suspended in February, 1882. 

Our Churches, 
Two numbers of a paper with the above title 
were issued in December, 1880, by M, L. Wilson. 

Michigan Trade Re^iiew, 
Number I, \'olume !, of this paper, a weekly, at 
S3.00 a year, was issued by Wilson. Stapleton, & 
Hopper, April 16, 1881. It was short-lived. 

The Detroit Unionist, 
a semi-monthly at twenty-five cents a year, was 
first issued on March 10, 1882, and ceased with the 
number for March 28, 1883. It was originally 
edited by W. Murtagh and then by Judson Grcncll. 



The Evening Telegram, 
a one-cent daily, was published by Rich & Son. 
The first number was issued August 8. and the last 
October 23. 1882. It was continued as 

The Detroit Daily Times, 
a one-cent daily, which was first issued October 24, 
1882. and continued until January 31, 1883. 

The Xa/ional I'eople, 
an organ for colored people, published by W. A. 
Sweeney, was first issued in April, and was discon- 
tinued in July, 1883. 

LIVING P.\PERS AND PERIODICALS. 
The Detroit Post atid Tribune. 
The Post and Tribune numbers several papers in 
its ancestral line, the first of which. 

The Northwestern Journal. 
was published by George L. Whitney. Number I 
of Volume I was dated November 20, 1829. It 
was a weekly paper, at $3.00 a year, edited by Wil- 
liam Ward, and established by the political friends 
of John Quincy Adams. At the close of the first 
year it took the name of 

The Detroit Journal and Michigan Ad'dcrtiser. 
Number I of the new paper bore date November 
24, 1830. It was issued on Wednesday of each 
week, at S2.00 a year. On March 16. 1831. the 
closing editorial of Mr. Ward appeared. He was 
succeeded by H. W. Ik-Uows, the subsequently 
widely known and popular Unitarian minister. 
With the number for June 21. 1832. Charles Cle- 
land became editor, and on August 29 of the same 
year he was succeeded by Thomas Rowland. On 
March i, 1833, the paper was called 

The Detroit Journal, 
and issued as a five-column semi-weekly, at S4-oo 
a year. Mr. Rowland's connection with the paper 
ceased on September 3, 1S34, and he was probably 
succeeded by George Watson. On August 28, 
1835, the paper was made a tri-weekly, and the 
price raised to SS-oo a year. At this time George 
Corselius was editor. 

The first paper merged witli The Journal was 

The Detroit Courier. 

This was established by Stephen Wells on De- 
cember 23, 1830. as a literary and religious news- 
paper. It was edited by George Brewster, and is- 
sued weekly, on Thursdays, at $2. 50 a year. It was 
printed by T. M. Ladd. 

At this time the anti-Masonic excitement grow- 
ing out of the Morgan affair was but little abated, 
and as the publisher would not allow the editor to 



682 



LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



write against Masonry, Mr. Brewster resigned. 
William Ward then clo.sed his connection with The 
Journal and Advertiser and became editor of The 
Courier. He resigned on October 27. 1831, and 
was succeeded on November 3 by Franklin Sawyer, 
Jr.. a graduate of Harvard College. 

On December i, 1831, Wells & Ladd became 
joint publishers of the paper. From January 12 to 
June 21, 1832, Charles Cleland was associated with 
Mr. Sawyer, and after the latter date he became 
sole editor. In this year, and prior to August 23, 
Mr. Cleland became one of the proprietors, and the 
firm name w'as T. M. Ladd & Company. This 
partnership was dissolved on January 9, 1833, and 
Messrs. Cleland & Sawyer became editors and pro- 
prietors. They announced themselves as thoroughly 
anti-Masonic. Their partnership continued only 
till July 31, when Mr. Cleland became sole owner, 
and the name of E. P. Gardner appeared as printer. 
The last number of the paper was issued on Janu- 
ary 14, 1S35, it being thereafter consolidated with 
the Journal under the name of 

The Detroit Joiirnal and Courier. 

This new paper was deemed the legitimate suc- 
cessor of The Northwestern Journal, and the 
volumes were all numbered therefrom ; the first 
issue under the new heading appearing as Volume 
VI, Number 9, January 21, 1835. G. L. Whitney 
was publisher, and the price was $2.00 a year. 

In February a semi-weekly edition called 

The Journal and Advertiser 
was issued ; on August 28 a tri-vveekly edition was 
published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 
at $5.00 a year. The price was increased the next 
year to $6.00. 

The growth of population and the desirability of 
keeping pace with opposing papers, made the estab- 
lishment ofa daily edition a necessity, and on June 
II, 1836, the first number of 

The Detroit Daily Advertiser 
was given to the public. The price was $S.oo a year. 

During all these years the office of the paper was 
in the third story of a building on the southeast 
corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues. In 
1837 it was moved to the southwest corner. In 
January, 1838, the paper was sold to F. A. Harding 
and F. Sawyer; and after a time Augustus S. 
Porter became one of the proprietors. 

In January, 1839, the paper was enlarged, and on 
September 6 was sold to George Dawson, late 
editor of The Albany Evening Journal. Morgan 
Bates was his partner. These gentlemen discon- 
tinued the tri-weekly Advertiser, and all editions of 
the paper now appeared under the title of " Adver- 



tiser," the words "Journal and Courier" being 
omitted. 

A fire on January i, 1842, destroyed the entire 
block in which the ofiice was located, but on Janu- 
ary 4 the paper v\-as issued as usual. Mr. Dawson 
now sold his interest to Mr. Bates, and the paper 
was moved to the Sheldon Block. On November 
10, 1843, it was sold to General A. S. Williams, and 
in May, 1844, it was moved to its original location 
in the third story of King's Corner. 

The third paper absorbed by The Advertiser was 
called 

The Daily Express, 
and was first issued as an evening paper on June 2, 
1S45, by Smith & GuUey, at twelve cents a week. 
It was published for nearly six months, the last 
issue being dated November 29, 1845. The sub- 
scription list was transferred to The Advertiser. 
Although Mr. Williams was absent in the Mexican 
War, The Advertiser was published in his name 
until January i, 184S. He then sold the paper to 
X. I. Rawson, H. H. Duncklee, and George W. Wis- 
ner, who conducted it under the firm name of Raw- 
son. Duncklee & Company. Mr. Wisner was chief 
editor, and was assisted by William S. Wood. In 
this year the office was moved to 226 Jeft'erson 
Avenue, two doors west of Firemen's Hall. 

Rufus Hosmer, who became editor on May 17, 
1849, was noted for his genial character and story- 
telling ability. In 1850 Mr. Rawson sold his interest 
to E. K. Vv'ales, and the same year the paper was 
first printed by steam. 

In the fall of 1852 Mr. Wales erected a building 
at 212 Jefferson Avenue, between Bates and Ran- 
dolph Streets, especially for the paper. He took 
possession on January i, 1853, at which time a new 
steam cylinder press was introduced. In this year 
Mr. Duncklee left the firm, and Mr. Wales became 
sole proprietor. During the year, James M. Ed- 
munds was a regular contributor. 

In the spring of 1S54 Allyn Weston was installed 
as editor, and during the year the paper was in- 
creased to eight columns. About this time Morti- 
mer S. Thompson, better known as " Doesticks," 
was connected with the paper. 

On June 30, 1855, four more papers were added 
to the list represented in the present Post and Trib- 
une. Of these 

The Free Democrat 

was established in September or October, 1S52, as 
a weekly " free soil " paper, by Rev. S. A. Baker. 
A daily edition was commenced on April 3, 1853, at 
$5.00 a year. The paper was then published by R. 
F. Johnstone and S. M. Holmes, under the firm 
name of R. F. Johnstone & Company. On January 



LU'INC. I'Al'F.RS AND PERIODICALS. 



683 



II, 1S54, James F. Conover became a partner, and 
Rev. Jabez Fox one of the editors. 

About this time The Free Democrat became the 
representative of two other papers, namely. 

The Michigan Organ of Tcmpiraiuc, 

printed by G. W. Pattison, and published by H. .S. 
Decker & Company, a weekly, at $1.00 a year. The 
first number was issued about i\Iay 12, 1S52, and 
in February, 1853, it was consolidated with 

The Michigan Temperance Advocate, 

published by F. Yates & Company, the first number 
of which had been issued in December, 1852. 

On November 4, 1854, Mr. Conover dissolved his 
conection with The Free Democrat, selling out to 
Mr. Baker, and on February 5, 1855, the paper was 
consolidated with 

The Daily Enguirer. 

This paper was established on January iS, 1S54, 
as an independent paper with Whig proclivities. 
Rufus Hosmer was editor, Frederick Morley asso- 
ciate editor, and up to the time of its consolidation 
with The Democrat, it was published by Hosmer & 
Williams. The new paper formed by the consoli- 
dation was called 

The Denioeral and Enquirer. 

About four months after its first issue under this 
name, on June 30, 1S55, it was consolidated with 
The Advertiser, which then became a pronounced 
Republican paper, edited as before by Rufus Hos- 
mer. The Democrat and Enquirer was issued as 
an evening paper until November 19, 1855. A 
weekly, called The Michigan Free Democrat, was 
issued during the same period. 

On November 22, 1856, Silas M. Holmes became 
sole proprietor, and was the real publisher until 
August, 1858. Frederick Morley then became pub- 
lisher and editor, with Joseph Warren as associate 
editor. In 1S59 A. M. Griswold, better known as 
the " Fat Contributor," was one of the editorial 
staff. In October, 1861, Messrs. J. E. Scripps and 
M. Geiger became partners with S, M. Holmes, and 
on July 8, 1862, The Advertiser was consolidated 
with 

The Detroit Daily Tribune, 

a Whig paper, established as a weekly October 23, 
1849, at $1.00 a year. A daily morning edition was 
begun on November 19, 1849. In June, 1S51, it 
became an evening paper, price $5.00 a year. The 
paper was projected by Josiah Snow and Henry 
Barns, both of whom acted as editors. It was pub- 
lished by F. B. Way & Company, T. C. Miller fur- 
nishing the capital. The Tribune soon obtained 
the subscription list of 



The Peninsular Erecman, 
a " free soil " paper, which was first issued in the 
fall of 1S48, as a weekly, by Robert McCratney and 
J. D. Liggitt. InDecember. 1851, the ownership 
of The Tribune was vested in Henry Barns and 15. 
G. Stimson, under the firm name of B. G. Stimson 
& Company. On July i. 1852, the paper passed 
into the hands of George E. Pomeroy, B. Wight, 
H. Piarns, and Joseph W'arrcn, the latter serving as 
editor. In the fall of 1854 Mr. Wight sold his 
interest to T. C. Miller, and in the spring of 1855 
H. Barns was the publisher. 

On May 18, 1S56, the office, on the northeast 
corner of Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge 
Street, was burned. After the fire J. F. Conover 
succeeded Mr. Warren, assisted during a portion of 
the time by Charles S. May. On December 31, 
1858, tjie office was again burned. The paper was 
then printed at The Advertiser office until February, 
when it was removed to the east side of Shelby 
Street, just north of Jefferson Avenue, and here it 
was managed by a firm consisting of H. Barns. 
Joseph French, and F. B. Way. After its consoli- 
dation with The Advertiser on July 8, 1862, under 
the name of 

The Advertiser and Tribune, 

it was issued from the old Advertiser office on 
Jefferson Avenue. The new proprietorship took 
the form of a corporation, with Henry Barns, of 
The Tribune, as editor, and James E. Scripps, of 
The Advertiser, as business manager; its general 
affairs were regulated by a board of five directors, 
elected annually. From the fall of 1863 until Janu- 
ary I, 1S67, W. S. George was business manager. 

By this time the proprietors were hungr)' for 
another paper, and accordingly, \n the nth day of 
Januar\', I S64, they purchased 

The Detroit Free Union. 

This paper, a semi-monthly, at $1.50 a year, was 
started by F. B. Porter; the first number was issued- 
July 18, 1863. On October 15 a weekly edition was 
begun. After a struggle of some two years, the paper, 
like many of its predecessors, was discontinued. 

When the consolidation with the Advertiser and 
Tribune took place E. B. W'ard purchased the 
interest of S. M. Holmes in The Advertiser and 
Tribune. 

In February, 1865, J. E. Scripps bought E. B. 
Ward's interest for $24,000. Of this, stock to the 
amount of $10,000 was sold, half to Hiram Walker 
and half to E. C. Walker. In 1868 Hiram Walker 
purchased an additional $5,000 worth of stock, and in 
1872 $5,000 more. On January i, 1870. the paper was 
moved to a building erected in the rear of the pres- 
ent elegant iron and stone building on Lamed Street 



684 



LI\INc; PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



West, erected in 1873. In July, 1S72, a Hoe four- 
cylinder type-revolving press, the first in the State, 
was set up. In 1873 and 1879, Hiram Walker 
bought still more of the stock of the paper, and in 
1880 owned most of the stock of the corporation. 

Mr. Conover, who had been editor-in-chief since 
1863, was succeeded, on April 29. 1871. by Charles 
K. Backus. In 1870 
William M. Carle- 
ton was one of the 
editors of the week- 
ly. In February, 
1873, J, E. Scripps 
retired from the 
general manage- 
ment, and was suc- 
ceeded by H. E. 
Baker, and in 1877 
the paper was con- 
solidated with 



The Detroit Daily 
Post. 



lowing persons were connected with the editorial 
department : L. J. Bates, E. G. Holden, W. J. Gib- 
son, H. M. Utley, Ray Haddock, and Alexander 
Morrison. 

On June 10, 1866, a .Sunday edition took the place 
of the Monday issue. An evening edition was sent out 
on Augu.st 22 and was continued until December i. 

After its consol- 
idation with The 
Tribune, the first 
number of the pa- 
per, under the title 
of 

T/ie Post and 
Tribune 

was issued October 
14, 1877. A paper 
called 



This paper, wliose * 
publication was be- 
gun March 27, 1866, 
was the first eight- 
page daily issued in 
Detroit. It contin- 
ued in that form for 
nearly four years. 
T r i - w e e k 1 y and 
weekly editions 
were begun with the 
daily. The paper 
was established as a 
radical Republican 
organ by a joint 
stock company. Z. 
Chandler and E. B. 
Ward were large 
shareholders. Carl 
Schurz was editor- 
in-chief for a year; 
and from March, 
1867, to January I, 
1876, the editorial 
and business departments were under the control 
of Frederick Morley. 

During the first year of its existence Charles F. 
Clark and H. B. Rowlson were in charge of its 
business department; after January I, 1876, it was 
managed by L. F. Harter. From the time Mr. 
Morley left until the consolidation of the paper 
with The Advertiser and Tribune, William Stocking 
was chief editor, and during its existence the fol- 




The Dailv Pi 
42 tn 4R T.ained Street 



T/ie Evening 
Telegraph, 

at two cents per 
copy, was issued by 
the same corpora- 
tion from October 
15. 1877, until No- 
vember 15, 1878. 

On May 1 1, 1879, 
the office of the 
Post and Tribune 
was damaged by 
fire, with a loss of 
830,000. On March 
I, 1 88 1, the paper 
was sold to a new 
company, and one 
month later William 
Stocking succeeded 
Mr. Backus as man- 
aging editor. 

After the consol- 
idation, L, F. Harter 
managed the busi- 
ness department 
until February 18, 
1878, when he was 
succeeded by James 
H. Stone, and he on June 17, 1882, by William H. 
Thompson. On September 3, 1883, Frederick 
Morley became sole manager of both the editorial 
and business departments of the paper. The price 
of the daily was reduced from 1 10.00 to $7.00 on 
November i, 1883. The price of the .-iemi-weekly 
is 84.00. of the weekly, $1 .00 per year. 

On June 12, 1S81, the paper was first jirinted on a 
Scott Rotary Press, and changed from a four-page 



ST IJlilLDlNi,. 

West. I'uilt in 1873. 



LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



685 



to an eight-page daily. On the day of introducing 
the new press a seven-column paper of thirty-two 
pages was issueil, also a supplement giving a fac- 
simile of the lirst number of the first paper pub- 
lished in Michigan. 

The press prints, cuts, folds, and pastes from ten 
to twelve thousand papers per hour. 

On August I, 1884. the paper was transferred 
to J. L. Stickney, who became chief editor and 
manager, and on the same date the paper tirst 
appeared under the title of The Daily Post. 

The Detroit Free Press. 

The burning of The Gazette in April, 1S30, left 
Mr. McKnight, its proprietor, without suflicient 
means to establish a new paper ; but the rush of 
immigration to Michigan was beginning, and a 
paper was essential to the interests of the Demo- 
cratic party. In order to meet the demand, Joseph 
Campau and John R. Williams, under the firm 
name of Joseph Campau & Company, ptux'hased 
The Oakland County Chronicle (which had been 
published by Thomas Simpson, at Pontiac, from 
June 25, 1830), and gave Mr. McKnight the control 
of the material, which was to be paid for as soon as 
circumstances would admit. 

The type and presses were removed to Detroit, 
and as far as possible the subscribers of The Chroni- 
cle were retained for 

The Democratic Free Press and Michigan 
Inteltigeiicer, 
which was first issued on Thursday, May 5, 1831, 
On June 2 John P. Sheldon assumed the editorship, 
but resigned on account of illness on August 25 of 
the same year. The price of the paper was !j;2.oo a 
year ; the office was on the corner of I5ates and 
Woodbridge Streets. 

On October 27, 1831, C. \V. Whipple was ap- 
pointed fiscal agent of the stockholders. With the 
beginning of the second volume, on January 5, 1832, 
the paper was enlarged, the words " Michigan In- 
telligencer " omitted from the title, and the day of 
issue changed from Thursday to Wednesday. 
Charles Cleland was editor. In February Messrs. 
S. i\IcKnight, T. C. Sheldon, and Andrew Mack 
bought out the original owners, and Mr. McKnight 
was made sole manager. On the 3d of the month, a 
Bar dinner, given on the retirement of the judges, 
took place, and The Free Press of February 9 con- 
tained an account of the speeches which were quite 
laudatory of the judges. The people were so glad 
to be relieved of obno.xious judges tliat the article 
greatly displeased many persons, as it was thought 
that the judges indulged in too much self-gratu- 
lation, and that the members of the Bar were too 



complimentary in their speeches. Such a clamor 
was raised that on May 3 Cleland was forced from 
the editorial chair, and John P. Sheldon again placed 
in charge. On November 8, 1832, the office was 
removed to a three-story brick building nearly op- 
posite the Post-office, which was then on the south 
side of Jefferson Avenue near Wayne Street. Early 
in April, 1833, John P. Sheldon was appointed 
assistant superintendent of lead mines west of the 
Mississippi River, and Sheldon McKnight became 
editor and publisher. The paper continued to be 
issued as a weekly until June ly, 1S35, when it be- 
came a semi-weekly. 

The constantly increasing number of educated 
people that were streaming into the State encour- 
aged a further venture ; and on September 28, 1835, 
McKnight issued the first number of The Daily 
Free Press. It was the first attempt of the kind in 
the State. The sheet was a folio, with a page about 
ten by seventeen inches. The price was $8.00 a 
year. The office, at this time, was at 63 Jefferson 
Avenue, on the northeast corner of Shelby Street. 
On February i, 1836, McKnight sold out to L. L. 
Morse, who had been editor of The Ontario (New 
York) Messenger, and John S. Bagg, both of whom 
acted as editors. On June 27, 1836, the paper 
was enlarged from four to si.x columns in width, 
about a column in length, and otherwise improved 
in appearance. On July 22 following John S. Bagg 
became sole proprietor. 

On January 4, 1837, at three o'clock P. M., a fire 
broke out in the Sheldon Block, and burned the 
office together with several other buildings. After 
the fire, on February i, 1837, J. S. Bagg, S. A. Bagg. 
and Henry Barns became publishers, under the firm 
name of Bagg, Barns, & Company. They located 
over King's clothing store, on the corner of Jeffer- 
son and Woodward Avenues. On February 23 
they, issued their first paper. They began the semi- 
weekly edition on February 28, and resumed the 
daily as Volume I, Number I, on June 5, 1837. On 
February 16, 1838, J. S. and S. A. Bagg became 
sole owners of the paper, and on April 10, 1840, A. 
S. Bagg became proprietor. On August 26, 1841, 
the office was moved to the old Museum Building on 
the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Gris- 
wold Street, and here, on January i, 1842, the office 
was again burned. The fire destroyed the entire 
block, and as both the Free Press and Advertiser 
offices were burned, neither could aid the other. 

On January 3, 1842, A. S. Bagg and J. H. Harmon 
formed a new firm. In order to obtain type, they in- 
duced The Macomb Republican and The Port Huron 
Observer to suspend for the winter, and on January 
II, on the corner of Shelby Street and Jefferson 
.■\ venue, they issued a five column paper ; the second 
number was si.x columns wide and a column longer; 



686 



LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



and then several numbers were issued of about half 
size. On January 28. 1S42, the paper resumed its 
old form, but although issued daily, the word " daily" 
was dropped from the heading. During April the 
proprietors of The Observer took away their press, 
and consequently the sheets printed from April 14 
to 18 were reduced in size. On March 3, 1843, the 
office was moved half way towards Griswold Street, 
opposite the Cooper Block, and here, beginning with 
March 15, 1844, it was published solely as an even- 
ing paper until January 7, 1845, when it resumed its 
morning issue. Soon after, C. B. Flood became 
editor, and on September 30 the paper was enlarged 
one column in width. 

Between May and December, 1845, the office 
was moved to Woodward Avenue, opposite old St. 
Paul's Church, and here, in 1846, the first power 
press in Michigan, and the first west of Buffalo, 
was set up. The first work printed was the 
Revised Statutes of that year. In May, 1847, 
John S. Bagg again became editor, and the paper 
was enlarged one column in length. During 
these years but little attention was paid to local 
items, or else there was a remarkable dearth of 
events worth noting. On May 9, 1849, A. S. Bagg 
sold out his interest to John S. Bagg; and early in 
1850 the paper was issued by Bagg, Harmon, & 
Company. On June 22 the firm name was changed 
to Harmon, Brodhead, & Company, with R. O. 
Harmon, T. F. Brodhead, and Jacob Barns as pro- 
prietors, T. F. Brodhead serving as editor. On 
September 23, 1S50, the paper was moved to 50 
Griswold Street, just north of Jefferson Avenue. 

During this year it absorbed the subscription list 
of 

The Detroit Commercial Bulletin, 

a paper established on May 28, 1848, by Daniel 
Munger and (jeorge W. Pattison, with daily, tri- 
weekly, and weekly editions. On April i, 1851, 
The Free Press again changed owners, Jacob Barns, 
S. M. Johnson, and T. F. Brodhead becoming pub- 
lishers under the firm name of Barns, Brodhead, & 
Company. Messrs. Brodhead and Johnson served 
as editors. This year the office was provided with 
new type, and on October 7 the paper was enlarged 
to seven columns, and the word "daily" again ap- 
peared in the title. The paper was now for the 
first time printed by steam. An effort had been 
made to use steam in 1847, but as the boiler and 
engine were defective, and the floor not strong 
enough, the press was operated by man-power un- 
til the fall of 1851. The occasion which led to the 
use of steam was as follows : The work of printing 
in book form the report of the g^eat Michigan Cen- 
tral Railroad conspiracy case had been under- 
taken by E. A. Wales of The .Advertiser. His press 
facilities were inadequate, and the Free Press office 



was called upon to aid in the work. During the 
printing the man-power proved so unreliable that 
steam was substituted. A careful e.xamination of 
the files of the paper fails to disclose the date on 
which the paper was first printed by steam. It 
seems singular indeed that so important an event, 
an event marking an era in the West, should have 
gone unnoticed, and it seems doubly strange in view 
of the fact that the papers of the present day, at 
least, are not over-modest in the recital of their 
achievements. One of the proprietors of the paper 
at that time, in a letter on this subject, says, "We 
did not then publish our own enterprise as is now 
so universal with the press." 

On April 7, 1852, another change of proprietors 
took place, the paper being issued by Jacob Barns 
and S. M. Johnson under the firm name of Jacob 
Barns & Company. Mr. Johnson served as editor 
until February 3, 1853, when W. F. Storey became 
both editor and proprietor. The paper was enlarged 
one column in width and one in length on the 17th 
of the same month, and on October 2, 1853, a Sun- 
day paper was issued for the first time. It took 
the place of the Monday issue. 

In the fall of 1859, or early in 1S60, the oflice was 
moved to the northwest corner of Griswold and 
Woodbridge Streets. On June 5, 1861, Henry N. 
Walker became editor and proprietor, and on Au- 
gust 28, F. L. Seitz became a partner. The firm 
name was Walker & Seitz. On December 24 of 
the same year the paper was sold to a new firm, 
composed of H. N. Walker, C. H. Taylor, and 
Jacob Barns. In 1861 William E. Ouinby became 
one of the editors, and two years later purchased a 
quarter interest in the establishment. 

On January 2, 1865, the paper was reduced one 
column in width and one in length ; on May 29 it 
was enlarged to eight columns, and on August 7, 
1866, it was issued in quarto form. 

On August 18, 1866. a stock company was or- 
ganized under the name of The Detroit Free Press 
Company. The quarto form of the paper was dis- 
continued on April 3, 1867, and the folio form rein- 
stated, with an enlargement, on August 22, 1869, 
of one column. In 1872 W. E. Quinby became 
half owner of the paper, and in January, 1875, he 
purchased a large share of the remainder of the 
stock. The paper has always ranked as the leading 
Democratic paper of Michigan, and during most of 
the time since it was founded, it has been the only 
English Democratic paper in the city. It has 
achieved much popularity through the " Lime Kiln 
Club" articles of C. B. Lewis, whose 710m de plume 
is M. Quad. 

The weekly supplement known as The House- 
hold was first issued on January 12. 1878. It is 
designed especially for the ladies. On April 29, 



LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



687 



1878, the office was burned out, but it was soon re- 
established, and on June 2 followinij the Free Press 
Company, for the first time in Michigan, made use 
of tlie papier-mache stereotype process, and with a 
new Bullock perfecting press with Scott folder was 
able to print, fold, and paste twelve thousand papers 
per hour. The event was signalized by printing 
a thirty-two-page 
paper with a sup- 
plement of four 
pages, and at this 
time the paper was 
changed from folio 
to quarto form. On 
July 16, 1881, the 
company inaugu- 
rated a new depar- 
ture by sending 
the papier-mache 
matrices of their 
weekly paper to 
London, and print- 
ing there a regular 
weekly edition, to 
which a few special 
columns were ad- 
ded. The first issue 
of the paper was 
sixteen thousand ; 
the second, eigh- 
teen thousand ; bv 
December i it had 
reached a bona fide 
sale of thirty-fi\"e 
thousand copies 
weekly ; and on 
Christmas a specia! 
holiday edition nt 
one hundred thou- 
sand copies was 
printed. It is sold 
for a penny, and 
up to 1883 was the 
only American pa- 
per republished in 
the Old World. 

The first number was made particularly attractive 
to Londoners by the salutatory of our fellow-towns- 
man Bronson Howard. His long tarry in London 
and the success of his plays had made him so well 
known that his "send off " was of great value. In 
June, 1884, the Detroit office was moved to the 
northeast corner of Earned and Shelby Streets. The 
first paper in the new location was issued on June 
8th, the event being signalized by the issue of a 
thirty-si.\-page paper. The facilities afforded in its 
new quarters are second to those of no other paper. 



The present stockholders 
G. Boynton, N. Eisenlord, 
Bell, John O'Connors, and 
editorial staff consists of 
Boynton, Joseph Greusel, 
Bell, Geo. P. Goodale, C. 
John Barr, B. K. Wright, 




The Fkee Press Bl'ildinlj. N. L. Cuk. Lak.ned and SutLLY Streets, 



are Wm. E. Ouinby. .\. 

Joseph Gruesel. John A. 

Geo. P. Goodale. The 

Wm. E. Ouinby, A. G. 

E. G. HoFden, John \. 

B. Lewis, Robert Barr, 
J. E. Robison. George 
F. Hellwig, C. L. 
Dean, Geo. H. 
Taylor, F. H. Hos- 
ford. Theo. Quinby, 
Frank Bennett, 
Mrs. M. L. Rayne, 
and Miss Jennie O. 
Starkey. The daily 
is §7 .00 a year, and 
the weekly $1.00, 
issued on Tues- 
days. 

The AHgcmeinc 
Zcitiiiig, 
a German Demo- 
cratic weekly, at 
$2.00, was first is- 
sued by Dr. An- 
thony Kaminsky 
on September 21. 
1 844 ; with the 
beginning of the 
second volume the 
name was changed 
to Staats Zeitung 
of Michigan, and 
the price reduced 
to $1.50. In the 
spring of 184S M. 
H. .Allardt became 
a partner with Ka- 
minsky. remaining 
one year. In 1850 
Kaminsky died, 
and Messrs. Butz & 
Schimniel bought 
the paper and 
changecf the name 
to Michigan Tribune, or German Organ of the 
Democracy. Of this new paper Casper Butz was 
editor, and as early as July, 1850, he became pro- 
prietor. The paper continued until 1854, when it 
was merged with 

The Michigan Democrat, 

which was established the same year by a joint 
stock company composed of Dr. P. Klein, F. Ruehle, 
J. B. Schmittdiel, G. M. Rich, B. and C. Fischer. 
and others. The paper did not prove a success, and 



688 



LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



on May i, 1856, it was sold to P. Klein, who trans- 
ferred it, on Jantiary 10, 1857, lo Doniedion & 
Kramer, who, the same year, bought out 

The Michigan Volksblatt, 

a semi-weekly, at $2.00 a year, which was first issued 
'on May i, 1853, by F. & W. Schimniel, with Ru- 
dolph Diepenbeck as editor. The paper was called 
The Michigan Democrat and Volksblatt. In De- 
cember, 1858, Philip Kramer bought out the interest 
of Domedion, and became a partner. Two years 
later, in November, i860, a daily issue was begun, 
and about this time the name was changed to 
Michigan \'olksblatt. Under this title, in May, 
1862, it purchased 

The Michigan S/aa/s Zcituiig, 

a daily morning paper, first published in 1858 by 
Charles D. Unas ; Constantine Beyerle was his part- 
ner in 1859. The price of the daily is §6.00, and of 
the weekly, $2.50 a year. 

The Michigan Journal ami Herald 

dates its beginning from The Michigan Journal, the 
first German daily published in Michigan ; it was 
established on June 13, 1855, with daily and weekly 
editions, by A. &; C. Mar.xhausen. In June, 1870, 
it was sold to F. Cornehl and F. Pope, who discon- 
tinued the daily after March, 1S76, and at the same 
time merged the paper with The Herald of Mil- 
waukee. The paper, under the title of Michigan 
Journal and Herald, has since been issued weekly, 
both from Milwaukee and Detroit, by Pope & Cole- 
man, at $2.50 a year. 

The Comntcrcial Advertiser and Michigan 
Home Journal 
was established in 1861 by Charles F. Clark, under 
the name of The Commercial Advertiser, a weekly 
at $1.00 a year. On January i, 1S63. it was sold to 
William H. Hurk, and in the fall of 1866 the name 
" Michigan Home Journal" was added. Originally 
established chiefly as a commercial paper, it has for 
several y«ars circulated as a literary and family paper. 
The price is $2.50 a year. 

Till American Honuropathic Obser^ier, 

a monthly homoeopathic journal, was established by 
Dr. E. A. Lodge in January, 1S64. The price is 
$2.50 a year. 

Tlie Familien Blaetter, 

a German Rcpublic;m weekly, was established by 
Aug. Marxhausen, July i, 1S66, at 82.50 a year. A 
daily issue, called The Abend Post has been pub- 
lished since September I, 186S. Price. $7.00 per 
year. 



The Agricultural and Horlicullural Journal, 
a semi-monthly, was established by Pope iS: Cole- 
man on January I, 1869. Price, $1.25 a year. 

TIic Michigan Farmer and Slate Journal oj 

Agriculture 
was commenced, as an entirely new weekly paper, 
on May 15, 1869, by Johnstone & Gibbons. Price, 
$2.00 a year. 

The Progress oJ the Age, 

a semi-weekly, published by Pope & Coleman, was 
established in January, 1872. Price, $1.25 a year. 

The Western Home Journal, 

an eight-page Catholic weekly, at $2.00 a year, was 
established by the Home Journal Company, Septem- 
ber 28, 1S72. On January 15, 1878, William E. 
Savage became the proprietor, and on January 5, 
1883, he was succeeded by W. H. Hughes, who 
continued its publication under the name of The 
Michigan Catholic. 

The Evening News. 

This, the first successful cheap daily in .Michigan, 
was established on August 23, 1873, by J. E. Scripps. 
For the first two months it was printed at The Free 
Press office ; then, on October 23, it was moved to 




The Evening News Building. — 65 Sheluv Stkeet. 
(Built in 1S77.) 

Shelby Street where four years later a commodious 
brick building was erected for it. It was printed on 
a four-cylinder Hoe press from 1873 to 1880. when 
a Scott web press, with a capacity of 28,000 sheets 
per hour was substituted and in 1883 the printing 
facilities were further increased by a second press 



LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



689 



of like capacity. From the first the paper was ex- 
ceptionally prosperous and it closed its tenth year 
with a circulation of 40,000 copies daily. For 
several years it boasted a larger daily circulation 
than all other daily papers in Michigan combined, 
and is claimed to be the most valuable newspaper 
property in the state. Among those who largely 
aided Mr. Scripps in the development of the paper 
have been M. J. Dee, R. B. Ross, G. R. Osmun, 
John McVicar, Charles F. May, and others in the 
editorial department ; \V. H. Brearley, A. H. Herron, 
and G. H. Scripps, in the business department; and 
R. W. Wyckoff. in the mechanical. The paper has 
been the defendant in a great number of prosecu- 
tions for libel and is perhaps the only newspaper in 
the country which has ever had to pay a judgment 
of $20,000 and costs, that amount being paid in 
1884 in the famous Maclean case. Towards this 
amount a considerable sum was contributed by 
those who believed the paper to have been harshly 
treated. In July 27, 1876, the paper absorbed the 
subscription lists of 

T/ie Detroit Daily Union, 

which had been started as a workingmen's organ 
on July 4, 1S65, by a company of striking printers, 
which later became a democratic paper, and ulti- 
mately fell into the hands of John Atkinson and T. 
D. Hawley. W. H. Thompson was its business 
manager, during the greater part of its history, and 
was succeeded by M. H. Godfrey. Thomas M. 
Cook was its last editor. On October 15, 1S78, a 
weekly edition of The Evening News was estab- 
lished under the name of The Echo. 

The Michigan Christian Herald, 

the State organ of the Baptist Church, was first pub- 
lished at Kalamazoo on February i, 1870, by L. H. 
Trowbridge as a bi-monthly, under the name of 
The Torchlight. In January, 187 1, it was changed 
to a monthly, and on January i, 1873, was issued 
bi-weekly at $2.00 a year, under the title of The 
Herald and Torchlight. In October, 1873, it was 
moved to Detroit, and on January i, 1874, it was 
i-ssued as a weekly, at S2.00 a year. On January i, 
1875, it took its present title, The Michigan Chris- 
tian Herald, and on January i, 1880, was enlarged 
from four to eight pages. 

The Public Leader, 

a paper devoted to the interests of wine, beer, and 
liquor dealers, was established May 19, 1874, by the 
Leader Publishing Company. In 1874, the com- 
pany bought the Trades Journal of Ottawa. Illinois. 
The Leader was sold on May I, 1875, to H. S. Pot- 
ter, and sixteen days later was transferred to W. J. 
H. Traynor. The price is $2.00 a year. 



The Michigan Christian Advocate 
is the successor of The Adrian District Methodist, 
a monthly paper first issued October i, 1873, by 
Rev. O. Whitmore, at Adrian ; it was published on 
the recommendation of the preachers of the Adrian 
District, two of whom. Rev. I.N. Elwood and Rev. 
A. F. Bourns, were especially helpful in starting the 




kSilrta£flti^\Vl 



MlCHIGA.N- ChRI^TI,^'. ]iK^v,L;> Lni.-ijiNu. liliLT iifio. 



690 



LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



paper. On the recommendation of the district con- 
ferences of several districts, it was enlarged on 
December i, and the name changed to Michigan 
Christian Advocate. In September, 1874, the De- 
troit Conference adopted it as its local organ, and 
in December the Methodist Publishing Company 
organized, bought the paper, and removed it to 
Detroit, where on January i. 1875, it was first issued 
as a weekly. Rev. O. Whitmore and Rev. L. R. 
Fiske, D. D.. were engaged as editors, and con- 
tinued in charge until September, when Rev. J. M. 
Arnold succeeded to the editorship, and is still in 
charge, with Rev. J. H. Potts as associate editor. 
With the issue for November 12, 18S1, the paper 
was changed from folio to quarto form. Price, 
$1.50 a year. 



New Preparations, 

a medical quarterly, was first issued in January, 
1877, by George S. Davis. It was edited by Dr. 
C. H. Leonard. In January, 1879, it was changed 
to a monthly, and Dr. William Brodie became the 
editor. In Januar\-, 1880, the name was changed to 

The'rapeittic Gazette. 

This is a royal octavo of four hundred and eighty 
pages yearly. The price is $1.00 a year. 

The Detroit Daily Hotel Reporter and Kaihvay 

Guide. 
was fust issued March 17, 1877, by W. J. H. 
Traynor. 



The AinpJn'on, 

a musical monthly, established by Whittemore iS: 
Stephens in August, 1S74, is published by Roe 
Stephens, at Si. 10 per year. 

Die Stimnie der Waltrheit, 

a German weekly, at $2.50 a year, was commenced 
in 1875, with J. B. Mueller and E. Andries as 
editors and proprietors. 

Tlie W'ayne County Courier 

was established at Wyandotte in May, 1870, under 
the title of The Wyandotte Enterprise by D. E. 
Thomas, and sold in 1871 to H. A. Grilhn. Soon 
after, Griffin & Bates, and on January i, 1872, 
Griffin & Nellis, were publishers. In 1879 the paper 
was sold to E. O'Brien. Its politics were Republi- 
can until its removal to Detroit in 1876, when it 
became the first Greenback paper in Michigan. 
After its sale to Mr. O'Brien, it again became a 
Republican paper. In 18S1 it was published by 
O'Brien li Robertson, and on October 27, 1881. it 
was sold to W. J. H. Traynor. The price is $1.25 
a year. 

The Medical Advance, 

a quarterly, which was first published in January, 
1877, by Dr. C. H. Leonard, at fifty cents a year, was 
continued for three years, and then succeeded by 

Leonard's Illustrated Medical Journal, 

first issued in 1880. The price is 50 cents a year. 

The Index, 

an advertising octavo, was first issued November 15, 
1877, by T. J. Crowe. 



TIte Michigan Railroad Guide, 

a monthly, has been issued since May, 1S77, by E. 
Schober. Price, S'.oo a vear. 



The Family Circle, 

published by Pope & Coleman, a weekly at $1.25 a 
year, was first issued in January, 1878. 

TJie Detroit Lancet, 

a monthly, edited by Drs. L. Connor and H. A. 
Cleland, was first published in 1878 by E. B. Smith 
& Company, at Ss-oo a year. In May, 1879, 
George S. Davis became the publisher, and L. 
Connor, M. D., sole editor. 

The Medical Age, 

also published by George S. Davis, is the successor 
of 

The Michigan Medical News. 

a semi-monthly, edited and published by Dr. J.J. 
Mulheron, and first issued in January-, 1878, at §1.00 
a year. In Januarys 18S3, it was purchased by 
George S. Davis. 

The Detroit Clinic, 
a weekly, at $1.00 a year, was established January 
4, 18S2, with H. O.' Walker. M. D., and O. W. 
Owen. .M. D„ as editors, and Drs. Theodore A. 
McGraw, E. L. Shurly, N. W. Webber, and T. N. 
Reynolds as associate editors. It was owned by 
George S. Davis, who, after the purchase of The 
Michigan Medical News, combined the two periodi- 
cals under the name of The Medical Age. It is a 
semi-monthly, at $1.00 a year. Dr. John Mulheron, 
managing editor; Drs. Henry F. Lyster, T. A. Mc- 
Graw, Daniel La Ferte, and H. O. Walker, asso- 
ciate editors. 



LIVING PAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 



691 



.'/ AVif Idea. 
This monthly paper, devoted to pharmaceutical 
interests, is published by F. Stearns & Company, 
and was established in January, 1878. Price, fifty 
cents a year. 

Michigan A. O. U. IV. Herald. 
This organ of the American Order of United 
Workmen was first issued in May. 1878. The price 
is fifty cents a year, and it is published monthly. 

Every Saturday 
may be called the successor of 

Detroit Society News, 
edited by E. D. Daniels, the first paper of the 
kind in Detroit. It was a weekly, published by the 
Michigan Ready Print Company, at $1.00 per year, 
from December 14, 1878, to March, 1880, when it 
was sold, and transformed into Every Saturday, 
established by Moore & Parker on March 6, 1880. 
In February, 1S84, it was sold to W. H. Brearley, 
and H. A. Ford then became editor, and was suc- 
ceeded in June by Miss Alice Cary. It is a literary 
and society paper. Price, $1.50 a year. 

Chaff, 
a society paper, was first issued March 26, 1S81, by 
D. J. McDonald and Lloyd Brezee. In July, 1881, 
Mr. McDonald retired, and in July, 18S3, the paper 
was sold to George M. Chester. The price is $2.00 
a year. 

The Detroit Marine Neivs, 
a weekly, at S2.00 a year, first issued April 29, 1881, 
is edited and published by Watson Jones. 

The Fainity Herald, 
a weekly story paper, at $2.00 a year, published by 
W. J. H. Traynor, was first issued on May 7, 1881. 

The Home Messenger, 
a monthly, was first issued by the Board of Man- 
agers of the Home of the Friendless on December 
I, 1868, at seventy-five cents a year. It was discon- 
tinued in December, 1879, and resumed in March, 

1882, as a quarterly at %i.oo a year, with Mrs. C. F. 
Livermore as editor. 

The Indicator, 
a monthly paper, devoted to insurance and real 
. estate matters, was first issued in May, 1S82. Price, 
$1.00 a year. It is published by W. H. Burr. 

The IVestern Newspaper Union 
is the successor of The Michigan Ready Print, 
established in 1877 by Joseph Saunders. The first 
number of the Union was issued on January i, 

1883. It is a weekly, at $1.00 a year. M. H. Red- 
field, manager. 



The Manufacturer and Inventor, 
a si.xteen-page monthly, price $1.00 a year, was first 
issued in March, 1883, J. B. McDowd, editor. 

The Western Land Guide, 
a monthly, devoted to all matters concerning lands, 
was first issued in May, 1883. The price is $1.00 
a year. It is published by Willco.x & Howell. 

The Detroit Plaindealer 
is a weekly devoted to the interests of the colored 
race. It was first issued on May 16, 1883. It is 
published by Jacob Coleman, R. and B. Pelham, R. 
Redman, and W. Stone. Price. $1.50. 

The Spectator, 
the organ of several labor organizations, was first 
issued June 16, 1883. It is a weekly, at $1.50 a 
year. 

The Michigan Mirador and Good Templar. 

The history of the two papers represented in the 
above title is as follows ; A paper called The Michi- 
gan Good Templar, a monthly, at thirty-five cents 
a year, with C. P. Russell and C. S. Pitkin as edi- 
tors, was first issued in December, 1882, and after 
one year was sold to W. W. Secord. He was then 
publishing The Michigan Mirador at Belleville, 
Wayne County, having begun its publication in 
April, 1 88 1. .A.fter purchasing The Good Templar, 
he continued both papers for a year. In May, 1883, 
he removed to Detroit, and in December both 
papers were consolidated under the above title. It 
is a weekly prohibition paper, at S>-00 a year. 

The Detroit Commercial, 
a weekly, at $1.00 a year, published by R. C. Wilby, 
was first issued on August 17, 1883. 

The Detroit Evening Journal. 
This paper, published by the Evening Journal 
Company, was founded by Lloyd Breeze and first 
issued September i, 1883. with Lloyd Brezee as 
editor-in-chief and C. C. Packard as business mana- 
ger. It is a tw'o-cent daily, and commenced with 
a capital of only $3,200. Originally an individual 
enterprise, on December 6, 1883, a stock company 
with $37,500 cash capital was formed for its publi- 
cation. The amount was increased on May 27, 
1884, to $50,000. On September 18 a controlling 
interest in the paper was sold to S. J. Tomlinson. 
who became its chief editor. It was at first located 
at 50 Lamed Street West. On May 24, 1884. it was 
established in a building at No. 40 Congress Street 
West, issuing then and since an eight-page paper 
on Saturdays. In its new quarters it commenced 
using one of the latest styles of the Scott press, the 
press doing all that any other presses in the city will 



692 



CITY PRINTERS. 



perform, besides pasting, folding and counting its 
papers in packages. 

Tlie Detroit Times, 
Tfiis two-cent morning daily was first issued De- 
cember 4, 1S83. The office is at 47 Larned Street 
West. It is conducted by a stock company, with a 
capital of $30,000; Charles Moore, Charles M. 
Parker, D. J. McDonald, and Frank E. Robinson 
being the chief managers. They print a paper every 
day in the year, a four-page paper being issued on 
week days and eight pages on Sundays. On the 
morning of April 11, 1S84, their office was entirely 
destroyed by fire, but through the courtesy of other 
papers their morning paper was promptly issued. 

The American Meteorological Journal 
a monthly, at $3.00 a year, was first issued in May, 
1S84. It is published by W. H. Burr & Company, 
and edited by Prof. M. \V. Harrington, of Ann Ar- 
bor. 

CITY PRINTERS. 

Appointments to the office of city printer were 
made as early as 1824, but the duties of the office 
were not prescribed until 1842. After that year 
proposals for printing were invited, and yearly con- 
tracts made, for printing the proceedings of the 
council. Proposals are invited by the Comptroller, 
and the contract is awarded by the council at the 
beginning of each fiscal year. 

The contractor for the Public Printing prints in 
some daily paper full proceedings of all meetings 
of the council, and furnishes about twenty-five 
copies for the use of city officers and aldermen. 
He also prints annually the notices of tax sales, the 
proceedings of the council and the reports of all the 
officers and of some of the boards. Since 1 870 the 
several official reports have been collected annually 
and boinid in one volume. 

By Act of April 13, 1871, provision was made for 
printing the proceedings of the council in a German 
newspaper. By Act of 1879, not more than $2,500 
may be paid for printing official proceedings in all 
languages ; and the publishing of the tax-list is 
restricted to one official paper. The bills for city 
printing for various decades have been : 1830, %6}, ; 
1S40, $297; 1S50, $685; i860, $2,393; 1S70, $13,- 
633; 1880, $13,908. 

We give below a list of the city printers who have 
printed the official proceedings of the council : 

1824, Sheldon & Wells; 1825, Sheldon & Reed ; 
1826-1829, Chipman & Seymour; 1829, H. S. Ball ; 
1830, Sheldon & Wells; 1831, Sheldon McKnight ; 
1832, G. L. Whitney; 1833- 1834, Cleland & Saw- 
yer; I S34-1 837, G. L. Whitney; 1837, Bagg, Barns, 
& Company; 1838, G. L. Whitney; 1839, Daw- 
son & Bates; 1840, J. S. Bagg; 1841, Dawson & 



Bates; 1842, Bagg & Harmon; 1843, Sheldon 
McKnight ; 1844-1847, A. S. Williams ; 1847, Bagg 
& Harmon ; 1848-1850, H. H. Duncklee & Com- 
pany ; 1 850, F. B. Way & Company ; 1 85 1 , Duncklee 
& Wales; 1S52-1862, W. F. Storey; 1862-1864, 
Advertiser and Tribune ; 1 864- 1 866, Walker, Barns, 
& Co.; 1866, Daily Union Company; 1867, Free 
Press Company ; 1868, Advertiser S: Tribune; 1869- 
1871, Free Press Company; 1871-1874, Daily Post 
Company; 1874, J. E. Scripps ; 1875, Free Press ; 
1876, Daily Post ; 1877, Evening News ; 1878, Free 
Press Company; 1879, Post and Tribune; 1880, 
F"ree Press; 1881- , Post and Tribune. 

NEWSBOYS. 

These are one of the modern institutions, the out- 
growth of war influences and of the larger popula- 
tion of the city. Newsboj's and bootblacks were 
comparatively unknown prior to the summer of 
1861 ; since that time there has been a constant in- 
crease in their number. In April, 1862, an attempt 
was made to have them licensed, but the effort 




A NEUbDuV. 

failed. Four years later they had become very 
numerous, and many of them, having no home, 
slept in the streets. Mrs. Beulah Brinton made an 
earnest effort to promote their welfare by providing 
lodgings for them in the Hawley Block ; but after a 
few months' trial, the attempt was abandoned. In 
1 874 and 1875 a similar and more persistent effort 
was made, chiefly supported by Luther Beecher. 
A school for two evenings in a week was established, 
and a Sabbath school, and food and clothing were 
provided, but after several months' effort the difficul- 
ties of the undertaking caused it to be discontinued. 
An amusing indication of the independent spirit 
of the newsboys was shown on July 20, 1877, when 
they attempted to prevent the sale of The Evening 
News, the price charged them being in their opinion 
too high. They would not sell the papor and tried 
to prevent others from doing so. Their generally 
unruly character finally compelled the passage, on No- 
vember 26 following, of an ordinance requiring each 



NEWSBOYS. 693 



newsboy to obtain a yearly license, and wear a badge good conduct, and were to be the city's property, 

for which they are required to pay ten cents. By and to be returned to the city unless renewed at 

amended ordinance of Tebruary 6, 1878, the badges expiration of the license. The number of boys thus 

were tube issued only on satisfactory assurance of licensed in 18S1 was 700; in 1*883, 1,4.24. 



CHAPTER L X X . 



EARLY BOOK I'KINTING.— BOOKS AND BOOKSELLERS.— ALMANACS.— GAZETTEERS. 

DIRECTORIES.'— MAPS OF MICHIGAN. 



EARLY BOOK PRINTING. 

It is almost certain that there was a printing- 
press here as early as 1777, for Lieutenant-Governor 
Hamilton distributed to the " Rebel Colonists " large 
numbers of proclamations dated from, and in all 
probability printed at Detroit. The earliest account 
of a printing press in this region is contained in a 
manuscript letter-book of Alexander & William 
Macomb. A letter therein, written in 1785 to one 
of their correspondents at London, refers to a 
printing press they had received, and their corres- 
pondent is reminded that no directions have been 
sent for putting it in working order. No evidence 
of the use of the press has been found, but there is 
abundant evidence of the use of the press and type 
brought here from Boston or Baltimore in 1 809 by 
Rev. Gabriel Richard, and immediately rented or 
sold to James M. Miller. 

The first book printed on this press was probably 
"The Child's Spelling Book, or Michigan Instructor, 
being compiled from the most approved authors by 
a teacher of Detroit." It is a book of twelve pages, 
with the date of August i. 1809, and printed by 
James M. Miller. In 1883 there was a copy in pos- 
session of C. N. Flattery. The Michigan Essay, a 
newspaper issued in 1 809, also bears Miller's imprint. 
The .same year he issued a prayer book with the 
title, " L' ame penitente, ou la nouveau considera- 
tion sur les verities eternelles, etc., etc. Jacques 
Miller, Imprimeur, Detroit, 1S09." i6mo., pp. 300. 

In 1811 A. Co.xshawe was in possession of the 
printing material, as is proved by two books bearing 
his imprint : " La Journe du Chretien Sanctifie par 
la priere et meditation. A. Coxshawe Imprimeur, 
Detroit, 181 1," (i6mo. thick), and "Les Ornemens 
de la Memoire extraits des. poets Fran^ais pour 
servir a 1' education de la Jeunesse. A. Coxshawe 
Imprimeur, Detroit, 1812." (i2mo. pp. 130.) 

In 1 81 2 Theophilus Mettez had charge of the 
press, and in that year he issued the following works, 
, all of them printed in both French and English : 
" Epitres et evangiles pour tout les dimanches et 
fetes de Fame. D' apres I'edition du Monseigneur 
I'eveque de Quebec." (i2mo. pp. 396.) "Petite 
Catechisme Historique, abrege de I'histoire sainte 



et de la doctrine Chretien. Par M. Fleury, Pretre." 
(i2mo. pp. 300.) "Journal des Enfans — Children's 
Journal. Moral and entertaining stories in dialogue 
from the French of M. Berquin." 

During the War of 1812 the proclamations of 
Generals Hull and Brock were printed from the 
same type. Copies of the proclamations are pre- 
served by various persons, and the libraries of 
James A. Girardin and R. R. Elliott contain several 
of the books. 

In June, 1S43, Bishop Lefevere presented about 
seven hundred pounds of the old type to James A. 
Girardin and E. N. Lacroix to be used in printing a 
paper ; soon afterward it was sold for old metal, and 
sent to Lyman's Type Foundry at Buffalo. 

BOOKS AND BOOKSELLERS. 

The people of to-day cannot realize the poverty 
of the earlier inhabitants in the matter of books. 
Now, there is scarcely a home in the city where 
books may not be found. In early days, up to about 
1810, there were hardly three hundred volumes in 
the whole city. Book-stores were unknown, and 
new books of any kind as compared with present 
issues were as one to a thousand. New publications 
were occasionally forwarded to some officer of the 
garrison, or imported with packages of merchandize, 
and a new book by a new author would set society 
on tiptoe to see, or hear, or read it. Occasionally a 
leading merchant would " bring out " a few standard 
volumes on an order, but these orders were rarely 
given. The books that were obtained represented 
the best of the English classics, and, if you found 
any, you would find Shakespeare, The Rambler, 
The Spectator, Hannah More's works, Rollin's An- 
cient History, the works of Josephus, Walter Scott's 
novels. Fox's Book of Martyrs, the poems of Milton, 
Moore, Pope, and Burns, Young's Night Thoughts. 
Edgeworth's Tales, and very likely the works of 
Sterne, Smollet, and Fielding. 

When the Gazette appeared in 1S17 the proprie- 
tors sought to encourage literary taste and increase 
their profits by selling books as well as papers, and 
by their efforts the book trade was begun. The 
business was continued by John P. Sheldon, and in 



t6g4l 



BOOKS AND BOOKSELLERS. 



695 



1826 Stephen Wells became a partner with him. 
In 1832 .Mr. Wells was the sole owner of the store. 
He died in 1834, and the stock was sold to L. L. 
Morse, and he and S. W. Johnson bought out 
the store of A. H. Stowell. established in 1832. 
The two stocks were combined and large additions 
made. Morse & Johnson were succeeded by Bcrger 
& Stevens. The firm of Snow & Fiske, established 
in 1834, had probably the most complete stock of 
any firm up to that date. On the death of Mr. Fiske 
Sidney L. Rood became proprietor ; he went out of 
business in 1841. In 1836 John S. & A. S. Bagg, 
of the F"ree Press, were proprietors of a book-store. 
J. S. Bagg retired, and it was continued until about 
1852 by A. S. Bagg. The firm was then changed 
to Bagg, Patten, & McDonald; in 1855 the firm 
name was McDonald & Finley ; after a year or two 
R. H. Finley became sole proprietor and gradually 
sold out the stock. In 1837 P. R. L. Pierce was 
keeping a book-store, as was also Horace Galpin. 
As early as 1S37 or 1838 Messrs. Aymar & Shaw 
and Alexander McFarren began. John I. Herrick 
went into the trade about 1840; he soon admitted 
George McKenzie into partnership, and in 1846 
McKenzie was sole proprietor. In 1843 M. M. Wil- 
liams was advertised as a bookseller at the Post- 
office. About this time Chauncey Morse began 
business. Mr. Seileck became his partner about 
1854, and the firm of Morse & Seileck continued 
until 1856. Mr. Seileck then retired, and Mr. Morse 
went to Grand Rapids. Kerr, Doughty. & Lapham 
began about 1852. The firm afterwards changed 
to Kerr& Doughty; in 1855 it was Kerr, Morley, & 
Company, then J. A. Kerr & Company, and from 
1857 to i860 Doughty, Straw, & Company. In 
i860 or 1 86 1 they sold out to Raymond & Lapham. 
The beginnings of this last establishment date from 
1853, when T. M. Cook was engaged in the trade. 
In 1855 Francis Raymond was associated with him, 
and the firm of Raymond & Cook succeeded to the 
business of Alexander McFarren. In 1856, and up 
to i860, the firm name was Raymond & Seileck; 
then Raymond & Lapham; in i860 or 1861 they 
bought out Doughty, Straw, & Company, and in 

1862 the firm name was Raymond & Adams. In 

1863 Mr. Raymond sold his interest to T. K. Adams, 
and soon after the business was closed up. G. F. 
Rood commenced a stationery and blank book-store 
about 1844, and in 1S51 sold out to Friend Palmer. 
In 1853 Mr. Whipple became a partner, remaining 
two years. The business was next conducted by 
Friend Palmer, and in 1859 by Palmer & Fisher. 
In 1 86 1 Friend Palmer was sole proprietor, continu- 
ing until 1S63, when he was succeeded by F. Ray- 
mond, who went out of business in 1872. 

J. A. Roys began in 1845, and in 18S4 is the 
Nestor of the trade. In 1847 Messrs. Bates & 



Burns opened an extensive book-!;tore. About 1848 
J. G. Krug commenced keeping a small stock of Ger- 
man Catholic books. The business is still continued. 
John Pickering was keeping a book-store as early as 
1852, as was also F. P. Markham & Brother. The 
same year the latter firm changed to M;irkham & 
Ehvood; in 1853 and 1855 the firm name was S. D. 
Elwood & Company, and in 1857 the firm was suc- 
ceeded by W. B. Howe. In 1869 he .sold out to J. 
H. Caine & Company, and they- to Mr. Clark of 
Pittsburgh, v\'ho sold the stock at auction. After 
selling out to Mr. Howe, Mr. Elwood went into 
the law-book trade on Griswold Street, and in 1865 
formed a partnership under the firm name of W: A. 
Throop & Company. On the retirement of Mr. 
Elwood, Gove Porter became a partner with Mr. 
Throop. After a few years the firm went out of 
business. 

In 1853 Mr. Allen was a well-known book-dealer. 
In 1S60 Putnam, Smith, &■ Company had succeeded 
to his business. In 1S60 E. B. Smith was sole pro- 
prietor. From time to time other persons became 
associate partners, and the firm name was changed 
to E. B. Smith & Company. In 1880 T. Nourse be- 
came sole proprietor. In 1882 the firm name was 
changed to W. L. Berry & Company. Early in 
1883 Gorton, Blewett, & Company succeeded to the 
business, and on October 4 of the same year the 
firm name was changed to Gorton, Berry, & Com- 
pany. During 1884 Mr. Nourse again became sole 
owner, and discontinued the business. G. & M. 
Boehnlein began about 1857, and still continue. J. 
M. Arnold began in 1863. In 1864 the firm was 
Arnold cS: Littlefield ; afterward Arnold & \'an 
Aikin. In 1867 and 1868 the firm was composed 
of J. M. Arnold and Silas Fanner. After 1868 C. 
H. Gaston became a member of the firm, and was 
succeeded by John Willyoung, who, in 1880. became 
sole owner. He died in 1884, and the business was 
sold to Phillips & Hunt, as managers of the Metho- 
dist Book Concern. 

W. E. Tunis began the book trade at Detroit in 
1863. In 1872 the firm was Tunis & Parker. After 
the death of Mr. Tunis, in 1876, D. P. Work suc- 
ceeded to the retail business. Boothroyd & Young- 
blood were in business in 1864, Boothroyd & Gibbs 
from 1872 to 1876, and Boothroyd, Woodward, & 
Company from 1876 to 1884. In 1863, and for a 
few years after, Everett & Company and W. L. Fos- 
ter cS: Company, were known as booksellers. L. S. 
Freeman began about the same time, and in 1872 
was succeeded by Macauley Brothers. J. D. An- 
drews began in 1 873. As early as 1 869 Herman Reiff 
was engaged in the sale of (k-rman books. Herman 
Sucker began in 1875. The Detroit News Com- 
pany, J. A. Marsh manager, was established in 1 876. 
In 1874, and for a year or two after, C. H. Borgman 



696 



ALMANACS. — STATE GAZETTEERS. 



was keeping a German book-store. L. F. Kilroy 
beg-an in 1878. John \V. Macfarlane opened his 
store in i88i. Messrs. Lapham & Throop com- 
menced in July, 1884. 

Of the dealers in second-hand books, G. W. Pat- 
tison is the pioneer, and has been in the trade for 
about twenty years. Andrew Wanless and W. M. 
Lomasney are also engaged in the same line of trade. 




i^ir'Si^jfx'w.'SS'^'iS-^-'i ' ~-\ 



Detroit News Co. Store 7 Fort Stkeet West. Built in 1864. 



ALM.\N.\CS. 

Almanacs with titles as follows were published in 
the years named : " The Western Almanac and 
Michigan Register for 1829. Astronomical Calcu- 
lations by Hiram W'ilmarth. Printed and published 
by J. W. Seymour." " Farmer's Calendar or Mich- 
igan Almanac for 1834. Astronomical Calculations 
by H. Wilmarth. Published by G. L. Whitney." 
" Detroit Almanac and Michigan Register for the 
year 1839. Astronomical Calculations by William 
W. McLouth. Printed and sold by Berger & 
Stevens." "Michigan Almanac 1840. Published 
by S. L. Rood." " Michigan Almanac 1843. Pub- 



lished by W. Harsha. Calculations by A. E. 
Hathon." " Michigan Almanac for 1S44. Calcu- 
lations by A. E. Hathon, Detroit. John L Her- 
rick. publisher. 98 Jefferson Avenue, Detroit." 

Editions of the Christian Almanac, with a few 
pages of items especially prepared for residents of 
Michigan, were issued in 1836, 1838. 1839, 1840, 
and probably in other years. 

In 1869, and yearly since then, the publishers of 
the Post and Tribune have issued " The Michigan 
Almanac." It contains a variety of general and 
statistical information, and is sold at fifteen cents 
per copy. 

STATE GAZETTEERS. 

The first Gazetteer of the Territory was entitled 
" The Emigrants' Guide, or Pocket Gazetteer of the 
Surveyed Part of Michigan," and was published by 
John Farmer at Albany, New York, in 1830. It 
was a small pamphlet of thirty-two pages in fine 
type. It gave a very comprehensive view of the 
country, and for that time was relatively as com- 
plete as those of later days. It was sold both 
separately and in connection with a map of the 
Territory, and reached a circulation of many thous- 
ands. A second and revised edition was issued in 
1 83 1. In 1836 Mr. Farmer issued a new work, 
entitled " The Emigrants' Guide, or Pocket Gazet- 
teer of the Surveyed Part of Michigan." It con- 
tained information gathered from every post-office, 
and was .sold separately and in connection with a 
map of the State. 

In 1838 John T. Blois compiled and G. L. Rood 
printed the first bound Gazetteer, a remarkably thor- 
ough and valuable work of 418 pages. After 1S38 
nothing worthy of the title of Gazetteer was issued 
until 1863, when Charles F. Clark issued a Gazet- 
teer of Michigan. It contained 662 pages, and was 
in every way a model. In i860 and 1865 Gazetteers, 
of 400 and 500 pages respectively, were issued by 
G. W. Hawes. 

In 1867 H. H. Chapin published a Gazetteer of 
540 pages, and in 1871 M. T. Piatt one of 350 
pages. In 1873 Messrs. J. E. Scripps and R. L. 
Polk issued a Gazetteer which was the most complete 
of any issued; it contained 746 pages. In 1875, and 
every other year since, R. L. Polk & Company have 
issued complete Gazetteers of the State. The firm 
also publish Gazetteers of all the territories and of 
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky; Minnesota. Da- 
kota, and Montana, in one volume; Missouri, Penn- 
sylvania, Arkansas, Indiana, New Jersey, Texas. 
Wisconsin, Delaware; Maryland, and West Virginia, 
in one volume ; and City Directories of Detroit, 
Oanti Rapids, East Saginaw. Saginaw, Bay City, 
Jackson, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne. Toledo, St. Paul, 
London, Ont., and several other cities. 



CITY DIRECTORIES. — MAPS OF MICHIGAN. 



697 



CITY DIRECTORIES. 

A Directory with a map was proposed to be 
issued as early as 1832, but none was published 
until March. 1837. when Julius P. Bolivar McCabe 
brought out his complete and useful work. In May, 
1842, he announced a Directory to appear in June; 
but not receiving sufticient encouragement, he was 
unable to publish. The following table gives the 
more important features of the several Directories 
of the city. The losses by enlistment for the war 
with the South are clearly indicated by the reduced 
number of names in 1863, 1864, and 1865 : 



Publishers. 
J. P. B, McCabe 
James H. Wellings 
James H. Wellings 
Daily Advertiser 
J. Shove 

James D. Johnson 
James D. Johnson 
James D. Johnson 
James D. Johnson 
James D. Johnson 
*D. W. Umberhine 
J. D. Johnson & Co. 
Charles F. Clark 
Charles F. Clark 
Charles F. Clark 
Charles F. Clark 
Charles F. Clark 
Charles F. Clark 
Charles F. Clark 
Charles F. Clark 
C. F. Clark & Co. 
C. F. Clark & Co. 
Burch & Polk 
Hubbell & Weeks 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 
J. W. Weeks & Co. 



MAPS OF MICHIGAN ISSUED AT DETROIT. 
A Map of the Territory was first suggested in 
the fall of 1823. Philo E. Judd then issued pro- 
posals for a Map of Michigan, price $2.00, to be 

* A Business Directory only. 



Date. 


Pages. 


No. of 
Names. 


1837 


115 


1,330 


1845 


169 


2,S00 


1846 


214 


3,238 


1850 


290 


4.322 


1852 


238 


6,279 


1853 


320 


7.736 


1855 


304 


8,096 


1856 


352 


1 1, 100 


1857 


352 


11,282 


1859 


292 


10,512 


i860 


156 


1.485 


1861 


344 


14.850 


1862 


390 


14,620 


1863 


312 


12,436 


1864 


322 


13,222 


1865 


334 


14.440 


1 866 


352 


18,225 


1867 


39S 


19.843 


1868 


406 


22,640 


1869 


448 


23.750 


1870 


48S 


24,840 


1871 


484 


25,336 


1872 


348 


14.050 


1872 


550 


28,728 


1873 


628 


32,408 


1874 


650 


36,996 


1875 


692 


38,038 


1876 


740 


39,500 


1877 


790 


42,500 


1878 


850 


43,212 


1879 


886 


44,240 


1880 


966 


45.800 


1881 


1,099 


53,688 


1882 


1. 155 


56,540 


1883 


1,232 


61,480 


1884 


1.438 


67,002 



twenty-two by twenty-six inches in size, on a scale 
of twenty inches to one mile, and to be accompa- 
nied by a Gazetteer. The title of this map was 
copyrighted on May 5, 1824. Mr. Judd died at 
Flat Rock on September 19, and his manuscript 
was bought by John P. Sheldon, who in December, 
1824, announced the probable completion of the 
work in June, 1825. 

This plan was not consummated, for the task of 
preparing an accurate map and gazetteer was found 
to be more formidable than had been anticipated, 
and in the meantime other publications entered the 
field. During September, 1824, and before the 
death of Mr. Judd, Orange Risdon published pro- 
posals for a map of Michigan, to include all south 
of Saginaw Bay and east of the pnncipal meridian, 
to be on a scale of four miles to an inch, the price 
to be three dollars, in book form. The engraved 
copies of this map contain no mention of the fact, 
but the draft was made by John Farmer. The title 
was copyrighted on January 29, 1825, but the map, 
which was engraved at Albany, New York, was not 
issued until a year or more afterwards. 

While this map was being engraved. Mr. Farmer 
himself concluded to become a map publisher. He 
was undoubtedly well qualified, being a thoroughly 
educated sur\"eyor and remarkably skilful in pen- 
manship and draughting. In the year 1821, before 
coming to Detroit, he had taught map drawing in 
the best schools of Albany. In 1822, and during 
the following year, he made by hand scores of 
maps of Michigan from the surveyor's plats, which 
for some months found ready sale at S5.00 per copy. 
He subsequently taught map drawing in Ohio. 
Returning to Detroit in the spring of 1825, he 
made for the Treasurer of the United States a 
map of the road from the Ohio State line to 
Detroit. These various enterprises suggested the 
idea of preparing and publishing a map in his own 
name; and early in June, 1825, his manuscript map 
was put into the hands of engravers at Utica, New 
York. The title was copyrighted on August 29, 
and the map was completed and published in Sep- 
tember, more than six months before the Risdon 
map appeared. His map thus became the first 
published map of Michigan. It was warmly com- 
mended by Governor Cass, by the Secretary of the 
Territory, William Woodbridge, and by other terri- 
torial officials ; and was so favorably received that 
the map of Mr. Risdon, when issued, found com- 
paratively few purchasers. 

The cop^Tight of Mr. Farmer's work was sold, 
soon after its publication, to Edward Brooks. In 
1826 Mr. Farmer laid out the xnllage of Ypsilanti 
and several other embryo cities. In the same year 
he issued a second Map of Michigan, the finished 
copy being deposited at Washington on December I, 



698 



MAPS OF MICHIGAN. 



1826 (the certificate of deposit bears the signa- 
ture of Henry Clay as Secretary of State) ; he also 
prepared for the Legislative Council a very large 
manuscript map of the Territory. In 1829 he 
drafted a similar map for the same body, besides 
laying out and surveying roads in various directions 
for the territorial officers. In that year he also 
copyrighted two different maps of Michigan, and 
one of "Michigan and Oui.sconsin Territories." 
These maps were placed on the market in 1830 and 
many thousands were sold in Boston, Providence, 
Hartford, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Wash- 
ington, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland, Erie, 
and other places as well as at Detroit. .So great 
was the demand for these maps that, in that day, it 
was almost iinpossible to supply them. Emigrants on 
their arrival at Detroit, before going into the woods, 
would often go from house to house, seeking to 
purchase a second-hand copy, and many maps 
changed owners at an advance of several hundred 
per cent on their first cost. In 1S33, 1834. and 1835 
Mr. Farmer collected material from all parts of the 
Territory, and planned a much more elaborate map ; 
indeed, the draft was so minute that the eastern 
engravers would engrave it only at a price that 
utterly precluded any idea of profit from its publi- 
cation. Mr. Farmer then determined to do his own 
engraving, and though he had literally no knowledge 
of the business beyond that obtained by observation, 
he procured a set of engraver's tools and undertook 
the work, which was a pronounced success in excel- 
lence of execution, in detail, and in amount of sales. 
Single book-stores in Detroit bought over one 
thousand copies at a time. The map was sold sep- 
arately and in connection with a pocket Gazetteer, 
issued the saine year. 

These maps and gazetteers of 1830 and 1836 cir- 
culated extensively at the East, and had a more 
marked effect in stimulating the unprecedented 
emigration of those days than any and all other 
private enterprises. It will be remembered that 
Michigan has a larger proportion of York State and 
New England settlers than any other western State. 
No other Territory or State, in its infancy, was so 
accurately represented or so thoroughly advertised 
by means of reliable maps as Michigan. The maps 
and gazetteers of Mr. Farmer contributed largely to 
this work, and his publications, though issued by 
private enterprise, were none the less a great public 
advantage. To this day there are scores of witnesses 
to the fact that his maps were deemed as essential 
for travelers as pocket-book or compass, and with 
their aid new-comers by hundreds, on horseback 
and on foot, traversed the wilds of the Lower 
Peninsula of Michigan and personally selected their 
future homes. So accurate were his maps that it 
was a common thing to decide from the map alone 



the number of acres of marsh land on a tract of 
eighty acres, or the number of rods that a stream 
ran on a given tract. The camping-grounds of 
travellers, for days ahead, were determined from the 
map alone. The map of 1836 was sold to J. H. 
Colton & Company, of New York, and was pub- 
lished by that firm for many years. 

In 1S37 .Mr. Farmer was extensively employed in 
making maps of the innumerable " paper cities " of 
that period, to some of which he gave place on his 
maps. As time proved them failures, they were 
erased. Other publishers who made use of his 
labors copied these new cities, and many of their 
maps show, even to this day, "paper cities" whose 
sites have been owned and cultivated as farm lands 
for a score of years. It is unquestionably true that 
there is no map of Michigan, large or small, that 
does not contain valuable information originally 
given on the maps compiled by Mr. Farmer and his 
successors, and appropriated therefrom. In 1S44 
Mr. Farmer personally engraved a map of Michigan 
on a scale of twelve miles to an inch. It embraced 
such an amount of detail, was so clearly and beau- 
tifully e.xecuted, and was withal so thoroughly 
accurate, that it gave him a national reputation. 
No State other than Michigan has had a map com- 
parable with it for completeness. Millions of acres 
of land have been located by reference to it, and 
for this purpose alone thousands of copies have 
been sold. As a topographical map it has never 
been, and probably never will be, superseded ; 
although it first appeared nearly forty years ago, 
it still has a regular sale to appreciative customers. 

During 1 847 Mr. Farmer issued his first Map of 
Lake Superior and the Mineral Regions. Revisions 
of this map are still accounted the best maps of 
that region. In 1S48 he published a sectional Map 
of Wisconsin, and in 1849 his combined Map of 
Michigan and Wisconsin, made up of the three 
maps la,st noted. In 1853 he issued his large Wall- 
map of Michigan, on a scale of seven and one half 
miles to an inch. This map was extensively used 
by the St. Mary's Falls Ship Canal Company in 
locating their lands. In 1855 he issued a map of 
Wayne County, showing all the "private claims," 
with the names of the original owners. 

His first Township Map of Michigan and Wis- 
consin appeared in 1857. Two years later he issued 
a revision of his large map of 1853, with the addi- 
tion of two sheets, forming a map nearly six feet 
square. It included all of Michigan and Wisconsin. 
On this map he located all the swamp lands then 
owned by the State. This information afforded 
facilities which enabled land buyers to make hun- 
dreds of thousands of dollars with but a tithe of the 
expense they would otherwise have had to incur. 

In i860 John F. Geil published his very complete 



MAPS OF MICHIGAN. 



699 



Map of Wayne County. This was subsequently 
purchased by the firm of Silas Farmer & Company, 
who succeeded to the business of John Farmer. 
The last named firm, from time to time, have pub- 
lished revisions of the maps already named, and since 
1862 have sold about forty thousand copies of the 
Railroad and Township Map of Michigan, and many 
thousands of a Township Map of Wisconsin, first 
issued in 1867. They issued a Map of W^isconsin 
in 1865, about fifty by fifty inches in size, which sold 
at $7.00 per copy. The same year they issued a 
Map of F.lmwood Cemetery. In 1871 Messrs. Cal- 
vert & Companv published a Map of Michigan and 
Wisconsin, which had been compiled ahiiost entirely 



from the maps of .Silas Farmer & Company, and 
upon a showing of this fact in court the map was 
transferred to the latter firm, who. in 1873, revised 
and republished the Michigan portion. In 1874 they 
published a Sectional Map of Iowa, which was 
warmly commended by the county officers in every 
one of the ninety-nine counties of that State. 
Their small but very complete map of Wayne 
County (price fifty centsj was first issued in 
1883. 

The various city maps published by John Farmer 
and his successors are named el.sewhere. The total 
.sales of their various publications have amounted to 
fully one hundred thousand copies. 



CHAPTER LXXI 



CITIZEN AND VISITING AUTHORS. 



It is an honor to the city that its list of authors 
begins with its existence. The founder of the settle- 
ment was not only a soldier but a scholar as well, 
and the torch of knowledge that he first waved on 
*the shores of the Detroit has never been e.xtin- 
guished. If our literary heavens do not show as 
many stars as are visible in other localities, not a 
few of the first order are included, and together 
they form a brilliant and beautiful constellation. 

Cadillac wrote memoirs on Acadia describing the 
coast and islands from Nova Scotia to New York. 
His memoir on Michilimackinac includes detailed 
descriptions of the appearance, traditions, and usages 
of the savage tribes of that post and beyond. He 
was equally successful in describing the manners 
and customs of the Indians, in suggesting means 
for outwitting the English, and in exposing the 
malice and intrigues of those who opposed him. 
His writings sparkle with hoii mots and epigrammatic 
sentences, some of them remarkable for their con- 
centrated thought. His reasoning powers were of 
a high order, and his arguments clear, logical, 
forcible. His opinions were definite, and e.\pressed 
with clearness and precision. He had marked 
powers of analysis, and described with a minuteness 
of detail equally interesting and satisfactory. His 
writings abound in trojies, and proverbs dropped 
easily from his pen. His literary successors are 
named in the following list, which, if not complete, 
is nevertheless so nearly perfect that not many 
names from past records can be added ; the future, 
it is hoped, will add many noteworthy names. 

John Anthon, son of Dr. G. C. Anthon, of Detroit, 
was born in the old Cass House in 1784. He wrote 
an "Essay on the Study of Law." and numerous 
other works. The names of his brother. Charles 
Anthon, and his nephew, Charles E. Anthon, are 
well-known in literary and educational circles. 

Miss L. B. Adams in 1862 published a book 
entitled "Sybelle and other Poems." 

Rev. W. Aikman, D. X)., for several years pastor 
of Westminster Presbyterian Church, is the author 
of books entitled " The Future of the Colored Race 
in America," "Life at Home, or, The Family and 
its Members," "The Moral Power of the Sea," and 
several other works. 

Rev. J. B. Atchinson, at one time assistant pastor 



of the Central M. E. Church, was a successful com- 
poser of religious songs, and many of his composi- 
tions are highly prized. 

H. C. Allen is the author of "The Homoeopathic 
Therapeutics of Intermittent Fever," published by 
the Drake Homoeopathic Pharmacv Company in 
1879. 

Rev. Nathan Bangs, D. D., author of " History of 
Methodism," and founder of the Missionary Society 
of the M. E. Church, was here as a Methodist pastor 
in 1804. 

Dr. Leonard Bacon, of New Haven, was born in 
Detroit in 1S02, and his abilities reflected honor on 
his birthplace. 

Dr. Orestes A. Brownson, editor and publisher of 
Brown.son's Quarterly Review, author of "Essays 
and Reviews," and of other works of special inter- 
est to Roman Catholic circles, was a resident of 
Detroit for several years, and died here on April 17, 
1876. In 18S2 his son, Henry F. Brownson. com- 
menced the publication of a proposed complete series 
of the works of his father, in seventeen volumes. 

Rev. William E. Boardman, author of the " Higher 
Christian Life," and of other works, lived here in 
1 85 1 and 1852 as agent of the American S. S. 
Union. 

Margaret F. Buchanan, afterwards Mrs. Alexander 
Sullivan, was educated in and for many years a 
resident of Detroit. She has been a frequent con- 
tributor to various magazines, and in 1881 J. M. 
Stoddard & Company, of Philadelphia, published 
her " Ireland of To-day." 

Rev. F. Baraga, the Indian missionary, after 
whom a county in Upper Michigan is named, was 
the author of a " Dictionary of Otchipwe," published 
at Cincinnati in 1853, and of other Indian diction- 
aries, grammars, and prayer-books. He lived here 
in 1854 and 1855. 

Dr. J. H. Bagg published in 1845 a volume of 310 
pages on " Magnetism ; or. The Doctrine of Equi- 
librium." 

W. A. Burt and Bela Hubbard's " Report on the 
Geography of the South Shore of Lake Superior." 
106 pages, was published in 1843. In 1878 John 
Burt published a pamphlet, "History of the Solar 
Compass." 

Henry Bibb, the ex-slave, whose "narrative," pub- 



[700] 



CITIZEN AND VISITING AUTHORS. 



701 



lished in 1850, had an extensive sale, lived here for 
several years. 

Levi Bishop wrote " Teuchsa Grondie," a poem 
commemorating one of the early Indian names of 
Detroit. It has passed through several editions. 
Mr. Bishop also translated several French plays. 

Mrs. B. Brinton, who was here about 1863, was 
the author of " Man is Love." 

VV. H. Brearley is the author of " Recollections of 
an East Tennessee Campaign," 40 pages, published 
in 1866. 

Mrs. Julia P. Ballard, wife of a fonner pastor of 
the First Congregational Church, is the author of a 
numerous list of books especially designed for Sun- 
day schools. 

L. J. Bates, one of the editors of The Post and 
Tribune, has produced many poems ; a number of 
them have been set to music, and obtained a large 
sale. 

Clara Doty Bates, one of the editors of The Detroit 
Tribune from 1867 to 1870. is the author of " Black 
Jakey," "Classics of Baby Land," " Songs for Gold 
Locks," " Child Lore," " Heart's Content," and sev- 
eral other books. Some of her works were elabor- 
ately illustrated with original drawings by her sister, 
Mrs. H. P. Finley, a resident of Detroit. 

O. T. Beard has written many stories for the daily 
papers. One of them, " Bristling with Thorns," has 
been issued in book form. He has also published a 
novel entitled " Trade and Trouble." 

A. C. Blodgett has a work in preparation entitled 
"The Law of the Fire Insurance Contract." 

Rev. Dr. Alfred Brunson, soldier of the War of 
18 1 2, and early Methodist pastor in Detroit, was the 
author of the "Western Pioneer," in two volumes, 
a "Key to the Apocalypse," and several other 
works. 

Rev. James M. Buckley, D. D., formerly pastor of 
the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, is author of 
works entitled "An Appeal to Persons of Sense and 
Reflection," ".Supposed Miracles," "Two Weeks at 
the Yosemite," and " Christians and the Theatre." 

Dr. H. J. Brown, at one time pastor of St. Peter's 
Church, wrote " Pious Dead of the Medical Profes- 
sion," 320 pages. Several other smaller works also 
bear his name ; one of the most recent is entitled 
" New Treatment of Consumption." 

Rev. D. D. Buck, D. D., for a brief period in 
1869 pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal 
Church, was the author of several religious works ; 
one, " The Christian X'irtues Personified." 300 pages, 
was published by Miller, Orton. & Company, Auburn, 
1856. 

The " Life of Z. Chandler," published by the Post 
and Tribune Company in 1880. was compiled by C. 
K. Backus, O. T. Beard, James H. Stone, William 
Stocking, and G. W. Partridge. 



C. K. Backus is also author of a pamphlet on the 
"Contraction of the Currency," and for several 
years compiled the " Michigan Almanac." 

Governor Lewis Cass was a frequent contributor 
to the North American Review and wrote " France ; 
its King, Court, and Government," New York, 1S41, 
and a fifty-five-page work on the " Right of Search, ' 
Baltimore, 1842. 

John Logan Chipman wrote a novel called 
"George Pemberton ; or Love and Hate," which 
was published by F. Glea.son, Boston, about 1850. 

Elisha Chase was author of "The Science of 
Development of the Human Family," published in 
1850. 

General P. St. George Cooke, formerly stationed 
here, and now a resident, is the author of " Cavalry 
Tactics for Army of U. S.," published by the Gov- 
ernment in 1861 ; he also wrote "Scenes and Adven- 
tures in the U. S. Army," and "Conquests of New 
Mexico and Calfornia," 307 pages, 1878. 

Rev. Thomas Carter, for several years pastor of 
th^ French Methodist Episcopal Church, wrote a 
history of the " Great Reformation in England, 
Scotland, etc.," 372 pages, besides several smaller 
works. 

Rev. E. E. Caster wrote the " Life of Allen," pub- 
lished in 1866. He was formerly pastor of the 
Jefferson Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. 

William M. Carleton, the farm poet and balladist, 
was employed on the staff of The Tribune, and a 
resident of Detroit during 1871 and 1872. 

Judge James V. Campbell is the author of several 
works, the most important of which is his " Outlines 
of the Political History of Michigan," 600 pages. 
Many of his addresses have been published, also 
several brochures entitled " Polity of the P. E. 
Church of the United States," "Materials for Juris- 
prudence," Trial by Jury," and "Taking of Private 
Property for Purposes of Public Utility." 

H. A. Chaney is the author of a " Digest of 
Michigan Reports," a " Notary's Guide " and of 
"Graduates of Law Department of Michigan." 

W. H. Coyle had an edition of Poems just from 
the press destroyed in the fire that burned the book- 
store of Markham & EKvood on May 2, 1857. 
An edition of his Poems was again published in 
1883, and several are reproduced in this work. 

August Codde is the author of a small volume 
entitled " The Existence of God Attested." pub- 
lished at Detroit in 1S83. 

Adam Couse wrote a volume entitled " The New 
Philosophy," which was published in 1S83. 

Colonel Arent Schuyler De Peyster, who w-as sta- 
tioned here as commander of the post from 1779 
to 1784, was a cultivated gentleman; he and his 
wife were rare acquisitions to the society of that 
period. During his stay he wrote numerous poems 



702 



CITIZEN AND VISITING AUTHORS. 



and sonnets full of allusions to local scenes, appear- 
ances and events. After his return to .Scotland 
many of these were gathered together under the 
title of "Miscellanies by an Officer. Volume I, 
Dumfries, 1S13." Only one volume, a quarto of 
277 pages, was published, and it is now very rare. 
Among other poems it contains one on " Red 
River, — a Song descriptive of the Diversion of 
Carioling or .Sleighing upon the Ice of the Post of 
Detroit in North America"; another is entitled 
"The Ghost of old Cocosh (a Pig), shot by the 
Guard in the King's Naval Yard at Detroit." The 
gem of the book is the following 

LiNts SENT TO Mrs. P. E d, June, 1783: 

Acctpt, fair Ann, 1 do beseech. 
This tempting ijift, a clingstone peach. 
The finest fruit I culled from three, 
Which you may safely Lake from rae. 
Should Pool request to share the favor. 
Eat you the peach, yive him the flavor ; 
Which surely he can't take amiss. 
When "t is so heightened by your kiss. 

The full name of the lady to whom the lines were 
sent was Mrs. Pool England, and her husband was 
then a lieutenant at Detroit. If excuse were needed 
for writing poetry. Colonel De Peyster had an excep- 
tionally good excuse to offer, for he was a personal 
friend of Robert Burns. De Peyster, after his 
return to Scotland, and during the time of the 
French Revolution, commanded the First Regi- 
ment of Dumfries Volunteers, of which corps the 
author of Tarn O' Shanter was an original mem- 
ber. The last of Burns's poems, that on "Life," 
written in 1796, in his sick-chamber, just before 
his death, was addressed to Colonel De Peyster, 
and began: 

My honored Colonel, deep I feel 
Your interest in the poet's weal. 
Ah 1 how sma' heart ha'e I to speel 

The steep Parnassus 
Surrounded thus by bolus pill 

And potion glasses. 

These facts, had they then been known, would 
have added zest to our celebration, on January 25, 
1859, of the centenary of Burns' birthday. 

Rev'. George Duffield was one of the most prolific 
of writers. His first work, published at Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania, in 1832, was a large octavo of 615 
pages, entitled "Spiritual Life or Regeneration." 
It was not considered by the Synod of which he was 
a member sufficiently Calvinistic in tone, and this 
gave rise to difficulties which resulted in his coming 
to Detroit. In 1842 his " Dissertations on the Pro- 
phecies " was issued in New York, and the same 
year " The Claims of Episcopal Bishops," 316 pages. 
In 1S43 " Millenarianism Defended; a Reply to Pro- 
fessor Stewart." 1S3 pages, was issued. In 1845, 
"Angelique," a poetic story of Lake Superior, in 



pamphlet form. In 1848 "The Divine Organic 
Law ordained for the Human Race ; or Capital 
Punishment for Murder ordained by God and sus- 
tained by Reason," 28 pages. In 1849, "The 
Theology of Professor Unney Reviewed and Put to 
the Test; or, The Sacred Scriptures," 129 pages. 
He was also a joint author with Albert Barnes of 
"Discourses on the Sabbath." 

D. Bethune Duffield is the author of nutnerous 
occasional poems, several of which, with those of 
other authors, were republished in 1 860 in a volume 
entitled " Poets and Poetry of the West." 

Edward Dolan wrote " The Tree of Liberty and 
Palladium of the Press ; The Advocate and Repre- 
sentative of the People's Rights." It contained 56 
pages, and vi-as published in 1847. 

Morgan E. Dowling issued in 1870 "Southern 
Prisons; or, Josie, the Heroine of Florence." 506 
pages; he also published in 1S82 a volume entitled 
" Reason and Ingersollism." 

F. O. Davenport wrote a series of sketches en- 
titled " On a Man of War," which were published in 
The Free Press in 1 879, and subsequently gathered 
into book form. 

J. W. Donovan is the author of " Modern Jury 
Trials and Advocates, "published in i88i,and of 
" Trial Practice and Trial Lawyers," published in 
1S83. 

Rev. Zachariah Eddy, D.D., late pastor of First 
Congregational Church, wrote "Immanuel, or the 
Life of Christ," 756 pages, published by W. J. Hol- 
land X: Company, Springfield. He compiled " Hymns 
of the Church," published by Board of Publication 
of Reformed Dutch Church, in 1869. He was asso- 
ciated with R. Hitchcock and P. Schaff in the com- 
pilation of " Hymns and Songs of Praise," 600 pages, 
published by A. D. F. Randolph in 1874. 

Dr. E. R. Ellis issued his " Homoeopathic Family 
Guide," in 1S82. 

John Ellis, M. D., formerly of Detroit, is author of 
" Family Homoeopathy," New York, 404- pages, and 
"Skepticism and Divine Revelation," 260 pages. 
New York, 1882. 

Professor Jacques Edouard has published a scien- 
tific novel of several hundred pages, entitled " John 
Bull, Uncle Sam, and Johnny Crapaud." 

Professor Louis Fasquelle, author of several well- 
known French text-books, was a resident of Detroit 
in 1837. 

C. Fox wrote a text-book on "Agriculture," 360 
pages, which was published in 1S53 by Messrs. El- 
wood & Company. 

Chaplain C. W. Fitch published a work entitled 
"James, the Lord's Brother." 

Osgood E. Fuller issued in 1876 "The Year of 
Christ in Song." 132 pages. 

Rev. George Field wrote "Two Great Books 



CITIZEN AUTHORS. 



703 



of Nature," and " Revelation, or the Cosmos and 
Logos," 500 pages, 1870; " Memoirs, Incidents, and 
Romances of the Early History of the New Church, 
etc.," 370 pages, 1879; also in 1S79, "The Differ- 
ence between Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna, and the 
Meaning of Infernus or Infernum." 

Henry A. Ford is the author of a " History of 
Putnam and Marshall Counties, Illinois," i860. And 
he and his wife, Kate Brearley Ford, are joint auth- 
ors of a " History of Cincinnati, and of Hamilton 
County, Ohio," and also of a " History of Louis- 
ville." During 1883 he compiled a volume entitled 
" Poems of History," and also " A Popular Diction- 
ary of Fine Art." During 1884 he prepared a book 
entitled " How to Make Money, and How to Keep It : 
or. Capital and Labor" the basis of the work being 
a similar volume by James A. Davies. It was pub- 
lished by the Chamberlain Publishing Company. 

Rev. T. B. Forbush is author of a pamphlet on 
" Traditional and Legendary Life of Jesus of Naza- 
reth," published in 1881. 

H. W. Fairbanks is author of a book of school 
songs published in 1883. 

Henry Cillman wrote " Mound Builders of Michi- 
gan," published in 1877 by the Smithsonian Insti- 
tute. Many of his articles on scientific subjects have 
been printed in various journals. In 1863 a volume 
of his poems was anonymously published by Carl- 
ton of New York, with the title, " For Life, and 
Other Poems." 

A. A. Griffith, author of " Lessons in Elocution," 
lived in Detroit about 1870. 

Henry Goadby. M. D., wrote " Vegetable and 
Animal Physiology'," 310 pages, published by D. 
Appleton & Company, 1858. 

J. G. Gilchrist, M. D., is author uf " Rules fur 
Finding and Tying Principal Arteries," pamphlet, 
13 pages, 1867; "Surgical Diseases," octavo, 421 
pages, 1873; "Etiology of Tumors," pamphlet, 
48 pages, 1876; "Syllabus of Surgical Lectures," 
octavo, 88 pp., 1877. (This was published by the 
class in Homoeopathic iMedical College, University 
of Michigan). "Surgical Therapeutics," octavo, 
595 pages, 1880. This has been translated and 
published in Madrid, Paris, Leipsic, and \'ienna ; 
"Surgical Principles, and Minor Surgery," octavo, 
205 pages, 1881 ; "Surgical Emergencies and Ac- 
cidents," octavo, 700 pages, 1884. besides many 
pamphlets and minor publications relating to Odd- 
Fellowship, music, and general literature. 

James A. Girardin has written several articles on 
historic subjects, which have been printed by the 
Pioneer Society. 

J. C. Holmes has edited the collections of the 
State Pioneer Society and furnished several special 
articles. 

Bela Hubbard's published works, mostly in the 



form of Reports in connection with geological sub- 
jects, have been printed by the Slate. His article 
on the " Early Colonization of Detroit," was pub- 
lished by the State Pioneer Society. His " Climate 
of Detroit" was issued in pamphlet form by the 
American Medical Observer. Various other articles 
with his signature have appeared in historical and 
scientific journals. 

Mrs. Bela Hubbard wrote a .story entitled " The 
Hidden Sin," which was published by Harper & 
Brothers in 1866. It was stipulated that the author- 
ship should not be known, and it was not until after 
her decease. The story was reprinted in England, 
in three volumes, and had a very large sale. 

Alexander Henry, author of " Henry's Narrative," 
came with Colonel Bradstreet in 1 764, and remained 
several years. 

Dr. Douglass Houghton, whose name and fame 
are connected with Lake Superior through the County 
of Houghton, was a resident of Detroit, and was 
buried here on May 15, 1846. He was author of 
several L^nited States and State Geological Reports. 

Jacob Houghton, his brother, and T. \V. Bristol, 
wrote a " Report on Geography, Topography, and 
Geology of Lake Superior," 109 pages, published in 
1846. 

Bronson Howard is the successful author of vari- 
ous plays which are noticed in connection with 
chapter on "Music and the Drama." 

D. Farrand Henry is author of " Flow of Water 
in Rivers and Canals," 86 pages, published in 

1873- 

U. Tracy Howe composed an oratorio, the " Pil- 
grims of 1620," which was set to music by Charles 
Hess. 

Richard Hawley wrote an " Essay on P'ree 
Trade," 63 pages, which was published in 1878 by 
G. P. Putnam's Sons. 

John G. Hawley is author of "American Criminal 
Reports." Three volumes have been issued. 

\V. X. Hailmann wrote " Kindergarten Culture in 
the Family " and " Twelve Lectures on the History 
of Pedagogy-." 

Mrs. M. C. W. Hamlin, during 1880 and 1881. 
wrote a series of interesting articles for the Detroit 
Free Press, entitled "Legends of Detroit," wltich 
were subsequently published in book form. 

Charles B. Howell has published a volume enti- 
tled "Michigan Nisi Prius Decisions." 

H. A. Haigh has in preparation "A Manual of 
Law for the Use of Farmers and Mechanics." 

Captain J. W. Hall is author of "Marine Disas- 
ters on Western Lakes," 1872, and "Record of 
Lake Marine," 1878. 

Bishop Samuel S. Harris, D. D., is author of 
"The Relation of Christianity to Civil Government," 
issued in 1883. 



704 



CITIZEN AUTHORS. 



Warren Lsliam, who edited a paper here in 1842, 
wrote "The Mud Cabin; or. Character and Tend- 
ency of British Institutions," published by D. Apple- 
ton & Company in 1853. A series of magazine 
articles by Dr. Duffield and Messrs. Isham and 
Hathaway were afterwards included in a volume 
entitled "Travels in Two Hemispheres." 

Rev. J. Inglis, a former well-known pastor in De- 
troit, was the author of "Spiritual Songs," published 
in i860. 

A. P. Jacobs compiled " The Greek Letter Socie- 
ties," Detroit, 1879, a "Reference Digest, or Index 
of the Michigan Reports," published in 18S1, and 
the " Psi Upsilon Epitome," 1833-1883. 

Judge William Jennison and Judge J. V. Camp- 
bell appear as authors of " Annotations of Michigan 
Reports," and in 1S82 a work on "Chancery Prac- 
tice " was compiled by Mr. Jennison. 

Elisha Jones, M. A., a resident of Detroit about 
1868, is author of "Exercises in Greek Prose Com- 
position," "First Lessons in Latin," and "Exercises 
in Latin Prose Composition." 

Mrs. C. M. Kirkland, who lived here from 1 840 to 
1843, and taught in the Female Seminary, was an 
authoress of considerable note. Her "Western 
Clearings," published in London in 1S46, was 
descriptive of this region. She afterwards wrote 
the "Evening Book," "Sketches of Western Life," 
"Garden Walks with the Poets," "Holidays 
Abroad," "New Home, Who '11 Follow.'" "Patri- 
otic Eloquence," "Memoirs of Washington," and 
"Autumn Hours." 

Isador Kali.sch.a former rabbi of Beth El Temple, 
published in 1865 his "Tone des Morganlands." 
He was also the author of other works. 

S. J. Kelso issued his " Interest and Discount 
Tables" in 1872. 

Rev. H. D. Kitchell, D. D., for many years a 
resident of Detroit, published a " Genealogical His- 
tory of Robert Kitchell and his Descendants." 

Dr. E. A. Lodge is author of "New Remedies." 
an extensive work; also of a pamphlet on "Asiatic 
Cholera," and a series of " Domestic Guides for the 
use of Homoeopathic Remedies." 

H. W. Lord wrote "Highway of the Seas in 
Time of War." 58 pages, published in London in 
1862. He is also the author of Pamphlets on " Idle- 
ness more Demoralizing than Ignorance," and 
"Hospitals and Asylums for the Insane." 

Dr. C. J. Lundy has published "Optic Neuritis 
with Notes of Three Cases," "Diabetic Cataract, 
Iritis, etc.," and "Sympathetic Affections of the 
Eye." 

Frank Lambie has written many lyrics which 
have appeared in the daily papers. His "Galilean 
Hymn" was printed in pamphlet form in 1869. 

Dr. C. Henri Leonard is author of a " Reference 



and Dose Book," a "Vest-pocket Anatomist," 
"Manual of Bandaging," "The Hair; its Growth, 
Care, Diseases, and Treatment," and of "Auscul- 
tation, Percussion, and Urinalysis." 

Rev. R. J. Laidlaw. former pastor of Jefferson 
Avenue Presbyterian Church, is author of " Religion 
as it Was and Is." 

Rev. John Levington, former pastor of Simpson 
Methodist Episcopal Church, wrote "Scripture 
Baptism," " Power with God and with Man," "Wat- 
son's Theological Institutes Defended," and other 
works. 

C. B. Lewis is author of "Quads Odds," 500 
pages, issued in 1875. 

Alexander Mackenzie, author of " Voyages from 
Montreal through Continent of North America," 
was a clerk here in 1 784. 

Major-General Alexander Macomb was the author 
of "Concise System of Instructions and Regula- 
tions for Militia and Volunteers," and also of a 
work on "Court Martials." He was born in Detroit, 
and was stationed here for many years. 

Captain Thomas Morris came with General Brad- 
street in 1764, and was here during part of 1765. 
Between 1786 and 1796 he published in London 
several volumes of Essays and Miscellanies. 

Ira Mayhew published his " Means and Ends of 
Universal Education" in 1857. His "Manual of 
Business Practice " and works on " Book-keeping " 
are of later date. 

Rev. S. A. McCoskry, D. D., issued his " Episco- 
palian Bishops the Successors of the Apostles," in 
1842. 

Daniel Munger wrote "Political Landmarks, a 
History of Parties." It was issued in 1851. 

Rev. J. H. McCarty, former pastor of Central M. 
E. Church, is author of the " Black Horse and Carry- 
all," and " Inside the Gates." 

Edward Mason wrote " The Potato Restored and 
the Rot Remedied," a 16 page pamphlet, which was 
issued in 1854. 

S. B. McCracken is author of pamphlets on " The 
State School System," and " Religion in the Uni- 
versity." He also edited and published " Michigan 
and the Centennial " in 1876. 

Rev. C. P. Maes wrote the " Life of Rev. Charles 
Nerinckx, with a chapter on Early Catholic Mis- 
sions of Kentucky, etc." It is a large octavo, and 
was published by Robert Clarke & Company, of 
Cincinnati, in 1880. 

Rev. L. P. Mercer, former pastor of the New 
Jerusalem or Swedenborgian Church, published a 
volume in 1883 entitled "The Bible, Its True Char- 
acter and Spiritual Meaning." 

Dr. W. R. Merwin is the author of " Merwin's 
Universal Instructor." 

John S. Newberry compiled " Reports of Admir- 



CITIZEN AUTHORS. 



705 



alty Cases in Several District Courts of the United 
States from 1842 to 1857." It was issued at New 
York in 1857. 

Rev. James Nail was the author of " Practical 
Atheism Detected and Exposed," and of several 
other religious works. 

C. J. Nail, M. D., son of Rev. Jas. Nail, a former 
resident of Detroit, has published " Jesus the Great 
Philosopher," and a brochure on " Diseases of the 
Throat and Chest." 

Noble & Crumb compiled and issued in 1877 a 
" History and Directory of the Churches." 

F. B. Owen issued a book of poems in 1S74. 
James O'lJrien has in preparation a work to be 

issued in 1884, entitled " Dictionary of Biography, 
Irish Celts." 

Paul B. Perkins issued in 1871 a pamphlet en- 
titled "The Homestead Instructor." 

Rev. E. H. Pilcher, D. D., wrote "Protestantism 
in Michigan, a Special History of the M. E. Church." 
It was published in 1 878. 

Rev. J. 11. Potts, one of the editors of the Michi- 
gan Christian Advocate, is the author of " Golden 
Dawn, or Light on the Great Future," and " Pastor 
and People, or .Methodism in the Field." 

Rev. W. H. Poole, D. D.. is the author of " Per- 
nicious Effects of Tobacco," and of "Anglo-Israel, 
or The Saxon Race the Lost Tribes of Israel," and 
" History, the True Key to Prophecy." 

Hoyt Post compiled a " Notary's Public Guide." 
It was first published in i S76. 

Rev. A. T. Pierson wrote se\-eral hymns which 
are published in "Gospel Songs." 

G. \V. Pattison published in 1863 a "Key to the 
Masonic Work as taught by Barney and approved 
by the Grand Lodge of Michigan." 

Frank Peavey issued a " Manual of Instruction in 
Geography " in 1S82. 

Rev. Gabriel Richard was the author of works 
which are named in connection with the history of 
printing. 

Robert E. Roberts wrote " Sketches of the City 
of Detroit," which were originally published in a 
daily paper and afterward gathered into a pam- 
phlet of 64 pages. In 1884 he published a small 
volume entitled " Sketches of the City of the 
Straits." 

John Robertson is author of " Flags of Michigan." 
120 pages, and "Michigan in the War," a large 
quarto. 

Mrs. M. L. Rayne is the author of "Jenny and 
her Mother," Chicago, 1867; "Fallen Among 
Thieves," New York ; G. W. Carlton & Company, 
1876; "Against Fate," Chicago; Cook, Kean, & 
Company, 1S76; "Gems of Deportment," Detroit. 
18S1 ; and " What can Woman do.' " F. B. Dickcr- 
son,& Company, Detroit. 1S84. 



Eugene Robinson is author of " Tactics and 
Templar Manual." 

Frank G. Russell issued a " Supervisor's Manual " 
in 1876. 

W. W. Ryan, the weather prophet, published his 
" Theory of Wind and Weather," 24 pages, in 1859. 

W. H. Rouse, M. D., has edited a new edition of 
Fothergill's " Treatise on Therapeutics," with nume- 
rous notes and corrections. 

Lemuel Shattuck, who taught in the old Univer- 
sity in 1822, wrote a " History of the Town of Con- 
cord, Massachusetts," published in 1835, and " Vital 
Statistics of Boston," issued in 1841. 

H. R. Schoolcraft was a resident of Detroit in 
1820, and from 1836 to 1840. He was the author 
of " Archives of Aboriginal Knowledge," in si.\ im- 
mense volumes, and of nearly a dozen other works, 
chiefly on Indian tribes. 

Mrs. E. M. Sheldon is best known by her " Early 
History of Michigan." She also published "The 
Clevelands," and " Albert Loveland : or. The Maine 
Law is the Inebriate's Hope." 

H. H. Snelling, a resident of Detroit in 1837, 
wrote a " History of Photography " and " Directory 
of the Photographic Art." 

Rev. J. Hyatt Smith, who was a school-boy here 
in 1838, is the author of "Gilead ; or. The Vision of 
All Saints' Hospital," and " Haran the Hermit ; or. 
The Wonderful Lamp." 

Judge Abiel Sih'er, a former resident of Detroit, 
wrote " Lectures on the .Symbolic Character of the 
Scripturee," and "The Holy Word in its own De- 
fence." 

Ezra C. Seamaii is best known by his " Progress 
of Nations," published at Detroit in 1846. He also 
wrote "Views of Nature," and "Commentaries on 
the Constitution and Laws of the United States." 

Rev. G. B. Stebbins, a former pastor of the Uni- 
tarian Church, wrote " Chapters from the Bible of 
the .-Vges," 400 pages, a pamphlet on " Scientific 
and Industrial Education," and "The American 
Protectionist's Manual." 

James E. Scripps wrote a pamphlet " Outline His- 
tory of Michigan," published in 1873. His series of 
letters from abroad, which appeared in the Evening 
News in 1 881, were collected and published in 18S2 
under the title of " Five Months Abroad ; or. An 
Editor's Observations and Experience in Europe." 

J. Annie Scripps is author of "Our Daily Bread 
and How to Prepare It," a common-sense book 
published in 1879. 

Rev. J. S. Smart wrote " The Funeral Sermon of the 
Maine Law," published by Carlton & Porter in 1858. 

E. L. Shurley, M. D., and C. C. Yemans, M. D., 
wrote the introduction to " Diseases of the Nasal 
Cavity," a translation from the (German of Dr. Carl 
Michel, 112 pages, issued in 1877. 



7o6 



CITIZEN AUTHORS. 



Mrs. I. C. D. Stewart prepared "The Home 
Messenger Cook Hook." 

Morse Stewart, Jr., M. D.. wrote "A I'ocket 
Therapeutics and Uose Book," 264 pages. 

I'rofessor J. M. B. Sill is the author of "Syn- 
thesis of the English Sentence," Ivison, Finney, & 
Company, 1856, and "Practical Lessons in English 
made Brief by Omission of Non-EssentiaJs." A. 
S. Barnes & Company, 1880. 

W. B. Silber, at one time connected with our 
public schools, is author of "An Elementary Gram- 
mar of the Latin Language," published by A. S. 
Barnes & Company. 1869. 

F. H. Seymour published his " Canoe Trip " in I S80. 

F. A. Stokes is author of "College Tramps," 
issued in 1S80. 

Lyman E. Stowe published during 18S4 a vol- 
ume entitled " Drifts of Thought ; or. Problems of 
Progress." 

John Trumbull, author of "McFingal," came to 
Detroit on the steamboat Superior on October 17, 
1825, and died at the residence of his son-in-law. 
Governor Woodbridge. It is especially gratifying 
to connect his name with the literary history of 
Detroit, because to him, as a personal friend, Noah 
Webster submitted all the manuscript of his first 
quarto dictionary for criticism and approval before 
being put in print. Dudley B. Woodbridge. of 
Grosse Pointe, has the edition of 1828, in two 
volumes, given to his grandfather, Mr. Trumbull, 
containing the presentation autograph of the author. 

Bishop Edward Thomson, of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, author of "Educational Essays," 
"Evidences of Christianity," " Letters from Europe," 
"Biographical Sketches," "Moral and Religious 
Essays," and "Oriental Missions," was pastor of 
the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Detroit 
in 1 836-1 837. 

Moses Coit Tyler is a former resident of De- 
troit. His best know-n books are " Bravvnville 
Papers," 1869, and "History of American Litera- 
ture," two volumes, 1S78. 

Rev. Robert TurnbuU, the pastor of the I-"irst 
Baptist Church from 1835 to 1837. wrote "Genius 
of Scotland," "Pulpit Orators of France and Swit- 
zerland," "Genius of Italy," "Theophany," and 
"Chri.st in History." 

Dr. E. A. Theller, of Patriot War notoriety, de- 
tailed his e.Kperiences in a work entitled "Canada 
in 1837 and 1S38." 

Professor Andrew Ten Brook, an early Ba|nist 
pastor, wrote "American State Universities, their 
Origin and Progress." 

C. C. Trowbridge was the author of a valuable 
pamphlet entitled " Detroit, Past and Present." 

Mortimer N. Thompson, a former member of tli« 
Advertiser and Tribune staff, wrote " Doesticks, 



What He Says," New York, 1855, and "E Pluri 
Busta," published by LivermoreiS: 1-t.udd, New York, 
in 1856. 

F. J. Thomas is the author of several operatic 
comedies, named in the article on " Music and the 
Drama." 

A. R. Terry, M. D., wrote " Travels in the Equa- 
torial Regions of South America," published in 1832. 

T. S. Thompson is author of "The Coast Pilot 
for the Upper Lakes," 175 pages, published in 1869. 

Montgomery II. Throop wrote "The Future," 
and " Statute of Frauds." 

C. S. Tripler. M. D., and G. C. Blackman, M. D.. 
were authors of a " Handbook for the Military Sur- 
geon," published at Cincinnati in 1861. 

Rev. George Taylor, once pastor of Congress 
Street and Trinity M. E. Churches, wrote " The 
Rumseller's Indignation Meeting," a satirical essay, 
also " Narrative of Life and Experiences of Frangois 
Pepin." and "A Poem on the Satanic Agency in 
Drunkard-making." 

J. S. Tibbets compiled the " Fee Guide." 

C. S. Tuttle appears as author of a " History of 
Michigan," published in 1873. 

Rev. J. A. Van Fleet wrote "Old and New M.ick- 
inaw." 

A. C. Varney is one of the authors of " Our Homes 
and their Adornments," published in 1882. 

A. B. Woodward, the erratic, eccentric, and eru- 
dite judge, was the author of several works. His 
" Epaminondas on the Government of the Territory 
of the Columbia," was published at Ale.xandria in 
1802 : a work "On the Substance of the Sun," in 
1S09 ; " The System of Universal Science," at Phila- 
delphia, in i8i6; and "The Presidency of the 
United States," at New York, in 1825. 

Colonel Henry Whiting, of the U. S. A., wrote 
" The Emigrant." a poem of 27 pages, descriptive of 
Michigan, published by Sheldon & Reed in 1819; 
" Sanilac," another poem, 154 pages, was published 
at Boston in 1S31, and " Ontwa, the Son of the 
Forest," in 1822 ; " Revolutionary Orders of General 
Washington in 1778, 1780, 1781, and 1782," was 
published in 1844. 

Joseph Whiting wrote " Pri[uiples of English 
Grammar," published in 1845. 

General James Watson Webb was at one time sta- 
tioned here. His book. " Altowan, or Incidents of 
Life and Observations in the Rocky Mountains," two 
volumes, was published by Harper Brothers in 1846. 
Ten years later he published a work entitled " Sla- 
verv and its Tendencies." 

!!. F. II. Witherell contributed many valuable 
articles on matters connected with the early hi.story 
of Detroit to the daily papers, some of which are 
published in the collections of the Wisconsin State 
Historical Society. 



VISITING AUTHORS. 



707 



R. S. Willis, brother of X. 1'. Willis and Fanny 
Fern, is author of " Our Church Music," "Waifs of 
Song," •■ Church Chorals," and other musical works. 
A volume of his poems, entitled "Pen and Lute," 
was published in 1S82. 

C. I. Walker's most widely known work is a 
pamphlet history of "The Northwest during the 
Revolution." 

William Ward published a work at Detroit in 
1829, entitled "The Rise of the West and the Ages 
of Michigan." 

Rev. James V. Watson, pastor of the First M. E. 
Church in 1S44, wrote "Tales and Takings" and 
" Helps to Revivals." 

Colonel O. B. Willcox is the author of a story of 
Detroit known both by the names of " Walter 
March" and "Shoepac." He also wrote "Foca, 
an Army Memoir," and "Instructions for Field Ar- 
tillery." 

Joshua W. Waterman is author of a "Michigan 
Justices' Guide. " 

William Warner wrote a pamphlet, entitled 
"Restoration, the Two Methods." It was pub- 
lished in 1866. 

Alvan Wilkins compiled the " United States Dic- 
tionary for Bankers and Underwriters," 334 pages, 
published at New York in 1856. 

Andrew Wanless is author of " Poems and 
Songs," 192 pages, issued in 1S73. 

O. W. Wight, M. D., has edited or translated the 
following published works : 

Cousin's "Course of Modern Philosophy" and 
"Lectures on the True, the Beautiful, and the 
Good," "The Philosophy of Sir William Hamilton." 
the " Romance of Abelard and Heloise," the vv-orks 
of Chateaubriand, De Stael, Fenelon, La Fontaine, 
Montaigne, Pascal, and Voltaire, also livas of 
Ca;sar, \'ittoria Colonna, Columbus, Joan of Arc, 
Milton, Mohammed, Pitt, Socrates, Tasso, and 
others. Also a number of novels and Martin's His- 
tory of France. 

D. K. W'inder published in 187 1 a work entitled 
"The Fungi of Canada," and is also author of a 
work on "The .-Vurora Borealis." 

Rev. W. W. Washburn, D. D., is author of a 
volume issued in 1883, entitled "Import of Jewish 
Sacrifices." 

S. R. Wooley prepared and iTublished " Wooley's 
Practical Bookkeeping." 

W. T. Young wrote a " Life of Lewis Cass," 420 
pages, published by Markham & Elwood. 

John H. Young compiled "Our Deportment," a 
work which has reached a sale of two hundred 
thousand copies. It is published by F. B. Dicker- 
son & Company. 

John Zundel, who was here as organist of the 
Central M. E. Churcli, is author of "The Church 



Friend," "Christian Heart Songs," and "The New 
Introit." 

Vtsi/i'iig Authors. 

The romantic history and delightful situation and 
surroundings of Detroit, and its location on the 
natural highway of travel, have brought many visit- 
ors to enjoy its hospitality, and not a few persons of 
note in the literary world have left on record their 
impressions of this, the most historic city of the 
West. 

We have accounts of the visits of Lasalle and 
Galinee as early as 1670. Hennepin and Lasalle 
were here in 1679. and in September, 1687, La 
Hontan and Tonty came. In the ne.xt century we 
have a full account of the visit of Charlevoi.x in June, 
1 72 1, and of E. Crespel, another French priest, in 
1729. Major Robert Rogers published an account 
of his arrival here in 1 760. Jonathan Carver came 
in June, 1768, and Heckenwaelder and Zeisberger 
were brought here in November, 1781. 

Lord Edward Fitzgerald visited Detroit in June, 
1789. in company with Joseph Brant. He wrote to 
his mother on June 20 that he had been adopted by 
the Bear Tribe, and made a chief. C. F. Volney, the 
noted infidel author of " Volney 's Ruins," was here 
in September, 1796, and Isaac Weld, an Irish author 
of note, was here in October of the same year. 
Jacob Burnet, author of " Notes on the Northwest 
Territory," came here frequently as an attorney from 
1796 to 1802. 

In the present century we have been still more 
highly favored ; every decade has brought scholars 
among us. George Heriot, author of a volume on 
Canadian Life, came about 1806. From July 2 to 
21, 1818, Elkanah Watson, author of several valu- 
able works, was here on a visit. On September 6, 
I Si 8, Thomas Douglass, fifth Earl of Selkirk, and 
author of several works of note, while on a visit 
here was arrested on account of trouble in connec- 
tion with his Red River settlement. In 1819 W. 
Darby made a tour from New York to Detroit. 
Rev. J. Morse, the noted geographer, and author of 
Morse's Geographies, with his son. Rev. R. S. 
Morse, United States Commissioner arrived on June 
2, 1820, to inquire into the condition of the Indians. 
During the next year. Rev. J. B. Finley, a widely 
known Methodist author, was frequently in Detroit 
as a presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. On June 16, 1826. Thomas L. McKinney, 
author of " \ Tour of the Lakes." arrived in 
Detroit : he left on June 23. C. Colton, author of 
"Tour of American Lakes," was here for about two 
weeks in July and August, 1830. Mrs. J. H. Kin- 
zie, author of " Waubun ; or. Early Days in the 
Northwest," was here in .September, 1830. 

.Alexis deTocqueville with M. M. Beaumont, com- 
missioned by Louis Philippe, King of France, to 



7o8 



VISITING AUTHORS. 



visit the prisons of America, made a three days' 
visit to Detroit from July 20 to 23, 1831. Charles 
Fenno Hoffman spent a week with us in November, 
1833. Harriet Martineau arrived on June 13, 1S36, 
and left the next day. Captain Frederick Marr>-att, 
the prolific novelist, spent nearly a month in Detroit, 
in May and June, 1837. O. H. Marshall, of Buffalo, 
author of several important monographs connected 
with the early history of New York and the West, 
arrived here May 27, 1836, spending several days, 
and in iSSi he was again here on a brief visit. In 
July, 1S37, Daniel Webster came to visit his son, 
Daniel F. Webster, who was then practicing law in 
Detroit. Two days before he left, on July 8, Mrs. 
Anna Jameson came. She was detained ten days 
by sickness. In August, 1837, George P. Marsh, 
on his way to Lake Superior, made a brief tarry at 
Detroit. 

General R. B. Marcy, author of " Border Remi- 
niscences," was here with his regiment in 1838. J. 
Stanley Grimes was here on July 16, 1839. The 
preface of James H. Lanman's " History of Michi- 
gan" is dated at Detroit, and he spent some 
weeks here in 1839. J. S. Buckingham, author 
of a valuable work on " Eastern and Western 
States of America," arrived July 6, and left 
July II, 1S40. He said many pleasant things of 
Detroit. Hon. Henry Barnard, the educational 
writer, delivered an address here on Monday even- 
ing, December 5, 1842. Margaret Fuller was de- 
tained here half a day on her trip to Lake Superior 
in September, 1843. In 1845 Francis Parkman 
spent two weeks in Detroit collecting material for 
his " Conspiracy of Pontiac." He was here again 
in 1867. Dr. Lyman Beecher and Professor C. E. 
Stowe were here at a Church Convention in June, 
1845. In July or August, 1 847, the now well-known 
Dr. Geikie paid our city a brief visit. His father's 
family then lived near Moreton, Ontario, opposite 
what is now the Somerville School at St. Clair. J. 
Fenimore Cooper visited us in June, 1848, and in 
his "Oak Openings" there are various references to 
the city. 

On March i , 1 84S, Horace Greeley was here, and 
also at other times. Professor Louis Agassiz, with 
si.xteen graduates and professors from Harvard Col- 
lege, the Lawrence Scientific and the Dane Law 
schools, among them our own townsman, Jefferson 
Wiley, arrived June 21, 1848, on their way to Lake 
Superior, and stayed about four hours. On their 
return they reached Detroit August 20. Mr. Wiley 
kept a daily journal of the trip, and this was largely 
used by Professor J. Elliott Cabot in the account of 
the journey which accompanies Agassiz's descrip- 
tion of Lake Superior. Caleb Atwater, author of 
"History of Ohio" and several educational works, 
was here for some days in August, 1848. 



George Bancroft was here on his way west on 
October 6, 1 849. 

Frederika Bremer, in her " Homes in the New 
World," speaks of the city, and of her arrival here 
on the steamer Ocean from Buffalo on September 
II, 1850. 

\Villiam H. Seward was here for some time in 
1850, at the Great Railroad Conspiracy Trial. Mrs. 
E. F. Ellet, author of " Pioneer W^omen of the 
West," came early in July, 1850, and left on the 
20th. Two years later she again visited the city. 
Rev. D. P. Kidder, author of " Brazil and the 
Brazilians" and various other works, was here 
on November 6, 1850, and also in 1852 and 1853. 

William Chambers, of the noted Edinburgh pub- 
lishing firm of W. & R. Chambers, himself an 
author, was here in the fall of 1853. J. J. Ampere, 
of the French Academy, was here October 12, 1854. 
In 1856 James R. Albach spent several days in our 
city collecting information for his "Western An- 
nals." In September, 1858, President Mark Hop- 
kins, of Williams College, and Dr. Leonard Bacon 
were here, and the first named was here again in 
October, 1883. 

Rev. J. H. Vincent, D. D., author of the S. S. Les- 
son Leaf system, and of scores of helpful works for 
Bible students, and originator of the " Chautauqua 
Literary Circles," has been here a dozen times or 
more since i860. 

R. G. Pardee, another noted Sunday School author, 
was here several times between i860 and 1870. Ben- 
son J. Lossing was with us October 7 and 8, i860, 
gathering notes for his " History of the War of 1812." 
A Methodist anni\'ersary in October, i860, brought 
together Rev. Dr. Daniel Wise (Francis Forrester), 
Rev. Dr. T. M. Eddy, Dr. J. H. Vincent, and Rev. 
D. W. Clark, all of them widely known authors, 
Anthony Trollope and his wife were here in the fall 
of 1861. Sir Samuel Morton Peto, the railroad 
magnate and also an author, visited Detroit in 1865. 
Bishops Gilbert Haven and E.O. Haven, both well- 
known li/Wrafeitrs, hav.e been here several times. 
General George A. Custer, whose " Life on the 
Plains," entitles him to an author's place, visited 
Detroit repeatedly. 

Edward Eggleston was in attendance on the In- 
ternational Convention of the Y. M. C. A. in 1868, 
as was also Rev. J. P. Newman. Rev. Dr. Luther 
Lee, author of " Elements of Theology," "Universal- 
isni Examined and Refuted," and " Immortality of 
the Soul." has been an occasional visitor. 

A. Bronson Alcott held several " Conversaziones " 
in Detroit in January, February, and November, 
1870. Fanny Fern and her husband, James Parton, 
were here in 1870. Rev. William Taylor, the 
missionary bishop, known all over the world, and 
author of numerous works, has visited Detroit several 



VISITING AUTHORS. 



709 



times. J. Disturncll, authcir of various works of 
reference, was here in 1873, and also in other 
years. On November 16, 1873. Rev. Newman 
Hall, of London, preached in several of our 
churches. 

In 1879 we had a lengthy visit from Rev. Richard 
Newton, of Philadelphia, a, noted writer of sermons 
to children, and from Rev. George Mueller, author 
of ■• Mueller's Life of Trust." 

On September 25, 1879. 'he city was honored 
by a visit from Rev. W. M. Thompson, author of 
"The Land and the Book." In November, 1879, 
D. R. Locke, better known as Petroleum V. Nasby, 
made a lengthy visit. 

On March 4, 1882, Professor A. D. White was 
in the city on bis way east. Mary J. Holmes was 
here on February 23, 1880, Dr. James McCosh on 
April 10 and 11. and the Abbe H. R. Casgrain, a 
Canadian author, in the fall. On May 20, 1881, W. 
H. Russell, the well-known correspondent of the 
London Times, with the Duke of Sutherland, arrived 
in Detroit, and stopped at the Russell House. 

In -May, 1882, at the semi-annual meeting of the 
bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishops 
Hurst, Simpson, Merrill, Peck, Foster, Warren, and 
Wiley were present, — all of them known as authors. 

Benjamin Suite and Abbe Cyprian Tanguay, of 
Ottawa, both widely known Canadian authors, 
arrived on June 25, 1883, and spent several 
days. Lieut. D. H. Kelton, U. S. A., author of the 
"Annals of Fort Mackinac," has been here several 
times. 

Henri Ferdinand Ouarre d" Aligny, Bishop .Samuel 
Fallows, J. Russell Webb, Rev. J. Atkinson, and 
Rev. S. W. Duffield. all of them authors, have vis- 
ited Detroit at various times. 

The University of Michigan at .\nn Arbor may 
almost be claimed as a part of Detroit, and many 
of the faculty have frequently visited the city. .Some 
of them resided here. 

.•^mong the University authors are James B. 
Angell, Charles K. .^dams, Frances Brunow, James 
R. Boise, T. M. Cooley, B. F. Cocker. M. L. 
D'Ooge, Edward S. Dunster, S. H. Douglas, E. P. 
Evans, E. C. Franklin, Corydon L. Ford, Henry S. 



Frieze, George E. Frothingham. Asa Gray, Mark 
W. Herrington, O. C. Johnson. Donald McLean, 
George S. Morris, Edward Olney, William H. 
Hayne, Alonzo B. Palmer, A. B. Prescott.W. G. 
Peck, P. B. Rose, C. H. Stowell. H. P. Tappan, V. 

C. \'aughn, Alexander Winchell. J. C. Watson. 

D. D. Whedon, A. D. White, and De Volsen 
Wood. 

The list of literary visitors who have appeared on 
the rostrum of the Young Men's Society embraces 
the names of many noted authors. The names of 
some of the lecturers and the dates of their visits 
are: Wendell Phillip.s, December 16, 1856; B. P. 
Shillaber (Mrs. Partington), November 25, 1857; I. 
I. Hayes, December 15 and 16, 1857; E. L. 'Vou- 
mans, January 20 and 21, 1858; T. Starr King, 
February 3, 1858; G. D. Prentice, February i, 
185S; M. F. Maury, December 16, 1858; Bayard 
Taylor, February i, 1859; Professor A. D. White, 
Februarys. 1S59; John P. Hale, November 9, 1859; 
Anson Burlingame, November 10, 1859; Bishop 
Simpson, January 6, i860; H. J. Raymond, January 
26, i860; Ralph Waldo Emerson, February 18, 
i860; G. W. Curtis, November 22, i860; Dr. J. G. 
Holland, January 14, 1861 ; Edward Everett, May 
28, 1862; W. G. Brownlow, September 27, 1862; 
C. F. Brown (Artemus Ward), December 3, 1862; 
J. S. C. Abbott, November 26, 1864; Horace 
Greeley, December 22, 1866; Paul DuChaillu. De- 
cember II, 1867 ; Mark Twain. December 22, 1868; 
Justin McCarthy, December 16, 1869; Kate Field, 
February 10, 1870; Fred Douglass, July 26, 1870; 
Joseph Cook, May 27, 1878; Frances E. Willard, 
1879; Thomas John Capel, November 4, 1883; 
Matthew Arnold, January 17, 1884. 

In addition to the above, we have had lectures 
from Park Benjamin, O. S. Fowler, Elihu Burritt, 
H. W. Shaw (Josh Billings), J. G. Sa.xe. Rev. J. 
Milburn (the blind preacher), George W. Bungay, 
Rev. William Morley Punshon, Dr. Thomas Guard, 
Henry Ward Beecher, Anna E. Dickinson, B. 
Waterhouse Hawkins, Richard A. Proctor, Robert 
.Morris, George Francis Train, Rev. T. DeWitt Tal- 
madge, Theodore Tilton, George Vandenhoff, Rob- 
ert G. Ingersoll, and John B. Gough. 



CHAPTER L X X I I , 



LITERARY, HISTORICAL, AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



There is no apparent natural connection between 
lotteries and literature, but one of the earliest Acts 
of the Governor and Judges provided for four lot- 
teries for the purpose of raising $20,000 " for the 
promotion of literature and the improvement of De- 
troit." The only literature, however, that resulted 
therefrom is a copy of the Act itself. The earliest 
practical endeavor for the founding of a public 
library secured the establishment of the 

City Library of Detroit. 

The society was organized in March, and incor- 
porated on August 26, 1 81 7. It is remarkably cred- 
itable to the citizens of that time that, the next day 
after the organization of the society, ninety shares 
of the stock were sold at five dollars each. The 
library was located in the old University building, 
and the teachers of the University acted as librarians. 

On July 15, 1 83 1, the Detroit Athen;fum, a club 
reading room, was organized with the following 
officers : Lewis Cass, president ; John Biddle, vice- 
president ; R. S. Rice, treasurer ; and H. S. Cole, 
secretary. The rooms were on Griswold Street, in 
the rear of Newberry & Kercheval's store, where 
the First National Bank is now located. The effects 
of the City Library were transferred to this new 
organization. It is probable that Mrs. Jameson 
refers to the rooms of this society in her " Winter 
Tours and Summer Rambles," where, speaking of 
Detroit, she says : 

There is also a great numher of booksellers' shops, and I read 
in the papers long lists of books, newly arrived and unpacked, 
which the public are invited to inspect. Wishing to borrow some 
books to while away the long, solitary hours in which I am 
obliged to rest, I asked for a circulating library, and was directed 
to the only one in the place. I had to ascend a steep staircase, 
so disgustingly dirty that it was necessary to draw my drapery 
carefully around me to escape pollution. On entering a large 
room, unfurnished except with book-shelves, I found several 
men sitting, or rather sprawling, upon chairs and reading the 
newspapers. The collection of books was small, but they were 
not of a common or vulgar description. I found some of the 
best modern publications in French and English. The man — 
gentleman I should say, for all are gentlemen here — who stood 
behind the counter neither moved his hat from his head, nor bowed 
on my entrance, nor showed any officious an.xiety to serve or 
oblige ; but wilh this want of what we English consider due cour- 
tesy, there was no deficiency of real civility, — far from it. When 
I enquired on what terms 1 might have some books to read, this 



gentleman desired I would take any book I pleased, and not 
think about payment or deposit. I remonstrated, and repre- 
sented that I was a stranger at an inn — that my stay was imcertain; 
and the reply was that from a lady and a stranger he could not 
think of receiving any remuneration, and then gave himself some 
trouble to look out the book I wished for, which I took away 
wilh me. He did not even ask the name of the hotel at which I 
was staying; and when 1 returned the hooks persisted in declin- 
ing all payment from " a lady and a stranger." 

Soon after her visit, this society was merged into 
the 



Detroit YouHi; Men's Society. 

The history of this organization is as follows : 
Near the close of 1832 a few young men met in the 
store of Messrs. John Clark & Company, on Jeffer- 
son Avenue, between Woodward and Griswold, to 
devise means for greater intellectual improvement. 
A second meetirtg was held at the office of Charles 
Earned, on the corner of Woodward Avenue and 
Earned Street. These preliminary meetings resulted 
in the holding of a more formal meeting at the ses- 
sion room of the First Presbyterian Church, where, 
on Januarv 18. 1S33, a constitution and by-l,aws 
were adopted, and the Detroit Young Men's Society 
organized by the election of the following officers : 
president, Franklin Sawyer ; vice-president, Douglas 
Houghton ; corresponding secretary, George E. 
Hand ; recording secretary, J. R. Scott (soon suc- 
ceeded by Jacob M. Howard) ; treasurer, S. S. Haw- 
kins ; auditor, W. A. Wells ; managers, Charles W. 
Penny, John M. Hunter, Aaron B. Rawles. Silas 
Titus, Silas P. Griswold, H. M. Roby, and Ira Van 
Nortwich. After the organization, meetings for 
literary exercises and debates were held every Fri- 
day evening during the winter months. Either at 
the session room or the council room. Dr. Douglas 
Houghton delivered their first lecture, and from 
time to time other citizens engaged in debates and 
literary exercises ; in fact, most of our older and 
leading lawyers and politicians, living and dead, 
made their first speeches before this society. Anson 
Burlingatne, afterwards United States minister to 
China and Chine.se ambassador extraordinar\-, then 
a law student here, made his maiden speech in the 
old session room. The library was kept at the store 
of Mr. Hallock. and subsequently, until the erection 



[7>ol 



LITERARY. HISTORICAL, AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



711 



of the Hall, at such places and under the charge of 
such persons as could be secured with little or no 
expense. On March 26. 1836, the society was in- 
corporated by the Legislature, and authorized to 
hold property to the amount of S2 5,000. and the 
same year the Governor and Judges presented the 
society, for a nominal consideration, with Lot 56, 
Section r, on Woodward Avenue. In 1848 it was 
determined to erect a hall, and in 1850 the lot on 
Woodward Avenue was sold, and another procured 
on Jefferson Avenue, between Bates and Ran- 
dolph Streets. On this lot a hall forty-five by 
ninety-five feet was erected. It was completed 
on November 27, 1850. at a total cost of about 
$8,500. The erection of the building brought the 
society heavily in debt, but still, as they had 
the rentals of two stores under the hall, the out- 
look was hopeful. Seven years passed away, and 
then, in 1857, was begun the evil practice of rush- 
ing members into the society upon election day 
without regard to their moral or mental fitness. 
The initiation fees were paid by candidates for office, 
and the names of the new members soon disap- 
peared from the roll. In 1859 the Act of Incor- 
poration was so amended that the society could hold 
property to the amount of $200,000. It was now- 
proposed to erect a new hall, and a contract was 
entered into for a lot held by the University on the 
corner of Larned and Bates Streets. The city also 
claimed the lot. but a suit which followed terminated 
in favor of the University. On account of business 
depression, the society was unable to fulfil its con- 
tract for the lot, and the plan w-as abandoned. A 
vacant lot, eighty by one hundred and fifty feet, in 
the rear of the Biddle House and fronting on Wood- 
bridge Street, together with a corridor sixteen feet 
wide, running through the Biddle House to Jeffer- 
son Avenue, was then leased for a term of twenty- 
five years, with the privilege of renewing for further 
periods of twenty-five and fifty years, the owners of 
the land agreeing to take the building at an ap- 
praisal at the expiration of the term. On this lot a 
hall was completed, and first opened to the public 
on November 21, 1861, with an address by Hon. 
Jacob M. Howard and a poem by D. B. Duffield. 
The total cost of the building was $24,106. The 
old lot and hall were turned over to Messrs. Shearer 
& Chapoton in part payment, and they sold the 
property to Walter Ingersoll. in January, 1861, for 
$11,000. The balance of the funds required to 
erect and furnish the new hall was raised by selling 
stock to the amount of about $17,000, in shares of 
fifteen dollars each. The hall seated about fifteen 
hundred, and nearly two thousand were at times 
accommodated. It was at first very popular and 
was in great demand for various purposes. Other 
and newer halls and opera houses soon caused a 



serious loss of revenue from rentals, and the society 
was unable to meet its obligations. 

In 1875 the property was sold to Luther Beecher 
for $16,000. The library was moved to the second 
story of the Merrill Block, and new rooms opened 
on August 2. At this time they had about sixteen 
thousand volumes, five hundred annual and one 
hundred and fifty life members. The dues of two 
dollars per year were payable semi-annually. The 
annual meeting was held on the first Tuesday in 
April. The society was governed by the officers and 
a board of eight directors, four of whom were elected 
yearly for terms of two years each. .Soon after 
moving to their new location it became evident that 
the society could not compete with the Public Lib- 
rarj". and after a struggle of a few years it was 
decided to sell the property, pay the debts, and dis- 
band. Accordingly, during the months of August 
and September, 1882, the books were sold singly to 
whoever would purchase, and on September 30, the 
organization ceased. Many of their books, and 
some other property, including a marble bust of 
General Cass and oil portraits of several of the 
presidents of the society, were obtained by the 
Public Library. 

The following persons ser\-ed as presidents : 1833, 
Franklin Sawyer, Jr., Douglass Houghton; 1834, 
Jacob M. Howard, Charles W. Penny ; 1835. George 
C. Bates, Marshall J. Bacon; 1836. John L. Talbot, 
.Alexander W. Buel ; 1837, D. E. Harbaugh ; 1838, 
Franklin Sawyer. Jr.; 1839. James A. Van Dyke; 
1840. J. G. .Atterburj-; 1841. S. Barstow; 1842, J. S. 
Abbott; 1843. S. f. Douglas; 1844, W. A. How- 
ard ; 1845, Bela Hubbard; 1846, Witter J. Baxter; 
1847. T. W. Lockwood; 1848, J. V. Campbell; 
1849. E. C.Walker; 1850, D. B. Duffield; 1851. 
H. H. Emmons; 1852, U. T. Howe; 1853. G. V. 
N. Lothrop ; 1854, C. I.Walker; 1855, Levi Bishop; 
1856. H. P. Baldwin; 1857. John B. Palmer; 1858, 
J. E. Pittman ; 1859, S. Dow Elwood ; i860, W. A. 
Moore ; 1861. Sidney D. Miller ; 1862, R. W. King ; 
1863, J. E. Pittman ; 1864, John G. Erwin ; 1865, E. 
LeFavour; 1866, O. B. Willco.x, H. A. Newland; 
1867. Peter Young; 1868, C. H. Wetmore ; 1869, 
X. G. Williams ; 1870, A. G. Boynton ; 1871, L. T. 
Griffin; 1872. L. S. Trowbridge; 1873, R. R. 
Elliott; 1874- 1875. H. M. Duffield; 1876. J. H. 
Wendell ; 1877-1878. T. P. Hall ; 1879, Henry Rus- 
sel ; 1880, C. J. Jleilly; 1881, J. B. Stoutenburgh ; 
1882, Philo Parsons. 

Lyceum of the City of Detroit.. 

This society was organized on January 14, i8!8, 
with the following officers ; A. B. Woodward, 
president ; William Woodbridge. first vice-presi- 
dent ; Charles Larned. second vice-president ; 
George B. Larned, secretary ; Dr. J. L. Whiting, 



7i: 



LITERARY, HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



treasurer. The constitution was adopted April 29, 
and printed in the Detroit Gazette, occupying several 
columns. Like most of the documents of that 
period, it was drawn up in the verbose and magni- 
ficently .stilted style of Judge Woodward. The 
following extracts from the original constitution 
amply verify its authorship : 

Article l\l, Svctioit 1.— This institution will affiliate with 
any other scientific, literary, benevolent, or patriotic association, 
in relation to which it shall prove reciprocally agreeable. 

Section 2. — The members of associations in affiliation with this 
shall be considered, when present, members of this institution 
without any ceremony, or expense of admission or initiation. 

Section 3.— This institution will interchange from time to 
time, with affiliated institutions, lists of its members and e.\empli- 
fications of its constitution and regulations, and will co-operate 
in measures deemed serviceable to religion, to philanthropy, to 
science, and to literature. 

Section h. — Non-resident or distant members may constitute 
similar associations, which shall be in affiliation with this institu- 
tion and with one another. 

Section 5.— A n association affiliated with one in affiliation 
with this, shall I'C in affiliation with this institution. 

Section 6.— Affiliated associations in vicinity may constitute 
by representation one more general. 

Section 7.— Associations by representation may constitute 
others more general. 

Article V.— There shall be kept in this institution lists of all 
the productions of .\merican literature about to emanate from the 
American press ; and subscriptions or orders for any of the same, 
or for any other productions of American literature, or for any 
productions of foreign literature, shall be received in the bosom 
of the association, or at the residence of any of the officers. 

Article X, Section i.— A library, a museum, a mineralogical 
cabinet, and an Athena:um shall be established as soon as shall 
be found convenient. 

Section 3.— .\ philosophical apparatus, an observatory, and 
laboratory erected, a botanic and an agricultural garden instituted, 
conducted and maintained ; and any other enterprise undertaken 
which may be fur the benefit of science, to learning, to humanity, 
or to public interest, whenever the same .shall be judged expedient. 

The organization lived only about three years. 
"Died of constitutional disorder" would probably 
be an appropriate epitaph. 

The Lvcciim of Michigan 
was organized December 6, 1830, with the following 
officers: L. Cass, president; H. R. Schoolcraft and 
H. Whiting, vice-presidents; William Ward, secre- 
tary; A. S. Porter, treasurer; J. L. Whiting, W. L. 
Newberry, and L. Lyon, executive committee. Like 
its predecessor, it was short-lived, and nothing was 
heard of it after 1831. 

Till- Historical Society of Jilichigan 

was incorporated June 23. and fully organized July 
3, 1828, at the Mansion House by the election of 
the following officers ; President, L. Cass; secretary. 
H. S. Cole ; first vice-president. John Biddle ; second 
vice-president, Thomas Rowland ; corresponding 
secretary, H. Whiting; treasurer. C. C. Trowbridge; 
librarian, J. L. Whiting. These same officers con- 



tinued till 1830, and probably till 1837. Any person 
voted in, and paying one dollar a year, could become 
a member. 

The first lecture before the society was delivered 
by Governor Cass in September, 1828. Subsequent 
lectures were delivered by H. R. Schoolcraft, on 
June 4, 1830, by Major Henry Whiting, on June 5, 

1831, and by Major John Biddle, on September 15, 

1832. These lectures were printed separately, and 
then gathered into one volume, and published under 
the title of " Historical and Scientific Sketches of 
Michigan." In 1837 the officers were John Biddle, 
president; Thomas Rowland, vice-president; H. 
Whiting, corresponding secretary; A. L. Porter, 
recording secretary ; C. C. Trowbridge, treasurer ; 
Z. Pitcher, librarian. 

In its earlier days the society collected many 
manuscripts and articles illustrating and explaining 
the early history of Michigan, and some very valu- 
able papers and objects were entrusted to it for safe 
keeping. The members, however, grew apathetic, 
and for nearly twenty years little or no effort 
was made to maintain or revive the organization. 
Finally, on August 4, 1857, a meeting was held, 
and B. F. H. Witherell was elected president and 
C. I. Walker corresponding secretary. Renewed 
interest was manifested for a time, but no perma- 
nent results were reached, and the collections of the 
society were transferred from place to place. Even- 
tually C. I. Walker became the sole custodian, and 
the .society sleeps on, allowing other States and 
societies to garner the precious relics of our earlier 
history. 

Detroit Mechanics Society. 

On June 13. 1818, a number of mechanics 
and citizens met at the hotel of Colonel Richard 
Smyth to consult on the expediency of forming an 
association for their mutual protection and benefit. 
Colonel Smyth was called to the chair, and Chauncey 
S. Pavne chosen secretary. After consultation, a 
committee, consisting of Judge Woodward and 
Major Robert Irwin, was appointed to draft a con- 
stitution. A subsequent meeting was held on June 
19, and a constitution read, re-committed to a new 
committee of five, and finally adopted on June 29. 
The first regular election of officers took place on 
July 20, 1 81 8, when the following officers were 
chosen : president, Robert Irwin ; vice-president. 
Benjamin Stead ; secretary, John P. Sheldon ; treas- 
urer, John S. Roby ; stewards. Chauncey S. Payne, 
Paul Clapp, Charles Howard. Ebenezer Reed, and 
Jeremiah Moors. 

On May 15, 1820. the society was incorporated 
for a term of twenty years, and in 1828 the city 
donated to the society the property on the south- 
west corner of Griswold Street and Lafayette Ave- 



LITERARY. HISTORICAL. AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



713 



nue, consisting of two lots, witli a frontage of one 
hundred and thirty feet on Griswold Street and 
seventy-five feet on Lafayette Avenue. The lots 
were then worth S500. On November 7, 1833, a 
committee was appointed to submit a plan for a 
hall. On No\-ember i 5 a plan was adopted, and nn 
June 16, 1S34, the hall, a two-story wooden build- 
ing, was first used. In 1839 the Legislature re- 
newed the charter, continuing it in force until May 
I, i860. 

On February 17. 1857. the Legislature passed an 
Act to incorporate Mechanics' Associations and 
under this Act the society reorganized in February. 
1S60. It numbered nearly all the old citizens 
among its members, pursued a careful and conser\-- 
ative course, and in 1S70 had a membership of 
nearly two hundred, with an income of about Si.ooo 
a year from rents, of which it expended some $300 
or $400 a year for books. The library included 
about four thousand volumes. It was kept open 
from 2 to 4.30 P. M.. and from 7 to 9 P. ^r. on Wed- 
nesdays and Saturdays. The property was free 
from all incumbrance, and was estimated to be 
worth S50.000. The annual meeting was held on 
the first Monday in March. Feeling confident of 
its ability, on April 28. 1S73, the society resolved to 
erect a block to cover their entire property, and pre- 
paratory to building, the library was removed to 
vacant rooms over Chauncey Hurlbut's store on 
Woodward Avenue. $60,000 were borrowed on 
the property, and the erection of the building was 
begun. The contractors failed to have it ready in 
time to secure tenants, and being unable to meet 
their engagements, on May 22, 1876, the president 
and secretary made an assignment to Horace M. 
Dean, J. H. Van Schoick. and James Burns, for the 
benefit of the creditors. The debts were S' 17.000. 
and the assets were estimated at $173,000. The 
depreciation in real estate caused the entire prop- 
erty to be sold on November 2. 1876. to Thomas Mc- 
Craw, for §112.500. The library and furniture 
were released by the creditors, and temporarily 
stored in the fourth story of the Moffat Building. 
On August I. 1877. the Detroit Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association made a proposition to the trustees 
to provide a room and librarian and proper care for 
the books, and also to furnish the society with a 
room for their meetings for the term of five years. 
on condition that the members of their society be 
allowed to use the books. The proposition was 
accepted, the books removed, and the librarj' form- 
ally opened for use in the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. 
on September 19. 1877. In April. 1881, the Y. M. 
C. A. sold its property to the Detroit Medical Col- 
lege, and the library- was returned to the Mechan- 
ics' Society. Arrangements were then made for its 
care by the College, and it remained in the building. 



The presidents and secretaries of the society, 
up to i860, when the property was placed in the 
hands of trustees, were: Presidents: 1818-1820. 
Robert Iruin; 1820-1827. John P. Sheldon; 1827- 
1829. Charles Jackson; 1829-1831. J. E. Schwartz: 
1831-1835, JohnMuUett; 1835. John Farrar; 1836- 
1840, Levi Brown; 1840-1844. J. Moors; 1844. A. 
Ewers; 1845. John Roberts; 1846-1851, Solomon 
Dav^s; 1851-1853. William Barclay; 1853-1856. 
H. H. LeRoy; 1856-1858. W\ W. Wilcox; 1858- 
1860. John Gibson. Secretaries: 1818-1820. J. P. 
Sheldon; 1820. B. Stead; 1821. L. Brown; 1822- 
1S27. Obed Wait; 1827-1829. J. E. Schwartz: 
1S29. J. McKinney ; 1830. L. Bain; 1831-1835, 
(iarry Spencer; 1835, C. Hurlbut ; 1836. W. Wat- 
kins ; 1837-1841. A. C. McOraw; 1841-1853. John 
Farrar; 1853, William Harsha; 1854-1860, John 
Farrar. 

JVaync County Pioiucr Society. 

A preliminary meeting in the interest of this so- 
ciety, held on April 21, 1871, resulted in the adoption 
of a constitution and the completion of an organiza- 
tion on May 4. It was at first called the Pioneer 
Society of Detroit, but on March 23, 1874, the name 
was changed as above. The first officers were : Levi 
Bishop, president; Luther Beecher and Thomas 
Lewis, vice-presidents; S. G. Wight, secretary; W. 
A. Bacon, treasurer. After Mr. Bacon's death, in 
April, 1873, Seymour Finney was elected treasurer. 

The object of the society is to collect and pre- 
serve historical and biographical data pertaining to 
the county. The annual meeting is held on April 
21, and a semi-annual meeting on October 21, with 
other meetings at the call of the Executive Com- 
mittee, which is composed of the president, secre- 
tar\-. and treasurer. The membership is limited to 
persons of forty-five years of age and upward, who 
have lived in Detroit or vicinity continuously or at 
various periods for not less tlian thirty years. An 
initiation fee of two dollars, and annual dues of one 
dollar thereafter, are required of members. Assess- 
ments of not more than five dollars a year may also 
be made. The society has obtained a large number 
of interesting biographical and historical sketches 
fro:n its members, and these, with other articles, 
are preserved at Lansing. In 1876 S. Zug was 
elected secretary, ser\-ing until 1882, when he was 
succeeded by James A. Girardin. and in the same 
year J. C. Holmes was elected president. 

The State Pioneer Society, organized April 22, 
1874. and many county societies, are outgrowths of 
the Wayne County Association. The State organi- 
zation has issued four volumes, containing a series 
of miscellaneous papers by various persons on mat- 
ters connected with the history of the State. Some 
of them possess much interest. 



714 



LITERARY, HISTORICAL, AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



Detroit Scientific Association. 

On March 27, 1874, a number of gentlemen met 
in the museum of Professor J. M. B. Sill, on the 
northeast corner of First and Wayne Streets, for the 
purpose of organizing this society. Professor Sill was 
called to the chair, and F, Woolfenden elected secre- 
tary, Mr. E. C. Skinner stated that the object of the 
meeting was the organization of a scientific associa- 
tion, with the purpose of establishing a permaijent 
museum, and cultii-ating a love for the study of 
natural history and general science. A committee, 
consisting of J. C. Holmes, E. C. Skinner, Dr. G. P. 
Andrews, and F. Woolfenden, was appointed to 
draft a constitution and by-laws. On April 16 the 
association was fully organized by the adoption of 
a constitution and the election of the following 
officers: President, G. P. Andrews; first vice-presi- 
dent, E. C. .Skinner; second vice-president, J. M. H. 
Sill; treasurer, C. C. Cadman ; recorder, F. Wool- 
fenden; secretary and cabinet-keeper, A. B. Lyons; 
librarian. J. C. Holmes; curators. D. F. Henry, F. 
Stearns, and H. Gillman. 

On May 6. 1874, Room 9, on the third floor of the 
Moffat Building, was leased for the use of the asso- 
ci.aion, and here the Museum began. The room 
being too small for a lecture-room, the weekly 
meetings for business and lectures were held in Pro- 
fessor Sill's school building. In July, 1874, the 
Museum was moved to a larger room on the same 
floor, and in August of this year the association ob- 
tained subscriptions for, and purchased of Henry A. 
Ward his college series of casts of fossils, at a cost of 
S-.ooo. A larger and more suitable room was now 
a necessity, and in September, 1874, the upper story 
of the old Odd Fellows' Hall, on the west side of 
Woodward ,'\venue, was obtained. The Museum 
was formally opened in its new quarters by a series 
of receptions given on October 26. 27, 28, 29, and 
31 ; first, to the subscribers to the fund for the pur- 
pose of purchasing the Ward fossils ; second, to the 
Audubon and the St. Clair Fishing Clubs; third, to 
the city and county officers ; fourth, to the clergy. 
legal and medical professions ; and fifth, to the 
teachers of the public schools. In December, 1876, 
the officers of the association were notified that the 
rooms occupied by the Museum must be vacated by 
the first of April, 1877, as the old building was to 
give place to a new block. The association then 



rented the building in the rear of the old Capitol 
which had been vacated by the Public Library, and 
in February, 1877, the Museum was moved thither. 
The Board of Education requiring the use of the 
room, the Museum, in June, 1879, was again moved, 
finding temporary quarters in the Mather Block, on 
the east side of Woodward Avenue, near the Grand 
Circus. By arrangement with the Y. M. C. A., the 
lectures for the sea.son of 1 879-1 880 were given in 
their hall and under the joint auspices of the two 
associations. 

In June, 1S80. the Museum was moved to one of 
the vacant buildmgs of Harper Hospital, and in May, 
1883. it was placed in the second story of the Detroit 
Medical College building on Farmer Street. 

From the beginning, the intention has been to 
have the Museum open and free on Tuesday, Thurs- 
dav, and Saturday evenings, and Saturday after- 
noons. During the winter months of several years 
free lectures were given on Wednesday evenings, 
mostly by members of the association, and the lec- 
tures, generally upon scientific subjects, were at- 
tended by large and appreciative audiences. 

The Museum contains a large collection of the 
birds of North America and a fair number of foreign 
birds, with a few specimens of wild animals, and a 
very full collection of North American insects, more 
particularly of colcoptera. In the insect department 
the exchange list is very large, and exchanges are 
made with nearly all the leading entomologists in 
the United .States. In the conchology department 
there are many specimens, with a good variety of 
geological and botanical illustrations. There is also 
an archa?logical department, and contributions are 
occasionally received. The collection is valued at 
$10,000. 

The society was incorporated on April 27. 1875. 
Any person acceptable to the Board of Directors 
may become a member at any time by the payment 
of five dollars. The annual dues are five dollars. 
The total yearly expenses of the society are from 
$1,500 to 12,000. 

The presidents and secretaries have been : Presi- 
dents: 1874. George P. Andrews ; 1875-1877, J.M. 
B. Sill; 1877- , J. C. Holmes. Secretaries; 

1874. C. B. Hubbard ; 1875-1877. F. Woolfenden; 
1S77- , Br\-ant Walker. 



CHAPTER L XX III, 



PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND SEMINARIES.— CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



PR1V.\TE SCHOOLS. 

Education.\l advantacfes were slim indeed in 
the earlier years of Detroit. Under French rule 
children were sometimes .sent to Montreal and 
Quebec to be educated, and after the English came, 
to various schools in the far East. On one occa- 
sion Mr. McDougall sent two of his boys, in care of 
some Dutch traders, from the Mohawk down to 
Schenectady, to be educated possibly by Ichabod 
Crane of Sleepy Hollow, The trip in an open boat 
occupied a long time, and it was nearly a year 
before he heard from them, and then he learned 
that they had played truant persistently, and mingled 
so freely with the children of the Dutch settlers that 
they had almost lost the use of their mother tongue. 
Pater McDougall was indignant, and proposed to 
vent his anger on the Dutch, vowing that thereafter 
he would "kill every Dutchman on sight." 

In 1775 mention is made of a school-house just 
outside the fort on the west. 

In an old ledger. Captain .A.ndrew Park, of the 
King's Regiment, is charged on "June 5, 17S0, 
twelve shillings sixpence cash paid for schooling 
the children of the regiment." In the .same book, 
on May 15, 1781, Peter Grant is charged one pound 
twelve shillings for " cash paid Garrit for school- 
ing his son." 

About 1790, and for several years after, schools 
were taught by Messrs. Recours and Balpour. AVith 
the coming of the Americans in 1796, and the im- 
migration that immediately followed, other teachers 
came. In 1797, Miss Pattison appears as a teacher. 
The same year we first learn of John Burrell. An 
old school-bill of his against James May, rendered 
in 1797, shows that his price for tuition was three 
pounds per quarter, in addition to a charge of one 
pound four shillings for •' your proportion of fire- 
wood." He taught till 1803, or later. One of 
his contemporary teachers was Matthew Donovan, 
who taught from 1799 unt'' his school was broken 
up by the fire of 1805. Old records show that on 
June 4, 1S04.. the police complained of him " for not 
sweeping the street before his school-house." On 
July 2 of the same year they made a similar charge 
against Monsieur Serrier. the French schoolmaster; 
he was .still teaching in 1813. He had been a sol- 
dier in the French Revolution, and had a sabre-cut 

I 



on his head, and this, or the liquor which he drank, 
caused him at times to act like one insane. 

Rev. David Bacon, while temporarily sojourning in 
Detroit, opened a school on .St. James Street in the 
rear of the later Masonic Hall, on May 25, 1801, 
and four weeks after his wife opened a girls' school. 
At first their services were greatly appreciated, but 
the fact that they were " Yankees " soon e.xcited 
prejudice against them, and caused the discontinu- 
ance of his school, and sickness compelled his wife 
to close her school in October, iSoi. 

The next pedagogue was John Goff. On October 
24, r8o6, he petitioned the Governor and Judges for 
a lot for a public school. His school was located 
near the bank of the river, just west of the mouth of 
the Savoyard. He afterwards taught on what is 
now Woodbridge -Street, between Bates and Ran- 
dolph Streets. He was aided by his wife, an excel- 
lent lady and a good teacher. He was drunken and 
ill-tempered, and had much trouble with his schol- 
ars, but a school was kept in his name up to 181 6. 

In 1810 we first hear of Daniel Curtis. He taught 
school to May 6, 181 2, or later. From 181 2 prob- 
ably to I Si 8, a school was maintained by a Mr. 
Payne, or Peyn. This gentleman had an excellent 
classical education, and his ser\-ices were much 
prized. In 181 3 a Mr. Rowe is mentioned as a 
teacher. His school was in an old wooden building 
on Griswold Street, near the corner of Jefferson 
Avenue. 

On June 10, 1S16, Mr. Danforth commenced what 
was called a common school, and on July i he had 
forty scholars. He had a violent temper and was 
brutal in the extreme, throwing rulers at the schol- 
ars and on one occasion an open knife. His brutal- 
ities finally so aroused the members of one familv 
that he was compelled to seek a refuge across the 
river, and this ended his school. Soon after his 
departure Levi Cook opened a school in a building 
owned by Mr. Campau on the northwest corner of 
Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street ; he continued 
it only about a year. 

In 1 81 7 there was much discussion concerning the 
subject of education, and on August 8 the Detroit 
Gazette contained the following editorial : 

Frenchmen of the territory of Michigan ! Vou ought to begin 
immediately to give an education to your children. In a little 



7i6 



PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND SEMINARIES. 



time there will be in this territory as many Yankees as French, 
and if you do not have your children educated the situations will 
all be given to the Yankees. No man is capable of serving as a 
Civil and Military officer unless he can, at least, read and write. 
There are many young people, of from eighteen to twenty years, 
who have not yet learned to read, but they are not yet too old to 
learn. I have known those who have learned to read at the age 
of forty years. 

Just how much this editorial accomplished is, of 
course, uncertain, but in a subsequent issue of the 
Gazette notice was given that Mr. Banvard's school 
would open at the Council House on November 3, 
1817. The same year William Brookfield and wife 
were conducting a .school on the southeast corner of 
Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street. They 
were e.Ncellent people and good instructors. In iSi 8 
John J. Deming taught for a few months in the old 
Council House. 

In May, 1 82 1, E. W. Goodwin taught a private 
school, and Mr. T. Young taught an English school 
"at Mr. J. B. Laduceur's large house "near May's 
Creek. In November of the same year, and for 
several years after, Mr. Brookfield and his wife 
taught what was known as the Seminary in the same 
place. In 1822 Eliza S. Trowbridge was engaged 
in teaching; and for a few months in 1821 and 
1822 Orestes A. Brownson taught a school in Spring- 
wells. An attack of fever and ague caused him 
to return to New York. From 1823 to 1825 a 
large and at first a promising school was taught by 
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Kinney, but the intemperate 
habits of Mr. Kinney broke up the school. In 
1826 Mrs, Kinney was teaching in the rear of 
Newberry's store, on the corner of Griswold and 
Lamed Streets. 

On October 27, 1823, the University trustees 
voted to allow Mr. Carpenter to occupy a room in 
the University building for a school. A year later a 
Mr. Shepard was teaching a primary school in a 
small building on the grounds of the University, and 
in May, 1825, his wife had a " female school" in the 
same place. On November 14, 1828, leave was 
granted to P. \V. Healy to keep a school in the Uni- 
versity building. In 1829 he was teaching else- 
where, and Delos Kinnicutt was keeping school in 
the University. During most of the period from 
1828 to 1832, private schools were conducted by A. 
E. Hathon and E. Jerome, each of them alternately 
surveying town lots and the progress of their pupils. 

In 1829 the want of a good common school was 
severely felt, and a public meeting was called " to 
secure the establishment of an English common 
school." As a result of the meeting, a school was 
established by Joel Tucker, and on May 12, r830, 
the Common Council gave him permission to occupy 
a building on the military grounds adjoining the 
Cass Farm. 

Soine of these earlier schools were called semi- 



naries, but they had no corporate existence. On 
March iS, 1830, a society was incorporated for the 
promotion of female education. The first meeting 
was held on March 24, and the following ofiicers 
were elected : president, Lewis Cass ; treasurer, C. 
C.Trowbridge; secretary, John J. Deming: direc- 
tors, Jonathan Kearsley, Henry M. Campbell, De 
Garmo Jones, William Ward, Eurotas P. Hastings, 
James Abbott, Charles Lamed, E. A. Brush. 

On March 29 the Governor and Judges granted 
the society nearly all of the site now occupied by 
the City Hall, on condition that by the year 1835 a 
suitable building should be erected. Nearly four 
years pa'ssed before the building was completed, and 
then the following notice appeared : 

FEMALE SEMINARY. 

The stockholders of the Association for promoting female edu- 
cation in the city of Detroit are requested to meet at the building 
recently erected for the Seminary, on Thursday, December 4th 
inst., at two o'clock p. m., for the purpose of considering the 
constitution to be proposed for the government of the Associa- 
tion, and for the transaction of other important business to all 
concerned in this object. The importance of the subject to be 
submitted induces the undersigned to hope for a very general 
and punctual attendance of those whose munificence has enabled 
them to progress thus far, and of all who may be willing to con- 
tribute further aid to the undertaking. 

John Biddle, E. P. Hastings, B. F. H. Witherell, 
Thom.\s Palmer, De G. Jones, H. M. Campijell, 
E. Brooks, W. L. Newberry, J. Dean, C. C. Tkow- 

BRIDGE. 

Detroit, December 2, 1834. 



mniMmiiiini m 1 iii i iiiiiii i i i iN iii ii iiiiiii N i i iiiii m ii m iii i ii i iiiiiii ii ii ll i 





Ik 



•••"Tmn \ 



Female Seminary IUilding, as it ai i F-AREd in 1863. 

The building cost $7,325 ; it was built of yellow 
brick, with a frontage of fifty-six feet and a depth of 
forty feet, each of its three stories contained eighteen 
rooms and a large hallway. It was occupied as a. 
school in 1836, and in 1837 had sixty pupils and a 
valuable set of philosophical apparatus. Its fir.st 
principal was William Kirkland. In November, 
1836, he was succeeded by Mr. George Wilson, 



PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND SEMINARIES. 



717 



who remained till 1839. Mrs. Hester Scott and her 
daughters, Annie, Isabella, and Eleanor, who had 
conducted a young ladies' school for two years pre- 
vious, then took charge, and remained until 1S42; 
the school was then discontinued. The ladies last 
named continued to teach in other localities for sev- 
eral years afterwards. 

When the property ceased to be used as a school 
it was transferred to the State in trust for the Uni- 
versity, and was used as a State Armory, for sessions 
of the Supreme Court, and for other State olhces. 
After it came into possession of the city, the offices 
of the Mayor, the Board of Sewer Commissioners, 
and the City Surveyor were located therein. It was 
eventually demolished to make room for the present 
City Hall. 

Returning to the year 1830. we find that on July 
26 Miss Williams opened an infant school in one of 
the old military buildings on Fort Street West, com- 
mencing with thirty pupils. At the same time the 
Misses Farrand were conducting a Young Ladies' 
Seminary, and Mr. George Wilson was teaching an 
English Classical School. He was succeeded in a 
year qr two by Rev. D. S. Coe. In May, 1832, J. B. 
Howe was teaching a Classical Academy. During 
1833 D. B. Crane was in charge of a Classical School 
in the old Council House, on the corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Randolph Street. In the fall of 1S33 
Messrs. Tappan and Nichols were advertised as 
teachers of the Detroit Female Seminary in the old 
University building, and on November 21 the fol- 
lowing announcement appeared : 

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL. 

This institution will be open on Monday, the zd of December 

next, in the south basement room of the old Council House, for 

the reception of pupils. 

J. N. Bellows. 

On March 12, 1S34., the lower part of the building 
was rented to Mr. D. B. Crane, and the upper part 
to Mr. Bellows. On or before April 7, 1834, Mr. 
Bellows had removed his school to its new quarters, 
and on October 24 he transferred his lease to Mr. 
Crane, who continued until 1835 or later. 

A report contained in Niles' Register for April 19, 
1834, shows that there were four hundred and 
forty-eight pupils then in attendance on various 
schools in Detroit. 

On June 16, 1834, the Mechanics' Society resolved 
to establish a school in their building on Criswold 
Street, and the trustees were authorized to employ 
a teacher and maintain a school. As a result of 
this action, in October following, Mr. O. Marsh 
opened the Mechanics' Academy, under their aus- 
pices. In 1835 Mr. Fay was teaching in their 
building, and John S. Abbott was wielding the 
birch over a classical school in the Atheiiitum. 



In 1S36 Washington A. Bacon, a native of Ver- 
mont, who had taught for three years at Sault Ste. 
Marie, came to Detroit, and in July of that year 
commenced teaching a select school for boys, in a 
cottage on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and St. 
Antoine Street. He subsequently removed to his 
residence on the corner of Jefferson Av-enue and 
Russell Street, and taught in a building on the rear 
of the lot. For nearly forty years he taught four 
terms a year, and though called " strict " by the 
boys, the length of time he continued in his profes- 
sion, the reputation of his school, and the acquire- 
ments of his pupils afford the best of evidences of 
rare qualifications as a teacher. 

In 1836 Rev. R. Elms was at the head of the 
Detroit Classical Academy. In the same year three 
different persons, L. J. Himes, J. S. Weed, and Miss 
Clancy, conducted schools in Mechanics' Hall, and 
the next year, G. B. Eastman taught in the same 
place. This building, from the time of its erection, 
afforded favorite teaching ground, and its walls and 
halls became almost classic through the forensic 
eloquence displayed on declamation days. 

In 1836 John T. Blois and Mr. Mitchell had 
schools, with about forty pupils each. In 1839 and 
1840 E. J. Meany conducted a school for boys over 
the Bank of St. Clair on Jefferson Avenue. On May 
25. 1841, Miss E. J. Vail opened a school for young 
ladies, on Wayne between Fort and Congress Streets. 
In the fall and also in the spring of 1842, Rev. C. 
W. Fitch was teaching a girls' seminary. 

On February 23, 1842, the following notice 'ap- 
peared : 

Select School. — Miss A. S. Bagg will commence the second 
term of her school for the instruction of young ladies in the vari- 
ous branches of education usually taught in Female .Academies. 

In 1S43 P. C. Millette, P. Higgins, and Dennis 
O'Brien taught in the old academy, and Miss San- 
ford had a young ladies' school on Jefferson Avenue 
opposite the E.xchange. In the spring of 1844 
Stephen Fowler, who is favorably remembered by 
many old pupils, and a Mr. Cochrane, commenced 
a classical school in the basement of the Baptist 
Church on the corner of Fort and Griswold Streets. 
In 1845 G. C. Curtis was associated with him, and 
the school was moved to the northeast corner of 
Michigan Avenue and Griswold Street. About 
1849 his school was located on the north side of 
Jefferson Avenue near St. Antoine Street, in a large 
wooden building called the Detroit Institute. A 
school had been taught in the same building the 
two previous years by George Brewster. 

Mr. Fowler's school was probably discontinued in 
1852. About this time Mrs. Clements taught a 
select school which was largely patronized. 

In 1844 Mrs. Elizabeth D. Bryant, a cousin of 



7i8 



PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND SEMINARIES. 



William Cullen Bryant, commenced a select school, 
which she continued in \'arious locations for more 
than a third of a century. 

In 1845 and 1846 Mechanics' Hall was occupied 
by the school of D. T. Grinold. In 1846 and 1847 
Messrs. William Brannigan and N. West taught 
boys' schools. In 1847 we find allusions to the 
schools of Melville Moir, Abner Hurd, and Miss 
Hurlbut. In 1847 and 1848 Franz Zinger taught 
a select German school on Croghan Street between 
Hastings and Rivard, and on July 22, 1849, Joseph 
Kuhn began a school on the corner of Hastings and 
Croghan Streets. He continued it till 1852. 

A successful ladies' seminary was opened by Miss 
Sarah Hunt, on September 23, 1851, on Fort Street 
West, in the Strong House; the school was re- 
moved, the year following, across the street between 
Griswold and Shelby Streets. In order to aid her in 
establishing her school, Messrs. John Owen, David 
French, E. B. Ward, J. J. Garrison, John Stephens, 
C. Van Husan, James Burns, J. D. Morton, H. De 
Graff, W. K. Coyl, George Kirby, M. F. Dickinson, 
and others, advanced three thousand dollars, which 
amount was repaid in tuition. Her school was 
moved to Madison Avenue in 1856, and was discon- 
tinued in i860. 

For most of the time between 1850 and 1855 
Joseph Funke kept a school on the east side of 
Macomb near St. Antoine Street, and A. Stutte on 
the southwest corner of Croghan and St. Antoine 
Streets. 

From 1S51 to 1854 W. D. Cochrane maintained 
an English and Classical School on Miami Avenue 
near Grand River Street. 

In the fall of 1S54 Miss C. E. Chapin opened a 
school in Room 10, Sheldon Block; and the same 
year S. L. Campbell was teaching a Classical and 
High School in the old Seminary Building on Gris- 
wold Street. After 1856, and up to i860 or later, 
this last school was conducted by Dr. C. F. Soldan. 

In April, 1856, Misses Hosmer and Emerson 
opened a school on the corner of State Street and 
Woodward Avenue. The school of Miss Ellinwood 
was in progress in 1857, and the same year Miss 
Maria Rockwell, who for many years had taught 
successfully in the old Capitol School, opened a 
Young Ladies' Institute, which was continued two 
or three years. In 1858 and 1859 Dr. and Mrs. 
Reighley were conducting an instititute located on 
the northeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Rivard 
Street. The Detroit Female Seminary on the north- 
east corner of Fort and Wayne Streets, was founded 
in September. 1859. Originally a corporation, about 
1874 Professor J. M. B. Sill became its sole propri- 
etor. The first principal was Professor J. V. Bean. 
He was succeeded in 1S61 by Professor J. F. Pearl, 
followed by Professor J. M. B. Sill, whose successor 



was Mrs. S. Towle. In 1879, just twenty years after 
it was founded. Professor H. M. Martin became its 
manager. In 1883, including those giving special 
lessons, it had a corps of a dozen teachers. 

P. M. Patterson's boys' school was organized at 
109 Griswold Street on September i, i860. In 1S73 
it was moved to the corner of Gratiot and Farmer 
Streets and subsequently to the Chamber of Com- 
merce Building, where it was continued until Mr. 
Patterson's death in 1882. 

In 1 86 1 Professor Leo Romer was conducting a 
school called the Michigan Female Seminary at 215 
Woodward Avenue ; in 1 862 it was moved to Park 
Place, corner of Grand River Avenue, where it 
continued several years. 

The German American Seminary, although a pri- 
vate institution, was liberally endowed by the State. 
Its history is as follows : During the convention in 
Chicago which nominated .'\braham Lincoln for 
President, a number of the (German delegates came 
together for consultation on the interests of their 
nationality, and one of them proposed that a Ger- 
man seminary be started for the training of teachers; 
this was agreed to, and it was also resolved to locate 
it in w'hatever State would make the largest dona- 
tion. Some of the prominent German residents of 
Detroit interested themselves in the project, and 
induced the Legislature, on May 15, 1861, to pass a 
law granting to them, under the name of the Ger- 
man American Seminary, twenty-five thousand acres 
of swamp land, to be selected in parcels of not less 
than three hundred and twenty acres, to aid them 
in erecting buildings on lands granted or leased by 
the city of Detroit ; the lands to be selected within 
one year. By a subsequent Act, on May 10 of the 
same year, two years were allowed for selecting the 
lands. If there was ever any expectation that the 
city would lease or grant lands for a building, the 
expectation was unfulfilled, and on March 6, 1863, 
the Legislature amended the Act, and gave the 
lands for a seminary to be erected on land provided 
by the association. The trustees were required to 
give bonds in the sum of $25,000 that the net pro- 
ceeds of the sales of the lands should be faithfully 
and " forever " applied to the purpose named in the 
Act. 

Some of those connected with the proposed sem- 
inary were interested also in a German and English 
school established on December 23, 1856, in a small 
frame building on Lafayette Street between Rivard 
and Russell Streets, with F. Krecke as principal. 
In 1858 a new building was erected. The union 
of the two institutions was suggested and consum- 
mated, and early in 1866 a large brick building 
was erected, and has since been occupied by the sem- 
inary. The original object was to establish a sort 
of normal school, but apparently this idea has been 



PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND SEMINARIES. 



719 



discarded, and for many years it has been simply a 
German school for children of various ages and of 
both sexes. 

In 1862, and for several years after, a Ladies' Day 
School was conducted by Mrs. t. James at 
267 Jefferson Avenue, and a Classical and 
High School by L. Leonard at 239 Wood- 
ward Avenue. In 1863 Professor H. G. 
Jones began his boys' school at 58 Grand 
River Avenue ; removing from there, in 1 868, 
first to Farmer Street near Monroe Avenue, 
then to Lafavette, near Brush Street, and 



corner of Cass Avenue and Stimson Place especially 
for the school. The lot and building cost $40,000. 
The school was opened on January 7, 1S84. It can 
accommodate two hundred and fifty scholars. 



1 88 3, to No. 



457 Second 



on October 1 
Avenue. 

In addition to church and public schools 
there were in 1870 fifteen private schools 
and seminaries, with a total attendance of 
nearly sixteen hundred pupils; in 1880 the 
number was nearly the same. 

In 1876 N. Schantz established a German 
and English .Academy, with a Kindergarten, 
on Farrar .Street near Monroe .'\venue, and 
continued it in the same location until 1882. 

A Home and Day School was opened on Septem- 
ber 18, 1878, at 62 Miami Avenue, corner of Grand 
River by Rev. J. D. Liggett. In 18S2 it had ten 
teachers, including those teaching special branches. 
In 1S83 a btiilding was erected on the southeast 





Thb Liggett Home and Dav School. Built i.n i8 



The German-Americ.\n" Seminary. 

In 1876 Rev. A. B. Brown opened a boys' school 
on the northeast corner of Monroe Avenue and 
Farmer Street, remaining there until 1882; he then 
removed to Farrar Street near Gratiot Avenue, and 
there the school was discontinued. During 1882 a 
boys' school was estab- 
lished in the basement of 
St. Paul's Protestant 
Episcopal Church. It 
was taught by Rev. Paul 
Ziegler and had about 
thirty scholars. The 
school prospered and in 
^S 1883 was moved into St. 
Paul's Building. 

Holy Trinity Anglo- 
Catholic School was 
opened at 86 Fourteenth 
Avenue on September 
5, 1S81, with eighteen 
scholars. It was con- 
ducted by Rev. R. M. 
Edwards, tlie pastor of 
the church of same 
name. In 1883 it was 
discontinued. 



CIllRCH SCHOOLS. 

In considering nearly 
every subject pertain- 
ing to Detroit we are 
reminded that this 
was originally a Catholic 
colony. 



720 



CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



Cadillac, speakiuij of the several orders of mis- 
sionaries, and of his plans for Detroit, on October 
1 8, 1700, said : 

These are ihe eulLivaturs of the vineyard, who ouglit to be 
received without distinction to work in the vineyard of the Lord, 
with special directions to teach the Httle Savages the French 
language, that being the only means of civilizing and humanizing 
them and infusing into their minds religious and monarchial 
principles. One talces wild beasts at their birth, birds in their nests 
to tame and free them. 

On August 31,1 703. almost as soon as the colony 
was settled, he wrote to Count I'ontchartrain : 

Permit me to insist upon the great necessity there is for the 
establishment of a Seminary at this place for the instruction of 
the children of the savages with those of the French, instructing 
them in piety and, at the same time, teaching them our language. 

Whether any school was established is unknown; 
we find no indications of schools or teachers until 
May 15, 1755, when, in connection with the mar- 
riage of Jean Baptiste Rocou.x, it is stated in St, 
Anne's records that he was " Director of the Chris- 
tian Schools." 

Half a century later, in 1804, Father Richard 
established a Ladies' Academy, with Miss Elizabeth 
Lyons, Miss Angelique Campau, Miss Monique 
Labadie, and Miss Elizabeth Williams as teachers. 
In the fall of the same year he started a school for 
young men, teaching them Latin, History, Geog- 
raphy, Mtisic, etc. It was broken up by the fire of 
1805'. 

The condition of the Catholic schools in 1808 is 
fully set forth in the following memorial, presented 
to the Governor and Judges, through Judge Wood- 
ward, on October 22, 1808: 

Cesideithe Knglish Schools in the Town of Detroit there are 
four primary schools for boys, and two for our young ladies, 
either in Town or at Spring Hill, at Grand Marais, even at River 
Ilurons; three of these schools are kept by the natives of the 
country who had received their first education by the Reverend 
Mr. Dilhet. M Spring Hill, under the direction of Angelique 
Campau and Klizabeth Lyons, as early as the gth of September 
last, the number of the scholars has been augmented by four 
young Indians, headed by an old matron, their grandmother, uf 
the Pottowatamie tribe. In Detroit, in the house lately the prop- 
erty of Captain Elliott, purchased b)' tne subscriber for the very 
purpose of establishing an Academy for young ladies under the 
direction of Miss Klizabeth Williams, there are better than thirty 
young girls wlio are taught, as at Spring Hill, reading, writing, 
arithmetic, knitting, sewing, spinning, etc. In these two schools 
there are already three dozen of spinning wheels and one loom, 
on which four pieces of linen or woolen cloth have been made 
this last spring or summer. To encourage the young students 
by the allowment of pleasure and amusements the undersigned 
have these three months past sent orders to New York for a 
spinning macliine of about one hundred spindles, an air pump, 
an electrical apparatus, etc. .^s they could not be found he is to 
receive them this fall, also an electrical machine, a number of 
cards, and few colors for dyeing the stuff already made, or to be 
made, in his Academy. 



It would be very necessary to have in Detroit a public building 
for a similar .Academy in which the high branches of mathemat- 
ics, most important languages, geography, history, natural and 
moral philosophy should be taught to young gentlemen of our 
country, and in which should be kept the machines the most 
necessary for the improvement of useful arts, for making the 
most necessary physical experiments, and framing a beginning of 
a Public Library, 

The undersigned, acting as administrator for the said -Acade- 
mies, further prays that one of the four Lotteries authorized by 
the Hon. Leg. on the yth day of yber (Sept) iSq6 may be left to 
the management of the subscriber. 

Gabriel Richard. 

Detroit, Sber (Oci.) 18. N. S. 1808. 

Father Richard placed the date of the Lottery 
Act one year too late. It was passed on September 
9, 1805. None of the lotteries went into operation. 
The plans Father Richard had inaugurated, and the 
further plans proposed, do great credit to his judg- 
ment, and show that he was fully alive to the advan- 
tages of an industrial education. 

About 1811 he procured a teacher from France, 
named Le Salliere, who taught for two or three 
years. In 1820 Miss Elizabeth Williams was teach- 
ing a school which she designated as the " Com- 
munautti de Ste. Marie." Although full records are 
not found, a school was probably maintained in con- 
nection with St. Anne's during the entire period of 
Father Richard's stay in Detroit. 

In February, 1836, we find that it was taught by 
William McDonnough. In 1838, under the same 
teacher, it is spoken of as a High School, and in 
November, 1841, a report to the Common Council 
showed that it embraced nearly all the Catholic 
children in the city. 

One of the most successful schools of this period 
was located in Hamtramck on what was called the 
Church Farm. This farm was transferred April 5, 
1808 (see Liber II, page 178, of Deeds) to Louis 
Beaufait, Joseph Cerre dit St. Jean, Benoit Chapo- 
ton, and Charles and Francis Rivard, " Agents of 
the inhabitants of the Northwest Coast," on condi- 
tion of their paying about two hundred dollars yearly 
as rent, and giving the sons of Hypolite St. Bernard 
two hundred and twenty-si.x dollars each on their 
attaining majority. 

.Apparently the inhabitants subscribed or paid the 
amounts named on condition that the farm be used 
for both church and educational purposes. They 
evidently had some rights of the kind in the prop- 
erty. The chapel erected on the farm is elsewhere 
described. A school was established in the. old 
farmhouse within a year after the grant was made. 
The building was subsequently enlarged and fitted 
up as St. Philip's College. It fronted on the river 
and had a piazza one hundred and ten feet long. 
The price of tuition was three dollars per quarter. 
The following copy of an advertisement gives fur- 
ther particulars : 



CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



721 



St. Philip's College (Cote du Nordest), near Detroit, Michigan, 
under the auspices of the Right Reverend Dr. Kese, Bishoi) of 
Detroit. 

Rev. Mr. Vanderpool, Superior of the Institution. Reverend 
^Ir. De Bruyn, President of studies, September 14, 1836, 

In 1838 Rev. Father CuUen was one of the pro- 
fessors and Rev. John De Bruyn president. On 
April 16, 1839, the college was incorporated by 
special Act, and this year it had three professors 
and thirty pupils. Among its graduates were Chris- 
topher Moross, Ale.xander M. Campau, Columbus 
Godfroy, John and Daniel McDonald, John and 
George Schwartz, Alexander M. Thomas, Barnabas 
Campau. J. C. D. Williams, J. B. Cicotte. M. B. 
Kean, George Cooper, and David Stuart. A " good 
dinner " on Sundays was one of the special " insti- 
tutions " of the institution. The usual pranks of 
boys at school were not forgotten ; on one occasion, 
as one of the boys blew out the light and jumped 
into bed, he landed on a sheet of ice that had been 
carefully .spread for him. He immediately named 
a place where ice is not supposed to e.xist. and the 
ne.xt morning e.xtra prayers were offered. The 
building burned in October, 1846, and the school 
was not resumed. 

In Mayor June, 1833, several Sisters of St. Claire, 
originally from Bruges, under the leadership of 
Superioress Sister Vindevogel, came here from Pitts- 
burgh, and established a seminary for girls. In 
1837 they were conducting a German and English 
free school, with forty- five scholars. The same 
year it was succeeded by a French Female Charity 
School, which was supported by Mrs. Antoine Beau- 
bien, and taught by Miss Elizabeth Williams. It 
had an average attendance of forty children. Miss 
Williams died in 1843, ^fd was succeeded by Miss 
Matilda Couchois, who taught about a year, and 
was succeeded by the Sisters of Charity. Four Sis- 
ters arrived on May 30, 1844, and under their charge 
a free school for boys and girls was opened on June 
10, 1844, in an old yellow building on the southwest 
corner of Randolph and Larned Streets, and to aid 
in its support they also opened a " pay school." On 
May I, 1845, the boys were transferred to the base- 
ment of St. .Anne's Church, and the girls remained, 
the school taking the name of St. Vincent's Semi- 
n;u-y. In 1846 it had one hundred pupils, only 
twenty or thirty of whom paid for tuition. The 
brick school building on Larned Street was erected 
in 1852 ; it was opened in October with one hun- 
dred and fifty scholars. In 1853 the school had two 
hundred scholars, and in 1 870 two teachers and one 
hundred and twenty scholars, with an average at- 
tendance of one hundred. The Sisters ceased to 
conduct it in 1871, but it was continued by lay 
teachers for four years. 

The boys' school, which had been transferred to 



the basement of St. Anne's, was cared for by the 
Sisters until September, 1851, when the school, with 
two hundred and eighty pupils, was placed in the 
care of five brothers of the Christian Schools. The 
brick addition in the rear of St. Anne's was erected 
in 1851 to accommodate the school, and in 1852 
there were four hundred scholars. In 1855 there 
were three hundred and fifty scholars, and in 1857, 
four hundred. In July, 1864, the school was dis- 
continued. In 1882 the scholars of this parish were 
taught by the Ladies of the Sacred Heart. 

Trinity Schools. 

A parish school \vas taught in the basement of 
Trinity Church by Daniel O'Connor, as early as 
1850. In 1851 two separate schools for boys and 
girls were maintained in the same location. In 1852 
the Brothers of the Christian School began to teach 
the boys, and this year they had two hundred and 
fifty scholars. In 1853 a brick school building was 
erected just east of the priest's house at a cost of 
$1,500. This property, in 1880, was valued at 
$8,000. A school for girls was continued in the 
basement of the church until 1858, when a large 
brick school building was erected on Porter Street, 
between Sixth and Seventh Streets, at a cost of 
15,000. It was enlarged in 1844 at a cost of $3,500. 
and again enlarged in 1875. Including the lots, the 




Trinity Catholic School. 

property has cost fully $30,000. From 1859 until 
1872, the girls' school was taught by the Sisters of 
Charity, and since the latter date by the Sisters of 
the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 1870 there were 
four teachers at the boys' school at the corner of 
Porter and Fifth Streets, with an average attend- 
ance of one hundred and seventy-five scholars ; at 



722 



CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



the girls' school there were six teachers, with an 
average attendance of two hundred and twenty-five. 
In 1880 there were fourteen teachers and seven 
hundred and fifty scholars, with an average attend- 
ance of seven hundred. The schools were sup- 
ported at a cost of about $4,000 yearly, which was 
obtained from the funds of a school society and 
from collections at the first two masses on each 
Sunday. 




St. Mary 's Catholic School. 

SL Mary's German Schools. 
A school for girls was established in this parish 
in 1850; the first year it had eighty scholars, and 
seven years later one hundred and 
eighty. At first it was taught by 
lay teachers. In 1866 it was placed 
in charge of the Sisters of Notre 
Dame from Milwaukee. In 1882 
there were five of these teachers. 
The Brothers of the Christian 
Schools opened their schools for 
boys on September 24, 1852. Be- 
fore the year closed they had three 
hundred scholars. In 1857 they 
had three hundred and fifty. The 
brick school-house, on the south- 
west corner of Croghan and St. 
Antoine Streets, was completed in 
August, 1 868. The size is fifty 
by one hundred and twenty-five 
feet, and it cost $40,000 ; the lot 
cost $6,000. In 1870 it had nine 
hundred pupils of both sexes. In 
I S80 it had si.\ hundred pupils, with 
an average attendance of five hun- 
dred, the pupils being about equally 
divided as to sex. The yearly cost 



of maintaining is about ^2,600. In August, 1877, 
the boys' school was transferred to the care of 
seven members of the Franciscan CTrder. Most of 
the scholars pay fees of one dollar or two dollars 
per month; some are taught free of charge. In 
1855 the church erected an Orphan Asylum for 
girls, on the west side of St. Antoine Street near 
Lafayette, at a cost of $4,000. Since 1866 it has 
been occupied by the Sisters, who teach school. 
The property in 1882 was worth about $10,000. In 
1873 a large brick residence, on the south side of 
Macomb Street between St. Antoine and Hastings 
Streets, costing $12,000, was erected for the Brothers. 
The lot was donated by Judge Moran. From 1877 
the building has been occupied by the Francis- 
cans. 

Sc/wo/s of SS. Peter and Paul. 

The first school in connection with this parish was 
established in the rear of the cathedral in 1858, 
under the charge of the Brothers of the Chri.stian 
Schools. It was continued by them for three years, 
and was then taught by lay teachers. In 1870 it 
had four hundred scholars, with an average attend- 
ance of three hundred and fifty. On September 9, 
1864, it was placed in charge of the Sisters of the 
Immaculate Heart of Mary. They left in Septem- 
ber, 1881, and the boys' school was put in charge 
of one of the Jesuit Fathers, who was aided by lay 
teachers. In 1880 the parish had two schools, one 
for girls and one for boys, with a total of two hun- 
dred and fifty-four scholars, and an average attend- 
ance of two hundred and twenty-eight. Si.K teach- 




St. Josei'h's Catholic School. 



CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



723 



ers were in charge, the girls being taught by Sisters 
of the Sacred Heart. 

5/. Joseph's School. 

A school for this parish was in existence in 1S50, 
with nearly one hundred scholars. In 1856 a school 
was established by the Brothers of the Christian 
Schools, on the grounds now in part occupied by 
the priest's residence. The school continued there 
until 1S67. when the school building on the north- 
east corner of Orleans and Jay Streets was erected. 
Its size is sLxty-eight by seventy-two feet, it cost 
about §iS,ooo, and it accommodates eight hundred 
children. In 1870 the average attendance was seven 
hundred. In 1874 the old church was moved from 
Gratiot Avenue to Jay Street, and fitted up for a 
school. In iSSo the two buildings accommodated 
eleven hundred scholars, with an average attendance 
of one thousand. The cost of maintaining the 
schools in 1882 was about §4,000. Scholars pay 
from ten shillings to two dollars per quarter. The 
boys' school was in charge of the Christian Broth- 
ers, the girls in charge of the Sisters of the Immac- 
ulate Heart of Mary, from Monroe. A new residence 
for the Brothers was erected in 1S82 on Jay .Street, 
between Orleans and Dequindre, at a cost of $5,000. 

St Boniface School 

is located on the west side of Thirteenth Street just 
north of Michigan Avenue. The property, including 
the lot, cost Si 0,000. 

The building was erected and the school estab- 
lished in 1869, and in 1870 there were two teachers 
and one hundred scholars, with an average attend- 
ance of about ninety. In 1880 there were four teach- 
ers and three hundred and twenty-five scholars, 
with an average attendance of three hundred. 
The girls are taught by three Sisters, members 
of the Order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and 
there is a lay teacher for the boys. The yearly ex- 
pense of maintaining the school is $2,000. Scholars 
pay from forty to eighty cents per month. The 
property in 1880 was valued at §12,000. 

Si. Vincent de Paitl School. 
This school, on the east side of Fourteenth Avenue, 
between Marantette and Dalzelle Streets, was estab- 
lished in August, 1872. At first conducted by lay 
teachers, in September, 1874, the female department 
was placed in charge of the Sisters of the Immacu- 
late Heart of Mary. The average attendance in 
1880 was five hundred and twenty-five, with seven 
hundred on the roll. In 1881 it had ten teachers, 
sLx of them Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of 
Mary, with two male and two female lay teachers. 
The expenses were about §3,000 per year, and were 



paid by a school society connected with the church. 
The school building and convent cost about §6,000. 
Members of the school society, whose children 
attend the school, pay one dollar per month during 
the school year. 




St. VlNCE.N'T DE P.\UL C.-\THOLIC School. 

School of our Lady of Help. 

This school, on the west side of Elmwood Avenue, 
between Congress and Larned Streets, was estab- 
lished in 1872. The building and lot cost §6,000. 
In 1880 the school had two hundred and seventy- 
five scholars, with an average attendance of two 
hundred and twenty-five. Originally lay teachers 
were employed. 

In 1872 the school was placed in charge of four 
Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of .Marv. In 1881 




School of Ouk Ladv of Hell 

one lay male teacher was also employed. Families 
sending one child pay fifty cents per month, or any 
number may be sent for one dollar per month. The 
yearly cost of the school is §1,000. 



724 



CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



St. Albert's School. 

This school is situated on the southwest corner of 

St. Aubin Avenue and Fremont Street. It was 

established in 1872, in a new building which cost 

$2,500; the lot cost $1,500. In iSSothe school had 







St. Albert's Catholic School. 

four hundred and fifty scholars, with an average at- 
tendance of four hundred and twenty-five. Prior 
to 1877 it was managed by lay teachers; since then 
it has been conducted by five Polish Franciscan 
Sisters. The cost of maintaining the school is about 
$r,ooo. Families sending children pay forty-five 
cents per month for one child, and half this price 
for any others they may send. The property in 
1 88 1 was valued at $4,500. A large brick mother- 
house for the Franciscan .Sisters of the United States 
is located opposite the school ; it cost $25,000, and 
was dedicated October 4, 1S82. 

St. Joachim, formerly Sacred Heart French 
School. 

This school was established in June, 1S75, in a 
building erected for the purpose on the north side 
of Fort Street East, between Chene Street and 
Joseph Campau Avenue. It is conducted by a lay 
teacher under the supervision of Father Laporte, 
and in 1880 had eighty scholars, who paid fifty cents 
per month each. The cost of maintaining the 
school in iSSo was $325. 

Sacred Heart German School. 

This school is located on the south side of Grove 
near Prospect Street. The building was erected at a 
cost of $3,500, and the school established in April 
1875. In 1880 it was conducted by three Sisters of 
Notre Dame from Milwaukee and two Franciscan 
Brothers. 



The yearly expense of maintaining the school is 
$2,300. In 1S80 it had three hundred and fifty 
scholars, with an average attendance of three hun- 
dred. Families sending children pay sixty cents per 
month for the first child, fifty cents for the second, 
forty cents for the third, thirty cents for the fourth ; 
all over this number are instructed free. 

Holy Redeemer School. 
This church dedicated their sc'hool building, near 
the corner of Dix Road and Grand Junction Avenue, 
on September 3, 1862. It cost about $5,000. 

St. Cassimer's School. 

This Polish school is located on the west side of 
Twenty-third Street at the corner of Myrtle Street. 
The first floor is used for church purposes, and the 
second story for a school. The building cost $8,000. 

St. Anthony's School. 
This school is located on the north side of Gratiot 
Road about one-half mile beyond Mt. Elliott Ave- 
nue. It is in charge of the Sisters of the Immacu- 
late Heart of Mary, assisted by a lay teacher. It 
was established about 1854, in a frame building 
built for the purpose. In 1864 a brick building was 
erected. In 1880 the school numbered seventy-eight, 
with an average attendance of seventy-four. The 
cost of maintaining in 1880 was $412. 





flfiH J «:'"•)' say" 

PoLibH Franciscan Convent and Mother House. 



Academy of the Sacred Heart. 

This establishment is under the management of 
the Ladies of the Sacred Heart. The society was 
incorporated February 28, 1861, under the name of 
The Sacred Heart of the State of Michigan. The 
academy began in a frame dwelling on the north 
side of Jefferson Avenue, just east of the railroad 
bridge. From there it was moved to its present 



CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



site, occupying the brick building on the southwest 
corner of JelTerson Avenue and St. Antoine Street. 
Again moving, it was located on the north side of 
JeiTerson Avenue near Elmwood Avenue. While 
there a free school for girls was also maintained in 
a frame building nearly opposite the present 
academy. 




^i ^- L.-^%f-;; 












Academy of the Sacred Heart. 

The extensive grounds of the school, of about 
three acres, are located on the southwest corner of 
Jefferson Avenue and St. Antoine Street, and 
together with other lots near by were donated in 
1 85 1 by Mr. and Mrs. Antoine Beaubien. In 1881 
the property was estimated to be worth Sioo.ooo. 
It was one of the conditions of the gift that the 
Sisters should constantly care for and educate 
twelve orphan children. This obligation has been 
more than fulfilled. The main school building, 
si.xty by eighty-four feet, cost $30,000. It was first 
occupied on September i, 1862, and is one of the 
most imposing structures in the city. In 1S70 there 
were twelve teachers and ninety scholars, with an 
average attendance of seventy. In 1880 there were 
twenty-two teachers and one hundred and thirty 
pupils, with an average attendance of one hundred 
and twenty. 

In addition to the academy, a parish school not 
connected with any regular church parish, was con- 
ducted in 1S70. with seven teachers and six hundred 
scholars, with an average attendance of four hun- 
dred and fifty. 

In 1880 the Sisters taught a French parish school 
for St. Anne's Church, which had five teachers and 
one hundred children with an average attendance of 
ninety; and an English parish school for SS. Peter 
and Paul's Church, with five teachers and one hun- 
dred and eighty scholars with an average attend- 
ance of one hundred and seventy. A boarding 
school will soon be established in their elegant build- 
ing on Lake St. Clair in tlie township of Crosse 
Pointe, and their school in Detroit will thereafter be 
conducted as a day school. 



The mother foundress, Sister Trincano, was suc- 
ceeded by Sister Superiors Verhulst, Dekersaint, 
Hamilton, Desmarquet, Cormelis, Brennan, Duffy, 
and O'Kourkc. 

Detroit College. 

This institution is located on the south side of 
Jefferson Avenue, ju.st above St. Antoine Street, and 
is in charge of the P'athers of the Society of Jesus. 
It was established in September, 1877. The lot 
and building cost $24,000, and in September, 1881, 
920,000 was still due on the property. The number 
of scholars in 1880 was one hundred and thirty, 
with an average attendance of one hundred and 
twenty-six, under the care of eight teachers. The 
college was incorporated April 27, 1881. The 
course of study is divided into four departments. — 
Collegiate, Academic, Commercial, and Scientific. 
The yearly cost of maintenance is estimated at 
§4,000. 

Statlst/es of Catltolie Seliools for 18S3-1884. 

Number of schools 14 

" " teachers 87 

" " .scholars on roll 5.903 

Average attendance 5-527 

Ordinary expenses $23,184 
revenues - S 1^.028 

Cost per capita of average attendants $4. 1 9 




Detroit College, 

St. John's German Evangelical School. 
This school was established at the church on Mon- 
roe Avenue, corner of Farrar Street, in 1843; a 
school-house was built in the rear, in 1845, and a 
school was maintained for a portion of each year 
most of the time for nearly twenty years. In 1862 
Charles H. Borgman was in charge of the school, 
commencing with thirty pupils; in four years the 
number grew to four hundred and twenty. Mr. 
Borgman taught until the fall of 1 866, and was sue- 



726 



CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



ceeded by G. Hermon. In May, 1866, the church 
purchased of \V. \V. Wilcox his carpenter shop, 
with the lot on Farrar Street near Monroe Avenue, 
for $5,200. The greater part of the building was 
torn down, and a two-story school-house erected 
containing four large rooms, each fifty by twenty- 
five feet. In 1872 the property was sold for $10,000, 
and in November, 1873, the school was moved to 
the new school building on Chestnut Street, in rear 
of the church. In 1S80 the school had five teachers 
and three hundred and fifty-two scholars, with an 
average attendance of three hundred and thirty-five. 
The yearly cost is $2,500. Scholars pay from $6.25 
to $12.25 per year. In 1881 the school property 
was valued at $15,000. 

S/. A/ar//s Gt'rman Evangelical School. 

This school, under the care of a church of the 
same name, was established on January 2, 1884, and 
began with twenty-two scholars, It is located on 
the corner of Military Avenue and the Dix Road. 

St. Ulattlicw's Lutheran School. 

This .school was organized in 1846, on Congress 
near Russell Street, and still remains in the same 
location. The school building was erected in 1850, 
and co.st $200. In 1870 the school had an average 
attendance of thirty scholars, and in 1 880 an average 
of twenty-five. The scholars pay ten cents per 
week. The school is taught by the pastor, and the 
cost of maintaining it is about f 120 per year. 




Trinity Luther.\n School. 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School. 

This .school was organized in 1850, in the old 
wooden church on Lamed Street between Rivard 
and Russell Streets. In 1S55 and 1856 an addition 
was built, which accommodated one hundred schol- 
ars. In i860 the school required two teachers, and 



in 1 864 a lot was purchased on the north side of 
High (now Sherman) Street,* for §600. A brick 
school-house, forty by fifty feet, two stories high, 
and costing $250, was then erected. An addition 
was built in 1863, increasing the seating capacity to 
five hundred. The total cost of the building was 
$2,900. 

In 1870 the school had three teachers and three 
hundred scholars, with an average attendance of 
two hundred and ten. In 1877 the average attend- 
ance was two hundred. The price for tuition ranges 
from fifty to seventy cents per month. In 1880 the 
school had three teachers, two hundred and tvs'enty- 
five scholars, and an average attendance of two 
hundred. The yearly cost of maintaining the school 
was $2,225. The property in 18S1 was valued at 
$5,000. 

Zion German Reformed Lutheran School. 

This school, now located on Russell Street, near 
Catharine, was originally organized about 1852, and 
up to 1857 met in what is now the Second Baptist 
Church on Croghan Street, near Beaubien. After 
1S57 the school was discontinued until 1861, when 
a school-house was built on Russell Street. It cost 
$823. In its new location the school began on Jan- 
uary 2, 1862. In 1876 it had an average of seventy- 
five scholars. After 1876 it was conducted as an 
evening school, and in 1880 had thirty-five scholars, 
with an average attendance of thirty. The scholars 
pay one dollar per term of ten weeks. There is but 
one teacher, the pastor. The value of the school 
property in 1881 was $1,500. The total yearly cost 
of maintaining the school is $50. 

Salem Lutheran School. 

This school is located on the south side of Cath- 
erine Street, between St. Antoine and Hastings 
Streets, in a brick building, twenty by thirty feet, in 
the rear of the church. It was organized in 1864. 
The building cost $500, and with the lot was valued, 
in 1 88 1, at $2,000. 

In 1870 the school had two teachers and one 
hundred and five scholars, with an average attend- 
ance of one hundred. In 1880 it had forty scholars, 
with an average attendance of thirty, and was 
taught by the pastor at a yearly cost to the church 
of $50. The charge for tuition was forty cents per 
quarter to members of the congregation, and fifty 
cents to others. 

Linmanucl Evangelical Lutheran School. 

This school was organized in 1S66, and was 
originally located on Ninth Avenue near Orchard 
Street. In 1870 it had one hundred and fifty schol- 
ars, with an average attendance of one hundred. 
It met originally in the church. In 1872 the church 



CHURCH SCHOOLS. 



727 



biiikling' was moved to the corner of Seventeenth 
and Pine Streets and altered and enlarged for 
school purposes. In November. 18S1, it was torn 
down, and early in 18S2 a brick school-building was 
erected which cost $3,000. In 1880 the school had 
two hundred and forty scholars, with an average 
attendance of two hundred, and was managed by 
two teachers. Scholars pay si.xty cents per month. 
The yearly expenses of the .school are $1,200. 

Zion Evangelical Lutheran School. 

This school was established in the fall of 1S7S, in 
Springwells, on Welch Avenue. The lot and build- 
ing cost $1,300. In 1880 it had one teacher, eighty 
scholars, and an average attendance of seventy, and 
in 1883 two teachers and two hundred and twenty- 
five scholars, who paid a tuition fee of si.\ty cents 
per month. 

St. Paul's Lutheran School. 

This school is located on the corner of Jay Street 
'and Joseph Campau Avenue. The building, erected 
in 1873, cost $3,700, and the school was opened the 
same year. In 1881 the property was valued at 
$5,500. In 1880 the school had three teachers and 
three hundred scholars, with an average attendance 



of two hundred and seventy-live. Parents who are 
members of the congregation pay tifty cents a month 
each for one or two children, and a third child is 
taught free. The yearly cost of maintaining the 
school is $2,000. A dwelling which cost $1,000 is 
provided for the teacher. 

St. Paul's Scconit German Evangelical School. 

This school, on the corner of Seventeenth and 
Rose Streets, was e.stablished, and its building 
erected, in 1873. The building cost $7,000. The 
estimated value of the property in 1881 was $9,000. 
In 1880 the school had one teacher and seventy 
scholars, with an average attendance of sixty. The 
yearly cost of the school is $500, and .scholars pay 
from si.xty to eighty cents per month. 

St. Peter's German Evangelical School. 

This school is located on Pierce Street near 
Chene, and was established in 1S79. The building 
cost $1,500. In 1880 there were two teachers and 
one hundred and fifty scholars, with an average 
attendance of one hundred and forty. Scholars 
pay from fifty to sixty-five cents per month for 
tuition. The yearly cost of maintaining the school 
is $1,000. 



CHAPTER L X X I V 



THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. — COMMERCIAL COLLEGES. — MEDICAL COLLEGES. 



UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. 

As the birthplace of Michigan University, Detroit 
is entitled to more recognition in the history of that 
institution than has heretofore been accorded. The 
present university at Ann Arbor is the legitimate 
successor of the university schools established in 
this city in 1817. This is abundantly proven by the 
records of the old and new institutions, and by a 
decision of the Supreme Court in January, 1856. 
The university germinated here, and its removal 
was an irreparable loss to Detroit. It has achieved 
a world-wide fame in its present location, and had 
it remained in Detroit its influence and possessions 
would have conferred upon the city more honor 
than all the other institutions it possesses. In its 
present location, it has been claimed as one of the 
attractions of Chicago. No assumption could have 
been more thoroughly characteristic than that con- 
tained in an article on Chicago in Scribner's Monthly 
for September, 1S75. After speaking of the schools 
of that city, the writer of the article said, " There 
are in addition many colleges in the neighborhood 
of this city, including the University of Michigan at 
Ann Arbor." This university is two hundred and 
forty-six miles east of Chicago, in another State. 
The Falls of Niagara are only two hundred and 
twenty-nine miles east of Detroit, and might with 
greater propriety be described as in the neighbor- 
hood of Detroit, and included in its attractions. 
The university is but an hour's ride from our city, 
and as it was founded here, and is the crowning 
glory of the schools of Michigan, we may rightfully 
include it in our educational system and number it 
among our advantages. 

August 26, 1817, is a memorable date, for on 
that day the " Catholepistemiad or University of 
Michigania" was born. Under the creative Act 
thirteen professorships were established, namely : of 
Universal Science, the professor to be also the presi- 
dent of the university ; of Literature, embracing all 
sciences relative to language; of Mathematics, 
Natural History, Natural Philosophy. Astronomy, 
and Chemistry, and of the Medical, Economical, 
Ethical, Military, Historical, and Intellectual Sci- 
ences, the last to embrace all "sciences relative to 
the minds of animals, to the human mind, spiritual 
existence, to the Deity, and to religion." The pro- 



fessor of these last-named sciences was to be vice- 
president of the university. 

The Act certainly had the merit of breadth, com- 
prehending as it did the teaching of all the sciences 
the world had heard of, besides some never heard 
of before or since. It was drafted by Judge 
Woodward, who probably coined more words than 
any other American of his time ; in fact, he had a 
passion for word-coining, and this Act, as well as 
his private memorandum book in possession of the 
Historical Society, affords abundant evidence of^ 
endeavor to invent new and high-sounding words 
and titles. Professors were provided for on " anthro- 
poglossica," "physiognostica," and "polemitica," 
and the Board of Professors was given power " to 
establish Colleges, Academies. Schools. Libraries, 
Museums, Athenffiums. Botanic Gardens, Labora- 
tories, and other useful literary and Scientific insti- 
tutions." 

On September 8, 1S17, all the professorships were 
conferred upon two men, and the proceeding was 
made still more strange by the fact that both of 
these men were clergymen, namely, the Rev. John 
Monteith, a graduate of Princeton College and pas- 
tor of the Protestant Church, and the Rev. Gabriel 
Richard, the Roman Catholic priest of St. Anne's. 
The first named held the presidency and seven pro- 
fessorships, and the other served as vice-president 
and held six professorships. As the president and 
professors controlled the university, the management 
was in the hands of these two men, who were amen- 
able only to the governor, by whom they were ap- 
pointed. 

All of the business affairs of the university were 
conducted in strict accordance with its grandiloquent 
title. One of the published " Statutes " of the 
university reads as follows : 

STATUTES 

OF 

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANIA. 

STATLfTE THE FIRST. 

An Act concerning the seal of the University of Michigania. 

lie it enacted by the University of Michigania that on the seal 
of the University there shall be a device representing si.x pillars 
supporting a dome, with the motto, " Epistemia," at their base, 
and the legend, seal of the University of Michigania, around the 
margin, and light shining on the dome from above ; and until 
such seal be provided the President may use any temporary seal 
[728] 



THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. 



729 



which may be convenient. Passed at the City of Detroit, on Fri- 
day, the twelfth day of September, one thousand eight hundred 
and seventeen. 

JOHM MO.STEITH, 

President 0/ the University 0/ Michigania, 

Statute the Second provided that no subscriber 
to the institution should be required to pay more 
than fifty dollars in any one year. Statute the Third, 
that instruction in the primary schools should con- 
sist of writing, arithmetic, English grammar, and 
elocution. Statute the Fourth, that a primary school 
should be established. Statute the Fifth, that in- 
struction in the classical academy should consist of 
" French, Latin, and Greek Antiquities, English 
grammar, composition, mathematics, elocution, 
geography, morals, and ornamental accomplish- 
ments." The following books were to be used : 
Murray's Grammar and Spelling Book, the English 
Reader and E.xercises, also Walker's Elocution and 
Dictionary. It was further provided that the 
" Sacred Scriptures shall constitute part of the read- 
ing from the beginning to the end of the course." 
Statute the Sixth established the classical academy. 
Statute the Seventh provided that thirteen visitors 
should be appointed for each classical academy. 

It should be noted that this institution was entirily 
controlled by two men, — a Protestant and a Catholic ; 
and that all this high-sounding legislation was 
enacted by these two persons. In case of a tie 
vote, what trouble there might have been ! 

Statute the Thirteenth was entitled "An Act to 
assume the Responsibility of Certain Donations from 
Montreal and Michilimackinac," and read as follows: 

Whereas^ for the relief of the sufferers by the conflagration of 
the ancient town of Detroit in the year 1805, there were trans- 
mitted from Montreal and Michilimackinac certain sums of 
money which are now in the city of Detroit unpaid to such suf- 
ferers owing to the want of some principles on which payment 
can be made, so as to discharge the holders thereof, ami whtrreas, 
the said sufferers have generally manifested a desire that the said 
funds should now be appropriated in aid of the University of 
Michigania ; Therefore 

Be it enacted by the University of Alichigania that the holders 
of the same funds paying over the same to the trustees of the 
University, the said University shall be responsible for all future 
claims on the same, on the part of the sufferers by the conflagra- 
tion aforesaid. 

Passed at the City of Detroit, on Saturday, the 20th day of 
September, 1817. 

J. MONTEITH, 
President 0/ the University 0/ Michigania. 



In response to this demand the sum of $94° ^^as 
paid over, but one cannot help wondering why the 
amotmt was not disbursed at the time of the fire, or 
bestowed upon the inhabitants after they had been 
impoverished by the War of 1812. In this connec- 
tion the following copy of an original subscription 
list is of interest : 



SUBSCRIPTION LIST. 
In aid of the University of Michigan. No. i. We the subscri- 
bers do agree to pay on demand the sums respectively annexed to 
our names, in aid of the University of Michigan. 

1817. September 18. James May, $ 25.00 

five dollars for five years. 
1S17. October 20. James Abbott, paid, . . . 315.32 

" Solomon Sibley, 625.67 

I acknowledge in my hands $625.67, being a part of the dona- 
tion money donated at Michilimackinac to relieve the sufferers by 
fire of the late Detroit, which I assume to pay over to the Uni- 
versity of Michigan at the expiration of six months, on being 
indemnified. 

Sol. Siuley. . 
October 20, 1S17. 

The total amount of subscriptions to the Univer- 
sity was about $5,100, of which §1,100 was payable 
on demand, §1,000 the second year, $955 the third 
year, $825 the fourth year, $571 the fifth year, 11631 
the sixth year, and $92 each in the seventh, eighth, 
and ninth years. 

On August 26. 1817, the Governor and Judges 
appropriated S300 towards the erection of a building 
and S80 for the lot. On November 10 a further 
appropriation of $200 was made. 

The Act which established the university pro- 
vided that the public taxes should be increased fif- 
teen per cent for its support, and also authorized the 
faculty to prepare four successive lotteries, and to 
deduct fifteen per cent from the prizes for its benefit. 
Neither of these provisions was carried out ; pos- 
sibly a tie vote prevented. In these days it would 
certainly be deemed a marvel of legislation if the 
president and faculty of the university, including the 
resident clerg)% were authorized to arrange for a 
series of lotteries for the benefit of the institution. 

The corner-stone of the university building was 
laid on September 24, 1817. The building, twenty- 
four by fifty feet, was located on the west side of 
Bates near Congress Street. Owing to the delin- 
quency of subscribers, its erection proceeded slowly. 
Col. E. S. Sibley says that in 181 7 he went to a 
school taught by Mr. Monteith in the old Meldrum 
House on Woodbridge Street, just east of what is 
now Shelby Street. His statement is the only evi- 
dence found that either Rev. Mr. Monteith or Father 
Richard acted as teacher, but an act of August 26, 
1817, appropriated $181.25 for their annual salary, 
and on February 8, 1 821, $215 was appropriated for 
the salary of the president for 1818, 1819, and 1820. 

On February 2, 1818, H. M. Dickie. A. H., was 
commissioned by the university to open " a classical 
Academy where Latin and Greek languages and 
other branches of science w-ere to be taught at the 
customary prices." Just where he taught is un- 
known, but on May 12, 1818, the university appro- 
priated "thirty dollars for rent of rooms for the 
Classical Academy up to the nth day of June." 



730 



THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. 



He began about February' 1 1 , and tlie school was in 
operation as late as November, and probably longer. 

The university now commissioned Renjamin 
Stead, James Connor, and Oliver Williams as direc- 
tors of a Lancasterian school, and on August lo. 
iSiS, a school under that name was opened in the 
University building. It began with eleven scholars, 
but by April following this number had increased to 
one hundred and thirty. It was taught by Lemuel 
Shattuck, of Concord, Mass., who was greatly 
esteemed by both parents and pupils. A sketch 
of his life, accompanied with a steel engraving, is 
given in Volume XIV, page g6, of the New Eng- 
land Historical and Genealogical Register. His first 
report of the school, dated April 24, 1819, shows 
that there were then one hundred and eighty-three 
pupils, and that the 
average price per 
quarter for each 
scholar was $2.60; he 
further showed that 
under the old system 
the instruction would 
have cost $3. 1 20 in- 
stead of only $800. 

Of the one hundred 
and eighty-three chil- 
dren admitted, twen- 
ty-three were to pay 
Si. 00 per quarter, 
two $2.00, one hun- 
dred and three $2.50. 
and fifty-five $3.50, 
making a total of 
$738.50. Only I3 10.- 
46 was collected. The 
report intimated that 
most of the trustees 
and directors paid 
but little attention to 
the school. 

On May 5, 1820, "the Board of Trustees of the 
Primary School and Classical Academy fi-\ed the 
price of tuition at $2.50 per quarter for ordinary 
studies, or $3.50 if Geography and Mathematics are 
studied; non-residents to pay $1.00 more than 
above rates." 

On April 30, 1 82 1, the original University Act 
was repealed, and under the title of the University 
of Michigan all rights of the old corporation were 
committed to the governor and the following twenty 
trustees: John Biddle, N. Bolvin, D. I.eRoy, C. 
Clemens, W, H. Puthuff, John Anderson, John 
Hunt, John Monteith, C. Earned, G. Richard, John 
R. Williams, Solomon Sibley, H. J. Hunt, J. L. 
Leib, P. J. Desnoyers, A. E. Wing, W. Woodbridge, 
B. Stead, P. Lecuyer, and William Brown. These 




BlKTHl'LACE OF MlCHlG/\N UNIVERSITY, WEST 
NEAR CONGKESS. 



trustees were authorized to .establish schools and 
colleges at their discretion, but they devoted their 
attention solely to Detroit. In 1821, a large lot 
adjoining the one already in use was conveyed to 
them by the Governor and Judges. On January 7, 
1822, A. Edwards and A. W. Welton were ap- 
pointed as trustees in place of Messrs. Monteith 
and Stead, who declined to serve, and by Act of 
April 13, 1827, J. Kearsley and N. M. Wells were 
appointed trustees to fill vacancies, and provision 
was made that seven members of the Board of 
Trustees should form a quorum. 

Under the Act of 1821, .Abraham Edwards, who 
had been previously acting as treasurer, was again 
appointed, but on June 16, 1S21, he resigned, and 
James Abbott was appointed. Lemuel Shattuck 

was secretary up to 
December 3, 1821, 
when C. C. Trow- 
bridge was appoint- 
ed, and continued in 
office until succeeded 
by G. Mott Williams 
on February 13, 1835. 
Mr. Shattuck re- 
signed as teacher on 
October 8, 1821, and 
was succeeded by 
E. Clapp, whose first 
term closed on De- 
cember 20, and on 
April I, 1822, he was 
succeeded by Rev. 
A. W. Welton ; he 
began teaching April 
9, the price of tuition 
was S5.00 per scholar. 
He was followed in 
October, 1824, by A. 
S. Wells, a graduate 
of Hamilton College ; 
1826, when he was suc- 
he was paid $500 per 
7. The Board 



or Bates Street, 



he taught until November 4, 
ceeded by Charles Sears , 
year and remained until October, 1 8 
of Trustees then resolved that as the funds were in- 
sufficient for the support of a classical school, the 
teacher was thereafter to continue the school at his 
own risk. 

In 1821 and 1822 there was much discussion as 
to the merits of the Lancasterian methods, and whole 
columns of the Gazette were devoted to the subject. 
The discussions seemed to favor-the system, and on 
October 8, 1821, the trustees of the university 

Resolved, that Mr. Shattuck be authorized to communicate 
with Mr. William A. Tweed Dale, of Albany, New York, in 
order to procure some suitable person for a teacher of the Lan- 
casterian school upon the presumptive allowance of five hundred 
dollars per annum for his services. 



THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. 



7':>^ 



As a result of this correspondence. Major Edwards 
went to Albany expressly for the purpose, and 
secured the ser\'ices of John Farmer, who was then 
engaged in teaching in that city. The following 
official notification gives details of his engagement : 

At a session of the Board nf Trustees of the University of 
Michigan, Ijeld pursuant to notice at Detroit on the third day of 
December, 1821, were present His Excellency Governor Cass, 
Henry J. Hunt, John Hunt, Charles Larned, William Wood- 
bridge, William Brown, Peter J. Desnoycrs, and John R. Wil- 
liams, Esquires. 

IVhereaSy Mr. John Farmer has arrived here under the author- 
ity given to Mr. William A. Tweed Dale at the last meeting of 
the Trustees, by the resolution, a copy of which was transmitted 
to Mr. Dale. 

I\£sohtcii^ that Mr. John Farmer be authorized and requested 
to take immediate charge of the Lancasterian school until a 
quorum can be had authorized to fix his compensation ; and that 
a copy of this resolution be furnishe<l to Mr. Fanner, by the sec- 
retary. 

I certify that the foregoing resolution is truly copied from the 
records of the University of Michigan. 

Given under my hand at Detroit, on the third day of December, 
A.D. 1821. 

By order. Charles C. Trowbridge, 

Secretary. 

On January 7, 1822, the Board of Trustees ap- 
pointed a committee of three, consisting of John R. 
Williams, William Woodbridge, and Charles Larned, 
to superintend the classical and Lancasterian schools 
and to prescribe and enforce rules for their govern- 
ment. 

On January' 14. 1822, on motion of Mr. John 
Hunfc it was 

Resolved^ that Mr. John Farmer be allowed the sum of five 
hundred dollars per year for his ser\'ices as teacher of the Lan- 
casterian school, to commence with the loth day of December, 
1821, 

and on the same day he was authorized and re- 
quested to collect all sums due for tuition in the 
school. 

In 1822 there were two hundred students, Lucius 
Lyon acting as assistant teacher. As paper was 
scarce and dear at this time, the scholars were 
taught to write by tracing the letters in a bo.x of 
damp sand. Medals were awarded for good schol- 
arship, and this last practice was continued as late 
as 1825. 

On January 26, 1824, Mr. Farmer resigned, in 
order to engage in other employment, and it was 

Resolved^ that in consequence of his resignation a committee 
be appointed to take into consideration the situation of the 
Academy and to report thereon ; and also what steps ought to be 
taken in order to supply the vacancy. 

Major Rowland and Peter J. Desnoyers were 
appointed a committee, and in October, 1824, Mr. 
E. .Shcpard. prcsumablv engaged by them, was 
teaching the primary department. He continued 
until December, 1825, or later, and was probably 



the last primary teacher appointed and paid by the 
trustees. 

The building after 1827 was granted for school 
use free of rent, or for a nominal sum to such per- 
sons as were deemed competent teachers. At the 
last meeting of the trustees, held on May 18, 1837, 
they passed a resolution asking the Regents of the 
new university, located at Ann Arbor, to establish a 
branch at Detroit, and tendered the building for 
that purpose. 

The beginnings of the university at Ann Arbor, 
and of the Detroit branch, were as follows : 

At the first session of the State Legislature, in 
the summer of 1836, Rev. John D. Pierce was ap- 
pointed Superintendent of Public Instruction, and 
an Act was passed July 26, 1836, instructing him 
to prepare a plan for a system of common schools, 
and for a university with its branches. In the pre- 
liminary work of organization Rev. Samuel New- 
berr)', of White Pigeon, father of Mrs. John J. 
Bagley, rendered valuable service, and on March 1 8, 
1837. a law was approved organizing and establish- 
ing the State LIniversity. Its government was vested 
in a Board of Regents, to be appointed by the gov- 
ernor and senate. It was made their duty to estab- 
lish not only the university, but also such branches 
thereof in the different parts of the State as the 
Legislature might authorize. A further Act, ap- 
proved March 20, 1837, located the university at 
Ann Arbor, on a site of forty acres to be donated 
to the State for this purpose. 

At a meeting of the regents on November 14, 

1837, Dr. R. C. Gibson, of Monroe, as agent of the 
university, reported in favor of a branch at Detroit, 
and on November 1 8 the proposition of the trustees 
of the old university was received. On the same 
day Mr. Wilkins offered the following resolution : 

Resolved, that Chancellor Farnsworth and Dr. Pitcher be, and 
they are hereby authorized to confer with and receive from the 
President pro tern, of the Board of Trustees of the University 
of Michigan in behalf of the Regents of the University of 
Michigan the lease of the Academy lot in the city of Detroit, 
and that the committee on Branches immediately thereafter pro- 
ceed to organize a branch of the University in the city of Detroit. 

At a subsequent meeting of the regents $8,000 
was appropriated to the support of the branches, 
and each branch was to receive $500 towards the 
support of a teacher ; also a proportionate amount 
of the §8,000 according to the number of their 
pupils. 

On January 10, 1838, the following Board of Visi- 
tors for Detroit branch was appointed : J. Kearsley, 
C. C. Trowbridge, B. F. H. Witherell, Peter Morey, 
and Charles Moran, with John Owen as treasurer. 
The building for the Detroit Branch required many 
repairs, and was not ready for use until June 20, 

1838. It was then opened for boys only, with one 



COMMERCIAL COLLEGES. 



principal and one assistant. Four terms a year 
were provided for. The price of tuition was $19.50 
a year, or .$5.00 a term. 

The first public e.xamination was held on Tuesday 
and Wednesday, August 14 and 15, 1S38. 

On January 9, 1S39, the Committee on Branches 
was authorized to employ an additional assistant for 
the principal at Detroit at a salary not exceeding 
$600. Rev. C. \V. Fitch was the first principal, 
commencing in 1838 and continuing until August, 
1 84 1. He received $1,500 a year, and the first assis- 
tant $800. Mr. Fitch was succeeded by Rev. M. 



mittee of the regents presented a report recommend- 
ing that, on account of their inability to provide the 
means, no further appropriations should be made 
for branch schools. The report was adopted, but 
as one of the teachers claimed to have been ap- 
pointed for an unexpired term running till 1 )ctobcr 
7, 1842, the Detroit Branch was maintained until 
that time. 

In 1844 the Board of Education began using the 
building for school purposes, and continued its use 
until the fall of 1858. 

In 1858 the Young Men's Society claimed the lot. 




Goldsmith, Bryant, & Stkatton Business Univrrsitv, southwest corner of 
Grisuold Sticeet ant Lafayette Avenue. 



Meigs. The assistant teachers were : 
Bissell ; 1839, Andrew Harvie ; iS4oand 1841, W. 
A. Howard; 1842, E. C. Walker, W. Gray, W. J. 
Baxter, and E. Loundsberry. In January, 1839, 
there were forty pupils, and a report of the Com- 
mittee on Branches, made December 18, 1839, 
shows that there were two teachers, and that the 
attendance had been, for the 

First term, 59 ; second, 36 ; third, 28. 

In 1S40 the attendance was : First term, 25 ; sec- 
ond, 21 ; third and fourth, 25 each. 

On January 8, 1841, the regents decided to grant 
only S500 per year to Detroit Branch in addition to 
the tuition fees. In August of this year there were 
only twenty-four pupils, and on August 19 a com- 



and on November 9 began to tear down the build- 
ing, and in its fortieth year the building was 
removed. 

COMMERCIAL COLLEGES. 

These institutions in Detroit date from 1S48, 
when Uriah Gregory opened his school in the old 
Odd Fellows' Hall on Woodward Avenue. It con- 
tinued for ten years. 

In the fall of 1854 W. D. Cochrane opened a 
similar institution in the Waterman Block, on the 
corner of Woodward Avenue and Earned Street, 
and it was largely patronized. On November 28, 
1857, it was sold to Bryant &: Stratton, and merged 
with their school. J. H. Goldsmith was manager. 



MEDICAL COLLEGES. 



733 



and after March i, 1867, sole proprietor. In 1882 
the school had four teachers, and an average of 
from two to three hundred students. In i860 it 
was moved from Waterman Block to the fourth 
story of Merrill Block ; in January, 1S65, to the Seitz 
Building on Griswold Street, and from there to 
Mechanic's Block, in May, 1875. On April i, 18S2, 
W. F. Jewell, who had been connected with the 
college for over eighteen years, became the principal. 
The college is now known as the Goldsmith, Bryant, 
& Stratton Business University. 

In i860 Ira Mayhew established a commercial 
college at Albion, and in September, 1866, trans- 
ferred it to Detroit, corner of Randolph and Con- 
gress Streets. On the completion of the new Board 
of Trade Building in January, 1S79, the college oc- 
cupied rooms in the upper story. In the summer of 
18S3 he sold the college to Messrs. Spencer, Feiton, 
Loomis, & Company, and in December of that year 
they had seven teachers and 125 scholars. 

MEDICAL COLLEGES. 

Detroit Medical College. 

The exceptional facilities possessed by the city for 
clinical instruction by reason of the several hospitals 
here located, and the number of cases that a large 
city naturally affords, suggested the desirability of 
locating a medical college in Detroit. 

Accordingly, on May 18, 1868, the Detroit Medi- 
cal College was organized. It was opened for the 
reception of students on February 2, 1869, in one of 
the Harper Hospital buildings, which had been 
fitted up for the purpose. In 1882 the trustees pur- 
chased the property of the Young Men's Christian 
Association, on Farmer Street, between Monroe and 
Gratiot Avenues, and on September 12, 1883, the 
college was opened in its new location. 

A free dispensary is maintained, where from 
twenty to one hundred persons are treated daily. 
The number of students graduated for each year 
since the opening of the college is as follows : 1869, 
33; 1870, 34; 1871, 29; 1872, 22; 1873, 14; 1874, 
21; 1875,25; 1876,29; 1877,30; 1878,20; 1879, 
30; 1880, 27; 1881, 27 ; 1882, II ; 1883, 13. 

The trustees and faculty in 1883 were as follows : 
Trustees; H. P. Baldwin, president ; A. C. McGraw, 
vice-president; Philo Parsons, secretary; William 
A. Butler, treasurer; Allan Shelden, C. H. Buhl, 
C. Van Husan, John Owen, Hiram Walker, Wm. B. 
Wesson, Theodore A. McGraw, George S. Frost, 
M. S. Smith, Wm. A. Moore, E. L. Shurly, Ale.x. 
Chapoton, H. O. Walker, and E. T. Barnum. 
Faculty: Theodore A. McGraw, M. D., president. 
Professor of Principles and Practice of Surgery and 
Clinical Surgery ; N. W. Webber, M. D.. Professor 
of Gynecology and Obstetrics; H. O. Walker, yv. D., 



Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Genito-Urinary 
Diseases, and Clinical Surgery ; E. L. Shurly, M. D., 
Professor of Laryngology and Clinical Medicine; 
J. H. Carstens, M. D., Professor of Obstetrics and 
Clinical Gynecology; J. G. Johnson, M. D., Pro- 
fessor of Diseases of the Mind and Nervous System; 
A. E. Carrier, M. D., Professor of Anatomy and 
Dermatology; Eugene Smith, M. D., Professor 
of Ophthalmology and Otology ; E. A. Chapoton, 
M. D., Professor of Principles and Practice of 
Medicine; David Inglis, M. D., Professor of Prin- 
ciples and Practice of Medicine ; Thomas N. 
Reynolds, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica and 
Therapeutics and of Clinical Medicine; J. W. 
Robertson, M. D., Lecturer on Laryngology and 
Physical Diagnosis; Charles G. Jennings, M. D., 
Lecturer on Chemistry and Diseases of Children; 
O. W. Owen, M. D., Lecturer on Physiology and 
Curator of Museum ; F. W. Brown, M. D., Lec- 
turer on Histology- and Microscopy; A. F. Hoke, 
M. D., Instructor in Obstetrics; John Boice, M. 1).. 
Instructor of Minor Surgery ; R. A. Jamieson, M. D., 
Instructor of Clinical Medicine ; A. S. Parker, Ph. C, 
Instructor in Pharmacy; Albert Campau, M. D., 
Director of Clinical at St. Mary's Hospital Dis- 
pensary; M. K. Ross, M. D., Instructor in Chem- 
istry; L. E. Maire, M. D., Instructor in Materia 
Medica. 

Michigan College of Medicine. 

This college was organized in June, 1879, incor- 
porated October 24, and first opened November 1 7 
of the same year. It is located on the southeast 
corner of St. Antoine Street and Gratiot Avenue. 
Twenty-eight students graduated in 1881, twenty in 
1882, and twenty-eight in 1883. 

A work of real philanthropy was inaugurated by 
this college in the equipment of a very complete 
ambulance, free to the public for all emergencies, 
which has been a boon to many a person sud- 
denly wounded or taken sick. The ambulance was 
put in commission on .•\ugust 29, 188 1. There is 
also a free dispensary connected with the institution 
at which ten thousand patients were treated during 
the year ending May i, 1882. A hospital depart- 
ment connected with the college has accommoda- 
tions for thirty patients, and is generally full. 

The faculty of this college, as well as of the De- 
troit Medical College, .serve without pay, and it is 
conceded by those best qualified to judge that in 
their corps of instructors, course of study, and gen- 
eral management, these colleges have e.\ceptional 
advantages. 

The trustees and faculty in 1883 were as follows: 
Trustees: Sidney D. Miller, president; Wm. B. 
Moran, secretary ; Luther S. Trowbridge, treasurer ; 
Henry F. Lyster, Charles J. Lundy, Wm. C. May- 



734 



MEDICAL COLLEGES. 



bury, Wm. C. Gustin, Wm. C. Williams, Thomas 
Berry, William Foxen, George Heiidrie. Digby V. 
Bell, James Burgess Book, Richard H. Fyfe, and 
James M. Welch. 

Faculty: Henry F. Lyster, M. D., president. Pro- 
fessor of Principles and Practice of Medicine, and 
Clinical Diseases of the Chest; Wm. Brodie, M. D., 
Professor of Clinical Medicine; James Burgess 
Book, M. D., Professor of Principles and Practice 
of Surgery and Clinical Surgery; Wm. C. Gustin, 



fessor of Diseases of the Eye, Ear, and Throat; 
Wm. C. Maybury, M. A., Professor of Medical 
Jurisprudence ; C. A. Devendorf, M. D., Pro- 
fessor of Clinical Obstetrics and the Puerperal 
Diseases ; Hal C. Wyman, M. D., Professor of 
Physiology and Histology; Duncan McLeod, M.D., 
Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics ; 
James D. Munson, M. D., Lecturer on Diseases 
of the Nervous System; F. W. Owen, M. D., 
and W. N. Meredith, I\L D., Demonstrators of 




MiCHiG.^N College of Medicine, southeast cor.ner of St. Antui.ne and 
Catharine Streets. 



M. D., Professor of Obstetrics, Clinical Midwifery, 
and Clinical Diseases of Children ; Daniel La Ferte, 
M. D., secretary. Professor of Anatomy. Orthopedic 
Surgery, and Clinical Surgery ; C. Henri Leonard, 
M. D., Professor of Medical and Surgical Diseases 
of Women and Clinical Gynecology ; Charles Doug- 
las, M. D., Professor of Diseases of Children and 
Clinical Medicine; J. E. Clark, M. D., Professor of 
General Chemistry and Physics ; Charles C. Yemans, 
M. D., Professor of Genito-Urinary Diseases and 
Diseases of the Skin ; Charles J. Lundy, M. D., Pro- 



Anatomy; Thomas N. Reynolds. Instructor of 
Microscopy. 

Detroit HotiHvopathic College. 

An institution designated by the above name was 
opened in March, 1872, with F. X. Spranger, M. D., 
as president, and E. R. Ellis, M. D., as secretary. 
Its sessions were held in the Coyl Building, facing 
the Campus Martins. It was discontinued in Feb- 
ruary, 1875. During its e-xistence it graduated 
eighty students. 



CHAPTER LXXV. 

THE FfRST COMMON SCHOOLS.— THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ITS SCHOOLS AND 

ITS MANAGEMENT. 



FIRST COMMON SCHOOLS. 

The precursor of all common schools in this 
region was a provision of the ordinance of 1787, 
which declared that " religion, morality, and knowl- 
edge being necessary to good government and the 
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education shall be forever encouraged." 

In March, 1802, the inhabitants of the County of 
Wayne sought encouragement from Congress, and 
in petitioning that body asked among other things 
for one or more townships of land for the purpose 
of erecting or endowing an academy, and on 
March 26, 1804, the Government directed that Sec- 
tion 16 of the public lands in every township be 
reserved for and appropriated to educational pur- 
poses. This law laid the foundation for the primary 
school fund of the State, the fund at interest being 
derived from the sales of land thus reserved. 

Possibly with the belief that "the better the day, 
the better the deed." on Sunday, February' 26. 1809, 
Judge Witherell presented, and the Governor and 
Judges, sitting as a Legislature, passed " An Act 
concerning Schools." It provided that the over- 
seers of the poor should divide their districts into 
school districts and act as trustees of the same. 
Judges of District Courts were to appropriate not 
exceeding four dollars or less than two dollars for 
each child between four and eighteen, the amounts 
to be collected the same as other ta.xes, and depos- 
ited in the district treasury. Reports as to the 
number of children and the number of weeks school 
was kept were to be made yearly, and no money 
was to be paid except to districts that erected 
school-houses or maintained schools. There is no 
evidence that any schools were established under 
this Act. 

By Act of .April 12, 1827, each township was 
authorized to determine by a two-thirds vote whether 
it would maintain township schools, and if so a 
" grammar schoolmaster of good morals " was to 
be obtained, and a township with fifty families was 
to have a .school for an amount of time equal to si.x 
months in a year; in one of a hundred families, 
tuition equal to twelve months was required. Town- 
ships of one hundred and fifty families were to have 
two teachers, and those of two hundred families 



two teachers and two schools ; the schools in each 
township to be in charge of not more than five com- 
missioners. 

Under this Act a teacher was secured for Detroit, 
and on May 28, 1827. the trustees of the old uni- 
versity directed that " Mr. Cook, the teacher of the 
common school " be put in possession of a room in 
the academy. Mr. Cook died soon after, and on 
July 26 the trustees " resolved that the School Com- 
missioners be authorized to take immediate mea- 
sures for the procurement of a teacher of the com- 
mon school." 

On November 5, 1829, the Legislative Council 
made further provision for common schools in the 
Territory, but expressly exempted Detroit from the 
operations of the Act. 

On April 28, 1830, "Mr. Conant, Chairman of a 
committee appointed at a meeting of the citizens, 
applied to the University Trustees for leave to 
occupy a room in the Academy for a common 
school." On April 4, 1831, Shubael Conant, Julius 
Eldred, Jeremiah Moors, Jerry Dean, and Shadrach 
Gillett were elected Commissioners of Common 
Schools, and at a meeting of the trustees of the 
university, held on May 10, 1831, on motion of 
Major Biddle, it was 

Rcsoh'ed, that the use of the Acadetny be granted to the Direc- 
tors of Common Schools of the City uf Detroit until the building 
be required for other purposes by the Trustees of the University 
of Michigan, of which one year's notice shall be given to the 
said Directors, on condition that the said Directors do repair said 
building and at all times during their occupancy sustain and 
keep the same in good repair at their expense. 

In 1832 the city was divided into two districts, 
and a school taught by Charles Wells was opened 
May 21 in the academy. Charles Earned, S. 
Conant, John Farrar, and P. Desnoyers were com- 
missioners. 

In this same year a number of ladies formed a 
Free School Society. The following notice, pub- 
lished in December, 1833, gives interesting particu- 
lars concerning their schools. The notice says : 

It cannot have escaped the observation of any citizen that in 
our midst are many children who are growing up not, only in 
poverty, but in ignorance. The object of our society is to take 
these children and bring them under the culture and moral 
restraint of a school. We have employed for the year past a 



[7??1 



1l(^ 



THE FIRST COMMON SCHOOLS. 



competent Instructress, and have collected together under her 
not far from a daily average of fifty scholars There have been 
no less than one hundred and fifty names upon the roll of the 
school since its commencement. In addition to $232 which the 
Society have paid to their Instructress, expended for wood and 
other incidental expenses, we have erected a plain but substantial 
school-house at a cost of $475, towards the discharge of which 
debt they have paid $350, leaving a balance of $i:.'5. 

Jane M. Palmer, 
Mary S. Wendell, 

Directresses, 

The schools were kept for half a day. The pupils, 
children between four and ten years of age, were 
provided with books and taught gratuitously. On 
Tuesdays and Thursdays the girls were taught 
sewing. The way in which funds were obtained to 
carry on the work is indicated in the following 
advertisement : 

Xn.M.VTO CATSUP 
Prepared by the Ladies of the IJetroit Tree School Society, and 
for sale by their appointment by dozen or single bottle at the 
store of 

E. Bingham. 
Septonber z6, 1832. 

Another advertisement was as follows : 

A CARD. 

The Ladies of the Detroit Free .School Society would announce 
to the public that their annual sale or Fair will take place on 
Wednesday evening of next week (17th inst.,) at Woodwurth's 
Long Room, Steamboat Hotel. Sale to commence at six o'clock. 

Detroit, December 11, 1834. 

In 1836 the society maintained two schools, one 
having in attendance one hundred and thirteen 
children, two thirds of them boys. In 1837 they 
had three schools, with an attendance of two hun- 
dred. 

The officers for 1837 were : Mrs. J. M. Howard, 
president ; Mrs. S. Gillett, vice-president ; Miss S. 
E. Dvvight, secretary, E. P. Hastings, treasurer. 

While these schools were in operation, on April i, 
1833, J. J. Deming, J. Kearsley, A. S. Porter, F. P. 
Browning, and E. P. Hastings were elected Com- 
missioners of District Schools, but no evidence of 
service has been found. 

On April 23, 1833, an Act was approved which 
made special provision for common schools in De- 
troit. The Act provided for the election, on a day 
in May to be appointed by the Common Council, of 
si.K commissioners, si.x directors, and six inspectors 
of common schools. They were to be divided into 
three classes, the first class to be vacant on the first 
Monday in April, 1834, and two officers of each 
kind were to be chosen every year thereafter. The 
commissioners were to divide the city into school 
districts. 

The directors were to collect rates, call meetings 
of voters, and present estimates for schools. If the 
majority consented, they were authorized to pur- 
chase sites, build houses, and raise taxes to pay for 



the same. At the annuaf meeting in April the 
voters were to decide on the amount to be raised for 
the schooling of indigent children. The directors 
were to employ teachers, who were to be paid so 
much per month or quarter for each scholar, and 
teachers were to keep a record of the number of 
days each scholar attended, the statement to be 
verified by oath if required. In the case of indi- 
gent scholars, the teacher was to be paid only for 
the actual time of their attendance, all others were 
to be charged for one quarter at least. At the 
expiration of each quarter the directors were to 
make an assessment roll of those who had sent 
scholars, the number of days to be paid for, and 
the sum to be paid, and were to determine which of 
the scholars should be classed as indigent. 

Under this law the council .set apart May 31 as 
the day when the oflncers should be elected. No 
record can be found of such an election, or of any 
increase in educational facilities. 

In December, 1833, at a public meeting of citi- 
zens, Mr. Kearsley stated that there was not a single 
common school in which boys could acquire the 
ordinary branches of education. 

Four years later, in January, 1837, the State was 
admitted to the Union, and at the same time 
1,067,397 acres of land were granted to the State 
for public schools. On March 20 a General School 
Law was passed, and in April, 1837, Charles Wells, 
C. W. Whipple, and G. Mott Williams were elected 
school inspectors. During this year more activity 
was manifested in educational matters. A meeting 
of gentlemen interested was held at the Mechanics' 
Institute, on October 11, 1837. John D. Pierce was 
chosen chairman, and George Wilson, secretary, 
and the following was adopted : 

Resolved, that a convention of professional teachers, and of 
individuals friendly to the interests of primary schools in the 
State of IMichigan, should be held in Detroit on Wednesday, 
January 3. 183S. 

A committee, consisting of Messrs. W. Hale, 
John Owen, and Rev. E. Thompson, was appointed 
to investigate the state of primary education in 
Detroit, to ascertain the number of children actually 
attending school, and the number, of suitable age, 
not attending school, and to report to the conven- 
tion. 

The convention met at the City Hall. E. P. 
Hastings was made president and John D. Pierce 
delivered an address. ' 

The proposed convention and the inquiries insti- 
tuted called public attention to the facts, and on 
December 2, 1S37, the Common Council requested 
the city attorney to report what steps were necessary 
to organize schools under the Act of 1837. On 



THE FIRST COMMON SCHOOLS. 



Ill 



December 9 the city attorney reported that these 
steps had been taken. 

In .April, 1837, inspectors were elected, who, after 
being nearly nine months in office, re.solved upon 
action ; but the winter passed away and nothing was 
accomplished. 

In April, 1838, John Farmer, James F. Joy, and 
Henry Chipman were elected school inspectors, Mr. 
Farmer was made chairman of the Board, and the 
provisions of the State Law were, for the first time, 
put in operation. On May 12. 1838, the following 
census of children under fifteen years of age was 
presented to and filed by the board : 



W.\RD I. 


-0 


SJ 


-3 


-a 




c 




.c 






D 


c 







Free white males 


57 


87 


144 


6 


females 


62 


81 


143 




Total 


119 


168 


287 


6 


\V.\RD 2. 










Free white males 


53 


72 


125 




females 


36 


82 


iiS 


I 


Total 


89 


154 


243 


I 


W.\KI) 3. 










Free white males 


119 


124 


243 


14 


females 


100 


174 


274 


6 


Total 


219 


298 


517 


20 


\V.\Rn 4. 










Free white males 


179 


229 


408 




females 


i5> 


230 


38. 


3 


Total 


330 


459 


789 


3 


Waku 5. 










Free white males . 


270 


385 


655 


20 


females 


2S7 


378 


665 


16 


Total 


557 


763 


1,320 


36 



On May 12, 1838, the city was divided into seven 
schocjl districts as follows : 

First District, all south of Jefferson .Avenue, be- 
tween Brush and Wayne Streets. 

Second District, all south of Lafayette Street, east 
of Woodward Avenue. 

Third District, all north of Lafayette Street, west 
of Woodward Avenue. 

Fourth Di.strict, all north of Jefferson Avenue, 
between Brush Street and Woodward Avenue. 

Fifth District, all south of Lamed Street, between 
Brush Street and Moran Farm. 



Si.xth District, all north of Larned Street, between 
Brush Street and Moran Farm. 

Seventh District, all east of w'est line of Moran 
Farm. 

In June the inspectors issued teachers' certificates 
to Charlotte S. Rang, for District No. 2 ; to .Marian 
Titus, for No. 3; to Alice Rumney, for No. 4; to 
James Stewart, for No. 5 ; and in July to Melvina 
A. Hurlbut. for No. 6. Certificates were also issued 
to Miss Van Ingen, James S. Baker, J. E. Witcher, 
George Field, and E. F. Locke. 

That the question of securing uniformity in 
school-books was, at that time, a proper subject for 
consideration is evidenced by the fact that in Dis- 
trict No. 4 Olney's, Parley's, and Smith's Geogra- 
phies were in use ; of Arithmetics there was a still 
greater variety, Adams's, Smith's, Colburn's, Par- 
ley's, and Emerson's all being used in the same 
school. Other books used were the Elementary 
Spelling Book, Child's Third Book, Wilson's Class 
Reader, Child's First Book in History, and the New 
Testament. 

In 1838 schools were maintained for three months 
each in five of the districts, the teachers receiving 
from twenty dollars to thirty dollars per month and 
boarding themselves. 

Following are the names of directors, with statis- 
tics for 1838 ; 



Dist. Director. 

1. A. Hartshorn, 

2. James Fairbairn, 



G. F. Porter, 

J. Beaubien, 

F. .X. Cicotte. 

B. F. M. Witherell, 

Total, 



Children bc- 


.Attending 


ween 5 and 17. 


school. 


225 


127 


373 


125 


193 


57 


346 


65 


299 


60 


245 


30 


4'7 


43 



2.097 



507 



The locations of the schools were as follows : 

The school for District No. i was in an old two- 
story wooden building, forty by eighty fiS-t. built on 
piles, on the shore of the river, on West Wood- 
bridge Street, just east of the old Board of Trade 
Building. The lower part was used as a grocery, 
the upper part was fitted up for the school, and 
reached by an outside stairway. The building was 
leased for five years at one hundred dollars a year, 
and was occupied until 1842. In 1838, the first 
year that the building wa.s occupied, W. K. Coyl 
was assessor and collector for the district. 

The school for District No. 4 was taught by Rev. 
George Field in the basement of the First Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, on the northeast corner of 
Woodward .■\\-enue and Congress Street. 

The school for District No. 5 was taught by James 
Stewart. 



/J' 



THE FIRST COMMON SCHOOLS. 



The teacher for District No. 6, Miss Hurlbut, 
taught school at her residence on the northeast cor- 
ner of Jefferson Avenue and Beaubien Street. 

In District No. 7, $500 was raised in 1838. to 
build a school-house. The first money received by 
the city from the Primary School Fund was obtained 
in 1839. The amount received was $1,342.08, 
which, on February 21, 1S39, the inspectors appor- 
tioned as follows : 



Dist. 


Scholars. 


Amount. 


Dist. 


Scholars. 


Amount. 


I. 


225 


$144.00 


5- 


299 


$191.36 


2. 


372 


238.08 


6. 


245 


I 56. So 


3- 


193 


123.52 


7- 


417 


266.88 


4- 


346 


221.44 









The average was 
sixty-four cents for 
each of the 2,097 chil- 
dren reported by the 
school census. 

In February, teach- 
ers' certificates were 
issued to J. T. Blois, 
Charles Chambers, 
and Rowley Morris, 
and during the year 
to John Winchell, 
Lorenzo Wood, C. C. 
Rood, and Harriet M. 
\'an Ingen. On April 
1 5 John Farmer, A. 
\V. Buel, and Thomas 
Christian were elect- 
ed school inspectors, 
Mr. Farmer again be- 
coming chairman of 
the board. 

In 1839 schools were taught for six months in all 
of the districts except the fourth, and there the 
school was maintained for eight months and nine days. 

Following are the names of the directors and 
moderators! and the statistics for 1839: 

Children be- Attending 
MAlL-rati.li, tween sand 17. school. 




First 



The year 1S39 marked a gi;eat increase of interest, 
as is evident from the reports of the amounts voted 
and raised in the several districts. District No. i 
voted $820, and received from the inspectors $90. 
District No. 2 was assessed $750 for school pur- 
poses, $500 of this amount to build a school-house, 
and received $175 from the inspectors. District No. 
3 raised $800, and received $123.52 from the inspec- 
tors. District No. 4 raised $744.69, appropriated 
$500 of it for a school-house, and received from the 
inspectors .I193. District No. 5 voted $250, and 
received from the inspectors $191.36. No report 
can be found from No. 6 : it probably had no school. 
District No. 7 voted S600, of which $500 was to build 
a house, and received $266.88 from the inspectors. 

The report of the 
Superintendent of 
Public Instruction for 
1839 shows a total 
of $3,426 raised in 
the city to build four 
houses and support 
schools, and that the 
directors received 
$1,039.76 as primary' 
school money from 
the inspectors. 

The report of the 
treasurer of the in- 
spectors for 1839, 
made March 12, 1840, ' 
shows that the entire 
amount of $1,342.06, 
Primary School Fund, 
appropriated by the 
board in February, 
1839, to the several 
districts, had passed through his hands, and also 
that $854 was received from the same fund for 
1S40. This amount was apportioned by the inspec- 
tors, February 22, 1840, as follows: 



BUILIJIN(; OCCITPIEU IJY A Kk1-K PuKLlC ScHUOJ, 
WOODHRIDCE StREKT, NEAR SlIKLUV. 



LJist. Director. 

1. A. Hartshorn, 

2. J. Owen, 
T. Christian, 
J. Farmer, 
E. Bancroft, 
D. French, 
H. Hallock, 



J. Eldred, 
J. Palmer, 
J. H. Titus, 

A. Dequindre, 

Robert Stuart, 



220 

363 
185 
412 

234 
214 

350 



85 

137 

80 

155 
85 
85 
60 



Dist. 

I. 

2, 

3- 

4- 
Total 



Scholars, 
220 

363 
1S5 
412 



Amount. 

I 92.32 

152.33 

77.64 

172.90 



Dist, Scholars. 



5- 
6. 

7- 
S. 



234 
214 

350 
57 



Amouiil. 
$ 98.20 

89.81 
146.8S 

23.92 



2035 $854.00 



A total of 687 white children attended these 
schools, and the school census showed 2,138 chil- 
dren between the ages of five and seventeen. 

A colored school, known as District No. 8, was 
established in 1839, but received no appropriation 
until 1840. 



In April, 1840, at the regular city election, John 
Farmer, S. Barstow, and T. Christian were elected 
as inspectors, Mr. Farmer was continued as chair- 
man, and also acted this year as treasurer of the 
board, director of a dfetrict, and teacher of one of 
the schools, receiving as teacher a salary of $40 per 
month. The school was located in the rear of his 
residence on Farmer Street, and among his pupils 



THE FIRST COMMON SCHOOLS. 



739 



was Anson I5iirlin),rame, afterwards United States 
Minister to China. 

On January 6, 1840. a teacher's certificate was 
issued to William Phelps, and during the year cer- 
tificates were issued to E. Doty, James H. Welling, 
Eliza Toser, and John M. Davis. 

The total number of scholars attending the dis- 
trict schools this year was 895, a gain of 208. The 
length of the school terms was determined in each 
district by the amount of money in its treasury, 
and as a consequence the several districts reported 
schools as kept open four, five, si.\, seven, seven 
and one half, and nine months respectively. 

In addition to the Primary School Fund, the sum 
of S825 was e.xpended in the several districts, $425 
of which was paid on a house and lot for District 
No. 2 ; $100 for finishing a building for a school in 
District No. 7 ; the balance of I300 was expended 
for rent and repairs. 

The names of the district officers, and the statis- 
tics for I S40, are as follows : 

Children 

betweL-n Attt^ndiny 

Dist. Director. Moderator. sand 17. School. 

1. 220 90 

2. J.Owen. ' John Palmer. 331 57 

3. T. Christian. 209 124 

4. J. Farmer. C.Jackson. 406 156 

5. J. Watson. F. II. Stearns. 198 70 

6. D. French. J. Stewart. 217 163 

7. j.WinchcU. J.Winchell. 455 235 

Total 2036 895 

The amount of money accruing from the State 
Primary School Fund continued to decrease. Only 
$473.93 was received in 1S41, — but little more than 
half as much as was received the year previous, and 
the schools suffered accordingly. The amount was 
apportioned as follows : 



except numbers i and 6. from three to nine months. 
The entire number of scholars and the average at- 
tendance was as follow's : 



Dist. 


Scholars. 


Amount. 


Dist. 


Scholars. 


Amuiint. 


I. 


220 


I49.82 


5- 


198 


$44.83 


"1 


331 


74-95 


6. 


217 


49- '3 


3- 


209 


47-33 


7- 


455 


103.03 


+• 


406 

Total 


yi-93 


8. 


57 
2,093 


12.91 




$473-93 



On March 20, 1 841, John Farmer, Samuel Bar- 
stow, and Charles W. ^\'iiliams were elected school 
inspectors. Mr. Farmer, for the fourth time, was 
chosen chairman. 

Teachers' certificates were granted to William 
Merrill and William Huntington. This year, by 
law of April 6, provision was made authorizing the 
electors of a township to raise a school ta.\ of one 
dollar for each child between five and seventeen 
years of age. Schools were kept in all the districts. 



Dist. 


Children. 


Scholars. 


Dist. 


Children. 


Scholars. 


I. 






5- 




237 


30 


2. 


320 


197 


6. 








3- 


196 


54 


7- 




417 


13' 


4- 


401 


205 


8. 




88 


70 



The school in District No. 7 was taught by Wil- 
liam Huntington, who began teaching about No- 
vember I, on a salary of $100 a quarter. This dis- 
trict was the only one that owned a school-house ; 
the money raised in 183910 build four houses had 
not been used, and most of it was in possession of 
the district officers as late as April, 1842. Mr. Hun- 
tington taught about two months, his school num- 
bering one hundred and fifty-Jive scholars ; the 
largest number present at any one time was eighty. 
i\Iost of them were small children, twenty being in 
the alphabet class. With the termination of Mr. 
Huntington's ser\'ices, district schools ceased in De- 
troit. 

During these years the establishment of a more 
thorough system of education was felt as an increas- 
ing necessity, and on September 14, 1841, the Com- 
mon Council, on motion of Alderman Fiske, ap- 
pointed a committee, consisting of Z. Pitcher, mayor, 
and Aldermen Fiske and Moran, to take the school 
system under consideration and report upon the 
possibility of devising a more perfect system. This 
committee reported to the council on November 18 
that there were 1,850 children who ought to be in 
school at least half the year ; that there were in the 
city twenty-seven schools of all kinds, with 714 
pupils, who were educated at a cost of $12,600 per 
annum, an average of $18 each. The committee 
recommended that the Common Council petition 
the Legislature for power to raise money for the 
support of the schools by direct taxation, and to 
provide for a Board of Education. The report was 
ordered printed, and on November 23, 1841, was 
taken up and re-committed, the city attorney being 
added to the committee. 

At a meeting of the council on January 4. 1842, 
the committee reported, and the mayor was then, on 
motion of Alderman Chittenden, requested to call a 
meeting of citizens to consider the propriety of peti- 
tioning for authority to establish free schools. The 
meeting was held on January 12, 1842, and on 
motion of S. Barstow, it was resolved to seek 
authority to raise a tax, not exceeding one fourth of 
one per cent on the assessed valuation of property, 
for the support of free schools ; also for power to 
elect two persons from each ward as a school com- 
mittee, or Board of Education, with power to 



740 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



appoint teachers and provide for the management 
of schools. 

The resokitions were discussed by J. I-i. Williams, 
Z. Pitcher, E. P. Hastings, John Farmer, and A. T. 
McRevnolds, and then adopted. On January i8, 
1842, the council appointed a committee of three, 
consisting of Aldermen Bagg, Gooding, and Cicotte, 
to present the subject to the Legislature. 

The proposed ta.xation and the new methods 
recommended did not meet the approval of all the 
citizens, and in order to remove their objections and 
to intluence the Legislature, a public meeting was 
held at the City Hall on February 7, 1842. The 
following notice was posted about the city previous 
to the meeting : 

FuRE Education. 
IntclligL-ncf for Ihe poor equally with the rich. The friends of 
free education and all others arc invili-d to meet at the City Hall. 
Let every man who is in favor of free education turn out ! Intel- 
ligence and Liberty must go hand in hand. 

Many Citizens. 

This meeting was productive of good, and many 
doubtful ones were persuaded to favor the proposed 
schools. 

THE BIJ.'VRI) OF EDUCATION, IT.S SCHOOLS AND 
ITS MAXAC.KMENT. 

This board was provided for by Act of February 
18, 1S42. Twelve inspectors were to be elected, 
two from each ward, and were to have control of 
the public schools of the city. They were duly 
elected, and the board organized, and the following 
advertisement soon appeared : 

Notice is hereby given that Free Schools, under the IJoard of 
Education, will be opened on Monday, May i6, 1842, in the First 
and Si.xth Wards. Miss Sarah M. Slandish in charge of Si-xth 
Ward School, Miss Diantha Howland of First Ward. The 
schools will be free to all children within the respective wards. 
Applications for admission may be made to the undersigned. 

Jl'sTUS Ingersoi.l, 
William Patterson, 
W. E. Stearns. 

The following additional notice appeared soon 
afterwards : 

Notice is hereby given that Primary Schools under the Board 

of Education of the City of Detroit will be opened .Monday. May 

23, 1842, in the Second, Third, and Fourth Wards. A school in 

the Fifth Ward will be opened as soon as a suitable room can be 

obtained. 

John S. Abbotp, Sit\v. 

The members of the board were energetic, and 
on November i middle schools were opened with 
five hundred scholars, and provided with male 
teachers, who were paid $30 per month; the lady 
teachers for primaries were paid $18 per month. 

The results of the first year's efforts are indicated 
in the following extract from an editorial in The 
Detroit Gazette : 



Board of Education and Detroit Schools. 

This boaid was established by a law of the last session of the 
Legislature, and, as usual with most features of Legislation for 
the public good, met with opposition. The excellent choice made 
by our citizens, however, of Inspectors, and the bold and decisive 
measures adopted by them, on their first organization, had the 
effect to make the opposition to the proposed system falter and 
hesitate in their movements. The Primary schools were open for 
si.x months in the si.x several wards for the younger class of scholars, 
and the immediate consequence was the clearing of our avenues, 
streets and lanes of ragged, filthy children, engaged in e\'ery 
species of mischief, and growing up the pupils of depravity and 
crime. The second view presented the same children cleanly 
clad, inmates of school rooms, and the third exhibited them in 
connection with children of what is termed the better classes of 
society, contending for superiority, and finally the schools for the 
summer closed with universal satisfaction. The middle orwinter 
schools are now in successful operation. 

There are si.x of these establishments — one in each ward — pro- 
vided with excellent teachers, comfortable rooms, and every thing 
a parent can desire, and all free. 

On May 12, 1842, the board adopted the follow- 
ing list of books to be used in the primary schools ; 
Webster's .Spelling Book, Sander's Series of I-^ead- 
ers, Parley's First Book of History, Davies' Arith- 
metic, and Smith's Geography and Grammar. 

In the middle schools the following were used : 
Hazen's Definer, Daboll's and Adams' Arithmetics, 
Parley's Common School History,- Colburn's Alge- 
bra, The English Reader, Olmstead's Philosophy, 
Hale's United States History, and Hoskins' Astron- 
omy. Instruction was also given in French and 
Latin to those desiring to pursue these studies. In 
1843 Brown's Grammar was substituted for Smith's. 

On May 6, 1844, the "text-book war" was inau- 
gurated by Mr. Hulbert, who offered a resolution 
providing that either the Douay or Protestant Bible, 
without note or comment, might be introduced into 
the schools, and classed as a book authorized for 
use in said schools, provided that no coercion should 
be used on the part of teachers to secure the .study 
or reading by scholars whose parents objected. Up 
to this time the Bible had been excluded from the 
schools, and the proposition of Mr. Hulbert e.xcited 
a storm of opposition from both parties, as neither 
Catholics nor Protestants were vi'illing to have the 
two versions placed on an equal footing. 

On June 13, 1844, a numerously signed petition, 
asking for the introduction of the English version 
into the schools, was referred to the Committee on 
School ISooks and Teachers, which then consisted of 
Messrs. S. Barstow, Elisha Taylor, and John Farmer. 
On December 2, the committee submitted two very 
lengthy reports, the majority report, signed by 
Messrs. Barstow and Taylor, accompanied with the 
following resolutions : 

Kesflivfd^ that it is not expedient to grant the prayer of the 
petitioners, by which they demand the adoption of the Protes- 
tant version of the Bible only, to the exclusion of the Catholic, 
to be used in the schools under the direction of this board. 

Resolved^ that it is not expedient to introduce any alteration in 



THE BOARD OF F.nUCATION. 



741 



our school system during tht- present school year, and that whatever 
action may be had should have reference to, and lake elTect only 
on the commencement of a new school year. 

The minority report of Mr. Farmer was supple- 
mented with the followinsi^ resolution : 

/xi'srh'f-tf, that the Bible, without note or comment, shall here- 
after constitute one of the books which may be used in our pub- 
lic schools, as occasion requires, by children whose parents require 
it, without explanation verbal or written, but shall not l)ere([uired 
to be used by children of such parents or guardians as object 
thereto. 

Both of the reports were ordered printed, pro- 
vided it could be done without cost to the board, 
and several thousand copies were soon issued in 
pamphlet form, and greatly increased the interest in 
the question. Neither of the reports, however, was 
adopted. Meantime several teachers commenced 
reading the Bible at the opening and closing of their 
schools, and a majority of the board sanctioned 
their action. Matters remained in this unsettled 
state until February 3. 1845. when the board adopted 
the following resolutions, and ordered them pub- 
lished in the daily papers : 

Resflt-'ed, that there is nothing in the rules or by-l.tws at all 
conflicting with the right of any teacher in the employment of 
this Board opening his or her school by reading, without note or 
comment, from any version of the Bible they may choose, either 
Catholic or Protestant. 

Resolved^ that the teacher who shall in any way note, comment, 
or remark, in his or her school, upon a passage of Scripture read 
therein, or other passage of Scripture, shall be removed from his 
or her school upon the pioof being made to the committe of his 
or her school; the decision of said committee, however, being 
subject to the action of the Board. 

These resolutions have governed the action of the 
teachers since that date, and at the discretion of the 
teachers both reading the Scripture and prayer may 
form part of the opening e.xercises, but in a majority 
of cases these exercises are omitted. 

On May i, 1845, Root's Series of Writing Books 
was adopted, and on July 1 5 Mitchell's Outline Maps 
were ordered for the schools. On November 25 of 
the same year McGuffey's Eclectic Series of Readers 
was introduced in place of Sanders'. The Second 
Series of Ray's Arithmetics were adopted on the 
same date. 

On March 12, 1S46, it was voted to grant leave 
" to Mr. Batcher, who is interested in the publication 
of school books, to present to the board such re- 
marks as he should deem expedient touching his 
own publications." His address was presumably 
convincing, for on March 30 the board voted to use 
Blois' Ancient History and Town's Intellectual Al- 
gebra. 

The next year another book agent must have ap- 
peared, for on July 9, 1847, Town's Speller was 
adopted in place of all others. On December 9 the 



Child's First Book of Drawing was approved and 
adopted, and one week later the board resolved to 
co-operate with any citizens who wished to intro- 
duce music into the school without cost. At 
the same meeting Winchester's Bookkeeping was 
adopted, and it was resolved that Wilson's United 
States History should supersede Hale's. On April 
7, 1848, it was voted to use Thompson's ,\rithmetic 
in place of all others. 

Colburn's Mental Arithmetic, Davies' Algebra 
and Geometry, Porter's Rhetorical Reader. Willard's 
.School History. Robbins' Outlines of History, Mc- 
Intyre's Astronomy, Watts on the Mind, and Par- 
ker's Philosophy were all in use in 1S50. 

Wells' Grammar was in use for a short time prior 
to 1851, and in that year was superseded by Green's 
First Lessons. O'Brien's Geometrical Analysis was 
adopted on November 8, 1S51. Mayhew's Book- 
keeping was adopted on January 9, 1852, and on 
September 16 it was agreed to supersede Thomp- 
son's Arithmetic by Robinson's. Smith's Geo- 
graphies were adopted in place of Mitchell's on 
January 24, 1S54. 

Welch's English Sentences was adopted April 26, 
1855, and on May 30, 1855, it was voted that Shurt- 
leff's Governmental Instructor should be introduced 
into the Union School by the principal teachers. 

Cornell's Geographies and Warren's Physical 
Geography were introduced by vote of September 
18, 1856. Cutler's Physiology was in u.se this same 
year. On December 31, 1859, Greenleaf's Arithme- 
tic was substituted for Robinson's. In 1861 Loomis' 
Algebra was substituted for Davies' Bourdon, and 
Frieze's Virgil and Fasquelle's First Lessons in 
French were introduced. On May 27, 1862, Robin- 
son's Practical Arithmetic was reinstated in place of 
Greenleaf's, and Robinson's Algebra also intro- 
duced. 

On April 3, 1863, Sanders' Speller was adopted 
to supersede Hazen's, and on April 9, 1865, Mc- 
Guffey'j Readers took the place of the Progressive 
Readers. Ouackenbos's History was adopted at 
the same time. On April 6, 1866, it was agreed to 
use Ray's Algebra. On November 9, 1868, the 
entire series of Stoddard's Arithmetics were adopted, 
and on December 6, 1869, it was agreed to intro- 
duce the Bartholomew Drawing Cards, Webb's 
Word Method, and Townsend's Civil Government. 

On September 2, 1872, the Primary and Second 
and Third Music Readers were adopted in place of 
the Song Garden. Payson, Dunton & Company's 
Copy Books were adopted November 11, 1872, and 
Lossing's Primary United States History and the 
first four books of the Independent Series of Read- 
ers in place of McGuffey's on September i, 1873. 
The Walter Smith Drawing Cards were substituted 
for the Bartholomew Series on October 6, 1873. 



742 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



Swinton's Word Primer and Language Lessons, 
Hooker's Book of Nature, and Our World Geog- 
raphy were adopted August 20, 1875. 

In March, 1875, a lengthy and persistent effort 
was made to secure the teaching of German and 
French in the schools, but the effort was unsuc- 
cessful. 

Alden's Citizen's Manual and Barnes's Brief His- 
tory were introduced by vote of April 14, 1876. 
Patterson's Speller took the place of Sanders' on 
May 12, 1879. The Fish-Robinson Arithmetic was 
adopted May 10, 1880, and the Bartholomew Draw- 
ing Series reinstated on July 22, 18S0. On March 
9, 1882, the Bartholomew Series was again dis- 
placed, and the Walter Smith Books substituted. 

Sill's Practical Lessons in English was adopted 
August II, 1881. Swinton's Composition for the 
High School, on May 23, 1882. On August 11, 
1882, Avery's Natural Philosophy was substituted 
for Norton's, and at the same time Hutchinson's 
Physiology was introduced in the High .School 
course. On August 10, 1882, Kellogg's Rhetoric 
was substituted for Hart's, and Ander.son's History 
for Swinton's in the High School course, and on 
August 24 Thalheimer's History of the United 
States and Macallister's Zoology were adopted for 
the High School course. On November 9, 1882, 
Appleton's Standard and Higher Geographies were 
adopted in place of Cornell's. On January 25, 1883, 
McNab's Botany was adopted as a text-book for the 
High School. On June 28, 1883, Ellsworth's Writ- 
ing Books were adopted in place of Payson, IJunton, 
& Scribner's, and on August 23 following the last- 
named series was again adopted. On this date also 
the use of Our World Geography was discontinued. 
The First and Second Readers of Barnes' New 
National Series were adopted in place of the First 
and Second Independent Series on October 25, 
1883. 

The following books were adopted for the High 
School on January 24, 1 884 : Fairbank's Commer- 
cial Arithmetic, Clark's Commercial Law, Town- 
send's Civil Government, Houston's Elementary Phi- 
losophy, and Gage's Elements of Physics. Barnes' 
Third Reader was adopted in place of the Inde- 
pendent Reader on March 13, 1884. 

In addition to the above books, various Spelling 
Blanks, Tablets, and other school requisites are 
used, but their use is sanctioned by consent rather 
than by rule of the board. On an order from an 
inspector to the secretary, books are loaned to poor 
children who are unable to procure them. The 
books used in the latter part of 1S83 were: In Pri- 
mary and Grammar .Schools. New National First 
and Second Readers. Independent Third and Fourth 
Readers ; Fish's First Book, and Complete .Arith- 
metic; Payson. Dunton, & Scribner's Copy Books; 



Patterson's Common School Speller; Walter Smith's 
Drawing Books; Appleton's Geographies ; Hooker's 
Book of Nature, three parts; Sill's Practical Les- 
.sons in English; Barnes' Brief History ; McGuffey's 
.Si.\th Reader; Alden's Citizens' Manual and Inter- 
mediate Music Reader. In the High School, Fish's 
Robinson's Complete Arithmetic ; Alden's Citizens' 
Manual; .Avery's Natural Philosophy; Wood's Ob- 
ject Lessons in Botany; Hutchinson's Physiology; 
Wayland's Intellectual Philosophy; Shaw's Hi.storj' 
of English Literature; Kellogg's Rhetoric; Smith's 
History of Greece (smaller edition); Leighton's 
History of Rome ; Anderson's School History of 
England; Avery's Chemistry; OIney's Complete 
School Algebra; OIney's Elements of Geometry; 
Jones' First Lessons in Latin ; Jones' Latin Prose 
Composition ; Harkness' Latin Grammar ; Hark- 
ness' Caisar ; Harkness' Cicero; Frieze's yEneid; 
Boise's First Lessons in Greek; Jones' Greek 
Prose Composition; Hadley's Greek Grammar; 
Boise's Anabasis; Ahn's Henn's German Series; 
William Tell; Lessing's Minnavon; Barnihelm 
(Whitney) ; Otto's French Grammar; Otto's French 
Reader; Chardenal's French Exercises, and Sou- 
vestre's " Philosophie sous les Toits." 

As at first established, no boy over eight or girl 
over twelve was admitted to the Primary Schools, 
and no boy under eight or girl under twelve was 
admitted to the Middle Schools. In 1850 the board 
decided to admit either boys or girls between the 
ages of ten and seventeen to the Middle Schools. 
In the Primary Departments children four and five 
years old were admitted until September 3, 1866, 
when the board decided not to admit any child 
under six years of age. A kindergarten department 
for younger children was opened in the Everett 
School in 1873, but after a few months it was dis- 
continued. 

During 1 883. in addition to the children of resi- 
dents, there were one hundred and fifty-two non- 
resident pupils. These are admitted on payment of 
twelve dollars a year in the Grammar Schools and 
twenty-four in the High School. 

Certain limits are fi.xed for each school district, 
within which all scholars of that school are supposed 
to reside. The boundaries of school districts change 
as new schools are opened, or as the population in 
any locality increases. 

Since 1875 one or more evening schools have 
been maintained each winter for the accommoda- 
tion of children or youth who are unable to attend 
school during the day. 

The statistics show that the percentage of schol- 
ars enrolled, and also of the average attendance as 
compared with the total number of children in the 
city, was six per cent less in 1870 and 1880 than in 
1850 or i860. A comparison for the same periods 



TIIF. BOARD OF EDUCATION'. 



743 



as to the seating capacity, in iumparison witli tlie 
total number of children in the city, shows an aver- 
age decrease of eight per cent in number of sittings 
for each decade of 1870 and 1880, as compared with 
lS5oand i860. The attendance of scholars is there- 
fore proportionately better the last two decades than 
in the two former. 

In 1850 the average attendance showed one hun- 
dred and fifteen pupils to each teacher; in i860 
there were but sixty to each teacher; in 1870 the 
number averaged fifty-two, and in 1880 there were 
but forty-six scholars for each teacher. 

The growth in yearly expense per capita for en- 
rolled scholars is as follows: in 1850 the cost was 
$1.88 per scholar ; in i860, $6.91 ; in 1870. $15.42; 
and in 1880, 1 14.00. 

The comfort and health of the scholars is pro- 
vided for by having the seats so arranged that the 
light falls on the desks from the rear. In order to 
prevent the .spread of contagious diseases, pupils, 
before admission, are required to exhibit a physi- 
cian's certificate of vaccination, and all pupils from 
houses infected by small-pox are excluded until 
thirty days after removal from the house, by the 
Board of Health, of the small-pox signal. Pupils 
coming from houses where the scarlet fever exists 
are excluded until twenty days after the removal of 
the placard, and for ten days from houses where the 
diphtheria exists ; and in the case of mumps, 
whooping-cough, and chicken-pox, scholars are ex- 
cluded until the patient has completely recovered ; 
in the case of measles until the recovery of the 
patient, and the patient until ten days after recovery. 

The school census, or enumeration of school- 
children in the city between the ages of five and 
twenty, and also those not attending any school, is 
taken during the month of September by persons 
appointed by the president of the board. Under a 
law approved May 31, 1883, all children between 
eight and fourteen are required to attend school at 
least four months in a year, and all persons are for- 
bidden to employ any child under fourteen years of 
age, who has not attended school at least four 
months during the year next preceding the month 
of 'their proposed employment. The same law also 
provided that special ungraded schools might be es- 
tablished for children whose habits or morals make 
them undesirable pupils in the public schools. Under 
this law a school of this class was opened by the 
board in a building on State Street, near Washing- 
ton Avenue, on October 8, 1883, with M. J. Whitney 
as the teacher. 

At first there was but two grades of public 
schools, namely. Primary and Middle, — six of each. 
On Ajiril 23. 1844, after an elaborate report from a 
.special committee of which Samuel Barstow was 
chairman, it was decided to have six Primary and 



only three Mitldle Schools. On April 16. 1845,11 
was decided to increase the number of Primaries 
to eight. In 1848 there were thirteen Primar\- and 
four Middle Schools. In 1849 t-'ie Union System, 
or the gathering of both Primary and Middle 
Schools under one roof, was adopted. The Capitol 
School was the first of this kind. But little uni- 
formity existed in the course of study until August 
13, 1858; a system then presented by D. Bethune 
Dufficld provided for the regular progression of 
pupils of like grades in all the .schools. The plan 
met with favor, and all the pupils were classified 
into primary, secondary, junior, and senior grades. 
After the establishment of the High School, that 
became the fifth grade. To complete the course of 
study required two years in each of the first three 
grades, and three years each in the senior and high- 
school grades. 

In 1873 a system of classification was established 
dividing the schools into three departments, viz., 
Primary, Grammar, and High Schools. The studies 
in each of these departments extend over four years, 
and twelve years are required to complete the entire 
course, the studies for each year constituting a 
grade. 

In 1848 the schools opened at 7:30 a. m. About 
1850 the time of opening was changed to 8 A. M. 
In 1S60 they began at 8:45, ^fd since 1872 at 8:50 
A. M., closing at 12:15. Afternoon sessions begin 
at 1:50, and close at 4 P. m. School sessions were 
formerly held on Saturday mornings, the time being 
devoted to exercises in declamation and composition, 
but since May 5, 1852, this morning session has been 
left at the option of the teachers. 

The schools first opened were in session but six 
months, divided into two terms of three months 
each with one week of vacation intervening. On 
April 22, 1844, the board decided to continue the 
schools through the year, dividing the year into four 
terms of twelve weeks each. Five years later, on 
March 21, 1849, it was resolved to have but two 
terms a year, one to begin the first Monday in May, 
and to continue twenty-three weeks, with a vacation 
of three weeks, beginning the first Monday in 
August. After the second term of twenty-three 
weeks there was a vacation of eight days, commenc- 
ing at Christmas. On September 14 of the same 
year it was decided to have three terms, the first to 
commence the second Monday after the third Satur- 
day in April, and to close the fourth Saturday in 
July ; the second to begin on the fifth Monday after 
the fourth Saturday in July, and close the last Satur- 
day before Christmas ; and the third to bei,'in on 
the fir.st Monday after the first day of January, and 
to close the third Saturday in Ajiril. 

On March 27, 1862, the board resolved that the 
spring term should begin April 14, and continue 



744 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



eleven weeks. On December 30. 1S64. the terms 
were arranged as follows : Winter term to begin 
J.inuary 9, and close March 31. Spring term to 
begin April 10, and close June 30. Fall term to 
begin August 28 and end December 15. In 1S83 
the terms began the first weeks of February and 
September, each term continuing for a period of 
twenty weeks. 

During the time that the public schools have been 
in operation a great number of different persons 
have acted as teachers, and many of them live in 
the hearts and memories of their pupils as true 
friends and helpers. The one longest in the employ 
of the board, and, by reason of his valuable ser- 
vices, the most worthy of honorable mention, was 
John F. Nichols. From May i, 1848, to 1883, with 
the exception of a single year, he taught continu- 
ously in the public schools of Detroit. He died on 
January 7, 18S3. His former pupils honored his 
memory by organizing a Nichols Alumni Associa- 
tion. 

The following resolution, adopted by the board 
on April 26, 1S49, will be a reminder to some of 
his old pupils : 

Resolved, that Mr. Nichols be empowered to exercise supen-i- 
sion oi both the middle and primary schools in the building on 
Miami Avenue, in all matters of classification and external dis- 
cipline. 

There can be no doubt that the authority con- 
ferred was made use of, and not a few now living 
have reason to remember the long finger pointing to 
"that boy there." and the subsequent interview in 
the side room. "Tender" memories are connected 
with these interviews, but the discipline was usually 
tempered with mercy. 

On December 12, 1S59, the board provided that 
the teachers should meet in an upper room of the 
Capitol at 2 i>. m. on the first Saturday of each 
month for improvement and instruction. These 
meetings were continued until about 1868. 

On .-Xugust 20, i860, on motion of Mr. Walker, 
it was 

Resolved, tliat it he in future a part of the policy of this Board 
that marriage on the part of any female teacher be equivalent to 
iier resignation. 

A more patriotic resolution was passed on No- 
vember 13, 1S62. It read as follows; 

Resolved, that the Board of Education for the City of Detroit 
will not employ any person as teacher, officer, or laborer who has 
asked exemption from the Draft on account of any allegiance to 
any foreign power, and all such if any now in the employ of this 
Board shall be dismissed from ser\'ice, the same to take effect 
from the close of the present term. 

Principals of schools are paid from $850 to ^1,500, 
according to position and years of service. Under 
teachers are paid from $300 to $700, according to 



the number of years they have been einployed in 
city schools. A training and practice class for teach- 
ers was established in 1882, and has been productive 
of much benefit. A teachers' association was also 
organized in 1882. 

The first special teacher employed was H. H. 
Philbrick. For his ser\-ices as teacher of music an 
appropriation of fifteen dollars was made on Sep- 
tember 14, 1849. On December 28, 1850, the sum 
of twenty-five dollars was appropriated "to Charles 
Hess, payable in June ne.xt, in full for his services 
as musical instructor in Seventh Ward Union and 
Capitol .Schools." In the following Februar)' fifty 
dollars was voted to be used for the same purpose 
at the di.scretion of the committee. Four years 
later, on March 19, 1855, the board, more apprecia- 
tive or more generous, voted to " employ a teacher 
in music, provided that not more than tliree hundred 
dollars be expended for any one year." Under this 
resolution a Mr. Thompson served for a time, and 
was succeeded by Professor T. M. Towne, who 
filled the office from the spring of 1859 to 1861. 

On October 2, 1871, the salary was raised from 
§600 to $1,200, and Professor S. S. Jackson wasap- 
pointed teacher. On August 9, 1875, the salary 
was fixed at $1,000, and Professor E. C. Gore was 
appointed teacher, and served until his death in 1884. 

A fecial teacher of writing was provided in 
1846, and on August 10 Mr. Dixon was voted thirty 
dollars for his services in the Middle Schools. No 
record has been found of other writing teachers 
until April 4, 1870, when A. J. Newby was ap- 
pointed teacher of penmanship at a salary of $1,200 
per year; he continued until December i, 1877, 
since which time no other has been appointed. 

On November 25, 1879, Professor John Natus 
was appointed teacher of drawing at a salary of 
$1,000. His term ceased in June, 1881. and Miss 
Minnie O'Connor succeeded him. On September i, 
18S2, she was succeeded by Miss Myra M. Jones. 

A teacher of reading was jjrovided for, and E.B. 
Warman appointed on June 24, 1880; he taught 
until the summer of 1881, since which time no 
special teacher of elocution has been employed. 

When the board commenced its work it was 
compelled to use rented buildings, and for long 
periods of time the basements of churches and 
other hired buildings served as school-rooms. In 
1842 four buildings were rented at a cost of $160 a 
year ; one of these was on the corner of Clinton 
and Brush Streets, and another on the northwest 
corner of Jefferson Avenue and First Street. On 
November 9, 1842, the Council authorized the board 
to fit up the old Washington Market, corner of Larned 
and Wayne Streets, for school purposes. .Se\'enty- 
five dollars were expended, and a school was held in 
the building until the middle of May, 1847. From 



THE ROARD OF EDUCATION. 



745 



1S44 to the fall of 1S5S the old University building 
was also usetl. 

The onlv building owned by the board in 1842 
was located on Fort Street East, on the lot occupied 




Old Second W 



i.ic School. 



in 1882 by the Everett School. The old building 
continued in use until 1869, when it was sold for 
S39. The first school-house built by the board was 
erected in 1843, on West Park near Grand River 
Avenue, at a cost of $54°. It was removed in 
August, 1855. Up to 1847 the board owned but 
three houses ; in that year the old State Capitol was 
vacated, and on May 10 the board appointed a com- 
mittee to memorialize the Common Council and 
obtain it for school purposes. Accordingly on July 
9 Mr. Bishop presented a memorial, which was 
referred to a committee. The committee could not 
agree that the city had any rights in the building, 
and it seemed difficult to determine in whom the 
title was vested. On November i. 1847. a com- 
mittee of two was appointed by the board to confer 
with the governor, and if possible obtain possession. 
Various consultations were held, but no definite 
conclusion was reached. Finally on January 28, 
1848. the board appointed a committee to obtain 
possession of the building, and on March 15 follow- 
ing D. B. Duffield reported that the committee had 
taken possession, and that he, as secretary of the 
board, held the key. There being some doubts as 
to whether the board had legal possession, on April 
24 the president was directed to get a lease from 
the governor, and to have the lease drawn in such 
manner as to avoid the recognition by the board of 
any title in the State to said building. 

After duly considering the subject it was decided 
that, inasmuch as the board was in peaceable pos- 
session, a lease was unnecessary. On May i the 
order to obtain a lease was rescinded, and to this 
day the building has remained in pQssession of the 
board. 



W hile the board were engaged in this " Capitol 
steal," they granted tlie use of other buildings for 
Sabbath-school purposes. The city fathers con- 
cluded that the schools would make good polling- 
places for some of the wards, and sought to pro- 
cure them for the purpose. The board, reasoning 
that such use would conflict with their use as 
schools, and connect them more intimately with 
political matters than was desirable, on December 
18, 184S, resolved " not to allow use of school- 
houses or grounds for any other purposes than that 
of Sabbath schools," and "the teachers of the board 
were instructed to withhold the keys of their several 
schools from the olficers of the corporation desiring 
to use the buildings for election purposes." The 
granting of the buildings for Sunday-school use 
ceased about 1865. 

In 1857, by the addition of the Ninth and Tenth 
Wards, the board came into possession of a house 
in the Tenth Ward, and of school-houses and lots 
on Trowbridge. Thompson, and Lafontaine .Streets. 

The first Union School building erected by the 
board was the Barstow ; it was opened in May, 
1850, and was the first building supplied with patent 
seats, which were added five years after the school 
was opened. The Barstow was also the first school 
building designated by the name of an individual ; 
it was named in honor of Samuel Barstow, in ac- 




The Barstow School. 



cordance with a formal resolution offered by Le\n 
Bishop on August 22. 1855. 

The Houghton .School, erected at a cost of $7. 500, 
was the second Union School edifice built by the 



746 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



board, and was opened in the fall of 1S53, and re- 
built in 1872. It was originally called the Eighth 
Ward School, but on March 5. 1866, the name was 
changed to Hougliton in honor of Douglass Hough- 
ton, the first president of the board. 




The Houghton School. 

Other schools have been named as follows : the 
Bishop, after Levi Bishop, one of the presidents of 
the board ; Cass, after Lewis Cass, who gave the 
ground ; Franklin, after Benjamin Franklin ; Duf- 
field, after D. B. Duffield, an e.x-president of the 
board; Irving, after Washington Irving; Tappan, 
after Henry P. Tappan, e.x-president of the Llni- 
versity ; Everett, after Hon. Edward Everett ; Wil- 
kins, after William D. Wilkins, ex-president of the 
board ; Washington, after the hero of the cherry- 




The Tappan School. 

tree ; Pitcher, after Dr. Zina Pitcher, an active 
worker in the organization of the board ; Lincoln, 
after Abraham Lincoln ; Jefferson, after Thomas 
Jefferson ; Clay, after Henry Clay ; Campbell, after 
Judge J. V. Campbell ; Jackson, after Andrew Jack- 



son ; Webster, after Daniel Webster ; John Owen, 
after John Owen, ex-State Treasurer; John Norvell, 
after John Norvell, ex-United States senator; Fir- 
nane, after Michael Firnane, cx-prcsident of the 
board ; Trowbridge, after Charles C. Trowbridge, it 
being located on a street formerly called by his name ; 
Farrand, after D. O. Farrand, a prominent physician ; 
Nichols, after John F. Nichols, the teacher; John- 
ston, after James Johnston, former .school inspector; 
Bagley, after ex-Governor John J. Bagley. 

The buildings are cared for by janitors appointed 
for each. Formerly the janitor lived in the building, 
but on Augu.st 15, 1877, the board decided that 
thereafter no janitor should be allowed to live in the 
school buildings. The pay ranges from %io to$loo 
per month, and the amount paid out for their ser- 
vices is about $13,000 per year. 




-^J-"^ 






LW"-E,^,^«.ta. 



The Jackson School. 

In 1S63, owing to lack of school accommodations, 
it was resolved to try the half-day plan. It was put 
into successful operation in eight Primary Schools, 
and on September 3, 1866, the superintendent was 
authorized to organize every Primary School on this 
plan, which was put into operation the same year 
in fourteen Primaries, and some schools have been 
conducted in this way nearly every year. 

Following is a list of buildings owned by the 
board : 

Barstow : Earned, between Riopelle and Russell 
Streets, three-storj' brick, with basement ; built 
1871. 

Bishop : Marion, between Hastings and Prospect 
Streets, three-stor)- brick, with basement ; built 
1858-1881. 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



747 



Cass : Grand River Avenue, between Seconti and 
High Streets, tiiree-story brick, witli basement ; 
bm'it 1 861-1882. 

Clay : Pitcher, between Cass and Second Streets, 
two-story, frame; built 1873. 

Campbell : St. Aubin Avenue, opposite Witherell, 
two-story frame ; built 1874. 

Clinton : Clinton, between Russell and Kivard 
Streets, two-story brick, with basement ; built 1876. 

Duffield : Clinton .Avenue, near Chene, three- 
story brick, with basement ; built 1 866. 

Everett: Fort, between Hastinjjs and Kivard 
Streets, tliree-stor\- brick, with basement ; built 
1869. 

Franklin : Seventh, between Locust and fine 
Streets, two-story brick, with basement ; built 1S65. 

Firnane : Fort Street, between McDougall and 
Elmwood .A\-enues, two-story wood ; built 1 882. 

Farrand : 1 larper Avenue, on southwest corner of 
John R. Street, two-story brick; built 1883-18S4. 




The John Owen School. 

High : Corner State and Oris wold Streets, new 
three-story hou.se, with basement, built 1875, Old 
two-story house, built 1828. 

Houghton : Corner of Sixth and .'\bbott' Streets, 
three-story brick, with basement under half ; built 
1852. 

Ir\-ing : Willis .\ venue, between Woodward and 
Ca.ss, two-story brick ; built 1S82. 

Jefferson : Corner Maria and Crawford Streets, 
three-story brick, with basement, built 1871. 

Jackson : Lamed, between Dubois and Chene 
Streets, two-story frame ; used since 1S59. 

John Owen : Corner of Thirteenth and Myrtle 
Strect.s, two-story brick, with basement ; built 1879. 

Johnston: German Street, between Dubois and 
Chene Streets, two-story brick ; built 1 884. 



Lincoln : Corner St. .-\ntoine and Kentucky Streets, 
two-story frame; built 1872. 

Miami .Avenue: Miami Avenue, between Grand 
River and Gratiot, one-story brick ; built 1859. 




The N1CH01.S School. 

Nor%'ell: On Berlin and Arndt, near McDougall 
Avenue, two-story brick, with basement ; built 1879. 

Nichols : On Elm, between Seventh Street and 
Trumbull Avenue, two-story frame ; built 1 868-1 883. 

Pitcher: Sulliv,^n Avenue, near Michigan, three- 
story brick, with basement ; built 1871. 

Tappan : Corner Thirteenth and Marantette 
Streets, three-story brick : built 1867. 

Trowbridge : Seventeenth Street, near Howard, 
two-story brick ; built 1857. 




The Campbell School. 

Washington: Beaubien .Street, between Adams 
Avenue and Harriet Street, three-storv brick, with 
basement; built 1871. 

Wilkins: Porter, between Second and Third 
Streets, three-story lirick with basement ; iniilt I S69. 



748 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'. 



Webster: Twenty-first, between Howard and 
Marquette .Streets, two-story brick, with basement ; 
built 1874. 




Tlllv WlLKINS SCUOOI,, 

Caglcy: Corner Fourteenth Avenue .-uid Pine 
Street, two-story brick ; built 1SS4. 

: Corner of Fourteenth and Il.'uieock 

Avenues, one-story frame ; built 1 884. 

A site for a building has also been purchased c >n 
the northwest corner of Twelfth and ririg;ham 
Streets. 

The outside appearauce is the same of the Ever- 
ett and Wilkins Scliools, Pitcher and Barstow, Clay 




The I.iNCi)!.:: S^Hi n il. 

and Campbell. Washington and Jefferson. The 
John Owen. John Xorvell, and Clinton-street schools 
are also alike. 

After the completion of the new lr\-ing School 
the old building was moved to the south side of Elm 



Street, between Seventh Street and Trumbull Ave- 
nue, and enlarged from a four to a si.\-room building. 
When purchasing the lot for the school the board 
obtained a small triangular piece of ground on the 
opposite side of Elm Street, on which a work-shop 
and store-house for their use has been erected. 

The first mention of a High School is found in 
the proceedings of the Board of Education for April 
22. 1S44, when a committee was appointed to sub- 
mit a plan for a High School, and the Regents of 
the University placed the old academy building, on 
Bates Street, at the disposal of the board for a 
Classical School, they to have the privilege of ap- 
pointing the teachers, and the books u.sed to be the 
same as those used in the branch schools. The 
board accepted the offer, and on May 2, 1844, ap- 




The Franklin School. 

propriated $150 and fuel to the support of a High 
School to be kept in the second and third stories of 
the building. Not ayer twenty-five scholars were to 
be admitted, and these were to be boys of eleven 
years old and upward who had attended public 
school three months and passed an examination 
before the Committee on Teachers. They were re- 
quired to enter within the first two weeks of the 
session. 

Doubts being expressed as to the power of the 
board to establish such a school, on May 13, 1S44, a 
committee reported that it had full power, and a 
school was inaugurated. It continued only a short 
time. 

On January 20, 1855, an Act of the Legislature 
S;ave increased facilities for maintaining a High 
School, but no action was taken under the law until 
February 20, 1856, when, on motion of Mr. Duffield, 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



749 



a committee was appointetl to consider and report 
upon the expediency of establishing such a school ; 
no definite conchisions were reached, and on April 
2, 1S56, the question was postponed for a year; in 
1858 the goal was reached, and on August 
30 the High School held its first session in 
the upper story of the Miami Avenue school 
building. It began with twenty-three pupils, 
all boys. 

In 1859 a building was erected for the 
High School on the rear part of the Miami 
.■\. venue lot, at a cost of §2,000. Eighty-five 
pupils attended at the opening in the new 
building on January 16, i860, and girls for 
the first time were then admitted. 

In .September, 1863, the school was trans- 
ferred to the second story of the Capitol 
building, and in February of this year the 
citizens contributed $1,000 for the purchase 
of philosophical and chemical apparatus. 
In 1 866 French and German were intro- 
duced as studies. In 1875 a new building 
was erected for the school in front of the 
old Capitol, and for the first time the four 
grades were accommodated under one 
roof. 

In June, 1S71, the board agreed that a 
diploma from the High School should be 
accepted as a certificate of qualification to 
teach, but four years later this practice was discon- 
tinued. A greater honor was conferred upon the 
school, on June 27, 1878, when the Regents of the 
University decided that students graduating from 
the High School should be admitted to the Univer- 
sity on their diploma, without examination. 



February 25, 1875. aCommittee on Military Instruc- 
tion was appointed, and for two years the boys were 
daily drilled. E\er)' boy in the school was expected 
to belong to the company, unless his parents ob- 





lilt Cass 



As E.NLAKOIii . 



Helieving that the military drill would be bene- 
ficial to the boys, several gentlemen, in the fall of 
1S74. petitioned the Government, and arms and in- 
structors were furnished from Fort W'avne. On 



The Cass School. (Original appearance.) 

jected, and nearly all in each grade became mem- 
bers of the High School Cadets. The first year all 
were required to dress in a uniform which cost 
eighteen dollars ; but after the first year this was 
not insisted on. Two years later drills were had 
daily for part of the time, and then twice a week. 
There was always considerable discussion as 
to the desirability of the practice, and at the 
close of the term in 1 876 the organization was 
discontinued. In October, 1882, a company 
was established by the students themselves. 
Professor H. Chaney, the first principal of 
the school, remained until September, 1871, 
when he resigned to give his time to the Pub- 
lic Library. His successor. Professor I. M. 
Wellington, ser\-ed until 1881, and was fol- 
lowed by Professor L. C. Hall. All the prin- 
cipals have been aided by a large corps of 
able assistants. Candidates for admission to 
the High .School must be twelve years of age 
or over, and must pass a satisfactory examina- 
tion in spelling, grammar, arithmetic, geo- 
graphy, reading. United States history and 
government. Their answers to examination 
questions are written, each student being designated 
by a number attached to his answers. All answers 
arc examined by a miiform key to the questions, and 
each part of all questions submitted has its definite 



750 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



credit mark. The rate per cent entitling to promo- 
tion from one grade to anotlier ranges from sixty-five 
to seventy-five. Tlie school hours are from S.30 



fifty-seveft colored children, but no director was 

appointed or_ funds appropriated for teaching the 

children, as the inspectors had no authority for thus 

organizing a separate dis- 








TiilLliiil 






The High Schuol. 

A. M. to 1.05 P. M., including an intermission of 
ten minutes. 

The number of pupils in the several years since 
the school opened has bee'n ; 

W-ar. No. Pupil5. Year. Nu. Piijiils. 



trict. The Legislature, 
on March 27, 1841, re- 
medied this lack of au- 
thority, and the same 
year a school of seventy 
pupils was sustained for 
four and a half months. 
On March 23, 1842, 
the Board of Education 
opened a similar school 
in the African .M. E. 
Church on Fort Street, 
just west of Beaubien. 
It continued here nearly 
ten years, and in 1846 
and 1847 was 'taught by 
J. M. Brown, who in 1S82 
was a bishop in the Af- 
rican M. E. Church. In 
1 85 1 it was moved to the 
Colored Episcopal 
Church on the corner of 
Congress and St. Antoine Streets, where for several 
years it was taught by Rev. W. C. Monroe. 

In i860 a colored school, with a white teacher, 
was established on Fort Street just west of St. An- 




1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1S67 
1868 
1869 
1S70 



63 

"7 
114 
1 1 1 
122 
125 
133 
1 44 
172 
202 

234 
293 



1S71 
1872 

1S73 
1874 

1875 
1S76 
1877 
1878 

1879 
1880 
18S1 
1SS2 
1S83 



281 

329 

280 

474 
583 
932 
785 
864 
706 
801 
773 
759 
743 



.■\n Alumni Association was or- 
ganized June 21," 1866, and holds 
annual exercises on the evening of 
the day that school closes for the 
summer vacation. All graduates 
may become members. Tlie an- 
nual dues are one dollar for gentle- 
men, and fifty cents for ladies. 

Colored Sclwflh. 

The school inspectors of the city, in 1839, organ- 
ized School District No. 8, in which there were 




Thi; DliMIcLU bLlIOOL. 

toine ; much improvement was made in classifying 
the scholars here, and a larger attendance was 
secured. 

Separate schools were maintained for the colored 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



751 



children anil ihcy were excluded from the other 
public schools until the passage of the (ieneral 
Schools Law in 1867, providing that all residents of 
a school district were entitled to admission to the 
school. The board claimed that this law did not 








,„'. v-iifiT'Kiii-trmTf 






The Fiknane Schooi-. 

apply to Detroit, but the colored people claimed 
the right of admission to the schools, and from time 
to time petitioned for their rights, but the board con- 
tinued to refuse them. On April 15, 1867, City 
Counsellor William Gray decided that the board 
had no right to refuse admission, nevertheless the 
board persisted, and on September 2, 1867, the col- 
ol"ed people again petitioned for their rights, and 
called attention to the Act, and on December 16. a 
committee of the board reported in favor of rescind- 
ing the resolution of exclusion. Their report was 



^^m^-^ 







New iRVfNG School. 



referred back to the committee, and this shuttle- 
cock sort of proceeding was continued for nearly 
two years. The assistance of the courts was then 
sought to compel obedience to the law, and in 1869 



the Supreme Court decided that, under the Ceneral 
School Law of 1S67, the colored children had a 
right to admissiop. 

This settled the question. The Board of Educa- 
tion yielded to the pressure of circumstances, and 
on October 11, 1 869, rescinded the resolution of 
exclusion. Since that date colored children have 
been admitted to all the schools, but at the request 
of many colored citizens separate schools have been 
occasionally provided. 

The following table gives a variety of valuable 
facts relative to the schools: 





' 


1 


, 


v 




>A 








1 




c 
W 

'a. 




a 

c 


c 


9 





I 




., ^ 


2 J, 






^ 


0. 


H 




i 


- 2 


V 
> 


■"0 


S 


^ 


"a 


c 





V 


"re — * 


- 


^ 











o 




> 


Z 


z 


< 


A 


H 


ss 


^ 


1842 


$1,090 


2,239 


1.245 


946 




$1,993 


.; 


12 


1843 


1. 193 


2,985 


1,412 


701 




2,840 


13 


■3 


1844 


2,490 


3.8zi 


1,132 


959 




4,356 


10 


10 


1845 


3.832 


4.039 


2.492 


810 




4,455 


12 


12 


1846 


5,027 


3.822 


2,470 


874 




4,556 


12 


12 


1847 


6,377 


5.846 


2,960 


i,o6g 




4.512 


14 


'4 


1848 


'3.377 


6,546 


3,821 


I.S32 




6,637 


20 


18 


1849 


15,827 


6,306 

Between 
4 and 18. 


4,000 


..743 




9,413 


-'1 


■9 


1850 


17.174 


6,965 


4,250 


2,465 




8,203 


21 


20 


I85I 


18,000 


7.253 


4,729 


2,739 




■1,983 


30 


23 


1852 


19,500 


7,883 


4,850 


2,783 




12,129 


31 


25 


1853 


2i,6go 


8,520 


5,000 


3,0-^6 




14,399 


38 


27 


1854 


22,040 


9.983 


5,000 


3,087 




■5,623 


37 


25 


I8S5 


z8,2o8 


9,912 


5,500 


3,328 




27,449 


41 


29 


1856 


*50,ooo 


10,502 


5,800 


3,823 




25.354 


42 


29 


1857 


70,000 


12,688 


6,000 


4,146 




34.638 


50 


37 


1858 


80,349 


13.138 


4.586 


2,728 




33.142 


57 


42 


1S59 


100,230 


13,208 


6,502 


4,490 


4,385 


34,050 


61 


44 


i860 


132.73° 


14,159 


7.045 


4,849 


4,971 


48,726 


63 


49 


1861 




14,136 


7.489 






41.545 


69 


50 


1862 


131,869 


15,398 


7.554 


4,697 


5,040 


45.620 


73 


55 


1863 


146,194 


■6,473 


7,986 


4,'75 


5. "72 


53.780 


80 


63 


1864 


148,455 


17.399 


8,111 


4.978 


5.300 


57.083 


83 


65 


1865 


185,510 


18,710 


8,445 


4.990 


5.424 


70,987 


86 


68 


1866 


228,623 


2o,353 


9,>37 


6,157 


5.896 


99,284 


100 


78 


1867 


245.784 


21.742 


9,221 


6,155 


6.059 


88,502 


IC,2 


81 


l868 


280,477 


22,810 

Retween 
5 and 20. 


9,703 


6,480 


6,954 


103,185 


116 


94 


l86q 


324,703 


27.039 


10,717 


7,"27 


7,118 


121,617 


127 


100 


1870 


432,972 


26,641 


11,252 


7,505 


7,594 


■93,550 


■43 


112 


1871 


505,810 


28,779 


11,866 


7.968 


8.S"7 


177,906 


170 


131 


1872 


545,4 'o 


30,230 


11,764 


7,885 


9.071 


168,591 


■77 


■38 


187 i 


576,442 


31,926 


12,185 


8,285 


9,477 


■45,537 


iSs 


■49 


1874 


664,635 


33.772 


12,983 


8,956 


10,694 


154.070 


204 


167 


1875 


735.192 


34.593 


'3,739 


9,294 


11,131 


239,697 


221 


178 


1876 


772,042 


35.172 


14,119 


9,6ot 


11,951 


209,670 


226 


■77 


1877 


720,823 


35.739 


13,291 


10,209 


12,549 


213.214 


233 


182 


1878 


634.275 


35.962 


•3.231 


11,460 


12,119 


189,770 


240 


■85 


1870 


747,691 


37.684 


14.837 


10,665 


12,461 


213,277 


247 


■87 


.880 


770,284 


39.467 


15,802 


".5"3 


13.208 


221,429 


249 


208 


1S81 


774.641 


+37.926 


'7.303 


12,062 


14.091 


222,434 


268 


218 


iSS.-- 


931,050 


40,210 


'7.39-" 


■-•,835 


14.205 


256,013 


273 


228 


18S3 


936,950 


43.840 


'9.546 


'3.337 


14,502! 290,914 


288 


234 



♦The large increase in valuation oviT the prt^viims year was 
chit-fly from a jjrealer value put on the property of the lioard. 

+ This census or the former ones must have been carelessly 
taken. 



The school census nf 1SS3 showed a total of 7,671 
children attendins^ other than the public schools, 
10,051 at work, and 20,397 not in any school. 



752 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



Siliool Officers and Sn/ar/cs. 

The cliief salaried ollicer is the Superintendent 

of Schools. This officer was first provided for by 

Act of January 20, 1855. and on April 4, J. F. 

Nichols was elected to the position with a salary of 




The Webster School. 



business agent for the board. The salary was $600. 
The office of Supervisor of Repairs and Buildini,' 
succeeded that of messenger. Cieorge Morhous 
was appointed to the position in April, 1876, with a 
salary of $1,200, and continued in office until May 
10, 1880, when he was succeeded 
by Luke Crossley. 

By Act of March 27, 1S73, the 
board was authorized to appoint a 
secretary and general business 
agent, and on February i, 1875, a 
secretary was appointed with a sal- 
ary of $2,000. 

The presidents of the board have 
been: 1842, Douglass Houghtim. 
Mayor; 1843, Zina Pitcher, Mayor ; 
1844-1847, John R. Williams. 
Mayor; 1847-1S52, Samuel Bars- 
tow; 1852-1859, Levi Bishop; 
1859-1861. D. B. Duffield; 1861. 
W. D. Wilkins; 1862-1865. \V. A. 
Moore; 1865, C. I. Walker ; 1866, 
T. H. Hartwell ; 1867, W. D. Wil- 
kins ; 1868-1870, R. W. King; 
1870-1872, Oliver Bourke ; 1872- 
1S74, C. K. Backus; 1874, Mark 
Flanigan; 1 875-1 877, G.W. Balch ; 
1877-1879, FreemanNorvell; 1879- 
1 88 1. Michael Firnane; 1881-18S3, 
George R. Angell ; 1883- , C. 

L Walker. Secretaries: 1842- 
1844, John S. Abbott; 1844. John 



$900 a year. He served but one year, and the 
office was then unfilled until August 1, 1863, when 
Professor J. M. B. Sill was appointed. He served 
two years, receiving at first $1,600 and then §1,800 
per year. In June, 1S65, he was succeeded by 
Duane Doty. In 1866 the salary was made $2,000; 
in 1869 it was ral.sed to $2,500, and in 1S71, to 
$3,000. Mr. Doty continued in office until April i. 

1875, when Professor Sill was again appointed, and 
in 18S4 is still in office at a salary of $3,300. 

There was at one time doubts as to the authority 
of the board to create this office, but on February 
24, 1869, the Legislature settled the question by 
expressly conferring authority to appoint a superin- 
tendent, and under Act of March 27, 1873, he is 
elected for terms of three years. 

In 1871 .Miss B. Riley was appointed clerk to the 
superintendent at a salary of $500, afterwards in- 
creased to $750. In 1883, she was still ser\'ing. 
The office of messenger existed in 1859, but was 
not officially created until February 6, i860. John 
B. Cousins held the position from i860 until April, 

1876, when the office was abolished. He was the 
general Superintendent of Repairs, and acted as 




THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



75; 



Hulbert; 1845-1S48, George Robb, 184S-1852, D. 
B. Duffield: 1852-1S54, F.W.Hughes; 1854, James 
Fenton; 1855-1S59, E. C. Walker; 1859-1861, W. 
A.Moore; 1861, E.Hall; 1S62. H. C. Knight ; 1S63, 
W.P.Wells; 1864, J. M.B. Sill; 1865-1875, 
Duane Doty; 1875-1S79, S. E. Pittman; 
1879-1881, Freeman Nor\-ell; i88i- , H. 
M. Utley. 

Financial Resonixes of the Board. 

When the district school system ceased, 
there was turned over to the board, by John 
Farmer, the treasurer of the old board, assets 
to the nominal value of $2,156.79; of this 
amount, $1,295.79. obtained from persons 
sending children to the old district schools, 
the board was required to return. The $861 
remaining had been received from the State, 
and with one building valued at S500 and 
seventy-five dollars' worth of benches, stove 
and pipe, constituted the assets of the board. 
Against this there were liabilities amounting 
to S383.36. 

The Act creating the board authorized the coun- 
cil to levy a tax of not over one dollar a year for 
each child between five and seventeen. Much op- 
position was made to this law, and many persons 
tried to pay the school tax in corporation shin- 
plasters, which were then greatly depreciated. In 
consequence of these efforts, an Act was passed on 



and on March 1 2, 1S47, an Act was procured author- 
izing the council, with consent of the citizens' meet- 
ing, to le\7 a special tax of S'ooo ;' year, to be used 
in providing additional school lots and buildings; 





The Bishop School, as enlarged. 

February 13, 1843, requiring the school ta.xes to be 
kept separate from all others, and prohibiting the 
payment of these ta.xes in shin-plasters or other obli- 
gations of the city. 

The amount received from this tax was too small 
to enable the board to erect the necessary buildings, 



The Bishop School. (Oriiiinal building.) 

the Act also authorized the board to borrow $5,000 
for the same purpose. Prior to this Act, and even 
as late as 1855, members of the board borrowed 
money for its use on their individual credit. 

By Act of March 5, 1850, the school census was 
ordered to include all children between four and 
eighteen years of age, and by Act of January 20, 
1855, the city was directed to raise a tax of 
two dollars, instead of one dollar, for each 
child reported. Act of February 7, 1857, 
further increased the opportunities of the 
board by giving the council power to raise, in 
addition to the per capita tax. the sum of 
§20,000, to be expended for lots and buildings. 
On March 7, 1861, the school law was so 
amended that, at the option of the board, the 
$20,000 of special taxes might be used for 
general school purposes instead of only for 
lots and buildings. The constant growth of 
the city demanded still larger amounts of 
money, and on March 16, 1865, the council 
was directed to levy a school tax of three 
dollars for each child, and any additional sum 
up to $25,000 that the board should deem 
necessary; and a larger sum might be granted 
with consent of the citizen's meeting. By Act 
of February 24, 1 869, the board was author- 
ized to borrow $1 5,000, to be used for school 
purposes. It was also provided that the school 
census should include all children between the ages 
of five and twenty, and that a school tax of four 
dollars for each child should be levied, and also that 
a tax of five mills on the dollar might be levied, for 
the procuring of school lots and buildings. 



754 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



On March 27, 1873, the Legislature provided that 
any schuol tax of over five dollars per child should 
be subject to approval of the council, and implied 
that at least five dollars per child might be raised. 
In addition to the amounts appropriated by the city, 
the board obtains, according to the number of chil- 
dren in the city, a portion of the State Primary 
School Fund, a fund derived from interest on 
amounts received from sale of lands set apart for 
the support of common schools. 

For the year ending June, 1883. the amount re- 
ceived reached the sum of §57,500. This large 
increase was ow- 
ing to the fact 
that the State 
debt was practi- 
cally cancelled, 
and under the 
Constitution the 
moneys received 
bythe State from 
specific taxes 
were credited to 
the Primary 
School Fund. 
These primary 
school revenues 
do not pass 
through the city 
treasun,', but are 
paid direct to 
the treasurer 
of the board by 
the county treas- 
urer, on the or- 
der of the presi- 
dent and secre- 
tary. The treas- 
urer is elected 
yearly, and pays 
such percentage 
on the monthly 
balances remaining in his hands as may be agreed 
upon. 

One of the most noted events in connection with 
the finances of the schools was a proposition made 
in 1853 to divide the school funds in order to give 
the Catholics a portion for the support of their 
schools. The question became the main issue in 
the city election of March 8, 1853, when the people, 
by a large majority, indicated that they were opposed 
to any such division. 

Members, Meetings and Management. 

Under the Act of 1842 the Board of Education 
consisted of the mayor and recorder and two in- 
spectors from each ward, who were to serve without 




The Jefferson- School. 



pay. The mayor had a right to vote, and in his 
absence the recorder had the .same privilege, but 
after 1846 the right ceased. The first inspectors 
chosen in 1842 were to serve, half for one year, the 
others for two years ; after that date, and up to 
1881, one was elected annually in each ward. The 
number of inspectors in different years has been : 
1 842-1 848, eight ; 1 848- 1 849, fourteen ; 1849-1857, 
sixteen; 1857- 1873, twenty; 1873- 1874, twenty- 
two; 1S73-1877, twenty-four; 1877-1881, twenty- 
six. 

Under the system of representation by wards, a 

variety of evils 
were engen- 
dered. As the 
city grew, the 
people moved 
their homes 
from the lower 
and central por- 
tion of the city, 
but, though their 
homes were re- 
moved, the rep- 
resentation of 
the wards on the 
board continued, 
and in i 88 i 
wards with less 
than two hun- 
dred children 
had an equal 
voice in school 
matters with 
those that had 
six thousand 
children. 

In the interest 
of good schools 
and reform, an 
Act of March 
II, 1 88 1, pro- 
vided that after July i the schools should be man- 
aged by a Board of Inspectors, twelve in number, 
elected from the city at large, the first twelve to be 
chosen at the spring election of 188 1, six to hold 
office for two years, and six for four years each ; 
the terms of each to be decided by lot ; and after 
the first election, six were to be elected biennially for 
terms of four years each. Under the Act the old 
Board of Inspectors continued to serve until July i, 
1 88 1, at which time the new board went into office. 
Originally, and up to 1S59, the board held regular 
meetings once in three months ; special meetings 
were, however, held whenever it was deemed ad- 
visable. On April 11, 1S59, the board resolved to 
meet regularly on the first Monday of each month. 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



755 



and monthly meetings were held until 1869. after 
which time regular meetings were held twice a 
month, on the second and fourth Thursdays. Under 
the Act of 1842 eight members were necessary to a 
quorum; by law of April 28, 1846, the number was 
reduced to six, and at the same time the board was 
authorized to elect its own presiding officer. Act of 
March i, 1867, made a quorum to consist of eleven 
members, and since Act of February 24, 1869, a 
majority of the members have been necessary to 
form a quorum. 

Sessions of the board were held in various private 
offices, at the old City Hall, and just prior to the 
building of the High School they met in Mechanics' 
Hall, on the comer of Griswold Street and Lafayette 
Avenue. A room in the High School building was 
then fitted up, and has since been the regular place 
of meeting. 




Seal of the Boaud of Education. 

The sea! of the board was adopted on June 7, 
185S, the design and its meaning being thus re- 
ported by D. B. Duffield and Edward Batwell : " .A. 
female figure representing Education is pointing a 
youth with a book in his hand the way of ascent 
along the rugged hill of knowledge, over whose 
summit beams a star, the motto being the words, 
' Sic itur ad astra,' or, ' Thus man finds his way to 
the stars.' The corporate name of the board, with 
the date of its incorporation, is traced around the 
seal." 

On the organization of the board the following 
standing committees were appointed : On Accounts. 
Qualifications of Teachers, School-houses, Primary 
and Middle Schools. As now organized, there are 
seven standing committees, namely : On Teachers 
and Schools, Te.xt Books and Course of Study, 
Finance, Real Estate and School Buildings, Supplies 
and Janitors, Health and \'entilation, and on Rules. 

By Act of 1842 the board was required to pub- 
lish in some city paper, in February or March of 



each year, a statement of the number of schools, 
number of pupils, studies pursued, and e.xpenditures 
for the schools during the preceding year. These 
reports were not only published in the papers, but 
with the exception of 1862, a pamphlet report has 
been issued each year. Since 1871 the proceedings 
of each meeting have also been printed and pub- 
lished yearly. 

The School Inspectors' have been : 

1842, First Ward: S. Barstow, J. S. Abbott. 
Second Ward : Daniel J. Campau, Elijah J. Roberts. 
Third Ward : Justus Ingersoll, Charles Peltier. 
Fourth Ward : John Winchell, John Watson. Fifth 
Ward : Ebenezer A. Byram, Willard E. Stearns. 
Sixth Ward : George Robb, Wm. Patterson. 

1843, First Ward : J. S. Abbott, S. Barstow. 
Second Ward : J. Farmer, E. J. Roberts. Third 
Ward : E. Taylor, Charles Peltier. Fourth Ward : 
S. T. Douglas, J.Watson. Fifth Ward : C. W. Wil- 
liams, J. H. Bagg. Sixth Ward : George Robb, 
William Patterson. 

1844, First Ward : John Hulbert, S. Barstow. 
Second Ward : M. L. Gage, John Farmer. Third 
Ward : Wm. O'Callaghan, E. Taylor. Fourth 
Ward : John Watson, S. T. Douglas. Fifth Ward : 
Cyrus Garrett, J. Roberts, C. W. Williams. Sixth 
Ward: S. W. Higgins, George Robb. 

1845, First Ward : S. Barstow, J. Hulbert. Sec- 
ond Ward : W. Duncan, M. L. Gage. Third 
Ward : G. F. Rood, D. French, Wm. O'Callaghan. 
Fourth Ward : A. T. McReynolds, J. B. \'alle. 
Fifth Ward : John Roberts, Thos. Hall. Sixth 
Ward : George Robb, S. W. Higgins, G. Gibson. 

1846, First Ward: J. Hulbert, S. Barstow. Sec- 
ond Ward : T. Gallagher, Wm. Duncan. Third 
Ward : E. V. Cicotte, G. B. Throop. Fourth 
Ward: H. Ledyard, A.T.McReynolds. Fifth Ward: 
A. Godard, A. "A. Dwight, John Roberts. Sixth 
Ward : Levi Bishop, George Robb. 

1847, First Ward : S. Barstow, J. Hulbert. Sec- 
ond Ward: D. Mullane, T. Gallagher. Third 
Ward : E. N. Willcox, E. V. Cicotte. Fourth Ward : 
A. O. Madden, H. Ledyard. Fifth Ward: G. 
Wood, T. Rowland, D. B. Duflneld. SLxth Ward: 
L. Bishop, J. S. Farrand, George Robb. 

1848, First Ward: Mason Palmer, S. Barstow. 
Second Ward: J. C. Holmes, W. A. Howard. 
Third Ward : D. E. Harbaugh, J. V. Campbell, E. 
N. Willcox. Fourth Ward: J. B. Schick, A. O. 
Madden. Fifth Ward : G. T. Sheldon, D. B. Duf- 
field. Si.xth Ward: J. S. Farrand, George Robb. 
Seventh Ward : G. W. Wisner, J. Bour, Jr. 

1849, First Ward: L. B. Willard, S. Barstow. 



* WTiere three or more names appear for the same year in any 
ward, it is owing to the filling of vacancies caused by death or 
resignation. 



756 



THE BOARD UF EDUCATION. 



Second Ward: H. Glover, J. C. Holmes. Third 
Ward : George Brewster, J. H. Fahy. Fourth 
Ward: J. Cornfield, J. B. Schick. Fifth Ward: D. 

B. Duffield, G. T. Sheldon. Si.Kth Ward : L. Bishop, 
J. S. Farrand. Seventh Ward: J. Greusel, E. W. 
Taylor. Eighth Ward: S. N. Kendrick, Thos. 
Trahy. 

1850, First Ward: S. Barstow, L. B. Willard. 
Second Ward : J. A. Slaymaker, G. E. Hand. Third 
Ward : E. N. Willco.K, George Brewster. Fourth 
Ward : J. Cornfield. E. N. Lacroi,x. Fifth Ward : 

D. B. Duffield, E. Shepard. Si.xth Ward : L. Bishop, 
J. S. Farrand. Seventh Ward : J. W. Moore, J. 
Greusel. Eighth Ward : Thos. Trahy, Richard 
Hart. 

1 85 1, First Ward: G. Mott Williams, S. Barstow. 
Second Ward : G. E. Hand, P. E. De Mill. Third 
Ward: J. J. Fay, E. N. Willcox. Fourth Ward: 
Thos. Sullivan, E. N. Lacroix. Fifth Ward ; U. T. 
Howe, D. B. Duffield. Sixth Ward: L. Bishop, J. 
S. Farrand. Seventh Ward: J. Reno, J. W. Moore. 
Eighth Ward : L. Mahon, R. Hart. 

1852, First Ward: S. Barstow, G. M. Williams. 
Second Ward: C. 1. Walker, C. G. Hammond, G. 

E. Hand. Third Ward : F. W. Hughes, J. J. Fay. 
Fourth Ward : Hugh Flinn, Thos. Sullivan. Fifth 
Ward : W. W. Defield, U. T. Howe. Sixth Ward : 
E. Prentis, L. Bishop. Seventh Ward : J. W. 
Moore, J. Reno. Eighth Ward : S. Martin, L. 
Mahon. 

1853, First Ward: C. Byram, S. Barstow. Sec- 
ond Ward : J. P. C. Emmons, C. I. Walker. Third 
Ward: L. Bishop, F. W. Hughes. Fourth Ward: 
J. M. Davis, Hugh Flinn. Fifth Ward : P. M. Mc- 
Noah, W. W. Defield. Si.xth Ward : James Fenton, 
E. Prentis. Seventh Ward: F. Ruehle, J. W. 
Moore. Eighth Ward : J. Clancy, S. Martin. 

1854, First Ward : S. Barstow, C. Byram. Second 
Ward: C. I. Walker, J. P. C. Emmons. Third 
Ward: J. V. Campbell, L. Bishop. Fourth Ward: 
Hugh Flinn, J. M. Davis. Fifth Ward: D. B. 
Duffield, P. M. McNoah. Si.xth Ward: J. S. 
Farrand, James Fenton. Seventh Ward: R. D. 
Hill, F. Ruehle. Eighth Ward : Wm. Buchanan, 
J. Clancy. 

1855, First Ward: Charles Byram, E. C.Walker. 
Second Ward: James A. Brown, C. I. Walker. 
Third Ward: Levi Bishop, James V. Campbell. 
Fourth Ward : John M. Davis, Hugh Flinn. Fifth 
Ward: D. B. Duffield, Lewis Allen. Sixth Ward: 
J. J. Bagley, J. S. Farrand. Seventh Ward : D. C. 
Frazer, Rodney D. Hill. Eighth Ward: Chas. 
Dupont, Wm. Buchanan. 

1856, First Ward: E. C. Walker. C. Byram. 
Second Ward : J. C. Warner, J. A. Brown. Third 
Ward : J. V. Campbell, L. Bishop. Fourth Ward : 

C. C. Jackson, J. M. Davis. Fifth Ward: D. B. 



Duffield, E. Shepard. Si.xth Ward: M.P.Chris- 
tian, J. J. Bagley. Seventh Ward: W. D. Wilkins, 
D. C. Frazer. Eighth Ward: William Ryan, C. 
Dupont. 

1857, First Ward : Charles Byram, Edward C. 
Walker. Second Ward : James A. Brown, Jared C. 
Warner. Third Ward : Levi Bishop. James V. 
Campbell. Fourth Ward : John M. Davis, C. C. 
Jackson, A. T. Campau. Fifth Ward : D. B. Duf- 
field, E. Shepard. Sixth Ward : J. J. Bagley, M. P. 
Christian. Seventh Ward : David C. F"razer, W.D. 
Wilkins. Eighth Ward : Charles Dupont, William 
Ryan. Ninth Ward: Chris. Reeve, M. F. Dickin- 
son. Tenth Ward : Thos. McCook, Henry Zender. 

1858, First Ward: Edward Batwell, E. C.Walker. 
Second Ward : H. C. Kibbee, Jared C. Warner. 
Third Ward : L. Bishop, A. S. Williams. Fourth 
Ward : John B. Palmer, A . T. Camj^au. Fifth 
Ward : D. B. Duffield, E. Shepard. Sixth Ward : 
S. T. Douglas, ^I. P. Christian. Seventh Ward : 
L. H. Cobb, W. D. Wilkins. Eighth Ward: J. 
O'Connell, William Ryan. Ninth Ward : Levi E. 
Dolsen, Thos. Leadbeater. Tenth Ward: J. N. 
Elbert, James Dubois. 

1859, First Ward : D. B. Duffield, E. Batwell. 
Second Ward : J. C. Warner, H. C. Kibbee. Third 
Ward: William A. Moore, William Paton. Fourth 
Ward : E. Hall, J. B. Palmer. Fifth Ward : H. M. 
Cheever, E. Shepard. Sixth Ward : H. E. Baker, 
S. T. Douglas. Seventh Ward : W. D. Wilkins, 
L. H. Cobb. Eighth Ward : James Leddy, J. 
O'Connell. Ninth Ward : L.E. Dolsen, Thos. Lead- 
beater, S. E. Case. Tenth Ward : James Dubois, 
J. N. Elbert. 

i860. First Ward: D. B. Duffield, John Hosmer. 
Second Ward : H. C. Kibbee, J. C. Warner. Third 
Ward : W. A. Moore, William Warner. Fourth 
Ward: E. Hall, A. Wuerth. Fifth Ward: E. 
Shepard, H. M. Cheever. Sixth Ward: H. E. 
Baker, W. W. Wilcox. William Bond. Seventh 
Ward : W. D. Wilkins, Lucretius H. Cobb. Eighth 
Ward : John O'Connell, James Leddy. Ninth 
Ward : Levi E. Dolsen, Sidney C. Case. Tenth 
Ward : J. N. Elbert, Leverett B. Walker. 

1 86 1, First Ward : William A. Moore, John Hos- 
mer. Second Ward : Watson B. Smith, Henry C. 
Kibbee. Third Ward : Francis Raymond, William 
Warner. Fourth Ward : F. Pramstaller, Aloys 
Wuerth. Fifth Ward : H. S. Roberts, A. P. Moor- 
man, Edward Shepard. Si.xth Ward : Edmund 
Hall, William Bond. Seventh Ward : William D. 
Wilkins. L. H. Cobb. Eighth Ward : James Leddy, 
John O'Connell. Ninth Ward : Herbert Adams, 
Le\n E. Dolsen. Tenth Ward : R. S. Dillon. L. B. 
Walker. 

1862, First Ward: W. A. Moore. John Hosmer. 
Second Ward : Watson B. Smith, N. B. Carpenter, 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



757 



G. A. Wilcox. Third Waril ; W. Warner, John 
T. Meldrum. Fourth Ward : John C. Gorton, Wil- 
liam Gray. Fifth Ward : A. P. Moorman, R. W. 
King, H.'c. Knight. Sixth Ward: E. Hall, Wil- 
liam Bond. Seventh Ward : J. S. Newberry, T. 
McCarthy. Eighth Ward : James Leddy, James 
F. Foxen. Ninth Ward : H. Adams, D. Fox, John 
Mulry. Tenth Ward : R. S. Dillon, James A. Bailey. 
1863, First Ward: W. A. Moore, John Hosmer. 
Second Ward : George A. Wilco.x, T. H. Hartwell, 
Third Ward : John T. Meldrum, John Ward. 
Fourth Ward : Joseph Kuhn, James D. Weir. Fifth 
Ward : Henry C. Knight, R. W. King. Si.xth 
Ward : William Bond, E. W. Meddaugh. Seventh 
Ward: T. McCarthy, Wm. P. Wells. Eighth 
Ward : James B. Foxen, Wm. Buchanan. Ninth 
Ward : Levi E. Dolsen, D. M. Richardson. Tenth 
Ward : Jas. A. Bailey, A. C. Woodcock. 

1S64, First Ward: W. A. Moore, W. A. Butler. 
Second Ward : T. H. Hartwell, C. I. Walker. 
Third Ward ; John Ward, Enos R. Matthews, 
Fourth Ward : J. D. Weir, Sidney D. Miller. Fifth 
Ward : R. W. King, Ervin Palmer. Sixth Ward : 
E. W. Meddaugh, Browse T. Prentis. .Seventh 
Ward : William P. Wells, W. D. Wilkins. Eighth 
Ward: James B. Foxen, Wm. Buchanan. Ninth 
Ward : D. M. Richardson, Thos. Sanford. Tenth 
Ward : J. A. Bailey, A. C. Woodcock. 

1865, First Ward: W. A. Butler, T. D. Hawley. 
Second Ward: T. H. Hartwell, C. I. Walker. 
Third Ward : E. R. Matthews, Herman Kiefer. 
Fourth Ward : S. D. Miller, Wm. N. Ladue. Fifth 
Ward : R. W. King, E. Palmer. Sixth Ward ; B. 
T. Prentis, Charles B. James. Seventh Ward : W. 
D. Wilkins, John Caspary. Eighth Ward : James 
B. Foxen, Wm. Buchanan. Ninth Ward ; T. San- 
ford, James Gaynor. Tenth Ward : J. A. Bailey, 
John Kendall. 

1866, First Ward: T. D. Hawley, J. M. B. .Sill. 
Second Ward : T. H. Hartwell, G. W. Osborn. 
Third Ward: H. Kiefer, G. M. Rich. Fourth 
Ward : W. N. Ladue. A. Stutte. Fifth Ward : R. 
W. King, E. Palmer. Si.xth Ward : C. B. James, 
G. O. Robinson. Seventh Ward : J. Caspary, W. 
D. Wilkins. Eighth Ward: W. Buchanan, R. Mul- 
laney. Ninth Ward : J. Gaynor, J. N. Moore. 
Tenth Ward : J. Kendall, J. A. Bailey. 

1867, First Ward: J. M. B. Sill, Jas. A. Brown. 
Second Ward : S. B. McCracken, D. O. Farrand. 
Third Ward: G. M. Rich, Henry Langley. Fourth 
Ward: A. Stutte, James A. Venn. Fifth Ward : 
R. W. King, Ervin Palmer. .Si.xth Ward : G. O. 
Robinson, Mark Flanigan. Seventh Ward : W. D. 
Wilkins, John Caspary. Eighth Ward: R. Mul- 
laney, W. Buchanan. Ninth Ward: John Love, 
J. N. Moore. Tenth Ward : J. A. Bailey, J. Ken- 
dall. 



1868, First Ward : J. A. Brown, Jas. M. Welch. 
Second Ward: D. O. Farrand, Charles K. Backus. 
Third Ward : H. Langley, George M. Rich. Fourth 
Ward : J. A. Venn, J. W. Romeyn. Fifth Ward: 
R. W. King, D. W. Brooks. Sixth Ward : Mark 
Flanigan, O. Bourke. Seventh Ward : J. Caspary, 
W. D. Wilkins. Eighth Ward : W. Buchanan, 
Charles E. Schumm, F. W. Hughes. Ninth Ward : 
John Love, James Daly. Tenth Ward: J. Kendall, 
J. A. Bailey. 

1869, First Ward: J. M. Welch, J. A. Brown, 
Second Ward: D. O. Farrand, C. K. Backus. 
Third Ward : G. M. Rich, W. Y. Rumney. Fourth 
Ward : J. W. Romeyn, J. A. Venn. Fifth Ward : 
D. W. Brooks, R. W. King. Sixth Ward: M. 
Flanigan, O. Bourke. Seventh Ward : W. D. Wil- 
kins, S. D. Miller. Eighth Ward : C. E. Schumm, 
J. Finnegan. Ninth Ward: J. Daly, J. W. Bart- 
lett. Tenth Ward : J. A. Bailey, F. J. Watson. 

1870, First Ward: J. A. Brown, J. M. Welch. 
Second Ward: D. O. Farrand, C. K. Backus. Third 
Ward: W. Y. Rumney, J. R. McGrath. Fourth 
Ward : J. A. Venn, J. W. Romeyn. Fifth Ward : 
R. W. King, D. W. Brooks. Sixth Ward: M. 
Flanigan, O. Bourke. Seventh Ward : S. D. Miller, 
W. D. Wilkins. Eighth Ward: J. Finnegan, J. 
Monaghan. Ninth Ward : J. W. Bartlett, A. Bauer. 
Tenth Ward : F. J. Watson, P. Van Damme. 

1 87 1, First Ward : J. M. Welch. C. Hunt. Second 
Ward : C. K. Backus, D. O. Farrand. Third Ward : 
J. R. McGrath, W. Y. Rumney. Fourth Ward : 
J. W. Romeyn, C. J. Reilly. Fifth Ward ; D. W. 
Brooks, R. W. King. Sixth Ward : O. Bourke, M. 
Flanigan. Seventh Ward : W. D. Wilkins, R. E. 
Roberts. Eighth Ward : J. Monaghan, J. Finnegan. 
Ninth Ward: A. Bauer, W. C. Colburn. Tenth 
Ward : P. \'an Damme, J. A. Berry. 

1872, First Ward : C. Hunt, W. Jennison. Second 
Ward : D. O. Farrand, C. K. Backus. Third Ward : 
W. Y. Rumney, G. S. Goodale. Fourth Ward : C. 
J. Reilly, G. B. Hall. Fifth Ward; R. W. King, 
A. H. Wilkinson. Sixth Ward . M. Flanigan, J. 
Flinterman. Seventh Ward : R. E. Roberts, W. D. 
Wilkins. Eighth Ward : J. Finnegan, T. McGrath. 
Ninth Ward: W. C. Colburn, J. Ford. Tenth 
Ward : J. A. Berry, J. D. Weir. 

1S73, First Ward: W. Jennison, A. G. Lind.say. 
Second Ward : C. K. Backus, G. S. Da\'is. Third 
Ward: G. S. Goodale, W. Y. Rumney. Fourth 
Ward : G. B. Hall, C. Raseman. Fifth Ward : A. 
H. Wilkinson, J. W. McGrath. Si.xth Ward : J. 
Flinterman, M. Flanigan. Seventh Ward : W. D. 
Wilkins, H. Z. Potter. Eighth Ward : T. McGrath. 
J. Martin. Ninth Ward : J. Ford, W. C. Colburn. 
Tenth Ward : J. D. Weir. J. .\. Berry. 

1874, First Ward: A. G. Lindsay. W. M. Lilli- 
bridge. Second Ward : G. S. Davis, G. W. Balch. 



758 



THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



Third Ward: W. Y. Rumney, R. R. Lansing. 
Fourth Ward : C. Raseman, J. W. Romeyn. Fifth 
Ward : J. W. McGrath, J. T. Liggett. Sixth Ward : 
M. F"lanigan, J. W. Strong. Seventh Ward : H. Z. 
Potter, W. D. Willcins. Eighth Ward ; J. Martin, 
T. McGrath. Ninth Ward: W. C. Colburn, J. W. 
Batchelder. Tenth Ward : J. CoUum, H. Plass, Jr. 
Twelfth Ward , A. E. Hamlin, F. Peavey. 

1S75. First Ward: A. G. Lindsay, W. M. Lilli- 
bridge. Second Ward : George W. Balch, Thos. L. 
Grant. Third Ward : R. R. Lansing, W. Y. Rum- 
ney. Fourth Ward : J. W. Romeyn, Chas. Funke. 
Fifth Ward : J. T. Liggett, J. W. McGrath. Sixth 
Ward : J. W. Strong, D. J. Workum. Seventh 
Ward: W. D. Wilkins, H. Z. Potter. Eighth 
Ward : T. McGrath, J. J. Martin. Ninth Ward : 
J. W. Batchelder, John Dick. Tenth Ward : H. 
Plass, Jr., B. Altenbrandt. Twelfth Ward: F. 
Peavey, J. T. Maloney. 

1876, First Ward : A. G. Lindsay, Alvin C. Burt. 
Second Ward : G. W. Balch, T. L. Grant. Third 
Ward : W. Y. Rumney, J. H. Carstens. Fourth 
Ward : Joseph Funke, Henry F. Lyster. Fifth 
Ward : J. T. Liggett, J. W. McGrath. Sixth Ward : 
D. J. Workum, W. Bond. Seventh Ward : W. D. 
Wilkins, R. E. Roberts, H. Z. Potter. Eighth 
Ward: T. McGrath. J. J. Martin. Ninth Ward: 
John Dick, J. Nicholson. Tenth Ward : B. Alten- 
brandt, F. S. Girardin. Twelfth Ward : F". Peavey, 
S. Earned, J. T. Maloney. 

1877, First Ward : A. C. Burt, A. Chesebrough. 
Second Ward: G. W. Balch, A. Borrowman. Third 
Ward : J. H. Carstens, W. Y. Rumney, P. J. D. 
Van Dyke. Fourth Ward : H. F. Lyster, J. Funke. 
Fifth Ward: J. T. Liggett, A. J. Brow. Si.xth Ward : 
W. Bond, C. A. Kent. Seventh Ward : R. E. Rob- 
erts, Freeman Norvell. Eighth Ward : T. McGrath, 
John Considine. Ninth Ward : J. Nicholson, J. 
Dick. Tenth Ward : F. S. Girardin, W. N. Ladue. 
Eleventh Ward : Adam Simpson, H. Reif. Twelfth 
Ward : Sylvester Lamed, F. Folsom. Thirteenth 
Ward : A. Valentine, C. K. Trombly. 

1878, First Ward: A. Chesebrough, A. C. Burt. 
Second Ward : A. Borrowman, Richard DoRan. 
Third Ward : Horatio G. Jones, P. J. D. Van Dyke. 
Fourth Ward : J. Funke, J. S. Schmittdiel. Fifth 
Ward : A. J. Brow, John J. Speed. Sixth Ward : 
C. A. Kent, Adam E. Bloom. Seventh Ward ; F. 
Norvell, R. E. Roberts. Eighth Ward : J. Consi- 
dine, Michael Firnane. Ninth Ward : J. Dick, J. 
Nicholson. Tenth Ward : W. N. Ladue, James 
O'Neil Eleventh Ward : A. Simpson, H. Reif. 
Twelfth Ward : F. Folsom, S. Earned. Thirteenth 
Ward : A. Valentine, C. K. Trombly. 

1879, First Ward: A. C. Burt, A. Chesebrough. 
Second Ward: R. DoRan, George Baradale. Third 



Ward: P. J. D. Van Dyke, H. G. Jones. Fourth 
Ward: J. S. Schmittdiel, J. Funke. Fifth Ward: 
J. J. Speed, A. J. Brow. Sixth Ward : A. E. Bloom, 
C. A. Kent. Seventh Ward : R. E. Roberts, John 

B. Todenbier. Eighth Ward : M. Firnane, David 
Gorman. Ninth Ward: J. Nicholson, P. Mother- 
sill. Tenth Ward : J. O'Neil, Joseph D. Sutton. 
Eleventh Ward : H. Reif, A. Simpson. Twelfth 
Ward : S. Earned, W. R. Montgomery. Thirteenth 
Ward : C. K. Trombly, A. Valentine. 

1880, First Ward : A. Chesebrough, O. L.Kin- 
ney. Second Ward : George Baradale, T. F. Kerr. 
Third Ward : H. G. Jones, J. H. Carstens. Fourth 
Ward : J. S. Schmittdiel, J. Funke. Fifth Ward : 
A. J. Brow, G. R. Angell. Sixth Ward: C. A. 
Kent, C. S. Jack. Seventh Ward : C. Schulte, W. 
A. Owen, L. S. Trowbridge. Eighth Ward : M. 
Firnane, D. Gorman. Ninth Ward : P. Mothersill, 
T. J. Craft. Tenth Ward: J. D. Sutton, W. R. 
Dunn. Eleventh W^ard : H. Reif, A. Simpson. 
Twelfth Ward : W. R. Montgomery, F. Folsom. 
Thirteenth Ward : A. Valentine, T. C. Metz. 

F/rs/ Half of 1881. 

First Ward : O. L. Kinney, H. A. Harmon. Sec- 
ond Ward : T. F. Kerr, A. Grant. Third Ward : 
J. H. Carstens, H. G. Jones. Fourth Ward : J. S. 
Schmittdiel, C. Rischert. Fifth Ward: G. R. 
Angell, J. P. Gilmore. Sixth Ward : C. S. Jack, 

C. A. Kent. Seventh Ward : L. S. Trowbridge, 
C. Schulte. Eighth Ward : M. Firnane, D. Gor- 
man. Ninth Ward: T. J. Craft, P. Mothersill. 
Tenth Ward : W. R. Dunn, J. Johnston. Eleventh 
Ward : H. Reif, A. Simpson. Twelfth Ward : F. 
Folsom, A. J. Brow. Thirteenth Ward : T. C. 
Metz, C. R. Trombly. 

At large, July, 1881, to July, 1883 : G. R. Angell. 
Magnus Butzel, T. J. Craft, N. Gallagher, L, T. 
Griffin, W. N. Hailmann, James Johnston, S. C. 
Karrer, J. W. Romeyn, L. S. Trowbridge, C. I. 
Walker, C. E. Warner. 

Early in 1882 Mr. Johnston died and Mr. Hail- 
mann resigned, and the council appointed as their 
successors Augustus Rohns and G. R. Thomas. 

At the spring election in 1 883 the following in- 
spectors were chosen for terms of four years each : 
George Gartner, J. A. Hickey, H. W. Candler, C. H. 
Mills, H, A. Harmon, and A. Grostield ; and in July, 
I S83, the board was composed of the persons just 
named and G. R. Angell, T. J. Craft, C. L Walker, 
N. Gallagher, S. C. Karrer, and G. R. Thomas, the 
last named person having been appointed by the 
council in the place of L. S. Trowbridge who re- 
signed. 

In August, 1883, Mr. Karrer resigned, and was 
succeeded by C. E. Warner. 



CHAPTER L X X \^ I , 



THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 



This valuable and increasingly popular institu- 
tion was wholly supported up to 1 88 1 by the fines 
and penalties collected in criminal cases in the sev- 
eral courts. The clause in the State constitution of 
1835 directing the appropriation of such moneys for 
district libraries was introduced in the Constitu- 
tional Convention by E. D. Ellis. No effort, how- 
ever, was made to obtain any of these fines for 
libraries until January 8, 1842, when, at the last 
session of the old Board of School Inspectors, on 
motion of John Farmer, it was 



moved for a committee of three to ascertain the 
amount of funds belonging to the board, heretofore 
paid to the treasurer of the county; and on August 
7, 1842, $63.14 was received from the county treas- 
urer as the city's proportion of the fines. The 
whole subject of fines, including the question of 
what was meant by clear proceeds from fines and 
recognizances, was gone over by a committee in 
August and September, 1842. How the city's share 
of the fines should be ascertained and obtained was 
evidently a knotty question; but the board perse- 




The Public Liuuakv. 



Resolved^ that an order be drawn on the County Treasurer for 
the proportion due the township of Detroit of the moneys paid 
into the County Treasury as equivalents for exemptions from 
military fines, and for the clear proceeds of all fines for breaches 
of the penal laws ; and in case the Treasurer refuses to pay, that 
the City Attorney, or some other proper person, be requested to 
apply to the present Supreme Court for a mandamus to compel 
the Treasurer to pay the same. 

On June 16 following, at a meeting of the newly 
constituted Board of Education, John S. Abbott 



vered, and on March 18, 1844, Messrs. Farmer, 
Taylor, and Robb were appointed a "committee to 
ascertain amount of fines and forfeitures under the 
penal laws accruing to this board." The committee 
worked energetically, and from this time small 
amounts were obtained quite regularly. 

In 1859, under the pressure of the daily increasing 
neessities of the public schools for books of refer- 
ence, maps, etc., the attention of the Board of 



[759] 



760 



THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 



Education was especially directed to the subject, 
and on April 2 1 a resolution was offered by H. E. 
Baker " for a committee of three to inquire into the 
facts relative to the payment into the County Treas- 
ury of fines from the different Justices' Courts of 
the county ; and whether this board receives its 
proper share of such fines." Messrs. Baker, Hall, 
and Cheever were appointed as such committee. 
On July 9 Mr. Baker presented a report showing 
that a large sum of money had been diverted from 
its proper channel, and recommending that a com- 
mittee be appointed to collect it. Accordingly 
Edmund Hall and H. E. Baker were appointed to 
take means to secure the fines accruing in the 
Police Court. 

A suit was instituted, and on July 2, i860, Mr. 
Hall reported that the Supreme Court had decided 
that the amounts in question collected during the 
previous five years belonged to the library fund of 
the county, and that about three fifths of the total 
amount of $17,000 belonged to the city. Under 
the stimulus of the decision, on motion of Mr. 
Wilkins, on November 12, i860, it was directed that 
" Recitation Room No. 3 be fitted up with a lamp, 
centre table, chairs, and book shelves for the use of 
the Board and Teachers, as a library and commit- 
tee room." This room was in the second story of 
the old Capitol. 

The committee continued their investigation and 
efforts, and on March 4, 1861, reported that they 
had made settlement with the county by which the 
library would receive about $7,000. On May 6 fol- 
lowing an account was ordered to be kept of receipts 
for the fund, and on May 18, 1863, it was resolved 
to provide accommodations for a " district library." 
On November 5 the library committee presented a 
detailed plan of the scope and purpose of the pro- 
posed library. Preparations went forward, and on 
March 25, 1865, it was formally opened in the first 
story of the old Capitol, and addresses delivered by 
C. I. Walker and W. P. Wells. At this time the 
library was used only for consultation, but on May 
2, 1865, it was opened for circulation as well. 

In 1867 an additional room in the second story 
was fitted up, and the same year the library com- 
mittee concluded that the board was entitled to the 
fines inflicted at the Central Station Court. On 
October 26, they made a formal demand for amounts 
due, but was refused. Suit was brought, and the 
Supreme Court, on October 20, 1S6S, decided that 
these fines also belonged to the county library fund. 
Another large addition was thus made to the re- 
sources of the library. 

In 1870 a brick addition for library purposes was 
erected in the rear of the old Capitol ; and on 
March 20, 1871, it was opened for use. It became 
evident almost immediately that the new quarters 



could accommodate the library for only a short 
time, and on June 9, 1871, the board petitioned the 
Common Council to grant them the old City Hall 
to be fitted up as a Public Library, and on July 18 
the council granted the request. 

Plans for remodelling were prepared, but the ex- 
pense, it was found, would be so great that the erec- 
tion of an entirely new building was deemed a 
better policy. Public opinion seemed to favor some 
other site, and finally, on March 13, 1872, the coun- 
cil gave the board a fifty-year lease of Centre Park. 
The lease was confirmed by the council sitting as a 
Land Board on May 21, 1872, and the Board of 
Education then gave up its right to the old City 
Hall. Doubts were entertained as to the authority 
of the council to make the lease, and a suit was 
instituted to prevent the use of the park as a site 
for the library building; but in April, 1873, the 
Supreme Court decided in favor of the council. 

On March 27, 1873, the Legislature authorized 
the raising of $150,000 to erect a building on ap- 
proval of the Board of Estimates. In April that 
board was asked to include in its estimates the sum 
of $125,000, in installments covering three years; 
but declined. In the following year a request for 
$125,000 to be raised, as provided by the Act, was 
acceded to. On August 24, 1874. the plans of Brush 
& Smith for a building were adopted. Bids for 
construction were invited, but the lowest bid was 
nearly $30,000 more than the amount appropriated 
for both building and furniture. The plan was there- 
fore modified by omitting a large and ornamental 
tower, and two rooms connected with it, also the 
stone steps, and floors in the upper galleries. 

The comer-stone was laid on May 29, 1875. 
Addresses were delivered by James W. Romeyn 
and Duane Doty, and there was also a procession of 
Knights Templars, Masons, Knights of Pythias, 
Pelouze and High School Cadets, and city officers. 
On January 22, 1877, the building was formally 
dedicated, addresses being delivered by J. T. Lig- 
gett and several others. 

The total cost of the structure was $124,000. Its 
size is si.Kty-four by eighty feet. In addition to its 
floor room, each of the four galleries is calculated to 
contain twenty alcoves, with space for one hundred 
and twenty thousand volumes. Originally but one 
gallery was completed ; of the others, one was fin- 
ished in 1878, another in 1882, and there is still 
room for one more. 

An addition to the building, fifty by si.\ty feet 
and three stories high, will be completed during 
1885 at a cost of about $32,000. The rooms in the 
first story will be fire and damp proof and will be 
used for a bindery, and for the storage of valuable 
manuscripts and documents; the second story will 
be used for reading and study rooms and offices; 



THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 



761 



the third story will be devoted to a museum or such 
other uses as seem desirable. 

The receipts from fines for the several years have 
been : 



Year. 


Amount. 


Year. 


Amount. 


Year. 


Amount. 


1S42 


. S63 


i860 


Si5> 


1872 


S7.039 


1844 


26 


1861 


601 


■873 


10,151 


1846 


93 


1862 


331 


1874 


8,508 


I 848 


17S 


1863 


3.187 


1875 


6.434 


1850 


269 


1864 


4.210 


1876 


8,815 


1851 


.84 


1S65 


4.561 


1877 


6,163 


■S53 


206 


1866 


5-3I4 


1S78 


6,129 


1S55 


354 


1S67 


2,163 


1879 


2.908 


1S56 


863 


1868 


2,6.5 


1 880 


3.405 


1857 


240 


1869 


12,962 


18S1 


6,370 


185S 


170 


1870 


12,220 


1882 


5,826 


1S59 


345 


187I 


5.839 


1883 


5,115 



Under the Act of 1881, providing for a special ta.\ 
for iibrar)- purposes, there was received the first 
year the sum of $15,170, and as the tax is made 
obligatorj-, a successful financial future is well 
assured. 

The librar\- is primarily under the control of the 
Board of Education, and was originally managed by 
a committee of the board, and all books were 
selected subject to their approval. By Act of March 
31, 1 87 1, the board was authorized to appoint a 
Board of Commissioners, and transfer the library to 
their care ; the board to consist of six persons, the 
first members to be chosen for one, two, three, four, 
five, and six years ; one member to be elected yearly 
thereafter for the term of six years, the president of 
the Board of Education to be a member e.x-officio. 

No action was taken under this Act, and mean- 
time ten years passed away, and the funds received 
from fines so diminished in amount that the man- 
agement of the library became a burden to the 
board. They then became willing to share their 
responsibility, and with their approval, on March 1 1, 
1 88 1, an Act embodvnng substantially the same pro- 
visions as that of 1 87 1 was passed, with the addi- 
tional provision that a city tax of one fifth of one 
mill on each hundred dollars should be yearly levied 
for the support of the library. Under this Act, on 
December 27, 1880, the Board of Education ap- 
pointed the following librarj' commissioners : J. V. 
Campbell, for six years ; G. V. N. Lothrop, for five 
years ; A. Chesebrough, for four years ; W. D. Wil- 
kins, for three years ; H. Kiefer. for two years : and 
Alexander Lewis, for one year. Their duties began 
on January' 28, 1881. Mr. Wilkins died the last of 
March, 1S81, and was succeeded by L. L. Barbour. 
Mr. Kiefer resigned in August, 1883, and was suc- 
ceeded by Magnus Butzel. 

The librarian is elected yearly; the salary in 1883 
was $1,500, Professor Henry Chaney, while prin- 



cipal of the High School, served also as librarian. 
After March 20, 1871, he gave his whole time to 
the library, and continued to serve until April 9, 
1878. He possessed rare qualifications for the posi- 
tion, and the institution will always retain evidences 
of his ability and zeal. On April 9, 1878, Rev. M. 
Hickey became librarian, and was succeeded April 
12, 1880, by Henry Gillman. 

Beginning with a librarian and one assistant, the 
force has gradually increased, until in 1883 there 
were employed one male assistant, L. B. Gilmore, 
at $900 a year, and six lady assistants, with salaries 
ranging from S400 to $45° each. 

When first opened, no person under eighteen 
might draw books from the library. On September 
4, 1 87 1, the rules were amended to permit persons 
over fifteen to use the library. Under these rules 
any resident of the city, for whom some approved 
person becomes security, may draw books upon an 
agreement being signed by both principal and 
surety to abide by the rules. Only one book may 
be drawn at a time. Prior to March 20, 1871, a 
ledger account was kept with each person drawing 
books ; since that date persons wishing to draw- 
books fill out a blank slip, furnished by the board, 
with the name of the book wanted, their own name 
and residence, and from their library card the page 
and line of the Record Book where their name will 
be found. Each person drawing books is furnished 
with a card with double columns for date of draw- 
ing and returning, on which, as a book is drawn or 
returned, the date of the transaction is stamped. 
Fourteen days is the ordinary limit for which a book 
is loaned, but on giving notice when it is drawn, or 
at any time prior to the lapse of the fourteen days, 
it may be retained for four weeks. If no notice for 
renewal is given, a fine of two cents per day is col- 
lected for each day that a book is detained without 
such renewal. 

Works of reference, elaborately illustrated books, 
and other volumes of special value cannot be taken 
from the building. If the library card is lost or 
destroyed, a new one can be obtained by the pay- 
ment of five cents. 

On the evening of June 3, 1877, the library was 
entered by some petty thief and the Registry of 
Patrons and slips of books drawn were stolen. No 
serious loss resulted, but a new Registry of Patrons 
was required. 

The library at first was open only between the 
hours of 7 and 9 p. m. on Wednesdays and Satur- 
days. On February- 10, 1866, it was decided to 
open it daily from 4 to 8 P. M. After it was moved 
to the rear of the Capitol, it was kept open from 10 
A. M. to 8 P. M., and on Saturdays till 9 i>. M. Since 
November, 1883, it has been open from 9 a. m. to 9 

P. M. 



76; 



THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 



In November, 1866, eleven hundred and fifty-four 
volumes from the library of General Cass were 
donated to this institution; and in October, 1871, 
the old Fire Department Society gave one hundred 
and twenty-six volumes, the remnant of their library. 

After the demise of the Young Men's Society in 
1S82, the public library received from that organi- 
zation four thousand and fifty volumes, also a marble 
bust of Lewis Cass and six oil paintings of ex- 
presidents of the society. 

During the summer of 1881 the library was 
closed for several weeks, and the books numbered ; 
they were also newly arranged, and an entirely new 
classification adopted ; and in August of the same 
year, a free reading-room, supplied with the leading 
periodicals, was opened. 

The books are grouped under general heads, 
embracing almost every department of bibliography, 
including almost all historical, theological, scientific, 
and philosophical subjects and general literature. 
The library contains many rare, curious, and ele- 
gantly illustrated works, with a creditable collection 
of French and German authors. 

The books under each classification are arranged 
on the shelves in alphabetical order according to 
name of the author. Many of the books once 
belonged to individual libraries, and not a few of 
them bear the private marks of distinguished own- 
ers. The autographs of Horace Walpole. William 
Wilberforce, and Lord Brougham are contained in 
books which evidently belonged to their private 
libraries. 

Among the rare volumes is a manuscript of vellum 
with eight full-page and fifteen small illuminated 
miniatures. The library also possesses the writings 



of St. Augustine in the form of a veritable "chained 
book " of the fourteenth century, with the iron fast- 
enings still attached ; various emblems are stamped 
on the binding. Lord Kingsborough's " Mexican 
Antiquities" is one of its treasures. The work 
bankrupted its learned and distinguished author, 
and in nine immense volumes reproduces in colors, 
with wonderful minuteness, the relics of an ancient 
and almost forgotten race. 

Three catalogues have been issued ; those of 1865 
and 1 868, with the supplement of 1871, are arranged 
alphabetically by authors' names, that of 1877 by 
subjects only. 

The growth in number of volumes, and the use 
made of them, is indicated in the follow'ing table : 

Year. No. of Volumes. No. of Patrons. Books Drawn. 



1865 


8,864 


475 


4,700 


1866 


10,959 


1,114 


15,000 


1867 


15.020 


1,650 


30,000 


1868 


15,620 


2,466 


35,000 


1869 


17,586 


3,326 


40,000 


1870 


18,717 


4.710 


40.000 


I87I 


21. 161 


5.557 


45.600 


1872 


22,115 


6,759 


98.000 


1873 


22,882 


8,215 


115,000 


1874 


24,176 


9-355 


145.000 


1875 


24.903 


10,422 


148,000 


IS76 


33.604 


11,464 


148.000 


1877 


37.703 


4,286 


1 50.000 


1878 


39.045 


7.791 


184,200 


1879 


40.358 


9.947 


185.447 


1880 


40,496 


11.399 


113.585 


I88I 


42.413 


12.757 


116,932 


1882 


50,605 


13.839 


102.610 


IS83 


53,621 


15,074 


1 14,960 



PART X. 

COMMERCIAL. 



CHAPTER LXXVII. 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING.— CUSTOM-HOUSE AND COLLECTORS.— THE BOARD 

OF TRADE. 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 

Detroit was founded as a commercial colony, 
and her merchants would belie all the facts and tra- 
ditions of the past if they neglected to foster a com- 
mercial spirit and stretch out their hands for trade. 
Those who organized the colony in the wilderness 
of the lakes, came not because of religious perse- 
cution, nor in order to live under a government of 
their choice : money and adventure were the objects 
they sought. When Cadillac founded the post, he 
expected to have full control of the trade ; but no 
sooner had the post been established than merchants 
and trading companies began their intrigues to 
possess or destroy it. Before the stockade of Fort 
Pontchartrain was fairly completed, Louis XIV. and 
his ministers broke faith with Cadillac by granting 
to the Company of the Colony of Canada the ex- 
clusive right to trade at Detroit. That company 
had sought this right even before the colonists were 
sent, and on October 31, 1701, under orders from 
France, a contract was made with them at Quebec 
which gave them the control they sought. 

Cadillac first heard of this contract on July iS, 
1702. Thus, within a year, he was deprived of the 
chief advantage of the post he had himself planned 
and established. The trade of the country, and 
especially the furs of this region, were undoubtedly 
the chief objects of his desire ; yet at one blow he 
was dispossessed of these emoluments, as the terms 
of the company's charter prevented his trading 
upon his own account. The company, however, 
were to comjjlete the fort and keep it in repair, to 
pay annually, on October i, six thousand livres 
towards the support of poor settlers, and to bear 
the chief expenses of the transportation of articles 
for use of the garrison. In return for his serx'ices 
and efforts, Cadillac was to be maintained by the 
company, as was aLso one officer ; the rest of the 
garrison were to be paid by the king. 

Doubtless because of his protests and the evident 
injustice of the arrangement, an agreement was 
soon made by which he was to have one third of 
the commerce of the post ; but this was almost im- 
mediately succeeded by an agreement, lasting from 
1702 to 1704, under which he was to have two 
thousand francs a year and subsistence for himself 



and family, with no privilege of trade. — truly, a 
beggarly pittance for services that he had rendered 
and could still perform. 

It is doubtful, indeed, if the trading company 
designed to promote the settlement of Detroit ; on 
the contrary, there seems to have been at least a 
half-formed purpose to so manage as that the settle- 
ment should die through the mismanagement of its 
trade. 

The Montreal merchants were jealous of the post, 
and sought in every way to destroy it and disperse 
tlie colony. They were aided in their endeavors by 
the Jesuits. In addition to these embarrassments, 
the resources of the company were so meagre and 
their plans so chimerical, that the infatlt colony was 
nearly strangled by the one that should have been 
its nurse and protector. 

The directors of the company sent out commis- 
sioners, who charged so exorbitantly for their goods, 
and paid so little for furs, that the Indians were 
frequently estranged. At the same time the com- 
pany was defrauded by these agents, who obtained 
their appointment through nepotism of the most 
manifest kind. The company made profits of from 
four hundred to six hundred per cent on ammuni- 
tion, and two hundred per cent on beads, vermilion, 
and other goods, and, having e.xclusive rights, there 
was no room for competition or redress. 

Cadillac refused to be a party to the frauds, and 
sought to obtain again the control of the colony. 
In 1703 he offered ten thousand livres per year for 
the e.xclusive right of trade. In a letter dated July 
14, 1704, Count Pontchartrain acknowledges the 
receipt of Cadillac's letter of Atigust 30 and 31, 
1703, and says that at the same time he also re- 
ceived a series of complaints against him made by 
the directors of the trading company ; that he had 
presented Cadillac's proposition to the king, and 
that it had been accepted without any requirement 
as to the yearly payment ; and that the king directed 
him to wTite to the directors to deliver up the post 
to Cadillac on his paying them for the goods which 
they had at Detroit, and also for the improvements 
made by them. Pontchartrain directed Cadillac to 
go to Quebec to arrange for the transfer of the post 
and to receive further instructions from Vaudreuil 



I765] 



766 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



and Beauharnois, the governor and intendant. 
Pontchartrain also said, "The intention of the king 
is that you should have full command, and conduct 
the commerce for your own profit as really as the 
company did for its profit, the only restriction being 
that not over fifteen or twenty thousand pounds of 
beaver sldns be shipped yearly, and that no trading 
canoes are to be sent to Michilimackinac or else- 
where on the Lakes." 

All the business was to be conducted at Detroit, 
and Cadillac was to have the privilege of attracting 
as many savages as he could to the post, but was to 
take care that the privileges of the company outside 
of Detroit were not interfered with. An inspector 
of the company was to be allowed to remain at 
Detroit to see that this last regulation was observed. 
Vaudreuil was directed to give Cadillac as many 
soldiers as he asked for, and to pay for their 
transportation. In accordance with Pontchartrain's 
directions, Cadillac went to Quebec, and on his 
arrival there, early in the autumn of 1704, he was 
arrested at the instance of the directors of the 
company, who sought in this way to prevent the 
carrying out of the king's orders. His trial dragged 
along, and it was nearly two years before he could 
return to Detroit. The suit was decided in his favor 
on June 15, 1705, but arrangements were not com- 
pleted for giving him full control of the colony until 
June, 1706, and late in August he returned. 

It should be noted that the exclusive trading 
privileges of the company pertained only to the 
exchanging of imported goods for the furs of the 
Indians. Whatever the settlers could make or raise 
themselves, they were at liberty to exchange if per- 
mits were first obtained from the commandant. For 
these permits Cadillac charged ten livres per annum, 
and he also required the citizens to pay for the 
privilege of carrying on their several avocations. 
M. Parent complained that he was required to pay 
six hundred francs, two hogsheads of ale, and agree 
to shoe all of Cadillac's horses for the privilege of 
engaging in the business of blacksmithing. After 
Cadillac relinquished the post, commerce and the 
culture of the soil decreased for several years. M. 
Tonty, his successor, refused to renew or to ac- 
knowledge Cadillac's permits, ill-treated those who 
had received concessions, and obliged them to pay 
large additional taxes. He charged five hundred 
livres in furs or three hundred in specie for a 
trading permit to go to Montreal. He seemed to 
care only to secure as much as possible for himself, 
and his exactions almost ruined the settlement. In 
consequence of his extortions and the increased 
prices of the traders, many of the Indians sought 
to exchange their furs with the English at Albany, 
then called Orange. This displeased the traders, 
and they had frequent quarrels with Tonty. There 



were then trading here, Messrs. Chesne, Campau, 
De Marsac, Jean Bineau, Pierre Reaume, Picard, 
Roubidon, Oliver La Devoute, and De Gaudefroy. 

While De Boishebert was commandant he refused 
to engage in trade himself, but sold permits or com- 
missions allowing others to trade ; from this source 
alone he obtained funds enough to meet the ex- 
penses and keep the Indians good-natured by his 
gifts. 

As the years went on, the traders found that not 
the commandant alone had to be paid, but every 
official at the post, from chaplain to sergeant ; and 
in 1756 and 1757 the total amount was so exorbi- 
tant as to almost preclude any profit. The com- 
mandants were also in the habit of demanding extra 
supplies of goods for the Indians, and of making 
out false certificates for the amounts disbursed, and, 
as a result, the colony became greatly involved. 

The last French commandant, Bellestre, was par- 
ticularly distinguished for official misconduct of the 
kind indicated. A desire to regulate the trade, settle 
the price of provisions, and put the colony on a 
better footing, was one of the chief objects of the 
visit of Sir William Johnson, who came in the fall 
of 1 76 1. After his visit all traders were required 
to procure a license from him or his deputy. Colonel 
Croghan. With all these precautions, frauds still 
continued to be practiced, and in the spring of 1766 
Colonel Johnson was compelled to appoint a resi- 
dent Commissioner of Trade to supervise the deal- 
ings of the merchants and redress grievances 
between whites and Indians. In matters connected 
with trade the commissioner possessed almost plen- 
ary powers. He outranked even the commandant 
in these matters, and had power to stop all trading, 
and even to close the stores of traders, if he deemed 
it necessary. Jehu Hay, the first Commissioner of 
Trade, continued in office for several years, and 
finally became Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit. It 
is not known that he had any successor as commis- 
sioner. After the appointment of Mr. Hay, there 
was much more uniformity in the prices and quality 
of goods offered in exchange for furs; but the 
character of the traders was not much improved, as 
is evidenced by the following extract from a letter 
of Captain Stevenson to Sir William Johnson, dated 
June 8, 1772, he says: 

Two-thirds of the traders will acknowledge that I have been 
the most indulgent commanding officer they ever had. They are 
a sad set, for they would cut each others throats for a raccoon 
skin. 

Soon after the English took possession, the town 
became the great centre of Indian commerce, and 
the Dutch merchants of the Mohawk frequently 
came to Detroit for purposes of trade. With one or 
two portages they reached the lake, and then, in 
their large open boats, they coasted along the shores 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



767 



of Ontario and Erie until they reached this, the 
most famous trading post in the West. They 
brought goods of every kind, wrapped in tarpaulins 
and oiled skins. So e.xtensive was the traffic and so 
sharp the competition that only the most wide-awake 
of men had any chance of success. The Indians 
were alternately pampered and cajoled, but in the 
end they were almost always worsted in their bar- 
gains. The traders not only bought skins, but, 
sometimes persons as well. Henry Van Schaack, a 
Dutch merchant, of Albany, and a frequent visitor 
at Detroit, both before and after the Pontiac War, 
was attracted by a bright boy that the Indians had 
taken captive. The Indian owner was equally at- 
tracted by a silver tankard that he possessed, and 
the exchange of the tankard for the boy was duly 
made. As the boy was without a name, he was 
called Tankard, and his descendants are still known 
by the curious name that his ransom originated. 
During the Revolutionary War the traders from the 
Mohawk could not send goods with safety or regu- 
larity, and consequently many articles were some- 
times scarce and dear. With all these drawbacks, 
the quantity of goods in store in those days was 
enormous. Several million dollars' worth was 
often gathered here. 

Within the store of a leading trader, the glitter 
and bright colors were equal to any display made in 
our own day; and for variety no country store of 
the present time could equal it. In one corner 
might be seen bales of mink, raccoon, bear, beaver, 
muskrat, and deer skins, sufficient in value to con- 
stitute a fortune at the prices of to-day, the floor 
was usually cumbered with goods of various kinds 
in their original packages, the bo.xes and barrels 
being lined with sheet-lead to keep out the water, 
and heavily bound with iron. Strings of wampum, 
dressed deerskins, and immense snow-shoes were 
suspended from the low ceiling ; and, in the season, 
carcasses of venison and bear, with wild turkeys, 
added a savor)' odor to the room. The shelves were 
crammed with a larger variety of goods than any 
junk-shop displays. Large brass locks with keys 
that would weigh a pound, iron and brass candle- 
sticks, pewter plates, tinder-bo.xes, inkstands and 
basins, steelyards, Japan mugs, and Queen's ware, 
lay side by side. Implements of peace and war 
jostled each other ; fig-blue, ink-powder, wafers, and 
quills were shelved with red -handled scalping 
knives, tomahawks, horse-pistols and holsters ; guns, 
heavy with sil\-er ornaments, hung overhead, and 
powder, lead, flints, and fire-steels lay beneath them. 
The lower shelves were brilliant with gay calicoes, 
crimson satins, straw-colored silks, and scarlet 
cloths ; while red night-caps, black silk breeches, and 
silk and satin petticoats were in bewildering pro.x- 
itnity ; these were flanked by boxes of stiff stocks, 



beaver and cocked hats, gold and silver sword-knots, 
and green silk umbrellas, while bales of blankets 
and strouds (a coarse blue cloth), packages of ver- 
milion, yellow ochre, hair powder, red and gold lace, 
knee-buckles, burning glasses, wa.x-lights, lanterns, 
bellows, decanters, shoe-packs, moccasins, carrying 
collars, large and small traps, cordage, oakum, irons, 
and saddlebags helped to make up the assortment. 
Nor was this all. Household implements were not 
forgotten ; Dutch ovens, Indian baskets, frying pans, 
copper kettles, and caddies of bohea tea greeted the 
eyes of thrifty housewives in days gone by. For 
the children, there were mococks of maple sugar of 
many sizes, suited to the purse of man or boy. and 
brilliant with the gayly stained quills with which 
they had been decorated. The particular delights 
of the Indians were by no means forgotten ; colored 
beads of many sizes, silver and tin brooches and 
buckles, ear-bobs, moons, crosses, gorgets for 
medals and breast-plates and silver bands for the 
wrists, woolen belts and blankets, rolls of tobacco, 
and numerous casks of the ine\'itable fire-water, 
with hundreds of other articles, were gathered in a 
single store. 

As early as 1767 mention is made of the following 
merchants at Detroit : Charles Cortoise, Peter 
Baron, Benjamin James, Edmund Pollard, Obediah 
Robbins, William Bruce, John Robinson, H. Van 
Schaack, Thomas Williams, William Edgar, Richard 
McNeall, Samuel Lyons, D. Baby, B. Chapoton, 
Isaac Todd, and James Cassity. In 1773 James 
Stirling, John Porteous, Macomb & Company, and 
Abbott cS: Edgar were the principal merchants ; and 
within five years after Meldrum & Park, a noted 
firm, began. In 1783 Graverat & Visger were 
largely engaged in the fur trade. In 1787, or pos- 
sibly earlier, Joseph Campau began business. In 
1799 Angus Mcintosh, Forsyth & Company, and 
Mack & Conant were prominent merchants, and in 
1809 A. C. Truax. 

For more than a century, under French, English, 
and .\merican rule, the fur trade was the most im- 
portant interest. Immense quantities of furs were 
received and forwarded. Over one hundred thou- 
sand beaver-skins were shipped in a single year. 
When Captain Rogers came to take possession of 
the post in 1760, he found $500,000 worth of furs 
in store. In 1781 A. & W. Macomb bought at one 
time, of the Widow Berthelet, 12.132 deerskins. 
9,483 raccoon, 413 bear, 682 cat and fox, 16 elk, and 
three wolf skins. In August, 1784, after great 
quantities had been sent away, there were still one 
thousand packs of furs at Detroit. 

During all these years the business of buying and 
shipping furs was the most important factor in the 
trade of Detroit. A single shipment on August 6, 
1 82 1, of four hundred and ten packs, was valued 



768 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



at $62,000 ; and during the year over §300,000 
worth were shipped from the city. In 1829 furs to 
the amount of S325.000 were exported, and the 
shipments of raw furs to Europe, even now, reaches 
a value of half a million yearly. 



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The methods of trade were much the same 
among all who trafficked with the Indians, the slow- 
ness of the returns in some measure counterbalanc- 
ing the otherwise large profits. Goods ordered in 
the fall would not arrive till the following summer. 
In the winter they would be exchanged for furs, 
which generally did not reach London or Paris until 
nearly a year later. In this way, three years, and 
often forty-two months, were required to complete 



i^ 



•^ 



I 



^ 



the circuit of trade. Indeed, the fur merchants were 
generally poor and disheartened every three years, 
owing to the enormous expense of the traffic, and 
^^^ the instability of prices in the 

^^H^ London market. In addition 

^^^Hb to other drawbacks, the goods 

^^0r sold to the farmers were pay- 

^ able only in produce, and not 

until the winter following their 
purchase. Many of the farm- 
ers were more fond of gayety 
and dissipation than of indus- 
try, and generally evaded pay- 
ing for two or three years or 
until forced by law ; then, 
however, instead of paying 
twenty shillings to the pound, 
they paid from thirty to forty, 
the costs of suit being very 
high. This practice of non- 
! payment was so general that 
'■: no one thought it a disgrace 
r. to be sued for debt ; on the 
3 contrary, it seems to have 
I been considered an honor, as 
^ it gave them the air of men of 
r business. 

a Detroit was so noted a trad- 

\ ing post that bands of Indians 
5 were coming and going all 
^ the time. Their canoes, by 
the score, were frequently seen 
coming down the river, or 
were hauled up on the shore. 
As late as 1825 they gathered 
I ^^ along the river road from the 

^ V < Brush Farm eastward towards 

■^ rs Grosse Pointe ; their canoes, 

S i turned bottom-side up on the 

.§ \^ beach, with one edge slightly 

S elevated, afforded shelter, and 

J; "kX^ on the north side of the road 

O >^ their goods were exposed for 

sale. Bundles of odorous furs, 
bales of smoke-dressed deer- 
skins, naked little Indians, 
blanketed squaws, some with 
mococks of sugar and other 
with papooses strapped upon their backs, numerous 
dogs, immense piles of Indian baskets, bundles of 
paddles, Indian brooms, axe-handles, mats, bows 
and arrows, knot-bowls, and packs of moccasins, 
straight black-haired and copper-colored braves, 
were all on exhibition, forming together a motley 
spectacle. 

Under French rule accounts were kept in French 
currency, but soon after 1760 the English system of 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



769 



pounds, shillings, and pence displaced franc 
and livre. The American merchants dis- 
liked the English mode of reckoning, and in 
1 810, or earlier, accounts were kept in York 
or New York currency, — $2.50 being equiva- 
lent to the pound. The old ledgers of the 
Macombs, of Thomas Smith, and of Joseph 
Campau, would do no discredit to the best 
penman or bookkeeper of the present day. 
The debtor and creditor sides of an account 
each occupied a page, and tile two pages 
were numbered alike, so that ledgers of three 
hundred pages would be numbered as having 
only one hundred and fifty. Under Ameri- 
can rule the governor issued special licenses 
to those who traded with the Indians. A 
fac-simile of one, half size, is here repro- 
duced. 

Under law of August 29, 1805, no person 
was allowed to retail any merchandise not 
produced in the United States without paying 
a license of twenty dollars to the treasurer of 
the Territory. The law does not seem to 
have acted as a hindrance to trade, for in 
1 80S, only three years after the town had been 
entirely destroyed, there were three hundred 
and thirty-fiv-e stores of various kinds. 

A territorial law of October 7, 1814, re- 
quired each merchant or trader in Detroit to 




Wholesale Grocery Stores of Beattv, Fjtzsimons, & Co., 

Northwest corner of Woodward Ave. and Woodbridge St. 

Marineus' Protestant Episcopal Church. Euilt in 1849. 




Wholesale Shoe Stores of H. P. Baldwin, id, i 
Southwest corner of Woodward Avenue and W'oodbridge Street. 



Co., 

Puilt 



in 185X. 



pay a territorial license of 
twenty dollars, and all in 
the Territory outside of 
the town ten dollars. 
There is no apparent rea- 
son for this discrimination 
other than the fact that 
the traders in Detroit did 
so much more business 
that they were able to pay 
more. 

A business list, compiled 
in June, 181 9, showed that 
there were then in De- 
troit seven watchmakers, 
twelve blacksmiths, ten 
gunsmiths, sixty carpen- 
ters and joiners, si.x coop- 
ers, three cabinetmakers, 
one coach and chaise mak- 
er, five wheelwrights, three 
tanners, five harness-mak- 
ers, twelve shoemakers, 
twenty-three masons, 
eighteen tailors, six hat- 
ters, one tinner, three 
painters, three printers. 



770 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



eight innkeepers, twenty-four dry goods and grocery 
merchants, one wholesale grocer, sixteen grocery and 
provision stores and ale-houses, and five bakeries. 
Among the prominent merchants at this time were 
Henry J. Hunt, John L. Whiting, Mack & Conant, 
J. & A. Wendel, Tunis S. Wendel & Company, De 
Garmo Jones, Benjamin B. Kercheval, and Abraham 
Edwards. 

As illustrative of the ways of the times, we note 
that on November 22, 1820, the last-named mer- 




61 Woodward Avenue. Built iu 1845-77. 

chant announced that he had sold out, and urged 
all parties indebted to him to " make immediate 
payment in cash, beans, or flour." * 

At this time, and for at least ten years later, cur- 
rency was so scarce that " dickering " was the rule, 
and the trading of one article for another was a 
common occurrence. Thomas Palmer used to say 
to customers that he would " take anything for pay 
except money." Levi Cook began business in 1820, 
and, after a few years, was succeeded by his brother 
Olney Cook. In 1838 James Burns became a part- 



ner. In 1821 the advertisements of the following 
merchants appeared in the Gazette : A. C. Caniff, 
F. J. & J. Palmer, J. G. & J. E. Schwartz, O. New- 
berry, John Hale, William Brewster, and John R. 
Williams. 

The rush of emigration in 1836 caused such a 
demand for goods of all kinds that every house that 
could be obtained on Jefferson Avenue from Shelby 
to Randolph Street was fitted up for a store and 
filled with goods ; some householders sold out their 
leases at an advance of a hundred per cent. The 
regular merchants grew jealous of the auctioneers, 
who gathered crowds to their sales by sending out 
a crier with a large bell ; and, undoubtedly at their 
request, an ordinance was passed forbidding auc- 
tioneers to sell anything except liquors in casks of 
thirty gallons or over, ship furniture and tackle, car- 
riages, farming utensils, furniture, and animals. 
Goods of any kind could not be sold at auction un- 
less of the bulk of one barrel or weighing one hun- 
dred pounds or over ; and the ordinance provided 
that "no bellman, crier, or other means of attract- 
ing attention of passengers shall be used or em- 
ployed by any auctioneer or other person for the 
purpose of collecting bidders at the sale or auc- 
tion of any property." The business of an auc- 
tioneer was originally a public one, and appoint- 
ments were made by the governor. A law of De- 
cember 31, iSir, provided that "auctions shall not 
be held except betw'een sunrising and sunsetting," 
the evident intent being to prevent any deception 
through sales made by candlelight. The following 
persons were appointed auctioneers in the years 
named: 18 16, George McDougall, Henry Brown ; 
1817, John Meldrum, John McDonnell , l8i8,James 
Abbott, Abraham Edwards, John R. Williams, and 
Duncan Reid ; 1 819, Robert Garrat ; 1820, John S. 
Roby ; 1821, D. B. Cole ; 1S23, Melvin Dorr, Rufus 
Hatch ; 1826, Elijah Converse, Charles C. P. Hunt ; 
1S29, J. E. Schwartz; 1830, B. Holbrook, I. T. 
Ullman, E. Brooks; 1834, S. S. Hawkins, D. C. 
McKinstry ; 1835, Henry Doty; 1836, James Filson. 

As the city grew, the general store, in which were 
gathered articles of every kind, gave place to stores 
making a specialty of some one kind or class of 
goods ; but for a long time the oldest and leading 
dry goods stores kept a supply of tea, coffee, sugar, 
and other staple groceries, and sold large quantities, 
especially to their country customers. 

The general stores of the olden time, where 
everything was kept, find their best exponent to-day 
in the establishment of C. R. Mabley & Company, 
in which clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, 
ladies' and gentlemen's furnishing goods, millinery 
and woolens of many kinds are all on sale in great 
quantities. The first store for clothing was opened 
February 22, 1870. From time to time others have 



772 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



been added, and now fifteen stores, of four and five 
stories each, are occupied with the goods of this firm. 
One of the noticeable features in the mercantile 
hfe of the city, at the present time, is the number 
of firms who represent stores established nearly 
or quite half a century ago. Among these are the 
establishments of F. Buhl & Company, Farrand, 
Williams & Company, George Kirby, H. P. Bald- 




R. H. i'viK A- Cn.^ Hour AND Shoe Stoke, 
loi Woodward Avenue. Built in 1875. 

win 2d, & Company, T. H. Hinchman & Company, 
L. A. Smith & Company, A. C. McGraw & Com- 
pany, antl Phelps & Brace. 

From small beginnings the drug business, repre- 
sented by the wholesale drug-houses of Farrand, 
Williams, & Company, T. H. Hinchman & Sons, 
John J. Dodds & Company, and James E. Davis & 
Company, has become one of the largest of mercan- 
tile enterprises. Since i S6o direct importations have 



been made at Detroit of almost all foreign com- 
modities, — castile soap from Marseilles, several tons 
at a time ; Venetian red and ammonia from Glas- 
gow; hemp and mustard seed in quantities from 
Messina; bergamot, origanum, lemon, and other 
essential oils, with gums and drugs, from London 
and Grasse, thousands of gallons at a time ; chamois- 
skins arrive in lots of ten thousand ; Trieste supplies 




jjjuigiiaH iiiM g* anih 




FUKNllLKE \\ Ahl-KMU.Mb Ul- N. A: J. FLAlTIiRY, 

98 Woodward Avenue. Built in 1S51. 

gum-arabic and cuttle-fish bone; Dresden, senna- 
leaves, anise-seed, and chemicals of various kinds, 
and Liverpool, indigo and sal soda. 

The increase in amount of direct importations of 
various goods is shown by the following statement 
of the amount of duties paid at Detroit: iSio, 
$2,052; 1S50, $11,433; i860, $61,650; 1870,8234.- 
842; 1880, $284,464. 

The total capital invested in jobbing and retail 



houses is about S30.000,- 
000, and the sales for 18S3 
were estimated at S125,- 

OOO.CXXJ. 

As I lie city has grown, 
one locality after another 
has become specially de- 
sirable for business pur- 
poses. In 1S12 At water 
was the principal business 
street; about 1S20 stores 
began to appear on Wood- 
ward Avenue below Jef- 
ferson, and also on Jeffer- 
son Avenue; from iS3oto 
1850 Jefferson Avenue was 
the chief business street of 
the city. In 1S60 Wood- 
ward Avenue above Jeffer- 
son began to be the better 
retail street. Since 1870 
the tide of business has 
swept past the Campus 
Martins, and up Wood- 
wardand Monroe Avenues, 
and Michigan, Gratiot, 
and Grand River Avenues 
have for years been lined 
with stores and shops. 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING 




Wholesale Dkug Stores of Farraxd, Williams, & Co. 
n to 17 Lamed Street East. Built in 1872. 




Detkcmt Tool De.or, Stovh, a.o General Hardware Stores or T. B. R.v. & Co 
^o^th«st comer of Woodward Avenue and Congress Street. Built in ^S,.-„. " 



Some persons engaged in 
business have no locaf habita- 
tion; they are here, there, and 
everj^vhere, their own cries giv- 
ing notice of their presence. 
Especially of late years the 
street-cries of Detroit have be- 
come noticeable among the many 
sounds of its broad and busy 
thoroughfares. "Ting a ling- 
ting-ting-ting " sounds the bell 
of the scissors-grinder, who pres- 
ently appears with wheels and 
treadle on his back. Hardly 
has the sound of his bell died 
away when the toot of the rag- 
man's horn is heard, and his 
hand-cart comes in sight, drawn 
sometimes by himself, sometimes 
by a dog ; or possibly he has a 
rheumatic horse and a dilapi- 
dated wagon. After him comes 
one with box of broken glass 
and a rule, and the cry of " Glass 
put in ! '• is heard, or the words 
'• Umbrellas to mend — to mend 
— to mend!" sound along the 
way. In the early morning and 




u 



776 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



in the afternoon the news- 
boy's cry is heard, omni- 
present, vigorous, and 
clear ; and all the livelong 
day, in spring and sum- 
mer time, the streets are 
made to ring vi^ith the 
cries of " Tatoes ! " 
" Fresh fish ! " and 
" Strawberries ! " Fruits 
of every kind are thus 
offered for sale. 

In marked contrast 
with these literally " one- 
horse establishments," is 
the business conducted 
by the firm of D. M. 
Ferry & Company, one 
of the most widely known 
firms on the continent. 
In connection with a few 
facts as to their estab- 
lishment, a description 
of the seed business of 
the olden time will be 
suggestive. About the 
year 1820, while James 




Drv Goods Stores of L. A. Smith & Co. {Successors to James Burns & Co.), 
107 and 109 Woodward Avenue, corner of Congress Street. Built in 1S71. 




Grocery Stores of G. & R. McMillv\.\', 
[ Woodward Avenue, corner of Fort Street, Built in 18 



Abbott was postmaster, he culti- 
vated the main portion of the 
block now bounded by Woodward 
Avenue, Griswold, Woodbridge, 
and Atwater Streets. In this gar- 
den he raised seeds for sale. 
The wrappers enclosing the few 
letters that were then received at 
Detroit, with the aid of a little 
paste, were transformed into bags 
for the seeds, and in the spring, 
when the first vessel went up the 
lakes to Saginaw, Mackinaw, and 
Green Bay, these seeds — only a 
few dozen papers in number — 
were sent tip for sale to the post- 
gardeners, and to scattered farm- 
ers who had settled in the wilder- 
ness. As compared with such 
methods, the business operations 
of D. M. Ferry & Company afford 
interesting evidences of progress. 
They occupy a four-story ware- 
house with basement, erected 
specially for the purpose, and 
covering half of a large square ; 
and this building, with a large 
portion of. an adjoining block, 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



/ / / 



hardly suffices for their needs. In addition 
to immense tracts of land cultivated for 
them, they have a seed-farm of their own. 
covering nearly half a mile square of ground, 
and on this farm they lia\'e grown, in a 
single year, 35,000 pounds of onion and 
93,000 ponnds of beet seed. 

At the warehouse proper they employ 
about four hundred persons, and the aggre- 
gate number of their workmen, including 
those employed at the farm, reaches nearly 
eight hundred. They deal directly, from 
year to year, with over eighty thousand mer- 
chants, located in almost every town and 
hamlet in the United .States and Canada ; 
antl they have yearly correspondence besides 
with as many more individual farmers and 
gardeners. Upwards of 50,000,000 pack- 
ages of seeds were sent out in 1883. They 
issue over 325.000 catalogues yearly, and 
consume, in connection with their business, 
nearly a ton and a half of paper per day, 
and ship yearly five hundred car-loads of 
seeds. 

In the olden time wholesale merchants 
waited for customers to come to them, 
but within the last twenty years the practice 
of sending out "drummers," or travelling 




Paintingan 



1 PAri:K HangiNi-} Establishment of Dean. Godekev,& Co. 
167 and 169 Griswold Street. Built in 1879. 



2T|vT» BLA^ItE .-1271- 




Store and 
33 and 



Residence 
27 Lafayett 



OF P. Blake, Undertaker, 
e Avenue. Built in 1875. 



agents, has become increas- 
ingly common, until now 
there is hardly a wholesale 
house in Detroit that does 
not employ from one to fifty 
of these salesmen, who, dur- 
ing a great part of the year, 
travel throughout the coun- 
try soliciting orders for goods 
of every kind. There are 
probably not less than four 
hundred thus sent out from 
Detroit. 

Within the last twenty 
years, and especially since 
1870, the practice of deliv- 
ering goods to every part 
of the city has become gen- 
eral among retail dealers. 
One firm employs nearly a 
dozen wagons in this kind 
of ser\-ice. 

Not much was attempted 
in . the way of display in 
show-windows until about 
1850. George Doty's jew- 
elry window and J. TKcd- 
zler's exhibit of fruits and 



n^ 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



fancy groceries were among the earliest specially 
attractive displays. Ten years later French plate- 
glass windows were more common, and since 
then the show-windows on the principal business 




Mantel and Tile Store of P. A. Billings, 
176 Woodward Ave. Built in 1868. 

Streets have been increasingly attractive in appear- 
ance. "Opening days," when spring or fall goods 
are first shown, were inaugurated by Newcomb, 
Endicott, & Company, in 1869. The sale of both 



groceries and meats in one establishment was origi- 
nated in 1 87 1 by the Messrs. Hull. 

In the way of signs, one of the most noticeable 
forty years ago was that of Self cS: Sole, shoemakers. 
Ask S: Seek were tailors. Over a dyer's establish- 
ment, on Jefferson Avenue near Bates Street, was 
the legend,"! dye to live." A sign on Mullett 
Street announced " Washing and Ironing and going 
out to day's works done here." In recent days the 




lu 







Ml'.MFUkD, K0STf':R. lV C'm.'s LhAIHhk' StuKIC 

B, P, Muraford. E. D. Foster. Douglas Payne. 

16 Gratiot Avenue. Built in 1876. 

several notices of " Bankrupt Stock " and "Sheriffs," 
"Closing out," "Semi-annual," "Reduction," 
"Remnant," and "Removal Sales," are familiar. 
Attention is claimed by representations of almost 
ever\-thing that is used or bought or sold, and huge 
keys, padlocks, pitchers, books, boots, and watches 
line the walks, or are displayed on outer walls. 
Emblems of colored glass, representing mortars, 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



79 




Thorndike Nourse & Co., Publishers, Printers, and Book- 
binders, corner Larned and Shelby Streets. 
Building erected 1S82. 



.shirts, and horse-shoes, add 
brilliancy to the scene, 
wooden Indians and stuffed 
skins of bear and deer 
stand beside the path, and 
colored tiles with owners' 
names are inserted in the 
walk. These efforts are 
supplemented with adver- 
tisements on car tickets, 
gas bills, hotel registers, 
blotting pads, and pro- 
grammes. Cheap fans, 
rules, tape-measures, match- 
safes, paper-weights, and 
placques with advertise- 
ments thereon, are given 
away by thousands, and 
elegant steel engraved and 
colored cards, with myriads 
of devices, are distributed 
to serve the donor's ends. 
Children and persons of 
larger growth vie with each 
other in the variety and 
beauty of their collections 
of these free gifts. Sample 



packages of medicines, soap, and various other articles 
are left at every door addciidiiin and almost ad infini- 
tum, and hats and vests, by the score, ha\'c been dis- 
tributed to promiscuous crowds. At some openings, 
costly suppers are served to all who come. Many 
firms spend thousands every year to attract the 
public eye. " Bill-poster boards," fences, and many 
vacant walls are covered with show-bills, placards, 
and " dodgers." Last, but not least, the newspapers 
should be named. Some single newspaper adver- 
tising firms contract for and control space in a thou- 
sand papers, secure orders from all over the United 
States for the insertion of advertisements, and are in 
constant receipt of copies of all papers and periodi- 
cals. One agency receives five thousand different 
papers every week, has had contracts with a single 
firm for over $65,000 worth of advertising, and has 
placed a portion of the advertisements of one house 
which, under a single contract, expended $500,000 
for advertising. 

Among the modern adjuncts of trade the com- 
mercial agencies are prominent. These are designed 
to afford ready and reliable information as to the 
responsibility of persons seeking credit. The sys- 
tem comprehends the obtaining, by means of resi- 
dent correspondents or traveling employees, of 
information of every kind which affects in any way 
the reliability of persons doing business in any village 




Wholesale Drug Stores ok James E. Davis & Co., 
29f 31. 33) ^^^ 35 Lamed Street West. Built in 1882. 



78o 



/ 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



or neighborhood. This information is published 
quarterly or semi-annually, in various sized volumes, 
and is furnished to subscribers only. From time to 
time, lists of important changes in the business 




Drug House of John J. Dodds & Co., 

(Successors to Swift & Dotids) 
51 and 53 Shelby Street. Built in 1879. 

Standing of persons engaged in trade are supplied. 
These agencies also furnish such of their patrons 
as subscribe for the same, witlt information re- 
garding any person inquired about; and at 



regular intervals, circular notices of changes are 
sent out. 

The agency of R. G. Dun & Company was 
established in Detroit on August i, 1856. J. M. 
Reilly, the first manager, remained until 1859. He 
was succeeded by James Moore, and he on August 
I, 1863, by George H. Minchener. 




Wholesale Glass ami Paint Stoke of W.m. Reio. 

73 and 75 Larned Street West. ISuilt in 18S2. 

Retail Stores, 12 and 14 Congress Street East. 

The Bradstreet Agency was managed from 1S58 
to 1868 by C. F.Clark; from 1S68 to 1878 by N. 
J. Hubbe'll; from 1878 to April, 1879, by E. .S. 
Lowe; and since April, 1879, by C. F. Beck. 

An institution of similar character is the Mer- 
chants and Manufacturers' Exchange, organized 
February 26, and incorporated in April, 1878. In 
addition to its usual business, endeavors are made 
to regulate or prevent any practices injurious to 



MERCHANTS AND TRADING. 



781 



trade and commerce, and to promote the business 
interests of the city. To this end it appoints not 
only an executive committee, but also committees on 
transportation, arbitration, insurance, manufactures, 
and real estate. The organization is supported by 
the fees of members, who pay $50 per year. Its 
rooms are at loi Oris wold Street, corner of Congress 
Street. T. H. Hinchman has been president and C. 
B. Hull, treasurer, from the date of organization. 
Joseph Colt served as actuary until April, 1879, he 
was succeeded by H. P. Sanger, who resigned in 
March, iSSo, and was followed by S. S. Seefred. 



tember 28, 1850, all of the district north of the 
forty-fourth parallel was attached to the District of 
Mackinaw. 

The District of Detroit now extends along the 
frontier from the mouth of the St. Clair River to the 
southern boundary of the State, and covers the 
counties of Genessee, Shiawassee, Livingston, Oak- 
land, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Mon- 
roe, and the eastern portion of Ingham and Jackson. 

Detroit is the principal port of entry and deliver)', 
with subordinate ports at Trenton, Wyandotte, 
Monroe, Newport, Gibralter, Ecorce, Springwells, 




Wholesale Dry Goods House of Edson, Moore & Co., 
194 to 204 Jefferson Avenue. Built in iSSi. 



CUSTOM HOUSE AND COLLECTORS. 

By Act of March 2, 1799, Detroit was made a 
port of entry. Custom-house regulations were then 
provided for a district embracing all the waters, 
shores, and inlets* of Lakes Erie, St. Clair, and 
Huron, west of the Miami River to Mackinaw. 

The salary of the collector was fi.xed at $2 50 
yearly, with three per cent on the amount collected. 

By law of June 30, 1834, the coasts of Lake 
Michigan, for fifty miles north of Grand River and 
Milwaukee, were attached to the district. On Sep- 



Rockwood, New Baltimore, Mt. Clemens, and 
Grosse Isle, at each of which one deputy collector 
and inspector of customs is located. 

When a vessel arrives from a foreign coimtry the 
goods must be entered and the duties paid before 
being landed, unless they are to be placed in a 
bonded warehouse. The entry consists of a written 
statement containing the name of the vessel and 
her master, the name of the port from wiiich the 
articles were shipped, their particular marks, num- 
bers, quality, and quantity, denomination, and prime 



/' 



CUSTOM HOUSE AND COLLECTORS. 



cost, and the advance charges on them. The im- 
porter must also produce the original invoice, or 
other documents in lieu thereof, with the bills of 
lading. Vessels sailing from the United States 
obtain from the collector written permits to leave, 
called " clearances," and sailors obtain certificates of 
their nationality, usually denominated "protections," 
which serve to secure them the privileges of Ameri- 



Canadian or other foreign ports. He issues yearly 
licenses to vessels engaged in lake or river trade ; 
keeps account of all vessels built within the di.strict, 
also of those arriving and departing from Detroit, 
giving their character and description, and reports 
the same to the register of the treasury; he makes 
returns of all imports and exports at this port ; he is 
also the disbursing agent of the Government for the 




Wholesale Dry Goods Stores of Allan Shelden & Co., 
162, 164, 166, and 168 Jefferson Avenue. Erected in 1879. 



can seamen. The collector certifies to the correct- 
ness of the manifests or bills of lading of goods on 
board of vessels sailing from this to any foreign 
port ; he also issues registers to .ships, specifying the 
description and nationality of such as are going to 
foreign countries, and collects a tonnage tax of 
thirty cents per ton from all vessels trading with 



Revenue Marine ser\'ice, and acts as custodian of 
the marine hospital, custom-house, and post-oflice, 
including the court-rooms and ofilices therein con- 
tained, and is charged with the repair and preserva- 
tion of the buildings and furniture. 

All imported merchandise is examined and ap- 
praised, whether imported direct or through a 



CUSTOM HOUSE AND COLLECTORS. 



/ 



83 



bonded warehouse, which is under Government 
supervision. The appraiser is appointed by the 
Secretary of the Treasury, and receives $3,000 a 
year. F. A. Blades, serving as appraiser in 1884, 
was appointed on June 16, 1874. 

Bonded warehouses are for the benefit of im- 
porters who do not wish to pay the entire duties 
on any lot of goods at the time they are ini- 



I trail 



. MjJkd i 





I ElJlaaj«*l»l »T .<Ui*.JUg.1u^JjiajJTi-l^ 




.ll^rrr.-'\ 




I'vn Establishment and Hat Store of F. Buhl & Co., 
J46 and 148 Jefferson Avenue. Built in 1852-82. 

ported. In all such cases the goods are stored 
in the warehouse, and the duties paid from time 
to time as portions are withdrawn. These ware- 
houses were first used in Detroit, in June, 1872. 
In addition to the regular bonded warehouse, 
bonded rooms are allowed in the stores of in- 
dividuals for storage of merchandise imported, 
owned by or consigned to them, and such rooms 



are also under the control of the ofiicers of the 
customs. 

To aid in the enforcement of the revenue laws 
the Government has a revenue steamer in the dis- 
trict, the Fessenden, which patrols the river and 
lakes at a yearly cost of about $20,000. The steamer 
Michigan, of the United States Navy, also makes 
occasional visits to this port. 

The collector's force in 1883 included si.xty-one 
persons, whose salaries, ranging from ,$100 to$2,25o, 
aggregated about $55,000 annually. Some of the 
officers are paid solely by their fees. All the sub- 
ordinates are appointed by the collector, who is 
appointed by the President, with the consent of the 
senate. 




Wholesale Clothing Stores of Heineman, Butzel, & Co., 
142 and 144 Jefferson .\vcnue. Built in 1S52. 

The receipts from all sources during the year 
ending December 31, 1883, were $373,906. The 
importations made in the district the same year 
were valued at over $8,000,000. 

The principal imports in 1883 were 



Barley 
Malt 



11,565 
7,178 



784 



CUSTOM HOUSE AND COLLECTORS. 



Firewood 
Peas and beans 
Scrap iron 
Tin plates 



Value. 

^2 16,7 1 5 

18.931 
16,807 
28,940 




K T5r*=rR-^jr_n '-Si<gS5y?s 



Wholesale Clothing Stores ofHeavenrich Bros., 
J38 and 140 Jefferson Avenue. Built in 1S80. 



Spirituous liquors 

Horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs 

Hides and skins 

Agricultural seeds 

Potatoes and other vegetables 

Fruits of all kinds 



$3 "■643 
237,622 
67,686 
62,741 
15,060 
11,498 



Putter and lard 
Tobacco 
Dry Goods 

The principal exports in 

Wheat, bushels 
Corn " 

Oats 
Wheat-flour, bbls 





Value. 




$2,584 




93,648 




23.159 


8S3 were : 




Quantity. 


Value. 


571. 118 


$601,789 


423,809 


228,555 


41,853 


13,001 


21,309 


124,266 




PHoroesn.co. N 



Wholesale Dkv Goods Stores of Chas. Root & Co., 
134 and 136 Jefferson Avenue. Built in 1871. 



Coal, tons 




116,915 


$407,437 


Cotton, lbs. 




3,010.080 


331.101 


Tobacco " 




294,009 


80,500 


Pork 




743.811 


64,151 


Lard 




46,561 


4,667 


Beef 




56.965 


4,126 


Ham " 




109,071 


12.997 


Hardware 






I25-343 


Household furniture 




150,834 


Agricultural 


implements 




4.978 


Agricultural seeds 




42.096 



Total value of domestic exports 



3,211,673 



THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



785 



The collectors have been as follows : 
1799-1S05, Matthew Ernest ; during at least part 
of 1S02, John Dodemead was post inspector; June, 
1805, to June, 1S06, Joseph Wilkinson ; 1 806-1 SoS. 
Stanley Griswold ; 1808-1814, Reuben Atwater ; 
1814-1828, William Woodbridge ; 1828, Truman 
Beecher; 1829-1839, Andrew Mack; 1839-1841, 
John McDonnell; 1841-1845, Edward Brooks; 
1845-1849, Charles G. Hammond; 1S49-1853, Oliver 




e gg-cgg 'eg'Eg gg'gC 'Ee gge 'ia' jggi' 







secretary. At a subsequent meeting, held October 
20, the following permanent officers were elected : 
\\'illiam Brewster, president ; Charles Howard, vice- 
president ; A. Dudgeon, treasurer ; John Chester, 




b!ik!lk!!iiEg 



:im jm'I^A.NE:WLANDiC. ^ H£KIRrAiJ^EWLA2JD 



Wholesale Boot and Shoe Stores of A. C. McGraw & Co., 
128, 130 and 132 Jefferson Avenue. Built in 1836-70. 

M. Hyde; 1S53-1857, John H. Harmon; 1S57-1860, 
Michael Shoemaker; 1860-1861, R. W. Davis; 
1861-1866, X. G. Isbell ; 1S66-1867, H. A. Morrow ; 
1 867- 1 869, N. G. Isbell ; 1869- 187 5, George Jerome; 
1875-1884, Digby V. Bell; 1884 , William 

Livingstone, Jr. 

THE BOARD OF TRADE. 

The first organization of this character was called 
the "Merchants' E.xchange and Board of Trade," 
and was the result of a meeting held October 19, 
1847, at the office of B. L. Webb, C. C. Trow- 
bridge acting as president and John Chester as directors. 




WuiiLESALi£ Hat, Cap and Plk Stokes ui- H. A. Ni-.ul.\nu ^ 
Co., 124 and 126 Jefferson Avenue. Built in 1879. 

secretary ; James Abbott, k. S. Kellogg, S. Lewis, 
F. Moore, F. Buhl, Z. Chandler, H. P. Bridge, 
referees ; J. Owen, B. L. Webb, C. Hurlbut, 



786 



THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



Daily meetings of tlie board began on October 27, 

1847, in a vacant store, owned by John R. \\'illiams, 
located on the southwest corner of Woodward Ave- 
nue and Atwater Street. The new organization met 
with favor, and very soon became desirous of occu- 
pying a building of its own. A committee was ap- 
pointed to consider the project, and on March 21, 

1848, the following notice appeared: 

A public meeting of the citizens of Detroit will be held at the 
room occupied by the Board of Trade on the corner of Woodward 
Avenue and Atwater Street, on Thursday the 23rd day of March. 




Pf<^f^F^C^.f/< 



Wholesale Grocery and Spice Store of A. R. & W. F. Linn, 
116 Jefferson Avenue, cor. Shelby Street. Built in 1842. 

at three o'clock p. m., to hear the report of the committee in re- 
lation to the erection of a Merchants' Exchange Building in this 
city. As this is a subject in which all have an interest, it is hoped 
there will be a full attendance. 

Z. Chandler, S.Lewis, George E, Hand, 

T. W. LoCKWooD, U. Tracy Howe, Com. 

The subject was discussed, the Legislature ap- 
pealed to, and on March 14, 1848, the Detroit Mer- 
chants' Exchange Company was incorporated. The 
Act authorized them to erect a building, and gave 
to the Young Men's and Fire Department Societies 
power to take stock to the amount of $10,000 each 



in the proposed building. The funds, however, 
were not forthcoming, and the board continued in 
the old location until September 17, 1849, then 
moved to the Backus Building, on Third Street near 
the Central Depot ; and soon after the following 
notice appeared : 

Removal :—Thfi Board of Trade will hold their meetings on 
and after Wednesday, October 11, 1849, in the new Exchange, 
Farmers and Mechanics' Bank Building. Hours, 11 to 12 a. m. 
By order of the Directors. 

John Chester, Sec^y. 




^"2"JW"""^'" " "■i-.^nm^aB^ 




Wholesale Hat and Cap Store of A. C. Bacon & Co., 
86 Jefferson Avenue, corner Wayne Street. 
Built in 1S82. 

Only a few meetings were held in the bank build- 
ing. The demands of trade did not call for its con- 
tinuance, and the rivalry of business firms termin- 
ated the existence of the board. Comparatively 
little business was actually transacted at its daily 
sessions. Dealers wishing to buy produce gener- 
ally went direct to the business firms who were sup- 
posed to have the desired articles in store. From 
the first the society was chiefly promoted by for- 
warding and commission merchants ; eventually a 



THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



787 



number of persons in ordinary mercantile trade 
joined the society, paid fees of S2.00 per year, and 
the society lor a time numbered about one hun- 
dred numbers. During this period, and from 1835 
to 1855, the business of receiving, forwarding, stor- 
ing, and selling grain and produce was extensive 
and profitable. At the time of the Crimean War, 
in 1S54., the firms of Bridge & Lewis and J. L. 
Hurd & Company supplied as many as 7,000 bar- 
rels per day. Forwarding and commission houses 
were then established in large warehouses along 




ing II. P. Bridge acted as chairman, and John G. 
Erwin as secretary. A committee, consisting of R. 
McChesney and Samuel Lewis, was appointed to 
draft a constitution and by-laws, and on July 15 the 
board was organized. Twenty-five persons signed 
the constitution, and the following officers were 
elected : president, H. P. Bridge ; vice-presidents, 
Duncan Stewart, Robert McChesney; directors, 
Joseph Aspinall, William H. Craig, George W. Bis- 
sell, John W. Strong, A. E. Bissell, James E. Pitt- 
man, W. Truesdale, John B. Palmer ; treasurer, H. 




Wholesale Drug Stores of T. H. Hinchman & Sons, 
78 and 80 Jefferson Avenue. 98 and 100 Woodbridge Street. 
Built in 1868. 



Wholesale Fruit Store of Dwver & Vhav, 

66 Jefferson Avenue, corner of Cass Street. 

Built in 1878. 



the river, but the increase in number of railroads, 
and the readiness with which shipments may be 
made direct, without delay or extra charge, have 
largely done away with the special business carried 
on by such firms. 

The present Board of Trade grew out of a meet- 
ing held June 5, 1856, at the office of E. G. Merrick, 
then located at the foot of Wayne Street, in what 
was known as Ward's Warehouse. At this meet- 



K. Sanger; secretary, Milo D. Hamilton. The 
membership dues were fixed at $10.00 per year. 

On August 6, at 10 A. M., daily sessions began to 
be held in a store on Woodbridge Street under the 
Michigan E.xchange. On December 2 the daily 
meetings were suspended until the first Monday in 
March. On August 4, 1857, sessions began to be 
held from 9 to 10 a. m.; they are now held from 
10 A. M. to I P. M. standard time. 



788 



THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



In i860 the board published in 
pamphlet form a statement of the 
business of the city for 1859. Sev- 
eral similar compilations have since 
been issued, but not usually by direct 
authority of the organization. 

On March 5, 1 861, it was voted to 
consolidate the offices of secretary 
and treasurer, and on March 4 of 
the year following, for the first 
time, a salary of $250 was voted to 
the secretary. On January 20, 1863, 
James Aspinall, E. R. Matthews, 
and Bernard O'Grady were ap- 
pointed a committee to procure a 
new charter, and on March 19, 
1S63, an Act of Incorporation, em- 
bracing liberal provisions applicable 
to Boards of Trade and Chambers 
of Commerce, was passed by 
the Legislature. On June 23 the 
Board adopted a new constitution. 
On July I of this year the dues of 
persons not in the grain, produce, 
or milling business were reduced to 
$5.00 a year. 

The erection of an appropriate 







E' 






iiPiliio 




Old Board of Tr.\ue Biiluing. 




Wholesale Gkoceky Stokes of W. J. Gould & Co., 
61 and 63 Jefferson Avenue. Built in 1882. 



building now began to be increas- 
ingly agitated, and on October 20 
the lot on the southeast corner of 
W'oodbridge and Shelby Streets was 
purchased at a cost of $4,500. On 
November 23 following, a joint stock 
building company was formed and 
books were opened for subscrip- 
tions. On December 8 the stock- 
holders met, and elected the follow- 
ing directors: Joseph Aspinall, Al- 
exander Lewis, Duncan Stewart, 
George W. Bissell, B. O'Grady, A. 

E. Bissell, James Aspinall, H. J. 
Buckley, and George F. Bagley. 
Joseph Aspinall was elected presi- 
dent of the company, and James 
Aspinall secretar)' and treasurer. 

The corner-stone of the building 
was laid on June 8, 1864, and the 
structure was completed at a cost 
of about $35,000. It was dedicated 
on February 22 1S65. The exer- 
cises consisted of an opening ad- 
dress by Joseph Aspinall, an ode by 

F. Lambie, and an address by G. 
V. N. Lothrop, followed by a dinner 
at the Biddle House and a ball in 



THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



789 



the evening. The Board of Trade Hall was rented 
by the corporation to the society for twenty-nine 
years, at $500 for the first year, $750 per year for 
the next four years, and Si. 000 per year for the suc- 
ceeding years. On March 6 H. P. Bridge offered a 
resolution calling for a convention of the Boards of 
Trade of the United States and British Provinces. 
The resolution bore fruit in one of the largest and 
most important commercial conventions ever held. 
It convened July ri, 1865, and continued in session 
four days, during which the ablest business men of 
the United States and British Provinces gave their 




63 to 69 Woodbridge Street West. Built in 1867. 

views on the important questions of reciprocity, 
transit and transportation, improvement of rivers 
and harbors, commerce, finance, agriculture, manu- 
factures, and subjects of cognate interest. Among 
the notables present were Hannibal Hamlin, John 
v. Farwell. and X. K. Fairbanks. The feeling of 
the meeting was unmistakably against the renewal 
of the reciprocity treaty with Canada, but on the 
last day Hon. Joseph Howe, of Nova Scotia, spoke 
in favor of renewing the treaty. " In some respects 
it was the most remarkable speech ever delivered in 




New BoARi> op Trade Duilding. 




Wholesale Grocery, Coffee and Spice Mili.s of 
B. F. Farrington & Co., 

54 and 56 Jefferson Avenue, and 128 and 130 Woodbridge Street. 
Built in 1883. 



790 



THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



the United States, combining a wealth of illustra- 
tion, a profound knowledge of the subject, and a 
power of moving the human heart which has rarely 
been equalled in the annals of oratory." At one 
time, in describing the return of his son from three 
years' honorable sen-ice in the Union army, the 
pathetic eloquence of the speaker moved many of 
the six hundred delegates to tears. At the close of 
his speech a resolution was adopted requesting Con- 
gress to renew the reciprocity treaty on equitable 
terms, which was carried unanimously. As a result 




Wholesale Hardware Stores of Standart Brothers, 
92 to 96 Woodbridge Street West. Built in 1872. 

of this convention the National Board of Trade was 
organized. It held its first meeting in Philadelphia 
on June 5, 1868. Detroit sent delegates to these 
meetings up to August 24, 1877, when it withdrew 
from membership, under the belief that the central 
organization was of no special benefit to trade and 
commerce. 

In 1865 the dues for grain dealers were increased 
to $15. In July, 1866, daily telegraphic reports 
from New York were first received. The following 
year the board took steps to have Detroit markets 
telegraphed to the associated press. The reading 



aloud of the telegraphic reports of foreign markets 
began on March 4, 1869, and on December 4 a con- 
tract was made for daily telegraphic reports from 
Liverpool. 

The daily receipts and shipments at Detroit of all 
sorts of provisions, grain, live-stock, produce, lum- 
ber, and staples of various kinds, by rail and lake, 
are collected daily and posted in the rooms. 

In March, 1870, the membership dues were raised 
to $25 for those regularly transacting business at 
the board, and $15 for other members. 

On May 9, 1871, the offices of secretary and trea- 
surer were again united. On December 13, 1871, a 
National Commercial Convention was held in the hall 
to promote the building of an American canal about 




Wholesale Grocekv Stokes of Phelps & Brace, 
81 and 83 Jefferson Avenue. Built in 1868. 

the Falls of Niagara, and Congress was asked to 
undertake the work. On July 22, 1874, the city was 
visited by the Chamber of Commerce of Peoria. 
The guests were met at the depot by a committee, 
given a reception at the Council Chamber in the 
the evening, and the next morning welcomed 
and lunched at the rooms of the board. 

In 1873 the board paid S 5. 000 to the owners of 
the hall to secure a cancellation of tlieir lease, and 
arranged for the preparation of a hall and rooms in 
a new building on the southeast corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Griswold Street, at a rent of 1 1,600 per 



THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



791 



year. These were first 
occupied on Februar)- 
19, 1879. Among the 
privileges granted by the 
Act under which the 
board is incorporated is 
the right to settle dis- 
putes and differences of 
a business character be- 
tween members or others 
by arbitration. After 
the hearing and deter- 
mining of cases by ap- 
propriate committees, 
the final award is made 
by law to have the same 
effect as a judgment in 
the Circuit Court. For 
the carrying out of the 
purpose of this provision, 
an Arbitration Commit- 
tee of ten persons is elec- 
ted yearly, half only of 
thern ser\-ing at a time. 
The fees for arbitrating, 
determined by a regular 
scale, according to the 
amount involved, go into 




Detroit Bran'CH Stove Stoke of Rathbonk. Sard, a; Co., 
97 to loi Woodbridge St. West. W. P. Kellogg, Manager, Built 1880. Foundries at Albany, N.Y. 




Wholesale Hardware Stores of Buhl, Sons, & Co., 
103 to 111 Woodbridge Street West. Built in 1871. 



the treasury of the board. 
A Committee on Appeals, 
consisting of nine members, 
is appointed yearly to review, 
when called upon, the deci- 
sions of the Arbitration 
Committee. If referred to 
the Committee on Appeals, 
the arbitration fees are re- 
quired to be paid again. 

The first definite rules for 
the inspection and grading 
of grain were adopted on 
September 8, 1S63. The 
grading has since been fre- 
quently changed. On Oc- 
tober 13. 1863, Joseph Hatch 
was elected inspector of 
flour, and soon after of grain 
as well. At the same time 
Benjamin Clark was elected 
inspector of provisions. 
Both inspectors were paid 
by the fees collected, and 
the board required ten per 
cent of the total amount re- 
ceived to be paid to the 
treasurer. In March, 1870, 



792 



THE BOARD OF TRADE. 



J. C. Hatch was made assistant inspector of grain. 
In April, 1872, the grain inspector was voted a salary 
of $2,500, and all fees thereafter were to be turned 
into the treasury of the board. In August, 1872, 
N. B. Rowley was appointed grain weigher. On 
March 4, 1873, Joseph Hatch resigned, and his son, 
the assistant inspector, was appointed to his place. 
On March 20, 1S77, Duncan Thompson was ap- 
pointed chief inspector, and on February 1, 1883, 
Payson Hutchins became assistant inspector. H. C. 
Bates was appointed inspector of seeds and weigh- 
master at the M. C. R. R. on March 1 1 , 1 870. 

The members of the board protect each other by 
agreeing upon a uniform scale of fees or commis- 
sions for buying or selling grain and produce. In 
the delivering of grain, the transfer of a receipt 
from one of the railroad elevators, specifying that 
the grain is in store and giving the number of bushels, 
is accepted as an actual delivery. From February 
25, 1879, ^''i initiation fee of $250 was required 
from all new members, and on March 4, 1882, it 
was voted to raise the fee to S500 as soon as one 
hundred members were obtained. 

There are now about one hundred members. Per- 
sons seeking admission as members must be of legal 
age, residents of the city or having a permanent busi- 
ness therein, or be members of a similar commercial 
organization in some other city. Their application 
must be indorsed by two members of the board, 
and after five days' notice, seven affirmative votes 
by the directors will elect them to membership. 
The business acts of every member are subject to 
investigation by the Board of Directors, if called in 
question by any other member. 

The annual meeting is held on the first Tuesday 
in March, and the term of office begins on the 



Tuesday following. Besides the two committees 
already named, a president, first and second vice- 
president, and eight directors are elected yearly, who 
control the affairs of the organization, appoint the 
secretary, treasurer, and inspectors, and hold regu- 
lar meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. 
At each annual meeting they report the amount 
to be assessed upon each member the succeed- 
ing year. The revenue of the board is derived 
principally from the inspection of grain, at twenty- 
five cents per car load, and from dues of members. 

On January 31,1 880, the board subscribed .f 1 0,000 
in aid of the Butler Railroad, and on June 1 1, $3,000 
additional, and Detroit is largely indebted to the 
efforts of Secretary Erwin for the extension of this 
road to Detroit. The salary of the secretary has 
been gradually raised until now it is $1,800 per year. 

The following have served as officers of the board : 
Presidents: 1856-1859, H. P. Bridge; 1859, Dun- 
can Stewart; i860, W. H. Craig; 1861, G. W. 
Bissell ; 1862, Ale.xander Lewis; 1863, A. E. Bis- 
sell; 1 864-1 866, Joseph Aspinall ; 1866, G. F. Bag- 
ley ; 1867, J. G. Erwin; 1868. H. J. Buckley ; 1869, 
C. A. Sheldon; 1870. R. \V. Gillett; 1871-1873, C. 
M. Garrison; 1873, Alfred Chesebrough ; 1874- 
1876, Philo Parsons; 1876, Jacob Beeson ; 1877, 
Morgan Johnson ; 1878, Walter Bourke; 1879-1881. 
John H.Wendell; 1881, E, K. Norton ; 1882, Wm. 
Livingston, Jr. ; 18S3- , R. W. Gillett. Trea- 

surers: 1856-1860, H.K.Sanger ; i860. R. W.King ; 
1 86 1 - 1 864, secretary and treasurer one office ; 1 864- 
1867, Joseph Aspinall; 1S67-1871, Peter Young. 
Secretaries: 1 856-1 860, M. D. Hamilton; 1860- 
1873, Ray Haddock; 1873, Joseph Colt, W. Y. 
Rumney ; 1874-1878, W. Y. Rumney ; 1878-1882, 
John G. Erwin; 1882- , J. K. Mclvor. 



CHAPTER L X X \ 1 I 1 . 



MARKETS, MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



The glory of the ancient market-days has de- 
parted. The black-eyed, olive-skinned maidens, in 
short petticoats, from the Canada shore, no longer 
bring "garden-sauce and greens," the French 
ponies amble not over our paved streets, and little 
brown-bodied carts no longer throng the market- 
place. In the brave days of old, every one went to 
market, and most persons to the City Hall Market. 
Marketing and visiting were combined. In the 
market the rich and poor met together ; it was com- 
mon ground, and the poorest were sure of a " good 
morning " from the richest in town. Stately min- 
isters and noted politicians with baskets on arm, 
merchants and laborers, all alike examined, ques- 
tioned and bantered side by side. Thrifty ladies, 
making selections with fastidious care, swelled the 
throng, and younger 
ladies, in their morn- 
ing walks, here found 
zest and perchance a 
beau. 

Originally only 
vegetables and 
meats were exhibit- 
ed for sale ; in later 
days almost any- 
thing except a lodg- 
ing might be bar- 
gained for. Confec- 
tionery, fruits, shoes, poultr}', stockings, vegetables, 
laces, meats, and fish were all set out for customers. 
Even now, on Saturday nights especially, the crowd- 
ing, jostling, busy crowd forms a unique and motley 
spectacle. Not only goods but labor is here for 
sale, and just as in Bible days " men are standing 
idle in the market-place." For the last forty years, 
a woodsawyer, whea wanted, might be found at the 
west end ; at the east end, on Bates Street, white- 
washers and day-laborers are wont to congregate. 

The Woodward Avenue Markcl. 
The locating of a market, and regulations con- 
cerning it. engaged the attention of the trustees in 
1802. The third ordinance passed provided that 
the market should " be without the pickets and next 
to the river, between the old bake-house and the 



upper line of pickets." After the fire of 1S05 there 
seem to have been no markets or market regula- 
tions until June 15, 1816. The records of the Board 
of Trustees show that a committee of three was 
then appointed " to estimate on kind and quality of 
timber" for a market-house. On September 21, 
$1,500 was voted for the erection of a building, 
to be in part raised by a poll tax of one dollar, and 
the balance by a tax on real and personal property. 
The building was erected by B. \\'oodworth, and 
completed in 181 7 ; it was located in the centre of 
Woodward Avenue just below Jefferson Avenue. 
On April 26 a committee was appointed to consider 
a bill of extras. The building was thirty by se\'enty 
feet, and one story high, with a hip-roof supported 
by fourteen brick pillars. In 1827 it was enclosed 

by placing slats three 
inches wide between 
the pillars. The 
council, on August 
14 of that year, or- 
dered a bill of $68 
paid B. W. Merrill 
for doing the work. 
The yearly price for 
stalls was $1 5, one 
half cash and one 
half in a note on six 
months' time. In 
1830 a stone pavement was laid about the building 
at a cost of S527.85. On June 3, 1835, the building 
was ordered sold, and soon after it was torn down. 

The Berihc'M Market. 

On August 5. 1824, Peter Berthelet was author- 
ized to build and maintain a wharf, for ninty-nine 
years, at the foot of Randolph Street, -on condition 
that he should give the city a lot fifty by ninety feet, 
on which to erect a market. The lot given in 
accordance with this arrangement was on the north- 
west corner of Atwater and Randolph Streets. On 
February 15, 1825, a committee was appointed by 
the council to consult with Peter Berthelet, and 
receive his proposals for building a market-house. 
No agreement was made at this time, but on August 
27, 1827, the council 

[793I 




Former Woodward Avence ^^ARK■ET. 



794 



MARKETS, MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



Resolved^ that Peter Berthelet or his legal representatives be 
authorized to build a Marlcct House upon a plan to be hereafter 
agreed upon. Said Berthelet to be entitled to receive all rents of 
said Market House until such time as the council shall think 
proper to take possession of the same, upon the payment of such 
sums as it may be estimated to be worth by si.v persons, three of 
whom shall be chosen by said Berthelet and three by said Com- 
mon Council ; the said Market House to be completed in two 
years from this date. 

Under this proposition a building, similar in ap- 
pearance to the old Washington Market, was begun 
in 1828. Stalls were first .sold on June 3, 1830. — 
front stalls for $10.00 each, and others for $8.00. 
The building was purchased by the city on August 
31, 1S34, and it was then discovered that the lot 
had not been deeded. On November 28 following, 
a committee of the council reported in favor of 
paying $3,000 for a deed. This was done, making 
the total cost of the 
market $8,361. The 
city now became, 
for the second time, 
the owner of the lot, 
but still no deed was 
put on record, and 
in June, 1841, the city 
was obliged to obtain 
a new deed from the 
e.xecutor of the Ber- 
thelet estate. The 
building was burned 
in the fire of May 9, 
1848, and about si.x 
years after, the prop- 
erty was subdivided 
into lots and sold. 



oughly discussed in the council and by the press of 
the city, and in May the council approved of a plan 
for the erection of a building by private parties. 
The project did not meet the appro\'al of Mayor 
Moffat, and his veto defeated it. Two years later 
the council petitioned the Legislature, and on April 
22, 1875, a law was passed authorizing the council 
to borrow $100,000 to build a market. 

The question of issuing these bonds was sub- 
mitted to the Board of Estimates, and. as the 
expenditure was disapproved, this scheme also failed. 

After the lapse of four years, on April 22, 1S79, 
the council requested the Board of Estimates to 
consider the question of appropriating $50,000 for 
the erection of a central market building. On June 
30 the board approved of the expenditure, and on 
July 8 a committee was appointed to obtain plans 

for the building and 




The Vegetable Market. 



The City Hall or Central Market,'^ 
The first vegetable market-shed in the rear of the 
building was built by Hugh Moffat. It was little 
more than a roof supported by posts, and was com- 
pleted on November 21, 1843. In 1S45 it was 
enclosed with slats, which were removed in the fall 
of 1853. In the spring of 1849 a one-story brick 
building was erected between the vegetable market 
and the City Hall. Both it and the vegetable market 
were burned on June 13, 1876. The second brick 
addition, facing Bates Street, was built at a cost of 
about $3,000, and the work was accepted on July 
12, 1855. Twenty-five years later, in August, 1S80, 
it was torn down. The larger vegetable market, 
extending from Bates to Randolph Street, was con- 
tracted for on June 26, i860, and cost $5,312. Its 
stands were first rented on .\pril 22, 1861. In 1873 
the question of a new market building was thor- 



1 For a full history of the ori: 
City Hall. 



inal building, see article on Old 



bids for its erection. 
The committee de- 
cided on a building 
three hundred feet 
long by fifty feet wide, 
the front to be three 
stories high and the 
rear portion two sto- 
ries. 

The plans of Mason 
& Rice was accepted, 
but the bids, opened 
on September 26, 
were so largely in 
excess of the pro- 
posed outlay that on 
September 30 it was 
decided to erect only 
the front, or three-story portion. The contract was 
awarded at $46,880, and on August 23, 1880, the 
new market building was formally turned over to 
the city by the contractors. It was opened for 
business on September 11. The second stoiy was fit- 
ted up with offices for the Board of Health, the Poor 
and the Park Commission in the fall of 1 881, and the 
third story, for the Superior Court, in March, 1883. 

The property owners on Michigan Grand Avenue 
have frequently objected to the continued use of what 
was originally a public highway, and, at different 
times, have sought through the courts to prevent the 
erection of new market buildings, but their efforts 
have always been unavailing. The council, on Au- 
gust 15, 1848, especially set apart a portion of the 
street for market buildings ; and the Supreme Court, 
on January 23, 1880, decided that the city had the 
right to occupy the street. 

The Washington Market. 
This market was located on the northeast comer 
of Earned and Wayne Streets, on the line of the 



MARKETS, MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



795 



old lane leading to Fort Shelby. Its erection was 
ordered by vote of the council on March 19, 1835, 
and the building was fully completed in January. 
1836, at a cost of §3,000. On February 22 a com- 




J_ 






Old Washingtu.n MAKKtr, :..j..;.iL,..-j 
Wayne Streets. 



: Larn'ED and 



mittee e.xamined the building account and reported 
it correct. It was never a popular market, and was 
frequently closed. The building was used for school 
purposes by the Board of Education from January, 
1843. to May, 1847, and then again became a public 
market. In 1852 it was leased to private parties for 
market purposes at §200 a year, and in 1856 was 
turned over to the Fire Department for the use of 
the Hook and Ladder Company. In 1870 it was 
torn down to make room for the present offices of 
the Fire Commission and two engine-houses. 

T/w Cass Market. 

This building, a one-story brick, thirty by forty 
feet, costing §2,000, was first opened as a market 
on August 17, 1 866. It is on the south side of 
Adams Avenue at its intersection with Grand River 
Avenue. The site was given to the city by General 
Cass on condition that the city erect and maintain a 
market thereon. 

Market Clerks. 

These officers were provided for in the Act of 
1802, and the records show that in 1805 the trustees 
appointed John Connor to the office. From 1805 
to 181 5, during the administration of the Governor 
and Judges, there are no records concerning mar- 
kets. In 1816 the office of market clerk was 
revived, and has since been continuous. The origi- 
nal duties of this officer were to see that no unsound 
provisions were exposed for sale, and that cleanli- 
ness and good order were observed. From 1832 to 
1836 the salary was S90 yearly; in 1856 it was 
$400; in 1883 the sal.iry of the Central Market 
clerk was $1,320. Under the amended charter of 
February 21, 1849, the office was made elective, and 
so continued until the charter of 1S57 took effect, 



since which time the clerks have been appointed by 
the council. Prior to 1880 they were appointed in 
January of each year. Since amendment to cliartcr 
of 1879 they are appointed yearly on the second 
Tuesday of June. It is the duty of the clerk to 
collect fees from wagons bringing articles for sale, 
and also the rents of the stalls. 

The clerks of Woodward Avenue Market were : 
1816, John Meldrum; 1817, Duncan Reid; 1818, 
Asa Partridge; 1819, S. Blackmar; 1821, Samuel 
Sherwood; 1822-1824, Smith Knapp; 1824-1827, 
Thomas Knoulton; 1827, A. C. Caniff, S. Sher- 
wood; 1828, J. M. Wilson; 1829, N. B. Car- 
penter; 1830, John Roberts, L. T. Janney; 1831, 
Stephen Bain, Adna Merritt; 1S32, Owen Aldrich ; 

1833, L. Goodell; 1834, Israel Noble. 

The clerks of Berthelet Market were: 1831, 
Eben Beach; 1832, Alexander Campbell; 1833 and 

1834, Israel Noble; 1835 and 1836, D. Hayward ; 

1837, William Moon, Stephen Bain, John Weesc; 

1838, F. Borchardt, Stephen Bain, William Moon; 
1S39 and 1840, Hugh O'Beirne; 1841-1S44, T. 
Mettez; 1S44 and 1845, John McGuire. 

The clerks of the Washington Market were : 
1836, Israel Noble; 1837 and 1838, JohnCunis; 
1S39 and 1840, I. Noble; 1849, P. McDonald; 1850, 
Daniel Coghlan ; 1851 and 1852, William Barthello. 




The Central Market Kltluing. 

The clerks of the City Hall or Central Market 
have been: 1 840, Hugh O'Beirne ; 1841 and 1842, 
G.Paul; 1843 and 1844, T. Mettez ; 1845. David 
Weeks; 1846, H. Carroll; 1847, Edwin Wilcox; 
184S-1852, Francis McDonald; 1852, Dennis Lani- 
gan; 1S53 and 1854, J. C.Sabine; 1S54, F. Mc- 
Donald ; 1855 and 1856, John Robson ; 1857, David 
McLane; 185S and 1859, D. Lanigan; 1S60, R. C. 
Wright; 1S61, S. C.Webster; 1863 and 1683,6. 



796 



MARKETS, MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



Eggerman ; 1864 and 1865, M. Blay; 1866 and 
1S67, J. Regerny : 1868, Robert Hodgkin ; 1869 and 
1870. Peter Uunn; 1871, O. M. Bagley ; 1872, A. 
Lichtenberg; 1873 and 1874, 'O. M. Bagley ; 1875 
and 1876. D. W. Gray ; 1877, N. Johannes; 1878 
and 1879, Robert Mason; 1880- 1884, R. Poole; 
1884- , Hiram Jackson. 

Market Regulations. 

The third ordinance passed by the trustees in 1802 
concerned the market and provided that " no sales 
of meats, vegetables, grain, or flour be made else- 
where on Tuesdays or Fridays, from daybreak until 
12 M., under penalty of three dollars." 

At that time, and for many years after, it was not 
a strange or infrequent sight on Sunday to see 
Frenchwomen with vegetables, poultry, and eggs, 
and French carts with fish and flesh for sale. 
Indeed, the practice of .Sunday markets and market- 
ing so grew in favor that, in 1822, the Rev. Alfred 
Brunson. of the M. E. Church, and the Rev. Joshua 
Moore, of the Protestant Church, felt called upon to 
protest against it. They made so effectual an appeal 
that on November 29, 1823, the council ordered the 
markets closed on Sunday; and on December i, 
they were closed for the first time, and never after 
opened on the .Sabbath. After the establishment of 
the City Hall Market, in 1836, there were periodical 
quarrels in the Common Council concerning the 
opening and closing of both the Berthelet and 
Washington Markets, and at an election held March 
7, 1842, the question of whether one market, or all, 
should be kept open, was voted on. So frequently 
were these markets closed and opened that it would 
require a Philadelphia lawyer to compute the periods 
during which they were open or closed. The fol- 
lowing item from a current number of the Free 
Press indicates the feeling then e.xisting among a 
portion of the citizens. 

Pursuant to a call, by the Mayor, of the freemen of this city, a 
large and respectable meeting assembled at the City Hall, June 8, 
1840. The Mayor presided, James li. Watson acted as secretary. 
Major Kearsley addressed the meeting in favor of re-opening the 
markets, and the following resolutions were unanimously carried. 

Resolved^ that the Mayor and Aldermen are hereby requested 
and instructed to repeal their resolution closing the Berthelet and 
Washington Markets. 

Resolved^ that from henceforward all the markets in the city 
are directed to be kept open every day in the week, Sundays 
excepted, and that our servants, the Aldermen, reduce this our 
will to an ordinance at their next meeting. 

These resolutions, however, had no effect on the 
"ser\'ants," and the Berthelet remained closed for 
some months, and the Washington for many years. 

By ordinance of 1836 the market hours, from 
October i to .A.pril, were between " daylight and 10 
A. M.," and " from 3 p. M. till dark," and on Saturday 
" all day." From April i to October the hours were 



from " daylight to 9 a. m., and on Saturdays from 4 
p. m., till sunset," and no person could sell meat ex- 
cept in the market stalls. 

By ordinance of 1841 the market hours, for all 
days except Saturdays, were the same as in 1 836. 
On Saturdays, from March i to November, the 
market was to be opened from 4 to 9 p. m., and be- 
tween November i and March i. from 3 to 7:30 
p. M. 

The first ordinance in regard to forestalling by 
sales to the market-men was passed on December 
23, 1841. It prohibited any person, by himself or 
his agent, from purchasing to .sell again "any fresh 
fish, poultry, eggs, butter, fruit, or vegetables," and 
also the selling of said articles by any person for 
the purpose of being re-sold during the market 
hours " within the limits of Campus Martins or 
Michigan Grand Avenue, between Campus Martins 
and Bates Street ; in Randolph Street between 
Woodbridge Street and Detroit River ; in Atwater 
Street between Bates and Brush Streets, and the 
public grounds and alleys in the vicinity of the 
Berthelet Market." This ordinance was repealed 
and re-enacted at several different times and was 
finally repealed in 187 1. Up to 1853 no person was 
allowed to cut up and sell meat except at the 
market. Private meat markets were entirely un- 
known. 

By ordinance of March 29, 1853, licenses to sell 
in any part of the city could be obtained for $50 a 
year. On January 29, 1863. the price of licenses for 
meat markets was reduced to $5.00 per year. The 
comptroller and the committee on markets fix the 
minimum rent of the stalls and stands of all kinds 
on or before April I each year. In 1883 the stands 
in the vegetable market rented at from S6.00 to $15 
per month, and stalls in the new Central Market at 
from $25 to ^35 per month. The rents are payable 
monthly in advance. No person may rent more 
than two of the meat-stalls, and since 1863 no per- 
son whose stock in trade exceeds in value three 
hundred dollars is allowed to sell in the market dry 
goods, clothing, glass, earthenware, books, or sta- 
tionery. Under ordinance dating from January 2, 
1862. all persons bringing calves, sheep, or lambs in 
wagons for sale are required to pay the clerk of the 
market ten cents for each calf, and five cents for 
each sheep or lamb ; and since ordinance of April 2, 
1872, all persons offering produce for sale from 
wagons are required to pay ten cents daily. Since 
1878 the fees from the market-wagons have been 
collected in the following manner. The market clerk, 
supplied by the city comptroller with white tickets 
suitably inscribed, collects the fees from the wagons 
and gives the owner a white ticket. The clerk is 
followed by a policeman, who takes up the white 
tickets and gives yellow tickets in return. The 



MARKETS, MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



797 



clerk and policaman both report daily to the comp- 
troller, who compares their statements with the 
tickets issued. The total receipts from stalls and 
benches for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884. 
were ^6,590.90, and from wagons $3,078. 

In order to prevent the sale of unsound meat, the 
police commissioners, by Act of April 19, 1879, 
were authorized to appoint an inspector to visit 
slaughter-houses, and inspect carcasses, fruits, and 
vegetables exposed for food. Under this .•\ct a 
policeman has been detailed as inspector, and the 
law has proved advantageous by preventing the sale 
for food of unsound and unhealthy articles. 

Regulations as to Bread. 

The baker was an important personage in the 
early history of the town. Few people made their 
own bread, and as the baker had a monopoly of the 
business, he was necessarily under surveillance. The 
second ordinance passed by the trustees under the 
incorporation of 1802 prescribed the weight and cost 
of a loaf as " three pounds English weight, for six- 
pence New York currency." On account of the 
scarcity of flour the ordinance was repealed on 
August 28, 1802. 

On April 5, 18 16, the trustees made the following 
regulations : When flour was $7.00 per 100 pounds, 
the loaf was to weigh 3 pounds 13 ounces, and to 
be sold for 25 cents. 

At $6.00 per 100 pounds, a loaf of 4 pounds 4 
ounces was to be sold for 25 cents. 

At SS-oo per 100 pounds, a loaf of 5 pounds 4 
ounces was to be sold for 25 cents. 

At $4.00 per 100 pounds, a loaf of 3 pounds was 
to be sold for 12^ cents. 

At $3.00 per 100 pounds, a loaf of 3 pounds 10 
ounces was to be sold for 12^ cents. 

At $3.00 per 100 pounds, a loaf of i pound 13 
ounces was to be sold for 6J4 cents. 

The market price of flour was fixed by the trus- 
tees on the first Monday of each month, and oftener 
if necessary. On May 24, 1821, theyfi.xed the price 
of a five-pound loaf of bread at 12^ cents, and of a 
loaf weighing 2 pounds 8 ounces at i>% cents. By 
ordinance of 1824, the weight of bread was to be in 
accordance with the price of flour. A barrel of 
flour was estimated to produce 3,920 ounces of bread ; 
the baker was to be allowed twenty shillings per 
barrel for baking; this, added to the cost of the flour 
and divided by the number of ounces, was to deter- 
mine the weight of a shilling loaf. The council, 
from time to time, established the assize or regu- 
lation amount that a loaf must weigh. All " loaf 
bread" was required to be marked with the initial 
letters or the christian and surname of the baker ; 
and if not so marked was liable to forfeiture ; anil one 
or more inspectors were appointed to see that the 



regulations were observed. On January 15, 1842, 
the ordinance prescribing the price of a loaf of bread 
was displaced by an ordinance prescribing the 
weight only of loaves. With this ordinance the last 
relic of the ancient regime passed away, and no 
further attempt has been made by the council to 
determine the price of bread or of any other article. 
Under ordinance of 1871, bakers are required to 
obtain a permit, and are allowed to make only loaves 
of one, two, or four pounds weight. 

Scaler of Weights and Measures. 

This office was created in 1839, but no definite 
provision was made for it in the charter until 1857. 
On April 18, 1861, provision was made for city 
inspection and gauging of oils and licjuids, and N. 
B. Rowley, who was then city sealer, was appointed 
inspector and ganger, but none were afterwards ap- 
pointed. In 1S67 the inspection of weights and 
measures was transferred to the police, and since 
then the work has been performed by a policeman. 
Ijuring 1883 he approved 2,544 wine measures, 
and condemned 406 ; he also approved 2,289 dry 
measures and condemned 670; during the .same 
year he tested 2,517 scales and condemned 468. 

The following persons served as sealers of weights 
and measures: 1839-1842, John Farmer; 1842- 
1844, A. H. Dodge; 1844-1846, A. A. Wilder; 
1846, J. N. McFarlane, Russell Robinson; 1847, 
Isaac Warren; 1848-1850, Abijah Joy; 1 851, John 
Koehler; 1852, David Esdell. Jr.; 1853-1857, City 
Clerk ex-offieio; 1857, William -Sales; 1858, B. 
McDonald; 1859, J. M. Holbrook; 1860-1S62, N. 
B.Rowley; 1862-1864, William A. Henry; 1864- 
1866, A. Holdereid; 1866, M. McLaughlin. 

Wood Markets. 

The first ordinance concerning the inspection of 
wood was passed on January 11, 1826. Under this 
ordinance, and a subsequent one of July 2, 1834, 
one or more inspectors were appointed by the coun- 
cil each year. They measured all wood brought to 
the city for sale, and were paid six and one fourth 
cents for each certificate of measurement. After 
the Act of February 21, 1849, the inspectors were 
elected by the people, but in 1857 the council was 
again given the power of appointment. By ordi- 
nance of March 4, 1858. and amended ordinances 
of March 7, 1859, and November 29. 1869, the city 
was divided into four districts, and four inspectors 
were appointed, whose fees were : for measuring a 
one-horse load, five cents; a two-horse load, ten 
cents ; for wood arriving in boats, ten cords or less, 
ten cents a cord ; and for all over ten cords, five 
cents a cord. 

.A.n amended ordinance of Februar\' 23, 1872, 
provided that only two inspectors should be ap- 



798 



MARKETS, MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



pointed. By an ordinance of 1836 all wagons with 
wood for sale were to stand on the Campus Martins ; 
but since 1 849 the wood and hay markets have been 
united, and located elsewhere ; the wood for the 
poor is stored at the market-grounds, and formerly 
the wood inspectors were paid $40 a year for filling 
orders given on them, reporting weekly in detail all 
orders thus filled. They received all the fees, but 
were required to report on oath, quarterly, on the 
first of January, April, July, and October, the 
amount of fees received the previous quarter. In 
1881 the salary was fixed at $528 a year, and since 
then all fees have been paid into the city treasur)'. 
These fees for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1S83, 
amounted to only $631.70. By ordinance of Feb- 
ruary 20, 1884, this office and its duties were merged 
with those of the poundmaster's, and all appoint- 
ments of wood inspectors as such ceased with 
■ 883. 

The following persons served as inspectors : 
1 834-1 836, James H. Cook; 1836, J. H. Cook, 
Israel Noble; 1S37, R. Chamberlain, Versal Rice, 
John Brunson ; 1 838, J. W. Hinchman, F. Borchardt ; 
1839, J. H. Cook, F. Borchardt; 1840 and 1S41. 
J. J. Cicotte, F. Borchardt; 1S42, N. Greusel, Jr. 
F. L'E.sperance ; 1S43, N. Greusel, Jr.. .\. H. 
Dodge, M. Gooding; 1844, N. Greusel, Jr., Henry 
Carrol ; 1845, J. A. Stephens, H. Carrol, N. Greusel, 
Jr., S. C. Webster; 1846, S. C. Webster, J. A. 
Stephens; 1847, N. Greusel, Jr., J. A. Stephens, J. 
P. Hopkins; 1848-1850, T. S. Sprague, David 
Weeks; 1850, John Phillips, F. L'Esperance, O. 
McDermott; 1851, J. W. Daly, J. Phillips, F. 
L'Esperance, E. S. Morse ; 1852, F. L'Esperance, 
O. Donnell, M. Schrick ; 1S53, F. L'Esperance, M. 
Schrick, J. Northrup ; 1854, F. L'Esperance, D. 
Lanigan, Charles Lappen ; 1855, F. L'Esperance, 
H. Decker, A. Wing; 1858, F. L'Esperance, Wil- 
liam Barry ; 1859, James Henry, C. A. Minard, 
C. F. KuU. 

E.\sr District, ON Dock.— 1860-1862, J. H. 
Smith; 1862-1S63, Charles Jepkins ; 1S64, Robert 
Reaume ; 1865-1866, John Pratt ; 1867- 1868, Louis 
Lebot ; 1869-1870, J. Caspary ; 1871, Louis Lebot. 

East District, on M.\rket. — 1860, W. Pen- 
field, G. Bolio ; 1 86 1, Charles Kamminski; 1862- 
1863, Michael Schrick; 1864-1865, N. Christa ; 
1866-1867, Caspar Geist ; 1868, John Huber; 1S69, 
Chas. H. Damm ; 1870, Andrew Huber; 1S71, Geo. 
O. Walker. 

West District, on Dock.— i860, J.Henry; 
1861, F. Funke; 1862, Geo. Weber; 1863-1864, 
Jas. Shields; 1 865-1 866, Thos. Halloran; 1867, M. 
Lentz; 1868, J. Neuschafer; 1869, Michael Hays; 
1870, D. Donovan; 1871, Luke Crossly. 

West District, on M.\rket. — 1860, C. Min- 
ard; 1 86 1, Wm. Ball; 1862, Mathias Lentz; 1863- 



1866, John O'Connell ; 1867, Charles Dougherty; 
1868, Alexander Paton ; 1869-1870, Michael Nolan ; 
1871, F. C. Niepoth. 

East District. — 1872, Geo. O. Walker ; 1873, 
F. Vermeulen ; 1874-1875, Harris Jacobs; 1876, 
F. Vermeulen;' 1877, J. Lemkie ; 1878, J. Muer; 
1879, C. Hatie; 1880, E. Fiertz ; 18S1, J. Eipper ; 
1882-1883, H. Strubel, 

West District. — 1872, F. C. Niepoth; 1873- 
1875, Robert Hamilton ; 1876, J. Zimmerman; 1877- 
1878, Peter Zens ; 1879-1883, J. Zimmerman. 

Hay Markets. 

The office of weighmaster dates from April i, 
1S18. The first scales were located on the north 
side of Jefferson Avenue near the corner of Ran- 
dolph Street. The old blockhouse, with second 
story projecting over the first, afforded a shelter for 
the scales, which consisted of an immense pair of 
steelyards, the wagon and hay being lifted bodily 
by means of an iron chain passed around them. 
Three shillings a load were allowed for weighing. 
The scales remained at the old blockhouse until 
April, 1827, when they were moved to the northeast 
corner of Earned and Wayne Streets, in front of the 
lot afterwards occupied by the Washington Market. 
In 1833 they were sold, and in November of the 
same year scales were located on the corner of Bates 
and Earned Streets. In November, 1835, their use 
was discontinued, and the council contracted with 
WiUiam Grist to erect hay-scales on the corner of 
Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street, and at the 
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. 
Mr. Grist erected the scales, and owned them until 
March 27, 1849, when they were bought by the 
council. The upper ones were then rented for $140, 
and the lower, on the corner Wayne Street, for $60 a 
year. In April, 1850, the hay-scales were removed 
from the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph 
Street to Michigan Grand Avenue, at its junction 
with Randolph Street. In June, 1855, they were 
removed from the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 
Wayne Street, and located on the north side of 
Grand River Avenue on the Cass Farm. The same 
year the scales were moved from Michigan Avenue 
to Hastings Street, south of and near the Gratiot 
Road. In May, i860, the Western District scales 
were removed from the Grand River Road to the 
north side of Michigan Avenue between Third and 
Fourth Streets; and in November, 1868, the city 
rented about three hundred feet square of Mr. 
Beecher, on the south side of Michigan Avenue, 
between Tenth and Twelfth Streets, for a hay and 
wood market. In 1875 these markets were moved 
to their present location, on the northwest comer of 
Michigan and Trumbull Avenues, the city paying 
an annual rent of $500 for use of the grounds. 



MARKETS. MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



799 



In the spring of 1870 the Eastern District hay 
and wood market was moved from Hastings Street 
to its present location on Russell Street, near the 
House of Correction, where it occupies part of the 
old City Cemetery. 

During a portion of the years prior to 1850, while 
the scales were owned by the weighmaster. he was 
continued in office either by an implied agreement 
or a definite contract. By the charter of 1849, 
weighmasters were elected directly by the ])eople. 
In 1857 the power of appointment was again lodged 
with the council. In t88i the fees were one and a 
half cents a hundred for weighing hay, straw, and 
coal ; ten cents per head for cattle, and five cents 
for sheep. 

Prior to i S79 the weighmasters paid a rental of 
from S75 to $150 a year for the scales, and were 
entitled to all the fees collected. Since the year 
named, the weighmasters have been paid a salary. 
All the fees now go to the city, and for the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1884, they amounted to 
$4,991.20. 

The weighmasters have been: 1S18, D. C. Mc- 
Kinstry; 1819, S. Blackmar; 1820, Asa Partridge; 
1821, Robert Garrett; 1829-1835, Francis Rugard ; 
1835, James H. Hawley; 1836-1842, C. M. Bull; 
1 842- 1 849, William Grist. 

Upper. — 1S49, A. W. Sprague; 1S50, Louis Du- 
pont ; 1851-1S52, C. H. Damm ; 1853, A. A. Bur- 
hans; 1S54, L. Dupont; 1855-1857, E. Lebot. 

Lower. — 1849, C. G. Blindbury; 1850, P. Mc- 
Ginnis ; 1851, J. Northrup ; O. B. Wilmarth ; 1852, 
O. B. Wilmarth ; 1S54-1855, C. H. Damm ; 1856- 
John Lane. 

East Dkstrict. — 1858, Peter Campau ; 1859- 
1860, E. Benoit; l86j, J. McGrath ; 1862-1864, C. 
Dubois; 1864-1865, John Andre; 1866-1867, J. 
Dederichs ; 1868, C. H. Damm; 1869, N.Schwartz; 
1870, A. Kremer; 1871-1872, D. Sheehan ; 1873- 
1S74. G. O. Walker; 1875, A. O'Keefe ; 1876, P. 
A. Rowland ; 1877, J. Erhard ; 1878-1879, P. Dunn ; 
1880, J. Clemens; 1881, J. Clements; 1882-1884, 
J, Clements; 1884- , Henry Lemmer. 

West Di.strict. — 1858, John Lane; 1839, R. 
Gibbings; i860, T. .\Iaybury ; 1861, Russell Gage; 
1862-1864, D. Donovan ; 1865-1869, J. L. Matthews; 
1867-1868, John Walsh; 1869-1870. P. Shanahan : 
i87i,J. Love; 1872-1873, D. Dickson ; 1873-1875, 
George Baker ; 1876, H. Smith ; 1877, D. Shanahan ; 
1878, T. .Mahoney; 1879, D. E. Noonan ; 1S80, 
Robert Kno.x; 1881, C. Lynch; 1882-1884, Robert 
Knox; 1884- , Peter Ohlert, 

Prices of Different Articles at Various Times, 
The prices of articles at different times afford a 
fair inde.x of the growth of population and produc- 
tion, and of the increase in facilities for transporta- 



tion. Under the practically mercantile rule of the 
first colony of 1701, the price of almost everything 
was determined by the few traders licensed by the 
company, and the measure of the ability of the 
people to pay was the principal factor in the fixing 
of prices. The prices of products of the soil were, 
of course, determined solely by the amount raised 
and needed for home consumption. In 1726 wheat 
was from ten shillings to twelve shillings per bushel ; 
Indian corn, seven shillings to nine shillings per 
bushel ; eggs, twenty to twenty-five cents per dozen ; 
onions, one dollar a hundred ; cows, $18 to $20, and 
calves §5.00 to .|6.oo. There was but little varia- 
tion in these prices up to the time of the coming of 
the English in 1760. Sailing vessels were then 
introduced, and there was more competition among 
the merchants. The account-book of Thomas 
Smith, of 1778, shows that coffee was thirty-eight 
cents and tea two dollars per pound ; calico, si.\ 
shillings a yard; flour, £\o, and pork /15 per 
barrel ; apples, sixty shillings per bushel, and tobacco 
sixteen shillings per pound. Slaves were worth 
from ^180 to /260 New York currency. In an old 
Macomb ledger of 1780 to 1783, charges are made 
at the following rates ; brown sheeting and bed- 
ticking, each five shillings a yard ; molasses, twenty 
shillings to thirty-two shillings ; vinegar, sixteen 
shillings, and rum forty shillings per gallon ; salt, ^4 
to ^10 per barrel; almonds, .six shillings; cheese, 
whiting, soap, and butter, four shillings per pound 
each ; starch, six shillings ; shot, two shillings ; 
coffee, twelve shillings ; nails, two shillings and six- 
pence ; candles, five shillings ; pig-tail tobacco, .six- 
teen shillings ; and sugar, three shillings per pound ; 
cinnamon, four shillings an ounce ; eggs, four shil- 
lings, and nutmegs, six shillings per dozen \ flour, 
^5 per hundredweight; corn, twenty shillings to 
twenty-four shillings, and oats sixteen shillings per 
bushel ; smoothing irons were six shillings each ; 
slate-pencils one shilling each, and slates twelve 
shillings; bread was three shillings a loaf. In 1784 
the winter \vas so severe that bakers charged a 
Spanish dollar per pound for bread. Board was 
charged at £t, per month. 

Mr. Weld, who traveled through this region in 
1796, said : 

The stores and shops of the town are well furnished, and you 
may buy fine cloth, linen, &c., and every article of wearing ap- 
parel, as good of their kind, and on nearly as reasonable terras, as 
you can purchase in New York or Philadelphia. 

At this time salt was very scarce, and the inhabi- 
tants were frequently distressed for want of it. 
Coffee was five sliillings and starch four shillings 
per pound, and cotton cloth six shillings a yard. 
Two years later, in 1798, alum, chalk, putty, and 
loaf-sugar were each four shillings a pound ; bricks, 



8oo 



MARKETS, MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



six dollars a thousand, and wood six shillings a cord. 
In 1803 and 1805 prices were as follows : fine-tooth 
combs, five shillings each ; calico, six shillings a yard ; 
shot and lead, two shillings a pound ; powder, eight 
shillings, coffee six shillings, white sugar five shil- 
lings, cheese two shillings and sixpence, pepper six 
shillings, and soap four shillings to eight shillings 
per pound ; candles were one shilling each ; com, 
eight shillings, and salt four dollars to six dollars a 
bushel; labor, two shillings a day. In 1807 nails 
were two shillings a pound, and iron pots were sold 
at eighteen and three fourths cents per pound. 

Ordinary laborers were paid three shillings per 
day for twelve hours work ; the ten-hour system 
began in 1833. In 180S the following prices ob- 
tained : tallow candles were four shillings and butter 
and cheese each two shillings a pound ; whiskey, 
eight shillings a gallon ; oats, four shillings, and 
corn six shillings per bushel ; bearskins sold at 
twenty-four shillings, mink at three shillings, otter 
at twenty shillings, and raccoon and inuskrat at two 
shillings and sixpence each. In 1809 Hour wasS5.5o 
and in 1 8 10, $12 per barrel. 

The War of 181 2 made all articles scarce and 
dear. Nails were thirty-one and one fourth cents a 
pound; corn, $1.00 and $2.00, and potatoes $2.00 a 
bushel; hay, Si.ooa hundredweight; flour. §12.00 
a barrel ; butter, seventy-five cents, cheese sixty 
cents, and beef twenty-four cents a pound ; eggs, 
four shillings per dozen ; whiskey, $4.00 per gallon ; 
turkeys were Ss-oo apiece ; pork, S35.00 a barrel ; 
wood, on account of the scarcity of labor. S5.50 a 
cord. In 1814 flour was $8.00, and in 1816 and 
1817, $14.00 per barrel. In the years last named, 
potatoes were $2.00 a bushel, or two shillings a 
dozen,; beef and pork, $18.00 per barrel; and corn, 
$1.62 per bushel. In January. 1819, butter was 
forty-four cents per pound ; hyson tea, $3.00 per 
pound; milk, twelve cents a quart; eggs, fifty cents 
a dozen ; wood, $4.00 per cord. For one turkey, 
two pigs, or two bushels of potatoes, an acre of land 
could be bought. Mutton at this time was one 
shilling, and beef eight cents to ten cents a pound ; 
pork, $20.00 to $25.00 per barrel. In 1820 flour 
was down to $5.00 ; beef and pork, to $7.00 per 
barrel. In 1821 wood was $2.50 a cord, and wool 
three shillings per pound. In February, 1823, beef 
and pork were each $4.00 per himdred ; venison, 
two cents a pound ; turkeys, six shillings, geese four 
shillings, ducks three shillings, and chickens nine- 
teen cents a pair ; apples five shillings, wheat four 
shillings and sixpence, corn three shillings, oats two 
shillings, beans $1.00, and potatoes three shillings 
per bushel ; maple-sugar five cents, cheese ten cents, 
and beeswax twenty-six cents per pound ; whiskey, 
two shillings a gallon ; pine boards, $3.00 to $12.00, 
shingles $1.75, and laths $10.00 per thousand ; lime, 



seventy-five cents a barrel ; and cotton stockings 
ten shillings per pair. In 1825 flour sold as low as 
$3.00 per barrel ; quails for one shilling, and eggs 
for six cents a dozen. In 1830 flour was $4.50 per 
barrel, and pure cider $2.00. 1837 was the year of 
high prices. Flour was from $11.00 to $16.00 per 
barrel, potatoes $2.00, and cornmeal twelve shillings 
per bushel, but these prices were not of long con- 
tinuance. The panic and scarcity of money soon 
caused a reduction, and in 1838 flour was down to 
$8.00 per barrel, and sugar was fourteen cents per 
pound. In 1839 corn was so scarce that it com- 
manded S4.00 per bushel, but in 1840 it sold for 
eighty-five cents. In 1842 flour was very low, the 
best selling for $2.25 per barrel. In 1844 quota- 
tions were as follows : wheat seventy cents, corn 
thirty-one cents, oats two shillings, and potatoes 
twenty cents per bushel; flour, $3.82; mess pork, 
$10.00, and salt $1.38 per barrel; hickory wood. 
$1.75 a cord ; hay, $5.00 per ton; fresh butter, two 
shillings, lard and cheese six cents, and tallow seven 
cents a pound ; dressed chickens, two shillings a 
pair ; green hides, three and one half cents, and dry 
seven cents a pound ; beef and pork, $2- 50 to $3.00 
per hundred ; nails, $5.00 a keg ; buckwheat llour, 
$1.00 a hundred. 

A Detroit daily of August 5, 1 847, thus complains : 

High Market Prices. — Why is ir that the citizens of this city 
sliould be ta.xed so high for every delicacy of the season, when it 
is surrounded, as it is, by hardy and industrious fanners? Think 
of it, ye men with families to support, ye Hotel and Tavern 
keepers all,— one dollar a bushel for potatoes ! .\nd in the city 
of New York they are selling for seventy-five cents ! Ten to 
twelve cents a dozen for green corn ; three shillings a dozen for 
tomatoes; fourteen cents a pounds for butter; twelve cents and 
a half per dozen for eggs ; eighteen and three fourths to twenty- 
five cents a pair for young spring chickens ; seven cents a pound 
for beef; five cents for veal and mutton, and thirty-one and a 
fourth or thirty-seven and a half cents for a quarter of a lamb. 

In 1S54 railroad connections were made with the 
East, and prices have been more equal since that time. 

The prices, in 1854, were: butter, twenty-four 
cents, brown sugar six cents, coffee sugar nme cents, 
tallow candles sixteen cents, Rio coffee eighteen 
cents, and lard tvvelve cents per pound ; oats were 
forty cents, onions fifty cents, potatoes seventy-five 
cents, and apples seven shillings per bushel ; bread 
was nine cents a loaf, and flour $9.00 a barrel. 

In 1861, on account of the war, brown sugar ad- 
vanced from six and seven cents to eleven cents and 
twelve cents, and all kinds of spices from fifty to 
one hundred per cent. In November, 1862, prices 
were : beech and maple wood, #3.25 per cord ; flour 
two and a half cents to three cents, cornmeal one 
and a half cents, mess pork six to seven cents, butter 
twelve to fourteen cents, coffee twenty-five cents, 
and brown sugar ten cents per pound ; potatoes, 
five shillings per bushel. 



MARKETS, MARKETING, AND PRICES. 



80 1 



Between March and December, 1864, the same With the close of the war, prices began to decline, 

quality of brown sugar advanced from sixteen to in most cases reaching ante -war prices about 
twenty-six cents per pound. 1876. 



CHAPTER LXXIX. 

MANUFACTURING ADVANTAGES— ARTICLES PRODUCED— LEADING 

ESTABLISHMENTS. 



The advantages of Detroit as a manufacturing 
center have never receiv'ed the attention that their 
number and importance demand. No city in 
America is more favorably situated, and few cities 
possess so many necessary and desirable conditions 
for successful manufacturing. In considering its 
resources and facilities, there is no occasion for far- 
fetched reasoning or exaggerated representation : 
the mere recital of the facts will amply prove the 
claim of superior advantages. It is well known 
that iron, copper, lead, and wood enter largely into 
the composition of all articles manufactured, and the 
location of Detroit in the midst of the chief sources 
of supply of these materials gives it unequalled 
manufacturing facilities. Lake Superior iron, a pro- 
duct of our own State, is proved by actual test to 
be equal to any. The State produces mor£ iron ore 
than any other, and of pig-iron our furnaces treble 
the product of any other State. The largest iron 
mine in the world is in Michigan ; and during 1883 
the several furnaces of Detroit turned out 29,454 
tons of pig-iron. Our copper yield is famed for its 
purity, and supplies almost the entire world. 

The largest copper smelting works in the United 
States are located at Detroit and Hancock. The 
lead mines of the adjacent States are celebrated, 
and their products are easily obtained. The grind- 
stone quarries, just above Detroit, are famous the 
world over, and within forty miles of the city 
superior sand for glass is found and successfully 
employed. 

Michigan produces more lumber than any other 
State. Pine, walnut, oak, maple, hickory, butter- 
nut, and ash are relatively cheap and abundant, and 
other kinds of wood are so plentiful that charcoal is 
cheaply made. Boxes and barrels for packing pur- 
poses can be made at a price that admits of no 
competition. The soil and climate are especially 
favorable for the growth of willows, and the finest 
qualities, tougher than those of Europe, are grown 
in this vicinity. 

Plaster for manufacturing use is obtained in quan- 
tities from native beds in Michigan, and a large 
supply of the best brick-clay is found near Detroit. 
Immense supplies of limestone and sand e.xist in the 
county, and these, with home-made Imnber, give 
unusual building facilities. 



Manufacturing sites can be purchased at lower 
rates than near other cities of the same size. At 
anytime during the five years preceding 18S3, in 
either large or small quantities, and both inside and 
outside of the city, lands could be bought for from 
$300 to $600 per acre, with every facility in the way 
of side tracks or pro.ximity to railroad lines. 

The city fronts on a river with which few streams 
in the world compare either in volume or rapidity, 
and it is especially noteworthy that the river never 
dries up, or injures by overflow the property on its 
margin. Either by direct individual connection or 
through the immense pumping works of the city, it 
affords at low cost a supply of water in unlimited 
quantity that is always pure and the supply certain. 

Michigan coal is mined almost at our doors, and 
the coal regions of the Buckeye and Keystone 
States are within easy reach. 

Cord-wood is obtained in any quantity at reason- 
able rates from Northern Michigan and Canada. 
The average prices of various articles during the 
five years from 1S75 to 1880 were: flat-bar, round, 
and square iron, $2.25 per one hundred pounds ; 
copper, 20 cents per pound ; lead, 6 cents ; plaster, 
per barrel, .$1.75 ; lime, 75 cents per barrel; stone, 
$13.00 per toise ; brick, common, S5.00. and stock, 
S6.50 per thousand; good common lumber, §15.00 
per thousand ; lump-coal for stationary engines, 
S3.65 ; nut-coal, $2.65 ; hard cord-wood, S5.00, soft, 
$3.50 per cord ; charcoal, 8 cents per bushel of 
twenty pounds ; hard-wood lumber: black walnut, 
$60; cherry, $35 ; white-ash, $22 ; oak, $18; maple, 
$16, and butternut, $50. These figures give a fair 
indication of later and present prices. 

Located on the lakes, and yet far east on the line 
of water communication, Detroit has a more favored 
position than any other western city ; it is below the 
line of the excessive cold of INIackinaw and Lake 
Superior, therefore vessels can antl do run to and 
from this port several weeks earlier and later than 
from points farther west. The railroad connections 
and facilities are abundant and growing. That we 
possess favorable opportunities for shipping is evi- 
denced by the fact that large quantities of goods are 
e.xported to every country on the globe. 

The State debt is practically extinguished and 
the sinking fund of the city is greater than its 



[802] 







o 

5= «• 






8o4 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



debt. The city taxation averai^'es but little over one 
per cent, and state and county taxation combined 
is only about one third as much. These rates are 
far below those of other cities as large and well 
improved. 

The advantajjes afforded to employees are scarce 
equalled. Not five cities in the country have so 
large a proportion of homes owned by their occu- 
pants. This is because lots and building material are 
so moderate in price. All kinds of food are abun- 
dant and reasonably cheap. Wheat, corn, cattle, 
sheep, hogs, poultry, and vegetables are leading 
articles of production in Michigan, and we ha\'e the 
largest fresh-water fisheries in the United States. 
The climate is generally equable and mild, and in 
the city the death-rate averages only about twenty 
in a thousand per year. 

The amount of capital invested in manufacturing 
enterprises in 1880 was estimated at $20,000,000, 
and the annual product at $35,000,000. 

The following is an alphabetical summary of the 
principal articles actually manufactured in Detroit : 
Awnings, ale, alcohol, artificial limbs, boilers, brooms, 
baskets, bolts and nuts, blank-books, blinds, 
brackets, beds, bedding, bridges, bluing, bricks, 
barrels, bread, bungs, boats, belting, boxes, boots, 
bags, billiard tables, baking powder, castings, cars, 
car wheels and springs, candles, cigars, carbon, cof- 
fins, combs, chemicals, confectionery, cornices, cut- 
lery, caps, corsets, clothing, copperware, crocks, 
casks, capsules, clothes-pins, crackers, carriages, 
children's cabs, chairs, carpets, chewing gum, doors, 
door-knobs, electrotypes, engines, emery wheels, 
extracts, edge tools, earthenware, electrical instru- 
ments, furniture, furs, frames, flour, files, faucets, 
fences, fertilizers, fanning mills, gold pens, guns, 
glue, gloves, glass, horse collars, hats, harness, hoop 
skirts, iron, iron pipe, ink, jewelry, journal metal and 
boxes, knit goods, lead pipe, lime, lounges, linseed 
oil, lasts, leather, lumber, maps, machinery, monu- 
ments, mittens, matches, mattresses, malleable iron- 
ware, mantel-pieces, medicines, mouldings, organs, 
pails, photographs, picture-frames, plaster figures, 
perfumery, pulleys, paint, putty, pianos, pipes, pins, 
pills, paper, rope, roofing, stoves, shoes, soap, sash, 
spectacles, saw-gummers, sleds, show-cases, statu- 
ary, safes, saws, sawing machines, sleighs, steel, 
stoneware, ship-blocks, sewer-pipe, stained glass, 
signs, sails, shafting, stamped ware, screws, 
shirts, stencil-plates, tea-caddies, tinware, twine, 
tobacco, tiles, trunks, tubs, tombstones, umbrellas, 
vinegar, varnish, wagons, wine, wood-cuts, wood- 
working machinery, window shades and screens, 
watches, whips, windmills, white lead, washboards, 
wigs, wire goods, wooden and willow ware, yeast. 

Illustrations are given of several of the more im- 
portant and enterprising manufacturing establish- 



ments, with a few items as to the character and ex- 
tent of their business. Some of them have been in 
operation only a short time, and for this reason the 
amount of their products is relatively small. 

The Michigan Car Company and the Detroit Car 
Wheel Company. 

Both of the above corporations are under one 
management, and together form the largest estab- 
lishment of the kind in the United States. • 

The officers are as follows : James McMillan, 
president ; Hugh McMillan, vice-president and gen- 
eral manager; James McGregor, general superin- 
tendent; W. K. Anderson, treasurer; Joseph Taylor, 
secretary; Hugh W. Dyar, assistant manager; J. 
Hill Whiting, superintendent of foundries. In 
these establishments and accessory works, such as 
furnaces and steam-forges, all managed by these 
corporations, a capital of one and a quarter million 
dollars is represented. They make box, stock, plat- 
form, coal, ore, and refrigerator cars. The works 
were established 1865, and moved to their present 
location at the Grand Trunk Junction in 1S73. 
They occupy thirty acres, and when fully employed 
require 2,500 men, and can turn out thirty cars,three 
hundred and fifty car-wheels, one hundred axles, 
and sixty tons of iron per day. During 1883 there 
were used at these works 47,000 tons of iron, and 
probably 30,000,000 feet of lumber, and a total of 
4,500 cars and 46.000 wheels were made. Since the 
works began, they have made 48,731 cars. Placed 
close together in one long train, they would reach 
two hundred and eighty-four miles, or across the 
State of Michigan and beyond Chicago. As many 
as two thousand cars have been made for one com- 
pany, and so many different companies have patron- 
ized the works that it is literally true that cars built 
in Detroit run constantly in every State and Terri- 
tory, and in all the Canadian Provinces. 

The Detroit Steet and Spring JVorks. 

This company is officered with .Alexander De 
Lano as president, C. P. C"lioate as vice-president 
and general manager, and H. R. Newberry as sec- 
retary and treasurer. The company was incor- 
porated in May, 1S79, and began operations the 
same year. The works are located at Detroit 
Junction. Their chief .specialty is spring-steel, loco- 
motive and car-springs. They also make large 
quantities of steel for use in the manufacture of 
agricultural instruments and for the trade. During 
1883 the works produced 6,200 tons of steel and 
made 5,000 tons of steel car-springs. Their ship- 
ments reach not only all parts of our own land, but 
also South America and Australia. 

Besides the car-works named, there are also 
located at Detroit 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



805 



The Peninsular Car Works. 
The officers of this corporation are Frank J. 
Hecker, jjresident, manat(er. and treasurer, and 
C. L. Freer, vice-president and secretary. The 
works established in 
1880 were located 
on the river, be- 
tween Walker and 
Adair Streets ; dur- 
ing 1S84 they were 
moved to a large 
tract of land near 
the Detroit & Mil- 
waukee Railroad 
Junction. During 
1S83 they buiU 
4,136 cars. In con- 
nection with their 
works the company 
operate the Detroit 
steam- forge, and 
control large car- 
works at Adrian. 
With the addition 

of their product, the city ranks as the most extensive 
car manufacturing center in the world. 

The Russel Wheel and Foundry Company. 

This establishment is located at the foot of Walker 
Street. The officers are George H. Russel, presi- 
dent; Walter S. Russel, vice-president and super- 



lUMm.-^^ 



car wheels, and during 1SS3 2.600 tons of castings 
were produced. Logging, lumber, and mill-yard 
cars are a specialty in this establishment, and their 
cars are in use in all the southern and western 




r 



,^rtteyk>-^' 








Ofpicf. 



intendcnt 
treasurer. 



and John R. Russel. secretary and 
The works were established in 1876 and 
the company incorporated in January, 1S83. Up to 
the beginning of 18S4 the company had made 36,000 



DeTKUII bTEtL AND Sl'KlNG W uKKS. 

Near R. R. Junction in Springwells, Built in 1879-82. 



States. The company make all kinds of car-sheaves 
and architectural iron-work, and do general jobbing 
and machine work, melting as high as twelve tons 
of iron per day. 

The Dciroit Bridge and Iron Worlcs. 

This company is officered with W. S. Pope as 
president and engineer; 
W. C. Colburn, secretary 
and treasurer; and W. 
L. Baker, superintendent. 
They have built some of 
the longest bridges in the 
land. Their works, occu- 
pying si.x acres on Foun- 
dry Street, a few blocks 
south of Michigan Ave- 
nue, were established in 
1863. In 1S83 they used 
a capital of $300,000. 
They build steel, iron, 
and combination bridges, 
viaducts, railroad turn 
and transfer tables, and 
other structural iron 
work. During 1882 sev-en 
thousand tons of iron 
were used, and bridges 
erected in all parts of the 
country. Some of the more notable bridges they 
h.tve erected, and their cost, are as follows: 

Over the Mississippi River at lUirlington, 2,250 
feet long; cost, $1,200,000. Over the Mississippi 



■^-2m:c:^ ^^ 



,ND WouKs OF Russel Wheel and Foundry Co., 
Foot of Walker Street, Buili in 1880. 



8o6 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



River at Quincy, 3,700 feet long; cost, §1.700,000. 
Over the Mississippi River at Hannibal, 1,600 feet 
long; cost, §750,000. Over the Missouri River at 
Bismarck, 1,440 feet long; cost, $470,000. Over 
the Missouri River at St. Joseph, 1,350 feet long; 
cost, $1,000,000. 




Detroit Bridge and Iron Works, between Foundry Street and M. C. R. R. 



bearings. Clamor's Ajax journal metal, and the 
Fulton bronze journal bo.xes are worthy of special 
notice. Of the Hopkins journals, five hundred tons 
are made yearly. The Champion tire bender and 
Stoddard's lightning tire upsetter are made at these 
works. Orders for these various products come 

from all parts of 
the country-. 



The Buhl Iron 
Works 

was incorpor- 
ated June 5 , 
1880, and i.s the 
successor of the 
Detroit Loco- 
motive Works, 
established in 
1854. The ori- 
ginal company, 
between 1855 
and 1859, built 
forty-two loco- 
motives and re- 
paired a large 
number. The 
officers of the 
company are C. 



The Fit //on Iron and En- 
i^lnc ]\'orks 

were established in 1851 
by Johnston, Wayne, & 
C o m p a n y. The works 
are now conducted by a 
corporation, with James 
McMillan as president. 
Hugh McMillan as secre- 
tary, and J. B. Wayne as 
manager and treasurer. 
Nearly one hundred and 
fifty steam engines, of from 
eight to two hundred horse- 
power, are here manufac- 
tured every year, including 
blast, threshing, rolling, 
mining, and mill engines, 
also boilers of all kinds ; 
iron work for saw-mills, 
architectural iron-work, 
mining and blast-furnace 
and elevator machinery, 
and iron and brass cast- 
ings of all kinds. Among 
their specialties, Hopkins's 
patent lead-lined journal 








r Siiii'i!'j'[ii 




Fulton Ikon and Engine Works, 
Southeast comer of Woodbridge and Brush Streets. Built in 1856-69. 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



807 



H. Buhl, president ; D. 
R. Peirce, secretary and 
treasurer; and J. W. 
Bartlctt, mechanical su- 
perintendent. The works 
are on the northwest cor- 
ner of Lamed and Third 
Streets, reaching through 
to Congress Street. They 
manufacture engines and 
boilers of all kinds and 
sizes also iron and brass 
castings of every sort, 
and particular attention 
is given to repair work. 
Of their largest engines, 
one was a compound 
beam-engine built in 1 876 
for the Detroit Water 
Works, and another, a 
double compound revers- 
ing engine with two high 
and two low pressure 
cylinders, each of forty- 
two inch stroke. With 
this last engine a steel 
rail one hundred and 
thirty feet long can be 




Buhl Iron Works, 
Comer of Third and Lamed Streets. 



Built 




Eagle Iron anu Engine Wukks, 
as4 to 264 Woodbridge Street, northwest corner of Fifth Street. 



Built in 1853-S2. 



made in one minute and 
a half, and half of this 
time is consumed in stop- 
ping and reversing the 
engine. With the engine 
was furnished the entire 
steel plant of the North 
Chicago Rolling Mill, and 
over seventy cars were 
employed in its trans- 
portation. Another piece 
of work was the manu- 
facture for the Detroit 
\\'ater Works of four 
miles of iron pipe, forty- 
two inches in diameter. 
It is a fact reflecting 
great credit on this cor- 
poration and its predeces- 
sor, that from 1854, when 
the works began, the 
wages of employees have 
been paid in cash on 
ever)' pay-day, and in 
every instance during the 
long period of nearly 
thirty years, by the pres- 
ent secretary- and treas- 
urer of the company. 



8o8 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



The Eagle Iron ]]'orks. 
This is one of the new- 
est of our industries. It 
was established in 1SS2 
in the buildings on Fifth 
Street, extending from 
Woodbridge to Congress 
Street (_the premises for- 
merly ocrtipied by Jack- 
son & Wiley). The offi- 
cers of the company are : 
G. S. Wormer, president 
and general manager ; 
H. C. Albee, secretary 
and assistant manager ; 
and C. C. Wormer, vice- 
president and treasurer. 
All kinds of engines and 
boilers, pulleys, shafting, 
hangers, arc made and 
sold ; about one thousand 
tons of iron arc consumed 
yearly. They carry an 
exceptionally large as- 
sortment of patterns and 
attend to all kinds of 
general repair work. 




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Office and Works of Michigan Malleable Iron Co., 
Woodbridge Street, near Twentieth Street. Built in 1882, 




WOOD-WOKKING MacIIINERV ESTABLISHMENT OF J. MiCHFLS, 

Northeast comer of Fort and Beaubien Streets. Built in 1872. 



The Michig-an MallcaMe 
Iron Compatiy. 
This company melted 
their first iron on March i, 
1882. The officers are: 
Allan Bourn, president ; 
T. 1). Buhl, vice-president ; 
J. M. Emerson, secretai-y 
and treasurer ; and T. H. 
Simpson, superintendent. 
The office and works are 
on Woodbridge Street, 
near Twentieth. They use 
the air-furnace process, 
the hot blast melting iron 
of various kinds in one 
flux, thus securing a union 
of the desirable qualities 
of several sorts. All kinds 
of malleable and fine gray 
iron castings are made to 
order. Agricultural and 
railroad work is a specialty. 
Orders have been filled 
from points as far east 
as Bridgeport, Conn., and 
as far west as Eureka, 
Cal. 



MANUFACTURIXG ESTABLISHMENTS. 



809 



J. Michels Wood- Working Machinery 
Establishiiwnt 
is located on the northeast corner of Fort 
and Beaubien Streets, and was established in 
1869. The list of articles manufactured in- 
cludes planing, boring, moulding, paneling, 
jointing, sawing, matching, shaping, tenon- 
ing, friezing and shaping machines, with the 
accessories necessary to put them in opera- 
tion. These machines find a market all over 
the West and the South, and have been ship- 
ped to Japan. 

The Xational Wire and Iron Company. 

This company was incorporated May 3, 
1SS2, with a capital of §200,000. 

The officers of the company are W. P. .Sum- 
ner, president ; F. R. Minckler, secretary-; and 
W. H. Gordon, superintendent. 

Their buildings, located on the corner of 
Fourth and Congress Streets, were erected es- 
pecially for the company, and are supplied with 
all possible conveniences for practical work. 

The first floor of the establishment is de- 
voted to the manufacture of wire railing, iron 
fences, iron stairs, fire escapes, etc.; the sec- 
ond story to the manufacture of the patent na- 




National Wire and Iro>* Company's Works, 
Comer of Fourth and Congress Streets. Built in i8i 




Detroit Safe Compas-\-'s Works, 

Fort Street East, between Beaubien and Si. Anloinc Streets. 

Built in 1874-80-81. 



tional cheese-safes.window 
and door screens, riddles, 
sand and coal screens, and 
other goods in the wooden - 
ware line ; the third floor 
is set apart to the manu- 
facture of wire cloth, 
sieves, rat-traps,and goods 
of similar nature ; and the 
fourth or top floor to paint- 
ing and finishing. Awing 
of one hundred feet on 
Congress Street accommo- 
dates the warehouse.stock- 
rooms, and general offices 
of the company. They 
manufacture brass and 
iron wire cloth of every 
description, including spe- 
cial kinds for threshing 
machines, bolting cloths, 
and fanning mills. 

Much of the wire used 
is as fine as ordinary sew- 
ing silk, and during 18S3, 
4.000,000 pounds of wire 
were used. The product 
for 1884 will be largely in 
excess of these figures. 



8io 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



They also make wire and iron fencing, wire lath- 
ing, window-guards, wire signs, counter-railings, 
stable fixtures, counter-supports, roof-crestings, 
tower ornaments, weather-vanes, and a large variety 
of specialties. Of cheese-safes alone, they manu- 
facture about 20,000 yearly. 

They have a large and increasing trade, extend- 
ing from Maine to California, and from Alaska to 
Mexico. 



and forty-two safes were manufactured ; in 1882, 
3,100. The prices of safes range from $60 to 
$40,000. The regular makes weigh from 935 to 
21,850 pounds, and vary in size from one foot four 
inches high by one foot six inches wide, to six feet 
six inches high by four feet eleven inches wide. 
Nearly one hundred regular varieties are made, and 
any size or kind is made to order, besides vault and 
iron shutters, and iron work. Fire or burglar proof 




Proposed Office and Works of the Detroit Bronze Company, 
Fort Street, between Nineteenth and Twentieth Streets. 



The Detroit Safe Oviipanv. 
This enormous factory was established in 1865, 
and is located at Nos. 67 to 85 Fort Street East. 
Among the original officers were J. J. Bagley, 
Z. R. Brockway, and D. O. Paige. The officers 
are: W. B. Wesson, president; A. S. Wiley, vice- 
president ; D. O. Paige, treasurer and general man- 
ager; A. W. Baxter, secretary; and George E. 
Morton, superintendent. Tlie first year two hundred 



or combined fire and burglar proof safes, for both 
home and oflfice use, are made with either single or 
double square or round doors. All the safes have 
round corners and particularly close-fitting doors ; 
all are highly finished, and some of the interior 
decoration is really artistic. During 1883 they used 
about one hundred tons of steel and iron per month. 
For door frames and jambs they use a highly car- 
bonized, and a soft, homogeneous steel fused 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



8n 



together in ingots in sucli a manner, tliat wlien 
rolled into plates, the softer steel, of great tensile 
strength, is covered on both sides with the highly 
carbonized steel, which is so tempered that it is 
drill proof. It is rolled into shapes for some parts 
of the work under patents exclusively controlled by 
this company. Agencies are established and stocks 
of safes carried at Boston, New York, Baltimore, 
Augusta, Ga., Lyons, N. Y., Louisville, Ky., Chicago, 
St. Paul, Denver, and San Francisco, and their safes 
are sold to customers all over the United States and 
in Greece, China, Japan, France, South America, 
Australia, New Zealand, and the West Indies. 

The Detroit Ihonze Company. 

This company was incorporated on February 5, 
1881, largely through the efforts of J. H. Eakins. 
The ofTicers are : Peter E. De Mill, president ; 
George W. Moore, vice-president ; and James Stew- 
art, secretary and treasurer. The material used 
by them, known as white bronze, is a pure zinc, 
refined expressly for their work. They make only 
to order, and during 1883 turned out over $100,000 
worth of work in the .shape of monuments, statues, 
medallions, etc. Their goods are sold and used 
all over the United States, Canada, and South 
America. 

The E. T. Barnuin Wire and Iron Works. 

This extensive manufactory began in 1863 and 
was incorporated February i, 1882. The oRicers 
are: E. T. Barnum, president and general manager; 
Philo Parsons, vice-president ; F. H. Leavenworth, 
secretary; C. F. Purdie, superintendent. The Board 
of Directors consists of D. M. Ferry, D. \Yhitney, 
Jr., Philo Parsons, H. K. White, E. T. Barnum, 
Chas. Bewick, and F. H. Leavenworth. The general 
offices and works are located at the corner of How- 
ard Street and Wabash Avenue, being the largest 
of the kind in the world. The main building is 250 
by 400 feet, with two wings, one of 300 and the 
other of 400 feet in length, with a railroad track 
between them. The track connects with the M. C. 
R. R. and gives shipping facilities that are unri- 
valled. 

In addition to this general establishment the com- 
pany ha\-e a branch at no Lake Street, Chicago, 
111. The Detroit works employ about 600 skilled 
workmen, and there are over 100 at the branch 
concern. Their catalogue embraces nearly 1,500 
articles of their own production, and they are 
extensive manufacturers of wrought-iron fencing 
for public and private buildings, iron balcony and 
steps, fire escapes, roof cresting, bank counter 
and office railing, jail work, builders' iron-work, 
wire cloth of all kinds and for all puqwses, wire 
goods of everj' variety, wire fencing, screens 



sieves, florists' goods, brushes, traps, muzzles, bas- 
kets, cages, chairs, show stands, cheese safes, and 
wire signs, brass work of every description, iron and 
brass bedsteads, roller skates, wcathc'r vanes, foun- 
tains, vases, lawn furniture, etc., etc. Some idea of 
the extent of their business will be gained from the 
fact that they made 1 2,000,000 square feet of wire 
cloth in 1883 and used in the manufacture of various 
articles 375 tons of wire and 225 tons of iron. 
They ship goods from Portland to San Fran- 
cisco and from iVIinneapolis to Galveston, covering 
all the States and Territories. They also have a 
large export trade and sell and ship to points in 
Australia, Africa, England, Mexico, Canada, and 
Brazil. 








Detroit Stovk Cdmians's Oit-ut; ani> Sale-skoum, 
32 and 34 Woodward Avenue. Built iri 1879. 

The Detroit Stor^'c Company, 

organized in iS6.;, occupy about ten acres of ground 
in Ilamtramck. The office and .salesrooms are at 



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8i4 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



33 and 34 Woodward 
Avenue. \V. H. Ttfft is 
president, and E. S. Bar- 
bour, secretary. The com- 
pany employ 1,300 men, 
and pay for labor alone 
over $500,000 per year. 
They make seven hundred 
different varieties of stoves, 
and in 1S76 introduced 
the use of nickel-plated 
stoves. In 1S70 they made 
about 16,500; in 1880, 
30,000; and in 1883, 
49,000 ; using in this last 
year 12,500 tons of iron. 
Regular agencies are es- 
tablished at Stockholm, 
Frankfort, and London, 
and hundreds of car-loads 
are yearly sent to these 
cities to be distributed to 
various other parts of 
Europe. The company 
have branch houses at 
Buffalo and Chicago, from 
whence shipments are 
made all over the Lhiited 
States and to New Bruns- 
wick and Australia. 




Peninsular Stove Company's Office and Works, 
Southwest corner of Fort and Kighth Streets. Riiilt in il 



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Klkeka Ikon a.nl* bitEL W'uKKb, W^anuotie. Uuilt in 1S53-57. 
Detroit Office, No. 21 Newberry and McMillan B'.iilding. 




# s 



8i6 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



The Mhkigait Stinii' 
Company 
commenced to manufai - 
turc on September 12, 1872. 
Their works are on Jeffer- 
son Avenue just east of 
Adair Street. The officers 
are: Francis Palms, presi- 
dent ; George H. Barbour, 
secretary; M. B. Mills, 
treasurer; Jeremiah Dwycr, 
manager; and C. A. Du- 
charme, purchasing agent. 
During 1S73 8,825 stovis 
were manufactured; and 
in 1883 52,338, using i;,- 
434,600 pounds of irtjn. 
The company employ 1,000 
men, and under the gener.il 
name of Garland make 
nearly two hundred varie- 
ties of stoves. There arc 
branch houses in Chicago. 
Buffalo, Boston, and Sacra- 
mento, from which ship- 
ments are made to various 
countries in Europe and to 
every State and Territory. 




NaTImNAL I'l:. CiiMlAN^'^. r'ALlUKV. 

Grand River Avenue, between Si.\teenth and Seventeenth Streets. Built in 1S75. 




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ROWE & HAVtS, DhTKUIT FiLE WoRKS, 

Northeast corner of Sullivan Avenue and Magnolia Street. 



The Pciiinsitlar Stove 
Company 

was incorporated March 
23, 1 88 1, and commenced 
manufacturing at Detroit 
in February, 1882. Their 
works are on the corner 
of Fort and Eighth 
Streets. The officers are : 
W. B. ;\Ioran, president; 
W. N. Carpenter, vice- 
president ; James Dwyer, 
manager ; James A 
V'enn, assistant manager; 
Robert McD. Campau, 
secretary ; and Clarence 
Carpenter, treasurer. 
They make two hundred 
and seventy varieties, and 
in 1 883 produced 20,000 
stoves. Theyhavebranch 
houses in Chicago, and 
at Troy, New York, and 
their trade has largely in- 
creased every year. The 
first year of their estab- 



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8i8 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



lishment shipments were 
made to sixteen different 
States, to various Canadian 
Provinces, and to Latakia 
in Asia. 

Eureka Iron and Steel 
Works. 
The works of this cor- 
poration are located at 
Wyandotte, twelve miles 
from the city. Thev were 
built in 1S54, and in that 
year the first Lake Supe- 
rior iron was there smelted. 
The present corporation 
was formed on December 
19,1883. The offices are 
at Detroit. The officers 
are: W. K. Muir, presi- 
dent and general manager; S. D. Miller, \-ice-presi- 
dent ; W. S. Armitage, secretary and treasurer ; and 
J. S. \'an Alstyne, agent. During 1 883 the company 
produced 23.000 tons of manufactured iron. They 
make charcoal pig iron, from Lake Superior ores, for 
foundry, car-wheel, and malleable use, also boiler- 
plate, tank-iron, and the usual variety of common 
and refined bar- iron. They sell as far east as Bos- 





Factoky and Office of Detroit Stamping Works, 
Southeast cornel- Lafayette and brush Streets. Built in i£ 



The Middlebkuok ti; Post ilA.NL'iACTL;ii:;G Cu.\UA.\\"i Works, 
io8 to no Lamed Street, corner of Cass Street. 



ton, Mass., and Nashua, N. H., in the West at 
Denver, Salt Lake, and San Francisco, and generally 
through the Eastern, Middle, and Western States. 

The Detroit and Lake Superior Copper 
Company 

w-as established in 1850. The smelting works at 
Detroit are located on the river road, about a mile 
from the city. Extensive 
works are also carried on 
by the same corporation 
at Hancock, Lake Supe- 
rior. The officers are : 
C. H. Carter, president; 
F. ]. Kingsbury, secre- 
tar)'; Horatio Bigelow, 
treasurer; J. R. Cooper, 
agent ; and Edwin Rced- 
er, superintendent. The 
company's product of 
copper at Detroit in i S60 
was 2,940 tons, in 1870 
4.S92 tons, and in 1880 
7,097 tons, and more than 
twice as much was pro- 
duced at Hancock. Ship- 
ments are made as in- 
structed by the mining 
companies, usually to 
New York, Philadelphia, 
and Boston, but from 
these points quantities of 
copper smelted at Detroit 
have been sent to Ger- 
many, France, England, 
Russia, and China. 



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MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



The Middlcbrook &> Post Mantifacluring 
Company. 

This establishment, with Hiram Middlebrook and 
Edward C. Post as general partners, and Edward E. 
Middlebrook and Edward Forster as special part- 
ners, began business in 1877, and is located at Nos. 
108 and 1 10 Earned Street West. Among its lead- 
ing specialties are direct, compound and changeable 
power, hydraulic, steam and hand-power elevators, 
shafting, pulleys, hangers, emery grinders, rod- 
turning machines, light and heavy castings, and 
sheaves of all sizes. It also builds elevators of 
from 1 ,000 to 3,000 pounds capacity, to be operated 
with the Otto Silent Gas Engine. Its shipments 
e.\tend to Minnesota, Arkansas, New York, Ohio, 



over America, but also to Constantinople and 
Lisbon. 

The Detroit File Works. 

The building of this corporation is located on the 
northeast corner of Sullivan Avenue and Magnolia 
Street. The works were established in 1S70 and 
the company incorporated in March, 1884. Solomon 
Hayes is president, and Jonas Rowe, vice-president. 
They make files of all sizes and styles, using over 
one hundred tons of steel per annum and producing 
over two hundred dozen files per day. They use 
the best grades of steel, and their goods find ready 
sale all over the United States, and shipments have 
been made to Europe. 




Okiginal Labor.\tokv of Parke, D.\\is, A; Co., Manufacturing Chemists, 
Southeast corner of Cass Avenue and Henry Street. Erected in 1866. 



Indiana, Kentucky, Texas, California, Michigan, 
Manitoba, Ontario, Illinois, and Louisiana. 

The A'ational Pin Company. 

This is one of the largest establishments in the 
country. It was organized December 28, 1875, 
and is officered with D. M. Ferry as president 
and treasurer, and A. Waring as secretary. They 
make a large variety of brass and adamantine pins 
equal to the best English goods, and are sole manu- 
facturers of the Eureka Toilet Pin Rolls. During 
1883 they made ninety tons of pins, or about 
2,400,000 per day. They ship goods, not only all 



The Detroit Emery Wheel Company 
was established by Gilbert Hart in 1S75. The 
works are located on Lincoln near Jefferson Avenue 
in Hamtramck. The company make both emery- 
wheels and machinery for using them, they manu- 
facture wheels from one fourth of an inch in 
diameter and one quarter of an inch thick, up to 
thirty-six inches in diameter and six inches thick, 
these last weighing nearly 800 pounds. The wheels 
are sold and in use in nearly all manufacturing 
towns in the L'nited States, the extent of their 
use being indicated by the fact that in 1S83 this 
establishment used 300 tons of emery. 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 




Labokatory of F. Stearns <& Companv, corner of Twenty-first and Marquette Streets. Built in iSSi. 



The Union Door Knob Company 
manufacture door-knobs in mineral, jet, porcelain, 
metal, and selected wood in a great variety of styles 
and their knobs are conceded to possess superior ad- 




Capsule Factory of F. A. Hubel, 
Corner ot Fourth and Abbott Streets. Built in 1881. 



vantages in method of adjustment and durability. 
The officers of the company, incorporated on March 
I, 1882, are: E. M. Fowler, president; J. J. Rust, 
vice-president ; E. M. Lyon, secretary and treasurer ; 
and O. M. Hidden, sup- 
erintendent. The fac- 
tory is on the corner of 
Brush and Lafayette 
Streets. 



The Detroit Stamping 
Company. 
This company was 
established in April, 
1880, and their factory 
is located on the south- 
east comer of Lafayette 
and Brush Streets. The 
officers are : J. G. .Stan- 
dart, president ; L. M. 
Miller, secretary and 
treasurer ; and Charles 
Puddefoot, superinten- 
dent. They manufacture 
innumerable varieties of 
tinware, including ja- 
panned goods, pieced 
and stamped ware, drug- 
gists' goods, street lan- 
terns, etc., also bronze, 
brass, and electro plated 
goods to order. During 
1 883 they used about 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



823 




WHITE LEAD &COLORJKQ 



im 




White Lead and Color Works of Boydell Eros. 
39, 41. and 43 Fort Street East. Built in i83o. 

20.000 pounds of iron, 280.000 pounds of tin. and 
40.000 pounds of brass, and sell goods all over the 
United States and in Hong Kong, China. 

Parke, Davis, &-" Company, lifanit/acfitring 
Chemists. 

This corporation, in their widely known establish- 
ment, manufactures four hundred and fifty varieties 
of fluid extracts and one hundred of solid extracts, 
about six hundred varieties of sugar and gelatine 
coated pills, and a large variety of pharmaceutical 
preparations known as concentrations, elixirs, wines, 
syrups, cerates, etc. The crude material for these 
products, in the form of barks, leaves, flowers, 
roots, etc., from medicinal plants, is obtained from 
all quarters of the globe to the extent of thousands 
of tons annually. After passing through their ex- 
tensive milling department, the drugs are issued in 
various forms, and marketed throughout America 
and in foreign countries. Among the many new 
remedies they have introduced to the knowledge of 
the medical profession, and which, previous to 
1877, were unknown scientifically, are: Eucalyptus 
Globulus, Grindelia Robusta, Cascara Sagrada, 
Yerba Santa, Coca, Guarana, Jamaica Dogwood, 



Manaca, Jaborandi, Boldo, and Cheken. Their 
operations in a single drug in one year, six years 
after its introduction, reached 30,000 pounds. 

The company's business is conducted upon a 
strictly scientific and ethical code, and their pro- 
ducts are prepared with a view of supplying drug- 
gists with goods to be dispensed only upon the 
prescriptions of physicians. 

Their laboratory occupies a large square, on the 
river at the foot of McDougall Avenue. The river 
front is two hundred and sixty-two feet long, and 
the entire frontage six hundred and forty-four feet. 
They employ upwards of two hundred and fifty per- 
sons, and have a capital of about §500,000. The 
business is conducted by a corporation, under the 
supervision of H. C. Parke, president, and George 
S. Davis, secretary and treasurer. In addition to 
the main establishment at Detroit, a distributing 
branch, with a large stock and ample force of clerks, 
is maintained at 60 Maiden Lane and 21 Liberty 
Street, New York. 

The Fi'ederick Stearns Pharmaceutical Manu- 
facturing Company. 

This company ranks as a pioneer in the manu- 
facture of many specialties. The senior member 
and president of the company has been in the busi- 
ness over thirty years. The works of the company 
are on the corner of Twenty-first and Marquette 
Streets. Their products embrace all classes of offici- 
nal preparations of the United States, the British, 
the French, and the German Pharmacopoeia, as well 
as all novelties in pharmacy and medicine described 
in recent books and periodicals. They are importers 
of rare and new drugs, and exporters of medical 
products. Their trade e.xtends into every State and 
Territor}- and they carry credits to over 1 5,000 of the 
retail druggists of the L'nited States. The distinct 
classes of pharmaceutical goods number over one 
hundred, and as the varieties in each often go up into 
the hundreds, the details of their manufacture are 
almost endless. This firm have on their list 1,307 sorts 
of pills, nearly six hundred kinds of fluid extracts, and 
over eight hundred kinds of powdered drugs. 

A special feature of this house is the furnishing the 
retail druggists of the United States with popular, 
non-secret medicines, the idea being to displace 
quack and secret nostrums, and supply good pre- 
scriptions, handsomely put up and reasonable in 
price, to meet the demand for simple remedies for 
slight ailments. In this special line, introduced in 
1876, the establishment has met with deserx'ed suc- 
cess and filled a great public want. 

F. A. Huhcl's Capsule Laboratory 
is worthy of particular mention, as its products are 



824 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



entirely unique and the 
method of their manu- 
facture peculiar to De- 
troit. 

Each capsule consists 
of two shells of cylin- 
drical form rounded at 
one end and open at 
the other, one of them 
being shorter and form- 
ing the cover over the 
mouth of the other. 
They are transparent 
and readily soluble and 
ser\"e a most admirable 
purpose, being used to 
inclose medicines of 
disagreeable taste and 
smell. They are made 
of various sizes, of a 
capacity of from one 
grain to one ounce. The 
larger sizes are used for 
horses and other ani- 
mals. 

Mr. Hubel began to 
make them by hand in 
1S74, and in that year 




Corner of Leib and 



Detroit White Lead Works, 
loi to 109 Jones Street. Built in 187S. Office, 97 Jefferson Avenue. 

with the aid of one person 
produced 1 50,000. The 
next year he invented ma- 
chinery and improved his 
method of manipulation, 
and in 1SS3 turned out 
forty-five millions, and in 
1S83 fifty-five millions. 
He employs a large num- 
ber of persons, and sells 
only to Parke, Davis, & 
Company, with whom he is 
under contract and who 
supply the trade. 

The Michigan ]\^hife 
Lead and Color ll'orhs. 
This manufactory, 
owned by Boydell Broth- 
ers, is located at Nos. 39 to 
43 Fort Street East, with 
office and warerooms at 
18 Congress Street East. 
They manufacture all the 
usual varieties of paints 
and some special brands, 
designated as Boydell 
_ij Oil CiiMi -.^■^'^ WuKKs, Brothers Strictly Pure, 

Wight Streets. Built in 1880. Crown Jewel, Garland, 




MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



825 



Wayne County.and Queen 
City wliite leads, with par- 
lor, green seal, red seal, 
and Lehigh zincs. They 
also produce from 500,000 
to 800,000 pounds of put- 
ty, about 600 tons of white 
lead and many thousands 
of gallons of mixed paints 
each year. 

The Detroit White Lead 

Works, 
located at loi to 109 Jones 
Street, with office at 97 
Jefferson Avenue, was in- 
corporated on December 
22, 1S80. The officers of 
the company are : Ford D. 
C. Hinchman, president ; 
H AL Dean, vice-presi- 
dent; Ford H. Rogers, 
treasurer and manager ; 
and C. B. Shotwell, secre- 
tary. The works produce 
an unusual number of va- 
rieties of paints, including 
strictly pure and graded 




^;?&-- 









i.?Hl" '"~^"""r^ 














(iFFicE AND Factory of Berry Brothers, 

Varnish Manufacturers, Corner of Leib and Wight Streets. Built in iS6i. 




^•M 






.SOAI' AND CAiNDLE M AN U I- At.ToK^ Ut St.Hbl-11- Lkuj. 

S. W. Comer of Rivard and Franklin Streets. Built in 1858-70. 



white lead and zinc paints, 
both dry and ground in oil ; 
also twenty-four shades 
of liquid paints, distemper 
colors, graining grounds, 
wood fillers, walnut stains, 
coach paints, putty, etc. 
They are also large man- 
ufacturers of various 
grades of varnish. The 
extent of their business is 
indicated in the fact that 
in 1S83 they purchased a 
million pounds of dry 
white lead. 

The Detroit Linseed 
Oil Compatiy 
was established in 1880. 
The officers of the com- 
pany are : J. H. Berry, 
president ; James McMil- 
lan, vice-jiresident ; Hugh 
McMillan, secretary; and 
S. E. Pittnian, manager 
and treasurer. In 1883 
the company produced 
6,000 barrels of raw and 
boiled oil, and the linseed 



826 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



meal or oil cake resulting from their manufacture 
amounted to 2,400 tons. This last product is mar- 
keted to some extent in the United States, but is 
chiefly shipped to England, Scotland, France, and 
Belgium. 

The Berry Brothers' Varnish Manufactory 
was established by Joseph H. and Thomas Berry in 
1858. and originally produced only about two hun- 
dred barrels per year. Their works now have a 
capacity of over 30,000 barrels yearly. They make 
grades of varnish to suit the wants of every trade, 
including car, carriage, wagon, cabinet, and imple- 
ment makers; from one to twenty grades being made 
for each class of business. They also make lacquers 
for tin, iron, and other metals. Eight branch houses 
are located at New York, Boston, Philadelphia, 
Baltimore, Rochester, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and 
Chicago, and shipments are made all over the 
L'nited .States, to Europe. Africa, the Sandwich 
Islands, and to various parts of South America. 

The Schulte Brothers' Soap Factory, 

now carried on by Joseph Schulte, is one of the 
oldest business establishments in Detroit. Varieties 








Thi^ First Tobacco Factory in Detroit.^ 

1 The beginnings of the tobacco business in Detroit gave no 
indications of its present extent. The first manufacturer, George 
Miller, began about 1840. He sold out to his father. Isaac S. 
Miller, as early as 1845, and in. 1840 he sold to his son, T. C. 
Miller. His store was located on the east side of Woodward 
Avenue, just below Jefferson Avenue, and the tobacco was cut in 
the cellar. The power was supplied by an old blind horse, who 
was lowered into the cellar, and remained there until he was dead. 



known as German 
and German Laun- 
dry, Indian Chief, 
Bee-hive, Family, 
and Household soaps 
are produced, and 
stearine and tallow 
candles are manufac- 
tured. During 1883 
they made 40,000 to 
50,000 pounds of 
soap and 2,000 
pounds of candles per 
week. The office and 
works are located on 
the corner of Frank- 
lin and Rivard 
Streets. 

The Laitner Brush 
Factory. 
This establishment, 
located at 220 Ran- 
dolph Street, is con- 
ducted by Aloys Lait- 
ner, successor to 
Laitner Brothers, and 
is the oldest and the 
largest brush factory 
in the city. Over 
three hundred kinds- 
of brushes are made 
in this concern, and 
other varieties kept in stock. The trade is mostly 
in the West and extends to California and Mexico. 

The American Eagle Tobacco Company. 
This company, in 1883, succeeded the firm of K. 
C. Barker & Company, established in 1848, and on 
April I, 1883, the new building, Nos. 45 to 53 
Woodbridge Street West, was first occupied. It 
has a frontage of one hundred and six feet, and 
a depth of two hundred feet. The officers of 
the company are : M. S. Smith, president ; James 
Clark, vice-president; C. B. Hull, treasurer and 
manager; and G. B. Hutchins, secretary. Some 
of the best known brands of their fine-cut are desig- 
nated by the names of American Eagle, Bijah's Joy, 
Clipper, and Crown of Delight. In smoking tobacco 
the Universal Favorite, Mackinaw, and Canada Mix- 
ture are well-known grades. During 1883 they 

The tobacco, fifteen or twenty pounds at a time, was dried in the 
loft of the building. 

More chewing tobacco is made here than in any other American 
city, with possibly two exceptions. About 6,000.000 pounds of 
chewing and smoking tobacco, and not far from 40,000,000 cigars 
are made in the city yearly, and the manufacturers pay an aver- 
age of $1,000,000 a year as government taxes. 



Brush Factory and Stoke of Aloys 

Laitner, 
Successor to Laitner Bros., 220 Ran- 
dolph Street. Built in 1874. 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



827 



manufactured 1,468.926 pounds. They ship 
to nearly every city and town in the United 
States and have shipped to China and Brazil. 

The Banner Tobacco Factory, 
incorporated in June, 1S78, is the successor 
of the firm of Ncvin & Mills, composed of 
Frank Nevin and Merrill I. Mills, established 
in 1 85 1. The present officers of the com- 
pany are : W. H.' Tefft, president ; M. B. 
Mills, vice-president ; and B. F. Ha.\ton, 
secretary, treasurer, and general manager. 
The factory was located for many years at 
Nos. 193 and 195 Jefferson Avenue, corner 
of -Bates Street, and in 1SS4 moved into 
their new establishment at Nos. 53, 55, 57. 
and 59 Earned Street, corner of Randolph. 
Their best known brands are Banner, Oriole. 
Farmer, Prairie Rose, and Antelope, chew- 
ing, and Chic, Royal, Snowflake, Belle, De- 
troit, and Uncle Ben, smoking tobacco. In 
1 883, they manufactured 960,000 pounds. 
Their sales extend nil over the I'nited States 
and Territories. 

The Hiawatha Tobacco Factory of Daniel 

Scot ten &^ Company, 
established in 1856, under the name of Scot- 




AMERICAN EAGLE TOBACCO C pjVlfANY 





»tivi,^ 



Amf.ijican Eagle Tobacco Factory (successors to K. C. Barker&Co.), 
45i 47> 4g» 51 and 53 Atwater Street. Built in 1883, 




Uannek 1\)uacco Company's Works, 
53t 55i 57t 3nd 59 Larned Street, corner of Randolph. 

ten. Granger, & Lovett, is now located on the 
corner of Fort and Campau Streets, in Spring- 



wells. The firm is composed 
of Daniel and Oren Scotten. 
They manufacture plug, chewing, 
and smoking tobacco. Their lead- 
ing brand of plug and fine cut 
tobacco is Hiawatha ; other brands 
of fine-cut are Harmony, Pro- 
gress. Tulip, Federal, and Herald. 
Among their brands of smoking 
tobacco are Calumet, Maud S., 
Telephone, Enoch Arden. Leg- 
horn, National Pride, Silk Plush, 
and Honey Dew. In 18S3 the firm 
manufactured 2,011,280 pounds. 
Shipments are made to London, 
England, to Honolulu, and to 
points as far east as Boston, 
as far west as Portland, and 
south to Richmond, Va., and 
Winston, N. C. 



The Globe Tobacco Factory, 

incorporated in 1S80, is the suc- 
Built in 1884. cessor of a business established in 

1 870, by Walker, McGraw, & Com- 
pany. The officers are : Thomas McGraw, presi- 
dent; W. K. Parcher, vice-president; and A. A. 



828 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



Boutell, secretary and treasurer. The factory is 
located at 31 to 35 Atwater Street East. In 
1883 they manufactured 10,000,000 cigarettes 
and over 1,300,000 pounds of smoking and chew- 
ing tobacco. The Globe is their leading brand of 
chewing tobacco ; Nerve and Fearless are their 
best smoking brands. They also make the Gold 
Flake Cut Plug, and several brands of long-cut 
smoking tobacco. They ship to all parts of the 
United States and the Dominion of Canada, also 
to points in England, Scotland, Belgium, France, 
Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Chili, Brazil, 
and the Argentine Republic. 

liurk, Ricli, &^ Company. 
a cigar manufacturing firm, composed of Edward 
Burk, Charles A. Rich, and J. O. Van Anden, 
occupy a leading position. They are located at 
Nos. 48 to 54 Congress Street East, and manu- 
facture 3,000,000 cigars yearly, using 75,000 
pounds of leaf. They ship goods as far west as 
New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming Territories, and 
have a large trade at points nearer home. 

The Hari^rcavci M^aitii/ac/nri/i^'' Company. 

This company was incorporated on January 
I, 1872. The officers are : W. B. Wesson, presi- 
dent; Lyman H. Baldwin, secretary and treas- 




The Olofe Toi'.acco F\i:ti'U-,', 
31 to 35 Atwater Street East. Built in 1863. 




illAWAIllA TuiiACLO iALTUKY OF D.U.IJ:.!. bcoiil^.. A. Cu., 

Southeast corner of Fort and Campau Streets. Springwells. Built 



in 1875. 



urer. and Frank F. Wright, 
manager. They employ 250 
hands and make hundreds 
of varieties of frames and 
mouldings for pictures, mir- 
rors, and cornices, of va- 
rious woods and imitations, 
with gilt mouldings of all 
classes. It is the largest 
establishment of the kind 
in the United States, and 
probably the largest in the 
world, and finds sale for 
its products all over this 
country and in Brazil, Ger- 
many, and the Sandwich 
Islands. 

T/w Richardson Match 
Factory, 

established by D. M. Rich- 
ardson in 1856. was trans- 
ferred to the Diamond 
Match Company on Jan- 
uary I, 1 88 1. The works 
have a frontage of 250 feet 
on Eighth, between Wood- 
bridge and Fort Streets. 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 




Hargreaves Manufacti'rinc Company's Office and Works, 
Howard, from Seventeenth to Eighteenth Street. Built in 1863, 1870, and 1873. 



They employ three hundred persons, and 
in 18S3 1,920,000 feet of kimber were used 
in the works. When working at their full 
capacity, double that amount of lumber is 
used. Fi\'e hundred persons are employed, 
and 500,000 gross of bo.\es of matches 
made yearly, or 50,000,000 single matches 
each day. Up to July i, 1883, the factory 
paid the Government for stamps used 
on their matches the enormous sum of 
$4,691,081. Both parlor and sulphur 
matches are manufactured, and goods are 
marketed as far east as Pittsburgh, as far 
west as Salt Lake, and south to New 
Orleans. 

The Cloiii^h &^ Il^arriyi Or£-a>i Company. 

The beginning of this establishment 
dates from 1850. The firm is now com- 
posed of James E. Clough, George P. War- 
ren, and Jos. A. Warren. Their factory on 
Congress Street extends from Fifth to Sixth 
Street and has a capacity of 7,000 organs 
per year. Fifty different varieties are made, 
ranging in price from $18 to $1,500. In 
1859 OueenA'ictoria purchased one of their 
organs to be sent as a present to her sub- 
jects, the celebrated Pitcairn Islanders; 
their organs are sold in numbers in all 
parts of the British Dominions and in 
China, Japan, South America, the Y.'est 
Indies, Australia, Russia, Italy, France, 
Germany, Portugal, and Austria. 




Cigar Factorv of Burk, Rich, Hl Co., 
48 to 54 Congress Street East. Built in 1872. 




^■^.j^iiiigTp^l 'fc 



F 




832 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



.1/. _/. Murp/iy iS~» Co.'s Spring Bed and 
Chair Factory. 

This extensive establishment is located on 
the corner of Fourth and Porter Streets, and 
during 18S3 manufactured 150,000 chairs and 
rockers, 22,000 woven-wire mattresses, and 
iS,ooo spring-beds, working up 250,000 feet of 
lumber, many tons of wire, and large quantities 
of other material. Their goods are sold through- 
out the United States and the Canadian Do- 
minion, find a ready market, and are shipped 
from Winnipeg to New Orleans and El Paso, 
east to Philadelphia, and west to Salt Lake City. 

Gray &^ Baffy, Manufacturing Upholsterers. 
This firm, composed of Alfred A. Gray and 
Eugene Baffy, located at Nos. 98, 100, and 102 
Congress Street West, near Cass Street, are 
extensive manufacturers of upholstered furniture 
and of frames for upholstered wares. They alsr 
make cabinets, mantels, and all kinds of odd 
pieces for odd places. Besides a large Michi- 
gan trade their goods find sale in Ohio, Indiana, 
Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Dela- 
ware. They use about 300,000 feet of lumber 
yearly, besides several hundred tons of hair, 
tow, and other kinds of filling used in uphols- 
tered work. 



^^i^i.^ 




100, and 102 Congress Street West, 



I 



1 




Spring Bed and Chair Factory of M. J. Murphv .s Co., 
Comer of Fourth and Porter Streets. Built in 1865-83. 



The Sutton Manufac- 
turing Company. 

This company is the 
successor of J. W. Sutton, 
founder of one of the 
oldest pail factories in 
the countr)'. Their works 
are located at Nos. 478 
to 4S4 Fort Street West. 
The officers are : J. S. 
Hopper, president ; B. F. 
Sutton, superintendent ; 
and H. S. Hopper, man- 
ager. They make to- 
bacco, candy, lard, spice, 
and jelly pails, also the 
universal pine water- 
pails. They use nearly a 
thousand cords of wood 
yearly, and in 1SS3 pro- 
duced 1 20,000 pails. 

Mumford, Foster, &^ 
Co.'s Last Factory. 

This factory was estab- 
lished in April, 1864. 
Their store is at No. 16 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



833 



Gratiot Avenue, their fac- 
tor)' at 401 Atwater Street, 
between Riopelle and Or- 
leans Streets. They use 
about three hundred cords 
of maple bolts per year, 
make fifty varieties of lasts, 
and produce nearly 100,000 
pairs yearly. They ship all 
over the United States 
and to the W'est Indies. 

The Detroit Willow-Ware 
Factory. 

This factor)', owned by 
A. Dondero, is located at 
57 and 59 Monroe Avenue. 
Over two hundred varieties 
of baskets are manufac- 
tured in this establishment, 
besides willow cabs, cradles, 
sofas, chairs, stands, etc. 
K large variety of foreign 
basket wares are also kept 
in stock, and shipments 
made throughout the coun- 
tr)'. 









_ ' MiiSJAfi^yf 



T..:; Til; ami Pah. Faliokv, and Rkmdknck ok the i.atk J. W. Sl-tton, 
478 to 484 Fort Street West. House built in 1849 ; factory in 1855. 




''■:'"'^~ ' ' ' 



WlLUOW-WAUii F.VCTOKV AND STORE OF A. Do.NDEKO, 

57 and 59 Monroe Avenue. Built in 1877-79. 



Pingree &^ Sntitli's Shoe 
Factory. 

This is the largest fac- 
tory of the kind west of 
New York, and there are 
but very few as large in 
the United States. The 
business was established 
in December, iS66, by H. 
S. Pingree and Chas. H. 
Smith. On May I, 1883, 
Mr. Smith retired, and the 
business was transferred 
to H. S. Pingree, F. C. 
Pingree, C. G. M. ]3ond, 
and J. B. Howarth, who 
continue the business un- 
der the old firm name. 
The e.xtent of their trade 
is indicated by the fact 
that in 1SS2, besides using 
great quantities of other 
materials, they cut up 
3i,489sides of sole leather, 
56,340 kid-skins, 30,504 
goat-skins, 35,436 sheep- 
skins (for linings) and 
40,356 calf and kip skins. 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



(Imagine, if you can, the 
enormous droves of ani- 
mals that these figures 
represent.) The product 
was sold in the form of 
490.877 pairs of boots, 
shoes, and slippers of 
various styles for men, 
women, and children. 
The firm employ from 
si.x to seven hundred 
hands. The sales, which 
were only $25,000 in 
1S67, in 1SS2 reached 
$978,365. The firm sell 
as far south as Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn.. as far west 
as San Francisco, as far 
north as St. Paul, and east- 
ward in Massachusetts 
and New Hampshire. 



Vail &^ Crane's Cracker 
Factory. 
This extensive concern 
is located at Nos. 48 to 
56 Woodbridge Street 
East. The building has 
a frontage of ninety-five 




Ckackek and EiscLir Manufachirv of Vaiu 4: Crane, 
48 to 56 Woodbridge Street East. Built in 1881. 




Hl'gh Johnson's Carriage Factory anu Stores, 
I02 to 106 Lamed Street West. Built in 1871. 



and a depth of eighty 
feet. It was erected by 
the firm especially for a 
cracker manufactory, and 
is all utilized for the needs 
of the business. In the 
kneading department 
masses of dough, large 
as feather-beds, give in- 
dications of the e.xtent 
of their manufactures. 
During 1SS3 they baked 
16.441 barrels of flour 
and used 997 tierces of 
lard. The bakery is the 
largest in the State, and 
has a capacity of one 
hundred barrels of flour 
every ten hours. About 
a dozen varieties of crack- 
ers, biscuits, and snaps 
are made, and shipped to 
Portland, Boston. New 
^■ork, ^^'ashington, Da- 
kota Territor)-, Jackson- 
ville, Fla., and intervening 
points. 



836 



MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 



Hugh Johnson s Carriage Establishment. 
This factory is located at 102 Larned Street West, 
and is one of the largest in the city. In addition to 
a large line of carriages of his own make, new 
styles of other makers are obtained every spring 
and fall. Particular attention is paid to repair work. 

The Johnston Optical Company 

occupy a leading position in the manufacture of 
spectacles, especially gold-mounted goods. They 
sell over two hundred styles, and besides supplying 
places near home, they ship to Winnipeg, Montreal, 
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, the Sandwich Islands, 
California, and the Southern States. They are 
inventors and manufacturers of a patent dioptric 
eye-meter, which is pronounced by the leading pro- 
fessors of ophthalmology to be the best instrument 
of the kind yet produced. 



It is not claimed that the foregoing list of factories 
includes all of the larger establishments, but it is in- 
tended to be, and is, a representative list. Among 
the large factories not already named is the Clark 
Hardware Company, who make builders' hardware 
and other specialties ; the Detroit City and the Leon- 
ard Glass Works ; the Gale Sulky Harrow Manufac- 
turing Company ; the Michigan Carbon Works, 
manufacturers of fertilizers and other products ; the 
Pullman Car Works ; Bagley's Mayflower Tobacco 
Factory; the Detroit Electrical Works; Frost's 
Wooden Ware Works ; the Detroit Brush Company ; 
the Dry Dock Engine Works ; the Fulton Iron 
Works ; the Michigan Bolt and Nut Company ; the 
Detroit Lead Pipe and Sheet Lead Works ; the Dia- 
mond Fanning Mill Company ; the Griffin Car Wheel 
Company ; and the Detroit Copper and Brass Roll- 
ing Mill. 



CHAPTER L X X X. 



THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



The sale and use of brandy at Detroit date from 
the settlement of the city, and nearly all the diffi- 
culties between Jesuits, commandants, and traders 
had their origin in efforts to restrict or monopolize 
the traffic in this beverage. So serious were these 
quarrels that the settlement was almost torn to 
pieces by the plots and counter-plots of the dispu- 
tants to foster or put an end to the business of 
liquor-selling. In 1705, during Cadillac's trial before 
Count Pontchartrain, at Quebec, for interfering with 
and injuring the trade of the colony of Canada, he 
said, " Mr. Vincennes is now actually at Detroit, 
with four hundred quarts of brandy, and is keeping 
a public house. * * * In corrupting the savages, 
brandy has not been spared." In the course of his 
defense he also showed that brandy was a common 
article of traffic. Indeed, at the older settlement of 
Mackinaw, brandy had always been sold to the In- 
dians, and M. Vaudreuil himself "sent an Ottawa 
Indian, formerly an officer under his command, to 
Michilimackinac, with his canoes loaded with seven 
or eight thousand francs' worth of goods and 
brandy." 

Among the complaints made against Cadillac, it 
was also set forth that, for a permission to work at 
his trade, he required "a blacksmith to give him the 
sum of six huntlred francs, and two hogsheads of 
ale." 

In 1 70S M. d'Aigremont reported that it was 

certain that if IVI. la Mothe Cadillac had not introduced the trade 
in brandy at Detroit, but very few of the traders would remain, 
and no more would go there. Brandy and ammunition are the 
only profitable articles of commerce to the French, the English 
furnishing all others. * » * In order to prevent the distur- 
bances which would arise from the excessive use of brandy, M. la 
Mothe cause:, it all to be put into the storehouse, and to be sold 
to each in his turn at the rate of twenty francs per quart. Those 
who will have it, French as well as Indians, are obliged to go to 
the storehouse to drink, and each can obtain, at one time, only 
the twenty-fourth part of a pot. It is certain that the savages 
cannot become intoxicated on that quantity. The price is high, 
and as they can only get the brandy each in his turn, it some- 
times happens that the savages are obliged to return home with- 
out a taste of this beverage, and they seem ready to kill them- 
selves in their disappointment. M. la Mothe has bought of four 
individuals, one hundred and four pots, at four francs a pot, and 
sold it at twenty francs, thus making a profit of four fifths. 

M. Aigremont recommended that " the govern- 
ment at Montreal should prevent the savages from 



carrying away such large quantities of brandy, as it 
is the cause of most of the troubles arising among 
them," and added that "they squander the greater 
part of their beaver in presents and in brandy, — 
have not enough remaining to purchase half the 
articles that are indispen.sable to their comfort." 

The Jesuits seconded every effort to prevent the 
sale of brandy to the savages. They protested and 
prayed against it, but all in vain. The traders en- 
couraged the traffic, because they not only made 
large profits from the sale of the beverage, but 
while the Indians were under its influence their furs 
could be obtained for less than their real worth ; it 
was true that the genuine French brandy then sup- 
plied rendered the Indians quarrelsome and often 
dangerous, but this was deemed of small account in 
comparison with the profits made. Even the com- 
mandants of the posts engaged in the business of 
liquor-selling; one of Cadillac's earliest acts was 
the establishment of a brewery, and while Tonty 
was in command he not only monopolized the busi- 
ness of selling brandy, but would allow no one to 
keep liquor in the house even for private use. He 
claimed the sole right to furnish "eau de vie" to both 
settlers and savages. 

Under the English, the disturbances occasioned 
by Indians made quarrelsome by the use of liquors 
so greatly increased that on April 14, 1774, the mer- 
chants of Detroit were compelled to put their liquor 
into a " general Rum store," and to agree that no 
Indian should have more than one glass at a time. 
The following firms signed the agreement ; Wundert 
Visger, McWilliams & Co., Collin Andrews, Jos. 
Thompson, Geo. McBeath, Jos. Cochran, Norman 
McLeod, D. Van Aim, John Porteous, Gregor Mc- 
Gregor, Jas. Sterling, Simon McTavish, A. Macomb, 
Abbott & Finchley, Robinson & Martin, Wm. Edgar, 
James Rankin, Garret Graverat, and J. Visger. 

In June, 1775, James Abbott, James Sterling, 
Alexander Macomb, and John Porteous, merchants, 
were constituted a committee to prevent the sale of 
rum to Indians under a penalty of $300 York cur- 
rency. No attempt was made to enforce any such 
rule in the case of officers or white citizens, and a 
ledger of 1 780-1 781 shows that a great variety of 
liquors were kept and sold. Hundreds of entries of 
" Port," " Red Wine," " Sperrits," " Muscatellc and 



r.837] 



838 



THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



Madeira Wines," "Shrub," "Bitters," "Jamaica 
Rum," and " Mardi Gras Beer," are suspiciously 
grouped with charges for loaf sugar, nutmegs, lime- 
juice, wine-glasses, " rummers," and decanters. 

The same customs in regard to liquor drinking 
prevailed under American rule. By law of August 
15, 1795, Courts of Quarter Sessions were author- 
ized to license the sale of wine and beer, the price 
of a license being fixed at four dollars. It was 
stated by a traveller that in 1796 many of the lead- 
ing merchants were in the habit of drinking 
heavily. 

The Indians also always found those who were 
willing to exchange fire-water for furs, and scores 
of drunken Indians were frequently seen in and 
near the town. 

In 1805 the price of a territorial license for the sale 
of liquors was fi.xed at not less than $10 or more 
than $25, the amount to be determined by the 
justice of the district. Under this law, during the 
War of 181 2, bars existed in every possible location. 
On October/, 1814, the price of a license for dealers 
in the district of Detroit was tixed at §10, while 
out of Detroit district it was only $5. Certainly 
this discrimination would not be pleasing to De- 
troit dealers now. The same law provided that 
no one should be licensed to sell liquor in less quan- 
tities than one quart, except on the recommenda- 
tion of twelve respectable freeholders. Under law 
of February I, 181 5, dealers Vi'ere not to sell to any 
soldier without consent of his officer, or to any 
Indian without permission of the Superintendent of 
Indian Affairs, or to any person on Sunday except 
travellers and lodgers, under penalty of $10. 

A city ordinance, passed October 8, 1824, pro- 
vided that " No person shall retail, sell, or deliver, 
for money or any other article of value, any spiritu- 
ous liquors by less quantity than one quart, or any 
cider, beer, or ale by less quantity than one gallon," 
unless licensed ; and it was also unlawful to sell or 
give liquor to any servant, apprentice, or minor, 
knowing him to be such, " without the consent of 
the master, parent, guardian, or mistress." The 
price of a hcense was fixed at $25. Proof of "good 
moral character" was required, and bonds were to 
be given that good order would be maintained. The 
good order, at least .so far as the Indians were con- 
cerned, was imaginary in the extreme. The records 
of the Common Council for August 9, 1825, contain 
the following : 

On account of m.iny disorders, riots, and indecencies, com- 
mitted in the streets of the city by Indians from different parts 
of the country, when visiting the city, the Superintendent of 
Indian Affairs was requested to aid the corporation by instructing 
the interpreter to explain the laws of the city from time to time 
to the Indians, and the consequences of their conduct ; also to 
direct the agent to ascertain from whom the Indians buy liquor, 
and report such breach of law. 



Tavern licenses, at this time, were issued by the 
city, the price varying from $10 to $18 each. On 
May 9, 1826, the price of a city license was raised 
to S50, the ordinance to take effect June 10. On 
April 12, 1827, the Legislative Council passed an 
Act w-arning tavern-keepers against giving or selling 
liquors to habitual drunkards, and prescribing pun- 
ishment if they should disobey. It also provided 
that no spirituous liquors, wine, cider, or beer should 
be sold within one and one half miles of the place 
of gathering of any religious society. Under the 
same law, licenses were issued by the County Court, 
and tavern-keepers who were licensed were required 
to have, at least two beds. Debts for liquor were 
made uncollectable, and notes given in payment for 
it were declared void. 

On April 5, 1S29, the price of a city license was 
fixed at $5.00, but no liquor was to be drunk on the 
premises of the person licensed. 

On February 19, 1830, the first Temperance 
Society in Detroit was organized under the name of 
The Detroit Association for the .Suppression of 
Intemperance, with General Chas. Larned as presi- 
dent and F. P. Browning as secretary. Its second 
anniversary was held February 25, 1832, at St. 
Paul's Church, and its name was then changed to 
The Detroit Temperance Society. At the same 
meeting addresses were delivered by Jerry Dean, 
Horace Hallock, and C. C. Trowbridge. On March 
6, 1833 the society was merged into a State organi- 
zation, called the JNIichigan Temperance Society. 

About this time the subject of temperance began 
to assume increasing prominence, and in 1834 the 
Committee on Ways and Means of the Common 
Council was instructed to report on the necessity 
and the most imtnediate and effectual mode of 
reducing the number of groceries. (The word 
"grocery," at that time, was nearly synonymous 
with the present word " saloon.") On April 1 5, 
1834, the committee, consisting of Messrs. Stevens 
T. Mason, and Henry Howard, presented an elab- 
orate report to the council, showing that there were 
forty-six bars then in the city, and that much evil 
resulted therefrom, and urging a reduction in the 
number of groceries. The figures as presented by 
this committee showed that the bars licensed by the 
council during the previous year averaged one bar 
for every thirteen families. Such was the effect 
produced by this report that the council decided to 
refuse to license the sale of ardent spirits by gro- 
cers. An ordinance was also unanimously adopted 
prohibiting the sale of liquors in quantities of less 
than one gallon by any person unless licensed, and 
fixing the price of a license at $50; also requiring 
two sureties in the sum of $25 each. 

The action of the council w'as soon nullified by 
the dealers, and in November, 1834, with a popula- 



THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



839 



tion of only 4,973. fully one hundred persons were 
selling liquor. Un J'ebruary 28, 1835, a new Tem- 
perance Society, called the Detroit Young .Men's 
Temperance Society, was organized, with Dr. Doug- 
lass Houghton as president. At its annual meeting, 
on January 11, 1S36, the following officers were 
elected; F. Dmght, president; A. S. Kellogg, first 
\'ice-president ; M. J. Bacon, second vice-president ; 
R. E. Roberts, third vice-president; and J. S. Far- 
rand, secretan,'. At this meeting it was 

Resolved, that John Owen, H. McClure, J. S. Farrand, R. E. 
Roberts, E. Emerson, B. P. Hutchinson, H. X. Walker, James 
Filson, H. Dwight Williams, and C. W. Penny be a committee to 
distribute a Temperance Almanac to every family in the city. 

In 1837 the Detroit Young Men's Temperance 
Society was merged into the Young Alen's State 
Temperance Society, with its officers and executive 
committee in Detroit and a vice-president in each 
senatorial district. The following were officers ; M. 
J. Bacon, president ; John Owen, treasurer ; Rev. R. 
Turnbull, corresponding secretary, and H. G. Hub- 
bard, recording secretary, with Stevens T. Mason, 
G. E. Hand, John Chester, A. S. Kellogg, and J. S. 
Farrand as an executive committee. In 1838-1839 
the same president and corresponding secretary 
W'ere in office, and the Society continued in existence 
until 1846. 

Prior to 1836 such organizations aimed to promote 
temperance rather by the temperate use of liquors 
than by total abstinence therefrom ; but in 1836, at 
a State Temperance Convention held at Ann 
Arbor, Rev. Chas. Reighly, then of Monroe, made 
a stirring appeal in favor of total abstinence. This 
was deemed at the time a very radical idea, and the 
convention voted against using a pledge of the kind 
indicated. 

After the convention, those in favor of total 
abstinence organized a new society called The 
Michigan Total Abstinence Society. On Februaiy 
I, 1837, H. R. Schoolcraft delivered an address 
under its auspices at the First Presbyterian Church. 
Its officers in 1S39 were: A. E. Wing, president; 
J. P. Cleveland, secretary ; T. Romeyn, chairman of 
e.xecutive committee ; and R. Stuart, treasurer. The 
Detroit City Temperance Society, on the basis of 
total abstinence, was organized in July, 1840. In 
1845 H. Hallock was president, and J. S. Farrand 
secretary, and in 1846 W. A. Howard was elected 
president and E. C. Walker secretary. 

In 1 836 retail liquor dealers paid a city license 
of $50. Wholesale dealers paid S70, and tavern- 
keepers from Sio to $75. In 'S38 the price 
w;is reduced to $25. and in 1S41 to §20. By 
Act of March 28. 1836, a State license system was 
provided for, and in addition to any city license, 
dealers were required to procure a State license at a 



cost of from §15 to $20. This law was super- 
seded, on March 19. 1845, by a law providing that 
it should be determined by the qualified voters at 
each charter election whether or not the Common 
Council should grant licenses for retailing intoxicat- 
ing liquors, and if upon canvassing the votes it 
should be found that a majority were inscribed " No 
License," the city authorities during the next year 
were prohibited from granting licenses for the sale 
of into.xicating liquors of any kind. On June 18, 
1845, a temperance meeting was held, at which 
addresses were delivered by Dr. Lyman Beecher 
and Professor C. E. Stowe. 

In anticipation of the city election of March, 1846, 
when the Local Option Law of 1845 was to be put 
to the test, a public meeting of those opposed to 
the granting of licenses was held at the City Hall 
on February' 27. 1S46, to discuss the subject. An 
immense number gathered, and at the close of the 
meeting a committee of twelve was appointed to 
print and circulate " No License " tickets at the polls. 
The election was held on March 2, with the follow- 
ing result : In favor of licensing saloons, 230. Op- 
posed to licensing saloons, 1,070. Notwithstanding 
this vote, the City Council, unwilling to carry out 
the provisions of the law, appealed to the city 
attorney for a decision as to its constitutionality, and 
on .March 24 he reported that the law was binding. 
On April 7 the license committee of the council 
reported the facts as to the vote, and recommended 
the adoption of the following resolution : 

Resolved, that no license will be granted by this council to any 
person for the purpose of selling intoxicating liquors of any kind. 

The resolution was accepted and laid on the table. 

The citizens apparently thought it was time for 
them to take part in the discussion, and on Monday 
evening. .April 27, 1S46, a mass meeting was held at 
the City Hall, and the following resolutions adopted : 

Resolved, that as citizens mindful of the laws and regardful of 
public morals, we hereby respectfully express the hope that our 
public authorities will rigidly enforce the no-license law, and we 
pledge them our united efforts to aid them in its enforcement. 

Resolved, that a committee of seventy-five citizens be ap- 
pointed to carry into effect the foregoing resolutions. 

The committee were duly named, and the influ- 
ence of this meeting was immediately apparent. 
The council resolved not to grant licenses. The 
dealers then resolved to sell, and they did sell, 
without a license, and in the spring and summer of 

1846 suits were instituted by the city against a large 
number of persons for this violation of law. The 
practical results, however, were not such as to en- 
courage those opposed to licensing saloons, and in 

1847 the vote of the city was in favor of the license 
system. At the charter election in March, 1850. the 
vote on the question of licensing the sale of liquor 



840 



THE LIOUOR TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



was: For license, 1,482; against, 1,035. Tlie ad- 
vocates of temperance next directed their efforts to- 
wards securing the prohibition of licenses by the 
State, and as a result of the agitation, Section 47 of 
Article IV. of the Constitution of 1850 contained a 
positive prohibition of licenses for the sale of liquor. 
On June 19, 1850, while the constitutional con- 
vention was in session, John B. Gough delivered his 
first lecture in Detroit, in the Presbjterian Church. 
At the first meeting, and for the nine following 
meetings, the house was crowded with eager listen- 
ers to his thrilling temperance appeals. In the 
same year divisions of the " Sons " and the " Cadets " 
of Temperance were organized in Detroit, and a 
society known as the Temperance League came 
into existence. As a result of these varied organi- 
zations, and on the petition of Z. Chandler and two 
hundred and sixty-five others, the city marshal, on 
February 4, 1851, was directed to enforce an ordi- 
nance, dating back as far as 1836, which required 
saloons to close on Sundays and after 10 P. M. on 
other days. Like many similar efforts, this one was 
abortive, and finally the council, on December 23, 
1 85 1, in defiance of the Constitution, 

Resoi-'cd^ that dealers selling one quart and upwards at a time 
might be licensed for $10, groceries for $25, and coffee houses and 
taverns for $30 each. 

The legality of their action was contested, and in 
1852 the Supreme Court decided that the city had 
no right to grant licenses for the sale of liquors. 
The result was that the traffic in liquors was open 
to any one who cared to engage in it, without the 
payment of a license or tax of any kind. 

On July 7, 1852, delegates from all the secret 
temperance societies in the State met at Detroit in 
a mass convention. An immense procession formed 
part of the programme. It marched to Woodbridge 
Grove, where the meeting was held. Addresses 
were delivered by Neal Dow, Jacob M. Howard, 
Father Taylor, the sailor-preacher of Boston, and 
Professor Gardner, the New England soap-man. 
Seats were provided for the entire company. 

We now reach the history of the first " Maine 
Law " of Michigan. The petitions in favor of this 
law were gathered together, pasted on cotton cloth, 
arranged on rollers, and then presented to the 
Legislature by Rev. J. A. Baughman and Rev. 
George Taylor. The document was 1,300 feet long, 
and when unrolled, it was unanimously agreed to 
be the longest prayer ever made in Michigan. The 
law was approved February 12, 1853. 

It provided that the Council or Township Board, 
on the first Monday of October, might authorize 
some one person to sell liquor for mechanical and 
medicinal purposes upon his giving bonds to sell 
for those purposes only. The dealers were required 



to keep a list of persons buying liquor, the kind 
bought, and a statement of the purpose for which 
it was to be used. This law was submitted to the 
people for approval or rejection on the third Monday 
of June, 1853, and the votes were canvassed on the 
first Tuesday of August, with the following results : 
In the city 2,042 votes for the law, and 1,755 a.gainst 
it. Majority in favor, 287. In the county 3.831 for 
the law, and 2,980 against it. Majority in favor, 
851. In the State 40,449 for the law, and 23,054 
against it. Majority in favor, 17,395. 

A majority being in favor of the law, it went into 
operation on December i, 1853. At first it had a 
marked effect in Detroit, as well as in the State at 
large, and during Decembermany dealers abandoned 
the business. 

In order to secure the enforcement of the law a 
new temperance society, called the Carson League 
for Wayne County, was organized on November 
22, 1853. The following resolution gives details of 
its plans : 

Resaivedy that we organize a Mutual Protective Association, 
which shall be entitled the Carson League of the County of 
Wayne, whose mode of operation shall be as follows : Its first 
object will be the establishment of a fund of two millions of dol- 
lars or upwards, which shall consist of equal shares of one hun- 
dred dollars each. To raise this sum every person becoming a 
member shall give his or her note for one share or more without 
interest. The sum thus raised shall be subject to equal taxation, 
sufficient to defray expenses for the suppression of the sale of in- 
toxicating liquors as a beverage. 

The following were appointed officers for the first 
year: A. Sheley, president ; H. K. Clarke, vice-pres- 
ident ; Hiram Benedict, secretary ; C. N. Ganson, 
treasurer ; H. C. Knight, general agent ; H. K. Clarke, 
A. Shck-y, IS. Wight, executive committee. 

The League made its power felt, and on Decem- 
ber 3, 1853, this notice appeared in a city paper : 

The proprietors of the Biddle House, National Exchange, 
Andrews' Railroad Hotel, and we believe nearly all the hotels of 
any respectability, have closed their bars in compliance with the 
existing law. We notice, also, that most of the grocers of any 
standing, who kept an open bar for retail, have closed them. 

Prosecutions went on, and were almost uniformly 
successful. Finally, on December 9, 1853, B. Rush 
Bagg, police justice, rendered a decision against 
those who were enforcing the law on the ground 
that the law itself was unconstitutional, and the 
complaints, therefore, void. This decision greatly 
encouraged the liquor sellers, and on Friday, Decem- 
ber 16, following, they held a meeting at the City 
Hall, at which it was 

Resolvedy that we, the citizens of Detroit, assembled at this 
meeting to provide means to test the constitutionality of the 
liquor law, profess to be law-abiding citizens, and have no other 
end in view than the support of equal laws : and whereas, by the 
Constitution of the State, we have public officers whose duty it is 
to administer our laws, therefore we deem any number of persons 



THE LU2U0R TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



841 



associated for that purpose to be an illegal society, or league 
unknown in law, and dangerous to the peace and harmony of the 
community ; and that we will take legal measures to prosecute all 
such associations. 

The operations of the Carson League were soon 
after suspended, and again those who sold liquor 
were successful in their plans. The temperance 
question, however, remained an issue. The agita- 
tion continued, and on February 3, 1855, the Legis- 
lature passed what was known as the Ironclad Maine 
or Prohibitory' Law. This law made the traffic in 
liquor entirely illegal ; no one was permitted to sell 
e.xcept druggists, whose sole or principal business 
was the selling of drugs, and they might sell only 
for medicine, or as a chemical agent, or for scien- 
tific, mechanical, or manufacturing purposes, or 
sacramental uses, and were required to give bonds 
to keep the law. 

All payments for liquor were declared illegal, and 
made recoverable at law. Bills for liquors were 
made non-collectable, penalties were provided for 
disobeying the law, and liquors seized might be 
destroyed. The law went into operation on May 
15, 1855, and all or nearly all the leading saloons in 
Detroit were closed. On May 25 Mayor Ledyard 
issued a proclamation appealing to the citizens to 
stand by and conform to the law, but by June 27 
nearly all the bars were again opened. Many per- 
sons were arrested for selling, but most of the cases 
against them were appealed and then dismissed. 
The number of bars was not perceptibly diminished, 
and the law soon became a dead letter in Detroit. 
About this time "beer halles" began to displace the 
old "saloons," and in the three years from 1855 to 
1S58 their number increased with amazing rapidity. 

On July 13, 1858, a petition, signed by six hun- 
dred and si.xty-eight ladies, was presented to the 
council, reciting the evil effects of these places, and 
praying the council to enforce the prohibitory law. 
This petition was referred to a special committee of 
three, and on July 27, 1S58, they reported, recom- 
mending that an ordinance be passed requiring all 
saloons to close at 11 P. .m.. prohibiting the sale of 
liquors to minors, and proposing other means to 
remedy the evils of the traffic ; but no action was 
taken. 

On February 15, 1859, a further effort was made 
to remedy some of the evils of the traffic by the 
passage of a .State law providing for the appoint- 
ment by the probate judge of a chemist in each 
county as an inspector of liquors. These inspectors 
were to examine and test all spirituous and alcoholic 
liquors offered for sale, and severe penalties were 
provided for those who manufactured or sold adul- 
terated liquors. The law practically accomplished 
nothing, but it remained in force until May 3, 1875. 

On February 7, t 860, the Michigan State Tem- 



perance Society held a mass meeting at the First 
Congregational Church, and the Michigan State 
Temperance Alliance was organized to aid in secur- 
ing the enforcement of the law of 1855. Meantime 
the manufacture and sale of beer continued to 
increase, and, beginning with i860, the war influ- 
ences greatly stimulated its use. In deference to 
this fact, on March 15, 1863, the Legislature enacted 
that the law of 1S55 should not be construed as 
prohibiting the manufacture of wine from fruit 
grown by the manufacturer; or of beer made in 
Michigan, if not sold in less quantities than five 
gallons; or of wine or cider, if not sold in less 
amounts than one gallon. 

In 1860-1861 the Detroit City Temperance Society 
was an active organization, with Rev. George Duf- 
field, D. D., as president, and J. B. Bloss, as secre- 
tary. Under its auspices, Sunday afternoon meetings 
were held at the Detroit & Milwaukee Depot, and, 
largely as the result of these efforts, on September 
20, 1 86 1, an ordinance was passed requiring saloons 
to close entirely on the Sabbath. 

No systematic and persistent effort was, however, 
made to enforce it, and this law, like its predecessors, 
was soon a dead letter. Finally a new agency ap- 
peared. In the summer of 1865 the Metropolitan 
Police Act went into operation, and on an appeal 
to the comtnissioners, the old city ordinance was 
enforced, and Sunday. August 27, 1865, was marked 
as red-letter day by the church-goers and temper- 
ance people of Detroit. One of the daily papers on 
the following Monday contained this notice. 

A Quiet Sundav. — For the first time in years the great city of 
Detroit yesterday observed, outwardly at least, the first day of 
the week with becoming solemnity. All the saloons, bars, and 
beer-gardens were closed. 

The persistence and success of the efforts made to 
secure the observance of the Sabbath alarmed and 
angered the saloon-keepers, and on September 4 
they held a large meeting on the Campus Martius to 
take measures for the repeal of the Sunday law, and 
on the next day a petition, signed by 8,265 residents 
of Detroit, was presented to the Common Council, 
asking for the repeal of the Sunday ordinance. At 
the same time a remonstrance against the repeal 
was presented, signed by 2,500 persons. Both com- 
munications were referred to a special committee, 
and on September 19, three reports were presented 
to the council from the committee. The majority 
report favored a change in the ordinance which 
would allow the saloons to keep open Sunday after- 
noons till ten o'clock in the evening; two differ- 
ent minority reports, presented by Aldermen A. 
Sheley and H. C. Knight, opposed any change in the 
ordinance. The majority report was adopted. It 
did not receive the approval of the mayor, and the 



842 



THE LIOUOR TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



subject was before the council for several months. 
On October 2 a public meeting was held at the 
Young Men's Hall to protest against the repeal of 
the ordinance. Meantime a suit involving the 
validity of the old ordinance was tried, and on a 
decision by the recorder in its favor on January 28, 
1866, the police again attempted to enforce the 
ordinance, and thirty complaints were made for 
violation of the same. The opponents of the ordi- 
nance were not willing to submit, and on January 
29, and February i, 1866, large anti-Sunday-law 
meetings were held. 

Finally, on February 8, by a vote of eleven to si.\, 
a new Sunday ordinance was passed allowing news- 
depots to be kept open on Sunday from 12 M. to 2 
p. M. ; barber-shops till 10 A. M. ; groceries, bakeries, 
and meat-markets till S A. M., and livery stables 
during the whole day. It also provided that plea- 
sure gardens, beer-halls, saloons, and other pleasure 
resorts might be kept open from 2 p. m. to 10 P. M., 
if no music or games were allowed. This ordinance 
was approved by the mayor on February 1 3, but it 
displeased many citizens ; and on March 20 Captain 
Paxton, on behalf of the Detroit Temperance So- 
ciety and other parties, presented a petition from 
nearly two thousand citizens asking that it be re- 
pealed. The question of the validity of the ordi- 
nance was referred by the council to the city coun- 
.sellor and attorney, and on March 27 they reported 
that it was legal. The saloon-keepers were victori- 
ous, and this for a time ended the struggle. 

In 1866 the Young Men's Father Matthew (Cath- 
olic) Temperance Society was organized. The first 
meeting was held on August 9 at the house of 
Michael Brennan. Five persons were then enrolled 
as members. The school-house in connection with 
Trinity Church was secured as a place of meeting, 
and in twenty days they had obtained ninety signa- 
tures to their pledge. Continued prosperity decided 
the members of the society to secure a hall of their 
own. A lot on the southeast corner of Fourth and 
Porter Streets was purchased, a frame building 
twenty-four by sixty-five feet, costing $1,150, was 
erected, and dedicated on November i, 1867. After 
a time interest in the society flagged, and in 1S81 
its property was sold under a mortgage. 

On May 28, 1867, the Grand Lodge of Good 
Templars for North America commenced its ses- 
sions in Detroit. Its proceedings had no special 
relation to the city. In 1867 the State Constitu- 
tional Convention provided for submitting to the 
people, on the first Monday of April, 1S68, a clause 
in tlie Constitution prohibiting the sale of liquors. 
The amendment was voted on, with the following 
result: In the city of Detroit, for prohibitory' clause, 
1,474; against it, 6, 567. In the county, 3,040 for 
prohibition, and 10,245 against. In the State the 



vote stood: 72,462 for prohibition, and 86,143 
against. 

All this time the city ordinance permitting 
saloons to open part of the day was transgressed 
by many dealers who kept open all day. A 
complaint was made against George Bartenbach for 
so doing. On trial of the case, Recorder Swift, on 
April 19, 1869, declared the ordinance invalid, on 
the ground that the city had not power to pass an 
ordinance in regard to Sabbath observance. 

The State Prohibitory Law was, however, deemed 
a standing menace to the liquor dealers, and its pro- 
visions were often enforced against them. Some of 
them at last resolved on active opposition, and on 
August I, 1 87 1, a convention of Germans opposed 
to prohibition was held, and a league organized 
pledged to defend its members in any suits brought 
against them for violation of the law. 

Three years later, in the winter of 1874. the 
Women's Crusade began. Its influence spread so 
rapidly that liquor-sellers all over the country were 
seriously alarmed, and several saloon-keepers in 
Detroit went out of the business. On March 13, 
1874, a meeting of ladies was held in St. Andrews' 
Hall to consider what should be done by the women 
of Detroit, and a committee of five appointed to 
report a plan of action ; a second meeting was held 
at the chapel of the Central Methodist Episcopal 
Church on March 23, and on March 26, 1874, the 
Women's Christian Temperance Alliance was or- 
ganized. Committees were appointed, and in a 
quiet and systematic way a number of saloons were 
visited, and the keepers urged to consider the effects 
of their business. The ladies also inaugurated a 
series of .Sunday afternoon temperance meetings at 
Young Men's Hall, the use of which was given by 
Luther Beecher. The first meeting was held on 
April 19, 1874. Weekly meetings were also held 
in various churches. 

In March, 1876, both the Sunday and week-day 
meetings began to be held in the Y. M. C. A. 
building. In May following the name of the organi- 
zation was changed to the Women's Christian Tem- 
perance Union. At this time there was hardly a 
restaurant in the city which did not have a bar for 
the sale of liquor. Realizing this fact, on January 
19 the women of the L'nion opened a restaurant in 
the Y. M. C. A. building. It soon obtained a large 
number of customers, and its success caused the 
establishment of several other temperance restau- 
rants; having thus accomplished their object, the 
ladies sold out their interest in the restaurant. 

The presidents of the Lhiion have been as fol- 
lows: To April, 1874, Mrs. A. J. Murray; 1874- 
1S75, Mrs. I. G. D. Stewart; 1875-1881, Mrs. B. B. 
Hudson; 1881, Mrs. J. H. Bayliss; 1S82. Mrs. I.G. 
D.Stewart; 18S3- , Mrs. A. M. Fancher. 



THE LIOUOR TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



84^ 



In 1874 the Order of Sons of Temperance was 
again inaugurated in the city, and Detroit Division 
No. I was organized on September 7. 

On January, 25. 1875, the Grand Division was 
organized. Ten days later a State meeting of the 
Women's Christian Temperance Union convened 
in Detroit. 

During all the years since 1855. the Prohibitory 
Law, though legally binding, had not been enforced 
in Detroit. The crusade of 1S74 caused the dealers 
to fear that it might be appealed to. In order to 
anticipate any movement in that direction, and 
secure, if possible, a law affording them a measure 
of protection, a State meeting of liquor dealers was 
called at the Detroit Opera House on August 12. 
The formation of a State liquor league was advo- 
cated, and methods were discussed for securing a 
State license law, which, it was thought, would give 
stability and character to their business, and, by 
doing away with the Prohibitory Law, give it a legal 
standing. An address in opposition to prohibition 
and in favor of license was delivered by Levi 
Bishop. The meeting received the plan with favor, 
and a State Central Committee was appointed to 
endeavor to secure a State Legislature in favor of a 
license system. 

Many who were in favor of a diminution of the 
traffic, belie\ing that a poor law executed was better 
than a good one unenforced, aided the committee 
in their efforts, and the taxing of the saloons was 
approved of by many temperance people. As the 
result, on May 3, 1875, the Liquor Tax Law was 
passed and the Prohibitory Law repealed. The new 
law was much more stringent than its original pro- 
moters intended. It provided that retail dealers of 
spirituous liquors should pay a tax of §150, retail 
dealers of beer $40, and wholesale dealers in 
spirituous liquors $300 per year. Brewers were to 
pay from $50 to $300 per year, according to the 
amount of beer they manufacture. The law also 
pro\"ided that saloons should close on the Sabbath. 
It was to go into operation on August 2, 1S75. 

Anticipating that as soon as it took effect, they 
vi'ould be compelled to close their saloons on Sun- 
day, many saloon-keepers in Detroit petitioned the 
Common Council for permission to open on the Sab- 
bath. On May 25 a resolution that it should be 
lawful for saloons to keep open on Sunday was 
offered, and was referred to a special committee, 
and on May 28 a remonstrance against the resolu- 
tion was presented. On June 4 the committee 
reported that the council could not give authority to 
saloons to sell liquor on Sunday. The attempt to 
nullify the operations of the new law was strenuously 
opposed by almost all the religious denominations, 
and on June 7 a mass meeting was held at the Opera 
House in the interest of Sabbath obser\-ance, and to 



protest against the opening of the saloons by per- 
mission of the Common Council. 

Petitions from the saloon-keepers, however, were 
brought before the council frequently and persist- 
ently, and in many ways the aldermen sought to 
give the petitioners permission to keep open for at 
least part of the day. 

On August 6 they passed an ordinance allowing 
them to open from i to 10 o'clock P. M., but on 
August 10 it was vetoed by iVIayor Moffat. 

On August 17 the city attorney gave it as his 
opinion that in this question the mayor had no 
power to nullify by his veto the action of the council, 
because the law left it to the council to determine 
whether saloons should be kept open. On the same 
day the city counselor gave it as his opinion that a 
resolution passed over the mayor's veto would not 
hold, as the Legislature could not confer on the 
council the power to repeal by resolution a statute 
of the State. 

On the evening of the day these diverse opinions 
were rendered the council again passed the per- 
missive ordinance, and on August 20 it was again 
disapproved of and vetoed by Mayor Moffat. Sun- 
day, August 22, 1875, was a notable day. For the 
first time in ten years, nearly all, if not all, of the 
saloons were closed, and since then many have 
remained closed on the Sabbath. Others have 
learned to violate the law with impunity, for, though 
arrested for so doing, they are usually cleared by 
police court jurors. 

The Tax Law, as a State law, is enforced by the 
Metropolitan Police, over whom, as the commission- 
ers are appointed by the governor and senate, the 
Common Council have no authority. It was thought, 
however, that if both the council and the mayor 
favored the opening of saloons on the Sabbath, the 
police would not interfere. 

Those who favored the observance of the Sab- 
bath, known as the Law and Order Party, on Octo- 
ber 4, 1875, held an immense meeting in the Opera 
House, and from the speeches made and the resolu- 
tions passed at this meeting the impression became 
general in Detroit that a large majority of the older 
citizens and the prominent men of both political 
parties would vote for the candidate for mayor who 
would veto any ordinance proposing to allow the 
saloons to open on the Sabbath. 

Meanwhile, on October 12, on a test case, the 
Supreme Court decided the law to be constitutional. 

On the evening of November i, the day before the 
election, a great gathering of the Law and Order 
Party was held at the Opera House, and on the 
following day Alexander Lewis, the candidate they 
supported, was elected by a vote of 7,367 against 
5,691. 

In the trial of cases for keeping saloons open on 



844 



THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



Sunday, Police Justice D. E. Harbaugh provetl him- 
self an efficient ally of the law, and his quarterly 
returns of persons arrested and tried in his court 
indicated a great diminution of crime and dis- 
order. 

In the case of J. A. Kurtz for keeping his saloon 
open, appeal was made to the Supreme Court of the 
State, and on January i8. 1S76, the court affirmed 
the legality of the clause requiring saloons to close 
on Sunday. 

On March 3, 1S76, the Common Council made a 
further effort in behalf of the saloon-keepers, pass- 
ing an ordinance providing that saloons might be 
kept open from i to 1 1 P. M. on Sunday ; but on 
March 7 Mayor Lewis justified the expectations of 
those who elected him by sending a message to the 
council, vetoing the ordinance. He said, " The Su- 
preme Court in its decision in the Kurtz case has 
indicated, in language so plain that it cannot be mis- 
understood, that the part of the Tax Law giving 
municipalities the power of permitting dealers in 
liquors to sell and keep their places of business 
open on Sunday is unconstitutional." 

Meanwhile Section 47 of Article IV. of the Con- 
stitution was still in force, and read as follows: 

The Legislature shall not pass any Act authorizing the grant 
of licenses for the sale of ardent spirits or other into.vicating 
liquors. 

The question of striking this article out of the 
Constitution was submitted to the people, and in 
November, 1876, the vote was as follows: In the 
city, in favor of striking out, 6,585; against, 949. 
In the county, 9.170 for striking out, and 1,773 
against. In the State, 60,639 fo"" striking out, and 
52,561 against. A majority being in favor of so 
doing. Section 47 of Article IV. was stricken from 
the Constitution. 

A noteworthy event of this period was the visit 
of Dr. H. A. Reynolds, the Red Ribbon Reformer. 
His first lecture was delivered on February 9, 1877, 
in St. Andrew's Hall. On the ne.xt evening he 
addressed an immense meeting at the Detroit Opera 
House, and soon there was a popular furore in 
behalf of the temperance cause, as advocated by 
him. His mottoes of "Dare to do right" and "Be 
good to yourself," with a red ribbon in the button- 
hole as evidence of having signed the pledge, were 
adopted by thousands, and for a time no hall could 
be found large enough to accommodate the crowds 
that came to hear him. 

Under his leadership, the Detroit Reform Club 
was organized on February 11, 1877, with D. 15. 
Duffield as president and J. C. McCaul as secretary. 
At the afternoon and evening meetings on the day 
of organization 802 persons signed the pledge, and 
within a month the membership increased to 2,310. 
The Club undertook various kinds of benevolent 



work in behalf of its members, and its meetings 
were largely attended. 

On July 8, 1S77, Francis Murphy, the great Blue 
Ribbon Apostle of Temperance, delivered an address 
at Young Men's Hall under the auspices of the 
Club. On November 2, 1S77, the Society was in- 
corporated, and on November 1 3 J. W. Smith was 
elected president. He was succeeded on July 30, 
1879, by Rev. C. T. Allen, and he, in turn, in 1880, 
by William Wade; T. W. Martin at the same time 
became secretary. On February 9, 1879, the Society 
celebrated its second anniversary at the Detroit 
Opera House. Dr. H. A. Reynolds was present 
and delivered an address. 

The meetings of the Club were soon transferred 
from the Opera House to I\Ierrill Hall, and from 
there to Young Men's Hall, the use of which was 
given by Luther Beecher ; finally the upper part of 
the Barns' Block, on the northwest corner of Wood- 
ward and Grand River Avenues, was fitted up, and 
on January 10, 1879, it was dedicated. Within two 
)-ears after, owing to dissensions among themselves, 
and the advocacy of impracticable measures, the 
Club was disbanded and its property disposed of. 

On February 22, 1877, a Young Men's Red Rib- 
bon Club was organized, and soon after a Boys' 
Club was established. Both of these organizations 
were short-lived. On June 26, 1878, two State 
Temperance Conventions were in session in Detroit, 
one representing the old prohibition party and the 
other the Red Ribbon Clubs of the State. In this 
year a Young Women's Christian Temperance 
LTnion was organized, and, for a time, was quite 
energetic. On May 27 the Right Worthy Grand 
Lodge of Good Temi^lars of the World began a 
four days' meeting at Detroit. 

Turning again to the Common Council, we find 
that on May 8, 1877, they again took up the cause 
of the saloon-keepers, voting to allow them to keep 
open their saloons on Sunday from 2 to 10 p. m. 

On May 1 1 Mayor Lewis for the second time 
interposed his veto, giving substantially the same 
reasons he had gi\'en previously. 

The State law of May 22, 1S77, which went 
into effect on November 6, 1S77, dealt another 
blow to the liquor interest by providing that saloons 
should be closed on election days, and' Section 9 of 
the law made it the duty of the mayor, within five 
days of an election, to issue a proclamation warn- 
ing the people of the law, and requiring the police 
to see that it was enforced. On May 31, 1879, 
by amendment to the law of 1875, saloons were 
required to close on all legal holidays, violations 
of the law were to be punished by imprisonment, 
instead of by fine, and the taxes were largely 
increased. For retail dealers of alcoholic liquors 
the tax was fixed at $200 ; for retail dealers in beer 



THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC AND TEMPERANCE EFFORTS. 



845 



at $65 ; wholesale and retail dealers in alcoholic 
liquors were to pay S400 ; dealers in beer $1 50, and 
brewers from $65 to Si 00. 

This law "heaped Ossa upon Pelion," and the 
liquor dealers assembled in conclave at Lansing, on 
July 29. 1880, organized the Michigan Liquor Deal- 
ers' Protective Association, and by assessments on 
its members raised a large amount of money to be 
expended in efforts to secure the election of mem- 
bers of the Legislature who would repeal or modify 
the law ; they also interviewed the candidates for 
governor and lieutenant-governor, and on Septem- 
ber 26. 1880, issued a circular recommending that 
the liquor-dealers cast their votes for the Democratic 
candidates, as they had pledged themselves to 
further their interests. These efforts did not prove 
effective, for Holloway, the Democratic candidate, 
received but 137,641 votes in the State, against 178,- 
944 for Jerome. The vote in Wayne County was 
17,242 for Holloway, and 13.943 for Jerome. In the 
city the vote stood 12,122 for Holloway, and 9,903 
for Jerome. 

The keepers of saloons became increasingly 
urgent in their demands, and on April 27,1880, their 
friends in the Common Council secured the passage 
of a resolution declaring the law of 1879 to be 
arbitrary, excessive, and illegal, and directing the 
city counselor to file a bill in the Circuit Court to 
restrain the county and city treasurer from receiving 
or collecting the taxes under said law. Three days 
later the council directed the county treasurer and 
sheriff not to collect the liquor taxes, and instructed 
the city counselor to apply for an injunction to re- 
strain the collection ; but on May 3 Judge Chambers 
denied the bill, on the ground that he had no juris- 
diction in the case. On May I, 1882, an amend- 
ment to the State law went into effect which increased 
the yearly tax to be paid by beer sellers to $200. 



The same Act also provided for a yearly tax of $300, 
to be paid by those who sold distilled liquors separ- 
ately, or with beer. 

Since 1874, the operation of the Tax Law and 
the tendency of public sentiment have caused a 
yearly decrease in the number of dealers in spir- 
ituous and malt liquors in Detroit as compared with 
the population. The number of dealers in i860 
was 625; in 1S65, 523; in 1870, 669; in 1875, 765; 
in 1876, 719; in 1877, 685: in 1883, 678. 

The number of wholesale and retail dealers in 
Wayne County and the amount of the tax collec- 
tions for the various years is as follows: 1875. deal- 
ers, 995; ta.xes, $93,545. 1876, dealers, 1.137; 
taxes, §97,159. 1877, dealers. 707; taxes, $76,250. 
1878, dealers, 1,117; ta.xes, $69,046. 1879, dealers, 
1,281; taxes, $73,411. 1880. dealers, 955; taxes, 
$98,553. 1881, dealers, 985; ta.\es, $101,819. '8S2, 
dealers, 787; ta.\es, $195,311. 1 883, dealers, 8 1 7 ; 
taxes. $177,715. 

The amount of revenue obtained by the city from 
the tax is shown in connection with the article on 
Finances. 

On May 16, 1883, the National Convention of 
Brewers began its sessions at Harmonie Hall, and 
on the evening of the 17th they had a banquet at 
the same place. 

The National Convention of the Women's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union met at the Central Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church on October 31, 1883. 

The temperance organization known as the Order 
of the White Cross was founded in Detroit on Feb- 
ruary 18, 1884, at the Asbury Methodist Episcopal 
Chapel. The officers of the first club were : H. O. 
Wills, president; R. N. Lewis, secretary; G. B. 
Whitney, treasurer ; and W. H. Suits, chaplain. In 
June, 1884, the organization had 1.800 members and 
was increasing at the rate of 200 per week. 



CHAPTER LXXXI, 



BANKS AND CURRENCY.— INSURANCE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. 



The earliest money circulated in New France, 
and to some extent current in this region, known as 
"Card Money," was first issued in 1685, to pay the 
soldiers ; it consisted of ordinary playing cards cut 
into four pieces, each piece being stamped with a 
fleur de lis and a crown, and signed by the gov- 
ernor, intendant, and clerk of the treasury. This 
money was in use in Detroit in 1717, and was worth 
only fifty cents on the dollar in silver. It continued 
in use until 1729 or later. Specimens are preser\-ed 
at Quebec. 

In 1763 Pontiac is said to have issued pieces of 
birch-bark as money, with the figure of an otter, his 
totem or seal, rudely drawn thereon, and tradition 
says that he faithfully redeemed them. The wam- 
pum used by the Indians was sold by traders for 
the purpose. It, was largely manufactured by the 
Dutch at Albany from both the purple and the 
white part of clam and oyster shells, and the Hol- 
landers of the Mohawk grew rich from the product 
of their primitive mint. The pieces of wampum 
were about half an inch long with a hole in them, 
and were carried on strings. 

The usual currency of this and other trading 
posts was the peltries of various animals ; they were 
the chief productions, and were readily exchanged at 
Montreal and Quebec for goods of every kind. In 
earlier days there was little variation in the price of 
skins, and as the demand usually kept pace with the 
supply, there was but little depreciation in the cur- 
rency. Accounts were often kept in beaver-skins, 
and other furs were reckoned according to their 
value in such skins. Otter skins were reckoned at 
six shillings each, and martins at one shilling and 
sixpence. A stroud-blanket cost ten beaver-skins, 
a white blanket eight, a pound of powder two, a 
pound of shot or ball one, a gun twenty, a one- 
pound axe two, and a knife one beaver-skin. 

Buck and doe skins succeeded the beaver cur- 
rency as a medium of exchange. Until the present 
century a good deerskin was equivalent to about a 
dollar. 

During revolutionary' days accounts were usually 
kept in York currency, so called because issued by 
the Provincial Congress of New York, which, even 
at that day. was a controlling factor in the commerce 
of the country. The first York currency was issued 



under Act of .September 2, 1776. The notes were 
of the denomination of fifty cents, and one, two, 
three, five, and ten dollars. Soon after, notes for 
one ninth, one si.xleenth, one third, and one fourth 
of a dollar were issued. It was usual to reckon 
these notes at §2.50 to the pound. Halifax cur- 
rency was estimated at $4.00 to the pound. Spanish 
dollars were the most valuable. 

On September 12, 1781, A. & VV. Macomb sold 
Andrews, Graverat, & Visger eight hundred and 
seventy-five Spanish dollars at ten shillings each. 

Skins, as currency, were supplanted in 1779 by 
bills issued by merchants under authority of the 
governor. Each merchant was allowed to issue 
paper money, or due bills, to the value of the prop- 
erty he had on hand, and on a given day they 
exchanged with each other the bills they had received. 
This was the beginning of the clearing-house system. 

In the old Macomb ledgers of 1780 and 1781 
there are frequent entries of "cash destroyed," the 
amounts evidently referring to the destruction of 
the bills of the firm after they had been redeemed. 
The same sort of currency was continued under the 
earlier years of American rule, and was adopted as 
a means of driving out of circulation the "cut 
money," — silver pieces that had been cut into many 
parts, and otherwise so mutilated that they were no 
longer desirable as a circulating medium. 

In the old records of the Court of General 
Quarter Sessions of the Peace for Wayne County for 
May 10, 1798, there is the following notice : 

ll^hereas the Grand Jury of the County of Wayne presented, 
at the last general quarter sessions of the peace, the cut money 
tlicn in circulation as a nuisance, as tending to promote fraud, 
and whereas the Court pubHcIy recommend that the circulation 
of the aforesaid money should be stopped, as dangerous to the 
community. Now, the Court ordain that after the fourth day of 
June next (1798) all cut money ~ not being a legal tender in the 
country — may and ought to be refused as payment of any debts 
whatsoever. 

And that the Court inform the inhabitants of the County of 
Wayne that at their next general quarter sessions of the peace, 
they will and shall adopt the necessary means to establish upon 
a solid basis a currency of small bills of credit from four to twelve 
pence each, which bills shall be redeemed with cash on presenta- 
tion, as the signer or signers of said bills shall give unquestion- 
able security before issuing them. 

During the years immediately prior to and suc- 
ceeding 1812, the money in circulation was chiefly 



[846] 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



847 



Spanish silver pieces, and a few French and Portu- 
guese gold coins. The coin was kept in kegs and 
boxes, which oftentimes stood open under the coun- 
ters of the merchants. After the capture of Detroit 
the currency was inflated by the "fiat money" of 
General Proctor. His proclamation of March 25, 
1813. ordered that army and commissariat bills be 
received and accepted as "a legal tender and of the 
same value as gold or silver, under a penalty of two 
hundred dollars, on the oath of one credible witness 
aside from the informer." 

During this war and up to 181 7, much Ohio cur- 
rency was in circulation, and was subject to a 
discount of twenty-five per cent in New York. 
Notwithstanding this fact, the Government made 
use of the money, and as the goods of Detroit 
merchants were chiefly procured at New York, all 
who received Ohio bills in payment were obliged to 
charge a large extra percentage. During this same 
period many private firms and individuals issued 
their due-bills as money. 

In deprecation of this practice, a communication 
in The Detroit Gazette for September 5, 1817. 
signed "Common Sense," says: 

The issuing of small bills has of late grown so fashionable that 
even strangers are willing to iend us their assistance and furnish 
funds for our necessities the moment they arrive among us. Their 
names may be said to be tirst learned from seeing them on the 
margin of their bills. 

The article was prefaced with a few comments 
from the editor, declaring that 

The vast quantity in circulation tends to embarrass trade. 
* * * Some have said that if every merchant, mechanic, inn- 
keeper, and huckster in the city would issue these facilities it 
would glut the market and have the effect of producing an 
arrangement that would be satisfactory on all parts. As printers 
merely, we should recommend such an experiment, but as citizens 
of Detroit, solicitous for its good name and the prosperity of its 
inhabitants, we hope no citizen will think of throwing any more 
embarrassments in the way of trade. 

These articles did not correct the e\il, and in 
January, 1 8 19, there was an unusually large quan- 
tity of " shinplasters " or "small bills" in circulation, 
some of them, issued by Judge \Voodward, being 
for one and two cents each. At a meeting of citi- 
zens it was resolved "that the issuing of small 
change by individuals, who do not redeem them at 
sight, is an evil " which should be corrected. It 
was also resolved that thereafter persons intending 
to issue small bills should first give security for their 
redemption. 

During this year Rev. Gabriel Richard began the 
erection of St. .Anne's Church, and very naturally he 
did what many others were doing, — issued his own 
money, paying out large quantities to the workmen. 
The types with which the shinplasters were printed 
were stolen from the Gazette office by a printer 



named Cooper, who issued a quantity, with the 
counterfeit signature of Father Richard. The worthy 
father redeemed them as far as he was able, and his 
refusal to receive several hundred dollars of what 
was said to be counterfeit scrip is stated to have 
made a lasting breach between him and certain per- 
sons of his parish. The man Cooper subsequently 
enlisted in the United States .'\rtillery, and the 
stolon types were found under the floor of one of 
the buildings of the cantonment on August 7, 1819. 
In order to inflate the currency and aid the con- 
tractors who were then btiikling the Court House 
or Capitol, the Governor and Judges also began to 
issue scrip; the fin.t issue was dated 1819, the last 
1826. and they issued a total of $22,500, in sums of 
from S2.00 to §20.00. 




I 



i-i 






^3- 



f^\C-^I.MILE or UNK OF F.VTHEK KiCH.^RD's ShINPLASTEKS. 

From time to time the bills of Eastern and 
Southern States were circulated to some e.xtent in 
the Territor)-, and on May 29, 181 9, the Secretary 
of the Treasury notified the receiver of the Land 
Office not to receive the bills of the Bank of Balti- 
more, nor those of the Franklin Bank of Alexandria, 
Va., as they had refused to redeem their notes in 
specie. 

On October 22, 1S19, the money in circulation 
was chiefly bills of Ohio banks, and of these The 
Gazette classified seven as " good ; " twelve others 
were named, and classified respectively as "decent," 
"middling," and "good-for-nothing." On Decem- 
ber 4 a committee of five citizens, consisting of 
James Abbott, John P. Sheldon, Peter J. Desnoyers, 
Thomas Palmer, and Thomas Rowland, was ap- 
pointed "to obtain and diffuse intelligence relating 
to the value of bills of the various banks circulating 
in the Territory." At this time there was a dearth 
of money and much distress among almost all 
classes. From 1820 to 1830 there was a great lack 
of funds for nearly all enterprises. 

During all these years the circulation of cut coins 
continued, and their use was .so inconvenient that on 
August 17, 1821, at a meeting of citizens at Wood- 



848 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



worth's Hotel, seventy of the principal business men 
pledged themselves not to receive or pass cut coins 
except by weight. Currency continued to be so 
scarce that individuals, and corporations large and 
small, issued their promises to pay, in sums of from 
six and a quarter cents to five dollars, but on August 
31, 1822, a citizens' meeting resolved to discoun- 
tenance the further circulation of bills of less than 
one dollar made by individuals ; and gradually the 
practice ceased. 

Meantime ten years passed away, and financial 
difficulties of larger proportions began to trouble all 
the land. The beginnings of these difficulties dated 
from the Act which incorporated the United States 
Bank, February 8, 1791. The charter expired on 
March 4, 181 1, an unsuccessful effort having been 
made in 1808 to obtain a renewal. The second 
bank of the United States was chartered on April 
3, 18 16. for twenty years, and went into operation 
on January 7, 1817. In 1829 it was doing a pros- 
perous business with a capital $35,000,000, one fifth 
of which was owned by the Government. It had 
branches in all the States and its notes were at par 
throughout the Union, — were even used to buy teas 
in China, — and the bank was regarded as impregna- 
ble. In 1829 President Jackson, in his first message, 
expressed strong doubts as to the constitutionality of 
the charter, and repeated the doubt in his messages 
of 1830 and 1831. Notwithstanding this, Congress, 
in 1S32, passed a law renewing the charter, but the 
President vetoed the bill and recommended the 
removal of the public deposits from the bank, and 
the next year urged Mr. Duane, the Secretary of 
the Treasury, to remove them. That officer declined 
to act and refused to resign. On September 23, 

1833, the President removed him, and appointed the 
late Chief-Justice Roger B. Taney in his stead, and 
in December, on a positive order from the President, 
the deposits were withdrawn. 

This action so alarmed private banks throughout 
the country that, not knowing what might happen 
next, they refused all discounts. A public meeting 
was held in the old Capitol in Detroit on April 4, 

1834, to condemn the removal of the deposits, and 
all was anxiety and unrest. 

The President next undertook to prove that the 
functions of the United States Bank could be per- 
formed by the private or State banks. To this end 
the Secretary of the Treasury entered into corre- 
spondence with several banks, offering to constitute 
them the fiscal agents of the Government, and to 
authorize them to perform such service as had been 
performed by the old United States Bank. The 
State banks eagerly embraced the opportunity, and 
in each of the principal cities of the Union one or 
more of them was appointed depository of the 
public revenue and disburser of the public funds. 



I\Ir. Taney issued a circular, in which he said, " The 
deposits of the public money will enable you to 
afford increased facilities to commerce and to ex- 
tend your accommodations to individuals ; " and 
President Jackson, in a message to Congress, said, 
" It is considered against the genius of our free 
institutions to lock up in vaults the treasure of the 
nation." Evidently neither the President nor his 
Secretary saw the fatal snare into which they were 
running. They forgot that the revenue could not 
be used " to extend accommodations to individuals " 
and at the same time be garnered in vaults awaiting 
the demands of the nation. Mr. Woodbury, who 
succeeded Mr. Taney as Secretary of the Treasury, 
issued a circular in which he expressly recommended 
the lending of the public moneys to the people, in 
order to demonstrate that a Bank of the United 
States was not a necessary fiscal agent. 

Meanwhile, in order to regulate the deposit banks, 
Congress passed a law with conditions so onerous 
that we look back with astonishment upon the 
blindness of that day. The deposit banks were 
required to pay interest at the rate of two per cent 
per annum upon daily balances, to be responsible 
for all bank-notes received by them on government 
account and to treat them as gold; also to hold 
themselves in readiness to pay at sight the whole sum 
due to the United States, or to transmit it to any 
part of the Union at their own risk and expense. 
In Michigan, the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank 
and the Bank of Michigan were made deposit banks, 
and the public officers in the Territory made deposits 
in each on alternate weeks. From this source the 
Farmers and Mechanics' Bank received large 
amounts, often as much as $1,500,000. These sums, 
with its capital, it used to afford large discounts in 
conformity with the request that had been made. 

The country was bewildered with prosperity. 
The entire war debt of 181 5, amounting to twenty- 
four millions of dollars, had been paid out of the 
government revenues, and there remained a surplus 
of more than forty millions in the treasury. Appar- 
ently the Government had no use for the money, and 
in June, 1836, Congress resolved to divide it among 
the States according to population, and twenty-eight 
millions, in quarterly instalments, were actually so 
disbursed. As a natural consequence of this abun- 
dant supply of money, the price of everything was 
abnormally increased. Emigration from East to 
West was encouraged. Importation was greatly 
increased ; manufacture was stimulated ; the rage 
for fine buildings, fine equipage, fine furniture, fine 
dress, and luxurious living spread throughout the 
country. This unhealthful activity began to show 
itself in 1834, and grew rapidly in 1835 and 1836. 
In this last year the charter of the United States 
Bank expired, but practically the same bank was 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



849 



rechartered by the State of Pennsylvania, under the 
name of the United States Bank of Pennsylvania. 

This new institution took the securities and 
assumed the responsibilities of the defunct bank. 
The old bank had returned the ten millions of 
government deposits, and the new one was required 
to refund the seven millions of capital owned by 
the United States. Notwithstanding this tremen- 
dous draft, it undertook to compete with the State 
deposit banks for the trade of the country', and 
especially for the control of the cotton crop. At 
first all went smoothly, but it was soon discovered 
that the prestige of the new bank was gone. The 
diminution of its power by the withdrawal of the 
seventeen millions of government money, the return 
from a wide field of its own notes, the hostility of 
the party in pow-er, the reckless loans made to 
speculators in produce, and wild land schemes, all 
fostered the panic which was drawing near. 

Up to the time of the issuing of President Jack- 
son's Specie Circular of July 1 1, 1836, which directed 
that all public oflicers should receive and pay out 
coin only, the banks generally were prosperous, their 
notes were used without question, and were promptly 
redeemed, on presentation, in such funds as were 
called for. The Specie Circular put everything on a 
coin basis, and the banks were compelled to arrange 
their business accordingly. As a result, all business 
came to a standstill. On October 15, 1836, and for 
several months before, the banks of Detroit would 
not discount the best paper offered. To convert 
uncurrent money into available funds a premium of 
from one to five per cent had to be paid. 

In January, 1837, disasters came thicker and 
faster. Even the best paper went to protest. 
" Paper cities," by the score, collapsed, wild lands 
were returned for unpaid taxes, banks curtailed 
their loans ; circulating notes were returned for coin ; 
and the large sums due the United States for the 
proceeds of public lands sold or duties collected 
were required to be transferred to the East. The 
State depositories, which were trembling under the 
pressure, and needed strengthening, were thus left 
to their own resources. The government account, 
that at first had promised so much, in the end 
proved one of the most unfortunate and disastrous 
of accounts. The banks were obliged to pay the 
Government, but could not collect the loans they 
had made. Manufacturers suspended, and whole- 
sale and retail merchants toppled over like rows of 
bricks. 

In February the contraction became more serious, 
and failures still more frequent. In March the pos- 
sibility of a suspension of specie payments became 
a subject of discussion. In April that event had 
come to be regarded as probable. On May 10 the 
blow fell ; the banks of New York City refused 



to redeem. There was then no telegrajjli, and few 
railroads, but the news was spread rapidly by 
couriers. 

For weeks the banks all over the country had 
been struggling against suspension, but at last the 
blow had fallen. The news reached Detroit on 
May 16. Sidney Ketchum, who arrived from New 
York on the morning of that day, brought news of 
the suspension. Handbills soon announced a meet- 
ing at the City Hall, and there Mr. Ketchum told 
the story, and showed printed copies of the pro- 
ceedings in some of the eastern towns. The citizens 
passed the stereot>^e resolution, calling on the 
banks to suspend to save their specie, and the ne.xt 
day the following advertisement appeared : 

TO THE PUBLIC. 

Bank Notice. — At a meeting of the Board of Directors of all 
the banks in the city this afternoon, it was 

Resolved^ that in consequence of intelligence of a general sus- 
pension of specie payments in the Eastern States, it has been 
deemed a course of proper precaution on the part of the banks of 
Detroit and their branches to adopt a like measure until further 
notice ; and in the meantime the business of the banks will in 
other respects be conducted as usual 

Detroit, May 17, 1837. 

On !\Iay 20 the following notice appeared : 

At a meeting of the Directors of the Detroit city banks on 
Friday, the 19th May, 1S37, Honorable Levi Cook in the chair, 
and John Norton, Jr., secretary, 

Resolved^ that this meeting has heard with surprise that a 
report had obtained currency in the city of the intention of the 
banks to take advantage of the present crisis in selling their coin 
at a high premium. * * * 

Rcsoh'ed^ each Board for its own institution, that the alleged 
connection between the banks of this city and the brokers therein 
is wholly without foundation and utterly untrue. 

Rcsoi-Z'ed, that from and after the first day of June next the 
banks in this city will open at nine o'clock A. M. and close at two 
o'clock r. .M. for the day. 

Resoh'ed, that the above be published in Ihe several news- 
papers of this city. 
John Norton, Jr., Secretary. Levi (.miok. Chairman. 

After the suspension a sense of relief pen'aded 
the community, but only for a little while, for sus- 
pension of specie payments was soon found to be 
suspension of all payment. 

In June 1837, Mr. Van Buren called an e.xtra 
session of Congress. Time for payment was ex- 
tended to the deposit banks, but the President pro- 
posed to withdraw the public moneys from the State 
banks, to establish the sub-treasur)% and to make it 
a penal offence on the part of disbursing officers to 
receive or pay out the bills of any State bank. The 
subject, of course, became a political one, and on 
July II, while Daniel Webster was in Detroit, 
visiting his son, Daniel F. Webster, a lawyer then 
residing here, he delivered an address in opposition 
to the policy of the Government. 

Up to this time the business activity of 1834 to 



850 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



1837 had been regarded as a healthy development 
of American energy. The reaction was fearful. 
Confidence was lost, values were unsettled. Great 
distress ensued, and the streets were crowded with 
unfortunate and able-bodied men who were unable 
to procure work, and a man would no more buy a 
parcel of unproductive real estate, subject to taxes, 
than he would fondle a rattlesnake. Those who 
were in debt, and they constituted a majority of the 
population, were in despair. To tell them that their 
creditors had confidence in their integrity, and would 
wait, was to hold before their eyes a picture of un- 
ending torture. Under such circumstances the 
debtor class were ready to approve and adopt any 
measure of relief, without regard to its legality or 
commercial soundness. The Legislature of Michi- 
gan was appealed to, and passed a law providing 
that when lands were levied upon under execution, 
the sheriff should have them appraised, and the 
creditors take them in payment at two thirds of the 
appraisal. Under the operations of this law the 
prices of lands which had been bought in the heat 
of the speculating mania were kept up by debtors 
who had purchased them. Others who were in debt, 
with the aid of friends or from reser\'ed means, often 
bought up tracts of wild land at government prices, 
and turned them over to the sheriff to be appraised 
at ten times their cost, and transferred to creditors at 
six times their value. Deception and dishonesty 
seemed to be at a premium. While these methods 
were being pursued, most of the eastern banks re- 
sumed, and on May 16, 1838, the Bank of Michigan 
and the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank again paid 
specie. 

All this financiering and all the remedial and stay 
laws failed to bring relief. The mountain of debt, 
increased by interest and taxes, grew larger. Many 
creditors declined to accept payment in the way 
provided by law ; the debtor class therefore remained 
in trouble, and no absolute relief came until 1841, 
when the Bankrupt Act was passed. Meanwhile, 
in order to relieve existing distress, and establish a 
value for lands, the Legislature, by Act of March 15, 
and amended Act of December 30, 1837, provided 
for an unlimited number of so-called banks. Of 
the nominal capital of these " wildcats," only ten per 
cent in specie was required to be paid when sub- 
scriptions to the stock were made, and twenty per 
cent additional in specie when the bank commenced 
business. For the further security of the notes the 
stockholders were to give first mortgages upon real 
estate, to be estimated at its cash value by at least 
three county officers, and these mortgages were to be 
filed with the auditor-general as collateral security 
for the notes to be issued. First one and then three 
commissioners were appointed to superintend the 
organization of these banks and attest the legality 



of their proceedings, and upon the certificate of 
either of them, the auditor-general was to counter- 
sign and deliver to the bank circulating notes to the 
extent of two and a half times the amount of capi- 
tal certified to have been paid in. Lhider the Acts, 
at first twelve, and then any number of persons, 
upon signing an agreement to that effect, became a 
banking corporation, and almost any one might be 
a director. This monstrous banking system was 
welcomed alike by those who were hopelessly bank- 
rupt and by those who saw a chance for unlimited 
knavery ; and in a few months wherever two roads 
crossed, a bank was established. Many of the so- 
called banks had neither books nor office, and stock 
was transferred to, and represented as owned by 
persons who knew not that they were stockholders 
in these enterprising corporations. In most cases 
there was no coin to exhibit to the bank commis- 
sioner. " Specie certificates, verified by oath, were 
everywhere substituted, the identical certificates 
having been cancelled as soon as created by a draft 
for the same amount." In some cases certificates 
or specie would be borrowed to show to the commis- 
sioner. If specie, as soon as it had been examined 
in one bank, a fast team would take it to the woods 
where some other bank was located, and there it 
would again be counted as bank capital. The loan 
of specie by established corporations to these sham 
institutions became part of the regular banking 
business of the period, and banks put in operation 
by these fraudulent transactions were themselves in 
turn parents of similar offspring. In the language 
of an official report, "There is no species of fraud 
and evasion of law which the ingenuity of dishonest 
corporations has ever devised that has not been 
practiced under this Act." So utterly reckless did 
some of the operators become that they exhibited to 
the commissioner coin boxes filled with nails and 
window-glass, in lieu of specie. They hurried to 
New York in scores to urge the engravers to deliver 
without delay their circulating notes, which were 
issued to them by the auditor as rapidly as their so- 
called securities were perfected. 

The first bank established under the Act was the 
Farmers' Bank at Homer, Calhoun County. The 
articles were filed on August 19, 1837. In a little 
over four months nineteen more banks were created ; 
in 1838 they were more plentiful than mushrooms 
and grew as rapidly. Forty-nine banks organized 
and nearly forty went into operation in one year, 
with a professed capital of $1,745,000 ; thirty per 
cent was claimed to be paid in. In a few months 
two millions of dollars were distributed about the 
State, of which probably not one dollar was secured 
by bona fide capital, paid in for legitimate banking 
purposes. In order to make good their credit, these 
new banks demanded that the old territorial banks 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



851 



should receive their notes on deposit, and circum- 
stances compelled them to do so. 

Three of these banks were located in Waj-ne 
County. The Bank of Gibraltar, at Gibraltar, was 
in existence as early as September 29, 

1837. The directors chosen on Jan- 
uar)' I, 183S, were: Joshua Howard. 
Enoch Jones, Benjamin Porter, Alan- 
son Sheley, Theodore Romeyn, H. B. 
Lathrop, N. T. Ludden, Eldridge 
Morse, and Griffith H. Jones. Joshua 
Howard was president and J. C. Ring- 
nolt cashier. The nominal capital was 
$100,000. An Act of February 19, 

1838, authorized the bank to open an 
office in Detroit for sixty days for the 
transaction of business. 

The following advertisement con- 
tains particulars concerning the Detroit 
City Bank, the only bank which claimed 
Detroit as its home : 

The Detroit City Bank will commence its oper- 
ations on Tuesday, 26th inst. (December, 1837). 
Discount days on Tuesdays and Fridays. All 
paper intended for discount must A presentt^d 
by ten o'clock a. m. on discount days. Hours of 
business from nine to twelve o'clock A. .M. and 
from 1.30 to 3 p. M. 

By order of the Board. 

F. H. Harris, 

Cashier. 

The directors, in February', 183S, 
were : H. M. Campbell, president ; 
Charles Bissell, H. Hallock, John 
Truax, Cullen Brown, Julius Eldred, 
A. T. McReynolds, and E. Brooks. 
The nominal capital was $200,000, and 
notes to the amount of $200,000 were 
printed; only $29,675, apparently, was 
ever in circulation. The bank sus- 
pended on February 23, 1839, only 
$15,423 of its notes being then out. 
H. Hallock, J. Eldred, and Cullen 
Brown were appointed receivers. 

The Wayne County Bank, located at 
Plymouth, issued $45,000, with no 
money paid in. A specie certificate 
was the basis of their operations. A 
two-dollar bill of this bank, dated 
December 3, 1837, is preserved at 
Lansing. J. D. Davis was president 
and B. F. Hall cashier. The directors 
were : Cullen Brown. C. L. Bristol, C. 
Ten Eyck, T. Lyon, H. A. Noyes, C. 
Harrington, A. Y. Murray, E. Wood- 
ruff, and J. D. Davis. In winding u]3 
its affairs A. W. Buel was appointed 



receiver. The bank commissioners were appointed 
for two years. Following is a list of their names 
and the date of their appointment : Robert McClel- 
land, March 28, 1836; Edward ^L Bridges, March 




852 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



17, 1837; Thomas Fitzgerald, January 22, 183S; 
Alpheus Felch, February 2, 183S; Kintzing 
Pritchette, February 7, 1838; Digby V. Bell, April 
22, 1839. 

In one of their official reports the following state- 
ments appear: 

The singular spectacle was presented of the officers of the State 
seeking for banks in situations the most inaccessible and remote 
from trade, and finding at every step an increase of labor by the 
discovery of new and unknown organizations. Before they could 
be arrested the mischief was done. Large issues were in circula- 
tion, and there was no adequate remedy for the evil. Gold and 
silver flew about the country with the celerity of magic; its 
sound was heard in the depths of the forest, yet like the wind 
one knew not whence it came or wither it was going. Quantities 
of paper were drawn out by individuals who had not a cent in 
bank, with no security beyond the verbal understanding that 
notes of other banks should be returned at some future time. 

Trade was immediately stimulated by the pleni- 
tude of the so-called money ; the merchants took 
the notes eagerly, but sold them day by day, or 
deposited them with the older banks. When the 
latter sought to have them redeemed, various pre- 
tences were used to postpone a settlement; some- 
times time drafts on the East were given, which 
w'ere dishonored at maturity. In order to make 
some use of the bills, the old banks were compelled 
to loan, and did loan, the bills of the new banks 
to persons whose credit could not command real 
money. At length the Supreme Court decided that 
the Banking Act was unconstitutional. Of course 
all obligations under it were therefore void, and, like 
the gourd of Jonah, the whole system withered in a 
night, and there was wailing and distress all over 
the land. 

To check these evil results the Legislature pro- 
vided for the organization of new banks, and the 
suspension of specie payments was legalized for a 
year. This legislation was repeated from time to 
time until 1841, but the millions of "wildcat notes" 
were dead beyond the hope of redemption, and 
were gathered and used as linings to packing cases ; 
the children had them by the peck to play with ; in 
some houses, room after room was papered with 
sheets of bills that had never been cut apart or 
signed. So sudden was the collapse that Mr. Hatch, 
a New York engraver, who came to Michigan to 
collect his money, lost $20,000 in uncollected bills. 
On October 9, 1839, the United States Bank sus- 
pended payment. It resumed on January 15, 1840, 
and in less than a month, on February 4, it again 
suspended. 

The condition of business during all these ups 
and downs is faintly indicated in the following 
newspaper item of February, 1841 : 

Our local currency is in a terrible plight at present. Indeed, 
we have no currency at all. One or two merchants refuse to take 
the bills of cither the Bank of Michigan or the Farmers and Me- 
chanics' Bank, which constitute about nine tenths of our entire 



circulation, and the result is, business is threatened with a dead 
halt. 

So pressing was the need for currency that the 
State followed in the wake of city and county, and 
completed the chain of government money by issu- 
ing State scrip. An act of April 13, 1841, author- 
ized the auditor-general to provide treasury notes 
or State scrip in denominations of $1.00, §2.00, 
$5.00, and $10, to the amount of S335'9io. These 
notes were paid out in anticipation of the half- 
million loan which was then being negotiated. By 
November 30, 1841, $208,702 of this State scrip 
had been issued, and some of the notes continued 
in circulation for more than fifteen years. 

The following paragraph appeared in May, 1S41, 
in a Detroit daily : 

Our Currency. — No change for the better. Bank of Michigan 
sells at fifty cents on the dollar for specie, and is received by 
many of our merchants at from five to si-x shillings on the dollar. 
Farmers and Mechanics' and Michigan Insurance notes are in 
great demand, but very little is circulated. State scrip will prob- 
ably be issued ne.xt week. 

Such were the exigencies of the time that it was 
difficult to obtain money that would be accepted for 
taxes, and the corponjtion officers were so often 
tempted to retain for their own use the best funds 
they collected that by ordinance of January 15, 
1842, they were required to pay to the treasurer of 
the city the same money collected by them, except- 
ing such amount thereof as was due them for 
salarj'. 

On February 8, 1842, the council 

Resolved, that the superintendent of Hydraulic Works be and 
is hereby instructed not to receive the notes of any of the banks 
in the States of Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois, in payment of water 
tax. 

The city was finally compelled to receive for 
taxes funds that could not be used in other States, 
and on May 17, 1842, the council 

Resolved, that the Committee on Ways and Means inquire and 
report to this Board how eight hundred and si.\ty dollars in good 
funds can be procured to pay for one thousand feet of hose now 
contracted for. 

This resolution was alternately before the council 
and the Committee on Ways and Means for nearly 
six months before the city of Detroit was able to 
obtain the sum of $860 in actual money to purchase 
apparatus almost essential to its existence. That 
the practical financial lesson of the day was not 
lost upon the councilmen of that period is evident 
from the discrimination made between funds and 
money in the following extract from the proceedings 
of June 28: 

Resolved, that the Director of the Poor be authorized to dispose 
of such funds as he may have on hand for money, and appropriate 
the same for the poor. 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



853 



During 1843 and 1844 the " wildcats " entirely dis- 
appeared, the older banks resumed specie payment, 
and the notes of various banks in the Western 
States began to circulate in Detroit : but there was 
a constant scarcity of currency, and on February 16, 
1857, the Legislature passed a general Banking 
Law. Under this law a few banks of issue were 
organized outside of Detroit. None of them, how- 
ever, proved either durable or desirable. 

We now reach the panic of 1857. The beginning 
may be traced to the failure, on August 24, of the 
Ohio Life and Trust Company, followed on October 
14 by the suspension of the New York banks. Sim- 
ultaneously with the failure of the Trust Company 
the New York banks refused to discount, and began 
to call in loans, and as a result thousands of busi- 
ness men all over the land were ruined. The New 
York banks resumed within two months, but the evil 
of their suspension was past remedy. By the spring of 
1858 money was comparatively easy, but the demand 
for it was greatly checked, and before business was 
fairly re-established, a new trouble had arisen. In 
I S60 the political and national cri,sis foreshadowed for 
many years was clearly near at hand. .\t the same 
time there was manifested very general distrust of 
Illinois and Wisconsin banks, many of which were 
known to be but little better than the banks of 1837. 
During the summer and fall qf i860 this distrust 
increased, and finally the discount on western money 
reached an average of from forty to sixty per cent. 
Meetings of business men were held from time to 
time to decide whether " stump-tail " currency, as it 
was called, should be received, but no definite rate 
of discount could be agreed upon, and the trouble 
increased apace. Even the Government could not 
command bills to meet its obligations, and on 
December 17, i860, the first issue of $10,000,000 in 
treasury notes was authorized, in bills of fifty dollars 
each. Fifty million more were authorized to be 
issued by .Vet of July 17, 1S61. 

After the attack on Fort Sumter on April 4, 1861, 
forty-two Wisconsin banks suspended. By this time 
it had become evident that a long and serious war 
was before us. The coin of the country, which 
had a certain and absolute value, began to be gath- 
ered and hoarded. Ere long the silver disappeared, 
and the noise of dropping coin was no longer heard 
on the counter or in the contribution-box. Single 
pieces were soon exhibited as a curiosity. In De- 
cember, 1861, all the banks suspended, and before 
the close of the year thousands of dollars worth of 
postage stamps had been bought, and were circu- 
lating as change. Sometimes they were enclosed 
in a round brass case with mica covering, and pack- 
ages in small envelopes, with the value marked, 
passed uncounted and unexamined. So great was 
the demand for these sticky substitutes that enough 



could not be procured. In the fall of 1862 many 
business firms revived the custom of fifty years 
before, issuing little pasteboard cards and bills of 
various denominations, from five to fifty cents. 
Some of these were handsomely engraved. One 
citizen issued $24,000 in scrip or checks. Silver 
half-dollars, when they were in circulation at all. 
passed for si.xty cents, quarters for thirty cents, and 
ten-cent pieces for twelve cents. It looked at one 
time as though the old plan of corporation shin- 
plasters would have to be revived, and on October 
22, 1862, F. Buhl & Company and thirty-eight others 
petitioned the Common Council to take immediate 
action to relieve the inconvenience resulting from 
the scarcity of small change. 

Meanwhile the Government was preparing the 
" postal currency." It was so called because issued 
to take the place of postage stamps as change, and 
contained fac-similes of postal stamps of various 
kinds. On October 30 the first instalment was 
received at Detroit. At the hour designated for 
the distribution the office of the depository was 
literally besieged. The office, hall, doorway, and 
even the walk in front, were densely packed with 
business men, merchants and clerks, each man 
wildly brandishing fifteen dollars in treasury notes, 
that being the largest amount that one person was 
allowed to obtain. It was almost at the risk of life 
that the happy spot where change was dispensed 
was reached. The doors were closed, and guarded 
by police. Other amounts were received soon after, 
and there was no further excuse for the issues of 
private firms. On January 6, 1863, the Board of 
Trade resolved not to receive or pay out such issues, 
and after February i the Government made pro- 
\ision for the redemption of soiled postage stamps, 
and thousands of dollars worth were redeemed 
at the post-office. The trouble, however, was not 
over. No postal currency less than five cents in 
amount had yet been provided, and the lowest 
issue was never less than three cents. The copper 
cents had disappeared as thoroughly as the silver 
coins, and thousands of business men all over the 
country, including scores of Detroit firms, soon 
issued in copper, brass, and vulcanized rubber, 
" Business Cards " or " Tokens." They were about 
the size and thickness of the newer copper coins, 
and circulated freely as change from April, 1863, 
for fully a year, and were then, in most instances, 
honestly redeemed. 

The necessity of a currency to take the place of 
the bills of the broken and worthless western banks, 
the money needed by the Government to defray the 
large expense which the war with the South involved, 
and the pressing necessity of a medium of exchange 
of some sort, led Congress, by the several Acts of 
1861, 1862, and 1863, to provide for the issuing of 



854 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



over a thousand million dollars of legal-tender notes, 
receivable for all debts due the Government except 
custom dues. These notes were called greenbacks, 
because the backs were printed in green ink. As 
the war progressed and prices advanced, the actual 
purchasing power of these notes declined ; the un- 
certainty of the result caused gold and silver to be 
more and more sought after, and coin was hoarded, 
and bought and sold on speculation, till at length, 
on June ii, 1864, gold reached the enormous 
premium of 285 per cent, and its purchasing power 
was more than three times that of a government 
note. Indeed, it was a common occurrence for 
a person with $1,000 in gold to obtain, in Canada, a 
$3,000 United States bond, drawing interest at si.x 
per cent. 

Next in order came the Act of February 25, 
1S63, which provided for the organization of na- 
tional banks, the capital stock of each to be not 
less than $100,000 in cities of over 100,000 persons, 
thirty per cent of the capital to be paid on com- 
mencing business, and United States bonds to the 
amount of $100,000 to be deposited with the United 
States as security for $90,000 in notes prepared by 
the Government and issued to the bank, the banks 
to be subject to taxation upon their circulation and 
deposits. The security these banks have afforded 
and the saving on the former system of irrespon- 
sible banks almost, if not entirely, equals the money 
cost of the war which brought the system into 
being. 

The successful termination of the war reduced 
the premium on coin and brought gold and silver 
into circulation, and at the same time doubled the 
value of the government notes, and these, with the 
issues of the national banks, provided such an 
abundance of actual and representative money that 
prices of every kind were kept higher than was 
warranted by the demand. The large profits made 
by railroads, even after their original stock had been 
several times watered, and the abundance of cur- 
rency at the command of capitalists, caused excess- 
ive expenditures for new railroads, and in the 
enthusiasm of the times both city and country voted 
large bonuses to aid in building new roads. The 
firm of Jay Cooke cS: Company, widely known 
through their success as agents for the large gov- 
ernment loans, caught the railroad fever and began 
the Northern Pacific Road. Meantime there sprung 
up all over the country an organization called the 
" Grangers." composed almost entirely of farmers. 
The local societies met from time to time to discuss 
matters of interest to them as the producers of the 
country. Naturally, they discussed the rates of 
transportation on their grain as affecting the prices 
they received, and when they began to pay the taxes 
on bonds voted in aid of the railroads, there arose 



a spirit of opposition to the roads. These discus- 
sions were magnified by the press, and the papers 
all over the land seemed to vie with each other in 
the sensational character of their "head-lines" con- 
cerning the grangers and the railroads. All this 
awakened fear as to the value of railroad securities, 
and this fear bred a panic. The bonds of the 
Northern Pacific did not sell fast enough to meet 
the current expenses of construction and operation. 
Jay Cooke & Company were compelled to suspend ; 
the storm-cloud burst, and the panic of 1873 came. 
There was no suspension of specie payments, for 
none of the banks had been receiving or paying 
specie, and the money in circulation was almost 
universally good. It was not loss of money, but 
loss of confidence, that begat and fostered the dis- 
asters that followed. 

To relieve really unfortunate debtors. Congress 
passed a Bankrupt Law, which was taken advan- 
tage of, not only by the class it was intended to 
relieve, but by thousands of dishonest persons who 
evaded the payment of just debts that they were 
able to pay. During the panic the Greenback Party 
was born. It was partially based on the theory that 
the national banks had caused the existing trouble 
because they charged too much for the use of their 
notes, and were obtaining too much interest on the 
bonds deposited as security for their bills. The 
aim of the party seemed to be to compel the 
Government to do away with the national banks 
and provide a currency for the nation by issuing its 
own notes. However, under the stimulus of large 
crops at home, heax^y demands for export, the de- 
crease of imports, the development of American 
manufactures, and increasing faith in the ability and 
willingness of the Government to meet its obliga- 
tions, the panic gradually passed away, and on 
December 17, 1878, for the first time in many years, 
gold, greenbacks, and national bank-notes were of 
equal purchasing power. 

The Detroit Bank. 

This bank, the first in Detroit, was established in 
1806. On March 27 of that year a petition was 
presented to the Governor and Judges, signed by 
Russell Sturgis and five other Boston capitalists, 
praying for the passage of an .'\ct to permit them 
to establish a bank with a capital of $400,000. On 
May 27, exactly two months afterward, a bond in 
the sum of $15,000 was given by William Flanagan, 
also from Boston, for the proper performance by him 
of the duties of cashier of the bank, " if the bank 
is organized." A bill for the incorporation of the 
bank was introduced by, and referred to. Governor 
Hull, and on September 19 an Act was passed 
incorporating the bank. The charter was to con- 
tinue for one hundred and one years, and the capital. 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



855 



which was not to exceed $1,000,000, was divided into 
ten thousand shares. The governor was authorized 
to subscribe to the stock, but, in the original Act, 
no limit was placed to the amount that he might 
subscribe. The stock was to be offered to sub- 
scribers on Saturday, September 20, the next day after 
the bank was incorporated, and subscriptions were 
to close in four days, "that is to say, at sunset on 
Wednesday, the twenty-fourth day of September." 

On October 2 a lot was bought of the Governor 
and Judges on the northwest corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Randolph Street, for $250, payable in 
thirty instalments, and by exchange an adjoining 
lot was obtained for $225, On these lots a bank 
building was erected by Benjamin Woodworth. In 
size and strength the building must have been a 
marvel to the habitans. It was of brick, one story 
high and about thirty feet square. In one corner 
was a safety vault, with walls of stone, lining of oak, 
and door of iron. The door, composed of wide, 
flat iron bars, held together by cross-pieces firmly 
bolted, was as rude as a country blacksmith could 
make it. The lock corresponded with the door in 
appearance ; it was sixteen inches long and three 
inches thick, with a key a foot long, and weighing a 
pound. There was also a large inside bolt moved 
by a secret spring. 

The following history of the bank was written at 
the time by John Gentle : 

In 1805, a few days after Governor Hull and Judge Woodward 
arrived, the writer accidentally stepped into the Legislative Doard 
while the honorable members were deliberating on the situation 
and circumstances of the Territory, and the measures necessary 
for its future elevation. Judge Woodward said, " For my part, I 
have always considered these territorial establishments, at best, 
a most wretched system of government. And the measures 
hitherto pursued by former territorial governments have all 
proved exceedingly defective. We will therefore adopt a system 
for the government of this new territory that shall be entirely 
noveL'* Governor Hull and Judge Bates gave their assent by a 
gentle decline of the head, and the audience stood amazed at llie 
wisdom of their words and the majesty of their demeanor. Gov- 
ernor Hull then observed, " IJefore I left Boston I had but a very 
imperfect idea of this country; but since I arrived I am quite 
delighted with it. Gentlemen, this is the finest, the richest 
country in the world. But from its remoteness, it is subject to 
many inconveniences which it behooves us to remove as speedily 
as possible. And the first object which merits the special atten- 
tion of this honorable Board is the establishment of a bank. Yes, 
gentlemen, a bank of discount and deposit will be a fine thing for 
this new territory. Before I left Boston I spoke to several of my 
friends on this subject, and they were quite taken with it, and 
even made me promise to allow them to be connected with it." 
A bank ! said I to myself, — a bank of discount and deposit in 
Detroit! To discount what? Cabbages and turnips? To de- 
posit what? Pumpkins and potatoes? Thinks I to myself, 
These folks must either be very wise men, very great fools, or 
very great rogues. A bank in Detroit, where the trade is all 
traffic and the bills all payable in produce! A bank in the 
bosom of the deserts of Michigan ! That will be a novelty 
indeed. 

The following fall Governor ITiilI and Judge Woodward 
Wt-nt down to Congress, and during the winter and sjiring 



they settled the necessary preliminaries with their Boston friends 
for the establishment of the Detroit bank. Early in :he summer 
of 1806 Governor Hull returned, and about six weeks afterwards 
Mrs. Hull and the rest of the family arrived, escorted by Mr. 
Flanagan, cashier of the proposed Detroit bank. He brought 
along some strong iron doors, and several tons of bar iron to 
strengthen the vaults. 

Materials were soon collected, the Governor stopped his works, 
and all his workmen were employed to expedite the erection of 
the bank. 

Nothing was done that summer, and nothing thought of, but 
the bank. Early in September Judge Woodward and Messrs. 
Parker and Eroadstreet, both proprietors in the proposed bank, 
arrived, with $ig,ooo in bright guineas of Britain's Isle to pay the 
first installment of Boston shares in the Detroit bank ; and they 
also brought an immense cargo of bank bills, not filled up. The 
real capital of the Detroit bank is $20,000, $3,ooo of which has been 
expended in building the bank, and in other contingent expenses. 
The nominal capital is $1,000,000, divided into ten thousand 
shares of $100 each, eight thousand of which were already en- 
grossed by the people of Boston. Towards the last of September, 
while the principal inhabitants of the territory were in town at- 
tending the Supreme Court, a subscription of the remaining two 
thousand shares was opened for a few hours only at Smyth's 
Hotel, by Parker and Eroadstreet, who informed us that it was 
not yet decided what the amount of the first installment would 
be; but at the same time assured us that it would not be less than 
twenty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars per share. Being 
uninformed of its object, only ten or twelve shares were taken up 
at this time. We saw no more of the subscription until about 
three weeks afterward. In the interim the Legislature met and 
framed a charter for the bank ; also a law making it lawful for 
Michigan Territory to hold shares in the bank ; and empowering 
Governor Hull to purchase ten shares for the Territory of Michi- 
gan with money from the territorial treasury, and also making 
the Detroit bank notes a lawful tender in all payments wherein 
the Territory was concerned. 

The bank being nearly completed, the subscription was again 
offered, not publicly, as before, but only to a few gentlemen of 
spirit and enterprise ; but the first installment which, only three 
weeks before, was not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than 
fifty dollars, was now reduced to two dollars per share ; and 
instead of givmg every person an opportunity of subscribing, 
Messrs. Parker and Eroadstreet, at one dash, swept off for them- 
selves and friends in Boston the fifteen hundred shares which 
remained after satisfying tlieir new converts in Detroit. When 
Parker and Eroadstreet opened the subscription at Smyth's Hotel 
they asserted that they did not know what the amount of the 
first installment would be, but assured us that it would not be less 
than twenty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars. They knew 
then that they asserted a falsehood ; for they brought just money 
enough with them to pay for the Boston installments at the rate 
of two dollars per share. At the same time they were deceiving 
the public with fifty-dollar installments to prevent a general con- 
nection. Meanwhile they were busily engaged in sounding the 
moral characters of certain individuals whose opposition they 
dreaded, whose support was indispensably necessarj*, and whose 
virtue, alas ! was too flexible to resist the golden allurements of 
the Detroit mint. 

Having brought matters to a favorable issue, a meeting of the 
founders and their new converts assembled, and appointed Judge 
Woodward president, and William Flanagan, of Boston, cashier. 
Parker and Eroadstreet then embarked for Boston with a small 
venture of $163,000 of Detroit bank notes. The appearance of 
the notes excited the curiosity of the Bostonians, but on inquiring 
they were given to understand that they were very safe notes, and 
that the rich Territory of Michigan was concerned in them. 
Agents were also stationed throughout the Northern States, who 
disposed of immense quantities of them to the unwar>-, at from 
ten to twenty-five per cent discount. Not long after \\\^ intro- 
duction of the notes in New England, the following remark ap- 



856 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



peared in the Boston Sentinel, developing the motives of the 
Detroit bank, supposed to be the production of Mr. Parker: 
" The enterprise the Detroit Banking Company have in contem- 
plation, of which this bank is but a part, involves in it as much 
public advantage as any enterprise that ever was undertaken, 
viz., the diversion of the valuable trade of Canada to the ports of 
iiuston and New York." Yes, and peddling Detroit bank notes 
through the New England States is the very- plan to effect that 
object. Every lover of sport must admire this choice diversion — 
diverting the cash from the Atlantic States into the Detroit 
bank. The next time our bank gentry get into a frolicsome 
mood, I will not be the least surprised to see them undertake to 
divert the channel of the great river St. Lawrence into the 
Hudson and Connecticut rivers, or to cut the United States in 
two by the Alleghany Mountains. 

1 have asserted " that the Detroit Bank is part of a deep plan 
against the rights and properties of the people of this country." 
This remark exceedingly enraged some of the stockholders in 
this mock bank, particularly Dr. William Brown, who is a pro- 
prietor of fifty shares, worth one hundred dollars. He said that 
the remark was " an arrant falsehood ; that the intention of the 
bank is honest ; the prospect of the profits is immense ; that the 
Government have no connection with the bank, nor the bank 
with the schemes of Government." If the pecuniary prospects 
of the banking company are so flatteringly immense, it is morally 
impossible that their intentions can be so purely honest unless 
they have discovered in some of the invisible regions an unknown 
resort of commercial intercourse with invisibles, for all the profits 
that can possibly result from their banking trade in this country 
will not defray one half of the cashier's gambling expenses 
unless he is very economical indeed. 

The amount of their paper currency circulating here never, 
until very lately, exceeded $2,000, and how even that much got 
afloat is a mystery, for no person ever deposited money in the 
bank, and no person ever borrowed from them, neither do I know 
that any notes of hand, bills, or bonds were ever discounted ; 
still this does not altogether invalidate the honest Dr.'s premises. 

In the month of March or April, news came to Detroit that 
Parker and Broadstreet had sold their interest in the Detroit 
Bank to a Mr. Dexter, at or near Boston, and it appeared by the 
length of their faces that our Detroit proprietors were somewhat 
suspicious that their late associates had swindled them. Before 
our mock bankers were entirely recovered of this shock, a Mr. 
Latimer, of Presque Isle, arrived and brought on one of the New 
England five-dollar Detroit Bank notes, which he presented at 
the bank, but it was refused admittance. The week following, 
Mr. Conrad Ten Eyck returned from Albany with a small cargo 
of five hundred dollars' worth of Detroit Bank notes, which he 
purchased from one of the agents at or near Albany at twenty-five 
per cent discount. He made a tender of them at the bank, but 
to his great surprise the directors refused to discount them. 

The appearance of Ten Eyck with so much of Detroit paper at 
first determined the directors to shut the bank. On that occasion 
Governor Hull delivered the following very learned oration ; " It 
is reported there are now in circulation in New England from 
$400,000 to $600,000 of Detroit paper money, and I believe it. It 
is very strange that I was not informed of it before. I assure 
you, gentlemen, I never knew that a single bill of this bank went 
down the country. This bank business, I find, is one of the 
damnedest swindles that was ever heard of ; but (laying his hand 
on his breast), thank God, I have no hand in it ! " Mon Dieu ! 
What an example of piety and virtue ! 

For about three weeks the bank gentry assembled daily, no 
doubt to deliberate on the propriety or impropriety of shutting 
up the bank. If they shut the bank on the bills from below, the 
report would very soon reach Boston, and put a final stop to the 
circulation of bills in that quarter ; on the contrary, if they satis- 
fied Ten Eyck, and maintained the credit of the bank a few 
nwnths longer, they could easily dispose of five or six hundred 
dollars' worth more of their paper, which would amply compen- 
sate for Ten Eyck's five hundred dollars. Accordingly, after a 



series of consultations, it appears that the latter proposition pre- 
vailed. The cashier was dispatched with tidings for Ten Eyck to 
repair to the bank and receive the cash for his notes. There 
were in circulation at that time, in Detroit and its vicinity, $1,700 
of the Detroit paper currency, and the report having gone abroad 
that the bank refused to discount its own bills, the people 
crowded in from all quarters with their bills, and without any 
difficulty received cash for them, which was more than they 
expected. 

Just at this time the following conversation accidentally took 
place on the subject of the bank. Mr. S., who was one of the 
largest shareholders, said that " Parker and Broadstreet had acted 
a very treacherous part, and for that reason the directors were 
determined not to pay the bills that are in circulation below ;"' 
but he pledged his word and honor " that no person in this 
country would be suffered to lose a single cent by the bills which 
had been circulated here." It was answered, " How will you 
evade payment of your own notes ? You can surely be compelled 
by law to pay them." Mr. S. replied, " We never will pay them, 
neither can we be compelled by law to pay them, unless we 
please." Mr. S.'s observations are perfectly correct, for the I'er- 
ritory of Michigan holds an interest of ten shares in the bank, 
and Congress, not having the fear of God before their eyes nor 
the interest of the Detroit banking company, at the last session 
willfully and maliciously destroyed the charter of the bank • and 
every stockholder is now bound for the bank debts to the full 
amount of his fortune (and that is not much). To prove this 
let the following copy of one of the new bills be submitted : 

*' The President and Directors of the Detroit Bank promise to 

pay out of the capital stock and funds thereof, to or 

bearer, on demand, five dollars, and the stockholders jointly and 
severally guarantee the payment at their office of discount and 
deposit at Detroit, July the loth, 1807. 
(Signed) 

A. B. Woodward, President. 
William Flanagan, Cashier^ 

The Territory being a stockholder involves a general interest in 
the bank, and the property of everj- person therein is bound by 
these promises for the payment of the Detroit Bank notes, and 
no person, agreeably to the laws of the land, being eligible to 
serve as judge, or jury, or evidence, in processes wherein his in- 
terest is concerned, consequently no suits can be instituted in 
this Territory for debts due by the Detroit Bank. 

The people, through their grand juries, have three different 
times remonstrated to the government of this Territory against 
the illicit connection with the bank, but their respectful solicita- 
tion has been disregarded. 

Shortly after the events just narrated, Mr. Dexter, the new 
Boston proprietor, arrived, and brought another cargo of bank 
notes not filled up ; the same, in effect, as the former, but differ- 
ently worded. The bank was again started, on a new plan, as 
they said, but I never could discover any diff^erence, only that 
James Henry was appointed president in room of Judge Wood- 
ward. Mr. Dexter then embarked with another venture of De- 
troit Bank notes, to try his luck in the New England market. 

The Detroit bank, since its re-establishraent, has done no busi- 
ness in this country*, in any line, of any kind, that mortal eye 
can perceive, yet there are afloat in this town and vicinity not 
less than ten or twelve thousand dollars of its notes. The mys- 
tery does not end here. The notes from other banks which are 
sent on here for public purposes are instantly transfigured into 
Detroit Bank notes. The Detroit notes which are afloat in this 
country have been circulated at full value, and it is probable 
they may be redeemed at full value : if the Directors please. 

There are now afloat on the shores of the Atlantic not less than 
fifteen or sixteen hundred thousand dollars in Detroit Bank notes, 
which have been circulated at from ten to twenty-five per cent dis- 
count. How they will be redeemed is a query for the learned to 
solve. The report of Mr. Leitch, who lately returned from visit- 
ing his friends in New England, partly resolved the foregoing 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



857 



query. He says it was rumored there thjit the agents of this bank 
were beginning to buy up the Detroit Bank notes at three dollars 
for a five dollar note. But I question the correctness of that 
rumor. If they intend to redeem their notes at any under value, 
they could, with as much facility, depreciate them to one dollar 
for a five, or even a ten dollar note ; then their profits on the 
enterprise would be immense indeed. 

Late this fall, Mr. R. H. Jones, a merchant of Detroit, 
went down to Boston for a supply of goods ; and on his 
return brought from Mr. Dexter, addressed to the Detroit 
Bank, a package containing one hundred and thirty pounds 
weight of bank notes, not filled up ; and the president of 
the bank has ever since been constantly employed in sign- 
ing and filling them up. 

The New England folks may look out for a sleigh-load or 
so of them this winter. Mr. Jones also states that on his 
way through the New England States to and from Boston, 
not less than five hundred different persons proposed to 
sell him Detroit Bank notes. From this it appears there 
are a plentiful stock of them in that quarter. Well, the 
net profits arising from the sale of fifteen hundred thousand 
dollars worth of Detroit Bank notes at, say ten per cent 
discount, on an average, will amount to — let me see — pre- 
cisely $1,350,000 according to my calculation, and T guess 
the New England purses can bear testimony to the correct- 
ness of this statement. 

Terrifying threats of ruin and destruction are copiously 
poured forth against the writer of these publications by 
the gentlemen stockholders in this pellucid shadow, this 
miraculous phenomenon in our western world, — the Detroit 
Bank. Twenty thousand dollars, the present deposit, is 
unquestionably no more than the shadow of a million, the 
imaginary capital. 

The Directors say that the intentions of the banking 
company are honest, their views extensive, and their pros- 
pects of pecuniary remuneration incalculable, that the 
Michigan government has no concern in the bank, nor the 
bank with the schemes of government. A few more words 
in their ears. If one is really to be hung, it makes no man- 
ner of difference whether it be for stealing a grown sheep 
or a young Iamb. 

First, — Governor Hull and Judge Woodward, in the 
spring of last year, while they sojourned in the States, spent 
a great deal of time and a great deal of money, negotiating 
with the good people of Boston and New York, for the 
establishment of the Detroit Bank. Still, the government 
have no concern in the bank. 

Second,— The Governor and Judge Bates accommodated 
the bank with two of the most valuable lots in the new 
town, in total disregard of the .\ct of Congress and the in- 
terests of the people. Still, the government have no concern 
in the bank. 

Third, — Although Governor Hull was himself living in 
an old storehouse, he stopped the building of his own man- 
sion, and sent all his workmen to expedite the erection of 
the bank ! Siill, the government have no concern in the 
bank. 

Fourth, — Last September Judge Woodward, in his charge 
to the Grand Jury, recommended this infant bank to their 
particular protection. Still, the government have no con- 
cern in the bank. 

Fifth, — The Governor and Judges made a law incorporat- 
ing the Detroit Bank, in utter contempt of a law of Con- 
gress, in favor of the United States Bank, which says in 
plain terms "that no other bank shall be established by any future 
law of the United States, during the continuation of the corpora- 
tion hereby created, for which the faith of the United States is 
hereby pledged." Still, the government have no concern in the 
bank. 

Sixth, — Judge Woodward is President of the bank. Still, the 
government have no concern in the bank. 



Seventh, — The Governor and Judges removed one of the streets 
forty to fifty feet nearer the bank, to make it form the corner of 
two streets, to the great damage of the principal range of houses 
in the new town. Still, the government have no concern in the 
bank. 

Eighth, — The Governor and Judges are proprietors of a few 
shares, publicly, and an immense number, clandestinely, in the 




Detroit Bank. Still, the government have no concern in the 
bank. 

Ninth,— The Governor and Judges passed a law, making it 
lawful for this Territory to become proprietors in the bank. 
Still, the government have no concern in the bank 

Tenth, — The Governor and Judges made a law, authorizing 
Governor Hull to purchase ten shares in the bank, for the Ter- 



858 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



ritory of Michigan. Still, tlie government have no concern in 
the bank. 

Eleventh, — Governor Hull did purchase ten shares in the De- 
troit Bank, for the Territory of Michigan, without the advice or 
consent of the inhabitants thereof. Still, the government have 
no concern in the bank. 

Twelfth,— The people have often solicited the Governor and 
Judges, through the Grand Juries, and otherwise, to exonerate 
the Territory from its dangerous connection with the bank, but 
their respectful solicitations are to this day totally disregarded. 
Still, the government have no concern in the bank. 

Thirteenth,— The Governor and Judges passed a law making 
the Detroit Bank notes a lawful tender. Still, the government 
have no concern in the bank. 

Fourteenth, — In the winter of last year. Governor Hull made 
a tour through the New England States, sounding the praist-s, as 
he went, and jingling the unaccountable riclies of Michigan, in 
the listening ears of the astonished Yankees. " Come all to 
Michigan ! It is the richest country, and the finest land for rais- 
ing pumpkins in the world." Immediately on his return to De- 
troit, he instituted the bank, and shipped with all possible speed 
to New England an immense cargo consisting of $163,000 in 
Detroit Bank notes, peddling them through the country ever 
since, and passing them away on the credit of the immense 
riches of Michigan. And yet the government have no concern 
in the bank. 

The news of the organization of the bank finally 
reached Washington, and on December 8 James 
Madison, then Secretary of State, wrote to Gov- 
ernor Hull for a copy of the law authorizing its 
organization. A.1I of the laws of the Territory were 
subject to the approval of Congress; and on March 
3, 1S07, they disapproved of this Act. The bank, 
however, continued to issue its bills, and one dated 
February 4, 1808, is in the possession of the State 
Historical Society. 

In May, 1808, John Randolph said in Congress 
that he understood that the troops of the United 
States were paid in bills of the Bank of Detroit. 

On September 10, 1808, the Governor and Judges 
passed an Act on "Crimes and Misdemeanors." 
which made it a penal offence to transact banking 
business without authority. 

On October 28, 1S08, the Governor and Judges 

Resoh'eciy that the Governor be and he is hereby authorized to 
sell and transfer the ten shares in the late Bank of Detroit, which 
belonged to the Territory, provided he receives the principal and 
interest from the time the money was paid. 

On December 12 a petition was presented to 
them, signed by James Henry, president, Wilham 
Flanagan, cashier, and William Brown, director, 
praying that the bank be relieved from the opera- 
tion of the Act of September 10, and allowed to 
continue its business. The petition was referred to 
Judge Witherell. He was too true a patriot to 
countenance the bank, and the officers were com- 
pelled to close the concern. 

The following copy of a letter from Governor 
Hull to President Madison, on file at Washington, 
confirms many of the statements of Mr. Gentle: 



Dethoit, 26th May, 1807. 
y. Madison: 

SiK,— 

Heretofore I have uniformly stated to the Government, as my 
opinion, that the design of establishing a bank here was laudable 
and calculated to promote the public interest. Until very lately 
I believed the views of the applicants were pure, and the man- 
agement of the institution would have been such as to have pro- 
moted the public interest. Within a few days a gentleman has 
arri\-ed from the State of New York, with five or six thousand 
dollars of the Bills. They have been presented, and payment 
has been refused. 

It is now evident that immediately after the charter was granted 
by the territorial government, bills to the amount of eighty or 
one hundred thousand dollars were issued and delivered to Messrs. 
Parker and Broadstreet, the agents from Boston ; none of these 
bills probably have returned excepting those brought by the 
gentleman from New York. Alt the specie paid into the bank 
does not exceed twenty thousand dollars, the principal part of 
which was deposited by the agents from Boston. 

Whether the whole of that was left I am unable to say. In 
addition to the bills sent to Boston, the bank was in the habit of 
discounting, until the law was disapproved by Congress. From 
what has taken place I am now induced to believe that the agents 
had improper views in the first instance, and I consider the man- 
agement of those who have had the direction of it as highly 
reprehensible. Payment, after these bills were issued, might 
have been immediately demanded, which could not have been 
complied with. I have conversed with some of the Directors on 
the subject, and expressed my astonishment at their conduct. 
They do not deny the fact of having issued the bills to the agents, 
and they make no other answer than this,— that if Congress had 
not disapproved of the law, money would have been sent on, and 
the bills would have been paid when presented. 

Although I am now of the opinion that a small bank, conducted 
on fair and proper principles, would be promotive of the public 
interest, yet, under the circumstances this has been conducted, I 
rejoice Congress has disapproved of the law. 

What security was given for the large sum sent to Boston, I 
have not been able to learn. I sincerely hope it will appear to be 
sufficient to indemnify the holders of the bills, and that the present 
stockholders will have sufficient integrity faithfully to apply all 
their funds to that purpose. 

If, Sir. I have committed any error, it was iu signing the Act, 
which 1 did not approve in all its parts. It seemed to be the 
only one in which we could all agree. 

I repeat, Sir. that I never have had any other connection with 
it, since the establishment, either directly or indirectly, excepting 
my subscription for five shares, for which I have paid ten dollars. 

Mr. ]\IcLellan of Portland, who married one of my daughters, 
wrote me, and requested me to take a large number of those 
shares for him ; I balanced for some time, when the subscription 
was opened, and finally concluded, as I was one of those who 
passed the Act, that I would have no agency in it, and I have no 
knowledge that he or any of my connections have any interest in 
it. I have made this statement because it has been suggested 
that those who passed the law were influenced by other motives 
than those of public interest. 

I am, respectfully, your most ob't serv't, 

WiLLLAM Hull. 



BaJtk of Michigan. 

As the little community in Michigan emerged 
from the embarrassments entailed by the War of 
1S12, the necessity of a bank of deposit and issue 
became apparent. Large expenditures were in pro- 
gress in the military department, treaties with the 
Indians required the disbursement of moneys in 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



859 



Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, and every- 
thing indicated the necessity of a bank. Capitalists 
became interested, and on December ig, 1817, the 
Bank of Michigan was chartered, the capital stock 
to be $100,000. 

On May 12, 1818, the following notice appeared 
in the Gazette : 

BANK OF MICHIGAN. 

Books will be opened for subscription to the Capital Stock of 
the Bank of Michigan on the first Tuesday of June next, at 
twelve o'clock, noon, at the brick store of Messrs. Lecnycr ,t 
Watson, in the city of Detroit, and will continue open until two, 
for si.\ days, and until the whole stock' shall be subscribed, Sun- 
days excepted. Shares $ioo each, ten dollars on each share to be 
paid in specie at the time subscribed. 

By order of the Directors. 

Solomon Siblev. 

In response to this notice the following persons 
became shareholders: John R. Williams, General 
Alexander Macomb, Augustus B. Woodward, Otis 
Fisher, Andrew G. Whitney, James Abbott, William 
Woodbridge, Stephen Mack, James May, Solomon 
Sibley, Peter J. Desnoyers, Benjamin Stead, Eben- 
ezer S. Sibley, Charles James Lanman, John Ander- 
son, De Garmo Jones, John H. Piatt, Henry J. 
Hunt, Barnabas Campau, Joseph Campau, John J. 
Deming, Henry B. Brevoort, William Brown, Cath- 
erine Navarre, Sarah .Macomb, and Mary Deveaux. 
The sum of $20,000 was paid in upon the subscrip- 
tions, and seemed quite equal to the needs of the 
community. 

On June 2, 181 8, the bank organized by the elec- 
tion of John R. Williams, Solomon Sibley, William 
Brown, Abraham Edwards, Philip Lecuyer, Stephen 
Mack, and Henry J. Hunt as directors. John R. 
Williams was chosen president, and James McClos- 
key cashier. 

The cashier was sent to Ohio and New York to 
take lessons in banking, and on January 2, 1819, 
$10,000 capital was deposited, and the bank opened 
its doors for business in the same building that had 
been occupied by the old Detroit Bank. Over $400 
was deposited by the public the first day. During 
the remainder of the month the deposits varied 
from thirty-eight dollars up, except for five days, 
when the cashier was away with sleighing parties 
and the doors were locked. He entrusted the key, 
however, to his old black servant-woman, and if any 
person wanted money and could not wait, she 
called upon David Cooper to unlock the door and 
get the funds. 

The same week that the bank opened, it issued 
its first bills. Early in 1824 Edmund Dwight, of 
Boston, George Bancroft (the historian), Jonathan 
Dwight, William Dwight, and Benjamin Day, of 
Springfield, Mass., John and William Ward, of New 
York, and Henry Dwight, of Geneva, New York, 
established banks at Buffalo, Cleveland, Massilon, 



and Monroe, and also purchased the Bank of 
Michigan, whose paid-up capital was represented as 
g2o,ooo. They increased it to $60,000, and the 
bank was often called the "Bank of the Dwights," 
because the gentlemen of that name were the chief 
stockholders. They invested several million dollars 
of bona fide capital in their banks, and never bor- 
rowed from them. A Mr. Day came from Spring- 
field to manage the Bank of Michigan, but not 
being pleased with his position, he returned, and 
his place was supplied by Eurotas P. Hastings, who 
had been teller of the Bank of Geneva. He had 
not been long in Detroit when he discovered evidence 
of something wrong in the cashier's department, 
and early in May the old directors were astounded 
to find that their cashier, from the very beginning of 
his career, had been accustomed to help himself to 
temporary loans; regular dividends had been made 
every year, and the deficiency made up on examina- 
tion days by his borrowing from the special deposits 
of the Receiver of the Land Office. The amount 
so withdrawn was about three fourths of the orig- 
inal capital stock, or $1 5,000. Fortunately, the bank 
was in the hands of men able to bear this loss. 

In February, 1825, E. P. Hastings was made 
president, and Charles C. Trowbridge cashier. Mr, 
Trowbridge continued in office till May, 1836. He 
resigned in 1835, but remained till the arrival of his 
successor, Henry K, Sanger, who came from the 
Utica ISranch Bank of Canandaigua. In February, 
1839, Mr. Trowbridge succeeded Mr. Hastings as 
president, and continued to serve until the bank 
suspended on October 28 of the same year. 

In the meantime, on February 25, 1831, the 
charter of the bank was extended for twenty-five 
years, and the same year the bank built the stone 
building on the south side of Jefferson Avenue, 
near Woodward, afterwards occupied by the State 
Bank and Bank of St, Clair. P'ive years later, dur- 
ing the flush times of 1836, the bank built its second 
building, on the southwest corner of Jefferson Ave- 
nue and Ciriswold .Street, now occupied by the First 
National Bank. It is built of shell limestone, and 
the stones show many beautiful petrifactions; in 
olden times the building was oiled yearly, and they 
were very noticeable. When the Bank of Michigan 
failed, the building, on December 12, 1842, was sold 
at auction to the United States, for $32,000, and 
was used as a court-house and post-office. 

An Act of March 7, 1S34, authorized the Bank 
of Michigan to establish a branch at Bronson, and 
increased the capital stock to $350,000. The branch 
was to be managed by seven directors, who were 
to live west of the principal meridian. It went into 
operation, and continued until 1837. From 1825 
and onward, owing to the tide of immigration from 
the Eastern States, commerce was invigorated ; 



86o 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



large sums of money were brought into the T- 
tory, and used in the purchase and clearing 
lands. This bank partook of the benefits of 
new era, and its capital was steadily increased 
until it reached half a million of dollars. 
Its operations were so successful that in the 
autumn of 1835 an investigating committee 
of shareholders pronounced it able to pay all 
its debts and return its capital stock within 
three months. Up to that time, except by 
the one cashier, it had suffered no losses. 
Its shares stood at forty per cent premium. 
Its notes circulated as far as New Orleans 
and were redeemed at agencies in Cincinnati, 
Buffalo, Geneva, and New York. The direc- 
tors during this period were E. P. Hastings, 
Peter J. Desnoyers, James Abbott, Darius 
Lamson, DeGarmo Jones, B. F. Earned, and 
Robert Stewart. 

Finally the crisis of 1S37 and 1S3S came 
on, and in order to sustain the bank, the 
eastern shareholders added to their $300,000 
already invested $400,000 more, which sum 
with the $100,000 belonging to Michigan 
shareholders, and $175,000 of surplus profit, 
was supposed to be sufficient to meet all con- 
tingencies. All was unavailing, and a meet- 
ing of the directors to consider the situation 
was held on Monday, January 10, 1S42, at 
II A.M. There were present C. C. Trow- 
bridge, P. J. Desnoyers, De G. Jones, James 
Abbott, and Darius Lamson, and the fol- 
lowing preamble and resolutions were read 
and adopted : 

IVkereas^ there is reason to suppose that the alterna- 
tive is about to be presented to this banic of allowing 
its affairs to go into the hands of a receiver (a measure 
which in the opinion of this board would be ruinous alilce 
to the interests of creditors and stockholders), or of as- 
signing the assets, or a part thereof, to Trustees who 
may, with the aid of tlie Board, collect and dispose of 
the same for the benefit of all concerned ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, that Charles C. Trowbridge, Robert Stuart, 
and John Owen be nominated as Trustees. 

Mr. Trowbridge became the acting trustee, 
and the business was finally closed up, in 
1844, by Shubael Conant, receiver, the as- 
signment having been judicially set aside on 
account of its mandatory provisions. 

The Farmers and Mechanics' Bank. 

This bank was chartered November 5, 
1829, with a capital of $ioo,ockd. Its direc- 
ors were Levi Cook, John R. Williams, Orville 
Cook, Henry V. Disbrow, John Hale, Elliott Gray, 
Tunis S. Wendell, Daniel Thurston, and Henry San- 
derson. The subscriptions to its stock were com- 



rri- pleted on March i, 1S30. On June 7 the foUow- 

of ing directors were elected : J. Biddle, E. Johnson, 

the H. V. Disbrow, M. F. Johnson, O. Cook, W. Smith, 




T. S. Knapp, R. Milliard, and H. H. Sizer. Its bills 
were in circulation as early as June 23. 

On March 7, 1S34, the bank was authorized to 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



86 I 



increase its capital several hundred thou- 
sand dollars and to establish a branch at 
Berrien, to be governed by seven directors, 
who were required to live in the western 
half of the State. Under this Act a branch 
was established at St. Joseph, with Thomas 
Fitzgerald as cashier. An agency at Niles 
was provided for by Act of March 8, 1843, 
and continued till the summer of 1S52, 
after which time all the interests of the 
bank were concentrated at Detroit. The 
bank did not long remain under the man- 
agement of the original directors, but 
passed into the care of several gentlemen 
from the State of New York, who had 
been attracted to Michigan by the active 
and promising business of the Territory. 
From the commencement of business 
under its new owners until 1 836 its oper- 
ations were large and very remunerative, 
and in connection with the Bank of Mich- 
igan it wielded a powerful influence. 
These were the only banks of importajice 
from Buffalo to the Mississippi. They 
furnished the greater part of the currency 
for the business of the entire West, and 
served also as the almoners of the public 
bounty in the same Territory. The busi- 
ness of the two banks was enormous, and 
up to 1837 their profits were very large. 
The dividend of the Farmers and Me- 
chanics' Bank alone for the year 1836 was 
thirty per cent on a capital of $400,000. 
Its stock at that time was so high that 
one of its eastern stockholders sold his 
shares in the Utica & Schenectady Canal 
Boat Company, which one year paid him 
a dividend of seventy per cent, and in- 
vested the proceeds in the stock of this 
bank ; unfortunately it proved to be a per- 
manent investment, as the last dividend 
of the bank was the large one of 1836. 
Four of the eastern stockholders invested 
their share of that large dividend in the 
purchase of real estate on Jefferson Ave- 
nue, from Cass to Wayne Streets. It re- 
mained on their hands for fifteen years, 
and did not by any means prove a for- 
tunate venture. The panic of 1837 came, 
and all the Detroit banks were compelled 
to suspend, and on October 28, 1839, the 
Farmers and Mechanics' Bank again sus- 
pended. 

In July, 1845, the bank was revived. A 
call was made for $150,000 on the capital 
stock, the value of the bills began to rise, 
and, on July 18, they were received at 




862 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



par by the Michigan Insurance Bank. The bank 
was not, however, able to redeem its notes in 
coin, and on August 5, 1845. Chancellor Man- 
ning, at the instigation of friends of the bank, 
granted a peremptory injunction against it, on the 
ground that there was danger of an excessive issue 
of its notes. This relieved the bank from paying 
coin for its notes by preventing it from doing any 
kind of business. The injunction was dissolved in 
November following, and meantime its principal 
officers had been changed and it was again in a con- 
dition to resume, which it did on November 15. In 
those days the directors rarely met ; all the paper 
was discounted by the cashier, with the occasional 
assistance of one director. The cashier had to col- 
lect notes and discount paper, taking real estate or 
bonds and mortgages, when nothing else could be 
obtained. He had also to sell the real estate, collect 
the bonds and mortgages, secure all the deposits he 
could, make as many friends for the bank as pos- 
sible, conciliate the brokers, and be ready for any 
and all emergencies. During the winter of 1847-4S 
the banks did more discounting after closing than 
during the whole day. At that time there were 
neither boats nor railroads in the winter. The 
flour-buyers had rooms, called the Corn Exchange, 
in the .Sheldon Block. The mail through Canada 
was two and a half days in coming, and did not 
arrive until 6 P. M. Every steamer that came in 
from Europe raised the price of fiour ; these advances 
were at once made known to the buyers, who, as 
agents for large New York houses, were eager to 
overreach each other in getting money into the 
country to make purchases. They would flock to 
the banks for discounts of from §5,000 to $20,000 
at a time, giving drafts on their houses in New York, 
at ten, fifteen, and twenty days' sight. In this way 
the bank would discount from §5,000 to $50,000 in 
an evening. Millions of dollars were thus dis- 
counted, all of which was created capital, and nearly 
all redeemed by New York e.xchange. Compara- 
tively little coin was used. 

By Act of March 24, 1849, the charter of the bank 
was extended for twenty years on certain conditions, 
which were acceded to by the stockholders on Sep- 
tember 29 of the same year. In July, 1865, the 
bank began to retire and destroy its notes prepara- 
tory to going out of business, and in 1S69, after pay- 
ing all its debts and redeeming all bills presented, 
its affairs were closed. It commenced business in 
Lamson's Building, and in the fall of 1S32 first oc- 
cupied its own building, built of Erie stone, on the 
south side of Jefferson Avenue, between Griswold 
and Shelby Streets. In 1854 this building was sold 
to one of its stockholders for $8,000, to reimburse 
him for advances, and the bank removed to the next 
store below. In February, 1857, the store on the 



southwest corner of Jefferson and Woodward Ave- 
nues was fitted up for the use of the bank. From 
here the offices were moved to the upper story of 
Merrill Block, and then to the office of the Ameri- 
can National Bank, where its affairs were settled. 

The following persons ser\-ed as presidents and 
cashiers during the years named : Presidents : 1 829- 
1838, John Biddle; 1S38-1S45, Levi Cook; 1S45, 
Charles Seymour; 1846-1851, Charles Howard; 
1851, S. Barstow; 1852, E. C. Litchfield; 1853- 
1858, Guy Foote; 1858-1863, L. M. Mason. Cash- 
iers: 1829 to October, 1831, H. H. Sizer; 1831, H. 
K. Avery; 1833-1845, John A. Wells; 1845-1851, 
E. C. Litchfield; 1851, P. L. Green; 1 852-1 857, J. 
C.W.Seymour; 1857-1862, C. M. Davison; 1862, 
W. D. Morton. 

Michigan Insurance Company and National 
Insurance Bank. 

This corporation was chartered on March 7, 
1834, as the Michigan Insurance Company, but with 
powers which were deemed sufficient to enable it 
to carry on a banking business. In fact, it never 
transacted any insurance business, and was not 
organized for business of any kind until January 
15, 1838. Stock having been then subscribed, the 
bank opened for business on January 24. Some 
doubts were expressed as to whether banking busi- 
ness could be legally carried on under its charter, 
and the question was submitted to Governor Wood- 
bridge, who gave a favorable opinion. In 1848 it was 
again intimated that the right of the company to 
transact banking business would be contested. The 
Board of Directors therefore applied to the Legis- 
lature to so amend the charter as to confer full 
banking privileges, and in 1 849 a new charter, with 
full banking powers, was granted. When first 
organized, §25,000 were paid in, and James Abbott 
was elected president, and H. H. Brown cashier. 
In 1844 Douglass Houghton was president and H. 
H. Brown cashier. In 1845 Mr. Houghton died, 
and John Owen was elected president, and con- 
tinued to serve until the corporation ceased. In 
1848 Mr. Brown was succeeded, as cashier, by H. 
L. Lansing; on June i, 1850, he was followed by 
H. K. Sanger, and he in turn, after September, 1863, 
by Walter Ingersoll, who continued till the bank 
ceased. 

At the time of the first organization the company 
occupied an office in a little building near the 
old Sheldon Block, at the northeast corner of Jeffer- 
son Avenue and Shelby Street. It next moved to 
the southeast corner of Griswold Street and Jefferson 
Avenue, and from there, about 1855, to the bank 
building on the southwest corner of Jefferson Ave- 
nue and Griswold Street. 

During the panic of 1857 it aided the Peninsular 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



863 



and the Farmers and Mechanics' Banks, but could sorption and the infusion of fresh capital. Seven 
not save them from suspension. By inducing its branches were to be established, each to be repre- 
ovvn customers to accept drafts instead 
of gold, by the aid of depositors, and on 
account of the great personal confidence 
that all had in John Owen, the bank 
was enabled to continue business all 
through the panic, without suspension, 
and very soon depositors came in with 
gold in such quantities that it was 
shipped to and sold in New York. When 
the charter expired in i860, a reorganiza- 
tion was effected under the General 
Banking Law of Michigan, and the capi- 
tal increased to §200,000. 

On June 25, 1S65, ha^ng been organ- 
ized as a national bank, it commenced 
business under the name of National In- 
surance Bank; four years later it was 
discontinued, some of the old directors 
taking stock in the new First National 
Bank. 

Michigan State Bank. 

This bank was incorporated on March 
26, 1835, with a capital of $100,000, and 
power to increase the amount. The 
directors named in the Act were John R. 
\Villiams, John Hale, Robert McMillan, 
Edward C. Matthews, Ellis Doty, Bar- 
nabas Canipau, Abram S. Schoolcraft, 
Cullen Brown, and John Truax. The 
bank organized with a capital of §500,000, 
and commenced business on the north 
side of Jefferson Avenue, between Wood- 
ward .Avenue and Bates Street, with F. 
H. Stevens as president, and John Nor- 
ton, Jr., as cashier. One day in the 
week, Wednesday, was designated as 
discount day. 

In 1837 the bank bought the building 
on the south side of Jefferson Avenue, 
which had been occupied by the Bank 
of Michigan. 

On February 25, 1839, the bank sus- 
pended. George F. Porter was made 
the assignee. 

On April 2, 1839, the Legislature 
authorized the organization of a bank to 
be called The State Bank of Michigan, 
with a capital of two millions of dollars, 
and the right to increase it to five mil- 
lions, one half to be owned by the State. 
The Act was the result of many confer- 
ences with the eastern shareh*ders of 

the Bank of Michigan and the Farmers and sented by one director, and the State was to have 
Mechanics' Bank, and it contemplated their ab- seven directors additional. Every contingency was 




■^<jjvri> 



864 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



intended to be provided for by the eighty-seven sec- 
tions of the Act. The success of the State Banli 
of Indiana stimulated tlie promotion of the scheme, 
but the time was unfavorable. The shrinkage in 
values and all consequent evils kept increasing up 
to and beyond the year 1840, and as the Act of 
April, 1839, contained a provision that it the bank 
was not organized before February, 1 840, its charter 
should be null and void, those interested were com- 
pelled to abandon the effort to obtain the necessary 
capital, and the plan failed. During all this time 
the affairs of the original Michigan State Bank 
were being cared for by the assignee, and on April 
2, 1 841, the bank took the public by surprise, and 
saved its charter by paying gold and silver for all 
bills presented. By 1S44 the bank had paid all its 



|^^<^^ 



in 1855, the capital stock with a surplus of thirteen 
per cent was divided among its shareholders. 

Batik of S/. Clair. 

This bank was chartered on March 28, 1836, with 
a capital of $250,000, and was located in the village 
of Palmer, St. Clair County, with John Clark as 
president, and W. Truesdail as cashier. In 1842 
Jesse Smith became president, and the Legislature 
authorized the bank to remove to Detroit. The first 
meeting of the directors here was held on July 7. 
The bank occupied the buildmg on Jefferson Ave- 
nue, between Woodward Avenue and Bates Street, 
which had been used by the Michigan State Bank. 
A. S. Williams succeeded Jesse Smith in 1842, and 
in 1845 Levi Cook was president and W. Truesdail 
cashier, and in this year 




^S^ the bank failed. 



v^»>mmm. 



Dkikuit Savings Bank IIuilihng 
Northeast corner of Griswold and Lamed Streets. 

debts, and had twenty per cent left of its original 
capital. 

In 1845 H. P. Baldwin, Zachariah Chandler, 
Franklin Moore, Henry Ledyard, C. H. Buhl, F. 
Buhl, C. C. Trowbridge, James F. Joy, and George 
F. Porter, of Detroit, and John L. Schoolcraft, of 
Albany, New York, formed a corporation, bought 
up the stock, and started the bank anew. The 
capital was % 1 50,000. C. C. Trowbridge was elected 
president, and A. H. Adams cashier. So well was 
the bank managed that it returned dividends of ten 
per cent per annum, and when its charter expired. 



Detroit Sa7'iiigs Bank. 

This institution was 
incorporated by the Leg- 
islature on March 5, 1 849, 
and first opened for busi- 
ness in May of that year, 
under the name of the 
Detroit Savings Fund 
Institute. The officers 
w ere : President, Elon 
P'arnsworth ; vice-presi- 
dent, H. N. Walker; trus- 
tees, E. Farnsworth, Z. 
Pitcher, S. Conant, J. 
I'almer, H. N. Walker, 
D. Smart, J. A. Hicks, S. 
Lewis, L. Cook, G. M. 
Rich, B. B. Kercheval. 
Its first place of business 
was on the northeast cor- 
ner of Woodbridge and 
Griswold Streets. It 
then moved to the west 
side of Woodward Ave- 
nue, ne.xt to George Kir- 
by's leather store, then to 
Griswold Street in the Waterman Block, opposite 
the post-office, and on January i, 1879, it first occu- 
pied its present quarters on the northeast corner of 
Griswold and Larned Streets. It began without 
any capital, but in July, 1 871, when its name was 
changed to Detroit Savings Bank, $200,000 of capi- 
tal was invested, and the stockholders are personally 
holden for $200,000 additional. At first the bank 
was kept open only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and 
Fridays, but now it^s open all week-days. Deposits 
as low as one dollar are taken, but interest is not 
allowed on amounts of less than five dollars. A 



Built i 



1878. 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



865 



noteworthy and remarkable feature of 
the care with which the business has been 
conducted, is the fact that in 1881 all of 
the deposit books issued by the bank, 
from No. i to No. 31,000, were in its 
possession, and carefully preserved as a 
record of the past. The total number of 
books issued by the bank up to May, 
18S3, was 45,287. 

There was no regular cashier up to 
Januar)', 1855, at which time A. H. Ad- 
ams was appointed ; after 1 879 and up to 
1882 he served as president and cashier. 
In 1882 E. C. Bowman became cashier. 
The directors in 1884 are: G. Hendrie, 
George Jerome, T. Ferguson, F. B. Sib- 
ley, James McMillan. W. K. Muir, Alex- 
ander Chapoton, James E. Pittman, and 
S. D. Miller. 



Peninsular Bank. 

This bank was chartered on March 
28, 1S49, with a capital of 1 100,000. 
The following corporators were named 
in the Act: Charles Howard, William 
Brewster, Gurdon Williams, Benjamin 
B. Kercheval, Henry P. Bridge, D. 
Bethune Duffield, James A. Armstrong, 
and Henry H. Brown. 

The corporators first met on April 5, 
1849. The first meeting of stockhold- 
ers was held on October 19, 1S49. Charles 
Howard was elected president, and H. 
H, Brown cashier, and on October 22 
the bank was opened in a building just 
west of the Farmers and Mechanics' 
Bank, on Jefferson Avenue. The bank 
did a very profitable business for several 
years, paying semi-annual di\idends of 
five per cent, and on August i, 1853, an 
e.xtra dividend of twenty per cent. The 
directors then voted to increase the cap- 
ital stock $100,000. In July, 1854, they 
moved into the Farmers and Mechanics' 
Bank Building, which they bought for 
$12,000. On April 28, 1S56, the capital 
stock was increased to $350,000, and in 
.-\ugust an extra dividend of twenty-five 
per cent from surplus profits was divided 
among the stockholders, .'\fter this the 
tide set in the other direction, and losses 
multiplied. The panic of 1857 came, 
and on October i the president notified 
the directors of the suspension of the 
bank, by reason of an injunction from the attorney- 
general because the securities were nut deemed 
sufficient to protect the bill-holders. 





Secured 



i 

^A ^, r^^ 

by l^edge of Wbfic ^tgcks. 




The business of the bank was then placed in the 
hands of an Executive Committee consisting of four 
of the directors, and on October 21, 1S57, H. O. 



866 



BANKS AxND CURRENCY. 



Moss was elected president, and S. Med- 
bury cashier. On December 19 the stock- 
holders were invited by circular to loan the 
bank twenty-five per cent of the value of 
their stock, and with the amount thus ob- 
tained the bank resumed on February 15, 
1858. On June 8, 1859, George K. Johnson 
was elected president, and on June 10 H. 
H. Brown again became cashier, but re- 
mained only a short time. C. M. Davison 
was elected cashier on October 21, 1859, 
but declined to serve. On February 2, i85o, 
Daniel Ball was elected president, and E. 
Wendell cashier; and on August 9, i860, 
H. P. Pulling became president. The cap- 
ital of the bank having been largely lost by 
bad debts, on March 7, 1861, the Legislature 
at the request of the stockholders, author- 
ized the reduction of the stock to §106,600. 
On June 1 5 following, Mr. Wendell resigned 
as cashier, and on July 1 1 M. F. Dow was 
made his successor. 

After the passage of the National Bank- 
ing Law no banking business of any amount 
was done, and the affairs of the bank were 
closed up in 1870, four years before the 
charter expired. 

The bills were redeemed in full, and the 
stockholders received about twenty per cent 
for their stock. 

S/a/e Bank of Michigan. 

This bank was organized on February 
I, 1857, with a capital of $50,000. It was 
located on the southeast corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Griswold Street. L. E. Clark, 
the first president, was succeeded, in the 
fall of i860, by S. Medbury ; on May i, 
1861, he resigned, and was succeeded by 
S. P. Brady. The first cashier was T. P. 
Hall. He resigned August i, i85i, and 
was followed by Emory Wendell. In De- 
cember, 1864, the officers purchased the 
charter of the First National Bank, and the 
State Bank was then discontinued, its own- 
ers merging their interests in the First 
National Bank. 

First National Bank. 

This bank was originally organized al- 
most entirely through the efforts of Philo 
Parsons. The preliminary meeting for the 
organization was held on June 21, 1863. 
The first meeting of stockholders was on August 
5, 1863, and articles of association, by-laws, etc., 
were then adopted. On September 2, the follow- 
ing directors were chosen : Philo Parsons, W. M. 







^'i' 



Johnson, John Hutchins, M. L Mills, John James, 
E. G. Merrick, M. B. Kean, J. N. Ford, and John 
Hosmer. On Monday, November 16, 1863, the 
bank opened for business, succeeding the bank- 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



867 



ing firm of Parsons & Fisher, in their old office in 
the south corner of the Rotunda Building on Gris- 
wold Street. In December the charter was pur- 
chased by the officers of the State Banlv of Michigan. 
On January i, 1865, the bank was reorganized and 
moved to the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue 
and Griswold Street. On March i, 1869, it was 
moved to the opposite side of Griswold Street, in 
the old Bank of Michigan building. In 18S1 the 
capital was $500,000. 

The officers have been : Presidents, Philo Par- 
sons, till December 27, 1S64; S. P. Brady, from 
December 27, 1864, to January 14, 1868; after this 
last date, Jacob S. Far- 
rand. Cashiers, Philo 
Parsons, till September 
16, 1S63; H. C. Kibbee, 
from September 16, 1863, 
till September 30, 1 864 ; 
S. E. Pittman, until De- 
cember 29, 1864; and then 
Emory Wendell. 

Owing to the fact that 
the charter was soon to 
expire, and in order to 
close up the business of the 
original corporation prepa- 
ratory to organizing anew, 
the bank building was 
offered for sale at public 
auction on April 24, 1882, 
and was bought for the 
stockholders of a new cor- 
poration at $76,000. On 
June 19, 1882, the bank 
began business under its 
new charter, with a cap- 
ital of $500,000, and the 
following directors : J. S. 
Farrand, W. B. Wesson, 
James McMillan, A. She- 
ley, G. V. N. Lothrop, M. 
I. Mills, L. E. Clark, D. M. Ferry, and E. Wendell. 
The last named director was elected president, and 
L. E. Clark cashier. The directors in 18S4 are the 
same, except that ^\'ilIiam H. Tefft took the place 
of M. I. Mills, who died in 1882. 

Second National Bank. 
The Second National Bank was opened for busi- 
ness on November 4, 1863. It began with a capital 
of $500,000, and the following officers: President, 
H. P. Baldwin ; vice-president, C. H. Buhl ; cashier, 
C. M. Davison ; directors, H. P. Baldwin, C. H. 
Buhl, E. B. Ward, Duncan Stewart, N. W. Brooks, 
Chauncy Hurlbut, James F. Joy, John Stephens, 
and Allan Shelden. It still remains in its first loca- 



tion on the southwest corner of Griswold and 
Congress Streets. In 1881 it had a capital of 
$1,000,000. The charter of the bank expired on 
February 24, 1S83, and a new bank, called 

The Detroit National Bank 

became its successor, on Monday, February 26- with 
a capital of $1,000,000, all of it owned in Detroit. 
The directors are H. P. Baldwin, C. H. Buhl, C. 
Hurlbut, Allan Shelden, F. Bulil, J. F. Joy, R. A. 
Alger, J. S. Newberry, and W. C. Colburn, with 
H. P. Baldwin as president and C. M. Davison, 
cashier. , 




First National Bank Building, 
Southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street. Built in 1836. 



The American National Bank 
was organized in 1865 with a capital of $250,000. 
The capital is now $400,000, with power to increase 
to $500,000. The first Board of Directors was 
elected on July 26, 1865, and consisted of Franklin 
Moore, L. M. Ma.son, A. H. Dey, Eber Ward, J. J. 
Bagley, Charles Root, M. S. Smith, Edward Kanter. 
and Jacob. S. Farrand. 

The bank succeeded to the banking business of 
A. H. Dey, and was located at 89 Griswold Street 
until September 6, 1880. when it was moved to the 
Newberry and McMillan Building. A. H. Dey has 
been president from its organization, W. D. Morton 
served as cashier for three months, and was suc- 
ceeded by George B. Sartwell. The directors in 



868 



BANKS AiND CURRENCY. 



1884 are the president and cashier, together with 
S. J. Murphy. M. S. Smith, Charles Root, Alex. 
Chapoton, S. Heavenrich, Thomas W. Palmer, and 
W. A. Moore. 

The Merchants and Manufacturers Natiotial 
Bank 

was organized May 13, 1869, under the State Bank- 
ing Law, with the following directors : T. H. Hinch- 
man, George Foote, T. McGraw, John Belknap, S. 
G. Wight, N. G. Williams, L. \\. Tinker, W. C. 
Colburn, and C. Kellogg. The bank began busi- 
ness June I with a capital of groo.ooo. On July 
13, 1S77, it was reorganized as a national bank, 
with a capital of $200,000, and the following direc- 
tors : T. H. Hinchman, J. D. Hayes, J. Belknap, D. 
Whitney, Jr., N. G.Williams, L.W\ Tinker, B.Vernor, 
W. C. Colburn, and F. W. Hayes. T. H. Hinch- 
man was the first president, and the bank has had 
no other. C. C. Cadman served as cashier from the 
organization of the bank till February i, 1876, and 
was succeeded by F. W. Hayes. F. Marvin 
became cashier January i, 1S84, The bank was 
located at 93 Griswold Street until May 5, 18S0, 
when it was moved to the Newberry and McMillan 
Building. On July i, 1882, the capital was increased 
to $500,000. The directors in 18S4 are T. H. 
Hinchman, I). Whitney, Jr., N. G. Williams, John 
Belknap, Ben. Vernor, H. K. White, William H, 
Brace, H. C. Parke, and Jerome Croul. 

The Mechanics' Bank, 

capital $100,000, is the successor of W. A. Butler 
& Company, Bankers, and is located in the Water- 
man Block immediately opposite the post-office. It 
was organized under the State Law in September, 
1870, with W. A. Butler as president, and E. H. 
Butler as cashier. Mr. Butler began the banking 
business in 1847, was located at different times in 
three several stores on the north side of Jefferson 
Avenue between Woodward Avenue and Griswold 
Street, and removed to his present location in i860. 

The People's Savint^s Bank 

was organized January I, 1871, with a capital of 
$30,000. Francis Palms was elected president, and 
M. W. O'Brien, cashier, and the following trustees 
were chosen: Charles Ducharme, Patrick Fitz- 
simons, Francis Palms, John Heffron, Edward 
Reidy, William Fo.xen, and Anton Pulte. 

It was reorganized on January i. 1872, with the 
same president and cashier, with a capital of $60,000, 
and the following trustees : C. Ducharme, W. Foxen, 
F. Palms, Aaron Karrer, John Shulte, A. Pulte, P. 
Fitzsimons, J. Heffron, F. Morrell, John Mark, and 
J. Dwyer. 

On July I, 1874, the capital stock was increased 



to $125,000, and on January I, 1S78, to $250,000. 
On January i, 1884, the capital was increased to 
.$500,000 and there was then a reserve fund of 
$50,000. The trustees in 1884 are : William N. 
Carpenter, F. Palms, A. Karrer, J. Shulte, A. Pulte, 
P. Fitzsimons, M. W. O'Brien, J. Mark, J. Dvvj-er, 
F. F. Palms, and W. B. Moran. The bank was 
originally located at 37 Jefferson Avenue, but moved 
to the southeast corner of Congress and Griswold 
Streets on April 22, 1872. It receives and allows 
interest on sums as low as one dollar. 




People's Savi.ngs Bank, 

100 Griswold Street, comer of Congress Street. 

Built in 1872. 

The German American Bank 
was organized under the State Law in August, 1871, 
with a capital of $100,000. It succeeded to the 
banking business of Edward Kantcr, \\\\o began 
in August, 1868. It was originally located at 30 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



869 



Larned Street West, but in May, 1883, moved to 
118 Griswold Street in the Moffat Building. The 
officers in 1883 were E. Kanter, president, and H. L. 
Kanter, cashier. 

IVayne County Savings Bank. 

This bank was organized October 2, 1871, under 
the General State Law. The original ca]Mtal was 
$30,000; in September, 1875, it was increased to 
$150,000. Its first officers were: W. B. Wesson, 
president; H. Kiefer, vice-president; S. D. Elwood, 
secretary and treasurer; W. A. Moore, attorney, 
and the following trustees : J. J. Bagley, J. Croul, 
J. B. Sutherland, J. Wiley, M. S. Sm'ith, W. A. 
Moore, S. G. Wight, D. M. Ferry, Paul Gies, L. P. 
Knight, W. B. Wesson, Traugott Schmidt, D. M. 
Richardson, W. C. Duncan, T. W. Palmer, H. 
Kiefer, F. Adams, K. C. Barker, G. F. Bagley, J. S. 
Farrand, D. Knapp, and S. D. Elwood. 

The trustees in 1884 are: W. B. Wesson, J. 
Croul, W. A. Moore, D. M. Ferry, L. P. Knight, E. 
B. Wight, D. C. Whitwood, T. Schmidt, T. W. 
Palmer, F. Adams, J. S. Farrand, S. D. Elwood, 
John Collins, Herman Kiefer, John Shaw, N. P. 
Otis, and Charles R. Otis. 

Sums as low as one dollar are received and inter- 
est allowed thereon. The bank was originally 
located on the northwest corner of Griswold and 
Congress Streets, but on December 5, 1876, it was 
removed to Congress Street, immediately in the 
rear of the old location, to a building erected by 
the bank, at a cost for building and lot of $1 10,000. 



It is a very elegant structure, and is probably more 
nearly fire and burglar proof than any building in 
the city. 




\l ^^Jl-, ! ^_^ "l-_-T ] 




Wayne Colnty Savings Bank. 
(Exterior View.) 




Wayne CuUntv Savings Bank. (Interior View.) 



870 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



Safe Deposit Company. 

This company is connected with the Wayne 
County Savings Bank and has its offices and vaults 
in the same building. It was organized in 1872, 
with a capital of $30,000, and its officers are prac- 
tically the same as those of the bank. It may 
accept and execute any trust created by an instru- 
ment in writing which appoints it as trustee, and 
receives from any individual or corporation, on 
deposit, for safe keeping and storage, gold and silver 
plate, jewelry, money, stock securities, and other val- 
uable papers or personal property. The corporation 
may also become security for administrators, guar- 
dians, trustees or persons, in cases where, by law or 



The City Bank. 

This bank succeeded to the business of Kanady 
& Taylor, and was organized early in 1872 with a 
capital of §50,000. S. C. Kanady was president, 
and N. T. Taylor cashier. It was located in the 
southwest corner of the Moffat Building. It ceased 
business in the fall of 1873. 

The Michigan Savings Bank 

was organized February 9, 1877, with a capital of 
$60,000. It was opened for business on April 3, 
1 877, with the following officers : President, Thomas 
McGraw; secretary and treasurer, S. R. Mumford ; 




View of the Vaults of Safe Deposit Companv. 



Otherwise, one or more sureties are required, at 
such rate of compensation and upon such terms and 
conditions as shall be established by the directors. 

The interiors of its vaults are provided with safes 
of various sizes for rental, the charge ranging from 
$5.00 to $75 per year; the lessor only has the key, 
with access at any time during business hours. 
Those who do not desire or need the accommoda- 
tions afforded by separate safes may place any 
valuable personal property in direct charge of the 
company on very favorable terms. When desired 
the company will collect and remit the interest on 
bonds and securities left in its care. 



trustees, G. W. Balch, H. M. Dean, Joseph Kuhn, 
A. G. Lindsay, T. McGraw, Nicol Mitchell, S. R. 
Mumford, S. J. Murphy, William Perkins. Jr., and 
Julius Stoll. In 1 88 1 George Peck becaine presi- 
dent. The trustees in 1884 are : George W. Balch, 
H. M. Dean, J. H. Kaple, Geo. H. Hammond, G. 
W. Latimer, A. G. Lindsay, Nicol Mitchell, S. J. 
Murphy, William Perkins, Jr., and the president 
and secretary. 

It receives amounts as low as five cents and 
allows interest thereon. The bank is located in the 
Mechanic's Block, on the southwest corner of La- 
fayette Avenue and Griswold Street. 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



871 



The Market Hank. 
This bank is the successor of the firms of Sexton 
& Hall and J. A. Sexton & Company. The first- 
named firm began business on the corner of Wood- 
bridge and Third Streets in April, 1877, and was 
succeeded in October, 1S7S, by the firm of J. A. 
Sexton & Company, who removed the bank to the 
corner of Monroe Avenue and Randolph Street. 
On April 13, 1880, they organized under the State 
Law as the Market Bank, with a capital of $50,000, 
increased on October 15, 
iSSi, to $100,000, with 
Eugene Robinson as presi- 
dent, and W. H. Trainor 
cashier. On June 10, 1882, 
the bank moved to 151 
Griswold Street, in the 
Mechanics' Block. 

The Commercial Nation- 
al Bank 
began business on Decem- 
ber 27, 1 88 1, in the Bank 
Block, in the rooms pre- 
viously occupied by the 
Merchants and Manufac- 
turers' Bank. It began 
with a capital of $250,000, 
with Hugh McMillan as 
president, Morris L. Wil- 
liams as cashier, and the 
following directors : Hugh 
McMillan, Joseph H. 
Berry, Isaac L. Lyon, 
George H. Hammond. 
William C. Williams, Geo. 
Hendrie, William G. 
Thompson, Ashley Pond. 
and James K. Burnham. 
In 1884 the directors were 
the same, except that H. ^^_^__ 
B. Ledyard and E. M. ^Sijs;^^^,^^^^ 
Fowler were elected in 
place of Ashley Pond and 
W. G. Thompson. In 
May, 1883, the bank was 

moved to the new Canipau Building, on the south- 
west corner of Griswold and Earned Streets. 

The State Savings Bank 

was incorporated October 24. 1883, and began 
business the same day, with a paid-up capital of 
$1 50,000, and the following stockholders and trus- 
tees : David Hamilton, president ; T. S. Anderson, 
vice-president; R. S. Mason, cashier; and W. P. 
Hamilton, W. K. Anderson, and R. L. Courtney. 
The bank commenced business at 88 Griswold 



Street, but in May, 1884, removed to the new Buhl 
Building, next north of the post-office. 

The Dime Savings Bank. 

The above bank was organized in 1884 and 
began business on May i in the new brick building 
on Griswold Street, between Michigan and Lafay- 
ette Avenues. The capital stock is $60,000. De- 
posits of from five cents and upward are received 
and interest allowed on even dollars. The officers 




Michigan Savings Bank, 
Southwest comer of Griswold Street and Lafayette .Avenue. 



for 1884 are: S. M. Cutcheon. president; J. E. 
Scripps, vice-president; and Frederick Woolfenden, 
cashier. The directors consist of the above-named, 
with J. F. Roehm, Wm. Living-stone, William Hull, 
J. L. Hudson, E. W. Voigt, Charles A. Warren, 
and A. M. Henry. 

The only other banks in the county are located 
in Plymouth and Wyandotte. The Plymouth Na- 
tional Bank was organized January 16, 1884, with 
a capital stock of $50,000. The first directors were : 



872 



BANKS AND CURRENCY. 



T. C. Sherwood, Samuel Lyndon, E. F. St. John, I. 
N. Starkweather, L. D. Shearer, E. C. Leach, Geo. 
Van Sickle, Wm. Geer, O. R. Pattengill, L. H. 
Bennett, L. C. Hough, S. J. Springer, and D. B. 
Wilcox. The director first named is the president. 
The First National Bank of Plymouth has a capi- 
tal of I50.000. E. J. Penniman is president, and 
O. A. Fraser cashier. 




TfH': .Statr S-WIngs IjAnk, 
Nos. gi and ^3 Griswold Street. Built in 1S84. 

The IVyandottc- Savings Bank. 
This bank was organized November 20, 1S71, 
with a capital of $50,000, and is located in the city 
of Wyandotte. The original and present officers 
are John S. Van Alstyne, president, and W. Van 
Miller, cashier. 

Private BaiiJcers. 
There were no private banking offices prior to 
about 1843. James L. Lyell and J. O. Graves were 
then located on the north side of Jefferson Avenue 



between Woodward Avenue and Bates Street. 
Soon afterwards Israel Coe and Samuel Coit, under 
the firm name of Coe & Coit, began business. In 
1845 Mr. Coit retired, and A. H. Dey became a 
partner with Mr. Coe, and the same year succeeded 
to the entire business, and continued it until his 
interests were merged with the American National 
Bank. 

In 1847 S. H. Ives & Company began business. 
They were succeeded by C. & A. Ives, the prede- 
cessors of the present firm of A. Ives & Sons. 

G. F. Lewis was in business as early as 1847 ; 
and Messrs. John Brown, Warner & Lee, and W. 
P. Campbell, in 1850. These last named firms ceased 
business many years ago. 

David Preston, of the present firm of D. Preston 
& Company, began in May, 1852. On March i, 
1867, John L. Harper became associated with him, 
remaining until July 27, 1882. In May, 1883, the 
firm of D. Preston & Company removed from the 
southeast corner of Woodward Avenue and Earned 
Street to the southwest corner of Griswold and 
Earned Streets, occupying part of the new Campau 
Building. 

The first mention found of O. C. Thompson, 
Howard, Smith, & Company, and B. P. Ensign, as 
bankers, is in 1853. The names of A. S. Johnson, C. 
W. Tuttle, B. B. Morris, O. F. Cargill & Company, 
and Wright, Andrews, & Company appear in 1855. 
The last firm was succeeded, in 1857, by Andrews 
& Waterman, and after that year they ceased to do 
business. V. J. Scott began in May, 1856. Philo 
Parsons opened a bank in the southeast corner of 
the Rotunda Building on Griswold Street, in 1857. 
The firm of Parsons & Fisher succeeded him as 
early as 1862. In 1859 E. H. Hazleton & Company 
and J. H. Kaple were doing a banking and broker- 
age business. In 1862 L. W. Wallace & Company 
were located on the northeast corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Griswold Street, and the same year 
F. L. Seitz (S: Company and Kellogg & Sabin are 
named. The latter firm was succeeded by Granger 
^; Sabin in 1863. In 1863 E. & S. WooUeywere 
named as bankers. Duncan, Kibbee, & Company 
were doing business in 1S65, and E. M. Cobb in 1S66. 

Fisher, Booth, & Company began in March, 1866. 
In September, 1S79, they were succeeded by Fisher 
& Preston, and on June i, 1884, by the Exchange 
Bank of W. B. IVIitchell. In 1867 Robert Hosie is 
named with the bankers, and also N. T. Taylor. 
W. D. Morton's banking office was opened in 1870, 
and closed in 1876. T. S. Darling began in 1871, 
and closed his business in 1879. E. K. Roberts & 
Company began in December, 1872, and Austin & 
Company in February, 1875. The two firms were 
consolidated in February, 1877. In 1874 Messrs. 
Cromwell S: Ralston were in business. McLellan 



INSURANCE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. 



873 



& Anderson began business April 23, 1877. Messrs. 
Bratsliavv, Black, & Company began in 1876, and 
discontinued their bank in May, 1880. 

On November i, 1S80, a branch of the firm of 
George K. Sistare's Sons, of New York, was estab- 
lished in Detroit at 90 Griswold Street. They re- 
moved to the Campau Building in 1S83. John L. 
Harper, formerly of the firm of D. Preston & Com- 
pany, established a new bank at 112 Griswold 
Street, under the firm name of John L. Harper & 
Company, on August 28, 1883. 

Up to May i, 1879, banks and bankers kept open 
from 9 to 12 A. M.,and from 2 to 4 P. m. The banks 
then came to an agreement to keep open continu- 
ously from 10 A. M. to 3 p. M. The following days 
are legal holidays, and the banks are then closed : 
New Year's Day, February' 22, or Washington's 
Birthday, May 30, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, 
Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. 

In 1850 and 1S60 the amount of bank capital was 
but $500,000, and this was largely owned at the 
East. In 1870 it had reached $1,500,000. In 1884 
the total amount was fully $5,000,000. Formerly all 
the city banks and bankers made collections from 
each other, and large sums of money were need- 
lessly handled and dangerously exposed. By mutual 
arrangement, dating from February 1, 1883, a mes- 
senger and clerk from each banking institution meet 
at twelve o'clock each day at the Merchants and 
Manufacturers' Bank, and under the supervision of 
F. W. Hayes, all collections are arranged, and the 
balances due from each bank agreed upon and 
settled. 

Nearly ninety defunct banks and other corpora- 
tions, including the " good, bad, and indifferent," 
have issued notes in Michigan, and F. H. Rogers, of 
Detroit, has gathered about four hundred different 
bills of their issue. Eighty-seven corporations are 
represented in his collection. 

INSUR.ANCE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. 

The earliest record found concerning insurance 
against fire is contained in the following from the 
Detroit Gazette : 

INSURANCE AGAINST FIRE. 
The subscriber will attend to applications for insurance, from 2 
to 5 o'clock p. M. on Saturdays. Persons who desire their build- 
ings, or other property, secured from damage by fire will find it 
advantageous to apply to the office for which the undersigned is 
agent, as the terms are favorable, and losses will be promptly 
repaired. 

E. Reed, 
Surveyor for the Utica Insurance Co}npany. 

Detroit, October 20, 181S. 

The business was evidently of slow growth, for 
in a paper of September 15, 1831. the following 
item appears : 



There is not now in this city any agent for an insurance com- 
pany, authorized to insure against fire. The only one in the 
territory, we believe, is Charles Noble, Esq., of Monroe. Many 
of the policies have expired, or are about to expire. 

Soon after this, on October 22, 1831, Asher B. 
Bates advertised himself as agent of the Protection 
Insurance Company, of Hartford. 




i 



LMSWlft#''2 



<-^'^"~vv-:33/^c^.fcjti.* 



Office of Detroit Fire and Marine Insurance Co., 
90 Griswold Street. Built in 1874. 

On March 7, 1834, the Michigan Insurance Com- 
pany was chartered, but it never transacted any 
insurance business, and the charter was used to 
organize a bank. 

In June, 1836, the following companies did busi- 
ness in Detroit : Kalamazoo Mutual Life Insurance 
Company, J. M. Howard, agent ; /Etna Insurance 
Company. Henry S. Cole, agent ; Protection Insur- 
ance Company, Asher R. Bates, agent ; Albany 



874 



INSURANCE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. 



Insurance Company, Firemen's Insurance Company, 
and American Life Insurance and Trust Company, 
G. Mott Williams, agent; New Yorl: Life Insurance 
and Trust Company, Dr. A. S. Porter, agent. 

H. N. Walker succeeded Asher B. Bates as agent 
of the Protection Insurance Company, and in 1837 
Jolin Palmer succeeded H. S. Cole as agent of the 
/Etna Insurance Company, and continued to act as 
agent until his death, on June 28, 1871. 

In 1837 G. Mott Williams advertised marine 
insurance, and the 

names of Marshall ^^ 

J. Bacon and H. H. 
Brown appear as in- 
surance agents. On 
Jime 10, 1844, notice 
was given that books 
would be opened for 
subscriptions to the 
stock of the Peninsu- 
lar Fire and Marine 
Insurance Company. 
The proposals did 
not meet with favor, 
antl the company was 
not organized. 

On February i, 
1866, the Detroit Fire 
and Marine Insur- 
ance Company was 
organized, with a cap- 
ital of $500,000, of 
which $150,000 was 
paid in. The first 
policy was issued 
March 14. The first 
president, Caleb Van 
Husan. was still serv- 
ing in 1884. S. War- 
ner White, the first 
secretary, served un- 
til March, 1868, when 
he was succeeded by 
James J. Clark. 
During the great fires 
in Michigan and Chi- 
cago, in 1 87 1, the 
company lost nearly 
came to the rescue 
fully maintaining the 
pany. 

The Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company 
of Detroit was incorporated July 10, 1867, and 
issued its first policy on the 12th of November of 
the same year. It was organized under the old 
insurance law of the State, with a subscribed capi- 
tal of $1 50,000, ten per cent of which was paid in. 




Michigan Mutuai I.ifk KsfRANCE Co.'s Office, 
Southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street. 



$272,000, but the directors 
and supplied more capital, 
high standard of the com- 



In 1870, after the passage of a new insurance law, 
$100,000 was paid in, and in compliance with the 
law, securities to that amount were deposited with 
the State Treasurer. In 1876 the capital stock was 
increased to $250,000, all of which was paid in. At 
the close of 1883 the capital stock and surplus 
reached the sum of 1531,1 10.26; and the total assets 
amounted to $1,231,878.63. The first president, 
John J. Bagley, served from 1867 to 1872. and was 
succeeded by Jacob S. Farrand. John T. Liggett, 

the first secretary, 
served until Septem- 
ber, 1883. and was 
then succeeded by O. 
R. Looker. The busi- 
ness of the company 
is entirely confined to 
the States of Michi- 
gan, Ohio, Western 
\'irginia, Illinois, and 
Indiana. L'p to 18S4 
it had paid death 
losses to the amount 
of .$968,780. The to- 
tal amounts paid poli- 
cy holders up to 1 884 
amounted to $1,869,- 
848. 86. The com- 
pany has never had 
a lawsuit or a con- 
tested claim, except 
on non-payment of 
premiums, save in one 
instance, when the 
beneficiary murdered 
the insured ; this was 
proven in court, and 
the case was properly 
decided in favor of 
the company. 

The Western L'nion 
Mutual Life and Ac- 
cident Society of the 
United States, with 
its principal office at 
Detroit, was incorpor- 
ated February 17, 
1880, with James L. Edson as president and Lyman 
M. Thayer as secretary. 

The Commercial Mutual Association was incor- 
porated April I, 1880, as a life insurance company, 
on the assessment plan, with P. E. De Mill as 
president, W"m. A. Berry as secretary, and J. B. H. 
Bratshaw as treasurer. In 1882 John M. Gunn 
became secretary, and S. R. Woolley was appointed 
actuary. In 1S83 Albert Ives succeeded Mr. Brat- 
shaw as treasurer. 



INSURANCE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. 



875 



The Merchants' Mutual Fire Insurance Company 
was incorporated September 25, 1880, and com- 
menced business October 1, with Thomas Berry as 
president, and A. T. Wood as manager ; it was in 
existence only about a year. 

The Michigan Eire and Marine Insurance Com- 
pany, with its principal office at Detroit, was incor- 
porated Februar>- 8, 1881, with a capital of $200,- 
000. The first officers were: Francis Palms, 
president; Thos. McGraw, vice-president; D. 
Whitney, Jr., treasurer; E. C. Preston, secretary'. 
All of them are still ser\^ing in 1884. 

The Standard Life and Accident Insurance Com- 
pany was incorporated May 29, 1S84. The officers 



are: D. M. Ferry, president; R. W. Gillett, vice-presi- 
dent; M. W. O'Brien, treasurer; and J. T. Patton, 
secretary. 

In addition to these distinctively home companies, 
there are scores of other life and fire companies, 
represented by various agents, and doing an enor- 
mous business, and all of them are super\'ised by a 
State Commissioner of Insurance, first provided 
for in 1870. In 1865 a city ordinance was passed 
providing for a tax on the premiums collected by 
insurance companies, and in 1870, $8,052 revenue 
was obtained from this source. The ordinance w-as 
repealed in 1872. 



PART XI, 



COMMUNICATION 



CHAPTER LXXXII. 



THE POST-OFFICE AND MAILS — TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES. 



POST-OFFICE AND MAILS. 

The changes and the progress of Detroit can be 
indicated in no more interesting manner than by 
noting the development of mail facilities and the 
increase of postal matter. In the early days of the 
settlement few letters were written save by the com- 
mandant and the agents of the trading company, 
and these were forwarded by special messengers. In 
Colonel Johnson's diary of events at Detroit, under 
date of Saturday, August 12, 1761, he says, " At nine 
o'clock at night a York officer arrived at my quar- 
ters, express from Niagara in si.\leen days, with 
letters from General Amherst." 

On November 21, 1782, Colonel De Peyster wrote 
to Mr. McLean : 

You desire to be informed of my ideas on the method of estab- 
lishing a correspondence during the winter season. I have to 
inform you that during my coinmanti at the upper posts, I have 
frequently found it necessary to send expresses, which can be 
done with ease and with the greatest safety, by employing two 
Indians, and sometimes adding an interpreter. We generally 
equip the Indians for the journey and promise them a present of 
silverworks at the post they are sent to, provided they travel with 
dispatch, and on their return they receive their payment, which 
they choose to have mostly in rum. 

No postal system worthy of note was in operation 
until the very last years of English rule. Messen- 
gers were then sent, with something of regularity, 
to and from Quebec, but letters written at Detroit 
early in January, 1791, did not reach Quebec until 
the last of March. Much the same methods were 
in use after the surrender. The following letter 
gives a good idea of the facilities of those days : 

Detroit, i6th Sept., 1796. 
Sir, — 

I send over by Ogden two horses, which are to remain at Fort 
Miamis to serve as a relief for expresses ; when expresses are 
coming to this place, they are to leave the horses they bring, with 
you, and come on with fresh horses. You will take the greatest 
care of the horses and have them well fed and attended to. 

J. Wit.KINS, Jit., 

Q. M. GcnrraJ. 

Maj. John IVilsoii, A. Q. M., Fort Miatiiis. 

The first post road in Michigan was established 
on March 3, iSoi. It formed part of a line from 
Cincinnati to Detroit. As early as October i, 1802, 
a regular mail, but probably only quarterly, was in 
operation, between Washington and Detroit. No 
post-office was established here until January i , 1 803. 



In 1804 the Cincinnati route was discontinued, 
and one from Cleveland to Detroit established. In 

181 1 it took forty days to bring a letter from Wash- 
ington, and the mail was carried partly on horseback 
and in part by men on foot. During the War of 

1812 General Cass had occasion to pass over the 
route running through the black swamp, in the 
vicinity of the present city of Toledo. Here he met 
the mail-carrier, and, wishing to get his dispatches, he 
cut open the mail-bag, took out his letters, and went 
his way. During the same war the e.xpedition of 
General McArthur to Burlington Heights, Canada, 
was planned, and so barren were the results that 
Postmaster Abbott was accused of having given in- 
formation which defeated the plans. For this reason 
an attempt was made to remove him, but it was 
clearly proven that some of Mc.A.rthur's own men 
carelessly gave warning to the enemy. 

The general condition of the service during these 
years is indicated in several letters written by Gov- 
ernor Cass to the postmaster-general. On Decem- 
ber 8, 181 5, he wrote : 

At all times since our arrival at this place in 1813, the mail has 
been carried with singular irregularity^ — an irregularity for 
which the state of the roads will furnish no excuse. I passed the 
mail carrier last summer between the mouth of the Raisin and 
Mansfield. He was on foot, and I should say not fit to be trusted 
with sixpence. 

On December 30, 1S15, he wrote: 

The post-rider has just arrived without a letter or paper. Our 
last National Intelligencer is November 7. The last mail brought 
me a letter from the War Department, of October 30. * * * 
The misconduct is with the postmaster at Cleveland. Mr. Abbott 
informs me that this postmaster, if the mail from Pittsburgh 
arrives five minutes after he has closed the mail for this place, 
will not for^vard, but retains it till the next week. * * * I 
trust you will excuse the solicitude 1 feel and the trouble I give 
you upon this subject. Cut off as we are from the world and from 
other means of information than the mail, we look with eagerness 
for its arrival, and nine times out of ten we find ourselves disap- 
pointed. A detailed statement of the arrival of the mail for the 
last three months and of its contents would be a document, I am 
certain, which would surprise you. 



In a letter of May 23, 1817, he says : 

I found on ray arrival from Washington that for six weeks not 
a mail had 'been received. This was unquestionably owing to 
culpable negligence in some of the postmasters or mail carriers 
between Pittsburgh and Fort Meigs. There is no neglect be- 
tween here and Fort Meigs. * * • The mail is carried as 

[879] 



88o 



THE POST-OFFICE AND MAILS. 



regularly as between New York and Philadelphia. * * * I 
wrote a letter to General Macomb and another to Mrs. Cass at 
Washington on the tenth day of March last. These letters 
reached this place yesterday. 

The representations from General Cass pro- 
duced some improvement, and soon after the mail 
from Washington arrived, with tolerable regularity, 
once in three weeks. Another improvement was 
made by the introduction at Detroit of the traditional 
post-boy's horn. Its use was first suggested in a 
letter which appeared in The Detroit Gazette of 
October 24, 1817. This communication was as fol- 
lows: 

Messrs. Sheldon and Reed, — 

The system and industry exhibited in the Postoffice Depart- 
ment in this city reflect great credit upon the intelligent officer 
at its head ; but the necessity of furnishing the post-rider with 
the means of apprizing the citizens of his arrival has escaped 
him. Almost every post-boy in the United States is furnished with 
a horn of some description for that purpose. The writer of this 
is satisfied, from his personal acquaintance with Judge Abbott, 
that this hint will induce him promptly to supply this want. 

A Citizen. 

The suggestion was heeded, and thereafter, from 
the time he entered the city, by way of the river 
road, till he reached the post-office, the sound of the 
post-boy's horn notified the whole town of the 
arrival of the mail. The mail was carried in ordi- 
nary leather saddle-bags ; the carrier was a diminu- 
tive Frenchman, and his "swift-flying steed," as 
symbolized by the seal of the Post-office Depart- 
ment, was a Canadian pony, not greatly larger than 
his rider. 

The second post-road in the Territory was estab- 
lished May 3, 1820. It ran between Detroit and 
Mount Clemens via Pontiac. Routes were estab- 
lished to Saginaw on March 3, 1823, and to Ann 
Arbor and Fort Gratiot on May 24, 1828. In 1827 
stages began to run between Detroit and points in 
Ohio, and then, for the first time, mails were con- 
veyed from Detroit on wheels. Late in 1830 pro- 
vision was made for a daily mail at Detroit from the 
South and East via Pittsburg ; and on Monday, 
January 9, 1 83 1 , the eastern mail arrived, and there- 
after mails arrived daily. 

On January 1 1, 1832, the following advertisement 
appeared : 

MAILS. 

Agreeably to the new contract with the Department, the great 
eastern and southern mails are hereafter to arrive at this office 
daily at 2 o'clock P. M., and close daily at 6 i'. M. The Mount 
Clemens mail arrives every Sunday at 7 w m., and closes the same 
hour, the same day. The Ann Arbor mail arrives every Friday 
at 6 ]■. M., and closes every Wednesday at 8 r. M. The Oakland 
and Fort Gratiot mail arrives every Tuesday at 6 p. M., and closes 
every Friday at 8 P. M. The Tecumseh and St. Joseph mail 
arrives during the winter, on Monday morning, and closes every 
Thursday at 8 P. M. 

During the winter season this office opens at seven o'clock A. M, 



and closes at 8 p. m., except on Sunday. On that day it is open 
from eight to nine o'clock in the morning. 

John Norvell, P. M. 

The provision for a daily mail did not greatly 
shorten the time of carrying from the East, and as 
late as January, 1836, it took fourteen days and 
nights to send a letter to New York City. Upon 
one occasion H. N. Walker, who had gone to New 
York, wrote back to Detroit, and it was twenty- 
eight days before he received a reply, which was 
sent as soon as his letter was received. This delay 
was not exceptional. 

In 1837 the mail arrangements were as follows: 

To and from Ann Arbor and Chicago, every 
other day. To and from the East, every day during 
season of navigation. To and from Grand Rapids, 
once a week. To and from Mt. Clemens, three 
times a week. To and from Pontiac, twice a week. 
To and from Lapeer, once a week. 

In December of this year sixteen bags of mail- 
matter were sent from Sandusky overland to Detroit 
and were twenty-two days on the road. 

In 1843 it took letters nine days to come from 
New York. Prior to November, 1 843, mails for the 
northwest were received at Detroit only during the 
season of navigation. After that date Detroit be- 
came a distributing office for the northwest during 
all the year. On the completion of the G. W. R. R. 
in 1854 another important change was made. Up 
to that time all the eastern mails arriving in winter 
came around the south shore of Lake Erie. When 
the new route was opened, the desire was general 
that the mails be carried over it, and as it was 
unlawful to carry the mails through a foreign coun- 
try, a meeting of citizens was held on February 4. 
1854, to petition for governmental legislation that 
would allow the passage of the mails over the new 
road. The petition was granted, and great gain 
was made in the time of arrival of the mails. 
-' The postage rates on letters weighing one half 
ounce or less have been as follows : Under law of 
February 20, 1792, letters were carried thirty miles 
or less for six cents ; from thirty to sixty miles for 
eight cents; from sixty to one hundred miles for 
ten cents; from one hundred to one hundred and 
fifty miles for twelve and a half cents; from one 
hundred and fifty to two hundred miles for fifteen 
cents; from two hundred to two hundred and fifty 
miles for seventeen cents ; from two hundred and 
fifty miles to three hundred and fifty for twenty 
cents; from three hundred and fifty to four hundred 
and fifty miles for twenty-two cents; and four hun- 
dred and fifty miles and upwards for twenty-five 
cents. 

By law of March 2, 1799, they were carried forty 
miles or less for eight cents; from forty to ninety 
miles for ten cents ; from ninety to one hundred and 



THE POST-OFFICE AND MAILS. 



88i 



fifty miles for twelve and a half cents ; from one 
hundred and fifty to three hundred miles for seven- 
teen cents; from three hundred to five hundred 
miles for twenty-five cents. 

Bv law of April 9, 1816, they were carried thirty 
miles for six cents ; from thirty to eighty miles for 
ten cents; from eighty to one hundred and fifty 
miles for twelve and a half cents ; from one hundred 
and fifty to four hundred miles for eighteen and a 
half cents; and four hundred miles and upwards 
for twenty-five cents. 

It will be noticed that there is no material differ- 
ence in the above rates of postage, and in these days 
we can hardly imagine how it was possible for sen- 
sible legislators to devise such clumsy and dilTicult 
laws. Apparently they expected every postmaster 
to be a geographer and mathematician as well, with 
a better knowledge of distances than one person in 
ten thousand, even now, possesses. Many letters 
weighed more than half an ounce, and thus the 
difficulty was increased. The postage on a single 
letter frequently reached from sixty to seventy-five 
cents. Envelopes in those days were unknown and 
unused. People could not afford to pay postage on 
the mere covering to a letter ; and to fold a 
letter properly, and so arrange it that the wafer 
seal and the direction would come in the proper 
place was almost a test of scholarship and gentility. 
The high rates of postage made it necessary for 
those who had much to say to use all possible space 
on the one sheet, and therefore many old letters 
had writing even underneath the seal, the loving 
remembrances from Susan and Margaret, Hezekiah 
and Jonas, being crowded in at the very wind-up of 
the epistle. Envelopes were first used in 1839. On 
March 3, 1845, an Act was passed under which let- 
ters going a distance of less than three hundred 
miles were carried for five cents; for over three 
hundred miles, ten cents was charged. The Act of 
March 3, 1851, was a still greater boon; and from 
that date the rate was three cents for any distance 
under three thousand miles. A law of March 3,1883, 
taking effect from October i, reduced the postage 
on ordinar)' letters from three to two cents. 

The use of stamps is of more modern date than 
is often realized. Provision was first made for them 
by law of March 3, 1847. The date of their first 
use in Detroit is indicated in a local item in the 
Free Press of August 16, 1847. It says: 

Post office stamps have been received at the office in this city 
from the Department, for the prepayment of postage. They are 
of twii denominations, five and ten cents, and will be a great ac- 
commodation to the public. All that has to be done is to prcfi.x 
one of the little appendages, and the letter goes direct. 

During the scarcity of silver in 1861, thousands 
of dollars worth of these sticky substitutes for money 
were sold at the Detroit office, and used as change. 



Postal cards were first sold in Detroit on May 1 5, 
1873, ^f"l there was an immense rush to obtain 
them. During 1883, 2,843,000 were sold. The 
total receipts for postage and stamps at Detroit in 
1850 were $18,960; in i S60. §30,487 ; in 1870, 
$105,769; in 1880, $227,864; in 1883, $311,856. 
The net income from this oftice in i S83 was $233,- 

647. 

The registry system went into operation under 
law of March 3, 1855. The plan includes the 
gi\nng of a receipt for any package sent by mail. 
The fee for registering is ten cents, and the pack- 
ages are separated from all others, and special care 
taken that they reach the proper person. During 
18S3 over twenty-three thousand letters and forty- 
four thousand packages were receipted for at De- 
troit. 

Money orders were first issued here on November 
I, 1864. The first Swiss order was issued Septem- 
ber I, 1869; the first British order, October i, 
1871 ; the first German order, October 3, 1872 ; the 
first Canadian order, August i, 1875 ; and the first 
Italian order July i, 1877. The charge for money 
orders prior to the passage of the law of March 3, 
1883, was as follows : On orders not exceeding fif- 
teen dollars, ten cents ; over fifteen dollars and not 
exceeding thirty dollars, fifteen cents ; over thirty 
dollars and not exceeding forty dollars, twenty 
cents; over forty dollars and not exceeding fifty 
dollars, twenty-five cents. The law of 1883 pro- 
vided that within six months the postmaster-gen- 
era! should provide an engraved form for a postal 
note, to be filled out by postmasters with any sum 
under five dollars, a uniform charge of three cents 
being made for each note, which is then sent in the 
same way as a postal order. Under this law the 
first postal notes were issued at Detroit on Septem- 
ber 3, 1S83. The same law provided that amounts 
as high as one hundred dollars might be sent in a 
postal order, and the following rates were estab- 
lished. For orders not exceeding ten dollars, eight 
cents; from ten to fifteen dollars, ten cents; from 
fifteen to thirty dollars, fifteen cents; from thirty 
to forty dollars, twenty cents ; from forty to fifty 
dollars, twenty-five cents; from fifty to sixty dollars, 
thirty cents ; from sixty to seventy dollars, thirty- 
five cents ; from seventy to eighty dollars, forty 
cents ; from eighty to one hundred dollars, forty- 
five cents. 

During the year 1SS3 there were issued 19,878 
orders on United .States offices, 909 on post-offices 
in Canada, 1,430 payable in Great Britain, 1,574 in 
Germany, 87 in France, 164 in Switzerland, 163 
in Italy, 2 in Jamaica, 2 in New South Wales, 27 in 
Belgium, and i in New Zealand. A total of 
nearly $52,000 was sent to Europe from Detroit, 
$12,905 to Canada, and $288,721 to various parts of 



882 



THE POST-OFFICE AND MAILS. 



the United States. In the same year there were 
received at Detroit 97,586 orders from offices in the 
United States, 2,159 from Canada, 367 from Great 
Britain, 5S3 from Germany. 13 from France, 24 
from Switzerland, 7 from Italy, i r from New Zea- 
land, 2 from New South Wales, 3 from India, i 
from \'ictoria, and 20 from Belgiimi. The total 
amount received from Europe was §26,178; from 
Canada. $31,479; and from offices in the United 
States about one and one fourth million dollars. 

The free delivery system was probably the great- 
est convenience that has been introduced. Prior to 
its establishment the post-office at mail time was a 
general meeting-place, and if the mail was late or 
unusually large, an hour was often consumed in 
waiting, and by the time the windows were opened 
the crowd were always ready to push and struggle, 
and annoyance and delay resulted. 

The delivery by carriers began in October, 1864. 
At the same time a large number of iron letter- 
bo.xes, placed on lamp-posts and in grocery and 
drug stores, were first used. In 1879 they were re- 
moved from the stores. Letters deposited in the 
street-boxes are collected, and letters and papers 
delivered from one to five times a day in each dis- 
trict. There are now 392 bcxes in use. Since 1870 
the carriers on service in the larger and thinly 
settled districts have been provided with horses. 
There are now five, and they are allowed $250 per 
year extra for the keeping of their horses. The 
salary of the carriers ranges from $400 to $1,000 a 
year. They are appointed by the postmaster- 
general on nomination of the postmaster, and are 
uniformed in gray. 

From 1864 to 1869 there were eighteen carriers; 
from 1869 to 1871 there were twenty ; from 1871 to 
1873 there were twenty-five. In 1879 there were 
thirty-one employed ; in 1880, thirty-three; in 1881 
thirty-six; in 1882, thirty-eight; and in 1884 forty- 
seven, two of them acting as collectors. During 
1883 they collected 3,048,091 letters, and 8,188,360 
letters were delivered. Of postal cards 986,852 
were collected, and 2,295,457 delivered. A total of 
10,696,289 letters and postals were sent from De- 
troit. The salaries of the clerks range from $300 to 
$1,500. The deputy postmaster has a salary of 
$2,000, and the postmaster $3,700. The vv'hole 
force connected with the office numbers 116, and 
the sum of the yearly salaries is about $87,000. 

Rotation has been the rule in regard to the loca- 
tion of the post-oftice. Where it was kept under 
the first two postmasters is not known. Under Mr. 
Abbott it was located on the southeast corner of 
Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street in an 
old log building. Next to the post-office was Ab- 
bott's store ; then came a storehouse for furs, and 
the block was completed by a small log house occu- 



pied by a washerwoman. On May 10, 1831. the 
office was moved to a small brick building on the 
south side of Jefferson Avenue, just below Wayne 
Street. After a few months, on September 7, 1831, 
it was moved to the northeast corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Shelby Street; on May 17, 1834, to a 
little wooden building, No. 22, in the same block, 
and nearer Cass Street. In April, 1836, it was 
moved to 157 Jefferson Avenue, near Randolph 
Street. On December 3, 1836, it was about 
being moved to 83 Jefferson Avenue, on the north- 
east corner of Shelby Street. Soon after, in 1S37, 
the office was again moved, this time to an old 
frame building, 105 Jefferson Avenue, where Ives' 
Bank is now located. In May, 1840, it was 
moved to a brick building farther west, about the 
middle of the same block. .About May i, 1843, 
the office was transferred to the basement of the 




The Post-office. 

Stone building on the southwest corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Griswold Street, now occupied by the 
First National Bank. On November 28, 1849, it 
was moved to the first floor of the New Mariners' 
Church, on the northwest corner of Woodward 
Avenue and Woodbridge Street, thus returning, 
after the lapse of half a century', very near its origi- 
nal situation. It remained in the Mariners' Church 
until the completion of the United States Custom 
House and Post-Office on the northwest corner of 
Griswold and Earned Streets. An appropriation of 
^88, 000 towards the erection of this building was 
made August 4, 1854. The corner-stone was laid 
with interesting ceremonies on May 18, 1858. The 
building is one hundred and ten feet on Griswold 
Street and sixty feet on Earned. The basement is 
ten feet high, the first story sixteen feet, the second 
seventeen and a half feet, and the third twenty 



TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES. 



88- 



feet; the total height of the building above the 
street is sixty feet. It was completed and formally 
opened on January 30, i860. The total cost was 
$162,800. The basement and first story are occu- 
pied exclusively for post-office purposes. The cus- 
tom-house offices and the offices of the United 
States marshal, district attorney, and clerks of the 
courts are in the second story, and the United 
States court -room and office of the steamboat 
inspector in the upper part of the building. Larger 
quarters having become necessary. Congress, on 
May 25, 1882, appropriated $600,000 for a new site 
and building, with a proviso that if the old site were 
retained and additional ground adjoining purchased, 
only 1500,000 should be expended. A government 
commission, appointed to consider the subject of 
location, met in the city on August 15, 1882, and 
soon after reported in favor of the old location. 
During 1882 the L'nited States purchased a lot fifty 
feet front on Larned Street, lying ne.xt to the gov- 
ernment property, for $60,000, and an adjoining lot 
of same size for $26,000. Upon these lots and the 
old one a new building is to be erected. An Act of 
August 7, 1882. appropriated $250,000 to commence 
the work. 

The names of postmasters and dates of appoi[it- 
ment are as follows : Frederick Bates, appointed 
7 January i, 1803; George Hoffman, January i, 1806: 
James Abbott, October i, 1806 ; John Norvell, April 
II, 1831; Sheldon McKnight, June 18, 1836; 
Thomas Rosvland, March 17, 1842; John S. Bagg, 
April 3, 1845; Alpheus S. Williams, April 5, 1849; 
Thornton F. Brodhead, April 4, 1853; Cornelius 
O'Flynn, March 27, 1857; Henry N. Walker, April 
28, 1859; Ale.xander W. Buel, September 28, i860; 
William A. Howard, March 18, 1861 ; Henry 
Barns, August 20, 1866; Frederick W. Swift, 
March 18, 1867; John H. Kaple, March 3, 1875; 
George C. Codd, March 4, 1879. 

It has long been told, as the joke of that period, 
that when John Norvell, who came here from Penn- 
sylvania with his commission as postmaster in his 
pocket, called on Postmaster Abbott, he announced 
his name, and asked Mr. .Abbott if he knew that he 
was his successor. The incumbent of many years 
looked at him, and then said, " Yes, I have heard of 
you, and I wnsh you were on the Grumpian Hills 
feeding your father's flock." 

TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES. 

The use of the electrical current for telegraph 
purposes was first illustrated in Detroit in 1845. 
This item then appeared in the Advertiser for Sep- 
tember 23 : 

Electric Telegraph. — Dr. Boynton commenced a course of 
lectures on this subject last evening at the Presbyterian session- 



room. We have no doubt our citizens will be richly rewarded fur 
their attendance. The subject is not only curious, but becoming 
of great practical interest. Admission, twenty-five cents. 

In the following year and late in the fall Mr. Ezra 
Cornell, having completed for Professor Morse a 
line of telegraph from Baltimore to Washington, 
with his townsman, J. J. Speed, Jr., made a contract 
with the owners of the Morse patent to build a line 
from Buffalo to Milwaukee, connecting all the prin- 
cipal towns on and adjacent to the lakes. 

The contract was signed by Messrs. Cornell and 
Speed, as contractors, and by Messrs. Smith and 
Vail as owners of the patent. The last-named 
gentleman appointed Jacob M. Howard, Martin B. 
Wood, and Levi Hubbel as trustees to see that the 
line was built and put in operation according to the 
specifications. The contractors came to Michigan 
in the winter of 1846-1847 to procure subscriptions 
in the various towns on the route, and selected 
Detroit as headquarters. 

It is possible that the exhibition in Representative 
Hall, at the old Capitol, from July 2 to 7, 1847, of 
the methods of telegraphy, was, at least in part, 
under their auspices. The following notice ap- 
peared soon after : 

TELE(;i{ArH Notice. — A meeting of the citizens will be held 
this evening, — Saturday, July 31, 1847, — at the Firemen's Hall, 
for the purpose of deciding whether a sufficient amount of money 
will be subscribed for the capital of the Erie and Michigan Tele- 
graph line, connecting Buffalo and Detroit, to justify its immedi- 
ate construction. Explanations will be made of the advantages 
of the line, and in relation to the amount of stock necessar>' to be 
subscribed in this city. Our citizens are respectfully invited to 
attend. 

In the summer of 1847 the trustees of this, the 
Speed Line, as it was called, selected the following 
gentlemen to take charge of the work and procure 
material for building the line : Ezra Cornell, for 
Section i, from Buffalo to Cleveland ; J. J. Speed, 
for Section 2, from Cleveland to Detroit ; M. B. 
A\'ood, for Section 3, from Detroit to Chicago ; and 
^Ir. Tillottson, for Section 4, from Chicago to Mil- 
waukee. 

The first wire on the Speed Line was put up by 
Mr. Wood ; it ran from Detroit to Ypsilanti, and 
was first used on November 29, 1847, proving true 
to its name by being the first line on which a tele- 
graphic dispatch was sent from Detroit. 

The office was in the rear of the second story of 
a building owned by Mr. Newberry, on the northeast 
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Cass Street, after- 
wards the Garrison House. There was no manager, 
as such, but there were plenty of instruments and 
batteries, and a number of young operators from 
the East, who had obtained a knowledge of te- 
legraphy on the Albany and Buffalo Line, or 
its branches, were congregated at Detroit in ex- 



884 



TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES. 



pectation of obtaining an office when tlie line was 
fully opened. 

These lads, in Mr. Wood's absence, had things 
pretty much their own way, and seemed to use all 
their ingenuity in hatching mischief. Among their 
implements there was an electrical machine with 
two brass balls, one to be held in each hand, and so 
arranged that when the current was turned on, it 
was impossible to let go of the balls. One morning 
a burly Irishman came in, and said he wanted to 
look at the "telegroff" and see her " wurk." The 
boys were quick to see their opportunity. They put 
the brass balls into his hands, turned on a light 
current, and asked if he could see it. " Yis." he 
replied, "she's wurkin." A little more electricity 
was then applied, when the man cried out " Holdt- 
her, boys, holdther ! She 's wurkin hard. Och ! 
holdther, I say. Be jabers! she's got me hard." A 
stiff volume was then applied, and the man began 
to jump and yell, "Why don't ye holdther? Oh! 
by the Holy Vargin I ye '11 kill me ded." Just at 
this moment Mr. Wood appeared at the door. The 
boys dropped the connecting wires and ran for the 
battery-room, and the delegate from the "ould sod" 
hurried down stairs, muttering to himself that he 
had "seen enough of the domed telegroff." 

In the winter and spring of 1848 the line was 
pushed rapidly forward, and on reaching Chicago 
the company organized by electing J. J. Speed, Jr., 
president; E. Cornell, Anthony Dudgeon, Benjamin 
Follett, David S. Walbridge, and J. B. Smith, 
directors ; and James Haviland, secretary. No 
treasurer was needed, for the money received at the 
offices was paid out as fast as received, and reported 
to the father of Mr. Speed, who served as book- 
keeper. Mr. Haviland was head operator at Detroit, 
with Mr. Wood as superintendent of construction 
and repairs on the line. The office was .'^oon moved 
to a building on Jefferson .-Avenue, next to the old 
Farmers and Mechanics' Bank Building, opposite 
Masonic Hall. As early as 1S52 it was moved a 
little nearer Griswold Street to a two-story wooden 
building, on the site now occupied by Charles Root 
& Company's store. In their new office the com- 
pany was designated as the Erie and Michigan Line. 
C. E. Wendell was manager from 1851 to 1856. 

The O'Reilly Line, so named after its projector, 
Henry O'Reilly, was completed between Buffalo and 
Detroit on March i, 184S, and on that day the first 
dispatch from New York was received. The office 
of this company was originally in the second story 
of the then new Godfrey Building on Jefferson 
Avenue, just below the Michigan Exchange. E. D. 
Benedict was manager. 

The third line, known as the Snow Line, was 
constructed by Messrs. Josiah and William D. 
Snow; it ran to Chicago, by way of Monroe. 



In 1852 there was in operation a line called the 
Northern Michigan, with G. L. Lee as manager. 
During the years that the lines retained the names 
of their individual proprietors the papers always 
headed their telegraph column, " Telegraph by 
O'Reilly, Speed, or Snow Line," as the case might 
be. In 1852 G. W. Balch was general Western 
manager of the O'Reilly Line. This same year 
the name was changed to the Atlantic, Lake, and 
Mississippi Telegraph Line, and E. D. Benedict 
became manager of the Detroit oflfice. In 1855 
the Morse, House, O'Reilly, and Wade Lines were 
consolidated under the name of the New York and 
Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company. The 
Detroit office was located on Jefferson Avenue ne.xt 
to the old Farmers and Mechanics' Bank Building, 
where H. A. Newland & Company's store is now 
located. Early in the spring of 1854 Mr. Speed 
sold his interest in the Erie and Michigan Line to 
one of the companies above named, for $30,000. 
This caused an entire change in the management. 
The purchasers supposed their purchase would give 
them control of the property, but they found that 
Messrs. Cornell and Wood owned a large amount 
of stock, and could control the appointment of the 
Board of Directors. This was a sore disappoint- 
ment, but the Rochester owners had to acquiesce. 
Mr. Cornell was elected president and superintend- 
ent, with Mr. Wood as treasurer and general financial 
agent. From this time the company paid its stock- 
holders five per cent dividends, but as there was a 
lively competition for business by the other lines, the 
capital of the Erie and Michigan Lines decreased 
S8.000 per year. This state of things induced the 
Rochester owners to come to Detroit, and make an 
effort to unite the companies. At a meeting held 
here, the Rochester Company was represented by I. 
R. EKvood, H. Sibley, and Samuel L. Selden ; and 
the Erie and Michigan Company by E. Cornell, M. 
B. Wood, and J. M. Howard. The meeting resulted 
in cutting down the capital stock of the Rochester 
Company from $450,000 to S350.000, and raising 
the Erie and Michigan stock from $117,000 to 
$150,000, making a total capital of $500,000, and 
consolidating all the lines and parts of lines west of 
Buffalo in which the Rochester Company had any 
interest. The organization was called the Western 
Union Telegraph Company, and was fully organized 
on .April 4, 1856. 

The office was now removed to 52 Griswold Street. 
About 1S61 it was moved to 66 Griswold, and in 
1872 was again removed to the southeast corner of 
Griswold and Congress Streets. Mr. Balch acted 
as general manager until 1865, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Colin Fox, and he by C. Corbet in 1870. 

On July 16, 1857, the first telegraph cable was 
laid across Detroit River. It was a piece of the 



TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES. 



885 



cable originally intended to be used at Newfound- 
land, and was the first really successful submarine 
telegraph cable laid in any waters. 

In 1S80 the Western Union had one cable cross- 
ing the river with seven conductors, and two cables 
with three conductors each. The Atlantic and 
Pacific Company had one cable, and the American 
Union Company two cables at this point. On 
August 5, 1858, the news that the Atlantic cable 
had been successfully laid called forth impromptu 
and noisy demonstrations. The telegraph office 
was illuminated, and the streets were brilliant 
with bonfires. This first report was untrue, 
but on -Vugust 16 following, at 9.30 v. u., 
the arrival of a bona fide dispatch from the Queen 
was duly announced, and immediately the bells 
rang, the people gathered, and bonfires were built. 
On the next day preparations were made for a dis- 
play in the evening. Accordingly, at 8 P. M., guns 
were fired, and for an hour all the bells were rung, 
many buildings were illuminated, a torchlight pro- 
cession paraded, and innumerable bonfires told of 
the general joy. Indeed, it was joy run wild ; staid 
old citizens acted like school-boys, and all through 
the city, shouts and singing filled the air. Probably 
no other occasion was more hilariously celebrated 
in Detroit. 

In 1863 the United States Telegraph Company 
built its line in Michigan. It extended along the F. 
& P. M. R. R. to Saginaw, and ran also to Port 
Huron and Toledo. It was consolidated with the 
Western L'nion in 1866. 

The Atlantic and Pacific Line was built from 
Toledo to Detroit in 1868, and opened in Novem- 
ber. The office was established at 39 Woodward 
Avenue. In 1872 the office was moved to 64 Gris- 
wold Street. After 1876 it was located at 94 Gris- 
wold Street. The managers have been: 1869-1870, 
George Farnsworth ; 1S71, E. B. Beecher; 1872, C. 
J. Ryan; 1873-1881, F. W. Garnsey. 

The office of the American Union Line was 
established at Detroit on January- 15, 1880. in the 
basement of the First National Bank, G. W. Lloyd 
as manager. In Februari', 1881, all of the telegraph 
companies then represented in Detroit were consoli- 
dated, and on April i, the office of the Atlantic 
and Pacific Line was discontinued. During the 
summer of 1881 the Mutual Union Company began 
to build its line in Michigan, and its Detroit office 
was opened on February- 6, 1882, with George 
Farnsworth as manager. In 1883 it was sold to 
the Western Union, and on July i the office at 
Detroit was closed. The Bankers and Merchants" 
Telegraph Line opened its Detroit office in May, 
18S4. with Geo. F. Singleton as manager. 

In the way of telegraphic facilities an important 
and exceedingly useful advance was made by the 



establishment of the district telegraph system. The 
company was organized, in Detroit, on November 
8, 1875. went into operation November 27, and by 
the first of January-, 1876, was fully established. 
The capital stock of the company was fixed at 
$50,000, and it was officered as follows : G. W. 
Balch, president ; James McMillan, vice-president ; 
S. D. Elwood, treasurer; J. W. Mackenzie, super- 
intendent. In January, 1878, W. A. Jackson became 
superintendent. 

The apparatus supplied by the company to sub- 
scribers consists of a small box about four by 
six inches in size, connected by a wire with the 
office of the company, and so arranged that by 
simply turning a crank a given number of times for 
each one of four signals, a signal is conveyed to 
the office of the company, and a messenger-boy 
instantly summoned to go to any part of the city ; a 
policeman called, if there are burglars or suspicious 
characters around; or, subscribers having previ- 
ously furnished the office with the name of their 
physician, he can be summoned from the office. 
The fourth signal is used in case of fire. The 
company employs a large number of boys and men, 
and there are always some of them on duty. The 
growth of the serx'ice is indicated by the fact that on 
January i, 1876, seven messengers were employed; 
January i, 1877, twenty; January i, 1878, forty; 
January i, 1879, fifty; in 1883 sixty were employed. 
The charges for the services of the messengers 
are: For one hour, 30 cents; 50 minutes, 25 cents; 
40 minutes, 20 cents; 30 minutes, 15 cents; 20 
minutes or less, 10 cents. 

The messengers may be employed to distribute 
circulars and notices of every kind. When desired 
by subscribers employing a night watchman, the 
company arrange a signal- and wire, so that, as 
often as may be required, the watchman can send a 
signal to the office, thus insuring his faithfulness 
and attention. A sealed report of the signals re- 
ceived is delivered to the employer every morning. 
The rent of the apparatus, not including the charge 
for messengers, is S'-jO per month. The popularity 
of the apparatus is indicated by the fact that in 
1876 one hundred bo.xes vi-ere in use; in 1877, two 
hundred; in 1878 and 1879, three hundred and 
twenty-five. On the first of Januarj-, 1880, the 
number had declined to three hundred because of 
the increased use of the telephone, and now there 
are only two hundred and twenty-five. 

The discovery of the telephone began to attract 
attention early in 1877. The instrument was first 
exhibited in Detroit on March 6 of that year, at 
the Detroit Club Rooms, under the direction of M. 
C. Kellogg. Communication w-as had with Chicago, 
and a musical performance there was distinctly 
heard in Detroit. On August 15, 1878, the Tele- 



886 TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES. 

phone and Telegraph Construction Company began telephone stations in various parts of the city, 

to supply telephones, acting in connection with the and at these stations ten cents is charged for 

District Telegraph Company. The annual charge telephonic communication. This same year, on 

for telephones for business purposes is $60; for January 22, the State telephone system went into 

ordinary professional and residence use, $50. In operation; and now about two hundred cities and 

1S79 the company had in operation three hundred villages of Michigan are connected by telephone, 

telephones and twenty-two private lines. In 1883 The office of the company was originally located at 

the number had grown to over fifteen hundred, 135 Griswold Street; in October, 1877, it was 

and there were besides forty private lines. The moved to 15 Congress Street West; and on Sep- 

number has largely increased since that date. In tember i, 1880, to the Newberry and McMillan 

February, 1881, the company established public Building. 



CHAPTER L XXXIII. 



JOURNEYING. — TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.— EXPRESS COMPANIES. 



It has been said that the first horses at Detroit 
were brought from Fort Duquesne, now Pittsburgh, 
after the defeat of General Braddock in 1755. 
There were undoubtedly some here at a much 
earlier period, for horses were brought to Quebec in 
1665, and in Cadillac's grant of land to Joseph 
Parent, in 1708, one of the conditions was that he 
was to shoe Cadillac's horses. There were but very- 
few horses, however, for general use, and until about 
1840 their place was largely supplied by the little 
French ponies which roamed at large both inside 
and outside of the town. These were branded on the 
shoulder with their owner's initials, and when wanted 
were caught and broken. They received little 
care, and lived by foraging, yet they were generally 
in good condition. If a barrel of salt was left out- 
side of a store over night, it was no uncommon thing 
to find that it had been gnawed through or broken, 
and oftentimes the citizens were awakened from 
sleep by the clatter of the ponies' hoofs as they gal- 
loped through the streets. They were very hardy, 
and under the saddle have been known to travel 
sixty miles a day for ten successive days. 

Supplies for the army, from about 1760, were 
occasionally brought part way by land from Niagara 
with o.x-teams. accompanied by an overseer on horse- 
back. 

Early in the century a common mode of traveling, 
when there was but one horse for two or more per- 
sons, was known as the " ride and tie " method. 
One person would take the horse and ride on a few 
miles, then tie the horse and proceed on foot. The 
ne.xt one of the party coming up would take the 
horse, ride a few miles ahead of the first person, 
and again tie the horse to a tree. Journeys of sev- 
eral hundred miles were performed in this manner. 
During this period Indian trails and bridle-paths 
constituted almost the only semblance of roads, 
hence horseback riding was, for the most part, the 
only possible method of land travel, and with 
swamps to wade and streams to_ ford the method 
was slow indeed. 

On October 16, 1796, John Wilkins, quartermaster- 
general of the western army, wrote from Pittsburgh 
to James McHenry, Secretary of War, that he had 
arrived there on the 14th, having left Detroit on the 



4th. The Detroit Gazette for December 13, 1825, 
says : " Governor Cass left this city yesterday morn- 
ing on his way to Washington. He was escorted 
out of town by a large company of citizens on 
horseback." On June 20, 1826, the following item 
appeared : " Major Forsyth, who returned from the 
city of Washington last week, performed the 
journey to that city and back in eighteen days. We 
believe the journey has never before been performed 
in so short a time." On September 25, 1828, it was 
stated as a noteworthy fact that John Palmer had 
just made a trip to New York in four days and 
fifteen hours ; the ordinary time was si.x days and 
nine hours. When Major John Riddle went to 
Washington as the territorial delegate, in the fall 
of 1829, he wrote back on December 7 saying : "I 
arrived here last night after a long and fatiguing 
journey of upwards one thousand miles, nine hun- 
dred of which I performed on horseback." Travel 
in the interior of the State was not possible until 
the military- roads to Chicago and Fort Gratiot w-ere 
opened. 

For short distances, from the days of Cadillac 
until 1830, the low, two- wheeled French carts were 
almost the only land carriages used by any one. 
They were cushioned with hay or robes, according 
to the ability of their owners, and ladies of the 
highest social standing made their calls or went to 
church sitting on the bottom of these primitive 
vehicles. A row of them in front of the churches 
or the council-house was no uncommon sight. 
In 181 5, Governor Cass brought his family from 
■Ohio to Detroit in a carriage, but as the country was 
very poor, and the wealthiest in only moderate cir- 
cumstances, any attempt at display was seldom 
made. The carriage, therefore, was used only on 
rare occasions, and was finally sold to Mr. McKin- 
stry for use as a hack. 

About 1834 Major Lamed procured a two- 
seated carriage, and the same year C. C. Trow- 
bridge procured of Joseph Clapp, of Pittsford, 
Mass., a single carriage. It was so much admired 
by Mrs. Antoine Beaubien that she ordered a dupli- 
cate. E. A. Brush and A. T. McReynolds also 
ordered carriages about the same time. At present 
hundreds of carriages and landaus are kept by pri- 



[887! 



888 



JOURNEYING. 



vate persons for their own use and pleasure. In 
1822 the only four-wheeled wagon in the city was 
owned by Judge Sibley, and it was in constant 
requisition among his less fortunate neighbors ; even 
Governor Cass frequently solicited the loan of it, 
saying to his old French ser\-ant, "Pierre, go up to 
Judge Sibley, and tell him if he is not using his 
wagon to-day I should like to borrow it;" and as 
Pierre started off he would sometimes call after him 
and say, "Come back, Pierre! Tell Judge Sibley 
that I am going to get a wagon made, and after 
that I will neither borrow nor lend." 

The first public stage from Detroit left for Mt. 
Clemens on the arrival of the steamboat in June, 
1822. In 1827 stages commenced to run between 
this city and Ohio. On February 16, 1830, a stage 
was advertised to go from Sandwich to Niagara, 
three times a week, the journey to be made in four 
days for five cents a mile. In this year a line of 
post-coaches ran from here to Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, 
and Tecumseh. The following Stage Regulations 
were advertised in 1832: 

The Sandusky Line, passing through Monroe and Maumee, 
leaves the Hotel every evening at six o'clock. The St. Joseph 
Line, passing through Ypsilanti, Saline, Clinton, Jonesville, 
White Pigeon, Mottville, and Niles, leaves the Hotel every morn- 
ing at seven o'clock during the summer season, and three times a 
week during the winter season. A branch of this line leaves 
Ypsilanti immediately after its arrival, for Ann Arbor, Jackson- 
burg, and Calhoun. The Aaa Arbor Line, passing through Pckin, 
Plymouth, and Panama, leaves the Hotel three times a week. 

The Pontiac Line leaves daily ; and a branch, three times a 
week, passes through Rochester, Stony Creek, and Romeo. And 
also a line to Mount Clemens three times a week. A daily extra 
will also leave the Hotel for Ypsilanti at twelve o'clock. As 
almost all of the above routes are regular mail routes, the travel- 
ing public may depend upon a safe and speedy conveyance. 
Extra carriages will be furnished at all times for any part of the 
country. 

E. WOODWOKTH. 
Aprz/, 1832. 

On May 30, i S34, this item appeared in a Detroit 
daily : 

A new line is about to be established between this city and the 
mouth of the .St. Joseph River, and the first coach left to-day. 
This line will run through the county seats of Washtenaw, Jack- 
son, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo. Steamboats are about to com- 
mence running between the mouth of the St. Joseph and Chicago, 
so that the entire distance from Detroit to Chicago may be per- 
formed in less than five days. 

In 1837 Stages ran from Detroit as far west as 
Chicago, east to Buffalo, and north to Flint. The 
time to Chicago was four and a half days. 

The increasing extension of railroad lines con- 
stantly lessened the number of stage routes, and 
since 1873 ^° regular stages have been run from 
the city. 

The first public carriages were the two-wheeled 
cabs. In 1845 two of these were procured by a 
barber named Robert Banks, — Henry Jackson, 
James Hall, and Mrs. Woods being associated with 



him in their ownership. Banks had a barber-shop 
on the northeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and 
Oris wold Street. Previous to the arrival of the 
cabs a space near the corner had been paved with 
he.xagonal blocks of wood, and he advertised that 
his hacks would be found there. A city license of 
$5.00 a year is paid by the owners of each hack, 
and drivers pay a license of S'-OO- The following 
charges are allowed by law : Fifty cents for one 
person anywhere in city limits ; children under ten, 
not more than two at a time, twenty-five cents; 
each trunk or bundle weighing less than fifty pounds 
is carried free ; for those weighing over fifty pounds, 
the legal charge is fifteen cents. Hacks by the 
hour are allowed Si. 50 for first hour, S'-OO after 
for one person, and twenty-fi\e cents an hour for 
each additional per.son ; between the hours of 1 1 p M. 
and 5 A. .M., one half more may be charged. A single 
person has a right to demand conveyance, at these 
rates, to any part of the city. 

One of the earliest efforts to establish a regular 
line of street-omnibuses was made in May, 1847. 
The following newspaper item gives details of the 
enterprise : 

Omnibus. — Mr. Jonas Titus has started his omnibus again 
upon the route along Jefferson Avenue from the Michigan Ex- 
change to Hamtramck. The 'bus has been decorated in fine 
style, and running at regular hours will greatly accommodate the 
East End and our citizens during the hot months. Prompt en- 
couragement should be given (by the purchase of tickets) to an 
enterprise so laudable and usefuL 

This line was not well patronized, and soon 
ceased. Three years later the papers gave this 
notice of a new effort of the same character : 

Jefferson Avenue Line of O.mnibuses. — Messrs. Baldwin & 
Drake, proprietors of several fine cabs and carriages, have 
engaged some splendid omnibuses to form an omnibus line from 
the Depot to the head of Jefferson Avenue during summer. An 
omnibus will pass each way once in thirty minutes, taking on 
passengers at every point in the Broadway style. The fare will 
be fixed at a low rate, probably at six cents per ride. 

The line went into operation on Jefferson Avenue 
on April 30, 1850, and soon after on Woodward 
Avenue, but like its predecessor was short-lived. 
Another interval of three years passed, and in 1853 
an omnibus line was established by William Stevens, 
from Cleveland. This line was composed of the 
vehicles which had pre\nously run to and from the 
hotels. It was sold after two years to A. J. Farmer ; 
after three or four years, to I\Ir. Morris, and finally 
to Thomas Cox. Mr. Cox was succeeded by the 
present omnibus company, composed of Messrs. E. 
Ferguson and Gesrge Hendrie. Their office and 
stables are on Earned Street near First. They run 
twenty omnibuses and baggage wagons and two 
Herdic coaches, and charge two shillings for pas- 
sengers, and the same for ordinary baggage. The 
office is open day and night, and their train-agents 



TRANSPORTATION' FACILITIES. 



889 



meet ever\- passenger train coming to Detroit, at the 
Junctions, and arrange for the conveying of passen- 
gers or baggage to any part of the city. The 
system is a great improvement on the old plan, 
under which each hotel sustained its own ' bus and 
baggage-wagon, the drivers, a motley crew, literally 
seizing upon the travelers who came within their 
reach, while their cries made a bedlam of the depots 
and steamboat landings. 

The Omnibus Company also own and run the 
coupes formerly managed by the Detroit Carriage 
and E.vpress Company. These coupes were intro- 
duced on April 17, 1S7S, and the property was sold 
to the above-named company in July, 1883. 

TRANSPORT .\T10N" FACILITIES. 

The English made much more of Detroit than 
their predecessors had done. Under the French it 
was chiefly a military post for the region immedi- 
ately around it ; and as there were other French 
establishments north and west, the goods for the 
Indian trade and the army were divided among 
them. Transportation from Montreal to Detroit, in 
1702, was at the rate of S300 for one hundred- 
weight. Under English rule Detroit was the extreme 
western post, became the center of all operations in 
the West, and enormous quantities of goods were 
gathered here. This resulted in supplementing 
the birch-bark canoes with numerous vessels, all 
of which were owned by His Majesty. Even the 
goods of private traders were transported in the 
king's ships, and in 17S0 the rate from Niagara to 
Detroit was ^i per barrel. The same vessels were 
used until 1796, when some of them were trans- 
ferred to private parties, and with other craft they 
continued to have almost a monopoly of the busi- 
ness of transporting goods from the East. In 181 5 
the price of freight from Buffalo to Detroit was 
S5.00 per barrel. The only competitors of the 
sailing vessels were the pack-horses, which were 
much used, especially in con\-eying government 
stores. The Detroit Gazette for December 26, 1S17, 
says : " This week a number of pack-horses, laden 
with shoes for the troops at Green Bay, started on 
an expedition through the wilderness for that post." 
In 1 8 18 steamboats made their appearance, and on 
February 27 Charles Smith, of Albany, New York, 
gave notice in the Gazette that he had completed 
arrangements for the transportation of merchandise 
from the East to the upper lakes, and guaranteed 
that the cost of transporting packages of ordinary 
size from New York to Detroit should in no case 
exceed 84.50 per hundredweight. 

The completion of the Erie Canal to Buffalo in 
1825 was a notable event in the progress of trans- 
portation facilities, and freights were greatly reduced 
as soon as it was opened. The Detroit Gazette for 



December 5 says: "We can now go from Detroit 
to New York in five and a half days. Before the 
war it took at least two months or more." The 
opening of the Welland Canal in the fall of 1831 
was also of great advantage. 

During this period the scarcity of roads of any 
kind in Michigan, and the condition of those that did 
exist, made all transportation to or from the interior 
exceedingly difficult and expensive. In order in part 
to obviate the difficulty, in August, 1833, a sub- 
scription was raised in Ypsilanti, and a flat-bottomed 
boat, the Experiment, was built to na\'igate the 
Huron River. The following, from the Detroit 
Journal and Advertiser of May 21, 1834, tells of the 
progress of this experiment, and of the hopes it 
raised : 

NAVIGATION FROM DETROIT TO YPSILANTI. 

Last week a boat arrived in this place from ^'psllanti with a 
load of flour consisting of one hundred and twenty-five barrels, 
the entire distance being performed in thirty-six hours. This is 
an experiment which merits notice and encouragement. The 
flour was brought here at an expense of about thirty-eight cents 
per barrel, the usual price by land being from sixty-three to 
seventy-five cents. After the slight impediments to the naviga- 
tion are removed, the transportation will be greatly reduced, and 
it is ascertained by competent and well judging individuals that 
by expending a trifling sum of money, the Huron River may be 
rendered navigable as far as Ypsilanti or Ann Arbor for steam- 
boats of from thirty to forty-five tons. The result of this ad\'en- 
ture justifies the expectation that hereafter the produce and 
importations of a considerable portion of Washtenaw will be 
transported by water, at a much less expense than the usual 
tedious and tardy mode of land conveyance. 

These expectations were not fulfilled, as there 
was not enough business to make the project remu- 
nerative ; after three trips the boat was sold, and 
finally, with all the bright anticipations that once 
clustered about it, was stranded on the banks near 
Dearborn. 

The next venture was made by the State, and 
was much more costly and extensive. The crowds 
of emigrants that came by every steamer, the new 
.settlements they built up all over the .State, the press- 
ing need thus caused for more easy and rapid transit 
through the interior, and the rejoicing of all parties 
over the admission of the State to the Union, caused 
the Legislature to act like one who, youthful and 
inexperienced, has suddenly become heir to an im- 
mense estate. In the month of March, 1837, was 
passed, not only the notorious Wildcat Banking Law, 
but also a law providing for borrowing on the bonds 
of the State the enormous amount of $5,000,000, 
to be expended in internal improvements under the 
direction of seven commissioners. The estimated 
cost of the improvements undertaken reached the 
sum of nearly $8,000.000 ; these included four rail- 
roads, three canals, and the improvement of the 
Grand. Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph Rivers, and ap- 
propriations were actually made for the roads and 



890 



TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 



canals, and for two of the rivers. All of the rail- 
roads and canals were to be built and operated 
solely by the State. The roads were named the 
"Southern," from Monroe to New Buffalo, the 
" Northern," from Port Huron to Grand Rapids, the 
"Central," from Detroit to St. Joseph, and the 
" Havre Branch," from Havre, in Monroe County, 
to the Ohio State line. Of the canals, the " Clinton 
and Kalamazoo " was to extend from Mt. Clemens 
to the mouth of the Kalamazoo on Lake Michigan, 
the " Saginaw or Northern," from the forks of Bad 
River to Maple River, and the "St. Mary's" was 
designed to avoid the rapids in the St. Mary's River. 
In addition to these, a legion of private railroad 
and canal companies were incorporated, apparently 
with the intention of supplying every four corners 
with both a railroad and a canal. Among the 
other railroad projects that sprang up in the flush 
times of 1834 to 1837 was the Shelby and Detroit 
Railroad Company, designed to run between Detroit 
and Utica. It was incorporated on March 7, 1834, 
with a capital of $100,000, and in September, 1839, 
it was in operation from Utica to within five miles of 
the Gratiot Road. The cars were drawn by horses, 
and connecting stages at the end of the rails carried 
passengers to Detroit. In 1844 the company ceased 
to operate the road, and on March 18, 1848, the 
Legislature changed the name to Detroit, Romeo, 
& Port Huron Railroad ; but the new name did not 
give it new life, and it is either dead or sleeping. 
The most of these projects were actually needed 
about as much as the banks which kept them com- 
pany. The railroads built by the State are else- 
where described. Upon the canals and river im- 
provements over $3,000,000 were expended, but no 
one of these public works was brought to completion. 
The embankments of several of these works look 
like Indian mounds, and remain to this day as relics 
of the dead past and departed glory. 

Other railroads, both State and private, were 
gradually pushed to completion, and communication 
with the West established. The completion of the 
New York Central Railroad from Albany to Buffalo, 
in 1843, and of the New York and Erie from New 
York City direct to Buffalo, in 1851, very nearly 
solved the question of rapid transit to and from the 
East ; and the completion of the Great Western 
from Niagara Falls to Detroit, in 1854, fully met 
the needs of the public. 

In the spring of 1855 trade with the Lake Superior 
region was greatly facilitated by the opening of the 
St. Mary's Falls Ship Canal. 

At the present time fast freight arrives from Balti- 
more in from one and one half to two days. The 
gain in time since 1836 is shown by the fact that on 
February 15 of that year, G. R. Lillibridge advertised 
in the Detroit papers, as a remarkable event, that he 



had for sale oysters which had just arrived, " only 
twenty days from Baltimore." 

Nearly all of the freight from the East is now 
consigned by some one of the freight lines which 
operate on the various roads. These companies 
own and lease many thousands of freight-cars, and 
by contract with the railroad companies have their 
cars or freight transported at special rates on fast 
trains. Some one line usually has a monopoly of 
the main traffic of each road, and the companies, by 
agreement among themselves and with the rail- 
roads, from time to time arrange the rates and 
classifications of freights. 

The crossing of the river at Detroit has always 
been a serious inconvenience to the railroad com- 
panies, and prior to 1867 the delay involved in the 
handling and transferring of freight to and from the 
boats greatly increased the expense of its carriage; 
railroad ferries were built to crush the ice in winter, 




Railroad Ferry Dock. 

but the handling of packages was tedious and expen- 
sive work. On January i, 1867, the Great Western 
Railroad inaugurated the plan of carrying the cars 
themselves across the river on boats built for the 
purpose. The Great Western was the first of these 
boats. She was built in England, at a cost of 
$190,000 in gold, was sent over in parts, and put 
together at Windsor. She carries fourteen freight 
cars. Of the five other boats since added, the 
Transit carries ten, the Michigan sixteen, the Trans- 
fer eighteen, the Transport twenty-one, and the 
Trenton eight. 

On the docks on both sides of the river are tracks 
which can be raised or lowered to admit of the 
cars passing directly from the boats to the railroad. 
The boats transfer about 15,000 passenger-cars and 
400,000 freight-cars yearly. Even these facilities are 



TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 



891 



not fully satisfactory, and early in 1871 the question 
of tunneling the river began to be publicly agitated, 
and on May 1 1, 1871, James F. Joy applied to the 
Common Council for the use of portions of certain 
streets for approaches to a proposed tunnel. Some 
of the citizens protested, but on August i an ordi- 
nance was passed which favored the project. On 
September 14 arrangements were made to break 
ground for the main shaft of the tunnel in the yard 
of the D. & M. R. R., opposite St. Antoine Street, 
near the present Railroad Ferry Slip. On January 
31, 1872, the shaft was finished for a distance of one 
hundred and eight feet below the surface of the 
river. The depth of the masonrj' was one hundred 
and fourteen feet, the upper portion of eighty-nine 
feet was fifteen feet in diameter, with si.xteen-inch 
walls. The lower twenty-five feet was nine feet in 
diameter, with twelve-inch walls. The work of e.xca- 
vating the drainage drift or tunnel under the bed of 
the river was then begun, but in 1873, after digging 
one hundred and thirty-five feet, the work was dis- 
continued. There was said to be too much sulphur 
and quicksand to venture further. The question of 
bridging the river was ne.xt agitated. The vessel 
owners strenuously opposed this measure, and 
both parties began to marshal their forces. On 
April 7, 1874, a meeting of residents of various 
parts of the State was held in Detroit to consider 
the subject, and resolutions in favor of a bridge 
were adopted. One week later, on April 15, the 
vessel owners rallied at Young Men's Hall and 
passed resolutions favoring a tunnel. After these 
two meetings interest in the subject seemed to 
flag. 

In the latter part of March, 1879, it was an- 
nounced that a tunnel was to be built at Grosse 
Isle, where the Canada Southern crossed the river, 
and work was begun on April 21. This awakened 
the business and railroad men of Detroit and their 
eastern friends, and a project was inaugurated to 
secure Belle Isle for the city, as a suitable place for 
the crossing of a bridge and also for a park. A bill 
was passed on May 31, 1879, providing for its pur- 
chase and for permitting the city to unite with the 
Canadian authorities or any Canadian corporation 
in building a tunnel on equal terms, and the Council 
was given power, with consent of the Board of 
Estimates, to issue bonds for 1:500,000, for the pur- 
pose of building a bridge or tunnel. At the same 
session of the Legislature provision was made for 
submitting, at the State election in November, 1880, 
an amendment to the constitution giving the Legis- 
lature power to authorize such action on the part of 
the city. The amendment was lost by a vote in the 
State of 37,340 for and 58,040 against the amend- 
ment ; the work of tunneling from Grosse Isle was 
soon after suspended, and the announcement made 



that the stone through which the tunnel was to be 
made was unfavorable for the work. 

On October 14, 1879, a committee, appointed 
under the direction of Congress, held sessions in 
Detroit to hear the various arguments for and 
against a bridge or tunnel ; and on December 8 they 
reported in favor of a bridge. No public action 
has since been had on the question. 

An elevator (or wheat-house, as it was first 
called), for the purpose of storing grain, was not 
much needed until 1851, and in that year the first 
one was erected by the M. C. R. R. In 1861 E. 
M. Clark built an elevator at the D. & M. Depot. 
In the winter of 1 879-1 880 it was enlarged to 
double its former capacity, and will now hold 
350,000 bushels. In 1864 the M. C. R. R. built a 
second elevator, and on October 29, 1866, the first 
one was burned. In 1879 a new one was built, and 
on September 29 it received its first lot of grain. 
The capacity of each of these elevators is 550.000 
bushels. The elevator built \r\ 1882 by the Union 
Depot Company will hold 1,300,000 bushels. 

Two-wheeled drays were introduced about 1830, 
and up to 1858 the draymen did all the teaming for 
the business men of the city. In the latter year the 
Detroit & Milwaukee, and Great Western Rail- 
roads, through the agency of Messrs. Hendrie & 
Company, commenced to collect freight for and 
deliver from the several roads. This innovation 
greatly incensed the draymen, and on July 28, 1858, 
they held an indignation meeting to protest against 
the practice. Their meeting was of no avail, but 
the feeling against the roads continued. On Feb- 
ruary 10, i860, J. G. Erwin & Company wished to 
ship a hundred dressed hogs by the G. W. R. R. 
Forty of the draymen volunteered to take them, 
and went in procession to the depot, each dray 
laden with a single hog. .A.s a demonstration it 
was a great success, but the railroad trucks still 
continued to run, became increasingly popular, and 
are now used to deliver most of the freight to or 
from the railroads. 

Messrs. Hendrie & Company, E. Ferguson, the 
Grand Trunk Railroad, J. & T. Hurley, and the De- 
troit Truck Company have a capital of probably 
$75,000 invested in about fifty trucks and horses. 
There are about four hundred and fifty trucks, drays, 
and express wagons owned by other parties. The 
two-horse trucks or drays pay a city license of §6.00, 
express wagons and drays, $2.00 each. The old 
two-wheeled drays, once so familiar, have almost 
entirely given place to four-wheeled wagons, less 
than half a dozen of the former being now in use. 

A Package and Baggage Express Company was 
established on June 6, 1881, and carried small 
packages to any part of the city for from five to ten 
cents each, and also delivered large packages at 



89: 



EXPRESS COMPANIES. 



reasonable rates. In 1881 the company employed 
five men, with one-horse teams, and from fifteen to 
twenty boys, who delivered hundreds of packages 
daily. The business was not sufficiently remunera- 
tive, and the organization ceased in 1882. 

EXPRESS COMPAXIES. 

Among the most important mercantile facilities 
which have been developed by the business of the 
country are the several express companies. The 
first to engage in the express business in Detroit 
was Charles H. Miller. The following notice from 
a paper of February, 1844, shows that he soon 
found a competitor : 

Miller's Express.— We regret to learn that Pomeroy & Com- 
pany have extended their Express Line to this city. Not that we 
entertain any hostile feeling to them, but because we believe in- 
justice is done to Mr. Chas. H. Miller. 

The Pomeroy Express was first established at 
Albany, New York, by George E. Pomeroy in 1841, 
and in 1844 an office was opened in Detroit in C. 
Morse's bookstore on the north side of Jefferson 
Avenue, just west of Bates Street. About 1845 
the name was changed to Wells Company's Express, 
and .soon after the Detroit office was moved to the 
basement of the F. & M. Bank on Jefferson Ave- 
nue. In 1850 the company was reorganized under 
the name of the American Express Company, and 
that year the office was located at 106 Jefferson 
Avenue, three doors belovi' the Michigan Exchange. 
On May 20, 1862, the office was moved to the 
■Waverly Block, opposite the Michigan E.xchange. 
From here, on May i, 1865. it was moved to the old 
Rotunda on Griswold Street, and on August i, 
1879, to the Moffat Building. 

The success of the several express companies 
caused the organization of a rival company, the 
Merchants' Union. It numbered several Detroit 
merchants among its stockholders, and its office 
here was first opened on October 4, 1866, at 221 
Jefferson Avenue. C. J. Petty was agent. On 
December i, 1868, the company was consolidated 



with the American Express Company under the 
title of the American .Merchants' Express Company. 
On February i, 1S73, the word "Merchants'" was 
dropped. In 18S0 the American E.xpress Company 
had about fifty employees in Detroit, the monthly 
pay-roll footed up $2,500, and the company em- 
ployed twenty-two horses, using four double and 
ten single wagons. 

On March 14, 1882, the express companies' sys- 
tem of money orders was introduced in Detroit. 
The plan is .similar to that of the post-office orders. 
Sums of from one dollar to five dollars can be 
obtained for a fee of five cents, and orders for 
amounts between five dollars and ten dollars for 
eight cents. 

The following agents have had charge of the 
Detroit office: 1842- 1844, Daniel Dunning; 1845, 
John C.Noble; 1846, \V. G. Fargo; 1846-1855, John 
C. Fargo; 1855-1867, Charles Fargo; 1867-1868, 
A. Antisdel; 1869, C. J. Petty; 1870, W. A. Gray; 
1871, Merritt Seely; 1872-1876. T. B. Fargo; 1876 
to December. 1881, Merritt Seely; from December, 
1881, C. F. Reed. Division Superintendents: 1855- 
1867, Charles Fargo; 1867. A. H. Walcott ; 1868, 
J. L. TurnbuU; 1869-1871, J. H. Arnett ; from 1871, 
J. S. Hubbard. 

The United States Express Company was estab- 
lished at Detroit in 1857. Its first office was at 112 
Jefferson Avenue, next to the Michigan E.xchange. 
From here it was moved to the Rotunda on May i, 

1865, and on September i, 1879, to the Colburn 
Block on Congress Street West, between Wood- 
ward .A. venue and Bates Street. In 18S0 it employed 
twelve persons, and the pay-roll was S621.50 per 
month. Six horses and four wagons were used. 
The agents have been: 1857. W. H. Ashley; 1858- 

1866, C. J. Petty; from August 18, 1866, F. H. 
Cone. 

In October, 1872, a distemper prevailed among 
the horses at Detroit, as well as all over the North, 
and the last week in October both express compa- 
nies delivered and collected goods in ordinary hand- 
carts. 



CHAPTER LXXXIV. 



RAILROADS. 



The Detroit, Grand Haven, and Mikuaiikcc 
Raikiiay Company. 

A premonition of the buildinij of this and other 
roads is contained in the following article from 
The Detroit Gazette of December 17, 1829, and 
except that it allowed too little time for their com- 
pletion, was really prophetic : 

Ten years hence, or before, Ihe citizens of Detroit will be able 
to reach the Atlantic in twenty-four hours. In twenty years 
* * * the navigation of our br<)ad and beautiful lakes will be of 
no manner of use to us, because land transportation will be so 
much cheaper. It will be a comfortable thing to get into — not a 
coach or steamboat — but a snug house built over a steam engine, 
and, after journeying smoothly and safely at the rate of thirty or 
forty miles an hour, find yourself at breakfast next morning in 
New York or Washington. 

The year after this article was written, on July 
31, 1830, the Pontiac & Detroit Railroad was char- 
tered, and became the first incorporated railroad 
within the limits of the old Northw^est Terri- 
tory. The States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois 
had been created long before. Michigan w-as still 
a Territory, but she outstripped them all in her 
plans for utilizing the iron horse. Not only was the 
first western railroad chartered here, but the first 
rails and the first locomotive in the West were the 
property of a road within the border of Mich- 
igan. P'ive years were allowed to complete the 
Detroit & Pontiac Line, which was to have been 
built on the route of the Pontiac Road. The cor- 
porators failed to carry out their plans, and on March 
7, 1834, the Detroit & Pontiac Railroad Company, 
an entirely new corporation, was chartered. In fact, 
the line has been organized and reorganized .so many 
times that the original corporators could hardly 
trace their property except in the soil of the 
road-bed. On March 26, 1S35, the corporation 
was authorized to establish the Bank of Pontiac, 
with a capital of $100,000, the stock of the company 
to be liable for the debts. On April 25, 1836, con- 
tracts were let for grubbing the first fifteen miles of 
the road, but a swamp this side of Royal Oak 
greatly hindered the work. At other points, in after 
years, certain "sink-holes" swallowed up whole 
forests, together with acres of soil, before a solid foim- 
dation could be obtained. At first the road consisted 
merely of wooden rails, and the cars were operated 



by horse power. On March 22, 1837, while the 
fever of internal improvement was at its height, the 
State was authorized to purchase the line. No pur- 
chase, however, was then made, but by Act of March 
5, 1838, the State loaned the company §100,000, 
secured by mortgage, to aid in completing the road. 

In these days it seems that the road should have 
been easily built, with the aid of such a loan and 
the banking powers which the company possessed. 
On May 19, 1838, the road was in operation for 
twelve miles, and the receipts were §80 per day. On 
July 21 it was opened to Royal Oak, and on .August 
16, 1839, to Birmingham. A locomotive obtained 
from Philadelphia, the Sherman Stevens, was first 
used at this time. In 1858 the same engine was 
doing duty under the name of Pontiac, and at a still 
later date was in use on the Port Huron & Owosso 
Railroad. 

The first passenger-coaches were divided into 
three rooms, benches for seats were arranged length- 
wise, and the passengers entered through doors on 
the sides instead of at the ends. The covered 
freight-cars had but four wheels, with white-ash 
springs ; these were made in the company's shops, 
and actually used for full ten years. 

After the road was completed to Birmingham, still 
slower progress was made towards Pontiac, and it 
was not until July 4, 1S43, that the road was opened 
to that point. At this time trains stopped anywhere 
and everywhere to take on or let off passengers, and 
the time that trains would reach any particular place 
was very uncertain. The trains were so exceedingly 
slow that one of the stories of that day told of a 
middle-aged man who died of extreme old age 
while on the road to Pontiac; and "Goto Pontiac!" 
was considered a fearful imprecation. 

The rails were of strap or fiat-bar iron, spiked to 
the cross ties. They frequently broke, turned up, 
and entered the cars, occasionally causing serious 
accidents. In allusion to this fact, an advertisement 
in the Directory of 1845 says: "The company have 
now a new and elegant car on the road, well 
w-armed, and sheathed with iron to guard against 
danger from loose bars." 

The corporation of 1834 intended to run into 
the city over the Gratiot Road to Woodward Ave- 
nue, and on March 31, 1838, the council gave the 



[893] 



894 



RAILROADS. 



necessary permission. The company, however, did 
not avail itself of the privilege, but laid the track 
on Deqtiindre Street from the Gratiot Road to Jef- 
ferson Avenue, and the passenger depot was located 
on the avenue. In 1842 the line was e.xtendcd 
down the (iratiot Road to Farmer Street. The 
property owners along Gratiot Street did not ap- 
prove of this proceeding, especially as the careless 
manner in which the road was constructed rendered 
the street almost impassable after a rain. The evil 
was apparent to everybody, and on July 11, 1843, 
the council decreed the track a public nuisance, and 
the marslial was ordered to remove the same unless 
the road was improved. Some trifling repairs were 
made, but the road was still objectionable, and on 
September 7, 1847, the council was petitioned to 
remove the track, but no action was taken. The 




Deikoit & Milwaukee Dhioi Llilijp.o. lluxNto in iS66. 



people continued to urge their objections, and year 
after year temporary improvements and promises in 
abundance were made by the officers of the road, 
the people, in the meantime, growing more and 
more impatient. Finally, on September 5, 184S, the 
company was ordered by the council to tear up the 
track inside of the city on all public squares or 
streets within si.x months, and if not then removed, 
the city marshal was instructed to tear it up. 

Even after this action a year and more went by, 
and the track remained as before. At length the 
people themselves undertook its removal, and on 
the evening of December 12, 1S49, after the train 
had left for Pontiac, a posse of men went to work 
near the head of Beaubien Street, and with crow- 



bars, sledges, handspikes, and other instruments, 
tore up several rods of the track. When the ne.xt 
train arrived, as there was no place to turn the 
engine, it had to be backed to Royal Oak. Twelve 
men were arrested for tearing up the track, but the 
community had too much sympathy for them to 
allow them to be punished, and besides the law 
officers of the roads acknowledged that if the track 
was a nuisance they had an undoubted right to 
remove it. 

For several weeks, the cars came in only as far as 
Dequindre Street. Finally the track was relaid, and 
on Saturday, February 9, 1850, the cars again 
came in to their old depot on the corner of Farmer 
and Gratiot Streets. Two days after, on Monday 
afternoon, February II, after the cars had left, a 
party of men collected, and beginning at Randolph 
Street, the track was 
again torn up for a con- 
siderable distance, and 
again the cars were com- 
pelled to stop at De- 
quindre Street. The 
company, however, per- 
severed, and in July, 
1850, asked permission 
to replace their track, 
and on July 30, the coun- 
cil, by resolution, gave 
the company permission 
to make use of any of 
the streets they had for- 
merly occupied for a 
period not longer than 
one year. 

The road was now- 
extended through to the 
Campus Martins, and 
the cars stopped on the 
site of the present Detroit 
Opera House. The de- 
pot buildings were in 
the rear, facing Farmer and Gratiot Streets, and 
occupving fully one quarter of the block. 

On May 27, 1851, the company was granted per- 
mission to extend the track across Jefferson Avenue 
to the dock property which they had bought at the 
foot of Brush Street, and early in 1S52 cars began 
to run in and out from the Brush Street Depot and for 
the first time on the T rails. While this extension 
was building, the cars stopped at Gratiot Street. 

About 1 841 the mortgage which had been given 
to the State to secure the $100,000, and the bonds 
given by the road as further security were sold to 
Messrs. White & Davis of Syracuse, N. Y. They 
leased the road to Alfred Williams for $10,000 a 
year. He operated it until 1849, and in that year 



RAILROADS. 



895 



the mortgage given to the State for the $100,000 
loan was bought for $85,000 State scrip and 
$15,000 cash. Other claims were also cancelled, 
and at a total cost of about $80,000 cash Messrs. 
H. N. Walker, Dean Richmond, Alfred Williams, 
Horace Thurber, and others, became proprietors 
of the road. 

Meanwhile, on April 3, 1S48, the Oakland & 
Ottawa Railroad had been chartered to build a line 
from Pontiac to Lake Michigan, and by Act of 
February 13, 1855, that company and the Detroit 
& Pontiac Railroad were authorized to consolidate, 
under the name of the Detroit & Milwaukee 
Railroad. The consolidation was effected, and on 
April 19, 1855, a meeting of the stockholders was 
held, and directors chosen for the new road. The 
line was now pushed rapidly toward Grand Haven, 
and the road was opened to Fentonville on October 
2, 1855; to Owosso on July i, 1S56; to St. John's 
on January 14, 1S57; to Ionia on August 12, 1857; 
to Grand Rapids on July 4, 1S58; and to Grand 
Haven on August 30, 1858. The first through train 
with passengers from 'Milwaukee arrived at Detroit 
on September I, 1858. 

On April 26, 1866, a fire occurred which burned 
the offices, freight and passenger depots, and the 
ferry Windsor, causing the loss of eighteen lives. 

At the time the two roads consolidated, a mort- 
gage, under which $207,000 worth of bonds had 
been issued, was outstanding against the Oakland 
and Ottawa Companies, and three mortgages, 
aggregating $500,000, had been given by the 
Detroit & Pontiac Railroad. The consolidated 
company, in order to obtain funds to build the line, 
gave a further mortgage of $2,500,000, and then 
one for §1,000,000. Subsequently another mortgage 
for the sum of $750,000 was given for money 
obtained from the Great Western Railroad, and 
the influence of that company then became para- 
mount in the management of the corporation. After 
a time a second mortgage, for $500,000, was given 
to the same company. The Detroit & Grand 
Haven Railway Company failed to pay the interest 
on these last two mortgages, and on October 24, 
i860, the Great Western Railroad foreclosed their 
mortgages and bought the road, subject of course 
to the other mortgages, and the company was 
reorganized under the same name, except that it 
was called a Railroad Company instead of a Rail- 
way Company. 

After several years proceedings were taken to 
foreclose the mortgages given for two and one half 
million and one million dollars respectively. On 
April II, 1875, the road was put into the hands of 
C. C. Trowbridge, as receiver, and under a decree 
of the court, on .September 4. 1878, the Great West- 
ern Railroad became the purchaser of the road for 



the nominal sum of $1,850,000, with the under- 
standing that the holders of all mortgages were to 
have new bonds or payment in money. The real 
effect of this sale was to cancel the previous mort- 
gages and include other indebtedness in one mort- 
gage. 

The receivership of C. C. Trowbridge terminated 
on October 19, and on November 9, 1878. the com- 
pany was reorganized under the name of the Detroit, 
Grand Haven, & Milwaukee Railway Company. 

Soon after the road reached Grand Haven two 
large steamships, the Detroit and the Milwaukee, 
were built to convey passengers across Lake Michi- 
gan. They were first used in August, 1859, and 
communication across the lake has been main- 
tained since that time. 

The average number of men employed at De- 
troit in 1881 was four hundred and sixteen; adding 
train men, the company had five hundred and 
twentv-one employees at Detroit, and the pay-roll 
averaged $7,500 per month. 

The chief officers have been: Presidents: 1845- 
1850, G. O. Williams; 1852-1855, N. P. Stewart; 
1855-1858, H. N. Walker; 1858-1863, C. J. 
Brydges; 1863-1875, C. C. Trowbridge (also re- 
ceiver from 1875 to 1879); 1879-1880, Samuel 
Barker; 1880-1882, Francis D. Gray; 1882- 
Joseph Hickson. 

Superintendents: 1850 and 1851, G. O. Williams; 
1852. H. P. Thurber; 1853-1857. A. H. Rood; 
1857-1866. W. K. Muir; 1866-1872, Thomas Bell; 
1872-1875, Andrew Watson; 1875, W. K. Muir; 
1 876 -1 879, S. R. Callaway; 1879- , W. J. 
Morgan. 

Secretaries: 1854, J. V. Campbell; 1855-1862, 
C. C. Trowbridge; 1 862-1 865, W. C. Stephens; 
1865, Thomas Bell; 1866- , James H. Muir. 

Freight Agents: 1855 and 1S56, A. N. Rood; 
1857-1864. James A. Armstrong; 1864- 1867, John 
Crampton; 1S67-1880, Alfred White; 1880- , 
Thomas Tandy. 

The Michigan Central Railroad. 

The line of the Central Road was projected in 
1830, but the corporation, which at first was known 
as the Detroit & St. Joseph Railroad, was not char- 
tered until June 29. 1832. In 1834 the War Depart- 
ment was petitioned to survey the proposed route, 
on the ground that the road would be a public 
benefit. The petition met with favor, and Colonel 
John M. Berrien was detailed for the service, and 
provided with assistants and instruments, the rail- 
road company paying their expenses only. Colonel 
Berrien completed the work, and estimated the cost 
of a single-strap rail to Ypsilanti at $3,200 per mile. 
The work of soliciting subscriptions in aid of the 
road began in 1835. Shares were fixed at $2.00 



896 



RAILROADS. 



each, and were rapidly taken. At Ypsilanti between 
$8,000 and .$9,000 were subscribed in a sins);le day, 
and five per cent was paid in. At this time the 
officers were John Biddie, president; D.G.Jones, 
O. Newberry. E. A. Brush, B. B. Kercheval, E. P. 
Hastings. J. Burdiclc, Marie Norris, David Page, and 
S. W. De.xter, directors. An Act of August 25, 
1835. authorized the stoclcholders to establish a banl< 
at Ypsilanti, with a capital of §100,000. Between 
October 13 and December 18, 1835, $55,000 were 
subscribed for the road in Detroit. On the day 
last-named a meeting was held to discuss means for 
procuring further subscriptions, and a committee 
of two was appointed to solicit. On December 20 
the following notice appeared: 

Railroad Meeting. — I would invite and solicit the attend- 
ance of every good citizen at an early hour, that the new and 
splendid City Hall may once be filled to overflowing. 

Levi Cook, Mayor. 



By November, 1836, the road had been grubbed 
as far as Ypsilanti, and ten miles graded. Mean- 
time the projects of raising a loan of $5,000,000, and 
creating a Board of Internal Improvements were 
under discussion. The duties of the board were to 
include the constructing and operating of all the 
railroads in the State, and to this end the purchase 
of the St. Joseph Road was authorized by Act of 
March 20, 1 837, and in May, after the company had 
expended $1 17,000, the purchase was made, and the 
name of the road changed to Michigan Central. 
The building of the road went on, and as early as 
January, 1838, the road was in operation to Dear- 
born. A fac-simile of the tickets then in use is here 
given. It will be noticed that it was originally in- 
tended for a stage ticket. The singular economy 
practiced by the State in the use of such tickets and 
the idea of inserting the name of each passenger in 
his ticket, as was then done, would now be thought 




^€^ZOtl(^, '/^O^^.— . 



#>^mi4w5 o//Mr(g^ 



^.^ 



'^a 



ai6. 



Ui/=" Baggage at yddr awn risK: 



^^^OiA-^nr*^ /^ ^ «^ 




< 



Fac-simill ui .MkwujA:. Ci^mk.\l Kailiv.au Ticket of 1S38. 



A subsequent meeting was held on January 2, 
1836, and nearly 125,000 subscribed, which, with 
previous amounts, made over §100,000 invested by 
citizens of Detroit. At this meeting the Common 
Council was requested to subscribe $r 0,000 on 
behalf of the city. Contracts for grubbing and 
clearing the first forty miles were soon let, the work 
to be completed by May 20, and seven hundred and 
twenty tons of strap-iron, to cost about $60,000, 
were ordered. On August 5, 1836, the council 
authorized the mayor, on behalf of the city, to sub- 
scribe §10,000 towards the stock of the railroad, and 
the same day a warrant for §2,000, to apply on the 
amount, was drawn on the city treasurer, and on 
August 9 a meeting of citizens requested the coun- 
cil to subscribe $40,000 additional on behalf of the 
city. On August 1 1 the council so ordered, and on 
August 14 the subscription was made by the mayor, 
and a warrant for $S,ooo of the amount drawn on 
the city treasurer. 



preposterous. On February 3, 1838, the cars made 
their first trip to Ypsilanti. A new car. the Gover- 
nor Mason, seating sixty-si.x persons, built by John 
G. Hays, of Detroit, was provided, and an excur- 
sion party, consisting of the State and city officers, 
the Brady Guards, and other citizens, went over the 
road. A public dinner was sers'ed at Ypsilanti, and 
an address delivered by General Van Fossen. 
Arriving at Dearborn on the return trip, the engine 
would not work, and horses were procured to draw 
engine and cars back to Detroit. 

During this winter the track was frequently so 
obstructed by ice that trains were obliged to stop 
at Dearborn. The fare to Ypsilanti was $1.50, the 
time of the trip usually an hour and three quarters. 
The following item from the Journal and Courier of 
May 19, 1S38, gives details of interest: 

Central Railroad. — The cars on this ruad now make two 
trips a day between Detroit and Ypsilanti. They leave the 
Depot on Campus Martins every morning at six o'clock and every 



RAILROADS. 



897 



afternoon at half past one o'clock ; Ypsilanti every morning at 
ten o'clock and every afternoon at half past four o'clock. 

It is gratifying to know that the freight and travel on this 
State road are increasing rapidly. The average receipts for sev- 
eral days past have been upwards of three hundred dollars per 
.day. On Monday they were $326, on Tuesday $431, on Wednes- 
day $310, and on Thursday $372. 

There seems to have been no lack of cars, for on 
October 31 of this year, while Hiram Alden was 
acting' commissioner, it was resolved to permit in- 
dividuals to place cars on the Central Railroad for 
the transportation of merchandise, agricultural pro- 
ducts, and other property, and the commissioner 
was authorized to sell persons such cars as were not 
needed. The receipts continued to increase, and the 
following statement was published on July iS, 183S: 

The receipts upon the road for the week ending July 17, 183S, 
were as follows: From Detroit to ^'psilant^ and way, fur the 
transportation of five hundred passengers, 242,638 pounds of mer- 
chandise, one barrel of flour, 5,000 feet of timber, and 64% thou- 
sand shingles, $1,129.93. From Ypsilanti to Detroit and way, for 
transportation of 423 passengers, 19,838 pounds of merchandise, 
and 325 barrels of flour, $1,827.59. 

Amos T. H.\l[., 
Collector 0/ Tolls, Detroit. 

On October 17, 1839, the road was opened to Ann 
Arbor, and the City Council, Brady Guards, and 
about eight hundred citizens went on an excursion 
to that city. They left Detroit at 9 k. m., were 
received with a salute, entertained with a dinner, and 
returned at 3 P. M. During 1839 fifty-four persons 
were employed by the State in operating the road. 
On August I, 1840. one train was taken off. On 
June 30 the road was opened to Dexter. At this 
time, A. H. Adams, who had served as collector of 
tolls, was weighmaster at Detroit, and T. G. Cole 
was superintendent of the road. 

On October 21, 1842, two new locomotives were 
landed by schooner for the road, and a new passen- 
ger-car called the Kalamazoo was placed on the 
line. The road was opened to Jackson on Decem- 
ber 29, 1841, and The Detroit Gazette for May 22, 
1843, contained the following : 

For the purpose of meeting the wishes of travelers and increas- 
ing the revenue of the road, the Michigan Central Railroad has 
reduced the fare to $2.30 between Detroit and Jackson, and for 
way passengers in proportion. The road is in excellent order, the 
engines and cars of the best description, and they are run with 
great regularity. Regular lines of stages leave Jackson for Chi- 
cago on the arrival of the cars. Travelers takmg this route reach 
Chicago in two days less time than by the route around the lakes. 

On June 25, 1844, the road reached Albion, Mar- 
shall became a station on August 10, 1845, and on 
April 25, 1846, the following notice appeared: 

Central Railko.\d. — The passenger train will, after the ist 
of June ne.\t, leave Detroit for the west at 8 o'clock A. m., arrive 
at Marshall at 3.30 v. m. They leave Marshall at precisely 9.30 
o'clock A. M., arriving at Detroit at s v. M. There is at the west- 
ern terminus a line of coaches always ready to carry passengers to 
St. Joseph, — ninety miles in twenty-two hours. From St. Joseph 



to Chicago by steamboat, si.xty-nine miles in six hours. Making 
thirty-six hours from Detroit to Chicago. 

(). C. COMSTOCK, Jk., 

Pres. of Board I. T. 

Internal Improvement OJ/iee. 

On November 25, 1S45, the State completed the 
road to Battle Creek, and on February 2, 1846, to 
Kalamazoo. The fare to Chicago at this time was 
§6. 50, including fifty-five miles of staging to New 
Buffalo and si.xty miles of steamboating from there 
to the Garden City. About this time public opinion 
became decidedly opposed to the participation by the 
State in enterprises of this kind, especially as there 
was a constant struggle for the political patronage 
and influence which the party in power wielded 
through its control of this and other roads. An open 
letter from Marshall, dated October 6, 1845, said : 

There is a great defect in the arrangements of the Central Rail- 
road in this State. It is disgraceful that so important a work 
should be so slovenly managed. In the first place it was shab- 
bily built at an enormous expense, and it is conducted in all its 
departments by mere partisans. They were appointed because 
they were noisy politicians. 

In November, 1845, this statement was made: 

Four years ago the road was completed to Jackson. After 
three years more it was completed to Marshall, where it now 
stops. It is in a miserable condition, unfit for heavy transporta- 
tion, and requires to be relaid and repaired. High charges for 
freight and fare are fast driving business into other channels. 

In addition to these complaints the e.xpenditures 
of the State for various improvements had reduced 
its credit to the lowest point. State bonds to the 
amount of $50,000 were sold at auction in New York 
for eighteen cents on the dollar; so straitened were 
the finances of the State that at a general meeting of 
the State officers it was determined to sell the rail- 
roads, and Henry N. Walker, then attorney-general, 
was appointed to go to New York, organize a com- 
pany, and negotiate a sale. Mr. Walker went ; 
interviewed Erastus Corning, of Albany, who then 
held a large amount of State bonds, purchased for 
about thirty cents on the dollar. J. W. Brooks, then 
superintendent of a railroad between Rochester and 
Syracuse, was summoned, and a conference was held 
in the City Hotel at Albany, in regard to the proposed 
railroad company. A rough draft for a charter vv-as 
agreed upon, and Mr. Brooks was to come to Detroit 
in January, 1 846, and with Mr. Walker endeavor to 
secure its passage. The terms of the proposed pur- 
chase were ten per cent above the original cost of 
the road in cash, the balance in bonds or obligations 
of the State. Mr. Brooks came, and on March 
28, 1846, largely through the efforts of George E. 
Hand, then a member of the Legislature, an Act 
was passed providing for the incorporation of the 
Michigan Central Railroad Company, and for 
the sale by the State of its interest in the road 
for the sum of §2,000,000. Several persons who 



898 



RAILROADS. 



had originally agreed to become corporators failed to 
fulfil their agreements, and Messrs. H. N. Walker 
and George F. Porter, at the request of Governor 
Barrv and the leading men of Detroit, went to New 
York and Boston and organized a new company, and 
on September 23, 1846, the sale was consummated. 
On September 17, 1846, a new locomotive, called 
Battle Creek, arrived at Detroit for the road and up 
to the date of the transfer, the State had expended 
$1,954,308.38. Of passenger depots there were 
then only four on the line, and neither of these at 
Detroit. The charter of the company relieved it of 
of all taxation except the payment to the State of 
one half of one per cent on its capital stock up 
to July I, 1 85 1, after which it was to be increased to 
three quarters of one per cent. It was also pro- 
vided that no railroad thereafter built west of Wayne 
County should approach within five miles of the 
road without consent 
of the company, and 
that no other railroad 
should approach 
within twenty miles 
of Detroit, or run to 
Lake Michigan, or the 
southern boundary of 
the State, the line of 
which on an average, 
was within twenty 
miles of the Central. 
The charter also pro- 
vided that the State 
might buy the road at 
any time after Janu- 
ary I, 1867. 

There seems to have 
been no sound reason 
for the sale of the 
property by the State. 
The reports of the 

officers showed a profit, in 1838, of §37,283; in 
1839, of $16,703; in 1840, of $20,637; in 1841, of 
$25,655 ; in 1842, of $63,075 : in 1843. of $75,026 ; 
and in 1844, of $121,750. After its sale, the road 
was pushed westward, and on May i, 1847, the 
following item appeared in a daily paper : 

Michigan Central R.-^ilroad. — This important work is being 
rapidly prosecuted. It is now within fifty miles o£ its western 
termination, if St. Joseph is fixed upon, and within seventy miles 
if it is to run to New Buffalo. Its engineers are locating the 
route west of Kalamazoo, and in a week or two its western ter- 
minus will be settled. 

Up to this time the road had come into Detroit on 
Michigan Avenue, and its depot buildings occupied 
the site of the present City Hall. The council had 
granted the use of the Campus Martins and also of 
the Chicago Road on August 31, 1836. What would 




Michigan Centkal Freight D 
Southeast corner of Michigan 



now be deemed a most remarkable concession \\'as 
granted on February 5, 1838. The State was then 
authorized to make a cut on Woodward Avenue 
fourteen feet wide and as deep as necessary, com- 
mencing near the crossing of Congress Street and 
terminating near Atwater Street, for the purpose of 
laying a railroad track, the cut to be walled up with 
stone or timber, and covered over, as far as practi- 
cable, with a rail on each side where not covered, 
with lamps at convenient distances, to be kept lit 
during the night. On March 24, 1838, the Com- 
missioners of Internal Improvements reported that it 
would be impracticable to light the cut, and the 
track was therefore laid on the ground. It extended 
down Woodward Avenue to Atwater Street, and a 
thousand feet each way from Woodward Avenue on 
Atwater. On April 28, 1838, the council gave the 
State permission to erect a car-house on Michigan 

Avenue in the rear of 
the old City Hall, but 
Messrs. Cooper and 
Jackson opposed and 
prevented the erec- 
tion of the building. 
On May 21, 1839, the 
council granted per- 
mission to owners of 
warehouses east of 
Woodward Avenue 
" to lay side tracks 
from their premises 
to the railroad now 
being laid in Atwater 
Street between 
Woodward Avenue 
and Brush Street." 
The railroad track 
continued to occupy 
Woodward Avenue 
and .Atwater Street 
until March, 1844, when, on account of the difficulty 
and expense of dragging the cars up hill, the rails 
were removed. Grounds for a depot west of Third 
Street were purchased in 1847, but passenger cars 
continued to come in on Michigan Avenue until 
May 30, 1848, on which date they arrived for the 
first time at the Third Street Depot. The shops 
were finished in June, 1S48. Some of the old 
buildings were left on the Campus Martins, and on 
April 17, 1849, the company was ordered by the 
council to remove them forthwith. 

In 1 85 1 the company purchased additional river 
frontage to the amount of twenty-two hundred feet, 
with an average width of three hundred and ninety- 
one feet, and built a large freight-house on the river. 
In 1864, 1865, and 1866, and at other times, addi- 
tional purchases have been made, and in 1 880 the 



EroT AND Seminary Bitlding, 
nue and Griswold Street. 



RAILROADS. 



899 



company had nearly forty acres on the river, ten 
acres for stockyards at Twentieth Street, and one 
hundred and thirty-four acres at the Junction. 

On June 28, 1848, the road was completed to Paw 
Paw ; on October i, to Niles ; and on April 23, 1S49, 
it was in operation to New Buffalo, and steamers 
ran in connection with the road to Chicago and 
Milwaukee. By this time the strap-rail had been 
nearly all replaced with the T rail. In June, 1849, the 
road began to run two through trains daily. From 
November 29 to April 26, 1850, only one train left 
each terminus daily, and then two daily trains w-cre 
again put on. 

The charter did not allow the route to be extended 
beyond Lake Michigan. Upon reaching this limit 
at New Buffalo, the company advanced money to 
build a portion of the New Albany & Salem Road 
through Indiana, and then leased that line, and 



of all over fifty-eight per cent of the freight busi- 
ness of the Michigan Central Railroad and over 
forty-two per cent of the freight business of the 
Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad. 

From the time the road became a private corpo- 
ration, passenger traffic from the east was specially 
sought for, and in order to obtain it, the company, 
in 1847, began building a boat to run between De- 
troit and Buffalo. Their first boat, the Mayflower, 
built at Detroit, was completed on May 28, 1849, 
and from that date formed, with the Atlantic, 
a regular Michigan Central Railroad line between 
Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit. The Mayflower 
was the finest boat that had thus far appeared on 
the Lakes. She had eighty-five state-rooms and 
could carry three hundred cabin and from three to 
five hundred steerage passengers. In the season of 
1850 and 1851, the line to Buffalo consisted of the 












Old Depot Buildings of the Michigan Central Railroad on Third Street. 



also a right of way on the Illinois Central. Thus 
Michigan City was reached on October 29. 1850, 
and eventually Chicago. This was accomplished 
only after bitter strife and the most persistent strat- 
egy. The Southern Railroad Company issued in- 
junctions, removed the track, and in other ways 
sought to prevent their rival from reaching the goal, 
but all in vain. On May 21, 1852, one day in ad- 
vance of the Southern, the Central was completed 
to Chicago, and the smoke and whistle of their 
locomotive announced the end of the battle. 

Between June, 1852. and 1853, the first local train 
to Kalamazoo was put on. In 1854 three through 
trains were run. The next year four were running, 
and in 1S55 the Jackson accommodation train was 
provided. On November r, 1857, an agreement 
was made for one year with the Michigan Southern 
& Northern Indiana Railroad Company to make an 
equal division of all through passenger business, and 



Mayflow^er, the Atlantic, and the Ocean ; and in the 
same years the steamboats Southerner and Baltimore 
ran to Cleveland. 

The Mayflower stranded on December 16, 1851, 
near Erie, but no lives were lost. She was recov- 
ered in the spring of 1852, and again took her place 
in the line. In the same year the Forest City and 
the May Queen were running to Cleveland. 

On August 20, 1S52, the propeller Ogdensburgh 
collided with the Atlantic on Lake Erie, off Long 
Point, and one hundred and thirty-one lives were 
lost. The Buckeye State took the place of the At- 
lantic, and in 1853 ran in connection with the Ocean 
and the Mayflower. In 1854 and 1855 the Michigan 
Central Railroad line was made up of the Buckeye 
State, the Plymouth Rock, and the Western World ; 
the two boats last named went into .service on July 
7 and 10, 1854, and were much the largest and 
finest ever placed on the Lakes. They were nearly 



900 



RAILROADS. 



alike in size, build, and finish. The Plymouth Rock 
was three hundred and si.\ty-three feet long. The 
Mississippi, an equally fine boat, was added in 1855. 
and with the Plymouth Rock formed the line for 
that year. After the completion of the Great West- 
ern Railroad through Canada, their occupation was 
nearly gone. They were laid up in the fall of 1S57, 
and year after year remained at the Central Wharf, 
affording a very practical illustration of the prophecy 
of The Gazette in 1829, 

In 1862 the Western World and the Plymouth 
Rock were sold for $200,000 each to Captain George 
Sands of Buffalo. Their engines were taken out 
and placed in boats to be used on the coast of China. 
Their hulls and also that of the Mississippi after- 
wards served as dry 
docks at Bay City, 
Port Huron, and 
Cleveland or Buf- 
falo. 

About 1850, se- 
rious troubles over- 
took the road. 
Many cattle had 
been killed along 
the line, and it was 
claimed that the 
company did not ex- 
ercise sufficient care 
and did not pay in 
full for the losses. 
The persons ag- 
grieved became in- 
creasingly angry, 
and finally, on No- 
vember 19, 1 850, the 
freight depot at De- 
troit was burned, 
causing a loss of 
about $150,000. 

The fire was evidently set by an incendiary, and so 
alarmed the corporation that active measures were 
taken to discover and arrest the instigators. These 
efforts were successful, and on April 19, 1851, thirty- 
three persons, arrested as railroad conspirators, 
arrived at Detroit. Their trial began on May 38, 
and lasted almost continuously for four months. 
Hon. W. H. Seward was present as counsel for the 
prisoners, some of whom were wealthy farmers. 
On September 25 a verdict of guilty was rendered 
against twelve of them, and on the following day 
they received sentences of from five to ten years 
each. During the trial one of the prisoners died in 
jail. The jury was composed of R. C. Smith, Levi 
Cook, Amos Chaffee. John Roberts. Buckminster 
Wight, Horace Hallock, A. C. McGraw, Alexander 
McFarlane, Ichabod Goodrich, Stephen Fowler, 




New MiLHHJAN Centkal Depot. 



Ralph Phelps, and Silas A. Bagg. The ending of the 
trial did not put an end to the troubles of the road. 
On January 23, 1852, the car manufacturing shops at 
Detroit were burned, and two years later to a day, on 
January 22, 1 854, the passenger offices were destroyed 
by fire. On April 2, 1862, the engine-house and 
nine locomotives were burned. On October 18, 
1865, the freight depot was burned, involving a loss 
of about one and a half million dollars, and a year 
later, on October 29, the old wheat elevator was 
destroyed by fire, with a loss of $50,000. The last 
large fire on the company's property at Detroit was 
on November 15, 1872, when the wood-working 
department was burned, with a loss of about 
$100,000. 

Sleeping cars 
were introduced in 
August, 1858, the 
company supplying 
its own cars. On 
June 20. 1866, the 
Pullman sleepers 
began to run, and 
in November, 1875, 
they were displaced 
by the cars of the 
Wagner Company. 
From about the 
time the road was 
completed to its 
western terminus, 
trains were run by 
Chicago time, but 
on June 11, 1883, 
this practice was 
changed, and trains 
began running by 
Detroit time, chang- 
ing to the new stan- 
dard time in 1884. 
The policy of helping to build branch roads to 
ser\'e as feeders was inaugurated in 1 868, and was 
productive of great benefit to the State. The fol- 
lowing figures give interesting particulars as to the 
growth of the business of the road : Number of pas- 
sengers carried in 1850, 152,172; i860, 324,422; 
1S70, 865,582; 1880, 1,699,810. Net earnings in 
1850, $566,264 ; i860, $1,141,941 ; I S70, $1,693,373; 
1880, $1,595,404. 

In 1S80 the company furnished employment to 
1,294 persons at Detroit and the Junction, and the 
monthly pay-roll amounted to $60,595. The total 
disbursements at Detroit the same year amounted 
to about $700,000. 

The following railroads now use the depot of this 
road ; Detroit & Bay City ; Detroit, Lansing & Lake 
Michigan; Canada Southern; and Flint & Pere 



RAILROADS. 



got 



Marquette. The construction of the new passenger 
depot was begun in 1883. It cost $250,000. It has 
a frontage of one hundred eighty-two and a lialf 
feet on Third Street, by two hundred and eighty- 
two on Woodbridge Street. The tower is one 
hundred and fifty-seven feet high. 

The chief officers of the company have been : 
Presidents, 1847-1856, J. M. Forbes; 1856-1867, 
J. W. Broolcs ; 1867- 1877, James F. Joy ; 1877, S. 
Sloan; 1878-1883, W. H. Vanderbilt ; 18S3- 
H. B. Ledyard. Superintendents, 1847 to June, 
1853, J. W. Broolcs; June, 1S53, to 1S54, Edwin 
Noyes, 1S54 to June, 1S6S, R. N. Rice; 1868-1875, 
H. E. Sargeant; 1S75, W. B. Strong; 1S76 to July, 
1877, H. U. Ledyard; 1877-1883, vacant; 1883- 
, E. C. Brown. Treasurers, 1842-1854, G. B. 
Upton; 1854-1876, Isaac Livermore ; 1876-1877, 
C. F. Livermore; 1877, B. Dunning; 1878-1883, 
C. Vanderbilt ; 1883- . Henry Pratt. Auditors, 
1855, H. Teelson; 1856, E. Willard Smith ; 1857- 
1859, Horace Turner; 1859-1875, John Newell; 
1875- , D. A. Waterman. Treasurers and 
cashiers, 1854 to December, 1S75, George W. Gil- 
bert; 1875 to August, 1877, C. F. Livermore; 1S77 
, John E. Griffiths. From June i, 1S75, Allan 
Bourn has been purchasing agent. Prior to that 
date no such office existed. 



Chicasro 



CiiiiaJa Southern Railroad. 



This, the fourth railroad opened to the East, was 
completed between Detroit and Toledo on Novem- 
ber 13, 1S73, and runs on almost an air line to 
Buffalo. 

During the great railroad strike of July, 1877, it 
happened to be the only road near Detroit whose 
trains were interfered with. Fears were entertained 
that the strike would prevail at Detroit, but the 
trouble soon ceased. 

One of the fastest trips ever made in the country- 
was that made over this line by the special train 
which brought Bishop Borgess to Detroit on his 
return from Europe, September 13, 1S77; the 
distance from St. Thomas to Detroit, one hundred 
and eleven miles, was made in one hundred and nine 
minutes ; even this was surpassed by the time made 
on May 3, 1880, when W. H. Vanderbilt, the presi- 
dent of the road, and others, made a trip of two 
hundred and twelve miles in two hundred and two 
minutes. 

Originally using but one ferry, such was the 
increase of its business that in February, 1880, the 
road began to use two ferries to transfer its cars at 
Grosse Isle. On the completion of the Essex cut- 
off in December, 1882, they were discontinued at 
that place, and Detroit became the place of trans- 
fer. In 18S2 about one hundred of the company's 



employees were paid at Detroit, and the average 
monthly pay-roll amounted to $5,000. 

The chief officers at Detroit have been : freight 
agents, T. H. Malone, November. 1873, to Janu- 
ary, 1874; D. E. Barry, September, 1874, to Sep- 
tember, 1875; A. E. Smith, September, 1875, to 
September, 1881 ; F. Hill, September, 1881, to Feb- 
ruary I, 1882; D. E. Barry, February i, 1882, to 
January i, 1883; W. L. Benham, January i, 1883, 
to . City ticket agents, A. Allee, February, 

1875, to October, 1875 ; F. S. Taylor, November, 
1S75, to October, 1877; M. C. Roach, November, 
1877, to July, 1878; C. A. Warren, August, 1878, 
to . Mr. Warren is in fact also ticket agent of 

the Michigan Central Railroad and the Lake Shore 
& Michigan Southern Railroad. 

In the fall of 1882 the road was leased to the 
Michigan Central Railroad, and in January, 1883, 
its offices were removed from St. Thomas to 
Detroit. 

Detroit &^ Bay City Railroad. 

This road extends from Detroit to Bay City. It 
was opened to Oxford on October 31, to Lapeer 
November 30, and to Otter Lake December 31, 1872. 
On March 31, 1873, it was completed to Vassar, 
and on July 31, 1873, it reached Bay City. 

At Detroit it uses the depot of the Michigan 
Central Railroad, and since 1876 it has been for 
most of the time managed as a branch of the Michi- 
gan Central Railroad. In 1880 sixty of the em- 
ployees were paid here ; the yearly pay-roll a\'eraged 
§13,500. On February 12, 1 881, it was sold to the 
holders of a mortgage for $3,625,750. 

The Lake Shore &^ Michigan Southern Railroad. 

The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad 
and its branches, so far as Michigan is concerned, 
had its origin in the Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad, 
which was chartered on April 22, 1833. It was 
designed to build that road from Port Lawrence, now 
Toledo, to the headwaters of the Kalamazoo River. 
The line as far as Adrian, a distance of thirty-three 
miles, was completed and went into operation on 
October I, 1836, and was the first line opened in 
Michigan. The cars were drawn by horses up to 
January 20, 1837, on which date the first locomo- 
tive that ran over a Michigan road arrived at 
Toledo. The accompanying picture of the second 
passenger or " pleasure car " is vouched for by C. 
P. Leland and others. It held twenty-four per- 
sons, eight in each compartment. On August 9, 
1S49, a perpetual lease of the road was made to 
the Michigan Southern Railroad ; this company 
had its origin in an Act of March 20, 1S37, 
which made provision for the survey by the Com- 



902 



RAILROADS. 



missioners of Internal Improvements of a railroad 
through the southern counties of the State, from 
Monroe to New Buffalo. A subsequent Act of 
March 22, 1S38, authorized a change in the route, 
mailing the road pass through Niles. The survey 
was made by Joseph S. Dutton, and the first ground 
was broken at Monroe on May 14, 1838. Up to 
November 30, 1847, there had been paid out by the 
State on account of the road the sum of $948,234. 
The road was opened from Monroe to Petersburgh 
in 1839: to Adrian on November 23, 1S40; and 
to Hillsdale on September 25, 1843. The same 
causes that led to the sale of the Central Railroad 
brought about the Act of May 9, 1846, which pro- 
vided for the sale of this road and the incorpora- 
tion of the railroad company. On December 23, 
1 846, it was delivered to the persons who had or- 
ganized for its 
purchase ; they 
paid $500,000. 
The rolling 
stock and plant, 
other than 
the road - bed, 
was estimated 
at $41,359.28. 
The western 
terminus of the 
road was to be 
at a point on 
Lake Michigan. 
Almost as 
soon as the sale 
of the Central 
a n d Southern 
roads was con- 
summated, a 
bitter and long- 
continued rivalry began between the two cor- 
porations, each striving in various ways to hinder 
and defeat the other. The company owning the 
Central Railroad were fortunate in being able to 
push their road faster than their competitors of the 
Southern Road. In order to prevent the Central 
Railroad from first reaching the goal, the Southern 
Railroad, in March, 1850, applied to the Legislature 
for permission to change the route of their road as 
defined in the charter, for one through some of the 
northern counties of Indiana, the design being to 
prevent the Central and other roads from passing 
around the head of Lake Michigan to Chicago, and 
connecting with the roads leading west. This plan 
did not meet the approval of the citizens of Detroit, 
and, on March 21, 1850, a monster meeting, pro- 
moted by the Michigan Central Railroad, was held 
at the City Hall to protest against the proposed 
change, and the plan was defeated. Meantime both 




First I.oco.moiive in the West. 
Original style of Passenger Cars. 



roads were pushing westward, and in September, 
1S50, the Southern Road reached Jonesville, in De- 
cember following Cold water, in March, i85i,Stur- 
gis, and in July, White Pigeon ; on October 4, 1851, 
it was completed to South Bend, and on Januarv 9, 
1852, to LaPorte ; it reached Ainsvvorth, or South 
Chicago, in February, 1852, over the line of the 
Northern Indiana Railroad. On May 22, 1852, it 
was completed from Toledo to Chicago, just one day 
after the Central Railroad had reacheri that city. 
On February 13, 1855, it was authorized to con- 
solidate with the Northern Indiana Railroad, under 
the title of Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana 
Railroad. 

The link which connects Detroit with Toledo was 
built almost as soon as projected. A meeting was 
held at the Michigan Exchange on February 23, 

1855, to con- 
sider the pro- 
priety of organ- 
izing a com- 
pany to build 
the road. B. 
F. H. Witherell 
was chairman, 
and \Vm. A. 
Butler, secre- 
tary. A corpo- 
ration was 
formed under 
the General 
Railroad Law, 
and ten months 
from that time, 
on Christmas 
Day. the road 
was in opera- 
tion to Monroe, 
and in July following it was completed to Toledo. 
J. S. Dickinson was conductor of the first passenger 
train which arrived at Detroit. 

On July I, 1856, a perpetual lease of the line was 
made to the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana 
Railroad, on condition that they pay interest on the 
bonds and eight per cent on the stock. 

The road between Toledo, Cleveland, and Buffalo 
was completed on April 24. 1855, and was the sec- 
ond railroad route opened to the East. 

On April 26, 1866, the depot, with that of the 
Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, was destroyed by 
fire. The two companies have always used the 
same depot. In 18S0 the pay-roll of the company 
at Detroit included the names of eighty employees, 
and their salaries amounted to $3. 700 per month. 
The local agents at Detroit have been: 1855- 
1S57, John Wilkinson and R. E. Ricker ; 1S57-1859, 
J. S. Dickinson ; 1S59-1S64, L. P. Knight; 1864, J. 



RAILROADS. 



903 



C. Morse; 1S65, R. H. Hill; 1866, A. H. Earll. 
Beginning with 1S67, the business was divided be- 
tween the passenger and the freight agents. The 
following persons have filled these offices ; Freight 
agents, 1867-1870, P. P. Wright; 1870-1873, D. 
Edwards; 1873-1S74, John Gaines; 1875- , S. 
S. Hand. Passenger agents, 1867-1872, James M. 
Brown; 1S72-1S75, H. T. INIiller; 1S75-1876, W. 
W. Langdon; 1877-1878, James Rhines ; 1S79- 
C. A. Warren. The office of division superintend- 
ent at Detroit has existed since 1875. The follow- 
ing persons have served : 1875-1881, P. S. Blodgett ; 
1881- , T. J. Charlesworth. 

Detroit, Hillsdali', &" Southwestern Railroad. 

Early in 1869 a new era of railroad building was 
inaugurated in Michigan, and one of the first pro- 
jects in which it was sought to interest Detroit was 
the Detroit, Hillsdale, & Indiana Railroad. On 
January 29, i86g, a public meeting of citizens voted 
to raise $100,000 to aid in building the road. Soon 
after, other projected railroads began to seek for aid, 
and on May 10, a citizens' meeting recommended that 
the city aid the Detroit, Howell. & Lansing, Detroit 
& Bay City, and Detroit, Adrian, & St. Louis Rail- 
roads to the extent of $250,000 each, and the De- 
troit, Ann Arbor, & Jonesville Railroad to the 
amount of $200,000. The question was brought 
before the council, and this body provided for a 
vote to be taken on July 12, 1869, as to the issuing 
of $200,000 bonds to the Detroit, Hillsdale, & Indi- 
ana Railroad, and $300,000 each to the Northern 
Michigan, Detroit, & Howell, and Detroit, Adrian, 
& St. Louis Railroads. 

Those interested in the several projects pooled 
their interests and efforts in favor of the plan, but 
the aid asked for was refused by a large majority 
vote. The Detroit, Hillsdale, & Indiana Road, 
under the auspices of the Michigan Central Railroad, 
was then pushed forward to completion, and was 
operated by that company until September 20, 1881, 
when it passed under the control of the Lake Shore 
& Michigan Southern Railroad. It extends from 
Ypsilanti to Banker's Station on the Fort Wayne, 
Jackson, & Saginaw Railroad, using the track of 
the Michigan Central Railroad from Detroit to Ypsi- 
lanti. The road was opened from Ypsilanti to Saline 
in July, 1871, and to Indianapolis on July 25, 1872, 
on which date the Board of Trade and the City 
Council of Detroit paid a visit to that city. 

The Great JVestern Railroad. 

The Great Western Railroad, the first opened to 
the East, is located in Canada, and the Detroit River 
inter\'enes between it and the city, but ferry com- 
munication has always been maintained by the rail- 
road boats. 



This road was cliartered in 1S34, with a capital of 
$500,000, to build a road from Hamilton to the De- 
troit River. In 1837 the charter was amended in 
several particulars, but the company failed to build 
the road, and the charter expired in 1839. On 
March 29, iS45,the charter was revived, with power 
to extend the road from Hamilton to Niagara. 
While these efforts were being made, an opposition 
road, named the Detroit & Niagara Rivers Railroad, 
wliich had been chartered about 1836, began to 
show signs of life, and a sur\-ey was made which 
showed that on an air line of one hundred and thirt)-- 
six miles, between Detroit and Niagara, no cut or 
embankment would require to be over ten feet in 
depth. The following notice of a meeting held in 
Detroit on September 29, 1845, concerns these rival 
projects : 

The meeting of our citizens on tlie subject of the Canada Rail- 
road was well attended. Hon. v\. S. Porter was chairman, and 
James F. Joy secretary. W. Hamilton Merritt explained fully 
the different railroad routes projected through the Upper Pro- 
vince, and expressed himself strongly in favor of the direct route 
from Windsor to Eerthie^as provided in the charter of the De- 
troit and Niagara Rivers Railroad Company. General Cass 
offered a resolution, which was unanimously adopted, for the 
appointment of a committee of two, to proceed to Hamilton to 
confer with the Directors of the Great Western Road, and if 
possible to effect a union of the two routes. 

E. A. Brush interested himself in the Detroit & 
Niagara Rivers Railroad, as its route was the most 
direct, and it could be built with the least expense; 
but that company could not secure the right to ex- 
tend their line to Buffalo, consequently the Great 
Western won the race, and in 1846 began to build 
their line. 

The same year H. N. Walker, at the request of 
J. W. Brooks of the Michigan Central Railroad, 
wrote a series of articles for Detroit papers favoring 
the Great Western Railroad ; but at this time the 
Buffalo capitalists could not be interested. Mean- 
while the charter of the Detroit & Niagara Rivers 
Railroad was about to expire, and an effort was 
made to have it renewed, but it was lost by one vote. 

In the interest of the Great Western Railroad, 
Messrs. E. Farnsworth, J. F. Joy, and H. N. Walker 
visited Toronto and Niagara, and on an examination 
of the charter of the road it was found that it made 
no provision for crossing the Desjardins Canal ; an 
amendment was then procured which provided for 
filling up the old channel of the canal and making a 
new cut. In order to plan for and further the building 
of the road, a meeting of representatives of the 
Michigan Central Railroad, the New York Central 
Railroad, and the friends of the two roads in Canada 
and the West, was held at Niagara Falls, and as 
one of the results a meeting was held at Detroit on 
June 23, 1 85 1, and a committee appointed to solicit 
subscriptions to the stock. H. N. Walker obtained 



904 



RAILROADS. 



subscriptions to the amount of $180,000. The 
Michigan Central Railroad than advanced $120,000 
to make up the $300,000 required to complete the 
road, and it went forward. Instead of the ordi- 
nary American gauge of four feet eight inches, it 
was built with a gauge of five feet six inches, an 
Order in Council requiring all Canada roads to have 
that gauge, with the design of preventing the use of 
the road and cars in case of war. The road was 
completed from the Falls to Hamilton on November 
10, 1853, and to London on December 31, 1853. 

On January 17, 1S54, thelong-e.xpecteddayarrived; 
the road was completed to Windsor, and for the 
first time railroad communication was opened with 
New York and the East. It was made the occasion 
of one of the greatest demonstrations that ever 
occurred in Detroit. In the afternoon the stores 
and business places of every kind were closed, and 
the river front was lined with people who gathered 
to see the incoming train and to welcome the visi- 
tors from the neighboring province when the ferry 
should bring them over. At the foot of Woodward 
Avenue the throng was beyond all precedent. The 
train was to arrive at two o'clock, but it was nearly 
five o'clock before the whistle and the smoke of the 
locomotive gave notice of its approach. On reach- 
ing Windsor a salute was fired, the ferry soon 
brought the company to Detroit, and a procession 
moved from the Campus Martius to the depot in the 
following order : Chief Marshal and Aids, Military 
Escort composed of the National Dragoon Guards 
and the Scott Guards ; Fire Department, Citizens, 
Corporation Officers, Invited Guests, Directors, 
Engineers and Superintendent of Great Western 
Railroad, Clergy of Detroit, President. Vice-Presi- 
dent, and Chief Directors of the Great Western 
Railroad with the Mayor of Detroit. Dinner was 
provided in the long freight-house at the depot for 
1,700 persons. Those who long for the old times 
and think that in late years there is occasional 
municipal extravagance will do well to remember 
that for the reception and dinner on this occasion 
the city paid $4,329.90, the bills being audited on 
February 21, 1854. The event was undoubtedly an 
important one, but probably on no occasion would 
aldermen and city officers now think of spending 
anything like the amount then so needlessly squan- 
dered. 

On the completion of the railroad, a new ferry- 
boat, the Transit, owned by the company, com- 
menced to carry freight and passengers. Her 
trial trip was made February 27, 1854. On August 
7, 1857, the railroad ferry-boat known as the Union 
made her first trip, and soon after commenced to 
run regularly. 

On January i, 1867, the laying of a third rail 
gave the railroad a gauge uniform with that of the 



Michigan Central Railroad, and a new ferry, built 
for the purpose, began to transport freight-cars ; on 
June I of the same year passenger-cars were also 
transported, and now passengers take seats in a 
coach at the Brush Street Depot and need not 
change until New York is reached. 

The most serious accident that ever happened on 
this road occurred on March 13, 1857, when a train 
broke through the bridge over the Desjardins 
Canal, near Hamilton. Over eighty lives were lost, 
and travel over the road was suspended for two 
weeks. 

Most of the business of the company is necessa- 
rily transacted in Windsor, but in 18S0 the company 
employed about thirty men and paid nearly $30,000 
yearly for salaries at Detroit. In 1882 the road was 
consolidated with the Grand Trunk Railroad ; on 
August 12 the offices at Detroit were put under one 
management, and since that date the road has been 
known as the Great Western division of the Grand 
Trunk Railroad. 

The Chicago, Detroit, &= Canada Grand Trunk 
Junction Railroad. 

This road, running between Detroit and Port 
Huron, forms a part of the Grand Trunk Railway 
of Canada, extending to Portland, Me. ; it was 
opened from Detroit to Port Huron on Novem- 
ber 21, 1859. It had previously been built through 
Canada and the New England States, and was 
the third road opened between Detroit and the 
East. The company made use of the depot of the 
Michigan Central Railroad until February i, 1882, 
when, for the accommodation of passengers, they 
commenced using the depot at the Woodward 
Avenue Crossing. On October 9 their freight busi- 
ness was removed from the Michigan Central 
Railroad Depot to the Detroit, Grand Haven, & 
Milwaukee Depot. The number of men employed 
at Detroit and the Junction in 1880 was one hundred 
and twenty-four, and the average monthly pay-roll 
was $6,638. 

The agents at Detroit have been : General agents : 
i860 and 1861, J. D. Hayes; 1862 and 1863, R. 
Tubman; 1864 and 1865, J. Walsh. Passenger 
agents: 1 866-1 880, Edward Reidy; 1880 and 1881, 
J. A. Moore; January to July, 1882, W. S. Martin; 
July, 1882, to , John Main. Freight agents: 

1866 and 1867, W. Thorpe; 1868-1873, S. E. Mar- 
tin; 1 873-1 877, W. C. Campbell; 1S77-1882, T. 
Alcock; 1882- , R. N. Reynolds. E.J.Pierce 
has served as ticket agent from June. 1865. 

The Flint &^ Pcre Marquelle Railroad. 

The principal offices of the Flint & Pere Mar- 
quette Road are at Saginaw, but Detroit has had a 
special interest in the road since November i, 1864. 



RAILROADS. 



905 



The line was then completed between Flint and 
Holly, the track of the Detroit & MiKvaukee Rail- 
road being used between Holly and Detroit. Regular 
trains arrived and departed from the Detroit & Mil- 
waukee Depot. On May 30, 1871, the road was 
completed from Wayne to Northville, and on 
November 6, 1S71, from Northville to Holly. It 
then connected with the Michigan Central Railroad, 
and after June 28, 1875, its trains used the track of 
the Michigan Central Railroad to Detroit, arriving 
and departing from the Central Depot. 

Detroit, Lansing, &= Xortlicrn Railroad. 

This road is composed of the roads originally 
incorporated under the names of Detroit, Howell, 



State treasurer, but in the meantime the Supreme 
Court decided that the Railroad Aid Law, under 
the provisions of which the vote had been taken, 
was unconstitutional ; consequently the bonds were 
returned to the city, and in May, 1877, they were 
cancelled. Meanwhile the road had been finished. 
It was completed from Detroit to Lansing in 
August, 1 87 1, and on September 12 was formally 
opened to Greenville by an excursion from Detroit. 
On December 14, 1876, it was sold for $60,000 to 
parties who held mortgage bonds given at the time 
it was being built. 

The first superintendent was A. H. Reese ; he 
served until 1875, and was succeeded by J. B. 
Mulliken. The number of employees paid at Detroit 




^fca^-sS" 



1^ ^^^tlit^WM^f^ 












Double Railroad Bridge, 
Coraer of Baker and Fifteenth Streets. 



& Lansing Railroad and Lansing & Lake Michigan 
Railroad. Those interested in the roads sought aid 
from the city, and under a .State law. on July 12, 
1869, the question of aiding it and other roads was 
passed upon, but the citizens voted against any aid 
from the city. A subsequent effort and vote in 
regard to this road alone was more successful, and 
on January 10, 1870, by a vote of 4. 191 against 
1,885, ^300,000 was voted in aid of the road, on 
condition tliat the shops be permanently located in 
Detroit. The bonds were to be delivered as the 
work progressed, and the road was to give a second 
mortgage to pay the bonds as they matured. On 
February 8 the council ordered the bonds delivered 
as soon as the road complied with the conditions. 
The bonds were made out and deposited with the 



in 1882 was eighty-one, and the pay-roll averaged 
$4,714 per month. 

The Detroit, Mackina-d/, Q^ Manjucttc Railroad 

was organized on August 20, 1 879. On December 
19, 1 88 1, the road was inspected by the governor, 
and on January i, 1882, the first regular through 
train ran from Mackinaw to Marquette. The dis- 
tance from Pt. St. Ignace, opposite Mackinaw, to 
Marquette is one hundred and fifty-two miles. 

The names of the general officers of the com- 
pany and their location are as follows : James 
McMillan, president, Detroit; Hugh McMillan, sec- 
retary and treasurer, Detroit; D. McCool, general 
superintendent and chief engineer, Marquette ; 
Frank Milligan, general freight and passenger 



9o6 



RAILROADS. 



agent, Marquette; E. \V. Allen, auditor and receiv- 
ing cashier, Marquette. 

Detroit, Butler, iS^ St. Louis Railroad. 
This road extends from Detroit to Butler, Indi- 
ana, a distance of one hundred and thirteen miles, 
and forms part of the Wabash Railroad system. 




T iT'i 






Jefferson Avenue Railroad Bridge. 

A bonus of $200,000 was given by citizens of 
Detroit to aid in its construction ; of this amount 
the Board of Trade gave f 13,000, and many firms 
and individuals subscribed hundreds and thousands 
of dollars. The entire amount was pledged prior 
to June 17, 1880. The sur\-ey was commenced on 
April 12, 1880, the contract let on June 21, and in 
less than a year, on June 10, 1881, Jay Gould, one of 
the principal owners of the Wabash, arrived in 
Detroit, coming over the Butler Line. On July 6 
an excursion of subscribers to the bonus took place ; 
and on August 14, 1881, the first through train from 
St. Louis rolled into Detroit. 

When the road went into operation the trains 
came in over the line of the Detroit, Grand Haven, 



i^ Milwaukee Railroad, but since March 18, 1883. they 
have made use of the grounds and depot of the 
Union Depot Company. 

The othcers of the road at Detroit are : F. J. Hill, 
freight agent ; Frank E. Snow, general agent. 

In 1 88 1 the company employed thirty-five men 
at Detroit, and the pay-roll amounted to about 
$8,500 yearly. 

Cincinnati, Hamilton, (S-» Dayton Railroad. 

This road operates eight different lines of rail- 
roads, leading to Cincinnati. Indianapolis, Dayton, 
Toledo, and other points West and South. From 
Detroit to Toledo it uses the lines of both the Mich- 
igan Central and the Lake Shore Railroads. D. B. 
Tracy is the general passenger agent, and Joseph 
Keavy, general ticket agent. 

Detroit Union Railroad Station &= Depot Com- 
pany. 

This corporation was organized early in iSSi. 
They purchased a tract of about forty acres on the 
river, with a frontage of 2,540 feet, extending from 
Twelfth Street through to the west line of the 
Stanton Farm near Eighteenth Street. 

The company have spent large sums of money 
in filling in, docking, and laying out their grounds, 
and in erecting buildings. They rent space for or 
build depots, elevators, and other conveniences for 
railroads wishing to make use of their facilities. 
The elevator built in 1883 cost $300,000, and will 
hold 1,300,000 bushels of grain. 

Railroad Bridges and Gates. 

For the protection of teams and travelers on 
streets crossed by the railroads at the west side of 
the city, gates are provided at all the crossings be- 
tween Woodbridge Street and the Junction ; most 
of them were erected in 1 883. Bridges are erected 
across Fort, Lafayette, Twelfth, Howard, Fourteenth, 
Baker, and Fifteenth Streets. The last named 
bridge, on account of its peculiar location, is curi- 
ously constructed, and is, in fact, two bridges in one. 
The bridges are erected jointly by the city and the 
railroad companies. On the east side of the city 
there are gates or bridges at nearly every crossing. 



CHAPTER LXXXV. 



NAVIC.ATIOX OX RIVERS AND LAKES. 



The earliest colonists, gathered in the fort near 
the river, or in snug farmhouses close to the shore, 
had but little need of roads or rockaways. The 
ever-present canoe was ready for use and almost 
at their door. The gondolas of \'enice are not 
handier or more constantly in motion than were the 
picturesque canoes of the Detroit. As harvest 
moons waxed and waned, and seasons came and 
changed, traffic and travel moored other boats along 
the beach. Most pleasing of them all was the birch- 
bark canoe, buoyant and beautiful, and frequently 
decorated with brilliant Indian symbols; often six 
feet wide and thirty-five feet long, their carrying 
capacity was enormous. Sixty packs of furs, each 
pack weighing nearly one hundred pounds, half 
a ton of provisions for the crew of eight men, and 
bark and gum for possible repairs, were not uncom- 
mon loads from Lake Superior, and to Quebec and 
Albany as well. In calm weathe.' they could be 
paddled four miles an hour, and at a portage four 
men could lift an unloaded canoe. They were easily 
broken, and if heavily laden did not venture to 
approach a rough beach, but baggage and passen- 
gers were carried ashore on the shoulders of the 
voyagiiirs. It was by means of such canoes that 
the expedition of 1820 reached the upper lakes. 
The party consisted of Governor Cass, H. R. School- 
craft, Alexander Wolcott, M. D., Captain D. B. 
Douglass, Lieutenant E. Mackay, J. D. Doty, 
Major R. A. I'orsyth, C. C. Trowbridge, A. R. 
Chace, ten Canadian voyageiirs, seven United States 
soldiers, ten Indians, an interpreter, and a guide. 
They left on May 24, 1820, in four birchbark canoes 
obtained from the Chippewas. On July 4, 1821, in 
a canoe of the same kind. Governor Cass and H. R. 
Schoolcraft started for Chicago, going by way of 
the Detroit, Maumee, Wabash, Mississippi, and Illi- 
nois Rivers. A favorite trading craft was the Mack- 
inaw boat or bateau. They were built of red or 
white oak or pine boards, had flat bottoms, were 
shaped exactly the same at each end, and were quite 
high at the sides. 

The pirogue was a long, capacious canoe, often 
made of a single -large red cedar-tree; it was high 
in front and rear, and had high sides. It was used 

l9^7l 



chiefly for passengers, and commonly carried four, 
with a crew of the same number. 

The ordinary canoes, appropriately called " dug- 
outs," were made by burning and chopping out the 
trunk of a good-sized tree. 

As to vessels, the Griffon must be first named. 
Her tonnage is variously stated at from forty-five to 
sixty tons. She carried five cannon, and was buflt by 
LaSalle at the mouth of the Cayuga Creek near Nia- 
gara in the spring of 1679, ''"d launched in the 
month of May. After several short trial-trips, on 
.•\ugust 7, with Chevalier LaSalle, Father Louis Hen- 
nepin, Gabriel de la Ribourde, Zenobe Membre, and 
others, thirty-two in all, she started on her first real 
voyage, arriving at the mouth of the Detroit River 
on August 10. Two days after, on the Festival of 
St. L'l,;ire, she entered the little lake, which was 
christened Lake St. Claire in honor of the founder 
of the Franciscan Nuns. Two centuries later, a 
gathering at Grosse Pointe rechristened the lake, 
with various exercises, including poems by D. B. 
Duftield and Judge J. V. Campbell, and an address 
from Bela Hubbard. On her return trip, the Grif- 
fon left Washington Island in Lake Michigan on 
September 1 8. Two days after, a storm arose, and 
the vessel was seen no more ; but portions of the 
wreck were found among the islands at the northern 
end of the lake. 

After the voyage of the Griffon, no sailing vessels 
are known to have passed Detroit for nearly a cen- 
tury. The first that we hear of, were those engaged 
in conveying troops, provisions, and furs between 
Detroit and Niagara. In 1763 and 1764, the schoon- 
ers Beaver, Gladwin, and Charlotte went to and fro 
almost constantly, the time of the trip varying from 
six to nine days. 

The first vessel known to have been built at De- 
troit was called the Enterprise. She was launched 
in 1769. In 1 77 1 Mr. Ellice, of Schenectady, and 
Messrs. Sterling & Price, of Detroit, built a vessel of 
forty-five tons called the Angelica. Richard Wright 
was captain at a salary of ^120 per year. In 1778 
the British brig-of-war. General Gage, arrived, 
making the trip from Buffalo in four days. On 
account of the Revolutionary War, none but gov- 



9o8 



NAVIGATION ON RIVERS AND LAKES. 



ernment vessels were then allowed upon the 
lakes. 

In 17S0 the captains and crews of nine vessels 
were under pay at Detroit, and a large dock-yard 
was maintained. The names of the vessels were 
the Gage, Dunmore, Faith, Angelica, Hope, Wel- 
come, Adventure. Felicity, and Wyandotte. 

On August I, 1782, the following armed vessels, 
all in good order and all built in Detroit, were on 
duty in Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan : 





c . 


«i 


c 


Carr 


ying 




Names. 


°'B 


c 


^ 


Capa 


city. 






S§ 


c 


^ 






When 




Saa 




a 


Men. 


Bbis, 


Built. 


Brig Gage 


27 


14 


'54 


160 


200 


1772 


Sch. Dunmore 


14 




106 


100 


200 


1772 


Sch. Hope 


1 1 




81 


80 


70 


177I 


Sloop Angelica 


7 




66 


60 


200 


■771 


Sloop Felicity 


6 




55 


40 


50 


1774 


Sch. Faith 


48 


10 


61 


60 


100 


1774 


Sloop Wyandotte 


7 




47 


30 


30 


1779 


Sloop Adventure 


8 




3+ 


30 


30 


1776 


Gun Boat 


II 


I 











In the spring of 1793 four government vessels 
were lying in front of the town. Of these the Chip- 
pewa and the Ottawa were new brigs, of about two 
hundred tons each and carrying eight guns ; another 
was the Dunmore, an old brig of the same size, with 
six guns ; the fourth was the sloop Felicity, armed 
with two swivels. All of these were under com- 
mand of Coinmodore Grant. There were also sev- 
eral sloops and schooners owned by trading firms. 

Three years later, in 1796, twelve merchant ves- 
sels were owned in Detroit ; also several brigs, 
sloops, and .schooners, of from fifty to one hundred 
tons each. After the surrender to the United 
States, the schooner Swan, then owned by James 
May, was hired to convey the first troops to Detroit, 
and was the first vessel on the lakes to bear the Lhiited 
States flag. The second to carry the flag was 
probably the Detroit ; she was purchased by the 
Government of the Northwest Fur Company. 

In 1797 the United States schooner Wilkinson, of 
eighty tons, was built at Detroit under direction of 
Captain Curry. In iSio she was sold, overhauled, 
and her name changed to Amelia. In 181 2 she was 
purchased by the Government, and formed part of 
Perry's squadron. 

In 1801 the brig Adams and the schooner Tracey 
were built here for the Government, and used for 
the transportation of troops and government stores. 
In 1803, when a company of soldiers under Colonel 
J. S. Swearingen went from Detroit to Chicago, for 
the purpose of erecting and garrisoning Fort Dear- 
born, a nimiber of officers went on the Tracey. 
The troops were the first Americans that lived 
at that place. Chicago was therefore colonized 



from Detroit, and this city can claim the honor of 
having founded that justly famous metropolis. 

In 181 2 Commodore Brevoort was in command 
of the brig Adams and Gray and the sloop Detroit, 
then stationed here. They were refitted and pre- 
pared for service at the shipyard on the Rouge, now 
in part occupied by Woodmere Cemetery. 

After the war the number of vessels increased, 
but freight and passage were high. In 181 5 and 
1817 a trip from Buffalo to Detroit cost fifteen dol- 
lars and occupied thirteen days. 

The year 181 8 marks an important era in the his- 
tory of the entire Lake Region. The first steamboat 
that sailed Lake Erie arrived that year. .She was 
named the Walk-in-the-Water, after the chief of the 
Wyandotte Indians, and was operated by a power- 
ful engine, built on Fulton's plan. Leaving Buffalo 
on the 23d of August, she reached Detroit on Thurs- 
day, .August 27, 18 18. In going from Black Rock 
past the rapids she was propelled by what was called 
a"horned breeze," consistingof sixteen yokeof oxen. 
She arrived at Wing's Wharf at foot of Bates Street 
between ten and eleven o'clock a. m., and fired a 
gun. Hundreds of citizens, embracing almost the 
entire population, collected on the wharves to see 
her. Concerning the date of her arrival, several 
mistakes have been made. The fac-simile of the 
entry made at the time by William Woodbridge, the 
collector of customs at Detroit, effectually settles 
the question. 

The Detroit Ga.-ette nf .August 28, 1818, con- 
tained this notice : 

STE.-\MBOAT .■\RRIVED ! 

Yesterday, between tlic hours of ten and eleven A. M., the ele- 
gant steamboat Walk-in-the-Water, Captain J. Fish, arrived. As 
she passed the public wharf and that owned by Mr. J. S. Roby, 
she was cheered by hundreds of the inhabitants who had collected 
to witness this {in these waters) truly novel and grand spectacle. 
She came to at Wing's Wharf. She left Buffalo at half past one 
o'clock on the 23d and arrived at Dunkirk at thirty-Jive minutes 
past si.\ the same day. On the following morning she arrived at 
Erie, Captain Fish having reduced her steam during the night, in 
order not to pass that place, where she took in a supply of wood. 
At half past seven p. M. she left Erie, and came to at Cleveland 
at eleven o'clock on Tuesday ; at twenty minutes past si.\ r. M. 
sailed, and arrived off Sandusky Bay at one o'clock on Wednes- 
day : lay at anchor during the night, and then proceeded to 
Venice for wood ; left Venice at three r. m., and arrived at the 
mouth of the Detroit River, where she anchored during the 
night, — the whole time employed in sailing, in this first voyage 
from Buffalo to this port, being about forty-four hours and ten 
minutes ; the wind ahead during nearly the whole passage. Not 
the slightest accident happened during the voyage, and all her 
machinery worked admirably. 

Nothing could exceed the surprise of the sons of the forest on 
seeing the Walk-in-the-Water moving majestically and rapidly 
against a strong current, without the assistance of sails or oars. 
They lined the banks above Maiden, and expressed their aston- 
ishment by repeated shouts of " Ta i yah, nichee ! " ^ A report 
had been circulated among them that a " big canoe " would soon 

t An exclamation of surprise. 



NAVIGATION ON RIVERS AND LAKES. 



909 



W 



come from the " noisy waters," which, 
by order of the jjreat father of the " Che- 
mo-ke-mous," * would be drawn through 
the lakes and rivers by sturgeon ! Of 
the truth of the report they are now per- 
fectly satisfied. 

The cabins of this boat are fitted up in 
a neat, convenient, and elegant style ; 
and the numner in which she is found 
does hontir to her proprietors and to her 
commander. A passage between this 
place and Uuffalo is now, not merely 
tolerable, but truly pleasant. 

To-day she will make a trip to Lake St. 
Clair with a large party of ladies and gen- 
tlemen. She will leave this place for 
Uuffalo to-morrow, and may be expected 
to visit us again next week. 

She made the round trip from 
Buffalo to Detroit once in two 
weeks, sometimes bringing a 
hundred passengers. The fare 
for cabin passage was eighteen 
dollars. In 18 19 she went from 
Detroit to Mackinaw and Green 
Bay and back in thirteen days. 
On October 31, 1821, she left 
Buffalo under command of Cap- 
tain Rogers, but met with a 
storm, and was wrecked near 
that port on the i st of November. 

The second steamer on Lake 
Erie was named the Superior. 
She took the place of the Walk- 
in-the-Water, and arrived from 
Buffalo for the first time on May 
25, 1822; she brought ninety- 
four pa,ssengers. 

In 1 82 5 there was still but one 
steamer on the lake, but the 
demand for transportation in- 
creased so rapidly, and the busi- 
ness was so profitable withal, 
that the very ne.xt year si.x steam- 
boats, viz., the Superior, William 
Penn, Niagara, William Peacock, 
Enterprise, and Henry Clay, were 
running regularly between Buf- 
falo and Detroit, and in May, 
1 83 1, steamboats were making 
daily trips. 

Boat -builders now became 
more numerous ; some were am- 
bitious for larger vessels, and 
accordingly, on April 27, 1833, 
the steamboat Michigan was 
launched. She was built by 
Oliver Newberry, and, e.xcept the Argo. was the 

' Long-knives, or Yankees. 




^ 



^ 



^ 



c 



i 




SI 




steamer built at 
was the largest 



Detroit, 
on the 
Her deck was one hun- 
and fifty-si.x feet long; 



first 
and 
lakes, 
dred 

breadth of beam, twentj'-nine 
feet ; extreme width, fifty-three 
feet ; and depth of hold, eleven 
feet. The gentlemen's dining- 
room contained thirty berths 
abaft the engines, and six slate- 
rooms forward with three berths 
each. The intermediate space 
between the engines formed a 
part of the dining- cabin, and 
was richly paneled and gilded. 
The ladies' cabin on deck con- 
tained si.xteen berths and was 
elegantly furnished. The for- 
ward cabin contained forty-four 
berths. She was propelled by 
two low-pressure, walking-beam 
engines, with cylinders of seven 
feet three inches stroke, and forty 
inches in diameter. They were 
made in Detroit, by the Detroit 
Iron Company, under the super- 
intendence of Cyrus Battell. She 
sailed on her first trip October 
1 1 , 1 833, under command of Cap- 
tain Blake. 

In 1836 the passenger traffic 
was very brisk. Ninety steam- 
boats arrived in May, every one 
loaded with passengers for Mich- 
igan and the West. The steamer 
United States, which arrived on 
May 23, brought over seven hun- 
dred people. As the result of so 
much travel, the steamboat own- 
ers made enormous profits, reach- 
ing for the year seventy to eighty 
per cent. 

In 1S37 thirty-seven steamers 
were plying on the lakes, seven- 
teen of which were owned in 
Detroit. Three steamboats ar- 
rived daily, and the papers were 
literally burdened with the com- 
plimentary resolutions adopted 
by passengers in praise of the 
several boats and captains. 

On May 17, 1839, the Great 
Western arrived on her first trip 
to Detroit, and on September i 
she was burned at her wharf. 

In 1846 the price of cabin passage from Buffalo 
to Detroit was si.x dollars. In this period racing 



gio 



NAVIGATION ON RIVERS AND LAKES. 



between the boats was of frequent occtirrence; and 
such was the rivalry between the captains and own- 
ers that in their efforts to obtain passenijers the 
fares were frequently nominal. Notwithstanding 
these drawbacks, steamboats continued to be built, 
and to see a boat launched was one of the standard 
amusements of the time. Hundreds of people 
would gather to see the vessel glide into the water. 

The Mayflower, built for the Michigan Central 
Railroad, was launched on November i6, 1848, and 
made her first trip, to test the engine, on April 10, 
1849. She was damaged by floating ice, and sunk 
while on her way from Buffalo to Detroit on Decem- 
ber II, 1851.' 

Sometimes high prices for transportation tempted 
the owners of boats to start them on their trips 
earlier than prudence justified. On one occasion in 
the spring of 1851, as the ice had gone out of the 
Detroit River, and the upper end of Lake Erie was 
reported clear, the owner of a steamboat gave notice 
that she would sail the next day. As the lower part 
of the lake was covered with floating ice, there was 
much discussion with regard to the safely of the 
proceeding ; and the boat started out from a dock 
which was thronged with spectators who expressed 
much an.xiety concerning her safety. The next day, 
towards evening, tlie well-known Joseph Campau 
met A. B. Wood, the manager of the Telegraph Com- 
pany, near the Campau residence, and said, " Does 
ye hear anything from de boat, — de boat went out 
yesterday mor'n ? " " Oh, yes ; she has just reached 
Erie. She got into the ice and floundered about, 
tearing her paddle-wheels to pieces, but she is in 
Erie harbor all safe." "Well," said Mr. Campau, 
" I t'ot so. Now, when de Inglishmon he want to 
go anywhere, he set down and t'ink how he get dar, 
and de Frenchmon he want to go, and he stop and 
t'ink how he get dar ; but de American, de Yankee, 
he want to go, and, be-gar, he go. He go Heaven, 
he go Hell, he go anyhow ! " 

The most terrible accident that ever happened on 
the lakes occurred on August 20, 1852. On that 
day the Atlantic, one of the railroad line of steam- 
ers running between Buffalo and Detroit, collided 
with the propeller Ogdensburgh, and sank in Lake 
Erie, with a loss of one hundred and thirty-one lives. 

Since the completion of the Great Western Rail- 
road, in 1854, the travel by lake has been compara- 
tively small, but during the season, steamboats run 
almost daily from Detroit to all ports between Buf- 
falo and Chicago, and also to ports on the north and 
south shores of Lake Superior, and to various places 
on Lakes St. Clair and Huron. 

The oldest and most largely patronized line of 



1 For intormation regarding the lines of boats operated by rail- 
road companies, see article on Railroads. 



lake steamers is operated by the Detroit & Cleve- 
land Steam Navigation Company. The line was 
established in 1850, and has been managed chiefly 
by the present owners since 1S52. The company 
was incorporated on April 18, 1868, with a capital 
of $300,000, which, in 1883, was increased to 
$450,000. The general officers of the corporation 
are: David Carter, general manager; J. F. Hender- 
son, general freight agent ; and C. D. Whitcomb, 
general passenger and freight agent. 

Originally their boats ran only between Detroit and 
Cleveland. Since 1882 they have maintained a line 
between Cleveland and Mackinaw. They own four 
boats, namely, the " Northwest," " City of Detroit," 
"City of Cleveland," and "City of .Mackinaw," 
which cost an average of $200,000, and will carry 
from 1,200 to 1,500 persons each. Each boat car- 
ries 50 persons as officers and crew, and in the sea- 
son of navigation a boat leaves for Cleveland every 
Wednesday and Friday at 10 P.M., and for Mack- 
inaw every Monday and Saturday at the same hour. 
The company seek in every way to make the vessels 
attractive and the trips agreeable, and tlie line is 
constantly increasing in popularity. 

An interesting event in the history of sailing ves- 
sels was the direct shipment, on July 22, 1857, of a 
cargo of lumber and staves to Liverpool by the 
bark C. J. Kershaw. She arrived September 5, and 
was the second \'essel to depart for Europe from 
this region, the Dean Richmond, from Chicago and 
Milwaukee, being the first. On her return the Ker- 
shaw brought iron and crockery, but reached Mon- 
treal so late in the season that she did not come to 
Detroit until the spring of 1858. 

The Madeira Pet, loaded with hides at Chicago, 
and staves at Detroit, also sailed in 1857. In 1858 
eleven vessels, loaded with lumber, staves, and 
wheat, sailed for Liverpool and London from this 
port, and in 1859 si.xteen other vessels carried simi- 
lar cargoes to European ports. Other vessels have 
since made the trip, but no regailar line has been 
established. 

In late years the chief home business of sailing 
vessels has consisted in carrying grain, lumber, iron, 
ore, and coal. About fifty tugs are employed in 
aiding them when the winds are feeble or contrary. 
In number, power, and beauty, the tugs of Detroit 
are particularly noticeable. They cost from $3,000 
to $60,000 each, and $2,000,000 or more are invested 
in them. They have crews of eleven men each, 
and ply between Lakes Erie and Huron. 

Equally as necessary are the dry docks for the 
building or repair of vessels. The floating dock of 
O. M. Hyde was launched on December 10, 1852; 
and about the same time the docks of the present 
Detroit Dry Dock Company were established at the 
foot of Orleans Street. The business was con- 



NAVIGATION ON RIVERS AND LAKES. 



911 



ducted from 1857 to 1S61 by G. Campbell & Co., 
from 1 36 1 to 1S67 by Campbell & Owen, from 1867 
to i869by Campbell, Owen, & Co. In May. 1870, on 
account of the impaired health of Mr. Campbell, he 
was succeeded by S. R. Kirby, and on July i, 1872. 



forty feet long, thirty-eight feet wide, and has nine 
feet draft of water. A dock built in 1865 is three 
hundred and si.\ feet long, forty-five feet wide, and 
has thirteen feet draft. The dock-yards have a 
frontage of seven hundred feet on Atwater Street, 




General Ufuces of thb IJeikoit & Cleveland Steam Navigation Company, 
Foot of Wayne Street, 



the present company was incorporated with a ca|5ital 
stock of $300,000. The officers in iS84are: John 
Owen, president ; Frank E. Kirby, consulting and 
constructing engineer : A. McX'ittie. secretary and 
treasurer; F. A. Kirby, superintendent at Wyan- 
dotte ; John I'arker, superintendent at Detroit. 
Their original dock at Detroit is two hundred and 



and extend through to the river, with every facility 
for the repair or construction of vessels of any 
class, either of wood or iron. 

Since 1879 the company have owned the extensive 
yards at Wyandotte established by E. B. ^^■ard in 
1S72. These yards occupy about seven acres, and 
have a river frontage of seven hundred feet and a slip 



^3Si2 




O " 



111 o 

X o 



914 



NAVIGATION ON RIVERS AND LAKES. 



six hundred feet long in addition. Upwards of six 
hundred men are employed in these establishments, 
and the yards are equal in their equipment to any 
private yards in the United States, and excel any on 
the lakes. The company build vessels of either wood, 
iron, or steel, and the growth of their business is 
indicated by the fact that from 1867 to 1879 they 
built but thirty-four vessels, while from 1879 to 1884 
they built thirty-six, the average value of which was 
double that of the vessels first built. Among 
the vessels constructed were six steamers, twenty- 
eight screw steamers, three barges, two barks, 
eleven schooners, six tugs, ten steam ferries, two 
steam and two car barges. Their cost ranged from 
$2,500 to $275,000. The company have originated 
several features for lake vessels that are now gener- 
ally adopted. The Gordon Campbell, which they 
built in 1871, was the first double-decked vessel on 
the lakes. Square pilot-houses for lake vessels and 
iron mooring-bits are of their introduction. 

The following is a list of steam vessels built at this 
port ; all those built since 1867 and marked with a 
star were built by the Detroit Dry Dock Company : 



Name. T 


onnage. 


Built 


Name. Tonnage. 


Built. 


Argo 





1827 


Marquette 


862 


J 859 


Michigan 


472 


1833 


Little Eastern 


32 


1859 


Gen. Brady 


(56 


1S33 


Clara 


77 


1S60 


Erie (Little) 


149 


iS^6 


Star 


23 


i860 


United 


37 


1836 


Mariner 


104 


1860 


Illinois 


7SS 


1837 


Philo Parsons 


221 


1S61 


C. C .Trowbridge 


30 


1838 


John P. Ward 


160 


1861 


Nile 


650 


1843 


Geo. H. Parker 


188 


1861 


St. Clair 


250 


1843 


SaraM Lewis 


102 


1861 


Prop. Detroit 


290 


1845 


Morning Star 


■.075 


1862 


New Orleans 


610 


184s 


Mohawk (rebuilt) 


213 


1S62 


John Owen 


230 


1845 


Empire 


704 


1S62 


Romeo 


180 


1845 


W. K. Muir 


125.80 


1863 


Boston 


775 


1846 


Susan Ward 


365 


1^3 


Albany 


669 


1S46 


Heather Bell 


149 


1863 


Michigan 


600 


1847 


Zouave 


118 


1863 


Dispatch 


225 


1848 


H, Morton 


227 


1863 


.Mayflower 


i>354 


1849 


City of Toronto 






Dolphin 


42 


1849 


(rebuilt) 


416 


1863 


Arg„ 


III 


1849 


Stranger 


89 


1863 


J. W. Brooks 


312 


1851 


Sentinel 


297 


1S63 


Swan 


209 


1851 


E. A. Brush 


35 


1864 


Odd Fellow 


99 


r852 


Mayflower 


127 


1864 


Dart 


297 


1853 


Sunny Side 


138 


1864 


Fintry 


S9° 


1853 


Loon 


21 


1864 


Hercules (rebuilt) 


255 


1853 


Skylark 


134 


1864 


Falcon 


663 


1853 


Wra. A. Moore 


153 


1865 


Ottawa 


316 


1853 


Geo. N. Brady 


131 


1865 


Illinois 


926 


1853 


Mackinaw 


141.7s 


1866 


Albion 


132 


1854 


*R. N. Rice 


1,096.94 


1867 


Lioii 


457 


1S55 


J. P. Clark 


80.75 


1867 


Old Concord 


457 


■855 


B. W. Jenness 


356-94 


1867 


A. R. Swift 


15 


1855 


Phil. Sheridan 


710.90 


1867 


Union Express 


205 


1856 


Jay Cooke 


414.62 


1 368 


B. L. Webb 


843 


1856 


♦.Vulcan 


249-43 


1868 


Windsor 


223 


1856 


* Champion 


263.36 


i863 


Olive 


71 


1858 


*.4nnie Young 


1,006.52 


1869 


Kilbola 


396 


1858 


0. Wilcox 


158.73 


1869 


Experiment 


123 


1858 


Favorite 


51.06 


1869 


01ivc»Branch 


71 


1858 


»J. L. Kurd 


759-88 


1869 


Canada 


143 


1858 


R. J. Hackett 


74S.66 


1869 



Name. T 


onnage. 


Built 


Name. Tonnage. Built. 


*Hope 


149-79 


1870 


Sea Wing 


22.45 


1881 


Scotia 


64.18 


1870 


* City of Milwau 






Alpha 


72-73 


1870 


kee 


1,148.71 


1881 


J. Cartier 


65.11 


1870 


* Clarion 


1,711.97 


l88i 


Petronille 


70.15 


1870 


* Iron Chief 


1,154.08 


1881 


Wyoming 


154.65 


1870 


Martin Swain 


28539 


1881 


Mystic 


121.54 


1870 


S. J. Macy 


548.42 


1881 


* S. C. Baldwin 


356.26 


1871 


*S. F. Hodge 


585-62 


1881 


Frank Ford 


155-75 


1S71 


Uarda 


89.36 


1881 


* Monitor 


105.40 


1871 


"Iron Duke 


1,152.22 


1881 


*G. Campbell 


996-14 


1871 


Middlesex 


567-58 


1881 


♦Jennie Briscoe 


82.59 


1871 


Ariel 


201.91 


i88i 


♦Niagara 


276.87 


1872 


J. H. Farwell 


1,200.96 


i83i 


Red Wing 


13.26 


1872 


* Brunswick 


1,120.11 


881 


Riverside 


153.82 


1872 


Daisy 


16.56 


38i 


Resolute 


22.83 


1872 


*.\lgomah 


486.28 


1 881 


* Victoria 


192.17 


1873 


* Michigan 


1,183.18 


882 


* Inter Ocean 


,068.76 


1873 


Osceola 


980.70 


882 


* Argonaut 


,063.30 


1873 


*Merrimac 


1,202.26 


882 


W, H. Earnum 


937-15 


1873 


* Wisconsin 


1,181.66 


882 


*M. F. Merick 


205.62 


1873 


♦Massachusetts 


1,415-43 


882 


Nahant 


909.93 


1873 


Handy Boy 


136.27 


882 


Gazelle 


182.52 


1873 


Manistique 


437-65 


882 


♦John Owen 


328.34 


1874 


Mayflower 


17.01 


883 


J. Pridgeon. Jr. 


1,211.88 


1875 


* E. K. Roberts 


189.75 


883 


* Fortune 


199.77 


1S75 


Alice E. Wilds 


235-74 


883 


Pearl 


551.66 


1875 


W. L. Davis 


16.53 


883 


* Excelsior 


229.39 


1S76 


♦F. & P. No. I 






Alaska 


510.93 


187S 


(rebuilt) 


769.96 


883 


*City of Detroit 


811.94 


1878 


♦ F. & P. No. 2 


636.57 


883 


♦Grace McMillan 


234-71 


1S79 


n. C. Whitney 


1,013.22 


883 


Fisherman 


18.70 


1880 


Remora 


86.93 


8S3 


♦City of Cleve- 






Geo. E. Fisher 


20.87 


883 


land 


917.29 


1880 


♦ Sappho 


223.61 


8S3 


Walter Scott 


9-33 


1880 


•W. L. Frost 


1,322.16 


883 


♦ Iron Age 


859.46 


1880 


Pauline 


14.10 


883 


* Iron State 


852.95 


1880 


♦City of Macki- 






Angler 


18.70 


1880 


naw 


807.89 


883 


♦ Transport 


797.47 


1880 


♦Michigan Central 1 


S84 


GarlnncI 


249.26 
.704-57 


1880 
18S0 


* Lansdowne 
♦Wra. A. Haskell 




884 
884 


* Lehigh I 


•1,440.78 


W. La Chapelle 


6.18 


1880 


*Wm. J. Averill 


1.425-43 


884 


♦ Boston 


,829.52 


1880 


Minnie M 


295.67 


884 


*W. H.Gr.itwick 


174-86 


1880 


Schoolcraft 


595-77 1 


884 


* Thos.W. Palmer 


836.56 


1880 


Florence E. Di.xon 2.22 


884 



The following table gives the date of first arrival 
or departure of vessels at Detroit during the various 
years, and is also of interest as containing the 
names of many steamboats whose names do not 
now appear in the Marine List : 

182 1, May 18, Walk-in-the-Water, from Buffalo. 

1822, May 25, Superior (first trip), from Buffalo. 

1823, Jan. 13, sail vessel, from Sandusky. 

1826, May 8, steamer Henry Clay, from Buffalo. 

1839, March 12, steamer Erie, for Toledo. 

1840, March 8, steamer Star, from Cleveland. 

1841, April 18, steamer General Wavne, from Jjuf- 
falo. 

1842, March 3, steamer General Scott, for Buffalo. 

1843, April 18, steamer Fairport, for Cleveland. 

1844, March 1 1, steamer Red Jacket, for Fort Gra- 
tiot. 

1545. January 4. steamer United States, from Buffalo. 

1546, .March 14, steamer John Owen, from Cleveland. 



NAVIGATION ON RIVERS AND LAKES. 



9'5 



1847, March 30, steamer United States, from Cleve- 
land. 
1S48, March 22. propeller Manhattan, for Buffalo. 

1849, March 21, steamer John Owen, for Cleveland. 

1850, March 25, steamer Southerner, from Buffalo. 

1 85 1, March 19, steamer Hollister. from Toledo. 

1852, March 22, steamer Arrow, for Toledo. 

1853, March 14, steamer Bay City, from Sandusky. 

1854, March 21, steamer May Queen, from Cleveland. 

1855, April 2, steamer Arrow, for Toledo. 

1856, April 15, steamer May Queen, for Cleveland. 

1857, March 24, steamer Ocean, for Cleveland. 

1858, March 17, steamer Dart, for Toledo. 

1859, March 10, steamer Island Queen, from San- 
dusky. 

i860, March 6, schooner Spy, from Sandusky. 
1 86 1. March 11, steamer Ruby, for Port Huron. 
1S62, March 29, steamer May Queen, for Cleveland. 

1863, March 29, steamer Dubuque, from Cleveland. 

1864, March 13, steamer Young America, from Port 
Huron. 

1865, March 26, steamer Philo Parsons.for Sandusky. 

1866, April 4, steamer City of Cleveland, for Cleve- 
land. 

1867, April 8, steamer City of Cleveland, for Cleve- 
land. 

1868, March 24, steamer R. N. Rice, for Cleveland. 

1869, April 5, propeller Edith, from Port Huron. 

1870, April 7, steamer G. W. Reynolds, for Maiden. 

1871, March S, steamer Dove, for Maiden. 

1872, April 3, steamer Northwest, for Cleveland. 

1873, .A.pril 7, steamer Jay Cooke, for Sandusky. 

1874, March 24, steamer R. N. Rice, for Cleveland. 

1875, March 29. propeller Rob. Hackett, for .Maiden. 

1876, March 20, steamer R. N. Rice, for Cleveland. 

1877, April 10, steamer Northwest, for Cleveland. 

1878, April 3, steamer Northwest, for Cleveland. 

1879, April I, steamer Northwest, for Cleveland. 

1 880, March 2, schooner John O'Neil, from Cleveland. 

1881, April 19, steamer Northwest, for Cleveland. 

1882, March 7, wrecking tug Winslow, for Lake 
Michigan. 

1883, March 26, steamer City of Dresden, for Mai- 
den. 

1S84, April 3. steamer City of Detroit, for Cleveland. 



The following table 


gives the number 


of vessels 


that have 


entered at 


and cleared from 


Detroit in 


various years, with their tonnage and the number of 


their crew 




Entered. 




Ye.ir. 


Vessels. 


Tons. 


Men. 


1850 


2.341 


671.545 


31.784 


1855 


2,191 


997.724 


28,644 


i860 


3,35' 


731,419 


30,147 


1865 


4,597 


966,047 


58,326 


1870 


5.401 


1,003.152 


52,793 



Year. 


Vessels. 


Tons. 


Men. 


1875 


5.158 


851.241 


24,300 


1880 


5.571 


1,178,518 

Cleared. 


21,782 


Year. 


Vessels. 


Tons. 


Men. 


1850 


2,347 


723,634 


32,364 


1855 


2.180 


991,117 


28,896 


i860 


3,217 


713.81I 


32,054 


1865 


4,558 


1,037,568 


42,233 


1870 


5,453 


1,020.913 


55,896 


1875 


4.97' 


866,984 


28,503 


1880 


5.825 


1,240,564 


22,320 



The immigration that followed the surrender of 
1796 made communication between the two banks 
of the Detroit more frequent. Many of the nevi'- 
comers did not own canoes, preferring to be ferried 
over by one of the skilful oarsmen then so numer- 
ous. Very soon the business of ferrying became a 
profitable employment, and in order to regulate and 
control it the Court of General Quarter Sessions 
issued licenses to those wishing to establish ferries. 
On Friday, March 5, 1802, a license was granted to 
Gabriel Godfrey for a ferry " from his house across 
the river Detroit," and on Tuesday, December 7, 
1802, a ferry license was granted to Mr. Askin. 
On Thursday. December 9, 1802, the court pre- 
scribed the following 

REGUL.\TIONS FOR FERRIES. 
River Detroit in winter, from ist of November to ist of April, 
man, i^. (id. ; horse, 4J. In summer, 1st of .\pril to 1st of No- 
vember, man, u.; horse, 3^. 

On December 21, 1803, a license was granted to 
James May, and on July 19, 1804, a license was 
granted to Jacob Visger to keep a ferry •' from his 
land near to the town of Detroit across the Detroit 
river to opposite shore." 

In 1S06 the ferry-house was about fifty feet west 
of Woodward Avenue, and between Atwater and 
■\Voodbridge Streets ; the river at that point then 
came fully half way up to Woodbridge Street. In 
1820 the following rules and rates were established : 

Each ferry shall be provided with two sullicient and safe canoes 
or ferr>*-boats, and one like suflicient and safe .scow or flat. From 
the fii^t day of April until the first day of No\'einber in each 
year, each ferry shall be attended by two good and fiiithful men, 
and from the first day of November to the first of April by three 
like good and faithful hands. The ferry shall be kept open from 
the rising of the sun until ten o'clock at night, and at all times, 
when practicable, shall transport the mail or other public express. 

The rates of ferryage shall be as follows: 

From 1st of .\pril to 20th of November, for each person, iHc ; 
for each horse. 50c.; for a single carriage and one person, $1.00; 
for each additional person, I2ic.; for each additional horse, 25c.; 
for each head of horned cattle, 374c-: for eacli sheep or hog, 6ic. 
From coth of November to .\pril 1st, for each person, i3c.; for 
each horse, 75c; for each single horse, carriage, and one person, 
$1.50; for each additional person, iSJc; for each additional 
horse, 37JC.; for each head of homed cattle, 56JC.: for each 
sheep or hog, gc. 



9i6 



NAVIGATION ON RIVERS AND LAKES. 



On January 1 1, 1820, J, B. St. Armour took out a 
license for a ferry at the foot of Woodward Avenue, 
and on August 8, 1820, Ben. Wood worth was 
granted a license for a ferry at foot of Randolph 
Street. On February 10, 1S21, licenses were issued 
to James Abbott and Ezra Baldwin to maintain fer- 
ries at foot of Woodward Avenue, and on January 
15, 1S24, Owen Aldrich was authorized to keep a 
ferry at Roby's Wharf. The ferries, at that time, 
were in part composed of sailing vessels, which sig- 
nalled their approach to either shore by the blowing 
of a horn. In 1825 there were still greater improve- 
ments, which are indicated in the following adver- 
tisement from The Gazette of September 22 : 

HORSE-BOAT FERRY. 

The subscribers have recently built a large and commodious 
Horse Boat for the purpose of transporting across the Detroit 
Kiver, passengers, wagons, horses, cattle, &c., itc. The l^oat is 
so constructed that wagons and carriages can be driven on it with 
ease and safety. It will leave McKinstry's Wharf (adjoining that 
of Dorr & Jones), for the Canada shore, and will land passengers, 
&c., at the wharf lately built on that shore by McKinstry 6: liur- 
tis. The Ferry wharves are exactly opposite. 

D. C. McKinstry. 

J. liUKTlS. 

Detroit, September 22, 1825. 




Ferrv Boat Argo. 

This horse-boat was built at Cleveland, and arrived 
in Detroit on August 12, 1S25. It was thirty-two 
feet wide and fifty feet long, and was operated by 
French ponies. Two years later the ferries con- 
sisted of Burtis* Hnrse Boat from McKinstry's 
Wharf ; St. Armour's Sail Boats from John R. 
Williams' Wharf, and Labadie's Canoe from Gillett's 
Wharf. In the year 1S27, John Burtis built the 
Argo, the first steamer belonging to Detroit. The 
hull consisted of two whitewood logs each side of a 
centre-piece on which M^as a light deck with canvas 
sides. It had a four-horse-power engine, and made 
regular trips to ports on the river and Lake St. Clair. 

In 1830 the steamboat, General Gratiot, took her 
place as a river-boat, and the Argo was leased to 
Louis Davenport, and became the first steam ferry. 

The horse-boat ferry was in use in 1 83 1 , controlled 
by Peter St. Armour, and made trips from the foot 
of Bates Street every half hour. 



In 1S34 there was a ferry named the Lady of the 
Lake. Louis Davenport's ferry, the United, made 
her first regular trip on July 13, 1836. 

In 1837 a committee of the Common Council 
reported in favor of allowing Louis Davenport, 
Charles H. Matthews, and Matthew Moon to main- 
tain ferries at the foot of Griswold Street, for $150, 
at foot of Wayne Street, for $100, and from foot of 
Therese Alley, for $50 annually. 

Mrs. Jameson, in her "Winter Tours and Summer 
Rambles," gives the following pleasant description 
of ferry-boats and trips in June, 1837: 

A pretty little steamer, gayly painted, with streamers flying, and 
shaded by an awning, Js continually passing and repassing from 
shore to shore. I have sometimes sat in tins ferry-boat for a 
couple of hours together, pleased to remain still, and enjoy, with- 
out exertion, the cool air, tlie sparkling, redundant waters, and 
green islands ; — amused meantime by the variety and conversa- 
tion of the passengers. English emigrants and French Cana- 
dians, brisk Americans, dark, sad-looking Indians, folded in their 
blankets, farmers, storekeepers, speculators in wheat, artisans, trim 
girls with black eyes and short petticoats, speaking a Norman 
Patois^ and bringing baskets of fruit to the Detroit market, and 
over-dressed, long-waisted damsels of the city, attended by their 
beaux, going to make merry on the opposite shore. 

George W. Osborn has expressed his opinion in 
the following lines : 

RIDING ON THE FERRY. 
When the mercury denotes 

Sultry summer heat, 
Then the spacious ferry-boats 

Afford a cool retreat. 
On a shady upper deck, 

Joined by friends so merry, 
Bless me ! ain't it pleasant, 

Riding on the ferry ? 

Back and forth from shore to shore, 

On the rippling river, 
Watching spray beads rise and fall, 

Where the sunbeams quiver; 
Reveling in the cooling breeze, 

Every one is cheery ; 
Bless me ! ain't it pleasant, 

Riding on the ferry? 

Now you 're sitting vis-a-vis 

With a charming creature. 
Happiness is in her eye, 

Joy in every feature, 
" Is n't this superb ? " she asks, 

" Yes," you answer, " very." 
Bless me ! ain't it pleasant. 

Riding on the ferry ? 

Thus the heated hours arc passed, — 

Laughing, joking, singing; 
Joyous shouts from happy groups 

On the cool breeze ringing. 
Now you see your charmer home. 

Feeling blithe and merry, 
'Cause engaged to go to-morrow 

Riding on the ferry. 

The ferry Alliance began running in 1842; her 
name was afterwards changed to Undine. In 1S48 



NAVIGATION ON RIVERS AND LAKES. 



917 



Argo No. 2 began plying as a ferry. In 1852 G. 
B. Russel built the Ottawa, and in 1856 the Wind- 
sor. This last boat was subsequently chartered by 
the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, and was burned 
at its dock, together with the depot, on April 26, 
1866. 

In 1855 the Mohawk and Argo constituted the 
line of ferries. The Gem was added in 1856, and 
the Essex in 1859. In this last year the Olive 
Branch was used for a few months. The Detroit 
was built in 1864, and ran till 1875. The Hope 
was built for George N. Brady in 1870. 

In 1883 there were six ferries, viz., the Excelsior, 
Fortune, Hope, Essex, and Victoria, of the regular 
hne, and the Ariel of Walker & Sons. Besides 
these there were six railroad ferry boats. The For- 
tune is one of the best representatives of the river 
ferries. Her tonnage is 200, and she cost §34,000. 
She is one hundred and twenty feet in length and 
forty-two in breadth over decks. Her ordinary 
capacity is 1,000, but she has carried 1,350 persons. 
She was built to take the place of the Detroit. 

The ordinary rate of ferriage is five cents in 
summer and ten cents in winter. During the warm 
summer days and evenings the boats are thronged 
with people, who ride back and forth to enjoy the 
delightful breeze and ever-changing scenery. For 
the nominal sum of one dime, one may thus spend 
an entire day, and the ride offers a rare combination 
of comfort, health, and safety. The boats are in 
frequent demand for short excursions up and down 
the river. The ferries pay city licenses of $250 each 
per year. 



The harbor formed by the Detroit River contains 
more room than the harbors of Buffalo, Erie, Cleve- 
land, Milwaukee, and Chicago all combined, and 
the water is deep enough to float the largest ships 
of war, and in any kind of weather vessels find 
safety here. No danger lurks about when making 
or leaving the port of Detroit. After all ordinary 
winters, navigation opens from four to six weeks 
earlier here than it does at Cleveland, Buffalo, Chi- 
cago, or Milwaukee, and, with scarce an exception, 
vessels from Detroit can go east two weeks earlier 
than those from Chicago or Milwaukee, as vessels 
from those ports have to wait until the Straits of 
Mackinaw are clear of ice. 

Since 1863 the city has employed a harbor 
master, whose duties consist in preventing interfer- 
ences between vessels, determining, when necessary, 
places of anchorage, keeping the harbor clear of all 
obstructions, seeing that the public docks are not 
unduly obstructed, and keeping the way clear for 
the ferries. He has charge of twenty-six life- 
preser\'ers owned by the city, which, by vote of the 
council on August 25, 1871, were ordered placed 
along the docks. Four others are provided at Belle 
Isle. 

The harbor master was formerly appointed solely 
by the council, but since February 28, 1872. the 
office has been filled by a policeman detailed for 
the purpose and confirmed by the council. The 
names of the harbor masters have been as follows : 
1862-1866, C. W. Newhall; 1866-1868, Jacob B. 
Baker; 1868-1872, Arthur Gore; 1872- , John 
W. Moore. 



CHAPTER L X X X V I. 



UNITED STATES LAKE SURVEY. — LIGHTHOUSES AND THEIR CONSTRUCTION.— 

LIFE SAVING SERVICE. — HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. — INSPECTOR OF 

STEAMBOATS. — SIGNAL SERVICE. — MARINE HOSPITAL. 



UNITED STATES LAKE SURVEY. 

Almost as soon as the first explorers came, they 
began to take soundings and make rough charts of 
the river and lakes. The taking of soundings and 
making of a survey by the United States was first 
suggested at a meeting held in Detroit on October 
28, 1831, and Congress was then petitioned to pro- 
vide for a survey of the lakes and for a ship-canal 
at Sault Ste. Marie. 

Ten years later, on March 3, 1841, $15,000 was 
appropriated to commence a survey of the lakes and 
of the large rivers connecting with the Atlantic. 
This and subsequent appropriations, ranging up to 
$200,000 in a single year, have conferred immense 
benefits upon the merchant marine of western 
rivers and lakes. Judging from the official records 
of disasters, which have occurred, notwithstanding 
these efforts to prevent them, it is probable that 
thousands of lives and hundreds of thousands of 
dollars worth of property would be lost annually 
except for the information afforded through the 
operations of the Lake Survey. In fact, the naviga- 
tion of the lakes would of necessity almost entirely 
cease but for the information thus supplied. 

The offices of the Survey were established at 
Detroit in 1841, and for many years prior to 1865 
were located at the corner of Wayne and Congress 
Streets. After 1865, and up to the discontinuance 
of the office on July i, 1882, they were located at the 
junction of Grand River Avenue with Park Place. 
Many instruments of extraordinary cost and accu- 
racy were provided ; one, for measuring base lines, 
was valued at upwards of $20,000. 

Several persons connected with the office were 
under pay the entire year, their salaries ranging from 
three to six dollars per day. In recent years and up 
to 1878, fifteen persons were usually employed in 
the ofiice, six draughtsmen, four computers, and five 
clerks. Parties of surveyors went out about May 
I, and returned the middle or last of Octfiber. To 
each party special duties were assigned; as, for 
instance, in 1 87 5 there were detailed five shore-parties, 
of about twenty-five men each, to take the sound- 
ings, ascertain the depth of the rivers and lakes for 



the distance of about thirty-six feet from the shore ; 
and to note all reefs, shoals, and obstructions of any 
sort. Two steamers, with a force of thirty men 
each, took the soundings of the lakes from the 
limit assigned the shore parties, to a point ten miles 
out. Six triangulation parties, of three men each, 
were specially charged with the triangulation or 
accurate location of difficult objects and places. A 
total of nearly two hundred men were frequently 
engaged during the summer season in the work of 
the survey. On the return of these parties, the 
result of their work was arranged, systematized, 
computed, and transcribed for publication. When 
the survey of any river or lake, or portion of the same, 
was completed, an elaborate draft was made, and 
forwarded to Washington, and then engraved, or 
photolithographed in the best possible manner. 
These charts are issued without charge to the 
masters of the lake or river vessels who have a 
register or certificate from the collector of customs ; 
and are also on sale at fifty cents each. During 
the year ending July i, 1SS3, 6,406 charts were 
issued. 

After the office was closed at Detroit, the duty of 
issuing these charts were transferred to the United 
States office of River and Harbor Improvements. 
The Sur\^ey was in charge of regular United States 
Army officers. 

Their names and dates of service are as follows : 
1841-1846, Captain William G. Williams; 1848 and 
1S49, Lieutenant-Colonel James Kearney; 1S50- 
1856, Captain John N. Macomb; 1856, Lieutenant- 
Colonel James Kearney; 1857-1861, Captain George 
G. Meade; 1861-1864, Colonel James D. Graham; 
1 864- 1 870, Lieutenant-Colonel William F. Ray- 
nolds; 1870-1S77, General C. B. Comstock ; 1877 
to June, 1878, Captain H. M. Adams; June, 1878, 
to July, 1S83, General C. B. Comstock. 

LIGHTHOUSES AND THEIR CONSTRUCTION. 

The construction and repair of all lighthouses 
is in charge of officers of the Corps of Engineers of 
the United States Army, who are assigned to duty 



[918] 



LIGHTHOUSES, AXD THEIR CONSTRUCTION. 



919 



in the various lighthouse districts of the country. 
Officers of this corps are also assigned to the charge 
of various public works, such as the improvement of 
rivers and harbors, the construction of canals, or 
the survey of rivers and lakes, and often the same 
officer has charge of a lighthouse district and vari- 
ous river and harbor works. 

Since the year i860 and up to 1SS3, there has 
been appropriated to this district by Congress, for 
the erection of lighthouses, the establishment of 
fog-signals, and the repair and presen-ation of light- 
houses and buildings connected therewith, the sum 
of $3,246,387, and of this amount $3,040,840 has 
been expended. A large sum of money was also 
expended prior to i860. 

The main portion of the work of construction is 
done by contract, and the yearly disbursements 
reach an average of $750,000. 

The olTice of lighthouse engineer was established 
at Detroit in 1852. The following olTicers have 
been in charge : Lieutenant Lorenzo Sitgreaves, 
December 21, 1852,10 December 11, 1856; Lieu- 
tenant William F. Smith, December 11, 1856, to 
November 3, 1S59; Captain A. W. Whipple, 
November 3, 1S59, to August 30, 1861 ; Captain 
George G. Meade, a short time in 1S61 ; Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel James D. Graham, August 30, 
1861, to April 20, 1864; Lieutenant-Colonel 
William F. Raynolds, April 20, 1864, to April 
14, 1870; Major J. B. Wheeler, May 15, 1S69, to 
March, 1870; Major O. M. Poe, April 14, 1S70, to 
May I, 1873; Major G. Weitzel, May i, 1873, to 
May I, 1878 ; Captain A. Mackenzie, May i, 1878, 
to October i, 1S7S ; from February 18, 1874, to May 
4, 1875, the work on Lake Michigan was in com- 
mand of .Major H. M. Robert ; Major G. Weitzel, 
October i, 1878, to August i, 1882; Captain C. E. 
L. B. Da\Hs, August i, 1882, to 

In 1S80 there were fifteen lighthouse districts in 
the United States. Detroit was included in the 
eleventh district, which embraced all aids to navi- 
gation on the northern and northwestern lakes above 
Grassy Island Lighthouse, Detroit River ; including 
Lakes St. Clair, Huron, Michigan, and Superior. It 
is the largest district in the country in the extent of 
its shore line, and the second largest in its number 
of lighthouses. In 1883 there were one hundred 
and thirty-nine lighthouses and nineteen steam fog- 
signals in operation within its limits. The district 
was one of the first twelve established under Act 
of August 31, 1852, by the Lighthouse Board. In 
May, 1869. it was divided by including Lake Michi- 
gan and Green Bay in a separate district, designated 
as the "Eleventh Lighthouse District (Lake Michi- 
gan)." The remainder was known as the " Eleventh 
Lighthouse Di.strict (except Lake Michigan)." In 
March, 1870, the twg parts were reunited. In 1S74 



it was divided in the same manner as before, and in 
1 87 5 the districts were again consolidated. 

Under early laws, the lighthouses were subject to 
supervision by the collector of customs, with an 
occasional inspection by a naval officer detailed for 
that purpose. The office of lighthouse inspector 
was created by Act of August 31, 1852, and since 
that date officers of the Linited States Navy have 
been assigned to the duty of inspection. It is their 
duty to see that lighthouses are kept in order and 
that keepers discharge their duties properly, and to 
attend to the furnishing of the supplies for the vari- 
ous stations. The inspector has charge of the placing 
of the nearly two hundred buoys on the shoal or 
dangerous places in the district. All of the larger 
and second-class buoys are brought to the supply 
depot at Detroit, at the close of every season, and 
replaced as soon as the ice \v\\l permit. The 
inspector is provided with a vessel of from three 
hundred to four hundred tons, named the Dahlia, 
with a crew of seven officers and fifteen workmen 
and sailors ; and during the season goes from place 
to place, distributing supplies for the lighthouses and 
steam fog-signals. The main portion of the supplies 
are obtained from the depot of supplies at Staten 
Island, N. Y., where articles of a uniform and un- 
varying standard are kept. Such articles as oil. 
coal, soap, brooms, and other necessities for which 
there is no regulation standard, are bought at De- 
troit. A large supply and storage depot, owned by 
the Government, is located in the rear of the Marine 
Hospital. The office is located on the northeast 
corner of Grisw-old and Earned Streets, and the 
office force, in addition to the inspector and assistant 
inspector, consisted of one clerk, two copyists, 
and one messenger. 

The first lighthouse built in the district was 
erected at Fort Gratiot in 1825. In 18S3 there were 
five lighthouses and signal lights for the river, four 
of them provided by the United States, and one 
on Bois Blanc Island by the Canadian Government. 
The first lighthouse at the mouth of the river was 
provided for by Act of Congress of March 31, 1819. 

The lights on the line of the river are located and 
described as follows : Windmill Point Lighthouse is 
at the foot of Lake St. Clair. It is a fixed white light, 
varied with red flashes, with an inter\'al of one min- 
ute and thirty seconds between flashes. It is visible 
thirteen miles. The tower is fifty-one feet high 
from base to light, and was built in 1838 and rebuilt 
in 1875. Both it and the dwelling of the keeper are 
of brick, whitewashed. The light marks the entrance 
to the Detroit River, and is in the Eleventh Light- 
house District. 

On October iS, 1880. the City Council voted to 
give a small piece of land on the southeast corner 
of Belle Isle to the Government, and during 1881 



920 



LIFE SAVING SERVICE. 



and 1882 a brick lighthouse was erected upon the 
site donated, at a cost of Si 6,000. It shows a light 
of the fourth order, with fixed red light; the lantern 
is forty-two feet above the level of the river, and 
was first lighted on May 15, 1882. It is visible 
twelve and three quarter miles. 

The rest of the American lights on the river are 
in the Tenth Lighthouse District, and the next in 
order is the Grassy Island light. It is a steady 
white light, and is visible eleven and one half miles. 
The tower is twenty-nine feet high, and is placed on 
top of the frame dwelling of the keeper, which is 
built on piles and whitewashed. It was erected in 
1849, rebuilt in 1857, and refitted in 1867. 

The next lighthouse is named Mama Juda, and is 
on the shoals or 
island of the 
same name. 
The building is 
similar to that 
on Grassy Is- 
land, and the 
tower is thirty- 
four feet high. 
It was built in 
1 849 and rebuilt 
in 1866. 

The Cana- 
dian light on 
Bois Blanc Is- 
land is a fixed 
white light, on 
a round stone 
lighthouse, on 
the south point 
of the island, 
and is fifty-six 
feet above high 
water. It was 
first lighted in 
1837- 




Ini{ 



there 



Government Storehouse, Lighthouse Department. 



were six buoys 

marking shoals or obstructions in the river above 
the city. They were located between the wreck of 
the Nile, off the southwest end of Belle Isle, and the 
lighthouse on Windmill Point. 

In the same year there were one hundred and 
thirteen principal and forty-four assistant lighthouse 
keepers in the Eleventh District, the principal keep- 
ers having from S500 to $800 per year, and the 
assistants from $390 to $500. Original appoint- 
ments are made by the Secretary of the Treasury on 
nomination of the collector of customs. It is the 
duty of the lighthouse keepers to keep their lights 
burning from sunset to sunrise during the season 
of navigation, and, indeed, so long as vessels move 



in their locality, or whenever a light is needed or 
would be of probable service. 

Up to January i, i88i, the salaries of the keepers 
were paid by the collector of customs ; since that 
date they have been paid by the lighthouse inspec- 
tor. They amount to about $80,000 yearly. The 
other expenses amount to about $40,000. 

In order to give notice of dangerous places in 
foggy weather there are three syren fog-trumpets 
and eleven ten-inch locomotive steam-whistles in 
the district ; these are supervised by the keepers of 
lighthouses near by. A lighthouse with two ten- 
inch steam fog-signals is now in process of con- 
struction at the mouth of the Detroit River. It is 
located on the forty-second degree of latitude, is 

built in twenty- 
two feet of wa- 
ter, and is 35,- 
600 feet distant 
from the Gibral- 
tar lighthouse. 
It is estimated 
to cost $60,000, 
and will be 
known as the 
Detroit River 
Light. The 
tower will be 
fifty -two feet 
high, with a 
light of the 
fourth order. 

The inspec- 
tors have been : 
1854- I S61, 
Commander G. 
H.Scott; 1 861, 
Commander J. 
B. Marchand ; 
1862- I 866, 
Commodore W. 
H. Gardner; 
I 866- I 869, 
Captain T. H. Stevens; 1869. Commodore J. P. 
McKinstry; 1870-1873, Commodore A. Murray; 
1873-1876, Captain W. P. McCann ; 1876, Comman- 
der Fred Rodgers ; 1876 to October, 1881, Com- 
mander I. N. Miller; October, t88i, to October, 
1883, Commander J. C. Watson; October, 1883- 
, Commander Francis A. Cook. 

LIFE SAVING SERVICE. 

The headquarters of the Ninth Life Saving Dis- 
trict, which embraces the coasts of Lakes Huron 
and Superior, was established at Detroit on January 
12, 1S76. and removed to Sand Beach on July i, 
18S2. The special object of the service is to rescue 



HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. 



921 



persons in danger on the water through calamities 
of any kind. There are twelve stations in the dis- 
trict, — eight on Lake Huron and four on Lake Supe- 
rior. 

The building and appliances of each station •ost 
about S6,ooo. The apparatus consists of life-boats, 
ropes, rockets to use as sigTials, and mortars for 
throwing lines to endangered vessels. E.xplicit 
directions concerning the most approved methods 
for restoring persons apparently drowned are also 
supplied. Each station has a keeper, at a salary of 
$700, with house-rent free. In 1883 three of the 
stations, those of Sand Beach, Thunder Bay, and 
Middle Island, were manned with eight men, and the 
others with seven, all under pay for about eight 
months of each year. 

The keepers are selected by the superintendent, 
but all connected with the service are appointed by 
the Secretary of the Treasury. The service in this 
district costs the United States about §40,000 yearly. 
Joseph Sawyer was the first superintendent of the 
district. He lost his life in the service, and on De- 
cember 3, 1S80, his place was tilled by J. G. Kiah. 

H.-VRBOR IMPROVEMENTS. 

The first appropriation for harbor improvements 
in Michigan was made by .Act of July 2. 1836 ; the 
sum of $15,000 was then granted for the improve- 
ment of the harbor at the mouth of the River 
Raisin. All amounts for improvements are ex- 
pended under the direction of military officers de- 
tailed from time to time for this purpose. 

In 1879 there were two officers at Detroit whose 
duties were connected with the expenditure of money 
appropriated for rivers and harbors ; one in charge 
of Major F. Harwood, the other of Major S. M. 
Mansfield. The district of Major Mansfield, estab- 
lished in June, 1872, embraced the east shore of 
Lake Michigan, the harbors of Charlevoix, Frank- 
fort, Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, White River, 
Muskegon. Grand Haven, Black Lake, Saugatuck. 
South Haven, and St. Joseph, and a survey of Port- 
age Lake. The harbors named are cared for by 
local inspectors appointed by the officer in com- 
mand. Major Harwood's district originally em- 
braced the St. Clair Flats' Canal, and he was charged 
with the care of keeping it in order and making any 
regulations necessary in regard to its use. The 
preser\'ation of the embankments and piles in the 
Saginaw River and at Cheboygan, and the care of 
the harbors of Au Sable, St. Clair River at the 
mouth of Black River, and Thunder Bay also formed 
part of his duties. 

The average annual expenditure for the two offices 
was about Si 50.000. In the autumn of 1879 the 
office in charge of Major Mansfield was removed 
to Grand Rapids. Subsequently, on the death of 



Major Harwood, Colonel F. N. Farquhar was ap- 
pointed as his successor, and had charge also of the 
remnant of the business of the Lake Survey, includ- 
ing the distribution of the charts. He died in 1883, 
and in July Colonel O. M. Poe was appointed in 
charge of the office. 

INSPECTOR OF STEAMBOATS. 

The inspection of steamboats was first provided 
for by Act of Congress of July 7, 1838. This Act 
made it the duty of the district judge, on applica- 
tion of the master or owners of a vessel, to appoint 
two inspectors, one for the hull and the other for the 
machinery of vessels. Under laws passed August 
30, 1852, and February i, 1871, a thorough system 
of inspection was provided for, and the appointment 
of inspectors by the President and Senate w^as 
authorized. By the provisions of these laws, the 
Eighth Inspection District embraced "all the 
waters of the lakes north and west of Lake Erie 
with their tributaries, and the upper portion of the 
Illinois River, down to and including Peoria, Illi- 
nois." The headquarters of the supervising in- 
spector are at Detroit. Two local inspectors, ap- 
pointed by the supervising inspector, with the 
approval of the judge of United States District 
Court and the collector of customs, are on duty at 
each of the following places : Detroit, Port Huron, 
Chicago, Marquette, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee. 

The boilers of all steamboats are required to be 
inspected yearly ; and all steam vessels are examined 
as to their compliance with the law requiring a cer- 
tain number of life-preser\-ers, and as to their gen- 
eral fitness for preserving life and property committed 
to them. The inspectors also examine into the 
habits of life and capabilities of steamboat engineers 
and pilots, and issue licenses, for which pilots and 
engineers of the first class pay Siooo. and those of 
the second class $5.00 per year. 

\'essels are required to pay for certificates of 
inspection as follows : for the first one hundred 
tons, $2 5 ; for each additional hundred tons, Sj-oo; 
and in the same proportion for amounts less 
than one hundred tons. Xo certificate, however, 
is issued for less than $25 for any steam vessel. 
All the fees are paid over to the collector of customs, 
and remitted by him to the United States Treasury. 
The yearly expenses for the entire district are about 
$28,000 annually and the receipts nearly the same. 
The salary of the supervising inspector is $2,000, the 
local inspectors are paid from $800 to $2,000. 
The office is located at the Custom House and Post 
Office. 

The supervising inspectors have been: Peter J. 
Ralph, April 4, 1870, to September 26, 1877; 
Joseph Cook, September 26, 1 877, to . The local 
inspectors of hulls have been: William Gooding, 



922 



THE SIGNAL SERVICE. 



January i, 1853, to June 7, 1853 ; George W. Strong, 
June 7, 1853, to June 1 1, 1861 ; A. D. Perkins, June 
II, 1861, to March 3, 1863 ; Peter J. Ralph, March 
3, 1863, to March 16, 1868; Joseph Cook, March 
16, 1S68, to September 26, 1877; Hugh Coyne, 
November 19, 1877, to . The local inspectors 

of boilers have been: Charles Kellogg, January i, 
1853, to June 7, 1853 ; William F. Chittenden, June 
7, 1853, to November 2, i860; P. E. Saunders, 
December 6, i860, to j\ugust, 1881; H. W. Gran- 
ger, August 22, 1881, to 

THE SIGNAL SERVICE. 

The idea of using the telegraph to convey 
meteorological information was first suggested by 
Professor Henry of the Smithsonian Institute in his 
report for i S47. The thought did not at once pro- 
duce permanent results, but gradually and surely 
it attracted attention and support, and finally, on 
February 9, 1870, Congress authorized the employ- 
ment and organization of a Signal Service Corps, 
under the direction of the Secretary of War, for the 
purpose of taking and recording observations and 
displaying signals. 

Regular reports were first received at Washing- 
ton at 7.35 A. M., November I, 1870, from twenty- 
four stations then established. The reports were 
tabulated and sent to various cities at 9 A. M., and 
thus the work began. The object of the service is 
to obtain such information from all parts of the 
country as will enable the observers to forecast the 
condition of the weather several hours in advance. 
The rise and fall of rivers and the tides are noted, 
atmospheric and weather changes of every kind 
observed, and the character and location of clouds 
examined. All these observations are carefully 
grouped and studied, and the synopsis and prob- 
abilities made up therefrom. 

In addition to reports from the principal cities 
lying along the chief rivers, lakes and sea-boards, 
and from posts of observation occupying every pos- 
sible altitude, including Mt. Washington in the east 
and Pike's Peak in the west, reports are also obtained 
at Washington from the Canadian Provinces, and 
from the British, Russian, and Turkish governments. 

The entire corps, as a detachment of the United* 
States Army, is under command of the chief signal 
officer of the army, whose headquarters are at Fort 
Myer, Va., at which place there is a school of 
instruction. The observers, to a certain extent, are 
under military rule, but are enlisted solely for this 
service, and must be fitted by education and char- 
acter for the important position they occupy. The 
central office is with the War Department at Wash- 
ington. 

The office of observation at Detroit was located 
in the Bank Block, corner of Congress and Griswold 



Streets, until February 8, 18S1, when it was moved 
to the Board of Trade Building, comer of Jefferson 
Avenue and Griswold Street. It was established by 
Sergeant Allen Buel, and reports commenced No- 
veruber i, 1871, just one year after the service was 
inaugurated. The official number of the observa- 
tory is thirty-six; it is in charge of one sergeant 
with two assistants. Five observations of the 
weather are taken daily; two for record and com- 
parison, at 10.36 A. M. and 6.36 P. M., and three for 
telegraphic transmission to the central office at 
Washington, at 6.36 A. M., 2.36 and 10.36 P. M. 
Experience has shown that the mean or average 
condition of the weather is best obtained at these 
hours. 

Telegraphic observations are taken at all stations 
throughout the country at the same moment of 
actual time. The standard hours are 7.35 a. m., 
3 and 1 1 P. M., Washington time, due allowance being 
made at each station for difference of longitude. 
An observation of the surface and bottom tempera- 
ture of the river is also taken daily at 1.36 P. M. 

The taking of an observation consists in reading 
the barometer, the thermometer, hygrometer, ane- 
mometer, and anemoscope, and measuring the water 
in the rain-gauge after rainfall ; the direction, kind, 
and rate of motion of the upper and lower strata of 
clouds are also recorded. .A.11 barometrical observa- 
tions are corrected for temperature, elevation above 
sea-level, and instrumental error. The elevation 
for which the barometer is corrected at Detroit is 
661.43 feet, it being located 86.15 f^et above the 
city base or bench mark designated on the water- 
table of the old Water Works Engine-house at the 
foot of Orleans Street, which is computed as 575.28 
feet above sea-level. 

From the barometer is obtained the weight or 
pressure of the atmosphere. From the reading of 
the hygrometer, which, being but a wet-and-dry- 
bulb thermometer, may be better defined as a psy- 
chrometer, is deduced the amount of moisture in 
the atmosphere. The ratio which the amount of 
moisture actually present in the air bears to the 
amount which the air would contain if saturated, is 
the relative humidity of the atmosphere. 

The anemometer, or wind-gauge, measures the 
velocity and indirectly the force of the wind. This, 
bv means of a self-registering attachment, worked 
conjunctively by clock-work and a galvanic battery, 
gives the velocity in miles per hour for each consec- 
utive hour of the day. 

The anemoscope, in common parlance a weather- 
vane, is attached to the ceiling of the room, and is 
controlled by apparatus on the roof of the building. 
The direction of the wind at any time can be told 
by a mere glance at the ceiling of the room. 

About one hundred and fifty telegraphic reports 



MARINE HOSPITAL. 



923 



are received at this office from other stations, an equal 
number morning, afternoon, and midnight. They 
are received in cipher, translated into ordinary lan- 
guage, and distributed at prominent points in the 
city, and furnished gratuitously to local papers for 
publication. The " Probabilities" are received from 
the central office at midnight. From them the 
" Farmers' Bulletins " are compiled. Nearly four 
hundred of the bulletins are printed ; a few are re- 
served for local distribution, and the rest dispatched 
by early mail to the postmasters of the various 
towns lying on or adjacent to the railroad lines 
leading from the city. Reports were first sent from 
Detroit to the post-offices on July 21, 1873. It is 
designed to so distribute the bulletins as to insure 
their receipt by each postmaster before twelve 
o'clock at noon. 

The issuing of these " Synopses and Probabilities " 
was commenced 

February 19, ^^■"~~~'---- .'^rTfr ' "• — r— 

1871 ; they give 
the probable 
weather condi- 
tions for the 
eight hours suc- 
ceeding their is- 
sue. The report 
of the service 
for the year 
ending June 30, 
1882, shows that 
eighty-eight pci- 
centof itsprob:i- 
bilities for th. 
year were veri- 
fied. Fourteen 
weather-bul- 
letins, giving the 

state of the weather, direction of wind, height of 
barometer, temperature, and velocity of wind in 
miles per hour at all stations from which reports are 
received, are made out daily at 9 A. M., and posted 
in various parts of the city with the probabilities. 
A large weather-map, hung in the rooms of the 
Board of Trade, and changed each morning, gi\-es 
the same information as the smaller bulletins, with 
the addition of the relative humidity. A daily 
journal is kept in which are noted all unusual atmos- 
pheric appearances and disturbances, phenomena 
of storms, the occurrence of meteoric and auroral 
displays, etc. 

Cautionary signals are displayed when ordered 
from Washington. They consist of a red Hag with 
black square in the center by day, and a red light 
by night, hoisted from the roof- of the building in 
which the office is located. Either of these signals 
indicate that a storm is probable, and that mariners 




M.AKINE HosriTAI.. 



and others interested in out-door work should make 
preparations accordingly. The first storm warning 
given was for the lakes, and was ordered on No- 
vember 8, 1870. These signals have been in regular 
use since October 23, 1871. Each signal holds good 
for about eight hours from the time it is first dis- 
played. What is known as the northwest (wind) 
signal consists of a white flag with black square in 
the center, hoisted over the cautionary .signal; it 
indicates that winds may be expected from the north 
or west. The cold wave signal consists of a white 
flag with black square center, and it indicates that 
a cold wave is advancing from the west ; this signal 
was established August 6, 1884. When important 
storms are moving, e.xtra telegrams are sent, and by 
means of the various maps, bulletins, and signals, 
many lives have been saved and much property 
preserved from destruction. 

The observers 
.' •-■: -^ '~^- I in charge have 

been : Allen 
Buel, from Oc- 
tober 12, 1S70. 
to October 20. 
1871 ; F. Mann, 
October 20, 
1 87 1, to April 8, 
1873; W. Finn. 
April 8, 1873,10 
July 16, 1875; 
Henry Fenton, 
July 16, 1875, to 
August 22, 1875; 
Theodore V. 
\an Husen, 
August 22, 1875, 
to February 24, 
1879; C. F. R. 



Wappenhans, February 24, 1879, '° March, 
E. Russell Brace, March, 1883, to January, 
Norman B. Conger, January, 1 884, to 



1883; 
1884; 



MARINE HOSPITAL. 



It is an interesting fact that as early as October 

29, 1829, the Legislative Council of Michigan Ter- 
ritory petitioned Congress for a township of land, 
the proceeds of the sale of the land to be devoted 
to a hospital for seamen. Nearly a quarter of a cen- 
tury after, by law of August 4, 1854, Congress pro- 
vided for the establishment of a Marine Hospital at 
Detroit. The grounds, consisting of eight acres on 
the southwest corner of Jefferson and Mt. Elliott 
A\-enues, with a frontage of two hundred and sev- 
enty-four feet on Jefferson Avenue, cost $23,000; the 
building cost $80,000, and was o|iened on November 

30, 1S57. Nearly twenty patients were then trans- 
ferred from St. Mary's Hospital to this institution. 



924 



MARINE HOSPITAL. 



The building is deemed perfectly fireproof. Heavy 
iron girders support brick arches, which are leveled 
over with concrete, and upon this foundation hard 
pine floors are laid. All the brick walls are hollow, 
allowing space for the air to circulate, and all damp- 
ness is thus avoided. The most ornamental, and 
decidedly the most agreeable features of the build- 
ing, are the roomy verandas for each story, in front 
and rear ; they have iron frames, with decorative 
scroll work, and give a graceful appearance to the 
exterior. 

The hospital is supported in part by a monthly 
tax of forty cents per month for each person em- 
ployed on board any registered vessel, which sum is 
collected by the captains of the vessels before the 
license is taken out or renewed. The captain of 
each vessel is authorized to deduct this amount 
from the wages of all employed on the vessel. A 
record of all sailors thus reported is kept at the 
custom house, and also at the hospital ; and on an 
order from the captain of a vessel to the collector of 
customs, any sailor needing medical treatment, who 
has been sailing during the three months preceding 
his application for admission, is entitled to the care 
of the hospital and his board, without charge. The 
number of patients is from fifteen to twenty-five, and 



seventy can be accommodated. None but sailors 
are admitted as patients. Visitors are admitted 
from lo ,\. M. to 12 M., and from 2 to 4 t>. M. 

A dispensary is also maintained at the office of 
the surgeon in the Campau Building, where seamen, 
who do not wish to enter the hospital, can obtain 
medicines. Surgical operations are also performed 
at the office if desired. During the year ending 
June 30, 1884. three hundred and eighty-three per- 
sons were treated at the hospital and eleven hun- 
dred and twelve at the office. The disbursements 
for the year ending June 30, 1884, were $14,602.85. 
The hospital is in charge of a surgeon and an assist- 
ant surgeon, who are appointed by the Secretary of 
the Treasury. Seven other persons, paid by the 
Government, are connected with the institution. 

The surgeons in charge have been : 1 857-1 861, 
Zina Pitcher; 1 861-1867, Louis Davenport; 1867- 
1869. E. Lauderdale; 1869-1873, J. M. Bigelow; 
1873-1879. J. A. lirown; 1S79, F. D. Porter ; 1880 
to November 10, 1882, W. H. H. Hutton ; 1882, 
November 10 to , \V. H. Long. The follow- 

ing persons have served as stewards: 1857-1862, 
J. W. Kelsey; 1862-1879, T. Hurst; 1879-1881. 
B. C.Jones; 1881, H. Hartz ; 1882- , T. R. 
Maxfield. 



CHAPTER L X X X \' I 1 . 



MILITARY AND PLANK ROADS. — STREETS AND STREET LAVING. — SIDE AND 
CROSS W.-VLKS. — STREET R.A.ILROADS. — STREET AND ROAD OFFICERS.— 

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 



.MILITARY AND PLANK ROAD.S. 

For more than a hundred year.s after the lirst 
settlement of Detroit, roads leading tliither were 
unneeded and unknown. The traffic and travel 
were exclusively by water. No road, worthy of the 
name, existed in the Territory until 1812; the first 
was a sort of bridle-path which ran along the west 
bank of the Detroit and through the swamps in the 
vicinity of Toledo to Cleveland. It was somewhat 
improved by the troops who came from Ohio in 
1812. Aside from this, only trails existed in the 
interior. The first surveyed road was the so-called 
Pontiac Road, which was established by proclama- 
tion of Governor Cass on December 15, 181 5, and 
laid out by commissioners whose report is dated 
December 13, 18 19. Other commissioners were at 
work upon it as late as 1824. Within the city, the 
road is now known as Woodward A\'enue. 

In 1817 from one hundred and fifty to two hun- 
dred troops then stationed at Detroit were employed 
in opening a road to Fort Meigs, now called the 
River Road. They completed about thirty miles. 

On March 3, 1825, Congress made an appropria- 
tion to locate a military road from Detroit to Chicago, 
and on May 24, 1825, in laying it out, the commis- 
sioners began at the Campus Martius in Detroit, 
and the part withm the city is called Michigan 
Avenue. A law of March 2, 1827, appropriated 
$20,000 for completing the road. Congress also 
provided for opening roads to Saginaw, Fort Gra- 
tiot, and -Sandusky. On October 29, 1829, the 
Legislative Council of the Territory sought to aid 
these efforts by authorizing a lottery, the proceeds 
of which were to be used to build a road between 
Detroit and Miami. On July 4, 1832, Congress 
passed a law pro\iding for the building of what is 
now known as the Grand River Road. 

These various roads were of great service, but 
the low lands in the vicinity of Detroit made con- 
stant attention necessary to keep them in passable 
condition. The following extract from an article in 
one of the city papers in December, 1836, shows 
the g^eat need then existing for good roads : 

19=>S] 



Wliat a strange fact that in a city surrounded by forests, the 
price of wood sliould be five, si.\, and seven dollars a cord ! We 
Iiave paid $2,uoo extra the last two months fcr fuel alone, in con- 
sequence of tite state of the roads around the city. 

Soon after this notice appeared, several meetings 
were held in order to devise means for improving 
the roads, and in January, 1837, the desire was 
general that the Legislature be petitioned to take 
the Ypsilanti, Pontiac, and Grand River Roads under 
its control and management, to put them in a state 
of repair, and to collect tolls to pay the interest of 
moneys invested and cover the expense of keeping 
the roads in order. All of these meetings were 
barren of result, and the roads grew continually 
worse. The Central and Pontiac Railroads were 
in operation, but were useful only to certain regions. 

In 1845 the Grand River Road was the great 
thoroughfare, and although in very bad condition, 
from .-\ugust 1 3 up to November an average of one 
hundred and twenty-four wagons came over it daily. 
At certain seasons of the year, up- to 1849, the roads 
to Ypsilanti, Pontiac, and Mt. Clemens were little 
travelled, and when used, extra teams, kept for the 
purpose, were employed to help the wagons through 
the sloughs. Tw^o days to Ypsilanti and two days 
to Pontiac were considered only a fair allowance of 
time. 

Traffic with the interior was consequently light 
and unremunerative, and as a natural result, a gen- 
eral dullness pervaded the city. Few wagons came 
in, not many stayed over night, and hotels built for 
the accommodation of farmers were unoccupied. 
Finally some of the business men took the subject 
into consideration, and it was resolved that the only 
remedy was to build plank-roads across the low 
lands. 

-An application was made to the Legislature, and 
in 1S48 a General Plank-Road Act was passed, under 
which charters, to run sixty years, were granted to 
all applicants. Many roads were at once incorpor- 
ated that never went into operation, and numerous 
others were built that for want of traffic were 
allowed to decay. Those leading from Detroit to 



MILITARY AND PLANK ROADS. 



Saline by way of Ypsilanti, to Howell by way of 
Farmington, to Lansing from Howell, to Mt. Clemens 
and to Pontiac, were kept up, and notwithstanding 
the railroads, they are as essential as ever to the 
convenience of the city and country. 

Under the Act of 1848 General Cass, De Garmo 
Jones, Z. Chandler, Henry Ledyard, C. H. Buhl, C. 
C. Trowbridge, Frederick Buhl, and others asso- 
ciated themselves together and built a plank-road 
to Howell. They afterwards bought and completed 
the road to Mt. Clemens and L'tica, and took a large 
part of the stock in the Lansing and Howell Road. 
Other parties built the Detroit and Saline, and 
the Detroit and Pontiac Roads. None of the stock- 
holders had any experience in plank-road making, 
but it was conceded that where oak plank could be 
had, none other was to be used ; how the planks 
were to be laid, and how best secured to their places, 
was another question. The Detroit and Howell 
Company was the pioneer in experiments. An ex- 
cavation four inches deep and eight inches wide was 
made in the roadway, four stringers of 4x4 pine 
were laid lengthwise, and across these three-inch 
plank were placed. The evil consequences were 
manifold. The space underneath was at once filled 
with muddy water, which splashed up on horses, 
vehicles, and passengers ; and the sleepers soon 
decayed. As the road was extended, other methods 
were tried, and three boards were substituted for 
the 4x4 stringers ; but after various experiments 
the planks were laid directly in the soil. Ditches 
were opened, numerous culverts made, and the road- 
bed raised so as to give free drainage. It was soon 
discovered that the planks decayed rapidly, and that 
the roads could not be kept up by the tolls received. 
About this time experiments were made in Canada 
with roads constructed of lime-coated gravel taken 
out of hillsides. An expert was sent to examine 
these gravel roads, and upon his report the Detroit 
and Howell, Lansing and Howell, Detroit and Sal- 
ine, Detroit and Pontiac, and Detroit and Erin roads 
began the use of gravel. It was found that where- 
ever rapid drainage could be obtained, a road-bed 
of sixteen inches of gravel could be relied upon, and 
this form of road is now held in the highest fa\'or 
and is in use on all the roads. The total cost of the 
roads leading from Detroit has been fully §300,000. 
They have never been profitable, and could prob- 
ably be bought at one quarter of their cost. Some 
of them pay small dividends, others none at all, and 
all of them, at times, have suspended dividends, but 
the original proprietors of the principal roads have 
retained their shares, antl managed the roads as 
carefully as if they had been profitable. The result 
has been to keep open communication with the 
country, to promote intercourse and trade, and to 
cheapen all commodities coming from the adjacent 



districts. The roads have probably saved to the citi- 
zens of Detroit .-i sum equal to their cost everv vear 
in the reduced prices of fuel, beef, mutton, poultry, 
vegetables, etc. 

The rates of toll per mile, as established by law 
of 1848, are: For all vehicles drawn by two ani- 
mals, two cents, and if drawn by more than two 
animals, three fourths of a cent for each additional 
animal; for all single horses, led, ridden, or driven, 
one cent ; for every twenty sheep one half cent, and 
for every score of cattle one cent. 

The Detroit and Pontiac plank-road was opened 
in November. 1849, is eighteen miles long, and has 
three gates. The Detroit and Saline, reached by 
way of Michigan Avenue, was opened August 26, 
1850, is forty miles long, and has eight gates. The 
Detroit and Erin, to Utica by way of the Gratiot 
Road, was completed in 1S50 and 1852, is thirty 
milcjs long, and has six gates. The Detroit and 
Howell, by way of the Grand River Road, is fifty 
miles long, has ten gates, and was opened in Octo- 
ber, 1 85 1. The Detroit and Grosse Pointe Road 
was opened in October, 1851, is nine miles long, and 
has two gates. 

STREETS AND STREET PAVING. 

The streets, in the olden days, afforded many a 
strange and picturesque sight. Troops of squaws, 
bending beneath their loads of baskets and skins, 
moved along the way ; rough cmtreitrs de /wis, with 
bales of beaver, mink, and fox, were passing to and 
from the trading stores, and, leaning upon half-open 
doors, laughing demoiselles alternately chaffed and 
cheered their favorites; here a group of Indians 
were drying scalps on hoops over a fire ; others, 
with scalps hanging at their elbows, were dancing 
the war dance; Indian dandies, with belted toma- 
hawks, and deerskin leggings fringed with beads of 
many colors, moved noiselessly along, with blankets 
of scarlet cloth, guns heavy with silver ornaments 
and half-moons, and gorgets of the same material 
adorning their persons ; staid old justices with pow- 
dered cues exchanged salutes W'ith the officers of 
the garrison, who were brilliant with scarlet uni- 
forms, gold lace, and sword-knots ; elegant ladies 
with crimson silk petticoats, immense beehive bon- 
nets, high-heeled slippers, and black silk stockings, 
tripped along the way ; and ever and anon the 
shouts of soldiers in the guardhouse, made wild 
with "shrub" and Old Jamaica Rum, were heard 
on the morning air, and at times troops of Indian 
ponies went scurrying through the town. 

The streets of 1778 were little better than lanes, 
and up to 1805 but one street was twenty feet wide, 
and the widest of the six others was only fifteen 
feet in width. Just inside the stockade the chciiizn 



STREETS AND STREET PAVING. 



927 



du ronde extended around the town. Its original 
width was twelve feet, but by the extension of the 
stockade, and changes connected with military oper- 
ations, it had been considerably widened in some 
places. An ordinance of the Board of Trustees, in 
1802, "to promote health, peace, and safety,'" opened 
with this preamble : " Whereas, the streets of that 
part of Detroit within the stockade are so narrow 
that foot passengers have difficulty at times to keep 
clear of horsemen and carriages unless they go 
slow. Therefore," and then the ordinance went on 
to prohibit fast driving, and the records show that 
the ordinance was enforced even against the trustees 
themselves. 

That blessing in disguise, the fire of 1805, wiped 
out the old streets, and opened the way for the 
facilities we now possess. Only six days after the 
fire, on June 17, a meeting was held at Judge May's 
to discuss the subject of wider streets for the pro- 
posed new town. The plan of broader streets did 
not meet the approval of the French hahitans. 
Judge Woodward, in a letter to a friend, said : 

The idea of streets a hundred feet wide was a novelty which 
excited not only surprise but bitter indignation. It was with 
great difficulty, therefore, that any arrangements whatever could 
be made with the inliabitants. They have seen what their coun- 
try has been for the hundred years past, and by tliis alone they 
judge of what it is likely to be for a hundred years to come. 

The Woodward plan finally succeeded, but no 
details of the plan and its streets were forwarded to 
Congress until 1831. Pending this action, a memo- 
rial, dated November 13, 1830, was sent by some of 
the citizens, stating that so many changes had 
been made in the plans that it was impossible, on 
account of the conflict of authority, to open streets 
or alleys, and that certain streets were in some places 
forty, in others fifty, in others sixty feet wide. The 
plan of 1 83 1, made by John Farmer for, and accepted 
by the Governor and Judges, afforded the first sub- 
stantial basis for the laying out of streets. The 
usual width of streets, by the plan of 1806 and later 
additions, is fifty feet, though many are sixty feet in 
width. By ordinance of February 2, 1880, all streets 
are required to be at least fifty feet wide. 

The main avenues — Woodward, Jefferson, Mon- 
roe, Grand River, Miami, and Michigan — are one 
hundred and twenty feet wide. Washington, Madi- 
son, and Michigan Grand Avenues are two hundred 
feet in width. No other city in the Union, save 
Washington, has so many avenues of such unusual 
width. 

Although the Military Reserve was embraced 
within the plan of the Governor and Judges, the 
plan was inoperative over the Reserve, as that be- 
longed to the Government. When the Reserve was 
granted to the city, the council decided to lay it out 
in regular squares as far as possible. The harmony 



and proportion of the plan of 1S06 was thereby 
destroyed, and as a result, many of the streets in the 
center of the city are crooked and irregular, and lack 
the beauty they were designed to possess. The 
avenues also were encroached upon, and citizens 
were allowed to fence in large portions on either side 
and use them as their own. It was not until the 
spring of 1881 that Washington Grand Avenue was 
actually opened to its full width ; and there was a 
long legal contest before the city obtained its rights. 

The custom of allowing owners of real estate to 
subdivide their property and lay out streets as their 
interest or fancy dictated has also been productive 
of much confusion in street lines. Some portions 
of the city have many streets only one or two 
blocks long, and there are numerous jogs in streets 
that might have been straight and of uniform 
width. 

An Act of February 5, 1857, provided for three 
commissioners, to whom plans of subdivisions should 
be submitted. By Act of 1873 the supervision of the 
laying out of new streets was lodged with the Board 
of Public Works. They were also empowered to 
control the location and course of all streets and 
roads laid out within two miles of the city so that 
they may conform to streets in the city whenever 
included within the city limits. 

In 1832 Griswold Street was opened from Larned 
Street to Jefferson Avenue, and in February of the 
following year it was widened to fifty feet, under a 
decision from the Supreme Court. 

In 1878 the roadway of Woodward Avenue was 
widened five feet on each side from Willis Avenue 
to the city limits, and in 1882 it was widened between 
Columbia Street and Willis Avenue, and a uniform 
width of fifty feet obtained. 

During the year iS69overS7o.ooo was paid for the 
opening of some thirteen miles of streets. The 
fact that the city paid for the opening of streets, 
which were a necessity to those wishing to divide 
their property into lots.was a fruitful source of knav- 
ery; and in 1875 the Legislature provided for the 
assessment of not to e.xceed three-fourths of the 
damages upon the neighborhood supposed to be 
benefited. Under this provision only one half was 
assessed upon the neighboring property, and the 
enormous amounts required to be paid by the city 
led to the repeal of the law in 1882, and provision 
was made that the property immediately advantaged 
should pay for all damages. In 1 883 the Legislature 
authorized a return to the former method, and only 
half the damages are now assessed upon the adja- 
cent property, and the balance is paid by the city. 

Under provisions of the city charter the council 
from time to time vacates or closes streets or alleys, 
or portions of them, when the owners of adjoining 
property so desire, if public necessity does not re- 



STREETS AND STREET PAVING. 



quire that they be kept open. The closing by indi- 
viduals of the highways known as Cemetery Lane 
and Bolivar .A.lley was particularly noticeable because 
of the litigation which grew out of their enclosure. 
In both cases the courts decided that the public had 
no rights therein. The occupation of Dequindre 
Street by the Detroit, Grand Haven, & Milwaukee 
Railroad has also been the occasion of much litiga- 
tion, and many owning property along the line of 
this street have tried at various times and in many 
ways to have the street opened and declared a pub- 
lic highway. The case finally reached the Supreme 
Court, and in 1871 a decision was rendered confirm- 
ing the right of the railroad to forty feet in w^idth of 
the street from the center of their track on the east- 
ern side ; consequently, although a narrow roadway 
lies alongside part of the track, that part north of 
Woodbridge Street can no longer be properly called 
a street. 

The nationality and characteristics of the people 
congregated in certain parts of the city have given 
rise to particular designations for such localities. 
Thus the larger portion of the territory on Fifth 
and Sixth Streets, for several blocks each side of 
Michigan Avenue, is called Corktown, because 
chiefly occupied by people from the Emerald Isle. 
The eastern part of the city, for several blocks on 
each side of Gratiot Avenue beyond Brush Street, 
for similar reasons is often spoken of as Dutchtown, 
or the German quarter. That part of the city lying 
a few blocks north of High Street and between 
Brush and Hastings, is known as Kentucky, from 
the number of colored people living there. A walk 
of a few blocks east and north of this locality termi- 
nates in the heart of Polacktown, where many Poles 
reside. That portion of the city just west of Wood- 
ward Avenue and north of Grand River Avenue, 
forming part of the old Fifth Ward, is sometimes 
de.signated as Piety Hill; for the reason that it is 
largely occupied by well-to-do citizens, who are 
supposed to largely represent the moral and religious 
portion of the community. 

Peddlers' I^oint is a name frequently applied to a 
part of Grand River Avenue near Twelfth Street. 
The intersection of several streets at that place 
forms a pointed block, which locality is a favorite 
place for itinerant hucksters to intercept and pur- 
chase supplies from the farmers coming in on the 
Grand River Road. 

Swill Point is the not very euphonious appellation 
sometimes given to a portion of Earned Street near 
Second, because of a distillery formerly located 
near by. Atwater and Franklin Streets, for several 
blocks east of Brush Street, are frequently desig- 
nated as the Potomac. This locality is near the 
river, and in memory of a familiar saying of the last 
war, the phrase "all quiet on the Potomac" indi- 



cates that otherwise disturbances might be looked 
for in the region indicated. 

The Heights is a name applied to a region near 
the Vi'esterly end of Fort Street East, occupied 
in part by former denizens of the Potomac quarter. 
This last region being on lower ground, a removal 
to Fort Street was spoken of as a removal to 
the " Heights," possibly the fact that " high old 
times " have been frequent in this locality has 
also had something to do with the particular desig- 
nation. These last localities have numbered among 
their inhabitants the worst classes of both sexes. 

Michigan Avenue may well be called the longest 
street in the city, for the Chicago Road, which is a 
continuation of the avenue, reaches across the State, 
and Michigan Avenue in Chicago forms its western 
terminus. 

Lafayette Avenue, in the winter time especially, is 
brilliant with costly turnouts, filled with gayly 
dressed people, and thousands gather there to wit- 
ness the ever-changing panorama. 

Woodward Avenue, with one end at the river's 
edge, and the other reaching indefinitely into the 
country, has no superior on the continent. The 
elegant stores, residences, and churches that mark 
its route, the beautiful parks and private grounds 
that lie on either side, win universal admiration. 

Griswold Street, running from the river to the 
High School, is the financial artery of the city. On 
it courts, lawyers, and banks abound. No better 
description of the street could be given than this 
verse, written for a street in another city more than 
fifty years ago : 

At the top of the street the attorneys abound, 
.'\nd down at the bottom the barges are found. 
Fly, Honesty, fly, to some safer retreat, 
For there's craft in the river and craft in the street. 

The condition of all the streets up to 1835, and of 
most of them to about 1850, was such as to preclude 
all unnecessary use. Especially in the spring and 
fall, the fine black soil, saturated with water, and 
in places mixed with clay, made the roads almost 
impassable. Children living not two blocks away 
were carried to school on horseback, and horses 
were kept hitched in front of stores or offices to 
enable their owners to cross the streets, the animals 
literally wading from side to side. 

In 1 85 1 the writer counted fourteen teams, loaded 
with wood and other products, stuck fast in the 
mud on Monroe .•\venue, the avenue being only 
three blocks long. The Advertiser of April 21, 1852, 
said. "We noticed yesterday a carman stuck fast 
with his load, consisting of a single hogshead of 
sugar, his horse "all down in a heap' in that vast 
mudhole directly in front of the National Hotel." 
Efforts were made with something of regularity to 



STREETS AND STREET PAVING. 



929 



improve the condition of the streets, and as early as 
1 82 1 overseers of highways were appointed, and 
they, and the various street commissioners, with 
their army of slow-moving employees, made the 
roads passable. A law of 1832 gave the council 
power to compel convicts to work on the streets, 
wearing a ball and chain. In 1S36 several prisoners 
escaped while at work, and the plan was discon- 
tinued; but in 1843 prisoners were again so em- 
ployed. 

In 1838 Captain Marryatt. the author, was here 
for several days, and in his account of Detroit he 
says, " There is not a paved street in it, or even a 
footpath." In June, 1840, the Committee on Streets 
reported favorably upon and the council accepted a 
proposition made by Thomas Hill to furnish o.\en 
to work on the roads at S2.75 per day. 

The first paving was done in 1825; contracts 
were sold on September I of this year for paving 
in front of the property of Elliott Gray, D. Cooper, 
T. J. Owen, and others, the prices ranging from $1 .00 
to $1.25 per foot. All the work was to be paid 
for in corporation due-bills. For nearly ten years 
after, and up to 1835, paving and grading contracts 
were sold at auction, and for those times an immense 
amount of money and labor was expended. 

The paving, done mostly with small, round stones, 
was confined chiefly to sidewalks and the space 
immediately in front of certain stores or residences, 
and no one of the contracts for paving included 
an entire block. 

On March 12, 1827, a committee of the Common 
Council reported in favor of paving the streets, 
stating that the annual ta.\ for repairs would more 
than pay the interest on the sum necessary for 
paving. 

On September 8, 1829, a plan was adopted for 
paving Jefferson Avenue; but no paving was done 
except in front of certain lots as before. 

In 1830, under the superintendence of Mr. Des- 
noyers, the space in front of the old market on 
Woodward Avenue, and between it and Jefferson 
Avenue, was paved at an e.Kpense of $527.85. 

The first systematic paving of a large portion of 
any street with stone was done in 1835. Atwater 
Street, between Woodward Avenue and Randolph 
Streets, was paved in that year. The s|)ecial reason 
for the paving was that the earth from the ex- 
cavation for the basement of the Presbyterian 
Church, then building on the northeast corner 
of Woodward Avenue and Lamed Street, was 
used to fill in Atwater Street, and it became 
almost impassable. Robert E. Roberts, then occu- 
pying a store on the street, obtained the consent 
of a majority of the property holders, and the 
council ordered the street paved. The material 
lased was cobble-stone, and the cost was seventy- 



two cents per yard ; the entire cost of the work was 
$1,261. 

It was now proposed to pave Jefferson Avenue, 
and in December, 1835, the following notice, signed 
by the city clerk, George Byrd, was published : 

Proposals will be received at the office of the City Clerk, until 
the first of January next, for paving the roadway of Jefferson 
Avenue, from Brush Street to the Cass line ; ist, with round 
stones not less than four nor more than eight inches in diameter, 
laid in six inches of sand. 2d, with Monguagon or Canada stone, 
not less than six inches long set edgewise and laid in four inches 
of sand. 3d, with blocks of wood, of cedar, hemlock, white oak, 
or Norway pine, free from sap, sawed in a hexagonal form, and 
set in two inches of sand. Bids will be received for the whole 
work, or in sections. 

The bids were probably unsatisfactory, for no 
paving was done. 

Two years later, on February i, 1S37, the council 
voted to pave : Bates Street from Jefferson .Avenue 
to the river, and Atwater Street from Bates Street 
to Woodward Avenue ; Randolph .Street from Jef- 
ferson Avenue to the river, and Atwater Street from 
Randolph to Brush Street ; Woodbridge Street from 
Wayne to Griswold Street, and Shelby Street from 
Woodbridge Street to Jefferson Avenue ; Griswold 
Street from Jefferson Avenue to the river, and At- 
water from Griswold Street to Woodward Avenue. 

About this time many citizens interested them- 
selves in learning the cost of w'ood pavements, and 
their inquiries and the panic of 1837 delayed all 
action until 1845, when a space in front of the 
Eldred Block, on the north side of Jefferson Avenue 
between Woodward Avenue and Griswold Street, 
was paved with hexagonal blocks of w'ood. Begin- 
ning with 1S49, paving with cobble-stones became 
quite general. 

In 1864 a portion of Third Street, in front of the 
M. C. R. R. Depot, and between Woodbridge -Street 
and the river, was paved with wood. The noiseless- 
ness and seeming durability of this wooden pave- 
ment led to its further use, and the following year 
Fort Street West, from Griswold to Fifth Street, 
was paved with what was known as the Nicholson 
pavement, and since then more or less of wood pav- 
ing has been done nearly every year. In 1870 
there was almost a mania for wood pavements ; and 
in this and the following year patents and specifica- 
tions for almost every conceivable shape and kind 
of wooden blocks were advertised. 

On October 6, 1871, contractors began tearing up 
the cobblestone pavement on Woodward Avenue 
preparatory to replacing it with wood. This caused 
great dissatisfaction, and a public meeting of citizens 
protested against what was deemed folly or corrup- 
tion, but the w-ork went on. In 1879 the avenue 
was again paved with w'ood. 

In 1872 the time of the council was largely taken 
up with innumerable plans and specifications for 



930 



SIDE AND CROSS WALKS. 



paving scores of streets, and Mayor Moffat was kept 
busy in vetoing the propositions. Prior to iS6i 
the city could not order a street paved when a ma- 
jority of the property owners on the street re- 
monstrated against it. By charter amendment of 
March 12, 1861, the council was given power to 
order §50,000 worth of paving yearly without the 
consent of a majority of the property owners, and 
more could be ordered if they consented. 

By Act of April 13, 1871, opportunity was afforded 
to secure still larger contracts for paving each year, 
as the city was permitted to issue bonds to the con- 
tractors for three quarters of the amount due for 
paving any street, the bonds drawing seven percent 
interest. Property holders were allowed to pay the 
amounts due for paving in four equal annual instal- 
ments, interest on the last three payments to be paid 
in advance at the time the first payment was made. 
The law was repealed by .Act of June 6, 1S81, and 
since then the whole amount due for paving any lot 
is required to be paid when the work is completed. 
The Act also provided that §75,000 worth of paving 
could be ordered, without consent of property 
owners; the charter of 18S3 increased the amount 
that might be so ordered to §100,000. 

The repairing of paved streets, and their repaving, 
was originally paid for by the city, and in 1871 there 
was paid for repairs on paved streets §106,416. 
About §30,000 of this amount was for the so-called 
asphalt put on the cobble-stones of Jefferson Ave- 
nue. It lasted but a few months. 

Since Act of April 30. 1873, the repaving of streets 
has been made a charge against the adjacent prop- 
erty. 

The cleaning of the streets is paid for by general 
tax ; the amount apportioned to each ward is agreed 
upon by consultation between the Aldermen and 
the Board of Public Works. The amount expended 
in the several wards is dependent upon the amount 
of highway taxes collected in each ward. Under 
Act of April 13, 1841, no road tax could be assessed 
on property fronting on a paved street, but by the 
charter of 1S83 all property is equally liable for 
highway taxes. 

In 1882 two street-sweeping machines were pur- 
chased in England at a cost of §312.50 each. They 
were first used on October 24, 1882, in cleaning por- 
tions of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues. A 
steam road-roller was procured the same year at a 
cost of about §5,400. In 1883 an additional 
sweeper was ordered. 

The amount spent for cleaning the paved streets 
in 1883 was $32,589; for grading and working un- 
paved streets. §28,313 was expended. 

The total length of alleys paved from 1849 to 
1884 is nearly twelve miles ; the cost was §190,557. 
The total length of paved streets, up to 1884, is 



119.79 miles: of this number about three-quarters 
are paved with wood. The total cost is §3,687,967. 

SIDE AND CRO.SS WALKS. 

Sidewalks were a convenience not enjoved by the 
early settlers. An old record of 1796 states that in 
some cases a few logs were laid together lengthwise, 
but these stepping-places were few and far be- 
tween. Under the town corporation of 1802 the 
inhabitants were ordered " to make footpaths of logs 
or thick planks around the lots they occupy," but 
tradition relates that then, as now, ordinances were 
not implicitly obeyed. 

In 1812 some improvement was noticed, and oc- 
casionally square timbers, a foot or more thick, were 
placed in front of many of the stores and dwellings. 
An Act of the Governor and Judges of April 29, 
1806, provided for paving or gravelling foot-walks 
in sections i, 2, 3, and 4 on each side of the ave- 
nues, and for the planting of trees, but the Act was 
not enforced. On November 26, 1827, the council 
passed its first ordinance regarding sidewalks. On 
streets one hundred and twenty feet wide, twenty 
feet on each side were set apart for walks, except 
that on Woodward Avenue below Jefferson the 
spaces were to be only ten feet ; the actual walks 
were to be six feet wide, of flat stones or brick. On 
sixty-feet streets, eight feet were set apart, and 
walks four feet wide were ordered ; the rest of the 
space was to be paved with round stones. On fifty- 
feet streets, seven feet were reserved, and walks 
three feet wide were to be made of flat stone or 
brick. 

By ordinance of July 7, 1828, the walks on 
Woodward Avenue, were to be all of one width, 
and to be laid next to the houses. About this time 
there began to be more attention paid to the wants 
of foot-travelers, and where the ability of owners 
permitted, or the interest of shop-keepers seemed to 
demand it, a few planks were laid down ; but the 
practice was by no means general, and within the 
memory of persons now living, calling and church- 
going were sometimes impracticable to ladies because 
of the lack of walks ; yet in 1828 the city paid §259.98 
for paving footpaths across streets, and for side- 
walks §456.17, and in 1829 and in 1S30 several hun- 
dred dollars additional were paid for side and cross 
walks. Between 1830 and 1840, the "ways of the 
inhabitants " received special attention, and in several 
places walks formed of large octagonal blocks, of 
wood a foot or more in diameter, were laid. One 
of these walks, in front of the Methodist Church, 
on the northeast corner of Woodward Avenue and 
Congress Street, is well remembered. Brick walks 
were next in order, and though once common in 
many parts of old Detroit, they have almost entirely 
disappeared. 



STREET RAILROADS. 



931 



Ry ordinance of January 22 1S42, plank sidewalks 
were provided for. They were required to be si.\ 
feet wide on Jefferson and Woodward .Avenues, and 
three feet wide on all other streets. Of late years, 
on many of the liner business and residence streets, 
smooth stone slabs have almost entirely superseded 
the plank walks. The first ordinance regarding 
these stone walks was passed in 1S59, and made 
provision for their use on portions of Jefferson and 
Woodward .Avenues and Griswold Street. The 
greater cost of the stone walks caused citizens to 
desire to avoid as much of the expense as possible. 
They therefore sought to have the city pay for the 
walks at street corners outside of a point intersected 
by the front and side lines of a lot. The question 
was specially agitated in 1870, and on July 26 the city 
counselor, in a communication to the council, said 
that the city charter, in Section 103, authorized the 
payment by the city for pavements laid at intersec- 
tions ; but no definite provision for the paying for 
intersection walks by the city was made until the 
Act of March 17, 1875. 

Crosswalks are of later date than those directly 
in front of stores and residences, and as recently as 
1S47, on Woodward Avenue near the present Rus- 
sell House, a few bricks and boards laid in the mud 
afforded all the walk there was to cross upon. In 
that same year, by ordinance of April 20, systematic 
provision was made for crosswalks, which were to 
be built by the city, and paid for by assessments 
upon the adjacent property. 

In late years the great increase in the number of 
paved streets makes the crossings less muddy, and 
as the city now keeps them reasonably clean, the 
crossing-sweepers of the olden time have entirely 
disappeared. Only a few years ago each crossing 
on Woodward Avenue between Fort Street and 
Jefferson Avenue was occupied by diminutive sweep- 
ers, generally of the gentler se.x, and with dirty 
broom and outstretched hand they ever gave out 
the cr)% " Mister, please give me a penny for sweep- 
ing the vvalk." 

The following lines, written by \\'. H. Coyle about 
1850, are descriptive of those days : 

Here, there, everywhere, a 
Host of young street-sweepers flourishini; big 
Brooms, one minute sweeping off the mud, then 
On again the next, holding out their 
Little hands, barefooted and in tatters. 
Asking alms. A pale-faced lady clad in 
^lourning slops, and, pushing back the glossy 
Curls around a beggar girl's sweet brow, so 
Like her lost one sleeping now in Klmwood, 
Presses in her palm a silver coin, and 
With an aching heart glides on, while a lean. 
Miserable miser quickens his pace 
.^t Charity's meek, timid call, like a 
Gaunt hyena hastening to a grave. 
Next a bevy of gay girls with tenijitiiig 
Cherry lips and long-lashed eyes of liquid 



Tenderness flit by. — spring butterflies, in 

.All the beauty of the latest, last 

Mode de Paris. After them a swarthy 

Band of Indian girls, with long black plaited 

Hair, soft eyes of jet, and tiny feel in 

Beaded moccasins, with packs of willow 

Baskets on their backs and blankets round their 

Sunbronzed, tapering limbs, step noiseless through 

The city where their ancestors once roamed 

lu lords, and chased the red deer 'mid its shades. 

Bui ha ! here comes a funny crowd of fat. 
Broad-shouldered, squabby, honest, full-moon-face 
Mynheers, fresh landed from the faderland. 
In velvet jackets with beil-bullons and 
Blue blouses, stuck in wooden shoes, while clouds 
Of smoke curl up incessant from the bowls 
Of their long meerchaums, as if, like the slow 
Propeller they 've just left, they waddled on 
By steam. * » » « * 

Dashing with speed impetuous, amid 

A cloud of dust, gay-colored cabs and hacks. 

The burly omnibus and rattling dray. 

Whirl o'er the stone-paved, sonorous streets, as 

Round the river's cur\-ing shore a black, tall 

Column of advancing smoke heralds a 

Steamer from the broad blue lake. Slow creaking, 

Hid beneath a ponderous pyramid 

Of hay, a countr>' wagon creeps along. 

While whistling on its apex happy sits 

In homespun and straw hat the farmer boy ; 

A French cart next goes bouncing by, iesjiiles 

All seated a la Turque upon the soft 

Warm buffaloes, and bobbing up and down 

With each jerk of that relic of the old 

Regime^ while rolling swift on flashing wheels. 

Behind two snorting, shining bays, a coach 

Silk-cushioned, glitters proudly by, a pet 

With white-kid hand upon the panel seen, — 

Index of envied aristocracy. 

Citizens are required by ordinance to remove 
snow and ice from their walks witliin twenty-four 
hours after it has fallen or formed, and walks are 
required to be kept in repair. It would have been 
well if the city had passed and enforced stringent 
laws with regard to the repair and care of sidewalks 
many years sooner than it did. Since 1857 the 
sums paid by the city on claims for accidents 
resulting from defective walks amount, with inter- 
est, to over $50,000. In July, 1870, the Supreme 
Court rendered a decision that seemed to preclude 
the recovery of further damages against the city for 
defective walks ; but a decision has since been ren- 
dered, under which the city has been held liable 
for damages occasioned by walks being out of 
repair. 

STREET RAILROADS. 

These modern conveniences date from August 3, 
1863; the first line completed, the Jefferson Avenue, 
was opened on that day, and the public were invited to 
ride free. The routes of the several lines are as 
follows : Jefferson Avenue — from Third Street up 
Jefferson Avenue, to Mt. Elliott Avenue. The first 



932 



STREET RAILROADS. 



car on all routes leaves each end of the route about 
6 A. M., and cars run from five to ten minutes there- 
after through the day until lo P. M. ; extra cars run 
between the hours of ten and eleven. The Ham- 
tramck route, although built by other parties, is 
really a continuation of the Jefferson Avenue Line. 
It extends from Mt. Elliott Avenue to the race- 
course in Harntramck, and since November 2, 1881, 
has been operated in connection with the Jefferson 
Avenue Line. 

The Woodward Avenue Line extends from LSrush 
Street on Atwater to Woodward Avenue and up 
this avenue to the railroad crossing. The line of 
this road was extended from Jefferson Avenue to 
Brush Street in May, 1880. At the same time the 
Congress and Baker Street Line was extended 
down Randolph to Atwater. The cars ran over the 
new portion of these roads for the first time on June 
I, 1880. 

The Cass Avenue and Third Street Line e.\- 
tends from Jefferson Avenue up Third Street to 
Earned, on Earned Street to Griswold, up Griswold 
to State Street, around State to Cass Avenue, 
up Cass to Ledyard, on Ledyard to Third, and 
up Third to the Holden Road. This Line origi- 
nally began at Griswold Street. There was much 
opposition to its extension down Earned Street, 
and in order to avoid the service of an injunction, 
the track on that part of the road was laid on Sun- 
day, October 29, 1876. The unusual scene of 
several hundred men at work on Sunday caused 
much excitement and brought together large num- 
bers of spectators. 

The Fort Street Line extends from Fort Wayne, 
on the River Road to Clark Avenue, up Clark Ave- 
nue to Fort, on Fort to Woodward Avenue, across 
Woodward and through Michigan Grand Avenue 
to Randolph, up Randolph to Croghan, and through 
Croghan Street to Elmwood Avenue. 

The Michigan Avenue Line is operated from Jef- 
ferson Avenue up Woodward A..venue to Michigan 
Avenue, and on Michigan Avenue to the Grand 
Trunk Junction. 

The Gratiot .Avenue Line extends from Jefferson 
Avenue up Woodward Avenue to Monroe Avenue, 
on Monroe Avenue to Randolph Street, on Randolph 
Street to Gratiot Avenue, and up Gratiot Avenue to 
McDougall Avenue. It originally ran only to 
Dequindre Street, and was first operated to Chene 
Street on December 17, 1879, and to McDougall 
Avenue on June 30, 1883. 

The Grand River Avenue Line runs from Jeffer- 
son Avenue, up Woodward Avenue to Grand River 
Avenue, and on Grand River Avenue, to Sixteenth 
Street and the railroad crossing. 

The Congress and Baker Street Line runs from 
Woodbridge up Randolph to Congress, on Congress 



to Seventh, up Seventh to Baker, and on Baker to 
Twenty-fourth Street. 

The Russell Street and Junction Railroad was 
opened on December 19, 1874. The route was from 
Gratiot Avenue up Russell to Ferry Street, on Ferry 
Street to St. Aubin Avenue, and up St. Aubin Ave- 
nue to the D., G. H. & M. Ry. Junction. It did not 
prove a paying road, and the cars stopped running 
in 1S74, and in 1876 the track was removed. 

The Detroit City Railroad Company own and 
operate the Jefferson, Woodward, Gratiot, and 
Michigan Avenue Lines. They also lease and con- 
trol the Cass Avenue, and the Congress and Baker 
Street Lines. 

The following table gives interesting information 
concerning the different lines : 







si 


j« 




c 


6. 


Name of Line. 


Whkn- 

Ol'ENED. 






° Vi 




^ £ 

ill 


















^ 


Z 


zx 


Z 


.-iiS 


Jefferson Avenue ... 


Aug. 3, 1863 


m 


16 


no 


33 


60 


Woodward Avenue. 


Aug. ?, 1863 


iM 


20 


no 


26 


75 


Gratiot Avenue 


Sept. 12. 1863 


1% 


5 


33 


7 


v> 


Michigan Avenue . . . 


Nov. — , 1863 


^% 


12 


120 


3= 


72 


Fort Wayne & Elm- 














wood (from Wood- 


-Sept. 6, 1865' 










ward Av. to River) 


^Sept. 19,1866 




165 


80 




Fort Wavne & Elm- 




132 


wood (from Wood. 










Av. to Cemetery). 
















Oct. 23, 1S68 
Aug. 7, 1869 
Oct. 15, 1873 


^Va. 


10 


100 


29 


60 






Cass Ave. & Third St. 


v-^ 


U 


75 


'7 


72 


Congress & Baker 


Dec. 6, 1873 


=% 


7 


68 


9 
=33 


70 




=7 


104 


781 





The rates of fare for all distances is five cents on 
all the roads, except that on the Fort Wayne and 
Elmwood Road three cents extra is charged for the 
portion of the road outside of the city limits. On this 
last named road, twenty-two city tickets are given 
for one dollar. On all other roads, tickets are sold 
at the rate of twelve for fifty cents. 

Some of the cars have conductors and drivers, 
and the conductors collect the fares ; on others 
bo.xesare placed on the side of the door at the front 
end of the car in which the tickets or fares are de- 
posited. If passengers have not the right change, 
on handing the driver any amount up to two dollars, 
he will return the full amount in change in a sealed 
envelope, out of which the fare can be taken. In 
some instances the envelope contains a round check 
or a ticket which represents five cents and is receiv- 
able for a fare. If persons wish to go to or from 
either depot by way of the Woodward, Gratiot, or 
Michigan Avenue Line, it is their privilege to be 
transferred from one line to the other without charge. 

Under the Act of February 13, 1855, providing 
for the organization of train railways, the property 
of the street-railroad companies was exempted from 
local taxation. Under original city ordinances, the 
companies paid from $12.50 to $25 per car annually 



STREET AND ROAD OFFICERS. 



933 



as a license, and some lines paid a percentage on 
their gross earnings in addition. Ordinances of \o- 
vember 14, 1879, and June 25. 1880, wliieh applied 
to all the roads e.xcept the Grand River, relieved the 
companies of the licenses on cars and provided in- 
stead that the companies should pay a tax of one per 
cent on their gross receipts ; the companies were also 
to pave and keep in order the roadway between their 
tracks. The Grand River Line, under the original 
ordinance, continues to pay a license of S' 5 per car. 

The fall of 1872 is notable in street-car history, 
from the fact that on October 25, on account of the 
epizootic, or horse disease, all the cars were com- 
pelled to stop running. 

The Detroit Transit Railroad is operated without 
either locomotives or cars of its own. It is a private 
side-track built for the purpose of accommodating 
the factories and foundries along the river in the 
eastern part of the city by the transfer of cars to or 
from the regular railroad tracks. It e.Ktends from 
Riopelle Street to the Detroit Stove Works. By the 
terms of a city ordinance it can be used only for cars 
drawn by horses between 6 A. .\l. and 6 p. ^r. 
Those using the track pay from $[.50 to $2.00 per 
car for each trip over the line. The ordinance per- 
mitting the use of the streets by the company was 
passed March 28, and the road was first used on No- 
vember 19, 1873. The capital stock of the com- 
pany is $50,000. The cost of constructing the line 
was $19,000. 

Under an ordinance of September 10, 1875, D. M. 
Richardson built a side track or transit railway just 
west of Eighth Street. It cost $3,200. and was first 
used in 1876. 

STREET AND ROAD OFFICERS. 

The duties of a super\-isor are comparatively sim- 
ple, yet there is probably no office about which 
cluster so many confusing statements. This may 
be accounted for by the fact that different kinds of 
supervisors have served in or for the city at the same 
time. 

The office of township super\-isor dates back to 
the government of the Northwest Territory ; and 
super\isors for Detroit Township were appointed 
by the Court of Quarter Sessions as early as 1801. 
Under Michigan Territory, by law of 1805, one 
super\'isor for each district was appointed by the 
governor. 

In 1 8 14 the militar)- districts of the State were 
also the boundaries of the superasors' districts. An 
old Executive Journal of Governor Cass, under date 
of April I, 1816, says, "Joseph King is appointed 
Super\nsor of Highways from the east gate of De- 
troit to the eastern boundary of Grant's farm." 

The township super\-isors had the care of all the 
roads in the township, and even after its incorpora- 



tion, Detroit was still recognized as a township, and 
super\isors were elected. After 1827 the super- 
\Hsor was the only township officer that existed in 
Detroit, — a law of that year expressly relieving the 
city from electing any other township officer. Elec- 
tions for supervisor were held on the first Monday 
of April of each year. 

After the Act of April 17, 1833, which provided 
for the election, by the city, of one superinsor to sit 
on the Board of Supervisors, there were no duties 
connected with the office except to assess taxes for 
the care of the roads. Supervisors were elected from 
year to year for that purpose until, by Act of April 1 3, 
1 84 1, the assessors of each ward became also super- 
visors, for the purpose of meeting with the Board of 
Supervisors. At the same time there were in the city 
supernsors of roads, but they were not authorized 
to meet with the Board of Supervisors. 

By law taking effect in April, 1851, the aldermen 
of the city were invested with the powers of super- 
visors for the purpose of enabling them to meet with 
the Board of Supervisors, and at that time, and up 
to 1873, there were also super\-isors for each ward, 
but they had no voice in the Board of Supervisors. 

The supervisors of the township of Detroit 
were: 1 80 r, Joseph Harrison ; 1803, E. Brush and 
Charles Moran ; 1816-1818, Stephen Mack; 1818, 
D. C. McKinstry; 1819, J. S. Roby; 1820, Melvin 
Dorr and B. Rowley; 1821, James May and D. C. 
McKinstry ; 1822. D. C. McKinstry and Artemas 
Hosmer; 1823, Gabriel Godfroy and B. Woodworth; 
1824, T. Maxwell; 1824-182S.' D. French; 1828, S. 
Sherwood and D. C McKinstry; 1829, D. C. .Mc- 
Kinstry and James Williams; 1830, H. M. Camp- 
bell and M. Dorr; 1831, Charles Moran; 1832- 
1834, E. A. Brush; 1834, Levi Cook ; 1835-1837, 
S. Conant; 1837. J. R. Williams; 1838-1S40, S. 
Conant; 1840, Peter Desnoyers. 

On April 5, 1832. the city was divided by ordi- 
nance into two road districts, one each side of 
Woodward Avenue, and two supervisors were to 
be appointed. They were to make lists of all free 
male persons over twenty-one years of age, and 
assess each for a certain number of days' labor, 
according to the amount of his property, or sixty-two 
and a half cents a day was accepted to hire a laborer 
instead. The supervisor was paid S'-5o per day 
for time actually employed. By ordinance of Janu- 
ary 31, 1842. eight hours' labor was fi.xed as a day's 
work for those who worked out their road-tax. 

The following persons ser\-ed as supervisors of 
road districts: 

District I, 1832, John Garrison; 1833, P. Des- 
noyers ; 1 834, Newell French ; 1 835- 1 S37, N. French ; 
1837, L. Pratt; 1838, J. .M. Davis. J. McMillan, 
A. W. Burdick; 1839-1842, O. Bellair; 1842-1844, 
Geo. Smith; 1844, D. French; 1845, Hiram Joy; 



934 



STREET AND ROAD OFFICERS. 



1846, E. Bond; 1847, S. V. Hopkins: 1S4S. A. 
Stewart. 

District 2, 1832, S. Conant; 1S33. J. Scott; 1S34. 
Abram Noyes, J. J. Demino;; 1S35-1S37, L. Pratt; 
1837, P. Beaubien; 1838, Daniel Sexton; 1839-1841, 
A. Smollc; 1841, H. E. Perry; 1842, Jas. Hanmer; 
1843, Jas. Hanmer. J. W. Sutton; 1844, Thos. 
Palmer; 1845. A. Smolk; 1846, \Vm. Cook; 1847, 
J. A. Stephens; 1848. E. Ashley, J. A. Stephens. 

An Act of February 20, 1849, provided for the 
election of a supervisor from each ward, whose duty 
it was to keep the streets and roads in repair. The 
ward supervisors of roads were : 

1850, First Ward, John Long; Second Ward. J. 
McMillan; Third Ward. Jas. Killen; Fourth Ward. 
Conrad Gies; Fifth Ward, J. Reynolds; Si.xth 
Ward, Samuel Hewlett, John Robinson; Seventh 
Ward, Enos Lebot ; Eighth Ward, J. B. Haass. 

1851, First Ward, Luke Nolan; Second Ward, 
D.Welch; Third Ward. Jas. Killen; Fourth Ward. 
N. Sturm; Fifth Ward. J. Reynolds; Sixth Ward, 
M. Henderson; Seventh Ward, E. Lebot; Eighth 
Ward, T. Coughlin. 

1852, First Ward, T. Hurst; Second Ward. J. 
Clark; Third Ward, Patrick Oaks; Fourth Ward. 
Wm. Amrhein; Fifth Ward, Thomas Daly; Si.xth 
Ward, M. Henderson ; Seventh Ward, Gregory 
Nolin; Eighth Ward, Jas. Driscol. 

1853, First Ward, T. Hurst; Second Ward, H. 
Zender; Third Ward. L. Beaubien; Fourth Ward, 
Wm. Amrhein; Fifth Ward, D. McLean; Sixth 
Ward, M. Henderson ; Seventh Ward. C. H. Damm ; 
Eighth Ward, D. Duggan. 

1854, First Ward. T. Hurst ; Second Ward, 
John Clark ; Third Ward. Wm. McHutcheon ; 
Fourth Ward. J. J. Diedrich; Fifth Ward, Thomas 
Hanks; .Sixth Ward, F. Funke; Seventh Ward, 
Peter Clessen ; Eighth Ward, Dennis Duggan. 

1855, First Ward, T. Hurst; Second Ward. Amos 
Chaffee, John Clark; Third Ward, Peter Dixon; 
Fourth Ward, J. J. Diedrich; Fifth Ward, Thomas 
Hanks; Sixth Ward, Wm. Schweim; Seventh 
Ward, Peter Clessen ; Eighth Ward, James Caplis. 

1856, First Ward, T. Hurst ; Second Ward, John 
Clark, Seth Case ; Third Ward. A. Wilkie ; Fourth 
Ward, T. Hilsendegen ; Fifth Ward, Thomas Hanks; 
Sixth Ward, J. G. Walker ; Seventh Ward, Wm. 
Monoghan ; Eighth Ward, A. Shuell. 

The title of Supervisor of Highways was changed 
by charter of 1857 to overseer, and under this name 
the office existed imtil it was abolished in 1873 by 
the creation of the Board of Public Works. The 
following is a list of the overseers of highways : 

1857, First Ward, T. Hurst; Second Ward. Seth 
Case ; Third Ward. Daniel Carroll ; I'^ourth ^^'ard, 
T. Hilsendegen; Fifth Ward. Thomas Hanks; Sixth 
Ward, Jno. G. Walker ; Seventh Ward, Wm. Mono- 



ghan : Eighth Ward. Anthony Shuell ; Ninth Ward. 
Wm. Cavanagh ; Tenth Ward, Ma.x Todt. 

1858, First Ward, Daniel Daly; Second Ward, 
Dan'l Costigan ; Third Ward, D. Carroll ; Fourth 
Ward, J. J. Diedrich ; Fifth Ward, Daniel Freyer ; 
Sixth Ward, Frederick Funke ; Seventh Ward, 
Joseph Bour; Eighth Ward, Patrick DwTer; Ninth 
Ward, Wm. Cavanagh ; Tenth Ward, Max Todt. 

1859. First Ward, D. Daly; Second Ward, D. 
Costigan ; Third Ward, D. Carroll ; Fourth Ward, 
J. J. Diedrich ; Fifth Ward, D. Freyer; Sixth Ward, 
Theo. Funke ; Seventh Ward, J. Bour ; Eighth 
Ward, P. Dwyer ; Ninth Ward, Henry Smith ; Tenth 
Ward, G. Schweitzer. 

1S60, First Ward, T. Hurst ; Second Ward. L. 
McHugh; Third Ward, Andrew Wilkie; Fourth 
Ward, Anton Schulte; Fifth Ward, Wm. H. 
Knowles ; Si.xth Ward, Theo. Funke ; Seventh 
Ward, J. Bour ; Eighth Ward, Dan'l Falvey ; Ninth 
Ward. Henry Smith ; Tenth Ward, G. Schweitzer. 

1 86 1, First Ward. John B. Long; Second Ward. Jas. 
Cosgrove, I^atrick Cosgrove ; Third Ward. Andrew 
Wilkie ; Fourth Ward, Carl Weichsler ; Fifth Ward, 
Wm. H. Knowles ; Sixth Ward. N. Wuerges ; 
Seventh Ward, Wm. Martin ; Eighth Ward. C. 
Danahey ; Ninth Ward, John Fey ; Tenth Ward, 
Anthony Deimel. 

1862, First Ward. J. B. Long; Second Ward. L. 
McHugh ; Third Ward, Thos. Schaniaden, Geo. 
Bates ; Fourth Ward, Conrad Gies ; Fifth Ward, F. 
McDonald; Sixth Ward, N. Wuerges; Seventh 
Ward. George Moebs ; Eighth Ward. C. Danahey ; 
Ninth Ward, John Fey; Tenth Ward, A. Deimel. 

1 863, First Ward, Geo. Bates ; Second Ward, L. 
McHugh ; Third Ward, T. Schamaden ; Fourth 
Ward, H. Mondery ; Fifth Ward, F. McDonald ; 
Sixth Ward, George Pipp ; Seventh Ward, G. 
Moebs ; Eighth Ward. P. Shanahan ; Ninth Ward. 
Ernest Dorman ; Tenth Ward. Peter I^unn. 

1S64, First Ward, G. Bates ; Second Ward, L. Mc- 
Hugh ; Third Ward, T. Schamaden ; F"ourth Ward, 
H. .Mondery ; Fifth Ward, Geo. M. Knowles ; Sixth 
Ward, Geo. Pipp ; Seventh Ward. G. Moebs ; 
Eighth Ward, P. Shanahan ; Ninth Ward. E. Dor- 
man ; Tenth Ward, Peter Dunn. 

1865, First Ward, G. Bates; Second Ward. L. 
McHugh ; Third Ward, John Noonan ; Fourth 
Ward. Anthony Kremer; Fifth Ward. G. W. 
Knowles ; Sixth Ward. Justus Zinn ; Seventh Ward. 
Adam Bieber ; Eighth Ward, Daniel Guiney; Ninth 
Ward. John Mason ; Tenth Ward, P. Dunn. 

1866, First Ward, Henry Smith ; Second Ward, 
L. McHugh ; Third Ward, J. Noonan ; Fourth 
Ward, A. Kremer; Fifth Ward, F. McDonald; 
Sixth Ward. Henry Kuemmel ; Seventh Ward, 
Adam Bieber ; Eighth Ward. D. Guiney : Ninth 
Ward, John Mason ; Tenth Ward, P. Dunn. 



STREET AND ROAD OFFICERS. 



935 



1867, First Ward, H. Smith ; Second Ward, L. 
McHugh : Third Ward, J. Noonan ; Fourth Ward, 
Rudolph Orth ; Fifth Ward, F. McDonald ; Sixth 
Ward, H. Kuemmel; Seventh Ward, A. Bieber ; 
Eighth Ward, W Madigan ; Nintli Ward, Patriclc 
Evans ; Tenth Ward, P. Dunn. 

1868, First Ward. H. Smith; Second Ward, John 
Norris; Third Ward, J. Xoonan ; Fourth Ward, R. 
Orth; Fifth Ward, F. McDonald; Sixth Ward, H. 
Kuemmel ; Seventh Ward. J. Blankenheim ; Eighth 
Ward, P. Madigan; Ninth Ward, P. Evans; Tenth 
Ward, Lucien Zink. 

1869, First Ward, H. Smith ; Second Ward, H. 
Stehfest ; Third Ward, Fred. Yermulen ; Fourth 
Ward, R. Orth ; Fifth Ward. F. McDonald ; Sixth 
Ward, Casper Geist ; Seventh Ward, J. Blanken- 
heim ; Eighth Ward, J no. Downey; Ninth Ward, 
Thomas McGowan ; Tenth Ward, Lucien Zink. 

1870, First Ward, H. Smith; Second Ward, H. 
Stehfest ; Third Ward, P. Herlihy ; Fourth Ward, 
Henry Lutticke ; Fifth Ward, Henry Pannel ; Sixth 
Ward, Albert Peine ; Seventh Ward, Peter Bieber ; 
Eighth Ward, J. Downey; Ninth Ward, T. Mc- 
Gowan ; Tenth Ward, L. Zink. 

1 87 1, First Ward, H. Smith; Second Ward, 
Chas. H. Buelow ; Third Ward, P. Herlihy ; Fourth 
Ward, H. Lutticke; Fifth Ward, H. Pannel; Sixth 
Ward, A. Peine ; Seventh Ward, P. Bieber ; Eighth 
Ward. M. Kenealy; Ninth Ward, E. Maltz ; Tenth 
Ward, John Happe. 

1872, First Ward, H. Smith; Second Ward.C. H. 
Buelow; Third Ward. P. Herlihy; Fourth Ward, H. 
Lutticke; Fifth Ward. H. Pannel; Sixth Ward. C. 
Weissenstein ; Seventh Ward, P. Bieber ; Eighth 
Ward, M. Kenealy ; Ninth Ward, E. Maltz ; Tenth 
Ward. J. Happe. 

1873, First Ward. H. Smith; Second Ward, 
C. H. Buelow ; Third Ward, John Smith ; Fourth 
Ward, Nicholas Kummer; Fifth Ward, H. Pannel ; 
Sixth Ward, C. Weissenstein ; Seventh Ward. Gott- 
lieb Scerl ; Eighth Ward, Patrick Barrett ; Ninth 
Ward, John Brown ; Tenth Ward, J. Happe. 

The office of street commissioner was created in 
1827, the exigencies connected with the grading 
down of old Fort Shelby, and the laying out of new 
streets in the old Militar\' Reserve calling it into being. 
No ordinance was passed concerning the office until 
May 1 1, 1829, when provision was made for four dis- 
tricts and four street commissioners. The office 
ceased in 1S32, was revived by ordinance of April i. 
1837, but after two years went unfilled. A new or- 
dinance concerning the office was passed on April 7, 
1846, and this was repealed on April 25, 1848, 
and revived on June 28, 1853. On April 23, 1857, 
an ordinance was passed providing for two street 
commissioners ; and this remained in force until the 
Act creating the Board of Public Works abolished 



the office. It was the duty of the street commis- 
sioner to supervise the work done by overseers or 
supervisors in his district, and to see that streets and 
sidewalks were kept in proper order. The following 
persons served as street commissicjners : 

1827. D. French; 1828. John Mullett, Ellis Doty; 
1829. First Ward. John Roberts; Second Ward, S. 
Conant ; Third Ward. J. Farrar ; Fourth Ward, 
Melvin Dorr; 1837, S. W. Higgins, L. Goodell ; 
1838, E. S. Lathrop; 1839, John Farmer; 1846, G. 
F. Porter ; 1853 to 1857, John King. 

Eastern District. — 1857, Jas. Beaubien ; Jas. 
Collins; 1S58 and 1859. Enos Lebot ; i860, William 
Long; 1861. Jas. Huff; 1862, T. L. Campau ; 1863, 
D. Kendall; 1864, F. C. St. Aubin ; 1865-67, Wm. 
Krapp; 1867-1871, Robert Reaume; 1871-1873, 
T. Funke ; 1873, W. Boenninghausen. 

Western District. -~\%^-] -xZdo, T. Joyce; 1860- 
1862, F. W. Noble; 1862, Jas. Collins; 1863- 1866 
Thomas Gorman ; 1 866-1 868, T. Mahoney; 1868, 
John Stewart; i86g, John Hogan ; 1870, Patrick 
Hayes; 1871. J.Stewart ; 1872-1874, Henry Knowles. 

The office of city surveyor became a necessity 
because of the extensive improvements inaugurated 
in 1827. but no ordinance concerning the office was 
passed until January 15, 1842. Under the ordinance 
persons seeking the position of surveyor vv'ere 
obliged to tender bids for doing the work required. 
The duties consisted chiefly in establishing and des- 
ignating the grades of the streets, alleys, and sewers. 
By Act of February 21, 1849, the office was made 
elective. In 1874 it ceased to exist as a distinctive 
office, being merged into the department controlled 
by the Board of Public Works. 

The city sur\'eyors have been : 1827, John Mul- 
lett; 1828, J. Mullett, Sylvester Sibley; 1830-1832, 
J. Mullett; 1832, John Farmer; 1836, A. E. Hathon ; 
1837, S. W. Higgins: 1838, A. E. Hathon ; 1839- 
1841, John Farmer; 1841-1843, A. E. Hathon; 1843. 
H. G. Goodell ; 1844-1850, A. E. Hathon; 1850. 
John Almy; 1 851, Henry B. Brevoort ; 1852-1858, 
Theodore J. Campau ; 1S59. N. Thelan ; 1860-1862, 
T. J. Campau; 1862- 1873, Eugene Robinson. 

A Board of Commissioners on Plan of City was 
provided for by the charter of February 5, 1857, and 
consisted of three persons, nominated by the mayor, 
appointed by the council, and serving without pay. 
The design of the law was to secure uniformity in 
the location, width, and direction of the streets ; 
and by the provisions of the charter no land in the 
city could be subdivided or streets laid out without 
the approval of the commissioners. They could 
not, however, compel owners of property to submit 
to pecuniary loss in order to secure imiformity in 
street lines, and consequently comparatively little 
good resulted. In 1S74 the board ceased to exist, 
the Board of Public Works succeeding to the duties. 



936 



BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 



The following persons served as commissioners : 
1857-1869, E. A. Brush, H. P. Baldwin, George 
Jerome; 1869-1871, George S. Frost, M. F. Dick- 
inson. J. N. Ford: 1871-1873, Emory Wendell, 
J. N. Ford, T. J. Campau ; 1S73, William Fo.xen, 
J. N. Ford. T. J. Campau. 

The office of commissioner of grades was created 
by the council on February 21, 1854. Five persons 
were appointed on nomination of the mayor to serve 
without compensation, with power to establish 
grades for street paving or sidewalks in all streets, 
alleys, and public places. By ordinance of July 12. 
1869. the number of commissioners was reduced to 
three, and in 1874, on the establishment of the 
Board of Public Works, the office was abolished. 

The names and terms of the commissioners were 
as follows: 1854, A. Canfield, E. A. Brush, H. H. 
LeRoy, J. Houghton, S. French; 1855-1859. E. A. 
Brush, W. Barclay, H. H. LeRoy, W. W. Wilco.x, J. 
Houghton ; 1859-1861, E. A. Brush, J. Owen, H. H. 
LeRoy. W. W. Wilcox, J. Houghton ; 1861, C. Jack- 
son. W. W. Wilco.x, J. Owen, J. Godfrey, J. Hough- 
ton ; 1862-1869, W. W. Wilco.x, J. Owen, J. God- 
froy, William Stead; 1869, W. Stead, J. Owen, J. 
Anderson, S. F"olsom. James Dubois; 1870, James 
Anderson, S. Folsom, James Dubois; 1871-1873, 
J. Anderson, J. Dubois. S. Folsom, T. J. Campau ; 
1873, J. Anderson, J. Dubois, S. Folsom. 

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 

An attempt was made to create a Board of Pub- 
lic Works by Act of April 17. 1871, but as the Act 
sought to do away with the Board of Water Com- 
missioners, as well as other offices, it was strenu- 
ously opposed by many, and decided to be illegal by 
the Supreme Court. 

The present board was established by Act of 
April 29. 1873. and amended Act of April 10, 1875. 
It is the successor and inheritor of the duties of the 
Board of Sewer Commissioners, Board of Grade 
Commissioners, Commissioners on Plan of City, City 
Surveyor, Street Commissioners, Superintendent of 
Park, and Overseers of Highways. It is vested 
with the control and supervision of paving, repay- 



ing, cleaning, repairing, grading, working and im- 
proving of all streets, alleys, avenues, and public 
grounds ; the construction, altering, and repairing of 
public wharves, docks, bridges, culverts, receiving 
basins, sewers, and water-courses, the laying down 
of all side and cross walks ; the erection of all lamp- 
posts, drinking or ornamental fountains, and also 
of all public buildings and works of the corporation, 
or of any board thereof, without the power, how- 
ever, of changing the plans or specifications of such 
work. 

The officers began their duties on the third Tues- 
day of January. 1874. The first members elected 
by the council decided by lot their respective terms 
of two, three, and four years. Subsequent members 
have been elected by the council for terms of four 
years each. 

The city engineer, who is one of the chief executive 
officers of the board and takes the place of the former 
city surveyor, is appointed by the Board of Council- 
men on the nomination of the board. His salary in 
1883 was .I2.500. Four assistants are appointed by 
the board on his nomination. E. Willard Smith 
was the first surveyor under the board. He re- 
signed in February, 1875, ^'tJ H. D. Ludden 
was appointed his successor. He was succeeded 
in 1878 by John McLaughlin, who, in July, 1882, 
was succeeded by Mr. Ludden. John Campbell 
has been the secretary of the board from its organi- 
zation. His salary is $1,500. In 1883 four others 
were associated with him in the office work. The 
board employs an overseer for each ward, and about 
three hundred laborers during nearly half of the 
year. The salaries of the members of the board 
were originally $3,000 each. In 1883 they were 
$2,500. 

The commissioners have been; 1874. H. King, 
A. Chapoton, N. Mitchell; 1875, S. G. Wight, A. 
Chapoton, N. Mitchell ; 1876, W. Purcell. A. Chapo- 
ton. N. Mitchell: 1877, W. Purcell, A. Chapoton, F. 
Ruehle; i878,W. Purcell, A. Chapoton, F. Ruehle ; 
1879-1882, W. H. Langley. B. Briscoe, F. Ruehle; 
1882-1884, W. H. Langley, B. Briscoe, J. B. Stout- 
enburgh ; 1884, W. H. Langley, J. B. Stoutenburgh, 
Alexander Chapoton. 



CHAPTER LXXXVIIl, 



STREET NAMES, AND THEIR ORIGIN.'— CHANGES IN NAMES. 



STREET NAMES, AND THEIR ORIGIN. 
In the origin of their names, the streets of Detroit 
afford a curious mingling of local and general facts 
and suggestions. They prc:;erve the memory of 
many old settlers and citizens, and recall the names 
of battles, Indian tribes, presidents, governors, may- 
ors, French, English, and American generals, trav- 
elers, poets, historians, scholars, and statesmen ; the 
seasons, forest and fruit trees, and the precious 
metals have also suggested names ; all of the nu- 
merals are represented, and many foreign cities and 
coimtries ; states and lakes appear in the list ; patri- 
otic and army names are numerous, and the Chris- 
tian names of women and men are frequent. Some 
of the streets are called after well-known streets in 
other cities, other names grew out of humorous or 
historic associations, and still others preserve the 
memory of clergymen and saints. Owing to the 
efforts of Mr. McCabe at the time he was preparing 
the first directory of the city, the council, on Sep- 
tember 6, 1836, ordered the names of the streets 
put up at the corners. At intervals since that time, 
efforts have been made to secure the posting of all 
names, but up to the present time no complete and 
universal plan is in operation. The following list 
contains the names of all streets in the city and sub- 
urbs, and the year when the names first appear in 
records or maps, together with facts and suggestions 
as to the origin of names. Streets no longer in 
existence are marked with a *. 

A, 1869. 

Adair, 1862, William Adair, nurseryman and land- 
owner. 

*Apple Pie, i860, so called because it was so short, 
being, as was said, " not bigger than a piece of apple 
pie." 

Abbott, 1835. James Abbott, old citizen, third 
postmaster of Detroit, etc. 

Atwater, 1828, Reuben Atwater, Secretary of 
Michigan Territory. The street is literally at water, 
as it lies ne.xt to the river. 

*Alexander (Chene Farm), 1 857, Alexander Fraser, 
land-owner. 



Alexander (Stanton Farm), 1852, Christian name 
of son of General Henry Stanton. 

Alexandrine Avenue, 1863, Alexandrine M. Wil- 
lis, wife of B. Campau, land-owner, 

Antietam, 1867, from battle of Antietam in war 
with the South. 

Alfred, 1869, Alfred E. Brush, .son of E. A. 
Brush. 

Alfred (Springwells), 1883, second son of Moses 
W. Field: he died in May, 1882. 

Adelaide, 1853, Adelaide, wife of Elijah Brush. 

*Adams, 1875, T. K. Adams, land-owner. 

Adams Avenue, 1807. John Adams, second Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

*Arch, 1852, Arch McLean, friend of Albert 
Crane. 

Ann, 1853, Ann, wife of F. J. B. Crane, land- 
owner. 

Ash, 1856, a tree indigenous to Michigan. 

Audrain. 1873, Peter Audrain, Secretary of Gov- 
ernor and Judges sitting as a Territorial Legisla- 
ture, also Clerk of Courts. 

Albert ( Springwells 1, 1871, Albert Bushey, son 
of Joseph Bushey. land-owner. 

Albert (Springwells), 1884, Albert M. Barthol- 
omew, land-owner. 

Aurelia, 1857, Aurelia Cutler of Warren, Massa- 
chusetts, friend of W. B. Wesson. 

Am.sterdam, 1870, after old city of Holland. 

Antoinette Avenue, 1870, Antoinette Mandle- 
baum, wife of S. Mandlebaum. 

Army Avenue, 1874, Artillery Avenue, 1869, in 
honor of the soldiers at Fort Wayne. 

Arndt, 1881, Henry Arndt, land-owner. 

Archer Avenue, 1883, maiden name of friend of 
Mrs. John C. Williams. 

Atkinson Avenue, 1883, W. F. Atkinson of De- 
troit. 

Arthur Avenue, 1884. after President Chester A. 
Arthur. 

B, 1869. 

Beaubien, 1835, Lambert Beaubien, land-owner, 
soldier in War of 1812; he had great influence 
among the Indians. 



•Copyright, 1884, by Silas Farmer. 

[937] 



93i 



STREET NAMES, AND THEIR ORIGIN. 



Brigade, 1873, there is a brigade of streets with 
military names near Fort Wayne. 

Boston, 1870, after Boston, Massachusetts. 

Bohemian Avenue, 1870, after Bohemia in (Ger- 
many, birthplace of S. Mandlebauiii. 

Butler Avenue, 1S73, Milton H. Butler, land- 
owner. 

Butternut, 1856. a tree indigenous to this region. 

Beech, 1836, a forest tree of Michigan. 

Beech (Springwells), 1884. A careless repetition 
of the name of a city street. 

Beecher. 1857, Henry Ward Beecher. 

Beecher Place, 1869, Henry Ward Beecher. 

Bryant, 1857, Mrs. Bryant of Petersham, Mass., 
aunt of \V. B. Wesson. 

Beulah, 1857, Land of Beulah in "Pilgrim's Pro- 
gress." 

Buchanan, 1856, James Buchanan, elected Presi- 
dent that year. 

Breckenridge, 1856, John C. Breckenridge, elected 
Vice-President that year. 

Bushey. 186S. Joseph Bushey, land-owner. 

Brigham, 1852, middle name of W. B. Wesson. 

Beck, 1876, Charles G. Beck, land-owner. 

Buena Vista. 1857, American victory at Buena 
Vista, Mexico, 1847. 

Brainard, 1866, Martha Brainard Spencer, wife of 
(General Joseph Spencer and grandmother of Mrs. 
Governor Cass. 

*Blanche, 1871, Blanche, daughter of R. S. Willis. 

Brady, 1857, General Hugh Brady, United States 
Army, for many years stationed at Detroit. 

Brush, 1828, E. A. Brush of Brush Farm. 

Brush .Avenue (Springwells), 1873, E. A. Brush of 
Brush Farm. 

Benton, 1S54, Thomas H. Benton, statesman of 
Missouri. 

Brewster, 1850, Mr. Brewster of Boston, friend of 
Albert Crane. 

Bidwell, 1854, Bidwell Edwards, friend of P. 
Tregent. 

Bellair. 1854, Oliver Bellair, land-owner. 

Berlin. 1 869, Berlin, Germany. 

Berlin .Avenue (Springwells), 1S73, I' rederick Ber- 
lin, land-owner. 

Barkume, 1873, Eli Barkume, land-owner. 

Bagg, 1854, A. S. Bagg, land-owner. 

Bethune, 1881, maiden name of Mrs. George 
Duffield. D. D. 

Baldwin Place, 1876, in honor of II. P. Baldwin, 
e.\-Governor of Michigan. 

Baldwin .Avenue (Hamtramck). 1855, Lyman 
Baldwin, father-in-law of W. B. Wesson. 

Baldwin Avenue (Springwells), 1881, Com. Bald- 
win of New York, friend of Deming Jarves. 

Bronson, 1S50, maiden name of mother of F. J. 
B.. V.'alter, and Albert Crane. 



Buhl Avenue, 1S67. C. H. Buhl, old citizen and 
land-owner. 

Brevoort Place, 1869, Major H. B. Brevoort, with 
Perry at victory on Lake Erie. 

Bristol Place, 1869, Charles L. Bristol, son-in-law 
of Commodore Brevoort. 

Baker, 1S35. Colonel Daniel Baker, U. S. A., at 
one time stationed at Detroit. 

Beacon, 1849, named by Albert Crane from a 
street in Boston where he attended college. 

Beard Avenue, 1867, George Beard, land-owner. 

Bates, 1 83 1, Frederick Bates, one of first terri- 
torial judges. 

Berthelet .Alley, 1835, Henry Berthelet, land-owner. 

Beaufait, 1872, Louis Beaufait, old resident. 

Bratshaw, 1882, J. B. H. Bratshaw, land owner. 

Bellevue Avenue, 1 868, from the view it affords 
of Belle Isle. 

Belle Isle Avenue, from the island lying opposite 
the street. 

Barclay Place, 1876, William Barclay, old citizen, 
land-owner. 

Brandon Avenue, 1S82, after Calvin C. Brandon. 

Boone, 1884, named after the noted Kentucky 
pioneer. 

C, 1S69. 

Crawford, 1S52, Francis Crawford, old citizen and 
real estate dealer. 

Campau (Springwells), 1863, J. B. Campau, land- 
owner. 

Campau Road, 1874, Emily Campau, land-owner. 

Conant Road, 1840, .Shubael Conant, old citizen. 

Chase, i860, Thomas Chase, land-owner. 

*Chase, 1871, believed to have been intended as 
Crane Street, and recorded by mistake as Chase. 

Concord Avenue, 1S77, commemorates the revo- 
lutionary battle. 

Congress, 1827, in honor of the Congress of 1826, 
which gave the Military Reserve through which the 
street is laid. 

Clark Avenue, 1867, John P. Clark, l.ind-owner. 

Cross, 1835, a short cross-street. 

Clinton, 1835, De Witt Clinton, Governor of New 
York. 

Croghan, 1S35, Colonel George Croghan, at one 
time in command of Detroit. 

Catharine, 1833, Catharine Mullett, daughter of 
John lilullett. 

Crane Avenue, 1866, Albert Crane, land-owner. 

Church, 1858, Governor Woodbridge gave the lot 
for St. Peter's Episcopal Church situated on this 
street, and it was therefore called Church Street. 

Clifford, 1835, named by John Farmer on his first 
published map of 1835. Thomas Cliff had kept a 
tavern for many years on west side of Woodward 
.Avenue, just above what is now Clifford Street, and 
his house was the only one in that vicinity. A 



STREET NAMES, AND THEIR ORIGIN. 



939 



branch of May's Creek then crossed Woodward 
Avenue just south of this tavern, and in the spring 
of the year the water was quite deep, hence Cliff's 
ford, or Clifford. 

Cedar. 1S62. from Cedar .Street. New York. 

Cedar (Springwells). 1884, has no special sij^nirt- 
cance. 

Chestnut, 1S36, a favorite tree, but not numerous 
in Michigan. 

Cherry, 1836; Crosse Pointe. near Detroit, is cele- 
brated for the quality and quantity of cherries there 
grown. 

Carter Avenue, 1S75, I3aniel Carter, land-owner. 

Coe, 1876, S. S. Coe, land-owner. 

Columbia, 1835. named by John R. Williams, from 
a street in Albany, New York, on which he had lived. 

Columbus, 1S73, Christopher Columbus. 

Clay, 1S52, Henry Clay, the Kentucky statesman. 

Central Avenue, 1S73, runs through the centre of 
a certain tract. 

Center, 1835, from its location between two main 
avenues. 

Calhoun, 1S54, John C. Calhoun, the South C;u'o- 
lina nuUifier and statesman. 

Charlotte, 1854. Charlotte Hart .Saxton. afterwards 
Mrs. Colonel E. S. Sibley. 

*Charlotte (Tenth Ward), 1867, Charlotte Palmer, 
niece of Thomas Palmer. 

Cantield Street, 1870, Caufield Avenue, 1867, 
Colonel Canfield, son-in-law of General Cass. 

Charles, 1S53, Charles, brother of F. J. fi. Crane, 
land-owner. 

Charles Avenue, 18S2, after Charles A. Canipau. 
son of M. A. Campau. 

Chene, 1857. Gabriel Chene. land-owner. 

Collins, i860, William Collins, butcher and land- 
owner. 

Commonwealth Avenue, 1876, in honor of the 
city as a body politic, and suggestive of the reign 
of Oliver Cromwell. 

Cutler, 1852, middle name of W. P.. Wesson's 
oldest brother. 

Cicotte .Avenue, 1S73, E. V. Cicotte, land-owner. 

Chandler, 1S81. Z. Chandler, United .States .Sena- 
tor from Michigan. 

Caroline, 1857, Caroline Cutler, of Hardwick, 
Mass., friend of W. B. Wesson. 

Clippert Avenue, 1873, Conrad Clippert, land- 
owner. 

* Campbell, 1868, Colin Campbell, land-owner. 

Campbell Avenue (.Springwells), 1880, Judge 
James V. Campbell, of Supreme Court of State. 

Connor Place. 1881, Maurice Connor, land-owner. 

Ca.ss, 1827, Governor Lewis Cass, second (".o\- 
emor of Michigan Territory. 

Christiancy, 1881, I. P. Christiancy, Judge of 
Supreme Court of Michigan. 



Clitz, 1857, Mary I!., sister of General Henry B. 
Clitz, U. S. A. 

Celia, 1857, Chrisii.ui name of Mrs. W. B. Wes- 
son's sister. 

* Circus, 1S44. from its passing around the Cr.-uid 
Circus Park. 

* Chicago Road. 1S27. This road was laid out 
by Ciovernment from Detroit to Chicago. 

* Cemetery (.Sixth Ward), 1864, opened through 
a part of the old Cemetery. 

Cadillac Avenue (Hamtramck), 1876, Cadillai- 
(Springwells), 1880, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, 
founder of Detroit. 

Cavalry Avenue, Cadet Avenue, 1873, in honor 
of .soldiers at Fort Wayne. 

Crystal .Street, 1882, becau.se of a gla.ss factor)' 
located near it. 

Craven Avenue, 18S3, maiden name of Mrs. 
John C. Williams. 

Custer, 1 883, in honor of C'.en. C. .\. Custer. 

Charles J., 1883, after Charles I-^ Jenkins, of 
Detroit. 

D, 1873. 

Dragoon, 1876, military name. 

I5etroit, 1852, from the French, signifying the 
strait on which the city is located. 

Dred, 1857, named from the Dred Scott Case, in 
which a decision was rendered that year by Judge 
Taney. 

Deverau.x, 1876, John C. Deveraux, of Utica, N. 
Y., connected with the Williams family. 

Dennis, 1873, Dennis J. Campau, land-owner. 

Dubois, 1857, James Dubois, land-owner. 

Dix Road, 1842, John Dix, one of the earliest 
settlers in the county. 

Davenport, 1869, Louis Davenport, land-owner. 

Dalzell, 1855, Captain Henry Dalzell or Dalyell. 
killed at Battle of Bloody Run in 1763. 

DufTield, 1853, Rev. George Duffield, kmd-ovn( r. 

Division, 1850, on line between lands of Crane & 
Wesson and Van Dyke. 

Driggs, 1881, F. E. Driggs, land-owner. 

Davis Avenue, 1875, Ira Davis, land-owner. 

Dry fJock, 1875, from the old Dry Dock near 

by- 
Dearborn Road, 1828, leads to village of Dear- 
born, named after General Henry Dearborn, U. S. A. 
Dequindre, 1850, Major Antoine Dequindre, 
land-owner and prominent in War of 181 2. 

Dickinson, 1857, Moses F. Dickinson, land- 
owner. 

*Dudley, 1858, Dudley B. Woodbridge, land- 
owner. 

•'Davidson, 1857, Alexander Davidson, old citi- 
zen. 

Dey Avenue, 1S81, A. H. Dey, banker and l.ind- 
owner. 



940 



STKEET NAMES, AND THEIR ORIGIN. 



Doyle, 1882, Michael Doyle, laiid-uwner. 

Dane, 1884,111 honor of Nathan Dane, the usually 
accredited author of the Ordinance of 1787. 

E. 1873. Eighth, 1856. Eleventh, 1867. Eigh- 
teenth, 1S67. Eighteenth-and-a-half, 1867. 

Elisabeth, 1835, Elisabeth Williams, afterwards 
Mrs. Colonel John Winder. 

Elisabeth (Springwells), 1868, Elisabeth, wife of 
Joseph lUishey. 

E. L. Canipau, 1872, Eleanor L. Canipau. land- 
owner. 

Ellery, 1S76, Ellcry I. Garfield, then city comp- 
troller. 

i:iliot, 1871, Elliot H. r.rush, son of E. A. Brush. 

Erskine, 1867, John Askin, originally spelled Ers- 
kine, father-in-law of Colonel E. Hrush. 

Edmund Place, 1867, Edmund, son of E. A. 
Brush. 

Elmwood Avenue, 1862, from the cemetery 
which it passes. 

Elwood. 1S73. S. D. Elwood, old citizen. 

Elm, i860, ■' Tall, graceful, and alone, the spread- 
ing elm tree stands." 

Edward, 1873. Edward ^^ Cicotte. land-owner. 

Edwards, 1S54, Uidwell Edwards, friend of 1^. Tre- 
gent. 

Endicott Avenue, 1S74, Charles Endicott, nf New- 
comb, Endicott, & Company. 

*Earl (.Si.xth Ward), 1838, A. Earl Halhon, old 
surveyor. 

Excelsior Avenue, 1883. This was deemed an ex- 
cellent name. 

F, 1873. 

Fort W, 1827. from Fort Shelby, which was de- 
molished at the time this street was first opened. 

Fort E, 1835, because in line with Fort Street W. 

Flora, 1877, Christian name of niece of John R. 
Williams. 

First, 1835. Fourth, 1S41. Fourth Avenue. 1873. 
Fifth, 1835. Fifth Avenue, 1876. Fourteenth Ave- 
nue, 1867. Fifteenth, 1S67. Fifteenth-and-a-half, 
1867. 

Frederick. 1857, I'rederick E. I-'arnsworth. son of 
L. L. Farnsworth. 

Farnsworth, 1857, L. L. Farnsworth. land-owner. 

Fremont, 1857, John C. Fremont, candidate for 
Presidency in 1S56. 

Forest, 1869, "This is the forest primeval." 

Ferry, 1874, Dexter M. Ferry, seed-merchant. 

*Francis (Tenth Ward), 1857, Francis Trask. 
friend of Mrs. Thomas Palmer. 

Frances, 1861, Christian name of sister of Mrs. 
W. B. Wesson. 

Francis (Stanton Farm). 1852, given name of son 
of General Henry Stanton. 

Fox, 1857, red foxes were quite plentiful in this 
region. 



F'rank, 1857. Frank Mann, son of owner of part 
of the land. 

Federal, 1872, an old party name, also applied to 
the United States Government. 

Fulton, 1853, from Fulton Street, New York. 

Father, 1872, this certainly is a family name. 

Ferdinand, 1874, Ferdinand Williams, son of 
John R. Williams. 

Field. [880, Moses W. Field, prominent citizen. 

Fabbri, 1857, after Mr. Fabbri of New York, 
friend of C. E. Bressler, land-owner. 

Farmer, 1835, John Farmer, author of first pub- 
lished maps of Territory, State, and City, and of first 
Gazetteer. 

Farrar, 1835, John Farrar, old citizen. 

Front, 1836, it is at the front, or next to the river. 

Franklin, 1826, Benjamin Franklin. 

Frontenac, 1872, Count Frontenac, Governor- 
General of New France. 

Foundry, 1857, leads to the foundry of the De- 
troit Bridge and Iron Works. 

*Fraser (Guoin Farm), 1857, A. I). Eraser, land- 
owner. 

Florence, 1882, after Florence Patterson, daughter 
of George A. Patterson. 

Field, 1883, Moses W. Field, land-owner. 

Grant, 1873, General U. S. Grant, for two years 
stationed in Detroit. 

Grout, i88i,J. R. Grout, old citizen and land- 
owner. 

Guoin, 1835, Charles Guoin, of Guoin Farm. 

Grisw'old, 1S28, named by Governor Woodbridge 
in honor of Governor Roger Griswold, of Connecticut. 

(jratiot .Avenue, 1835, the road leads to Fort Gra- 
tiot, near Port Huron, and was named after Colonel 
Charles Gratiot of General Harrison's army. 

German, 1848, passes through the German quar- 
ter of the city. 

Grand, 1S55, from Grand Street, New "\'ork. 

Gregory Avenue, liSi, family name of Mrs. Dem- 
ing Jarves. 

Grand River, 1835, the road as originally l.iid out 
led to Grand Rapids on Grand River. 

Grandy Avenue, 1874, Levi Grandy, land-owner. 

Grand Junction, 1874, near the Grand Trunk R. 
R. Junction. 

Grove, 1855, there was a grove near by when this 
street was laid out. 

Granville Place, 1S73, from Grand River Street, 
to which it extends. 

Gilbert Avenue, 1873, George W. Gilbert, old 
citizen. 

Gold, 1855, from Gold Street, New York. 

*George, 1850, after George V. N. Lothrop and 
George Duffield, who united in opening this street. 

George, 1884, George Zender. son of Mrs. Henry 
Zender, land-owner. 



STREET NAMES, AND THEIR ORIGIN. 



941 



Georgia, 1857, from the State of Georgia. 
Griffitli Avenue, 1874, T. H. Griftith, land- 
owner. 

Greenfield .Vvenue, 1S73, from its location in the 
town of Greenfield. 

Green Avenue, 1873, Andrew C. Green bought 
the first lot at corner of this avenue and Holden 
Road. 

Gilman, 1S61, Mary Gilman, maiden name of 
mother of General Cass. 

Goldner Avenue, 1S77, Charles Goldner, land- 
owner. 

♦Godfrey Avenue, 1864, Peter Godfrey, land- 
owner. 

Garfield, 1SS2, our second martyr President. 

Griffin, 1 884, the name of the first sail vessel on 
the Lakes. 

Hudson Avenue, 1881, Mrs. Sarah E. Hudson, 
land-owner. 

Holbrook Road, 1867, D. C. Holbrook, land- 
owner. 

Hesse, 1875. maiden name of Mrs. E. R. Pohle, 
land-owner. 

Holden Avenue, 1828, led to farm of Theodore 
G. Holden, an old settler. 

Harper Avenue, 1874, Walter Harper, founder of 
Harper Hospital. 

Herbert, 1S74, Herbert Crain, son of Horatio 
Grain. 

Horatio, 1874, Horatio Crain, land-holder. 

Havens, 1857, Mr. R. Havens of New York, friend 
of W. B. Wesson. 

Hendrie, 1S74, George Hendrie, land-owner. 

Hancock, 1869, John Hancock, l^resident of Con- 
tinental Congress. 

*Helen, 1872, Helen, wife of P. Tregent, land- 
owner. 

Hubbard Boulevard, 1876, Bela Hubbard, land- 
owner. 

Hazel, 1857, a nut-bearing shrub abundant in 
Wayne County. 

Hastings, 1826, E. P. Hastings, old citizen. 

Humboldt Avenue, 1866, Baron Humboldt, the 
great German scholar and scientist. 

Hale, 1854, John P. Hale, abolition candidate for 
Presidency the year this street was laid out. 

Heidelberg, 1869, city on the Xeckar, Ger- 
many. 

Hammond Avenue, 1873, George H. Hammond, 
land-owner. 

Harvey, 1880, John Harvey, one of the original 
owners of the land. 

Huron, 1836, from Huron tribe of Indians. 

Harrison .\venue. 1868. William Henry Harrison, 
President of United States, and our governor under 
Indiana Territory. 

High, 1852, in going up Woodward Avenue there 



is a perceptible rise in the ground at this point ; it is 
literally High Street. 

Henry, 1853, General Henry H. Sibley, son of Sol- 
omon Sibley, land-owner. 

*Henry (Ninth Ward), 1852, Henry Stanton, son 
of General Henry Stanton. 

Howell. 1871,30 named from its nearness to De- 
troit, Howell, & Lansing R. R. 

Harriett, 1835, Harriett Houghton, wife of Dr. 
Houghton. 

Howard, 1835, Colonel Joshua Howard, L^. S. A. 

Hennepin, 1855, Father Louis Hennepin, an early 
French traveler in this region. 

Hussar Avenue, 1876, an army name because so 
near Fort Wayne. 

Hudson Avenue, 1882, E. W. Hudson, land-owner. 

Hibbard Avenue, 18S3, Hibbard Baker, l;ind- 
owner. 

Holcomb Avenue, 1883, Henry W. Holcomb, 
land-owner. 

Harbaugh, 1884. D. E. Harbaugh, old citizen. 

Horton, 1883, after Joseph D. Horton, land-owner. 

Infantry Avenue, 1874, army name, near Fort 
Wayne. 

Indian Avenue, 1856. This street crossed a ridge 
which abounded in Indian graves. 

Ives Avenue, 1857, Albert Ives, land-owner. 

Iowa, 1855, Iowa tribe of Indians. 

Illinois, 1857, Illinois tribe of Indians. 

Irving, 1853, Washington Irxing, the noted author. 

Indiana, 1857, from Indiana, whose jurisdiction 
Detroit was under for a time. 

Ingersoll, 1873, Walter Ingersoll, old citizen. 

Julia, 1873, Christian name of wife of Walter 
Ingersoll. 

Jane, 1857, Christian name of friend of W. B. 
Wesson. 

Johnston Avenue, 1857, John W. Johnston, land- 
owner. 

Joy, 1866, James F. Joy, old citizen. 

John Edgar, 1880, one of the original owners of 
the Crane or Reeder Farm. 

John R., 1835, John R. Williams, large land-owner 
and prominent citizen. 

John C, 1 87 1, John C. Williams, land-owner. 

Jay, 1840, John Jay, once Chief Justice of the 
United States. 

Jones, 1852, De Garmo Jones, once mayor of 
Detroit, owner of Jones Farm. 

Jefferson Avenue, 1807, Thomas Jefferson, third 
President of the United States. 

Joseph Campau .-\ venue, 1869, Joseph Campau, 
old settler and prominent citizen. 

Joe, 1875, Joe, youngest son of Joseph Bushey, 
land-owner. 

Jerome Avenue, 1882, Franklin H. Jerome, land- 
owner. 



94^ 



STREET NAMES, AxND THEIR ORIGIN. 



Jerome (Springwells), i8Sl, George Jerome, old 
citizen. 

*Juliette, 1851, Julia, daughter of Thomas Palmer. 

* James, 1851, James Watson, nephew of Thomas 
Palmer. 

*Jupiter, 1862, so named as an e.xclamation of 
surprise and disapproval because the parties who 
had agreed to give the west half of the street were 
not consulted as to the name, "Chene," which was 
given to it by the owner of the land on the east 
side. 

Kanady, 1874, S. C. Kanady, land-owner. 

Kentucky, 1857, in honor of the State which so 
greatly aided Michigan in the War of 181 2. 

Kinsman, 1875, Thomas Kinsman Adams, land- 
owner. 

Kearsley Avenue, 1873, Major Jonathan Kears- 
ley, officer in War of 18 12, mayor of Detroit, etc. 

Kirby, 1876, George Kirby. old citizen. 

Kanter, 1884, Edward Kanter, banker. 

Koch Avenue, 1884, Christian Koch, land-owner. 

Leland, 1857, Dr. A. L. Leland, friend of Crane 
& Wesson. 

Lansing, 1874, Lansing, the capital of Michigan. 

Lincoln Avenue, 1871, Lincoln Avenue (Ham- 
tramck), 1875, Abraham Lincoln, President of the 
United States. 

Lysander, 1852, name of younger brother of W. 
B. Wesson. 

Lovett Avenue, 1S75, W. E. Lovett, formerly of 
Scotten & Lovett. 

Louisa, 1S65, Christian name of friend of W. V>. 
Wesson. 

Lauderdale, i88i. Dr. E. Lauderdale, friend of 
Walter Crane. 

Livernois, 1872, Francis Livernois, old citizen. 

Lola, 1873, Lola, daughter of Lyman Baldwin, 
old citizen. 

Linden Court, 1S57, from its connection with Lin- 
den Street. 

Linden, 1856, one of our forest trees. 

Laurel, 1857, a shrub. 

Locust, 1836, formerly a favorite shade tree in 
Detroit. 

Leavitt, 1873, A. E. Leavitt, land-owner. 

Ledyard, i860. Colonel Henry Ledyard, son-in- 
law of Governor Cass, and mayor of Detroit. 

Leonard Avenue, 1875, Rev. R. H. Leonard, 
father of Mrs. David Carter. 

Lambie Place, 1869, Frank Lambie, old citizen. 

Lady's Lane, 1880, this street lies near Swain's 
Avenue. " Every swain is supposed to have a lady- 
love, and if he lived on Swain's Avenue, and if she 
happened to live on this street, what name could be 
more appropriate ?" 

"r was cvt-r thus the sighing swain 
Would seek his love in Lady's Lane. 



Lovers' Lane, 1857, a favorite meeting-place, 
years ago, for lovers old and young. 

Leverett. 183S. William Leverett Woodbridge, 
land-owner. 

Lewis, 1854, Lewis Cass, governor and senator. 

Lexington Avenue, 1876, in honor of the battle of 
Le.vington. 

Lafayette Avenue, 1831, Lafayette Street, 1835, 
Marquis de Lafayette, who rendered our country 
such good service in revolutionary days. 

Earned, 1826, General Charles Earned, came with 
army of General Harrison in War of 1812 and set- 
tled at I3etroit. 

Leib, 1863, Judge John L. Leib. land-owner. 

Lorman Avenue, 1875, C. A. Lorman, land- 
owner. 

Labrosse, 1835, Dominic Labrosse, of Labrosse 
farm. 

Ludden, 1S70, N. T. Ludden, old citizen. 

*Liberty, 1855, from Liberty Street New York, 
where Mrs. Crane's brother was in business. 

*Limburg, 1863, Isabella Roest Von Limburg, 
daughter of Governor Cass. 

*Lafferty, 1855, Clement Lafferty, land-owner. 

*Lafontaine Avenue, 1855, Frangois Lafontaine, 
of Lafontaine Farm. 

*La Salle Avenue, 1855. La Salle Avenue (Spring- 
wells), 1880, after the French explorer, Robert 
Cavelier La Salle, who built the first sailing vessel 
on the lakes in 1679. 

*Lyell Avenue, 1857, James L. Lyell, banker and 
land-owner. 

Langley Street, 18S2, W. H. Langley, member of 
Board of Public Works. 

Lewerenz, 1883, F. C. Lewerenz, land-owner. 

Louis Avenue, 1883, after son of J. L. Miner, land- 
owner. 

Lothrop .\ venue, 18S3, after G. \'. N. Lothrop. 

Madison Avenue, 1807, James Madison, fourth 
President of the United States. 

Monroe Avenue, 1807, James Monroe, fifth Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

Meldrum, 1857, George Meldrum, of Meldrum 
Farm. 

Military Avenue, 1869, from nearness to Fort 
Wayne. 

Miami Avenue, 1807, iSliami tribe of Indians. 

Mechanic, 1S52, because laid out with design of 
supplying cheap lots to laborers. 

Minnie, 1875, name of wife of C. F. Campau. 

Macomb, 1835, in honor of the Macomb family, 
who were among the earliest English settlers. 

Macomb Avenue, 1807. General Ale.xander Ma- 
comb, for many years stationed at Detroit and after- 
wards commander-in-chief of the U. S. .^rmy. 

Mullett, 1835, John MuUett, old surveyor and 
land-owner. 



STREET NAMES, AND THEIR ORIGIN. 



943 



Marquette, 1855. Father Jacques Marquette, early 
Jesuit missionary and explorer. 

Marantette, 186S, maiden name of Mrs. Peter 
Godfrey. 

Middle, 1835, lies in the middle of two avenues. 

Mother, 1872. This street very properly lies side 
by side with Father Street. 

.Miner .Vvenue, 1875, J. L. Miner, land-owner. 

Marion, 1850, Marion Forsyth, friend of Albert 
Crane. 

Mack, 1S55, John .M. Mack, old settler aiul land- 
owner. 

Montcalm, 1835, the French .c^eneral. Marquis de 
Montcalm, who was killed at the battle of Quebec 
in 1759. 

Michigan Avenue, 1831, Michigan Grand Avenue, 
1807. Certainly an appropriate name in the metrop- 
olis of the State. 

Morse, 1836. S. 13. Morse, old citizen and land- 
owner. 

Moore Avenue, 1881, Joseph B. Moore, land- 
owner. 

*Michipicoten, 1869, after Michipicoten Bay on 
Lake Superior, where J. \V. Johnston had a large 
landed interest. 

Marcy, 1852, Mary Marcy of Greenwich, Mass., 
friend of W. B. Wesson. 

Mt. Hope Avenue. 1857, laid out in the year of 
the panic with the hope of better times. 

Mt. Elliott Avenue, 1861, from the cemetery 
which it passes. 

Mitchell Avenue, 1875, Mrs. E. A. Mitchell, grand- 
daughter of B. Campau, 

Maybury Avenue, 1866, Thomas Maybury, land- 
owner. 

Martin Avenue, 1878, Stephen Martin, old citi- 
zen. 

Margaret, 1857, Christian name of Mrs. Charles 
L. Hurd. 

Maiden Lane, 1836, from Maiden Lane, New 
York City, in 1836 a leading wholesale street. 

McGraw Avenue, 1880, 'I'homas McGraw, land- 
owner. 

*McCune .Avenue. 1878. James N. M. McCunc, 
land-owner. 

McClellan Avenue, 1876, General George IS. Mc- 
Clellan, U. S. A. 

McDougall .A. venue, 1 868, George McDougall, 
early settler and sheriff. 

McMillan. 1S80, James McMillan, of Michigan 
Car Works. Street named by Walter Crane. 
McGinnis, 1878, Patrick .McGinnis, land-owner. 
McKinstry, 1875, Major O. I'. McKinstry, of U. 
S. .Army. 

McLean, 1862, Arch McLean, friend of Albert 
Crane. 

Magnolia, 1862, a favorite .southern tree. 



Maple, 1840, a shade tree for which Detroit is 
noted. 

Mulberry, 1857, a reminder of the excitement of 
many years ago over the prospective fortunes to be 
made by growing the trees and raising cocoons; the 
mulberry was once plentiful in this region. 

Myrtle, 1856, an evergreen flowering shrub. 

Moran, 1855, Charles Moran, land-owner. 

* Maria, 1852, name of sister of W. B. Wesson. 
Miller, 1S54, J. F. Miller, land-owner. 
Markcy, 1873, Christian Markey, land-owner. 
Mark, 1857, Mark Howard, of Hartford, friend 

of W. B. Wesson. 

Medbury, 1878, S. Medbury, land-owner. 

Merrick, 1857, Rev. J. M. Merrick, of Hardwick, 
Mass., the native town of W. B. Wesson. 

Mary Mott, 1877, Mary Mott, niece of Mrs. J. 
R. Williams. 

Mott .Avenue, 1876, John T. Mott, land-owner. 

Messmore Road, 1832, Mr. Messmore was an old 
settler. 

Morton, 1880, Mrs. Maria Wesson Morton, wife 
of J. D. Morton, of Boston, Mass., friend of W. I!. 
Wesson. 

* Montgomery Avenue, 1855, General Richard 
Montgomery, killed in the attack on Quebec, Decem- 
ber 31, 1775. 

Milwaukee Avenue, 1882, leads toward Milwaukee 
Junction. 

Marston Court, 18S4, Isaac Marston, former 
Judge of Supreme Court. 

* Ninth .Avenue, 1876. Nineteenth, 1867. 

Nail Avenue, 1S74, Charles J. Nail, land-owner. 

Noble, 1870, Charles W. Noble, land-owner. 

*Noyes, 1852, William R. Noyes, old citizen. 
Street named by W. B. Wesson. 

Newberry, 1880, John S. Newberry, of Michigan 
Car Works. Street named by Walter Crane. 

National .Avenue, 1868, suggests its own origin. 

Napoleon, 1S57, a truly appropriate name in a city 
founded by the French. 

Norton, 1873, Norton P. Otis, of Yonkers, friend 
of W. B. Wesson. 

* North, 1840, from its location just north of 
Gratiot Road. 

Orleans, 1854, decidedly French, and recalls the 
Maid of Orleans. 

Ottawa, 1855, after the Ottawa tribe. Ottawa is 
the Algonquin word for trader. 

Ohio, 1855, our neighboring State, and first one 
formed from the Northwest Territory. 

Otis, 1873, Norton P. Otis, friend of N\'. II. 
Wesson. 

Orchard, 1836. "Methinks there is the smell of 
apple-blossoms." 

* Orange, 1855. "Oranges and orange-blossoms, 
fragrant and fair." 



944 



STREET NAMES, AND THEIR ORIGIN. 



*Oak, 1836, a reminder of the "oak openings" 
for which the State was noted. 

Oakley, 1857, Henry A. Oakley, of New York, 
friend of W. B. Wesson. 

Ontario, 1857, Lake Ontario. 

Otto Avenue, 1873, Otto Weber, son of Henry 
Weber, land-owner. 

*OceoIa, 1855, the celebrated Seminole chief of 
Florida. Albert Crane owned land near Oceola, 
Michigan. 

Oakland Avenue, 1884, leads towards the county 
of Oakland. 

Prentiss Avenue, 1878, George Prentiss, land- 
owner. 

Piquette Avenue, 1876, Angelique Piquette, 
daughter of B. Campau. 

Plymouth Avenue, 1875. part of road leading to 
village of Plymouth. 

Pelouze, 1880, Major L. H. Pelouze, friend of W. 
B. Wesson, Assistant-Adjutant General of U. S. 
.Army, stationed in Detroit for many years. 

Prescott, 1865, W. H. Prescott, historian. 

*Palmer, 1835, Thomas Palmer, old citizen. 

Palmer Avenue, 1874, Thomas W. Palmer, sen- 
ator. 

Pierpont, 1853, named by F. J. B. Crane, after a 
street in Albany, New York. 

Putnam .Avenue, 1869. Israel Putnam, hero of 
revolutionary fame, and of the wolf story, here with 
Bradstreet in 1764. 

Pontchartrain, 1868, perpetuates the first French 
name of Detroit, so-called after Count Pontchartrain. 

Plum, 1836, wild plums were native to this region. 

Poplar, 1856, a shade tree which is no longer 
popular. 

Pine, 1836, a forest tree, and an abundant source 
of wealth in Michigan. 

Pitcher, 1866, Dr. Zina Pitcher, an old citizen and 
ex-mayor. 

Parsons, 1867, Philo Parsons, land-owner. 

Peterboro, 1859, named by James Scott, from the 
town in N. H. in which his father, John, was born. 

Preston, 1S70, David Preston, banker and land- 
owner. 

Perkins, 1880, Miss Mary Baldwin Perkins, of 
Warren. Ohio, relative of Mrs. W. B. Wesson. 

Plumer, 1873, S. A. Plumer, land-owner. 

Prospect, 1847, named by S. B. Morse. It was 
so far away from the city in 1847 that only pros- 
pectively could it be called a street. 

Pallister Road. i860, Thomas Pallister, land-owner. 

Park Place, 1S67, bounds West Park. 

*Park (Ninth Ward), 1861, near Macomb Park. 

Park, 1835, from its starting place at Grand 
Circus Park. 

Park Avenue. 1880, so-called from several small 
parks laid out in center of the street. 



Parker Avenue, 1876, Thomas A. Parker, land- 
owner. 

Pearl, 1853, from Pearl Street, New York. 

Pleasant, 1880, so named from the view it pre- 
sented. While being laid out everybody said, 
" What a pleasant street." 

Paton, 1875, William Paton, land-owner. 

Philip, 1875, Philip Campau, son of C. F. Cam- 
pau, land-owner. 

Porter, 1835, Augustus S. Porter, senator from 
1840 to 1845. Moses Porter, first .American captain 
in Detroit, took possession of post in 1796. 

*Porter Road, 1832, George B. Porter, one of the 
territorial governors. 

*Peter, 1 864, Peter Godfrey, Land-owner. 

*Private, 1869, originally for private conven- 
ience. 

Pierce, 1854, Franklin Pierce, elected President 
the year this street was laid out. 

Peter Cooper, 1S83, the New York philanthro- 
pist. 

Rademacher, 1S75, Joseph Rademacher, land- 
owner. 

River Road, 1812, runs along margin of river. 

Reeder, 1880, Edwin Reeder, land-owner. 

Roehm, 1872, Roehm family who laid out the 
property. 

Riopelle, 1850, Dominic Riopelle, of Riopelle 
Farm. 

Romeyn, 1880, Theodore Romeyn, old citizen. 

Ranspach, 1876, John Ranspach, land-owner. 

RoUin, 1873, Charles Rollin Otis of New \uvk. 
friend of W. B. Wesson. 

Rose, 1868, Rose Porter, youngest daughter of 
Governor George B. Porter. 

Regular Avenue, 1875, from the Regulars, quar- 
tered at Fort Wayne. 

Rowena, 1878, Rowena Hunt, wife of .\lfred E. 
Brush. 

Randall, 1S57, 'Sir. Randall of New York, friend 
of C. E. Bressler, land-owner. 

Rowland, 1835, Major Thomas Rowland of the 
War of 181 2. He held various public offices. 

Randolph, 1S28, John Randolph of Roanoke, 
\'irginia. 

Rivard, 1833, Antoine Rivard, of Rivard Farm. 

Russell, 1835, William Russell, brother-in-law of 
Ben. Woodworth. 

*Railroad, 1S52, one end terminated at the D. & 
M. R. R. 

Railway Avenue, 1880, runs alongside the Grand 
Trunk R. R. 

Rich Street, 1882, Charles A. Rich, land-owner. 

Reed Place, 18S2, George W. Reed, land-owner. 

Ross Avenue, 18S3, Walter Ross, Justice of the 
Peace. 

Rayne, 1883, Mrs. M. L. Rayne, authoress. 



STREET NAMES. AND THEIR ORIGIN. 



945 



State, 1835, named the year the State was organ- 
izeil. 

Sheridan Avenue, 1875, General Phil. Sheridan, 
U. S. .-Vrmy. 

Sherman, 1867, General \V. T. Sherman, U. S. 
Army. 

Stenton, 1880. Goff Stenton, old citizen, friend of 
Mr. Crawford, land-owner. 

Spencer. 1863. Elizabeth Spencer, maiden name 
of Mrs. (lovernor Cass. 

Spencer, 1881, no rea.son known, simply a careless 
repetition of an old name. 

Silver, 1852, an appropriate companion for Gold 
Street. 

Spruce, 1836, these trees are plentiful in Michi- 
gan. 

Spruce (Springwells), 1884, has no special signifi- 
cance. 

Shelby. 1827, Governor Isaac Shelby of Kentucky, 
who rendered our State memorable service in War 
of 1812. 

Second, 1835, Second Avenue, 1871. Si.xth. 1835. 
Seventh, 1835. Sixteenth. 1867. Seventeenth, 1867. 
Seventeenth-and-a-half, 1867. 

Sibley, 1852, Judge Solomon Sibley, first delegate 
from Wayne County to Northwest Assembly. 

Sproat, 1854. Ebenezer Sproat, father-in-law of 
Judge Sibley, and an officer of the Re\oknionary 
Army. 

Stecher, 1877, Martin Stecher, land-owner. 

Swain Avenue, 1880, Isaac N. Sw-ain, old citizen 
and land-owner. 

Scotten Avenue, 1867, Daniel Scotten, land- 
owner. 

Scott, 1836, General Winfield Scott, U. S. .-Xrmy. 

South. 1857, from its direction. 

Southern .Avenue. 1S73. from its location at the 
southern end of a tract of land. 

Stimson Place, 1868, Byron G. Stimson, land- 
owner. 

Shady Lane, 1880, opened through the woods. 

Sullivan Avenue. 1866, Roger Sullivan, who 
bought the first lot on the street at nonhwest cor- 
ner of Michigan and Sullivan Avenues. 

Sycamore, 1857. a forest tree of Michigan. 

Selden Avenue. 1 866, Mrs. Deborah Selden Spen- 
cer, wife of Dr. Joseph Spencer and mother of Mrs. 
General L. Cass. 

Summer, 1857, a seasonable name. 

Spring, 1857, a seasonable name. 

St. Aubin Ave, 1847, Francis St. Aubin, of St. 
Aubin P'arm. 

*St. LawTence, 1851, St. Lawrence River, to 
which the waters of the Detroit flow. 

St. .\ntoine. 1S26. named by Antoine Beaubien, 
St. Antoine being his patron saint. 

St. Jo:;cph, 1854, named by Oliver Bellair for one 



of his sons, whose patron saint was St. Joseph. 
This street name and St. Antoine existed as early 
as 1782, and are the only names of the old town 
preserved. 

St. Clair Place, 1870, .Arthur St. Clair, first tlov- 
ernor, of Northwest Territory. 

Scoville Avenue, 1874, D.J. Scoville, land-owner. 

Shoemaker Road, 1850, W. Shoemaker, land- 
owner. 

Superior, 1836, Lake Superior, largest lake in the 
world. 

Stowe. 1857, Harriet Beecher Stowe, authoress. 

Stanley, 1857, J. M. Stanley, artist. 

Springwells Avenue, 1875, from the township in 
which it is located. 

*Se\vard, i860, William H. Seward, the noted 
statesman. 

* Stephen, 1852. Stephen K. Stanton, .son of Gen- 
eral H. Stanton. 

* Stanton, 1852, General Henry Stanton, U. .S. 
Army. 

Stark Avenue, 1881, F. .X. Stark, land-owner. 

Sears Avenue, 1883, Mrs. O. A. Sears, of East 
Saginaw, land-owner. 

Sargent, 1884, the first secretary of the Northwest 
Territory. 

Sylvester, 18S4 Sylvester Rich, .son-in-law of 
Mrs. Henry Zender. land-owner. 

Third, 1835. Third Avenue, 1873. Tenth, 1 868. 
Twelfth, 1867. Thirteenth, 1867. * Thirteenth-and- 
a-half, 1868. Twentieth. 1870. Twenty-first. 1870. 
Twenty-second, 1867. Twenty-third, 1868. Twen- 
ty-fourth, 1867. Twenty-fifth, 1872. Twenty-sixth, 
1872. Twenty-seventh, 1876. 

Thirtieth, Thirty -first, 1874. Thirty - second. 
Thirty-third, 1873. 

Traflic. 1 88 1, so named from present and pro- 
spective traffic and travel. 

Tuscola, 1855, a name of Indian derivation, 
coined by H. R. Schoolcraft, and applied by F. J. 
B. Crane, who owned land near Tuscola, Mich. 

Torrey Avenue, 1868, Joseph W. Torrey, former 
probate judge of Wayne County. 

Tillman Avenue, 1868, J. W. Tillman, old citizen. 

Toledo Avenue, 1873, commemorates the Toledo 
War. 

Trumbull Avenue, 1858, Judge John Trumbull, 
father of Mrs. Governor Woodbridge and author of 
" McFingal." 

T. J. Campau, 1869. Theodore J. Campau, land- 
owner. 

Theodore, 1876, Theodore Williams, land-owner. 

Theodore Avenue (Springwells), 1872, Theodore 
G. Williams, land-owner. 

Townsend, 1875. E. D. Townsend, adjutant- 
general of U. S. Army. 

Thierry Avenue, 1 874, James Thierry, land-owner. 



946 



CHANGES IN NAMES. 



♦Thompson, 1852, David Thompson, land-owner. 

*Trovvbrid,t(e, 1861, C. C. Trowbridge, old citizen 
and ex-mayor. 

*Thrombley, 1849, Charles J. Thronibley, land- 
owner. 

Thomas, 1875. Thomas Kinsman Adams, land- 
owner. 

Union, 1852, a patriotic name. 

Volunteer Avenue, 1874, a military name in 
remembrance of the volunteers of i860 and 1861. 

X'ernor, 1880, ISenjamin Vernor, prominent citizen. 

Vienna, 1870, the capital of Austria. 

Visger, 1873, James A. Visger, land-owner. 

Vulcan Avenue, 1872, the Greek God of Fire. 

Vine, 1852, wild grape-vines, indigenous to 
Michigan. 

Vinewood Avenue, 1856. When this street was 
laid out large numbers of trees along its route were 
overgrown with native grape-vines, hence from the 
words " vine " and " wood " the name originated. 

* Wine, 1857. This name is popularly associated 
with the two preceding names. 

Wayne, 1828, Major-General Anthony Wayne, 
U. S. Army. 

Wight, 1857, Buckminster Wight, land-owner. 

Walker, 1S63, Henry N. Walker, land-owner. 

Woodbridge, 1826, William Woodbridge, secre- 
tary and governor of Territory of Michigan and 
delegate to Congress. 

Wesley, 1858, John Wesley. A lot one-half the 
length of this street was given to the M. E. Church 
by Governor Woodbridge. 

West Park Place, 1870, bounds West Park. 

Washington, 1 869, George Washington Johnston, 
son of J. W. Johnston. 

Washington Grand Avenue, 1807, George Wash- 
ington, first President of the United States. 

* Wing, 1855, Austin E. Wing, Delegate to Con- 
gress from Territory of Michigan. 

Wing Place, 1870, Nelson H. Wing, land-owner. 

Woodward Avenue, 1807, Judge Augustus B. 
Woodward, one of the first judges of the Territory 
of Michigan, and author of the Plan of 1806. 

Winder, 1852, Colonel John Winder, land-owner. 

Webster, 1852, Daniel Webster, statesman. 

Welch Avenue, 1873, C. M. Welch, land-owner. 

Wilkins, 1854, Hon. Ross Wilkins, for many 
years judge of the U. S. District Court at Detroit. 

Watson, 1S54, Joseph Watson, secretary of the 
Land Board of Governor and Judges of Detroit. 

Williams, 1835, General John R. Williams, old 
citizen and adjutant-general of Territory of Mich- 
igan. 

Williams Avenue, 1S68. General A. S. Williams, 
representative in Congress. 

Williams Avenue (Greenfield), 1883, John C. 
Williams, land-owner. 



* Walnut, 1850; walnut trees are plentiful in Mich- 
igan. 

Wesson Avenue, 1873. William B. Wesson, land- 
owner. 

Whipple, 1857, William L. Whipple, land-owner. 

Winter, 1857, the " winter of our discontent." 

Witherell, 1 868, Hon. James Witherell, one of the 
territorial judges. 

Warren Avenue, 1869, *Warren, 1838, General 
Joseph Warren, of revolutionary fame. 

* Waterloo, 1840, an English reminder. 
Westerloo, 1855, so named by F. J. B. Crane, 

after the street in Albany, N. V., where his wife 
was born. 

Willis Avenue, 1863, Mrs. A. M. Willis, land- 
owner. 

Walter, 1871, Walter Crane, old citizen and land- 
owner. 

West End Avenue, 1875, from its location at west 
end of Springwells. 

Waterman Avenue, 1861, Daniel C. Waterman, 
father-in-law of Albert Crane. 

* Whiting, 1850, Dr. J. L. Whiting, old citizen. 

* Whitney, 1855, Mr. Whitney, of Boston, friend 
of Albert Crane. 

Whitwood, 1880, D. C. Whitwood, old citizen and 
e.x-comptroller. 

Wabash, 1882; the depot of the Wabash Rail- 
road is at the foot of this street. 

Wheelock Avenue, 1883, after Rebecca Wheel- 
ock, maiden name of mother of M. W. Field. 

William E., 1883, after W. E. Barker, land-owner. 

Young, 1883, a carelessly given name, intended 
as a reminder of Yonge Street, Toronto. 

Zender, 1S74, Henry Zender, land-owner. 

CH.\NGES IN N.\1IES. 

If one of the residents of the olden time were to 
rise from his grave, he would be troubled to find 
even the names of streets familiar in bygone days. 
The streets of the town as they were prior to 1805 
have entirely disappeared ; those named St. Louis, 
St. Ann, St. James, and St. Honore, all passed away 
in the fire. 

The Governor and Judges originally intended to 
locate the Court House in the center of the Grand 
Circus ; and Woodward Avenue, on their first plan, 
was designated Court House Avenue. In the final 
plan of 1806 it was called by its present name. On 
December 17, 1818, an Act of the Governor and 
Judges changed the name between Campus Martius 
and Adams Avenue to Congress Avenue, but, not- 
withstanding this action, common usage sanctioned 
the name Woodward .A. venue for the entire -length 
up to Adams Avenue. From this street north, it 
was at first laid out only one half of its present 
width. The west side was first opened, and was 



CHANGES IN NAMES. 



947 



called W'itherell Street. It was also known by the 
names Pontiac Road and Saginaw Turnpike. Tra- 
dition says that this portion was laid out and named 
during the absence of Judge Woodward. When 
he returned, and found what had been done, he 
said the street was " rightly named Witherell, for it 
withered all his plans." He was told that he ought 
not to find fault, for he had named Woodward Ave- 
nue after himself. He replied that he had named it 
Woodward, not because that was his name, but be- 
cause the street actually ran wood-ward, towards the 
woods. He also claimed that Woodbridge Street 
was not named after the governor, but from the wood- 
bridge over the Savoyard on the line of the street. 

On a city map published in 1S37, a number of 
streets appeared which had no existence, as the prop- 
erty through which they ran had not been sub-di- 
vided. The names were given as possible names, and 
were as follows : George Street, now High, was called 
Earl, Henry was called Warren, Sproat was called 
Allegan, Bagg was called St. Joseph, Charlotte was 
called Louis, Peterboro was called Morse, Prospect 
was called Le Grand, Pearl was called Gaines, Gra- 
tiot from Randolph to Antoine was called St. Mary, 
and as late as 1847 't was sometimes so designated. 
It was also called the Fort Gratiot Road, and a por- 
tion of the west end was called Virginia Street. 
Another street by this last name once existed 
near Randolph, between Congress and Earned 
Streets. Franklin Street between Randolph and 
Brush Streets is recorded as Berthelet Alley. Mr. 
McCabe, in his Directory of 1 837, gave names to 
various alleys, but the names were not retained. 
His list of alleys embraced the names of Bolivar, 
Csesar, Centre, Commercial, Emily, Furnace, Julius, 
McCabe, Poline. Railroad, and Therese. The alley 
in the rear of the present First National Bank he 
called School Lane. It will be noticed that his own 
name, Julius P. Bolivar McCabe, was to be per- 
petuated in the names of at least three of the alleys. 

The more recent changes in names of streets, as 
made by various ordinances, are as follows : 

Alexander to Wight, July 9, 1867. 

Arch to Bagg, April 29, 1882. 

Brevoort to Twenty-second, July 9, 1867. 

Blanche to Rowena, July 6, 1878. 

Bratshaw to Palmer Avenue, December 31, 1881. 

Canfield to Bagg, July 9, 1867. 

Chestnut to Canfield, July 9, 1867. 

Charlotte to Witherell, July 9, 1867. 

Chicago Road to Michigan Avenue, July 9, 1S67. 

Cemetery to High, July 9, 1867. 

Cherry to Bronson, July 9, 1867. 

Campau to McDougall Avenue, June 17, 1870. 

Chase to Bratshaw, April 29, 1S82. 

Circus East to Williams, July 9, 1867. 



Circus West to Park, July 9, 1867. 

Campbell to Selden Avenue. April 22, 1882. 

Dudley to Tenth, July 9, 1867. 

Davidson to Antietam, July 9, 1867. 

Elm to Marion, July 9, 1867, 

Earl to High, October i. 1866. 

Edmund Street to Edmund Place, December 20, 
1881. 

Francis to Federal, July 9, 1867. 

Frazer to Chestnut, July 9. 1867. 

Farrar (part of) to Barclay Place, September 7, 
1876. 

Fourth Street to Fourth Avenue. May 24, 1 882. 

Fourteenth Street to Fourteenth Avenue, August 
6, 1874. 

Fremont Street to Canfield Ave., August 23, 18S2. 

George to High, November 21, 1S74. 

Grand River Street to Grand River Avenue, May 
13, 1871. 

Godfroy Avenue to Fourteenth, July 9, 1867. . 

Grand Street to Alexandrine, June 14, 1869. 

Henry to Howard, July 9, 1867. 

Holden Road to Holden Ave., December 31, 1881. 

Helen to Garfield Avenue, July 3, 1882. 

High to Sherman. July 9. 1867. 

Holbrook to Twenty-first, July 9. 1867. 

Howard to Lafayette Avenue, August 6, 1874. 

Juliette to Wilkins, March 21, 1870. 

James to Alfred, March 21,1 870. 

Jupiter to Chene, July 9, 1867. 

Liberty to Fulton, June 14, 1869. 

Laurel to Fulton, June 14, 1869. 

Limburg to Charlotte Ave., September 27, 1869. 

Lafferty to Thirteenth, July 9, 1867. 

Lafontaine Avenue to Fifteenth, July 9, 1867. 

LaSalle Avenue to Sixteenth. July 9, 1867. 

Lafayette Street West to Lafayette Ave., August 
25, 1868. 

Lyell Avenue to Twenty-third, April 25. 1868. 

McCune Ave. to Milwaukee Ave., July 3, 1882. 

Montgomery Ave. to Mt. Elliott Ave., July 9, 1867. 

Michipicoten to Arndt, September 8, 1881. 

Maria to Selden Avenue, April 22, 1S82. 

North to Division, March 21, 1S70. 

Ninth Ave. to Trumbull Ave., April 25, 1876. 

Napoleon to Baldwin Place, January 28, 1876. 

Noyes to Charlotte Avenue, September 22, 1883. 

Oceola to Brigham, June 14, 1869. 

Oak to High, November 21, 1874. 

Park to Park Place, July 9, 1867. 

Palmer to West Park Place, March 21, 1870. 

Porter Road to Twenty-third, July 9, 1S67. 

Peter to Thirteenth-and-a-half, April 25. 1868. 

Park to Rose, July 9, 1867. 

Pine to Guoin, July 9, 1867. 

Poplar to Grant, July 9, 1867. 

Private to Chase, January 8, 1870 



948 



CHANGES IN NAMES. 



Railroad to Watson, June 14, 1869. 

Seward to Leland, March 21, 1870. 

State to Gratiot, July 9, 1867. 

Stephen to Baker, July 9. 1867. 

St. Clair to Twentieth, July 9, 1867. 

Stanton to Seveuteenth-and-a-half, July 9, 1867. 

Selden to Selden Avenue, April 24, 18S2. 

St. Lawrence to Montcahii, July 9, 1867. 

Second to Second Avenue, June 9, 1871. 

Stimson to Stimson Place, March 25, 1873. 

Thompson to Twelfth, July 9, 1S67. 

Thirteenth-and-a-half to Wabash Avenue. July 3, 
1882. 

Trowbridge to Seventeenth, July 9, 1S67. 

Trombley to Harriet, March 21, 1870. 

Third to Third Avenue, September 26, 1873. 

Twenty-third to Twenty-fourth. April 25, 1868. 

Whiting to Eighteenth, July 9, 1867. 

Wine to Eighteenth-and-a-half, July 9, 1S67. 

Wing to Nineteenth, July 9, 1867. 

Wing Place to Labrosse, April 24, 1877. 

Warren to Napoleon, October i, 1866. 

Whitney to Alfred, Eebruary 14, 1870. 

Waterloo to Antietani, July 9, 1867. 

Witherell to Woodward Avenue, July 9, 1867. 

West Park Place to Park Place, November 2, 
1878. 

Walnut to Bagg. April 29, 1882. 

In this connection the following extract, from a 
report made in 1S82 by the writer to the Common 
Council, contains facts that are pertinent and sug- 
gestive : 

The frequent changini^ of street names, in various parts of the 
city, and at irregular intervals, is a serious annoyance, and if all 
changes known to be desirable at any one time were made by the 
same ordinance, the public convenience would be greatly pro- 
moted. A list of all changes could then be preserved until the 
uL-w names had gained a place in speech and memory. 

The general plan of the city is well established, and all changes 
nnv/ desirable can be easily determined, and both citizens and 



strangers would be benefited by a systematic and thorough 
revision of the street names. 

Comparatively few alterations are necessary. There is no oc- 
casion for delay, and every year increases the difficulties arising 
from duplicate names, or names of similar sound ;.and obstacles 
in the way of making changes will constantly increase. * # * 

The suburban duplication of the street names of Detroit is also 
a growing evil for which there is no excuse or necessity. The 
city cannot control the naming of streets in the adjoining town- 
ships, but such legislation should be secured as would prevent 
any suburban street, not in line with a city street, from being 
called by the same name. Sooner or later, large portions of Ham- 
tramck and Springwells will be attached to the city, and the 
number of duplicate street names will be greatly increased, unless 
the evil is remedied. 

The naming of streets ought not to be left to the caprice of 
individuals. Street names are for the public convenience, and 
more attention should be paid to sense and sound. The further 
introduction of names nearly allied in spelling and pronunciation 
to names already in use, should be prohibited. Vexatious delays, 
confusion, and loss are of daily occurrence through the similarity 
of names, or because of mispronunciation. Street names should 
be of such a character that their pronunciation would be easily 
apparent. 

Far less thought has been bestowed upon this subject than its 
importance demands. Some of our streets have such foolish and 
ill-sounding names that, should unforeseen improvements make 
their locality desirable, one of the first suggestions would be a 
new street name. 

With a genealogy dating from the dawning of the si,xteenth 
century, we would do well to give special heed to our historic 
past, and strive to preser\'e its memories in our street names as 
well as in our story. Street names approach immortality. Gov- 
ernments change, political parties die, officials and constituents 
pass into oblivion, buildings are burned, pavements uprooted, but 
well-chosen street names usually live as long as the city stands. 
A street name is a more valuable and a more perpetual memorial 
than a monument of bronze or granite. They may be destroyed 
or defaced, but street names live though a city is burned. Every- 
thing tends to perpetuate and preserve them — land titles, business 
notices, social facts, city records, and in fact almost all the details 
of municipal government unite to fasten them in the memory and 
hand them down to the future. There are no other names jn 
connection with the life of a city that are so frequently used as the 
names of its streets; and no other names are so frequently 
thought of and talked of by both residents and strangers. We 
are compelled to know and memorize them, and everything com- 
bines to repeat and reiterate them. As an instrumentality for pre- 
serving the remembrance of individuals and facts, they have no 
equal. 



PART XII 



SUPPLEMENTAL. 



CHAPTER L X X X I X , 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT.' 



In order to show the relation of various events to 
each other, and for the sake of giving- a historic 
summary of the more important events that have 
affected the interests of Detroit, the following Chro- 
nological Table has been prepared. With its aid 
the events that give character to each epoch may 
be easily traced, and the chapter as a whole consti- 
tutes a complete epitome of the history of the city. 
In addition to the more important dates given in 
appropriate chapters, the table contains a large 
number of interesting items on various subjects for 
which no suitable place was found in the body of 
the work : 

1603. The Detroit River is described by Indians 
to Champlain. 

1658. March 5. Antoine I^aumet de la Mothe 
Cadillac bom. 

1670. Spring. Fathers Galinee and DoUier visit 
the region of Detroit. 

1679. August 10. The Griffon, with La .Salle, 
pas.ses through the Detroit. The first sail-vessel on 
the lakes. 

1687. May 19. M. de Tonty visits the site of 
Detroit. 

September 6. Baron de La Hontan visits this 
locality. 

1694. September 16. Cadillac appointed com- 
mandant at Mackinaw. 

1701. July 24. Cadillac and his company arrive 
to establish a permanent fort ;ind sctllenient at 
Detroit. 

July 26. Foundations for first chapel laid. 

1703. June 28. Thirty Huron Indians arrive 
from Mackinaw to settle at Detroit. 

In thi^ yeai, during an Indian attack, the church 
was burned. 

1704. February 2. Eaplisni of first white child, 
a daughter of Cadillac. 

1706. June 6. The Ottawas attack the French 
and Miamis. Cadillac given entire control of Detroit. 

1707. March 10. First known grant of land by 
Cadillac. 

August 6 to 10. Great council of chiefs at Fort 
Pontchartrain. 

1709. Second Church of St. Anne built. 



1710. May 5. Fir.st recorded marriage between 
white people at Detroit. 

1712. iVlay 13. M. de Vincennes, from the 
Miami country, with seven other Frenchmen, arrives. 
The Indians attack Fort Pontchartrain and are 
defeated by Du Buisson. Church of St. Anne 
burned. 

1717. July 3. M. Tonty, commander of the 
post, returns from a visit to Montreal. In this year 
the Fox Indians made an attack on the fort, but 
did little harm. 

1718. Fort Pontchartrain rebuilt. 

1721. June 6. Father Charlevoix arrived. He 
left June iS. 

1723. Third Catholic Church erected. 

1746. The fort attacked by the Indians. Pontine 
and his tribe aided in defending it. 

1747. September 22. A large number of Ijoats 
with 1 50 soldiers arrived from Montreal. 

1749. First large emigration to Detroit, necessi- 
tating enlargement of the fort. 

1755. Fort again enlarged because of arrival of 
new settlers. Fourth Church of St. Anne erected. 

March 16. Bishop Henri Dubreuil de Pontbriand 
visits Detroit. 

1760. November 29. Fort Pontchartrain sur- 
rendered by the French to the English. 

1761. September 3. Sir Wni. Johnson. Superin- 
tendent of Indian tribes, and his party arrive. 

1763. April 27. Pontiac completes plans for 
his conspiracy. 

May 6. Pontiac's conspiracy revealed to Gladwin. 

May 7. Gladwin exposes Pontiac's treachery. 

May 10. Pontiac begins his attack. 

May 12. The Indians surround the fort, firing 
from morning till evening. 

May 21. Schooner Gladwin dispatched to ha.sten 
supplies from Niagara. 

June 3. Receipt of news of the treaty of peace 
between France and England and of the cession of 
Detroit. 

June 30. Schooner Gladwin returned witli 60 
troops, and a supply of ammunition and provisions. 

July 3. Inhabitants collected to hear the Articles 
of Peace between France and England. 



> Copyright, 1884, by Silas Farmer. 
[9Sll 



95- 



THE ANXALS OF DETROIT. 



July 8. Many of the principal inhabitants bring 
their goods inside of the fort for safe l<eeping. 

July lo. The Indians sought to set fire to the 
vessels in the river by means of a raft filled with 
fagots, birchbark. and tar. No damage was done. 

July 29. Several sloops and schooners arrived 
with 300 soldiers commanded by Captain Dalvell. 

July 31. Battle of Bloody Run or Bloody Bridge. 
Defeat and death of Captain Dalyell. 

August 6. Schooner arrived with 80 barrels of 
provisions, a large quantity of naval stores, and 
some merchandise. 

August 13. Schooners Beaver and Gladwin left 
for provisions. 

August 28. The Beaver with guns and cargo 
lost at Cat Fish Creek. 

September 3. The Indians burned a windmill 
about 300 yards from the fort. 

September 5. Schooner Gladwin arrived with 47 
barrels of flour and 160 barrels of pork. 

October 3. A schooner arrived with 185 barrels 
of provisions. 

October 19. Through councils held with some 
tribes of friendly Indians, wheat and flour were ob- 
tained. 

1764. March II. An attempt was made by some 
traitor to fire the magazine, but the brand fortunately 
went out. 

June 4. The birthday of His Majesty King 
George III. was celebrated by three volleys from 
the troops and three discharges of cannon, and by 
the drinking his Majesty's health on parade, by the 
officers and several Frenchmen who were invited 
guests. At night almost the entire town was illumi- 
nated. 

August 26. Colonel Bradstreet with 1,200 troops 
arrived. 

August 30. All inhabitants over 15 years of age 
appeared, by order, to renew their oath of allegiance. 

August 31. Gladwin relieved of command of 
Detroit by Colonel Bradstreet. 

October 20. The sloop Charlotte sailed for Fort 
Erie with 121 packs of peltries, the last of 1,464 
packs sent since .-^pril. 

1765. August 17. Colonel George Croghan ar- 
rived ; he was sent by the English Government to 
conciliate the Indian nation who had acted with the 
French. 

September 26. Colonel Croghan left for Niagara. 

1770. August 13. Chaplain Turring solemnized 
a marriage. He was the first Protestant minister 
known to have been in Detroit. 

1774- June 22. Quebec Act passed. First civil 
government provided by English for territory includ- 
ing Detroit. 

1775- June 9. Martial law proclaimed by Sir 
Guy Carlton. 



August 6. A boy named George Forsyth was 
lost in the woods, his two companions running off 
and leaving him, and on October 2, 1776. the re- 
mains were found by an Indian near the upper end 
of the Woodbridge Farm. 

November 9. Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton ar- 
rived in Detroit. 

1776. May. Captain Foster and his party leave 
Detroit for the Cedars. 

August 10. All vessels on the lakes were required 
to be enrolled at Detroit and placed under control of 
the Crown. 

1777. March 26. John Coutincinau and Ann 
Wyley hanged for larceny. 

July 27. Governor Hamilton reported that he 
had already sent out fifteen scalping parties. 

1778. September 17. Governor Hamilton in- 
dicted for allowing the execution of Coutincinau. 

October 7. Governor Hamilton and his forces 
leave for \'incennes. 

In the fall of the year, the erection of Fort Ler- 
noult was begun. 

1779. March 5. Colonel George Rogers Clark 
captures Governor Hamilton and his forces at \'in- 
cennes. 

1780. April 12. Captain Bird's force left for a 
foray on Kentucky. 

August 4. Captain Bird and party return with 
several hundred prisoners. 

1781. July 16. Father Pothier killed by a fall. 
November 3. Arrival of the Moravian brethren 

arrested at Sandusky by order of Colonel A. S. De 
Peyster on charge of aiding the Americans. They 
were tried and acquitted November 9, and left De- 
troit November 14. 

1782. March 8. Colonel Williamson and his 
forces massacre the Moravian Indians on the Mus- 
kingum. 

April 20. The Moravians are again brought to 
Detroit. 

July 20. The Moravians leave for a new settle- 
ment in what is now Macomb County. 

November 5. The Moravians consecrate their 
church on the Clinton River. 

November 30. Preliminary treaty between Eng- 
land and America concluded. 

1783. August II. General Haldimand informs 
Baron Steuben that he had received no order to de- 
liver up the posts on the lakes. 

September 3. Second treaty between England 
and the United States. 

1786. April 28. The Moravians are compelled 
to leave their settlement on the Clinton River. 

1787. July 13. Ordinance for government of 
Northwest Territory passed. 

1788. July 24. Judicial District of Hesse in- 
cluding Detroit, created by Canadian authority. 



THE AXNALS OF DETROIT. 



953 



August lo. Visit of Brant, the noted cliicf of 
the Six Nations. 

1790. October 19-22. General Harmer de- 
feated by the English and Indians. 

1791. November 4. Governor St. Clair and his 
army defeated by the English and Indians. 

December 9. The .Montreal merchants protest 
against the delivering up of the western posts. 

December 26. Detroit and Michigan become 
part of Upper Canada. 

1792. July 16. County of Kent created. It in- 
cluded all of Michigan, besides other territory. 

August. Election at Detroit of two members to 
first legislature of Upper Canada. 

September 17. First Canadian legislature con- 
venes at Newark. 

October 16. Name of District of Hesse changed 
to Western District. 

1794. .A.pril. Governor Simcoe selects site for 
British fort on the Miami. 

August 30. General Wayne defeats the English 
and Indians. 

November 19. The Jay Treaty between England 
and United States concluded. 

1796. January 29. English Court of General 
Quarter Sessions held its last session in Detroit. 

July II. Detroit first occupied by American 
troops. 

August 15. Wayne County first established. 

August 25. Rev. David Jones, Baptist minister, 
chaplain of General Wayne's army arrives. 

1797. August 24. Thomas Powers arrives at 
Detroit in order to interest General Wilkinson in 
the French and Spanish intrigue for the possession 
of Detroit and the West. 

1798. March 13. First notice of a fire engine 
at Detroit. 

May 10. The grand jury presents cut money as 
a nuisance. 

May 22. Governor St. Clair and two judges of 
the Supreme Court arrived at 9 A. M. 

June. Rev. Gabriel Richard arrives. 

July 27. A large number of armed men came in 
the night time to the Grand Marais, and under pre- 
te.Kt of searching for British deserters, forced open 
and searched the houses of several inhabitants. 
The Court of General Quarter Sessions, on August 
4, 1798, recommended the inhabitants to collect and 
seize any such offenders in future, if possible, and 
bring them to justice. 

October 29. Election ordered for members of 
General .Assembly of Northwest Territory. 

December 17. First election in Detroit of dele- 
gates to General Assembly of Northwest Terri- 
tory. 

*799- January 14-15. Election of members of 
Northwest Assembly at Detroit. 



February 4. First session of General .Assembly 
of Northwest Territory began at Cincinnati. 

March 2. Detroit constituted a port of entry. 

September 16. Second session of General Assem- 
bly of the Territory of the United States Northwest 
of the Ohio River held at Cincinnati. 

1800. May 7. Northwest Territory divided. 
Indiana Territory created. 

June 4. Judges, court officers, lawyers, and lead- 
ing citizens go to Sandwich to celebrate birthday of 
King George III. 

September 1 1 . Rev. David Bacon, missionary to 
the Indians, arrives on his first visit. 

November 3. General Assembly of Northwest 
Territory convenes at Chillicothe. 

December 9. Circuit Court for Wayne County 
created. 

1801. March 3. First post-road in Michigan 
established. In June of this year Bishop Peter 
Denaut visited Detroit. 

1802. January 18. Town of Detroit incorporated. 
February 9. First se.ssion of Board of Trustees, 

James Henry made chairman. 

February- 1 5. A public meeting of freeholders 
and housekeepers (a notice of which, WTitten in 
English and French, had previously been posted on 
the engine house, and served by reading on every 
housekeeper), was held at Court House to make 
known the Act of Incorporation. The Act was 
read in English and then in French. 

February 23. First regulations made for preven- 
tion of fires. 

April 17. First town-ta.x voted. This same 
month the trustees prescribed the size and price of 
loaves of bread. 

May 3. First town election. Freedom of cor- 
poration voted to Solomon Sibley for getting the 
Act of Incorporation passed and for other eminent 
services rendered. 

1803. January i. Post-office established at 
Detroit. 

March 3. Present State of Michigan became 
part of Indiana Territory. In this year troops went 
from here to build first fort at what is now Chicago, 
going overland under command of Lieutenant J. S. 
Swearingen. Captain John U'hi.stlcr, his wife, and 
their son, G. W. Whistler, the subsequent distin- 
guished Russian engineer, went by water on the 
schooner Tracey. 

April II. Colonel John Frederick Hamtramck, 
colonel of First United States Regiment and first 
American commander of Detroit, died, aged forty- 
five years. 

May 2. .Second election of corporation of De- 
troit. Freedom of corporation voted to Jonathan 
Scheifflin, one of the representatives in Northwest 
Legislature. 



954 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



May lo. Governor Harrison visits Detroit. 
September 19. First fire company organized. 

1804. March 26. First United States land 
office established at Detroit and provision made for 
settlement of land claims in Michigan. 

August. Rev. Nathan Bangs, first missionarj^ to 
the white people of this region, arrived. 

October 13. A town meeting of citizens at Court 
House considered a memorial to be forwarded to 
Congress, asking for a separate territorial govern- 
ment. 

1805. January 11. Michigan Territory created. 
Detnjit, by Act of Congress, declared the seat of 
the territorial government. 

June II, Detroit burned. Only one building 
saved. 

June 29. Saturday. Town meeting ; great num- 
ber of citizens present. Ordinance of April 20, 
1802, respecting public commons, repealed. 

July 2. Tuesday. Oath of office administered .to 
the Governor and Judges and the territorial gov- 
ernment commenced. 

July 4. First session of the Governor and 
Judges as a Legislature. 

July 9. First law passed by Governor and Judges. 

July 29. Supreme Court of Michigan Territory 
organized. 

August 19. First session of District Court of 
Territory held under a green bower on the grand 
square. 

i8o6. April 21. Governor and Judges author- 
ized to lay out new town of Detroit. 

June 16. Total eclipse of the sun. The follow- 
ing extract of a letter from S. Griswold, Esq., of 
Detroit, to Francis Gardner, Esq., contained in 
The Washinj^-ton Chronicle for September 10, 1806, 
gives an account of the total eclipse, as it appeared 
at Detroit, and its effect on the Indians: 

For several months this anticipated phenomenon was a sub- 
ject of enquiry with the Indians, as many stories had been told 
them, partly by ij^norant and partly by designing persons, of ter- 
rible thinys which would accompany that evt-nt. The troubled 
aspect of our national affairs with foreign powers facilitated the 
propagation of visionary and awful predictions. Hundreds came 
to me to consult on the subject of the eclipse and its threatened 
accompaniments and consequences ; some large parties came in 
from a distance on purpose to enquire on this subject. They 
knew that white people could foretell eclipses, and supposed we 
must be able to predict the attendant circumstances of wind and 
weather and every effect upon the earth. Most of them believe 
this faculty is given to white people by the Great Spirit. 

It has long (perhaps always) been a general sentiment of 
Indians, that an eclipse, particularly of the sun, is an expression 
or rather token, of the anger of the Great Spirit, the degree of 
his anger being indicated by the magnitude of the eclipse. The 
expectation of a total eclipse, therefore, was sufficient to prepare 
them for the reception of every extravagant tale. Among other 
ideas, that of war, bloody war, naturally occurred, and was easily 
fomented, in conjunction with the then existing circumstances. 
It was not difficult for a designing person of Influence among 
them to point out to their satisfaction, how and where this calam- 



ity was to take place, and whose blood was to be shed. It is said 
the Indians defeated General Harmer on the day of an eclipse, 
and have since entertained a persuasion that such a ohenomenon 
is peculiarly unfortunate for Americans, and sufficient to ensure 
success to Indians if they strike on that day. 

It was generally reported, a short time previous to the late 
eclipse, that an attack under its auspices was agreed to be made 
upon this and other American posts in this quarter. 

Besides that of war, the minds of the Indians were filled with 
other terrific anticipations. Some whole villages appeared im- 
pressed that the darkness would be equal to that of the darkest 
night, and would continue for months, and many imagined it 
would be a dark year. They expected the sun would be put out 
for that space of time ; that vegetables and animals would perish, 
together with most Indians who lived on the casual products of 
the chase. The more general expectation was, that it would be 
only a dark day, or as they expressed it, a night day. And they 
supposed the day would be productive of the most dreadful 
storms of wind, hail, and other elementary concussions beyond 
the power of man to describe. I found but one Indian out of 
some hundreds that came in from the wilderness who appeared to 
possess any just conception of the expected phenomenon. It was 
the son of an intelligent chief now dead, who declared that he 
had no fears, for he believed he had seen such a thing when a 
bov, and his father taught him it was caused by the night-sun 
(their term for the moon) getting over the day-sun, and thus 
stopping its light for a short time. 

Seeing the general attention of the Indians thus excited, and 
wishing to allay their painful apprehensions, as well as prevent 
any possible consequences of a serious nature, I thought it my 
duty to instruct them as far as they were capable of understand- 
ing, into the cause and nature of an eclipse,— told them the day, 
and precise time of day, it would happen, — its duration, appear- 
ance, etc.; and as to the dreadful accompaniments of storm and 
wind, I discountenanced such an expectation, though something 
of the kind might take place, as on other days, but assured them 
that they would survive it, and expressed my hope of seeing a 
clear sky on that day, that I might behold the phenomenon in all 
its grandeur, and the stars in their glory surrounding it. They 
were thankful for these assurances, and some took encourage- 
ment, while others remained fearful and perplexed. 

The eclipse made its appearance under every favorable cir- 
cumstance that could be wished, and agreeable to all I had told 
the Indians. The day was remarkably fine, without a cloud or a 
gust of wind. It commenced here about an hour earlier than the 
calculations at New York and Albany. The disc of the sun was 
completely covered for the space of three minutes, the stars ap- 
peared very brilliant within the compass of the eclipse's shadow 
on every side of the sun's plane. The greatest obscuration was 
equal to that of the clearest starlight evening. The brutes and 
the fowls gave signs that they thought it night, and were retiring 
to repose when they were recalled by the bursting forth of the 
light. Its effects upon the Indians were great. Those whom I 
saw during the greatest darkness, appeared thoughtful, but held 
their courage. Others, I was told, ran up and down with agita- 
tion. Some fell on their knees and prayed, while a few wrapped 
themselves in their blankets and lay down to die. After it was 
seen to pass off without harm, and the day proceeded as usual, all 
took courage and became very social. 

By the evening many were ready to be drunk. A general 
muster of militia had been ordered on that day, which was well 
attended and had a good effect. Governor Hull had arrived in 
season to take the field. 

September 13. City of Detroit incorporated. 

September 19. Detroit Bank incorporated. 

September 29. First election for members of 
Upper House of Common Council of City of Detroit. 

November 27. A convention of citizens of Mich- 
igan held to petition Government to take such action 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



955 



as would settle the land titles. The convention 
lasted until December i. 

1807. March 3. Congress disapproved of the 
chartering of the Detroit Bank. 

March 28. The Governor and Judges order wells 
dug on the commons, now the Campus Martius. 

The first brick house was erected this year. 

August 9. The erection of a new stockade was 
begun. 

November 17. A council was held with the 
Ottawas, Chippewas, \\'yandottes, and Potowata- 
mies, and they ceded a large tract of land in the 
eastern part of the State. 

1808. March 17. St. Patrick's Day first cele- 
brated in Detroit. 

September 10. The Governor and Judges pass a 
law directed against the Detroit Bank. 

December 14. The Park Lots were ordered sur- 
veyed. 

1809. February 24. The Act incorporating the 
City of Detroit was repealed. 

March 6. Forty-one of the Park Lots were sold 
at auction. 

May 10. The church on the Melcher Farm was 
consecrated. 

August 31. The Michigan Essay or Impartial 
Observer was first issued. It was the first paper 
printed in Detroit. 

1810. The first Protestant church, a Methodist 
Episcopal society, was organized. 

1811. Octobers. Five selectmen or councillors 
for district of Detroit were elected. 

November 7. General Harrison defeated the 
Indians at Tippecanoe. 

December 27. An Indian war being imminent, a 
memorial was sent by citizens to Congress, praying 
for aid. 

1812. January 22-23-24. Several earthquake 
shocks were felt in this city, — the severest of which 
was on the 24th, at about seven o'clock in the even- 
ing. 

February 7. Another earthquake shock startled 
the citizens of Detroit. 

May 14. Parade of militia in the evening. 

June 18. War declared against Great Britain. 

July 5. General Hull with army from Ohio ar- 
rived. 

July 12. General Hull crossed to Sandwich and 
issued a proclamation to the iieoplc inviting them to 
join his standard. 

July 29. Lieutenant Hanks and oflicers paroled 
from Fort Mackinaw arrived. 

August 7. General Hull returned to Detroit. 

.•\ugust 16. General Hull surrenders to the Eng- 
lish. 

1813. February I. Colonel Proctor orders prom- 
inent Americans to leave Detroit. 



September 10. Perry defeats the English on 
Lake Erie. 

September 28. Fort Detroit evacuated by the 
English. 

September 29. General Duncan McArthur takes 
possession of Detroit ; Perry's fleet arrives ; General 
Harrison issues proclamation restoring citizens and 
military ollicers to the civil and military status they 
possessed before Hull's surrender. 

October 2. General Harrison, with 3.500 men. 
leaves in pursuit of Proctor. 

October 5. Battle of the Thames ; Proctor de- 
feated ; Tecumseh killed. 

October 6. General Harrison arrives after battle 
of the Thames. 

October 7. Commodore O. II. Perry returns to 
Detroit. 

In the fall of this year there was great distress 
among the citizens of Detroit and vicinity from want 
of provisions. During the following winter 700 of 
General Harrison's soldiers died of disease. 

1814. October 9. General Mc.Vrthur and 700 
mounted rillemen arrive for the defense of Detroit. 

1815. (Governor Cass brings the first carriage to 
Detroit. 

March 30. Pacification Ball at Woodworth's 
Hotel in honor of peace between Great Britain and 
United States. 

August 9. Major \Vm. H. Puthuff, of Second 
United States Rifle Regiment, in command at De- 
troit, retires from the army, and is presented by 
citizens with a complimentary address. 

September i. Major-Generals Brown and Smith 
left in the brig Niagara for Buffalo. 

September 8. General Harrison concluded a 
treaty with Indians. 

October 24. New city charter granted. City 
limits extended to include the Cass Farm. 

1816. April. Part of Michigan Territory given 
to State of Indiana. 

April 18. Indian Council of i 10 Indians at Coun- 
cil House. "The Prophet," a brother of Tecumseh, 
among them. They conclude a treaty of peace. 

June 30. Rev. John Monteith. missionary of the 
American Board, preached his first sermon in De- 
troit. 

July 4. Celebration. Dinner at Whipple's Tavern. 

November. Territorial Bible Society organized. 

1817. July 25. The Detroit Gazette, a weekly, 
first issued. 

August 1 3. President Monroe arrives. 

August 14. City authorities present President 
Monroe with an address. 

August 15. Ball at Woodworth's Hotel in honor 
of the President. 

August 18. President Monroe leaves the city. 

August 26. City Library incorporated. 



956 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



September 15. First Kvanyelistic Snciety of 
Detroit organized. 

September 24. Corner-.stoiic of University liuild- 
ing laid. 

October 25. .Arrival of mail indicated by the 
blowing of a horn. 

December 29. Moral and Humane Society or- 
ganized. 

1818. J.inuarv 14. Lyceum t)f the city of Detroit 
organized. 

March 31. First church for white inhabitants in 
Michigan erected on the Rouge. 

June I. Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget visits 
Detroit. 

June 2. Bank of Michigan organized. 

June 9. Corner-stone of St. Anne's Church laid. 

June 22. Meeting of citizens at Council House to 
take measures to collect remains of American officers 
and soldiers massacred at the battle of the Raisin. 
Committee appointed to remove them to Detroit. 

June 26. The Detroit Gazette says : "The follow- 
ing very odd circular directed 'To the Town of De- 
troit, as a body corporate,' arrived by the last mail:" 

LIGHT GIVES LIGHT TO LIGHT DISCOVER 
AD INFINITUM. 
.St. Lol'is, Missouki Teuritokv, North America, 
April 10, A. D. 181S. 
To All the World! 

I declare tlie earth is hollow, .ind habitable within, containing 
a number of solid concentric spheres, one within the other, and 
that it is open at the poles 12 or 16 degrees ! I jjledge my life in 
snpport of tllis truth, and am ready to explore the hollow, if the 
world will sii]i]>ort and .tid toe in the undertaking. 

J.NO. Cle\es Svmmes, 
0/ Ohio^ late Captain 0/ 1 n/antry , 

N. B. I have ready for the press, a Treatise on the principles 
of matter, wherein I show proofs of the above positions, account 
for various phenomena, and disclose Doctor Darwin's Golden 
Secret. My terms are the patronage of this and the new worlds. 
I dedicate to my wife and her ten children. I select Dr. S. L. 
Mitchell, Sir H. Davy, and Baron Alex, de Humboldt, as my 
protectors. I ask one hundred brave companions, well equipped, 
to start from Siberia in the fall season, with reindeer and slays, 
on the ice of the frozen sea ; I engage we find warm and rich 
land, stocked with thrifty vegetables and animals, if not men, on 
reaching one degree northward of latitude 82° ; we will return in 
the succeeding spring. 

July 4. The day was celebrated in a field in the 
rear of the residence of Clovernor Cass by a large 
collection of gentlemen and officers of the army. 

July 6. First auction sale of public lands in 
Michigan. 

July 20. Detroit Mechanics' .Society organized. 

July 27. A law was passed providing for the 
whipping or hiring out of disorderly persons, drunk- 
ards, and others. 

August 8. Interment in Protestant burying 
ground of remains of soldiers massacred at River 
Raisin. Procession from the Council House. Ora- 
tion by Samuel T. Davenport. 



August 10. First school in University Building 
opened. 

August 27. Steamboat Walk-in-the-Water ar- 
rived at Detroit — first trip. 

September 6, Sunday. On this day a boat 
arrived with Lord Selkirk as a passenger. A suit 
had previously been instituted against him, growing 
out of troubles at his settlement on the Red River, 
and on arrival of the boat he was arrested. As the 
arrest was made on Sunday, its legality was ques- 
tioned. The case came on for trial on September 
JO, at Sandwich. The Grand Jury discussed the 
case, but came to no conclusion, and after four 
days' time had been spent Chief Justice Powell 
would wait no longer, and the attorney-general took 
the Bill of Indictment from the table and dismissed 
the jury. 

October 4. First session of a Protestant Sunday 
school in the city. 

1819. January 2. ISank of Michigan began 
business. 

March 13. The citizens vote ,'igainst the ta-x for 
a fire engine. 

March. Woodworth's new hotel opened. 

July 16. Michigan Territory was authorized to 
elect a delegate to Congress. 

September 2. P'irst election in Detroit for dele- 
gate to Congress. 

November 17. Edward Tanner found his 
brother, John Tanner, near Detroit. He had been 
a captive 28 years. John subsequently married a 
chambermaid at Ben. Woodworth's Hotel, but 
treated her .so unkindly that she left him and the 
legislature gave her a divorce. 

November 25. I'.lephant exhibited for first time 
in Detroit. 

December 13. The Commissioners report the 
Pontiac Road as laid out. 

1820. February 27. First Protestant church 
within limits of city dedicated. 

March 30. City limits narrowed and Cass Farm 
left outside. The first brick store was erected this 
year. 

April 19. The flag-staff on w'hich Hull displayed 
his fiag of surrender fell in a storm; no flag had 
waved on it since 1812. 

Alay 24. The Cass-Schoolcraft excursion left for 
the upper lakes. 

July 3. A tax of five hundred days' labor was 
voted to be expended on the river front. 

July 28. Rev. Eleazar Williams (the reputed 
Dauphin) arrived at Detroit with a number of 
Oneida Indians. 

July 31. Major-General Scott, with eight mili- 
tary gentlemen, arrived to hold a court-martial. 

1821. April 9. Citizens vote a tax of S400 for a 
fire engine. 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



957 



April 12. First Protestant Society of Detroit 
incorporated. 

June 4. Presentation of silver plate to Major- 
General Macomb by citizens on his leaving the 
Territory. 

December 21. Detroit Lods^e of Free Masons 
instituted. 

December 27. Two Indians. Kewaubis and 
Ketaukah, having been tried for murder, were 
hanged. 

1822. March 11. .Meeting at Detroit petitions 
Congress to separate the judicial from the legisla- 
tive power. 

March 21. First Methodist Episcopal Society of 
Detroit incorporated. 

May 23. John Roberts, Jr., notified persons 
liable to military duty to appear at Military Square 
on June 3, armed and equipped as the law directs. 

May 25. The steamboat Superior, the .second on 
the lakes, arrived from Buffalo on her trial trip with 
ninety-four passengers. 

June. Public stages first began running from 
Detroit. 

August 31. A meeting of citizens resolves to 
discourage the further circulation of individual bills 
of less than one dollar. 

October 26. Committee appointed to draw u]) a 
petition to Congress, asking for a better form of 
government. 

1823. March 3. Congress limited term of Ter- 
ritorial Judges then in office to four years from Feb- 
ruary I, 1824. 

March. Early this month Colonel Edwards found 
a manuscript volume of 300 or 400 pages under one 
of his buildings, written in a character that no one 
in the city could understand. A leaf of the manu- 
script was sent to Dr. Mitchell, of New York, who 
could give no information regarding it ; but an Irish 
professor in the Georgetown College pronounced it 
a religious work written in Irish. 

March 27. Great rejoicing by citizens over pas- 
sage by Congress of a bill making provisions for 
Legislative Council for the Territory'; salute fired, 
houses illuminated, supper served at the Sagina 
Hotel. 

August I. The Governor and Judges completed 
a contract for the erection of a court-house and 
Capitol. 

September 4. First members of Legislative 
Council elected. 

September 22. Corner-stone of capitol laid. 

October 10. Friday. Rev. Cutler Dallas arrived 
with Major Long, Professors Say and Keating, and 
Messrs. Calhoun and Seymour, of the Northwest 
Exploring E.xpedition ; they left on the 14th. 

1824. June 7. First Legislative Council of 
Michigan convened in Detroit. 



August 5. New city charter; Common Council 
created ; city boundary extended ; office of aldermen 
and mayor's court provided for. 

November 22. St. Paul's P. E. Church organized. 

November 25. Under proclamation from Gov- 
ernor Cass, Thanksgiving Day was observed for the 
first time. 

1825. January 23. First Protestant Society re- 
organized and becomes a Presbyterian Church. 

February 5. Legislative Council increa.sed from 
nine to thirteen members. 

February 21. First ordinance establishing hy- 
draulic company passed. 

May 10. The Michigan Herald was first issued. 

May 24. Commissioners commenced locating 
Chicago Road. Erie Canal completed to Buffalo 
this year; also first street paving contracted for. 

June 4. Minute fire ordinance passed. 

June 12. City marshal arrests several soldiers 
for fishing on Sunday. 

July 12. Public dinner given to General Sol. Van 
Rensselaer at Woodworth's Hotel. 

August 1 2. Horse-boat ferry first operated. 

September 21. Fire Engine No. i purchased. 

September 28. Hook and Ladder Company pro- 
vided for. 

1826. January 11. First jiruvision for the in- 
spection of fire-wood. 

May 20. The Military Reserve given to the city 
by Congress. 

May 27. Two companies of infantry depart for 
Green Bay ; city for the first time left without troops. 

July 17. Special session of Common Council to 
take action on the deaths of John Adams and 
Thomas Jefferson ; it was " Recommended that the 
citizens of Detroit wear crape on the left arm for 
thirty days." The brick building of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Society was first used this 
year. 

November 2. First session of Second Legislative 
Council. 

1827. January 29. Inhabitants of Territory 
authorized to elect members of the Legislative 
Council. 

March 22. City Cemetery on Beaubien Farm 
purchased. 

March 31. Fire Company No. 2 organized. 

April 4. Legislative Council exempts firemen 
from military and jury duty. Council authorized 
to change plan of city. 

.'Vpril 10. The council order shinplasters printed. 

May 3. Mansion House first opened after en- 
largement. In this month Fort Shelby was demol- 
ished. 

May 16. First sale of lots on Military Reserve. 
In this month the first steam ferry-boat was oper- 
ated, and the first Hour exported from Detroit. 



95< 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



June. City ordinance forbids any more burials 
in cemetery on Woodward Avenue. 
October 20. First Baptist Society organized. 
November 26. First sidewalt: ordinance passed. 

1828. February 1 5. Meeting at Detroit to pro- 
test against organizing Lal<e Superior region into 
Territory of Huron. 

May 5. Court hou.se or capitol first occupied. 

Julv 3. Historical Society organized at Mansion 
House. 

August 24. First building of St. I'aul's Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church consecrated. 

October 23. Fire in woods about Detroit ; dense 
smoke each morning. 

December 25. Upper part of St. Anne's Church 
completed and first used. 

1829. March 5. John P. Sheldon, editor of 
Detroit Gazette, impri.soned for contempt of court. 

March 13. Public meeting of citizens to raise 
funds to pay fine imposed upon John P. Sheldon. 
Committee appointed to wait on Sheldon at the jail 
and take him to his residence in a carriage. 

May 7. Complimentary dinner to J. P. Sheldon 
while in jail. 

August. Hydraulic company bore for water on 
Fort Street West. 

November 20. The Northwestern Journal first 
issued. 

1830. February 19. First city temperance soci- 
ety organized. 

March 18. Female Seminary .Association incor- 
porated. 

April 26. Detroit Gazette office burned, also 
several dwellings. 

April 29. First firemen's review. 

June 7. Farmers and Mechanics' Bank organ- 
ized. 

July 31. Pontiac & Detroit Railroad chartered. 

September. Detroit barracks on Gratiot Road 
constructed. 

September 24. Man named Simmons hanged for 
murder of his wife. 

October 1 1 . First water supplied by steam power. 

November 3. Wayne County Bible Society or- 
ganized. 

November 24. Detroit Journal and Michigan 
Advertiser first issued. 

December 23. Detroit Courier first issued. 

December 31. Celebration in honor of triumph 
of liberal principles in France. Major Whiting de- 
livered a discourse on the French Revolution, and 
there was a ball at the Mansion House. 

1831. January S. The Governor and Judges 
forward their plan to Congress. 

January 9. Daily mails from the East began. 
March 4. Law for the hiring out or whipping of 
disorderly persons, drunkards, etc., repealed. 



March 22. Michigan Sunday School Union or- 
ganized. City Tract Society organized. 

May 5. Democratic Free Press and Michigan 
Intelligencer first issued. 

July 20. Ale.xis de Tocqueville visits Detroit. 

July 23. A public meeting was held this day to 
express the .sentiments of the people of Michigan on 
the appointment of S. T. Mason as Secretary of the 
Territory, he being under twenty-one years of age, 
and, by the resignation of Governor Cass, acting gov- 
ernor. A committee of four, consisting of A. Mack, 
.S. Conant, O. Newberry, and J. E. Schwartz, were 
appointed to report the facts. On July 25 they 
reported that the President was aware of his being 
under twenty-one years of age. At an adjourned 
meeting on July 26, many citizens vigorously remon- 
strated. On July 28 Mr. Mason responded to the 
remonstrances in a manner that did credit to his 
ability, coolness, and general good sense. 

July 26. Tuesday a public dinner was given to 
Governor Cass at the Mansion House on his leaving 
for Washington as Secretary of War. 

September 17. George B. Porter, the new gov- 
ernor, arrived. He stopped at the Mansion House. 

October 28. A public meeting was held at the 
council room to consider the subject of internal 
improvements, and petition Congress in relation 
thereto. 

1832. February 22. The Common Council or- 
dered a national salute fired in honor of the centen- 
nial of Washington's birthday. 

March 6. First annual meeting of Michigan S. S. 
Union at Presbyterian Church. 

May 3. First underground reservoirs ordered. 

May 24. Detachment of Detroit militia leave for 
Chicago on account of the Black Hawk War. Gris- 
wold Street was opened this year from Earned 
Street to Jefferson Avenue. 

June 29. The council was authorized to compel 
convicts to work on the streets. 

June 30. General Scott and staff arrived en route 
for Chicago, in connection with the Black Hawk War. 

July 4. The steamboat Henry Clay arrived with 
several companies of troops for the Black Hawk 
War. 

July 5. A soldier on the Henry Clay died of 
cholera and the vessel was ordered to Hog Island. 

July and .-Vugust. Much excitement from cholera 
and many deaths. 

September 1 3. Death and burial of Father Rich- 
ard. Bishop Edward Fenwick in Detroit on a visit. 

December 3 1 . First county poorhouse completed 
and paid for. 

1833. January 18. Young Men's Society organ- 
ized. 

April 22. First city ta.\ on all real and personal 
property authorized. 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



959 



April 23. onice of City Director of the I'oor 
created. 

.•\pril 27. Steamboat Michii^an launched at De- 
troit. 

June 16. The colored people rescue and release 
Blackburn, a slave. The first four-story brick build- 
ing was erected this year. 

July 4. Black Hawk arrives at Detroit. 

September. .Mr. Smith's child lost in the woods 
— many people searching for it for several days. 

October 12. The synod of Western Reser\-e 
meets at Detroit. 

October 14. Annual meeting of Western Reserve 
Branch of American Educational Society held at the 
Presbyterian session room. 

1834. January 7. Bishop Frederick Rese, tirst 
Roman Catholic Bishop of the diocese of Detroit, 
arrived. The Catholic Female Association was or- 
ganized this year. 

April 20-27. Bishop Mcllvaine present, attend- 
ing the first annual convention of Protestant Episco- 
pal Church in Michigan. 

May 31. City cemetery on Guoin Farm pur- 
chased. 

July 7. Governor Porter died ; funeral same day. 
The Common Council attend in a body and resolve 
to wear crape thirty days. 

July 1 3. First M. E. Church on corner of Wood- 
ward Avenue and Congress Street dedicated. 

August I . The cholera appeared. A large num- 
ber of deaths occur during the month. 

October 18. First Hose company organized. 

October 31. First real estate ta.x voted for by 
citizens. 

1835. January 11. First brick Baptist Church 
dedicated. 

January 29. Office of County Register created. 

March 6. Public meeting of citizens to protest 
against the claim of Ohio to the disputed terri- 
tory. 

March 26. Michigan State Bank incorporated. 

April 4. Election of delegates to first State Con- 
stitutional Convention. 

April 9. Much excitement occasioned by a mad 
dog which bit a number of children and several dogs. 

April 26. Shots exchanged between Michigan 
troops and Ohio boundary commissioners. 

April 28. First brick Presbyterian Church dedi- 
cated. 

May II. State Constitutional Convention assem- 
bled. .American Hotel opened. 

June 24. State Constitutional Convention ad- 
journed. 

June 27. Michigan Exchange Hotel first opened. 

July iS. The sheriff of Monroe County and 250 
armed men arrest eight persons in Toledo. First 
systematic street paving,— a portion of Atwater 



Street paved this year, and the Campus Martins was 
graded and leveled. 

September 6. Governor Mason and General 
Brown, with about 1,000 militia, enter Toledo to 
prevent the holding of a session of the Lucas 
County Court. 

September 21. John .S. Horner, Secretary of the 
Territory, arrives in Detroit. 

September 28. The Daily Free Press was first 
issued. 

October 5. First State election and first Consti- 
tution of Michigan adopted by vote of the people. 

November 2. First session of the Legislature 
under the State Constitution. 

November 18. Old City Hall first occupied. 

December 2. Fire Engine Company No. 3 or- 
ganized. 

1836. March 18. Public meeting held at City 
Hall to protest against change of State boundary. 

March 26. Supreme Court of State created. 

May 18. Works of Hydraulic Company pur- 
chased by the city. Ladies' Protestant Orphan 
Asylum organized. 

June II. Detroit Daily Advertiser first issued. 

June 13. Harriet Martineau arrived. 

June 15. First act passed by Congress for ad- 
mission of Michigan. The first luiderground sewer 
was built this year, and there were enormous sales 
of public lands in Michigan. 

June 30. The City Council appointed a commit- 
tee to inspect springs in township of Southfield and at 
Northville, with a view of getting water therefrom. 

July 3. Law creating State of Wisconsin out of 
Michigan Territory took effect. The power of 
Governor and Judges as a Land I5oard terminated. 

July 1 1. President Jackson directs public officers 
to receive and pay out coin only. 

July 27. Lord Selkirk, son of the one famous for 
his settlement in the wilds of Canada, visits Detroit. 

September 2. Meeting in Detroit to oppose 
yielding territory to Ohio. 

September 6. Street names first ordered at street 
corners. .Same month fire wardens first provided for. 

September 12. Election of delegates to State 
Convention on accepting admission on terms pro- 
posed by Congress. 

September 26. The convention decides against 
acceptance of terms proposed by Congress. 

October i . Cars first run from Toledo to Adrian. 

October 1 2. Meeting in Detroit to oppose yield- 
ing territory to Ohio. 

October 18. First sale of lots on Cass Farm. 
October 20. Detroit Evening Spectator and Lit- 
erary Gazette first issued. 

November 8. First presidential election partici- 
pated in by citizens of Michigan. 

November 14. Democratic County Convention 



960 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



recommend the holding of another convention and 
the accepting of the State boundary proposed by 
Congress. 

December i. National Hotel first opened. 

December 14. A convention was held at Ann 
Arbor, and the terms proposed by Congress ac- 
cepted. 

183V- January 4. The Free Press office and sev- 
eral other buildings on northeast corner of Jefferson 
Avenue and Shelby Street were burned. 

January 20. The first locomotive in Michigan 
arrived at Toledo. 

January 26. The State was fully and formally 
admitted by Congress. 

February 9. Celebration in honor of admission 
of State. Parade and illuminations. 

March 1 5. Wildcat banking law passed by Mich- 
igan Legislature. 

April 24. Monday. Meeting of the Agricultural 
Society at the City Hall. The organization of a 
.State Agricultural and Horticultural Society was 
proposed. 

April 26. The Detroit Anti-slavery Society was 
organized. 

April 27. A large fire between Woodward Ave- 
nue and Randolph Street burned most of the build- 
ings south of Woodbridge Street. 

May 16. News was received at Detroit of the 
refusal of New York banks to redeem in specie, 
and on May 17 the Detroit banks took the same 
action. 

May and June. Captain Frederick Marryatt, the 
novelist, visited Detroit. 

July 8. Mrs. Anna Jameson, the authoress, 
arrived. Daniel Webster and family arrived late in 
the evening, and put up at the National. 

July 1 1 . Upwards of 300 sat down to a collation 
served in a grove on Cass Farm in honor of Mr. 
Webster, after which 1,500 or 2,000 ladies and gen- 
tlemen gathered to listen to an address from their 
guest. 

August 19. The bank of Homer established, — 
the first wildcat bank in Michigan. 

September 6. First session of Michigan Confer- 
ence at Detroit. 

October 23. First meeting of synod of Michigan. 

December 26. The Detroit City Bank, a wildcat, 
went into operation. 

1838. January i. Meeting of citizens of Detroit 
in favor of the Patriots, 

January 5. Two hundred stand of arms seized 
at the jail by the Patriots. 

January 8. Steamboats Erie and Brady left to 
disperse Patriots, and obtain arms taken at Detroit. 

January 9. Judge James Witherell died. 

January 24. The Michigan Insurance Company 
Bank began business. 



January 28. Steamboat Robert Fulton arrived 
from Buffalo with three companies of soldiers. 

February 3. ^L C. R. R. opened to Ypsilanti. 
Large excursion party from Detroit, dinner at Ypsi- 
lanti, etc. 

February 25. The Canadians cannonade the Pa- 
triots on Fighting Island. 

February 26. General Scott arrived. 

March 1 2, Great meeting of citizens at City 
Hall to protest against the statement made in Cana- 
dian Parliament that Detroit sympathized with and 
aided the Patriot War rebels. 

March 30. The Whigs distribute bread and 
pork to influence votes. 

June 20. The Detroit branch of the University 
first opened. 

July 4. LTnion S. S. celebration in Presbyterian 
Church. 

Jujy 21. The Pontiac R. R. was opened to Royal 
Oak. In this year the M. C. R. R. track was ex- 
tended down Woodward Avenue to Atwater Street. 
JThe first public free schools were opened in Detroit. 
The first iron water-pipes were laid, and old round- 
house for reservoir completed. 

August 21. The Fire Department opened a 
reading room and library. 

December 3. Five hundred Patriots on the 
Forsyth Farm were dispersed by General Brady. 

December 4. The Patriots attack Windsor, and 
are compelled to retreat, losing many men. 

December g. Major -General Scott and suite 
arrived for the purpose of maintaining neutral- 
ity. 

1839. February 22. The County Poor Farm 
in Nankin township was purchased. 

March 27. The city was divided into wards, and 
provision made for ward aldermen. Envelopes were 
first used in this year. 

April 15. Ward elections first held. 

July 17. Centenary celebration of founding of 
Methodism in England. 

August 16. A locomotive was first used on the 
Pontiac R. R, 

September i. The steamboat Great Western 
was burned at Detroit. 

October 17. The M. C. R. R. was opened to 
Ann Arbor. An excursion train with the Brady 
Guards and 800 citizens visited that city. 

December. First Firemen's Hall opened. 

1840. February 14. The Fire Department So- 
ciety was incorporated. 

April 15. A log cabin was raised on the corner 
of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street. 

June 10. The Whigs leave on five steamboats 
for the great Whig meeting at Fort Meigs. 

June 30. The following advertisement appeared 
in the daily papers : 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



961 



SILKWORMS. — GREAT CURIOSITY. 
By calling at George Fowler's store, corner of Atwater and 
Bates Streets, may be seen over 5,000 thriving silk worms, fed 
from the white mulberry trees, raised in this city. They have 
already passed two stages of moulting. Admittance 12^ cents 
for the season, which will continue four weeks. Children half 
price. Hugh A. Young. 

August 4. The boiler of the Erie exploded near 
Maiden. Five persons were scalded and one killed. 

September 28. Vice-President Richard JM. John- 
son, who killed Tecumseh, visited Detroit to attend 
a Democratic barbecue on Cass Farm. 

September 30. Great Whig meeting at Detroit. 

1841. January 26. The Western Farmer was 
first issued. 

March 3. The first appropriation for a survey of 
the lakes was made by Congress. 

April 10. A meeting of citizens was held to ex- 
press sorrow at the death, on April 4, of President 
Harrison. 

April 20. Funeral procession, bells tolled, etc., 
to honor memory of the late President Harrison. 
Oration by Hon. Ross Wilkins at Presbyterian 
Church. This year the bells began to ring instead 
of tolling for a fire. 

May 18. Fire Company No. 4 organized. 

August 4. $50,000 was appropriated by Congress 
for the construction of Fort Wayne. 

August 31. Mt. Elliott Cemetery was estab- 
lished. 

September 29. A volunteer night-watch w'as or- 
ganized. 

November 9. The city marshal, by direction of 
the Common Council, tears down and demolishes a 
disreputable house owned by T. Slaughter and Peg 
Welch. 

December. Rev. Peter Paul Lefevere, acting Ro- 
man Catholic bishop of Detroit, arrived. 

December 29. The M. C. R. R. was opened to 
Jackson. 

1842. January i. The entire block between 
Woodward .Avenue and Griswold Street, Jefferson 
Avenue and Woodbridge Street, was burned. 

January 1 5. The ordinance prescribing the price 
of bread was repealed. 

February 17. The Board of Education was cre- 
ated. 

July 4. Large Sunday School celebration, a grand 
affair. Procession about Yi mile in length, number- 
ing not far from 1,000 children. 

July 8. Ex-President I\L Van Burcn visited De- 
troit. 

August 18. Thursday. Professor De Bonneville 
commenced a course of lectures on animal magnet- 
ism at the City Hall. 

August 29. The corporation of Detroit was 
made the successor of the Governor and Judges as 
a Land Board. 



December 5. Henry Barnard lectured in Detroit 
on schools and education. 

1843. January 1 5. Funeral service in honor of 
ex-Governor Stevens T. Mason at Episcopal Church. 
Large procession of military and civil officers. He 
died in New York on January 4. 

February 15. Arrival of General Cass from Eu- 
rope. He was escorted to the Exchange by military 
and citizens and welcomed with an address by the 
mayor. 

June 27. The recorder was authorized to trans- 
fer all the fire engines, etc., to the Fire Department 
Society. 

June 29. St. Mary's Catholic Church, corner St. 
Antoine and Croghan Streets, was consecrated. 

July 4. The railroad was completed to Pontiac. 

October 4. First State gathering of uniformed 
militia consisting of two regiments. They went 
into camp on the Cass Farm for eight weeks. 

October 9. X grand review- of troops w-as held. 

October 11. The celebrated Copper Rock from 
Ontonagon, Lake Superior, arrived, — length 4 feet 
six inches; width 4 feet; thickness 18 inches. 
Brought by Mr. J. Eldred. This same rock was 
seen by Alexander Henry in 1776, and he cut a 100 
pound piece from it with an axe. 

1844. March. The M. C. R. R. track was re- 
moved from Woodward Avenue. In this year the 
first express office was opened in Detroit and the 
Grand Circus parks began to be improved. 

May 30. Four Sisters of Charity arrive, — the 
first in the city. 

June 10. A free school for boys and girls was 
opened by the Sisters of Charity. 

June 25. About 9 o'clock A. M. the steamboat 
General Vance, owned by Samuel Woodworth of 
Detroit, blew up while lying in the dock at Windsor. 
Mr. Woodworth was killed and Major Truax with 
two or three others seriously injured. 

September 6. The Scotch Presbyterian Church 
was first used. 

September 21. The .Allgemeine Zeitung, a Ger- 
man paper, was first issued. 

October 17. An immense Clay and Frelinghuy- 
sen mass meeting of citizens of Wayne and St. Clair 
counties was held. The principal streets were deco- 
rated with flags, banners, patriotic inscriptions, etc. 

1845. March 3. Five-cent letter postage was 
provided for. 

June 9. St. \'incent's (now St. Mar>''s) Hospital 
was opened on Earned Street. 

June 17. A public meeting of citizens was held 
to express regret for the death of General .Andrew 
Jackson. 

June 19. Lyman Beecher w-as here at a conven- 
tion of Presbyterian and Congregational ministers. 

July 2. Funeral obsequies in honor of General 



962 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



Jackson ; procession, and an address by Hon. Theo- 
dore Komeyn. 

July 4. Formal naming of Belle Isle. 

July 10. The Baker Farm, between Chicago and 
Grand River Roads, divided into pasturage lots 
and sold at auction. In this year a portion of Jeffer- 
son Avenue was paved with wood, and public hacks 
were first introduced. 

August. A volunteer night-watch was organized. 

August 1 1. An order arrived for the three com- 
panies of the Fifth Regiment of Infantry, then in 
Detroit, to rendezvous at Jefferson Barracks pre- 
paratory to going to Te.xas. 

August 16, A complimentary dinner was given 
at the Exchange to the officers of the Fifth Regi- 
ment. 

August 19. Fire Company No. 5 was organized. 

September 14. Congress Street M. E. Church 
dedicated. 

September 22. Fire Company No. 6 was or- 
ganized. Electric telegraph first explained and 
illustrated in Detroit. 

October 7. First fire-limits ordinance passed. 

November 3 and 4. Last two-day election held. 

T846. January i. Wales Hotel opened. 

January 12. City Tract Association organized. 

February 2. M. C. R. R. opened to Kalamazoo. 

March 2. Local option law. — Citizens vote 
against licensing saloons. 

April 2. Bethel Church on Woodbridge Street 
dedicated. 

May 1 3. Congress declares war against Mexico. 

May 14. Body of Dr. Houghton. State geolo- 
gist, brought to Detroit. 

May 15. Funeral of Dr. Houghton. 

May 31. First building of Christ P. E. Church 
dedicated. In this year the first power press in 
Michigan was set up in office of Free Press. 

August 2. St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, on 
Congress Street, dedicated. 

August 30. First Congregational Church, Jeffer- 
son Avenue, dedicated. 

September 23. M. C. R. R. transferred to a 
corporation. 

October S. Elmwood Cemetery opened. 

1847. January 23. Rev. Prof. Finney was here 
for the week ending January 23 ; he preached in 
the Congregational Church every evening. 

February 4. A meeting was held in the interest 
of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal. 

February 25. Meeting in City Hall to devise 
means for sending relief to the starving poor of 
Ireland; a committee was appointed, consisting of 
C. C. Trowbridge, Henry Ledyard, E. A. Brush, 
Theodore Romeyn, and Wm. Gray ; they interested 
not only citizens of Detroit but persons in the interior 
of the State, and sent to New York 2,348 barrels 



and packages of provisions, including 2,175 barrels 
of flour. 

March 7, Sunday. A farewell missionary meeting 
for Rev. Judson D. Collins, of Michigan, was held 
at the Congress Street M. E. Church ; he was the 
first ^L E. missionary to China. 

March 9. Bill passed locating State Capital at 
Lansing. 

March 17. Close of last session of Legislature 
held in Detroit. 

April 24. First troops leave for Mexico; prema- 
ture national salute fired by order of Mayor and 
Common Council, in honor of victories not then 
won ; also a general illumination ; firemen out in 
torchlight procession. 

July 2. Exhibition at the capitol of the cele- 
brated painting, Peale's "Court of Death;" also of 
the mode of telegraphing. 

July 4. Most extensive celebration ever held, 
participated in by military and firemen, including 
several companies from abroad ; torchlight pro- 
cession in the evening. 

August 15. Postage stamps first received 111 
Detroit. During this year the city was first divided 
into fire districts. 

September 19. First brick church of African 
Methodist society dedicated. 

October 20. First Board of Trade organized. 

November 29. First telegraph dispatch from De- 
troit sent to Ypsilanti. 

1848. January 7. Young Men's Benevolent So- 
ciety organized. 

March i. First telegraph dispatch received from 
New York. Horace Greeley here the same day. 

May 9. Extensive fire between Bates and 
Beaubien Streets, Jefferson Avenue and the river. 
Lieutenant U. S. Grant visited LOetroit this year for 
the first time. 

May 30. M. C. R. R. begin using Third Street 
depot. 

June 8. The tearing down of old jail on Gratiot 
Street was begun. 

June 29. SS. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church 
consecrated. 

July 8. The first troops returned from the war 
in Mexico. 

1849. January. Fire Companies Nos. 7 and 8 
organized. 

February 21. Election of City Physicians pro- 
vided for. 

March 5. Detroit Savings Bank incorporated. 

April 10. The steamboat Mayflower made her 
trial trip. 

April 23. M. C. R. R. completed to New Buffalo. 

May 28. M. C. R. R. line of boats to Buffalo be- 
gan. In this year the strap-rail on M. C. R. R. was 
replaced with T rail, street paving with cobble- 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



963 



stone began to be general, and union public schools 
were first provided. 

June I. Harmonie Society organized. 

July 2. Rev. E. Leahey, D. D., a monk of 
LaTrappe. attempted to lecture at City Hall in 
opposition to Catholicism, but was not allowed 
to proceed. He was escorted home by Bishop 
Lefevere and Mayor Howard. The next night 
he tried to lecture in Fowler's old school on 
Jefferson Avenue. There was an immense crowd 
outside the building, but no one in the audience- 
room, and no lecture was given. The Brady 
Guards were in readiness for action, as a riot was 
feared. 

July. Lieutenant U. S. Grant arrived. 

July to September. Nearly 300 deaths from 
cholera. 

September 19. Introduction of large imported 
French plate-glass show-windows by Geo. Doty, 
jeweler, — the largest west of New York City. 

September 20 and 27. Millard Fillmore visits the 
city as guest of Mayor Howard. 

September 25, 26, and 27. First annual Fair 
Michigan State Agricultural Society ; held on Wood- 
ward Avenue, south of Duffield Street. 

October 6. George Bancroft, the historian, here. 

October 14. Lafayette Street M. E. Church dedi- 
cated. 

October 22. Peninsular Bank began business. 

November. Detroit and Pontiac plank-road first 
opened. 

November 19. Daily Tribune first issued. 

December 12. Pontiac R. R. on Gratiot Avenue 
torn up by citizens. 

December 23. Mariners' P. E. Church dedi- 
cated. 

1850. February 11. Pontiac R. R. on Gratiot 
Avenue for second time torn up by citizens. 

February 26. For several successive days the 
curiosity of citizens was exercised in regard to a 
man who paraded the principal streets w'earing a 
lady's long shawl, and there was constant inquiry 
concerning the "man with the shawl." 

March 21. Citizens of Detroit protest against 
changing route of M. S. & N. L R. R. 

April 2. Police Court created. 

April 7. Second Presbyterian Church, corner 
Lafayette Avenue and Wayne Street, dedicated. 

May 16. Presbyterian General Assembly con- 
vened. 

June 2. First M. E. Church, corner Woodward 
Avenue and State Street, dedicated. 

June 3. Second Constitutional Convention began 
at Lansing. 

June 19 to 28. John B. Gough lectured in I'res- 
byterian Church on Temperance. 

July 4. Corner-stone of Firemen's Hall laid. 



July 17, Wednesday. Funeral ob.sequies in honor 
of President Zachary Taylor. Procession, and an 
address by Hon. Geo. C. Bates at First Presbyterian 
Church. 

August 26. Detroit and Saline plank-road first 
opened. 

September 11. Frederika Bremer arrived. 

November 5. Second Constitution of Michigan 
adopted by vote of the people. Prosecuting Attor- 
ney first elected. 

November 6. St. Maiy's Hospital, Clinton Street, 
opened. 

November 19. M. C. R. R. freight depot burned. 
Loss $ 1 50,000. Amin Bey, commissioner of Tur- 
key, visits the city. 

November 27. First Young Men's Hall com- 
pleted. 

1851. Januar)- i. State Constitution of 1S50 be- 
comes operative. 

February 1-22. Fine Art Exhibition at Firemen's 
Hall. 

March 3. Three-cent letter postage provided for. 

April 18. Funeral of General Hugh Brady. — 
very large procession ; ser\-ices at I-'resbytcrian 
Church. 

April 19. Saturday, 33 persons, known as the 
M. C. R. R. conspirators, arrived. 

April 28. Great railroad conspiracy case com- 
menced ; continued most of the time for four 
months. In this year the first German M. E. 
Church was dedicated. 

June 3. The trial of James J. Strang, otherwise 
known as King Strang, the Mormon, began. 

June 7. Biddle House first opened. 

June 10. Michigan State Musical Convention, 
under direction of Professor Charles Hess, at First 
^L E. Church. 

June 23. Great meeting at City Hall to promote 
building the G. W. R. R. In this year Ives' Dry- 
Dock was built, the first wheat elevator erected, and 
steam power first applied to printing in Detroit. 

August 4. Charlotte Cushman performs in city. 

September 23. Miss Sarah Hunt's Ladies' Semi- 
nary opened. 

September 24. Streets first lighted with gas. 

September 24-26. Third State Fair ; held on 
Third Street between Michigan and Grand River 
Avenues. 

September 25. Verdict of guilty against twelve 
of the persons indicted as railroad conspirators. 

.September 26. Sentences of imprisonment, vary- 
ing from five to ten years, pronounced against rail- 
road conspirators. 

October. Grand River plank-road first opened. 

October 23. Firemen's Hall No. 2 first opened. 
Theresa Parodi and Amalie Patti sing in Detroit. 

November 24, Monday. Reception of Dr. Kin- 



964 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



kel, the distingLiished German patriot, poet, and 
scholar. Thousands of citizens congregated before 
the Hiddle House to bid him welcome. 

December 1 5. Meeting of lawyers to consider 
establishing a Law Library. Committee of live ap- 
pointed. 

1852. January 12. An immense meeting asks 
for release of O'Brien, Mitchell, and Meagher. 

January 23. M. C. R. R. car manufacturing shops 
at Detroit burned. 

April 12. Zion German Refoniu.l Church, Cro- 
ghan Street, dedicated. 

May 21. M. C. R. R. trains run into Chicago for 
first time. 

May 22. M. S. & N. L R. R. completed between 
Toledo and Chicago. In this year Pontiac cars begin 
to use Brush .Street Depot. 

July 4. S. S. celebration, 2,000 children at Pres- 
byterian Church. 

July 7. State Temperance meeting of Secret 
Temperance Societies, procession, etc. Temper- 
ance mass meeting in Woodbridge Grove. Addresses 
by Neal Dow and Father Taylor, the sailor preacher 
of Boston. 

July 13. Funeral obsequies in honor of Henry 
Clay ; large procession ; address by Rev. Dr. Duffield 
at Presbyterian Church. 

August 20. Steamer Atlantic, while on her way 
to Detroit, collided with propellor Ogdensburgh 
of^ Long Point, Lake Erie, and was sunk. 131 per- 
sons were lost, many of them residents, or friends of 
citizens of Detroit. 

September 22-24. Fourth State Fair ; held on 
Third Street between Michigan and Grand River 
Avenues. 

September 27. First Young Men's Christian As- 
sociation organized. 

October. St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum 
established. 

October 26. Meeting of citizens held on call of 
mayor to express regret at death of Hon. Daniel 
Webster. 

December 10. O. M. Hyde's immense Floating 
Dock launched. 

December 19. St. Paul's P. E. Church dedicated, 
— second building. 

1853. January i. Advertiser first printed on 
steam cylinder press. 

January 5. A large and exciting meeting at City 
Hall, to oppose the building of more public institu- 
tions. 

January 9. First brick Lutheran Church on Mon- 
roe .■\ venue dedicated. 

January 24. Great railroad meeting in interest of 
Oakland & Ottawa R. R. 

February 14. Board of Water Commissioners 
established. 



February 15. Second .-Vrt Exhibition began. It 
ended March 15, 1853. 

March 29. Permission first given to sell meat 
elsewhere than at market. License, $50 a year. 

April 3. Daily Free Democrat first issued. 

May I . Michigan Volksblatt first issued. 

July 21. Bar Library Association organized. 

September 8. Unitarian Church, Lafayette Ave- 
nue, dedicated. 

September 15. Great Union S. S. celebration; 
procession, and excursion on steamboats May Queen 
and Keystone State. 

September 28-30. Fifth State Fair ; held on Third 
Street between Michigan and Grand River Ave- 
nues. 

October 13. Mrs. Amelia Bloomer, originator of 
the Bloomer costume, lectured in Firemen's Hall on 
" Woman's Rights." 

November 20. French M. E. Church dedicated. 

December 26. Large meeting of the friends of a 
general railroad law. 

1854. January 10. First Presbyterian Church 
burned and half the block between Lamed Street 
and Jefferson Avenue up to the Boston Store. 

January 17. Grand celebration on the occasion 
of the opening of the G. W. R. R.; immense pro- 
cession ; dinner at M. C. R. R. Depot. 

January 18. Daily Enquirer first issued. 

January 22. M. C. R. R. passenger office burned. 

Februarv 27. The Transit, the first railroad 
ferry-boat, made her trial trip. 

June 25. Scotch Presbyterian Church entered, 
and furniture mutilated. 

June and July. Over 200 deaths from cholera. 

September 21. Fort Street Congregational Church 
dedicated. 

September 26-29. Sixth State Fair; held on 
Third Street, between Michigan and Grand River 
Avenues. 

1855. February 10. River frozen over ; a shanty 
erected at middle of river for the sale of liquor. 

February 13. Legislature prohibits use of county 
jails for the detention of fugitive slaves. 

March 6. Notice in daily papers that the Messrs. 
Sutton had photographed by Turner's process with 
gieat success. 

April 24. M. S. cS: N. I. R. R. in operation between 
Toledo and Buffalo. Council forbids the running of 
fire engines on sidewalks of paved street. 

May 2. Fire Companies i, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 dis- 
band. 

May 3- Employees of M. C. R. R. and of Jackson 
& Wiley organize a fire company. 

May 15. New fire companies organized for 
Engines 5. 6, and 8. The prohibitory liquor law 
went into effect; nearly all the drinking places were 
closed. In this year the St. Mary's Falls Ship Canal 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



965 



was opened, and interments in Beaubien Farm 
Cemetery ceased. 

July 25. Over one hundred Indian chiefs hold a 
council to settle difficulties in regard to treaty of 
1836. 

August 2. General M. E. Sunday School cele- 
bration of the city M. E. churches. 

September 4. Old Cass warehouse, occupied by 
G. O. Williams, corner of Front and First Streets, 
burned ; loss $30,000. 

September 13. New Odd Fellows' Hall, facing 
Campus Martius, dedicated. 

October 3 to 5. Seventh Annual State Fair; held 
on Third Street, between Michigan and Grand 
River Avenues. 

November 18. Fort Street Presbyterian Church 
dedicated. 

December 9. Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian 
Church dedicated. 

December 25. Railroad completed between De- 
troit and Monroe. 

1856. May 6. Meeting of American Medical 
Society. 

May 25. First St. Jo.seph's Catholic Church, 
Gratiot Avenue, consecrated. 

June 9. Fire Company No. 10 organized. 

June 10. Fire Company No. 9 organized. 

June 15. Walnut Street M. E. Church dedicated. 

June 18. The trial of White, King, and Ayer, 
for great e.xpress robbery, began ; §50,000 was 
stolen. 

July. Railroad completed between Detroit and 
Toledo. 

July 1 5. Present Board of Trade organized. 

August I. R. G. Dun & Co.'s agency established 
in Detroit. 

August 12, Tuesday. Si.xth annual meeting of 
the American Association for the Advancement of 
Education begun. 

October 2. Great Republican meeting on vacant 
lot corner Woodward and Adams Avenues. 

October i to 4. Eighth Annual State Fair; held 
on the Race Course in Hamtramck. 

1857. January 7. State convention of firemen. 
February i. State Bank of Michigan organized. 
February 5. Nevv- city charter obtained ; city 

much enlarged. Recorder's Court created. 

February 11. Fire Company No. 11 organized. 

February 16. General banking law passed by 
Legislature. 

February 22. French and German Presbyterian 
Church. Catherine Street, dedicated. 

February 28. W. W. Ryan lectured at City Hall 
on his important (.') secret of foretelling the weather. 

March. Fire Company No. 1 2 organized. 

March 4. First union morning prayer-meeting 
held. 



March 13. Train on G. W. R. R. breaks through 
bridge over canal near Hamilton; over eighty lives 
lost; travel suspended for two weeks. 

May 15. Relief meeting held to aid citizens in 
Gratiot and adjoining counties in need of food; 
$1,000 subscribed. 

June 16. Industrial School Society organized. 

June 24, State Sunday School convention at Dr. 
Duffield's church. Masonic Hall dedicated. Meet- 
ing of North American Sangerbund began. 

July 16, First telegraph cable laid across river. 

July 22. Bark C. J. Kershaw sails for Liverpool 
direct. 

.A.ugust 24. The Ohio Life and Trust Company 
failed. 

September 28. Russell House first opened. 

September 29 to October 2. Ninth Annual State 
Fair; held on Race Course in Hamtramck. 

November. Water Works Resen'oir on De- 
quindre Farm first used. 

November 30. Marine Hospital opened. 

December 5. Citizens' meeting at City Hall; 
expenditure of $50,000 for workhouse voted down. 

1858. May 18. Corner-stone of the new Post- 
oftice and Custom House laid. 

July 4. First through train arrived from Grand 
Rapids. 

July 8. Firemen's Hall reopened. The walls had 
been raised and a new roof put on. 

July 24. Celebration of the 1 57th anniversary of 
the founding of Detroit, under the auspices of the 
Michigan State Historical Society. Large proces- 
sion of city officers, firemen. Masons, Odd Fellows, 
soldiers, and citizens. .•Addresses at Firemen's Hall, 
in English by C. I. Walker and in French by E. N. 
Lacroi.x. Elaborate supper at Russell House in the 
evening. 

July 25. First Bethel Church of Evangelical 
Association dedicated. 

July 28. The draymen hold an indignation meet- 
ing because the railroads began to use their own 
drays. 

August 16. Receipt of Queen's message by tele- 
graph cable. Buildings illuminated, 100 guns hred, 
torchlight procession, etc., on the following day. 

August 21. Firemen's Library and Reading 
Room opened. 

August 30. D. & M. R. R. completed to Grand 
Haven. First session of the High School. 

September i. First through train arrived from 
Milwaukee. 

September 2. First trial of a steam fire engine. 

September 5. Second German M. E. Church 
dedicated. 

September 7, Tuesday. Commencement of forty- 
ninth meeting of the American Board of Commis- 
sioners for Foreign .Missions. 



966 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



September 28 to October i. Tenth annual State 
Fair ; held on the Ladies' Riding Park, on west 
side of Woodward Avenue, north of Davenport 
Street. 

November 10. Old University Building torn 
down. 

December 4. Young Men's Christian Union or- 
ganized. 

December 31. Tribune Building, northeast cor- 
ner Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street, 
burned. 

1859. January 25. Centennial celebration of 
Burns' birthday. Dinner at the E.xchange, and a 
supper and toasts at the Biddle House. 

February 3. Walter Harper provides for estab- 
lishment of Harper Hospital. 

March 12. John Brown arrives in Detroit and 
holds conference with colored men concerning pro- 
posed Harper's Ferry raid. 

April 25. Fire on corner of Gratiot and Brush 
Streets. An old warehouse and eight buildings 
burned. 

April 28. Reception to Wm. Smith O'Brien, the 
Irish patriot. 

May 3. Daily meetings of the Board of Trade 
began. 

May 19. Annual Session of the Congregational 
General Association commenced at the First Con- 
gregational Church. 

September. Detroit Female Seminary opened. 

September 29. J. B. Corey obtains judgment of 
$20,000 against city because of injuries received by 
his wife, who fell into a sewer e.xcavation on Gris- 
wold .Street. 

September 30. Citizens' meeting authorizing a 
loan of $250,000 for the erection of a new City Hall 
and 150,000 for a Workhouse. 

October 4 to 7. Eleventh Annual State Fair; 
held on west side of Woodward Avenue, north of 
Davenport Street. General N. P. Banks delivered 
an address. 

November i. Merrill Hall first opened. 

November 5. Second trial of steam fire engine. 

November 1 9. St. John's P. E. Church dedicated. 

November 21. Grand Trunk R. R. opened from 
Detroit to Port Huron. 

i860. January 19. Alidnight procession of the 
Sons of Malta. 

January 25. Michigan State Retreat for tlie In- 
sane opened. 

January 30. New Post Office building, corner of 
Griswold and Larned Streets, formally opened. 

April 2. Meeting of firemen at Firemen's Hall 
to protest against Common Council creating office of 
fire marshall and curtailing powers of chief engineer. 

May 18. Rev. H. Grattan Guiness preached in 
First Presbyterian Church. 



June 26. The city contracts for its first steam 
fire engine. 

July I. Adelina Patti visits Detroit. 

July 6. Boiler of steam tug A. S. Field exploded 
at foot of Bates Street ; five persons were killed and 
six wounded. 

August 26. New Jerusalem Church on Macomb 
Avenue dedicated. Tabernacle Baptist Church, 
Washington Avenue, dedicated. 

August 30. French Methodist Church dedicated 
as a Jewish Synagogue. 

September 4. Tuesday. Immense Republican 
gathering, — Wideawakes out in multitudes; 3,500 
torchlights in procession ; speech by Governor 
Seward. 

September 20. Arrival of the Prince of Wales. 

September 27. Lady Jane Franklin visits the 
city on her way West ; she stopped at the Russell 
House. 

September 28. Miss Dix, the philanthropist, 
visited the city, and inspected the jail, hospitals, and 
the poorhouse at Wayne. 

October 2-5. Twelfth .Annual State Fair; held 
on west side of Woodward Avenue, north of Daven- 
port Street, Hon, Cassius ^L Clay gave an ad- 
dress. 

October 15. Monday. Immense Democratic 
meeting ; speech by Stephen A. Douglas. 

October 21. Anniversary of M. E. S. S. Union 
and Tract Society. 

November 20. Second steam fire engine or- 
dered. 

December 10. Meeting of business men to coun- 
sel regarding trouble occasioned by discount on 
Western money. 

December 17. First U. S. Treasury Notes au- 
thorized. In this month St. Peter's Episcopal Church 
was first used. 

1861. Januarys. Salute of 100 guns in honor 
of Major Anderson. 

January 13. Westminster Church, on Washing- 
ton Avenue, dedicated. 

January 28. Great LTnion meeting at City Hall. 

March 12. First Police Commissioners provided 
for. 

March 16. St. Luke's Hospital incorporated. 

April 4. Forty-two Wisconsin banks suspend. 

April 13. News arrives of the attack of April 12 
on Fort Sumter. Meeting of lawyers at Bar Li- 
brary in favor of Union. 

April 15. Immense Union meeting at Firemen's 
Hall. 

.•\pril 17. Flag raised on Board of Trade build- 
ing ; speeches in favor of Union. General Cass 
present. Detroit Light Guards organize for the war. 

April 18. Flag raised on Custom House and Post 
Office. 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



967 



April 20. Oath of allegiance administered to all 
Government, State, City, and County officers, in front 
of Post-Office. Sherlock, Scott, and Brady Guards 
organize for the war. 

.•\pril 23. Flag raised on Firemen's Hall. 

April 25. Flag raised on City Hall; Union speech 
by General Cass ; " Star-spangled Banner" sung by 
3,000 school-children. 

May 4. Legislature makes provision for relief of 
families of volunteers. 

May 1 1. Presentation of banner and cockades to 
First Regiment on Campus Martins. 

May 13. The First Regiment left for Washing- 
ton. 

June 2. The Second Regiment left the city. 
Franklin Pierce visited Detroit about this time. 

June 25. Paid tire engine companies provided 
for. 

July 6. House of Correction completed. 

July 13. Old church on Melcher Farm burned. 

July 20. A war meeting resolves to erect a Sol- 
diers' Monument. 

July 24. Third steam fire engine procured. 

August 2. Reception of First Regiment on 
their return from Washington ; procession, dinner, 
etc. 

August 6-7. Sessions of the Police court held 
under poplar trees on present site of City Hall. 

September 25-29. Thirteenth Annual State Fair; 
held on Detroit Riding Park, Woodward Avenue, 
north of Davenport Street. 

October 23. Funeral of e.K-Governor Wm. Wood- 
bridge. 

October 26. A Union political convention agrees 
to put only one ticket in the field. 

November 6. Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society or- 
ganized. 

November 21. New Young Men's Hall opened. 
Address by Jacob IVL Howard. 

November 28. Reception to Colonel Mulligan, 
the hero of Lexington, Mo. Procession, dinner, 
etc. 

December 19. St. John's P. E. Church conse- 
crated. 

1862. January 2. ( )rdinance requiring fees from 
all market- wagons passed. 

February 11. First French Baptist Church ded- 
icated. 

February 17. Receipt of news of the victory at 
Fort Donelson ; procession in evening, illumina- 
tions, etc. 

March 3. Explosion of J. H. Harmon cS: Cu.'s Oil 
Refinery. Four men killed ; loss $15,000. 

March 17. St. Patrick's Catholic Church conse- 
crated. 

April 2. M. C. R. R. engine-house and nine lo- 
comotives burned. 



April 13. National Thanksgiving by proclama- 
tion of President. The Michigan Soldiers' Relief 
Society was organized this month. 

June 19. Tenth annual conference of Western 
Unitarian churches began. 

July 8. The .-Vdvertiser and Tribune were con- 
solidated. 

July 15. Large war meeting; speeches by Wm. 
A. Howard, Theo. Romeyn, and H. .A. Morrow. 

July 22. Great war rally; speeches by H. A. 
Morrow, General Lewis Cass, Major Flanigan, 
Duncan Stewart, C. L Walker, H. H. Emmons, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Ruehle, and James F. Joy. 

July 24. City bounties first pledged. 

July 28. War meeting in front of Biddle House ; 
5,000 present ; great enthusiasm. 

August 9. Passes to Canada required to prevent 
citizens fleeing from military service. 

August 26. Presentation of colors to Twenty- 
fourth Regiment of Michigan Infantry on Campus 
Martius. 

August 27. General O. B. Willcox returns to 
Detroit and receives a public welcome. 

September II. Meeting of the Bar to consider 
the propriety of adjourning the Wayne Circuit Court 
on account of the condition of the country ; union 
of action of all parties recommended. 

September 12. Arrival of Twenty-first Regi- 
ment ; reception and supper at the depot. 

September 22 to 26. Fourteenth Annual State 
Fair ; held at Detroit Riding Park ; Parson Brown- 
low, the editorial hero of East Tennessee, gave an 
address. 

October 30. Postal currency first received at 
Detroit. 

November 8. Major-General Richardson's re- 
mains arrived; escorted to depot by military and 
citizens. 

1863. January 29. Meat market licenses reduced 
from S50 to $5. 

February 24. Michigan divided into two judicial 
districts. 

February 25. National bank system created. 

March 6. Riot against negroes ; Faulkner, a 
mulatto, arrested for alleged outrage on a little girl ; 
tried, convicted, and sentenced for life ; military 
called out ; 400 men of Twenty-seventh Regiment 
called in from Ypsilanti ; city fired in twenty places ; 
thirty-five buildings destroyed. 

March 7. Public meeting of citizens, condemning 
the mob and calling for arrest of rioters. 

April 9. Christ P. E. Church dedicated; second 
building. 

June 15. Michigan branch of U. S. Christian 
Commission organized. 

July 18. Congress Street M. E. Church burned. 
James A. Garfield visited Detroit about this time. 



968 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



August 3. Jefferson Avenue and Woodward 
Avenue street-cars commenced running. 

September 12. Gratiot Avenue street-cars com- 
menced running. 

October 1 1 . Second brick Baptist Churcfi erected, 
corner of Fort and Griswold Streets. 

November 4. Second National Bank opened for 
business. 

November 16. First National Bank opened for 
business. In this montli the Michigan Avenue cars 
commenced running. 

December 26. Jail on Clinton Street completed. 

1864. February. First M. E. and Congress 
Street church societies united. 

March 20. Brockway Mission Chapel first used. 

April 24. Shakespeare Ter-Centenary celebra- 
tion ; tableaux and grand musical entertainment at 
Young Men's Hall ; addresses by Judge Avery, 
G. V. N. Lothrop and Theo. Romeyn. 

April 27. Presentation of flags to old Twenty- 
fourth Infantry on Campus Martins. The recon- 
struction of Fort Wayne was begun this year. 

May 21. The propeller Nile blew up at Buckley 
& Co's dock ; six persons killed, eleven injured. 

August I. Detroit Y. M. C. A. organized. 

September 3. News of victory at Atlanta; im- 
promptu celebration ; national salute ; speeches by 
Theo. Romeyn. J. M. Howard, and D. B. Duffield. 

September 19. Steamer Philo Parsons seized by 
rebel sympathizers in the Detroit River. 

September 23. Former St. Matthew's colored 
Episcopal Church dedicated as Shaary Zedec Syna- 
gogue. 

September 27. First draft in city to fill required 
quota. 

October 12. Harper Hospital first opened. Free 
mail delivery by carriers began this month. 

November I. P. O. money orders first issued in 
Detroit. Flint & Pere Marquette cars arrive at De- 
troit, using track of D. & M. R. R. from Holly. 
Great Union and Republican demonstration ; 
speeches by Salmon P. Chase and others ; illumina- 
tions, torchlight procession, etc. 

1865. January 25. State convention of colored 
men assembled at Second Baptist Church to petition 
Legislature to grant the right of suffrage. 

February i. Steam fire engine No. 4 arrived. 

February 17. Paid hand fire engine companies 
disbanded. 

February 22. Board of Trade Building dedi- 
cated ; address by G. V. N. Lothrop ; ball in the 
evening. Concordia Society organized. 

February 26. Sunday. Rev. E. P. Hammond 
began his revival labors. 

February 28. Freedman's Fair opened at Merrill 
Hall. Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners 
created. 



March 21. Second draft for filling quota of De- 
troit. 

March 25. Public library opened in old Capitol. 

April 3. Reception of news of fall of Richmond; 
impromptu celebration, salute of 100 guns, illumina- 
tions, etc. 

April 10. News of surrender of rebel army. Sa- 
lute on Campus Martins, bonfires, fireworks, etc., 

April 15. Reception of news of murder of Presi- 
dent Lincoln ; the city in mourning ; intense feeling 
of the people. 

April 16. Public meeting on Campus Martius. 

April 19. Sermons on the death of President 
Lincoln. 

April 25. Funeral obsequies in honor of Presi- 
dent Lincoln ; oration by Jacob M. Howard on Cam- 
pus Martius ; procession two miles long. 

May 30. National Fast. General suspension of 
business ; more thoroughly and generally observed 
than any previous occasion of similar character. 

June 7. Michigan troops begin to return from 
the war. 

June 27. Steam fire engine No. 5 procured. 

July 4. The Daily Union first issued. 

July II. International Commercial Convention 
at Board of Trade Building. 

July 26. American National Bank organized. 

August II. Michigan Soldiers' Monument Asso- 
ciation organized. 

August 1 2. General Grant arrived on a two days' 
visit ; received by an immense concourse of people. 

August 27. Police Commissioners enforce the 
Sunday ordinance for the first time. 

September i. Central M. E. Chapel on Adams 
Avenue dedicated. 

September 6. Fort Street Railroad opened from 
Woodward Avenue to the river. 

September 15. Chicago officials visited the city. 

September 18. M. C. R. R. freight depot burned. 
Loss $1,500,000. 

November 5. Immanuel Lutheran Church, Trum- 
bull Avenue, dedicated. 

November 26. Salem Lutheran Church, Cath- 
arine Street, dedicated. 

December 28. Lafayette Avenue Baptist Church 
dedicated. 

1866. Februarj- i. Detroit Fire and Marine 
Insurance Company organized. 

February 7. General W. T. -Sherman arrived ; 
received by a large number of citizens. 

March 17. Grand Fenian demonstration ; 1,000 
Irishmen in procession ; meetings on Campus Mar- 
tius and in City Hall. Speeches by General Mor- 
row, J. Logan Chipman, Levi Bishop, and others. 

March 27. Detroit Daily Post first issued. 

April 19. Observance of day of fasting and 
prayer appointed by the governor. 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



969 



April 26. D. & M. freight and passenger depots 
burned, with the ferry Windsor and a passenger 
train ; 1 8 lives lost. 

May 17. City Mission Board organized. 

June 20. Funeral of General Cass, who died on 
June 17. Large procession. Pullman sleepers be- 
gan running on the M. C. R. R. 

July 4. Great cellbration, participated in by sol- 
diers of the late war ; speeches by Governor Crapo 
and General Willco.x. During the day President 
Roberts addressed a large assembly of Fenians. 

August 7, Annual meeting of Western Associ- 
ated Press. 

August 22. General Hooker arrived to super- 
sede General Ord in command of this Depart- 
ment. 

August 23. Fourteenth Annual Meeting of the 
American Pharmaceutic Association. 

September 4. President Johnson visits Detroit. 

September ig. East end of Fort Street and Elm- 
wood Railroad opened. 

October 23. State S. S. Convention, D. L. Moody 
and Ralph Wells in attendance. 

October 24. Trinity Lutheran Church, Gratiot 
Avenue, dedicated. 

October 25, M. E. Centenary Jubilee; sermon 
by Dr. E. O. Haven ; Union love-feast, etc, 

October 28, Political speech by General I^ntler 
at D. & M. R. R. 

October 29. Trinity Catholic Church, corner of 
Porter and Sixth Streets, consecrated. 

November i. Political speech by Schuyler Colfax 
at Young Men's Hall. 

December 2. St. Vincent de Paul Catholic 
Church consecrated. 

December 6, Rev. Wm. E. Armitage consecrated 
Bishop of Wisconsin. 

December 23. Jefferson M. E. Chapel dedicated. 

1867. January i. Laying of third rail on G. W. 
R. R. completed. Freight cars first transported by 
boats across the river, 

January 4, Fire alarm telegraph first tested. 

January 11-12. Ristori performs in Detroit. 

March 26. Board of Fire Commissioners pro- 
vided for. 

April 26. Odd Fellows' Celebration, commemo- 
rative of the forty-eighth anniversary of the found- 
ing of the order in America. 



May 



Third Constitutional Convention as- 



sembles in Lansing. 

May 26. St. Anthony's Male Orphan .Vsylum 
opened. 

May 28. Annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of 
Good Templars for North America. 

July 4. Laying of corner-stone of Soldiers' Mon- 
ument in East Grand Circus Park. Ma.sonic cere- 
monies and immense procession. 



July 8. Woodmere Cemetery Association organ- 
ized. 

July 10. Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
pany organized. 

July 23. Second Congregational Chapel dedicated. 

.\ugust 13. (ireat base ball tournament begun; 
lasted six days. 

August 30. Former Tabernacle Baptist Church 
dedicated as Beth El Temple. 

September 10-13. Nineteenth .'Xunua! State Fair; 
held on Race Course in Hamtramck. 

September 27. New gas - works commenced 
operations. 

November i. Father Matthew Hall, corner 
Fourth and Porter Streets, dedicated. 

November 17. Central M. E. Church, corner 
Woodward and Adams .■X venues, dedicated, 

December 8. Our Lady of Help, Catholic Church, 
consecrated. 

1868. January 2. City Mission Lodging Rooms, 
corner of St. Antoine and Atwater Streets, opened. 

January 14. Meeting of State Christian Conven- 
tion in First Congregational Church. 

March 1-2. Great snow-storm, blocking trains, etc, 

April 23. Observance of Fast Day appointed by 
the governor. 

May 6, .Annual State Convention of Grand Army 
of the Republic. 

May 10, Third Avenue Mission building dedicated. 

June 24. Thirteenth International Y. M. C. A. 
Convention at Central M. E. Church. Adjourned 
June 28. 

August 6. Corner-stone of City Hall laid ; impos- 
ing ceremonies; address by C. I. Walker. In this 
year the wards were first divided into election districts. 

September 15-18. Twentieth Annual State Fair; 
held on Race Course in Hamtramck. 

October 23. Schuyler Colfax visits the city. 
Grand River Avenue cars commenced running. 

November 7. Trumbull Avenue Congregational 
Mission dedicated, in original location. 

November 29. Pine Street Protestant Methodist 
Church dedicated. 

December 25. Catholic Union Society organized, 

1869. January 29. Meeting of citizens vote to 
raise $100,000 in aid of Detroit, Hillsdale, & South- 
western R. R. 

February 2. Detroit Medical College opened. 

February 17. Brick building for Brock way Mis- 
sion dedicated. 

March 9. Funeral obsequies of Bi.shop Lefevere ; 
an archbishop, two bishops, and seventy-nine priests 
in attendance. 

March 29. Detroit Opera House first used. 

May 13. Merchants & Manufacturers' National 
Bank organized. 

May 29. Memorial Day first observed. Soldiers' 



970 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



graves decorated ; a large procession ; oration by 
E. B. Fairfield. 

July 12. Voters of the city decide against issuing 
bonds to aid railroads. 

July 14. Woodmere Cemetery dedicated. 

August. House of Providence opened on Four- 
teenth Avenue. 

August 7. Hamtramck street-cars commenced 
running 

August 16. Celebration of one hundredth anni- 
versary of birth of Napoleon Bonaparte. 

September 12. The United Presbyterian Society 
dedicated their building on corner Lafayette Ave- 
nue and Wayne Street. 

September 14. Humboldt centennial celebration ; 
large procession of German societies ; orations at 
Grand Circus by Dr. Kiefer and Prof. Feldner. 

October 11. Colored children first admitted to 
all public schools. 

December 1 3. Calvary Presbyterian Church ded- 
icated. 

1870. January 10. Citizens vote $300,000 in aid 
of Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad. 

February 6. Hamtramck Presbyterian Mission 
dedicated. 

March 27. Memorial services in honor of Bishop 
Edward Thompson, of the M. E. Church. 

April 7. Celebration by colored people of the 
Ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment to the 
Constitution ; large procession ; oration at the Opera 
House. 

April 24. Rev. C. H. Borgess consecrated Ro- 
man Catholic Bishop of Detroit. 

May 8. First German Baptist Church dedi- 
cated. 

May 30. Memorial Day observed ; decoration of 
soldiers' graves ; large procession ; oration by Duane 
Doty. 

June 9. Knights Templar procession of nearly 
one thousand. 

June 14. State Sunday School convention in 
Fort Street Congregational Church. 

July 2. Second Annual Regatta of Northwestern 
Amateur Boating Association. 

July 22. Simpson M. E. Church dedicated. 

September 19. Mandlebaum's auction sale of 
si.xty lots on Cass Farm, above Holden Road. 

October 2. Park Street Baptist Church dedicated. 

October 17. Triennial Council of Congrega- 
tional Churches convenes. 

October 20. Slight shock of earthquake felt. 

November 3. Gamewell fire-alarm telegraph first 
tested. 

November 8. Colored people first voted. 

November 29. Annual convention of North- 
western Woman's .Suffrage Association. 

December 21. Grace P. E. Church dedicated. 



1871. January i. I^eople's Savings Bank or- 
ganized. 

January 24. First meeting to consider Park and 
Boulevard question. 

April 15. Park Act passed by Legislature; it 
provided for and appointed commissioners. 

May I. Peace Festival, commemorating peace 
between France and Germany^celebrated with pro- 
cession, concert, and ball. 

May 4. Wa\-ne County Pioneer Society organized. 

May 31. Last meeting in old Wayne County 
Court Room. Commemorative meeting and supper 
of the Bar. 

June 21. Celebration of the twenty-fifth anni- 
versary of the pontificate of Pope Pius IX ; large 
procession. 

July 4. Celebration and formal opening of new 
City Hall. 

July 8. Boiler explosion in IngersoU's sash and 
blind factory; much damage done. 

July 18. Common Council formally vacated old 
and took possession of new City Hall. 

August. Railroad completed between Detroit 
and Lansing. 

September 12. D., L. & N. R. R. formally 
opened to Greenville, with an excursion from Detroit. 

October 2. Wayne County Savings Bank or- 
ganized. 

October 9. Great fire in Chicago ; $25,000 raised 
at citizens' meeting in one hour to aid those who 
were in need. 

October 12. Citizens' meeting for relief of dis- 
tress by fires on Lake Huron and at Manistee. 

October 1 5. Fort Street M. E. Church dedi- 
cated. Zion African M. E. Church dedicated. 

November i. Signal service reports commenced 
at Detroit. 

November 5. Scotch Presbyterian Church, brick 
building, dedicated. 

December 13. National Commercial Convention 
of Board of Trade at Board of Trade building. 

December 23. Great gale of wind, blowing 
down wooden steeple of Mariners' Church and large 
chimney on Biddle House, and unroofing Republic 
Brewery. 

December 27 to 29. State Teachers' Association 
held. 

December 27. First citizens' meeting concerning 
purchase of Park. 

December 28. Arrival of Grand Duke Alexis of 
Russia. 

December 30. F. Stearns's store burned ; four 
lives lost. 

1872. April 9. Soldiers' Monument on Campus 
Martins unveiled. 

April 13. Great gale of wind, breaking trees, 
blowing off chimneys, etc. 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



971 



May I. A citizens meeting considers question 
of issue of $200,000 worth of bonds for use of 
Pari: Commissioners. Great confusion and no de- 
cision. 

May 16. Presbyterian General .Assembly con- 
\-enes. 

July 14. First St. Albert's Catholic Church con- 
secrated. 

July 25. Board of Trade and Common Council 
excursion to Indianapolis on opening of Detroit & 
Eel River R. R. 

July 28. Si.vteenth Street M. E. Church dedi- 
cated. 

August 21. Board of Trade excursion from In- 
dianapolis arrived by way of new Eel River R. R. 

August 10. Gymnasium Building on Congress 
Street, near Randolph, burned. 

August 25. Street -cars stopped running on 
account of horse disease ; the express companies 
delivered and collected goods in hand-carts for 
several days. 

November 3. New Jerusalem Church, comer of 
Cass Avenue and High Street, dedicated. 

November 11. Meeting of citizens to express 
sympathy and proffer aid to Boston on account of 
fire of November 10. 

November 1 5. Wood-working room of M. C. 
R. R. burned ; loss, $100,000. 

November 22. Old City Hall torn down. 

November 25. .A-universary of M. E. Tract So- 
ciety. 

1873. Januarj- 12. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 
corner Seventeenth and Pine Streets, dedicated. 

February 16. St. Paul's German Lutheran 
Church, corner Seventeenth and Rose Streets, dedi- 
cated. 

March 28. .Superior Court established. Board 
of Estimates created. 

April 2. .Anti-park meeting held at Young 
Men's Hall to defeat purchase of park by securing 
a Board of Estimates opposed to it. 

.April 7. A Board of Estimates opposed to the 
park was elected. 

April 13. Tribune Building burned; loss 
$1 12,000 ; insured for SSS.ooo- 

April 22. Sessions of the Supreme Court after 
this date were held only at Lansing. 

April 29. Board of Public Works created. 

May 15. Postal cards first received for sale. 

June I. Eighteenth annual convention of Ger- 
man Roman Catholic Benevolent Union at St. 
Mary's Hall. 

June 7. Steamboat Meteor and Buckley's ware- 
house burned, loss $100,000. 

June 17. Convention of Michigan publishers. 

June 30. K. C. Barker's Tobacco Factory burned ; 
loss, $80,000. Evangelical Alliance organized. 



July 9. Plumer & Leavitt's sale of 150 lots at 
Grand Trunk Junction. 

July 13. Rev. Dr. Hogarth preached his farewell 
sermon. 

July 31. Detroit & Bay City R. R. completed to 
Bay Citv. In this year all stage lines from Detroit 
ceased, and the fences were removed from most of 
the parks. 

Augu.st 12 and 13. H. Weber's great sale of lots 
in Greenfield. 

August 18. Anti-park meeting held to protest 
against Common Council providing money to pay 
for lands contracted for by Park Commissioners. 

August 23. The Evening News first issued. 

.August 24. St. Aloysius Church dedicated. Old 
Lafayette Street M. E. Church torn down. 

September 8. St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Jos. 
Campau Avenue, dedicated. 

October II. Great fire, — J. F. Weber's mill, a 
brewery, bottling works, and eight dwellings 
burned. 

October 15. Cass Avenue and Third Street 
Railroad opened. 

November 13. Canada Southern Railroad opened 
to Toledo. 

November 16. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Or- 
leans Street, consecrated. Rev. Newman Hall, of 
London, visited the city. 

November 18. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 
consecrated. 

November 19. Detroit Transit Railroad first used. 

December 4. Great wind storm. — doing much 
damage to shipping, buildings, etc. 

December 6. Congress and Baker street-cars 
commenced running. 

1874. March 10. Amusement meetings in 
Young Men's Hall began ; use of Hall given by Lu- 
ther Beecher. 

March 13. Temperance meeting to consider the 
Crusade movement. Committee of five ladies ap- 
pointed to report plan of action. 

March 23. Ladies' meeting at Central M. E. 
Church to consider the "Crusade" phase of the 
temperance question. 

April 7. State meeting of citizens of Michigan to 
consider the Bridge question. Resolution passed 
favoring a bridge. 

April 14. Burning of Burial Case Factory ; loss 
$75,000. 

.April 15. Convention of vessel-owners at Young 
Men's Hall declare in favor of a tunnel. 

April 16. Detroit Scientific Society organized. 

May 10. Westminster Presbyterian Chapel on 
Parsons Street dedicated. 

May 20. State convention of druggists. 

June 2. Twenty-fifth meeting of American Med- 
ical Association. 



97^ 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



June 5. Heavy rain, flooding cellars in various 
parts of the city. 

July 2. Dr. John Hall spoke on the American S. 
S. Union and its work, at Fort Street Presbyterian 
Church. 

July 22. Reception of Board of Trade of Peoria 
at City Hall. Building illuminated in evening. 

August 4. Three important conventions began, 
— National Educational Association, Fifth Annual 
Convention of German-American Teachers, and 
American Dental Convention. In this month the 
Reformed Dutch Church, on Catharine Street, was 
dedicated. 

August 12. State meeting of liquor dealers in 
favor of license, held at Opera House. 

August 19. Reception of Lord Dufferin, Gov- 
ernor-general of Canada. 

August 20. Corner-stone of New Odd Fellows' 
Hall laid ; procession, etc. 

August 27. State meeting of Grangers. 

September 2. Convention of State Insurance 
Commissioners. 

September 5. Ebenezer African M. E. Church 
dedicated. 

September 13. Tabernacle M. E. Church dedi- 
cated. 

September 20. St. John's Lutheran Church, Rus- 
sell Street, dedicated. 

October 6. The Whittle and Bliss revival meet- 
ings began. 

October 13. Sixth annual meeting of American 
Womans' Suffrage Association at Opera House. 

October 21. Home of Friendless dedicated. 

November 18. Meeting of Western Associated 
Press. 

November 21. Second Congregational Church 
dedicated. 

1875. January 14. Opening of L^nion Fair in 
Young Men's Hall. 

January 27. Woman's State Christian Temper- 
ance meeting. 

February 14. Emanuel P. E. Church first used. 

March 17. Relief meeting at Opera House, in 
aid of Grasshopper Sufferers in Nebraska. . 

April 10. Thompson Home for Old Ladies incor- 
porated. 

April 19. Lady Washington Tea Party at Opera 
House. A fine affair. 

April 25. Cass Avenue Baptist Church dedi- 
cated. 

April 29. Weber's factory burned ; loss from 
$200,000 to $300,000. 

May 3. Prohibitory law repealed and liquor tax 
law passed. 

May II. Eleventh annual meeting of American 
Social Science Association. 

May 29, Corner-stone of Public Library laid. 



June 7. Mass meeting at Opera House in the 
interest of Sabbath observance, and against allow- 
ing saloons to be opened on Sunday by permission 
of the Common Council. Authors' carnival opened 
at Young Men's Hall. 

June II. St. Joachim's Catholic Church blessed. 

June 27. Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart 
consecrated. Shortly after 6 o'clock P. M. a tornado 
began near corner of Williams Avenue and Ash 
Street, and continued across Grand River Avenue, 
making a track 150 feet wide; two persons were 
killed, ten injured, thirty-three buildings entirely 
destroyed and twenty-eight damaged ; loss $30,000. 

July 26. M. W. Field's sale of lots in Hamtramck 
took place. 

August 2. Formal opening of Young Men's 
Library in Merrill Block. 

August 6. Common Council decide that saloons 
may be open from i to 10 p. m. on Sunday. 

August 10. Mayor Moffat vetoes council action 
of August 6 concerning saloons. 

August II. Meeting of American Association 
for Advancement of Science. 

.■August 22. Sunday. Nearly all the saloons were 
closed. 

August 25. National Greenback Convention at 
Opera House. Michigan Booksellers' Convention 
opened. 

September 13. Whitney's Opera House opened. 

October 4. Mass meeting at Opera House in 
favor of closing saloons on Sunday. 

November i. Immense Law and Order meeting 
at Opera House to promote election of a mayor 
opposed to saloons being opened on Sunday. 

November 2. Ale.xander Lewis elected mayor 
on the Law and Order ticket. 

November 11. Harmonie Society Building dedi- 
cated. 

November 23. Phoenix Club House opened. 

November 27. District Telegraph Company went 
into operation. 

1876. January i. Ushering in of centennial 
year by general ringing of bells at midnight ; all 
public and many private buildings illuminated. 

January 18. The Supreme Court decides the 
liquor tax law constitutional. 

January 20. Woman's Hospital on Thirteenth 
Street dedicated. 

January 31. I'nion Fair in Mechanics' Building. 

February i. St. James P. E. Chapel dedicated. 

February 14. Y. M. C. A. Building on Farmer 
Street dedicated. 

February 15. Y. M. C. A. noon meetings be- 
gan. 

March 25. Fort Street Presbyterian Church 
burned. 

April 13. Fortieth aimiversary of organization 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



973 



of Brady Guards celebrated by twenty-six survivors 
at the Russell House. 

April 14. Quarterly and Ninth Annual Meeting 
of the N. W. Branch of Women's Foreign Mission- 
ary Society in Central M. E. Church. 

May I. Holy Trinity Anglo-Catholic Church 
organized. 

May 5. Centennial tree-planting by pupils of 
the public schools. 

May 7. Preliminary meeting held to promote 
organization of Y. M. C. A. Railroad Branch. 

May 25. Seventh Annual Reunion of the Sol- 
diers and Sailors' Association 

June 18. Junction M. E. Church dedicated. 

June 21. Formal opening of Y. M. C. A. Rail- 
road Branch Reading Room on Woodbridge Street. 

June 27. Joint exhibition of Michigan State 
Pomological and Wayne County Horticultural So- 
cieties at Young Men's Hall. 

June 30. Detroit Cadets leave for the Centennial 
E.xhibition. 

July 4. Centennial celebration ; imposing proces- 
sion and street decorations; boat races, illumina- 
tions, etc. 

July 19. St. \'incent's Female Orphan Asylum, 
McDougall Avenue, dedicated. 

October i. Little Sisters Home for the Aged Poor, 
between Orleans and Dequindre Streets, opened. 

October 18. Thirteenth annual meeting of Na- 
tional Association of Locomotive Engineers. 

October 24. Ninth annual session of the Rail- 
road Conductors' Life Insurance Association. 

October 28, Sunday. The Lamed Street exten- 
sion of the Cass Avenue Railroad was laid on this 
day. 

November 8. Great excitement over Presidential 
election returns. 

November 21. Opening of Railroad Reading 
Rooms at Grand Trunk Junction. 

1877. January 7. Memorial service, in memory 
of P. P. Bliss, at Whitney's Opera House. 

January 19. Woman's Christian Temperance 
Restaurant opened in Y. M. C. A. Building. 

January 22. Public Library building dedicated. 

February 6. Charity Ball for Relief and Aid So- 
ciety. 

February 9. Michigan Savings Banlc organized. 
Henry Ward Beecher lectured at Detroit Opera 
House in the evening, and Dr. Henry A. Reynolds, 
the Red Ribbon temperance reformer, in St. An- 
drew's Hall. 

February 22. Young Men's Red Ribbon Club 
organized. 

March 6. Telephone first explained and illus- 
trated at Detroit. 

March 7. Meeting held to organize Working- 
woman's Home. 



March 8. Horatio Seymour visited Detroit. 

May 2. General Joe Hooker arrived. 

May 23. Office of Fire Marshal created. 

June 3. Eighteenth Street Baptist Church dedi- 
cated. 

June 4. The forty-seventh annual convention 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Michigan 
began. 

June 10. The rebuilt Fort Street Presbyterian 
Church was dedicated. 

June 13. National stove-makers' convention held. 

June 16. The National Turnfest began. 

June 20. The National Grand Division of the 
Sons of Pemperance convened. 

June 30. Captain John Horn, Jr., was presented 
by citizens with a very elegant gold watch for hav- 
ing at various times saved 131 persons from death 
by drowning. 

July 8. Francis Murphy, the Blue Ribbon tem- 
perance reformer, lectured in Detroit. The first 
sewer built by tunneling under ground was con- 
structed this year. 

July 18. Western Associated Press meeting. 

July 20. Newsboys strike against the Evening 
News. 

July 23. This day, and for a week following, 
great excitement about railroad strike. Canada 
Southern R R. trains stopped. The State troops 
were called out for their annual inspection ; the 
Third Regiment went into camp on the Reeder 
Farm on July 25. 

August 10. Visit of mayor and aldermen of Buf- 
falo. 

August 14. Opening of Northwestern Regatta ; 
it ended on the following Saturday. 

September 1 5. Return of Bishop Borgess from 
Europe by wav of C. S. R. R. The train traveled 1 1 1 
miles in 109 minutes from St. Thomas to Detroit. 

September 17. \'ail & Crane's cracker factory 
burned. 

October 14. The first number of The Post and 
Tribune was issued. 

October 17. The Triennial Council of Congre- 
gationalists began. 

October 30. Second Biennial Conference of U. 
S. Evangelical AUiance at First Presbyterian Church. 

November 6. Saloons first closed on Election 
Day. 

November 26. First provision made for licensing 
newsboys. 

November 29. Reception by Y. M. C. A. to Re- 
form Club. 

December 3. Workingwoman's Home incorpor- 
ated. 

December 1 5. Reservoir in Hamtramck first used. 

1878. February 26. Merchants and Manufac- 
turers' Exchange organized. 



974 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



June. St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Chene Street, 
dedicated. In the summer of this year the Wood- 
ward Avenue roadway was widened five feet, north 
of Willis Avenue. 

June 2. A Bullock press and the papier-mache 
process was made use of by Free Press, — the first 
time in Michigan. 

June 3. The twenty-si.xth annual session of the 
International Typographical L^nion began. 

June 13. Republican State Convention at Opera 
House. 

June 16. First exhibiti(jn of phonograph in De- 
troit. 

June 19. The National Eclectic Medical Asso- 
ciation met in Detroit. 

August 1 5. Telephones first supplied to citizens. 

September 16. The State Fair opened on Cass 
Avenue, near Holden Road; it lasted five days. 

September iS. Liggett's Home and Day .School 
first opened. 

December 12. Modjeska performs in Detroit. 

December 17. For the first time in years gold, 
greenbacks, and National Bank notes were of equal 
purchasing power. 

December 25. The Steam Supply Company 
began to furnish steam. 

December 29. St. Mary's P. E. Chapel first used. 

1879. February 19. Reception by Light Guard 
to Governor Croswell at Opera House. Board of 
Trade began to occupy building corner Jefferson 
Avenue and Griswold Street. 

May 10. Recreation Park first opened. 

May 19. Berry Brothers' Varnish Factory blew 
up and killed several persons. 

May 21. Board of Boulevard Commissioners 
provided for. 

May 27. Council authorized to purchase Belle 
Isle and erect a bridge. 

May 31. Board of Poor Commissioners provided 
for. 

June 4. First exhibition of electric light. 

.September 17. Rev. Dr. S. S. Harris consecrated 
Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Michigan. 

September 18. President Hayes and wife visited 
the city, and the .State Fair on the Cass Farm. 

September 25. The city purchased Belle Isle for 
a park. 

November i. Senator Chandler died in his room 
at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago. 

November 2. Senator Chandler's body was 
brought home by a committee of leading citizens of 
Michigan and Illinois. 

November 9. The P. E. Mission of the Messiah 
was first used. 

November 17. Michigan College of Medicine 
opened. Governor Croswell appointed ex-Governor 
Henry P. Baldwin U. S. Senator. 



November 21. St. Mary's Hospital, on St. ,'\n- 
toine Street, opened. 

December 9. New Industrial School building 
dedicated. 

December 16. Second German Baptist Church 
dedicated. The Fort Wayne Congregational Mis- 
sion building was first used this month. 

1880. January 4. Rev. George F. Pentecost's 
revival meetings began. 

March 10. Epiphany Reformed Episcopal Church 
was incorporated. 

April 22. The Detroit Association of Charities 
was organized. 

June 3. Princess Louise and Prince Leopold 
passed through Detroit. 

July 4. Very quiet; no firing or fireworks allowed. 

July 22. Steam yacht Mamie run into by steamer 
Garland, and sixteen persons drowned, of whom 
eleven were acolytes of Trinity Church. 

August 23. Central Market building completed, 
and accepted by city. 

August 30. Peninsular Sangerfest began. 

August 31. Music Hall opened. 

September 21. The Evening News was first 
printed on a Scott press, using the papier-mache 
process. 

November 25. Jubilee thanksgiving services held 
at Central Church to celebrate payment of debts on 
all Methodist Episcopal Churches in the city. 

December 12. Clinton Avenue Baptist Chapel 
dedicated. 

1881. January 12. The boiler at Union Mills 
exploded, and three persons were killed. 

January 16. Clinton Avenue Memorial Presby- 
_ terian Chapel was dedicated. 

January 20. Archibald F"orbes, correspondent of 
London Times, lectured. 

January 22. The State Telephone System went 
into operation. 

P'ebruary 8. The Michigan Fire and Marine 
Insurance Company was incorporated. 

February 24. Reception to Governor Jerome at 
Music Hall, under auspices of the Detroit Light 
Guard. 

February 27. St. Luke's Memorial P. E. Chapel 
consecrated. 

March i r. Office of ward school inspector abol- 
ished ; inspectors to be elected on general ticket. 

.A.pril2i. Board of Estimates abolished. Board 
of Councilman provided for. 

May 5. Entirely new ward divisions created. 

Mav 26. First systematic provision made for 
Board of Health. 

June 12. The Post and Tribune first printed on 
Scott rotary press. 

Julv 3. Trumbull Avenue Presbyterian Church 
dedicated. 



THE ANMALS OF DETROIT. 



975 



July 6. Excursion to Butler. Indiana, of subscri- 
bers to bonus of $200,000 given the Detroit, liutler. 
& St. Louis R. R. 

July 17. Catholic Church of the Holy Redeemer, 
Springwells, consecrated. 

July 19. Soldiers' Monument completed. 

August 14. First through train from St. Louis 
arrived at Detroit. 

August 29. Board of Park Commissioners created. 

September 8. Meeting held to raise money for 
sufferers by Michigan fires. 

October 18. Universalist Church dedicated. 

November 29. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 
Woodward Avenue, dedicated. 

December 27. Commercial National Bank or- 
ganized. 

1882. January i. The first through train arrived 
at Marquette from Mackinaw. 

January 2. First sitting of three judges instead 
of one in Circuit Court. 

January 13. The jury in the libel suit of Hugh 
S. Peoples against the Evening News, for intimating 
that he was accessory to the murder of Martha 
Whitla, bring in a verdict for the defense. Peo- 
ples was subsequently tried for the murder and 
acquitted. 

February 10. Carlotta Patti sings in Detroit. 

February 26. Thirty-second Street German M. 
E. Church dedicated. 

May 1 5. Belle Isle Lighthouse first used. 

June I. Delray M. E. Church dedicated. 

June 10. Visit of aldermen of Dayton. 

June 14. Reunion of Army of the Potomac ; 
General Grant and other notables present. 

June 15. Immense procession in morning; sham 
battle on the Fair grounds in afternoon, and ban- 
quet at Merrill Hall in the evening. 

June 21. National Kindergarten convention. 

July I. Oflfices of Lake Survey discontinued at 
Detroit. 

July II. National Amateur Press convention. 

July 26. Banquet to General Godfrey Weitze! 
on the occasion of his leaving the city. Roadway of 
Woodward Avenue widened between Columbia 
Street and Willis Avenue. 

August 9. Milwaukee city ofiicials \nsit the city. 

August 18. The Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Na- 
tional Guard encamp on Belle Isle. 

August 22. Conclave of Knights of Pythias. 

October 19. Mt. Hope Congregational Mission 
building dedicated. 

October 24. Street-sweeping machines first used. 

December 17. Clinton Avenue Memorial Pres- 
byterian Church dedicated. 

December 29. Complimentary banquet to C. C. 
Trowbridge on his eighty-third birthday by over 
one hundred citizens. 



1883. January I. Organization of Protective Fire 
Company. 

January 8. Burning of the Telegraph Block and 
narrow escape of Western Union Telegraph opera- 
tors. 

January 18. Day Nursery and Kindergarten As- 
sociation building opened. 

January 28. Wesley M. E. Church dedicated. 

February I. Clearing House established. 

March 4. Harper Avenue Congregational Mis- 
sion dedicated. 

March 18. The Wabash Railroad commenced 
using the grounds and depot of the Union Railroad 
Station and Depot Co. 

March 30. Detroit Light Guard Levee to Gov. 
J. W. Begole, at Music Hall. 

April 25. New system of city Justice Courts pro- 
vided for. 

April 29. St. Cassimer's Catholic Church con- 
secrated. 

May 13. St. Matthews P. E. Church conse- 
crated. 

May 21. Explosion at the Wolverine Paper Mill ; 
Engineer Wm. Thompson killed and Fireman Joli.i 
P. Frank fatally injured ; several firemen injured by 
a falling wall. 

May 23. Senator Palmer gave a reception to 
the Legislature and State officials. 

May 31. The National Free Trade Conference 
opened ; it was the first held in America. 

June 5. New city charter enacted. Board of 
Assessors created. 

June 5 and 6. .State Band tournament at Recrea- 
tion Park. 

June 6. Annual conference of P. E. Churches 
of Eastern Michigan. 

June II. The .M. C. R. R. began running by 
Detroit time. 

Juiv 7. The Continental Guards of New Orleans 
visited the city. 

July 8. Zion Lutheran Church, at Springwells, 
dedicated. 

July 19. Strike of telegraph operators began. 

August 13. .Meeting of National Charcoal Iron 
Workers' Association. 

August 14. Annual Convention of the Interna- 
tional Traveling Passenger .Agents' Association. 

.August 19. St. Boniface Catholic Church build- 
ing consecrated. 

August 28. Convention of the Mutual Benefit 
Association of .America. The first Synod of the 
West (United Presbyterians) began its services in 
the U. P. Church. 

September I. The .Art Loan opened. The Even- 
ing Journal first issued. 

September 3. Postal notes first issued in De- 
troit. 



976 



THE ANNALS OF DETROIT. 



September 5. Zoological Garden opened. 

September 12. Polish Celebration of two hun- 
dredth anniversary of the Battle of Vienna. 

September 17. Opening of the State Fair. 

October i. Two-cent letter postage began. 

October 2. The American Board of Commis- 
sioners for Foreign Missions assembled. 

October 6. State Universalists' Convention held. 

October 7. Asbury M. E. Mi.ssion dedicated. 

October 10. Celebration of the two hundredth 
anniversary of the landing of the first Germans in 
the United States. 

October 14. St. Barnabas' P. E. Mission building 
first used. 

October 17. Annual meeting of the Western 
Associated Press. 

October 24. The State Savings Bank was organ- 
ized. 

October 31. The tenth annual convention of 
the National \V. C. T. U. began. 

November 4. Second building of Bethel Evangel- 
ical Association dedicated. Monsignor T. J. Capel 
lectured in Detroit. 

November 13. Meeting of American I^ublic 
Health Association. 

November 22. Convent of the Order of the Good 
Shepherd opened. 

December 2. Cass Avenue M. E. Chapel dedi- 
cated. 

December 4. Daily Times first issued. 



December 



Protestant Episcopal Mission 



building of the Good Shepherd first used. 

December 27. Reception at Detroit Club House 
to Chief-Justice B. F. Graves, on his retirement from 
the Michigan Supreme Court. 

1884. January 17. Matthew Arnold lectured in 
Detroit. 

January 23. Annual meeting of Grand Army of 
the Republic. 

February 27. iM. S. Smith cS: Co.'s Automatic 
Clock unveiled. 

May 6. E.xtensive fire at Frost's Wooden Ware 
Works. 

.May 21. National Baptist Anniversaries began. 

June 13. National Convention of Travelers' Pro- 
tective Association opened. 



June 16-17. The Thomas Festival was held. 
Christine Nilsson, Frau Materna, and other noted 
singers present 

June 24. The annual convention of Knights of 
St. John begun. 

August 27. The quadrennial meeting of the 
bishops of the African M. E. Church convened at 
liethel M. E. Church, Lafayette Street, at 11 a. m. 
The following is a list of the bishops in attendance, 
together with their residences : D. A. Payne, D. D., 
LL.D., Xenia, O. ; J. P. Shorter, Xenia, O. ; T. M. 
D. Ward, D. D., Bennings, Md. ; John I\L Brown, 
D. D., Washington, D. C; H. M. Turner. LL. D., 
.Atlanta, Ga. ; W. F. Dickinson, D. D., Columbia, 
S. C. ; R. H. Cain, D. D., Dallas. Tex. 

September i. General B. F. Butler addressed a 
political meeting in west Grand Circus Park. 

September 13. In the evening General John A. 
Logan addressed a Republican meeting at the Roller 
Skating Rink, on Earned Street East. 

September 17. A fire broke out about 2.30 p. M. 
on High .Street, between Third and Fourth Streets ; 
it e.xtended to Grand River Avenue, and destroyed 
two planing mills, several small stores, and si.\ or 
seven houses ; the loss reaching probably $ 50,000. 

September 19. At about 2.30 P. M. several per- 
. sons in the city, and others in the interior of the 
State and in Ohio and Indiana, were conscious of 
the tremor of an earthquake. It was so slight, how- 
ever, that probably not one person in a hundred 
in the city observed it. 

October 7. John P. St. John, the Prohibition 
candidate for President, delivered an address at the 
Detroit Opera House. 

October 7-1 1. Ninth annual meeting of the 
Church Congress of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
held at Whitney's Opera House. Rev. Pliillips 
Brooks, D. D., Right Rev. Henry C. Potter, D. D., 
Rev. George D. Wildes, D. D., Rev. Wm. Clark, 
M. A., Rev. R. Heber Newton, D. D., and other 
notable clergymen were present, as was also Henry 
George and many distinguished laymen. 

October 14. James G. Blaine and John C. Fre- 
mont present at a Republican gathering. Parade of 
five hundred horsemen and many torchbearers in 
the evening. 



APPENDIX A. 



A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF 



THE FRENCH FARMS 
WAYNE COUNTY. 



OR PRIVATE CLAIMS IN 



tCopyright, 1.<S4, by Silns Farmer.] 

In this list, the first name under the head of Remarks is the name of the township in which the claim is located. 
Unless otherwise specified, the number of acres given is as found on Aaron Greely's engraved map of Private Claims of 
1810, but in nearly fifty claims the number of acres, as given in his original notes, differs from the number of acres given 
for the same claim on his map, published by the United States. It is also true that all of the surveys were so carelessly 
made that many of the claims include more acres than are herein given. The number of acres confirmed as back concessions 
to several of the claims, is given directly underneath the number of acres of the original claim, and is as given in American 
State Papers, or in sur\-eys of the government surveyors. 

In addition to the claims in this list, the commissioners confirmed at least three small tracts of land that lay between 
the Cass and Brush Farms and that were included in the Governor and Judges' Plan. They were numbered 3, 4, and 94 in 
the first report of the commissioners, but are no longer known or described by numbers. The names are given as they are 
spelled in the American State Papers. 



No. of 
Claim. 



8 
9&454 

10 

New 10 
II & 453 

New II 
12 

New 12 
»3 

14 

15 

16 
17 



No. of 
Acres. 



134 18. 

336 -83 ■ 



135.96.. 
132.06.. 
192 . 77 I 
57 ■ 59 J 



106.13 ( 
23.86!^ 



Name of Claimant. 



John Askin 

Antoine Beaubien . 



Chas. Moran. .. 
Louis Moran .. . 

Maurice Moran. 



Catherine Dequindre 

John Robert McDougall . 



100.36 ( Louis Moran . 

95.06 f 

386.04.. Henry Connor. .. . 

139.70.. Benoit Chapoton . 



140. 19.. 
88.95 t 
37-56 » 
633-84-- 
121.16 I 

12-59 f 
207.99.. 
146.20 ( 
129.68 \ 
347.12.. 
105.07.. 

144 70 i_ 

141 13 S 
139.67 I. 
147-72 i 

'37 ■ 29 I 
M5-75( 
103 . 36 I 
91.40! 



102 

103 



53 I 
- 09* 
66.71 I 
74.ioi 
67-37 (. 
69-98! 



Heirs of Joseph Pomerville . 

Charles Gouin 

Joseph Louis Tremble , 

Nich. Guoin 

Chas. Peltier , 

PhiUis Peltier , 

Francis P. Matcher , 

Francois Gouin 



Geo. Meldrum. ... 

Louis Benfait 

Robert Navarre. . . 
Pierre D. Labadi , 



Jos. Beaubien 

Francois Gamclin . 
Alexis I^badt 



Date of 
Confirmatiu 



June 30, 1807. 
June 30, 1807. 



July I, 1807 

July I, 1807 

July I, 1807 

July 2, 1807 

i July 3, 1807 ( 
/ Dec. 7. 1808 (" 



July 3, 1807. .. . 

1823 

( July 3, 1807 ( 
( Dec 7, 1808 ) 

1823 

July 6, 1807 

1823 

July 6, 1807 

July 6, 1807 

July 6, 1807 

July 6, 1807. ... 
July 8, 1807 

July 8, 1807 

July 10, 1807 

July 15, 1807 . . . . 

July 15, 1807 

July 16, 1807 

July 16, 1807 . ... 
July t6, 1807 

[9771 



Remarks. 



Detroit. Known as the Brush Farm. 

Detroit. The west half of this tract is now known as 

the Lambert Beaubien, and the east half as the 

Antoine Beaubien Farm. 
Detroit. Known as the Charles Moran Farm. 
Detroit. Known as the Louis Moran Farm. 

Detroit. The front is now known as the Hunt Farm. 
Although originally numbered 7, yet in Greely's 
Surveys it is numbered 182; and in Joseph Fletcher's 
Survey of the rear concession it is also numbered 
182. See also 182. 

Detroit. This is part of the tract known as the De- 
quindre Farm. 

Detroit. This tract is known ns the McDougall Farm. 
The number of acres given includes the area of 
both claims, 454 being the rear concession of 9. See 
also P. C. 454. 

Hamtramck. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Detroit. This tract is now known as the B. Chapoton 
Farm. The number of acres given includes the 
area of both claims, 453 being the rear concession 
of II. See also Private Claim 132. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Detroit. Known as the Guoin Farm. 

Grosse Pointe, 

Detroit. Now known as the Riopelle Farm. 

Detroit. Now known as the St. Aubin Farm. 

Detroit. Now know as the Lcib Farm. 

Hamtramck. Now known as the Church Farm. 
Detroit. This is part of the tract now known as the 

Dequindre Farm. 
Hamtramck. Known as the Meldrum Farm. 

Hamtramck. Known as the Beau fait Farm. 

Detroit. The easterly 5-12 of this tract is now known 

as the Brevoort Farm. 
Detroit. This tract, together with the westerly 7-12 

of Private Claim 20, is now known as the Porter 

Farm. 
Detroit. This is part of the tract now known as the 

Woodbridge Farm. 
Detroit. Now known as the Forsyth Farm. 

Detroit. Now known as the Baker Farm. 



9/8 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



No. 


of 


No 


of 


Claim. 


Acres. 




= i 


107 


80.. 




26 


199 


92.. 




27 


104 


02| 






101 


S8( 


New 


=7 


99 


47 ■• 



28 
29 
30 

31 
32 

New 32 
33 
34 

36 
37 

38 
39 

New 39 

40 
New 40 

41 

42 

New 42 

43 



New 
New 



46 
47 

47 

48 

J48 

(48 



84 



341.50.. 
55.24.. 

233 ■ 57 '. 
267.23 I 
640 . 00 . . 
27I-33-- 



273.51.. 

112.36. ; 

337.60.. 

139.72.. 
70.71 I 
86.23 f 
79.11.. 

208 .41.. 



213. ig. 
SOU 00. 

24c . 20 . 
140.63. 
292.84. 
277.60. 



100. 4S I 
102.96 f 
505.60 
162.9 



60I 
9' f 



376.56.. 

225 00.. 
335.00,. 
305.00 I 
8g6.oo \ 



389.80 
457.07.. 
184.94 
292.20 



300.00.. 
303 . 10 } 

181.531 
161.76.. 
640 . 00 , . 
430.26.. 



401 -.S? 
294.14 
171 29 
13746 
106.67 
201.32 
180.59 

70.36 
148.75 
135-57 

68.88 



169.44. 
70.68. 
»73;63- 



Name of Claimant. 



Date of 
Confirmation. 



Chas. Labadi 

Jos. Serre (V// St. Jean 

James Peltier 

Abraham Cook 



Rebecca Cissne. . 
Chas. Rouleau .. 

Matthew Ernest. 

Jos. Kilburn 

John Cissne 



Francois Chovin 

Francois Durocher 

Wm, Cissne 

Widow of Joshua Lorain. 

Chas. Chovin 



Widow and heirs of Antoine Moras. 

John Harvey 

James Cissne 



John Steinbeck and Jos, Cherboneau, 
Heirs of Joseph Harrison 



Johanah, widow of Jacob Dicks . .. 

Edward McCarty 

Heirs of Frances Chobert Jancaire. 
James Cissne 



Francois Lafontaine 

Jacques and Francois Lasselle 



Jacob Vinger. .. 

Joseph Ilarrian. 
Thos. Smith ... 



Heirs of Thos. Smith. 



Matthew Donovan 

John Connelly 

Jesse Burbank 

John Dudcmead 

Sarah, widow of Wm. Macomb. 



Wm. Walker 

John, William and David M'conib , 

Ann Coates 

James Haby 

Ambrose Riopel 



John Coates 

James McGill 

Widow of Godfrey Corbus 

James Hopkins 

-Marianne, widow of Alexis Delille 
Francis Chabert 

Whitmore Kna),'j,^s 

Heirs of Alexis Campau 

Louis HoLirassa 

Charles Michel Campeaii 

Baptiste Rousson 

Antoine Haron 



July 16, 1S07 . 
July 18, 1807 . 
July iS, 1807 . 
1823 



July 20, 1807 . 
July 20, 1S07 - 

July 20, 1807 . 

July 20, 1807 . 
July 20, 1807 . 



July 20, 1807 . 
July 2o, 1807 . 
July 20, 1807 . 
July 20, 1S07 . 

July 20, 1807 . 

July 21, 1807 . 
July 22, 1807 . 
1823 



July 22, 1S07 . 

■8=3 

July 22, 1807 . 
July 22, 1S07 . 

1823 

July 22, 1S07 . 



July 23, 1807. 
July 23, 1807 . 



Aug. 6, 1807. 



1823 

Aug. 8, 1807. 

1823 



Avig. 22, 1807. 
Aug. 22, 1807. 
Aug. 22, 1807. 
Sept. 7, 1807. . 

1823 



Nov. 2, 1807. . 

Nov. 16, 1807. 

Nov. 21, 1807. 
Nov. 26, 1807. 
Nov. 26, 1807. 



Dec, 22, 1807. 
Dec. 22, 1807. 
Dec. 23, 1807. 
Dec. 23, 1807. 
Dec. 26, 1807. 
Dec. 26. 1807. 

Dec. 28, 1807. 

Dec. 28, 1807. 
Dec. 30, 1807. 



Dec. 30, 1807. 
Dec. 30, 1807. 
Dec. 30, 1807. 



Ecorce. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Detroit. Now known as the Lognon Farm. 

Hamtramck. Part of this tract, now known as the 
Cook Farm, is the front of Private Claim 15:5, and 
is numbered Private Claim 734 on the Greely Nlap, 
but it was not numbered at all by the Commission- 
ers of Claims, This claim, and also the one next 
east of it, also not numbered by the commissioners 
or on the Greely Map, were both confirmed to Cook 
in 1823, as No. 27. 

Springwells. 

Springwells. 

Springwells. 

Ecorce. 

Ecorce. 

See History of P. C. 269. 

Springwells. 

Springwells. 

Ecorce. 

Springwells. 

Ecorce. 

Detroit. Now known as the Morass Farm. 

Springwells, Now known as the Reeder Farm. 

Hamtramck. This claim was originally numbered 664 
by the Commissioners of Claims. 

Springwells. 

Springwells. Erroneously numbered 317 and 318 on 
Belden Atlas. 

Springwells. 

Springwells. 

Ecorce. This claim was originally numbered 339. 

Springwells. By Act of July 2, 1836, Laws of U. S,, 
Vol. VI, page 667, a patent for 134 acres of this 
tract, and not to include anything north of the 
Chicago Road, was ordered issued to T. B, Clark. 

See Private Claim 83. 

Detroit. Known as the Lafontaine Farm. 



Ecorce. 

See Private Claim 48. 

Springwells. The numlier of acres gi' 

area of Private Claim 583. 
Ecorce. 
Ecorce. 



en includes the 



Ecorce. These last two portions of the original claim 
were numbered 46 in the Commissioner's report of 
1823. The date of U. S. Patent of last claim of 
896 acres is April 17, 1845. 

Ecorce. 

Ecorce. 

Ecorce. 

Dearborn. 

Monguagim. This claim included Sugar, Hickory, 
Fox. Celeron, and Calf Islands. 

Brownstown. 

Detroit. Part of Cass Farm. 

Ecorce. 

Springwells. 

Springwells and Ecorce. The Commissioners con- 
firmed but one P. C. 61, and their description could 
not possibly have included the two different claims 
numbered 61 on the (.ireely Map, one of which 
contains 209.52 acres and the other 220.74 ^icres, 
both of them marked to Ambrose Riopelle, and in 
entirely different locations, but as the surveys of 
Greely were made authoritative by Act of Con- 
gress, both claims hold good. 

Ecorce. 

Springwells. 

Dearborn. 

Dearborn. 

Ecorce. 

Ecorce. 

Springwells. Now known as the Knaggs or Hubbard 

Farm. 
Springwells. Now known as the Alexis Campau Farm. 

Ecorce. A large tract of land was confirmed to James 
May in 1823 for the rear concession of claims 83, 85, 
and Q2, and was designated by the commissioners 
as new No. 43. 

Ecorce. 

Ecorce. See note opposite Claim 83. 

Ecorce. 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



979 




9= 
93 

95 
97 
99 

200 



112 
■'3 



"7 
ii8 



119 

120 



121 
122 



ia6& 127 



NaniL- of ClaiiiKiiit. 



Date of 
Confirmation. 



128 



142 

'43 



156 

169 

171 
179 
180 
181 
182 : 



.83 

184 

212 
216 
219 

222 

223 

224 

226 
227 
228 
231 

239 

240 
241 
246 
247 
248 
249 



^'o*^ . Jean Marie I>eniibieii. 
235.121 



34- 



68. 33-- 
281.51.. 

174.34.. 
158.00.. 
290.82.. 

72.79.. 
110.73 I 
100.72 ) 

40.59.. 
505.80. 
385.82. 
.36.38. 

226. IQ. 
105.72 I 
640.00 I 

228.38. 
.87.63 j 

138.431 
250.82. 
211.79 I 

250.61 ( 
542.67. 

'43-94. 
266.93 ' 
340.>i I 
208.55. 
113.03 j 

107.62 ) 
.30. 



107.73.. 
129.00. . 

97-47 J. 
104.14 ( 
98.37.. 

104 . 40 . 
67.51.. 

220.05 ( 
199.471 
249.00.. 
168.68.. 
168.85.. 
137.61.. 

74.88-. 
75.82 /, 
169.04 ) 

115.30/ 
106.34 ) 
102.62 I 
97-42 f 
39.50 . 
354.90.. 
123-44 '. 
106.26 \ 

97-70 j. 

95-14 ( 
103.92 I 

95.M I 
103.36 j. 
120.38 ( 
360.50.. 
156.54.. 
184.14.. 
255.85-- 

107.06 t 
100.08 f 

97-80 j. 

91-30 1 

110.50 . 
83.20 f 
97-77 1 
96-46 1 
68.5.1 
73-=5l 

135-19 ' 
3-74 1 

147.72 I. 

133.84 f 



Jacques Canipuu 



Heirs of Joseph Bondi . 
George HofTinan 



Antoiue Bcndt 

H. K. Hickman 

Joseph Weaver 

Jiiliau & Harriet Hamtrarack. 

John Liltle 

Jean Bapliste Lcbeau 

Jonathan Schiefllein 

Angelique Cicot and children. 

Pierre Delorier 

John Dicks 

Francois Trudelle . . 



Jan. 4, 1808 ... 
Jan. 6, 1808 ... 



Jan. 29, 1808... 
Feb. I, 1808... 

March 22,1808.. 

March 24. 1808 . 
March 28, 1808 . 
March 31, 180S . 

April 20, 180S . 

May 25, 1808... 
May 25, 1808 .. 
May 26, 1808... 
May 28, 1808... 
June 4, 1808. . . 

June 6, 1808... 



Louis Vessiere rf;V Laferte Jr 

Jean Baptiste Aloire tf:'i Lapierre. . . 

Andre Viger 

Wni. Forsyth 

Wni. Forsyth 

Antoine, Therese, and Pauline Cattin 

John Litle 

John Litle 

Joseph Cainpeau 

Joseph Cainpau 



Francois Lafontaine 

Jacques Laiialle 

Widow and Heirs of J. B. Campau. 

Gabriel St. Obin 



Louis Cochois 

Jos. Laparle 

J. B Vernier (/// Ladouceur. 

J. B. Drouiliard 

ios. Livcrnois, J r 
■azile Pepin 

Francois Rivard 

Antoine Rivard ., . 

Maurice Moran 



Laurent Griffard 

Jacques Allard 

Jonathan Schiefllein. 
Janics Baby 

Pierre Griffard .... . . 



Antoine Reneau. 
Louis Reneau 



Jacques Allard, Jr 

Alexis Descontis Labadi. 

Chas. Cabacier 

Louis Visiere </ii Laferte. 
Alexander Grant 

J. B. Marsac 



J. B. Marsac 

Wni. Robison and Hugh R. Martin . 

Dominique Labrossc 

A. Lasalle 

J.& F. Lasidle 

Francois Bouonie 



June 6, 

June 7, 

June 8, 

June 9, 

June 9, 
June 10, 

June 13, 

Feb. 20, 

June 15, 

June 13, 



June 16, 
June 16, 

June 18, 

June 18, 

June 18, 
June 18, 

June 16, 

June 22, 
June 23, 
June 25, 
June 27, 
June 28^ 

June 28, 



1808. 

1808. 

1808. 

1808. 

1808. 
1808. 

180S, 

1809. 

1808. 

i8o3. 



1808. 
1808. 

1808. 
1808. 

1808. 

1808. 
1808. 
1808. 
1808., 
1808., 

180S., 



Rfuiarks. 



June 28, 1808 

June 28, 1808 

Dec. II, i8og 
Oct. 28, 1808 

July 8, 1808., 

July 9, 1808. 

July 9, 1S08. 

July 9, j8o3. 
July II, 1808 , 
July 12, 1808 
July 12, 1808 
July 5, 180S. 

July 16, iSoS , 
July 16, 1808 , 
Aug. 31, 1808 
July 21, 1808, 
July 21, 1808 
July 21, 1808 
July 22, 1S08, 



Detroit. Now known as the Wiiherell Farm. 

Detroit. The west half of this tract is now known as 
the Dubois Farm, and the cast half as the James 
Campau Farm. 

Ecorce. See note opposite Claim 83. 

Dearborn. This claim by mistake is numbered 92 on 

the Greely Map, and in his Notes of Survey. 
Ecorce. 
Dearborn. 
Springwells, 
Hanitramck. Part of Van Dyke Farm. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Ecorce. 
Ecorce. 
Ecorce. 
Ecorce. 
Dearborn. 

Ecorce. The rear of this tract was confirmed to Joel 
Thomas by Congress, February 5, 1833. U. S. 
Laws, Vol. VI, page 532. 

Ecorce. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Ecorce. 

Gros.se Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 
Ecorce. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe, 

This claim is not numbered or marked on the en- 
graved map of Grecly's sur\ey. It is a small claim 
lying west of and adjoining P. C. 560. It is on 
the river and now forms part of P. C. 11 and 453. 

Dearboin. 

Dearborn. 

Hamlramck. 

Hamtramck. The front of the farm is called P. C. 734, 

on the Greely map. 
Hamtramck. 
Hamtramck. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Ecorce. 

Springwells. 

Ecorce. 

Detroit. Now known as the Cook Farm. 

Detroit. Now known as the Rivard Farm. 

Detroit. It was numbered 7 originally, yet in Greelv's 
and Joseph Fletcher's surveys it is numbered 182. 
It is now called the Mullett Farm. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Ecorce. 
Springwells. 

Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Ecorce. 

Detroit. Now known as the Thompson Farm. 
Detroit. Now known as the Lafferty Farm. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 
Detroit. Now known as the Labrossc Farm. 

Detroit. Prior to sale to Lasalle known as P. Chesne 

Farm, now known as the Jones Farm. 
Detroit. This is part of the tract now known as the 

Woodbridge F'arm, 
Grosse Pointe. 



98o 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



No. of 
Claim. 



257 
258 



260 
261 



264 
265 

266 
J267 
(268 

269 



271 
273 



276 



312 

3'5 

321 

322 

328 
337 

338 

340 

344 

345 
354 
355 
379 
385 
386 

387 
388 
389 
390 
391 



393 
394 
404 

405 
453 
454 

455 

458 
473 



No. of 
Acres. 



640.00. 



97-92 l_ 
102.91 1 
123.27) 
if 



306.04 ] 



479.68.. 

12.50) 
2.58.71 i 

20.23 (. 
300.65 ( 

3.97.. 
.36- ■ 

356.18. 
2.3.82) 
227.94) 
109.01. . 



19-85 ) 
300.65 j 



131.72 ) 
124.80 ( 
167.62 I 
146.85 ( 
105.50 (. 
98.52 1 
437.60.. 

106.54 



54 i 
47) 



269.52 j 
196.14 ) 
200.50 ) 
166.42 f 

■3I.33-- 
66.00 ) 
71.27 ( 
45.6i J. 
34.54) 

33496.. 
70.29 ) 
68.12 f 

600.00. . 

640.00. . 

640.00. . 

415. 16-- 
202 . 05 

155 

42 

261.2 
129.12 
639.89 
109.71 
120.94 

90.47 
105. 88 

24.26 
254.19 
337.14 
192.85 
194.10 
100.27 



i.85l 

:.6of 



92.91. 

100.00 

98.26 



Name of Claimant. 



Heirs of Win. Macomb . 

Heirs of Wm. Macomb . 
G. McGregor 



Widow and Heirs of Isaac Ganier. 

Elijah Brush 

Heirs of J. B. Crequi 

Meldrum A: Park 



Isaac Todd 

James McGill . 

Isaac Todd., .. 

Isaac Todd 

H. Berthelet .. 



Jas. McGiU 



H. Berthelet 

Nicholas Patenode, Sr . 



Julien Forton . 
Clias. Rivard. . 



Michel Rivard . 
Aaron Thomas. 



Widow and Heirs of Jos. Pomainville 
Louis Griff ard, Jr 



Nicholas Campau , 
Pierre Dumay . ... 
J. B. Chovin 

F. Chabert 

Peter Curry 

Pierre Yax 



Wm. Walker 

Adiiin Brown 

Adam Brown 

Jos. Louis Tremble. 
Louis Tremble, Sr.. 



Jos. Lionard Tremble 

Michel Ya,\ 

Thomas Tremble 

Jos. Louis Tremble 

Widow and Heirs of Antni 

Chas. Gouin, Sr 



Robert Marsac . . 

J. B. Chovin . . . 
Francois Marsac. 



le Moras. 



Alice Kirby , 

McTavish, Frobisher & Co , 



Date of 
Confinnation. 



Nov. 6, iSug. 

Aug. 3, iSoS. 
Aug. 2, 1S08. 



Aug. 4, 1808. 

Aug. 4, 1808 
Aug. 4, 1S08. 

Aug. 4, 1808. 



Aug. II, 1808. 

Aug. II, 1808. 

Oct. 28, 1808 . 
March 3, 1843 . 
1823 



March 3, 1S43. 



ia23 

Aug. 13, 1808. 



Aug. 24, 1808. 

Aug. 30, 1808. 

Aug. 30, 1808. 
Sept. 3, 1808.. 

Sept. 6, iSoS.. 

Sept. 17, 1808. 

Sept. 17, 1808. 
Oct. 18, 1808 . 
Oct. 31, 1808 . 

Oct. 31, 1808 . 
June 14, 1809. 
Nov. 2, 1808., 



J. B. Beaugrand. 

Simon Yax 

Jacques Laselle. . 



Oct. 25, 1809 . 
Oct. 26, 1809 . 
Oct. 26, 1809 . 
Nov. 21, 1808, 
Nov. 23, 1S08. 

Nov. 23, 1808. 

Nov. 23, 1808. 
Nov. 23, 1808. 
Nov. 23, 1808. 
Nov. 23, 1808. 

Nov. 23, 1808. 

Nov. 23, 1808. 

Nov. 23, 1808. 
Nov. 23, 1808. 

Nov. 30, 1808. 

Nov. 30, 1808. 



Nov. 30, 1808. 
Dec. 7, 180S.. 

Dec. 8, 1808. 
Dec. 12, 1808 . 



This claim, with the subsequent second concession, 
included all of Hog Island; the entire island was 
confirmed by the commissioners on November 1, 
1823, to B. Campau, who had bought of Macomb. 

Hamtramck. Part of Van Every Farm. 

Grosse Pointe. This claim is erroneously numbered 
558, not only on the Belden Atlas, but also on the 
list of claims at Lansing, and in Mullett's survey 
of Nov., 1824. It is numbered 258 in the State 
Papers, and also in the engraved copy of Greely's 
map. 

Ecorce. See Act of July i, 1870 ; Laws of U. S., Vol. 
16. page 647. 

Springwells. 

Grosse Pointe. The number of acres of back conces- 
sion includes also that for P C. 5S4. 

Grosse Pointe. The number of acres of back conces- 
sion includes also that of P. C. 273. Claim No. 
262 is erroneously numbered in Belden's Atlas as 
No. 264. 

Hamtramck. This is part of the front of tract 644, 
but it is not numbered on the engraved Grecly map. 

Detroit. This is a small tract on the river, and forms 
part of what is now known as P. C. 13. 

Springwells. 

Springwells. These claims were rejected in 1823, but 
confirmed by Congress. U. S. Laws, vol. 6, p. 905. 

Springwells. This claim was rejected by the com- 
missioners in 1807. but in 1823 it, with P. C. No. 271 
and 655, was confirmed to Berthelet by boundaries 
that included all three of the claims as claim No. 
32. It should not be confounded with the P. C. 32 
first originally so numbered. 

Springwells. This claim was rejected by the com- 
missioners in 1823, but confirmed by Act of Con- 
gress March 3, 1843. Laws of U. S., vol. 6, page 905. 

Springwells. See history of P. C. 269. 

Grosse Pointe. The number of acres of back conces- 
sion includes that of 261 also. The back concession 
of 273 is erroneously numbered 272 in the Iklden 
Atlas. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Dearborn. This claim is wrongly numbered 212 on 

the Belden Atlas. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Springwells, 

Hamtramck. This is part of the tract now known as 

the Van Every Farm. 
Detroit. Now known as the Loranger Farm. 

Springwells, 

Grosse Pointe. 

Brownstown. 

Brownstown. 

Brownstown. 

Grosse Pointe. Not numbered on Greely's map. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Poinie. 
Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 
Hamtramck. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Sprin,i;wL'lls. 

See P. C. II. 

See P. C. and 455. 

Ecorce. On Greely's engraved map this claim is 

wron.?ly numbered 454. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Detroit. Now known as the Stanton Farm. 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



981 



No. of 
Claim. 



475 
496 
497 
502 

506 

523 

524 
52s 
543 
544 

54910556 

556 to 559 



5S8 
560 



563 
564 

5S7 
569 
570 



574 
576 
577 

583 
584 

585 

586 
588 
589 
59° 
591 
592 



609 
611 

613 
615 
617 
618 
619 
620 
621 
629 
631 

636 
638 

641 

643 

644 

648 
650 

651 



656 



No. of 
Acres. 



68.44 
64-34 
187 37 
221 , 72 
198.08 
76.52 
59-78 
73.68 
67 -93 
167-55 
234-56 
199.60 
135-52 
66.18 
65.21 
640.00. 



137.60.. 

207 . 22 . . 

129.79.. 
49.00.. 

153-12 t. 
225,16 1 
200.91 I 
8.32 ( 
294.90.. 
200,48, . 
104 . 74 ( 
83.21 J 
376.56.- 

45.58 I 
238.71 f 

99.82 I 

89.91 i 
143.46.. 

30.25.. 

60.00.. 

80.00., 

68.27.. 
170.44.. 



203.26.. 
124-52 (. 
136.08 ) 
201.49.. 
480.60.. 
533.80., 
527.10.. 
324.35-. 
326 50.. 
367-50.. 
237.24.. 

61.07 I 
129.48 ) 
245.30.. 

60.23 I 

11-05*' 
J18.88I 

19-831" 
407 . 26 

204.56.. 



Name of Claimant. 



J. &F. Laselle ... 

Jacques T.,aseIIc . 

Louis Lcduc 

Claude Canipeau . 

Rene Marsac 



Chas. Nicholas Gouin, Jr 

Gabriel Godfroy. Sr . 

Heirs of Joseph Voyer 

Gab. Godfroy, Sr., and cliildren. 
Francois Duroche 



Jos Carapeau 

John, William and David Macomb. 

Sarah, widow uf \Vm. Macomb 



Meldrum & Park . 



Jean Baptiste Campau 
J. B. Rivard 



Chas. Rouleau 

Jean Baptiste Delisle. 

Catherine Thibault.. . . 

Louis Chapoton 

Jos. Livernois 

J. B. Scne 

Henry St. Barnard . . . 

Jacob Visger 



Widow of Alex. Ellair. 



66.14 >. 

62.70 j 
105.54.. 



166.76) 
117. I9f 

33.66 » 
32.22 ) 



Joseph Socier .... , 

John Yax , 

Jean Baptiste Cicot , 

Jean Baptiste Cicot 

Geo. Bluejacket , 

A. Laselle , 

John, William and David Macomb. . 



Chas. Poupard 

Julian Campau , 

Francois Marsac 

Wm. Murphy 

John Kenzie , 

Thos. Forsyth 

Thos. Forsyth 

Robert Forsyth , 

Robert Forsyth , 

Christian Clemens 

Francois Ambroise Tremble 

G. Godfroy 

Antoine Billou dzi L'Esperance. 



Widow and Heirs of J. B. Chovin. 
Anne Coats for Heirs of J. Donaldson 



Pierre Rivard , 



Pierre Tremble 

Alexis Cenait dit Coquillard. 



H. Berthelct 

Nicholas Rivard 

Gabriel Reneau, Jr. 



Date of 
Confirmation. 



Dec. 12, 1808 

Dec. 12, 1808 

Dec. 14, 1808 

Dec. 14. 1808 

Dec. 14, 1808 



Dec. 



1808 



Ml 

Dec. 14, 1808 
Dec. 20, 1808 
Dec. 20, 1808 
March 22, i^ 

Di 



21, iSoS 
Dec. 23, 1808 

1823 



809 



Jan. 20, i8og , 



Dec. 24. 1808., 
Dec. 24, 1808., 

Dec. 26, 1808.. 
Dec. 28, 1808., 

Dec. 28, 1808., 

Dec. 28, 1808., 

Dec. 28, 1808. 
Dec. 28, 1808., 

Dec. 28, 1808., 

Dec. 29, 1808., 

Dec. 30, 1808. 

Dec. 30, 1808. 

Dec. 30, 1808. 
Dec. 31, 1808. 
Dec. 31, i8o8. 
Dec. 31, 1808, 
Dec. 31, 1808. 
Dec. 31, 1S08. 



Dec. 30, i8og... 

Feb. I, 1809 

Feb. 6, 1809 

March 6, 1809. . , 
Feb. 20, 1809 . . . 
Feb. 20, 1809 . . . 
June 29, 1810. ., 
Feb. 20, 1809 . . 
March 22, 1S09. 
July 9, 1810 

March 22, 1809 , 

April :o, 1809 . 

April 17, 1809 . 



Remarks. 



April 19, 1809 . 
May 10, 1809 . . 

May 19, 1809 . , 



June 23, i8og. 
June 26, 1809. 



1823 



Aug. 30, 1809. 
Aug, 30, 1809. 



Detroit. Now known as the Loranger Farm. 

Ecorce. 
Ecorce. 
Ecorce. 
Grossc Pointc. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Dearborn. 
Ecorce. 
Ecorce. 
Springwells. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Monguagon. These and the three following numbers 
include all of Grosse Isle. 

Monguagon. These claims were also numbered as 
New Nos. 51, 52, and 54, by the commissioners in 
1823. Belden's Atlas, by mistake, gives claim 557 
as 567. 

See P. C. 258. 

This claim is not numbered or outlined on the en- 
graved map of Greely's survey. It was a small 
claim on the river, and now forms part of what is 
known as P. C. 7. 

Springwells. 

Grosse Pointe. This claim is erroneously numbered 
568 on the Belden Atlas. 

Ecorce. 

Springwells, 

Grosse Pointe. 

Hamtramck. 

Springwells. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Springwells. The number of acres includes also 
p. C. 47. 

Grosse Pointe. The number of acres for back con- 
cession includes also that for 261. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Springwells. 

Springwells. 

Monguagon. 

Detroit. Now included with the Jones or Crane Farm. 

Detroit. This is part of the tract now known as the 
Cass Farm. The Greely map shows two tracts on 
the Cass Farm, both numbered 592. Both were 
confirmed to the same parties on the same day. 
The number of acres here given includes the 
amount in both tracts. 

Detroit. Now known as the Jos. Campau Farm. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 
Dearborn. 
Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 
(Jrosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 
Dearborn. 



Dale of U. S. Patent, Aug. 4, 1812. 



Grosse Pointe. 
Brownstown. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Ecorce. This claim is erroneously numbered 640 on 

the Belden Atlas. 
Hamtramck. A small part of the front of this tract 

is numbered as 264. 
See 651. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Ecorce. In Greely's description of survey he numbers 
this claim 648, and on his engraved map it is also 
given as 648, but in the list of claims on same map 
u is given as 651, and was also numbered 651 when 
confirmed by the commissioners. 

Springwells. See history of P. C. 269. This claim 
has no number on the Greely map. 

Grosse Pointe. 
Grosse Pointe. 



98- 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FRENCH FARMS OR PRIVATE CLAIMS. 



No. of 
Claim. 



No. of 
Acres. 



Name of Claimant. 



Date of 
Confirmation. 



Remarks. 



660 

66 1 
662 
663 
665 
667 

669 
670 
671 
678 

679 



689 

692 

695 
696 

718 
719 

723 
724 
725 



728 



301.60.. 
276.50.. 
1 46 . 64 . . 
200. 10. . 
292.30. . 
80.00.. 

206.46.. 
100.60.. 
467.08. . 
'36. $71 
■52-37 1 
217-89.. 
113.00 / 

24.92 (' 
144.05.- 
109.05 I 
109.03 1 

73- '9 I. 

59.33 1 

72.83.. 
158.48 I 
165.68)' 

78.36.- 

420.60.. 
105.96. . 
170.82. . 
165.11 I 
165,82 ^ 

g6.68 I 
103.79 i 

34 
3 



34-53 j. 
35-46 ( 



78.41 /. 

118.58 i 



John Cissne 

Widow and Heirs of Godfroy Corbus 

Keli.x Mette 

Theophile Duinay 

Widow and Heirs of Wm. Cissne. . . . 
Gab. Godfroy, Sr 



Heirs of J. B. Desplaines 

Robert Gouie 

Jonathan Nelson 



Widow and Heirs of Antoinc Boyer. 
Antoine Chapoton 

Jacques Marsac 

Heirs of Louis Desaunier 

Louis Morin 



Abraham Fournier 

Widow and heirs of Ambroise Tremble 
Louis Beaufait and 

Antoine Loson 

John Askin, Sr 

James McGill 

B, Laderoute 

Jos. Lauderoute 

Pierre Chene 



Angelique Cicot and children. 
Gabriel Godfroy 



Heirs of Jacques Godfroy. 



Gabriel Godfroy. 



Oct. 21, i8og .. 
Dec. 15, 1809. . 
Dec. 15, 1809 , . 
Oct. 23, 1809. . . 
Oct. 23, 1809 . . 
Dec. 29, 180Q . . 

Jan. I, 1810 . . . 
June 4, 1810. . . 
Oct. 4, 1810 

Feb. 5, 1810 . .. 

Feb. 5, 1810 . . . 

March 23, 1810 
March 23, 1810. 
June 2, 1810. . . 

April 16, 1810. . 

July 20, iSio.. 

July 25, 1810.. 

Oct. 29, 1810 . 

Oct. 29, 1810.. 

Dec. 10, 1810. . 

Dec. 10, 1810. . 

Dec. 10, 1810. . 
Dec. 24, 1810. . 
Feb. 28, 1811.. 



Feb. 28, 1811. 



Feb. 28, 1811. 



Heirs of J. B. Campau, subject to ] 
rights of Gabriel Chene j 



1823. 



Dearborn. 

Ecorce. 

Dearborn. 

Dearborn. 

Dearborn, 

Ecorce. See Act of January 19, 1877. U. S. Laws, 

vol. ig, page 503. 
Ecorce. 
Springwells. 
Ecorce. 

Hamtramck. 

Hamtrainck. This is part of the tract now known as 

the Van Dyke Farm. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Springwells. 
Springwells. 
Hamtramck. 
Grosse Pointe. 

Grosse Pointe. 

Detroit. Now known as the Peter Godfroy Farm. 

Detroit. Now known as the Gabriel Godfroy Farm. In 
Fletcher's survey this claim is erroneously described 
as No. 728. 

Detroit. This claim is erroneously numbered as 729 
on the Greely map, and the map also says Jacques 
Lasalle instead of Jacques Godfroy, The mistake 
as to the number of claim and the name of the party 
originally confirmed to, is repeated in the grant- 
ing of the rear concession, which was ordered 
patented by Act of March 2, 185,7. Laws of U. S., 
vol. 2, page 503. 

Detroit. This claim is wrongly numbered as 730 on 
the Greely map. It is so small that it is now usually 
included with P. C. 474. 

Detroit. Now known as the Chene Farm. Gabriel 
Chene retained possession of the farm, and it was 
decreed to him by the Circuit Court, Aug. 19, 1850. 



APPENDIX B . 



A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CITY CHARTERS. A.MICXDMEXTS. AND SPKCIAL LAWS. 



The following' is a complete digest of all cnactirifiits pertaining 
to Detroit made by Territorial or State Law: 

x8o2. January 18. Laws of Northwest Territoiy, page 200, to 
go into effect February i. Incorporated the " Town of Detroit," 
vesting the government in five persons, styled " The Board of 
Trustees," defined boundary of the town, etc. 

1805. September 9. Territorial Laws, Vol. L, page 67. — Author- 
izes four lotteiies to be held for the purpose of raising $5,000 each 
for the encouragement of literature and the improvement of 
Detroit. 

x8o6, September 13. Original Manu.^cript Laws of the Terri- 
tory. — Provides for incorporating the city of Detroit, with mayor 
to be appointed by the governor, and a City Cimncil, composed 
of two chambers of three members each, to be elected by the 
people. The Act also provided in a specific manner for every de- 
partment of a city government, with almost as much detail as the 
city charter of to-day. 

September 13. Territorial Laws, Vol. L, page 283. — Pre- 
scribes boundaries corresponding with the Governor and Judges' 
Plan ; provides for numbering and laying out the sections and for 
conveying lots; and contains limitation clause as to time when 
claims for donation lots may be made. 

x8o7. May 18. Territorial Laws, Vol. L, page 286. — Relates to 
planthig of trees, ornamenting of grounds, making of walks ; and 
reser\'es interior sections for markets, schools, etc. 

1809. February 24. Original Manuscript Laws of Territory. — 
Repeals Act of 1806 incorporating city of Detroit. 

18x5. October 24. Territorial Laws, Vol. L, page 534.— City 
charter enacted, vesting the government in five trustees, styled 
" The Board of Trustees of the City of Detroit," to be elected 
October 30, 1815, and to sen'e until the regular election to be held 
first Monday of May, 1816. Three of the board were to consti- 
tute a quorum. New city limits were defined, corporate name, 
"The City of Detroit." 

November 7. Territorial Laws, Vol. L, page 280.— Permits use 
of ten feet of street for porches, grass plats, etc.; prescribes 
height and location of porches and fences. 

x8x8. July 28. Territorial Laws, Vol. IL, page 141.— Authorizes 
the governor to appoint a register of deeds for Detroit. 

December 7, Territorial Laws, Vol. IL, page 144.— Provides 
for laying out Congress Avenue, a continuation of Woodward 
Avenue and Witherell Street. 

1819. December 30. Territorial Laws, Vol. I., page 453.— Pro- 
vides that the coraraissioners of the county may extend Jefferson 
Avenue, 

xSao. March 27. Territorial Laws, Vol. I., page 516.— Provides 
for city register to be appointed by the governor, prescribes what 
shall constitute a valid deed, and details with much care the 
duties of the register. 

March 30. Territorial Laws, Vol. I., page 541. — Declares 
that the east line of the Macomb Farm shall be the western 
boundary so far as the city extends back from the river. 

xSai. April 2. Territorial Laws, Vol. I., page 875.— Annexes 
Pontiac Road, as far as the north line of the Ten-Thousand-.A.cre 
Tract, to Detroit, for the purpose of keeping it in repair only, and 
directs that it be worked the same as the streets. 

April 6. Territorial I.aws, Vol. I., page 876. — Extends Jef- 
ferson Avenue to connect with the River Road, 



.■\pril 20. Territorial Laws, Vol. L, page 312. — Provides for ex- 
tending Jefferson Avenue to connect with the Grosse Pointe Road. 

May 3. Territorial Laws, Vol. I., page 314. — Constitutes as 
electors all white male citizens above tweniy-one years of age 
wlio have resided in the city of Detroit one year, and have paid a 
city ta.\. 

1822. Aprils. Territorial Laws, Vol. I., page 254.— Authorizes 
city to tax and regulate dealers in spirituous liquors who sell in 
quantities of less than one quart, and dealers in cider, beer, or ale, 
who sell in quantities of less than one gallon. 

1824. August 4. Territorial Laws, Vol. IL,page iq6. — Provides 
for opening Larned Street through to Wayne Street. 

August 5. Territorial Laws, Vol. IL, page 214. — Author- 
izes Peter Berthelet to erect a wharf sixty feet wide, at foot of 
Randolph Street, with a pump at the end, on condition that he 
give a lot to the city for a market. 

August 5. Ten'itorial Laws, Vol. II., page 221.— Defines new 
city boundary, creates the Common Council ; provides for 
officers to be elected at special election, September 6, to ser\'e 
until the regular election, to be held the first Monday in April ; 
gives mayor, recorder, or any three aldermen power to try offences 
against city laws and ordinances. This Act went into effect 
September 4. 

X827. April 4. Territorial Laws, Vol. II. , page 339. — New Act 
of Incorporation, reorganizing the city under the name of " The 
Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Freemen of the City of De- 
troit," with the following officers: mayor, recorder, five aldermen, 
one clerk, marshal, treasurer, supervisor, assessor, collector, and 
three constables. The mayor, recorder, and aldermen to be free- 
holders. City boundaries same as in 1824. Provision made for 
filling up lots and streets on the margin of the river, and for the 
Construction of sewers ; firemen excused from jury and military 
duty ; the authority and jurisdiction of the Common Council ex- 
tended over the margin of Detroit River, one half mile above the 
previously fixed limits of the corporation, for the purpose of pre- 
venting the depositing of filth in the river. Election to be held 
first Monday in April. Gives the Council power to alter the plan 
of the city north of Larned Street between Brush and Cass 
Farms ; to lay out lots anew, and to exchange lots with land- 
owners or compensate them in money. 

April 12. Territorial Laws, Vol. IL, page 570. — Authorizes 
the city to issue due bills in payment of debts, also to elect 
seven aldermen instead of five as before. 

April 12. Territorial Laws, Vol. II., page 480. — Creates the 
township of Detroit, to be composed of the city of Detroit. 

April 13. Territorial Laws, Vol. IL, page 640.— Authorizes city 
to elect one supervisor to meet with super\'isors of county, 

1828. June 23. Territorial Laws, Vol. II, , page 685.— Mayor 
and aldermen authorized to seize all provisions offered for sale 
that are deficient in weight or quality, and to send them to the 
poor-house. 

1830. July 14. Territorial Laws, Vol. III., page 8ig.— Gives 
register of Detroit power to appoint a deputy. 

July 31. Territorial Laws. Vol. III., page 842.— ExempU 
city firemen from jury and military duty, provided the number 
docs not exceed forty. 

1831. March 4. Territorial Laws. Vol. III., page*^:>i.— Prohibits 
slaughtering of animals within three miles of city and eighty rods 
of the river, etc. 



[983] 



984 



A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CITY CHARTERS, ETC. 



183a. May 28, Territorial Laws, Vol, III., page 913. — Extends 
city limits. Went into effect March 31, 1833. 

June 29, Territorial Laws, Vol. III., page 935. — Authorizes 
city of Detroit to take measures to promote health, and to 
detain and examine vessels and persons. 

June 29, Territorial Laws, Vul. III., page 938. — Author- 
izes city to open streets, alleys, etc.; empowers authorities to 
compel convicts to work on the highway, with ball and chain 
attached. 

1833. April 22, Territorial Laws, Vol. IIL, page 1122. — Author- 
izes Common Council, with consent of freemen, to levy a tax of 
one fourth of one per cent, and makes various other provisions. 

April 23, Territorial Laws, Vol. IIL, page 1238.— Makes 
provision for common schools, and provides for the election of 
six commissioners, six directors, and six inspectors of schools. 

1834. February ig, Territorial Laws, Vul. III., page 1269. — The 
Common Council required to perform the same duties in regard to 
the poor as justices and directors of the poor are required to per- 
form. 

March 7, Territorial Laws, Vol. III., page 1286. — Author- 
izes Common Council or any individual to transcribe and have 
recorded the land records of the Governor and Judges, and gives 
the record the same force as the original. 

November 18, Territorial Laws, Vol. III., page 1327. — Legal- 
izes the assessment made by the council in 1834. 

1835. March 30, Territorial Laws, Vol. III., page 1422.— Author- 
izes city to borrow $50,000. 

March 30, Territorial Laws, Vol. III., page 1422. — Empowers 
city to elect constables to attend the sessions of the mayor's 
court, and perform duty of police officers. 

1836. March 14, State Law, page 23.— Provides that the town- 
ship of Detroit may elect two additional justices of the peace. 

March 26, page 154. — City limits extended. 

1837. March 21, page igg.— Fixes time of election of five in- 
spectors of elections for the Thursday next preceding the first 
Monday in April ; and provides that if constables elected refuse 
to perform duties, five citizens may be elected, viva voce^ to per- 
form said duties. 

March 21, page 209. — Provides that inspectors of state and 
county elections shall be chosen by the city, 

March 22, page 268. — Abolishes office of city register, and 
transfers the duties to county register, 

1838. February 8, page 53. — Extended time for collection of 
State and county taxes. 

Revised Statutes, page 6g. — Provides that Detroit shall con- 
tinue to have and exercise all powers and privileges heretofore 
granted. 

March 29, page 138. — Authorizes the election of six con- 
Stables at the city election, 

1839. March 27, page 31, — Provides that the council shall con- 
sist of twelve aldermen, the mayor, and recorder; divides the city 
into six wards ; provides for election of an assessor in each ward : 
changes time of city election after 1839, to the first Monday in 
March. 

1840. February 3, page 10. — Authorizes city collector to collect 
county taxes, and pay them over to the county treasurer, and 
extends the time for collecting taxes. 

February 29, page 27. — Provides for election of two additional 
justices for Detroit, 

March 14, page 42. — Exempts firemen from both jury and mili- 
tary duty as long as they reside in any part of the Slate. 

1841. March 27, page 48. — Gives school inspectors power to 
organize a school district for colored children between the ages of 
five and seventeen. 

April 2, page 55. — Authorizes assessors and aldermen of each 
ward to prepare a list of persons liable to jury duty. 

April 13, page 192. — Empowers council to control and regulate 
construction of drains and sewers ; to prevent importation of 
paupers ; to control erection of buildings, and pass ordinances in 
regard to fires ; to regulate and build sidewalks ; to levy a tax of 
one half of one per cent ; requires voters to reside thirty, instead 



of ten days in a ward before election, and makes provision for 
mayor's court. 

Z842. February 11, page 28. — Prohibits city from issuing any 
more due bills or re-issuing old ones. 

Februarj' 15, page 54. — Provision made for selling lands for 
taxes. City limits reduced by excluding Witherell Farm, 

February 16, page 72. — Directs city clerk to advertise lands 
for unpaid taxes and to bid them in fur the city. 

February 16, page loi, — Gives ward assessors power to act as 
supervisors, and apportion State and county taxes, and authorizes 
city collector to collect them. 

February 17, page 112. — Creates and provides for the establish- 
ment of the Board of Education. 

1843. February 23, page 22. — Provides that school taxes col- 
lected for lioard of Education shall be kept separate. 

February 28, page 34. — Extends time for collecting State and 
county taxes in Detroit. 

March 4, page 38. — Gives city power to levy special tax of 
$10,000 in 1843, and $10,000 in 1844 to pay debts. 

1844. March 9, page 60. — Register of deeds to record deeds 
from Governor and Judges at length, and a transcript of the same 
to be prima facie evidence in cases where the original deed 
would be evidence. 

March 11, page loi. — Authorizes council to do away with any 
office and require its duties to be performed by some other officer^ 
and makes provision for appointment of city auditor. 

1845. March 8, page 25. — Council, with consent of freemen's 
meeting, may levy an extra tax of $8,000 for 1845, and $8,000 for 
1846. 

March 19, page 56. — Authorizes extension of Fort Street to in- 
tersection of road leading to Dearbornville. (See page 236, Laws 
of 1837.) 

1846. Revised Statutes, page 43. — Directs that the assessor 
and aldermen of each ward of Detroit be inspectors of elections, 
the assessor to provide ballot-boxes. 

Revised Statutes, page dd.— Provides for the election of one 
supervisor for each ward, and that the assessor of each ward be 
such supervisor. 

Revised Statutes, page 119. — Prescribes that the assessors shall 
be super\'isors, and act as township treasurers. 

Revised Statutes, page 168.— Provides that mayor and alder- 
men shall constitute a Board of Health. 

Revised Statutes, page 463. — Provides for a list of persons to 
serve as petit and grand jurors, to be made by assessor and alder- 
men of Detroit. 

January 30, page 4. — Extends time for collecting State and 
county taxes. 

February 23, page 19. — Divides the city into three assessment 
districts ; provides that the mayor shall preside in mayor's court 
only in absence of the recorder. 

March 28, page 54. — Gives the city and inhabitants authority 
to lay railroad track in front of their premises on the river. 

April 7, page 73. — Legalizes the returns made by various ward 
collectors. 

April 28, page loi. — Provides that ward collectors shall collect 
school tax, and that Board of Education may elect their own 
president. 

jMay 7. page 156. — Provides that it shall not be necessary to 
acknowledge or prove a deed which has been or may be granted 
by the mayor, recorder, and aldermen, under the act of Congress 
of August 29, 1842. 

May 16, page 238. — Grants council power to license and regu- 
late porters, cart-men, livery stables, and all vehicles used for hire. 

1847. January 30, page 20. — Orders assessment rolls to be 
made before first Monday in March, and extends time for collec- 
tion of taxes. 

March 12, page 50. — Authorizes Board of Education to raise 
$1,500 specially for building purposes. 

March 16, page 96.— Gives city control of city Water Works 
that may lie outside of the city ; authorizes an extra tax of 
$8,000 in 1S47, and $8,000 in 1848. 



A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CITY CHARTERS, ETC. 



985 



1848. January 25, page 8. — Provides for fourteen aldermen in 
place of twelve, and prescribes boundary of seventh ward. 

January 29, page 13. — Extends time of collecting State and 
county taxes. 

February 8, page 27. — Legalizes election of ofiicers for new 
seventh ward. 

February 22, page 40. — Provides for opening of streets, assess- 
ment and collection of taxes, etc, 

1849. January 26, page 10. — Kxtends time for collecting State 
and county taxes. 

February 20, page 30. — Extends the city limits. 

February 21, page 32. — Provides for various city officers; directs 
that the assessor of each ward shall be one of the Board of In- 
spectors of Elections. 

March 2, page 47. — Authorizes council, with consent of citizens' 
meeting, to levy extra tax of $S,ooo for 1849, and $8,000 for 1850. 

March 29, page 185. — Provides for draining low lands in and 
near Detroit. 

April 2, page 313. — Directs that recorder shall have the same 
powers as are exercised by Circuit Court Commissioner, and be 
allowed the same fees. 

1850. January 30, page 9. — Divides the city into three assess- 
ment districts, and empowers council to raise $10,000 extra tax for 
each of the years 1S51 and 1852. 

March 5, page 50. — l*rovides for school census between ages of 
four and eighteen, and authorizes IJoard of Education lu borrow 
$5,000. 

March 8, page 62. — Empowers council to levy an extra tax of 
$2o,ooo during the next three years, and $10,000 additional tax for 
1850, The $20,000 to pay water bonds, and the $10,000 to pay 
interest, 

April 1, page 232. — Provides that in the case of deeds and con- 
veyances of Governor and Judges, that have heretofore been 
recorded by register of deeds, the record of such, or a certified 
copy, shall be evidence in place of the original deed ; provided it 
is proved that the original deed has been lost or destroyed. 

April 2, page 364. — Provides for organization of Police Court. 

1851. March 21, page 41. — Council authorized to levy an ad- 
ditional tax of $5,000 to pay interest and provide a sinking fund. 

Aprils, page 231. — Provides that the alderman of each ward 
having the shortest time to serve shall act as a supervisor on the 
Board of Supervisors. 

June 28, page 323. Provides that the mayor or recorder, with a 
majority of the aldermen, shall form a quorum of the council. 

1853. February 9, page 64. — Council to appoint a person in 
each ward to take census and statistics every ten years, dating 
from 1854, provided no assessor is elected in said wards. 

February 12, page 115. — ■ Extends time for collecting Slate and 
county taxes. 

February 14, page 164. — Prescribes that assessors of the several 
wards shall be supervisors and collectors, and act as town treas- 
urers. 

February 14, page 180. — Establishes the Board of Water Com- 
missioners. 

1855. January 20, page 3. — Gives Board of Education power to 
establish a High School, appoint a superintendent of schools, and 
raise a tax of not more than two dollars for each child enumerated 
by the census. 

February 6, page 31. — Provides that Board of Water Commis- 
sioners may borrow $250,000. 

February 8, page 47. — Extends the time for collecting State 
and county taxes. 

February 10, page 132. — Common council authorized to refund 
any taxes or assessments unlawfully increased during 1854. 

February 12, page 209.— Charter election changed from first 
Tuesday in .March, after 1855, to first Tuesday in February. 
Oflfices of city collector and assessor for each ward provided for ; 
title of city audiiorchanged to city comptroller. Provisions made 
for street openings, etc. 

1857. January 24, pages. — Extends time for collecting State 
and county taxes. 



February 5, page 73. — Changes corporate name of city to " The 
City of Detroit." City much enlarged : authorizes assessor and 
two aldermen from each ward to attend annual sessions of Board 
of Supervisors to represent city interests ; makes provision for 
Board of Sewer Commissioners, for six justices, and also further 
provision for office of comptroller; street opening specially pro- 
vided for ; power granted to drain lands within three miles of 
the city, to number dwellings, to license various kinds of business; 
establishes recorder's court ; prescribes that residence of an elec- 
tor shall be where he takes his meals ; fixes mayor's sjilary at 
$1,200 ; empowers council to elect their own president ; makes 
provision for one general and two assistant assessors ; orders sep- 
arate accounts to be kept of the several funds of the city; pro- 
vides that city election shall be held on first Tuesday after first 
Monday of Xovember, and limits amount of tax to one per cent 
on the valuation. 

February 7, page 163. — Authorizes council to raise $20,000 in- 
stead of $1,500 as heretofore, for school lots and buildings. 

February 10, page 200.— Authorizes Water Commissioners to 
borrow $250,000. 

February 12, page 200.— Enlarges city limits, and provides for 
more wards and aldermen. 

February 17, page 465. — Gives police justice power to appoint 
a clerk. 

1859. January 29, page 2.— Extends time for collecting State 
and county taxes. 

February 12, page 342. — Invests assessors and aldermen with 
the duties of supervisors. 

February 12, page 393. — Gives recorder's court power to try 
cases upon information, without indictment. 

February 14, page 483. — Defines powers and duties of Board of 
Registration. 

February 15, page 1057. — Authorizes assessors to use discrimi- 
nation in assessing value of property in outskirts of city. 

1861. March 7, page 127.— Common Council may levy a tax of 
$20,000 for purchase of lots, and building of school-houses and to 
support the schools. 

March 12, page 180.— Invests aldermen with powers of police- 
men. The mayor, and two other persons to be selected by the 
council, to constitute a Board of Police Commissioners, the chief 
to be appointed by the council, on nomination of the board ; 
the council to provide a police-station, and to appoint temporary 
policemen for forty-eight hours, when necessary ; authorizes 
division of wards into election districts; gives council power to 
order paving, not to exceed in cost $50,000 in any one year, and 
to levy a tax of $50,000 for this puriy)se, without consent of prop- 
erty owners; authorizes the borrowing of $300,000 on city bonds 
for building purposes; establishes office of receiver of taxes; 
prescribes rules for conducting elections ; and provides that plats 
of subdivisions shall have no validity until approved. 

March 15, page 262.— Establishes Detroit House of Correction, 
and pro\-ides for its management. 

March 15, page 423.— Grants to circuit and recorder's courts the 
power to issue capiases for witnesses in certain cases. 

March 16, page 549. — Provides for sessions of Board of Regis- 
tration. 

May 10, page 602.— Authorizes aldermen to afford relief to 
families of soldiers, to an amount not exceeding $15 per month 
for each family, payable out of the county treasury. 

May 10, page 611. — Authorizes ward collectors to collect State 
and county taxes on real and personal property. 

1863. February 13, page 26. — Extends time for collecting State 
and county taxes. 

March6, page 66. — Provides for submitting to citizensat a public 
meeting the question of voting a tax or issuing of bonds to pay 
$40,000 advanced by citizens for bounties during summer of 1362. 
March 19, page 295. — .Authorizes Common Council to appoint 
a person to disburse $15 per month for relief of the families of 
volunteer soldiers. 

March 20, page 331. — Defines powers of police court. 

March 20, page 423.— Authorizes the city assessor to make copy 



986 



A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CITY CHARTERS, ETC. 



of assessment rolls of each ward, assess the State and county 
taxes, and place the rolls with ward collectors for collection. 

1864. February 4, page 20. — Provides that the Board of Police 
Commissioners shall consist of the mayor and two persons ap- 
pointed by the council, and defines the powers of the board. 

February 5, page 69. — Makes lengthy provision for registration 
of voters. 

February 5, page 94. — E.\tends time for collection of State and 
county taxes. 

1865. January 31, page 15. — Extends time for collecting State 
and county taxes in sixth ward. 

February 9, page 38. — Extends time for collecting Slate and 
county taxes. 

February 28, page 99, — Establishes Board of Metropolitan 
Police Commissioners, 

March 2, page 147. — Defines duties of county treasurer in con- 
nection with the collecting of the State and county taxes. 

March 16, page 350. — Provides that city may raise for Roard of 
Education $3 per child enumerated by school census, but that any 
excess must be submitted to council and citizens* meeting ; and if 
approved by them, then $25,000 additional may be raised. 

March 18, page 508. — Defines powers of ward collectors and 
provides for their giving bonds. 

March 21, page 678. — Makes provision for preserving maps and 
records pertaining to real estate ; for levying a tax annually of 
$40,000 for purpose of constructing sewers, and defines various 
powers of the council. 

1867. February 1, Vol. II., page 19. — Extends time for collect- 
ing State and county taxes. 

February 14, Vol. II., page 38. — .\uthorizes council to elect its 
president, the clerk to preside until a president is elected. 

March 1, Vol. 11, page 115. — Provides that eleven members of 
the Board of Education shall constitute a quorum. 

March g, Vol. II., page 265. — r*efines powers and duties of 
Board of Police Commissioners. 

March 26, Vol. II,, page 931. — Creates Board of Fire Commis- 
sioners, and abolishes office of fire marshal ; directs council to 
raise money estimated to be needed by the commission. 

March 27, Vol. I,, page 172. — Provides that persons may not be 
jurors in Circuit Court, or any court of record in Detroit, who 
have been on a jury within a year in said court ; and in a justices' 
or police court the same persons may not sit as jurors more than 
three times a year. 

March 27, Vol. I., page 175. — Provides that criminal women 
from any part of the State may be sentenced to the House of 
Correction. 

March 27, Vol. I., page 223. — Provides that an extreme sen- 
tence in either Circuit ur Recorder's Court is not invalidated, but 
is good for the extent of the lawful penalty. 

March 27, Vol. I., page 266. — Directs supervisors of each ward 
to ascertain yearly the number of births and deaths during the 
preceding year. 

March 27, Vol. 11., page 1033. — Gives council power to divide 
wards into two election districts, and makes provision for regis- 
tration in such districts. Gives power also to divide any existing 
ward into two wards. 

March 28, Vol. II., page mo. — Grants additional power in 
regard to opening streets ; gives council power to raise a $50,000 
sewer tax yearly, and provides for paying members of council not 
more than $1.50 for each session of the council attended. 

i86g. January 30, Vol. II., page 46. — Extends time for collec- 
tion of State and county taxes to ist of March. 

February 17, Vol. II., page 61. — Authorizes Board of Water 
Commissioners to borrow $::5o,ooo. 

February 24, Vol. 11., page 71. — Gives larger power to Board 
of Education ] provides for two scliool inspectors from each 
ward, one to be elected each year; makes further provision for 
superintendent of schools; authorizes board to borrow $15,000 on 
their bonds, and provides that a special tax of five mills on a 
dnllar may be levied for purchase of school lots and erecting 
buildings. 



March 2, Vol. II., page iii. — Extends time for collection of 
State and county taxes to March 20. 

April 3, Vol. I., page 264.— Provides that Circuit Court Com- 
missioners shall not issue writs of habeas cor-pus or certiorari in 
a criminal case, but that justice of Supreme Court or Circuit 
Court judge may ; makes special provision for imprisonment and 
detention of lewd women. 

■'^pril S, Vol. III., page 1678. — Authorizes Board of Water 
Commissioners to assess tax of three cents per foot front on 
vacant lots. 

April 5, page 1686. — Defines with great detail powers of the 
council ; gives city power to vacate any street or alley by resolu- 
tion. 

1871. February 2, Vol. III., page 9. — Extends time for collect- 
ing State and county taxes. 

February 24, Vol. I., page 24. — Authorizes superintendent of 
House of Correction to receive and keep for short periods of time 
all persons sentenced to the institution while they are waiting for 
bail, or for other reasons are not fully committed. 

March 18, Vol. Ill, page 75. — Enlarges and defines with 
greater clearness the powers of the Board of Fire C<nnmissioners. 

March 31, \'ol. III., page 127. — Gives Board of Education dis- 
cretionary power to elect a Board of Commissioners to take 
charge of the Public Librar>'. 

March 31, Vol. III., page 133 — Legalizes certain acts of the 
Board of Fire Commissioners. 

March 31, Vol. III., page 134. — Provides that the police justice 
shall receive no fees, and not over $1,200 a year for services. 

April 13, Vol. II., page 1231. — Makes provision for printing 
ordinances and proceedings of the council, and especially for 
printing the proceedings and official notices in German. 

April 13, Vol. III., page 177. — Authorizes council to divide any 
existing ward into election districts, to contain not more than five 
hundred electors. 

April 15, Vol. III., page 186. — Legalizes certain acts of the 
Board of Police Commissioners. 

April 15, Vol. II., page 1322. — Appoints Board of Park Com- 
missioners, and provides for purchase of park. 

April 17, Vol. II., page 1371. — Gives the council power to regu- 
late the election or removal of certain officers, and to fix the 
amount of their fees ; to control the river, whar\'es, parks, and 
streets ; to number the buildings and to collect of the owners for 
so doing ; to sub-divide wards; to drain low lands within three 
miles of the city ; to license various kiqds of business. Gives 
power to tax insurance companies ; authorizes council to issue 
three-year bonds for purpose of paying three fourths of cost of 
paving streets, thus granting citizens three years in which to pay 
paving assessments ; also authorizes issue of $300,000 worth of 
bonds for building sewers, if citizens' meeting approve; directs 
that property be assessed at cash value. 

April 17. Vol. III., page 230. — Reorganizes Board of Metropoli- 
tan Police and names commissioners, one to go out every two 
years ; future appointees to be appointed by the Governor, with 
the consent of the Senate, and to ser\'e eight years. 

April 18. Vol. III., page 273. — Establishes Board of Public 
Works. 

1872. March 29, page 57. — Empowers council to require any 
officer or hoard to furnish reports on any matter under their con- 
trol, and also fi.\ nr alter the time at which estimates shall be made 
by any of the officers or boards. 

March 29, page 60. — Provides that no election district shall 
embrace parts of two-wards, and that nn district shall contain less 
than five hundred electors. 

1873. March 8, Vol. Til., page 37. — Authorizes Board of Water 
Commissioners to borrow $1,000,000 to build new Water Works 
in Hamtramck. 

March 14. Vol. II., page 100. — Makes provisions concerning the 
purchase of a park. 

March 27, Vol. III., page 74. — Provides that the Board of Edu- 
cation may elect a superintendent for three years, appoint a 
secretary, and erect a Public Librar>- building. 



A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CITY CHARTERS, ETC. 



987 



March 28, Vol. I., page 61. — Establishes Superior Court. 

March 2S, Vol. II., page 265. — Abolishes citizens' meeting and 
creates Hoard of Kstimaies. 

April 4, Vol. in., page 140. — Provides for appointment of a 
stenograjjher for recorder's court. 

April 12, Vol. III., page 123.— Relates to powers and duties of 
Board of Water Commissioners. Gives them power to c<indemn 
property for use of the board, and to erect works and extend pipes 
outside of the city ; and requires them to charge double rates for 
all water supplied to persons outside the city limits. 

April 12, Vol. II., page 636. — Annexes a large portion of Ham- 
tramck and Grosse Pointe to the city. This act was declared 
illegal by the Supreme Court. 

April 29, Vol. nr., page 175, to go into effect Januarj' i, 1874. — 
Establishes present Board of Public Works. 

April 30, Vol. II., page 1279. — Provides for opening streets; 
authorizes purchase of land for City Hospital; provides that 
judge of Superior Court shall preside over recorder's court in 
absence of the recorder, and that the tax for the repaving of 
streets shall be levied on the property, instead of being paid by 
general tax as before. 

1875. Kebruar>'4, Public Acts, pages. — Makes additional pro- 
vision for the organization of the Superior Court. 

February iS, Local Acts, page 4. — Authorizes Common Council 
to raise $300,000 by the sale of bonds, for the purpose of building 
sewers. 

February 18, Local Acts, page 5. — Provides that recorder shall 
be elected first Monday in April. 

February 25, Local Acts, page 7. — Extends time for collecting 
State and county taxes. 

March 10, Local Acts, page 22. — Again abolishes citizens* meet- 
ing and makes new provisions for Board of Estimates, two mem- 
bers to be elected from each ward, and five upon general ticket to 
ser\'e for two years, one from each ward to be elected after first 
year ; gives board power to decrease but not to increase taxes. 
Estimates are to be first considered by the council, and submitted 
to the board before the 15th of April in each year. 

March 17, Local Acts, page 49. — Provides that crosswalks shall 
be paid for from Gen_eral Road Fund. 

March 26. Public Acts, page 52. — Defines duty and fixes salary 
of stenographer of Recorder's Court. 

April 10, Local Acts, page 508. — Provides that Board of Public 
Works shall prepare general plan for streets and roads within two 
miles of city, and that after adoption the plan shall be changed 
only by a two thirds vote of Common Council. 

April 22, Local Acts, page 537. — Authorizes city to borrow 
$100,000 to build a Central Market. 

April 22, Local Acts, page 538. — Gives council power to appoint 
a Board of Gas Commissioners, and to provide for and make gas. 

April 29, Local Acts, page 719. — Directs Board of Police Com- 
missioners to submit detailed estimate of expenditures to comp- 
troller, and provides for care of the funds. 

May 3, Local Acts, page 864. — Adds portions of townships of 
Greenfield, Hamtramck, and Springwells to the city. 

May 4, Local Acts, page 865. — Makes provision for opening 
streets. 

1877. February 7, Local Acts, page 2. — Extends time for 
collecting State and county taxes. 

May 23, Local .Acts, page 507. — Provides for oflfice of fire 
marshal and prescribes his duties. 

1879. February 27, Local Acts, page 11. — Extends time for 
collection of State and county taxes. 

^{arch 4, I>ocal Acts, page 28. — Directs that the fiscal year 
begin on July i, authorizes temporary loan of $So,ooo, and re- 
quires treasurer to make a separate deposit of the cash belonging 
to the sinking fund. 

March 4, Local Acts, page 3a. — Council to publish official pro- 
ceedings in only one daily paper in the English language, but 
provides that they may publish such part of proceedings as they 
deem proper in other languages, at a total cost of not over $2,500 
per year. 



April 19, Local Acts, page 153.— Authorizes Police Commis- 
sioners to appoint an inspector of slaughter-houses and meats. 

May 21, Local Acts, page 177.— Provides for Board of Boule- 
vard Commissioners, and defines how they shall be elected and 
their powers and duties. 

May 21, Local .\cts, page 183.— Judge of Superior Court may 
preside over recorder's court, and, when necessary to fill vacancy, 
election for recorder may be held. 

May 27, Local Acts, page 215.— Council authorized to purchase 
Belle Isle, improve it as a park, erect bridge to it, and may pur- 
chase real estate on main land for an approach to the same ; also, 
with consent of the Board of Estimates, may borrow $200,000 
for above purposes. 

May 31, Local Acts, page 253. — Abolishes ofllices of director of 
poor, city collector, and city sexton ; creates Board of Poor Com- 
missioners; authorizes officers of city and boards to nominate 
their own clerks; makes further provision for purchase of Belle 
Isle, and provides that the city may issue ixmds to the amount of 
$700,000 to buy the island and build a bridge or tunnel ; author- 
izes receiver of taxes to levy for collection of personal taxes. 

1881. March 11, Local acts, page 100. — Provides that Board of 
Education shall consist of twelve inspectors elected on one general 
ticket ; makes provision for the transfer of the Public Library to 
a Board of Commissioners, and provides that a library tax of one 
fifth of a mill on each one hundred dollars shall be levied for its 
support. 

March 22, Local Acts, page 118. — City authorized to convey a 
portion of Belle Isle to the United States as a site for a light- 
house. 

April 21, Local Acts, page 226. — Provides for Upper House or 
Board of Councilmen, prescribes their duties and also the duties 
of the Board of Aldermen or City Council, and abolishes Board 
of Estimates. 

.April 21, Local Acts, page 228. — Directs that the upper stories 
of the market building be used for court rooms and offices. 

May 5, Local Acts, page 251. — Defines limits of city, and pro- 
vides for new ward boundaries. 

May 6, Local Acts, page 256. — Pertains to powers and duties of 
Police Commissioners. 

May ig. Local Acts, page 279. — Authorizes city to condemn for 
public use the rights of the Detroit & Howell Plank Road Com- 
pany within the city. 

May 20, Local Acts, page 280. — Gives Poor Commissioners 
power to appoint their own officers and agents without confirma- 
tion by the council. 

May 26, Local Acts, page 307, — Provides for establishment of 
Board of Health. 

May 27, Local Acts, page 315. — Repeals Park Act of April 15, 
1871. 

May 31, Local Acts, page 324. — Defines what officers shall b* 
appointed by the council. 

May 31, Local Acts, page 334. — Authorizes the city to condemn 
for public use the rights of the Detroit & Saline Plank Road 
Company within the city. 

June 2, Local Acts, page 342. — Provides that police justices of 
Detroit may, on application, sentence to the House of Correction 
persons who refuse to support their family, 

June 6, Local Acts, page 370. — Provides that members of the 
council arc to be freeholders ; also provides as to dangerous 
structures, obstructions in the street, inspection of steam boilers, 
intelligence offices, etc. 

June 7, Local Acts, page 379. — Provides further regulations for 
inspection of meats and provisions sold in Detroit. 

June 7, Local Acts, page 379. — Provides that the mayor shall 
nominate members of the Board of Water Commissioners. 

May 5, Public Acts, page 108. — Recorder may act as judge of 
Supreme Court ; fees received by clerk to be paid to city 
treasurer. 

May 20, Public Acts, page 157. — Provides for board of six 
jury commissioners, to be appointed by the Senate on nomination 
of the governor, to select jurors for courts of record in the city of 



988 



A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CITY CHARTERS, ETC. 



Detroit and county of Wayne, three to be residents of city, and 
three of townships outside of the city. 

June 2, Public Acts, page 250. — Reorganizes House of Correc- 
tion, to be managed by four inspectors, and provides for details of 
management. 

June II, Pubhc Acts, page 394. — Provides that recorder shall 
receive a salary of $4,003 a year. 

1882. March 14, Local Acts, page 3. — Authorizes Police Com- 
missioners to fix salaries of all officers of the department, and 
makes other provisions. 

March 15, Local Acts, page 13. — Authorizes re-assessment for 
paving portion of Jefferson Avenue. 

March 15. Local Acts, page 14. — Authorizes re-assessment for 
paving portion of Michigan Avenue. 

March 15, Local Acts, page 16.— Provides that Fire Commis- 
sioners may fix amourjt of salaries of officers of the department. 

March 15, Local Acts, page 17. — Authorizes re-assessment for 
paving portion of Jefferson Avenue. 

March 15, Local Acts, page 18. — Authorizes re-assessment for 
paving portion of Jefferson Avenue. 

March 15, Local Acts, page 20. — Authorizes assessment for re- 
paving Franklin Street. 

1883. March 28, Local Acts, page 246. — Establishes Board of 
Park Commissioners and gives them control of appropriations for 
park. 

April 10, Local Acts, page 412. — Establishes Board of Poor 
Commissioners anew, and gives them exclusive power in the 
relieving of county poor within the limits of Detroit. 

April 18, Local Acts, page 433. — Amends " Board of Public 
Works Act," changes their fiscal year to begin July i, and makes 
provision that before plats are confirmed the taxes must have 
been paid. 

April 25, Local Acts, page 449. — Provides for three justices in- 
stead of six, who are to be paid a regular salary by the county. 

April 26, Local Acts, page 452. — Provides that half of the 



damages assessed for opening streets shall be paid by the city, 
and makes numerous other provisions. 

April 27, Local Acts, page 468. — Gives Board of Water Com- 
missioners discretionary powers as to the rate to be charged for 
water furnished to persons living outside of the city. 

May II, Public Acts, page 87. — Provides that jury commission- 
ers need not all be present at the drawing of names, and that 
they shall have mileage. 

May ig. Local Acts, page 530. — Provides that salaries of audi- 
tors shall be fixed by the circuit judges of the county, and that 
the salary of each auditor shall not be more than $2,500 or less 
than $1,200, 

May 31, Public Acts, page 139. — Provides that two of the county 
auditors shall be residents of Detroit. 

June 5, Local Acts, page 579. — Practically a new city charter 
with many important changes. Provides for board of three 
assessors ; abolishes Board of Review ; provides for the payment 
of highway taxes by all property ; extends term of receiver of 
taxes from two to three years ; provides that aldermen shall hold 
no city, county, or legislative office except that of a notary ; gives 
aldermen and councilmen equal power over estimates and legis- 
lative matters ; abolishes Central Station Court, and makes many 
other changes, 

June 6, Public Acts, page 183. — Authorizes county treasurer to 
charge four per cent for collecting taxes paid between December 
16 and March i, and provides that he shall have two percent on 
amount of taxes returned as delinquent. 

June 8, Local Acts, page 673. — Authorizes new assessment to 
pay for paving Michigan Avenue. 

June 8, Local Acts, page 675. — Authorizes new assessment to 
pay for paving Jefferson Avenue. 

June 8, Local Acts, page 677. — Provides that mayor may 
nominate, and Board of Councilmen appoint persons to fill vacan- 
cies in office of school inspector, and provides that non-resident 
taxpayers shall pay for the tuition of their children. 



INDEX 



NAMES. 



Abbott, Edward, 242, 243. 

Abbott & Fjncbley, 174. 

Abbott, James, 23, 26, 38, 135, 
143, 149, 183, i8g, 192, igS, 272, 
284, 313. 376, 486, 491, 556, 557, 
558, 559. 562, 645, 716, 729, 730, 
767. 770. 776, 785. 837* 847, 859, 
860. S62, 879, 880, 882, 883, 916. 

Abbott, John S., igi, 711, 717, 
740, 752, 755, 759. 

Abbott, J. S. C, 709. 

Abbott, Robert, 41, 87, 89, 92, 
123, 133, 176, 183, 191, 198, 491, 
492. 554. 557. 559. 562, 563, 564. 

Abbott, Samuel, 313. 

Abbott, Squire jr., 300. 

Abel, F., 355. 

Abell, Oliver C, 100. 

Adair, William, 100, 523, 654, 
937- 

Adam, John T., 92* 

Adam, T. C.,'626. 

Adams, Miss, 361. 

Adams, A. H., 650, 864,865, 897. 

Adams, Charles S., 343, 355. 

Adams, Charles K., 709. 

Adams, Francis, 144, 145, 161, 
869. 

Adams, H. B., 131. 

Adams, Herbert, 756, 757. 

Adams, H. M., 918. 

Adams, James Q., 210, 300. 

Adams, John, 264, 937, 957, 

Adams, John Quincy, 298, 6S1, 

Adams, L. B., Miss, 673, 700. 

Adams, N., Mrs., 310, 311. 

Adams, T. K., 695, 937,942, 946. 

Addison, F. H., 213. 

Adier, L., 628. 

Aeiller, Jacob, 313. 

Agassiz, Louis, 708. 

Aigremont, Sieur d', 18, 837. 

Aikman, William, 600, 604, 700. 

Aillebout, M. d', 83. 

Ainslie, 'l"homas, 341. 

Alabaster, John, 571. 

Albach, James R., 708. 

Albee, H. C, 808. 

Alcock, T., 904. 

Alcorn, 589. 

Alcott, A. Bronsoii, 708. 

Alden, J. M., 50, 646, 649. 

Aldis, Charles, 581. 

Aldrich, S. H , 648. 

Aldrich, C, 210, 795, 916. 

Alexander, Ransom L., 131. 

Alexis, the Grand Duke, 483. 

Alden, Hiram, 897. 

Alger, R. A., 360, 362, 867. 

Allard, Jaques, Jr., 979. 

AUardt. M. H.. 687. 

Allee, A., 901. 

Allen, A. B., 616. 

Allen, C. T., 211, 571, 572, 844. 

Allen, Colonel, 280. 

Allen, E. P., 324. 

Allen, E. W., 906. 

Allen, H, C, 700. 

Allen, Ira M., 50, 646, 

Allen, Lewis, 756. 

Allen, Lewis, Mrs., 65a, 655, 

Allen, M., 674.695. 

Allen, M., Mrs., 652. 

Allen, Orville S.. 166. 

Allen, R. W., 5 

AUiBon, 



:. w., 57. 

James D., 144, 145. 



Allor. ^L C, 212. 
Allouez, 527. 
Almy, John, 935. 
Altenbrandt, B., 758. 
Alter, Francis, 167. 
Alvord, Dr., 677. 
Alvord, H. J., 91. 
Alvord, W. J., 130. 
Amberg, D. &. Co., 496 
Ambrose, Mrs., 651. 
Ames, E. R., 579. 
Ames, M. E., loi, 192. 
Amherst, Jeffrey, 83* 84, 238, 879 
Amin Bey, 963. 
Ampere, J. J., 708. 
Amrhein, Wm., 934. 
Anciaux, T., 536. 
Ancram, William, 227. 
Anderson, Captain, 226. 
Anderson, Charles, 212. 
Anderson, Colonel, 272, 277. 
Anderson, E., 654. 
Anderson, G. W., 607. 
Anderson, James, 313, 315, 475, 

654, 936. 
Anderson, John, 176, igi, 313, 

631, 730. 859. 
Anderson, Julia Ann, Mrs., 584. 
Anderson, L. S., 132. 
Anderson, Major, 305, 966. 
Anderson, Mary, 358. 
Anderson, M., 125. 
Anderson, Mr., 481. 
Anderson, T., 166. 
Anderson, T. S., 871, 872. 
Anderson, W. K., 804, 871. 
Andre, John, 799. 
Andre, Joseph, 285. 
Andre, Lieut., 262. 
Andre, Mrs., 262. 
Andre, P., 540. 
Andrews, Bishop, 579. 
Andrews, Colin, 837. 
Andrews, Colonel, 172. 
Andrews, E., 676. 
Andrews, George, Mrs., 310, 311 
Andrews, George P., 51,678, 714 
Andrews, H. R., 41, 143, 209, 

215, 483, 486, 872. 
Andrews, H. R., Mrs., 656, 659, 

662. 
Andrews, J. D., 695. 
Andrews, Norman S., 176. 
Andrews, William, 492. 
Andries, E., 6go. 
Angell, James B., 339, 709. 
Angell, G. R., 752, 758. 
Annabel, S, C, 612. 
Anneke, Emil, 92. 
Anne of Austria, 83. 
Anthon, C. E., 550, 700. 
Anthon, George C, 50, 333, 340, 

37'. 550. 700. 
Anthon, John, 700. 
Anthony, W. E.. Mrs., 666. 
Antisdel, A., 892. 
Aniisdel, J. F., 483, 485. 486, 

487. 
Antisdel. W. W., 486. 
Antoine, Robert, 20. 
Antrobus, John, 361. 
Apel, F.. 355- 
Appel, C.W., 167. 
Appelt, Charles, 146. 
Apply. J., 132- 
Arcetti, John, 663. 
Archer, John, 165, 470. 
Argenson, Viscount d', 83. 



Armitage, William E., 359, 585, 

586, 592. 
Armitage, William L., 969. 
Armitage, W. S., 818. 
Armor, S, G., 50. 
Armstrong, B. F., 673. 
Armstrong, J., 178. 
Armstrong, James A., 865, 895. 
Armstrong, Slajor-General, 256 
Armstrong. T. H., 494. 
Armstrong, W. C, 678. 
Arnaud, Bertrand, 529. 
Arndt, Henry, 937. 
Arnett, J. H., 892. 
Arnold, Benedict, 248, 264. 
Arnold, J. ^L, 566, 572, 642, 

679, 690, 695. 
Arnold, Matthew, 709, 976. 
Arthur, Chester A., 937. 
Ashley, E., 934. 
Ashley, W. H.. 892. 
Askin, John, 34, 36, 133, 172, 

189, 344. 940, 977. 982. 
Aspinall, James, 788. 
Aspinall, Joseph, 787, 788, 792. 
Atchinson, J. B., 567, 700. 
Atkinson, J., 162, 318, 689, 709. 
Atkinson, W. F., 937. 
At Lee, S. Yorke, 191. 
Atterbury, C. L., 657. 
Atterbury, C. S., 647. 
Atterbury, J. G., 600, 604, 711. 
Atterbury, W. W., 613. 
Atwater, Caleb, 708. 
Atwater, Reuben, 23, 88, 317, 

785. 937- 
Atwood, W. S., 197. 
Audrain, Francis, 558. 
Audrain, J. H., 176, 209. 
Audrain, Margaret, 594. 
Audrain, Peter, 23, 28, 30, 38, 

40. 53, 96, iii( 119, 133, 186, 

189, 190, igz, 198, 224, 272, 

490, 937. 
Audrey, Claude, 20. 
Austin, L. B., 872. 
Austin, L. B., Mrs., 665. 
Austin, P. B., 58, 196, 198. 
Avery, C. H., 355. 
Avery, Elisha, 176. 
Avery, G. B.. 143. 
Avery, H. K., 862. 
Avery, J. P., 613. 
Avery, Judge, 968. 
Avery, N., 162. 
Avery, Newell, Mrs., 665. 
Axford, S. IVL, 50, 646, 649. 
Aylward, J., 2ii. 
Aymar, 695. 
Axtell, Jonathan R., 633. 



Baart, P. 
}labcock. 



537- 
P-, 3^4- 



Babee, ^L, 222. 
Baby, Colonel, 279. 
Baby, D., 767. 
Baby, Duperon, 324. 
Baby, F., 176. 
Baby. James, 978. 97g. 
Baby, tVL, 237, 238. 
Backus & Sons, 499. 
Backus, Charles K., 



679, 684, 



701, 752. 757. 
Backus, Electus. 271. 
Backus, H. T.. 92, 100, 144, igi. 
Bacon, Colonel, 300. 



Bacon, David, 552^ 602, 613. 

715, 953- 
Bacon, David, Mrs., 715. 
Bacon, Leonard, 552, 553, C02, 

616, 70C, 708. 
Bacon, Marshall J., go, 195, 

198, 203, 711, 839, 874. 
Bacon, N., 188. 

Bacon, W. A.. 143, 650, 713, 717. 
Badger, Joseph, 552. 
Badin, F. V.. 535. 
Baffy, Eugene, 832. 
Bagg, A. S., 79, 144, 145, 2i8, 

685, 695, 938. 
Bagg, A. S., Miss, 717. 
Bagg, A. W.. 679. 
I^^gg, Barnes & Co., 692. 
Bagg, B. Rush, 190, 198, 840. 
I'^gg, Charles R., 196. 
Bagg & Harmon, 692. 
Bagg, J. H., 50, 91, 143, 190, 

194, 195. 646. 700, 740- 755- 
Kagg. John S., 176. 673, 677, 

685, 686, 692, 695. 883. 
l^agg. •'>- A., 40, 61, 12C', 194, 

685, 686, 900. 
Bagley, F. P.. 318. 
Bagley, George F., 144, 788, 

792, 869. 
Bagley, John J., 57. 75. 92. 144, 

204, 205, 217, 218. 309, 746, 

756, 810. 867, 860, 874. 
Bagley, J. J., Mrs., 662, 665, 

73»- 

Bagley, O. M., 796. 

Baier, F., 166. 

Bailey, James A., 757. 

Bailey, John, 364. 

Bailey. Joshua, 131. 

Bain, L., 713. 

Bain, Stephen, 795. 

Baird, R. W., Mrs., 360. 

Baker, B. Franklin, 168, 519. 

r>aker, Calvin, 89,98, 135, 167. 

Baker, Daniel, 273, 938. 

Baker, F. A., loi, 141. 

Baker, G. D., 596, 602, 604, 642. 

Baker, George, 799. 

Baker, H. E., 638, 642, 684, 756, 
759, 760. 

Baker, Hibbard, 941. 

Baker, Jacob B., 917, 

Baker, James S., 737. 

Baker, Major, 228. 

Baker, R. L., 224. 

Baker, S. A., 638, 676, 6S2, 683. 

Baker, Samuel, 563, 564. 

Baker, W. L , 805. 

Bakewell, W. H.. 578. 

Balch, George W,, 137, 145, 
752, 757. 758. 870, S84. 885. 

Balch. Lewis P. \V., 587. 

Baldwin, C. H.. 486, 888. 

Baldwin, Commodore, 938, 

Baldwin, Ethan, 313. 

Pialdwin, Ezra, 916. 

Baldwin, Henry P , 92, 100, 102, 
106, 311, 312, 360, 361, 362, 
497. 585. 586. 638, 657, 711, 
769, 772, 864, 867, 936, 938, 

974- 
Baldwin, H. P., 2d. 657. 
Baldwin, J. D., 165, 642. 
Baldwin. Lola, 942. 
Baldwin, Lyman, 143, 209, 733, 

938, 942- 
J'aldwin, Lyman H., 828. 
Ball, 286. 



[989! 



990 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Ball, Byron D., 92. 

Bali, Daniel, 866. 

Ball, H. L., 671, 692. 

Ball, William, 798. 

Ballard, 483. 

Ballard, A., 614. 

Ballard, Julia P., Mrs., 701. 

Baliner, Stephen, 597. 

Balpour, 715. 

Banager, Jacob, 131. 

Bancroft, E., 738. 

Bancroft, K. C, 202. 

Bancroft, George. 708, 859, 963, 

Bangs, Nathan, 553, 700, 954. 

Bankhead, James, 229. 

Banks, 494. 

Banks, A. F., 360. 

Banks, Gertrude, Miss, 665. 

Banks, Nathaniel P., 966. 

Banks, Robert, 888. 

Banvard, 716. 

Banwell, Henry, 587, 589. 

Baradale. George, 758. 

Baraga, Frederick, 535, 547, 700. 

Barat, Perette, 333. 

Barber, E. W., 675. 

Barbier, F- J., 196, 19B. 

Barbnur, E. S., 814. 

Barbour, George H., 816, 

Barbour, L. L., 75, 761. 

Barclay, Colonel, 269. 

Barclay, VV., 61, 71, 143. 164, 

204. 493. 573. 654, 713, 936, 
^938. 

Bane, Louis, 162. 
Barios, Jean Maria, 20. 
Barker, K. C, 140, 144, 498, 

513, 826, 869, 971. 
Barker, Samuel, 895. 
Barker, William E., 946. 
Barkume, Eli, 938. 
Barlage, A., 144. 
Barlow, C. J., 132. 
Barlow, G. W., 600, 604. 
Barium, Thomas, 655. 
Barnard, 486. 
Barnard, Henry, 708, 961. 
Barnard, Henry D., 54, 13G, 146. 
Barnard, Joseph, 210. 
Barnes, Albert, 702. 
Barnes, A. S., 706. 
Barnes Bros.. 498, 499. 
Barnes, E. W., 58. 
Barnes, Giles, 313. 
Barney, Milton, 480 
Barnhardt, W. H., 357. 
Barns, A. T , 639. 
Barns, Henrv, 100, 226, 307, 

675. 676, 683, 6^5, 692, 883. 
Barns, Jacob, 686. 
Barnum, E, T., 499, 733, Sir, 

812. 
Baron, Antoine, 978. 
Baron, Joseph, 130, 198. 
Baron, Peter, 767. 
Barr, John, 687. 
Barr, Robert, 687. 
Barre, Lefebere de, 83. 
Barrian, Joseph, 978. 
Barrett, C. H., 58, 59, 639, 646, 

649. 
Barrett, Lawrence, 358. 
Barrett, Myron, 595. 
Barrett, Patrick, 935. 
Barrois, 35. 
Barrois, Francois Lothman de, 

333- 
Barrows, Juba, ig8. 
Barrows, S. S., 164. 
Barry, David, 677, 678. 
liarry, D. E., 901. 
Barry, John S., gr, 92. 104, 898. 
Barry, Thomas J., 166. 
Barry, William, 80, 798. 
Barse, W. H., 202. 
Barstow, Samuel, 176, 191, 650, 

7". 739. 743. 752, 755, 756, 

862. 
Barstow, H. A., 482. 
Bart, ]., 132. 
Bartenbach, G., 842. 
Biirthf, A.. 172. 
B:irthello, William, 795. 
Bartholick, Dr.. 4q3, 
Bartholomew, A. M., 493, 937. 



Bartliolomew, A. AL, Mrs,, 652. 
Bartle, James, 500. 
Bartlett, J. W., 757. 
Bartletf, Joseph, 531, S07. 
Bartlett, A. R., 572. 
Bartley, A. H., 210. 
Bartlev, E., 663. 
Barton, William, 178. 
Bartow, William, gS, 130, 192, 

198. 
BaskerviUe, T, H., 573. 
Bass, J., 577. 
Bassett, Henry, 37, 227. 
Bastie, Edmund, 535. 
Batchelder, J. C, 356. 
Batchelder, J. W., 758. 
Bates, 695. 
Bates, Andrew, 639. 
Bates, .Alexander, 300, 
Bates, Asher B., 140, 141, 198, 

873, 874. ^ 
Bates, Clara Doty, Mrs., 701. 
Bates, Frederick, 23, 26, 38, 89, 

95, g6, 133, 183, 186, 491, 494, 

855. 857. 883, 938. 
Bates, George C, 113, 143, 176, 

243, 301, 711, 934, 963. 
Bates, H. C, 792. 
Bates, L. J., 13, 684, 690, 692, 

701. 
Bates, Morgan, 71, 92, 16=;, 673, 

676, 682. 
Battel!, Cyrus, 909. 
Batterson, J. G., 312. 
Battle, James, 513, 519. 
Battzes, George, 281. 
Batwell, Edward, 50, 755, 756, 
Bauer, A., 167, 757. 
Baur, Emil, 575. 
Baugh, J, B., 4. 
BaugliTnan, J. A., 566, 572, 578, 

580, 840, 
Baumgartner, John. 621. 
Baylev, Frank T., 600. 
Baxter, A. W., 810. 
Baxter, John, 175. 
Baxter, Thomas, 161, 162. 
Baxter, W. H., 145, 500. 
Baxter, Witter J., 711, 732. 
Bayard, Robert, 172, 227. 
Bayliss, J. H., 567, 575. 
Bayliss, J. H., Mrs., 842. 
Beach, Eben, 795. 
Beach, P., 132, 
Beach, Seth, 504. 
Beadle, J. T., 612. 
Bean, J. V.. 718. 
Beard, George, 938. 
Beard, O. T., 701. 
Beardslee, C. J., 487. 
Beardslee. Harlow, 142. 
Beardsley, 492. 
Beattie, Elizabeth, 633. 
Beattie, Margaret, 633. 
Beatty, James, 71. 
Beaubien, 492, 
Beaubien, Aliss, 350. 
Beaubien, Antoine, Mrs., 653, 

721. 
Beaubien, Antoine, 34, 313, 725, 
^945. g77- 

Beaubien, Henry, 164. 
Beaubien, J., 737. 
Beaubien, James. 58, 202, 935. 
Beaubien, Jean Bt., 20, 285. 
Beaubien, Jean Maria, 21, igo, 

191. 313. 979- 
Beaubien, Joseph, 532, 977. 
Beaubien, Lambert, ig8, 323, 
^ 934. 937- 

Beaubien, Louis, 164. 
Beaubien, Louis Antoine, 531, 

532- . 
Beaubien, P., 934. 
Beaubien, Trotier, 337. 
Beau fait, 493. 
Beaufalt, Louis, 88, 90, icx5, 

102, 130, 174, 180, 190, 191, 

198, 531, 720, 938, 977. 98:;. 
Beauchene, Chevalier de, 332. 
Beaugrand. Jean Baptiste, 313. 
Beauharnois, Marquis de, 19, 

83, 766. 
Beaumont, M. M., 707. 
BeausseroD, Widow, 18. 



Beck, C. F., 780. 
Beck, Charles G., 938. 
Becker, John, 680. 
Beckwith, George, 267. 
Bedell, George W., 13.J. 
Beecher, E. B., 885. 
Beecher, Henry Ward, 700, 93S, 

973- 
Beecher, Luther, 352, 485, 665, 

675. 692, 711, 713. 842. 971- 
Eeecher, Lyman, 603, 70S, 839. 
Beecher, Truman, 785. 
Beecher, Thomas K., 637. 
Beedzler, J., 777. 
Beeson, Jacob, 38, 7g2. 
B^ggs, Thomas, 146. 
Begole, J. W.. 92, 975. 
Begon, 18. 

Belanger, Joseph, 654. 
Belknap, John, 868. 
Bell, Digby V., 92, 93, 734, 7S5, 

8S2. 

Bell, D. v., Jr., 354. 

Bell, D. v.. Mrs., 665. 

Bell, Dclos, 361. 

Bell, John A., 687. 

Bell, Robert, 56. 

Bell, Thomas, 895. 

Bellair, Joseph, 945. 

Bellair, Oliver, 210, 933, 938, 
945. 

Bellecour, F. D., 198. 

Bellecour, F. L, 149. 

Bellestre, Francois Marie Pi- 
cote de, 36, 40, 83, 227, 233, 
234. 527- 766. 

Bellisle, Henry, 50. 

Bellows, H. W., 681. 

Bellows. J. N., 717. 

Bellman, W. F., 4g6. 

Belton, F. S., 228. 

Belton, Samuel, 555. 

Bendix, William, 357. 

Benedict, E. D., 884. 

Benedict, Hiram, 840. 

Beniteau, A. P. T., 318. 

Beniteau, Israel L, 654. 

Benham, Ebenezer, 165, 202. 

Benham, W. L., 901. 

Benjamin. Park, 709. 

Bennett. D., 493. 

Bennett, Frank, 687. 

Bennett, Joseph R., 160, 176. 

Bennett, L. H., 872. 

Bennett, Moses, 165, 

Bennett, S., 132. 

Bennett, W., 493. 

Benoit, E., 799. 

Benoit, E. P., 125. 

Bentley, 173. 

Bentley, John, 133. 

Benton, Colonel, 84. 

Benton, Thomas H., 938. 

Berdan, O. F., 357. 

Berger, J. M., 673, 695, 696. 

Berkey, A., 621. 

Berlin, Frederick, 938. 

Bernier, 532. 

Bernick, 538. 

Berquin, 694. 

Berrien. John IVL, 895. 

Berry IJrothers, 497, 498, 826, 

974. 
Berry, J. A., 757. 
Berry, J. H., 825. 871. 
Berry, Langford G., 92. 
Berry, S. V., 590. 
Berry, Thomas, 138, 162, 646, 

734, 826, S75. 
Berry, T. V., 624. 
Berry, William A., 874. 
Berry, W. L., 695. 
Berryer, RL, 233. 
Berthelet, Henry, 8, 15, 33, 133, 

532, 938, 980, 981. 
Berthelet, Peter, 63, 793, 794, 

983. 
Berthelet, Widow, 767. 
Bertrams, Giistavus, 576. 
Bertrand, 531, 532. 
Fethune, George W., 938. 
Bellinger, Conrad, loi. 
Belts, Charles, 674. 
Bells, George L, 324. 

Bewick, Charles, 811. 



Beyer, C. H., 57, 663. 
Beyerle, Constantine, 68S. 
Bibb, Henrv, 346, 700. 
Biddle, John, 23, 38, 59, 88, 98, 

100, 102, III, 114, 130, 140, 

227, 271. 357. 359, 372, 4^5, 

641, 710, 712, 716, 730, 73s, 

860, 862, 887, 896. 
Biddle, Nicholas, 372. 
Biddle, W. S., 318. 
Bieber, Adam, 934, 935. 
Bieber, Peter, 935. 
Bienville, 330. 
Big Beaver, 181. 
Bigelow, George, 50. 
Bigelow, Horatio, 81S. 
Bigelow, John M., 647, 924. 
Bigelow, L., 131. 
Bigley, 498. 
Bigot, 233. 
Bigslcy, Doctor, 269. 
Billings, Alvan, 565. 
Billings, P. A., 778. 
Binder, William, 166. 
Bineau, Jean, 766. 
Bingham, E., 164, 492, 641. 
Bingham, Kinsley S., 92. 
Bingham, Sarah 1'., Miss, 310. 
Bingle, Edward, 131. 
Bird, A. A., 198. 
Bird, Henry, 223, 243, 249, 260, 

g52. 
Bird, Philander, 131, 198. 
Bird, Peter C, 131. 
Bird, Robert, 571. 
Bird, Robert C, 131. 
Birmingham, T. N., 162. 
Birney, James, 92. 
Bishop, Anna, 354. 
Bishop, David L., 212. 
Bishop, H., 355, 357. 
Bishop, Levi, 19, 49, 141, 177, 

192, 199, 307, 701, 711, 713, 

745, 746, 752, 755. 756, 843, 

968. 
Bishop, M., 492. 
Bishop, R. A., Mrs., 486. 
Bispham, John B., 191. 
Bisscll, 493. 

Bissell, A. E., 61, 787, 788. 
Bissell, Albert G., 647. 
Bissell, Charles, 851. 
Bissell, George W., 7S7, 788, 

792. 
Bissell, John H,, 592. 
Bissell, W. A., 732. 
Black, Clarence, 360, 361. 
Black, H. H.. 624. 
Black, Joseph, 362, 873. 
Black, James, 497, 654. 
Black, S. W., 228. 
Blackburn, "Ihomas, 202, 345, 

346, 959- 
Blackburn, William ftL, 602. 
Black Hawk, 299, 959. 
Blackman, G. C, 706. 
Blackmar, Thomas S., 176, 177, 

197, 795, 799- 
Blades, F. A., 566, 569, 574, 

580, 638, 783. 
Blain, A. W., 56. 
Blaine, James G., 976. 
Blainville. Sieur de, 227, 232. 
Blair, Austin, 92, 305. 
Blair, James S., 654. 
Blaisdel, L. H., 355. 
Blakeslee, George, 164. 
Blanchard, Jonathan, 566, 569. 
Blankenheini, J., 1C6, 935. 
Blattmeier. Christian, 469. 
Blavette, Leon Clement de, 333. 
Blay, M., 162. 796. 
Blenman, Henry A., 166. 
Blewitt, 695. 

Bleyenbergh, A. F., 537, 541. 
Blindbury, 496. 
Blindbury, C. (L, 799. 
Blindbury, John, loi, 131, 486. 
Bliss, P. P., 643, 972. 973, 
Bliise, 354. 
Blodget, A. C, 701, 
Blodgett. Charles C, i^"^. 
Blodtjett, H. N. P., "Mrs., 665. 
Blodgett. P. S., 903. 
Blois, John T., 696, 717, 738. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



991 



Blondeau, Sieur, 232. 

Blood, Dr., 277. 

Bloom, Adolph, 213. 

Bloom, Adam E., loi, 758. 

Bloomer, Amelia, Mrs., 964. 

Bless, Joseph B.. 38, 841. 

Bloss, J. B., Mrs., 665. 

Bloynk, John, 125. 

Blue, Alexander, 125, 126, 131. 

Bluejacket, George, 981. 

Blum, Frank, 145. 

Bluma, A., 74, 166. 

Boardman, W. E., 633, 700. 

Bocquet, Simple. 529, 530, 535. 

Boehnleio, G., 695. 

Boehnlein, M., 695. 

Boeing, W., 360. 

Boenninghausen, W., 935. 

Boer, H. R., 603. 

Boerns, William A., 576. 

Boice, John, 733. 

Boise, James K., 709. 

Boishebert, M. de, 227, 527. 

Bolger, Robert E., 101. 

Bolto, G., 798. 

Bolton, Colonel, 13, 46, 260.' 

Boltz, Peter, 132. 

Bolvin, N., 730. 

Bonaparte, Napoleon, 943, 970. 

Bonaventure, 529 

Bond, C. G. M., 833. 

Bond, C. v., 360. 

Bond, E., 934, 

Bond, Lewis. 198, 209, 281. 

Bond, William, 756, 757, 758, 

Bond, William S., loi, 137, 144, 

145. 674, 677. 
Bondi, Antoine, 979. 
Bondi, Joseph, 979, 
Bondvver. Charles, 155. 
Bone, Mary Ann, •533. 
Bonhomme, Charles, 20. 
Bonnell, S. R.. 616. 
Bonom?. Francois, 979. 
Book, J. B., 146, 205, 734, 
Boone, Daniel, 249, 938. 
Booth, 358. 
Booth, E. G., 872. 
Booth, G. C. 577, 
Booth, G. P.. 486. 
Booth, Jam -> S . 205. 
Boothroyd, W. H.. 695. 
Boquet. H., 234, 24:*- 
Borchardt, F., 715, 798. 
Borcherding, William, 576. 
Bordeaux, Joseph, 313. 
Bordman, E., 673. 
Borgess, C. H., 547, 549, 661, 

663. goi, 970. Q73. 
Bergman, C. H., 141, 196, 198, 

695, 725. 
Bergman, M. V., loi, 146, 205, 

218. 4S6, 487. 
Born, H., 493. 
Borrowman, Andrew, 59, 647, 

649, 758. 
Boscus, John, 326. 
Bostick, William, 244. 
Bostwick, J,, 211. 
Botsford, Albert, 145. 
Boucher, Elizabeth, 327. 
Boudin. 680. 

Bougainville, 12, 45, 322, 349. 
Boughton, Peter, 346. 
Boughton, T. C, 640, 641, 
Beuilard, 546. 
Bour, Joseph, 753, 934. 
Bourassa, I^uis, 978 
Bourke, Oliver, 102, 752, 757. 
Bourke, Walter. ^92. 
Beurginnen, Louis, 210. 
Bourgmont, Sieur dc, 227, 231. 
Bourn, Allan, 808, 901. 
Bourns, A. K., 572, 689. 
Boutell, A. A., 827. 828. 
Bowen, C. C, 612. 
Bowers, Dr., 280. 
Bowers. J. F., 213. 
Bowman, 360. 
B'»wraan, E. C, 865. 
Bowman, J., 577. 
Boyd, W. A., 210, 211, 
Boydell Bros.. 823, 824, 825. 
Boydell. William, 145, 146, 
Boyer, Antoioc, 982. 



Boyle, Phillip, 173. 
Boynicr, John Louis^ 214. 
Boynton, Dr., 883. 
Boynton, Albert G., 196, 687, 

711. 
Brace, E. Russell, 923. 
Brace, William H., 868. 
Bradburn, Hugh, 131. 
Braddock, General, 233, 887. 
Bradford, Amna, 198. 
Bradford, A. W., 212. 
Bradford, John, 669. 
Bradish, Alvah, 359. 
Bradley, H., 130. 
Bradley, Judson. 51. 
Bradley, J. F.. 362. 
Bradner, Ira J., 131. 
Brandon, Calvin C, 938. 
Bradshaw, Eli. 90, 100, 126, 131, 

132, 194, 198. 
Bradstrcet, John, 227, 240, 550, 

7°h 704* 944. 952- 
Brady, 497. 
Brady, Hugh, 228,229, 3°=» 3*7» 

359. 938, 9^- 963- 
Brady, George N.. 917. 
Brady, Preston, 657. 
Brady. S. P., 866, 867. 
Brainard, Charles X., 131. 
Brant, L A.. 101. 
Brant, Mollie, 349. 
Brant, Joseph, 249, 259, 264, 

7<^7» 953- 
Braishaw, J. B. H., 873, 874, 

938- 
Bratshaw, J. B. H., Mrs., 665. 
Braun, Jacob, 576. 
Brannigan, William, 718. 
Brearley, W. H., 360, 361, 362, 

642, 68g, 691, 701. 
Breckenridge, rrancis, 50, 646. 
Breckenridge, John C, 938. 
Breed. Wm. P.. 602. 
Brehm, Captain, 244. 
Bremer, Frederika, 708, 963. 
Brennan, 725. 
Erennan, Edward. 661. 
Brennan, John, 80. 
Brennan. Michael, 842. 
Brent, Mrs., 310. 
Bressler, C. E,. 940, 944. 
Brevoort, Henry B., 23, 38, 183, 

184, 279, 281, 333, 335, 859, 

90S, 935, 938. 
Brevoort, Henry, Jr., 126. 
Brevoort, Henry N., 210. 
Brewer, Captain, 234. 
Brewer, A. L., 584 
Brewster, 938. 

Brewster, Chauncey B., 584, 587 
Brewster, F., 492. 
Brewster, George, 675,681, 682, 

„ 717. 755- , . 
Brewster, Maria, 594. 
Brewster, W., 492, 498. 
Brewster, Wilham, 770, 785, 

865. 
Bre7.ee, Lloyd, 691. 
Briand, John Oliver, 546. 
Bridge, Henrv, 71. 
Bridge, H. P., 161, 163, 218, 

785. 787. 789, 792. 865. 
Bridges. Edward M., 851. 
Briggs, Daniel B., 93. 
Briggs, Robert D., 100. 
Briggs, R. v., loi. 
Brigham, Adolphus, 123, 131. 
Brinton, Beulah, Mrs.. 692, 701. 
Briscoe, Benjamin, 936. 
Bristol, C. L., 492, 851, 938. 
Bristol, T. W., 703. 
Brittain, Sanford, 71. 
Britton. 492. 
Broadstreet, 855, 858, 
Brock, Isaac, 215, 268, 276, 277, 

278, 292, 295, 296. 297, 694. 
Brockway, Z. R., 216, 218, 600, 

601, 810. 968, 969. 
Brockway, Z. R.. Mrs., 662. 
Brodhead, I^anicl. 256. 258, 259. 
Brodhead, Jessie W.. 360. 
Brodhead, Thornton F., 100, 

222. 256, 258, 686, 883. 
Brodie, William, 51, 59, 137, 

>44i 5*9. 676, 690, 734. 



Brocg, AL, 145. 
Bronson, Mrs., 938. 
Bronson, Catharine, 594. 
Bronson, H. O., 165, 202. 
Bronson, R., 58. 
Bronson, \V'. H., 662. 
Brooke, George JL, 228, 229. 
Brookfield, William, 716. 
Brookfield, William, Airs., 716, 
Brooks, D. W., 757. 
Brooks, D. W., Mrs., 661. 
Brooks, E., 142, 202, 299, 302, 

317. .346. 49I1 697* 7»6, 770, 

785. 851. 
Brooks, John, 52. 
Brooks, J. W., 897, 90T, 903. 
Brooks, X. W., 144. 218, S67. 
Brooks, Phillips, 976. 
Brow, A. J.y 758. 
Brown, Dr., 272, 
Brown, Ammon, 88, 90, 91, 100, 

125, 131, 198, 648. 
Brown, Arza, 565. 
Brown, Adam, 980. 
Brown, A. B., 719. 
Brown, C, F., 709. 
Brown, Charles H., 31S. 
Brown, Cullen, 164, 346, 594, 

645, 651, 857, 863. 
Brown, D. B., 19S. 
Brown, E. C, 901. 
Brown, F. W., 733. 
Brown, General, 103, 224, 285. 
^ 554. 955, 959- „ 
Brown, George B., 212. 
Brown, Gilbert, 130, 132. 
Brown, Henry, 163, 641, 770. 
Brown, H, B., 175, 194, 360. 
Brown. H. H., 862, 865, 866, 

874. 
Brown, H. H.. Mrs., 655. 
Brown, H. J., 5S5, 588. 
Brown, H. N., 572, 573. 
Brown, James J., 141. 
Brown, John, 303, 313, 347, 377, 

872, 935. 966. 
Brown, J. A., 51, 756, 757, 924. 
Brown, J. ^L, 576, 750, 903, 976. 
Brown, J. Newton, 607. 
Brown, J. W., 299, 300, 584. 
Brown, Levi, 364, 557, 631, 713. 
Brown, Lucy, 594. 
Brown, Lester R., 125, 132. 
Brown, Rufus, 50, 492, 
Brown, R. H., 197. 
Brown, S. R., 287. 
Brown, Warner & Lee, 872. 
Brown, William, 50,62,98, 123, 

133. 281, 335, 730, 731, 855. 

858, 859- 
Brown, William H., 126. 
Browning, F. P., 163, 605, 736, 

838. 
Brownlow, W. G., 709, 967. 
Brownson, Henry F., 661, 700. 
Brownson, Orestes A., 700, 716. 
Bruce, T., 227. 
Bruce. William, 767, 772. 
Bruggerman, F., 166. 
Brumine, C, 59. 
Brunow, Francis, 709. 
Brunson, Alfred, 278, 282, 284, 

554. 563, 564. 701. 796. 
Brunson, John, 480, 481, 79S. 
Brush, Adelaide, 937. 
Brush, Alfred, 203. 
Brush, Alfred E., 937, 944. 
Brush, Elijah, 36, 89, 133, 134, 

140, 149, 176, 183, 227, 272, 

274, 278, 281, 284, 313, 335, 

49», 933. 937. 980. 
Brush, E. A., 30, 40,71,96, 195, 

204, 344, 470. 504. 67^, 716, 

887, 896, 903, 933, 936, 938, 

962. 
Brush, E. C, ^frs., 652. 
Brush, Edmund E., 940. 
Brush, Elliot H., 939. 
Brush, Henry, Captain, 275, 

278. 
Brush. H. T., 760. 
Brj'ant, 038. 

Bryant, Elizabeth D., 717. 
Br>'ant, William Cullen, 363, 

718. 



Brydgcs, C. J., S95. 
Buclian, William, 654, 661. 
Buchanan, James, 102, 938. 
Buchanan, ftlargarct F., 700. 
Buch.anan, R. C, 228. 
Buchanan, William, 756, 757. 
Buck, D. D., 567, 701. 
Buck, Dudley, 354. 
Buckingham, J. S,, 70S. 
Buckley, H. J., 495, 788, 792. 
Buckley, J. M., 566. 567, 639, 

Bucklin, James, 90, 64S. 
Bucklin, William, 128, 198. 
Bucklin, Major, 300. 
BucI, A. W., 100, loi, 103, 193, 

210, 711, 73S, 857, 883. 
Buel, Grove A., 303, 
Bucll, Allen. 922, 923. 
Buell, Don Carlos, 229. 
Buelow, Charles A., 935. 
Buhl, C. H., 41, 140, 143, 304, 

217, 360, 362, 475. 498. 639, 

733. 807. 864, 867, 926, 938. 
Buhl, C. H., Mrs., 665. 
Buhl, F., 140, 143,520,658, 772, 

783, 785, 853, 864, 867, 926. 
Buhl, ^Irs. F., 203. 
Buhl, T. D., 808. 
Buisson, Joseph Guyon de, 227. 
Bull, C. ^L, 143, 164, 176, 191. 
Bull, Captain, 300. 
Bullit, Nathan, 250. 
Bunbury, Lieutenant, 13. 
Bungay, George W., 709. 
Burbank, David, 285. 
Burbank, John, 131, 198, 978. 
Burbank, William, 285. 
Burch, 697. 
Burchard, AL W., 486. 
Burchell, George W., 166. 
Burdick, A. W., 933. 
Burdick, J., 896. 
Burdick, O. S., 677. 
Burger, Joseph, 205, 
Burgess, F. H., 679. 
Burgess, I., 131. 
Burhans, A. A., 799. 
Burk, Edward, 828. 829. 
Burk, Simon, 481. 
Burk, William H., 688. 
Burke, Chaplain. 551. 
Burke, Nicholas, 166. 
Burleigh, A. A., 577. 
Burley, Bennet G., 30S. 
Burlcy, Washington, 71. 
Burlingame, Anson, 317, 709, 

^ 710. 739; 
Burnap, J., 132. 
Burnell, K. A., 311. 
Burnell, William, 65, 143. 2:6. 
Burnet, Jacob, 94, 95, 178, 707. 
Burnett, James, 281. 
Burnt-It, John, 313. 
Burnett, W^ Q., 573. 
Burnham, G. P., 673. 
Burnham, J. F., 680. 
Burnham, James K., 871. 
Burnham, T. H. O. P., 112, 

359- 
Burns, James, loi, 164, 165, 

713. 7'8. 770. 776. 
Burns, P., 54. 
Burns, Robert, 702, 966. 
Burnside, Ambrose t. , 229. 
Burr, Aaron, 271. 
Burr, W. H., 691,692. 
Burrcll, John, 715. 
Burriti, Elihu, 709. 
Burrois, Francois, 20. 
Burt, Alvin C, 758. 
Burt, John, 102, 700. 
Burt, W. A., 362, 700. 
Burtis, J., 916. 
Burton. C. M., 39. 
Bury. Richard, 581, 591, 
Busby, 482. 
Busch, Charles, 497. 
Bush, August. 590. 
Bush, B. F., 638. 
Bush, C. P., 92. 
Bush, Ira D., Mrs., 665. 
Bush. S. D., 162. 
Bushcy, Albert, 937 
Bushey, Eluabeth, Mrs., 940. 



99- 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Bushey, Juscph, 937, 938, 940, 

Bushnell, D. P., loi, 167. 
Hushncll, D. P.. Mrs., 310. 
Hushnell, John, 669. 
Butler, B. F., no, 969, 976. 
Butler, Colonel, 244, 249, 283, 

284. 
Butler, E. H., 92, 102, 868. 
Butler, E. H., Mrs., 655. 
Butler, T. D., 624. 
Butler, H., 227. 
Butler. Miltun H.. 938. 
Huiler, William A., 56, 162, 310, 

311, 312, 360, 733, 757, 868, 

902. 
Butler, W. A., Mrs., 310, 311, 

655- 
Butterfield, 261. 
Butterfield, O. H., 212, 213. 
Butterman, Eugene, 542. 
Butterson, 673. 
Butz, Caspar, 687. 
Butzel, Magnus, 758, 761. 
Byington, P. S., 597. 
Byram, C, 161, 497, 756. 
Byratn, Ebenezer A., 755. 
Byrd, George, 140, 929. 
Byrd, George Welling, 86. 
Byrn, Edward, 341. 
Byrne, James, 537. 



Cabacier, Charles, 797. 

Cabacie or Cabacier, Joseph, 9, 
172. 

Cable, David. 198. 

Cabot. J. Elliott, 70S. 

Cadillac, Antoine de la Mothe, 
3, II, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 34, 
171, 221, 226, 227, 231, 321, 
322, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 
330. 33I1 332. 333. 3401 369. 
370< 371. 372. 477. 489, 527. 
529, 7CK), 720, 765, 766, 837, 

887, 939. 951. 

Cadillac, Francois, 328. 
Cadillac, Jean Antoine, 328. 
Cadillac, Joseph, 328. 
Cadillac, Magdaline, 328. 
Cadillac, Marie Agathe, 328. 
Cadillac, Marie Anne, 328. 
Cadillac* Marie Therese, 328, 

333. 
Cadillac, Marie Therese de 

Laumet de, 326. 
Cadillac, Pierre Denis, 328. 
Cadillac, Rene Louis, 328. 
Cadle, Richard F., 5S1. 
Cadman, C. C, 714. 
Cady, Charles H., 131. 
Cady, David, 131. 
Cady, D. D., 131. 
Cadv, S. P., 131. 
Cahill, James. 58. 
Cahoon, William, 144. 
Cain, R. H., 976. 
Caine, H. J., 695. 
C:ildwell, William, 261. 
Calhoun, 957. 
Calhoun, John C, 939. 
Callaghan, J. O., 101. 
Callaghan. \V. O., 317, 755. 
Callaway, S. R., 895. 
Callieres, Chevalier de, 83, 221, 

332- 
Calnon, Jeremiah, 54, 166, 66g. 
Calvarin, 535. 
Calvert & Co., 33. 
Calvert, R. J , 487. 
Cameron, James, 654. 
Cameron, John, 6o|. 
Campanini, 354. 
Campau. 96, 272, 333, 349, 715, 

766. 789. 
Campau, Albert, 733, 
Campau, Alexis, 078. 
Campau, Ale.xander M., 721. 
Campau, A. T., 144, 756. 
Campau, Angelique, Miss, 720, 
Campau, B.. 78, 142, 149, 314, 

491, 493. 859, 863, 937, 943, 

944. 980. 
Campau, Baptiste, 172. 



Campau, Captain, 226. 
Campau, Charles A., 939. 
Campau, C. F., 942. 944. 
Campau, Cliarles M., 313, 978. 
Campau, Claude, 19S, 981. 
Campau. Daniel J., 38, 102, 125, 

167, 461, 654, 755. 
Campau, Dennis J., 939. 
Campau, Eleanor L., 940. 
Campau, Emily, 938. 
Campau, Henry, 4, 529. 
Campau, Jacques, 19, 123, 238, 

313. 330. 532, 533i 979- 
Campau, Joseph, 133, 135, 149, 

167, 313. 345, 373. 501, 644, 

^S> S59, 910, 941, 9S1. 
Campau, Julian, 9S1. 
Campau, J. B., 210, 938, 979, 

981, 982. 
Campau, Louis, 20, 313. 
Campau, M. A., 939. 
Campau, Michael, 18. 
Campau, Minnie, Mrs., 942. 
Campau, Nicholas, 20, g8o. 
Campau, Peter, 799. 
Campau, Philip, 944. 
Campau, Robert McD., 816. 
Campau, T. L., 126, 935. 
Campau, Theodore, 144. 
Campau, Theodore J., loi, 935, 

936, 945- 
Campbell, A., 210. 
Campbell, Alexander, 202, 482, 

795- 
Campbell, Colin, 492, 495, 497, 

939- 
Campbell, Colin, Mrs., 655. 
Campbell, Captain, 234. 
Campbell, Donald, 227, 236, 349. 
Campbell, Findley, 341. 
Campbell, Gordon, 911. 
Campbell, H. ^L, 142, 177, 192, 

645, 64S, 716, 851, 933. 
Campbell, J., 611, 675. 
Campbell, James, 130. 
Campbell, J. V., 176, 177, 188, 

192, 199, 308, 311, 337, 339, 

350, 369, 638, 650, 701, 704, 

711, 746, 755, 756, 761, 895, 

907, 939. 
Campbell, J. v., Jr., 340. 
Campbell, John, 165, 167, 222, 

227, 238, 523, 936. 
Campbell, Lois, Mrs., 652. 
Campbell, Major, 236, 237. 
Campbell, S. L., 718. 
Campbell, \'aleria. Miss, 311. 
Campbell, W. C, 904. 
Campbell, W. J., 572. 
Campbell, W. P., 872. 
Candler, H. W., 758. 
Candler, W. R., 161, 162. 
Canfield, A., 936, 939. 
Caniff, 595. 
Caniff, A. C, 142, 143, 165, 210, 

645. 770. 795- 
Caniff, H. J., 165, 506. 
Caniff, Mrs., 656. 
Caniff, Nancy, 594. 
Cannaro. Charles, 210. 
Capel, Thomas John, 709, 976. 
Caplis, James, 100, loi, 210,934. 
Capoul. 354. 
Carew, J. L., 143. 
Cargill, O. F. & Co., 872. 
Carleton, William M., 684, 701. 
Carleton, Guy, 78, 84, 172, 242, 

245, 246, 249, 250, 253, 264, 

265, 266, 952. 
Carondelet, Baron de, 269, 271. 
Caron, La Veuve, Vital, 20. 
Carpenter, 716. 
Carpenter, Clarence, 816. 
Carpenter, H. D., loi, 165. 
Carpenter, N. B., 71, 164, 167, 

756. 795- 
Carpenter, S. B., 586, 589. 
Carpenter, W. N., 49, 161, 162, 

494, 638, 816, 868. 
Carpenter, W. N., Mrs., 310. 
Carr, Francis, 487. 
Carr, John, 131. 
Carr, P., 496. 
Carrier, A. E., 51, 58, 733. 
Carroll, 555. 



Carroll, Daniel, 934. 

Carroll, Henry, 795, 798. 

Carroll, John, 471, 546. 

Carroll, William, 167 

Carson, George, 125, 130. 

Carstens, J. H., 50, 733, 758. 

Carter, C. H., 818. 

Carter, Daniel, 939. 

Carter, David, gio. 

Carter, David, Mrs., 661, 942. 

Carter, Thomas, 578, 701. 

Carver, Jonathan, 46, 707. 

Cary. 354- 

Cary, Alice, Miss, 691. 

Cary, C. A., 587, 589, 590. 

Case, C. R., 646, 649. 

Case, Daniel L., 92. 

Case, L. N., 71. 

Case, Nathaniel, 198. 

Case, O. N., loi. 

Case, Seth, 934. 

Case Sidney E., 756. 

Case, William, 553, 580. 

Casey, Silas, 228. 

Casgrain, H. R., 709 

Caskey, S. G., 138. 

Casler, D., 572. 

Caspary, John, 167, 757, 798. 

Cass, Lewis, 29, 59, 88, 90, 91, 
98, 102, 103, 106, 121, 128, 135, 
221, 227, 246, 261, 262, 274, 
27s, 276, 277, 279, 280, 281, 
282, 283, 285, 286, 287, 289, 
291, 293, 295, 296, 297, 298, 
305, 306, 338, 346, 359, 368, 
372, 472, 554, 555, 556, 558, 
559. 563, 570. 611, 637, 641, 
671, 675, 697, 701, 710, 712, 
716, 731, 746, 762, 879, 880, 
887, 903. 907. 926, 933, 939, 
942, 955. 956, 957. 958, 961, 
966, 967, 969, 983. 

Cass, Lewis, Jr., 311. 

Cass, Elizabeth, Mrs., 594, 880, 

^938, 939. 945. 

Cassity, 78. 

Cassity. James, 244, 767. 

Cast, C., 621., 

Caster, E. E., 571, 572, 791. 

Caswell. Seneca, 210. 

Catharine, the Squaw, 235. 

Cattin, Antoine, 979. 

Cattin, Pauline, 979. 

Cattin, Therese, 979. 

Cavalier, Joseph, 313. 

Cavanagh, William, 934. 

Cavalli, Louis, 351. 

Cecille, Antoine, 532. 

Cecire, Jean, 316. 

Celeron, M. de, 8, 12, 227, 334. 

Centemeri, P., 355, 357. 

Cerat, Ale.\is, 532. 

Chabert, Francois, 532, 978, 9S0. 
(See Joncaire.) 

Chace, A. R., 907. 

Chacornacle, 221, 332, 

Chaffee, Amos, 492, 498, 499, 
900, 934. 

Chamberlain, John, 484, 492. 

Chamberlain, M. H., 138. 

Chamberlain, R., 798. 

Chambers, Charles, 738. 

Chambers, Charles, Mrs., 651. 

Chambers, F. H., 194, 210, 845. 

Chambers, Major, 297. 

Chambers, Robert, 7^3. 

Chambers, William, 703. 

ChambiUe, Charles, 539. 

Champ, D., 131. 

Champ, Nathaniel, 210, 559, 
562. 

Champ, Willard, 500. 

Champ, William. 210, 484. 

Champion, Henry E., 138. 

Champion, H. E., Mrs., 665, 
666. 

Ciiamnlain, 3, 83, 324, 364, 951. 

rii. i. jlin, J. W., 1S8. 

Chandler, William A., 59, 646, 
647. 

Chandler, Z., 49, n32, 106, 140, 
372, 492, 650, 684, 701, 785, 
7S6, 804, 864, 926, 939. 974. 

Chaney, Henry, 749, 761. 

Chaney, Henry A., 188, 701. 



Chaney, H. A., Mrs., 665. 
Chaney, Willard, 51, 647. 
Chapin, Captain, 274, 293. 
Chapin, C. E,, Miss, 718. 
Chapin, H. H., 6g6. 
Chapin, Marshall, 49, 50, 59, 

140, 142, 504, 513. 
Chapin, Mary, 594. 
Chaplain, J. E., 566. 
Chapman, Leander, 37. 
Chapoton, 333. 
Chapoton, A., 61, loi, 102, 204* 

475. 549. 661, 733, 865, 868, 

936. 
Chapoton, Alexander, Mrs., 361. 
Chapoton, Antoine, 982. 
Chapoton, B., 720, 767, 977. 
Chapoton, E., 143. 
Chapoton, E. A., 51, 733. 
Chapoton, Louis, 981. 
Chapoton, Pierre Jean, 50. 
Chapoton, Theodore, 162. 
Chapoton, William, loi. 
Chapotone, Jean, zo. 
Chappoton, ^L, 236. 
Charles, William, 584, 586, 587, 

588, 589. 
Charlesworth. T. J., 903. 
Charlevoix, Pierre Francis Xa- 

vier, 12, 325, 529, 707, 951. 
Chase, Elisha, 198, 701. 
Chase, G. A., 146. 
Chase, G. S., 6c^, 611. 
Chase, Henry, 198. 
Chase, H. A., 481. 
Chase, M. A., 101. 
Chase, Russell, 481. 
Chase, S., 607. 
Chase, Salmon P., 110, 968. 
Chase, Thomas, 143, 154, 938. 
Chastes, 83. 
Chateaufort, S3. 
Chatham, Earl (William Pitt), 

245. 
Chauvin, 20, 83. 
Chauvin, Charles B., 101. 
Chavey, P. J,. 649. 
Cheever, H. M., 199, 756, 760, 
Chene, Charles, 20. 
Chene, Gabriel, 939, 982. 
Chene, G. H., 146. 
Chene, Isadorc, 21. 
Chene, Pierre, 183, 21^, 982, 
Cheney, 674. 
Cherboneau, Joseph, 978. 
Chesebrough, Alfred, 758, 761, 

792. 
Chesne, 766. 
Chesne, Chanes, 529. 
Chesne, Pierre, 34, 224, 979. 
Chester, George I\I., 691. 
Chester, John, 785, 786, 839. 
Chipman & Seymour, 692. 
Chipman, Henry, 29, 30, 176, 

185, 186, 192, 195, i(j8, 672, 

692. 737- 
Chipman, H. F., 197. 
Chipman, H. L., 318. 
Chipman, Henry L., Mrs., 310, 

3"- 
Chipman, J. Logan, loi, 141, 

197, 205, 701, 96S. 
Chipman, T. R., 383. 
Chittenden, Benjamin, 313, 314, 

335. 
Chittenden, George R., aSi. 
Chittenden, James, 281, 335. 
Chittenden, William F., loi, 

M3. 739. 922- 
Chittenden, W. H., 303. 
Chittenden, William J., 483. 
Choate, C. P., 804. 
Chope, E., 79, 
Chovin, Charles, 978. 
Chovin, Francois, 313, 978. 
Chovin, J. B., 980,981. 
Christa, N., 798. 
Christian, E. P., 646, 676. 
Christian, M. P., 145, 675, 756. 
Christian, Thomas, igS, 738, 

739- 
Christian, W. H., 165. 
Christiancy, L P., 188, 939. 
Christiansen, H. A., 57. 
Christie, John, 341. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



993 



Chubb, G. n., 131. 

Chubb, J. F., 198. 

Chubb, O. P., 649. 

Church, K. M.. 165. 

Churchill, C. C, 228. 30S. 

Churchman, James, 191. 

Cicot, Joseph, 981. 

Cicot, Lacharie, 20. 

Cicoiie, 300 

Cicotte, Angelique, 979, 982. 

Cicotte, I>., 210, 211, 

Cicotte, Kdward V., 144, 209, 

6541 755. 9.S9. 940. 
Cicotte, Francis, 130, 143, 210, 

285. 645. 
Cicoltc, F. X., 144, 167, 209, 

317. 654. 737, 740. 
Cicotte, (leorge, 285. 
Cicotte, James, 131, 165, 285. 
Cicotte Jean Haptiste, 313, 721. 
Cicotte, J. J., ig8, 210 798. 
Cicotte, L., 131. 
Cirier, Martin, 333. 
Cissne, James, 210. 978. 
Cissne, John, 313, 978. 982. 
Cissne, Rebecca, 97S. 
Cissne, William. 978, 982. 
Claire, Marie, 663. 
Clee, John, 1^0. 
Cleland, Charles, 642, 6S1, 682, 

6S5, 692. 
Cleland, H. A,, 51, 467, 690. 
Clemens, Christian, 111, 313, 

335» 730. 981. 
Clemens, Jacob, 133, 165, 799. 
Clements, Mrs., 717. 
Clements, S., 566, 580. 
Clesscn, Peter, 58, 934. 
Cleveland, J. P., 595, 839. 
Cleveland. J. P.. Mrs., 651. 
Cliff, Thomas, 482, 938. 
Clinton, De Witt. 232, 938. 
Clippert, Conrad, 79, 130, 209, 
^939- 

Clitz, Henry B., 229, 939. 
Clitz. Mary U., 939. 
Clixby, J. H., 130. 
Cloessens, L., 538. 
Close, William, 212. 
Close, William H., 212. 
Clough & Warren Co., 829. 
Clough, James E., 829. 
Clairoux, L. D., 71, 317. 
Clancy, tleorge, 198. 
Clancy, J.. 756. 
Clancy, Miss. 717. 
Claphaui, 171. 
Clapp. F,., 730. 
Clapp. Leveretl A,, 93. 
Clapp, M. S., 624. 
Clapp, Paul, 711'. 
Clark, 337, 492, 695. 
Clark, Jicnjamin, 791. 
Clark, Charles F., 311, 684, 688. 

6g6, 697, 780, 
Clark, I). W., 579, 708. 
Clark, E. M., 41, 50, 483, 49I1 

638, 891. 
Clark, E. M., Mrs., 652. 
Clark, George Rogers, 223, 244, 

250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 257, 

258, 259, 271, 952. 
Clark, George W.. 360. 
Clark Hardware Co., 8j6. 
Clark, J., 167, 826, 934. 
Clark, John, 198, 710, 864. 
Clark, Joseph, 210. 
Clark, I A., 674. 
Clark. "I. H., 143. 
Clark, J. K., 734. 
Clark, lames jT, 874. 
Clark, "John P., 4, 938. 
Clark, j. W., 165. 
Clark, Lewis I!.. 145, 487. 
Clark, L. K., 866. 867. 
Clark, L. J., 4B6. 
Clark, Martin, 198. 
Clark, N. W.. 16. 
Clark. R. E., loi. 
Clark, R. P., 132, 648. 
Clark, Rufus W.. 582, 588. 
Clark, 'i;. H., 50, 978. 
Clark, William, 178, 976. 
Clark, W. G., 58. 
Clark. W. H., 598. 



Clarke, Hovey K., 177, 188, 199, 

633. 638, 840. 
Clarke, James Freeman, 289, 

291, 292, 293, 295, 296, 297. 
Clarke, S. T., 598. 
Clarke, Terence, 543. 
Claus, Major, 227. 
Clay, Cassins M., 960. 
Clay. Henry, 279, 698, 746, 939, 

95S, 961, 964. 
Coan, (J. P., 132. 
Coan, Peter, 132. 
Coate, Samuel, 580. 
Coates, John, 978. 
Coates, Mrs., 115. 
Coats, Anne, 978, g8i. 
Cobb, E. M., 872. 
Cobb. H. P., 50. 
Cobb. J. C, 654. 
Cobb, L. H., 50, 59, 513, 518, 

523, 646, 649, 756. 
Cobell, Nancy, Mrs., 605. 
Cocliuis, Eouis, 979. 
Cocliran, Joseph, 837. 
Cochran, Lyman, 101, 197. 
Cochran, W. A., 589. 
Coclirane, W, D., 717, 718,732, 
Cocker, 11. F., 567, 579, 709. 
Codd, George C., 144, 143, 209, 

523. S83. 
Codde, August, 701. 
Cody, D. L.. 198. 
Coe & Coil, 872. 
Coe. D. S.. 717. 
Coe, George A , 92. 
Coe, Israel, 56. 
Coe, S. S., 938. 
Coffer, Jesse, 250. 
Coffin, William P., 268, 283. 
Ct)ghlan. Daniel, 155, 795. 
Cohen, F. E., 360, 373. 
Cohen, S., Mrs., 657. 
Coit, Samuel. 872. 
Colburn, J. W., 165, 202, 502. 
Colburn, W. C, 162, 218, 757, 

75S, 805, 867, 868. 
Colclazer, Henry, 565, 566. 
Cole, 272, 491. 
Cole, C. S., 523. 
Cole, D. B.. 770. 
Cole, H. H. & J. E., 486. 
Cole, H. S., 141, 167, 190, 195, 

198, 359. 504. 710. 7'2. 873. 
Cole, T. G., 897. 
Cole, W. T., 355. 
Coleman, Jacob, 688, 690, 691. 
Colfax, Schuyler, 110, 969. 
Coller, Louis, 535, 
Collier, Victory P., 92. 
Collins, 494. 

Collins, Charles, 176, 191. 
Collins, James, 143. 935. 
Collins. John, 166, 869. 
Collins, Judson 10.. 579, 962. 
Collins, William, 939. 
Collins, W. H., 566. 580. 675. 
CoUot, Victor de, 269, 270, 368. 
Collum, J., 758. 
Cole, Joseph, 355, 781, 792. 
Colton, C, 707. 
Colton, J. H., 33, 698. 
Columbus, Christopher, 939. 
Colver, 606. 

Colver, Charles K., 606. 
Combs, George, 58. 
Comparet, 18. 
Comstock, A. G., 198. 
Comstock, C. B., 918. 
Comstock, O. C., jr., 897. 
Comstock, O. C, Kev., 606. 
Comstock, (Oliver C, Sr., 93. 
Conant, Harry A., 92. 
Conant, Shubacl, 71, 98, 123. 

135, 142, 163, 192, 198, 285, 

346, 359. 645. 648, 735, 767, 

770, 860, 864, 933, 934, 935, 

938, 958. 
Conde. Prmce de, 83. 
Cone, F. H., 892. 
Cone, Linus, 674. 
Conely, E. F., loi. 
Conely, W. B., 361. 
Conger, Norman B,, 923. 
Congsett, John, 281. 
Conklin, J. S., Mrs., 662. 



Conklin, G. S., 676. 
Connulley, John, 248, 264. 
Connelly, John, 978. 
Connor, Henry, 98, 130, 977. 
Connor, J., 162. 
Connor, James, 135, 313, 315, 

730. 
Connor, John, 133, 202, aio, 
^ 795- ^ 

Connor, Leartus, 51, 678, 690. 
Connor, Maurice, 939. 
Ci)nnor, Richard, 351, 550. 
Connor, R. H., 101, 132. 
Connor, R. J., 164, 165, 210. 
Connor, W. F., 149. 
Connor, W, H., 167. 
Conover, James F., 683, 684. 
Considine, John, 144, 145, 758. 
Conti, G., 663. 
Converse, 491. 
Converse, Elijah, 594, 770. 
Converse, Rebecca, 594. 
Cook, 486, 735, 979. 
Cook, Abraham, 22, 978. 
Cook, Francis A., 920. 
Cook, James H., 798. 
Cook, John, 130. 
Cook, Joseph, 144, 709, 921, 

922. 
Cook, Joshua, 599. 
Cook, Levi, 89, 100, 123, 135, 

140, 142, 164, 167, 342, 513, 

645* 700* 715) 849, 860, 862, 

864, 896, 900, 933. 
Cook, 0., 860. 
Cook, Olney, 770. 
Cook, Orville, 142, 192, 198. 
Cook, T. M., 689, 695, 756. 
Cook, William, 165, 198, 645, 

934- 
Cook, W. A., 141, 195. 
Cooke, Jay. 854. 
Cooke, Philip St. G., 230, 701. 
Cooley, J. P., 648. 
Cooley, T. M., 99, 1S8, 709. 
Coolidge, C. W., 146, 164. 
Coon, Myron, 101. 
Cooper, 847. 
Cooper, D., 41, 142, 163, 164, 

359. 658, 859, 929. 
Cooper, D. M., 601, 602, 658. 
Cooper, George, 721. 
Cooper, George B., 92. 
Cooper, John C., 318. 
Cooper, J. Fennimore, 708. 
Cooper, J. R., 818. 
Cooper, Lovicy, 594. 
Cooper, Peter, 944. 
Coots, W. H., 61, loi, 144, 145, 

209. 
Copeland, J. T., 187, 188, 307. 
Copland, Alex. W., 144, 475, 

523, 646. 
Copland, Mrs., 492. 
Coquillard, Alexis, 337, g8i. 
Corbet, C, 8S4. 
Corbus, Godfrey, Mrs., 978, 982. 
Corbus, Joseph C., 559, 562. 
Corby, Daniel, 132. 
Corcoran, J. P., 647. 
Corey, J. B., 966. 
Corkins, A. A., 486. 
Corliss, J. B., 141. 
Cormelis, 725. 
Cornehl, F., 688. 
Cornelius, S., 606. 
Cornell. Ezra, 883, 884. 
Cornfield, J., 143, 756. 
Corning, Erastus, 897. 
Cornwall. John, 244. 
Corrie, D. T., 654. 
Corselius, George, 672, 681. 
Cortoise, Charles, 767. 
Cosbey, John, 131, 
Cosens, S., 486. 
Cosgrove, James. 934. 
Cosgrove, Patrick, 934. 
Costigan, Daniel, 934. 
Coston, Zarah H, 565, 580. 
Cotterell, George, 313. 
Cotterell, George, Jr., 313. 
Cottrell, E. W., 38, 101. 
Cote, Joseph, 532. 
Cote, Pre^ue, 501, 532, 535. 
Couchois, ^Iatilda, T^Iiss, 721. 



Coughlin, T., 934. 
Courcelles, Chevalier de, 83. 
Courtney, R. L., 871. 
Couse, Adam, 357, 701. 
Cousins, John 11, 752 
Couteur, Jean 1 a|Jtiste, 313. 
Coutincinau. John, 173, 174,952. 
Covert, H. H., 80. 
Covert, J. B , 130. 
Cowan, W., 646. 
Cowie, William, 611. 
Cowles, E. W., 50, 51, 346, 646. 
Cox, Thomas, 888. 
Cox, William G., 647. 
Coxshawe, A.. 694. 
Coyl. Jennv, Miss, 361. 
Coyl, W. K., 162, 463, 7i§ 
Coyle, D., 537. 
Coylc, W, H., 15, 509, 

93'- 
Coyne, Hugh, 922. 
'7 Orabb, George, 80.—'' 
Craft, T. J., 758. 
Craig, Captain, 259. 
Craig, James, loi. 
Craig, S. D., 190, 198. 
Craig, W. H., 125, 143, 144, 787. 

792. 
Craig. W. J., 197. 
Crain, Herbert, 941. 
Crain, Horatio, 941. 
Craile, J. B., 78. 
Cram, '1'. J,, 225. 
Cramahe, HectorT., 84,242, 245. 
Crampton, John. 895. 
Cranage, 'Ihonias, 463, 
Cranage, Wm. J., 646. 
Crandall, (ieorge W., 101. 
Crane, 498, 835, 973. 981. 
Crane, Albert, 192, 937, 938, 

943i 944. 946- 
Crane, Ann, 937. 
Crane, Charles, 939. 
Crane, D. B., 717. 
Crane, Elijah, 565, 566, 580. 
Crane, F. J, B., 41, 937, 938, 

944, 945. 946. 
Crane, J. B., 228. 
Crane, Walter, 41, 938, 943, 946. 
Crapo, Henry H., 92, 310, 969. 
Crawford A: Alurray, ^82. 
Crawford, Francis, 938, 945. 
Crawford, J., 131. 
Crawford, William, 261. 
Cray, Jolin D., 142. 
Cremay, Henriette Catharine 

de, 50. 
Creque, J. B., 980. 
Crespel, Emanuel. 529, 707. 
Cressey, F. Pt., 608, 609. 612. 
Crittenden, H. M., 6gi. 
Crocker, Mr., 652. 
Crocker, Mrs., 651, 652. 
Croft, M. H.. 639. 
Croghan, George, 50, 227, 234, 

240, 241, 282, 283, 284, 285, 

766, 938, 952. 
Cromwell, 872. 
Cromwell, Oliver, 2, 939. 
Cronewith, F., 167. 
Crosby, A. J., 131. 
Crosby, Calvin B., 125. 
Crosby, L. D,, 577. 
Crosby, M. S., 92. 
Crosby, Phcbe, 594. 
Crossley, Luke, 752, 798. 
Crossman, C, 633. 
Crosswell, Charles 1\L, 92, 974. 
Crouch, A. P., 585. 
Croul, Jerome, 318, 518, 523, 

868. 869. 
Crowe, T. J., 690. 
Crowfoot, John, 131. 
Crozat, .'\ntoine, 330. 
Crumb, 705. 
Cuiellierrie, Miss, 349. 
Cullen, 721. 

Cullen, John W. A. S., 176. 
Cullinane, J.. 166. 
Cummings, 'I'homas R., 168. 
Cunningham, 302, 486. 
Curie, .Vliss, 349. 
Curry, 908. 
Curry, Charles, 26, 123, 133, 

272, 313. 



994 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Curry, J. C, i66. 
Ciiny. Peter, 980. 
Curtenius, F. W., 303. 
Curtis, E., 611. 
Curtis, Daniel, 715. 
Curtis, G. C, 717. 
Curtis, G. W., 709. 
Curtis, John, 795. 
Curtis, P. E., lAIrs., 652. 
Cushinan, Charlotte, 358, 963. 
Custer, George, A., 708. Q3q. 
Cutcheon, S. M , 176, 361, 640, 

871. 
Cutler, Aurelia, 937. 
Cutler, Can>lnie, 939. 
Cutler, Maiiassiih, 85. 86. 
Cuyler, Lieutenant, 238. 



D 

Dablon, 527. 

Dakin, D. L , 649. 

D'Aigreinont, 18, 837, 

Dale, William A. Tweed, 730, 

Daliba, Major, 291, 293. 294. 

D'Aligny, Henri Ecrdinand 
Quarre, 709. 

Dallas, 108. 

Dallas, Cutler, 957. 

D'Ahnaine, C, 260. 

Dalrymple, 596. 

Dalton, L,, loi. 

Dalton, Lawrence W., i m. 

Dalton. W. W., 143, 170, 191. 

Daly, Daniel, 934. 

Daly, J., 166. 

Daly, James, loi, 145, 165, 757. 

Daly, J. H., 196. 

Daly, J. W., 58, 202, 7qS. 

Daly, Luke. 74. 

Daly, ^L, 146. 

Daly, William, 131, 648. 

Dalyell, Captain, 10, 52. 238, 

^239, 952. 

Damito, Anthony, 130. 

Dainm, C. H., 798, 799, 934. 

Danahey, C, 9^4. 

Danahey, J.. 166. 

Dane, Nathan, 85, 940. 

Danforlh, 715. 

Daniel, P., 5^5. 

Daniels, C. iT., 228. 

Daniels, E. D., 691. 

Daniels, J. J., 307. 

Dankworth, E., 620, 621. 

Darby, W., 707. 

Darcy, James H., 210, 211, 

Darling, T. S., 872. 

Dartmouth, Eail of, 242, 245. 

Darwin, Dr., 956. 

Date, 497. 

Dauphin, Francois, 227. 
D'Avangour, Baron, 83. 
Davenport, F. O,, 702. 
Davenport, Luuis, 299. 646, 649, 

672, 916. 924, 939. 
Davenport, Samuel T., 280, 317, 
^559. 956- 

Davers, Sir Robert, 236. 
David, James L, 100, loi, 130, 
David, John B., 547. 
David, Orrin, loi. 
Davidson, Alexander, 176, 939. 
Davidson, James, 341. 
Davidson. James F., 569, 571, 

580. 
Davidson, Jared, 126. 
Davies, E. W., 289. 
Davis, 894. 
Davis, Alpheus 555, 
Davis. B. D., 482, 640. 
Davis. B. M., 130, 
Davis, C. E. L. B., gig. 
Davis, C. F., 140, 303, 360. 
Davis, Edward, 577. 
Davis, George, 494. 
Davis, Cleorge S., 690, 757. 820, 

821, 823. 
Davis, Henry, 132. 60s. 
Davis, Ira. loi, 939. 
Davis, James E., 499, 772. 779. 
Davis, J. C, 486. 
Davis, J. D., 88. 198, 851. 



Davis, J. M., 61, loi, 143, 164, 

212, 739. 756, 933- 
Davis, L. P., 573. 
Davis, R. W., 176, 785. 
Davis, Solomon, 713. 
Davis, S.. Mrs., 653. 
Davis, S H., 607. 
Davis, William, 364. 
Davis, W. H., 614. 
Davis, W. R.. 607. 
Davison, C. M., 862, 866, 867. 
Davison, D. J., 175, 176, 177. 
Davitt, P. M., 21X 
Davy, H., 956. 
Dawe, William, 571, 572. 
Dawson. George, 682, 692. 
Dawson. Moses, 286. 
Day, Augustus, 364, 
Day, Benjamin, 859. 
Day, D., 50. 
Day, H.. 228. 
Dav. William. 641. 
Day, W. (;.. 625. 
Dearborn, Henry, 129, 289, 290, 

294, 295, 296, 297, 298. 939. 
Dearborn, H. A. S., 289, 201. 

298. 
Deare, H. W., 101, 130, igo. 
Dean, C. L., 6S7. 
Dean, H. M., 165, 205, 713, 825, 

3 70. 
Dean, Jerry, 142, 491, 555, 562, 
5631 564. 565. 645, 651, 716, 
735, 838. 
Dean, Julia, 358. 
Dean, L. H., 573. 
Dean, Luthei", 131. 
Dean, Walter W., 303. 
De Baptiste, George, -347. 
Debo, J. P., 132. * ^*' 
De Bonneville. g6r. 
De Bruyn. John. 531,721. 
Debutes, Jean lU., 20, 
De Butts, Henry, 268. 
Decker, H., 7y3. 
Decker, H. S , 683. 
De Costa, P., 355. 
Dederichs, J., 799. 
Dedrich, M., 162. 
Dee, W., 678. 
Dee, M J., 678, 679. 
Defer, Honore, 212. 
Defield, W. W.. 756. 
De Forgue, Francois, 313. 
De Gaudefroy, 766. 
De Gasinar, 535. 
De Graff, 492, 493, 718. 
Deike, C, 57S. 
Deimel, Anthony, 934. 
Deinecke, F., 58. 
Dejcan, Philip, 172, 173, 250, 

252. 253, 255. 334. 
Dekersaint, Sister, 725. 
De la Forest, 527. 
Delamater, Abraham, 557. 
Delaney, James, 469. 
De Lano, Alex., 804. 
Del Halle, 231, 333. 527, 529, 
^ 535. 

Delille Alexis. 20. 
Delille, Alexis, widow of, 978, 
Delille, Isadore, 210. 
Delisle, Jean Baptiste, 981. 
Delorier, Pierre, 979, 
De Lorme, Francois, 17, 19. 
De Marsac. 766. 
Demass, John, 2ti. 
Demay, Francis X., 6=54 
De Mill, P. E., 143, 211, j^6, 

811, 874. 
De Miniac, 546. 
Deming, 496. 
Deming, Emily, 594. 
Deming, George, 63. 
Deming, John J., 140, 198. 557, 
558, 594i 631, 641, 645, 716, 736, 
859. 934. 
De Mott, James, 130, 
De Muy. M.. 227, 233. 
Denonville, M de, 83, 324, 325. 
De Noyelle, 527. 
Denroche, E., 5S5. 
Densham, 'Phos , 162. 
Densmore, George W., 554. 
Denstadt, Herman, zii. 



, Dent, Lewis, 293. 
Denne, M,, 58. 
Denkey. 552. 

Deneau, Cherubim, 529, 535. 
Denaut, Peter, 546, 953. 
De Peyster, Arent Schuyler, 12, 
I3< 46t 78, 171, 174, 223, 227, 
242, 243, 244. 248, 257, 259, 
260, 261, 263, 264, 337, 338, 
350, 357. 371. 550, 701. 879, 
T^ 952-. 

Dequindre, 20, 240. 
Dequindre, Anioine. 64, 103 
'35, 142, 149, 163, 190, igi, 
198. 281. 492, 738. 939. 
Dequindre, Catherine, 977. 
Dequindre, Douville, 79. 
Dequindre, Louis, 98, 135, 167, 

285. 
Derby, Ezra, igS. 
De Ruisseau, 18. 
DeSale, Oliver J.. 356. 
De Sales, Mary, 655. 
Desaunier, Louis, 982. 
D'Esglis, Louis Philippe Mari- 

aucheau, 546. 
Desmarquet, 725. 
Desnoyers, 492. 
Desnoyers, C. R., 143. 
Desnoyers, E. G., 50. 
Desnoyers, J. C. A., 19. 
Desnoyers, L. P., 167. 
Desnoyers, Peter, 49, 91, 92. 95^ 
I25i 133. '34. 135. 143. 150.' 
163, 164, 167, 176, 192, 198, 
210, 2S1, 302, 457, 532, 533, 
^048, 735, 929, 933. 
Desnoyers, p. J., 55, 59, 123, 
135, 142, 143, 730, 731, 847, 
859, S60. 
Desplaines, J. B., 982. 
Desplats, Jacques, 210. 
Desolcour, Louis, 533. 
Des Rivieres, 18. 
Desrocher, St. Marsac, 20. 
Desroches, R. B., 611. 
De Thaumer, 535. 
De Tomaso. W., 663. 
Deveaux, Mary. 859. 
Devendorf, C. A., 734, 
Deveraux, John C, q^o. 
Deville, J., 165. 
Devlin, John, 101. 
Dewey, 497. 
Dewey, James S., gr.. 
Dewey. Z., 162. 
De Wolf, 493. 
Dexter, 8i;6, 857. 
Dexter, S. W., B96. 
Dey. A. H., 56, 360, 867, 872, 

939- 
Dey. A. H. Mrs., 655. 
De Zielinski, J., 356. 
Dibble, O. B., 143, 4S1. 482, 

485- 
Dick. John, 758. 
Dickey, Chas., 176, 
Dickey, Hugh M., 631, 632, 729. 
Dickie, James F., 597, 602, 604. 
Dickenson, President, 264. 
Dickenson, William, 492. 
Dickerson, F. B., 705. 
Dickinson, 487. 
Dickinson, Anna E., 709. 
Dickinson, Don ftf,, 218. 
Dickinson, George B., 639. 
Dickinson. J. S.. 902. 
Dickinson, M. F., 493, 718, 736, 

936, 939. 
Dickinson, Maria Wesson Mrs., 
^9-*3- 

Dicks, Johanna, widow t,f Ja- 
cob, 978. 
Dicks. John, 210, 2S1, 979. 
Dickson, D., 799. 
Dickson, David. 166, 167. 
Diedrich, J.. 161, 162. 
Diedrich, J. J., 166, 034. 
Dieler, J.. 80. 

Diepenbeck, Rudolph, 677,688. 
Dilhet, John, 490.531, 535,720. 
Dillman, Louis, 101, 141. 162. 
Dillon, E., 537. 

Dillon, R. S., 145, 523, 756, 
757. 



Dings, Levi, 211. 

Dinwiddle Gov., 23-' 

Disbrow H. v., 14,; ,98, 5,3, 
072, S6d. 

Disternell. ] „ 709. 

Dix, Elizabeth, 483,966. 

pix, John. 313,939. 

Dixon, 744. 

Dixon, Peter. 934. 

Dixon, Truman, 555. 

Doane, 498. 

Doane, William H., 354. 

Dodds, John J., 772, 780. 

Dodemead, 272, 490. 

Dodemead, J.. igS. 

Dodemead, James, 134,314 ^02. 

Dodemead, John, 58, 13^. 178. 
179, 190, 191, 202, 785, 978. 

Dodemead, Mrs.. 279. 

Dodge, A. H., 797, 798. 

Dodge, John, 173. 

Doeltz, William, 102, 161, 162. 

Doherty, C., 211, 212. 

Dolan, Edward, 702. 

Dolier, 325, 951. 

Dolsen, Levi E., 8, 100, 756, 

757. 
Dolsen, L.E,\V., Miss, 633. 
Doinan, Robert, 537. 
Dombrowski, A., 542. 
Domedion. 688. 
Domine, Charles, 654. 
Donahoe, Patrick V., 537, 
Donald, Joseph, 559, 562, 563. 
Donaldson, James, 341. 
Donaldson, John, 981. 
Donavan, 490, 
Dondero, A., 663, 833. 
Dongan, Colonel, 325. 
Donnelly, J. C. loi, 318. 
Donovan, D., 162, 798, 799. 
Donovan, J, W., 702. 
Donovan, Matthew, 715, 978. 
D'Ooge, I\L L., 709. 
Dooley, Thos., 212. 
Doran, M., 166. 
DoRan, Richard, 758. 
Dorchester, Lord, 84, 264, 265, 

266. 
Dorman, Ernest, 934, 
Dorr, 9 1 6. 

Dorr, George, 145, 146, 165. 
Dorr, Melvin, 142, 163, 186, 192, 

202, 770, 933, 935. 
Dort, Ijtus, 90, 100, joi, 131 

198, 648. 
Dossin, Charles J,, 654. 
Dosquel. Pit-rre Herman, 546. 
Dotten. M. C, 5S8. 
Doty, Duane, 752, 753, 760. 
Duty, E., 363, 164, 19S, 226, 

739. S63. 935. 
Doty, George, 458, 492, 674, 



Doty, Henry, 770. 

Doty, James D., 96, 140, 176, 
180, 185, 186, 198, 502, 557, 

^558. 907- 

Dougherty, Charles, 798. 

Dougherty, M. A., 579. 

Dougherty, Michael, 492. 

Doughty, 695. 

Douglas, Charles, 734. 

Douglas, Stephen A., no, 966. 

Douglass, 492. 

Douglass, D. B., 997. 

Douglass, Ephraim, 262, 264. 

Douglass, Frederick, 347, 709. 

Douglass, S. H., 60. 709. 
Douglass, S. T., 1S7, 188, 194, 

340. 711, 755W56. 
Douglass Thomas, 707. 
Dow. M. F., 866. 
Dow. Ncal, S40, 964. 
Dowling, Morgan E., 702. 
Dowling, P., 318. 
Downey, Jno,, 935. 
Downs, S. H., 131. 
Downs, Thos., 19S. 
Downs, T. J., 131. 
Doyle, E.. 143. 144. 
Doyle, Michael, 940. 
Doyle, M. P., 303. 
Doyle, William, 227. 
Drake, 286. 888. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



995 



Drake, E. H.. 50. 59, 673. 
Drake, Theodore A., 205. 
Drake, T. J , 92. 
Drennan. Jer., 132. 
Dri^^i;s, F. E.. 657, 939. 
Driscol, James, ^34. 
DrouiUard, Dominique, 313. 
Drouillard. J. B., 979. 
Duane, 848. 
Dubois, 979. 
Dubois, C., 799. 
Dubois, Etienne, 53, 149, 210, 

532- 
Dubois, James, 166, 756, 936, 

^939- 

De Boishebert, 766. 
Dubufe, 360. 

Du Buisson, 231, 527, 951. 
Du Chaillu, Paul, 709. 
Ducharme, C. A., 816. 
Ducharine, Charles, 868. 
Duchene, J., 210, 211. 
Duck, James, 211, 212. 
Duclos, 33J 
Duddleson. W. J,, 130. 
Dudgeon, A., 100, 130, 143, 144, 

218. 785, 884. 
Dudgeon, J. A., 162. 
Dufoux, 535. 
DufEerin, Lord, 972. 
Duffield, D. B., 56,90, 14T, 307, 

602, 638, 639, 658, 675. 708. 

711, 844, 865,907,968. 
Duffield, D. B. Mrs.. 655. 
Duffield, George, 310, 317, 359, 

595. 596, 602, 639, 641, 642, 

658, 675, 702, 704, 841, 935, 

964. 965. 
Duffield, George Mrs., 310, 660, 

938. 
Duffield, G. H., 600. 
Duffield, H. M., 141, 711. 
Duffield, S. P., 67S. 
Duffield, S. W.. 709. 
Duffield, \V. \V., 100, 305, 507. 
Duffy, Father, 539. 
Duffy. Sister^ 725. 
Dufresne, iS. 
Duggan, D. 934. 
Duj,ue. 332. 
Dullea, Dennis. 145. 
Dullea, M., 166. 
Dulles, Alien M., 602. 
Du Luth, Greyselon, 325. 
Dumas, .Si., 233. 
Dumay, Pierre, 9S0. 
Duraay, Theophile, 982, 
Dumoni, 680. 
Dun, R. G., 780, 965. 
Duncan, David, 190, 313. 
Duncan, William, 143, 161, 203, 

513, 5i3, 755; 
Duncan, W. C. 100, 137, 140, 

144, 308. 869, 872. 
Duncan. W. C, Mrs.. 661. 
Duncanson, R. S., 360. 
Duncklee, H. H., 639, 674, 682, 

Duncklee, \V. S., 674. 

Dunham, Seth, 130, 198. 

Dunlap, 360. 

Dunlap, George, 145, 500. 

Dunmore, Lord, 248. 323. 

Dunn, John K., 586. 

Dunn, "M., 648. 

Dunn, Martin J., 212, 213. 

Dunn Peter, i6i5, 796, 799, 934, 

935- 
Dunn, W. R,, 758. 
Dunning, B., 901. 
Dunning, Daniel, 892. 
Dunster, Edward S., 709. 
Dupont, Charles, 40, 31S, 756. 
Dupont, Louis, 799. 
Du Quesne. Colonel, 234, 249. 
Durantaye. 325. 
Durfee, C. D., 131. 
Durfee, E. O.. 190. 
Duroche, FVancois, 978, 981. 
Durocher, 333. 
Durst, A., 539. 
Du Ruisson, 171. 
Duiton, Joseph S., 902, 
Dwight, 492. 
Dwight, A. A., 755. 



Dwight, Edmund, 859. 
Dwight, v., 839. 
Dwight, Henry, 859. 
Dwight, Jonathan, S59. 
Dwight, S. E., Miss, 736. 
Dwight. William. 859. 
Dwycr, 787. 
Dwyer, J., 161, 162, 549, 816, 

868. 
Dwyer, Patrick, 166, 167, 934. 
Dwyer. P. H.. 646. 
Dyar, Huj^'h W.. 804. 
Dyer, C. I'.., 640, 641. 
Dygert, K.in S.. 203. 
Dyker, John 1).. 538. 
Dyson, S. T., 164, 227, 272, 275, 

3»5' 
DysQD, William, 144, 165, 648. 

Eakins, J. H., 537, 811. 
Earll, A. H., 903. 
Eastman, George B., 717. 
Eaton, Alonzo, 40, i66. 
Eaton, Ebenezer, 100. 
Eaton, E. C, 91, 101, 166, 
Eaton, Ebenezer C, 132. 
Eaton, Levi, loi. 
Eaton, O. P., 647. 
Eaton, T. H., 657. 
Eberls, Herman, 209. 
Eby, H. H., 132. 
Eccard, E,, 161, 162. 
Eccleston, 539. 
Eckliff, C. H., 58. 
Eddy. Orson, 481, 565. 
Eddy, T. M., 567, 579. 708. 
Eddy, Z., 602. 614, 655, 702. 
Eddy, Z. Mrs., 665. 
Edgar, 767. 
Edgar, John, 244, 941. 
Edgar. \Vm,, 172, 767, 837. 
Edison, Thomas A., 362, 469. 
Edmond, Sister, 651. 
Edmonds, Charles A., 93. 

Edmonds, William, 131. 

Edmunds, J. M., 162, 217, 682. 

Edsall, D., 71, 164. 

Edson, 781. 

Edson, James L., 360, 362, 874. 

Edwards Arthur, loi, 550, 551, 
558, 572. 

Edwards, Abraham, 98. 103, 
123. 135, 209, 227, 730, 731, 
770. 859- 

Edwards, Colonel, 957. 

Edwards, Bidwell, 938, 940. 

Edwards, D., 903. 

Edwards, Fitzhugh, Mrs. Dr., 
361. 

Edwards, H. D., loi. 

Edwards, Jacques, 702. 

Edwards, J. E,, 71. 

Edwards, John. 494. 

Edwards, Ruthy, 594. 

Edwards. R. AL, 592, 719. 

Ege. C. N., 50, 646. 

Eggeman, B., 796. 

Eggers, .-Xugust, 212. 

Eggleston, Edward, 708. 

Eglington, F., 211. 

Egner, George, 493. 

Eichbaum, F, H., 364. 

Eigenbrod, Adam, 167. 

Eilert, Jac«)b, 135. 

Eipper, J.. 798. 

Eisenlord, N., 687. 

Eisrnlord, W., 486, 487. 

Ellair, F. H., 167. 

Ellair, Alexander, 981. 

Elbert, J. N., 736. 

Elder, .A., 355. 

Elderkin, J. D., 357. 

Eldred, A. J., 569. 

Eldred, E. E., 164. 

Eldred. F. E., 143, 496, 506. 

Eldred, Julius, 142, 491, 652, 
715. 738. 851,961. 

Eldridge, Azariah, 598, 638. 

Ellet, E. F., Mrs., 281, 708. 

Ellicc, 907. 

Eltinwood, Miss, 718. 

Elliott, 496, 571 



,49^ 
, Ca] 



Eltiott, Captain, 278, 720. 



Elliott, E. A., 57. 
Elliott, J. B., 519. 
Elliott, ^latthew, 244, 263, 266, 

5?o- 
Elliott, R. R., 54, 549, 650, 666, 

694, 711. 
Elliott, Robert T., 53, 194, 523, 

536- 
Elliott, Thomas R., 676. 
Elliott, William, 345. 
EUis, 494- 
Ellis, A. G., 99. 
Ellis, C. H., 34, 126. 
Ellis, K. !>., 674, 759. 
Ellis, E. R., 679, 702, 734. 
Ellis, Gilbert J., 624. 
Ellis, John, 675, 676, 702. 
Ellis, John D., 673. 
Ellis, lilyron H., 101, 131. 
Ellis, Wellington, 126, 132. 
Elmore, 633. 
Elms, R., 717, 
Elwood, L N.. 6S9. 
Elwood, I. R.. S84. 
Elwood, S. Dow. 137, 144, 695, 

702, 711. 869, 885, 940. 
Ely, Ralph, 92. 
Embach, M., 167. 
Emerson, E., 839. 
Emerson, Charles J., 37. 
Emerson, Justin E., >lrs., 361. 
Emerson. J. M., 808. 
Emerson, Miss, 718. 
Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 709. 
F^mery, A. H., 144. 145, 487. 
Emmons, 300. 
Emmons, H. H., 175, 306, 307, 

711, 967. 
Emmons, Jed P. C, 101, 130, 

210. 756. 
Endicoit, Charles, 362, 778, 940. 
England. Pool, Mrs., 702. 
England, Mrs,, 262. 
England, Richard, 227, 262, 265, 

266, 267. 
Enright, John J., 126, 549. 
Ensign, B. P., 872. 
Ensworth, D. A. A., 176, 177, 

192, 197, 648. 
Ensworth, G. B., 198. 
Epinay, M. de 1', 330. 
Eppling, Fred, 620. 
Eppstein, E., 628. 
Eppstein, E. Mrs., 657. 
Erhard, J., 799. 
Erichsen, C. D., 162, 487. 
Ernest, Matthew, 26, 125, 198, 

3>3i 531. 785. 978. 
Errett, Isaac, 624. 
Erskine, 262. 
Erwin, John G., 355, 711, 787. 

792, 891. 
Esdell, David, Jr., 797. 
Estabrook, 614. 
Etherington. Major, 227. 
Eustache, Pierre, 20. 
Eustis, Win., 289, 294. 
Evans, E. P., 709. 
Evans, G,, 166. 
Evans. James, 132. 
Evans, Joseph, 131. 
Evans, Patrick. 935. 
Evans, R. G., Mrs., 664. 
Evans, Theo. T., 131. 
Evarts, William AL, 267. 
Everett, 695. 

Everett, Edward, 709, 746. 
Ewers, 491. 

Ewers, A., 143, 506, 713. 
Ewers, Charles, 75, loi, 137, 145, 

146, 647. 
Ewing, W. B., 131. 
Ewings, Alexander, 313. 



Fabbri, 940. 

Fafard, Slargaret, 333. 

Fahy, J. H., 755- 

Failing, 63. 

Fairbairn, Thomas, 146. 

Fairbanks, H. W., 703. 

Fairbanks, 

Fairbanks, 



n^, ... .. ., /vj. 

ks, John, 198. 
ks, J. D., 144. 



Fairbanks, N. K., 789. 

Fairfield, Edmund B., 92, 970. 

Fales J. W.. 146. 

Fallows. Samuel, 71^1^. 

Falvey, Daniel. 934. 

Falvey, J.. 146. 

Falvey, P.. 210. 

Fancher. A. M., Mrs., 842. 

Fanning, A. C W., 228. 

Fargo, Charles, 892. 

Fargo, John C, 892. 

Fargo, T. B., 892. 

Fargo, \y. Ci,, 892. 

Farland. John ^L, 38. 

Farley, J., 225, 227. 

Farmer, A., J., 888. 

Farmer, Jolin, 10, 16, 29, 33, 49, 

126, 167, 302, 335, 491, 492, 

559. 562. 563. 564. 672, 696, 

697, 698, 699, 731, 737, 738, 

739. 740. 74I1 753. 755. 759. 
^797. 927. 935. 938, 940. 
Faimer, John. Mrs., 651, 652. 
Fanner. Silas, 23* *4^» ^39* 640, 

642, 695, 699. 
Farnaii, John, 537, 539. 
Farnsworth, B. S., 165, 482, 483, 

484. 
Farnsworth, Elon, 92, 98, 141, 

»9>. 194. 3". 359. 652, 73». 

864, 903. 
Farnsworth, Fred E., 361, 362, 

940. 
Farnsworth, George, 885. 
Farnsworth, Levi, 198. 
Farnsworth, L. L., 494, 566, 569, 

638, 940. 
Farquhar. F. N., 921. 
Farrand, Bethuet, 63. 
Farrand, D. O., 50, 59, 205, 746, 

757- , ,,. 
taiTand, Miss, 717. 
Farrand, J. S., 63, 71, 137, 144, 

205, 475, 503. 506, 604, 642. 

658. 755. 756, 772. 773. 839, 

867, 869, 874. 
Farrar, John, 64, 142, 164, 165, 

193. 492, 595. 7»^. 735, 935- 94°- 
Farrcll, James W., 639, 640. 
Farrington, B. F., 789. 
Farwrll, Jesse H., 692. 
Farwel! John V., 789. 
Fasquelle, Louis, 702. 
Faulkner, Wm., 307, 348, 497, 

967. 
Favre, Jacques L., 654. 
Fay, 717. 
Fay. J. J 756. 
Fearing, Paul, 24, 102. 
Fecht, Eugene, 196, 198. 
Felch, Alpheus, 92, 187. 852. 
Feldman, Fred. W., 167. 
Feldner, Prof.. 970. 
Fellers & Benjamin, 482. 
Fellman, H., 609. 
Felton, 733. 
Fenton, Henry, 923, 
Fenton. James, 71, 638, 753. 
Fenton, William M., 92, 305, 

343- 
Fenwick, Bishop, 532, 547. 
Ferguson, E., 485, 888, 891. 
Ferguson, J., 348. 
Ferguson, Joseph G., 647. 
Fergu.son, Leander, 132. 
Ferguson, T., 657, 865, 
Ferguson, W. J., 482. 
Fern, Fanny. 669. 
Ferrington. George W., 88, 100, 

101, 131, 198. 
Ferr>-, I>. M., 4, 5, 76. ^62. .360, 

362, 465. 498. 658, 773, 811, 

820. 867. 869. 875, 940. 
Ferry, William M., 595. 
Fey, Conrad, 167. 
Fev, John. 934. 
Fic-k. H., 618. 
Field, A. S., 966. 
Field. G., 625, 626. 702, 737. 
Field, Kate, 709. 
Field. Moses W., 57, 71, 73, 

103, 144, 360. 487. 574, 657, 

937. 940. 946, 972. 
Field, O., 483. 492. 
Fiertz, E., 80, 798. 



996 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Fillmore, Millard, io6, 963. 
Filson, James, 770, 839. 
Finchley, 837. 
Findlay, James, 94. 
Findley, Colonel, 274, 275, 291. 
Finehart, Isaac, 61, 143, 144. 
Finley, H. P. Mrs., 701. 
Finley, J. B., 555, 56^, 580, 707. 
Finley, R. H., 165, 695. 
Finn, W., 923. 
Finnegan, J.. 757, 
Finnegan, John D., 145. 
Finney, C. G., 613, 962. 
Finney, J. W., 176, 
Finney, Seymour, 145,146,481, 

487, 638, 713. 
Firnane, Michael, 746, 752, 758. 
Fischer, C, 687. 
Fischer, P.. 687. 
Fischer, William, 143. 
Fish, A. A. Mrs., 310. 
Fish, Job, 908. 
Fisher, 173, 695. 
Fisher, Aaron C., 566. 
Fisher, E., 872. 
Fisher, E. B., 212. 
Fisher, James, 77, 236. 
Fisher, James L., 535. 
Fisher, Nancy, Miss, 533. 
Fisher. Otis, 225, 859. 
Fisk, David W., 191 
Fiske, 695. 
Fiske, D. W., 143, 164, 166, 645, 

739- 
Fiske, L. R., 567, 571. 690. 
Fitch, A. M., 324, 566, 641. 
Kitch, C. W., 702, 717, 732. 
Fitch, E. D,. 638. 
Fitzgerald, Edward, 350, 707. 
Fitzgerald, Thomas, 852, 861. 
Fitzgibbons, T. C, 676. 
Fitzmorris, J., 164. 
Fitzsimons, Patrick, 868. 
Fitzsiramons, M., 211. 
Flaget, Benedict Joseph, 53, 

531. 532, 546. 547. 956. 
Flanagan, William, 854, 853, 

856- 85B. 
Flanigan, M., 144, 159, 209,306, 

523. 752, 757, 758, 967. 
Flattery, 496 
Flattery, C. N., 694. 
Flattery, J., 772. 
Flattery, Neil, 58. 
Fleming, Samson, 341. 
Fleming, Thos., 212. 
Fleper, Daniel, 167. 
Fletcher, 789, 982. 
Fletcher, G. N. Mrs., 655, 662. 
Fletcher, Joseph, 22, 26. 
Fletcher, S., 493. 
Fletcher, William A., 98, 99, 

187, 192, 474. 
Fleury, M., 694. 
Flinn, Hugh, 756. 
Flint, E. W., 165. 
Flint, H. A., lyo, 
Fliiiterman, John, 59, 647, 757. 
Flood, C. B., 686. 
Flower, E. W., 584, 587. 
Flower, J., 145, 161, 364, 470. 
Flowers, Charles, 176, 197. 
Floyd, Jones De L., 228. 
Folsom, F., 758. 
Folsom, S., 145, 936. 
FoUett, Benjamin, 884. 
Fontaine, E., 364. 
Foote. George, 143, 144, 226, 

862, 868. 
Forbes, Archibald, 974. 
Forbes, CoUmel, 290, 291, 293. 
Forbes, General, 233. 
Forbes, John, 100, 130. 
Forbes, J. M.. 901. 
Forbush, T. B., 627, 703. 
Ford, Corydon L., 709. 
Ford, H, A., 691, 703. 
Ford, J., 144, 757. 
Ford, J. N., 583, 866. 936. 
Ford, Kate Brearley Mrs., 703. 
Ford, L. J.. 126. 
Ford, Martin H., 131, 132. 
Forni, V,, 663. 
Forton, Julian, 980. 
Forster, Edward, 820. 



Forsyth, 767. 
Forsyth, D., 274. 
Forsyth, Cieorge, 952. 
Forsyth, James, 654. 
Forsyth, Major. 887. 
Forsyth, .Marion. 943. 
Forsyth, Robert, 981. 
Forsyth, R. A., 38, 98, 130, 142, 

341, 504, 907- 
Forsyth, Thos., 981. 
Forsyth, William, 977, 979. 
Foster, 494, 497, 832, 952. 
Foster, Bishop, 579, 709. 
Foster, Captain, 248. 
Foster, G. A., 59, 145, 146. 
Foster, George B., 647. 
Foster, J. E., Mrs., 640, 662. 
Foster, W. L., 695. 
Fournier, Abraham, 982. 
Fowler, E. M , 822, 871. 
Fowler, O. S., 709. 
Fowler, Stephen, 717, 900. 
Fo.\, B. F., ig8. 
Fox, C, 674, 702. 
Fo.x, Colin, 884. 
Fox, D., 757. 
Fox, D. F., 318. 
Fox, D. M., 308. 
Fox, Jabez, 625, 675, 683. 
Fox, Lewis R., 601. 
Fox, Martin, 167 
Foxen, James B., 757. 
Foxen, William, 137, 145, 218, 

549, 734. 868, 936. 
Foy, Jonathan P., 100. 
Fralick, H., 91, 100, loi, 125, 

130. 
Frahck, Peter, 209. 
Frances, Mary, 653. 
Francois, R., 535. 
Frank, C. P., 647. 
Frank, Hynian, 657. 
Frank, John P., 975. 
Frankel, I. Mrs., 657. 
Frankhauser, J., 578. 
Franklin, Benjamin, 746, 940. 
Franklin, E. C., 709. 
Franklin, Lady Jane, 483, 966. 
Franklin, Samuel, Jr., 344. 
Fraser, Alexander, 937. 
Eraser, A. D., 56, 71, 141, 195, 

199, 222, 267, 302, 653, 940, 
Eraser, Major, 269. 
Fraser, O. A., 872 
Frazer, David C, 756. 
Frazer, Lieutenant, 240. 
Frechette. Pierre, 530, 535. 
Freeland, S. ^L, 614. 
Freeman, Daniel, 553. 
Freeman, D. AL, 210, 211. 
Freeman, Edward, 669. 
Freeman, L. S., 695. 
Freer, C. L., 805, 
Freiburger, F., 211, 212. 
Frelinghuysen, Theodore, 961. 
Fremont, John C, 102, 229, 940, 

rrench, 491. 

French, D., 58, 64, 71, 125, 142, 

163, 167, 642, 648, 718, 738, 

739> 755» 933. 935- 
French, J., 484, 683. 
French, Newell, 933. 
French, S.. 484, 936. 
Frerot, Francis, 501, 532. 
Frey, Philip, 37. 
Frey, Philip R., 249. 
Frey, Samuel C, 249. 
Freyer, Daniel, 934. 
Freytag, A., 610. 
Freytag, G., 355. 
Friedland, J. F., 540. 
Friedman, C., 482. 
Frieze, Henry S., 709, 
Frisbie, S. W., 588, 589, 590. 
Fritschel, Sigraund, 620. 
Frizelle, 468. 
Frobisher, 980. 
Froissart, 3. 
Frontenac, Count de, 83, 325, 

329. 330, 940. 
Fross, H., 210. 
Frost, 497, 499. 
Frost, A. F., 626. 
Frost, George, 131. 



Frost, George S., 144, 638, 639, 

_ 733. 936. 

Frost, M., 144, 161, 162. 

Frost, M. S., 638. 

Frothingham, George E,, 709. 

Fry, B. St. James, 675. 

Fry, John H., 641. 

Fuchs, J. M., 578. 

Fulda, F., 80, 145. 

Fuller, Charles, 294. 

Fuller, John, 198. 

Fuller, J. M., 572, 580. 

Fuller, J. N. Mrs., 665. 

Fuller, Margaret, 70S. 

Fuller, Osgood E., 585, 702. 

Fulton, Isaac W., 131. 

Fulton, Robert, 960. 

Funke, 496. 

Funke, Charles, 758, 

Funke, F., 798, 934. 

Funke, J., 166, 718, 758. 

Funke, T„ 212. 934, 935. 

Furgole, Angelique, 328. 

Fury, Patrick, 132. 

Fyfe, Richard H., 734, 772. 



Gage, General, 84, 240, 
Gage, John, 52. 
Gage, M. L., 143, 202, 303, 755. 
Gage, Russell, 799. 
Gaines, Edmund P., 229. 
Gaines, General, 225, 299. 
Gaines, John, 903. 
Galinee, 325, 527, 707, 951 
Gallagher, N., 758. 
Gallagher, P., 144. 
Gallagher, T., 755. 
Gallissoniere, Count de la, 83, 
^ 232, 333. 

Galpm, Horace, 695. 
Gamelin, Eustache, 20, 36, 172. 
Gamelin, Francois, 977. 
Ganier, Isaac, 9S0. 
Ganson, C. N., 63S, 840. 
Gannon, M., 537. 
Gantry, 493. 
Gardner, 25, 172, 840. 
Gardner, E. P., 6S2. 
Gardner, Francis, 953. 
Gardner, H. Mrs., 665. 
Gardner, J. H., 357. 
Gardner, Peter, 577. 
Gardner, R,, 131. 
Gardner, T. C, 579. 
Gardner, W. H., 920. 
Garfield, E. I., 163, 940. 
Garfield, James A., 106, 941, 

^967. ^ 

Garland, 300. 

Garland, John, 228. 

Garnsey, F. W., 885. 

Garratt, Robert, 163, 165, 202, 

770, 799. 
Garret, Lieutenant, 280. 
Garrett, Cyrus, 755. 
Garrett, W., 484. 
Garrit, 715. 
Garrison, 492. 

Garrison, C. ^L, 145, 205, 792. 
Garrison, H. D., 482. 
Garrison, John, 142, 163, 672, 

^ 933- , , 

Garrison, J. J., 143, 202, 481, 

486, 645, 718. 
Gartner, George, 75S. 
Gary, 174. 

Gascoigne, M. H., 519. 
Gass, Herschel R., 93. 
Gaston, C. H., 695. 
Gantt, S. N., 674. 
Gavin, J. Knox, 141, 210. 
Gay & Van Norman, 485. 
Gaynor, James, 757. 
Gayoso, 271, 
Gebhart, C, 80, 211. 
Geer, William, 872. 
Geiger, E. M., 675, 683. 
Geikie, Dr., 708. 
Geil, John F., 698. 
Geist, Caspar, 798, 935. 
Geist, v., 58. 
Geney, David, 131. 
Genick, J. W., 212. 



Gentle, John, 26, 96, 134, 183, 

3H. 31:5. 3»6, 502, 85s, 856, 

857, 858. 
Georg, John, 647. 
George, Henry, 976. 
George III, 83, 952, 953. 
George, W. S., 683. 
Gerechter, E.. 628. 
Gerichter, E. M., Mrs., 657. 
Germain, Father, 327. 
Germain, Lord, 245, 249. 
Germain, George W., 92. 
German, 497. 
Gibbings, R., 217, 799, 
Gibbings, William, 144. 
Gibbons, 679, 688. 
Gibbs, 695. 
Gibbs, Alfred, 228. 
Gibbs, G. C, 188. 
Gibbs, W. H., 640. 
Gibson, C, 755. 
Gibson, J., 41, 87, gi, lor, 143, 

164, 165, 258, 259, 265, 266, 

.713- 
Gibson, R. C, 731. 
Gibson, W. J., 684. 
Giddev, F., 212. 
Giddey, W. J., 212. 
Gieryk. Theodore, 542. 
Gies, C, 166, 934. 
Gies, F., 166. 
Gies, Paul, 100, 101. 125, 137, 

144, 145, 146, 165, 317, 869. 
Gilbert, C. B., 51. 
Gilbert, Francois, 20. 
Gilbert, G. W., 164, 901, 940. 
Gilbert, H. C, 324. 
Gilbert, Jolin, 19. 
Gilchrist, J. G,, 51, 703. 
Gillespie, George B., 592. 
Gillett, 492. 
Gillett, Mary, 594. 
Gillett, Shadrach. 100, 735. 
Gillett, S., Mrs.. 736. 
Gillett, T. K., 197. 
Gillett, R., 90, 123, 125, 142. 
Gillett, R. W., 162, 518, 792, 875. 
Gillis, James L., 302. 
Gillis, Ransom, 633. 
Gillis, William, 654. 
Gillman, 486. 
Gillman, Henry, 321, 703, 714, 

761. 

Gilman, Mary, 941. 
Gilman, E. M. Mrs., 661. 
Gilmartin, P. P., 39, 647, 649. 
Gilmore. J. P., 662, 758. 
Gilmore, L. B., 761. 
Gilruth, James, 580. 
Girardin, Charles, 174 
Girardin, Charles Francis, 133, 

165, 191, 214. 
Girardin, F. S., 758. 
Girardin, Jacques, 501, 644. 
Girardin, Joseph, 132. 
Girardin, Jacques A., 490. 
Girardin, James A., 33, 674, 

678, 694, 703. 713, 
Girardin, J. E., 101. 
Girardin, P. N., 205. 
Girty, 350. 

Girty, George, 244. 259. 
Girty, James, 244. 
Girty, Simon, 244. 249, 269. 
Gisler, ^L M., 498, 499. 
Gladewitz, D., 56. 
Gladwin, Henry, 171, 222, 227, 

234, 235. 236, 237, 23S, 239, 

240, 951, 952. 
Glegg, J. B., 277, 278. 
Glendenning, George, 624. 
Glover. H., 638, 756. 
Glover, H. Mrs., 662. 
Gnau, John, 58, 211, 212, 213 
Goadby, H., 676, 703. 
Goebel, A., 74, 101, 138, 317, 
Godard, Mrs., 651. 
Godard, A., 755. 
Goddard, Curtis, 580. 
Godet, Jacques, 20. 
Godet, M., 35. 

Godet, called Marantette, 337. 
Godez, 538. 
Godfrey, 13. 
Godfrey, J., 164, 166, 936. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



997 



Godfrey, Joseph, loo, 144, 51S. 
Godfrey. M. H., 689. 
Godfrey, 533, 777. 
Godfroy, Columbus, 721. 
Godfroy, Gabriel, 95, 149, 280, 

285, 313, 531, 532, 644, 915, 
^933. 981, 982. 

Godfroy, (Jabriei, Jr., 179, 314. 
Godfroy, Jacques, 236, 240,982. 
God f roy, Marante tte ( Peter, 

Mrs.), 943. 
Godfroy, Peter, too^ 123, 130, 

534, 941, 944. 982. 
G<jrf, John, 715. 
Goff, John Mrs., 715. 
GotTinet, James, 487, 654. 
Goforth, 95. 
Goldner, Charles, 941. 
Goldsmith, George, 212. 
Goldsmith, J. H., 732, 
Gonnesse, 539. 
Goodale, D. C, 486. 
Goodale, George P., 687. 
Goodale, G. S., 757. 
Goodell, D., 100, 131, igS. 
Goodell, E., 126, 520. 
Goodell, E. J., 126. 
Goodell, H. G., 935. 
Goodell, Jonas, 131. 
Goodell, L,, 198, 209, 210, 795, 

935- 
Goodell, Nathan, 625. 
Goodin, Achsah, 594. 
Gooding, M., 143, 164, 513, 740, 

798. 
Gooding, William, 921. 
Goodman, A., 484. 
Goodman, L., 100, 131. 
Goodman, S., 605. 
Goodner, W. M., 578. 
Goodnow, 482, 
Goodrich, A. H., 486. 
Goodrich. I., 164, 165, 900. 
Goodsell, 300, 492. 
Goodwin, 300. 301. 
Goodwin, Abigail, 594. 
Goodwin, D., 90, 91, 176, J87, 
^194- 
Goodwin. Edwin W., 559, 562, 

563, 716. 
Goodwin. Harris A., 647. 
Goodwin, Lucretia, 594. 
Gordon, G. C, 126. 
Gordon, G. W,, 577. 
Gordon, Henry, loi, 144. 
Gordon, J. Wright, 91, 92. 
Gordon, W. H., 809. 
Gore, Arthur, 917. 
Gore, E. C, 356, 744. 
Gore, J., 211. 
Gorman, David, 758. 
Gorman, Thomas, 166, 935. 
Gorton, 695. 
Gorton, J. C, 50, 59, 144, 308, 

757- 
Goslin, 236. 
Gottschalk, 354. 
Gough, John B., 709, 840, 963. 
Gouie, Robert, 982. 
Gouin, 236. 

Gouin, Charles, 21,940,977,980. 
Gouin, Charles Nicholas. Jr.,g8i. 
Gouin, Francois, 977. 
Gouin, Nicholas, 21, 977. 
Gouin, Robert, 644. 
Gould, Jay, 906. 
Gould, W. J., 788. 
Gower, Cornelius A., 93. 
Goyan, 333: 
Grabau, John, 621. 
Grabau, William, 620. 
Gradwell. 677. 
Graham, James D., 918, 919. 
Grandy, Levi, 940. 
Grandy, William, 600. 
Granger, 827, 872. 
Granger, David, 126. 
Granger, H. W., 922. 
Granger, Joseph, 144. 
Granger, Lyman, 100. 
Grant, A., 146, 165, 758, 979. 
Grant, Captain. 238, 350. 
Grant, Commodore, 262, 908. 
Grant, Peter, 715, 
Grant, Thomas L., 758. 



Grant, U. S., 102, 104, 105, 106, 

228, 339, 940, 962, 963, 968, 

969. 975. 
Grant. William, 94. 
(iratiol, Charles, 940. 
(jratton, 558. 
Graul. Charles, 357. 
Graverat, G., 173, 244, 767, 837, 

846. 
Graves, 492, 493. 
Graves, H. F.. 188, 976. 
Graves, H. W., 484, 486. 
Graves, J. O., 165, 210, 872. 
Graves, John. 175, 176. 
Graves, William, 92. 
Gravier, J. B., 162. 
Gravier, Jean B. R., 654. 
Gray, 497. 
Gray, Asa, 709. 
Gray, Alfred A., S32. 
Gray, Francis D., 895. 
Gray, D. W., 796. 
Gray, Elliot, 125, 142, 929. 
Gray, George T., 654. 
Gray, H., 130, 209, 
Gray, P. C, 106. 
Gray, W., 486, 732. 
Gray, William, 141, 192, 199, 

75», 757, 962. 
Gray. W. A., 892, 
Grayson, John B., 317, 569, 
Grading, P., 621. 
Greely, Aaron, 22, 28, 37, 977, 

978, 979, 9S0, 981, 982. 
Greeley, Horace, 708, 709, 962. 
Green, 256. 
Green, A. R., 577. 
Green, Andrew C, 941. 
Green, John, 577. 
Green, P. L., 862. 
Green, S., 210. 
Green, S. D., 677, 
Green, S. M., 99, 187, i83. 
Greene, G. W., 67. 
Greenfield, John, 164. 
Greenly, William L., 92. 
Greenman, Martin, 198. 
Greenup, 267. 
Greenwood, John, 80. 
Gregoire, 329. 

Gregoire, Bartholomew, 326. 
Gregoire, Mme., 19. 
Gregoire, Marguerite de, 328. 
Gregoire, Marie. 329. 
Gregoire, Nicholas, 329. 
Gregoire, Pierre, 329. 
Gregory, John :^L, 93, 63S, 676, 
Gregor>', Uriah, 732. 
Gregory, W. H., loi. 
Gregory, Wm. S., 100. 
Gregorv-, W. S., 648. 
Greiner, Michael, loi. 
Grelling, G.. 145. 
Grenell, Judson, 680, 681. 
Grenell, Z.. 606, 712. 
Greusel, J., 57, 79, 100, loi, 

161, 162. 756. 
Greusel, Joseph, 687. 
Greusel, N., 71, 507. 
Greusel, N,, Jr., 143, 303, 317, 

318, 798. 
Griffard, Laurent, 979. 
Griffard, Louis, Jr., 980. 
Griffard. Pierre. 979. 
Griffin, H. A., 680. 690. 
Griffin, John, 96, 178, 179, 180, 

'35, 186, 553. 
Griffin. T. ^L, 51. 
Griffin, "J. S., 58. 
Griffin, L. T., 711, 758. 
Griffin, T. J.. 145. 
Griffith, A. A.. 703. 
Griffith. J. H., 606, 639, 661. 
Griffith, Thomas, 161. 
Griffith, T. H.. 940. 
Griffith, William, 313. 
Griffiths, John E., 901. 
Grigg, S.. 496. 
Grimes Joseph, 165. 
Grimes, J. Stanley, 708. 
Grimm. C., 575. 
Grinold. D. T., 718. 
Grist, William, 798, 799. 
Griswold, 491. 
Griswold, A. ^L, 683. 



Griswold, Captain, 300. 
Griswold, G. R., 40, 9:^, loo, 

126, 143, 194. 673. 
Griswold, James F., 313, 
Griswold, John, 480. 
Griswold. Roger, 940, 
Griswold, Silas P., 710. 
Griswold, Stanley, 23, 88, 95, 

134, ^50, 183, 198, 226, 316, 
^3»7. 785. 953- 
Groh, Louis, 130. 
Grosfield, A., 145, 758. 
Gross, Henry, So, 145, 146. 
Grosvenor, Ebenezer O., 92. 
Grout, J. K., 940. 
Gruenlich, A., 143. 
Gnimmond, S. B,, 138, 140, 162. 
Guard, Thomas, 709. 
Guenther, F., 317. 
Guenther, Peter, ig6, 198. 
Guido, 360. 

Guiness, H. Grattan, 966. 
Guiney, D., 145, 146, 161, 162, 

934. 
Gulley, Alfred B., 101. 
Gulley, O. S.. 674, 682. 
Gundert, H.. 622, 
Gunn, John M., 874. 
Gunn, Closes, 50, 676, 
Gunning, H., 194. 
Gunning, James, 58, 100. 
Gustin, Wm. C, 734. 
Guthard, Jacob, 145, 168, 648. 
Gutowski, Paul, 543. 
Guyon, Denis, 327. 
Guyon, Marie Therese, 326, 529. 
Guyotte, Frank, 212. 
Guyotte, Wm., 212, 213. 



Haass, C, 617. 
Haas, Charles D., 688. 
Haas, J. B., 167, 934. 
Hackett, Bernard, 13a 
Hackett & Ross, 484. 
Haddock, Ray, 126,684, 792- 
Hadley, T. G., 482. 
Haggenbach. J,, 486. 
Haggerty, H., 130. 
Haigh, W. A., 703. 
Hailmann, W. N., 703. 758. 
Hailmann, W. N., Mrs., 665. 
Hais, John, 617. 
Haischer, A,, 162, 
Haldiraand, Frederick, 78, 84, 

174, 223, 242, 243, 244, 246, 

250, 251, 255. 257, 264, 952. 
Hale, David, 613. 
Hale, John, 142, 492, 770, 863, 
Hale, John P., 709, 941. 
Hale, W., 736. 
Hr.Ie, Wm., 92, 100, 144, 187, 

lyi, 210, 482. 
Haley. Wm.. 211. 
Half King, Huron Chief, 263, 

550- 
Hall, A. T., 140, 143, 162, 577, 

897. 
Hall, B. F., 851. 
Hall, Edmund, 753, 756, 757, 

759, 760- 
Hall, Er\'in, 597, 598. 
Hall, G. B., 757. 
Hall, L C, 749. 
Hall, James, 888. 
Hall, John, 972. 
Hall, Joseph, 669. 
Hall, J. W., 703. 
Hall, Newman, 709, 971, 
Hall, R. H., 493. 
Hall. S., 625. 
Hall. Shelomith S., 50. 
Hall, T. P., 176, 711. 866. 
Hall, Thomas, 164, 755. 
Haller, >L, 145, 146, 161, 165. 
Hallock, Horace, 16, 346, 595, 

642, 710, 738, 838, 851, 900. 
Halloran, Thomas, 798. 
Hamilton, Sister, 725. 
Hamilton. David, 871. 
Hamilton, Henry. 7, 78, 84, 94, 

172, 173, 223, 242, 243, 244, 

245, 246, 249, 250, 251, 252, 

253. 254* 855. 259, 2^. 334i 

368, 952. 



Hamilton, J. B., 486. 
Hamilton, M. I)., 787, 792. 
Hamilltm, Robert, 798. 
Hamilton, W. P., 871. 
Hamilton, William R., 56, 
Hamilton, \V. S., 99. 
Hamlin, A. E.j 146, 162, 758. 
Hamlin, Hannibal, 789. 
Hamlin, M. C. W., Mrs., 316, 

703- 
Hamlin, 1 .. 559. 
Hammer, Clemens, 537. 
Hammond, C. G., 92, 339, C13, 

756. 785. 
Hammond, E. P., 642, 968. 
Hammond, George H., 360, 362, 

870, 871, 941. 
Hammond. George H., Mrs. ,666. 
Hammond, Henry L., 613, 642. 
Hammond. W. W., 608. 
Hamtramck, J. F., 52, 53, 54, 

128, 223, 227, 266, 267, 268, 

490» 953. 979- 
Hamtramck, Julian, 979. 
Hannaford, J. M., 487. 
Hanchett, Joseph, 559, 562. 
Hancock, John, 941. 
Hancock, W, S., 230. 
Hand, G. E., loi, 176, 190, 191, 

199. 604, 710, 756, 786, 839, 

897. 
Hand, S. S., 903. 
Handy, T. P., 339. 
Hanks, Captain, 277, 955. 
Hanks, Mrs., 491. 
Hanks, Porter. 183, 184. 
Hanks, Thomas, 934. 
Hanmer, J., 58, 142, 164, 483, 

648, 934. 
Hanscum, A. H., 303. 
Hansen, William. 621. 
Happe, John, 167, 935. 
Harbaugh, D. E., 100, 141. 159, 

195, 196, 198, 210, 302, 711, 

755, 844. 941- 
Harding, F. A., 100, 191. 682. 
Hardin, M. D., 228. 
Hardrat, Emil, 623. 
Hargreaves Manufacturing Co., 

828. 
Hargreaves. George, Mrs., 574. 
Harlow, Alonzo, 647, 
Harmer. General, 265, 952, 954. 
Harmon, H. A., 758. 
Harmon, J. H., 140, 143, 685, 

686, 692. 785. 967. 
Harmon, R. O.. 686. 
Harmon. Thomas, 555. 
Harper, lohn L., 361, 362, 872, 

873- ■ 

Harper, Jonas, 341. 

Harper, Thomas, 198. 

Harper, Waller, 657, 658, 941, 

966, 968. 
Harrah, A. M., Miss. 665. 
Harrigan. David, 267. 
Harring, S. K., 481, 4S2. 
Harrington, C, 88, 851. 
Harrington, D. B., 678. 
Harrington, Ebenezer B., 99, 

191. 
Harrington, M. W., 692. 
Harris, Alfred, 131. 
Harris, F. H., 113, 165, 192, 198, 

851. 
Harris, George H., 56. 
Harris. G. W., 606. 674. 
Harris, L. D., 126. 
Harris, Samuel S., 361, 592, 703, 

974- 
Harris, T. W., 101. 

Harris, William. 299. 
Harris, William J., 584. 587. 
Harrison, 641. 
Harrison, George, 341. 
Harrison, James S., 566. 
Harrison, Joseph, 58, 501, 933, 

978- 
Harrison. William H., 48, 86, 

87, 95, I02, 103, 108, 120, 121, 
221, 227, 229, 273, 278, 281, 
282, 283, 285, 286, 287, 297, 

372, 490, 554. 941, 942. 954, 
955, 961. 
Harryman, rhomas, 130. 



998 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Harsha, William, 125, 130, 166, 

673. 675. 696. 713. 
Harsha, Walter S., 175, 197. 
Hart, De Wilt C, 165. 
Hart, Gilbert, 820. 
Hart, Henry, 33. 
Hart, Richard, 756. 
Harter, L F., 684. 
Harting, F., 167. 
Hartman, 617. 
Hartman, John M., 575. 
Hartness, J., 499. 
Hartshorn, A., 143, 164, 737, 738. 
Hartt, 491. 

Hartwell. T. H., 141, 752, 757. 
Hartz, H., 924. 
Hartzell, 488. 
Hartzell, J. H., 585. 
Harvel, Colonel, 302. 
Harvey, John, 134, 179, 184, 

210, 489, 502, 633, 941, 978. 
Harvey, John, Mrs., 106, 655. 
Harvey, Mrs., 250. 
Harvie, Andrew, 100, loi, igr, 

732- 
Harwood, F., 921. 
Haskell, Samuel, 606. 
Hasset, Dr., 676. 
Hasslinger, Martin, 538. 
Hastings, C., 649. 
Hastings, E. P., 55, 92, 162, 

164, 176, 195, 226, 359, 504, 

594, 601, 636. 641, 651, 652, 

67Z, 716, 736, 740, 859, 860, 

896, 941. 
Hastings, E. P., Mrs., 651, 652. 
Hastings, Samuel, 641. 
Hatch, Joseph, 791. 
Hatch, J. C, 792. 
Hatch, Rufus, 770. 
Hatch, 852. 

Hatchey, Jean Baptiste, 535. 
Hatfield, R. M., 379, 575. 
Hatie, C, 211, 798. 
Hathaway, Gilbert. 704. 
Hathon, A. E., 28, 29, ;ii, 71, 

696, 716, 935, 940. 
Haug, J. M., 578. 
Haven, E. O., 571, 572, 579, 

676, 708, 969. 
Haven, Gilbert, 708. 
Havens, R., 941. 
Haviland, James, 8S4. 
Hawley, Elijah, Jr., loi, 126, 

131, igo, 648. 
Hawley, James H., 799. 
Hawley, John G , 106, 210, 703. 
Hawley, Richard, loi, 106, 14 j, 

161, 703. 
Hawley, R., Mrs., 662. 
Hawley, T., 499. 
Hawley, Thomas D,, loi, 106, 

1371 M5i 639. 689, 757. 
Hawes, G. W., 696. 
Hawkins, B. Waterhouse, 709. 
Hawkins, S. S., 710, 770. 
Haxton, B. F., 827. 
Hay, Jehu, 242, 243, 252, 255, 

766. 
Hay, Lieutenant, 223, 237, 238. 
Hayek, M., 357. 
Hayes, F. W., 868, 873. 
Hayes, I. I., 709. 
Hayes, J. D., 162, 598, 868, 904. 
Hayes, Patrick, 935 
Hayes, R. B., 106, 362, 974. 
Hayes, Mrs. R. B.. 106. 
Hayes, Solomon, 820. 
Hayne, William H., 709. 
Hays, John G., 8116. 
Hays, Michael, 798. 
Hayward, D., 795. 
Hayward, Emma, Miss, 665. 
Haywood, T. J., 497. 
Haywood, William H., 131. 
Hazard, 498. 
Hazelton, E. H.. 872. 
Hazeur, 546. 
Headley, D. S., 486. 
Healy, P. W., 716. 
Heames, Henry, 137, 145, 646. 
Heart, Edward, 577. 
Heath, Horace, 481, 482, 483. 
Heaton, A. S., 50, 51. 
Heavenrich, 497. 



Heavenrich, S., 646, 868. 
Hebden, George, 210. 
Hebbard, C. B., 162. 
Heck, Henry, 146. 
Heckenwaelder, 550, 551, 
Hecker, Frank J., 805. 
Hecker, Joseph, 173. 
Hedges, C. A., 675. 
Heffron, John, 54, 549, 868, 
Heineman, E. S., 41, 360, 
Heineman, E. S. Nlrs., 657, 
Heintzelman, S. P., 230. 
Hekking, J. A., 361. 
Hellvvig, George F., 687. 
Helwig, Charles, 575. 
Helm, Captain, 250, 251. 
Henderson, 494. 
Henderson, C. R., 608. 
Henderson, David, 281. 
Henderson, Davis, 646. 
Henderson, Henry, 577. 
Henderson, J. F., 910. 
Henderson, M., 934. 
Henderson, 'I'hoinas, 145. 
Henderson, Walter, 131. 
Henderson, William, 638. 
Hendricks, Samuel T., 130, 
Hendrie, George, 162, 589. 

865. 871. 888, 891, 941. 
Henkel, Peter, 144, 161, 

518. 

Henley, Samuel, 223, 224, 

269. 
Hennaert, P., 535, 539. 
Hennepin, Louis, 325, 527, 

941. 
Hennesey, J. A., 539, 540- 
Henrion, George, 74. 
Henry IV, 33. 333. 
Henry, igi, 250, 922. 
Henry, Alexander, 240, 703, 
Henry, Ann. 594. 
Henry, A. M., 138, 871. 
Henry, D. Farrand, 67, 71, 

703> 714. 
Henry, (leorge M., 648. 
Henry, James, 26, 95, 123, 

190, igS, 335, 345, 491, 

856, 858, 953. 
Henry, John, 150, 4S7. 
Henry, Patrick, 251, 252. 
Henry, Stephen C, 50, 59, 

491, 551.. 558, 594- 
Henry, William A., 797. 
Henry, W. G.. Mrs., 655. 
Hensien, J. P., 161, 162. 
Hepburn, James H., 211. 
Heriot, George, 707. 
Herlihy, P., 162, 935. 
Herman, F., 617. 
Hermant, 535. 
Hermon, G., 726. 
Heron, George, 58. 
Herr, William, 566, 580. 
Herrick, G. W., 145, 146. 
Herrick, John L, 695, 696. 
Herrington, Caleb, 100. 
Herrington, D. B., 678. 
Herrington, Mark W., 709. 
Herron, A. H., 689. 
Herschel. John, Sir, 362. 
Hprtzer, Charles G., 575. 
Herzog, Charles F., 647. 
Herzog, F., 317. 
Herzog, H., 212. 
Hespelein, J. B., 538. 
Hess, Charles, 355, 676, 703, 
Hess, John, 155. 
Heth, 258. 
Hethrington, 679. 
Hewitt, Cyrus, g^. 
Hewitt, E., 638. 
Heyerman, Charles F., 38. 
Hibbard. A. G., 627. 
Hibbard, D. 11., 197. 
Hibbard, J. R., 626. 
Hickcock, Joseph, 198. 
Hickcox, Joseph, 554. 555, 

562. 
Hickcox, T. H., 492. 
Hickcox, William, 559, 562, 
Hickey, James, s8. 
Hickey, J. A., 758. 
Hickey, M., 561, 571, 572, 

580. 



Hickey, W., 482. 

Hickman, H. H., 176, 190, 272, 
273. 97^- 

Hickox, A. N., 210. 
707. Hicks, 521. 

Hicks, Daniel, 303. 

Hicks, J. A., 864. 

Hickson, Joseph, 895. 

Hidden. O. M., 822. 
629. Higgins, J. C., 573. 

Higgms, Justin, 21L, 

Higgins, P.. 717. 

Higgins, P. C, 196, 523. 

Higgins, S. W., 143, 351, 569, 
755. 935- , 

Hill, Colonel, 269. 

Hill, F., 901. 

Hill, G., 492. 

Hill. Horace. 584. 

Hill, Hugo, Mrs., 657. 

Hill, I. G., 492. 

Hili. ']. H., 58, 164. 

Hill, Peter, 145. 

Hill, Rodney D., 192, 756. 

Hill, R. H., 903. 

Hill, T., 161, 162, 929. 

Hilliard, R., 860. 

Hills, B. C. 486. 

Hilsendegen, J., 166, 

Hilsendegen, T., 934. 

Hilton, Robert, 595. 

Himes, L. J., 717. 

Hinchman, Felix, 140, 190. 

Hinchraan, Ford D. C, 825. 

Hinchman, G. F., 145. 

Hinchman, J. B., 745. 

Hinchman, J. W., 798. 

Hinchman, T. H., 6t. 100, 374, 
518, 523, 772, 781, 787, 868. 

Hinds, S. D., 132. 

Hinman, 498. 

Hinsdale, B. A., 624. 

Hinsdale, E.C., 167, 176,639,640. 

Hintz, Carl, 355. 

Hirscli, 494, 628. 

Hirschman, Fannie, Mrs., 657. 

Hitchcock, Horace, 639. 

Hitchcock, J. N., 130'. 

Hitchcock. R., 702. 

Hobart, John H., 581. 

Hobbs, A. J., 106, 624. 
142, Hobert & Terhiine, 484. 

Hochgraef, Max, 317, 318. 

Hock, J., 143, 144, 308. 

Hocquart, ig. 

Hodge, Samuel F., 71. 

Hodges, Charles C, 360. 

Hodges, H. C, 162. 

Hodgkin, Robert, 796. 

Hodgkinson, B,, loi, 131, 648. 

Huff, H., 621. 

Hoffman, Charles Fenno, 708. 

Hoffman, E., 355. 

Hoffman, George, 23, 38, 314, 
883, 979. 

Hoffman, G. W., 604, 665. 

Hoffman, Varian Mnie., 354. 

Hogan, John, 935. 

Hogan, M. v., 161, 162. 

Hogarth, William, 599, 604, 638, 

639. 971- 

Hogg, John, 596. 

Hoke, A. F., 59*647* 733- 

Holbrook, B., ig8, 299, 770. 

Holbrook, D. C, 126, 141, 194, 
3ti. 494, Q41. 
963. Holbrouk. Henry B., 130. 

Holbrook. H. D., 198. 

Holbrook, J. M., 797. 

Holcomb, Henry W.. 941. 

Holden, E. G., 684, 687. 

Holden, E. G. Mrs., 361, 362. 

Holden, E. G. D., 92. 

Holden, Theodore G., 941. 

Holdereid, A., 797. 

Holihan, James, 125, 130, 145. 

Holly, James, 590. 
55g, Holland, J. G., 709. 

Holley, Thomas, 166. 

Holland, W. J., 702. 

Holmes, 492, 493. 

Holmes, Captain, 284. 

Holmes, Ensign, 234, 
57S, Holmes, J. C, 33, 674, 703, 713, 
7Mi 755, 756. 



734. 
499t 

267, 



g6i. 



793, 



Holmes, Marj' J.. 709. 
Holmes, Ninian, 554. 
Holmes. S. M,, 92, 346, 638, 

682, 683.^ 
Holmes, William, 513. 
Holt, Henry H., 92. 
Holton, Byron D , 212. 
Hood, General, 106. 
Hooker, C. S., 198. 
Hooker, Joseph, 230, 969, 973. 
Hooper, G. W., 645. 
Hooper. W. H., 130. 
Hope, Henry, 84. 223, 243, 255, 
Hopkin, Robert, 360, 361, 494. 
Hopkins, 679. 
Hopkins, Captain, 237, 238. 
Hopkins, C. C, 187. 
Hopkins, George H.. loi. 
Hopkins, James, 978. 
Hopkins, Mark, 616, 708. 
Hopkins. P., 7<.8. 
Hopkins, Silas, 554. 
Hopkins, S. P., 165. 
Hopkins, S. V,, 934. 
Hopper, 681. 
Hopper, H. S., 832. 
Hopper, J. S., 832. 
Hopson, R., 165. 
Horn, John, 145, 973. 
Hornbogen, John, 166. 
Hornell, George, 595. 
Horner, Archibald, 149. 
Horner, H. F , 131. 
Horner, John S., 88, 89. 99, 300, 

959- 
Horr, R. G., 339. 
Horsford, Oramcl, 93. 
Horton. 941. 
Horton, Joseph D., 941. 
Hosford, T. H., 687. 
Hosie, J. R., 648. 
Hosie, R., 654, 872. 
Hosmer, 626, 718. 
Hosmer, Artemas, 130, 131, 198, 

933- 
Hosmer, John, 756. 757, 866. 
Hosmer, Rufus, lo.', 682, 683. 
Hosmer, W. S., i^i. 
Hough, G. B., 358. 
Hough, G. W., 137, 145. 
Hough, Ira M., 648. 
Hough, L. C, 872. 
Hough, Olmstead, 38. 
Houghton, Douglass, 50, 103, 

104, 140, 359, 703, 710. 711, 

746. 752, 830, 862, 941, 962. 
Houghton, Harriett, 941. 
Houghton, Jacob, 61, 71, 703. 

936- 
House, James, 227. 
Howard, 240, 300, 301, 963. 
Howard, A., 639, 
Ho^ward, A. K., 303. 
Howard, Hronson, 358,687,703. 
Howard, Charles, 71, 140, 712, 

785, 862. 865. 
Howard, Charles M., 642. 
Howard, Cyrus, 101, 131, 192, 

194, 198. 
Howard, Henry, , 92. T40, 142, 

475. 838. 
Howard, Jacob M., 92, 100,102, 

103, 106, 141, 308, 310, 675, 

710, 736, 840, 873, 883, 067, 
968. 

Howard, John, 210. 

Howard, Joshua, 100, 131, 176, 

209, 226, 851, 941. 
Howard, Mark, 943. 
Howard, Warren, 130, 210. 
Howard, W. A., 103, 141, 167, 

306, 661, 711, 732, 755, 839, 

872, 883, 967. 
Howarih, J. B., 833. 
Howe, Amos, 131. 
Howe, Eleanor E., Miss, 661. 
Howe, (1. W.. 143. 
Howe, J. B.. 717. 
Howe, Joseph, 798. 
Howe, U T.. 355, 521, 650, 703, 

711, 756, 786. 

Howe, Wm. B., 144, 145, 695. 
Howell. Andrew. 99. 
Howell, Charles B., 6gi, 703. 
Howell, C. P., 488. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



999 



Howell, R. R., 2IO. 

Howland, Job F., 142. 

Howland, \V. \\"., 58, 210, 211. 

Howlett, Samuel, 934. 

Hoyt, 6i8. 

Hoyt, I>- O., 51. 

Hoyt, 'rhoinas A., sgg. 

Hoyt, \V. C, 10;. 

Hubbard, 978. 

Hubbard, Amos C, 57. 

Hubbard, Bela, 10, 31, 57, 75, 
362, 447, 497, 650, 673, 700, 
703, 711, 907, 941. 

Hubbard, Hela, Mrs., 310, 70^. 

Hubbard, C. B., lor, 714. 

Hubbard, H. G., 16, 300, 83Q 

Hubbard, _|. S., 892. 

Hubbard, barah, 594. 

Hubel. F. A., 822, 823, 824. 

Hubbell, 697. 

Hubbell, Levi, 883. 

Hubbell, N. J., 780. 

Huber, Andrew, 798. 

Huber. John, 79S. 

Hubert, t8. 

Hubert, John Francis, 546. 

Hubert, Pierre, 535. 

Hubert, Thomas, 212. 

Hudson, 8. 

Hudson, B. B., Mrs., 842. 

Hudson, E. H., 487. 

Hudson, E. W., 57, 470, 586, 941. 

Hudson, Helen, 633. 

Hudson, Jonathan, 101. 

Hudson, J. L., 871. 

Hudson, J. S., 180. 

Hudson, Sarah E., Mrs., 941. 

Hudson, William, 56. 

Huegli, J. A., 618, 663. 

Hueston, James, 100. 

Huff, George, 62. 

Huff, James, 935. 

Huff, Robert D., 167. 

Hughes, F. W,, 140, 648, 753, 
756, 757- 

Hughes, Thomas E., 552. 

Hughes, T. F. , 145. 

Hughes, W. H., 688. 

Hulbert, 740. 

Hulbert, C. E., 628. 

Hulbert, John, 642, 753, 755. 

Hulbert, John, Mrs,, 652. 

Hull, Abijah, 28. 472. 

Hull, Abram, 150. 

Hull, A. F., 184, 277, 313. 

Hull, C. B., 778, 781, 826. 

Hull, Jacob, 155. 

Hull, John, 143, 654. 

Hull, L. C, 749. 

Hull, Mrs.. 855, 856. 

Hull, William, 25, 26, 27, 28, 
87, 88, 95. 97, i2r, 134, 221, 
224, 227, 264, 268, 271, 272, 
2741 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 
289, 29a, 291, 292, 293, 294, 
295, 296, 297, 298, 313, 314, 
315. 3^6, 318, 323, 34S, 472i 
480, 490, 694, 854, 855, 857, 
858, 871, 954, 955. 

Humboldt, Alexander, 321, 941, 
956, 970. 

Humes, Porter S., 191. 

Humphrey, Levi S., 176. 

Humphrey, William, 92. 

Hunt, 79, 695, 977. 

Hunt, Anna, 594. 

Hunt, Charles C. P.. 770. 

Hunt, Cleaveland, 101, 757. 

Hunt, Cleaveland, .Mrs., 655. 

Hunt, George, 652. 

Hunt, Henry F., 314. 

Hunt, H. L, 48, 62, 95, 135, 138, 
140, 163, 192, 227, 282, 285, 
335> 502. 503. 552, 555i 556. 
557' 558, 631. 641. 651, 652, 
730< 73*1 770. 859. 

Hunt, James, 212. 

Hunt, Jed, 198, 202, 210. 

Hunt, John, 135, 185, 186, 558, 
7301 731- 

Hunt, John E.. 281. 

Hunt, Mary, 594. 

Hunt, Melicent, 594, 

Hunt, Ronaldson, 354. 

Hunt, Rowena, 944. 



Hunt, Sarah, Miss, 718, 963. 

Hunt, Thomas, 38, 227. 

Hunt, William B., 125, 130, 193, 

594, 648 
Hunter, H., 499. 
Hunter. Isaac C., 564. 
Hunter, John M., 710. 
Hunter, Closes, 557, 587. 
Huntington, B., 123, 209. 
Huntington, Joseph, 313. 
Huntington, William, 739. 
Hurd, Abner, 718. 
Hurd. Charles L. Mrs., 943. 
Hurd, E., 50, 649. 
Hurd, Henry, 130. 
Hurd, J. L., 787. 
Hurd, Matilda, 594. 
Hurlbut, C, 61, 71, 143, 311, 

4'Ji, 506, 513, 520, 523, 713, 

785, 867. 
Hurlbut, George, 6og. 
Hurlbut. H., 674. 
Hurlbut, Melvina A., Miss, 737, 

738. 
Hurlbut, Miss, 718. 
Hurley, J., 8gi. 
Hurley, T., 891. 
Hurst, J. F., 579, 709. 
Hurst, T., 924, 934. 
Hustis, D. D., 58, 211. 
Huston, John, 131. 
Huston, Reuben, 58. 
Hutchins, G. B., 826. 
Hutchins, John, 866. 
Hutchins, M. P., 143. 
Hutchins, Payson, 792. 
Hutchinson, B. P.. 839. 
Hutton, George, 654. 
Hutton, W. H. H., 924. 
Huyser, P., 166, 167. 
Hyde, 496. 
Hyde, B. D., 523. 
Hyde, B. F., loi, 144, 196. 
Hyde, Oliver M., 140, 143, 216, 

494. 785^ 910. 964- 



Ingersoll, 494. 970. 
Ingersoll, Walter, 165, 862, 941. 
Ingersoll, Walter Mrs., 310. 
Ingersoll, Elias T., 132. 
Ingersoll, L W., 143. 
Ingersoll, John N.. 675, 676. 
Ingersoll, Julia. Mrs., 941. 
Ingersoll, Justus, 740, 755. 
Ingersoll, Robert U., 709. 
Inglis, David, 50, 5'>6, 676, 733. 
Inglis, James, 606, Cio, 611, 674, 

676, 704. 
Inglis, Richard, 51, 611. 
Irvin, David, 186. 
Irvine, J, B., 228, 229. 
Irvine, Paulus Emelius, 84. 
Irvine, William, 259, 261. 
Irving, Charles J., iy8. 
Irving, Washington, 675, 746, 

9^1. 
Irwin, Charles F., f 3, go. 
Irwin, Robert, 502, 712, 713. 
Irwin, W. W., loi, 130. 
Isbell, Nelson G., 92, 785. 
Isham, Warren, 673, 674, 677, 

704. 
Ivers, John. 80. 
Ives, A., 41, 143, 161, 648, 872, 

941. 
Ives, C, 130, 311, 638, 872. 
Ives, J. T. & L. M., 486. 
Ives, L. T.. 360, 361, 362. 
Ives, Percv. 361. 
Ives, S. H.'. 872 
Ives, William. 126. 130. 
Izard, General, 285. 



Jack, C. S., 758. 

Jackson, 808. 

Jackson, Andrew, 102, 746, 848, 

849. 949. 
Jackson. C. 6t, 65, 142, 194, 

342, 713- 936. 
Jackson, C. C, 143. 176, 191, 

494, 739, 756. 



Jackson, C. W., 58, 61, 143, 204. 
Jackson, Captain, 209. 
Jackson, Henry, 329, 888. 
Jackson, Hiram, 796. 
Jackson, Morris, 210. 
Jackson, S. S., 355, 744. 
Jackson, Thomas. 145, 146. 
Jackson, W. A., 885. 
Jacob, J. C, 145, 146. 
Jacobs, A. P., 704. 
Jacobs, H. F., 633, 637. 
Jacobs, ( J., 647. 
Jacobs, Harris, 80. 798. 
Jacobs, N. P., 137, 144. 
Jacokes. D. C, 571, 572. 
Jaeger, J., 212. 
James, 482, 611. 
James, Benjamin, 767. 
James, C, NIrs., 719. 
James, Charles B., 757. 
James, J., 503, 866. 
James, W., 287, 503. 
James, W. v., 645. 
Jameson, Mrs., 4, 581, 606, 708, 

710, 916, 960. 
Jamieson, R. A., 51, 647, 733. 
Jamison, L. J., 228. 
Janauschek, 358. 
Janes, E. S., 579. 
janney, L. T., 795. 
Janvier, R., 531, 535. 
Japes, 499. 
Japes, John, 162. 
Jarves, Deming, 938. 
Jarves, Deming, Mrs., 940. 
Jaunay, Father du, 237. 
Jay, John, 266, 941, 953. 
Jefferson, Thomas, 253, 254, 

255. 2571 259, 298, 329, 358, 

746, 941, 957. 
Jeffries, R., 577. 
Jenks, E. W., 51, 678. 
Jenks, G. C, 680. 
Jenks, J. W., 68o._ 
Jenkins, Charles E., 939, 
Jenkins, J. G., 641. 
Jcnness, J. S., 56, 164. 
Jenney, William, 92. 
Jennings, A. F., 58. 
Jennings, Charles G., 733. 
Jennings, Robert, 519. 
Jennison, Wm., 176, 177, 188, 

183, 194. 704. 757. 
Jepkins, Charles, 798. 
Jerome, Jean B., 280, 313. 
Jerome, D. H., 92, 974. 
Jerome, E., 716. 
Jerome, Edwin, Jr., 196. 
Jerome, Franklin H., 941. 
Jerome, George, 100, 176, 615, 

785, 865, 936, 942. 
Jessup, Thomas S., 291, ,294. 
Jewell, Marshall, 4. 
Jewell, T. B., 190. 
Jewell, W. F., 733. 
Jewett, George, 132. 
Jobin, Joseph, 313. 
Jobson, F. J., 579. 
Jogues, 527. 
Johannes, N., 796. 
Johns, H. W., 559, 562. 
Johnson, 492. 

Johnson, Andrew, 106, 969. 
Johnson, A. S., 872. 
Johnson, Captain, 301. 
Johnson, D., 1R7, 188. 
Johnson, E., 860. 
Johnson, George K., 866. 
Johnson, Guy, 234. 
Johnson, Hugh, 835, 836. 
Johnson, H. R., 468, 484. 
Johnson, James D., 34. 697. 
Johnson, John, 234, 240, 263, 

264. 
Johnson, J. G., 647. 733. 
Johnson, Morgan, 792. 
Johnson. M. F., 860. 
Johnson, O. C, 709. 
Johnson, R. A., ^77. 
Johnson, R. D., 486. 
Johnson, R. M., 103, 108, 283, 

961. 
Johnson, S. M., 686. 
Johnson. S. W., 695. 
Johnson, T. C, 610. 



Johnson, Sir William, 232, 234, 

236, 240, 243, 323, 349, 760, 

879. 951- 
Johnson, William, 37. 
Johns<m, W. M., 866. 
Johnson, W. M., Mrs., 661. 
Johnson, W. W., 210. 
Johnston, 806. 
Johnston, George Washington, 

946. 
Johnston, James. 746, 758. 
Johnston, John W., 41, 446, 576, 

941, 943. 
Johnston Optical Co., 836. 
Johnstone, 688 

Johnstone, R. F., 674, 679, 682. 
Joliet, Sieur. 325. 
Joncaire, see Chabert. 
Joncaire, 150, 190, lyi. 
Joncaire, Charles 1'. Cliabert, 

94, 123, 313. 
Joncaire, Francis Chabert, 978. 
Joncaire, Francois de, 24. 
Jon^s, 916, 979, 981. 
Jones, n. C., 924. 
Jones. Catharme, 594. 
Jones, Czar, 484. 
Jones, David, 551, 953. 
Jones, De Garmo. 8, 89, 100, 

140, 142, 143. 473, 474' 557i 

558, 631, 636, 716, 770, 859, 

860, 896, 926. 941. 
Jones, Klisha, 704. 
Jones, Enoch, 142, 851. 
Jones, George W., 102. 
Jones, G. F., 74. 
Jones, G. H., 506, 851. 
Jones, H. G., 719, 758. 
Jones, Isaac, 134. 
Jones. J. R., 86, 87. 
Jones, Myra M., 744. 
Jones, Richard, 2to. 
Jones, K. H., 281. 857. 
Jones, Watson, 680, 691. 
Jones, Whitney. 92. 
Jones, William, 281. 
Jones, W. A., 487. 
Jonquire, Marquis de la, 83, 

330- 
Joos, Edward, 547. 
Jordan, T., 210. 
Joslin, T. J., 572. 
Jouett, C, 17, 24. 34. 
Jouira, Jacob de iMarsac dil 

Desroches, 18. 
Jourdon, Andrew, 313. 
Joy, Hartford. 343. 
Joy, Hiram, 933. 
Joy, James, 80. 
Joy, J. F., 101, 195, 306, 360, 

374. 737. 797' 864, ^67, 891, 

901, 903, 941, 967. 
Toy, J. F.. Mrs, 662. 
Joyce, T.. 165, 935. 
Judd, Philo E., 697. 
Jung, C. 608, 610. 
Jung, Michael, 551. 
Jungblut, N., 80. 
Jungman, 551. 



Kaichcn, Arnold, 38, 226. 

Kaiser, 498. 

Kaiser, Augustus, 146, 647. 

Kalisch. I., 628, 704. 

Kallman. E. Mrs., 657. 

Kaminsky, Anthony, 687. 

Kamminski, Charles, 798. 

Kanady, S. C, 870. 942. 

Kane, K., 50, 646, 676. 

Kane, E. E., ig6. 

Kanter, E., 101. 165, 218, 360. 

646, 867, 868, 869. 942. 
Kanter, Edward, Mrs., 310. 
Kanter, H. L.. 162. 869. 
Kaple, John H., 190, 677, 870. 

872, 883. 
Kapple, James, 559. 562. 563, 

564. 
Karpeles. R. Mrs., 657. 
Karrer, Aaron. 868. 
Karrer, S. C, 145. 146, 758. 
Katus, Alois. 166. 
Katus, J., 317. 



1000 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Keith, J. W., 648. 
Kell<;y, John, 146. 
Kt-iltv, Patrick. 535. 
Kelley, P. D., 535. 
Kellogg, 354. 
Kellogg, A. H., 599. 
Kellogg, A. S., 30, 785, 839. 
Kellogg, C, 868, 872, 922. 
Kellogg, J. W., 572. 
Kellogg, M. C, 885. 
Kellogg, R. R., 597, 613, 638. 
Kellogg, R. R. Mrs., 652. 
Kellogg. W, P., 791. 
Kelly. Jane, 534. 
Kelly, Michael, 492. 
Kelly, William, 210. 
Kelsey, J, W,, 165, 924. 
Kelso, S. J,. 704. 
Kelton, D. H., 709. 
Kennedy, George, 654. 
Kennedy, Michael, 12^. 
Kenny, John, 537. 
Kenzie, John, 981. 
Kendall, D., 935. 
Kendall. John, 566, 757. 
Kendrick, 539. 
Kendrick, S. N., 674, 756. 
Kenealy, M., 935. 
Kent, C. A., 758. 
Kent, John P., 555, 558. 
Kenton, Simon, 249, 250. 
Kercheval, B. B., go, 142, 770, 

^864,865, 8g6. 
Kermott, J. \V., 161, 162. 
Kern, C, 543. 
Kern, H., 357. 
Kerr, J. A.. 695. 
Kerr, Theodore F., 51, 59, 647, 

649, 67S. 758. 
Kerrlge, J. M., 574. 
Kershaw, C. J.. 910, 965. 
Kersting, David, 543. 
Kertk, Louis, 83. 
Kessler, John, 146, 165. 
Ketaukah, 180, 957. 
Ketchum. Sidney, 849. 
Keusch, J., 132, 165. 
Keusch, James, 132. 
Keveny, Ann, Mrs,, 539. 
Keveny. John, 130. 
Kewaubis. 180, 957, 
Kean, M. B., 661, 721. 866. 
Kearney, James, 918. 
Kearsley, E. R., 317, 520, 523. 
Kearsley. Jonathan, 23, 38, 59, 

103, 13S, 140, 186, 195, 198, 

30^1 359, 492. 636, 641. 672, 

716, 730^ 731, 736, 796, 942. 
Keatmg, Prof.. 957. 
Keavy, Joseph. 906. 
Keavey, William, Mrs., 665. 
Keeney, Benjamin, 71. 
Keeney, J'., 491. 
Kiah, J. G., 921. 
Kibbee, H. C, 226, 756, 867, 

872. 
Kibbee, Porter, 93. 
Kiddoo, J. B., 228. 
Kidder, D. P., 708. 
Kiefer, H., 102, 646, 757, 761, 

869, 970. 
Kieler, 498. 
Kies, W. v., 645. 
Kilburn, Joseph, 978. 
Killen, James, 934, 
Kilroy, Lawrence, 537. 
Kilroy, L. F., 696. 
Kindeman, John, 621. 
Kinderkins, J., 535, 
King, 496, 497, 590. 641, 965. 
King, George E., 612. 
King, Harvey, 61, 487, 496, 

936- 
King, John, 935. 
King, Joseph, 933. 
King, J. L., 457. 
Kmg, J. L. Mrs., 203. 
King, R. W., 144, 161, 162, 523, 

639, 65S, 659, 711, 752, 757, 

792. 
King, S. B., 4S4. 
King, T. Starr, 709. 
King, Mrs. Gen., 361. 
Kingsbury, B., 113, 673. 
Kingsbury, F. J., 818. 



Kingsbury, Jacob, 227, 368. 

Kingsley, 486. 
Kinkel, Dr., 963, 964. 

Kinney, John M., Sirs., 716. 

Kinney, O. L., 758. 

Kinnicut, Delos, 619. 

Kinousaki, Chief, 334. 

Kinzie, John, 179. 

Kinzie, J. H.,Mrs., 707. 

Kirby, Alice, 980. 

Kirby, E. P., Miss. 664. 

Kirby, P'rank E., 911. 

Kirby. F. A., 911. 

Kirby, George, 57, 718, 770, 772, 
864. 

Kirby, John, 130, 198. 

Kirby, R. M., 132. 

Kirby, S. R., 911. 

Kirby, Z., 492. 

Kirchner, Olto, 93. 

Kirchner, S., 162. 

Kirkenoeld, ]\L, 603. 

Kirkland, C. M. Mrs., 652, 704. 

Kirtcland, William, 345, 716. 

Kiskauko, 161. 

Kitchell, H. D., 613, 614, 638, 
64^ 675, 704. 

Kitchell, Robert, 704. 

Klei, H., loi, 137, 145, 146, 

Klein, P., loi, 646, 649, 687, 
688. 

Kleine, John A., 575. 

Kling, Philip, 145, 

Kloppenburg, Julius S., 469. 

Klump, Frederick, 578. 

Knaggs, 10, 531. 

Knaggs, James, 313. 

Knaggs, Thomas, 313. 

Knaggs, Whitmore, 183, 313, 
978. 

Knapp, B. F., 130. 

Knapp. D., 145, 86g. 

Knapp, Smith. 165, 202. 795. 

Knapp, Thomas, 565. 

Knapp. T. S., 163. 209, 860. 

Knapp. William B.. 126. 

Knight, H. C, 137, 144, 638, 
676, 753i 757, 840, 841. 

Knight, L. P., 869, 902. 

Knoll. S. L., Mrs., 657. 

Knowles, Henry. 935. 

Knowles, William H.. 934. 

Knowlton. Thomas, 210, 795. 

Knox, C. H., 176. 

Knox, General, 264. 

Knox, Robert, 167, 799. 

Koch, Christian, 942. 

Koch, C. G., 578. 

Koehler. F. C, 609. 
Koehler, John, 797. 
Koenig, John A., 539. 
Koernerj W., 543. 
Kohler, K., 628. 
Koiin, Joseph, 167. 
Kolasinski, D. H.. 542. 
Kontrovich, Laser, 629. 
Kopp, W., 355. 
Kramer, I\L. 676. 
Kramer. Philip, 688. 
Krapp, William, 935. 
Krecke, P"., 196, 198, 718. 
Kreit, U.. 166, 167. 
Kremer, A., 799, 934. 
Kremer, F. , 144, 145,317. 
Krill, Henry, 576. 
Krolik, H. A., Mrs., 657. 
Kronberg, A. G., 146. 
Krug, J. G., 695. 
Kuemmel, H., 167, 934, 935. 
Kuhn, Ferdinand, 647. 
Kuhn, Herman, 19S. 
Kuhn, J., loi, 145, 161, 196, 

19S, 718, 757, 870. 
Kull, C. K., 798. 
KuUman, A., 541. 
Kulnan, Joseph, 167. 
Kummer, Nicholas, 935. 
Kundig, Martin, 49, 532, 537, 

538, 648, 650, 651. 
Kunze, George E.. 71. 
Kupp, Anton, 537, 538. 
Kurth, F. W. A., loi. 
Kurtz, J, A., 145, 844. 
Kurtz, Joseph, 162. 
Kydd, W., 166, 167. 



Laas, Gustavus, 576. 

Labadi, Alexis, 977. 

Labadi. Alexis Descontis, 979. 

Labadi, Charles, 978. 

Labadi, Pierre I)., 977. 

Labadie, 337, gi6. 

Labadie, J. A., 680. 

Labadie, ^lonique, Miss, 720. 

Labadie, Pierre, 20. 

La Balm, Colonel, 257. 

Labrosse, Dominique, 942. 979. 

La Butte, I\L, 236, 237, 333, 337. 

Lacey, H. A., 140. 

Lacey, Samuel S., 93. 

Lacey, Walton, & Walker, 67. 

Laclede, 334. 

Lacroix, 18. 

Lacroix, E. N., 19, 40, 144, 165, 
654, 674, 675, 694, 756, 965. 

Lacroix, Pierre Hubert, 313, 337, 
529- 

Ladd, T. M., 492, 681, 682. 

Laderoot, Eli, 202. 

Laderoot, Peter, 80. 

Ladouceur, 337, 716, 979. 

Laderoute, 333, 337. 

Laderoute, Joseph, 982. 

La Devoute, Oliver, 766. 

Ladue, A., 198. 

Ladue, A. T., 143. 

Ladue, John, 140, 345. 

Ladue, J. C, Mrs., 495. 

Ladue, William N., 757, 758. 

Lafayette, Marquis de, 329,942. 

La Ferte, 337. 797, 979. 

La Ferte, Daniel, 333, 690, 734. 

Lafferty, 979. 

Laflerty, Clement, 144, 162, 942. 

Laffrey, Auguste, 501. 

La Fleur. 337. 

Lafleur, N,, 210. 

Lafontaine, Francois, 942, 978, 
979- 

La Forest, 19, 325. 

La Foy, Lambert, 285. 

La Harpe, 330. 

La Hontan, Baron de, 325, 707, 
951. 

Laible, Eugene, 144, 145. 

Laidlaw, R., 654. 

Laidlaw, R. J., 599, 604, 704. 
Laitner, Aloys, 826. 
La Joy, Hyacinth, 313. 
Lally, J. E., 318. 
Lambert, Wm., 348, 494. 
Lambie, F., 633, 639, 704, 788, 

942. 
Lamoirine, 535. 
La Mothe, 173, 250, 252, 253, 

255. 
Lamson, Darms, 142, 520, 860. 
Lanctot, Mederic, 678. 
Lane, John, 799. 
Lane, G. M , Mrs., 662. 
Lane, M. T., 196, 198, 648. 
Landsberg, A. Mrs., 657. 
Langan, A., 281. 
Lange, Alexander, 621. 
Langdon, Augustus, 276, 335. 
Langdon, George C, 75, 106, 

140, 162, 666. 
Langdon, W. W., 903. 
Langley, Henry, 757. 
Langley, William H., 137, 144, 
, 145. 475, 936, 942. 
Langlois, 18, 

Lanigan, D., 166, 795, 798. 
Lankford, W. S., 577. 
Lanman, Charles James, 1S6, 

, 859. 

Lanman, James H., 707. 
Lanning, Gideon, 555. 
Lansing, E. A., 143. 
Lansing, H. L., 862. 
Lansing, John, gi. 
Lansing, R. R., 758. 
Laparle, Joseph, 979. 
Lapham, 695. 
Lapham, H. S., 496. 
Lapierre, 979. 
Lappan, John C, 681. 
Lappen, Charles, 798. 
Laporte, i\I, L., 542, 724. 



Largy, John, 481. 

LaRiviere, Jean Baptiste de, 
535- 

Lamed, 52, 285, 887. 

Larned, B. F.. 642, 651, 652,860. 

Larned, Charles, 135. 176, 186, 
190. 210, 359, 558. 559, 562, 
641, 710, 711, 716, 730, 731, 
735, 838, 942. 

Larned, George B., 711, 

Larned, Sylvester, 633, 788. 

Lasalle, A., gjg. 

Lasalle, F,, 979, 981. 

Lasalle. Francis, 123. 

Lasalle, Francois, 26. 

Lasalle, Jacques, 978, 979, 980, 
981. 

La Salle, Chevalier de, 325, 447, 

, 527, 707, 907, 942, 9.SI, 

La Salle, James, 314. 

La Salle, Jean, 333. 

La Salle, Jean Baptiste, 311. 

La Salliere, 720. 

Laselle, A., 266, 981. 

Lasselle, Francois, 313, 978. 

Laser, A., 628. 

Lastrie, P.. 535. 

Lathrop, H. B , 143. 851. 

Lathrop, W. H., 51, 647, 678. 

Latimer. G. W., 57, 856, 87a. 

Lattimer, W. Irving, 92. 

L'Auberiviere, Francis Louis de 
Pourroy de, 546. 

Lauder, James B., 145. 

Lauderdale, E., 58, 646, 924, 
942. 

Laumet, Jean, 326. 

Laurense, Leonard, 4gg, 601, 
63g. 

Lauson-Charny, Charles de, 83. 

Lauson, Jean de. 83. 

Lauzon, Francois, 20. 

Lavinder, R. H., 166. 

Law, T. v., 647. 

Lawrence, Amos, 215, 

Lawrence, E., 188. 

Lawrence, F. C, 942. 

Lawrence, S. J.. 132. 

Lawrence, Prosper, 131, ig8. 

Leadbeater, A.. 484. 

Leadbeater. K. S., 165, 166, 167. 

Ledbeter, Thomas, 61, 756. 

Leach, C. C, 131. 
Leach, D, C, 324 
Leach, Elisha, 50, 647. 
Leach, E. C. 872. 
Leahey, E., 963. 
Leary, Peter, ^■^-, 
Leavenworth, F. H 811. 
Leavitt, A. E., 162, 574, 942, 

971. 
Lebeau, Jean Baptiste, 979. 
Lebot, Enos, 144, 166, 799, 934, 

935- 
Lebot, Louis, 798. 
L'Ecuyer, 272. 
Lecuyer, P., 40, 126, 192, 730, 

859- 
Leddy, James. 756, 757. 
Lederle, Anthony, 218. 
Leduc, Louis, 981. 
Led yard, Henry, 56, 71, 100, 
140, 143, 755. 864, 926, 942, 
962. 
Ledyard, H. B., 871, 901. 
Lee, A. H., 872. 
Lee, Asenath, 594, 
Lee, Charles, 569. 
Lee, E. Smith, 176, 191, 192, 

195. 197- 
Lee, G. L., 8S4. 
Lee, G. W,, 102, 324. 
Lee, John IVL, 131. 
Lee, Luther, 708. 
Lee, Thomas, 210. 
Lee, William, 513. 
Lee, Robert E., 309. 
Leetch, A. J., loi. 
Leeth, John, 250. 
Le Fa vou r, Ed ward, 38, 144, 

217. 475, 711- 
Lefeverc, Peter Paul, 54, 532, 
535, 539, 547, 661, 694, g6i, 
963, 969. 
Loggett, W. W., 360, 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



lOOI 



Le Grand, Philip. 172, 237. 
Legrand, Gabriel Christopher. 

50- 
Legras. 85. 

Leib, Emily, Mrs,, 651. 
Leib, John L , 98, 192, 19S, 491, 

730. 977- 
Leighion, R. \V., 132. 
Leiich. 856. 

Leiand, A. L., 50. 942. 
Leiand. C. P., 901. 
Leiand, W. H., 486. 
Lcnicke, H., 646. 
Lemlcie, F. A., 196, 198. 
Lemkie, J., 798. 
Lemmer, A., 146. 
Lemmer, Henry, 799. 
L'Enfant, Major, 29. 
Lennox, L. F.., 573. 
Lenlz, Matthias, 166, 798. 
LeoXJII.. 547. 

Leonard, Bonavenltire, 529, 535. 
Leonard, C. H., 679, 690, 704, 

734- 
Leonard, Hattie, Miss, 361. 
Leonard, L., 719. 
Leonard, (). M., 679. 
Leonard, R. H.. 94a. 
Leonard Glass Works, 836. 
Leopold, Prince, 974. 
L'Epinay, M. de, 330. 
Lernoult, Richard Beringer, 

222, 223, 227, 244, 246, 952. 
Le Roy, Daniel, 92, 176, 192, 

730- 
Le Roy, H. H., 4, 73, 143, 144, 

'64. 493. 513* 52it 652, 713, 

936- 
Lery, Joseph GaspardChausse- 

gros de, 32. 
Lesher, George H., 196. 
L'Esperance, Antoine Billow 

dit, 337, 981- 
L Esperance, F., 798. 
LesHc, Lieutenant, 234, 550. 
Le Tendre, Genevieve, 529. 
L'Etourneau, M-. F., 537. 
Lett, D. G., 607. 
Letleker, John. 549. 
Levadoux, Michael, 535. 
Levering, C. H., 355, 357. 
Levings, Noah, 569. 
Levington, John, 572, 578, 704. 
Levis, Antoine de, 535. 
Levy, H.. 314. 
Lewis, 173, 280. 
Lewis, Alexander, 114, 140, 205, 

761, 788. 702, 843, 844, 972. 
Lewis, A. M., 584. 
Lewis, Amr»s, 483, 492. 
Lewis, C. B., 686, 704. 
Lewis, E.. 58. 
Lewis, G. F., 872. 
Lewis, H. N. F., 674. 
Lewis, J. O., 33, 34, 138, 162. 
Lewis, R. N., 845. 
Lewis, Robert P.. 559, 562, 563, 

564. 
Lewis, S., 785, 786, 787, 864. 
Lewis, Thomas, 100, loi, 130, 

198, 404, 713. 
Lichtenberg, A., 796. 
Lichtenbcrg. F. \VilIiam, 218. 
Lichtenberg, William, 145. 
Lichty, Edward, 647, 649. 
Liggt^", J. D., 683, 719, 974. 
Liggett, J. v., 758, 760, 874. 
Liggett. R. A., 126, 145. 318. 
Lightner. Milton C, 582, 586, 

587. 591. 
Ligneris, M. de, 233. 
Lillibridge, G. R., 890. 
Lillibridge. W. M., 757, 758. 
Limberg, Isabella Roest Von, 

942. 
Limbocker, T. G., 125. 
Limpens, G. E. ^L. 541. 
Lincoln, Abraham, 104, 309, 

718, 746. 942, 968. 
Lincoln, Benjamin, 265. 
Lincoln, Tad, 104. 
Linctot, M., 261. 
Lindsay, A. G., 757, 758, 870. 
Lindsay, A. G., Mrs., 652, 653. 
Lingeman, A., 144, 318, 496. 



Lingeman, J., 145, 146. 
I,inn, 495, 497. 
Linn, A. R., 786. 
Linn, Robert, 654. 
Linn, Thomas, 654. 
Linn, W. F., 786. 
Linn, W. F.. Mrs., 665. 
Lisk, Robert, 654. 
Litchfield. E. C, 862. 
Little, 492. 
Little, John, 979. 
Little, William, uo, 198. 
Littlefield, Louis B., 146. 
Littlefield, S. S., 695. 
Livandiere, Sieur de, Hugues 

Jacques Pean, 227. 
Livermore, C. F., 901, 
Liverraore, C. F., Mrs., 691. 
Livermore, Frank, 51. 
Livermore, Isaac, 901. 
Livernois, Francis, 942, 
Livernois, Joseph, 981. 
Livernois, Joseph, Jr., 979. 
Livingston, William, loi, 785, 

792, 871. 
Lloyd, G. W., 57, 885. 
Lobdejl, J. F., 487. 
Lochbihler. L., 680. 
Lochrey, .Archibald, 259. 
Locke, D. R. (Petroleum V. 

Nasby), 709. 
Locke. E. F., 737. 
Locke, J., 58. 
Lockhart, William, 654. 
Lockwood, 564. 
Lockwood, C. T., 357. 
Lockwood, T. W,, 101, 199, 711, 

786. 
Lodge, E. A., 677, 688,704. 
Loebenstein, A., 575. 
Logan, John, 87, 323. 
Logan, John A., 976. 
Lognon, 978. 
Lomasney, W. I\L, 696. 
Lommesprou, Jacob de Marsac 

de. 333. 
Long. 493. 495. 957- 
Long, James W., 324. 
Long, John, 934. 
Long, John B., 203, 934. 
Long, William, 935. 
Long, W. H., 924. 
Longueuil, Juseph Lemoyne, 

Chevalier de, 12, 83, 227, 334. 
Longyear, John W., 175. 
Looker, O. R., 874. 
Loonier, George W., 146. 
Loomis, 605, 733. 
Lorain, Joshua, Widow of, 978. 
Loranger, 980. 981. 
Loranger, Joseph, 161, 162. 
Loranjey, -Alexis, 313. 
Lord, 173, 227. 
Lord, C. P.. 487. 
Lord, H. W., 103, 704. 
Lorman, C, A., 942. 
Lorme, Francois Faford de, 17, 

20. 
Loskiel, 550. 
Loson, Antoine, 982. 
Lossing, Benson J., 289, 708. 
Lothrop, 493. 
Lothrop, George V. N., 92, 191, 

195, 199, 218, 339, 360, 362, 

666, 711, 761, 788, 867. 940, 

942, 968. 
Lothrop, G. V. N., Mrs,, 655. 
Lothrop, H. B., 652. 
Lotz. Charles, 166. 
Loudon, 190. 
Loughton, John, 244. 
Louis XIII.. 83. 
Louis XIV., 19. 83, 328, 329, 

331. 370. 37'- 765. 
Louis XV., 19, 83. 
Louis Philippe, 707. 
Louise, Princess, 974. 
Loundsberry, E., 732. 
Love, J., 799. 
Love, James, 211, 212. 
Love, John, 757. 
Lovelt, 406. 827. 
Lovetl, W. E., 942. 
l^ivigny, M. de, 330. 
Lowe, E. S., 780. 



Lowe, G. W., 573. 

Lowe, Tobias, 143. 

Lowry, James, 494. 

Lowry, J. A., 574. 

Lowry, J. T., 138. 

Loyola, Sister, 651, 653. 

Lucas, 299. 

Lucas, Ben., 285. 

Lucca, 354. 

Lucker, H., 357. 

Lucretia, Sister, 651. 

Ludden, Cornelia, Mrs., 310. 

Cudden, H. D., 936. 

Ludden, N. T., 142, 492, 851, 

942. 
Ludlow, 95. 
Ludlow, b., loi. 
Luff, 486. 

Lugenbeel, Pinckney, 228. 
Lum, C. M., 318. 
Lundi, John Stow, 183, 184. 
Lundy, Charles J., 704, 733, 734. 
Luther, Martin, 556. 
Lutticke, Henry, 935. 
Lyell, James L., 653, 872, 942. 
Lyford, C. P., 211 
Lymbruner. 336. 
Lynch, C, 318, 799. 
Lyndon, Samuel, 872. 
Lyon, Anson E., 211. 
Lyon, Arch, 281. 
Lvon, Edward, 143, 311, 482, 

583. 657. 
Lyon, F., 482. 
Lyon, G. G., 567. 
Lyon, Isaac L.. 871. 
Lyon, J. D., 482.. 
Lyon. Lucius, 37, 102, 103, 1S6, 

, 7>2. 73'- 

Lyon, Martha, 583. 

Lyon, T. T., 648. 

Lyons, A. B., 51, 678, 714. 

Lyons. Elizabeth, 720. 

Lyons, Lord, 308. 

Lyons, Samuel, 757. 

Lyster, Ellen E., 584. 

Lysier, Henry F., 51, 59, 646, 

647, 678, 690, 733, 758. 
Lyster, W. N., 583, 584. 

M 

Mabley, C. R., 360, 362, 469, 

574. 770- 
Mabley, C. R.. Mrs., 360. 
Mac Adam, Alexander, 654. 
Macauley, 695. 
Macauley, C. 627. 
Macauley, Richard, Mrs., 662. 
Macfarlane, John W,, 696. 
MacGregor. Thomas, 654. 
Machcn. W. H., 361. 
Mack, 15, 181, 215. 
Mack, A., 100, 481, 685, 767, 
^ 770. 785. 958. 
Mack. Fanny, 594. 
Mack, Jesse, 205. 
Mack, John M,, 130, 943. 
Mack, Stephen, 103, 135, 557, 

Mack, leraperance, 594. 
Mackay, E., 907. 
Mackenzie, A., 919. 
Mackenzie, Ale.\ander, 704. 
Mackenzie. J. W., 885. 
Mackey, Neucas, 228. 
Maclean, General, 263. 
Macomb, 36, 324, 333, 369, 371, 

372, 491, 651. 
Macomb, Alexander, 229, 669, 

694. 837, 846. 859, 942. 
Macomb, David, 35, 978, 981. 
Macomb, David B., 198. 
Macomb, D. R., 285. 
Macomb, General, 103, 182, 271, 

532. 534. 704. 88a, 957. 
Macomb, John. 35, 978, 981. 
Macomb, John IC., 225,339,918. 
Macomb, Sarah, 554, 859, 978, 

980, 981. 
Macomb, \V.. 7, 34, 35, 78. 94, 

281, 669, 694, 767, 769, 848. 
Macy, J. C, pj. 
Madden. A. O., 165, 755. 
Madigan, P., 167, 935. 



Madison, James, 28, 274, 287. 

289, 291, 298, 314, 315, 490, 

858. 942- 
Madison, R., 258. 
Madi.son, William S., 180. 
Maentz, Henry, 576. 
Maes, C. P., 547, 704. 
Maffit. John N., 569. 
Magnan, 18. 
Magoun, President, 616. 
Mahon, L., 756. 
Mahoney, D., 202, 211. 
Mahoney, T., 80, 145, 211,799, 

935- 
Mahoney. W. C, 130. 
Maichens, Bernard, 19. 
Maier, M.. 498. 
Main. John, 904. 
Maire, L. E., 733. 
Maisonville, Alexis, 172, 238. 

255- 
Majens, T. , 538. 
Malctte. 18. 

Mallary. R. DcWitt. 615. 
Mallory, N. C, 606. 
Maione. 1\ H.. 901. 
Maloney, J. T., 758. 
Maltz, E., 935. 
Maltz. G. L., 318. 
MandeM, Addison, 38, 141, 175, 

176. 197- 
Mandlebaum. Antoinette. 937. 
Mandlebaum. Mary E., 583. 
Mandlebaum, S., 937, 938, 970. 
Mann, F., 923. 940. 
Mann, Horace, 675. 
Manning, Randolph, 92, 188, 

iqi, 862. 
Manning, Thoitias, 145, 146. 
Mansfield. S. M.', 921. 
Maples, William C, 131. 
Marchand, 535. 
Marchand, J. B., 920. 
Marche, L)ominique de la. 529, 

535- 
Marcus S., 628. 
Marcy, Mar>% 943. 
Marcy, R. B., 708. 
Mario. 354. 
Marion, Kazaire, 166. 
Marion. Francis. 129. 
Mark, John. 868. 
Markham. F. P.. ;86. 494, 695. 
Markey, Christian, 943. 
Markey. M., 100, loi. 
Marquette, Father, 324, 477, 

527. 943- 
Marr, John, 499. 
Marryatt, Frederick, 708, 929. 

960. 
Marsac, Francois. 980. 981. 
Marsac, Jacques. 982. 
Marsac, J. B., 979. 
Marsac, Louise de, 333. 
Marsac, Rene. 981. 
Marsac, Rnberl. 980. 
Marschalk. Captain, 268. 
ftlarsh, 494. 
Marsh, Albert, 143, 14^, 166, 

202, 216. 
Marsh, Alfred. 469. 
Marsh, (Jeorge P., 708. 
Marsh, J. A., 695. 
Mareh. Si. H., Mrs.. 665. 
Marsh, O., 717. 
Marsh, Selh, 131. 
Marshall, <). H.. 708. 
Marston, Is:iac. 93, 188, 943. 
Martello. G., 663. 
Martin, 837. 
Martin, Anderson, 281. 
Martin, Ann (Nancy), Mrs. 657. 
Martin, Clara Barnes, Mrs., 329. 
Martin, George, 101, 132, 187, 

188. 
Martin, George B., 142. 
Martin, George H., 486. 
Martin, Hugh B., 979. 
Martin, H. M., 718. 
Martin, J., 757, 758. 
Martin, Jacques, 313. 
Martin, John, 100. 
Martin, J. E., 360. 
Martin, John F., 646. 
Martin. J. J., 758. 



1002 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Martin, Stephen, 6i, loi, 143, 

144. 198, 645, 756, 943. 
Martin, S. E., 904. 
Martin, S. J., 166, 198. 
Martin, T. P., 126, 132. 
Martin, T. W.. 844. 
Martin, William, 934. 
Martin, W. S.. 904. 
Martinean, 232. 
Martineau, Harriet, 481, 708, 

959- 

Martiney, 355. 

Martz, 499. 

Martz, M.. 71, 162. 

Marum, J. Haramil, 353. 

Marvin, F., 868. 

Marx, Geor^fe, 132. 

Marx, John, 144, 355. 

Marxhausen, Aug., 76, 688. 

Marxhausen, C, 680, 683. 

Mason, 794. 

Mason, L. B., 599, 

Mason, Edward, 704. 

Mason, George D,, 479. 

Mason. John, 934. 

Mason, John T., 89. 

Mason, Josiah, 95. 

Mason, L. M., loa, loi, 102, 205, 
218, 862. 867. 

Mason, 0., 566. 

Mason, Paschal, 58. 

Mason, R., 132, 796. 

Mason, R. S.. 871. 

Mason, Stevens T., 88, 8g, go, 
91, 112, 113, 142, 299, 3'^' 
301, 302, 317, 359, 838, 839, 
958, 959. 961- 

Mass, E. T., 212, 213. 

Matcher, F. P., 21. 977. 

Materna, Frau, 076. 

Mather, A. E., 164. 611. 

Mather, A. T.. 100. 

Mather, H. N., 680. 

Matthew, Father, 969. 

Matthews, 254, 264. 

Matthews, Charles H., 916. 

Matthews, Edward C. 863. 

Matthews, E. R., 318, 757, 78S. 

Matthews, John, 606, 608, 61:. 

Matthews, J. L., 799. 

Matthews, R,, 227. 

Matthews, Salmon S., 176. 

Matthews, Thomas, 56. 

Matthews, Thomas P., loi. 

Mattoon, E. S., 355, 357. 

Matzen, C, 167. 

Manrepas, Count, 18, 332. 

Maury, M. F., 709. 

Maxfield, T. R., 924. 

Maxson, C. B., 167. 

Maxwell, 532. 

Maxwell, J. M., 485. 

Maxwell, T., 033. 

Maxwell, William, 66g. 

Mav. Charles P., 689. 

May, Charles S., 92,683. 

May, Dwitjht, 92. 

May, F. W., 570. 

May, James, g, Sg, 95, loi, iii, 
130. 133. M9t 174. 176, 179. 
igo, 191, 198, 214, 224, 262, 
268, 272, 313, 315, 316, 317, 
341, 473, 481, 490. 501, 644, 
715, 729, 859, 908, 915, 927, 
928. 

May, John, 211. 

May, Paul, str. 

Maybury, Thomas, 585, 799, 
943- 

Maybury, William C, 103, 141, 

733» 734- 
Mayhew, Francis, 143, 144, 
Mayhew, Ira, 93, 704, 732. 
Maynard, Aaron B., 176. 
Mazarin, 83. 
Mazurette, S., 357. 
McAfee, Robert B., 2S7. 
McArthur, A., 202, 210. 
McArthur, Duncan, 224, 227, 

274. 275, 276, 277, 278, 283, 

285, 286, 287, 291, 293, 296, 

2.17, 879, 955. 
McReath, George, 837. 
Mrlirath, John, 250,255. 
McBratney, Robert, 683. 



McBride, J., 164, 165. 
McBrvd, Betty, Mrs., 1S4. 
McCabe, C. C, 637. 
McCabe, J. P. B., 697, 937,947. 
McCain, H., 499. 
McCall, M. G., 484. 
McCann, W. P.. 920. 
iMcCarroll. I., 587. 
McCarthy, Justin, 709, 
McCarthy. P., 757. 
McCarthy, T., 58,198, 211,212. 
McCarty, Edward, 97S. 
McCarty, J. H.. 567, 704. 
McCarty, William, 554, 559, 

562. 
McCaul, J. C, S44. 
McCauley, Richard, 360. 
McChesney, M. H., 357. 
McChesney, Robert, 787. 
McClean, Captain, 272. 
McClellan, George B., 943. 
McClelland, Robert, gi, 92, 102, 

103, 106, 851. 
McCloskey, James, 29, 8g, 95, 

98, 103, 123, 135, 859. 
McClure, 300. 
McClure, H., 839. 
McComb, see Alacomb. 
McConnell, C. S., 670. 
McCook, Henry C, 602. 
McCook, John J., 586. 
McCool, D., 905. 
McCorkle, W. A., 596, 598. 
McCormick, D., 496. 
McCormick, P., 162. 
McCormick, Lieutenant, 234. 
McCosh, James, 709. 
McCoskry, S. A., 310, 581, 582, 

592. 657, 704. 
McCoskry, Wm., 50, 272, 313, 

335, 502. 
McCrackcn, H. A., 602. 
McCracken, S. B., 196, 19S, 677, 

678, 704., 757- 
McCrae, T., 133, 149, 209. 
McCreary, L. A., 483. 
McCreery, William B., 92, 
McCuIloch, Hugh, 339. 
McCuUough. 586. 
McCune, James N. M., 943. 
McCurdy, John, 164. 
McDermott, John, loi, 318. 
McDermott, O., 798. 
McDonald, 249, 695. 
McDonald, B., 210, 797. 
McDonald, Daniel, 721. 
McDonald, D. J., 691, 6g2. 
McDonald, E., 71, 143, 674. 
McDonald, F., 71, 7g5.g34, 935. 
McDonald, James, 344. 
McDonald, J. C, 648. 
McDonald, John, 286, 721. 
McDonald, P., 795. 
McDonald, R., 484, 485, 654. 
McDonald, William A., 647. 
McDonnell, John, 88, 90, 98, 

142, igo, 192, igS, 277, 281, 

300, 491, 672, 770, 7S5. 
McDonnough, William, 720. 
McDougall, igi, 236, 238, 715. 
McDougall, George, 77, 89, 94, 

^35* ^40, *86, i8g, 190, 198, 

209, 273, 274, 284, 285, 288, 

313. 316, 317, 502, 770, 943. 
McDougall, John Robert, 977., 
McDowd, J. B., 6gi. 
McDowell, E., 613. 
McDowell, Peter, 212. 
McEldowney, J., 571, 580. 
McEiroy, Hugh, 599. 
McEntee, T. M., 141, 311. 
McFarlane, Alexander, 900. 
McFarlane, James, loi, 131. 
McFarlane, J. N., 797. 
McFarlane, William A., 131. 
McFarren, A.. 641, 642, 676, 695. 
McGee, E.. 591. 
McGill, James, 978, 980, 982. 
McGinnis, P., loi, 144,202,673, 

790. 943. 
McGinnity, Robert, 144. 
McGonegal, James, loi, 144, 

308. 
McGowan, Thomas, 935. 
McGrath, J., 799. 



McGrath, J. R., 757, 758. 
McGrath, T., 757, 758. 
McGraw, A. C, 492, 658, 713, 

733, 772t 785. 900. 
McGraw, Edward M., 71, 673. 
McGraw, M., 318. 
McGraw, Theo., 162. 
McGraw, Theodore A,, 51, 59, 

678, 6go, 733. 
McGraw, Thomas, 713, 827, 868, 

870. 87s, 943. 
McGregor, 249, 325, 499. 
McGregor, Gregor, 209, 837, 980. 
McGregor, James, 804. 
McGregor, John, 138, 654. 
McGuire, J.. 51. 795. 
McHenry, James, 24, 267, 269, 

270, 887. 
McHugh, J. J., 212. 
McHugh, L., 934, 935. 
McHutcheon, Wm., 934. 
McIIvaine, Bishop, 5gi, 592, 959. 
IMcIntosh, Angus, 490, 577,767. 
Mcintosh, I. S.. 228. 
Alclntosh, William, 86. 
Mcintosh, General, 249, 252, 

Mclvor, J. K., 792. 

McKay, 300. 

McKee, Alexander, 243, 262, 

263, 265. 266, 281. 
McKenney, 369. 
McKenzie, 492. 
McICenzie, Alexander Slidell, 

287. 
McKenzie, George, 695. 
McKenzie, James, 212. 
McKibbin, R. P., 228. 
McKinney, J,, 713. 
McKinney, John, 92. 
McKinney, Jacob, 210. 
McKinney, Thomas L., 707. 
McKinstry, 16, 113, 887. 
McKinstry, D. C, 59, go, 98, 

102, 142, 163, 164, 351, 474, 

502, 513, 645. 672, 770, 799, 

916, 933. 
McKinstry, J. P., 920. 
McKinstry, O. P., 943. 
McKnight, Sheldon, 101, 674, 

685, 692, 883. 
McLane, David, 795. 
McLaren, W. E., 592, 600. 
McLaughlin, H., 797. 
McLaughlin, John, 936. 
McLaughlin, M., 165. 
McLean, A., 654, 
McLean, Arch., 937, 943. 
McLean, David, 21a, 281. 
McLean, Donald, 709. 
McLean. D., 934. 
McLean, John, 175. 
McLellan, 858. 
McLennan, A., 872. 
McLellan, John, 596. 
McLeod, A. I., 196. 
McLeod, Duncan, 59, 734. 
McLeod, James, 602. 
McLeod, Norman, 837. 
McLojjan, P.. 196. 
McLouth, William W., 696. 
McManus, George, 167, 
McMichael, J., 210, 211. 
McMillan, 95, 285. 
McMillan. Mrs., 481. 
McMillan, Archv, 285. 
McMillan, (i., 658, 776. 
McMillan, Hugh, 340, 360, 600, 

804, 806, 825, 871, 905. 
McMillan, James, 76, 360, 362, 

508, 600, 804. 806, 865, 867 

885. 905, 943. 
McMillan, J., 161, 162, 933,934. 
McMillan, Jesse, 492. 
McMillan, John W., 40. 
McMillan. Mary, 594. 
McMillan, Robert, 50, 523, 657, 

863. 
McMillan, Thomas T., 654. 
McMillan, William, 102. 
McNally, C. H., 228. 
McNatli, -A.. 131, 198. 
McNeall. William. 767. 
McNiff, Peter, 37, in, 174, 191, 

198. 



143- 



McNiff, Robert, 490. 
McNoah, P. M., 756. 
McPharlin, E. J., 647. 
McReynolds, A. T., 100, 143, 

176, 191, 210, 303, 317, 740, 

755, 851, 887. 
McReynolds, John, 492, 
McReynolds, J., 
McTavish, 980. 
McTavish, Simon, 837, 
McVey, Henry, 313. 
McVey, William, 285. 
McVicar, John, 68g. 
McVittie, A., 911. 
McWilliams, 614, 837. 
McWilliams, P. H., 479- 
Mead, J. M., 130. 143. 
Meade, George G., 918, 919, 
Meagher, 964. 
Means, James, 597. 
Meany, E. J., 717. 
Medbury, L. R., Mrs., 587, 591, 
Medbury, S., 587, 866, 943. 
IVIeddaugh, E. W., 91, 1S8, 360, 

757- 
MediH, Samuel, 130. 
Meek, J., 578. 
Meier, Felix, 362. 
Meigs, General, 15. 
Meigs, M., 732. 
Meigs, M. C. 339. 
Meigs, Return Jonathan, J78, 

265, 274, 275, 282. 
Meir, Henry, 620. 
Melchers, G. J., 361. 
Meldrum, George, 21, 133, 314, 

942, 977, 980, 981. 
Meldrum, James, 285. 
Meldrum, John, 98, 130, 165, 

202, 2S5, 313, 767,^ 770, 795. 
Meldrum, John T., 144, ig6, 

757. 
Meldrum, William, 209, 210, 285. 
Melick, J. O., 198. 
Melitzer, Charles, 575, 
Mellen, W. R. G., 627. 
Mellon, Charles, 228. 
Melius, Christian, 144, 145, 495. 
Melius, P., 495. 
Meloche, M., 237. 
Meloche, Pierre, 20. 
Membre, Zenobe, 907. 
Menard, 527. 

Menard. Joseph, 149, 313. 
MenneviUe, Marquis Duquesne 

de, 83, 327.. 
Menzies, William, 50. 
Mercer, L. P.. 626, 704. 
Merceron, F. F., 203. 
Mercerson, Prof., 355. 
Mcrcier. Jean, 535. 
Merdian, H.. 146. 
Meredith, W. N., 734. 
Merrell, Charles, 132. 
Merrell, Harvey, 126. 
Merrick, E. G.. 787. 866. 
Merrick, L M-. 943- 
Merrill, Bishop, 709. 
Merrill, Alonzo, 142, 595. 
Merrill, B. W., 793. 
Merrill, H. A., 573, 574, 579. 
Merrill, Joseph C, 132. 
Merrill, Robert, 132. 
Merrill, William. 739. 
Merritt, Adna, 202, 210, 795. 
Merritt, W. Hamilton, 903. 
Merwin, W. R., 704. 
Meserve, Lincoln R., 205. 
Messmore, 043. 
Metcalf, 469. 
Metcalf, Richard, 626. 
Mette, Felix, 982. 
Mettez, Theophiliis, 501, 669. 

694, 795. 
Metz, Henry, 677. 
Metz. T. C. 758. 
Metzgar, G. A.. 355. 
Meyer, A., 576. 
Meyer, Charles, 165. 
Michael the Archangel, Sister, 

663. 
Michael. D , 165. 
Michels, J,. S08. 8og. 
^iiddleb^^ok, Edward E,, 8zo. 
Mieje, 539. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



loot 



MiijnauU, J. B. K., 646. 

Milburn, J., 709. 

Miles, Gforgt:, 187. 

Millar, M- J. E.. Mrs., 662, 665, 

679. 
Millar, O. P., 624. 
Millard, Georsf, 486. 
Millard, W. R., 679. 
Milli'r, 227. 276. 
Miller, Albert, 356. 
Nliller, Charles, 202, 677. 
Miller, C. C, 51. 
Miller, Charles H., 892. 
Miller, Geofite, 125. 143, 144, 

202, 210, 492, 499, 826. 
Miller, H., 144, 603, 617. 
Miller, H. T., 5^8, 903. 
Miller, I. N., 920. 
Miller. Isaac S., 826. 
Miller, James, 274, 276, 277, 27S, 

Z91, 297. 



Miller, J. F., 943. 

iM., 161, 
694 



Miller, Jaraes I 



670, 671, 



Miller, Joseph, Jr., 176. 

Miller, Lydia, 656. 

Miller, L. M., 822. 

Miller, O. W., 103, 135, 167. 

Miller, Robert, 162. 

Miller, Sidney D., 33, 176, 205, 

657. 7". 733i 757. 818, 865. 
Miller, T. C., 638, 683, 826. 
Miller, Thomas K., 677. 
Miller, William, 244, 576. 
Millette, P. C. 717. 
Milligan, Frank, 905. 
Milligan, George McBeth, 597. 
Mills, C. H., 758. 
Mills, M. B., 816, 827. 
Mills, M. I., 76, 140, 162, 310, 

827, 866, 867. 
Millspaugh, Hiram, 101. 
MiUvard, Henry, 318. 
Minard, C. A., 798. 
Minchener, George H., 657, 780. 
Minckler. F. R., 809. 
Miner, John, 196. 
Miner, J. L., 942, 943. 
Miner, Louis, 942. 
Minnis, Adam, 100. 
Minnock, E., 197. 



Minor, J. L., 483. 
Minty, R. H. G., 



307- 



Mitchell, 497, 7:7. 957, 964, 
Mitchell, E. A. Mrs., 943. 
Mitchell, E. C. 625. 
Mitchell, J. I., 40, 145. 
Mitchell, Joseph, 555. 
Mitchell, Nichol. 654, 870, 936. 
Mitchell, S. L., 956. 
Mitchell, William, 554. 
Mitchem. J., 577. 
Mitchie, .\iexander, 125. 
Mizner, Henry R., 176. 
Mizner, Lansing B., 191. 
Mizner, Lorenzo B., 38. 
Modjeska, 358, 974. 
Moebs, George, 934. 
Moffat. Hugh, 75, 140, 468, 496, 

521, 654, 794, 843, 930, 972. 
Mohigan, 235. 
Moir, Melville, 718. 
Moliere. T., 172. 
Moll, K. L , 619. 
MoUoy, Edward, 318. 
Moloney, D. E., 212. 
Moloney, J. B., 197. 
Moloney, W. E., 137, 146. 
Mome, 330. 

Monaghan, J., 54. 145, 146,757. 
Monaghan, J. W., 647. 649. 
Monaghan. William, 934. 
Mondery, H., 934. 
Monds, J., 355. 
Monette, IVllchael, 189, 210. 
Monforton, G., 172, 174. 
Monier, 18. 
Monk. 173. 
Mononcus, 564. 

Monroe, James, 103, 287,935, 94^ 
Monroe. W. C, 590,607, 750. 
Montcalm, Marquis de, 943. 
Monteitli, John, 556, 557, 558, 

602, 631, 633, 64J, 728, 729, 

730t 955- 



Montgolfier, 546. 
Montgomery, A., 482. 
Montgomery, D. L., 228. 
Montgomery, George W. , 647. 
Montgomery, Richard, 943. 
^Iontgomery, W. R., 758. 
Montgomery, W. S., 166. 
Montmagny, 83. 
Montmorenci, Admiral, 83. 
Montmorenci, Francis de Laval 

de, 544. 
Montour, Captain, 234. 
Montour, Henry, 2^0. 
Mont|)asiint, Captain, 172, 327. 
Monls, M. de, 83. 
Moody, D. L., 600, 637, 969. 
Moody, E. H., 640. 
Moon, 16, 491. 
Moon, Matthew, 916. 
Moon, William, 795. 
Moore, B. B., 71, 143, 493. 
Moore, Charles, 680, 692. 
Moore, C. W., 131. 
Moore, D. D. T., 674. 
Moore, F., 492, 781, 785, 864, 

867. 
Moore, George F., 362. 
Moore, George H., 470. 
Moore, George W., loi, 811. 
Moore, James, 780. 
Moore, John, 483, 486. 
Moore, Joseph B., 54, 145, 549, 

646, 943. 
Moore, Joshua, 558, 796. 
Moore, J. A., 904. 
Moore, J. N., 757. 
Moore, J. W., 756, 917. 
Moore, William, 164, 493. 
Moore, William A., 76, 205, 311, 

360, 362, 711, 733. 752. 753. 

756, 757, 868, 869. 
Moore, W. T,, 624. 
Moore, Foote & Co., 477. 
Moorman, A. P., 101, 756, 757. 
Moors, H. C, 61. 
Moors, Jeremiah, 143, 163, 165, 

342, 712, 713, 735. 
Moran, 20, 300, 739. 
Moran, Charles, 26, 90, loc, 123, 

130, 142, 143, 150, 164. 174, 

192, 194, 198, 214, 285, 731, 

933. 943. 977- 
Moran, Charles. 98. 
Moran, George, 58, loi, 130, 

132. 
Moran, J. V,, 218, 340. 
Moran, L., 130, 179, 285, 977. 
Moran, Maurice, 977, 979. 
Moran, M., 173. 
Moran, W. B., 76, 162, 165, 549, 

661, 733, 816, 868. 
Moras, 233. 

Moras, Antoine, 21, 980. 
Moras, Antoine, Widow of, 978. 
Morass, Victor, 284. 
Morell, George, 186, 187, 194, 

359- 
Morell, George W., 176. 
Rforey, 301. 
Morey, Peter, 92, 731. 
Moray, Piatt B., 555. 
Morgan, C. W. , 493. 
Morgan, George, 256. 
Morgan, Harrison, 569. 
Morgan, John, 132. 
Morgan. P. B., 593. 
Morgan, W. J., 895. 
Morhous, 497. 
Morhous, George, 752. 
Morin, Louis, 982. 
Morley, Frederick, 38, 683, 684, 

695. 
Mornay, Louis Francis Duples- 

sis, 546. 
Moross, 496. 

Moross, Christopher, 721, 
Moross, Ignace. 373. 
Morrell, F., 868. 
Morris, 240, 492, 888. 
Morris, George S., 709. 
Morris, Jefferson, 89. 
Morris, Lewis, 248. 
Morris, Robert, 709. 
Morris, Rowley, 738. 
Morris, Thomas, 704. 



Morrison, 183. 
Morrison, Alexander, 684. 
Morrison, Thomas, 100. 101. 
Morrow, H. A., 137, 195, 196, 

306, 307, 308, 311. 785, 967, 

968. 
Morse & Brother, 33. 
Murse, C, 695, 903. 
Morse, C. R., 355. 
Morse, Elbridge, 851. 
Morse, EHhu, 90. 
Morse, E. S., 798. 
Morse, J., 707. 
Morse, L. L., 685, 695. 
Morse, R. S., 707. 
Morse, S. B., 143, 144, i55. 363* 

ii83, 94^, 944- 
Morton, Eurotas, 100. 
Morton, J. D., 71, 718, 943. 
Morton, J. J., 589. 
Morton, Maria Wesson, Mrs., 

943- 
Morton, W. D., 862, 867, 872. 
Moscowitz, B., 629. 
Mosely, George, 638. 
Moss, H. O., 865, 866. 
Mothersill, P., 758. 
Mott, John T., 943. 
Mott, Linus, 50, 649. 
Mott, Mary, 943. 
Mountfort, J., 228. 
Moutard, C., 536. 
Moynaghan, J., t66. 
Mrak, Ignatius, 547. 
Mueller, J. B., 6go. 
Mueller, J. F., 578. 
Mueller, George, 709. 
Muer, J., 798. 
Muir, Adam, 183, 184. 
Muir, James H., 604, 633, 639. 
Muir, W. K.. 646. 818, 865. 895. 
Mulheron, J. J., 647, 678, 690. 
Mullane, D., 755. 
AfuUaney, R., 646, 757. 
Mullen, Margaret C, 656. 
Mullett, John, 22, 33, 36, 59, 

78, 126, 142, 164, 665, 713, 

905. 935. 938. 942, 979i 980. 
Mullett, Catharine, 938. 
Mulligan, Colonel, 305, 967. 
Mulry, John, 166, 757. 
Mumford, 497. 832. 
Mumford, B. P., 161, 778, 832. 
Mumford, S. R., 360, 362, 870. 
Mumford. T. J.. 626. 
Mundy, Edward, 92, 187. 
Munger, Daniel, 140, 686, 704. 
Munger, William, 100, loi. 
Munro, Robert, 490, 502. 
Munroe, J. F., 28, 29, 33. 
Munson, James D., 51, 734. 
Murphy. Francis, 132, 844, 973. 
Murphy, M. J. & Co., 832. 
Murphy, S. J., 57, 360, 627, 

868, 870. 
Murphy, Timothy, 563. 
Murphy, William, 981. 
Murray, A., 920. 
Murray, A. J., 519. 
Murray, A. J., Sirs., 842. 
Murray, A. Y., 58, 90, 100, loi, 

131, 851. 
Murray, Daniel, 58. 
Murray. James, 84. 
Murray, John, 484. 
Murray, J. E., 212. 
Murray, Rufus, 584. 
Murtagh, W., 681. 
Musche, 496. 
Mylcr, W. H., 205. 

N 

Nachtrieb, George, 575, 

Nagle, J., 146, 538. 

Naglee, H. A., 492, 

Nail, C. J.. 705. 943. 

Nail, James, 705. 

Nantay, J. Bie., 210, 

Natus, John, 744. 

Navarre, 238. 371. 

Navarre, Catharine, 859. 

Navarre, Francis, 190. 191, 198, 

3'3- 
Navarre, Isidore, 313, 350. 



Navarre, Jacques W., 313. 
Navarre, Jean, 333. 
Navarre, ftlariana, 550. 
Navarre, P., 210, 314. 
Navarre, Robert, 20,21, 35, 172, 

198, 333. 977- 
Nay, S. Mrs., 665. 
Nay, W. K., 624. 
Ncale, Leonard, 546. 
Neale, Selak, 198. 
Near, J. L., 100, 130. 
Neasmith, James M., 93. 
Ncfl, Cady, loi. 
Neill, Henry, 597, 599, 638. 
Nellis, 6go. 
Nelson, 492. 
Nelson, Jonathan, 982. 
Nesbit, W. J., 318. 
Neuschafer, J., 798. 
Nevin, Frank, 656, 827. 
Newberry, H., 142, 164, 645. 
Newberry, H. R., 138, 804. 
Newberry, H. W,, 523. 
Newberry, John S.. 103, 360, 

600, 704, 757. 804, 867, 943. 
Newberry, John S., Mrs., 664. 
Newberry, O., 142, 477, 493, 770, 

896, 909, 958. 
Newberry, Samuel, 731. 
Newberry, W. L., 89, 142, 712, 

7x6. 
Newby, A. J., 744. 
Newcomb, C. A., 360, 362, 778. 
Newell, 357. 
Newell, jnhn, 001. 
Newell. Minur S., 93. 
Newhall, C. W., 917, 
Newland, Henry, 646. 
Newland, H. A., 711, 7S5. 884. 
Newman, 496. 
Newman, F. N., 677, 679. 
Newman, J. P., 708. 
Newman, L K.. 64<t. 
Newton, Richard. 709 
Newton, R. Heber, 976 
Newton. William, 210. 
Neyon, ^L. 240. 
Nichol, Robert, 210. 
Nichols, 717. 

Nichols, John F.. 744, 746,752. 
Nicholson & Emery. 486. 
Nicholson, J., 162. 218. 758. 
Nicolao. Joseph, 355. 
Nicolay, 104. 
Niehoff, John, 621. 
Niemcyer. G., 603. 
Niepoth. F. C, 80, 798. 
Niles, George, 144. 486. 
Nilsson, Christine. 3C4, 976. 
Ninde, W. X., 567, 572. 
Noah, F. A., 101, 196. 
Noble, 705. 
Noble, Charies, 37, loi, 131, 

873. 
Noble, Charies W., 943. 
Noble, Elizabeth. 594. 
Noble, F. W., 935. 
Noble, Israel. 58, 202, 559, 562, 

563. 564, 795, 798. 
Noble, JohnC., 89^. 
Nolan, Edward, 211, 212. 
Nolan, Luke, 934. 
Nolan, Michael, 798. 
Nolan, P. W.. 318. 
Nolin, Gregory, 934. 
Nonville, M. de, 221. 
Noonan, D. E., 799. 
Noonan, John, 934, 935. 
Normandin, J., 80. 
Norris. John, 935. 
Norris, J. J., 163. 
Norris, Mark. 896. 
Norris, P. W., 4. 
Northrop, 494. 
Northrop, D. B., lor. 
Northrup, J., 798, 799. 
Norton, E. K.. 792. 
Nort()n, Miss Helen, 200. 
Norton, John, 143. 
Norton, John, Jr., 849, 863. 
Norton. John F., 71. 
Norvcll, Dallas, 130. 
Non-ell, Freeman, 752, 753, 758. 
Non-ell, John, 88, 100, 102, 176, 

177, 187, 746, 880, 883. 



I004 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Nnwland, H. R., 40, 58, 190. 
Nowland, Moses R., 101, 131. 
Nourse, Thorndike, 360, 695, 

779- ^. 
Noyan, Pierre Poyen de, 227. 
Noyelle, Charles Joseph, Sieur 

de, 227. 
Never, Joseph, ig8. 
Noyes, Abram, 934. 
Noyes, Alexander G., 226. 
Noyes, Bethuel, loi. 
Noyes, Edwin, 901. 
Noyes, H. A., 90, 100, 136, 19S, 

851. 

Noyes, James F., 51. 
Noyes, S. E.,Mrs., 655. 
Noyes, Thomas J., 226. 
Noyes, W. R., 71, 143, 164, 943- 
Nufer, N., 575. 



Oakes, William, Mrs., 661. 

Oakley, Henry A., 944. 

Oakley, J. J., 50. 

Oakley, Thomas, 513. 

Oaks, Patrick, 934. 

Oaks, Peter, 58. 

O'Beirne, Hugh, 166, igS, 648, 

,795- 
O Brien, 262. 
O'Brien, Dennis, 717. 
O'Brien, E., 690. 
O'Brien, James, 705. 
O'Brien, M. W.. 549. 868, 875. 
O'Brien, \V*m. Smith, 964, 966. 
O'Callaghan, \V., 317, 498, 755. 
O'Cavanagh, Bernard, 537. 
Ochs, J., 211. 
Ockford, C, 210. 
Ocobock, H. N., lor. 
O'Connell, J., 211, 212, 756, 

798. 
O Connor, Daniel, 721. 
O'Connor, J., 496 
O'Connor, Minnie, Miss, 744. 
O'Connors, John, 687. 
Odin, John M., 547. 
O'Donovan, M., 539, 541. 
O'Flynn, C. 31, loi, 141, 190, 

199 677, 883. 
O'Flynn, C. J., 54. 549. 
Ogden, Lieutenant, 234. 
O'Grady, B.. 497, 7SS. 
O'Hara, Daniel, 676. 
O'Hare, 269. 
Ohiert, Peter, 799. 
0'K.et;fe, A., 145, 799. 
O^Keefe. Ellen, 651. 
0'K.eefe, George A., 100, 142, 

190. 198. 
O'Keefe. J., 318. 
Olds, C. C, 569. 638. 
Oiewine, George W., 144, 145. 
Olin, R. C, 51. 
Oliver, Matthew, 61. 
Oliver, Robert, 94. 
Olmstead, Frederick Law, 76. 
OIney, Edward, 709 
O'Neil, 679. 

O'Neil, Charles, 166, 167. 
0[NeiI, James, 758. 
O'Neil, Thomas, 167. 
Ord, Edward O. C, 230, 969. 
O'Rtiliy. B., 146. 
O'Reilly, Henry, 8S4. 
Orleans, Duke of, 83. 
Ormsby, 345. 
O'Rourke, Sister, 725. 
Orr, E., 164. 
Orth, Adam, 166. 
Orth. Rudolph, 935. 
Osborn, G. W., 523, 757, 916. 
Osborne, N., 475. 
Osmun, G. R., 689. 
Otis, Amos, 126. 
Otis, A. H., 88, loi, 125, 131. 
Otis, Charles R., 86g, 944. 
Otis, E. S., 228, 229. 
Otis, N. P.. 869, 943. 
Oule, John Marie. 183. 
Oulette, Joseph A., 678. 
Owen, Alfred, 608. 
Owen, F. B., 705. 
Owen, F. W., 649, 734. 



Owen, G. W., 167. 

Owen, John, 56, 71, 92, 142, 
i43i 225. 305, 310, 311, 506, 
520, 523, 565, 566, 567, 641, 
652, 718, 73it 733. 736. 738, 
739, 746, 785, 839, 860, B62, 
863, 911, 936. 

Owen, John, Mrs., 310, 312. 

Owen, Mary, 594. 

Owen, O. W., 6go, 733. 

Owen, T. J., 164, 648, 929. 

Owen, W, A., 145, 146, 758. 



Packard, C. C, 691. 

Paddock, B. H., 583, 592, 639. 

Page, Amos, 638. 

Page, C. R., 80. 

Page, David, 896. 

Page, George A., 212. 

Page, L. L., Mrs., 662. 

Page, William, 595, 

Paige, D. O., 810. 

Paine. R. W., 491. 

Paldi, A., 318. 

Pallister, Thomas, 944. 

Palmer, 504. 

palmer, A. B., 50, 676, 709. 

Palmer, Charlotte, 939. 

Palmer, C. B., 358. 

Palmer, Ervin. 176, 197, 757, 

Palmer, Friend, 695. 

palmer, F. T., 770. 

Palmer, Jane, 594. 

Palmer, Jane N., 736. 

Palmer, Jolin, 40, 131, 142, 143, 

164, 376. 481, 492. 738, 739, 

770, 864, 874. 887. 
Palmer, J., 770. 
Palmer, John, Mrs., 310. 
Palmer, John P... 711, 756, 7S7. 
Palmer, Julia, 942. 
Palmer. J. J., 131. 
Palmer, Mary W., 572, 651, 652, 

94c, 942. 
Palmer, Mason, 164, 645, 755. 
Palmer, Mason, Mrs., 652. 
Palmer, Thomas, 135, 142, 163, 

164. 2151 359> 457. 474. 49i. 

558, 716, 770, 849, 934, 939, 

942. 944. 
Palmer, T. W., 100, 102, 161, 

312, 339, 360, 361, 362, 572, 

868, 869, 944, 975. 
Palmieri, P., 663. 
Palms, Francis, 218, 360, 362, 

816, 868, 875. 
Palms, F. F., 868. 
Panlonski, Leopold, 540. 
Pannel, Henry, 935. 
Papineau, Seth L., 563. 
Papineau, S. L., ^Irs., 659. 
Parcher, W. K., 827. 
Pardee, R. G., 708. 
Pardington, R. S., 57, 572. 
Parent, 766. 
Parent, Joseph, 9, 887. 
Park, 767, 980. 981. 
Park, Andrew, 715. 
Park, Benjamin, 87. 
Parke, H. C, 657, 820, 821, 823, 

868. 
Parker, 695, 855, 858. 
Parker, A. S., 733. 
Parker, Bernard, 313. 
Parker Charles M, 691, 692. 
Parker, John, 911. 
Parker, Joseph, 614. 
Parker, T. A., 535, 944. 
Parker, W., 493. 657. 
Parkinson, J.. 58, 167. 
Parkinson, Wm., 165, 166, 167. 
Parkman, Francis, 70S. 
Parks, Beaumont, 552. 
Parks, Olive, 552. 
Parmelee, J. B., 626. 
Parudi, Theresa, 354, 521, 963. 
Parshall, J.. 487. 
Parsons, 357. 
Parsons, Alanson, 58. 
Parsons, Andrew, 92. 
Parsons, Philo, 57, 145, 360, 711, 

733. 792. 811, 866, 867, 872, 

944. 968. 



Parsons, S. H., 86, 178. 

Parton, James, 708. 

Parton, James, Mrs. (Fanny 

Fern), 706, 708. 
Partridge, Asa, 210, 795, 798. 
Partridge, Benjamin h ., 93. 
Partridge, G. W., 701, 
Patchin, Jared, 126, 194, 210. 
Patenode, Nicholas, Sr., gSo. 
Paton, Ale.\ander, 798. 
Paton, Wm., 165, 756, 944. 
Patrick, 483. 
Patrick, J. A., 648. 
Pattee, Elias, 564. 
Patten, 695. 
Pattengil, O. R., lor. 
Pattengill, G. R., 872. 
Patterson, Florence, 940. 
Patterson, George A., 940. 
Patterson, Tames, 281. 
Patterson, Philo M., 718. 
Patterson. William, 740, 755. 
Patti, Adelina, 354, 966. 
Patti, Amalie, 963. 
Patti, Carlotta, 354, 975. 
Pattison, Miss, 715, 
Pattison, G. W., 203, 676, 677, 

6S3, 686, 696, 705. 
Patton, John, 125, 140, 143, ig8, 

2og, 217, 513, 523, 603. 
Patton, J. T., 875. 
Paul, Col., 283. 
Paulin, L. J., 675. 
Paull, 648. 

Paull, G., 143, 164, 645, 795. 
Paulus, Augustus, 166. 
Paxton, Captain, 842. 
Payee, 532. 
Payet, S., 535. 
Payn, Colonel, 302. 
Payne (or Peyn), 715. 
Payne, Chauncey S., 712. 
Payne, Douglas, 778. 
Pavne, D. A., 976. 
Payne, M. M., 228. 
Peale, 360. 
Pean, Hugues Jacques, 227, 

233- 
Pearce, W. H., 571. 
Pearl, J. F.,- 718. 
Pearl, P. D., 101. 
Peavey, Frank, 705, 758. 
Pechagut, Jean, 326. 
Peck, George, 360, 870. 
Peck, George W., 92. 
Peck, J. T., 579, 7og. 
Peck, W. G., 7og. 
Peine, A., 80, 935. 
Pelfresne, Hyacinthe, 535. 
Pelgrim, 4g7. 
Pelham, B., 6gi. 
Pelham, R., 691. 
Pelouze, L. H., 944. 
Peltier, Baptiste, 210, 501. 
Peltier, Charles, 126, 162, 198, 

648, 755, 977. 
Peltier, Jacques, 9. 
Peltier, James, 133, 778. 
Peltier, John, 194. 
Peltier. Phillis, 21, 977. 
Penfield. W., 798. 
Penfield, W. S.. 523. 
Penniman, E. J., 130, 872. 
Penniman, G. H., 197. 
Penniman, J. A., 626. 
Penny, C. W., 710, 711, 839. 
Penny, J. T., 167, 645. 
Penny, O. W., 486. 
Pentecost, George F., 643, 974. 
Peoples, Hugh S., 482, 975. 
Pepin, Bazile, 979. 
Peqiiise, Francois, 149. 
Perkins, 224. 
Perkins, A. D., 922. 
Perkins, Mary Baldwin, 944. 
Perkins, Paul B., 705. 
Perkins, William, Jr., 4S4, 870. 
Perrault, 546. 
Perrez, Charles, 640. 
Perrine, William H., 571. 
Perry, G. C, 287. 
Perry, H. E., 194, 934. 
Perry, J. J.. 571. 
Perry. Oliver Hazard, 8, 283, 

287, 908, 938, 955. 



Peter the Great, 3. 

Peters, Francis H., 537. 

Peters, G. E., 585, 588, 589, 591. 

Peters, W. G., 496. 

Peterson, J. G., 38, loi. 

Peto, Samuel JNIorton, 708. 

Petit, Theodocia C., 594. 

Petit, W. W., 190, 191, 198, 559. 

Pettie, John, 654. 

Petty, C. J., 8q2. 

Petty, D., 58. 481. 

Petty & Hawley, 481. 

Petz, A., 54. 

Petz, Francis, 54. 

Pfeiffer, Nicholas, 646. 

Phelan, Michael. 352. 

Phelps, F. B., 137, 144, 217, 308. 

Phelps, Ralph, goo. 

Phelps, Ralph, Jr., 138. 

Phelps, S., 638. 

Phelps, William, 57, loi, 144, 

145. 492, 496, 569, 641, 739. 
Philbrick, H. H., 355, 744. 
Phillips, 494, 408. 6gs. 
Phillips, John, 798. 
Phillips, Philip, 354. 
Phillips, P. M.. 144. 
Phillips, Wendell, 709. 
Phyn & Ellice, 344. 
Piatt, John H., 859. 
Picardj 766. 
Pickermg, 321. 
Pickermg, John, 695. 
Pickering, Timothy, 265. 
Pierce, Ansel B., 131. 
Pierce, A. C, 4g2. 
Pierce, D. R., 807. 
Pierce, E. J., 904. 
Pierce, Frankhn, 102, 106, 944, 

.967- 
Pierce, John D., 93, 731, 736. 
Pierce, O. O., loi. 
Pierce, P. R. L., 695. 
Pierson, Arthur T., 598, 602, 

604, 640, 642, 705. 
Pierson, B., loi. 
Pitcher, E. H., 554, 566, 572, 

575. 580, 705. 
Pilet, Jacques, 36, 
Pillard, George F., 125, 131. 
Pindar, E. W., 80. 
Pingree, F. C, 833. 
Pingree, H. S., jo6. 833, 834. 
Pipe, a Huron Chief, 263. 
Pipp, George, 934. 
Piquette, Angelique, 944. 
Piquette, J. Bte., 133. 
Pitcher, Zina, 50, 59, 104, 140, 

141. 359i 508, 646, 649, 676, 

712. 731. 739. 740. 746, 752, 

825, 864, 924, 944. 
Pitkin, Annie, Miss, 361. 
Pitkin, C. S., 691. 
Pitkin, T. C, 339, 582. 
Pittman, J. E., 205, 218, 303, 

305, 318, 470, 583, 638, 711, 

787, 865. 
Pittman, S. E., 496, 753, 867. 
Pitts, Samuel, igr, 4g3. 
Pitts, Thomas, 360. 
Pius IX., g70. 
Plass, Henry Jr., 40, 166, ig7, 

758. 
Piatt, M. T.. 696. 
Piatt, Zephaniah, 92. 
Plantz, A. P.. 166. 
Pluddeman, R., 576. 
Plumb, H., 132. 
Plummer, S. A., 138, 162, 944, 

971. 
Plympton, E. O., 564. 
Poe, O. M., giQ, 921. 
Pohle, L. R., Mrs., 941. 
Poindexter, 182. 
Polhemus, E., 486. 
Poll, P., 663. 
Polk, James K., 108. 
Polk, R. L., 6q6, 697. 
Pollard, Edmund, 767. 
Pollard, Richard, 553. 
Pomerville, Joseph. 977, gSo. 
Pomeroy, George E., 676, 683, 

892. 
Pond, 639. 
Pond, Ashley, 91, igg, 871. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



IOO = 



Pond, A. A. & S. P., 486. 
Pontbriancl, Henri Marie Du- 

breuil de, 530, 546, 951. 
Pout chart rain, Count, 3, 330, 

332. 720, 765, 766, 837, 944, 

Pontiac. 231, 234, 237, 240, 241, 

323. 369, 708, 8»6, 951. 
Pool, Henry, 681. 
Poole, R., 7g6. 
Poole, William F., 85. 86. 
Poole, W. H., 572, 593, 705. 
Pope, F., 688, 69a. 
Pope, W. S., 805. 
Poquette, Francis, 272. 
Porieous, John, 344, 767, 837. 
Porter, 49, 491, g77. 
Porter, A. L., 50, 712. 
Porter, A. S., 102, 140, 195, 645, 

6S2, 712, 736, 874. 903, 944. 
Porter, Benjamin, 851. 
Porter, F. B., 197, 683. 
Porter, F. D., 51, 924. 
Porter, Georjiie, 615. 
Porter, George li., 88, 944, 958, 

959- 
Porter, George F., 346, 737, 861, 
864, 8g8. 935. -^ 

Porter, Gove, 695. 
Porter, H., 482. 
Porter, James B., 92, 
Porter, Moses, 227, 268, 269, 

271, 944. 
Porter. Phil., 51. 
Porter, P. B., 295. 
Porter, Rose, 944. 
Porter, S. Humes, 176. 
Porter, W. G., 131, 648. 
Post, Edward C, 820. 
Post, Hoyt, 188, 665, 679, 705. 
Post, Samuel, 226. 
Poste, Louis de la, Sieur de 

Lovigny, 227. 
Pothier, Father Louis Antoine, 
„8. 32. 530. 952. 
Potter, Henry C., 976. 
Potter, H. S., 689. 
Potter, H. Z., 198, 757, 758. 
Potts. J. H., 690, 705. 
Pouchot, 233. 
Pound. J. H., 197. 
Poupard, Charles, 501, 532, 981. 
Poupard, S., 125, 164. 
Pouzarges, Noble Francis de, 

328. 
Powell, 223. 956. 
Powell, Ann, Miss, 350. 
Powell. A. C, 164, 645. 
Powell, Wm., 166. 
Powell, William Dunmore, 174. 
Power, Pliny. 50, loi. 649. 
Powers, Hiram, 360. 
Powers, H. P., 130. 
Powers. Thomas, 269, 270, 271, 

953- 
Pramstaller, F., 140, 756. 
Pratt, 481. 
Pratt, A., 187, 188. 
Pratt, Henry. 901. 
Pratt, John, 798. 
Pratt, "L., 9^3, 934. 
Prell, B., Mrs.. 657. 
Prentice, G. I)., 709. 
Prentis, B. T., 197,677, 757. 
Prentis. E,, 164, 756. 
Prentis. G. H., 197. 
Prentiss, George, 944. 
Prentiss. Sarah, 660. 
Prentiss, Solon, 612. 
Prescott, 321. 
Prescott, A. B., 709. 
Prescott, W. H., 944. 
Preston, David, 145, 311, 360, 
461, 566, 567. 571, 575, 640, 
677, 872. 944. 
Preston, David, Mrs., 661, 664. 
Preston, E. C, 875. 
Preston, E. C., ^Irs., 665. 
Prevost, George Sir, 290, 295. 
Price, 907. 
Price, L. D., 571. 
Price, P. L, 470. 
Price, T., 577. 
Pridgeon. John, 71. 
Priest, Erastus, 131, 



Prieur, 337. 

Prime, G. W., 600, 639. 

Prince, 302. 

Prince, E., 595. 

Pnndle. J. J., 131. 

Pritchard, B. D., 92, 93. 

Pritchette, K., 92,300,301,852. 

Priltie, 468. 

Proctor, Henry, 182, 278, 279, 
280, 281, 282, 283, 287, 292, 
^297, 847. 955. 
Proctor, Richard A., 709. 
Prophet, Tlu-, 323, 955. 
Prosser, J. W., 589. 
Prouty, X.. 143, 485, 571. 
Provencal, Mrs., 115. 
Provost, 496. 
Prussolino, A., 663. 
Puddcfoot, Charlfs, 822. 
Pulchtr. J. C. 132, 541. 
Pulis, J. D., 610. 
Pulk-n, A. J., 131. 
Pullen, D. J., 131. 
Pullen, J. F.. 198. 
Pullen, N. W. loi, 131. 
Pulling, H. P., 866. 
Pullman, H., 575. 
Pulte, A., 162, 868. 
Punshon, William Morley, 709. 
Purcell, W., loi, 144, 145, 162, 

204, 936. 
Purdie, C. F., 811. 
Purdy, James, 130. 
Purdy, S. P.. 126. 198. 
Purdy, W. T., 186, 2x1, 
Puthuff, W. H., 224, 227. 730, 

^955. 

Putnam, 695. 
Putnam, G. C., 132. 
Putnam, G. P.. 703. 
Putnam, Israel, 238, 240, 944. 
Putnam, Rufus, 178. 
Putnam, T, R., 71. 

Q 

Quinby, D. F., 638. 675. 
Quinby, Theo.. 687. 
Quinby, William E., 686, 
Quinlan, 496, 
Quinn, Michael, 470. 
Quinn, W,. 537. 
Quirk, D. L., 125. 



R 

Rabineau, A. A., 164, 165, 167, 

657. 
Rademacher, Joseph, 944. 
Ralph, Peter J., 144, 145, 146, 

921 922. 
Ralston, S72. 
Ramsey, Elisha W., 198. 
Ramsay, John, 559, 562, 563, 

564- 
Ramsay, W. W., 567. 
Rand, Ben., 341. 
Randall, 944, 
Randall, C. C, 360. 
Randall. J. A.. 197. 
Randolph. A. D. F., 702. 
Randolph, Beverly, 265. 
Randolph, John, 345, 858, 944. 
Randolph, Captain, 258. 
Rang. Charlotte S., 737. 
Rankin, 494, 
Rankin, Arthur, 306. 
Rankin, James. 837. 
Ransom, Amariah, 198. 
Ransom, E.. 92, 187. 
Ransom. Russell. 198. 
Ranspach, Ernest, 130. 
Ranspach, John, 944. 
Raphael, 360. 
Rapp. Philip, 166. 
Rapperat, Joseph, 629. 
Raseman, C, 757, 758. 
Rathbone, 791, 
Raligan, P., 543. 
Rattcnbury, T,. 166. 
Ratienbury, William T., 131. 
Rawdon, Wright, & Hatch, 155. 
Rawies, Aaron B., 710. 
Rawson, N. L, 682. 



Ray, A. T., 58, 166. 

Ray, Eleazer. 210. 

Ray, J. O., 650. 

Raymbault, 527. 

Raymond, F., 311,492,507,633, 

642, 695, 736. 
Raymond, Henry, 130, 
Raymond, H. J., 709. 
Raymond, Pe(er, 211. 

Raytnond, W. A., 360, 638, 650. 
Rayne, M. L., Mrs., 687, 705, 
944. 

Raynolds, William F., 918, 919. 

Raynor.A H 138, 145,146. 

Reardon, M. J., 499. 

Reaiime, 13. 

Reaume, Pierre, 20, 766. 

Reaume, R., 144, 164, 165, 798, 
935- 

Rebecca, Sister, 653. 

Recours, 715. 

Redfield, A. H., 162, 164. 

Redfield, George, 92. 

Redfield, M. H,, 6gi. 

Redman, R., 691. 

Redmond, W. J., 21c. 

Reed, 267. 671, 692. 

Reed, C. F., 802. 

Reed, E., 873. 

Reed, Ebenezer, 98, 672, 712. 

Reed, George W., 944. 

Reed, James L., 559, 562, 564. 

Reed, John, 671. 

Reed, Alary, 656. 

Reed, Seih, 566, 571. 

Reed, Seth, Mrs., 661. 

Reed, Governor, 257. 

Reeder, Edwin, 573, 818, 944, 

^978- 

Reekie, Alexander, 654. 

Rees, E. H., 71. 

Reese, A. H., 905. 

Reese, Thomas J., 506. 

Reeve, Christopher, 756. 

Reeve, David B., 633. 

Reeve, Xancy, Mrs., 633. 

Reeves, H. L., 486. 

Regal, Eli, 624. 

Regerny, J., 796. 

Reid, Duncan, 165, 202, 210, 

281, 770. 795. 
Reid. John, 54, 
Reid, J. J., 80. 
Reidy, Edward, 868, 904. 
Reif, H., 695, 758. 
Reighley, C, 585, 718, 839. 
Reighley, Mrs. C., 718. 
Reilly, B., 80. 

Reilly, Charles, 361, 540, 549. 
Reilly, C J.. 194, 711,757, 
Reilly, J., 211. 
Reilly, J. AL, 780. 
Reilly. (. O., 470. 
Reilly, Pat., 680. 
Remick, George B., lor, 360. 
Renaud, George F.. 487. 
Reneau, Antoine, 979. 
Reneau, Gabriel, 981. 
Reneau, Louis,'g79. 
Reno, John, 101, 164, 166, 210, 

756. 
Rentz, Theodore, 138, 162. 
Rese, Frederick, 532, 547, 648, 

721. 959- 
Reuter, George A., S75. S76. 
Rc.xford, E. L., 627. 
Reynolds, 268, 277, 280, 
Reynolds, A. N., 633. 
Reynolds, H. A., 844, 973. 
Reynolds, J,, 934. 
Reynolds, R. N., 904, 
Reynolds, Thomas N., 733. 
Rhines, James, 903. 
Rhy, M., 257. 

Ribourdc, Gabriel de la, 907. 
Rice, A. W.. Mrs., 662. 
Rice, D. E.. Afrs., 572. 
Rice, George W., 176. 
Rice, John D., 488. ^,, 

Rice, Justin, 50, 163, 594. ^<J 
Rice, Niary, 594. 
Rice, Paul, 198. 
Rice, R. X., 901. 
Rice, R. S.. 40, $1^ 50, 59, 167, 

300. 359, 492, 494. 646, 710. 



Rice, Versal, 794, 798. 

Rich, b8i. 

Rich, Charles A., 828, 821;-, 1^.14. 

Rich, G. M., 104, 125, 143, 165, 

687,757, 864. 
Rich, Sylvester, 945. 
Richard, Gabriel, 53, 98, 102, 
III. 150. 288. 313, 357. 477. 
490, 531, 533, 535, 547, 670, 
''94, 70s. 720, 728, 729, 730, 
^,^7, 953. 958. 
Richardie, C. de la, 8, 530, 535. 
Richards, John, 348. 
Richards, j. D., '58. 
Richards, R. R.. 569. 
Richardson, D. M,, 57, 100, 161, 

496, 757. 828. 869, a-i^. 
Richardson, D. M., Airs., 665. 
Richardson, J. P., 967. 
Richardson, Origen D., 92. 
Richelieu, Cardinal, 83. 
Richings, Caroline, Miss, 521. 
Richmond, 679. 
Richmond, Dean, 895, 910. 
Richmond, W. A.. 324. 
Richter, Henry Joseph, 547. 
Richter, Leonard, 166. 
Ricker, R. E., 902. 
Riddle, 78. 
Ridette, George, 80. 
Rigaud, Pierre de, 83. 
Rikey, E. A. P., 734. 
Riley, Bcnnet, 228, 229. 
Riley, B. Miss, 752. 
Riley, James, 285, 494. 
Riley, John, 285. 
Riley, Peter. 285. 
Ringnolt, J. C, 851. 
Riopcl, Ambrose, 978. 
Riopelle, 977. 
Riopeile, C. N., 101. 
Riopelle, D., 143, 944, 
Riopelle, Hyacinthe F., 131. 
Riopelle, H. W., 101. 
Riopelle, Joseph, 285. 
Ripley, Captain, 300. 
Rischert, C., 758. 
Risdon, Orange, 697, 
Ristori, 358, 969. 
Rivard, Antome, 944, 979. 
Rivard, Charles, 531, 720, 980. 
Rivard, Francois, 313, 720, 979, 
Rivard, Jean Baptiste, 981. 
Rivard, Michel, 980. 
Rivard, Nicholas, 981. 
Rivard, Pierre, 981. 
Roach, M. C, 901. 
Robb, (ieorge, 108, 192, 197, 
„753. 755- 

Robbins. Obadiah, 550, 767. 
Robert, H. M., 919. 
Roberts, 969. 
Roberts, D. P., 577. 
Roberts, E. J., 176, 191, 198, 

673, 755- 
Roberts, E. K., 137, 146, 872. 
Roberts, E. V., 99, 
Roberts, Griffith, 165, 202. 
Roberts, H. S., 40, 140, 756. 
Roberts, John. 142, 163, 317, 
492, 713. 755. 795, 900, 935, 
957- 
Roberts, Moses, 130. 
Roberts, Robert E., 71. 140, 168, 
506, 520, 523, 705, 757, 758. 
839, 929. 
Roberts, R. R., 579. 
Roberts, W. J., 586, 589. 
Roberts. William P., 166. 
Robertson, 690. 
Robertson, John, 705. 
Robertson, J. W., 51, 733. 
Robertson, W,, 281. 
Robinson, 236, 837. 
Robinson, Agnes, 633. 
Robinson, Asa M., 192. 
Robinson, Eugene, 32, 33, 76, 
^705. 871, 935. 
Robinson, Frank F.., 692. 
Robinson, G. O.. 757. 
Robinson, James, 164. 
Robinson, John, Jr., 343. 
Robinson. John C, 228, 230, 305. 
Robinson, J. E.. 687. 
Robinson, L. G., 676. 



ioo6 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Robinson, M. T,. 484. 
Robinson, Russl-U, 797. 
Robisun, George F., 197. 
Robison, John, 172, 210, 633, 

767- 934- 
Robison. William, 979. 
Robson, John, 795. 
Roby, 8. 

Robv, Hannah, 594. 
Roby, H. M.. 523, 710- 
Roby, John S., 98, 712, 770, 

908, 933. 
Roche, Thomas, 58. 
Rockwell, Maria, Miss, 718. 
Rocoux, Jean Baptiste, 354, 

720. 
Rodgers, Fred., 920. 
Rodgers, G. D., 210. 
RoerWilliam, 268. 
RocdigLT, Henry, 166, 167. 
Roehin, 944. 
Roeh.n, J. F., 871. 
Rogers, 234, 767, gog. 
Rogers, Andrew J., 205. 
Rogers, Kbenezer H., 192. 
Rogers, F. H., 825, 873. 
Rogers, John. 251, 252. 
Rogers, Randolph, 312, 357. 
Rogers, Robert, 227, 234. 238, 

707. 
Rohe, C. H., 620, 663. 
Rohns, Augustus, 7^8. 
Rolshoven, J. C., 361. 
Roiner, I^eu, 718. 
Romeyn, James W., 100, lot, 
^3 £2. 757, 758, 760. 
Romeyn, Theodore, 106, 162, 

igg, 301, 306, 308, 310, 839, 

851, 944, 9'^2, 967, 96S. 
Rood, A. H., 895. 
Rood. C. C, 738. 
Rood, Ezra, 38. 
Rood, G. F., 69s, 755. 
Rood, G. L., 696. 
Rood, Sidney L., 695, 696. 
Rooks, I'homas, 80. 
Roos, Philip, 167. 
Root, 486. 

Root, Charles, 784, 867, 868. 
lioot, Roswell, 100, 130, ig8. 
Rose, 346. 
Rose, D. R.. 198. 
Rose, Lester A., 680. 
Rose, L. C, 50. 
Rose, P. B., 709, 
Rose, Wm. C, loi. 
Rosecrans, William S., 229. 
Rosenfield, M., 497. 
Rosenthal, L., 212. 
Rosenthal, S., 212, 213. 
Ross, K. U., 677. 
Ross, James, iig, 270. 
Ross, M. K., 733. 
Ross, R. li., 689. 
l-io-si, Walter, 944. 
Rois. W., 198. 
Rossiter. 300, 360. 
Roth. William, 499. 
Ruthweiler, Jacob, 575, 
Roubidon, 766. 
Rouleau. Charles, 978, 981. 
Rouquette, 225. 
Rouse. W. H., 51, 705. 
Rousseau, C. M., 40, 145, 146, 
^ 654. 

Rousson, Baptiste, 978. 
Rowe, 494, 632, 715. 
Rowe, Jonas, 820. 
Rowland, David H., 100, 101. 
Rowland, Isaac S., 126, 303, 

317- 
Rowland, John P., 145. 
Rowland, P. A., 799. 
Rowland, Thomas, 30, 41, 92, 

135. 138, 140, 142, 167, 176, 

igo, 192, ig8, 226, 278, 502, 

558, 642, 68r, 712, 731, 755, 

847. 881. g44. 
Rowley, B., 130, 933. 
Rowley, N. B , 58, 792, 797, 
Rowlsnn. H. B., 60, 684. 
Koy, Pierre, 18. 
Ri.ys, J. A., 695. 
Rucker, John A.. 130, igS. 
Riidd, E. H., 588, 591. 



Ruelile, 306. 

Ruehle, rrederick, 144, 145. 
Ruehle, F., 317,687, 756,936. 
Riiehle, J. V., 71, 79, loi, 143, 

303. 3171 318, 967. 
Ruehle. Valentine, 617. 
Rugard, Francis, 799. 
Ruggles, Isaac W., sgs. 
Ruhl, Charles, 482. 
Ruland, Israel, 313. 
Ruland, John, 285. 313. 
Rumney, Alice. 737. 
Rumney, W. V., 168, 757, 758, 

792- 
Rimge, J. B., 212. 
Ruoff, A., 146. 
Russel Wheel Co., 805. 
Russel, G. B., 50, 218, 646, 658, 

gi7. 
Russel, George H., 805. 
Russel, Henry, 711. 
Russel, John R., 805. 
Russel, Walter ^., 805. 
Russell, Alfred, 176. 
Russell, Alfred, Mrs., 361. 
Russell, C. P., 677, 691. 
Russell, Frank G., 141, 145, 205, 

705. 
Russell, George P., 176. 
Russell, H. T., 210. 
Russell, John, 569, 573, 675, 

677, 679. 
Russell, J. A., 549. 
Russell, W., 164, 281, 335, 565, 

944. 
Russell, W. H., 483, 616, 709. 
Rust, J. J.. 822. 
Ryan, C. ]., 885. 
Ryan, K. W., 571. 
Ryan, Henry, 554, 580. 
Ryan, Jolin B., 145, 146. 
Ryan, Michael, 211. 
Ryan, Timothy. 74. 
Ryan, William, 166, 167. 756. 
Ryan, W. W., 46, 705, 965. 

s 

St. Andre, 20. 

St. Armour, J. B., 533, gi6, 

St. Aubin, 18, 333, Q77. 

St. Aubin, dil Casse, 337. 

St. Aubin, Francis, 166, 945. 

St. Aubin, F. C , loi, 144, g35, 

St. Aubin, Jean Cass, 20. 

St. Aubin, Mme., 235. 

St. Barnard. 533. 

St. Barnard, Henry, g8i. 

St. Bernard, Hypolite, 720. 

St. Bernard, Louis, 313. 

St. Clair, Arthur, 53, 86, iig, 

172, 178, 221, 248, 264, 265, 

26g, 272, g45, gs3. 
St. Clair, Arthur, Jr., 178, 285. 
St. Cosme. Pierre, 172. 
St. Jean, dit Joseph Cerre, 313, 

720, 978. 
St. John. E. F., 872. 
St. John. John P., 976. 
St. Martin, 20, 35, 371. 
St. Martin, Jacques, 238, 669. 
St. Martin, Miss, 340. 
St. Pierre, M. de, 231. 
St. Obin. Gabriel. 979. 
St. Valier, John Baptist de la 

Croi.x Chevrieres de, 546. 
Sabin, 872. 

Sabin. O. T. Mrs., 310. 
Sabine, J. C-. 795. 
Sabine, W. C, 638. 
Sabrevois, Jacques Chas., 19, 

227, 
Sacker, Herman, 167. 
Sackett, David, loi, 125, 126, 

131, 64S. 
Saenger, Alex. A., 141, 
Safford, James, 125, 131, igS, 

648. 
Safford, James A., 131. 
Saffrey-Mesy, Chevalier de, 83. 
Sagard, 527. 
Sager, Abraham, 50. 
Sale, L. D., ig6. 
Sales, William, 125, 7g7. 
Sallenauve, J. B., 530. 



Salsbury, 492. 

Salter, M., 165. 210, 211, 484. 
Salvignac, Pierre. 32S. 
Sanborn, James W., 93. 
Sanborn, Oscar, 132. 
Sanborn, O. W., 570. 
Sanders, Jacob, 40. 
Sanderson, Henry, 502,558,860. 
Sanderson, Lydia. 594. 
Sands. George, goo. 
Sanford, Miss, 717. 
Sanford, Miles, 674. 
Sanfiird, Thomas, 757. 
Sanger, Henry E., 85g. 
Sanger, H. K., 38, 787, 792, 

862. 
Sanger, H. P., 781. 
Sanguinet, Simon, 172. 
Sard, 7gi. 

Sargeant, H. E., goi. 
Sargeant, John, 555. 
Sargeant, Thomas, 555. 
Sargent, Winthrop, 85, 86, 118, 

119, 197, 198. 945. 
Sartwell, George B., 867. 
Sastaretsi, 371, 
Saunders, Harry, 100, loi, 125, 

130. 
Saunders, I. S., 198. 
Saunders, Joseph, 6S0, 6gi. 
Saunders, P. E., 922. 
Saurs, 499. 

Savage, James, 537. 541. 
Savage, William £., 688. 
Sawyer, Franklin, 93, 113. 300 

68g, 692, 710, 711. 
Sawyei*, Joseph, 780, 921. 
Saxby, E. A., 680. 
Sa.\e, J. G., 709. 
Saxton, Charlotte Hart, 939. 
Say, Prof,, 957. 
Savles, Harry F., 643. 
Scadin, R. C, 58. 
Scanlon, George L., 211. 
Schaad, M., 617. 
Schadow, Charles, 620. 
Schaff, P., 702. 
Schaller, J. M. G., 618. 
Schamaden, Thomas, g34. 
Schantz, J. P., 578. 
Schantz, N., 719. 
Schatz, C. F., 619. 
Schebosch, 551. 
SchefHer, A., 538. 
Schehr, Adam, 162. 
Scheller, George, 486. 
Scherer, 628, 6;;g. 
Scheu, Albert, ig6, ig8. 
Schick, John B., 104, 125, 755, 

756. 
SchiefBin, Jonathan, 94, 191, 

252. 255. 953. 979- 
Schimmei, F., 687, 688. 
Schimmel, W., 688. 
Schindler, Jonas, 173. 
Schloss, S., Mrs,, 657. 
Schmemann, Karl, 677. 
Schmid, F,, 617. 
Schmidt, Charles, 80. 
Schmidt, J. J.. 622. 
Schmidt, Traugott, 869. 
Schmitt, E. L., 162. 
Schmitt, John, 145. 
Schmittdiel, A. H., 144. 
Schmittdiel, H. A., 196. 
Schmittdiel, J. B., 145, 687. 
Schmittdiel. John S., 167, 758. 
Schneider, John. 165. 
Schneider, John S., 576. 
Schneider, Peter F., 575. 
Schnelzer, J., 212. 
Schoaff, 4S5. 
Schober, E., 6go. 
Schober, F. A., 677. 
Schoolcraft, .Abram S., 58, 863. 
Schoolcraft. Henry A., igi. 
Schoolcraft, H. R., 16,321,324, 

705, 712, 839, 907, 945. 
Schoolcraft, John L., 864. 
Schooler, T. E., ig8. 
Schrick. M.. 798. 
Schroeder, Christian. 57. 
Schroeder, Edward, 646. 
Schuffart, Chas., 132. 
Schuh, H. J., 620. 



Schulenburg, 498. 
Schulte, Adam, 58. 
Schulic, August, 145. 
Schulte, Anton. 934. 
Schulte, Caspar, 646. 647, 649. 
Schulte, C, 499, 758. 
Schulte, Joseph, 54, 826. 
Schulte, Brothers, 826. 
Schultz, J. C, 80. 167. 
Schumacher, H.. 355. 
Schumm, Charles E., 757, 
Schurz, Carl, 684. 
Schutjes, H. J. H., 547, 
Schwabe, J. P., 617. 
Schwankoosky, Conrad, 618. 
Schwartz, George, 712. 
Schwartz, John, 721. 
Schwartz, John E., 89, 90, 100, 

loi, 215, 341, 346, 481, 713, 

770. 958. 
Schwartz, J. G., 770. 
Schwartz, N., 799. 
Schweim, William, 934. 
Schweinfert, John, 575. 
Schweitzer, G., 934. 
Schwinn, George, 575. 
Scerl, Gottlieb, 935. 
Scott, 272. 
Scott, Misses, 495. 
Scott, Annie, Miss, 717. 
Scott, L)red, 9^9. 
Scott, D. W., 133. 
Scott. Eleanor, Miss, 717. 
Scott, G. H., 920. 
Scott, Hester, Mrs.. 717. 
Scott, Isabella, Miss, 717. 
Scott, James, 944. 
Scott, J., 65, 100, 143, 163, 202, 

475. 934- 
Scott, J. P., 603. 679. 
Scott, J. R., 710. 
Scott, Le\'i, 579. 
Scott, Mary J-, 594. 
Scott, V. J., 654, 872. 
Scott, William, 40, 553, 569. 
Scott, W. H., 498. 
Scott, William M., 272, 281, 502. 
Scott, Wm. McDowell, 62, 150, 

176, 183, 190, igi, ig8, 214, 

314. 553. 669. 
Scott, Winfield, lor, 130, 131, 

229, 271, 299, 301, 302, 303, 

945. 956, 958, 960. 
Scotlen, Daniel, 4, 57, 496, 827, 

945- ^ 
Scotten, Orren, 827. 
Scovel, J, B., 50, 646, 649. 
Scovel, Edward, 354. 
Scoville, D. J., 945. 
Scripps, J. Annie, 705. 
Scripps, George H., 361, 362, 

689. 
Scripps, James E., 361, 362, 669, 

6S3. 684, 688, 692, 6g6, 705, 

871. 
Scripps, W. A., 486. 
Seage, John, 640. 
Seager, 566. 

Searle, Addison, 226, 581. 
Seaman, Ezra C, 705. 
Sears, Charles, 730. 
Sears, O. A., 945. 
Secord, W. W., 6gi. 
Seefred, S. S., 781. 
Seek. Conrad, 133, 210, 2S1, 313. 
Seek, Lieutenant, 184. 
Seely, Merritt, 892. 
Seereiter, John, 352. 
Seguin, Gaetan, dit Lederout, 

20. 
Segur, Hiram, 131. 
Seitz, C. B., 497, 49S, 499. 
Seitz, F. L., 71, 686, 872. 
Selden, Joseph, 130. 
Selden, Samuel L., S84. 
Selkirk, Lord, 278, 956, 939. 
Selkrig, Charles, 486. 
Selkn'g, C. V., 40. 
Selleck, A., 353, 6g5. 
Sene, J. B., g8i. 
Senfeman, 550, 551. 
Senninger, N., 145, 161, 167. 
Sequin, dit Chene, 337. 
Serrier, 715. 
Sessions, Alonzo, 92. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



lOO 



/ 



Severance, L., 131. 

Seward, William H., 110, ^ocj, 

708, 900, 945, q66. 
SextoD, Daniel, 934. 
Sexton, Jared, loi, 132. 
Sexton, Jared A., 131, 209, 871. 
Seymour, 957. 
Seymour, Charles, 863. 
Seymour, F. H., 519, 706. 
Seymour, Horatio, 973. 
Seymour, Joseph. 672, 692. 
Seymour, J. C. W., 493, 862. 
Seymour, J. W., 696. 
Seymour, Sophia, 594. 
Shaler, Charles, 274. 
Shanahan, D., 145, 146, 64S, 

799- 
Shanahan, P., 799, 934. 
Shanklin, Lieutenant, 26S. 
Shappooton, M., 222. 
Sharp, John, 165, 166. 
Shattuck, Lemuel, 557.631,632, 
^633, 705, 730. 
Shaumberg, Bartholomew, 267, 

270. 
Shaw, 695. 
Shaw, O. L., 80. 
Shaw, D. R., Mrs., 653. 
Shaw, H. W. (Josh Billings), 

709. 
Shaw, James, 580. 
Shaw, John, 869. 
Shaw, William, 482, 483, 484, 

485- 
Shawe, M. E. K., 537, 539. 
Sheaf, Lanij, 640, 
Sheahan, Jeremiah, 125, 126, 

Sheahan, P. J., 196, 318. 
Shearer, J., 648. 
Shearer, James, 61, 144, 475. 
Shearer, Jonathan, 91, iod, ioi, 

123, 130. 
Shearer, L. D., 872. 
Shearman, Francis W., 93. 
Sheehan, D., 198, 799. 
ShefTcrly, 49g. 
Shelby. Isaac. 2S3, 285, 286, 

287. 945. 
Shelden, Allan, 361, 362, 733, 

S67. 
Sheldon, 496. 
Sheldon, C. A., 792. 
Sheldon, E. M., Mrs., 33, 369, 

633, 654, 675, 677, 705, 
Sheldon, George, 595. 
Sheldon, G- T., 1761 192, 755, 

756. 
Sheldon, John P., 98, 123, 135, 

142, 152, 558, 671, 672, 685, 

692, 694, 697, 712, 713, 847. 

958. 
Sheldon, T. C, 209, 492, 635. 
Sheldon, T. F., 100. 
Sheldon & Graves, 485. 
Sheldon & Reed, 692. 
Sheldon & Wells. 692. 
Sheley, Alanson, 61, 100, 144, 

165, 346, 460, 595, 641, 648, 

840, 841, 851, 867. 
Shepard, 716. 
Shepard, E.. 143, 731, 756. 
Sheridan. Phil., 945. 
Sherlock. E. T.. 166. 676. 
Sherman, Murray, 132. 
Sherman, W. 'I'., 106, 945, 968. 
Sherwood, 4S1. 
Sherwood, Samuel, 795. 
Sherwood, T. C, 872. 
Sherwood. T. R., 188. 
Shields. James, 798. 
Shier, W. H.. 572. 
Shillaber, B. P. (Mrs. Parting- 
ton), 709. 
Shippen. Ku^h, R., 626. 
Shoemaker, Michael, 785. 
Shoemaker, W. , 945. 
Shorter, J. P., 976. 
Shotwell. C. B.. 825. 
Shourd, Lieutenant, 250. 
Shove, J., 697. 
Shroeter, A.. 621, 
ShucH, Anthony, 934. 
Shulte, John. 868. 
Shuman, F. A., 132. 



Shurley, E. L., 51, 690, 705, 733. 

Sibley, 277. 

Sibley, Ebcnezer S., 729, 859. 

Sibk-y, E. S., Mrs., 939. 

Sibley, F. IJ., 865. 

Sibk-y. F. T., 355. 

Sibley, H., 884. 

Sibley, H. H., 339, 941. 

Sibley, Sarah A. Miss, 310,311. 

Sibley, Solomon, 15, 29, 41. 89, 

94, 102. 103, 133, 134, 135, 140, 

I49» 176, 185, 186, 273, 274, 

284, 313. 325. 470, 49»i 729. 

730, 858. 859. 884. 945, 953. 
Sibley, Solomon, Mrs., 356. 
Sibley, Sylvester, 935. 
Sicarl, 19, 

Sigourney, Lydia H., 595. 
Sihier, G, B., 356. 
Silber, W. B., 706. 
Silberman, 494, 628. 
Sill, J. M. B., 637.714.718,75=. 
^.753. 757- 
Silsbee, 626. 
Silsby, 511. 
Silver, Abiel, 93, 705. 
Simcoe, Lieutenant-Governor, 

7, 94, 118, 264, 266, 953. 
Simmons, 181, 958. 
Simmons, William, 565, 580. 
Simonds, S. D., 566, 675. 
Simons, John, 58. 
Simpson, Adam, 758. 
Simpson, E. W., 146, 479. 
Simpson, James, 577, 
Simpson, John, 19S. 
Simpson, .\L, 567, 579, 709. 
Simpson, T. H., 808. 
Sinclair, Patrick, 13. 242. 260. 
Singleton, Geo. F., 885. 
Sistare, Geo. K., 873. 
Sitgraves, 267. 
Sitgreaves, Lorenzo. 919. 
Sizer, H. H., S60. 862. 
Skiff, Walter C, 640. 
Skinner, E. C, 39. 714. 
Skinner, E. C., Mrs., 361, 362. 
SkoUa, 538. 
Slater, George H., 661. 
Slaughter. T.. 961. 
Slaymaker. J. A.. 143, 756. 
Sloan, Captain, 275. 
Sloan, S., 901. 
Slocum, Elliott T., 100. 
Slocum, G. B., 7, 130. 
Sloman, L., Mrs., 657. 
Slosser, Ensign, 234. 
Smart, David. 131, 167, 492, 

493. 504. 523* 864. 
Smart, CJeorge, 210. 
Smart, J. S., 570. 573, 705. 
Smart, Robert, 281, 645, 
Smead, D. W., 198. 
Smith, 95, 103, 275, 494, 505, 

760, 872. 955. 959. 
Smith, Alexander, 212. 
Smith, Andrew, 654. 
Smith, .\., Jr., 360. 
Smith, A. E., 901. 
Smith. Andrew J., 93. 
Smith, Bradford, 206, 207, 633, 

639, 640. 
Smith, Charles, 889. 
Smith, C. C. IOI. 
Smith, Charles H., 833. 834. 
Smith. David, 198. 
Smith. D., 130. 
Smith, Elijah, 71, 145. 
Smith, Eugene, 733. 
Smith, E..B.. 678, 682, 695. 
Smith, E. K., 228 
Smith, Eugene T., 317, 674. 
Smith, E. Willard. 61, 901, 936, 
Smith. Geo.. 165, 580, 933. 
Smith, G. W.. 131. 
Smith, H., 799. 
Smith, H. A., 649. 
Smith, Hamilton E., 59, 647. 
Smith, Henry, 934. 935. 
Smith, Howard, 606. 
Smith. Hugh, 581. 
Smith, H. H. Crapo» Mrs., 361, 

362. 
Smith, Isaac S., 50. 
Smith, Jack, 285. 



nith, Jesse, 864. 

nith. Job, 100, 125, 132. 

nith, John, 227, 491, 937. 



Smith, Jesse, 864. 

Smit" 

Sn 

Smith, j. B., ; 

Smith, John E., 131. 

Smith, J. H.. 798. 

Smith, J. Hyatt, 705. 

Smith, Joshua L., 343. 

Smith, J. W., 844. 

Smitli, L. A., 772, 776. 

Smith, Lyman B., 211. 

Smith, Mortimer L., 361. 

Smith, Moses 615. 

Smith, M. S., 57, 75, 205, 360, 

362, 364, 468, 733, 826, 867, 

868, 86g, 976. 
Smith, R. C, 140, 143, 164, 600, 

638, 674, 900, 
Smith, R. D., 198. 
Smith, R. M., 324. 
Smith, Seth, 126, 131. 
Smith, Sheldon, 217. 
Smith, S. B., 131. 
Smith, Thomas, 8, 26, 29, 32, 

37, 174. 214. 262, 769, 799, 978. 
Smith, Ulysses G., 673. 
Smith, Watson G., 756. 
Smith, William, 133, 210, 211, 

860. 
Smith, William A., 91, 131. 
Smith, W. B.. 639. 
Smith, William F., 919. 
Smith, W. H., 131, 666. 
Sinolk. A., 934. 
Smulders, E.. 543. 
Sinythe, Richard, 40, 89. 95, 98, 

125, 130, 133, 135, 183. 198, 

209. 273, 314, 315, 316, 317, 

480, 712. 
Snelling, 276, 277. 291. 
Snclling, H. H., 673, 705. 
Snelling, Mrs. Col., 372. 
Snow, 695, 884. 
Snow, H. A., 500. 
Snow, Josiah, 40, 673, 675, 683, 

884. 
Snow, William D., 884. 
Snyder, George, 674. 
Snyder, John, 165. 
Socier, Joseph, 981. 
Soffers. B. J , 536. 
Soldan, C. F., 617, 718. 
Solges, 355. 
Solis, A. B., 80. 
Solis. D. H., 675. 
Solyer, C. G., 210. 
Sothern, 358. 
Soule, Bishop, 579. 
Sowden, 499, 
Spalding, v., 140, 198. 
Sparks, H. S., 675. 
Sparling, B., 211. 
Sparling, F. W., 646. 
Spaulding, 531. 
Spaulding, Oliver L., 92. 
Spears, John, 610. 
Speckhard, G., 662. 
Speed, F., 318. 
Speed, J. J., Joi, 177, 193, 194, 

75S. 
Speed. J. J.. Jr., 883. 884. 
Speed, William J., 141. 
Speek, M., 578. 
Speil. R., 357. 
Spcnce, 1 hos. R., 101. 
Spencer, 733. 
Spencer, C. B., 57^. 
Spencer, Deborali Seldcn, Mrs., 

945. 
Spencer, Elizabeth (Mrs. Cass), 

945- 
Spencer, G., 71, 125, 164, 198, 

713- 
Spencer, Joseph, 281, 938. 945. 
Spencer, Martha Brainerd,Mrs., 

938. 
Spencer, O. M., 262. 
Spies, E., 621. 
Spinning, D. J., 80. 
Spitzley, Henry, 479. 
Sprague, Ara, 130, 198. 
Sprague, A. W., 58. an, 799. 
Sprague, Henry, ig8. 



Spr.igue, J. B., 
Sprague, R. A., 



678. 



Sprague, Thomas S., 361, 798. 

Sprague, William. 324. 

Spranger, F. X.. 51. 646, 734. 

Springer, S. J., 131, 872. 

Sproat, Ebcnezer, 945. 

Sprole, W', T., 615. 

Stacy, William, 554. 

Stadler, C. 211. 

Stadler, John B., 202, 211. 

Stager, H. W„ 640. 

Stalker. Thomas, 572. 

Standart, J. ti., 822. 

.Standisb, 497. 

Siandish, J. D,, 162, 164, 6ic, 

Stange, Charles, 145, 275. 

Stanley, D. S., 228. 

Stanley. J. M.. 359, 945. 

Stanton, 980. 

Stanton, Edwin M., T04. 

Stanton, Francis, 940. 

Stanton, Henry, 937, 940. 945. 

Stanton, Stephen K., 205, 355, 

r- 945- 

Stapleton, 681. 

Stark, F. X., 945. 

Starkey, Henry. 71, 140, 523. 

Starkey, Jennie O., Miss, 687. 

Starkey, L. F.. 50 

Starkey. Richard, 140. 

Starkweather, C. C. 205. 

Starkweather, George H., 101, 

130. 
Starkweather, I. N., 872. 
Starkweather, John F., 211. 
Stead, 62. 

Stead, B., 631, 712, 730, 859. 
Stead, William, 164, 1C6, 936. 
Stearns, Willard E., 143, 740, 

755- 
Stearns, Frederick. 36:', 468, 

497, 676, 691, 714, 822, 823, 

970. 
Stearns, F. H.. 739. 
Stebbins, Calvin, 627. 
Stcbbins. Dwight D., 646. 
Stebbins, G. B., 705. 
Stebbins. N. D., 50, 
Stebner, H.. 80. 
Stecher, Martin. 945. 
Sieckel, G. L. R., 166, 167. 
Steel, 270. 

Steele, Archibald, 256. 
Slehfast, H., 935. 
Stein, Charles. 355. 357. 
Steinbeck, John, 978. 
Steinfeld, 468. 
Stella. Mary, 651, 6f2. 
Stellwagen, Cieorge IL, 125, 

i3»- 
Stenton, Goff. 945. 
Stephens, John, 718. 867. 
Stephens, J. A., 798, 934. 
Stephens, Roe, 356, 690. 
Stephens, W. C, 895. 
Stephenson, Captain, 227. 323. 
Stephenson, William, 597. 
Stern, Jabez, 210. 
Sterling, 238, 907. 
Sterling, James, 37, 172, 244, 
^837. 

Sterling. Jesse, 167. 
Sterling. John, 76. 
Sterling, J. T., Mrs. Colonel, 

362. 
Steuben, Baron, 258, 264, 952. 
Stevens, 494. 6<)5. 696. 
Stevens, Am«)s. 88, joi, 131, 198. 
Stevens, Daniel, 40. 
Stevens, F. H.. 374, 863. 
Stevens, Gideon B., 191. 
Stevens, H. P., 483. 485. 
Stevens, James, 521. 
Stevens, James A.. 132. 
Stevens, John, 485. 
Stevens, Kat«: E., Miss, 3x0. 
Stevens, M., 143. 
Stevens, Sears, 191, 199. 
Stevens, T. H., 920. 
Stevens, William, 888. 
Stevens, William C., 92. 
Stevenson, Captain, 766. 
Stevenson, Charles S., 677. 
Stevenson, James, 227. 
Steward, Charles, 125, 131, 132, 

3»3. 



ioo8 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Stewart, 494. 

Stewart, A., 165, 934. 

Stewart, Charles Henry, 346. 

Stewart, D.. 166. 

Stewart, Duncan, 306, 654, 787, 

788, 792, 867, 967. 
Stewart, G. D., 647. 
Stewart, James, 71, loi, 143, 

513. 737' 739. 811. 
Stewart, James h., 357. 
Stewart, John, 167, 576, 654, 

935- 
Stewart, Morse, 162, 218, 650, 

706. 
Stewart, Morse, Mrs., 310, 361, 

362, 660, 661, 666, 706, 842. 
Stewart, Morse, Jr., 51, 138. 
Stewart, M. P., 50. 
Stewart, N. P., 895. - 
Stewart, Robert, 860, 
Stewart, Wm., 144, 164. 
Steyskal, Chas., 167. 
Steyskal, M., 162, 357. 
Stickney, B. F., 300. 
Stickney, J. L., 685. 
Stillson, 113. 
Stilzer, Louis, 132. 
Stimson, B. G., 162, 683, 945. 
Stirling, James, 344, 349, 767. 
Stirling, James, Mrs,, 349. 
Stirling, John, 666. 
Stocking, C. H. W.. 587. 
Stocking, William, 6S4, 701. 
Stockton, John, 96. 
Stockton, Thos., 227. 
Stockton, T. B. W., 303, 305. 
Stockwell, A., 131. 
Stodd-ird, C. M., 486. 
Stoddard. Rodman, 198, 485. 
Stoflt^t, H. L., 131. 
Stoflet, William, 130. 
Stokes, F. A., 706. 
Stoll, Julius, 161, 162, 196, 198, 

870. 
Stone, Hiram H., loi. 
Stone, James H., 159, 684, 701. 
Stone, Nathan, 485, 486. 
Stone, \V., 691. 
Stone, William L., 249. 
Storey. W. F., 674, 686, 692. 
Stork, J., 80. 
Storkdale, R., 165. 
Storrs, 616, 
Storrs, H. A., 680. 
Story, A. L., Mrs., 652. 
Story, -M., 164. 

Stoughton, William L., 92, 176. 
Stoutenburgh, J. B., 711, 936. 
Stowe, C. E., 603, 708, 839. 
Stowe, Harriet Beecher, 945. 
Stowe, Lyman E., 706. 
Stowell, A. H., 100, 143, 164, 

202, 493, 496, 695. 
Stowell, C. H., 709. 
Straight. D., 131. 
Straight, Oscar S. , 131. 
Strang, James J., 963. 
Strange, John, 555, 580. 
Stratton, 733. 
Straw, 695. 

Streeter, W. L., 162, 166. 
Striker, Daniel, 92. 
Striker, David, 6T7. 
Stringer, Abram, 131. 
Strong, Colonel, 270. 
Strong, D., 227. 
Strong, George \V., 922. 
Strong, Isaac, 132. 
Strong, John, 100, loi, 131. 
Strong, J. M., 637. 
Strong, J. W., 198, 318, 758, 

787. 
Strong, W. B., 901. 
Strubel, H., 798. 
Stuart, David, 210, 721. 
Stuart, Charles. Mrs.. 651, 652. 
Stuart, George H., 311. 
Stuart, Robert, 92, 324, 645, 651, 

73S, 839. 
Stuart, W. A., 212, 213. 
Siurgis, John, 198. 
Sturgis, L. B., 30. 
Sturgis, Russell, 854. 
Sturm, N., 934. 
Sturmer, J., 622, 



Stutte, A., 198, 718, 757. 
Sucker, Herman, 695. 
Suits, W. H., 845. 
Sullivan, D K,, 211. 
Sullivan, R,, 80, 945. 
Sullivan, Thomas, 756. 
Suite, Benjamin, 709. 
Sumner, W. P , 8og. 
Sumter, Thomas, 129. 
Sutherland, Duke of, 709. 
Sutherland, Geo., 145. 
Sutherland, James, 58. 
Sutherland. J. B., 868. 
Sutherland, T. J., 301, 302. 
Sutliff, Richard, 131. 
Sutton, 360, 491, 494, 964. 
Sutton, B. F., 832. 
Sutton, James W., 144, 506, 51S, 

832, 934. 
Sutton, Joseph D , 758. 
Sutton, Noah, 64, 65, 80, 164, 

167, 513- 
Sutton, W. C, 100. 
Sutton Manufacturing Co , 832. 
Swain, Albert, 680. 
Swain, Isaac N., 945. 
Swan, E. S., 202, 210, 
Swayne, N. H., 175. 
Swearingen, J. S., 908, 953. 
Sweeny, Bernard, 212. 
Sweeney, Edwarvl, 146. 
Sweeney, Elizabeth, 656. 
Sweeney, T. JNI., 131. 
Sweeney, W. A., 681. 
Sweetland, 'M., 585. 
Swegles, John, Jr., 92. 
Swift, 780, 842. 
Swift, Alvah, 198. 
Swift, E. Y., 57, 361. 
Swift, F. W., 138, 318. 633, 883. 
Swift, (ieorge S., 196, 197, 657. 
Swift, George W., loi. 
Swift, John M., loi. 
Swift, Marcus, 131, 198. 
Swift, Morrison, 648. 
Swinscoe, C, 355. 
Swinscoe. H. H., 144, 196. 
Symmes, John Cleves, 178, 956. 

T 

Tabor, A. B., 485. 

Taft, B., 155. 

Taft, Levi B., 176. 

Taft, Stephen K., 145. 

Tafft, William, 125, 130. 

Taggart, C. M., 626. 

Taggart, J. W., 606. 

Talbot, 68 r. 

Talbot, John L., 96, 176, 191, 

711. 
Tallman, 300. 
Tallman, Theophilus E., 88, 

126. 
Talmage. T. DeWitt, 709. 
Tandy, Thomas, 895. 
Taney, Roger B., 84S, 939. 
Tanguay, Cyprian, 709. 
Tankard, 767. 
Tanner, Edward, 956. 
Tanner, John, 956. 
Tappan, 717. 

Tappan, Henr>' P., 709, 746. 
Tarbell, Horace S., 93. 
Turquand, E. L., 586, 589. 
Taylor, 840, 964. 
Taylor, Bayard, 709. 
Taylor, Charles H., 92, 686. 
Taylor, Charlotte Ann, Miss, 

584- 
Taylor, E. B., 592. 
Taylor, E. W.. 756. 
Taylor, Elisha, 38, 141, 1S7, 

191, 197, 226, 604, 650, 740, 

755- 
Taylor, F. D,, 639, 640, 642. 
Taj'lor, F. S., 901. 
Taylor, George, 310, 311, 569, 

571, 706, 840. 
Taylor, George H., 687. 
Taylor, Israel, 281. 
Taylor, James, 291, 293. 
Taylor, J., 485, 496. 
Taylor, John, 167. 
Taylor, John L., 585, 586. 



Taylor, Joseph, 104, 303, 804. 

Taylor, M., 60S. 

Taylor, N. T., 71. 870, 872. 

Taylor, Philo, 130. 198. 

Taylor, William, 708. 

Taylor, Wm. H., 146. 

Taylor, Zachary, 50, 104, 129, 

^303t 963- 

Teagan, Jonathan, 164. 

Tecumseh, 8, 275, 277, 323, 955, 

961. 
Teelson, H., goi. 
Tefft, B. F., 675. 
Tefft, W. H., 361, 814, 827, 867. 
Teller, P., 494. 
Ten Brook, Andrew, 606, 674, 

706. 
Ten Eyck, 300. 
Ten Eyck, A., 104, 176, 187, 

igi, 194. 
Ten Eyck, Conrad, 88, loi, 125, 

131, 135. 176, 281, S51, 855. 
Ten Eyck, J. V. R., 126, 140, 

190. 
Ten Eyck, Martha, 594. 
Tenny, 676. 
Terhune, Robert, 492. 
Ternes, Anthony, 131. 
Tenies, Peter, 101, 126, 131. 
Terry, A. R., 50. 343, 706. 
Terry, F. B., Mrs., 662. 
Terry, H. D., 305. 
Thayer, A. P., 131. 
Thayer, G. W., 486. 
Thayer, Hiram B., 125, 130, 

131- 
Thayer, Lyman M., 874. 
Thayer, N. P., 100, 131, 648. 
Thayer, .S. B., 30, 675, 676. 
Thelan, N., 126. 
Theller, E. A., 50, 301, 302, 

673, 706. 
Thibeau, Prosper, 313. 
Thibeaut, Joseph, 149. 
Thiebault, Catharine, 981. 
Thierr>*, James, 945. 
Thomas, 106, 976. 
Thomas, Aaron, 980. 
Thomas, Alexander M., 721. 
Thomas, D. E., 690. 
Thomas, F. J., 358, 706. 
Thomas, G. R., 758. 
Thomas, Isaiah, 670. 
Thomas, J., 577. 
Thomas, Joel, 198. 
Thomas, L. H., 336, 567. 
Thomas, M. I., 176. 
Thome, P. M., 229. 
Thompson, 301. 744, 979, 
Thompson, B. H., 143, 210. 
Thompson, C. H., 356. 
Thompson, Daniel, 209. 
Thompson, David, 71, 202, 210, 

946. 
Thompson, David, Mrs., 663, 

664. 
Thompson, Duncan, 792. 
Thomson, Edward, 566, 570, 

675. 706, 736, 970. 
Thompson, J., 494. 
Thompson, James, 659. 
Thompson, Joseph, 837. 
Thompson, Mortimer M., 682, 

706. 
Thompson, O. C, 613, 616, 872. 
Thompson, O. C., Mrs., 652, 

653- 
Thompson, T. S., 706. 
Thompson, W., 494. 
Thompson, \\'illiam, 975. 
Thompson, W. B., 624. 
Thompson, W. C, 137. 
Thompson, William G., 75, 140, 

145, 161, 871. 
Thompson, William H., 684, 

689. 
Thompson, W. M., 709. 
Thorns, S., 608. 
Thon, John F. W., 125. 
Thon, J. J., 132. 
Thorpe, W., 904. 
Thrombley, Charles J., 946. 
Throop, Enos T., 126. 
Throop, Geo, B., loi, 755. 
Throop, Montgomery H., 706. 



Throop, Washington, Mrs , 310 
Throop, W. A., 168, 353, 6,5. 
Thuener, Aloys, 647, 649 
Thurber, Horace, 895. 
Thurston, Daniel, 860. 
Thurston, Jason, 130. 
Tibbetts, John R., 482. 
Tlbbetts, John S., loi, 125, 130, 

131, 70)5. 
Tichy, 543. 
Tierney, Jas., 212. 
Tiffin, Edmund, 15. 
Tilick, Wenceslaus, 543. 
Tillinghast, W. R., 585, 592. 
Tillman, J. W., 306, 945. 
Tillottson, 883. 
Tilton, Theodore, 709. 
Timm, Wm., 211. 
Tinham. Alex., loi. 
Tinker, A. P., 598. 
Tinker. I. W., 868. 
Tinnette, J., 355. 
Tisler, N., 211, 212, 213. 
Titlow, George, 211, 212. 
Titus, Jonas, 888, 
Titus, J. H., 738. 
Titus, Marian, 737. 
Titus, Silas, 710. 
Titus, S. W., 609. 
Tobitz, A., 80. 

Tocqueville, Alexis de, 707,958. 
Todd, 280, 495. 
Todd. C. S., 286. 287. 
Todd, Isaac, 767, 980. 
Todd, John. 85, 251. 
Todd, W. E., 146. 
Todenbier, John B., 758. 
Todt. Max, 934. 
Toepel, J. H., 618. 
Toll, Alexander, 198. 
Tomlinson, N., 143. 
Tompkins, John W., 62, 502. 
Toms, Robert P., 56, 67, 199, 

362, 656, 657. 
Tonty, 18, 19, 171, 221, 325, 

327. 332i 340. 489, 527, 707. 

766, 951. 
Tonty, Sieur Alphonse de, 226. 
Tonty, Henri, 227. 
Torbert, Samuel, 198. 
Torrance, 596. 
Torrey, Abel R., 145. 
Torrey, H. A., 59. 
Torrey, Joseph. 195. 
Torrey, Joseph W., 98, 190, 945. 
Toser, Eliza, 739, 
Towle, S., Mrs., 718. 
Towne, B. P\. 210, 
Towne, T. M.. 355, 744. 
Townsend, 492, 493, 
Townsend, E. D., 945. 
Tracy, D. B., go6. 
Tracey, Uriah, 272, 552. 
Train, George Francis, 709. 
Trainor, W. H., 871. 
Tramer, C, 578. 
Trask, Francis, 940. 
Trask, J. S., 569. 
Traub, 496. 
Traver, G. M., 490. 
Traynor, W. J. H., 680, 689, 

690, 691. 
Treadway, A., 639. 
Treadwell, Seymour B., 93. 
Tregaskis. Richard, 163, 
Tregent, Helen, Mrs., 941. 
Tregent, P., 938, 940, 941. 
Trehey, T., 165, 166, 756. 
Tremble, Ambroise. 982. 
Tremble, Francois, 313. 
Tremble, Francois Ambroise, 

981. 
Tremble, Joseph Lionard, 980. 
Tremble, Joseph Louis, 977, 

9S0. 
Tremble, Louis, Sr., 980. 
Tremble, Pierre, 981. 
Tremble, Thomas. 313, 
Treuschel, Charles. 575. 
Trevan, William C, 577. 
Trincano, Sister, 725 
Tripler. C. S., 50, 706. 
Tripp, 468. 

Trollope, Anthony, 708. 
Trombley, David, 132. 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



1009 



Trombly, C. K., 758. 
Trust, A., 162. 
Trounstine, M., Mrs., 657. 
Trowbridge, C. A., lo6, 355. 
Trowbridge, Charles C, 41, 49, 
56. 112, 113, 142, I53i l8ot 
186, 197, 258, 277, 3°=. 3'2. 
339, 470. 475i 506, 583. 5841 
590, 592, 641, 051, 052, 657, 
666, 706, 712, 716, 730, 731, 
746, 785, 838. 859, 864, 887, 
895. 907. 926, 962, 975- 
Trowbridge, C. C., Mrs., 583, 

590, 631, 652. 
Trowbridge, E. S., Miss, 651, 

652, 716. 
Trowbridge, L. H., 689. 
Trowbridge. Luther S., 159, 163, 
63S, 711. 733. 758. 

Troy. William, 607. 

Trua.\, 961. 

Trua.x, .A.. C, 130, 198, 277, 767. 

Truax, John. 851, 863. 

Trua.x, J. L., 357. 

Truckey, N., 144. 

Trudeau. 18. 

Trudell. Samuel, 130. 

Trudelle, Francois, 979. 

Truesdail, W., 787, 864. 

Trumbull, John, 706. 945. 

Trumbull, Squire, 210. 

Tryon, James E., 519. 

Tubman, R., 904. 

Tucker, 255. 

Tucker, G., 486. 

Tucker, Joel, 716. 

Tucker, J. D., 487. 

Tunis, W. E., 497, 695. 

Turk, 482. 

Tumbull, 236. 

Tumbull, George, 172, 227. 

Tumbull, J. L.. 892. 

Tumbull, Robert, 603, 605, 606, 
631, 706, 839. 

Turner, 964. 

Turner, Alvin .\., 130. 

Turner, George, 178. 

Turner, Horace, 499, 901. 

Turner, H. M., 976. 

Turner, Josiah, i83. 

Turpin, A. H.. 577- 

Turpin, Jean Baptiste, 333. 

Turring, Chaplain, 550, 952. 

Tuttle, 184, 226. 

Tuttle, .Abram, 143. 

Tuttle, Christopher, 313. 

Tuttle, C. S., 706. 

Tuttle, C W., 58, 211, 872. 

Tuttle, W., 131. 

Tuttle, Warner, 90. 

Turtle, Warren, loi, 198, 648. 

Twain, Mark, 709. 

Twiggs, Colonel, 48. 

Tworably, L. C, 318. 

Tyler, 493, 494- 

Tyler. Jason, 198. 

Tyler, John W., 215. 

Tyler, .Moses Coit, 6y. 675, 706. 

Tyler, M. G., Mrs., 654. 

Tyler, R. U, 211. 

Tyler. Sarah, 656. 

Tyrrell, 485- 

Tyrrell, Aaron W., 145. 

XT 

Ubelhoer, F.. 212. 
Ude. J. C, 578. 
Uliman, Isaac J.. 481. 
Ullman, L. T., 770. 
Umberhine, D. W.. 697. 
Ulrich, Charles, i8o. 
Ulrich. Henry, 196. 
Ulry, Captain, 275, 
Upson, Charles, 92. 
Upton, G. B., 901. 
Utley, H. M., 684, 753- 



Vail, 498. 83s. 883, 973- 
Vail, E. J.. Miss, 717. 
Vail & Crane, 835. 
Valentine, A., 758, 
Vallee, J. B., 164, 755- 



Valliant, Francois, 537, 

Value, 189. 

Van Aiken, 695. 

Van .Mm, I)., 837. 

Van .Mstyne, J. S., 818, 872. 

Van .\lter, John, 195. 

Van Anden, 481. 

Van Anden, J. O., 8c8. 

Van .\rmaii, John, 303. 

Van Baalen, J.. 496. 

Van Burcn, Martin, 102, 103, 

129, 606, 849, 961. 
Van Campenhaudt, Francis, 

. S4°- 
Vance, 961. 
Vance, David, 94. 
Van Cleve, H. P., 130. 
Van Cleve, John VV., 268. 
Van Damme, Peter, 167, 757. 
Vandendricssche, Amandus, 

S44' 
Vandenhoff, George, 709. 
Van Dcpoelc, Charles J., 362, 

463. 
Vanderbilt, C, ooi. 
Vanderbilt, W. H., 901. 
Vanderburg, Henrj-, 94, 17S. 
Vanderhoof, S., 215. 
Vanderpoel, 531, 532, 533. 721- 
Vanderwarker, 495. 
Van Duzcr, A. ^I., 487- 
Van Dyke, 374. 979- 
Van Dyke, Ernest, 539, 542. 
Van Dyke, James \., 71, 140, 

141, 143, 210, 360, 512, 520, 

521. 523, 711. 
Van Dvke, J. .A. Mrs., 651. 
Van Dyke, J. H., 569. 
Van Dyke, Philip J. D., 210, 

654, 66i, 758. 
Van Emstedc, F. N., 538. 
Van Est, 486. 
Van Every, 080. 
Van Every, Peter, 88, 100, 130, 

ig8. 
Van Fleet, J. A., 706. 
Van Fossen, General, 896. 
Van Horn, T. B., 275, 29t, 297. 
Van Husan, Caleb, 56, 71, 164, 

165, 311, 650, 7t8, 733, 874. 
Van Husan, C, Mrs., 655. 
Van Husen, Theodore V., 923. 
Van Ingcn, Harriet M., Miss, 

737. 73^- 
Van Miller, W., 872. 
Van Xortwich, Ira, 710. 
Van Pamel, F., 541. 
Van Renssel-aer, Jeremiah, 126, 

140. 176, 191. 
Van Rensselaer, Solomon, 225, 

294. 957- ^ , 
Van Riper, J. J., 93- 
Van Riper, J. W., 130. 
Van Schaack, Henry, 767. 
Van Schoick, J. H., 500, 713. 
Van Sickle. George, 872. 
Van Stan, John, sit. 
Varney, A. C, 706. 
Varnum, James H., 86. 
Varnum, J. M.. 178. 
Vaudreuil, 18, 83, 84, 171, 233, 
234. 33'. 7^5. 837- 

Vaughan, J. C, too, 132. 

Vaughn. V. C, 709. 

Vencloir.e, Antoine Due de, 333. 

Venn, James A., 757, 816. 

Verhulst, Sister, 725. 

Vermulen, Fred., 798, 935. 

Vemet, M., 40. 

Vernier, J. B., 337, 716, 979. 

Vernor, B., 310, 311, 519, 523, 
638. 657, 868, 946. 

Vernor, J. S., 162, 311, 523. 

Vertin. John. 547. 

Vetterling, H. C, 626. 

Vhay, 787. 

Victoria, 829. 

Viger, Ale-vander E., 54. 

Viger, Andre, 979. 

Viger, Jacques, 32. 

Vigo, Pnincis, 251. 

Vincent, Francis, 535. 

Vincent, J. E., 137, 146, 165. 

Vincent, J. H., 708. 

Vindevogcl, Sister, 721. 



Visgar, 272. 

Visgar, Peter E., 313. 

Visger, 767, 846. 

Visger, E., 131, 648. 

Visger, J., 131, 837. 

Visger, Jacob, 94, 123, 189, 191, 

198, 313, 915, 978. 981. 
Visger, James A., 125, 130, 131, 

946. 
Visger, Joseph, 285. 
V^isgcr, Wundert, 837. 
Visiere, see Laferte, 337, 797, 

979- 
Voigt, E. W., 362, 871. 
V'olney, C. F., 707. 
Von Brandis, 360. 
Voorhees, 499. 
Voyer, Joseph, 981. 
Voyez, Joseph, 190. 
V^eeland, D. C., 130. 
Vreeland, James H., 130. 
Vrooman. John A., 132. 
Vrooman, J. J., 132, 648. 
V'rooraan, John L., 131. 
Vrooman, Alartin, 131. 

Wabouse. an Indian, 179. 

Wade, William. 844. 

Wadlei.gh, G. F. R., 486. 

Wait, Obed, r42. 474, 713. 

Wager, Henr\', 131. 

Walbach, John B.. 229. 

Walbridge, David S., 884. 

Walcott, A. H., 892. 

Wales, .\ustin, 481, 482, 493. 

Wales, E. A., 191, 192, 482, 6S2, 
686, 692. 

Wales, Prince of, 483, 966. 

Walker, 24S, 315, S27, 744. 

Walker, Bryant, 714. 

Walker, C. I., 32, 56, 57, 75, 
162, 194, 199, 306, 307, 476, 
642, 635, 707, 7it, 712, 760, 

752. 75*. 757. 965. 967. 969- 
VValker, C. I., Mrs., 652. 
Walker, David, 126, 131. 
Walker, Edward C, loi, 311, 

362, 638, 650, 683, 711, 732, 

753. 75*. 839. 
Walker, G. O., 80, 798, 799. 
Walker, Hiram, 161, 162, 362, 

683, 6S4, 733. 
Walker, Henry L., 656. 
Walker, Henry N., 92, loi, 141, 
176, 191, 686, 839, 864, 874, 
880, 883, 895, 897, 898, 903, 
946. 
Walker, H. O., 51, 647, 649, 

690, 733. 
Walker, Jason F., 627. 
Walker, John, 281. 
Walker, J no. G., 934. 
Walker, Leverett B., 756. 
Walker, S. W., 648. 
Walker, \Vm., 198, 978, 980. 
Walker, Willis E., 361. 
Walker. Barns & Co., 692. 
Wall, Surgeon-General, 300. 
Wallace, John B., 101, 131. 
Wallace, L. W., 872. 
Wallace, R. W., 615, 616. 
Wallen, Elias, 79, 133, 149, 202, 

209. 
Walsh, John, 799, 904. 
Walshe, J. G., 539- 
Waltz, Joseph, loi, 131. 
Wanbeq, 496. 

Wanless, Andrew, 606, 707. 
Wappenhans, C. F. R., 923. 
Ward, C. H., 577. 

Ward, Ebcr, 867. 

Ward, E. B., 102, l6t, 359, 683, 
684. 71S, 867, 9H. 

Ward, Henry A., 714. 

Ward, John, 757, 859. 

Ward, ]. & L., 482. 

Ward, Milton, 587. 

Ward, T. M. D., 976. 

Ward, William, 641, 681, 682, 
707, 712, 716, 859. 

Warin, 269, 270. 

Waring, A., 820. 

Warlop, 532, 



Warner, 872. 

Warner, C. E., 758. 

Warner, Jared C, 165, 210, 481, 

482, 756. 
Warner, M. W., 486. 
Warner, S P., 572, 574. 
Warner, William, 101, 707, 756, 

757. 
Warner, W. E., 40, gi, 100, 101, 

•32. 
Warren, 492. 
Warren, Charles A., 871, 901, 

903. 
Warren, George P., 829. 
Warren, H. D., 641. 
Warren, Henry W., 709. 
Warren, Isaac, 211, 797. 
Warren, John, 202. 
Warren, John A., 577. 
Warren, John L., 146, 362. 
Warren, Joseph, 678, 683, 946. 
Warren, Joseph A., 829. 
Warren, Philip, 559, 563, 564, 

579- ^ ^ 
Warren, S. E., 572, 573. 
Warriner, WiUiam E., 146, 165, 

657. 
Warns, Anton, 575. 
Washburn, W. W., 572, 575, 

580. 
Washington, George, 232, 254, 

255. 256, 257. 258, 259, 261, 

264, 267, 317, 362. 633, 746, 

Waterman, 872. 
Waterman, D. .A., 612, 901. 
Waterman, Daniel C., 946. 
Waterman, Fanny Davenport, 

660. 
Waterman, J. W., 475, 586, 707. 
Waterman, Lucius, 589. 
Walkins, 493. 
Watkins, VV., 713. 
Watson, 859. 
Watson, Andrew, 895. 
Watson, Elkanah, 707. 
Watson, F. J., 757. 
Watson, George, 360, 361, 6S1. 
Watson, James, 942. 
Watson, James B., 176, 191, 

796. 
Watson, James v., 566, 641, 707. 
Watson, John, 133, 192, 310, 

739. 755- , ,, 
Watson, John, Mrs., 651. 
Watson, John B., 176, 198. 
Watson, Joseph, 30, 40, 96, 946. 
Watson, J. C, 709, 920. 
Watson, Robert, 80. 
Watson, S. C, 138, 162. 
Watson, Samuel G., 176, 192. 
Watson, Thos. P., 192. 
Wattles, 481. 
Watts, VV. H., 585. 
Waugh, Beverly, 579. 
Way, F. B.. 683, 692. 
Wayman, W. A., 577. 
Wayne, Anthony, 119, 120,225, 
227, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 
270, 27t, 481, 551, 946, 953. 
Wayne, J. B., 806. 
Weaver, Joseph, 210, 979. 
Weaver, S., 486. 
Weaver, William, 554. 

Webb, 492. 

Webb. B. L., 162, 470, 475, 785. 

Webb, J. Russell, 709. 

Webb, James Watson, 339, 357, 
706. 

Webb, William, 348. 

Webber. N. W., 51, 690, 733. 

Weber, George, 798. 

Weber, Henry, 494, 498, 944, 
971, 972. 

Weber, John, 198. 

Weber, J. F., 971, 972. 

Weber. Otto, 944. 

Webster, Daniel, 108, 708, 746, 
849, 946, 960, 964. 

Webster, Daniel F., 108, 708, 

849. 
Webster, Jesse T., 586, 587, 588, 

679. 
Webster, M. Howard, 144, 494 
Webster, M. H., Mrs., 655, 661 



lOIO 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



Webster, Noah, 706. 

Webster, S. C, 795, 798. 

Weed, J. S., 717. 

Weeks, David, 164, 795, 798. 

Weeks, H., 625. 

"Weeks, J. W., 697. 

Weese, John, 795. 

Wcichslcr, Carl, 934, 

Weiler, G., 575. 

Weier, J. D., icx), 126, 137, 144, 

145, J 90, 757. 
Weisenstein, C, 935. 
Weitz, W. T., 212, 213. 
Weitzcl, Godfrey, 67, 919, 975. 
Welch. Charles .\I., 145, 946. 
Welch D., 934. 

Welch, James M., 168, 734, 757. 
Welch, Peg, 961. 
Weld, Isaac, 707, 799. 
Wellman, J. E., 675. 
Welliiiii, James H., 697, 739. 
Wellington, I. M., 749. 
Wells, 492, 581. 892. 
Wells, Ashbel S., 594, 730. 
Wells, Charles, 735, 736. 
Wells, H. H,, 191, 496, 506, 

523- 
Wells, John A., 862. 
Wells, Noah M., 594, 595, 602, 

641, 730. 
Wells, Ralph, 637,969. 
Wells, Rufus, 63. 
Wells, Stephen, 681, 682, 692, 

695. 
Wells, W. A., 710. 
Wells, Wm. P., 101, 753, 757, 

760. 
Welton, A. W., 558, 730. 
Wendell, 491. 
Wendell, A., 131;, 167, 770 
Wendell, C. K.,'884. 
Wendell, Emory. 866, 867, 936. 
Wendell, J., 770. 
Wendell, J. H., 711, 792. 
Wendell, iMary S„ 736. 
Wendell. Tunis S., 142, 164, 

770, 860. 
Wenzell, 495, 
Werniers, B. J., 541. 
Werthmann, A., 166. 
Wesley, John, 946. 
Wesley, Solomon, 144. 
Wessernian, A., 618. 
Wesson, Cutler, 939. 
W^esson, H. E., 6S0, 681. 
Wesson, Lysander, 942. 
Wesson, W. B., 41, 100, 466, 

523. 733i 810, 828, 867, 869, 

937, 938, 939. 941, 942, 943, 
,,944, 940- 

Wesson, W. B., Mrs.» 939, 944. 
West, Benjamin, 360. 
West, N., 600, 718. 
Westaway, James, 640. 
Westcolt^ John W., 146. 
Weston, Allyn, 677, 682. 
Weston, Amos, i8g. 
Wettlaufer, F., 146. 
Wetmore, C. H., 355, 711, 
Wetmore, E. W., 640. 
\Veygand, 551. 
Weyle, Charles, 211, 
Wharton, Carpenter, 344. 
Wheaton, William W., 140. 
Whedon, D. JJ.. 675, 709. 
Wheeler, J. B., 919. 
Wheeler, Lyman, 354. 
Wheeler, R. O., 639. 
Wheelock, Rebecca, 946. 
Wheian, iM., 318. 
Whipple, 315, 481, 695, 955. 
Whipple, A. W., 919. 
Whipple, Charles W., 40, 100, 

1S7, 191, 685, 736. 
Whipple, Henry L., 92. 
Whipple, James B., 126. 
Whipple, John, 40, 123, 183, 

189, 335- 
Whipple, S. A., 361. 
Whipple, William L., 946. 
Whistler, 275. 291, 299, 335. 
Whistler, G. W., 953. 
Whistler, John, 227, 953. 
Whistler, John, i\lrs.,953. 
Whistler, William, 228. 



Whitacre, William, 126, 131. 
Whitcomb, C. D,, 910. 
White, 300, 475, 492, 965. 
White, Alfred. 894. S95. 
White, Alpheus, 49, 88. 
White, A. D., 709. 
White, A. E. F., 633. 
White, H. K., 8it, 868. 
While, J. C, 318. 
White, S. Warner, 874. 
Whitehouse, Henry J., 591. 
Whiting, Henry, 141, 226, 286, 

641, 651, 652, 706, 712, 958. 
Whiting, Henry, Mrs., 652. 
Whiting, J. Hill, 804. 
Whiting, John L., 49, 59, 140, 

163, 299. 355, 492, 513, 7", 

712, 770. 946. 
Whiting, Joseph, 706. 
Whiting, J. P., 143, 202, 210, 

318, 486. 
Whitla, Martha, 975. 
Whitman, Frank, 162. 
Whitman, Hiram, ig8. 
Whitman, P. O., 210. 
Whitmore, O., 571, 68g, 690. 
Whitmore, O. W., 198. 
Whitney, 946. 
Whitney, A. G., 30, 40, 48, 8g, 

96, 98, 135, 176, 195, 631, 859. 
Whitney, C. J., 356, 678. 
Whitnev, David, Jr., 361, 811, 

868. 875. 
W^hitncy, G. L., 672, 673, 681, 

682, 692, 696. 
Whitney, G. B., 845. 
Whitney, O., 4S6. 
Whittaker, H., 176. 
Whittemore, 6go. 
Whittemore, Bernard C.,'92. 
Whittemore, Gideon O., 92. 
Whittemore, J. H., 357. 
Whittemore, J. P., 141. 
Whittenmeyer, John, 303. 
Whittle, 643, 972. 
Whittle, D. W., 637. 
Whittlesey, H. M., 40, 305. 
Whitwood, D. C, 56, 162, 869, 

946. 
Wickware, C, 165, 167. 
Widman, J. T., 167. 
Wieczorck, Simon, 542. 
Wiehle, 355. 
Wiencke, Weise, 680. 
Wieser, Charles J., 146. 
Wight, Buckminster, 100, 143, 

376, 658, 683, 840, 900, 946. 
Wight, E. B., 869, 
Wight. H. A., 497, 498. 
Wight. H. A., Mrs., 600. 
Wight, J. Ambrose, 602. 
Wight, James T., 469, 
Wight, O. W., 59, 361, 707. 
Wight, S. G., 71, 101, 143, 497, 

523. 713, 868, 869. 
Wightman, H., 131. 
Wightman, \'oiney, 131, 
Wilbor, A. D., 566, 
Wilby, R. C, 691. 
Wilcox, Charles, 135, 164. 
\\'ilcox, David B., 210, 872. 
Wilcox, Edwin, 795. 
Wilcox, George A., 177, 756. 
Wilcox, Levi A., 146. 
Wilcox, W. W., 143, 164, 493, 

495i 713. 726, 756, 936. 
Willcox. 675, 691. 
W'illcox, Almira, 594. 
Willcox, Eben N., 307, 523, 755, 

756. 
\\ illcox, Lyman G-, 38, 
Willcox, Orlando B., 73, 230, 

305. 307, 310, 707, 711,967, 969- 
Wilder, A. A., 364, 797. 
Wilder, E. C, 63S. 
Wilder, J. L., 486. 
Wildes, George D., 976. 
Wiley, 579, 709. 
Wiley, A. S., 810. 
Wiley, Jefferson, loi, 218, 708, 

808, 869. 
Wiley, Jefferson, Mrs., 665. 
Wilkes, George, 145, 161. 
Wilkie, Andrew, 934. 
Wilkie, John A., 212. 



Wilkins, 90, 239, 240,492. 
A\'ilkins, Alvan, 707. 
Wilkins, John, 24. 223, 879,887. 
Wilkins, Ross, 31, 90, 175, 186, 

195, 3°3' 3*^5, 642. 946, 961. 
Wilkins. T. D., 675. 
Wilkins, William D., 24, 175, 

176, 303; 3051 746, 752. 756, 

75S, 760, 761. 
Wilkinson, A. H., igo, 612, 757. 
Wilkinson, James, 227, 267, 268, 

270, 271, 953. 
\\'ilkinson, John, 902. 
Wilkinson, Joseph, 58, 133, 184, 

785- 
Wilks, Charles, 132. 
Willard, Frances E., 709. 
Willard, L. B., 165. 645, 755, 756. 
Willard, L. B., Mrs., 310. 
Willeniin, Desire B., 196, 198, 

212. 
Willetts, Wellington, 571, 
WiUetls, J.,63S. 
Williams, 252, 495, 503, 506, 772, 

773- 
Williams, Albert, 92. 
Williams, Alfred, S94, 895. 
Williams, A. S., 103, 143, 190, 

195, 203, 299, 303, 305, 317, 

318, 359, 682, 683, 692, 756, 

S64, 883, 946. 
Williams, Mrs. A. S., 112. 
Williams, Charles W., 739, 755. 
Williams, Eleazer, 581, 956. 
W'illianis, Elizabeth, Miss, 720, 

721, 940. 
Williams, Ezra, 198. 
Williams, Ferdinand, 940. 
Williams, G. Mott, 126, 203, 

493, 586, 589. 590, 591, 730, 

736, 756, 874. 
Williams, Gurdon O., 144, 357, 

486. 865, 895, 965. 
Williams, G. O., Mrs . 486. 
Williams, G. Watsun, 681. 
Williams, Harvey, 502. 
Williams, H. Dwight, 839. 
Williams, Isaac, 173, 577. 
Williams, J., 153. 
Williams, James, 123, 130, 142, 

192, 933. 
Williams, James M., 303. 
Williams, John, 133, 313. 
Williams, John B., 458. 
Williams, John C, 131, 167, 488, 

941, 946. 
Williams, Jt>hn C, Mrs., 937, 

939- 
Williams, J. C. D., 144, 174, 

303, 721- 
Williams, John R., 40, 88, 89, 

99, 114, 123, 135, 138, 140, 

174, 192, 274, 359, 502, 534, 

6S5, 730. 731, 740. 752, 770. 

786, 859, 860, 863, 933, 939, 

945, 946. 
Williams, John R., Mrs., 943. 
Williams, John S., 267. 
^\■ilIiams, Joseph R., 92. 
Williams, Julian, 145. 
Williams, Levi, 198. 
Williams, Miss, 717. 
Williams, Morris L., 871. 
Williams, M. M., 695. 
Williams, Nathan, 78, 191, 198. 
Williams, Nathaniel, 174. 
Williams, N. G., 711, 868. 
Williams, N. H., 481, 485, 4S7. 
Williams, Oliver, 135, 730. 
Williams, Theodore, 40, 100, 

126, 142, 143, 144, 167, 172, 

194, 5'3. 945- , 
Williams, Theodore G., 945. 
W'illiams, Thomas, 174, 198, 66g, 

767. 
Williams, William C, 734, 871. 
Williams, William G.. giS. 
Williamson, David, 261, 952. 
WiUigan, M., 541. 
Willis, Alexandrine M., Mrs., 

937, 946. 
Willis, Blanche, 938. 
Willis, Nathaniel, 66g. 
Willis, Nathaniel P., 66g, 675, 

706. 



Willis, Richard Storrs, 361, 549, 
669, 706, 938. 

Willis, Richard Storrs, Mrs., 
361, 362. 

Willis, H. O., 845. 

Willis, J. P., 607, 610. 

WiUyoung, John, 679. 695. 

Wilniarth, Asa H., 126, 131. 

Wilmarth, Hiram, 64, 198, 696. 

Wilmarth, O. B., 799. 

Wilmor, James T., 554. 

Wilmot, Allen C, 313. 

Wilmot, William, 145. 

Wilson, A. A., 577. 

Wilson, E. H. C, 188. 

Wilson, George, 716, 717, 736. 

Wilson, Henry, 144. 

Wilson, H. H., 577. 

Wilson, James, 248. 

Wilson, John, 879. 

Wilson, John B., 654. 

Wilson, John M., 209, 210, 346, 
795. 

Wilson, Lewis, 228. 

Wilson, M. L., 681. 

Wilson, William, 281. 

Wilson, W. Warne, 586. 

Winans, F. M., 303. 

Winchell, Alexander, 676, 709. 

Winchell, John, 738, 739, 755. 

Winchester, General, 279, 280. 

Winckler, J. F., 620. 

Winder, D. K., 707. 

Winder, John, 140, 167, 175, 176, 
186, 187, 191, 194, 197, 940, 946. 

Winder, John, Mrs., 633, 652. 

Wing, go8. 

Wing, A., 165, 798. 

Wing, Austin E., 30, 40, 98, 102, 
103, III, 135, 176, 181, 187, 
188, 2og, 210, 558, 631, 730, 
839, 946. 

Wing, Franklin ^L, 71 ,126, 144. 

Wing, Nelson H., 946. 

Wing, Warner, 194, 210. 

Winkleman, J. C, 131. 

Winn *It Emery, 482. 

Winterhalter, John, 318. 

Wise, Daniel (Francis Forres- 
ter). 579. 708. 

Wiseman, Major, 227. 

Wisner, George W., 682, 755. 

Wisner, Moses, 92. 

W^iswell, III. 

Witbeck. C. S., 483. 

W'itcher, James E., 737. 

Witherell, B. F. H., 90, 100, 
141, 152, 180, :S8, 190, 192, 
194, 195, 196, 198, 210, 493, 
558, 563. 564, 565, 641, 706, 
712, 716, 731, 737, 902. 

Witherell, James, 89, 95, 96, 
98, 179, 185, 186, 214, 273, 
274, 285, 296, 559, 562, 605, 
735. 858, 946, 947, 960, 979, 

Witherell, J. B., 141. 

Witherspoon, J., 161, i6z. 

Witherspoon, W. W., 212. 

Withington, W. H., 307. 

Wixom, A. J., 131. 

Wolcott, Alexander, 907. 

Wollouski, John, 542. 

Wood, A. B., 910. 

Wood, A. G., 675, 681. 

Wood, A. T., 875. 

Wood, De Volsen, 709. 

Wood, G., 755. 

Wood, James, 255. 

Wood, John, 130. 

Wood, J. B., 162. 

Wood, John E., 225, 229. 

Wood, Lorenzo, 738. 

Wood, Martin B., 883. 884. 

Wood, Matthew, 198. 

Wood, O. C, 162. 

Wood. William S., 682. 

Woodbridge, Dudley B., 939. 

Woodbridge, William, 23, 29, 
88, 91, 102, 130, 142, 180, 186, 
372, 558, 585, 631, 641, 697, 
706, 711, 730, 731, 785, 859, 
908, 909. 938, 946, 947. 967. 
977. 979- 

Woodbridge, William Leverett, 
144, 942. 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



lOI I 



Woodbury, 848. 

Woodcock. .'\. C, 757. 

Woodhains, Lizzie, Miss, 311. 

Woodluill, H. D., 674. 

Woodruff, A. S., 131. 

Woodruil, lienjamia J., 198. 

Woodruff, E., 851. 

Woodruff, L. M., 606. 

Woods, .Mrs., 883. 

Woodward, Augustus B., 25, 
27, 28, 40, 73, 95, 96, 97, 134, 
179, 180, 181, 182, 183, iS5, 
186, 215, 26S, 272, 273, 276, 
278, 280, 281, 287, 313, 491, 
559. 563. 695. 7o6t 711. 71=. 
720, 728, 847, 855, 856, 857, 
559. 927. 946, 947- 

Woodward. John, 186. 

Woodworth, Benjamin, 40, 58, 
■°3. M3. "63. 181, 209, 317, 
357. 472. 480, 493. 502. 558, 
793. 855, 388, 916, 933, 944. 

Woodworth, Samuel, 955, 961. 

Woolley, K., 872. 

Wooliey, S., 872. 

Woolley, Smith R., 145, 161, 
707. 874. 

Woolfenden, Fredenck, 593, 
714. 871. 



Woolsey, 616. 
Woolscy, H. L., 202. 
Woolsey, J. W., 594. 
\\ orcc-stcr, 497. 
Worhofsky, A., 167. 
Work, D. P., 695. 
Workuin, L). J., 629, 758. 
Wurmer, C. C, 808. 
Worincr, G. S., 309, 808. 
Worrall, M. H.. 609. 
Wurih, Colonel, 301. 
Worihinyton, 87. 
W'orthington, George, 586, 591. 
Worlley, J. C, 571. 
Wucrges, N., 034. 
Wray, W. J., 471. 
Wright, 872. 
Wright, H. F., 687. 
Wright, Frank F., 828. 
Wright, Horatio G., 229. 
Wright, P. P., 903. 
Wright, Richard, 007. 
Wright, R. C, 795- 
Wright, R. H., 204. 
Wright, R. W.. 496. 
Wudner, L., 528. 
Wuerth, Alois, 198, 676, 756. 
Wunderlich, E., 576. 
Wunsch, Henry, 167. 



Wunsch, Wni., i66, 167. 
Wyckoff, K. W., 689. 
Wyley, Ann, 173,952. 
Wyinan, Hal C, 734. 
Wyncoop, Wm., 211. 
Wyndhain, Charles, 358. 



Yarndlcy, 355, 357. 

Yates. F., 6S3. 

Yax, John, 981. 

Yax, Michel, 980. 

Yax, Pierre, 980. 

Yax, Simon, 980. 

Yenians, C. C., 59, 567, 640, 

649. 705. 734- 
Yerkes, W., 198. 
Yerkcs, W, P., 190, 311. 
Youmans, E. L., 709. 
Young, 497, 533. 
Young, Abram P., lOi. 
Young, Ambrose P.. 131. 
Young, Hugh A., 961. 
Young, H. J., 577. 
Young, John H., 707. 
Young, Peter, 654, 711, 792, 
YouDg, T., 716. 



Young, Wm. T., 191, 197, 198, 

286, 67s, 707. 
Youngblood, 695. 
Youngblood, Bernard, 125, 145. 
Youngblood, Jacob, 165. 

z 

Zane, Elizabeth, 249. 

Zander, W. T., 578. 

Zant Zinger, K. A., 228. 

Zeisberger. 550, 551, 707. 

Zeiss, Henry, 167. 

Zender, George, 940. 

Zendcr, Henry, 144, 756, 934, 

945, 946. 
Zender, Henry Mrs., 940. 
Zeus, Peter, 798. 
Zerrahn, Carl, 354. 
Ziegler, J. J. T., 131. 
Ziegler, Paul, 583, 585, 587, 

589, 590, 719. 
Zimmerman, J., 211, 798. 
Zinger. Franz, 718. 
Zink, Lucicn, 114,935. 
Zinn, Justus, 934. 
Zirndorf, H., 628, 
Zug, Samuel, 125, 713. 
Zundel, John, 355, 707. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Abstracts of title, 39. 
Academy granted for common 

schools, 735. 
Acadia included Quebec, 327. 
Acadiansfind homes in Detroit, 

. 334- 

Accounts kept in beaver skms, 

846. 
Accounts, method of keeping, 

» 769. 

Actresses and actors, visits of 

noted, 358. 
Adrian, railroad from, to Tole- 
do first opened, goi. 
Adrian, railroad to, first opened 

from Monroe, 902. 
Adjutant-Cienerals of Territory 

of Michigan. 89. 
Advertising, different modes of, 

779- 
Africa, 8ti, 826. 
Agriculture, progress of, 12, 16, 

334. 335. 338. 
Ainsworth, railroad to, first 

opened, 902. 
Alarm on account of Indians, 

284, 285. 
Alarms, reward for fire, 505. 
Alaska, 810. 
Albany, once called Orange, 

776. 
Albion, railroad to, first opened, 

897. 
Aldermen at large, 142, 143. 
Aldermen as supervisors, 142, 

933- 
Alderraen, names and times of 

service, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146. 
Ale by the hogshead, 837. 
Alexandri.i, the home of Judge 

Woodward, 29. 
Algonquins, 3, 321, 322. 
Alleys, pavecf, 930. 
A]m3nac.'>, 6q6. 
Alumni of High School, 750. 
Ambulance, free, 733. 
America, its first inhabitants, 

321. 
American Board of Commis- 
sioners for Foreign Missions, 

556. 
Amencan Express Company, 

892. 



American Eagle Tobacco Com- 
pany, 820. 

American State Papers, map of 
Detroit in, 29. 

Americans first occupy Detroit, 
263. 

Amherstburg Baptist Associa- 
tion, 607. 

Amusement meetings at Young 
Men's Hall, 352. 

Angelus, ringing of the, 237, 

Animals, domestic, at Detroit, 
334. 

Ann Arbor convention on ad- 
mission of Stale, 90. 

Ann Arbor, railroad to, first 
opened, 897. 

Ann Arbor, university at, 731. 

Annals of Detroit, 951. 

Ann, seizure of schooner, 301. 

Anti-Slavery Society organized, 
346. 

Appendix A, 977. 

Apples, peculiar varieties, 13. 

Arbeiter Hall, 478. 

Architectural iron work, manu- 
facture of, 806. 

Argentine Republic, 828. 

Arkansas, 820. 

Armistice between Gen. Dear- 
born and Sir George Provost, 
295. 296. 

Army chaplain. Gen. Wayne s, 

551- 

Army, surrender of Lcc s, 309. 

Arpent, the same as Acre, 17. 

Arrests, number of, by police, 
207. 

Arsenal erected in city, 224. 

Arsenal, corner stone laid at 
Dearborn, 226. 

Art, artists, and inventors, 358. 

Art loan exhibition, 360, 361, 
362. 

Assessments, special, 165. 

Assessors, names and terms, 
133. 163. 164. 

Astronomical clock, 302, 

Asylums, sec Charitable Insti- 
tutions. 

Athcna:um of Detroit organ- 
ized. 710. 

Athletic and aquatic amuse- 
ments, 352. 



Atlanta, celebration of capture 

of, 308. 
Atlantic cable laid, 885. 
Attack of the Leopard upon 

the Chesapeake, 274. 
Attorney-Generals of lilichigan, 

92. 93- 
Attorneys, United States, 175. 
Auctioneers of Territory, 770. 
Auction sale of Michigan lands. 

Auditors of city, 162. 
Auditor-Generals of ^lichigan, 

92. 
Auditors, Board of County, 124. 
Auditors of Territory of Jlichi- 

giin. 89. 
Augusta, Ga., 811. 
Australia, 804, 811, 814, 829. 
Austria, 829. 
Authors' carnival, 640. 
Authors, citizen, 700, 701, 702, 

703. 704* .705. 
Authors, visiting, 707. 
Autumns, mild and prolonged, 

45- 
Axemen and bagmen, 502. 
Aztecs or Aztecas, 321. 



Bail, commissioners of, 107. 

Ball at dedication of Firemen's 
Hall, 521. 

Ball, a, on the king's birth- 
day. 349. 

Baltimore, 811, 826. 

Baltimore, diocese of, 546. 

Baltimore, oysters from, 890. 

Baltimore, tobacco shipped to, 

15- 
Bands, 357. 
Bank capital, 873. 
Bank commissioners, 851. 
Banking law, general, of State, 

853- 
Bank notes, discount on, 853. 
Bank notes, rooms papered 

with, 852. 
Bankrupt law, S50, 854. 
Banks and Bankers — 

American National, 867. 

Andrews & Waterman, 872. 

.•Vustin & Co., 872. 

Bratshaw, Black, & Co., 873. 



Brown, Warner, & Lee, 872. 

Butler, W. A. & Co., 868. 

Bank of the Dwights, 859. 

Bank of Michigan, 858. 

Bank of St. Clair, 859, 864. 

City Bank, 870. 

Commercial National, 871. 

Campbell, W. P.. 872. 

Cargill. O. F. & Co., 872. 

Cobb, E. M., 872. 

Coc & Coit, 872. 

Cromwell & Ralston, 872 

Detroit Bank, 854. 

Detroit City, 851. 

Detroit National, 867. 

Detroit Savings, 864. 

Dime Savings, 871. 

Darling, T. S., 872. 

Dey, A. H.. 872. 

Duncan, Kibbee, & Co.,_ 872. 

Exchange Bank of W. B. 
Mitchell, 872. 

Ensign, B. P., 872. 

Farmers & Mechanics*, 860. 

First National, 859. 866. 

First National, of Plymouth, 
872. 

Fisher & Preston, 872. 

German American, 868- 

Granger & Sabin, 872. 

Graves, J. O., 872. 

Harper, John L. & Co., 872. 

Hazelton, E. H. & Co., 872. 

Hosie, Robert, 872. 

Howard Smith & Co., 872. 

Ives, A. & Son, 872. 

Ives, C. & A., 872. 

Ives, S. H. & Co., 872. 

Johnson. A. S., 872. 

Kaple, J. H., 872. 

Kellogg & Sabin, 872. 

Lewis, G. F., 872. 

Lyell, J. L.. 872. 

Market Bank, 871. 

Mechanics' Bank. 868. 

Merchants and Manufactur- 
ers', 868. 

Michigan Insurance Co., 862. 

Michigan Savings. 870. 

Michigan State, 863. 

National Insurance, 862. 

McLcllan & Anderson, 872. 

Morris, B. B., 872. 

Morton, W. D., 872. 

Peninsular, 865. 



IOI2 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



Banks and Bankers — Cont^d. 
People's Savings, 868. 
Pontiac Bank, 893. 
Parsons & Fisher, 872. 
Parsons, Philo, 872. 
Preston, D. & Co., 872. 
Roberts, Austin, & Co., 872. 
Roberts, E. K. & Co., 872. 
Second National, 867. 
State, 859. 
Stale Bank of Michigan, S63, 

866. 
State Savings. 871. 
Scott, V. J.. 872. 
Seitz, F. L. & Co., 872. 
Sistare's, George K., Sons, 

873. 

Taylor, N. T., 872. 

Thompson. O. C, 872. 

Tuttle, C. W., 872. 

United States, 848. 

Wayne County, of Plymouth, 
851. 

Wayne County Savings, 869. 

Wyandotte Savings, 872. 

Wallace, L. W. &X"o., 872. 

Wooley, E. & S., 872. 

Wright, Andrews, & Co., 872. 
Banks and currency, 846. 
Banks, suspension of, 853. 
Banner Tobacco Factory, 827. 
Banquet, complimentary, to C. 

C. Trowbridge, 339. 
Baptism of child on day of sur- 
render, 554. 
Baptisms of savages registered, 

529- 

Baptist chaplain of Wayne s 
array, 551. 

Barbarities of British and In- 
dians, 280. 

Barbecue, democratic, io8. 

Bardstown, diocese of, included 
Detroit, 546. 

Bar Iron, manufacture of, 81S. 

Bar Library, 199. 

Barns' Hall, 479. 

Barnum's Wire Works, 811. 

Barracks fired by the British, 
224. 

Barrels cheaply made at De- 
troit, 802. 

Bars in public houses, 840. 

Barstow School Building open- 
ed, 745. 

Baskets, manufacture of, 811, 

833- 
Battles- 
Fort Stevenson, 282. 

Gettysburgh, 308. 

Raisin, 280. 

Thames, 283. 

Tippecanoe, 273. 
Battering rams for use of fires, 

502. 
Battle Creek, railroad to, first 

opened, 897. 
Battle flags presented to the 

Slate, 310. 
Bay City, railroad to, first 

opened, 901. 
Bay windows introduced. 376. 
Bears and deer in city, 11. 
Bear baiting and goose shoot- 
ing, 351. 
Beaver skins, accounts kept in, 

846. 
Beehive bonnets, 338. 
Beets, large, 16. 
Belgium, 826, S2S. 
Belle Isle, 7. 

Belle Isle, a picnic on, 350. 
Belle Isle bridge or tunnel, S91. 
Belle Isle, different names for, 

78. 
Belle Isle Park, 75, 76, 77, 78. 
Bell of church rings Angelus, 

530- 
Berthelet Market, 793, 794. 
Berthelet Wharf, 63. 
Bethel Society, 641. 
Bible in the schools, 740, 741. 
Bible societies, 641. 
Billiard table burned in 1S05, 

352. 



Birmingham, railroad to, first 

opened, 893. 
Births, number of, in different 

periods, 333. 
Bishop of Detroit consecrated, 

547- 
Bishop of Quebec in Detroit, 

53°- 

Bishop of Quebec consecrated, 
546. 

Bishops and dioceses, Roman 
Catholic, 543-546. 

Bismarck, 806. 

Bisons or buffaloes at Detroit, 
II. 

Black Hawk War, 48. 

Blacks, legislation against, 345. 

Blacksmithing, cost of Cadil- 
lac's permit for, 766. 

Blocks, names of, and date of 
erection. 460. 

Bloody Bridge, 238, 239. 

Bloody Run, g, 302. 

Blasphemy, law against, 554. 

Blast furnace machinery, manu- 
facture of, S06. 

Board of Aldermen, 137. 

Board of Councilmen. 137. 

Itoard of County Auditors, 124. 

Board of Boulevard Commis- 
sioners, 79, 

Board of Commissioners of Po- 
lice, 204. 

Board of Commissioners on 
Plan of City, 935. 

Board of Education, 740. 
Capitol building in their pos- 
session, 745. 
Committees of, 755. 
Financial resources, 753. 
Houses owned by, 746, 747, 

748. 

Meetings of. 754, 755. 

Messenger of, 752. 

Names of Inspectors, 755, 

756. 757. 758. 
Reports of, 755. 
Presidents of, 752. 
Secretaries of, 752, 753. 
Superintendent of Repairs, 

Superintendent's clerk, 752. 

Board of Estimates, 74, 75, 161. 

Board of Fire Commissioners, 
518, S19. 

Board of Health, 59, 794. 

Board of Internal Improve- 
ments, 896. 

Board of Poor Commissioners, 
645, 646. 

Board of Public Works, 936. 

Board of Review, 164. 

Board of School Inspectors, 754. 

Board of Supervisors, 123, 142. 

Board of Trade, 785-792. 

Board of Water Commissioners, 

71- 
Boat clubs, 353. 
Boating and yachting, 7. 
Boiler plate, manufacture of, 

S18. 
Boilers, manufacture of, 806, 

807. 
Boilers, number of, inspected, 

471. 
Bois Blanc Island, 8. 
Bolt and Nut Co., The Michi- 
gan, 836. 
Bonds, city, first sale of, 154. 
Bonded debt of the city, 156. 
Bonded warehouses. 783. 
Bonfires and fire-balls, no. 
Book of sections approved, 28. 
Books and booksellers, 694. 
Books first printed at Detroit, 

694. 
Boonsboro, 249. 
Boots and shoes, manufacture 

of, 835. 
Boston, Mass., 811, 816, 81S, 

826, S27, 835. 
Boundary Line Commission, 

269. 
Boulevard, 79. 
Bounties to soldiers, 306, 311. 



Box material abundant at De- 
troit, 802. 

Brady Guards, go, 303, 317. 

Brandy, influence of, on sur- 
veys, 22. 

Brandy, early sale of, 837. 

Brass and Copper Rolling Mill, 
836. 

Brass castings, manufacture of, 
807. 

Brazil, 811. 827, 828. 

Bread, regulations as to loaves, 
797- 

Brevoort Farm, 52. 

Brewers, National convention 
of, 845. 

Brick clay, excellent, near De- 
troit, 802. 

Brick-yards in Springwells, 4. 

Bridge and iron works, S05. 

Bridges, manufacture of, 805. 

Bridgeport, Conn., 808. 

Bridging Detroit River, 891. 

Bridle paths, 887. 

British and Indians defeated 
by Wayne, 266. 

British and Indians repulsed in 
1812, 276. 

British build Fort Miami, 265. 

British conciliating Indians, 
264. 

British evacuate Detroit, 224, 
267. 

British flag hauled down at 
Detroit, z63. 

British flag hoisted at Detroit, 
268. 

British fur traders oppose sur- 
render of Western posts, 264. 

British government respected 
French titles, 20. 

British in possession of Wash- 
ington, 27. 

British outrages in 1812, 272. 

British presents to savages, 272. 

British reinforcements for De- 
troit, 264. 

British treatment of prisoners. 

Bronze Company of Detroit, 
811. 

Bronzed goods, manufacture of, 
822. 

Broom carrying by Fire Com- 
panies, 507. 

Brush Electric Light intro- 
duced, 468. 

Brushes, manufacture of, 811, 
S26. 

Brush farm, 34-36. 

Brush, The Detroit Co., 836. 

Buckeye tree, 86. 

Buffalo, 814, 816. 

Building inspectors, 478. 

Buildings outside of stockade, 
367- 

Burial of paupers, 644. 

Burials and sextons, 55, 56, 57. 

Burlington, 805. 

Burning of Col. Crawford, 261. 

Burnt district in 1848, 493. 



Cabacier's Creek, 9. 

Cabinet officers, 102. 

Cabs, first two-wheeled, 888. 

Cages, manufacture of, 811. 

Calcutta, 4. 

California, 810, 820. 826. 836. 

Campau farm, church on, 530. 

Camp Backus, barracks at, 306. 

Campus Martius, 74, 475. 

Campau's River, 9. 

Canada, 83, 811. 

Canada, passes to, in war time, 
307- 

Canada, Protestants in, 550. 

Canada surrendered to Eng- 
land, 83, 234. 

Canadian preparations against 
Patriots, 302. 

Canadians punished for aiding 
Pontiac, 240. 



Canadian lighthouses in Detroit 

River, 919, 
Canadian voyageurs, 907. 
Canal, Desjardins, 903. 
Canal about Niagara Falls, 790. 
Candles, manufacture of, 826. 
Candles, primitive kinds, 468. 
Candles put in windows at time 

of a fire, 503. 
Cannibal Indians at Detroit, 

322. 
Cannon captured by Perrj', 477. 
Canoes, bateaux, and pirogues, 

907. 
Cantonment, the, 224. 
Capital located at Lansing, 91. 
Capital punishment abolished, 

181. 
Capitol building at Detroit, lay- 
ing of corner-stone, 474. 
Capitol building at Detroit, first 

used, 475. 
Capitol, last session of legisla- 
ture in Detroit, 475. 
Capitol building occupied for 

schools, 475. 
Capitulation of Detroit. 234. 
Capsule factory, Hubel's, 824. 
Captive boy exchanged for a 

tankard. 767. 
Carbon Works, Michigan, 836. 
Car Co. and Car Wheel Co., 

The Michigan, S04. 
Card money, first issued, 846. 
Carnival, authors', 640. 
Caroline, the steamboat, 301. 
Carriage factory, Johnson's, 

836. 
Carriages first used, 8S7. 
Carriages taxed, 149. 
Car sheaves, manufacture of, 

805. 
Carts, low two-wheeled. S87. 
Car Wheel Co., Griffin. 836. 
Car wheels, manufacture of, 

805. 
Car Works, The Pullman. 836. 
Car Works, Peninsular, 805. 
Cassina, a poem, 369, 370, 371, 

372- 
Cass Farm, 34. 35. 36, 41, 473. 
Cass House demolished, 369. 
Cass Market, 795. 
Catholepistemiad created, 728. 
Catholic Bishops, names and 

terms, 543-546. 
Catholic cemetery, 52. 
Cattle and fowls introduced, 

338. 
■ Cayugas, 322. 
Celebration of Emancipation, 

348. 
Celebration of taking of Vicks- 

burg, 308. 
Celebration of victory at Atlan- 
ta, 308. 
Celeron Island, 8. 
Cemeteries — 

Catholic, 52. 

City. 55- 

Elmwood, 56. 

English, 55. 

Indian, 52. 

Jewish. 57. 

Lutheran, 57. 

Military, 52. 

Mount Elliott, 53, 54. 

Protestant, 55. 

Woodmere, 5, 56, 57. 
Census of Detroit for various 

years, 334, 335, 336. 
Census in 1750, 333. 
Census in 1773, 334. 
Census in 1805, 335. 
Census of children in 1S38, 737. 
Census of slaves in Michigan, 

345- 
Central vegetable market, 794. 
Centres of business, 773. 
Chair and spring-bed factory of 

M. J. Murphy &. Co., 832. 
Chairs, manufacture of, Sii, 

832. 
Champion tire bender, manu- 
facture of, 806. 



► 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



lOl 



Changes in street names, 946- 

948. 
Charcoal, price 01, at Detroit, 

802. 
Charitable institutions — 

City Mission Board. 650. 

Convent of the tJood Shep- 
herd, 666. 

Detroit Association of Chari- 
ties, 666. 

Harper Hospital, 657. 

Home of the Friendless, 659, 
660. 

House of Providence, d&z. 

Industrial School, 654. 

Italian Benevolent Society, 
663. 

Ladies' Protestant Orphan 
Asylum, 651. 

Ladies' Society for support of 
Hebrew Widows and Or- 
phans, 657. 

Little Sisters' Home for the 
aged poor, 663. 

Lutheran Orphan Aid So- 
ciety, 662. 

Michigan Retreat for the In- 
sane, see St. Joseph's Re- 
treat. 

Nursery and Kindergarten 
Association, 665. 

St. Anthony's Male Orphan 
Asylum, 66i. 

St. Joseph's Retreat, 655. 

St. Luke's Hospital, Home 
and Orphanage, 656. 

St. Mary's Hospital, 6^3. 

St. Vincent's Female Orphan 
Asylum, 650, 651. 

St. Vincent's Hospital, see 
St. Mary's Hospital. 

Thompson Home for Old La- 
dies, 660, 663. 

Women's Hospital and 
Foundlings' Home, 661. 

Working Woman's Home, 
664. 

Zoar Orphan Asylum, 665. 
Charters of Detroit, 983. 
Charts of lake sur\'ey, 918. 
Chattanooga, Tenn., 835. 
Cheese safes, manufacture of, 

809, 810, 811. 
Chemical fire engrines, 516. 
Chcmin de ronde, 927. 
Chemists, ma nu f^act u ring, 

Parke, Davis, & Co., 823. 
Chemists, F. Stearns & Co., 

Cherries in Grosse Point, 5. 

Cherry trees, 13. 

Chesne farm, now Jones or 
Crane, 34. 

Chicago, Sii, 814, 816. 826. 

Chicago colonized from Detroit, 
908, 

Chicago burned, 47. 

Chicago, railroad to, first open- 
ed, 899. 

Chicago road, 925. 

Children, number of in 1838, 
737- 

Chili, 828. 

Chillicothe. 15. 

Chillicoihe convention, 86. 

Chillicothe made seat of gov- 
ernment, 95. 

Chimney, ancient, remains of, 
found, 368. 

Chimney sweeps, 500. 

Chimneys to be burned out, 500. 

China, 811, S18, 827, 829. 

Chippewas, 78, 321, 322, 323, 
324. 

Cholera, visitations of, 49, 50. 

Cholera, mortality from, 650. 

Chorister of the parish mar- 
ried, 354. 

Church on Campau Farm, 530. 

Church on Melchcr Farm, 532. 

Churches and Missions — 

Baptist. 

Cass Avenue, 606, 607. 

Clinton .Avenue, 610. 

Eighteenth Street, 609. 



Baptist— C<»«/V. 

First, 605, 606, 607. 

First French, 610. 

First German, 608. 

Lafayette .Avenue, 608. 

Park Street (extinct), 611. 

Second German, 609, 610. 

Second, colored, 607. 

Shiloh, colored, 610. 

Tabernacle (extinct), 601. 

Twelfth Street, 609. 

Zion, colored, 609. 
Con i^rcgat tonal. 

First. 6i3. 

Harper Avenue, 616. 

Mount Hope, 616. 

Second Church. 614. 

Springwells, 615. 

Trumbull .Avenue, 615. 
Christian. 

Church of Christ, 625. 

First Christian, 624. 

Howard Street Church of 
Christ, 611. 
y elvish. 

Beth El Society, 628. 

Shaary Zedec Society, 629. 
Lutheran. 

Bethlehem German Evangeli- 
cal, 618. 

Immanuel, 6ig. 

St. John's German Evangeli- 
cal, 617. 

St. John s Independent, 623. 

St. Luke's German Evangeli- 
cal. 622. 

St. Mark's German Evangeli- 
cal, 6i8. 

St. Matthew's Evangelical, 
620. 

St. Paul's Evangelical, 619. 

St. Paul's German Evangeli- 
cal, 617. 

St. Peter s German Evangeli- 
cal, 621. 

Salem German Evangelical, 
622. 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran 
618. 

Zion Evangelical Lutheran, 
619. 

Zion German Reformed, 621. 
Methodist Episcopal. 

Asbur>' Mission Chapel, 575. 

Bethel Evangelical Associa- 
tion, 578. 

Cass Avenue, 574. 

Central Church, see First. 

Congress Street, 569. 

Delray, 574. 

Ebenezer, African, 577. 

First, 559. 

First German, 575. 

Fort Street, 572, 

French (extinct), 578. 

Jefferson Avenue, 572. 

Junction, 573. 

Lafayette Street African, 576. 

Palmer Memorial, 572. 

Pine Street Protestant (ex- 
tinct), 578. 

Simpson, 571, 57a. 

Sixteenth Street, 573. 

Tabernacle, 570. 

Thirty-second Street, Ger- 
man, 576. 

Walnut Street, see Simpson, 

Wesley, 574. 

Zion African, 577. 

Protestant Episcopal 

All Saints* Chapel. 588. 

Christ, 583. 

Emanuel Memorial, 5S7. 

Emanuel Reformed Episco- 
pal (extinct), 693. 

Epiphany Reformed Episco- 
pal, 592. 

Grace, 586. 

Holy Trinity, 592. 

Holy Trinity Hussion, 590. 

Mariner's, 584. 

Mission of the Good Shep- 
herd, 589. 

Mission of the Messiah, 588. 



Protestant Episcopal — Confd. 

St. Alban's Anglo -Catholic 
(extinct), 592. 

St. Barnabas s Mission, 589. 

St James's, 58S. 

St. John's. 585. 

St. Joseph's MemorialChapel, 

591- 
St. Luke 3 Memorial Chapel, 
590- 

St. Mark s (extinct), 591. 

St. Mary's Slission, 589. 

St. Matthew's (colored), 590. 

St. Paul's, 41, 581. 

St. Peter's, 584. 

St. Stephen's, 587. 

St. Thomas's Mission, 589. 

Trinity (extinct), 591. 
Presbyterian. 

United, 602. 

Calvary, 600. 

First Presbyterian, 594. 

Fort Street, 597. 

French Presbyterian (extinct), 
603. 

Jefferson Avenue, 598. 

Memorial, 601. 

Reformed Church of America 
603. 

Scotch, or Central Presby- 
terian, 596. 

Trumbull Avenue, 602. 

Union, 600. 

Westminster, 599. 
Roman Catholic. 

Holy Redeemer, 543. 

Holy Trinity, 536, 649. 

Our Lady of Help, 541. 

Sacred Heart, French ; see St, 
Joachim. 

Sacred Heart, German, 542, 

St. Albert's, 542. 

St, Aloysius*, 542. 

St. Anne's, 50 527. 

St. Anthony's, 540. 

St. Eonaventure, 543. 

St. Boniface, 541. 

St. Cassimer's, 543. 

St. Joachim's, 542. 

St. Joseph's, 539. 

St. Mary's, 537. 

St. Patrick's, 540, 

SS. Peter and Paul, 539, 

St. Vincent de Paul, 540. 

St. Wenceslaus, 543. 
Miscclla neous. 

New Jerusalem, 625. 

Third Avenue Slission, 627. 

Unitarian Church, 626. 

Universalist, Church of Our 
Father, 627. 
Churches, statistics of, 629, 630. 
Cider a century ago. 13. 
Cigar factory, Burk, Rich, & % 

Co., 828. 
Cigarettes, manufacture of, 828. 
Cincinnati, 95, 669, 826. 
Cincinnati, Detroit in diocese 

of, 547. 
Cincinnati, formerly Losanti- 

ville, 9^. 
Cincinnati made seat of justice, 

94. 
Circuit Court Commissioners, 

.'97- 
Cisterns, number of, in Detroit, 

518. 
Citizens protest to Proctor, 281. 
Citizens' meetings, t6i. 
Citizens' meeting about park, 

74- 
Citizens meeting to levy poll- 
tax, 151. 
Citizens, nationalities represent- 
ed, 336. 
City Omcers— 

City Accountant, 162, 163. 

City Assessors, 163, 164. 

City Attorneys, 141. 

City Auditors, 162. 

City Clerk, 140. 

City Collectors, 165. 

City Comptrollers, 162. 

City Counsellor, 141. 

City Directors of Poor, 644, 



City Officers— C*j«/'rf. 

City Engineer, 936. 

City Gas Inspector, 469, 470. 

City Historiographer, 141. 

City Marshal, 202, 644, 

City Physicians, 646. 

City Printers, 692. 

City Registers, 40. 

City Sexton, 57, 58. 

City Supervisors, 933. 

City Surveyors, 035. 

City Treasurers, 167. 
City bids account, 158. 
City debt, 156. 
City cemetery, 55. 
City charges account, 158. 
City charters of Detroit, 114, 

983- 
City Council, 137. 
City depositor>', 158, 159, 
City directories, 697, 
City elections, 114. 
City expenses, by decades, 1C5. 
City tax estimates, how obtain- 
ed, 157. 
City Halls, 136, 475, 476. 
City Hall, or Central Market, 

794. 
City of Detroit incorporated. 

.^34. . 
City Librar\' established, 710. 
City limits, 34. 
City seals, 138. 

City taxation and finances, mi. 
City taxes, amount of, by de- 
cades, 156. 
City taxes, when and how 

payable, >57. 
City Tract Societies, 641. 
Claimants of French Farms. 977, 

978. 979, 980, 981, 982. 
Claims. Private, in Wayne 

County, 977. 
Claims, Surveyor-General to 

sur\'ey, 22. 
Clamer s journal metal, manu- 
facture of, 806. 
Clay and Frelinghuysen meet- 
ing, no. 
Clearing-house system. 846. 
Cleveland, steamboats to, 899. 
Climate, 45. 
Clinton Park, 55, 73. 
Clock, The astronomical, 362. 
Clubs and club-houses, 340. 
Coal, introduction and use of, 

470. 
Coal, price of, 902. 
Code, Cass, 98. 
Code, Witherell, 97. 
Coin, circulation of Spanish, 

French, and Portuguese, 847. 
Coldwater, railroad to, first 

opened, 902 
Collectors of town. 133. 
Collectors of Customs, names 

and terms, 785. 
Colleges, see Schools. 
Colonists l>ecome like Indians, 

337- 

Colored children admitted to 
public schools, 751. 

Colored missionary to the Wy- 
andoties, 576. 

Colored people, legislation 
against, 345. 

Colored persons vote for first 
time, 113. 

Colored regiment from Michi- 
gan, 307. 

Colored schools established, 

^ 738. , 

Commandants, American, 227. 

Commandants as chief magis- 
trates, 172. 

Commandants at weddings, etc. 

Commandants, British, 227. 
Commandants, French, 226. 
Commandants, plenary powers 

of, 171. 
Commanding officers at I>etroit 

barracks, 228. 
Commanding officers at Fori 

Shelby, 227. 



IOI4 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



Commanding officers at Fort 
Wayne, 228. 

Commanding officers, Head- 
quarters of, 22Q. 

Commercial agencies, 779. 

Commercial Mutual Associa- 
tion, 874. 

Commercial structures, 459. 

Commissioners, Circuit Court, 
197. 

Commissioners of Bail, 197. 

Commissioners of Common 
Schools, 735. 

Commissioners of Grades, 936. 

Commissioners of Land Tax, 

Commissioners of Public Li- 
brary, 761. 
Commissioners of State Land 

Office, Michigan, 93. 
Commissioners of Trade, 766. 
Commissioners of U. S. Courts, 

176. 
Common Council, 136, 137, 
Common Council, name of 

changed, 137. 
Common Council, rules, com- 
mittees, 137. 
Common field, 24. 
Commons, public, 25. 
Company of the Colony of Ca- 
nada, 765. 
Compiled Laws, 99. 
Concessions of land, conditions 

of, 19. 
Connecticut, missionary from, 

552- 
Connecticut's claims to terri- 
tory, 85. 
Connor's Creek, 4. 
Conundrum, local, 458. 
Conspiracy, Pontiac's, 235. 
Constables, 210-213. 
Constantinople, 4, 820, 
Constitutional Conventions, 88, 

gi. III. 
Constitution, State, word white 

voted out of. 348. 
Converted Indians, 564. 
Coon pens, 108. 
Copper and Brass Rolling Mill, 

Detroit, 836. 
Copper, Detroit & L. S- Co., 4, 

818. 
Copper, Ingot, manufacture of, 

818. 
Copper Mines, 362. 
Copper, purity and yield of, 

802. 
Cordwood, prices of, 802. 
Corktown, 928. 
Corn, early shipments of, 12. 
Coroners of County, 58. 
Coroner's jury, 58. 
Corps of Engineers of the Army, 

918, 919. 
Council Houses, 472, 473. 
Countries supplied from De- 
troit, see Shipments. 
County Officers, — 

County Auditors, 124. 

County Clerk, 125, 126. 

County Commissioners, 123. 

County Coroners, 58. 

County Physicians, 649. 

County Registers, 39, 40, igo. 

County Superintendents of 
Schools, 126. 

County Surveyors, 126. 

County Treasurers, 125. 

County Insane Asylum, 649. 
County of Illinois, 85, 118. 
County of Kent, 118. 
County poor, 647. 
County Poor-house, 648. 
Coureurs de bois, 201, 331, 337. 
Court-house, 481. 
Courthouse Avenue, 947. 
Court-martial and sentences, 

316. 
Courts — 

Bankruptcy, 177. 

Chancery, 191. 

Circuit, 192. 

Circuit of United States, 174. 



Courts — Confd. 

Common Pleas, 191. 

County, 1Q2. 

District, 189. 

District Criminal, 194. 

District of U. S., 175. 

District of Territory of Michi- 
gan. 189. 

Mayor's, 195. 

Northwest Territorial, 178. 

Of Proofs, 1S9. 

Of Quarter Sessions, 133,190, 
838. 

Oi Trustees, 174. 

<")rphans', 189. 

l*olice, 196. 

Quarter Sessions, igo. 

Recorder's, 195. 

Superior, ig6, 197. 

Supreme of Indiana Terri- 
tory, 178. 

Supreme of Michigan Terri- 
tory, 178. 

Supreme of State of Michi- 
gan, 186. 
Courtship of Judge Woodward, 

182. 
Coyl's Hall, 478. 
Cracker factory, Vail & Crane's, 

835. 

Cranberries, indigenous, 12. 

Crimean war, 787. 

Crime, prevalence of, in 1863, 
204. 

Criminals whipped and sold, 
igo. 

Croghan, Fort, 226. 

Crosswalks, 931. 

Crusade, Woman's, 842. 

Crozat, A., commerce of Lou- 
isiana granted to, 330. 

Currency, New York, 769. 

Currency of trading posts, 846. 

Curry's Corner, 457, 

Custom-house and Collectors, 
781. 

Customs receipts, imports, 783, 
784. 

Cut money, 846. 848. 

Cyclone, date of, 47. 



Dakota Territory, 835. 

Dances, Indian, 322. 

Dark day, 46. 

Dauphin Island, Cadillac and 
family arrive at, 530. 

Dearborn, corner-stone of arse- 
nal laid at, 226, 

Dearborn, arms stolen from, 
during Patriot war, 301. 
JDearborn. arms forwarded to, 
during Patriot war, 302. 

Death, first at Detroit, 333. 

Death-rate in Detroit, 48. 

Debt, imprisonment for, 177. 

Deeds, mortgages, and titles, 
39- 

Deer and bears within city lim- 
its, II. 

Defeat of British and Indians, 
266. 

Defeat of Gen. Braddock, 233. 

Defeat of Gen. Harmer, 265. 

Defeat of Gov. St. Clair, 265. 

Delaware, 832. 

Delawarts massacred by Ameri- 
cans, 261. 

Delawares, De Peyster's letter 
to, 261. 

Delegates to Congress, Act pro- 
viding for. III. 

Delegates to Congress, 102. 

Delray, in Springwells, 4. 

Democratic barbecue on the 
Cass Farm, 108. 

Denver, 811, 818. 

Depot, M. C. R. R., burned, 
494. 

Deposit Banks, 848. 

Desjardins Canal, 903. 

Destitutiun in Michigan Terri- 
tory after War of 1S12, 287. 



Detroit a British military post, 

242. 
Detroit a commercial colony, 

765. 
Detroit & Cleveland Steam 

Navigation Co., 010. 
Detroit & L. S. Copper Co., S18. 
Detroit Bank, 96. 
Detrfiit barracks, 226. 
Detroit, boundaries at different 

times, 34, 35. 
Detroit Bridge and Iron Works, 

805. 
Detroit Bronze Co., Sii. 
Detroit Brush Co., 836. 
Detroit Carriage and Express 

Co.. 889. 
Detroit City Glass Works, 836. 
Detroit City Railroad Co., 932. 
Detroit Copper and Brass Roll- 
ing Mill, 836. 
Detroit Electrical Works, 836. 
Detroit Emery Wheel Co., 820. 
Detroit File Works, 820. 
Detroit and Lake Superior Cop- 
per Co.. 818. 
Detroit Lead Pipe and Sheet 

Lead Works, 836. 
Detroit Linseed Oil Co., 825. 
Detroit Locomotive Works, 806. 
Detroit Safe Co., 810. 
Detroit Stamping Co., 822. 
Detroit Steam Forge, 805. 
Detroit Stove Co., 811. 
Detroit Steel and Spring Works, 

804. 
Detroit White Lead Works. 825. 
Detroit established by Cadillac, 
^33°- 
Detroit evacuated by English, 

223. 
Detroit, expedition against, 256, 

259. 
Detroit first incoporated, 133. 
Detroit Fish Hatchery, 16. 
Detroit, Fort of, 1S3, 222, 234. 
Detroit founded, 17. 
Detroit Fund, 30, 31. 
Detroit Grays, 318. 
Detroit, importance as a mili- 
tary post, 231. 
Detroit included in the diocese 

of Cincinnati, 547. 
Detroit Lancers, 317. 
Detroit, location of, 3. 
Detroit made a port of entry,78i. 
Detroit, maps of, 32. 
Detroit militia, 233, 
Detroit, names of. 3. 
Detroit Opera House lot, sale 

of, 41. 
Detroit Public Library, 760. 
Detroit reinforced by British, 

264. 
Detroit River, description of, 6. 
Detroit surrendered to the 

English, 234. 
Detroit, surroundings of, 4. 
Detroit the centre of Indian 
trade under the English, 766. 
Detroit transferred to diocese 

of Baltimore, 546. 
Detroit Zouaves, 318. 
Detroit Transit Railroad. 933. 
Detroit Union Railroad Station 

and Depot Co., 906. 
District telegraph system be- 
gun, 885. 
Dexter, railroad to, first opened, 

897. 
Directories of city. 697. 
Districts, City divided into Fire, 

505- 
District School Inspectors, 736. 
Diamond Fanning Mill Com- 
pany, 836. 
Dickering was the rule, 770. 
Diocesan Fund, Protestant 

Episcopal, 592. 
Diocese of Bardstown included 

Detroit, 546. 
Diocese of Detroit, Catholic, 

created, 547. 
Diocese of Grand Rapids, Cath- 
olic, created, 547. 



Diocese of Marquette and Sault 
St. Mary, Catholic, created, 

547- 

Diocese of Michigan, P. E., 
created, 591. 

Diocese of New France, Catho- 
lic, created, 543, 

Director of the poor, 644. 

Disciples, Campbellites, Chris- 
tians, 624. 

Diseases, Doctors, Medical So- 
cieties, 48. 

Diseases, prevalent, 48. 

Dispensatory, free, 51, 653, 733. 

Distress after War of 1812, 287. 

District of Hesse, 174. 

District of Sargent, 149. 

District Supervisors, 933. 

Ditches as boundaries of farms, 
18. 

Doctors, 50. 

Dog licenses and dog pounds, 80. 

Domain of Cadillac, 17. 

Dominion of Canada, 828,832. 

Donation files, 28. 

Donation lots, 27, 28. 

Door Knob Co., Union, 822, 

Douaquec, 329. 

Draft, first in war with South, 
308. 

Drays first used, 891. 

Drain commissioners, 126, 130. 

Drains and sewers, 59. 

Dramatists and dramas, 358. 

Dress, changes brought by the 
English, 337. 

Drill Sergeant, The, a poem, 
248. 

Drinking fountains, 71. 

Drinking song of firemen, 509. 

Driving Park in Hamtramck, 4. 

Druggists' tin-ware, manufac- 
ture of, 822. 

Drum beating and publishing, 
669. 

Drummers or traveling agents, 
777- 

Dry Dock Engine Works, 836, 

Dry docks, 4, qio, 911. 

Ducksand duck hunting. 11,13. 

Due - bills issued by private 
firms, 847. 

Due-bills, issue of, prohibited, 
I53» 154- 

Due-bills, laborers paid in, 151. 

Due-bills, loan to redeem, 152. 

Due-bills of county, 123, 

Dug-outs, 907. 

Du Luth, Fort, 221. 

Duquesne, Fort, 12, 233. 

Dwights, bank of, 859. 



Eagle Iron Works, 808. 

Early visitors, 324. 

Earthquakes, 46, 976. 

Eclipse of 1806, observations 
at Detroit, 315, 954. 

Education, advice to French- 
men concerning, 715, 716. 

Education, board of, take pos- 
session of old capilol, 745. 

Education of early settlers, 333. 

Education, meeting to discuss 
free schools, 740. 

Education, society for female, 
716. 

Education, see Board of, 

Elba Island, 7. 

Elections, no. 

Election days, saloons to be 
closed on, 844. 

Election districts, 115, 116. 

Election preliminaries, 108, 

Elections, city. 114. 

Elections held for two days, 
III, 112, 113. 

Elections, how conducted, 116, 
117. 

Elections, local, almost unani- 
mous, 114, 

Elections, times of opening and 
closing polls, 114. 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



lOl 



Elections, remarkable incidents 
connected with, 114. 

Elections under Michigan Ter- 
ritory, III. 

Electrical Works, Detroit, 836. 

Electric Lights, 362, 468, 469. 

Elevators in stores and olfices, 

45'3- 

Elevator machinery, manufac- 
ture of, 806, 820. 

Ellsworth Zouaves, 318. 

Elinwood cemetery, 56,521. 

El Paso, S32. 

Emancipation celebration, 348. 

Emery Wheel Co., Detroit, 820. 

Emerv grinders, manufacture 
of. 820. 

Emigration, rush of, 7^0. 

Emigration to St. Louis, 334. 

Enactments pertaining to De- 
troit, 985. 

Engine, building for, author- 
i/,ed. 504. 

Engine Works, Dry Dock, 836. 

Engine house, first, 502. 

Engine houses, where located, 
514. 

Engines, hose, etc., exempted 
from execution, 507. 

Engines, manufacture of, 806, 
807. 808. 

England, 8it, 8t8, 826, 828. 

England and France, peace be- 
tween, 237. 

England obtains Canada, 234. 

England, treaty with, 262. 

English captured on the way to 
Mackinaw, 325. 

English capture Quebec, 83. 

English Cemetery, 55. 

English designs agamst Detroit 
and Niagara, 233. 

English evacuate Detroit, 223. 

English Governors, 84. 

English instigate Indian attacks 
on Detroit, 231. 

English laws repealed, 95, g6. 

English plans for inciting sav- 
ages, 248. 

English rule, 133. 

English take Niagara, 233. 

Envelopes first used, 881. 

Epidemic in war of 1812, 48. 

Episcopalian bisliops, dioceses 
and conventions, 591. 

Epitaph of Hamtramck, 54. 

Epizootic disables street car 
horses, 933. 

Equinoctial storms, 45. . 

Erie Canal completed, 889. 

Erie, Lake, 3. 

Estimates, Hoard of, created, 
161. 

Estimates of city expenses, how 
obtained, 157. 

Eureka, Cal., 808. 

Eureka Iron & Steel Works, 
818. 

Europe, 814, 816, 820, 826. 

Europe, vessels sail for, 910. 

Evacuation of Detroit by Brit- 
ish, 267, 283. 

Evangelical Alliance of the U. 
S., meeting of, 642. 

Excommunication by Father 
Richard, 531. 

Exempted from execution, fire 
engines, hose, etc., 507, 

Exempted. Kinds of property, 
from taxation, 158. 

Exemption of firemen from 
military and jury duty, 504. 

Expedition against Detroit, 256. 

Expedition against Vincennes, 
250. 

Expedition to Mackinaw fails, 

283. , . 

Expedition to the upper lakes 
in 1820, 907. 

Expenses of the city by de- 
cades, 1 55, 

Exporting flour, 15. 

Exports of fish and cider, 13. 

Exports, see shipments. 

Ex post facto law, 180. 



Execution, fire engines, hose, 
etc., exempt from. 507. 

Express companies. 892. 

Express Co., package and bag- 
gage, 8gi. 

Express from Niagara, S79. 

Eye meter, patent dioptric, 836. 



Factories, see Manufacturing 
Firms. 

Fair held by Ladies' Free School 
Society, 736. 

Fair in aid of Female Associa- 
tion, 650. 

Families, large, 33^. 

Families, number of, in Detroit, 
337- 

Famine and small pox at De- 
troit, 334. 

Famine threatens the colony, 
12, ,13- . 

Fanning Mill Co., Diamond, 
836. 

Fartner's map of Detroit, 33. 

Farmer's map of Michigan and 
Wisconsin, 697. 

Farming, old time methods of, 

338. 

Farmington, proposal to obtain 

water from, 64. 
Farms, French, why narrow, 21. 
Farms, French, how bounded, 

18. 
Fast day, observance of, 301, 

305. 



Fashion, devotees of. 



337- 



Female education, society in- 
corporated for, 716. 

Female Seminary, 716, 717. 

Fences used for firewood, 284. 

Fentonville, railroad to, first 
opened, 895. 

Ferries, number of, tonnage. 

Ferries, regulations for, 915. 

Ferry boats, railroad, 890, 904. 

Ferry, horse boat, gi6. 

Ferry licenses and fares, 915, 
917. 

Ferry, Riding on the — poem, 
916. 

Fiat money, 847. 

Fighting Island, intrenchments 
on, 7. 

File Works, Detroit, 820. 

Financial methods and accoimts 
of city, 158. 

Fires, list of noted, 489. 

Fire-alarm boxes, 517. 

Fire-alarms, reward for, 505. 

Fire-alarm telegraph. 513, 516. 

Fire bags to put goods in, 501. 

Fire buckets and ladders, 501. 

Fire commission created, 513. 

Fire commission, chief engi- 
neers of, 519. 

Fire commissioners' first meet- 
ing, 518. 

Fire commissioners, names of, 

Fire commission, secretaries of. 

Fire companies for steam en- 
gines, 519. 

Fire companies' mottoes, 50S. 

Fire companies, speaking trum- 
pets given to, 508. 

Fire companies, unworthy 
members of, 511. 

Fire company named Ham- 
tramck Spouters, 511. 

Fire Company No. 1 disbanded, 

507- 
Fire Company No. 2 organized, 

504- 

Fire Company, ofticers of a, 506. 

Fire Department Society, 520.^ 

Fire Department, chief engi- 
neers of, 513. 

Fire Department, condition of, 
in 1851, 509. 

Fire Department Society, con- 
stitution adopted, 520. 



Fire Department managed on 
military principles, 513. 

Fire Department, paid, organ- 
ized, 512. 

Fire Department, property of, 

^.5^3- 

Fire Department, steam, 513. 

Fire Department, volunteer, 
supplanted, 512. 

Fire Department, yearly ex- 
penses of, 513. 

Fire districts, city divided into, 

-SOS- 
Fire engine repaired in 1798, 

-SO'- . 
Fire engines carrying thebroom, 

507. 

Fire engines, chemical, 516. 

Fire engines, hand and steam, 
compared, 511. 

Fire engines, hose cut, 507. 

Fire engines, names of steam- 
ers, 516. 

Fire engine to be procured by 
lottery, 502. 

Fire escapes, manufacture of, 
809,811. 

Fire extinguishers, earliest, 501. 

Fire, getting the first stream on, 
_5io. 

Fire hooks, 502. 

Fire hydrants and cisterns, 
number of, 517. 

Fire, ill paved streets hinder 
engines, 510. 

Fire limits, 500. 

Fires, losses year by year, 499. 

Firemen, provision for dis- 
abled and indigent, 520. 

Firemen, endurance of, 506. 

Firemen exempted from mili- 
tary and jury duty, 504. 

Firemen, leave of absence for, 

519- 

Firemen, number employed, 519. 

Firemen offended, 510. 

Firemen open a reading-room, 
506. 

Firemen's parades, 507. 

Firemen, political power of, 507. 

Firemen, qualifications for, 519. 

Firemen, refreshments fur- 
nished to, 508. 

Firemen, salaries of, 519. 

Firemen, uniform of, 519. 

Firemen, visiting, 507. 

Firemen, volunteers sometimes 
unreliable, 510. 

Firemen's drinking song, 509. 

Firemen's Fund Association in- 
corporated, 519. 

Firemen's Hall, 478, 506, 520, 
521. ^ 

Firemen s lot in Elmwood, 521. 

Firemen's review, first, 504. 

Firemen's song, " That old Ma- 
chine and Hose," 511. 

Fire Marshal, 500. 

Fire of 1703, 489. 

Fire of 1805, 489, 490, 491, 729. 

Fire of 1848, 493. 

Fire ordinance, 501. 

Fire, the cry of, 503. 

Fire Wardens, 147, 505. 

First American occupation of 
Detroit, 268. 

First Colonists, character of, 
332- 

First Evangelistic Society or- 
ganized, 556. 

First Protestant Cemetery, 55. 

First Protestant Society be- 
comes Presbyterian, 581. 

First Protestant Society incor- 
porated, 558. 

First sale of city bonds, 154. 

First white traveler through the 
Detroit, 325. 

Fiscal year of the city, 158. 

Fish hatcheries, 16. 

Fish Island, 7. 

Five Million Loan, 889, 896. 

Flag, Uritish, hoisted, 268. 

Flag, British, hauled down, 268. 

Flag raising in war time, 305. 



Flag-staff, stump of, found, 225, 

Flat heads, 233. 

Flour from Pontiac, 15. 

Flour, manufacture of, 15. 

Flowers, native to Detroit, 12. 

Fog signals and buoys, 919, 920. 

Fog trumpets, 920. 

Food, cheapness of, 804. 

Forestalling, 796. 

Forge, the Detroit Steam, 805. 

Fort Street opened to Cass 

Farm, 473. 
Forts and Defenses, 221. 

Croghan, 226. 

Detroit, 783, 222, 234. 

Du Luth, 221. 

Duquesnc, 12, 233. 

Henry, 249. 

Lawrance, or I^urens, tso. 

Lernoult, 34, 222, 223, 224. 

Mackinaw. 221, 709. 

Maiden, 183. 

Marchand, 12. 

Mcintosh, 256. 

Meigs, 108. 

Miami, 265. 

Mayer, 922. 

Nonsense, 226. 

Pitt, 233. 

Pontchartrain, 17,18,24,221, 
231, 232, 234. 

Presque Isle, 12. 

Riviere de Boeuf, 12. 

St. Joseph, 221. 

Shelby, 8, 36, 52, 222, 224, 
225, 283. 

Stevenson, 282. 

Sumter, 853. 

Wayne, 225, 228, 305. 
Founding and growth of De- 
troit, 331. 
Foundry and Wheel Co., Rus- 
set, 805. 
Fountains, public drinking, 71, 
Fowls first brought to Detroit, 

338. 

Fox Indians, 231, 321. 

France. 811. 8i8. 826. 828. 829. 

France and England, peace be- 
tween, 237. 

France and Spain allied, 269 

France, Cadillac returns to, 18. 

Frankfort (Germany), 814. 

Free delivery of goods, 777. 

Free delivery system of Post- 
ofiice, 882. 

Free dispensary, 51, 733. 

Free lodging house opened, 
650. 

Free schools, meeting in inter- 
est of, 740. 

Freezing process of Mr. Davis. 
362. 

Freights and passengers, 890. 

French and English rule, 83. 

French and Spanish intrigues, 
269. 

French dress described— poem, 

337- 

French Farms in Wayne Coun- 
tyi 977i 982. 

French garrison at time of sur- 
render of Detroit, 234. 

French government, form of, 
in America, S3. 

French maltreated by Indians 
on Grosse Isle, 232. 

French names .Anglicised, 337. 

French ponies, 887. 

French possession, evidences of, 
232. 

French regime, 133. 

French supremacy, 171. 

French take possession of re- 
gion, 325. 

French trust in Indians, 323. 

Fuel, and where procured, 470. 

Fugitive Slave Act passed, 346, 

Fulton Iron & Engine Works, 
806. 

Funerals, tolling of bell at, 57, 

Funeral usages, 57. 

Funke's Hall, 479. 

Fur trade, importance of, 767, 
768. 



ioi6 



INDEX— MISCELLANEOUS. 



Galveston, 8ii. 

Games, Indian, 322. 

Gamewell fire-alarm apparatus, 
516. 

Gardens, unexcelled, 15. 

Gas companies, 468, 469. 

Gas inspector, 469. 

Gazetteers, effect on immigra- 
tion, 697. 

(iazetteer of Michigan first is- 
sued, 6g6. 

General Gage, the brig, 907. 

German shooting grounds in 
Haratramck, 4. 

Germany. 818,828,829. 

Gentlemen by occupation, 338. 

Gettysburg, news of battle of, 
308. 

Ghent, treaty of, 269. 

Girls admitted to High School, 

749- 

Glass Works, Detroit City, S36, 

Glass Works, Leonard, 836. 

Cilobe Tobacco Factory, 827. 

Gnaden-huetten, Moravian sta- 
tion, 551, 

Gold, greenbacks, and national 
bank notes uf equal value, 854. 

Gold pens first used, 364. 

Gold^ enormous premium on, 
854. 

Good Templars, Grand Lodge 
in session, 842, 844. 

Good Templars' Hall, 479. 

Gothic houses, early, 374. 

Governor and Judges, appoint- 
ment of, 134. 

Governor and Judges arrive at 
Marietta, 94, 

Governor and Judges assume 
control of commons, 25. 

Governor and Judges author- 
ized to convey lands, 27. 

Governor and Judges control 
property after establishment 
of city government, 31. 

Governor and Judges criticised, 
28. 

Governor and Judges, miscon- 
duct of, 96, 97. 

Governor and Judges, mysteri- 
ous transactions of, 27. 

Governor and Judges of Michi- 
gan hold first session, 95. 

Governor and Judges' Plan, 24, 
26, 36. 

Governor and Judges render no 
account of moneys, 150. 

Governor and Judges, rule of, 
134- 

Government, a patriarchal, 171. 

Governors, English, 84. 

Governors of ^lichigan, 91, 92. 

Governors of Michigan Terri- 
tory, 88. 

Governors of New France, 83. 

Grades, Commissioners of, 936. 

Grain, inspection and grading 
of, 791. 

Grand Circus, 73. 

Grand Haven, railroad to, first 
opened, S95. 

Grangers, origin of societies, 

^854. 

Grand Rapids, diocese of, 547. 

Grand Rapids, railroad to, first 
opened, 895. 

Grand Trunk Junction, 4. 

Grand Trunk Junction, lots 
sold at, 41. 

Graves in Jefferson Avenue, 53. 

Gravestones and graves, 52. 

Great Turkey Island, 7. 

Greece, 811. 

Greely's surveys confirmed, 22. 

Greenback party, the, S54. 

" Greenbacks," origin of name, 
854- 

Green Bay, seventh legislative 
council at, 99. 

Greenfield, 4, 5. 

Greenfield, part of, added to 
city, 34. 



Greenville, treaty of, 121. 

Griffon, The, an armed vessel, 
325, 907. _ 

Grmdstone quarries in Michi- 
gan, 802. 

Grist mill on May's Creek, 9. 

Griswold Street, peculiarities 
of, 928. 

Grosse Isle, Indians on, 232. 

Grosse Isle, Indian shot on, 285. 

Grosse Isle, occupied by Wm. 
Macomb, 7. 

Grosse Isle, railroad ferry at, 
901. 

Grosse Isle, tunnel at, 891. 

Grosse Pointe, a summer re- 
sort, 5. 

Grave of Dalyell, 239. 

Grotto of the Blessed Virgin, 
543- 

H 

Hack licenses and charges, 888. 
Hair buyer, title applied to 

Gov. Hamilton, 251. 
Hair trunk safe, 154. 
Half-breeds, 340. 
Halifax currency, 846. 
Halifax Gazette, first issued, 

669. 
Hallock's Corner, 457. 
Hamtramck, township of, 4, 
Hamtramck, part of, added to 

city, 34. 
Hamtramck Spouters, name of 

Fire Co., 511. 
Hanging of an Indian woman, 

i7i._ 
Hannibal, Mo., S06, 
Harbor and river improvement 

districts, 921. 
Harbor, formed by Detroit 

River, 917. 
Harbor ftlaster, 207, 917. 
Hardware Co., The Clark, 836. 
Hard wood, prices of at Detroit, 

802. 
Harmonic Hall, 478. 
Harper's Ferry raid organized, 

348. 
Harrow, Gale Sulky Co., 836. 
Havana, 4, 
Hay chopped and boiled for 

food, 287. 
Hay markets, 798. 
Health officer, 59. 
Hearses, first use of, 57, 
Heights, The, 928. 
Henry, Fort, 249. 
Hesse, district of, changed to 

Western District, 174. 
Hiawatha Tobacco Co., 827. 
Hickory Halls, 110. 
Hillsdale, railroad to, first 

opened, 902. 
Hog Island, 16, 78, 236. 
Holden Road, 4. 
Holly, railroad first opened 

from Northville, 905. 
Homoeopathic Free Dispensary, 

51- 
Honey, 12. 

Hong Kong, China, 823. 
Honolulu, 827. 

Hook and ladder company or- 
ganized, 504. 
Hopkins Journals, manufacture 

of, 806. 
Horseback ride to Washington, 

887. 
Horse-boat ferry, 916. 
Horse distemper, 892. 
Horses for steam fire engines, 

515- 
Horses, Parent to shoe those of 

Cadillac, 887. 
Hose company organized, 504. 
Hose, cutting of fire engine, 

507- 
Hospitals, see Charitable Insti- 
tutions. 
Hotels, see Taverns and Hotels. 
House and store numbers, 467. 
Housebreaking and thieving, 

203. 



House occupied by Gen. Cass, 

3^- ^ . 

House of Correction, 55, 216, 
217, 218. 

House, remains of an ancient, 
found, 368. 

Houses and barns, number of 
in 1773, 368. 

Houses, average number of oc- 
cupants, 376. 

Houses, fine and numerous, 376. 

Houses, Gothic, first, 374. 

Houses, manner of building, 

373. 374. 

Houses, method of construction 
in 1778, 368. 

Houses, number in i860, 374. 

Houses, number within stock- 
ade in 1766, 368. 

Houses of ill repute demolished, 
201, 202. 

Hubbard Farm, 20. 

Hubel's Capsule Factory, 824. 

Humbug Island, why so named. 

Hunters' lodges, 301. 
Hunting and fishing, 349. 
Hurons, 3, 12, 231, 232, 322, 530. 
Huron territory, attempt to 

organize, 89. 
Huron village on Bois Blanc 

Island, 8. 
Hydrants, 517. 
Hydraulic companycstablished, 

63, 64. 



Ice, 6. 

Idol broken by Galinee, 325, 

Immersion, first baptism by. In 

Detroit, 605. 
Immigration at various times, 
, 37. 333.. 335, 697, 909. 
Importation of slaves forbidden, 

345- 
Importations, direct, 772. 
ImpHsonment for debt, 177. 
Income tax, 159. 
Indian Tribes — 

Algonquins, 321, 322, 

Cayugas, 322. 

Chippewas, 78, 321, 322, 323, 

T^324- 

Delawares, 261. 

Flatheads, 233. 

Foxes, 231, 321. 

Hurons, 3, 12, 231, 232, 322, 

53°- . 
Iroquois, 322, 324, 332. 
Kickapoos, 231, 240. 
Mascoutins, 531. 
Menominees, 231, 321, 
Miamis, 231, 322. 
Mississauguas, 239. 
Mohawks, 322. 
Olmecs, 321. 
Onondagas, 232, 322. 
Oneidas, 322. 
Ottawas, 12, 78, 231, 321, 322, 

324- 
Ouendats, 321, 324, 
Outagamies, 231. 
Potowatamies, 21, 52, 231, 

235, 238, 322. 
Poux, 322. 
Sacs, 321. 
Sauteux, 323, 
Senecas, 234, 322. 
Toltecs, 321. 
Tuetle, or Tntelos, 321. 
Tuscaroras, 322. 
Wyandotts, 3, 7, 234, 238, 321, 

3-2, 3=3. 324- 

Indianapolis, railroad to, first 
opened from Ypsilanti, 003. 

Inhabitants of Detroit, person- 
al appearance, 338. 

Indian alarm, 284, 285. 

Indian attack expected on day 
of eclipse, 315. 

Indian and African slaves, 344. 

Indian agents, 324. 

Indians as British allies, 247. 

Indian attacks, 231. 

Indian burial places, 52. 



Indian councils, 234, 243, 263, 
552. 

Indian dances, 322. 

Indians defeated at Tippeca- 
noe, 273. 

Indian forays instigated by 
English, 242, 

Indian games, 322. 

Indian grants invalid, 21. 

Indian intrcnchmentson Fight- 
ing Island, 7. 

Indian life described, 322. 

Indian mounds, 321. 

Indian outrages, 226. 

Indian plot to massacre the 
French, 232. 

Indian raid, 285. 

Indian shot on Grosse Isle, 285. 

Indian skeletons and relics, 52. 

Indian summer, 45. 

Indian thoughtfulness, 350. 

Indian titles to lands extin- 
guished. 324. 

Indian trade, everybody en- 
gaged in, 338. 

Indian trails and bridle paths, 
887. 

Indians as beggars, 323, 

Indians carry their furs to the 
English, 766. 

Indians conciliated by British, 
264. 

Indians converted, 564. 

Indians defeated by Wayne, 
266. 

Indians, disbursements to, 323. 

Indians, drunken, 838. 

Indians, favor sought by gifts, 

323- 
Indians, French trust in, 323. 
Indians generally cheated, 767. 
Indians, habits and condition, 

323- , 
Indians hung, 317. 
Indians, intermarriage with, 

331- 

Indians kept good-natured by 
gifts, 766. 

Indians, number of, in Michi- 
gan, 324. 

Indians on Bois Blanc Island 
estranged, 8. 

Indians, pestilence among, 281. 

Indians set fire to Fort Pont- 
chartrain, 231, 489. 

Indians settled near French 
forts, 322. 

Indians, supplies for, 243. 

Indians to be taught, 331. 

Indians throng at Detroit, 260. 

Indictment of Gov. Hamilton, 

173- . 

Inhabitants renew oath of alle- 
giance, 240. 

Ink rain, 46. 

Insane Asylum of County, 649. 

Inspectors of liquors, 84:. 

Inspection of meats, 797. 

Inspection of oils and liquids, 

797- 

Inspectors of schools to be 
elected on general ticket, 754. 

Inspector of steamboats, 921, 

Inspection of weights and 
measures, 797, 

Inspection of wood, 797. 

Insurance companies, 873, 874, 
875- 

Insurance Co. Bank, S62. 

Insurance, State commissioner 
of, 875- 

Internal improvements project- 
ed, 889, 890, 8y6. 

Internal revenue taxes, 159. 

International convention of 
Boards of Trade, 789. 

International convention of Y. 
M. C. A., 639. 

Intrigues of France and Spain, 
269. 

Inventors and inventions, 362. 

Ionia, railroad to, first opened 
895. 

Iron and brass bedsteads, man- 
ufacture of, 811. 



» 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



lOI 



Iron and Bridge Works, 805. 
Iron and Steel Works, Eureka, 

81S. 
Iron Works, Buhl, S06. 
Iron Company, Malleable, 808. 
Iron fencing, manufacture of, 

Bog, Six. 
Iron Works, Fulton, 836. 
Iron stairs, manufacture of, Bog, 
Iron water pipe, manufacture 

of, 807. 
Iron Works, Eagle, 808. 
Iroquois, 322, 324, 332. 
Islands in river, 7, 8. 
Italy, 829. 



Jackson, railroad to, first open- 
ed, Sgj. 

Jackson s specie circular, 849. 

Jacksonville, Florida, 835. 

Jails, 214, 215, 216, 481. 

Jail, scrip issued to contractors, 
475- 

Jails, use of, to detain slaves, 
347- 

Janitors of school buildings, 
746. 

Japan, 809, 811, 829. 

Jefferson Avenue extended 
through church ground, 531. 

Jesuits, 324. 

Jesuits oppose selling brandy 
to savages, 837. 

Jesuits unfriendly to Detroit, 

,76s. ^ 

Jewish Cemetery, 57. 
Jonesville, railroad to, first 

opened, 902. 
Journal bearings, manufacture 

of, 806. 
Journal boxes, manufacture of, 

806. 
Journeying, 887. 
Judge Advocates of Territory 

of Michigan, 89. 
Judicial misconduct, i8r. 
Jurors, grand and petit, 193, 
Jurors of Circuit Court, 193. 
Jurors for U. S. District Court, 

175- 
Jurors in Police Court, 196. 
Jury, Coroners', 58. 
Justice in the olden time, 171. 
Justices authorized to perform 

marriage ceremony, 340. 
Justices of the Peace, 197. 

K 

Kalamazoo, railroad to, first 

opened, S97. 
Ka-ron-ta-en, Huron name for 

Detroit, 3. 
Kaskaskia, 111., 24. 
Kent County, Upper Canada, 

Detroit formerly in, 94. 
Kentucky, Bird s expedition 

against, 260. 
Kentucky Gazette, issued at 

Lexington, 669. 
Kentucky, Governor of, honor- 
ed, 283. 
Kerosene oil used in making 

coal gas, 364. 
Kerosene oil introduced, 468. 
Kickapoos, 231, 240. 
Kidnapping of ^Ir, Poquettc, 

272. 
King's clothing store, 458. 
King's corner, 457, 
King's surveyor, 37. 
King's wharf, 8. 
Kittelberger's Hall, 479. 
Knagg's windmill, 10. 
Knight Templar procession, 

343- 
Know-Nothing party, J14. 



Laboratory, Parke, Davis, & 

Co.'s, 823. 
Laboratory, F. Stearns & Co., 

823. 



Laborator>', Hubel's, 823. 

Lacquers, manufacture of, 826. 

Ladies' Academy established, 
720, 

Lake Erie, 3. 

Lake Erie, steamers on, seized 
by rebels, 30S. 

L.ake Erie, storm on, 239. 

Lake Ste. Claire, 5. 

Lake Ste. Claire, origin of the 
name, 907. 

Lake Superior Copper Co., 818. 

Lake Survey, The, 918. 

Lake travel, why decreased, 910. 

Lamplighters, 469. 

Land commissioners, 20. 

Land Board, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31. 

Land, French, patents con- 
firmed, 19, 20. 

Land granted for public schools, 
736. 

Land grants, conditions of, 17. 

Lands granted to Cadillac in 
Maine, 32S. 

Land Office at Detroit, 37. 

Land speculation of 1837, 850. 

Lands, amount cleared in 1708, 

, 333- 

Lands claimed by Cadillac's 
descendants, 328. 

Lansing, railroad to, from De- 
troit, first opened, 905. 

Lansing made the Capital, 91. 

Lapeer, railroad to, first opened, 
901. 

La Porte, railroad to, first open- 
ed, 902. 

Last factory of Mumford, Fos- 
ter & Co., 832, 833. 

Latitude of Detroit, 4. 

Latakia, in Asia, 818. 

Law against blasphemy, 554. 

Law and Order party, 843. 

Law Libraries, 200. 

Lawn mowers, introduction of, 

, 376. 

Lawrance, Fort, 120. 

Laws of State, form of publi- 
cation, 99. 

Laws pertaining to Detroit, 983. 

Lawyers, 199. 

Lead Pipe and Sheet Lead 
Works, 836. 

Lecturers, names and dates of 
visits, 709. 

Leeville, in Hamtramck, 4. 

Lee's army, surrender of, 309. 

Legal tender notes, 854. 

Legends respecting Indian 
mounds, 321. 

Legislative council. 98, iii. 

Legislative council, first ses- 
sion in Capitol, 475. 

Legislature, sessions of, 99. 

Legislatures and laws, 94. 

Leopard, attack of, on the 
Chesapeake, 274. 

Lernoult, Fort, 34, 222, 223, 
224. 

Letter boxes first provided, 882. 

Letter carriers, 882. 

Letter of Gen. Brock demand- 
ing surrender of Detroit, 276. 

Letter to Col. Campbell about 
taxes, 222. 

Letters, McKee's, to Col. Eng- 
land, 265. 

Lexington, Gazette of, 669. 

Librar>' of Mechanics* Society, 

713- 

Library, The Bar, 199, 200. 

Librarj', City, established, 710. 

Library Commissioners, 761. 

Librar>', The Firemen's. 521. 

Library, The Public, 759 to 762. 

Library of Young Nfcn's So- 
ciety, 711. 

Licenses, City, collection of, 
207. 

Licenses for newsboys, 692. 

Licenses for trucks, drays, etc., 
891. 

Licenses, Territorial^ 150, 769. 

Licenses to dealers m liquors, 
838, 839, 840. 



Lieutenant-Governors of Mich- 
igan, 92. 

Life savmg service, 920, 921. 

Light Guards, Detroit, organ- 
ized for war with South, 318. 

Lighthouse Engineer, 919. 

Lighthouse first erected at Fort 
Gratiot, 919. 

lighthouse keepers, 920. 

Lighthouses, location of, 919. 

Lighthouses on the Detroit 
River, 920. 

Lighthouses, construction, re- 
pair, and inspection of, 919, 
920. 

Lighting and heating, 467. 

Lime burned on Campus Mar- 
tins, 475. 

Limekiln i near stockade, 367. 

Limestone, price of, plentiful 
in vicinity of Detroit, 802. 

Linden Park, in Hamtramck, 4. 

Linseed meal, manufacture of, 
326. 

Linseed Oil Co., Detroit, 825. 

Liquor dealers, number of, in 
city and county, 845. 

Liquor dealers, state meeting 
of, 843. 

Liquor not to be sold to Indi- 
ans, 17. 

Liquor selling, restrictions on, 

, .837. 

Liquors, none sold at Franklin 
House, 481. 

Liquor tax law passed, 843. 

Liquor traffic and temperance 
efforts. 837. 

Lisbon. Spain, 820. 

Literary societies, 710. 

Local government, revival of, 
135- 

Localities, designations of, 927. 

Local option law of 1845, 839. 

Locomotive Works, Detroit, 
806. 

Locomotive obtained from Phil- 
adelphia, 893. 

Log cabins, 180. 

Log houses within stockade, 
367- 

London, 6, 814, 827. 

London edition of Free Press, 
687. 

Longitude of Detroit, 4. 

Losantiville, origi.i of name, 94. 

Lost children, notice of, 669. 

Lottery to buy a fire engine, 
502. 

Lottery to promote literature, 
710. 

Lots, changes in numbers of, 31. 

Louisiana, 83, 820. 

Louisiana, Cadillac appointed 
governor of, 18. 

Louisiana, commerce of, grant- 
ed to A. Crozat, 330. 

Louisiana placed under Indiana 
territorj*, 87. 

Louisville, Ky., 811. 

Loyalists and renegades at- 
tracted to Detroit, 244, 

Lumber, prices at Detroit, 802. 

I^utheran Cemeterj', 57. 

Lyceum of Detroit organized, 
711. 

Lyceum of Michigan organized, 
712. 

Lyons, N. Y., 811. 

M 

Mackinaw, 121, 221, 237, 242, 

285, 325. 709. 781. 837, 90s. 
Mcintosh. Fort, 256. 
Elaine, 328, 8to. 
** Maine Law " of Michigan, 

840. 841. 
Magazines, see Newspapers and 

Periodicals. 
Mamajuda Island, 7. 
Mail, fourteen days to NcwYork, 

880. 
Mail from Washington, three 

weeks on the road, S80. 



Mail conveyed on horseback 

and on foot, 879. 
Mails, first regular, 879, 880. 
Mails slow and irregular, 879. 
Maiden, Fort, 183. 
Malleable Iron Co., Michigan, 

808. 
Manitoba, 820. 
Manners and customs, 337. 
Mansard roofs introduced, 376. 
Mantels, manufacture of, 832. 
Manufacturing advantages, 802. 
Manufactures list of. 804. 
Manufactures of Detroit — 

Architectural iron work, 806. 

Bar iron, 818. 

Baskets, Sii. 833. 

lilast furnace machinery, 806. 

Boik-r plate, 818. 

Boilers, 806, 807. 

Boots and shoes. 835. 

Brass castings, 807. 

Bridges, 805. 

Bronzed goods, 822. 

Brushes, 811, 826. 

Cages, 8n. 

Candle<, 826. 

Capsules, 823. 824. 

Carriages, 836. 

Cars, 804, 805. 

Car sheaves and wheels, 805. 

Chairs, 811, 832. 

Champion tire bender, 806. 

Cheese safes, 809, 810, 8n. 

Ci.yars and cigarettes, 828. 

Copper, ingot, 818. 

Counter supports, 810. 

Crackers, 833. 

Clamer's journal metal, 806. 

Door knobs, 820, 

Drugs. 82^. 

Druggists tinware, 822. 

Elevators, 820. 

Elevator machinery, 806. 

Emery grinders and wheels, 
820. 

Engines, 806, 807, 808. 

Files, 820. 

Fire escapes, 809. 811. 

Hangers, 808, 820 

Hopkins journals. 806. 

Iron and brass bedsteads. 811. 

Iron fencing and stair^ 809, 
811. 

Iron water-pipe, S07. 

Journal bearings and boxes, 
806. 

Lacquers, 826. 

Lasts, 833. 

Linseed mral, 826. 

Linseed oil. 825. 

Malleable iron castings, 808. 

Mantels. 832. 

Matches, 828. 

Medicated wines, 823. 

Medicinal syrups, 823. 

Mining machinery, 806. 

Mouldings. 828. 

Oil cake. 826. 

Organs, 829. 

Pails, 832. 

Paints, 825, 

Pig iron, 818. 

Pills, 823. 

Pins, 820. 

Pulleys. 808, 820. 

Railroad turn-tables, 805. 

Roller skates. 811. 

Roof cresting, 810, 811. 

Safes, fire-proof. 810. 

Shafting, 808, 820. 

Show stands, 811. 

Sieves, 8og, 811. 

Soaps, 826. 

Spectacles, 836. 

Spring beds, 832. 

Springs, locomotive and car, 
804. 

Spring steel, 804. 

Stable fixtures, 810, 

Stamped ware, 822. 

Sioddart's tire upsetter, 806, 

Stoves, 814. 816. 

Street lanterns, 822. 

Tinware, 822. 



ioi8 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



Manufactures of Detroit — C(7k, 

Tobacco, 826, 827. S28. 

Traps, 811. 

Upholstered ware, 832. 

Varnish, 826. 

Viaducts, 805. 

Weather vanes, 810. 

White bronze goods, 811. 

White lead, 825. 

Willow ware, 833. 

Window and dnor screens, 809. 

Window guards, 810. 

Wire cloth, 80^. 811. 

Wire counter railings, 810. 

Wire lathing and fencing, 
810. Sii. 

Wire signs, 810, 811. 

Wood-working machines, 809. 
Manufacturing Firms — 

American Eagle Tobacco Co., 
820. 

Bagley's Mayflower Tobacco 
Factory, 836. 

Banner Tobacco Factory, 827. 

Barnum, E. T., Wire & Iron 
Works, 811. 

Berry Brothers' Varnish Man- 
ufactory, 826. 

Boydell Brothers' White Lead 
Works. 825. 

Buhl Iron Works, 806. 

Burk, Rich, & Co., Cigar- 
makers, 828. 

Clark Hardware Co., 836. 

Clough & Warren Organ Co., 
829. 

Detroit & Lake Superior 
Copper Co., 818. 

Detroit Bridge & Iron Works, 
805. 

Detroit Bronze Co., 811. 

Detroit Brush Co., 836. 

Detroit City Glass Works. 836. 

Detroit Copper & Brass Roll- 
ing Mill. 836. 

Detroit Electrical Works, 836. 

Detroit Emery Wheel Co., 
820. 

Detroit File Works, 820. 

Detroit Lead Pipe and Sheet 
Lead Wi)rks, 836. 

Detroit Linseed Oil Co.. 825. 

Detroit Locomotive Works, 
806. 

Detroit Safe Co., 810. 

Detroit Stamping Co.. 822. 

Detroit Steam Forge, 805. 

Detroit Stove Co.. 811. 

Detroit White Lead Works, 
825. 

Diamond Fanning Mill Co., 
836. 

Dondero's Detroit Willow 
Ware Factory, 833. 

Dry Dock Engine Works, 836. 

Eagle Iron Works, 808. 

Eureka Iron & Steel Works, 
818. 

F. A. Hubel's Capsule Lab- 
oratory, 823. 

Frederick Stearns' Pharma- 
ceutical ManufacturingCo., 
823. 

Frost's Wooden Ware Works, 
836. 

Fulton Iron& Engine Works, 
806. 

Gale Sulky Harrow Manufac- 
turing Co., 836. 

Globe Tobacco Factory, 827. 

Gray & Baffy. Manufactur- 
ing Upholsterers, 832. 

Griffin Car Wheel Co., 836. 

Hargreaves' Manufacturing 
Co., 828. 

Hugh Johnson's Carriage Es- 
tablishment, 836. 

Johnston Optical Co., 836. 

Laboratory of Parke, Davis, 
& Co., 823. 

Leonard Glass Works, 836. 

Michel's Wood-working Ma- 
chinery Establishment, 809. 

Middlebrook & Post Manu- 
facturing Co,, 820. 



Manufacturing Firms — Con. 
Michigan liolt and Nut Co., 

836. 
Michigan Car and Car Wheel 

Co., 804. 
Michigan Carbon Works, 836. 
Michigan Malleable Iron Co., 

808. 
Michigan Stove Co., 816. 
Michigan White Lead and 

Color Works. S24. 
M. J. Murphy & Co. 's Spring 
Bed and Chair Factory. 832, 
Mumford, Foster, & Co.'s 

Last Factory. 832. 
National Pin Co., 820. 
National Wire and Iron Co., 

809. 
Parke, Davis, & Co., Manu- 
facturing Chemists, 823. 
Peninsular Car Works, 805. 
Peninsular Stove Co., 816. 
Pingree & Smith's Shoe Fac- 
tory, 833. 
Pullman Car Works, 836. 
Richardson Match Factory, 

828. 
Russel Wheel & Foundry 

Co., 805. 
Schulte Brothers Soap Fac- 
tory, 826. 
Scotten's Hiawatha Tobacco 

Factory, 827. 
Steel & Spring Works, 804. 
Sutton Manufacturing Co., 

832. 
Union Door Knob Co., 822. 
Vail & Crane's Cracker Fac- 
tory, S35. 
Maps of Detroit, 32, 33, 34. 
Map of Detroit River, 270. 
Map of Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin, Farmer's, 697. 
Maps and Gazetteers as aids to 

immigration, 335, 697. 
Maple sugar, 12, 337. 
Marine Hospital, 923, 924. 
Market. The Berthelet, 794. 
Market building schemes, 794. 
Market receipts, 797. 
Market, The Cass, 795. 
Market, The Central Vegetable, 

794- ^, , 

Market Clerks, 202, 795. 

Markets, regulations for, 793, 
796. 

Markets on Sunday, 201, 796. 

Markets reached from Detroit, 
see Shipments. 

Marriage ceremony may be per- 
formed by justices, 340. 

Marriage contracts and permits, 
340- 

Marriage, first, by a Protestant 
clergyman, 550. 

Marriage, first French, 333. 

Marriage, second French. '333, 

Marriage in the Catholic 
Church, 341. 

Marriage in the Hebrew con- 
gregation, 341. 

Marriage laws, 340. 

Marriages, Commandant at, 171. 

Marriages, record of, 341. 

Marchand, Fort, 12. 

Marietta, Governor and Judges 
arrive at, 94. 

Marquette, diocese of, 547. 

Marquette, railroad to first 
opened from Mackinaw, 905. 

Marshall. 133, 897. 

Marshal. City, 202. 

Marshal, U. S., 176. 

Martial law proclaimed, 242. 

Mascoutins, 231. 

Masonic and Odd Fellows' So- 
cieties. 341. 

Masonic Hall, 478, 479. 

Masons' Mutual Benefit Asso- 
ciation, 343. 

Massachusetts, 85. 835. 

Massacred at the River Raisin, 
280. 

Massacre at Wyoming, 249. 

Massacre of Dalyell's force, 238. 



Massacre of Delawares by Am- 
ericans, 261. 

Massacre of James Fisher and 
family, 236. 

Massacre of prisoners at Ruddle 
Station, 260. 

Massacre of settlers on the Mo- 
hawk, 233. 

Massacre of TurnbuU family, 
236. 

Masters in chancery. 176, 191. 

Match Factory, Richardson, 
828. 

Matches introduced. 467, 468. 

Maumee valley invaded, 282. 

Mayor, powers of, under Act of 
1S06, 134. 

Mayors, 140. 

Mayor's Court, 142. 

May's Creek, called Campau's 
River, 9. 

Mayflower Tobacco Factory, 
836. 

Maypole, penalty for not plant- 
ing, 18. 

Meats, inspection of, 59, 797. 

Medical societies, 50. 

Medicine men, 50. 

IMedicines, non-secret, 823. 

Meigs, Fort, 108. 

Melcher Farm church, 532. 

Meldrum warehouse used as a 
church, 531. 

Melons raised by Indians, 12. 

Members of Congress, 102. 

Memoirs of Gen. Hull, 289. 

Memorial tablet, Trinity 
Church, 537. 

Memorial to Congress for pro- 
tection from Indians, 273. 

Memorial window to Father 
Richard. 531. 

Menominees. 231, 321. 

Merchandise for Indian pre- 
sents, 247. 

Merchants and trading, 765. 

Merchants' Exchange and 
Board of Trade, 785. 

Merchants' Express Co.. 892. 

Merchants' Mutual Fire Insur- 
ance Co., 875. 

Merchants of the past, 767. 

Merchants' police, 204. 

Merchants' wharf, 8. 

Merino sheep, Hull's doings 
with. 278. 279. 

Merrill Hall, 478. 

Methodist ministers, first at 
Detroit, 553. 

Methodist presiding elders, 580. 

Methodist Quarterly Confer- 
ence, old time methods, 565. 

Metropolitan Police Commis- 
sion, 204, 841. 

Mexico, 4, 303, 330, 810, Sii, 
826. 

Miami, Fort of, built by Brit- 
ish, 265. 

Miamis, 231. 322. 

Michel's Woud-working Ma- 
chinery, 8og. 

Michigan. Bank of, 838. 

Michigan Bolt & Nut Co.. 836. 

Michigan Carbon Works. S36. 

^Michigan Car and Car Wheel 
Co., 4, 804. 

M. C. R. R. depot burned, 494. 

Michigan, derivation of name, 
321. 

Michigan Essay. The, 694. 

Michigan Fire & Marine Insur- 
ance Co., 875. 

Michigan formed from Indiana 
Territory, 87. 

Michigan Garden, 351. 

Michigania — a poem, 335, 336. 

Michigan included in Upper 
Canada, 84. 

Michigan, Indians in. 324. 

Michigan Malleable Iron Co., 
808. 

Michigan, Slate Bank of. 863, 
866. 

Michigan, State of, admitted to 
Union, 89. 



Michigan Stove Co.. 816. 
Michigan Territory created, 95, 

121. 
Michigania, University of. 728. 
Michigan White Lead & Colur 

Works. 824. 
Military Cemetery. 52. 
Military convention, when held, 

517- 
Mih'tary court and sentences, 

316. 317. 
Military drill introduced into 

High Scho<j!, 749. 
Military Hall. 136. 473. 
Military reserves, 29, 36, 151, 

225. 
Militia and Military Compa- 
nies — 

Brady Guards, 317. 

Cass Guards. 317. 

City Guards. 317. 

Detroit City Grays. 318. 

Detroit City Guards, 318. 

Detroit Light Guards, 318. 

Detroit Light Infantry, 318. 

Detroit Town Company, 317. 

Emmet Rifles, 318. 

Grayson Light Guards, 317. 

Holt Guards, 318. 

Jackson Guards. 318. 

Lafayette Guards, 317. 

Legionary Corps, names of 
officers, 313, 314. 

Lyon Guards, 318. 

Michigan Hussars, 318. 

Montgomery Guards, 317. 

Montgomery Rifles, 318. 

National Dragoons, 318. 

National Guards, 318. 

Sarsfield Guards, 318. 

Scott Guards, 317. 

Scottish Guards, 318. 

Sherman Zouaves, 318. 

Shields (Juards, 318. 

Wolverine Rifles, 318. 

Yager Guards, 31S. 
Militia called out by Croghan, 

284. 
Militia, Negro Company organ- 
ized, 315. 345. 
Militia drills, disagreeable fea- 
tures of, 316. 
Militia, jurisdiction over, on 

the borders of Virginia and 

Pennsylvania. 258. 
Militia laws of Indian Terri- 

ti^ry, 313. 
Militia laws of the Northwest 

Territory, 313. 
Militia, number in 1778, 244. 
Militia, number in 1805. 313. 
Militia of the Territory. 296, 

313- 
Militia on duty at execution of 

Indians. 317. 
Militia, State encampment of, 

317- 
Militia under the French and 

English, 313. 
Militia uniforms, officers ar- 
rested for want of, 315, 
Militia uniforms prescribed by 

commander-in-chief, 313. 
Militia uniforms, protected 

against in 1806, 315. 
Mills, 9. 10. 18. 
Milwaukee Junction in Ham- 

tramck, 4. 
Minneapolis, Minn., 811. 
Minnesota, S20. 
Miracles performed through 

Del Halle, 529. 
Mississauguas, 239. 
Mississippi River, control of. 

269. 
Mississippi Valley, English 

seeking to obtain. 264. 
Mission buildings, see Churches, 
^lission to the Hurons, 530. 
Mission-Sunday schools, 653. 
Klissionary from Connecticut, 

552- . . 

Missionaries and priests, 527. 
l^Iissionaries, Moravian, brought 

to Detroit, 550. 



» 



INDEX — MISCELLAXEOUS. 



IOI9 



Mobile, Cadillac and family 

arrive near, 310. 
Mococks for liolding sugar, 12, 
Mohawks, 322. 

Mohawk settlers massacred, 233. 
Money, earliest of New France, 

846. 
Money orders of post-office, 881. 
Monguagon, 128, 367. 
Monroe County, go. 
Monroe, railroad to, first opened 

from Detroit, 902. 
Monroe railroad, first opened to 

Petcrsburgh, 902. 
Montreal, 836. 

Montreal, criminals sent to, 172. 
Montreal jealous of Detroit, 

765- 
Montreal, provisions from, 12. 
Montreal, reinforcements from, 

232. 
Monument to soldiers dedi- 
cated, 312. 
Moravian missionaries, 550, 551. 
Mortgages, 39. 

Mottoes of Fire Companies, 508. 
Mouldings, manufacture of, 

S28. 
Mound, Prairie, 4. 
Mounds, origin of, 321. 
Mount Elliott Cemetery, 53, 54. 
Mount Desert island described, 

Mount Desert island granted to 
Mme, Gregoire, ig. 

Mulberry trees, grown in De- 
troit, 961. 

Murder of a trader, 171. 

Murder of Charles Moran, 174. 

Musical Association, Detroit, 
organized, 355. 

Musical compositions and com- 
posers, 357. 

Music and dancing, 349. 

Music and the Drama, 354. 

Musicians and music teachers, 
355- 

Museum of Scientific Associa- 
tion, 714. 

Museums, 351. 

Muskingum mission on, broken 
up, 261. 

Mutual Benefit Association, 
Masons. 343. 

Myer, Fort, 922. 

N 

Names of streets, changes in, 
946-948. 

Nankin, poor farm in, 649. 

Naptha for street lamps, 469. 

Nashua, N. H., 818. 

National banks, excellence of, 
354. 

Nationalities represented in 
Detroit, 336. 

National Commercial Conven- 
tion held, 790. 

National Convention of Brew- 
ers, 845. 

National Convention of Wo- 
men's Christian Temperance 
Union, 845. 

National Pip Co., 820. 

National Wire & Iron Co., 809. 

Naval depot of the West, De- 
troit the, 243. 

Navarre Farm deeded by Poto- 
\vatamics. 52. 

Navigation on Lakes and Riv- 
ers, 907. 

Navy Island, near Buffalo, for- 
tified, 301. / 

Negro militia company organ- 
ized, 345. 

Negro not, because of arrest of 
slaves, 345. 

Negroes, rfot against, 348. 

Newark, now S'iagara, 94. 

New IJriinswick, 814, 836. 

New City Hall, 477 

New Buffalo, railroad to, first 
opened, 899. 

New France, money of, 846. 



New Hampshire, 835. 

New Mexico, 828. 

New Orleans, 4, 269. 829, 832. 

Newsboys and bootblacks, 692. 

Newspaper graveyard, 670. 

Newspapers and Periodicals — 

Abend Post, 688. 

Advertiser and Tribune, 682, 
683, 692. 

Avjricullural and Horticul- 
tural j[ournal, 688. 

Allgemeine Zeitung, 687. 

American Citi;:en, 674. 

American Gleaner, 675. 

American Homceopalhic Ob- 
server, 688. 

American Meteorological 
Journal, 692. 

American Vineyard, 674. 

American Workman and 
Trade Reporter, 680. 

Amphion, 6go. 

Anglo-Catholic, 679. 

Anti-Roman Advocate, 678. 

Ashlar, 677. 

Baptist Tidings, 678. 

Better Age, 673. 

Boy of the Period, 679. 

Brown's Reporter, 677. 

Capitol, The, 679. 

Catholic Vindicator, 676. 

Centinel. 669. 

Central Mirror, 569. 

Chaff, 691. 

Christian Unionist, 677. 

Cincinnati Gazette, 669. 

Citoyen, 675. 

Clinic, 690. 

Commercial, 691. 

Commercial Advertiser, 688. 

Commercial Bulletin, 676, 
679, 686. 

Commercial Law News, 681. 

Commonwealth of Pitts- 
burgh, 670. 

Constitutional Democrat, 674. 

Courier, 680, 681. 

Craftsmen of Michigan, 673, 

Day Book, 673. 

Democrat and Enquirer, 683. 

Democratic Free Press, 685. 

Detroit Illustrated, 681. 

Echo, 689. 

Eglantine, 673. 

Enquirer, 683. 

Evangelical Obser\*er, 675. 

Evening News, 675, 677, 688, 
692. 

Every Saturday, 691. 

Express, 682. 
Familien Blaetter, 688. 
Family Circle, 690. 
Family Herald, 691. 
Family Journal, 680. 
Farmer's Companion and 
Horticultural Gazette, 674. 
Fireman's Journal, 677. 
Freeman's Journal, 66g. 
Free Democrat, 682. 
Free Press, 685, 686. 
Free Union, 683. 
Froth, 677. 
Gazette, 671, 6;r4, 681. 
Gazette Francaise, 672. 
Gazette of Halifax, 66g. 
Gazette of Lexington, 669. 
Gazette of Pittsburgh, 669. 
Gazette of Quebec, 669. 
Gazette of Sciota, 669. 
Graphic, 680. 
Guardian, 676. 
Herald, 675, 677, 680. 
Herald and Torchlight, 689. 
Herald of Literature and 

Science, 672 
Home Messenger, 660, 6qi. 
Hotel Reporter and Railway 

Guide, 690. 
Household, 686. 
Index, The, 690. 
Indicator, 691. 
Jefferson ian Democrat, 673. 
Journal, 68r, 691 
Journal and Advertiser, 681, 
683. 



Newspapers and Periodicals — 

a>«/'^. 

Journal and Courier, 682. 

Journal de Detroit, 680. 

Journal of Commerce, 677, 
678. 

Journal of Education, 673. 

I.abnr Review, 681. 

L'Ami de la Jeunesse, 674. 

Lancet, 690. 

Leonard's Illustrated Medical 
Journal, 690. 

Lever, The, 680. 

L'Ktnile Canadienne, 678. 

Liberty Hall and Cincinnati 
Mercury, 669. 

L'lmpart'ial, 678. 

Little People, 679. 

Little Wolverine, 677. 

Living Church, 679. 

Mail, 681. 

Magazine, 674. 

Magazine of Travel, 677. 

Manufacturer and Inventor, 
691. 

Marine News, 691. 

Marine Record, 680. 

Medical Advance, 690. 

Medical Age, 6go. 

Medical Independent, 676. 

Medical Journal, 678. 

Mechanic and Inventor, 678. 

Medium, The, 675. 

Michigan Agriculturist, 673. 

Michigan A. O. U. V/. Her- 
aki, 691. 

Michigan Catholic, 688. 

Michigan Christian Advo- 
cate, 689. 

Michigan Christian Herald, 
674, 689. 

Michigan Democrat, 677, 687. 

Michigan Edition of North- 
west Reporter, 679. 

Michigan Essay, 694. 

Michigan Farmer and State 
Journal of .Agriculture. 688. 

Michigan Farmer and West- 
ern Agriculturist, 673. 

Michigan Free Democrat, 
683. 

Michigan Herald, 672. 

Michigan Home Journal, 
688. 

Michigan Homosopathic 
Journal, 676. 

Michigan Homestead, 680. 

Michigan Journal and Her- 
ald, 688. 

Michigan Journal of Educa- 
tion and Teachers' Maga- 
zine, 676. 

Michigan Journal of Homeo- 
pathy, 675, 679. 

Michigan Observer. 673. 

Michigan Organ of lemper- 
ance, 683. 

Micliigan Railroad Guide, 6go. 

Michigan St.iats Zeitung, 688. 
Michigan State Register, 672. 
Michigan Literary Gem, 674. 

Michigan Medical News, 6go. 
Michigan Mirador and Good 

Templar, 691. 
Michigan i'emperance Advo- 
cate, 68^. 
Michigan Trade Review, 681. 
Michigan Tribune, 687. 
Michigan Truth Teller, 679. 
Michigan Vnlks Zeitung, 680. 
Michigan Weekly Sun, 680. 
Mirror of the Lakes, 673. 
Monitor, 678. 

Monthly Hesperian and Odd 
Fellows' Literary, Maga- 
zine, 675. 
Moore's .\iasonic Messenger, 

680. 
Morning Post and Craftsman, 

113. 673. 
Mystic Star, 679. 
National, 680. 
National People, 68 1. 
National Republican and 
Ohio Political Register, 669. 



Newspapers and Periodicals — 
Conr'tf. 

New Idea, 6lji, 

New Jerusalem Messenger, 
675. 

New Preparations, 690. 

News, The, 675, 677, 688, 69a. 

New World, 678. 

Northwestern Advocate, 675. 

Northwestern Journal, 681. 

N'Tthwestern Musical Her- 
ald, 676. 

Northwestern Review, 681. 

Our Yankee Land, 679. 

Our Mutu.1l Friend, 678. 

Our Diocese, 679. 

Our Churches, 681. 

Our Catholic Voulh, 681. 

Odd Fellows' Wreath, 678. 

Oakland County Chronicle, 
685. 

Peninsular and Independent, 
676. 

Peninsular Fountain, 676. 

Peninsular Freeman, 683. 

Peninsular Herald, 677. 

Peninsular Journal of Medi- 
cine, 676, 678. 

Penny Times, 680. 

Plaindealer, 691. 

popular Appeal, 678. 

Popular Era, 680. 

Post, The, 673, 684. 

Post and Craftsman, 673. 

Post and Tribune, 681, 684, 
692. 

Preston's United States Bank 
Note Reporter. 677. 

Price Current, 678, 679. 

Progress of the Age, t88. 

Public Leader, 689. 

Public Spirit, 680. 

Pulpit, 679. 

Pursuivant, The. 681. 

Radicale Democrat, 677. 

Rat Gazette, 674. 

Red and White Ribbon, 680. 

Register, 675. 

Republican. 676. 

Review of Medicine and 
Pharmacy, 678. 

Rose's Nose, 680. 

St. John's Chronicle, 586. 

Scientific Manufacturer, 678. 

Shrajmel, The, 677. 

Socialist, The, 680. 

Society News, 691. 

Song Journal, 678. 

Sontag Zeitung, 680. 

Spectator, The, 691. 

Spectator and Literary Ga- 
zette, 673. 

Spirit of '76, or Theller's 
Daily Republican Advocate 
673. 

Spirit of the Week, 677. 

Spy in Michigan, 673. 

Staats Zeitung of Michigan, 
687. 

Star, The, 679. 

Stimme der Wahrheit, Die, 
690. 

.Students' Offering, 676. 

Sun, The, 677. 

Sunday G'lest, 679. 

Sunday Herald. 680. 

Sunday Sun, 681. 

Sunday Times. 678. 

Supreme Court Decisions, 
679. 

Telegram, 681. 

Telegraph, 672. 

Therapeutic Gazette, 690. 

Times, The, 674, 676, 680, 
681, 692. 

Torchlight, The, 689. 

Transcript, The, 677. 

Travelers' Ilhistrated Official 
Railway Reporter, 679. 

Tribune, The, 683. 

True Democrat, 677. 

Truth for the People, 679. 

Union, 689. 

Union Co.. 692. 

Unionist, 681. 



I020 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



Newspapers and Periodicals — 
ConCd. 

Voice of the Fugitive, 346, 

Volksblatt, 6S8. 

Washingtonian, 674. 

Waymarks in the Wildernei^, 
676. 

Wayne County Courier, 69">. 

Wellman's Literary Miscjl- 
lany, 675. 

Western Catholic, 678. 

Western Catholic Register, 
674. 

Western Era, 680. 

Western Evangelist, 676. 

Western Excelsior, 675. 

Western Farmer, 673. 

Western Home Journal, 683. 

Western Land Guide, 691. 

Western Literary Cabinet, 
675- 

Western Literary Miscellany, 
675. 

Western Medical Advance 
and Progress of Pharmacy, 
678. 

Western Newspaper Union, 
691. 

Western Odd Fellow, 678. 

Western Rural. 674. 

Western Spy and Hamilton 
Gazette, 66g. 

Wolverine Messenger, 679. 

World, The, 673. 

Wyandotte Enterprise, 690. 

Young Men's Journal and 
Advocate of Temperance, 
677. 
Newspapers at Vincennes and 

St Louis, 670. 
New Year's Calls, 339. 
New York, 4, 811, 818, 820, 826, 

832, 835, 880. 
New York and New England 

settlers, 3^5. 
New York city, 6, 823. 
New York currency, 769. 
New York, documents of, 3. 
New York s claims to territory, 

85. 
New Zealand, 8ri, 828. 
Nonsense, Fort, 226. 
Noon prayer meetings, 642. 
Norris in Hamtiamck, 4. 
North Chicago, 807. 
Northville, railroad to, first 

opened from Wayne, 905. 
Northwest Territory divided, 

86. 
Notaries, 172, 198, 199. 
Nova Scotia, 836. 
Niagara, 94, 233. 237, 879. 
Niagara Falls, 728, 790. 
Night watch, how kept up, 202, 

203. 
N lies, railroad to, first opened, 

899. 
Nursery and Kindergarten 

opened, 665. 



Oath of allegiance renewed, 

246. 
Odd Fellows' Lodges, 343. 
Offices of the Lake Survey, 918. 
Offices of the Poor and Park 

Commissions, 794. 
Offices on Griswold Street, 459. 
Officers of Indiana Territory, 

87. 
Official year of city, 138. 
Ohio, 242, 820, 832. 
Ohio admitted as a State, 86, 

Ohio boundary, see also Toledo 

war, 89, 90, 299. 
Ohio currency, 847. 
Ohio Life and Trust Co., 853. 
Ohio, or Beautiful River, 233. 
Ohio orchards, 86. 
(_)!iio river claimed as the Brit- 

isli boundary, 264, 

Ohiu troops, 279. 



Ohio valley claimed by English 
and P'rench, 232. 

Oil cake, manufacture of, 826. 

Old City Hall granted for Pub- 
lic Library, 760. 

Old fire department, 501. 

Olmecs, 321. 

Omnibus line started, 888. 

Oneidas, 322. 

Ouendots, 321. 

Onondagas, 232, 322. 

Ontario, 4, 820. 

Opening days introduced, 778. 

Opera houses and public halls, 

477- 

Optical Co., Johnston, 836. 

Orange, now called Albany, 
766. 

Order for evacuation of Detroit, 
267. 

Ordinance of 1787, 85. 735. 

Ordinances of city, 138. 

Original inhabitants, 321. 

Organ Co., Clough & Warren, 
829. 

Organ pipes removed by Indi- 
ans, 357. 

Ottawas, 12, 78, 231, 321, 322, 
324- 

Otter Lake, railroad to, first 
opened. 901. 

Outagamies, 231. 

Overseer of Highways, 934. 

Overseers of the poor author- 
ized, 644. 

Owosso, railroad to, first open- 
ed, 895. 

Oxford, railroad to, first opened, 
goi. 

Oysters, only twenty days from 
Baltimore, S90. 



Pails, manufacture of, S32. 
Paintings, exhibition of noted, 

360. 
Paints, manufacture of, 825. 
Palo Alto, victory of, 303. 
Panic of 1837, 849. 
Panic of 1857, 853. 
Panic of 1873, 854. 
Paper cities, 37, 849. 
Papier-mache stereotyping first 

used in Michigan. 687. 
Parent's Creek named Bloody 

Run, 9. 
Parent's Creek tragedy, 238. 
Paris. 6. 

Pardon of Gen. Hull, 289. 
Parade of firemen, 507. 
Park commissioners, 75, 76. 
Park lots and ten-thousand 

acre tract. 25. 
Park lots sold at auction, 40, 41. 
Parks and Ijoulevard, 73, 74. 
Party, The Democratic, loS. 
Party, The Democratic Repub- 
lican, 108. 
Party, The Know-Nothing. 114. 
Party, The Republican, no. 
Party, The Whig, 108. 
Passengers and freights. S90. 
Pastures and pounds, 79. 
Patents for land. 38. 
Patriots encamped near Bloody 

Run, 302. 
Patriots on Bois Blanc, 8. 
Patriot War. 301, 302, 303. 
Patrol guards provided, 272. 
Patrolmen to cry " Fire ! " 503. 
Paving of streets commenced, 

929. 
Paw Paiv, railroad to, first 

opened, 899. 
Peace between England and 

France. 237. 
Peaches, immense, 16. 
Pear, apple, and cherry trees, 

Peche, Isle la, 7. 
Peddler's Point, 928. 
Peninsular Car Works, 805. 
Peninsular Stove Co., 816, 



Pensions and pension agents, 

226. 
Pennsylvania, 258, 832. 
People of the lakes, 321. 
Peoria Chamber of Commerce 

visits Detroit, 790. 
Periodicals, see newspapers. 
Perry's fire pump, 502. 
Perry's victory at Put-in-Bay, 

285. 
Pestilence among the Indians, 

z8i. 
Pestilence among the soldiers, 

284. 
Petersburgh, railroad to, first 

opened from Monroe, 902. 
Philadelphia, 818, 826, 832. 
Philadelphia, locomotive from, 

893-. 
Phcenix Fire Company No. 5 

organized, 507. 
Photographic work, 360 
Piano first brought to Detroit, 

Pic-nic described by Miss Pow- 
ell, 350. 

Pic-nic grounds, 351. 

Piety Hill, 351, 92S. 

Pigeons killed with walking 
sticks, II. 

Pig iron, production of. 802. 

Pills, manufacture of, 823. 

Pin Co., National, 820. 

Pitt, Fort, 233. 

Pittsburgh, 829. 

Pittsburgh Commonwealth, 670, 

Pittsburgh paper, official no- 
tices in, 179. 

Pittsburgh, 'J'he Gazette of, 
669. 

Planing machines.Wilder's, 364. 

Plank road Act passed, 925. 

Plank sidewalks provided for, 
931- 

Plaster, price of. quantities of, 
in Michigan, 802. 

Plat of the city, 30. 

Plums of large size, 16. 

Plumbers, 70 

Plymouth, First National Bank 
of, 872. 

Plymouth, Wayne Co. Bank of, 
851. 

Poem by De Peyster, on a bon- 
net, 338. 

Poem by De Peyster, on sugar 
making, 12. 

Poem by De Peyster, "The 
Drill Sergeant," 248. 

Poem on Whitefish, 16. 

Polacktown, 928. 

Police, 202. 

Police Commissioners, 205. 

Police Commission created, 204. 

Police, duties of, 205, 206. 

Police Life and Health Insur- 
ance Fund, 208. 

Police, sanitary, 206. 

Police stations, location of, 20S. 

Political parties and campaigns, 
108. 

Political power of firemen, 507. 

Ponies, French, 887. 

Pontchartrain, Fort, 3, 17, 18, 
24, 221, 231, 232, 334. 

Pontiac s Conspiracy, 235. 

Pontiac, railroad to, first open- 
ed, 893. 

Pontiac road, now Woodward 
Avenue, 947. 

Pontiac, first fiour shipped 
from, 15. 

Poor Commission, 645. 

Poor-house farm, 648, 649. 

Poor, vaccination of the, 59. 

Port Huron, railroad to, first 
opened, 904. 

Portrait of J. A. Van Dyke, 521. 

Portland, Me., 811, S35. 

Portland, Or., S27. 

Portugal. 829, 

Post boy's horn. The, 880. 

Post coaches, 888. 

Postmasters, names and terms. 



Post-office and mails, 879. 

Post-office carriers, 882. 

Post-office established, 879. 

Post-office, locations of, 182. 

Post-office money orders, 881. 

Post-office receipts, 881. 

Post-office street letter boxes, 
882. 

Postage rates, 880, S81. 

Postage stamps as currency, 
853- 

Postage stamps introduced, 881. 

Postal cards first used, 881. 

Postal currency, 853. 

Postal system under the Eng- 
lish, 879. 

Post road, first, in Michigan, 
879. 

Potato, a large, 16. 

Potowatamies, 21, 52, 231. 235, 
238, 322- 

Potomac, The, 928. 

Pound-keepers, the oldest offi- 
cers. 79, 80. 

Poux, 322. 

Poverty and its relief, 644. 

Powder magazine built for U. 
S., 36. 

Prayer meeting. Union morn- 
ing, 642. 

Presbytery of Detroit created, 

594- 
Presidential electors, 102. 
Presidential visits to Detroit, 

103. 
Presiding elders, 580. 
Presque Isle, Fort. 12. 
Presque Isle, death of Gen. 

Wayne at, 269. 
Printing, first book in Detroit, 

694. 
Printing press, first, 670, 694. 
Printing first by steam, 686. 
Printing press, first power, 686. 
Prices of articles at various 

times, 799. 
Prices of land, past and present, 

Priest killed by Indians, 529. 
Primary school fund, first 

money from, 738. 
Prisoners, ransoming of, 280, 

2S1. 282. 
Private bankers, 872. 
Private claims in Wayne Co., 

977- 

Private claims. sur\'ey of, 37. 

Proclamation of Gov. Hamilton 
to rebels, 249. 

Profanity, prevalence of, 201. 

Professorships in university, 
728. 

Propeller wheel, invention of, 
364- 

Prosecuting attorneys, 209, zio, 

Protestant Cemetery, 55. 

Protestant Church, ground ask- 
ed for, 553. 

Protestant clergyman, first mar- 
riage by, 550. 

Protestants in Canada, 550. 

Protestant Society becomes 
Presbyterian, 594. 

Protest of citizens against exile, 
281. 

Provisions from Ohio and New 
York, 338. 

Provisions, scarcity of; letter 
of Henly to Wilkins, 223. 

Public domain, 24. 

Public exhibitions discouraged, 
351- 

Public drinking fountains, 71. 

Public lands appropriated for 
schools, 735. 

Public library, 759, 760, 761. 

Public schools, colored children 
admitted to, 751. 

Public schools, first text books, 
740. 

Public surveys, 37. 

Public Works, Board of, estab- 
lished, 936. 

Publishing, early methods of, 
669. 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



I02I 



I 



Pulleys, manufacture of, SoS, 

820. 
Pumpkins, large product, 15. 
Pupils, number of, in public 

schools, 742, 743. 
Pupils in schools in 1834, 717. 
Pupils, non-resident, 742. 
Put-in-Bay, Perry's victory at, 

283. 



Quails and turkeys plentiful, 11. 

Quaint business signs, 778. 

Quarter centennial of Congre- 
gational Church, 614. 

Quartermaster-General of the 
Territory of Michigan, 8g. 

Quebec, 3. 

Quebec Act, The, 84. 

Quebec, arrest of Cadillac at, 
766. 

Quebec, Cadillac goes to, 332. 

Quebec captured by the Eng- 
lish, 83. 

Quebec Gazette, first issued, 669. 

Quebec restored to France, 83. 

Quebec, voyage of Cadillac s 
wife from, 327. 

8uebec within Acadia, 327. 
^■.lebeis, or Quelibec, 3. 
Quince, a large, 16. 
Quincy, 806. 



Racing between Indians and 

Canadians, 349. 
Railroad conspiracy case, 494. 
Railroad ferry, S90. 
Railroad turn-tables, manufac- 
ture of, 805. 
Railroads, 893. 
Chicago & Canada Southern, 

900, 901, 
Chicago, Detroit, & Canada 
Grand Trunk Junction, 904. 
Cincinnati, Hamilton, & Day- 
ton, 905. 
Detroit & Bay City, 900, 901. 
Detroit, Butler, & St. Louis, 

792, 906. 
Detroit, Grand Haven, & Mil- 
waukee Railway Co., 893, 

895- 

Detroit, Hillsdale, & South- 
western, 903. 

Detroit, Lansing, & North- 
ern, goo, 905. 

Detroit, Mackinaw, & Mar- 
quette, 905. 

Detroit, Romeo, & Port Hu- 
ron, 890. 

Detroit & St. Joseph, 895. 

Detroit &. Toledo, 902. 

Erie &. Kalamazoo, 901. 

Flint & Pere Marquette, 900, 
904. 

Great Western, 890, 903, 904. 

Lake Shore & Michigan 
Southern, 901, 902. 

Michigan Central, 859, 897, 
899. 

New Albany & Salem, 899. 

New York Central, 890. 

Oakland & Ottawa, 895. 

Pontiac & Detroit, 893. 

Shelby & Detroit, 890. 
Railroad Aid Bonds, 905, 
Railroad conspiracy, 900. 
Railroad ferry-boats, 901, 904. 
Railroad bridges and gates, 906. 
Railroad coaches, 893. 
Railroads equalize prices, 800. 
Railroad freight cars, 893. 
Railroads reduce lake travel, 

910. 
Railroads sold by the State, 897. 
Railroad surveys by War De- 
partment, 895. 
Railroad strike, 901. 
Railroad tracks torn up, 894. 
Railroads, wooden rails and flat 

bars for, 893. 
Railroads, State management 

of, 897, 



Railway track - cleaner and 

snow-plow, 364. 
Rain-fall, 45. 
Raisin, escort of 200 men sent 

to, 275. 
Raisin, battle of, 280. 
Randolph Street, first wharf at, 

X. 793- . 

Ransoming prisoners, 280, a8i, 
282. 

Rear concessions provided for, 
22. 

Rebels, Hamilton's proclama- 
tion to, 249. 

Rebel plot to burn Detroit, 309. 

Receivers of Taxes, 167, 168. 

Reciprocity treaty, 790. 

Recorder, office of, created, 195. 

Recording of deeds and mort- 
gages, 39. 

Recreations and amusements, 
349- 

Red Chapel burned, 530. 

Red ribbon reform movement, 
844. 

Redemption fund of city, 158. 

Rederaptorist order, 538. 

Refreshments furnished to fire- 
men, 508. 

Reform Hall, 479. 

Regattas, 7, 353. 

Regents of the University, 731. 

Register in Bankruptcy, 177. 

Register of Probate, obsolete 
duties, 39. 

Registration law, 115. 

Registry system of post-office 
introduced, 881. 

Regulations as to bread, 797. 

Relics from fire of 1805, 533. 

Rent paid to the French crown, 
149. 

Rents, range of house, 376. 

Re-occupation of Detroit, 286. 

Reporters of Chancery Courts, 
191. 

Representatives, names of, Leg- 
islative, 100. 

Republican partyorganized,iio. 

Republicans, large campaign 
meeting of, 110. 

Reservoir on Dequindre Farm, 

65. 

Restaurant of Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union, 842. 

Review, first firemen's, 504. 

Revised Statutes of 1846, gg. 

Revivals and revivalists, 642. 

Revolutionary War, 242. 

Richardson's Match Factory, 
828. 

Richmond, fall of, 309. 

Richmond, Va., 827. 

Ride and tie system, 887. 

Riflemen, mounted, 285. 

Rink, first skating, 352. 

Riot against negroes, 307, 308. 

Riot by negroes, caused by ar- 
rest of slaves, 202, 345. 

Riot of 1833, troops called to 
city, 341. 

Riot of 1863, 348,497- 

River, CoUot's map of, 270. 

River front, improvement of, 8. 

River, islands in, 78. 

Kiver, never low, never over- 
flows. 802. 

RivL-r Raisin, massacre at, 280. 

River transportation, 88g. 

Roads, gravel, 926. 

Roads, military, 925. 

Roads, plank, 925, 926. 

Rochester, 826. 

Rogation days, 534. 

Roller skates and velocipedes, 
352. 

Roller skates, manufacture of, 
811. 

Rome, 4, 6. 

Rome, death of Bishop Resc at, 

5-*7- 
Roof cresting, manufacture of, 

810, 811. 
Roofs, first gravel, 374. 
Round house and reservoir, 65. 



Royal Oak, railroad to, first 

opened, 893. 
Ruddle's Station, 260. 
Russel Wheel and Foundry Co., 

805. 
Russell House guests, 483. 
Russia, 818, 829. 

S 

St. Andrew's Hall, 478. 
St. Clair. Bank of, 859. 864. 
Ste. Claire, I^ke and Kiver, 3, 

907. 
St. John's, railroad to, first 

opened, 895. 
St. Joseph, 806. 
St. Joseph, Fort of, 221. 
St. Louis, 334, 670, 826, 906. 
St. Martin's Day, 18. 
St. Mary's Falls Ship Canal 

opened, 890. 
St. Nicolas de la Grave, 326, 

33'' 

St. Paul, 811,835. 

Sabbath breaking, 201. 

Sacramento, 816. 

Sacs, 321. 

Saengcrbund, meeting of North 
American, 356. 

Safe Co., Detroit, 810. 

Safe Deposit Co., 870. 

Safes, fire-proof, manufacture 
of, 810. 

Saginaw Chief, suicide of, 161. 

Saginaw turnpike, now Wood- 
ward Avenue, 947. 

Saline, railroad to, opened from 
Ypsilanti, 903. 

Sailing vessels go direct to Eu- 
rope, 910. 

Saloons closed on election day, 
114, 841, 844. 

Salt Lake City, 818, 829, 832. 

Sand abundant in Wayne 
County, 802. 

Sand Beach, life-saving station 
at, 920. 

Sandusky Bay, 282. 

Sandusky or St. Duski, 173. 

Sandwich, Hull crosses to, 275. 

Sandwich Islands. 826, 828, 836. 

San Francisco, 811, 818, 835. 

Sanitary police, 59, 206. 

Sault Ste. Marie, 323. 

Sauteux, 523. 

Savages, English alliances with, 
denounced, 245. 

Savages, English plans for in- 
citing, 248. 

Savings Bank, Dime. 871. 

Savings Bank, Michigan, 870. 

Savings Bank, People's, 868. 

Savings Bank, State, 871. 

Savings Bank, Wayne Co., 869. 

Savings Bank, Wyandotte, 872. 

Savoyard, 8, 9, 60, 74. 

Scalping knives for savages, 
213.246. 

Scalping parties to spare neither 
men, women nor children, 253. 

Scalps and prisoners, number 
of, 246. 

Scalps as merchandise, 232. 

Scalps, bounty for human, 244, 

=53- 
Scalps, Indian methods of ob- 
taining, 280, 
Scalps, number of taken by In- 
dians between 1783 and 1790, 
261. 
Scavengers, 59, 61, 206. 
Schenectady, 344. 
Schools and Colleges — 
Academy granted for a com- 
mon school, 73^. 
Academy, Ladies', estab- 
lished, 720. 
Academy of the Sacred Heart, 

724. 
Barstow School opened, 745. 
Bible in public schools, 740, 

741. 
Brothers of the Christian 
Schools, 721, 722, 723. 



Schools and Colleges — Cont'd, 

Catholic schools in 1808, 720. 

Census of children of school 
age. 753. 

Church barm school, 720. 

Church schools 719-727- 

College, Detroit, organized, 
725. 

College, Homeopathic, open- 
ed, 734. 

Colored school established, 

738. 

Colored schools, 750, 751. 

Commercial colleges, 732. 

Commissioners of common 
schools, 735. 

Contagious diseases, precau- 
tions against, in schools, 

743- 

County Superintendent of 
schools, 126. 

Detroit College, 725. 

Detroit P'eraale Seminary, 
718. 

Detroit Homoeopathic Col- 
lege. 734. 

Detroit Medical College, 733. 

Director of the Christian 
Schools, 720. 

Directors and moderators in 

^.1837. 738. , . . , 

Directors and statistics lor 
1838, 737. ^ 

Districts formed, 737. 

District schools, close of, 739. 

English academy with kin- 
dergarten, 719. 

Evening schools, 742. 

Expense per capita of public 
schools, 743. 

Fair of Ladies' Free School 
Society, 736. 

First common school, 735. 

Free School Society, 735, 736. 

Funds from State, 738. 

Funds not to be divided 
among religious sects, 754. 

High School, admission to, 

749- 

High School Alumni Associ- 
ation, 750. 

High School, beginnings of, 
748, 749. 

High School cadets, 749. 

High School text-books, 742. 

Holy Redeemer School, 524. 

Holy Trinity Anglo-Catholic 
School, 719. 

Homoeopathic College, 51, 
734- 

Hours for school, 743. 

Immanuel Evangelical Luth- 
eran School, 726. 

Industrial School, 654. 

Inspectors, district, elected, 
736- 

Inspectors of schools, names, 
terms, 755-758. 

Inspectors to be elected at 
large, 754. 

Janitors of schools, 746. 

Kindergarten School, 665. 

Lancasterian Schools, 730, 

73»- 

Law of 1837, 736. 

Location of, in 1838, 737. 

Medical colleges, 50. 

Michigan College of Medi- 
cine, 733. 

Number ofschoolsin 1841,739. 

Primary school fund, 739. 

Private schools, 715. 

Public lands granted for 
schools, 736, 785. 

Public school system attack- 
ed, 114. 

Pupils, attendance of, 742, 

743. 
Pupils in 1834, 717. 
Pupils in High School, 750. 
Pupils, non-resident, 742. 
Rooms rented for schools, 

744- 
Sabbath schools, buildmgs 

used for, 745. 



I022 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



Schouls and Colleges — Confd, 

Sacred Heart German School, 
724. 

St. Anthony's School, 724. 

St. Albert's School, 724. 

St. Boniface's School, 723. 

St. Cassimer's School, 724. 

St. Joachim's, formerly Sa- 
cred Heart French School, 
724. 

St. John's German Evangeli- 
cal School, 726. 

St. Joseph's School, 723. 

St. Paul's Lutheran School, 
727. 

St. Mark's German Evangeli- 
cal School, 726. 

St. Mary's German Schools, 
722. 

St. Matthew's Lutheran 
School, 726. 

St. Paul's Second German 
Evangelical Schools, 727. 

St. Peter's German Evangeli- 
cal School, 727. 

SS. Peter and Paul Schools, 
722. 

St. Philip's College, 720, 721. 

St. Vincent de Paul School, 
723-. 

St. Vincent s Seminary, 921. 

Stilem Lutheran School, 726. 

School of Our Lady of Hulp, 

^ 723- 

Seminary, Female, discon- 
tinued, 717. 

State primary school fund, 799. 

Statistics for 1839, 738. 

Statistics for 1840, 739. 

Statistics, general, 751. 

Statistics of Catholic Schools, 
725- 

Sunday Schools, 631. 

Sunday School conventions 
and celebrations, 636. 

Sunday School, iirst notice 
of, 631. 

Sunday School Missions, 653. 

Sunday School statistics, 634, 

635. 636- 
Sunday School Union, 633. 
Superintendents of public 

schools, 126, 752. 
Superintendents of public 

schools, 126, 752. 
Taxation for schools, 753. 
Terms and vacations, 743, 

744- 
lext-books, changes in, 741, 

742. 
Text-books, uniformity in, 

737. 
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran 

School, 726. 
Trinity Svhools, 721. 
Trowbridge School, 752, 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran, 

727. 
Zion German Reformed Lu- 
theran, 726. 
Schooner Gladwin sent to Ni- 
agara, 237. 
Schooner Swan brings first 
troops under United States 
flag, 908. 
Sciota Gazette, 669. 
Schooner Ann seized, 301. 
Scotland, 826, 828. 
Scrip issued by Governor and 

Judges, 475, 847. 
Sealer of weiglitsand measures, 

797- 
Seal of Northwest Territory, 

86. 
Seal of iMichigan Territory, 87. 
Seal of State of Michigan, go, 
^ 91- 

Seals of City, 13S. 
Sealers of leather, 89. 
Seamless copper and brass 

tubes. 364. 
Search, right of, 274. 
Secretary of Board of Trustees, 

140. 
Secretary of Detroit, 133, 



Secretaries of State of Michi- 
gan, 92. 

Secretaries of the Territory of 
Michigan, 88. 

Secretary of War, letter to 
Hull, 274. 

Seed business, increase of, 776. 

Senecas, 234, 322. 

Senatorial districts (Legisla- 
tive), 100. 

Senators, State, names of, 100. 

Sentinels and patrols, 202. 

Settlers, bounties offered to, in 

^ 1749. 333- . ^ 

Settlers first arrive at Detroit, 

332* 
Settlers from the East, 335. 
Settlers m need of wives, 334, 
Seventh Legislative Council at 

Green Bay, 99. 
Sexton's duties, 57, 58. 
Shafting, manufacture of, 808, 

820. 
Sheriffs, 209. 

Sheriff's residence erected, zi6. 
Shelby, Fort, 8, 36, 52, 222, 224, 

225, 283. 
Shinplasters issued by city, 154, 

-^55 
"Shinplasters, ' or small bills, 

largely circulated, 847. 
Shinplasters to aid in building 

St. Anne's, 533. 
Ship building, 907, 908. 
Ship building by the Detroit 

Dry Dock Co., 914. 
Ship canal at Sault Ste. Marie 

asked for, 918. 
Shipments are made from De- 
troit to — 

Africa, 811, 826. 

Alaska, 810. 

Argentine Republic, 828. 

Arkansas, 820. 

Augusta, Ga,, 811. 

Australia, 804, 811, 814, 829. 

Austria, 829. 

Baltimore, Sii, 826. 

Belgium, 826, 828. 

Bismarck, 806. 

Boston, 811, 816, 818, 826, 

^827,835. 

Brazil, 811, 827, 828. 

Bridgeport, Conn., 808. 

British Dominions, 829. 

Buffalo, 814, 816. 

Burlington, 805. 

California, 810, 820, S26, 836. 

Canada, 8ii, 818. 

Chattanooga, Tenn., 835. 

Chicago, 811, 814, 816. 

Chili, 825. 

China, Sii, 818, 827, 829, 

Cincinnati, 826. 

Constantinople, 820. 

Dakota, 835. 

Delaware, 832. 

Denver, 811, 818. 

El Paso, 832. 

England, 811,818, 826, 828. 

Eureka, Cal., 808. 

Europe, 814, 816, 820, 826. 

France, 811, 818, 826, 828, 
829. 

Frankfort, Germany, 814. 

Galveston, 811. 

Germany, 818, 828, 829. 

Greece, 811. 

Hannibal, Mo., 806. 

Hong Rung, China, 823. 

Honolulu, 827. 

Illinois, 820. 

Indiana, 820, 832. 

Italy, 829. 

Jacksonville, Fla., 835. 

Japan, 809. 811, 829. 

Latakia in Asia, 818. 

Lisbon, Portugal, 820. 

London, 814, 827. 

Louisiana, 820. 

Louisville, Ky., 811. 

Lyons, N. v., 811. 

Maine, 810. 

Manitoba, 820. 

Maryland, 832. 



Shipments are made from De- 
troit to— Cont'd. 

Massachusetts, 835. 

Mexico, 810, 811, 826. 

Minneapolis, Minn,, 811, 820. 

Montreal, 836, 

Nashua, N. H., 818. 

New Brunswick, 814, 836. 

New Hampshire, 835. 

New Mexico, 828. 

New Orleans, 829. 

New York, 811, 818, 820, 823, 
826. 832, 835. 

New Zealand, 811, 825. 

Nova Scotia, S36. 

Ohio, 820, 832. 

Ontario, 820. 

Pennsylvania, 832. 

Philadelphia, 818, 826. 

Pittsburg, 829. 

Portland, Me., 811, 835. 

Portland, Or., 827. 

Portugal, 829. 

Quincy, 806. 

Richmond, Va., 827. 

Rochester, S26. 

Russia, 818, Szg. 

Sacramento, 816. 

Sandwich Islands, 826, 828, 
836. 

San Francisco, 811, 818, 835. 

St. Joseph, 806. 

St. Louis, 826. 

St. Paul, 811, S35. 

Salt Lake, 818, 829, 832. 

Scotland. 826. 

South Africa, 828. 

South America, 804, 807, 811, 
826, 829. 

Spain, 828. 

Stockholm, Sweden, 814. 

Texas, 820. 

Troy, N. v., 816. 

Utah, 828. 

Washington, 835. 

West Indies, 811, 829, 833. 

Winnipeg, 832, 836. 

Winstun, N. C, 827. 

Wyoming Tcr., 828. 
Shipyard on the Rouge, now 

Woodmere Cemetery, 23,908. 
Ships of war on the lakes and 

river, 958. 
Shoe Factory of Pingree & 

Smith, 833. 
Show windows, 458, 777. 
Side and cross-walks, 930, 931. 
Sieves, manufacture of, 809, 811. 
Signal Service, 922. 923. 
Silk-worms, advertisement of 

exhibition, 961. 
Silversmiths and goldsmiths, 

.358, 359- 
Sinking fund of city. 156, 157. 
Sinking fund for water works, 

SistersofSte. Claire, 49, 653, 721. 

Skating and coasting, 351, 352. 

Skins as currency, 846. 

Slaves, 28. 

Slavery and the colored race, 

^ 344-347- 

Slaves not to be held by S . 

Anne's Church, 532. 
Sleeping cars, 900. 
Slocum's Island, 7. 
Sloop Beaver wrecked, 239. 
Small-pox prevalent, 334. 
Smart's Block, when erected, 

Smithsonian Institute, 351. 

Snow apples, 13. 

Soap Factory of Schulte Bros., 

826. 
Soap making a novelty, 338. 
Societies — 

Agricultural & Horticultural, 
16. 

Anti-slavery, 346. 

Association for the Suppres- 
sion of Intemperance, 838. 

Bar Association, 199. 

Bar Library Association, 199. 

Baptist Social Union, 612. 

Bible, 641. 



Societies — Coni^d. 

Board of Trade, 788. 

Boys' Branch of Y. ^L C. A., 
640. 

Carson League for Wayne 
Co., 840. 

Catholic Female Association, 
49. 650. 

Catholic Union, 548. 

Church Association of Michi- 
gan, 592. 

City Library, 710. 

Concordia, 355. 

Detroit Academy of Medi- 
cine, 51. 

Detroit Athenaeum, 710. 

Detroit City Tract Associa- 
tion, 642. 

Detroit Medical and Library 
Association, 51. 

Detroit Merchant's Exchange 
Co., 786. 

Detroit Musical Association, 
355- 

Detroit Reform Club, 844. 

Detroit Scientific Associa- 
tion, 714. 

Detroit Temperance Society, 
838. 

Detroit Young Men's, 710. 

Evangelical Alliance, 642. 

Evangelical Lutheran Or- 
phan Aid, 662. 

Evangelistic, 556. 

Fire Department, 520. 

Firemen's Fund Association, 
520. 

First Evangelistic, 556. 

First Protestant, 558. 

Free School, 735. 

Felony, Society to suppress, 

Harmonic, 355. 

Hebrew Relief, 629. 

Hibernian, 666. 

High School Alumni Associa- 
tion, 750. 

Historical Society of Michi- 
gan, 710, 7^12. 

Homceopathic College of 

Physicians and Surgeons, 

51- 
Industrial School, 654. 
Italian Benevolent. 663. 
Ladies' Christian Unions, 661. 
Ladies" Free School, 735, 736. 
Ladies' Society for Support 

of Hebrews, 657. 
Lafayette Benevolent and 

Mutual Help, 654. 
Lutheran Orphan Aid, 662. 
Lyceum of Detroit, 711. 
Lyceum of Michigan, 712. 
Masons' Mutual Benefit, 343. 
Mechanics', 712, 713. 
Merchants & I\Ianufacturers' 

Exchange, 780. 
Michigan Liquor Dealers' 

Protective Association, 845. 
Michigan State Temperance 

Alliance, 841. 
Michigan Temperance, 838. 
Michigan Total Abstinence, 

839. 
Michigan Tract, 642. 
Ministerial Union, 6a2. 
Monument Association, 312. 
Moral and Humane, 650. 
Musical, Detroit, 355. 
Order of the White Cross, 

845. 
Pioneer, 713. 
Police Relief, 208. 
Presbyterian Alliance, 599, 

604. 
Roman Catholic Beneficial, 

666. 
Refugee Home, 345. 
St. Andrew's, 653. 
St. Boniface, 666. 
St. Jean Baptiste, 666. 
St. Joseph's, 666. 
St. Patrick's, 666. 
St. Vincent de Paul, 666. 
Scientific Association, 714. 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



1023 



Societies — Canted. 
Soldiers Relief, 310. 
Sons of Temperance, 843. 
Sydenham Medical, 51, 
Territorial S. S. Union, 636. 
Union Bethel, 641. 
U. S. Christian Commission, 

Wayne County Homoeopathic 
Institute, 51, 

Wayne County Medical, 51. 

Wayne County Pioneer, 713. 

Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Alliance, 842. 

Workin.vjinen's Aid, 654. 

Youns Men's, 710, 7ij, 

Young Men's Catholic Union, 

549- 

Young Men s Christian 
Union. 216, 638. 

Young Men's Henevolenl.650. 

YoungMen's FatherMatthcw 
Temperance, 842. 

Young Men's Red Ribbon 
Club, 844. 

Young Men*s State Temper- 
ance, 839. 

Young Men's Temperance, 

Young Women s Christian 

Temperance Union, 844. 
Zither Club, 356. 

Society of Detroit, character 
of, 539- , ^ 

Solar compass, mvented at De- 
troll, 362. 

Soldiers and Sailors' Monu- 
ment, 311, 312. 

Soldiei"s desert for want of pay, 

332- 

Soldiers' fare at Sandusky Bay, 
282. 

Soldiers withdrawn in 1709, 333. 

Songs, firemen's, 509, 511. 

Soubriquets, 337. 

South Bend, railroad to, first 
opened, 902. 

Spain, 828. 

Spain and France in alliance, 
269. 

Speaking trumpets given to 
Fire Companies, 508. 

Special taxes, 157. 

Specie circular, 849. 

Specie payments, suspension 
of, 849. 

Spectacles, manufacture of, 836. 

Spinning wheels and looms, 
338, 720. 

Sporting organizations, 352, 353. 

Spring and Steel Works, 804. 

Spring Bed and Chair Factory 
of M. J. Murphy & Co., 832. 

Spring Hill Farm rented for 
church purposes., 531. 

Springs for locomotives and 
cars, manufacture of, 804. 

Springwells, 4, 5, 10. 

Stages, first public, 888. 

Stamped paper, 159. 

Stamping Co., Detroit, 822. 

Standard Life and Accident In- 
surance Co., 875- 

State and county taxes, 150. 

State Commissioner of Insur- 
ance, 875. 

State Constitution adopted, 88. 

State Constitutions, differences 
between first and second, 91. 

State Fish Commission, 16. 

State Gazetteers, 696. 

State officers, 93. 

State scrip, issue of, 852. 

State seal, 90. 

State treasurers, 92. 

Steam boilers subject to inspec- 
tion, 471. 

Steam Forge, The Detroit, 805. 

Steam first used for heating 
buildings, 470. 

Steam Mill Co., 8. 

Steam printing, the first, 686. 

Steam mad roller procured, 930. 

Steam whistles, 920. 



Steamboat Atlantic sunk, 910. 
Steamboat Caroline, 301. 
Steamboat, first arrival of, 908. 
Steamboat Mayflower sunk, 810. 
Steamboat .Michigan described, 

909. 
Steamboat racing and low fares, 

910. 
Steamboat times and fares, 909. 
Steamboat Walk-in-lhe- Water 

wrecked, 009. 
Steamboat Windsor burned, 917. 
Steamboats, increase in number 

of, 909. 
Steamboats, inspection of, 921. 
Steamboats to Cleveland, 899. 
Steamer Great Western burned, 

909. 
Steamer Henry Clay brought 

troops, 48. 
Steamers, number on the lakes, 

909. 
Steamers seized on Lake Erie, 

308. 

Steamer Superior, the second 
on the lakes, 909. 

Steamships run in connection 
with railroads, 895, 

Steam fire companies, how or- 
ganized, 519. 

Steam fire engine, first, 511. 

Steam fire engines, horses for, 
515. 

Steam fire engines, names of, 
516. 

Steam fire engines, weight and 
cost, 514. 

Steam Fire Department, 513. 

Steam Supply Co. organized, 
470. 

Steel Sl Iron Works, Eureka, 
818. 

Steel & Spring Works, 804. 

Steelyards, large, 798. 

Stereotyping by papier-mache 
process. 687. 

Stevenson, Fort, 282. 

Stockade, limekiln near, 367. 

Stockholm, Sweden, 814. . 

Stoddard's tire upsetter, manu- 
facture of, 806. 

Stolen property found by 
police, 208. 

Stone for building from Mon- 
guagon, 367. 

Stores and business buildings, 

457- 
Stove Co., Detroit, 811. 
Stove Co., Michigan, 816. 
Stove Co., Peninsular, 816. 
Stoves first used, 470. 
Strawberry festivals, 640. 
Strawberries of large size, 16. 
Streams and mills, 8. 
Street and road oft'icers, 933. 
Street cars, influence (»f, 376. 
Street cleaning and repairing, 

930- 
Street Commissioners, 927, 935. 
Street cries, 773. 
Street lighting, 469. 
Street names, more care requir- 
ed in, 948. 
Street names, changes in, 946, 

947, 948. 
Street names lost in the fire, 

946. 
Street paving, 929, 930. 
Street paving, the earliest, 929. 
Street railroads, 931, 932, 933. 
Streets, 926. 
Streets, former condition of, 

928. 
Streets, length of paved, 930. 
Streets, opening of, 927. 
Streets, supervision of by Board 

of Public Works, 927. 
Streets, vacating of, 927. 
Streets, width of, 927. 
Streets, worked by pris4»ners, 

929. 
Street scenes. 926. 
Street-sweeping machines, 930. 
Stump tail currency, 853. 



Sturgis, railroad to, first open- 
ed, 902. 

Sugar making, a poem on, 12. 

Sugar making taught to In- 
dians, 12. 

Suicide of Kiskauko, 161. 

Sulky Harrow Co., Gale, 836. 

Sumter, Fort, 853. 

Sunday amusements, 349. 

Sunday arrests, 201. 

Sunday, laws passed on, 95. 

Sunday markets, 201, 796. 

Sunday ordinance, 841, 842. 

Sunday School for people of 
color, 632. 

Sunday School morning mis- 
sion, 569. 

Sunday School, the first, 631, 

Superintendent of the Poor, 

645- 
Superintendent of Public In- 
struction, 93. 
Super\'isor, name changed to 

Overseer, 934. 
Supervisors, Board of, 123. 
Supervisors for each ward, 934. 
Supervisors of roads, 9;j3. 
Supervisors of townships, 130, 

i3»- 132. 
Surrender by Gen. Hull, 224, 

277. 
Surrender of Detroit in 1760, 

222. 
Surrender of Lee's army, 309. 
Surrender of western posts, 264, 
Survey of State completed, 35. 
Surveyor of city,office created, 

935- 
Surveyor-General at Chillico- 

the, 15. 
Surveyor-General'soffice moved 

to Detroit, 37. 
Swill Point, 928. 
Synod of the West, convention 

held, 603. 



Table supplies, 338. 
Tallahassee, death of Wood- 
ward at, 185. 
Taverns and Hotels — 

.■\inerican, 480. 

American Temperance House, 
486. 

Bagg's Hotel, 484. 

Bernard House, 487. 

Biddle House, 485. 

Biindbury's Hotel, 486. 

Brighton House, 487. 

Brunswick House, 487. 

Buena Vista House, 303, 485. 

Cass House, 485. 

Central Railroad House, 484. 

City Hotel, 485. 

Commercial Hotel, 484. 

Coyl House, 484. 

Detroit Cottage, 483. 

Dodemead House, 480. 

Eagle Hotel, 482. 

Eisenlord House. 487. 

Finney House, 487. 

Franklin House, 481, 482. 

Ciarrison House, 486. 

Goodman House, 484. 

Grand River House, 484. 

Griswuld House, 486. 

Hotel Goffinet, 487. 

Hotel Henry, 487. 

Hotel Renaud, 487. 

Howard House, 486. 

Indiana House, 484. 

Johnson's Hotel, 448. 

Kirkwood House. 488. 

Lamed House, 486. 

Leland House, 486. 

Madison House, 486. 

Mansion House, 481, 483. 

Merchants* Exchange, 486. 

Michigan Exchange. 482. 

.Michigan Hotel, 480. 

>iichigan Railroad Hotel, 
484. 



Taverns and Hotels — Confd. 

New York and City Ho'tcl, 
481. 

New \ ork i Ohio House, 482. 

Northern Hotel, 484. 

Peninsular Hotel, 486, 

Pierson House, 486. 

Purdy's Hotel, 486. 

Railroad Exchange, 487. 

Railroad Hotel, 483. 

Revere House, 486. 

Rice's Hotel, 487. 

Russell House, 482. 

Sagina Hotel. 480. 

St. Charles Hotel, 486. 

St. Joseph House, 483. 

Smyth's Hotel, 480. 

Standish House, 487. 

Tremont House, 486. 

United Slates Hotel, 483. 

Wales' Hotel, 480. 

Waverly House, 486. 

Western Hotel, 484. 

Woodworth's Hotel, 480- 

Vankce Boarding House, 481. 
Taxable property, increase of, 

156. 

Taxation authorized for schools, 

753-. 
Taxation, Frencli and English, 

149. 
Taxation of M. C. R. R., 898. 
Tax, The first town, 151. 
Ta-x for Public Library, 761. 
Tax for repairing wharf, 8. 
Tax on incomes, 159. 
Tax -payers, delinquent, 149, 

150. 
Tax rolls, how prepared, 157. 
Tax titles, 39. 
Taxes, Letter to Col. Campbell 

about, 222. 
Taxes on liquor dealers, 156, 

844, 845. 
Taxes, United States Internal 

Revenue, 159. 
Territorial taxes, 149. 
Telegraph and Irishman, 884. 
Telegraph, American Union 

Line, 883. 
Telegraph, Atlantic and Pacific 

Line, S85.- 
Telegraph, Bankers and Mer- 
chants' Line, 885. 
Telegraph cable laid across De- 
troit River, 884, 885. 
Telegraph Company, New 

York and Mississippi Valley 

Printing, 884. 
Telegraph, District, charges and 

messengers, 885. 
Telegraph fire alarm tested, 

513- 
Telegraph, first dispatch sent, 

883. 
Telegraph Line, Atlantic, Lake 

& Mississippi, 884. 
Telegraph, .\Iutual Union Co., 

885. 
Telegraph, Northern Michigan 

line, 884. 
Telegraph, O'Reilly line, 884. 
Telegraph, Snow line, 884. 
Telegraph, Western Union Co. 

organized. 884. 
Telegraph, United States Co., 

885. 
Telephones, first exhibition, 

885. 
Tem perance and total absti- 
nence, 839. 
Temperature, 45. 
Ten-Thousand- Acre Tract, 22, 

26, 27. 
Terrritory, The Northwest, 85. 
Territory of Indiana, 86, 87. 
Territory of Michigan, 87. 
Territory of Iowa, 99. 
Territory of Wisconsin, 99. 
Teuchsa Grondie, 3. 
Texas, 820. 
Text- books in public schools, 

737. 740. 742. 
Thames, battle of, 283. 



I024 



INDEX — MISCELLANEOUS. 



Theatres, 357, 358. 

Tinware, manufacture of, 822. 

"Tippecanoe and Tyler too," 

108. 
Tippecanoe, Indian defeat of, 

327- 
Titles to lands, 39. 
Tobacco business, growth of, 

826. 
Tobacco Co., American Eagle, 

820. 
Tobacco Factory, Bagley, 836. 
Tobacco Factory, Banner, 827. 
Tobacco Factory, Globe, 827. 
Tobacco Factory, Hiawatha, 

827- 
Tobacco to Baltimore, 15. 
Toghsaghrondie, 3. 
Toltecs, 321. 
Toledo, Michigan troops in, 

300. 
Toledo, railroad from, to Adri- 
an, first opened, goi. 
Toledo, arrests in, by Monroe 

sheriff, 300. 
Toledo war, 89. 
Toil-gates 926. 
Tolling bell at funerals, 49, 57. 
Tomahawks consecrated, 246. 
Tombstone of Ensign John 

Gage, 52. 
Tomato catsup, revenue from, 

for schools, 736. 
Tombstone of Hamtramck, 52. 
Torch-bearers, 110. 
Towers, Brush light, 469. 
Town Crier, The, 66g. 
Town elections, when held, 129, 

130. 
Township constables appointed, 

202. 

Township officers, 129. 
Township supervisors, 130, 131, 

'32- 

Townships and boundaries, 
127, 128. 

Tract societies, 641. 

Trade, extent of, see Shipments. 

Trails, g^. 

T rails, first use of in Michigan, 
894. 

Transportation, 889. 

Traps, manufacture of, 811. 

Traveling on horseback, 887. 

Treasurers of city, 167. 

Treasurers of the Territory of 
Michigan, 89. 

Treasurers of State of Michi- 
gan, 92. 

Treaty of Ghent, 269. 

Treaty of Greenville, 121. 

Treaty of Paris, 21. 

Treaty of Paris, or Versailles, 

83- 

Treaty, The Jay, 266. 

Treaty, with England. 262. 

Treaties with England and 
Spain, 269. 

Trees, kinds indigenous to De- 
troit, II, 12. 

Trees, numerous in Detroit, 
376. 

Trial of General Hull, 289. 

Troops at Detroit in 1779, 223. 

Troops called to Detroit in riot 
of 1833, 346. 

Troops entirely withdrawn from 
city, 225. 

Trowbridge School, 752. 

Troy, N. Y., 816. 

Trustees of Detroit, 133. 

Trustees of water works, 65. 

Tuebor, meaning of word, 91. 

Tuetie, or Tutelos, 321. 



Tunnelling Detroit River, 891. 

Turkeys and quails numerous, 
II. 

Tuscaroras, 322. 

Two day elections, iii, 112. 

Typographical Union, 674. 

Tyranny of (.lovernor Hamil- 
ton, 173. 

Tyschsarondia, 3. 



Uniforms, proclamation of Hull 
concerning, 314. 

Uniforms, protest of grand jury 
against, 315. 

Union Depot Co., 906. 

Union Door Knob Co., 822. 

Union meetings, religious, 642. 

Union of political parties, 110. 

Union religious societies, 638. 

United States Attorney, 175. 

United States Express Co., 892. 

United States Lake Survey, 918. 

United States Land Office, 37. 

United States land patents, 22. 

United States Marshal, 176. 

United States Representatives, 
102, 103. 

United States Sanitary Com- 
mission, 658. 

United States Senators, 102. 

United States Zouave Cadets, 
318. 

University of Michigan, 728, 

University act repealed, 730. _ 
University, branch at Detroit, 

7?^ 732- 
University lot, sale of, 41. 
Upper Canada, 84. 
Upper lakes, expedition to, in 

1820, 907. 
Utah, 828. 



Taccinating the poor, 59. 

Valuation of city by decades, 
156. 

Van De Poele electric light ex- 
hibited, 468. 

Varnish Factory, Berry Bros., 
826. 

V^assar, railroad to, first opened, 
901. 

Versailles the model for Wash- 
ington, 29. 

Vessels entering or clearing the 
port of Detroit, yearly lists, 

915. 

Vessels, yearly list of first arri- 
vals and departures, 914, 915. 

Vicksburg, celebration in honor 
of capture of, 308. 

Victory of Gen. Wayne, 266. 

Victory of Palo Alto, 303. 

Vincennes, 85. 94, 242, 250, 251, 
252, 670, 837, 951. 

Virginia, 85, 2^ , 252, 258. 

Voting by soldiers, no. 

Votes, number of, cast in De- 
troit 1820 to t88o, 117. 

Voters, qualifications for elec- 
tions, III, 112, 113. 

Voters, ladies as, 115. 

Voters, importation of, 108. 

Voters, colored, n^. 

Voters, acts respecting, 114, 115. 

w 

Wa-be-no, an Indian society, 
met annually, 50. 



Wagons, first at Detroit, 888. 
Wampum money, manufacture 

of. 846. 
War and death-whoops, 262. 
War influences stimulate the 

use of liquor, 841. 
War material to be collected, 

273- 
War parties sent out by English, 

249. 
War songs of the British Gov- 
ernor, 246. 
Ward collectors, 165. 
Wardens, fire, 505. 
Ward's casts of fossils, 714. 
Wards, their establishment and 

boundaries, 147, 148. 
Wars — 

Black Hawk, 299. 

British and Indian, 262. 

1812, 274. 

French and English, 231. 

Indian, 231, 272. 

Mexican, 303. 

Patriot, 300. 

Pontiac, 235. 

Revolutionary, 242. 

Seven Years', 231. 

Toledo, 299. 

With South, 305. 
Washington, 27, 29, 305, 835, 

880, 887. 
Washington Market, 794. 
Washtenaw County, 121. 
Water and Water Works, 62. 
Water Commissioners, 65, 71. 
Water of Detroit River ana- 
lyzed, 69, 70. 
Water-melons, large, 15. 
Water meters, 71. 
Water rates, 70. 
Wa-we-a-tun-ong, an early 

name for Detroit, 3. 
Wayne County, 86. 
Wayne County, French farms 

in, 977. 
Wayne County, its establish- 
ment and boundaries, 118, 

I20v 121. 

Wayne, Fort, 225, 228, 305. 

Wayne, railroad from, first 
opened to Northvjlle, 905. 

Webster's speech on Cass Farm, 
108. 

Weighmasters, 798, 799. 

Weights and measures, 797. 

Welland Canal opened, 889. 

Wells built by Governor and 
Judges, 62. 

Western Confederacy, efforts to 
form, 269. 

Western posts, English opposi- 
tion to surrender, 264. 

West Indies, 811, 829, 833. 

Wharves and docks, 8. 

Wheat crop, extent of, 15. 

Wheat elevators, 891. 

Wheat from France, 12. 

Wheel and Foundry Co., Rus- 
sel, 805. 

Wheeling, 249. 

Whig party buying votes, 108. 

Whigs, State meeting of, 108. 

Whipping and selling of crimi- 
nals, igo. 

Whipping of Loudon, a black 
man, igo. 

Whirlwind, 47. 

White bronze goods, manufac- 
ture of, 811. 

White, tlie word voted out of 
State Constitution, 348. 

White's Grand Theatre, for- 
merly Music Hall, 479. 



Whitney's Grand Opera House, 

478. 
Whitefish, large catch of, 16. 
White Lead ' Works, Boydell 

Bros.', 825. 
White Lead Works, Michigan, 

824. 
White Pigeon, railroad to, lust 

opened, 902. 
Whortleberries, indigenous, 12. 
Wide-Awakes, no. 
" Wild cat " banking. 850. 
Willow-ware Factory, Donde- 

ro's, 833. 
Willows, best kind grown at 

Detroit, 802. 
Windmill, The Knaggs, 10. 
Windmill Point, lighthouse at, 5. 
Windmills, 6. 

Window and door screens, man- 
ufacture of, 809. 
Windsor, Bibb's paper published 

at, 346. 
Windsor, G. W. railroad to, first 

opened, 904. 
Winnebagoes, 322. 
Winnipeg, 832, 836. 
Winston, N. C, 827. 
Winter amusements, 350. 
Winter dress, 350. 
Wintergreen tea, 337. 
Wire &. Iron Co., National, 

809. 
Wire & Iron Works, Barnum, 

811. 
Wisconsin, State of, created, 8g. 
Wiiherell Farm included in city, 

Witherell Street, now Wood- 
ward Avenue, 947. 

Wives wanted, 334. 

Wolves, bounties for killing, 11. 

Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Union, 842, 845. 

Women's Crusade. 842. 

Woman suffrage denied, 114. 

Women voting, 113. 

Wood markets, 797, 798. 

Wood - working machinery, 
Michel's, 809. 

Woodenware Works, Frost's, 
836. 

Woodmere Cemetery, 5, 56, 57. 

Woodward Avenue, former 
names, 947. 

Woodward Avenue Market, 793. 

Wool, wasted and unused, 338. 

World's End, 57. 

Wyandoites, 3, 7, 234, 238, 321, 

323' 324. 
Wyandotte village, missionary 

at, 576. 
Wyoming destroyed by a party 

from Detroit, 249. 
Wyoming Territory, 828. 



Yerkes Lake, fish in, 16. 

Yon-do-ti-ga, 3. 

York currency first issued, 846. 

Young Men's Christian Associ- 
ation, 47S, 638. 

Young Men's Hall, 478. 

Ypsilanti, M. C. R. R. first 
opened to, 896. 



Zoological garden, 352. 



l: O'O. 




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