fsn 
 
 iPO 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 016 099 228 1 - 
 
 HOLLINGER 
 
 P H8.5 
 
 MILL RUN F3-154K 
 
P 572 
 •02 L2 
 Copy 1 
 
 The La 
 
 Edited !>>■ S. B. M'Onckt 
 
 And Corrr.iGHTED. 
 
 of Oakland. 
 
 Published by the PoNm^GAZEm 
 
 THE COUNTY AND THE LAKES. 
 
 m HE County of 0aklan d holds an itnpe- 
 
 fll rial position in the State of Michigan 
 
 III by reason of her territorial extent, her 
 
 ,j V agricultural resources, and the sterling 
 
 CQ^ character of her population. The 
 
 county comprises twenty-five full surveyed 
 
 townships, while the usual number of towns in 
 
 the counties of the State, except where conven- 
 
 ; 5,000 copies. Prire, 10 cents. 
 
 August, 1886. 
 
 the first history of the State as a producing re- 
 gion enjoyed a standard character. The popu- 
 lation of the county is very largely native stock 
 —that is, the descendants of those who were 
 habitants of the country at the Revolutionary 
 period. The early population was drawn mainly 
 from the State of New York, (though with a 
 considerable infusion from the British 
 islands), and the local nomenclature of 
 western New York is duplicated in 
 number of the towns and villages of 
 
 ■;«„„ ii — — """ to w us ana vuiages ot 
 
 ulation of the State, Wayne county only out- 
 numbering it by less than a thousand. The 
 present population of 41,000 is the product by 
 natural increase from the earlier stock, rein- 
 forced to some extent by immigration mainly 
 from the same localities from which the earlier 
 population was drawn. So that the imperial 
 position of the county in the three essentials 
 first named cannot be disputed. 
 
 But aside from the elements of character 
 noted foregoing, the county of Oakland has been 
 favored by nature with a topography and a lake 
 
 eachothe/andZthe CouXUa^ ° f * "*** "** ****** to 
 
 •actions. A small kingdom in itself, its crown 
 enriched by a setting of silvery gems in the 
 >rm of numerous lakes and lakelets, of which 
 ^ere are over four hundred in the county, cov- 
 ing an area of fully 20,000 square acres. 
 |rhe residents of the county, familiar with its 
 scenery, have not, perhaps, estimated it at 
 "alue. It is but just however to couple 
 ition with the farther one, that the 
 '- compelling attention first to 
 mentof there Juuty, have 
 ' the cultivation '.)f the 
 
 reached a stage at which the people can well 
 afford to appropriate a percentage of their time 
 and thought to the enjoyment of what the la- 
 bors and sacrifices of the early pioneers have 
 bequeathed to them and what it is their mission 
 to add to and improve. 
 
 It is with the view of stimulating an interest 
 in, and drawing attention to, the lake feature of 
 the county, not only on the part of residents, 
 but of those from without, that the preparation 
 of these sketches has been undertaken. For 
 (returning again to the thought of material ad- 
 vantage), while the agricultural development 
 
 has reached a fair maximum, a future source of 
 wealth, and a limitless field for the cultivation 
 of the artistic and the elegant in life, center 
 around the Lake Gems of the county. It is but 
 a question of time when the shores of the more 
 attractive lakes will be dotted with villas, bring- 
 ing increase both in population and wealth. 
 
 In the effort to present the Lake Gems of 
 Oakland to the public, the necessities of the 
 case compelled concentration, and convenience 
 suggested what we have somewhat arbitrarily 
 styled "The Orchard Lake Group " as the point 
 first to receive special attention. The three 
 
lakes that especially characterize this group, are 
 Cass, Orchard and Pine lakes. The first named 
 is the largest body of water in the county, cover- 
 ing an area of 2,00ft to 2,500 acres. Orchard lake 
 covers some 1,400 acres, and Pine lake some- 
 thing more than half that space. 
 
 The land lying to the east and south of Pine 
 and Orchard lakes forms the divide of the. local 
 water shed. Pine lake discharges into Or- 
 chard, and Orchard into Cass, which is drained 
 by the Clinton river, this discharging into Lake 
 St. Clair bolow Mt. Clemens. The Biver Rouge, 
 which discharges into Detroit river below De- 
 troit, has its rise in Long lake, and the Huron, 
 which empties into the Detroit at a point still 
 farther down, drains Straits lake. 
 
 A peculiar feature of all the lakes is the 
 crystal clearness of their waters. There are 
 several small lakes in the county whose shores 
 and bottom give them the unpoetic name of 
 " Mud Lake," but their waters have the same 
 clearness as those of their sister gems with a 
 more brilliant setting. The phenomena that 
 produced these lakes is a mystery beyond our 
 present purpose to seek to fathom. The clear- 
 ness of their waters indicates that they are the 
 outllow of living springs. Some of them are 
 visibly so, ^vhile others are without visible in- 
 flojv or outflow. There is a very prevalent 
 opinion that their pulsations respond to each 
 other through an underground arterial system. 
 That thoy receive supply from invisible springs 
 seems to be demonstrated by the phenomena 
 presented by Orchard lake. It has no risible 
 source of supply except the small outlet from 
 Pine lake, while it discharges into Cass lake a 
 volume three to four times what it receives. It 
 would seem that the excess must be supplied 
 from springs within its bed. 
 
 By reference to the outline map it will be ob- 
 served that, starting from a line drawn from 
 Square lake to Timber lake, and running from 
 thence to Orchard lake, a distance of some three 
 miles, there nestles a little peninsula Hanked on 
 the north by Timber lake, Pickerel bay and 
 Cass lake, and on the south by Square lake 
 Lord's lake, Long lake, and Pine lake. For all 
 purposes for which a water environment is de- 
 sirable, this territory is an island, but with 
 land approaches from all directions. Upon 
 reaching Orchard lake, this situation is extended 
 ir half a mile to the southeastward between 
 hard and Pine lakes, and for two miles or 
 »n the north between Orchard and Cass. 
 . *he west it is still further extended from 
 Orchard betweeen Green and Union lakes, and 
 Strait's lake. North of Cass lake a similar situ- 
 ation is formed by Cass, Otter and Elizabeth 
 lakes, while south of Pine and Long lakes the 
 same feature appears. Indeed, situations in 
 which the temperature is modified by water sur- 
 roundings, are in this quarter the rule rather 
 than the exception. 
 
 That this locality should have been a favorite 
 resort for the Indians is simply in accordance 
 with the natural law of selection which so 
 largely guided the children of the forest. The 
 sandy soil, although not such as the skilled 
 agriculturist would choose for crops, was never- 
 theless easily worked by the rude methods of 
 the Indians. The plains afforded excellent 
 grazing for deer, while the narrow passages be- 
 tween the waters were so many traps by means 
 of which they might be taken. These consider- 
 
 ■ 
 
 ations at least appear to a writer at a time when 
 no Indian remains to verify the presumption, as 
 resonable hypotheses. Whatever the spiritual 
 conception of the " happy hunting ground " may- 
 be, we can hardly imagine a material situation 
 better adapted to the wants of primitive man. 
 
 As a strategic position also, and a point for 
 attack and defense, it would be difficult to find a 
 situation more secure. Hence the Indian chief 
 Pontiac chose wisely in making this a center of 
 operations in his campaigns against the whites. 
 The Jesuit missionaries, famous for their choice 
 of strategic points, could not have overlooked 
 the martial value of the place in view of its love- 
 liness in peace, in placing upon it their mark of 
 occupancy. 
 
 Orchard Lake. 
 
 In treating of the lakes hereabout as a group, 
 and of special topics connected with them under 
 separate heads, comparatively little remains to 
 be said when we come to write of each one un- 
 der its own name. Yet as Orchard lake is the rec- 
 ognized queen of a constellation of beauties, it 
 will necessarily command the greater degree of 
 attention. The map will show its general out- 
 line to be comparatively round, and that it holds 
 a central position in the group. With . very 
 trilling exceptions its shores are hard, with 
 high, bluff banks as a rule, though in some 
 places, especially on the eastern and southern 
 shore, it presents a shelving, sandy beach. At 
 these points the roadway traverses the beach, 
 affording a most enchanting scene either for a 
 drive or a ramble. On the south, especially, a 
 row of native trees, large and massive, stands 
 between the roadway and the water's edge, the 
 carriage track being nicely graveled, a work of 
 Mr. Anthony Emmendorfer when filling the 
 very useful office of overseer of highways. The 
 road, which in some places is sandy, might be 
 similarly improved at other points 'with advan- 
 tage. The lake takes its name from the island 
 situated near its center, on which was growing, 
 when the region first became known to the 
 white settlers, an apple orchard. 
 
 APPLE ISLAND. 
 
 The principal island takes its name from the 
 circumstance last stated. The Indians called 
 the island Me-na-sa-gor-ning, meaning " apple 
 place." The trees were in bearing fifty years 
 ago, and until a comparatively late date. Mr. 
 Dow reports gathering fifty-six bushels of 
 apples one year from one tree, at a time when 
 they were common to all comers. Few (if any) 
 of the trees now remain. Their origin is purely 
 conjectural, and the Indians of the locality, so 
 far as is known, had no tradition concerning it. 
 The apples were of the same variety as those 
 grown in the old French orchards near Detroit. 
 It was a rule with the Jesuit missionaries, as 
 is well known, to visit all points where the In- 
 dians were accustomed to gather. As this was 
 one of their favorite resorts, it is very probable 
 that those worthy men, the early missionaries, 
 about whom hovers such a charm of mingled 
 romance and veneration, and whose labors fur- 
 nish so important and thrilling a chapter in the 
 local history of Michigan, planted on the little 
 island in Orchard lake the gems which, growing 
 and expanding to a broad and vigorous maturi- 
 ty, gave mute testimony in after years to the 
 benificence and wise foresight of a school of 
 faithful shepherds who, whether in their care 
 
 for the spiritual or material welfare of man, 
 have ever proven their right to the title of Fath- 
 ers. In contemplating worth, heroism and de- 
 votion, all ethics are merged, all lines of opin- 
 ion are obliterated, all religions and the nega- 
 tion of all religions, flow together. In Sir 
 Walter Scott's metrical romance of " Marmion," 
 is pictured a well, surmounted by a cross, and 
 bearing this inscription: 
 
 "Drink, weary pilgrim, drink, and pray, 
 For tin' poor soul of Sybil Gray, 
 Who built this cross and well." 
 
 May he who shall gather the last apple from 
 the primitive trees on Apple island, taste it only 
 with a sentiment of reverence and love for the 
 unknown hand that planted the germ. 
 
 The island, containing about forty acres, was 
 an Indian reservation, but becoming govern- 
 ment land, was bid in at a land sale in 1827, by 
 one James Galloway, of Palmyra, N. Y., at 
 eleven shillings per acre. Mr. Galloway, not- 
 withstanding his Scotch name, was a stranger 
 to the Scotch settlers. It subsequently came 
 into the hands of the Dows, by whom it was 
 sold to John Coats, of J. & P. Coats spool 
 thread notoriety, and by him was sold about 
 18G0 to the late Colin Campbell, of Detroit, in 
 whose family it still remains. The island lies 
 high and dry, with no marsh on its shore, is 
 gently rolling, and a large portion of its sur- 
 face is still covered with the original timber 
 growth. Mrs. Campbell and her family make 
 their summer residence on the island. 
 
 INDIAN ASSOCIATIONS. 
 
 Much interest, of course, centers around the 
 Indian history connected with the lakes. The 
 Indian village on what is now Mr. Ward's prop- 
 erty is spoken of in another article. Mr. Dow 
 remembers gatherings of Indians at various 
 times to the number of several hun- 
 dred who made their camping ground near Ms 
 place. There is an old Indian burial ground at 
 the south-west corner of the lake where the 
 famous chief Black Bird was buried. All authori- 
 ties seem to agree that this was a rallying point 
 for Pontiac in his wars upon the whites, and 
 that he made it a place of retreat after his fail- 
 ure to reduce Detroit by siege. 
 
 In the History of Oakland County, publisher 
 in 1877, page 72, it is said: " The Orchard lake 
 Indians were a kind of independent band, nr ' 
 bearing allegiance to any chief." And again ( 
 page 307: "Shiawassee and Saginaw Indians 
 lived in this part of the territory in considerable 
 numbers and traveled all through the country. 
 A village of some seventy or eighty lived on the 
 island in Orchard lake, ruled by an old chief 
 named, or nick-named, ' Goody Morning' (Gu- 
 te-maw-nine?) He had two sons, who were very 
 intelligent. The Indians were very peaceful, 
 and so truthful that they could always be reliec 
 on." 
 
 THE LEGEND OP HE-NAH-SA-GOK-NING. 
 
 Like many other points of interest former' 
 inhabited by the Indians, Orchard lake has 
 legend of love and tragedy, upon which is wov 
 the charm of myth. The legend bearing 
 title above is related in a poem of thirty stan 
 by the late Dr. Samuel M. Leggett. Not hr 
 space for the poem (which is in r-' 
 give ihe prose version by which it v 
 follo4-^ 
 
 Thj jgemi which I havr' 
 is foif u ,ied upon an inc' 
 ard f| a ke long be f 
 
man. * * On the high bank of this lake, op ■ 
 posite the island, is still to be seen the ancient 
 burying- ground of the Sacs, Hurons, and Wyan- 
 dots. Tradition says that, back beyond the 
 memory of the tribe, a young chief sickened and 
 suddenly died. The maiden to whom he was 
 betrothed became insane, and whenever she 
 could escape from her guardians, would take the 
 body of the young chief from its resting place 
 in the old ground, across the lake, and carry it 
 back where his lodge formerly stood. At last, 
 weary of guarding her, with the advice of their 
 " medicine man," the tribe killed her, upon her 
 refusal to marry. This crime, so directly op- 
 posed to all former Indian custom, so offended 
 the Great Spirit that he avowed his intention to 
 totally destroy the tribe, and to give the maiden 
 " as long as water flowed," complete control 
 over it.* She alone has power to assume her 
 form at any time by the beating of the Indian 
 drum. At this sound they must gather and 
 wait where an old canoe has been gradually 
 covered by the drifting sands. Upon the signal 
 of her coming with her dead, the warriors must 
 meet her on the shore, bear the ] chief on his 
 bier, and lay him down by the ashes of his 
 council fire, and, waiting beside Mm until she 
 can caress him, bear him back to his resting 
 place. All, however, must be done between sun- 
 set and sunrise, a foggy night being always 
 chosen to elude observation. 
 
 In the poem entitled "Avalon," on a subse- 
 quent page of this publication, the Editor has 
 given a mythological version of this legend. 
 
 TRIBUTES OF SENTIMENT. 
 
 The following poem by Henry M. Look, writ- 
 ten and published in a Pontine paper in 1877, 
 will carry its own explanation : 
 
 ORCHARD LAKE. 
 
 On the blue of thy bosom, beautiful lake, 
 
 Where cloud-shadows wander and liright rippled break, 
 
 Where sunshine and starlight eternally play, 
 
 My heart, like a sea-bird, is floating to-day. 
 
 Thy wavelets reply to the whispering pines, 
 And kiss the sweet bloom of thy low-hanging vines ; 
 A gem on the waters thy green island lies, 
 O'erlit by the glow of Hesperian skies. 
 
 But fairer this moment, and dearer than all, 
 Are the dreams of the past which thy beauties recall ; 
 The mournful enchantment that hangs over thee, 
 Gives cast unto lncm'ries as mournful in me. 
 
 I rememhci 
 Ere fate hi 
 And bright 
 When suns 
 
 ringing years, 
 intain of tears, 
 liled o'er thy breast, 
 ling the west. 
 
 I remember the songs that were borne on the air, 
 While summer winds lifted the sweet singer's hair — 
 How one sighed, as she dropped her soft hand o'er the 
 
 boat, 
 Thus forever to sing ami forever to float. 
 
 "'xw silent the songs that were home on the air,' 
 And threaded with silver the sweet singer's hair ; 
 And the one who there dropped her soft hand o'er the 
 
 boat, 
 By the portals of sunset is dwelling remote. 
 
 In the slumber of death, or the triumph of life, 
 In the shade of repose, or the rancor oi strife, 
 All scattered abroad like the leaves thai are sere, 
 Are the souls that once lingered in happiness here. 
 
 " BONNIECOTE." 
 
 Summer residence of Joseph Black, Orcha 
 
 I bail you, O wanderers near and afar, 
 
 Who follow an evil or fortunate star, 
 
 And crave you the guard of that Infinite hand 
 
 Whose care o'er the waste of the world can expand. 
 
 By a goodlier sea on a statelier shore, 
 Where barques never founder and storms never roar, 
 Let us hope, be the Paly Horse tardy or fast, 
 With our hearts undecayed we may gather at lost. 
 
 Yet still and forever, beautiful lake, 
 
 Shall I si e thy clouds wander, thv bright ripples break ; 
 
 And oft on thy wave, as the splendor shall play, 
 
 My soul, like a sea-bird, will float as to-day. 
 
 The romance and beauty of this gem of 
 ihe lakes are also made the subject of 
 touching reference by Miss Kittie Outhbertson 
 tow Mrs. McCoy), in her sweet little poem, "A 
 Hrewell," written in 1880. 
 
 Presumably over the spiritual or ghostly renjains oi 
 \tribe after its destruction. 
 
 FIVE DETROIT COTTAGES. 
 
 At the south-west approach to Orchard lake, 
 its shore is indented by a promontory thickly 
 wooded with forest trees, principally oaks. The 
 trees are what is known as second growth, 
 though having attained a considerable size and 
 height. The situation is picturesque and ro- 
 mantic, and purely primeval in its character. It 
 is one of the most profound quiet and seclu. 
 sion, and it was for this reason that five Detroit 
 families fixed upon it for their summer retreat. 
 The cottages overlook and front the lake, and 
 are so effectually screened from the highway by 
 the forest trees that no one would suspect that 
 there was a human habitation in that direction. 
 They are reached simply by a carriage track 
 that leaves the highway and leads into the forest. 
 The group is properly called the " Detroit Col- 
 ony," but from the charming situation it ought 
 to have a common name, both poetic and clas- 
 sical. 
 
 The cottages are indicated on the map. Going 
 from left to right as seen from the lake front, 
 they are named and occupied as follows: " Pine 
 Point," Mrs. Gen. Throop; "The Woodbine,'- 
 Morris L. Williams; " Oak Grove," F. D. Tay- 
 lor; " Buena Vista," W. W. Leggett; " Bonni- 
 cote," Joseph Black. On the beach fronting 
 their cottage, Mr. Black's people have erected a 
 tasty boat house, the upper portion of which 
 forms an open balcony where the lake breezes 
 play in the most sultry weather, its benefits be- 
 ing free to the common enjoyment of all the 
 cottagers. 
 
 CAUSAL MENTION. 
 
 The objective points are marked on the map. 
 Near Mr. Dow's residence and a few rods to the 
 west is a small Disciples (or Campbellite) 
 church, the site for which was donated by Mr. 
 Dow. The society was organized and the 
 church built largely through the efforts of Mrs. 
 Colin Campbell. Dr. E. A. Lodge, formerly of 
 Detroit, but now residing on Pine lake, offici- 
 ates as minister. Near the head of the bay on 
 the northwest, Angus McCallum, a scion of one 
 of the original settlers, has a fine farm. Mr. 
 Hugh Cuthbertson, a son of the first settler of 
 that name, has also a fine property and resi- 
 dence on the west side of the lake. Mr. R. W. 
 Cummings occupies a sightly residence over- 
 looking the south shore of the lake. Mr. Cum- 
 mings' family sometimes entertain sojourners 
 during the summer months. 
 
 •d Lake. 
 
 Cass Lake. 
 
 Cass Lake is about three miles in length, with 
 a somewhat irregular shore line. Across the 
 bay opposite Mr. Ward's property, it is one and 
 three-fourths miles in width, but with the arm 
 called Gerundegut bay extending northward for 
 over a mile. Much of this lake is shoal, es- 
 pecially along the beach, affording the best pos- 
 sible situation for children to bathe and acquire 
 the art of swimming. Some parts of the shore 
 however, especially on the north side, are 
 marshy. It receives the Clinton river through 
 the bay above named, and discharges into Otter 
 lake. 
 
 AQUATIC ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The social attractions around Cass lake center 
 at the boat house and grounds of the Pontiac 
 and Cass Lake Aquatic Association (noted on 
 the map as the Pontiac Boat Club), 
 located at the foot of the lake. This 
 organization represents the beauty and chiv- 
 alry of Pontiac and vicinity. Its capital stock is 
 $5,000, in shares of $10 each. The active mem- 
 bership is limited to one hundred, who must be 
 residents of the oounty. Honorary members 
 may be admitted upon payment of ten dollars. 
 Membership secures the privileges of the Asso- 
 ciation to the member and his family. Thr 
 grounds consist of about an acre and a-half, or 
 ered by a fine grove. There are two boat he 
 stables, sheds, and a temporary cooker 1 ' 
 refreshments are prepared. The large, 
 house cost $1,200, and has room for bousihy 
 twenty-five to thirty boats. The boats are the 
 property of the Association, and, with the 
 grounds and buildings, are free to the use of 
 members and their families, and friends invited 
 and accompanied by members. An opening is 
 usually held at the commencement of each sea- 
 son, when the larger boat house is utilized as a 
 dancing hall. The Association is managed by 
 the executive officers and board of directors, who, 
 for the present year, are : President, W. G. Hin- 
 man; Vice President, Wm. H. Brummitt; Secre- 
 tary, S. A. Dewey; Treasurer, Benj. S. Tregent; 
 Directors, C. R. Ereeman, S. A. Pratt, H. H. 
 Colvin, J. S. Stockwell, J. Hammond. 
 
 Adjoining the Association grounds, on lands 
 of B. Cole, Messrs. R. H. Elliott and L. W. 
 Stanton, of Pontiac, with their families, are en- 
 joying a camping season in what they have 
 christened "Camp Woodbine." J. S. Stock- 
 
well and family have been their guests, as also 
 the Misses Rodda, of Detroit. The camp con- 
 sists of two board cottages and four tents. 
 h. e. allison's plat. 
 H. E. Allison has a plat of six acres of grove 
 adjoining the Aquatic Association property on 
 the south. The location for camping or cot- 
 tages is one of the best on the lake shore. The 
 plat has a frontage on the road of about 30 rods 
 and about the same on the lake. The shore is 
 gradually sloping to deep water, and is free 
 from weeds or grass, presenting a clear, sandy 
 bottom, being a safe bathing place for children. 
 The property is in the market to acceptable 
 parties in sites of convenient size. No better lo- 
 cation cau be found for summer cottages. It 
 is about three miles from Ponhac. 
 
 Systematic Improvement— A Feas- 
 ible Plan by Detroit Parties. 
 
 To many residents of Detroit it may sound a 
 little strange to speak of a summer resort away 
 from the great water ways that they are accus- 
 tomed to'observe. They will protest that there 
 is but one Lucerne in Switzerland and but one 
 Como in Italy. Hence there cau be but one line 
 on which to look for lakeside retreats in Mich- 
 ■-•,iii, and that is along the great waters 
 that wash its shores. But these waters 
 arc devoted to commerce. They suggest noth- 
 ing of rest and repose. There is scarcely a nook 
 that is not plowed by vessels laden with mer- 
 chandise. [The odor of fish, of molasses, of 
 rum, and of tar, creeps through the lat- 
 tice of the most sequestered summer 
 cote. The recreations that seek these 
 channels are the counterpart of their 
 commerce. The dissipation of trade gives way 
 for a time to social dissipation. The mass seek 
 by excesses in one direction, to relieve the high 
 nervous tension that comes of the continuous 
 strife and competition of commerce. They seek to 
 relieve one disease by feeding another. The re- 
 sorts along the great lakes and rivers are all 
 liable to be invaded by excursion parties with 
 these characteristics. Hence they offer no se- 
 curity for that perfect relaxation which is the 
 only cure for the overstrain of business. 
 
 This relaxation can be had at the inland 
 dies. Instead of the odors of commerce, the 
 -Hers can enjoy the odor of the fresh clover 
 ms. In place of the steam whistle of the 
 vessel they have the song of the wood 
 .jird. Instead of the profane voice of dissipa- 
 tion they have the mystical chant of the sacred 
 groves. A realization of this contrast has led 
 many city people to seek summer homes on the 
 inland lakes. 
 
 The only comprehensive and systematic plan 
 so far proposed for improvement at the lakes is 
 the one originating with Mr. F. W. Hayes, Vice- 
 President of the Preston Bank, of Detroit. The 
 immediate site of this improvement is a tract of 
 very desirable land between Orchard and Pine 
 lakes, and fronting on both lakes, as shown by 
 the diagram. The plan is essentially co-opera- 
 tive, and the feature that will commend itself at 
 once is, that no building sites have been or will 
 be sold to outside parties without the assent 
 of all the lot owners, so that persons toward 
 whom objections may exist can form no part of 
 the community. This feature of mutual 
 acceptance constitutes the cottagers practically 
 
 4 
 
 ORCHARD LAKE PARK. 
 
 a social club, au^. *he club feature is the leading 
 thought in the entire plan. 
 
 The owner of each lot agrees to erect a 
 cottage equal at least in cost to a fixed mini- 
 mum. Half of the money for lots goes into an 
 improvement fund for the beautifying and im- 
 provement of the park shown on the diagram, 
 the park being 1,200 feet at its greatest length 
 and 500 feet at its greatest width. Owners of 
 lots also agree to erect no barns, outhouses, 
 or sheds on their property; the open triangular 
 area at the foot of the street at the top of the 
 diagram is set apart for this purpose. A large 
 hotel is to be erected for the accommodation of 
 the cottagers especially and the public in gen- 
 eral, in addition to which there will be boat 
 houses, bath houses and all pleasure conven- 
 iences. 
 
 It will be seen that the hotel and each cottage 
 fronts either on one of the lakes or on the park. 
 There can be little choice of location therefore, 
 so far as regards the free play of the lake 
 breezes. Indeed, situated so near to and be- 
 tween the lakes, the park lots will be equally 
 desirable with the lake fronts. The streets will 
 be laid out, graded and graveled equal to the 
 best macademized roads. The magnificent for- 
 est trees, as yet undisturbed on the tract, will 
 be retained except where the necessities of im- 
 provement may require their removal. 
 
 The Air Line railroad has its depot, a neat 
 little gothic structure, within the tract. Already 
 its trains leave and take up many passengers 
 here during the summer. It is but an 
 
 extension of the D., G. H. & M. from 
 Detroit. There are, as elsewhere noted, 
 a number of summer cottages already 
 on the lakes at different points, and more 
 in contemplation. In its moral and social as- 
 pects, the situation as generally described in 
 other parts of this publication could scarcely 
 be improved upon. The Michigan Military 
 Academy adjacent, suggests at once an intel- 
 lectual atmosphere, a classical refinement, and a" 
 sense of security. 
 
 As addressed to the city of Detroit, the Orch- 
 ard lake situation is already a suburb of the 
 city. The plan here but briefly outlined 
 will make it still farther such. Its accessibility 
 enables business men to be at their desks dur- 
 ing business hours, and to enjoy the society of 
 their families in a delightful sylvan retreat the 
 balance of the day, during the heated term from 
 May to September, and the year round for that 
 matter, if desirable. It affords at the same time 
 pure aii', pure food, and an unlimited field for 
 exercise and play for children, while to wives 
 worn and wearied by the exactions of society 
 and the care of large establishments in the city 
 it proffers a new life during a considerable por- 
 tion of each year. It may be stated in this con- 
 nection that by the hotel plan those cottager 
 who so desire may take their meals without tly 
 labor of providing them in their own home 1 
 The site has been appropriately named " 
 chard 1 Lake Park." 
 
 W. W. Hannan, 103 Griswold street, Detr/ 
 is ageiit for this property. 
 
Michigan Military Academy. 
 
 The name of this institution has become sy 
 nonymous with Orchard lake. The immediate 
 site of the Academy is a slight eminence on the 
 east shore of Orchard lake, but connected by 
 Academy avenue with Pine lake, distant at this 
 point about a quarter of a mile. 
 
 HISTOBIC.VL. 
 
 The project of the Academy was first con- 
 ceived by Ool. Rogers in 1875. He was at that 
 time an officer of the army on detached service 
 in Detroit, and the military instructor of the 
 "Pelouze Corps," an organization of young 
 boys, sons of citizens of Detroit, who as amateur 
 soldiers acquired a marked proficiency in drill 
 and discipline. Col. Rogers came to Orchard 
 lake in 1875 in quest of a place for holding an 
 encampment by the Pelouze Corps. A location 
 was made, and an encampment held that year 
 on the west side of the lake. 
 
 Col. Rogers' natural military enthusiasm had 
 led him before to entertain the idea of estab - 
 lishing a military school. His visit to Orchard 
 lake at that time brought this desire and the 
 means of carrying it out together. The general 
 situation was all that could be desired. The 
 Copeland property, as it was then known, was 
 in the market at a reasonable figure. This had 
 formerly bjen the residence of Judge Joseph T. 
 Copeland, and had been kept as a hotel. Nego- 
 tiations were opened which resulted in tho pur- 
 chase of the property, comprising about one 
 hundred acres of laud, and its conversion to the 
 uses of the Michigan Military Academy, The 
 buildings were at that time sufficient for a be- 
 ginning, and tho Academy was opened in Sep- 
 tember, 1S77, with small financial means, but 
 with faith and energy on tho part of its projector 
 as its chi9f capital stock for the future. The 
 school opene 1 with six teachers, including the 
 superintendent, and au average attendance dur- 
 ing the first year as shown in the schedule 
 below. 
 
 The first commencement was held in June, 
 1878, at which one graduate, Edward McE. 
 Benson, of Detroit, received the diploma of the 
 Academy, he having entered with an advanced 
 standing. The average attendance and number 
 
 graduates each year have been as follows: 
 
 Attendance. ■ Graduates. 
 
 1878 40 1 
 
 1879 70 7 
 
 1880.... 97 6 
 
 1881 110 7 
 
 1882 116 12 
 
 1883 138 13 
 
 1881 90 11 
 
 1885 112 14 
 
 1886 126 19 
 
 This shows a steady and healthy growth from 
 the beginning, and it may be remarked here that 
 the attendance during the year 1885-6 was fully 
 up to the capacity of the school. 
 
 CLASSES AND COTJBSES. 
 
 The full Academic period is four years, 
 divided into four classes, First, Second, Third, 
 and Fourth, the First being the prospective 
 Graduating class each year. There is also a 
 \Post-Graduate department, which takes preced- 
 ence in the catalogue, and a Preparatory depart- 
 ment, which ranks after class Four. 
 \ There are in the several classes five coif rses of 
 \udy which are open to the election of Icadets, 
 \mely, the English, Academy, Scientific; Latin, 
 ll Classical. The English course may be com- 
 
 pleted in three years, and is properly the busi- 
 ness course, the studies being designed to fit 
 graduates for the average business of life. 
 The Academy course comprises four years, and 
 is an extension of the English, giving a more 
 advanced instruction in the sciences, with the 
 option of Latin, German or French. It is de- 
 signed to be a finished course short of the 
 classics. The Scientific course varies from the 
 Academy course so far as is necessary to fit 
 graduates for admission to the corresponding 
 course in the University. The Latin course is 
 a further modification of the Academy course 
 by giving more attention to the languages. The 
 Classical course fits the graduate for admission 
 to the Classical course in the University, and the 
 Academy's diploma ensures such admission to 
 the graduates from each course without exami- 
 nation. Military Science and Tactics necessarily 
 form a part of the instruction in each course. 
 
 A practical feature of the instruction imparted 
 at the Academy is the Department of Manual 
 Training and Electrical Work, recently intro- 
 duced. It is not expected that this course will 
 make skilled mechanics of the students, but it 
 will give them an idea of the nature of wood and 
 
 a complete military organization, constituting a 
 battalion of four companies, under command of 
 an officer of the U. S. army detailed for duty at 
 the institution, this officer at present being 
 Lieut, F. S. Strong, Fourth U. S. Artillery. 
 The battalion has its adjutant, quartermaster, 
 signal officer, sergeant-major, color sergeant, 
 band, and trumpeters, each company having a 
 full roster of commissioned and non-commis- 
 sioned officers appointed from the cadets. 
 Besides the advantages of drill and field evolu- 
 tion for which the ample parade grounds afford 
 facilities, this system involves a military disci- 
 pline that demands a personal accounting by 
 every cadet at stated times each day. While 
 however, military instruction and discipline 
 form the distinctive feature of the school, 
 the academic work, so far as it is pursued, is 
 made as thorough as in the best colleges. 
 
 MOBAL AND KELIGIOUS. 
 
 The officers and teachers reside in or near the 
 Academy, and have a continual oversight over 
 the pupils, partaking of the family relation. 
 While the Academy is not conducted in the in- 
 terest of any religious denomination, its manag- 
 
 MIOHIGAN MILITARY ACADEMY. 
 
 metals, and the manner of working them, such 
 as will be of service in whatever pursuit they 
 may hereafter follow. In the wood working 
 shop are taught the use of the saw, plane, and 
 other wood-working tools, wood turning, etc. 
 In metals, the students are instructed in chip- 
 ping, and in finishing and fitting with the file, 
 turning, and other machine work. During the 
 last two months in the Senior year the class in 
 Physics spend their time in the shop, construct- 
 ing electric bells, telephones,, microphones, and 
 other electrical apparatus. It is the intention 
 to direct all the shop work towards the con- 
 struction of electrical appliances, and to intro- 
 duce a separate course in electrical training and 
 cognate subjects. The shop facilities will be 
 increased, and testing instruments provided, so 
 that thorough instruction may be given in elec- 
 tricity, both theoretical and practical. Students 
 who enter this course will be required to have a 
 knowledge of Algebra, Geometry, and General 
 Chemistry. One year of French or German is 
 recommended. 
 
 A COBPS MILITAEY. 
 
 The Academy through its personnel presents 
 
 ers desire to make it decidedly a Christian 
 school. There are daily prayers in the chapel, 
 and religious services every Sunday, which all 
 the cadets are required to attend. Cadets are 
 forbidden to use tobacco or to partake of intox- 
 icants in any form. 
 
 In the early years of the school an impression 
 attained that it was a sort of Botany bay to 
 which parents might send their wayward boys. 
 A few necessary expulsions have corrected this 
 impression. In no case are applicants received 
 without proper testimonials of good moral char- 
 acter. 
 
 OTJTFIT AND EXPENSES. 
 
 Students are required to be uniformed in 
 "cadet grey," the suits to be made by the 
 Academy tailors. Each cadet will provide him- 
 self with the following articles: Two pairs of 
 high shoes, or boots, with thick soles; six pairs 
 of socks; three undershirts; three pairs of draw- 
 ers; three night shirts; six white shirts; *six 
 white linen collars; *two black neckties; twelve 
 pocket handkerchiefs; *six pairs white cotton 
 gloves; twelve towels; six table napkins; one 
 napkin ring; four pillow cases, 20 by 34 inches; 
 
 ' 
 
four sheets, i% by 7 feet; one pair hoavy 
 blankets; one comfortable; *one clothes-bag; 
 one clothes-brush; one hair brush and one 
 comb; one tooth-brush; one piece toilet soap. 
 Each article must be marked with owner's 
 name. Articles marked with the star must be 
 purchased of the Quartermaster for the sake 
 of uniformity. 
 
 The charge for instruction, room, board, 
 washing (twelve pieces), mending underclothing, 
 fuel, lights, use of arms and equipments, etc., is 
 about $350 per annum. Cost of uniforms and 
 incidental expenses, about $150 per year. The 
 circulars of the Academy, which are supplied on 
 application, give full information on this head. 
 
 THE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS. 
 
 The executive building (distinguished by 
 its castellated front), and those adjoining on the 
 east, were formerly the residence of Judge Cope- 
 land, in which also he for a time tried the ex- 
 periment of a public house. This building is 
 the family residence of the Superintendent, and 
 contains also the general office. The wood 
 building adjoining, 20 by 60 feet, contains one 
 recitation room, editorial rooms, kitchen, and 
 general lavatory, mechanic's dining room, and 
 dormitories for kitchen and farm help. Also 
 ample cellars, bake house, heating, etc., with 
 store rooms and ice house in the rear. The 
 north wing, so called, adjoining, 30 by 140 feet, 
 but with a ten foot veranda on three sides, is of 
 wood, and two stories. The first floor contains 
 dining hall, 30 by 60 feet, barber shop, matrons' 
 work room, and tailor shops. The second floor 
 contains dormitories for employes. 
 
 The new dormitory building is of brick, 30 
 by 120 feet, and three stories high. It is 
 made into four divisions, one the counterpart 
 of the other. There are on each floor four 
 rooms, each containing two single beds (the 
 boys do not lodge together in any case). A sub- 
 basement to each division has bath and wash 
 rooms, which serve the occupants of the divi- 
 sion. Each room is furnished with bedsteads 
 beds and pillows (bed linen and covering sup- 
 plied by the occupants), tables, chairs, ward- 
 robe, and bureau. The rooms are steam heated, 
 and lighted with gas made on the premises, (as in 
 fact the whole establishment is so warmed and 
 lighted). The building is finished in hard wood 
 throughout, and is practically fire proof, brick or 
 party walls separating the different divisions 
 from each other. 
 
 The Academic building, 30 by 80 feet, situ- 
 ated partly in the rear of the last named, is of 
 wood, two stories and basement. In the base- 
 ment are the engine room, armory, laundry, and 
 mechanic shop. The first floor has chapel, 30 
 by 10 feet (150 seats), laboratory, post office, 
 Quartermaster's office, and wash and bath rooms 
 for officers and instructors. The second floor 
 has three recitation rooms, Commandant's office, 
 and additional rooms for cadets. 
 
 The Manual Training department occupies a 
 new building 40 by 60 feet, with the necessary 
 appliances of lathes, benches, tools, forges, ete. 
 The same building is used also as a drill shed 
 (in cold weather), and has billiard and reception 
 rooms. There are outbuildings and barns for 
 farm uses. 
 
 A number of guns and cassions for artillery 
 practice occupy a depressed plateau in the fore- 
 ground to the west of the buildings, giving a 
 
 
 decidedly warlike aspect to the scene, while on 
 the rise of ground above stands a huge mortar 
 as if doing sentinel duty. Back of this is a line 
 grove of white pines, and adjoining is the parade 
 ground, the whole comprising about thirty 
 acres. There are in addition some sixty acres 
 of the farm under cultivation, which, under the 
 superintendence of Col. Rogers, is no inconsid- 
 erable factor in a busy life. 
 
 The institution is supplied with water drawn 
 from the lake by force pumps. The gasoline 
 works by which gas is supplied are in chambers 
 under ground. 
 
 OFFICERS AND ATTENDANTS. 
 
 The business management is in the hands of 
 a board of trustees consisting of Hon. A. C. 
 Baldwin (President), Pontiac; Hon. J. D. 
 Norton (Treasurer), Pontiac; Hon. Chas. H. 
 Palmer, Pontiac; Col. Sylvester Larned (Vice 
 President), Detroit; Col. Henry M. Duffield, 
 Detroit; Col. J. Sumner Rogers (Secretary), 
 Orchard Lake. 
 
 The faculty and staff remain as last year ex- 
 cept Prof. Brouson (Modern Languages), who 
 has a year's leave of absence for a European 
 tour, and Capt. Linzee, Assistant Quartermas- 
 ter. These positions remain so far unsupplied, 
 as does also that of Chaplain, the Rev. Francis 
 Berry, who has so satisfactorily filled that po- 
 sition for some years, retiring to re-enter the 
 ministry. There are some thirty employes 
 about the institution, including those on the 
 farm. These, with the faculty and cadets, 
 make an approximate total during term of say 
 160 persons regularly in and about the 
 Academy. 
 
 OFFICIAL RECOGNITION. 
 
 Section 1225 of the Revised Statutes of the 
 United States authorizes the President, upon 
 the application of any established College or 
 University within the United States, having ca 
 pacity to educate at the same not less than one 
 hundred and fifty male students, to detail an 
 officer of the Army to act as President, Super- 
 intendent, or Professor thereof. Pursuant to 
 this authority, Lieut. Frederick S. Strong, 4th 
 U. S. Artillery, has been detailed to the Michi- 
 gan Military Academy, and holds the chair of 
 Military Science and Tactics. 
 
 The State of Michigan gives its endorsement 
 to the institution by the following joint resolu- 
 tion passed by the Legislature, and approved 
 May 2, 1879: 
 
 Whereas, The General Government has rec- 
 ognized the Michigan Military Academy at 
 Orchard Lake, by detailing an officer of the 
 regular army as one of its professors, and by 
 supplying it with a full equipment of arms, am- 
 munition, and camp equipage; 
 
 And Whereas, The teaching of military sci- 
 ence and tactics to the young men of this State 
 will materially aid in the instruction of its mili- 
 tia; therefore, 
 
 Be it Resolved, By the Senate and House of 
 Representatives of the State of Michigan, that 
 the Governor shall cause an annual inspection 
 to be made of the discipline, courses of study, 
 and general management of the institution; and 
 further 
 
 Be it Resolved, That the graduates of 
 the Academy shall be eligible to appointment 
 as Brevet Second Lieutenants in the State 
 troops, and may be commissioned and assigned 
 to companies at the discretion of the Governor, 
 upon recommendation of the inspecting officers, 
 not to exceed one for each company; And, 
 Further, the Governor is authorized to appoint 
 and commission the Superintendent as Colonel, 
 and the Military Professor, Quartermaster, and 
 Surgeon, each as Major iu the State troops. 
 
 The Academy has received uniformly the 
 patronage and encouragemment of the Govern- 
 ors of the State since its establishment, and has 
 the endorsement of the highest military officers 
 in the country. 
 
 biographical. 
 
 Col. J. Sumner Rogers, the founder of the 
 Michigan Military Academy, was born in Maine, 
 July 5, 1844. In April, 1861 (then only in his 
 seventeenth year), he left school to enter the 
 volunteer service of the United States in de- 
 fense of the Union. He served in the army of 
 the Potomac, receiving a severe wound in the 
 head at the second battle of Bull Run. He was 
 mustered out of the volunteer service in July, 
 1865, with the rank of Captain and Brevet 
 Major. This promotion of a mere boy in years 
 is testimony to a military record during his 
 term of service that it would exceed the limits 
 of the space at our command to give in detail. 
 The fact is a volume in itself, and we venture 
 only the remark that the character that could 
 assert itself so well in the soldier is admirably 
 reflected in the discipline, the order, and the ex- 
 ecutive ability that mark the management of 
 the Michigan Military Academy. In October, 
 1877, Col. Rogers was commissioned a Lieuten- 
 ant in the regular service, which commission he 
 resigned for the purpose of establishing the in- 
 stitution to which his life work is now devoted. 
 
 Watkins and Scott Lakes. 
 
 About three miles north-west of Pontiac is sit- 
 uated Watkins lake (not shown onthemap), and 
 east of it and separated from it by a neck of land 
 fifteen or twenty rods wide is Scott or Scott's 
 lake. Watkins lake is about a mile and a half 
 in length, and about half a mile in its greatest 
 width. It was here that the writer, more than 
 fifty years ago, found such pastime as youth 
 loves to seek in water sports. The same peb- 
 bly beach is here that was there fifty years ago. 
 The same clear waters lapse the shore that rip- 
 pled over naked feet then. They keep up the 
 same cadence, mournful or glad, as the senti- 
 ments and emotions may be conditioned to re- 
 spond to one or the other. At least they seem 
 to. Let us not mar the picture by any vain_ 
 complaint that the buoyancy, the hope, the 
 bright fancy that thrilled the youth of fifty 
 years ago are less in degree than they were 
 then. There is youth still to mirror its wonder- 
 ing face in the clear waters and to court their 
 free caress of its tireless feet. There is youth 
 still to find in the song of the waves a conse- 
 crating hymn to the dream of love, which, if 
 it prove in the sequel but an empty dream, is 
 yet, like many another dream, a glad and vivid 
 reality for at least a little time. We have said 
 that the same waters are there that were there 
 fifty years ago. Not the same waters, but those 
 alike in kind. And if the same youth be not 
 there to enjoy them, the same youth in kind 
 still disports itself. As the least water drop is 
 absorbed and passes away in the mist, so equally 
 mysterious is the passing away of the sap of 
 youth, leaving necessarily but the withered 
 leaf, and limb, and trunk. But as other wate; 
 drops come to replenish the sea and to renev 
 its life which would else become stagnant, so 
 the sea of human life continually renewed, g- 
 youth ^nd the sweet waters perpetually kiss ea 
 other and in their meeting tune the harp t! 
 
I 
 
 vibrates in accord with the song of the eternal. 
 
 The reflections foregoing may appropriately 
 be supplemented by a reference to a school pic- 
 nic (district No. 3 of Waterford), held at the 
 close of the term in June, which it was our 
 good fortune to attend in company with Mark 
 Walter, of the Gazette. The entertainment was 
 held in the grove on Watkins lake, and there 
 was certainly a meeting there of bright youth 
 and bright waters. We met also one or two 
 whom we had known half a century ago, and 
 had not seen for forty-five years, among them 
 A. G. Allen, whose father and the father of the 
 writer were co-emigrants from the same neigh- 
 borhood in western New York. We met there 
 also agreeably, Peter Voorheis, Jr., J. W. Leon- 
 ard, E. J. Osmun, M. D. Osmun, Perry E. 
 Smith, and Thos. Eagle, not forgetting the 
 teacher of the school, Miss Annie Allen. The 
 Osinuns are members of a large family in the 
 county, and both own fine farms in the imme- 
 diate vicinity of the lake. Messrs. Smith and 
 Leonard both have farms also in the same 
 neighborhood. 
 
 Watkins lake is a favorite pic nic and camp- 
 ing ground. Mr. J. W. Ogle, of the Rose house, 
 Pontiac, makes an annual pilgrimage there, 
 spending several weeks in rest and meditation. 
 
 Scott lake is about half a mile in length, cov- 
 ering some eighty acres, having a fine, gravelly 
 shore. It is bordered on the north side mostly 
 with timber, and on the south lies the farm of 
 Peter Voorheis, Jr. The shore here rises fifty 
 or more feet by a moderately steep ascent. Mr. 
 Voorheis is a representative farmer, giving his 
 attention largely to the rearing of cattle and 
 sheep. 
 
 Timber Lake- 
 Timber lake is among the loveliest of the Lake 
 Gems. The map does not do it justice, as it is 
 relatively much larger than it is shown to be — 
 larger in fact, than either Otter lake or Pickerel 
 bay. 
 
 The farm residence of Wm. Beatty occupies a 
 conspicuous position on the north side of the 
 lake. He has an elegantly furnished home, the 
 grounds surrounding which are beautifully laid 
 out and adorned with shrubbery, largely ever- 
 greens. Leading from the house to the lake, a 
 distance of about thirty rods, is a pathway wide 
 enough only for a single person to traverse, en 
 closed by a row of fir trees on either side, form- 
 ing a thick arbor scarcely penetrable by the eye. 
 At the foot of this path is a narrow plateau ex- 
 tending on either hand along the lake shore, 
 shaded by natural trees, and provided with 
 tables and seating for small pic nic parties. 
 Two or three boats lie at the landing. So eli- 
 gibly situated, Mr. Beatty does honor to him- 
 self and his surroundings by a generous hospi- 
 tality. The farm of 120 acres fronts both on 
 Timber and Otter lakes, and on the Clinton 
 I river, which is here a connecting strait between 
 I the two, having a shore line of nearly a mile. 
 
 The farm of Isanc Voorheis also adjoins Tim- 
 ber lake on the north and north-east, though 
 Iving on both sides of the Voorheis road. It is 
 |ne of the finest farms in the county, consisting 
 ^ 175 acres, and having a lake f ron tage of n early 
 jiile. A good part of this frontage consists of 
 f y acres of the finest timbered land ,to be 
 lad in that section. Mr. Voorheis is One of 
 Lpioneprs, having occupied his present {home- 
 
 "PINE LODGE." 
 
 id residence of Jus. C. Hatch, Pine Lake 
 
 stead for sixty-four years. He earned the money 
 that bought a quarter section of land by jobs at 
 chopping before he was of age. He is now 
 eighty years of age, but in robust health. Mrs. 
 Voorheis (maiden name Sarah Terry), is also 
 active, and as bright intellectually as ever. They 
 were married in 1827. 
 
 Square Lake. 
 
 This is a placid sheet of water lying in a deep 
 basin, and covering something less than 200 
 acres of land. An air of old country thrift 
 and solidity surrounds it, and not to play upon 
 words, there also surrounds it one of the most 
 lovely drives imaginable. The representative 
 farmers on the lake are of English origin, and 
 of the class who have stamped their impress 
 beneficially upon the agricultural industry of 
 the county. 
 
 David Windiate has a fine farm of 185 acres 
 on the north side of the lake. His comfortable 
 farm house is surrounded with well arranged 
 shrubbery, with ample farm buildings in the 
 background. Mr. Windiate is a native of Eng- 
 land and came to Michigan in 1836. He 
 has lived many years in his present home, 
 and has a grown up family. Himself and Mrs. 
 Windiate enjoy in their declining years a quiet, 
 though by no means an idle life. 
 
 Daniel Whitfield, also a native of England, 
 has a splendid home on the south side of the 
 lake, his farm containing about 250 acres, with 
 the best of farm buildings. The buildings are 
 on an eminence overlooking the lake. Descend- 
 ing to the lake and winding round it for near 
 half a mile, is a private roadway shaded most of 
 the distance by a row of stately trees which at 
 some points expand into a grove separating the 
 roadway from the lake. It is a situation at 
 once suggesting English comfort and taste and 
 pastoral beauty. 
 
 John Brodie is the third of the trio who give 
 character to the locality. He was born in Eng- 
 land of Scotch and English parentage, and 
 came to Pontiac in 1848, settling on his present 
 homestead in 1858. His farm of ninety acres 
 vies with those of his neighbors in its appoint- 
 ments and management. The Pontiac High 
 School and some parts of the city are plainly 
 seen from the rear of Mr. Brodie's farm. 
 
 Orion— Mill Lake. 
 
 Situated in the town of Orion, north of Pon- 
 tiac. It is widely known as a summer resort 
 and a point for excursions and picnics. The 
 lake covers an area of some 1,600 acres, and is 
 known both as Canandaigua lake and Mill lake. 
 The construction of the dam at what is now 
 Orion village so confines the waters of Paint 
 Creek in the basin above as to tk "iw what was 
 originally several small lakes into one large one. 
 The lake is gemmed with a number of islands, 
 the largest of which contains some thirty acres. 
 Orion Park island, containing about seven acres, 
 is finely fitted up and arranged for picnic parties 
 and public gatherings. Steamers, sail and row 
 boats ply upon the lake. In another issue we 
 shall give an elaborate description of this favor- 
 ite resort. The Pontiac, Oxford and Port Austin 
 railway always offers liberal commutation rates to 
 excursion and pic nic parties to Orion and other 
 resorts. The Oak Bluff Summer Resort, situ- 
 ated on the beach of Saginaw bay at Caseville, 
 the terminus of the road, is a new candidate for 
 
 public favor. 
 
 Pine Lake. 
 
 The shore of Pine lake is free from marsh, 
 except a little space near the outlet. Where the 
 water is shoal there is usually sea grass, but 
 hard bottom. The shore at some points rises a 
 little abruptly for a few feet, but generally it is 
 shelving, affording easy landing for row boats. 
 The lake lies in a deep basin however, the land 
 rising gradually to a considerable height, espe- 
 cially on the east and south-east. From the resi- 
 dence of Mr. Danderson, the city of Pontiac and 
 the Eastern Michigan Asylum are visible. This 
 then may be regarded as one of the highest 
 points, if not the highest, on the divide, Long 
 lake discharging its waters to the south, and 
 Pine lake in the other direction through Or- 
 chard and Cass lakes. 
 
 On the north-west angle of the lake, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Jos. C. Hatch have a little plantation of 
 about five acres. They spend about half the year 
 here, and their surroundings are replete with 
 life and fruitfulness. Cows and chickens of their 
 own fold supply their table with milk and eggs, 
 while vegetables, small fruits, and berries in 
 abundance, are the recompense of care and^jj 
 
 7 
 
"FAIRPOLNT." ; 
 Residence of Mrs. Adelaide E. Mor 
 
 dustry. They have just completed a second cot- 
 tage (double), which is available to acceptable 
 parties when seeking a place for their summer 
 outing. It is occupied the present season by 
 W. H. DeGraff, Herman Vernor, and Geo. W. 
 Kadford, of Detroit, with their families. They 
 have given their place the appropriate name of 
 ;< Pine Lodge." 
 
 On the Pine lake front of the Academy prop- 
 erty there are a couple of cottages where the 
 professors generally reside during term, and 
 during the summer months they are open for the 
 accommodation of sojourners, affording the best 
 of quarters directly on the lake. E. P. Ander- 
 son is at present the presiding host at these 
 cottages. In the absence of desirable hotel ac- 
 commodations, these cottages furnish a resting 
 place for many sojourners. 
 
 " Fairpoint," the residence of Mrs. Adelaide E. ! Mr. Emmendorfer owns a fine farm and resi- 
 Morris, stands at the junction^of the gravel dence fronting the south-east approach to 
 road with the lake. The. cut renders any verbal Orchard lake. He is of German birth, and be- 
 description needless, farther than to say that it f? an bis career in the vicinity some years ago as 
 is one of the finest situations on the lakes. Mrs. I a tenant farmer with very limited means. He is 
 Morris has two or three equally desirable sites j now one of the solid men of the township. His 
 adjoining that are in the market to acceptable i farm on Orchard lake comprises about 115 
 purchasers. She sometimes receives roomers in , acres. That his farm and farming are of the 
 her house when there is lack of accommodations j best type, goes without saying. He also has a 
 elsewhere. I quarter section on the upper end of Upper 
 
 J. K. Burnham, of Detroit, has just completed i Straits lake, the land area being somewhat 
 a beautiful villa on the east end of the lake. It curtailed by the water. The land has a water 
 
 Lord's Lake- 
 
 This beautiful sheet of water is visible from a 
 carriage from Orchard Lake avenue. It is nearly 
 a mile in length by half a mile in breadth. It 
 takes its name from Henry W. Lord, who some 
 years ago built a fine residence on the avenue 
 near its north-west corner. In justice to the first 
 settler, Kufus R. Robinson, who came there in 
 1823, it might with propriety be called Robin- 
 son lake. The Lord house and grounds were 
 recently purchased by Geo. H. Hammond, the 
 head of the well known packing and shipping 
 house of Geo. H. Hammond & Co., of Detroit, 
 by whose family it is now occupied. 
 
 Mr. Emmendorfer's Property. 
 
 is built directly in a native grove and is a charm- 
 ing sylvan bower. It is named " Utopia," prob- 
 ably as representing an ideal of perfection rather 
 than the thought which the word is usually em- 
 ployed to express. Fred. C. Stoepel, Wm. H. 
 Elliott, and Dr. R. C. Ohn, of Detroit, have sites 
 adjoining and will build next season. 
 
 Mr. Danderson's place, mentioned foregoing 
 has many excellent cottage sites. If the place 
 were in market it would be a good property 
 for some person to buy and plat for building sites. 
 
 Dr. E. A. Lodge, formerly of Detroit, has a 
 place on the southern end of the lake. Other 
 residents are noted on the map. 
 
 The Birmingham Fishing Club have a loca- 
 tion and boat house on the south-east front of 
 the lake. 
 
 8 
 
 front of about two-thirds of a mile, and if in the 
 market would afford some elegant sites for sum- 
 mer cottages— which may also be said of the 
 farm on which he resides. Mr. Emmen- 
 dorfer is also a principal stockholder with his 
 neighbor, Hartwell Green, and Hon. B. G. 
 Stout, of Pontiac, in the Orchard lake gravel 
 road. While industry and integrity have been 
 essential factors in Mr. Emmendorfer's success 
 in life, he mentions with pleasure the relations 
 of confidence that have existed from the 
 first between himself and Mr. Green, whom he 
 holds in the highest esteem. And he refers 
 with satisfaction also to favors received at a 
 time when they were most needed, and when 
 unasked, at the hands of a well known summer 
 habitant at the lake. 
 
 *See reference in " Editor's Column." 
 
 David Ward's Farm and Summer 
 Residence. 
 
 On the south side of Cass lake is the farm and 
 summer residence of David Ward. His farm 
 consists of about 200 acres fronting the gravel 
 road, with a coast line on Oass lake of three and a 
 half miles. Between his residence and his west 
 line there is also a frontage of a mile on Or- 
 chard lake, a distance of twenty-five to thirty 
 rods separating the two lakes on a line with the 
 house, the distance narrowing to twelve or fif- 
 teen rods at the small outlet where Orchard 
 discharges into Cass lake. Cass and Pine lakes, 
 the latter lying to the south-east, are about half 
 a mile distant from each other on the line of 
 Mr. Ward's residence. Mr. Ward enjoys there- 
 fore in a peculiar degree the advantage of in- 
 sular position spoken of in another place, being 
 situated between three of the largest and most 
 beautiful lakes in Oakland county. These ad- 
 vantages are recognized only in a general way 
 by the public at large. That the temperature 
 is lower in hot weather in the vicinity of water, 
 is due to the evaporation by which the water, 
 mingling with the air, makes it cooler. This 
 goes to personal comfort. In point of health 
 also it is true that bodies of water absorb mi ■ 
 asms. These malaria germs never rise high, 
 and when carried by the wind over bodies of 
 water will not travel more than half a mile with- 
 out being absorbed. For these reasons the ma- 
 larias that arise from the marshes on the north 
 shore of Cass lake fall harmless before reaching 
 the south shore, which is comparatively free 
 from marsh. The influence upon vegetation is 
 a third consideration. So soon as the sun has 
 warmed the ground sufficiently to start vegeta- 
 tion, it has also warmed the surrounding waters 
 to a degree to be a surety against further frosts 
 in the immediate vicinity. This is Mr. Ward's 
 theory, and acting upon it he says that it is safe to 
 plant as soon as the frost is out of the ground, 
 because the seed planted will not germinate 
 until warmed by the sun, and when the soil has 
 been warmed to this degree the water has also 
 been warmed as a protecting mantle over the 
 young plants. In proof of the theory Mr. 
 Ward shows a magnificent field of corn, as well 
 as garden vegetables, that were planted imme- 
 diately after the heavy snow fall last April. He 
 says that he can raise anything on his place that 
 can be raised in Cincinnati. The advantage of 
 this condition in affording a supply of early 
 vegetables is apparent. And the advantage ex- 
 tends to the close of the season also by prevent- 
 ing early frosts. It would be doing less than 
 justice to Mr. Ward's constitutional care and 
 foresight in all of his transactions to omit to say 
 that these considerations governed in his choice 
 of a summer home. 
 
 The greater part of the farm (to which some i 
 additions have since been made), was purchased 
 in 1862 of Judge S. M. Green. The grove in, 1 
 which the dwelling is situated comprises ten 1 
 acres, and was formerly the site of an Indiar 
 village and corn field, being so marked on th 
 surveys made seventy years ago. In 1838 a rac 
 track was constructed on this ground, and w 
 used for several years, its outline being ne 
 plainly visible. A vigorous growth of you 
 oak and hickory, which now forms one of 
 most beautiful groves that can be found ; 
 where, has prevented the complete gradinj 
 
the surface so as to f-ully remove the marks of 
 the race track and some of the cradle knolls left 
 by the rude Indian agriculture. Some of these 
 young trees have already attained a height, of 
 sixty or seventy feet and a stump diameter of 
 eighteen to twenty inches. 
 
 Mr. Ward has given an elaborate ornamenta- 
 tion to the. front part of the grove surrounding his 
 house by the addition of fir trees and other ever- 
 greens, singly and in groups, of which there are 
 in all fifty-one different varieties, twenty or 
 more of which are native, being transplants from 
 the shores of the adjacent lakes. Among these 
 are a number of white pines set out twenty to 
 twenty-four years ago, some of them having a 
 height of forty to fifty feet and a diameter of 
 sixteen to eighteen inches. With a scientific 
 knowledge of the laws governing vegetable 
 growth, Mr. Ward derives much pleasure from 
 studying the relative growth of different trees 
 planted at the same time but growing under 
 different conditions of shade and proximity to 
 other trees. 
 
 Mr. Ward's farming is not with a view to 
 profit, except as profit results in the way of 
 knowledge derived from experiment, and the 
 personal satisfaction of practically applying a 
 vast fund of knowledge previously acquired 
 through books and by reflection. He has one of 
 the best vegetable gardens to be found in the 
 country, so arranged by successive plantings as 
 to ensure a continuous supply of each vegetable 
 from tbe time it first matures until cut off by 
 the frost. 
 
 Not to go into details, a single experiment in 
 oversoiling is worthy of especial note. A con- 
 siderable portion of Mr. Ward's farm is light, 
 sandy soil, and, as every farmer knows, com- 
 paratively unproductive. Other parts of it 
 show a clay outcrop, which, except in some 
 specialties, is not the most profitable for crop- 
 ping. A knowledge of the chemical constitu- 
 ents of these soils led to the conclusion that if 
 they could be combined it would supply the 
 requisite conditions for a higher productiveness. 
 
 An experiment first tried in the garden, of 
 oversoiliug the sand with clay, led to the best 
 results. The experiment was then continued 
 farther, where a portion of a field was treated to 
 clay (a depth of about three inches), and the 
 whole sown to wheat. The results were so 
 plainly visible in the greater vigor and yield of 
 the wheat grown on the clayed portion, that 
 what was first an experiment was no longer 
 such. The work of claying the sandy soil has 
 been continued at intervals until eighty acres 
 have been thus treated. Notwithstanding the 
 great labor involved, it has been more than re- 
 paid by the increased yield of wheat from an 
 uncertain average of twelve bushels to the acre 
 on the original soil, to twenty-three bushels on 
 the mixed soil. Grass and other crops show a 
 proportionate increase, excepting corn, in which 
 the increase is less. Mr. Ward has since learned 
 that this process is not uncommon in Europe, 
 though it is believed to be wholly novel in this 
 country. Its value in some sections (where it 
 is practicable), especially in many localities in 
 Michigan, is beyond computation. 
 
 We have wandered quite a good way from 
 the main topic of these articles, which is a pre- 
 sentation of the local lake scenery. We 
 are brought back to this topic while still on the 
 
 round we have been treading. The i location 
 9 / 
 
 relative to the lakes has heretofore been de- 
 scribed, and the fact stated that the land has a 
 frontage of three and a-half miles on Oass lake. 
 The wild, romantic feature of the situation how- 
 ever, and its adaptability to summer residences, 
 remain to be briefly mentioned. The south 
 side of Oass lake presents two bays, both of 
 which wash the Ward property. From Mr. 
 Ward's west line to the point of land that sepa- 
 rates the two bays, is about one and a-lialf miles 
 in a straight line (from point to point), with a 
 shore line of two miles. This entire shore is 
 a bold bluff, varying from fifteen to thirty feet 
 in height, with usually a steep ascent from the 
 water, and wholly free from marsh. Sur- 
 mounting the bank is a lining of forest trees, in 
 rear of which most of the distance is a 
 roadway, with groves of native trees in the 
 background. The situation is a magnificent 
 one, and seems all the more charming that it is 
 so secluded, being comparatively unknown ex- 
 cept as it may come to the notice of an occas- 
 ional explorer from the lake side, no public road 
 coming near it. No grander location for a row 
 of summer cottages could be found in Michigan, 
 a fact which was appreciated by the late Gov. 
 Bagley in an offer of $10,000 for ten acres near 
 the lower end of the upper bay. The property 
 however will probably not be in market during 
 the lifetime of the present owner. 
 
 Mr. Ward has been greatly annoyed at times 
 by the efforts of sensational writers to pry into 
 his personal history and business relations. 
 These efforts he has always discouraged. A 
 mere biographical sketch fails of necessity to do 
 justice to a man who by a life of earnest activity 
 has established a character and left his impress 
 upon the things of the world with which he has 
 had to deal. The pivotal points in Mr. Ward's 
 history, as they have influenced his career, he is 
 not unwilling should be known to his friends. 
 He was born in eastern New York, of New Eng- 
 land parentage. His father was an educated 
 man, and an engineer and land surveyor, being 
 employed in the latter capacity in New York and 
 Pennsylvania by John Jacob Astor and Peter 
 Smith (father of Gerrit Smith), who were then 
 operating together. For several years, com- 
 mencing at the age of nine, Mr. Ward was act- 
 ively engaged as an assistant with his father, 
 who, in 1836, came to Michigan in the interest of 
 the parties above named in locating lands. Af- 
 ter closing this connection he was associated 
 with the late John N. Mellen, of Komeo, in sur- 
 veying and land enterprises, residing at Port 
 Huron. Mr. Ward was subsequently engaged 
 alternately in teaching and surveying, 
 being employed in the latter capacity by 
 the late Joseph Campau of Detroit, Francis 
 Palms, Charles Merrill, and others, in looking up 
 their landed possessions and verifying laud- 
 marks. A bronchial trouble led him to consult 
 the late Dr. Pitcher, of Detroit, with whom he 
 became a favorite, and a desire to study the na- 
 ture of the disease led him to read medical 
 books. This led him to a medical course in the 
 University at Ann Arbor, from which he re- 
 ceived a diploma in 1851. He has never prac- 
 ticed medicine however, and feels that he has no 
 claim to be addressed by a doctor's title, as is 
 sometimes done. In entering upon the active 
 duties of life, his attention naturally reverted to 
 the timber bearing lands both in and outside of 
 the State. Those who know his relation 
 to these interests sometimes think that 
 
 there is something phenorneual about his con- 
 nection with them. This is altogether an error- 
 His aptness in dealing with thorn is the 
 result of expert knowledge acquired as a sur- 
 veyor — a knowledge partly inbred fum a child. 
 it may be, to a degree to appear intuitional. He 
 pursues business by impulsion, as a sort of 
 fulfillment of destiny, and not now from a mere 
 desire for acquisition. While mingling little < r 
 none in pastimes, he lives however a double life' 
 his time being divided between business and 
 books, around both of which is wjven a chaiu 
 of endless thinking. His readiug embraces his- 
 tory, general literature, a study of all religious 
 systems, science, and philosophy. An average 
 geographical knowledge has been greatly added 
 to by a study of the commercial value of the 
 woods and timbers of various countries. He has 
 an extensive library at his winter residence in 
 Detroit, but among the books at his summer res- 
 idence are noted an English work, " Universal 
 History," twenty-seven volumes folio, published 
 in 1782, and five similar volumes of English his- 
 tory of the same year. An English translation 
 of Victor Duruy's illustrated history _of Rome, 
 seventeen volumes quarto, is on his shelves for 
 summer reading. Mr. Ward is known to the 
 public however, through his extended business 
 relations, which ai.o mainly connected~\viih the 
 handling of timbered lauds. Being the largest 
 owner of pine and hardwood lands in Michigan, 
 he has also large timber, coal, and iron interests 
 in Wisconsin, Virginia, West Virginia, and East 
 Tennessee. 
 
 The Farm and Residence of Hon 
 Peter Dow. 
 
 Mr. Dow resides on the farm originally lo- 
 cated by his father. To the south it overlooks 
 Orchard lake, the ground rising by an ascent 
 more or less abrupt to a height, of sixty or sev- 
 enty feet from the lake. It has some elegant 
 sites for villas, but so far Mr. Dow has declined 
 to entertain any proposal to sell, being unwill- 
 ing to admit strange neighbors to the immediate 
 vicinit\ I of his peaceful abode. Lying across the 
 mouth of the bay at this point, as will be seen 
 on the map, is a small island called Cedar 
 island. It is a long ridge of laud, containing less 
 than two acres, and is in shape something like 
 the half of a horse shoe. This island remained 
 government laud until 1870, nobody apparently 
 having a thought regarding its ownership, until 
 Mr. Dow took steps to have it placed in the 
 market, when he became the purchaser. The 
 north end of the island approaches to within a 
 few rods of a point on Mr. Dow's farm. It. 
 would afford a romantic and picturesque site for 
 one or more summer cottages, although under- 
 stood to be not in the market. Mr. Dow also 
 acquired title some years ago to a considerable 
 tract of marsh lying on Cass lake and adjoining 
 his farm, the latter extending from lake to lake. 
 
 A camping party, styling their lodgo " Camp 
 Aloha," has occupied a beautiful little grove on 
 the Cass lake front o' Mr. Dow's land two sum- 
 mers, 1885-6. 
 
 Among the household treasures in Mr. Dow's 
 family is a copy of the bible printed in 161 6. It 
 is of the edition known as the " breeches " bible, 
 from the quoted word being used in Genesis 
 iii-7 instead of " aprons," as in the versions in 
 common use. The work is well printed on dur- 
 able, though not fine paper, in Euglis 1 - 
 
 / 
 
letter, but with a fair faced nonpareil old style 
 Roman for side notes. This will be understood 
 by printers, some of whom may feel some sur- 
 prise that this style of type was in use at so 
 early a day. The book came into possession of 
 tho Thomsons, from whim Mrs. Dow is de- 
 scended, in 1650, as appears by memoranda on 
 the front cover. The volume is in durable 
 leather binding, and contains tho Apocryphal 
 ]> >oks, which are omitted frornthe now accepted 
 versions. 
 
 Mr. Dow has an honorable record in the civil 
 history of the state. He has been at the ser- 
 vice nf the people of his township for more 
 than forty years in executing the duties of va- 
 rious local offices, and has been four times elected 
 to the State Legislature, serving in the Senate 
 at tho sessions of 1883 i, 1879, an.1 1SS1-2, and 
 in the House session of 1S75. He is an emi- 
 nently safe man, of clear judgment, and as a 
 legislator was always to be found in his seat 
 attentive to his duties. He is one of the com- 
 paratively few men who, when acting in a rep- 
 resentative capacity, can say "No" iu a voice of 
 sufficient resonance to be clearly understood, 
 ou any proposition that his judgment does not 
 approve. 
 
 "The Scotch Settlement. 
 
 As a factor in the social and moral tone that 
 surrounds the lakes, the " Scotch Settlement " 
 de 3 orves mention. James Dow, who had been a 
 teuaut on an estate of Sir Walter Scott, in Scot- 
 laud, came to Michigan with his family in 1830. 
 Doubtless iu tribute to the memory of the 
 " lochs " of his native laud, he chose a site for a 
 home betweeu tho upper end of Oass lake and 
 tho north side of Orchard lake. He was influ- 
 enced also in his choice by the large oaks found 
 growing there, naturally enough concluding 
 that land that would grow such trees would also 
 grow crops. Entering hi") land at Detroit, a 
 friendly acquaintance was established between 
 Mr. -Dow and Maj. John Biddle, then Register 
 of the Land Office there, and as there was at 
 that time quite a strong current of immigration 
 from the British islands to Michigan, Maj. 
 Biddle recommended Mr. Dow's countrymen, as 
 they applied for lands, to bocouio his neigh- 
 bors. Through this means several families 
 joined him, and as one brought another, the 
 Scotch Settlement became a historical feature 
 in the locality by the law of accretion, and not 
 by any pro-arranged plan, as colonies are 
 usually established. Among those who became 
 settlers from time to time were Wm. Gilmour, 
 James Millar, Hugh Cuthbertson, Peter 
 Gordon, Hugh Neilson (a largo family — four 
 sons and five daughters), Geo. Malcolm (still 
 living), Robert R°id, Dr. Win. Wilson, Mathew 
 McCallum, Wm. Walls, Thomas Wallace, and 
 Wm. Jack. Most of these settled to the south 
 and wo it of Orchard lake. Dr. Wilson, well 
 remembered by the older residents as a man of 
 great intelligence and professional skill, settled 
 ouPinolak). Mrs. McCoy, now of Walled 
 lake, a wall-kuown poetical writer, is the 
 daughter of Hugh Cuthbertson, above men- 
 tioned. A small volume of her poems is now 
 in press. Hon. Robert W. Malcolm, residing on 
 Green lake, at present a member of the State 
 Legislature, is son of George Malcolm. Hon. 
 ""' *er Dow, from whom these facts are obtained, 
 
 is the only surviving member of his father's fam- 
 ily. He was nine years of age when the family 
 settled in Michigan. The woll-kuown frugality, 
 good order and probi y of the Scotch character 
 have left their impress upon the region here- 
 about, although this eloment is not preponder- 
 ant as to numbers in the population, which par- 
 takes of the mixed character of our American 
 communities, not forgetting a sprinkle of the 
 German. We are writing, of course, of a rural 
 district, and one which iu point of productive- 
 ness and in the neatness and system of its agri- 
 culture, is believed to be without, a rival. It is 
 no place for drones or slouches. If there have 
 ever bjeu any such here they have been weeded 
 out. Such a community needs no outside tes- 
 timony to its moral worth, its social refinement, 
 its moderate plenty in worldly moaus, or its 
 simple and unobtrusive, yet no less generous 
 hospitality. 
 
 ONTIAC AND VICINITY. 
 
 HE interests of Pontiac, as the com- 
 mercial and political center of the 
 county, are largely involved in the 
 development of the lake feature — that is, 
 in directing attention to the lakes and 
 their many attractions. These interests are 
 more immediately connected with what, for the 
 sake of convenience, has been called the " Or- 
 chard Lake Group," and hence the direct con- 
 nection of the city with this group is shown on 
 the map, and for the same reason a brief sketch 
 of the city is given for the information of stran- 
 gers, whose attention it is the object specially to 
 invite. 
 
 Pontiac is twenty-six miles north-west from 
 Detroit, on the Detroit, Grand Haven and Mil- 
 waukee railway. The Air Line railway (a part 
 of the Grand Trunk system), running from Port 
 Huron to Jackson, crosses here and runs in con- 
 nection with the road first mentioned. Tho 
 Pontiac, Oxford and Port Austin railroad, run- 
 ning to Oaseville, 100 miles north, has its south- 
 ern terminus here. These roads offer liberal 
 concessions at all times to pic nic and other 
 parties visiting the lake resorts. 
 
 The Clinton river winds a tortuous course 
 through the city, and on the Hue of three streets 
 is crossed three times (on each street) within a 
 distance of five blocks. The river drains Mud 
 lake, Pickerel bay, Timber, Otter, Cass, Or- 
 chard and Piue lakes, and to the northward also 
 the cluster of lakes in which it rises. With 
 these large reservoirs, the river is never sub- 
 ject to freshets, and maintains a tolerably equal 
 volume most of the year, though running a 
 little low in the summer. It affords a valuable 
 water power, less valued however since steam has 
 come into such general use. At some points in 
 the city the current has been confined by filling 
 in marshy spots so that there is no growth of 
 water plants and grasses, and the banks, lined 
 with trees, form a most picturesque setting for a 
 number of private residences. Among these is 
 the fine residence of Hon. John D. Norton, on 
 Pike street, the grounds of which are made at- 
 tractive by terracing to the river bank. A public 
 spirit and esthetic taste should in like manuer 
 improve the channel at all points within the city. 
 
 Pontiac has in round numbers a population 
 of about 6,(10(1. Forty yeare ago, when it was the 
 
 terminus of a single railroad, it enjoyed a re- 
 markable commercial prosperity, the entire sec- 
 tion of country north and north-east for fifty 
 or sixty miles briugiug its produce here. With 
 the extension of railroads however its business 
 somewhat declined, and it has passe 1 through a 
 period of comparative stagnation. The business 
 part of the town therefore, adapted many years 
 ago to the commerce of that time, has shown only 
 a limited improvement — it has rather awaited 
 a new development to adjust the volume of 
 business to its capacity. The residence portions 
 of the city show more evidences of advancement, 
 particularly noticeable ou Saginaw street, Sagi- 
 naw aveuue, William street, Perry street, 
 Huron street, Auburn, Asylum and Or- 
 chard Lake avenues, and Clark street. 
 There are others whose improvements are not 
 so marked, besides many new ones that have 
 been opened. Among these is Willow avenue, 
 the opening and improvement of which has made 
 a pleasant quarter of what was formerly an un- 
 attractive locality. For much of this improve- 
 ment the city is indebted to the energy and en- 
 terprise of Thomas Turk, Esq. 
 
 The season's operations iu building, from the 
 commencement of work in the spring to the 
 close in the fall, will show from fifty to sixty new 
 buildings, mostly dwellings, erected the present 
 year. Additions, repairs and improvements will 
 add enough to the aggregate to make the total 
 estimate safe at say seventy-five new 
 buildings of all classes. Of these the new Cath- 
 olic church will be the most expensive, and will 
 cost, when fully completed, not far from $30,- 
 (XX). It is a reasonable estimate to say that the 
 aggregate value of these new structures will be 
 over $200,000. The assessed value of the prop- 
 erty of the city (as equalized by the Board of 
 Supervisors in June), is $2,393,800. The city 
 does not owe a dollar of indebtedness, as is 
 also true of the school district- 
 No place so eligibly situated as Pontiac is in 
 the center of an unrivaled agricultural region, 
 can remain at a stand still. The commercial 
 revival has been made visible during the past 
 few years by the establishment of a number of 
 manufactories, and with increased means of 
 transportation, and tho tendency of one thing to 
 grow upon another, a large increase in manufac- 
 turing industries and a consequent increase in 
 population are morally certain features in the 
 future of Pontiac. 
 
 No general resume of the business of the 
 place is called for in this connection. Except a 
 few manufacturing establishments having an 
 outside trade, its business is chiefly local, and 
 the several industries are represented according 
 to the wants of the locality. This may be said, 
 however, that the business interests of the 
 city are on a firm fiuancial footing. Its ma- 
 terial interests iu every form are in a condition 
 of robust health, and happiness and plenty pre- 
 side at the humblest dwellings as the reward of 
 industry. 
 
 The principal business street of the city has a 
 cobblestone pavement, suggestive of the firm 
 character of the traffic that moves upon it. The | 
 other streets are graveled as fast as improve- 
 ment upon them makes it practicable. A gravel 
 road for light or moderately heavy vehicles, is 
 the best road in the world. The gravel knolls in 
 and about Pontiac furnish an inexhaustable sup 
 ply of material for making these roads. Thes 
 
gravel roads are not confined to the city. The 
 popular Orchard Lake avenue road extends a 
 distance ot some eight miles, with its alternating 
 scenery ot lakes, fruitful fields, and farm resi- 
 dences ranging from the comfortable to the ele- 
 gant. The Utica toad, passing eastward through 
 the townships of Pontiac and Avon, and the vil- 
 lage of Rochester, to Utica, in Macomb 
 county, is another excellent road main- 
 tained by tolls. A third is the gravel 
 road to Detroit, which is a favorite drive by 
 which many citizens of the city seek the rural 
 retreats of Oakland. The old Pontiac and La- 
 peer plank road, now maintained as a gravtl 
 road, running ten miles north by east, passes 
 over Ball Monutain, the highest point of land in 
 eastern Michigan, from which the most extended 
 views are had. 
 
 There are in fact, no bad roads in Oakland 
 County. The face of the country is generally 
 what is known as plains and openings, and the 
 soil being porous and provided by nature with 
 ample drainage, the roads, where unimproved, 
 (except where there is a clay surface), 
 are never muddy. And these unimproved coun- 
 try roads, shaded by native trees, as if to hide 
 their blushes, anon dodging around corners and 
 appearing to run into the lakes, as if desirous of 
 escaping observation, are country beauties that 
 no one will blame an old man for loving. If 
 there is a city denizen who is suffering satiety 
 from traversing many streets, he may find re- 
 newed life and spirits in the pure breath of these 
 virgin roads. Of course we are not extending 
 an invitation to unsuspecting strangers to seek 
 heroic exercise on the corduroy railroads of fifty 
 years ago. There were a few such in the county, 
 but the pioneers long ago buried them under a 
 secure covering of sand and gravel. 
 
 The schools of Pontiac are representative of 
 the higher grade of schools that characterize the 
 Michigan educational system. Pupils are 
 taught in the ward schools through the Gram- 
 mar course, and the higher studies, as languages 
 and natural sciences, in the High School. The 
 latter was opened in 1871. The Pontiac High 
 School is recognized as a preparatory school for 
 the University, its graduates being received there 
 ■ upon diploma without examination. There are 
 four ward school buildings, having in all ten 
 rooms of the primary and secondary departments. 
 Twenty teachers are employed in all the schools. 
 The school library embraces several hundred 
 volumes. The school property is valued at $100,- 
 000, with no indebtedness, as elsewhere stated, 
 The location of the High School is especially 
 picturesque. It embraces a tract of nine acres 
 of land, covered by one of the most beautiful 
 oak groves for which Oakland county is famous. 
 It is in the western part of the city, and on an 
 eminence that secures the most perfect surface 
 drainage. 
 
 The Oakland County Agricultural Society 
 
 grounds, containing about 18 acres, are located 
 
 in Pontiac. The society was organized some 40 
 
 years ago, when a gift was made to the society 
 
 of a portion of the present property, to which 
 
 las been added by purchase at different times 
 
 ufficient to meet the growing demands of the 
 
 >ciety. The grounds are among the best in 
 
 m State, with a first-class half mile track for 
 
 \ exercise of stock. There are on the grounds 
 
 1 built exhibition buildings] for the (leading 
 
 PONTIAC HIGH SCHOOL. 
 
 departments, with stables and sheds for the 
 care of all classes of animals. The water supply 
 is abundant from wells and flowing springs. Dr. 
 F. B. Galbraith is the President, and Herman 
 Wyckoff, Secretary, with a Board of Directors 
 who manage the affairs of the society. 
 
 The city has a paid fire department well 
 equipped with two first class steamers, with all j 
 the accessories necessary to make them effect- 
 ive. The burden of taxation from this source is 
 light, as only the engineer and driver are em- 
 ployed at annual salaries, the balance of the 
 force receiving only nominal pay. The value of 
 the property in this department would aggre- 
 gate about $50,000, upon which no debt, rests. 
 
 The accessibility of Pontiac to Detroit makes 
 the place one of importance to persons who de- 
 sire to retire from active business life. Many 
 reasons might be given in favor of Pontiac as a 
 place of residence. First, the city is free from 
 the incubus of debt in all departments. Second, 
 statistics from the State and local health reports 
 show that Pontiac is one of the healthiest places j 
 in the State, free from malarial influences and I 
 other disease-producing causes. 
 
 There are three weekly newspapers: The 
 Gazette, Republican, published on Friday, going 
 to press Thursday afternoon; the Democrat, 
 Democratic, and the Bill Poster, also Democrat, 
 ic, both published on Wednesday. 
 
 The Ladies' Library Association, having a 
 most excellent selection of books, has rooms in 
 the Gazette building. 
 
 The Young Men's Christian Association also 
 has rooms in the same building. 
 
 Pontiac is well supplied with churches. The 
 Methodist Episcopal church is a brick struct- 
 ure on South Saginaw Street. Pastor the pres- 
 ent year, Rev. C. T. Allen. 
 
 The Presbyterian church, also of brick, is on 
 Huron street, west of Saginaw street. Pastor 
 Rev. J. M. Gelston. 
 
 The Congregational church, brick, is situated 
 on the north-east corner of Huron and Saginaw 
 streets. Rev. W. R. Seaver, pastor. These three 
 churches partake of the Gothic style of archi- 
 tecture, and have an approximate value of say 
 $15,000 to $20,000 each. 
 
 The Baptist church is a wood structure on the 
 south-east corner of Huron and Saginaw streets, 
 and is the oldest church edifice in Pontiac, and 
 one of the oldest in Michigan. Rev. .^Thomas, 
 pastor. 
 
 Zion Church (Protestant Episcopal), is situ- 
 ated on the corner of William and Pike streets, 
 Rector, Rev. L. S. Stevens. 
 
 Church of St. Vincent de Paul (Catholic). The 
 congregation at present worships in the old 
 church on Saginaw avenue, but the new brick 
 church corner of Park and Whittemore streets, 
 will be ready for occupancy the coming fall. 
 Rev. F. J. Baumgartner, pastor. 
 
 There are two colored churches, the African 
 Methodist, on Auburn Avenue (Rev. B. Roberta, 
 pastor), and Zion African, at the west end of 
 Elizabeth street, Rev. S. H. Slater, pastor. 
 
 While cemeteries are not to be considered in 
 connection with the material interests of a com- 
 munity, they are certainly when well ordered, 
 an index of a refined sentiment and an artistic 
 taste. In this light, Oak Hill cemetery in Pon. 
 tiac is a fit representative of the people. The 
 site is north-east from the center of the city, 
 and is one of the most elevated situations in the 
 vicinity. Studded with a thick growth of young 
 oaks, it takes the name of " Oak Hill." The sur- 
 face is broken by numerous lesser elevations, 
 affording opportunity for the study of pictur- 
 esque effects in the improvement and adornment 
 of burial sites. Memorial tributes, from the 
 humble headstone to the simple column, the 
 stately monument and imposing mausoleum, 
 catch the eye from afar, and mutely tell the 
 stranger that it is the resting place of the dead. 
 The cemetery is under the management of a 
 Board of control acting under a special act of 
 the Legislature, as follows: Chas. Draper, 
 President; D. C. Buckland, Vice-President: 
 John D. Norton, Treasurer; Dr. J. P. Wilson, 
 Secretary; P. B. Phelps, chairman of Executive 
 Committee. 
 
 The management is purely municipal, having 
 no relation to religious denominations. 
 
 The Catholic denomination have a cemetery 
 corner of Voorheis road and Orchard Lake ave- 
 nue. 
 
ii4 
 
 
 EASTERN MICHIGAN ASYLLM. 
 
 Eastern Michigan Asylum for the 
 Insane. 
 
 Situated within the corporate limits of Pon- 
 tine and ou an eminence a little to the north- 
 west overlooking the city proper, is the Eastern 
 Michigan Asylum. An eleemosynary institu- 
 tion established by the State, it cannot be prop- 
 erly classed with the material interests of the lo- 
 cality, but every such institution modifies bene- 
 ficially the moral aud social atmosphere sur- 
 rounding it, and so far as its expenditures are 
 local it confers material benefits also. It is pre- 
 sumed that the citizens of Pontiac were not ob 
 livious to theso facts in the liberal encourage- 
 ment proffered for the location of the Asylum 
 here. It is the second of three like institutions 
 in the State. The Michigan Asylum at Kala- 
 mazoo was established on a comparatively small 
 organic basis nearly forty years ago, but has 
 since been greatly enlarged by additions made 
 at various times. The Eastern (or Pontiac) 
 Asylum was opeued in 1878, and the Northern 
 Asylum at Traverse City within the past year. 
 Each asylum is under the control of a board of 
 Trustees, who however are required to meet 
 collectively at times for the discharge of cer- 
 tain general duties. Among these d ities are 
 the division of the State into Asylum Districts. 
 The district at present represented by the East- 
 ern Asylum comprises the counties of B iv, Sag- 
 inaw, Genesee, Lapeer, Tuscola, Sanilac i 
 Huron, St. Clair, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne. 
 Livingston, Shiawasse and Washtenaw. 
 
 The Asylum grounds consist of three hundred 
 and seven acres, the greater part of which is 
 employed as a farm and for pasairage. Two 
 hundred acres of this was a donation from the 
 citizens of Pontiac at a cost $20,000. The gen- 
 eral architectural style of the Asylum building 
 exteriorly will be seen from the engraving. 
 The original design gave a total of 330 rooms, 
 affording, without crowdiug, accommodation for 
 100 patients. Additions since made have in- 
 creased the capacity to 484 rooms, and accom- 
 modations for 650 patients. The present num. 
 ber is G05. There are 134 employes (other than 
 mechanics) connected with the institution. In- 
 teriorly, it is needless to say, the Asylum is 
 provided with every appliance for comfort aud 
 convenience that experience in the care of the in- 
 sane, aided by a broad philanthrophy, has 
 suggested, and that modern mechanical meth- 
 ods and scientific discovery aud invention have 
 
 made possible. A'detailed description would be 
 beyond the present purpose. 
 
 The Trustees at present are: Norman Ged- 
 des, Adrian; Aug. C. Baldwin and Jos. E. 
 Sawyer, Pontiac; Warren G. Vinton, Moses W. 
 Field, and Jacob S. Farrand, Detroit. Medical 
 Superintendent, Dr. H. M. Hurd; Assistant, Dr. 
 C. B. Burr. 
 
 Cressbrook Farm. 
 
 Nothing more clearly -testifies the progress of 
 a community in wealth and refinement than the 
 elegance of its farm residences and tho complete- 
 ness of their surroundings. While in tho earlier 
 days the profits from farming were of necessity 
 expended in further subduing the soil, it is le- 
 gitimate that a portion of such profits should 
 now go to improvement aud adornment. The 
 farm of W. G. Hinman, a half mile or so from 
 the center of the city of Pontiac on Orchard 
 Lake avenue, suggests the thought above. Pur- 
 chased some five years ago, Mr. Hinman has 
 within the time invested some S15,000 in build- 
 j ings. His residence, aside from its architectural 
 I beauty, is provided with all modern conven- 
 j iences, elaborately furnished, and artistically 
 embellished. Five large barns, with a frontage 
 I of 300 feet, are, in their neatness and perfection 
 of arrangement, equal to the dwellings of many 
 | well-to-do people. The farm consists of 210 acres, 
 I not large enough for an extensive plantation, but 
 I yet sufficiently large to do a considerable busi- 
 j ness in sto -k culture —horses, cattle and sheep — 
 to which it is mainly devoted. It is named 
 ''Cressbrook Farm" by a happy conceit of 
 some lady visitors, from the abundance of 
 cresses growing upon a brook by which it is 
 watered. 
 
 Rising Sun Stock Farm. 
 
 Mr. A. B. Donelson, now fifty-four years of 
 age, was born and raised on the place located 
 by his father, Ira Donelson, in 1827, and still 
 resides there. He is the youngest of six chil- 
 dren. The small 
 cut shows a very 
 different view 
 from that pre- 
 sented at the 
 same place fifty- 
 nine years ago. 
 Because Mr. 
 Douelson lives 
 on the place where he was born, it 
 doet, not follow that he is without en- 
 
 terprise. His methods show the reverse. 
 Since coming into possession of the 
 farm he has given it the direction of a stock 
 farm under the foregoing title, the raising of 
 horses being his specialty. He is a membor of 
 the National Association of Trotting Horse 
 Breeders, and his farm and stock have a national 
 reputation. He has a herd of fifty-five horses, 
 mostly of the Goldenbow stock. The farm is 
 two miles and a-half west of Pontiac on the 
 Elizabeth lake road. 
 
 <mim 
 
 7/y 
 
 Stock Industry- 
 
 Among the neighborhood industries is the 
 sheep farm managed by Wm. Newton, on Mud 
 lake. Mr. Newton is an extensive importer and 
 raiser of blooded sheep of the Shropshire, 
 Hampshire and Oxfordslr're breeds. These 
 sheep take first premium at the English royal 
 exhibitions. A herd of forty head has just 
 been received from England. The tales from 
 the Newton farm last year amounted to about 
 $4,000. The stock of course commands tLe 
 j highest prices. 
 
 i In this connection Oakland county ranks 
 among the best stock producing counties in the 
 \ country, "with representative breeders at the head 
 ' as specialists in the varied classes of stock, with 
 I the choicest of foreign blood as the basis. 
 j The Hereford and Shorthorn cattle have for 
 many years been bred in this county, with Edwin 
 Phelps, of Pontiac, as the first to invest in Here- 
 fords.from which has sprung several herd of State 
 reputation, among them those of Sotham & Stiek- 
 ney, of Bloomfield. In Shorthorns, Wm. Whit- 
 field may be called the pioneer in the introduc- 
 tion of this celebrated beef-producing breed of 
 cattle, of which there are many breeders in this 
 county. Among the more prominent is John 
 Lessiter, of Orion, W. C. Wixom and A. S. 
 Brooks & Son, of Novi, Al. Hosner, of Bloom- 
 field, and David Miller, of Independence. In 
 Fresian Holsteins there are several fine herds of 
 imported stock introduced by J. V. Seeley and 
 Edwin Phelps, from which several well known 
 herds have sprung. In Jerseys there are several 
 fine herds, among the more valuable being A. A. 
 Lull's of Pontiac, and Mr. Peabody's of Bloom- 
 field. There are representative breeders of all 
 other grades of imported cattle, whose names w 
 have not space to mention. 
 
 Geo.M. Bice has a little boat house on Orch;i 
 lake, w^liere row and sail boats, fishing tacf 
 and b^it, all in the best order, are served on c) 
 
THE EDITORS COLUMN; 
 
 — Another number of The Lake Gems op 
 Oakland will be prepared should there be a 
 demand for it. The proposition was so novel 
 that it has not been well understood by the 
 public, but it is hoped that this issue may make 
 the plan so clearly known that there may be a 
 demand for the continuance of the work. 
 
 — The map on the front page is a well executed 
 piece of work, and embraces so much of the 
 corporate limits of Pontiac and of the townships 
 of Bloomfield, West Bloomfield and Waterford 
 as is necessary to show the group of lakes 
 specially under notice. The cuts of the cottages 
 are from the same house, and in their mere me- 
 chanical execution are good specimens of the 
 class of work (the photo-engraving process), by 
 _which they are made. In their artistic grouping 
 however they cannot be commended. The cut 
 of Mrs. Morris' house, especially, with the po- 
 sition of the sail boat and sail, is an outrage 
 upon the most common principles of art. These 
 cuts would not have been accepted, only that 
 they came at so late a day that others could 
 not be procured. 
 
 — As a limited space only was set apart for 
 advertising in this issue, no general canvass for 
 advertisements was made. Those houses that 
 were appealed to generally responded with read- 
 iness, most of them seeming to appreciate the 
 importance of the enterprise. The literary value 
 of any work is always depreciated by a flood of 
 advertisements, and the advertising space was 
 limited for this reason. It is however all the 
 more valuable to those who are represented, and 
 to which we respectfully call attention. 
 
 — The first newspaper that the writer ever saw 
 was the " Oakland Chronicle," established in 
 1830, by Thomas Simpson, commonly called 
 " Lixabogee." Living then literally in the woods 
 on a piece of land about four miles west from 
 Pontiac (the east half of the southeast quarter of 
 section 23 in Waterford), but few things came 
 to the notice of children who seldom went more 
 than a mile from their father's cabin. Those few 
 things left strong impressions, and a feeling of 
 deejw : e?'5rence arose for the few books in the 
 house, and for the newspaper. The latter had 
 printed across the first page under the heading: 
 " In this paper are published the laws of the 
 United States and of the Territory of Michigan." 
 The paper was printed in the building now 
 standing across the street no'th of the jail, 
 which was also Mr. Simpson's residence. The 
 bouse was for many years afterwards the resi- 
 dence of the late Hon. Wm. Draper. Since en- 
 larged and modernized exteriorly, it was in its 
 early days a pretensious edifice for the little 
 hamlet in the woods. 
 
 — In the year 1S40 the editor was carrier boy 
 for the Pontiac Jacksonian. A. C. Baldwin was 
 a law student (if rightly remembered), with John 
 P. Richardson. Handing a paper to the latter 
 one day in his office, the carrier said, " I want 
 to leave another paper for Mr. Somebody Bald- 
 win." " Here," said John P., pointing to the 
 gentleman in question, whom the carrier did not 
 "now, " is Mr. Somebody Baldwin." The inquiry 
 id the response were prophetic. As legislator, 
 ?mber of Congress, Judge, and trustee in ex- 
 iting many trusts, the young attorney of 1840 
 
 has shown himself to be " somebody." The 
 character of Judge Baldwin however is more in 
 his personal life than in the public positions he 
 has held. His industry and energy are well 
 known, and as a collector and user of books it is 
 doubted if he has an equal in the northwest. He 
 is a Roman of the imperial type. 
 
 — Among the business signs that were familiar 
 on Saginaw Street in Pontiac fifty years ago was 
 that of W. M. McConnell. The sign of McCon- 
 nell is still seen on the same street. Inquiry 
 elicits the information that the house has con- 
 tinued in an unbroken line for fifty years, de- 
 scending from the father to the son. In Europe, 
 the succession of business houses from genera- 
 tion to generation in the same family is com- 
 mon, but in the leap-frog progress of American 
 life, it is rare. These successions are possible 
 either in Europe or America, only When they 
 are grounded in virtue and integrity. The logic 
 of the case is the best tribute that could be paid 
 to one of the oldest families of Pontiac. 
 
 — Fifty years ago there were five banks in 
 Pontiac. A year or two later there was not one. 
 It is something of a mathematical problem thus: 
 If it required five banks to do the business of a 
 village of six hundred people (or less), how can 
 two banks do the business for six thousand 
 people? The answer to the' conundrum is that 
 the five banks were on paper or carried in 
 men's hats, while the two banks are on bed rock. 
 
 — We feel confident that the public will be 
 well pleased with the mechanical execution of 
 the Lake Gems, the work of the Gazette job 
 rooms. The Editor is indebted to Mark Walter 
 for much valuable aid, and to the other editors 
 of the Gazette for many courtesies. Mark never 
 tires in doing good works. 
 
 — The editor has derived much pleasure from 
 again viewing the scenes (much changed), of 
 early life, and from meeting a few of the repre- 
 sentatives of the pioneer stock. Calls upon 
 Mrs. M. A. Hodges, of the Hodges House, and 
 upon Mrs. McConnell and Mrs. Denton, are 
 remembered with especial pleaure. 
 
 — Lest the editor might be deemed to have 
 outgrown a family failing which runs at least 
 as far back as a grandmother whose mem- 
 ory is still honored by the few now living 
 who knew her, in seeking to clothe ideas in 
 poetical garb, he has ventured upon the haz- 
 ardous experiment of a poem. The poem refers 
 to the legend of Orchard lake found on a pre- 
 ceding page, and on page 57 of the Oakland 
 County History. 
 
 AVAL ON. 
 
 In the divergent thought of the rnccs of men, 
 There's a thread of accord that is traceable, when 
 The key is once found that unlocks the rich store 
 Of the great treasure-house of their mythical lore. 
 
 In the far distant East we are told there once dwelt 
 The Aryan race, from which sprangthe bold Celt ; 
 That in Persia's mild clime, and on India's hot sands, 
 Are found the deep footprints of the Aryan bands; 
 
 That the old Roman soil and the isles of fair Greece 
 But attest yet again their resistless increase, 
 While o'er Europe's broad domain there crept far and wide 
 The on moving phalanx of the Aryan tide. 
 
 To Langlois, and Wilson, and Mueller, belongs, 
 
 The guerdon for writing the old Vedic songs, 
 
 I u their own native tongues, so that now is made clear 
 
 The one only realm of the mythical sphere. 
 
 Mitra, and Vishnu, and Indra, are one, 
 
 With Agamemnon, Apollo, and Zeus, the Sun, 
 
 While Ushas, Ahana, are driven or drawn 
 
 With Penelope, Daphne, the Twilight and Dawn. 
 
 So the numberless heroes and heroines of old, 
 
 But reflect the same thought in whatever guise told— 
 
 The sublime Solar Myth in its many-hued form. 
 
 The Dawn and the Twilight, the Sun, Wind and Storm. 
 
 Shall we give to the legends of the far eastern clime 
 A title exclusive to the concept sublime? 
 No, no ! We will paint for our lovely Lake Land 
 A picture as brilliant as the East can command. 
 
 There lies hid in the story of Me-nah-sa-gor-ning, 
 The Sun and the Twilight, the Dawn of the morning; 
 For I thus read the legend that is told of the isle 
 That adorns as a dimple the lake's brightest smile. 
 
 The chieftain who died was not blood, bone, or clay, 
 But the Sun, which ideally dies every day ; 
 The maiden, the Twilight, which, deranged and forlorn, 
 As the Dawn, seeks her lover to herald the morn. 
 
 The tribe that so cruelly murdered the maid, 
 Were the stars,.which, outshining, threwTwilight in shade ; 
 Then the tribe is destroyed by the Great Spirit's decree, 
 For at comingof Dawn the pale starlight must flee. 
 
 The maiden henceforth holds the tribe at command, 
 So long as the water shall flow o'er the land, 
 For as Twilight, she summons them forth for thought, 
 And as Dawn bids them pale by her own greater light. 
 
 That the rite must be done from sunset to sunrise, 
 Is an order at once both convenient and wise, 
 And a consort is found for the canoe of the tale 
 In Odysseus' ship without, rudder or sail. 
 
 Here, then, is the myth of our Western Lake Land, 
 As companion to those of the far Eastern strand, 
 But midway we find in old Britain's folk lore 
 The story of Arthur and of Avalon shore. 
 
 We recite not the legend in wearisome lay, 
 
 But the tragic event of the one fatal day, 
 
 When the chief of the Knights of the Round Tabic band 
 
 Lay wounded and bleeding by a parricide's hand. 
 
 For his wounds the kind Fates poured sweet balm on his head , 
 And bore him away in the ship of the dead— 
 In the mystical ship without rudder or sail on, 
 To the island of applc-trecs, land of Avalon ! 
 
 The land of Avalon! Fabled land until now, 
 You rest as a jewel on Orchard Lake's brow, 
 And King Arthur the Celt, exiled from his hall, 
 Still lives in the Chieftain who is Chief over all. 
 
 Ring out the glad peals ! Make way, and give room ! 
 Strew flowers, deck altars, for the bride and the groom— 
 This day shall be wed by the Dawn of the Morning 
 The isles of Avalon and Me-nah-sa-gor-ning! 
 
 Note.— The version which I have given of the legend 
 of the island is fully sustained by comparative mythology. 
 In a little work, "Sanscrit and its Kindred Literatures," by 
 Laura E. Poor, the correspondence of the myths peculiar to 
 the peoples belonging to the Aryan family, is clearly traced. 
 Our Indians of course bear no known relation to the 
 Aryans, but the legend (admitting it to be oflndian origin)' 
 clearly belongs, I think, with the group that is found with 
 the Aryan families. The eastern myths, taken in a literal 
 sense, sometimes become cruel and monstrous. Interpreted, 
 they lose this character wholly. The legend of Mc-nah-sa- 
 gor-ning, read with any approach to literalness, awakens 
 only disgust at the thought of occasional nocturnal resur- 
 rections of a dead body. As asolar myth it is as pure as the 
 sun. But I do not wish to make an argument in support 
 of a theory. The coincidence of the identical meaning of 
 Avalon and Me-nah-sa-gor-ning afforded an opportunity for a 
 play of the fancy which no one in an effort to write poetry 
 would permit to escape. As to phantom ships, the author 
 above quoted says, page 188 : "These mysterious ships 
 come into every mythology. The good ship Skidbladuir in 
 Teutonic, the ship which bears Arthur in Keltic mythology; 
 they sail, and they sail without rigging or tackle, and they 
 reach Chair destined haven." 
 
 g S. B. McC. 
 
 PoNTrAC, Micir., August, 188G. 
 
 13 
 
Pontiac National Bank, 
 
 PONTIAC, MICHIGAN. 
 
 CA1*1TAI>. 3100,04)0.00 
 
 DIRECTl IRS : 
 
 A. A. LULL, B. F. ELWOOD, 
 
 W. G. UINMAN, T. N. TURK, 
 
 D. J. HAMMOND, A. G, HUNT, 
 
 H. J. GERLS. 
 
 A. A. LULL, - 
 
 B. F. ELWOOD, 
 H. J. GEELS, 
 
 President. 
 Vice-President 
 
 Cashier. 
 
 Foreign Exchange Sold. 
 
 First National Bank, 
 
 PONTIAC, MICH. 
 
 CAPITAL, • ^100,000.00 
 
 Surplus niul Undivided Profits, $20,000.00. 
 
 directors: 
 
 C. DAWSON, D. R. SHAW, G. JACOBS. 
 J. D. NORTON. B. 8. TREGENT. 
 
 CHARLES DAWSON, 
 GOODMAN JACOBS, 
 JNO. D. NORTON, - 
 B. S. TREGENT, - 
 
 President. 
 
 Vice-President 
 
 Cashier 
 
 Ass't Cashier 
 
 Fr 
 
 . too p. 111., standard Time. 
 
 Oak Hill Marble and Granite Works. 
 
 c/) 
 
 Foreign and Domestic Marbles, 
 
 Monuments, Tombstones, and 
 
 Cemetery A dornments. 
 
 Also, Cut Stone for Building, Flagging, &c. 
 
 DAVID SCOTT, Prop'r, 
 
 Lawrence Street East, Pontiac, Mich. 
 
 < 
 
 X 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 01 
 
 •1 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Ph 
 
 al 
 
 h-l 
 
 p 
 
 •|H 
 
 
 — • 
 
 +-> 
 
 -' 
 
 c 
 
 cl 
 
 
 
 P r* 
 
 
 
 H 
 
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 cc 
 
 CO 
 
 A DAD'S 
 
 Pays for the 
 
 Pontiae Bill Poster 
 
 ONE YEAR ! 
 
 ■:- Job Work a Spcciatty, 
 
 3ES. J. KELLY, Prop'r. 
 
 MRS. J. B. JUDSON, 
 
 Dealer in Millinery, Fancy Goods, Lace Goods 
 
 Ladies' Underwear, Woolen Goods, Corsets, 
 
 Parasols, Gloves, &c, &c. 
 
 PONTIAC, MICH. 
 
 '• -a trout lor 1 he Celebrated Harper Bazaar Patterns. 
 
 The Pontiac democrat 
 
 A Weekly, devoted to the Interests of 
 Oakland County. 
 
 Live Locals, Democratic Principles and Good 
 Circulation. 
 
 Job Printing in Connection. 
 
 Equipped with First-Class Outfit. 
 
 C. H. FISHER, Editor and Prop'r. 
 
 L. R. LUMBY- 
 
 Dealer in 
 Coal, Lime, Cement, Plaster, Salt, Hair, 
 
 Hides, Pelts, &c. 
 
 Warehouse Lawrence St. East, Pontiac, Mich. 
 
 jJQ^Tlie highest prices paid for hides, pelts mid furs.~©ft 
 
 McCONNELL'S 
 
 PONTIAC, M-ICH. 
 
 100 Ebony Curtain Poles, Brass Mounted, at 50 cents each. 
 All-wool Tricots, 50 cents a yard. 
 Four-Button warrantcd_Kids, 95 cents. 
 Picot edge Ribbons, all shades, at very low prices. 
 Black Silk Brocade Velvets, $1.75. 
 Big Line Floor Oil Cloths. 
 Cottage Carpets, 25 cents. 
 
 40-inch All-wool Cashmeres, in all shades, 50 cents a yard. 
 Big drive in yard wide Cotton, at 5 cents. 
 Lonsdale Cambric, 10 cents. 
 Florence Knitting Silk, 25 cents a ball. 
 
 Flannels, Blankets Shawls, Hosiery and Broad head Dre: 
 Goods, All Cheap. 
 
 1,000 four-quart pans, 5 cents each. 
 1,000 large tin wash basins, 5 cents each. 
 1,000 bronze dust pans, 5 cents each. 
 
 No soft solder or blarney; but straight talk and everythin 
 Cheap at 
 
 McCONNELL'S. 
 
 .A.. [F^RKIER, 
 
 DEALER IN 
 
 Pure Druo;s, Medicines, 
 
 Choice Family Groceries, 
 
 Toilet and Fancy Goods, Paints, Oils, Dye 
 
 Stuffs, etc., and all articles generally 
 
 found in a first-class Drug 
 
 and Grocery Store. 
 
 Physicians' Prescriptions Carefnl- 
 ly Compounded. 
 
 PONTIAC, 
 
 MICH. 
 
 ROSE HOUSE, 
 
 [TEMPERANCE HOTEL.] 
 
 PONTIAC, - - MICHIGAN. 
 
 J. W. OGLE, - - Proprietor 
 
 J. A. LINARURY, Clerk. 
 
 TERMS REASONABLE :- 
 
 R. H. ELLIOTT, 
 
 Dispensing Druggist & Grocei 
 
 ( '.inier Saginaw mid Lawrence Sts. 
 
 PONTIAC, - - - MICHIGAN/) 
 
) 
 
 While contingencies have much to do with 
 success or failure in business, very much de- 
 ponds on the management of business enterprise 
 and habits of life. Lack of energy, and indiffer- 
 ence to the study of the laws of trade and in- 
 vestment, are the prominent causes of failure. 
 The relative few who succeed in business, do so 
 by a thorough knowledge of, and the saving 
 management and care of details. It is a trite 
 but true saying, "take care of the pennies, and 
 the dollars will take care of themselves." Pew 
 business treasuries become depleted by a flood 
 of disaster, but by leakage which drives many 
 an enterprise to a condition of insolvency. 
 Poutiac, like all other cities or communities, 
 has had her successful business men. Among 
 the number is Thomas Turk, who came to Pou- 
 tiac in December, 1S37, with a five franc piece 
 in his pocket, and went to work on a farm 
 at $50 por year. After working four months he 
 joined a government surveying party in 
 northern Michigan, where he remained until 
 1844, when he opened a small grocery store 
 on the ground now occupied by Henry 
 Venhoven, with $130 capital, a business he 
 followed until 1877, when he transfered his 
 stock and trade to his sons, N. T., W. G. 
 and G. H. Turk, known as the Turk Bros., who 
 probably did as large a grocery and crockery 
 trade as any linn in the interior of Michigan. 
 It can be said of the father, Thomas Turk, that 
 he has built more buildings in the city than ill y 
 man in it, having built from the foundation for- 
 ty stores and houses, among them some of the 
 best in the town. He at present rents thirty- 
 two pi- ; of property, and is the heaviest tax- 
 payer m ihe county, the kind of capitalists every 
 city needs. 
 
 Last spring G. H., the youngest of the Turk 
 brothers, withdrew from the firm, and in June 
 last embarked in the clothing trade, as succes- 
 or to A. Kudner, replenishing the stock to one 
 ' the largest and best in the county. During 
 1 short time he has been in trade, his patron- 
 has constantly increased, and he is now 
 lished and recognized among the promi- 
 nd successful business men of the city. 
 the trade was new to him he brought to 
 venture a thorough practical knowl- 
 he laws governing trade and invest- 
 'ome ten years experience in the asso- 
 gement of the Turk Bros, extensive 
 nt. By a mutual understanding he 
 the outside work in visiting the 
 irkets, and buying most of the 
 ^ibraced supplies for their large 
 3 in groceries and crockery. 
 Hperience abundant capital, lie 
 ne a formidable competitor in 
 \rade. By cheap buying, the 
 ply of goods suitable to the 
 ands of the people, and sell- 
 has built up a large and 
 is anticipating the wants 
 \ winter goods, and the 
 \ce look for one of the 
 selected stocks ever 
 
 g#t# | fftfMft 
 
 Drugs, 
 
 Groceries, 
 
 Glass, 
 
 Paints, 
 
 Fruits, 
 
 Oysters, 
 
 Provisions. 
 
 §(0I§ 4\* §V€j€(H 
 
 Next Door to First National Bank, 
 
 PONTIAC, - - - MICHIGAN. 
 ir> Prescriptions Carefully Compoundea.=S& 
 
 H. E. ALLISON, 
 
 Dealer in 
 
 SILVERWARE, ETC. 
 
 REPAIRING AND ENGRAVING 
 Promptly attended to. 
 
 103 Saginaw Street, Pontiac, Michigan. 
 
 [Established in 1810.] 
 
 «J O. OROMBIE, 
 
 Manufacturer of and dealer in all kinds of 
 
 CABINET FURNITURE, 
 
 Spring Beds, Mattresses, Upholstering of all 
 
 kinds, and General Undertaker, 
 
 132 Saginaw Steebt, Pontiac, Mien. 
 
 Metallic Cases and Caskets constantly on hand. 
 
 First-class Hearse. 
 
 CASS E. HERRINGTON, 
 Attorney and Counsetorat Law 
 
 And Circuit Court Commissioner, 
 Office over Mrs. Judson's Millinery Store, Pontiac, Mich 
 
 AT J. J„ GREEN'S 
 
 You will find a complete line of 
 
 Seasonable Dry Goods, 
 
 New and Desirable. All Wool Dress 
 Goods of different shades and qualities, a 
 nice line of 
 
 It LACK (JOODS.in all grades, 
 15LACK SILKS, 
 
 A full line, and the Best Qualities for the 
 price to be found in this market. 
 
 COLORE I) CASHMERKS, 
 
 All Wool, cheaper than ever offered in this 
 market. 
 
 Many special bargains on our Bat gain 
 Count r. 
 
 All solicited to call and examine our 
 goods. J. J. GREEN. 
 
 WORMLEY & ALEXANDER. 
 
 Coal and Sook Stoves a Specialty. 
 
 Wormley & Alex 
 
 holders; with 'a p. 
 liavc canvassed tho 
 
 lldi i realize- lliat Hit- fall 
 
 he people 
 and winter is 
 kindled; thej 
 
 dors that they havi 
 of the "Jcwetl Fan 
 which they will 
 
 " The'advantoge ol 
 
 the base burner is in thi 
 
 increased ra 
 
 from the door, witi 
 
 lain draft i.fc.ild air cut 
 
 ring the stov( 
 ices a imllbrn 
 
 The firm carry a full lino of Hardware , employ the best of 
 mechanics, and arc prepared at all times to do job work. 
 Don't forget the place, Thurbcr's old stand. 
 
 M.S. DEUELL'S 
 
 -: Parlor Livery Stable, : 
 
 PONTIAC, MICH. 
 
 No Better Stable in the State. 
 
 $W Telephone Connection. 
 
 Tooth. Brushes, - 
 
 All Styles, Sizes and Prices, at 
 *** Linabury's Drug Sto->-^ 
 
 
BIRD & HAMLIN, 
 
 Successors to 
 
 G. R. MABLEY 
 
 The poet says there is nothing in a name, 
 but if the author was writing to-day, and 
 was familiar with the competition in trade, 
 in applying the sentiment to business he 
 would say there is something in a name. 
 
 Bird & Hamlin, as successors to ('. R. 
 Mabley, in the clothing trade in Pontiac, 
 inherited the prestige of one of the most 
 prosperous and successful clothiers in 
 America. 
 
 Among other things they have adopted 
 
 Thr ',ne Price System in all Sales, 
 
 which they have never deviated from and 
 still adhere to ; it is the fairest way to 
 d-.\\ with cmt mi >r-. 
 
 They have purchased their Fall Stock 
 early, and in view of the late advance in 
 wool, they have saved quite a large per 
 cent, by an early deal. They are now re- 
 ceiving their fall stock of ready made 
 clothing, cloths hats, caps, and furnishing 
 goods ; in the latter they have the exclusive 
 control of the genuine Sawyer all-wool suits 
 made expressly for their handling. 
 
 Their Merchant Tailoring Department is 
 mi ler the the management of a skilled and 
 tasty cutter, and stocked with the best 
 makes of cassimeres and worsted suiting 
 ever brought to Pontiac, and with Teter 
 Betzing's shears and tape, they will guaran- 
 tee a fit every time. 
 
 They do not make a big blow or war- 
 ant satinet suits to be all wool, but will at 
 all times render an equivalent for every dol- 
 lar invested. They carry the largest stock 
 of read v made clothing in the county ; over- 
 coats made of foreign and domestic goods, 
 Kerseys, Meltons, Beavers, Astrachans, 
 Yen itians an 1 oth ;r leu ling lines of cloths. 
 
 B)th members of this firm have had a 
 long experience in the trad' and with a 
 reputation that has borne the test of years 
 of active business. 
 
 When you are in the City call and see 
 one of the largest, best selected and cheap- 
 est stocks of clothing ami furnishing goods 
 ever offered to the people of Oakland 
 County. 
 
 All goods as represented and at one price 
 ■vll. 
 
 W, S. ALBERTSON 
 
 Keeps apace with the times in supplying the 
 Public with new goods in his line. 
 
 Fine Wall Paper 
 
 AND DECORATIONS, 
 
 Hammocks and Croquet Sets in Season, 
 Gold Pens and Pencils. 
 
 Best Assortment of Stationery in Oakland Co. 
 
 Cutlery, Pocket- Books, Hand Bags, 
 Base Ball Goods, Cheap and Good. 
 
 I supply the BEST HARD AND SOFT 
 COAL in the City; give good weight and sell as 
 low as any one. 
 
 W. S. ALBERTSON. 
 
 Benedict & Daniels, 
 
 Dealers in 
 
 Pianos 
 
 — AND— 
 
 Organs. 
 
 State Agents for 
 
 The Great Western Organ 
 
 Agents Wanted in Every Town. 
 
 (tlTTnstruments sold on Blonthly Instal 
 rnents. Old Instruments taken in Exchange. 
 
 BENEDICT & DANIELS, 
 Opposite Court House, Pontiac, Mich. 
 
 P. SCHMITZ, 
 
 DEALER IN 
 
 Pure Drugs and Medicines 
 
 Choice Family Groceries, 
 
 Paints, Dry and Mixed, all Shades, Oils, Glass 
 
 and Putty. 
 
 Pure Cider Vinegar a Specialty. 
 
 Pure Wines and Liquors for Medical use. 
 
 The Old Reliable Dean & Hovey Store ; 
 134 Saginaw St., Pontiac, Mich. 
 
 GEORGE M: RICE, 
 
 ORCHARD LAKE, MICH. 
 
 Row Boats, Pishing Tackle, Minnows, &c, 
 Always on Hand. 
 
 NEAR COU,. 
 
 Pontiac, Mi . 
 
 Oakland County's Great 
 
 FOR DRY GOODS AND CAR 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen: 
 
 JOHN POUND, Proprietor of T.L 
 Beehive, would respectfully invite all 
 the people of Oakland and neighboring 
 Counties, all the people of the City of Pon- 
 tiac, and the tourists and residents of the 
 famous Lake District of this beautiful re- 
 gion, to call at The Beehive and inaV<" 
 their store headquarters for anything tl. 
 may require in Staple and FailC.> 
 Dry Goods, both from foreign and do- 
 mestic looms. Our departments are at all 
 times replete in staple cottons, domestic 
 woolen goods, blankets and flannels, silks 
 and dress goods, white goods, laces, hosiery, 
 cloths and notions. 
 
 On Onr Upper Floor our line of 
 Ladies' Cloaks and Garments in all the 
 newest fashions will be found very attrac- 
 tive. 
 
 The Carpet Floor is also worthy of 
 looking through, it being by a very great 
 difference in our favor, the largest and 
 most comprehensive stock in Oakland 
 County. 
 
 Curtains are also a Specialty 
 in our fine show rooms upstairs. We are 
 the only establishment in the Dry Goods 
 Trade in this city, having Fine, Airy, 
 Spacious Show Roonis up stairs. 
 During the winter season the store will 
 always be found well warmed and lighted, 
 with a competent and well informed and 
 Experienced Corps oi \ . rks, 
 always civil and obliging and at all times 
 willing and ready to wait on customers with 
 nimbleness, swiftness, speed, celerity, dey 
 terity and dispatch. No drones « 
 laggards employed at The Beehi 
 but all are willing to do their be/' 
 render the store pleasant, 
 attractive. 
 
 The Prices are always tl 
 est consistent with good value/ 
 stock being very frequently replo/' 
 hence few remnants being per/' 
 cumulate, is noted for its / 
 cleanness, which is frequer/ 
 on by our customers. / 
 
 We solicit the favor of/ 
 do not consider the show 
 burden — in fact an v! 
 regard;ess of purchase' 
 I am Res' 
 
 / 
 
 aareeak 
 6 y 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 016 099 228 1 « 
 
 HOLLINGER 
 
 pH8.5 
 
 MILL RUIN F3-1548 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 016 099 228 1 m \ 
 
 HOLLINGER 
 
 pH8.5 
 
 MILL RUIN F3-1548