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9 HISTORY
OF
SAGINAW COUNTY,
From the Year 1819 down to the Present Time.




COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIC RECORDS AND OTHER SOURCES:
TARADI TIONA'R Y ACCOUNTS, LEGEArNDS, ANECDOTES tc.


WITH VALUABLE
STATI ST I CS,
A:nd Notes of its Resources and General Information
Concerning its Advantages:
ALSO, A
-BUSIN ESS D IRECTORY
Of each of the three Principal Towns n the County.
I-L-:f ---;-il t-f_^.;._: —:.i.-r-l. ~i`:-' I —;  i~"-^ —l — l~;-,-r: --------- -----—:"
BY TRUMAN B. FOX.
EAST SAGINAW, - -      ENTERPRISE PRINT
18,8.


-, - --- - -  - -. -p, -,      I              --   I --   




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WftOPEtTT *v
I 811
ViTTC7iT1A VERITAS




if


HISTORY
OF
SAGINAW COUNTY,
From the Year 1819 down to the Present Time.
COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIC RECORDS AND
OTHER SOURCES:
TRADITIONARY ACCOUNTS, LEGENDS, ANECDOTES, &C.
WITH VALUABLE
STATISTICS,
And Notes of its Resources and General Information
Concerning its Advantages:
ALSO, A
BUTSINESS DIRECTORY
Of each of the three Principal Towns of the County.
BY TRUMAN B. FOX.
EAST SAGINAW, - - - ENTERPRISE PRINT
1858.




F
/:?
<i / v
As this work has been published by subscription, but a
few extra copies have been printed. These can be obtained
by applying to the author, or at any of the book stores in
East Saginaw, or at the office of the Enterprise.




PREFACE.
It is not without many misgivings on my part, as to the
manner in which this little pamphlet will be received, that
I present it to the public, yet the happy reflection that
where "little is given, but little is required," tends in a
great measure to alleviate those misgivings and place me
somewhat at my ease. I am well aware that in thus appearing before the public, I am throwing myself entirely upon
its mercy, but I feel sure did it but know of the many hours
of mental and bodily toil, research and heart sickness the
few foregoing pages cost me to write, together with the
great difficulties I have encountered in collecting materials
and arranging everything in its proper place, it would conclude to take pity upon me and not
"View me with a critic's eye,
But pass my imperfections by."
I have long been impressed with the importance of a
correctly written history of Saginaw County, together with
a notice of its unbounded resources, its great advantages
and facilities for business and trade-in short, a sort of
book of reference to which all might turn for desirable information concerning the County, and I was in hopes that
some one would take the subject into consideration. It is
true, much has been written in the public journals about
" Saginaw,"-much to its glorification-much to its shame,
and a spirit of partiality too often seemed to dictate the
writer. What we want is a correct and impartial history,
and I have in weakness attempted to write one. I well
know that the attempt was a presumptuous one, and the
undertaking a hazardous one, yet with the aid and encouragement of friends, the work was commenced, and after
many trials and difficulties, is placed before the public for its
acceptance or refusal. To those friends who have so kindly
tendered me their assistance, and have cheered me with
words of hope, and smiles of encouragement, I most sin-.
cerely return my heartfelt acknowledgements. Did they but
know how much happiness their words of kindness, and
friendly wishes imparted to my heart, And with what
renewed life and spirits I returned to my task after receiving them, surely they would never withhold them from any
creature.




4                     PREFACE.
Hon. G. D. Williams, Levi Clark, Esq., Hon. Z. Pitcher,
Hon. Norman Little, James L. T. Fox, Esq., and others
who have furnished me with materials, will please accept
my sincere thanks. I have endeavored throughout to treat
candidly and impartially the various subjects pertaining to
the interests of Saginaw County, and not to be in the least
biased by local prejudices, or sectional feelings that are
always found to exist to a greater or less extent in every
community. In a great and growing country like ours, it is
perfectly right that a spirit of emulation, or rivalry if you
please, should exist, but it by no means follows that jealousy
and enmity should also exist in connection, yet we are too
often pained to find this the case. Instead of the envious
and bitter feeling that in too many instances pervade the
sister towns upon the Saginaw river, nothing but unity and
perfect good will towards each other should reign, for the
interest of one town is also the interest of the other, and an
identity of purpose should actuate all.
Circumstances beyond my control, have delayed the publication of this work, yet I trust it may be none the less
acceptable-if acceptable at all-on that account. Should
it merit the approval of the public, then would my highest
present wish be attained.                  T. B. F.




HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
INTRODUCTORY.
During the winter of 1819 the first white settlement north
of Detroit was commenced at Pontiac, Oakland County, by
Orison Allen, Esq. The September following, Gen. Lewis
Cass concluded a treaty with the Chippewa Indians at Saginaw, which secured to our Government an extensive tract
of territory, the southern boundary line of which passed
near Springfield, Oakland County, running north-east to
Lake Huron, west into Livingston County, then north to
the head waters of Thunder Bay River, including a portion,
if not all of Saginaw County.
In the year 1822, two companies of U. S. troops were stationed where Saginaw City now stands, for the purpose of
protecting the fur trade, and of watching the movements of
the Indians. We are indebted to the Hon. Z. Pitcher, of
Detroit, for information concerning the troops, &c. He will
pardon us if we transcribe his communication entire, as it
comprehends everything pertaining to the arrival and departure of the troops, that is of any importance. He says:
"In June, 1822, having been appointed an assistant Surgeon in the army, I received an order to report to Major
Daniel Baker, of the 3d Regiment of U. S. Infantry, then
at Green Bay, who with two companies of that Regiment, I
was informed, would arrive at Saginaw about the 20th of
July-the troops to reach their destination by transports
from Fort Howard, and I, by land from Detroit. Finding a
guide in the person of the late Captain Knaggs, of this city
(Detroit) who was then agent for the Saginaws, we made
our way through the woods by an Indian trail from Williams' mill- to the wigwam of the old chieft Kish-kaw-ko on
the east side of the river, where we arrived just in time to
see the troops pitching their tents on the other side of the
river. The vessels by which this detachment was transported from Green Bay, I believe did not enter the mouth
of the river, the men composing it, and their supplies, being
conveyed from the Bay to the site selected for the Post, in
* This mill was situated where now stands the pleasant little village of Waterford, in Oakland county.
t See " Saginaw Indians," page 8.




6


HISTORY OF


small boats. The officers of this detachment were Major
Daniel Baker, Capt. John Garland, Lieuts. Edward Brooks,
Otis Wheeler and Henry Bainbridge. Capt. S. H. Webb,
Lieuts. Baker and Allen,* the last two of whom died there,
joined a short time afterwards. John Dean, ( the Suttler,)
Thomas C. Sheldon, Chauncey Bush, recently of Owosso,
and Elliot Gray, all had business connections with the command of Major Baker. These persons, with the enlisted
men and the families of Baker, Garland and Brooks constituted the little military colony which laid the foundation of
Saginaw City.   Joseph Campau and family, Antoine Campau, Esq., now of Grand Rapids, Archibald Lyons, Indian
Interpreter, Mr. Provensal, Indian Blacksmith, Mr. Corben,
and a Frenchman whose name I have forgotten, Indian
Farmer, made up the Civil community.        The road from
Saginaw to Smith's trading house    on Flint River, was cut
in the winter of 1822-3, by a party of soldiers commanded
by Lieutenants Edward Brooks and Bainbridge, the latter of
whom served his country honorably from that time, including the Mexican War, and recently lost his life in the Gulf
of Mexico, by the burning of a steamer upon which he was
a passenger.
The winter of 1822-3 was very cold. Much snow fell.When spring-came on, the rapid solution of it caused a great
flood in the Tittabawassie and other tributaries of the Saginaw, so that most of the prairie between the Post and
Green Point, was under water. The succeeding summer was
pretty warm. The troops became very sickly, as early as
July, and late in the fall they abandoned the Fort, and moved
to Detroit by water, in two schooners, one commanded by
Capt. Keith, and the other by Capt. Walker. Before the
military occupancy of the river, a Mr. Hudson: had made an
attempt to evangelize the Saginaws, but meeting with no
success. he had left the place before the troops under the
* Brother and son-in-law of Major Baker.
t This trading house stood upon the north side of Flint River, where Flint
City now stands, and in the vicinity of the Genesee House. A portion of the
old house still remains upon the bank of the river, a short distance below the
hotel.
$ When the treaty was made with the Saginaw Indians, they were to have
a Blacksmith and a Missionary sent to them. Accordingly Mr. Hudson came
among them in the latter capacity. After a while the Indians became dissatisfied with the restrictions probably placed upon them by him, and sent back
word that they wanted to " swap" off the Missionary for another Blacksmith.
Shortly after which Mr. Hudson left. The Mission house was located upon
the spot now occupied by the residence of Hon. N. Little, Eat Saginaw.




SAGINAW COUNTY.                 7
command of Major Baker arrived, leaving behind him an unfinished house on the east side of the river, some distance
below the ferry."
The Doctor in the above, simply says the troops abandoned the fort, without entering into the particulars. After
Major Baker lost his son-in-law and brother by death, and
having encountered innumerable hardships and sufferings,
he became disheartened and discouraged, and reported to the
Department that the climate was so unhealthy that "nothing but Indians, Muskrats and Bull-frogs, could possibly
subsist here." Nor was it to be wondered at that himself
and those under his command, should yield to discouragement, and like the Egyptians of old, sigh for the flesh-pots
and dumplings of their own firesides, for here they were, far
from their homes, in the midst of a howling wilderness, surrounded by untamed savages, whose nightly whooping and
infernal pow-wow orgies were far more appalling than even
the cries of the wild beasts, and exposed to the rigidity of a
northern climate, together with its vicissitudes. No wonder
then that the order for their removal was hailed with delight.
The news of their removal spread like wildfire throughout
the Union, and the western portion of our State having just
then come into notice, every effort was made at the City of
Detroit and elsewhere, to turn the tide of emigration from
the north, to the western portion of the State, which efforts
were successful for many years. Consequently this portion
of the North for a long time, labored under all the difficulties and troubles incident to misrepresentation and detraction, and thus did one of the most fertile and at the same
time, one of the healthiest portions of Michigan, lie in a
state of wildness and neglect, while the barren sands, and
" srub oak openings" of the more southern counties, were
literally swarming with emigration. Villages sprung up, as
by magic throughout the aforesaid counties, thousands of
acres were taken up and towns located by greedy speculators
in some parts of said counties, upon lands wholly untillable,
and surrounded by marshes and " cat holes." But it is not
my purpose to dwell upon these things, as they do not particularly concern myself or readers. 4Prior to the arrival of
the troops, Saginaw was occupied as an Indian trading post,
although by no regularly organized company, but by individuals who bartered with the Indians for their furs and
pelt, giving in exchange, whiskey, blankets, beads, &c. In
the fallof 1824, the American Fur Company established a




8


HISTORY OF


trading post here.  Three years subsequently, the Hon.
Gardner D. Williams purchased the interests of the company here and established himself as an Indian trader.
There were here then beside himself, the families of Louis
Campau and John B. Cushway.
At that time, but two white families resided between
Waterford, (8 miles north of Pontiac) and Saginaw, and
these belonged to Rufus W. Stevens and his father, who
lived at Grand Blanc, Genesee County. Aside from the
" clearings" of these two families, the whole tract of territory lying between the above named points, was one wild,
unbroken forest.
SAGINAW     INDIANS.
The Saginaw Indians, so called, to distinguish them from
other tribes, were at this time very numerous and savage,
and were governed by a Chief, (a usurper in power), by the
name of Kish-kaw-ko, a miserable tyrant and a villainous
coward. The early settlers of Oakland County were very
much annoyed by this villain and his cowardly band, as they
passed through that section of the country, on their way to
Malden, to receive their annual presents from the British
government. Kish-kaw-ko was in the habit of travelling
with thirty or forty scoundrels, whom he called his warriors,
and taking advantage of the sparseness of the settlements,
would levy contributions upon the poor settlers.  If his
demands were not readily complied with, he would take
what he wanted by force, such as cattle, hogs, &c., thus
subjecting the poor settlers to great suffering and continual
fear. Upon one occasion, after his arrival at Detroit which
happened a few days before payment, his men being very
hungry, he applied to some of the authorities for food,
"for" said he, "unless my young men get something to eat,
it will be impossible for me to restrain them from robbing
the settlers along the rout."  "Sir," returned General Cass,
"if your young men commit any depredations upon the
settlers, I will send my young men to punish them!' Notwithstanding this intimation, depredations were occasionally
committed upon the settlers with impunity. Kish-kaw-ko
at length came to his end in a manner strikingly in keeping
with his wicked and cowardly career. One day while en



SAGINAW COUNTY.


9


camped at a place, a little above Detroit, known as Chaine
farm, he got into a drunken row and killed an Indian. He
was arrested by the proper authorities and imprisoned in the
old Detroit jail, where he remained several months. Feeling assured from his past conduct that he need expect no
mercy or lenity, from the hands of those he had so often
outraged, and that his death was certain, he anticipated the
law by taking poison, supposed to have been provided him
by his squaws.  His successor was O-ge-maw-gcg-e-too,
which signifies the Chief Speaker.  This Indian was in
every respect antipodal to Kish-kaw-ko, being a high minded
and an honorable man-a great favorite with the whites and
an eloquent speaker, but at times very much given to dissipation. He was not the head Chief by birth, but merely
by promotion or appointment, on account of the loftiness of
his style, the beauty of his expression, and his powerful and
commanding eloquence, which always carried conviction
with it. The spot upon which Saginaw City now stands,
was called by the Indians Ke-pay-sho-wink, meaning the
great camping ground.
Here it was that the natives all rendezvoused in the spring
after finishing their sugar making and winter hunting. It
was their custom to come in and settle up with the traders,
and have a general, grand jubilee for two or three weeks, by
employing themselves in their peculiar feats, war dances,
&c., and in liquidating old grudges, disputes, and other difficulties. If an injury had been done one party by another,
it was here settled at this time, either with property, such
as horses, blankets, &c., or by the price of life. If the injury had been one of an exceedingly aggravated nature, a
life was demanded, and stoically and unflinchingly yielded
up by the doomed party. The Chief proper was Miz-co-bena-sa, signifying the Red Bird. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and possessed no desire whatever for fame-no aspirations after greatness. Only give him his pawwahgun "
and samaht pouch well filled, and place by his side a dish
of scootawahboo, T and he cared but little about affairs of
Indian state. He had however, been considerable of a warrior in his day, but the fire of youth had passed away, and
with it all the energies of a youthful spirit. It is a melancholy and lamentable fact, that as the country becomes settled by the whites, the native energy and spirit of the red
* Pipe.  f Tobacco,  t Whiskey.




10


HISTORY OF


man grows less and droops, for he beholds the broad domains which his fathers possessed, in the hands of the pale
face, he sees the graves of the chosen of his race desecrated
by strangers, and the cherished hunting grounds which were
his own, melting away before the sun of civilization. As society advances, the red man recedes, and degenerates, although efforts have been, and are being made to civilize and
enlighten him.  During the summer of 1838, the smallpox broke out among the Saginaw Indians, making fearful
havoc among them, and taking about half, if not two-thirds
of their number to the hunting grounds of the Great Spirit,
which in their belief, are great white plains abounding in all
manner of game, and beautiful streams filled with fish, all
of which may be obtained without any exertion. This is
unquestionably the reason why the Indian manifests so much
indifference and stoicism in view of death. The whole number of Indians in the county at present, cannot exceed one
thousand souls, and they are fast leaving for the north, to
take possession of the land which Government has given
them. Many of their villages are already deserted, and it
will not be long ere they will all have passed from us. There
are however, a few who are engaged in agricultural pursuits
in the vicinity of the Bay, who will probably remain, at least
for the present. In another portion of this work will be
found several Indian legends and traditionary accounts of
the Saginaw Indians.
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY, &c.
Saginaw County is bounded on the north by Midland
county and Saginaw Bay, on the east by Tuscola, Lapeer
and Genesee counties, on the south by Genesee and Shiawassee counties, and on the west by Gratiot and Midland
counties. Its county seat is Saginaw City. This county
was organized in the year 1835, and at present contains but
eighteen regularly organized townships, namely:
Birch Run,      Frankenmuth,    St. Charles,
Bloomfield,     Hampton,        Taymouth,
Brady,          Kochville,      Thomastown,
Bridgeport,    Maple Grove,     Williams,
Buena Vista,   Saginaw City,    Zilwaukie,
Chessening,     Saginaw,        Tittabawassee.
2




sAGINAW COUNTY.                 11
Before another year there will probably be a large acoession to the number. This county contains about 650,000
square acres, a portion of which are swamp lands. By reference to the map of Michigan, the reader will observe that
this county occupies nearly a central position in the State,
and is not, as many have idly imagined, an extreme northern county, and almost beyond the reach of ciyilization.Indeed, but a few years ago, this portion of the State was
considered almost unapproachable, and even after getting
here, not fit to locate upon. But this opinion has been repudiated, as a perusal of the foregoing pages will show.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY.
The face of the countr4 is generally level, though in some
parts it is considerably undulating. There is, aside from
several small " Hog-backs," or elongated knolls, a beautiful
natural ridge road several rods in width, and extending
nearly through the entire county.  This ridge is covered
with a splendid growth of Beech and Maple, or at least
originally was, and affords most delightful sites for residences, &c. Upon either side of this ridge, the country is
most lovely, and the lands finely adapted to farming purposes. The soil is of a dark, sandy loam, generally varying
from fourteen inches to two feet in depth, of an exceedingly
rich alluvial formation, covering a sub-stratum of blue and
yellow clay, and almost entirely free from stones. In the
northern, and some other portions of the county, are found
some swamp lands and wet prairie. Many of these swamp
lands can by drainage, be rendered tillable, and susceptible
of a high state of cultivation, amply remunerating the settler for all his trouble. A goodly portion of the lands entered as swamp lands, are far from being swampy however,
in the common acceptation of the term.
In the vicinity of the Bay, and along some of our rivers,
are some wet prairie lands, which furnish the settlers with
thousands of tons of very good hay, annually.




12


HISTORY OF


RIVERS.
SAGINAW RIVER.-This river divides the county nearly
east and west, and is one of the largest and most beautiful
streams in the State. It is formed by the union of the Cass
from the east,-the Flint and Shiawassee from the South,
and the Tittabawassee from the north-west. It pursues a
north-easterly course, and empties into the head of Saginaw
Bay. It varies in depth from fifteen to twenty feet, and its
average width is about forty rods. Its waters are bright and
sparkling, and are not, as many suppose, who never saw
them, dead and sluggish. The length of the river, taken
from its mouth to its confluence with the above named tributaries, is about 25 miles, although the river proper, followed the length of it, to its source, would exceed one hundred miles. A few miles below Saginaw City, one or two
sand bars have until quite recently very much obstructed
the navigation of the river, especially during some of the
dryest seasons; but through the united efforts of the inhabitants of the valley, these obstructions have been nearly removed, or at least to such a degree as to enable vessels and
steamers to pass over in safety with their freight. No farther trouble is anticipated from these bars, as an excellent
Dredging Machine is owned upon the river, and always ready
to perform service. The banks of the Saginaw in some
places are quite bold, while in others they are low and
marshy. There are in many places diverging from the river
large coves or bayous, which in some instances extend miles
into the country, and are often deeper than the river itself.
As these bayous are generally bordered with a plentiful
growth of wild rice, they are consequently a great resort for
all kinds of aquatic fowls, especially ducks, which during
the fall of the year, when the rice is ripe, come hither in
" clouds" to fatten upon it, thus affording rare sport for the
sporting gentry.
TITTABAWASSEE ~ RIVER.-This is a beautiful stream rising in the northern portion of the State, pursuing a southeasterly course and emptying into the Saginaw river. Its
* The proper pronunciation of this, is Ta-ta-ba-wa-sia, signifying in the
Indian dialect, parallel with the lake shore,




SAGINAW COUNTY.


13


depth is from four to eight feet, and its width near its mouth
is about ten rods.
This river is navigable for small steamboats, about thirty
miles from its mouth, and passes through some of the best
farming lands in the State. The banks of this river in many
places rise from five to fifteen feet above the level of the
river, upon which are finely cultivated farms, well stocked.
Already the country along this river begins to assume an
aspect really Eastern, and it is certainly cheering to behold
the improvements that are annually being made in the section of country through which this river passes.
CASS   RIVER.-This river rises in Sanilac county, and
pursues a south-westerly direction, emptying into the Saginaw about three miles above Saginaw City. The banks of
this river are generally bold, although in some places during
high stages of the water they are overflown. Many fine bottoms are found in the vicinity of this river, as well as the
other rivers in the county, which afford the most productive
farms imaginable, being composed mostly of alluvial formation. This riven passes through some of the most charming and beautiful country in the Union, and affords an outlet for millons of feet of pine lumber every year, the forests
of which skirt it for many miles. Many finely cultivated
farms are also found upon the banks of this stream, and a
number of young and prosperous villages.
FLINTt RIVER.-This river takes its rise in the southeastern corner of Lapeer county, pursues first a north-westerly, then a south-westerly course through part of the county
after which it changes to a north-westerly course and empties
into the Saginaw river about 30 miles from its mouth.Pine is found in abundance upon the banks of this stream,
of an excellent quality, as well as most every other variety
of timber. This river passes through some rich and splendid
intervals, and is boatable at certain stages of the water
many miles from its mouth. There are a great many fine,
and well cultivated farms upon the banks of this stream.The banks in many places being bold and commanding,
renders the situation of farms and dwellings delightful in
the extreme. Many rich bottom lands are also found along
* The original Indian name of this river was Onottoway-se-be-wing, meaning the Ottoway river, as the Ottoways or Onottoways, resided upon its banks
long years ago.
t This river still retains its original name, which in the Indian dialect is
Pe.wa,-ne-go-ink-se.be, which means Flint river,




14                    mSTOYT Or
this river. The river alTo affords a number of excellent mill
sites, and is already being applied to a variety of manufacturing purposes.
SHIAWASSEE O   RIvER.-This is alarge tributary of the
Saginaw, and a rapid and beautiful stream. It rises in the
interior of Livingston and Oakland counties, and pursues a
meandering, north-westerly course through the county of
Shiawassee and joins the Flint to help form the Saginaw, a
few miles above Saginaw City. Its banks near its mouth
are.low, and it is navigable for small steamboats about 20
miles. The lands along this stream are exceedingly rich
and in many places alluvial.  Upon this stream and its
tributaries, are found many excellent mill privileges and
water powers.   Almost every variety of timber abound
along this river.
KAW-KAW-LIN ' RrvEm.-This is a small stream rising in
Arenac and Midland counties, pursuing a south-easterly
course through Midland and Saginaw counties, then northeast into Midland, thence east, and empties into the
south-western extremity of Saginaw Bay, near the mouth
of Saginaw river. The banks of this river are low in many
places, although the soil is very rich and productive, and
susceptible of a high state of culture. This river affords
fine mill privileges. About two miles from its mouth was,
until quite recently, an Indian village and mission, but the
Indians have mostly left for the north, to take possession of
the lands donated them by Government. This river furnishes an outlet for immense quantities of pine lumber,
which is manufactured upon its banks.
MIOHESEBEE RIVER. —This river is a small one, and originated in the western part of Saginaw County. It pursues
a south-east course, and empties into the Saginaw river
about two miles above the mouth of the Flint river. Its
length is about 30 miles. Upon the bottoms of this stream
are found some rich lands mostly unimproved however at
present.
MISHTEGAYOCK RrvER. —This stream rises in the southern
part of Genesee and Shiawassee counties, pursues a northerly course and empties into the Flint river five miles from
its mouth. It is about 45 miles in length, and runs nearly
* I think the gnificatlon of " Shiawsee," is beautiWfl or delihtful.
$ The oorrect Indn name b r t h  is rtvr isO- wg slgniing the
place for pickel, 0-ga pikerel, awmni.g p.lae,




SAGTAW COUNTY.                   15
midway between the Shiawassee and Flint rivers. There
are in the vicinity of this river, some splendid farming lands
and fine timber.  Those wishing to purchase and settle,
would do well to visit this portion of the county.
BAD RIVER. —This stream rises on the southern limits of
Saginaw county, pursues a northern course and empties
into the Hare river one of the tributaries of the Saginaw.
The lands bordering on this stream are generally low,
though exceedingly rich, and tolerably well timbered.
HARE RIVER, to which Bad river is tributary, rises in the
south-west part of Saginaw County and empties into the
Shiawassee river 12 miles above Saginaw City. It passes
through occasional groves of good timber, and the soil
along its banks, is rich and durable.
In addition to the above rivers are several smaller streams,
which though in reality are nothing but creeks, yet are frequently dignified with the name of river. Among these are
the Maqua-na-ke-see,G Che-boy-gun,t Zaw-wis-haw-ning,
and Squy-haw-ning.\l The first rises in Tuscola county and
empties into the south-east extremity of Saginaw Bay. The
second rises in Tuscola county flows north-westerly, and
empties into the Saginaw river about 8 miles from its mouth.
The third rises towards the northern part of Saginaw county,
emptying into the Saginaw river about 7 miles from its
mouth. The fourth rises in the north-western part of Saginaw county, flowing nearly east and empties into the Saginaw river a short distance below Zaw-wis-haw-ning. The
most of these streams are skirted with prairie, though timber
is found in some places along their banks, and the soil is
highly productive and durable.
TIMBER.
This County furnishes an excellent and valuable variety
of timber, including Oak, Beach, hard and soft Maple,
Hickory, Black Walnut, Butternut, Cherry, Basswood, Ash,
Elm, Hemlock and Pine. The Oak found here, is excelled
+ I think the meaning of Maquatsa-ke-see is Bear Creek.
I am not ableto inform the reader the signification of this word.
t Place for Bass.
1L Last place, so called because near its mouth is an Island supposed to have
been the place where the last, or decisive battle was fought between the Sac
and Chippewas.




i16


HISTORY OF


by none in the Union, in point of flexibility, toughness,
elasticity and durability, which properties renders it invaluable for Ship and Steamboat building. It has been pronounced to be equal, by competent judges, to the old
English ship oak, and superior to most of the oak found
elsewhere in the United States. It has been thoroughly
tested by our ship builders here, who stand ready to vouch
for the truth of my statement. This oak is found in great
abundance throughout the entire county. There are however, several kinds of oak here, viz: white, or upland, black,
red, yellow, swamp, and some scrub oak, though not in
abundance. The white and swamp oak are the kinds mostly
used for ship building and staves. Of late years the manufacture of Staves has been entered into with happy success,
and the trade bids fair of rivaling that of the pine lumber.
It is confidently affirmed by those, well informed upon the
subject, that there is in the county and vicinity, sufficient
stave oak to furnish an extensive trade for at least thirty
years to come, and perhaps even a greater length of time.
In another place will be found an article upon the Stave
trade which may be of interest to some of our readers.The Basswood is also found to be of great utility in ship
building, and many other kinds of business where flexible
lumber is required. The pine, aside from the lumber it
yields, furnishes most superb spars for vessels.
The hard, or sugar Maple is a beautiful tree, and the
pride and glory of an American forest. It is not alone its
beauty and magnificence that renders it an object of pride,
but the happy combination of the useful and ornamental
which it possesses. While this tree is eagerly sought after
for its shade, timber, lumber, and the superior fire-wood it
makes, it is highly valuable on account of the immense
quantity of excellent sugar which is annually manufactured
from the rich saccharine sap that flows from it during the
spring months.  The usual sugar months are March and
April, although sugar has been made in the months of January and February. The present winter, 1857-8, it has been
manufactured in limited quantities during December, January and February, in this county. The soil upon which
the 'Maple is found, is generally considered of a superior
quality. The Black Walnut, Butternut and Cherry, are
valuable on account of the excellent lumber they furnish for
cabinet ware, &c.




SAGINAW OOUNTY.                17
The. Butternut is generally found upon the rich bottom
lands that skirt the rivers, while the Black Waluut and
Cherry grow more abundantly upon the lands farther back,
or uplands. OAK OPENINGS are found near the Cass river,
and also in the vicinity of Saginaw river and Bay. These
opehings are covered with a small growth of Oak, white and
black, and are beautiful to look upon; but the soil is light
and porous, and, generally covering a sub-stratum of quicksand. Some portions, however, of these openings produce
bountifully, and are finely adapted to agricultural purposes,
though by no means possessing the strength that the timbered land does.
WILD FRUITS AND BERRIES.
Wild, or native fruit, such as plums, cherries, thorn apples, crab apples, grapes, &c., grow in great abundance upon
the bottom lands and along the margin of the rivers, while
all manner of shrub fruits and berries are found in the greatest profusion here, including currants, gooseberries of several varieties, high and low whortleberries, billberries, mayberries, blueberries, high and low blackberries, red and white
raspberries, strawberries and cranberries. The cranberry,
which fills some of the marshes and wet prairie, to the exclusion of everything else, is an important article of export.
Hundreds of bushels of this most luxurious berry are shipped
annually from the port of Saginaw: For one or two years
past, the amount of berries exported has fallen far short of
the usual quantity in consequence of the marshes being
burned, or flooded out. During the fall of 1856, hundreds
of acres of cranberry marsh, as well as upland and lowland
forests, were literally consumed and destroyed by fire. These
marshes, or at least many of them which escaped the general fire, were, during the fall of 1857 so completely submerged with water as to render it impossible to gather the
cranberries growing upon them. Consequntly the demaid
increased, and with it of course, the price. The high bush
cranberry which is an inferior berry, and which is not
brought into market, is found in considerable quantities in
most of the swamps and marshes. The grapes and wild
plums, are, many of. them, of an excellent quality, and
might by domesticating, be rendered equal to the imported
3




18                    HISTORY OP
fruit. The soil is in general well adapted to the rearing
and cultivation of all Sinds of fruit, and judging from the
thriving manner in which the wild fruits grow, and of the
great yield of domestic fruits in some of the older and more
settled portions of the State, posessing a similar soil to our
own, there can be no doubt that at no future day this
County will be noted as a great fruit growing County. Already do those portions of the County that have been settled
the longest, begin to show signs of this. Some of the farms
upon the banks of the Tittabawassee, possess fine thriving
orchards, while in Saginaw City may be seen several small,
yet exceedingly productive ones. We would call the attention of the settler to the practicability of raising fruit here,
and earnestly suggest for his consideration, the importance
of planting young orchards, and cultivating shrub and vine
fruits, for by so doing, not only the wealth, but the convenience and comfort of the County will be materially advanced, as well as his own happiness.
Strawberries, which are peculiarly indigenous to the soil,
might be cultivated with the most happy result. When
properly attended to, this vine yields in an abundance that
is truly astonishing, and amply repays for all the attention
and care which its delicate nature requires. This luscioius
berry might be made an article of export with us. Let
some horticulturist turn his attention to this fact.
VEGETABLES.
The peculiar adaptation of the soil here, particularly in
the vicinity of the rivers, and upon the bottom lands, to
the production of all kinds of field and garden vegetables,
has been generally acknowledged. Potatoes, turnips, beets,
carrots, parsnips, &c., prove by their excessive yield, the
extreme fecundity of the soil, while all manner of garden
vines, such as pumpkin,* squash, water-melon and muskmelon produce to an astonishing degree.
The pumpkin here often grow to such an extent and size
that were we simply to make imention of but one raised
here which girted the modest number of nine feet, we
*So rtpd is the growth of the pumpkin, and other vines in our looalita,
that a ag suggented the propriety of employing them to carry the mail,
a hint WhflE some of our mail agents would do well to observe.




SAGINAW COUNTY.                 19
should be set down at once, as infringing upon the truth.Peas, beans, tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, &c., grow in our
gardens to great perfection and flavor. The potatoc attains
to a superior excellence with us, and one acre has been
known to yield upwards of 300 bushels.  Wild onions,
leeks, &c., grow abundantly in our forests, and upon the
margin of the rivers.
GRAIN S.
Wheat, barley, oats, rye, corn and buckwheat, are raised
here, though of course not to that extent with which they
are in the older and more settled Counties. Judging from
the nature of the soil, and the general yield of the wheat
and other grains, thus far, we feel no hesitancy in saying
that this County must one day be noted as a great grain
growing County. The oats raised in the vicinity of the
rivers, as well as the corn, may, in point of quantity or
quality, challenge any other County in the State. Rye,
barley, hemp and flax are as yet but little known here,
particularly the last two, although we see no good reason
why they may not all be cultivated with happy success.As a stock raising County, Saginaw cannot, with the facilities it posesses, be exceeded. Many kinds of excellent grass
grow wild in the greatest profusion, and where the domestic and foreign have been introduced they have succeeded
to admiration. As before stated, thousands of tons of very
good hay are annually cut upon the praries and wild
meadows, found in various portions of the County.
MINERALS.
Many indications of the existence of various kinds of
minerals in Saginaw County and vicinity, have recently
been discovered. Along the banks of the Tittabawassee
and Flint rivers, excellent specimens of bituminous coal
have been found, which leads to the belief that rich beds
must.exist not far below the surface, while upon the Shia*A few specimens of native copper have been found near the head waters
of the Tittabawassee river.




20


HISTORY OF


wassee river, in the vicinity of Corunna, in Shiawassee
County, some very prolific beds are now being worked.
This river, it will be remembered, or about 25 miles of
it, flows into Saginaw County. We venture to predict that
in less than five years from the present time, coal beds will
be worked in this County with good success, and with
profit. In the north-west portion of the County, in the
vicinity of Saginaw Bay, gypsum, or plaster of Paris, has
been found in considerable quantities, and also grey colored
limestone, which makes not only excellent lime, but likewise good building stone.  Boulders, sometimes called
"lost rocks," are found near the Bay shore, and ii some of
our rivers, though not to any extent. A very good species
of glass sand exists in the neighborhood of the Bay, which
might be turned to good account.
SALINES.
Our former State geologist, the much lamented Doctor
Houghton, asserted that a goodly portion of Saginaw
County rested on a bed of salt, and that by sinking shafts
to a sufficient depth, anywhere along the Saginaw and its
tributaries, strong brine in any quantities would be the result. "Salt licks" exist in various portions of the County,
and many saline springs, although at present none are being
worked. Attempts, however, have been made to improve
some of these springs, but owing either to inefficiency of
means, or want of skill in conducting operations, they have
been abandoned.
In town 13, north, range 10 east, in the vicinity of Cass
river, several salt marshes are found, varying in area from
one to thirty acres. These marshes, or "licks," are covered
with a short grass, and are a great resort for elk, deer, &c.
During the dryest seasons, by scraping away but a few
inches of earth in these marshes, a clear, strong brine will
make its appearance, to mock the thirst and tantalize the
poor hunter in search of drink.
All the tributaries of the Saginaw furnish, upon their
borders, the most numerous indications of the existence of
salt, and from the limited examinations that have been
made from time to time, of the various localities, happy
results have been anticipated. About the year 1838 at



SAGINAW COUNTY.                21
tempts were made to work two or three springs situated
upon the Tittabawassee, but the attempts proved failures
in consequence of the great disadvantages under which the
operators labored. These works were owned by the State.
The average-temperature of these springs was 48~ Fahrenheit, and the analization of their waters has resulted as
foll6ws, showing the constituents of 100 grains of the solid
contents:
Muriate of Soda,  ---                 83,94
Muriate of Lime,   - -     --      -   4,85.
Muriate of Magnesia,  --               6,48.
Sulphate of Lime,  ---                 3,93.
Carbonate of Lime, --,80.
Total, 100,00.
The water from which the above analysis was made, was
taken, it will be remembered, from springs, and not the result of boring. Judging from this, there can be no doubt
of the great advantages that must accrue from sinking
shafts.
These saline resources are, without doubt, destined to
become, at no distant day, sources of unbounded wealth to
the County. We see no just reasons why salt works could
not be established among us even now, for with the usual
energy and perseverance that characterizes the inhabitants
of Saginaw County, when enlisted in any enterprise, most
happy results must inevitably accrue from their taking hold
of an enterprise of this nature. We learn, by the way,
that a company is about forming for the, purpose of boring
for salt in thq vicinity of Green Point, and near the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Cass rivers with the Saginaw. We bespeak for it success.
A few years since, a well was dug in the township of
Birch Run, for the purpose of supplying a steam saw-mill
with water. After digging forty feet, water began to rush
in with such rapidity as to prevent the workmen from proceeding with their work, and it was with some difficulty
that they succeeded in getting their implements out of the
well. When the water was first discovered, it was about
six o'clock, P. MI. The next morning at three o'clock there
was thirty-six feet of water in the well —in fact it had risen
until it came to a sub-strata of quicksand, a few feet below
the surface, through which it percolated, and coming out a




22


HISTORY OF


short distance below formed itself into a running stream.This water, which was clear as crystal; and very cold,
proved to be highly impregnated with saline properties.
FUR TRADE.
Many years have elapsed since the first fur trading house
was built upon the banks of the Saginaw, and many of
those first engaged in the trade here have long since passed
away and been forgotten. The exact date of the commencement of the fur trade in the County is not known, although
it is certain that it was carried on here by trappers and
traders long before thoughts of settling this portion of
Michigan was indulged in. Those regions bordering upon
the lakes and bays, were formerly considered valuable only
in proportion to the amount of furs and pelts they produced, for the fur trade was then regarded as the only
source of wealth afforded by those uncultivated wilds;
therefore the possession of it was the principal "bone of
contention" between the French, English and Yankee traders. There was, however, no necessity for indulging in
jealousies on that score, for the almost impenetrable forests
that extended from lake to lake, and covering an area of
thousands of miles in extent, were filled with all manner
of American wild beasts, while along the rivers, creeks and
bayous were found myriads of small game, such as otter,
martin, fisher, mink, muskrat, foxes, &c. Large colonies of
beavers flourished and sent fourth their busy thousands to
build dams and villages, and extend their dominion where
the white man's foot had never, as yet, left its impress.
By degrees, the domain of these native fur-eigners began
to be invaded by the trapper and hunter, and trading houses
were erected amid the " eternal shades" of the forest. Then
it was that the poor Indian first became acquainted with
the accursed fire-water, which was exchanged with him for
furs, the real value of which he was unacquainted with. A
few quarts of adulterated whiskey or rum, would buy several
dollars worth of furs, while everything he possessed would
be bartered off for the "villainous mixture."  So strong an
influence did the trader (in many localities) exert over the
untutored child of the forest, that all attempts to evangelize him, by the missionary, proved abortive, for many years.




SAGINAW COUNTY.               23
During the year 1824, the attention of the American Fur
Company was directed to that portion of country bordering
Saginaw Bay, and the territory lying beyond. Selecting
the spot upon which Saginaw City now stands, it established a trading post there, and commenced operations upon
somewhat of an extensive scale. Thousands of dollars
worth of the richest furs were annually obtained here and
sent to market, from which were realized great profits and
immediate returns.
The interest of the Company here was, after a few years,
purchased by the Hon. G. D. Williams, who continued to
trade with the Indians several years, and who still resides at
Saginaw City. From the above mentioned period to the
present, the fur trade of the county has been an exceedingly
lucrative one. Although no regularly organized fur company exists in the county at the present day, yet the traffic
is engaged in by individuals to quite an extent. This trade
will undoubtedly be maintained in the vicinity of Saginaw
for many years to come, owing to the fact of the country
north and west of it being a wild, dense forest, stretching
from lake to lake, and covering nearly the entire northern
portion of the peninsula. Consequently, many years must
necessarily elapse before a scarcity of game occurs in those
parts, and as Saginaw is a point which will long furnish a
market for the surrounding country, of course the trade
must center here. The furs and pelts furnished at the various points along the Saginaw river, amount in value to upwards of $30,000 annually. It is almost or quite impossible to arrive at a correct estimate of the actual valuation of
the trade belonging to the county, for perhaps thousands of
dollars worth of the furs that are yearly taken by the trappers and hunters, are sold to transient traders and those not
connected with the business interests of the county, farther
than to enrich themselves from its resources. The above
figures we obtain from some of our business men upon the
Saginaw river.
FISH   TRADE..For many years, this trade has occupied a prominency in
the business of the Lakes and Bays that hem in our beautiful Peninsula, and in point of extent and profit it is excelled but by few other branches of trade. Fish have from




24                      HISTORY OF
the earliest ages of the world, been used by man as an
article of diet, in every portion of the Globe of which we
have any knowledge, and they will probably continue to be
used while the ocean rolls, the lakes exist, and the rivers
flow to produce them. It would be a difficult thing for us
to establish the exact point when this trade was first entered
into upon our upper lakes, yet we know that for many years
it has been engaged in with great success, proving a source
of gain, if not wealth to those connected with it. Nor is
it alone the Lakes and Bays that have acquired a notoriety
for fish, for most of our rivers afford excellent varieties and
in inexhaustible quantities.    During the spring and fall
months, myriads of fish known as wall-eyed: pike come into
our northern rivers to deposit their spawn, and hundreds of
barrels are annually taken by fishermen during these seasons.
This pike is one of the most delicious river fish to be found,
and in many respects may almost be considered as a rival to
the white fish, particularly when it is in its prime. Although
many other kinds of fish are obtained in our rivers, this is
the only one they produce that is packed for market. There
are numerous fisheries upon the Saginaw river for the purpose of taking this kind of fish, and one fishery alone has
been known to take as many as ten hundred barrels during
the fishing season.
Below we give the names of the principal kinds of fish
caught in our Lakes, Bays and Rivers, together with their
respective weight.
Sturgeon    from 70 to 120 pounds.
Trout         "  20 "    60   "
Muskelunjeh"     15 "    40   "
Pickerel      "    6 "   15   "
Mullet        "    5 "   10   "
White fish    "    2 "    5   "
Perch                     1   "
Roach                     I    "
Black Bass "      1 "     3
Bill fish   '"    1       3   "
Cat fish     "   10 "    20   "
* Although this Fish is known as wall-eyed pike, its true name is pickerel.
There is a kind of fish however, that-frequents our rivers and smaller streams,
which with some, bears the euphonious name of " snake eater," but is generally called pickerel. In contra distinction, the former is called sand or walleyd pickerel, and the latter, grass pickerel. In appearance, as well as in
faor, these two fish differ materially.




SAGINAWOC COUJNTY.T


25


The Sturgeon is both a lake and river fish, and when
properly served up, forms an excellent dish. Like the walleyed pickerel, the sturgeon comes into our rivers to deposit
its spawn. During the early ages of the county, the flesh
of this fish was called " Saginaw beef."  The Trout is a
lake fish, and is seldom, if ever found in our rivers. The
White fish is indeed the prince of fresh water fish, and the
principal fish of export, although great quantities of pickerel
and trout are exported and some sturgeon. The lake and
river fish, exported from the various points on Saginaw river
amount in value to about forty thousand dollars a year.The fish trade of the county probably exceeds that, owing
to home consumption and the country trade, which is not
inconsiderable, being added to the exports.
PINE LUMBERING BUSINESS.
The Saginaw pine lumber trade occupies a pre-eminency
in the business of the County, and may with propriety be
considered the basis or foundation of every other branch of
trade with us. Within four or five years past, this business
has increased to an astonishing extent, and in point of importance and magnitude has far exceeded the most sanguine
hopes of those who first engaged in it. Although millions
of feet of pine logs are annually converted into lumber and
sent to market from the various mills in the county, yet instead of a diminution, there seems to be a continual and
steady increase of pine in our rivers, and mills to manufacture it into lumber. The dark forests of pine that skirt the
various tributaries of the Saginaw, or wave in primeval
beauty upon the intervales between, have, as yet scarcely
felt the invasion of the lumbermen, and many years must
necessarily elapse before some of these pineries are invaded
at all by them, for thousands of acres of pine lands which
the woodman's axe has never yet disturbed, lie far beyond
us, and only wait the motion of the lumberman to be
brought into notice. Every year, however, the lumberman
is extending his operations and penetrating farther and
farther into the deep recesses of the forest. A lumberman's
camp presents an animated picture, full of busy life and
stirring, restless activity. Every man has his part assigned
him, and in a well regulated camp, everything moves along
4




26                  HISTORY OF
like " clock work." During the day, work, work, is the order
of exercise, but when evening comes, the axe and the saw
are laid aside, the teams taken care of, and the men gather
around the camp fires, where with jokes, songs and jovial
mirth, the evening quickly and pleasantly passes away,
while the music of the night winds as they sigh through
the dark pine tops above them, lull them to sweet, delicious
repose, made doubly so by the honest labors of the day.
A lumberman's life, though one of toil and often privation, is also a jolly one, and interspersed with many happy
moments. Whether engaged in falling the tree-sawing it
into logs-rafting or manufacturing it into lumber, he is
always the same jovial, mirth loving being. Winter is generally the season for cutting and hauling the logs to the
banks of the rivers-near which the camps are usually
located-where they are " tallied" and branded with their
respective owner's marks.
During the spring freshets they are rolled into the streams
promiscuously, and after obstructing the streams with
" booms" to prevent their escape, they are formed into rafts
and floated down to the various mills upon the river, where
they are converted into lumber for market, &c.
Below we give a list of the Mills upon the Saginaw river
and tributaries in the County, kindly furnished us by John
S. Estabrook Esq., together with the quantity of lumber
manufactured by each one during the year 1857, also the
amount at the usual market prices. Commencing at the
Kaw-kaw-lin Mills, we will place the location of all Mills
below Bay City, at Bay City.
BAY CITY.
Feet.    Dollars.
Clark, Ballou & Co., 2 Mills,    4,000,000   35,000
McEwen & Bro.,                   3,500,000   30,000
Moore & Smith, -    -   -    -   3,500,000   30,000
Bangor Mills, Copeland & Co.,  -  4,000,000  35,000
George Lord & Co., -      -      3,000,000   24,000
Drake Mills, Copeland & Co.,  -  3,000,000   24,000
Samuel Pitts, -   -         -    3,500,000   30,000
Henry Raymond,                   3,500,000   30,000




SAGINAW COUNTY.


27


BAY CITY-Continued.
Feet.
Beeson & Wheeler, -    -    -    3,000,000
Catlin & Jennison,  -  -    -    1,500,000
Beebee & Atwood,   -   -    -    1,500,000
Miller & Butterfield,  -    -    2,000,000
Henry Doty,   -    -   -         4,000,000
Frost & Bradley,   -   -    -    4,000,000


Dollars.
24,000
10,000
10,000
14,000
35,000
35,000


PORTSMOUTH.


J. J. McCormick,
Patridge Mill, James Fraser,
Portsmouth Mill, John Drake,
Bud's Mill,  -    -    -
H. D. Braddock & Co.,  -


1,500,000
3,000,000
-  1,200,000
2,000,000
2,000,000


10,000
24,000
9,000
14,000
14,000


ZILWAUKIE.


Johnson Mill, John Drake,
B. F. Fisher,  -   -


4,000,000  35,000
-   -   1,500,000  10,000


CARROLTON.
4,000,000    35,000


J. A. Westervelt,


EAST SAGINAW.


Gushing & Co.,    -    -
J. Hill,      -   -
L. B. Curtis,  -  -    -
D. G. Holland,    -   -
Whiting & Garrison,
Gallagher Mill, W. F. Glasby,
Copeland & Co.,   -    -
Atwater Mill, -   -    -


4,500,000
-  2,500,000
3,000,000
1,500,000
3,000,000
-  2,000,000
1,500,000
3,500,000


36,000
21,000
24,000
10,000
24,000
14,000
10,000
30,000




51UT Or


SAGINAW     CITY.
Feet.     Dollars.
Sang Mill,         -              7,000,000    30,000
G. D. Williams & Son, -.   -      2,500,000    21,000
Millard Mill, Curtis & King,  -   3,500,000    30,000
The above are mills upon the Saginaw river; simply.In addition will be found the following mills situated in
different portions of the County:
Bradley & Co., - St. Charles, Forks Bad River,
Wendal's Mill, -      cC                  C
Morley's   "   - Chessening, Shiawassee River,
J. W. Turner's,  (
(water,) "
J. L. Fuller'^
Shaddock's,    - Tittabawassee River,
Jessee Hoyt's,  - Birch Run,
R. F. Opdyke's,         (c
Hubenger's, 2, (water,) Frankeumuth.
The amount cut by these mills is
about            -              16,000,000  105,000
Making a grand total of       -    -    $872,000
worth of lumber alone, cut in one year, in the County.When we consider that these mills ran not to exceed six
months during the year, we may rest assured that their
time was well employed. There are large quantities of
other kinds of lumber, such as walnut, cherry, basswood,
&c., manufactured in the County, of which we have no account. The average number of hands employed in and
about the above mills, is about twenty-five to the mill,
making an army of 1,I00 hardy working men!
It will be observed 'that the above statistics are confined
strictly to Saginaw County. We make no mention therein
of. the vast quantities of lumber manufactured in the
Counties of Tuscola and Midland, and rafted or hauled to
Saginaw for shipment.
The first saw mill* in the County, was built at Saginaw
City during the year 1832 by G. D., & E. Williams. This
*Thi mill wa situated near the 8aginaw City upper Ferry, and was de*tqed by fire duing the year 1854.
A portion of the achisry belonging to the old Walk in the Water, the
ft steamboat that navigated Lake Erie, was used in this mill,




SAMIAaW COUNTY.


9


mill was built merely for the accommodation of the early
settlers, as such a thing as shipping lumber from Saginaw
was not then dreamed of. In connection with this mill,
and impelled by the same power, was a small run of stone,
which ground, or rather " cracked corn" for our Saginaw
forefathers, for wheat was not known here in those days by
"experimental knowledge."
This was, therefore, the first grist mill, also, in the
County. The first shipment of lumber from the County
was from the Emerson Mill, Buena Vista, opposite Saginaw City, in the year 1836. This mill was built during
the year 1835, by a New York Company.
Its dimensions were fifty-five by one hundred and twenty
feet. It contained three upright saws; one edging table
and a butting saw, with an engine of 75 horse power, 4 1-2
feet stroke. Three boilers 18 feet long, and 42 inches in
diamater, and flues 14 inch. Capacity of the mill was for
sawing 3,000,000 feet of lumber per annum, running daytime, alone. This mill suspended operations about two
years since. When in its prime it had few, if any equals
in the State.
LATH
Many of the above mentioned mills are provided with
lath machines, and much of the refuse lumber, and a
goodly portion of the slabs are converted into lath, which
inds a ready market at home at $1 50 to $2 00 per one
thousand pieces. The amount of lath manufactured in the
County, during the sawing season, is about 10,000;000
pieces, nearly 8,000,000 of which find their way to the
astern and Western markets.
At an average rate of two dollars per thousand, this
would amount to the snug sum of $20,000 per annum for
lath. This, it will be remembered, is mad from slabs &c.,
which, were they not thus converted, woald  be given
away and burned




30


HISTORY OF


SHINGLES
The shingle business is carried on in the County quite
extensively, and is fast becoming an important branch of
trade. There are several Steam Shingle Factories in various portions of the County, in full and successful operation, although millions of shingles are annually manufactured by hand. This business gives employment to a
vast number of men and affords support for hundreds who
have settled upon new farms.
The number of shingles manufactured in the County and
shipped annually, is about 10,000,000, which at the ordinary market price would amount to $30,000.
STAVE TRADE.
This trade is beginning to occupy quite a conspicuous
place in the business of the Saginaw Valley. The almost
inexhaustable supplies of superior stave-oak which the
County and vicinity afford, together with the facilities for
shipping, renders the various points on the Saginaw river
most admirable ones for this branch of industry. The
staves for export are the hogshead, pipe and butt. A few
"heads" have been exported, though not to any extent.The stave trade furnishes employment for a vast number of
men, and during the winter season when the sawmills have
temporarily suspended operations upon the river, the
hauling, assorting, or " culling," and piling of staves, occupies a pre-eminency in the business of the river towns. The
first stave-yard in the County, was established at Saginaw
City, during the winter of 1850, by H. Shaw, Esq. For a
long time but little was done at the business, owing to the
limited means of shipping in those days, yet, after a while
as the business of the valley began to develop itself generally, of course vessels came in, to aid and share in the various branches of trade, engaged in along the river. Within
the past three or four years the stave business has increased
to such an extent, that the stave now forms one of the
most important items of export we have. As before stated,
it is confidently affirmed that there is stave-oak enough in




SAGINAW COUNTY.


31


the County, and along the Saginaw and its tributaries, to
furnish an extensive stave trade for at least thirty years to
come, and perhaps even a greater length of time.  The
staves manufactured in the County, find their way, not
only to various markets in the United States and the Canadas, but also to Liverpool and other European markets.The facilities for shipment are increasing every year upon
our rivers and lakes, and before three years elapse we may
reasonably expect to have staves, and some other articles
of export, shipped directly from the port of Saginaw to
Liverpool
From the year 1850 to 1855, the number of staves manufactured in the County, and shipped from the various
points upon the river, averaged about 400,000 annually.Since the latter date up to the present year, the average
has been about 1,200,000 annually, showing considerable
of an increase in the trade since 1850. The total valuation
of these staves at the usual market price, is about $30,000,
making the stave trade an important auxilary to the business of the County.
SHIPPING.
Below we give a tabular statement of the vessel and
steamboat arrivals into Saginaw river during the years
1855, 1856 and 1857. Previous to the year 1855, no account had been kept of the number of arrivals at the Saginaw port, which circumstance we much regret; yet, we can
safely affirm that up to the year 1850, the whole number
of arrivals at the different points upon the river, could not
possibly have exceeded, annually, twenty-five. Indeed, the
number of vessels cQming here would not, until quite
recently, justify the keeping of a single Tug upon the river.
What few vessels did stray off here, were borne upon
the "wings of the wind," alone. The first. Tug owned
and run upon the Saginaw river, and its tributaries, was
the BUENA VISTA, a stern-wheel " institution," built by a
joint stock company in 1849. When we reflect that up to
this year, there were but three or four sawmills upon
the Saginaw river, where there are now near fifty, the increase in the river business will appear to us a legitimate
and healthy one. A mere reference to the subjoined table




3                     I HISTOIY OF
will alone be sufficient to impress the mind of the stranger
with a sense of the amount of business done upon this


river:
1855.
April, - -
May,   - -
June,  - -
July,   - -
August,
September,
October,
November,
December,


Barques. Brigs.
1
1     20
3     17
4     21
2     28
9     26
10     31
2     22
10


Schooners.
2
4
25
50
59
49
50.
30
8


Steamboats
2
8
12
18
20
19
18
8
4




Total,   -    31    176
Navigation opened April 20th.


277


109.


Closed December 13th.


1856.
April, - -
May,   - -
June,  - -
July,  - -
August,
September,
October,
November,
December,


Barques. Brigs.
2
1      9
2     10
2     10
3      9
2      5
1      3
2


Schooners.
6
96
80
70
50
23
30
16


Steamboats.
4
8
8
10
9
6
4
6
2.


Total,   -    11    50
Navigation opened April 24th.


375           57.
Closed December 7th.


1857.
April, -
May,   - -
June,   - -
July,    -
August,
September,
October, -
November,
December,


Barques.
5
4
2
3
1
1
6
2


Brigs.
11
10
12
13
10
8
3
1
1


Schooners.
35
40
45
44
80
50
26
18
7


Steamboats.
10
15
15
\17
16
12
11
10
L


-~ I —  - c '

Tota,     I     24  64
Narvigtion opened April let


330          107w
Ckloed Deember 2fOt.




SAGINAW COUNTY.


33


In connection with the above, we would notice one fact
which is worthy of remembrance.
During the early part of November, 1857, the navigation of the Saginaw Bay and river was completely obstructed by ice, and apparently closed for the season. —
Teams crossed the river at all points, upon the ice, and
everything indicated the approach and commencement of
a severe and fearful winter. In a few weeks, however, from
this time, the Bay and river opened, and many vessels and
steamers that had been "caught outside," came in, much
to the joy of our merchants, and others who were particularly interested in their arrival. After a few weeks, navigation closed again, and remained closed until the 25th of
January, 1858, when it again opened and our river for a
number of days, was alive with steamboats passing up and
down, as they were wont to do during the summer. The
river remained open until the third day of February, when
it froze over again, and continued frozen until the 17th
day of March, when the ice began to float, and in a few
days from that date, navigation opened and our river was
once more covered with vessels and steamers.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
SAGINAW CITY.
This city is beautifully located upon the western bank of
the Saginaw river, 23 miles from Saginaw Bay, 200 miles
from Detroit by water, and 95 by land, via. Flint City and
Pontiac. It is the County seat, and contains about 2,500
inhabitants. The land in part upon which the City stands,
was located by C. Little, Esq., (father of Hon. Norman
Little,) in the year 1822. As previously intimated, Gen.
Lewis Cass concluded a treaty with the Chippewas he"r, in
1819, which secured to our government an extensive tact
of territory. The spot upon which this treaty was held, is
a beautiful rise of ground, near where-you enter the City
from the north, and in the vicinity of the residence of Wm.
H. Sweet, Esq.  Many associations-of a highly interesting
character are interwoven with the early history of Sginaw,
for, as previously stated, this point was many long years ago,
5




34


HISTORY OF


the great camping ground and general rendezvous of all the
Saginaw tribes. Saginaw, or more properly Sac-haw-ning,
signifies the land of the Sac, who were the original lords
and owners of this portion of Michigan.  The fort and
barracks, to which allusion has already been made, occupied a lovely and commanding point of ground and were
surrounded by high palisadoes, or pickets.  Some of these
pickets, together with two or three block houses which
helped form the barracks, were standing as late as 1850,
and even now may be seen two old trading houses, whose
dark time-stained walls and roof carry the mind of the beholder far back into other years. For many years after the
first white settlers located here, the only means of communication with the great world outside (for Saginaw was
then considered almost "out of humanity's reach,") were
those afforded by the rivers, which were at some seasons af
the year, particularly Flint river, navigable a portion of
the way, for flat boats; and an Indian trail leading from
near Green Point, two miles above the City, to Detroit,
upon which the Indians took their march annually to Malden, to receive their presents from the British Government.
Notwithstanding the great and serious inconveniences that
attended a removal hither, emigration began gradually to
come in, and after a little, quite a colony was formed here.
During the year 1830, Judge Davenport removed with
his family from Flint, (although at that time there were
but two families residing there,) to Saginaw. Packing his
family and effects into one or two flat boats, he proceeded
with them down the river. Every few miles he would find
his progress impeded by flood-wood, which, owing to the
narrowness of the stream, completely filled it up, and compelled him to hitch his oxen, with which he was fortunately
provided, to the flat-boats and draw them over the land to
where the river was clear again, and launch them. For
seven long, tedious, days did he pursue his route, before
reaching Saginaw, each day being fraught with difficulties
that required no ordinary degree of perseverence and hardihood to surmount.
Some time after this, a kind of track was cut through
the woods to Flint, which was passable only during the
winter season. Occasionally a person would have the hardihood to try this route during the summer. One Captain
was fourteen days coming from Pontiac to thi
place, which route is now passed over in less than one day I




SAGINAW COUNTY.                X
I have often thought that those daring and hardy pioneeri
who, in spite of every difficulty that presented itself to
dishearten and discourage, were determined to make Saginaw their home, were gifted with a spirit of divination, for
what visible inducement had they to leave their comfortable
homes, and smiling farms. in the east, and exchange them
for the rude hut and wilderness of Michigan?  It would
certainly seem that they foresaw Saginaw, a great. and
flourishing country, teeming with life and busy animation,
and her bright, proud river agitated with vessels and noisy
steamers.  If so, most assuredly have their anticipations
been realized, and how amply have they been repaid for all
their toil, trials and difficulties. The country continued to
settle slowly until the year 1836.  Then came a flood of
emigration from the East, composed, however, mostly f
those better adapted to the effeminencies and luxuries of
city life, than to the hardships and stern realities of border
life.
During this memorable year, the " plat of Saginaw City"
was much enlarged, being regularly laid out and streets
named. A map of the "City" was also drawn and engraved, and circulated through the Union.  Operations
were carried on here upon an extensive scale under the
management of Hon. NoRMAN LITTLE, who was then acting
for a New York company.     Several docks, warehouses,
dwellings, a large and beautiful hotel called the " Webster
House," were erected, and large sums of money were
invested in other operations. At this time the population
was about 900. All was life and activity here, and; the
sound of the axe, the hammer and the saw was heard ringing merrily o'er the wafaters of the Saginaw, or echoing in
the green woods around. Orie or two steamers plied regularly between this place and Detroit, and everything gaBs
promise of great things.  But the terrible financial crisis
and crash that followed the year '36, and which produced
such a fearful reaction throughout the length and breadth
of the land, frustrated the plans of the company aind. lft
everything itl statu quo.
As much of the population at that time was a' ost of
floating one, it was not long after operations ceased here,
before it became reduced more than one-half, and instead
of the bustle and confusion that had prevailed, a sabbathlike quiet riow reigned. The steamer fdrsook the river, and
the Indian ones more paddled his canoe in safety cer ts




36                   HISTORY OF
bright, glassy surface. Truly might Saginaw have exclaimed
with Othello, "my occupation's gone." From the year 1838-9
to 1845, but little or no emigration came into the county.
During the year 1841, the territorial road, or as it was more
generally known as the Saginaw turnpike, was completed.
This road had been chopped out and worked within 18
miles of Saginaw a few years before, when the work was
abandoned, After its completion to Saginaw, it was far
from being a good road, and at some seasons of the year
was almost impassable.
The mail was carried from Saginaw to Flint once a week
on horseback, as late as the year 1849, and I think even
later, although in the winter season it would sometimes be
brought through in a sleigh, in order that passengers might
occasionally be accommodated. About the years 1849-50
the tide of emigration began to turn northward, as this
portion of the State was considered. and' prospects assumed
a more favorable complexion.   The "City" began to
flourish, and business, which had lain dormant so long, renewed its age and increased. City lots were in constant
demand, and everything began to assume an appearance
akin to a bona fide city.  Steamboats and vessels made
their appearance at our docks, and again was heard the
sound of the hammer and the saw. The forest around the
city began to melt away, and lands that had previously
been chopped off were now cleared up, fenced in, and
dwellings or places of business erected upon them. The
fine farming lands in the vicinity of the city were fast
being located and settled upon, and it became evident that
the world was at last awakening to a realizing sense of the
growing importance of our young county.
The City now contains many beautiful buildings, several
extensive warehouses, docks, &c.  Nothing certainly can
exceed the beauty and loveliness of its locality, especially
during the spring and summer months when everything in
nature is in bloom. The streets, which are regularly laid
out, are, in many parts of the city, well shaded with locust
and maple trees, and the residences of many of the citizens evince great taste and refinement. The city extends
along the river about two miles, and the stranger in approaching it, is struck with its commanding and picturesque
appearance.
This city was incorporated in 1857, and the following
city officers were elected, viz.: Hon. Gardner D. Williams,




SAGINAW COUNTY.


37


Mayor. Coe Garrett, Recorder. Aldermen, John Moore,
G. W. Bullock, Jay Smith and David Hughes. Marshal,
John E. Gibson. City Attorney, E. C. Newell.
Below we give a business directory of the city, which
speaks volumes for its enterprise and prosperity.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
DRY GOODS.
G. W. BULLOCK, Fancy Dry Goods, Staple articles, Groceries and provisions. Corner of Ames and Hamilton sts.
D. H. JEROME & Co., Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Fancy Dry Goods, Clothing, Groceries and Provisions.Jerome's Block, Water st.
G. T. ZSCHOERNER, Dealer in Dry Goods, Clothing,
Groceries and Provisions, Flour, &c. Woodruff Block,
Water street, on the Dock.
FERDINAND FLATAU, Dealer in Fancy Dry Goods,
Furniture, Groceries and Provisions. Water street, on
the Dock.
P. C. ANDRE, Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries and Provisions. Water st., on the Dock.
MILLINERY ESTABLISHMENTS.
MRS. RICE, Milliner and Dress Maker, and Dealer in
Fancy articles. Water st.
MISS HAMILTON, Milliner and Mantua Maker. Corer
of Ames and Hamilton sts.
MERCHANT TAILORS.
F. A. LEASIA, Merchant Tailor, and Dealer in all Kinds
of Garments, Hats, Caps, &c. Mitchell's Block, Water
street.
M. RATHKIE, Manufacturer and Dealer in Ready Made
Clothing, &c. Water st.
J. MULKAHAY, Dealer in, and Manufacturer of Clothing. Water st.
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.
J. DOWLING, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Flour,
Feed, &c. Water st.




38                   HISTORY OF
A. ANDRE, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Flour,
Fruits, &c. Water st.
M. BUTMAN, Dealer in Family Groceries and Provisions.
Woodruff Block, Water st.
GEO. STREBE, Dealer in Groceries and provisions, &c.Water st.
W. BINDER, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Flour,
Salt and Staves. Water st., on the Dock.
JACOB VOGT, Grocery and Provision Dealer. Water st.
M. REDMAN, Restaurant. Corner Hamilton and Jefferson streets.
HARDWARE.
D. H. JEROME & Co., Dealers in all kinds of Hardware,
including Iron, Steel, Nails, Stoves and Hollow Ware,
and Manufacturers of Tin and Sheet Iron Ware. Corner of Water and Van Buren sts.
N. GIBSON, Dealer in Hardware, such as Nails, Steel,
Stoves, Hollow Ware, Mill Saws, Chains, Cutlery, &c.Water st., in Gibson's Block.
FURNITURE.
A. FISHER, Cabinet and Chair Manufacturer. Water st.
SHOE SHOPS.
C. KULL, Dealer in, and Manufacturer of Boots and
Shoes. Water st.
C. SHULTZ, Manufacturer of Boots and Shoes. Water st.
C. T. BRENNER, Dealer in, and Manufacturer of Boots
and Shoes. Water st.
G. SANDERS, Boot and Shoe Maker. Water st.
P. M. HALE, Manufacturer of Boots and Shoes. Water st.
C. FUCHE. Boot and Shoe Maker. Water st.
G. WINKLER, Boot and Shoe Maker. Water st.
TANNEBY.
C. WYDER, Tanner and Currier. Comer of Stevens and
Water sts., towards Green Point.
HARNESS AND SADDLE SHOP.
JOHN W. RICHARDSON, Manufacturer of, and Dealer
in Harnesses, Saddles, Bridles, Martingals, Trunks, &c.
Water st.




SAGINAW COUNTY.


39


DRUGS AND MEDICINES
A. O. T. EATON & BRO., Dealers in all kinds of Drugs
and Medicines. Corner of Court and Water sts.
D. F. MITCHELL, M. D., Dealer in Drugs, Medicines and
Fancy Notions. Mitchell's Block, Water st.
JAY SMITH, M. D., Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Perfumery, &c. Corner of Van Buren and Water sts.
LAWYERS.
MOORE & GAYLORD, Attorneys and Counsellors at
Law, and Solicitors in Chancery. Office ii Court House.
Corner of Washington and Court sts.
E. C. NEWELL, Attorney and Counsellor at Law. Also
City Attorney. Corner of Water and Jefferson sts.
C. D. LITTLE, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and Soliciter in Chancery. Corner of Washington and Madison
streets.
HIRAM S. PENOYER, Attorney and Counsellor at Law,
and Soliciter in Chancery. Office in the Court House.
SUTHERLAND & BENEDICT, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law. Office, corner of Court and Water streets,
up stairs.
WILLIAM H. SWEET, Attorney and Counsellor at Law.
Office on Water st.
PHYSICIANS.
J. B. WHITE, M. D., Office on corer of Lyon's and 'ater sts.
N. D. LEE, Surgeon and Practitioner. Office on Jefferson
street.
D. F. MITCHELL, Surgeon and Medical Attendant. Office in Mitchell's Block, Water st.
M. C. T. PLESSNER, M. D., General Practitioner and
Surgeon. Office on Water st.
DION BIRNEY, M. D., Surgeon and Practicing Physician. Corer of Court and Water sts.
S. FRANKE, M. D. Corer of Franklin and Hamilton sts.




40


HISTORY OF


HOTELS.
WEBSTER HOUSE, kept by Lester Cross.        Good accommodations, and finely located on the corner of Washington and Jefferson sts.
ETNA HOUSE, G. W. Beeman, Landlord.         Corner of
Van Buren and WVater sts
SHAKESPEARE HOTEL, C. T. Brenner Landlord.Corner of Adams and Hamilton sts.
SAGINAW CITY EXCHANGE, Horace Douglas, "mine
host." Corner of Ames and Water sts.
SYLVAN RETREAT, C. F. Esche, Court st.
STAGE HOUSE, ---, Corner of Throop and Water
streets.
LIVERY STABLE.
A. H. PAINE, always keeps on hand all sorts of good vehicles, with first class horses. Corner of Cass and Water streets.
SHIP YARD, M. Dougherty proprietor, Water st.
In addition to the above directory, there are in the city
several blacksmith shops, one or two wagon shops, two or
three bakeries, one or two paint shops, several cabinet
and furniture rooms, one steam spoke factory, two gun
smiths, and several grocery and eating establishments.
The " SPIRIT OF THE TIMES" is published here by Lans L.
G. Jones. Many years ago a neat little paper was printed
here, edited by R. W. JENNEY, now of the Genesee Democrat, Flint city. The name of the paper was "THE NORTH
STAR."
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The Court House situated on Court street, adjoining the
Public Square, is a beautiful and noble structure, and reflects much credit upon its architects. This edifice was
commenced several years since, but owing to financial matters of an interesting character, it was not completed until
quite recently. The County Jail which stands nearly opposite is a very modest and unassuming building, and a terror
to evil-doers. It has been built within a few years.




SAGINAW COUNTY.


41


CHURCHES, AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
St. John's Church-Episcopalian. This society owns a
beautiful church recently completed, which is situated on
Washington street, near Court House.
First Presbyterian Church. Fine building situated on
Court street. A good society.
Methodist Church. Situated on Washington street, near
Public Square.
Dutch Reform Society. Good building located on Ames
street.
Roman Catholic Church.   Located on corner of Monroe
and Washington streets.
SCHOOLS AND LITERARY SOCIETIES.
There is an excellent Union School here, and a fine school
building. This school has three departments, contains over
two hundred scholars, and employs a Principal and two or
three teachers. There are, also, besides the Union School,
two Select Schools, kept by Miss M. A. Ripley, and Miss
Mulholland, which are well attended.
There are in the district, which includes the corporation,
425 scholars whose ages range from three years to eighteen.
'"THE SAGINAW   CITY LITERARY ASSOCIATION." is the
name of a society organized here January 11th, 1858. The
object of this association is to promote literary interests,
morals, and cultivate a taste for letters, the arts, &c.
Its officers are as follows: J. G. Sutherland, President;
A. S. Gaylord, Vice President; 0. L. Spaulding, Secretary;
C. D. Little, Treasurer; W. H. Sweet, G. B. Benedict
and J. B. White, Executive committee.
There is also here, a Masonic Lodge in a prosperous condition. Lodge Room located on corner of Cass and Hamilton streets.
SAGINAW OR NORTHERN CANAL.
During the year 1837, the legislature at its session in
March, appointed a board of commissioners, called the
"Board of Commissioners on Internal Improvements." The
members of this Board were constituted overseers and supervisors, who were to have the general care and supervision
of all State improvements, such as railroads, canals, &c.6




42                   HISTORY OF
This board was authorized by the State legislature to make
or cause to be made, several surveys for railroad routes
across the State, as well as several canal routes, among
which was that of the Northern or Saginaw Canal. Consequently, under their direction during the summer of 1837,
competent engineers were appointed and surveys made of
the various works designated by the State legislature, which
surveys extended over two thousand miles. The reports of
these surveys were favorable. The survey of the Northern
or Saginaw Canal route was entrusted to the charge of
Charles F. Smith, Esq. The object of this enterprise was
to connect the navigable waters of the Saginaw and Grand
rivers by ship canal. This canal was to commence at the
Forks of Bad River, 15 miles above Saginaw City, and terminate at the Bend of Maple River, 32 miles from its juncture with the Grand River.
Its entire length was to be about fifteen miles. The total
estimated expense of improving the navigation of Bad and
Maple rivers, and the construction of said canal for steamboats and vessels, was $238,240; and the appropriations
made in 1838, amounted to $62,000. During that year
the work was commenced in good earnest. A host of workmen were employed upon it, great quantities of timber were
got out for lochs, &c., and everything gave promise of a
speedy and happy termination of the enterprise.
But alas for the mutability of all things earthly! The
fearful "wild-cat times," which shook everything to its center, of a public or private nature, completely silenced the
work and left everything incomplete, while the State was
obliged to foot the bill which was no small one, considering
the crippled condition of the State treasury at that period.
The great difficulty seemed to be, that the work was too
prematurely conceived, for it is my humble opinion that at
no distant day, this enterprise will yet be carried through.
If the reader will take the trouble to examine the map of
Michigan, he will observe that a very short distance intervenes between the head waters of the Saginaw, and those
of the Grand River, and he will also be struck with the
feasibility of connecting these two magnificent streams by
ship canal, and thereby opening a communication through
some of the finest farming lands in the State, and also of
directing a trade that must prove a source of wealth to the
State. When the work was commenced, Saginaw City was
the only town in the county, and that contained but few in



SAGINAW COUNTY.


43


habitants, and little or no wealth, and the same importance
could not have been attached to it that there is now. Towns
and villages are now springing up almost daily in the county,
and resources are developing that cannot fail, at no distant
day, to place it far beyond its sister counties in point of
wealth and importance. Could the valleys of the Saginaw
and Grand rivers be thus connected by ship canal, the entire
trade that is now forced through the lakes via Detroit,
would seek a willing outlet here, while we would be favored
with a reciprocal trade, and our intercourse with our Grand
River neighbors could not be other than a happy and a profitable one. Instead of the tedious and perilous present
route to Chicago by water, a safe and speedy communication would be afforded by a ship canal.
The amount of property annually lost upon the upper
lakes by shipwreck, &c., would more than build a work of
this description. I have conversed with Hon. G. D. Williams, Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh and others upon this subject, and
there seems to be but one opinion entertained in regard to
the feasibility of the enterprise, and the probability of its
being carried into execution at no remote period.
To show the reader that Saginaw is a point which has for
a number of years past attracted some attention, I will here
cite him to several other enterprises with which it was identified as long ago as 1835-7, which, though at the time
might have been rather premature, show at least the light
in which the valley of Saginaw was regarded at that early
day.
The first was the incorporation of a railroad company in
1835, with a corporate stock of $1,000,000. The design of
this company was to connect the Saginaw and Clinton rivers,
commencing at Mount Clemens, in Macorb county, to pass
through Lapeer, and terminate at Saginaw City. The whole
stock was taken. It was to be commenced within four years
after the charter was granted, and ten miles was to be completed in eight years, one-half in fifteen years, and the whole
in forty years. Its length was to be about ninety miles.
The "Saginaw and Genesee Rail Road Company" was
incorporated in 1837, and had a capital stock of $400,000.
This road was "to commence at Saginaw City and intersect
the northern railroad from St. Clair to Grand River, at such
point in the county of Genesee as was to be deemed practicable." Its length was to be about 40 miles, and the whole
to be finished in six years from time of commencement,




44


HISTORY OF


which was one year from the granting of its charter. The
last which I shall mention, was the Owosso and Baginaw
Navigation Company, which was incorporated in 1837, having a capital stock of $100,000. The object of this company was to improve the Shiawassee river, so as to make
slack waternavigation between Owosso and its junction with
the Flint river, in Saginaw county, so that steamboats and
barges might navigate it to this point. The whole was to
be completed within five years after its charter was granted.
I do not imagine that all these projects will ever be carried
into execution, although in this age of electricity and steam,
nothing is improbable or impossible.
EAST SAGINAW.*
This young and flourishing village is situated upon the
eastern bank of the Saginaw River, about 20 miles from
Saginaw Bay, and 95 from Detroit. It contains 2,500 inhabitants. Of the business and prosperity of the town, I
would refer the reader to its business directory and statistics. In the year 1836, Charles Little, Esq., father of the
Hon. Norman Little of this village, entered the land upon
which a portion of East Saginaw now stands. Having
passed into the hands of the Farmer's and Mechanic's Bank,
of Detroit, it was purchased of that institution in 1849, by
Norman Little, agent for Hoyt & Co., New York City. A
short distance below the present center of the town, was a
small clearing, which had been made by the Hon. G. D.
Williams, of Saginaw City, and which was called "the fanr"
This farm was purchased by Norman Little about this time
for agricultural purposes, while that portion purchased of
the Bank, was intended to be laid out into a village. Near
where now stands a large brick block, a solitary log cabin
reared its "shake" covered roof in 1850, apparently monarch of all it surveyed, shut in by the green woods upon
three sides, while the broad Saginaw rolled in majestic
beauty before the door. This log house was built I think,
by the American Fur Company, many years since, and at
the time of which I speak, was occupied by Captain Leon
Snay, a French hunter and trapper. About this time, a
*East Saginaw s1 located in a portion of two townships, viz: Town 12 N
of B E, and town 12N of R 6.




SAGINAWrSdr9 COUtNTY.


45


small clearing was made in the vicinity of this log house,
and a steam saw-mill, a boarding house, an office, a rough
building called "the store," and a barn, were erected, whih,
together with a few board shanties, formed the nucleus of
the large and flourishing village of East Saginaw proper. —
During the year 1835, however, a large steam saw-mill had
been built by a New York company, at Buena Vista, nearly
opposite Saginaw City, which mill is known as the Emerson
mill. At that time about six acres had been chopped and
partially cleared, upon which were erected a boarding house,
an office, a few board shanties, and upon a beautiful eminence, commanding a fine view of Saginaw City and the
river, stood, and now stands the well known, and I might
add, storied "Halls of the Montezumas."~ If those venerable walls could but speak, how many tales of the past
might they unfold-how many scenes of jovialty, hilarity
and wild fun might they recount! After the happy idea
had been conceived of building a town upon the eastern
bank of the river, this portion of the town was as a matter
of choice and convenience taken into fellowship, and it is
conceded by all, to be the most beautiful part of our village. On the first day of May, 1850, a town meeting was
held at the house of Curtis Emerson, Esq., the above mentioned "Halls," for the purpose of organizing the town of
Buena Vista. This, be it remembered, was the first election
and meeting of the kind, held in the town. Stephen Little,
Esq., was chosen chairman, Messrs. George Oliver and A. K.
Penney, inspectors of the election, and Alfred M. Hoyt,
clerk. Curtis Emerson was elected supervisor, C. W. Grant,
town clerk, Stephen Little, town treasurer, Andrew Grant,
George Oliver and Ste hen Little, justices of the peace.The whole number of votes cast was 19. It is generally
supposed that no naturalization papers were needed, or demanded, on that memorable occasion.
About this time considerable improvements were being
made at the new location above mentioned. Under the supervision of Norman Little, Esq., a village was rising as if
by magic, out of the wilderness, and the scene that presented itself was one of busy life and animation.
The Indian, as he paddled his birchen canoe by the spot,
* For the benefit of the reader abroad, I would simply say In regard to the
"Halls " spoken of, that Curtis Bwmerson, Esq., having named the spot here
mentimed, Buena Vista, faetiously caled his resdene the Halls of the
Montesmas," which name it continues to beer,




46                      HISTORY OF
looked wonderingly on, and the wild deer as he came to take
his morning plunge in the bright river, bounded back in affright to impart to his wild companions the news of this
singular invasion of his favorite haunt! Still the work.went on, and. every day told of some new improvement. A
large and splendid new steam flouring mill was soon finished,
which drove four run of stones, was substantially built, and
furnished with a magnificent engine. Many thought at the
time that this operation was most a foolish one, and a rash
and wild expenditure.
Does any person at the present day think so? Soon a
large and commodious warehouse made its appearance, built
upon an excellent and substantial dock. Nearly opposite,
about the same time, a magnificent three-story hotel, covering nearly half a square, arose, which was called the "Irving House." By this time, a plank-road-: to Flint village,
thirty-two miles distant, was completed, and in good traveling order. Then a post office was established-a coach and
four brought to it a daily mail, while every day the cry was
A' still they come." The demand for village property now
became clamorous; and lot after lot was taken up, fenced
in, and a house erected thereupon.     Occasionally an old
fogy attracted hither by the "excitement," would, as he
viewed the busy scene, ominously shake his head-take an
extra pinch of snuff, and exclaim-" mushroom growth-all
excitement-soon die away-can't afford to lose my money
here-reaction   soon-can't be     otherwise-nice   location
though-pity to have the town go to ruin-must howeverno country to support it-all wilderness-must go downno help for it-sorry though-ahem, landlord, I'll retire if
you please-call me in time for stage-perhaps if I wait
much longer stage compariy will fail-then have to go hom.
afoot-good night"-then retire to dream       of companies
"smashing up," and large amounts of money foolishly expended and lost in new town speculations, &c., &c.   Busi* It was only through the untiring and ceaseless efforts or Norman Little,
that this road was made. He it was who applied to the legislature for a charter, and obtained one through much opposition, for the scheme was considrod a visionary one by nearly every member. " There certainly can be no
harm done in voting for a charter," said they, "for it will never amount to
anything, one way or the other. The idea of building a plank road through
that swampy country is ridiculously absurd-might as well talk of building a
cnk road to the moon 1" He however succeeded in obtaining a charter, and
i    s than two years from the time of application, a fie plank road was
oUmpeted through that identical "swampy country I"




SAGINAW COUNTY.


47


ness continued to increase-inhabitants to flock in, and
houses sprang up almost mysteriously, yet the anticipated
'" smash-up " and reaction came not I
Vessels and steamers began to visit the town-then came
a demand for more docks. In every direction, steam sawmills began to be visible, and the demand for lumber to increase. After getting business matters thoroughly under
way, the citizens began to think that educational interests
had been entirely overlooked-that with all the business
pursuits and money-making schemes engaged in, not a
syllable had been uttered, as yet, in regard to schools."This will never do," said they, "for if we would prosper,
we must not neglect that most important concomitant of
advancement and happiness, the education of our children,
and the establishment of schools among us." So they set
themselves at work, and in a short time a beautiful and
commodious edifice was erected upon a high rise of ground,
commanding a fine and extensive view of not only the village and river, but also of the City and vicinity. After its
completion, excellent teachers were employed, and almost
before the citizens of East Saginaw were aware of it, a
flourishing school of near three hundred scholars was in full
and happy opera..  Previous to the building of the
Academy, the citizens had no suitable place of worship, for
which reason we are willing to attribute the deplorable lack
of divine service in those days, yet, they were by no means
entirely destitute of preaching, for the Rev. Mr. ---  held
forth every four weeks in 'Squire W —'s office, to an attentive half-dozen hearers. But when the school-house was
finished, and regular service held there, the appearance of
the Sabbath assumed a far different phase than before, for
the little town in the wilderness could boast of schools, and
divine service upon the Sabbath.
After awhile an excellent and well selected town library
was obtained, to which all had free access. Before the village had attained to its third year, it had so far transcended
its original limits, or at least bid so fair of doing it, that it
was found necessary to add to its already large territory, so
the " old farm" was crowded "out of town," and in its
place more lots were surveyed out and eagerly taken up.By this time the town had become so important, that it
was found impossible to get along without a newspaper.Accordingly, after the usual preliminaries, a neat looking
sheet made its appearance, called "The Saginaw Enter



48                   HITORY OF
pruie"-edited and published by F. A. Williamon and A.
J. Mason. This newspaper was established in August,
1853, and did much for the business and social interests of
the county. During the early part of the summer of 1854,
a fire broke out in town, destroying the steam saw-mill,
previously mentioned, the printing office, a large hotel and
several dwelling houses, all of which were situated near
the business part of the village.
In addition to the above losses, over 3,000,000 feet of
pine lumber was destroyed, together with considerable
dock. This was a severe blow for our infant town, yet
"never dispair" was its motto, and again business went
on as before. Scarcely, however, had the work of reparation commenced, ere another fearful and far more destructive fire than the other, broke out in the very heart of
the village, which laid waste about two entire blocks of
buildings, including the "Irving House," a large and extensive wholesale warehouse and dock, occupied by W. L. P.
Little & Co., and several grocery establishments and dwelling houses. This fire was indeed looked upon as a public
calamity. For awhile everything stood aghast, and men
looked at each other in bewilderment, but not in despair.Before the embers had fairly ceased smoking, workmen
were employed in clearing away the rubbish, and not many
months had elapsed ere an elegant brick block reared its
imposing front, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the fated
"Irving House," and it was not long before all traces of
the fire were obliterated, and the spot again covered with
dwellings and places of business. The country around began to settle, and although scarce seven years have elapsed
since the first improvement was made here, many small,
yet smiling farms prove to the stranger, that Saginaw is
situated in the midst of a fertile farming country, and that
nothing is wanting to make it a rich and great country, but
more inhabitants and a little more capital.
This village was incorporated during the year 1855, and
the following officers, under the corporation act, were
elected: President of the Council, Norman Little; Recorder, C. B. Mott; Trustees, W. L. P. Little, David
Lyon, J. E. Voorhies, C. M. Curtis, A. H. Mershon; Assessors, F. R. Copeland, W. F. Glasby; Treasurer, S. C.
Beach; Marshal, elected by the Council, A. L. Rankin.
The following Councilmen were elected during the year
1856: President, M. L. Gage; Recorder, C. B. Mott;



SAGINAW COUNTY.                 49
Trustees, Wm. L. Webber, A. H. Mershon, Martin Smith,
J H Eastman, W. F. Glasby; Attorney, W. L. Webber;
Marshal, F. T. Hall; Street Commissioners, L. S. Keeler,
A. Dann.
For the year 1857: Morgan L. Gage, President; W. H.
Beach, Recorder; Trustees, W. L. Webber, W. F. Glasby,
C. M. Curtis, J. A. Large, S. Beach, Wm. Gallagher; Attorney, W. J. Loveland; Marshal and Street Commissioner,
L. S. Keeler; Clerk, W. T. Hoyt.
For 1858: John F. Driggs, President; C. B. Mott, Recorder; Trustees, S. C. Beach, W. F. Glasby, G. A. Lathrop, J. A. Large, S. R. Kirby, G. W. Merrill; Attorney,
Wm. L. Webber; Marshal, M. L. Gage; Street Commissioner, G. F. Ball; Clerk, C. H. Gage.
Below we give a Business Directory of this town, which
will give the reader abroad, some idea of its advancement
during the past seven years.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
DRY GOOBS AND GENERAL TRADE.
COPELAND & BARTOW, Wholesale and Retail dealers
in Staple and Fancy Dry Goods, Carpeting, Clothing,
Boots and Shoes, Groceries and Provisions, Crockery,
Cutlery, &c. Water street, on the dock, between Tuscola and Genesee"- sts.
JOHN DERBY, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Boots
and Shoes, and Rockingham ware Water st.
FRANKLIN COPELAND, Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries and Provisions. Corner of Hoyt and Water sts.
WILLIAM WEEKS, Dealer in Ready Made Clothing and
Furnishing Goods. Genesee street.
HARDWATRE.
GEORGE SCHRAM, Manufacturer of Tin, Copper and
Sheet Iron ware, and dealer in Stoves, Hollow ware, etc.
Shop on Water street, between Genesee and German sts.
C. M. CURTIS, Wholesale and Retail dealer in Hardware,
including Iron, Steel, Nails, Stoves and Hollow Ware,
Tin and Sheet Iron Ware. Water st., near the Ferry.
* This street was formerly called Plank Road Street.
7




50                     HISTORY OF
B. B. BUCKHOUT, Wholesale and Retail dealer in Iron
Steel, Nails, Stoves and all kinds of Hardware, Farming
Utensils, Cutlery, &c., Tin and Sheet Iron ware also
manufactured. Brick Block, GeneseQ st.
GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.
CURTIS & BLISS, Wholesale and Retail dealers in Groceries and Provisions. Water st., near the Ferry.
W. P. PATRICK, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions.Water st.
J. S. WEBBER, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions. Water street.
J. A. WHITTIER, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions.Water st.
PETER HILLER, (Agent,) Dealer in Family Groceries.
Genesee st.
JACOB SCHOEN, Dealer in Groceries, Provisions, &c.Also, Manufacturer of Vinegar.  Corer of Lapeer st.,
east side of bayou.
J. GREENER, Dealer in Groceries, Provisions, Crockery,
&c. Water st., near Durfee & Atwater's Mill
M. MINICK, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions, Ready
Made Clothing, &c. Water st.
SANBORN & TUCKER, Wholesale and Retail dealers in
Groceries and Provisions, &c. Genresee st., Corliss Block.
BROWN & MUMFORD, Dealers in Groceries and Provisions, Country Produce, Flour, &c. Washington st., near
corer of Genesee st., south.
DRUGS AND MEDICINES.
HESS & BRO., Dealers in Drugs and Medicines, Paints,
Oils, Perfumery, and various other articles. Physician's
prescriptions attended to, with care and dispatch. Hess
Block, Genesee st.
DR. J. K. PENNEY, Dealer in Drugs and Medicines, Perfumery and Fancy Articles. Water st., between Tuscola
and Gencsee sts.
BOOKS, STATIONERY AND JEWELRY.
A. FERGUSON, Dealer in Books, Stationery, Jewelry and
Fancy Articles. Watches and Jewelry repaired. Genesee
street, between Washington and Water sts.
SOL. LATHROP, Dealer in Watches, Jewelry and Fancy
Articles. Watches Repaired. Gmneee at.




SAGINAW COUNTY.


51


FRED. N. BRIDGMAN, Dealer in Books, Stationery,
Perfumery and Fancy Articles. At the Post Office, Hess
Block, corner of Washington and Genesee sts.
MANUFACTORIES.
HOYT'S STEAM FLOURING MILL, Grinds up annually, over 56,000 bushels of Wheat, and 14,000 bushels
of Corn. The manufactured products amounting to,
Flour, near $70,000, Corn Meal, $11,000. Business still
increasing. This mill has four run of stone, and a powerful and magnificent engine. Corner of Water and Carrol
sts., on the dock.
WILCOX'S STEAM FLOURING MILL.-A large portion of the business of this mill is custom work. The
total amount of work done, is probably 15,000 or 20,000
bushels of grain ground annually. Water st., near the
Steam Ferry.
WARNER, EASTMAN & Co., Foundry and Machine
Shop. Manufacturers and Repairers of Steam Engines,
Mill Gearing, Poney Gangs, and other work in that line.
Water st.
GEO. W. MERRILL, Foundry and Machine Shop. Manufacturer of Steam Engipes, Threshing Machines, Mill
Gearing, Plows, &c. Steamboat and Mill Gearing Repaired, and all orders pertaining to his business promptly
responded to. Water st., on the dock.
Both of the above establishments are provided with the
very best of machinery and workmen, and almost every variety of iron work and machinery can be manufactured at
both shops.
FRED. KOEHLER, Blacksmith, and Repairer of Machinery, Steamboats, Vessels, &c. Tuscola street, between Washington and Water sts.
BIRDSALL & BRO., Blacksmithing and Horse Shoeing
done to order. Genesee st., over the bayou.
I. E. GODLEY, Manufacturer of Horse Shoes, and Blacksmithing done to order. Washington st.
HOSEA PRATT, Steam Sash, Door and Blind Factory.Franklin street, in the bayou.
E. FEIGE, Manufacturer and Dealer in all kinds of Cabinet ware, Upholstery, &c. Water st.
JO. A. LARGE, Furniture Wareroom, and Manufacturer
of Cabinet ware of all kinds. Genesee st.




9                    mHISTOBY OF,. SCHWARTZ, Manufaturer of Cabinet ware, Chairs
&c. Genesee st.
CASPER BRADEN, Cabinet and Chair Manufacturer..Washington st.
M. L. GAGE, Manufacturer of Harnesses, Saddles, Trunks,
&c. Genesee st., between Washington and Water sta.
A. H. MERSHON      & Co., Steam Planing Mill. - Keeps
constantly on hand, all kinds of Planed Lumber, including Siding, Flooring, Fencing, &c. Water st., on the
dock, near the Ship Yard.
a. MARKS, Manufacturer and dealer in Hats, Caps, Furs
and Furnishing Goods. Genesee st.
A. EATON, Manufacturer of, and dealer in Boots and
Shoes. Genesee st.
HOTELS.
KIRBY HOUSE, By John Godley. Corer of Washington and Genesee sts.
FARMERS' EXCHANGE, W. Wisner, Landlord. Corner
of Genesce and Washington sts., opposite Kirby House.
FOREST CITY HOUSE, kept by, corer of Water and Genesee streets.
FRANKLIN HOUSE, John Leidlein, Landlord, corner of
Franklin and Genesee streets.
BUENA VISTA HOUSE, by John Jeffer, Water street,
near Steam Ferry.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. G. A. LATHROP. Office on Washington st., between
German and William streets, west side street.
Dr. J. K. PENNEY. Office on Water street, between
Genesee and Tuscola streets.
Dr. A. BRYCE. Genesee street.
Dr. CURTIS. Water street, north from Genesee street.
0. T. DISBROW, 1M D. Washington street.
1.AWYER8.
WM. J. LOVELANDI Attorney and Counsellor at Law,
and Solicitor in Chancery.  Office in Hess Block, (up
stairs) Washington street.
JAMES L, T. FOX, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and
Solictor in Chancery. Collections attended to in any portion of the State, or United States. Office in JefBrs
Blook, (up stairs) Water street.




SAGINAW COUNTY.                 53
WEBBER & WHEELER, Attorneys and Counsellors at
Law. Office in Brick Block, (up stairs) Genesee street.
D. W. C. GAGE, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and Solicitor in Chancery. Office in Gage's Block, (up stairs)
Genesee street.
MISCELLANEOUS.
W. L. P. LITTLE, & Co., Bankers, and Dealers in foreign
exchange, &c. Office in Hoyt's Block, (up stairs) corner
of Genesee and Water streets.
UNITED     STATES LAND OFFICE.         W. L. P. Little,
Receiver; Moses B. Hess, Register. Office in Hoyt's
Block, corner Genesee and Water streets.
SAGINAW      ENTERPRISE.       Perry Joslin, Editor and
Proprietor. Water street, between Genesee and Tuscola
streets.
TAX AGENCY AND SURVEYING.              G. G. Hess & D.
A. Pettibone. Hess Block, Washington street.
MILLINERY SHOP. Mrs. Morrison, corner of Genesee
and Water streets, (north.)
C. B. JONES, Dealer in lumber and shingles. Office in
Gage's Block, (up stairs) Genesee street.
J. S. ESTABROOK, Dealer in, and Inspector of lumber
and shingles. Office on Water street, opposite Printing
Office.
H. SHAW, Dealer in, and Exporter of Hogshead, Pipe and
Butt staves. Office on Water street, between Thompson
and Hayden streets.
JAMES LEWIS, Manufacturer of Sash, blinds, doors, &c.,
at his Steam Factory, Water street, on his dock.
WARD FOX, Dealer in groceries and provisions, flour, etc.,
Gage's Block, Genesee street.,
ROBERT PIERSON, Stave purchaser. Water st. (south.)
O. L. GLOVER, House, Sign and Ornamental Painter,
Water street, (north.)
HALL & LOOMIS, House, Sign and Ornamental Painters,
Water street, (north.)
E. J. MERSHON, Purchaser and Inspector of lumber and
shingles. Office in Hoyt's Block, (up stairs) corner of
Porter and Water streets.
HENRY WOODRUFF, Dealer in staves, for export.Genesee street.
In addition to the above, we have two or three shoeshops,




54'


HISTORY OF


one harness shop, (two in all), two bakeries, one or two paint
shops, six carpenters' and boat builders' shops, two livery
stables; two wagon shops, four meat markets, one absery,
one tannery and one cooper shop.
VESSELS AND STEAMERS.
The vessels and steamers built and owned here, (or by
parties interested here,). are as follows:
Barque Sunshine, 516 tons, cost              $23,000
"    Jesse Hoyt, 472 "    "                 21,000
Brig Starlight,  4)0 "      "                 20,000
Schr. Quickstep,  300 "     "                 16,000
Steamer Magnet, low pressure tow-boat, adapted to
freight and passenger business, with an engine of
600 horse power, 10 feet stroke, and 32 inch cylinder, cost                                 30,000
Steamer Alida, passenger freight and, tow-boat, cost 10,000
Total amount of capital invested,         $120,000
In addition to these, are the steamers Traffic and Comet;
Propellers Coaster and Odd Fellow; Emerson's Steam.Ferry; one Steam Dredge, and three Scows.
The amount of business done at the ship yard in this
place, which is conducted by Captain Martin Smith, will
average annually, about $50,000. The grand facilities which
the surrounding country afford for ship building, renders
this one of the best points in the State for a ship yard.The number of mills in this village, will be found by refering to the list of mills, in another portion of this work.
SCHOOLS.
This village boasts of an excellent Union School, which
contains about 300 scholars, employing a Principal, and
three subordinate teachers. There are three departments
in one building. In connection with the school,. and in fact
belonging to the department, are three more schools, situated in different portions of the village, to accommodate localities These schools are all in a fine, prosperous condition, and the citizens of East Saginaw may well feel gratified at the manner in which the cause of education is advanced among them by those to whom it has been entrusted






SAGINAW COUNTY.               55
The number of scholars in the school district, from the
age of three, to eighteen years, is about 640. Beside the
Union school, are three other schools-one German —two English. The Union school building is a beautiful, commodious and substantial structure, situated upon an eminence
commanding a fine view of the town and river, and also
Saginaw City. To A. L. Bingham, the present Principal,
the East Saginaw Union School is indebted for its present
prosperity and good repute.
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.
There are four church organizations in this town, viz:METHODIST EPISCOPAL, (American) organized in the year
1852, Rev. Mr. Olds, Pastor-whole number of members
then present, six. The present number is near 100. Pastor-Rev. C. Mosher.
CONGREGATIONAL, organized Oct. 7th, 1857. Rev. A. D.
Kitchel, D. D., preached the sermon upon the occasion.Rev. P. R. Hurd moderated the Council. Number of members, twenty-seven. Pastor-Rev. W. C. Smith.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL, (German) organized Nov., 1857,
with six members. Present number, forty-two. PastorRev. J. Krehbiel.
LUTHERAN, organized 1855.  Pastor-Rev. Mr. Voltz.
Number of members, about two hundred.
Three of the above denominations own very good houses
of worship, viz: Methodist, (American) Methodist, (German) and Lutheran.   The Congregational, at presentthrough the kindness of Jesse Hoyt, Esq.,-occupy a beautiful and well furnished Hall in the Hoyt Block. They
have in contemplation, the erection of a church building, to
be completed as soon as practicable. In connection with
the above Churches, are excellent Sabbath Schools, well attended.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
There are two regularly organized Fire Companies in Eat
Saginaw, viz: "Pioneer No. 1," and "Jesse Hoyt No. 2.
Tbese companies were organized during the year 1857, and




aP                    HISTOBY OF
the present number of members in both, is 89. The respective dimensions of the Engines, are as follows:
No. 1.  No. 2.
Feet dec Feet dec
Length of brakes                     18 50   20 00
Distance between brakes               5 41.  6 50
inches dec  in dec
Average distance of fulcrum from center 7 50  8 00
Diameter of cylinders, each          7 50     8 75
Area of plungers                    44 178   60 132
Average stroke of piston              6 50    6 00
Capacity of cylinders, each        287 157 360 792
Diameter of suction pipes             4 00    4 50
Area          "     "                12 56   15 90
Diameter of delivery "  each          2 50    2 50
Area           "    "    "C           4 90    4 90
Diameter of nozzle  "    "          7-8 1-16 7-8 17-16
Capacity of each cylinder in imperial
gallons,of 277.27 cubic inches, standard measure.
Average working motion, 60 strokes per gall dec gall dec
minute, will discharge, each      62 10    78 06
Ratio of capacity                     1 00    1 25
The above table was arranged by S. R. Kirby, Esq., Chief
Engineer of the department, and of course may be considered as correct. Below, we give a list of the officers and
members of the respective companies:
PIONEER FIRE ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 1.
" Always Ready."
George J. Dorr,  Foreman; George Schram,
T. W. Hawley, 1st Asst. "  John Swift,
Jas. F. Brown, 2d  "  "   A. L. Rankin,
Alex. Ferguson, Secretary; J. Hutton,
F. N. Bridgman, Treasurer; E. A. Moore,
Z. W. Wright,             B.,P. Derby,
B. B. Buckhout,           M.. Jeffers,
R. A. Eddy,               H. C. Burt,
D. G. Holland,            Jas. Hillier,
O. J. Quinn,              M. Wakeman,
J. H. Springer,           A. Dann,
W. C. Yawey,              H. C. Sawyer,
J. L. Hayde,              G.. Sanborn,
J. S. Estabrool,          W. H. Beatty,
G. W. Pillips,            F. T. Hall,




SAGINAW COUNTY.


57


PIONMR FIRE ENGBE COMPANY, No. l.-Continued.


T. P. Stimpson,
C. Merrill,
James Lewis,
G. C. Warner,
A. J. Phillips,
William Weeks,


J. H. Humes,
G. F. Corliss,
Jesse A. Burdick,
Moses Garner,
Martin Smith,
Total 41.


PIONEER HOSE COMPANY, NO. 1.


J. E. Mershon,   Foreman; H. A. Pratt,
S. Keeler,  Asst. "        S. A. Pratt,
James Ruan,     Secretary; C. H. Gage,
William J. Driggs,         H. Woodruff.
F. A. Van Antwerp,         John Weller.
C. H. Hayden,


Total 11.


JESSE HOYT FIRE ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 2.
"Rouh and Ready."
T. A. McLeese,   Foreman; Thos. Coats,
J. E. Burtt,  1st Asst. "  Thos. Sofal,
L. Newton,    2d   "  "   Henry Marks,
Chas. T. Harris, Treasurer; Thos. Garry,
Robert Haddon, Secretary; Patrick Connor,
D. D. Keeler,   Steward; Geo. Perkins,
Chas. Allen,              Willis Abel,
Dennis McDonald,          Chas. Blodget,
Thos. Derry,              John Haggerty,
C. Tebo,                  Henry Horton,
John Eavaw,               Hosea Pratt,
Albert Bates,             Lewis Cauy,
Thos. Redson,             Geo. Boil,
Jasper Engellar,             on  etrioa
Samuel Allen,             JamM Perry,    Totl, 30.
8




58


HISTORY OF


JESSE HOYT HOSE COMPANY, NO. 2.
Samuel Hewett, Foreman; John Connor,
E. Bissell, 1st Asst.  "  Edward McGunn,
Thomas Abbott,            Nickum McGraff.
William Bordeno,                          Total, 7.
Each of these companies have a fine engine house, and
each member is provided with a neat and appropriate uniform. Both engines are constantly kept in a state of readiness for action, and every fireman is promptly on hand to
attend to his duty at the first sound of the alarum.
Long life to the gallant firemen of East Saginaw I May
their lives always be devoted to the cold water cause, and
that of humanity.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY, NO. 1.
This company was organized August 14th, 1858, and at
present is composed of twenty-five members, to wit:
Win. J. Bartow, Foreman; N. Whiting,
W. L. Webber, 1st Asst. "  Clark M. Curtis,
L. H. Eastman, 2d  "   " John Sharp,
Charles B. Mott, Secretary; B. E. Brown,
Jay S. Curtis,  Treasurer; P. Mumford,
8. B. Bliss,              Franklin R. Copeland,
Thomas Willey,            William Gallagher,
William H. Beach,         J. A. Whittier,
J. H. McFarland,          John F. Driggs,
Moses B. Hess,            William Finale,
J. C. Godley,             Charles O. Garrison,
Seth C. Beach,            R. H. Loomis,
Charles W. Grant,                        Total, 25.
THE EAST SAGINAW SAX HORN BAND.
Was organized January 1st, 1858, and at present consists of ten members, to wit: Z. B. Osmond, Leader; 0.
B. Mott, Wm. Osmond, Sol Lathrop, James Davenport,
Willard A. Hubbard, Samuel Dickinson, Thomas Willey,
G. F. Corliss, W. F. Glasby. In connection with it, is an
exrlUele  military u




SAGINAW COUNTY.


59


EAST SAGINAW GUARDS.
This is the name of a military company organized in the
year 1858.   The officers are as follows: John Erd, Captain; Wm. Kramer, 1st Lieutenant; John Vertessy and
Wm. Kern, 2d Lieutenants.      Whole number of members,
forty.
TURNER SOCIETY.
" Germania."
This society was organized during the year 1856, and
consists of 26 members.    The following are the officers:John H. Springer, President; Louis Baumgart, Secretary;
Fred. Palm, Treasurer.
BAY    CITY.:'
Bay City is situated upon the east side of the Saginaw
river, four miles above Saginaw Bay, and fifteen below East
Saginaw. Its population is about 2,000. The land upon
which it is located, was formerly an Indian reserve, known
as "Riley's Reserve."    During the year 1835, this reserve
was purchased of the Indians, by an incorporated company,
y'clept the " Saginaw Bay Company."      Anticipating great
things, the company had several hundred village lots surveyed out here, and commenced operations upon an extensive scale. In 1836, the following year, there were about
fifteen families established here, one Store, one Hotel, and
a Post Office. A building was also erected by the company,
which was intended for a Bank, but owing to financial embarassments, the "institution" was not used for that purpose, but was converted into a private residence. The cri* This village, by a recent decision of the Supreme Court of Michigan,.
sustaining the organization of Bay County, is the County seat of said County,
and is therefore no longer embraced within the limits of Saginaw County. As
said organization takes from the original territory of the County only the
northern tier of townships, and inasmuch as this territory embraces so important a portion of Saginaw valley, we should regard our publication in any
event, as incomplete without the same allusion to it we have made.




60                    HISTORY OF
sis of '36, completely frustrated the plans of the company,
and crippled its energies, yet it had commenced a work that
was bound to tell in after years. For a long time after this
company "suspended payment," everything of a business
nature was entirely in statu quo here, as well as elsewhere,
and although the point posssssed many natural advantages,
and excellent facilities for trade, yet that grand moving
power, viz., capital, was wanting to develope its recourses,
and bring it into notice.
Up to the year 1850, but little progress had been made
here, yet from this time, settlers began to come in, and the
town commenced awakening from its Rip Van Winkle
state, and matters soon assumed a far happier aspect. One
serious inconvenience which has been felt more than anything else, and which for a long time was considered as fatal to its prosperity, is the lack of communication with the
world outside, by roads. During some seasons of the year,
egress and ingress to the town was, and is now almost impossible, yet it is to be hoped that this difficulty will, ere
long, be obviated. The Legislature at its winter session,
in 1857, passed an act, changing its name from Lower Saginaw, (its original name,} to that of Bay City.
For a few years past, this place has improved beyond the
most sanguine expectations of its well-wishers, and its
present appearance indicates a spirit of restless enterprise
and energy among its inhabitants, that laughs at impossibilities, and puts to flight all doubts of success. The location of the town is a beautiful one, the bank of the river
here being, in many places, quite bold, and rising from
eight to twelve feet above the level of the river. Situated,
as it is, near the head of navigation, and in the heart of a
fine farming country which is fast being settled, it must before many years become a place of considerable importance.
Capitalists are already being awakened to this fact, and are
now making large investments in the town and vicinity.The subjoined Business Directory will show considerable of
an increase in business during the past five or six years.




sAGINAW COUNTY.                 61
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
DRY GOODS AND GENERAL TRADE.
CURTIS MUNGER & Co., Dealers in Dry Goods, Clothing, Hardware, Groceries and Provisions. Water st.,
on the dock. One door south of Wolverton House.
D. D., & J. F. COTTREL & Co., Dealers in Fancy Dry
Goods, Groceries and Provisions, and Ship Stores. Also,
Forwarding and Commission Merchants. Corner of Second and Water sts.
J. WATSON, Forwarding and Commission Merchant, and
Dealer in Dry Goods, Ship Stores, Groceries and Provisions.
Foot of Center st., on the dock.
E. L. DICKEY, Dealer in Ship Stores, Groceries and Provisions. Water st., on the dock.
HARDWARE.
E. CUSHMAN, Dealer in Stoves, Hollow ware, Iron,
Steel, Nails, Chains, Cutlery, Mill Saws, &c., &c. Water st, north of Center st.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
J. LONGTON, Manufacturer of, and Dealer in Boots and
Shoes. Water st.. opposite C. Munger & Co.
BLACKSMITHING.
H. CLARK, Blacksmith, and Repairer of Machinery, Horse
Shoer, &c. Water st.
F. MONTE UR, Horse Shoer, Wagon Ironer, and Repairer
of Machinery, &c. Water st.
MACHINE SHOP AND FOUNDRY.
JOHN PHILLPS & BRO., Machinists and manufacturers
of Steam Engines, and all kinds of Iron Castings. Water street.
CABINET SHOP.
C. MAST, Manufacturer of, and Dealer in all kinds of
Cabinet ware, Chairs, &c. Water st.
E. P. WELCH, Manufacturer of, and Dealer in Sah,
Doors, Blinds, &c. Water st.




62


HISTORY OF


BOOKS, STATIONERY AND JEWELRY.
G. BROWN, Dealer in all kinds of Jewelry, Fancy Notions, and Repairer of Watches, Clocks, &c. Foot of
Center st., and first door south of J. Watson's store.
LAWYERS.
C. H. FREEMAN. Attorney and Counsellor at Law, Solicitor and Counsellor in Chancery.  Agent for paying
taxes, &c. Office over Watson's store, Water st.
W. L. SHERMAN, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and
Solicitor in Chancery. Water st.
S. P. WRIGHT, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and
Commissioner for the State of New York, Tax Agent, &c.
Water street opposite Birney Hall.
A. C. MAXWELL, Attorney and Counsellor at Law.Water street, over Post Office.
JAMES BIRNEY, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, Solicitor in Chancery and Notary Public. Water street.
PHYSICIANS AND DRUGGISTS.
G. E. SMITH, M. D., Druggist, Water street, opposite C.
Munger & Co.
L. FUCHSIUS, M. D., Dealer in Drugs aud Medicines.Also, Practicing Physician, Water street.
R. C. NEWTON, Practicing Physician, Water street.
J. M. BLIGH, M. D., Druggist, and Dealer in Fancy articles, Water st., one door south of Center street.
HOTELS.
WOLVERTON HOUSE, by J. S. Barclay, Water street,
near Ferry.
UNION HOUSE, by A. E. Persons, opposite Wolverton
House.
BAY CITY HOTEL, by F. A. Kaiser, Center street.
FRANKLIN HOUSE, by H. Latyskey, corner of Saginaw
and Center streets.
FARMERS' HOTEL, by S. Dodge, Third street.
In addition to the above Directory, there are in town, two
Shoe Stops, two or three Tailoring Establishments, three
Blacksmith Shops, three Meat Markets, two Bakeries, several Steam Saw Mills, one extensive Steam Flouring Mill
with three run of stones.




SAGINAW COUNTY.


MISCELLANEOUS.
M. FREEMAN, Agent for Fire and Marine Insurance Companies. Office over Watson's Store, foot of Center st.
JOHN DRAKE, Fire and Marine Insurance Agent. Office
on Water street.
C. MOULTHROP, Lumber Dealer, Water street.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
Nothing certainly evinces a greater degree of advancement
in civilization and refinement, in any place, than the establishment of schools and churches. And we need no surer
evidence of the prosperity and happiness of any community
or people, than good school-houses and fine churches, for
we feel assured that where these exist, and are well patronised, happiness must also exist. Considerable attention has
been paid, in Saginaw valley, to the education of children,
as the numerous school houses go to prove.
There is here, in Bay City, an excellent Union School,
with a fine building. This school contains 350 scholars, and
is well conducted by a Principal, and three teachers, in their
three respective departments. The present Principal is Prof.
Root. There are also three select schools in town, with an
average of thirty scholars each.
There are also several church societies here, including one
Episcopal Methodist, one Presbyterian, one Episcopalian,
one Lutheran and one Roman Catholic. Two of these societies have fine houses of worship.
Just opposite Bay City, upon the western bank of the
river, is found one of the most beautiful landscapes in the
State. The land here gradually slopes to the river, from a
hight of about twenty-five feet, and is covered with a second
growth of Oak, and is almost entirely devoid of under-brush,
thus forming a delightful grove, which, during the vernal
seasons, renders it most a charming and desirable retreat for
the lover of nature. A natural ridge road rises in the background, which extends several miles, and finally loses itself
in the vicinity of the Bay shore. This ridge is composed of
light or yellow sand, which covers a sub-stratum of gravel
and clay. Still farther back from the river, the soil is better adapted to farming purposes, being a dark, rich loam,




64


HISTORY OF


aud covered with Beech, Maple, and some Pine. Between
this point and Saginaw City, is a good road route, which
leads through a fine farming country, well settled, and under a fine state of cultivation in many places. Frankenlust,
which is situated upon this road, about twelve miles below
Saginaw City, is a German settlement composed of 64 families. There is here a beautiful Church, belonging to the
Lutheran order. The land here was purchased by the Pastor, and sold in parcels to his parishioners, for farms and
homesteads. Everything here exhibits signs of thrift and
industry, and it is a matter of great congratulation to see
the accession to our population composed of so industrious
a class. Many, and, indeed, a great majority of these German settlers, belong to families of high respectability and
refinement. Of our German neighbors we purpose speaking
again. To return to the point above alluded to. The land
here, or a goodly portion of it, belongs to heirs,* the youngest of whom is yet a minor. Owing to this fact, the land is
probably not in market at present. Were we allowed to
predict, we would at no distant day, locate a flourishing and
commercial town upon this very point. We would erect a
long line of warehouses upon substantial docks, and fill
them with grain for shipment, furnished by our German
neighbors, and settlers upon the fine farming lands, not only
in the immediate vicinity of the town, but also in the adjoining counties. We would build a plank road to Midland
City, and another to Saginaw City, or make good roads without plank, as the state of the land would admit of them.
These roads when built, would open the country many miles
back, and furnish an easy access to a ready market. Midland, and other counties would seek an outlet here, and the
whole wild territory far back in the country, would soon begin to " bud and blossom like the rose."  Smiling farms and
towns would usurp the wilderness' place, and the wild wolf
and bear would flee before the light of day, let into their
dark lairs by the woodman's axe. Founding our predictions
upon the progress of the age, the unsurpassed resources, facilities and advantages offered by the surrounding country,
we cannot be considered as Utopian in our remarks and
ideas concerning it.
* The late Hon, J. 0. Bii. y owned this property, and his children a the
heirs allded to.




SAGINAW COUNTY.


PORTSMOUTH.
This is a scattering village in Portsmouth township, a
short distance above Bay City, and about 12 miles below
East Saginaw, upon the same side of the river. It is very
pleasantly situated, and contains about 200 inhabitants.The land upon which it is located, was entered by J. Tremble, Esq., in the year 1836. A short time after, it passed
into the hands of an incorporated company, by whom it was
laid out into village lots, and a town commenced. This
company shared the fate of the other companies who had
commenced operations in the valley; the same monetary
tornado which swept other portions of the land in 1837,
gave this place a slight "brush," and left its traces here,
also. The town which had been commenced, immediately
relapsed into a quiet state, and soon becamhe prematurely
" antiquated."  The "company" disbanded, and the properly here, after several years, became so completely buried
up in tax titles, as to defy the ingenuity of a Philadelphia
Lawyer to exhume it from the rubbish and restore to it a
good title. In the course of time, the property-here, or a
portion of it, passed into the hands of another company,
(tax titles and all,) who built a number of steam saw-mills
and entered into the lumbering business upon a moderate
scale. There are now here, one Store, one Hotel, six Steam
Saw Mills, and a Ship Yard, which has turned out several
staunch crafts. This place has improved considerably within
the past two years, and nothing is wanting to make it a large
town, but a good title to its property, a little energy and
capital.
The plat of this village joins that of Bay City, and the
two villages must eventually be united, and thereby form a
continuous town along the river, about three miles in length.
We predict for this portion of the county, a glorious future.
BANGOR.
This is a new village situated about two miles below Bay
City, upon the opposite side of the river, and contains about
200 inhabitants. During the year 1849, Thomas Whitney,
of the firm of Whitney, Coit & Co., of Buffalo, built a
9




66


HISTORY OF


steam saw-mill here, together with one or two boarding
houses.
These formed the nucleus of the present town. The principal portion of the land upon which it is located, was purchased by Joe Tremble, Esq., and surveyed into village lots
only a short time since, the greater part of the town having
been built within the past two or three years.
ZILWAUKIE.
This village contains about 200 inhabitants, and is pleasantly located in Zilwaukie township, and upon the Saginaw
River about seven miles below Saginaw City, upon the same
side of the river. The land upon which it stands, was entered by C. Fitzhugh, in the year 1835. During the year
1847, Daniel Johnson, Esq., built a Steam Saw Mill here,
without, however, any intention on his part, at that time,
of making this anything more than simply a lumbering
point. Subsequently, circumstances induced him to locate
a village here, and under his auspices quite a flourishing
town arose, and business assumed here, a lively aspect. The
land in this vicinity is generally low, though exceedingly
productive and durable, and susceptible of the highest state
of cultivation. There are as yet not many cultivated farms
in its vicinity, but a few short years will work a great
change in the entire face of the country around it, and make
it, with its commercial advantages, considerable of a point.
The principal business of the place at present is lumbering,
which is carried on here to quite an extent. There is a very
good road from here to Saginaw City.
ST. CHARLES.
This is a new village situated at the Forks of the Bad
River, about 18 miles above Saginaw City. It contains
about 200 inhabitants, one Hotel, three Stores, one Steam
Saw Mill, one School House, and a Post Office. The land
about here is rather low, yet highly arble and productive.
The river i navigable to this point, for small Steamboats,
one or two of which, during ordinary stages of water, ply




SAGINARW COUTNTY.


67


regularly between this and Saginaw. The situation of this
town is delightful, and its geographical position must make
it a place of some importance.
CHESSENING-.
This village is located in town 9, N of R 3 east, and contains a population of 200. It has three Stores, a Post Office, one Hotel, two Saw Mills, one Grist Mill, and a School
House.   The greater portion of the lands in its vicinity
were located in the year 1854, under the Graduation Act,
and are being fast settled.  The Shiawassee River passes
through the center of this town, and is rapid, with good
high banks. From the north line of Chessening to Owosso
in Shiawassee County, a distance of sixteen miles, this river
has a sufficient fall to furnish a water power, or mill site,
every mile-only three of which have been improved.
The flats, or bottom lands along this river as well as the
other rivers in the county, are deposits made during the
spring and fall freshets, forming a deep, rich soil, equal to
the far-famed Mohawk flats in the State of New York. The
timber growing on these flats, is Oak, Ash, Basswood and
Elm, with a large mixture of Black Walnut and Butternut.
Back from the river, the land is somewhat rolling, with here
and there a running brook. The soil is gravel and sandy
loam. Coal has been discovered creeping out of the bank
of the river in many places near this village. No attempt
has yet been made to ascertain the depth or extent of the
beds here.
Chessening was detached from   the township of North
Hampton, and organized in the year 1849, and J. W. Turner,
Esq., was elected supervisor. The whole number of votes
cast in the township was eleven. There were at that time
no means of ingress or egress, save those offered by the river,
and Indian trails, although during the winter season there
was a sort of track leading to Owosso, upon which lumber
and shingles were, to use a backwoods expression, "snaked
out." The Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay Railroad line
* Chessening in the Indian tongue, signifies " Big Stone;" the town bearing this name from the fact of a large copper rock or " boulder " being found
in its vicinity. The entire population of this township is 800.




68                    HISTORY OF
is surveyed, passing through this village on its way to its
point of termination. This town presents many inducements
to those wishing to locate farms and become actual settlers.
BRADY AND MAPLE GROVE.
Two townships, viz: 9, N of RB 1 and 2 east, were detached' from Chessening in 1856, and organized into the
t6wnship of Brady, which now contains a population of
about 400. Township 9, N of R 4 east, was also detached
from Chessening in 1856, and organized into the township
of Maple Grove. Population, 250.
BRIDGEPORT CENTER.
This village, which is more generally known as the "Bend
of the Cass," is located in the township of Bridgeport, town
11 N. of R 5 east, near the center, as its name indicates,
and is very pleasantly situated upon the banks of the Cass
river, and also upon the Saginaw and Genesee plank road,
six miles from East Saginaw, and twenty-six from Flint
City, Genesee County. It contains about 150 inhabitants,
one Hotel, one Store, a District School, a Post Office, one
Steam Shingle Factory, one Blacksmith Shop, &c. The
land in this vicinity is considerably undulating, and the soil
tolerably well adapted to farming purposes. There is an excellent plank road leading from this place to Saginaw City,
Distance, six miles. C. A. Lull, Esq., proprietor of the
"Bridgeport Center. House," raised the first crop of wheat
in the county, and also introduced some of the first sheep
ever brought into the county. This was during the year 1834
FRANKEN]MUTH.
This is a German settlement located in town 11, N of R
6 east, and beautifully situated upon both sides of the Cass
river. The township contains about 1000 inhabitants, all
Gema  ns, most of whom reside in this settlement. The in



SAGINAW COUNTY.                69
habitants are an industrious and thrifty race of people, and
a valuable acquisition to any community. This township
was first settled in 1845 by a few Germans, who with their
pastor, the Rev. George Cramer, commenced clearing the
land and erecting dwellings, a Lutheran Church and a School
House. They also made good roads and bridges, and many
improvements generally. This township is one of the best
in the county, and its selection evinces at once the good
taste and judgment of those who first purchased here. It
now contains, aside from its private dwellings, two Churches,
two School Houses, two well supplied Stores, a Post Office,
one Grist Mill, two Saw Mills, several Blacksmith, Wagon
and other shops. The residents mostly own farms in connection with their places' of business. The soil here is a
rich admixture of clay, gravel and dark loam, and is most
admirably adapted to agriculture, in point of which, it probably cannot be excelled. We are happy to see the great
improvements that are annually being made by our German
neighbors. The Cass river is crossed here at Frankenmuth
by means of a good substantial suspension bridge, the execution of which exhibits much skill and ingenuity. The
excellent facilities which this township affords, together
with its nearness to market, must one day make it second to
none in the county in point of wealth and importance. We
would heartily recommend this township to those Germans
who are desirous of locating among their brethren.
Frankentrost, Frankenhilf, Deerfield, Amelete, Bloomfield and Frankenlust, of which I have before spoken, are
all flourishing German settlements in the county.
GREEN POINT.
This is a beautiful and romantic spot of prairie, situated
near the juncture of the Tittabawassee, Cass and Flint rivers, and about two miles above Saginaw City. Perhaps a
more delightful or appropriate spot for pic-nics and parties
of pleasure, during the summer months, cannot be imagined. Formerly, and indeed until quite recently, the Indians occupied this point as their summer camping ground,
leaving their families here while they hunted, fished, or
"spreed it," as the case might be. Just opposite Green
Point, during " wild-cat times," a city was laid out, which
was called "Upper Saginaw," and we are not certain but




W               9I9TOT0 Q
that om   Eastern gentlemen were alaR "laid out" when
they made purchases of "city lots" in that vicinity. Iug the sojourn of the Indians at Gween Poin, it was certsinly worth one's while to pay them a visit. I remember
on fine afternoon, some ten years since, of accompanying
ea old Indian trader there, while it was in full possession of
the Indians. Seated in a light canoe, and each armed with
a paddle, we started from Saginaw City, for the ostensible
purpose of bartering with the Indians for firs &c.
For my part I was perfectly delighted with the idea, as I
nvr had had an opportunity before of seeing the Indians
i't home," at least during the sumnrer season, and was also
glad to exchange the monotony of a clerk's life for a paddle
o'er the bright waters of the beautiful Saginaw. The river
was sufficiently agitated to cause our tiny boat to rock
dramily, and as we sped from the shore, the rioh waves
leaped and sported against our canoe's prow and sides, like
sportive kittens, ever and anon greeting our faces with a
"damp paw," that was by no means unpleasant.
On, on we sped, now under the shadow of the green wood
-"now by the fringed, rich border of the prairie. We could
readily discern in the distance, the white tents of the In~
dians fluttering in the wind, and hear the wild, joyous
shouts of the dusky juveniles as they pursued their uncouth
sports and games.  As we approached their camp, what a
busy and exhilerating scene presented itself to our view! I
clapped my hands in the exuberance of my spirits, for
never before had I witnessed a scene so full of real, unaffected, natural happiness as there greeted my senses, My
companion did not seem to partake of my enthusiasm, for
he had often witnessed similar scenes. Little Indian boys
and girls, resembling so many cupids, (in one sense,) could
be seen; some wrestling, some shooting with tiny bows and
arrows, some paddling their little canoes, while others were
bathig and splashing in the river, like so many amphibia
-each striving to vie with the other in the manner and
demonstration of its enjoyment. Supernnuated Indians and
spaws sat by the tent doors, looking on with a quiet, de4
mim pleasure, or arranging some toy or trinket for some litf
tie toddl   while the moe efficient were engaged in varios,
of no occupations at all.  Oh, howI longed for an artist's
ill, that I might sketh the wild and picturesqae soue
eey t,Jugit, is himaua natura i its ifrene, pmarmmei
dCt&




SAGINAW COUNTY.                 71
Care, to these children of nature seems to be a strangerno thought of the morrow engrosses their mind, but the
world with its vicissitudes and vexations, passes along apparently unnoticed by them. Buoyancy of spirit, under almost every circumstance, is a striking and prominent feature
in the Indian character.  As we drew our canoe out upon
the beach, the Indians came out to meet us, with a hearty
shake of the hand, and a cordial bojou. The shady urchins
for awhile suspended their games and stood with gaping
mouths and suspicious looks, gazing at the Keche-mokomnow
-then with a yelp and a bound, returned to their sports,
more vociferously than ever, their wild cries and shouts
merrily ringing over the prairie, and echoing in the green
wood beyond. Situated upon the greenest and most beautiful portion of the camp ground, were a number of very
white, and neat-looking tents, which I observed were closed
and entirely isolated from the dingy, smoky tents of the encampment. My companion, who seemed a sort of privileged
character in the camp, appeared perfectly at home, while I,
considering myself among strangers, clung to him, and followed him wherever he went, not venturing to "throw myself upon my own responsibilities." I was therefore pleased
when I saw him start toward the white tents, for I was curious to know what they contained.
Drawing aside the canvas he entered, without ceremony,
I of course following after. Seated upon beautiful mats of
colored rushes, which served as carpets and divans, were
some three or four good-looking squaws, very neatly, and
even richly attired in the fanciful style of the native, busily
engaged in embroidering and ornamenling nlloccasins, broadcloth leggings, and blankets with variegated beads and porcupine quills.
Everything around evinced the utmost order, neatness
and taste. No bustling nichee, or dirty urchin was allowed
the freedom of these apparently consecrated tents, but all
was quiet and calm within, or if any conversation was carried on, it was in that soft, musical tone -so peculiar to
them. So, so, thought I, here we have a sort of aristocracy,
a set of "exclusives," and a specimen of high life among
the natives! Yet it was just that kind of "high life," in
many respects, after which their white sisters might, with
the greatest propriety in the world, take pattern.  No descanting upon the merits, or demerits, more particularly, of
their neighbors-no idle gossiping or scandal was indulged




73


HISTORY OF


in-no la me'a-they do s8a-how          you talk-of all things,
etc., etc., were heard among them, but they quietly plied
their needles and kept their counsels to themiselves. If they
had occasion to visit their neighbor's tent, it was done quietly and pleasantly, after which, business was resumed.What a model, again thought I, for a first class sewing society I   Truly a lesson drawn from nature!       Yet a moder
sewing-circle based upon the above principle would not only
be an. anomaly, but a moral impossibility. Forgive me
ladies.
After wandering about the encampment and bartering
with the Indians for furs etc., we again took to our canoe,
and as the sun gently disappeared in the west, we found
ourselves once more at home.
ANECDOTES, &c.
Many scenes and incidents of a rich character may be alluded to, in connection with the early days of Saginaw City. Notwithstanding it was said
to have been " out of humanity's reach," and the sound of the " church going bell," yet the little handful of individuals who composed this community
were those who were determined to observe the laws of the country, and see
that they were properly maintained and respected. Although some of our
Saginaw forefathers appeared at times somewhat seedy and threadbare, owing
probably to the fact of their living so far from " market," they were, nevertheless, men of sterling integrity and worth, and to whose keeping one might
with safety entrust his life, and his all.
It was during a certain term of the Circuit Court,* when the Hon. Judge
M., of happy memory, was presiding, that an old man was indicted by the
Grand Jury on a charge of grand larceny. After receiving an impartial trial,
he was finally brought in " guilty " by the petit jury. As the Judge was in
somewhat of a hurry to leave-this case having been the last one on the calender-he proceeded to pass the sentence of the law upon the prisoner-the
jury still remaining in the "boX."
" Mr. B.," commenced the Hon. Judge, "it becomes my most painful duty
to pass the sentence of the law upon you-a duty which I fain would escape
performing, yet I often find myself obliged in the course of my judicial duties,
to shut all the avenues of feeling leading to my heart, and forget for a while
that I possess the sensibilities of a man. Mr. B., in this case I find my duty
doubly painful, for I have known you for many years, and when you occupied
a high and honorable position in society, and were respected by your fellows
for your uprightness and integrity. But what do I see before me to-day! A
man made in the image of his Maker, with his head silvered witl age, found
guilty of a great crime by a jury of twelve of his countrymen. Have you
aught to say, Mr. B., why the sentence of the law should not be pronounced
upon you 1"
"Judge," blubbered the old culprit,," I know that I am guilty-that I
ought to suffer-that I deserve all, and more too than the law can inflict
* This was long before the Court House was built, and court was held in a
little School House, situated near where the County Jail now stands.




SAGINAW COUNTY.


7;


upon me; but, Judge, look at that d- d jury! To think that such a miserable looking set of desperadoes should find me guilty, is more than I can
stand-but go ahead, Judge, don't let me interrupt you"
The reader may imagine the explosion that followed this speech, in the
midst of which, it is said, the Hon. Judge lost a little of his "specific gravity."
MAKING A ' LEVEL."
Among the first constabulary force of Saginaw, was one H., on old covey
who imagined that what he didn't know, there was but little use of being informed of. Let any one venture to tell him he did not understand his business,
and see what would happen. Ie was given to lisping, whether for the beauty
of the thing, through misfortune, or what not, we are unable to inform the
reader; but one thing is certain, he did lisp. Coming one day into the shop
of Scth W., shortly after his election, he was accosted by Seth, with:
"Well, II., how do you get along-have plenty of business now-a-days "
"Yeth thir-ce," rejoined II., " loths of it-made one "level" to-day, thir."
"Ah! what did you levy on to-day '" said S.
"Leveled on a yoke of sthcers."
"Where were the steers?" asked S., " who owned them?"
"They belonged to old Brown, up the Tittabawathcc-were on his plathe."
"You've not been there te-day, have you? —I've not missed you out of
town," observed S.
"That isn't nethethary-I don't have to go there to "level "-can do it just
ath well at home. The cattle are all thafe enough, and I know they are there
-aint that enough? Do you thuppothe I don't know what I'm about. You
don't fool old H. with any of your nonthenth, no thir-ee!" And the indignant official left the shop, cursing the stupidity of '-thome folks." 'This is
what our friend " Mose " would call making a " dead level."
INDIAN PAYMENT DAY IN OLD TIMES.
There is a vast sight of difference in the Indian payment day of the present,
and that of the " olden time "-long before Saginaw had attained to its present importance and standing. The writer of this had occasion to visit Saginaw City many years ago, at which time he had an opportunity of attending
an Indian payment. About twelve hundred Indians of all " sorts and sizes,"
from the toddling papoose to the swarthy niche-nah-ba, were assembled together in the morning, upon the beautiful lawn which gently sloped toward
the river in front of the council house. It would be almost impossible to give
the reader an idea of the hubbub and " confusion of tongues " that prevailed
upon the occasion. Aside from the twelve hundred Indians, were a variety
of other characters, including the chattering Frenchman, the blarneying Irishman and the blubbering Dutchman, all mingling their discordant jargon with
that of the vociferous Yankee. Groups of Indian boys, some exercising with
the bow and arrow, others jumping, running, wrestling, and making the welkin ring with their noisy merriment, were collected in the vicinity of their
respective tents.
The river, too, was covered with canoes, and here the " dusky maid" in a
more quiet and becoming manner, was enjoying the occasion; and it was
really surprising to see the dexterity and fearlessness with which she managed
the " light canoe." A list of all the names of the heads of Indian families,
Chiefs, &c., was taken by the Indian Superintendent-each Indian being entitled to a certain amount. The money to be paid, was placed upon a table in
the council room, in piles of ten and twenty dollars each, in American halfdollar pieces. Around the table sat the Indian Superintendent, Interpreter,
Clerks, &c. Commencing at the top of the list, a crier called off the names,
the owners of which presenting themselves, were paid off, and immediately
made room for others. It was amusing to observe the great number of friends
10




74                          HISTORY OF
that would gather around the Indian after te received his money from the
paymaster. Here a trader suddenly recollects some debt of long standing
against Mr. Indian-there a seedy individual with eyes and nasal promontory
coleur de pinque, most seductively offering him a drink of river water slightly
tinctured with poor whiskey, while one or two dear friends are advising him
to look out for sharpers, at the same time intimating that the Superintendent
has been paying off in bogus coin!
In the evening, while the drinking Indians were rioting and carousing in
the town, the evangelised natives were encamped upon the opposite side of
the river, and the surrounding forest fairly resounded with their loud singing,
preaching and praying. Instrumental music, from the fiddle to the Indian
tattoo, might also have been heard arising above the " horrid din."
The scene that presents itself at an Indian payment now-a-days, is altogether a different one, at least at Saginaw City. We are happy to see measures adopted to prevent the sale of intoxicating drinks to the poor Indian
upon such occasions-would to God it might be prohibited upon all occasions.
TRADITIONARY.
The valley of the Saginaw is rich in native associations, and legendary lore.
Scarcely a foot of soil here, but is identified with some mournful tale or legend of the poor Indian, the original lord and owner; and every furrow of
the plow brings to light some memento of this almost extinct race of mortals.
But a few years have elapsed since the bright and beautiful waters of the
noble Saginaw were undisturbed, save by the Indian, as he paddled his " light
canoe" o'er its glassy surface, or, perchance, laved his dusky figure in it, beneath the shade of the forest tree that overhung it. Then it was that the Indian knew no sorrow, for the " pale face " had not yet appeared, nor his foot
left its impress among them. The pure water of the limpid stream was his only
beverage, and the wild deer that bounded in freedom through the green forest,
was no less free and untrammelled than he.
We of course refer to their social being, for, since the creation, man nor
beast has been without enemies and rivals. Thus it was with our natives, for
in their social relations they were happy and joyous, yet a love of war and
wild adventure was part and parcel of their nature; and often did the wild,
dark woods around them resound with their fierce yells, as they met in deadly
conflict and strife. Two tribes of Indians originally possessed this portion of
the territory, namely: The Sacs and the Onottoways. The Sacs occupied the
lands situated upon both sides of the Saginaw River, from Green Point to
Saginaw Bay. Saginaw is from the Indian word Sac-haw-ning, signifying
place, or home of the Sacs. Their principal village was situated upon the
western bank of the river, nearly opposite the present village of Portsmouth.
There were, however, several smaller villages along the river, all of which
were subject to Sac-haw-ning government.
The Onottoways resided upon the banks of the Cass River, the original Indian name of which, was Onottoway Sebeeing. These two tribes appeared
to live upon amicable terms with. each other, often interchanging civilities, so
to speak, and participating in one another's festivities and hunts. The principal village of the Onottoways was delightfully situated near where Bridgeport Center now stands. Far to the north of Saginaw valley lived a tribe of
Indians, supposed to have been a portion of the famous Chippeways. They
were a fierce and warlike race, and were fond of conquest and spoils. They
h id heard of the Sacs and Onottoways-of the beautiful territory they possssed, and they longed to call it their own. The spies and scouts sent out by
them returned with glowing reports in regard to the beauty of the rivers and




SAGINAW    COUNTY.                      75
cotutry, the abundance of fish and game found there' and the unprotected
axd unguarded state of the occupants of the land.
The first account we have of the predatory incursions of the Chippeway,
i d f course traditionary, given us by the Chippeways themselves, as not a
vestige of the Sac or Onottoway tribes remain in the valley of the Saginaw at
the present day. It would seem that a grand festival had been given by the
Sacs, in honor of the young chief " Raven Eye," who had that day been promoted for some daring feat of the chase. A large delegation from the various
towns belonging to the tribes were present, and also a few young Onottoway
braves who were kindly invited to participate in the festivities of the occasion.
The day was a most delightful one in early autumn. The old chief threw
aside his gravity-the young brave his fierceness, and all mingled together in
gaiety, song and the dance. The dark-eyed Mimi was there, the Chieftain's
daughter, to whom it was said Raven Eye was betrothed, yet be that as it
may, many a young brave would have suffered torture, to have won from her
even the tribute of a smile.
Evening came on, soft, still and beautiful. The full, laughing moon arose
in splendor, and cast her mellow light o'er the happy scene, and the dim, wild
wood around, resounded with notes of merriment. It was late ere the festival
broke up, and all wearied with pleasure, sunk into peaceful, quiet slumber.No precaution had been taken to guard against danger, for none had been
anticipated. The night wind Aighed through the dark pine tops in mournful
cadence, and the gentle spirit bird hovered o'er the sleeper, with its low, gushing death chant; but its warning notes were unheard, and still the sleeper
slept on. Suddenly a wild, unearthly yell broke fearfully upon the ear of
night, and awakened a thousa-id echoes. Aroused by it,. the Sacs sprang to
their feet, but were met by the fierce Chippeway, who commenced an indiscriminate slaughter. Some were tomahawked-some leaped into the Saginaw
and were drowned. while a few escaped to impart the death news to their
brethren. The enemy followed up their conquest, but the Onottoways and remaining Sacs, banding themselves together, prepared to repel the lawless invaders. The whole valley of the Saginaw was in a state of wild commotion
and fear, for the Chippeways had commenced a bloody war of extermination,
and neither age, sex nor rank was spared. A fearful battle was fought near
the village of the Onottoways, in which, it is said the bloody Chippeways
came off victorious.
After this defeat, the Onottoways and Sacs, those who survived the massacre, fled to a small Island * situated near the mouth of a small stream which
empties into the Saginaw a short distance above the village of Sac-haw-ning,
which they fortified and placed in a state of defence, as far as their limited
strength would allow. Here, with their wives, children and old people,
the sad remnant of the two tribes determined to make a final stand.They had now but little to live for, for their families had been broken uptheir villages burned, and their fields laid waste by the ruthless invader. No.
more could they in safety paddle their birchen barks o'er the bright bosomei
their own beautiful Saginaw, or pursue the timid deer through their own
pleasant hunting grounds-those which they had inherited from their fathers.
At every pass was stationed an enemy, and in every thicket lurked a stealthy
foe, ready to hurl the death shaft to the heart of the doomed Sac or Onottoway. When, therefore, they sought this Island, it was as their last resort, and
here they were determined to await the final issue. Nor had they to wait
long. One dark and stormy night when the poor fugitives upon their own
soil were nearly worn out with watching, and exhausted with hunger and
privation, the bloodthirsty Chippeway came upon them " like a wolf on the
fold," breaking through the feeble barriers that formed their only defence,
and commencing a merciless slaughter upon them.
*This Island is known at the present day, as Skull Island, as skulls have
been found among the long tangled grass that grows upon it.




76


HISTORY OF


Resistance on the Wart of the doomed Indians, was useless, and ere the
morning arose, the enemy had completed their work, and were masters of the
valley of the Saginaw. Only two of the Sac tribe were spared; a youthful
couple, who after having been fearfully mutilated with knives, were placed in
a canoe without food, weapons, or paddles, and set adrift by the villainous
Chippeways. It is supposed that a few of the Onottoways either made their
escape or joined the Chippeways, as we here lose all trace of them.
Assuring themselves that they were indeed sole masters of the beautiful
valley, they set about making preparations for a permanent stay therein, at
least, so permanent as the Indian disposition would admit of. Chippeway
lodges arose from the ruins of the Sac and Onottoway villages, and maize
waved in beauty o'er the graves of the disinherited and murdered original
possessors of the soil. The Chippeway hunter pursued the wild wolf and deer
through the beautiful hunting grounds of the Sac, without fear of interruption, and the young brave wooed his Indian maid 'neath the very trees under
which the Sac or Onottoway had often reveled, or met together in council.
Years rolled on, and the invader grew in strength and power, and in thI
pride of his heart boasted of his conquests, and vainly defied the Great Spirit.
For a long time the Great Spirit bore with him; but a day of reckoning was
hastening on. The pale faces came, bringing with them the seeds of discontent and strife, which they scattered broadcast through the valley of the Saginaw. They learned the Indian to quaff the deadly fire-water, and to curse
and swear intolerable English. The beautiful hunting grounds their forefathers had wrenched so wickedly from the original owners, passed from their
hands, and were converted into smiling fields; and villages sprung up where
the Chippeway had often tracked the bear and the elk, and where he was now
a homeless, wretched wanderer.
Many long years had' elapsed since their ancestors had so cruelly taken possession of the land, and sent the two poor mutilated young Sacs adrift, without food, weapons, or paddles to guide their frail canoe. The Great Spirit
had, however, watched over them, and directed their course, and far away
from the valley of the Saginaw had they at last found a resting place.
One day the Saginaw Indians were surprised to receive a visit from a
young Indian stranger, whose dialect, manner and dress were wholly unlike
their own. By signs, he gave them to understand that he belonged, to a powerful tribe of Sacs, living many miles north of the setting sun, where game
was found' in great abundance, and in whose rivers, streams and' lakes all
manner of excellent fish were found in plenty. He also gave them. to understand that the whole valley of the Saginaw once belonged to his forefathers,
and although they (his tribe,) did not expect to ever reclaim it, still they had
by no means forgotten the great wrong their ancesters had suffered from.the
hands of the Chippeways, and they burned for an opportunity to avenge the
murdered of their race. His present mission, he intimated, was to inform
them of this fact, and to warn them to look well to themselves, for in an hour
when they little expected it, the avenger would be upon them. After singing
a wild, exciting song, in his own tongue, and giving a fearful parting whoop,
he bounded into the depth of the forest like a wild deer, and disappeared,
leaving his astonished auditors in a state of the greatest consternation and
alarm.
At intervals, ever since this event, have the Saginaws, according to their
story, received mysterious visitations from some source or other. Sometimes
during sugar making, they will be seized with a sudden panic, and leave everything-their kettles of sap boiling-their mokuks of sugar standing in
their camps, and their ponies tethered in the woods, and flee helter skelter to
their canoes, as though pursued by the Evil One. In answer to the question
asked in regard to the cause of their panic, you invariably receive a shake of
the head, and a mournful " an-do-gwane," (don't know).




SAGINAW COUNTY.


77


There may have been a legitimate cause for this panic, originally, yet not
unfrequently it is created by wicked white men, who resort to this method in
order to rob the poor Indians of what little they possess, and also for the purpose of witnessing the stampede! Out upon such cruelty, we say.
During the year 1838, the small-pox raged exclusively among the Indians of
the Saginaw Valley, sweeping off hundreds of them. Many dead bodies were
found in the river, upon the prairies, and in the woods.  Not a single white
person was attacked with this fearful and loathsome disease, in the whole Valley, a circumstance which led the Indians to believe that the Great Spirit was
visiting the sins of the fathers upon the children!
LEGEND OF THE "LONE TREE."
No person who has ever traversed the Valley of the Saginaw, but remembers the "lone tree," which stood upon the east side of the river, above
Portsmouth, alone and isolated upon the prairie, far from its fellows.  It
looked like some lone misanthrope, who, having become disgusted with the
vanities and foibles of human nature, had taken up his abode in'the desert,
where, far from the busy haunts of his fellow-man, he might pour out his
heart's bitterness to the wild winds, and waste his spleen and discontent upon
the " desert air." Alone it stood, majestic in its loneliness, like the last rose
whose companions arc gone. A spirit of rourance certainly seemed to linger
about it-a whisper of the past gently breathed through its desolate branches,
and the question naturally arose, why is it that this tree thus stood alone?A greater interest was imparted to it, by the fact of its having been for years
the abode of a white owl, whose nightly dismal whoop fell mournfully upon
the ear of night.
The Indians had a great reverence for this tree, and also for its occupant,
which they believed to be a spirit-bird. There is a beautiful belief existing
among the aborigines of our country, in regard to a guardian spirit, which
they say is often seen, and which appears in the form of a bird —sometimes
the dove, sometimes the eagle, but more frequently assuming the form of a
night bird, though the disposition of the deceased, while living, has much to
do with with the species.  For instance, a great warrior dies, whose disposition had been fearless, ambitious, and untamed, his spirit-bird personifies an
eagle.  A blood-thirsty chieftain's spirit-bird is a hawk.  A gentle maiden
passes away to the spirit land, and her friends know that she is hovering near
them when they hear the mournful notes of the turtle dove at morn or at eve.
A legend, or tradition, concerning the "lone tree" exists among the Indians of the Saginaw Valley.  Many, many long years ago, before the white
man's foot had left its impress upon this valley, Ke-wah-ke-won ruled his
people with love and kindness. He was a patriarch among them, and beloved
for the gentleness of his manners, and the mildness of his government.  He
had been a great warrior in his day; but his youth had departed, and the
languid pulse and feeble footstep told, alas, too plainly, that lie would soon
be treading the hunting grounds of the Great Spirit. The good old man felt
that he was indeed passing away-dying-and he was desirous to see once
more his tribes in council, and bestow upon them his last blessing, and impart to them his dying advice and admonition.  The old chief lay upon his
death-bed, and around him were gathered, in mournful silence, his beloved
people, eager to catch the first and last words that would drop from the lips of
their dying chieftain. It was a mournful and melancholy picture, that deathbed scene in the wilderness. At length the chief spoke, while the fire of his
youth seemed to kindle again in his dim eye, and his voice, though weak, was
calm and clear.
" AMy children," said he, "the Great Spirit has called me, and I must obey
the summons. Already is the tomahawk raised to sever the last cord that
binds me to my children; already my guide stands at the door to convey me
to the hunting-grounds of my fathers in the spirit-land. You weep, my child



78


HISTORY OF


ren, but dry your tears, for though I leave you now, yet will my spirit-bird
ever watch over you. I will whisper to you in the evening breeze, and when
the morning comes you will know that I have been with you through the
night. But the Good Spirit beckons for me, and I must hasten. Let my body
be laid in a quiet spot in the prairie, with my tomahawk and pipe by my side.
You need not fear that the wolf will disturb my rest, for the Great Spirit, I
feel, will place a watch over me. Meet me in the spirit-land, my children.Farewell." And the old chief slept the sleep that knows no waking till the
end of time.
They buried him in a lone spot in the prairie, near the beautiful river, with
his face toward the rising sun. His remains were never disturbed by bird or
beast; for it would indeed seem that so the Great Spirit had ordered it. Time
passed on, and a tree arose from his grave and spread its branches over it, as
if to protect it, and a beautiful white owl took posession of it.  The Indians
tell us that the " lone tree" marked the last resting-place of Ke-wah-ke-won,
and that the white owl was the spirit-bird sent to watch over it.
The "lone tree" is no longer seen by the boatman, or the passer by, for
vandal hands have cut it down, yet the spot is often pointed out upon which
it stood, and where sleeps Ke-wah-ke-won, the beloved of his tribe.
OLD KISH-KAW-KO AGAIN.
The troops while stationed at Saginaw City, or where it now stands, suffered
many privations and inconveniencies, besides the petty annoyances and insults to which they were continually subjected by the Indians, who looked
upon them as trespassers, not daring, however, to make any advances towards
hostility, for they knew full well that the troops were prepared to meet anything of that nature with " promptness and dispatch." Still the " red skins "
lost no opportunity in reminding them that they, (the troops,) were not at
home, but upon grounds claimed by others than themselves. There was one
old chief in particular, whose wigwam was nearly under cover of the Fort,
who was exceedingly annoying, at least tQ the soldiers, but more particularly
to the sentry, for every night as he, on his accustomed round, would give the
hour, with the usual " all's well," this rascally chief would mpckingly reiterate the watchword, together with a taunting shout and whoop, making the
very welkin ring again, and startling the inmates of the Fort, who not unfrequently imagined, upon being so unceremoniously awakened, that an attack
was at hand.
The scamp had repeated this trick a number of times, and our men determined to punish him a little, and at the same time enjoy some sport at his expense. Accordingly they loaded an old swivel to the muzzle, with grape and
canister, and mounted it upon the pickets, pointing it in the direction of the
old copper-colored gentleman's wigwam, in such a position, however, that the
shot would merely rattle over his head, with no other effect than that of
frightening him into silence if nothing else. Night came at last, and "all
around was still "-not even a leaf stirred, and the heavy tramp of the sentinel as he paced with measured tread his accustomed round, and the distant
howl of the hungry wolf alone were heard. The men were lying quietly behind the gun, though by no means asleep, while a match was ready to apply
at the signal, which by the way, the old Chief himself was unwittingly to
give. Hour after hour glided silently by, and twelve o'clock came, the hour
usually selected by copper face for his echo. " Twelve o'clock-all's well,"
sang out the sentry. " All well" echoed the Indian, " Ke-wlwop-ke-kee-whowhoop," making at the same time, a grand flourish after the war style of his
forefathers-" 1 ye-ye-ye-yecp-ke-who." At this instant a bright gleam of fire
shot from the walls of the Fort accompanied by a report so loud, so deafening, that the very stars shut their eyes-the moon hid behind a cloud, and
the ground and buildings shook with the concussion, while the grape and
eanister rattled fearfully over the wigwam and helter skelter through the




SAGINAW COUNTi.                         79
branches of the trees overhanging it. The old Chief thought his time had
indeed come, and called lustily upon all the gods in his unlettered vocabulary,
and medicine men of the nation to save him.  *  *   *    *    After
this salutary rebuke, no niche in the tribe was more courteous or deferential
to the troops than this same Indian. Perhaps he thought it advisable to keep
on good terms with beings who repaid insult with thunder, lightning and
iron hail.
A SUMMARY.
Fur Trade, annually, - - $ 30,000  Shingle Trade, annually, - $ 30,000
Fish  "      "     - -    40,000  Stave    "      "     -    30,000
Lumber Trade"      - -    872.000 Ship Yard business,   -    50,000
Lath     "   "     -      20,000  Incidental & General Trade, 200,000
Total, - - - -                 -                   $1,272,000.
CONCLUSION.
The favorable geographical position of Saginaw County-its central location in the State-its facilities for commerce, afforded by the River and
adjacent Lakes, and the vast resources to which I have alluded forming the
basis of an immense trade to support that commerce-its excellent farming
lands equalling, if not excelling in fertility, the far-famed valley of Genessee
in the State of New York, all combine to render Saginaw River at no distant
day, one of the most important avenues for trade in the Peninsula, and its
business points, marts of enterprise, thrift and importance, second to none in
the State, and therefore demanding corresponding means of intercommunication by Railroad, to meet the exigencies of its business, facilitate transit,
and to aid in developing the immense latent resources of Northern Michigan.
These considerations have not escaped the attention of Capitalists, whom
we find investing liberally in Railroad projects, having direct reference to
Saginaw in their line of survey. The Flint and Pere Marqnette and the
Amboy, Lansing and Grand Traverse Bay Railroads, the Companies of
which are duly organized and prepared to urge their work forward to an
early completion-will be of incalculable advantage to Saginaw, in completing a chain of intercommunication with the important Cities of the East and
West, and opening a direct outlet to Eastern markets by the way of Saginaw,
for the immense trade and travel of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and all that
vast region of country West of Lake Michigan, and thereby diminishing the
distance now traveled, at least five hundred miles, and at the same time
avoiding the long, dangerous and circuitous route around the Lakes.
A mere glance at the map, and reference to the line and terminus of these
roads, will at once confirm the correctness of the above observation. It will
be seen that the two important points of terminus on Lake Michigan, of the
roads communicating with Saginaw, are at Grand Haven, and Pere Marquette; the former opposite Milwaukee, and the latter opposite Manitouwoc,
two important and growing commercial cities on the western shores of said
lake, and market towns for the trade, and surplus produce of a large portion
of the great North-west. These points connected by Steam Ferry with the
terminus of the above roads, will render their interests almost identical.
The above points of terminus, it will be observed, are about 70 miles apart,




80                         CONCLUSION.
and that Saginaw occupies an intermediate position opposite these places,
across the peninsula, and therefore an equal distance from them, thus rendering it the natural converging point of transit from these places, for the vast
trade accumulating at said cities seeking a more direct outlet to the Eastern
market, as it must be remembered that a line of Steamers plying between
Saginaw and Goderich, to connect with the Railroad at the latter place, will
preserve a direct and uninterrupted communication between the East and
West, and will be the great Western summer thoroughfare, traveled alike for
business and pleasure, as the trip across Lake Huron to Goderich, will be an
exhilerating and refreshing one.
Another important source of wealth to Saginaw, urging the necessity of a
speedy completion of said roads, should not be overlooked. While Detroit,
Cleveland and Chicago are loudly descanting upon their respective claims to
the advantages of the great mineral trade of Lake Superior, and are inviting
their capitalists to avail themselves of the advantages which their favorable
geographical positions afford for securing that vast trade, by the establishment of manufactories for the working of the raw material, it is perhaps little dreamed that Saginaw possesses advantages far superior to any of these
places, for the securing of that trade, not only in the abundance of its facilities for smelting purposes and the successful prosecution of all the details of
the work, but in respect to its peculiarly favorable position, and is only awaiting the completion of these two roads to render it the most convenient point
for that business in the State, being so easy of access to all the markets,
East, West, North or South.
In alluding to Saginaw, it will be observed that we make no invidious distinction of localities in the valley, but speak of Saginaw as a unit, embracing all the business points on the river, as possessing an identity of interest,
stimulated only by a laudable emulation, and together comprising one great
commercial community, characterized alike by thrift, enterprise and brotherly feeling.


FINIS.




JAMES L. FOX
Attorney and Counselloe                         at Law,
And Solicitor in Chancry.
AOENT for Buying and Selling Lands, and Paying Taxes, in every part of
the State. All business entrusted to him will receive prompt and immediate attention. Office in Corliss' Block, (up stairs) Genesee street.EAST SAGINAW, Micro.
FLINT CITXY BAKEIVY.
NELSON INGERSOLL,
CORNER SAGINAW & FIRST STBEETS -              F- LINT, MICH..
DESIRES to informal that he is prepared to furnish all.
who may favor him with their patronage, MACHINE CRACKERS, BREAD,
CAKES, PIES, PASTRY, &c., at wholesale or retail. He is also prepared
to manufacture all kinds of CONFECTIONARY.
TO THE LADIES.
The Subscriber has now completed an elegant site of rooms intended for
tile accommodation of SUMMER EVENING ICE CREAM PARTIES.These rooms are excluded from, and have no connection withe Batery and
will be furnished with every delicacy of the season in its turn,inclnding
Pine Apples, Strawberries, Ice Cream, Fruits, c. &c. PRIVATE AND
PUBLIC PARTIE    will be furnished with Ice Cream, Confectioney, CakFe,
&c., on short -notice. All orders for anything in ne promptly responded
to..         INGERSOiLL.
Corner of Saginaw and Court Streets, at the sign of the Ledger.
TIIE Subscriber is prepared to do all kind of work pertaining to his usineswith neatness and' dipatch.  Ing add
htimsOelf with a ne'RULING uMACHINE  l      dletedfd color, h1
eand                               and:of the best  rinat tt'(
market will afrd,     TYB   K     do order,
' ~   ~        ~        TO      A Y::XOI:.: -:'!




A %100D sormnto M.ISCELLANEOU BOKBLN     OOKb,
and STATIONERYotevr descriptionl conhsta'ntly on hia4.
BLANKBOOK"S,
mae too Aro hr notice- an nthe best ofsy1.300ILL
WAL6L rArRjus reevd, all new. patterns, anfosaecap
alo aSOod assrten of FANCY GOODS adMSCLISRMNS
THEk Subcibers ar-  wprprdtofrih on the shorteist notieps
sible, MOES -DWELLINGS STEAMBOATS,, &c, wih l Wid of
inthe aetadms apoed Styles, and upon h  otlbea em.
Haigitereplo efeletankllf workmn 'the wish to havfeAi
e Ipressyuderstood that the will notbe otdon nterlnetiieo
Th~l'ao. her stblk oil, hadercs every kn fCbntWr nue
wihIn poin ofeganc an'uaiiy antbe`excelled.
Particlar atentio pid t filling orders-from the country
DFIN kept cntnlonhdor made t rdr
3.A.LAGE
*# C S  M1E
Cornr ofGensee nd ass ts.,L~s SAGNAW
C.fiB. JONES,




UNIVERSITY Of MCHK3AN
"e3 9015 02868 5710
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN


DATE DUE


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