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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1945

DAVID D. OLIVER.
Author.
One Of THE First White Men to Settle in Alpena Coumr, and
THE First to Ensaoe in LuMBERiNa.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY

OF

ALPENA COUNTY^

MICHIGAN.

GIVING SKETCH OF MICHIGAN FROM ITS EARLY
SETTLEMENT, FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES
OF FIRST SETTLERS.

THE SURVEY, SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH OF
ALPENA COUNTY, FROM 1837 TO 1876.

BY DAVID D. OLIVER.

. ALPENA, MICH.
ARGUS PRINTINO HOUSE.
1903.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1893, hy
DAVID D. OLIVER,
In the Office ot the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY

OF

ALPENA COUNTY^
MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER L
PBELIMINABY BEMAEKS,
In order to show the progress and development of Alpena
county, it will be necessary to go back to the earliest days of
its settlement by white people, and to show the circumstances,
conditions and influences by which they wtre surrounded at
the time of such settlement, as these have much to do with
their future prosperity and happiness, and determines in no
small degree the character of their popular institutions. And
hence this work would be incomplete without referring to the
History of the State of Michigan — at the time and since its ad
mission into the Sisterhood of States.
An act was passed by Congress, on the 15th day of June,
1836, for the admission of Michigan as one of the States of the
Union ; but with the then humiliatiug condition, that it would
relinquish its claim to the southern boundry, (which was a
narrow strip or land extending from Lake Michigan to Lake
Erie, and claimed by Indiana and Ohio, ) and accept instead
thereof, the Upper Peninsula, which was then an unexplored
region, and considered of no probable value. In December, of
the same year, a packed convention met and agreed to the con-

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS.

ditions imposed by Congress ; and Michigan was admitted as
one of the States of the Union, on the 26th of January, 1837.
In the winter of the same year, Canada became involved in a
quasi rebellion, and the country becoming ^too warm politically
for the healthful exercise of the writer's American proclivities,
he resolves to quit the Queen's Dominions, (as he was only a
visitor, ) and he crossed the dividing line, at Port Horon, into
the State of Michigan, which was then undergoing some mate
rial changes, financially and politically.
Steven T. Mason was elected first Governor. He was a
young man, of more than ordinary ability, — had been Secretary
and acting Grovernor of the Territory while in his minority ;
and now, with the young State, was merging into manhood and
freedom, with many wants and ambitions to satisfy; and the
young State and its young Governor, without experience, launch
ed out into many extravagances, and committed many errors,
which resulted in financial ruin to the State and its inhabitants.
There was some question at the time, as to who got the money;
but there was no disputing the fact that the State got the ex
perience. At this time, (1876), when we have railroads and
telegraph lines traversing the State in every direction, it is im
possible for the present generation to fully comprehend the sit
uation or feelings of the people of our State in those days.
Then there was no railway communication with the east; nor
was there any convenient way of traveling by land between
Detroit and Chicago.
A large portion of the State of Michigan, at this time, (1838, )
was an immense forest, the most of which was uusurveyed, and
but little known. It was, therefore, not only desirable, but
necessary, that the lands should be surveyed and explored; and
that certain improvements should be carried into efPect, in order
to develop the resources of the country. Uncle Sam was doino-
his part. The public lands were being surveyed by Deputy
United States Surveyors, who done the work under contracts

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS.

at a certain price per mile. In the fall of 1838, the writer
hired with Messrs. Alvin and Austin Burt, who had a contract
for surveying lands on the Aubetsies river, in the northwest
ern part of the Southern Peninsula. We started — fourteen in
number, and four pack horses — from Washington, in Macomb
county, and traveled west through the counties of Oakland,
Shiawassee, Livingston, Ionia and Kent, to Grand Rapids.
Sometimes we traveled in a road, and other times in an In
dian trail; and much of the way through wood and marsh, with
out trail or road.
The first night out, we camped where Fenton now is. This
was the first time that the writer had ever camped out in a tent,
but not the last. Here was a log house and a small clearing.
The next day we passed through Shiawassee county, near the
village of Owosso, where there was a clearing in the oak woods,
and a small cluster of buildings; but the people were in excel
lent spirits and good working order, for the survey of a rail
road had been made through their town only a short time before,
and they felt confident that it would be made in a very short
time. We struck another clearing near the Lookingglass river, but
clearings were "few and far between" on our line of march. In
passing through Livingston county, we were terrorized by
snakes. In the marshes and low lands we found in profusion
a species of rattlesnake called the massasauga, many of which
we killed, and which kept us in constant dread. On the plains
we had some experience with the blue racer. One day, one of
the advanced party saw a large snake of this kind, and gave
chase, but the snake kept at a safe distance ahead of the man,
running with his head high above the ground and small bushes.
Finding he could not overtake the snake, he gave up the chase
and started to return, when, to his astonishment and terror, he
found the snake returning also, and with a loud yell, he started
on double quick to reach the rest of the party. When, almost

b ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS.
breathless, he came to a halt among us, there was his snakeship
at a respectful distance, his head above the bushes, his tongue
flashing derision at the whole party. He looked immensely
good natured, and as though he was king of snakes, and was
out on a reconnoiter. Capt. Darius Cole was one of the party
and one of the packers, and who proposed to unpack one of the
horses and surround and capture the snake, as it was a very
large one, or run it down with the horse. But his snakeship
seemed to understand what was transpiring, as well as the
ancient one in the Garden of Eden, and before we were ready
to surround and take him in, he respectfully withdrew, and
could not be found.
In louia county, we met Douglass Houghton, the then State
Geologist. He was on one of the early geological surveys.
He had an Indian for a packer, and his pack-horse was a coal-
black one, and his camp tins were new and bright and were
hung on both sides of the animal, making a singular appear
ance, and rattling when he traveled, as though he belonged to
a charivari party. In due time we reached Lyons, which we
found quite a lively little town in the woods, containing about
five hundred inhabitants, who were hoping for and expecting a
railroad in a very few years. From this place to Grand Eapids
we traveled in a very passable road for a wagon, and saw some
settlements, placed at long intervals. We halted at Grand
Eapids a short time, to make some purchases and recruit our
provisions, as this was the last village we would see for many
months. Grand Rapids, at this time, (1838,) had the appear
ance of a growing little village, with say fifteen hundred inhab
itants. It had water communication, by boats on the river, to
Grand Haven. It had a bank, a sawmill and two painted
buildings, which were used as stores. It was the center of
considerable trade in general merchandise and peltry. From
this place to Aubetsies river, a little over one hundred miles
north, was a howling wilderness, with only an Indian trader at

ALPENA COUNTY  PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS. i
the mouth of Muskegon river, a small sawmill at White river,
and a Missionary Station at Manistee.
The writer has given a short sketch of this trip across the
State, in order to show the condition at this time (1838) of
that strip of country over which the palace cars of the Detroit
& Milwaukee railway now (1876) travel, and conveying the
traveling public with dispatch and comfort. The travel west, at
this time, was very large, and most of it was by steamboats,
around the lakes. Some of the boats were large and commo
dious, and although they would not compare in structure with
those of the present day, yet they conveyed passengers with
comfort, safety and dispatch.
Judge Campbell, in his excellent work, "Outlines of Political
History of Michigan," says, in regard to improvements: "The
first State legislature was chiefly directed to the development
of the resources of the country. Roads were laid out in every
direction, and placed under local supervision, so that the peo
ple most nearly interested might have means of preventing
neglect and dishonestv. Eailroads were chartered whenever
asked for. The University and School lands were put in market
on long time. The State prepared, as soon as possible, to enter
upon a general system of internal improvements, whereby all
parts of its jurisdiction would be made readily acceptable and
be brought within easy reach of market and business facilities."
"One of the first and best schemes devised to further the de
velopment of the State resources, was the organization of a
complete geological survey. In February, 1837, an act was
passed for the appointment of a State Geologist, to conduct
such survey, and annual suras, increasing from $3,000 the first
year, to $12,000 the fourth, were appropriated. Doctor Doug
lass Houghton was selected to fill the olfice." * * *
"In addition to some smaller debts, it was determmed to bor
row five million of dollars to expend in various public works.
It was expected that by the aid of this sum and such other do-

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS.

nations as might be received from the United States, three
trunk railroads could be built across the State, two canals made,
several rivers improved so as to be navigable, some small rail
roads finished, and a ship-canal opened round the falls of the
Ste. Marie river.
"A Board of Commissioners of Internal Improvements had
already been appointed. On the 20th of March, 1837, this
Board was directed to survey three railroad routes across the
peninsula. The first was the Michigan Central, from Detroit
to the mouth of St. Joseph river, in Berrien county. The sec
ond was the Southern, to run from the mouth of the River Eai-
sin, through Monroe, to New Buffalo. The third was the North
ern, to run from Palmer, or Port Huron, to Grand Rapids or
Grand Haven. A purchase was to be made of the Detroit &
St. Joseph railroad, which had gone partly through Washtenaw
county. Five hundred and fifty thousand dollars were appro
priated to these roads at once, — four hundred thousand for the
Central, one hundred thousand for the Southern, (both of which
included private railroads to be purchased,) and fifty thousand
for the Northern. Twenty thousand was appropriated for sur
veys of a canal, or combined canal and railroad, from Mt. Clem
ens to the mouth of the Kalamazoo river, a canal from Saginaw
i-iver to Maple or Grand river, and river surveys on the St.
Joseph, Kalamazoo and Grand rivers, for slack water naviga
tion. Seventy-five thousand dollars more were to be expended
on some of these and other works."
When the geographical position of the State is studied, it will
be seen that this scheme of improvemelits was not without
merits, was within the range of possibilities and usefulness, and
within the means of the State, had the five million loan been
properly negotiated and' expended. The State, at the time of
its admission, was out of debt; was entitled to five per cent
from the sale of the public lands, which then amounted to
$450,000, and it had received and was receiving large donations

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS. 9
of land from the general Government; and these, with the five
million loan, and the accumulating earnings of the improve
ments as they progressed, would have been ample for finishing
the contemplated work; and this will more fully appear, when
we take into consideration that railroads were not then as perfect
and costly as at presen fc. Judge Campbell says in regard to them :
"In a level country, well supplied with wood, the cost of build
ing and ironing a railroad was very trifling, and its rolling
stock was also cheap and scanty. The original capital stock of
the Detroit & St. Joseph Railroad Company, the corporation
which began the Michigan Central railroad to' Marshall, was
recorded in 1846, as having been two millions of dollars. In
private hands it would probably have been less; and the capi
tal stock of the $1,500,000, aided by the earnings properly
managed, would have been adequate, according to the plans
first devised, to build the road; although the subsequent im
provement in track and stock would have made new arrange
ments necessary, if the road had been built as slowly as was
then customary. Twenty miles a year was, in those days, rapid
railroad building. The passenger cars were small vehicles,
holding no more than from eighteen to twenty-four passengers,
and not much, if any, heavier than the large stage coaches.
The iron was flat bar iron, from half to three-fourths of an inch
thick, spiked on wooden sleepers which were lightly tied, and
on tracks not perfectly graded or heavily ballasted. The loco
motives weighed from two to six or seven tons, and drew cor
responding loads."
The emigrants and settlers in Michigan were mostly from
New England and the State of New York; were intelligent and
enterprising, and well calculated to advance the material inter
ests of the State, and to build up strong communities. They
had unbounded confldence in the disposition and ability of the
State to perfect its plans of improvements, and had not the re
motest idea that there was a possibility of a failure. They pur-

10 ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS.

chased lands in the midst of the forest, but on the lines of the
proposed railroads and canals, and commenced to clear farms,
erect mills and factories, and to build up towns and cities, with
the hope and expectation that the day was not far in the future
when they would hear the breathings and snorts of the iron
horse. Their wealth was more in the future than the present,
and depended largely, if not wholly, upon the State completing
its railroads and canals. Another institution, which depended
for its life and usefulness on the internal improvements, was
unlimited banking. It was a scheme calculated to help deveilop
the resources of the State, but the foundation ol: its security
rested in real estate, the value of which depended entirely up^
on the completion of the improvements promised by the State.
Judge Campbell, in speaking of the law, says: "In 1837, a
general banking law was passed, which was, supposed to contain
better securities than any other similar scheme, and included
the safety fund plan, in addition. Any persons residing in a
county of the State, including among them at least twelve free
holders, could organize banks of from $50,000 to $300,000
capital; and care was taken that at least one-third of the stock
should always belong to county residents in good faith, and for
their own use; and on executing the preliminaries and paying
in thirty per cent in specie, they could proceed to business.
Ten per cent was payable on the stock every six months, until
all the capital was paid in. Before beginning banking busi
ness, bonds and mortgages, or personal bonds of resident free
holders, satisfactory to the County Treasurer and County Clerk,
were to be filed with the Auditor General, to the full amount
of the circulation and indebtedness. Neither the circulation
nor the loans and discounts were to exceed twice-and-a-half the
amount of the capital stock."
During the years 1837, '38, '39, hope and expectation were
standing on tip-toe. Surveying parties, employed by the State
and United States, could be seen moving in every direction,

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS. 11
and large districts of the State were surveyed and brought into
market. Large, anxious crowds assembled at the land sales,
many of whom, for want of better accommodations, lived in
tents during the time the sale lasted. At thesQ sales, large
purchases were made, sometimes as high as thirty thousand
acres a day, and the utmost activity was manifested in every
part oE the Stated in regard to its general improvements, and
everybody had his pockets filled with engravings which passed
current for money. But in 1840, a reverse came, like the shock
of an earthquake; and but very few in the State escaped with
out injury. When the people learned the true state of affairs,
and that the State would go no further with its improvements,
all business became at once paralyzed. Eeal estate dropped to
nominal values, while the banks that were secured by it became
worthless. No greater commercial calamity ever overtook thai
people of the State. Those who were considered wealthy in
money and property, suddenly found they had but very little.
Their property was in the midst of a forest, without a hope of
communication, and they could not work, for they had nothing
to work with, as their money was worth less than their real es
tate. The laborer could get nothing for his work, and what he
had already earned was worth but little, if anything. Many
made their exit from the State, while others, like the Roman
Senators, resolved to stay and die with their property, as they
could not sell it, and afterwards their property made them rich,
and thus it was some could not be poor when they would.
Others refused to be rich when they could.
In the spring of 1839, the surveys in the State of Michigan
were continued. Lewis Clason and Thomas Patterson, of Cin
cinnati, Ohio, had the sub-division of townships 27, 28, 29 and
30 north, and from range 4 east, to Lake Huron ; and John
Hodgson, Esq., of Detroit, Michigan, had the contract to run
township lines north of the third correction line. The writer
hired with Mr. Clason, for eighteen dollars per month, to carry

12 ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS.
the chain, which was considered fair wages in those days. The
parties of Clason and Patterson left Pontiac, in Oakland coun
ty, Michigan, in the early part of April, 1839, some of them in
a lumber wagon in advance, and the balance with the pack-
horses, brought up the rear. We traveled with the wagon as
far as Pine Euu, as it was then called, and this being the ter
minus of the wagon road, each one was compelled to "make
his pack and play it alone." The road from Pine Eun to Sag
inaw City was in progress of construction, under the system of
internal improvements, and was one of continual variation,
changing from dry land to low, wet swamp, and back to dry
land, and from an Indian trail up through every stage of pro
gress, to a good wagon road.
After much hard traveling, we reached Saginaw river, and
were ferried across to Saginaw City. Here was an isolated town
of about seven hundred inhabitants, who were all very hopeful
and sanguine in the future growth and prosperity of the place.
Their only communication with Bay City, or Lower Saginaw,
as it was then known, and the outer world, was on the Saginaw
river; in the summer by small boats and vessels, and in the
winter by sleighs and dog trains on the ice. They had a large
public house, a bank, two or three sawmills, and as many stores.
The principal occupation of the people was fishing, hunting,
lumbering, and trading with the Indians for furs, which were
then very plentiful in the northern part of the Southern Penin
sula. Harvey Williams and a man by the name of McDonald
were the principal Indian traders, who made yearly visits along
the shore, to buy furs; and sometimes came as far north al
Thunder Bay river. From this place we went down the river
to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, where we found a half dozen
or so of frame buildings, a warehouse, a dock, and a small steam
sawmill, called the "McCormick Mill." We camped in a beau^
tiful oak grove where the city of Wenona— West Bay City— is
now located. Here Mr. Clason chartered an open scow of about

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS. 13
eighty tons burden, and the property of a man named Ump-
stead. This was the largest craft to be chartered at that time,
in Lower Saginaw.
It is remarkable to observe with what sagacity the early set
tlers made their locations. There is scarcely a place that the
writer has visited, not even the solitary log house situated in
the midst of the forest, that has not grown to be a place of con
siderable importance.
After staying at Bay City a few days, to let the ice move out
of Saginaw- Bay, we embarked on board this champion of the
Sagiuaws, for Thunder Bay. Mr. Clason and his party were
landed at Au Sable river, and Mr. Patterson and his party con
tinued their voyage to Devil river, in Thunder Bay, where they
built a depot for the supplies. The survey work was all finish
ed in due time, and we all met at the depot, near the mouth of
Devil river, to wash up, and to determine how to get home.
While we were thus engaged, Pete Wa Watum, an Indian from
the Au Sable river, came along with a large birch canoe, and
Mr. Clason hired him to take all of us to Thunder Bay Island,
where we could take a boat for Detroit; excepting the packers
and their horses, who would travel to Presque Isle, and take a
steamboat there. This was the writer's first sailing in a birch
canoe, and on the waters of Thunder Bay. On Thunder Bay
Island was a lighthouse, kept by Jessey Muncy, a very clever
man, who lived there with a large family, and done some fish
ing with gill-nets. Here we were treated very kindly by Mr.
Muncy and family ; and after feasting on whitefish for a few-
days, we were put on board of a schooner, which was bound for
Detroit. William Ives, Esq., who subsequently run the first
lines of survey for the United States in the Territory of Ore
gon, was second in the party and compass-man for Mr. Clason.
Messrs. Clason and Ives had thfe misfortune to have all their
spare clothing stolen, so that when thev came out of the woods
they had no change of clothes. The writer's clothes, fortunate-

14 ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS.
ly being in another place, escaped the hands of the thief, and
so he was favored with a presentable suit, and enough to lend
Mr. Clason, who was nearlj' of the writer's size, to make him
look respectable. When dinner was ready, — this being the first
meal on board the schooner, — Mr. Clason and the writer were
notified for the first table, with ofiicers, while Mr. Ives, who
ranked much higher in employment than the w-riter, waited for
the second table, with sailors and common hands, simply be
cause he had the misfortune to have his clothes stolen. The
thief, perhaps, with the stolen clothes on, was seated at first
table somewhere, and enjoying himself hugely, in the company
and confidence of the wise and good. This little episode taught
the writer the fact, which he then noticed, and from which he
never has been compelled to retreat, that people, as strangers,
are judged by their fellows, more by the purity of the clothes
they wear, than the purity of heart, character or employment.
This was the first Government survey made in Alpena coun
ty. It was conceded by the whole survey party, that the entire
tract that we had surveyed was worthless; that the. Government
would never realize enough from the sale of the lands to pay
for the surveying. Mr. Clason was so confident of this, that
he said: "I live in Cincinnati, and am able to do what I
agree, and I will give any of you a good, warranty deed of any
township of land that we have surveyed, for your wages, and
will bind myself to purchase the land of the Government for
you, should the land ever become so valuable that the Govern
ment could sell it to other parties." Not one of the party
would accept Mr. Clason's offer. This is not the only report
of the kind on record. Judge Campbell, in his History of
Michigan, has the following: "The first necessity of the coun
try was more people. No lands had been surveyed before the
war, except the old private claims. In 1812, among other war
legislation, an act was passed, setting aside two million of acres
of laud in Michigan, as bounty lands for soldiers. As soon as

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS. 15

the war was over, and circumstances permitted, Mr. Tiffin, the
Surveyor General, sent agents to Michigan, to select a place
for locating these lands. Their report was such as to induce
him to recommend the transfer of bounty locations to some
other part of the United States. They began on the boundary
line between Ohio and Indiana, which was the western limit of
the lands surrendered to the United States by the Indian treaty
of 1807, and following it north for fifty miles, they described
the country as au unbroken series of tamarack swamps, bogs
and sand barrens, with not more than one acre in a hundred,
and probably iK)t one in a thousand, fit for cultivation. Mr.
Tiffin communicated this evil report to the Commissioner of
the General Land Office, Josiah Meigs; and he and the Secre
tary of War, Mr. Crawford, secured the repeal of so much of
the law as applied to Michigan. They were stimulated by a
second report of the surveyors, who found the country worse
and worse as they proceeded. In April, 1816, the law was
changed, and lands were granted instead, in Illinois and Mis
souri. This postponed settlement, but it saved Michigan from
one of the most troublesome sources of litigation which has
ever vexed any country. It was in that way a benefit. But
the report of the surveyors is one of the unaccountable things
of those days. Surveyors are usually good judges of land, and
not likely to be deceived by the water standing on the surface
of the ground where the nature of the vegetation shows the soil
cannot be marshy or sterile."
In the spring of 1840, the Surveyor General gave contracts
to survey about half of Alpena county, the whole of Presque
Isle county, the most, if not all, of the county of Cheboygan,
to John Hodgson, Sylvester Sibley, Henry Brevoort and Henry
Mullet, all of whom, with their surveying parties, left Detroit
soon after the opening of navigation in the spring, on the
steamer Madison, for Presque Isle. The writer was employed
by John Hodgson, as an assistant surveyor or compass-man.

16 ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS.

Hodgson had the sub-division of towns 31 and 32 north, and
from range 4 east, to Lake Huron shore. We all had a jolly
time on the boat going up, and were all landed, with our sup
plies, at Presque Isle. This was a wooding station for the
steamboats going round the lakes, and the only inhabited spot
at that time, between Mackinaw and Bay City. It was also the
first fishing station on Lake Huron shore, north of Saginaw
Bay. The fishermen used hooks, seines and gill-nets, and had
considerable trade with the boats, in furnishing them with fresh
fish. After stopping a few days at Presque Isle, to make ar
rangements for leaving the supplies, and packing them to the
work, which supplies were to be carried on the backs of men
and horses, the several parties started for their work. The
writer, in making the survey near the mouth of the An-a-ma-
kee-zebe, or Thunder river, as it was called by the Indians, dis
covered the site of a house that had been burned, sopie square
timber, and an excavation for a mill-race; and on enquiry since,
was told that Mr. Donseman, from Mackinaw; with other par
ties from the State of New York, had, some time prior, attempt
ed to build a sawmill at that place, and were driven away fi-om
their purpose by the Indians. In running the section line be
tween sections 22 and 23, on approaching the river near the
foot of Second street, city of Alpena, we were discovered by
some Indians, who were camped a little further down the river,
and who were all drunk. They consisted of the Thunder Bay
band, excepting Sog-on-e-qua-do and his family, who were
camped at the "Ox-Bow," a peninsula made by a large bend in
Thunder Bay river, and who gave us our dinner of boiled stur
geon the day before, which we all ate with a relish. It was the
first sturgeon the writer had ever eaten, and being very hungry,
thought it very nice. As soon as the Indians saw us, they be..
gan to gather themselves up as best they could, and approach
ed us, having the old chief, Mich-e-ke-wis, or Spirit of the
West Wind, at their head. They all looked very sour, and did

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS. 17
not return our salutations. The old chief came very close to
the writer, and said, in the Indian language: "White man no
good. This place is all mine; you go away." The writer re
plied that the Great Chief at Washington had sent us to run
lines and explore the country, and we did not like it, and as
soon as we had done our work we would go away. He, finding
I could answer him in his own language, and noticing that the
writer gave some orders to the men, which they obeyed, said to
the writer; "Are you chief?" and being answered in the af
firmative, he said, "You are welcome to do your work." Up to
this time not a word had been spoken by any of the accompany
ing Indians; but when the old chief said "You are welcome to
do your work," their countenances changed, and they all said,
"aw-ne-gwi-naw," which is "certainly." Then each one took
our hand and said, "bo-zoo." The old chief then said: "We
have had a big drunk; we can give you nothing to eat or drink,
for we have used up all the women left us to eat; but if you
will go to the wig-warn, I will show you my regalia." We
went with him, and he showed what the white man seldom gets
a look at. The old chief took from a trunk, a large broadcloth
blanket, worked with beads and ribbons, a large otter skin to
bacco bag, called a "koosh-kip-it-aw-gun," and elaborately
worked with beads and ribbons, a large peace-];/ipe, beaded leg
gings, cap and moccasins. He had a splendid worsted sash,
which was presented to him by the British Government, and
beaded belts to wear round his leggings, to keep them in place,
and some other things of minor importance. For the writer
this was a feast. We borrowed the Indians' only canoe, and
crossed the river to camp, putting it out of their power to an
noy us during the night. In the morning, we used the Indi
ans' canoe to cross the river, and after establishing the corner
of sections 23, 24, 26 and 27, in township 31 north, of range.8
east, and doing some meandering on the bay and river, we bid,
as we supposed, a long adieu to the first experiences at the

18 ALPENA COUNTY — PBELIMINABY EEMAEKS.

mouth of "Thunder river." The Thunder Bay baud of Indians
then numbered about twenty-five, with Mich-e-ke-wis as council
chief. He had seen nearly, if not quite, one hundred winters;
was admired by his people for the wisdom of his counsel, and
had much influence over them, in favor of the British Govern
ment, whose friend he was, and continued to be as long as he
lived. He drove Mr. Douseman and his party away from the
river, and showed the same disposition toward the writer, who
probably saved himself and party some trouble, in being able
to speak a httle of the Indian language. He was the father of
a large family, some of whom were then — 1840 — grown up
men and women. The names of his older sons were Wa-ga-
maw-ba, Ba-ga-nog-ga, and Nee-zhe-was-waw-ba. If his rec
ord was right, he had seen one hundred and ten years, ere he
went to his Father, in the beautiful "hunting grounds towards
the setting sun." He once said to the writer, at Ossineke: "I
remember when these pine trees here were very small." Some
four or five years prior to his decease, which _ occurred about
1857, he called all his children and people together, and told
them that he was nearly blind, and no longer of any value to
his family or his people. He then gave one of his sons, whom
he had educated for his successor, his regalia, before described,
and installed him in his office as council chief, and presiding
over all their religious ceremonies. He then distributed his
goods among his children ; and never after was he seen dressed
in anything but a common Indian blanket. He thus pre
pared hirnself to meet the "pale horse and rider," worthy the
admiration of those who, in a Christian point of view, think
themselves much wiser and better, and who style him
"The poor Indian, whose untutored mind
Sees God In the clouds, and hears Him in the wind."
¦Sog-on-e-qua-do, or Thunder Cloud, was a war chief. He
was an O-taw-waw. He was not very well liked by his people,
on account of his temperance proclivities; he was very much

ALPENA COUNTY  PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS. 19
opposed to the Indians getting drunk, and he lectured them too
severely to please them. He was the only Indian the writer
knew who could keep whiskey in his wig-wam and not get
drunk. He was brave and independent; none of his people
ever wished to oppose him, or measure war clubs; nor did any
avaricious trader ransack his shanty for furs, without his con
sent; and he could quiet an Indian drunken row in "double
quick." He was honorable and scrupulously honest, as the
following incident will show: In 1848, the writer cut and put
up two stacks of wild hay, at Squaw Point. Late in the fall,
Sog-on-e-qua-do's boys were playing near one of the stacks,
and set it on fire, and it was consumed. He immediately came
to see the writer, at Ossineke, and enquired of him what the
certain stack of hay was worth. The writer, not knowing what
his object was, mentioned the value of the hay to him. Sog-
on-e-qua-do then said: "My boys, in their play, set it on fire
and have burned it, and I have brought you these furs to pay
you in part for it, and next spring I will bring you the balance."
Being somewhat surprised at so beautiful an example of the
Golden Eule, by a savage, the writer said to him; that, as he
had been honest enough to come and inform him of the fact,
and had offered to pay for the hay, he, the writer, would charge
him only what the hay cost him to put it up; and that the furs
he had brought would pay the amount. He looked at the
writer a moment, and then putting his hand on his breast, said:
"I am a man ; I will pay the balance in the spring." The win
ter passed and spring came, and so did Sog-on-e-qua-do with a
bundle of nice furs, worth much more than the whole stack of
hay, and threw them down, and insisted that the writer should
take them for the balance on the hay. Here is an act that
challenges our admiration, and which is worthy to be placed on
record as parallel with that instructive one related in the twen
ty-third chapter of Genesis, where Abraham bought the ceme
tery of Ephron, among the children of Heath. He bought a

20 ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS.

lot in Alpena, and built a frame house on it. He also built a
small house at Squaw Point, where he lived much of his time,
using a cook stove in his house, and cultivating a small piece
of ground. He died, believing in the traditions and religion of
his fathers, and was buried after the manner of the Indians,
except that the Eev. F. N. Barlow preached a funeral sermon,
and he was laid in the cemetery of the whites. Shortly after
he was buried, his grave was desecrated by some unscrupulous
thief, who took from the grave his gun and some other things
that had been deposited in the grave with him, to use on his
journey to the hunting ground beyond the setting sun. He
left one son, by the name of No-quash-cum, who lives oh the
same lands that his father occupied before him.
Ba-zhick-co-ba, or Put Down One, was a strong, athletic
man, who supported himself and family entirely by hunting
and fishing. He was much in favor of the Canadian Govern
ment; despised the idea of living like a white man, and loved
his "Scho-ta-waw-boo," — fire soup — dearly.
Nain-a-go, or Ant, was a good hunter and a companion of
Ba-zhick-co-ba in his trapping and hunting expeditions, and
lived after his fashion. These men and their families compos
ed the Thunder Bay band of Indians.
After finishing up the survey work with Mr. Hodgson, the
party went out to Presque Isle. Hei-e the writer hired with
Sylvester Sibley, to help him finish up his surveys. The im
provements at Presque Isle were owned by Lemuel Crawford,
(^f Cleveland, Ohio, and consisted of a dock, store, and frame
dwelling, a log barn, and a few log shanties. They were all
built on Uncle Sam's land, which had not yet been surveyed,
and therefore it was thought advisable by those in command,
that they should be on the best of terms with the surveyors.
As the survey of the harbor and its vicinity was assigned to
the writer, he was treated with very kind regard by the propri
etor and his people. Here the writer made the acquaintance

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS. 21
of Simeon M. Holden, William Cullings and Robert McMullen.
They were mechanical geniuses, and well calculated to live in
and promote the growth of a new country. Mr. McMullen had
the greatest variety of talent, working when occasion required,
in the blacksmith shop, the carpenter shop, the cooper shop, at
boat building, and millwriting. Mr. Holden subsequently
moved to Thunder Bay Island, where he built the first frame
dwelling in Alpena county, in 1846. He was the first perma
nent settler in the county, his occupation being fishing with
gill-nets. After residing on the island a few years, he moved
to where Harrisville is now located, where, in company with
Crosier Davison, he built the first sawmill in Alcona county.
After working the mill a few years, he sold his interest in the
property, and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was
waylaid, murdered and robbed of five hundred dollars. Messrs.
Cullings and McMullen still survive, and reside in Alpena and
Alcona counties.
It was late in the fall when the surveyors finished their work
and returned to Presque Isle, on their way home. It had been
blowing a gale of wind for some time, so that no boats had
gone up the lakes for a while, and only one or two was ex
pected down that season. Among the steamers expected down
was the Madison, which brought the surveyors up, and which
was a high pressure boat, the exhaust of which could be heard
for fifteen miles away. We were all very anxious to get this
boat, for should we miss it, we might be compeHed to travel on
foot to Flint, if not to Pontiac, a distance of about two hundred
miles. A watch was set, day and night, to catch the first sound
of the Madison's exhaust and signal her in, and to make doubly
sure of her calling. After anxiously waiting for about a week,
at 9 P. M. the watch yelled "Steamboat," and for ten minutes
every one shouted at the top of his voice, "Steamboat! Steam
boat!" Such a shout Presque Isle never heard before, and
probably will never hear again. The Madison came into the
harbor, and we all boarded her for Detroit.

22 ALPENA COUNTY — PBELIMINABY EEMAEKS.

The Government lands in Alpena and adjoining counties were
offered for sale by the United States, in 1843. In the fall of
the same year, the writer again visited Alpena county, accom
panied by a man by the name of Youngs, whom the writer hir
ed as a hunter and trapper, for the purpose of studying the na
ture and habits of animals, and obtaining their skulls as speci
mens of phrenology. Youngs stayed in the woods until Feb
ruary, when he came out to Thunder Bay Island, leaving the
writer alone in the forest, who stayed until May, and obtained
many fine specimens, some of which he now has, of the otter,
beaver, lynx, marten, raccoon, fisher, bear and mink. These
animals were then very plentiful, and easily taken. The writer
learned much in regard to the nature and habits of these ani
mals, and unlearned very much that he had learned from books
prior to his going into the woods.
Many who write works on Natural History, are not them
selves acquainted with the animals or things they describe, for
they have never interrogated or examined nature for themselves,
but have taken their knowledge from the schools, and the re
positories of dead men's hearsay knowledge and speculation.
The writer's inexperience in trapping did not afford him a very
large quantity of furs, but what pleased and paid him for his .
trouble and privation, was the fact that he found, upon exam
ination, and comparing the phrenological formation of the
skulls of those animals he had studied, with their nature and
habits, they harmonized beautifully, and in every respect with
each other, and established in the mind of the writer, beyond
a cavil, tho fundamental principles of phrenology. If any man,
however skeptical he may be, but willing to know truth, will go
with me into the forest, and there study the habits of the beaver
and the fisher, and compare their skulls with their habits, and
with each other, he can not hesitate one moment to acknowledge
the principal truths claimed for that science which enables us
to know ourselves. In order to further prosecute his studies,

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS. 23
and at the same time make a living, the writer prepared him
self as well as he knew how, for the further study of animals,
and trapping for their furs. He hired a Frenchman, who pre
tended to understand trapping, but when the little schooner
was ready to sail for Thunder Bay river, he refused to go.
The writer, supposing he would find some one on his way, that
he could hire, continued his joui-ney, without finding any one
to hire, and was landed on the 18th day of September, 1844, at
the mouth of Thunder Bay river, alone. From that time to the
20th of May following, he saw not the face of a white man — for
he had no glass — or heard the crack of any rifle but his own.
On coming down to the mouth of the river, in the spring, he
found W ashington Jay, his wife and daughter, and a man by
the name of William Dagget, who had moved there late in the
fall, from Thunder Bay Island, for the purpose of making some
staves for fish barrels. They built a log house, near Second
and River streets, in Alpena, and cut timber and made some
staves, on the present site of the city; but the most of their
cutting was done near the great bend in the river, called the
"Ox Bow." This was the second house built by white men on
the present site of Alpena, and Mrs. Jay and her daughter
Emma were, in all probability, the first white women that had
ever visited the place; they certainly were the first to live here.
In September, 1844, Jonathan Burtch and Anson Eldred
purchased two pieces of land at the mouth of Devil river, it be
ing the first lands purchased of the United States in Alpena
county, and the patents were issued in 1848. In the fall and
winter of the same year — 1844 — they erected a water-mill on
Devil river, with two upright sash saws, and driven by two old
fashioned "flutter wheels," and cut with both saws, when run
twenty -four hours, the large sum of eight thousand feet of lum
ber. This was the first sawmill erected in Alpena county. At
this time mulley saws were more generally used, and were re
ceiving many improvements; but large circular saws, for cut-

24 ALPENA COUNTY— PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS.

ting lumber, were yet in the creation of genius. The mill that
cut two million feet of lumber was Al on the list, and those
were "few and far between." Lumbermen did not then buy
large tracts of timber lands, to lumber on, for they could cut
all they wanted on Government lands, without being called
"timber thieves," or asked for pay for the timber. This state
of things continued until 1850, when Uncle Sam came down
upon the lumbermen, like an avalanche, and threatened destruc
tion to them all. But a compromise was had, by which the
lumbermen were to pay the costs made by the Government, and
a promise "to do so no more." In 1845, Mr. Burtch located
forty acres more at Devil river, and Mr. Eldred located two
fractions on Thunder Bay river.
The writer sold his winter's catch of furs, in Detroit, for two
hundred eighty dollars in silver, by stipulation, and two hun
dred eighty dollars in paper money. Furs being sold in for
eign countries, were about the only product that would com
mand the specie at this time. The writer then purchased a
small stock of goods of B. G. Stimson, Theodore H. Eaton and
Moore & Foot, of Detroit, Michigan, and took them to Thun
der Bay Island, where he built the first store in Alpena county.
Thunder Bay Island had now grown to a large fishing station,
numbering thirty-one fishing boats and one hundred and sixty
persons. Their catch of fish in 1846, was a little over twelve
thousand barrels. The people were mostly from Ohio and the
Saginaws. In the summer of 1847, the writer purchased the
Devil River mill property of Jonathan Burtch, and moved there
late in the fall of the same year. The place was called by the
Indians, "Shing-gaw-ba-waw-sin-eke-go-ba-wat." Shin-gaw-
ba was, as the Indians believe, the name of a Divine Chief, who
lived a long time ago. He told his people that, after his death,
his spirit would come back to where these stones were placed,
for the presents his people might deposit near them. The In
dians do verily believe that his spirit does come back to these

ALPENA COUNTY — PBELIMINABY EEMAEKS. 25
stones, to receive the spirit of the things they present to him
near these stones. This belief has the coloring of Spiritualism.
Waw-sin-eke, signifies Image Stones. Go-ba-wat, signifies
to put down more things than one. When the writer first vis
ited Devil river, in 1839, he saw, near the mouth of the river,
two large stones standing together. One was a gneiss rock,
with bands of quartz, and having the appearance of being worn
into its present shape by the action of the water. It weighed
about three hundred pounds. The other stone was about four
feet long, and in shape like the trunk of a aian's body, minus
head, legs and arms. It had very much the appearance of be
ing moulded from lake sand, and concreted with some substance
having the appearance of bark. It was hard on the outside, but
soft and easily crumbled where excluded from the atmosphere.
At this time, near and around the stones, were large quantities
of pipes, tobacco, beads, ear jewels, silver broaches, bell-but
tons and other kinds of trinkets. When the township was or
ganized, the writer named it "Waw-sin-eke," but, like many
other Indian names, it was misspelled Os-sin-eke, the whole
Indian name of the place being too long to retain. A fisher
man came to Devil river while the writer was absent, and, want
ing some anchor stones for his nets, seized the Shin-gaw-ba
stones and carried them to the bay, thus depriving the place of
valuable relics and Shiu-gaw-ba of his presents. These stones
are found through all the country of the Chippewas. The In
dians say, that a long time ago, some Iroquois captured two
Chippewas, near Devil river, and. put them and their image
stones in a canoe, and started across the bay. When they
reached near the middle of the bay, they threw the stones into
the water, when, suddenly the water boiled and spouted up, and
capsized the canoe and drowned the Iroquois, while the Chip
pewa prisoners succeeded in saving their lives, retaining the
canoe and reaching the place from whence they started. When
they went upon the land, they found, to their surprise, the

26 ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY EEMAEKS.
stones had preceded them, and were standing in their places,
as they did before they were moved. Whether their story is
true or false, the stones failed to capsize the fisherman when he
threw them into the bay, or came out of the water since. The
river was called "Eeviere Au Diable," by the early mail car
riers, who spoke the French language, and who sometimes in
the fall and spring found much difficulty in traveling the large
marsh between the river and the south point of Thunder Bay.
So the river was named after his Satanic Majesty, not because
it was a bad river, but because it kept bad company.

LOCATION OF LANDS.
In 1849 and 1850, Robert Dunlap and E. Baily, of Chicago,
Illinois, purchased of the United States, the lands round the
mouth of Thunder Bay river. In 1855, they sold these lands
to John Oldfield, James K. Lockwood, John S. Minor and
George N. Fletcher, for thirty dollars per acre; Oldfield own
ing a quarter interest, Lockwood and Minor a quarter interest,
and Fletcher owning a half interest.
The following letter, handed the writer by G. N. Fletcher,
Esq., indicates the first visit of the proprietors to Alpena, prior
to making the "Baily purchase": Port Huron, Aug. 4tb, 1855.
G. N. Fletchee, Esq.,
St. Clair.
Deab Sib:
I propose to take my vessel, the John Minor, and in com
pany with my partner and other parties interested at Thunder
Bay river, to make an exploring expedition to that place. Am
ple time will be given to make all necessary observations at
that place, at as moderate expense and with as much comfort
as circumstances will permit. Your company, together with

ALPENA COUNTY — PEELIMINAEY BEMAEKS. 27

any persons you would like to take with you, will be acceptable.
Please to advise me, by note, if you will or will not go, so that
I may give you notice of our sailing, which we propose to make
about the 1st Sept.
Very truly yours,
(Signed,) J. K. LOCKWOOD.

David D. Oliver purchased some lands at Devil river, in
1851, and in August of the same year, W. L. P. Little, of East
Saginaw, purchased a fraction or two, on the bay shore, v/hich
would be in the northeast fractional quarter of section 27, in
town 31 north, of range 8 east, in his own name, as security
for the purchase money; but the purchase was made for Walter
Scott, for a fishery. Scott moved his family to Thunder Bay
river in the fall of the same year and tried the fishing, and
found it a failure, on these lands. Scott then, considering the
lands of no value, failed to pay for them, and Little, as he
thought, was left with a piece of poor property on his hands.
Scott traded with the Indians and looked up pine lands for
Lewis & Graves, John Trowbridge & Bros., and some others,
until September, 1856, when Messrs. Lockwood & Fletcher &
Co., desirous of getting him away with his whiskey, before
their men should come up to work, bought all his buildings,
and some other things, for the sum of one hundred and fifty
dollars. Scott left Alpena in the spring of 1857.
Early in 1857, Mr. Little offered his property at Thunder
Bay river, to the writer, for five hundred dollars, half down,
and the balance in a year. Although the writer was consider
ed by some of his contemporaries as extravagant and "luna" in
regard to the value of property in Alpena county, and its future
growth, yet he was not controlled by the moon, or any other
influences, enough to accept this Little property, which now
comprises a large portion of the best residences in the city.

28 ALPENA COUNTY— PEELIMINAEY EEMABKS.
The writer thinks it will now be conceded by those who have
noted the rapid developement and growth of the city and coun
ty, that his ideas did not reach the reality by as much as they
thought him above it. Subsequently Mr. Little' came up in
the price of his property at Alpena, to fifteen hundred dollars,
and sold it to S. E. Hitchcock, who now resides upon a portion
of it. He subsequently made it an addition to the village, now
city, of Alpena. The Union School house stands on a portion
of this property. ' i
In 1850, Congress passed an act, granting aill the swamp
lands to the several States, but the United States Land Offices
continued to sell the lands as before the grant was made, until
the latter part of 1859. In 1852, Congress passed an act,
granting seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land for
the purpose of constructing a ship canal around the falls of the
Sault Ste. Marie, and thereby connecting the commerce of the
lower lakes with that of Lake Superior. A company was duly
organized to prosecute the work, known and styled the "Sault
Ste. Marie Ship Canal Co.," and in 1853, commenced selecting
their lands. Parties of "land lookers" were sent out by the
company, into all parts of the State, and finding large bodies
of good pine in Alpena county and vicinity, it led otijer parties,
desirous of purchasing pine lands, to look in the same direc
tion. In 1853, George N. Fletcher employed Daniel Carter,
Esq,, to look up and locate some pine lands on the waters of
Thunder Bay river. Mr. Fletcher purchased the lands in the
name of Thomas Campbell, of Boston, Mass., about eight thou
sand acres, up to 1857, in which he owned an interest, and he
has been a purchaser and holder of pine lands in Alpena county
ever since. John Trowbridge & Bros, commenced locating
pine lands in 1854 or '55, and in two or three years had pur
chased about thirty thousand acres. Frank H. Page and David
D. Oliver located and purchased about two thousand acres. G.
S. Lester purchased, near Turtle Lake, about nine hundred

ALPENA COUNTY — PBELIMINABY EEMABKS.

29

acres. Lewis & Graves, of Detroit, purchased about three hun
dred acres; and Elisha Taylor, of Detroit, purchasfed about five
hundred acres, near the rapids; and Capt. J. J. Maiden pur
chased a lot in section 27, town 31 north, of range 8 east. This
comprises most, if not all, the land holders and lands purchas
ed in the county, prior to its organization, in 1857.

SWsW

CHAPTER 11
TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL CHABACTEE OP THE COUNTY
AND VICINITY.
Alpena county is bounded on the north by Presque Isle
county, east by Thunder Bay, south by Alcona county, and on
the west by Montmorency county, which, at present — 1876 — is
attached to Alpena county for judicial purposes. It includes
townships 29, 30, 31 and 32 north, of ranges 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
east, taking in all of Thunder Bay and the islands. It has an
area of about one thousand four hundred and forty square miles.
It contains approximately three hundred ninet3'-one thousand six
hundred eighty acres of land. The surface descends a little to the
south and east, and is from gently rolling to rolling. The tim
ber is of great variety, and is no indication of the soil on which
it grows. Sometimes a rich argillo-calcareous loam is covered
with white and black birch, aspen, balsam, tamarack, cedar and
a few small sugar, hemlock, and norway and white pine. The
principal timber is pine, hemlock, sugar, beech, cedar, balsam,
white and black birch, black ash, elm lynn, poplar, spruce, etc.
The soil is mostly a rich loam, reposing on limestone rock, and
containing all the elements necessary to make the agricultural
capabilities of Alpena county compare favorably with any coun
ty in the State. A few spots of arenaceous soil is met with,
but it contains large quantities of carbonate of lime and mag
nesia. It also contains considerable ammonia, and it onl}' re
quires a little addition of vegetable matter, and a sprinkling of
salt, to make it very productive, so long as the ground does
not suffer for want of rain. The salt produces chemical action
in the soil, and dissolves the silica. On this kind of land, the
seed should be put in with a drill or hoe, so that it will be cov
ered the proper depth, and the land prepared by a roller, so

TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 31
as to enable the soil to hold the moisture, and in no case should
the land be raised above a level.
Thunder Bay river enters Thunder Bay on the southwest
quarter of section 23, in township 31 north, of range 8 east,
and is the principal stream in the county. The river, with its
branches and their tributaries, take their rise in, or run through,
the counties of Montmorency, Oscoda, Alcona, Presque Isle
and Alpena, and drains and affords log-running facilities for
thirty-nine townships. The river is 197 feet wide where it di
vides the city, on First street, but is much wider between this
point and the mill dam. With nine feet of water on the bar,
and fourteen inside, it is navigable only three-fourths of a mile.
The river, from its mouth to the Broadwell rapids, by its ser
pentine course, is about five miles; and the river rises thirteen
feet. It is from four to six rods wide. Near the section line
between 15 and 22, the river passes over a limestone ledge,
now covered by water of the dam, nine feet four inches, which
the writer believes to be identical with the limestone found at
Sunken Lake, From the foot of the rapids to Trowbridge's
dam is 231 chains, by the river, and the fall of the water from
the summit level of the Trowbridge pond to the foot of the
rapids is sixty-five feet ; and the river is from eight to twenty
rods wide. At the time the writer made the survey, he noticed
at'One place an exceptional dip in the rock, a short distance
above the Broadwell pond, where the dip of the rock was east,
but was only three and one-half feet in forty rods. The Trow-
bride'e dam slacks the water up the river a short distance above
the North Branch, and the perpendicular fall of water from this
point to the bay is seventy-eight feet. From the level of the
Trowbridge pond to the head of Long Eapids, the rise can not
be less than seventy-eight feet more. The river is rapid above
this placfe, and runs over limestone ledges, in town 31 north, of
range 4 east, town 30 north, of range 3 east, and has a rise of
not less than fifty feet more, making a total fall of water from

32 TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL.

range one to Thunder Bay, of two hundred and sixty leet. All
the tributaries are rapid streams, showing no lack of drainage
for the land.
Devil river is a small stream, taking its rise in a small lake
near Thunder Bay river, and runs south through Mud Lake,
and empties into Thunder Bay, twelve miles south of Alpena.
It has a log-running capacity for about six miles.
Long Lake is a beautiful sheet of inland water, being in Al
pena and Presque Isle counties. It is eight miles long and
from one to one and a half miles wide, surrounded by good
farming lands, densely covered with hardwood. The waters
are well stocked with fish, the principal being pike, bass and
sunfish. The outlet of Long Lake, called by the writer "Crys
tal river," from the clear, crystal appearance of the water, is a
large stream in the spring, and dwindles to a small brook in
the summer. It runs nearly east from the outlet to Lake Hu
ron, and on its way passes through two small lakes, mostly sur
rounded by high bluffs of limestone. In one of these lakes is
a subterranean passage for the water, of sufficient size to pass
nearly the entire stream during the lowest stages of water in
the summer.
The city of Alpena is located at the mouth of Thunder Bay
river, which enters Thunder Bay near its head, in forty-fifth
degree of north latitude, and eighty -three degrees and fifty min
utes west longitude, in sections 22, 23 and 27, in town 31 north,
of range 8 east, and is the county seat of Alpena county. It
is, by section line, twenty miles west and one hundred and
ninety-two miles north of Detroit, and twenty miles east and
ninety-six miles north of Bay City. It is north from Ossineke
twelve miles, and west from Thunder Bay Island twelve
miles, and south from Presque Isle harbor about eighteen
miles. At, the time the writer first visited the place now occu
pied by the city of Alpena, there was, on the east side of the
river near the foot of Dock street, a narrow ridge of land ex-

TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 33

tending east, along the bay shore, for about eighty rods. Near
the river, and extending to the bay, was a beautiful oak grove,
containing about four acres, where the Indians camped, feasted,
drank their "fire soup," sang their war songs, danced their war,
religious and festive dances, held their councils, and buried
their dead and feasted their spirits. North of this, and near
the river, was a narrow ridge, crossed by a small stream, on its
way to Thunder Bay river, and covered with a thicket of white
birch, aspen, cedar, and a sprinkling of norway and white pine,
and east of this was a dense cedar and tamarack swamp. This
ridge widened as it extended north, until it reached the vicinity
of Walnut street, where it was about forty rods wide, and cov
ered with a belt of large timber, of hemlock and pine. It
thence extended north, into open norway pine plains. On this
ridge was a deep- worn Indian trail, from the mouth of the river
to the then rapids, near the section line between sections 15
and 22, in town 31 north, of range 8 east, and now covered by
the mill pond, where the Indians fished for sturgeon, pike,
pickerel and suckers, which were in abundance, and sometimes
whitefish. From this point were two trails, one extending
north, through section 16, to Long Lake, and the other extend
ing up the river. On the west side of the river, also, was a
small ridge. A line, commencing near the foot of Second
street, and thence running to the corner of Chisholm street and
Washington avenue, and from thence reaching the bay a little
below Messrs. Campbell & Potter's dock, would separate the
ridge from the swamp. All of that portion east and south of
this line, and peaching to the bay, was a sandy ridge, covered
with small pine, white birch and yellow oak; and all west of
this line, for a mile or more, was a dense tamarack and cedar
swamp, filled with water, and well stocked with batrachians,
whose loud prate gave token of approaching spring. By the
united efforts of thousands, the timber has been removed, the
swamp drained of its water, and the croakers, like the smoke

34 TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL.

of the Indian's wig-wam, are growing less every year, and soon
will be known as only a something of the past. This swamp,
so abhorrent a few years ago, has become valuable property, on
which, in 1876, is standing beautiful residences, the abode of
intelligence, peace and plenty. From Second street, north a
few rods, was a small brook, winding its way to the river, and
bounded by a cedar swamp about fifteen rods wide. North of
this swamp was a piece of high land, containing about thirty
acres, which was well timbered with- white pine and hemlock.
This ridge narrowed to a strip near the river, and extending
north to the norway and spruce pine plains. On this ridge,
also, was a deep and well marked Indian trail, which had been
tramped by moccasined feet for many centuries. It led to the
rapids, before mentioned, and thence to the big bend of the
river, near Messrs. Campbell & Potter's sawmill, where it be
came two, one leading up the river, and the other following the •
sandy ridge to Shin-gaw-ba-waw-sin-eke-go-ba-wot — now Ossi
neke. These Indian trails were of much importance to the
early surveyors, land-lookers and settlers, being the principal
means of communication by land between various parts of the
country. These were called "paths" by the first explorers and
settlers, and this is the reason for finding a "Pathmaster" in
the list of the first officers of the township of Fremont.
GEOLOGICAL.
Geologists have represented the geological formation of the
Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as a slightly depressed basin,
having its center in or near Jackson and Ingham counties. As
you travel any direction from this central point, you pass over
the outcropping edge of various lithological strata, in a de
scending series, until you reach the granite formation; hence,
Prof. N. H. Winchell, in his notes on the geology of the Thun
der Bay region, published in the Pioneer, in 1870, says: "As
one goes toward the north from Saginaw Bay, along the shore

TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 35
of Lake Huron, he passes over the outcropping edges of rocks
lower and lower in the geological series, until he reaches Lake
Superior. The same is known of the Michigan side of Lake
Michigan, northward from Grand Eapids." The writer be
lieves this , to be true, only in part, and as confined to the shores
of the lakes, but not true in regard to the interior of the State.
His travels and explorations in nearly all parts of the State,
have led him to the conclusion that the interior of the northern
portion of the Southern Peninsula has not been sufficiently ex
plored by competent geologists, as to warrant them in coming
to any definite conclusion concerning the geological structure
of this region. A little observation will teach us that all rivers j
wherever they run over stratified rocks, do not run with the
dip, but over the outcropping edges. Whenever they run with
the dip, they seldom show the rocks; the streams are mostly
sluggish, and the rocks generally covered with alluvial deposit.
This being the case, the sources of rivers indicate the highest
portion of country ; and a little study of their courses and their
descent, and the rocks over which they run, will give us an ap
proximate idea of the geological structure of the district of
country through which they run. In referring to the rivers of
the Lower Peninsula, we find the St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and
Grand rivers rising in the interior of the southern part of the
Southern Peninsula, and carrying the summit level east of the
center of the State, and running west and northwest with a
moderate descent, over the outcropping edges of rocks, dipping
slightly toward the center, empty their waters into Lake Mich
igan. The Shiawassee river, rising in the same vicinity, runs
north and mingles with the waters of Saginaw river, while the
Clinton, Huron and Eaisiu rivers take their rise on the same
summit level, and pour their waters into St. Clair Lake and
Detroit river. After admitting that these rivers run over the
outcropping edges of rocks dipping slightly toward the center
of this geological basin, then allow the writer to invite the

86 TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL.

reader to go with him into Eoscommon, Crawford and Otsego
counties, where we will reach another summit level, which is
estimated to be one thousand feet above the level of the lakes.
Here the Muskegon and Manistee, two large rivers, take their
rise, and after running south and southwest, over ledges of
rock dipping slightly to the northeast, discharge their waters
into Lake Michigan. The Cheboygan, Pigeon and Black rivers
rise in Otsego county, run north over ledges of limestone, dip
ping south, and lose themselves in the lakes of the Cheboj'gan
river. The Thunder Bay and Au Sable rivers take their heads
in small lakes in Otsego and Crawford counties, run east, with
a rapid descent, over outcropping rocks, which dip to the west
and northwest— with some local exceptional dip to the east,
near Thunder Bay — pour their waters into Lake Huron. The
Tittabawassee river, commencing in, and running near Eoscom
mon county, runs south, and loses itself in Saginaw river. The
Boardman, Elk and Pine rivers, take their sources on or near
the summit level, and run west, into Grand Traverse Bay and
Lake Michigan. Here we have another well defined geological
basin, which, to practical geologists, is very little known, and
especially that portion comyjrising the counties of Alpena and
Montmorency. In 1859 and 1860, Prof. A. Winchell made
some geological explorations in Alpena county and its vicinity,
and subsequently it was visited by Prof. N. H. Winchell, but
neither of them carried their explorations far enough to deter
mine, in the faintest degree, the geological character of Alpena
county; and they are not certain in regard to the super-position
of the rocks, or the groups to which they belong. But thei
most important fact, entirely overlooked by geologists, in regard
the geological formation of the Lower Peninsula, is the depres
sion between those two basins. A line drawn from the mouth
of Saginaw river to the mouth of the Muskegon river, passes
nearly in the bottom of a synclinal valley between the two
places. The Tittabawassee river running south from the north-

TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 37
ern basin, and the Shiawassee river running north from the
southern basin; these rivers, with their branches, and other
streams, establish the important fact that there is a depression
running entirely across the Southern Peninsula, near its center,
and dividing it into two parts or basins. This being a fact, we
find the gypsum beds at Alabaster, and coal at Eifle river, to
belong to the northern basin. Prof. N. H. Winchell says, in
one of his notes to the Alpena County Pioneer, published in
1870: "There are various interesting problems, yet unsolved,
connected with the geology of the Thunder Bay region. The
foregoing 'notes' have merely indicated the outlines of its
prominent features. These indications even, are too often bas
ed on conjecture, rather than actual observation." Although
the explorations now made are indefinite and of no available
benefit to the county, yet they affoi'd important suggestions, and
will assist materially in any further survey ; and, therefore, the
writer has copied from the reports, all that he deemed of any
probable value. In the groupings of the rocks in this region
of the State, all the reports are vague and ambiguous, if not
contradictory. Prof. A. Winchell, in his report for 1850 and 1860, says:
"The elevated limestone region, constituting the northern por
tion of the Peninsula, consists of the higher members of the
Upper Heklerburg Group, which gradually subsides toward the
south, and in the southern part of Cheboygan county, as nearly
as can be judged, sinks beneath the shaly hmestones of the
Hamilton Group." In the "Atlas of the State of Michigan,"
Winchell calls these limestones the "Little Traverse Group,"
and says: "This is composed chiefly of the Hamilton Group
proper, of the New York geologists; but as the lower limits of
the Hamilton have not yet been clearly fixed upon in the State,
we apply the above terms to a series of limestones outcropping
in the vicinity of Little Traverse Bay and Thunder Bay, and
constituting physically a single mass. They have been the sub-

38 TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL.

ject of considerable study. In 1860, we made an official sur
vey of the Little Traverse strata; in 1866, a special survey and
report, and in 1869, the ground was again officially examined,
and as the result of all our studies, we submit the following
generalized arrangement :
"IV. Chert Beds.
"HI. Bluff vesluular oiagnesian limestone overlaid by character
istic crlnoldal beds.
"II Bituminous shales and limestones, composed of (b) Acervu-
laria beds above, and (a) Bryozoa beds below.
"I. Pale-bluff massive limestones, comprising (b) Cenostroraa
beds above, and Fish beds below."
The total thickness was set down provisionally at 141 feet,
which is probably too low. This grouping will apparently hold
good over extensive region. On the Geological Map of Michi
gan, this group occupies the shore north from Little Traverse
Bay to Thunder Bay, and round the • bay as far as Ossineke.
Prof. N. H. Winchell says: "The Hamilton limestones and
shales, and the Huron shales, furnish the geological basis of
the Thunder Bay region" ; but he is somewhat puzzled in re
gard to the arrangement and super-position of the various
strata, as will appear by his remarks, before quoted, and by the
following to the Pioneer: "It has been remarked that the
natural dip of the strata is toward the center of the State, in all
places. This, however, is so slight as to be almost impercepti
ble to the eye; and hence, the natural beds generally appear
horizontal, unless local causes have produced exceptional dip."
Now, it has been found that rocks which underlie the Thunder
Bay district are much affected by an exceptional dip. Along
the lake shore, and in the limits of Thunder Bay, the excep
tional dip eastward is always found. This is true as far north
as Nine Mile Point, but it is not noticeable within Thunder
Bay, and as far inland as Broadwell's mill, dip toward the bay.
This downthrow of the rocks accounts for the occurrence of
higher members in the Hamilton at the mouth of Thunder Bay

TOPOGB.^PHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 39
river than at the "Big Eapids," thirty miles west. Prof. A.
Winchell, in his report of 1859-60, page 69, says: "On the
east side of Thunder Bay Island, the rocks of the Helderberg
group are seen overlain by a black bituminous limestone,
abounding in Atrypareticularis, and numerous other Brachio-
pods allied to the types of this group, (Hamilton). The local
ity furnishes, also, two or three species of trilobites, (a) Favo-
sites, a large coral allied to Acervularia, and some small fish
remains. The same beds are again seen at Carter's quarry,
two or three miles above the mouth of Thunder Bay river, and
here it contains the same fossils. It is seen again on the south
shore of Little Ti-averse Bay, replete with Brachiopods and
Bryozoa, and is here eighteen feet thick. The exact order of
super-position of the rocks constituting the Hamilton group,
has nowhere been observed. The bluffs at Partridge Point, in
Thunder Bay, are believed to come in next above the bitumin
ous limestones of the localities just cited. The rock here is, at
bottom, a bluish, highly argillaceous limestone, with shaly in-
terlaminations, the whole wonderfully stocked with the remains
of Bryozoa, and not a few encrinital stans. Above these beds,
which are but five feet thick, occurs a mass of blue shale, six
feet thick; still higher is a massive limestone, below filled with
Bryozoa, encrinites and Brachiopods; above, little fossiliferous,
the whole with interlaminations of clay. At the upper rapids
of Thunder Bay river, still a different but entirely detached
section was observed, and it is yet impossible to collocate it with
the others. At the upper rapids — northeast quarter of south
west quarter of section 7, town 31 north, of range 8 east — on
the south side of the river, limestone is seen in a bluff fifteen
feet high, dipping east-southeast about five degrees. The
whole section exposed is twenty-five feet, made up as follows,
from above:
8. Limestone, bluish, flaggy — 8 feet.
7. Limestone, dark gray, highly crystahne, thick bedded,
with FavosHes — 9 feet.

40 TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL.

6. Limestone, dark bluish, very fine grained, hard, compact
and heavy, with a few reddish streaks and spots, and some en
crinital stans and shells, and a few crystals of spar interspersed
with occasional seams of the same, in the form of dog-tooth
spar. Would make an excellent building stone, and probably
would receive a fine polish — 6 feet.
5. Limestone, gray, crystaline, thick bedded, seen in bottom
of river. This rock resembles fragments seen at the highest
level above the lower rapids — 2 feet.
4. An interval of no exposure. Half a mile higher up the
stream, the section is continued, as follows:
3. Limestones, dark, bluish gray, fine grained, compact in
layers two to four inches thick; resembles the rock at the lower
rapids. , 2. Clay indurated, regularly stratified, rather dark — 3| feet.
1. Calcarious shale, with fossils, forming the bed of the
river. The dip at this place is abnormal, and evidently local.
The true geological position of the rock must be determined by
future investigation. The rocks of the Hamilton group are
traced from the south shore of Little Traverse Bay, to near the
outlet of Grand Traverse Bay. In speaking of the Huron
group he says: "At Sulphur Island, in Thunder Bay, not
more than a mile east-southeast from Partridge Point, is found
a black bituminous slate, which is believed to overlie the fossili
ferous cliffs at the latter place. No undisturbed strata are to
be seen on the island, w-hich consists of a mass of fragments,
rising a few feet above the water. These slates, or shale, burn
with considerable freedom, and it is stated that combustion
started from camp fires has, in several instances, continued
spontaneously for many months, in one case sixteen months.
The cinders resulting from these fires, are still very conspicu
ous. These shales furnish no fossils, except a few vegetable
impressions, resembling Ccdamites, and some very indistinct
impressions of shells. Pyriteous noctules and septaria are

TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 41
quite common. At Squaw Point, on the main land, south of
the island, near the residence of the old Indian Chief Zwanno-
Quaddo, the black slates are found in places, in a cliff ten feet
high. The exposed surfaces are very much discolored by oxide
of iron. On the opposite side of the State, the black shales are
seen at the southeast extremity of Mucqua Lake, in Emmet
county; on the north side of Pine Lake, section S, town 33
north, of range 7 west; near the outlet of Grand Traverse Bay,
section 3, town 32 north, of range 9 west, and a few miles south
of there, and again near the head of Carp Lake, in Leelanau
county. The greatest observed thickness in this part of the
State, is twenty feet."
From the foregoing statement, we draw the very probable
conclusion, that three distinct kinds of rock are found outcrop
ping on and near the shores of Thunder Bay; that the carbon
aceous limestones belong to the Helderberg or Little -Traverse
group; that the black bituminous limestones belong to the
Hamilton group, and the black slates, seen at Squaw Point, be^-
long to the Huron group. That an exceptional dip of the rocks
exists in many places in the vicinity oiE Thunder Bay, and that
they are much disturbed and displaced. The limestones term
ed the "Little Traverse Group," compose the surface rock on
and near the lake shore, from Little Traverse Bay, northward
to Thunder Bay. In Cheboygan county, they reach as far
south as the small lakes of Cheboygan river. In Presque Isle
county, they probably reach as far west as tho western extrem
ity of Long Lake; and they cover most of that portion of Al
pena county north of Thunder Bay. These limestones lie
nearly horizontal, as observed along the shore of Lake Huron,
and measured from the level of the lake. The high bluffs on
the lake, at Crawford's Quarry, are about sixty feet high, and
the one opposite Middle Island is of about the same height.
The rock from here south, gradually subsides, until it reaches
Little Thunder Bay, where it forms an escarpment abutting on

42 TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL.

the bay, about thirty feet perpendicular. They probably dip
slightly toward the center of the northern basin, with some
local exceptional dip in the vicinity of Thunder Bay ; but the
western limits of their disappearance, under higher formations,
have not been determined. These hmestones are fine grained,
highly crystallized and handsomely clouded, by the unequal
distribution of the fossils and bituminous matter they contain.
They are susceptible of a high polish, and when the large
corals — especially the Favose and Cyathophylloids, which are
abundant — are cut and polished, they present a very beautiful
and agate-like appearance. Some years since a quarry was
opened near Adams' Point, by Mr. Crawford, and is now known
as Crawford's Quarry; and subsequently another quarry was
opened nearly opposite Middle Island, by Mr. Litchenberg, and
large hopes were entertained at the time, that samples would
be found large enough to place the Lake Huron marbles with
the most esteemed varieties; but no such samples have yet been
found, and it is extremely doubtful whether they ever will be,
as the rock is very much shattered. If the black bituminous
limestones spoken of, belong to the Hamilton group, then this
group of rocks in the Thunder Bay region is inconsiderable,
not being in any known place more than six feet in thickness;
and the same may be said of what is known of the Huron slates
noticed at Squaw Point, whose aggregate thickness would prpb-
ably exceed one hundred and twenty-five feet. Townships 31,
32 and 33 north, of ranges 6, 7 and 8 east, are remarkable for
the abnormal and broken condition of the rocks. Ledges with
large cracks and cavernous fissures, sink-holes or basins, in
many of which streams of considerable size disappear, and ex
ceptional dip in the rocks in various directions. A ledge of
limestone, fifty feet high, occurs in the south part of section 35,
in town 33 north, of range 7 east, faced on the north by a small
lake, where can be seen large cracks and cavernous partings
partly filled with detritus. These openings in the rocks run

TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 48

with the strike, sometimes for one-fourth of a mile. The dip
could not be well ascertained. North of the partings, the rocks
were much broken up, but south of the partings they dip in
some places, slightly to the southwest. The strike bears south
east for about half a mile, in a well defined cliff, and then be
comes very much broken and irregular, and which is very dis
tinctly marked on the section line between sections 1 and 2, in
town 32 north, ot range 7 east. This ledge is traced in a north
west direction, into the northeast quarter of section 33, where
it is about fifty feet high, and faced on the northeast by a long
but narrow lake, apparently very deep. Here, again, are large
partings in the rocks, and 'cavernous chambers, similar to the
former, but the rocks are more broken and irregular. Here
the dip appeared to the west, and the strike bending roiind the
west side of the lake, had a trend southeast and north twenty
degrees west. In the northwest quarter of section 16, town 82
north, of range 7 east, occurs a similar ledge, about twenty feet
high, and also faced on the northeast by a small lake. Here
are partings similar to those first mentioned. In the northwest
quarter of section 14, in town 32 north, of range 7 east, near
the section line, is a very singular basin. It is nearly round,
two hundred feet or more in diameter, and about seventy feet
deep. It was tunnel-shaped for about forty feet, and then the
rocks became perpendicular; reposing at the bottom in what
appeared like a cavern, was a small lake of nice, clear water.
The writer did not examine the rocks, nor did he ascertain
whether the water in the lake was in motion, or in repose. In
the southwest quarter of section 5, in the same town and range,
is a stream eight feet wide, which approaches from the north
west, a cliff of limestone, about twenty feet high, and at the
foot of this cliff is an irregular cavernous looking basin, about
thirty feet deep, into which the stream descends and disappears
at the bottom. But the most remarkable basin in this vicinity
is the one known as "Sunken Lake," on the west side of section

44 TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL.
32, in town 83 north, of range 6 east. This is a wonderful
and interesting locality, and affords a key, when placed in skill
ful hands, to unlock many, if not all, the geological mysteries
attached to the Thunder Bay region. When the writer visited
this beautiful and interesting spot, in 1866, he was exploring
for pine timber, and was not prepared, and did not examine
anything critically or geologically. All of his measnrenients
and descriptions are only approximate, and are given to assist
those who hereafter may desire to examine the several localities,
from curiosity or for scientific purposes. ' A few rods west of
Sunken Lake, at this time, was a sink-hole of recent formation.
It was oval in form at the top, its major axis being about one
hundred feet over, was perpendicular on its west side, and
about seventy feet deep, with water at the bottom. Commenc
ing at the bottom and reaching up the side of the basin for
thirty feet, was a coarse grained, buff colored, smooth, compact,
argillaceous sandstone, and appeared to be the side of a fault in
the sand rock. Eeposing upon this was about three feet of black
slates, similar to those met with at Squaw Point ; and resting
upon these slates, and reaching to the surface, is a laminated
limestone, from thirty to forty feet thick, well and variously
stocked with fossils. Near the west side of this '¦'¦hole in the
ground," the limestones commence to dip to the east, anc}
plunge over the edge of the sandstone, at an angle of about
sixty degrees, to the bottom of Sunken Lake, which is not less
on the west side than seventy-five feet deep. The rock con
tinues under the lake as far as it could be traced. Here is a
very singular and extraordinary exceptional dip to the east; but
what is still more singular, is, that the limestones are not
cracked or broken, but lie over the precipice made by the fault
ed underlying rock, as though it had flowed over them in a
soft state, and hardened on its passage, leaving a hollow space
between them and the margin of the rock, forming a channel
of a subterranean river. The strike of these rocks was traced

TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL. 45

only about forty rods, bending to the east on the bottom sides
of the lake, and forming the west half of Sunken Lake. Be
tween this downthrow and the more northern limestone is a
valley filled with drift, composed of very coarse gravel, sand,
clay, etc., with a few large boulders. The North Branch of
Thunder Bay river, which is thirty feet wide near Sunken Lake,
and capable of floating saw-logs for twenty or more miles above
the lake, in making its channel to Thunder Bay river, passes
over a portion of this drift bed; and that portion of the drift
between the channel of the river and the drift flanking the west
side of the lake, being very porous, filled with water from the
river, and was pressed with great force through the small
cracks and seams in the limestones. In time these holes
through the rocks were made large enough to pass sand and
small gravel, and then commenced the hollowing out of the
lake. The limestones becoming denuded, were split and crum
bled by the frosts of winter, presented additional mouths to in
vite water from the river, until it quit its old bed, turned at
right angles with its old channel, cut a new one for half a mile
to the lake, and after making a few gyrations, sank beneath the
rocks, to pass in subterranean darkness to the waters of Little
Thunder Bay, where it is indefinitely ascertained that it emerges.
The apertures in the rocks are not yet large enough to admit
the whole river in time of a freshet, and the surplus water re-
turns to its old channel, affording ^he lumbermen a small
chance to run their logs past this difficult place. This subter
ranean stream, in all probability, follows the strike of the
faulted sandstone, which we think bears about east-southeast
from the lake. At the same time the writer examined Sunken
Lake, he discovered a very interesting sink-hole, or basin,
somewhere about southeast from the lake, and thinks it was
between sections 15 and 16, in town 31 north, of range 6 east.
It was situated in the midst of a heavy growth of sugar, beech
and hemlock timber. The hole was nearly round, and about

46 TOPOGBAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL.

two hundred feet in diameter. The alluvium and drift was
about fifty feet deep, and the cavern below was spacious enough
to take this immense mass of matter and the large forest trees,
and hide them in the chambers below; it had fallen entirely
out of sight. In sinking the first well in Alpena, the litholog
ical structure was noted for 64^ feet, and it is remarkable that
after passing through the alluvium and drift for 80 feet, and
through only two feet of limestone, a quartz rock was reached,
18 feet thick, carrying copper, and perhaps gold. If the rec
ords be true, the chances for gold would be better than for salt
from the Saginaw basin. Taking all these facts into consider
ation, we are drawn to the inevitable conclusion that the Sag
inaw salt group and the carboniferous limestones found in the
lower basin, compose the nine hundred feet of rock piled up
above the sandstones seen at Sunken Lake. That the Saginaw
salt lies in a valley between the two basins, and extending from
Saginaw Bay to Muskegon. That Alpena city and its imme
diate vicinity is on the outcropping edge of the northern geo
logical basin, and below the Saginaw salt group; and that if
salt is ever found here, it will be taken from the Onondaga salt
group of rocks. And now that roads have been made into the
interior of the county, affording good facilities for reaching
every part of it, that a few hundred dollars would be well ex
pended by the county, in employing a competent geologist to
make a proper survey of this most interesting portion of the
Southern Peninsula.

CHAPTEE III.
OEGANIZATION.
At the time the public surveys were made in Alpena, Presque
Isle and Cheboygan counties, all that part of the peninsula was
known as the Thunder Bay region, and was attached to Mack
inac county, for judicial purposes. In 1854 or '55, the land
district was divided, and a Land Office was established at the
village of Duncan City, in Cheboygan county. Subsequently
these land districts were sub-dividecj, with offices at Traverse
City, East Saginaw, Ionia, and Detroit, Alpena county being
in the Detroit district. In 1840, boundaries were made, and
names given to twenty-nine northern counties. One of these
counties was named after an ancient chief of the Thunder Bay
band of Indians — "An-a-ma-kee," or Thunder. The name was
changed to Alpena, in 1843, but for what reason, is not known
to the writer, but he thinks the name a phonetic rendering of
the word "Aw-pe-na," which means Partridge, in the Indian
language. The point of land between Squaw Bay and Alpena
is known by the Indians as "Aw-pe-na-sing," or Partridge
Point, and the name of Alpena was probably taken from the
name of this point, through the influence of the Hon. Henry
Ashman, who was well acquainted with the Thunder Bay coast,
spoke the Indian language, and was subsequently a member of
the State Legislature, from Midland county. In seems to be a
word of recent coinage, as the writer can find no place on the
globe of the same name. The word should be spelled "Awpena,"
to mean Partridge, and if rendered into English, as it is now
spelled, would be, "not quite a Partridge."
In speaking of Squaw Bay, reminds the writer of the origin
of the name. Places sometimes receive their names from tri
fling circumstances. The writer named the bay "Squaw Bay,"

48 OEGANIZATION.

from the following incident: In the winter of 1850 or '51, Eob-
ert McMullen was traveling across the bay, and when about the
middle of it, he discovered some one fishing through a hole in
the ice; and on approaching near, he found it to be Na-o-tay-
ke-zhick-co-quay, the daughter of the old Chief Mich-e-ke-wis,
who was then camped on Partridge Point. The Indian maiden
was fishing, with her head covered with a blanket, and when
she heard approaching footsteps, she bounded to her feet, with
a frightened look, and without waiting for any apology from
Mc, she started for the point, with the fleetness of the antelope;
When McMullen told the writer of his adventure, he said to
him: ""We will call thatJbay 'Squaw Bay,' and since that time
it has been known by that name.
In 1853, Cheboygan county was organized, and Montmoren
cy, Presque Isle, Alpena, Oscoda and Alcona counties were at
tached to Cheboygan county, for judicial and municipal pur
poses. In the spring of 1855, the first assessment of taxes was
made in Alpena county. The assessor from Cheboygan came
as far as Presque Isle, and returned, having assessed the whole
territory, without seeing any of it, as many assessors have done
since, and are now doing in most of the northern counties. No
tax was collected in Alpena county for this year. In 1856,
the second assessment, and the first collection of taxes, was
made by Cheboygan county, and which tax so collected, amount
ed to a little over five hundred dollars.
After making the Bailey purchase, the proprietors deemed it
advisable to have a county organization for the success and
convenience of their enterprise; but it required considerable
"cheek" to ask the State Legislature to organize a county
where it was a dense wilderness, and where men had to be im
migrated to hold the offices for conducting the first election,
and where there was only one resident freeholder in the district
sought to be organized. It also required not a little courage,
end liberality, to incur at such a time, the expense of organiz-

OEGANIZATION. 49

ing and running a new county, where their property would
eventually have to pay a large proportion of the expense. In
order to make a fair showing before the State Legislature, the
proprietors, in 1856, came to Thunder Bay river, bringing with
them E. A. Breakenridge, a surveyor, to make a temporary
survey of a village, to give it a name, and ascertain where the
two squares were that they intended to offer to donate to the
county, as a site for the county buildings, in the event of, and
as an inducement for establishing the county seat at this place,
This was in the year of the Fremont campaign, and Messrs.
Fletcher, Lockwood and Breakenridge, being "Fremont men,"
and the Canada parties, Messrs. Oldfield and Minor, having no
prejudices, they had resolved to call the prospective village
"Feemont." They had brought with them a Fremont flag,
which they raised on a pole when naming the town. Daniel
Carter was one of the party, but being opposed to Fremont, he
refused to help raise the pole, declaring that he "would not
help raise a flag that he would not support." He moved his
family to Thunder Bay river in November, 1856, and the same
fall obtained signers to a petition for the organization of the
county of Alpena. In regard to this petition, Mr. Carter says,
in a letter to G. N. Fletcher, under date of February 14th, 1857 :
"I got the petition, and went up and down the shore, and the
folks were all glad to see it. I got fifty-one names. Mr. Har
rison, owner of the mill at the Highlands, would not sign it.
He wants the county seat at his place, or be set in Saginaw
district." In February, 1857, through the energy of the proprietors
and the personal efforts of Hon. J. K. Lockwood, the Legisla
ture passed the following act, organizing the county of Alpena:
An Act to Organize the County of Alpena, and to locate the
County Seat thereof.
Sec. 1. The People of the Slate of Michigan enact. That the
county of Alpena shall be organized and the inhabitants there-

50 OEGANIZATION.

of entitled to all the rights and privileges to which, by law,
the inhabitants of other organized counties of this State are
entitled. Sec. 2. The county seat of said county is hereby establish
ed at the village of Fremont, at the mouth of Thunder Bay
river, in said county: Provided, That the proprietors of lands
therein shall convey to said county, for the exclusive use there
of, for county buildings and county purposes, free of all charge,
the following described lots, to wit: Two entire blocks, each
twenty- four rods square, lying between Eighth and Ninth
streets, and Eiver and Lockwood streets, in the village of Fre
mont, as surveyed by E. A. Breakenridge, Esq., in the year
(1856) eighteen hundred and fifty-six, on section twenty -two
(22), in town thirty-one (81) north, of range eight (8) east,
in said county.
Sec. 8. There shall be elected in said county of Alpena, on
the first Tuesday of November, eighteen hundred and fifty-
seven (1857), all the several county officers to which, by law,
the said county is entitled; and said election shall, in all re
spects, be conducted and held in the manner prescribed by law,
for holding elections for county and State officers: Provided^
That the county officers so to be elected, shall be qualified, and
enter upon the duties of their respective offices, on the first (1)
Monday of January, eighteen hundred and fifty-eight (1858),
and whose term of office will expire at the time prescribed by
the general law.
Sec. 4. The board of canvassers of said county, under this
act, shall consist of the presiding inspectors of election from
each township therein ; and said inspectors shall meet at said
village of Fremont, on the first Tuesday after the election, and
organize, by appointing one of their number chairman, and an
other secretary of said board, and shall thereupon proceed to
discharge all the duties of a board of county canvassers, as in
other cases of election for county and State officers.
Sec. 5. The Sheriff and County Clerk, elected by the pro
visions of this act, shall designate a place in the village of Fre
mont for holding the Circuit Court in said county, and also suit-

OEGANIZATION. 51

able places for the several county offices, as near as practicable
to the place designated for holding the Circuit Court; and they
shall make and subscribe a certificate, in writing, describing
the several places designated, which certificate shall be filed
and preserved by the County Clerk ; and thereafter the places
thus designated shall be the places of holding the Circuit Court
and the county offices, until the Board of Supervisors provide
suitable accommodations for said court and county offices.
Sec. 6. The counties of Alcona, Oscoda, Montmorency, and
that portion of the county of Presque Isle lying east of range
4 east, be and the same are attached to the county of Alpena,
for judicial and municipal purposes.
Sec. 7. All acts, and parts of acts, contravening the provi
sions of this act, the same are hereby repealed.
Approved Feb. 7th, 1857.
Mr. Lockwood, finding that "the presiding inspectors of elec
tions from each township therein," referred to in the fourth
section of the above act, had declared "non est inventus," pro
cured, ten day later in the session, the passage of an act, as an
amendment to the fourth section of the first act, which is as
follows: Sec. 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That
this act shall stand in lieu of section four (4) of said act, and
that Daniel Carter, Harvey Harwood and D. D. Oliver are
hereby made and constituted a board of county canvassers, who
shall act as inspectors of election; and said inspectors shall
meet at the said village of Fremont, on the first Tuesday after
the election, and appoint one of their number chairman, and
another secretary of said board, and shall thereupon proceed to
discharge all the duties of a board of county canvassers, as in
other cases of election of county and State officers, and shall
have the power to act as a Board of Supervisors in and for said
county, for the organization of townships therein, and for other
purposes, and to hold their office until there be three organized
townships in said county, and until other supervisors are elect
ed and qualified: And provided. That from any cause a va-

52 OEGANIZATION.

cancy occurs in said board, before any township is organized,
the two remaining members of the board shall appoint; but if
there be one or more townships organized and supervisors elect
ed, the vacancy shall be filled by said supervisor or supervisors;
The compensation of said board shall be the same as that re
ceived by supervisors elected according to law. -411 acts and
parts of acts contravening the provisions of this act, be and the
same are hereby repealed. This act is ordered to take imme
diate effect.
Approved February 14th, 1857.
It will be seen, by reference to the above amended act of the
Legislature, that the first Board of Supervisors of Alpena coun
ty was made by sjiecial act, the members being Daniel Carter,
of Fremont, Harvey Harwood, of Thunder Bay Island, and D.
D. Oliver, of Devil river. They were authorized to act as a
board of county canvassers, as well as a Board of Supervisors,
and were to hold their offices until three towns were organized
in the county, and to fill any vacancy in the board, if one should
occur. After being duly notified of their appointment, and about the
first of June, 1857, the members of the new Board of Super
visors for the county of Alpena, met for business, and organ
ized by making Daniel Carter chairman, and, having no County
Clerk, D. D. Oliver was made secretary. Mr. Harwood soon
moved out of the county, and left the chairman and secretary
to have it their own way. They were both inexperienced in
county business, and were at least one hundred miles from a
precedent; without books, or anything to guide them in their
new position; and not a man in the county that could legally
administer an oath, and but one in the county who knew any
thing about township business, and his knowledge done them
no good as a Board of Supervisors, and they had no townships
organized; but something must be done by the Board of Su
pervisors, and they did it as well as they could.

OEGANIZATION. 53

The first and most important business before the board, was
to settle with the neighboring Board of Supervisors of Cheboy
gan county, and get back a part, if they could, of the $500 tax
which the county of Cheboygan had collected of Alpena county
and its territory the preceding winter. Carter and Oliver made
two trips to Cheboygan, in a sail boat, at a large expense, to
meet the supervisors there, who avoided them, and they failed
to make a settlement. Oliver then went to Lansing, and had a
talk with the Auditor General, in regard to the matter, who
told him if he would forward certain papers from Cheboygan,
before the fourth day of July, 1857, he would charge back the
tax to Cheboygan county, and credit Alpena county with the
same. Oliver then made another expensive trip to Cheboygan,
procured the necessary papers, and sent them to Lansing; but
heard nothing from the Auditor General, until he was threat
ened with publication, and then he received the following letter:
Auditor General's Office,
Lansing, Nov. 13th, 1857.
D. D. Olivee, Esq.
Deab Sib: — I have just received your letter of the 11th inst.
I am not conscious of any neglect in answering your letters. I
received your letter of July 10th, with statement of the Board
of Supervisors of Alpena county, and certain transcripts from
the records of Cheboygan county. I answered you > at once,
stating that I had not the power to help your county, referring
you to Sec. 99 of the Tax Laws of 1848, as giving the Auditor
such, and all the power he has to concel the sale of lands. You
wrote me again on the 21st August, which was attended to by
repeating the answer made to yours of July 10th. I under
stand a letter was received, in my absence, a few days since,
and which has been mislaid, but from what I learn of its con
tents, I could have answered only as heretofore, that I have not
the power to do what you wanted me to do.
I am, very respectfully, &c..
Signed, WHITNEY JONES,

Aud. Gen'l.

54 OEGANIZATION.

This letter from the Auditor General explains the inward
ness of the whole matter, and closed up the tax business be
tween Cheboygan and Alpena counties. The next business be
fore the Board of Supervisors, was the organization of the town
of Fremont, but the board could not act without a petition, and
as there was not freeholders enough to sign the petition, the
organization of the township was tabled, to wait for the further
growth of the place. The next care of the board, was to pro
vide suitable books for the county records, and to obtain the
statutes from the Secretary of State, and other matters, as the
following letter from the writer to G. N. Fletcher, Esq., will
show: Detroit, Nov. 18th, 1857.
G. N. Fletchee.
Deab Sib: — A small craft, chartered by Craig & Bro., left
for Sugar Island, the night I arrived down. I told them you
wished to send something up, but could not tell how much, or
what it was. I shall leave for the upper country in a few days,
and would like to meet you before I go. I learn by some per
sons from the shore, that the vessel arrived there safely, and
that it brought but little, and took most of the folks away with
her. I have written to the Governor, to appoint a Notary Pub
lic, and also written to the Secretary of State, for some books.
I hope to get returns in two or three days. What is to be done
about the county books? If they go up this fall, they must go
up soon. I think you had better come down and see what can
be done, for I cannot get them. I am using my time and
money in doing the county business, and that is all I feel able
to do. Yours respectfully,
Signed, D. D. OLIVEE.
To be a supervisor then, was to work without pay and pay
your own expenses; and it wore the seat from many a pair of
supervisor's pants before the board became smooth enough to

OEGANIZATION. 55

afford four dollars for six hours' work, and step over to a full
treasury and get your money.
In August of 1857, the schooner John Minor came into
Thunder Bay river, bringing Mr. Addison F. Fletcher, who
came in the interest of G. N. Fletcher, Esq., and who superin
tended the structure of a rough board store, which was located
on Water street, at or near its junction with Second street, the
schooner having brought the lumber for that purpose. He —
A. F. F. — took an active part in the early affairs of the town
and county, being the first clerk of both. He assisted the
writer in designing the seal of the Circuit Court, and suggest
ed that, "If we have the river, we should have the pine trees.''
He, at one time, owned the best property and residence in the
village of Alpena; but he never had much faith in the large
growth of the place, and has, up to 1876, persisted in remain
ing a noun in the singular number.
In September, 1857, Mr. Joseph K. Miller came to Fremont,
and with him came a number of settlers. He was a man be
yond the middle age ; was well educated, and experienced in
business. He was a theologian of the severe school, and an in
veterate hater of tobacco and whiskey. He was from Boston,
"The Hub of the World," and having some fanciful notions of
himself and the place he came from, he placed but little value
in the people among whom he came to live. He was very
scrupulous in doing what he supposed to be right; but he dif
fered with many of his neighbors in what was right. It is evi
dent that man has no standard of right and wrong, for what is
right in one part of the world, is wrong in another part. What
is right in one nation, is wrong in another; what is right among
one class of people, is wrong among another class; what is
right in the manifestations of religion of one people, would be
wrong in the manifestations of religion of another, and what
would be right with one person, would be wrong with another.
Eight and wrong seem to be fictions, invented by parents, so-

56 OEGANIZATION.

cieties and nations, for their guide and government, and a per
son is said to be doing right when obeying those rules or laws,
and doing wrong when violating them. Eight and wrong with
the individual depends upon his phrenological make-up — his
education and growth, and his surrounding' influences. These
form the conscience which the individual is bound to and will
obey. In proof of the above remarks, the writer refers to the
fifth chapter of Matthew, and the history of the political strug
gle between the northern and southern States, from 1860 to
1865. Soon after Mr. Miller arrived in Fremont, he was appointed
to fill the vacancy in the Board of Supervisors, made by the
moving away of Harvey Harwood, Esq. ; and now, the board,
being full, was prepared to obey the organic law. Without
observing technicalities, the board proceeded to organize the
township of Fremont. This township was made to comprise
the whole of Alpena county proper, and all the territory attach
ed to it, for judicial and municipal purposes. Mr. Miller, in a
letter to George N. Fletcher, Esq., and dated at Fremont, Oct.
23d, 1857, says, in regard to the petition necessary to be pre
sented to the Board of Supervisors: "On examination of the
statutes more minutely, I find it requires twelve freeholders to
organize a township, as that number must petition the super
visors for organization. We had our petition signed by sixteen
electors, but there are only two freeholders among them all —
Mr. Oliver and myself — so we must make ten of the others
freeholders before the day of election, the first day of Novem
ber." On the 4th day of November, 1857, as provided by the
organic law, the first election took place in Alpena county, and
the township officers entered upon the duties of their several
offices as soon as they could be qualified, there being no per
son in the county who could legally administer the oath of of
fice. Mr. Miller says, in a letter to Mr. Fletcher, dated Nov.
4th, 1857: "We had our county election to-day, aud all passed

OEGANIZATION.

57

DANIEL CARTER,

FIRST TREASURER OF ALPENA TOWNSHIP, ANO FIRST POSTMASTER
OF FREMONT.

off pleasantly and satisfactorily. Addison, County Clerk; my
self County Treasurer and Register of Deeds, <fec. Our neigh
bors down the shore came up, and we had quite a respectable
turn-out; one boatload from Messrs. Harris' place, at the High
lands, and one from Black River. If Addison has not left to
return, tell him he must ascertain where he must go to be qual
ified for County Clerk, by taking the oath of office, and take it
before coming up, as his services are wanted immediately."
The official records of the election read as follows: "In pur
suance of notice for the first township election, posted accord
ing to law, in the township of Fremont, in the county of Al
pena, and State of Michigan, held on the fourth day of No
vember, 1857: Present, David D. Oliver, Joseph K. Miller
and Daniel Carter, the board of inspectors, appointed by the
supervisors, to hold said election. Chose David D. Oliver,
chairman of said board, and Joseph K. Miller, secretary, and
appointed Addison Fletcher, clerk; also Isaac Wilson to offici
ate as constable for said election. Polls were opened, and the
following persons were elected to the several township offices:

58 OEGANIZATION.

Supervisor — James S. Irwin.
Township Treasurer — Daniel Carter.
Township Clerk — Addison Fletcher.
Highway Commissioners — Daniel Carter, David D. Oliver,
James Thomas.
Justices of the Peace— Russell E. Woodruff, David D. Oliver,
Lewis Atkins, Isaac Wilson.
School Inspectors — David D. Oliver, George B. Melville.
Constables— James Thomas, Eobert Bowman, Willis Eoe.
Pathmaster — William Sherman.
Signed, DAVID D. OLIVEE, Chairman,
ADDISON FLETCHEE, Clerk,
J. K MILLEE, Secretary.
Isaac Wilson was from the Highlands, as the place was then
known — now Harrisville; and Willis Eoe was from Black Eiver.
The following is a list of the county officers elected at the
first election, held on the 4th day of November, 1857:
Sheriff — William E. Bowman.
County Clerk— A. F. Fletcher.
County Treasurer — J. K. Miller.
Eegister of Deeds — J. K. Miller.
County Surveyor — David D. Oliver.
Circuit Court Commissioner — David Plough.
Coroner — A. F. Fletcher.
It will be observed that in the list of township officers, the
clerk is "Addison Fletcher," and the clerk of the board of elec
tion has signed his name "Addison Fletcher," while in the list
of county officers his name is written "A. F. Fletcher." This
discrepancy can be explained by saying the clerk of the board
of election neglected to write his name in full.
At the general election, held on the 2nd day of November,
1858, the whole number of votes cast was thirty-five, and were
all cast in favor of the general banking law. The county offi
cers were all re-elected; and party politics showed itself, only in

OEGANIZATION. 59

the State ticket. Moses Wisner, Eepublican, for Governor, re
ceived twenty votes, and Chas. E. Stewart, Democrat, for Gov
ernor, received fifteen votes; the balance of the State ticket run
about the same, except for Eepresentative in the State Legis
lature, and for that office, Daniel Carter, received twenty-one
votes. At the time Alpena county was organized, all the north
ern counties had been thrown into a Representative District,
without any regard to their condition, location, or convenience.
The election returns for the district were to be made to Trav
erse City, in Grand Traverse county, that being the largest
town in the district. The people of Alpena county, finding it
impracticable to make returns of election to Traverse City, in
time to be used in the canvass, resolved to have the pleasure of
voting for a Representative peculiarly their own, and so gave
their first vote for Daniel Carter. In 1860, Alpena having
grown to some importance, resolved to send a Eepresentative to
the State Legislature, and request a seat for him in that body,
not in opposition to the regular candidate for that office, who
was a resident of Grand Traverse county, but conjointly with
him, as the territory was ample for two districts, with divided
interests. Capt. A. E. Persons was nominated for this impor
tant and experimental position, and was elected, receiving near
ly all the votes of Alpena county and its territory. Captain
Persons accepted the nomination and election, as complimen
tary, but was not a little surprised when requested by his con
stituents to go to Lansing. He regarded the matter of going
to Lansing but little better than a farce, and that, as a matter
of course, he would be rejected. But being assured and en
couraged by his friends, who thought differently, and who
agreed to fund his expenses, in case he was not seated, he made
up his mind to "Try the thing on," and prepared himself with
his credentials ; went to Lansing ; presented himself at the bar
of the House of Eepresentatives ; was administered the oath of
office, and took his seat with as much freedom and matter of

60 OEGANIZATION.

HON. JAMES K. LOCKWOOD.
ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF ALPENA, AND THE FIRST REGULAR REPRESENTA
TIVE IN THE STATE LEOISLATURE FROVI THIS DISRTICT.
course as if he had been a regularly elected member from tho
oldest counties. No questions were asked, and he was address
ed as "The member from Alpena." This affair, for boldness
of conception and execution, has few, if any, precedents in the
annals of legislation. This gave importance and notoriety to
Alpena, among her sister towns, and brought to her shore many
seeking for labor, settlement, or speculation.
Captain Persons was a man of energy, with good judgment,
and kind and obliging manners. He was a faithful friend to
his Government during tho long struggle with rebellion, and
by attending to the wants of his county, he gave pride and sat
isfaction to his friends and constituents.
Subsequently, the district was changed, and in 1867, was
composed of the counties of Midland, Isabella, Iosco and Al
pena and their territory. The right of selecting a man for
Eepresentative from this new district was claimed by Alpena, and
conceded by the other counties; and the Hon. James K. Lock-
wood was elected. No better man could have been selected to
take care of the scattered interests of this district, the combined

OEGANIZATION. 61

population of which numbered about five thousand. Ten years
of experience had made him familiar with the wants of people
living in new counties. While he was a member of the Legis
lature, he did what he could for the scattered interests of his
district, and gave general satisfaction. He made a strong effort
to secure the swamp lands to the exclusive use and benefit of
the several counties in which they were located; but he was
opposed by the southern districts, which had no swamp lands,
and was defeated. He was always a persistent guardian of the
interests and well being of Alpena, and ready at all times to
encourage and assist in any and every enterprise that had for
its object the improvement of the place. When he now looks
back over two decades, to the time he was lobbying for the or
ganization of a county with only one resident treeholder in it,
in contrast with the present city — 1876 — and county, with their
organizations, improvements and wealth, he can feel a con
scious pride that he was one of those who were instrumental in
bringing around these grand results; and the writer thinks he
sometimes whispers io himself, "Who thanks me for all this?
If I had done more for myself, and less for the county, I would
be the better off for it."
In 1874, the Hon. Worthy L. Churchill was elected a Eep
resentative in the State Legislature, ostensibly from Alpena.
He was a young man, and mostly a stranger to the people of
his district and their wants; had then but little interest in the
growth of Alpena, and has the credit of being instrumental in
defeating a bill for the appropriation of land to aid in the con
struction of a railroad from Alpena, and to connect with the
Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw railway. If this be true, the
people of Alpena have reason to say to him, in spirit, as Balak
said to Baalim, "I called thee to curse mine enemies, and behold,
thou hast altogether blest them."
The people becoming dissatisfied with the name of Fremont,
petitioned the Legislature to change it to Alpena, and in Feb
ruary, 1859, it was so changed, by the following act:

62 OEGANIZATION.

An Act to change the name of the village of Fremont, in the
county of Alpena.
Sec. 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That the
name of the village of Fremont, in the county of Alpena, and
State of Michigan, be and the same is hereby changed to Al
pena. Sec. 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved February 29th, 1859.
The first township organized after Alpena, was Ossineke, in
1867. Prior to this, Harrisville had been organized into a
township, and subsequently was made the county seat of Alcona
county. The township of Corles was organized at the same
time that Ossineke was, but lived only a brief period, and then
returned to the embrace of Alpena. The organic territory of
Ossineke consisted of town 29 north, of ranges 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
east. The first meeting was held at the boarding house of D.
D. Oliver, on the first Monday in April, 1867, D. D. Oliver,
George B. Melville and G. W. Hawkins being inspectors of
election, and G. B. Melville to post notices.
The Board of Supervisors was now composed of Daniel Car
ter, of the county; Obed Smith, of Alpena; D. D. Oliver, of
Ossineke, and L. R. Dorr, of Harrisville. As soon as these
towns were organized, Messrs. Carter and Oliver ceased to be
county members of the Board of Supervisors, as by the law or
ganizing the county of Alpena, their terms of office should ex
pire as soon as three towns were organized in the county. They
had been on the board together a full decade. They differed
in politics. Carter being a Democrat and Oliver a Eepublican ;
but they made it a standard principle never to allow party poli
tics to interfere with the interests of the county. They had
always worked together in harmony, for the benefit of the
Thunder Bay region, and especially Alpena; and now, when
they retired from the Board of Supervisors, they did so with,
the consciousness of having performed the duties of their trust

OEGANIZATION. 63

without fear or favor, and at all times to the best of their abil
ities. They left no bonds for the county to provide for, except
those given to the brave men who volunteered to help silence
the thunders of a southern rebellion, and give freedom to three
millions of slaves. Their names are as follows : James J. Pot
ter, Moses Bingham, Arthur Irwin, Denton Sellick, James
Whalen, Frank Squires, John Kaufman, Solomon Evans, John
Ellsworth, George Plude and John Dawson.
The township of Corles, having failed to keep up its organi
zation, the Board of Supervisors was convened, on the 19th day
of May, 1868, to take some action in regard to the matter.
James K. Lockwood, Ira Stout and David D. Oliver were ap
pointed a committee to present the matter to Judge 8. M. Green,
for his advice. The committee made its report to Judge Green,
and the organization was restored to Corles. At this session
of the board, a resolution was passed, to purchase a piece of
land at Harrisville, on which to erect buildings for a poor
house and farm, at a cost of $5,000, , to be raised by tax of
$1,000 a year, until paid. The board at this session was com
posed of Ira Stout, of Alpena; Lawrence E. Dorr, of Harris
ville, and David D. Oliver, of Ossineke, Oliver having been
elected Supervisor of that township.
Some time in 1868, the township of Alcona was organized;
and after the spring election of 1869, the Board of Supervisors
was composed of the following gentlemen : James K. Lock-
wood, of Alpena; L. R. Dorr, of Harrisville; D. Stewart, of
Cories; E. R. Haynes, of Alcona, and David D. Oliver, of Os
sineke. On the 20th of May, 1870, the Board of Supervisors
was called together, for the purpose of organizing the township
of Rogers, in Presque Isle county. Heretofore Alpena had
taken the lead of all the towns, in political matters; but now a
shadow was stealing over it, calculated to injure', if not to crush
it. During the past winter, Alcona county had been organized,
takino- with it the unorganized county of Oscoda and the or-

64 OEGANIZATION.

ganized towns of Harrisville and Alcona; and the township of
Corles having failed to keep up its organization, it left only two
organized towns in the county of Alpena, the Supervisors of
which were Charles W. Richardson, of Alpena township, and
George J. Eobinson|,of Ossineke. The petition for the organ
ization of the township of Eogers was signed by many of the
best men in Alpena, they little dreaming that they were fur
nishing means for much annoyance, if not for their own de
struction. A remonstrance had been made, but Supervisor
Eobinson had it his own way, and wishing to befriend Mr.
Molitor, organized the township. Alpena, like the bird after
which it was named — partridge — had now grown to good size,
and had grown fat and plump, under the fostering care of its
old guardians, was now watched by a number of Hawks, who
were only waiting for its protectors to be absent, to pounce up
on and gobble it up. One of these Hawks had his nest at Eog
ers City, and another at Ossineke, and a third had a temporary
nest in Alpena, but carried all his spoils to a more permanent
one, in Canada. After considerable maneuvering, the time
came for the descent, when the bird dodged under a city char
ter, and was safe.
The Board of Supervisors again met on the 20th of Septem-
der, 1870, and there were then present, Chas. W. Eichardson,
of Alpena; George J. Eobinson, of Ossineke, and Albert Mol
itor, of Eogers City, and the Clerk. At this session commenc
ed a series of aggressions by the majority of the board, which
was so continued that it compelled the people to seek relief in
a city organization. In a speech made by Hun. Seth L. Car
penter, at a caucus held in the Evergreen Hall, March 29th,
1871, where the people threw aside party politics to put in
nomination the best men from both parties to fill the first offices
of the new city; and at which caucus he, who was nominated
for the first Mayor, said: "So far the organization of the city
of Alpena has been a necessity, urged upon us by the aggres-

OEGANIZATION. 65

sive majority of our Board of Supervisors, whom we charitably
believe misrepresented the small minority of the inhabitants of
the county. But their aggressions have been of such a charac
ter as to drive our citizens en masse, without regard to party
politics, to seek relief by a city organization."
Among the aggressive acts of the Board of Supervisors,
passed at this session, and subsequently, before the 20th of
January, 1871, were resolutions giving the Sheriff the illegal
salary of $1,000 per year; to the County Clerk the large salary
of $1,200 per year; to the County Treasurer $1,000, and the
Prosecuting Attorney $1,000 per year. They detached large
territory from Alpena, and attached the same to the townships-
of Ossineke and Eogers. They considered favorably a peti
tion of J. B. Tuttle and S. E. Hitchcock, for locating a site
for a court house on lands belonging to Hitchcock, and for
raising money for building the same. They also passed a res
olution, making S. L. Carpenter, George J. Eobinson and Al
bert Molitor a board of commissioners of immigration ; and, also,
"It shall be the duty of said board to encourage immigration, by
such measures as they may, in their discretion, deem proper."
Supervisor Eobinson offered a resolution to purchase a tract of
la,nd at Ossineke, for the poor farm. After these aggressions
bad been continued for some time, the citizens of Alpena be
came alarmed, and held several meetings, to determine what
course to pursue. They finally held a meeting on the 8th day
of February, 1871, "To take into consideration the propriety of
having a city corporation. At this meeting, William Jenney,
Esq., was called to the chair, aud P. M. Johnson was made sec
retary. The meeting passed a i-esolution, requesting the Board
of Supervisors "To take no action for the purpose of incorpor
ating the village of Alpena." A committee was appointed by
the chair, to draft a charter for the city, to be presented to the
people of Alpena, for their consideration. Messrs. S. L. Car
penter, J. H. Stevens, J. A. Case, A, W. Comstock, D. McEae,

OEGANIZATION.

J. D. Holmes and A. Hopper were appointed such committee.
They were instructed to present such charter to the adjourned
meeting. "The deficiencies ¦ of our present township govern
ment" were the cause which led to these proceedings; Soon
after the committee report was made, a petition was signed by
one hundred and tTventy-one citizens of Alpenia, and forwarded
to Lansing, asking the State Legislature f6r a city corporation,
A remonstrance was also sent, signed by forty-nine persons;
and Mr. Bostwick and five others who signed the petition, also
signed the remonstrance, saying, "They did not know the char
acter of the petition when they signed it." An efficient corps
of lobbyists accompanied the petition, and it was not long be
fore; the ^attention of the Legislature was given to the pressing
demands of the citizens of Alpena, arid a charter was granted
them, the first section of which reads as follows: "That so
much of the township of Alpena, in the county of Alpena, as is
included in the following described territory: The southwest
quarter of section 13, the south half of sections 14, 15 and 16,
the whole of sectons 21, 22 and 28, the west fractional half of
section 24, arid fractional sections 28, 26 and 27, in town 31
north, of range 8 east, in the State of Michigan, be and the
same is hereby set off from said township of Alpena, and de
clared to be a city, by the name of the City of Alpena, by which
name it shall hereafter be known ; and by that name may sue;
and be sued, implede and be impleded, complain and defend in
any court of competent jurisdiction. May have a common seal,
and alter it at pleasure, and may take, hold, purchase, lease,
convey and dispose of any real, personal and mixed estate, for
the use of said corporation." The law provided also, that there
should be three wards in the city, and so giving it three Super
visors. The city charter provided, also, that the annual elec
tion of city officers shall be held on the first Monday of April
of each year. The Mayor, Comptroller and Treasurer were to
be elected annually ; the Eecorder eveiy two years, and the fuU

OEGANIZATION. 67

term of the Justice of the Peace, was three years. On the ward
tickets two Aldermen were to . be elected at the first electiqji,
one for one year-, and ,one, for two years, an,d thereafter one Al
derman to bo elected each year, and to hold office for two years;
the Common Council to be composed of the Mayor, Eeooi^der
and Aldermen. The officers to be appointed by the Common
Council were Attorney, Marshal, Street Commissioner, DirectoE
of the Poor, and Engineers of the Pire Department. , At the
first city election, the following gentlemen were elected to fill
the first offices: Seth L. Carpenter, for Mayor; Abram Hop
per, for Eecorder; James A. Case, for Comptroller; Albert L;
Power, for Treasurer ; George Eichardson, Justice of the Peace
for three years, and Ira Stout for two years.- In the First ward,
Alexander McDonald, for Supervisor; George Eichardson, for
Alderman two years; John H. Stevens, for Alderman for one
year, and Frank Drew for Constable. In the Second ward,
James J. Potter, for Supervisor; Henry S. Seage, for Alder
man for two years; Ira Stout, for Alderman for one year, and
Eichard Campbell, for Constable. In the Third ward, James
McTavish, for Supervisor; Samuel Boggs, for Alderman for
two years; Gordon Davis, for Alderman for one year, and Tim*
othy Crowley, for Constable. ^^ r
The incorporation of the city was thought, at the time, to be
a fearful experiment ; that it would subject the citizens to -a
large increase of taxes, and result in financial ruin and death.
But this was their only alternative, and the people preferred to
take the chances of committing suicide, than to endure uncer
tain torture and ruin that threatened them by the aggressive
acts of the majority of the Board of SupervisorSi Contrary to
the expectations of the most hopeful, the experiment has proved
a success, paying for all it cost, if not more. ¦
The city government,- with few exceptions, has been conduct
ed with wisdom and economy, and if the citizens have to pay
more taxes, they have more con vepiences and better protection

OEGANIZATION.

for life and property. While it required the united efforts of
all the people to make the experiment a success, yet the city is
largely indebted to the integrity, economy and perseverence of
its executive officers, who were leading business men, and per
sonally interested in the growth and prosperity of the city;
Their names are given in succession, up to and including the cen
tennial year of 1876. The first Mayor was Seth L. Carpenter;
the second Mayor was Albert Pack; the third Mayor was An
drew W. Comstock, and the fourth Mayor is George L. Maltz.
The following is a list of city officers in 1876: Mayor, Geo.
L. Maltz; Eecorder, A. E. McDonald; Comptroller, J. D.
Turnbull; Treasurer, Charles B. Greely ; Justices of the Peace,
Paul Dane, A. E. McDonald and Chas. A. D'Aigle. Supervis
ors — First ward, Thomas G. Spratt; Second ward, Ira Stout;
Third ward, Marshall N. Bedford. Aldermen — First ward,
Charles H. Rice and George Eichardson; Second ward, James
Tims and J. P. Healy; Third ward, Jason Gillett and J. D.
Sheahy. Board of Education — First ward, B. F. Starbird and
H. R. Morse; Second ward, J. C. Viall and Ira Stout; Third
ward, Paul Dane and D. McEae. City Attorri'ey, V. C. Burn-
ham; City Marshal, Douglass Scott; Chief Engineer, A. L.
Power. The incorporation of the city had detached a large portion of
the inhabitants from the township of Alpena, yet there remain
ed enough to keep up the organization, and N. M. Brackinreed
was elected Supervisor. He was a good scholar, a persevering
business man, and well calculated to build up the much reduc
ed interests of the township. On May 8th, 1871, the Board of
Supervisors of Alpena county, met for business, it being the
first session of the board after the city election, and was com
posed of the following members: N. M. Brackinreed, of Al
pena; A. McDonald, First ward, city; J. J. Potter, Second ward,
city; J. McTavish. Third ward, city; G. J. Robinson, Ossineke,
and Albert Molitor, Eogers. At this session Messrs. Eobinson

OEGANIZATION. 69

and Molitor were absent. The Hawks did not care to meet the
bird they had so much sought to maim or destroy, which, re
taining its name, had changed to an Eagle of formidable dimen
sions, and on which the Hawks could now have but little im
pression. One of the Hawks, through the influence of the
people of Alpena, who wished to be rid of him, obtained a quasi
organization of the county of Presque Isle, where he continued
to depredate, until he became so intolerable that he was shot.
But little inquiry has been made in regard to who it was that
did the shooting, the people all seeming to say, "Sic semper
tyrannis." On the 15th of March, 1873, the Board of Supervisors met
for the purpose of erecting two townships — one to be called
Long Eapids, and the other Wilson. The territory embraced
in the township of Long Eapids is as follows: The north half
of town 81 north, of ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 east, and tho
whole of town 32 north,, of ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 east.
The first annual meeting was to be held at the Jones school
house, in the Louden settlement, on the 7th day of April, 1873.
W. H. Marston, J. O. Carr and John Louden were appointed
to act as a board of inspectors of election, and William E. Jones
to post notices. The territory embraced in the township of
Wilson was as follows: Commencing at the southeast corner
of section 36, in town 30 north, of range 7 east, running thence
northerly on the town line between ranges 7 and 8 east, to the
northeast corner of section 1, in town 80 north, of range 7 east;
thence easterly on town line to the southeast corner of section
86, town 81 north, of range 7 east; thence northerly on town
line, to the northeast corner of section 24, in town 31 north, of
range 7 east ; thence westerly on section line, to the meridian ;
southerly on meridian line, to the southwest corner of section
31, in town 30 north, of range 1 east; thence easterly on town
line, to the place of beginning. The first annual meeting was
to be held at the boarding house, on the Luce farm, on the 7th

70 OBGANIZATION-

day of April, 1873.: Noble M. Brackinreed, George Herron
and Charles B. Greely were made inspectors of election, and Nj
M, Brackinreed to post notice of election. The members com--
prising the board at this time, and who voted for the erection
of these townships, were, G. J. Eobinson, of Ossineke ; N, M.
Brackinreed, of, Alpena; D. McEae, City Comptroller; A. L.
Power, First ward, and John D. Potter, Second w^ard.; At the
end of this chapter is given a list of the county officers and a
list, also, of the several township officers from the time
of their organization, up to and including the ;centenni;al
year of 1876, so far as the writer is in possession of the
facts. This is :done for the benefit of those who may wish to
use this work for reference. The first officers elected in the
township and county of Alpena, are givej^i, in full before in this
chapter, and also the city officers of 18-76,
COUNTY OFPICEES ELECirfeD IN 1860.
Eepresentative in State Legislature, from Alpena county--^
Alonzo E. Persons.
Sheriff — John W. Glennie.
County Clerk — David D. Oliver.
Eegister of Deeds— Abram Hopper. '
County Treasurer— David Plough.
Prosecuting Attorney — Oliver T. B. Williams.
Judge of Probate — David D. Oliver.
Circuit Court Commissioner— ^Oli ver T. B. Williams.
County Surveyor — David D. Oliver.
Coroners— Levi O. Harris and Hugh Johnsoni-
ALPENA TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1865, ,;f
- Supervisor — J. K. Lockwood.
Township Clerk — A. Hopper.
Township Treasurer — H.E.Morse. ' . .
Justice of the Peace — Martin Minton. r
Commissioner of Highways — S. E, Hitchcockj —

OEGANIZATION. 71

ALPENA COUNTY OFFICEES, 1863 AND 1864.
Sheriff--A. J. Gary.
County Treasurer — David Plough.
Judge of Probate— J. B. Tuttle.
Prosecuting Attorney — Obed Smith.
County Clerk— Eobert White.
Eegister of Deeds^Abram Hopper.
Circuit Court Commissioner — J. B. Tuttle.
County Surveyor — David D. Oliver.
Coroners— Samuel E. Hitchcock and Josiah Frink,
County Supervisors — D. D. Oliver aud Daniel Carter.
ALPENA COUNTY OFFICEES, 1865 AND 1866. '-
Sheriff- J. C. Parke.
County Treasurer — David Plough.
Judge of Probate— J. B. Tuttle.
Prosecuting Attorney — Obed Smith.
County Clerk— Eobert White.
Eegister of Deeds — -4. Hopper.
Circuit Court Commissioner — J. B. Tuttle.
County Surveyor — David D: Oliver.
Coroners — S. E. Hitchcock and Josiah Frink,
ALPENA TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1867.
Supervisor — James K. Lockwood.
Township Clerk — A. Hopper,
Township Treasurer — James A. Case.
Justices of the Peace — Obed Smith, four years ; Frederick
N. Barlow, three years.
Highway Commissioner — James Cavanagh.
ALPENA TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1868.
Supervisor — Ira Stout.
Township Clerk — A. Hopper.
Township Treasurer— J. A. Case.
School Inspector — A. W. Comstock.

72 OEGANIZATION,

Justices of the Peace — James Cavanagh ; to fill vacancy of
F. N. Barlow, Meade N. S. Macartney ; to fill vacancy of Mar
tin Minton, P. M. Johnson.
Highway Commissioners — Samuel Boggs and Thos. Murray.
Constables — Timothy Crowley, John McKay aud Thomas
Gillan. ALPENA COUNTY OFFICEES, 1867 AND 1868.
Sheriff — Orin Erskine.
County Treasurer — Josiah Frink;
Judge of Probate— J. B. Tuttle.
Prosecuting Attorney — Obed Smith.
County Clerk — Fulton Bundy.
Eegister of Deeds — A. Hopper.
Circuit Court Commissioner — Truman P. Tucker.
County Surveyor — P. M. Johnson.
Coroners — J. W. Glennie and L. V. Vincent.
ALPENA TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1869.
Supervisor —James K. Lockwood.
Township Clerk — Abram Hopper.
Township Treasurer^ — A. L. Power.
Justice of the Peace^ — J. A. Case.
Highway Commissioner — Thomas Murray.
School Inspector — F. N. Barlow.
Constables— Timothy Crowley aud Wm. Andrewa
ALPENA TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1870.
Supervisor — Charles W. Eichardson.
Township Clerk — Abram Hopper.
Township Treasurer — ^ Albert L. Power.
Justice of the Peace — Ira Stout.
Highway Commissioner — Daniel Carter.
School Inspector — Andrew W. Comstock.
Constables— WiUiam E. Eice, Fulton Bundy, E. K. Potter
and Orin Erskine. <

OEGANIZATION. 73

Overseers of Highways — First district, George Eichardson ;
third district, Albert Merrill; fourth district, Geo. C. Herron;
fifth district, James O. Carr.
ALPENA COUNTY OFFICEES, 1869 AND 1870.
Sheriff — James Cavanagh.
County Treasurer — Abram Hopper.
Judge of Probate — David Plough.
Prosecuting Attorney — Obed Smith.
County Clerk — F. Bundy,
Eegister of Deeds — James A. Case.
Circuit Court Commissioner — Obed Smith,
County Surveyor — John Lyman,
Coroners — James J, Potter and Isaac Wilson,
OSSINEKE TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1868.
Supervisor — David D. Oliver.
Township Treasurer — George J. Eobinson,
Township Clerk — Fayette Jones.
Justices of the Peace — Charles E. Blanchard and Dougald
McArthur. Highway Commissioners — David Oliver and Amasa Chaffee,
Constables — John Ellsworth and Amasa Chaffee.
School Inspectors— David D. Oliver and R. E. Gallup,
OSSINEKE TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1869,
Supervisor — David D. Oliver,
Township Treasurer — George B, Melville.
Township Clerk — Eeuben E. Gallup.
Highway Commissioners — W^illiam Cole, Joseph Eeed and
John Eiddle.
Justices of the Peace— Joseph H. Parsons, Samuel Ellsworth
and Eobert B. Oliver.

74 OEGANIZATION.

OSSINEKE TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1870.
Supervisor — George J. Eobinson.
Township Treasurer — John Ellsworth.
Township Clerk — Alonzo Eandall.
Highway Commissioners — A. M. Chaffee, Jeremiah Patnod
and Duncan McKillop.
Justices of the Peace — Samuel Ellsworth, Duncan McKillop,
Jeremiah Patnod and William Shortlaud.
School Inspectors — G. J. Eobinson and D. McKillop.
Constables — J. J. McFall, James Powers and William John
son.

ALPENA COUNTY OFFICEES, 1871 AND 1872.
Sheriff — James Cavanagh.
County Clerk — Seth L. Carpenter.
County Treasurer — Abram Hopper.
Prosecuting Attorney — J. B. Tuttle.
Eegister of Deeds — Alex. McDonald.
Circuit Court Commissioner — J. H. Stevens.
County Surveyer — T. McGinn.
Coroners — D. Carter and . , Simons.

ALPENA COUNTY OTPICEEg, 1873 AN© 1874.
Sheriff — Thomas B. Johnston.
County Treasurer — A. Hopper.
County Clerk— Chas. N. Coraell.
Prosecuting Attorney — V. C. Bum bam.
County Surveyor — Tiiomas White.
Eegi&ter of Deeds— A. McDonald,
Circuit Court Commissioner^ — John H, Stevens.

OEGANIZATION.

75

ALPENA COUNTY OFFICEES, 1875 AND 1876.
Sheriff — Thomas B. Johnston.
County Treasurer — Abram Hopper.
County Clerk — Charles N. Cornell.
Eegister of Deeds — Alex. McDonald,
Prosecuting Attorney — V. C. Buruham,
County Surveyor — Thomas White.
Circuit Court Commissioner — John H. Stevens.
ALPENA TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1876.
At the spring election, seventy-six votes vere cast in this
township. Supervisor — James A. Case.
Township Clerk — Conrad Wessel.
Township Treasurer — Henry L. Oppenborn.
Highway Commissioner — Patrick Egan.
Justices of the Peace — Richard Navlor, James B. White,
William Lumsden and William Pulford.
School Inspector — James Glennie.
Constables — Walter Gavagan, Jeremiah Sears, Chas. Cook
and Chas. Gierke. LONG EAPIDS TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1876.
At the spring election, this township cast one hundred votes;
nearly three times as many as was cast in the county of Alpena
and all her territory in 1858.
Supervisor — John Ferguson.
Township Clerk — Joseph Cavanagh.
Township Treasurer— Darwin J. Soper.
Justices of the Peace— H. Hodgins, W. W. Hicks, James 0.
Carr and A. W. McFariand.
Commissioner of Highways— David McNeil.
School Inspector— Albert Milton.
Constables— Charies Keating, John McMillen and John
Vance.

76

OEGANIZATION.

WILSON TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1876.
This township cast sixty votes, at the spring election.
Supervisor — ^Noble M. Brackinreed.
Township Clerk — Pardon Buell.
Township Treasurer — ^John McSorley.
Justices of the Peace — J. McSorley, George M. Green, Jas.
Kimball and George C Herron.
Highway Commissioner — Eichard M. Cornell.
School Inspector — N. M. Brackinreed.
Constables — Thomas Smith, Eobert McLeod, Joseph Wyman
and Daniel F. Carr.
OSSINEKE TOWNSHIP OFFICEES, 1876.
Supervisor — Israel G. Sanborn.
Township Clerk — Chris Eimer.
Township Treasurer — ^David Oliver.
Justices of the Peace — ^Israel G. Sanborn, David Oliver, Jas.
Lewis and John Force.
Highway Commissioner — John E. Sanborn.
School Inspector — Martin Benjamin.
Constables — Andrew Poths, James Lenox, John P. Profrock
and Thomas Sampson.

GEOGRE N. FLETCHER.
ONE OF THE FIRST TO ENQAQE IN THE LUMBER BUSINESS, AND WHO WAS
CHIEFLY INSTRUMENTAL IN THE RAPID GROWTH OF ALPENA.

CHAPTER IV.

IMPEOVEMENTS.
The "Jay House," built in the fall of 1844, as mentioned in
Chapter I, was built near the corner of River and First streets.
In the fall of 1846, a party of four families of French half-
breeds, came from Mackinaw to the mouth of Thunder Bay
river, for the purpose of hunting and trapping. They occupied
the "Jay House," and built two others. Of course, they could
not be called settlers, for they came there only to spend the
winter, and went away again in the spring. Walter Scott came
to Thunder Bay river in 1851, for the purpose of fishing and
trading with the Indiaus. He moved away in 1857, and so did

78 IMPEOVEMENTS.

not become a settler. The first settler that came to Fremont,
was Daniel Carter, who moved his family to Thunder Bay river
in the fall of 1856. He came in the interest of G. N. Fletcher,
and was accompanied by a few men, who came to work during
the winter, Mr. Carter's family consisted of wife and daughter,
and were the first resident ladies of Fremont. Mr. Carter and
men chopped a narrow strip of timber, on both sides of the river,
and cut the timber in Thunder Bay river^ nearly up to the
South Branch, with a view of clearing it for running logs,
This was the first work done, looking toward the improvement
of the place.
When A. F. Fletcher came to Fremont, in -1857, a number of
mechanics came with him. He brought lumber for building a
store and boarding house, and under date ot August 30th, he
writes to G. N. Fletcher, Esq., and says: "I arrived safely
here Wednesday noon, and found Mr. Carter at home. He
had been to Duncan, had not commenced the boarding house,
but we will have it up' day after to-morrow. I am building
that and the store a little stronger than you spoke of, as Dan.
says it would not last through the winter, if I did not. We
cannot tell where the store ought to be, but will get it as near
as pos&ible." At this time only a temporary survey of the town
had been made, and for this reason, it was impossible to know
where to place the building. In September of the same year,
John McNevins came tO Fremont with some men, to make some
timber for a mill dam, to be erected across Thunder Bay river;
but the work was soon after discontinued, on account of the
unparalleled depression in financial matters. It may be well to
remark, that the year that Alpena county was organized arid
assumed a place among the sister counties of the State, was re
markable as being the most depressing year, financially, that
this country ever saw; business being good in 1856, when
placed in contrast with 1857. The following letter, written by
John Oldfield, Esq., tq George N. Fletcher, and dated Dunville,

IMPEOVEMENTS. 79

Ontario, Oct. 14th, 1857, gives a plain and concise statement
of financial affairs at that time; it says:
"Your favor of 8th instant, in relation to Thunder Bay af
fairs, came to hand last evening. I immediately saw Mr. Minor,
on the subject, who is decidedly of the opinion, as well as my
self, that it will be imprudent to attempt to go on with the
work, unless, indeed, that you are prepared to furnish the means
yourself. As far as I am concerned, I cannot furnish one dol
lar towards it; indeed, there is such a general depression in all
financial matters here, that I cannot raise money enough to run
my mill, and intend shutting down. All business seems com
pletely paralyzed; nobody pays, nor can pay, and I find myself
with a large amount of bills receivable, some past due, and
others falling due at an early date, but no money, and no pros
pects of getting it. Even clear lumber, in Albany, will not
bring the cash. With all these depressing circumstances
staring us in the face, Mr. Minor and myself can see no other
way but to stop the work, and, consequently, do not think it
worth going up to lay any of the piers this fall, as you suggest.
"Yours truly,
"Signed^ J. OLDFIELD."
Mr. Fletcher, owning a half interest in the property, and not
being so much affected by the hard times as his co-partners, "
for the reason that he had sold his mill property at St. Clair,
prior to the panic, was disposed to go on with the work, but
the other proprietsrs not furnishing means, the company's work
ceased. Mr. Fletcher continued to make improvements in his
own interests, and it was very fortunate for the people of Al
pena county, and its organization, that he was able and willing
to do so.
In the fall of 1857, Mr. G. N. Fletcher, in company with
other parties, started a store in Fremont, under the firm name

80 IMPEOVEMENTS.

"Miller, Fletcher & Co." They kept a general assortment of
such goods as are wanted in a new, isolated place, even whis
key and tobacco, and these articles Mr. Miller was very much
opposed to handling. The work on the mill dam, for the Thun
der Bay Dam Co., as it was called, was discontinued; but Mr.
Fletcher continued to give employment to most of the people
of Fremont, on his own account, and built a dock, and a large
building on the corner of Second and Water streets, aud known
in 1867 as the "Myers Block." It should have been known as
the "Miller Block," for he had the care of building it, and oc
cupied it for many years. It will be referred to in the rest of
this work as the "Myers Block."
All the proprietors, except G. N. Fletcher, having business
relations other than at Fremont, were much embarrassed by
the unprecedented hard times that shook many off their feet,
financially, did but little for the improvement of Alpena, dur
ing 1857 and the first half of 1858. In the fall of 1858, men
began to multiply in Alpena, "and sons and daughters were
born unto them." Financially, matters having improved a little,
Messrs. Lockwood, Minor and Fletcher resolved to go on with
the work at Fremont. In pursuance of this resolution, the
schooner J. S. Minor came to Fremont, having on board about
thirty persons, among whom were Messrs. E. K. Potter, Abram
Hopper, W. Stevens, Moses Bingham and Thomas Murray.
• Alexander Archibald and family aud Samuel Boggs and family
were among the number. Many of those who came were me
chanics. Messrs. Archibald and Murray came for the purpose
of lumbering for the firm of Lockwood & Minor, having a con
tract to cut, haul and run onto the rapids, one million feet of
logs, more or less, at one dollar and seventy-five cents per thou
sand feet, being the first contract by the proprietors of Fremont,
for cutting logs on Thunder Bay river. Mr. Archibald, after
building a frame house for his family, near the corner of Sec
ond and River streets north, (for buildings in Fremont at this

IMPEOVEMENTS.

,81

HON. EDWARD K. POTTER.
ONE OF THE EARLY SETTLERS OF ALPENA, PIONEER LUMBERMAN AMD MILL
OWNER, AND AT OHE TIME REPRESENTATIVE IH THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

time were few, and not far from the woods,) commenced to cut
his supply road to the lumber woods, this being the first road
made in the county that exceeded a mile in length. He made
this road nearly on the same line that the so called Section Line
Road is now on, until he reached section 13, in town 31 north,
of range 6 east, and thence northwest to Thunder Bay river, in
section 2, of the same town and range. Men's wages at this
time were from $14 to $16 per month, and they agreed to stay
and run the logs in the spring. The very low price for putting
in the logs, and the wages of the men, show that there was not
much "boom" to business at that date. Mr. E. K. Potter scaled
and marked the logs for this camp this winter, and to him must
be accorded the honor of scaling the first log on Thunder Bay
river, not barring the honor due the scaler who scaled in the
camp of Alvin Cole during the same winter. It is claimed by
WiUiam Boulton, in his History of Alpena, that Mr. E. K.
Potter measured the first cargo of lumber "that left Alpena,

82 IMPEOVEMENTS.

and that the schooner Meridian, Capt. Flood, carried the first
cargo of lumber from Alpena." If he had added the word
"Citj'," he would have been correct. In writing a history of
the county, nice distinctions should be observed, between the
whole county, and a certain locality, where both have the same
name. While it would be true that Mr. Potter measured the
first cargo of lumber that left Alpena city, and that the schooner
Meridian, Capt. Flood, carried the first cargo of lumber from
the city of Alpena, yet it would not be true in regard to the
county of Alpena, for the writer measured a cargo of lumber,
and shipped it on his schooner, the Marshall Ney, John W.
Paxton, Captain, before the county had an organization.
In December, 1858, Messrs. John Cole and Alvin Cole ar
rived in Fremont, accompanied by a large number of men.
Alvin Cole came for the purpose of lumbering for George N.
Fletcher, having taken a contract of him, similar to the one
taken by Messrs. Archibald and Murray. The logs were to be
cut in the same vicinity, and banked near each other in the
river. John Cole was a millright, and came to Fremont for
the purpose of building two large sawmills, to be run by water
power. One was to be erected on the east side of Thunder Bay
river, for George N. Fletcher, and the other on the west side,
for the firm of Lockwood & Minor. The timber was aU made,
hauled and framed for the mill, during the winter and spring.
The mill dam was not built, according to expectations, on ac
count of some disappointment or disagreement among the pro
prietors. The work of buUding the two sawmUls was suspend
ed, for the reason that they had no dam for water, and the two
mill frames were piled away to await further consideration and
development. The timber for the Fletcher mill was burned in
1860, in a sweeping fire that burned over a large district around
Alpena, and came very near burning what there was of the
town. Although this was considered a great loss to Mr.
Fletcher at the time, yet it was a blessing in disguise. It sav-

IMPEOVEMENTS. 83
ed his timber until it was more valuable, and relieved him of
the embarrassing perplexity that attended milling at that time,
in Alpena, and in which his co-partners were soon after engag
ed; and while their business did more to build up the village,
it put less money into their pockets. The mill frame made
for Lockwood & Minor was nut put up for several years.
The survey of the village of Fremont, by E. A. Breakenridge,
was only a temporary one, without map or record, and was
made for the purpose mentioned in Chapter III. As by law, it
was imperative that a survey must be made of the village, and
a map of the same be placed on record in the Register's office,
with a conveyance to the public of the right of way of the
streets of the same; before lots could be legally sold, the pro
prietors were resolved to have the survey made and recorded.
In April, 1858, the writer was engaged by Messrs. Fletcher,
Lockwood and Oldfield, to make the survey, under their super
vision, all of them being in Fremont at the time, Mr. Oldfield
being particularly anxious to have a thorough survey made.
The writer then organized his party for the work, and after as
certaining the variation of the needle, and administered the
oath to his chain-bearei-s, proceeded to make the survey, as fol
lows: Commencing at the southeast corner of section 22,
thence north nine and one-half degrees east, 3.78 chains, to
a point where he planted a post. From this post he projected
a line bearing north, fifty-one degrees east, and south, fifty-
one degrees west, for a base line, and named it First street.
He then projected another line, bearing north, thirty-nine
degrees west, and south, thirty-nine degrees east, from the
post for a meridian line, and called it Eiver street. On
this meridian line, south to the bay, posts were set at
proper distances, and at all proper places between this line
and the river. On this meridian, northward to Thunder
Bay river, posts were placed at proper distances. Posts
were set at all proper places between this line and the river,

84 IMPEOVEMENTS.

and the river was meandered up to the section line between
sections 21 and 22. The base line was carried east, across the
river, to a point designated by one of the proprietors, and an
other post was planted, and another meridian line projected,
and named Fletcher street. On this meridian line, south thir
ty-nine degrees east, to the bay, posts were set at proper dis
tances, between this line and the river. The meridian line was
also extended north, thirty-nine degrees west, from the said
post, to Beech street, and posts set at proper distances on this
line, and between it and the river. Then Beech street was run
north, fifty-one degrees east, to Oldfield street, and thence on
Oldfield street to Bridge street, and posts set on these streets,
at proper distances ; thence north, fifty-one degrees east, on
Bridge street, to Miller street, and thence north, thirty-nine de
grees west on Miller street to Mackinaw street, and posts were set
at proper places. Soon after the field work was completed, the
writer made a map of his work, and presented it to J. K. Lock-
wood, who approved of it, and went with the writer to Mortimer
L. Smith, in Detroit, who made two copies on cloth, one for Mr.
Lockwood and one for the writer, and which copy the writer has
yet in bis possession. Mr. Fletcher was not satisfied with the
survey, for the reason that some of the streets reached the river,
and that the meridian, on both sides of the river, was too close
to it for mill purposes. The proprietors, after making many
important alterations, had the mutilated and changed map of
Oliver's survey lithographed and put upon the records, ostensi
bly as the survey of E. A. Breakenridge.
There is no acknowledged survey of the city on record, nor
is there any original field notes on record. E. A. Breaken
ridge is credited with the survey, and Ohver with the mistakes,
if any are found. The west square, belonging to the county,
was named Victoria Square, in respect to the proprietors who
resided in the Queen's Dominion ; and the east square was caU
ed Jessie Square, Jessie being the name of the wife of General

IMPEOVEMENTS.

85

Fremont, after whom the village was named. One half of the
proprietors then resided in Canada, and hired their help there ;
aud the other half resided in Michigan, and per sequence the
town and county received their immigration from both places.
They were, hardy, industrious aud enterprising people, who
came for the purpose of making for themselves homes, and to
build up ccftnmunities and industries for themselves and their
children ; and to learn how well they have done their task, you
have only to look over Alpena county in 1876.
In January, 1859, provisions began to be very scarce in Fre
mont and iu the lumber camps, and by the last of February,
many people were reduced to whitefish and bread. It was ut
terly impossible to get anything from Saginaw, by land, and
the writer having people at his place (Ossineke,) to care for,
could render but little assistance. The people bore their pri
vations with remarkable fortitude. All remained at their work,
as though they had plenty, untU in March, when they were re
lieved by the appearance of Mr. Lock wood's schooner, the J. S.
Minor. This visit from "General Scarcity" was repeated for
several years, but only once succeeded in driving any one awa}^
This shortage of provisions was occasioned, not so much by the
inabiUty or unwUlingness of the proprietors to furnish the sup
plies, as by the incalculable increase of population, outside of
those employed by the proprietors. Every year the supplies
were largely increased, but the increase of consumers was still
in advance of the supplies, and it was not until outside parties
began to bring in provisions that the defect was remedied.
The following letter, from E. K. Potter to the writer, and
dated June 2d, 1876, with liberty to use, graphically and hu
morously characterizes the events at that time. He says:
"In the fall of 1858, Lockwood & Minor inaugurated the
first lumber operations on the Thunder Bay river. Contracts
were let to Archibald and Murray, and Alvin Cole. It being

86 IMPEOVEMENTS;

something new to provide a supply of everything for six months,
in a country as new and undeveloped as this was, it is not to be
wondered at that the supplies run short long before spring, and
by the first of February, .1859, that 'General Scarcity,' you
spoke of, was here in full dress uniform. I, was in«the lumber
caihp that winter, and with sorrow beheld the last piece of pork
hung up by a string, over the center of a rude tfble, as a re
minder of happy by-gone days of peace and plenty. Mr.
Whitefish stepped in and took the place of honor which had
been occupied by Hog, and held the balance of power from
that time until the 16th of March. Mr. J. K. Lockwood beine
informed of our sad state, had his good schooner, the J. S.
Minor, fitted out and started for Alpena, or Fremont, as it was
then called at that time, with pork, beef, sugar, etc., and she
arrived as above stated, on the 16th of March, and to all ap
pearances, it was just as cold and winter-like as at any time
during the winter. We all felt rejoiced to hear the news in
camp, that the Minor had arrived with provisions, and we all
sung Mr. Lockwood's praise, as many a poor man and his fam
ily have had occasion to do since; and I w-ill here say to Mr.
Lockwood, more than to any other man, belongs the credit of
starting and keeping in motion the then small lumbering oper
ations which gave employment to the few who were here, aud
thus securing the necessaries of life until better times should
change the then discouraging situation of affairs, it being right
after the dreadful panic of 1857, which will be remembered by
all, as the hardest times this country had seen for fifty years.
Messrs. Lockwood & Minor built the so-called 'Island Mill,' in
1860, which was the principal means of support for this then
small and poor village, for three or four years. One pair of
horses did the log hauling for the mill in the summer, and the
lumber woods was the present site of Alpena. Down timber
and burnt timber, and iu fact^ everything that would make a
piece 6x6, was hauled to the little mill, and squared, and the

IMPEOVEMENTS. 87

block ends cut off, and shipped to Cleveland, and pork, flour,
tea, sugar, etc., brought back in return, and thus, from year to
year, the 'log' was kept rolling, until to-day we have, from this
small beginning, which has been so imperfectly described, a
city of nearly, if not quite, five thousand inhabitants, an honor
to the founders, who, while striving to advance its interests and
that of its inhabitants, in all proper ways, have not, by selfish
ness, grown rich in this world's goods, but they have the satis
faction of knowing that they helped their fellow man.
"Yours respectfully,
"Signed, E, K. POTTEE."
The writer would here suggest, that those who have come to
Alpena, of later date, who cannot do a day's work for the city
or county, or even for the celebration of the "Glorious Fourth,"
without being paid for it ; who came here after a town was made
for them, by the old pioneers, and when the coffers of the treas
ury were well filled ; w-ho never underwent any hardships or
expense for the city or county, should well remember, that
many privations had to be endured, and many days' labor per
formed for the city and county, without pay, by the proprietors
and first settlers, ere a town w-as built up for their reception ;
and the men who were wise, prudent and persevering enough
to buUd up and govern the county, until it had grown to opu
lence and influence, should be aUowed at least a complimentary
voice in making the laws, and not considered over-selfish if
they wish to have a "hand share" in the spoils, when any are
had. Mr. Fletcher and the firm of Lockwood & Minor having fail
ed to build the two water mUls referred to, were anxious to
have their logs manufactured into lumber, and gave sufficient
inducement to Messrs. Obed Smith and Harman Chamberiain, of
St. Clair county, to determine them to erect a steam sawmill
at Fremont; and in the spring of 1859, they commenced the

IMPEOVEMENTS.

work of building the first steam sawmill in Alpena county.
They pushed forward the work with vigor, and in August or
September of the same year they sawed the first boards. This
was an important, and an encouraging event. All before
had been failure, disappointment and expense, without any ad
equate returns. Now the mill would give employment to the
people, and the proceeds would furnish the means to purchase
the necessaries of life. The first work done by this mill, was
to cut the logs belonging to the firm of Lockwood & Minor.
This occupied the balance of the season of 1859, and a part of
1860. In the summer of 1859, Mr. J. K. Bingham came to Fre
mont. He brought with him, what was then considered a large
stock of merchandise. He landed his goods on the north side
of the river, (the reason will be given in the chapter on tem
perance, ) and proceeded at once to erect a store, on Dock street;
and in a few weeks a second store was added to the village.
He then commenced the erection of a public house, near his
store, on Dock street, and some time in September, the first
hotel in Fremont was finished and opened to the public.
In the summer of 1860, John Trowbridge & Bros, leased the
Smith & Chamberlain mill. They also purchased Mr. Fletch
er's logs, as they were then situated in the river. They thought
they could get better sawyers in the State of Pennsylvania, than
they could in Michigan, and there they engaged Mr. George
Bundy, to come with a crew of men, and saw their lumber.
When Mr. Bundy came with his men, to saw the logs, behold!
the logs were all fast on the "Big Eapids," and nothing less
than a big flood would get them off. Trowbridge & Bros.
then procured a charter from the Board of Supervisors, to build
a dam across Thunder Bay river, in section 1, in township 31
north, of range 7 east, for the purposes of flooding and manufac
turing. Then they proceeded to make the dam, and iu Septem
ber or October it was ready for the first flood. A few of the

IMPEOVEMENTS. 89
logs reached the mill that fall, and the balance in the spring,
and were sawed during the season of 1861. All the lumber
sawed from these logs, was made into one raft, and towed
to Chicago. It reached that place without much, if any, in
jury, and was the first and last raft of sawed lumber taken from
Thunder Bay river. At this time, a bitter feeling existed be
tween John Trowbridge & Bros, and the proprietors of Fre
mont, growing out of au affair that took place in 1858 and 1859^
In Thunder Bay river was a middle ground, covered with wa
ter, except in low stages of the river. The Trowbridge Bros.
claimed that this middle ground was an island, unsurveyed, and
consequently belonged to the United States. The proprietors
of Fremont claimed that it was a middle ground, and a part of
the river, and the right to it was purchased with the adjacent
lands. On this middle ground, the Trowbridge Bros, built a
board shanty, to hold it by pre-emption, and the proprietors of
Fremont, or some of their representatives, pulled it down. This
was repeated two or three times, and the Trowbridge Bros.,
finding they could not hold it in that way, resolved to. have the
disputed, "middle ground" surveyed by a United States Deputy
Surveyor, as an island. In order to do this, it was necessary
to bring into this survey, certain other unsurveyed islands
in Thunder Bay and vicinity. These islands the writer, a
short time prior to this, had been authorized by the Surveyor
General to survey. By false representations, the order to the
writer to survey the islands, was revoked by the Surveyor Gen
eral, and a Deputy Surveyor sent on to make the survey. Af
ter the surveyor's report was sent to Washington, and a strong
remonstrance was sent from the proprietors of Fremont, the
writer sent a detailed account of the whole transaction to the
Surveyor General, and nothing since has been heard from the
survey, and the islands remain as they then were, and the pro
prietors of Fremont were victorious.
Iu 1860, Lockwood & Minor, finding the Smith & Chamber-

90 IMPEOVEMENTS.

lain mill was in the hands of John Trowbridge & Bros., and
operated by them, foreign to the interests of Fremont, resolved
upon building a steam sawmill on the disputed "middle ground."
They commenced the work accordingly, some time iu July, and
pushed it with such vigor, that in six^ weeks from the time they
struck the first blow, they were cutting lumber with one Bixf
feet circular saw. This was called'the "Island Mill," because it
was situated upon the disputed island. The importance of this
mill is given iu Mr. Potter's letter, to which the reader is re4
ferred. Some time in 1859, Mr. Hilliard, Broadwell came to Fremont.'
He came for the purpose of locating a site for a water mill.
He was very conservative in his principles, firm in his own
opinions, aud familiar with water sawmills in the "old way,"
and nothing would do him but a water sawmill. He selected
a site on the lon^ rapids, and in the spring of 1860, cotnmenc-
ed to erect a mill dam across Thunder Bay river, on section 7j
in township 31 north, of range 8 east, which waB finished in
July or August of the same season. He then erected a saw
mill, on the east bank of the river, having two'u|)right sashes,
carrying two saws each. The lumber was taken to Trowbridge'
Point, on a tram railway, and shipped; This mill was operat
ed a few years by Mr. Broadwell, but wa^ found to be too prim
itive to be profitable, or compete with . later improvements in
milling, and was .abandoned, and is now one of the oW things
of Alpena county.
A large portion of the improvements made in 1861,. consist
ed in finishing, up buildings,: clearing the ground around them,
making, fenced, etc. Some short sidewalks were made this
year. From 1858 to 1862, a number of dwellings had been
erected, and among the most noted were: One by J. S. Irwin,
a cottage, between Eiver and Minor streets, and then "way up
in the woods" ; one built by A. F. Fletcher, on the corner of.
Water and Second streets, a two story building, and for a long

IMPEOVEMENTS.

91

MRS. SARAH L. CARTER,
ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN SETTLERS OF ALPEHA COUNTY, AND IN THE
EARLY DAYS, THE ONLY PHYSICIAN IH THE COUNTY.
time the best dwelling iu the village. It was occupied for a
time, in 1861 and 1862, by Mr. Leroy Bundy, as a hotel, for
the best visitors to Alpena. Mr. Bundy. was Postmaster for a
short time, and was Deputy County Clerk in 1861 and 1862.
John Cole built a large dwelling near the corner of Water and
First streets, and Samuel Boggs built a cottage on Eiver and
Second streets. John W. Glennie built a two story dwelling
on the corner of Chisholm and First streets; and William E.
Jones built a cottage on the coirner of First and Eiver streets.
David Pldueh built a cottasre on First and Eiver streets ;i Mar-
tin Minton, a cottage on the northeast comer of Eiverand Sec
ond streets; and on the opposite corner Oliver T. B. Williams
erected a large dwelling, which was destroyed by fire before it
\>i'as eutirely finished. Daniel Carter lived on Water street un
til 1859 or 1860, when he erected a large dwelling on Chisholm
street, and moved into it, from Water street, the same year.
At his house on Water street, was held the first election,

92 IMPEOVEMENTS.

the first session of the Board of Supervisors, the first session
of a court. It was made the first postoffice, the first boarding
house, and for a long time the hospital, where all the sick and
wounded, who had no home in the village, were taken and cared
for by Mrs. Carter, who was the only physician in the coun
ty, and she did good service, as many have good reason to re
member. In 1862, Lockwood & Minor commenced to build another
steam sawmill, on the east side of Eiver street, between Sixth
and Seventh streets. They had got the frame up, when the
fire from the woods, which was near, spread into and through
where the town now is, — 1876. — by a strong wind, burning the
mill frame, together with a number of dwellings, and destroy
ing a large quantity of rubbish. This so happened on the
fourth day of July, and admonished the people, more than an
oration, to clear away the timber around their dwellings. The
mill frame was soon replaced, and in October the mill was com
pleted, running one six-feet circular and a siding mill. This
was known as the "Home Mill."
In 1861, Samuel E. Hitchcock, familiarly known among his
friends as "The Deacon," came with his family to reside in Fre
mont; and in 1862, erected a fine dwelling on Chisholm street,
near the bay. He had his lands surveyed, and made them an
addition to the village of Fremont. In pursuance of an agree
ment with the Board of Supervisors, '-The Deacon," in 1863,
erected a large and commodious building, on the corner of Wash
ington avenue and Chisholm street, and finished it, for county
offices, and a room for holding the courts ; and also for holding
church and Sabbath school. It was known as "The Deacon's
Court House." As soon as it was finished, and accepted by the
Board of Supervisors, a lease was made for five years, and
longer if the county of Alpena desired, with a provision that
the court room might be used on the Sabbath, for the purpose
of holding church and Sabbath school.

IMPEOVEMENTS. 93

The year 1868 was not remarkable for the number of now
buildings erected, but much improvements were made in finish
ing and enlarging those already erected, in clearing grounds,
making fences, and improving the streets with ditches, sawdust
and sidewalks; so that, in 1864, the little village began to as
sume the appearance of civilization.
The year 1864 is remarkable in the history of Alpena coun
ty, as the <me from which it can date the commencement of its
rapid growth and prosperity. "General Scarcity" was su
perseded by "General Plenty," and has held command ever
since. Although a fierce and bloody war had been and was then
raging in the southern States, and General Grant was fighting
his way from the Eapidan to Eiehmond, and General Sher
man was advancing step by step from Chattanooga to Atlanta,
and a heavy draft, for soldiers and revenue, had been made on
the northern States, yet they were prosperous in their busi
ness relations, and rapidly increasing in material wealth. This
was particularly so with Alpena. Greenbacks were first issued
in 1862, and in 1864 began to be frequently seen in Alpena.
The supply of pitch and- tar from the southern States, and arti
cles manufactured there, being cut off by the blockade, brought
norway pine into demand, and tar and turpentine reached fabu
lous prices. This brought a large number of people to Alpena,
to look for norway pine to manufacture into timber and lumber,
and the norway pine stumps to manufacture into tar and tur
pentine. Lester, Long & Co. built a steam sawmill, on the east
side of Eiver street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. This
mill run one large circular saw and lath mill — capacity about
two mUlion feet of lumber and one million pieces of lath, and
employed about twenty men. They also built a boarding house
near the mill. This year, the "Home Mill," belonging to Lock-
wood & Minor, was destroyed by fire, involving a heavy loss to
them. It was re-built the same season, and now — 1876 — be-

94 IMPEOVEMENTS;

longs to Bewick, Comstock & Co, This year — 1864— rthe Thun
der Bay Dam Company's dam was finished, and a large wa
ter mill built, on the east side of the river, by John Oldfield;
It run one large circular saw, one muley, with edgers, slab
saws and lath machines. It employed about forty men. Mr.
Oldfield built, in connection with his mill, a large boarding
house, barn, and a few small , dwellings. Mr. Bow-en built a
¦storehouse and dock, on the south side of Dock street. Mess.rs,
Doer & Fairchild erected a manufactory, for making tar and
turpentine from norway pine stumps, and many hundreds of
these were made into tar, turpentine and charcoal. They sold
their interest to Martin Miuton,' who, in 1865, built another
factory, at Ossineke. This was a -lucrative business as long as
the war lasted, but when the war ended, prices of tar and tur
pentine soon dropped so low that there was no profit to the
manufacturer, and it ceased to, be an industry in Alpena county.
This year — 1864 — the, first bridge was built across .Thunder
Bay river. (For particulars see chapter on roads. )
In 1865, William Jenney and Elisha Harrington built a
large steam sawmill, on the east side of River street, and north
of Fourth street. This was, when erected, and is, in 1876, the
largest mill in Alpena. They run one gang, one muley saw,
^nd two large circular saws, with lath machines, edgers, slab
saws, etc. They also erected, near their mill, a large boarding
house, and store, and a few dwellings. This property changed
hands, and in 1876 belonged to Hilliard, Churchill & Co; In
1863, the Smith, & Chamberlain mill w-as destroyed by fire^
which was strongly suspected to have been the work of an in
cendiary. This year— 1865— it was re-built, on the site of the
burned one. It run one gang, one muley saw, one large circu-:
lar saw, and lath mill. Has a capacity to cut about six million
feet of lumber, aud about one and a half mUlion pieces of lath
per season. The property, in 1876, belongs to Folkerts & But^,
terfield. The First Congregational Society of Alpena, com-

IMPEOVEMENTS. 95

menced this year — 1865^the erection of a large and beautiful
church, on the north side of Second street. It is a wooden
structure, and cost about $6,000 — finished in 1868 — and is, in
1876, the largest and best church in the city. This year —
1865 — two large hotels were being built; one on the corner of
Fletcher aud Dock streets, by J. R. Beach, and called the Un
ion Star Hotel, and the other on the w-est side of Chisholm
street, by Julius Potvin, and known as the Alpena House.
They were finished in a style to accommodate the traveling
public, and were expected to supply a need long felt by the cit
izens of the village.
In 1866, E. P. Campbell & Co., built what is known as the
Campbell & Potter mill. It is located one and a half miles
due west from the mouth of Thunder Bay river, and on its most
southern bend. A tram railway w-as made from the mill-to the
bay, a little over a mile in length. A large and commodious
dock was built out in the bay, for the purpose of piling and
shipping lumber, and landing goods. The mill run one muley
saw and two large circular saws, and a lath mill — had a capaci
ty to cut six million feet of lumber, and a million and a half
pieces of lath per season. At or about this time, G. S. Lester,
under the firm name of C. Thompson & Co., erected a large
shingle mill, a short distance north and east of the Campbell &
Potter mill, using the tram road and dock of E. P. Campbell &
Co. for shipping purposes. It run a rotary machine and one
Chicago, and had a capacity to cut about ten million shingles
during the season. These very important improvements were
soon followed by others, as a matter of necessity. The two
mills would give employment to about fifty men, who must
board near their work; and being separated then from Alpena,
bv a mile and a half of a dense tamarack swamp, it became nec
essary to erect suitable buildings for their accommodation ; and
a cluster of dwellings and other buildings were soon erected
near the mUls, and this cluster of buddings was known as

96 IMPEOVEMENTS.
Campbellville. The next necessity that presented itself, was a
road on the section line, and direct between the tv;o places ;
and the first step to be taken in that direction, was to drain the
swamps. Two large ditches were made, one near and parallel
to the tramway, and the other near and parallel with the; section
line, to the bay. These ditches drained a large portion of tho
surface water, and enabled the people to open a road for pedes
trians, but it was some time before teams could travel over it,
during the spring and fall. This year— 1866— two shingle
miUs were built; one on the north side of the river, near the
bay, by Thomas Eobinson, who introduced the first planing
machine into Alpena. This was a great desideratum. Prior
to this, all lumber had to be dressed by hand, or brought from
Detroit, and as mechanics' wages were from three to five dollars
per day, and board, it made building very expensive. The
other shingle mill was built by Hopper & Davis, on the north
side of the river, and west of Chisholm street. Both of these
were burned, the former in June, 1867, and the latter is un
known to the writer. L. M. Mason & Co. completed the water
mill, commenced by Lockwood & Minor in 1858, the frame of
which was made at that time, by John Cole. This mill is lo^
cated on the west side of the dam, and runs one muley saw, two
shingle machines, and a lath mill. Although Alpena had as few
crimes to punish, perhaps, as any county in the State, of its
age and population, yet it was necessary that it should have a
place where disorderly persons could go and be taken care of.
In 1864 or 1865, the Board of Supervisors made a contract for
clearing Jessie Square, aud erecting a suitable building for a
jail. It was built on Chisholm street, and made of two-inch
plank, doubled, and fastened together with spikes driven close
together. It had three or four cells, well made, and strong;
two light rooms for prisoners, and ample rooms for turnkey and
family. Attached to this was a ,woodshed and stable. It was
painted the Scotchman's "muckle dun" color, and made a very

IMPEOVEMENTS. 97

unimposing appearance. In 1866, three church edifices were
in construction — Catholic, on Chisholm street; Congregational,
on Second street, and Episcopal, on Washington avenue. These
will be noticed in another chapter. The increase of population,
the erection of dwellings, public buildings and places for doing
business, depended largely on the enlargement of the improve
ments made for the manufacture of lumber, aud followed them
as rapidly as could be expected. Most of the buildings were
substantial structures, either as business places or dwellings;
and many of the residences were spacious, tastefully made and
pommodious. At this time, a large portion of the business of
the village was transacted on Water street, and the leading
mercantile firms were as follows: Benjamin C. Hardwick, on
Water street, dealer in dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots
and shoes, crockery, hardware, etc. L. M. Mason & Co., mer
chants and lumber dealers; store on Water street; miscellane
ous merchandise. A. W. Comstock & Co., on Second street,
near the bridge, carried a fine assortment of miscellaneous
goods. A. F. Fletcher & Co., on Water street, dry goods,
ready made clothing, boots, shoes, etc. Mason, Doty, Luce &
Co., lumbermen and iperchants; store on Fletcher street; car
ried a large assortment of miscellaneous merchandise. Hopper,
Davis & Co., dealers in dry goods, groceries, clocks, jewelry,
etc., on the west side of Water street. Mason, Lester & Co.,
lumbermen and merchants; store on Water street; a large as
sortment of miscellaneous merchandise. Bolton & McEae,
dealers in choice groceries, provisions and liquors, on the cor
ner of Dock and Fletcher streets. WiUiam P. Maiden, the
first physician and surgeon in Alpena, opened the first drug
store, on the corner of Second and Eiver streets, and carried a
fine assortment of goods in his line. F. N. Barlow and J. H.
Noxen, under the firm name of Barlow & Noxen, introduced the
first hardware store in Alpena, on the corner of Second and
Eiver streets; carried a fine assortment of hardware, iron.

98 IMPEOVEMENTS.

stoves and tinware. Martin H. Minton and John Creighton;
manufacturers of and dealers in boots and shoe.s, and harness,
on Second street. Wm. West, shoemaker and dealer in boots
and shoes, on Second street. H. Hyatt, this year — 1866 —
built the first bakery, and commenced the business of baking.
It was known as the Eagle Bakery. He also erected a build
ing and opened a meat market, near his bakery, on Water street.
Although both of these improvements were mu'ch needed and
duly appreciated by the people, yet the village was not large
enough to make the business very lucrative. The upper tooms
of this building were nicely fitted up for a Masonic hall, and
this was the first one occupied by the Masonic fraternity in Al
pena. At the door of this hall, many excellent citizens knock
ed and were admitted, and brought from darkness to light, and
presented with the tools and instructions whereby they could
work out the problems of life, on the square and compasses,
T,-ith temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice, and to travel
on the level of time, toward that Divine Architect Who has
made all things well, and Who uses neither trestle-board or
patterns, and never made a mistake. Besides the business
places already mentioned, Alpena had a number of mechanical
establishments, great and small, five public houses, only two of
which could be honored with the name of "hotel." These were
the Union Star Hotel, owned and kept by J. E. Beach, and the
Alpena House, owned and kept by Julius Potvin. Both houses
were well managed, and were rivals for business; were favorites
with the public, and a satisfaction to the business men of the
place. Alpena also possessed one or two billiard rooms, and a
number of drinking places. We wiU now leave the village for
a time, to look after the surroundings.
In 1862, John Trowbridge & Bros, lumbered a large quanti.
ty of short logs, and put them into the North Branch of Thun^
der Bay river; and the same season buUt a small shingle miU
propeUed by water, near the dam, in section 1, town 81 north!

IMPEOVEMENTS. 99

of range 8 east, and a boarding house near the same. In 1868,
the Trowbridge Bros, lumbered long timber, from section 16,
town 81 north, of range 8 east, and in the autumn of the same
year, undertook to raft it to market. They proceeded to make
cribs of the long timber, and load them with short logs. When
the raft was nearly finished, and which contained about two and a
half million feet of lumber, a furious storm arose, which lasted
long enough to tea?.' the raft to pieces, and scatter ^he timber
in every; conceivable disorder along the shore of the bay. They
then built a small steam sawmill, near the first point east of
Alpena, and about two mUes distant, and subsequently known
as, Trowbridge, Point. Here they cleared a small piece of
ground, made a dock, and erected a number of buildings. They
spent the , season of 1864 in removing the logs from the bay
shore to the mill, and sawing them, and which cost them nearly
as much as the logs were worth, resulting in a, large loss to the
parties. In 1865 and 1866, Trowbridge; Bros, built a large
water mill, at the dam, for sawing lumber, and made a tram
railway from the mill to their dock at the point, and being about
seven miles in length. The mill run one muley saw, one six-
feet circular saw, one shingle 'machine, and a lath machine.
Up to this time, little or no attention had been paid to tilling
the soil. Indeed, it was almost the universal belief that the
land was too poor, and the climate too arctic to produce good
crops, and that it never could be a good farming country.
In an article published in the Pioneer, in November, 1866,
headed "Our Prospects," and written over the signature of
"Don Pedro," is the following: "The question is this; you
have all heard it, so do not look for anything new. What is
there to sustain Alpena when the lumbering is done with, but
farming? and wUl that pay for the undertaking, or, in other
words, reward the laborer? Eeader, this is a question which
comes home to the bosom of all who have an interest iu the fu
turity of Alpena; and it is one that should be agitated and

100 IMPEOVEMENTS.

pushed forward for one sole and particular reason ; that is, the
lumbering must surely come io an end, and then there must be
some other resource to fall back upon, or Alpena wUl then soon
sink into decay, and the tenements now so rapidly going up,
will iDecome but stables for the wandering kine. Fruits wUl
not generally become a source from which we shall ever reap
much benefit, although Prof. Winchell has even gone so far in
his geological statements as to declare that the best fruit coun
try in Michigan is from this latitude, extending to the Straits.
But let that be as it may, there is no one who will deny the
fact that this is a first class grazing country." Then, after
admonishing the people to raise hay and stock, he says: "All
kinds of roots, so far as I can ascertain, grow in large quanti
ties and of good quality. The cereals do quite well, but not
enough so to warrant a cultivation of them." The writer has
answered the same question many times, by stating what he
now writes, that there is good farming lands enough in the
county to support Alpena, when the pine timber is exhausted;
but the question need not fret the questioner, for he will be in
his grave long before lumbering ceases to be an industry of
Alpena. It was truly refreshing to many, at that time, to learn
that the country was not totally barren, and absolutely worth
less, when stripped of its pine timber, and that the timber
would last longer than one decade; and hence the importance
of Don Pedro's discovery and announcement, "that this is a
first class grazing country." The writer cultivated some land,
at Devil river, and raised good crops; but this was attributed
to its peculiar situation, the abundance of manure, and the ex
tra care aud cultivation.
In 1861 or 1862, Alexander Archibald and Thomas Murray
purchased a piece of land, on the rapids, below Broadwell's
mill, of EUsha Taylor, of Detroit; buUt a house and barn, and
moved his family there; cleared four or five acres of land,
and sowed it with oats and grass. They harvested a very good

IMPEOVEMENTS. 101

crop, and were satisfied with their experi ment, and would have
proceeded to make the first farm iu the county, had not the
property changed into the hands of Mr. Broadwell, with whom
they were at enmity, and they abandoned the contract and the
place. Mr. Broadwell also cleared and cultivated with success,
a few acres near his mill.
In 1860 or 1861, a man known by the name of Antwine,
cleared a few acres of land and tilled it, at the confluence of the
North Branch with the main river, and about the same time, G.
N. Fletcher selected a piece of land, in section 29 or 30, town
31 north, of range 7 east, and had from ten to fifteen acres
cleared. He sold or rented the same to John King, who mov
ed on to it with his family, and stayed two or three years.
King raised large quantities of potatoes and bagas, and sold
them by the quantity, or sleigh load. This was the first pro
duce raised in the county, and sold by the quantity. This
seems to be all that was done in the farming line, up to and in
cluding 1866. In the future of this chapter, it will be impos
sible to follow in detail the rapid growth of the village ; and I
shall notice, only in a general way, those that do not introduce
some new industry, or necessarily promote other improvements.
In 1867, the business men of Alpena began to feel their
financial strength, and the want of larger facilities tor transact
ing their business. Their harbor deficient, their roads bad,
their docks, warehouses and business places too small. A
"Harbor Improvement Company" had been organized, and con
siderable work had been done in the way of building piers and
dredging, yet the water on the bar was too shallow to admit
large vessels and steamers, and the company resolved to extend
the piers into twelve feet of water, during the winter of 1867
and 1868; and this was expected to remove the harbor difficul
ty. The only roads, at this time, connecting Alpena "with the
rest of the world," during the winter season, was the East Sag
inaw and Au Sable Eiver, and the Duncan, Alpena and Au Sa-

102 IMPEOVEMENTS.

blo River State roads. These were passable for teams, only
during tho season of frost and snow, and then they were very
rough and uncertain. Through their Eepresentative, the Hon,
J. K. Lockwood, the people obtained an t additional grant of
swamp lands, by the Legislature, for the further improvement
of said roads, and to build a bridge across the Au Sable river,-
the details of which will be found in the chapter on communi
cation. No new mills were built in the village during tho year
1867, but the mechanic's ax, hammer and saw were heard in
every direction, finishing up and enlarging mills, docks, ware
houses, hotels aud dwellings commenced the last season, and
erecting new dwellings and places for doing business. Mason,
Doty & Co. made a largo extension to their dock, and Jenney .&
Harrington made valuable improvements in theirs. Messrs.
Bolton & McEae erected a large and substantial building, on
the cofuer of Do,ck and Fletcher streets, for a grocery and pro
vision store. A two story building was finished, on Second
street, opposite the drug store, to be occupied by John Creigh
ton, for a shoe shop. A large hotel, on Second street, to be
known as the Burrell House, was in process of construction. It
was finished and opened as a public house, in August, 1871,.
with considerable formality. Judge Sutherland, Member of Con
gress, the Hon. D. May, Attorney General, Hon. J. K. Lock-
wood, and city officials, being present, and Mr. McLain being
proprietor. Many dwellings might bo mentioned, but the fol
lowing must suffice: Josiah Frink, a fine dwelling, on Maine
avenue, near Deacon Hitchcock's ; S. Boggs, a dwelling, and J.
W. Lane, a dwelling, on Second street. This year — 1867—
David D. Oliver built a large steam sawmill, at Ossineke. This
mill was one hundred and twenty feet long, and forty feet wide,
and designed to run one six-feet circular saw, for cutting long
timber or cants, as desired, and a gang so arranged as to cut
round Iqgs or cants. It was intendedlp work each side of the
mill independent of the other, or together, as required, and for

IMPEOVEMENTS. 103

that purpose two sets of machinery were necessary. Oliver not
being able to finish the mill with a gang, and finding that the
engine was able to run two large circular saws, put a circular
in place of the gang, which did good w-ork. Subsequently, the
property went into the hands of Cunningham, Robinson, Haines
& Co. They not knowing the design of Oliver, put into the
mill the gang, and retained the two circular saws, thereby
crowding the mill with saws, which the stream was not able to
supply with logs.
" The year 1868 gave a new impulse to mill building. A
young man of good business capacity, stern integrity, and per-
siavering industiy, came from the State of Ohio, to Alpena, and
purchased a site for a steam sawmill, on the north side of the
river, next to the bay.' Backed by a father who was a man of
means, and wdio declared that "Frank was a good boy," he com
menced the erection of a mill, near the end of the north pier,
and then out in the bay. This was an undertaking of consid
erable magnitude, and was a very important improvement to
Alpena. It extended the limits of the town, and gave a better
appearance to its front. It would give permanency to that side
of the pier, as the offal from the mill would soon fill in and
about the pier, and make it solid and free from the attacks of
the waves from the bay. The pier would be an advantage to
the mill, for with a very little modification and expense, it could
be used as a dock for piUng and shipping lumber. This mUl
was commenced in 1868, and finished in 1869. It run one
large circular saw and one muley saw, and a lath mill. It had
a capacity to cut about five miUion feet of lumber per season,
and about eight hundred thousand pieces of lath. It employed
about twenty-four men, and is known as the Gilchrist miU. A
lumber'and shingle miU combined, was buUt this year— 1868
—on the north side of the river, and named the Chamberlain
mUl, by A. F. Fletcher & Co. It run one large circular saw,
which is capable of cutting two mUlion feet of lumber per sea-

104 IMPEOVEMENTS.
son, besides doing the necessary work for the shingle machine.
For the manufacture of shingles, it run one Valentine double
cutter, one Evarts single cutter, and one hand machine. It
also run a lath miU, edgers, slab saw, and cant slasher. Its
capacity for shingles is about twelve millions per season, and
five hundred thousand pieces of lath. The manner of working
up the timber in this mill is very economical. The logs are
first taken to, the circular saws, and all the upper qualities of
lumber taken off. The balance of the logs are cut into cants of
proper size for shingle bolts, and then passed to the cant slasher
and cut into blocks for the shingle machines. The only objec
tion to cutting timber in this way, is, that some of the shingles
are cut with the grain of the wood, instead of being cut across
it. The mill employs about forty persons, men and boys. The
company also built a large dock for piling and shipping their
products. Bewick, Comstock & Co. commenced to build a
shingle mill and dock, on the south side of the river, above
Second street. It was not finished until 1869. It run one
Valentine double cutter, and one Evarts single cutter. The
logs are cut into blocks with a drag saw. The daily cut of this
mill is about seventy thousand, and it gives employment to
about twenty persons. A small shingle mill was built iu 1867
or 1868, by Hagerty & Co., on the bay shore, near Campbell &
Potter's dock. It run one single cutting machine, with a ca
pacity to cut two or three million shingles per season, and em
ployed eight persons. A. H. Doty built a shingle mill, on the
north side of the river. It run two single cutting machines,
with a capacity to cut about six million shingles per season,
and gave employment to thirteen persons. At what date this
mill was built, the writer is not able to give. In regard to the
first shingle mill erected in Alpena, the writer has passed over
until now, not being able to get the particulars. J. S. Minor.
under date of March 16th, 1878, to the writer says: "The first
shingle mill was built by G. S. Lester; run a Valentine

IMPEOVEMENTS. 105

machine; twenty men; twelve million ; and since destroyed."
The rapid increase of mills caused a corresponding increase
in the cutting of timber. In the spring the river was packed
with logs for miles, so that those having logs in the rear would
have to wait for them until the logs in the front had been mov
ed. Every one having logs to drive, in the spring, was anxious
to get in ahead on the drive of logs. This sometimes caused
contention and strife. Some mills were compelled to be idle in
the spring, on account of tho jam of logs in the river, unless
logs were wintered over in their booms; and it became neces
sary that some arrangement should be had whereby logs could
be delivered at the different mills, during the summer season-
as thoy wore needed. On the 25th of April, 1868, a number
of citizens of Alpena met at the office of L. M. Mason & Co.,
and organized the Thunder Bay Eiver Boom Co. The capital
stock of the company was $10,000, in one hundred shares of
$100 each. Officers were elected as follows: President, B. F.
Luce; Secretary and Treasurer, S. Mitchel Noxen; Directors,
B. F. Luce, P. M. Johnson, Wm. H. Potter, E. Harrington, and
S. Mitchel Noxen.
If civilization means a great number of wants and their sup
ply, then Alpena had reached a high state of civilization, for
her v/ants were many, and as soon as one was satisfied, another
stood ready to claim attention. Prior to 1867, all machinery
and foundry work for the mills at Alpena, was done at Detroit
or Saginaw, and sometimes a small break caused a serious de
lay. A foundry and machine shop was very much desired by
the mill owners, but this question stood in the way: Is there
work enough to make it pay? David Crippen was the first
man that undertook to answer the question. He was a prac
tical machinist, and by hard work and prompt attention to the
wants of his customers, he has been able to answer the ques
tion in the affirmative. He came to Alpena in 1867, erected a
foundry and machine shop, built up a trade, and made the busi-

106 IMPEOVEMENTS.

ness a success. The visit of the "Fire King" will be noticed
in the chapter on fires.
A. fruitful source of mortification and regret to the people of
Alpena, was a deficiency in accommodations for visitors,, and
this led to the erection of the Fletcher House.. This want was
felt, more or less, from tho time of the incipient village, to the
opening of that house. To meet this desideratum, Samuel
Boggs, in -1867, commeuced the erection of a large and commo
dious hotel, on the north, side of Dock street, near the river..
It was finished and opened in 1868, and known as the Huron
House, and became a competitor for business, with the Star
Hotel. Both of these houses run expresses to the boats, and
the traveling public was pleased and satisfied. But this state
of things lasted only until 1871, when both hotels were swept
away by a fire, the details of which may be seen in the chapter
on fires.
In 1868, Dr. Wm. P. Maiden buUt a three story building, on
the corner of Chisholm and Second streets. He designed the
first story for a drug store, the second story for offices, and the
third for a Masonic hall. The Alpena House, destroyed by fire
January 1st, 1868, was re-buUt, on the site of the old one, in
1868 and 1869. and will be noticed in the chapter on fires.
The frame of tho Union School house was raised in August,
1868, the details of which are given in the chapter on education.
In 1865, the oil excitement reached Alpena, and in the Thun
der Bay Monitor of April 8th, we find the following:
"Notice.— The stockholders of the Alpena Oil Company wUl
meet at the Court House, on Friday evening, April 14th, at 7
o'clock, to organize, and transact such other business as may
lawfully come before them.
"MAETIN H. MINTON,
"— . FAIECHILDS,
"E. K. POTTEE,
"D. E. JOSLIN, "Stockholders."

IMPEOVEMENTS. 107

D. D. Oliver, of Ossineke, made this company a proposition,
that, if they would locate the well at Squaw Point, on lands
beilonging to him, he would contribute $1,000, and would deed
the company 'five acres of land, provided they shoulci &n& any
thing valuable. This proposition was accepted by the first
stockholders, who agreed with the writer, that Xipena was too
near the dip of the rock, or edge of the basin, to find much brine
or oil. Subsequently, men became stockholders, who had more
property interests in Alpena than knowledge of geology, and
either thought or pretended to think, that oil could be found in
Alpena as well as in any other place, and this divided ideas and
interest's delayed the operations of sinking a well until in Jan
uary, 1869, when new arrangements were made to feel into the
"bowels of the earth," for oil, salt, or whatever might be of
value. The first work in putting up the derrick and necessary
buildings was done in January. The location selected was near
E. Harrington's mill. In March, 1869, Mr. Hagerty, who had
a contract for sinking the well, reported the lithologibal struc
ture for 64^ feet, as follows:
1st. Various strata of sand, gravel, bowlders,
2d. Limestone,
3d. Quartz rock containing considerable copper ore,
4th. Shale,
: 5th. Soapstone,
6th. Limestone,
Total, 64| feet.
After this, but little attention was given to ihe structure or
kind of rocks, but generally limestone, with some layers of
shale and soapstone. At 600 feet, a vein of mineral water was
reached, which flowed with such force as to keep the borings
clear, without pumping. The well was sunk to a depth of
1,185 feet, and when the tubing was put in, in 1870, it was dis
covered that the drill had stopped in a solid rock of salt. The

30

feet.

2

18

4

H

7
108 IMPEOVEMENTS.

brine was very strong, but could not bo obtained in paying
quantities. It was supposed by some that, by letting the water
flow upon this bed of salt, it would soon dissolve and form a
reservoir for brine, of sufficient size to establish a business in
salt making. But this kind of rock does not dissolve as readily
as manufactured salt, (chloride of sodium,) for, mixed with it
is often sulphate of lime, (gypsum,) chloride of calcium, mag
nesium, etc., which renders the rock hard, and not easily dis
solved. The proprietors, G. N. Fletcher, Wm. Jenney and E.
Harrington, being disappointed in regard to obtaining brine,
turned their attention to the mineral water. Mr. Fletcher sub
mitted a quantity of the water to Dr. S. P. Duffield, a practical
chemist, of Detroit, Mich., for a quantitive analysis, with the
following result: ANALYSIS.
Specific gravity, 1.012
IN A GALLON.
Bicarbonate of soda, 15.736
Bicarbonate of lime, 55.136
Bicarbonate of magnesia, 62.920
Bicarbonate of iron, 1.840
Sulphate of lime, 30.056
Silica and aluminum, 3.088
Chloride of sodium, 68.256
Organic matter and loss, .928

237.960

Total mineral constituents, 287.032 grains.
Sulphurated hydrogen gas, 3.91 cubic inches.
Carbonic aicd gas, a trace.
Another weU was bored by Mr. Hagerty, in 1874, on the
east side of Thunder Bay river. At 700 feet a vein of very
soft water was struck, which flowed the fuU capacity of the well.
At 950 feet a mineral vein was reached; and at 1,050 feet salt
rock. It is somewhat remarkable, and to be regretted very

IMPEOVEMENTS. 109

much, that a minute and detailed record of tho geological char
acter of tho several strata of rock was not made. It might
have led to valuable results.
The first hardware store was started by Barlow & Noxen, in
1866. Mr. Noxen soon left the firm and J. J. Potter stepped
into his place, and with Mr. Barlow built up a large trade.
In March, 1869, Mr. Barlow retired from the business and E.
K. Potter filled the vacancy. The firm soon was changed to
Potter Bros. & Co., and so re-organized, the business was well
managed and is now one of the largest mercantile establish
ments in Alpena.
The same year, Mr. Barlow commenced to build a clapboard
mill, on the south side of the river, near the pier, for the pur
pose of cutting clapboards and door stuff. It run one clap
board machine and sapper. Subsequently, it was changed to a
shingle mill, running one double and one single machine.
Had a capacity to cut 100,000 shingles per day, and employed
twenty-seven persons. It was owned in 1876 by Edward
White, and valued at $8,000.
In 1870, the people of Alpena had become exceedingly
prosperous, in the general acceptation of the term in this coun
try — people are prosperous according to the accumulation
of wealth, oter and above paying their expense of living. To
show how prosperous the people are, we have only to show
their surrounding conditions and influences, and their accumu
lation and increase of property and population, and we can do
this in no better way than to show the acts and statisticil re
ports of the people themselves, or through their representa
tives. The population of Alpena proper, in 1864, was 674, and in
1870, according to the state census, was 2,756, an increase of
459 inhabitants yearly. The vote cast in 1864 was 69, and
that iu 1870 was 519, a yearly increase of 75 votes. This

110 IMPEOVEMENTS.

verifies the statement, before made, that Alpena dates its pros
perity aud ra,pid growth from 1864.
From its organization to 1864, six years, it had accumula
ted only 6y voters, whUe from 1864 to 1870, six years, it more
than doubled that number each year.
The valuation of property, as made by the Board of Super
visors, and as shown by the census, was made upon the towQ
of Alpena, which, in 1860, comprised the whole county. When
the towns of Ossineke and Corles were organized, in 1867, it
materially changed its territory. Alpena was again metamor
phosed in 1871, by the organization of the city, and again
changed by the organization of the towns of Wilson and Long
Eapids. A large portion of the accumulation of wealth be
longed to the village of Alpena, and when connected with other
territory and subject to such changes, the figures of the su
pervisors fail to express fairly the rates of increase of values
in the village.
In 1868, the equalization of the assessment rolls were as fol
lows : Alpena, $700,000.06
HarrisvUle, 524,379,25
Alcona, 230,013.02
Ossineke, 137,961.89
Unorganized territory, 620,505.37

Total, $2,217,859.59
In 1870, the several tax rolls were equalized at the following
amounts: -iVIpena, $769,917.24
Ossineke, 142,660.00
Unorganized territory, 576,152.66

Total, $1,488,729.90'
The two years above have been selected: First, to show
tho change in value by a change in territory, and second, to
select two years. in which no change had been made in Alpena

IMPEOVEMENTS.

Ill

territory. But this shows only the ratio of values for the two
years, is found to be $69,917.18.
In July, 1862, Congress enacted a law, imposing a tax of
five per cent on all incomes over and above one thousand dol
lars net, and now, by giving a list of persons in Alpena, who
paid au income tax in 1866 and in 1868, and the amounts on
which they paid their tax, will better show their increase of
wealth than any estimates made by the supervisors.
The foUowing is the income tax lists (exclusive of legal ex
emptions) for Alpena county, for the years 1866 and 1868, as
furnished by E. B. Chamberlain, assistant assessor, loth di
vision, 6th district:

1866.
Henry Bolton, $966.62
Samuel Boggs, 926.00
Andrew W. Comstock, 500.00
Wm. B. Comstock, 500.00
John CampbeU,' 240.00
James Cavanagh, 288.84
Alexander H. Doty, 900.00
Temple Emory, 2,000.00
Addison F. Fletcher, 781.84
John W. Glennie, 136.65
EMsha Harrington, 8,676.55
Benj. C. Hardwick, 1,162.00
Thos. H. Hunt, 800.00
Phineas M. Johnson, 781.34
Edward Sachpell, 600.00
Benjamin F. Luce, 2,356.66
Donald McEea, 743.84
WiUiam P. Maiden, 293.00
WiUiam Norris, 341.00
S. Mitchel Noxen, 4,656.91
John Oldfield, 4,581.91
Chas. Oldfield, 4,531.91
D. D. Oliver, 9,795.00
WUliam H. Potter, 2,600.00
Edward K. Potter, 230.00
It may not be uninteresting, to some of the readers of this

1868.
Henry Bolton, $578.24
A. W. Comstock, 1,500.00
Wm. B. Comstock, 1,500.00
James Cavanagh, 3,007.88
Josiah Frink, 200.00
A. F. Fletcher, 500.00
Thos. H. Hunt, 1,500.00
Elisha Harrington, 7,213.00
Jas. K. Lockwood, 3,957.50
Benjamin F. Luce, 4,290.00
Donald McEae, 578.23
Henry R. Morse, 313.73
S. MitcheU Noxen, 2,631.80
Charles Oldfield, 2,631.80
James J. Potter, 613.05
WUliam H. Potter, 6,875,00

112 IMPEOVEMENTS.
book, to show, in this place, the various circumstances that
conspired favorably for the growth of Alpena, and that which
exercised the largest influence, was the then so caUed "de
preciated greenback."
Most of the wealth of Alpena, in 1864, was in her immense
forests of pine timber, and the accumulation of wealth by the
people depended mostly upon the low price and easy purchase
of those lands. For the purpose of settlement and drainage
of the swamp lands, the Legislature, in 1859, passed a home
stead law, by which any settlor or occupant of eighty acres of
swamp lands, upon making application to the Commissioner of
the Land Office, was entitled to a certificate of purchase, con
ditioned that the settler should live on the land continuously
for five consecutive years; that within three months from the
date of such certificate, the settler should file with the Commis
sioner of State Land Office, a certificate from the Supervisor of
the township in which the laud is located, together with his
own affidavit, that he is in actual possession and occupancy of
such land; that he shall not cut or carry away any valuable
timber, except upon lands cleared for cultivation — -complying
with these provisions and proving the same at tho expiration
of the five years, he would be entitled to a deed of the land
from the State of Michigan.
In 1862, Congress also passed a homestead law, by which
any person, male or female, being the head of a family, or a
male twenty-one years of age, and a citizen of the United
States, or had declared his intention to become a citizen, and
who had always been faithful to the government, and by pay
ing a small register fee, was permitted to select aud occupy one
hundred and sixty acres of land, from any of the United States
lands, subject to entry, at one dollar and twenty-five cents per
acre, and that, by living on the land for five consecutive years,
and making proof of this to the Eegister of the Land Office of
the district, whore the land belonged, was entitled to a patent
of the laud from the United States.

IMPEOVEMENTS.

11^

In 1862, Congress established a Department of Agriculture
at Washington, D. C, and in i863 made a grant of lands to
the several states, to aid them in establishing an Agricultural
College in each state. Some of the states selected their lands,
while others, being remote from the laud districts, put their
certificates on the market, aud sold them for what they could
get, being always less than 6no-half their cash purchasing value
at the United States Land Office for lands.
For the purpose of drainage and reclamation of the swamp
lands, the Legislature, in 1859, made a law granting swamp
lands to aid in making roads and bridges, aud in 1861 appro
priated about four hundred thousand acres for that purpose.
Subsequently a large portion of the swamp lands have been
used in the same way. The law provided that, if the contract
or elected to take lands for the construction of any road, as
soon as his contract was accepted by the Board of Control, ho
had a right to- select a portion or all the lands called for by his
contract, and the Commissioner of the State Land Office would
withdraw them from the market and hold them during the life
of the contract; that whenever the contractor finished two miles
or more of the road, and it was accepted by the local road com
missioner, he was entitled to receive deeds of so much land as
he was entitled to per mile for making the road.
As soon as the contract was accepted by the Board of Con
trol, the Swamp Land Commissioner credited the contractor
with the amount of the contract. This was called "unmatured
scrip." As fast as the contractor finished his road and had it accept
ed by the Eoad Commissioner, he was credited with so much
"matured scrip," on which he was entitled to deeds. This
scrip was transferable by an order from the contractor, drawn
on the Commissioner of the State Land Office. This scrip was
placed upon the market and sold at a low figure, sometimes for
less than one-half its purchasing value for land.

114 IMPEOVEMENTS;

40 acres.

$ 40 to| 48

80 acres,

88 to i 94

120 acres.

109 to 115

160 acres.

184 to 140

160 acres.

104 to 108

Besides these substitutes for cash, in the purchase of pine
and other lands, were "bounty land warrants," issued to all
persons who had been soldiers in tho service of the United
States. Those issued to soldiers of the war of 1812, were in
the State of Michigan exempt from taxation for three years
after the date of the patents. During the years 1865. 1866
and 1867 the prices of those substitutes, in the hands of middle
men or brokers, ranged about as follows :
Laud warrants of 1812,
Land warrants of 1812,
Land warrants of 1812,
Land warrants of 1812,
Agricultural college scrip,
Swacpp land scrip, on the dollar, fifty to fifty-two cents.
It may not be without interest to some of the readers of this
book, to notice the condition of the currency of the country, at
this time.
Hon. E. G. Spaulding. in his history of the greenback, on
page 198, says: "Gold and commodities continued to ad
vance in price. On the 15th of January, 1864, gold was
$1.55; on the 15th of April, $1.78; on the 15th of June,. $1.97,
and on the 29th of June, $2.35 to $2.50, which showed that
the legal tender notes were only worth forty cents on the dollar
in gold. The next day, the 30th of June, 1864, Mr. Chase
resigned the office of Secretary of the Treasury. At this time
the inflated paper issues, outstanding, were over $1,100,000,-
000, and in a few days thereafter, gold reached its highest
quotations, $2.85, or more accurately speaking, greenbacks de
preciated untU they were worth in gold thirty-five cents on the
promised dollar, at the board of brokers, in the city of New
York." It may be well to examine this point a little, to ascertain
whether gold appreciated, or as it is asserted, "that green
backs depreciated." Facts support the allegation that, among

IMPEOVEMENTS. 115

the business men and laboring classes, iu the United States,
gold appreciated, the same as other property. Foreigners, and
those basing their values on gold, claimed that the greenbacks
had depreciated, but this was a fact, only when the greenback
was taken out of the United States. Gold and foreign curren
cy, not being used as a legal tender, became property, and with
it fluctuated in prices.
In 1864, a gold dollar would buy, say $2.50 in greenbacks,
and in 1876, it would buy only $1.12. Now, the greenback
would buy as much government land, in 1864, as it would in
1876. The taxes. State and county, were no more on the dol
lar, in 1864, than in 1876, and the greenback dollar would pay
as much tax in 1864, as it would in 1876, and the greenback
dollar would pay as much debt, in 1864, as in 1876. The gold
dollar could not foi'ce the payment of any more taxes or debts,
in 1864, than it could in 1876, nor could it buy any more gov
ernment land, unless it was exchanged for legal tender.
Surely there was no depreciation shown by these facts, and
if the people had to pay high prices for what they purchased,
they also received high prices for what they sold, whether that
was labor, lumber, iron or merchandise. All these circum
stances combined to make it extremely easy for any person to
become the possessor of a piece of pine land, which was rap
idly increasing in value. Many, who had gold or Canada cur
rency, exchanged it for "the depreciated greenback," receiv
ing two dollars or more for one, and then purchased scrip or
land warrants, at about fifty per cent below their value, for
land, making it cost the purchaser from twenty to thirty cents
per acre, in gold. Many, in this way, were becoming wealthy,
who did not appear on the income tax list, or add much to the
figures of the Supervisor. These conditions extended to Al
pena and her surroundings, and was applicable more or less to
all the Northern States.
The following quotations from the Alpena Pioneer, of vari-

116 IMPEOVEMENTS;

OUS dfites, will give you a better ideq, of the condition of things
about the village, and the thrift and activity of the people, than
any report made by the writer: , , j ;
.. May 8th, 1869.
James Hunt has laid the foundation for an upright to his
house. ' Charley Cornell is making his lots look much better by clear-:
ing them up.
M. B. Spratt and Frank Starbird are improyi^ig, the appear
ance of their houses, by new fences.
J. B. Tuttle has bought a house on State street. ,
J. H. Stevens has purchased the next lot, and has the lum
ber on the ground for building. Will it be safe for two law
yers to live so close together?
Deacon Hitchcock is erecting a feed store, next tp Hueber's
meat market.
Kesselmeyer has bought the residence of Eobert Carnes, and
has raised a two story building for a barber shop, grocery, etc.
Dr. Maiden's new office and fence are a great improvement
to his premises.
W. M. Sutton has traded houses with E. K. Potter, and is
building an office between his house and Dr. Maiden's.
E. K. Potter has a large pile of lumber on the site of the old
drug store. Wo expe.ct to see a hardware store there before
J. W. Hall is buUding a, cabinet shop for our friend Aber;
also a dwelling house; ;and Mr. Todd a tailor shop and, dwell
ing bouse, making that porner look lively. May 15, 1869.
We are pleased to see the improvements going on in the
way of paint and shade trees. The idea of getting shade trees
in this sand is quite discouraging, but when it proves success
ful, the beauty of the improvement more than repays ,tbe
trouble.

IMPEOVEMENTS. 117

J. S. Minor is entirely refitting the residence purchased of
Leroy Bundy, and building a fence.
W. H. Phelps has erected a very convenient and substan
tial dwelling on Third street. Ira Stout is finishing another
for himself by its side, while the street is being extended south
of the section liue bridge, and five or six new buildings going
up, the owners of which we did not learn. Going back to
Chisholm street, w-e found a new fence, nearly finished, around
Eev. Mr. Barlow's house, also preparations for building on
John Blakoly's lot. (Wonder if this isn't a shadow, which
a future event casts before. ) The new coat of paint, on Mr.
Mortimer's house, improves the appearance of this corner,
and we observed some timbers on the site of the old Alpena
House, which was burned down last New Year's.
On Lockwood street, several buildings are going up, which
causes our village to gradually creep towards Campbellville.
We learn that Henry Potter intends to make an addition of
forty acres to the village, this spring. November 20th, 1869.
Burrell's Hotel is improving very fast in its appearance.
Its now coat of paint, and its blinds, making it one of the most
presentable buildings in town. Z. M. Knight has covered his
new store and is finishing it up. It will show a neat front
to Water street. Abe Crowell is building a tasty residence
near the Court House, which, with Mr. Chisholm's new house
on. the opposite side, makes that street look more attractive.
From our window we can see the goodly proportions of Mr.
GUchrists' new residence, beautifully located on the banks of
the river. On Chisholm street, Mr. Potvin's hotel makes glad
the waste place, where the old one burnt last New Year's. This
new building needs another story to make it look well. John
Blakely's cottage gives a very sunny appearance to that side of
the street and makes a very desirable cage for the bird he
caught this week.

118 IMPEOVEMENTS.

The progress of agriculture, from 1866, was more than a
doubtful experiment. The writer, having been correspondent
of the county of Alpena for the Agricultural Department at
Washington, from 1863 to 1870, and compelled to make
monthly returns to the department, during that time, his at
tention was called to that department of industry, perhaps
more than any one in the county, and as he traveled over the
country, in making surveys and exploring for pine lands, he
naturally noticed the soil and its adaptation to raising farm
produce, and he became early convinced, by observation aud
experiment, that there was but very little fault in the soil or
climate, and that the application of intelligent labor, would
place Alpena county among the best agricultural districts in
the State.
In the fall of 1865, tho writer located the southeast quar
ter of section twenty-five, in town thirty-one north, of range
six east, and the southwest quarter of section thirty, in town
thirty-one north, of range seven east, being the first burnt lands
purchased, for farming purposes. He sold these lands to Dr.
J. B. Truax, H. Sawyer and H. King.
Some time in 1866, Sawyer, for defending J. K. Miller and
G. N. Fletcher, against the attack of some drunken men, was
the next day assailed by a mob, headed by one Crawford,
whom Sawyer shot and killed instantly. For this he was ar
rested, tried, and bound over to the Circuit Court, and sent to
Saginaw to jail, as there was none in Alpena, by the same class
that assailed him, but he never had a trial, as the people re
fused to appear against him. More about this affair in the
chapter on temperance.
In consequence of this sad affair, Sawyer and Dr. Truax
surrendered their contracts and left the place, while Mr. King
paid for his land and became the first permanent farmer in the
county. The writer subsequently sold the Truax quarter section to

IMPEOVEMENTS. 119

N. M. Brackinreed, in 1868, and the Sawyer lot to Pardon
Buell, for farming purposes. This became the nucleus of a
settlement. In 1867, Charles B. Greely and George B. Erskine com
menced to clear a farm in section nineteen or twenty, in town
ship thirty-one north, of range six east. The land was densely
covered with large sugar maple, beech and hemlock timber,
and it required a good ax, a strong arm, much will power, and
persevering industry to make a largo farm in this place. For
tunately, they possessed all these requirements, and constantly
the sound of the ax and the crash of falling timber, could be
heard, until a largo piece was ready to be piled into log heaps
and burned. This was done, and the ground was planted with
potatoes and baga turnips, and Mr. Greely reported that the
first crop brought them over one thousand dollars, besides
what they used for the family and seed. This was the largest
sale of farm produce that was raised in the county. The chop
ping, clearing, and planting continued until 1871, when they
found that, from being the possessor of a good ax each, and
some other "traps," in 1866, they were now the owners of a
farm of two hundi-ed acres, and more than one-half of that
cleared, with a good house and barn, etc., good teams, wagons,
and farming implements, and this mostly made from the land.
Their prospects, at this time, were exceeding prosperous, but a
dark cloud suddenly came over their sunshine.
About two years prior to this, Mr. Erskine brought to his
forest home a charming bride, a lady of about twenty-four
summers, and who by her industry, cheerful disposition, and
accommodating spirit, made her endearing to her husband, and
his home bright and cheerful, and won for her the kind regard
and respect of all that knew her.
In June, 1870, she went to the State of Maine, to visit her
mother, and whUe there, died, soon after giving birth to a son,
that also died at, or soon after, its birth. When the sad news

120 IMPEOVEMENTS.

of the death of his beloved wife and darling son, reached Mr.
Erskine, it gave him such a shock, and. cast such a gloom over
his once happy home,jthat he could not bear the thought of
living there longer, and Mr. Greely, sympathizing with him,
they sold the farm and came to the city.
In 1876, the property belonged to Mr. Emerson, having
passed through several parties.
Soon after Messrs. Greely and Erskine commenced their
farming, they were followed into the woods by Mr. Kimball,
who located a farm on the south side of them, and Mr. Green,
who located near them on the northeast, while A. E. Eich
ardson commenced to clear a large farm, a mile or so east of
them, and who soon had a large clearing, with a good frame
house and barn. This formed the beginning of another settle
ment. About the same time, 1866 or 1867, James" A. Case aud
William Haw-ley commenced to clear farms on Thunder Bay
river, in section thirty-one, in township thirty-two north, of
range seven east, and John Mainville and one or two others,
located in section twenty-eight, of the same town and range,
and while Mr. Case was debating with himself, whether farm
ing there would pay, and the probability of any more settlers,
MainvUle was disputing his rights with a family of beavers, for
the occupancy of an old beaver pond. This, with Antoine's
clearing, at the mouth of the North Branch, was the first set
tlement in this township.
In 1867, James Demster, William Pulford, David Dunn,
and a few others, settled on homesteads, a few miles east of
Alpena city, and about the same time, E. Woodruff and Alex.
Macaulay and others, settled on and near Partridge Point.
Eichard Naylor commenced farming about three miles north
west from the city, aud a few other settlers at other points, so
that, in Juno, 1869, the writer reported to the Department of
Agriculture, at Washington, thirty-six farmers in the county.

IMPEOVEMENTS. 121

In 1870, the Eev. F. N. Barlow commenced to build a large
steam sawmill, and booming grounds, out in the bay, near the
south pier. He commenced tho work, by running a large crib
around an area of the bay, sufficiently large to hold his logs, and
drove piles for tho foundation of his mill, out in the water, to
be filled in around it with the refuse from the mill, which was
afterwards done. This mill was finished in 1871, and run one
large circular saw, one of J. B. Wayne's iron gangs, two patent
edgers, one gang lath mill, one drag saw, two clapboard saw
ing machines and one sapper, for clapboard bolts. It had also,
iu connection, a planing mill, with one large iron planer, and
a clapboard planer, one re-sawing machine, two ripping saws,
and one butting saw. This mill gave employment to, from forty-
five to fifty men, and was valued at fifty thousand dollars. The
refuse from the mill soon filled all the places, that refuse could
be used to advantage, besides making steam. A large wrought
iron refuse burner was made, ample in capacitj% for burning
the accumulations, together with machinery for conveying the
refuse, directly from the saws to the burner.
This property changed owners several times, passing from
Mr. Barlow to George Prentiss & Co., and from them to the
Alpena Lumber Co. In 1876 it is owned by Mr. Churchill.
The city of Alpena is indebted to the thrift and business
push and capacity of Mr. Barlow, in this enterprise, for the
large and important extension of territory, the stability of her
harbor improvements, the accumulation of fifty thousand dol
lars of wealth to the city, and the addition of, at least, one hun
dred inhabitants, and whUe Mr. Bariow got more experience
out of the operation, than money, yet it was a permanent good
for the place.
In 1871, A. E. Eichai-dson built, on Maine street, the first
brick dwelling in the. city. Soon after the fire, in AprU, Bolton
& McEae built a largo, three story and basement brick block,
on the corner of Dock and Fletcher streets, being the first brick

122 IMPEOVEMENTS.

store in the city. This year a telegraph line was extended from
Bay City to Alpena, and wiU be noticed in the chapter on com-
tnunication. Events in history take place in regular succession, the same
as the events in a person's hfe, and it is impossible for any
event to take place before its antecedent. So with the growth
of Alpena. Among its first wants w;ere streets and roads, and
as soon as these became well made, horses and carriages were
in order, and needed ; and people who could not keep a horse'
and carriage, borrowed, or hired of those who had, Uu til a liv
ery stable became necessary, as one of the appendages of the
city. J. E. Beach was the first one in the city to keep horses
and carriages for hire. In 1871, McDade & Co. built and
maintained a livery stable, on the corner of Washington avenue
and Second street.
In tho winter of 1872 and 1873, John S. Minor built his new
mill, on the old disputed middle ground. It was planned for
two five and a half feet circular saws. In 1876, ho employed
twenty-four men, and cut, with one circular saw, five and a half
million feet of lumber.
Prior to 1872, all the banking business for Alpena was done
in Detroit. But very little currency was taken at Alpena, for
the reason that there was no safe place for deposit. .Mill men
in Alpena checked out of Detroit banks, and .payees generally
spent a large portion of the money in Detroit; and this dwarfed
the trade of Alpena, and kept it without money. On the 1st of
March, 1872, Charles Bewick, Andrew W. Comstock and Wil
liam B. Comstock organized The Alpena Banking Co., with A.
W. Comstock as cashier. In April of the same year, Geo. L.
Maltz and J. L. Whiting organized The Exchange Bank, with
Geo. L. Maltz as cashier. These banks brought a large amount
of currency into the city; supplied the needs of the business
men of Alpena, and became very important institutions of the
place. A large hotel was erected this season, by George N.'

IMPEOVEMENTS. 123

Fletcher, oft Detroit, under certain arrangements with the peo
ple of Alpena, and called the Fletcher House. It is situated
on the bay shore, and occupies the whole space between Water
and Eiver streets; one front of one, hundred and forty feet fac
ing the bay; one front of one. hundred and forty feet fac
ing Water street, and fifty-one feet fronting on Eiver street,
the whole being forty-five" feet wide. The building is three
stories high ; the first story fifteen feet, the second story four
teen feet, and third story twelve feet, and surrounded by a
mansard roof and observatory, which conimands a view of the
bay, with its islands and various points. This house ia warm
ed by steam, and lighted with gas manufactured for the pur
pose. It is intended to be, in all its arrangements, a first class
hotel. Although Alpena was considered a very healthy place, yet it
sometimes happened that people died there; and it therefore
became necessary to have a place to bury them. For this pur
pose, aud to locate and establish the first cemetery in the city
of Alpena, Daniel Carter, in July, 1878, donated to the city,
ten acres of land, from tho southwest quarter of the southwest
quarter of section 21, in town 31 north, of range 8 east. We
too often find cemeteries located so near growing towns, that
they soon become surrounded with buildings; become a nui
sance, aud have to be moved. This one, however, is located
near the western limits of the city, on the Section Line Eoad,
so called, and so far away that it never will be reached by the
buUdings of the city. It is located on a sandy plain, covered
with spruce pine trees, and when properly improved will be a
very peaceful spot to repose this "mortal coil," when the spirit
that gave it life has left it and gone to higher spheres. The
only objection to it is its homogeneousness. The first white
person buried in this cemetery was a man by the name of Peter
Duclos, and the first Indian buried there was Pe-na-se-won-a-
quot, son of the old chief Sog-on-e-qua-do.

124 IMPEOVEMENTS.

Directly after the great fire of July 12th, 1872, the City Fa
thers passed an ordinance, establishing a fire limit, which was
very much opposed, as being unnecessary in so small a town ;
but it had this good effect, that it caused parties on Second
street to re-build with brick, and gave an impulse to the struc
ture of such buUdings as gave permanency and beauty to the
place; and from this time until 1876, brick buildings were the
order of the day. In 1873, A. McDonald erected a fine brick •
block, on Second street, and in the same or following year.
Potter Bros. & Co., F. S. Goodrich and Chas.C. Whitney built
large brick stores, on Second street. In 1875, Pack and Black
burn erected fine brick stores, and in 1876, Deacon Hitchcock
buUt the brick Centennial building, on the site of the old court
house. Other largo and substantial buildings were erected on
the burnt district, during this time, the details of which the
writer has not been able to reach.

CHAPTEE V.
FIEteS AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS.
Alpena has been a great sufferer from fires. Perhaps no place
of its age and population has been visited by the fire king so
often, and with such terrible effect, as Alpena. In 1860, an
extensive fire run through the woods adjoining Alpena, destroy
ing much valuable timber, both standing and rnado into flat and
square timber, and destroyed a large mill frame belonging to
G. N. Fletcher, and one of the mill frames made by John Cole,
in the winter of 1858 and 1859.
In 1862, another fire from the woods, destroyed Lockwood &
Minor's new steam mill, shortly after being enclosed, an^ burn
ed, also, a number of small buildings, the loss being consider
able for Lockwood & Minor at that time.
In 1868, the large steam mill belonging to Smith & Cham
berlain, was destroyed by fire, resulting in a loss to the owners
and to the place, that cannot be estimated. The property was
valued at $80,000. It was thought by many, at the time, to
have been tho work of an incendiary. A shingle mill, built
and owned by Thomas Eobinson, in 1866, and running in con
nection with the shingle mUl, the first planer brought to Alpena,
was destroyed by fire, in 1867. This w-as a ruinous loss to Mr.
Eobinson, as he had placed in it all the means he had; was
without insurance, and was unable to re-build. Another shingle
miU, built in 1866, and owned by Hopper & Davis, was burned
soon after Eobinson's. This fire so crippled their business re
lations that for a long time the mill was not re-built ; and the
damaging result to their future prosperity could not be esti
mated. And still another shingle mill was destroyed by fire,
but I cannot state the time. This mill was the first of its kind
erected in Alpena, and was built by G. S. Lester. A tar fac-

126 PIEES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS.
tory, owned by Martin Minton, was submitted to the flames.
Some other fires occurred between 1863 and 1869, the particu
lars of which the writer has not beefi able to procure. Soon
after the burning of the shingle mill and planing mill of Thos.
Eobinson, Scott Doane, Moses Bingham and J. B. Beers. form
ed a co-partnership, for the purpose of carrying on the general
planing business, and making doors, sash and blinds, on the
north side of the river, near the bay; On the 1st of June, 1868,
Beers retired from the Arm, and the business was continued .by
Doane & Bingham. They run a surface planer aud matcher,
a large molding and sash machine, and other auxiliary
saws and machinery. At this time, a demand arose among the
lumbermen for grinding feed, and Mr. Bingham, being a prac
tical miller, as well as an excellent mechanic, resolved to sup
ply the want. The firm soon started a feed mill in connection
with their sash factory, capable of grinding three hundred
bushels of feed per day. All went on well until the 3d of May,
1869, when the fire king, which seemed to have had his head
quarters near Alpena in those days, burned the upper story of
their sash factory, together with a quantity of dry lumber.
Since 1866, some daring experimenters in farming had rais
ed, contrary to expectations, a large quantity of wheat, and
they wished to have it made into flour. The firm determined
to meet the exigency. They soon enlarged, and changed their
feed mill into a grist mill, with a bolt and other machinery for
making flour with success. This gave great encouragement to
the farming interest. The firm was now doing excellent work,
and progressing finely, until October 1st, 1870, when the fire
king made them a serious visit. Not to be foiled again by
"that hose," this time he started the fire in the engine room,
and in a few minutes the factory and mill were in flames.
Nothing was saved, nor had they any insurance. For years of
labor theyjhad only a mass of blackened ruins and disappoint
ed hopes. But they possessed intrinsic value in themselves.

FIBES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS. 127
and had the confidence, esteem and sympathy of the people.
By their persevering toil and fair dealing, they had built up, an
industry which the people of Alpena could not afford to see blot
ted out. The Alpenians never allowed a necessary institution
to die, and that which they needed they always made strenuous
efforts to obtain. Meetings were held by the people, and ar
rangements soon made for money and credit for the firm, so
that thoy could commence at once to re-build on the site of the
old factory; and in June, 1871, they came out with a new edi
tion, revised and enlarged by the authors. It would seem that
"His Fire Majesty" took particular delight in destroying the
public houses of Alpena, for every one erected prior to 1872,
was given to the flames, except the re-build of the Alpena
House, the first one being destroyed on the 1st of January,
1868. This was a large loss to Julius Potvin, the proprietor,
who, as soon as he had recovered a little from 'the daze occa
sioned by the fire, commenced to re-build a larger and better
house, on the site of the burned one, and soon had it ready for
the accommodation of the public.
In 1863, a court house was finished, by Deacon Hitchcock,
according to a contract between him and the Board of Super
visors, and was known as tho "Deacon's Court House." This
was burned in 1870, under circumstances which gave rise to
suspicions that it was the work of an incendiary ; but no proof
of the fact could ever be elicited.
In the summer of 1870, the dwelling of Fulton Bundy was
given to the flames, and a "right smart" fire it was. -And in
February, 1871, another fire occurred, which consumed the
foundry and machine shop of David Crippen, valued at $5,000,
and insured for $2,000, together with a boarding house belong
ing to Lockwood & Minor, and valued at $1,800, and insured
for $1,000.
The north side of Dock street had been built up with good
buildines. Next to the river, on the north . side, . was. a. large

128 FIEES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS.
and commodious public house, owned and occupied by Samuel
Boggs, called the Huron House, and on the opposite side of
the street was a large building, used as a store and storehouse,
owned by J. C. Boweu, and occupied by Folkerts & Butter-
field. On the northeast of Dock and Fletcher streets was the
store and residence of Bolton & McEae. On the opposite cor
ner was the Union Star Hotel, and next to it, north, was the
Evergreen Hall, so named by the ladies of Alpena, for the taste
ful manner in which J. E. Beach, the owner of this and the
Star Hotel, had decorated it with evergreens for some festive oc
casion. Moses Bingham owned and occupied a largo dwelling,
on the next lot north of Evergreen, Hall. At this time, busi-
ne.ss on the east side of the river began to assume a lively ap
pearance; the bridge was in fair condition, and the hotels run
carriages to the boats, for passengers, so that visitors to Al
pena could find good accommodations. "But a change came
over the spirit of their dreams," the powers thaf'dominate be
hind the scenes" had engaged the fiend to destroy their prop
erty and bright anticipations, for on the 9th day of AprU, 1871,
about noon, the alarm of fire was given, from the bUliard saloon
of Quild & Clewley, in the Beebe block, situated near the cen^
tor between the Huron House and Bolton & McEae's store. It
was soon discovered that aU the buildings on that side of the
street would be destroyed, as everything was very dry, and the
vUlage had no engine or any organized fire company, so every
thing was in confusion, as might be expected, under the cir
cumstances. It was soon seen that tho most that could be done,
was to save what of the furniture and goods, they could, and let
tho fire burn itself out. Accordingly, the people got two light
ers from the opposite side of the river, on which they pUed the
contents of the buildings nearest the river, and carried them
beyond tho reach of the fire; but many of the goods aud fur
niture of the Star Hotel aud other buildings in the vicinity,
were carried into the streets and there burned before they could

FIEES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS. 129
again be moved. When tho fire reached Bolton & McEae's
store, the wind was blowing quite fresh, and soon carried the
flames across the street, to the Star Hotel and other buildings
in the vicinity, which soon became a heap of ruins. The prin
cipal buildings destroyed in this fire, were the Huron House,
owned and occupied by Samuel Boggs, and valued at $10,000:
He had an insurance on the property of $2,000 only, and this
was for the benefit of Benj. C. Hardwick, who then hold a
mortgage on the same. The Star Hotel and Evergreen Hall,
owned and occupied by J. E. Beach, and valued at $12,000.
He also had a small insurance of $3,000 on his buildings, for
the benefit of T. Luce & Co. Those parties were the greatest
sufferers by this fire. The small insurance only paid the in
debtedness on' their property, and left them, nothing with which
to re-build. For their industry and enterprise, they had noth
ing left but the lots and blackened ruins, and the furniture sav
ed froih the fire; but they were both good mechanics, and of
cheerful and hopeful dispositions, and not being easily discour
aged, they soon gathered up what they had and commenced
work, iu hopes to retrieve their losses ; but the destroyer was
stUl on their tracks, as the sequel will show. The buUding
occupied by Folkerts & Butterfield, and owned by J. C. Bowen,
was valued at $4,500, and insured, for $3,000. The goods
of Folkerts & Butterfield were covered by insurance. The
building owned by Henry Beebe, valued at $3,500, had no in
surance. The dweUing of Moses Bingham, valued at $2,500,
with no insurance. Both of these losses were severe, but did
not faU with such crushing weight upon Mr. Beebe, as he had
means to re-build, as it did on Mr. Bingham, who had so re
cently sustained a heavy loss in the burning of the Doane,
Bingham & Co. sash and blind factory. The buUding and
goods of Bolton & McEae were fully insured, which prevented
a ruinous disaster to them and much loss to the place. Others
sustained losses, which the writer is unable to particularize.

130

FIEES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS.

The city felt a severe loss in the destruction of Evergreen Hall,
as it deprived the people of any hall suitable for holding public
entertainments, and the city was again without hotel accommo
dations for the traveling public.
There is an old saying: "There is no great loss without
some small gain," and this may be applied in a very small way
in this case. It taught the people of Alpena, and the new
ly made "City Fathers," the extreme necessity of organizing a
fire company, and procuring a steam fire engine; and this busi
ness must have been among the first of their official acts, for in
May, 1871, the first fire company was organized, by electing
the following officers:
Foreman — A. L. Power.
Assistant Foreman — Fred. Buchanan.
Secretary — G. W. Hawkins.
Treasurer — L. B. Howard.
G. W. Hawkins, J. T. Bostwick and AVilliam Johnson were
appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws.
NAMES OF MEMBEES.
A. W. Comstock, James Walker,
S. S. Meade,
J. T. Bostwick,
N. Carpenter,
E. G. Johnson,
Will. Hitchcock,
Wm. Johnson,
John Kesten,
Geo. Speechley,
H. S. Seage,

A. L. Power,
Fred. Buchanan,
Geo. W. Hawkins,
L. B. Howard,
Geo. Plough,
Theo. Luce,
Thos. H. Lester,
Fred. Smith,
C. E. Wilcox,
A. P. Fletcher,
Abe Crowell,
D. G. Aber,
S. A. Aber,
M. McCoUum,
E. Bradshaw,
M. McLeod,
R. J. Kelley,
John D. Potter,
J. R. Beach,
C. C. Whitney,
Thos. C. Lester,

A. D. Stout,
Henry Nipbee,
Roland Galbraith,
Andrew Guyld,
George Jones,
James Murray,
William Wall,
Frank Northrop,
Burt Buchanan,

E. C. Chamberlain, Richard Campbell,
J. J. Potter, John Vance,

H. Jacobs,
Ed. Thomson,
James Ambrose,
Johnson Woods,
Thomas McGinn,
James Woods,
C. A. Jeyte,
John Kerns,
Benj. Haywood,

Douglass Scott,
John Dunford,
Jarvis E. Watson,
Alex. Taylor,
A. W. Mather,
Daniel Thompson,
Heman Kimball,
H. Broadwell,
Wm. Edwards.

FIBES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS. 181

On the 4th day of July of the same year, a well uniformed
and equipped fire company, with a steam fire engine, was, for
the first time, paraded in Alpena, and his Honor, Mayor Seth
L. Carpenter, addressed them iu a very appropriate speech.
The engine and company were named after an old chief of the
Thunder Bay band of Indians — Sog-on-e-qua-do. His name is
mentioned in the first chapter.
Soon after the destruction of the Star Hotel, J. E. Beach
rented the American House of Gelos Potvin, and commenced
again to keep a public house, as they were at this time much in
'demand. He opened some time in May, and in October of the
same year, was again compelled to flee before the devouring
flames. This time his loss was not large, as he saved most of
his furniture; but he lost his business, and no man can be
thrust out of business without sustaining considerable loss.
Only a part of the house was consumed, as the fire company
was promptly on the ground, and did good service. The suc
cess of this engine. led the people to suppose that they were
safe from the attacks of large fires. But the fire king was
laughing to think what a "big smoke" he w-ould give them the
next season, and show them how utterly inadequate was suCh
an engine to quench his wrath, when once fairly kindled.
In the spring of 1872, we find Mr. Beach proprietor of the
Burrell House, but the same destroyer was still on his tracks,
and followed him there, and he was again burned out in the big
fire, this time losing all he had.
Soon after the loss of the Huron House, Mr. Boggs purchas
ed some property of Dr. W. P. Maiden, on Second street, and
commenced to erect a hotel called the Sherman House. He
had scarcely finished and opened it, before it was swept away
in the great fire — the fire being particularly severe on the
hotels. The account of the great fire we shall give as we find it in
the Alpena Pioneer Extra, of tho date of July 18th, 1872.

132 FIEES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS.

ALPENA BUENED !

Loss of Property $200,000— Insurance $80,000.

Sixty-Five Buildings Burned — F-our Persons Burned to Death,
Others Badly Burned.
At fifteen minutes to five o'clock yesterday afternoon, July
12th, the barn in the rear of the Sherman House, a house re
cently opened, and owned and occupied by Samuel Boggs, was
discovered to be on fire. The alarm was given, and the engine
in position promptly, but there was some delay in getting up
steam. The fire being among hay, spread with fearful rapidity,
and in an incredibly short time the Sherman House and Good
rich's jewelry store were enveloped in flames. The engiue
commenced to play, but the wind blowing fresb from the north
west, carried the fire with astonishing rapidity across the street,
into the row of business houses on the south side of the street.
Crowell & Godfrey's building, the Burrell House, McDonald's
building, Blackburn's building, the Huron House, Maltz's res
idence, and the barns and offices, etc., iu that block, were soon
all ablaze. Mayor Pack's residence and office were burned.
Potter & Bros', hardware store, McDade & Gavagan's hotel,
and Comstock's mill and boarding house were burned. Aber's
buUding and furniture rooms, and the whole row of houses on
the north side of River street to Luce's mill. The fire raged
until about six o'clock, before its limits were confined, when it
had destroyed about three and a half blocks, containing about
sixty-five buUdings. Among the heaviest losers wore Potter &
Bros., Anspach & Co., C. Burrell & Co., A. Pack & Co., George
L. Maltz & Co., P. McDade, F. S. Goodrich, Charies C. Whit
ney. These might not have been the greatest sufferers, as
many lost all they had. The Alpena Weekly Argus office was
entirely destroyed. But the saddest record we have to make,
is the burning to death of three persons, and badly burning of

PIEES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS. 183
three others, one of whom has since died. Mrs. Westbrook,
keeping a millinery store, on Second street, perished in the
street, in front of her store, and could not be rescued until
nothing but her bones remained. The bones of two others,
supposed to be men, have been found. George Westbrook, son
of the milliner, was so badly burned, in trying to rescue his
mother, that he has since died. A sailor named Kelly, and
George Westby, Barlow's engineer, are very badly burned.
Doubts are entertained of Westby' s recovery. One of the men
burned is supposed to be John Lavin. The county papers were
saved. We subjoin au imperfect list of sufferers and their losses, as
hastily estimated:

Loss.

Insurance.

A. Pack & Co.,

$8,000

$4,300

C. C. Whitney,

11,000

5,000

Samuel Boggs,

8,000 '

5,000

Aber Bros.,

5,000

F. S. Goodrich,

8,000

4,000

Mrs. H. G. Westbrook,

1,000

Potter Pros.,

16,000

11,000

Anspach & Co.,

15,000

5,000

A. L. Power & Co.,

10,000

2,500

McCoUum & Co.,

4,000

1,000

P. McDade,

3,500

2,400

J. Gavagan,

2,000

McDougal,
800
H. Eaton,
2,500
1,800
Mrs. Minton,
2,500
J. W. Hall,
2,500
1,500
C. GoUing,
'4,000
2,500
Wm. McMaster,
2,500
1,800
Mrs. Murray,
2,500
Geo. L. Maltz,
3,000
2,000
134 FIBES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS.
McDonald,T. Lalonde,
R. Ambrose,
C. T. Paxton,
T. H. Hunt,
G. N- Blackburn,
Clewley & Woods,
Crowell & Godfrey,
Burrell & Lee,
J. E. Beach,
Wm. Vanlnwegren,
J. S. Minor,
Engine House,
J. C Chisholm,
Odd Fellows,
J. W. Creighton,
WUliam Todd,
J. C. Park,
J. C. Reed,
Dr. Maiden,
L. Doyle,
M. M. Viall,
C. Wurst,
Goodnow & Dow,
And a number of others.
The county papers were saved.
This last paragraph can be explained by saying that, soon
after the court house was destroyed by fire, in 1870, the court
and county offices, and the court and county records were re
moved to rooms in the Potter block, on Second street, and had
again to pass through the uncertainties of a large fire ; but they
were all saved.
The experience of the last fire convinced the city officials

Loss.

Insurance.

$2,500

$1,000

1,200

800

2,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

400

400

4,000

2,900

1,000

3,500

2,500

10,000

4,000

4,000

5,000

500

500

1,500

3,500
2,000
400
200
2,000
1,200
2,000
1,000
1,200
600
500
2,000
4,000
2,500
4,000
500
9,000
FIEES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS. 135

that their fire department was too ^small to work successfully
against a large fire. In July, 1875, at a special meeting of the
Common Council, a resolution was passed, for the purpose of
purchasing one of SUsby's No. 4 size rotary steam fire engines,
for the sum of $5,850, with hose cart and hose. The engine
was soon after purchased, and a fire company organized, called
Alpena No. 2. Eobert Oliver was appointed First Engineer.
Soon after this, a change was made in the management
of the fire department. And now thoy had the engines and a
proper organization, there was a scarcity of water; and large
tanks had to be made in various parts of the city, for a supply.
These tanks proved to be only a partial success, as the water
was muddy, and many of them with a scanty supply. It is
hoped that not far in the future, the city will be well supplied
with water from the river or lake ; and until this supply of wa
ter is had, but little progress can be made against fires, as the
following will show:
In June, 1875, E. Harrington's house and barn were burned,
valued at $4,500; insured for $3,000; Eobert Napper's black
smith shop aud wagon factory, valued at $6,000, aud insured
for $1,500; H. J. Eaton's residence, valued at $3,000, and in
sured for $2,000.
On February 25th, 1876, Henry Beebe's block was a second
time destroyed by fire. Building and stock valued at $12,000,
and insured for $4,000. Michael O'Brien lost his stock of
boots, shoes, leather, etc, valued at $4,000, and insured for
$1,000; and soon after this the residence of Dr. Jeyte was de
stroyed, valued at $4,000, and insured for $2,300. On the last
day of November of the same year, the Myers block, so called,
and the oldest building in the city, was burned. How it caught
fire was a mystery. Some other fires occurred, the details of
which the writer has not been able to obtain. This chapter is
the most gloomy and thankless of any in the history of Alpena,
but it affords some food for careful thought and study.

136 FIBES AND FIEE OBGANIZATIONS.
In looking over the list of sufferers by the several fires, you
will find that those who needed insurance the most, had the
least, and some had no insurance at all. Our fellow citizens,
Samuel Boggs, J. E. Beach, Thomas Robinson and others, are
poor men this Centennial year, simply because they did not
keep fully insured; and Mrs. Westbrook and son probably owe
their shocking and untimely deaths to the same cause. Many
not only lost their property by the fire, but being without in
surance or means to re-build, they were swept out of a lucrative
and monopolized business worth to them many times the value
of the property they lost. It is impossible to reach the exact
value of property destroyed by fires in Alpena, between 1857
and 1876, but we can approximate very nearly, and keeping
within the bounds of certainty, we have the very nice sum of
$342,900. In 1875, the assessed valuation of property in Al
pena city, was $906,640, so that, by these firguros, one-third of
the entire accumulations of the people for eighteen years, had
been destroyed by fires. About $100,000 of this loss has been
paid back by the insurance companies, leaving a dead loss upon
the industry of the people, during that time, of twenty-five per
cent.

CHAPTER VI.
communication.
Mail. — Long before the writer came to Thunder Bay,- and
probably since the establishment of the military posts at Sault
Ste. Marie and Mackinaw, a mail route had been established
between these points and Saginaw, and carried along the west
shore of Lake Huron, on the backs of men or on sledges drawn
by dogs, and for that reason the mail is placed in this chapter,
before steamers or roads. The conveyance of the U S. mail
was entrusted to the care of Frenchmen and half-breeds, and
was carried on their backs, but mostly on what they called a
trainaud, and drawn by dogs over the ice and snow. The
trainaud was made of two flat pieces of oak, maple or birch wood,
about one-half inch thick, six or seven inches wide, and from
nine to fourteen feet long. These were fastened together with
cross-bars, and nicely turned up at one end. On this the mail
was placed, with their camp and provisions, and fastened to the
trainaud with cords attached to the cross-bars. The dogs were
placed tandem, or one before the other, and attached to the
trainaud by long traces. The dogs were generally large, mus
cular animals, well trained for the work, and capable of much
endurance; and in early times were often verj' fancifully har
nessed. The harness consisted of a buckskin collar, with
hames of some bright metal, and extending about six inches
above the neck of the dog, and turned with a whorl at the top,
in which was suspended a nice little bell. The straps were all
made of black leather, with large housing of red broadcloth,
when the dog was of a dark color, and blue when the dog was
of a light color. The housings were fringed with a long yel
low fringe, and nicely worked with beads all over. The men
were rapid travelers, making trips from Bay City to Sault Ste.

138 COMMUNICATION.

Marie in four days, under favorable circumstances — a distance
of about two hundred and twenty miles — and in two instances
they made, under a reward, a traverse from Bay City to Devil
river, in seventeen hours — a distance of one hundred miles or
more. Having given some idea how the mail was carried on the
Lake Huron shore, at the time Fremont was first settled, we
now proceed to give some details in regard to the establishment
of the first postoffice in Alpena county. Among the many pri
vations that are experienced by the early settlers of a country,
is the absence of reading matter and mail facilities. The
American thinks it a hardship to do without his newspaper, if
only for a short time, and receives it again with as much eager
ness as ho does his "bread and butter," after being without his
dinner. The first settlers of Alpena were no exception to the
rule, and Mr. Carter says, in a letter to George N. Fletcher,
under date of the l4th of February, 1857: "I want you to
send more papers; we read evei-yfhing all to pieces." As soon
as A. F. Fletcher arrived in Fremont, he became sensible of
this great want of mail, and in his first letter to his cousin, G.
N. Fletcher, he says: "You ought to write to Washington
about a postoffice." Soon after this letter, a petition went to
Washington, for a postoffice at Fremont, and on the 15th of
January, 1858, the papers arrived from Washington, establish
ing a postoffice at Fremont, with Daniel Carter as post
master, together with blanks and other things necessary for the
newly made postmaster to exercise the functions of his office.
From 1850 to this time, the writer received his mail in the
winter, through arrangements made with the postmaster at Bay
City, and the mail carriers, tho writer's mail being made into
a sealed package and carried outside the maU bags; and in
summer, by arrangements with tho postmaster at Detroit, and
his schooner and other vessels coming to Devil river for lum
ber—receiving bis mail quite regulariy during the winter, and

COMMUNICATION. 139

at intervals of from one week to one month during the summer.
Soon after the operations of the postoffice at Fremont had
commenced, it was discovered that there was another Fremont
in the State, and some letters occasionally went to the wrong
Fremont, and the people had the name changed to Alpena post-
office. Then letters sometimes wont to a place called Alpine,
and the name of the postoffice was again changed to Thunder
Bay postoffice, and subsequently to Alpena postoffice, which
name it still retains. Having a mail route established along
the lake shore, for the winter season, the mail came regularly
once a week during the winter, but having no mail route estab
lished for the summer season, the office had to depend on such
arrangements as the postmaster could make with the postmas
ter at Detroit, and circumstances. When any responsible per
son went to Detroit, and to return soon, he was authorized to
carry the mail; and about the last words to those leaving for
Detroit, were, "Don't forget the mail." This state of things
continued only one summer. Mr. Carter petitioned the depart
ment at Washington, to establish a mail route between Bay
City and Fremont, in the summer season. They replied that
they could not establish a mail route, but would grant him the
whole proceeds of the office for the purpose of carrying the
mail. During the summers of 1859, 1860 and 1861, Mr. Car
ter procured the mail to be carried between Bay City and Al
pena, as often as it could be carried, in a small boat; and at
the end of the three years, Mr. Carter found himself to the
good, less expenses, about two hundred dollars. The mail was
then carried by steamers, running between Alpena and Bay
City, for the proceeds of the Alpena postoffice and the other
offices along the shore, and what the people donated, untU July,
1866, when a regular mail route was established; and from
that time untU 1876, there has been a daUy mail carried on
the boats, and as regular as the weather would permit. Up
to 1863, the winter maU had been carried by "dog train," along

140 COMMUNICATION.

WILLIAM D. HITCHCOCK.
CLOSELY IDENTIFIED WITH THE GROWTH OF ALPENA, AND WAS ITS FOURTH
POSTMASTER, BEING APPOINTED IN IBBB.
the shore. This winter, the arrangement was changed, and
the "dog train" came only as far as Fremont, and returned.
Mr. Carter, under a sub- contract, carried the mail between Fre
mont aud Bay City, and continued to carry it in the winter,
until the summer route was established, iu 1866. It
was then carried by stage, until 1876. Mr. Carter's house was
made the first postoffice, and this, as well as many other of the
institutions that now belong to Alpena, took their incipient
growth at Mr. Carter's house. For remuneration as postmas
ter, Mr. Carter was to have sixty per cent of the revenue from
the office, yet his salary for the first year did not reach the
moderate sum of five dollars. Mr. Carter resigned the office
in April, 1860, but was not relieved until October, when E. K.
Potter was appointed his successor, and following him in office
was Leroy Bundy. The present incumbent, in 1876, is W. D.
Hitchcock, and the fourth on the list of Alpena postmasters.
The office is now one of considerable importance, being made a
money order office in 1868. Its revenue, in 1875, being $3,-
627.31 ; and the amount of orders issued reached the sum of

COMMUNICATION. 141

$24,036.09. In 1867, through the influence of the writer, a
postoffice was established at Ossineke, called the Ossineke post-
office, and the appointment of George B. Melville as postmaster.
The revenue of the office, for the first year, was a little over
three hundred dollars. In 1876, there were four postoffices in
the county, two as above stated, and one called Long Eapids
postoffice, with John Louden as postmaster, and one called East
Side postoffice, with Mrs. Ellen Eoberts as postmistress.
By Watee. — Prior to 1844, but little was known of Alpena
county, and its w'aters were very seldom visited by any craft
larger than a fishing boat. In 1845 and 1846, Thunder Bay
Island becoming a large fishing station, made it profitable for
steamboats going around the lakes, to call at this island, for
freight and passengers. In 1846, the fishermen on the island
entered into an agreement with two steamers, to call at the
island every trip up and down during the season, when the
weather would permit; and it became a habit with all the
steamers to land passengers at the island, and call for them
when signaled for them to call, by hoisting a flag. And this
habit, once obtained, continued until 1859; and most of the
travel to and from Fremont was by this route — the freight
mostly coming on sail vessels. After the sawmill was built at
Devil river, vessels occasionally came there for lumber. In
1852, the writer purchased the schooner Marshall Ney, and run
it regularly from bis mUl, at Devil river, to Cleveland, for four
years. Occasionally, during this time, small vessels came in
search of freight or trade. In 1859 and 1860, the business of
Fremont having largely increased, steamers found it profitable
to make occasional trips there, and Capt, Darius Cole, owner of
the steamer Columbia, was induced by the people of Alpena, to
place his boat on the route between Fremont and Detroit, and
in a short time began making regular trips. The Columbia
being a small boat, was able to land her passengers and freight
on the dock inside the river, while the Forest Queen, that came

142 COMMUNICATION.

to Fremont only when she could obtain a profitable freight, was
compeUed to lay outside the river, and discharge her freight
and passengers on lighters and boats, on account of the sand
bar at the mouth of the river. In the spring of 1860, we find
the following in the Detroit papers: "Steamer Columbia, Da
rius Cole, Master, leaves Detroit every Monday, at 2 p. M., ar
rives at Bay City Wednesday morning, and leaves Bay City for
Thunder Bay every Wednesday morning, at 10 o'clock." At
the same time, the Forest Queen made trips to Tav/as, every
Friday, and every other Friday extended her trips to Au Sable,
and sometimes came to Fremont. From 1859 to the fall of
1864, the Columbia continued to make weekly trips from De
troit to Alpena, and the Forest Queen came when she could get
a paying freight. In 1863, the Genesee Chief, Capt. Clark,
run on the Bay City route, and continued on that route until
the fall of 1867. In the fall of 1864, the Sky Lark, Capt. a!
G. Eipley, came on the Bay City and Fremont route, and the
"old Columbia receded." The Sky Lark continued to make
bi-daily trips each season, until the summer of 1866. when she
was sold to western parties and taken off the route, and the
steamer Huron, Capt. D. Cole, run in the Sky Lark's place
during tho remainder of the season. In 1867, the steamer Al
pena, Capt. John Eobeson, run on the route between Detroit
and Alpena, making regular trips; and the Huron, Capt. D.
Cole, run with the Genesee Chief, on the Bay City route. Dur
ing the years 1867 and 1868, the harbor of Alpena had been so
much improved by piers and dredging, that steamers could en
ter the river, and in 1868, a new impulse was given to mUl
building in Alpena, and consequently a large increase of freight
for that place, as weU as a corresponding increase along the
shore. In the spring of 1868, the steamer Huron, Capt. D.
Cole, started on the Bay City and Alpena route, and in July,
the steamer Geo. W. Eeynolds, Capt. Benj. Boutell, run with
the Huron, on the same route. On the 4th day of July, the

COMMUNICATION. 143

steamer Metropolis made her first visit to Alpena, and run on
the route the remainder of the season. The Marine City run
this season, on the shore route, from Detroit to Alpena, in place
of the Alpena, and extended her trips to Mackinac Island. In
1869, the steamer Metropolis, Capt. Cole, run on the Bay City
route, and the Marine City, Capt. John Robeson, run from De
troit to Mackinac. Business having largely increased in Al
pena and on the bay shore, in 1870, the Metropolis, Capt. Cole,
started on the Bay City route in the spring, and in October,
the steamer Sandusky, Capt. McGregor, was placed on the same
route; and the Marine City, Capt. John Robeson, run on the
shore, from Detroit to Mackinac. In 1871 and 1872, the
steamer Sandusky, Capt. John Stewart, run on the Bay City
route; and in 1872, the steamer Lake Breeze, Capt. Lathrop,
run with the Sandusky, on the same route; and tho Marine
City, Capt. John Robeson, continued to run from Detroit to
Mackinac, and the propeller Galena, Capt. Broadbridge, made
regular trips from Cleveland to Alpena. About the middle of
the season of 1873, the steamer Dunlap, Capt. Brown, and the
steamer John Sherman, Capt. John Stewart, were placed on the
Bay City route, the Dunlap continuing on the route until after
1876. She was sailed in 1874, by Capt. Snow, and in 1875 and
1876 by Capt. A. G. Eipley ; and the Sherman, Capt. Stewart,
run with the Dunlap in 1874. In 1875 and 1876, the steamer
Dove, Capt. Knowlton, run with the Dunlap on the Bay City
route, and the Marine City, Capt. John Robeson, continued to
rim on the shore route, between Detroit and Mackinac Island.
In the meantime, the propellers Wenona, Capt. L. E. Boynton,
and'the Galena, Capt. Broadbridge, run from Alpena to Cleve
land. By Eoads. — The first meeting of the Highway Commission
ers took place at the house of Daniel Carter, on March 26th,
18o8, and, "On motion of D. D. Oliver, it was voted to form
two r9ad districts:

144 COMMUNICATION.

"Eoad District No. 1, to be bounded as follows: Commenc
ing on Thunder Bay, where the east and west center line of
town 30 north, of range 8 east, intersects the bay; thence west,
to range line between ranges 7 and 8 ; thence north, to town
line between 31 and 32; thence east, to range line between
ranges 8 and 9; thence south, to Thunder Bay; thence on mar
gin of bay, to the place of beginning,
"Eoad District No. 2, to be bounded as follows: North by
Road District No. 1 ; thence east by Thunder Bay, to the town
line between towns 28 and 29; thence west to range line be
tween towns 7 and 8, and thence north, to the south boundary
of District No. 1."
At the second meeting of the Highway Commissioners, which
soon followed the first, a petition, signed by Joseph K. Miller,
Addison F. Fletcher, David Plough, Daniel Carter, Moses Bing
ham, Abram Hopper, James S. Irwin, Lewis Atkins and David
D. Oliver, was presented to the board, to lay out and estab
lish a road, "commencing near tho mouth of Thunder Bay river,
aud thence by the most feasible route to the mouth of Devil
river," this being tho the first township road surveyed in the
county. The petition was accepted, and the county surveyor
was requested to make the necessary survey of the road.
At the spring election of 1859, a motion was made by the
electors, and carried, and the following was placed upon the
records: "Voted to raise the sum of one hundred dollars, ac
cording to the report of the Highway Commissioners, for the
purpose of surveying and establishing a road from the mouth
of Thunder Bay river to Devil river."
The records do not show that any one was authorized to levy
and collect the tax, but nevertheless the tax was levied and col
lected, as the same has been done many times in towns where
their organizations were much older than Fremont. The writ
er made the necessary survey of the road the same season, but
too late in the fall to do any work on the road.

COMMUNICATION. 145

The first highway tax roll was made in 1858, by Lewis At
kins, township clerk, for Eoad District No. 2. Only four par
ties appear on the roll, subject to road tax, as follows:
Page and Oliver, taxed 112 days, 4 hours.
David D. Oliver, taxed 1 day, 7 hours.
Andrew Horn, taxed 5 days, 6 hours.
John Dawson, taxed 1 day, 3 hours.
The highway tax roll of District No. 1, the writer has not
been able to obtain.
The people all along the Lake Huron shore, and especially
those at Fremont, were very anxious to have a road opened be
tween Bay City and Fremont. Indeed this road had become
a necessity, and a petition was drawn up and signed by nearly
all on the shore, and presented to the State Legislature, who,
in 1859, passed the following act:
Sec 1. The People of the Slate of Michigan enact. That
Daniel Carter, of Fremont, C. C. Chilson, of Bay county, D.
D. Oliver, of Devil river, Allen Terry, of AuSable, and Charles
H. Whittemore, of Tawas City, be and the same are hereby
appointed commissioners to lay out and establish a state road,
from Saginaw City, in the county of Saginaw, to Cheboygan,
in the county of Cheboygan, touching at Tawas City, AuSable,
and Fremont, on Thunder Bay.
Sec. 2. For the purpose of the further construction and im
provement of said road, there is hereby appropriated all the
non-resident highway taxes, not otherwise appropriated by
law for State roads, within six mUes of the line of said road,
on each side thereof, for the year 1859, and for five years there
after." The act also provided that the Highway Commissioners, of
each township, through which the road should pass, should
adopt and work the same, and it also provided that "said com
missioners" should receive the large sum of "one dollar aud fifty

146 COMMUNICATION.

cents per day, for each day they were so engaged in laying out
said road."
Soon after the commissioners had received notice of their
appointment, a meeting of the commissioners was called to
meet at Tawas City, that being the central point. The only
way to reach that place from Fremont, was either to foot it
down the shore or go in a small boat. Accordingly Messrs.
Carter, of Fremont, and Oliver, of Devil river, two days before
the meeting was to take place, started for Tawas City, in the
said small boat. They reached the place of meeting, in good
time and found all the newly appointed commissioners on hand,
excepting C. C. Chilson, of Bay county, who bad but little in
terest in the road. The commissioners met and, after thorough
ly discussing the matter, and considering the great wisdom
and munificence of the Legislature in passing the act, came to
the conclusion that there would not be money enough collected
during the said five years, to keep a brushed road that length
iu repair, after it had been laid out and made, as at that time
but little land had been purchased along the line of the pro
posed road, aud after voting the enterprise a faUure, they ad
journed sine die.
Thus ended the first effort for a road from the Saginaws to
Alpena. After a week spent in this useless effort. Carter and
Oliver returned, having spent their time and money, for which
they could not expect any remuneration, except the conscious
ness of having faithfully discharged the duties imposed upon
them by the people, and the imposition imposed upon the peo
ple by the Legislature.
The subject of a State road, from Bay City to Cheboygan,
was not dropped, but the subject continued to be agitated until,
in 1861, the State Legislature passed a large bundle of bUls
for making State roads, and among them was the following:
Sec. 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact. There
shall be laid out and established, by commissioners to be ap-

COMMUNICATION. 147

pointed by the Governor, upon the most direct and eligible
route, between tho places hereinafter designated, the following
State roads: (The 22d iu the list is) a road from Duncan, in
Cheboygan county, to AuSable river, in Iosco county, via Al
pena, to be known as the Duncan, Alpena and AuSable Eiver
State Eoad.
Sec. 8. To secure the construction of said road, there is here
by appropriated an average amount of six hundred and forty
acres of State swamp land to the mile." * * *
David Plough, of Alpena, was appointed commissioner on
the Duncan, Alpena and AuSable State Eoad. No provision
having been made, by the Legislature, for laying out this road,
excepting the lands, the Board of Supervisors met and passed
an order, to accept lands of the State of Michigan, for the
benefit of the county, and issue road orders, provided they
would be accepted, for making the survey of the road, in lieu
of the land, and they authorized the commissioner to make a
contract accordingly, and in AprU, 1862, he made a contract
with tho writer to make a survey of the road, for the sum of
five dollars per mile, payable in county orders, or lands, at the
option of the surveyors. The road was to be surveyed under
the supervision of the commissioner, the writer furnishing all
things needed for the work.
On the 81st of May, 1862, the writer commenced the survey
of the road at AuSable river. His party consisted of David
Plough, commissioner, and Daniel Carter looking out the most
feasible route for the road; A. J. A. Micholowski and Frank Trow
bridge, for chainmen ; John King aud Isaac Isaacson, for pack
ers; Eobert Newell, for axmau, and Elijah Degroat, for cook.
The survey was made in due time, aud the report accepted
by the Board of Control, at Lansing, in the fall of 1862. In
July, 1868, the first contracts were made for the work on the
road. The largest contractors on the road were S. O. Harris
and J. B. Babcock.

148 COMMUNICATION.

Mr. Plough remained commissioner for a number of years,
and was variously praised and blamed, as interest or prejudice
prompted, but he was honest, and failed to make money out of
the road, when he could have seen "millions in it." Here
the speculative ideas of Plough and Oliver w-ere at fault, for
the extensive knowledge that Oliver had at that time of pine
lands, aud the extensive influence and power exercised by the
Commissioner of State Lands, in letting and accepting con
tracts, would have made the business extensively profitable;
but all this passed like a panorama, with but little thought, if
any, in that direction, and so the wisdom, that comes after the
fact, is worthless.
A short time prior to tho survey of the Duncan, Alpena and
AuSable State Road, a State road had been made from East
Saginaw to AuSable river, called the East Saginaw and Au
Sable State Eoad, but was only passable for teams in the win
ter, on account of tho condition of the AuGres swamps, and it
was, after repeated efforts and appropriations of swamp lands,
that it became passable in the summer season. The road, from
the AuSable to Alpena, was finished during the summer of
1864, and that winter a stage line was run by Daniel Carter,
between Alpena and Bay City, and the people rejoiced that
they had a way out of the woods during the winter.
In order to carry the mail, Mr. Carter, in 1863, run teams
between Alpena and Bay City, by traveling sometimes in a
bushed road, and sometimes on the ice, on the lake shore, but
this way of traveling was risky and disagreeable.
The Legislature had faded to connect the two roads, by one-
half mile of road, and a bridge across the AuSable river.
In the winter of 1866 and 1867, through the Hon. J. K.
Lockwood, an appropriation of swamp lands was made for the
improvement of the road, and for building a bridge across the
AuSable river, and in 1867, the connection of the roads was
made by a bridge across the river. The road, from Alpena
toward Duncan, was continued to be made slowly, aud in 1865,

COMMUNICATION. 149

Daniel Carter built a bridge across Thunder Bay river, on the
contract of G. N. Fletcher. It was many years before this
road was finished to Duncan, and indeed, in 1876, it is not pass
able for teams, the whole length, in the summer.
From the organization of the township, to 1870, most of the
proceeds of the road tax was expended on the streets of Fre
mont. A bridge had been made, in 1865, across Thunder Bay
river, connecting Dock and Second streets, and paid for from
the proceeds of the road tax. It was a poor experiment, and
soon went to decay. A road had been surveyed and cut out
for a bush road, on the west side of the river, from Fremont
to the Broadwell mill, at the rapids, and some work had been
done, on what is known in 1876, as the section line road.
When the Duncan, Alpena and AuSable State Road was sur
veyed, it was carried in a direct route from the town line, near
Greenbush, in Alcona county, to Ossineke, in Alpena county,
and passed west of Harrisville and Black Eiver. It was sur
veyed there instead of following the lake shore, through the
instance of S. O. Harris, who compromised with the commis
sioner, and paid the writer thirty dollars for backing up on his
line, from Harrisville to Greenbush. What his object was,
the writer was not informed.
The people along the shore still needed a road, and, in 1865,
an appropriation of swamp land was made for a State road from
Ossineke to Harrisville, following tho shore to South Point and
Black River, and late in the fall of 1866, the road was opened
for winter travel. Obed Smith was the principal contractor
and builder of this road.
On the 3d of May, 1869, a meeting of the citizens of Alpena
was called, for the purpose of taking into consideration the
condition of the old bridge. At this meeting the Highway
Commissioners were requested to examine the bridge and re
port at the next meeting. On the l5th of May, the commis
sioners, D. Carter, Thos. Murray and Samuel Boggs, made
their report, and the following resolution was passed: "Ee-

150 COMMUNICATION.

solved, That a new bridge bo built by tax, on the present site
of the old one, and to be finished by the first of May next."
A motion was also made and carried, requesting the Board
of Supervisors to call a meeting and take the necessary steps
to build a county bridge. J. K. Lockwood, Chairman ; A.
Hopper, Clerk.
This meeting had the desired effect, and during the winter
of 1869 and 1870, a good and substantial wooden bridge was
placed over the stream, connecting Dock and Second streets.
This bridge is good in 1876.
For several years, during the winters, much talk and agita
tion was had by the people of Alpena, and those along the
bay shore, in regard to a railroad along the shore, to Alpena,
but was always dropped during the summer.
In January, 1875, quite an impulse was given to the
railroad agitators by a man of the name of Jeffords, who pro
posed to build a railroad, from Alpena, direct to Sterling, on
the Saginaw and Mackinaw road, and the spring opened with
a fair prospect of a railroad to Alpena, and made quite a stir
for a short time.
The road was surveyed, aud grounds cleared for a site, for
work shops,* and an engine house, and some of the road cleared
and graded.
Had the people of Alpena "boosted" the enterprise a little,
as much as they will have to do, in all probability, when
they get a road, they would have had one this summer, but
they had lapsed into their usual summer complaint, and Mr.
Jeffords not being able to build the road, it was abandoned.
In the winter of 1875, five sections of swamp lands were
given by the State, to build a State road, from Alpena to Long
Lake, and called the Long Lake State Eoad. The five sec
tions of land, being insufficient to build the road, it being six
and one-half mUes long, a sum of $700 was raised by the people
for that purpose, and in July, of the same year, a contract was
made for building the road, and in 1876, the road is being made.

MARY L. CARTER.
DAUGHTER OF MR. AND MRS. DANIEL CARTER, ANO FIRST SCHOOL TEACHER
IN ALPENA COUNTY.

CHAPTER VII.

educational.
Schools. — As soon as practicable after the township meet
ing, held on the 5th day of April, 1858, the School Inspectors
of the township of Fremont, met for the purpose of forming a
school district, and as much territory as could be allowed by
law, was incorporated into School District No. 1. Soon after
this, a school meeting was called, and Addison F. Fletcher was
elected the first School Director. Miss Mary L. Carter was
hired to teach the firSt school, and after being inspected, com
menced teaching, in a small cooper shop, made of rough boards,
which was then the best building that could be procured for a
school house, and which stood on lot 10, in block 3, of tho vil
lage plot. The writer has not been able to find a record of this

152 educational.

school, and thinks that no record was kept. The second school
was commenced on the 23d day of May, 1859, and ended on
the 20th of August of the same year. The report is as follows :
DISTEICT NO. I, ALPENA.
Number of days taught, 6y
Number scholars enrolled, 28
Whole number days attendance, 1,246
Average attendance, 18 4-69
Signed, MARY E. TROMBLY, Teacher.
Accepted Aug. 80th, 1859.
Signed, ADDISON F. FLETCHER,
Director of School District No. 1.
This school was taught iu an upper room in what is now call
ed the Myers block, on the corner of Second and Water streets,
on lot 13, in block 3, of the village plot. This building was
completed in the fall and winter of 1858. The first floor was
used as a storehouse, and the second was used for county and
other purposes, viz: Circuit Court room and county offices,
school room, church, Sabbath school, printing office, and all
public gatherings. We give below the names and ages of the
scholars attending this school, as being of some importance,
should the record be preserved for the next Centennial year,
and may be interesting to some of the present generation:
Name.
Arthur Irwin,
William Irwin,
Edgar SeUick,
Helen Sellick,
Frances Sellick,
Addie Sellick,
Harriet Erwin,
Elizabeth Erwin,
Jane Erwin,
Alice Erwin,
John Barnes,
William Barnes,
Charles Bingham,
Catherine Archibald,

ge. Name.
12 Andrew Trembly,
10 ManUva Smith,

Age. 17 9

7 John Persons,

8

11 George Plough,
9 EUzabeth Creley,

99

6 Mary Ann Creley,
13 Margaret Boggs,

6
()

17 Elizabeth gprague,
15 Henry Sprague,
10 Francis Hortwick,

15 1210

13 George Nicholson,
9 Edith Clark,

8 5

10 Christina Boggs,
11 William Boggs,

7 5

EDUCATIONAL. 153

The first male teacher was M. R. Clark, who taught only
twenty-two days, ending September 22d, 1859. David Plough,
Director. Soon after the Eev. C. G. Bisbee came to Alpena, in 1860,
he was hired to teach the school, but he made no report until
the 27th of February, 1862, when the number of scholars en
rolled was fifty-one, doubling in two-and-a-half years. Follow
ing Mr. Bisbee, as the next school teacher, was Leroy Bundy,
who only taught forty-eight days. In 1863, tho school was
taught by C. P. Butler, who had an average attendance of
twenty-five scholars during the summer term. The winter
term ended April 29th, 1864, and was a full term, with an av
erage attendance of twenty-two scholars. The report is made,
but not signed. Miss Kate Barclay taught the summer term of
1864, but made no report.
In 1863 and 1864, the first district school house was erected
in the county. It was located on lot 2, in block 20, of the vil
lage of Fremont, and was the construction of Samuel Boggs.
J. B. Tuttle taught the first school in this house, and conse
quently was the first teacher who taught in a district school
house in Alpena county. His report is as follows:
Eoport of a term of the public school, taught in District No.
1, of Alpena village, Alpena county, Michigan, during the win
ter and spring of 1864 and 1865. School began Jan. 3d, 1865.
School closed April 1st, 1865.
Number of days taught, 71
Number of scholars enrolled, 94
Number of days attendance, 4,047
Average daily attendance, 57
Signed, _ J. B. TUTTLE.
Dated at Alpena, April 1st, 1865.
This report shows a rapid increase of scholars, and a corres
ponding increase of inhabitants iu Alpena county, more than
doubling in two' years.
In 1865, another district school house was erected, on the

154 EDUCATIONAL.

east side of the river, and a school taught there. The large in
crease of population rendered it necessary to have more school
room, and the School Board, deeming it advisable to erect a
Union School house, took the necessary steps in that direction,
and in 1867, th^ Legislature authorized the building of a Un
ion School house, by the following act:
Au act to authorize the formation of Union School District
Number One, of the township of Alpena, iu the county of
Alpena.
Sec. 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That the
School Inspectors of the township of Alpena, in the county of
Alpena, are hereby authorized to organize the said township of
Alpena, or so much thereof as they may deem necessary, into
a school district, to be known as Union School District Number
One, of said township.
Sec. 2. Said school district shall be organized according to
the provisions of the school laws of the State, and all moneys
lawfully voted to be raised in said district, by tax or loan, shall
be a valid debt against all the property in said district.
Sec. 3. This act shall take immediate effect.
Approved March 27th, 1867.
Soon after the passage of the preceding act, bonds were is
sued and negotiated, and the necessary funds raised for the con
struction of a Union School house, and in 1868, a suitable
building was erected, under the supervision of David Plough,
as dii-ected by the School Board.
The building w-as located on grounds, donated to the town
ship, for school purposes, by S, E. Hitchcock, and it cost, in
round numbers, the sum of $20,000, when finished, furnished,
and the ground cleared off aud fenced.
When first built, it was on the mai'gin of the forest, on the
west, isolated, aud in a swamp.
Noble M. Brackinreed taught the district school, on the
southwest side of the river, after J. B. Tuttle, until the Union

EDUCATIONAL. 155
School house was finished, when he was transferred to it, as
principal teacher.
Charles T. Brockway was engaged as the first Superintend
ent, and iu November, 1869, the Union School commenced its
regular operations, under his supervision. Mrs. Sutton, Mrs.
Stevens, Mrs. Vanlnwegen, Miss Doane and Miss Barclay were
engaged as teachers. They were inspected by Messrs. Com
stock and Barlow.
The school was divided into four grades — the primary,
secondary, senior and junior. Each grade was divided into
two classes, called the A and B class, excepting the senior
grade, which was divided into three classes, the highest of
which pursue the higher English branches, aud is in every
respect a High School grade. Scholars were taken into the
school at the age of six years.
F. S. Dewey succeeded Mr. Brockway, as Superintendent,
in 1871 or 1872, for he says in his report of 1874: "In 1872,
or two years ago, I changed the course of study." He divided
the school into five grades, of two years each, primary, second
ary, intermediate, grammar and high school. It now takes
ten years to go through the course. Mr. Dewey is Superin
tendent in 1876.
The writer has given the names of the teachers, in the Union
School, as reported in 1874, with their salaries, showing the
condition of the school, at this time. But little change from
this was made in the school up to 1876.
F. S. Dewey, principal, salary $1,400 per year.
Miss H. S. Bachmau, assistant principal and teacher of
grammar school, salary $600 per year.
Miss L. J. Bachman, intermediate teacher, salary $500 per
year. Miss Godfrey, secondary, salary $4*50 per year.
Miss Ella Myers, secondary, salary $450 per year.
Miss Mary E. Smith, secondary, salary $450 per year.

156 EDUCATIONAL.

Miss L. Eutherford, primary aud secondary, salary, $400
per year.
The whole number of pupUs iu school was 374, and the
number of scholars enrolled was as follows: Boys, 825;
girls, 281. , The number of seats in all the rooms was 450.
In 1876, there is fourteen school districts in the county, and
twelve district school houses. In the village is a Catholic
school, a German school and a Norwegian school.
JouENALiSM. — We are indebted to the proprietor of the Pion
eer for the following letter, written to him by D. E. Joslin, in
regard to the history of the Alpena County Pioneer. We give
all of his letter that is pertinent. Mr. Joslin says: "In the
year 1862, I was publishing a paper at Port Austin, in Huron
county, called the Huron County Eeportor. During the win
ter of 1862 and 1868, hearing of a commencement of a vil
lage, at the mouth of Thunder Bay river, and the fine prospects
of a largo and thriving village, not far in the future; tho large
amount of pine lauds on the river and its branches, and the
large amount of lands, which appeared upon tho tax rolls, and
not satisfied with the prospects of Port Austin, I was induced
to correspond and learn the prospects of locating a paper at
Alpena. Accordingly 1 corresponded with O. T. B. Williams,
the Prosecuting Attorney. He took an immediate interest to
encourage the enterprise, and so did all the people of the vil
lage, which, at that time, contained about 250 inhabitants, and
according to their means, subscribed a liberal donation of $200
to aid in establishing the paper. Accordingly, about the 26th
of April, 1868, on Sunday, I arrived with my printing office,
at Alpena, on the Forest Queen, which anchored out in the
bay. Freight was loaded on scows and poled in. The print
ing office was landed off the scow, on Miller's dock, Sunday,
and procuring a room over Miller's store, now the Myers
block, and commenced immediately to set up the office, and in
order to secure the tax printing, must issue by the 1st day of

EDUCATIONAL. 157

May, which, by working day and night, with one hand, issued
on tho last day of April, a twenty column paper, having five
columns per page, of 17^ inches a column, of which twelve
columns were reading matter, called the Thunder Bay Monitor.
It was hailed with great satisfaction and well patronized. The
issue of the first year was about 150 copies, which was very
largo, according to the population, for at that time, there were
only two mills iu the place — Messrs. Lockwood & Minor's, on
Water street, and the Island mill — the Chamberlain mill just
burned. One dry goods store, Mr. Hardwick's. Messrs.
Lockwood & Minor kept a few things, but could hardly be
called a store. Mr. Miller kept a small grocery store. Mr.
Bingham kept the only hotel, a small two story wood building,
on the north side of tho river, which had to be reached from
the south by a boat, if one could be found, if not, go over on a
saw log, or stay where you were. These composed the busi
ness places of the town ; therefore the paper was almost desti
tute of home advertisements, so we had to look abroad for
advertisements to fill up, many of which were of little profit.
The tax list, which was large, was a great relief to the expenses.
The next year, three other mills were built, and a number of
stores and hotels, having double the population and business,
and gave the advertising columns a much better appearance,
and helped greatly to its support. I continued to publish the
paper until the fall of 1865. Being so unfortunate as to lose
my wife, causing a derangement in my business, in the month
of November, 1865, I sold the office to D. D. Oliver. Mr. Oli
ver immediately installed J. A. Case as editor, and J. Hons-
burger as publisher. Some time in the spring of 1866, Mr.
Oliver changed the name of the paper to the Alpena County
Pioneer, which has continued since." In 1867, Oliver sold a
half interest in the paper to Eobert S. Toland, and the paper
was conducted under the firm name of OUver & Toland. Find
ing tho paper too small for the growing business of the town.

158 EDUCATIONAL.

Oliver, through the direction of Toland, enlarged it to a twen
ty-four column paper, being 24x16. Oliver resided at Ossi
neke, and having business there, could not see to the manage
ment of the office, and consequently the business run behind
expenses about five hundred dollars, up to the spring of 1868.
J. K. Lockwood and Oliver v/ere very anxious to have the paper
live a Eepublican, aud after some talk in regard to the matter,
Oliver sold his interest in the office to Lockwood, at a certain
price, with conditions that Toland should have the same chance
with him as he had with Oliver, and that George McFadden,
who was employed in the office, should have the privilege
of buying the half interest in the office, if he should so elect,
at the same price that Lockwood purchased of Oliver, it being
the object of Lockwood and Oliver to make the business live.
In 1868, we find the Pioneer published by Toland & McFadden.
Had these young men taken the advice of Oliver and Lock-
wood, and had been more persevering and economical, they
might have had, at the Centennial year, a good property, a suc
cessful business, and an honorable standing among the citizens
of Alpena. But they could not see what the result would be,
and in June, 1868, McFadden turned over to Lockwood, his in
terest in the Pioneer office, and for a short time, the business
was run in the name of Lockwood & Toland. In November,
1868, Lockwood & Toland sold the Pioneer office to Albert C.
Tefft. Mr. Tefft was . not a practical printer, and says, in an
issue of his paper, in February, 1871: "Not being a practical
printer, we have liad some bad luck in not presenting so 'clean'
a sheet as we wished sometimes." Mr. Tefft purchased the
business to keep, and by industry, economy and good manage
ment, has made it a success, when practical printers had failed,
and as a reminder of this fact, Mr. Tefft says, in au issue of
his paper of the 22d of February, 1871: "Two years ago,
when we first took charge of the Pioneer, its proprietors in
formed us that it had never been a paying institution, but that

EDUCATIONAL. 159

each succeeding owner had lost money in trying to sustain it."
In September, 1871, Mr. Tefft enlarged it to a nine column
paper, of 24x30, aud put a new head on it, making it a large
and respectable paper, and which was a true index of the growth
of Alpena. A second paper was started iu Alpena, in June,
1871, owned and edited by J. C. Viall, and called the Alpena
AVeekly Argus. It is Democratic iu politics, and a champion
w-orthy the steel of the Pioneer, and will have a tendency to
arouse the Eepublican proclivities of the editor who has had
his own way so long that his Republicanism was becoming ego
tistical. The Argus office and its contents were completely de
stroyed in the great fire of July 12th, 1872. He had no in
surance, but the people, with their usual generosity, soon help
ed the editor to renew his paper, and in 1876, it is a successful
and important institution of the city.
Sabbath Schools and Chueches. — Soon after J. K. Miller
came to Fremont, he commenced to teach a Bible class on the
Sabbath, at the house of Daniel Carter.. The class consisted of
only five persons, being the children of James S. Irwin and Cy
rus Erwin. In the spring of 1860, the first Sabbath school
was organized, with J.»K. Lockwood as superintendent; W. H.
Potter, treasurer and librarian, and A. Hopper, secretary. In
the summer of the same year, the Eev, C. G. Bisbee came to
Fremont, and soon after took charge of the Sabbath school, as
superintendent. Mr. Bisbee was a man-of considerable talent;
was well educated, but not a good orator. He was a good man,
kind and obliging, and won the love and regard of all who
knew him ; and no one ever left the place with more well-wishes
than the first minister of Alpena. He was industrious, and
tauo-ht school for two vears after he came to Fremont, partly
for his support, as the then newly organized church did not
feel able to wholly employ and pay a minister. He held preach--
ing services and Sabbath school in the first room over the store
now occupied by J. Myers, on the corner of Second and Water

160 educational.

streets. As soon as Deacon Hitchcock had finished the court
house, the church and Sunday school were held in it, and Mr.
Bisbee continued superintendent until he went away, iu the
spring of 1865, when Deacon H. Hyatt was elected in his place.
Mr. Hyatt was foUowed as superintendent, in the spring of
1866, by Eev. W. D. Eussell, who left Fremont in September
of the same year, when Wm. D. Hitchcock, the present super
intendent, in 1876, was elected. Mr. Hitchcock has done much
to elevate and systemize the school, and bring it up to a high
standard of excellence, and has succeeded in gaining the affec
tionate regard of the children of his school; and will be remem
bered kindly by the coming generation, when those who occupy
higher positions will be forgotten. There is another name that
has taken high rank in the annals of the first Sabbath school,
and in tho remembrances of tho children, and which deserves
honorable mention in this connection — Julia F. Farwell. She
has always taken a lively interest in the school, and done much
for its advancement. She always had charge of the class called
the "Birds' Nest," being a large class of small scholars, and
with her received elementary teachings. Iu 1860, the whole
number of scholars in attendance was twenty-five. In 1866,
the scholars had increased to 126. In this year, the Episcopal
Sabbath school was organized, and in 1867, the Methodist,
Baptist and Catholic schools were organized, all of which drew
more or less scholars from the old school; yet, in 1875, the
scholars had increased to 193, divided into twenty-seven classes.
This school belongs to tho First Congregational church, and is
held in the church, being the first and largest school in Alpena.
The officers, in 1876, are as follows: Wm. D. Hitchcock, su
perintendent; T. M. Luce, assistant superintendent; Bolden W.
Smith, secretary; John D. Potter, treasurer; Eugene Motley.
James Johnston and Charles Watrous, librarians; Henry S.
Seage, George Nicholson, Mrs. W. H. Potter and Nannie Per-
¦son, choir, and Mrs. F. H. Armstrong, organist.

educational, 161

Chubch OEGANIZATION. — On the 2d of March, 1862, an or
ganization was effected, under the name and style of "The
First Congregational Church, of Alpena." The organic mem
bers were as follows: C. G. Bisbee, S. E. Hitchcock, Saman-
tha Hitchcock, Julia F. Farwell, Elizabeth Mooney, Emily H.
Plough, B. C. Hardwick and Lydia J. Martin. The Eev. C.
G. Bisbee was the first pastor, and held church iu the upper
room of a building, standing in 1876, on the corner of Second
and Water streets, and now called the Myers block, and con
tinued to hold services there, until the court house was built,
in 1868, on the corner of First and Washington streets, and
was then adjourned to the court house, and the church and
Sabbath school continued to be held in the court house, until
their church was finished and dedicated, and then law and gos
pel, that had so long been in such fearful proximity, was sep
arated. Gospel says: Steal not. Law says: Steal by night and steal
by day, but do it in a legal way.
The church is a wooden structure, costing $8,000, and was
buUt all the way from 1865 to 1868, aud dedicated October 4th,
1868. A bell was purchased in 1869, and placed in the church,
at a cost of $420. The value of the property, in 1876, is about
$10,000. Soon after the Eev. C. G Bisbee left the pastorate, his place
was filled, for a short time, iu 1864 and 1865, by tho Eev.
Thos. F. Hicks, and following him, the Eev. W. D. Eussell
filled the pulpit untU 1866, when he left the place. During
the year 1867, services were held by the Eev. D. C. White,
and the Rev. F. N. Barlow, a Baptist minister.
It must be borne iu mind that, up to about this time, it re
quired all the people in Fremont, without drawing any lines,
to fiU a church, "and they could hardly."
In the latter part of 1867, the Rev. Rufus Apthorp ac
cepted a caU to the pastorate, and continued to officiate until

162 EDUCATIONAL.
1870, when he was succeeded by the Eev. A. B. Allen, who
fills tho pastorate iu 1876.
Baptist Chubch.— On the 15th day of October, 1867, steps
were taken to organize the society, known as the First Bap
tist Society, of Alpena. F. N. Barlow was the first minister.
The organic members were as foUows: P. M. Johnson, D.
Carter, E. Harrington, C. L. Kimball, W. M. Sutton and John
Nicholson. Catholic Chubch. — In 1864, the Eev. Patrick Barnard
Murray came to Alpena, in the interest of the Catholic church,
and held services and attended to the needs oi^ the Catholic
people, as best he could without a church. In 1865, he pur
chased of David D. Oliver, all the land in Oliver's addition to
the city of Alpena, east of Chisholm street, for $300, Oliver
donating $100, for the purpose of building a church, and in
1866, the Rev. Murray succeeded in erecting a good and sub
stantial church, and was dedicated as the Saint Bernard church,
In the Catholic church, the Bishop owns the church proper
ty in fee, and the presiding pastor or priest is president, sec
retary and treasurer of the local church.
As soon as the church was finished, a Sabbath school was
commenced, and in 1870, a week day school was comnienced,
having about 100 scholars. ^ The Catholic churches count
their members by families, and in 1876, Saint Bernard's church
numbered about 300 families, and was presided over by the
Rev. Father John Van Gennip. Tho schools, at this time,
numbered 250 scholars in each, and taught by four teachers —
the Sisters of Charity. The value of the church property, in
1876, is $10,000. If our dwellings in the spirit world are built
up of the good deeds we do here to our fellow beings, and that
each good deed is a separate piece of the structure, then we
think that tho Sisters own many of the best dwellings in tho
summer land, and many people, when they arrive there, will

EDUCATIONAL. 163

be surprised and' disgusted at the shabby looking dwellings
they have erected.
Episcopal Chubch. — This church was organized on the
first of February, 1865. The Eev. G. O. Bachman was the
first rector, and held his first services on the 9th of July, 1865.
He remained in charge of the church for eighteen mouths, and
was relieved by the Rev. H. H. Brown, who remained in charge
for six months, and was succeeded by the Rev. W. W. Rafter,
iu June, 1868, and who is still rector of the church, iu 1876.
Public Libeaby. — In the paper of 1868 and 1869, was a
notice of a public library, kept at the residence of Chas. W.
Eichardson, and open to the reading public every Saturday.
Mrs. S. A. Mather, president; Mrs. H. E. Morse, secretary,
and Mrs. C. W. Eichardson, treasurer and librarian. It is
said to have been organized in 1864, by four ladies, and called
"The Ladies' Metropolitan Library." This was the first library,
for public reading, in the village, and reflects much credit on
the benevolent ladies, who got it up. Long will they be re
membered.

ti

CHAPTEE VIIL

JUDICIABY.

Soon after the writer was elected Justice of the Peace, in
1857, he purchased a justice docket and Tiffany's Justice Guide,
being the first docket and law book used in the county. At
the spring election of 1858, Daniel Carter was elected Justice
of the Peace, and the writer, having no desire to do any busi
ness in the justice line, turned over to Mr. Carter his docket
and law book.
Some time, during the summer of 1859, Leonard Jewell
came into the river with a sail boat, having liquor on board, to
sell. As soon as he commenced to sell his liquor, J. K. Miller
brought suit against him, before Daniel Carter. There were,
at that time, no lawyers in the town, and Mr. Carter, very
young in the business. However, it so happened that Obed
Smith, who was then a Justice of the Peace, in St. Clair coun
ty, and who had some experience in law matters, was in Fre
mont, on a visit. So Mr. Smith, after instructing Mr. Carter,
in regard to his duty as Justice of the Peace, then acted as
counsel for Mr. Miller. The case was tried. It was proved
that he bad sold liquor unlawfully, and he was fined. The boat
was anchored out in the stream, and the Constable had taken
the rudder ashore, to prevent the boat leaving until they had
got through with it. Jewell pretended that his money, to paj
the fine, was on board the boat, and requested the privilege of
going after his money, which was readily granted, supposing
that he could not go away without his rudder, but what was
their surprise, when they saw him sailing out of the river,
steering his boat with an oar. There was no boat to chase him
and bring him back, so they had to let him go, but be never

JUDICIAEY. 165

came back to soU liquor. This was the first law business
transacted iu the countv. ./
Under the constitution of 1850, the Judiciary was changed,
making eight Circuit Judges, and each presiding over certain
districts, called Judicial Circuits. This number was soon en
larged, and in 1857, Alpena was placed iu the Tenth Judicial
Circuit, w-hich was composed of the following counties: Sagi
naw, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Iosco, Bay and Alpena, with
unorganized counties attached to them for judicial and muni
cipal purposes. Subsequently, the Circuit was changed, aud
in 1876, Alpena is placed in the 18th Judicial Circuit, com
posed of the counties of Bay, Iosco, Alcona, Alpena, Presque
Isle and Otsego.
The constitution of 1850, also fixed the salaries of all officers,
and making the Circuit Judge's at $1,500 a year, a sum barely
sufficient to pay the board and traveling expenses of some of
the Judges iii tho northern counties, and they were compelled
to seek relief through the several Boards of Supervisors, who,
in order to do justice, which the Legislature had not done,
they were compelled to violate the laws of the State, and bo-
come a law unto themselves.
The first session of the Circuit Court was held in the
Myers block, in October, 1860, and presided over by Judge
Woodworth. The court officers were: W^illiam E. Bowman,
Sheriff, and Addison F. Fletcher, Clerk. Oliver T. B. Williams
was the only resident lawyer. He had moved to Fremont, in
the spring of 1860. He was a man of considerable ability,
and in the fall of 1860, was elected first Prosecuting Attorney.
Judge Woodworth held but one or two sessions of court,
and was succeeded by the Hon. James Birney, who held but
one session of court each year, until the fall of 1865, when
the Honorable Jabez G. Sutherland was elected. Judge
Sutherland held two sessions of court each year, until 1870,
when he was elected to Congress. The Hon. T. C. Grier was

166 JUDICIAEY.

appointed to fill the vacancy, and held the May term for 1871.
Judge Grier died before the time of holding another session
of the court, aud the Hon. Sanford M. Green was elected to
fill the judgeship, and who is the presiding Judge iu 1876.
Alpena has been very fortunate in her selection of Circuit.
Judges. All have, boon able lawyers, old and experienced ju
rists, and well headed. The court officers, in 1876, are:
Thomas B. Johnston, Sheriff.
John Thompson, Under Sheriff.
George W. Jones,' Deputy Sheriff.
Charles N. Cornell, Clerk,
Alexander McDonald, Deputy Clerk.
Victor C. Burnham, Prosecuting Attorney.
A. M. Haynes, Eeportor.
, John H. Stevens, Circuit Court Commissioner.
The Circuit Court continued to be held in the Myers block,
until 1863, when the first session of the court was held in the,
so-called, Hitchcock Court House, and all the county officers,
and records, wore moved there, and so remained, until 1870,
when the building was destroyed by fire, and many of the re
cords and papers were burned. The court records, records of
the Board of Supervisors, the records of marriages, deaths,
naturalization, some assessment rolls, account books and vouch
ers. The court and offices were then removed to rooms' over
Potter Brothers' hardware store, where they reriiained until
they again passed through the ordeal of fire, but : this : time
without being scorched, as everything belonging to the court
aud records, were saved. The Court was then held in the
Union School house, untU the Potter block was finished, when
the court and county offices were removed to rooms prepared
for them, over the hardware store of Potter Bros., where they
remain in 1876.
The following are the members of; the Alpena bar, in 1876:
Obed, Smith,; J. B. Tuttle, E. J. Kelley, J. D. TurnbilU, J.

JUDICIAEY. 167

D. Holmes, J. H. Stevens, V. C. Burnham, A. R. McDonald.
All survived the Centennial year, excepting Obed Smith,
who died at his residence, in Alpena, on the 20th day of No
vember, 1876. He was the oldest member of the bar, being
an octogenarian. He was admitted in 1862. He was a Mason,
in good standing, and was buried with Masonic honors — the
Alpena bar attending his funeral in a body. He was one of
the early settlers of Fremont, having built the first steam saw
mill iu the county, in 1859. In 1865, he built the first bridge
across Thunder Bay river, between Dock and Second streets.
He was active in business, temperate in habits, truthful iu his
expressions, and was just in his dealings with his fellow men.

CHAPTER IX.
FINANCIAL.
The writer has given a list of the names appearing upon
the first and original tax roll of the county, aud the valu
ation of real estate and personal property, and the tax assess
ed to each person. There seems to be some mistakes in this
roll, which the writer has been able to point out below, and a
discrepancy between this roll and the first highway tax roll,
which he cannot explain.
Mr. Irwin, when he made the first assessment tax rolls,
was inexperienced in township business. He had no prior
rolls to look at, and no one to instruct him in the matter,
that was wiser than himself. The property, to be assessed,
was scattered from South Point to Middle Island, and the only
way to reach it was by small boat, or foot it along an Indian
trail along tho lake beach. The value of real estate, ah ! what
was it worth? Any nominal sum that might be placed upon
it. Under those circumstances, would it be anything strange
to find some mistakes? It would be something unusual if
there was not. Eeal estate. Personal. Am't of tax.
D. D. Oliver, 1,680 00 496 00 198 46
George N. Fletcher, 400 00 16 28
J. K Lockwood, ]
J. Oldfield,
W. A. Chisholm,
J. S. Minor,
Andrew Horn,
Been & Evans,
J. J. Maiden,
J. W. Paxton,
Daniel McDonald,
John Cameron,
Miller, Fletcher & Co.,

[ 4,886 72
.J 1,909 45

211 10

86 81

' 1,038 38

247 00

53 18

170 00

6 86

976 00
40 42
534 00
2173
263 00
9 69
Co.,
750 00
29 50
FINANCIAL.

169

Daniel Carter,

225 00

9 15

Lewis Atkins,

100 00

4 07

G. B. MelviUe,

65 00

2 61

J. J. Shaw,

115 00

4 63

G. N. Fletcher,

195 00

7 96

Total of tax, $701 95
It will be readily seen that the foregoing is incorrect, for the
the tax was a fraction over four per cent, and the amount as
sessed to Oliver, at four per cent, would not be half the tax
which is set opposite his name. Been & Evans were not
real estate owners, and Andrew Horu's real estate was valued,
in 1858, at $473.32, instead of $1,909.45, and Oliver was as
sessed for $4,513.75 real estate, and $496 personal property.
Everything, in regard to personal property, is correct. The
whole amount of tax, voted to be spread upon tho tax roll, for
1858, was $889.62.
For county purposes, $364.62.
For township purposes, $425.00.
For highway purposes, $100.00.
The first disbursement, from the road tax, was to pay for
surveying a road, from near the mouth of Thunder Bay river
to Devil river. The first disbursement of the county funds,
was to pay J. K. Miller for making a transcript of the records
of lands, from the counties of Mackinac and Cheboygan, which
lands belong to Alpena county, and were recorded in those
counties, while Alpena was a part of their territory.
The writer has given the valuation of property in Alpena
county in 1858, and the amount of tax spread upon the tax roll,
in order to show the financial condition of the county when it
was organized. -4nd now it may not be uninteresting to the
reader to give the assessed valuation of property in the county
in 1875, and the financial condition of the city in 1870, as a
contrast, and showing the rapid growth of the county; and also
serving as a starting point for another Centennial.

170 FINANCIAL.

At the annual meeting, on October 11th, 1875, the Board of
Supervisors equalized the real estate and personal property in
the city of Alpena and the several townships, subject to be tax
ed, as follows:
City of Alpena, $788,270 00
Township of Alpena, 100,000 00
Township of Long Eapids, 300,000 00
Township of Wilson, 299,256 00
Township of Ossineke, 350,000 00
A resolution was passed as follows:
Eesolved, That the several Supervisors of the county of Al
pena, are hereby authorized and directed, by the Board of Su
pervisors of Alpena county, to spread upon their assessment
rolls for the year 1875, the following sums, and for the follow
ing purposes, to wit: township of WILSON.
For contingent expenses, $2,400 00
For highway purposes, 1,496 28
TOWNSHIP OF LONG EAPIDS.
For contingent expenses, $4,092 48
For highway purposes, 1,592 48
TOWNSHIP OF ALPENA.
For contingent expenses, $ 400 00
For highway purposes, 521 73
township of OSSINEKE.
For contingent expenses, $ 600 00
For highway purposes, 2,880^00
For school purposes, 700*00
And it was also.
Resolved, That the several amounts to be raised for State
and county purposes, for the year 1875, in the several town
ships and city of Alpena, in the county of Alpena, be appor
tioned as follows, to wit:
City of Alpena— State tax, $ 325 00
County tax, (5^370 00
Township of Wilson— State tax, 1'22 50
County tax, 2,605 00
Township of Long Eapids— State tax, 123 00
County tax, 2.615 00

financial. 171

Township of Alpena — State tax, 41 00
County tax, 875 00
Township of Ossineke — State tax, 143 39
County tax, 3,035 00
These resolutions were adopted by the following vote: Ayes,
Bedford, Lewis, Louden, Phelps, Spratt, .Turnbull, White and
Brackinreed. Nays, none. Cornell, Clerk of Board.
In March, 1876, the Comptroller and Treasurer of the city
of Alpena, made a report to the Mayor and Common Council,
as follows:
From the Comptroller.
Gentlemen: — I would most respectfully submit the follow
ing report, in reference to the finances of said city, for the
present fiscal year, beginning April 1st, 1875, up to March 20th,
1876:
Outstanding contingent orders, Api-il 1, 1875,
Contingent orders issued since.
Outstanding fire orders, April 1, 1875,
Fire orders issued since,
Outstanding police orders, April 1, 1875,
Police orders issued since,
Outstanding street orders, April 1, 1875,
Street orders issued since,
Outstanding bridge orders, April 1, 1875,
Bridge orders issued since,
Outstanding engine bonds,
Coupons on above.
Interest on coupons.
Interest on orders redeemed,
Total,
Contingent orders redeemed to date,
Contingent orders now outstanding.
Fire orders redeemed to date,
Fire orders now outstanding.
Police orders redeemed to date,
Police orders now outstanding,
Bridge orders redeemed to date,
Bridge orders now outstanding,

$ 901 61

8,697 45
406 75

2,250 47
345 38

1,007 50
195 95

2,807 08
34 40

721 15

2,000 00
300 00

24 06

310 53

.^20,002 92

^7,557 10

2,057 68

2,322 47

324 74

1,262 88
90 00

745 35

10 15

172 FINANCIAL.

Street orders redeemed to date,
Street orders now outstanding.
Engine bonds redeemed to date,
Engine bonds now outstanding,
Engine coupons redeemed to date.
Engine coupons now outstanding,
Interest on coupons, *
Interest paid on city orders redeemed.
Total, BECAPITULATION OF OUTSTANDING OKDEES,
Contingent orders outstanding to date,
Fire orders outstanding to date,
Police orders outstanding to date,
Bridge orders outstanding to date,
Street orders outstanding to date.
Engine bonds outstanding to date,
Coupons outstanding to date,
Total outstanding orders, bonds, etc., $3,826 85
Amount due from countv to city. 3,998 21
Signed, J. D. TUENBULL. Comptroller.
CtlAELES B. GREELY, Treasurer.
These figures show well for the financial condition of the
city, for the Centennial year.

2,759 03

244 00

1,000 00

1,000 00

200 00

100 00

24 66

810 53

$20,002 92

iTC.

2,057 90

324 74

90 00

10-15

244 00

1,000 00

100 00

CHAPTEE X.
MAEBIAGES, BIBTHS, ETC.
In the spring of 1859, the first marriage was celebrated in
Alpena county. Miss Mary L. Carter being the first young
lady that had come io the county as a permanent resident, as
sumed the right to be the first married; and in harmony with
previous arrangements, it was recorded: '-Married, March
10th, 1859, at the residence of the bride's mother, by David D.
Oliver, Esq., Justice of the Peace, George B. Melville to Mary
L. Carter, both of Fremont."
The record of marriages was burned in the court house, in
in 1870, and not having any more of the records in his posses
sion, the writer will not be able to notice any more of the early
marriages of Fremont. The records kept since the fire, shows
that, from February 11th, 1871, to June 1st, 1876, two hun
dred and forty-four marriages, three hundred and sixty-seven
births, and one hundred and ten deaths have been recorded.
VAEIOUS SUBJECTS.
Tempeeance. — This subject involves the feelings of so many
persons now living in Alpena, that a full discussion of the sub
ject cannot be had; and the writer would omit the subject en
tirely, did it not play so conspicuous a part in the early settle
ment of the county; for he would find it extremely difficult to
use the truth so sparingly as not to contradict the conceived
ideas of some, and not offend others. Almost every town,
when new, has had its "roughs," and "spreeing" time, and Fre
mont was not an exception. Pontiac, Oakland county, Michi
gan, was noted, in its early days, for its "spreeing," and a face
tious gentleman, w-ell known there in 1840, by the cognomen
of "Salt WUliams," who said he "had an altercation with a

174 VAEIOUS subjects.

man, and told him to go to h — 1 or Pontiac, aud the great fool
went to Pontiac." Fortunately most of the proprietors and
early settlers of Fremont were temperate people, and opposed
to the introduction and traffic of spirituous liquors; and conse
quently the "spreeing" season of Alpena was not long, but it
was not without its evil effects. The writer had been much
annoyed and injured in his business, at Devil river, by the sale
of whiskey to his men, by one Walter Scott, who resided near
the mouth of Thunder Bay river, and fished, looked pine lands,
and traded with the Indians. A number of times his life and
property had been in peril, during the drunken sprees of his
men, and in one instance, his mill was shut down for a month,
in consequence of a drunken spree of his men.
Those who live in a well settled country or in a city whore,
if a man gets drunk and abusive, he is taken care of by the
Sheriff, Constable, or the Police, can form no adequate idea of
the annoyance, hardship and peril that liquor makes iu a new
place. There you must either abscond, or be prepared to do-
fend yourself by physical force.
In the spring of 1862, the schooner Helen, from Saginaw,
came into Thunder Bay river, to bring supplies for Walter
Scott. This happened on Sunday, and some of the writer's
men saw her come in, and knew that she would have liquor on
board, as Scott had run out of that article toward spring. So
two or three were delegated, by the others, to go to Thunder
Bay river and bring three gallons of whiskey. We had finish
ed the winter's logging, and run the logs to the mill, and were
intending to start the mill, to run night and day, that Sunday
night, at midnight, but when tho time came to start, we found
only one man that could work, or could be trusted in the miU.
We had seen what was going on, and had placed in our pocket
one of Colt's revolvers, as a protector, while watching the mill.
Soon after daylight, in the morning, as we were standing iu
our door, wo heard a loud noise iu the men's sleeping room.

VAEIOUS SUBJECTS.

across the way, and soon an old German came down tho steps,
his face streaming with blood, and following him were three or
four men. We stepped quickly forward, and as we passed into
the street, the old German passed us, going into the house.
AVe asked, what was the matter, but received no response.
We then passed on to meet the men, who said the German had
committed some offense; had got drunk and went to bed and
left them, aud that they had gone to wake him up and give
him h — 1. Before they got through with their "yarn," the
German appeared with a shot gun, loaded with nine buck shot.
As soon as they saw the German with the gun, there was a
scattering, each one dodging out of sight, as quick as possible,
except one who was standing close to us, and did not at once
take in the situation, but when he did, he clung to us for dear
life. The old German came within two rods of us, with the
gun cocked and pointing at us, said: "Get out of the way or
I will shoot. I wUl kill him."
We told the old man that he would do w-rong to shoot us,
for we could not get out of the way of the man; to put down
his gun and go into the house, and we would settle the matter
all right, and after talking, perhaps two minutes, which seemed
a much longer time, he put down the gun and started for the
house. As soon as the gun was laid down, the man behind us
ran and seized it by the muzzle, and gave it a whack across a
log and narrowly escaped setting the gun off, pointing at his
breast. Iu the meantime, those who had been hidden away, came
out, swearing that they "would kill the Dutchman," and all
made a rush for the house. We quickly made up our mind
that we had business on hand, and we felt for our revolver and a
small round stone, to grasp in the hand, to support it, and give
weisrht to the blow, and started on the run for the house.
A number had reached it before us, some with .sticks and
other things they had picked up. Two had reached the Ger-

176 VAEIOUS SUBJECTS.

man and were whacking away at him. As we went into the
house, we reached from the shoulder, for every head that came
in our way, until we came to the old man, whom we told to go
upstairs, and on obeying, we followed him to the stairway.
By this time, those that their heads had come in contact with
the baud that had the stone in it, were rushing for us, aud to go
up the stairs, when we turned round with tho revolver in our hand,
and with words well qualified, we told them that we would
shoot tho first man that made any more disturbance; for them
to go home and get sober and pack up their things, for they
would all be discharged, and go dow-u on the schooner Helen.
This made a quietus. We then sent the only sober man we
had to Thunder Bay river, to engage the schooner to call at
Devil river, on her way down. The next day the schooner
came in, and, reluctantly, they all went aboard. Some were good
men, and had been with us for a number of years, and wo felt
loth to let them go, but under the circumstances, we could not
retain those and not the whole.
We then went to Detroit, by the way of Thunder Bay Is
land, and hired a now crew of men and women, and put them
on board a small propeller, called the Clifton, that had just
started to run on the shore, from Detroit to Alpena, and came
up as far as Port Austin. Here, the boat went into the har
bor, to discharge some freight, and in backing out, she struck
a rock aud went on so fast, that she could not get off. We
then took all our freight and persons on shore, found a place
where the ladies could stay, and went into camp with tho men.
We were here two weeks before any craft came in, that could
take us to Saginaw.
After reaching Bay City, we hired a craft to take us to Devil
river, where we arrived, after four weeks' absence. Althoueh
M'e had succeeded in keeping tho sale of liquor from Devil
river, yet so long as it was sold within reach of the men, it was
impossible to escape the pernicious effects of the occasional

VAEIOUS SUBJECTS. 177

sprees, and we were pleased to learn that the parties, about to
operate at Fremont, were opposed to the sale of liquor.
Soon after Mr. MUler came to Fremont, an informal meeting
Was had, at which were Daniel Carter, J. K. Miller, J. S. Ir
win, A. F. Fletcher, and the writer, and it was verbaUy under
stood and agreed to use all proper means t6 keep the sale of
spirUuous liquors from DevU river and Fremont. This was the
first combination against whiskey,' in the county, and although
not very strongly bound together, yet firm enough to have
kept whiskey from the place for a long time, had Mr. MiUer
not taken so much responsibility on himself, and left more
for his neighbors.
- Several attempts were made to sell liquor from small boats,
but they were severely dealt with, and generally quit the place
in disgust.
In 1859, J. K. Bingham came to Fremont, bringing with
him a general assortment of goods, that he supposed would be
needed in a now country, aud among other things, a few bar
rels of assorted liquors. He saw Mr. Miller, and requested
him to store the goods in his warehouse, for a few days, until
he could build a store. Mr. Miller, learning that Mr. Bing
ham had liquors, refused to give it storage, and no other store
house being in the place, Mr. Bingham was compelled to pro
vide storage for his goods, which he did by landing them on
the oast side of the river, where he covered them with boards,
set a watch over them day and night, aud commenced to sell
his liquors, and before Mr. Carter or the writer had any in
timation of the facts, the business had got so far established,
that it would require more effort than they wished to accept,
and more responsibility than they wished to incur, under the
circumstances, to stop it. Mr. Bingham was a man of energy,
had a fair education and address; had considerable means, and
much influence at that time, as Moses Bingham was his son,
and had been in Fremont for some time, and he was acquaint-

178 VAEIOUS SUBJECTS.

ed with Abram Hopper and others, from his part of the State,
He was not long in winning the respect and sympathy of a
large portion of the citizens of the county.
Had Mr. Miller quietly taken possession of the liquor, and
then notified his friends what he had, and all went to Mr. Bing
ham, in a body, aud requested him to send the liquor away,
and stating our reasons, he would have complied with our re
quests, and liquor, for a long time, might have been kept out
of the place, with but little effort, had it been well directed.
Mr. Miller was very conscientious in regard to handling whis
key and tobacco, and so utterly refused to have anything to do
with Mr. Bingham's liquors, and for this hasty and conscientious
act, he made an enemy of Mr. Bingham, alienated very much
the sympathies of friends, lost much of his influence among
tho people, and caused himself, for many years, to be treated
with discourtesy, by those who were in favor of the liquor
traffic, and which sometimes took on a form of open abuse,
which was not approved by the majority.
These abuses, after a time, extended to everyone who was
opposed to seeing a drunken mob in the street, and finally cul
minated in a man, by the name of Crawford, being shot and
killed. This was a sad affair, and created much excitement
and heated discussion at the time, the details of which can not,
with propriety, be given here, or at this time.
Whether this affair was a fortunate or unfortunate one, it did
much good for the county. It made a line of demarkation be
tween rowdyism and law and order, and showed a large ma
jority for the latter. It showed the roughs, that they were not
masters of the situation, as they supposed they were, nor did
they receive the sympathy they expected from the people.
In 1867, a man by the name of Sprague, was arraigned be
fore the Circuit Court, for heading a drunken mob, and fined,
and whiskey, in large quantities, ceased to abuse people in the
streets, and marked the end of the spreeing time of Alpena.

VAEIOUS SUBJECTS, 179
The same causes, which produced a change in the spreeing,
also divided the people, in regard to the temperance question,
and for some time a bitter feud was carried on between the
parties. In February, 1870, a temperance organization was
effected, called the Temperance League of Alpena, its object
being the suppression of the liquor traffic, in the place. The
officers of this powerful organization were: for President, Capt.
A. E. Persons; for Secretary, F. S. Goodrich; for Treasurer,
James J. Potter, and for executive committee, Wm. H. Potter,
Scott Doane, W^m. D. Hitchcock, Christopher Burrell and T.
M. Luce.
The following paper was drawn up, which explains itself;
"We, the undersigned, agree to take the number of shares set
opposite our names, at $5.00 each, subject to such assessments
as the Executive Committee of the Temperance League may
find necessary to make, iu order to carry on the work of or
ganization. The capital stock to ba $2,000.00, or more."
The names of the stock-holders are given, to show the
power and influence of this combination against the sale of
liquor. ^^\ H. Potter, W. J. Eoe, A. E. Persons, T. M. Luce,
Balfor Lee, J. J. Potter, Scott Doane, J. D. Potter, Fred. S.
Goodrich, W. D. Hitchcock, C. Burrell, F. H. Vroman, H. M.
Jacobs, J. C. Park, Robert Rayburn, Samuel Dafoe, E. K. Pot
ter, C. W. Vail, Henry S. Seage, B. R. Young, A. C. Tefft,
A. N. Spratt, J. W. Marshall, F. S. Dewey, , Benjamin Eich-
ards, James Oglevie, H. Cook, Eev, F. N. Barlow, C. C. Whit
ney, T. Lang Taylor, Z. M. Knight, M. B. Spratt, , A. Miller,
G. W. Jones, A. Crowell, A. L. Powers & Co, C. E. WUeox, Wm.
E. Rice, James Tuggy, Thos. G. Spratt, Herman Chamberlain,
E. M. Eaymond, Chas. N. Cornell, H. M. Hyatt, A. Hopper,
A.: F. Fletcher, P. M. Johnson & Co., Folkerts & Butterfield,
J. W. Van Horn, S. E. Hitchcock, C. H. Trask, W. H. Sexton,
S. L. Meade, J. Van Dusen, Fred Miller, Geo. E. Nicholson,
E. C. Barlow, AV. Nason, H. R. Morse, F. D. Spratt, D. G.

180 VAEIOUS SUBJECTS.

Aber, T. Luce & Co., E. White, R. Williams, C. L. Kimball,
Eev. A. B. AUen, D. Plough, C, H. Eice, Geo. Masters, W.
McMasters, J. S. Minor, Douglass Scott, A. L. Seaman, and
Hugh Mellon,
Many who were favorably inclined toward the temperance
cause, refused to take stock in this combination, on account of
the belligerent attitude, its extreme measures, and the bitter
ness then existing between the parties, alleging that action on
the part of the League, would endanger tho property of Alpena.
Among those wore: Geo. N. Fletcher, David D. Oliver, Dan
iel Carter, and J. K. Lockwood.
The League went into operation, and for two years a fierce
struggle ensued with various vicissitudes of success and defeat,
the details, or discussion of which, can not, with propriety, be
given here, nor would they be amusing or instructive, if they
could be. It is enough to say, that the League never accom
plished its object, and the animosity of the people was smoth
ered in the great fire in 1872, which swept away much of the
cause of contention, and mingled the sympathies of the citizens
in the great calamity that had overtaken both parties. Two
criminal prosecutions wore made, growing out of the affair,
Prejudice condemned the parties and sent them to prison, but
justice liberated them, and sent them home, as nothing could
be proved against them.
It is to bo regretted that the temperance cause has been so ex
treme and intemperate iu its movements. Time, talent and
money enough have been expended to have accompUshed all
necessary good that was sought, had it been properly directed.
WhUe it will be readUy conceded that much good has been
done to persons and locahties, through the cause, yet it would
require but little argument to prove that it has utterly faUed to
destroy liquor or decrease its manufacture and sale. The obvi
ous reason is, that it has always tried to do too much at a time,
and to have some events transpire before their antecedents ; or, in

VAEIOUS SUBJECTS. 181

other \^rds, to do an impossibility. Whenever it asked and
obtained a passage of law in its favor, it was always so stringent
that it was impracticable, and only led to litigation, w-ithout any
good result. When the temperance organizations shall
cease to be so extreme in their views, and change their bellig
erent attitude — shall be willing to treat the opposition with
as much respect and amiability as the Savior did Satan in the
wilderness — shall endeavor to modify the cause, rather than
cure effects — prefer making their own drunkards, to having
them made by others; then they will make some headway
against the monster that is destroying its thousands every year,
and has, by repeated liberties in the shape of strictures by the
temperance cause, grown to its maximum of poisonous effects.
The first society of Good Templars was organized some time
in 1866, but for some cause, soon became disorganized, the rec
ords of which the writer has not been able to find. The pres
ent society of Good Templars was organized October 3d, 1873,
under the name and style of Alpena lodge, No. 775, I. O. of G.
T. The charter members were: J. J. Potter, D. P. Lester,
K. M. Donnelly, John D. Potter, Alex. Campbell, Nettie Eid
dle, WiUiam Powell, J. D. Holmes, D. B. Hagarty, Mark Young,
Johnson Hamilton, with J. J. Potter first Worthy Chief Tem
plar. The foUowing are the officers installed in Alpena lodge,
No. 775, L O. of G. T., May 5th, 1876:
W. C. T.— A. Harshaw.
W. V. T. — Miss Jennie Campbell.
W. S.— J. C. Brockler.
W. T.— H. A. McTavish.
W. M.— C. C. Snider.
W. I. G. — Miss Belle McKonzie.
E. H .S.— Miss Belle McNeil.
L. H. S. — Miss Ruby Huston.
-W. C.— H. J. Eaton.
W. A. S. — Miss Mary Pickering.
^V. F. S. — James H. McDonald.
^Y. D. M. — Miss Mary McTavish.
W. O. G. — John B. Cole.
Installing Officer.— Alex. Campbell.

182 VAEIOUS SUBJECTS.

MASONIC. •
We find the following prepared. On December 28th, 1869,
being St. John's Day, the following officers were installed:
W. M.— Seth L. Carpenter.
S. W.— F. N. Bariow.
J. W.^ — A. Hopper.
Sec'y.— Charies Oldfield.
Troas.— William H. Potter.
S. D.— W. E. Rico.
J.'D.- Geo. W. Hawkins.
Stewards. — John McKay, James A. Case.
Tyler. — Dennis Babcock.
"The Alpena lodge of F. and A. M. has enjoyed a greater
degree of prosperity than any other lodge of its age in the
State. It was organized in 1865, when our town was very
small, and it was difficult to find Masons enough who would
remain in town until wo could establish a lodge. AVith true
Masonic perseverence and industry, a dispensation was finally
procured, and Bro. Wm. P. Maiden was appointed Master. No
brother could have been called to preside over the lodge, who
would have devoted more of his time, talent and energy than
did Bro. Maiden. The lodge immediately commenced to thrive
and flourish in the most satisfactory manner. A hall was ele
gantly fitted up, over Hyatt's bakery, and a large class .of the
most excellent citizens knocked at the door for admittance.
Every stranger admitted the work to be excellently done, and
our members visiting other lodges wore masters of their work.
Bro. M. was elected iu 1866, and re-elected in 1867, during
which time the lodge has been in most excellent condition, and
has found it necessary to procure a larger hall, wdiich it has
done, over the drug store. Bro. Maiden retires from the Mas
tership of the lodge, with a noble record and the gratitude of
all his follows." Bro. Carpenter, who succeeds him, is an ex-
ceUent man and Mason, au accomplished scholar, and a worthy

VAEIOUS SUBJECTS. 183

citizen, and no doubt will discharge tho duties of his office with
ability and honor. Lodge 199, P. and A. M., was organized in
1865, but did no work until 1866, when they obtained a hall
over Hyatt's meat market, and proceeded, under a dispensation,
to open the first lodge, with the following officers and members:
AV. M.— WUliam P. Maiden.
S. W.— Orin Erskine.
J. W. — Josiah Frink.
Sec'y. — James K. Lockwood.
Troas. — Chas. Eice.
S. D. — James J. Potter.
J. D.— David Plough.
Stewards.— O. H. P. Allen, Chas. B. Greely.
Tyler.— H. N. Harvey.
Members: John Newton, P. M. Johnson, Robt. J. Taylor,
A. C. Tefft, Geo. B. Erskine, and AVUIiam Long.
Second W. M., Seth L. Carpenter; third AA^ M., Chas. H.
Eice; fourth W. M., A. Hopper; fifth AV. M., C. H. Eice; sixth
W. M., L. B. Howard, in 1876.
THUNDEE BAY CHAPTEE.
Thunder Bay Chapter, No. 74, R. A. M., held its first convo
cation in Masonic hall, August 30th, 1870, working under a
dispensation, but was chartered January 10th, 1871, the first
officers of which were:
High Priest — Henry Bolton.
King — Charles H. Eice.
Scribe — AVilliam D. Hitchcock.
Charter members: Henry Bolton, AV. D. Hitchcock, S. L.
Carpenter, Alex. McDonald, Chas. Oldfield, A. C. Eice, Charies
H. Eice, Geo. W. Hawkins, A. W. Smith, J. B. Ei^kine, Chas.
B. Greely, F. N. Barlow.
Second High Priest, A. Hopper; third High Priest, AA'. D.
Hitchcock; fourth High Priest, Z. M. Knight.

184 VAEIOUS SUBJECTS.

BIBLE SOCIETY.
In 1868, A County Bible Society was organized, as auxili
ary to the American Bible Society, by the election of the fol
lowing officers:
President — Eev. F. N. Barlow.
Vice-President — C. L. Kimball.
Corresponding Secretary — Eev. Eufus Apthorp.
Treasurer; — W. D. Hitchcock.
Executive Committee— Eev. John May wood, O. Mather, H.
Hyatt, Benjamin Eichards and M. B. Spratt.
THE YOUNG MEN's CHEISTIAN ASSOCIATION,
Was organized in May, 1870, with the following officers:
President — William D. Hitchcock.
Vice-Presidents — C. T. Brockway and B. Eichards.
Corresponding Secretary — Dr. McSween.
Eocording Secretary — J. D. Holmes.
The Board of Managers were as follows: A. E. Blakely, A.
D. Hermance, B. Haywood, J. M. Blakely and D. W. Camp
bell. AMEBICAN PEOTESTANT ASSOCIATION.
In September, 1868, the American Protestant Association
was organized, at Evergreen Hall, entitled Pine Grove lodge
No. 5. The first officers elected are as follows: John Kes
ten, W. M. ; Alex. Campbell, W. D. M. ; John Smith, E. S.,
Dougal McArthur, F. S. ; James Dixon, A. S. ; William AValten-
bury. Treasurer; John A. Sloan, Conductor; Henry AVickerson,
Assistant Conductor; WiUiam HamUton, Lt. ; AV. H. Harvey,
O. T. ; J. E. Beach, Chaplain. BAND.
The first notice for the organization of a band, appeared in
the Pioneer of the 20th of June, 1868, through the instance of
the writer, who first agitated the matter, and donated the first
ten doUars toward purchasing the instruments, which cost the

VAEIOUS SUBJECTS. 185

sum of $350. On August 1st, 1868, the organization of the
band was completed, by the election of the following officers:
President — P. M. Johnson.
Vice-President — Dr. Wm. P. Maiden.
Secretary — A. Hopper.
Treasurer — C. F. Lacy.
Directors— E. S. Toland, J. B. Tuttle, W. D. Hitchcock.
Tho band was composed as follows:
First Efo Cornet, Chas. F. Lacy.
Second E6 Cornet, F. A. Pennington.
Bfo Cornet, Chas. GoUing.
First Alto, Geo. F. Howard.
Second Alto, Thos. B. Johnston.
Third Alto, Scott Doane.
First B6 Tenor, Denton Sellick.
Solo Baritone, Abram Hopper.
Tuba, Sylvester AVilliams.
Tenor Drum, Eobert S. Toland.
Cymbals, Willie B. Boggs.
Bass Drum, Joseph C. Park.
Mr. Howard, Teacher and Manager.
ALPENA AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETY.
In AprU, 1874, a meeting was called, for the purpose of
forming au agricultural society, but no action was taken at this
time; but on the 30th of May, when the citizens of Alpena
county met aud organized the Alpena County Agricultural So
ciety, by adopting a constitution and by-laws, and electing the
following gentlemen directors to manage the affairs of the so
ciety for the first year: W. H. Potter, Seth A. L. Warner, J.
K. Lockwood, James J. Potter, D. P. Buker, W. H. Phelps,
James A. Case, Joseph Cavanagh, N. M. Brackinreed and W.
H. Sanborn. The object of the society was the promotion of
agricultural, horticultural and domestic industry, by the use of

186 VAEIOUS SUBJECTS.

competition prizes. The officers shall be elected, annually, by
ballot, and shall consist of a President, a Vice-President in
each organized tov/nship, who shall have the care of the soci
ety in his township, and shall be presiding officer of any meet
ing pertaining to the society in the absence of the President, a
Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Committee. The by-laws
give the general duties of the officers and the general manage
ment of the society.

\ ~ y-

ILLUSTEATIONS.

David D. Oliver, - . . Frontice.
Daniel Carter, - - . - 57
James K. Lockwood, - - . 60
George N. Fletcher, - . - 77
Edward K. Potter, - - . 81
Mrs. Sarah L. Carter, - - - 91
William D. Hitchcock, - - - 140
Miss Mary L. Carter, - - - 151

INDEX.

Chapter I — Alpena County — Preliminary Eemarks, 3 to 29
Chapter II — Topographical and Geological, 30 to 46
Chapter III — Organization, 47 to 76
Chapter IV — Improvements, 77 to 124
Chapter V — Fires and Fire Organizations, 125 to 186
Chapter VI — Communication, 137 to 150
Chapter VII— Educational, 151 to 163
Chapter VIII— Judiciary, 164 to 167
Chapter IX— Financial, 168 to 172
Chapter X — Marriages, Births, Various Subjects, 173 to 186

d